An update of goings-on that reflect the continuing verve and vitality of the Strip District and Lawrenceville
After nearly 10 years at 1814 Penn Avenue beside Roland’s Seafood Grill, 4J Leggings Boutique has moved three blocks away to 155 21st Street, across from the popular Pamela’s Restaurant.
4J Leggings Boutique has expanded its customer base, selling “Gameday” leggings to sports fans in cities such as Cleveland, Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, Green Bay, and more—and of course the focus is still on Pittsburgh fans. There are many styles of the “Black and Gold” to match your favorite team’s jersey—whether it be football, baseball, or hockey.
4J Leggings Boutique has also introduced custom-made sports shoes designed specifically for Pittsburgh fans—found nowhere else. Plus there are dress leggings, yoga leggings, casual-wear leggings, special-event leggings, holiday leggings, and leggings for just plain fun. Special attention is given to cloth weight, stitching, color and design. “We Specialize in Different” is the 4J Leggings motto, and they want everyone to know that they’re very excited about the new location and look forward to greeting their many old customers and new ones to come.
4J Leggings Boutique
155 21st St. / 412-390-5674
Online at Amazon, Etsy, and Ebay
Dr. Jake Grefenstette, president and executive director of Pittsburgh’s International Poetry Forum, is pleased to announce that Grammy Award-winning artist, Academy Award nominee, and two-time International Poetry Forum alum Judy Collins will return to Pittsburgh on May 31, 2025, for a free reading at the fourth annual Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books.
Sponsored by the International Poetry Forum and hosted at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (Oakland), this headlining Festival program celebrates Collins’s new poetry collection, Sometimes It’s Heaven: Poems of Love, Loss, and Redemption.
Event details will be announced soon; you can visit the IPF events page for further information. Your generosity makes these readings a reality—donate online today or mail to the address below.
International Poetry Forum
P.O. Box 10367, Pittsburgh, PA 15234
internationalpoetryforum.org
WISE, Women In Sports and Events, a national organization for assisting women to succeed in sports and business, has awarded Jan Receski their “Woman of Excellence” award for her outstanding efforts to implement the goals of the organization.
Receski is the founder of OnPar Now, the popular golf instruction and practice facility located in the Strip’s Terminal Building. “We welcome all, but it is a space where women do not feel intimidated. Golf is true career development,” says Receski.“We offer state-of-the-art technology and anything anyone needs to play or practice as well as a Beginners Clinic. Private lessons are also available by PGA/LPGA members to instruct and help hone skills,” she adds.
OnPar Now
The Terminal, 1669 Smallman St. / 412-849-1617
onparnow.com
The Children’s Home “Shake Your Booties” gala returns this season in a masquerade-themed evening of elegance, mystery, and enchantment. Friends and supporters can join in the festivities on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the city’s Rivers Casino.
You can indulge in a VIP hour, sip on specially crafted cocktails, and bid generously on luxurious live and silent auctions. With music provided by Pittsburgh’s own Totally 80 Band and Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports gracing the stage as emcee, it promises to be an unforgettable night.
“And all of it benefits children and families in need of our care.”
Board member Julia Taylor chairs the gala for the third time. She has led the charge in creating an evening that not only raises funds but also unites the community in the spirit of giving.
Support the “Shake Your Booties” masquerade! For information about sponsorships, tickets, or how to donate to the gala, contact Kelsey Myers at kmyers@chomepgh.org.
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center
5324 Penn Ave. (Friendship) / 412-441-4884
The Rivers Casino / 777 Casino Dr., Pittsburgh
childrenshomepgh.org
The Strip District Terminal is to be the home of the recently announced Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, a walkway utilizing the historic property’s five blocks of sidewalk. There, along Smallman Street between 16th and 21st streets, imbedded bronze stars (together with descriptive plaques) will spotlight the names of Southwestern Pennsylvania “inductees” who have contributed significantly to America’s history and cultural life.
Partnering with The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, Inc., is McCaffery Interests, Inc., developers of the entire Terminal project (together with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the City of Pittsburgh). The now-restored former produce terminal was opened in 2019, and today houses over two dozen tenants encompassing eateries, fitness studios, retail shops, and much more.
The Walk’s founder and executive director is Nancy Polinsky Johnson—a WQED personality and previously publisher/editor of Shady Ave magazine. As of early this year the Walk of Fame organizers have been accepting nominations for honorees, with the induction of at least 10 notables by this fall, and followup inductions each year.
Nominations can be emailed to nominate@pittsburghwalkoffame.org or postal-mailed to Pittsburgh Walk of Fame at the address below.
Pittsburgh Walk of Fame
P.O. Box 8127, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
pittsburghwalkoffame.org
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation is currently accepting applications for their Landmarks Scholarship—for high-achieving, community-minded, high school seniors in Allegheny County who will be attending college/university starting fall 2025. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. As part of the scholarship application, students are asked to describe in an essay a place in Allegheny County especially important in their lives. The award of $6,000 is payable over four years to the recipient’s college or university, to be used for book and tuition expenses only. To download an application or donate to the scholarship fund, visit the PHLF website (phlf.org).
Meanwhile, those interested in exploring one of the city’s 19th-century landmarks can tour—free of charge—the Old Allegheny County Jail and Museum (Downtown, 440 Ross Street) at their convenience. The facility is open all year on the first and third Monday of each month between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
100 West Station Square Dr. / 412-471-5808
phlf.org
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville is once again hosting its popular free Movie Nights, which take place the second Saturday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Tulsa is a 2020 release scheduled for March 8. On April 12 the feature is Apostle Peter and the Last Supper. The final movie of the season, An Unlikely Angel, will be shown May 10. Light refreshments are available.
Zion Lutheran will also welcome a volunteer organization composed of 25 musicians from the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh that will perform an hour-long concert on Sunday afternoon, March 30, at 3:00 p.m. The group started in January 2018 as a subgroup of the Penn-Trafford Community Band after several band members had an interest in forming a jazz band. Tickets are $10 at the door.
For more information on both programs, call the number below.
Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville
237 37th St. / 412-621-2720
zionevangelicallutheran.org