By: Colin Williams
Hi, everyone! You may have noticed my name at the top of your daily newsletter this past week. I thought today would be a great day to introduce myself so you know who’s running point behind the scenes each weekday. Let’s shift into FAQ mode so we can get to know each other better:
What’s your background?
I’ve been living in Pittsburgh since 2015. Although I grew up in Kent, Ohio, my mom grew up here, so I’ve been visiting the Steel City since I was little. I studied English and German (both of which I speak more or less fluently) in college. Prior to The Incline, I worked in education at places like the Children’s Museum and Arts Ed Collaborative, and I’ve written freelance for outlets such as Bandcamp and Very Local. My partner Jill and I live in Upper Lawrenceville with our two cats Gregor and Tulip. I’m also a bit of a local history nerd, and I’m low-key obsessed with our two inclines and nearly 800 sets of city steps.
Why The Incline?
As a writer, I’m all about getting to the heart of the story. I’m hopeful this newsletter can be (or remain) your one-stop shop for what’s going on around town, and I’m looking forward to adding in-depth reporting on locals to know, places to visit, and issues that affect all of us in the ’Burgh. My goal is to keep you in the loop while highlighting news that might normally fly under your radar. After all, we have 90 whole neighborhoods to explore, each with their own businesses, craftspeople, and keepers of lore.
Wait, wasn’t there already a Colin at The Incline?
Yup, that’d be Colin Deppen, who’s now doing important work with Spotlight PA. I’m grateful to the local directors who came before for setting me up for success!
Are we going to get features like restaurant openings and brewery brackets again?
You sure are. The Incline has done an awesome job keeping the seat warm for me. I’ve got a running list of restaurant openings going already. We’ll have all the features you know and love soon, plus some new ones we think you’ll enjoy, too.
What do you love most about Pittsburgh?
That’s a toughie… I’m not sure I could narrow it down to one place, but I love our city’s vibrant arts scene and our proximity to nature. Being able to drink beer and see contemporary painting at Unblurred one day and sit by a campfire at Raccoon Creek State Park the next is pretty special. Whether you’re a sculptor or an angler, there’s truly something for everyone right nearby.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Outside of writing, I stay busy by homebrewing, gardening, fixing up our 120-year-old house and embroidering. My favorite thing to embroider is maps! You may have seen my brand, Knot to Scale, at markets like Handmade Arcade 2019. Pittsburgh is full of creative energy—it’s a great town in which to learn, make, and buy art.
Where are we likely to see you out and about in the ’Burgh?
If you see me in the wild, it’s likely to be in a brewery, on my bike, or at an arts event. Our city has a fantastic beer scene, and I love trying new brews, cruising local rail trails, and checking out bands at venues like Mr. Smalls.
How can we get in touch with you about stories, feedback and ideas?
You’re more than welcome to email me at colin@wherebyus.media or DM any of our social media accounts @theinclinepgh! I welcome your insights, photos, suggestions, comments, etc. If you like reading about heavy metal, embroidery, the literary world, and sports uniforms, you can also give me a follow on Twitter @colinwimbles. Our readers make this publication what it is, and I can’t wait to hear from you!