CONTENTS AND STAFF Contents Page 3 Fitness and Health Page 4 Business Pages 6-7 Wine & Brew Pages 8 Casual Dining Page 10 Night Life Pages 12-14 Theater Page 15 Travel Pages 16-19 Music Page 20 Romance Pages 21-37 Humor Pages 23-24 Valentines Humor Pages 34-37 USA Useless Facts Page 38 City Search Page 39 Classifieds Staff Publisher: Joyce Campisi Editor-in-Chief: Joyce Campisi Executive Editor: Joseph P. Campisi, III Production Manager: Rob Hoffman Photographer: Todd Brunozzi Graphic Designer: Donnie Garber Dennis Kostley Administrative Assistant: Tammie Miller Feature Writers: Paul E. Kimble, Trish Imbrogno,Christopher Harper, David Mayle, Diane Ference, Nannette Staropoli, Suz Pisano Contributing Writers: Bill Mace Jean Mace, Dottie Wilhelm, Lori Hon, Boris Pekol, Michelle Maggio Webmaster: Benjamin Auman Cover Photography: Nightwire 622 Second Avenue Pittsburgh, PA. 15219 Phone: 412-755-1055 • Fax: 412-755-1056 [email protected]/www.nightwire.net Copyright ®, SX publications, Nightwire. All rights reserved. SX Publications, Nightwire owns the copyrights of the photographs and contents of this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, modified, retransmitted or published in any part of copyrighted material without the expressed written permission of the publisher. The articles and editorials are meant for entertainment purposes only, and do not necessarily represent opinions of SX Publications, Nightwire, they are those of the writers and advertisers and may not necessarily represent those of SX Publications, Nightwire. SX Publications, Nightwire in no way offers any recommendations, endorsements or guarantees of any kind with regard to any service, product or person in any way for the actions ensuing from advertising. This publication contains elements adult in nature and may not be suitable for minors. Some of the products and services available through advertisements are not for purchase by minors. SX Publications, Nightwire cannot be held responsible for photos submitted by advertisers and photography supplied by advertisers or vendors without a release from the model(s). SX Publications, Nightwire will assume no liability for misprints, typos, ad print quality, ad placement or incorrect ad copy. 2 • February 2008 BUSINESS Half Empty Or Half Full By: Paul E. Kimble When considering the economy in Pittsburgh, do you firm of Washington, D.C., plans to move its national operations see the glass as half full or half empty? If you said center from Washington D.C. to downtown Pittsburgh. either, I’d have to say you’ve been looking at the wrong CardWorks, a credit card servicing company announced an glass. Pittsburgh’s economic “glass” is more than half expansion move from downtown to Station Square. Together, full. With so many people whispering the “R” word these actions will create 152 jobs in the region. Contrary to (recession) I thought I’d give you a few reasons to be popular belief, unemployment isn’t a problem in Pittsburgh, optimistic about the region’s economy. which is reason number three to be optimistic about the local Here’s reason number 1: Construction. Have you economy. traveled downtown lately? You can’t help but notice the How do you think the region fares in comparison to the rest bustle of construction activity. From the North Shore of the country when it comes to unemployment statistics? Connector to Three PNC Plaza, with Market Square According to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Place, Piatt Place, and the August Wilson Center for Statistics latest figures, unemployment is Pittsburgh sits at African American Culture nearby, signs of the $3 Billion 4%, four tenths of one per cent under the national rate. worth of development abound. In a few years, Surprised? From the same source we learn that over the last downtown Pittsburgh year, Pittsburgh ranks fifth will be almost among metropolitan areas unrecognizable with the of 1 million people or more addition to the in the per cent change in Penguins new arena, a unemployment, dropping a luxury hotel in addition half of a per cent. to all the other Pittsburgh trailed only commercial and Louisville, Boston, New residential projects Orleans and Seattle in either planned or terms of the drop in underway. Over on the unemployment over the North Shore, past year. We’ve already construction of the talked about all the Majestic Star casino construction going on in has begun, and the the region, and of course, Steelers just announced casinos and office plans to build an buildings and hotels entertainment complex require workers to build adjacent to Heinz Field. According to Continental Real them. The Majestic Star alone will employ 4,000 construction Estate, the firm chosen to help redevelop the North workers. In fact, the local building boom puts a strain on the Shore, there will be $2.3 billion in new construction local labor force, which means there’s never been a better time between Heinz Field and PNC Park, with approximately for someone to become an ironworker, carpenter, electrician, 350 apartments, office buildings and retail space. To the steam fitter, or boilermaker. east, the former Nabisco plant in East Liberty is being Maybe working a trade doesn’t appeal to you. Consider redeveloped as Bakery Square, featuring a mix of retail, unleashing your creative power as an entrepreneur. I recently office space, a hotel and housing. In addition, the new came across a terrific product, an infant bath tub with a built in 1.5 million square feet Children’s Hospital will open in digital thermometer. After years of testing bathwater the old- 2009. All of this construction represents my second fashioned way, I thought to myself, “I should’ve thought of reason for optimism: Investment. that!” The company who manufactures the innovative bath U. S. Steel Corporation just announced they will tub, Thorley Industries, is based in the Strip District, and invest $1 Billion to upgrade their Clairton Plant. This recently signed a $215 million licensing deal with Hasbro Inc., action, which represents the largest investment since to develop new products. What great ideas are bouncing the construction of the new Pittsburgh International around in your head right now? Airport, will ensure the continued viability of all of U. S. I hear what you’re saying, “the credit crunch is going to get Steel’s Mon Valley operations. Maybe you forgot, but us; the “R” word is coming.” Well, consider this—PMI Group we still make steel in Pittsburgh. Perhaps you’ve heard of California recently released figures on residential prices in of Westinghouse’s plans to build a $140 million nuclear the third quarter of 2007. Home values in the seven-county energy campus in Cranberry. While this means a shift of Pittsburgh region appreciated 4.65%. This increase some jobs from area within our region to another, represents a 2.32% gain over the third quarter of 2006. Westinghouse plans to add over 1,000 new jobs as they Pittsburgh was one of only seven regions to see home values fulfill a $5.3 Billion contract to build nuclear power go up during this period. As PNC's Chief Economist Stuart plants in China. Westinghouse also won a $200 million Hoffman said recently, "Pittsburgh never had a boom. We're service contract to help complete construction of the not having a bust." Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2, near Spring City, Never had a boom? Look around. Maybe we’re on the Tennessee. Companies large and small are adding jobs cusp of one now. all over the region. TechAssist, a Technology Consulting 4 • February 2008 FITNESS AND HEALTH Fitness With A Twist dancing is a form of dancing/gymnastics that takes muscular endurance and coordination as well as sensuality The dancer(s) may simply hold the pole, or use it to perform athletic moves; such as climbs, spins, and body inversions. This form of exercise increases upper body strength (by using the body itself as resistance) while toning the body as a whole. Fitness with a Twist offers beginner, intermediate and advanced classes. The 5 instructors at Fitness with a Twist are both fitness and pole certified with each Pole dancing is the hottest fitness trend since the Stair Master, classes are popping up in fitness centers across America, and the Pittsburgh area is certainly no exception. Fitness with a Twist has just opened it second location on the South Side. Their first studio is located in Verona. Owner, Vanessa Connell knew that there was a demand for it, however, no one in Pittsburgh was offering classes. Her Verona location was so Casey Gibson, Instructor successful that she wanted to have a second studio closer to downtown. of them offering a style to fit everyone for 18 to 80. She knew that today’s gym goers want workouts that are They combine yoga and aerobics with the fun and physically demanding and can make them feel fit and sexy at excitement of pole dancing! This is an exclusive the same time. Pole dancing accomplishes all of that and so opportunity for an intense, full-body workout that will much more. Whether you are wearing 6-inch heels or your boost your self-confidence, it has been found to be very frumpiest T-shirt, as long as you have access to a pole, you empowering, liberating and will sculpt your body. can enjoy the health benefits of pole dancing, starting with the Imagine feeling excited about exercising once again! basic wrap-around Vanessa told us “once woman discover how sexy they moves. I are, and how good it feels to just fly around that pole, attended a class their transformation is truly amazing.” I couldn’t agree and I found it truly more, what an awesome experience, I loved it so much, incredible, what a I want my own pole and can’t wait till the next class.