But I didn’t do any of those things (though I’m sure they’re all very fun, Tennessee Tourism Board!)

Alas, I had no time for the Aquarium or Ruby Falls, for I was too busy driving to Alabama to visit the Unclaimed Baggage Center!

Just an hour-ish southwest of the home of the famed Choo-Choo lies Scottsboro, Alabama, home to a 40-year-old business that’s gained something of a national following.

Founded in the 70s by Doyle and Sue Owens, the store is the place where your lost luggage may wind up finding a new home.

According to the store’s website, after 90 days of “intensive” tracking by the airlines, baggage declared unclaimed is up for grabs by the store, which sorts through suitcases and puts the best pickins on sale for the public. With a small cafe, recently renovated bathrooms and a concierge desk, one can spend hours browsing through the various departments.

Merchandise is sorted into different categories throughout the 50,000 square foot store, which takes up an entire city block. The bulk of the merchandise is clothing, including swim wear, evening wear and the occasional wedding dress. Electronics, sporting goods, books and even toiletries are available, the stock, of course, depending on what’s been lost lately.

One bit of a bummer: the on-site museum dedicated to the most interesting (and not for sale) merchandise was a victim of the current remodeling project. The oddities are to return to display once the renovations are complete.

So is it worth the drive to Alabama? At the end of the day, the UBC is essentially a very nice thrift store. But it does boast two unique departments that may make it worth the journey: jewelry and designer handbags.

To be honest, the deals on clothing or even used electronics aren’t that much better than what you might find online, at a conventional thrift store or even at a retail chain like Ross, Marshall’s or TJ Maxx. From the online message boards I checked out before making the 60-mile drive, I learned that the choicest luggage is often snapped up as soon as it hits the floor.

But.

These designer bag styles were not available at the store when I went. But they could be.

When was the last time you saw a Coach or Michael Kors handbag at one of those places? Or a graduated pearl necklace? It’s the items that you’d never find at Plato’s Closet that makes the UBC worth the drive across three state lines.

Along with the thrill of picking through other people’s business, you may find a gem that was bought on vacation, packed in a suitcase and then lost to the gremlins of baggage handling, still shiny and new.

Final verdict? If you’re within an hour or so of Scottsboro, a visit to the UBC may be well worth your while.

And if you do any souvenir shopping on vacation, be sure to pack the expensive stuff in your carry-on.

But she will dive into her local county pool and unleash floodwaters of praise for Allegheny County’s free learn-to-swim program.

Full disclosure here (I disclose a lot in this blog, don’t I?) — I have spent more than half my life beseeching small children to kick their feet, blow bubbles and, for the fifth time, Johnny, WALK ON THE DECK.

Obvious bias aside, In a place with an abundance of water, swimming is a life skill that should be available to everyone. But cost and time will keep some kids out of the pool.

So kudos to you, Allegheny County, for making sure anyone who wants to learn to swim has a chance.

I spoke to Tom Mettrick, the manager of Boyce Park’s wave pool (one of four locations for free lessons), who told me the lessons aren’t just for kids.

“We never turn anybody away,” Mettrick said. He says even adults have taken advantage of the program.

Mettrick says they bring in the pool’s lifeguards early and test wannabe swimmers, then divide them in groups according to ability level.

The lessons, which parallel The Red Cross’ instructional programs, are fun, last for four weeks and, did we mention, are completely FREE?

Lessons are held at Boyce Park, North Park, Settler’s Cabin Park and South Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 10 a.m.

For information and phone numbers and details visit the link above or call one of the pools.

Just remember: umbrella drinks are not included.

If the anecdotes and personal experience are any indication, rain and art go together like French fries and salad: they don’t really belong in the same spot, but they also kind of add something to one another.

This is the first time I braved the gray skies and headed to the Point for this year’s Arts Fest (by the way does anyone know when the fountain will be open again? Comment back and let me know. I miss the rainbows).

We bought this from Studio D Art. It will look lovely in my new bathroom.

As a frequent craft/art/anything show attendee I was delighted by the selection and the caliber of craftsmen. From high-end, “I think I might buy this $8000 sculpture for my law firm’s front foyer” pieces to objets d’art that might fit in with the average Joe’s décor and budget, we had a great time mentally redecorating our house. We even bought something unique for a bathroom renovation that otherwise would be straight out of the Home Depot flyer.

Running until June 13 and with a rotating selection of artisans, there’s still time to check out the festival. With most of the booths on concrete, you also have the option of staying out of the mud if a Woodstock-like celebration in front of the music stage isn’t your idea of a good time. If that is your idea of a good time, check out ThePittsburghChannel.com weather pages and the festival performance schedule to get your dancing in the rain on.

Speaking of the rain, I loved the fact that the little kids over in the creative activity section didn’t seem to notice the waterfall from the sky because they were too busy enjoying the junior drum circle in the shadow of the Community Mandala made from recycled materials.

If you are taking the kids, or just want to prepare for maximum artistic enjoyment, a few tips…

1. Bring a change of shoes/clothes for any members of your party who might melt down when their feet start to prune from wet weather. Even if you leave it in the car, it’s going to make the trip home much more enjoyable.

2. When using an umbrella, please be aware of people who are taller than you. It’s tough to appreciate the awesome art with a metal spoke in the eye.

3. Respect the work. I heard more than one artist grumble when a shutter-happy passerby took photos of their paintings/pictures without permission. If you ask nicely, it might not be a problem. But remember: this stuff is their livelihood and many artists have spent multibucks on copyrights for their images. And some exhibits are certainly not meant for a hands-on experience, so watch the kids and yourself.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to figure out how to fit a whimsical sculpture of a flying cow in a ballet skirt into my living room.

“Why would you do that to your body?!”

My original answer was “it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

My new answer is… “Because it is AWESOME.”

Without delving too deeply into the depths of the inner demons first foisted upon my psyche during fifth-grade gym class, running (for any reason other than to catch a bus or snag the last cookie) was not something I used to consider fun. But in college, I sort of took up jogging. And I never really stopped. When a friend suggested last September that we sign up for the half marathon (and after listening to Channel 4 coworkers talk about the fun and frivolity of the race), I was in.

But given a top speed that bears a remarkable resemblance to the Truffle Shuffle, I did have one concern: What was I going to think about for the estimated two and a half hours it would take me to complete the 13-mile course? Fortunately, several options presented themselves.

1. Pittsburgh, You’re The Best! From the well-oiled organizational machine that had no problem herding 16,000 runners (so well, that I didn’t even know about the “bomb” scare until I turned on the evening news) through the streets of Pittsburgh, to the gorgeous course route, to the wonderful people who lined the streets, the race made me fall in love with this town all over again. I high-fived little kids, clapped for the bands and bongo man and bagpipers and smiled at the guys in the superhero costumes, all of whom cheered us on despite the rain (and the scent of thousands of very wet runners). That’s love people. And Pittsburgh brought it.

2. Chasing Steve. I don’t know Steve. I don’t even know his last name. But Steve is the reason I finished at my goal time. As one of the certified pacers, Steve and Co. gamely carried a sign on a stick so we could easily follow along and know how fast we were going. With a smile on his face and easily-spotted neon green shoes, I cheerfully chased Steve for 11 miles until he and his crew split off for the full marathon course. Which I’m quite sure they finished right on time.

3. I Think My Toe Just Fell Off.. Wait I LOVE This Song! I built a special playlist for the race, designed to distract. Turns out I didn’t need too much distraction for miles one through seven. But the Black Eyed Peas, Tragically Hip and Hamster Dance sure came in handy, especially once the pace crew spilt off. That’s right, I said the Hamster Dance. I think a Hanson song was on there too. Don’t you judge me!

After months of planning and training and about six pounds of pasta, I got to spend some quality time with Pittsburgh in a most unique way. Between the walking and relay options, many thousands of other people did to. And you could be one of them! The countdown begins and you’ve got a year, so start running!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go sit in a tub of Epsom salts while chasing painkillers with Gatorade.

Still totally worth it.

Much like a bear emerging from her winter hibernation, the Backyard Tourist has emerged, blinking into the Pittsburgh sunlight.

The harsh winter (a.k.a “Snowmageddon,” a.k.a. “Snowpocalpyse,” a.ka. “The giant storm that took down my forsythias, three pine trees and the front gutter on my house) is behind us and it’s time to venture forth once more into all this lovely city has to offer.

In fact, my charming husband and I had our first chance to enjoy the outdoor fun and culture of the city’s theater district recently and it was clear we weren’t the only ones kicking up our heels in the warm sunshine.

The night we chose to head to the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production of “The Price” (awesomely unintentional alliteration), coincided with Heinz Hall playing host to “The Wizard of Oz.” Forget yellow bricks: the streets that evening were paved with adorable children, some in ruby slippers, frolicking in the lovely outdoor spaces that dot this area of downtown.

Many of the restaurants in the area took advantage of the nice weather to push some tables outside onto the patio and throw open all available doors to treat diners to some fresh air.

One of the reasons we picked this town was for the big-city cultural amenities that are absent from many cities of Pittsburgh’s size. And we were not disappointed. It was great to see at least part of downtown alive with families and friends chowing down and stepping out underneath lit marquees.

About the only thing I would like to see more of is people. The district was full of life, but still had room for more. It’s tough when you live in the ‘burbs to sometimes draw yourself off the go-to strip mall offerings and spend a few more minutes on the road to head into downtown for dinner. But it’s really worth it, even if it’s only once in awhile.

True, parking requires payment. But there are plenty of spots for five bucks that are just a short stroll from the action. Before you balk at the cash, a little perspective: to park for the evening where I used to live would have wiped out half my day’s pay.

So on the next enchanted evening, enjoy the bargain that is Pittsburgh. Because one day, people are going to clue in to our little secret paradise.

(Oh, and the show was GREAT! Now go forth and get thee some culture.)

Lest anyone make assumptions, let it be known that we did suffer as others suffered:

1. Lost power Friday. Got it back late on Monday night.

2. It was so cold in our house that I had to take one of the critters to the station so she wouldn’t die. (Which one? Check out Erin Kienzle’s blog for the answer).

3. Spilled kerosene all over rug. Good thing we’re replacing that. Whee. New fire hazard!

4. While a 4WD vehicle meant I could get into work, hubby had to stay home because other car has all the drive power of a bicycle and tires that are going bald (guess what I’m shopping for this weekend).

5. Shovel. Shovel again. And again and again. Throw out shoulder. Take medication. Shovel some more.

6. Ice dam + old roof = leak.

Others had it worse and others had it better. But I think we can agree that I fully felt the impact of the storm. And I have one of those jobs that provides a service that other folks rely on during events like this, meaning I expect to go into work when conditions are at their worst.

But.

This is the kind of winter I’m talkin’ about, baby!

After spending years in a place with basically two seasons: Very Hot or Damp and Cold, being back to some real winter weather is awesome! Sure, we could have raged at Mother Nature as she made our lives difficult. But she also left behind the kind of fun I haven’t enjoyed since I was a kid.

Some will point to unplowed streets, the loss of power, the danger for people who rely on others and were trapped in their homes. The weight of the snow also caused the roof of a local ice skating rink to collapse. The fact that none of the hundreds of people inside was seriously injured is nothing short of a miracle.

But there were also the stories of neighbors helping neighbors, impromptu block parties during power outages and kids frolicking outside. To judge from the pictures posted on ulocal and the reaction of my dog, who doesn’t want to come back inside, even our pets are having fun. The Boyce Park ski lift is even open again (and offering free lift tickets until Feb. 28)!

I also learned something new about Pittsburgh: the lawn chairs in parking spots thing (and the swift and blinding Yinzer justice that comes if you don’t respect the rules).

I realize some might read this post and get a little ticked at my look on the bright side. Perhaps you know someone for whom the storm caused real hardship or faced a real danger. Maybe your home was damaged or you’re worried about an elderly relative.

But.

For most people (I said most!), while no plows or power causes MAJOR inconveniences, at the end of the day perhaps the lesson to take away from “Snowpocalypse 2010″ is a fresh perspective. Even if your municipality did drop the ball on snow removal, even if you’ve been without power for a week, this shall pass in short order.

We’re so lucky to live in a place where we know that power will be restored and when it is, it’s reliable. A place where homeowners’ insurance will likely cover the damage to your roof. We have some of the best hospitals for those suffering injuries on the ice. We have shelters are available for those who need help staying warm. Firefighters and the National Guard will even come to the home of those in truly dire straights and help them to safety. Our emergency crews have been working around the clock to get things back to normal. Considering the volume of streets and power outages to the comparatively small number of workers and equipment, getting things working again for millions of people in a week or a week and a half is actually pretty amazing.

Don’t think so? Cough. Perhaps you’d like to plan a trip some place warm. Like Haiti.

After a week of answering e-mails, monitoring forums and taking phone calls, I still feel great about the people of Pittsburgh. But there are a few folks who might want to consider the following…

…Being upset won’t get the power back on or the streets plowed any faster. It will, however, stress you out. If you feel municipal changes are needed, take notes. Attend the next council meeting. Talk to your local reps. Resolve to use this event to work for change and be prepared to offer a suggested solution.

…Talk to your workplace and children’s schools and find out in advance what weather policies are. If you want to be able to announce a closing on the air, check with WTAE to find out how well in advance of weather events. When it’s warm and sunny, that’s the time to call.

…And plan ahead for power outages and other issues. No one can control the weather. This will happen again. It might even be worse. So get a safe, backup heating source. Put together some camping gear in an easy-to-access place. Have a plan that takes into account family members who can’t travel and pets who will likely not be welcome at county shelters.

We have grown to expect a certain level of comfort in our lives and when that’s removed, it’s not pleasant. But learn to differentiate between hardship and annoyance. It will help your blood pressure. Not just from the lessening of stress but also from the exercise of playing in the snow.

So, as someone who loves you and cares about you, please, in the name of all that is Black and Gold… don’t drink and drive.

I could fill this blog with links to the hundreds, yes hundreds, of stories archived on ThePittsburghChannel.com that relate the tragic consequences of getting behind the wheel when you’ve tossed back a few drinks. Getting hurt or killed or killing someone else is not the way you want start the new year.

You might be surprised to learn how little it takes to make a driver unsafe behind the wheel. Check out WTAE’s blood-alcohol calculator. When you see how few drinks you can actually enjoy and still be safe on the roads, you might want to re-think your ride home.

So plan now! That’s right, before you even go to work, or clean the house or start prepping those tasty hors d’ouerves, plan how you and/or your guests are going to get home safely. Here are a few of my favorite suggestions:

1. Just don’t drive. Make up the guest bedroom, grab a pillow for the couch, leave out towels and soap. Encourage party-goers to crash at your place. Maybe you’ll even get some help cleaning up in the morning.

2. Take the keys. Guess what, it’s much easier to convince someone to give up their keys at the start of the evening, when heads are clear. Once the party is over, some folks might be, you might say, a little more reluctant to give up their ride. Even when they can barely make it out the door. So take the keys now, to keep them safe later.

3. Have no fear… …of cranky would-be drivers. Don’t be afraid to stop someone from getting on the road. If they get mad, it’s better than seeing them in a future MADD campaign. Chances are, they’ll have forgotten the argument in the morning. When they awake safe and sound in your guest bedroom/in a chair/on the floor of your home.

4. Call a cab. Or a limo service. Or take the bus. There are lots of people willing to do the driving. Some enterprising college students in Pittsburgh have even built a business around it. Since you’re on the internet right now, why not head to Google and look up some local cab companies? Program the one-touch dialing into your cell phone now.

I hope most people have a great time tonight. I won’t be having too much fun, since I will be right here at work on New Years Day, updating ThePittsburghChannel.com.

My most fervent wish is that I don’t have to post a story about you.

Please arrive alive. Seriously, don’t drink and drive.

A few years ago, I was scrambling to figure out what to get for a friend who lives overseas and family members who have long since outgrown the simple joy of a new dress for Barbie. I was also confronted by the desire to share the magic of the season with folks who really didn’t need, or even want some new knick knack that would just have to be dusted and/or regifted at the next opportunity.

So I hit on the idea of making charitable donations in honor of my loved ones. Along with an explanation of where the money went, I might also include a small toy or book that’s somehow related. The symbolic adoption of a whale might begat a book about the giants of the deep. The gift of enough money to buy a child in a developing country school supplies might be represented with a new notebook and a pretty pen.

But I also like to make sure the money I donate is being used to its fullest and this is where a quick tour of the Internet might help you out. There are a number of Web sites that rank charities, but two that are consistently ranked the best are CharityNavigator.org and Give.org, which is run by the Better Business Bureau. Both use data about how charities spend their money to rank organizations. For example, a four-star rating from CharityNavigator means way more money is spent on the charity’s actually work and programs than is spent on administration. With times being tight, you want to make sure whatever you give is going to those who need it most, and these Web sites might be a good place to start.

So if you’re still wracking your brain to think of the perfect gift for a special someone, think about sharing the love. You can even narrow the search to your own back yard. There are plenty of Pittsburgh-area organizations that need your help and can add a nice local flavor to your gift giving. Got a hockey fan in the family? The Lemieux Foundation comes to mind. An animal lover might love to know you’re helping out Animal Friends. Just Google “Pittsburgh Charities” for a jumping off point, check them out with the BBB and give a gift that will keep shining long after the last strand of tinsel is vacuumed up in July.

Schmaltzy? You bet. ‘Tis the season.

Merry Christmas!

What could be more exciting?!

I’ve made my way through a lot of airports over the years. Most of the time the quality of my experience has been directly proportional to the smoothness of the flooring and the clarity of the signage as I sprint from one gate to the next in the latest event of the making-my-connection-Olympics (FYI – I rarely medal).

But once in awhile I have the chance to just hang out. Take a leisurely stroll. And it’s times like these that I appreciate the little touches, like a food court that’s open when passengers are around, no matter how late it might be (Hey Anchorage International, I’m looking in your direction!).

Traveling this holiday? This could be you!

Over the years I’ve paid attention to tips about stopovers. I still remember the time I sat by a roof-top pool in Miami, the 5-hour layover between flights made much less painful by the base-tan creating Florida sunshine. Sleepinginairports.net has been bookmarked on every internet browser I’ve ever installed (and proved invaluable in my days as a nomadic college student).

Long before I set up shop in the Steel City, PIA was the stuff of legend. I heard tales of the AirMall, the mystical place where a piece of pizza could not only be had for less than $10, but it might actually be available for the same price as you’d pay at a regular mall!

As someone who once paid the equivalent of $20USD for a vegetable sandwich on a train, the idea of normal pricing for captive audiences sat very will with me indeed.

Of course, Pittsburgh’s airport has many of the same elements as most – parking shuttles and security lines are pretty much the same wherever you go. But there are some things that make the airport stand out.

You can almost feel the free Wi-fi in the air.

Free Wi-Fi. You’d think in this brave new world every port and terminal would offer weary travelers with three hours to kill the chance to plunk down wherever there’s space to check their e-mail at no charge. But with the captive audience comes the captive cash-grab (Chicago O’Hare, I’m looking in your direction). Seriously, I am not going to pay $7 just to entertain myself by updating my Facebook status. So kudos to you PIA, for offering Wi-Fi the way it was intended – Free!

The Aforementioned AirMall. Since I’m already used to schlepping a purse I could carry a small child in on my errands, lugging a suitcase while shopping isn’t much of a challenge. And since I can easily spend a day inside a shopping mall, whiling away the time between flights is no problem thanks to real stores with real prices in a realistic mall environment. The only downside is making sure my carry-on still meets dimension requirements after a visit to (insert store-of-your-choice-since-I’m-not-going-to-do-a-commercial plug-and/or-expose-my-shoe-addiction here).

It Has A Dinosaur. Shopping not your thing? Then gaze in wonder upon the terrible lizard cheerfully advertising the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s collection. While I have been in other airports that have dinos on display, ours is the best. Because I say so. Also, if I wanted to learn more about the creature of the late Cretaceous, I could simply open my laptop and log on. Using the free Wi-fi. Because knowledge should be free.

Still looking in your direction, Chicago.

But the House of Mouse isn’t going anywhere and today’s subject will soon be packed away in a warehouse in Etna, so bear with me. Besides, I’m nothing if not topical and the 14 bags of tiny candy bars I’m pretending aren’t in the basement… calling to me with their sweet, siren song… are a clue that ghosties and ghoulies are getting ready to TP my house.

As an intrepid Web Producer, I have the delightful job of posting fun community events. (Haven’t seen Community Calendar? Fall Fun Fests and Spaghetti Dinners await! Follow the link to the magic).

But at this time of year, as an added extra bonus, I’ve also taken to updating our Halloween pages. From haunted hayrides on fright farms to mansions/castles/old mental hospitals occupied by zombies/axe murders/the undead, I’ve been given a cheerful sampling of all things horrifying available to paying customers.

As a child, haunted houses and I did not get along so well. I distinctly remember my mother dragging my screaming self to the chicken exit of the Toronto Fire Department’s Haunted Training Tower, with my sister wrapped around her head, doing a credible impression of the face-hugger from the Alien movie franchise. Good times.

I’ve always had an overactive imagination. As a kid even the fun-fur and duct tape creations of the BBC’s creature shop (thanks a lot, Dr. Who) gave me night terrors that lasted into my teens.

Now, as a supposed grown-up, I maintain an aversion to gore. You won’t catch me watching slasher flicks. However, I have developed a tolerance for atmospheric horror and even a taste for the spooky.

So I couldn’t very well let this holiday pass without a trip to at least one local haunt. And one of the larger and (if you believe their press coverage) best, is right next door to my own North Hills haunt.

Situated in the frightening fields of Etna, The Scarehouse haunts the former Etna Elks Lodge. The entrance to the Scarehouse sits atop a hill and the scares begin for some when they see the length of the line to get in.

Never fear (get it? Get it!?), there are ways to avoid being forced to stand four hours being accosted by costumed characters, or throngs of shrieking teenagers. The attraction opens at 7 p.m. and runs Tuesday through Halloween. Get there early, or during the less popular days and the wait should be shorter. You can also buy tickets online, which lets you in to a different line, moving (in theory) at a faster pace.

Once inside, you’re treated to creepy movie trailers (really? There was a movie called “Killer Fish?”) while you wait to enter the first of three attractions.

The admission isn’t terribly scary: $17 (save 65 cents by ordering online!) gets you into three different attractions. It also appears there are exits throughout, as well as at the end of each haunt. If you’ve had enough, escape is possible.

So what will you experience? This is the tough part… I wouldn’t want to spoil some of the surprises. I think it isn’t giving too much away to say that this is more of a jolt-type haunted house. The scares come from surprises, as opposed to houses where the scene is set and you witness horror – though some of the scenes in The Scarehouse feature quite a bit of gore. The sets are very cool and well constructed and limiting how many people wander through at a time keeps the atmosphere spooky. All sorts of special effects are used and the “Delirium” haunt makes use of 3-D glasses. I could have done without one of the “scent” effects, but otherwise The Scarehouse left me delightfully spooked.

A word of caution – which is also printed in big letters on signs as you walk inside – while the actors won’t touch you, some of this stuff is pretty intense. I’d have to agree with their suggestion that you don’t take kids under the age of 13.

It’s hard to walk safely with a child welded to your body. And therapy sessions are expensive.

This is not from The Scarehouse. But it IS me dressed like a Zombie.