Author Archives: Natalia

Get your PÄ…czki soon!

paczki

PÄ…czki (pronounced ponch-key) are a traditional Polish doughnut filled with jelly or another sweet filling. In Poland, they are traditionally eaten on Tlusty Czwartek – Fat Thursday – the Thursday before Lent. In the US, we eat them on Tlusty Wtorek, Fat Tuesday. Traditionally, these little doughnuts were made to use up all the sweet stuff in the house before Lent.

Fat Thusday was last week (23 February) so we can’t be that authentic, but we stilll have time to fill our bellies this week!

In the South End of the city, you can find pÄ…czki at The Party Cake Shop located on 706 Brookline Blvd – (412)531-5322. They offer them with custard, chocolate, vanilla, apricot, lemon and raspberry fillings. But get them soon – Tuesday is the last day to purchase them! The Party Cake Shop is just a darn good bakery anyway, so bring your pocket book and your sweet tooth. (I should know – in full disclosure, my mother has worked there for the last ten years.)

Does anybody else know where to get pÄ…czki in other parts of Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh Hills

polish

You know, they say Pittsburgh is the San Francisco of the East. (Or maybe that’s just me.) I randomly came across the web site of the Western PA Wheelman (bicycle club) who brings us this handy-dandy list of the steepest grades in the city … and out. I’m glad to see South Pittsburgh REPRESENT.

From Pgh Post-Gazette, Oct 5, 1984:

Street / Neighborhood / Grade

1. Canton Beechview 37%
2. Flowers Hazelwood 28%
3. East Woodford Carrick 27.6%
4. Cutler Northside 26%
5. Rialto (Pig Hill) Troy Hill 24%
6. Tesla Hazelwood 24%
7. Newitt Carrick 23%
8. N. Winebiddle Garfield 23%
9. Hampshire Beechview 23%
10. Potomac Banksville 22%

Outside of the city:

1 Logan Millvale 25%
2. Winsdor Forest Hills 25%
3. Decatur Forest Hills 24%
4. Seavy-High Etna 22%
5. Marion Forest Hills 19%

(Thanks to knobil for the photo of Polish Hill.)

Pittsburgh & CPI

Here’s another random one for the books. This one goes out to all the econ lovers in the audience (you sick, sick people.)

I recently found out Pittsburgh is a chosen city. For what, you ask?

We, along with 12 other lucky dawgs, have been chosen by the US Department of Labor for a SEMIANNUAL update of the CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. (Ahem, “If used with caution, local area CPI data can illustrate and explain the impact of local economic conditions on consumers’ experience with price change.” Basically, the difference in CPI = inflation.)

In fact, this data can be ACCESSED via PHONE 24 hours a day. Look, I’m not even kidding:

“Recorded summaries of CPI are also available by calling any of the following metropolitan area CPI hotlines. Summaries typically include data for the U.S. City Average, as well as the specified area. Recordings are approximately 3 minutes in length and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Pittsburgh (412) 644-2900

Take it and run with it, Pittsburgh. (I hope Jerome Bettis shirts are not included in the index.) This is brought to you the friendly Bureau of Labor Statistics.


(Love the government graphic. Labor statistics are fun!)

Carnegie Museum of Art – for children

Child Magazine ranked the best museums in the country for children.

Check it out:

1. Art Institute of Chicago
2. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
3. Dayton Art Institute
4. De Young, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
5. CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART, Pittsburgh
6. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
7. Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha
8. Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, DE
9. Dallas Museum of Art
10. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
(Thanks to Ambrose for the link!)

Why? According to the article:

5. Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh:

  • Hosts weekend drop-in programs in the galleries for kids ages 4 and up that often include a treasure hunt and an art-making activity
  • Offers hourlong Preschool Playdates for toddlers; a child and a parent hear nursery rhymes, watch finger plays, and make art in the galleries
  • Boasts many family conveniences, including free strollers to borrow, quick-service restaurants with kid-friendly fare, and a Brown Bag Lunchroom with a microwave

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