Pittsburgh politicians, industry workers implore state legislature to aid the decimated service industry
At a press conference outside Spirit in Lawrenceville today, politicians, service industry workers, and venue owners gathered to plead for relief from the state legislature during the ongoing struggle of the pandemic. Hundreds of restaurants have closed permanently in Pennsylvania during the pandemic, and hundreds of thousands of service workers are out of jobs. On…
Pittsburgh’s giant pickle ornament bursts, just like all of our dreams
This holiday season is certain to be bleak. Coronavirus deaths are increasing rapidly, winter is setting in, and we are still somehow dealing with an election that ended weeks ago. On top of that, Pittsburgh has suffered another casualty: its giant pickle ornament has burst upon ins-dill-ation, dashing the hopes of a new Pittsburgh tradition…
Maggie’s Farm Rum celebrates with limited-edition spirits, a hot chocolate board collaboration, and more Pittsburgh food news
Openings Jingle Bar 20 Market Square, Downtown Joining the ranks of this year’s holiday pop-ups is Jingle Bar in Market Square. The bar, hosted by The Original Oyster House, opens Fri., Nov. 27 and will feature holiday-themed cocktails and snacks from Enrico Biscotti Co. in the Strip District. Changes Oak Hill at Home 600 Brookline…
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Finding Releaf Through Medical Marijuana
With over 200,000 Medical Marijuana (MMJ) patients in Pennsylvania, the number of canna-curious consumers is growing. However, the MMJ program is still new and can be overwhelming to many people. Many doctors are now learning about the endocannabinoid system (ECS), but still may not have knowledge on MMJ to give proper advice to patients. The…
Allegheny County Jail transitioning to eBook system, accepting book donations through December
Last week, the Allegheny County Jail announced to inmates that the facility would no longer be accepting books from previously-approved outside sellers Barnes & Noble and christianbooks.com, as part of a transition to digital system where inmates can access books on tablets. But the initial announcement of the eBook policy only offered a limited number…
I Made It! and Handmade Arcade provide alternative to big box retailers with online holiday markets
Shopping online has become almost a necessity as the pandemic extends into the holiday season, with sites like Amazon and other big names cashing in on people avoiding malls and shops. It’s especially unfortunate for small businesses, makers, and artists who depend on revenue from markets where shoppers would usually go to buy unique, handcrafted…
Code Orange grabs second Grammy nomination, and other national Pittsburgh music news
Code Orange 2020 has been a dumpster fire. But perhaps 2021 will hold good news for Code Orange, as the Pittsburgh metal band was nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Metal Performance” category for their album Underneath. This will be the second time Code Orange will be a contender in that category, following…
Sen. Bob Casey drank an IPA at 11 a.m. to celebrate PA certifying election for Joe Biden
Today, the election results were officially certified in Pennsylvania, declaring (yet again) that President-elect Joe Biden had won the Keystone State. Biden secured a majority of the vote at 50.01% and won Pennsylvania by more than 80,000 votes. (President Donald Trump won Pa. by about 44,000 in 2016.) U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Scranton) has long…
Pittsburgh-shot Happiest Season is historic, but lacks spark
Every demographic deserves a cheesy holiday movie, one with romance, family drama, and a happy ending around the Christmas tree. There are few options for holiday movies with LGBTQ representation, but Happiest Season, streaming on Hulu on Nov. 26, is the first lesbian Rom-Com from a major studio. It’s a sweet, funny, and at times…
Six places for to-go beer in Pittsburgh, since onsite drinking is prohibited night before Thanksgiving
Due to the rapid spread of coronavirus in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf announced yesterday that bars and restaurants will be barred from selling alcohol for on-site consumption starting Wed., Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. and ending the next day on Thanksgiving Day at 8 a.m. It’s basically a “Blackout Wednesday” ban, as the day before…
Sen. Lindsey Williams sounds alarm on PennDOT shortfall that would result in 240,000 lost jobs
Gov. Tom Wolf today signed two Pennsylvania budget bills that will provide the state funding through June 30, 2021. But state Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-West View) is worried that a missing $600 million in funding for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would result in up to 240,000 lost jobs, not to mention the costs associated…
Peduto proposes Pittsburgh city pandemic paid sick leave legislation as federal act runs out
Today, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto introduced a piece of legislation that would extend paid sick leave for Pittsburghers amid the ongoing pandemic. Currently, paid sick leave offered under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is set to expire at the end of the year on Dec. 31. In a press release, Peduto said…
PA bans alcohol sales for onsite consumption on “Blackout Wednesday” in response to COVID spike
Today, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced new restrictions to help mitigate Pennsylvania’s rapid spread of coronavirus, and part of those restrictions includes banning alcohol sales for on-site consumption at bars and restaurants on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. This is generally considered one of the biggest bar days of the year, and is sometimes called…
Black November Spotlight: JROUZ3
BLKNVMBR (Black November) is a month-long promotion of audio and visual works of Black R&B musicians and artists. While the name suggests a November-only operation, BLKNVMBR hopes to be a year-round asset of skill sharing, resource pooling, career development, performance opportunities, and moral support for artists. For the final week of Black November, JROUZ3, affectionately…
Sean Parnell is suing Pa. over mail-in voting, even though he praised mail-in voting earlier this year
Today, a group of eight Republicans is suing Gov. Tom Wolf, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, and the Pennsylvania legislature (which is controlled by other Republicans), claiming that the state’s mail-in voting law is unconstitutional. Act. 77 was passed in 2019 with overwhelming support from Republicans, and it established several election changes, including allowing no-excuse mail-in voting.…
Carnegie Museum of Art highlights local and emerging artists with latest offerings
In the months since the Carnegie Museum of Art reopened in late June, visitors have been treated to shows looking at the wide-reaching impact of conflict and advancing technology. Now, the museum is offering the online debut of the video work Tyrant Star and Locally Sourced. On view through March 27, 2022, Locally Sourced is…
How to donate to Pittsburgh-area food banks this holiday season (or any time of year)
No one should go hungry any time of year, but it’s especially important around the holidays. Food is abundant at this time of the year, and it’s important to make sure everyone has enough. Whether you want to go out and buy some canned goods to donate, or have a business with excess supplies, there…
Harrisburg GOP apparently wants to ban certain flags from John Fetterman’s office
Harrisburg Republicans are sick and tired of Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s flags. So, they’re banning him from flying them. A temporary budget set to pass this week is on track to include a provision prohibiting any flag except the American flag, Pennsylvania’s state flag, or a flag honoring missing American soldiers from flying over the…
Transgender Day of Remembrance commemorated with local billboard campaign
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Pittsburgh is doing its part with a billboard campaign sponsored by local trans advocacy group SisTers PGH. Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on Nov. 20 to “celebrate the lives of our transgender siblings we’ve lost over the years, those that trailblazed through life living unapologetically and…
Where to find Thanksgiving takeout in Pittsburgh
As coronavirus cases rise in Pittsburgh, many are looking towards an unusual Thanksgiving, following advisories to stay at home instead of partaking in large family gatherings. Make the holiday feel special this year despite the circumstances by ordering takeout and more from these city spots. Bistro 19711 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. bistro19.com The Mt. Lebanon…
Pittsburgh-area race currently tied, could hinge on court decision to count remaining ballots
After more than 130,000 votes have been tallied in an eastern Allegheny County state senate race, the contest between incumbent state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-McKeesport) and challenger Nicole Ziccarelli (R-Lower Burrell) is currently tied. Literally tied at 65,978 votes each. While nearly all of the ballots have been counted in the district, there are potentially…
Black November Spotlight: Najj Andrea
BLKNVMBR (Black November) is a month-long promotion of audio and visual works of Black R&B musicians and artists. While the name suggests a November-only operation, BLKNVMBR hopes to be a year-round asset of skill sharing, resource pooling, career development, performance opportunities, and moral support for artists. East Side artist Najj Andrea never felt like she…
Talkin’ Snack: Pizza Hut Beyond Italian Sausage pizza review
Of all the pizza franchises in all the world, why did Pizza Hut have to be the one to adopt plant-based meat? Don’t get me wrong, I have good memories of going to the Hut as a kid, my Book It! coupon in hand, ready to claim my hard-earned personal pan pizza after weeks of…
Pennsylvania’s unspent COVID stimulus cash will likely pad out $35B budget
Today, a $35 billion budget deal, buoyed by federal stimulus money emerged in Harrisburg. If agreed to, it would represent a 2.2% cut from last year. The budget would complete a drawn-out fiscal process that started in June, and was made more complicated by the economic stagnation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed budget…
The Health Issue: Shining a light on mental health resources during an especially difficult year
It’s been almost five weeks since our colleague and friend Alex Gordon, Pittsburgh City Paper’s managing editor, died of suicide. Prior to his passing, we planned to focus the Health Issue on people’s well-being during this difficult year. Now, we’ve shifted focus to mental health and suicide awareness, and dedicated the issue in his name.…
A Pittsburgher on her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, and how we need to help others
I was in a good space last week, focused and motivated, and had been steadily plugging away at various projects. Since then, my mood has completely shifted. As I type this, I haven’t yet been able to get out of bed or shower. I ate only because my newest medication, the seventh one I’ve tried…
Pittsburgh organizations and nonprofits respond to LGBTQ mental health crisis
The last four years have taken their toll on the mental health of LGBTQ people in the United States. There have been ups and downs. LGBTQ people received workplace protections thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the Trump administration has also rolled back federal health care protections for trans people, banned trans Americans from…
Three ways to help your neighbors during the pandemic
With social-distancing guidelines and quarantine restrictions limiting in-person interactions during the pandemic, those with mental health issues are often left isolated, without the peer support that can be helpful to get them through a rough patch. Below are three ways you can reach out and help your Pittsburgh neighbors, who might be in need of…
Atmosphere is star at Coop de Ville
Coop de Ville was one of Pittsburgh’s most anticipated restaurant openings. The latest concept from the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group — a “Southern table” featuring a full arcade, duckpin bowling, champagne vending machine, and full coffee bar — was first presented to the city in 2017, with a projected opening date in 2018. Two years…
Ask the expert: Tips for finding a good therapist
If there’s one positive thing that has come from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s that Americans are realizing the importance of mental health. More and more people have started going to therapy, and there are likely many others who would like to start but don’t know where to begin. Pittsburgh City Paper chatted with Elizabeth Geandreau,…
Ways to help Pittsburgh homeless shelters during the pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has been hard on the entire country, especially for those experiencing homelessness. The loss of income related to the pandemic has led to increases in homeless populations across the country, and social-distancing requirements have made it difficult to house large groups of people together. In pre-pandemic times, those experiencing homelessness might have…
How to grieve in a pandemic
Back in March, when the pandemic first spread across the U.S., we all knew this would be a year unlike any other. But what we didn’t know, or were maybe in denial of, was how much 2020 would be shaped by grief. Grief over the hundreds of thousands dead. Grief over losing jobs and homes,…
Seven Days of Arts and Entertainment: Nov. 19-25
Thu., Nov. 19 Thanksgiving The holidays look different this year, and celebrating Thanksgiving with friends is more important than ever, especially when you might not be able to visit family. Join Spirit for their Friendsgiving dinner on the restaurant’s heated, outdoor patio. The meal features classics like cranberry sauce and mac and cheese, plus a…
Seven Days of Music: Nov. 19-25
Thu., Nov. 19 (IRL) Third Thursday Bluegrass. 8-10:30 p.m. Hop Farm Brewing Company, 5601 Butler St., Lawrenceville. Free. facebook.com/HopFarmBrewing Third Thursday Bluegrass at Hop Farm Brewing is back. Join the urban farmhouse brewery and brew pub for two sets of local music and great food (if you’re going to enjoy their craft beers). Fri., Nov.…
How to help those contemplating suicide and keep them safe
Mental health officials are understandably worried about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting American’s mental health. During a week in late June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the virus had already caused a higher number of mental health conditions in U.S. adults. Experts predicted that the pandemic would exacerbate mental health…
1Hood Media has a new podcast out about helping Black Pittsburghers address mental health issues and healing
Julius Boatwright of the Black mental health support group Steel Smiling is optimistic about the state of Black mental health. He says that his organization has been growing over the last five years, and many clients are expressing excitement about seeking out mental health support, despite what was widely believed as an historical aversion to…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY: Nov. 19-25
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To convey the spirit of the coming weeks, I’m offering you wisdom from two women who were wise about the art of slow and steady progress. First, here’s author Iris Murdoch: “One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats, and if some of these can be inexpensive…
