April 29, 2020 - Pittsburgh City Paper

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APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

Pittsburgh trans communit community center BroTher SisTers PGH gains a BroThe

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APRIL 29 - MAY 6, 2020 VOLUME 29 + ISSUE 18

More photos online at

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John Baldridge, with his custom blackand-gold motorcycle, at a food distribution giveaway near Heinz Field on Fri., April 24.

The free event was hosted by 412 Food Rescue, Sysco, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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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ON THE COVER:

Ciora Thomas and Aiden James Nevils COVER PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM READ THE STORY ON PAGE 4

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

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CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Aiden James Nevils of BroThers PGH

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THE BIG STORY

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

BY HANNAH LYNN // HLYNN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

F

OR YEARS, TRANSGENDER advocacy organization SisTers PGH has provided services and programming for the trans and nonbinary community in Pittsburgh.

From organizing pride celebrations and protests, to providing assistance with housing and groceries, SisTers has established itself as a strong voice for the community, with leadership from founder and president Ciora Thomas. Now, the organization is branching out with a new program, BroThers PGH, geared specifically to help trans men and trans masculine people.

let people know this is a resource for them as well because people are looking to talk,’” says Nevils. “People are looking to have some type of connection in a time when we aren’t really able to connect physically.”

Nevils says he was inspired by seeing Thomas’ leadership in the city as a trans woman and wanted to create a space for trans men in leadership positions, too.

BroThers operates under the wider umbrella of SisTers, and Nevils describes it as a branch off of the tree in the organization’s logo, adding that

CONTACT Proudly serving LGBT patients since 1999.

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WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE TRANS MASCULINE AND TRANS MEN LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY AS WELL. The program, led by SisTers PGH vice president (and Thomas’ fiance) Aiden James Nevils, has been in the works for months. The original plan was to launch on International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31), but when that event couldn’t happen in person, Nevils still wanted to launch it virtually.

“I was like, ‘Hey, if we can’t announce this at our Transgender Day of Visibility, we have to

To make an appointment: (412) 247-2310

SisTers will always be “the roots.”

“SisTers PGH has laid the groundwork for what it looks like to have trans leadership in the city,” says Nevils. “The thought process behind this is we also need to have trans masculine and trans men leadership in the city as well. And also have a group where all people can come together and talk.”

A primary focus of the programming, especially CONTINUES ON PG. 6

“Whole People, All People.” metrocommunityhealthcenter.org PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

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BROTHERS AND SISTERS, CONTINUED FROM PG. 5

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

SisTers PGH founder and president Ciora Thomas and vice president Aiden James Nevils

while everything is virtual, is a support group for trans men and trans masculine people, where they can be open and honest about their experiences.

Nevils says there aren’t many resources or support groups specifically for trans men and trans masculine people — in Pittsburgh or anywhere else across the country. Even when there are, he says they often focus on the physical aspects of transitioning, like hormones and surgery, but not as much on the mental and emotional changes.

“When you start testosterone, there’s a lot of different things that happen to your body, but no one talks about the things that happen mentally

and how it works with your emotions and how you start to feel things differently,” says Nevils, citing the importance of teaching people that taking testosterone is “not the end-all, be-all.

It’s not a cure.”

BROTHERS PGH sisterspgh.org/brotherspgh facebook.com/sistersPGH

In addition to the support group, BroThers will continue to provide many of the services offered by SisTers, including clothing and toiletries, emergency

housing relief, financial assistance, and a post-surgery “after care” fund. It will also offer resources on reproductive health and justice for trans men and trans masculine people, like education taking birth control or carrying a child as a trans person.

The resources from SisTers and BroThers are especially important during the current pandemic, as they provide resources for a community that might not otherwise get help. For every marginalized group of people, the pandemic has further highlighted ways that governments and institutions fail to work for all people, including the trans community. Nevils points to the example

Follow staff writer Hannah Lynn on Twitter @hanfranny

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of SisTers PGH’s LGBTQIA Emergency Relief Fund (which has currently raised over $26,000) without which there might not be any relief fund geared at helping trans people in the city.

“When you think about the transgender community in its entirety, we’re already marginalized and pushed outside the bounds of what is considered to be human,” says Nevils. “This pandemic has shined a major light on how often trans people are forgotten about.”

BroThers PGH is currently taking donations of physical supplies like masks and toiletries, as well as financial donations, which can be made through SisTers PGH.

•

STAY HOME. Stay safe.

Stay alive.

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CP PHOTOS: JARED WICKERHAM

PNC Bank offices in Downtown Pittsburgh

.NEWS.

SMALL BUSINESSES, BIG SNUBS? PNC Bank leaves many Pittsburgh small businesses waiting on help, while securing loans for corporations

BY RYAN DETO // RYANDETO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

M

EREDITH GRELLI WOKE UP at 6 a.m. on the

first day small-business loan applications could be submitted. She and her business partners worked for nine straight hours to ensure their applications and forms were flawless. Grelli was hopeful she could secure some much needed cash to pay her employees and the bills at her two local businesses: Wigle Whiskey and Threadbare Cider House.

The coronavirus closures have caused both

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brands to close up all their tasting rooms, venues, and restaurants. As a result, most of their 120 employees have been let go. But with the federal government allocating nearly $350 billion in loans for small businesses as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Grelli was hopeful her businesses could access that cash and bring back many of her employees.

Like all businesses, Wigle and Threadbare had to submit applications through private lenders,

like banks. For Grelli, this meant going through PNC Bank, the mega bank that’s based in Pittsburgh but has a large presence across the country.

For days, Grelli waited in limbo without any word from PNC about the status of her application or whether the loans had been secured. It wasn’t until almost two weeks later that Grelli learned the $350 billion in funds had dried up, and Wigle and Threadbare were without federal assistance for the foreseeable future.

Grelli wasn’t alone in failing to secure these loans. Scores of small businesses in Pittsburgh and across the country didn’t get any federal loans after applying through PNC. The shortage was somewhat expected, as coronavirus closures have caused historic levels of unemployment, and forecasters had predicted that the $350 billion in funds would be insufficient.

But it was more surprising that small businesses were leap-frogged in securing loans by large, wealthy corporations, and that PNC would allegedly be involved in favoring those corporations.

“We appreciate that banks are facing a large amount of applications, we understand those hardships,” says Grelli.

“I think the thing that gives us pause [are] the reports [of] larger companies receiving funds and banks prioritizing this.”

Grelli says she believes her loan never even made it through PNC’s internal process. This sentiment has been expressed by other local businesses that applied for PPP loans through PNC. Pittsburgh City Paper was granted access to a private Facebook page for local business owners, many of whom expressed similar sentiments. On April 23, a lawsuit was filed in California court alleging that PNC “exploited the coronavirus crisis to line its pockets with hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars while compounding the economic hardship suffered by small businesses and independent contractors.”

On April 22, NPR reported that banks, including PNC, earned $10 billion in fees while processing loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

According to CBS News, PNC secured PPP loans for two out of the seven biggest known borrowers from the program. Hallador Energy, an Indianabased coal company, was one of those seven companies, and PNC likely secured its $10 million PPP loan. PNC is the administrative agent for Hallador’s lenders and on April 15, the two entered a credit agreement the same day Hallador secured its PPP loan.

Trump’s former EPA secretary Scott Pruitt is now a lobbyist for Hallador.

The average PPP loan for the first round was about $206,000.

PNC Bank spokesperson Marcey Zwiebel denies any favoritism toward large companies on PNC’s part, and noted the incredibly high demand in PPP loans. Funds for PPP loans across the country ran out within a week of opening applications in early April.

“We devoted substantial resources to processing applications for all customers,” said Zwiebel in a statement to CP.

Wigle Whiskey in the Strip District in 2018

“Ultimately, many of the applications that we were able to get approved by the SBA before the cutoff date were from very small businesses across our entire footprint. … PNC has long valued the relationships we have with our small business customers and we remain committed to assisting them in these difficult times.”

Administration] should the additional funding be authorized.”

Grelli is hopeful Wigle and Threadbare will secure loans during the second

round, but she isn’t holding her breath.

“We don’t really know where we stand in the queue,” she says. “We are optimistic, but cautiously so.”

On April 27, the first day PPP reopened, NPR reported that SBA’s online portal had crashed.

Wigle has been able to bring in some revenue during the pandemic, thanks to online sales and the fact that state liquor stores have been closed during the pandemic. But her businesses still face significant financial losses.

Grelli says their seven locations typically host about 150 events, like community fundraisers, over the summer months — the closures have effectively canceled all of those events.

Grelli says if her companies receive the loans, she would have to find space for 120 of her workers, some of whom might have to adapt to new positions until all of her locations are allowed to reopen. (One of the stipulations of the loan requires employers to bring back the entire work force.)

Even so, she says small businesses need the loans since they typically have much smaller cash reserves compared to large corporations. For example, CONTINUES ON PG. 10

“YOU ARE JUST IN THE DARK PRAYING FOR THE BEST.” According to the Pittsburgh Business Times, PNC said it received more than 75,000 applications and processed and registered 20,000 loans totaling more than $9 billion. (Disclosure: Pittsburgh City Paper applied for and received a PPP loan through PNC.) New applications for PPP loans opened on Mon., April 27 after Congress approved $310 billion in additional funding. Zwiebel says that PNC employees have continued to process applications, even before this recent funding was allocated, “so that we are prepared to submit them to the [Small Business PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

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SMALL BUSINESSES, BIG SNUBS, CONTINUED FROM PG. 9

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Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse secured two $10 million PPP loans through JP Morgan bank. The chain, which has a restaurant in Downtown Pittsburgh, has reportedly $86 million in cash reserves. Grelli says Pittsburgh small businesses like hers would be lucky if they had 1% of what Ruth’s Chris has in cash reserves. (After public pressure, Ruth’s Chris returned their PPP loans in full.)

Kimberly Musial operates the Yoga Hive out of a studio in Garfield. She applied on the first day PPP loans were available, but failed to get a loan. She says PNC “has definitely not done a good job” in helping her and accused the bank of having no due diligence.

Musial said her communication with PNC staff has been poor and the status of her application is unclear, as is where she is in line (a sentiment also shared by many in the private Facebook group).

“You are just in the dark praying for the best,” says Musial.

As a yoga studio, Musial says her business is bringing in basically no revenue during the closures. If Yoga

Hive were to receive a PPP loan, she says she would pay insurance, taxes, rent and contribute pay to her teachers, who are independent contractors.

Musial is frustrated in hearing how so many local small businesses have yet to receive funding. She says very small businesses are what make Pittsburgh special and give it character. If small businesses fail, then Pittsburgh fails with them.

A recent National Bureau of Economic Research survey found that only about 30% small businesses across the U.S. expect to survive a lockdown that lasts four months. Meanwhile, large retailers like Amazon, Costco, Dollar General, Home Depot, and Walmart are currently experiencing stock prices near record highs and massive profits.

Musial fears that if Pittsburgh small businesses fail to get the loans they need, they won’t survive.

“We are in survival mode most of the time, now it is even more so than usual,” says Musial. “It feels like big companies and big banks are just always winning.”

•

Follow senior writer Ryan Deto on Twitter @RyanDeto

JENSORENSEN

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PHOTO: MARITA GARRETT

Marita Garrett

.PEOPLE.

AT HOME WITH: MARITA GARRETT

BY ALEX GORDON // ALEXGORDON@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

T

HROUGHOUT THE DURATION of stay-at-home orders and coronavirus restrictions, Pittsburgh City Paper is reaching out to local artists, activists, workers, and makers to find out how they’re doing, how they’re coping, what they’re watching, and what they’re eating. Today, it’s Marita Garrett, mayor of Wilkinsburg.

WHAT IS YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ROUTINE LIKE NOW? I start my morning off around 8 a.m., but now there is more time for a good breakfast! I adopted my third furbaby, Shai, a few weeks ago, so housetraining a new puppy is keeping my hands full!

I keep a schedule allotting certain times to check emails, check in with borough officials, post on social media, and utilizing this slower pace to catch up on a lot of things, while preparing for when things open.

Additionally, rerouting some of [Wilkinsburg nonprofit] Civically’s programs to effectively serve the community’s needs during these times.

Staying on top of COVID-19 and state updates can be a lot, so I balance it with many walks, naps, and watching reruns of Cold Case.

WHAT IS CONTACT WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS LIKE THESE DAYS? It is all online — that is the only way right now. I post frequently on my mayoral [Facebook] page to keep our community members updated. I did a live chat with our public library last week to provide answers and updates on the outbreak’s impact on Wilkinsburg.

There will be more videos/chats coming.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD TO EAT AT THE MOMENT? Ah, it changes daily, but I would say egg/turkey bacon breakfast sandwiches right now. I am getting used to cooking a full breakfast in the morning. Oh, my mom’s potato soup chowder.

WHAT PIECE OF ART/FILM/ COMIC/BOOK/TV/MUSIC ORE IS BRINGING YOU READ M ROM F S E COMFORT/INSPIRATION PROFIL NTINE A R A U AT THIS TIME? Q at paper Seeing artists showcase their pghcitym .co talents on social media live platforms. It’s a great way to be alone together while enjoying the arts! Like many, I got sucked into Tiger King and Ozark, but now I look forward to watching FX’s Mrs. America series.

WHAT’S AN OBJECT IN YOUR HOUSE THAT HAS PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE TO YOU THESE DAYS? My family photo albums. It is something I always cherish, yet this stillness has made me appreciate them and the memories made even more.

WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES OF WILKINSBURG AT THIS TIME? Volunteer with local organizations that are providing direct services to residents, support businesses that are closed by ordering online and/or purchasing gift cards to use later. We still have many restaurants open for takeout and delivery — please support. We have a long road ahead of us, but we can do it together.

Also, wear a mask when making those essential trips!

WHAT’S AN ORGANIZATION YOU’D RECOMMEND GIVING TO OR SUPPORTING AT THIS TIME? Free Store Wilkinsburg [freestorewilkinsburg.org].

We have reopened with extra safety precautions and shopping days to still support our community members, while practicing social distancing. We have partnered with local mask makers to distribute free, reusable masks. Volunteers and donations are greatly appreciated!

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Follow managing editor Alex Gordon on Twitter @shmalexgordon PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

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.COMMUNITY.

SIGNS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD

BY LISA CUNNINGHAM LCUNNING@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Daniel Gurwin’s signs in Lawrenceville

Pittsburgh graphic artist Daniel Gurwin misses his morning routine of waking up and walking his dog through Arsenal Park before heading over to Espresso A Mano for a cappuccino. Gurwin says he doesn’t want to pick favorites when asked which neighborhood business he will visit first when the pandemic closures are lifted.

“I love them all.” But he says he really, really misses his morning cappuccinos.

“As soon as they’re back open,” he adds, “I’m there.”

When he moved to the neighborhood in 2012, Gurwin says Lawrenceville was in a wave of expansion. “As a graphic designer working with brands and logos, it was the perfect marriage and really great to participate in that neighborhood growth,” he says.

It’s hard to miss Gurwin’s work around town. He’s done logos for Dancing Gnome Brewery, Patagonia Pittsburgh, and Fern Hollow Bicycles. S.K. Frey chocolate company owner Sally Frey credits his branding with bringing people to her products. And they might just bring people to Pennsylvania, too. As drivers enter the state, they’re greeted with the artist’s larger-than-life lettering skills, “Welcome to Pennsylvania.”

But it’s his work with local businesses that makes him happiest. And danielgurwin.com when Gurwin saw how many of those businesses had to close because of the pandemic, he knew he wanted to do something to help.

Gurwin, after all, has lost business himself. So with extra time on his hands, he “put on his sign painting hat” and designed hand-lettered signs to distribute for free throughout Lawrenceville.

“Even though the doors are closed and the windows are down, it still feels like the neighborhood is connecting with itself.

There’s still a community,” Gurwin says.

“That’s what I wanted the signs to do.

Make it clear that these buildings aren’t vacant and silent.” •

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CP PHOTOS: JARED WICKERHAM

A 1,000-piece Pittsburgh skyline puzzle shown inside Kards Unlimited on Walnut Street in Shadyside

.RETAIL.

GIFTS TO GO

BY LISA CUNNINGHAM // LCUNNING@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

I

T’S NOT UNUSUAL, even in “normal times,” to have to fight for a spot to look at the merchandise at Kards Unlimited in Shadyside. The novelty store, with an expansive selection of unique greeting cards, books, and toys, has long been one of the go-to spots for Pittsburghers in need of a gift or a pick-me-up.

(In last year’s Pittsburgh City Paper Best of Pittsburgh readers’ poll, the shop came in second place for both Best Card Store and Best Place to Buy Yourself Happiness.)

The narrow aisles, full of fun things to look at in nearly every direction, have been empty of customers during the last month because of the pandemic, but the shop has still been bustling behind-thescenes, continuing to sell items through its Facebook page (don’t miss “Pandemic Book Bingo”) and new online store.

For Amanda Blair, who has been working at the Shadyside shop for nearly 14 years, it’s been especially rewarding to see continued support from the community. That’s because she’s next in line to purchase the shop after current owner Kristen Kershner plans to turn over the

keys early next year. It’s been a family business since the store first opened in 1968; Kershner took over from her mom and dad, who took over from her grandmother. But Blair says of the shop’s staff that “even if you aren’t there long, you become family pretty quickly.”

KARDS UNLIMITED 5522 Walnut St., Shadyside. kardsunlimited.com

If all goes according to plan, Kards Unlimited hopes to follow Gov. Wolf’s guidelines and reopen the physical store on May 10, with safety measures in place and plans to begin offering local delivery.

In the meantime, they’ll continue to sell items curbside (“distant high fives and thumbs up are shared with no contact pickup”) and provide shipping for outof-towners.

CP caught up with Blair as she was working on updating the shop’s new online store with its vast supply of cards, books, and much-sought-after puzzles.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED KARDS UNLIMITED? The pandemic has affected us as I’m sure it has affected many other nonessential small businesses who had to close their doors to the public. We’ve had many sleepless nights and an incredible amount of anxiety, not only for the future of the shop but for our staff.

We very quickly turned our attention to an online platform and painstakingly learned (still learning) how to build a functional website. I have literally been building day and night for weeks, stopping only to eat and sleep. ... Our manager Adam Marthens has been going in by himself a couple days a week to get orders together for no-contact pickup and shipping, and Kristen has been busy replying to customers who reach out to us on social media, email, or who call and leave a message. ... We have made so many new best friends while chatting with customers, it is the silver lining of all this.

WHO IS YOUR TYPICAL CUSTOMER? Our typical customer is kind, discerning,

Kards Unlimited owner-to-be, Amanda Blair

irreverent, concerned about the state of the world, and in need of a good laugh.

We tend to share a similar sensibility of wonder; we are like Peter Pan’s Lost Boys or King Moonracer’s Misfit Toys, and our customers are visitors to Neverland. Even the most seemingly grumpy customer will light up when they are welcomed into the ongoing conversation that happens amongst the staff: Which Potter house is best? (Hufflepuff) Why is Firefly better than Star Trek or Star Wars? Was the movie as good as the book? (No) How did you feel about the end of Game of Thrones? (Badly) Is Hopper alive? How do we feel about the new Margaret Atwood?

A senior gentleman recently came in with a NASA hat on and I said, “Nice hat!” and 20 minutes later, I was taking a selfie with this man who worked for NASA during Apollo I. A woman buying an Oliver Sacks book told me about having dinner with him before he died.

A precocious pre-teen boy will tell me what he is reading and how he really likes the strong female characters and I will feel hopeful about the future.

WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR ITEM PEOPLE ARE PURCHASING RIGHT NOW? Our most popular item right now is puzzles, and lucky for us, we got a big order of them in at the beginning of all this. We have puzzles ranging from 300 pieces up to our 3000-piece Star Trek, Harry Potter,

and Where’s Waldo puzzles, but the majority of them are 1000-piece art images.

DO YOU THINK IT’S POSSIBLE TO REPLICATE THE FUN EXPERIENCE OF PERUSING YOUR HUGE VARIETY OF GREETING CARDS WHILE ONLINE SHOPPING DURING THE PANDEMIC? While we work on getting more cards up on the website, what we are doing to help customers shop for birthdays or anniversaries or just-to-make-youlaugh cards, is sending pictures via text or email, whatever the customer prefers.

We help you narrow down what you want: Funny or serious? Sweet and sappy or irreverent? You want to be sincere, but make them laugh? Got it, brb. You basically get the time and attention of a personal shopper, which is our favorite thing to do, so it’s a win-win.

HOW CAN PEOPLE BEST HELP ENSURE THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF KARDS UNLIMITED DURING THIS TIME? After that very first call I received when this all started asking, “How can I support the shop?”, I cried. To know people were thinking of us and of other small businesses reminded me why this city is so great. The gratitude I felt and still feel every time someone sends us a message, email, or phone call is overwhelming.

Please keep calling, keep messaging, let us know you’re there, and we cannot wait to see you again.

•

Follow editor-in-chief Lisa Cunningham on Twitter @trashyleesuh

“City Paper is an indispensable asset to the Pittsburgh area.

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures relies on CP reporting not only as an arts organization, but also as engaged individuals. In these uncertain times, we look to your news coverage to inform us through an alternative lens and to your laudable cultural coverage to expand our horizons.”

— Stephanie Flom, Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

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.FOOD.

BULK BUSINESS

BY MAGGIE WEAVER MWEAVER@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

A

S CORONAVIRUS shutdowns

extend from weeks to months, the future of the food industry is becoming increasingly uncertain. In order to survive, restaurants are getting creative.

All over the city, restaurants have turned to bulk foods, grocery sales, and meal kits to make up for lost revenue.

It’s this type of creativity, notes Jessica Lewis, the executive chef of Spirits & Tales who has added the aforementioned trio to the menu at her Oakland eatery, that is making restaurants successful.

“We have to rewire our thinking of the hospitality industry,” says Lewis.

Scratch Food and Beverage in Troy Hill was one of the first local restaurants to start selling groceries. Owner Don Mahaney turned the eatery into a store stocked with basic necessities and prepared “heat me and eat me” foods.

Dave Anoia and Aimee DiAndrea, who run DiAnoia’s Eatery in the Strip District, say they’ve had to “reinvent themselves three times” as the pandemic has progressed. They’ve transitioned from takeout and delivery to exclusively focusing on curbside pickup of dinner kits and pasta boxes. Consumers can now learn how to prepare the cacio e pepe kit from the chef himself via Instagram.

Max Becerra, co-owner of Lola’s Eatery in Lawrenceville, says this kind of quick adaptation is necessary for survival.

Becerra, noting that Lola’s Eatery is still fresh from its opening in December, says he and his partner Zoe were just starting to find their stride when dining rooms were shut down. After two weeks of takeout, the duo took a step back to decide what their small operation could truly handle. Now, they’re focusing on custom orders and brunch kits.

Even restaurant giant Eat’n Park has had to embrace this kind of reinvention. Kevin O’Connell, the group’s chief marketing officer, says the restaurant’s process has transitioned to that of a startup rather than a well-established chain. Eat’n Park has launched a grocery program and now offers deals on family-sized chicken tenders and to-go containers of fan favorites like ranch

CP PHOTO: MAGGIE WEAVER

Brunch kit from Lola’s Eatery

SPIRITS & TALES 5130 Bigelow Blvd., Oakland. spiritsandtales.com

SCRATCH FOOD AND BEVERAGE 1720 Lowrie St., Troy Hill. scratchfoodbev.com

dressing and potato soup by the quart.

“People now are looking at [the pandemic] as a long-term thing, and just like in normal life, people don’t want to cook every night,” says O’Connell. Eat’n Park’s takeout orders, including bulk sales, have increased 160% as of Wed., April 22.

Meal kits and bulk production give restaurants a chance to navigate through some of the uncertainties that come with operating in a pandemic: safety, finances, and the threat of permanent closure.

Chefs and owners are able to control food

DIANOIA’S EATERY

LOLA’S EATERY

MILLIE’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com

3337 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville. lolaseatery.com

232 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside; 3803 Butler St., Lawrenceville; 246 Forbes Ave., Downtown. millieshomemade.com

costs and inventory with a restricted menu, limited customer count, smaller staff, and safer working conditions. But the question remains: Are kits, groceries, and bulk foods enough to keep these businesses alive?

Mahaney explains that Scratch, as with any restaurant, can’t be as profitable as it would be running full service.

“You really have to consider what your metrics for success are,” he says. From a business perspective, Scratch is doing “fairly good,” but Mahaney says he’s

Follow staff writer Maggie Weaver on Twitter @magweav

14

PGHCITYPAPER.COM

more concerned with “limiting the risks that people who are food insecure had to take in order to get the food that they needed.”

Anoia and DiAndrea say they’ll do “whatever it takes” to stay in operation.

Lauren Townsend, co-founder of Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, has a similar mindset.

“We want to be here on the other side of this,” Townsend says, “and we’re gonna fight like hell and do everything we can to make sure that happens.”

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ON-PERISHABLE FOODS are cheap, dependable, and pliable during non-global-pandemic times, but they’re especially clutch these days. At a time when we’re reducing trips to the grocery store and find ourselves generally uncertain about the duration of the quarantine, pantry staples like beans, nuts, seeds, and soup are life-savers. They are, however, not super flavorful on their own. Maybe it’s a mental block, since we tend to associate flavor with freshness, but generally the qualities that allow these foods to persevere also make them a little drab.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

With Pittsburgh City Paper’s ongoing online series Shelf-Stable by editorial designer Abbie Adams, we explore ways to elevate, integrate, and celebrate these ingredients as more than just chewable fuel, but something you’d actually want to eat. If you have a suggestion, feel free to send them to abbieadams@pghcitypaper.com. But don’t bother if you’ve got an idea for chickpeas — we have that covered.

Abbie spoke to Dalel Khalil, co-owner of Khalil’s, about the endlessly versatile legume earlier this month.

“To be honest, the best and simplest dish brings out the flavor in the chickpea but doesn’t overpower it,” Khalil said.

She described a simple Mediterranean salad to Abbie, saying that for a 99¢ can of chickpeas and a few other ingredients, you can create a healthy meal that has protein and nutrients. “Instead of stress eating and grabbing chocolate and potato

chips, this will fill you up. Psychologically, you don’t succumb to the virus, and you still feel healthy.”

Put those chickpeas to good use with Khalil’s chickpea salad recipe below.

You’ll need a few items from the store, but you can improvise and substitute as needed. Stay tuned for more Shelf-Stable at pghcitypaper.com.

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Mediterranean (Syrian) Chickpea Salad

by Dalel Khalil • 2 cans, chickpeas — drained and rinsed • 1/4 cup parsley — washed and cut, finely • 3/4 cup grape or cherry tomatoes — chopped in halves • 1/8 cup small red onion — chopped finely (adjust amount according to desired taste) • 10 Kalamata Olives — pitted and split in halves • 1/3 cup feta cheese (optional) • 1/4 cup Sito’s Mediterranean Salad Dressing & Marinade (shaken well)

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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

15

LAST CALL

BY LISA CUNNINGHAM LCUNNING@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

CP PHOTO: JARED WICKERHAM

Howlers

In February, music venue Howlers told Pittsburgh City Paper it would be closing its Bloomfield location in August before moving to a new spot later this year in East Liberty. But last week, owner Susan Coe announced that COVID-19 has caused the Bloomfield music venue’s immediate closure.

“With the current challenges we are facing as a result of Covid19 closures, the difficult decision has been made to close Howlers permanently,” Coe wrote on Howlers’ Facebook page.

All Howlers shows scheduled through 2020 are now canceled.

“We have extreme gratitude for 20 years of music, merriment and memories that will be held close to our hearts forever,” continued Coe in the post.

Local music fans shared their disappointment with CP in February when they heard Howlers would be leaving Bloomfield, with many mourning the loss of longtime booker Mary Jo Coll, who had plans to stay working at the club only through August. “You just cannot mention Howlers without mentioning Mary Jo Coll,” said Hugh Twyman of Pittsburgh music blog HughShows.

Howlers’ post ends on an optimistic note, with the promise that a venue move will still happen as planned: “We will miss you and hope to see your faces at our new location. Stay tuned for updates regarding the move!!!!”

But this closure now means that Coll has booked her last show at the venue.

Coll shared Howlers’ post to her own Facebook page: “And with this ... Ready or not, I am retired ... it’s been a wild ride and I love you all.” •

16

PGHCITYPAPER.COM

.MUSIC.

DIRECT DEPOSITS

BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // JSNOWDEN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

M

USICIANS ON BANDCAMP col-

lectively earned $4.9 million on Fri., March 20 when the online streaming platform waived its revenue share from all sales for 24 hours.

The idea was to help artists across the world who could no longer earn income from concerts and touring amidst pandemic closures. Bandcamp plans to do this again on Fri., May 1.

“Even the next day the purchases didn’t have the fee,” says Danielle Walker, who creates music under the moniker INEZ. “It was more than I get from performing if I have two to three shows a week. It was a great boost, not only for my morale as an artist, but as muchneeded supplemental income.”

The gains weren’t just monetary; Walker says she received new followers from the promotion as well. The day

before Bandcamp waived its revenue shares, Pittsburgh City Paper asked people in the local music scene to recommend releases to purchase from other musicians. For example, Walker’s debut album Voicemails and Conversations was spotlighted by rapper and Driving While Black label owner Jordan Montgomery. “[The] album is perhaps one of the most honest and inspiring displays of women empowerment that I’ve heard in some time,” Montgomery says of the Dec. 2019 release. “Even at 22 tracks, the album gets more enticing the deeper you get into it. With this project, INEZ has set the standard for future R&B projects coming out of the city.”

With Bandcamp repeating its special on May 1, CP followed suit and reached out to artists for a second round of recommendations.

Ben Gibbons (Bored In Pittsburgh) recommends Sober Clones: Sober Clones CS I’ve really been digging Sober Clones CS

by Sober Clones. They’re a duo (featuring members of Speed Plans and Barlow) that makes super fuzzy, psych-pop songs, and they released their debut album in February. I’ve always enjoyed psychedelic music for its escapist qualities, so I appreciate Sober Clones even more now that I’m stuck in a tiny basement apartment with an angry cat.

Clara Kent recommends Bilal Abbey: Gremlins It’s been over a year and this record still moves me. The content is refreshing and brings up a lot to reflect on as a person in modern society: social injustices, selfhatred, self-love, distractions, and more.

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PGHCITYPAPER.COM I love how simply put the messages are in each song.

Alex Neal (Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall Manager) recommends Ky Vöss: Space Cadet Ky Vöss is a Pittsburgh synthpop/dreampop artist well deserving of a spotlight.

When I first heard their music, I was entranced. In the live setting, Ky puts on an intriguing experimental audio/visual show. Well worth the purchase!

Adam Valen (Drusky Entertainment marketing manager, Nevada Color guitarist) recommends Anthony Heubel: Anthony Heubel and the High Lonesome Band I was a fan of his band Run, Forever back in college and ended up crossing paths whenever I was an intern at Drusky Entertainment/Altar Bar. He was a loader (I believe), so we had a few brief talks between sets or something like that. So I was really happy to see his name pop up on new releases. I think I’ve always been more of a technical listener when

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it comes to listening to music at first glance, and the arrangement and quality is top-notch. I love the style of Americana/ folk. I need a few more listens to dive into the songwriting, but I get some Better Oblivion Community Center vibes listening to it, which I’ve been starting to listen to a lot more.

Isaiah Ross (Jack Swing) recommends Rave Ami: All Great Bands Break Up I’m choosing this release because it’s a great Pittsburgh rock record. Rave Ami has been one of the city’s most consistent acts in terms of excellent live shows and excellent music. This record stands up to that claim with a ton of excellent songs. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be “Holla, Space Boy.”

Karen Dietrich (Essential Machine) recommends Sierra Sellers: Ophelia Sierra Sellers’ new album evokes warm summer nights spent exploring — both the neighborhood and what it means to be alive. The grooves are infectious and Sellers’ voice is divine. I caught her set at Deutschtown Music Festival last year and I’ve been a fan ever since.

•

Follow staff writer Jordan Snowden on Twitter @snowden_jordan PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

17

PHOTO: ARBOR HOUSE SOAPS

.ART .

Seascape by Arbor House Soaps

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LATHER UP

BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

P

AUL BARNARD HAS BEEN making soaps,

candles, and other products through his company PSquare Scents since 2004. He opened his Bellevue shop in 2019, but due to the spread of coronavirus, he’s had to close his brick-and-mortar location and return to his online roots.

“We have had to rely more heavily on e-commerce,” says Barnard.

While bars of soap are available in abundance at supermarkets and drug stores, they don’t work for everyone. Barnard says that he started PSquare when he discovered how commercially-produced soaps and other scented care products triggered his migraines. He uses “clean ingredients with true notes that smell amazing without the headaches that can come with it” and focuses on finding fragrances that are either “uplifting or calming.” The shea butter soaps on PSquare’s online store come in a range of scents from Morning Dew to Blueberry and Vanilla Bean. Products like the colorful, fruityscented Gummy Bear soaps bring a bit of whimsy with the suds.

Maureen Tomko of Arbor House Soaps says she

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PGHCITYPAPER.COM

PHOTO: PITTSBURGH WORSH COMPANY

Mount Washington Prom Pic, aka Wild Rose Bar

has noticed a “slight increase” in her Etsy shop sales since the shutdown happened, adding that many family, friends, and returning customers are also calling to stock up on their favorite products.

Tomko, a retired teacher who founded her allnatural soap company in 2016, says much of her income comes from markets and craft shows, as well as custom orders for baby showers, bridal showers, and other events canceled or postponed by COVID19. To offset this, and to provide more options for potential buyers, she increased the number of products listed in her Etsy shop. But selling online presents new challenges, especially when it comes to attracting new customers.

“Since it’s impossible to smell a soap online, I have had to be more descriptive about fragrance and the ingredients included in my products,” says Tomko.

Besides moving online, she and Barnard have resorted to other measures to keep their respective businesses going. Barnard says he has applied for financial relief, including loans from the Small Business Administration and the Paycheck Protection Program, which would help him keep his two employees. Tomko, who works alone out of her suburban Pittsburgh home, says not knowing how many opportunities she will have to sell in the future has made her “reluctant to make major purchases of supplies.”

Socially-distancing herself but still broadcasting LIVE PHOTO: PSQUARE SCENTS

PSquare Scents shop in Bellevue

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PITTSBURGH WORSH COMPANY instagram.com/pittsburgh_worsh_company

Unlike Barnard and Tomko, who have been in the business for years, Casey Kilroy of Pittsburgh Worsh Company is new to the scene. She recently decided to turn her soap-making hobby into a business when her career as a performing artist was put on hold by the virus.

“As terrifying as it is to start a company at a time when so much is unknown and will be changing in how we will be able to shop, I really do think the people of Pittsburgh will figure out a way to prioritize supporting small business, and I am honored to be a part of the movement,” says Kilroy, who has been studying and experimenting with soap-making for the past year.

Like Barnard, she also has a sensitivity to ingredients in store-bought products and wanted to use her skills to develop soap that wouldn’t irritate her skin. She also saw the business as a way to honor her Pittsburgh roots as the descendent of immigrants who settled, worked, and raised families in places like the North Side, the Hill District, and Braddock. She says she buys local

ingredients when possible — including honey, beeswax, and wine — and names products after various places in the Pittsburgh region. Her current favorite is her black-and-gold Worsh bar. There’s also Observatory Hill, a glycerin bar with a “celestial design,” a Salt Spa Bar named after Saline Street in Squirrel Hill, and Mount Washington Prom Pic, aka Wild Rose Bar, a name meant to invoke memories of taking prom photos at the iconic Pittsburgh overlook.

She says the local soap-making community has been incredibly welcoming.

While she has yet to experience the world of in-person sales like Tomko and Barnard, she believes she will be in good company when that time comes.

“What I found is this great spirit of makers, who surprisingly weren’t competitive and who were willing to work to support one other as much as possible,” says Kilroy. “I do believe there is a place for all of us, and we are keeping a tradition alive that goes back literally thousands of years, and doing it each in our way. It’s exciting.”

•

Follow senior writer Amanda Waltz on Twitter @AWaltzCP PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

19

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Is there an area of your life where you would like a do-over? A chance to cancel the past and erase lingering messiness and clear a path for who-knows-what new possibility? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to prepare — not to actually take the leap, but rather make yourself ready for the leap. You will have God and fate and warm fuzzy vibes on your side as you dare to dream and scheme about a fresh start. Any mistakes you committed once upon a time could become irrelevant as you fantasize practically about a future breakthrough.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 1855, Gemini-born Walt Whitman published his book of poetry Leaves of Grass. A literary critic named Rufus Wilmot Griswold did not approve. In a review, he derided the work that would eventually be regarded as one of America’s literary masterpieces. “It is impossible to imagine how any man’s fancy could have conceived such a mass of stupid filth,” Griswold wrote, adding that Whitman had a “degrading, beastly sensuality” driven by “the vilest imaginings.” Whitman’s crafty Gemini intelligence responded ingeniously to the criticism.

In the next edition of Leaves of Grass, the author printed Griswold’s full review. It helped sell even more books! I invite you to consider comparable twists and tricks.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In your efforts to develop a vibrant community and foster a vital network of connections, you have an advantage. Your emotionally rich, nurturing spirit instills trust in people.

They’re drawn to you because they sense you will treat them with care and sensitivity. On the other hand, these fine attributes of yours may sometimes cause problems. Extraneedy, manipulative folks may interpret your softness as weakness. They might try to exploit your kindness to take advantage of you. So the challenge for you is to be your generous, welcoming self without allowing anyone to violate your boundaries or rip you off. Everything I just said will be helpful to meditate on in the coming weeks, as you reinvent yourself for the future time when the coronavirus crisis will have lost much of its power to disrupt our lives.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Now is an excellent time to take inventory of your integrity.

You’re likely to get crucial insights if you evaluate the state of your ethics, your authenticity, and your compassion. Is it time to boost your commitment to a noble cause that transcends your narrow self-interest? Are there ways you’ve been less than fully fair and honest in your dealings with people? Is it possible you have sometimes failed to give your best? I’m not saying that you are guilty of any of those sins. But most of us are indeed guilty of them, at least now and then. And if you are, Leo, now is your special time to check in with yourself — and make any necessary adjustments and corrections.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I predict that you will have more flying dreams than usual in the coming weeks — as well as more dreams in which you’re traveling around the world in the company of rebel angels and dreams in which you’re leading revolutionary uprisings of oppressed people against tyrannical overlords and dreams of enjoying eight-course gourmet feasts with sexy geniuses in the year 2022. You may also, even while not asleep, well up with outlandish fantasies and exotic desires. I don’t regard any of these likelihoods as problematic. In fact, I applaud them and encourage them. They’re healthy for you!

Bonus: All the wild action transpiring in your psyche may prompt you to generate good ideas about fun adventures you could embark on once the coronavirus crisis has ebbed.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): It’s time to work your way below the surface level of things, Libra; to dig and dive into the lower reaches where the mysteries are darker and richer; to marshal your courage as you go in quest of the rest of the story. Are you willing to suspend

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some of your assumptions about the way things work so as to become fully alert for hidden agendas and dormant potentials?

Here’s a piece of advice: Your fine analytical intelligence won’t be enough to guide you through this enigmatic terrain. If you hope to get face to face with the core source, you’ll have to call on your deeper intuition and non-rational hunches.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): When was the last time you researched the intricacies of what you don’t like and don’t desire and don’t want to become?

Now is a favorable time to take a thorough inventory. You’ll generate good fortune for yourself by naming the following truths: 1. goals and dreams that are distractions from your primary mission; 2. attitudes and approaches that aren’t suitable for your temperament and that don’t contribute to your maximum health; 3. people and influences that are not in alignment with your highest good.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky believed that the cleverest people are those who regularly call themselves fools. In other words, they feel humble amusement as they acknowledge their failings and ignorance — thereby paving the way for creative growth. They steadily renew their commitment to avoid being know-it-alls, celebrating the curiosity that such blessed innocence enables them to nurture. They give themselves permission to ask dumb questions! Now is a favorable time for you to employ these strategies.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What wonderful improvements and beautiful influences would you love to be basking in by May 1, 2021? What masterpieces would you love to have as key elements of your life by then? I invite you to have fun brainstorming about these possibilities in the next two weeks. If an exciting idea bubbles up into your awareness, formulate a plan that outlines the details you’ll need to put in place so as to bring it to fruition when the time is right. I hereby authorize you to describe yourself with these terms: begetter; originator; maker; designer; founder; producer; framer; generator.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If I asked you to hug and kiss yourself regularly, would you think I was being too cute? If I encouraged you to gaze into a mirror once a day and tell yourself how beautiful and interesting you are, would you say, “That’s too woo-woo for me”? I hope you will respond more favorably than that, Aquarius. In fact, I will be praying for you to ascend to new heights of self-love between now and May 25. I will be rooting for you to be unabashed as you treat yourself with more compassionate tenderness than you have ever dared to before. And I do mean EVER!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the coming weeks, I’d love to see you get excited about refining and upgrading the ways you communicate. I don’t mean to imply that you’re a poor communicator now; it’s just that you’re in a phase when you’re especially empowered to enhance the clarity and candor with which you express yourself. You’ll have an uncanny knack for knowing the right thing to say at the right moment. You’ll generate blessings for yourself as you fine-tune your listening skills. Much of this may have to happen online and over the phone, of course.

But you can still accomplish a lot!

ARIES (March 21-April 19): I always hesitate to advise Aries people to slow down, be more deliberate, and pay closer attention to boring details. The Rams to whom I provide such counsel may be rebelliously annoyed with me — so much so that they move even faster, and with less attention to the details. Nevertheless, I’ll risk offering you this advisory right now. Here’s my reasoning, which I hope will make the prospect more appealing: If you commit to a phase in which you temporarily invoke more prudence, discretion, and watchfulness than usual, it will ultimately reward you with a specific opportunity to make rapid progress.

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 AmyJo Sanders 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

Brittany Fagan Caitlin O’Connor Campbell Robertson Cara and Bill Blumenschein Carol Pickerine Carolyn Regan Carrie Roy Cathy Elliott Chad Efaw Charles Anthony Chris Belasco Chris Gillotti Chris Mueller Chris Potter Chris Watts Christina Barry Christopher Briem Cindy Hudson Clare & Dennis Pawloski Cole Gleason Coleman Lamb Cortney Bouse Dana Bell Dana Estep Daniel Jacobowitz Daniel Tasse Danielle Walker Dara Pruszenski David Kutrufis David Newman David Oakley David Vatz Debbie Breckenridge Deno De Ciantis Divyansh Kaushik Don Pellegrino Ed Ehrlich Ed Wrenn Eileen French Elizabeth Archibald Elizabeth Butler Elizabeth Silver Ellen Philips Emilie Yonan Emma Diehl Emma Neely

Erica Warnitsky Erin Kelly Evelyn Meinert Finnian Carstens G Ronald Ripper G. Gerben Georgann Jenkins George Kanakis Geral Schatten Gillian Kratzer Gina Vensel Greg Seaman Gregory Scott Griffin Conley Hank McAnallen Harley Nester Harold Smoliar Heidi Bartholomew Hobart Webster Ian Riggins J. Dale Shoemaker Jacob Bacharach James Conley James Heinrich James Saal James Santelli Jason Meer Jay Aronson Jay Walker Jeanne Cobetto Jeff Betten Jeffrey Benzing Jennie Sweet-Cushman Jenny Ladd Jeremy Kimmel Jess Williams Jessica Manack Jessica Prom Jessica Prucnal JJ Abbott JoAnn Tuite JoAnn Zindren Joanne Gilligan Jocelyn Codner Joe D’Alessandro Joe Pasqualetti

Joey Gannon John Berry John Meyer John Wise John Yackovich Joseph Corrigan Joseph Morrison Joshua Axelrod Joshua Kiley Joshua Pinter Joshua Smith Julian Routh Justin Krane Justin Matase Justin Romano Justin Rossini Kate Roberts Kate Rosenzweig Katharine Kelleman Katherine Oltmanns Kathy Dax Katie Damico Katie Hudson Keegan Gibson Keith Bare Kendra Ross Kenneth Mostern Kevin Jameson Kim Lyons Kimberly Ressler Kristina Marusic Kyle Cunningham Lady MacBonald Lara Putnam Larry Lynn Laura Drogowski Laura Everhart Lena DeLucia Leslie Cooley Liam Lowe Lisa Saks Lois Apple Loretta Deto Lori Kasenter Lorie Milich Luke Rifugiato

Lynn Cullen Lynne Cherepko Lynne Frank Lynne Hughes Magda Gangwar Margaret Krauss Marilyn McCarty Marina Fang Mark Goodman Mark Solomon Mark Westbrook Mark Winer Mary Briles Mary Guzzetta Mary Russell Mary Russell Matt Adams Matt Moret Matt Moret Matthew Buchholz Matthew Cartier Matthew Hynes Megan Brady Melissa Kohr Micaela Corn Michael Colaresi Michael Damico Michael Shuker Michael Wasson Mike Beattie MJ Holmes Molly Toth Morgan Jenkins Myles Gordon Nate Jay Neil Bhaerman Neil Owen Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh Nick Goodfellow Nick Honkaal Nick Malawskey Nikki Walton Noah Theriault Nora Smith Norma Bronder

Office of Public Art Ollie Gratzinger Patricia Oliver Patty Delaney Paul McGowan Peter McKay Rachel Ward Raymond Leech Raymond Martin Rebecca Boyer Rebecca Seibel Rich Lord Richelle Meer Rick D’Loss Rob Rossi Robert Baird Robert Lang Robert Raczka Ron Vodenichar Samuel Gordon Sarah Hamm Sarah Wiggin Sean Collier Shannon Kelly Shawn Cooke Sherri Suppa Stacey Campbell Stephanie Sedor Stephen Wagner Steve Holz Steve Soboslai Stuart Strickland Sue Kerr Susan Jackson Tara Spence Tereneh Idia Terry Peters Tobin Seastedt Todd Derr Toni Haraldsen Tyler Bickford Vicki Cunningham Virginia Alvino Young Will Simmons William J Schoy IV William O’Driscoll

NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS If you value City Paper’s news reporting and arts and entertainment coverage, please consider becoming a member. More info — including perks! — can be found at pghcitypaper.com PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER APRIL 29-MAY 6, 2020

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