6-21-17

The Pitt News

Men’s basketball recruitment updates page 8

The independent student newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | June 21, 2017 | Volume 108 | Issue 7

PETER’S, BETA BITES ISSUED CONSUMER ALERTS

Henry Glitz News Editor

Oakland restaurant Beta Bites received a consumer alert Tuesday, joining Peter’s Pub as the second local restaurant to receive the designation from the health department in June.

Beta Bites received a consumer alert from the county health department Tuesday. The restaurant, which is located on South Bouquet Street and serves Mediterranean and Middle Easternstyle food, violated the Allegheny County Health Department standards in 15 of 33 food safety and general sanitation categories.

One of the 15 violations — concerns with “cold holding temperatures” — was considered high risk. This included a lengthy list of food items held at unsafe temperatures, including raw lamb pieces at 46 degrees, raw fish at 47 degrees and cheese slices at 54 degrees.

Beta Bites owner Mohcine Eljoufri told The Pitt News that the restaurant had temporarily closed to address the issues the Health Department’s inspection and report had brought to light.

“We are doing everything that we can right now. We did throw everything out, so we are making sure we are following the Health Department’s standards,” he said.

Peter’s Pub on Oakland Avenue was cited last Monday, June 12, for violations in 21 of 33 total categories. Four of the violations, including cold holding temperatures for food and employee personal hygiene, were listed in the Health Department’s official report as “high risk.”

The County’s report mentioned employees at the bar “drinking from open drink then putting on gloves and preparing orders without washing hands,” and “changing gloves after different tasks without washing hands.” The report also notes “dried debris” on knives and a deli slicer.

The Pitt News tried to contact the owner of Peter’s, but did not receive a response Tuesday night.

Pittsburgh Symphony puts on sensory-friendly show page 7 James Rodgers, a contrabassoonist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, shows a child how his instrument is played in the Grand Tier Foyer of Heinz Hall before the sensory-friendly performance on Saturday. Anna Bongardino VISUAL EDITOR

GRAD STUDENTS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR UNION Janine Faust Senior Staff Writer Some Pitt graduate students have been buckling down these past six months on something other than master and doctoral degrees.

The Graduate Student Organizing Committee — a group that advocates for the formation of a graduate student union on Pitt’s campus — has been garnering support for unionization since they formed in late 2015.

Hatem Hassan, a graduate student organizer studying sociology, said the organizing committee has grown to the point where plans are being made to hold a vote to unionize by Feb. 2018, one year after plans to unionize were formally announced.

“The committee itself is starting to grow into the hundreds and interest is expanding into departments which were more difficult to raise support in before,” Hassan said. “This is turning into a great chance to make an educated decision.”

Abby Cartus, a student organizer studying at the School of Public Health, said she has been collecting card signatures every day since summer break began.

“It’s been going really well. I don’t know the exact count, but almost everyone I’ve spoken with has been supportive,” she said. “I spend all my time talking to people.”

Cartus said that most graduate students express similar concerns when they’re approached on the topic of unionization, that “all branch from

a lack of power or say.”

According to the union website, the main issues the union advocates for include timely notification in writing for employment decisions, fair salaries with fixed and periodic raises and protection of graduate student speech and writing from institutional censorship or discipline.

Cartus said that transparency in funding is another major concern of the students she speaks to.

“It all stems from not having an equitable footing with Pitt,” she said. “People are eager to engage with Pitt, to say this is what we need.”

Beth Shabaan, a student organizer studying at Pitt’s School of Public Health, agrees that See Union on page 3

News

Interactive Crime Map online

Q&A with new UHC dean online

LOCALS WEIGH IN ON BUS RAPID TRANSIT

Henry Glitz News Editor Community members and local activists gathered Monday night to talk about new bus stops, or as city employee Justin Miller called them — “upgraded transit experiences.”

The replicas of the Bus Rapid Transit system’s proposed new stops sat on the side of the room as Miller, an employee of Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning, explained that the focus of the evening’s meeting was to discuss changes to bus stop locations in Oakland.

The event, which took place at the Oakland Career Center on Semple Street, was one in a series of meetings taking place both in Oakland and in other communities around Pittsburgh. Billed as a “community input meeting,” the presentation was designed to take into account local concerns related to the implementation of a BRT system in the next several years.

The BRT system, which would run three lines all from Downtown to Oakland before diverging toward different neighborhoods farther to the east, would supersede most bus lines and bus stops currently along Forbes and Fifth Avenues. Under the current plan, there would only be four stops in Oakland on Fifth — Chesterfield Street, Atwood Avenue, Tennyson Avenue and Craig Street — and four more on Forbes — Halket Street, Sennott Square, Schenley Plaza and

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Craig Street.

The stops for the BRT system would vary in size from small, or “neighborhood size,” to large “transit centers.” The smallest proposed stops would be about the same size as existing covered bus stops in Oakland, while the largest could be up to seven times larger.

The new stations would be physically larger than those currently in place, according to Miller.

Amenities include kiosks present at most of the large stations displaying the real-time arrival estimates for BRT buses.

Despite the skepticism many residents present at the meeting expressed, Amy Silbermann, one of the presenters from Port Authority, claimed that data for arrival times would be helpful.

“We have found the predictions to be quite accurate,” she said of the arrival times for public transport vehicles fed to transit apps, like Google Maps, from the city.

While a large part of the meeting’s purpose was to determine locals’ opinions about where larger stations might be appro-

priate in Oakland, several attendees came to located in Wilkinsburg, with riders travelthe meeting to discuss other concerns they ing further out needing to transfer.

“I think it’s bunk,” the resident exhad with the proposed transit project.

One woman who said she lives on Fra- claimed.

Other attendees brought up the potenzier Street in South Oakland complained tial impact of the changes to public transportation on residents with disabilities. One concern was that the larger bus stops that would be added to Oakland sidewalks might make it difficult or impossible for those with disabilities to maneuver them.

“All of this would be [Americans with that her section of the neighborhood was virtually inaccessible by public transporta- Disabilities Act] accessible,” Silbermann tion and suggested that the city had mis- said in response.

But some community members were placed priorities by focusing specifically on transportation along Forbes and Fifth left unsatisfied, both on that issue and on others. Another woman in a wheelchair in Avenues.

“You’re so worried about this rapid tran- attendance complained that the winnowing sit to Oakland,” she said. “We don’t even down of the number of bus stops contradicted what the community — particularly have a shuttle.”

Another resident objected to the the disability community — had worked planned shortening of the BRT’s central for.

“We fought long and hard, got politiroute. Where current Port Authority buses travel as far out from Downtown as Swiss- cians involved. We fought for a long time to vale, the proposed BRT terminus would be get that stop,” she said.

“We fought long and hard, got politicians involved. We fought for a long time to get that stop.”

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Union, pg. 1 transparency is a major issue brought up by grad students interested in a union, and is something that is uniting people across Pitt’s schools.

“People think that the circumstances in particular schools are so different from each other, but it really boils down to a couple things — lack of transparency, safety, pay,” she said. “We all want input into what is happening in the university.”

The committee raised the transparency issue in an email last week addressed to “Chancellor Gallagher and all members of the Pitt Community” that stated concerns about the recent firing of Ed Michaels from the counseling center, an action The Pitt News reported last week but Pitt hasn’t yet released a statement about.

“These events are a reminder that we cannot sit back and rely on others to make our wellbeing and needs a priority at Pitt,” the email said.

“We steadfastly believe that a union of graduate employees will provide us with transparency and a voice in the decisions that impact our lives.”

While the committee has their disagreements with Pitt, Shabaan said they have not felt any pressure from Pitt as they work to form a union.

“I think we have a very promising relationship in the works with them,” she said. “We are

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trying to create a win-win situation with the union that benefits both students and the administration.”

Pitt’s Office of the Provost released a set of guidelines Wednesday instructing faculty on what to do if approached with questions or information about the graduate student union.

According to Susan Rogers, vice chancellor of communications, said these guidelines were requested by faculty who wished to know how to properly respond to such inquiries.

“What the guidelines allow staff and faculty to do is understand how they can answer questions directed at them about [the union] in ways

that are legally permissible,” Rogers said.

Shabaan said that she appreciates that faculty considered how to respond to student union talk and that administrators invested the time to create such guidelines. But she does feel that the guidelines hold a bit of misinformation. “[The guidelines] are helpful, but they also seem to imply this idea that the mentor-mentee relationship will be compromised by the formation of a student union,” she said. “From our perspective, the employer-employee relationship, that of the university administration and the students, will be the one changing.”

One guideline says faculty can “share any

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concerns you have about how having a union involved will change your relationship with your students, including the loss of your flexibility to meet their individual needs.”

Shabaan said the organizing committee has found no evidence that a union would affect their members’ relationships with their mentors.

“We’ve looked at examples before such as [University of California, Berkeley] that already have grad student unions, and these institutes are still productive first-class schools,” she said.

Find the full story online at

pittnews.com

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Opinions column

from the editorial board

DEAR BEN SHAPIRO, Port Authority ignores important BRT stakeholders YOU’RE WRONG The Port Authority has promised people that live on the lines of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit project faster commutes, new electric buses and safe bike lanes. But the proposal isn’t perfect, and the people that might be negatively impacted by the project are being ignored.

Some 3,000 riders are still unsure if this infrastructure project will increase their cost of transportation or if their buses will come less frequently. And the Port Authority doesn’t seem interested in telling them what’s going on.

Under the current proposal — which will connect Oakland and Downtown with possible branches to Squirrel Hill and Highland Park — riders on the 61 and 71 lines that currently travel inbound through Oakland will have to disembark from their buses and transfer onto a rapid transit bus. This inconvenience of a transfer isn’t a huge deal, and is less of a concern with the faster remaining part of their trip to Downtown.

However, there is no clear answer as to whether these riders will have to pay a transfer fee — currently $1 with a Connect Card — that they previously avoided. This is a potentially major cost for someone who commutes two ways every day, especially considering many of the neighborhoods affected by the added transfer — like Braddock and Duquesne— are low-income neighborhoods.

Molly Nichols of local advocacy group Pittsburghers for Public Transit is concerned about the frequency of ride service to these towns. The BRT will likely make local service less frequent, she said, adding that the outreach to these communities discussing this possibility has been lacking.

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Nichols said her organization also strongly believes there shouldn’t be a transfer fee for these riders. We agree, and it seems like Mayor Bill Peduto does too.

“You don’t want to make it overly burdensome or overly costly to deny anybody better accessibility,” he told The Pitt News in May. “You want to be able to do so but still keep it within cost constraints — especially for lower-income people.”

As of now, Port Authority won’t provide any information about the possibility of an additional transfer fee.

“We have not yet had that discussion,” Port Authority spokesperson Adam Brandolph said. “There is no update on fare policy for BRT.” The authority is currently holding meetings to discuss street layout and bus locations — the last before seeking federal funding. Brandolph said they do plan on “discuss[ing] BRT fare policy with stakeholder and community groups” but didn’t give a timeframe.

Talking with the people of Braddock, Duquesne and Regent Square — people who might not benefit from the BRT like us in Oakland but will be affected by it — should be at the forefront of the authority’s public outreach, not an afterthought.

An additional transfer fee clearly shouldn’t be imposed upon some neighborhoods, while others reap the rewards.

But the city still has time to make this right.

Above all, they should be transparent about the potential negative effects of the proposal and not shy away from hearing input from those outside the project’s route. They’re just as much stakeholders in our city’s public transportation future as residents of Oakland and Downtown.

Gage Skidmore, flickr

Saket Rajprohat Columnist Dear Ben Shapiro, You have been completely wrong since May 10, the day after Trump fired Comey.

In the June 8 episode of The Ben Shapiro Podcast, one of the most popular conservative podcasts in the nation, you declared you were “exactly correct” in your wildest theory to date — that Donald Trump fired James Comey not because he had anything to hide con-

Maria Heines STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

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cerning the Russian investigation, but because Comey would not publicly announce that Trump was not personally under investigation. Later, you add that because of Comey’s recent testimony, the Democratic narrative that Trump and his administration colluded with the Kremlin is completely debunked, and that it proves Trump’s innocence, vindicating your theory.

But sim simply, you’re wrong. I’d like to tell you why Comey’s testimony advanced the DemoCom crats’ narrative and how this is evidence of an narr even great greater need in American politics for an FBI that ex exists independent from the executive branch in order to preserve the integrity of the investigative investigati system.

You say the Democrats hoped that Comey would confirm Trump’s collusion with wo Russia during the 2016 election, which would markedly suggest that Trump fired Comey to cover it up. And you’re right until here — but you’re wrong in implying that this is the entirety of the Democrats’ claims against Trump.

See Rajprohat on page 5

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Rajprohat, pg. 4 Democrats point toward Trump’s possible obstruction of justice in firing Comey, his inappropriate and unconfirmed Twitter rants and his willingness to exchange classified information with the Russians as evidence of his guilt.

Comey’s testimony explained that Trump wanted the FBI director to come out and say to the public that Trump himself was not the subject of any ongoing investigation, the same statement that he made to Trump in private.

The president also decided to highlight this in his letter to James Comey firing him.

But the next day, Trump went to the rose garden to deny all the claims Comey made in his testimony, later saying that he would go under oath to confirm this belief.

So at least up until this, you’re right — this is not playing out how Democrats had expected.

But while you see Democratic defeat, the Democrats see victory.

Not only did the testimony beg the question, among Republicans and Democrats alike — is Trump’s relationship with Russia more than what he’s led America to believe? This is a question that Republicans haven’t yet considered, and thanks to the testimony, we may finally have some answers.

Above all of this though, in the June 9 episode of your podcast, you mention Trump made a mistake in calling Comey a liar. This mistake was undoubtedly the best thing that could have happened for the Democrats because if Trump goes under oath and says Comey was untruthful in his statements, either Comey or Trump will commit perjury for lying about the other — and just like you Ben, I trust Comey’s memos to be the truth.

But these are nitpicky details when our president’s actions point to a hidden a connection between his administration and the Russian government.

The most relevant evidence of this occurred in early January. During a meeting with many staffers present, the topic of Comey’s employment came up. Realizing that this conversation was one that shouldn’t have witnesses present, Trump decided to clear the room and speak with Comey privately.

In defense of this, I imagine you may look to Republican Senator Susan Collins and the point she made during a CNN interview on June 9, where she explained that Comey was initially the one that cleared the room in a separate meeting in early January, and perhaps

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the president had taken that as how all his interactions should go with Comey. This argument does not make sense because the first interaction the two had was to discuss Trump’s alleged “Russian hooker” tapes, something that could be potentially embarrassing for the president. The second interaction, on the other hand, dealt with nothing embarrassing, but rather a threat to Comey himself on whether he wanted to remain in his position.

There is a reason the FBI is supposed to be both nonpartisan and independent in its work. The influence any branch of government could have on the FBI can severely affect

investigations, exactly as we are seeing now. It simply doesn’t make sense for a president to ask the FBI director for loyalty and still maintain the ability to fire them. With this loophole, no investigation on the president could ever be properly conducted.

So in the end, this all comes back to your initial theory that Trump is innocent and that the Democrats lost their narrative from Comey’s testimony. With these facts, it is obvious there is some form of collusion with the Trump administration and Russia, and it is not smart to say Trump is innocent based on a few of his words.

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Your arguments — like the president’s — are falling through the cracks. Trump’s “concern” over the investigation for finding people that “did something wrong”, his calls to end any investigation involving Russia and firing director Comey all point toward his guilt, as clear as vodka.

Sincerely, A fan Saket primarily writes on politics for The Pitt News. Write to Saket at smr122@pitt.edu.

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Culture

NO SUDDEN SOUNDS: PSO PERFORMS SENSORY-FRIENDLY SHOW

by Matt Maielli, Contributing Editor

D

onning a red and gold Gryffindor tie and a pair of rounded glasses, Conductor Lawrence Loh guides the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra through a song from “Harry Potter” with a wizard’s wand in place of a baton.

The “Harry Potter And the Sorcerer’s Stone” theme was just one of the many popular pieces that were covered at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s sensory-friendly concert — “Music of Flight and Fantasy” — held at Heinz Hall this past Saturday.

PSO organizes its sensory-friendly concerts with those with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities and disabilities in mind. The PSO’s website defines these performances as “inclusive experiences that are open to patrons of all ages and abilities and designed for individuals on the autism spectrum, those with sensory sensitivities and others who would like to enjoy a concert in a relaxed environment.”

Roger Ideishi, director of the occupational therapy program at Temple University’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, is a consultant for the sensory-friendly Flight and Fantasy concert.

When most people hear the phrase “sensory-friendly” they probably assume that it simply involves mediating the sound of the concert. But while that is sometimes a factor, that’s not really the case.

“When you think about theater rules, it’s sit down, be quiet, don’t move,” Ideishi said. “And you can only go in and out of the theater hall at certain points. In sensory-friendly experiences, all of those rules are relaxed — you can talk, you can move about, you can go in and out as much as you want.”

Before the concert officially started, Loh, the newly-appointed music director of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, offered a few words of encour-

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agement to the audience regarding the relaxed rules and setting of the event.

Loh promoted vocalizing — a vocal expression that people on the spectrum may engage in whenever they experience something they like or dislike — as well as moving further from or closer to the stage during the performance.

creating that supportive safe space [...] and communication — in verbal and in nonverbal ways — to [be able to] provide that communication to the family members.”

Vanessa Braun, assistant director of accessibility at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Pitt alum, echoed this senti-

Katy Williams (right) sings and Stacy Innerst (left), a children’s book illustrator, completes a drawing as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays “Pure Imagination” at the sensory-friendly symphony concert on Saturday. Anna Bongardino VISUAL EDITOR

According to Ideishi, this setting is necessary for the needs of people on the spectrum in public spaces.

“Individuals have different needs at different times and with that flexibility, those needs can be met at any point during the experience,” Ideishi said.

The sensory-friendly concerts differ from PSO’s typical concerts in that sounds are mediated, seating is flexible and the main house lights are kept on throughout the show for easier movement.

“These families often feel scrutinized and judged when they go out into the community,” Ideishi said. “So [we are]

ment, adding that people on the autism spectrum feel welcome at the concerts.

“I would say that all of the feedback that we receive from people always goes back to the fact that ‘I felt welcome when I walked in the door,’” Braun said.

The concert itself held a few surprises up its tailored tuxedo sleeve. Artist Stacy Innerst was brought on stage for the performance of “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” Innerst hand drew a black and white picture of Willy Wonka and a pair of children floating in the sky, held up by an umbrella and some balloons, while Katy Williams — a regionally renowned

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soprano — provided vocals.

And although Loh took some measures to mediate the concert’s sounds, he described the task as a good challenge for the orchestra and that it was nothing too diminishing.

“I had the orchestra tone down the loudest dynamics so that there would be a slightly tempered range of volume,” Loh said. “I also had them slightly adjust their style of playing to make certain parts a little less abrupt and surprising without taking away any of the excitement.”

An American Sign Language interpreter sat off to the right side of the stage, translating Williams’ vocals and Loh’s between-song banter. Large digital screens on each side of the stage offer live captions of the concert in large print.

For an interesting rendition of the giant, three-headed dog scene from “Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone,” PSO members Gretchen Van Hoesen and James W. Rodgers play a duet of harp and contrabassoon, respectively. Van Hoesen replicates the harp music from the scene, while Rodgers imitates Fluffy’s snoring with the contrabassoon.

The concert also dabbled in classical orchestral pieces, such as a suite from “Swan Lake,” complemented by a pair of ballet dancers from Point Park University, Madeline Kelso and DaMond Garner.

Audience members, young and old, make conducting motions with their hands from their seats, while a few people edge close to the stage, imitating the dance movements.

“Flight of the Bumblebee” from the Russian opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan,” which, while quick and difficult to play, did not hold some people’s attention.

“When is ‘Star Wars?’” a kid in the crowd anxiously called out to his mother. The See Sensory Show on page 7

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Sensory Show, pg. 6 main theme from John Williams iconic “Star Wars” score acted as the concert’s finale, with Loh brandishing a short green lightsaber almost out of nowhere as his new baton.

Sensory-friendly events are usually discounted, making it a cheap, easy way for families to find a Saturday outing.

Although PSO’s average concert tickets range from around $30 for gallery seating to $100 for box seats, all “Flight and Fantasy” tickets were $15.

Anne Mulgrave, a Pitt alum and manager of grants & Accessibility for the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, said that most families who have a member with an autism spectrum disorder spend a lot of money on treatments and therapies that aren’t covered by medical insurance.

“So [families with a member who is on the autism spectrum] have a tendency to have far less disposable income,” Mulgrave said. “So to bring the family to a sensory-friendly ‘Lion King’ is out of economic needs — they just can’t afford it.”

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Ideishi, who works on similar events across the country, points to Pittsburgh as a leader and model for public programs like these. This is easily proved by a cursory search for sensory-friendly concerts and artistic events in Pittsburgh — from the PSO, to an upcoming sensory-friendly performance of “Wicked” in 2018, to inclusive events at the Andy Warhol Museum.

“I always tell organizations that they really should look at how Pittsburgh has collaborated and created all of these opportunities and education for the organizations as well as the public,” Ideishi said.

Loh, a guest conductor at orchestras in big cities across the country, reinforced the idea of Pittsburgh as a leader when it comes to sensory-friendly concerts and added that he had convinced other orchestras to put on their own sensory-friendly shows through talking about PSO’s concerts.

“Pittsburgh is definitely a leading city when it comes to sensory-friendly events,” Loh said. “I’m proud of being associated with such a thoughtful and inclusive organization.”

NEW

SUMMER MUSIC

“Melodrama” by Lorde

&

“Witness” by Benjamin Booker Read the reviews online @ pittnews.com

June 21, 2017

7

Sports

Lyke hires an EMU admin... again online

BASKETBALL ADDS TWO RECRUITS, CHRIS JONES TO TEAM

Ryan Zimba Sports Editor

After a tumultuous start to the offseason, second-year basketball head coach Kevin Stallings got a much-needed reprieve this weekend as two highly-touted recruits committed to the program.

Even though Stallings and his staff are still putting together their 2017 class, the program got its first commitment in the class of 2018 Friday in forward Bryce Golden.

A Maryland native, Golden is rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports and the No. 78 player in the country. He is the Panthers’ highest-rated recruit since 2013 when Michael Young committed.

“I firmly believe in what Coach Stallings is building and I’m excited to be a part of it,”

TNS

Golden said, announcing his decision on Twitter.

Golden’s high school team — St. James School in Hagerstown, Maryland — struggled this past season, stumbling to a 12-14 record and going 6-6 in their league. But Golden was one of the group’s stars, and even though he won’t be here next year, he has the opportunity to be a huge part of the program’s future along with St. John’s transfer Malik Ellison, who is ineligible to play this fall.

Later in the weekend, Stallings received another commitment — this time for the 2017 class — from 6-foot-5 shooting guard Parker Stewart. The Tennessee product played this past season for Union City High School, going 16-12 overall while posting a

12-4 district record.

247Sports ranks Stewart as a three-star prospect and the No. 3 player in the state of Tennessee. He was previously committed to Ole Miss and signed his letter of intent to play with the Rebels Nov. 9. But in late May, he asked to be released and reopened his recruitment at the start of June. He chose the Panthers over Iowa State and Georgetown Universities, among others.

“Excited to announce I will be joining the Pittsburgh Panther family, play for Coach Stallings, and compete in the best conference, the ACC,” Stewart said in a tweet announcing his commitment.

Stewart is the ninth player in the Panthers’ 2017 class as Kevin Stallings continues to rebuild the roster after the graduation of

four starters in addition to five transfers.

Not counting former walk-on Zach Smith, only two scholarship players — seniors Ryan Luther and Jonathan Milligan — from last year’s team will play this season. Chris Jones — one of the four graduates — will also return as a graduate manager.

All six of the 2017 recruits listed on 247Sports — including Stewart — are rated as three-star recruits. Florida point guard Marcus Carr — rated the No. 147 player in the country — highlights the group and will most likely be the centerpiece of the Panthers offense this fall.

There are currently two spots remaining in the 2017 class, and Stallings will work until the recruiting dead period, which starts July 6, to fill in the group.

column

WEAK DIVISION GIVES BATTLING BUCS OPPORTUNITY David Leftwich Staff Writer Don’t look now, but two months into the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates are still hanging around in the National League Central.

Heading into May, the team was in last place in the division and looked like a longshot for the playoffs. Now, thanks to a modest turnaround and a lackluster division, the team’s playoff picture is looking a little brighter.

The Pirates have been a difficult team to understand this season. In April, they immediately took their place in the cellar of the division with a sluggish offensive start and inconsistent pitching.

Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen and shortstop Jordy Mercer were among starting position players to get off

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to a slow start, each hitting below .220 for the first two months of the season. The pitching staff wasn’t much better as starters Trevor Williams and Tyler Glasnow struggled to establish themselves, each posting earned run averages above 5.00.

On May 15, the Pirates looked destined to miss the playoffs again, sitting at 16-22, six games back of the divisionleading St. Louis Cardinals.

The team has begun to turn around its play over the last few weeks, going 17-16 since then, and despite continued pitching lapses and slumps along the way, the Pirates have remained competitive.

But, if they can start playing to their potential, they can achieve much more than competitive baseball. In fact, they

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have kept pace with the division over the past month and are only four games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.

Over the past month, the Cardinals have fallen off and the Cubs have remained stagnant around .500. Milwaukee has managed to stay a few games over .500 to hold the division lead, and the Pirates have signaled they could potentially make a run.

First of all, the Pirates hitting has greatly improved over their dismal April numbers. In the past 30 days, seven regular position players are hitting over .300.

The most notable among the group is McCutchen, who has hit .323 over the past month, raising his batting average See Pirates on page 9

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Pirates, pg. 8 from around .212 to .257.

With McCutchen, catcher Francisco Cervelli and second baseman Josh Harrison all currently hitting close to their career averages, the offense could be a force moving into the final stretch before the all-star break.

Expecting these franchise players to continue to play well while others fluctuate is reasonable and would be enough to consistently produce on offense.

The back end of the pitching staff has also picked up their play, as Trevor Williams and Chad Kuhl have each averaged more than one run under their season-average ERA in the past 30 days.

Yet, there are still problems in the rotation, with ace Gerrit Cole compiling a horrendous 8.20 ERA in the past month and rookie Tyler Glasnow still unable to prove he can compete in the MLB with an ERA over seven.

But even though these look like a mixed bag of results, they inspire hope.

Williams and Kuhl have improved enough to keep the Pirates in ballgames, and Cole has started to get his game under control in his last few starts. In June, Cole has compiled a 3-1 record and pitched arguably his best game of the season Sunday in a seven-inning, one-run outing.

With Williams, Kuhl, Cole and the everreliable Ivan Nova in the rotation, the only blemish that has remained is Glasnow. On June 12 though, Jameson Taillon returned to the lineup after missing time while being treated for testicular cancer. He filled the role of Glasnow and secured the final spot in the rotation, giving the Pirates a complete pitching lineup.

Combining this solid pitching staff with an offense on the rise will allow the Pirates to compete, and the poor play throughout the NLC will keep the door open for the Pirates to make a run at a division title.

Contrary to what analysts have said, the Chicago Cubs are past the point of a slow start. They are almost halfway through the season and sit two games above .500 at 3634. A world series hangover may be an excuse for a poor first month, but as the calendar approaches July, their lackluster play might be the new norm.

The Cardinals — another staple atop the division — currently sit at 32-37 and have been nothing short of erratic so far, going through multiple ups and downs in the first

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half of the year.

On May 10, the team tallied their 6th straight win to pull five games over .500 at 19-14. Over the course of the next month, the team slowly lost ground in the division through multiple losing streaks. They lost four in a row in the middle of May and went on a seven-game streak in June in back-toback series against the Cubs and Reds.

The surprise of the division — the Brewers — have remained a solid team throughout this first part of the season to retain their division lead. They are the most consistent team in the division, but even so, they’ve also

been remarkably average.

First baseman Eric Thames led the team to the top of the division, hitting .345 in April. But he’s fallen off ever since and his batting average is currently .260. The Brewers have stayed around .500 in June, maintaining their slim lead over the rest of the division.

As of now, the Brewers have a 1/2 game lead over Chicago while the Pirates and Cardinals are each four games back. If each of these teams continue their average play and the Pirates continue to build on their momentum, it’s easy to see the team making

June 21, 2017

the playoffs. They have almost 100 games to battle their way back, but this plan all hinges on one thing — how close to their potential they can get.

This week, the Pirates have a good chance to prove their worth and start moving up in the division as they face off against Milwaukee and St. Louis in back-to-back series. So far they’re off to a good start, winning the first two in Milwaukee. If they can finish off the sweep and win the series against the Cardinals, it would be a huge boost going into July.

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I N D E X

Rentals & Sublet

Employment

• NORTH OAKLAND • SOUTH OAKLAND • SHADYSIDE • SQUIRREL HILL • SOUTHSIDE • NORTHSIDE • BLOOMFIELD • ROOMMATES • OTHER

• CHILDCARE • FOOD SERVICES • UNIVERSITY • INTERNSHIPS • RESEARCH • VOLUNTEERING • OTHER

1,2,3,4,5,6 BR. Available August 2017. Atwood, Ward, Juliet, and Neville Street.

Call 412-287-5712.

2 Bedroom $750 1 mile from campus & off street parking.

412-225-8723.

2 Bedroom unfurnished apartment. For Fall 2017 or earlier.

Semple Street, 2 blocks from Forbes Ave. Large rooms/ living room/kitchen/2-bedroom basement/ front porch/ back patio.

Clean must see. $1400 per month plus utilities. Call 412-389-3636.

2BR furnished apartment, shared bathroom & kitchen.

Available Aug. 1st, 1yr lease. $630/per month, per person including utilities. Call 412-848-9442.

pittnews.com

Classifieds

For Sale

Services

Announcements

• AUTO • BIKES • BOOKS • MERCHANDISE • FURNITURE • REAL ESTATE • PETS

• EDUCATIONAL • TRAVEL • HEALTH • PARKING • INSURANCE

• ADOPTION • EVENTS • LOST AND FOUND • STUDENT GROUPS • WANTED • OTHER

2BR Ward St., second floor, with large kitchen, diswasher, parking available in back. Available immediately or Aug. 1. $1125/mo., heat included. Email oakapt12@gmail.com 3 Bedroom available 8/1/17 at $1,350/month, includes all utilities. Located on Juliet Street, security deposit required.

Call 412-608-8581.

3-Floor Duplex. 7-8 bedrooms. 3 bathrooms. 5 kitchens.

Laundry included.

Suitable for Fraternity/Sorority groups to reside in. $3000 per month utilities included. Contact 412-683-0363.

4 Bedroom 1 Bath House. Large kitchen, new windows and paint. Security System. Available August 16th. Bates and Semple. $1,600 + Utilities.

412-287-5406. Leave a mes-sage.

7 bedroom house available starting August 1st 2017. Five minute walk to Pitt.

No pets. 1 year lease.

Call 412-983-5222.

House for Rent. Beau-

Adorable house 2/3 bedroom available.

Big yard. Laundry.

Equipped kitchen.

A/C. Porch. Garage & driveway. Available August. $1650.

412-683-0363.

Equipped kitchen,

M.J. Kelly Realty.

Studio, 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom Apartments, N. & S. Oakland. $650-$1750. mjkellyrealty@gmail.com. 412-271-5550. www.mjkellyrealty.com Newly renovated apartments for rent.

3,4 bedrooms available for August/September 2017.

Atwood, McKee, Dawson, and Bates.

Please call Mike at 412-849-8694 for more information & for viewing.

tiful 3-BR newly renovated-Allequippa Street. Close to Peterson Center & Pitt Dental School. new carpeting, washer/dryer, 2 bathrooms, full basement, fenced-in back yard, security system.

Looking for 3 stu-

R A T E S

Insertions

1X

2X

3X

1-15 Words

$6.30

$11.90

$17.30

$22.00

16-30 Words

$7.50

$14.20

$20.00

$25.00

Spacious 2-BR apartments on Dawson Street, single or double occupancy. Partially renovated & improved. Either AUGUST 25 availability or IMMEDIATE availability. Very affordable rent. Limited parking spaces also available. Call 412-692-1770 to see apartment, parking spaces.

2 bedroom/1 bath

Discount on first month’s rent.

Security deposit required.

house for rent. Available Aug 1. Free

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FRICK PARK REGENT SQ, Modern 1BR, Furnished Apt, Convenient shop, transportation, universities, hospitals, must be seen $700+ elec 412-657-2318 Studios, 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom apartments available August 2017 & sooner. Oakland, Shadyside, Friendship, Squirrel Hill, Highland Park, Point Breeze. Photos & current availability online, check out www.forbesmanagement.net, or call 412.441.1211

washer/dryer. Front/back porch with

Students require adult co-sign.

Available August 1st, $1600+ all utilities.

No pets. For more information, please call

5X

6X

Additional

$27.00

$30.20

$5.00

$29.10

$32.30

$5.40

(Each Additional Word: $0.10)

Deadline: Two business days prior by 3pm

dents to share/or single family.

4X

Email: advertising@pittnews.com

$725 + utilities. Edgwood/Swissvale. Call 412-608-5729.

412-303-5043.

3 bedroom house 3

Email: dtm1003@-

miles from campus.

comcast.net.

$800. 412-225-8723.

June 21, 2017

Phone: 412.648.7978

SOCCER Assistant Coach needed A Student with some background in research to analyze/collect information on the sustainability in 5 regions of the world.

Would like the student to start immediately. The compensation is negotiable.

412-521-4789. mck524@aol.com.

for a boys varsity high

We're looking for healthy native English speakers between 18-35 to participate in a research study involving a fMRI scan. You will be paid for your participation. Contact 412-624-7083 or J.tremel@pitt.edu.

pantelis.papa@veri-

grill. 2 blocks from Oakland bus line.

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school team.

City of Pittsburgh, mid-Sept through Oct. Assistant Coach must be 21 years or older.

Pay TBD. Contact zon.net SOCCER Assistant Coach needed for a girls varsity high school team.

City of Pittsburgh, mid-Aug. through Oct.

Summer sublet. 2 rooms. May-August.

Furnished. Each room has private bathroom, shared kitchen. $610 per month including utilities. Call 412-8489442.

WAITER/WAITRESS, DISHWASHER/COOK: 20hr/wk, great working environment. Cafe Sam, 5242 Baum Blvd.

Apply Monday-Friday 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Assistant Coach must be 21 years or older.

Pay TBD. Contact lappdaniel@hotmail.com.

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The Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, is seeking clinical investigators. Candidates must have an MD with fellowship training or have a PhD. We are particularly interested in candidates in health services research, clinical epidemiology, health disparities, decision sciences and comparative effectiveness. Academic appointments, tenure status and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience. Send letter of interest and CV to Wishwa Kapoor, MD, 200 Lothrop Street, 933 west MUH, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (fax 412 692-4825) or e-mail Noskoka@upmc.edu.

EO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled

University of Pittsburgh, Division of General Medicine is seeking a full time Clinician Educator.

Position includes both inpatient and outpatient teaching and leadership opportunities in specific areas of medical education depending on the interest and qualifications of the candidate. Academic appointments, tenure status and salary are dependent upon qualifications and experience. Send letter of interest and CV to Wishwa Kapoor, MD, 200 Lothrop Street, 933 West MUH, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (fax 412 692-4825) or e-mail Noskoka@upmc.edu.

EO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled

Accredited ESL instructor (3 decades of experience) offering ESL tutoring services.

Contact corneliusm@duq.edu Editing/ Proofreading services available for any type or size of document, paper, book, etc.

Contact corneliusm@duq.edu

The Pitt News SuDoku 6/21/17 courtesy of dailysudoku.com

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June 21, 2017

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June 21, 2017

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