Allegheny County's smoking ban

The ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County goes into effect May 1 -- just in time for springtime in Pittsburgh. The good news is that the County has issued waivers to a number of establishments that employ fewer than 10 people and don't serve much food. The list of establishments where smokers are still welcome is online at http://www.achd.net/smokingban/waiver.html .

The good news is that Dee's on Carson Street and the River City Inn at PPG Place will still let you light up with a good bourbon to watch Saturday's running of the Kentucky Derby. Sadly, the Meadows OTB in West Mifflin, where you can actually watch and wager on the Derby has not received a waiver. Fortunately, there's an OTB in Greensburg, so yes, I'll be taking my disposable income over the border to Westmoreland County.