Last year’s Walk on Washington was such a hit that organizers have planned another for this year, on Saturday, May 18, from 4 to 9 p.m. in the Washington Road business district. Although it may sound like some sort of march in the nation’s capital, the Walk on Washington is your chance to sample products, meet shop owners and talk to the professionals who work Uptown.
Sponsored by the Uptown Business Association and all Washington Road businesses, the event will include everything from retail clothing, gift shops and jewelers to restaurants, salons and professional services. Shops will have free demonstrations, Q&A sessions, entertainment and sampling.
Admission is free. Stores will have maps of the business district and when you visit a store, the map will be punched, qualifying you for door prizes that punched to qualify for door prizes such as gift certificates, free classes and meals.
Last year, about 2,000 people attended and visited the 44 participating businesses. Founding organizers Karen Sturgeon of Sturgeon Photography and Sharon Clark, owner of Ona Boutique, hope to build the event this year and have planned live music and other performers to keep the evening fun. More details at www.facebook.com/walkOnwashington [1].
[2]Rock Springs Road resident Alexandra Duffy is the new development and outreach associate at The Early Learning Institute (TELI). Duffy, a 2012 graduate of the University of Dayton, will lead the agency’s marketing and communications, including social media, and assist with fundraising. She previously worked as special event coordinator for Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh. TELI serves more than 1,200 children with special needs across Allegheny and Washington counties through its infant and toddler early intervention program.
Mt. Lebanon High School is accepting nominations for the 2013 Great Alumni Award. This project honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding personal or professional accomplishments after graduating from Mt. Lebanon High School. Application deadline is April 15. For details, contact Judith Kolko at 412-344-2105 or obtain an application at www.mtlsd.org [3].
The Pennsylvania Psychological Association has given Kingsberry Circle resident Rex Gatto its 2013 Distinguished Service Award. Gatto, founder and president of Gatto Associates, LLC, a consulting firm offering training programs to businesses, individual assessments, counseling and organizational analysis, is a member of the board of the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA) and is the author of several books including Smart Manager’s FAQ Guide and Seesaw Syndrome (Work life Balance). In 2012 he was appointed executive director of Point Park University’s Center for Management Excellence.
Attorney Jerome Richey, Inglewood Drive, has been named the University of Pittsburgh’s general counsel. Richey, formerly chief legal officer and executive vice president for CONSOL Energy, is on the boards of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, Allegheny County Parks Foundation, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania.
[4]James Place residents Anthony and Amy Falcon opened Gaucho Parrilla Argentina in January to rave reviews at 1607 Penn Avenue in the Strip, featuring Pittsburgh’s first Argentinian wood-fired grill. Anthony, whose father’s family is from Argentina, is the chef. He is a former executive chef and food/beverage director at Southpointe Golf Club. Gaucho does not have a liquor license, but you can get artisan sodas, non-alcoholic sangria or pure sugar Coca Cola (instead of the stuff with high fructose corn syrup). Anthony hopes to add outdoor seating this spring. Hours are: Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Takeout at 412-709-6622. www.eatgaucho.com [5].