tazzo d'oro Archives

The title of this post is a tong-twister for sure. If you love pets or if you want to support two great Pittsburghers please take a moment to check out these two important crowdfunding campaigns.

Andre Gray Memorial in the Bernard Run Dog Park

Andre Gray & his dog, boss, were killed by gun violence last year, his family is raising $3500 to install a memorial bench at the Bernard Run dog park in Lawrenceville. Andre would be turning 35 on Saturday, August 8. Several IheartPGH readers have reached out to me and asked me to share this story, they are eager to help the Gray family reach the fundraising goal before Andre’s birthday.

Sue Kerr wrote a lovely post about Andre for her blog Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents – Andre Gray Would Be 35 This Saturday #StoryOfHisLife.

Donate Here: http://bit.ly/1IwvcKR As of Friday afternoon they are just short of $1000 of reaching their goal.

Smiley’s Pet Pad – Support a Pittsburgh Small Business

This is one of those campaigns that I feel compelled to support because I want Pittsburgh to be filled with small businesses like Smiley’s. Smiley’s Pet Pad used to be on Walnut Street in Shadyside, they are now located on Highland in the shopping plaza across from MadMex. Ginny Smiley started working at the Pet Pad in 1972 and eventually bought the business from the originally owner. Smiley’s Pet Pad could use some community support – construction on the Highland Avenue Bridge and competition from a national chain which moved into the space where Border Books used to be has been tough on this little shop. Please take a moment to watch the video, make a contribution or stop by and shop at Smiley’s Pet Pad.

Amy Enrico who owns the Highland Park Coffee Shop Tazza D’Oro wrote a blog post about Smiley’s here. If you support Smiley’s GoFundMe campaign, Amy will buy you a cappuccino.

Take a moment to like Smiley’s Pet Pad on Facebook here.

Donate here: http://bit.ly/1W6uOw0

Now that the snow is gone and the sun is out (and gas costs too much) biking is back in a big big way. I am really impressed with the biking community in Pittsburgh. BikePGH is the place to learn more about all things bike in Pittsburgh. (I also love their website design and function which was built by clickNathan – Hi Nathan!). One of my goals for this summer is to get some time on a bike – maybe we can even organize some IheartPGH bike rides – leave a comment if you are interested.

Here are two groups that organize bike rides that are open for anyone to join:

DORC-PGH

Beginner Trail Rides for Mountain Bikers – Fridays, 6pm meet at the tennis courts by Braddock and Forbes. Click here for more info.

Team Decaf & Team Caffine at Tazzo D’Oro

Tuesdays: Team Decaf – 10-20 miles in length. Various routes around the burgh at a comfortable pace. Rides are fairly flat with a few hills. RAIN CANCELS

Thursdays: Team Caffeine – 20-30 length. Various routes are hilly and intense. We re-group at the top of hills and the strongest riders may not wait. RAIN CANCELS

Click here for more info.

Serious about Mountain Biking? – check out Dirt Rag – which is one of the leading magazines for the sport and it happens to be based right here in Pittsburgh.