Summer @ CMU Newsletter: Issue III

Welcome to all of our new and returning summer students! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Summer Studies newsletter, every few weeks we publish updates about on-campus events as well as our recommendations for fun, interesting places to go off campus. We believe that engaging with the Pittsburgh community is an essential part of your time at CMU, and we want to give you our insider knowledge about what’s going on at Carnegie Mellon and in the city of Pittsburgh.

Photo above is courtesy of Lumi Barron, a CMU junior majoring in Art. Learn more about Lumi's sketches of CMU and Pittsburgh.

Fourth of July (Important Info!)

All campus dining locations will be closed July 4 in honor of Independence Day. There will still be on and off campus dining options, though:

On-Campus Events:

• BBQ in Merson Courtyard starting at 2 p.m. -  Food is included in student meal plan; those without a meal plan can buy food with cash or credit card.
• 4^th of July Celebration on CFA lawn from 5 to 10:15 p.m.
  • Live music from 5:30 to 9:30
  • Rita’s Italian Ice (a Pittsburgh summer staple!) from 7:30 to 9:30
  • Fireworks begin at 9:35

Nearby Restaurants Open on the 4^th:

• Aladdin’s Eatery: Open until 6 p.m. (Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill)
• All India Buffet (Craig Street, Oakland)
• Chipotle franchises: Open 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Everyday Noodles (Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill)
• Mad Mex (Atwood Street, Oakland)
• The Porch (Forbes Avenue, Oakland)
• Ramen Bar (Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill)
• Salem’s Market and Grill (Penn Avenue, Strip District)
• Smallman Street Deli: May close early (Murray Avenue, Squirrel Hill)
• Sushi Fuku (Craig Street, Oakland)
• Turkish Kebab House (Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill)

"Hit a Homerun for Patients" Summer Blood Drive

CMU and the Central Blood Bank are hosting a summer blood drive on Tuesday, July 10. Participating donors will receive two tickets for an upcoming Pirates game. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.

To make an appointment, go to centralbloodbank.org and enter the group code CU040004 or contact Dale Ellgass at dellgass@itxm.org.

Location and Info:

Tuesday, July 10, 2018
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cohon University Center
Connan Room (1^st Floor)

Remember to prep for your donation by eating well and staying hydrated, and be sure to bring your ID.

Tartan Passport

Tartan Passport is the Summer Studies guide to free and low-cost events around town. In Issue I and II, we highlighted six fun, on-going summer activities for you to sample. Here are our picks for July:

• Third Thursdays - On the third Thursday of every month, the Carnegie Museum of Art keeps their galleries open until 11 p.m. so that you can enjoy music by local artists, CMOA’s late night café menu, and of course, the art! The next event is July 19. Student tickets are $5.
• Warhol Museum - You’ve probably heard of iconic pop artist, Andy Warhol. But did you know that he grew up in Pittsburgh and got his degree from CMU? Located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, the museum features Warhol’s original art as well as archives of his sketches and even some of his favorite taxidermy animals. The Warhol is free with your CMU ID.
• Heinz History Center - Pennsylvania’s largest history museum is right in your backyard and, like the Warhol, it’s free with your CMU ID. The History Center explores a wide range of local and national history through interactive exhibits, artifact collections, educational programming, and more. Head down to the Strip District and explore the great shops and restaurants, before spending the afternoon learning about local history.

Neighborhood Spotlight

Polish Hill & Squirrel Hill

In every issue, we spotlight two neighborhoods for you to explore. In Issue I , we featured Regent Square and Wilkinsburg. In Issue II, we recommended the Strip District and the North Side. In this issue, we’re shining a light on Polish Hill and Squirrel Hill.

Remember to take photos of your Pittsburgh adventures and tag them with #CMUsummer to enter our Instagram contest!

Polish Hill

Polish Hill is one of those slightly out-of-the-way neighborhoods that can be hard to stumble across on your own. But if you do make your way there, you’ll find yourself falling in love with all it has to offer.

Kaibur Coffee is a new addition carrying on an old tradition. Named for the kyber crystals used to construct light sabers (the owner has a light saber tattoo), the coffee shop has an approachable, slightly punk vibe. Kaibur has recently taken over the space from Lili Café, a neighborhood staple. In addition to serving PA coffee brand Elixr, Kaibur offers vegan baked goods and other tasty treats. (Photo at left courtesy of Kaibur Coffee.)

Upstairs from Kaibur Coffee, you’ll find Copacetic Comics. Showcasing an eclectic range of comics, books, and music, Copacetic is a daydream for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in good stories.

And you can’t miss the annual Polish Hill Arts Festival. Every year, the neighborhood comes together to throw a free block party with live music, street food, and stunning work by local artists and crafts people. This year’s festival is on Sunday, July 15 at the corner of Brereton and Dobson (the same street where Kaibur and Copacetic Comics are located). (Photo at right courtesy of Polish Hill Civic Association.)

Squirrel Hill

Okay, if you’re a CMU student you’ve probably been to Squirrel Hill. Maybe you even live there. As the closest neighborhood to two major campuses, Squirrel Hill has the distinction of being one of the most bustling areas in the city. We’ve combed through our collective Squirrel Hill expertise to bring you three places in your own backyard that you may not know about.

For close to 40 years, Jerry’s Records has been the go-to spot for Pittsburgh’s music lovers. Located on the second floor of an unassuming building on Murray Avenue, Jerry’s has any kind of music you could possibly want at reasonable prices. You can also sell used vinyl and buy second-hand turntables. Even if you just want to browse, Jerry’s is a great place to spend part of your afternoon. (Photo at left courtesy of Jerry's Records.)

Chengdu Gourmet is one of Pittsburgh’s lesser-known culinary gems. Chef and owner Wei Zhu was a 2018 semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic, and the second you try the food at Chengdu Gourmet, you’ll understand why. The restaurant offers two menus, Chinese-American fare and a menu of Sichuan specialties. Both offer excellent selections, though some of our favorites come from the Sichuan menu—we recommend the shredded pork in garlic sauce.

If you’re a fan of baked goods, Allegro Hearth is the place for you. They make their breads in small batches and bake them in a stone hearth. For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of pies, cakes, and cookies to choose from. (Photo below courtesy of Allegro Hearth.)

Some other places to try…

• Sumi’s Cakery - Delicious Korean baked goods.
• Manor Theater - A small theater with a great selection and a surprisingly fancy concession stand.
• Avalon Exchange - One of the best second-hand clothes stores in Pittsburgh, Avalon is the place to get designer brands at reasonable prices.
• Everyday Noodles - Watch the chefs make noodles right in front of you!
• Classic Lines - A quirky bookstore with a fantastic selection.
• Commonplace Coffee - The perfect place to settle in with a cup of coffee and your book from Classic Lines.

(Photo above courtesy of Commonplace Coffee.)