People get nervous around living legends and it was obvious at a press conference on Tursday April 23 at the Westin William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh with the star of St. Barnabas' 98th annual Founder's Day Celebration, Steve Allen, author, musician composer, comedian. The legend came into town yesterday and those lucky enough to catch his act at the conference were treated to a charming time. With a wit as sharp as cheddar and humor that's never cheesy Allen charmed checks from the charitable for St. Barnabas.

The nerves started when at five minutes to go to the official start of the media event the organizers realized the piano on which a specially written song tribute to Allen was to be played, was in the wrong room. The frazzle continued when master of ceremonies Dave Crawley introduced the honored guest as "Steve Martin."

From the moment the veteran comic took the microphone, though, the room came alive and people relaxed quickly as Allen used humor break the tension. His ability to make fun of any situation allowed everyone to feel close to multi-talented entertainer. When Deer Lakes High School senior Heidi Coy got up to adjust her make-shift piano seat (apparently while the piano was in another room, the chair was in another building) before starting to play her award-winning composition "Salvation Whispers," Allen quipped, "Victor Borge did that very same act."

When Crawley tried his first compliment to Allen by saying about the "red carpet" (actually a black and white carpet designed like piano keys) that Allen was "probably the only person who can walk on them without hitting a bad note," Allen answered, "Sound effects." Later, Crawley noted that Allen was gracious enough to hang around at the St. Barnabas retirement community for far longer than he was scheduled. The 75 year old Allen joked, "My purpose was to apply for admission."

Even as Allen talked about visiting St. Barnabas he couldn't resist twisting his words: "It is very touching, and I don't know about you, and I don't want to." Then he added, "I'm trying to be serious, but my mouth won't let me."

St. Barnabas provides $3.2 million dollars of free care annually to those who do not have the ability to pay. The Founder's Day Celebration is one of the biggest annual fundraising events for the health services organization.

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