More Portraits of PGH's Stair Users

Heather and Sam

Jeff

Alleycat

2011 Elections

McKee Place Fire Department Constable Steve Sortino watches over his polling location.

The Oakland resident has served as a constable for 12 years, and a committee man for eight years. He said he has lived in Oakland for most of his life and wants to see positive changes made, and that's why he votes and involves himself in the election process.

Sortino said he was disappointed in the day's turnout, having only about 30 voters by 3 p.m.

"If you care about what's going on in your city, in your neighborhood, you need to be out and voting," Sortino said. "It doesn't matter if you're student, it still affects you."

University of Pittsburgh junior Brian Dunleavy votes at votes at the fire department at Louisa St. and McKee Place.

Dunleavy said a voting recruiter got him excited about voting his freshman year, and he's valued voting ever since.

"People fought, and some still fight, for this right to vote," Dunleavy said. "So I can't think of any reason not to do it."

University of Pittsburgh political science junior Chris Quinn votes at the fire department at Louisa St. and McKee Place.

Quinn said he was encouraged to register his freshman year, and he's voted in every election since.

"It's really important to vote, and it's our duty to vote," Quinn said.

Judge of Elections Stella Gentile stand in front of her polling location at 16 Oakland Square.

Gentile owns the Oakland home and has hosted the election at her home for over 25 years, and she said she is one of few who still host the election in their homes.

"At other places, people sign in, vote and leave," Gentile said. "This is a warm, social atmosphere, and people don't just leave, they want to stay a little while."

Oakland resident Nancy Boyd, 87, votes at the fire department at Louisa St. and McKee Place.

Boyd has lived and voted in Oakland her entire life, only missing one election since she was 21 years old. She said no matter the issue or state of the economy, it's important that residents pay attention to local politics and vote.

"Oakland today is nothing like Oakland used to be, and it can be sad," Boyd said. "I vote because I care about this neighborhood."

A Portrait of Pittsburgh's Stair Climbers

University of Pittsburgh senior medical student Calvin stands on the Sterling Avenue stairs on Oct. 18. Calvin he's climbed these stairs everyday for three years for his commute between Oakland and his South Side Slopes Apartment. "It gets really tiring, and you have to have really good shoes in the winter," Calvin said.

Duquesne sophomore Taylor stands on the stairs leading from First Avenue to Duquesne University on Oct. 19. Taylor said she takes the steps about three times a week. "On days when I don't feel like making the hike, I go through the tunnel. It's noisier, but much easier," she said.

Duquesne University communications professor Jeff stands stands on the stairs leading from First Avenue to Duquesne University on Oct. 19. Jeff takes the stairs everyday from his apartment on Mount Washington. He said parking is more difficult, and he likes the daily challenge. "I can literally say I go uphill both ways to and from school," Jeff said.

Carnegie Mellon Invitational

Junior broadcast journalism major Dylan Grunn competes Oct. 8 at the Carnegie Mellon University Invitation at Schenley Park.

Senior environmental science major Reuben Rono competes Oct. 8 at the Carnegie Mellon University Invitation at Schenley Park.

A cold, wet fall morning at the Schenley Oval

I went out this morning searching for CRY Pittsburgh's 7th Annual 5k walk/run benefit race, and found nothing but a sopping wet track. After dressing in multiple layers of shirts, pants, socks and gloves, I wasn't leaving without some images. Here ya go.

Impromptu Steeplechase course.

Wet, foggy view of Pittsburgh.

Squirrel Hill resident David Einav trains through the rain on Oct. 2 at the Schenley Oval Sportsplex. Einav plans to run a half marathon in one and one half years. Though he hasn't chosen the specific race yet, he said he trains hard at least three times a week and then rests his body so he can do it all over again.

Sopwith Camels' forward Mark Gualtieri trains on Oct. 2 at the Schenley Oval Sportsplex for the team's upcoming indoor season. The 17-member team is an over 30 pub fútbol team in Pittsburgh, and their first game is Oct. 4. 

  

Cross Country: Bobcat Invitational

Freshman photojournalism major Lindsay Palmer competes Oct. 1, 2011 at the Bobcat Invitational in Greensburg. Palmer placed 45 of 112 runners, and the women's team finished 9th of 12 teams.

Senior environmental science major Reuben Rono waits at the cold, wet starting line of the 9th Annual Bobcat Invitational on Oct. 1 in Greensburg. The men's team placed 5th of 9 teams.

Senior cinema and digital arts major Leah Bubeck stretches after finishing the grueling, cold Oct. 1 Bobcat Invitational. The women's team finished 9th of 12 teams.

A University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg runner collapses at the Oct. 1 Bobcat Invitational finish line in Greensburg. The runners competed in cold, wet conditions.

A runner stretches at the Oct. 1 Bobcat Invitational starting line in Greensburg.

Senior cinema and digital arts major Joe DeWitt races to the finish line at the Oct. 1 Bobcat Invitational in Greensburg. DeWitt placed 68 of 85 runners, and the men's team placed 5th of 9 teams. 

Pittsburgh Gallery Crawl

In the middle of exploring the exhibit, and watching the video featuring the "Shrink" piece, an unassuming man-- who turned out to be the artist-- climbed into the, what I assumed to be display-only, vacuum sealable bag. 

On video I thought Shrink was just unique and not much else, but in person I was speechless. I was in awe and couldn't even say a word to describe it, I just blank stared at this man slowly squirming, and re-positioning himself inside the same package that I seal sweaters in during the summer. 

Parallel Universe artist Lawrence Malstaf performs the piece "Shrink" in the Wood Street Galleries Sept. 30.