Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Save on Kennywood, Sandcastle & Idlewild Tickets
SAVE 20% On Full-Price Admission Tickets To Kennywood, Sandcastle & Idlewild.
Open Call for Historic Landmarks in Homestead, West Homestead, Whitaker and Munhall
Homestead, Munhall, West Homestead, PA – The Society for Pennsylvania and Surrounding-Area History (SPsAh) is pleased to announce the open call for sites to be recognized a Historical Landmark in Homestead, Munhall and West Homestead, and Whitaker boroughs. SPsAh will select two sites and dedicate the location as a Historical Landmark. SPsAh (pronounced spa) will accept any nomination for a location, moment, street, or any place in these cooperating areas.
Submissions can be sent via e-mail to president@historyofpa.com, visit www.historyofpa.com to submit online, or send a snail mail to P.O. Box 293, Munhall, Pa 15120.
“This is a marvelous time for community members to find a new historical moment for the Steel Valley region,” said David Lontoin, board member of SpsAh. “I am pleased that the Society will be offering this opportunity and hope that all participants in the Steel Valley region submit an idea to be considered a Historic Landmark.”
Requirements: The submission is over 55 words and can be as long and detailed oriented as the applicant sees fit. The length of the submission does not create a better chance for selection, every request for a Historical Landmark status will be reviewed equally. Photos and videos are accepted. The submissions do not have to be defined during the history of the steel industry but must be in the locations of Munhall, Homestead, West Homestead and Whitaker borders. Locations do not have to be historically significant to the masses and can be personally significant. SPsAh will dedicate two sites: 1) the community will vote on a site 2) SPsAh board of directors will vote on a site to be dedicated a Historic Landmark. There is no age limit.
Additional Requirements: Sites where actions of personal significance occurred; locations where people live or work; symbols of ideals that shape a person; example of construction; Places characterizing a way of life; or sites able to harvest ideas.
SPsAh has dedicated Historic Landmark status to people and places of no historical significance, locations of first settlements and many more. For more visit www.historyofpa.com.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Waterfront
Built on the site of the former Homestead steel mill, The Waterfront in Homestead provides 260 acres of shopping, entertainment and dining. This upscale shopping complex is one of the "cool" spot in Pittsburgh, with great ambiance and action along Pittsburgh's rivers.
The Waterfront
149 West Bridge Street
Homestead, PA 15120
412-476-8889
Public Transportation: The Pittsburgh Port Authority offers bus service to the Waterfront in Homestead on several different routes including some from Oakland and Downtown.
Hours:
Monday - Saturday, 10:00AM - 9:00PM
Sunday, 12:00pM - 6:00PM
Plus, extended hours during the holiday shopping season.
The Town Center area of the development is home to stores you would find in most malls, including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Gap, Hollister, and Victoria's Secret. Macy's(formerly Kaufmann's), Barnes & Noble, and a Loews Cineplex are located in this area as well. The eastern end of the development resembles more of a traditional suburban strip mall, with many big-box retail stores fronting a large parking lot. Stores here include Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, Giant Eagle grocery, Lowe's, and Target.
Around the perimeter of the complex, particularly along theMonongahela River, are most of the development's restaurants, almost all of which are typical chain restaurants like Red Robin andT.G.I. Friday's, as well as several fast food locations.
An apartment complex, a few office buildings, fueling station, and a hotel are also located along the river perimeter.
Loews Cineplex Waterfront Theatre: For a pampered movie experience, Loews Theatre at the Waterfront features stadium seating, state of the art acoustics and the most recent movies. Reserve your seats in advance and have dinner there as well.
Directions: From Interstate 376 Take exit 5 toward Squirrel Hill/Homestead. Stay straight through several intersections until on the Homestead Grays Bridge. Make a right at light on bridge to enter The Waterfront.
Web Site: www.waterfrontpgh.com
Kennywood & Sandcastle
In addition to its iconic coasters, the Jack Rabbit and Log Jammer, the historic park boasts a rebuilt and faster Bayern Kurve in which speeding cars circling a track simulate a bobsled ride by leaning slightly inward around curves for even greater thrills.
Open daily through Aug. 25, and four successive weekends and Labor Day. The gates open at 10:30 a.m., and close about 10 p.m. depending on the weather and crowd size.
Standard admission of $33.99 for all-day riding; $20.99 for those 46 inches tall and shorter; $16.99 for seniors ages 55 and older; $18.99 for after 5 p.m. entry; $9.99 for seniors after 5 p.m.; free for ages 2 and younger. Reduced group rates, and special price days.
Location: 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin; 412-461-0500; www.kennywood.com.
Next to the Waterfront and a few miles from Kennywood (same ownership), the water park contains a wave pool, 14 waterslides, pools and giant hot tub, and children's area.
Open daily June 13 through Aug. 23; limited operation Aug. 15 - Aug. 23.
Standard admission of $27.99 for all-day fun from 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. depending on weather and crowd size; $20.99 for seniors and kids 46 inches tall and shorter; ages 3 and younger are free. Season passes, reduced admission after 3 p.m., nd group rates available.
A Kennywood/Sandcastle combo for $33.00 allows admittance to both parks on the same day.
Location: 1000 Sandcastle Dr., West Homestead; 412-462-6666; www.sandcastlewaterpark.com.
Westwood Golf Club
A fully stocked pro shop, lounge, bar, golf lessons, full banquet facilities with the knowledge to make your golf outings, weddings, or any special event truely a day to remember
Just minutes from historic Kennywood, its a great course with fairways that are wide open in some places and tree lined in others.
The greens are fast and makes for a comfortable yet challenging day of golf. Come and enjoy.
Westwood Golf Club is the tri-state areas premier public golf course.
Westwood Golf Club
825 Commonwealth Ave
West Mifflin, PA 15122
ph: 412-462-9555
fax: 412-466-9493
Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
Bost Building Exhibits
Safety First
Opening March 23, 2009
Steel mills historically have been, and still are, inherently dangerous places. Workers must always be on their guard, for their lives and livelihood depend upon their safety.
Rivers of Steel's new exhibit incorporates films, manuals, posters, signs, personal protection devices and tools allowing visitors to experience what workers were exposed to on a daily basis to ensure their safety, and promote an accident free environment in the workplace.
Information
Admission to the Bost Building is free.
Exhibit Hours
Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm
The Bost Building will be CLOSED on Friday, July 3, 2009.
Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area
The Bost Building 623 E. Eighth Avenue Homestead, PA 15120
2009 Movies at the Pump House
Located in the Waterfront, site of the former Homestead Works, the Pump House was the site of the battle between workers and the Pinkerton Detective agents during the 1892 Homestead Lockout and Strike. The site has been renovated for use as an interpretive space.
This free monthly Thursday night film series is sponsored by the Battle of Homestead Foundation (BHF):
April 30: The River Ran Red
May 28: Valley Town and Aliquippa: The Union Comes to "Little Siberia"
June 25: Salt of the Earth
July 30: Bread and Roses
August 27: China Blue
September 24: 1877: Grand Army of Starvation and Out of This Furnace: A Walking Tour of Thomas Bell's Novel
All movies begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Pump House is located at 880 E. Waterfront Drive, Munhall.
Steel Valley Trail
With the decline of the steel-making in southwestern Pennsylvania, Rivers of Steel is restoring, protecting and enhancing the land and water resources of the region. By building trails along riverfronts and old railroad corridors and constructing river landings, the Heritage Area is capitalizing on the wealth of natural resources this region offers residents and visitors.
Trail guide maps are available at the following website:
Tour Anytime
Enjoy a peaceful walk along the Monongahela River and through the Waterfront’s retail district to learn about the remaining artifacts from one of the world’s largest steel mills: the Homestead Works.
Adjacent to the Monongahela River, this site was the primary battleground between the Pinkertons and the locked-out steelworkers.
For more information about the Battle of Homestead, try our Battle of Homestead Walking Tour.
Directly across the river from the start of this tour are the Carrie Furnaces, a National Historic Landmark.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sing Sing Idol
Homestead Borough Community Day
As you may already know, Homestead Borough is planning its annual Community Day event. We are planning this celebration for Saturday, July 11th in Frick Park. with many activities and hometown entertainment. The Police Department and the Fire Company will be supporting this year’s event with public safety demonstrations as well as family games.
Betty Esper, Mayor
Monday, June 22, 2009
Harmony Club of Homestead
Restaurant kicks off 60th anniversary
A Pittsburgh area restaurant staple is ready to have a rockin' summer as it celebrates a special anniversary.
Eat'n Park kicked off the 60th anniversary festivities Friday with a celebration at its Waterfront location in Homestead. The young - and the young at heart - partied with Smiley, the company's cookie mascot, played games and decorated their own special Smiley cookie.
Nashville recording artist Sarah Marince, the voice of the "rock" version of Eat'n Park's famous "Place for Smiles" jingle, entertained the crowd with a special performance. She also helped Team Smiley members hand out prizes during the Eat'n Park trivia challenge.
The Moon Township native said she was excited when Eat'n Park contacted her to record the jingle and star in the "Eat'n Park Rocks!" commercials.
"I grew up around here, and after any school event, everyone would go to Eat'n Park," she said. "It's really cool - there's been so much recognition from the commercial. I can't thank Eat'n Park enough for the opportunity."
Marince said her favorite part of her "Eat'n Park Rocks!" appearances is entertaining children, who she said are some of her biggest fans. But the job also has another perk.
"I've had so many Smiley cookies," she said with a laugh. "I'll decorate them with my friends' names, send them a picture and usually end up eating it myself."
The singer wasn't the only one who enjoyed the cookie decorating event. Six-year-old Amber Porco, of West Mifflin, said that activity was one of her favorite parts of the evening.
She said she was surprised about the icing used in the decorating.
"It was in a bag," Amber said. "Some were two colors mixed."
Amber was joined by her parents, Mike and Lori Porco, and her 8-year-old sister Marisa. The family said they knew Smiley would be at the Waterfront location but was pleasantly surprised to find the party in the parking lot.
Marisa said the family visits Eat'n Park frequently and that she always looks forward to the trip.
"I like the food and the cookies," she said.
By KELLY FENNESSY
Daily News Staff Writer
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Westwood Golf Club
Westwood Lunch Specials!
Monday- HALF PRICE BURGERS!
Tuesday- PIZZA NIGHT! $4.99
Wednesday- 25 CENT WINGS! 5-9 PM
Thursday- DINNER FEATURE! prices vary
Friday- RIB NIGHT! $13.99 comes with choice of baked potato or fries and salad
Westwood Golf Club
825 Commonwealth Ave.
West Mifflin Pa. 15122
Tee Times: Call 412-462-9555 Ext 1
Wedding and Banquet info: 412-462-9555 Ext 2
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Labyrinth display at Waterfront pathway to a poignant past
Artist Lorraine Vullo's new installation, the Homestead Labyrinth, lies adjacent to the community's historic Pump House near the sprawling Waterfront shopping complex -- a spot more fitting for a fast-food joint than an outdoor art piece. But Ms. Vullo says that the 68-foot labyrinth on Waterfront Drive, which opened to the public last Friday, will serve as an enclave for tranquility and meditation.
"Inside the labyrinth, there is no right or wrong way -- just a single path that leads you to the center," Ms. Vullo, 50, said. "It's about the inner journey."
Labyrinths are winding, walkable passages typically found in cathedrals or parks. They are often used for meditation or religious rituals.
It took $90,000 in grants, and more than a month of hard labor for Ms. Vullo to construct the labyrinth on the same site where the Battle of Homestead was fought between striking workers and Pinkerton guards during the Homestead Steel Strike of 1892.
The land is now owned by the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, a foundation dedicated to preserving the history of the Western Pennsylvania steel industry.
Ms. Vullo said her art installation serves as a memorial to those who died in the battle, the most prominent labor conflict in U.S. history. This site, she said, "is sacrosanct."
Ron Baraff, Rivers of Steel director of museums and archives, said the organization allowed Ms. Vullo to use the land because she was cognizant of its historical importance. Approximately 250 triangular stones lie on the perimeter of the labyrinth, and most are engraved with the name of a steel mill, foundry or blast furnace in Western Pennsylvania.
"This was the perfect spot for it," Mr. Baraff said. "There are so many stories here coming together in one place."
Ms. Vullo's art piece also serves as a personal commemoration; the entrance to the labyrinth faces 123 degrees east-southeast, the location of the moon when her son was born in 1996. She said she hopes visitors from outside Pittsburgh who don't have personal ties to the steel mills will still find the labyrinth a peaceful site for meditation and spiritual contemplation.
"It's important to the region, historically," Ms. Vullo said. "But it's also faithful to the ideal of a labyrinth in that there's a personal connection and a personal significance with the labyrinth outside of its historical context."
Like most labyrinths, Ms Vullo's installation does not contain wrong turns or dead ends; instead, there is just one path that winds in parallel lines to the center of the circle.
Labyrinths are often found on stone cathedral floors in France and Italy, as well as in gardens in the United Kingdom. But Ms. Vullo maintained that hers is a riff on the traditional labyrinth. Instead of a rose at its center -- typically a symbol of the Virgin Mary -- she chose to construct a six-pointed compass star.
Ms. Vullo, Mr. Baraff and two others spent a month putting together the labyrinth and ridding the land of rocks and cement left from the old steel mill. The Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area allowed Ms. Vullo to use the land without charge for an indefinite period of time.
But the organization is currently lobbying Congress to turn the area surrounding the Carrie Furnace site, where blast furnaces once produced iron for U.S. Steel, into Homestead Works National Park. If that happens, Rivers of Steel cannot guarantee that the labyrinth will stay in the park, spokeswoman Jan Dofner said.
But for now, Mr. Baraff said, Rivers of Steel is happy to have a modern artistic addition to its historic site.
"This is really the proper use of the land," Mr. Baraff said. "It's creating green space, creating something beautiful."
Ms. Vullo said she hopes the labyrinth becomes a much-used part of the Homestead community. She expects that it will grow more beautiful as the grass thickens and wildflowers flourish on the perimeter of the circle.
It will soon be listed in the World-Wide Labyrinth Locator, and she cannot wait to see it on Google Earth.
June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
South Side artist creates unusual tribute to industrial heritage of city
Lorraine Vullo of the South Side is putting the final touches on an 11-ring medieval labyrinth of bricks set into the ground on the site of Andrew Carnegie's storied Homestead steel mill. The Belgian-block and concrete stones are etched with the names of foundries and furnaces that once operated along Pittsburgh's three rivers.
Vullo hopes visitors will reflect upon the joys and struggles of workers who came from around the world to fuel the industrial boom.
"This location is a huge part of history," Vullo, 50, said Wednesday. "I wanted to honor the men and women who worked here, and who lost their lives here. This is a sacred area to a lot of people."
The 68-foot diameter labyrinth is built on land owned by the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area at 880 E. Waterfront Drive, at the eastern edge of The Waterfront shopping area. Rivers of Steel, which operates a small museum nearby, is hosting a dedication ceremony and reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Afterward, the labyrinth will be open without charge around the clock.
At the site of the former mill's pumphouse, workers protesting wage cuts 107 years ago battled armed Pinkerton detectives hired by Carnegie Steel Co. executive Henry Clay Frick. Three workers and seven Pinkertons died in the confrontation, which was quelled when Pennsylvania militia, at Frick's request, marched in and imposed martial law.
When Vullo first described the labyrinth to Rivers of Steel president and CEO Augie Carlino, "my reaction was, 'A what?' " recalled Carlino. "But having worked with Lorraine before, I knew the quality of her work and the emotion and thought that she brings to her work."
Raised in Buffalo, Vullo moved to Pittsburgh in the late 1970s. She founded the Blatent Image Gallery, a cooperatively-run gallery of fine art photography that later grew into the South Side's Silver Eye Center for Photography. With fellow artist Michael Picarsic III, she mounted the 2005 show "Recrudescence" at Rivers of Steel, featuring photos and sculptural installations made from the remnants of the former J&L Steel mill in what is now SouthSide Works.
"It's gone beyond what I expected it to be," Carlino said about the Homestead Labyrinth. "It's breathtaking. It has this regenerative, spiritual element. ... It's almost like an offering back to nature. It's something you'd never expect to see in an industrial area."
The work is supported by combined donations of about $90,000 from The Heinz Endowments' Small Arts Initiative, The Pittsburgh Foundation's A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust, Weisshouse, Pixel River Photo + Art, and private donors, Vullo said.
The land may eventually be developed for other use, but Vullo said the labyrinth should remain in place for at least a few years.
By Bonnie Pfister
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Eat'n Park 'Rocks' Guests This Summer
Select Locations to Host 60th Anniversary Celebrations
Eat'n Park (www.eatnpark.com) will get its groove on this summer as the family dining chain celebrates its 60th Anniversary with a month-long campaign -- Eat'n
Eat'n Park was founded on
"Our company continues to be successful after 60 years," said Kevin O'Connell, senior vice president, Eat'n Park. "We've always strived to serve really good food and make it fun. What could be more fun than winning prizes with your meal, and maybe even taking home
During the 60th Anniversary celebration, Smiley -- the company's iconic cookie mascot -- also will be making more than 40 appearances at Eat'n Park restaurants. And, select restaurant locations will be hosting special parties with Smiley, giveaways of Guitar Hero video games, gift cards and t-shirts, as well as special performances by the star of Eat'n Park's new commercial,
Eat'n
- 6/19 - Waterfront Eat'n Park, 245 East Waterfront Drive
Monday, June 8, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Opening Reception for the Homestead Labyrinth
The event will take place near the Pump House, Waterfront Drive East, Munhall, PA 15210
Friday June 12, 2009 6:00 - 8:00pm.
RSVP 'yes' by Tuesday June 9 to 412-464-4020 (Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area)
Funding for the Homestead Labyrinth was made possible with the generous support of:
Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area
The Heinz Endowments' Small Arts Initiative
The A.W. Mellon Educational & Charitable Trust Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation
Weisshouse
Pixel River Photo + Art
and private donors
Homestead Labyrinth
The Homestead Labyrinth, a new installation by artist Lorraine Vullo, will be dedicated Friday, June 12, from 6 pm to 8 pm. The labyrinth is located on the banks of the Monongahela River at the Pump House, 880 E. Waterfront Drive, in the Waterfront. The site, once part of the former Homestead Works, took its place in history when the Pinkertons and the Amalgamated Iron and Steel Workers clashed on July 6, 1892 in an event that became known as the Battle of Homestead. The Homestead Labyrinth is a peaceful, contemplative space in an area that was the scene of one of the most dramatic moments in American labor history. It also contains a strong personal connection for Ms. Vullo as the entrance of the labyrinth faces 123 degrees ESE, the location of the moon at the time of her son’s birth.
The medieval eleven-ring labyrinth is constructed of cobble stones and concrete triangles in various sizes and colors to represent the Monongahela, the Allegheny and the Ohio Rivers. On each of the hand-made triangles, Ms. Vullo engraved the name of a mill, foundry or furnace that is, or was once, located on that river, honoring the men and women who came from all over the world to live and work here. Walking the path of this labyrinth allows visitors and residents to tread on history in a context that is beautiful and quiet with local iconic images sharing space with ancient symbolism.
A crew of four, Lorriane Vullo, Michael Picarsic III, Ed Lewis, and Preston Allen, constructed the labyrinth in less than a month after months of planning.
The Homestead Labyrinth’s location at the Pump House, a trail head on the Steel Valley Trail, makes the art installation readily accessible to visitors hiking or biking this part of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, the 325-mile, trail that connects Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.
Rivers of Steel
West Mifflin Area Graduation
Graduation will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the West Mifflin Area Athletic Complex. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the high school auditorium.
Students' last day of school is Tuesday, June 9. There will be an early dismissal for all buildings as follows:
High School - 11:40 a.m.
Middle School - 12:10 p.m.
ECEC and Elementary - 12:40 p.m.
Kenny Chesney Ticket Giveaway
Just come in now and put your name and phone number on an entry coupon and you'll have a chance to win.
DRAWING at 3pm on Friday, June 5th!!!
You do not need to be present at the time of the drawing.
We will call the winner.
The 39er | The Waterfront | (Across from the Improv) | 155 E. Bridge St. | Homestead | PA | 15120
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
An Evening with Boz Scaggs Saturday Sept 12
Saturday September 12th, 2009 @ 8 pm Carnegie Music Hall, Munhall
Boz Scaggs (born June 8, 1944) is a Grammy-winning American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He gained fame in the 1970s with several Top 20 Hits in the United States along with the #2 album Silk Degrees. Scaggs continued to release and record in the 1980s and 1990s, and still tours into the 2000s.
www.bozscaggs.com
Tickets on sale June 6th!
$76 and $56 seats.
www.librarymusichall.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
FREE Open Air Marketplace at The Waterfront hosted by The Vitamin Shoppe
health partners, and other vendors.
The Vitamin Shoppe)
free cover charge)
