Category Archives: Neighborhoods

John A. Hermann Memorial Art Museum

When we think of Pittsburgh museums, we think of the Carnegie, the Warhol, the Heinz History Center. But there are other small, neighborhood museums that have amazing art and historical collections. Take the John A. Hermann Memorial Art Museum in Bellevue. The museum holds over 1000 paintings, as well as ivory and bronze pieces. Hermann (1858-1942) was a millionaire who was also a painter; he never sold a painting, yet he desperately wanted to be recognized for his art. Today, according to art students and curators, his collection is one of the most complete collections of one folk artist in the country. There is also an interesting Post-Gazette article about the museum. (The painting to the left is entitled, “The Nervous Patient, 1890.”)

The museum is located at 318 Lincoln Avenue in Bellevue, PA. Admission is FREE. It is open on Friday and Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m, on Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and closed on holidays. You can also schedule an appointment by calling 412-761-8008.

pittsburgh candle company

located just outside city limits is a successful woman-owned business called the pittsburgh candle company. susan miller manufactures and sells 100% soy-based candles at her west view shop.

so, for those people that you don’t know what to get for them for the holidays and were going to buy the generic candle anyway, please consider making a trip to west view for a locally-made soy candle from a locally-woman-owned business.

Do some holiday holiday shopping at APARTMENT

On the second floor of 1113 E. Carson Street is APARTMENT – an independent clothing store featuringZETO clothing and the artwork of Brian Holderman. Brian and Nami have set up a really great store – it is like shopping in your living room, but it is their living room. Be sure to sign up for their email list so that you get updates about art openings. If you can’t make it over to APARTMENT you can buy ZETO clothing from the website www.zeto-clothing.com.
For more info on Brian Holderman’s art check out – http://www.cloud8.info
apartment

SANTARCHY!

santa

So. Before you go you go curling or see Mamaspell this Saturday, Dec. 10, you need to check out the first annual Pittsburgh SANTARCHY. This Santastic event has been held everywhere from Tokyo to San Francisco. The evidence at left is from McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Good Lord, I never thought I’d see the day where Pittsburgh was playing catch-up to Antarctica on a cultural trend. But anyway. We got it, finally.

From the organizer’s post at craigslist:

What is it? Santarchy is a nonpolitical, non-religious, not-for-profit (i.e. free), demented Santa Claus convention — a mass gathering of Santa Clauses that will spread a little disruptive, holiday cheer to everyone we encounter. It’s part pub crawl, part culture jam, and part prank.

Meeting place: Southside, Beehive Coffee House, corner of 14th and Carson.
When: 3:00 p.m., this Saturday
Until: ??? (But plan on a long day.)

The itinerary will be kept secret until the actual day, but expect the following:
— It will start and end in the Southside.
— Lots of walking
— Use of public transportation system
— Visits to Station Square and Downtown.
— Pub hopping
— Lots of funny looks

This event is free and open to all Santas, however, the drinks and food along the way will not be.

In order to participate you MUST dress like Santa Clause. Here is some advice from Pittsburgh Cacophony Society:

“Santa apparel is mandatory. A Santa hat is not enough. Get a Santa suit. Make a Santa suit. Steal a Santa suit. Buy a Santa suit. If you don’t have any money, be creative. If you don’t have any creativity, slap yourself three times and ask your mom to help you. Glue cotton balls to red long johns. Make it purple. Make it pink. Already have a Santa suit? Make a spare so Santa can assimilate strangers. Past examples: pimp Santa/Santa garcia/Santa’s naughty little helper/misfit toy/elf/reindeer. Traditional suits can be bought at local party stores or ordered online for $12 and up.”

I am looking forward to the insantaty.

Loova

In college, I studied abroad in London. And I spent too much money I didn’t have. Too much of this money was spent on soap. Yes, soap. You see, in London, there is a wonderful boutique chain called Lush. Lush specializes in fresh, hand-made, all natural, super-good smelling soap and beauty products. Their products are ridiculously expensive, yet addictive.

Thanks to Lush, I returned to Pittsburgh a soap addict. But Bath and Body Works did not fulfill my needs. The Body Shop was too far away. I wanted my soap and beauty products with expiration dates. I wanted to see my bath scrubs made and packaged right in front my eyes, made with fresh ingredients.

So imagine my surprise when I entered LOOVA, located in Station Square in the South Side. Could I believe my eyes? It was exactly like Lush – but (slightly more) affordable! And more importantly, local!

Soap by the slice? Check!
yum

Soap kebabs? Check!
soapy soap soap

Home-made bath cup cakes? Check!
tub cakes

Creatively packaged bath fizzies? CHECK!
fizz fizz

You can also buy Loova products online (orders of $50 get a 15% discount.) And … if you can’t afford the soap, I highly recommend visiting the store. The smells are free. (But don’t be surprised if you walk out wondering why you just bought a dozen bath fizzies.)