Author Archives: Natalia

Pittsburgh Curling Club

So. What are you up to this weekend? Movie? Dinner? Theatre?

Boring! How about pushing granite stones with a broom? ON ICE?

It’s called curling – a sport you’ve probably seen in the Olympics (or at 3am on ESPN). Fun fact: apparently, the Royal Montreal Curling Club, est. in 1807, was the first sports club of any kind in North America. The sport is popular in Canada, Scotland, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland – and Pittsburgh too!

The Pittsburgh Curling Club is located at Robert Morris University’s Island Sports Center, on Neville Island, just off I-79. Curlers meet most Saturday evenings from October to March. There are two game times – the first is at 6:15 until 8:15 and the second is from 8:30 to 10:45.

But … you are in for a treat! This Saturday (Dec. 10) and next (Dec. 17), the Club offers “Learn to Curl” sessions at 6Pm.

From the web site:

“Just show up or ensure your spot by booking in advance – groups welcome! Equipment provided and instructors available – cost is only $10.00. Wear warm, comfortable clothing and rubber soled shoes – tennis shoes work great. If you have any questions, please contact Sandra at president@pittsburghcurlingclub.com.”

I was impressed with the organization’s well-designed and informative web site:

http://www.pittsburghcurlingclub.com/

I am definitely going to try to make it to one of these events. Maybe there’s some latent talent that has yet to emerge here. In fact, I hope someone reading this takes their kids and wins a gold medal for the hometeam someday. You never know until you try. Go Team Blitz!

Help us find a new home ..

Dear faithful readers,

The I heart PGH team has been genuinely touched by the amount of support and users and hits we’ve gotten over the past couple of months. We are also thrilled that so many of you have already registered and posted your own hearts. If you have noticed, we have been exceeding our bandwidth every evening for the past days. We just can’t handle the weight of your love.

In fact, we need to upgrade to new servers. We are also in discussion to produce more products, such as stickers, buttons, and other clothing items (with cool new designs) from local firms. These activities, however, require more capital than we can spare … and this is where YOU come in.

Right now, there are 3 ways to support your site and keep hearting Pittsburgh:

1. Buy current I heart products.

2. Download Mozilla firefox (see the link below.)

3. Donate to our brand spankin’ new Paypal account. (see the link below.)

As hometown boy Joe Grushecky says (with his bandmate Bruce Springsteen):

“I will always take good care of you
No matter what I’ll be there – I’ll be there for you
And I know that,

Everything’s going to work out right
Grab your hat and hold on tight
Everything’s going to work out right

There’s been some hard times but we made it through
Didn’t know where our next meal was coming from
As long as you got me and I got you
Through thick and thin until kingdom come

Everything’s going to work out right.”

Thanks, Joe! We can do it!

The Squirrels in Squill

Ever wonder how the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill got its name? According to the Squirrel Hill Historical Society:

“Before the advent of the Europeans, Squirrel Hill was a wilderness area used as an Indian hunting ground. During the 1760’s, Squirrel Hill was a pioneer farming community that also included Indian traders. Its main attraction was that it was a wilderness area where land was free, there was wild game to hunt, etc., but it was nonetheless not too far from the protection of Fort Pitt.

“Squirrel Hill has always been known for its abundance of gray squirrels in the days of the early pioneers, the squirrels were so numerous that their chatter created a din.”

Find more than you ever wanted to know about the pioneer days of this neighborhood from the group’s web site. The site is regularly updated with news and events, and the group meets regularly at the Sixth Presbyterian Church on the corner of Forbes and Murray Avenues.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Alrighty, so it’s 5am on a Sunday morning in the Blitz and even though there’s about 20 hours left to go, I feel inclined to write a weekend wrap-up. Forgive me. I hope every ‘burgher, be they resident, transplant or visitor, had a wonderful holiday.

Here are 3 things I am thankful for this weekend:

1. The downtempo playing at Tuscany Cafe (in the South Side on Carson St.) on the weekends. Smooth. I don’t know why more of you aren’t there on Saturday night! 😉

2. The only graffiti in the women’s bathroom in the Shadow Lounge which reads: “You are infinitely beautiful.” I mean, it’s bathroom graffiti.

3. The ice sculpter we met today at 4am in Tom’s Diner on Carson in the South Side. He specializes in Indian weddings and the goddess of love. (Sorry, we didn’t get his card. But he wears Steelers gear and hangs out at Toms. ) This ice sculptor also moonlights as a chef, and told us about a tasty appetizer: deep-fried bananas … wrapped in bacon. (!) (Yes, this was revealed without any prodding from me.) We’ve got some fascinating folks in this town, I am telling you.

Thanks for a fun weekend, PGH!

Bloomfield Sandwich Shop

On Tuesday, a friend) and I were wandering around Liberty Ave. in Bloomfield looking for some ice cream. Instead we ended up at The Bloomfield Sandwich Shop for some scrambled eggs and toast and homefries. And good conversation. And friendly people. All for only $1.99! Breakfast is served all day, and it’s so cheap, you might think you need glasses.

We learned that owners Roz and Mike started out working there, and eventually acquired the business. We learned that folks from the neighborhood have been coming in every morning for years. We learned that one regular even buses it from McKeesport every single day to see old friends. No wonder – Roz was totally awesome and made us feel completely at home.

Don’t be shocked – the joint is small – and probably has less counter space than your own kitchen, and there isn’t even enough room to open the refrigerator door. You get the feeling that you are in your auntie’s living room (if your auntie had a counter, diner chairs, and deep fryers in the house.) The food is cooked right in front of your eyes. It’s all part of the charm.

Roz even asked us if we had any Thanksgiving plans – the shop is offering a free T-giving meal (tomorrow, from 10am to 2pm) for anyone far from home or in need of impromptu friends and family.

The Bloomfield Sandwich Shop is open from 8am to 4pm Monday through Saturday, and from 8am to 2pm on Saturdays. It’s on 4613 Liberty Ave. 412-687-8443.