Thursday, February 28, 2013

A (glass-enclosed) Garden in the Sun

PITTSBURGH -- The Center for Sustainable Landscaping at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has earned the title of one of the earth's "greenest" buildings. Sure it's green because it's all about plants, but "green" also includes self-sustainable building design and, in this case, its own lagoon. Read about it at:  http://phipps.conservatory.org/project-green-heart/green-heart-at-phipps/center-for-sustainable-landscapes.aspx

I spent a sunny hour on a cold winter day strolling around the conservatory. Bonsai, orchids, model trains, and glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly.

























Monday, February 25, 2013

Bead It

DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER -- I went to my first ever bead show. My sister makes bracelets, and I thought I'd see what I could find to add to her supplies. I bought a few strands of beads that I hope she can use, but the options were overwhelming.


















Saturday, February 23, 2013

Kitchen Cousins

PITTSBURGH -- Larry's cousin Bill and his wife Allison won second place in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Renovation Innovation Contest for the remodel of their kitchen. Allison's in a wheelchair, so they designed the kitchen to be completely accessible. It's now a model of accessible design.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/home/2012-13-renovation-inspiration-contest-couple-designed-accessible-kitchen-to-work-with-a-wheelchair-chef-676566/









Sunday, February 10, 2013

Making Noise in the Library

PITTSBURGH -- I didn't really want to go to the library to do research today, but the weather was bikeable so I threw my stuff together and rode over. When I walked through the front door, I heard a steel band!

Nobody was shushing or being shushed. In fact, folks were swaying to the beat, and everyone I saw was smiling. I had caught the very end of the very first concert of the Soundwaves Steel Band, a group made up of Pittsburgh students ages 12-17!  http://kelly-strayhorn.org/education/soundwaves/

We were transported to the Islands for a few fabulous mid-winter minutes.





The group is supported by the Kelly Strayhorn Theater and is under the direction of Mat Docktor, resident artist at KST. http://kelly-strayhorn.org/