Planet Art Gallery To Close Doors, Continue Business Online

With a mix of works by regional artists and crafts people, Planet Art Gallery opened on May 1, 2006, along a popular stretch of Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.

Over time, gallery owners, potters and glass artists Gregory and Linda Mitchell assembled close to 100 artists and artisans who sold on consignment creations including paintings, jewelry, blown glass and turned wooden items.

The gallery site at 632 Washington soon will be history, but sales will continue online. "The gallery had been doing fairly well, but we experienced a definite slowdown in sales from September on, presumably due to the recession," Mrs. Mitchell said.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09036/946984-55.stm

Signs Of A Weak Economy Can Be Seen Everywhere

Alycia Knauer frequently visits the Job and Career Education Center at the Carnegie Library in Oakland to get books on the law-school entrance exam.

Knauer is among the increasing number of people visiting libraries nationwide to take advantage of free resources such as Internet access and videos.

Mt. Lebanon Public Library saw a 5 percent increase in visitors from November 2007 to November 2008, said Cynthia Richey, director of the Mt. Lebanon library.

"Libraries are essential to society anyway, but become more essential in an economic downturn," Richey said. General circulation at the Mt. Lebanon library rose 3 percent during the past year.

Link: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/tribpm/s_605880.html