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.

I meant to post this yesterday, but wasn’t able to, but it is exciting news!

Pepsi MAX is sponsoring free rides on the Port Authority January 1 in celebration of the NHL Winter Classic!  Rides on the entire system will be free from 4 a.m. January 1 through 2 a.m. January 2.

That is a normal day for the Port Authority, service begins at 4 in the morning, and runs until 2 the next morning.

PAT will be running on a holiday schedule, so not all routes will be up (specifically, don’t look for commuter buses), but if you take the T, make sure to go to Steel Plaza or the Wood Street station to get free Pepsi MAX between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Special routes for the Winter Classic will be in service though, those schedules can be found here.

Festivities for the NHL Winter Classic begin today, here’s some highlights to enjoy the next week or so:

Friday, December 24

Public Skate at the community rink (parking lot between Heinz Field and State AE): 3-9 p.m.  Santa will be there between 4 and 6 p.m.

Saturday, December 25

Public Skate at the community rink: 12-9 p.m.

Sunday, December 26

PAHL Youth Hockey: 8:40 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 7-8:20 p.m.

Monday, December 27

PAHL Youth Hockey and Hockey is for Everyone games: 9 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 p.m.
PIHL (High School) Hockey: 9:40-11:40 p.m.

Hockey Hall of Fame and Pittsburgh Penguins Trophy Display at the Carnegie Science Center and Sports Works (Through December 31, times vary)

Ice Carving Displays at North Shore Riverftont Park (Through December 30, dawn-dusk daily)

Brighton Heights Deck Hockey: 8 a.m.

Tuesday, December 28

Penguins vs. Thrashers: 7 p.m. at the Consol Energy Center

PAHL Youth Hockey: 12-1:20 p.m.
Public skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 and 6:30-7:50 p.m.
Pittsburgh Firefighters vs. Police: 8-9:20 p.m.
Pittsburgh Celebrity Game: 9:30-10:50 p.m.

Wednesday, December 29

Elite Tournaments: 1-5:30 p.m. at the Consol Energy Center

PAHL Youth Hockey: 7:30 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 and 6:30-7:50 p.m.
PIHL (High School) Hockey: 8 – 11:50 p.m.

Thursday, December 30

Riverftont Park: Installation of two life-sized ice sculptures: 2-5 p.m.

Robert Morris and The Baby Pens doubleheader at the Consol Energy Center: 3 p.m.

City of Pittsburgh Pep Rally: 12 p.m., Market Square

PAHL Youth Hockey: 8:30-9:50 a.m. and 8-11 p.m.
USA Hockey (Clinics): 10 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
Penguins Skating School: 1-2:45 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 3-4:20 and 6:30-7:50 p.m.

Friday, December 31

Alumni Game at Heinz Field: 9:30-11 a.m.

Penguins open practice at Heinz Field (ticket from Alumni game required): 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

NHL Spectator Plaza (Art Rooney Way, outside Heinz Field): 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

First Night Pittsburgh, Cultural District: 6 p.m.-midnight

The Art of Play Exhibit at the Warhol (time unknown, I’m guessing it will be presented all day and during the First Night festivities)

PAHL Youth Hockey: 8 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Elite Tournament: 12:30-4:50 p.m.
Hockey is for Everyone Game: 5-6:20 p.m.
Public Skate at the community rink: 6:30-8, 8:10-9:30 and 9:40-midnight

Saturday, January 1

2011 NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field: 1 p.m.

NHL Spectator Plaza (Art Rooney Way, outside Heinz Field): 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Elite Tournament: 8-11 a.m.
PAHL Youth Hockey: 11:10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Public Skating at the community rink: 4:10-5:40 and 6-7:30 p.m.
PAHL Youth Hockey: 9:10-11:10 p.m.

Sunday, January 2

PAHL Youth Hockey: 7:30-8:50 a.m. and 1:30-2:50 p.m.
Hockey if for Everyone Game: 9-10:20 a.m.
Elite Girls: 10:30-11:50 a.m.
PIHL (High School) Hockey: 12-1:20, 7-9 and 9:10-11:10 p.m.

Click here to get a 2 for 1 coupon from PNC for the public skating rink and click here for the fan guide to the Winter Classic (including fulls schedule and map).  Full details about each days events are available here.

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I read a lot of blogs.  One that I read regularly is Slog, The Stranger’s blog, based in Seattle.  I usually skip over their local politics, but every now and then something just keeps coming up.  And in this case, it reminds me of Pittsburgh (I may get some facts wrong here, even though I do follow this story more than their other local news, it’s still a bit foreign for me).

Bear with me, a bit of background, then the Pittsburgh connection.  There is a political debate going on (mostly about usefulness and cost, so a typical one I suppose), about the “Deep Bore Tunnel,” a proposed tunnel that would be an underpass for the entire downtown area.  It’s projected to run over budget (wouldn’t that mean they should change the budget?), and some people think it’s not necessary.  See where I’m going with this yet?

It’s like their very own Northshore Connector!  Over budget.  Not necessary: we’re really, really good at bridges.  Tunnels, not so much (see: any tunnel at rush hour).

The entrance and exit, to an outside observer are oddly placed.  I don’t think they’re really in the best places, they seem kind of cramped, thrown in.  Here’s one of the latest Slog posts about it.  And here’s the video (which is so strange without any sound) they included.  I’d like to draw your attention to the 2:00 mark.  The animation is pretty cool, you’re driving, you’re driving into the tunnel, you’re driving, OH MY GOD A MERGE INSIDE THE TUNNEL:

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I like to imagine the explosions we would have on a daily basis if we tried to merge inside the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.

Warm ups before the second game of the doubleheader.

The baby Pens went on to lose 0-1.  I’ll have a post up later about the ridiculous escalator situation and the small girl that almost got trampled because of it.

Lettuce wraps (and a drink) at the bar at P F Changs, creamy tomato soup at Panera, Harry Potter and Christmas lights.  Awesome evening!

Picture to come later, my phone lost it…

My first dinner at a Thai restaurant, and it was amazing!

We had the sweet and sour chicken (with pineapple and tomatoes!) and the Pad Thai, all highly recommended!