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.