ILLUSTRATION BY HUCK BEARD

For Bobby Cherry, every day is Christmas. The longtime journalist — who has worked for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Hearst Television and a news/tech startup company — celebrates the holiday year-round at itschristmas365.com, the holiday website he runs. Cherry, a Moon native, now dabbles in marketing and is a lead volunteer with the American Cancer Society. Due to his affinity for Santa Claus and sleigh rides, his friends call him “Buddy the Elf.” So, for our December edition, we wanted to know: What is Bobby Cherry’s Best of the ’Burgh?

What’s your Pittsburgh “hidden gem,” a place that you love that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
Bella Notte in the Strip District

If you could only eat one local meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Eat’n Park salad bar — with Potato Patch fries from Kennywood. “I’d have to wash it down with a Sheetz cold brew coffee and an IC Light Mango. Oh, and for dessert: Prantl’s cake with buttercream icing.”

If Pittsburgh had a theme song, what would it be?
“In keeping with the holiday theme, I have to go with the late, great B.E. Taylor’s ‘Feel the Love of Christmas.’”

What’s the annual tradition that you wait for every year?
Light Up Night

Favorite Pittsburgh appearance in a movie or on television?
“I absolutely geek out every single time I see the Horne’s tree or PPG Place tree used as B-roll in Hallmark Christmas movies. I’ve also been known to get a bit too excited when I see a street corner in Coraopolis, an intersection in Sewickley and a view of Downtown Beaver — all used as B-roll in Hallmark Christmas movies!”

What’s your unpopular Pittsburgh opinion? What is something you think about the city (or a famous aspect of it) that won’t win you any friends?
“Pittsburghers — especially those of us in the suburbs — rely on personal vehicles too much, and then complain about traffic and parking. For bigger events like Light Up Night or a Broadway in Pittsburgh show, I try to hop on the trolley from Dormont to avoid the aggravation of the Parkway West and navigating Downtown streets and garages.”

Where’s the first place you take out-of-town guests?
“If it’s the holiday season, it’s got to be Downtown — browsing the chalets at Market Square, watching ice skaters at PPG Place, taking selfies at the old Horne’s tree and a stop at the Byham to see Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘A Musical Christmas Carol.’”

If you could bring back one Pittsburgh place or restaurant that’s no longer there, which would you pick?
Kaufmann’s Downtown

You get one Incline ride with any Pittsburgher, living or dead. Who is it?
“Pittsburgh’s favorite Santa Claus, John Suhr. If you’ve been to Light Up Night, the Heinz History Center, Market Square, the former Macy’s Downtown or have seen any of local artist Linda Barnicott’s Santa paintings, you’ve seen him. He’s the best Santa helper to serve the ’Burgh.”