JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 64
Big Burrito Restaurant Group reopens some locations
Chef Bill Fuller, president of Big Burrito Restaurant Group, has reopened restaurants Kaya, Soba and Umi. The nine Mad Mex locations in the region have stayed open during the pandemic, Fuller said Thursday, because of the Mar-GO-ritas, takeout and outdoor dining. The restaurants Alta Via and Casbah might open soon...
Kennywood, Idlewild, Sandcastle announce closing dates
Years ago, Labor Day always marked the final day of the season for Kennywood. The park is going back to that time. On Labor Day, Sept. 7, Kennywood will close until spring. “With so much uncertainty with covid-19 and schools going back in session we decided to end the season...
Owners of DiAnoia’s to open Pane è Pronto, a bakery and takeout spot, in Strip District
Pane è Pronto translates to “bread is ready.” Or in this case, almost ready. A new Italian takeout, bread and catering kitchen is planning to open by the end of September or beginning of October in Pittsburgh’s Strip District by the owners of DiAnoia’s Eatery and Pizzeria Davide. Located at...
Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh offers program for children during remote learning
Heather and Paul Cunningham have 6-year-old twins, Jackson and Julie, going into first grade. The couple work full time and their children’s school, Minadeo in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, will be online for at least the first nine weeks of the school year. They spent the final months of kindergarten...
WISH 99.7 morning host Cris Winter announces she’s left the station
On-air personality Cris Winter announced Tuesday on her “Cris Winter In The Morning” Facebook page that after working close to 40 years in Pittsburgh radio, her days on the air are over — for now. Winter said she was dismissed Friday after her show on WISH 99.7. “When you look...
Move over pumpkin spice, Primanti’s and East End Brewing bring back pickle beer
Primanti Bros. and East End Brewing Co. are bringing back their “Almost Famous Pickle Beer” collaboration. They hope the second serving is as good as the first. “Last year, it was bonkers how fast it went,” said Scott Smith, owner of East End Brewing in Larimer. “People came to the...
Ozanam founder Carl Kohlman honored with shoe lineVideo
Carl Kohlman has always believed in helping young people take steps in the right direction on the basketball court and in life. To continue his direction of moving forward at the Ozanam Cultural Center in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, a shoe has been designed in his name, the “Carl Kohlman Sneakers.”...
Kennywood hires new general manager
Kennywood Park announced this week that it has a new general manager, but he’s been working for months. Mark Pauls started June 29. He has spent the past six weeks learning about the West Mifflin amusement park and overseeing the health and safety measures in response to the pandemic. Pauls...
Boyd & Blair vodka, rum both named best in worldwide competition
“Make that a double” has new meaning for Boyd & Blair spirits. Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries’ Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka and BLY Silver Rum have both been named the number one spirits in their respective categories by the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, an annual evaluation and recognition of high quality spirits...
Take a drive through the Pittsburgh Zoo’s ‘Carnival’ on FridayVideo
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s annual summer gala has gone mobile. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a traditional event at the zoo in Highland Park wasn’t able to be held. So organizers went on the move and created “Carnival: Drive Thru at the Zoo.” The sold-out soiree is from...
St. Clair Social gastropub opens at old Sharp Edge spot in Friendship
Friendship has a new neighborhood bar. St. Clair Social gastropub is open on South St. Clair Street in the former location of Sharp Edge, a pioneering craft beer venue that closed in 2018 after nearly three decades. SYN Bar & Taqueria + Pizzeria later operated in the space but closed...
Bill Mazeroski goes to bat for New Stanton’s Poulich Pit BBQ sauceVideo
Sitting on his neighbor’s porch having a drink, Angelo Poulich talked about marketing his barbecue sauce. His neighbor asked if there was anything he could do, such as use his photo or name to help promote the product. “I almost spit out my whiskey when he said that,” said Poulich,...
Carnegie Mellon Lunar Gala designers to sell garments through digital pop-up shop
Carnegie Mellon University student designers planned to host a sale of their Lunar Gala collections at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland. The coronavirus pandemic prevented that. They found a way to sell the one-of-a-kind garments from the student-run annual fashion show. The Lunar Gala Digital Pop-Up Shop will...
Burgh’ers Brewery creates ‘Black is Beautiful’ beer, helps Urban League
The beer can reads: “Brewed to support justice and equality for people of color.” “I have been around a long time and I have seen a lot of things but I have never seen anything this strong on a product,” said Esther Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League...
Trib Total Media nominated for 2 Mid-Atlantic Emmy awards
Trib Total Media is a finalist for two Mid-Atlantic Emmy awards. The newspaper’s “Tree of Life: One Year Later” video was nominated in the Documentary category. The video “The Return of the Clark Bar” was nominated in the Historic-Culture New Single Story category. The Mid-Atlantic Emmys are the mid-Atlantic chapter...
On the move: Square Café leaving Regent Square for East Liberty
Square Café will be serving customers in East Liberty come September. After more than 16 years in the Regent Square section of Edgewood, the restaurant found a new home in the former location of Spoon and BRGR. It is 8,000 square feet with a rooftop deck that, with outdoor heating,...
Heinz History Center is part of national collaboration for ‘Made By Us’ initiative
When Senator John Heinz History Center learned about the chance to collaborate with other museums to present U.S. history — geared to the younger generation, giving them a platform to express their thoughts — the center’s president and CEO, Andy Masich, jumped at the opportunity. The history center has teamed...
Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest canceled
There will be no ribs slathered in barbecue sauce over Labor Day weekend on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The annual Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Tuesday. The five-day festival had been scheduled to start Sept. 3 and run through Sept....
‘A Virtual Ice Cream Social’ will bring the cool treat to your computer screenVideo
Here’s the scoop on A Virtual Ice Cream Social. The online ice cream celebration, adapted for the coronavirus pandemic, will feature five area sweet-treat experts performing live demonstrations, sharing recipes and dishing out tips. The event is being held via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Aug. 23. A Virtual Ice...
Highland Park’s LaScola’s Italian Ice and Custard serves up sweet treats, coffee
They call it the “Ice Burg.” It’s a scoop of creamy custard on the bottom and a scoop of refreshing Italian ice on the top. “It’s the perfect combination,” said Tom LaScola, co-owner of LaScola’s Italian Ice and Custard in Highland Park with wife, Tish. “You can choose the flavors...
Beauty Shoppe opens co-working space in Lawrenceville
There aren’t any cars at Arsenal Motors. But one can be driven here. The Butler Street building is the latest location for Beauty Shoppe, a Pittsburgh company that offers shared work spaces. Beauty Shoppe tries to reinvigorate historic buildings to help in the revitalization of urban neighborhoods. There are three...
Pittsburgh Symphony to host virtual family concert
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra added a family concert to its “Summer with the Symphony” online series. The piece will post at 11:15 a.m. Saturday and be available through Aug. 31. The 40-minute concert will feature music from Camille Saint-Saen’s “The Carnival of the Animals,” and will have text and illustrations...
Chef Justin Severino opens Salty Pork Bits store in Pittsburgh
Let’s celebrate our pandemic saltiness with chef Justin Severino. Severino opened a Salty Pork Bits charcuterie store Friday in Lawrenceville. Patrons can order ahead for curbside delivery from noon to 6 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. He might extend hours in the future, as well as open the space at...
‘Yoga in the Square’ returns to Downtown Pittsburgh
Strike a pose. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and several area yoga studios are reintroducing “Yoga in the Square.” The one-hour outdoor classes at Market Square will be offered free, Wednesdays and Sundays beginning Aug. 5 and running through September. The Wednesday sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday sessions at...
Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community Center back in operation after receiving $2.5 million JHF grant
Brian Schreiber takes daily morning walks past the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill. “I live less than a mile and a half away, and when we were closed (because of the pandemic), I would walk by and think ‘my baby needs help,’ ” said Schreiber, president...

