LOCAL-pittsburgh Issue #19

ISSUE 19

VISIT us online www.local-pittsburgh.com

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On the move?

New to town, or just a new neighborhood? If you haven’t tried transit before maybe now is the time. Port Authority has convenient and frequent service to and from the urban areas of Pittsburgh.

East Liberty is the heart of the East End’s transit service. Many Port Authority bus routes use the East Busway to bypass local traffic including the P1 and P3 from East Liberty’s busway station which offer quick rides to Downtown and Oakland.

Various other routes have stops on Penn Ave. and serve just about anywhere in the East End of the city.

Living Downtown? You CAN get anywhere from here. You can catch a bus or T to almost anywhere in Allegheny County.

Groceries in the Strip District, take the 88. For all the flavor of Lawrenceville the 91 works. Nearly all of Port Authority's 100 routes travel in and out of Downtown.

For more neighborhoods go to onthemove.portauthority.org and make this town your own.

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22 LATRICE PHOENIX

35 CRAFT-O-TRON

12 MIXTAPE

27 NERD NITE

37 A DAY WITH

14 SOMETHING

28 DIY: GETTING READY

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19 AFFORDABLE

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46

INITIATIVE

LIKE HOME

HOUSING IS HAPPENING

TO SELL?

YOU’RE FROM OUT OF TOWN

32 BACKYARD

FOOD FOREST

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ISSUE 19

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PHOTOGRAPHY Latrice Phoenix | Featured Photographer Jeff Swensen | Featured Photographer Patrick Hogan | Contributing Photographer Hayden Rose | Contributing Photographer EDITORIAL STAFF Kate Benz | Feature Writer Kristy Locklin | Feature Writer Amanda Roszkowski | Music Editor Leah George | Living Editor Lyndsey Kramer | Food Editor Heidi Balas | Blogger Cedric Rudolph | General Assignment Writer Jeremy Hooper | General Assignment Writer Michele Friebis Bowers | Contributing Writer

Cover Image: Jaime Bird www.sidewalkstoryteller.com Jaime will be the feature photographer In the Nov issue of LOCALpittsburgh

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PITTSBURGH’S

E.A.T. INITIATIVE

By Cedric Rudolph

Chef Claudy Pierre and Naomi Ritter, the leaders behind the nonprofit organization, the E.A.T. Initiative, are working to feed and sustain hungry communities in Pittsburgh. The initiative’s acronym stands for “Empowerment, Awareness, and Training.” Pierre, Ritter, and a host of dedicated staff educate and train everyday people in underserved neighborhoods like Homewood and the Hill District. They teach people to prepare nutritious meals and to advocate for themselves.

According to a 2016 study by Feeding America, there are over 160, 000 people living in Allegheny County who are considered food insecure—a status that signals (usually) low-income families living in areas lacking reasonable access to essentials, namely fresh fruits and vegetables.

Pierre founded E.A.T. in 2014 on the premise that establishing food security requires more than delivering vegetables to families in need.

It requires educating people, so they can better choose what to put into their bodies.

Ritter, who shares Pierre’s vision, currently directs E.A.T. She says of those living with food insecurity: “If we have food stamps that are able to get us fruits and vegetables, we don’t always know what to do with them.” Under the banner of the E.A.T. Initiative, Pierre holds cooking demonstrations, cooking classes, hospitality training, and other programs meant to empower people to find healthy food and prepare it.

From 2016-2018, E.A.T. teamed up with the CITY Program, a career development group, to

Pierre graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and took classes at University of Pittsburgh.

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hold after-school trainings for high schoolers. The program matched students with mentors, jobs, and visits to HBCUs. Under Pierre’s leadership, the teens assembled a cookbook with personalized recipes.

Cameron, one of the students from the training, learned how to cook his mother’s gumbo. He connected with his mentor, local entrepreneur Brian Burley. In addition, Cameron landed a job at Arnold’s tea, the coffee shop Pierre owns.

Cameron says he is “cooking more. I’m cooking a variety of things now because I’m here at Arnold’s Tea and seeing Chef Claudy cook. It inspires me. [Before the CITY program class], I did the easy thing. I put the frozen fries in the oven.”

won’t grab high-fat, high-sodium foods at discount stores if they pack their freezer with pre-cut fruit.

Claudy Pierre and Naomi Ritter’s backgrounds have prepared them for their work. Pierre graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and the University of Pittsburgh. He is an award-winning chef who began Eminent Hospitality Solutions. Eminent is the parent

large industries dictate what [they] eat. We’re putting that responsibility back in the hands of the people so they can say, ‘No, we don’t want a McDonald’s in Homewood.’” It is easy to take one’s neighborhood for granted, to not get involved with what stores or businesses buy up real estate, but Ritter explains that those living in food deserts, especially those citizens of color, will

Pierre and Ritter hope to recreate a more substantial cookbook using recipes from across several neighborhoods.

Through the programs it sponsors in the Hill District, Wilkinsburg, Homewood, and other places, E.A.T. hopes to inspire not just individuals but families to fall in love with cooking, and to dump fast food.

Pierre says, “[Cooking] is intimidating. What we do is we make it easy. We talk about alfredo or tomato-basil sauce…We teach families everything from sourcing ingredients, making a grocery list, to preparing easy meals under ten minutes, but the prep is what takes the longest. Put the cellphones and tablets down, and you chop up some veggies, chop up some fruit.” Pierre believes if families take ownership over their meals, they will make better choices. They

Ritter says, “The same way we, as a community, came together to say we don’t want Whole Foods taking over in East Liberty, that’s the same way we don’t want another Family Dollar.

We don’t want another corner store.

We want real food, fresh food.”

Pierre and Ritter also have an advantage because they live or have lived in the communities they serve.

Pierre says, “It’s not this white chef coming to you saying eat your vegetables. I’ve got locks. I’m coming in looking like my community, and I’m knowledgeable…” Pierre refers to his quaffed dreadlocks and to the fact that he is a person of color. Black neighborhoods are some of the hardest hit by food insecurity.

In 2019, Pierre hopes E.A.T. can reach out to more than 5,000 families. At most events, he and his team take high definition photos they share on social media, including Facebook, with #eatgood412. They are also working on software and tech that might help them reach more families in need.

company under which E.A.T. and Arnold’s Tea fall. Naomi is a two-time graduate of Duquesne, most recently earning her Master’s in Social and Public Policy.

As director of E.A.T., Ritter believes the Initiative’s “bigger picture role is to have communities take back their ownership over food—not letting

soon have the tools to refuse as well as demand.

She admires when communities talk back to industry, like when East Liberty residents expressed their concerns about the new Whole Foods complex Amazon is planning to build on a site the city could allocate for affordable housing.

Pierre and Ritter continue to challenge themselves. They are both currently enrolled in the Penn State Extension Master Gardener’s Program. They have set their sights on creating more community gardens around town.

If they implement this extension of E.A.T., they will be able to show everyone from single fathers to young interns how to feed themselves from seed to table.

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In Garfield is A Compilation Of Cocktails, Tunes and Positive Vibes

By Kristy Locklin

As kids, Elaina Holko and Kate Molchan made a lot of mix tapes.

They spent hours selecting songs and meticulously arranging them on 60-minute audiocassettes.

These days, the pair puts the same amount of time and passion into their cocktail lounge, Mixtape.

The bar, located on Penn Avenue in Garfield, is more like a boozy living room. It’s filled with pop culture décor and sleek furniture arranged to create intimate seating areas where friends can chat, sip drinks and play boardgames.

Music, of course, is always flowing.

Holko creates a new playlist every day (using computer technology instead of tapes). The daily soundtrack starts off mellow, with plenty of soul, and gets more upbeat as the sun sets. Many local artists are featured in each lineup.

Mixtape is all about community pride.

Since opening the place in 2015, Holko and Molchan have raised more than $15,000 for 23 local

non-profits through their Tips for Charity project.

The staff doesn’t accept gratuity, but if customers want to leave a few dollars on the bar, the money is donated to a featured organization.

The charity changes every eight weeks. Current tip recipient, Project Silk, provides a safe, supportive environment for LGBT youth of color. Previous partners include 412 Food Rescue, Animal Friends and Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library.

“The idea is two-fold,” Molchan says. “We wanted to make sure that we were able to be something that would be an asset to the neighborhood and put money back into the community. Also, we didn’t want our staff to come in and bear the burden if the night was slow. We wanted to pay them a little bit better, make them feel empowered and have a team-based mentality at work.”

That all-for-one attitude gives Mixtape a genuinely positive vibe, which only intensifies when you order a signature pop culture cocktail. There are about a dozen signature drinks on the menu at any given time and they rotate seasonally.

The Blind Melon combines Faber gin, Lillet, fresh basil, lemon and a splash of soda over a housemade honeydew-basil cube.

Walk on Water(melon) is a delicate balance of Lunazul tequila blanco, fresh watermelon juice, lightly spiked watermelon simple syrup, lime, cucumber and an alderwood-smoked salt rim.

Mixtape is all about community pride.

The Dr. Evil-approved Magma is better than sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads; it’s Single Prop rum, Faber white rum, J. Wray Jamaican gold rum, guava, house passion fruitginger simple syrup, Angostura bitters, li hing mum powder and a lime-cinammon volcano.

The bar also serves classic cocktails, mocktails, wine, bottled and canned beer, specialty shots, café beverages (served hot, cold or spiked) and smoothies. Mixtape doesn’t operate a full kitchen, but there are munchies available and customers are invited to bring their own food.

Like a NYC-cocktail bar, Mixtape is drink-focused.

Creating the libations is a labor-intensive, but fun, process. Holko, 33, a pharmacist by trade, has a knack for mixology.

“Different substance, same concept,” she says with a laugh.

Molchan, 31, is an attorney with a doctorate in healthcare ethics.

Those careers take a backseat to Mixtape. While the friends don’t want to turn the brand into a chain, they eventually would like to add a private event space and outdoor seating (possibly on the roof). In the meantime, they’re happy sharing their dream with customers.

“I Love What We’ve Created.”

“I love what we’ve created,” Holko says.

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SOMETHING

Like HOME

By Kate Benz Photos by Jeff Swensen

“You’re a first timer?” the guy at Guest Assistance asks.

“It’s her first time to the United States.”

“Her first time to Pittsburgh.”

“Her first time to a baseball game.”

“No way!” he exclaims, reaching behind the podium and removing an 8x10 photo of the ball field that reads MY FIRST VISIT TO PNC PARK. “Here,” he says, handing Noor Al-Sabahi a pencil.

“Fill out your name.”

It’s 91 degrees. There’s a banner hanging nearby that says RAISE THE JOLLY ROGER and a teenager in black, high waisted booty shorts, her bra straps visible through the sheer fabric of her t-shirt, face buried in her iPhone.

And then there is Noor. Navy, turquoise and grey cotton hijab covering her brunette hair and body, leather belt around her slim waist and hosiery covering her feet. If the people walking by shouting Let’s Go Bucs! Let’s Go Bucs! are staring, she doesn’t notice. And if the entire scene seems weird, all the fans with their cut off jean shorts and their bright pink lips or their messy man buns, she doesn’t flinch.

Instead, she fills out her name. “Thank you,” she smiles softly.

“Yeah, you’re welcome. Have fun!” the guy behind the podium booms. “And welcome to PNC Park!”

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“Because of my nationality,” she says. “Birth circumstances always govern our lives.”

With options running out, they thought about Turkey. It was the closest her family would ever get to Syria, both in proximity and culture but not language.

“Language is survival,” she says.

So, she learned it, skipping between tutors before discovering a language learning platform called Duolingo that she could use online. Free of charge. No strings attached. “Duolingo’s mission is to make education free and accessible to all. And that’s firmly rooted in the belief that where you’re born should not impact your ability to learn,” says the company’s Global Head of Community Laura Nestler.

Noor grew up in Damascus.

Spent half the day outside with her friends. Playing in the sand. Going to the swimming pool. Riding bikes through the neighborhood. Dipping a toe into the Mediterranean Sea every summer with her family.

Until moments later, an explosion. Then another. Glass falling.

Buildings crumbling. People screaming. Then, bullets flying.

Armed men appearing out of nowhere. The Free Syrian Army vs.

Assad’s Regime. Helicopters flying low. Guns pointed.

Syria was so beautiful back then.

But they did get out. A miracle, she’ll say. And they started moving. One place. Then another. They couldn’t go back. Not to their house. Not to their neighborhood. Not… anywhere.

“It was a piece of art,” she says.

It’s been five years since Noor and her family had to flee Syria. In 2013, she and her sister were out in the market, buying food, doing normal things on a normal day.

Then, everyone started running.

“There’s a bomb in that car!” a man shouted.

“We didn’t believe it,” she said.

They returned home to tell their mother, still not believing it.

“We’re going to die!” Noor screamed as her brother’s car careened down the street, speeding the family away from their home, the bullets, the explosions. “There’s no way out!”

“Our nationalities,” she explains. “Our passports weren’t accepted in most countries.”

Where they were accepted was Iraq. So, they family went to Baghdad. “From bad to worse,” she says.

More explosions. More fighting. Another reason to leave another home while the decision was finally made to move to Dubai, where some family members were living. As a professional software engineer, Noor’s prospects for employment in Dubai were excellent. Things were good. Until her request to stay was rejected.

Since Duolingo launched in 2012, emails and hand-written letters in the thousands, “and that’s not an exaggeration,” Nestler adds, have poured in from users around the globe. “We’ve heard from people who use Duolingo as mental exercise while they recover from life-threatening illness, or people who change the course of their lives after learning a new language.”

“But some stories we receive are so powerful that they stop us in our tracks; stories of survival and perseverance, and ultimately, triumph. So, this project started because we knew these stories existed. We knew they were important. And we knew we had to share them,” Nestler says.

Cue the meeting with Duolingo CEO/ Founder Luis von Ahn in early March 2018 to conceptualize the project. Joining him were Nestler and critically acclaimed photojournalist Justin Merriman. The directive from von Ahn was clear. Laura, you have access to these stories from our community. Justin, you have the ability to tell them in an authentic way. You two work together to bring this project to life. Tell these stories as authentically as possible. Give me a finished product in a couple of months.

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Our stories aren’t important to the world, they all said. They’re just stories.

“How could you feel that they aren’t important to the world?” Merriman wondered. “It’s just incredible.”

Three weeks later, Merriman and Miller returned to the states with enough footage for a full-length documentary.

Something Like Home premiered on June 19, 2018 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh. Of the refugees featured in the film, Noor was the only one able to get a visa to the states because her passport wasn’t from Syria. *** The baseball game was fun. The tailgaters and smoking grills in the parking lots. The national anthem and the Seventh Inning Stretch. The 91-mph fastball.

One selfie. Two. Then four. Photos of life sized, costumed pierogi’s running a race around the bases, the city skyline, the people drinking beer and eating hot dogs in the stands. A black Samsung mounted onto a selfie stick with an extending arm.

Nestler started combing through the letters, wondering where they could get visas on such a short notice and where they might already have contacts and connections who could help her identify people that would tell their stories on camera. Turkey quickly emerged, namely, because Duolingo operated several active Events chapters throughout the country where volunteer led groups of users gathered to practice language and connect as a community.

By March 30, Merriman and videographer/co-director Mickey Miller were flying across the Atlantic. Once in Turkey, they began meeting with people: Alaa, Noor, and Reem in Istanbul.

Ahmed, Bera, Lin, Muhannd, Elif, and Zeyd in Gaziantep.

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The 8x10 picture of the park and game program sat on a table in her hotel room at the Hotel Indigo.

“It’s like the governor’s room,” she said. It was the Governor’s Suite.

Sweeping views of Penn and Liberty Avenues and filled with boxes of cakes, cookies, candy.

“This is like a Cinderella story,” she says. “After twelve o’clock, I turn back.”

The more she saw of the United States and its culture, the more she wanted to know.

An hour before the premiere of the film, she’s sitting in her hotel room. Hajib off. Thick, curly black hair cascading in waves over her shoulders.

Smiling.

Laughing.

Being nervous. Looking at the clock. “My stomach,” she groans, standing up. She can’t decide what to wear and thinks about changing her clothes, even as she irons out the almost undetectable wrinkles in her floor length, burgundy skirt.

“One more attempt,” she says, worrying that she’ll mispronounce Congressman Mike Doyle’s last name. “Is it Doy-le?”

“More like Duh-oil,” she’s told.

“Ahhh! Okay. Oil, oil, oil. Duh-oil, Duh-oil, Duh-oil,” she repeats.

It was Doyle and Senator Bob Casey who got her the unrestricted visa, the one that will allow her to travel unlimited times to the United States over the next year instead of something temporary. Both politicians are expected to attend the premiere, which starts in less than an hour.

“Duh-oil?” she asks, getting the thumbs up. “Duh-oil. Duh-oil. I hope he isn’t offended… if I do not get the proper pronunciation.”

Only a handful of people, mostly Duolingo employees, know she’s here. Most of them didn’t make the connection that it was her hanging around their offices all day long.

And as the theater darkens on an audience that had formed a line out the front doors and down the block to get in, Noor sits alone in a brightly lit dressing room backstage with a massive bouquet of flowers from von Ahn and a box of pastries.

She is holding her stomach, saying intermittent prayers, taking one selfie and then another, waiting for periodic check ins from Merriman and Nestler, practicing pronunciations one last time.

“Duh-oil. Yes?” Moments before the film ends, Merriman retrieves her. Miller joins them on a darkened corner of the stage. Both begin to pace back and forth. Hands in pockets. Nerves fraying ahead of an on-stage Q&A, during which Noor will make her presence known to the 400 people sitting in the theater, who came here to hear the story of four refugees who changed their lives by learning a language.

The pacing continues. As Noor peers through the curtains, a smile spreads across her face. She just can’t believe this is happening. Can’t believe she’s here. After everything that has happened. The people running. The explosion. The guns.

A new home. Then another. And

another. Being welcomed in. Being told to leave. Learning a language.

Changing her life. About to change hundreds, then thousands, then a million more who would watch the film online. Five thousand miles away from something like home.

Walking onto a stage in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, under the bright lights, in the middle of a standing ovation.

“I always felt like I didn’t have enough courage,” she says. “But when I think about what I’m doing, it’s like another person doing it.”

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IT’S HAPPENING!

By Tyler Polk

“Meeting with the community is a priceless experience because their input is invaluable,” said Rodriguez.

AMR was founded in the 1970s by Victor’s father, Anthony, an architect who has developed multifamily projects in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Victor joined the company in 2004 and was elevated to president in 2012.

“He’s [Anthony] still involved with the company but has taken a step back”, said Rodriguez. “He’s heavy on design and taught me that what we build for these communities is going to last.”

AMR creates affordable housing with a focus on independent living for seniors and sustainable construction techniques (i.e. LEED- and Passive House-certified). As the landlord, AMR pays for all the utilities in its senior properties.

During his tenure with the company, Rodriguez has developed most of AMR’s projects with the design and build team of Laura Nettleton, founding principal of Thoughtful Balance and Ernie Sota and Phil Ford of Sota Construction Services. As a team, this triumvirate has pushed the envelope, whenever feasible, in its green construction techniques.

“They are the greenest in Pittsburgh”, said Rodriguez. “They bring in new technologies that are affordable, keeping rents low.”

In addition to housing units and amenity spaces, AMR has incorporated commercial spaces and two event spaces into three of its projects. The Joe Negri Auditorium is located in a refurbished assembly hall in the former Prospect Elementary School on Mt. Washington; commercial spaces occupy the first floor of the ONE Homestead apartment building on E. 8th Avenue and an outdoor event space, primarily for music acts, is located adjacent to Rodriguez’s recent side project, Enix Brewing Co. (Enix) in Homestead.

While building ONE Homestead, Victor and his brother David started working on Enix. The brewery serves Spanish inspired food and has a beer garden and a music stage with a bowling alley on the second floor.

“I wanted to start one in the 90s, but it didn’t work out,” said Rodriguez. “People expect a selection of beer.”

AMR recognizes the demand for senior housing and always looks to create innovative properties.

Their two newest properties, Morningside Crossing and Retirement Residence of Glassport, plan to continue this trend.

Morningside Crossing was awarded the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) award for Innovation in Design.

Rodriguez says the award is awarded to only one project per funding round and must show special innovative construction.

Victor Rodriguez, president of a.m. RODRIGUEZ ASSOCIATES inc. (AMR) believes that community development and providing safe, affordable, well designed housing, that is also energy efficient, go hand in hand.

“It’s one of our most ambitious projects,” said Rodriguez. “Using our ‘Passive House’ construction technique and the focus on energy usage and air quality helped us rise above the competition.”

Passive House is a super-insulated housing strategy that needs a small burst of heat or air conditioning to get going. Once it reaches a preferred temperature, it stays there. Morningside Crossing also has SPECK air quality monitors that tell the seniors if it’s okay to keep their windows closed or opened.

“When the building is sealed really well, you can filter the air coming in,” said Rodriguez. “We can demonstrate that the seniors are healthier when they live in the building.”

AMR’s next development is in Penn Hills. It will be a net zero project and Pennsylvania’s first affordable housing community that will generate all energy onsite.

“Pittsburgh is very community-oriented and neighborhood-oriented,” said Rodriguez. “We work hard to develop projects that stir pride within the communities we touch through our work.” | Issue 19

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Latrice Phoenix Latrice Phoenix began her relationship with the camera seven years ago. She initially began shooting for herself personally and over time her interest in photography as art developed. “I discovered that photography meant a lot more to me than just capturing memories,” Latrice recounts. “I lost all of my photos from childhood after my guardian (great grandmother) passed away and my family was evicted from our home when I was just 10 years old.” She now understands those

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incidents inspired her and continue to inspire her as she captures moments.

Latrice uses her photography to challenge her audience and to raise awareness about different issues through her exhibits. For Colored Girls® is her break out inaugural art

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installment that is meant to challenge our minds about African American bodies in America, their contribution and how they have been portrayed. “I use the nude black body to convey powerful messages and spark the conversation about black people in America, our history, hardships and contributions to the Country,” states Latrice. The series and select pieces of art have been featured in several galleries throughout the city of Pittsburgh. The images along with powerful excerpts are designed to intellectually explore and discuss the many dimensions of black body image.

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NERD NITE

Co-boss Rorry Brenner introduces Pittsburgh to Nerd Nite.

By Kristy Locklin

PEOPLE ARE GEEKING OUT OVER NERD NITE. The boozy lecture series made its Pittsburgh debut April 4 at Spirit Hall in Lawrenceville. Founded in Boston in 2003, it now has more than 100 chapters worldwide.

The premise is simple (even for non-nerds): Three speakers each get 15 minutes to wax philosophical on a subject while audience members imbibe.

Topics range from science and technology to animals and pop culture.

There are question-and-answer sessions after each presentation followed by breaks for music and mingling.

Julian Whitman, a robotics doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon University, fields questions from the audience.

Because nerds are typically shy loners, attendees sit facing each other at long tables to stimulate human interaction. Organizers provide a dose of liquid courage by giving free drink tickets to guests who talk to a stranger and discover a mutual interest.

The audience soaked up knowledge (about robots, languages and organized crime) as well as beer.

At Nerd Nite, alcohol and conversation flow like the Three Rivers. It’s a raucous, yet intellectual, evening. Meghan Simek was a regular at Nerd Nites in Washington, D.C., and Rorry Brenner fell in love with the concept while studying neuroscience in Southern California.

Renee Mannion, recently moved to the Steel City from Youngstown, Ohio. She bought a $5 ticket to Nerd Nite to drink with fellow brainiacs.

Both eventually moved to Pittsburgh and contacted Nerd Nite HQ the same week to inquire about starting a local branch. The powers-that-be connected them and they started planning in December.

“It seemed like something different to do,” she said. “It’s nice to have something that combines the intellectual side with the fun side.”

They figured they’d sell about 40 tickets to the first event; 200 nerds showed up.

The inaugural affair featured light-hearted, yet informative, talks by Julian Whitman, a robotics doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon University; Luis Von Ahn, CEO of Duolingo; and Nicolette W.M. Wong, a mafia expert working on her Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Spirit will host Nerd Nites once a month. The next date hasn’t been announced yet, but keep an eye on the Facebook page for details.

Speakers shouldn’t take themselves

or the material too seriously and their spiel must be educational and entertaining. Think less Ben Stein and more Bill Nye. Potential presenters can send a brief and funny title, teaser summary and bio to the Nerd Nite co-bosses four weeks before the scheduled event.

Thanks to all of Pittsburgh’s tech companies, hospitals and universities, nerds are coming out of the woodwork and the co-bosses are excited to learn from them.

“I like learning,” Simek said.

“I like seeing what people are passionate about.”

PREPARATIONS:

d DIY

GETTING READY TO SELL?

By Leah George

Many consider Spring to be “Open Season” for real estate, which can turn Fall and Winter into “preparation” months! But what should a homeowner do (or, sometimes more importantly, not do) before listing their home to help it sell quickly and for the best possible price?

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FIREPLACE CLEAN UP: a simple project to brighten your home Scrub Grab a dry, natural bristle brush and scrub the stones with small, circular motions. (Start at the top and work your way down so dust doesn’t collect on previously cleaned areas!)

Do check for common home inspection issues Check outlets near water (bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry) for GFCI protection.

If any are not GFCI protected, it’s an inexpensive fix. Next, test for gas leaks by applying a soap and water mixture at all connections in the gas line and watch for bubbles. Another pretty cheap fix if any leaks are found! Check for damage to the roof or gutters and for windows that don’t open/close/ lock properly or have broken seals. These may cost a bit more to fix, but it’s good to get them handled in advance. Last but not (at all) least is cracked sewer lines. As Pittsburgh’s terra cotta sewer system ages, this has been a hot topic during home inspections and it’s much better to know in advance to be able to plan for a solution rather than be caught off guard during a home inspection and have to

fix it on a short timeline. Most plumbers will do a video inspection of the sewer line for around $200-300 (and offer a lovely DVD of the footage.)

Do refresh the whole house Be sure to mind the curb appeal by trimming up landscaping and consider adding some seasonal potted plants for pops of color.

To help buyers envision living there, minimize clutter and personal items around the house. Consider also enlisting the help of a professional stager to either rearrange the furniture you already have for a fresh look or they can lease furnishings to you and set them up beautifully. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way (both interior and exterior) especially if there are any areas of chipping paint or overly bright colors which may not appeal to all tastes.

Lastly, wash all the windows and freshen up carpeted areas by getting them professionally steam cleaned.

Don’t do any major renovations Contrary to popular belief, major renovations such as a total kitchen or bathroom re-do typically do not yield a favorable return on investment and tend not to be worth the money right before selling.

Instead, consider a light makeover such as new countertops, flooring, cabinet hardware, etc. if needed. Consider refacing or painting cabinets and reglazing wall tile and tubs- it changes the whole look of the room at a much lower cost than replacing! New additions to the house will add value in square footage and appeal, but will likely cost much more than the increase in resale price, so it’s just not a good pre-sale investment.

Sweep Use the bristle attachment on a Shop Vac (or regular vacuum) to sweep all of the stones clean. (Be sure to hit the mortar between the stones, too.)

Stir Add two to three cups of water to a small bucket and stir in small increments of white chalk paint. Use an old paintbrush to test the mixture on a small area. Keep adding small amounts of paint at a time until the opacity is a good balance.

Stipple Once the mixture yields a nice, translucent look, use the old paintbrush to stipple the whitewash onto each stone and mortar line. It could take a couple coats all over, but some stones may soak up the whitewash and need many coats to get the desired color!

Show off!

Because who doesn’t love some fantastic before/after pictures?

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| Issue 19

Leah George

HOWARD HANNA REAL ESTATE SERVICES 6310 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15217 LeahGeorge@HowardHanna.com DIRECT 412-713-0513 OFFICE 412-421-9120 Ext. 516

b blog

Oh

you’re from

OUT OF TOWN

By Heidi Balas

With that in mind, when your publisher asks for you to give your recommendations for this issue, you rise to the occasion. Which brings us to right now. I am going to give it the old college try and provide LOCALpittsburgh readers with a few of my favorites. How did I select these options? Honestly, I think that these spots simply resonate a positive vibe and all are unique-toPittsburgh spots.

For breakfast/brunch, I would recommend Square Café.

Everything on the menu is delicious and make sure to save room for a milkshake! Regent Square is a charming neighborhood to get your day started and with easy access to 376 and the Forbes/ Fifth corridor, the road to your next move can be just an on-ramp or major artery away.

To spend the morning, I recommend touring the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning. There is no experience in the city quite like this one; meaning, where else can one tour classrooms that were curated expertly to represent the richness of the many cultures and ancestries within Allegheny County? Guided tours are available year-round as long as a reservation is made (the fee is just a few dollars); self-guided tours are dependent on classes and the University of Pittsburgh’s schedule.

Bonus: the Early American classroom is rumored to be haunted. Consider yourself warned!

For lunch, check out Tessaro’s in Bloomfield for my favorite burgers and the best homefries in the city; or check out The Modern Café in Allegheny West for the best reuben in the city.

Often folks ask me for recommendations of places to take guests who are in from out of town. Truthfully, as much as I love to be helpful and to talk about Pittsburgh, I must admit that it’s a tough question to answer lately. Pittsburgh has evolved in too many ways to count with seemingly unlimited options for food and fun, thus, it’s a daunting task to provide a mere few suggestions for a day in the Burgh.

After that, head to the Andy Warhol Museum on the North Shore for an afternoon that not only explores Warhol’s art, but also explores his history and legacy in Pittsburgh. I threw a big party at the Warhol a few years ago and was told that the majority of folks who visit it are tourists. Therefore, spending time here is a perfect option since you get to learn a thing or two yourself while simultaneously wowing your guests. Oh, and you simply must exit through the gift shop. It’s fantastic.

If you’ve been following my suggestions, you’ll most likely be weary and in need of some fuel and beverages. For that, I recommend Hidden Harbor in Squirrel Hill for their ambiance and cocktail program. Their tiki drinks are creative and sublime (I mean, any drink made with local Maggie’s Farm Rum is satisfying if I’m being totally honest). Also, their “bites” menu complements a long day in the city quite well.

Close the night with a glass of wine (or three) at Pittsburgh Winery in the Strip District and a show at Bricolage (Downtown), especially Midnight Radio shows that bring our favorite stories to life in an engaging, yet fresh way. Lastly head up to the West End Overlook (West End) for one final glance at it all. Sorry, there’s no incline involved with this view; but it’s the best, I promise.

To close, I know that I have created a scenario here that involves a good deal of be-bopping around town to accomplish my suggestions. But isn’t that part of the fun of living here? Don’t tell me you’ve never plotted the best route from East Liberty to West Liberty or North Side to South Side just to compare your Pittsburgh expertise to Google Maps’? Exactly! You’re just giving your guests a fully immersive experience!

Heidi Balas is a regular contributor for LOCALpittsburgh, and brings her own brand of perspectives to Pittsburgh at www.thesteeltrap.net.

WELCOME TO MY SUBURBAN EDIBLE & HERBAL

Backyard

FOOD FOREST...

Give me a shovel, and I’ll give you a fully functioning, biodiverse, edible & herbal backyard food forest!

Give me a harvest, and I’ll give you an entire year’s worth of everyday homemade necessities, gourmet meals, and heartwarming gifts!

Welcome to my suburban “Edible & Herbal Backyard Food Forest” where I have turned a half acre lot into a fully functioning gourmet paradise fit for a king.

I have always lived a simple lifestyle filled with passion and a desire to change things. I have dedicated half of my life to creating everyday household products, beauty aids, herbal remedies, and mouth watering gourmet foods and confections mostly from plants and items I grew and crafted myself.

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By Michele Friebis Bowers

Growing organically, and working side by side with nature from my own backyard is something I am very proud of. After completing the Penn State Master Gardener Program, I decided to focus the last 15 years researching cultivars, experimenting with our climate, and pushing my zone limitations to the max.

In full production, my backyard is capable of producing enough food & homemade necessities to last my family an entire year! I have everything you can imagine planted including hundreds of fruits, herbs, vegetables, nuts, roots, companion plants, perennials, mushrooms, and extremely fragrant flowers, all

compacted together into one self sufficient eco-system. Growing in small spaces is my specialty!

If you have always considered your space too small to grow food‌stick around because I am going to prove to you that you have PLENTY of room! I grow 20 pound pumpkins 12 feet in the air and utilize vertical techniques throughout my entire food forest!

Some of the plants I grow, most people don’t even know exist or even thought would be possible to grow in our area! My main objective

has always been to become more self-sustaining and to focus on plants that grow well in our cold Pennsylvanian climate. The results have been outstanding, far beyond what I ever imagined!!!

This is a lifestyle to me, and a job that I love! It is a day-to-day ritual that I have simplified tremendously.

It is a lifestyle that brings stability to our family and benefits everyone involved. It has saved us thousands of dollars every year. In an emergency situation, we never have to worry about rushing to a store.

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Now, I merely buy meat and other staple ingredients that I cannot grow myself in bulk from as many local sources as possible. I grow just enough of my own ingredients and supplies that will last us for one entire year, then I start the whole process all over again in January. It is well planned, journaled and broken down monthly.

This lifestyle has given me an understanding of what goes into the foods we eat and the everyday products we use. In my eyes, it’s just me being a mom and supplying my family with healthier options!!

The new gardening season is now upon us and the whole process has just begun again! I have created a brand new resource/website www. thehomemadegardener.com that I will be uploading all my daily and weekly “tips and tricks” including all my recipes and food forest information so there is a permanent place to reference. You can always check out my Facebook page The Homemade Gardener or join me in my backyard for a fun/informative workshop.

Look for my bi monthly piece online at www.LOCAL-pittsburgh.com ...I can’t wait to share some of these tips and tricks, as well as what’s to come - hoping to inspire a new wave of backyard gardening and a “do it yourself” homemade type of lifestyle.

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Pittsburgh Craft-O-Tron Machine generates a big following by dispensing small art Lynne Kropinak manages a traveling craft show that weighs at least 400 pounds.

“It’s like moving a refrigerator,” she says with a laugh.

The Canonsburg resident is the brains – and muscle – behind the Pittsburgh Craft-O-Tron (www.facebook. com/craftotron/), an old cigarette vending machine that she bought for $100 on eBay and repurposed into a roving art dispenser.

Instead of Marlboros, “Tronny” is stocked with stickers, pins, patches, jewelry, keychains and other baubles made by local artists. Every few

months, Kropinak loads the hulking contraption into the back of her mini-van and transports it to a different area business.

Over the last decade, it’s been housed in breweries, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants and book stores … places that generate a lot of foot traffic. For the time being, it’s stationed at Tazza D’Oro Café & Espresso Bar in Millvale.

Customers plunk five bucks into Tronny, select an item from one of the 22 slots, pull a knob and walk a way with a tiny treasure that comes in a custom box that can be recycled.

Once or twice a week, Kropinak ventures to the host business and spends a few hours taking inventory, restocking, performing routine maintenance and connecting with makers who want to sell their wares.

They earn about $3 off of each sale and are paid before their work goes into the machine.

More than 200 crafters, ranging in age from 13 to 70, have had their work featured in Tronny. Popular fixtures include Alicia Kachmar’s crocheted pierogi (www.etsy.com/ shop/EternalSunshine) and Kreepy Dolls by Daniel Baxter (www. kreepydollfactory. com/NEW/The_ Kreepy_Doll_Factory_ Home_Page.html).

By Kristy Locklin

She’s sold about 44 stickers in the last month, which didn’t earn her a lot of money, but did draw attention to her Etsy page.

Kropinak says the machine provides a great avenue for new artists to generate business. People from across the country contact her to find out how they can bring a CraftO-Tron to their city.

“It gives people from out-of-town a nice, little souvenir,” she says.

One of the current artists, Anna Calabrese, of O’Hara Township, makes Pittsburghthemed stickers and sells them two to a box. (www.etsy.com/ shop/CalabazaaaCo) She sought out the machine when it was at The Black Cat Market in Lawrenceville.

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“I thought it was the coolest idea ever,” she says. “People are more inclined to buy a little piece of art instead of something big. It’s like a sampling.” | Issue 19

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INDULGING IN BEAUTY: A DAY WITH PHOTOGRAPHER GAVIN BENJAMIN

By David Bernabo

Going into my interview with photographer Gavin Benjamin, I realized my knowledge of his work was a little outdated.

In 2014, we did a show together as part of the Casey Droegecurated portion of the Pittsburgh Biennial. In what is now the Miller ICA, I collected field recordings and vocal pieces for a series of 7� records, while Gavin’s majestic still life photographs filled each wall of the room. Bathed in aged lacquer, the photographs felt otherworldly, like scenes from a different time and place--pillaged fruits and emptied clamshells, melted candles and shards of glass, elaborate floral arrangements and animal skulls.

These were scenes of decadence, use, and unfinished business, cast in deep, rich colors against a black void.

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Since the time of that “Old World Luxuries” series, Gavin has explored other topics--scenes from the vacated Alcoa building, floral studies, and a new, ongoing series called “Heads of State.”

I meet Gavin at his studio in the Radiant Hall Lawrenceville building. When I arrive, he is painting the floor. Like many of the Radiant Hall studio spaces, the studio is a room carved out of a larger room, a semi-controlled setting made for creating art. His art--pieces from different series and scraps from photo collages decorate the space.

Gavin’s take on Monet’s Water Lilies series is like an Impressionistic version of an Impressionist painting. Sections of the photograph are cut out and raised half a centimeter, creating a 3D space and emphasizing certain shapes and colors.

This 3D technique was also used on a series of photographs documenting a depopulated Alcoa building. The raised surfaces highlight the sharp lines of glass and light that wrap around the well-designed structure.

After a glance around the studio, we walk a short distance to Gavin’s home for a deeper discussion.

In addition to a living and entertaining space, his apartment acts a showcase room to let potential clients view his work in a home setting.

The walls are tastefully lined with photographs from his different series. Most striking is a set of photo collages collectively titled “Heads of State.” These are relatively small works, and they feature the collage aspect that runs through much of Gavin’s output.

“There are some original photographs, but it’s found images,” says Gavin. “This right here is a Versace shirt. Here’s a Gucci sweatshirt--all these things mixed in from fashion, politics, art, design.”

The “Heads of State” works are relatively flat images where patterns and context-heavy clippings brush up against each other. There will be 24 pieces in total, each contributing to a larger, overarching story--the reinvention and reimagining of family elders and the reinterpretation of history lost to skewed worldviews.

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“We live in a world that is changing, and we don’t really celebrate who came before us, because all we think about is now. So, I wanted to reinvent that history in a way that was more approachable for me. So, it’s a combination of fiction and history.”

Poses pulled from paintings of the Borgias and Medicis are transposed onto the stories of Arab and African leadership. Shown in groupings, the pieces in the series speak to one another, mixing subtle and not-so-subtle political statements with self-portraiture and inside jokes about fashion.

“A really good friend of mine said, ‘you can make the most fuck-up political shit, but if it’s not beautiful, no one will hang it.’ That stuck in my head. When you think about what people have to live with day to day [in their homes], the end result has to be interesting, beautiful. It has to touch them in a way.”

Gavin was drawn to photography because of the lushness of the image. He thinks of his photographs as mini-movies--tons of details captured in one image.

“I always wanted to be an artist, but I never enjoyed taking drawing classes. It was boring.

I needed a medium that changed faster, that I could really play with. The whole idea of painting something and sitting there for hours and days...I can work on 20 things at one time when I have my studio set up. It’s a lot of back and forth, and that helps to keep things alive.”

Standing in Gavin’s apartment, surrounded by works from different periods, it’s easy to see an evolution and how there exists a unique artistic language. Heavy lacquer gives way to raised surfaces to collage, all with a deep sense of atmosphere and intention.

We end the day with an informal walking tour through Lawrenceville. Gavin has begun a new, personal series more closely linked to photojournalism than his recent photography and collage work. It’s a series about the changing state of Lawrenceville, namely the impacts of gentrification and overdevelopment, and it’s a chance for Gavin to nurture the documentary

side of his photography again. As we walk through the new apartment complexes that tower above the comparatively small residential homes, we discuss the Venn diagram that is uninspired

architecture and runaway greed-nearly a complete circle. We run into fellow residents and hear tales of drunk brewery patrons pissing on the fences of longtime residents, and developers building fortresses around one-time quiet homes. It’s a beautiful, warm day in the middle of winter, but there’s a sadness in the air, a series of missed opportunities that were sacrificed to opportunism, signs of a neighborhood that is over.

risk, high reward, no questions asked. The story of Lawrenceville (or really any neighborhood that is changing) is a multi-tiered story of struggle, a struggle to find the balance of moving forward without throwing away all of the past.

Adjacent to the story of longtime residents is a community of small business owners opening their dream stores, trying to duke it out in oversaturated markets, and living, quite literally, for the weekend when stores are busy and patrons are spending. Then there are the developers, jumping in and out of neighborhoods as if they are playing the stock market--high

“We’re in a very tumultuous time, a dark time. And in dark times, we need to capture stories and to tell those stories without banging people over the head. We need to remind people of what came before and how we can bridge a gap between past and present, what worked and what didn’t. And there’s a lot of shit in the past that didn’t work.”

The arts is a way to mark those changes and provide space for reflection, to tell stories in a different way.

| Issue 19

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Redesigned as a sexy dinner spot that fuses both bright, exotic flavors and deep jazz notes Music and Food; balance is everything.

Executive Chef Josh Ross and business partners Aimee Marshall, General Manager and Music Director John Shannon have something truly special in Shadyside on Ellsworth Ave. In early May the partners will opened their restaurant, Con Alma, redesigned as a sexy dinner spot that fuses both bright, exotic flavors and deep jazz notes – which is exactly the style of cooking he is known for. Shannon’s musical scope mirrors Ross’s own. Tracks such as “Xalam Project” to “Somewhere” show the scope that he is known for and gives us clues to the treat we will be in store for from the house band.

Ross is utilizing skills learned in his 20+ years as an industry professional to head this dream project. “I started off as a dishwasher and then became a server in the late 90’s,” he says “learning every aspect of this industry is invaluable to finally opening up your own spot.”

“Cooking school teaches you theory and rules. While understanding those rules is paramount it all goes out of the window when you are on a hot line with tickets streaming in, and what seems like a million voices yelling at you from all directions at the same time.

Learning the discipline to follow the rules during those times is critical and is something that can’t be rushed.”

His stints as executive chef in the city span 42

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Andora, Bravo Franco, Pan, and most recently, Pirata. During this time he has honed his skills cooking Italian, American, Asian, Indian, and Caribbean cuisines. Ross’s cooking style definitely does not shy away from bold flavor. “The Caribbean is the true melting pot of the new world. The people that settled and immigrated to the Caribbean and Latin America came from all over and they brought with them history, culture, spices, and music of their own to be paired with the agriculture and native practices. This created such a rich tapestry of food and music that I couldn’t not fall in love with it and want to bring it here to create something special in my hometown.”

Ross’s love of music is just as strong as his love of food. His late father, Michael Ross, was a talented musician in his own right and, one of the music teachers of John Shannon leader of the Nos Mo Kings Jazz trio that will be the house band for Con Alma. Shannon has released three albums with The Shift, a rock band out of NYC. Ross and Shannon learned two important things from Michael; the Pittsburgh jazz scene runs deep and that true

artistry of music shows when your whole soul is put into a piece. “Anyone can reproduce a piece of music but, people listening can truly hear when someone puts their whole soul into playing that piece. The same is true with food. Anyone can recreate a recipe – true hospitality is when you put a little of your soul into the dish or the cocktail. Guests can tell.

There is a truth to that.”

Aimee Marshall heads up the Front of House operations and bar program. Her drink philosophy is using simple and fresh ingredients to make balanced cocktails that can stand on their own as well as compliment the cuisine. Her favorite creations are the bright, vibrant Sangritas and the Root Down coffee house style cocktail. “My favorite spirit to utilize is the local, Maggie’s Farm Rum Falernum; it is full of ginger and lime notes and so fresh and bright. It compliments the food and mood perfectly.” Jimmy Jakubik (spelling), formerly of The Warren and Pirata will be a mainstay behind the bar. Jakubik met Ross and Marshall while working at Pirata and has an immense respect for what Ross did

with the cuisine and the staff. “Ross helped to create a sense of unity and family with that staff – it wasn’t easy but he did it. We worked for each other there and that doesn’t happen often.”

When asked, Marshall states that the team is, “looking for a diverse crowd that loves music and food to come in each night tempted by the jazz notes wafting through the open windows.

We want to be part of the community – get to know us and each other at the same time.”

Con Alma has a chance to be part of what this city needs – moving forward together with soul. | Issue 19 43

HANDSOME DEVIL

Guapo brings spicy new Mexican eats to pittsburGh

By Kristy Locklin

the Verdict is in: Guapo is Good.

Santa Fe-native George Adelo, who studied law before changing career paths, opened the eatery in June at Federal Galley. For the next year to 18 months, he’ll serve traditional New Mexican grub at the North Side restaurant incubator.

“The goal is to make everyone aware of New Mexican food like they’re aware of Tex-Mex or Cali-Mex,” he says. “It’s distinct, it’s delicious and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be as common.”

Guapo, which means handsome in Spanish, has a menu packed with recipes perfected

by Adelo’s mom. He grew up on authentic dishes such as carne adovada, pork slowbraised in Hatch red chile, garlic and lime, topped with sharp white cheddar and served with ranchero beans and a flour tortilla.

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Other highlights include enchiladas, guacamole tacos and posole, nixtamalized corn stewed with pork, onions, oregano and green chile. The portions are eye-popping and gut-busting. Instagramers love snapping selfies with Nachoooooooooo, a mountain of house-made tortilla chips smothered in refried beans, pickled serranos and red onions, sharp white cheddar, stewed chicken or braised roast beef and a dollop of guac.

For more than a century, Adelo’s family ran a general store in Pecos, NM that sold everything from hardware and sporting goods to clothing and groceries. He started working there at age 11 and eventually was assigned to the on-site butcher shop, where he developed a love for the culinary arts.

He got a law degree from Notre Dame, but the corporate world didn’t suit him. When business brought him to Pittsburgh, Adelo -whose arms boast colorful tattoos -- decided

to bring a taste of New Mexican heritage to his adopted city.

The Emsworth resident sources many ingredients from New Mexico, especially Hatch green chile peppers, which have a piquant flavor and are currently in peak season.

Adelo will change the menu throughout the year and experiment with south-of-theborder fare. Once his stint at Federal Galley is over, he hopes to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant here. Pittsburgh has a small-town feel that reminds him of home.

“I’m happy to be given this opportunity in Pittsburgh,” he says. “It has a rich history and culture. There’s a real sense of community here.”

THE DISTRICT AT MONROEVILLE MALL

705 MALL CIRCLE DR. MONROEVILLE, PA 15146

COMFORT FOOD & LIBATIONS REGENT SQUARE

MONDAY – THURSDAY 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM FRIDAY 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM SATURDAY 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM SUNDAY 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Issue 19 45

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MUSIC MAY BE THE

music

HEALTH IES T C U LT OU T T H E R E

By Amanda Roszkowski Hart

“MUSIC DOES BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. IT ALLOWS US TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME EMOTIONS. PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ARE THE SAME IN HEART AND SPIRIT. NO MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE WE SPEAK, WHAT COLOR WE ARE, THE FORM OF OUR POLITICS OR THE EXPRESSION OF OUR LOVE AND OUR FAITH, MUSIC PROVES: WE ARE THE SAME.” – JOHN DENVER 46

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That passion, that innate and almost impulsive need to discuss music, listen to it, watch your favorite musical artist or band onstage – to just be close to it, is something that even the most vastly different people can relate to. But, what exactly lies within the power of music to bring the general masses together, to connect groups of people who otherwise wouldn’t have become friends or hung out otherwise?

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty: Scientific Reasoning Researchers have discovered that there is a specific part of our brains that is used for processing music, and studies have shown that both music and singing directly impact neuro-chemicals in the brain, many of which play a role in closeness and connection. Music has also been linked to the release of dopamine, which is involved in the regulation of moods and cravings, and coupled with the effects of endorphins, the combined effect is that music makes us feel good.

Other new research suggests that playing music or singing together may be particularly potent in bringing about social closeness through the release of endorphins.

Most interestingly though, recent studies have revealed that music creates a sense of group identity and says that how one is affected by the music they listen to, is directly tied to their sense of belonging to a group. And in turn, music makes us affiliate with certain groups.

Memories: Associative and Generational Recall Now that we know the science behind music and the sense of belonging it gives us, it’s important to address the part the memory association plays. Our memory is a powerful tool, and music is often tied intrinsically to those memories, whether we were listening to a particular song at a time when something significant happened in our lives, or when that music defined the era in which we grew up. For instance, back in 2000, when The Sopranos’ series finale ended with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin,” the song had a resurgence, playing at the end of almost every fun night or wedding. It has been a staple, and sing-along song for nearly every major event over the past several years. Same goes, for “Sweet Caroline,” that for some reason or another has become a song that bonds others over memories that THIS is a song people remember, people like to shout and sing together. There are so many more songs like these that transcend tine, that everyone knows and therefore bond us all (other familiar ones include “Bennie and the Jetts” by Elton John or Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”).

MUSIC: 2019

Speaking of music, here are some of the latest albums and artists out there we’re obsessed with.

Unlike these songs that remain popular with any age group, there are also ones that associate people by the generation in which they grew up. If you’re part of Generation Y, Semisonic’s “Closing Time” may remind you of graduation or the bar closing down in college – the goodbye anthem of your teens and 20’s. The anthem for Generation X is Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” which embodied the angst, despair and apathy of the youth at the time and the grunge movement at the time. Each generation defines themselves by these songs that transport them back to their youth.

The bond these generations or ages of people have tied to music these songs with memories of their youth and the time period in which they grew up, bringing these generations together at future concerts, often comeback/reunion tours or just when the songs come on at an event or bar.

Shared Experiences & Transcending Social Boundaries Live music, seeing it, experiencing it and everything surrounding being at an event listening to your favorite music along with other people, can create short-term, but also sometimes, lifetime bonds.

Through a shared love of the music being experienced in such a special and intimate way, whether it be at

a festival or a one-time show, or in the case of die-hard Phish fans, traveling the country to go to Phish shows with their “Phishhead” cohorts, people can’t help but feel a part of something great – together.

These shared experiences and love for a certain artist can become a sense of identity for a person and the group of people they’re associating with.

The love for music can also transcend generation, race and gender. Using Phish as an example – a 50-something, mother of two who has been a devoted Phish fan since their Townshend, Vermont concert of ’89, may connect with a newer, yet no less devoted male 20-something Phish fan circa one of their 3-day stints at Wrigley in Chicago.

The Nucleus of Music’s Gathering Power But what’s truly behind the power of music to bring people together?

Dancing to music, feeling it, swaying with its beat, and genuinely just feeling like you can be yourself, is such an honest and open way for people to meet each other. Therefore, it creates bonds with less airs, more authenticity and often times, more genuine friendships.

People like people who feel they can be themselves, and it’s tough to not be yourself when listening to that song that just moves you, makes you feel alive, peers into your heart and understands you.

That truly is music’s power in bringing people together.

ARTIST: BILLIE EILISH Foo Fighter’s Dave Grohl recently said, “Billie Eilish is proof that rock n’ roll Is not close to dead.” The 17-year old took the pop, rock world by storm last year with her hit single “Ocean Eyes.” Unlike her pop princess predecessors (think the original Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears), she isn’t feigning sweet or innocent. Her lyrics include aggressive, at times even sadistic themes – all in contract with her angelic voice. Think early 90’s Poe. But these contradictions paired with her unique, grungelike style, make this teen a don’t miss. Check out her latest track, “When I Was Older.”

ALBUM: “CHRIS” BY CHRISTINE AND THE QUEENS In Christine and the Queens second studio album French lead singer, Héloïse Letissier, is going for a gender ambiguous approach, donning short hair on the album cover and naming it a genderneutral version of Christine. She has commented that the album is focused on her struggles of being a queer woman living in society. Unlike her debut album, “Chaleur humaine,” which was more of a slow-burn of emotional introspection, while her sophomore album is grittier, still that of a self-reflective individual, but one dealing with an inferiority complex and anger. But, the evolution is one you’ll want to listen to.

ALBUM: “A BRIEF INQUIRY INTO ONLINE RELATIONSHIPS” BY 1975 Very much like the 1975’s last album, this one is definitely not lacking in its stylistic beats, with everything ranging from Afrobeats to snare jazz, to another that sounds reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens remixed. The album produced solely by lead singer Healy and drummer George Daniel, seems to have a higher purpose than their last album. For instance, the Sufjan-style remix titled “I like America & America Likes Me,” manipulates slogans, so fast, so auto-tuned it seems like it’s making a commentary on our fast-paced society and how it disallows for meaningful experiences. This along with others on the album like “The Man Who Married a Robot,” in which a troll falls in love with the Internet, make commentary on our obsession with a digitized, fully connected world. Dan Stubbs of NME awarded the album five stars out of five, likening the album to a millennial version of OK Computer and summarized that the album is,”Clever and profound, funny and light, serious and heartbreaking, painfully modern and classic-sounding all at the same time.” | Issue 19 47

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