Moving to Pittsburgh gift for my lovely wife.
July 7, 2006 7:47 PM Subscribe
My wife and I are moving to Pittsburgh in 9 days and I want to get her a good gift! Help me yinz Pittsburgh folks!
I would like to get her something(s) that has to do with the city of Pittsburgh. What I could *really* use is a good book recommendation that has a combination of good photos and some good reading about the history and possibly modern-day Pittsburgh. One or two additions to the gift would be cool too, centering around the city of course.
Oh, if it helps, she's Canadian. But I don't think that they have Poutine-Filled Perogies :)
(Yes,I know it took us longer than a year to get to Pittsburgh .)
And hell, if you are in the city, drop me a line. We can use some friends soon!
I would like to get her something(s) that has to do with the city of Pittsburgh. What I could *really* use is a good book recommendation that has a combination of good photos and some good reading about the history and possibly modern-day Pittsburgh. One or two additions to the gift would be cool too, centering around the city of course.
Oh, if it helps, she's Canadian. But I don't think that they have Poutine-Filled Perogies :)
(Yes,I know it took us longer than a year to get to Pittsburgh .)
And hell, if you are in the city, drop me a line. We can use some friends soon!
Thank you for leading me to this and this. I had no idea.
posted by Songdog at 8:43 PM on July 7, 2006
posted by Songdog at 8:43 PM on July 7, 2006
No gift ideas here, but have her look at this website. She may not "get it" until you've been there for awhile though. I laugh until I cry everytime I look at it. My dad is from Pittsbugh, my mom from the midwest and I was born in CA but lived in TX for a number of years. I speak a weird amalgam of alla dat.
What is Pittsburghese? It's the unofficial language of the Steel City. From da Sahside to Sliberty, you can find Picksburghers speaking just like this. Every tahn has its own flavor, and this is just one of ours. So if you are planning to visit Dahntahn or just catch a Stillers game we suggest you learn the language of the 'Burgh.
So quit jaggin' around already! Click sumpin!
posted by jvilter at 8:46 PM on July 7, 2006
What is Pittsburghese? It's the unofficial language of the Steel City. From da Sahside to Sliberty, you can find Picksburghers speaking just like this. Every tahn has its own flavor, and this is just one of ours. So if you are planning to visit Dahntahn or just catch a Stillers game we suggest you learn the language of the 'Burgh.
So quit jaggin' around already! Click sumpin!
posted by jvilter at 8:46 PM on July 7, 2006
My favorite Pittsburgh-related book is Annie Dillard's memoir An American Childhood, which beautifully describes the city (I get homesick whenever I read it!) and its history. No photos though.
Michael Chabon's Mysteries of Pittsburgh also has some nice descriptions of the city.
As for gifts--is she into sports at all? There's some great Pittsburgh sports team merchandise (like Terrible Towels). Or, of course, Heinz products!
posted by leesh at 8:52 PM on July 7, 2006
Michael Chabon's Mysteries of Pittsburgh also has some nice descriptions of the city.
As for gifts--is she into sports at all? There's some great Pittsburgh sports team merchandise (like Terrible Towels). Or, of course, Heinz products!
posted by leesh at 8:52 PM on July 7, 2006
Best answer: How about an annual membership to one of our totally awesome museums like Phipps Conservatory (cool glass Victorian), the Carnegie Museums (includes the Warhol; we had our wedding reception at the Science Center), the Regional History Center (won a bunch of awards) or the Mattress Factory (out moderns the Warhol).
If she's into animals there is the Aviary (you can adopt a pretty cheap, the cost of living really is lower here) and the Zoo/Aquarium.
Also any book about Frank Lloyd Wright is potentially Pittsburgh related, because of Falling Water (another potential membership).
Maybe we can get enough people together for a meet-up if two more people move here.
posted by DarthDuckie at 9:47 PM on July 7, 2006
If she's into animals there is the Aviary (you can adopt a pretty cheap, the cost of living really is lower here) and the Zoo/Aquarium.
Also any book about Frank Lloyd Wright is potentially Pittsburgh related, because of Falling Water (another potential membership).
Maybe we can get enough people together for a meet-up if two more people move here.
posted by DarthDuckie at 9:47 PM on July 7, 2006
sorry...you can adopt a BIRD pretty cheaply
posted by DarthDuckie at 9:48 PM on July 7, 2006
posted by DarthDuckie at 9:48 PM on July 7, 2006
What you want is the Rich/Poor Man's Guide to Pittsburgh. It was indispensable for the first six months I lived there. Especially the restaurant guide.
From the publisher:
posted by qwip at 12:15 AM on July 8, 2006
From the publisher:
Join the thousands who have discovered Pittsburgh's hidden secrets...places to go, shopping, night life, romantic & unusual things to do.Oh, and you must (and I mean must) go to Ryan's Pub in Regent's Square and get yourself some of their wings. I recommend the seasoned salt version. Like no wing you've ever tried (I don't think). And while you wait, order some Guinness and a bowl of home made potato chips. That is the one thing we really miss about living there (... and the beer at the Sharp Edge and the Tikka Masala at Taste of India). All of these very convenient if you ended up moving to the Shadyside/Squirrel Hill/East Liberty area.
450 restaurants...budget to executive dining...party rooms...outdoor cafes...riverfront eateries/fun.
History of Pittsburgh "originals" and ethnic foods, brunches, teas, coffee houses, day trips.
PLUS 8-page easy-to-use "I Love Pgh" Sightseeing Guide.
Must for new personnel, visitors, meetings/conventions
posted by qwip at 12:15 AM on July 8, 2006
Books to prepare you for Pittsburgh, huh? How about Down Came the Rain? heh. And I'd definitely vote for a Terrible Towel being the most appropriate gift.
posted by gsteff at 12:23 AM on July 8, 2006
posted by gsteff at 12:23 AM on July 8, 2006
I second the membership to an indoor place. When it rains, or it's cold, or it's hot, (so, almost every weekend) it gives you somewhere cheap and indoors to go that isn't a mall. We got a membership to Phipps this year, and it's been really interesting to go back every week or two to see how much it's changed - there are all kinds of nuances that you'd never see on just one fly-through.
What about a camera? We got into photography in the last year, and it's caused us to appreciate the city that much more. Check out the flickr group, it's very active and it's full of interesting people. Every once in a while they do narrated photo walks of different neighborhoods or events.
As soon as you get here, go up to the West End Overlook. It's not a present, but it's a date. Dates are always good.
posted by arabelladragon at 5:10 AM on July 8, 2006
What about a camera? We got into photography in the last year, and it's caused us to appreciate the city that much more. Check out the flickr group, it's very active and it's full of interesting people. Every once in a while they do narrated photo walks of different neighborhoods or events.
As soon as you get here, go up to the West End Overlook. It's not a present, but it's a date. Dates are always good.
posted by arabelladragon at 5:10 AM on July 8, 2006
The Guide to Living in Pittsburgh is absolutely the best resource for people moving to the 'burgh. It will give you a good idea of where to live (if you don't know already), great places to eat and shop, and lists of good dentists and eye doctors. It is sold in most of the book stores and I know that it can be found for a fact in the Squirrel Hill B&N.
We also have a wonderful, glossy coffee table book called Pittsburgh: the Story of an American City by Stefan Lorant. The book is much less cheesy looking when you take off the front cover wrapper. It has big photos and sketches from George Washington's time up until modern Pittsburgh. It has a good mixture of fun and serious pictures and lots of history.
posted by Alison at 5:19 AM on July 8, 2006
We also have a wonderful, glossy coffee table book called Pittsburgh: the Story of an American City by Stefan Lorant. The book is much less cheesy looking when you take off the front cover wrapper. It has big photos and sketches from George Washington's time up until modern Pittsburgh. It has a good mixture of fun and serious pictures and lots of history.
posted by Alison at 5:19 AM on July 8, 2006
Response by poster: Thanks for the tips everyone. I ordered "Pittsburgh: the Story of an American City" last night, along with a vintage Pirates t-shirt and another book about walking tours. The other resources some of you listed above seem pretty good as well. I appreciate all your help.
I may stop by Ryans for some wings someday, but my wife is a vegetarian, and we're actually moving from Buffalo. (So, I'll be happy not to see any wings for a while!)
Thanks everyone! Perhaps a mefi meetup would be appropriate in the next few months?
posted by punkrockrat at 11:42 AM on July 8, 2006
I may stop by Ryans for some wings someday, but my wife is a vegetarian, and we're actually moving from Buffalo. (So, I'll be happy not to see any wings for a while!)
Thanks everyone! Perhaps a mefi meetup would be appropriate in the next few months?
posted by punkrockrat at 11:42 AM on July 8, 2006
Response by poster: Oh, and... ummm... if anyone of you are around Squirrel Hill next Sunday night and are in the mood to carry some boxes of stuff into my apartment.... ;)
posted by punkrockrat at 11:42 AM on July 8, 2006
posted by punkrockrat at 11:42 AM on July 8, 2006
Thanks everyone! Perhaps a mefi meetup would be appropriate in the next few months?
LET'S DO IT!
At the 31st Street Pub this Thursday at 10:15 PM, 21+, $5 cover.
Oh, and... ummm... if anyone of you are around Squirrel Hill next Sunday night and are in the mood to carry some boxes of stuff into my apartment.... ;)
Well, I do live in Squirrel Hill, but I'm still sore from moving my own boxes. And they just finally turned on my hot water after two weeks. Maybe I'll see you around, though!
posted by ludwig_van at 11:55 AM on July 8, 2006
LET'S DO IT!
At the 31st Street Pub this Thursday at 10:15 PM, 21+, $5 cover.
Oh, and... ummm... if anyone of you are around Squirrel Hill next Sunday night and are in the mood to carry some boxes of stuff into my apartment.... ;)
Well, I do live in Squirrel Hill, but I'm still sore from moving my own boxes. And they just finally turned on my hot water after two weeks. Maybe I'll see you around, though!
posted by ludwig_van at 11:55 AM on July 8, 2006
I won't be around on Thursday, but could totally do a meetup on Saturday... is that conceivable?
posted by gsteff at 1:55 PM on July 8, 2006
posted by gsteff at 1:55 PM on July 8, 2006
Crap! I'm out of town until the 18th, but I am all for a meetup.
posted by Alison at 5:43 PM on July 8, 2006
posted by Alison at 5:43 PM on July 8, 2006
Response by poster: I don't move to Pittsburgh until next weekend!
posted by punkrockrat at 6:44 PM on July 8, 2006
posted by punkrockrat at 6:44 PM on July 8, 2006
Waiting to welcome punkrockrat certainly seems like a better idea... I jinx everything I organize, but if anyone would like to arrange one for later this summer, I'll make an effort to attend.
posted by gsteff at 6:53 PM on July 8, 2006
posted by gsteff at 6:53 PM on July 8, 2006
Previous meetup attempts have fallen flat, perhaps the infusion of punkrockrat into our midst will change our collective meetup karma.
And hey, living in Squirrel Hill, get up some morning and head over to Pamela's (on Forbes, a few doors up from the library) for pancakes. Best in town.
posted by Dreama at 7:30 PM on July 8, 2006 [1 favorite]
And hey, living in Squirrel Hill, get up some morning and head over to Pamela's (on Forbes, a few doors up from the library) for pancakes. Best in town.
posted by Dreama at 7:30 PM on July 8, 2006 [1 favorite]
And hey, living in Squirrel Hill, get up some morning and head over to Pamela's (on Forbes, a few doors up from the library) for pancakes. Best in town.
And be prepared to wait in a long line.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:28 PM on July 8, 2006
And be prepared to wait in a long line.
posted by ludwig_van at 9:28 PM on July 8, 2006
Response by poster: This sounds like a great idea! I'm going to bookmark this thread so I can come back to it after next Sunday when I finally get all settled.
Thanks folks! Looking forward to meeting you all!
posted by punkrockrat at 8:35 AM on July 9, 2006
Thanks folks! Looking forward to meeting you all!
posted by punkrockrat at 8:35 AM on July 9, 2006
I'm down for a meeting, too. Has there ever been a meeting of mefites before (large-scale or otherwise)?
posted by denimflavored at 11:35 AM on July 10, 2006
posted by denimflavored at 11:35 AM on July 10, 2006
Yes denimflavored, they happen with some frequency.
posted by ludwig_van at 4:22 PM on July 10, 2006
posted by ludwig_van at 4:22 PM on July 10, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
But I could point you in the direction of some good musical entertainment of the rock variety.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:21 PM on July 7, 2006