JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 33
Bethel Park-based Keystone Chorus brings old-time tunes to life
In the basement of Hamilton Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park is the sound of music. Familiar songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” “Under the Boardwalk” and “When I’m Sixty-Four” conjure up memories of tunes reminiscent of the days of barbershop quartets. On this night it’s a group of singers:...
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has raised over $6 million for charity
Last year, vintage car driver Chris Longo recalled being worried something might be wrong with his vehicle before a race. Then he noticed some people nearby. The MGB GT’s condition became secondary. “We met a group of children with autism, and they were happy just to talk with us and...
‘Night in the Tropics’ welcomed 1,000 guests to celebrate National Aviary’s milestoneVideo
Bubba is a palm cockatoo. He has lived at the National Aviary since 1998. On Saturday, his likeness was featured in a painting by artist Maria DeSimone Prascak of the South Side Slopes. She created it in 3 minutes and 25 seconds in what’s called speed painting — creating a...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 15-17
We’ve made it to the weekend, so here are some ways to spend it. Picklesburgh Picklesburgh will be bigger than ever as it celebrates its seventh year Friday through Sunday. The twice-voted No. 1 Specialty Food Festival in America in USA Today is presented by Kraft Heinz and produced by...
Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home for sale in Rosslyn Farms for $799,500Video
At first glance, it’s pretty clear who architect Joel Kranich was thinking of when he drew the original blueprints. The house he designed tucked back along Winthrop Road in Rosslyn Farms has nontraditional shapes, several balconies, plenty of natural light, open floor plans and one room with furniture built into...
Upstreet Diner takes over former Pamela’s spot in Squirrel Hill
Start your day with the “Ben-Eddict-Ive.” It is eight layers of a thin dough cheese pastry, two over-easy eggs, topped with hollandaise aioli and served with a side Israeli salad. Dishes such as that are on the menu at the newest eatery in Squirrel Hill. Upstreet Diner is located in...
Center for Hearing & Deaf Services celebrating 100 years
Last month, Mattel released a Barbie doll with hearing aids. She wears a floral dress, pink boots and has her hair in a ponytail. Two over-the-ear hearing aids are visible. The assistive devices might seem like small accessories to some people, but they speak volumes to the hard of hearing...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 8-10
It’s the weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Art crawl The Lawrenceville Art Crawl is from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday along Butler Street. The indoor and outdoor event will feature local businesses and venues with a collection of curated art and music. Organizers expect 10,000...
It’s last call for Excuses Bar & Grille on South Side
There will be no more excuses. And that was sad news to hear for the people who patronize this popular South Side bar. Excuses Bar & Grille will turn out the lights one final time for last call on July 17. After 34 years along Carson Street on Pittsburgh’s South...
Zambelli Fireworks preps for Pittsburgh Fourth of July celebration
Dr. George Zambelli Jr. describes it as “painting the night sky.” That’s what he and his family have been doing for nearly 130 years. Zambelli Fireworks is one of the largest fireworks companies in the world. It produces more than 1,600 “night sky” shows a year. Half are done during...
Check out what Beechview has to offer: A Pittsburgh guide
Numerous beech trees growing on its hillsides is how the neighborhood of Beechview got its name. This area of Pittsburgh, located 3.5 miles outside of the city, was originally settled in the late 1700s, according to the book “Images of America: Beechview” (Arcadia Publishing). Scotch-Irish and English were the first...
Anthrocon attendees ready for hot Pittsburgh weekend in fursuits
In February 2016, there was a brazen theft from a car in San Francisco. The owner put a plea for help out on social media to find the missing item — a furry costume of a purple giraffe. “The post went viral, and a homeless person found the purple giraffe,”...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 1-4
It’s the Fourth of July weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Fourth of July Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration is from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday in Point State Park, Downtown. Guests will be required to go through a security screening. There will be patriotic music and...
Thunderbolt, Steel Curtain at Kennywood temporarily closed for maintenance
Two roller coasters have come to a halt at Kennywood, at least temporarily. The Thunderbolt and Steel Curtain are closed for maintenance, the West Mifflin park confirmed on Wednesday. “We appreciate our guests’ patience as we work closely with the ride’s manufacturer to reopen Steel Curtain as soon as possible,”...
Phase 4 Learning Center’s graduation honors 2 students killed by gun violence
Two chairs sat empty, each with a purple balloon, red rose wrapped in a black ribbon and photos of the teens on what was supposed to be their graduation day. Matthew Steffy-Ross, 17, of Pitcairn died on April 17, Easter Sunday, on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Marvin D. Matthews, 19, of...
Taking flight: Competitors from across the U.S., Canada in Pittsburgh for Pogopalooza
They say it’s like flying. “They” are athletes who jump on a pogo stick and spring into the air — reaching heights of eight to 10 feet and sometimes higher. There was some flying happening Friday night at the 21st annual Pogopalooza — the world championships of pogo stick jumping...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: June 24-26
It’s the final weekend of June. Here are some ways to spend it. Music festival The WYEP Music Festival is Saturday at Schenley Plaza in Oakland. Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, the parent organization of 91.3 WYEP, will host a day of live free music from a variety of genres. The...
58th Carnegie International announces artists
“Good morning.” It’s a saying we probably hear daily, but everyone’s “morning” might not be the same. The better question might be “Is it morning for you yet?” a Mayan Kaqchikel expression that is the title of the 58th Carnegie International. Kaqchikel is a language spoken in Guatemala. The exhibit...
Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild are going cashless
You can leave your cash at home if you’re heading for Idlewild & SoakZone and its sister parks this summer. The parks will accept credit, debit and prepaid cards or secure mobile payments including MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover only starting next week. Guests can also use Apple Pay...
Bethel Park double amputee, cancer survivor hopes to inspire others
Jean Mwale is putting one prosthetic leg in front of the other. The Bethel Park resident is taking the steps to heal and move forward, and she wants to share her story of fear, pain, hope and love. “Don’t give up,” said Mwale, smiling as she put on her prosthetic...
New West Jefferson Hills superintendent to lead alma mater
You really can go home again. Janet Sardon sat in the library at Thomas Jefferson High School on a recent Friday morning. She recalled her days as a student in the district. “I can remember that time of my life walking into (then) Pleasant Hills Elementary and my days in...
FashionAFRICANA launches a summer/resort capsule collection
It could be viewed as wearable art. The limited edition capsule collection recently launched by FashionAFRICANA features a collaboration between a painting by internationally known artist Karl Mullen and Squirrel Hill-based stylist and producer Demeatria Boccella, one of Pittsburgh’s fashion experts. Mullen and Boccella collaborated on the pieces – a...
After 2-year wait, high school girls hockey team skated into inaugural season
Three young girls clutched a sign: “I Play Hockey Thank You For Paving A Path For My Future.” Those girls — Emma Abramowicz, Hannah Spradley and Angela Marshall — entered the locker room before a playoff game June 5 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. They play youth hockey...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: June 17-19
It’s Father’s Day weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Juneteenth Pittsburgh’s annual Juneteenth celebration is from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Downtown from Point State Park to Market Square. It will feature a festival and more than 100 minority-owned vendors set up along Penn and...
South Side artist creates colorful cleats for Steelers, other pro players
Matt Speck is an artist. But you won’t find his work in a gallery. It will be walking or running around. The South Side resident paints footwear, specifically cleats. “I think athletes sometimes get dehumanized, so these cleats help them express themselves on the field,” Speck said. “It shows their...
