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

Continue reading →

No Joke- there are actually some bars in Pittsburgh without Smoke

So we know there are many friends of I heart PGH that like a cigarette with their drink, but there are many visitors to Pittsburgh from New York and Boston and California that say “When will Pittsburgh be smoke free?”
So here is a short list of Smoke FREE Bars in Pittsburgh…

BELLA VISTA :: Mt. Washington, 1204 Grandview Ave, 412-431-1660, American
CABARET AT THEATER SQUARE :: (smokefree bar open to public), Downtown, 803 Liberty Ave., 412-471-6070, New American
CAFE ZAO :: Downtown , 649 Penn Ave., 412-325-7007, Portuguese Cross-cultural
ELEVEN www.bigburrito.com/eleven/ Strip District, 1150 Smallman St., 412-201-5656, New America
GRAN CANAL CAFFE :: Sharpsburg, 1061 N. Canal St., 412-781-2546, Italian
GRANDVIEW SALOON :: Mt. Washington, 1212 Grandview Ave, 412-431-1400, American
HARVEST BAR (in Westin Hotel, open to the public) :: Downtown, 1000 Penn Ave., 412-281-3700, Casual Sophistication
HOT METAL GRILLE :: South Side Works (15203), 2829 E. Carson St., 412-431-2300, Mesquite Grill / American
KAZANSKY’S DELI :: Squirrel Hill, 2201 Murray Ave, 412-521-4555, Deli
LE POMMIER :: www.lepommier.com Southside, 2104 East Carson Street, 412-431-1901, Bistro Français
POINT BRUGGE CAFE :: Point Breeze, 401 Hastings Street, 412-441-3334, Belgian cuisine & craft brewing
RED ROOM CAFE AND LOUNGE :: East Liberty, 134 S. Highland Ave, 412-362-5800, American
SIX PENN KITCHEN :: Downtown, 146 Sixth St., 412-566-7366, American
TRUE CAFE :: North Side, 900 Western Ave., 412-321-8783, bar only (no restaurant)
VIVO :: www.friendsofvivo.com – has a downstairs room with a BYOB bar and soundstage. Bellevue (15202), 565 Lincoln Ave, 412-761-9500, Italian (BYOB, now accepting credit cards)

If you know of any other Smoke Free establishments please let us know so we can update the list (email info@iheartpgh.com)

For a list of Smoke Free Bars and Restaurants around Western PA visit No Smoke Dining