Virginia Montanez
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ginny.bsky.social
Virginia Montanez
@ginny.bsky.social
Author (Nothing. Everything. 2023), historian, columnist, essayist, founder of Make Room for Kids at Mario Lemieux Foundation and pghremains.com
Had a lovely time sharing some of my favorite things on my annual Yinzer Gift Guide with Heather and Boaz on Talk Pittsburgh on KDKA yesterday. Watch it here! www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/v...
December 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Happy Handmade Arcade weekend to all who celebrate. My bank account already took some damage. Tomorrow is the big day while tonight is sensory friendly and preview. Not an ad!
December 5, 2025 at 10:19 PM
The Winter Lights at Phipps might be the best ever this year, and I go every year. I don’t want to spoil the theme of the train room for you, so just go and see it. Not an ad!
December 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Whew. The Steelers headlines sure are something to behold this morning 😬
December 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
This year’s trees in the Hall of Architecture at the Carnegie are all themed around Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days and they’re wonderful. Not an ad. Go see them!
November 28, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I’m ready. Dining chairs. Folding chairs. Benches. If it fits, you sits. Happy Thanksgiving, Pittsburgh!
November 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This year’s winter lantern festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo is once again a delight to journey through. Not an ad!
November 26, 2025 at 12:23 AM
This year's Yinzer Holiday Gift Guide (now in year 17, I believe) is a fun read and is full of dozens of local goodies such as these. Get in on the shopping fun, Pittsburgh! Nothing is an ad! I have extremely good taste! breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
November 18, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Dearest Pittsburgh, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Dig into my 2025 Yinzer Holiday Gift Guide for dozens of local items for everyone on your gift list. Nothing is an ad. Share far and wide! 🖤💛

breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
November 14, 2025 at 5:28 PM
When you check in to see how the Steelers game is going and you see a hockey score
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 AM
What in the AI hell is this "Pittsburgh skyline ornament" being sold on Etsy by a Carlisle, PA-based shop? Is the Pittsburgh skyline in the room with us right now? Straight to jail.
November 3, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Had a fantastic time teaching the Great Fire of 1845 to a capacity crowd at South Park Township Public Library this week! (Photos courtesy the library)
October 10, 2025 at 5:17 PM
How is Pittsburgh going to create a whole Walk of Fame and not include Gene Kelly in the first class?
October 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
An extremely Pittsburgh post: Today I learned that Zachary Quinto‘s great-grandfather was none other than P.J. McArdle. 🤯
October 2, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Spoiler alert: The 2026 Pirates don’t have a chance, and everyone including Bob Nutting knows it
September 29, 2025 at 2:33 PM
In Altoona today. Did you know if you go to the Boyer candy company factory, you can get a bag of Clark Bars in the form of “imperfects”? So good! Not an ad. (No, I’m not eating Altoona-style pizza while I’m here, because I don’t hate myself.)
September 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
So much fun supporting my pals at the Lemieux Foundation last night at Steve Byrne’s comedy jam. Laughed my face off at Billy Gardell, Bill Crawford and more. The Mandalorian, Brendan Wayne, was there too! And I’m officially old enough that front row seats means your friend handing out ear plugs 😂
September 13, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Mad world. Good dogs. ❤️
September 10, 2025 at 11:17 PM
What a gorgeous morning in the City of Pittsburgh to launch the Allegheny Cleanways Immaculate Collection litter cleanup initiative with the mayor and county executive! Stop littering and illegal dumping, you jags 🖤💛
September 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Got a sneak peek at the Pittsburgh Glass Center’s Art on Fire auction items and, you guys, i am always amazed at what humans can create.These two stunning vases are my faves. Go check it out. Not an ad!
September 5, 2025 at 2:06 AM
If you’ve never seen me teach history, you’re in for a fun treat. I’ll be presenting on the Great Fire of 1845 at South Park Library on October 8! Join us!

southpark.librarycalendar.com/event/munch-...
August 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
In which I share the screamingly dramatic local newspaper headlines from lesser-known disasters in Pittsburgh history. Fire, flood, storm, explosions, and of course, escaped monkeys. "A Day of Riot and Carnage," indeed.

www.pittsburghmagazine.com/dahn-memory-...
August 28, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Accidentally took a perfect picture
August 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
At the Oddities and Curiosities convention downtown and accidentally dressed too normal and now I look ridiculous among all the badassery
August 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Kinda sorta ...
August 20, 2025 at 1:36 PM