Did not include a bake sale, for the first time I can remember (in response to the comment thread yesterday).

Instead, there was a gift basket auction.

Couple items for everyone today.  Urbanophile profiled Pittsburgh.  We’ve heard it all before (the Steel bust, our revival, rest of the country claims we don’t matter that much, check the comments for that one), so it’s becoming a bit cliche.  I was alerted to it from The Daily Dish (a British blog that mostly talks about American politics), so it’s getting some traction.  Anyway, take a look, and make sure to check out the comments.

Waffle Shop is looking for a manager.  If you have experience in restaurant management and want to work in one of the most unique restaurants in the country, check it out.

And finally today, writing has been a bit slow on the site due to my annual, crazy dive into National Novel Writing Month.  Pittsburgh has an awesome group writing this year, and you’re more than welcome to join in.  If you’re not up for writing the book that’s been bouncing around you head this year, you can still help out. 

We’re collecting books (new or used) in support of creative writing programs that The Office of Letters and Light (NaNoWriMo’s parent organization) offers free in schools around the world.  You can drop off books at any of the events listed on our forum (or just see what we’re talking about), and learn more about the book drive here.

Leave a comment if you need help finding a time/place to donate books, I’ll make sure you get hooked up with someone in your area.

I think I have some awesome posts in the works, and maybe even a give-away, so stay tuned!

It’s not Light Up Night (don’t sue me!), it’s not the sales, it’s not even the ridiculous lead up to ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas (now we’re counting down until they awkwardly try to justify non-holiday movies in their lineup).

You know the holidays are staring when you see this on tv (and there have been sightings already, as reported to me by my Facebook Feed):

If you can see this, then you might need a Flash Player upgrade or you need to install Flash Player if it’s missing. Get Flash Player from Adobe.

At the 61st annual Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner last night, Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and Admiral Jay Cohen spoke to a crowd of over 600, including the 344 Eagle Scouts of the 2010 class.

Also, we got cake and chocolate that celebrated Scouting’s 100th anniversary.  Pretty cool (and tasty).

Bedford Avenue (downhill side) between Crawford and Mario Lemieux Drive is closed, Mario Lemieux Drive is closed and tons of busses are parked all over the place. 

Drive elsewhere if you can!

For as long as I can remember, drivers on the parkway east were greeted each December by a Christmas tree.  Last year it was announced that the tree would not be up this year  however the center pole remains, which I am now declaring to be Pittsburgh’s Festivus pole!

The state came through and is going to give PAT money!  Hooray!  And (even though I didn’t realize they needed to vote to accept it), they voted to accept that money!  Hooray!

Let’s stop that smile right there, mister.

In their latest blog post, PAT lays out what will happen, which of course, they don’t know many details of.  However, lest you think it would change, the fares will increase January 1.

Now, I’m actually not that upset about the fare increase.  It isn’t as big as I thought it would be, and really, prices go up.  Cost of living goes up.  Yeah, it sucks, but I can’t fault PAT for it.

However, before you think that their blog post is all kittens and rainbows, never fear, they are back and as mopey as always.  Some layoffs and service reductions are coming.  No details yet (they are being reworked in light of the new money), and no clues either.  And of course, don’t forget, this is the state’s fault, not PAT’s.

And again, I’m venting.  But when I’m constantly faced with sad, pessimistic writing of their blog posts/press releases (not to give them more work but the people that run @pghtransit, they get social media.  Maybe they could do some writing for the blog, make it more conversational, help riders interact with PAT more.  You know, since it’s social media), it gets tiring.

So at the end of the day, we’re back up in the air, but there is still lots of time before the service reductions and layoffs, so I’m not too worried about it.  There will most likely be a public comment time (isn’t there always?), before anything goes into affect, so we have that to look forward to.

A new app was released today to help people downtown find a space to park.  Park Pittsburgh shows how many spaces are available in each lot, as well as showing the prices and nearby attractions to each parking garage.

I love that it came into existence out of the need of one man, and will now (hopefully as it spreads), benefit the entire city.

iPhone users can download the app, other smartphone users can go to a mobile site, or view the information via text message, call a number to listen to availability or view it through a web browser.  I’m guessing Mr. Benter uses an iPhone, but I am anxiously waiting for the Android app as well.

I went to the mobile site, and it’s pretty awesome.  The only addition I could think of, would be to add driving directions to the garage entrance using your phone’s GPS, although that may be a feature of the app, I don’t know.

Anyway, thanks, Mr. Benter (and your team of engineers and the Cultural Trust), for making it a little bit easier to park downtown, I can’t wait to see how this expands!

My boss at work was nice enough to take a bunch of us to see the train at the Science Center, which I haven’t seen in years.

We spent a while trying to find all the people fishing (I think we missed one).  We saw Fred Rogers and Mr. McFeely, the Westinghouse Castle and Fallingwater.  I loved the hot air balloons and the boats.

Fun fact, the boats move around by a magnet that is attached to the bottom of their hull which follows another magnet attached to a bike chain that moves around underneath the water.

There is a small display in the lobby of the Science Center, but the main train section is on the second floor (up the ramp one rotation), make sure to check it out.  There are four seasons displayed, and the lights cycle through day and night.

Winter Classic banners have gone up around town. Seen here, is one outside of the Steel Building.