Have a Safe Memorial Day!

How are you planning to celebrate/ honor Memorial Day weekend?  Is the occasion a chance to barbeque and hang with friends, or is it a more solemn occasion as you remember a loved one?  Share with us!

But no matter how you choose to spend your weekend, we want you to stay safe.  Here are some tips for grill safety this weekend:

 

• Keep food covered or refrigerated until ready to be cooked.  Cook meat to 170 degrees Farenheit as a minimum. 
• Cooking meat (particularly red meat and chicken) until surface charring occurs can cause cancer causing substances (Heterocyclic Amines (HCA)) to form.   To avoid this, use marinades and turn the meat frequently.
• Inspect your grill before you ignite to ensure everything is in working order.
• Don't use a grill indoors including garages, overhangs and canopies.
• When using a grill, you should use a 10-foot perimeter from anything combustible, including your house.
• Do not allow children and pets to play near a grill.
• Only use approved ignition fluids – don't use gasoline to ignite a grill.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of sand nearby to douse a grill fire.

Read more here.

Pittsburgh Challenge

 

Looking for an adventure?  Pittsburgh Challenge is the race where smarts can beat speed. It’s part clue solving, part strategy, part sped, and all fun. It’s like a 1-day Amazing Race.  Teams must solve clues and riddles which will lead them to certain checkpoints.  They must then strategize the best and quickest routes around the city (on your own two feet only!) in a race to the finish.  Check-in begins at 11am at the Buckhead Saloon, and the race starts at 1pm.  The finish line will feature cold water for the racers, food and drink specials, music, and of course the awards ceremony.  The winning team gets $200, but there are prizes for runner ups and even a costume contest!

Cirque in The Strip

 

 

Have you seen the big blue and yellow tents in The Strip District?  If haven’t heard, the circus is in town!  Cirque du Soleil’s trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (circus big top) is currently hosting “Totem,” Cirque’s newest show which traces the evolutionary progress of man from its amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly.  If you have never seen a Cirque show, prepare yourself for unparalleled acrobatics and visually stunning effects.  Performances last until June 5th and tickets can be purchased online or at the tent. 

‘Chili with the Works’ Arts and Chili Festival

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the 2011 Arts and Chili Festival from 2pm-8pm! The festival will feature chili from the competitors in the “Best in the ‘Burgh” contest, the I Made It! Market, live music on the Town Square stage, a sidewalk sale and more!  So celebrate the break in the rain this Saturday and bring your appetite down to the Southside Works!

Pittsburgh Marathon this Weekend!

The Pittsburgh Marathon begins this Sunday at 7am (6am for walkers).  Registration for the race has already closed, but the race is still in need of volunteers to man the water stations, give medical assistance, and to provide assistance in a variety of other areas.  Racers have 7 hours to complete the course, so expect traffic rerouting until at least 2pm.  For  a map of the race course, check out the Pittsburgh Marathon website.  Cheer on the runners and enjoy free entertainment at various locations throughout the race.  And if you are a runner this weekend, best of luck!

Living In The Future: SPACE Gallery May 13th

What do robots and art have in common?   Find out this Friday at the Space Gallery’s Living in the Future exposition.  Despite the lack of flying cars, jet packs and personal worm holes, artist Eric Singer enjoys living in the future. In fact, this is where he draws inspiration for his artwork. Eric Singer is a Post-Media Experiential Artist, Musician, Engineer and Programmer. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of LEMUR: League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots. He has over 20 years of experience in creating electronic musical instruments, interactive performances and installations, musical robots, fire art, pyrotechnic spectacles and guerilla street performances. He is known internationally for his work as well as his software and hardware products for interactive art creation. With this in mind, Eric presents a proto-retro-spective of his work combining sound, video, robotics and technology. Plus, you get to play with the art, too. 

Don’t Forget Mother’s Day

 

 

 

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 8th!  Haven’t gotten her a present yet?  Here are a couple of last minute ideas to help you out:

 

1) Take her on a picnic.

2) Make a basket filled with her favorite things.

3) Write a journal to give to her that includes “My Favorite Times with Mom.”

4) Make a scrapbook for Mom that includes “My Favorite Pictures of Mom.”

5) Cook her favorite dinner instead of just taking her out.

6) Give Mom a coupon book with special chores or favors you will do for her. Mom can redeem her coupons whenever she needs your help.

7) Plant her a garden. 

8) Spend the day with her and take lots of pictures so she can have those memories forever.

9) Wash her car.

10) When in doubt, CHOCOLATE!

 

Here are some interesting facts on Mother’s Day and moms!

Happy Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 9th! Looking for a great way to treat your Mom this Mother’s Day?  Pittsburgh has several great activities designed to make your Mother feel special and appreciated.  Get a jumpstart this Saturday at 2pm  and admire the beauty and elegance of spring wildflowers, shrubs, and plants with a Family Walkabout at Beechwood Farms  featuring an afternoon tea party as well.  Or celebrate with Mom out on the water aboard the Gateway Clipper dinner cruise featuring a delicious dinner buffet, live entertainment and a complimentary rose for all Moms!  Still looking for that perfect outing?  Find more fun activities just for Mom here.