Our new favorite hangout is CoStar Brewing in Etna, PA, where they have Street Fighter on the NES, mountain biking on the tube and an amazing selection of beer on tap. Definitely our kind of place.
Pittsburgh
Finally got a chance to try Rockaway Pizza last night and see what all the fuss is about. Simply put, it’s well-deserved fuss. We went traditional and ordered the NYC Round, half pepperoni. Hands down the best pizza I’ve had here in Pittsburgh. IMO it rivals some of the best I’ve eaten in New York.
Wikipedia, clearing up any confusion about Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil:
While the tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent association between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.
Traveling to NYC for work today, but you know I found a biz-appropriate way to rep the Black-n-Gold. #HereWeGo Steelers!
The Kindness Keeps Me Here
Friday, January 9, 2026
Sarah Samms Velázquez writes about finding unexpected kindness and a long-term home in Pittsburgh after years of wanderlust:
However, in an alleyway in Pittsburgh, I woke up to homemade soup, leftovers and even a camper-sized crockpot sitting on my truck’s bumper. In Pittsburgh, folks say hello and rarely turn their nose up at one another. In Northern Appalachia, we value the blue collar and the stories that come along with hard living; and do I have some stories to tell. I sometimes wonder where I’d be if I never found the Paris of Appalachia. Probably still searching, with a pack on my back – waiting for home to find me.
This is very similar to my own personal experience, although my journey to land in this city took place about 15 years prior to Sarah’s. I didn’t ride into town as a stowaway on a freight train (legendary!), but my arrival was in the cab of a broken-down tour van.
Pittsburgh is the kind of place where strangers look you in the eye. Where people help each other when there’s no benefit other than a thank you and smile. There’s an element of ‘realness’ here that I’ve found to be very different from most other cities. I think this realness can be distilled down to the kindness that Sarah writes so eloquently about in her piece.
That kindness is what keeps me here. And that kindness is what the world needs more of right now.
Welcome to the News Desert
Thursday, January 8, 2026
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will cease operations on May 3, 2026, leaving the region without a daily print news publication. The paper has been operating as the cornerstone of reliable media in the area for nearly 240 years. This is a massive blow to the news ecosystem here in Western Pennsylvania.
Block Communications Inc. communicated the decision to shutter the paper to employees via a pre-recorded video. This is a spineless, timid act that’s unfortunately par-for-the-course for the Block family who spent years fighting against the rights of PG workers only to lose that fight in the Supreme Court of the United States.
The announcement to cease operations on the immediate heels of the Supreme Court verdict reinforces that the Blocks believe there’s no point in maintaining a valuable asset for a community if they can’t exploit the workers who toil to create that asset.
Yes, the media landscape is shifting. The news business is difficult. Journalistic institutions are reeling. But we collectively have to find a way to keep journalism alive and accessible for communities. It’s one of the most important things we can do for our future.
Big win for the Steelers in Detroit. That was a crazy game with a wild final play! Now it’s time to root for the Patriots. 🏈
Today I learned there is an annual parallel parking championship held here in Pittsburgh. I’ve lived here for 25 years and I’m still regularly surprised by the quirkiness of this town. Stay weird, Steel City.
Pittsburgh’s Public Source investigates the uptick of Mister Rogers deepfakes permeating the social internet:
Lobbing curse-laden insults with TV’s famously serene painter Bob Ross. Cracking jokes about school shootings. Being escorted in handcuffs by federal authorities. No, it couldn’t be Pittsburgh’s beloved icon Mister Rogers — the picture of moral clarity and togetherness. But it sure looks and sounds like him. What gives?
Show me one useful, positive output from these deepfake engines. I’ll wait. What value do they contribute to our lives? How do they improve the world? Again, I’ll wait.
These image and video generators are the bottom feeders of this AI bubble. They provide no respectable use and no societal value. They are detrimental theft machines.
I was offered free tickets for tonight’s MNF game between the Steelers and Dolphins. The temperature at kickoff is forecasted to be 15ºF (-10ºC) with wind gusts of up to 20mph. This may be soft, but I politely declined. I’m too old to suffer like that and will watch in comfort on my couch. 🏈
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 →
Nathan St. Germain, a Pittsburgh-based architect writing for PublicSource, about the cultural potential for the Roberto Clemente bridge linking Downtown to the North Shore:
My vision is for a vibrant linear park crosswoven with bike lanes and walkways, with a permanent garden, seating areas and spaces for temporary programming, such as pop-up shops and arts installations.
It’s an AFC North football night in Pittsburgh. I bet my boss (a Bengals fan) that if Cincinatti won I’d rock a Joe Flacco background photo for the virtual all-hands tomorrow. If the Steelers win, he has to rock an Aaron Rodgers background. Feels like a trap, but I’m feeling good about the odds. 🏈
The Pittsburgh City Paper is ending its free weekly print edition in favor of publishing four ‘super issues’ throughout the year. This is an end of an era.
Yes, I’ve reached that point in life where I’m drinking a cup of coffee while watching Steelers football.
Happy first day on the road to a non-losing season for all who celebrate here in Pittsburgh! #HereWeGo #Steelers
Kate Oczypok, writing in Public Source about the perceived dichotomy between sports and the arts here in Pittsburgh:
Despite being a football town, we mustn’t forget how much music and the arts can broaden our minds. Exploring your interests at a young age and deciding what you’re passionate about is so crucial to becoming a well-rounded human.
Pittsburgh is most definitely a sports town, but in my experience it’s also a thriving city for arts and culture. I see it as second fiddle to sports from a per capita perspective, but a very close second.
We timed it perfectly and dodged the raindrops to bike into the city for lunch and a visit to the Museum of Illusions. It’s not really a museum, but a photo-op on steroids. Cool nonetheless!
Grippin’ it and rippin’ it.
We had an amazing night at Founder’s Field for Steel City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riveters. The state of women’s soccer here in Pittsburgh is strong! It was a great game — these ladies played with such intensity — and Adeline got the chance to see the action up close as a ball girl.
Teenage me is crushing pretty hard right now. Lisa Loeb at Three Rivers Arts Festival. The rain held off and she sounded great.
All politics is local. Get out there and vote Pittsburgh!
George Pickens traded to the Cowboys in exchange for multiple draft picks. Not sure how I feel about it to be honest.
Part of me wanted to see both GP and DK on the field at the same time for the Steelers, but I realize this next season will likely be a rebuilding year. 🏈
Spring has sprung here in Pittsburgh! With the kids home from school this week for spring break, I needed to get out of the house so I decided to bike commute to the store to work from there today. It was an absolutely glorious ride. Sunny, warm and with a slight breeze to keep it cool.
If that wasn’t enough to put me in a good mood, when I got to the store the team had an official REI name tag for me. It’s really cool to feel like part of the store team, even though I work in headquarters. One of REI’s core values is “We go further together,” and this is absolutely true in my line of work building software to make our stores easier to operate. I guess after nearly four years with the Co-Op, it’s officially official.
The Steelers did Justin Fields dirty. Benched after a 4-2 start and handled it like a champ. Dude deserves to get paid and play for a coach that trusts/believes in him. Now, who’s going to be leading the offense next fall. Options are getting thin.
I’m stoked about the Steelers acquiring DK. He and Pickens have potential to destroy most secondaries. But I’m nervous about the news they’re meeting with Aaron Rodgers today. All-time great for sure, however his off-field stuff gives me pause. Sign Fields already and be done with it.
We finally had the chance last night to check out Novo Asian Food Hall in the Strip District. Very cool spot. Since it was our first time, we grabbed several dishes and shared. Solid Banh Mi, delish dumplings, amazing sushi, exquisite ramen and a great bar with local spirits. Highly recommended.
Let’s Go Pens!
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 →
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council will begin serving AI slop to their patrons via a customer service chatbot and auto-generated events calendar. This is a bad look for an organization whose mission is to grow “a more resourced, connected, and informed arts sector, empowering artists and arts organizations throughout Southwestern PA.”
Walmart buys Pittsburgh-area mall for $34M | Retail Dive
This is an interesting move for the U.S. based mega-retailer. The Monroeville Mall has been struggling for years, but Walmart as a buyer is a surprise. It will be interesting to see how redevelopment shakes out.
Personally, I have many memories cruising this mall back in the day, but haven’t been inside in decades.
If you’re in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition has some great programming coming up in February.