Yes, every ones favorite Steeler has his own blog – Ben Roethlisberger’s Blog. Ben shows us some pictures of his dog and some others from his camera phone while he is on the road with the team. From his blog you get the sense that Ben is just a nice guy who happens to be a great football player. It is just nice to see one of these players who also seems to love Pittsburgh and Pittsburghers as much as he loves playing football. 
Tango Lessons!
I write to this post from bright and sunny Buenos Aires, Argentina, tango capital of the world. (Even the most diehard Pittsburgher has to escape from the snowy or rainy skies some time. ) To prepare for my vacation, I just had to get in one tango lesson. It was really fun and I got a lot of exercise in just one afternoon … so if going to the gym is not an appealing way to get in shape for you, try the tango! (Believe me, it is a lot more than strutting with your partner in a straight line down the dance floor!) I just got this e-mail from my instructor, Martin de san Martin:
“Hola Tangueros!
“Happy New Year to you all!
“How are you? I hope you had a great holiday season and are itching to come back to the dance floor!
“I am writing to you to confirm that we will have our weekly tango class this Sunday, January 8th, in our new home at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church – ELPC which is known as the Cathedral of Hope.
“The Cathedral of Hope (East Liberty Presbyterian Church – ELPC) is located at the corner of Penn and Highland in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The main entrance is on Highland Avenue. Following I’ve attached a link with the directions posted on the ELPC website for your convenience.
http://www.cathedralofhope.org/directions.html
“Please note that we’ve changed the class schedule a bit to accommodate the requests of many of you. Therefore, the classes will be starting one and a half hour earlier!
“Time: 6:00 pm Beginners
7:00 pm Intermediate
“As usual, you’re welcome to suggest steps and techniques you’d like to work on. If you have questions please email at: tangointheburgh at yahoo dot com “
The tango is experiencing a revival around the world, Pittsburgh included: there is a surprisingly robust tango community here and many Argentines call this city home.
But I have to say, being in the middle of humid, hot summer sans air conditioning actually makes me appreciate the Pittsburgh weather I just left. So see? I still heart Pittsburgh! But I must go take a nap now … apparently the party doesn´t get started here until midnight … zzzzz.
What we already know, but needed Google to show others – People like living in Pittsburgh
Well we here at I heart PGH already know that people like living in Pittsburgh. The great parts of Pittsburgh are finally gaining some national attention with Google’s explaination for why they are opening an office in Pittsburgh.
Post-Gazette article: Google coming because local talent likes it here
Of course people like living here and it is just great that quality of life and talent are attracting a major national company to open a facility here. What a great statement for Pittsburgh and hopefully Pittsburgh will continue to attract and cultivate great companies so that more people can come to love PGH!
Finding out the History of Your House
So, have you ever wondered why you would reeeeally look through those dusty books at the recorder of deeds office? Well, if you’re interested in finding out the history of your house, you can march right up to the Allegheny County Office Building downtown and request the history of the transactions on your property. Other ways to find out the history of your home include census records – the census has been taken every year since 1790, and older records are available at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Many city neighborhoods weren’t even incorporated well into the 20th century, so your house may have even been farmland a mere 100 years ago.
Who knows? Maybe your house was the former abode of a 1920s wiseguy politician, a baseball player from the Homestead Grays or single grandmother who raised 12 children on her own. But that’s the beauty of living in Pittsburgh, especially in a house that’s been sold through generations. My block has more history than some new housing developments with clapboard walls can shake a stick at! 😉 Gotta love that solid brick foundation. And some of us are lucky to have some stained glass or fancy woodwork.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has developed nice little web site with details about how to find out the history of your home. [Photo Courtesy of Dunn Real Estate.]
Girls Night In
Because it’s always fun to follow up posts about pristine urban forests and turn-of-the-century folk art with one about … sex toys (teehee.) Girls Night In is a Pittsburgh-based retailer dedicated to “a feminist vision of sexuality and exploration.”
I mean, come’on, ladies (and gentleman.) Aren’t we sick of the parties with overpriced candles, kitchen supplies and tupper ware? Girls Night In can help you host parties showcasing sex toys, videos and books in a relaxing, non-intimidating, and friendly environment. Think birthdays, bachelorette parties, unconvential bridal showers … and thank God we live in Pittsburgh, because Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi all prohibit “devices manufactured or marketed primarily for the massage of the human genitalia.”
This 2004 article from the City Paper hilariously describes an event and the org’s the mission:
‘Theresa (party attendees asked that their last names be withheld) asks how the company got started. Derzic and Bodenhemier explain that they’ve known each other for years but that it was at an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade last year that they decided to start a feminist-oriented sex-toy business. Their initial plan was to open a bricks-and-mortar store, but they started instead with home parties and their catalog. They intend to open a store in Pittsburgh within the next two years, they tell the partygoers, though they’re not sure where.
‘”I did have a dildo thrown at my car once in the South Side,” Theresa offers. “That seems like a sign, so I think that’s a perfect place for your store.”
‘”They have a lot of Monongahela whitefish there,” says Carolyn, a first-grade teacher.
‘To puzzled looks, Derzic explains that “whitefish” are “the used condoms floating in the river.”
‘Derzic’s capacity to instruct goes far beyond the local lexicon. Girls’ Night In’s mission states that it’s “committed to a feminist vision of sexuality education and exploration.” By education, of course, they’re talking not about how to change the two AAA batteries of their Tsunami G-Spot vibrator (“just right for reaching that magic spot,” $25), but about how to change the way we think about sex.
….‘Bodenhemier counts Girls’ Night In among sex-toy purveyors who are moving toward what she calls an “enhancement paradigm.” Rather than a vibrator’s selling point being that “you can’t get a man, or your boyfriend is off in Iraq,” she favors “incorporating couples play” into presentations. That has the added value, she says, of reassuring men who might be threatened by a device that is, after all, more reliable than they are.’
Woo-hoo. See?! There’s no reason to be afraid – all genders are included. To buy products or schedule a party, call 412-951-2488 or e-mailthegirls@girls-night-in.com.
Wishing you the best sex you will ever have in 2006 … Happy New Year!
