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Pittsburgh, PA Its three majestic rivers define Pittsburgh; they serve as our touchstone, our mythological basis for being. They are our link to the past and future. We don’t think of them as bodies of water but as friends, lovers, and family. The old man Monongahela which snakes and double backs on itself, the younger Allegheny which flows from the north with importance and strength. These two rivers form the Ohio, which flows into the Mississippi and eventually the warm, blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Pittsburgh’s rivers have defined us, first as a “Gateway” to the west for settlers heading off into the then unknown territories of Kentucky and Ohio. Later as a steel producing giant. The precious iron shipped on barges to the far reaches of a country in the process of building itself. Shipping has made Pittsburgh one of the largest inland ports in the United States. A half-mystical fourth river, natives will tell you, feeds the fountain at Point State Park the site of Fort Duquesne, where you can still walk in the footfalls that George Washington once stood. Pittsburgh is a shining lady set down among ancient hills, the best place to view this lady is from Mount Washington. Be sure to take one of the inclines from Mount Washington down to Station Square, where you can grab a bite to eat or do some shopping. Even take in a concert at the amphitheater on the water. I highly recommend Just Ducky Tours (www.justduckytours.com) for a trip in, around and on the streets and rivers of Pittsburgh. Crossing the “Mon” you enter downtown Pittsburgh itself. Shopping, restaurants and a farmers market are located in the Strip District. Various bars and nightclubs surround the area creating “the place” to be at night. Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle located in the heart of the strip shows English Premier League games on Saturday’s and Sundays. Cheer on your favorite team as you eat from the traditional Irish Breakfast bar. If your looking for a bit more culture, then the cultural district on Penn Avenue is for you. Featuring the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (www.pittsburghsymphony.org) widely regarded as one of the best Orchestra’s on the planet. Take in a play or visit an art gallery. If you travel east, you’ll end up in Oakland. This is Pittsburgh’s own “college town” where you’ll find live music, poetry readings, good cheap food, coffee, coffee and more coffee. You will also find the Carnegie Museum (www.carnegiemuseums.org). Home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur bones in the United States. Crossing the street to the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning you’ll find the Nationality rooms, which are classrooms done up in the style of the country they represent – from Africa to the Ukraine. Three dollars will get you a tape for a self-guided tour of this unique educational experience. A few blocks away is the Phipps Conservatory (www.phipps.conservatory.org), famous for its indoor and outdoor floral displays. Directly across the "Mon" and Oakland is the Southside. Carson Street is the center of the South Side and full of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. To catch a football (soccer) game or a good glass of Ale, try Pipers Pub, or Grecianland Pastries for some homemade cheesecake. If you cross the Allegheny River you soon find yourself in the Historic North Side of town. The Andy Warhol museum (www.warhol.com) is here. The stadiums for Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers are located on the North Side. If you wish to do something the whole family can enjoy, the wonderful interactive Children’s museum (www.pittsburghkids.org) and Buhl Science Center are sure bets. The National Aviary (www.aviary.org) exhibits over 600 exotic birds and is a bargain with tickets only four dollars for adults. Pittsburgh Riverhounds The Riverhounds name reflects the proud tradition of Pittsburgh’s rivers and the men and woman that work them. The term “riverdog” is sometimes used to refer to a person that works on one of the many barges that ply their trade on the rivers. Their success has been spotty at best. Local businessman Paul Heasley whose love of the sport dates back many years to when his children first started to play the sport owns the “Hounds”. He is also the president of SportsLegacy Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes the sport through various functions. On the field the Hounds have advanced to the A-league playoffs in their inaugural season, advancing to the conference semi-finals and again in 2001 where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals, defeating the Colorado Rapids and eventually losing to the Chicago Fire in double overtime. In 1999, the Hounds were named A-league organization of the year. Bethel Park Stadium Capacity: 5,400 Colors: home- white, white, white; away- black, black, black Honors: A-League quarterfinalists - 1999 & 2001, U.S. Open Cup quarterfinalists 2001 The Hounds are actively seeking to build their own soccer specific complex which will have a stadium that can sit seven to ten thousand people as well as indoor and outdoor fields and training facility’s as well as youth fields. Plans have been on the drawing board for several months and are still in the process of being finalized. Currently they play at Bethel Park Stadium. The stadium has seating for 5,400 fans and its pitch, or field, measures 114 x 68 feet. Bethel Park stadium currently serves the usual food found at most sporting events and is reasonably priced. It is however, a smoke free and alcohol free environment. Directions to the stadium are available by visiting the Hounds website. Parking is found in either the upper or lower lots and currently is priced at two dollars. Tickets can be purchased the day of the game at the gate, or by calling the Riverhounds office (412 – 381 – GOAL) or online at the website. Club merchandise can also be purchased at the game in the concourse area or online. FROM THE NORTH AND WEST I-279 North or the Parkway East to the Parkway West to I-79 South. I-79 to Exit 12-Rt. 50 Kirwan Heights. At exit light, bear right to Rt. 50 West. Rt. 50 West to the 6th traffic signal. Turn left onto Bower Hill Road – Orange Belt. Follow Orange Belt signs (Orange Belt turns right onto MacLaughlin Run Rd.) to Rt. 19 North (landmark-Upper St. Clair Municipal Building on right). Follow Rt. 19 North 4 traffic lights to Fort Couch Road (South Hills Village Mall on right). Turn right onto Fort Couch Road and proceed to the 5th traffic light. Turn left onto Bethel Church Road. Take the second right turn onto Church Road (Bethel Park School District Administration Office is located at this intersection). The Bethel Park High School Campus will be on the left. OR Parkway West to Banksville Road Exit. Follow Banksville Road to Rt. 19 South. Follow Rt. 19 South to South Hills Village Mall at Fort Couch Road. Turn left onto Fort Couch Road and proceed to the 5th traffic light. Turn left onto Bethel Church Road. Take the second right turn onto Church Road (Bethel Park School District Administration Office is located at this intersection). The Bethel Park High School Campus will be on the left. FROM THE NORTH AND EAST OR THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH I-79 South (from the North Hills or Parkway) to Exit 12-Rt. 50 Kirwan Heights. At exit light, bear right to Rt. 50 West. Rt. 50 West to the 6th traffic signal. Turn left onto Bower Hill Road – Orange Belt. Follow Orange Belt signs (Orange Belt turns right onto MacLaughlin Run Rd.) to Rt. 19 North (landmark-Upper St. Clair Municipal Building on right). Follow Rt. 19 North 4 traffic lights to Fort Couch Road (South Hills Village Mall on right). Turn right onto Fort Couch Road and proceed to the 5th traffic light. Turn left onto Bethel Church Road. Take the second right turn onto Church Road (Bethel Park School District Administration Office is located at this intersection). The Bethel Park High School Campus will be on the left. FROM THE SOUTH I-79 North to Exit 11-Rt. 50 Bridgeville. At exit light, bear right to Rt. 50 East. Rt. 50 East (through Bridgeville) to the 3rd traffic signal. Turn right onto Bower Hill Road-Orange Belt. Follow Orange Belt signs (Orange Belt turns right onto MacLaughlin Run Rd.) to Rt. 19 North (landmark-Upper St. Clair Municipal Building on right). Follow Rt. 19 North 4 traffic lights to Fort Couch Road (South Hills Village Mall on right). Turn right onto Fort Couch Road and proceed to the 5th traffic light. Turn left onto Bethel Church Road. Take the second right turn onto Church Road (Bethel Park School District Administration Office is located at this intersection). The Bethel Park High School Campus will be on the left. Follow Rt. 19 North to South Hills Village Mall at Fort Couch Road. Turn right onto Fort Couch Road and proceed to the 5th traffic light. Turn left onto Bethel Church Road. Take the second right turn onto Church Road (Bethel Park School District Administration Office is located at this intersection). The Bethel Park High School Campus will be on the left. FROM THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH AND SOUTH EAST Follow Rt. 51 to Rt. 88 South. Follow Rt. 88 South to the South Park entrance. At the South Park entrance, make the right most turn onto South Park Road. Follow South Park Road to the 3rd traffic light. Turn right onto Church Road. Proceed approximately ¾ mile to the High School Campus located on the right. Tickets: Refreshers: Club Merchandise: Fan Culture Directly across from the press box is the home of THE MUTTS (http://houndhooligans.tripod.com/riverhounds). This noisy fan-loving bunch will gladly take you in if you have any sort of drum or noisemaker. Expect to stand and sing for the full ninety minutes if you visit with them however. They also sometimes travel to away games. The Mutts webpage also contains articles about the Hounds and soccer in general as well as many useful links. Print, TV, Radio, and Web Detailed soccer coverage, not only for the Hounds but all levels of play in the Pittsburgh area can be found in the Soccer Sheet (www.soccersheet.com). TV coverage leaves a bit to be desired but it is getting better, highlights may be available on any of the cities television stations. Radio coverage is better with several games being broadcast both over the Internet and airwaves by Sports Radio 970 on the AM dial (www.970theburgh.com). Internet reports are available at the official website for the Hounds, the Mutts webpage and at www.a-league.com. Around Town Bars, Restaurants, and Clubs The Roxy Café The Warehouse Café Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle Piper’s Pub Primanti’s Grecianland Pastries Taste of India Accommodations Wyndham Pittsburgh Airport |