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
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...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
November 14, 2025 at 5:28 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...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/2025-yinze...
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
When you check in to see how the Steelers game is going and you see a hockey score
Erin Koper running on a “Pittsburgh is a violent hellhole” platform, losing her city council race by 49 points in a district Trump lost by 33 points and then immediately declaring she is selling her house and leaving Pittsburgh has got me cackling in some kind of way this morning. Girl, bye.
November 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Erin Koper running on a “Pittsburgh is a violent hellhole” platform, losing her city council race by 49 points in a district Trump lost by 33 points and then immediately declaring she is selling her house and leaving Pittsburgh has got me cackling in some kind of way this morning. Girl, bye.
This year's Yinzer Gift Guide is now fully out of control. I've got like 60 amazing locally made items on it so far and I've got a bunch more to add because our local makers have been so busy this year creating little drops of beauty and whimsy. Pittsburgh, you're doing great, sweetie. Keep it up.
November 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
This year's Yinzer Gift Guide is now fully out of control. I've got like 60 amazing locally made items on it so far and I've got a bunch more to add because our local makers have been so busy this year creating little drops of beauty and whimsy. Pittsburgh, you're doing great, sweetie. Keep it up.
This year's Yinzer Holiday Gift Guide will publish at the end of next week and it is AWESOME. I still need some affordable locally made stocking stuffers to toss on the list. Hit me with some of your best Pittsburgh-made goodies that are affordable and small. Keychains? Lip balms? Whatever!
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
This year's Yinzer Holiday Gift Guide will publish at the end of next week and it is AWESOME. I still need some affordable locally made stocking stuffers to toss on the list. Hit me with some of your best Pittsburgh-made goodies that are affordable and small. Keychains? Lip balms? Whatever!
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
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.
I already had a vast shortage of respect for Kim Kardashian, but her claiming the moon landing was faked has erased it all. Only the most willfully ignorant sectors of society adopt this disrespectful conspiracy theory. She can rot. Please read my column: www.pittsburghmagazine.com/anti-science...
Are Anti-Science Conspiracy Theories Anti-Pittsburgh?
Columnist Virginia Montanez explores the scientific breakthroughs that Pittsburgh and Pittsburghers have given the world.
www.pittsburghmagazine.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I already had a vast shortage of respect for Kim Kardashian, but her claiming the moon landing was faked has erased it all. Only the most willfully ignorant sectors of society adopt this disrespectful conspiracy theory. She can rot. Please read my column: www.pittsburghmagazine.com/anti-science...
My latest Breathing Space is here and we have GOT to talk about the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame fiasco!
breathingspace.substack.com/p/pardon-me-...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/pardon-me-...
Pardon me, but could you point me in the general direction of the nearest sea?
Yinz-haw, cowgirl!
breathingspace.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
My latest Breathing Space is here and we have GOT to talk about the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame fiasco!
breathingspace.substack.com/p/pardon-me-...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/pardon-me-...
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
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)
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
How is Pittsburgh going to create a whole Walk of Fame and not include Gene Kelly in the first class?
Yinz guys’
Which is the correct possessive?
Yinz's or Yinz'
A Pittsburgh transplant urgently needs to know.
Yinz's or Yinz'
A Pittsburgh transplant urgently needs to know.
October 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Yinz guys’
Reposted by Virginia Montanez
In 2005, when Walmart wanted to open a store in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, residents rallied to keep it out. But Walmart found its way back to Monroeville 20 years later. Instead of building a new store, though, the retailer bought an operating mall with 120 tenants for $34 million.
Why Did Walmart Just Buy a Shopping Mall?
Walmart hasn’t said much about its plans for Monroeville Mall in Pennsylvania. But its partner has told some store owners that the mall will be demolished for a mixed-use development.
nyti.ms
October 7, 2025 at 1:40 AM
In 2005, when Walmart wanted to open a store in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, residents rallied to keep it out. But Walmart found its way back to Monroeville 20 years later. Instead of building a new store, though, the retailer bought an operating mall with 120 tenants for $34 million.
Reposted by Virginia Montanez
Not for nothing, but I’m on a 71B bus that just FLEW through Downtown Pittsburgh thanks to these bus lanes — at 5 PM on a Friday
More busways! MORE!! FASTER!! 💨
More busways! MORE!! FASTER!! 💨
Building upon their dedicated busways, Pittsburgh has now deployed a downtown open BRT corridor that utilizes contraflow bus lanes, ensuring far better compliance and travel times than same-flow lanes. This leapfrogs anything Philadelphia is willing to try
October 3, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Not for nothing, but I’m on a 71B bus that just FLEW through Downtown Pittsburgh thanks to these bus lanes — at 5 PM on a Friday
More busways! MORE!! FASTER!! 💨
More busways! MORE!! FASTER!! 💨
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
An extremely Pittsburgh post: Today I learned that Zachary Quinto‘s great-grandfather was none other than P.J. McArdle. 🤯
Was going to remind you all to register to attend my lunchtime history talk next week on Pittsburgh’s Great Fire of 1845 at South Park Library, but it’s now at capacity with 55 people. You snooze, you lose. I‘m at my best when I get to teach Pittsburgh history, so make sure you catch the next one!
October 1, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Was going to remind you all to register to attend my lunchtime history talk next week on Pittsburgh’s Great Fire of 1845 at South Park Library, but it’s now at capacity with 55 people. You snooze, you lose. I‘m at my best when I get to teach Pittsburgh history, so make sure you catch the next one!
Reposted by Virginia Montanez
On this day in 1972, Roberto Clemente recorded his 3,000th and final hit. A moment forever etched in Pirates history.
September 30, 2025 at 2:24 PM
On this day in 1972, Roberto Clemente recorded his 3,000th and final hit. A moment forever etched in Pirates history.
Spoiler alert: The 2026 Pirates don’t have a chance, and everyone including Bob Nutting knows it
September 29, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Spoiler alert: The 2026 Pirates don’t have a chance, and everyone including Bob Nutting knows it
Published a Breathing Space today! Lots inside like bike lanes and vape shops and Pittsburgh history and Burghy Halloween goodies and more!
breathingspace.substack.com/p/bike-lane-...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/bike-lane-...
Bike-lane Billy Rides Again
My handlebar streamers bring all the boys, especially Jordan Knight, to the yard
breathingspace.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Published a Breathing Space today! Lots inside like bike lanes and vape shops and Pittsburgh history and Burghy Halloween goodies and more!
breathingspace.substack.com/p/bike-lane-...
breathingspace.substack.com/p/bike-lane-...
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
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.)
Those angry about my column in Pittsburgh Mag are saying, "But questioning science IS the scientific method." Sure, provided you question the science WITH MORE SCIENCE. Science already did that with vaccines and autism and found no link.
I'm begging y'all to read more science and history books.
I'm begging y'all to read more science and history books.
September 17, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Those angry about my column in Pittsburgh Mag are saying, "But questioning science IS the scientific method." Sure, provided you question the science WITH MORE SCIENCE. Science already did that with vaccines and autism and found no link.
I'm begging y'all to read more science and history books.
I'm begging y'all to read more science and history books.
Recording AwesomeCast live at 7 tonight to talk about all the things.
Watch here!
YT: youtube.com/live/TUSkv5K...
FB: www.facebook.com/share/14FUfE...
Watch here!
YT: youtube.com/live/TUSkv5K...
FB: www.facebook.com/share/14FUfE...
AwesomeCast 750 LIVE - w/ Virginia Montanez of Pastfinders
This week’s episode brought to you by Slice on Broadway, and Sidekick Media Services and listeners like you at www.patreon.com/awesomecast
Subscribe to the Podcast: awesomecast.com
Sorgatron Media P...
youtube.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Recording AwesomeCast live at 7 tonight to talk about all the things.
Watch here!
YT: youtube.com/live/TUSkv5K...
FB: www.facebook.com/share/14FUfE...
Watch here!
YT: youtube.com/live/TUSkv5K...
FB: www.facebook.com/share/14FUfE...
I wrote a column about how the anti-science movement and associated conspiracy theories are an insult to Pittsburgh's rich history. I'm sure you can imagine how well conspiracy-minded and anti-vax yinzers are handling it. www.pittsburghmagazine.com/anti-science...
Are Anti-Science Conspiracy Theories Anti-Pittsburgh?
Columnist Virginia Montanez explores the scientific breakthroughs that Pittsburgh and Pittsburghers have given the world.
www.pittsburghmagazine.com
September 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I wrote a column about how the anti-science movement and associated conspiracy theories are an insult to Pittsburgh's rich history. I'm sure you can imagine how well conspiracy-minded and anti-vax yinzers are handling it. www.pittsburghmagazine.com/anti-science...
You can now read my graduate masters thesis on Pittsburgh and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. I'm expecting to turn this thesis into several popular history pieces that tell the story in more depth. scholarworks.umb.edu/masters_thes...
Choked: How Decades of Failures to Address Air Pollution and Housing Shortages Exacerbated Mortality in Pittsburgh During the Influenza Pandemic of 1918
Pittsburgh experienced the highest death rate of all major U.S. cities during the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic. This record mortality was not due to inadequate, absent, or ignored nonpharmaceutical in...
scholarworks.umb.edu
September 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
You can now read my graduate masters thesis on Pittsburgh and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. I'm expecting to turn this thesis into several popular history pieces that tell the story in more depth. scholarworks.umb.edu/masters_thes...
Went into my second shingles vaccine shot WAY too smugly after handling the first like a champ
a woman in a suit says everything hurts and i 'm dying .
ALT: a woman in a suit says everything hurts and i 'm dying .
media.tenor.com
September 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Went into my second shingles vaccine shot WAY too smugly after handling the first like a champ