Wrap it up, I’ll take it

Today’s lesson, regarding The History of Paper and Papermaking: Corrugated Paper Products In 1856, Englishmen, Healey and Allen, received a patent for the first corrugated or pleated paper. The paper was used to line tall men’s hats. However, this was not the corrugated cardboard we know today. On December 20, 1871, Albert Jones of New …

Gist Street Reading, October 1

The skinny on this month’s reading, from Gist Street’s Sherrie: Toi “Guggenheim” Derricotte and Cathy “Coming in from New York City” McKinley. Poetry and Non-fiction. A power-duo of literary accomplishment. 305 Gist Street. James Simon’s Sculpture Studio. Readings begin at 8:00; socializing begins at 7:30. $3 suggested donation. Homemade bread. Cookies. Possibly the final fantastic …

And the horse you rode in on

More legal fun, thanks to on-the-ball defense attorneys: Pa. drunk driving law doesn’t apply to horsemen: Keith Travis, 41, of Grove City, and Richard Noel, 49, of Sandy Lake, were charged with drunken driving, along with a man driving a pickup who allegedly rear-ended the horse Travis was riding away from a bar on a …

Ready for my closeup, part 2

Tomorrow, at the bright and chipper hour of 9am, I’m going to be in a TV studio smiling nervously, sweating, and shaking ever so slightly. This will be because I’ll be backstage at KDKA’s Pittsburgh TODAY Live with Jennifer Antkowiak, waiting to talk about the upcoming Book Boot Camp we’re running at Fat Plum. I …

We ain’t learned our lesson yet

It’s Donnie Iris Day in Pittsburgh, celebrating the local rock hero whose hits include “Ah Leah!” and “The Rapper.” Incidentally, the correct Pittsburghese pronunciation is “dahw-nee ahrs.” Make sure to drag out the first syllable of the first name and to smush the last name into a single syllable. My friend James Simon, a sculptor …

We’re number one!

A new study says Pennsylvania is first in deaths from air pollution, and Pittsburgh is third among major metropolitan centers. C’mon Pittsburgh power plants: It’s air conditioning and refrigeration season … you can make us number one!

…and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.

How to celebrate Bloomsday (June 16) in Pittsburgh: The James Joyce Society of Pittsburgh is presenting a reading (in three concurrent sessions) of Ulysses: Join us for a reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses the most famous novel of the 20th century, that made a Dublin day – June 16, 1904 – immortal…at FINNIGAN’S WAKE 20 …