Bloggers Be Talking Smack

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the onslaught of Luke Ravenstahl today by many bloggers. I was quite excited when I saw that the Pensblog made it into the third paragraph, not necessarily because they were the cited leaders of the influx of insults.

"Luke invented Crystal Pepsi" is one, and "Luke went to Primanti's...and ordered pizza" is another.

The PG interviewed Ms. Lupinacci, a South Side political blogger, who said in regard to the statement issued by Luke's lawyer, "The threat from the lawyer is so overboard, it actually extended the story. I wouldn't be posting on this story if they hadn't done that."

Gene Grabowski is a Pitt grad and former reporter for the AP who now works with Levick Strategic Communications. He said, "The [blogs and Tweets] are driving the story."

I think it's pretty excellent that not only did Mr. Luke incite the sarcastic Twittering and blogging, but that the Post-Gazette put this article on the front page showcasing the strength that lies in the Blog.

Pittsburgh Music Venue - Club Cafe

Pittsburgh, while it's no Austin, TX or even (gasp) Philadelphia when it comes to live music, they do have a steady stream of artists coming through the city. It's pretty easy to complain about Pittsburgh not having the type of influence over national acts that the aforementioned cities have, but Pittsburgh's main problem is perhaps the advertisement of their shows.

I have found that email newsletters do wonders. Usually I UNcheck that box about receiving email notifications when I purchase something online, but after using ticketmaster, I wanted to squeeze as much, and use as much as I could from that taxing online service. I receive an Opus One email each week that informs me of shows in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. It's a pretty comprehensive email newsletter that includes shows at the Carnegie in Homestead, Club Cafe, Mr. Smalls, and the Brillobox. Some of the listings go as far as April, allowing the receiver of the letter to plan well into the coming months. Their website provides all of the same information as the newsletter, just a few more clickables and pictures. You can sign up for the newsletter here as well as follow their Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and RSS feeds.

So in light of this brief explanation of Pittsburgh music, I will urge you to check out Jessica Lea Mayfield, who will be coming to Pittsburgh on December 12 at Club Cafe. Club Cafe is located in the South Side at 56 S 12th St, right off of East Carson St. All shows are 21+. Tickets for Ms. Mayfield are only $10, which is pretty gnarly. She plays folky "indie" rock and has made a splash on the national scene. NPR brought her in for a live set which you can listen to here. Plus, she's only 20 (19 when she recorded her breakthrough album). I'm blogging. She's putting out albums produced by the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach - a fellow Ohioan. He lends his musical hand to a few instruments on the record in addition to his production role. Philadelphia band, Dr. Dog, even lends their lead singer (Scott McMicken) for some backup harmonies.

But, jeeze. She released the album when she was 19, after a recording session of two years. So she's been going at it quite seriously and achieving some sort of national notoriety at such a young age. Kind of kicks my butt and puts a little more emphasis back on the seriousness of maintaining this blog. Keep reading, fellow lovers of Pittsburgh. Jay and I will teach you the ways to get the most out of what you have chosen to surround yourself.

About those bakeries...best cupcake?

Well, I guess I didn't do enough stumbling on Pittsburgh because I missed a poll for the best cupcake in Pittsburgh that is going on right now.

The folks over at another Pittsburgh blog, Boring Pittsburgh, are conducting the poll. And the two bakeries battling it out are the two I talked about in our last post: CoCo's in Shadyside and Dozen in Squirrel Hill. Head over there and cast your vote. Maybe we should get into the polling business over here.

That aside, the way I found about this poll was pretty interesting. Getting an RSS feed from IHeartPGH, I was directed to Pop City Media, which eventually gave me the link to the all-important cupcake poll. Crazy how connected blogs are and how information gets passed around.

Local bake shops

So I was stumbling around last night for things about Pittsburgh when I came across this video:



It got me thinking about local bakeries in Pittsburgh. I'm a huge fan of Dozen cupcakes. It's so good and, considering its location in Squirrel Hill, it's a nice place to walk to and then explore the rest of the neighborhood. There are two other Dozen locations in Downtown and Lawrenceville.

The thing that is cool about Dozen is that they don't have the same selection every day. They change it up on both a daily and seasonal basis. I mean, they always have the vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, but their specialty cupcakes change. Right now, they have "28 unique flavors and still creating more." Solid. They also make other sweets like cinnamon buns.

I know there are a lot of locally owned and operated bake shops in Pittsburgh, but I'm still looking. There's CoCo's on Ellsworth in Shadyside. There's also Oakmont Bakery along the Allegheny River in Oakmont.

Does anybody have any others out there worth checking out?

Szechuan Express: Good or bad?

During my sophomore year, I feel in love with Szechuan Express, located in Oakland on Oakland Avenue between Fifth and Forbes Avenue. I mean, feel in love. I would change up my order here and there, but it always came back to Chicken and Broccoli (#35). It was so good and I would get it at least once every two weeks.

It was great but then around the second semester last year, I stopped going there as often. Maybe once every two months. Actually, I hadn't been there since June or July this year until I went tonight. And when I decided that I'd go with #35, I was a little bit disappointed in what I got. I still got a lot of food for a really good price (just over $5) and got it pretty fast, but the quality just wasn't the same as I remember. I don't know what it was exactly.

Maybe it was the quality of chicken or broccoli or spices/sauces they're using, but I wasn't too pleased. Granted, I still at it and it kept me full, but I'm wondering if anybody else thinks the same way. Maybe it was just the fact that I really hadn't eaten that kind of food in a long time and when I decided to tonight, I realized I didn't really like.

So, does anybody else think the same way?

Kids Bike Build-A-Thon

Really great and cool news from Free Ride Pittsburgh recently. For those of you who don't know, Free Ride is a neat little do-it-yourself bike shop in Point Breeze, kinda before you get to Wilkinsburg (it's on a small road right off Route 8). They're only open 3-4 days a week, but they allow people to essentially build (and earn) a free bike through learning how to take care of one. You learn what goes where and how to manage it so the bike lasts longer.


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I was going to do this about two years ago with another friend, but we because of their hours and classes we were taking, it was too difficult to find a good time. But now that we have this blog, trying a project like that would be cool and fit well here.

Anyways...what's going on with Free Ride is a Kids Bike Build-A-Thon. Here's the logistics of helping out:

Please show up during any of these times and we’ll put you to work. Although having mechanic experience helps, it is not necessary. We still need people to help clean the bikes, pump tires etc. Snacks will be provided. If you can’t make these dates, and do have mechanical skills feel free to stop in during regular Free Ride hours this week and next week to help fix these bikes. Also, if you have a truck and are willing to help transport the bikes, please contact Scott at ssssscott@gmail.com.

There are two days if you are looking to help out: Wednesday, Nov. 18, between 6 and 10 p.m and Sunday, Nov. 22, between 12 and 4 p.m.

In the past, Free Ride has teamed up with groups like the Pittsburgh Refugee Center, the Housing Authority and Tree of Hope to distribute the bikes. I'm sure they'll be doing something like that again.

Oakland Cantina

Mi Ranchito is the newest establishment to occupy that revolving door of Mexican restaurants a block away from Mad Mex. Before Ranchito, there was the BYOB La Fiesta. This new restaurant, which now features a full bar is a step up. I went there this past Monday evening to watch the Steelers MNF game against the Denver Broncos. Perhaps the glorious win may be clouding my judgment of this inviting Mexican cantina that literally translates to "My Hut," but let's hope not.

Monday nights have $3 margaritas in the classic flavor, as well as raspberry, strawberry, and even peach. They are certainly not on the same level as Mad Mex's "Big Azz" variety, but what Ranchito lacks in tequila consumption they make up in atmosphere - the owners attempt to maintain a certain authenticity to the bar with complementary chips and salsa on the bar. There is only one TV placed at the end of the long side of the bar (see picture), which made for some mildly awkward neck-straining, but not enough to seriously disrupt the Steelers mojo that flowed through the friendly patrons as freely as the tequila. There are only about four beers on tap although about twenty in bottles. Domestics are $2.50 and imports are $3.50.
If you're trying to get away from the incessantly pounding music and stumbling clientele, try Mi Ranchito for a more low-key bar stop.