Toonseum to Expand

The Toonseum, downtown, is expanding as of November. The Toonseum is a museum located on Liberty Avenue in the Cultural District dedicated to the art of cartoons and comics. Founded in 2007, it moved to its storefront location in 2009. The Toonseum is expanding due to growing interest in its offerings, sparked in part by increased development downtown. The Toonseum is a little gem of an attraction located not far from the Priory, and is well worth a look.

Here is a Post-Gazette story on the expansion of the Toonseum.

Head of the Ohio is October 1!

The Head of the Ohio crew race, which is always held the first Saturday in October, takes place this Saturday, October 1. Races start at about 8:00 a.m. and will continue throughout the day. This is a great fall event, and really showcases the beauty of the sport and the conditioning of these athletes. Rowers of all classifications compete, from "Masters" who are well into late adulthood, to Juniors who are just in eighth grade. The event takes place on Washington's Landing, overlooking the Allegheny River, which is only a mile or so from the Priory. It's an easy walk or bike ride. You will need to park by the Heinz Loft apartments and take a shuttle, as Washington's Landing is an island with limited parking and ingress/ egress.

The event is sponsored and run by the Three Rivers Rowing Association.

If you're curious, stop by and check it out. It's a great day out!

Post Deutschtown House Tour Wine Sampling

The Historic Deutschtown House Tour launches this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. from the Priory's courtyard. After the tasting, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., come back to the courtyard for our special wine sampling courtesy of our hotel's Monk's Bar.

We'll be pouring flights (three ounce servings) of your choice of four of six of our favorite wines from our monthly Priory wine tastings in our peaceful courtyard. The cost is $15.00 per flight. We will also be serving a full bar from the Monks’ Bar, and light food will be available.

Date: Sunday, September 25, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Monks’ Bar will be open from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. as well.

None of the wines we are serving are available in state Wine & Spirits stores. Se Selections for Sunday's sampling are:

Winemakers 45 RPM (Paso Robles 2009): This wine was featured by the winemaker himself, Ross Outon. Ross was the winner of PBS’s inaugural season of “The Winemakers,” a television program which pits aspiring winemakers of a variety of backgrounds in a series of “Top Chef” type competitions. The winner is awarded the chance to create and bottle the wine of his or her choice. The result of season one was Ross’s “45 RPM,” a blend of grenache, petit syrah, zinfandel and mourvedre grapes. Upon drinking, one picks up cherry, vanilla, licorice and black pepper on the nose. Medium bodied and fruit forward, the middle part of the wine shows cherry and other soft red fruit. With subtle tannins, this is an easy drinking wine. It is not available at all in Pennsylvania; we had to special order it for the tasting.

Altura 1024 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina 2007): This is a medium-bodied, easy-drinking Cab with a very with a bold thrust of plum and blackberry fruit flavor, followed by a slight note of acidity upon the finish.

James Mitchell Cabernet (Lodi 2009): Robust and flavorful, and with a touch of oak, this meaty Cab is all about lush fruit – black cherry, black currant and spice notes.

Kunde Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma 2009): 91% Sauv Blanc, 6% Semillon, and 3% Vignonier, the blending grapes of this wine add subtle complexities and body. The main body of the Sauvignon Blanc features grapefruit, pineapple and a hint of Mexican guava.

Hahn GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend) (Central Valley 2009): This deep hued blend opens with intense aromas of dark fruit and berries, vanilla and cloves. Flavors of black cherry cola, blackberry, fig and pepper are supported by a refreshing acidity and structured tannins.

Hahn Pinot Gris (Monterey 2009): Full bodied and rich, this wine is pale straw colored and crystal clear. It offers waves of Bosc pear, green apple and Jamaican banana on the nose.

We hope that you can make it!