New Feature

We are taking a moment to fill you in on our plan for a new feature here at the site. 

We will be doing local artist spotlights every so often. 

We will have some examples of people's art. 

As well as awesome interviews. 

If you know anyone worthy of being featured, please email us @ thenewkblog@gmail.com. 

They can be... 

Painters 

Writers. 

Actors. 

Photographers. 

Models. 

Sculptors. 

etc. 

Just don't tell us about bloggers. 

Those people are a waste of space. 

For Sale

No, we aren't selling our little website here.

Unless you are offering?

If so, go ahead and send us an email to thenewkblog@gmail.com.

Okay, back to business.

A little while back, we heard that the city was considering putting
the Public Works building up for sale.

You know, the big building across from Valley High that has the clock
that doesn't work.

Yep, that's the one.

Turns out, the building isn't what the city needs these days.

The two-story design isn't very efficient.

And there is a ton of land to go with it.

Just about 7 acres.

So the city will begin accepting proposals for the building and the land.

At which point, the city will build a nice one-story works building.

It almost sounds too easy.

And we hope it will be.



We also hope something cool will move into the current location.

Maybe the new Newk offices?

How about it, Mr. Mayor?

Can we get a good deal?

You're Still Away

A while back, Brackenridge Heights Country Club
was foreclosed on by the bank for delinquent payments and
taxes, nearing 1 million dollars.

It has been for sale ever since.

People wanted to buy it and turn it into a housing plan.

Just what we need... another cookie-cutter housing plan.

But those deals all fell through.

And out of nowhere, comes a knight in shining armor.

Okay, maybe not a knight, but he likely has some armor at
his scrap metal business.

Ted Tomson, owner of Tomson Scrap Metal,
likely paid cash for the place.

Cause that dude is crazy loaded.

He says he plans on opening up the 9 hole course for public play.

He is not sure what else he's gonna do with the place.

But we have some ideas:

- Strip Club



Okay, we only had one idea.

But damn if it wasn't an awesome one.

Am I right?

Look Out!

Yesterday we posted our normal Random Picture Monday.

It was a shot we captured this past Sunday as we drove by
the Freeport Rd. Dairy Queen, that we were told was to be open
this weekend.

But to our surprise, it was still mostly boarded up.

Actually, the boards were extended to the pavement now.

This was strange.

We then started getting some insider tips on our facebook page,
claiming that a vehicle smashed into the front of the DQ on Saturday
night.

We have no confirmation of this.

But it does explain the new/larger boards.

The question we now have, is what the hell do Newk residents
have against the local sweet treateries?

First it was the Donut Connection.

Now our beloved DQ that just reopened mere hours before.



Anyone know for sure this is what happened?

And how the hell did they make it through the posts and the
sign?

Hot Days, Cool Treats?

We've recently been noticing that the Dairy Queen on
Freeport Rd. has not been opened yet.


And people are starting to ask questions.

Those people... are us.

So we decided to ask around a little bit at some of our most
trusted gossip spots.

Local bars.

By no means did we uncover the mystery of it remaining closed.

But we did enjoy a few cold beers, and some good laughs
with our bar buds.

A few people mentioned they heard it may be going
up for sale in the near future.

We will be happy as long as it reopens.

We all have so many good memories of this little slice of deliciousness.

Heading there with family.
Enjoying a post little league cone with our team.
Driving there the day we got our drivers license.
Cruising by and seeing who may be in line.
Practicing our order in the car, so we don't mess up at the window
and get yelled at for doing it wrong.


Well, whatever the reason for it still be boarded up is, we
hope the windows open up soon.

We could sure use a twist cone with chocolate jimmies.

Especially on a hot day like today.

Stinkbug Stronghold May Be Weakening

Many valley residents this past year have had to deal with
a big infestation of stinkbugs.

They found their way into many area homes, to find a warm
place to spend their winter.

They just be stinkin' peoples homes up.

But we've been getting reports of mass deaths of these goofy
little suckers.

Seriously, where are they going?

They just fart around with no particular place to go.

They're are like the stupid chicken of the insect world.

Cause when they do fly, it is with zero grace.

They just go head-first into walls and lights.

Honestly, it's like they just got their wings installed.


But anyways, they seem to be dying in big numbers

out there.

And we like to hear that.

We are sure if they're drinking purple kool-aid.

Or maybe they are committing hari kari?

We don't give a damn why they seem to be perishing.

We're just happy they are.



Have a good weekend everyone.


Except you, stinkbugs.

Go die somewhere, and stay out of our frosted flakes.

For Rent

The word on the street.

Or should we say...

The word on Freeport Rd. is there might be some new
tenants moving into the old Alcoa Research Center.

Our old pal, Mayor Guzzo, is being a bit tight-lipped on which
companies will be filling the void.

A void that has been there for more than 25 years.

Turns out, officials have been redeveloping the
building for over a year now.

First step is to get some companies in there, paying some rent.

The second step is for the city's redevelopment authority to buy
the buildings and land, in what will surely be a multimillion
dollar acquisition.

They are also trying to score some grant money.

We love grant money.

Hmmm, that gives us an idea.

We may have to start looking for state grants to run
area based websites.

That would be the shiz.


Back to the real story...

We hear that Mr. Mayor might be hosting an open house event
for the companies and everyone involved.

We'd love a golden ticket for that event.

Even if we don't get that invite, we are totally stoked about
this story and the possibility of new businesses and jobs
in our area.

Well done, to those involved.

We are behind you.

Convenience On Constitution

It's official.

A new convenience store will be coming to the area.

Filling in the former Jo-Duke Pontiac dealership on
the 1500 block of Constitution.

They didn't tell us if this would be a big chain type store,
or if it's gonna be Frank's Market type of joint.

But then again, nobody tells us anything.

Speaking of Frank's Market, how awesome was that place?

It was by far the most entertaining of all the local places
to buy cigarettes as a minor.

All you needed to grab a pack of squares, was 2 bucks and
a piece of paper that read...

"These cigarettes are for me. Sincerely, Mom"

It really is a shame that a couple D-bags burned that shop
down by tossing fireworks in it or something.

Frank and his dad were class acts.

Sure they'd yell at you as you were buying something, but who
cared?

They were hilarious.


We can only hope that Frank is opening up this newest
enterprise.

We might have to start smoking again.

We Can See The Light

What light?

The light at the end of the Parnassus Triangle
construction tunnel.

Because from what we hear (read), all roadways will
be open for your driving pleasure, by, or after,
September 10th.

That's right.

2+ Years.
8.1 Million Dollars.
Countless Whippings of the Bird.

And you will finally be able to pass someone, while reading
about the latest "special" on Eat N' Park's marquee.

(We can't wait for the Merry Berry Month of May.)

But yeah.

They just poured the concrete on the new bridge over
Little Pucketa Creek, so they claim
the end is nigh.

This construction has been a huge annoyance for
the business and home owners in that area.

As home owners have to listen to constant road work,
and businesses lose money.

But the belief is, that this new stretch of top notch
concrete will revitalize the area, and make it more
attractable to new businesses.

We are all for that.

So here's what we'd like...

As soon as you notice a change down there, snap a picture
with your cell phone, and email it to us here at theNewk.

thenewkblog@gmail.com

We will then post it, and you will be totally famous.

Isn't that what you've always wanted?

Take it from us, there is nothing greater than hometown
fame.

Okay, maybe there are greater things... whatev.

All Good Things...

"All good things must come to an end."

Someone said that once, and we think it's crap.

If something is good, why should it end?

But if something were once good (or maybe you just
thought is was), and it comes to an end, well...you
may have mixed feelings about it.

Maybe you are happy about it.
Maybe you are sad.
Maybe it's the change that bothers you.
Maybe you are excited about the fresh start.
Maybe you look back and say,
"What the eff?"
Maybe you were just kidding yourself.
Maybe you wished really hard that things were good.
Maybe you have something new to look forward to.
Maybe it's for the best.

Yeah, that last one is the one we're gonna go with.
(Even though we also ike the next to last one too.)

You may be asking yourself, "What the heck are
these fools blathering about?"

Well, there are many things around here that we could
be talking about.

But we are talking about Birthday Week.

Yeah, all that was for Birthday Week.

We had a blast this past year doing Wingapalooza,
marching in parades, taking pictures (Thanks DC),
making fun of stuff, talking to you all, being accepted
for once in our lives, getting asked out on dates by
random strangers, interviewing great people, making
videos, meeting some readers...and the list goes on
and on.

We look forward to year number two with much
anticipation.

For being such great readers and friends, here is an
insider's look into our office.

Daily Operations.



We don't know this guys name, but he makes this
cheesy chicken dip for pot luck lunches, so we keep
him around.



Frank the Stank's cube.



My cube.
(It's 100% secure from government technologies.)



Not too shabby, eh?


~
We also have one more J-Dub picture from last weekend
to share with you.
(May not be suitable for young eyes.)






~
Nic Cage took Birthday Week off, so we'll just tell you
the forecast.

Today will be awesome.
Saturday will be decent, but may get crappy.
Sunday will be like Saturday.



Oh yeah, we have some info to pass along!

The EKCC is having a Flea Market tomorrow!
Here are the details:
Saturday @ the EKCC from 8am-3pm
Kitchen open for cabbage and noodles, ham bbqs,
hot dogs and kraut.
It's gonna be awesome.

So get down there and support those ladies, cause
they rock very hard.



~
There you have it, folks.

Our first official Birthday Week.
It's been real, but we gotta get back to work.

Laters.

The Newk Is Being Invaded By Aliens

You may have read about the nearby town of

Vandergrift, as being the main setting for a movie

being made by DreamWorks.

And on the other hand, maybe you didn't.

But here's what we know.

Some movie about teenage aliens is going to start
filming in our area very soon.No, not those alien teenagers.


As we said before, The Grift will be the main backdrop.

But they also are thinking about shooting here in
New Ken, as well as Hyde Park.

They were talking about how the architecture of Vandy
was the reason, but we aren't dumb.

We know they want to film there because one of our
favorite eating spots resides there...

G&G Restaurant
(Our first restaurant review)







~
Here is your Newk Weekend Weather Report:

"One of these things is not like the others."

Huge Bed, No Sheetz

By the looks of things, we might be getting another Sheetz convenience
store to spend our money at.

There are rumors that Lower Burrell wants in on some of the hot MTO market.

Seriously, who doesn't love ordering food on a touch screen, Back to the Future style?

And they want to put it right at the gateway of LBC.
(The point where New Ken and Lower Burrell booty bump.)

Seems they wanna knock down half of the Crossroads Plaza and build it there.

You know the Crossroads, right?

It's right by the Walgreens and Family Video.

Yep, the place with the liquor store.

Their plan, is to move the remaining tenants into the vacant Prizants Carpet
building, even though it might be a semi-tight fit.

They would also be tearing down the old Rita's Ice building.
You remember our recent picture of it, right?

Yeah, you remember.

Moving on...

We all know that Lower Burrell, although a great city, is a bit of a primadonna.
And that's what we love about them.

To prove it, they don't want your run of the mill, brand new Sheetz.
They want the super fancy one like Cranberry Township has.

You know, Cranberry.
One of the most prosperous areas in the entire state.

Yeah, it sounds like they want everyone leaving New Ken to know they are
entering the awesomeness known as LBC, by taking notice of the state-of-art
gas station on their left.

Seems they made the same request years ago, when the Eckerd was erected at the
other end of Leechburg rd.

That building does provide a feeling of "high-class" when you drive by it.
Up until you hit the Dollar General 500 yards away.

-
So anyways, we hope everything works out in this endeavor.
As New Ken, Creighton and Springdale have been spoiled for much too long.

Death Dogs for everyone!

The Dattola Shall Rise Again.

That is what the Dattola Theatre looked like back in the day on 5th ave.,
in downtown New Ken.

They would show all the latest and greatest in American cinema, right here along
the bustling sidewalks poured parallel to the Allegheny river.

It was a place to get away from it all, 2 hours at a time.

Now, we aren't old enough to remember it looking like that.

But there are some of us who remember it looking like this...

Hubba hubba.

Because, back in the 70's, the Dattola was sold to some people that had a different
taste in cinema.

They liked the porn.
(Let's be honest...who doesn't?)

And because Al Gore hadn't invented the internet yet, people actually went out
in public to get their smut.

That sounds terrible to us.

But any-who, a local developer hopes to reopen the theatre by May 15th.

They want to have movies, as well as music acts and theater productions going
on in there in the very near future.

Sounds good to us.

Now, someone else back in 1985 had a similar idea, and stared showing second run
movies for the bargain basement price of $1.75 a clip.

It doesn't look as though it worked out too good for him, but we wish this
new team every possible success.

Seriously, how great would it be to check out New Ken Civic Theater's most recent
production of Fiddler on the Roof?

We'd be singing "If I were a rich man, yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby
dibby dibby dum" all the way back home.


2:24 = Greatest. Dance. Ever.
-
They are looking for volunteers to help fix the place up, and will also be doing
fund raising events.

You can check out that stuff at their site...
dattolatheatre.com



"With a proper double chin."

(Oh yeah, this is our 100th post. Booyah.)

Mind Your P's and Q's

First off, it's a very bad idea to drink and drive.

So don't do it.

Secondly, we saw on the news that there were going to be tons of
DUI checkpoints out there.

Be careful, and call a cab if you've had too many.

Here's a number to call...

724.567.5664
Byers Taxi Service

Live Music... and Pie!

We received an interesting email yesterday.

Here it is...

The VHS band is doing their halftime show this Friday, and then having a "slice of pie" sale immediately following. Just thought you and your readers would like to know. See ya.

We love and appreciate hot tips like this, so keep them coming!


So if you aren't doing anything this Friday evening, you should consider heading
on down to the newly remodeled stadium and have some fun.

We are not sure of the theme of this year's show, so it's hard to us to know what
to expect.

We'll go out on a limb and say that it's going to rock very hard.

To be honest, we'd watch people doing laundry at Suds n' Duds, if they were
serving delicious pie after the fluff and fold finale.

If you have Valley pride, go down and support the kids.

Go Vikes!

Random Picture Monday (08-10-09)

Wing Street.

Okay, you caught us.

So today's "random picture" isn't so random.

Why isn't it random?

Because we just sent in our request to be a part of Lower Burrell's 50th
Celebration Parade, so we thought we'd schmooze them a little with a picture
of one of their finest establishments.

We are a little bit late, so we figured anything could help.

Don't call us "brown-nosers."

We prefer to be called "baby blue-nosers," in this case.


-
If you would like to see us in the parade...show some support either on here,
or on our facebook page.


Fingers crossed.

No Snoop For You!

A little while ago, we told you about the possibility of Snoop Dogg playing a show
at Club Gravity (formerly Ches-a-Rena) in Cheswick.

Read that article here...CHRONIC.

Well, to make a short story even shorter...

It's not going to happen.

We were correct in thinking that he was coming to town for the Steelers home opener.

We were also correct in assuming that Snoop wanted to make some cash while
he was here.

The fact is, he will be playing a late night show at Mr. Small's Theater.

Tickets are 50 clips.
And starting at 9pm, there will be DJ's spinning until Snoop decides to show up.

We are bummed that he won't be in the Chez.
We were looking forward to a pre-concert shopping spree at the Goodwill.
And a night cap at the Frosted Mug.

We know one thing for sure...

Lee Greenwood wouldn't pull the old switch-a-roo on us Newkers.

-
Don't be mad at us for being wrong.

Be mad at us for being handsome and witty.

Brews At The Big Bird

Get your advantage cards ready, as well as a picture ID.

Because Giant Eagle on Tarentum Bridge rd. has applied for a liquor license.

That's right, they wanna sell the beer.

Kinda like every other state in this country, where you can buy beer at
convenience stores and grocery stores. Penna is still quite behind the times.

Hell, we were even in Utah once, where they have crazy restrictions on the
consumption of alcohol, and you can buy a case of beer at Wal-mart.

Now, we can see the side of the beer store owner, in saying that Giant Eagle sells
thousands of items, why do they need one more?

I'll tell you why...

Because we don't want to get out of our cars anymore than we have to.
That's why.

We all need food. Some of us need beer.

How awesome would it be if we could toss a case of Landshark Lager in our cart
with a box of frozen chicken patties and a 16 pack of double-roll Cottonelle?

Heaven.

We're not saying that it wouldn't suck to lose our local distributors.

We know they are a huge part of the community.

Like I said, we are not taking anything away from the wonderful service they provide.

But just imagine if you could grab a bottle of sriracha, just after downing
a bottle of Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat at the GE cafe?

That's like getting killed in heaven, and going to heaven heaven.


+
=


Now, we doubt this will happen anytime soon, kinda like the Pirates winning, but
a man can dream...right?

We would be getting all kinds of free gas, baby!

Stay thirsty, my friends.

Yo Calvin, Is That You?

Word out of Che-Town is that the one and only Snoop Dogg
might be rolling through sometime this fall.



Now, there is no ticket info as of yet, but Cheswick city officials seem rather confident
that the D-O-Double is coming.

They say he'll be playing the Ches-A-Rena.

Do we gotta rent skates?

I remember the days before inline, when the guys had to rent those tan
skates with the big ass orange stoppers on the front.

I also remember getting a slice of funky butt pizza, and nearly dying
as I tried to park myself in one of those tiny booths.

And if I did make it in the seat, I would sit on my locker key and
bruise my cute butt cheeks.

Forgive me...I got distracted.

Back to the show.

Yeah, they are saying it's gonna be September 11th, and from what I understand,
it's not the Ches-A-Rena anymore. It's called Club Gravity.

They must have named it after me falling down all the time.

The city is trying to get all it's ducks in a row, even though as we said before,
no info is available for this event.

Our theory is as follows:

Snoop is a huge Steelers fan.
The Steelers open up the NFL season at home on the 10th.
Snoop will be in town for the game, so he figured...

"Yizzle, I mind as wizzle make a few dolla bizzle while I'm up in the steel tizzle."

Now, that's just our take on things.

What do you thizzle?

We think there is no way we miss this shizzle

Fo'shizzle dizzle.

39 Years Old, And Ready To Retire.

I know a few people that could fit this headline, but the fact is, we
aren't talking about a person.

We are talking about a truck.

A truck that has served the NewK honorably for the last 14,240 days or so.
(We threw in a few extra days to account for leap years, so back off, Nerd.)

That's right kids...

New Kensington No. 3 fire department is ready for a new ride.

But I promise you this, we here at thenewk.com will surely miss Jenny
at this year's Christmas parade.

Now, we aren't sure that Jennifer is the truck's real name.
What we do know that Jennifer was the most popular name for girls in 1970.
(So the odds are with us that we are correct, Nerd.)

We also read that someone has already bid like $1200 for Jenny.

Seriously? $1200?

We paid nearly that much for an old canoe.

If the bidding is open to the public, we might plan on going public sooner than
we first had planned. We need some of that capitol right now.

Could you imagine a big old tricked out Newk firetruck rolling up
Freeport Rd., and pulling into the DQ to get a medium cone with sprinkles?

We'd have all our friends sitting on top of it, like they were the varsity football
team, and they'd be throwing candy at people as we drive by.

Parade style, Sucka.