Impulse Pittsburgh bills itself as a new monthly women's social event.  "The Girls are takin' back the 'Burgh!"

With the holidays over, the upcoming winter months may prove to be quiet and somber. The weather may bring a storm or two, and we'll naturally want to stay within the safety of the indoors. However, that doesn't mean we can't have some fun and be within the company of the most diverse and beautiful group of women in Pittsburgh! The burgh's newest monthly girl party is coming: January 15! and will prove to lift your spirits. Hence why our first theme will be: Winter Wonderland! Whether you're trying to get out of the house, love meeting new people, or just want to celebrate with your fellow LGBTQ crowd, you won't want to miss out! Impulse: Winter WonderlandDate and Time: January 15 from 9PM-2AM
Location: Tonic Bar @ Downtown! 971 Liberty Ave.
Door Fee: $5
Drink Specials: From 9-11PM!
Parking: Plenty of parking on the street or across the street at the David L Lawrence center for only $5 the entire night! 

Get ready for: 

-2 Floors will be all ours, and each will be decorated with winter splendor!
-Not 1, not 2, but 3 DJs from the Operation Sappho Crew! A warm intro to mary mack, drop that, and square peg, who will be spinning the beats all night.
-Drink Specials from 9-11PM - Dollar off all drinks in the bar, $2 off all speciality drinks!
-Photographers to capture the moments (of course, they will ask first!)
-Raffle Giveaways and Contests. Proceeds will go to The Trevor Project!

There is no dress code- come as you are. No pressure- only a good time! 

An RSVP is not necessary but appreciated! RSVP at our event group here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=174887479200179

"When Winter wages her war
Don't show her mercy
Instead, act on your Impulses
And Dance the night away!"

Interesting development.  Pittsburgh is already home to Lez Liquor Hour which is more of Happy Hour held on a monthly basis, complete with some of the most erotic written imagery demonstrating the intense creative power of the organizer.

This is a shameful admission, but I've never made it to Voluto until this morning.  I pride myself on not being neighborhood bound, but we just never made it over here.  This morning, I had some time to spend while Ledcat went to another commitment so I popped in and was delightfully surprised and incredibly remorseful at my tardiness within the same second.

The location is great, right along Penn Avenue and the space is great, too.  It is actually warm in here, even near my window seat.  Decor is modern and sleek without being too smooth.  I've had a cup of the the dark roast house blend which really perked me up, followed by a decaf Americano (I still don't know what this is).  Both were flavorful and rich.  I love strong coffee, even when I drink decaf. I love the cups ...

Voluto serves 49th parallel coffees from Vancouver. I'm not sure of the source of the pastries, but I'm dropping crumbs from a delicious cranberry orange scone into my laptop as I type this (don't tell Robert Blackwell).  And very grateful Ledcat gave me this treat. 

Voluto's homepage features an interesting blog which is a great idea to keep the page fresh and people coming back, both virtually and literally.  You can follow them on Facebook.  They keep mostly daylight hours, but they are open on Sundays which is an advantage.  It can be tough on a working person to find coffee outside of Squirrel Hill during non-work hours so the Sunday open is very appealing. 

And service.  The owners were very friendly and helpful, even when I was wandering around seeking a good spot to see my computer screen.  I'm sure I looked foolish, but we must sacrifice in the name of blogging. 

I regret that life got in the way of venturing this way from the beginning.  I won't make that mistake again.

Voluto is high on my list of places to which I plan to return soon.  I encourage you to do the same. 

Does this not sound like big fun?

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

It has come to my attention that some folks don't know that the Steel City Hoop Union still meets every Tuesday evening at the Union Project.  Just bring yourself (and your mom, your dad, your grandma, your uncle, your girlfriend, your boyfriend . . . . ) and we'll bring hula hoops, music, and instruction if you'd like some.  It's so much fun you'll forget it's exercise.  If it's hot, bring some water.  We hoop outside in nice weather, indoors if it rains.

Hoop Union Tuesdays
6:30 to 7:30 pm, Rain or Shine
Union Project
Corner of Stanton and Negley
$5 for grown-ups, $2.50 for kids under 12

If you hoop, we want to meet you, if you don't we want to teach you!

Hoop Union Tuesdays are brought to you by the Union Project and Steel City Hoop Union.  Visit us on Facebook!

I do the hula hoop on Wii Fit Plus and its a hoot (hoop?).  I seriously debating trying it in real life with only the fear of utter embarrassment holding me back --- hips, don't fail me now?

I am tired after a long day so I'll save my Dyke March 2010 reflections for Sunday.

I have posted photos on my Facebook page if you'd like to check them out.

Overall, the event was great. The move to Bloomfield was genius for visibility ... tons of people came out on the streets and stoops to watch us march by.  There were very few problems and a good job on the part of the Pittsburgh Police.

There is some inaccurate information floating around about street closures and so forth. I submitted the permit and spoke with the officer in charge so I will clarify tomorrow.  Trust me that Bloomfield's grid was not permanently destroyed by dyke visibility.

Congrats to Eli Kuti, Miranda Vey and the dozens of volunteers who organized a great event.  Best.Dyke.March.Ever. 

Gosh, I've been so caught up in DADT, work and wrestling with my bike that I haven't given very much attention to Pittsburgh PrideFest. 

It is right around the corner. 

This coming week, we'll see a political rally with Cleve Jones, the Dyke March and the GLENDA Diva's for Diversity.

The official pride site.

The official Pride Guide 2010. I like that its up now so you can check it out before the event. 

Perspective?  Moscow Pride is thrilled they managed to march for five to ten minutes.  Pride is illegal in Moscow.

Love, love the guy using his smart phone while marching!  Such a me thing to do.  I usually live tweet the Dyke March and inevitably trip over something. 

I'm curious which politicians show up.  Onorato, I'm betting.  Sestak, I'm hoping (especially because protocol dictates he goes first, eh?).  State folks are trickier because "GET THE BUDGET DONE"  Ahem. 

Any thoughts?