Quite contrary
Gardens grow in Northview HeightsFall 2010Sometimes an observer can find a gem where he might least expect it—in this case, Northview Heights housing project. As with many of the city’s projects, it’s not easy to get to there. But if you’re going, drive up above the North Side, just beyond where Federal Street and Perrysville Avenue meet, and continue climbing. Neighborhood kids will tell you the next step: “Turn right at Swinko’s and cross the bridge.” more >
Our city, our water
The observer: Summer '10Summer 2010 An April 23 Forbes article describes “America’s 10 Thirstiest Cities,” and, of course, each is west of the Rockies and faces some degree of water crisis. Closer to home, the Great Lakes, which hold roughly 20 percent of the world’s fresh water, have dropped dramatically in the past decade. Explanations range from weather patterns to global warming to dredging that allows too much water to flow to the sea. more >
A reporter's carol
Clark “Scrooge” KentWinter 2010 When Clark Kent awoke, he felt the cold in his bones. He fumbled for his glasses and put them on his now-bulbous nose. The clock said 8 a.m. “Humbug,” he muttered. Another depressing day at The Daily Planet. Kent had long since ceased complaining about the new management and staffing cuts, long since stopped bothering younger colleagues with, “When Perry White was in charge… ” To them, he was an old crank, and Kent couldn’t wait for retirement. more >
Retaking the governor's mansion
The race for governorFor the past 40 years, there have been three salient facts about Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial elections. Each elected governor has won the limit of two terms (Mark Schweiker served 20 months after Tom Ridge left to lead homeland security). The office has rotated every eight years between Republicans and Democrats. And three of the last six governors have been from Philadelphia, while only one— Dick Thornburgh—has been from Pittsburgh. more >
Why Pittsburgh?
The observer: Fall '09Fall 2009 When it was announced that the G-20 summit would be held in Pittsburgh, some in the national press corps chuckled; others raised their brows. It’s the first time the summit has not been held in a capital city. Why? more >
Gone fishing
The observer: Summer '09Summer 2009 At various times in a fisherman’s life, it becomes desirable to try a new spot. Perhaps an old place gets too crowded. Maybe the fish move on. Or maybe one simply wants a change of scenery. Of course, truly knowing a fishing spot means getting there early, before the fish start feeding—before the first light. In a place like downtown Pittsburgh, however, that’s not easy to do. Though the streets are deserted, you’d be surprised how light it is at 5:15 a.m. before the first hint of dawn. more >
The losses hit home
The observer: Spring '09Spring 2009Justifiably, greater pittsburgh has felt fortunate to escape the brunt of this recession so far. We’ve read the stories in the national media and seen the statistics. We had no housing bubble here, so there’s no bubble to burst. Our financial institutions are comparatively strong. The healthcare, government and education sectors have softened the blows to our unemployment rate. more >
Slavery's shadow
The observer: Winter '09As the celebratory sun sets on Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary, an exhibit has opened at the Heinz History Center that shows an area of shadow older than the city itself: slavery. Pittsburgh’s membership in the league of heroic Northern cities that helped with the Underground Railroad remains, but without its pristine, stainless status. Instead, western Pennsylvania joins the complex mosaic of early America as a place where eradication of the “peculiar institution” was uneven, political and contradictory. more >
Wasting our tax dollars
The observer: Fall '08Fall 2008At one end of a long, rectangular table in an Aliquippa restaurant, a grandmother of 12 sporting a big, blond hairdo was talking about how everyone in Beaver County calls her when their dog is lost. Someone even calledat 2:30 a.m. the other day. She wasn’t complaining—she loves dogs and has five of her own.
more >A myth worth dispelling
The observer: Summer '08Summer 2008Sonoma, calif. — On an unseasonably warm and beautiful April evening in the heart of the California wine country, an enthusiastic crowd with many Pittsburghers gathered to see the premiere screening of “My Tale of Two Cities,” a documentary about Pittsburgh and the life of the film’s creator, star and narrator, Carl Kurlander. more >
Symphony festival wanted
The observer: Spring '08
Several years ago, the rush was on to figure out what should be Pittsburgh's “First Day Attraction” — the one-of-a-kind crowd pleaser that would bring tourists to Pittsburgh. The experts pointed to Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Bilbao's Guggenhem Museum as examples.
more >Reading between the lines
The observer: Winter '07
In September, Block Communications announced that if it's unable to reach satisfactory agreements with its unions by Dec. 31, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette may be sold. News outlets reported it as a provocative salvo in stalled negotiations, but it would be a mistake to view the release as posturing.
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