JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 65
Hold the Picklesburgh: The beloved Pittsburgh festival is canceled
No dill. Picklesburgh is the latest summer event to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year would have been the sixth annual celebration of all things pickled. Voted the No. 1 specialty food festival in America in a USA Today readers’ poll for two years in a row,...
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix taking a road less traveled this year
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is traveling a different road this year. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the annual event that encompasses most of Schenley Park “shifted gears,” according to organizers. There will be some smaller happenings on various roads in the region instead of the large 10-day gathering, which...
Warrendale-based rue21 plans to open 3 new stores amid pandemic
Warrendale-based rue21 found a way to make it through a trying time for retailers during the coronavirus pandemic. While some specialty stores filed for bankruptcy or closed, rue21 will open brick-and-mortar stores in South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas this month, according to a press release. The company sells casual apparel...
Bill Fuller: Changes in dining restrictions hurt Big Burrito Restaurant business
Constant fluctuations in the allowed restaurant dining capacity prompted Big Burrito Restaurant Group to temporarily close all of its specialty restaurants, including Alta Via, Casbah, Eleven, Kaya, Soba and Umi, company President Bill Fuller said Monday. “It just isn’t worth it,” said Fuller, who furloughed 193 people. “We decided to...
Bloomfield’s Little Italy Days festival rescheduled for fallVideo
Bloomfield’s Little Italy Days have been rescheduled. The four-day Italian festival is now planned for Oct. 8-11, producer Sal Richetti said Monday. Richetti made the decision last week because of the ever-changing restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. “I’ve been monitoring the situation and because of all the restrictions, I felt...
Penn State New Ken instructor the next Women of Alle Kiski Engaging speaker
Communication is important in all aspects of life. It might be even more so during a coronavirus pandemic. “Society has become so focused on the question ‘What’s in it for me?’ that we are almost paralyzed when it comes to interpersonal communication,” said Cathi Gerhard, lecturer at Penn State New...
Pittsburgh artist’s digital illustrations installed at The Terminal in the Strip
When you think of the Strip District, visions of markets and music and cafes enter your mind. Artist, illustrator and muralist Brian Holderman, of Holderman Art Graphics, set out to capture those images in a larger-than-life scene. He created a digital illustration showcasing the personality of the Pittsburgh neighborhood where...
Forest Hills pool to reopen this weekend
The Forest Hills Community Pool will reopen Saturday. Social distancing guidelines have been put in place to ensure safety. Anyone who has purchased a pool pass will be allowed in, according to the Forest Hills Facebook page. Swimmers can buy passes here. The pool has been temporarily closed by Forest...
Prantl’s Bakery adds pina colada to famous burnt almond torte family
If you like pina coladas … getting caught in the torte. Prantl’s is the bakery you’re looking for. The popular bakery has a new burnt almond torte flavor — pina colada. “We are always looking for ways to expand the Prantl’s torte family,” said John Felice, the bakery’s owner. “We’ve...
Freeport Theatre Festival opens 31st season Friday with pandemic safety protocols in place
The curtain will go up at the Freeport Theatre Festival for a 31st year. This season, there will be noticeable changes at the summer barn theater. Because of the coronavirus pandemic the Allegheny Township theater will seat fewer people. The usual meet-and-greet sessions with actors won’t be taking place. “We...
City Books on Pittsburgh’s North Side to reopen
City Books on Pittsburgh’s North Side is reopening Wednesday. “It is both exhilarating and petrifying,” said Arlan Hess, owner. “I’ve been taking things slow. I did not rush to reopen June 5 (when allowed by Gov. Tom Wolf). I feel like with just two days being open a week that...
Pittsburgh’s DiAnoia’s Eatery closes after worker tests positive for coronavirus
DiAnoia’s Eatery in the Strip District is temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for covid-19. “We feel that it’s our responsibility to you and our team, to temporarily close while we fully sanitize, deep clean, and have our entire staff tested,” the restaurant announced on its website and via...
Hyde Park’s Mia Z releases new album on Independence DayVideo
A sound connection started at Honey Bear Mini Mart in Apollo. Owner Denise Frain introduced singer Mia “Mia Z” Zanotti and RJ Bertera, a member of the group Dead Man Switch, who owns Holiday House Studio nearby with band mate, Kyle Horrell. They’ve been in harmony ever since. “Denise told...
Pittsburgh breweries are delivering beer to your home
Bartenders at East End Brewing Co. are still working. “Only now, they are serving our customers in another way,” said owner Scott Smith. “Some of our bartenders have become delivery drivers.” Bringing the beer to you is not a new concept, but it’s become more active in the coronavirus pandemic....
How to safely gather for July 4th during pandemic
This is anything but a normal Fourth of July holiday weekend. But there still are ways to safely gather with family and some — the operative word being some — friends while staying safe during the current spike in covid-19. “It is going to be a different holiday,” said Dr....
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Liberty Magic @ Home set for finale
The magic ends Friday. It’s the final Liberty Magic @ Home series. The episode starts at 7:30 p.m. via the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Facebook and YouTube channel. The finale of this first season will feature Jade Tjin, who goes by Jade, and Asi Wind for an evening of free, virtual...
Dancing Gnome, Pittsburgh Brewing steal from the ’70s, give to the pour
Dancing Gnome Brewery and Pittsburgh Brewing Co. have teamed up to bring back Robin Hood Cream Ale, a popular local brew from the late 1970s. The idea to do this came when Ben Butler, founder and owner of Top Hat, a Pittsburgh-based creative agency, introduced the two clients — Andrew...
Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. unveils art initiative, micro offices
The Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation on Tuesday unveiled more than 6,000 square feet of office space in a historic building and announced an art initiative. The 130-year-old Lohr Building’s second and third floors will be available for rent. They, along with the first floor, have been revitalized to include their...
Bethel Bakery, Spoonwood Brewing team again, this time for a lemony brew
When life hands you lemons, it doesn’t always have to turn into lemonade. Bethel Bakery in Bethel Park and nearby Spoonwood Brewing Co. decided on a new brew instead. They’ve teamed for a fourth time — this time to create the lemony, cake-infused Lemon Glaze Ale. The beer will be...
Uniontown hospice worker inspires baby doll donations for dementia patients
There’s something about cradling a tiny little baby in your arms. It’s comforting. It’s soothing. It’s natural. The feeling of seeing those sparkling innocent eyes and cute round face looking back at you is priceless. Hospice worker Amanda DeGusipe of Uniontown set out to awaken that memory for women with...
New Kensington native’s First Sip Brew Box wins national marketing awardVideo
Time was running out. Dennis Guy’s mother, Denise Peace, was extremely ill. He needed a business loan to boost his company. But this was about more than the money. He wanted his mother to know her son was following his dream. She always told him the sky was the limit....
Penn Hills artist wins People’s Choice Award at virtual Three Rivers Arts Festival
Give Douglas J. Webster a word and he will create an image. The Penn Hills artist painted a little girl with a violin from the word “encore.” The adorable youngster with the sparkling eyes and bold orange dress with the Peter Pan collar clutches the instrument in her left hand,...
Support local theaters though virtual documentary of the iconic Ella FitzgeraldVideo
Most people know Ella Fitzgerald’s powerful voice. They may not know the talented jazz singer also loved baseball, collected cookbooks and had a passion for fashion. Or that she was once homeless and made fun of because of her weight, and that she fought for civil rights. To learn more...
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust shuffles Broadway series shows
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced Wednesday the cancellation of one show and the rescheduling of another for its PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” has been canceled. “Hadestown,” originally scheduled for Oct. 27-Nov. 1, has been rescheduled to Sept. 7-12, 2021. These decisions had to...
Steel Valley High School prom held under Homestead Grays Bridge
With high school events being canceled left and right, Chuck Spicuzza knew he had to try and save Steel Valley High School’s prom. He found a solution under a bridge. Spicuzza called Emily Wittmer, marketing director at the Waterfront shopping center in Homestead, telling her they were having trouble finding...
