Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day. Thank you to everyone who has or is currently serving in our military!

Family Weekend at Pitt

Welcome families! It is family weekend at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Camelot wants to welcome all visiting family members!

Fall Redd Up 2011 this Weekend

Thousands of volunteers will take to the streets of Pittsburgh neighborhoods and many Allegheny County communities next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21- 23, for the annual Fall Redd Up, a citywide effort that involves removing litter and trash, planting and working on community gardens. Groups and individuals interested in participating as volunteers can contact Citizens Against Litter and Boris Weinstein at boris.weinstein@verizon.net or at 412-688-9120. Allegheny CleanWays, which assists neighborhoods with eliminating illegal dumpsites, will also participate in the Redd Up. Contact Myrna Newman for information at myrnan@alleghenycleanways.org or 412-381-1301.

Idlewild's Hallowboo

Itching for a road trip? Take the trip to Idlewild Park for their fall Hallowboo events! They say its Idlewild you love with a little bit of Halloween!

Schenley Park Sportsplex and Skating Rink

Have you been to Schenley Park's Sportsplex and Skating Rink? It is a great place to exercise and have fun! Pittsburghers looking for serious exercise will find it at the Schenley Oval with its 13 tennis courts, 400-meter all-weather running track, sports turf soccer field and high jump area, and cross-country trails. The Schenley Oval Sportsplex hosts the Citiparks Summer Senior Games; the area's largest cross-country meet, the Red, White & Blue Classic; and the Bob O'Connor Summer Tennis Classic. For more information, click here or call 412-255-2539.

The skating rink is open throughout the winter for ice skating, and its meeting facility is open year-round. Three special events--Skate with Santa, the Mascot Skate, and Valentine's on Ice--are held each season, with special group discount days throughout. For more information, click here or call 412-422-6523.

Foo Fighters Tonight!

Legendary rock band the Foo Fighters are playing tonight at the Consol Energy Center! Will you be there?

Ladies Night Out!

Ladies, its time for you to have a night to yourselves! Friday September 30, SouthSide Works Cinema presents Ladies Night Out! Happy Hour starts at 6pm with cocktails, light appetizers, spa treatments, and giveaways. At 7:30 view "What's Your Number?" starring Anna Faris and Chris Evans.

Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Everyone here at the Camelot would like to wish you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Music Fans: Incubus at Stage AE

Rock band Incubus will be playing at Stage AE on Wednesday, August 31st with the show starting at 6:30 pm! The If Not Now, When? World Tour 2011 is stopping in Pittsburgh!

Jam on Walnut Tonight

Have plans for tonight? Stop by the Jam on Walnut in Shadyside tonight for live music, food, drinks, and it all benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!

Steelers Appear in the Newest Batman Film

Many of the Pittsburgh Steelers participated in the filming of "The Dark Knight Rises" at Heinz Field this morning. The scene involves a football team, and the directors decided to cast the local squad as the team the Gotham City Rogues.

Among the Steelers who took part were strong safety Troy Polamalu, receiver Hines Ward, inside linebacker James Farrior, center Maurkice Pouncey, tight end Heath Miller, defensive end Brett Keisel and free safety Ryan Clark.

Tim McGraw Tonight

Country favorite Tim McGraw is playing tonight at the First Niagara Pavilion. This award winner will be bringing his gritty, soulful country music to Pittsburgh for one night, so don't miss it! Tickets are still available online. The show starts at 7:00, so you better hurry!

When Pittsburgh Lost Its ‘H’

 

Today is the 100th Anniversary of Pittsburgh’s spelling controversy.  Check out the full story of this unique epoch in local history here.

 

It was 100 years ago Monday that the federal government last held Pittsburgh's "H'' hostage.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names stripped the city of its last letter in 1890 as part of an effort to standardize the spelling of places across the country. The board dictated that places pronounced "berg" would be spelled "burg," sans an H. A lobbying effort won the letter back on July 19, 1911, when the board relented under pressure from the city's postmaster and U.S. Sen. George T. Oliver.

"It's an interesting, quirky thing about us," said Craig Davis, vice president of sales and marketing for VisitPittsburgh, "and I think most people who live in Pittsburgh are very protective of their 'H.'"

News of the official spelling change made the front page of the Pittsburgh Post a few days later, squeezed next to a report of screaming passengers aboard a runaway trolley car that scattered "cows, horses, chickens and other domestic animals" as it tore through a Bucks County barnyard.

"This decision is expected to end the controversy for a few years at least," the paper reported.

The biggest problem since, however, seems to be getting the rest of the world to spell it correctly. Pittsburgh has held the title as "America's Most Misspelled City" for a decade, bestowed by ePodunk.com, which ranked the Steel City ahead of Tucson, Ariz., and Cincinnati.

Polish Hill Arts Festival this Weekend!

 

 

The Fourth Annual Polish Hill Arts Festival kicks off this Sunday, July 17th at noon.  This unique and relaxed neighborhood event will feature art and craft vendors, music all day long, food, art-making activities, and more!  The fun last until 9pm so make a day of it!  And if you are an artist or have a special talent for crafts, space is still available to register your booth. Check out the Polish Hill Community website for more details. 

Best of the ‘Burgh Poll

Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best of the ‘Burgh  list is up!  Take a look at some of the winning restaurants and plan your weekend on the town.  Did your favorite place make the list?  Who would you have voted for?

2011 Best Restaurants in Pittsburgh: Readers' Poll Results

Featuring first, second and third-place winners as determined by thousands of reader-cast ballots and tabulated by Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP.

Best Restaurant

1. Isabela on Grandview
2. Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
3. Salt of the Earth

Al Fresco

1. Pusadee’s Garden
2. II Pizzaiolo
3. Andora Restaurant

American

1. Bistro 19
2. Jackson’s Restaurant and Rotisserie Bar
3. Eleven

Atmosphere/Ambiance

1. Eleven
2. Caileigh’s Restaurant
3. Isabela on Grandview
    Siba Cucina

Authentic Pittsburgh Fare

1. Primanti Bros.
2. Fat Heads Saloon
3. Pamela’s Diner

Bakery

1. Oakmont Bakery
2. Prantl’s Bakery
3. Priory Fine Pastries

Banquet Hall

1. Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at The Priory
2. Rockefeller’s Grille
3. The Chadwick

Best-Kept Secret

1. Spadafora’s
2. Valliant’s Diner
3. Taste of Art Restaurant

Breakfast

1. Pamela’s Diner
2. Valliant’s Diner
3. Eat’n Park

Breathtaking View

1. Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
2. Isabela on Grandview
3. LeMont

Brunch

1. The Grand Concourse
2. Coca Cafe
3. Paris 66

Burger

1. Tessaro’s
2. BRGR Bar
3. Five Guys Burger and Fries
    Red Robin

BYOB

1. Piccolo Forno
2. Pure Cafe
3. Avenue B

Catering Services

1. big Burrito Restaurant Group
2. Taj Mahal
3. DoubleTree

 

Check out the complete list here. 

Pittsburgh Regatta this Independence Day Weekend!

How are you celebrating Independence Day in Pittsburgh?  Why not come downtown to Pittsburgh’s annual regatta, the largest inland regatta in the United States, and
Pittsburgh's Official 4th of July Celebration. 

The 34th annual—all FREE—EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta is the tri-state's most anticipated summertime event... and rightfully so. Every year, over 600,000 spectators swarm the banks of the Allegheny River, the inviting lawns of historic Point State Park, and the meandering river-walk of scenic North Shore to celebrate the region's most prolific festival of air, land and water entertainment.

Get ready to welcome the “Beach in the Burgh” as Sandsational builds the largest sand sculpture Pittsburgh has ever seen. Skies will explode nightly with Circus Orange—the most exhilarating combo of pyrotechnics and aerial stunt performers in North America.

Speed? Oh yeah, the North American Powerboat Championships are here again to tame the Allegheny at 125/mph! And, of course, one of the nation's top fireworks shows—the EQT “Flashes of Freedom” Fireworks Fantasia, produced by Pyrotecnico, caps it all. In between, there's music, food, kids zone, dragon boats, bass fishing, bike stunt shows, “Anything that Floats,” and so much more at the summer's largest family extravaganza and your FREE Vacation Destination!

The event lasts from Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4.  For a full event schedule, check out the Regatta’s webpage. 

Baby Animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo!

Looking for some quality family bonding time this weekend?  Why not take the kids to the Pittsburgh Zoo!    While there, be sure to check out their family-oriented exhibits.  Right now, you can check out playful tiger cubs and Painted Dog puppies.  But catch them now because soon they will be grown!

Playful baby animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo!

‘Violet Sharpe’ at the Grey Box Theatre

 

Enjoy some great local theater this week.  ‘Violet Sharp’ will be playing at the Grey Box Theatre in Lawrenceville from June 9th until the 25th.  Check out this great theatrical foray into history: 

Set against the backdrop of the notorious 1932 Lindbergh Kidnapping Case, this prize-winning drama tells the story of a young British servant who becomes a suspect in the crime. Having lied about her whereabouts on the night of the kidnapping, Violet Sharp—pursued by her own personal demons, as well as the police—strives to clear her name but only strengthens the conviction that she is guilty. 

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors, $10 for groups of 8 or more. Visit Pro Arts (http://www.proartstickets.org/events/view/813) to purchase tickets.

A New Theater in the Northside

 

There is a new theater in the Northside.  But this one is a little bit different…

The Steel City Improv Theater wants you to be on stage!  They offer acting, improv, and musical classes as taught by New York graduates of the famed People’s Improv Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade,  but you can also leap right on stage every Saturday evening at 6:30 as part of their free “SCIT Social.”  All you have to do is sign up at 6pm to be in an all improvised comedy show.  If you don’t feel like joining in the fun, the Social is also free to watch.  But that isn’t the only free show…

Every Monday night the resident performers at the SCIT put on their weekly Totally Free Monday show.  The show starts at 8pm, features sets from three comedy troupes and, well, it’s FREE.

They also have a full line-up of $5 shows every Friday and Saturday night specializing in improvisational comedy shows, sketch comedy, live podcast recordings, experimental theater, and short musicals.  Check out the SCIT’s full schedule here.

Pittsburgh Challenge

Looking for an adventure?  Pittsburgh Challenge is the race where smarts can beat speed. It’s part clue solving, part strategy, part sped, and all fun. It’s like a 1-day Amazing Race.  Teams must solve clues and riddles which will lead them to certain checkpoints.  They must then strategize the best and quickest routes around the city (on your own two feet only!) in a race to the finish.  Check-in begins at 11am at the Buckhead Saloon, and the race starts at 1pm.  The finish line will feature cold water for the racers, food and drink specials, music, and of course the awards ceremony.  The winning team gets $200, but there are prizes for runner ups and even a costume contest!

Cirque in the Strip

 

Have you seen the big blue and yellow tents in The Strip District?  If haven’t heard, the circus is in town! Cirque du Soleil’s trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (circus big top) is currently hosting “Totem,” Cirque’s newest show which traces the evolutionary progress of man from its amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly.  If you have never seen a Cirque show, prepare yourself for unparalleled acrobatics and visually stunning effects.  Performances last until June 5th and tickets can be purchased online or at the tent.

‘Chili with the Works’ Arts and Chili Festival

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the 2011 Arts and Chili Festival from 2pm-8pm! The festival will feature chili from the competitors in the “Best in the ‘Burgh” contest, the I Made It! Market, live music on the Town Square stage, a sidewalk sale and more!  So celebrate the break in the rain this Saturday and bring your appetite down to the Southside Works!

Pittsburgh Marathon this Weekend!

The Pittsburgh Marathon begins this Sunday at 7am (6am for walkers).  Registration for the race has already closed, but the race is still in need of volunteers to man the water stations, give medical assistance, and to provide assistance in a variety of other areas.  Racers have 7 hours to complete the course, so expect traffic rerouting until at least 2pm.  For  a map of the race course, check out the Pittsburgh Marathon website.  Cheer on the runners and enjoy free entertainment at various locations throughout the race.  And if you are a runner this weekend, best of luck!

Happy Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 9th! Looking for a great way to treat your Mom this Mother’s Day?  Pittsburgh has several great activities designed to make your Mother feel special and appreciated.  Get a jumpstart this Saturday at 2pm  and admire the beauty and elegance of spring wildflowers, shrubs, and plants with a Family Walkabout at Beechwood Farms  featuring an afternoon tea party as well.  Or celebrate with Mom out on the water aboard the Gateway Clipper dinner cruise featuring a delicious dinner buffet, live entertainment and a complimentary rose for all Moms!  Still looking for that perfect outing?  Find more fun activities just for Mom here. 

Be Artsy in April!

There is a full weekend of arts events in Pittsburgh as April draws to a close.  The art starts this Friday, April 29th with downtown’s seasonal Gallery Crawl.   The Gallery Crawl is a free quarterly showcase of art and entertainment in the heart of the Cultural District. All events take place at a variety of galleries and spaces and are FREE and open to the public. The event is ongoing between 5:30 and 9:00 pm, and patrons may start at any location. 

Then on Saturday, get out to the Lawrenceville neighborhood to experience Art All Night.  Art All Night is a free annual celebration of arts and community.  This year it will be held in the Iron City Brewery at 3340 Liberty Avenue where visual artists and performers will gather to provide you with nearly 24 hours worth of sensory overload.   The event starts at 4pm on Saturday and will last overnight into Sunday afternoon.

So go out, indulge you senses, and enjoy this great warm weather!

Happy Easter, Pittsburgh!

 

The Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh downtown is having a special Easter buffet.  Patrons can enjoy a buffet with appetizers, omelets prepared by a chef, seafood station, carving board featuring Virginia Ham and roasted leg of lamb, assorted entrees and a dessert buffet. Brunch pricing is $34 for adults, seniors are $31, and children 5-12 are $17. All children 5 and under are free.
Brunch will also feature a one-of-a-kind Egg Hunt for the whole family, with prizes for both children and adults, taking place in the hotel courtyard. There will be two Egg Hunt events, one at 11:30 a.m. and the other at 1:30 p.m.
The Easter Bunny will be in attendance, presenting sweet treats to children and taking part in photo opportunities during the day’s festivities.
Reservations will be available every half hour starting at 10:00 a.m. To make a reservation, please contact the reservation line at 1-412-594-2251

Cook with Class

Ever dream about becoming a professional chef?  Well, you don't have to change careers to cook like a pro!  Why not pick a free Saturday morning and take a non-professional culinary class at Le Cordon Bleu as part of their Chef's Series.  Upcoming classes include Appetizer Appreciation, Fresh Mozzarella, and Tex-Mex Cuisine.  Check the Downtown Pittsburgh Events page to find out more or to sign up for classes.

Downtown Comedy

Have you laughed today?  Why not top your next Thursday evening off with a night of comedy at the CLO Cabaret in the heart of the downtown action.  Part of the CLO's Late Night Cabaret Series, the Pittsburgh Improv Jam is a weekly improvisational comedy show featuring both seasoned and amateur improvisers and comedians from Pittsburgh's theatrical community.  The fun starts at 10pm every Thursday and tickets are just $3.00 at the door.  Or for the brave of heart, show up early at 9:30pm and you can sign up to be in the show!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 

Check out these fun facts and may the luck of the Irish smile upon ya!

Fun Facts about St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17 because that is the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The actual color of St. Patrick is blue. Green became associated with St. Patrick's Day during the 19th century. Green, in Irish legends, was worn by fairies and immortals, and also by people to encourage their crops to grow.

St. Patrick did not actually drive snakes out of Ireland; the snakes represent the pagans that he converted to Christianity.

The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.

In Chicago, on St. Patrick's Day, the rivers are dyed green.

In Seattle, there is a ceremony where a green stripe is painted down the roads.

Most Catholics attend mass in the morning and then attend the St. Patrick's Day parade.

Shamrocks are worn on the lapel on this day.

In Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps. Children wear orange, white and green badges, and women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair

Many young people dye their hair green for the special day.

Many people wear green on this holiday to avoid being pinched.

The phrase, "Drowning The Shamrock" is from the custom of floating the shamrock on the top of whiskey before drinking it. The Irish believe that if you keep the custom, then you will have a prosperous year.

Many bars in the United States, and abroad, serve green beer to celebrate St. Patty's Day.

Fun Facts about the Irish

34 million Americans have Irish ancestry, according to the 2003 US Census. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

Nine of the people who signed our Declaration Of Independence were of Irish origin, and nineteen Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage -- including our first President, George Washington.

Some American towns have “Irish” names. You could visit: Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia; Shamrock Lakes, Indiana; Shamrock, Oklahoma; Shamrock, Texas; Dublin, California and Dublin, Ohio.

The harp is the symbol of Ireland. The color green is also commonly associated with Ireland, also known as “the Emerald Isle.”

The Irish flag is green, white and orange. The green symbolizes the people of the south, and orange, the people of the north. White represents the peace that brings them together as a nation.

The name “leprechaun” has several origins. It could be from the Irish Gaelic word “leipreachan,” which means “a kind of aqueous sprite.” Or, it could be from “leath bhrogan,” which means “shoemaker.”

Fun Facts about Clovers

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14.

One estimate suggests that there are about 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.

Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

Read more: http://www.whsv.com/seasonal/misc/40129602.html

Top 5 Things to Consider BEFORE Renting an Apartment

 

Here are some pointers to help you find the best apartment for you.  We think you will find the best combination of all 5 right here at The Camelot!

Finding an apartment can be overwhelming. Not only must you choose a new place from the seemingly endless options available, you often have to sign a long-term lease that holds you to your decision for an entire year.
To make the process more manageable, you should gain an understanding of exactly what it is that you are looking for prior to beginning the search. Here are the 5 most important things to consider when looking for a new place:

Top 5 Things to Consider BEFORE Renting an Apartment

Daylight Savings Time Begins on March 13

 

Daylight savings time is coming up this weekend.  Don’t forget to set your clocks forward!

Every year, daylight savings time seems to take people by surprise. In the United States, daylight savings time begins on March 13 at 2 a.m. local time except in parts of Arizona and Hawaii. As the popular saying goes, clocks need to "spring forward" to observe the change. In other words, clocks need to be set ahead by one hour when the clock strikes 2 a.m.

Daylight Savings Time Begins on March 13 in the U.S. - Yahoo! News

Steel City Con

Pennsylvania's largest toy and pop culture convention features over 450 dealer tables of new and vintage toys, comic books, gaming, action figures and model kits.  Guest celebrity appearances include actor Kenny Baker, Tony Burton, Joyce Dewitt, Priscilla Barnes and more! The convention runs from March 4 through March 6. 

Get more info: http://www.steelcitycon.com

Happy President’s Day!

We want to wish everyone a Happy President’s Day.  Enjoy the day off for those of you lucky enough to get it.  Also, be sure to check out some interesting facts you may not already know about President’s Day at the link below:

The third Monday of February celebrates the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and George Washington (Feb. 22). Most Americans refer to this day as President's Day.

Here are some interesting facts about the day and the two presidents it honors.

Presidents Day Fun Facts - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

Refer a friend and receive $300!

Need some extra cash after the holidays?  Refer a friend to The Camelot and you will get an extra $300 in your pocket!  Please contact the leasing office for details.