Old G-20 Commons

I hope Pittsburgh can be a model for all things good and lasting during the G-20. I know hope is not a plan.

I came across the above print in the catalogue accompanying A Panorama of Pittsburgh: Nineteenth-Century Printed Views, a Frick Art & Historical Center exhibition in 2008. The September 22-25, 1857 date caught my eye, but when I read the description it got me thinking about ways we build community around events.

"It is an attractive print produced locally for posting prominently around the city in the days leading up to the fair. The colorful image of the fairgrounds invites viewers to come see for themselves the attractions, while text provides more information on the event. This print had an ephemeral purpose and most copies would have been posted in public spots where they would be unlikely to survive much beyond the event itself, if even that long."

A ways from there to #myG20 -- will it be ephemeral too?

Anyone know where the "Allegheny County & Western PA Fair Grounds" was in 1857?

Like Being There

Old Paralysis

A preview of the G-20 downtown experience?



A city waits relief!

Old 'Burgh Traffic...

...same as it ever was.

Old Netroots & New Sprouts

That's the title of the last page of the 1936 "Civic Pittsburgh" publication detailing reasons to rationalize local government (found on archive.org and originally contributed to the web for free download and perusing by EveNDon.com - where they have archived a bunch of old Pittsburgh publications).

After attending Netroots Nation today and pondering what Pittsburgh can learn from Netroots Nation, I thought of titling this post "The Alive Hand of Our Descendents Lies Lightly on Us" (and not just because I have been walking around the house holding my 2 month old son).

This was my first Netroots Nation, though I was an early member on Daily Kos back in 2003 (posting as Chance the gardener) and involved in some of the e-mail discussions amongst the original volunteer organizers for what was first called Yearly Kos in 2006. Four years later, it's remarkable to see 2,000 bloggers of all ages convening in our fair city, and to meet in person some of those I admire greatly for their progressive voices (which are not so much in the wilderness anymore).

So, what can progressives in Pittsburgh learn from Netroots Nation? I think simply creating more opportunities to come together in person is a good place to start, both to create more of an actual community and to anchor ourselves in on-the-ground activities that reach folks who maybe aren't as plugged in (i.e., our elderly neighbors).

It's also worth remembering that at just 4 yrs old, the annual gathering known as Netroots Nation is still just a kid. You wouldn't know it though from the organization -- it has been very well run, and the Convention Center is a great setting. The city has gotten good reviews from those I have spoken with in the halls...

Old Motley Population

A canoe trip passing through Pittsburgh by G.W. Featherstonhaugh.

Journal entry from July 24, 1835:

Old Pete and the 'Burgh