Sunday, September 30, 2012

In Review: Triple B Farms

As a blogger for US Family, I was invited to head to Triple B Farms and see what Fall fun they had to offer. We were not disappointed! It was a bit of a drive, but so worth it on a perfect Fall day.
I loved finding a farm where you could pick your own apples & pumpkins in one place!
 
At Triple B Farms you might.................
 
Get lost here
Hit one of two bounce houses
pick apples in the orchard (from trees at a perfect kid-friendly height) 

 test the apples (to be sure they're ok, of course)
 go on a hay ride
 see more beautiful orchards
 pick a pumpkin
 see these (& other fun characters) on your hay ride

 come flying out of the Squirrel Hill tunnel
 scope out the perfect pun'kin
 hear: Mom, I found The One
love the "wacky" pumpkin aisle the most
 drive a tractor
indulge in Pumpkin Cheesecake Fudge.
Seriously, it's like a hug for your mouth.
 stay until closing time
You also might kiss a goat in the petting zoo, buy a fresh apple pie at the Farm Market, pick up some Amish-made cheeses, butter and meats to go or prepare for winter with a fleece hat and scarf, handmade by Mrs. B.
But whatever you choose to do, it will be some great Fall fun for the whole family!
*
Apple & Pumpkin Festival Dates:
Sept 29th - Oct 31st        
All-Inclusive Activity Wristband 
$11.00 per child - $7.00 per adult
Children 2 & under FREE
Go here to print a coupon for $1 off admission per person!
WRISTBAND includes: BOO BARN - ROPE MAZE - PUMPKINLAND - FUNNY FARM - HAYRIDE - 2 GIANT SLIDES - BARNYARD CARNIVAL - CORNMAZE - FARM FLINGER DUCK DERBY - DUCK SLIDE. *If families prefer to do individual activities, they are available $2.50 per activity.
Go here for more info.

                               

Thursday, September 27, 2012

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie - Give-A-Way!

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Theatreworks USA's sparkling revue of mini-musicals based on the books If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Amazing Grace, Borreguita and the Coyote, Imogene’s Antlers, Master Man, Math Curse and Owen. It is a show chock full of lessons about winning!
 
October 14, 2012 - October 21, 2012 
Theatreworks USA brings to life seven popular children’s books in If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Story Books through a series of mini-musicals. Performed by a multiracial cast, the stories represent various issues, themes, and ideas relevant to a broad and diverse audience of children. The show is a revised version of Reading Rainbow, a previous Theatreworks USA musical revue.
*
Ticket Prices: $9.50 in advance; $11.00 day of show
Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.trustarts.org/kids, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets (10+) can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930. To purchase a subscription to the series, call (412) 456-1390.
theatreworksusa.org
Best for ages 3-10
Show is 60 minutes.
............................................................
We have 4 tickets to give-a-way to the show at Byham Theater, Sunday, October 14 at 2pm.
Go here to enter.
Winner chosen at random. Winner has 24 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be selected. Contest open for entries until October 4th, 2012, 7pm.
............................................................
 
Performance locations include: City: Byham Theater, Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m. & Student Matinee: Monday, October 15 at 10:15 a.m.; Workshop: Grow Up Great, Wednesday, October 17; East: Gateway High School, Wednesday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Marshall Middle School, Thursday, October 18 at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; West: Moon Area High School, Friday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Mellon Middle School (Mt. Lebanon School District), Saturday, October 20 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, Sunday, October 21 at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support.

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way. Each year Pittsburgh International Children's Theater presents a Family Series and the Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, which is one of only four international children's theater festivals in the nation.

Tea Collection was at the Emmy's!

Are you a fan of Modern Family the TV show?! It turns out that the actress that plays Lily, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, is a huge Tea Collection fan! She traveled the red carpet at Sunday night's 2012 Emmy Awards in Tea's custom-made dress with iconic wrap neckline and playful bubble skirt. Now your little citizen can shine in this limited-edition, special occasion dress. Don't miss out on this beautiful dress!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

This week's freebies for RADical Days

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Heinz Field
Free admission 10am-3pm (tours only)
Home of the Six-Time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pitt Panthers and host of special events and concerts. Tours on the hour; last tour starts at 3pm. Limit 50 guests per hour. First come, first served. Enter under the FedEx Great Hall sign along Art Rooney Avenue.

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Free admission for special tour 1-1:30pm
Free half-hour tour of the 2012 Artist of the Year and Emerging Artist exhibitions.
6300 Fifth Avenue (Shady Side)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Gallery CrawlFree admission 5:30-9pm
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Gallery Crawl is an open house of visual art, performance, music, dance and fun. Celebrating artists from the region and around the globe, the Crawl provides a snapshot of the year-round activity in the Cultural District.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Frick Art & Historical Center
Free admission 10am-5pm
Free family activities! Explore Clayton, the restored Frick mansion, discover amazing vehicles at the Car and Carriage Museum, and experience fine art at The Frick Art Museum. Scavenger hunts, games and art activities.

Fort Pitt Museum
Free admission 10am-5pm
Visit the Fort Pitt Museum to learn about the founding of Pittsburgh. Meet Revolutionary War reenactors and find out what life was like 230 years ago.

Young Men and Women’s African Heritage Assn: Nia Quilt Guild
Free admission 11am-6pm
At the YMWAHA art tour, be the first to see the Nia Quilt Guild 2012 exhibition, as well as local artists’ prints and lithographs. Enjoy the music of the Nia Steel Pan Drum Ensemble.

Allegheny County Parks: Hartwood Acres Hay Day
Free admission 11am-4pm
Kids of all ages will enjoy Fall fun activities: hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo, music, arts and crafts, “I made it!” Market, “Books are Fun” Book fair, and food vendors.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Sen. John Heinz History Center
Free admission 10am-5pm
From the French & Indian War to the Super Bowl-winning Steelers, discover 250 years of Pittsburgh history, including the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. Performances by Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater (noon), Pittsburgh Youth Ballet (1pm), the South Hills Chorale (2pm), and the Children's Festival Chorus (3PM).

National AviaryFree admission 10am-5pm
Get nose to beak with flamingoes, penguins, macaws, owls and more. Watch as birds eat, bathe, and play in free-flight exhibits. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of a real penguin colony at Penguin Point.

YMWAHA
Free Admission noon-6pm
See description and details on September 29th listing.

Carnegie Museum of ArtCarnegie Museum of Natural History
Free admission Noon-5pm
Visit one of the world’s best natural history museums, and the art museum where the local and the global meet—in one dynamic destination! Enjoy hands-on activities for kids and grown-ups and see some of the most exciting collections of art and science anywhere on Earth.

Children’s Museum
Free admission 10am-5pm
Build and tinker with old and new technologies to make your own exciting projects in MAKESHOP. Launch a boat down a 53-foot waterway, climb aboard Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood trolley, ink your own silkscreen, and don’t forget to take a stroll through the revitalized Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square, directly across from the Children’s Museum. Performances by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Fiddlesticks (1pm), and the Bulgarian Dance troupe Otets Paissii (2pm). Quilting with the Nia Quilt Guild in the MAKESHOP (2-4pm).

Carnegie Library – Main: Cy Hungerford Exhibit and Discussion, featuring Rob Rogers and Tim Menees
Free admission 2-3pm
Cy Hungerford was Pittsburgh’s premier editorial cartoonist from 1927 until 1977. Accomplished cartoonists Rob Rogers and Tim Menees will discuss Hungerford’s impact and how cartoons continue to take on local and national politics. A gallery exhibit, featuring a number of Hungerford’s original cartoons, highlights the Library’s extensive Hungerford collection. The exhibit will be on display from September 23-October 6.

Find out more about RADical Days 2012 here.

Holiday Camps at Carnegie Science Center

Holiday Camps

Nov. 23 and 26
Full Day: 9 am – 3 pm
Half Day: 9 am – noon
Just for kids ages 4–10, Holiday Camps are a great way to get kids to use their brains. Your kids will have so much fun they won't even realize all of the exciting science they're learning, even when school is out! They'll experience all the Science Center has to offer in one fun-filled day including an Omnimax movie, a planetarium show, a science workshop as well as time to explore the exhibits. Call 412.237.1637 to register, or visit our website for more info.
 
Full Day (ages 6-10)
Cost: $36 members, $40 non-members

Half Day (ages 4-5)
Cost: $20 members, $23 non-members
 
Register online here.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Support Tickets for Kids® Charity & get circus tickets 2/$20!

Ambassadors of Laughter from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Use Pedal Power to Generate Free Circus Fun for Tickets for Kids® Charity
 
Step right up…to Trib Total Media gate at CONSOL Energy Center where two Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® clowns will get FULLY CHARGED for charity.
From 7am to 7pm on Friday, September 28,
the two clowns will ride a stationary bike hooked up to a generator to power up a TV, which will reveal a sneak peak of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents FULLY CHARGED – an all new circus experience coming to CONSOL Energy Center November 1-4.
For every hour the two clowns pedal, Ringling Bros. will donate 100 tickets to The Greatest Show on Earth® to the Tickets for Kids organization.
Children of All Ages are welcome to the Trib Total Media gate at CONSOL Energy Center to cheer on the clowns as they take on the 12-hour bike challenge in hopes of generating up to 1,200 free tickets for the Tickets for Kids organization. Members of the public in attendance for this special event will receive free clown noses and photos with the clowns.
*
 A special “$20 for two tickets*” offer will also be made available to members of the general public who attend this special event (offer expires at end of event). Click here for video with details on this special offer.
FULLY CHARGED celebrates ‘performance power’ that boosts circus-goers’ excitement. The amazing acts, which can only be seen at The Greatest Show On Earth, include Tabayara, a dynamic animal trainer whose rare ability to communicate with animals allows him to ride rearing stallions at a fully-charged gallop and orchestrate majestic four-ton Asian elephants in a symphony of dance. When he stands inside a cage, eye to eye with 12 ferocious tigers, Tabayara sees family where others see danger.

Performance Schedule:

* (Opening Night Show) Thursday, November 1 - 7pm
* Friday, November 2 - 7pm
* Saturday, November 3 - 11am, 3pm, 7pm
* Sunday, November 4 - 1pm, 5pm


* Special “$20 for two tickets:
Not valid on Circus Celebrity, VIP or $27 price levels. Must purchase tickets in pairs up to 8 tickets per purchase. Offer valid only on Friday, September 28 starting at 7am and ending at 7pm. Offer valid only at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Box Office at CONSOL Energy Center. Additional fees may apply.

The Circus is coming to town - who wants to win tickets?!

ALL NEW RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY® PRESENTS FULLY CHARGED TO MAKE A POWERFUL STOP IN PITTSBURGH
 
The Most Electrifying Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth® comes to CONSOL Energy Center
.
  November 1-4
.
 Coming to CONSOL Energy Center November 1-4, don’t miss Fully Charged, the all-new surge of circus entertainment from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey where megawatts of thrills explode off of the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that energize Children Of All Ages.

Fully Charged celebrates ‘performance power’ that boosts circus-goers’ excitement. The amazing acts, which can only be seen at The Greatest Show On Earth®, include Tabayara, a dynamic animal trainer whose rare ability to communicate with animals allows him to ride rearing stallions at a fully-charged gallop and orchestrate majestic four-ton Asian elephants in a symphony of dance. When he stands inside a cage, eye to eye with 12 ferocious tigers, Tabayara sees family where others see danger.

The fearless Fernandez Brothers dial up the thrills as they perform daring feats of athleticism on the Twin Turbines of Steel, including extreme jumps and twists inside the moving wheels! Audiences will crackle with excitement as they watch Guillermo perform a 360-degree, flying-forward somersault, three stories in the air, a feat so difficult it has only been attempted by one other person in the 141-year history of Ringling Bros. Descending from the legendary dynasty of Ghengis Khan, the Mongolian strongman duo of The Titanic Tulga and Mighty Meetal, demonstrate a herculean display of human dexterity and strength as they lift large, cumbersome telephone poles, which weigh up to half a ton, and twirl them above their heads while acrobats balance atop. The Human Fuse, Brian Miser, sets the arena sky ablaze as he rockets through the air from his self-made human crossbow. Don’t blink as he flashes across the sky in less than a second, and travels 110 feet at 65 miles per hour.

Ever wonder how many clowns it takes to change a light bulb? The hilarious hoopla continues to flow as the clowns from the world-famous Ringling Bros.® Clown Alley, charge up the audiences’ funny bones with hysterical silly antics and clownish comedy.

The action at Fully Charged begins an hour before show time at the All Access Power Up Pre-show Party– FREE to all ticket holders. Get to know the world’s greatest performers, meet some our amazing animals in person, and work to become CircusFit all before the show starts! The All Access Power Up Pre-show Party is the only place where you can register for a chance to win a pachyderm painting created by one of Ringling Bros. artistic Asian elephants right before audiences’ eyes.

You can only experience this current of excitement at Ringling Bros. Fully Charged! Get your tickets for high-voltage fun today!
 

Tickets for Fully Charged are now on sale and start at just $20. For the Opening Night Show only, get tickets at a special price starting at just $12 (Not valid on Circus Celebrity or VIP Seating). Tickets can be purchased through www.Ringling.com, Ticketmaster, Dick’s Sporting Goods Box Office at CONSOL Energy Center or call 1-800-745-3000 to reserve your seats.

Performance Schedule:

* (Opening Night Show) Thursday, November 1 - 7pm
* Friday, November 2 - 7pm
* Saturday, November 3 - 11am, 3pm, 7pm
* Sunday, November 4 - 1pm, 5pm
.......................................
 
We have a family 4-pack of tickets to giveaway!
{Tickets are for opening night, 11/1, 7pm.}
Go here to enter.
Winner chosen at random. Winner has 24 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be selected. Contest open for entries until October 10th, 2012, 7pm.

.......................................
  

Triple B Farms

 
On a hilltop overlooking a beautiful Western Pennsylvania landscape, located 20 miles from Downtown Pittsburgh is Triple B Farms. Since 1967, Ron Beinlich has owned and operated this gorgeous parcel of land that once was home to a beef cattle herd and now boasts many acres of home-grown fruit and vegetables. Ron, his wife Carolyn, their son Bill and daughter-in-law Sue work together to operate this family farm where families can escape for a day of fun in the country. All summer long, enjoy our delicious fruits and vegetables, homemade pies and fudge, jams and jellies and honey from the beehives on our own property. In the Country Market, you will also find Amish butter and cheeses, eggs from our chickens, farm toys and gift items. Bring your children to see our pygmy goats, calf, chickens and peacocks, and play the day away on our farm-themed playground. In the fall, we welcome all of Western PA for "Pittsburgh's Finest Family Apple & Pumpkin Festival." We take pride in offering the region's very best fruits and vegetables, plus a fun place to kick back, play a little and be refreshed by the beautiful country.
 
Welcome and enjoy! 
Save $1.00 Off Admission with this coupon!
 
TRIPLE B SPECIALTIES:
  • Storybook Pumpkinland - Over 250 pumpkin-headed characters from nursery rhymes and children's movies. Guess their identities!
  • Hayrides to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch.
  • Hayrides to the pick-your-own apple orchard.
  • Big Blue Boo Barn - Mildly scary haunted barn.
  • Feed Bag Refreshments - Remodeled this year! Panini sandwiches and hot dogs, fresh cut French fries, chowder made with Triple B sweet corn, gooey caramel apple desserts, slices of pie, homemade apple cider doughnuts and much more! 
  •  Giant Liberty Tube Slide and Squirrel Hill Tunnel Slide
  • Inflatable Obstacle Course
  • Rompin' Rope Maze - With a slide in the middle!
  • Children's Farm Playground - Cornstalk tunnel, playhouse and playbarn with slides, a tractor for climbing and more.
  • Farm animals - Pygmy goats love to climb their towering ramp and bridge. We also have “BLACK & GOLD” ducklings playing on a water slide, chickens, peacocks and more.
  • Country Market - Stocked with home baked pies fresh from our bakery, homemade fudge, our own enormous and delicious apples, pasteurized apple cider, farm-themed gifts for children, specialty food items and fall decorating supplies.
  • Outdoor Decorating Tent – stocked with gourds, mini-pumpkins, Triple B’s OWN Heritage varieties of pumpkins, cornstalks, bales of straw, beautiful, hardy mums, and more!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

RADical Days 2012

One of the best times of the year to be in Pittsburgh is here: 

 RADical days!

FREE admission to lots of local venues!

The Allegheny Regional Asset District - or, RAD - is your local sales tax dollars in support of our regional libraries, parks and trails, sports facilities, and arts and culture. Since 1994, RAD has funded more than $1.3 billion in grants to places and to organizations that create a positive impact on the lives of residents of and visitors to Allegheny County. RADical Days is a “thank you” to the public for its support of the assets through RAD.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Free admission 9:30am-5pm
Unearth the powers of healing plants from around the world as beautiful fountains provide a release from the summer heat during the Summer Flower Show: Fountain of Youth. Bring the family and let them welcome you to a world where nature's treasures are revealed. One Schenley Park Drive (Oakland). Phipps.conservatory.org


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Free admission 10am-1pm
Free art activities for kids and families.
1047 Shady Ave. (Shady Side)
pca.pittsburgharts.org · facebook.com/PghCenterForTheArts

Society for Contemporary Craft
Free admission 10am-5pm
Laugh at human behaviors, banana-peel jokes, cartoon characters and more at Humor in Craft, an exhibit where 32 artists make fun of almost everything. Turn jokes into jewelry in the Drop-In Studio. Curator Brigitte Martin and Editorial Cartoonist Rob Rogers explore the question, “What do we laugh at?” from 4-5pm.
21st & Smallman Streets (Strip District)
Contemporarycraft.org · facebook.com/SCCPgh

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

The Andy Warhol MuseumFree admission 10am-5pm
Challenging, energizing and exploring all that art can and should be. At The Warhol, you have the chance to truly experience art. Whether you come to see the permanent collection, a performance, a visiting artist’s work, a party, or just for lunch, you’ll find something to talk about, laugh over, delight in, or ponder for days.
117 Sandusky St. (North Shore)
Warhol.org · facebook.com/thewarholmuseum

Carnegie Science CenterFree admission 10am-5pm
Hands-on science fun for all ages, including GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World, roboworld™, planetarium, Highmark SportsWorks®, an authentic submarine, and a world-renowned model railroad display – plus cool shows about food science and physics! (Omnimax theater is an additional cost.)
One Allegheny Ave. (North Shore)
CarnegieScienceCenter.org · facebook.com/CarnegieScienceCenter

RiverQuestFree admission 11am-3pm
Visit EXPLORER, the world’s first green educational vessel for free science activities at the dock, including RiverWorks Discovery®, sponsored by Port of Pittsburgh Commission. There is a fee for parking.
One Allegheny Ave. (North Shore, docked next to Carnegie Science Center
RiverQuest.org

Mattress Factory
Free admission 1-5pm
The Mattress Factory is a museum of contemporary art that presents art that you can get in to: room-sized environments created by in residence artists.
500 Sampsonia Way (North Side)
Mattress.org

New Hazlett Theater
Prime Stage Theater

Free admission noon-5pm
Presenting a full five-hour, non-stop presentation from theater company Veritas Vita Collaborative, music from Thoth Trio, Paz & Ukelele Eddie and Emay & the New Hazlett Houseband, New Northside resident artist collective Cyberpunk Apocalypse, and film viewings of the new Northside zombie feature “Spineview,” as well as a documentary by Robert Isenberg.
At 3:30pm Prime Stage Theater will present a sneak preview reading of its fall production Fahrenheit 451, being directed by Justin Fortunato on September 23rd at the New Hazlett Theater.
6 Allegheny Square East (next to the Children’s Museum, North Side)
Newhazletttheater.org · Primestage.com

Pittsburgh Opera Up Close: Rigoletto
Free admission 2-3:30pm
Opera Up Close is an in-depth, lecture-format look at the music and story of Verdi’s Rigoletto with Maestro Walker, plus singers and directors from the production.
2425 Liberty Ave. (Strip District)
Pittsburghopera.org · facebook.com/PittsburghOpera

Pittsburgh Opera: Rising Stars Concert
Free admission 6-8pm
Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artist Program is hailed as one of the country’s leading training programs for young singers. Meet our 2012-13 Resident Artists as they introduce themselves through their favorite arias. Reservations are required. Limit four seats. Register online or at 412-281-0912, ext. 216.
See location details above on September 23rd.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

10 Free Thank You Cards!

Tiny Prints 10 Free Thank You Cards
 
"Thank you."

Two words not said enough, by bosses, by spouses, by friends, or by strangers on the street. Tiny Prints is out to change that.

For one week only, you can get
10 FREE thank you cards from Tiny Prints.
All you pay is shipping (as low as $3.50).

These cards can be completely customized and personalized to your tastes. Choose from
thousands of designs, add pictures, change the text, the fonts, the colors. You get to make these cards uniquely you.

Just use the promo code FREETHANKS when you check out and pay the shipping and Tiny Prints will send the 10 cards right away. Then...it's up to you to use them!

Offer ends September 19.

Let's start a Thank You Revolution!
Visit Tiny Prints now to take advantage of this incredible deal.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Snuggle Bugs Giveaway #2

The Snuggle Bugs & Company sale is just around the corner!
Snuggle Bugs & Company is a unique children's consignment event that brings you the greatest selection in children's clothing, toys, baby equipment, and more at the absolute best prices!
Shop, consign, go and have a great time!
September 15th - 22nd
{closed on the 18th and 19th}
at the former Value City store in Pleasant Hills
 
If you've ever been to one of these local consignment sales you know how hugely popular they are!
Translation: the check out line can be quite a wait.
{But for the deals you find, it's worth it, of course!}
 
We are giving away 1 pass each to 2 lucky winners to JUMP THE LINE!
This means when you are ready to check out, you simply tell a manager who will escort you right into check-out. Wha-la - no waiting!
{You will need photo ID to claim your pass at the door.} 
Contest open for entries through September 10th, 10pm.
*
Go here to enter.
*
Good luck!