Five local Pittsburgh shops selling natural wine
Natural wine is having a moment in Pittsburgh right now. The style of vino can be hard to describe, but it basically means that no additives were part of the wine-making process. Similar to other booze fermented with naturally occurring yeast, natural wine tends to have a little sediment at the bottom of the bottle.…
Study shows most COVID-era diners are, in fact, as terrible to service workers as presumed
This summer, Pittsburgh area restaurant workers detailed a sort-of tragic phenomenon of the coronavirus pandemic. With restaurants re-opening after the first spring shutdown, workers said that there was a slight increase in the number of more entitled customers, like those who refuse to wear masks or ignore the server’s requests for social distancing. Now there…
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh group votes to join United Steelworkers union
Workers from across all four of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh have taken another major step towards unionization by voting to join the Pittsburgh-based United Steelworkers union. Yesterday, it was announced that the United Museum Workers, a group that includes 500 scientists, educators, art handlers, gift shop clerks, and other staff members from Carnegie Museums…
Local artist gift guide: Skip the post office
Christmas is nearing, and the Postal Service is more swamped than ever, with people shopping online instead of in person. The USPS website even has a red banner at the top warning that they are “experiencing unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability.” Instead, consider these gift ideas from local artists and vendors that require…
As deadline for COVID-19 stimulus deal closes in, Pa. residents “need help yesterday”
[image-2] Victoria Murrell graduated from Greensburg’s Seton Hill University on Monday with a degree in human resources management. The 32-year-old single mother, whose daughter is 12, is the first in her family to go to college. And now, like every other Pennsylvanian trying to make their way through the pandemic, she’s wondering what to do…
Online exhibition about brewing in Pittsburgh and Pa. launches from Brew: the Museum of Beer
In the years since Joe McAllister first decided to open a beer museum in Pittsburgh, he’s learned a few lessons, mainly that it takes more than two years to open a museum. “Turns out that was a little optimistic,” laughs McAllister, who first embarked on what would become Brew: The Museum of Beer with former partner, Matt Sherwin, in…
Just add milk: Testing hot chocolate bombs
This year, TikTok has brought a variety of viral food trends to the world. There’s whipped coffee, pancake cereal, nachos the size of tables, and now, just in time for the holidays, hot chocolate bombs. Hot chocolate bombs are exactly as they sound: an explosion of cocoa powder and marshmallows. A hollow, chocolate sphere holds…
Pa. Treasury Twitter account has shut down, leaving legacy of snarky, relatable PR
Pennsylvania state Treasurer Joe Torsella’s office has shut down its Twitter account. In a farewell message, the account, run by previously unnamed Treasury employees, said the account was an “experiment began as a direct result of [Torsella’s] vision to rebuild community and reconnect people with a government that is supposed to serve them.” “It’s been…
Lynn Cullen Live – 12/15/20
Video Archive The passage of time is the first topic Lynn and Susan are discussing. Many of us are wishing to fast forward right now, but we don’t know what is coming. They are also talking about a black North Carolina student who was expelled after his mother complained about the way his school was…
Pittsburgh City Council shifts over $9 million away from police, Mon Oakland Connector in proposed budget
Today, Pittsburgh City Council offered amendments to Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s 2021 budget proposal. They included allocating $9.4 million dollars away from two contentious sections of the budget: police funding and the Mon-Oakland Connector autonomous vehicle/infrastructure proposal. According to TribLive, about $5.3 million will be moved from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Public…
Pennsylvania electors cast their 20 votes for Biden and Harris, while social distancing
Pennsylvania’s 20 presidential electors cast their ballots for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Monday afternoon, capping a tumultuous and often chaotic six weeks that saw President Donald Trump and his allies launch an unprecedented legal and rhetorical assault on the nation’s electoral system. Meeting in the ornate Forum Auditorium, just across…
In historic moment, UPMC delivers first round of COVID-19 vaccines to Pittsburgh frontline workers
Today, UPMC administered Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to five frontline hospital workers, making them the first recipients in Pittsburgh, and among the first in the nation. The mood was light as Tami Minnier, a certified registered nurse practitioner and chief quality officer at UPMC, administered Pfizer’s BNT162b2 vaccines this morning after addressing the media. While giving the shots,…
Local gift guide: Giving back
If you’re lucky enough to still have a job during the pandemic, and better yet, to have not lost many wages over the past year, then now is an especially great time to give back. During a holiday season when so many families are struggling, there are plenty of ways to give back, like financial…
Lynn Cullen Live – 12/14/20
Video Archive Today is the day of the Electoral College Vote. Lynn is discussing what will happen today, and how it compares to what has happened in the past. She is also discussing the number of Covid-19 deaths in the United States. In the past nine months, more Americans have died of Covid-19 than all…
Activists criticize level of funding for Pittsburgh Police Department in 2021 budget proposal
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and his administration have received criticism from some advocates for what they say is prioritizing police funding over the needs of under-served communities, especially during a pandemic that has left many residents struggling. Activists believe there is too high an allocation towards the police department in the City of Pittsburgh’s $564…
Pittsburgh councilor Corey O’Connor wants to reallocate some city budget funds away from Mon-Oakland Connector proposal
This year’s Pittsburgh city budget proposal is as contentious as ever. Not only has lack of federal funding contributed to a huge hole in the 2021 budget, but activists have been calling for cuts in funding for Pittsburgh police, and what that money would instead be spent on community services. And the contention isn’t slowing…
Hilltop Coffee opens, Cinderlands Beer expands, and more Pittsburgh food news
Openings Hilltop Coffee 2400 Arlington Ave., Arlington. hilltopcoffepgh.wixsite.com On Dec. 12, Hilltop Coffee will open in Arlington on Pittsburgh’s South Side for takeout. The cafe will serve coffee using beans from local roastery Creative Coffee & Supply, tea, pastries from 350° Bakery, and more. Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection 2101 Smallman St., Strip…
Controversial Pittsburgh police officer Paul Abel reportedly “off the job”
UPDATE: Paul Abel Jr. was removed from the police force and is no longer employed by the city of Pittsburgh. On Dec. 22, 2020, it was reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that city officials terminated the longtime police officer following years of complaints, litigation, and public outcry over his actions, including his alleged involvement in…
Local gift guide: Merch from your favorite restaurants, breweries, and more
Show love for local spots by wearing them this holiday season. Give the gift of tees, glasses, and more, all from city favorites. Cinderlands Beer Co. 2601 Smallman St., Strip District. cinderlands.com Fan of Cinderlands’ beer? Find some of their favorite brews, like Squish, a 5% pale ale, on shirts. The brewery also has stickers,…
New set of temporary restrictions announced for PA, including shutting down indoor dining, and limiting gatherings
Today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced a three-week long set of regulations to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, which includes shutting down indoor dining at bars and restaurants, limiting capacity at retail businesses, and suspending extracurricular school activities. The announcement comes after weeks of rapidly increasing coronavirus cases, including today’s reported 11,972 cases…
Etsy Market brings first-ever virtual shopping experience to Pittsburgh with ShopTheBurgh
Local markets like Handmade Arcade and I Made It! have given Pittsburgh plenty of options to shop online this holiday season. Now The Etsy Market, a seller-led initiative sponsored by the popular online platform, will highlight local makers for its first-ever Pittsburgh event. From Sat., Dec. 12 through Sun., Dec. 13, The Etsy Market: ShopTheBurgh will…
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Warm up with these six cocktails on the Downtown Holiday Cocktail Trail
Looking for a way to warm up? Try one of these toasty cocktails now available on the Downtown Cocktail Trail: Holiday Edition. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Pittsburgh City Paper have come together with Bacardi on a holiday-themed, month-long cocktail event to support the restaurant scene in Downtown Pittsburgh. From cinnamon to cocoa, butterscotch to…
Lynn Cullen Live – 12/10/20
Video Archive The death of actor David Lander, Squiggy from ‘Laverne & Shirley’, is where Lynn is starting the show. A listener sent her a message about a lovely interview she did with Lander, unfortunately she doesn’t remember it at all. This has her thinking about how we remember history. Along the same lines is…
Jasiri X’s single “Rob Jeff Bezo$” is the anthem for equality this world needs
During a time when activism continues to rise, Pittsburgh artist Jasiri X is using his music as a platform against racial inequality, protesting the increasing gap between the wealthy and those struggling in poverty with his newest single, “Rob Jeff Bezo$.” The activist, and co-founder of local arts and social justice collective 1Hood Media, released…
Lynn Cullen Live – 12/9/20
Video Archive Sally Wiggin is on the show today. Lynn and Sally always have an interesting conversation, and you won’t want to miss out on what they have to say. Some of the topics they are covering include Forbes’ Most Powerful Women list, Sally’s future travel plans, pronunciations, and Sally’s favorite animals. Audio Only Archive…
Black Pittsburghers didn’t increase turnout for Joe Biden as much as white Pittsburghers. Why?
In his path to a Pennsylvania, and national, victory, Joe Biden accomplished the best electoral performance of a Democratic presidential candidate in Allegheny County since 1964. He secured 59.6% of the county’s vote, winning Allegheny County by more than 20 points. The only Democratic presidential candidates to perform better in Allegheny County were Lyndon Johnson…
International Puppet Festival brings together artists from around the world
Live events have a kind of excitement that, no matter how hard they try, virtual events can’t replicate. But connecting virtually also offers things that in-person events never can, like bringing together puppeteers from several countries for a workshop and theater festival. Tom Sarver, who began his Virtual Puppet Residency earlier in the pandemic, will…
Takeout Review: Thai Gourmet
In 2005, Pittsburgh City Paper compared Bloomfield’s Thai Gourmet to a 1950’s diner. Fifteen years later, the likeness still stands. The small Liberty Avenue restaurant carries the same character of an antique shop; walls covered floor-to-ceiling in artwork and shelves filled with ornaments, a similar mix of homey decorations I’d expect from my small town…
Local shops recommend the best titles for “book aunts” to buy for children and youth
You have, or perhaps might be, a Book Aunt. You know, that relative who buys books for the kids and teens in their lives. I have purchased my fair share of titles for my nieces and nephews, scouring store shelves for the most eye-catching picture books or engaging young adult lit. For all those Book…
Seven Days in Pittsburgh: Dec. 10-16
Thu., Dec. 10 ART • VIRTUAL The Westmoreland Museum of American Art gives some insight to its Diversity Billboard Art Project with a virtual talk featuring participating artists Shane Pilster and Tina Williams Brewer. Both artists will discuss their perspective works — CommUNITY by Pilster and Embracing Collective Cultures by Brewer — which were inspired…
The Park House remembered for its contributions to local music as the historic bar prepares to close
To many, it seems, The Park House’s ability to work as a popular music venue was an enigma under the ownership of Zamir Zahavi. And people let him know it. In one memory, he recalls a consultant from Austin, Texas summing up the establishment’s ability to host music. “He would sit at the bar nightly,”…
I came to Pittsburgh for higher education in 2017. It’s time to undo the harm Trump’s rhetoric and policies brought onto international students.
As an undergraduate student applying to graduate school in 2016, I thought of the U.S. election all the time. President Donald Trump was campaigning on anti-immigrant rhetoric, and I faced an important question: Should I go and do research at Carnegie Mellon University during this uncertain time? It wasn’t clear at that time what changes…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY: Dec. 10-16
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I’m envisioning a scene in which you’re sitting on a chair at a kitchen table. At the center of the table is a white vase holding 18 long-stemmed red roses. The rest of the table’s surface is filled with piles of money, which you have just unloaded from five mysterious suitcases…
