WESA Public Radio Interview

I had the pleasure of being interviewed on the Essential Pittsburgh show on our local NPR affiliate, WESA 90.5 FM about a week ago.  I was on with host Paul Guggenheimer and writer Leah Samuel, whose recent article on the website Public Source addressed wage and hour violations in the hotel industry.  Thankfully, I was on not as a violator but as one of the good players in the industry.  However, I did try to make the point that wage and hour laws can be confusing for employers and employees, and that while there are some bad actors who consistently transgress, on many occasions the violations are honest mistakes by the operator, who will then make restitution and see that the problems do not arise again.

You can listen to the broadcast here.

Biggest Water Balloon Fight in the World Tomorrow!

I'd like to share with you a really special charity event which is taking place this Saturday at the Highmark (Riverhounds) Stadium at Station Square.  It's the Great AmericanWater Balloon Fight, a massive water balloon battle on the stadium field, with the proceeds of the event benefitting "Team Tassy," an organization devoted to helping the families of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of January 2010.  The water balloon fight consists of  four teams of contestants, led by a celebrity captain, doing battle with over 100,000 water balloons.  The organization raises money through contestants obtaining sponsors and through ticket sales.    It's a family friendly event with four bands, lots of food, and other amusements.  It  should be a great way to spend a summer day. 

Tassy Filsaime is a young man from Port Au Prince Haiti who was in severe need of an operation to remove a tumor on his jaw.  Two years ago, Pittsburgher Ian Rosenberger (a finalist on the "Survivor" television program) and some friends organized a fundraiser at our Grand Hall to raise the $30,000 they needed to bring Tassy to the U.S. and to get him this life saving operation.  The event and the operation was a success, but Ian and Company wanted to do more for the people of Haiti.  Thus they formed Team Tassy, an organization aimed at healing the families of Haiti by "teaching them to fish" so to speak.  First, they help stabilize a family's health concerns (as in Tassy's case), then they will work with the family in helping to educate the children and to find jobs for those who can work.  The focus is on the longitudinal well being of the family -- allowing them to sustain themselves.  It's truly inspiring. 

Tassy, who is doing well and going to school in Pittsburgh, will be there, along with Ian and many others.  If you have time on Saturday afternoon, I'd urge you to stop by this worthwhile event. 

Details :

What:   Great American Water Balloon Fight (also featuring food and live music)

Where:  Highmark Stadium, Station Square

When:   Saturday, July 13, 2012.  Doors open - 10:00 a.m.; Fight starts - 1:00 p.m. 

Link to Team Tassy Website:  http://teamtassy.org/

Link to Great American Water Balloon Fight Website:  http://www.teamtassy.org/waterballoon/

Some Arresting Wedding Images from Photographer Ryan Zarichnak

A photographer, Ryan Zarichnak, shared some photography he had recently completed of a wedding (Laura and Justin) who had their wedding reception at our Grand Hall at the Priory in early May.  Ryan had quite a few striking images which are featured on his blog post of the wedding and reception, and which are definitely worth a look.  He has some nice action shots in the Grand Hall, and some offbeat images - including some shots at Lockhart Tire, a service station located a couple of blocks from us.

You can access Ryan's blog post here.

Tops in Tripadvisor . . . Again!

We are pleased and proud that  Tripadvisor, the noted travel and tourism website, bestowed on the Priory Hotel it's coveted "Certificate of Excellence" for 2013 in early June.  It was the Priory's third year in a row receiving the award, which is based upon unbiased ratings of travelers who have stayed at the hotel.  The Priory's 4.5 star rating out of five stars places it among the top 5% of all hotels rated by Tripadvisor nationwide. 

Here is a link to Tripadvisor's Press Release, and here is a link to the Priory Hotel's Tripadvisor page.  

We are truly pleased and gratified by this award, and we are grateful to our guests who have taken the time to fill out Tripadvisor reviews over the years.  Thank you!  

Giant Rubber Ducky Coming!

Duck!  Seriously, duck.  A huge rubber duck, that is.  The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is kicking off its third International Festival of Firsts with an appearance of the massive Florentijn Hofman sculpture the Rubber Duck.  The duck will appear to kick off the festival, which draws artists and performers from around the world to debut new work.  The festival starts on September 27 and runs until October 26.

The duck, which is 35 feet long and 30 feet wide, will make its Pittsburgh appearance on September 27, when it will launch from the West End Bridge and travel up the Allegheny River.

For a Post-Gazette story on the duck's appearance, click here.

Shout Out from the Wall Street Journal!

In a Wall Street Journal article from June 1, 2013 entitled "Journal Concierge:  An Insider's Guide to Pittsburgh," which reviews the hep and happening in the city, he author interviewed four prominent Pittsburghers regarding their favorite places in the region.  The Priory Hotel was singled out by Andy Warhol Museum Executive Director Eric Shiner as his favorite place for a "sound sleep."  Said Mr. Shiner:  "It's a unique property, a renovated monastery, with events held in a former church."    We are delighted with the shout out and pleased that the Journal's picture diary includes some shots of our property.  You can find a link to the article here.  

Return of the Fountain!!

The fountain at Point State Park, a Pittsburgh landmark since the mid-1970's, has finally completed its makeover.  After three years of work, the fountain, which sprays water 40 feet in the air, has been re-started.  The fountain was refurbished as part of an overall makeover of Point State Park.  It's great to have this welcome symbol of Pittsburgh's renaissance back in operation.

Here is a link to a Post-Gazette story about the re-opening of the fountain.