JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 29
Necromancer Brewing Co. to open a second location inside former Hough’s Taproom in Greenfield
A week after Hough’s Taproom in Greenfield closed after 17 years, another establishment will welcome patrons to take a seat at the bar. Necromancer Brewing Co. plans to open its second location in the vacant spot on Greenfield Avenue by Sept. 1. “The owners at Hough’s have passed the torch...
Not child’s play: Dad and his daughter bring the sidewalks to life through colorful chalk art
Concrete is the canvas for the father-daughter duo who creates images done with chalk — reminiscent of the dad’s first drawings for his little girl and her younger sister in the driveway of the family home in North Huntingdon. Colorful characters appear to be smiling or laughing. Some have an...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: May 26-29
It is Memorial Day weekend, a time to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. Here are some ways to spend it — a three-day weekend for some. Submarine event The Carnegie Science Center will host a Submarine Memorial on USS Requin from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday...
‘On the Rocks’ tells the story of the Primadonna restaurant owner
Joseph “Joe Joe” Costanzo Jr. slept in restaurant booths at his Primadonna Restaurant in McKees Rocks. He missed family events. His wife, Donna Costanzo, said the best way to see him was to work at the restaurant. He knew most diners’ names, greeting them with a hearty hello and a...
Stair climb: Harrison native to showcase images of steps at Oakmont Carnegie Library
Paola Corso is always looking to take the next step. The Harrison native writes about and photographs staircases not only for their beauty, but for their functional use as a journey to get from one place to another. “I am always looking for steps,” said Corso, who lives in Brooklyn,...
Stair climb: Harrison native to showcase images of steps at Oakmont Carnegie Library
Paola Corso is always looking to take the next step. The Harrison native writes about and photographs staircases not only for their beauty, but for their functional use as a journey to get from one place to another. “I am always looking for steps,” said Corso, who lives in Brooklyn,...
Behind the mask: The ‘I’m fine.’ project uncovers mental health issues
Maureen Joyce peeled back the top of one of the plastic containers, revealing clay face masks inside that seemed to be looking back at her. They were decorated in various colors – some bright and bold and others dark and dreary. Sayings are inscribed such as “It’s OK to NOT...
Pittsburgh chef making homemade pasta going viral on social media
Ryan Peters went viral for simply making homemade pasta for his wife in 2020. The dish turned out really good, he said. “For the next 64 nights, I made homemade pasta,” he said. “I became obsessed with it. I posted on social media. It became my thing, trying to make...
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship hosts ‘Shark Tank’ inspired competition
Destiny Folks walked toward the judges and introduced herself and the company she founded, Rising Artists. Folks told them why she started the business. Her presentation was smooth and efficient — she talked about her vision like a veteran owner. But she hasn’t been doing it that long. Folks is...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: May 19-21
The weekend has arrived. Here are some ways to spend it. Pink walk The Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk is on Sunday at Schenley Park. The opening ceremony is at 9 a.m. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. on Panther Hollow Road. It will be a 2.5-mile loop...
Charleroi native opening fitness studio in Rostraver
Natalie Raitano has lived in New York and Los Angeles. The fitness expert has acted on television shows and trained numerous celebrities. But for her, there’s no place like home. Raitano moved back to Charleroi, Washington County, right before the pandemic in 2020 to be closer to her family. “I...
Safe travels: History Center exhibit highlights the ‘Green Book,’ for African Americans taking road trips
The building that housed the former Scotty’s Service Garage, an Esso gas station and car repair shop on Centre Avenue in the Hill District, is still there. It was more than a place to take a car — it was a safe and welcoming space for African Americans. An image...
CLO Construction Center for the Arts in Springdale plays a lead role in theater productions
Some of the physical sets that audiences see on theater stages here and across the country began inside the Pittsburgh CLO’s Construction Center for the Arts in Springdale. More than 50 musical theater sets, ranging from classics such as “1776,” “The Sound of Music” and “Annie” to blockbusters “Mary Poppins”...
Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh boats return for a 6th season
The tiki boats are back for a sixth season. “I call it a tropical staycation,” said Dale McCue, of Eighty-Four, who co-owns the tiki boat company with fiancee Joa Campise. “It’s two hours of feeling like you are on an island … but you don’t have to get on a...
Former TV actress opening SUPERBODIES by Nat in Rostraver
Natalie Raitano has lived in New York and Los Angeles. The fitness expert has acted on television shows and trained numerous celebrities. But for her, there’s no place like home. Raitano moved back to Charleroi, Washington County, right before the pandemic in 2020 to be closer to her family. “I...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: May 12-14
It’s Mother’s Day weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Pittonkatonk The 10th annual Pittonkatonk PGH is from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday at Vietnam Veterans Pavilion in Schenley Park. The event will feature music and food including local, national and international performers from Burkina Faso, Congo,...
UPMC cancer doctor invites patients to bicycle in the Rush to Crush Cancer benefit
Dr. Mounzer Agha asks his patients the normal questions of a physician, but there’s one additional inquiry he’s been making. “I have been talking to my patients about bike riding,” said Agha, director of the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancers at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside. “Being a...
Harmonicas for Health rehabilitation program is ‘exercise for the lungs’
A program at Allegheny Health Network is working to help patients breathe easier through music: patients spend 10-12 weeks learning to play the harmonica because playing it can help increase lung capacity. In its early stages, the Harmonicas for Health program is proving to be beneficial, said Kevin Nauer, manager...
Hats off to PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon celebrating 25 years
The PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon is about more than a fashionable sea of fancy and colorful head wear. Although it does feature 600 guests showcasing their personal topper style. Women wearing dresses with matching hats and shoes in bright and bold hues. Men in plaid and festive...
Britsburgh toasts King Charles III’s coronation with Shaler watch party
Jonathan Spatz recalled watching 10 people sitting around with their eyes glued to a 10-inch black-and-white television in his parents’ home in England. The group was gathered for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, when she was 25. Spatz, of Indiana Township, was 7 years old....
Frick Pittsburgh exhibit explores Black freedom through automobiles
A car is more than steel over an engine and four wheels. To some, it was a vehicle for freedom. That’s the inspiration behind “Pittsburgh and the Great Migration: Black Mobility and the Automobile,” the exhibition opening Saturday at the Frick Pittsburgh in Point Breeze. In the years between the...
‘No Addict Left Behind’ details heartbreak of addiction and the hope of recovery
Joey Pagano sat on the sidewalk across from the Charleroi police station. The year was 2011. He called his mother, Cindy Pagano, and told her he couldn’t take it anymore. He had just robbed a gas station. He needed drugs. His life was unravelling. “I wanted to die,” Pagano said....
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: May 5-7
It’s the first weekend of May – marathon weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Go for a run The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon and walking division, as well as the FedEx Pittsburgh Marathon Relay, kick off at 7 a.m. on Sunday....
Setting the scene for King Charles III’s coronation
Fans of the British royal family will gather Saturday outside Westminster Abbey in London for the coronation of King Charles III. Pittsburghers who want to celebrate with other royal watchers but couldn’t cross the pond are cordially invited to observe the proceedings in Shaler. Starting at 6 a.m. (11 a.m....
Everything you need to know about the Pittsburgh Marathon
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is Sunday. More than 35,000 people are expected to participate throughout the entire weekend of events produced by P3R, a fitness organization that hosts races, events and health and fitness programs throughout the region. The P3R app gives real-time participant tracking from start to...

