and our twitter page here: http://twitter.com/DAVEandDAVEshow

Twitter & Facebook allow us to share stuff right as it happens!  So whether we’re eating jiggers… texas hot dogs… or even peeps… we can share all the delicious details right away!

So why this DVD?  This one contains 4 games..the entire game.  So you get a very important Week #15 game against Baltimore.  You get both playoff games (San Diego & Baltimore) plus Super Bowl 43.  These are the entire broadcast games, not just highlights.  I just re-watched the Super Bowl and I got goosebumps watching the James Harrison interception, and the Santonio Holmes catch in the end zone to win it.  It was probably the best game in Steelers history, and easily a top 3 Super Bowl.

The folks at Warner Home Video were nice enough to send us a couple extra copies of the DVD as well and we’re giving them away to our Facebook friends for the next 3 Fridays.  If you like a chance to win one, click on over to our Facebook page to find out how.  – Dave R

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Dave/43175520702?created#

Renee tells me you don’t believe we went to Seton-LaSalle High School together?

We did!

Please join us on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Dave/43175520702

So now that it’s April and we have taken over WQED’s Neighborhood channel this month, you may be visiting our website and our blog for the very first time.  If so, welcome, take your coat off, put your zebra-striped snuggie on and stay awhile.

First off, since 4 of our 1 hour specials are airing during April, the first thing you should know is you can find links, web-exclusive video clips, and photos for each show by clicking on the SHOWS tab from the left side of the page.  There are some fun clips that we couldn’t fit into the show so check them out.

Next up, we have over 40 videos on demand on our “video Ipod” and you can get to that by clicking the VIDEO button.  There are a number of videos that never made a Saturday-night show, so scroll through the list for some fun stuff from the archives.

And for our last two shows, Strange Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh N’at, we have lots of behind-the-scenes posts in this blog.  Look on the right side of the screen under ‘categories’ to find a show, or just keep scrolling through to see all of our ramblings.

If you’ve ever wondering when something was going to air, or when we will be out and about in the area, just bookmark our main page because we always have our schedule listed.

For more twisted information, click on the DOSSIER and you’ll be able to learn fascinating tidbits like what 3 things are in my fridge and what Dave H’s favorite color is. 

And for twisted bits of wisdom, check out our cameraman Frank’s words of wisdom on the left side of each page.  It’s called Frank’s Corner.

So enjoy and as always, if you have any questions, comments, or facts about Guam, let us know by clicking on the CONTACT button or by visiting us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You may now return your tray tables to their upright position.  – Dave R

Well, I didn’t want to end like it this but, there is one thing going on right now that is pretty important.  Governor Ed Rendell has decided to zero out funding for Pennsylvania PBS stations in his new budget proposal.  Not cut funding – ELIMINATE IT.  So that may not seem like a big deal but if it happens, that means WQED will lose $1.1 million dollars.  Let me tell you, $1.1 million dollars is a HUGE deal.  Think about your home budget and then subtract $1.1 million dollars.  How do you make that up?  Take a guess.  If this goes through, there will be some big changes coming to this building, and one of them will probably be the end of our show.

If it wasn’t for state funding, we would not have produced our 3 statewide specials Eat Pennsylvania, Offbeat Museums, and Strange Pennsylvania.  State funding is a huge factor in making OnQ possible and if OnQ isn’t around, neither is Dave & Dave.

So I know the economy is in the dumps right now and everyone needs to make cuts, but is this really the place to do it?  You know how much it costs you in taxes to keep QED around?  Take a guess.  It costs you 10 cents.  10 cents for crying out loud!  And at least you can turn on your TV anytime you want and see where your 10 cents is going.  Good luck seeing where else your state tax dollars are going.

So I didn’t want to end this all doom and gloom but there is something you can do about it and it’s very easy.  The final budget won’t be passed for a few months so until then, drop a quick e-mail to the governor and say you want funding to remain for WQED and the other PBS stations around the commonwealth.  Let your voice be heard.  Here’s his address governor@state.pa.us.  If you know the emails of any of your state senators or congressmen, drop them an email as well.  If you’re like me and you’re not sure who your representative is, click here and find out -http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm.  I’ve worked at QED for over 15 years now, and it seems like we have to go through this every couple years.  Some bureaucrat decides he doesn’t like something he saw on our channel so he tries to send a message by cutting our funding.  But I believe (and since I work inside here I know for a fact) that public television is one of the best values you can get for your tax dollars.  I won’t go on and on about why PBS is so great, but if you like our little show, help us out and let the state government know.

Thanks, and hopefully next March we’ll be around to figure out how to fill out 10 more blog posts in 10 days.

No big TV stars with the same first name of a locally produced show were harmed in any way during the writing of this blog.  Well, there is a little carpal-tunnel thing going on, but its not too bad.  – Dave R

Ok, time to get on with the show.  Here are 5 more questions to test your knowledge of Da Burgh.

1.  What does WPIAL stand for?

Answer:  You know I’ve seen these initials all my life and never even thought about it.  I actually guessed at this one but I was wrong.  The answer is not “women playing in a lake” or “worldly people in atrocious leggings.”  The real answer actually is Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League.  Yeah, that makes sense.  It was formed in 1906. 

2.  Why are all the fire hydrants within the city of Pittsburgh painted either red, yellow or green?

Answer:  I never noticed this before so I decided to ask my dog Jake since he pays closer attention to fire hydrants than I do.  He knew the answer but I couldn’t understand what he was saying.  The colors indicate the size of the main waterlines that feed the hydrants.  That way, firefighters know instantly how much water pressure is at a particular hydrant.  For example, green indicates a 24-inch line.  How about that?  My dog was right.

3.  In what year did Pittsburgh have its highest population?

Answer:  We are constantly bombarded by the media telling us how much our city is shrinking and how everyone is moving away.  On the positive side, the lines at the Penn Brewery are a lot shorter now.  Pittsburgh was most populated in 1950.  There were 676,806 people who lived here back then.  In 2000, that number was down to 369, 879.  By now it’s probably like 26.

4.  How many stories tall is Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning?

Answer:  Before we get to the answer, construction of the building began in September of 1926 and wasn’t finished until 1937.  Apparently, Frank Lloyd Wright thought the building was hideous, but who’s he?  One other thing, the building is missing a floor.  Apparently it has no 39^th floor.  Man, it would be fun to tell some freshmen on their first day of class that their classroom in on the 39^th floor.  Anyhoo, the answer is 42 stories tall.  That’s a lot of stories.  Here’s another fact about the Cathedral – I haven’t been to any of those stories and I work about 3 blocks away.  I really have to get out more!

5.  Which university has the largest endowment?

Answer:  Ok, the question should be who had the largest endowment in 2004, because I’m sure with the economy the way it is, their endowment probably sits around 10 bucks now.  The answer is Pitt which had $1.4 billion in their endowment in 2004.  CMU was 2^nd with $815 million.  So why do they raise tuition every year and why is a text book $50 bucks?!?  One last question, does this mean that Pitt is well-endowed?  I’m jealous.

Once again, a big thanks to Dane Topich and his book Ultimate Pittsburgh Trivia.   Did I mention you can buy this book by simply clicking on the following link?!?  http://www.wqed.org/genl/shop/pgh_books.shtml.  Isn’t technology wonderful?  Tomorrow, it’s the grand finale of my 10 blog posts in 10 days.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I can hear the crowd at the finish line.  I can see fireworks…well, it’s Pittsburgh, of course I can see fireworks.

No Pittsburgh steel barons were harmed in any way during the writing of this blog.  It’s probably because they’re all dead, but I’m just sayin.

- Dave R

But the only problem is, when you turn off your TV to read another awesome blog post by yours truly, you don’t have the chance to win a fabulous genuine simulated-wood dining room set, or a spacious waterbed, or a trip to exciting Acapulco.  Well, that’s about to change.  I’m giving you a chance to test your knowledge of Pittsburgh.  Will you shine or will you be the weakest link?  It’s time to find out on…..Are You Smarter than a 5^th Grader, or a 1^st Grader for that Matter?  (Cue the fancy music and lighting effects!)

Ok, actually there are no 5^th graders who could possibly get any of these questions right, but I needed a title.  Here we go:

1.  In square feet, what is Western Pennsylvania’s biggest shopping center?
Answer:  This is a tricky one.  You’re probably thinking the traditional mall route like Ross Park Mall or Pittsburgh Mills.  Well, the answer is The Waterfront which has 1.5 million square feet.  To me, it feels like the inside of Dave & Busters is 1.5 million square feet.

2.  What does the beacon on top of the Grant Building in downtown Pittsburgh spell at night?

Answer:  Before we get to the answer, here’s what it doesn’t spell; 

Cleveland Sucks

Go Stillers

Give me more fireworks

James Harrison is god

I love chipped ham

Damn it’s cold up here

And the answer is…P-I-T-T-S-B-U-R-G-H.  The building has been sending the signal since it opened in 1927.

3.  Who was the host of WTAE-TV’s Bowling for Dollars?

Answer:  You remember Bowling for Dollars right?  I remember loving this show as a kid and I’m surprised no one has tried to bring it back.  Maybe not bowling, maybe Jarts for Dollars or Curling for Cash would be better.  Anyhoo, the host of Bowling for Dollars was Nick Perry.  You also may remember Mr. Perry for something else but I won’t get into that here.

4.  How many panes of glass are in the six building complex at PPG headquarters downtown?

Answer:  This is an easy one and I can’t believe you haven’t answered yet!  Want a hint?  The answer is between 19,749 and 19,751.  Yes!  You got it!  There are 19,750 panes of glass.  I have always wanted to do a pick-up game of baseball in that courtyard.

5.  Ok, here’s an easy one.  The submarine USS Requin is docked on the Allegheny River next to the Carnegie Science Center.  Is it longer or shorter than a football field?

Before I tell you the answer, Dave and & were actually kicked off that sub for fencing.  Yes, you read that correctly, fencing.  In our defense, there was no sign.  Ok, the answer is, it is longer than a football field – 11 feet, 8 inches longer than a football field.  But, if you can’t fence on the sub, you probably can’t play football either.

How’d you do?  Well, tomorrow I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself.

Alex Trebek was not harmed in any way during the writing of this blog.  -  Dave R

When you talk about Pittsburgh beer, whether you like it or not, you have to start at the Iron City Brewery.  They been in and out of financial trouble over the years, and you should probably never provide them with water because they won’t pay you back, but Iron City beer is Pittsburgh.  Of course, the most brilliant marketing ploy was putting our sports teams on their cans.  When we were there, at the end of our shoot they left us alone in their Oberbrau house with free beer on tap – I’m surprised we ever left.  I highly recommend their Augustiner beer.  www.ironcitybrewingcompany.com

A few doors up Liberty Avenue from the brewery sits one of the best micro-brew places in the city, the Church Brew Works.  Ok, for an old catholic-school kid like myself, drinking in a beautiful old church riddles me with guilt, but after one, you get over it.  The inside is spacious and the beer is tasty, but unfortunately it is so nice that the crowds are getting a little too big.  www.churchbrew.com

Another great micro-brew place is Penn Brewery on the North Side.  You can always find 4 great beers on tap; Gold, Dark, Pilsner and Weizen.  Dave H always gets the Dark, I always get the Pilsner.  We’ve been quite fortunate to be celebrity bartenders at the brewery over the past few years for Animal Friends and it’s always one of the highlights of our summer.  Here’s an idea; on a warm summer night, head down there and sit in the outside beer garden while sipping your Penn Dark or Penn Pilsner, and don’t forget to order some authentic German food.  It’s the best.  www.pennbrew.com

On a slightly smaller scale is the East End Brewing Company comprised of one – yes, one – employee named Scott Smith.  Scott doesn’t run a brewpub, just a tiny little Point Breeze brewery that churns out delicious beer.  But you can’t pop in there anytime you want, you have to time it for the few hours per week that he lets people come in to fill up their growlers.  In case you were wondering, growlers are just really big jugs of beer.  We like to call it the micro-ist brewery around.  www.eastendbrewing.com

If you like Belgian beer, than you have to head to the Sharp Edge in Friendship. (They’ve opened a few other locations that might be nearer to you so check out their website.)  You would be hard-pressed to find a bar that has more beers on tap than the Sharp Edge and my favorite thing about it, for each Belgian beer they have on tap, they have a special glass that it is served in.  It makes you feel classy.  Ok, the beer is a bit pricey so if you’re heading out with plans to drink in volume, you might not want to head here.  But if you are adventurous in your beer drinking, make this a priority.  www.sharpedgebeer.com

One of our favorite discoveries has been D’s Six Packs & Dogz in Regent Square.  The main drew here besides the Chicago dog and the great root beer on tap, is the beer cellar in back.  You can buy beer by the bottle, mix and match your own six packs, and they got over 900 different beers to try out.  And since they’ve expanded into the building next door, getting a table is more do-able.  Since we shot there a number of years ago, a bunch of similar places have sprung up across the region.  Someday we hope to visit them all.  http://www.regentsquare.net/ds6pax.html

And here is one more location for you to visit but it requires you to hop on I-79 North and driving to Slippery Rock.  It’s called North Country Brewing and is run by Bob and Jodi McCafferty.   They brew a bunch of their own beers and I would recommend you get the sampler which will give you a small glass of each to see which one is your favorite.  I liked the Station 33 Firehouse Red.  But their building is even better than the beer.  It was constructed in the early 1800’s and the McCafferty’s renovated beginning in 1998.  Take a walk around the building to see all the different wood carvings throughout the space.  It’s amazing!  Their outside beer garden is pretty nice as well.  It’s well worth the hour drive north.  www.northcountrybrewing.com

So there are a few recommendations for your next beer tour of Pittsburgh.  Hopefully soon we’ll make it over to the new Hofbrau Haus at the Southside Works.  It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

No hops were harmed in any way during the writing of this blog.

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Carnegie Mellon University or CMU, I think of engineers, computers, expensive text books and pocket protectors.  And yes, they produced a lot of computer experts and engineers but, until a few years ago, I never realized what a big-time theater school CMU has sitting right next door to us here in Oakland.  For one week every year, WQED donates our big Studio A to their School of Drama, and it’s begins today.  Seniors with the college write, act, build sets, shoot, and direct their own short plays and we tape them for their future resume reels.

 Did you know that CMU’s School of Drama was founded in 1914 and is the oldest actor-training program in the country.  In addition to the week-long taping they do here every year, they also have a showcase in New York and LA for their students to show off their skills for industry big shots.  And the proof is in the pudding.  Check out just some of the famous alumni who have come out of CMU.  Are you ready for this?

Ted Danson from Cheers and Becker

Rob Marshall, Oscar nominated director of Chicago

Jack Klugman

George Romero

John Wells, creator of The West Wing and ER

Blair Underwood

Laura San Giacomo

Holly Hunter

Cherry Jones, currently playing the President on 24

Judith Light

Steven Bochco, of Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue and L.A. Law fame

Rene Auberjonois

Barbara Feldon

Ming-Na

Frank Gorshin

Zachary Quinto, Sylar on NBC’s Heroes

Josh Groban

And that’s just the really famous people.  There’s plenty more, so that’s pretty cool.  On the downside, all of these future stars are walking through our parking lot so I hope I don’t hit them with my car.

No Tartans were harmed in any way during the writing of this blog, yet.  – Dave R