Issue 4 by BOLD Pittsburgh

Issue 4

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter When Love Preaviled

These are extraordinary times. The breathtaking-and long overdue--history that is unfolding, literally, in our backyard is a human rights triumph that we, as witnesses, will remember for a lifetime.

Pennsylvania has become the 19th state to go rainbow and legalize gay marriage. We at BOLD are proud supporters of the LGBTQIAA community. We have a tradition of participating in Pride Weekend, a spectacular (and stylish!) display of human solidarity. It has been both thrilling and inspiring to watch our friends and neighbors gain the right that they have been denied for so long.

While we know that equality has not yet been fully secured, we will continue to stand with our sisters and brothers as the chains of bigotry and inequality are severed. Much work remains; until children are not bullied or castigated for being their true selves and young adults feel no need to hide their sexuality, there are walls of injustice that remain in tact. The journey toward equality has not ended, but we can be celebrate this joyful victory, in this shining hour. Even years from now, we will revel in the triumph of this precious, jubilant moment in history when love prevailed. ~Jen

Interested in advertising in BOLD Pittsburgh? We have Media Kits available. If you are interested in us reviewing your restaurant or event or would like us to plug your event contact us. We are always looking for contributors and artists to help out.

BOLD Pittsburgh

Contributors Amanda Narcisi Chief Editor Layout Designer @alnarcisi Amanda Cooney Co-Editor Writer @spots87 Jen Pizzuto Co-Editor Writer @snark_princess Steven Fernald Editor Support Food Master @stevenfernald Annie Foowler Co-Editor Writer

Contents

Artist Profile

4~Bam, Jam, Thank You Ma’am-AdventureGirl Checks out Roller Derby 8~Hitchhiker Brewery-Breweries are popping up everywhere 12~Dormont-Neighborhood

13~Food and Cocktails-Rosemary and Lemon Chicken with Lemon Drops 13~Burgh Grub-Biddles for Brunch 13~Ask Snarky-

Cover Art by Joe Thompson Artist Profile:

Joe Thompson – Artist/Tattooer

When did you realize you wanted to be an artist/tattoo artist? I’ve been a drawer as long as I can remember. My uncles were both in the service and had tattoos; those were probably the first tattoos I ever saw. But I didn’t really get bit by the tattoo bug until I got my first one when I was 18. Watching the guy work was amazing. He made it look easy. The vibe of the shop was really fun, with lots of good art going on around me. That’s when it hit me that this was something I could do for a living. What is your favorite medium? Aside from decorating people, I enjoy painting on paper, primarily with watercolor and gouache paint. How long have you been tattooing? I made my first permanent mark on myself in 2005 in my friend’s bedroom. I got into a shop the next year and officially started tattooing customers in 2007. What artists do you look up to? Ed Hardy, Bob Roberts, and Mike Malone. What is your favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh? Eat good food, watch the Pirates play, and check out the birds at the Aviary.

More of Joe: @tattooerjoe - Twitter & Instagram imaketattoos.com - web

BOLD Pittsburgh

Adventureburgh

BOLD Pittsburgh

July 2014

Bam, Jam, Thank You Maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;am

Adventureburgh

July 2014

By: Amanda Cooney In the North Hills of Pittsburgh lies a hidden gem; one of talent, beauty, brains, and most of all brawn. I had heard tales of what goes on off of Route 8 in Glenshaw, but up until a month ago I hadn’t witnessed it for myself. I am talking about Steel City Roller Derby. Back at the beginning of the year I saw a flyer in Lawrenceville for upcoming roller derby bouts. A few of my friends and I had always talked about going to one, but we never got around to it. I decided then and there to make it a point to go and witness this energetic, hard-hitting sport. Before I went, I decided to do a little research on this organization. Steel City Roller Derby (SCRD) was formed about a decade ago and is a part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) – a national league of derby teams. Three of the five teams that make up SCRD are intra-league teams that play each other: The Mon Monsters, The Penn Bruisers, and The Allegheny Avengers. The Steel Beamers and Steel Hurtin’ are the JV and Varsity teams that play against other WFTDA teams. All home games are played at Romp N’ Roll which is located at 1661 E. Sutter Rd. in Glenshaw. Amanda N. and I arrived early to meet Daley Dose, SCRD’s Public Relation’s person and a member of the Steel Beamers. Daley welcomed us and then we went to our seats as the skaters were warming up. People

started pouring into the rink as the bout was about to begin. I knew a little about the rules of the game, but just to be sure, I flipped through the program to get the basics: each team has 5 skaters on the track at a time: 1 jammer and 4 blockers. The jammer can be identified by the star on their helmet. Their job is to pass the opposing team’s blockers in order to score points; the first jammer to achieve this is the lead jammer and they have the ability to call off the jam. After the jammers make the initial pass, with every opposing blocker they pass they are awarded one point. The evening started just as all other sporting events do with the singing of the national anthem and the announcement of the lineups. Each bout consists of two 30 minute periods and can have an unlimited number of jams. The first bout was between Steel Beamers and Dutchland Blitz from Lancaster, PA. The room was alive and full of energy as the game began. The skaters were extremely skilled and extraordinary; the games were intense and exciting – just as I had expected. The competition was fierce! The game was so intense and fast paced that the next thing I knew, the first bout was over and the Beamers came out on top with a score of 239 vs. Dutchland’s score of 94. BOLD Pittsburgh

Feature Steel Hurtin’ was up next to take on Low Country High Rollers who came from Charleston, SC. I could tell instantly that the home team was superior to the competition. Steel Hurtin’s jammers did circles around the opposing team’s blockers and by halftime the score was 170–1 with Steel Hurtin’ coming out on top. After a brief intermission, the game commenced and Low Country High Rollers tried to make a comeback, however it wasn’t enough and the bout resulted in Steel Hurtin’ 363; Low Country High Rollers, 25. The bout intrigued me, but I wanted to know more about the skaters and what they do so I arranged to attend a practice session. As soon as I stepped in the rink at practice, I could immediately tell that the skaters and coaching staff were very close-knit and supportive. Everyone was gearing and warming up while chatting about how their day had been and other things that were going on in their lives. In between drills, I had the opportunity to talk to some of the skaters and asked them about their involvement with the team. Armed with a few questions, I was able to get some insightful information from captain Jenny Crash, co-captain Eradikate, and skater coach BB Basher from the Steel Beamers as well as Smel U and River Kyx – Steel Hurtin’s captain and co-captain. Their answers were all unique, however, when I asked what their favorite part of being with SCRD, their answers were consistently related to the comradery and bond that they have with their teammates. Here is a selection of some of the other questions I asked and their answers: Adventure Girl: What made you want to get involved in roller derby? BB Basher: I am one of the founding members of SCRD. A few years ago I saw a series on A&E called Roller Girls and I wanted to form a league in Pittsburgh. River Kyx: I saw a bout in Virginia and decided to join the Pittsburgh chapter. Smel U: I was in a wreck league in Ohio and moved to Pittsburgh. I was looking for something to do and I joined SCRD 6

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July 2014

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July 2014 AG: What kind of training did you do to prepare for tryouts? Jenny Crash: I did some cross training, bio-metrics, and outdoor skating to prepare physically. You also have to mentally prepare for tryouts. Eradikate: I worked in a rink when I was in high school and the only thing I did to prepare for tryouts was skate the week before. AG: Do you have any players you look up to – past or present? BB Basher: Smarty Pants, who was featured in the series Roller Girls, and Jackie Daniels Smel U: J-Bomb was my mentor. She taught us to use our body as and advantage River Kyx: The new meat class always inspires me. Seeing their hard work and determination is great.

As soon as I stepped in the rink at practice, I could immediately tell that the skaters and coaching staff were very close-knit and supportive.

AG: How did you come up with your skater name? Jenny Crash: My name is Jenny and I work in auto collision. Also, I love Johnny Cash! Eradikate: I was working at the Heinz History Center and a co-worker came up with it and it kinda stuck. BB Basher: I love alliteration and it sounds tough. River Kyx: It is a combination of my love for paddling, kayaking, and swimming as well as my Greek heritage. Also, River Tam was a character on the series Firefly. Smel U: I am known as Auntie Smel by my nieces and also my skater numbers are L8R.

Roller derby is truly a sport that you have to experience in person to get the full effect. The talent that these women possess is outstanding and incredible; their personalities are even more exceptional. You won’t get an experience like this anywhere else in Pittsburgh. I highly suggest going to at least one bout if not all of them – you will not be disappointed. To learn more about Steel City Roller Derby, visit SteelCityRollerDerby.org and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Do you have a fun adventure for us to take? Let us know @ Boldpittsburgh@gmail.com BOLD Pittsburgh

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BOLD Pittsburgh

July 2014

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July 2014

By: Annie Fowler

BOLD Pittsburgh

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Gary Olden, founder and president of

Hitchhiker Brewing Company says to me, ‘You don’t have a beer in your hand.’ The statement was true. That night I had held six different beers in my hand but he caught me in a moment of professional squalor. I had no beer. Before I could embarrass myself with a number of unacceptable excuses for my lack of beer-in-hand, Gary hands me a Kölsch Chrome from the tap and leads me down white painted steps toward the brewery. He shows me the brew kettles first, which he introduces in a very Vanna White, you’re winning type of way. The brewery has six fermenters, situated in front of an almost impossible amount of grain. Bags upon bags of grain lay by the fermenters, sourced from all over the world and on-hand in amounts that promise the possibility of, well, possibility. All of the grain used in the beer are crushed in-house by a grain mill that Gary Olden made himself. The basement smells heavenly. It smells of beer. It also sounds like it should, the sounds coming from the brew pub upstairs are precisely perfect: friends meeting, couples flirting, and people generally just being themselves after a day in ties, uniforms, skirts, and agreeable head-nods at work. These people are now here, drinking beer. Some are still dressed for work, some had changed their clothes, but they are now able to be who they are, with each other, over incredible beer. That particular sound is beautiful and is muffled by the basement ceiling which renews it to a musical hum. I have to assume that beer brews better around a hum like that, one whole noise with distinctly different voices. You can taste it in the beers, it became clear to me that each beer I tried that night did not just have a unique taste, but a personality. There is a wall of taps surrounded by the bar. When the bartender asked what I would like, the answer felt obvious, ‘All of them.’ My favorite beer at Hitchhiker is the Sunveld Wit Bier, an unfiltered Belgian beer. It tastes almost floral with bright citrus flavors that are incredibly refreshing without being too light. The citrus and the coriander flavor in the beer pair nicely and give this beer an incredibly clean finish. The beer 10 BOLD Pittsburgh

July 2014 has a subtle wheat flavor that seems to taunt my idea of what a wheat beer is but confirms what it should be. The beer also has an almost spicy taste to it as well which gives it this distinctly seductive yet sophisticated character. When I say that the beers have ‘personality’, I mean it. This beer is sexy. Audrey Hepburn in a tighter dress. Try it, you’ll understand. The Belgian Pale is an example of Belgian beer the way God intended (only minus the being in Belgium part). The taste is generally what you would expect from this type of beer. It is a no-frills, high alcohol, Belgian pale that is, hands-down, tastier than any other Belgian pale that I’ve had in these United States. Bold claim? Try it for yourself. The Soles Farmhouse Saison is definitely something that should be tasted at Hitchhiker. It is a relatively light, Belgian ale with a unique juniper flavor. The beer smells incredible with citrus and even spicy aromas. It is a unique beer that is a customer favorite in the brewery. This beer would pair very well with fish, greens, and other summer fare. Pick up a growler of it and enjoy. You (probably) deserve it. The Cobblestone Kölsch is another favorite of mine. It is an easy, crisp beer that is light and pleasing. It has summery fruit aromas and would be great for a hot summer evening cook out. As with a lot of German-style beers, this would be nicely paired with cheese and meats and, well, pretty much anything else you want to throw on your grill. The Kölsch Chrome is the human equivalent of your hot girlfriend’s hotter sister. It has a refreshing and botanical taste without being overwhelming. It is grassy and natural and has a hoppier flavor than most other Kölsch-style beers. Give it a try, just don’t tell the other beers you have at home. Finally, the Oatmeal brown is an incredibly smooth beer for those who would prefer a dark beer in the summer (I’m with yinz). It is very well balanced and has a welcome malty sweetness that satisfies in a way that keeps you drinking it slowly. This is a year-round beer that is made for relaxation. Stick a straw in that growler and get in the bathtub, it’s been a rough week. Beer is the main event at Hitchhiker but if you find

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July 2014

that you would like a bite to eat with your beer, order the local cheese and meat board. The local cheese and meat board will pair with any beer you try and is sourced from Parma in the Strip District, Clover Creek Cheese Cellar in Williamsburg, PA, and comes with a baguette from Sanchioli Brothers. If you order anything to eat, order this first. Still hungry? Get the hummus and pita plate which comes with hops infused olives, get a hot dog with Hitchhiker’s relish, try the beef jerky from DJ’s Butcher Block in Bloomfield, or get house-made spiced beer nuts. Also if you are feeling slightly less than sober, try some of their ginger ale. The ginger ale is brewed in-house like the beer and is worth a pint full of a try. If you are more in the mood to take home some wine or try some cider, Hitchhiker has that covered as well. Grab a bottle made by R-Winery or have some Arsenal Cider. Pittsburghers take care of their own. Hitchhiker Brewing Company is located at 190 Castle Shannon Boulevard, Pittsburgh PA 15228. The name of the brewery was inspired by the idea of people coming from all walks of life meeting to enjoy good beer. Be a part of that vision at Hitchhiker Brewing Company.

Hitchhiker Brewing Co. 190 Castle Shannon Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15228 412-343-1950 hitchhikerbrewing.com Hours: Mon & Tues:Closed • Wed & Thurs: 3-11 • Fri & Sat: 12-11 • Sun: 12-6 For complete Menu and Tap check out Website, Facebook, or Twitter BOLD Pittsburgh 11

BOLDNieghborhood

DORMONT By: Amanda Narcisi

Between the city and suburbia lie a lot of ador-

able towns filled with food, bars, and entertainment. Dormont is one of those places. Although West Liberty Ave takes you through the heart of it and it is littered with empty storefronts, the ones that are occupied are the ones that count. Dormont has seen many of its businesses resurrected for example the Hollywood Theatre. The Hollywood, located on Potomac Ave, was closed for many years, but now people pack the single-screen theatre for a lot of their events including the famed Rocky Horror Night. Along Potomac Ave, you can also find a yoga studio (Sterling Yoga and Wellness), a pool hall (Breakers), and TWO pizza places (Molly’s and Campiti’s). As for dessert there is a frozen yogurt shop and Knossos Gyros has ice cream. If you do go to Knossos I recommend eating there and trying their culinary masterpiece, the pierogie Gyro. If you are not in the mood for pizza or pub food Mekong is an awesome Chinese food restaurant. Mekong is family owned and operated it offers dine in, take out, and delivery for all favorite dishes. Featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives is the Dor-Stop. This breakfast and lunch small restaurant packs a huge crown every weekend. They are only open til 3 and I highly recommend going during the week to avoid a wait. It is great for breakfast. The French toast is incredible and, while it may be packed and you may need to wait for seating or food, it will not disappoint. The famed Potomac Bakery also calls Dormont home. If you are walking down Potomac late at night you can smell the donuts baking. In fact if you are on Banksville Rd. and the wind

12 BOLD Pittsburgh

July 2014 is just right, you can smell them there too. Their cannoli and cakes are known all over the city and their brownies and cookies are amazing, but the donuts are the top. West Liberty Ave has its own hidden gems, but it is best known for its selection of bars. Littered with dive bars, you can start in Mt. Lebo and hit more than ten bars before you get to Eat n’ Park. None of them are huge or well known unless you are a local. Everyone has there favorite and these are the bars where everyone knows your name. Along West Liberty there are a few other things to see. If you like shopping for an interesting gift or beautiful eccentric jewelry Moonstones is a great place. Dormont Florist is next store for beautiful arrangements and Dormont Appliance is across from the Eat n Park and has been there forever. There are more shops along the road: Anne Gregory for the Bride, The Exchange, as well as Adam and Eve. If you are hungry after your bar crawl and want to go to a local diner, you can stop in at Tom’s Diner; they are open 24 hours. It is packed after the bars close and in the mornings; their pancakes are marvelous. Attached to Tom’s is a bottle shop that is the perfect place to take home a mixed sixer of craft beer. You can find a lot of beers you have never seen before and find your favorite seasonal. If you need to take home something other than beer, the Wine and Spirit store is in the plaza next door. Nights are fun in Dormont and there is plenty to do. If you live there, you appreciate it more, but being on the T line it is a great place just to explore.

Food and Cocktails

July 2014

Lemon and Rosemary Chicken My girlfriend and I had a night off together and

that meant that I once again manned the kitchen. This time I made a lemon and rosemary chicken. First I got a zip lock bag and added chopped garlic, fresh rosemary, olive oil and lemon juice with two chicken breasts. All the seasoning is to taste and enough coat the chicken completely. I swished them around in the bag until they were well covered. Bake the chicken with a few slices of lemon on them. I then placed them on a broiler pan and baked them at 400 degree for about 30 minutes. When finished squeeze the juice of a half lemon over top and place on plate. Before I started to make a complete dinner, I made potatoes. This is so they are finished at the same time. I have already made them for the last issue, but in case you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read it they were Roasted Red Skins with garlic and rosemary with a drizzle of honey (which take 40 minutes ). Also if you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t figured it out by now, I love Garlic. Pour a nice glass of Cabernet and enjoy this simple but nice meal at home.

Lemon Drop 1/2 oz vodka 1/2 oz lemon juice 1 sugar cube

Add sugar to the rim of an old-fashioned glass, and drop a cube or packet of sugar into the bottom of the glass. Pour vodka and lemon juice into a stainless steel shaker over ice, and shake until completely cold. Pour into the prepared old-fashioned glass, and serve.

By: Steven Fernald BOLD Pittsburgh 13

Burgh Grub Bunch has become a trendy summertime Sunday staple here in the Burgh--and because I’m always trying to sit with the cool kids, I’ve decided to feature some of the best brunch locales out there. This month’s feature: Biddle’s Escape.

Biddle’s Escape is Regent Square’s best-kept secret. The Sunday Brunch costs less than $10 and is freshly prepared upon order. And they have *good* stuff. A typical brunch at Biddle’s might consist of smoked salmon and cream cheese spread on a crunchy bagel, accompanied by a spring greens salad and a huge mug of coffee or tea. (Also worth noting: Biddles never forgets our vegetarian friends--tofu is always an alternative when eggs are featured on the menu.)

And let’s not forget the entertainment. Biddle’s has featured everything from exotic musicians to pinball tournaments, turning lazy Sunday mornings into exciting, can’t miss adventures. Adding to the atmosphere is the unique ambiance of the building itself; from the eclectic, brightly colored exterior to the array of tribal masks and delicate jewelry crafted by local artists, Biddle’s packs a stimulating environment as well as a thrilling, taste bud pleasing menu. For those seeking a more laid back, easy groove, the patio is an ideal place to enjoy the morning sunshine and Sunday Times. Biddle’s is a perfect starter for those who are new to the brunch scene, or are looking for a fresh way in which to spend a coveted Sunday morning. The low down:

Biddle’s Escape 401 Biddle Avenue Regent Square

Brunch times: Sundays, 9am-noon

Menu/prices: vary by week.

The Snark Box has been overflowing with tales of drunken summer escapades. I’m so proud of your epic adventures, friends. Bold readers have been grabbing summer by the hair and making it beg for mercy--and we haven’t even reached the Fourth of July yet. While we’re acting all “carpe diem” about our precious warm weather, I’ve noticed an alarming trend that desperately needs to be addressed. It’s a topic that isn’t discussed much within the general discourse of society, though, given the pervasive confusion about it, it should be. I’m referring, of course, to “those blurred lines” of consent. Consent, or the act of giving approval, has slightly varying meanings as dictated by situation. The consent that I’m addressing is that of the drunken, sexual type--the stuff of after-school movies. Consent is not hard to understand, friends. Here’s the litmus test: if your partner is too drunk/ high to drive a car (or a bike or a scooter) she/he cannot give consent. Period. And to what, exactly, is this hot mess NOT consenting? Sex jumps to my mind immediately (as it usually does), but this also includes taking drugs. Don’t offer drugs to someone who is stumbling and stupid. Just don’t do it, unless cleaning disgusting messes is your thing. This person can’t make judge the consequences of taking drugs and is not making an informed, safe decision. Let me reiterate: a person who is too drunk to safely provide her or his own transportation cannot, cannot, canNOT consent...to anything. Don’t act like Robin Thicke and assume you know that your partner “wants it.” The lines of consent are not blurry: a sober “yes” is ok; a drunken, slurred “@+€{!#%*&$”...not so much. Is this something that one or both or you could have even the smallest possibility of regretting in the morning? Then it’s probably a bad idea. We need to be taking care of each other, not taking advantage of those who are vulnerable. Also, sex is much better sober. Just sayin.’

Snark_princess is always looking to help. By: Jen Pizzuto Have a story or a question? Life, Love or carreer? Ask Snark @ Boldpittsburgh.gmail.com

Check website for further info: biddlesescape.com 14 BOLD Pittsburgh

Dear Snarky,

July 2014