Yinzpiration. blogs

Giveaway time! Win two tickets to see G. Love and Ashanti!

Kate Stoltzfus — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:24:40 +0000

The first class of Pittsburgh Promise awardees are graduating... and it's time to celebrate!

And celebrate we will at Igniting Pittsburgh's Promise, an incredible party coming up on June 14-15 at Stage AE

Co-chaired by the ever-classy Mike and Kiya Tomlin!

photo via Pittsburgh Post Gazette

And featuring:

G. Love and Special Sauce

Ashanti

DJ Bonics

DJ Zimmie

And many more!

It's going to be so much fun, and I'm thrilled to announce that I've got two tickets to give away to two lucky winners (That's two tickets per winner... a $100 value).

To enter, all you need to do is comment on this post. You can write anything you want but if you need something to talk about why not share any advice you have for recent college graduates... perhaps something you wish you had known right after making the transition into the working world!

Receive an extra entry when you sign up to receive weekly yinzpiring emails. Oh look! Here's a handy dandy sign-up box just for you! (*wink wink)

And for even more entries, you can Tweet about this giveaway!
(Tweets must include @yinzpiration, @pgh_promise, #IgnitePGH and http://ow.ly/bhwIO)

I'll even make it super easy for you with this example tweet—just copy the text below, paste and tweet away.

@yinzpiration is giving away four tickets to @pgh_promise's event featuring G. Love and Ashanti! >> http://ow.ly/bhwIO #IgnitePGH

Have fun and good luck! Two winners (with two tickets each) will be drawn at random next Thursday, June 7th.

P.S. Be sure to tell me all the ways you entered when you make your comment!

Interview #56: Jenna Kunselman

Kate Stoltzfus — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:58:02 +0000

Jenna Kunselman has a big heart for Pittsburgh's youth.

She's a young, energetic teacher who works incredibly hard to make learning fun for her students.

While she is a super dedicated teacher, it became clear in our meeting that she is not tied down to the classroom. You may find her practicing with her rowing team, boxing, or swimming through ice water at a Tough Mudder event.

Jenna's sister Autumn described her as "tough-and-tender—a true Pittsburgh girl." I couldn't say it better. I love her enthusiasm and her determination to always be challenging herself.

As a fun aside, Jenna is from Punxatawney (home of the famous groundhog!) and it turns out that she is friends with the only other person I know from Punxatawney... small world!

Enjoy Jenna's Q&A. Let's hear it for Pittsburgh teachers!

***
Name: Jenna Kunselman  

Job title: I’m an English Teacher at North Hills Senior High, where I’ve been teaching American literature and journalism for the past six years.   

Twitter: @meadow212 To be honest, I’m a Twitter newbie. At first, I felt that Twitter was just a way for people to share meaningless updates about their personal lives and use random hashtags. However, since I’ve given it a shot, I now feel it’s a convenient way to stay connected to what’s going on locally and in the world and a way to pursue personal interests.

Twitter overwhelms me—It’s unbelievable how much information is really out there, and right at your fingertips! I get so easily distracted. One tweet always leads to another, and an hour later I can’t remember what info. I was looking for in the first place! Instagram and Pinterest will be the death of me. Anyway, I feel that, as a teacher of the Millennials, it’s my duty to incorporate technology into lessons as much as possible. I’ve been showing my journalism students the Twitter news world (Huffington Post, anyone?) and I try to consistently tweet homework reminders from my “teacher” Twitter account.

As a nerdy English teacher, I’ve been pondering some issues I have with Twitter: Will it change our grammar rules as we know them today? Will capital letters become optional? Will run-on sentences and sentence fragments become acceptable? Will a #hashtag become a punctuation mark? There are serious issues at hand here, people.   Blog: I share a private blog with my mom and sister, Autumn, on Tumblr, but it’s really just a way for the three of us to stay connected.   

Neighborhood you live in: Brighton Heights in the North Side. It’s great being so close to the city and it’s less than ten minutes away from my school, which is really convenient!   

Coffee Shop Drink of Choice: I usually drink my coffee black, but every once in awhile I’ll live on the edge and have a skinny caramel latte from Starbucks. One of my favorite coffee shops is the Muddy Cup in Bellevue—it’s local, it’s cute and cozy, and the coffee’s always strong.  

Current Shampoo Preference: My current fave is Bumble & Bumble Tonic shampoo. About six months ago, I had a severe allergic reaction when I got my hair colored for the first time. I started to go into anaphylactic shock and had to take a trip to the ER, a nightmare I won’t soon forget. Ever since then, my skin has been extremely sensitive and there are only a few select products I can use.   

Why do you choose Pittsburgh as your home?
I moved here in August 2006 for my teaching job and I’ve been here ever since. I’ve met so many wonderful people in this city who have since become a very important part of my life, and I now consider Pittsburgh home.   

Who do you spend your time with?
I spend most of my time with my fiancé, Jack. We got engaged in December and are busy planning our wedding, which will be next June (2013) in the Outer Banks. We enjoy working out together, and spend most evenings either working out at Steel City Boxing, where he is a trainer, running (he runs marathons, and I just completed my first half), or training for Tough Mudder events. We have mutual friends that we spend a lot of time with, as well. I also spend as much time with my girl friends and my sister as possible, although I don’t get to hang with them as often because we all live in different parts of the city (or other cities) and are always so busy.   

What are your favorite aspects of your job?
I love getting to know the kids the most and just the every day humorous situations that happen in the classroom. The best moments are when my students crack me up and we’re just all hysterically laughing over something completely random. The literature we read allows us to have really interesting class discussions about ethics, morals, and society—I’m always so impressed with how insightful eleventh graders can be! Also, there is nothing better than hearing from students who have graduated—it’s nice to stay in touch and see how well they are doing. Right now, all my students I had my first year of teaching are graduating from college. I can’t believe how fast these past six years of teaching have gone!

   Do you have a soul food?
My grandma Ella’s homemade noodles—they were always my favorite! She passed away this past June, and it’s been really hard for our family to get through her and my grandpa’s deaths. They were honestly the small town older couple we all admire who lived very simple, but fulfilling lives—just sitting on their porch swing, holding hands, and sipping lemonade. At my grandparents’ house, everyone was welcome and a part of the family. I haven’t had Gram’s noodles for a couple of years now, and I really miss them. They were made with love and remind me of home.  

What are some of your recent personal goals?
I just accomplished my most recent personal goal on May 6—to complete the Pittsburgh Half Marathon! Running does not come easily to me, and it’s always a challenge, but there is nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment after a long, hard run. Thank goodness we had such nice weather to train in this past “winter,” because running in the snow is not my bag! I’m always trying to improve my health and fitness in some way, shape, or form. Now that I’ve finished the half, I’m going back to Bikram Yoga and training for our next Tough Mudder event in D.C. September 9. Tough Mudder events are more fun to train for, but way more intense—they are 10-12 mile military-style courses with about 25 obstacles, including electric wires, fire, and freezing ice baths. The events are so crazy, and some obstacles are just insane, but the whole experience is really fun! I’ve also been making more of an effort lately to eat more vegetarian and vegan foods. I’ve always been a firm believer in a healthy diet and buying local, organic foods as much as possible.  

What are your favorite Pittsburgh restaurants?
This is going to be tough, because going out to eat is one of my favorite extracurricular activities. Here are just a few of my faves: Eleven (Strip District), the Church Brew Works (Liberty Ave.), Bite Bistro (Bellevue), Burgatory (Water Works), Kaya (Strip District), Girasole (Shadyside), Mia Madre Trattoria (Avalon), Thai Suan Thip (Bellevue), Jimmy Wan’s (Cranberry), and Emiliano’s (North Hills). I’ll just have to stop here, because the list goes on and on.   

Describe your ideal day.
My ideal day would be a summer day, where I get to sleep in a little bit and don’t have to worry about getting up for work the next day. I’d go to Bikram Yoga in the Strip for a hot yoga session, get a good cup of coffee, and browse around Penn Avenue for awhile. Then, I’d spend the day at a pool with my girlfriends, where we’d lay out, read, and chit chat. In the evening, Jack & I would go out to dinner with an amazing view in Mt. Washington and get together with friends after for drinks (somewhere that has an outdoor patio—the Six Penn rooftop, perhaps?).  

What is the most memorable live show you have seen in Pittsburgh?
The most memorable show I have ever seen in Pittsburgh was Michael Buble’s concert at the Peterson Event Center March 17, 2011. My mom and sister are huge fans, and I remember being grumpy because I’m a St. Patty’s Day fan who was missing out on all the fun. However, this concert ended up being one of the best I have ever seen—I was surprised at how hilarious he was, and of course he has an incredible voice. I would see him again in a minute.  

What do you think Pittsburgh will be like in ten years? What do you love most about the city?
I think that Pittsburgh will continue to modernize, thrive, and grow, as long as the economy improves. I love the historic neighborhoods of the city—their individual personalities and beautiful old buildings—and I hope people in our communities continue to restore these. I’m from a small town (Punxsutawney, PA)and I love that hometown Pittsburgh pride. Ever had an Ahrn Siddy dahntahn with a genuine Pittsburgh native? You’ve never had a better conversation.

10 Things to love about Bloomfield

Andrea Laurion — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:50:01 +0000

Living in Bloomfield opens up conversations with people no matter where I am.

“I love Bloomfield, it’s so pretty.”

“I know so many people who live there, do you know...?”

Once, while leaving Banjo Night on the North Side, an older couple asked how long I had lived in Bloomfield. I told them I had been here just over two years, to which the wife said, “Honey, I know people who’ve been there longer than you’ve been alive.”

I may not have decades of residency under my belt, but I still love living here. Here’s why:

1. Liberty Avenue
The main street of Bloomfield has nearly everything that a person needs to live: a grocery store (ShurSave), a pharmacy (Bloomfield Drugstore), a bakery (Paddycake), just to name a few places. There are a couple dollar stores, pizza places and coffee shops. You can file your taxes, get a haircut or have a tooth drilled within a few blocks. It doesn’t have a wine and spirits store, but you can drown your sorrows over this at a handful of bars or just pick a case of beer instead.

2. Groceria Italiana and Donatelli’s

Many small markets have closed over the years, but lucky for Bloomfield, we still have two. Donatelli’s can be found on Liberty while Groceria Italia is off the main street on Cedarville. Both have a deli, stock great Italian items, and sell hot sandwiches on the street each summer. It’s up to you which one you wander into- perhaps both.

3. A variety of eats

Every neighborhood has delicious places to eat and Bloomfield is no exception. There are great Italian (check out Alexander’s and D’Amicos), but its more than only Italian. Tessaro’s is known for their burgers. Bloomfield Bridge Tavern is the place for pierogi. Nico’s Recovery Room serves up Greek and bar food on Friendship Avenue along with karaoke on Saturday nights. Wai Wai calms Chinese food cravings. And this is just a few places examples. Wander around and find what you like.

4. A walker’s dream

Pittsburgh has a ton of hills and in some parts of town, getting around can be a literal hike. Bloomfield was established on a plateau and it’s pleasantly flat. With a walk score of 88, it’s the fourth most walkable neighborhood in the city. Lawrenceville is just down the hill and so are Friendship, Shadyside and East Liberty in the other direction.

5. Friendship Park

The tiny park- more of a parklet- pops up like a little island behind West Penn Hospital and cuts Friendship Avenue into a one way loop. It’s not the place for a game of tackle football, but runners enjoy the flat, oblong track that circles the park. Dog walkers, frisbee throwers and hula hoopers live in harmony with people watchers, bookworms and sunbathers.

6. Music
This is a great neighborhood for music. Howlers, The Shop, Brillobox and Bloomfield Bridge Tavern regularly feature local bands as well as independent acts from out of town. It’s also the home of Sound Cat Records, a locally-owned independent record store on Liberty. Some musicians even live in Bloomfield, so keep an ear out for their practice sessions.

7. Ritter’s

Ritter’s is more than just a restaurant. It’s a meeting place, an institution and the all night diner for the entire East End. Sunday mornings are bustling with families hungry for breakfast. After midnight brings bar closers, late shift workers and night owls. The wait staff are friendly even after cleaning up a plate of puke at 3 a.m.-- trust me, I’ve seen it. I recommend the Greek lemon soup and hitting an ATM first (cash only).

8. Parades, parties and people
Bloomfield loves to have fun. This is a neighborhood that throws a party every year as the runners pass through for the Pittsburgh Marathon. It’s not unusual on a summer Saturday afternoon for part of Liberty Avenue to be closed for a block party. And the celebrating doesn’t stop when it gets chilly. October is known for its annual Halloween and Columbus Day parades.

9. Tiny pockets of charm

One of my favorite things about Bloomfield are the surprises down ordinary residential streets. I love keeping an eye out for little personal touches in row house windows. The mysterious murals on Liberty- who is that flying Nonna with a rolling pin?- give blank buildings some color. I challenge you to try and find the birdhouse tree.

10. Little Italy Days

A list on Bloomfield wouldn’t be complete without Little Italy Days. Hosted by the Bloomfield Development Corporation, the three day festival is the biggest bash of them all. It’s celebration of the neighborhood and its Italian heritage. There are strolling musicians, a bocce tournament and tons of food choices. After an Italian Mass, there is a procession through the streets with a life-sized Virgin Mary statue. Always held the last weekend in September, it’s a great way to wind down the last hot days of summer.

Andrea Laurion is a writer, coffee drinker, and thrift store scrounger. She’s a big fan of libraries, karaoke, gin & tonics, staying up late, improv comedy, and her cat, Harold. Her misadventures can be found at andreadisaster.com.

How to get unstuck.

Kate Stoltzfus — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:57:24 +0000

Have you ever felt completely stuck? Like... paralyzed?

It happens to the best of us. Whether it's figuring out how to rearrange a room, choosing the best recipe, or creating a presentation—that stickity stuck feeling can creep up on even the most creative, smart, and energetic people.

I was thinking about this a lot recently as I stumbled upon my art portfolio from college when Nik and I were cleaning out our storage room. Did I ever tell you that I was an art major? Yes It's true. (That's one of my drawings!) While I am not technically an artist professionally, I still feel art is very much a part of my inner being.

When I started in my first design class, I remember timidly placing my pencil on the blank page and starting to draw—getting super frustrated with my initial attempt—and then I started erasing vigorously. I tried again and proceeded to erase some more. And repeat. Talk about feeling stuck...

One day I discovered that I could draw more lines over top of the first line that were closer to what I had envisioned originally. I could switch mediums and add charcoal. I could change colors. I could move to a different place in the room if I needed a fresh angle on the subject. And what really rocked my world was when my professor pointed out that I could completely turn my paper upside-down and keep going.

The options for change are endless.

It's kind of funny because today I felt a little bit stuck as I was writing this post.

But I decided to channel art-school-Kate and close my eyes and simply let the words flow from my brain to my fingertips. I allowed myself the freedom to make mistakes and not worry too much about the outcome. Let it flow. Freely. Because you see, I believe that if one person is inspired by this post today, my job is done.

So if you have been feeling stuck lately, here are 5 quick tips to get you movin' and groovin.

Get busy with a pen and some paper.
"But I'm not an artist!", you say. Don't sweat it. If drawing isn't your thing, make a list or do a free-write.
Don't be afraid to get a little messy.
My husband often says, "you gotta crack the eggs to bake the cake." Go ahead. Make a big fat mess.
Pay a visit to mother nature.
There is nothing like fresh air and a little movement to reset your brain. Being around water works especially well for me. I often get the best ideas while running around the Highland Park Reservoir.
Practice being open.
Sometimes we can feel stuck simply because we're afraid to open up. It's time to share your true authentic self—I guarantee there are people who will benefit from your story.
Take a second look.
Step away from your project. Make an omelet. Do some deep breathing. Figure out what song you will perform next time you rock the mic at karaoke. Do a cartwheel. Then return to your task at hand and see what happens.

Don't be scared—today is the day. It's time to get unstuck and start thinking like an artist. You are more flexible, creative, crafty, clever, and smarter than you know!

Peace and Love,

Kate

P.S. When was the last time you felt stuck? What did you do?

Interview #55: Adam Kunes

Kate Stoltzfus — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:36:57 +0000

Adam Kunes is not afraid to take risks and turn his dreams into reality.

In 2009 Adam and his business partner Andrew Blythe founded The Call to Serve, a not-for-profit organization that teaches young adults the power of public service through local and national service trips.

That's right. They pack an adventurous bunch of young adults into an RV and set across the country to help people with tasks varying from disaster releif construction projects to working at animal shelters. (Basically, it's like Road Rules plus service projects and minus the drama!)

Here is last year's crew in front of the Call to Serve RV. I love the "will work for free" t-shirts!

In addition to his work with Call to Serve, Adam opened the doors to Rewind Memories in Squirrel Hill in 2011. He and his crew transfer old tapes, photos, and film to DVDs and digital files. So if you want to keep that video of you lip-syncing to Janet Jackson's, Escapade in 1991 forever and ever, Adam is your dude.

Enjoy Adam's Q&A! And be sure to add The Call to Serve's blog to you reader, as they will be taking off on their third trip this summer and sharing their adventures with us there.

***

Name: Adam Kunes

Job title: Owner of Rewind Memories and Founder of The Call to Serve

Twitter: @adamkunes

Blog: thecalltoserve.org/blog

Neighborhood you live in: Squirrel Hill

Coffee Shop Drink of Choice: Caramel Mocha from Starbucks

Current Shampoo Preference: Anything that smells good.

Why do you choose Pittsburgh as your home? Pittsburgh will always be home. I grew up in the suburbs and moved to the city for school. I started my business here. It's also great having family and friends nearby.

Who do you spend your time with?
Friends, family and my girlfriend. I spend a lot of time at Crossfit Pittsburgh. It's a great community and a good way to relieve stress. If it's summer, you can find me on the river wakeboarding and jetskiing or playing golf.

What are your favorite aspects of your job?
I love the freedom to be creative. If I want to try a new concept or idea, I just make it happen. It is nice not needing approval to move forward with something. I also like the fact that I am my own boss and everything (good & bad) that comes along with the position. With the non-profit, it's been great to seen an idea come full circle. My business partner and I were so committed to making it happen and willing to do whatever it took. Hearing that a participant or someone we helped had a life changing experience has made all the trials and tribulations worth it. I learned a lot about myself during that time and what I am capable of.

Do you have a soul food?
I heart nutella and buffalo chicken wings (on cheat days).

What are some of your recent personal goals?
I've been challenging myself to do as much as I can on my own. Whether it's building a display for the store or learning new software. This summer, I'm working on becoming a better golfer and training for the Superfit Games in Richmond, VA.

What are your favorite Pittsburgh restaurants?
Yo Rita is too legit. You can't go wrong with Tamari. My neighborhood go-to is Murray Avenue Grill (the sweet potato fries are delicious). If I'm in the mood for Thai, The Green Mango is great.

Describe your ideal day.
I love the water so waking up to an ocean view would be ideal. Going out for a morning surf and coming back to a good cup of coffee. An afternoon of golf, some crossfit and ending the night with a bonfire and good friends. That sounds pretty ideal to me.

What is the most memorable live show you have seen in Pittsburgh?
We had a private box for the Kanye/Jay-Z show at the Consol Energy Center. I've seen a lot of concerts in Pittsburgh, but this was hands down the best. From the "flashing lights" to the swagger of Jay-Z and Kanye, it was an amazing show to attend.

What do you think Pittsburgh will be like in ten years? What do you love most about the city?
I hope that more people will be living and hanging out downtown. I also think that the neighborhoods being currently revitalized will be booming. It will be exciting to see. I love Pittsburgh for its uniqueness. The people are kind, the yinzers are classic and we have the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is so much potential for growth, which makes it a great time to be living here. The neighborhoods are all so unique and each bring their own flavor.

10 Things to love about Troy Hill

Holly Coleman — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:31:33 +0000

Troy Hill is my neighborhood. It has changed through my 34 years and so have I. It’s a neighborhood with a great sense of community and has been referred to as a “little Brooklyn” by new residents. When you move to Troy Hill, you WILL know your neighbors; it’s not a place to hide out.

For a brief history of Troy Hill, check out my blog on Pop City.

And now, the 10 things I love about Troy Hill:

1. The Monument

The WWI monument is placed directly in the middle of the intersecting Ley and Lowrie Streets. This monument has survived Hollywood (it was removed for the filming of HOFFA) , parades and numerous hit and run incidents. The monument does pose a safety hazard, but hardcore TH residents will never allow it to be moved from its unusual placement.

2. The Cemetery

Spanning along a ¼ mile of Lowrie Street is Voegtly Cemetery. Built in 1833, this cemetery is not only part of the PGH Historical Society, but it’s also a gorgeous place to walk and relax. The cemetery sits on the hillside offering a great view and provides a pathway for urban wildlife, such as herds of deer that can be seen romping in between 100 year old headstones.

3. Pig Hill

Photocredit: Nicole Moga

Now closed until 2014 due to the Rt. 28 expansion, Pig Hill (aka Rialto Street) was once death row for livestock, mainly pigs. It’s one of the steepest hills in the city, as well as narrowest, and is featured in the Dirty Dozen biking event. Now it’s a great place for drunken sled ridding and snowboarding.

4. TheUniMart

You want it, they got it. From Donuts to Blunts, the UniMart houses all. It’s also a morning meeting place for neighbors, since there is not a coffee shop on Troy Hill. People come in, read the paper, drink coffee, discuss life and buy their lotto tickets. And yes, the donuts ARE delicious.

5. Phil's (Victoria's Dairy)

Nestled between a restaurant and barber shop is Victoria’s Dairy, known to the locals as Phil’s. Phil is the owner and is often working the counter either getting lotto tickets or shaving lunchmeat. If you want to know the neighborhood dirt, hang out in Phil’s. It’s also one of the few places that still rent DVDs: it has a whole wall of movies that you can browse and then discuss with Phil.

6. The View

Photocredit: Nicole Moga

Good God! As you drive down Troy Hill Road, the Steel City slams you in the face with its glory, power and Heinz Factory smoke stacks. It’s a joy to walk, yes WALK, to downtown, the strip, and the riverfront trail where you can sit under the 10th Street Bridge and fish while falling in love with the city skyline. Troy Hill’s location makes it one of the best places to live and work.

7. The Spray Park

Photocredit: Brian Roberts

A cemented-over swimming pool is now the site for Cowley’s Spark Park. The spray park is one of the crown jewels of Troy Hill. It’s bright, beautiful, family friendly and free! The spray park is a much need addition to help boost Troy Hill’s optimism.

8. The Diversity/The people

Originally a Bavarian neighborhood full of German Catholics Immigrants, Troy Hill has slowly, ever so slooooowly, evolved into a neighborhood of diversity. It’s a desired evolution that helps to make Troy Hill a special place for anyone to move to.

9. The Bus

The “4 Troy Hill” is the ONLY bus that services Troy Hill. We are isolated on this hill and the #4 is many people’s only mode of transportation. I take it to and from work every day. The #4 ‘s service has been continuously cut/ rearranged/ eliminated. This year it is slated to be eliminated, completely. We love our bus, we need our bus and we will fight for our bus.

10. Karaoke at Billy’s
After a week of work, you want to go to a place to enjoy your Friday and if you live on Troy Hill, Karaoke at Billy’s is that place. There is nothing better than walking to your neighborhood bar. Billy’s has good food, cheap drinks, great people and awesome jams. There are no haters, all are welcome to shake their booty and sing their heart out.

To find out more about Troy Hill, visit: http://troyhillpittsburgh.com/

Holly Coleman is a yinzer who lives on Troy Hill. She reads her Troy Hill stories to various audiences throughout the burgh and is a member of The New Yinzer.

The pursuit of one elegant idea.

Kate Stoltzfus — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:40:27 +0000

Fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg rocked the cover of Newsweek in 1976. It was her big break into the world of fashion. She was 28 years old.

I came across this image in a book my friend Bridgette lent to me by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, called, "Influence."

Turns out, the Olsen's love interviews, too! Who knew?! The book is a compilation of Q&A's featuring individuals in the fashion and art world who have inspired the twins.

This picture stood out to me in the Diane's interview because she looks so strong and confident.

It's like she already knew that what she had created would change the lives of thousands of women for years to come.

And it's true, several decades later women are still loving her signature wrap dresses.

I believe everyone stumbles upon at least one elegant idea in their lifetime.

For Diane, it was designing clothing that helps women feel confident.

So tell me, have you stumbled upon it yet? That one sparking, elegant idea?

What makes you feel like striking a pose on the cover of a magazine?

Peace and Love,

Kate

P.S. Yinzpired? Share the love with a friend or two!

Interview #54: Megan Lindsey

Kate Stoltzfus — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:13:14 +0000

Beep Beep! It's Megan Lindsey!

Megan is a hot-dog makin', food-truck drivin', ivory ticklin' rockstar.

As co-owner of Franctuary and a member of Good Night, States she always has something interesting going on.

I met up with Megan at the Franktuary truck in East Liberty where it was parked outside of the AAA building. (You can find them there on Thursdays during the lunch hour.)

It's not everyday that I get treated to a grass-fed dog, and I was very excited to give it a try.

And It was SO good.

I loved their special orange mustard (you can see the bottle pictured in the photo)... it's super tangy and made locally!

When Megan isn't slingin' hotdogs, she's rockin' out with her band Good Night, States. Here she is in action:

photo by chemistphotography@gmail.com

And here is the band!

photo by Tom Persinger

Doesn't this photo feel like it's from another era? I love it. Be sure to have a listen. I think I'll be listening to their tunes on my next run—many of the tracks are quite lively and energtic.

Enjoy Megan's Q&A, and track down the truck (by checking @Franctuary on Twitter) and get yourself a dog!

***

Name: Megan Lindsey

Job title: CEO/Vice Dictator of Natural Casing - Franktuary; Keys, Synths, Vox - Good Night, States

Twitter: @franktuary, @goodnightstates

Blog: each website has one! franktuary.com, goodnightstates.com

Neighborhood you live in: Lawrenceville

Coffee Shop Drink of Choice: Can't! I'm recovering from years of hypoadrenia. I'm tired of herbal tea, so coconut water is my latest splurge.

Current Shampoo Preference: Whole Foods' house brand...so eco-friendly you could probably drink it!

Why do you choose Pittsburgh as your home?
When I spend time in larger cities, I'm not always sure if I'm satisfied here, but when I visit my family in Oklahoma, I realize Pittsburgh is uniquely qualified to have the body of a city with the brain of a small town, and vice versa. Young people who don't have a lot of money can actually make a difference in and on Pittsburgh. You can live here, be engaged in the community, have a job, meet great people, make great art and not tread water trying to build up financial resources before you begin to live out whatever your dream happens to be.

Who do you spend your time with?
I love to spend my time with my husband Trevor and our three other bandmates, often in a van, driving and driving and hauling our really heavy instruments up and down four flights of stairs while illegally parked in an unfamiliar city when most of the world is sleeping. During travel I'm in the passenger seat as the official naviguesser, alertness manager, and sniff tester for our drummer/driver Dan, who brings along these gourmet meals made by his wife that sit unrefrigerated for days. It's a sort of Russian roulette with his stomach!

I spend many, some days most, of my hours with my business partner Tim, also lifting heavy objects, pondering the unsettling state of farming, food and politics in America today, and dreaming about a Franktuary owned sustainable organic farm situated directly between New York City and Pittsburgh. And we have a great and hilarious staff at Franktuary, so I enjoy every minute I get to be around them.

What are your favorite aspects of your job?
Have I mentioned that I lift a lot of heavy objects? That's probably not one of my favorites, but I love being my own boss. Every single day is different. Sometimes I'm creating experimental dishes, sometimes I'm booking the food truck from the road, lately I have been reworking kitchen layouts and pondering design concepts for a new Franktuary location. There are also days roasting myself in the food truck when it's around 110 degrees, and days fixing the numerous things that break around the store, but even those days are interesting.

Do you have a soul food?
I'm a moody eater. I'm not sure what that says about my soul! I feel the best when I'm eating anything Japanese, Thai or Vietnamese - heavy on the vegetables, tamari, and coconut based saturated fats.

What are some of your recent personal goals?
Trevor and I just got our motorcycle permits, so we want to take the safety class and get a vehicle of some sort. Preferably with a sidecar, so I can put aviator goggles on his curly head and drive him around! I am always working towards an EP of my own songs, but at the rate they are coming to fruition, look for it in 2025. Tim and I are hoping to open another Franktuary this fall, so that's very exciting and terrifying. I'm always trying to understand how my brain works, hoping to develop a systematic discipline for practicing and creating music. And some day, I'd like to be that old lady who enrolls in art school and takes beginning drawing classes with 19 year olds who don't quite know what to make of her. Because why not?!

What are your favorite Pittsburgh restaurants?
We don't eat out much, I usually cook multiple meals a day. But I love the omelettes at Coca Cafe and coconut vermicelli at Tram's. I'm still looking for the perfect NY style slice here in Pittsburgh, but Piccolo Forno has great southern Italian style pizza. (And yes, I am aware that there are lovely restaurants outside of Lawrenceville.)

Describe your ideal day.
Eating three or four fabulous meals that I don't have to plan or cook and not checking my email! Traveling, walking a new city with Trevor, preferably in Europe, and ending with a Good Night, States show at a club with an excellent sound guy and a witty, interactive audience. I don't ask for much! More seriously, I'm thankful to have overcome so much chronic pain and fatigue in the last year that most days are now fairly ideal, which is a huge blessing.

What is the most memorable live show you have seen in Pittsburgh?
Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, whose albums I really love, opened for Cloud Cult, a band new to me at the time. The So and Sos were whiny divas, yelling at the audience, a total disappointment...and then Cloud Cult took the stage in sweatpants looking like a bunch of misfits and played their hearts out with this grateful joy that just blew up the audience. They had a live painter with them, and a projector with the most bizarre little animations, and it was really beautiful. That show was a study in contrasts and a reminder for me that authentic musical performance must be more about joy than attention.

What do you think Pittsburgh will be like in ten years? What do you love most about the city?
I wonder if the lid will be blown off of Pittsburgh's "best kept secret" status and whether people will flock here, particularly to repopulate downtown. I love this place for its topography and vistas, its quirks, roads on top of roads, entertaining neighborhood characters you're not sure you can trust, for its artists and musicians and oddballs. A weighty potential seeps from this city's pot holes and green spaces alike.

$3001 raised for PULSE!

Kate Stoltzfus — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:16:08 +0000

Holy guacamole! The race is over and my 5.5 miles are complete AND $3001 has been raised for PULSE.

Check it out!

Thank you to everyone who ran, cheered, donated, and spread the word about the fundraiser. You are all shining stars in my book!

And as promised, here are the most embarassing pictures of my childhood:

"The Wicked Eye" and 3rd grade fabulousness.

Perm power.

Wow. That just happened.

Thanks again for your support!

5.5 Miles for PULSE

Kate Stoltzfus — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:28:21 +0000

Only a few more days until the Pittsburgh Marathon and I'm super pumped! The thunderstorm woke me up bright and early this morning and I'm hoping things clear up so I can squeeze in one more morning run before the big race.

After several months of training I couldn't feel more ready. I'd like to thank to Coach Laura for helping me get past self-limiting beliefs I had about running.

Here we are after our Virtual 5k. What a feeling!

As many of you know, the PULSE program was a big part of my decision to move to Pittsburgh in 2005. Remember when I told you all about it?

It has been an honor to watch this program grow. It brings many wonderful young people to Pittsburgh who are active in service and committed to making the city a better place. I really enjoy serving on the Board of Directors— especially since the program's Executive Director, Chris Cooke, has been doing an amazing job.

Over the past year, I have been working hard to raise $3000 for PULSE. (Only $309 remains! Check out the progress.)

I am hoping to complete this goal by this Sunday May, 6th 2012 (That's the Marathon, Yinz!)

If the goal is met, these gems will be revealed for you viewing pleasure:

The one to the left my mother has lovingly entitled: "The Wicked Eye."

As you can see in my 3rd grade photo (right) I was still not tired of those back-lit pink blinds.

And this one was, well, in the middle of February yet I insisted on wearing a summer dress and refused to comb my hair.

Did you go through a "special" stage yourself?

Anyway, it'd be a treat if you would join my team by giving a gift to PULSE.

Think of it as investing in new neighbors (many PULSE graduates stick around and call Pittsburgh their home after they complete the program!)

Thanks yinz!

Peace and Love,

Kate

P.S. This is totally inspired by Ginny of That's Church who shared one of her prom photos when her fundraising goal was met. When I told her that I was planning to do something similar, she suggested that we have a "dork-off." I'm not sure she knows what she's up against!