West End Wiggles and Rocks Right Along with Carol's

This past week-end was a bit of Main St. Americana in the West End and it did not look as though it was closed as Penn Dot and the Media have been touting. You may have had to walk a little further for parking but it was definitely booming.

The James Center was bustling with a blooming bride and her guest the Gallery was a buzz with an artistic event on Saturday, April 26 and so was Carol's. Carol was entertaining with another episdoe of Miracles for Marissa with a jazz trio on Saturday and Vinnie Pelligrino singers on Friday evening.

What a great place to be on a Saturday night. One new visitor to Carol's commented it was like walking in to a neighbor's house and sitting down for a bite. Fun and hugs abound with Marissa Web in the middle.

News alert about Marissa--265 foot walk this week and she has learned the entire chorus to the Big Bopper's Chantilly Lace. She is now working on the sixties hit, the Birds and the Bees. Look out Pittsburgh her repertoire is building as quickly as her friends.

An architect has taken up Marissa's cause and has volunteered to design her wheel chair ramp for her home and weekly new musicians add their names to the list who entertain in the West End to benefit Miracles for Marissa.

Jam Session and Week End Schedule

This week-end the Rockin' West End Jam Session continues for Miracles for Marissa.
There is no admission fee, just order your dinner or great dessert and cappuchino. Event is family friendly and BYOB.

Friday, April 11, 2008 Dan Renda, guitarist, songwriter, oldies and Beattles music, guest Karaoke on breaks, open microphone

Saturday, April 12, 2008 Tommy Kal duo, blues, country rock, traditional rock, open microphone, Karaoke on breaks

Check out the new deli section and let us know if we can pack your picnics and cater your events.

Try our old-fashioned milk shakes, what a summer treat.

Week end special: Saturday and Sunday, Breakfast Buffet $7.95 8 AM to 2 PM

Try our new improved home-made chicken salad sandwich, grilled!

New Steps for Marissa and New Country Rock Friends

Just to update you on Marissa's progress, this week she has walked 230 feet at the therapists and learned a new song with her Karaoke friends: Achy Brakey Heart.
You go, Marissa.

She also had a great time playing her pink guitar on Satuday night at our open jam session with the Tommy Kal duette. Tommy Kal and Chuck are two new young friends of Marissa who play country rock and classical rock and yes, a little barroque. Minuette anyone?

Seriously, these two young men are fantastic musicians and they will be back on Saturday, April 11, 2008. Also they learned some Jerry Lee Lewis songs just for the audience and Marissa. It is still open mic and these two versatile musicians can pick up anything quickly to accompany your singing.

Also they are so into doing good you can check them out at Jimmy G's Restaurant and Catering on Wednesday, April 9 where they will be playing party songs for the ladies and intros for the contestants at the Mr Romance Pageant Auditions. These auditions benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Pittsburgh Chatper.
Additional info at: www.mrromancepittsburgh.ning.com

Our Brown Eyed Girl--Marissa Webb

If you watched the Dave Crawley Show on KDKA last night you saw our brown-eyed girl, Marissa Web, sing Chantilly Lace. There’s a story about that song and a story about Marissa. After 41 surgeries and all of the anesthetic that goes with it, Marissa’s short term memory was not the greatest.

Now thanks to the school system mainstreaming, counselors and tutors here in Pittsburgh Marissa is learning new things all the time. Every week she comes to Carol’s Restaurant and has learned a new line to “the big bopper’s song” which she has now made “the little bopper’s song.”

When Marissa first came to Carol’s almost a year ago, when she walked her feet were so turned out she could only walk with assistance. Every week now she walks a little better and when she comes in to the jam sessions at Carol’s on Friday and Saturday that are held for Marissa’s benefit not only to raise money but to raise her indomitable spirits, we can every week see a difference. Last week at the therapist’s she walked 100 feet with her canes only. The only other time she had done that was at Carol’s.

If you want to get away from your troubles and be inspired by an eleven year old with an indomitable spirit, then come to Carol’s on Friday and Saturday night.

This week-end from 6 PM to 10 PM, you can hear all of Marissa’s local supporters sing Karaoke. Marissa loves music and can be seen center change in her tiny wheel chair, tapping out the time, she has excellent rhythm.

This Friday, April, 4. 07—Open mic Karaoke.
Saturday, April 5, 07—Tommy Kal duo playing and singing country rock and rock classics. They have even learned to play “Chantilly Lace” so that Marissa can sing with them.

So come on out, meet Marissa, experience Carol’s warm welcome and fantastic food, sit down, have your dinner and have a great time. The environment is family friendly, but you can BYOB, if you like. Your heart will be warmed, your stomach will be full and your heart will be joyful when you leave.

Joanne Quinn-Smith
Host: Positively Pittsburgh Live