JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 55
Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Arts Festival returns in a new format
The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival will return this June in a hybrid format, featuring both in-person and virtual events. But none of the real-life events will take place in Point State Park or Gateway Center, where the festival is traditionally held. Organized by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the...
Former Jerry’s Records owner now selling vinyl from Swissvale spot
Jerry “Vinylman” Weber owns hundreds of thousands of records. He’s not a fan of acquiring music on digital platforms. “I have never downloaded a song,” Weber said. “I have a flip phone. I am what you call ‘eccentric.’ ” Weber loves to help others acquire music. He owned Jerry’s Records...
Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show postponed again, Duquesne Light not a sponsor
The 2021 Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show has been rescheduled a second time, to October. And for the first time in 20 years, title sponsor Duquesne Light will not be a part of the show. “We are taking a pause,” said Hollie Geitner, a Duquesne Light spokeswoman. “It just doesn’t...
Eileen Hertweck, wife of The Clarks guitarist, dies
Eileen Hertweck, wife of The Clarks guitarist Rob Hertweck, died on Saturday of leukemia, at the age of 42. The Pittsburgh music community is in mourning. Clarks bass player Greg Joseph posted a message on Facebook with a photo of the couple and their two daughters, ages 13 and 10....
WWII code-breaker, Julia Parsons of Forest Hills, to be honored for 100th birthday and top-secret serviceVideo
Julia Parsons knows how to keep a secret. She was tight-lipped about one for more than 50 years. Parsons, 99, of Forest Hills, was a code-breaker in World War II. She served in the U.S. Navy’s WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), after graduating from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie...
Doughbar Pizzeria & Rotisserie to open on Pittsburgh’s South Side
A shuttered Mexican restaurant on the South Side will soon be home to pizza and rotisserie chicken. Doughbar Pizzeria & Rotisserie restaurant has taken over the space on East Carson Street, with a planned opening ona March 10. The menu will feature 14- and 12-inch pizzas in New York style...
Light of Life Rescue Mission moves to new, more spacious location on the North Side
The Light of Life Rescue Mission known for lending a hand to the homeless, is also extending its reach. It unveiled a new location on Wednesday that is much larger than the original one and can help it serve more people. “This has been 25 years in the making,” said...
How to buy a wedding dress during a pandemicVideo
In the showroom at MB Bride & Special Occasion, Tracey Hess holds two essential devices for bridal-wear shopping these days: An iPhone is in her right hand and an iPad in her left. She positions the electronics with precision, so the people she’s connecting with virtually can see the dress...
Woodland Hills hosts summit on tough topics with Western Pa. high schools
Mental health. Racial injustice. Student grief and loss. Economic hardships. Self-care in a pandemic. Cultural discrepancies. Misrepresentation in media. These were topics explored by Western Pa. high schoolers on Thursday. A virtual Student Summit organized by students at Woodland Hills High School included peers from Aliquippa, Mt. Lebanon, Hampton, Gateway,...
Levin Furniture reopens stores in McMurray, Robinson; soon Mt. PleasantVideo
Jeff Federoff had just been laid off from his job at Levin Furniture & Mattress. The new ownership had gone bankrupt — and then the pandemic hit. “I open my mail and there is a letter and a check from Robert Levin,” said Federoff, a 20-year employee from Canonsburg, as...
Grab a gown: Bridal shop donates dresses to St. Vincent De Paul in Monessen for a sale
Brides, here’s an opportunity to find the wedding dress of your dreams at a price you won’t believe. The St. Vincent De Paul Society Thrift Store in Monessen, located at 1701 Grand Blvd., is having a Say “Yes” to the Dress Sale from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday....
Flamingo Fest at National Aviary brings a touch of the tropics this weekendVideo
Skinny legs, long necks and a pink color are distinct characteristics of this bird. Flamingos are easy to spot in the wetlands at the National Aviary on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The 10 flamingos — four males and six females — live among 150 birds and 40 species. Guests can learn...
Pizzeria Davide opens location in Carnegie
There is another slice to the Pizzeria Davide pie. The Carnegie location joins pizza shops in Robinson and the Strip District. The restaurants are owned by Aimee DiAndrea and Dave Anoia, who also have DiAnoia’s Eatery and Pane e Pronto, an Italian takeout bread and catering kitchen, in the Strip...
Bellevue council president, borough’s 1st Black member, to run for mayor
Bellevue Borough Council President Val Pennington is running for mayor. The first Black member of Bellevue’s council, he would also be, if elected, the first Black mayor of the borough along the Ohio River. Pennington spent Sunday afternoon at a North Borough Progressives political action committee petition drive-thru on Cliff...
Arsenal Cider Tap House opens in Dormont
Bill Larkin made cider at home as a hobby. He would bring samples to friends and family for parties and get-togethers. “They would tell him how good the cider tasted and asked if they could buy some,” said his wife, Michelle Larkin. “Bill asked me, ‘why don’t we make it...
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra celebrates its longevity with virtual program
The sounds of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have resonated for 125 years. (That’s a quasquicentennial, according to the dictionary.) Feb. 27 will mark its first performance this year. The original plan included a year-long celebration culminating with a gala. But the pandemic crashed that party. “We definitely still want to...
East End Brewing creates a first-time brew that’s not beer
The latest beer from East End Brewing Co. is a gin and tonic. Yes, really. The Larimer brewery just released G&T Hard Seltzer. It’s been more than year in the making. “It was a new flavor profile for us,” said Scott Smith, owner of East End. “It does have a...
Hilltop Coffee in Arlington a special meeting place for ownersVideo
Many of the dates Jami Szalla and husband Dan Gladis went on before they got married were in coffee shops. Now, the couple has a place for a forever date night. They own Hilltop Coffee, a shop in Arlington that opened in December. “We have always enjoyed coffee shops and...
Point Park University offers students no-contact ashes during pandemic Ash Wednesday
Samuel Paratore emailed his professor to say he would be late for class. He had an important stop to make. The Point Park University freshman from Johnstown wanted to make sure he received ashes for Ash Wednesday, which signifies the beginning of Lent. “I was raised Catholic and I wasn’t...
Here are some spots for Allegheny County fish fries
The annual Lenten fish fries may look a little different this year because of the pandemic. There will be no indoor dining, but meals will be available for takeout and delivery. Here are some places to enjoy meatless Fridays in Allegheny County. CHURCHES Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church,...
Condado Tacos invites local artists to paint at South Hills spotVideo
A painting of icon Andy Warhol can be seen crawling out of a grave, spray cans in his hands. A zombie hovers above. On the other side of the room trolley cars appear to be rolling by South Hills Junction. The city of Pittsburgh appears in the background. Across the...
Pittsburgh’s Miss Freddye nominated for several music awards
A song published 120 years ago, “Wade in the Water,” is making waves for a local singer today. Freddye Stover, known in the regional music scene as Miss Freddye, debuted her version of “Wade in the Water” as her latest single. ‘I grew up in church listening to ‘Wade in...
Pittsburgh’s Original Oyster House to reopen just in time for Lent
The Original Oyster House is reopening Tuesday, a day before Ash Wednesday. The Lenten season that begins Wednesday is usually a busy period for the seafood restaurant. “We are ready to go and excited to be back,” said owner Jennifer Grippo. “The staff is super-pumped. When they all came back...
Greensburg mom is among those who shortened hospital stay after giving birth because of pandemic
Francis Regis Johns IV was born at 8:50 a.m. Jan. 10. By 8 p.m. on Jan. 11, he was comfortably at his Greensburg home. “He was good, and I was feeling good, so the best option was to come home,” said Francis’ mother Sarah Johns. UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland...
Pittsburgh artist, Millie’s Ice Cream create frozen treat for Black History Month
The middle of winter isn’t when people generally think of buying frozen desserts. Pittsburgh artist Cue Perry has whipped up a reason to embrace the cold. Perry collaborated with Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream to create “Blackout Brownie,” a gelato, for Black History Month. Proceeds from the sale of pints of...

