I’ve been a fan of Survivor since its first season, and I’m always excited when I see contestants from Pittsburgh, and it seems that Survivor is a magnet for those of us from the burgh. And imagine my surprise when during the second hour of the American Gladiator’s premiere (I can’t quite decide, but I’m pretty sure it’s a game show), they announce that John was from Pittsburgh!

John is an amputee and a Paralympic athlete, having competed in the 1996 games.

John was awesome to watch, and a great competitor, so much more than I ever could be, but sadly, he didn’t win the eliminator, but it was amazing and so heartwarming to see the entire stadium cheer for him to finish and give him an awesome standing ovation.

American Gladiator’s page (NBC)
Picture via BuzzerBlog

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Hockey is a pretty big deal in this town - well, it’s a big deal as long as the Penguins are winning. Ok, maybe it’s a big deal all the time, but people like me (that is, people who don’t like sports) don’t notice it unless the Penguins are winning. So, the Pens are doing well this year, eh? I guess that’s cool, if you’re into it.

Anyway, the Pittsburgh area has a hockey team that interests me way more than the Penguins interest me, except this more interesting team doesn’t exist except in a movie and it’s not spending millions of dollars on a new rink or whatever.

Ladies and gentlemen: the Monroeville Zombies!

Kevin Smith, the director of Zack and Miri Make a Porno, is a bit of a geek, which typically includes being a fan of zombies and zombie movies. Monroeville Mall was the location of the original Dawn of the Dead. Aside from that, Smith’s new movie was filmed in Pittsburgh, creating a perfect little package of Pittsburgh/nerdy/zombie/Kevin Smithy references.

The movie opens on October 31st. Duh.

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Two down, two to go as the Penguins made my weekend that much cheerier, despite all the rain. Hammering the Flyers - in more ways than one - was one of many highlights to a great Mother’s Day weekend.

As I’d predicted earlier last week, the Pens relied not only on Malkin (Game 1 - 2 goals) and Crosby (Game 2 - 2 points) but also their other offensive threats to elevate Penguins play; players who bear “marquee” names such as Talbot, Staal, Dupuis, Roberts, Kennedy…heck, the list pretty much includes the whole team. It may not have the rhinestone name glitter of the Red Wings’ roster, but just like our hometown, the Pens are all blue-collar, get-it-done players. And that’s what matters in this series.

(Congrats, by the way, to the Penguins for the impressive seven straight playoff wins at home!)

You know the Penguins making an impact when my own wife knows who Maxime Talbot, Tyler Kennedy, and Pascal Dupuis are. That’s saying a lot for the team-spirited play the Penguins have been exhibiting since Game 1, Round 1. The Flyers have quite the challenge ahead of them - keeping Malkin and Crosby down isn’t going to cut it, as they’ve shown in the past two games. And now that they’re missing Timonen and possibly Coburn…

If the Pens can keep up their physical play as well as scoring when Hatcher keeps going to the box, the ‘burgh boys may well sneak one (if not both!) game out of the Wachovia Center in Philly. The Penguins are only halfway there, but at least they can see the end of the series.

The Flyers need a telescope and a way to curve time.

It’s not over yet, fans. But it’s getting close. Is it Tuesday yet?

Roberts for Prez 08, courtesy of daveynin

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Chris Ivey, is a Pittsburgh based filmmaker who works on documentary films around the world. For the past few years he has been documenting development and change in East Liberty. Ivey has created two volumes to his documentary East of Liberty. Here is a segment from Part II which includes interviews with different people in the area about the Bakery Square development that is taking place in the old Nabisco Building.  I saw the documentary last week during a screening at the Union Project.  I am interested to hear what other people think about the Bakery Square development.

For more information visit EastofLiberty.com

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A thought occurred to me on my way home today. As I sat there in traffic, inching towards the Squirrel Hill tunnels, I was reminded of the fact that due to some sort of crazy technology (which I believe came from CMU), we can listen to the radio and talk on our cell phones uninterrupted when passing through the tunnels.

In contrast, when I occasionally go through the Liberty Tubes, I am met with the crackling radio, which soon fades to white noise until I reach the other side. Guess it makes me think about how lucky I am to travel the Parkway East each day (wait a minute…). And even though I know that my cell phone will still work through the Squirrel Hill tunnel, I was reminded of a time when I used the fact that I was nearing the tunnel’s entrance as an excuse to hang up the phone, just to end the conversation.

Now, I’m not one to talk on my phone as I drive, it distracts me, however as I inch through traffic leading up to the tunnel, I have found myself feeling a bit more secure, and at least able to justify my action to myself the few times I need to make a quick call. But consciously, using such a lame excuse (and I can’t even feign safety, I’m pretty sure I just wanted to end the conversation), I almost feel as if I should have been called out on it, seeing as we have the amazing technology mentioned above.

But who knows, maybe I’m just still amazed at this technological marvel. I also tend to wonder if anyone else has ever used this kind of feigned ignorance to their advantage: thoughts anyone?

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Yep, that’s right. The “City of Brotherly Love” is anything but, when it comes to NHL hockey. One of the longest anti-social rivalries between teams in the modern NHL, this series is going to have it all: goals, goaltending, grit, fights and fan-smack.

Considering the Flyer’s ‘theme’ for this year has been “Vengeance,” paraded around town with gigantic bilboards of Riley Cote and his raised fists, it appears to all that the Broad Street Bullies never really left.

So Friday at 7:30 we’ve got Game One of the Intrastate Beatdown. Let’s look more in-depth at what the Flyers are going to have to face - and what the Pens have to look forward to, after the jump. Read more

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All Hossa doubters can now be quiet.

After Hossa’s 2 goals yesterday afternoon, he’s put any and all doubt about his playoff contribution ability to rest; the clincher was the OT goal scored that sealed the Penguins victory on Sunday as well as finishing off the Rangers in the semi-final round.

Next up? The reviled Philadelphia Flyers. First game is on Friday at the Mellon Arena, time TBD (but most likely a 7 or 7:30 pm start).

Now, here’s a question for you Pens fans - especially those who’ve been watching NBC’s coverage of the games. Are you or are you not annoyed with Eddie Olczyk’s apparent anti-Penguins bias during commentary? His shameless pulling for the Rangers highly annoyed me, especially during yesterday’s broadcast. I’ve always respected him as a great Pens blue-liner and then commentator on the radio (before he took the coaching job) but after he was fired, it’s like he has this chip on his shoulder…

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like he’s just bitter because Therrian has turned the team around so quickly. Agree? Disagree?

Meantimes, it’s Flyer-stomping time. I’ll get a match-up breakdown later in the week, along with my prediction.

hossa, original photo courtesy of jcardinal18

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So Pittsburgh beat Los Angeles yesterday…

…and no, not in sports.

According to the latest American Lung Association report - “State of the Air 2008″ - that determines the nation’s most polluted cities, Pittsburgh has been named the “sootiest in the nation.”

Wow, what an honor.

What is this, the 1970s all over again?

The category Pittsburgh claimed top spot in measures short-term particle pollution, or ’soot.’ However, Janice Nolan, the assistant vice president of national policy and advocacy for the ALA, said that “it’s not that Pittsburgh has gotten worse; it’s that Los Angeles has gotten better.”

Small comfort, that.

Oh, and she said that “if the trend continues, Pittsburgh will top two lists, and LA will only be leading the nation in ozone.”

I see. So if the Steel City just keeps status quo, then we can’t make fun of LA-ites any more for being smoggy people. Great. Not to mention that everyone else in the country will revert back to the post-70’s assumption that Pittsburgh was a dirty, polluted city.

Guillermo Cole, a spokesman for the Allegheny County Health Department, told the Post-Gazette that Pittsburgh didn’t deserve the ranking as the high soot readings come primarily from emissions from U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. “The fact of the matter is that the ranking only applies accurately to the Liberty-Clairton area, and Pittsburgh, the rest of the county and the surrounding counties have much better air,” Mr. Cole said. “Liberty-Clairton is a unique situation. We have a large source, the coke works, sitting in a river valley, so it’s a real challenge. There’s no other area of the U.S. like that.”

The Liberty-Clairton area does not meet federal air quality standards for soot by far, but neither does the surrounding five-county metropolitan area - though soot levels are lower. Plans are in place, however, to improve the city’s overall air quality, especially for the Coke Works.

U.S. Steel has a $1B upgrade in the works for the site which will put the Liberty-Clairton area into attainment by 2015. The rest of the region should hit attainment by 2010.

Even if the area surrounding the Coke Works was removed from the data, Pittsburgh would still rank in the Top Twenty - 16th, to be exact.

So while the news is indeed hard to swallow, remember this: in traffic and commute, Pittsburgh is the fifth BEST city; L.A. is the ninth WORST. And when it comes right down to it, Pittsburghers get more quality time at home and not lodged on the Parkway inhaling exhaust. (Well, except when the “tunnel monster” is running loose.)

Commute vs. pollution? Yeah, I think Western PA wins that round.

Blast furnaces and iron ore at the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation mills, Etna, Pennsylvania (LOC), courtesy of The Library of Congress

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They entered enemy territory.

They suffered over 40 hits.

They saw over a five minute stretch of penalties, including nearly a minute of two five-on-threes.

They saw Jagr in prime early-90s form.

And yet…they scored 5 goals. Went 2-3 on the power play. Faced 39 shots, including a furious shot-clogged second period. Nine Penguins had at least a point tallied in the game. Malkin netted two power play goals; fitting in many ways, since news came earlier yesterday that he was one of the three finalists for the Hart trophy.

Once again, the Penguins come out on top.

If you saw the game last night, you know the feeling all of us are having today. If you didn’t, watch the highlights, because honestly, words can’t do it justice.

I’ll admit, Jagr looked great - it was like watching him back in ‘92, tearing up opponents and being a menace to the opposing netminder. But the Penguins defense held up; Jagr only netted one goal on the evening despite putting out nearly 25% of the Ranger’s shots on goal. (And I’ll give him credit, his wraparound was a beautiful goal. Almost brought a tear to my eye…) But in the end, Fleury was a wall when needed, and that made the difference.

Game Four on Thursday, 7 p.m. Let’s finish this, Penguins!

080228 Marc-Andre Fleury, courtesy of Dan4th

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I know it is a little chilly today. But free ice cream is a good thing. April 29 is Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry’s. Pittsburgh only has 1 Ben and Jerry’s Location in Sq. Hill - 5885 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Thanks to Tom at the DC Metblog for the reminder.

If cupcakes are your thing - check out $1 cupcakes at Dozen tommorow.

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Thank you, Penguins!

Thank you, Pens fans!

The last three days have been fantastic for me and my Penguins-crazed family in more ways than one.

Shall I count them?

Two wins over the hated Rangers, a furious and awesome comeback in Game One, a stonewalling shutout by Fleury in Game Two, and an Avery beatdown to segue into the next two games in New York. (The best view of the fight is at 1:15 in the video clip.)

What more could a Pens fan ask for?

Being at the game.

Well, ok, so I didn’t get that far.

Still, in watching the game from the comfort of my living room, surround sound on full blast, it felt like I was right there amongst the crowd at the Mellon Arena yesterday afternoon. The energy was electric, the noise awesome, and the outcome outstanding.

And I was thrilled to see my prediction come true. In the waning seconds of Game Two, Sean Avery did his usual annoying play and roughly tapped Fleury on the back as he moved to the front of the crease. As play wound down, Fleury did as any goalie would do defending his turf and slapped Avery in the back of the legs. Avery turned and tried to spear Fleury and was met with the fury of Hal Gill’s fists as they came flying out of his gloves. The shining moment? As Avery hit the boards, Laraque had skated over and grabbed him just as Gill led with a right.

Make note, New York: don’t mess with the Penguins.

The hockey world sat up and took notice after last night’s shutdown of the New York trapping game. The Pens didn’t just defend against it, they practically broke it. Transitions in the center were plentiful, the energy was 100% from start to finish, and the press into the Ranger’s zone was relentless. In this game, the Penguins proved that Ottawa wasn’t a fluke.

These guys want the Cup. And you know what? Every game they play, I think the reality is that much closer.

Now the quest to find a good location to watch Game Three on Tuesday. If any of you have suggestions to pass onto your fellow fans, please do so below. Until then, keep them towels waving!

It’s Towel Time!, courtesy of Sgt. Pepperedjane

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Ok, Penguins Nation, it’s been decided.

After Joffrey Lupul’s game winner in OT last night over here in Washington, the stage has finally been set for a standard playoff rematch for our beloved Penguins. Next up? The New York Rangers.

You may commence booing and hissing. I’ll wait, since I’ll join you.

Ok. Feel better?

So, are we looking at another Ottawa-style rollover? Probably not. This’ll be a hard-fought series, in my opinion, but won’t go to seven games. And I’m confident - like all of you, no doubt - that our Penguins shall triumph over the Blue Shirts of Broadway.

So let’s look at the nitty-gritty, shall we?

Read more

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Election Eve in Pittsburgh - waiting for Barack Obama

Originally uploaded by gophotogo

It is just after 10 PM on the night before the presidentia primary election. The Peterson events center looks to be about 70 percent full. The crowd is waiting for Obama to speak. Some people have been here since 7:30. The Yes We Can video is playing on the score board.

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Election Eve in Pittsburgh - waiting for Barack Obama

Originally uploaded by gophotogo

It is just after 10 PM on the night before the presidentia primary election. The Peterson events center looks to be about 70 percent full. The crowd is waiting for Obama to speak. Some people have been here since 7:30. The Yes We Can video is playing on the score board.

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Primary Pittsburgh Project - Women in The Arts

Originally uploaded by gophotogo

There is some serendipity to blogging and my life. Today I spent some time working on the Primary Pittsburgh Project www.PrimaryPittsburgh.com which is a cross blogging project to highlight some of the great things about Pittsburgh, the stories about what is happening here that is exciting and good and bringing people to Pittsburgh. This project is running for the 5 days leading up to the Pennsylvania Presidential Primary election. Pittsburgh is receiving a ton of media attention around the election and this project is to use the blogs to get the other primary story about Pittsburgh out there.

I was not planning on writing abouther post about this symposium but as I sit here listening to this panel discussion about women in the arts in Pittsburgh the discussion is a great example of why Pittsburgh. An important part of community building is quality of life. At least 2 of the women on this panel came to Pittsburgh from other cities. They are sitting here talking about how Pittsburgh is a community where women in the arts can feel supported and are supported by other women. The arts community is just one small part of what is happening in Pittsburgh that is drawing artists to live here. The arts scene here really is not only the arts like the opera and ballet but artists on all levels. The increase in artists is an addition to thr economy. But this also contributes to making Pittsburgh a vibrant place to live. Look at events like Handmade arcade to the increase in art galleries in Lawrenceville. The quarterly gallery crawl is another great example of an arts event that is giving people a reason to spend a Friday evening downtown. While downtown Pittsburgh is not the vibrant 24 hour community the arts community in Pittsburgh is a big part of and example of why this is a great place to live.

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