Pa. legislator says the “unmasked community” faces harassment because people were mean to him online
This story was originally posted on Wed., July 29 and updated on Thu., July 30 with comments from Gov. Wolf. Pennsylvania state Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) issued a statement today declaring that the “unmasked community” in Pennsylvania is facing “hateful and intolerant” comments on social media and the internet. According to his statement, Diamond felt…
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union journalists will vote to go on strike
Journalists at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will soon vote to go on strike following a move by management that implemented parts of a new contract without consent of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, the union representing more than 120 journalists currently on staff at the paper. The Post-Gazette is the largest newspaper in Western Pennsylvania, and…
Most Crazy Mocha coffee shops haven’t reopened and some longtime employees were told they were fired. Why?
Unlike other coffee shop chains like Starbucks or Commonplace Coffee, the large Pittsburgh regional chain Crazy Mocha hasn’t been quick to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. Out of the two dozen stores it operates in the region, only five are open, and most of those are just kiosks in hospitals. The only brick-and-mortar stores open…
New National Releases: Jaden, Sylvan Esso, Future, beabadoobee, and more
Jaden Smith is now just Jaden. Glass Animals gave a taste of its forthcoming album, Dreamland. Taylor Swift dropped folklore with barely and warningand moves towards a stripped-back indie sound. Noah Cyrus covered Mac Miller. These are our current favorite new national releases.
Lynn Cullen Live – 7/28/20
Video Archive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s speech on treatment of women, and condemning sexism is where Lynn and Susan are starting the show. They are focusing on the way many reports have been making AOC look disruptive. They are also discussing the group Rednecks for Black Lives, Senator Tom Cotton wanting to ban the teaching of…
OP-ED: President of PFLAG Pittsburgh asks community to take action against recent incidents of transphobia
Dr. Rachel Levine serves tirelessly as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health. Her professionalism and dedication to the health of all Pennsylvanians is demonstrated daily in her updates on the spread of COVID-19. She has also served as Pennsylvania’s Physician General and as a Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine. Dr.…
7 cold coffees inspired from across the globe to try in Pittsburgh
It’s up for debate, but I believe coffee is a dish best served cold. The smoothness of a cold brew is unmatched, and when you add in the extra caffeine kick the beverage offers, it’s the best way to start a hot morning during a Pittsburgh summer. Great cold brews, iced coffees, and iced lattes…
This week’s Letters to the Editor: Parks, Masks, and Trolls
EMAIL Thank you Representative Doyle for supporting our parks! Nature has always been my escape. I am comforted by the rustling trees and the sound of the birds emerging from the foliage. As a student of Chatham University, I visit Frick Park to take a break from my studies and decompress. The beautiful winding trails…
In lieu of The Rolling Stones concert, experience Mick Jagger and crew on WDVE
Before concert cancellations due to coronavirus concerns, The Rolling Stones’ No Filter Tour was scheduled to land at Heinz Field on Tue., June 23. However, Pittsburghers will still be able to experience The Rolling Stones, this Fri., July 31, thanks to The Alliance for Lifetime Income and iHeartRadio. As the sole sponsor of the 2020…
Shiloh Grill announces closure, Salty Pork Bits gets a storefront, and more Pittsburgh food news
Opening Salty Pork Bits The charcuterie subscription service, created by chef Justin Severino of Morcilla, will open a brick-and-mortar store on Butler Street in Lawrenceville in the former location of Full Pint Wild Side Pub. The shop will have cured meats, frozen sausages, and other things that qualify as salty bits of pork, according to…
Man at pro-police counter protest shouts “kill transgenders” at Black Lives Matter rally in suburban Pittsburgh
On Sat., July 25, a group of about 150 demonstrators gathered in front of Shaler Area Middle School to show solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement. According to Christopher Chirdon, who lives in Shaler and both attended and helped organize the event, the rally was largely led by young people of the group called…
Lynn Cullen Live – 7/27/20
Video Archive Lynn is fascinated by a report in Science Magazine that says as a result of the pandemic seismic noise has greatly lowered. This is allowing scientists to hear and understand the sounds the earth makes without our noise interfering. She is also talking about the news that the National Security adviser, Robert O’Brien…
12 young adult books to read written by Black authors
I’ve noticed a trend on bookstagram, aka book Instagram. On top of the influx of readers looking to pick up books from Black authors, many have been turning to the Young Adult genre. This could be for any number of reasons, but my guess is that YA is light but powerful, enthralling yet easy to…
Pittsburghers for Public Transit distribute masks to riders, push for additional public transit funding
Today, transit advocates and volunteers with advocacy group Pittsburghers for Public Transit (PPT), distributed dozens of cloth masks to transit riders in Downtown. PPT volunteers passed out the reusable cloth masks on July 24 at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street, as well as outside Wood Street T station. The event was part of a larger…
Six things we’ll miss about Shursave, a Bloomfield icon
Shursave is dead. Long live Shursave.
For Sale With Baggage: Great grill for great dogs
Stuff can be complicated, especially when trying to get rid of it. The process can remind us that our things can have worth that’s hard to put a dollar amount on; they can call to mind other people from our lives; they can bring up memories of what they were (or weren’t) used for. For Sale…
New Music Friday: Samurai Velvet, Merce Lemon, La’Vender Freddy, and Ky Vöss
It’s been a while since the last New Music Friday featuring local releases. Almost two months to be exact. There have been some unexpected changes here at Pittsburgh City Paper, and I haven’t had time to search for new music as much as I used too. On top of that, I’ve also only been getting…
Pittsburgh Mask Maker Spotlight: Jameelah’s Creative Creations
Since the beginning of the pandemic, designers, artists, and sewing hobbyists have taken to their sewing machines to fill the demand of masks for the public to wear. Pittsburgh City Paper is taking a look behind the scenes and highlighting local mask makers. Name: Jameelah Luster, owner and operator of Jameelah’s Creative Creations Neighborhood: Wilkinsburg…
The Rex Theater introduces The Timeout Chair sessions
No, the musicians featured in The Rex Theater’s Timeout Chair aren’t in trouble. They’re helping bring attention to The Rex Theater COVID-19 Staff Relief Fund. The venue, like many other local music spots, could be in trouble without the help of the community. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until the end of July, The Rex will…
Pittsburgh-based Steelers reporter quits PennLive in protest of site calling a Nazi rally “peaceful”
On July 18, PennLive, the website for Harrisburg’s Patriot-News, tweeted out a story about a Neo-Nazi group that held a protest in Williamsport, a town in Northcentral Pennsylvania. The headline and tweet drew widespread criticism almost instantly for saying that the Nazis held a “peaceful rally.” The Neo-Nazi group, known as the Nationalist Socialist Movement…
Taste of Picklesburgh gives Pittsburghers a bite of the canceled festival
The annual Picklesburgh festival is canceled this year, for obvious reasons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t brine and dine. From Thu., July 30-Sat., Aug. 1, a handful of Downtown restaurants will offer a selection of pickled foods, from pickleback gummies at Bridges & Bourbon, to cucumber kimchi from Bae Bae’s Kitchen, to pickled shellfish…
Drive past all 27 billboards in outdoor exhibit April in Paris of Appalachia
Sean Rothermel’s Lawrenceville house sits directly across the street from a billboard. After diving into painting and photography during the pandemic, one day the idea struck Rothermel to replace the ad outside his window with art. “Every morning I wake up and see an advertisement staring through my window,” says Rothermel, the man behind the April…
Lynn Cullen Live – 7/23/20
Video Archive Some recent tweets from Steve Schmidt, and Adam Schiff are Lynn’s starting point this morning. She is also talking about Joe Biden’s statement of Trump being the first racist in the White House. In addition, she is highly recommending everyone take the time to watch the James Baldwin documentary “I Am Not Your…
Lynn Cullen Live – 7/22/20
Video Archive Yesterday’s coronavirus briefing is Lynn’s first topic of discussion today. She is also talking about Defense Secretary Mark Esper raising concerns over the unidentified agents dressing like military, the continuing Portland protests, and the history of the Department of Homeland Security. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the…
Pittsburgh Mask Maker Spotlight: SASHA
Since the beginning of the pandemic, designers, artists, and sewing hobbyists have taken to their sewing machines to fill the demand of masks for the public to wear. Pittsburgh City Paper is taking a look behind the scenes and highlighting local mask makers. Name: Sara McClelland, Founder and Artist of SASHA Neighborhood: Squirrel Hill sashahandmade.com…
At Home With: Roger Rafael Romero, aka Feralcat
Everybody is dealing with COVID-19 quarantines and restrictions in different ways. While there’s no single right way to cope — social distancing and staying TF home aside — connecting with friends, family, and neighbors is a good place to start. You can contact your loved ones on your own, but you might also be curious…
Takeout review: Chengdu Gourmet
There are two menus at Chengdu Gourmet: one for American-style Chinese dishes and the other for traditional Chinese fare. If, like me, you grew up on Americanized Chinese food, the first menu — which bills sesame chicken and egg rolls — will feel familiar. The latter will likely not. Chengdu Gourmet has been intoxicating Pittsburghers…
A new Latino-focused magazine is hoping to teach Pittsburgh about its burgeoning Latinx culture and serve a fast-growing Latino community
María Manautou Matos has always been passionate about cultural exploration and education. From her first experiences at an international school in Puerto Rico, where she grew up, she loved hearing about the lives of her fellow students from across the globe. “Instead of being fearful about what was different, I was curious. That’s something that…
Searching for Serenity
These are the words you should have read last week, the words I should have written a couple of Fridays ago. I couldn’t type. I wasn’t able to see the screen of my iPad, what with all the tears streaming down my face. I cannot point to any one thing that made me cry for…
A virtual West African dance class, art-inspired meditation, and more events this week
Thu., July 23 West African Dance Class The Legacy Arts Project offers virtual dance classes several days of the week. Every Thursday, learn West African dance from instructor Yamoussa Elmouze Camara, and “sweat and smile as he leads you through an awesome tour of the motherland.” 6:30 p.m. Continues Thu., July 30-Aug. 13. $10 suggested…
Seven Days of Music: July 23-July 29
Thu., July 23 (music to stream) Swampwalk. crushed. swampwalkin.bandcamp.com Oh, the tender ups and downs of having a crush. Wanting to lose yourself in that other person, but also the uncertainty, the vulnerability. In Swampwalk’s latest release crushed, the electronic artist chronicles those very familiar emotions with delightful lyrics and lots of synths. All proceeds…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY: July 23-30
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Born in 1936, Cancerian author and activist June Jordan was a Black feminist bisexual born to Jamaican immigrant parents. When she was growing up, her father beat her and her mother committed suicide. Later, she raised her child alone as a single mother. Despite the challenges she faced, she published 28…
