What are your memories of Mellon Arena?

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

We asked readers to tell us their favorite or not-so-favorite moments of Mellon Arena (formerly known as the Civic Arena). Here are some of the comments:

My fondest memories.....

My grandmother (R.I.P) brought me to the arena for the first time to see The Jackson Five. That's when Michael was still black.

The first Fresh Festival (Hip-Hop concert w/ Run-DMC, Whoudini....)

Seeing the Beastie Boys open for Madonna...If I recall correctly, Bon Jovi opening up for RATT

Duran Duran twice (no pun intended)

The very last show I went to in the arena was the New Edition "Coming Home" Tour in 97, but my favorite shows were when Rush came to town.

Corey Whitfield. Atlanta, GA via Wilkinsburg

Bruce Springsteen. I remember this show being a 4-hour marathon of 30+ songs. Unbeknownst to me at midnight it was the bosses 35th birthday. Fans had somehow snuck in birthday cakes, I watched as they were passed hand over hand in the festival seating all the way to the stage. Nils Lofgren started playing happy birthday and the crowd sang to the boss. As a veteran of many Springsteen shows, this was truly a magical night and one of the many reasons Sringsteen loves playing here.

Jake

There are the Penguins, there was the Ringling Bros. circus, there was Icecapades, there was Paul Child and the Pittsburgh Spirit, there was the Dapper Dan Classic, there was the Pittsburgh Bulls of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League, there was the Gladiators, BUT my favorite memory of the Civic Arena which is more then likely one of the oddest events or non-events held at the Civic Arena was the closed circuit television feed for Wrestle Mania 1 in 1985. Well, it should have been the oddest, since more then 16,000 people showed up to watch a wrestling showcase going on at Madison Square Garden, that was going to be shown on two flat screens where the hockey goals normally would be. Luckily for those in attendance, the feed never came through and we were sent home with the promise that we would get a full refund. If the feed did work, I can not imagine how we could of seen anything from our 'peanut heaven' seats!!! WWF along with Quinn and Banana from B-94 luckily broadcasted the show a week later on the USA network. The Civic Arena had so many major events, I just feel that this one might have been the strangest!!!

Brad, Sarasota, Florida

A Kansas/Cheap Trick concert in September of '81 or '82. The A/C wasn't working right and it got so hot inside, people were passing out. So, midway through the show, they opened the roof and just as the breeze come in and the summer night sky came into full view, the Goodyear Blimp (in town for weekend football coverage) came overhead and displayed the word, "HELLO PITTSBURGH" on its message board. I remember thinking how cool is that? I still think it was cool.

Bryan, North Hills

Several stand out, but the best were:

1)the 2AM Penguins playoff game a few years ago that my husband and I attended with our four friends

2) the U2 concert in October 2005

3) taking my little girl to one of the circuses and seeing the look on her face when she ate cotton candy for the first time!

4) the Who Concert in 1980 just before the Cincinnati concert where people were trampled in the rush to get in.

Cris Alampi, Overbrook

When I was a child, I played soccer for the Beechview Athletic Association. The Pittsburgh Spirit made The Civic Arena home during that time. My brother and sister and I would go to Spirit games all of the time with our Dad. There were always give-aways, player autograph times, and the like. It was always so exciting. One of the best times during our soccer years was when we got to play on the soccer field at The Civic Arena (I don't remember why now, maybe a tournament.) It was quite an experience, playing on the field we watched players on all those games. It was so much fun...and a lot different playing with the side walls and no out of bound lines!

As an adult, with my own children, my husband and I have taken our own kids to many Disney on Ice and Sesame Street Live performances. We also enjoy heading down for the Penguin vs. Flyer games (my husband is from Philly, and a Flyer fan). GO PENS!

Megan Vaites

I remember growing up i beaver county and going to Easter Sunrise Services and when it was warm they would open the roof, a wonderful unique situation.

Keith, now living in Philadelphia

I remember a concert with Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult where the smoke was so thick from pyrotechnics (and other things) that you could barely see the stage from the far end of the arena, and the show didn't end until 12:30 in the morning.

I remember a James Taylor concert where the threat of rain kept the roof closed, but had abated by the time the second half of the show started . It was the first and only time I had been there with the roof open, and the ambience of Taylor's music, combined with the view of the city, made it a very memorable evening indeed.

When I was in high school, $10 got you round trip PAT bus fare downtown from Sewickley, a $4.50 seat in the E balcony to see the Penguins, and you still had enough left for a popcorn or a coke.

I remember the Pens' enforcer with the most inventive nickname; Gary "Studio" Rissling. Vince LaScheid would often play the Sousa march that served as the TV show's theme song whenever Gary would get into a scrap.

I remember a Pens playoff game against the Bruins in 1979 (?) where there were at leats 20 guys fighting in the E balcony after the game, and Bruins coach Don Cherry complained after getting soaked with beer on the way off the ice, along with having ill will bestowed upon his dog, Blue. That ugly blue fibergass tunnel from the visitor's locker room made its' debut after that season.

I remember the Pens tragic 1975 playoff run, and watching Pierre Larouche make a fool of the Blues goaltender to win a game 4-3 and send the series back to St Louis, where the Pens won and Barclay Plager tried to run over the referee. The Pens went on to become the first professional sports team to take a 3-0 lead in a playoff series and lose it 4-3, the last game a 1-0 heartbreaker to the Islanders.

I remember Harry the Whale. Now that would be an interesting "Where are they now?" story.

John L. Linko, Grand Junction, Colorado

The greatest moment at the Civic (Mellon) Arena for me was May of 1992, game one of the Stanley Cup finals when Mario Lemuiex scored on a Larry Murphy rebound past Chicago's Ed Belfour with under a minute to play, giving the Pens a 5 to 4 lead, in which the Pens won. The Pens had trailed in that game 3-0 & 4 -1, and of course, went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup. No doubt, that was the loudest that I had ever heard the Arena , louder than any of the estimated 50 concerts I had seen there. I thought the roof was going blow off!!!

A bad memory was at the conclusion of the Pitt v. Georgetown game in early 1988 when Pitt was shooting foul shots with less than a minute to play and had the game won. During a foul shot, one of Georgtown's players threw an intentional elbow into the back of Pitt forward

Jerome Lane's head and it started a bench clearing brawl...John Thompson, the head coach of Georgtown, took his team off the court and went into the locker room. The game ended that way. I lost a lot of respect for him (Thompson) and his "Georgtown Thugs" that day....But Pitt won and Thomspon went home a sore loser.

Jim Imhof, Pittsburgh, PA -North Hills

My fondest CIVIC Arena memories will always be participating every year in the Pittsburgh Folk Festival. They opened the dome for those festivals and we would all sing, "This Land is Your Land" when the grand finale ended. There were many a teary eye each year for that!

The cultural diversity, the foods, the dancing and the camaraderie were all excellent. Performing with the likes of Roman Neznik and Nicholas Jordanoff were true honors.

And let me tell you, there's not many rushes greater than being the featured dancers in front of 12,000 people at the old age of 17 in 1975. My sister Heidi, 16 at the time, was my partner. Oh, to relive those days!

David Marks, Duquesne PA

My memories of going to the Civic Arena were begging my mom to let me go to the concerts to see Chicago. Sly and The Family Stone,and the best was the Godfather of Soul Mr James Brown and having front row seats for only five dollars a seat at that time in the 70's.

Butch Bowen, Orlando, Florida

I remember the rats.

When I was a kid in the early 70's and I first started going to Penguins games, the Arena still had the old aluminum frame folding seats in the A & B section, with these huge gaps that people often used as trash receptacles. Then when they would start the National Anthem and the arena was a little quieter, you could hear the rats rustling through the old popcorn boxes and other trash. I remember I once told the rats to be quiet and show some respect for the anthem, since after all they were American rats, too.

On another occasion, probably in the early 80's, my brother and I were going to the ticket window on a snowy morning. Coming up the ramp, we came face to face with the biggest rat I have ever seen (still to this day). He ducked into a crack along the lower wall.

Thanks for the memories.

Michael G DeSensi

Growing up in Brookline, going to a hockey game, a concert, the circus or a basketball game was always a treat on a Pittsburgh's winter day. I would come home on leave from time to time, catching a game with my dad or brother. I was with my dad and brother when Jagr scored a hat trick in the first period just six rows from us. What a night. I remember the blue, lace up jerseys the Pens wore before they drafted Mario. But the best memory was a kid attending Catholic grade school played an abbreviated game at halftime of a Dukes game. Having your name announced was a thrill that is very seldom matched, even if you were wrongfully called for a foul. I don't think my name will ever be mentioned as one of the greats for playing there, but on that day, on that hardwood floor, in that Arena, I was with the best???even if was only in my heart. The Area will always hold a special place in Pittsburgher's hearts. They can take it away from us, but not the memories.

MSgt Christopher Jones, USAF Langley AFB VA

I have two fond memories of the IGLOO:

1. My brother and I were extras in the filming of the "Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" as fans for a home game of the Pittsburgh Pisces. My brother and I went down the summer of 1979 to be in the crowd as extras. The only scene they filmed that day was the team coming out onto the floor. When the director said "action", everyone in the stands started to cheer, assuming thats what they wanted but when we did cheer, the director screamed "CUT CUT

CUT!!!"

He told us (the "fans") not to do anything unless he told us to. Seems our spontaneous cheering blew out all there recording gear! hahaha, wasted a whole day shooting.

Two other things, two great banners made by Penguin fans:

1. "We have our Coffee and our Creamer, now we need a cup to put them in" - back when Paul Cofee and Pierre Creamer were with the team.

2. "Sign Lemieux or I wont renew!" during contract talks with Mario. Team made them pull it down. hahaha

Greg Seidenstricker, Va. Beach (formerly of Allison Park)

I am sitting in Austin, Texas...a daily reader of the P-G online. I was born in Pittsburgh, living in Brookline, moving to the Beaver Falls area for most of my public school years, and attended Point Park College for a semester. After graduating from Clarion University, I began a career in radio where I was fortunate to be hired by to WDVE to rock the airwaves of the town in which I was raised.

At an early age, I attended a Penguins game. I cannot recall what year, but my only memory...an image of sticks and gloves littering the ice after a big brawl. I remember going to a WWF event in 1982 where Bob Backlund, Superstar Billy Graham, and Ivan Putski wrestled. My first ever concert was Loverboy (3rd row) for the "Lovin Every Minute of It" tour. I waited outside the Arena all night with thousands of others to buy tickets for my sister to the Bon Jovi show in 1985, only to see them sell out within an hour.

When I was hired by WDVE, I would practically live at the Civic Arena with the many sporting events, concerts, and other events. The station became the Penguins radio flagship. There's no way to count how many games I attended between 1995 and 2000. I was in the building the night Mario Lemieux retired for the first time, but I to call my Mother that night and wish her a happy birthday from the Arena. For that one time, Mario's spectacular career took a higher priority than being with Mom on her birthday. Other notable sporting events at the Igloo: The emcee for free-throw contest with Harlem Globetrotter Orlando Antigua; welcoming the crowd at a WWF event and a Pittsburgh Stingers game; hosted a "Skate with the Pens" with players Ian Moran and Chris Tamer.

Among the concert memories: Front row for the KISS Reunion Tour in 1996. I have been a long-time fan of the band, and that night, my Clarion University roommate was my guest. I met him in the dorm in 1988 because he was in his room playing KISS on his boombox; I wandered down the hall to meet the guy who shared a similar interest in the music. I got to do stage announcements for the KISS show two years later, as well; saw The Stones, The Who, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Page & Plant (both shows), INXS, Heart, Yes, Boston, and David Lee Roth and met both Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top backstage; got to lead the Aerosmith motorcade of limos from DVE studios to Arena in a radio station van...the band were guest deejays on-the-air that day and needed directions to the show. Since I was headed there to hang banners and set up stereo equipment prior to the show, I volunteered to lead them to the Arena.

Also had the opportunity to emcee two different special events at the Arena: honorary Ringmaster for Barnum & Bailey Ringling Bros. Circus; and hosted a tug-of-war contest between DVE listeners and Hooters girls at a Monster Jam monster truck event.

I think I will always call the building the Civic Arena. It's been part of my life for all but eight years. I'm a 40-year old man and travel from ustin to Pittsburgh three times a year and try to catch a Pens game whenever possible. I miss Three Rivers Stadium for a number of reasons, mostly because I saw Steelers and Pirates games with my Dad & Mom. I will miss the Arena for the events I was fortunate to attend with my good friends, and as a member of the WDVE airstaff.

Mike "Steele" Vrable

My favorite memory of Mellon Area (The Civic Arena) is a Beach Boys show there in the summer of 1986. As the band took the stage with

the beginning of "California Girls", the roof opened up directly

behind the stage, and we were treated to a wonderful open air concert on a warm summer night. I still get chills thinking about it.

Although I've had many great memories at the Civic/Mellon Arena, I look forward to the next chapter in Penguins history with a brand new arena for the Pens in Pittsburgh.

Carl Basile, San Francisco, CA (formerly of New Castle, PA)

I've been to the arena for 2 Stanley Cups, 3 of Mario's Returns, one power outage ('89 v. Flyers) and dozens of concerts, but nothing will be more memorable than what I saw one afternoon in April 1993. From my office downtown, I was walking to the arena ticket office to get my tickets for Rounds 3 and 4 of the playoffs. Suddenly, I saw a group of fans all standing around with their jerseys and hockey sticks. As I approached, I finally realized that they were waiting for Mario to return to his car from what I found out later was another cortisone shot for his aching back. It was obvious that the big guy was in significant discomfort, but he stood there, signing autographs for a good 10 minutes. As I watched him lower himself into the driver's seat of his big, shiny Mercedes, I finally saw first-hand just how much pain this man was in all those years.

It just struck me that I had been hearing about his back for years (and worried about it for 40 home games a year, cheering every time he wasn't announced as one of "tonight's scratches"), but just seeing him as a "regular guy" struggling to get into his car really struck me like a bolt of lightning. Oh, and it didn't hurt that he had 3 or 4 points the next night!

Edward Mundt, Tampa, FL

So another "Temple of Rock and Roll Memories" may be reduced to rubble -- first the Syria Mosque, and now the Mellon Arena. Sure, buildings become outdated, but I didn't notice that in March of 1999 as I strode up the winding concrete ramp inside the Mellon Arena. I heard the faint ghost-like sounds of a familiar song, and entered the dark portal to the interior. There, slightly below and no more than two hundred feet away, was a prancing Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones. It was the "No Security Tour". Behind Mick were Keith, Ron, and Charlie --who was playing drums so scuffed that they must have tapped out his original beats to many legendary songs over the last thirty years. I sat transfixed - beholding the rock history in front of me in this huge dome, long known for terrible acoustics, but easily forgiven because it had the seating capacity to attract the greatest acts in the world.

I curse the fact that I was only ten years old when The Beatles performed there in 1964. While my musical spirit soared upon hearing their first release, I knew nobody old enough, who shared my excitement, to take me.

I made up for that as time went by. I saw The Monkees, The Beachboys ( they opened the roof in the middle of that concert - unbelievably impressive), Three Dog Night, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and Jethro Tull, to name but a few.

When the crowd rushed the stage, as Janis performed while swigging Southern Comfort, the house lights came on, along with a warning that the show would not continue until everyone was seated. She screamed into the microphone, "Turn those ... lights off." She won! The lights went down and she continued to give everybody (a little piece of her heart) that night.

The best performance I ever saw at the Mellon Arena was by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. It was 1972, the equipment and lighting were very primitive by today's standards but it didn't matter. Ian's vocals, flute playing, and commanding stage presence, were matched only by his intricate compositions perfectly executed by his band. This was undoubtedly enhanced by my having rushed the stage, where I ended up standing right in front of him with a camera.

They might tear the arena down, but the glorious exhibitions of talent and showmanship will forever reverberate in the souls of millions who bore witness in that overturned aluminum bowl on the hill.

Geoff Reidell, Crafton, PA

I remember for my 11th birthday my dad and I went to the 7th game of the Eastern Conference Finals vs the Florida Panthers when John "Beezer" Vanbiesbrouck was in between the pipes for the Panthers. The Pens lost the game 3-1 and Florida went on to the Stanley Cup but the atmosphere inside the Civic Arena, not the Mellon Arena was unbelieveable and something that I will never forget.

Rob Miele, 18, Belle Vernon, PA

I went to the first Arena Football League Championship game. The Pittsburgh Gladiators v. Denver Gold, unfortunately, it was the first loss in Pittsburgh Championship until the unfortunate Neil O'Donnell super bowl.

Michael Robbins, Syracuse, NY

I have lots of memories of the shows that were at the Arena. Oklahoma was my first ever and the dome opened up. But the lasting memory was from my grandfather. When the Methodist held their conference in Pittsburgh my grandfather was a member of the All-Pittsburgh-Methodists Choirs and the meeting was held in the Arena and he was part of Choir that sang that night and he was so excited just being there.

But the best part of this memory was when the Dome opened while he was on stage singing. He never forgot that moment and I will never forget him telling me about it. He said it was like the sky opened up and he was standing at the threshold of heaven. He talked about that moment all of the time and I will never forget him telling it. Everytime I come to the Arena I picture him and all of the choir on that stage and it brings tears of joy and a wonderful memory of the Arena and my grandfather. Thanks for the opportunity to write this.

Arlene Franz

Now we are going back to the HORNETS. Before Mario and company in 1968. They were awesome then. My first concert was there also, Grand Funk Railroad, it was so much fun with all my friends in 1975. The Barnum and Bailey Circus, Lipazon horses trotting, and Ice Capades. These were my favorites.

It was so nice when they opened the roof on warm summer night. You got to see the stars from your seat. That was so wonderful. Fortunately I did get a chance to experience that many years ago.

Marcia J. Wanchik, Ambridge, PA.

Back when I was a resident, I had the privilege of taking care of the architect (Mitchell) who helped design Mellon Arena when he was admitted to Allegheny General. He passed away during that hospital admission but everyday he would share stories with me about the design and construction phase of the project. At the time, the Civic Arena was the first structure with a retractable roof built since the Roman empire did. To learn about the thought process of the design and the struggles to get things apporved made me appreciate the structure as a work of art rather than just another place to see a concert or hockey game. When I attended events I would always share those stories with people so that his proudest design could have a greater impact. I realize that the structure is now dated, but wouldn't it be great to pay homage to the old place and design a new arena with a retractable roof.

Sandeep B. Sharma, M.D., Pittsburgh, PA

In the summer of 1990, I saw a Pittsburgh Gladiators Arena Football game vs. the Denver Dynamite and I think it was that season the league brought out the tag line, "The 50 yard Indoor War on the Floor" in their marketing efforts. The night they played this particular game, it was a nice summer evening, so the arena management decided to open up the roof for the 2nd half. Luckily I was sitting on the side that you could see the downtown skyline, but I think that was only one of the few times they opened up the roof during events.

Tim Hoffman, Franklin, PA (now Boston, MA)

I remember back in the 70's when the mothership landed in the Civic Arena. I was there when Parliament Funkadelic landed their space ship from the opening in the dome and came out singing "We want the Funk" I loved it, I was a teenager and I was there with my mother, three sister and brother and I remember coming home with no voice after all the screaming. Those were the days back then when the dome could open safely and bring in the cool air and the music would just flow through the roof. Those were great times and great memories. I also remember Maurice White from Earth Wind & Fire twirl around on his white piano in the Arena during that same time frame. I really loved those concerts, that was when the Arena was called the "Civic Arena" now it is the "Mellon Arena." I miss those days but now it is time for new memories. Please hurry and build the new arena.

Grace Powell, Pittsburgh born and bred and still a resident.

I went to my first Penguins game when I was 11 at the Civic Arena with my dad and grandma. My grandma was the one who got me into hockey, and I have many special memories of watching games at both the Igloo and at home with her. I grew up in Johnstown, PA, so the distance kept us from going to more games (the driving time exceeded my bed time, lol). We even went to a playoff game in 1993 against the NJ Devils, game 1 of the 1st round, which the Pens won. Since our birthdays are in the same month, which is December, my parents frequently bought us Pens tickets as birthday presents. She's the one who taught me who Mario was, and he was our favorite player. Years down the road, I met my husband-to-be, who was also a Pens fan. My grandma's health had been declining, so she couldn't go to games anymore, but I started to go to games with him instead. My husband and I have many special memories of us going to Pens games there as well. We also went to a Billy Joel/Elton John concert at the Igloo while we were still engaged.

Jodi Uhron, Brentwood

I graduated from South Hills High School in 1965, and our graduation ceremonies were held at the Civic Arena. I also remember attending Civic Light Opera there in the early 60's when the roof leaked from the rain. In 1970 I went to a Chicago and James Taylor concert. As an old time Pittsburger, my Dad always referred to it as "the new arena" even in the 90's. When I come back to Pittsburgh for visits, I like to reminisce about places like the Melody Tent, Masonic Temple, Forbes Field and all of the great venues of the past. Now the arena will be one of them.

Cheryl (Loeffler) Brody, Plymouth, Michigan

Besides seeing the circus with the elephants walking around and Jackson Browne from a super-box, I remember carrying weights up to the announcers booth for the crane shot in the movie "Sudden Death" we were helping the grips, because they were short handed, and I will never forget the paper-cut outs of people to fill the seats because most of the extras snuck out after midnight, when the novelty of being in a real movie wore off, and they remembered that they had to go to their real job in a few hours. Thinking way way back to the events like Janis and the Big Holding Company, wow they had to open the roof to let the pot smoke out, some of the times are hard to recall now, but many good times were had under that dome. Like the Syria Mosque, I hate to see it go.

James Dames

Lots of memories from seeing different venues at the Arena but one event stands out. I was a senior at St Francis Academy and all the senior classes from the area Catholic schools, each spring, went to the Arena to hear the Cardinal. At the time, 1967, it was Cardinal Wright. I was caught chewing gum and was told by Sister Imelda not to attend my own graduation which was just days away!

I had my long, long hair cut very short and went onto my graduation and fooled her and one family thought I was their daughter, from a distance, and took all kinds of pictures of me instead of their own graduate! Sister Imelda must be banging a typewriter up in the clouds and now...the Civic Arena will be a pile of dust. Whatever.

Betty Fontanesi Deithorn, Doylestown, PA

My first memory of the Civic Arena was going with my parents to see a traveling exhibit of memorabilia from the recently assassinated President Kennedy. It was a long time ago, but I still remember aspects of the exhibit -- JFK's rocking chair and the coconut husk he wrote on to send to rescuers after he and his crew were stranded in the Pacific. I also remember being astounded by the oh-so-modern arena and how proud we all were that Pittsburgh had such a remarkable structure.

Seth Ginsburg, Hometown: Forest Hills, Now in Plano, Texas

May 2, 1970

Seeing The Doors at the Civic Arena was my very first rock concert.

I remember having seats on the floor and how Jim Morrison verbally and then physically enticed the crowd into rushing the stage past all the security precautions that were in place that night. It can all be heard on the Absolutely Live album.

Fred Carroll, New York City

Although I've been exiled from my birthplace in New Kensington to a lonely existence outside of Evansville Indiana for nearly 30 years, the following three Igloo memories stand out:

1) 22 November 1972, St. Louis Blues at Penguins.

The Penguins score 7 consecutive goals in the third period--with five in 2:07 between 12:00 and 14:07--to bounce the Blues 10-4. The five goals by one team in 2:07 was announced as a new NHL record that may still stand for all I know. From section C14 I witnessed a hat trick for Al McDonough and 2 goals for Syl Apps Jr.; all but one goal (the goal that put the Blues briefly ahead by 4-3) were scored at the C16 end.

2) 31 December 1988, New Jersey Devils at Penguins.

Mario Lemieux scores five goals in five different flavors (power play, even strength, short-handed, penalty shot, and empty-net) leads the Penguins over the Devils 10-8. I will say that from my perspective in section C18 that I thought the blue "end of period" light came on before the puck hit the back of the net on Mario's empty-netter at the end of the game. It was also the first time that I'd ever seen a tailgate party at a hockey game.

3) Sometime around 1970, at the old Pittsburgh Folk Festival.

After the performances of the various ethnic organizations had finished, the Master of Ceremonies appeared on the old stage on the west side of the building (around section 24) with a small folk group and they began singing Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land"--and the dome opened (silently!--nobody noticed until the spotlights waving above the stage disappeared outdoors) to reveal the city skyline when it was dominated by the old fully-illuminated Gulf Building.

E Pluribus Unum--out of Many, One! Diversity before the word became politicized!

That's the only time that I ever saw the dome open; and I'm certain I'll never see it open again.

Michael J. Matisko, Newburgh, Ind., Born in New Kensington, 1957

My earliest memories of the Arena consist of Sesame Street Live and

the circus. However, my fondest memories are that of Penguins hockey. My parents divorced in my early teens and I didn't spend that much time with my Dad afterwards. When I entered high school, he bought Penguins season tickets. I wasn't really interested in hockey at that time, but became addicted to it after I went to games with my Dad. I loved watching all the action of the game and talking to him about it. I was there to see Mario play and then leave the game for good. I was there the first time Sidney Crosby hit the ice.

After I went off to college, I didn't get to go to many games anymore, but I was there when Crosby hit 100 points last season. My Dad couldn't make it to that game, but my sister and I went and we will both never forget that moment. When my Dad moved to Florida last year, there were no more season tickets. However, I realized what I missed the most wasn't the great season tickets. It was the quality time I got to spend with my Dad. Hockey games at the Arena will always mean so much to me because that's where my Dad and I really became close and built a bond that will always be unbreakable no matter how far apart we are.

Amy Scholl, Morgantown, WV

I was born and raised in Penn Hills and became a concert going teen in the 70's.

My first Civic Arena concert was Alice Cooper. In retrospect, I can't believe my mother let me and my 3 girlfriends go. We would wait in line to pay a whopping $6.50 per ticket at the National Record Mart or Heads Together. I also have fond memories of my mother accompanying us to the shows of Jesus Christ Superstar and Diana Ross.

Other Arena concerts I attended in the 70's were Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Journey, Uriah Heep, Elton John and Kiki Dee, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Steward, Billy Joel.

The Stanley Theatre and Syria Mosque had some great shows as well and acoustically a bit easier to take than the big steel dome.

In the 80's, the Arena became more of a daytime destination for me. My first job was in the US Steel Bldg. so I parked in the Arena lot.

In closing I will recall my only memory of seeing a concert when the roof actually opened. There was always that anticipation that it might, with rumors flying. But on one June night in 1974 when James Taylor and America opened for Linda Ronstandt, it did.

What a night it was, stars and all.

I have been gone from Pittsburgh for 22 years, but have many good memories of the people and places.

Melissa Shontz

<<HR>P>

The Mellon Arena....the Civic Arena....is a home away from home for a lot of people in the city of Pittsburgh. Of course I am referring to the people that are there night in and night out, serving up the nachos, soft pretzels and of course BEER! And I was one of those people from 1989-2003!

It was my first job, and probably one of the most fun jobs I ever had in my life. In the 14 years I was lucky enough to work there, the Pittsburgh Penguins went from an average team to a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the help of none other than Mario Lemieux.. In my opinion nothing could beat the excitement of just being in the Arena during an NHL playoff game. The energy was electric and the fans were GREAT! Then there were the days when we missed the playoffs. I can still remember the deafening silence as David Volek scored in game 7 of the New York Islanders to eliminate the Penguins from the playoffs.

Now of course you cannot talk about the Arena without mentioning the concerts???too many to count. Of course we working, but as we were setting up our concession stands, filling the popcorn bags, stacking our nachos and cooking the hotdogs, we could hear Bon Jovi on stage doing their sound-check. Then there was the time that Billy Joel took to his piano in front of an empty house playing Beatles songs just for the heck of it, and that was just an example of some of the behind the scenes moments I was lucky enough to experience.

And finally, my greatest memory of them all, were the relationships that were created with my fellow co-workers: Joyce, Kathy, Michael and Kevin to mention just a few. We were like family, stand 4, pizza 6, nachos 9???every one knew each other regardless where you working each night. We had parties for each other; birthdays and holidays were celebrated as the events were going on in the main Arena. There were also times when tragedy struck and everyone would step up to plate donating money in a card that was circulating to raise money for those in need. It was a wonderful experience, and although it has been a few years since I have worked there a few of my old coworkers are still there. Every time I make my way to the Arena for a Pens game or a concert, I make sure to visit my dear old friends. I am always greeted with a warm hug.

So when the time comes and the Arena is taken down, the memories will live on in our hearts. I am happy and proud to have been a part of a Pittsburgh institution.

Deirdre Yenick

After attending many different events as a child at the Civic Arena, starting in the early 60s, there was one thing there that I had never seen. But that changed one night, in what I believe was the summer of '73, when I was totally blown away. This night, well into the Pink Floyd concert, as they began playing their signature song, Dark Side of the Moon, they began opening the roof and they didn't stop until it was completely open. Looking up into the sky during this concert left me with my mouth hanging open. Some things that stick out in my mind include the completely shocked look on people's (stoned) faces; the slow-motion rise of smoke gently lifting out of the arena that seemed to remain intact as one large contiunous cloud as it rose far above the roof; and once the roof was fully opened, it seemed like the only part left was just one big finger rising up from behind the seats, bent over, that took the rest of the roof behind it. The whole concert to that point had been nothing short of "far out," and to top it off with opening the roof on this calm summer night was an experience that was absolutely out of this world! It was awesome and blew everybody away--Wow!!!

Mike Besseck Mt Gilead, OH, (formerly Kennedy Twp)

I have many memories of the Civic Arena. It is an amazing structure that has outlived other facilities and love it or hate it, is an integral part of Pittsburgh. No one who has seen an event there can forget the place.

Of the many memories I have, the ones that stand out best are of my father (who passed away just this last March) as a foreman of Ironworkers creating the cantilevered stands (E level) with my older brother as a laborer on his crew. On one weekend, he took me with him, showed me exactly what had to be done to make the structures while making sure everything was put away, clean and in order. I could only stand there in awe of the place and the arching dome from that perspective.

After I moved away, I would catch a Pens' game on television and see the stands (soon partially hidden by the upper tier) and couldn't help think of my dad and brother and the stories they had building it.

Thankfully, I got at least one chance six years ago to bring my son down and show him what his Grandpa helped make. It still makes you stand in awe.

The jokes of Harry the Whale dancing with his little hat to "Jean, Jean the Dancing Machine" being a stress strong enough to bring the whole deck down were just that -- something humorous, but in no way true. I know that if my dad had a hand in on putting up those decks, any demolition team will have more than their work cut out for them trying to take 'em down.

Paul Cacolice, Enfield, CT

My dad was the head coach of the Duquesne University's womens basketball team in the early 80's when myself and my two older siblings were quite young. My siblings and I used to love to go to practice at the arena with my dad. While my dad was coaching my siblings and I would run up and down the aisles collecting pucks left over from the Penguins practices. We always thought the shiny roof and round shape made it the coolest building in the city.

Katie Hindes, Mt. Lebanon

The last year of the Hornets--we won the Calder Cup. It meant a hastily planned victory party at the Elks on Ceder Ave. The players came--they were just like us, not super stars. Next year it was the 1st year for the Penguins and Billy Harris, Kenny Schinkel,

Keith McCreary and so many others. Many of the players are gone, but not forgotten. So many became friends. I met so many fans there too that became part of Hockey Days. There were trips, friendships and parties. All sorts of things were planned around Hockey Games. I know that other hockey nuts formed friendships with players and other fans and over the years have kept in touch. I was a young season ticket holder from 1968 through 1975 thanks to my sister Martha,& Louella, Muriel and Stan.

Freda Sabo Graczyk

It was Thursday evening , June 17, 1965--almost 42 years ago! My grandma came from Indiana on the train, and my dad took off work that night. The buzz of excitement was everywhere. I can remember walking down an aisle and up on a large stage--it was my high school graduation. My favorite memory was at the close of the ceremony my classmates and I stood swaying, singing the Peabody High School alma mater.

R. Bassett, Bloomfield

The Pittsburgh Folk Festival was held at the Civic Arena for several years back in the 70's/80's. It was a great place to experience the dozens of traditional ethnic cultures, including Polish, Italian, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, and many, many others, that are a cornerstone of Western PA.

Mike Viola, Pittsburgh

3 things come to mind about the Civic Arena (I have never gotten

comfortable with "Mellon Arena" or "The Igloo":

1] When I was a kid, my family would always go to see Ringling Bros.,

Barnum and Bailey circus every year. My dad was a veterinarian and

loved the animal acts.

2] I saw some great rock concets there; the two that really stand out

are The Who in '80 ( a couple of nights before the Cincinnati tragedy)

and Bruce Springsteen in '81;

3] I got to see Mario score 6 points in a playoff game against

Washington, I think it was the 2nd year they won the Cup. One of the

assists was the greatest athletic feat I have ever seen in person: he

held off a guy with his back for what seemed like forever while he

waited for help, then just flipped a perfect pass for the goal. The

place went nuts!

Jeffrey Haus, Kalamazoo, MI

My greatest Mellon Arena memory was when Mario returned to play after retirement on December 27, 2000. I remember the section I sat in with my father, and all the sounds and excitement of that amazing night. It was the best christmas present EVER!!!

Joshua Mitchell, Mechanicsburg, PA

Where do I begin? With my first memory as a 5 year old, not long after the arena opened falling down on the ice when my aunt took me ice skating there?

Or the many concerts I saw there as I was growing up in Pittsburgh, rock bands, mostly, Yes, Foghat, Chicago, Kiss amongst others too numerous to remember.

Or the times when the Condors and the Pens were so bad that there were actually less than 1,000 people in the place and you could shout insults at the opposing teams players and they could hear you! Not to mention sneaking in whistles and blowing them @ appropriate times during the hockey game (i.e. when the Kings are coming in on a 2 on 1 breakaway and it looks like they are going to score!).

But, my best memory has to be the most recent time I visited the "old girl" since 1999. I took my wife to see the Penguins there during the Christmas holiday (I've converted her into a "yinzer" BTW) the Pens beat the Leafs and sure the Arena has changed a lot, especially since that 5 year old took a spill on the hard, cold ice over 40 years ago. Yes, she's showing her age, but, dammit I had a lot of fun there!

George Bertha, York, PA

Miss Gibson the twelfth grade English teacher at Kiski Area High School took a few of us to see Handel's Messiah in December 1966. We sat on the floor which was the ice rink covered with boards. It was really cold! It was the most beautiful music I had ever heard.

Patricia Matisz Smith, Ph.D., Rocky Mount, NC

When I was a student at IUP ( early 60's) I went home with my college roomate to attend the Ice Capades which I believe was the opening event at the Civic Arena. The show was extended for an additional week so her parents were able to get tickets for us. Our seats were in the upper tier behind the stage..... Not preferred seating by any stretch of the imagination. After almost 50 yrs, I still remember that particular trip to Pittsburgh. It was a big deal !!!

Rita Miller, Ocala, FL

I have many memories of the Civic Arena.....I graduated from South Hills High School in June of 1970 and graduation services were there for myself and younger siblings.

There was Easter Sunrise Services that I attended as a youth, with the whole family. And then there were the concerts, Ray Parker Jr, The Funkadelic, The Parliaments, and 2 James Brown

Concerts just to name a few.

I live in Sandusky, Ohio now, and remember at a time, the arena was always busy. My grandparents told me about how the blacks were displaced for progress. So if it is torn down now,what will the next step of progress be and who will be displaced?

Regina Oakes

The first time I remember going to the Civic Arena was with my grandfather. I was awed by it's size and beauty. My grandfather was a great wrestling fan. I remember seeing Bruno San Martino and Chief White Owl. I'm not sure if I'm correct but I think the arena was where I saw my first and only Pittsburgh Condors basketball game. My high school basketball team made it to some kind of finals. The game was at the arena. I also enjoyed a few Penguin games there. Even yesrs later, I smile and remember things as I drive by the arena.

Ron Geisinger, Home town is Arnold, PA. Currently in Chicopee, MA

Way back in the day before the two Stanley Cups, Lemieux and Crosby, and new arena plans, they used to have a game of Score-o between periods. (Shoot the puck from center ice through a little cut-in hole in a boarded up goal.) No one EVER was able to do it properly and win the prize. Finally, one night, a competitor shot and SCORED--a rare happening. Next up--a celebrity shooter--Sam Nover! Didn't he slide it right through the opening too! All those years-no winner--then two consecutive ones. Nover could not be shown up by an amateur!

Pat Murphy, Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania

I have many fond memories of the Civic Arena ranging from varied types of entertainment to graduation ceremonies. Two rather unusual recollections really stick out in my mind. The first is when I was in the third grade in 1958. The Arena was just a huge hole in the ground that was being

developed. My father took me for a walk around the site to check things out, and I lost my brand new pair of eyeglasses that were in my pocket instead of on my face. I thought my mother would kill me as they were my first pair and cost $25 back then. Even though mom placed an ad in the newspaper's lost and found, I ended up having to get another pair of

glasses.

The second memory occurred on July 22, 1972 when I attended a Rolling Stones concert at the Civic Arena. Having a super 8 mm movie camera in hand, a friend and I managed to work our way behind the stage area where Mick and the Stones were performing. As I filmed rather up close this really exciting performance, my friend began pulling me backwards as two tough looking band security guards approached us with what appeared to be clubs in hand. We were able to return to our seat unscathed and enjoyed the rest of the show from a distance.

Leonard Mielnicki, Pittsburgh, PA

I was raised in New Castle and lived in Virginia for a few years after college and could return to Pittsburgh during the holidays. My memories of the Civic Arena, now Mellon Arena started with watching a few hockey games. The first game I attended, the Penguins were playing Chicago and Penguin Pete was still alive. Over the years, I have also seen the circus, and an indoor soccer match at the arena. My favorite memory is watching Mario "hit for the cycle" in a game. Despite a splitting headache from a cold, I yelled and cheered at that game until I was almost hoarse. I remember watching him score the last goal, an empty netter if I remember correctly, on an assist from Jay Caufield as time expired. A once in a lifetime event. It will be a shame if the Pens leave town. I believe the fan support is there and the team has the potential to be another dynasty. I just hope the team isn't a dynasty in Kansas City (or Portland, Houston, Las Vegas, etc.).

Jeff Mostrando, East Bonney Lake, WA

There was the circus, rod and custom shows, and even my high school graduation, but undoubtdedly the best memories were the concerts. From the Beatles, the Doors, Elton John, and the Monkees...all great memories. But the GREATEST memory will be that as a father, I was able to take my daughter to her first concert--the Rolling Stones no less!

But let's not forget that just as important as to what went on INSDE that distinctive dome was the OUTSIDE! Could a memory of the skyline of Pittsburgh for any Baby Boomer be without that beautiful, one of a kind dome itself. Fine, build a new arena but can't we save the dome somehow? Take it apart and move it to the north shore for the cover of the amphitheater. One of a kind...sad to see it go.

Michael Rigano, Upper St. Clair

I have a few memories of the arena. I grew up here in Pittsburgh and I remember that it was a big thing to go to the arena for concerts and have the dome open up. I only went to one concert and that was with Jerry Lee Lewis...it was a warm summer night and they opened the dome to a sky full of stars. It was really awesome sight to see. Not only did I enjoyed the concert I also enjoyed the warm summer evening sitting under the sky full of stars. That was the last thing I went to in the civic arena until this past couple of years. My daughter and I took my grandsons then 2 and 3 to see Nemo on Ice. Where we sat was just perfect and the grandsons were able to see everything that went on, on the ice. It was very colorful and fun to watch, This May was the very last time I was at the civic arena that was when my son graduated for Point Park College. So you see for me these are just a few times that I went to the Civic Arena and yes we will be losing the arena but not our memories. That is something no one can take away from anyone. Thank you all for the wonderful memories.

Colleen Lebak

taking my girlfriend to the ringling bros circus

sitting behind the stage at a michael jackson concert

bluffing my way backstage to meet ritchie havens at a 60's retrospective. the roof was open.

a grateful dead concert

the building is outdated?

jonathan gates, nunda, ny

I became a Penguin season ticket holder the year they drafted Mario.

I was there for the Stanley cups. I also attended Frank Sinatra

concerts in the late 60's, when the "rat pack" was in it's prime and

again for one of his final concerts. Both shows were great, But my

fondest memory of the arena came in June 1967. My high school

graduation ceremony. South Hills Catholic (now Seton La Salle) held

our commencement at the arena. I believe it started around 6 PM.

During the mass when the priest raised the chalice to say "through

Him. with Him, in Him etc." they started to open the roof. The

sunlight rolled in over the altar. It felt like and looked Jesus was

actually entering the arena.

Leonard Zucco, Tucson, AZ

Lived at Chatham Center in the 1970s.

I was a student at Point Park and danced with PBT at the time.

Anyway, I believe it was 1973 or 74., and I attended my first concert at the Civic Arena. It was Liza Minnelli, and I saved my money to get a ticket. Thinking back now, that ticket was so cheap compared to todays prices!

Was only inside one time, but as I lived in Chatham Center I saw the arena everyday.

I live in NYC now and am always a bit sad when I read of something else from my old Pittsburgh going away.

Thom Warren, NYC

Although I don't remember the year, I remember when my brother and I attended a Doobie Brothers Concert. It had been raining that day into the evening, so we didn't think the roof would be opened. Well, it did stop raining. They opened with Rockin' Down the Highway. We were so into the song, that we didn't realize the roof had opened. I just remember looking up and saying to my brother "wow, you can see the stars." That's when it occurred to us that the roof had opened. Neither of us had ever been to the Arena with the roof open. We can't even choose the right adjective to describe the feeling we had when we realized the roof was open. We had a wonderful time that night, made even better by enjoying the stars in the sky.

Thanks for letting us share our memory of the Arena.

Karen Lee Anick, Fineview, PA, Stanley K. Anick, Spring Hill, PA

I have now lived in Cincinnati, OH, for the past 22 years but had lived in the "Burg" for 30+ years before that. My fondest memories of the Arena were:

-Pink Floyd "Dark side of the Moon" concert when they opened the roof.

-The Pens switching from blue sweaters to the "Black & Gold" sweaters

-The Pen's Mark Johnson's first shift after the "Miracle on Ice,"

-Mario's first home shift. (I believe that he scored a goal!)

Dale Shiffman, Baldwin Boro

As a young man growing up in Rochester NY,I was an avid follower of The American Hockey League,and The Rochester Americans.I was 15 years old and had never seen a road game. I was able to convince my parents to let me take a Greyhound Bus (cost $16.15) to Pittsburgh for this game. I had heard and read what a beautiful facility it was. I got on the bus in Rochester at 6am, arriving in Pittsburgh at 2pm. I had no idea where the arena might be located.But when the bus arrived,I could not believe that the arena was just a short walk up the hill, and across the street. I went up to the ticket window and purchased a $3.50 seat, right behind The Amerk bench.

The arena to me was just magnificent both inside and out. As for the game, it went into overtime with The Amerks winning 3-2. Dick Gamble scored the winner at the 6:47 mark (overtimes were 10 minutes in those years). After the game I hung around the lockerrooms and talked to some players. The bus back home left at 2:30 am and arrived around 10 with stops in Erie and Buffalo. On a trip back to Pittsburgh many years later,I noticed the path I took from the bus station to the arena was no more. The expressways that cut through the city had wiped it out.

Richard Alva, Rochester, NY

The KQV "Shower of Stars"...summer and Christmas time.

Then, Sept of 65 the Beatles.

Tom Robinson, Silver Spring, Md.; but HOMETOWN is always da'Burgh!

I had the opportunity to be one of the hockey players during the filming of Sudden Death. I made the "final cut" of the movie in the scene with the scoreboard explosion. As nice as it was to be part of, and "in" the movie, the most memorable part of my experience was to have the opportunity to get dressed in the locker room as one of the Penguins (#15 Shawn McEachern) and the thrill of skating on the same Civic Arena (as it was known back then) ice as the real Penguins. With people cheering and all the excitement and energy that I had enjoyed for years from a fan's perspective, I'll never forget what it felt like from a players perspective. To quote the one and only Mike Lange, "You would have to be there to believe it!"

Al Priano, Whitehall

It was my first hockey playoff game and I believe in was during the 1978 season. The Pens started the best of three with the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo and Denis Herron played an unbelievable game to win game one. When we got into the arena for game two, the place was so loud with a chant of "Denny! Denny!" you could not hear yourself talk! I have never been at an event that was that loud. The Pens lost that game but went back to Buffalo and George Ferguson scored in O.T. to send the Pens on to the next round!

Ron Strauss, Gallipolis, OH

Back in 1960 when my husband and were dating we had a ritual of going to check out the progress of the Civic Arena being built after mass every Sunday. We just sat in the car and dreamed of our future and the future of this great structure. We were present at the first hockey game held there and won first prize in the raffle, two hockey tickets. We were newly married and I hardly recognized my name when called. My husband died 25 years ago at a football game at Pitt stadium, and that is gone now. I guess our good memories of the past will carry us on.

Norma Derrick

July 18, 1987 - Pittsburgh Civic Arena - SOLD OUT Bon Jovi concert with opening band Cinderella, joined onstage by local Norman Nardini. The Arena roof was opened that night. The one and only time I saw the stars from inside the arena. A very special night indeed.

Carol Baer, Munhall, PA

i remember going ice skating there as a teenager. i also saw quite a few penguin games there. afterwards we would go to Naples pizza for a bite to eat.

elvira pinto, armonk, ny (formerly from penn hills)

The big memory I have is watching the Beatles perform at the Civic Arena in September of 1964. Packing ear plugs, I went to the concert with my sister and cousin. I still have the ticket stub from that concert!

Drew Stahlman, Bowling Green, KY

I have many fond memories of concerts and sporting events that I attended at Civic/Mellon Arena while both living in the Pittsburgh area and during holiday reunions with friends and family.

A close second favorite memory has to be attending any Penguin game during the Christmas holiday and deliberately purchasing the top row of Section F, so that we could pound on the Igloo roof when the Penguins scored a goal. However, my favorite memory occurred during one of two sold-out Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concerts in December of 1980 in support of his album, The River.

I was a sophomore at Penn State at the time and we had managed to purchase tickets over the phone for the show. We road-tripped through a pretty nasty snowstorm on old Route 22, but managed to arrive safely.

Our seats were behind the stage in whatever the upper level was at that time. Despite our seating, The Boss and his bandmates turned around and played for us quite often through-out the show. We felt as if we were up front, which is a true reflection on how Bruce and his band always looked after his entire audience. I distinctly remember Clarence Clemmons playing a long sax solo facing us. When he finished, this nineteen year old at the time gave him two-thumbs up, which brought a smile to his face as he returned the gesture to me. This of course absolutely thrilled me.

The final encore was "The Blue Dress Medley" and the house lights were turned on as Bruce said, "One more for Pittsburgh, but ya gotta dance!" We were all too happy to oblige and as my seat was on the row's end, I was grooving in the aisle when IT happened. My foot slipped on a beer-soaked step and I danced/pitched forward to the next step, where I slipped again to the next step and the next, etc. until I was rapidly dancing down the aisle steps and fast approaching the section rail, which may or may not have stopped me.

As I reached the bottom step, my lead foot finally did not slip and I hopped on that step. At that moment, my eyes lifted from my feet to the stage and met Springsteen's eyes. He was staring at me with a very concerned look, as I'm sure he thought that some kid was going to pitch over the rail and fall to his death right in front of him. This is when the true magic of the evening took over. Somehow after that hop, I managed to dance backwards up the aisle steps to my row, while maintaining my eye contact with The Boss. His jaw dropped momentarily, and then he spun around returning full bore to his encore.

I don't know how I managed that stunt. I tried to repeat it on my friends stairs the next day and wasn't even close to pulling it off. Perhaps the Igloo has a magic all its own. The Civic Arena will go down with Three Rivers Stadium and Chiodo's tavern as the source of some of my fondest Pittsburgh memories.

Bill Momberger, Casselberry, FL (formerly New Kensington, PA)

I was at the Elvis concert which I believe was in 1973 or 1974 The King was just starting his comeback at that time. When he walked on stage there were so many camera flashes going off that he didn't need any special effects. It truely was a magical, memorable evening.

Patric McPoland, North Palm Beach, FL

I remember going to the circus with my mother and brother not long after the Igloo opened, and I don't recall if it was at that time that they opened the roof or for another occasion but I thought it was just so 'awesome' that the roof opened like it did. I guess I was around 8 years old at the time. From then on, I was there for so many different things -- ice skating, the circus, concerts back in the late 60s and early 70s and a hockey game or two (back when they wore blue!). I moved away from the Burgh in 1974, and the last time I was in the arena was for a Sly and the Family Stone Concert. It must have been in 1975 -- Wow! My memory of that night was that Franco Harris and his then girlfriend came in and sat in the two seats right next to us. It was just great! Just like Forbes Field and Three Rivers after that, I'll always have fond memories of the Civic Arena and will miss it when it no longer stands.

Joanne Otley Waite, now residing in New Orleans

Many years ago (at least 35 years) my parents drove out from Wisconsin to visit us and to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform Swan Lake at the Civic Arena. Because my Dad's car was larger, I drove it to the arena and parked it in one the the arena lots. After we enjoyed the fantastic ballet, we came out to the car and it was still running! I had forgotten to shut the engine off. Several things were amazing, the car idled that whole night without conking out, it hadn't overheated, and my Mom had her set of keys so we could get in the car. Dad said the car did not suffer any bad effects from the all night idle.

My wife and I attended a lot of Pittsburgh Hornet games. We remember people yelling at Murray Hall "Hit 'em with your purse, Murray!". We still love Pittsburgh hockey even though we now live in the San Francisco area. We have the NHL Center Ice package on our Directv dish and watch all of the Penguin games. We are hoping that somehow the Penguins stay in Pittsburgh.

Tom

First published on January 21, 2007 at 12:00 am