It looks like the days are numbered for the Barnes & Noble in Squirrel Hill. The company announced today that they'll be shutting down the Murray Avenue store at the end of this year.
I've been to the B&N a few times but have never really bought anything there. It was smaller and nice atmosphere that reminded you more of a local ma and pa bookstore - with two floors. Who knows what will go into that space. Maybe another bookstore.
On the bright side, the Carnegie Library in Squirrel Hill should be just fine.
9.30.2009
Feed your audiophile obsession
Located in the heart of Squirrel Hill, one of Pittsburgh's largest neighborhoods, is Jerry's Records. Walk up the Murray Avenue entrance, turn left, and walk into the main warehouse where thousands and thousands of vinyl is cataloged for easy finding. It's huge. No, it's massive. No, it's:
But why buy vinyl? Not only is it argued that the sound quality of the analog system trumps digital, there is an additional aesthetic of personalization that is inherent in the polyvinyl chloride - every record is different. Perhaps your copy of Paul McCartney's Ram has the previous owner's initial on the inside jacket, or your Harvest Moon was given to you by that uncle who used to tour with the Dead and now is retired living in Vermont, or maybe your copy of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan has a nice hazelnut hued stain in the shape of Dylan's Wayfarers when someone spilled their coffee decades ago...ok maybe that last one is a stretch, but the fact remains; you can't pass a digital file down from generation to generation with the same effect.
A record has three dimensions: sound, sight, and time, which give vinyl a warm and crackly spot in your memory. Smell - the fourth dimension! Try and take a whiff of your iTunes library. Anything?
Jerry's Records offers almost anything one can think of: soul, R&B, rock, jazz, spoken word, rockabilly, reggae, roots folk, alternative noise, halloween soundtracks, records with pretty girls on the cover. There is a large rack in the front of the store that holds the most popular choices - Zeppelin, Floyd, Beatles, Nugent, Presley, etc., making it easy for the newcomer to round-out their collection.
But why buy vinyl? Not only is it argued that the sound quality of the analog system trumps digital, there is an additional aesthetic of personalization that is inherent in the polyvinyl chloride - every record is different. Perhaps your copy of Paul McCartney's Ram has the previous owner's initial on the inside jacket, or your Harvest Moon was given to you by that uncle who used to tour with the Dead and now is retired living in Vermont, or maybe your copy of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan has a nice hazelnut hued stain in the shape of Dylan's Wayfarers when someone spilled their coffee decades ago...ok maybe that last one is a stretch, but the fact remains; you can't pass a digital file down from generation to generation with the same effect.
A record has three dimensions: sound, sight, and time, which give vinyl a warm and crackly spot in your memory. Smell - the fourth dimension! Try and take a whiff of your iTunes library. Anything?
Jerry's Records offers almost anything one can think of: soul, R&B, rock, jazz, spoken word, rockabilly, reggae, roots folk, alternative noise, halloween soundtracks, records with pretty girls on the cover. There is a large rack in the front of the store that holds the most popular choices - Zeppelin, Floyd, Beatles, Nugent, Presley, etc., making it easy for the newcomer to round-out their collection.
9.29.2009
Oakland: The aftermath of G20
Take a deep breath. Exhale.
Ok. G20 happened.
As the smoke (literally) clears from Pittsburgh's education neighborhood, Oakland, people - and by people, I pretty much mean students - have to look back at what happened to their campus (read: home).
Whether you were part of the action, following Twitter updates or just catching news and blog posts whenever you could get the chance, you know that something bad happened in Oakland. And the students are pissed.
About 150 arrests took place in Oakland between Thursday and Saturday - some protesters, but a lot of students.
Students we're trapped in their dorms and trapped out of their dorms, they were told they would be expelled if they stepped outside and told they would be arrested if they didn't disperse from their student union. It was a difficult - and scary - time for students who were just on their campus to catch a glimpse of a history.
Reports will continue to flow in over the next days and weeks that will determine what really happened. Did Pitt police try to stop riot police from entering the Cathedral of Learning? Was excessive force used on innocent student bystanders? Why were students trapped in stairwells with the presence of tear gas in the air? Why were students who were trying to disperse shot in their backside instead of their frontside, like would be expected if they were resisting police?
And one of the biggest ones out there is how did protesters manage to do $50,000 in damage with riot police outnumbering protesters and students nearly 2 to 1?
There's a lot of unanswered questions right now. And a good place for a lot of these questions can seen at 2 Political Junkies, a Pittsburgh politics blog.
For now, students who were arrested unfairly can only hope that their records are cleared and they don't have to deal with University judicial board reviews, which could and should happen. People who were not here, even alum of Pitt, can say what they want about students who didn't listen to police, but how far does a student have to go before they have dispersed? Students were gassed and arrested outside of their dorm rooms.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has a lot of questions to deal with. But when asked about how he can show the students at Pitt that the city still loves them, he only responded by saying "We still love you" - it was enough to get some eerie laughter from the crowd.
If you don't figure something out soon, Luke, don't expect the students to love you back.
Ok. G20 happened.
As the smoke (literally) clears from Pittsburgh's education neighborhood, Oakland, people - and by people, I pretty much mean students - have to look back at what happened to their campus (read: home).
Whether you were part of the action, following Twitter updates or just catching news and blog posts whenever you could get the chance, you know that something bad happened in Oakland. And the students are pissed.
About 150 arrests took place in Oakland between Thursday and Saturday - some protesters, but a lot of students.
Students we're trapped in their dorms and trapped out of their dorms, they were told they would be expelled if they stepped outside and told they would be arrested if they didn't disperse from their student union. It was a difficult - and scary - time for students who were just on their campus to catch a glimpse of a history.
Reports will continue to flow in over the next days and weeks that will determine what really happened. Did Pitt police try to stop riot police from entering the Cathedral of Learning? Was excessive force used on innocent student bystanders? Why were students trapped in stairwells with the presence of tear gas in the air? Why were students who were trying to disperse shot in their backside instead of their frontside, like would be expected if they were resisting police?
And one of the biggest ones out there is how did protesters manage to do $50,000 in damage with riot police outnumbering protesters and students nearly 2 to 1?
There's a lot of unanswered questions right now. And a good place for a lot of these questions can seen at 2 Political Junkies, a Pittsburgh politics blog.
For now, students who were arrested unfairly can only hope that their records are cleared and they don't have to deal with University judicial board reviews, which could and should happen. People who were not here, even alum of Pitt, can say what they want about students who didn't listen to police, but how far does a student have to go before they have dispersed? Students were gassed and arrested outside of their dorm rooms.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has a lot of questions to deal with. But when asked about how he can show the students at Pitt that the city still loves them, he only responded by saying "We still love you" - it was enough to get some eerie laughter from the crowd.
If you don't figure something out soon, Luke, don't expect the students to love you back.
9.23.2009
Here comes the G-20
If you're looking to get around town over the next couple of days, you might want to double-check your bus schedule before you leave. And giving yourself plenty of time doesn't hurt.
That's because the G-20 Summit will be taking place tomorrow and Thursday in Downtown. Because of the threat of protests and other unexpected events, the Port Authority is suggesting anybody — namely students — to prepare themselves for the upcoming delays.
For one of my journalism classes, Newspaper 2, I wrote a story about the problems off-campus students will face during the G-20. I got to talk to Jim Ritchie, who is the Port Authority's media spokesman. He gave me some typical information, like I said above about leaving earlier, but he also let me know about different things that the Port Authority is doing to help people prepare for public transportation during the G-20.
Here is a nice rundown of ways to keep up-to-date on what's happening with the bus schedules these next couple days. Ritchie suggested that students stay cautious because one bad or unexpected protest could lead to even more delays.
— Visit the Port Authority's official G-20 Summit page
— Follow the Port Authority's twitter account
— Sign up for the Port Authority's e-mail list
Ritchie stressed that things could a little crazy during the Summit, but everything should be back to normal by Saturday morning.
And, hey, it never hurts to take a walk or ride your bike into town. The weather looks like the weather won't be too bad.
That's because the G-20 Summit will be taking place tomorrow and Thursday in Downtown. Because of the threat of protests and other unexpected events, the Port Authority is suggesting anybody — namely students — to prepare themselves for the upcoming delays.
For one of my journalism classes, Newspaper 2, I wrote a story about the problems off-campus students will face during the G-20. I got to talk to Jim Ritchie, who is the Port Authority's media spokesman. He gave me some typical information, like I said above about leaving earlier, but he also let me know about different things that the Port Authority is doing to help people prepare for public transportation during the G-20.
Here is a nice rundown of ways to keep up-to-date on what's happening with the bus schedules these next couple days. Ritchie suggested that students stay cautious because one bad or unexpected protest could lead to even more delays.
— Visit the Port Authority's official G-20 Summit page
— Follow the Port Authority's twitter account
— Sign up for the Port Authority's e-mail list
Ritchie stressed that things could a little crazy during the Summit, but everything should be back to normal by Saturday morning.
And, hey, it never hurts to take a walk or ride your bike into town. The weather looks like the weather won't be too bad.
9.21.2009
Dog: Man's Best Friend
With the exponential rise in popularity of I Can Has Cheezburger, I feel that there has been a rapid decline in the popularity of the Dog: Man's Best Friend. To spark some more deserved respect, I call you to visit your nearby East End Park. You have many options: Mellon Park, Frick Park, Schenley Park.
I've found that dog-watching is not only a valuable and rewarding experience, but the East End offers superb opportunities for the dog-watcher.
Mellon Park, which is currently under construction, is a great introduction to the variety of dogs. Not only does it have the old favorites (Labs, Golden Retrievers, Beagles), but Shadyside's and Point Breeze's demographic is able to provide a more eclectic group of canines. Dalamatians are fetching tennis balls, Great Danes are elegantly oberserving, and the small toy poodles and pugs are getting to know each other in intimate detail.
More often than not, you'll see these dogs sans-leash. For those deathly afraid of pets, perhaps this is not your bag. And for those still touting the cat, buy a leash and join the party.
I've found that dog-watching is not only a valuable and rewarding experience, but the East End offers superb opportunities for the dog-watcher.
Mellon Park, which is currently under construction, is a great introduction to the variety of dogs. Not only does it have the old favorites (Labs, Golden Retrievers, Beagles), but Shadyside's and Point Breeze's demographic is able to provide a more eclectic group of canines. Dalamatians are fetching tennis balls, Great Danes are elegantly oberserving, and the small toy poodles and pugs are getting to know each other in intimate detail.
More often than not, you'll see these dogs sans-leash. For those deathly afraid of pets, perhaps this is not your bag. And for those still touting the cat, buy a leash and join the party.
9.17.2009
$5 Pizza in Shadyside? Go to Oakland for that, Jay...
"It's the kind of place that has a reputation for being above Oakland, you could say. It's a neighborhood where a lot of upperclassmen and graduate students live. It's great. It's quieter than Oakland and has a lot of nice restaurants, shops and houses," says Pitt senior, Jay Huerbin. You just defeated your argument. Shadyside doesn't have the drunk-pizza niche of Oakland. Oakland has far more foot traffic than Shadyside, so by virtue of the five-dollar-pizza, an inherently spur decision, it just wouldn't work.
Village Pizza is Shadyside's designated "cheap" pizza, which just opened a new location only a few blocks down Walnut, moving from Ivy St. to South Aiken, unveiling a redesigned and upgraded bar. The pizza is a bit more expensive than Antoon's and Sorrento's, but the quality is increased at a rate that outpaces the increase in price.
Let's not ruin Shadyside's reputation that is "above Oakland."
But let's forget these harsh feelings, for our argument illustrates why the East End is spectacular - you can go to Oakland and get a cheap $5 'za, or you can catch a ten-minute bus to Shadyside for some higher quality 'za. The same situation is present if you're looking to crawl among the bars. Oakland has Bootleggers and Shadyside has the Shady Grove. Each neighborhood holds its own slice of the East End pizza pie; one with simple pepperonis, the other with roasted red peppers marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette (simply an analogy, not an actual representation of pizza toppings).
Village Pizza is Shadyside's designated "cheap" pizza, which just opened a new location only a few blocks down Walnut, moving from Ivy St. to South Aiken, unveiling a redesigned and upgraded bar. The pizza is a bit more expensive than Antoon's and Sorrento's, but the quality is increased at a rate that outpaces the increase in price.
Let's not ruin Shadyside's reputation that is "above Oakland."
But let's forget these harsh feelings, for our argument illustrates why the East End is spectacular - you can go to Oakland and get a cheap $5 'za, or you can catch a ten-minute bus to Shadyside for some higher quality 'za. The same situation is present if you're looking to crawl among the bars. Oakland has Bootleggers and Shadyside has the Shady Grove. Each neighborhood holds its own slice of the East End pizza pie; one with simple pepperonis, the other with roasted red peppers marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette (simply an analogy, not an actual representation of pizza toppings).
Where's the $5 pizza?
So...we live in Shadyside. It's the kind of place that has a reputation for being above Oakland, you could say. It's a neighborhood where a lot of upperclassmen and graduate students live. It's great. It's quieter than Oakland and has a lot of nice restaurants, shops and houses.
But there is a problem. Where's the cheap $5 pizza (read: Antoons, Sorrentos)?
Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to be out of Oakland and living in Shadyside. It's a nice get away from all the activity that way. But every once in a while I get that craving for a cheap, large $5 pizza. It's such a good deal. And even if we are upperclassmen living in Shadyside, we're still students and would like to have a place like that.
I feel like having a cheap pizza place like that, although somewhat tacky, would be a good addition to the neighborhood. I'm sure it'd make a ton of money, too. After all, there are still a lot of bars in Shadyside that are really busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
But there is a problem. Where's the cheap $5 pizza (read: Antoons, Sorrentos)?
Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to be out of Oakland and living in Shadyside. It's a nice get away from all the activity that way. But every once in a while I get that craving for a cheap, large $5 pizza. It's such a good deal. And even if we are upperclassmen living in Shadyside, we're still students and would like to have a place like that.
I feel like having a cheap pizza place like that, although somewhat tacky, would be a good addition to the neighborhood. I'm sure it'd make a ton of money, too. After all, there are still a lot of bars in Shadyside that are really busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
9.15.2009
Welcome to the 'Burgh
There used to be this saying on a screen at the Pittsburgh airport. It went a little something like this:
There's something special about Pittsburgh and I, along with my roommate, hope to share our experiences about what's great in this city. We'll be traveling down Walnut Street in Shadyside, up Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill and hopping between Fifth and Forbes Avenue in Oakland. We'll be all over Pittsburgh's East End and the city itself telling not only our stories, but the stories we hear from others, to show why we enjoy living here.
It can be difficult for a 20-something year old, about to graduate and not know what he wants to do with his life. I'm an English Writing major, with a concentration in journalism, and would like to pursue a career in that field after graduation. I believe my job as sports at editor at the University of Pittsburgh's student newspaper, The Pitt News, has prepared for life after college. As the saying goes, it's not about what you know but who you know.
It's a changing world out there. And as somebody in the field of journalism, I know first hand. I'm excited to see how things like Facebook, Blogger, Twitter and every other form of social networking affect the newspaper industry. It can be scary at times, but I'm ready for it.
And that's what I hope this blog can accomplish. To connect people from all over. Start small and then expand. To create a network of people who can all come together at one place.
A person once said you can't have all good things in one place. That person must never have been to Pittsburgh.You could say that it's hard for me to fully grasp this saying considering I have spent my entire life in Pittsburgh's suburbs, but now live in Shadyside. But don't you think that itself says something about this city? And how there are plenty of reasons why I would love to graduate from Pitt in the spring of 2010 and continue living in America's Most Livable City.
There's something special about Pittsburgh and I, along with my roommate, hope to share our experiences about what's great in this city. We'll be traveling down Walnut Street in Shadyside, up Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill and hopping between Fifth and Forbes Avenue in Oakland. We'll be all over Pittsburgh's East End and the city itself telling not only our stories, but the stories we hear from others, to show why we enjoy living here.
It can be difficult for a 20-something year old, about to graduate and not know what he wants to do with his life. I'm an English Writing major, with a concentration in journalism, and would like to pursue a career in that field after graduation. I believe my job as sports at editor at the University of Pittsburgh's student newspaper, The Pitt News, has prepared for life after college. As the saying goes, it's not about what you know but who you know.
It's a changing world out there. And as somebody in the field of journalism, I know first hand. I'm excited to see how things like Facebook, Blogger, Twitter and every other form of social networking affect the newspaper industry. It can be scary at times, but I'm ready for it.
And that's what I hope this blog can accomplish. To connect people from all over. Start small and then expand. To create a network of people who can all come together at one place.
How much does a polar bear weigh?
Just enough to break the ice.
Hey! My name is Lukas, and together with my roommate Jay, I will be documenting the ins and outs of Pittsburgh most happening quadrant: the East End.
I make the first cut into the confectionery cake of Pittsburgh sitting outside of Crazy Mocha on Ellsworth Ave.; the other main business drag other than Walnut Street. How can I blog? Free wi-fi. Isn't Shadyside cool? All along Ellsworth and Walnut, anyone is allowed to sit down, flip open their sticker-adorned white laptop (thank you, Walnut St. Apple Store), and start surfing (or blogging).
But this is just one tiny morsel of the East End that makes it such a draw to our technology driven youth. We will attempt to illuminate as many of these mainstay attractions - restaurants, bars, wi-fi, boutiques, record shops - as well as the new and exciting activities - concerts, gallery openings, restaurant promotions - as possible.
Being two college students who grew up only twenty minutes north of all this action in the sprawling (boring) North Hills (suburbs), we have begun to recently learn of the wealth of opportunity for pleasure all located within minutes of each other. Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Bloomfield, Point Breeze, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Garfield, etc. are all quick drives away. No car? Big whoop! Buy a bike and sacrifice those gas dollars for some physical activity and you'll have no trouble getting to where you need to be.
So grab your slice of the East End with us as we explore all the flavors of the East End and its surrounding area.
Hey! My name is Lukas, and together with my roommate Jay, I will be documenting the ins and outs of Pittsburgh most happening quadrant: the East End.
I make the first cut into the confectionery cake of Pittsburgh sitting outside of Crazy Mocha on Ellsworth Ave.; the other main business drag other than Walnut Street. How can I blog? Free wi-fi. Isn't Shadyside cool? All along Ellsworth and Walnut, anyone is allowed to sit down, flip open their sticker-adorned white laptop (thank you, Walnut St. Apple Store), and start surfing (or blogging).
But this is just one tiny morsel of the East End that makes it such a draw to our technology driven youth. We will attempt to illuminate as many of these mainstay attractions - restaurants, bars, wi-fi, boutiques, record shops - as well as the new and exciting activities - concerts, gallery openings, restaurant promotions - as possible.
Being two college students who grew up only twenty minutes north of all this action in the sprawling (boring) North Hills (suburbs), we have begun to recently learn of the wealth of opportunity for pleasure all located within minutes of each other. Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Bloomfield, Point Breeze, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Garfield, etc. are all quick drives away. No car? Big whoop! Buy a bike and sacrifice those gas dollars for some physical activity and you'll have no trouble getting to where you need to be.
So grab your slice of the East End with us as we explore all the flavors of the East End and its surrounding area.
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