JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 27
Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar opening this fall at former Atria’s location in O’Hara
In Maya folklore, it is believed that hummingbirds connect the earthly and heavenly realms. When the new Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar in O’Hara opens this fall on Freeport Road, hummingbirds will be featured prominently throughout the space. “We are building a bridge between Mexico and Pittsburgh,” said Kayla Welch,...
Ferrari is the ‘Marque Car’ of the year at Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
Enzo Ferrari’s passion was racing cars. That love of fast high-performance Italian automobiles carries over into this year’s Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Ferrari is this year’s Marque of the Year at the 41st annual event that’s happening Saturday and Sunday in Schenley Park. “Ferrari has a heritage, and it’s a...
Pleasant Hills woman’s passion for Barbie dolls inspired by her late mother
Dressed in bold red, bright green and shimmery pink ball gowns, Kim Bennear Fancsali’s Barbies are perched atop two shelves in the corner of the room. Some have sparkling tiaras, others are adorned with colorful capes and puffy faux fur. Fancy necklaces and earrings complete the look. They are from...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 21-23
We’ve made it to the weekend. If you aren’t attending Picklesburgh or the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in Schenley Park, here are some other things to do. Edible garden The fifth annual Swissvale Edible Garden Tour is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The free event showcases gardeners...
Quench your thirst: Picklesburgh has plenty of ‘dill-icious’ drink options
Pickle-flavored juice, beer, iced tea, lemonade and alcoholic drinks will be some of the liquids flowing starting at noon Friday when Picklesburgh opens. Pickles are commonly used in food, but the festival pours on the drink options, as well. The annual event produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will have...
No bright future for Back to the Foodture restaurants
After months of emails with lawyers representing Universal Studios, owners of Back to the Foodture have decided the financial stress is just too much. “We have been going back and forth with them since February paying lawyer fees and filing paperwork,” said chef Angel Magwood, co-owner of Back to the...
Acrospire Brewing Co. opens a taproom in Shaler
Inside the “A” in the logo for the newest place to grab a beer in Shaler, an image of a shoot of a grain of barley is visible. The name of the establishment is Acrospire Brewing Co., and it’s inspired by ingredients in the beer. The word acrospire means the...
Chatham University students, seniors share living space at Vincentian Schenley Gardens
College students living in the same housing complex as senior citizens might not seem like something that would work — but for the residents of Vincentian Schenley Gardens, a personal care home in Oakland, it definitely does. Jean Bolden, who turned 95 on the Fourth of July, and Amanda Barber,...
Regent Square basketball player in National Senior Games rebounds on and off the court
One of the fundamentals of basketball is rebounding. It’s about working hard against an opponent to know where the ball might bounce so you are in the proper position to grab it. Paula Franetti, 67, knows about rebounding on and off the court. The Regent Square resident overcame a serious...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 14-16
It’s the weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Northside Music Festival The inaugural Northside Music Festival is Friday through Sunday. Previously known as the Deutschtown Music Festival, the free, three-day event will feature more than 70 musical acts, an artist market and more than 30 food trucks. On...
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in the Waterfront is permanently closed
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, one of the first tenants in the Waterfront in Homestead, has closed. The first Rock Bottom opened in Denver in 1991. At one time there were 17 locations across the U.S. There are currently 12. When it opened 25 years ago, it was one of...
Chatham University auctioning contents of Shadyside mansion
Jim Crowley walked into what’s known as the Thomson House mansion and said he felt like he had just stepped back in time. Not much had been touched for years — the furniture was reminiscent of the Victorian era up to the 1920s, a woman’s wardrobe from decades ago hung...
Hills Snack Bar food trailer to debut in Beaver County
Jason Powell recalled shopping at Hills in Green Garden Plaza in Aliquippa, Beaver County — the soft pretzels, popcorn, nachos and Icee drinks were always a treat. Now, he’s bringing those memories back to life with the Hills Snack Bar. It’s a food trailer that will officially open at noon...
‘Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks’ exhibit opening at North Side’s Photo Antiquities
The Pirates aren’t playing until Friday night because it’s Major League Baseball‘s all-star break — but there is still a way to get your fill of a ballpark atmosphere. Photo Antiquities Museum of Photographic History on the North Side has a gallery exhibit titled “Pittsburgh’s Historic Ballparks.” It’s inspired by...
Galimard Pittsburgh allows customers to create their own perfume
Grace Keibler was handed a bottle of perfume with the name on the label reading “Will you marry me?” She turned around to find her boyfriend, Rob Gainor, down on one knee. She smiled and said “Yes.” The fragrance was created specifically by Keibler at Galimard Pittsburgh in Dormont, a...
Wilson’s Bar-B-Q in North Side’s Perry South neighborhood ‘opening soon’
As Ira Lewis talked about plans to reopen Wilson’s Bar-B-Q on Thursday, the phone kept ringing with people inquiring about when the eatery will open. “People have been waiting,” Lewis said. “When I come in every day, there are 60-plus calls. And there are Facebook messages and texts.” Lewis doesn’t...
Multiple garden tours taking place this weekend in Pittsburgh neighborhoods
Summer is a time when gardens are in full bloom. The picturesque views create spaces to enjoy, which is why many garden tours are held in June and July, including the Wexford Garden and Pond Tour on July 8. “We have property owners who have done awesome work,” said event...
Tickets still available for Ed Sheeran concert at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium
Pittsburgh’s summer of big concerts continues Saturday. British pop star Ed Sheeran will take the stage at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore. Opening guests are expected to be Khalid and Rosa Linn. Khalid missed the past few shows because he was in a car accident and it is not...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 7-9
We’ve made it to the weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Liberty Mile The Fleet Feet Liberty Mile is on Friday in Downtown. More than 1,500 runners are expected to participate in this evening race and compete for more than $23,000 in prize money. The first heat starts...
Inaugural Northside Music Festival will feature more than 70 bands
Music in the middle of July returns once again to Pittsburgh’s North Side, but with a new name. The inaugural Northside Music Festival is happening July 14-16 within the heart of Deutschtown. Previously known as the Deutschtown Music Festival, the free, three-day event will feature more than 70 musical acts,...
Inflatable domed structure in Pittsburgh ‘Architects of Air: Daedalum’ is an immersive experience
Cavernous domes, enchanting tunnels and captivating pods are located inside the multipeaked structure that’s situated in The Backyard, the summer arts park at the corner of Eighth Street and Penn Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. The exhibition is dubbed “Architects of Air: Daedalum.” The inflatable sculpture, known as a luminarium, was...
Breaking bread: Brown Bear Bread Cafe in Mt. Oliver creates more than loaves of dough
Mt. Oliver has a neighborhood bakery again — and if Kate Clemons has her way, just maybe a greater sense of community because of it. Brown Bear Bread Cafe opened last month in spot that once housed the hyped Kevin Sousa restaurant Mount Oliver Bodega and most recently The Finer...
VisitPittsburgh CEO competing in National Senior Games in his own city
Rain was falling hard as Jerad Bachar rode his Cannondale gravel bike on the 40-mile course of Rush to Crush Cancer in May. Pittsburgh area roads were slick. The ride was uncomfortable. But he kept pedaling. “It was grueling,” said Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh, of the inaugural event...
Anthrocon chooses Pittsburgh-based Rabbit Wranglers as its beneficiary
Most people have spotted a bunny in their yard, and most of those are wild rabbits. Next time, look a little closer. The animal might be a domestic breed, and the organization to call if you spot one is Rabbit Wranglers. “We get calls all the time from people about...
Pittsburgh’s July Fourth celebration features Clarks, fireworks and more
The city of Pittsburgh will light up the stage before it illuminates the sky on the Fourth of July on Tuesday. Four hours of entertainment are planned to precede the Zambelli fireworks show on the river near Point State Park. There will be other programming, as well as events at...

