April 22, 2020 - Pittsburgh City Paper

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APRIL 22-29, 2020

20 Reasons to Keep

Smiling

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APRIL 22-29, 2020 VOLUME 29 + ISSUE 17 Editor-In-Chief LISA CUNNINGHAM Director of Advertising JASMINE HUGHES Director of Operations KEVIN SHEPHERD Managing Editor ALEX GORDON News Editor RYAN DETO Senior Writer AMANDA WALTZ Staff Writers HANNAH LYNN, JORDAN SNOWDEN Photographer/Videographer JARED WICKERHAM Digital Media Manager JOSH OSWALD Editorial Designer ABBIE ADAMS Graphic Designers JOSIE NORTON, JEFF SCHRECKENGOST Events and Sponsorship Manager BLAKE LEWIS Senior Account Executive KAITLIN OLIVER Sales Representative ZACK DURKIN Operations Coordinator MAGGIE WEAVER Events and Marketing Coordinator BRYER BLUMENSCHEIN Business Manager JUSTIN MATASE Circulation Manager JEFF ENGBARTH Featured Contributors REGE BEHE, LYNN CULLEN, TERENEH IDIA, CHARLES ROSENBLUM, JESSIE SAGE Intern OLLIE GRATZINGER National Advertising Representative VMG ADVERTISING 1.888.278.9866 OR 1.212.475.2529 Publisher EAGLE MEDIA CORP.

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COVER ARTWORK OF HANDMADE PAPER FLOWERS: ABBIE ADAMS READ THE STORY ON PAGE 4

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

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THE BIG STORY

20 REASONS TO

Keep Smiling

BY CP STAFF // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

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HE FIRST DAY OF SPRING came and passed without much fanfare on March 19,

just as the coronavirus pandemic really began making itself known in our city, bringing with it months of canceled events and general uncertainty. Here at Pittsburgh City Paper, we were left with little choice but to cancel our annual Spring Guide last month, as stories of COVID-19 replaced our planned features on concerts, gallery openings, theater performances, and so many more offerings by Pittsburgh’s amazing arts and culture organizations.

In the past month, our city has seen incredible losses and challenges as we’ve tried to adjust to our new normal. After weeks in quarantine during the state’s stay-at-home order, or traveling to and from essential jobs, Pittsburghers have faced immeasurable amounts of stress and fears of the unknown. But even during the pandemic, there are still reasons to keep smiling: flowers are starting to bloom, sunlight is sticking around a little longer, and there are a huge number of people doing amazing things to help their communities get through these hard times. Yes, times are tough and we still have a long way to go, but to help readers find reasons to keep going, we’ve compiled a list of some of the things that have brought us joy in recent weeks.

We’d love to hear yours.

CP ARTWORK OF HAND-SCULPTED PAPER FLOWERS: ABBIE ADAMS

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CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Jena-Anne Sabon, an organizer of #LoveFromPGH, stands atop Mt. Washington with a lighted heart and a decorated jacket during “Illumination-Ovation” on Tue., April 7.

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#LoveFromPGH

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Tour Art Galleries Online

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For the first time ever, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (aacc-awc. org) has opened an online art gallery, taking visitors on a virtual tour of exhibits Vanishing Black Bars & Lounges by New Orleans photographer L. Kasimu Harris and I came by Boat so Meet me at the

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#Respect4Rachel

Tired of listening to nonsensical briefings from our country’s belligerent leader? Tune in instead to Pennsylvania’s daily COVID-19 virtual press conferences, featuring intelligent and informative updates from Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. Listening to her tell us to “stay home, stay calm, and stay safe” is like having our BFF tell us horrible news in a really kind way that makes us feel like everything just might end up being OK. And, as a trans woman, Levine is a pretty great role model for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians and has inspired the #Respect4Rachel hashtag on Twitter, full of encouraging words from others appreciating her wisdom. Live streaming weekdays. governor.pa.gov/live or facebook.com/pennsylvaniadepartmentofhealth

People in cities around the world have been gathering on balconies and porches for nightly salutes to health care workers on the frontlines of the pandemic. (Search “NYC cheers essential workers” on YouTube for some major feel-good vibes.)

Over the past few weeks in Pittsburgh, a local group joined in on the trend with an “illumination ovation,” using the hashtag #LoveFromPGH. While it didn’t gather the crowds in larger cities like New York City, the Downtown skyline was lit up in support of local essential workers, including a beautiful can’t-miss, heart-shaped array of lights made from windows on the Reed Smith building. facebook.com/ lovefrompittsburgh PHOTO: DAVE RULLO

Dormont CoronaChoir member Kim Rullo models the group’s T-shirt.

Beach by Ayana M. Evans and Tsedaye Makonnen.

The museum joins other local galleries offering online services, including The Carnegie Museum of Art (cmoa.org), The Andy Warhol Museum (warhol. org), and The Mattress Factory (mattress.org/virtual).

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Porch Singalongs

After videos of Italian citizens singing from windows and balconies during quarantine went viral, the community-bonding trend has gained momentum across the world. Here in Pittsburgh, the most popular Porch Singalong title

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

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CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Julius Boatwright, founder and CEO of Steel Smiling

STEEL SMILING

BY ALEX GORDON ALEXGORDON@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

While there’s a lot of emphasis these days on maintaining physical health and monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19, there’s less attention given to staying healthy mentally. Steel Smiling, the local community mental health support group, is continuing its work during the pandemic with a series of digital mental health and wellness videos on Facebook.

Every Wednesday, Pittsburghers can tune in for a live presentation on mental health during the coronavirus from experts in the field, including licensed clinical social workers, doctors, and other members of the community. The videos touch on coping mechanisms, breathing exercises, emotional regulation, stress management, self-compassion, and balancing work and home life during quarantine.

In addition to the weekly presentations, Steel Smiling is teasing a new campaign that will launch on April 30 and coincide with the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Everyone should have at least one person to lean on when they need #MentalHealth support,” the organization posted to its Facebook page on April 16. “While we experience this pandemic, people are starting to acknowledge the significance of their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. In 14 days, we’re launching a movement that embraces this reality.”

For more information on the upcoming campaign or to get involved with Steel Smiling, visit SteelSmilingPGH.org. Tune in to its Facebook or Instagram pages to view the weekly presentations. •

CP PHOTO: LISA CUNNINGHAM

A stuffed animal looks out from the window on the North Side, part of a pandemic Bear Hunt.

belongs to the Dormont CoronaChoir whose members have been singing together from their porches, and over Zoom, every Sunday evening for the past five weeks. How serious are these singers?

The group has had custom T-shirts made, and songs are selected by vote on their Facebook page. But they still have a sense of humor. This week’s songs were by no other than Weird Al. Search “Dormont CoronaChoir on Facebook”

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star st ar started placing teddy bears in st stre ree e street-facing windows so that pare pa ren n can take kids for a “bear parents hunt hu nt,” ,” tturning daily walks into hunt,” a fun n ga game me of hide-and-go seek. Plus, in additi ion tto o sstuffed animals, some houseaddition hold ho ldss ha have ve a l started hanging up artwork holds also d d rainbows in their windows off h handmade to share additional joy to passersby.

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Digital Drag Brunch

Local performers are bringing some flair to a now-homebound meal with Digital Drag Brunches. Hosted by Pittsburgh drag queen Lola LeCroix, the weekly streaming events feature a variety of local drag acts dancing and lip-syncing as viewers eat and drink in the comfort of their own homes. Watch them perform live on LeCroix’s Instagram page, and be sure to tip! 12:30 p.m. on Sundays at Instagram.com/lola_lecroix

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Bear Hunts

In between juggling the new challenge of working from home and home-schooling their children, taking a walk through the neighborhood is often the only time of the day some parents are able to get their kids outside of the house.

To make those walks more enjoyable, city residents across the globe have

mourned their popular Western Avenue location. But three years later — during a global pandemic, no less — the familyand Black-owned restaurant is returning to its roots, opening a second satellite location back on the North Side. In a time when the food and drink industry is facing difficult times, seeing a business not only stay open for delivery and pickup but expanding to a second location is something worth celebrating … especially if you’ve tried the restaurant’s delicious shrimp and grits. South Side, carmisoulfood.com and North Side, carmiexpress.com

CT Hedden performs during Digital Drag Brunch.

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A Restaurant Expands

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When Carmi Soul Food first announced it was moving to the South Side in 2017, North Siders

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During this time, please limit travel to essential trips only.

PortAuthority.org

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

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GETTING HELP

BY ALEX GORDON ALEXGORDON@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

People with substance addictions face considerable challenges during coronavirus quarantines and stay-at-home orders, including heightened risk for withdrawal, intensifying triggers like anxiety and depression, and a lack of access to in-person support groups.

But there are still digital resources available to help people get through this tough time.

“By attending digital meetings, group members can focus on [Alcoholics Anonymous’] primary purpose: to carry its message of recovery to the alcoholic who still suffers,” reads a statement from AA. “Many groups have alerted local A.A. offices or hotlines if they are temporarily not meeting in their regular physical space. Some groups have shared that they are utilizing digital platforms such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, or conducting conference calls.”

To find an online meeting, you can go through AA’s or Narcotics Anonymous’ websites, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov), or you can contact your local meeting’s organizers directly.

Prevention Point Pittsburgh — a program that provides drug treatment, individualized risk-reduction counseling, health education, and other services to people who use drugs — is still operating in its normal capacity. For more information, go to pppgh.org.

For those without regular internet access, you can contact the Pittsburgh Central Office of AA at 412-471-7472 to help find support and other resources, or 412-391-5247 for the local NA office. •

CP PHOTO: JARED WICK WICKERHAM CKERHA ERHAM ERHA M

Curbside pickup at Page Dairy Mart

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Singing for Service Workers

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At the onset of pandemic and stay-at-home orders, instead of raising money for themselves, the members of Pittsburgh band Chalk Dinosaur released Service, an album dedicated to service industry workers who lost their income due to COVID-19 closures. All proceeds go to those workers in Pittsburgh, and as of April 10, the band raised almost $900. Plus, Chalk Dinosaur released another charity album, With You, two weeks later with 100% of the sales going to an employee relief fund for South Side music venue The Rex Theater. facebook.com/chalkdinosaur

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Virtual Campfires

Whether you miss hanging out with your homies over a roaring backyard fire or, like so many of us, you’re stuck in quarantine without any outdoor space of your own at all, the 3 Rivers Outdoor Company is here to bring you the sweet sizzling sounds of a community bonfire. On Friday nights, those with access to backyard fires are invited to broadcast live over Zoom to share the love with those without. Live musicians join in on the fun too, but

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unlike real life, the host has the ability to mute others from talking so you can actually hear the music. 8 p.m. on Fridays at 3riversoutdoor.com/events/ virtual-campire

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Draw At Home Club

Pittsburgh artist Ashley Olinger is inspiring others to create fun art from home during the pandemic with a #DrawAtHomeClub challenge. Every day this month, artists are invited to share a drawing on Instagram from Olinger’s list of 30 prompts including “fancy hat,” “last thing you bought,” and “book you’re reading.”

Lucky for all of us, Olinger has joined in on the fun too, with an Instagram

feed full of upbeat colors and adorable illustrations to brighten up any day. instagram.com/yeahyelhsa

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Page Dairy Mart is Open

For Pittsburghers with a sweet tooth, the yearly opening of Page Dairy Mart is often the unofficial kickoff of Spring.

While you can’t place an order at the service window during the pandemic, you can place orders online, pay with a credit card, and get your beloved treats delivered to your vehicle. Don’t have a car? You can also order through DoorDash and get arctic swirls delivered to your home. 12-8 p.m. pagedairymart.net CONTINUES ON PG. 10

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Stay connected while staying at home.

Whether you need to video-chat with your family and friends or just take a breather with your favorite HQWHUWDLQPHQW ;ϙQLW\ LV KHUH WR NHHS \RX FRQQHFWHG WR HYHU\WKLQJ \RX ORYH (QMR\ WKH ODUJHVW FROOHFWLRQ RI /*%74 VKRZV DQG PRYLHV SOXV IDVW UHOLDEOH ,QWHUQHW :HǺOO VHQG \RX D IUHH 6HOI ,QVWDOO .LW WR PDNH VHWXS TXLFN VDIH DQG HDV\ 1R WHFK YLVLW UHTXLUHG $QG RXU VLPSOH GLJLWDO WRROV ZLOO KHOS \RX PDQDJH \RXU DFFRXQW RQOLQH IURP WKH FRPIRUW RI \RXU KRPH Go to [ϙQLW\ FRP WR OHDUQ PRUH Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. © 2020 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA231268-0001 NED LG Q2 CVD V8

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4/6/20 PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

2:35 PM

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SERVICES Launching dental services in April, become a patient today!

Services are offered to everyone, regardless of identity, income, or insurance status.

• Full medical practice • Mental health services • Community health Navigator program • Transportation program • Food box program • Discounted pharmacy program • PrEP Clinic • Hepatitis C Clinic •HIV Clinic

CONTACT Proudly serving LGBT patients since 1999.

1789 S. Braddock Ave, #410 Pittsburgh, PA 15218 M Th F 8 AM - 4:30 PM Tu W 8 AM - 7:30 PM To make an appointment: (412) 247-2310

YMCA online workouts

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Comedy for Kids

Are your kids having a hard time being away from their friends and grandparents? They might need a good laugh! Arcade Comedy Theater is taking its popular Penny Arcade kids’ show online. Have your kids help inspire the show by helping them make a video question to send to the “Question Monster” or by filling out a fun online questionnaire before the show. 1 p.m. Sat., April 29 at arcadecomedytheater.com/pennyarcade

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Online Poetry Readings

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April is celebrated nationally as Poetry Month, and while physical bookstores are closed, many local shops are offering online sales which means you can get poetry delivered to your doorstep! But what’s really sure to bring a smile to local poetry fans are the daily live Poem of the Day readings

by City Books. One poem a day is posted

“Whole People, All People.” metrocommunityhealthcenter.org

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on Twitter and read by owner Arlan Hess and special guests, including Pittsburgh City Paper’s own Jordan Snowden who recently recorded a video of herself reading “To a Dark Girl” by Gwendolyn Bennett. twitter.com/citybookspgh

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$5 Caricatures

Who doesn’t smile when getting a caricature from a talented artist who’s able to turn anyone into a superhero with a twirl of his pen? Mt. Lebanon cartoonist Howard Bender, who has been drawing caricatures for over 30 years and who has lost a lot of recent business because of canceled events, is offering drawings of folks for only $5 during the pandemic.

You can schedule an appointment with the artist over Skype, or send him a photograph to reference if you’re purchasing a gift. It’s a hell of a deal for a memento from an artist who once drew Superman for Action Comics. howardbenderart.com

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Family Workouts

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is continuing its mission to help families in Pittsburgh by moving many of its great services online during the pandemic.

The YMCA’s new “YWithYou” series includes live group exercise activities, at-home instructional workout videos, live chats, and healthy recipes. Make a big bowl of bean dip as a reward for shaking your booties during a family barre class. pittsburghymca.org/ywithyou

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Feeding the Frontline

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Even though restaurants are struggling with lost business during the pandemic, it’s been inspiring to see local spots offering their services to help other essential workers.

Frontline Foods Pittsburgh, part of a national all-volunteer network, has been teaming up with local restaurants to feed frontline healthcare workers while also supporting the food and drink industry.

So far, the organization has helped serve over 412 meals, thanks to volunteers and donations. frontlinefoods.org/pittsburgh

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Home Dance Parties

Clubs may be closed because of the governor’s stay-at-home order, but Pittsburgh DJs are producing amazing digital sets from their homes, and you know what that

means: pajama dance parties! Selecta, a longtime local DJ who hosts Grand Groove Radio show on 91.3FM WYEP, has been known to spin records for up to nine hours on his Facebook page (facebook. com/jscoglietti). Another worth a look: Orlando “Buscrates” Marshall (twitch.tv/ buscrates) excels at curating the sweet sounds of old-school funk.

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CSAs are Coming

Community Supported Agriculture is one of our favorite ways to support local farmers and eat well during the summer and fall months. Start planning your meals now by subscribing to one of the many local options. We recommend checking out Ugly CSA, with produce from local farms and vendors that just looks a little rough around the edges, benefiting 412 Food Rescue’s mission of “keeping perfectly good food out of the waste stream.” 412foodrescue.org/ programs/ugly-csa

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Taking the Long Way Home

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Pittsburghers have the great privilege of still being able to take leisurely walks

during quarantine, which means plenty of opportunities for fresh air (or as much fresh air as you can get while breathing through a mask).

This is a great opportunity to venture off the beaten path and discover new trails close to home. City parks are still open as well, but seeing as how park usage has increased by 83% in Allegheny County, according to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, it’s a good reminder to continue to practice social distancing if you do come across others also out searching for new adventures. pittsburghparks.org

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Free eBooks and Movies

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Did you know you can still apply for a library card during the pandemic? Physical locations might be closed, but kids and adults alike can still choose from a huge collection of online materials from the Carnegie Libraries of Pittsburgh, including eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming movies. Plus, if you borrowed a book before the pandemic and are worried about late fees, here’s something sure to make you smile: All late fees are currently suspended. carnegielibrary.org

JENSORENSEN

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“Pittsburgh City Paper is always a crucial part of our messaging for clients and a true voice for our city. As a marketer, I can tell you that their audience is one of the most responsive in the market.

In addition to tackling tough subjects, they showcase artists and musicians in a time when the press pool to promote and showcase on the arts is rapidly and dismally dwindling. They’ve stayed steady and never wavered on their commitment to solutions and coverage for small businesses. The best part about City Paper? THE PEOPLE. I know it sounds corny, but they show up and they care.”

— Eileen French Jordan, Revive Marketing Group

NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM by signing up for a Pittsburgh City Paper membership at pghcitypaper.com

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

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.NEWS.

SICK DAYS

either front load their paid sick time to employees upon enactment of the law, or employees who have been with the employer for 90 days or more will start accruing sick time after the law is put into effect.

According to the legislation, the county paid sick leave law would go into effect immediately if passed and signed by Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

Labor advocates who worked on the city law and are assisting on the county bill are confident the county legislation will pass and won’t face any legal hurdles.

“We think the county has the same latitude as the city,” says Sam Williamson, the Western Pennsylvania director of the Service Employees International Union. “It should be less controversial for the county to adopt it than the city.”

A large portion of the county’s workforce is employed by organizations and businesses within the city, which already grants paid sick days thanks to the city law. Williamson said the city law gave paid sick days to about 50,000 workers and he estimates that a countywide law would provide sick days to even more workers. Retailers, grocery stores, large companies, and restaurant chains that don’t already provide paid sick days up to the law’s standards will be forced to do so.

Allegheny County Councilors introduce countywide paid sick-leave legislation

BY RYAN DETO RYANDETO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

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HE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC has done more than just placed dozens of countries under lockdown and taken over 150,000 lives; it has laid bare the necessity of many social services and labor protections some Americans might take for granted.

For example, despite that many grocery store and food service workers have been deemed essential, at least rhetorically, many don’t have paid sick days to use during the global pandemic.

This week, Allegheny County Council is taking steps to ensure many of those workers don’t get left behind. On April 20, the “Paid Sick Days Act” was introduced into county council and if passed, it would require all employers in Allegheny County to provide paid sick days to employees.

The bill was introduced by county councilors Pat Catena (D-Carnegie), Bethany Hallam (D-Ross), and Antia Prizio (D-O’Hara). It was modeled after the city of Pittsburgh’s paid sick days ordinance that was passed in 2015 and was upheld by the state Supreme Court last year. The city law went into effect on March 15.

Catena, who serves as council president, indicated that he will send the bill to the Health and Human Services Committee and said in a statement that this bill shows the importance the county places on public health. Prizio concurred and highlighted the immediate need for workers to be granted paid sick time given the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Paid sick leave leads to an increase in employee productivity, improved employee morale, reduces turnover and strengthens loyalty, so passing this ordinance is a no-brainer,” says Hallam.

If passed, private employers in the county would be required to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours an employee works. Employers with 15 workers or more have to offer up to 40 hours of paid sick time, and employers with fewer than 15 workers are required to offer up to 24 hours of paid sick time.

Like the city law, employers can

“PAID SICK LEAVE LEADS TO AN INCREASE IN EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVED EMPLOYEE MORALE, REDUCES TURNOVER AND STRENGTHENS LOYALTY ...”

“Without paid sick days, the public health crises would be worse,” says Williamson. He added that part of the argument to uphold the city legislation was a study showing that jurisdiction with paid sick time laws had better public health outcomes during the H1N1 epidemic than jurisdictions without paid sick time laws.

“At this moment in time, I would dare any business to sue the county, and make the argument publicly to not provide paid sick days for workers.”

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Follow senior writer Ryan Deto on Twitter @RyanDeto

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ORE READ M ROM F S E PROFIL NTINE A R A U Q at

PHOTO: SHAMAAL BLOODMAN

paper pghcitym .co

.PEOPLE.

(AWAY FROM) HOME WITH: BENJI.

BY ALEX GORDON // ALEXGORDON@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

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CCLAIMED HIP-HOP ARTIST Benji. has been, like

the rest of us, quarantined for weeks. Only in his case, he’s more than 650 miles from home, staying in a studio in Atlanta, Ga. CP spoke to Benji. about the surreal challenges of life in quarantine away from home.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN ATLANTA? WHAT BROUGHT YOU THERE? I’ve been in Atlanta since March 13, so pretty much a full month. I flew out here to help with a collaborative album for a collective called Spillage Village.

WHAT’S A FOOD/DISH/RESTAURANT IN ATLANTA THAT’S BROUGHT YOU COMFORT WHILE YOU’RE THERE? American Deli for sure. There was also a Jamaican spot we ordered from that I can’t remember the name of, but it changed my life. We have the fortunate privilege of having very talented hands in the kitchen with us during quarantine so it’s very comfortable over here.

WHAT’S YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ROUTINE LIKE NOW? It’s pretty free and open honestly. It’s not much different from when I was back home just because I’ve always been a homebody kind of guy and just went with the flow of the day. But since being out here every day, I’ve just been building better habits with my time. We spend time with ourselves early in the day, meditating, reflecting, etc., then we all come together at some point in the afternoon and fellowship, eat, play Monopoly and other games, then it’s usually work-mode after that.

WHAT PIECE OF ART/FILM/COMIC/BOOK/TV/MUSIC IS BRINGING YOU COMFORT/INSPIRATION AT THIS TIME? I’ve been listening to Thundercat’s new album It Is What

It Is like crazy. We’ve been hooked on Ozark; the movie The Gentleman is great too.

WHAT’S AN OBJECT THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOU THAT HAS PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE TO YOU THESE DAYS? I have a bracelet that was gifted to me from a fan after we performed in San Louis Obispo, Calif., on the Earthgang tour. It was for good luck. I’ve worn it on my left wrist every day since then.

JUDGING FROM YOUR TWEETS, YOU’RE STILL CREATING. WHAT’S THAT PROCESS LIKE AWAY FROM YOUR HOME BASE? Nothing is ever forced. We’ve made some crazy songs from scratch with 10 to 15 people in the studio, no egos, just making great music and bouncing ideas back and forth. Some sessions are more isolated (especially with quarantine). I’m able to engineer my own sessions so my workflow doesn’t really change other than the fact I have way better equipment at my disposal than what I have at home. A lot of beautiful music will come from this house when it’s all said and done.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO DO WHEN YOU GET HOME? Play with my dog Izzy, be around my friends and family again provided that it’s safe to do so. Swan dive into some wings from Streets On Carson or mac & cheese from Soul & Sea. Overall though I’m definitely still just gonna be in the house creating and staying ready because by the time I’m able to go home, some pretty big things will be underway and I’m very excited about that.

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Follow managing editor Alex Gordon on Twitter @shmalexgordon PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

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.FOOD.

WHAT ARE PITTSBURGHERS EATING DURING QUARANTINE?

BY MAGGIE WEAVER MWEAVER@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

Last month, I sent an SOS text to my mom: “Help! I need dinner ideas.”

With the Stay-at-Home order in place, I (along with many other people) have had to confront the fact that my cooking skills are miserable.

But thanks to many Instagram stories, I also know that being stuck at home has turned many people into gourmet at-home chefs. So, I’ve posed the question: What are you cooking during quarantine?

This collection of recipes, snacks, and bad pantry finds is what everyday people (aka non-chefs) are eating while they’re stuck at home. All illustrations are by Abbie Adams and captions from the cooks themselves. Email mweaver@pghcitypaper.com to submit yours.

“ A massive bag of roasted peanuts (extra work but lord knows we got the time)” – @lauracapybara

.DRINKS.

SHAKING THINGS UP

BY MAGGIE WEAVER MWEAVER@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

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ITH CITY BARS CLOSED, I have

been forced to become my own bartender. And over the last month, I’ve realized that at-home bartending doesn’t always result in gorgeous — or delicious — cocktails.

More often than not, it’s a routine of staring at half-empty liquor bottles to somehow will them into a cocktail, before begrudgingly pouring the same gin and tonic I had yesterday.

But being stuck at home shouldn’t mean I, or anyone, has to suffer without a good cocktail. I’ve invited a few of the city’s bartenders to give cocktail recommendations for those new to at-home bartending, each one tackling some of the more confusing or harderto-use liquors. If you’re in a cocktail rut, try your hand at one of these recipes.

(And don’t forget to tip your bartender!

Find individual Venmos and social media paired with the bartenders’ names or consider contributing to the United States Bartenders Guild COVID19 relief fund.)

TRIPLE SEC It may seem like there’s no use for this orange liqueur beyond a margarita, but Ariel Scalise (on Instagram @ariel__scalise), a bartender at Quantum Spirits in Carnegie, suggests adding half an ounce to a screwdriver. A similar tactic works with mimosas; a bar spoon of any orange liquor brightens the drink.

VERMOUTH Kaitlin Fellers (Venmo @kaitlinfellers), from Commerce Bar and Kingfly Spirits, calls vermouth the “unsung hero of so many classic cocktails.” One of her many recommendations for the fortified wine is the classic Americano.

AMERICANO 1 1/2 ounces sweet vermouth 1 1/2 ounces Campari

CP PHOTO: MAGGIE WEAVER

Paloma ingredients

TEQUILA For a tequila drink that’s not a margarita, try another Fellers recommendation, the Paloma.

PALOMA 2 ounces blanco tequila 3/4 ounce simple syrup or agave syrup 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice 3/4 ounce lime juice Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake and strain into a Collinsstyle glass, then top with sparkling water and ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

For negroni-lovers (and those who have a fully-stocked bar), Fellers also suggests La Rosita.

LA ROSITA 1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila 1/2 ounce Campari 1/2 ounce dry vermouth 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth 1 dash Angostura or other aromatic bitters

half ounces of Campari and three ounces of soda built over rocks.

For rye and whiskey lovers, Burdette recommends the Copain Special, a classic recipe from Copain Restaurant in New York City.

COPAIN SPECIAL 1/2 ounce Campari 1 1/2 ounces straight rye or Canadian whiskey Stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

FROZEN FRUIT An easy way to elevate any drink is by adding flavored syrup. Turn your freezer fruit into simple syrup by using Fellers’ basic ratio of one cup sugar to one cup water to one-and-a-half cups frozen fruit. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then simmer until the fruit is soft, and strain.

Fellers uses this method in her variation of a Tom Collins.

Combine all ingredients in a mixing vessel.

Add ice and stir for about 30 seconds. Strain over ice and garnish with an expressed orange twist.

Build over ice in a Collins glass. Top with sparkling water and more ice if needed.

Scalise drinks her vermouth straight, neat, or on rocks. If that makes you nervous, she recommends trying it with soda and a twist of lemon.

CAMPARI Wes Burdette of Spork in Garfield gives two simple takes on this bitter aperitif, the first a Campari and soda: one-and-a-

Follow staff writer Maggie Weaver on Twitter @magweav

14

PGHCITYPAPER.COM

BLUEBERRY TOM COLLINS 2 ounces gin 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice 3/4 ounce blueberry simple syrup Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake and then strain into a Collins-style glass. Top with sparkling water. more ice, and garnish with blueberries and/ or a lemon wheel.

•

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CP PHOTO: MAGGIE WEAVER

Bento box from Umami

.RESTAURANT REVIEW.

UMAMI TAKE-OUT

BY MAGGIE WEAVER // MWEAVER@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

L

IKE ALL CITY restaurants, Umami

has been forced to shut down its popular dining room for the foreseeable future. In response to this change, and with a shift to takeout, the Lawrenceville izakaya (Japanese-style pub) has pared down its menu, offering a limited — but still large — selection from the list, and to my delight, added one new option: the bento box.

On a normal night at Umami, choosing what to order from the menu is difficult, especially if you’re like me and want to try everything. The lengthy list covers everything from one-piece nigiri to bowls of ramen to plates of sashimi. It’s almost impossible to make a decision.

UMAMI 202 38th St., 3rd Floor. Lawrenceville. umamipgh.com

Umami’s bento solves this problem.

The box, which changes daily, offers small bites of four dishes, giving diners a chance to try something from every side of the menu.

The night I ordered my bento box, it was filled with a half portion of yaki udon, two wagyu beef tenderloin robata skewers, three steamed pork and shrimp shumai, and four pieces of a spicy salmon maki roll.

I immediately dove into the udon, a favorite dish of mine. The textures mixed

seamlessly, cabbage and other vegetables adding a welcome crunch to the thick, soft noodles. Every shiitake mushroom was a bite worth savoring, the meaty fungi holding an intense, spicy flavor.

The udon was topped by the wagyu robata (a shortened version of “robatayaki,” a term that refers to the method of cooking similar to barbeque). Two skewers held cubes of the beef, which were dusted with sesame seeds and grilled to be butter-like tender. After a few bites, I de-skewered the beef and mixed it into the udon, the beef well-matched with the concentrated zing of soy sauce and spice from the noodles.

Switching gears, I moved to the salmon maki. It was instantly clear how fresh the fish was, even without taking a bite.

The salmon was a gorgeous pink, rolled simply with rice and seaweed.

The trio of shumai — a Cantonesestyle dumpling that has made its way into Japanese cuisine — were gigantic.

It took no less than three bites for me to finish off one wonton-wrapped pork and shrimp dumpling, still warm inside, though they had been carted in a takeout container across neighborhoods.

The beauty of Umami’s bento box lies in the variety of flavors and textures.

Every section offers something different: the udon and robata were deep, rich, and savory; the salmon maki roll was fresh; and the shumai was hearty and mild. It’s the perfect dinner for indecisive eaters.

•

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

15

LET’S REMEMBER THE SPEAKING CANARIES

BY JOSH OSWALD JOSWALD@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

I am the oldest a millennial can be, which affords me the opportunity to have a decent grip on pop-culture trends, but also the excuse that, if I don’t know of something, I can claim I’m just an adorable old man who over-waters my lawn. It truly is the Goldilocks zone.

I decided to put this age-old experience and unmatched wisdom to use by looking at some lesser-known Pittsburgh musicians who “slap hard af.”

The year was 2003. There was a war in Darfur. The Ba’athist regime was ending in Iraq.

And in Pittsburgh, “She’ll spear your heart in the Fox Chapel / She’ll stomp it on Squirrel Hill.” So go the lyrics from the song “Menopause Diaries” off of indie rock troubadours The Speaking Canaries’ fourth album Get Out Alive: The Long Version.

The Speaking Canaries, formed in 1991 months before guitarist and vocalist Damon Che’s more well-known Don Caballero, consisted of Che, the late Karl Hendricks (who died in 2017), and Noah Leger.

Get Out Alive: The Long Version continues to excel outside of the era in which it debuted, which is not surprising when you consider that The Speaking Canaries were loosely classified as an indie band before “indie” went from a term used for independent record labels to a genredefining term used to describe the sound of bands like The Strokes.

The first track “I Wear Glasses in the Most Brutal Sport Ever Invented” has that signature Che song-title specificity. Your best chance for a taste would be to hear it coming out of your much cooler, older cousin’s room during a family Thanksgiving. The song opens with a single note, the staccato guitar being plucked and bent so aggressively you wait for the sweet release of the string breaking. It never does. Then enter the bass and drums, which join the guitar to create what amounts to a three-minute track that is all build.

Get Out Alive continues to surprise throughout its eight tracks. If this album has a ballad, it’s “Coffin Jitters,” which layers whispery “Don’t worry” vocals over guitar harmonics and supple drum delay. The sound is both soothing and alarming, as is typical with undefinable sounds.

The early-aughts were a strange time in America. Nerd culture was becoming mainstream with major network hits like The O.C. leading the way. George W. Bush stood on an aircraft carrier in front of a sign that read “Mission Accomplished” for a war we’re still fighting.

Somehow, I graduated college. And Pittsburgh “indie band” The Speaking Canaries wrote the indescribable Get Out Alive: The Long Version.

And that’s the only moment worth revisiting.

(Full Disclosure: I would revisit The O.C. with anybody, anytime.) •

16

PGHCITYPAPER.COM

.MUSIC.

STILL SPINNING

BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // JSNOWDEN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

G

REG ANDERSON, one of the

owners of Vinyl Remains record store, was looking forward to this year’s Record Store Day. Originally scheduled for Sat., April 20, the annual international event would have been the first one the shop celebrates in its new Mt. Lebanon location.

Record Store Day (RSD) is known for exclusive vinyl offerings but also serves as a way to bring audiophiles together and out to local records stores in flocks.

For vinyl fans across the world, it’s like a holiday.

“I usually would sell 10 times as much used stuff [on RSD] as well,” says Anderson.

The event might still happen — it’s been rescheduled for June 20 — but the stay-at-home order has gravely affected the commerce of local vinyl shops, which thrive on consumers browsing their aisles.

“With the loss of walk-in foot traffic, not only [customer loss] but people selling [records] is what’s really gonna hurt,” says Anderson. “I buy records daily, people will come in or call several times a day. With COVID-19, I can’t buy stock.”

Last year, RSD brought in the most single-day profits for North Side vinyl shop The Government Center. Owner Josh Cozby had opened the store’s doors only three months prior.

The Government Center plans on doing something on the rescheduled date; however, Derek January, the shop’s events coordinator, believes there will have to be guidelines as to how many people are allowed in at once. And unlike their event last year, live entertainment will not be an option.

But whether RSD happens or not, there are still ways to support local record stores from the comfort of your home.

The Government Center thegovernmentcenter.com Its doors may be closed to the public, but three of The Government Center’s employees are still working, organizing, and cleaning the shop while getting new releases every week. The North Side store recently started offering shipping and curbside pickup because, as January puts it, “people still need their music.” Items can be shipped for a small fee and all orders of $30 or more come with a surprise record. To make a purchase, message The Government Center on Instagram or Facebook, or email Josh Cozby (josh@thegovernmentcenter.com).

Gift cards are also available in increments of $25.

Jerry’s Records jerrysrecords.com Jerry’s Records is closed for the fore-

Socially-distancing herself but still broadcasting LIVE Every Monday thru Thursday at 10 a.m. Listen in at lynncullen.pghcitypaper.com seeable future. Support the Squirrel Hill record shop by purchasing gift certificates, t-shirts, or tote bags on its website. A limited number of records can also be bought and shipped via Jerry’s Discogs.

Get Hip Records gethip.com This North Side joint label and record shop has its online store open, along with offerings on Discogs and eBay. Barbara Garcia-Bernardo, one of Get Hip’s owners, says they try to keep up with posts on Instagram and Facebook about new titles available on their website. If people are looking for something directly, message Get Hip on those platforms or, better yet, use the contact form on the store’s website.

Vinyl Remains vinylremainspg13.com Shirts, hats, and slipmats are available from Vinyl Remains, and records can be purchased on its Discogs. For those who don’t feel like browsing, Anderson posts daily vinyl selections on Facebook and Instagram (@vinyl_remains). See something you like? Simply message on one of those social media platforms to purchase, and it will be shipped to your home.

Attic Records atticrecordstoreinc.com Like The Government Center, Millvalebased Attic Records is using its store closure time to get things done, like organizing, building new shelves, and stocking. The shop is offering to ship records from the store to customers and, in a collaboration with one of its main distributors, new releases and special orders can be shipped straight from the distribution warehouse. In other words, anything Attic Records can order for its store can be sent directly to your front door. To place an order call, email, or message Attic Records.

Music To My Ear musictomyear.com There are three ways to support Music To My Ears during the stay-at-home order. You can purchase $100 gift cards (on sale for $75) that can be used once the store reopens. Call, message on social media, or e-mail to order new and used records, CDs, or sound equipment shipped to your home. Finally, Music To My Ear has an eBay page where titles can be purchased online. Staff members can be reached by phone at 412-223-9747, Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

•

Follow staff writer Jordan Snowden on Twitter @snowden_jordan PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

17

JEOPARDY! LIVES

BY HANNAH LYNN HLYNN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

PHOTO: JEOPARDY PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Sports are canceled, and most TV shows have paused filming, but Jeopardy! continues. The long-running, nightly trivia show tapes episodes roughly three months in advance, and filming was halted in mid-March, so we could keep getting new episodes through mid-June. Most recently, it wrapped up a two-week-long college student tournament, filmed a couple months before the participating students realized they wouldn’t be able to return to school. Except for the one contestant from Liberty University.

I hope she’s OK. Jeopardy! is especially comforting now because of its familiarity. It’s remained mostly unchanged over the years, with the same format, same dated graphics, and same host. Viewers had a renewed fondness for the condescending, stilted, but still loveable Alex Trebek after he revealed last year that he was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. (What is, “Do not leave your house, Alex”?)

Turning on Jeopardy! Every night at 7 p.m. (on NBC) feels like sinking into a well-worn armchair.

It has competitive energy if you miss watching sports and brain exercises if you feel your mind turning to sludge.

Eventually, the new episodes will run out, and it’s unclear when this or any other show will resume filming, but luckily, reruns are available to stream on Hulu and Netflix. • 18

PGHCITYPAPER.COM

PHOTO: VISIT FILMS

Pahokee

.FILM.

HOME MOVIE THEATER

Local movie theaters may be closed, but you can still catch new movies from home.

Check out these films available to stream at home with proceeds going to local theaters.

BY HANNAH LYNN // HLYNN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

Slay the Dragon Amid everything else happening, you may have a vague notion that 2020 is a Census year. The short form might just seem like a light questionnaire, but it can have big impacts, as demonstrated in Slay The Dragon. The documentary explores redistricting and partisan gerrymandering that happened in the wake of the 2010 Census, which often gave Republican politicians a disproportionate amount of power. There are many ways the current electoral system is broken, and skewing voter data to give more power to politicians instead of voters is just one of them.

(While we’re here, don’t forget to fill out your Census by mail or online).

Screening virtually via Row House Cinema and the Parkway Theater. rowhousecinema.com or communityreelartscenter.org

Earth So many other issues have fallen by the wayside in the midst of the pandemic, including addressing climate change and environmental destruction. They are not issues that are going away just because we’re stuck inside. Earth, a documentary directed by Nikolaus Geyrhalter, looks at changing landscapes, focusing on workers who mine mountains and hills for

stones and minerals through excavation or explosion.

Screening virtually via the Harris Theater through Fri., May 1. trustarts.org/film

Pahokee Immerse yourself in the lives of high schoolers from Pahokee, a town in Florida’s Everglades. Among the student body of Pahokee High School, “91% of students qualify for free lunch,” the documentary explains, but “over 90% graduate each year.” From football players to beauty queens to restaurant workers, the film follows the lives of high school seniors at a crossroads, deciding how, and when, and if they can break into a new life than what they were born into.

Screening virtually via the Harris Theater and Tull Family Theater beginning Fri., April 24. thetullfamilytheater.org or trustarts.org/film

Driveways In this quiet drama, Kathy (Hong Chau) takes her son to upstate New York to clean out the house of her reclusive and recently deceased sister. Kathy has to reckon with how much she didn’t know about her sister, and what to do with all the stuff she hoarded inside the house.

Meanwhile, her timid and precocious

son forges a friendship with the widowed Korean War veteran next door (Brian Dennehy).

Screening virtually via Row House Cinema. rowhousecinema.com

Fantastic Fungi Mushrooms can be a tasty little fungus.

They can also be a powerful psychedelic.

Or they can be poisonous. But they can also have medicinal properties. Fantastic Fungi is a mushroom-centric documentary that characterizes the fungus as “an underground network that can heal and save our planet.”

Screening virtually via the Rangos Giant Cinema. carnegiesciencecenter.org/ rangos-giant-cinema

CatVideoFest: Creature Comforts Edition The annual CatVideoFest came through town in February (so, a lifetime ago).

But if you need another feline fix, you can catch a 40-minute highlight reel of the best cat clips from the festival’s history from the comfort of your own home.

Available to stream through the Harris Theater and The Rangos Giant Cinema. trustarts.org/film or carnegiesciencecenter.org/ rangos-giant-cinema

Follow staff writer Hannah Lynn on Twitter @hanfranny

•

FRESH CONTENT Every Day. pghcitypaper.com

The 5th Judicial District of Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Pretrial Services urges you to enjoy your weekend out in Pittsburgh but

make the right choice,

don’t drink & drive.

PHOTO: MAKE + MATTER

Photo: (From left to right) Rebekah Joy, Rona Chang, and Kelly Simpson-Scupelli of Make + Matter

.ART . .

MAKING IT MATTER

BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

W

HEN MAKE + MATTER responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by shutting down its Lawrenceville brick-and-mortar location in early March, part-owner and designer Rebekah Joy wasn’t sure how long the doors would remain closed.

“We thought, ‘Is it going to be one week, two weeks, a month?,’” says Joy, who runs Make + Matter with fellow owners Rona Chang and Kelly SimpsonScupelli. In addition to Make + Matter, all three women have their own Pittsburghbased businesses — Joy owns the sustainable clothing label, Flux Bene, while Chang and Simpson-Scupelli produce their own clothing and accessories through Otto Finn and Kelly Lane, respectively.

The uncertainty of coronavirus is why they held off on launching an online shop until mid-April. But now customers can finally go online and buy from the shop’s various locally handmade fashions, jewelry, and homegoods during the shutdown. Some items currently available include: body care by Lovett Sundries and Arbor House, makeup by The Tart Peach, statement necklaces and earrings by Sasha, and prints by KLoRebel Art. Those featured in the web shop

are but a few of the over 30 artists and makers who work with Make + Matter, which started in 2018.

“One of the main reasons we opened the shop was the education aspect,” says Joy. “It’s been very important for us to share information with the public about how things were made and why it’s better to purchase things made locally, why it’s better for our economy and really for everyone involved.”

MAKE + MATTER shopmakeandmatter.com

Part of that mission includes informing customers who come into the store about how each piece is made and who made it. “We can still do that on the website, but it is, obviously, not as personal, and everyone prefers to hear a story as opposed to reading a paragraph,” says Joy. In addition to the web shop, Joy says they’re also promoting events and sales being held by Make + Matter clients.

“Everyone has really ramped up their online presence during [the pandemic],”

says Joy. This comes at a time when many in the local arts community have lost income due to various markets and pop-ups being canceled or postponed, and storefronts like Make + Matter being closed. Despite this, Joy says online sales have been reassuring for many.

“The local designers and artists who have spoken with me have all been kind of blown away by the community support,” says Joy. “Everyone who has launched an online store has told me that they’re not as worried about money as they thought they would be.”

Besides sales (Make + Matter takes 50% for wholesale purchases and 40% for consignment), Joy says they have applied for various small business grants to keep going. But she and her co-owners have been most surprised by how many people bought gift cards when the store made them available.

“It makes it clear that people want us to stay open, and that really means so much, because this could be a moment where it [would] be really easy to say, ‘OK, we’re done with this,’” says Joy. “The continued support makes us determined to move forward.”

Follow senior writer Amanda Waltz on Twitter @AWaltzCP

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BY ROB BREZSNY // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Renowned Taurus composer Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) completed his first symphony when he was 43 years old — even though he’d started work on it at age 22. Why did it take him so long? One factor was his reverence for Ludwig van Beethoven, the composer who had such a huge impact on the development of classical music. In light of Beethoven’s mastery, Brahms felt unworthy. How could any composer add new musical ideas that Beethoven hadn’t already created? But after more than two decades, Brahms finally managed to overcome his inhibition. He eventually produced four symphonies and scores of other pieces, and left a major mark on musical history. For you, Taurus, I see the coming months as a phase comparable to the time when Brahms finally built the strength necessary to emerge from the shadow that had inhibited him.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A Gemini friend sent me and three of her other allies a poignant email. “This note is a tender apology to those of you whom I’ve hurt in the process of hurting myself,” she began. “I want you to know that I have been working hard and with great success to eliminate my unconscious tendency to hurt myself. And I am confident this means I will also treat you very well in the future.” I received her message with joy and appreciation. Her action was brave and wise. I invite you to consider making a comparable adjustment in the weeks ahead.

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The Ojibwe are indigenous people of North America. Professor of Ojibwe studies Anton Treuer writes that in their traditional culture, there have been men who act and dress like women and women who act and dress like men. The former are called ikwekaazo and the latter ikwekaazowag. Both have been “always honored” and “considered to be strong spiritually.” Many other Native American groups have had similar arrangements. Transcending traditional gender behavior is not unique to modern Western civilization. With that as inspiration, and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to explore any inclinations you might have to be your own unique gender. The time is ripe for experimenting with and deepening your relationship with the constructs of “masculine” and “feminine.”

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“The history of my stupidity would fill many volumes,” wrote Nobel Prize-winning poet Czesław Miłosz. Wow! If a highly respected genius like him has spawned so much nonsense and ignorance, what about the rest of us? Here’s what I have to say about the subject: Each of us should strive to be at peace with the fact that we are a blend of wisdom and folly.

We should be tenderly compassionate toward our failures and weaknesses, and not allow them to overshadow our brilliance and beauty. Now would be a good time for you Leos to cultivate this acceptance and perform this blessing for yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Helen Traubel (1899–1972) was best-known for her opera career, although she also sang in concerts, nightclubs, and musical theater. But in her autobiography, she confessed, “Opera bored me.” She reminds me of Georgia O’Keeffe, famous painter of flowers. “I hate flowers,” O’Keeffe said. “I paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move.” Now, of course, most of us have to do some things that we don’t enjoy; that seems to be a routine part of being human. And since the coronavirus arrived in our midst, you may have been saddled with even more of this burden.

But I’m happy to inform you that the coming weeks will be a favorable time to brainstorm about how you could do more of what you love to do once the crisis has abated.

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What’s the current state of the relationship between your ego and your soul? Is there an uneasy truce between the ambitious part of you that craves success and recognition and the lyrical part of you that yearns for rich experiences and deep meaning?

Or do those two aspects of you get along pretty well — maybe even love and respect each other? Now is a favorable time to honor your ego and soul equally, Libra — to delight in the activities of both, to give them plenty of room to play and improvise, and to encourage them to collaborate in ways that will further your well-rounded happiness and health.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio author Voltaire (1694–1778) was a crusader for freedom of thought and civil liberties, as well as a key player in the Enlightenment. He was very prolific. In addition to producing 2,000 books and pamphlets, he carried on such voluminous written correspondences with so many interesting people that his collected letters fill 98 volumes.

Would you consider getting inspired by Voltaire’s approach to cross-pollination? According to my calculations, the next phase of the coronavirus crisis will be a favorable time for you to intensify your communication via the written word.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I like musician David Byrne’s views on what constitutes meaningful work. It’s not just the tasks you do to earn money.

“Sex is a job,” he says. “Growing up is a job. School is a job.

Going to parties is a job. Religion is a job. Being creative is a job.” In other words, all the activities he names, to be done well, require a commitment to excellence and an attention to detail. They are worthy of your diligent efforts, strenuous exertion, and creative struggle. I encourage you to meditate on these thoughts during the coming weeks. Identify what jobs you want to get better at and are willing to work hard on and would like to enjoy even more than you already do.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): At its best and brightest, Capricornian love isn’t frivolous or flighty. It’s not shallow or sloppy or slapdash. When Capricornian love is at its highest potency, it’s rigorous, thoughtful, and full-bodied. It benefits anyone who’s involved with it. I bring this up because I expect the coming weeks to be a Golden Age of Capricornian Love — a time when you will have the inspiration and intelligence necessary to lift your own experience of love to a higher octave.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I hope you’re not one of those Aquarians who regards stability and security as boring. I hope you don’t have an unconscious predilection for keeping yourself in a permanent state of nervous uncertainty. If you do suffer from those bad habits, you’ll be hard-pressed to stick to them in the coming weeks.

That’s because the cosmic energies will be working to settle you down into a steady groove. If you cooperate, you will naturally enhance your ability to be well-anchored, calmly steadfast, and at home in your life. Please don’t resist this opportunity.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I foresee the likelihood that you’ll be having brilliant and evocative conversations with yourself in the coming weeks.

Your heart and your head may become almost blissful as they discuss how best to create a dynamic new kind of harmony.

Your left side and right side will declare a truce, no longer wrestling each other for supremacy, and they may even join forces to conjure up unprecedented collaborations. The little voices in your head that speak for the past will find common ground with the little voices in your head that speak for the future — and as a result you may be inspired to formulate a fresh master plan that appeals to both.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the future, when the coronavirus crisis has a diminished power to disrupt our lives, I would love for you to have more of the money you need to finance interesting new experiences that help you learn and thrive. Now is a good time to brainstorm about how you might arrange for that to happen. For best results, begin your meditations with vivid fantasies in which you envision yourself doing those interesting new experiences that will help you learn and thrive.

Go to realastrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text-message horoscopes.

The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL JOURNALISM Thank you to the following readers who have signed up for Pittsburgh City Paper’s new membership campaign Aaron Aupperlee Aaron Jentzen Abby Cook Abigail Gardner Adam Hart Adam Knoerzer Adam Schweigert Adam Shuck Al Hoff Alec Magnani Alex McCann Alex Walsh Amy Bilkey Amy Montgomery Andrea Lynn Andrew Brown Andrew Conte Andrew Mulkerin Andrew Seymour Andy Collins Angelos Tzelepis Anna Reilly Anni Sweetser April Gilmore April McCann Arielle Eyers Arla White Arlan Hess Ashley Kenawell Barbara Valaw Barbara Weaver Ben Panko Ben Soltesz Benjamin Weaver Bennett Aikin Beth Newman Beth Wickerham Bethany Hallam Bill Lazur Brandy Hadden Brentin Mock Brett Yasko Brian Kell Brian Kelly Brian Lysell

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 22-29, 2020

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