Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Vince Lascheid the longtime organist for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates, has died. He was 85. Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan says Lascheid was a Pittsburgh original. Lascheid worked for the Penguins from 1970 to 2003 and is in the team's hall of fame. Lascheid still worked part-time for the Pirates. Pirates President Frank Coonelly says the Pirates family is deeply saddened. “Those that knew him well speak to his strong character, unwavering professionalism as well as his passion for life and for Pittsburgh sports," Coonelly said in a news release. "He was not only an extremely talented musician, but a wonderful father, grandfather, friend and true definition of the word gentleman. This is not only a huge loss for his family and the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the city of Pittsburgh." “We are proud to say that even though he is gone, Vince will continue to be the Pirates organist through digital recordings. When our fans hear organ music at PNC Park it...

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Black and gold. It decorates Pittsburgh's hilly neighborhoods and adorns the city's flag. Steelers fans in Heinz Stadium turn winter days brighter with black and gold Terrible Towels. And in a national oddity, all three of Pittsburgh's sports teams use the colors. For the full story, go to pennlive.com

It might be one of Pittsburgh's famous Primanti Bros. sandwiches for Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Or it might be a platter of Detroit-made Kowalski sausages for Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. The outcome depends on the winner of the NHL Stanley Cup finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. The seven-game series opens Saturday night in Detroit. If the Penguins lose, Rendell must have a meal of Kowalski sausages, Faygo Rock and Rye pop and Michigan cherries while wearing a Red Wings jersey. If the Red Wings lose, Granholm must don a Penguins jersey, and down hot dogs from the Original Hot Dog Shop and a Primanti Bros. sandwich, as well as Eat'n Park cookies.

The Pittsburgh city planning commission has approved the design for the Penguins $290 million arena. The decision clears the way for a groundbreaking this summer, with completion expected before the start of the 2010-2011 hockey season. This is one of the drawings submitted to the planning commission. It shows the entrance to the arena at Fifth Avenue and Washington Place.

One more obstacle on the path of the Pittsburgh Penguins new hockey arena is no more. St. Francis Central Hospital was blown up Saturday to make way for the $290 million arena. The 10-story hospital was brought down with the staggered detonation of some 15 separate charges. In February, demolition crews tried and failed to bring the building down with cables. The hospital shut its doors in 2000. It is the largest structure being demolished to make room for the planned 18,500-seat arena. The new arena is scheduled to open in 2010. Watch the video HERE