Party into 2022 with the official Pittsburgh City Paper NYE playlist
I’m a firm believer that the playlist makes the party, so if you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve this year, I’ve got one for you. Featuring all Pittsburgh artists and bands, this playlist spans across genres for a high-energy party mix. Play it loud or at a moderate level out of respect for your neighbors, and…
Harris Theater delivers extra chills this winter with Januscary horror film festival
The holidays are rough for a variety of reasons. The stress of traveling, dealing with family, and gift buying, not to mention the pressure of planning for New Year’s Eve, can really take its toll. In January, trade in the horrors of contrived jolliness for real horror when the Harris Theater presents a series sure…
Nebby post alert: Bobcat spotted in East Liberty
On Dec. 22, a 260-pound black bear was caught just outside of Downtown Pittsburgh, and collectively, the city went crazy. Black bear mania for a day. It was also the third time in the last few years that a black bear had been spotted within city limits. But bears aren’t the only unexpected wild creatures…
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Pittsburgh bars, restaurants, and more
Celebrating the New Year is a tradition that a lot of people feel is a must during the holiday season. While we are still in the throws of a pandemic, many area restaurants and bars are hosting New Year’s Eve events, and some of these venues will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID…
On the Tahn: Dance parties and live music at Belvedere’s, Kingfly Spirits, and more (Dec. 23-25)
Thu., Dec. 23 Live! at Kingfly Kingfly Spirits 7-10 p.m. Saxophone/flutist Rick Matt, trombone/keyboardist Reggie Watkins, bassist Ava Lintz, and drummer Dave Throckmorton will be performing as a jazz quartet at Kingfly Spirits for your enjoyment. 2613 Smallman St., Strip District. $10 suggested. 21 and over. kingflyspirits.com DIAMOND LIFE Spirit 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Jesley Snipes and…
Pa. Supreme Court rules against victim’s rights amendment Marsy’s Law
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on Dec. 21 that a victims’ rights amendment to the state’s constitution, passed by voters in 2019 as a single measure, cannot be put into law as approved. The ruling blocks Marsy’s Law, a far-reaching effort to enshrine 15 separate rights for crime victims in the commonwealth’s constitution, from taking…
Allegheny County recycling program will accept live Christmas trees beginning Dec. 26
If you aren’t sure what to do with your Christmas trees after the holiday is over, the Allegheny County Parks Department has you covered. The department will host its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program, through which residents can recycle their live Christmas trees beginning after Sat., Dec. 25. From Sun., Dec. 26 through Jan. 14, 2022,…
Mancini’s Bakery makes a giant “doughman” good enough to eat
As Oprah famously once said, “I love bread.” And what better time to celebrate bread than now, when holiday dinner guests are greeted with baskets of rolls and slices? Mancini’s Bakery has decided to take a far more festive spin on the diet staple by making a snowman — or, better yet, “doughman” — out of its Italian-style…
Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey tests negative for COVID
After announcing on Dec. 21 that he received a rapid COVID test indicating a positive result, Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey announced on Dec. 22 that his full PCR test indicated that he does not have COVID-19. The results of Gainey’s PCR test were negative, according to a press release. His initial rapid test was inconclusive and…
Pittsburgh Police officers disciplined in death of Jim Rogers; report says his calls for medical help were ignored
In October, Jim Rogers was tased by Pittsburgh Police eight times after authorities were called to respond to Rogers allegedly stealing, then returning, a bike from a neighbor’s front yard in Bloomfield. He was transported to a hospital, but “exhibited a medical emergency” outside the hospital, and then died the next day. Some neighbors told…
Pittsburgh City Paper columnist Tereneh Idia wins award named after late Pittsburgh journalist
Pittsburgh City Paper columnist Tereneh Idia has tackled difficult topics, including racism, COVID-19, and body shaming, with blunt honesty and earnest passion. Now, her work has earned her a Pittsburgh Foundation award named after a respected local journalist. Idia is one of two winners of the 2021 Sally Kalson Courage in Journalism award, created to…
Port Authority installing air purification devices in buses and light-rail cars
Anxieties about riding public transportation have risen during the pandemic, with fears about transit vehicles being vectors for spreading COVID-19. Studies have shown, however, that buses and trains are not extra risky for transmissions. Experts hope this data will reassure those still hesitant about taking public transit as COVID cases rise, but it’s clear public…
A hot dog place reopens, a Downtown spot closes, and more Pittsburgh food news
D’s Six Pax and Dogz 1118 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square. ds6pax.com A fire earlier in the year shut down this location, but now it’s back open and here to provide you with all your beer and comfort food needs. A Place To Toast 633 Smithfield St., Downtown. A new spot is opening on Smithfield…
Lynn Cullen Live – 12/20/21
Video Archive Lynn and Susan are talking about the risks versus rewards of getting together for the holidays and how it is difficult to get Covid tests kits. They also discuss the DC teacher who had students reenact holocaust scenes. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
Harris Grill announces closure of Downtown Pittsburgh location
Harris Grill, a well-known Pittsburgh eatery with locations in Downtown and in Shadyside, has announced that it is permanently closing the Fourth Avenue location in Downtown Pittsburgh. The last day of service at the Fourth Avenue location is Thu., Dec. 30. In a press release, the Harris Grill team revealed struggles to recover from the…
With billions in federal cash, will Pennsylvania finally cap its abandoned, polluting oil wells?
This story was first published on Dec. 8 in Capital & Main. Ed Atwood pushes aside a piece of thorny brush as he inches down the slope of his wooded hillside property. On a rainy Thursday in March, the fallen leaves that coat the ground outside of his house in Warren, Pennsylvania, are slippery. “We’ll…
Pittsburgh looking for participants for its Snow Angels shoveling program
Winter has arrived, and that of course means snow is on its way for Pittsburgh. And with snow, there are a lot of sidewalks to shovel to keep our passageways safe for pedestrians. But there are plenty of older residents and people with disabilities who aren’t able to shovel their own sidewalks. So the city…
Pittsburgh booksellers receive holiday bonuses from author James Patterson
One of America’s most commercially successful authors has set out to help independent bookstores, and that includes those in Pittsburgh. James Patterson, the writer best known for his Alex Cross series, donated a total of $250,000 in grants to bookstores all over the country through his annual Holiday Bookseller Bonus Program. The program is administered…
What happened to plans for a “blue lagoon” on Pittsburgh’s North Side?
Last week, Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority approved a large development in the Chateau section of the city’s North Side that would transform six acres of industrial property into a mixed-use Esplanade that calls for a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, commercial space, a marina, and even a Ferris wheel. This big development is being…
5 places serving cocktails with the ingredient of the season: rosemary
With the holiday season comes a multitude of restaurants updating their seasonal menus with warm and wintery flavors like ginger and cranberry, but there’s a new hot ingredient making an appearance in holiday cocktails around the city: rosemary. The herb adds a depth of rich, earthy flavors to cocktails from whiskey to gin. Simple syrup…
Song Spotlight: “DMX” by Grizz
Grizz, aka Elijah Ash, is starting his solo career in music, and his new single “DMX” is a bold entry into the scene. “DMX” has a simple and classic beat, but the real star is Grizz’s flow. The tone of his voice reminds me of Kendrick and his wordplay is easily matched with rappers that…
Student loan relief exempted from Pa. state taxes by Wolf administration
Pennsylvania workers will not have to pay state income tax on student loan relief they receive from two debt forgiveness programs, Gov. Tom Wolf announced On Dec. 17. Joined by Sen. Katie Muth (D-Montgomery), Wolf said that relief from the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the Pennsylvania Student Loan Relief for Nurses programs are…
Long awaited sidewalk planned for Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood
For years, Hazelwood residents have wished Pittsburgh officials would improve the sidewalk along Irvine Street to ensure residents could walk safely out of the neighborhood. Residents constantly complained about the unmaintained sidewalk and how dangerous it could be. Fortunately, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure announced on Dec. 17 their…
Now Hiring: Director at a North Side cultural institution, and more job openings this week in Pittsburgh
We searched the web to find some of Pittsburgh’s best job openings this week. If your company is hiring, send your listing for consideration to jobs@pghcitypaper.com. Nonprofit Teen Librarian. Two locations of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are now hiring Teen Librarians to act as a mentor for youth ages 11-19, and connecting them with…
Nebby post alert: Lost goose in Greenfield … sort of
There was some windy weather this week in Pittsburgh, as unseasonable warm fronts made their way up to the Steel City. This led to some strange things occurring throughout the region, and some things discovered where they shouldn’t be. For one neighbor in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood, that meant a lost goose in their yard, or…
Pitt and City of Asylum request donations for social justice book drive
Books for Change, an annual book drive created by the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development, has returned with a new theme and new partnership. This year, the theme is “Justice from the Beginning,” featuring books that were selected for children of all ages to learn about social justice. The list contains 25 books selected…
Make the most of your holiday rom-com movies with these BINGO cards
This winter has been unpredictable in Pittsburgh — the weather jumped from snowy to warm, no one seems to feel festive, and the holidays are coming and going before we know it. One thing that is predictable, however, is the seemingly endless crop of new holiday romantic comedy movies delivered by Hallmark and Lifetime each…
Pittsburgh wants to create a wayfinding initiative to help pedestrians navigate city better
Pittsburgh was awarded a $1.4 million grant from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to create The Pittsburgh Pedestrian Wayfinding, an initiative that seeks to make it easier for pedestrians to navigate Downtown, Oakland, and the North Side. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto introduced a measure to City Council on Dec. 13 that would allow the city to…
Spider-Man: No Way Home makes for a satisfying swing into the multiverse
Nostalgia and redemption make up Spider-Man: No Way Home, the latest release from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and possibly the best movie from the franchise yet. Here we find Peter Parker (Tom Holland) following the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home, the 2019 film that pitted our young hero against Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) and saw…
Advocates unveil Pittsburgh city transit platform to improve sidewalks, development, and more
On Dec. 16, more than two dozen advocates held a rally near a bus stop in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood and unveiled a transit platform that they hope the city will implement within the first 100 days of Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Ed Gainey’s administration, which will begin in the new year. The rally was hosted by Pittsburghers…
5 Pittsburgh places to score socks (people will actually like) this holiday season
Sure, socks may be considered a last minute gift option, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. With cool patterns, soft fabrics, and trendy options, plenty of local retailers have been coming out with holiday sock options that are sure to wow that special someone in your life. Here are a few of…
State sends second vague email to patients about medical marijuana vape product safety
For the second time in less than a month, the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Office sent an email to patients informing them of a review of vaporized medical marijuana products. As with the first notice sent on Dec. 1, there’s no information about why the state ordered the review, what safety concerns it…
Westmoreland art museum makes New York Times‘ Best Art Books of 2021 list
An art museum in Greensburg in Westmoreland County just received recognition from the New York Times for a book about the museum’s latest exhibition. The Westmoreland Museum of American Art announced that NYT critics selected the catalogue for Simple Pleasures: The Art of Doris Lee as one of the Best Art Books of 2021. The…
Panel approves new Pa. legislative maps that leaves incumbents in the lurch
Roughly one in 10 Pennsylvania lawmakers, mostly House Republicans, will face off against their colleagues under maps approved by the state legislative redistricting panel on Dec. 16. In two votes, one unanimous, one 3-2, the five-member Legislative Reapportionment Commission approved the preliminary maps after an hour of pointed but respectful debate. These lines have a…
1Hood Media launches website to tell authentic stories for Black Pittsburgh
Originally having a soft launch on Juneteenth, local artist and activist coalition 1Hood Media this week officially unveiled its new website: BlackPittsburgh.com. The goal of the site is to become a top online source for news, events, and real-time resources catering to Pittsburgh’s Black community. 1Hood Media, which Pittsburgh City Paper named to its People…
On the Tahn: Dance parties and live music at The Fairmont, CMOA, and more (Dec. 16-18)
Thu., Dec. 16 Out of Office Party ft. Title Town Carnegie Museum of Art 6-9 p.m. Title Town is collaborating with the Carnegie Museum of Art to create a holiday “office party” that defies the awkwardness and bad food of the holiday office parties you’ve known before. Masks are required so make sure to coordinate…
Fundraiser held for new temporary riverfront trail between Aspinwall and Sharpsburg
Plans have been in the works for years to extend the multi-use, riverfront trail from Millvale up to Aspinwall, and while those are still ongoing and have some delays, they are taking a small step forward with a temporary trail likely to come between Aspinwall and Sharpsburg. Sharpsburg Mayor-elect Brittany Reno says a temporary, mulch…
Lynn Cullen Live – 12/16/21
Video Archive Lynn is talking about the death of author, professor and feminist bell hooks, known for titles like “Aint I A Woman” and “All About Love.” This and more today on Lynn Cullen Live. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
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Pittsburgh Curling Club Offers Introductory Lessons to the Sport
At some point during the Winter Olympics, you’ve probably seen curling on TV and asked yourself, “What is that?” Curling is an Olympic team sport, where two teams take turns sliding granite stones down a sheet of ice, using brooms to try and guide the movement of the stones. A traditional curling team is made…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY: Dec. 16-22
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The coming months will be a favorable time for you to redefine the meaning of the term “sacred” and to deepen your relationship with sacredness. To spur your imagination, I offer four quotes: 1. “Recognizing the sacred begins when we are interested in every detail of our lives.” — Buddhist teacher…
Lynn Cullen Live – 12/15/21
Video Archive Lynn started the show off with another interesting obituary and was starting to get into the meaning of working across the isle topic before we hit a technical problem and halted the show for a few minutes, but she is back and continuing on. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5…
A list of Pittsburgh-area churches “born again” with new purposes
Pittsburgh is home to an abundance of old church buildings. Their spires rise up against our hilly backdrop and famous skyline, adding to each neighborhood’s unique fabric. Historically, the city’s patchwork roots led to each immigrant group wanting to have their own house of worship, resulting in many neighborhoods having a church on every block.…
Rebuilding hope as the sky falls
I keep thinking back to an event in the “before” time. I was sitting in the gym of the Ace Hotel on a panel with fellow writers Damon Young and Kiese Laymon, when someone asked if we were hopeful for the future. I said I was hopeful. I think Damon looked at me, like, “Sis,…
Boonseek food truck brings Korean corn dogs and street food specialties to Pittsburgh
The simple satisfaction of a deep-fried corn dog dunked in yellow mustard at fairgrounds is essential Americana. So much so that the traditional snack has gone relatively unchanged for decades. But luckily for Pittsburgh, a Korean food truck is specializing in an emerging new international twist on the delicious street food. The BoonSeek opened in…
Soulshowmike’s Top 10 Albums of 2021
Regular readers of this column will have some clues about my second annual Top 10 Albums. Late-year releases, multiple notable releases in a given month, and random discoveries do create surprises, however. The American Negro by Adrian Younge, not mentioned as a contender until now, bubbled upward as I reviewed 2021 in its entirety. Younge,…
Frick’s Victorian Radicals explores anti-industrial legacy of Pre-Raphaelite art
Walking through Victorian Radicals: From the Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts & Crafts Movement, the latest exhibition at the Frick Art Museum, I couldn’t help but think, “Am I spoiled?” Perhaps my years of having access to some of the most dynamic, innovative, and stunning exhibitions that have graced Pittsburgh galleries led me to this, oscillating…
New book by Pittsburgher Clarisse Jordan details life after HIV diagnosis
An HIV diagnosis was once a death sentence, a fate made worse by the stigma and false information about how it was spread and who could get it. Many people can now live full and happy lives with HIV, and while it is important to honor the lives lost, we rarely hear about those living…
Seven Days in Pittsburgh: Dec. 16-22
Thu., Dec. 16 LIT • VIRTUAL Pittsburgh’s Lavender Book Club, formerly the Rainbow Reading Group, and the PGH Equality Center present Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia. The online event will discuss the national bestseller, described by publisher Penguin Random House as a “deeply personal story of trauma and healing, a powerful reflection on…
