Celebrities Past and Present Featured at 2016 Home and Garden Show

Image courtesy of Wikipedia user TheZackMorrisExperience with a Creative Commons license.

The Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show has become one of the biggest events of the year. This year’s show packs 10 acres worth of home furnishings, appliances, remodeling necessities, and gardening supplies into the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Vendors and presenters come from all over, but this year’s show also features some great hometown celebrities.

While there is plenty of innovation and fun for everyone at the Home and Garden Show, this year there is also a special emphasis on people who have left their mark on the Steel City. Only a short walk down Penn Avenue from the Encore on 7th, it’s well worth your time to take a trip down to explore the great home innovations and celebrations of place and history. Here are some of the biggest features, imported and domestic, at this year’s show.

Rooted In Pittsburgh

This year’s show features a series of garden displays to honor famous Pittsburghers of years past, in celebration of the city’s bicentennial . The displays have been made by students from the Bidwell Training Center on the North Shore. The gardens honor a diverse group of Pittsburgh icons, including Andy Warhol, Gene Kelly, H. J. Heinz, Rachel Carson, Native American Queen Aliquippa, Arnold Palmer, and many more.

Dr. Lori

Famed Ph.D. Antiques Appraiser Dr. Lori Verderame joins the Home and Garden Show festivities to help you learn the worth of your precious collectibles. She earned her Ph.D. from Penn State, where she also taught as a professor and held a museum position. She has made numerous television appearances, but is best known for Auction Kings on the Discovery Channel. She typically appears at over 150 events each year, and the Home and Garden Show is one of those lucky locations.

The Renegade Gardener

Don Engebretson, better known as the Renegade Gardener, came to gardening in a roundabout and altogether unorthodox way (if you believe the story on his website). He is a field editor, writer, and garden scout for Better Homes and Gardens and is a 6-time winner of the Garden Writers Association’s national Garden Globe Award for excellence in garden writing. Billing himself as “the lone voice of horticultural reason,” Engebretson is bound to offer impressive and entertaining gardening insight.

Pittsburgh Dad

Renowned local YouTube sensation Pittsburgh Dad is attending the Home and Garden Show this year! What started as an attempt for star Curt Wooton and director Chris Preksta to make their parents laugh became an accidental hit practically overnight. Pittsburgh Dad continues to delight fans of ‘80s sitcoms and Pittsburghese humor, and celebrates its six-year anniversary this October.

The Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show runs until this Sunday, March 13. Don’t miss out on the celebrations and home innovations! If you can’t make it, don’t worry: Pittsburgh Dad has you covered.

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City Of Champions

Image From Pixabay

Pittsburgh is unofficially knows as the "City of Champions". We have three amazing teams sporting the cities black and gold colors throughout the year. More importantly, everyday you can see someone supporting our team with their clothing and colors. If you were born and raised in Pittsburgh, there is a decent chance that this "City of Champions" motto was told to you many times growing up. At The Encore on 7th, we are lucky enough to have a great view of our city, PNC Park and Heinz Field. Here are some facts about our teams that you may have not known.

The Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers were founded in 1933 and are the oldest franchise in the AFC. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won more SuperBowls and Conference Champions than any other NFL team. These championships were all under the same ownership. The Rooney Family has owned the Steelers since their founding. Through the team's rich history, they have always sported the "black and gold", except for the one year they were merged with the Eagles due to a player shortage. No matter the team name or the colors, Steeler Nation has stood beside the team. We are one of the biggest fan bases in the NFL spanning every city in the country... even Cleveland.

The Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates were founded in 1881. They were successful from the beginning and won the World Series in 1903. However, throughout their history they have had many ups and downs.  They have won five championships, but they have also had one of the worst records in baseball. The "Bucs" as they are called, play at PNC Park. They went through a rough streak in the 90s, but in the past few years they have come back to make the playoffs for the past few years.

The Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins were founded in 1967 as one of the NHL's first expansion teams. They did play at the "Igloo" for many years, but now they play at Consol Energy Center. They have won the Stanley Cup three times, and have been a pretty successful team since their founding. They also sport the black and gold, but there colors and uniforms have gone through many changes. The Penguins originally were blue and white, but at halftime during the 1980 Superbowl they announced they were changing to black and gold to unite all of Pittsburgh's team colors.

These three teams have 14 championships between them, which is why "The City of Champions" name has stuck throughout the years. We love rooting on our teams and are so excited to see the next round of championships that come to our city!

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Cuddle Up With A Baby Sloth

Image From Pixabay

Do you need some cuteness in your life? If you love babies and cuddling, the Pittsburgh Aviary has the perfect solution for you. Starting in March, the National Aviary will be hosting sloth encounters once a day for up to five people. These encounters will let you touch, feed and take pictures with the new baby sloth. You can learn more in the blog below and at Next Pittsburgh.

The National Aviary is not just for the birds anymore. You likely saw his tiny, furry face plastered on the television news when he arrived ceremoniously at the Allegheny County Airport and captured hearts around the globe—and now the wait to visit the Aviary’s newest resident is over.

For those craving more personal quality sloth time, get out those calendars now. Beginning on March 25th, sloth encounters can be booked for once-daily, 30-minute sessions at 2 p.m. During a private encounter, up to five people will have the chance to touch, feed and take pictures with the sloth. Participants will also learn all about sloth conservation, and the unique species’ native habitat in the rainforests of Central and South America, which these mammals share with many of the birds from around the world cared for at the Aviary. Spots are already filling up quickly for the new sloth encounters, so book your session soon.Born to a breeder in Fort Lauderdale, the three-month-old Linnaeus two-toed sloth is the latest adorable creature to join the permanent flock at the Aviary. Pittsburgh sloth fans can now get a first glimpse of the baby and watch his first public feedings through the window of the Avian Care Center as he is being nurtured during his first few months of life.

The two-pound, 10 inch long baby sloth (aka choloepus didactylus) is being hand-raised by trainers to be comfortable around people and participate in educational programs that will highlight rainforest species and the dangers they face from rapidly disappearing habitats and human population growth. With their arboreal lifestyle, sloths make for the perfect addition to the Aviary’s collection.

In the Aviary’s hospital, the new arrival is being fed every two hours as the veterinary staff prepares him for his role as an animal ambassador for remarkable ecosystem and species of the rainforest.

But what’s his name, you ask? The Aviary has just launched an online eBay auction, where the public can bid on the chance to name the baby sloth while also supporting the organization’s conservation work.

Sloth fans can also contribute to the sloth’s online baby shower with a gift in any amount that will help cover the cost of his care. Yes, you can even put your money toward a baby blanket, plush toy or heating pad for the little wonder.

Need more sloths in your life? While at the Aviary you can also pop in to see Wookie, a 15-year-old sloth who arrived in 2007 and resides year-round in the Cloud Forest exhibit.

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Be Like A Kid This Valentine's Day

Image From Pixabay

Are you looking for something new to do this Valentine's Day? The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh has a few ideas for the kid at heart. They will be having a 21+ night on February 11th. This event is called My Snarky Valentine. Tickets include food, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and all activities in the museum.  You can learn more below or at the Children's Museum website.

MAKEnight (21+): My Snarky Valentine

MAKESHOP PROGRAM

6:30PM

 – 

9:30PM

FEBRUARY 11, 2016

Follow your heart and join us for an evening of food, drink and amore. And sass. We provide the making, you decide if your valentine will be snarky or scandalous. 

• Tell someone what's in your heart.  Laser cut a wooden heart with your favorite pillow talk phrase.
• Love is a science and we'll help you whip up some love potions to make your dreams come true.
• Roses are red, violets are blue, make your own Valentine because I’m not going to.
• Relive prom night and create your own flower boutonniere.
• It's always prettier in cursive.  Tell them what you really think using calligraphy on a doily.
• Silkscreen a hanky for $3. Or be a cheap date and do it on paper for free.
• Get on our Kiss Cam - NOTHING GROSS, YOU GUYS!
• Let them know you totally saw them at the gas station and they're gorgeous with live missed connections.
• You're always talking about what a cute baby you were. Turn yourself into Cupid and fashion your own wings!
• Make sure your words cut deep at our papercut station.
• Plus more trouble!

Tickets include light fare, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and all activities. This is a 21+ event.
Food, drinks and fun provided by:
Bill's Bar and Burgers
Brooklyn Brewery
Cop Out Pierogies
greenSinner
Handmade Arcade
Priory Fine Pastries
Ustianochka Vodka

Buy tickets online or in person at the front desk of the museum.
Presale Tickets: $20 ($15 for members and students) / Door Tickets: $25

Want emails about upcoming 21+ museum events? Join the MAKEnight mailing list.
MAKESHOP Blog

Sponsored in part by Faros Properties, Green Mountain Energy and Yelp

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Imbibe Northside-Tasting

Image from Facebook Event

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in the city? Come to the Mattress Factory on January 30th from 6:30-8:30 pm! This event will let you taste the newest brewers and distillers of the Northside. You can enjoy local food trucks and listen to the band Imbibe Northside. There will be many vendors including Wigle Whiskey and the PGH Taco Truck. You can learn more at their website or at Living Pittsburgh. 

Taste the newest brewers and distillers of the Northside, enjoy grub from local food trucks and listen to live music from at Imbibe Northside. Participants include: War Streets Brewery, Allegheny City Brewing, Wigle Whiskey, Penn Brewery, Spring Hill Brewery, Commonplace Coffee, Klavon’s Ice Cream, PGH Taco Truck, Mac & Gold Food Truck and Cool Beans Food Truck.

COST:

Suggested Donation: $20

CONTACT:

 Event website 

WHERE:

Mattress Factory - 500 Sampsonia Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA

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January Blues

The month after the holidays can feel like a dull time but it doesn’t have to be. Pittsburgh is a lively city with tons of interesting things happening at all times. Don’t let the January doldrums get you down. Find something interesting going on to get over the fact that you’re back in school now.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Relive your childhood with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions. Watch the Nintendo games and television show come to life with the full Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on January 24th. Watch clips from the games accompanying the music to really get the full effect. Young or old, you won’t regret seeing the Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions if you grew up playing the games. Learn more about ticketing information here.

If you watch Dancing With The Stars on a regular basis you’re going to want to hear about this next event: see the stars dance in person on January 20th at the Benedum Center. Dancing with the Stars is taking the show on the road this year and they’ll be bringing along some celebrity special guests that you won’t want to miss out on. See iconic performances as well as never before seen choreography that you’ll never forget. Get your tickets now!

Every Friday in January you can get into the Andy Warhol Museum for free! A cash bar will be available to those 21 and over as well as local DJ Huck Finn in the entrance to the museum. Learn a little bit about the museum before heading there here on their website.

Local distillery Wigle is hosting a cornbread throwdown as well as a sweet corn bourbon tasting. $5 will get you in the door and a sampling of the brand new corn bourbon. You can also participate in the cornbread contest, so bring your best recipe to see if yours takes home the prize. The event takes place on January 29th so you still have time to concoct your best cornbread recipe. Ticketing information here.

Don’t let the January weather get you down and don’t use it as an excuse to mope inside all month. What are you most looking forward to this month? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Keep Your Resolutions

Image From Pixabay

It’s a brand new year which brings with it tons of opportunities to start over. Whether it’s in your personal life, your work life, with your health, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to make a change. It may seem difficult but hey, you’ve got the whole year to make a difference!

As we get older and grow up, it can seem like our relationships suffer at the hands of other aspects of our lives. Our work gets in the way, school gets in the way, family gets in the way, life just gets in the way! This year, make an effort to reach out to those friends that you might have let fall by the wayside. Invite them over to spend time in our TV area. You might find yourself with a new neighbor once they fall in love with our rooftop sky terrace!

Even better than rekindling old friendships is creating new ones. The easiest friends to make are the ones that are near to you and that means your neighbors! Say hello the next time you see a neighbor leaving their apartment and invite them over for dinner one evening. One day you might find yourself in need of some assistance and the only people there to help will be your close neighbors. It can’t hurt to introduce yourself!

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to get healthy in the new year. However, a lot of excuses can pop up when it comes time to actually get to it. The gym is too far away or the membership prices are outrageous are just two of the typical complaints. Here at The Encore on 7th, neither of those are a problem! Our gorgeous state of the art fitness center has everything you need to get up and moving towards your new healthy lifestyle. We have something for everyone! Interested in growing stronger? Our strength equipment and weights will get you there. Want to increase your endurance? The aerobic machines will help you! It can be difficult to fit a workout in when you work all day and the gym has limited hours. That’s not a problem here! Our fitness center is open to you 24 hours a day!There’s nothing in your way between you and health here at The Encore on 7th

What are your goals for the new year?

From everyone in The Encore on 7th, Happy New Year! Good luck to you on achieving your goals.

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