New in Pittsburgh's Little Italy:

In 1988, the Cancer Caring Center opened its doors in Bloomfield to welcome and support cancer patients and families, thanks to the efforts of some local community leaders and businesses. These ‘visionaries’ included Burger King franchisees, Heinz executives and health professionals who recognized the need to address the emotional impact of the diagnosis. Two decades later, the Center remains true to the initial mission: helping people move forward with a variety of free programs.

Services feature groups led by experienced facilitators at area locations including Monroeville, South Hills, McKeesport, McKees Rocks, Murrysville, Johnstown, Cranberry, North Hills, Butler, Jefferson, and Shadyside. They offer pet therapy for children at Animal Friends in the North Hills, children’s groups in Mt. Lebanon, yoga in Lawrenceville, daytime Breast Cancer group in Homewood, and young adults support in Bethel Park.

The Bloomfield Headquarters provides individual and couples counseling, children’s groups, a telephone helpline, reiki, couples therapy, wellness and stress management and groups for caregivers and brain tumor patients.

Thank YOU who believe in the Center and who have entrusted them with this vital mission of making a difference in the lives of patients and families.

The 15th Dorkbot Pittsburgh is coming up on Thursday, April 24 at the Brillobox in Bloomfield. See http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotpgh/events.html for full details and directions.

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Wai Lam prefers to deal in bargains.

Now, along with husband Mike Wang, she prolongs this lifework by opening the couple’s second business in Bloomfield.

Wai Wai Chinese Cuisine opened doors on March 20, bringing a stylish feel and affordable Chinese dining to what Lam termed a “steady crowd for opening night”. Occupying the former Domino’s Pizzeria at 4717 Liberty Avenue, one door past Dollar Max—the couple’s other business endeavor—Wai Wai (pronounced "way way") provides new character to what Lam felt was an over-used ambiance in Chinese dining. The couple totally re-vamped the interior from the old business, utilized much more space for dining and used Lam’s decorative sense to provide a new tone to the eating experience.

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Pokémon, Magic and Warcraft! Oh, my!

Anyone looking to get their trading card game fix should head over to CCGs Cards Comics and Games on Liberty Avenue. CCGs is undoubtedly one of Pittsburgh’s top stops for all major trading card games, including Magic: The Gathering, World of Warcraft, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokémon. Inside you will find a great selection of individual cards and products.

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Dorkbot Pittsburgh is a monthly salon and show-and-tell for artists, scientists, social engineers, and others doing strange things with electricity. We meet upstairs at Brillobox on a monthly basis. Dorkbot is open to the public and admission is always free.

See http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotpgh/events.html for full details and directions.

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The homegrown Pittsburgh web sitcom Something to Be Desired (or STBD to its fans) got some great news from the fine folks at Yahoo! this week. The show, a comedy about the ups and downs of life after college, is one of five nominees in the category of "Best Series" in the 2008 Yahoo! Video Awards—and now they need your help!

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Become a healthy hero! West Penn Hospital is having a Children’s Health Fair to help teach children about healthy living. Health activities, snacks and anthropomorphic vegetables will keep your kids entertained so they won’t even know they are being educated.

The Fair will be held on Wednesday, April 16 from 5:30–7:30 PM. Registration is at the cafeteria entrance, and parking will be validated, so all the fun for kids is FREE for parents! For more information, call 412-578-5644.

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This past Friday, Senator Hillary Clinton spoke at Curran’s Gulf gas station about her plans to curb the rising cost of fuel. The gas station at the base of the Bloomfield Bridge was chosen as Sen. Clinton’s first Pittsburgh campaign stop because it is one of the few remaining independent stations in the area.

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Pittsburgh Tribune-Review posted a tasty article today about local pasta makers, and Bloomfield’s own Groceria Italiana (237 Cedarville St.) was naturally included. If you’ve never tasted the homemade pastas and raviolis that Gloria Mazzotta and Rosemary Rossi make in-store—sometimes right in front of you—then you’re missing one of the gems of Pittsburgh’s Little Italy.

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The title is a little more optimistic than today’s weather, but yesterday’s unseasonable warmth had many Pittsburghers feeling like it was summer (or at least spring). It may be raining while I write this, but yesterday I took advantage of the weather by heading over to Grasso Roberto Café to try out their newest menu item: spaghetti ice cream.

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