Gus Kalaris and his wife, Stella (nicknamed Yia Yia, the Greek name for "grandmother"), have been serving up hand-shaved, gourmet ice balls from this bright orange cart with the rainbow-striped umbrella for as long as just about anyone can remember. The stand itself has been around since 1934, or "since your Dad was a lad" - first operated by Gus' father, George. The prices haven't changed much either. Ice balls, depending on size, range in price from 75 cents to $1.75, while hot popcorn is $1.25 and a bag of peanuts is just $1. The ice is hand-shaved and the syrups, from recipes perfected by George in the late 1930s, come in a rainbow of flavors - pineapple, cherry, lemon, lime, orange, banana, grape, blueberry, rootbeer and the popular Rainbow. The cart can be found each day after about 11:00 a.m. in its customary location next to the tennis courts in West Park on Pittsburgh's North Side.

While it's hard to beat the ice balls at Gus & Yia Yia's, you can also enjoy the sweet taste of summer at one of these other popular Pittsburgh area ice cream stands and shops. Do you have a favorite place that we've missed? Click on comments below and tell us about it!

Pittsburgh's Official 4th of July Celebration has moved back to the North Shore with the Pittsburgh Regatta and is souped up evn more than usual this year by a laser light show to accompany the always popular Zambelli Fireworks. The Equitable Resources Foundation "Flashes of Freedom Fireworks and Laser Light Spectacular" promises to be extra good this year, as Pittsburgh salutes her 250th anniversary.

So where are the best places to view the fireworks this year? Read more...

Tour of Pennsylvania It's not quite the Tour de France, but it promises to be just as exciting! The inaugural Tour of Pennsylvania kicked off on Tuesday in Philadelphia with 120 of the world's most talented young cyclists racing for 500 miles across the state to the finish line in Pittsburgh to win the largest cycling purse in U.S. history.

Tour of Pennsylvania sprint finishes and special festival activities take place this weekend in Ligonier on Friday and Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday.

The all new Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta is returning to the North Shore for 2008, bringing with it the return of Formula-1 speedboat racing as well. Scheduled for July 3-4, 2008, the 2008 Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta will also feature dragon boat races, the Star Spangled Sailing competition, BMX stunt shows, a U.S. Air Force "Patriotic Pass" flyover and, of course, the popular Fourth of July Zambelli fireworks show - jazzed up with lasers for 2008! Over at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates will have their Kid's Zone set up throughout the two day Regatta festival, while national and hometown acts will keep the music going on the South Plaza Stage at Heinz Field and a river barge stage set up opposite the Great Lawn. What a way to celebrate the Fourth of July!