Category Archives: Shop PGH

March Madness and April PULSEations

Back in March, a group of Pittsburgh bloggers organized a March Madness bracket challenge – we all agreed that each blog would write a post about the winning bloggers favorite nonprofit organization.

Kate Stoltzfus (aka the brains behind the blog Yinzpiration) had the winning bracket and her nonprofit of choice is PULSE.  I am more than happy to write about PULSE as I think this is one nonprofit that has been quietly making a big impact on some Pittsburgh neighborhoods and is well positioned to continue to do more for the city.

PULSE stands for Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience.  Each year PULSE takes a group of college graduates, gives them a place to live and matches each person with a Pittsburgh nonprofit.  To provide housing for the participatns, PULSE has been rehabbing and improving homes in different Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

From the PULSE website:

We have a three-pronged model for accomplishing this purpose:

  • NONPROFIT WORK PLACEMENT – Invite talented, university graduates to partner with nonprofits for a year of service and leadership
  • COMMUNITY LIVING – Cultivate community by having participants live together and share meals, household tasks, finances and learning experiences.
  • TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT – Train and equip participants to become servant leaders in Pittsburgh by providing regular, personal and professional development opportunities.

I’ve learned more about PULSE because some of my favorite Pittsburgh things have a link to PULSE.  The Union Project – yep, that was the idea of some of the PULSE participants.  Have you checked out Kate’s blog Yinzpiration?  Kate came to Pittsburgh to participate in PULSE, now she writes great interviews with Pittsburghers at Yinzpiration and she is one of the founders of Propelle.  You can read some of the other PULSE alumni stories here.

If you would like to learn more about PULSE or support the PULSE programming you are in luck.  This Friday, April 12, 2013 is their annual fundraiser PULSEations which will be held at the Union Project from 7-10pm.

I have been wanting to share the invite to PULSEations – I kind of wish this could be the logo for IheartPGH, city skyline.

The event features food, drink, fun and an auction which includes:

  • Cooking Class/Lunch with Kevin Sousa at NaCl
  • Weekend in Chautauqua from John and Milonica Stahl-Wert
  • Weekend in Myrtle Beach from Chris and Kelly Cooke

More info about the auction is available here.  I will be there and I would love to see you there too!

But you don’t have to take my word for it.  Here is what others are saying about PULSEations on Twitter…

The Brazen Kitchen and Yinzpiration Dish it Out for a Cause

Have you heard about No Menu Mondays at Bar Marco in the Strip?  It’s a chance for different chefs to take over the kitchen and offer up their own menu for the evening.  This popular event will be taken over this Monday (April 6), from 5-10pm, by The Brazen Kitchen and Yinzpiration and friends from the Highland Park Kitchen Staples Food Co-op (also one of the 10 yinzpiring things about Highland Park) .

All proceeds from the event will go toward tools and other materials for the Barack Obama High School Cooking Club which is part of Food Revolution Pittsburgh.

There are tons of great sponsors providing support and extra treats: check out the Facebook event page for more info.

This Week In Pittsburgh (Jan 28 – Feb 3)

After a week off, here’s your list of things to do this week. My calendar is a little thin at the moment, but feel free to post a comment and I’ll update the post!

 

Shift Change
Wednesday 6p, Free
Big Idea Bookstore, Bloomfield

This 2012 documentary film tells the little known stories of employee-owned businesses that compete successfully in today’s economy while providing secure, dignified jobs in democratic workplaces. After the movie, there will be informal discussion about the movie and cooperative owned businesses.
More information: (412) 687-4323

 

Pitts-burrrrgh Drowned Hog Swim
Saturday 11a, Charity Event
South Side Trail

Join the Pitts-burrrrrgh Drowned Hogs at the 18th Street Boat Ramp for a dip in the river to celebrate Groundhog Day — when, according to folklore, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil determines whether we will enjoy an early spring. Begun in 2006, the Pitts-burrrrrgh Drowned Hogs is an informal group of adventurous people who plunge into the chilly Monongahela River on Groundhog Day. Challenge co-workers and other teams to see who can raise the most money or wear the goofiest outfits. Proceeds benefit Circle C, a private, nonprofit agency serving troubled and disadvantaged youth throughout the greater Pittsburgh area since 1967.
More information: (412) 937-1605 ext 227

Some content provided by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pitt-Starter: FLIPSTAND for iPad

Occasionally we like to feature some Pittsburgh related Kickstarter projects here on the blog.  This one caught our eye because it was designed by the folks who own 21st Street Coffee and created the FLIPSTAND for use in their shops.  We know a few others local businesses that use an Ipad to process credit cards and could use something like the FLIPSTAND to keep their iPads from walking out the door.

There are 4 days left to support this project – so if you think this is a nifty idea – make sure to contribute ASAP.

Here are some other blog posts about iPad stands for a variety of different places (including 2 different stands designed for iPad use in the bathroom?!?)

Saturday Shopping at Moop and Boutique 208

Two great places to shop on Saturday December 15, 2012 – these great Pittsburgh businesses have some special holiday shopping events to help you finish your Christmas shopping.

Moop – is a Pittsburgh manufacturer of handmade waxed cotton bags.  Their bags have been featured all over the web and the country but they are made right here in Pittsburgh.  Moop has recently moved to a new studio.  Usually their bags are only available from their website – MoopShop.com, but this Saturday you can stop by their studio for a special holiday sale.

Moop Handmade Holiday Open Studio Sale
Saturday, December 15, 2012
10am-7pm
100 Rosslyn Road, Carnegie, PA 15106 (detailed directions are available here)
Facebook Event Link – http://www.facebook.com/events/448135231912504

Boutique 208 is located downtown at 208 Sixth Street – it started as part of Project PopUp last year.  Boutique 208 is hosting a “Clever Handmade Holiday Shopping Event” on Saturday from 2-8pm, featuring the works of local artists bel monili and juNxtaposition – two unique local artists who create up cycled jewelry and accessories.  There will be wine and free gift wrapping.

A Clever Handmade Holiday Shopping Event
Saturday, December 15, 2012
2pm-8pm
Boutique 208, 208 Sixth Street
Facebook Event Link – http://www.facebook.com/events/133812220101969/ 

Read more about Moop: