Pittsburgh Neighborhoods: Bloomfield

When it comes to living in one of the most affordable cities in America, you have many Pittsburgh neighborhoods to choose from. Whether it be the more rambunctious and youthful neighborhood of South Side or the more traditional Polish Hill, each neighborhood comes with its own characteristics and feel that cannot be found anywhere else. One neighborhood in particular that seems to fall in between tradition and youth, is Bloomfield.

Known as “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy,” Bloomfield has strong roots in Italian ancestry dating back more than 5 generations. With a mix that also includes, German, Polish and many other backgrounds, Bloomfield is composed of cultures with strong ties to hard work and tradition. It’s character is often described as gritty, blue-collar and proud of it. With its neighborhood butcher shop, two churches, grocery store, multiple book shops, delicious restaurants, real blue-collar bars, and multiple parks, it’s Bloomfield’s charm, as well as location, that makes it such a great traditional neighborhood.

Situated at the top of Liberty Avenue hill, Bloomfield is just a few minutes drive and 10-15 minute bike ride from most of Pittsburgh. Head across the Bloomfield Bridge and you’re conveniently just a road or two away from several Oakland universities, Polish Hill and the Hill District. Take a minute or two trip down the Liberty Avenue or Penn Avenue hill and you’ll find yourself knee deep in Pittsburgh’s vibrant Strip District and Downtown region. Take Liberty Avenue or Penn Avenue towards Point Breeze and within just a minute or two you could pass through East Liberty, Garfield, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. And if you travel down to Butler Street, you’ll find yourself smack in the middle of one of Pittsburgh’s most hip neighborhoods, Lawrenceville.

While “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy,” seems to become more popular every day, Bloomfield is just one of the many welcoming and warm Pittsburgh neighborhoods. And with endless opportunity that is also affordable, Pittsburgh neighborhoods continue to grow not just in size, but in rich culture and tradition, too. There is no doubt that Pittsburgh is a strong city with a plethora of neighborhoods overflowing with both tradition and diversity. The only question is, which neighborhood is right for you?

To learn more about Pittsburgh neighborhoods, visit Vibrant Pittsburgh’s website here: http://bit.ly/19Pnt8i

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: The Labs

While there are plenty of jobs hiring in Pittsburgh, the city itself isn’t just for adults. Throughout all Pittsburgh neighborhoods kids and teenagers are making Pittsburgh their foundation to grow, explore and learn. It’s a fantastic experience to be a part of such a giving and opportunity rich city as you’re growing up, and now with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s, The Labs, teens have the opportunity to learn, create, and ultimately give back to that same community.

Based out of four of the main Carnegie Library’s, The Labs is Pittsburgh’s teen-only creative learning program. It provides teens, grades 6-12, with different softwares, such as music editing, video editing, photo editing and programing technology, as well as the mentors to help guide them in learning how to manipulate and use the different programs. Generally at The Labs, a month is broken up into four weeks, each week with its own focus on either film making, music, photography, and programming technology. This allows for teens to create their own Pgh arts, from a rap song to a working robot. It’s an opportunity for your teenager to use her or his time productively, socialize and gain insight into life from five different vibrant mentors!

While today Pittsburgh is known as one of the most affordable places to live in America, over the past century or so Pittsburgh has also gained a reputation for innovation. It’s a creative and lively city and home to a plethora of passionate people. And now for the first time ever, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is offering the opportunity for teens to find their passion in a safe and welcoming environment at The Labs.

The Scarehouse

Boo!

Did we scare you? If yes, our sincere apologies. If no, don’t worry. We here at Vibrant Pittsburgh haven’t been trained to scare people, however, we do know of a place with people who have! If you’re looking for something this Halloween season that will have you crying for your mommy, we know of just the place! Just 10 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh in the borough Etna, Scarehouse is a nationally recognized haunted house located within a 100 year old former Elk Lodge building.

Rated “one of America’s scariest Halloween attractions,” by the Travel Channel, Scarehouse is composed of two sections that are both brought to life by a team of Pgh artists, performers and designers. Section one, which is composed of a predestined path, is split into three parts: The Foresaken, Creepo's Christmas in 3-D, and Pittsburgh Zombies. And just incase section one isn't scary enough, this year the performers of Scarehouse have added section two, The Basement. An interactive experience, the basement is only available to those 18 years of age or older, and requires one to sign a waiver before entering. It's a dark cavernous hole of hell and one which Forbes Magazine claims to be possibly the "scariest such offering in the nation."

While Pittsburgh neighborhoods may be some of the most affordable places to live in the country, come Halloween they’re also the scariest! If you're looking for a real fright this Halloween season, make your way over to the borough of Etna. The Scarehouse is an experience of a lifetime that is sure to keep you up at night! For more information on Scarehouse, click here: http://www.scarehouse.com/

Pittsburgh Zombie Fest 2013

Pittsburgh. It’s the steel city, it’s the city of champions and it’s one of the most affordable places to live in America. But did you know it’s also one of the most...undead?! Known as the zombie capital of the world, Pittsburgh is famous for its undead reputation and proud of it, too! Starting with George A. Romero’s 1968 film, Night of the Living Dead, which was set in a rural Pennsylvania town, zombies have gained worldwide popularity and Pittsburgh has been considered their ‘ground-zero’. In fact, in just one week, on October 12th, Pittsburgh neighborhoods will be completely overrun with Zombies as part of Pittsburgh’s 8th Annual Zombie Fest!

In previous years Zombie Fest has seen the streets of Pittsburgh neighborhoods such as South Side and Downtown, but this year zombies will be hitting the streets of Lawrenceville! Starting at 12PM on Saturday, October 12th, the undead will rise and gather at Arsenal Park on 39th Street for a day of live music, contests, good food and other festivities. And when the undead celebration finally reaches its peak, be sure to watch out. This year the Zombies will be roaming the streets in search for...beer! Yes, beer! This years Zombie Fest will host the first annual Zombie Fest Bar Crawl.

There is no point to try to run and no point to try to hide. Next Saturday is a time to come together and celebrate as the Pittsburgh undead! With free admission, all that’s asked is that you come dressed as a zombie and bring with you a non perishable donation for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank! So come join the fun and learn to live little! For more details on Zombie Fest, visit www.pittsburghzombiefest.com/ and check out the following Zombie Fest promo: