Hi,
Tomorrow is anniversary of Schuman Plan (the European Union in 1952 which later evolved into the Euro Zone), the British captured the Enigma Machine from a disabled German sub the cracked the German secret codes (1941), FCC’s chairman Newton Minow invited the TV executives to sit down and spend a day watching what they were producing “a vast wasteland” and challenged them to come up with new and creative programing (1961).
I’m torn here. I like art and creativity as well as function. When combined, you go to a new level. The Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery at 5833 Ellsworth Avenue, Shadyside is having their annual tea pot exhibit. By definition, gallery owner Amy Morgan says “You can’t put tea in any of the teapots in this show.” The sixty artists that have entered this show have made tea pots are made of glass, metal, ceramic, welded & forged steel, wood and various other fibrous materials such as felt, silk, raffia, even pine needles. There’s a porcelain shaped like a candy tin with cheese, fruit and a napkin on top, there’s a colorful parrot carved from wood, a flame worked and cast glass pot that resembles a whimsical octopus, little red riding hood sitting on a couch conversing with the wolf that looks like he’s ready to pounce and many other unique pots. The show runs from 11 am until 5 pm Tuesdays through Fridays and noon until 5 on Saturdays through June 2. More info at their web site or by calling 412.441.5200.
Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation has started up their free Downtown tours already. This is a must do for anyone that has time starting at noon every Friday through September. The tours are about an hour and the guides pass on an incredible amount of information, like the documents forming the now defunct Czechoslovakia were signed across Seventh Street from the Benedum. Banks at the tour of the 19th century generally had lions guarding their doors. Pittsburgh was the second riches city in the country in 1907 (the year the city of Pittsburgh illegally annexed the City of Allegheny). May’s tours are focusing on the Penn/Liberty Cultural District, June’s tours will focus on Market Square, July will tackle Grant Street and Mellon Square (hopefully the renovations will show progress), 4th Avenue and PPC Plaza will take the spotlight in August and September bridges and river shores will be the center of focus in September. October will feature tours of some of the key city neighborhoods. More info at their web site or by calling 412.471.5808.
Conflict Kitchen’s moving from the East End to Downtown this summer. They haven’t finalized a lease yet, so the exact location hasn’t been released. They are looking for a space that has some space for some seating (currently it’s a walk up). Jon Rubin and Dawn Weleski started this restaurant (which is internationally known) to educate people about the cultures the U.S. is in conflict with. The menu rotates between Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Afghanistan. And the staff can initiate conversations about the featured nation’s culture, the don’t take a position “these poor countries need American help” or “America is the super aggressor that needs to leave”. They focus on cultural distinctions that can aid in our understanding of a different culture. Cool.
OK you mid lifers, one of the biggest concerns of people my age is retirement. It’s HUGE. Do we have enough money to cover expenses? What will our life style be like? Can we enjoy our “golden years”? There’s a web site, analyze now that can give you some guidance. Something many of us aren’t familiar with is Medicare/Medicaid. And with all the current political conversations, things aren’t getting clearer. Some people plan on $5k per year “out of pocket” costs in retirement to find it’s more like $10k per year. Keep in mind Medicare/Medicaid does not cover eye, dental or hearing treatments.
Jim Scalo or Burns & Scalo Real Estate has started a new venture with Joe Blattner, Class-G.org. They are organizing green ratings for existing buildings. I guess it’s OK for large business, but I find their $700 annual fee daunting.
Gary Geyer of Lawrenceville is open Pittsburgh’s first indoor bike park in an 80,000 square foot old warehouse on Hamilton Avenue in Homewood. Geyer, an avid bicyclist, got interested in the idea after visiting Cleveland’s Ray’s MTB Indoor Park. This 120,000 square foot indoor bike park was the first of it’s kind in the US. It opened in 2004 and had 20,000 visitors in 2010. Geyer, a local contractor, is planning mountain biking trails, a BMX trick park, an area for beginners, a spin class area and possibly a lounge. He’s planning on opening in stages and hopes to have the first section of Wheel Mill open by the end of the year.
There are four reliefs carved into two foot square pieces of stone tucked away in an alleyway. One is obviously Prez Lincoln (and he’s the only one facing left), an Indian with a headdress, a man that could be Prez Washington and a mystery lady. Originally they were on the front of a building built during the Civil War at 808 Liberty Avenue that was demolished after the 1936 flood. The building belonging to the Arbuckles (of coffee fame) constructed a new building on the original foundation and for some reason had the reliefs placed on the back of the building facing the alleyway. Anyway, it’s a little piece of Pittsburghabia (my word) you can impress your friends when walking around Downtown.
I was scheduled for jury duty a month ago and wrote the wrong date on my calendar. When I realized this, the date had passed. I called them and they were very understanding and I was scheduled for today. I went in this morning (in shorts) and was waiting with the masses when one of the clerks came to me and asked me to follow her with all my stuff. Again, she was very nice telling me to go home. I think they’re going to end up sending a sheriff next time to be sure I’m aware of when I’m scheduled and that I am properly attired. 🙂
I really am loving these longer days. I am so much more productive and full of energy. The white lilacs are opening up and filling the Courtyard with their wonder scent. Everything’s so green and healthy looking. Yeah spring!
Have a great day,
ed
Great way to get out of Jury Duty . . . I love it!!!