Free Shirt Fridays at PNC Park. T-shirts are the most practical ballpark giveaway. They come in two sizes, which is better than one. And none of this year's designs are as bad as last year's A.J. Burnett-flashing-gang-signs shirt. Just two Fridays left: Sept. 12 and Sept. 19.
Herb's Grape Refresher at Burgatory. The fancy burgers and shakes are great, but switch it up and try this sweet, herbal cocktail. It mixes basil, grapes, vodka, lemon and ginger ale — a great summer sipper. www.burgatory.com
Swingers Club. With vicious vocals and sardonic lyrics, these young locals sound like Pissed Jeans by way of the Birthday Party. Listen at swingersclubpittsburghfuck.bandcamp.com, but beware : The fittingly titled "Rottweiler" may tear your face up.
Memento Mori by Mary Mazziotti. Pasted up in a Downtown alley (Tito Way) behind the Benedum, this series of billboard obits wryly comments on the utter futility of human existence. Just the thing for a lunchtime walk!
The Last of Us. This Playstation video game from Naughty Dog will be making the leap to the big screen. Experience it first-hand — and personally, as a large part of the game takes you through post-apocalyptic Pittsburgh. Can be found now at bargain prices at most game stores.
The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap. Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi offers another chronicle of Wall Street's corrosive effects on society. This time, he contrasts the justice system's harsh treatment of low criminals with its indulgence of the titans of high finance.
