Hi,
Tomorrow’s the anniversary of Amelia Earhart disappearance (1937), the US Constitution took effect (1788), the first solo balloon flight around the world (2002) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (dah-1964). Birth anniversaries include English clergyman, martyr and reformer Thomas Cranmer (1489), justice Thurgood Marshall (1908) and tennis star Rene Lacoste (1904).
The asteroid formerly known as No. 1990 AA has a new name, Henrybuhl. In preparations for Buhl’s 75th anniversary, staffers at The Carnegie Science Center were discussing asteroids named after people from Pittsburgh and realized none had ever been named for the founder of Pittsburgh’s Buhl Planetarium. Taking steps through the Harvard-Smithsonian Center, they applied to the International Astronomical Union based in Paris that names asteroids. Buhl passed away in the late 1920’s and his foundation established The Buhl, the fifth planetarium in the country. Located for many years on the Northside next to what became the Allegheny Center Mall, it was eventually absorbed into the Carnegie Science Center. In case you are thinking of having a planetoid named after you, here are the rules: It can be named for people, places, events and even fictional characters, but not politicians or military figures that haven’t been dead for 100 years yet. No profane names, nor can an asteroid be named after the person submitting the request, so you’ll have to get a friend to nominate you. 🙂
Have you been following Shane the Deli guy? This fictional (?) guy supposedly works at Walmart and it’s a series of posts from “management” to him.
On June 30, 1864 President Abraham Lincoln took time out from the Civil War to sign into law what many call the birth of the National Park System. He dedicate Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove (commonly known as Sequoia Park) “for public use, resort and recreation .. inalienable for all time.” The Park Service on the 150th anniversary of that signing on Monday broke ground on a $36M restoration moving the hokey gift shop out of sight and limiting parking and buses so you can enjoy our national treasure with out diesel fumes and garish trinkets in your face. The famed Wawona sequoia (made famous by well meaning park employees who cut a car path through the middle of the tree) toppled during the severe winter of 1968-69.
The Carnegie Science Center is offering special tours of the USS Requin on select Sunday mornings (July 13 & 27, August 10 & 31 and September 14) from 9 – 11:30 am. These guided tours (by submarine veterans and Carnegie staff) will go places the general public doesn’t get to see like unrestored compartments, the periscope and conning tour. Visitors will learn what life was like living on a submarine. Because of the nature of the sub, they are not able to accommodate handicapped or children under15. Tours are limited to 12 persons, the cost is $20 per person and advanced reservations are required. More info and reservations at their website or by calling 412-237-1637.
Through October 5, The Frick out in Point Breeze will be featuring works by French impressionist Edgar Degas. Of the 100 works on display, 55 are by Degas. These are on loan from Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts of San Fransisco. Interestingly, two of Degas’ works feature Northsider Mary Cassatt. Degas said he drew every Old Master in the Louvre by 1860 which he amassed 700 drawings.
On the corner of Baum Blvd & South Highland is the location of The Last Billboard. Artist Jon Rubin selects messages submitted to him from artists around the country. One of the signs he posted was “I wonder some days if Facebook isn’t a broad all encompassing cry for help.” Since Jon was featured on Buzzfeed, he’s been inundated with suggestions for his next post. Los Angeles artist Marc Horowitz submitted a question mark and his phone number. He received a hundred responses a day since. Marc worked for Crate and Barrel and once wrote on a dry erase board “Dinner with Marc” and his phone number. Crate and Barrel ended up using the image in one of their catalogs and his phone rang off the hook. Why would you do that? 🙂 Anyway, next time you’re in East Liberty, look up and see what Jon’s latest is.
Did you know there are 422 official bridges in Pittsburgh? How I picked up that piece of trivia was when the River’s Casino opened, one of it’s restaurants was named 422 and when I asked I learned something new. Well, here’s another piece of trivia. The new restaurant going in the old Garden Theater’s name is going to be ARDE and I was curious where they came up with that name. Domenic Branduzzi, owner of ARDE and Piccolo Forno in Lawrenceville came up with the idea from the old Garden Theater sign which is being restored. He intends to have the G and N dark with just ARDE lit up. Cute. He hopes to take possession in a few weeks from the developer to start construction of his latest venture. The menu is going to emphasize wood fired oven pizzas and pastas. They’ve taken the back wall out of the old Garden and he’s planning on courtyard dining in addition to the indoor seating. Full service beverage service and an open floor plan. Unfortunately (fortunately in many people’s mind’s I’m sure), they weren’t able to save much of the old Garden, but Domenic plans on using memorabilia from it’s past life saved. He’s hoping to have his new venture open before the winter.
Next door, City of Asylum’s has plans in place for their new venture, Alphabet City Literary Center. In case you aren’t aware, City of Asylum is based here on the Northside and they provide housing for dissident literary types. Mainly poets from Asia, but they are open to all in need. They own several small house above the Garden where they house these people. One of the residents (I don’t know if he’s still there) wrote a poem in Chinese on the front of the house. Pretty interesting people. They plan on having a bookstore, cafe, conference room, performance space and space for educational programing on the first floor and basement. They plan on making the book shelves movable so they can configure the space for groups of 20 to 200.
Citiparks has announced their Cinema in the Park schedule for Riverview Park. July 5 will be Las Vegas, July 12 Thor: The Dark World, July 19 Saving Mr. Banks, July 26 The Hunger Games Catching Fire, August 2 42, August 9 The Great Gatsby, August 16 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, August 23 All is Lost and finally August 30 Oblivion. All are family friendly and free. Just bring a blanket and snacks and camp out for the showing. Riverview Park is a great Northside park up on the hill overlooking the city. You can even plan an outing and take in the Allegheny Observatory as well.
Have a great and safe Fourth of July holiday,
ed
