PITTSBURGH'S celebration of the 250th anniversary of its naming -- and let us just pause to say we don't look a day over 200 -- reaches a new level this weekend. The splendid banners of the World War I allies flank the Boulevard of the Allies for the rededication of the Downtown artery today (it was first dedicated in 1921 and this is the 90th anniversary of the armistice that ended the war). The Golden Triangle is also full of cyclists this weekend for what is officially known as the American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5. The six-day, 420-mile cycling race will enter its sixth and final stage today on a 50-mile Downtown course. With a purse of $150,000, it is said to be the world's richest cycling race for elite international competitors under age 25. The 250th anniversary is getting into high gear (pun intended), so happy birthday to us.

OVER 250 YEARS, few moments were quite as exciting as the one that occurred at 3:36 p.m. on Oct. 13, 1960 -- and if you don't know the date that will live in immortality, you are probably not from Pittsburgh. That was the exact time when Bill Mazeroski in the ninth inning hit a baseball over the fence at old Forbes Field to win the seven-game World Series against the New York Yankees. The Yankees returned last week for the first time since that magical event, and a packed PNC Park was electrified by memories of the glory days. There was the great Maz himself, looking remarkably spry, to throw out the first pitch on Tuesday, and all the excitement animated the Buccos, who beat the Yankees 12-5. Of course, the baseball gods allow only so many departures from reality and the next night the Pirates reverted to form, losing 10-0. On what was supposed to be the final meeting on Thursday, the rain came and the game was called with the Pirates trailing 3-1 in the third inning (it will be replayed July 10). But on that one first night, Pittsburgh dreamed again of greatness.

SINCE THE CITY'S founding, the criminal courts in Pittsburgh have witnessed many unusual events and, given the nature of the business there, these have often involved rogues. But Juror No. 9 in a case that started last week involving three co-defendants charged with breaking into a Duquesne apartment and threatening, beating and sexually assaulting various occupants, was unusual for being more high-minded than most. Yes, that was Bishop David Zubik, head of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, serving on the jury, doing his duty just as any other citizen. It's hard to think of picking a juror more trustworthy than a bishop to decide the fate of defendants. As for any sordid testimony, it's probably nothing more than Bishop Zubik has encountered while hearing confessions over the years. Given the importance of his job, he might have had a prayer of getting out of serving -- but it's wonderful that he did.