If you’ve spent time of the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, the names Trees and Benedum are quite familiar. Joseph C. Trees Hall is located in the University’s upper campus. The hall serves as a multipurpose recreational facility for students, faculty, and staff. A few streets down, sits Michael L. Benedum Hall of Engineering. This landmark academic building is home to the Swanson School
Read the Full Article →
Often called the world’s greatest rock and roll band, The Rolling Stones formed in 1962 in London. The first year of “the Rollin’ Stones” consisted of members coming and going; the first stable line-up debuted Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts in January 1963. The group started out playing covers with roots in blues and early rock and roll. Back
Read the Full Article →
What would you say if you were tasked with giving a final speech? Carnegie Mellon University professor, Randy Pausch, had the opportunity to give one final lecture before his death. Randy Pausch was a professor little-known outside of his field of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction. But he was beloved by his students and colleagues. On September 18, 2007, Pausch gave a speech to an
Read the Full Article →
Dia de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead—is an often misunderstood holiday in the United States. Many believe this Mexican celebration is related to Halloween. While there are similarities, the two holidays originate from different sources. Our History of Halloween article, explains how Samhain—an ancient Celtic festival—evolved over thousands of years into the costumes and trick-or-treating we participate in today. Dia de los Muetos ,
Read the Full Article →
People have been celebrating Halloween—or some version of it—for more than 2,000 years. Today, many mistakenly associate this Americanized holiday with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). However, that is not quite true. The roots of Halloween reach much farther back, to Western Europe B.C.E. The Original Halloween Halloween originates from the Celtic New Year festival, Samhain (sow-in). The Celts, who lived during
Read the Full Article →
The Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty is named for two hometown legends: Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn. Gene Kelly—singer, dancer, actor, filmmaker, and choreographer—is best known for his role in Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and many other films. Billy Strayhorn was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger who collaborated with the likes of Duke Ellington. Both called Pittsburgh home during their
Read the Full Article →
This Is Not For The Faint Of Heart In 1977, I was a senior in high school when Southwestern Pennsylvania experienced a series of brutal murders that left everyone in the area on edge. Gun sales soared, hardware stores couldn’t keep locks on the shelves, teens traveled in packs for safety, and women were afraid to go out alone. It didn’t much matter who you
Read the Full Article →
Civic Associations have a distinctive and vital role in a democratic society. These organizations work with the goal of improving communities. Many serve the important function of providing a collective voice to issues that affect the community. Pittsburgh is home to many civic associations whose missions are to enhance the Greater Pittsburgh area for residents and visitors. Below are some of the most notable.
Read the Full Article →
What’s the best thing to do at work on a slow Friday afternoon? Take a lunch break and go out to eat must be the correct answer. I’m sure not everyone has the type of job where leaving for a long lunch break is accepted, but if you do I would advise checking out an El Campesino near you. When we arrived, a hostess greeted
Read the Full Article →
I was six years old the first time I went to a cemetery. It’s a day I remember clearly, even some 70 years later. I grew up in a family where there were a number of elderly relatives. For the first half dozen years of my life I was chiefly unaware of the deaths in my family. Then, with the passing of some distant aunt,
Read the Full Article →
