The City of Pittsburgh

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/pittsburgh_school_district_leads

"Pittsburgh School District Leads Nation In Ability To Spell 'Roethlisberger'"

Hi all. We need new windows. We currently have the aluminum casement windows with the marble windowsills that seemed to be standard in many 1960's homes (or at least the ones in our neighborhood). They're drafty, and they sweat. Looking for something more energy efficient. Anyway, they're really odd sizes (several are like 59" across, 23" high), so they'll definitely be custom. We checked prices at Lowe's, but any suggestions of other places to check out for possibly better prices? Thanks.

Handmade Arcade
DATE: Saturday, December 12, 2009
TIME: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
LOCATION: Hunt Armory, 324 Emerson St., Shadyside

The sixth annual Handmade Arcade, Pittsburgh’s award-winning independent craft fair, will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2009, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Hunt Armory, located at 324 Emerson St., in Shadyside. This is an excellent place to buy holiday gifts for everyone on your list.

Early Birdie passes, which allow shoppers to get into the event at 10 a.m., and get a special Handmade Arcade tote, are still available at handmadearcade.com. You can also view the list of vendors there! See you soon!

My little brother (who lives in New Jersey) is impossible to get anything for. He also loves food, and is fortunate to have a very fast metabolism so he can eat anything and not gain an ounce. Lucky brat.

This year for Christmas/Hanukkah, I'm thinking of making up a gift basket* of local Pittsburgh treats, and I was hoping for some help in coming up with items for it. My qualifications are:

• Either non-perishable or frozen, as it has to survive a 10-hour train trip
• Preferably not alcohol, as I'd rather not carry large glass bottles, and I can just buy him a case of Yuengling or IC Light when I get there
• Preferably not heavy and not in glass jars (I'm still finding apple butter in my suite case from the jar that exploded in there at Thanksgiving...)
• Nothing too "weird," since he can be kind of picky, and I don't really see him eating tripe soup any time soon

My ideas so far are rather limited. I was thinking a box of Pittsburgh tissues they've been selling in Giant Eagle, some Mrs. T's Pierogies, some sort of Heinz product, a Clark bar... And beyond that I've hit a rut, because everything else I associate with Pittsburgh is a recipe rather than a product. I could give him ingredients for something, I suppose, but I don't think he'd enjoy that quite as much.

So... What other sorts of things can you recommend putting in the basket?


* I know there are plenty of places that have pre-made gift baskets but I'm kind of meh on them. I've yet to find one that is cost-effective, doesn't contain stuff that my brother will hate, or contains nothing but candy and beer nuts.

OK, my fellow Pittsburghers, I need your help.

Every year for Christmas, I wrap our white lamp post with a 4 1/2" wide, red vinyl ribbon that makes the post look like a candy cane. I've been using the same piece of ribbon for years and it is fading to orange from the sun and exposure. So, this year, I decided to get some new ribbon to replace it. Easy, right? Not so easy, actually. I've tried all sorts of places, but no one seems to carry just plain, red vinyl ribbon. Most of what I have been able to find has velvet flocking on it, which I question for outdoor use. Besides, who would want to lick a fuzzy candy cane? LOL

I've tried the following stores with no success:

Michael's Crafts

Jo-Ann Fabrics

Altmeyer's

Walmart

K-Mart

Pat Catan's

Rollier's Hardware

Green Tree Hardware

No luck anywhere.

So, my local Santa's helpers, does anyone know where I could find red vinyl ribbon (non-flocked) in a width between 3"-5"? I haven't measured the length that I need, but it should probably be in the vicinity of 12'-15' or so, and will vary according to the width of the ribbon.

PS: I call it "vinyl" for lack of a better description. I mean a smooth plastic ribbon of any chemical composition. The kind you see in a lot of outdoor Christmas bows.

Edit: For all who suggested tape, thanks, but I'm not looking for anything that might leave a sticky residue on the pole to attract dirt later. Besides, it's hard enough removing the vinyl ribbon in the cold, cold January temps. If I used tape stuck to the pole, I'd have a candy cane until Spring. LOL

Look no further than Legends on the North Shore!
I wanted to share my good experiences there because they are a great group of people who make delicious food!
I absolutely adore this restaurant and I have been there many times without so much of a simple conflict. The staff is friendly and quirky. The waiters are quick and considerate. The owner is very kind. The food proportions are generous and will leave you feeling happily full, but not stuffed or lethargic. The soups and salads are always presented with care and taste amazing. I never finish a salad at any restaurant but Legends! The main courses have a home-made feel that puts everyone in a good mood and the deserts are absolutely to die for! The Apple Pie is a recipe handed down the family that is worthy of nothing less than "mouth-watering". The place is always warm, open, and good-humored.
Whether you're on a date, with family, or just on the prowl for a good meal on your own, you'll have a great time!

PS: BYOB!

How many of the members of this community use the information about events?

IOW, is this a good resource for posting upcoming events in the Pittsburgh area?

TIA

I am posting this for a friend who is new to Pittsburgh and just got really shafted by a con artist roommate. This lazy girl owes hundreds (2300) in backrent, bills, expenses to my friend.. and we are trying to find a link to the process of taking her to small claims or any other options.


Problem:

Deadbeat roomate. The conartist owes several hundred dollars in backrent and 1/2 the security deposti. She owes 250 dollars on a 500 dollar internet bill that is in my friends name. She is refusing to pay although the agreement was to split bills 50/50. Also my friend paid for alot of shared items in the house including other bills/groceries etc. under a verbal agreement from her that the she would pay back for the items.

My friend has kept all of the receipts of what she spent money on, thinking this lazy girl would pay her back. Now the lazy B is leaving 6 months into a 12 month lease. Her name is on the lease and my friend is stuck paying for all of the apartment.

What are our options and how likely is it that we can get anything out of her? Small claims court? Reporting to a collections agency? Being super annoying?

Please help!

Day after T-DAY?
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=1093449023

http://www.facebook.com/notes/danceburgh-afterdark/dance-music-friday-later/224154937906
http://www.facebook.com/notes/danceburgh-afterdark/dance-music-friday-later-part-2/224163247906

Hey, guys. I hate to be that gal who has these questions before Thanksgiving is officially over, but I'm trying to do some planning for the next few weeks.

Where would people recommend driving around to look at lights in the next few weeks as we get closer to Christmas? Neighborhoods or parks, particularly. I really don't want to drive more than 30 minutes (I'm not too keen to go all the way to Oglebay or Greensburg), but I'd love to hear recommendations for places around the city.

Thanks, and I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving.

A friend of mine will be in from out of town this Saturday and we're thinking of doing some karaoke that night. The place I used to frequent is no more, and karaokepittsburgh.com appears to have outdated information. This is where you come in!

We'd prefer non-smoking and as close to the city as possible (I live in Stanton Heights). I'd love a place that's not too crowded, and that just has open karaoke -- not a contest -- but we'll take whatever suggestions you can give in case it's slim pickings!

Thanks, everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

Do you live in Polish Hill? Have you recently gotten a mysterious and/or creepy letter in the mail?

Don't be alarmed: apparently we're all part of some bizarre little art project.

I got a letter yesterday and I know that my neighbors all did as well, many of whom were very upset. Another neighbor who didn't receive a letter found out about the art project by way of The Polish Hill Civic Association's facebook status last night. What a goofy modern world we live in.

As seen on blogski:

http://blogski.phcapgh.org/?p=1572

A Pittsburgh-based journalist from Associated Press has contacted the PHCA and asked for our assistance on a story She hopes to write a human-interest story about a family that is struggling with unemployment during the holiday season.

A lot of people would not be comfortable with this sort of intrusion in their lives. For this reason, we’re reluctant to suggest or approach someone. But some families might welcome the opportunity to put a face on the recession this holiday season.

So, we’re putting it out there. If your family is dealing with unemployment and is interested in being the subject of an Associated Press article, call Rameet Masti at 412.281.3747.

I'm looking for the address and/or phone number for the Bechtel Plant Machinery company, located somewhere in Monroeville. Google has come up a bust, listing the address they moved out of a year ago, and a number that is acknowledged to have been Bechtel's number, but no longer in service (though the message did not give out any other number). Their website doesn't have this information, and any email's I've tried sending via their web form bounces.

Anyone have any info?

Where can I find STEEL rims, specifically.  I'm planning on getting winter tires on my '06 Focus (195/60r15) and would like to get a set of rims on which to mount them.  Trouble is, I can't seem to find any.  I can find plenty of rims I don't want; chrome rims, alloy rims, painted rims, all of which cost more than the tires, but don't see any place that carries plain, steel rims.  I don't mind ordering, but even my local tire suppliers can't seem to get them in.

So, does anyone here know where I can find some plain, ordinary rims for my car that won't break the bank?

EDIT: Thanks for the advice folks. You've given me some really good ideas.

anyone know of any bars in the east liberty, shadyside, squirrel hill, regent square, friendship, lawrenceville areas that are open on thanksgiving day and night?

thanks!

Hello, Pittsburgh!

I am, regretfully, no longer a resident of our fair city. However, I am still a Pittsburgh girl at heart, and I'm hoping some of yinz guys can help me.

Husband and I are avid, rabid Penguins fans. We have almost all the games from last year's Stanley Cup playoff run on tape. All except for Game 3 of the Cup Finals. It's a long story, but we went to the game, the DVR didn't tape the game like we set it to, blah blah blah.

What I would really like to do is get a copy of this game for Husband for Christmas this year. If ANY of you know how I might procure this on DVD, VHS or Blu-Ray, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. Either leave it as a comment here, or send me an email at mfigler80 at gmail dot com.

PLEASE. I don't really care what it costs or what it takes.

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.