We are kicking off the weekend a day earlier this weekend. As we were putting this list together we came across an old article about snomageddon – and it is so great to see Pittsburgh emerging from the long, cold winter nap.  Here are just a handful of events to get you out of the house this weekend.

1st Annual Pittsburgh Artichoke Festival

• Thursday, May 27, 2010, 5:30-7pm @ Elisco Advertising, 3711 Butler St.
• All things artichoke – appetizers, pizza from Piccolo Forno, and desserts from Dozen Bake shop
• FYI – Castroville, CA is the artichoke capital of the world – located just north of Monteray – you can stop and have some fried artichokes at the Giant Artichoke restaurant.

Local Restaurant Week – May 25-30

• enjoy some of the best food in town
• huge list of Pittsburgh restaurants are offering 3 course specials for just $20.10 and other specials too
• A few on our list to check out – Vivo in Bellvue, Riverview Cafe in Lawrenceville, The Mighty Oak Barrel in Oakmont, and the Square Cafe in Regent Square.

Mount Washington Art Marketplace

• Starting Saturday, May 29 and every Saturday in the summer from 11am-5pm
• Head up to Mt. Washington for a weekly artists market.

• Saturday, May 29 – 12pm-3pm
• Kingsley Association Community Center, 6435 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
• The event is sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Healthy snacks will be provided by Whole Foods.  For more information, visit www.ventureoutdoors.org or call 412.255.0564.

• Saturday, May 29, 2010 3-:430pm
• Offered in conjunction with Car Free Fridays and BikePGH!
• Meeting Location: The clock on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon (at the stair entrance to the “T”), across the street from Aladdin’s Eatery (630 Washington Road).
• Tour Highlights: Karen Cahall, PHLF’s education coordinator and a Mt. Lebanon resident, will share information about significant historical events and current developments along Washington Road. You’ll tour the Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building and Public Safety Building and peek into lots of main street businesses. And, if you want, you’ll be able to climb the winding stairs up into the bell-tower of Southminster Presbyterian Church–and you’ll be able to find an image of a Bessemer Converter in the stained-glass windows. Mt. Lebanon was incorporated as a township in 1912, but the history of this South Hills community stretches back to the 1770s.
• Fee: Free for everyone. The tour is limited to the first 25 people who RSVP by May 27.  RSVP: 412-471-5808, ext. 527, or marylu@phlf.org