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
Reposted by Virginia Montanez
Whether you loved City Paper or loathed it (and those of us who worked there often did some of each) this is a goddamn shame. But the fact that Pittsburgh's alt-weekly survived so long is a testament to its community, and to its staff and contributors over the years, including those let go today.
Well folks, some news. Ownership is folding @pghcitypaper.com. I wish I could say this was more surprising. I'll be on the lookout for new roles while I continue to teach and hopefully find places to publish some stories I haven't finished. In the meantime, I'm all ears for opportunities.
December 31, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Whether you loved City Paper or loathed it (and those of us who worked there often did some of each) this is a goddamn shame. But the fact that Pittsburgh's alt-weekly survived so long is a testament to its community, and to its staff and contributors over the years, including those let go today.
My annual roundup is here! The 10 Best Things That Happened in Pittsburgh in 2025. Soccer, golf, housing, crime, helpers. Dig in and get ready for whatever 2026 has in store for us. breathingspace.substack.com/p/the-10-bes...
The 10 Best Things That Happened in Pittsburgh in 2025
And just like that ...
breathingspace.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:29 PM
My annual roundup is here! The 10 Best Things That Happened in Pittsburgh in 2025. Soccer, golf, housing, crime, helpers. Dig in and get ready for whatever 2026 has in store for us. breathingspace.substack.com/p/the-10-bes...
Merry Cookie-mas, Pittsburgh ❤️💚
December 25, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Merry Cookie-mas, Pittsburgh ❤️💚
The cover of the latest Western Pennsylvania History journal by artist Dylan Macko is a keeper and I’ll probably frame it. Zoom in for all the little Burghy details. I love it so much. Let’s hug. 🥹
December 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The cover of the latest Western Pennsylvania History journal by artist Dylan Macko is a keeper and I’ll probably frame it. Zoom in for all the little Burghy details. I love it so much. Let’s hug. 🥹
Had to go into Giant Eagle today. Five days before Christmas. Team, it was the Book of Revelation come to life in there. I need a drink, a hug and maybe an exorcist.
December 20, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Had to go into Giant Eagle today. Five days before Christmas. Team, it was the Book of Revelation come to life in there. I need a drink, a hug and maybe an exorcist.
They seem minor, but historians read of the deadnaming of Rachel Levine on the walls of HHS and the “renaming” of the Kennedy Center, and we foresee how future historians will use them to rightfully build the consensus that this past decade was one of America’s most problematic eras. It will happen.
December 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
They seem minor, but historians read of the deadnaming of Rachel Levine on the walls of HHS and the “renaming” of the Kennedy Center, and we foresee how future historians will use them to rightfully build the consensus that this past decade was one of America’s most problematic eras. It will happen.
My latest column for Pittsburgh Magazine argues that the Steelers and Pirates teams of the 1970s helped save Pittsburgh from crumbling to dust during the collapse of the steel industry. @pittsburghsteeler.bsky.social @pirates.com
www.pittsburghmagazine.com/dahn-memory-...
www.pittsburghmagazine.com/dahn-memory-...
Dahn Memory Lane: Why Pittsburgh Needs To Be 'The City of Champions'
Columnist Virginia Montanez explains that the city’s connection with its sports teams is more than mere fandom — it’s a relationship forged during Pittsburgh’s darkest days.
www.pittsburghmagazine.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:16 PM
My latest column for Pittsburgh Magazine argues that the Steelers and Pirates teams of the 1970s helped save Pittsburgh from crumbling to dust during the collapse of the steel industry. @pittsburghsteeler.bsky.social @pirates.com
www.pittsburghmagazine.com/dahn-memory-...
www.pittsburghmagazine.com/dahn-memory-...
The latest episode of City Cast Pittsburgh has me chatting about my gift guide (yes, this is the most media requests I’ve gotten since I started the guide 16 years ago) and giving tips on how to avoid AI-generated art as you shop.
pittsburgh.citycast.fm/podcasts/gif...
pittsburgh.citycast.fm/podcasts/gif...
Gifts To Buy a Pittsburgher Right Now - City Cast Pittsburgh
We are inching closer and closer to the holidays, and if you've been putting off your shopping, we want to help you find the perfect Pittsburgh gif...
pittsburgh.citycast.fm
December 8, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The latest episode of City Cast Pittsburgh has me chatting about my gift guide (yes, this is the most media requests I’ve gotten since I started the guide 16 years ago) and giving tips on how to avoid AI-generated art as you shop.
pittsburgh.citycast.fm/podcasts/gif...
pittsburgh.citycast.fm/podcasts/gif...
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
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...
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
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!
Good evening, Pittsburgh. Jupiter is rising in the east right now and he is stunning. An added bonus is the full moon shining overhead. A gorgeous night out here right now. 💛🖤
December 5, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Good evening, Pittsburgh. Jupiter is rising in the east right now and he is stunning. An added bonus is the full moon shining overhead. A gorgeous night out here right now. 💛🖤
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
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!
Revisited this year's Yinzer Gift Guide to find that several items on the list are sold out! You've got to jump into it now if you want to grab locally made gifts recommended by yours truly, a person with exquisite taste (shut up). Nothing is an ad!
breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
2025 Yinzer Holiday Gift Guide
Fa-la-la-la-local!
breathingspace.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Revisited this year's Yinzer Gift Guide to find that several items on the list are sold out! You've got to jump into it now if you want to grab locally made gifts recommended by yours truly, a person with exquisite taste (shut up). Nothing is an ad!
breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
On one hand it’s that good thick heavy snowman snow, but on the other hand
a child is shoveling snow with a shovel and a hose .
ALT: a child is shoveling snow with a shovel and a hose .
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
On one hand it’s that good thick heavy snowman snow, but on the other hand
Whew. The Steelers headlines sure are something to behold this morning 😬
December 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Whew. The Steelers headlines sure are something to behold this morning 😬
Their faces are 100 percent a copy-paste situation
“The Parent Trap”, Walt Disney Pictures, 1998.
Great to meet my doppelgänger, GM Kyle Dubas, tonight cheering on our Pittsburgh Penguins against the Maple Leafs. #LetsGoPens!
Great to meet my doppelgänger, GM Kyle Dubas, tonight cheering on our Pittsburgh Penguins against the Maple Leafs. #LetsGoPens!
November 30, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Their faces are 100 percent a copy-paste situation
Pittsburgh, I‘ll be on KDKA radio for a bit starting at 7:20 tonight to chat about this year’s Yinzer Gift Guide and other topics.
November 28, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Pittsburgh, I‘ll be on KDKA radio for a bit starting at 7:20 tonight to chat about this year’s Yinzer Gift Guide and other topics.
Driving in Pittsburgh is basically a whole lot of yelling “JUST GO” at other drivers
November 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Driving in Pittsburgh is basically a whole lot of yelling “JUST GO” at other drivers
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
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!
I’m ready. Dining chairs. Folding chairs. Benches. If it fits, you sits. Happy Thanksgiving, Pittsburgh!
November 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I’m ready. Dining chairs. Folding chairs. Benches. If it fits, you sits. Happy Thanksgiving, Pittsburgh!
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 winter lantern festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo is once again a delight to journey through. Not an ad!
Riverhounds out there doing Pittsburgh things 💪🏼🏆🖤💛
November 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Riverhounds out there doing Pittsburgh things 💪🏼🏆🖤💛
Reposted by Virginia Montanez
In this video I discuss one of the most prolific and potent myths the anti—vaccine movement promotes: autism. This is in light of the recent CDC website changes, which is now controlled by RFK
November 21, 2025 at 2:36 AM
In this video I discuss one of the most prolific and potent myths the anti—vaccine movement promotes: autism. This is in light of the recent CDC website changes, which is now controlled by RFK
We’ve reached that time of year when solar lights in Pittsburgh are fighting for their lives. Just do your best, babes.
November 21, 2025 at 12:43 AM
We’ve reached that time of year when solar lights in Pittsburgh are fighting for their lives. Just do your best, babes.