Valentine's Day Gifts

The Valentine's Day Market is back on Saturday February 8th.  It will be located at The Waterfront in the retail space next to The Gap.  The event will start at noon, and it will end at 5pm.  This market features over 40 local artists with homemade gifts for your loved ones.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.


Event: I Made It! Mine
Location: Waterfront, 143 West Bridge St, Homestead (In the retail space next to The Gap across from Starbucks in Town Center)
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2014
Time: noon until 5 p.m.
Cost: FREE admission (plus the cost of any goodies you purchase)
Description: The “I Made It! Mine” market will feature handmade gifts from over 45+ local artists. Find everything you need for a one of a kind Valentine’s Day for your sweetie. Visit I Made It! online for more information. Another great opportunity to buy local & support independent artists this Valentine’s Day. South Side Works will also offer free kids crafts at this event!

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events

Do you have today off? You can go to these places for some Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events. Here is a calendar below of what is going on around the area. You can learn more at the Post Gazette.


Monday

* 15th Annual Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Allegheny County Bar Association's Homer S. Brown Division, Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Larimer, 271 Paulson Ave. Breakfast buffet at 7:30 a.m.; program at 8:30 a.m. Pittsburgh nonprofit Hill House Association will receive the Drum Major for Justice Award. Event is open to the public.

* Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children's Way, Allegheny Square, has a variety of activities. Museum admission: $12 for kids, $13 for adults.

Activities include:

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., SLB Radio presents "Streaming Justice" -- live webcast exploring civil rights issues;

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., "King for a Day" read-aloud of King's speeches;

noon to 3 p.m., "Many Hands" studio art project; 2 p.m., performance by Hill Dance Academy Theatre;

3 p.m., freedom circle and singalong.

* Blood drive, St. Benedict the Moor Church, 91 Crawford St., Hill District, 1 to 6 p.m. Call 412-681-8528.

* Carnegie Mellon University Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Events to commemorate the holiday include keynote address by Jendayi Frazer, former U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs. All events are in the University Center, 5000 Forbes Ave.

Highlights include:

12:30 to 2 p.m., 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Awards Celebration and school of drama choral tribute.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Arts Greenhouse hip-hop performance and workshop.

4:30 p.m., keynote address and reception.

8 p.m., "MLK Late Night," featuring spoken-word artists from CMU and the Pittsburgh community.

* 12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park at the Schenley Park Ice Rink, 1 Overlook Drive, 1 to 4 p.m. Free ice skating, snowshoeing, educational activities and art projects.

* Day of Remembrance at Saint Vincent College, Latrobe:

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free fused-glass workshop and art exhibit, Carey Student Center;

4:30 to 6:30 p.m., evening program and dinner, Fred M. Rogers Center, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, featuring a commemorative reflection by Kiron Skinner at 5 p.m., with dinner and student presentations to follow. Event is free but tickets required. To reserve tickets: 724-805-2564.

* Share Your Voice: Union Project's Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, 801 N. Negley Ave., 3 to 6 p.m. Community dialogue event includes a shared meal and opportunities for open discussion in a safe environment. Free and open to all ages, with a children's art project scheduled from 3 to 4:45 p.m.

* Evening at the InterCultural House, University of Pittsburgh, 272 Dithridge St., 7 p.m. Features speeches by student InterCultural House members highlighting those who embody King's principles and ideals. Free and open to the public.

* Let Freedom Sing! concert, Norwin High School, 251 McMahon Drive, North Huntingdon, 7 p.m. Features performances by the Pittsburgh Gospel Choir, visual and spoken word artist Vanessa German, Jim Donovan, and the Saint Francis University World Drumming Ensemble. Free and open to the public.

Previous events

Saturday

* Let Freedom Sing! concert, Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2001 Wylie Ave., 7 p.m. Features performances by Pittsburgh Gospel Choir and visual and spoken word artist Vanessa German. Free and open to the public.

Sunday

* 30th annual Martin Luther King Celebration and Kelso Lecture, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 250 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty, 3:30 p.m. Hosted by East End Cooperative Ministry and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The interfaith service features civil rights and faith leader Iva Carruthers, who will give the keynote speech. Free. Details: 412-361-5549.

* Celebration at St. Paul Cathedral, 108 N. Dithridge St. Commemorative Mass at noon followed by a reception. The Rev. Harold T. Lewis, rector emeritus of Calvary Episcopal Church, will speak, Pittsburgh Gospel Lights Choir will sing. Free and open to the public. Information: 412-681-8528.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/01/18/Events-abound-for-MLK-birthday-1/stories/201401180099#ixzz2qy5N3DuA

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Stay Warm This Week

Tomorrow is supposed to be the coldest day in 20 years.  Make sure to prepare and stay warm on your commute tomorrow.  You can read these cold weather tips in the blog below to prevent hypothermia and other ailments.  You can learn more at wpxi.

Avoiding Hypothermia and Frostbite
Local hospitals are seeing more patients than usual thanks to the weather and Dr. Melanie Cheers of Allegheny General Hospital told WPXI hypothermia and frostbite are a concern.
"One thing that we always recommend is really staying away from alcohol as well when it's cold because it may make you feel warm and you don't protect yourself against the cold as much. We do see people that are intoxicated then end up hypothermic," said Cheers.
Doctors also give the following tips to stay warm during the cold weather:

• If you have to go outside, doctors suggest wearing as many loose-fitting layers as possible to trap air between clothes and stay warmer.
• Do not leave much skin exposed as it's easy to get frostbite in these cold conditions.
• Children and the elderly need the most attention. The doctor suggests if your kids return home with wet clothing, remove it fast. If you have older neighbors, try doing outdoor chores for them if they need it.
• Drink hot drinks like tea and hot cocoa to warm your core.

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Car Care
John Lentz, owner of ATC Sales and Service in Pittsburgh gave WPXI’s Brandon Hudson several helpful tips on how to keep your car working during the cold weather.
"When it gets cold like this, your tire pressure gets out of whack. It is important to keep an eye on that stuff. Make sure your battery is charged up. Check all your fluids under the hood," said Lentz.
In addition, Lentz told motorists to consider the following tips when it comes to traveling in your vehicle this winter:

• If you plan to start your car to warm it up, keep it running no more than 10 minutes.
• Be sure to check the tread on your tires. One way to do this is to take a penny, turn it upside down and place it between the tread on the tires. If you are able to see Lincoln's head, it is time to get new tires.

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Pet Safety
Another concern for many in these cold temperatures is the safety of their pets.
Animal Friends issued a warning urging pet owners to keep animals safe from hypothermia and frostbite during the cold weather.
Despite having fur coats, domesticated animals like dogs, cats and rabbits depend on humans for protection from the elements.
"The community should know that outdoor pets cannot withstand freezing temperatures. Animals have been known to die from exposure and for their own protection, they should be brought indoors immediately," said Kathy Hecker, humane investigations officer for Animal Friends.
Consider the following cold weather safety tips for pets:

• Do not leave pets unattended when the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit)Low temperatures, winds and precipitation can lead to illness, hypothermia and death. Dogs, cats, rabbits or any domesticated pet can suffer from frostbite in a matter of minutes, mainly on feet, ears and tails.
• Signs of hypothermia include: weak pulse, dilated pupils, decreased heart rate, extreme shivering, pale or blue mucus membranes, stupor and unconsciousness. If you believe your pet is suffering from hypothermia, call your veterinarian immediately.
• The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet's feet. Wipe paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth.
• Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach.
• Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife, who may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car's hood to scare them away before starting your engine.
• Routinely check your pet's water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to metal.
• If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type (small or short-haired), take them outdoors only long enough to relieve themselves. Puppies do not tolerate cold as well as adult dogs.
• Feral and outdoor cats need to stay warm as well! Because blankets, towels and pillows can get wet and freeze, straw is the best insulation against the cold and weather.

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