“It’s about building a permanent cultural space in Pittsburgh.”
— Ben Tolman, founder of Fiasco Art CenterBY AMANDA WALTZ
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Electric vehicle owners in Pittsburgh find creative ways to charge up as the city adjusts to shifting transportation trends
BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWLTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COMACURIOUS SIGHT has started to appear around Pittsburgh over the past few years — extension cords flopped across sidewalks, some covered with brightly colored cable ramps similar to those used at concerts and big events. Look around and you may see a cord plugged into an electric vehicle, most likely a Tesla, parked on the street.
The cords signal a growing shift toward electric vehicles — or EVs — motivated by drivers concerned about rising fuel prices and contributing to climate change with gas-powered combustion engines. Pittsburgh has become part of this trend, and the city, both in the private and public sectors, has stepped in to serve EV owners, with parking garages, grocery store chains, gas stations, and fast-food restaurants installing charging stations where drivers can “refuel.”
But while local EV drivers can plug in on the go, charging at home has become another story, particularly for those in urban residential neighborhoods where access to garages or driveways comes at a premium — hence the extension cords stretching from a driver’s home to their EV. The issue becomes more complicated when considering certain factors, including the city’s aging infrastructure, the types of residencies where drivers live, and how to ensure EV resources are available to everyone.
John Patrick — who requested to go by his first and middle name only — bought his used Tesla in 2020 as a way to make extra cash doing rideshare services through Uber. At the time, he says he took his Infiniti QX80 luxury SUV into a Monroeville dealership, where they expressed confusion over his wanting to trade such an exquisite vehicle in for an EV.
“That car was beautiful. You should have seen the dealers looking at me like I was crazy trading it in for this electric. And next thing you know, all the gas prices went up and people were like, ‘Oh, man, this [Tesla] is the most beautiful car in the world,’” he tells Pittsburgh City Paper with a laugh.
John, who lives in Morningside, explains that, while the car has served him well over the last few years, it came with a few headaches. His home, which he says was built in the 1920s, lacked the capacity to effectively power both his home and his car. Rather than rewire his entire house, as one electrician
suggested, he purchased a small Quick 220 converter box that he says allows him to charge the car without the constant risk of blowing a fuse.
As opposed to miles per gallon, John goes by miles per hour, explaining that, with his rig, his Tesla will charge up to 12 miles in an hour, taking about 10 hours total overnight. That’s enough, he says, to make up for the average 120 miles he drives for Uber in a single night.
John does wonder if having an extension cord on the sidewalk poses any risks, adding that he never charges during rainstorms to avoid any possible safety hazards. In the few years since acquiring the vehicle, though, he says no one has complained to him about the cord being there.
By 2030, Duquesne Light looks to enable grid infrastructure that would serve 50,000 total EV owners like John in the Pittsburgh region. This is according to Matt McDonald, who serves as the public utility’s senior transportation electrification associate.
Currently, McDonald says EV drivers
are permitted to use sidewalk-crossing extension cords or charging cables as long as it’s done in a “safe manner.” He cites how the Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure provided a list of best practices for home-charging EVs in this way, which includes placing a cover over the cord to prevent tripping or inconveniencing any pedestrians using the sidewalk.
Even with the permission to use cords, another concern surfaces in a city notorious for its parking chairs.
“There are some people even still that might not have a dedicated on-street parking space in front of their house,” says McDonald. “So that might not be an option for them to be able to extend that cord over the public right-of-way. So it’s important that we’re also thinking about those customers as well.”
McDonald says Duquesne Light has sought to address this lack of access in a few different ways. He tells City Paper that the company is “working with site hosts” across its service territory to “increase the availability of public EV charging,
and also making sure that some of that charging is located in residential areas.” Part of that includes working with municipalities on “potential street curbside projects” that would allow for drivers to charge directly on the street.
“So that kind of helps fill the gap for some of that residential charging that’s needed,” says McDonald, adding that drivers can then supplement home charging by using fast-charging facilities located throughout the Pittsburgh region. John speaks to this, saying that he often pays a small fee to power up his Tesla at charging stations located in Giant Eagle parking lots throughout the area.
Still, some wonder how available resources will be for EV drivers in underserved, low-income areas, especially since many car manufacturers plan to phase out gas-powered vehicles, making the transition to electric an eventual requirement. This is in conjunction with a push by President Joe Biden’s administration to convert half of all newly manufactured vehicles to electric by 2030.
Carnegie Mellon University School of Information Systems and Public Policy, received a grant from the Department of Energy to do research on EV charging infrastructure.
“We saw that, right now, in Pittsburgh, a lot of the charges are located in areas where there are either a lot of shops near the schools, or the Downtown area,” he explains to City Paper, referring primarily to the neighborhoods surrounding CMU and the University of Pittsburgh. “So, you know, pretty well-off areas.”
Harper explains that his DoE-funded research looks at creating “optimization tools” for cities, in this case, Pittsburgh and Seattle, to best determine where EV chargers should be located based on a number of factors.
Harper says that, while there’s a growing demand to adopt EV technology, Pittsburgh and other U.S. cities need to make the transition in an equitable way. For example, while single-family
homeowners may be able to rig an exten sion cord, many low-income drivers rent and often live in multi-unit apartment buildings, where they face a greater challenge accessing power.
This lack of access could be addressed through plans by Duquesne Light to install more charging stations as part of a community program that McDonald says will help cover the cost of installing EV chargers at “public workplace and multifamily properties.”
authorities are also making electric
charge multiple times a week, regular commuters will probably only need one charge a week, pointing out how his Tesla charges up to 300 miles. He also offers a few tips on charging, such as turning off certain features in the car that drain the battery.
“This is not a program that is for residential customers, but for commercial customers that, ultimately, when they install that charging station could benefit residents,” he says. “We’re working with a number of customers through that, especially municipalities. We hope that
transportation available in other ways, including transitioning the Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses to electric and providing electric-powered bike rentals to the public through POGOH.
Harper agrees that, until EV technology adequately expands, drivers can look
Overall, though, he believes that the cord hassle is worth it to avoid paying at the pump. He estimates that, to charge at home, he pays around eight cents per kilowatt — the now standard rate for residential Duquesne Light customers — which totals less than $25 for a 275mile charge.
“You can’t beat that,” he says. •
... WHILE THERE’S A GROWING DEMAND TO ADOPT EV TECHNOLOGY, PITTSBURGH AND OTHER U.S. CITIES NEED TO MAKE THE TRANSITION IN AN EQUITABLE WAY.PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOHN PATRICK Converter box located in an electric vehicle owner’s Pittsburgh basement
FIASCO ART CENTER sits near the highest point in Pittsburgh. Though still a work in progress, the building is resplendent in colorful murals. Founders Noelle and Ben Tolman are hopeful Fiasco can be a key part of Observatory Hill’s ongoing renaissance — without the negative side effects of gentrification they witnessed in their former home of Washington, DC.
The Tolmans are familiar with the pitfalls of artists moving in and raising property values. Ben, a full-time visual artist, alludes to the “10-year cycle” of artists and LGBTQ+ residents improving neighborhoods and then getting displaced by wealthier residents. The couple is taking steps to short-circuit this pattern. “We’re not going to build this into anything you’ve seen in a typical art center,” Ben tells Pittsburgh City Paper . “It’s all an experiment in community-building.”
The former gym is halfway to becoming a hangout space and functions as an ad hoc gallery for artist Rick Bach’s work (Bach, who used to live locally, helped put Pittsburgh on the Tolmans’ radar).
Noelle hopes that creating a neighborhood hub will help neighbors feel included in their plans. “I grew up in Brazil, and I grew up hearing things like, ‘this is too expensive for you’ or ‘this is for people who understand about art’ or ‘this is for rich people,” she says. “We want people [here] to understand that art is culture, and culture is us.”
The Tolmans want to lower perceived barriers to their space by making community central to their vision for Fiasco. Though COVID-19 concerns and ongoing zoning questions have delayed some of their plans, the couple hopes the gym space, which houses a stage and sits adjacent to the former school kitchen, can eventually become a coffee shop.
properties — including the locally infamous Moriarty’s storefront — and converting the floors above into spacious public housing units.
“We’re now on phase two with another five houses. One is complete. Three of the five are going to be affordable housing,” Observatory Hill, Inc.’s president Jeremy Lawler tells City Paper. Work continues on the commercial district. Ida’s Sandwich Shop and the Northside Chronicle now occupy two storefronts, and Lawler and others hope to attract a restaurant that serves alcohol.
Getting the neighborhood reactivated is a group effort, and Lawler says art is an important part of it. Through events like the June 25 house tour — the first such event since the pandemic began, — Observatory Hill is taking an organic, block-by-block approach to community building. Lawler notes events like the upcoming Aug. 4 Neighbor Friday, which will continue on a monthly basis through the summer.
“You get to talking to people, you find out what their interests are, and then hopefully they can help better the community, too,” he says.
locals’ memories. Noelle says the school building’s long vacancy left the neighbors eager “for something to be done. They didn’t want this just falling apart.”
If the house tour was any indicator, the neighbors are pleased with what has followed. Some 200 to 300 area residents passed through Fiasco during the event. “What they’ve done with the old school is phenomenal,” Lawler says, noting that the house tour overall was “a smashing success.”
4070 Franklin Rd., Perry North.
Above all, the plan is for Fiasco to remain accessible. Rather than individual studios, Ben hopes to organize spaces by use, and plans include a print shop, ceramics lab, and even a recording studio. He currently works out of what will become the Fiasco frame shop, which boasts a spectacular view stretching from Downtown to McKees Rocks. “We want to make this space as dense with art as possible,” Ben says.
The couple and their growing family of dogs and cats moved from the DC area in 2019 in large part because Pittsburgh was one of the few places where they found a sizable property capable of accommodating their dream. In this case, that place is the former Incarnation Academy middle school, constructed in 1954 during Pittsburgh’s peak population years.
The building is still mid-transformation. Urinals from a recent bathroom renovation now serve as planters in the schoolyard where the Tolmans’ dogs play.
“I have no interest in making money off the space,” Ben says, adding he and Noelle are currently financing it at a loss through his art and her translation work.
“It’s about building a permanent cultural space in Pittsburgh.”
Observatory Hill, Inc., the local neighborhood association, shares many of the Tolmans’ hopes for the community. Both would like to see the Five Points business district get busier without displacing locals. To that end, Observatory Hill, Inc. has taken an active role in securing several commercial
The Tolmans took a similar approach when preparing to open Fiasco in 2019. “We’re outsiders, obviously, so we sent probably 200 or 250 letters to all the neighbors just introducing ourselves [prior to moving in],” Noelle says. Potluck events followed the move, and the Tolmans say local kids enjoy access to several outdoor spaces. Tonka trucks left over from playtime remain parked on the Fiasco lawn, and young people have painted several surfaces on the site.
As with other deconsecrated religious buildings in Pittsburgh, Fiasco faces the challenge of breathing new life into a building strongly anchored in many
Realizing this vision could take years, the Tolmans aren’t necessarily in a hurry. They’re self-funding upgrades like the bathroom renovations and their recent addition of colorfully striped siding to the former rectory, which will someday host a rotating artist residency. The neighborhood is key to seeing these plans through.
“The neighbors here keep us in check,” Noelle says. She says Incarnation alumni still drop by to check in on their alma mater, and nearby locals check in periodically to chat or offer help with projects. “The neighbors are very involved, and we have a lot of support,” Ben says.
“The people of Pittsburgh have been great to us.” •
“WE’RE NOT GOING TO BUILD THIS INTO ANYTHING YOU’VE SEEN IN A TYPICAL ART CENTER … IT’S ALL AN EXPERIMENT IN COMMUNITY-BUILDING.”
ON JULY 19, Anti-Flag, a famed punk outfit with deep roots in Pittsburgh, suddenly fell off the face of the earth. Fans were met with a message on the band’s Patreon page stating that Anti-Flag had split up. The band’s website and social media pages disappeared. Soon, users on Reddit made a connection between the shocking break-up and a podcast episode released the same day in which a woman alleged that a member of a successful rock band had raped her years before.
After a brief period of silence, members of Anti-Flag — including the accused, Justin Sane — finally spoke out.
On July 19, the podcast Enough, which covers abuse in the music industry, spoke with Kristina Sarhadi, a New York-based therapist and social worker. Over the course of the episode, Sarhadi recounted how, while attending a show in Brooklyn several years ago, the lead singer of a band invited her to a party, after which
he lured her back to his hotel, plied her with alcohol, then locked and assaulted her in his room.
While Sarhadi never identifies her attacker, users on Reddit were quick to point out that it could be Sane, whose real name is Justin Geever. A statement later made by three other members indicates they were taking the claim seriously.
approached by a woman after a sexual encounter and been told I had in any way acted without her consent or violated her in any way. Now that I have had a few days to absorb the initial shock, I am making this statement to set the record straight.”
After asserting his committment to “standing up” for victims of sexual assault, as well as “those suffering oppres -
At the same moment, Anti-Flag’s other members, Pat Thetic, Chris “#2” Barker, and Chris Head, emailed their own statement, which reads:
“A core tenet of the band Anti-Flag is to listen to and believe all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The recent allegations about Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Therefore, we felt the only immediate option was to disband.
In an email sent on July 25 to Pittsburgh City Paper and several other publications, Sane called the claims of sexual assault made against him “categorically false,” adding, “I have never engaged in a sexual relationship that was not consensual, nor have I ever been
sion and inequality, who are victimized, demeaned, and abuse[d],” he then addressed the band’s break-up, stating, “In regard to Anti-flag disbanding, as a band, the decision was made that under these circumstances it would be impossible to continue.”
“We have been shocked, confused, saddened and absolutely heartbroken from the moment we heard these allegations. While we believe this is extremely serious, in the last 30 years we have never seen Justin be violent or aggressive toward women. This experience has shaken us to our core.
“We understand and apologize that this response may not have been quick enough for some people. This is new territory for all of us and it is taking time for us to process the situation.
“IN REGARD TO ANTI-FLAG DISBANDING, AS A BAND, THE DECISION WAS MADE THAT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTINUE.”
“It was a privilege for us to be in the band Anti-Flag, as we seek to find our path forward we wish healing to all survivors.”
The break-up was announced during Anti-Flag’s current European tour, and months before the band was set to tour with The Bouncing Souls. Better Artists, a music management company that repre sents The Bouncing Souls, tells via email, “This is a Bouncing Souls head line tour in support of their new album. It is still very much happening. That being said, [Anti-Flag] is no longer a support artist on the tour.”
The news came as a shock to fans given that Anti-Flag voiced strong profeminist views in many of its songs, including the anthem “Feminism Is For Everybody (With A Beating Heart And A Functioning Brain).” In a 2012 interview with City Paper , Sane voiced support for then-incumbent President Barack Obama, adding that he didn’t want people like then-Republican presidential can didate and Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum to be in power because he “tells rape victims to ‘make the best of a bad situation.’”
Jon Nix, an Ohio-based filmmaker
and punk fan, directed the 2020 docuBeyond Barricades: The Story , described as covering the Pittsburgh band’s long-term political and musical work. Nix tells City Paper that he and others in the community are “all very
“It’s a huge disappointment,” says Nix. “I feel awful for anyone he has hurt. And I’m sad for all the people in the band and crew who were dedicating their lives to music and activism. His actions have tainted and undermined all of that.”
However, users on social media state that the allegations come as no surprise given the history of violence against women in the punk scene, pointing out that it resulted in the formation of female-forward music movements like
Since forming in Pittsburgh 35 years ago, Anti-Flag has released 13 studio albums, signed to the major record label RCA, and toured all over the world. Despite their global fame, they retained close ties to their hometown, even headlining the local punk showcase ANTIfest and earning the title of Best Legacy Band in City Paper’s 2020 readers’ poll. •
BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
5262 Butler St., Lawrenceville. longplaycafe.com
City Slang
Be sure to snag Swedish drone artist Anna Von Hausswolff’s 2018 release, once hailed by The Guardian as her “darkest, most ambitious record.”
Barsuk Records
Dive into some summertime sadness with the 20th anniversary restock of the iconic 2003 album by emo great Death Cab For Cutie.
Janus Records
Long Play owner Brian Broad says this 1972 self-titled album by a British funk group always sells out after each restock, so get it while you can.
Lava/Republic
According to Rolling Stone , this recent release sees psychedelic rock band Greta Van Fleet doing its best Led Zeppelin impression.
Smithsonian Folkways/Rough Trade Records/Mercury Records
Bulk up your Lucinda Williams collection with these three albums released between 1980 and 1998.
IT’S BEEN THREE YEARS since the haunting CW series Supernatural ended its 15-season run. Brothers
Dean and Sam Winchester captivated viewers with tales of demon hunting and trips in and out of Hell, like the Hardy Boys, but with a really cool car and Holy Water. The wildly popular series even spawned The Winchesters , a prequel spin-off about their parents, John and Mary. People were enthralled by the world created by Eric Kripke.
More than a few pop culture conventions have been dedicated to creating a unique experience for die-hard Supernatural fans. One of them, Momento Con, makes its second annual appearance in Pittsburgh from Sat., Aug. 5-Sun., Aug. 6 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where attendees can immerse themselves in all things Supernatural
Regular pop culture convention attendees know what to expect. You’ll have an opportunity to meet and snag selfies with celebrity guests. There will
be engaging panel discussions with cast members whose broad bodies of work could take the conversations just about anywhere. As if all that isn't enough, you can support indie artists and vendors by shopping for pop culture-themed merch at their booths.
Sat., Aug. 5-Sun., Aug. 6. David L Lawrence Convention Center. 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Downtown. $20-500. momentocon.com
Unfortunately, the Winchester boys themselves, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles), will not be in attendance. But getting a photo with Baby, Dean’s famous 1967 Chevy Impala, is still pretty cool.
The celebrities in attendance will include, but are not limited to, Mark Sheppard (Crowley), Alexander Calvert (Jack), Mark Pelligrino (Lucifer), and Timothy Omundson (Cain).
Fans can thank the creators of the Altoona, Pa.-based Sci-Fi Valley Con for this extraordinary Supernatural experience.
Casey Bassett, owner and promoter of Sci-Fi Valley Con, tells Pittsburgh City Paper , “Our connection with Supernatural was a natural choice for us because many of our team members are fans of the show.”
After seeing how passionately fans responded to Supernatural guests at Sci-Fi Valley Con, he believes the decision to extend the magic seemed like the obvious choice.
The convention stands out for providing a unique blend of fan-driven activities and community inclusivity, all centered around Supernatural. The creative team, composed of Supernatural fans of the show, knows how to make the immersive experiences thrilling for ticket holders.
“What truly sets Momento Con apart is its commitment to nurturing the Supernatural community’s unique unity and camaraderie,” says Bassett.
of talents, life experiences, and filmographies that will make for fascinating discussions.
Memento Con is also encouraging
ticket holders. The rooftop of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center will be the setting for attendees to gather for mixing and mingling with each other and, perhaps, some of the celebrity guests.
The fun continues on Saturday night, as attendees will have the chance to experience a one-hour acoustic set by Rob Benedict, known to fans as Chuck.
In light of the SAG-AFTRA strike, con frequenters may see a shift in the focus of various panels, which usually cover the past, present, and future work of participating speakers. Due to strike guidelines, which prohibits actors and other talent from speaking about projects, celebrity guests will not be able to delve too deep into Supernatural and their characters. Fortunately, the people you know and love as Crowley or Jack have a wide range
the expected 2,000 to 3,000 attendees to show solidarity with actors and writers on strike.
“We have made it clear that we want to see more than fans — we want to see advocates raising their voices and signs high to create a wave of support that’s impossible to ignore,” says Bassett.
One of the weekend’s many highlights is the Welcome Cocktail Karaoke event set to kick off on Fri., Aug. 4, for Gold VIP
Yes, it’s a plus, but it’s not just about meeting the celebrity guests. The weekend will be jam-packed with opportunities to meet your favorite SPNFamily members (to use a term common with the Supernatural fandom) and meet others who are equally stoked to see Baby in real life. It allows fans who followed the Winchesters through years of trials and tribulations to buy Supernatural dinnerware, ask DJ Qualls about his art collection, and bring some new people into the SPNFamily. Because, as the show points out, “family doesn’t end with blood.” •
“WHAT TRULY SETS MOMENTO CON APART IS ITS COMMITMENT TO NURTURING THE SUPERNATURAL COMMUNITY’S UNIQUE UNITY AND CAMARADERIE.”
PHIPPS CONSERVATORY and Botanical Gardens extended its Flowers Meet Fashion: Inspired by Billy Porter show due to high visitor rates. That means there is still time to see how local college and high school students became an active part of creating the exhibit’s dramatic, vibrant outfits.
Professional fashion designers worked with students from the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts magnet high school (CAPA) and Carnegie Mellon University — Porter’s alma mater — to create costumes inspired by the stylish outfits worn by the Pittsburgh-born and raised performer known for his Broadway, television, and film contributions.
background and research that goes into it,” says Tsu.
CMU students read Porter’s autobiography, Unprotected: A Memoi r, to gain inspiration. They then split into three groups to decide on the meaning behind the works on display until Sun., Aug. 13 at Phipps.
CAPA students collaborated with the school’s visual arts chair, Shannon Pultz, and teacher, Tesna Varner, to create and design the installations with Phipps team members. Melissa Pearlman, who serves as the principal at CAPA, says many of their “visual artists” took a field trip to Phipps and were able to “experience the exhibit as patrons, which was fantastic.”
“At CAPA, one of our core objectives is
Originally debuted on May 6, Flowers Meet Fashion was organized by Phipps’ associate director of exhibits Jordyn Melino, and is described in a press release as featuring “brilliant horticultural displays and breathtaking fashion designs” inspired by Porter’s Pittsburgh roots and accomplishments. Among the featured designs is a display inspired by Porter’s role in the Broadway show Kinky Boots, a gold costume hovering over a water lily pond, and an aquaponics dress filled with live fish, as well as three dresses made with dried plant material.
Susan Tsu, an award-winning costume designer and Bessie F. Anathan University Professor of Design at CMU’s School of Drama, explains how students prepared for the show.
“I think the very first stage that is an important one to consider is the
to empower our students, enabling them to see the impact of their work, their creations, their voice, and their music within the larger community,” she adds.
Continues through Sun., Aug. 13. One Schenley Park, Oakland. Included with regular admission. phipps.conservatory.org
When asked about the emotional significance of this project, Tsu says, “It holds a lot of heart. You know, first of all, at heart, strength and determination are both qualities that Billy has. I think that to conceive and draw an extraordinary costume, it’s one thing. To make it and to commit to it is quite another. Yes, and so it took determination but also took love.” •
“I THINK THAT TO CONCEIVE AND DRAW AN EXTRAORDINARY COSTUME, IT’S ONE THING. TO MAKE IT AND TO COMMIT TO IT IS QUITE ANOTHER.”
INSPIRED BY BILLY PORTERPHOTOS: PAUL G. WIEGMAN Flowers Meet Fashion: Inspired by Billy Porter
WESA'S FLAGSHIP daily news show, The Confluence, has been dropped from the station's programming schedule amid a round of cuts and layoffs.
Longtime host Kevin Gavin made the announcement during the close of the July 28 show.
"After a seven-year run, WESA will end production of The Confluence next Friday, Aug. 4," Gavin said on air. "We hope you've enjoyed listening to the program and tune in next week for our final shows."
The news follows two WESA reporter buyouts, and, according to a company spokesperson, a digital content position will also be eliminated from the service's sister station, WYEP. The spokesperson did not specify what position will be cut but said the responsibilities will be "picked up by another member of our digital team."
A press release issued by parent company Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation states The
Confluence's three full-time staff have each been offered severance agreements negotiated through a union bargaining process.
and notes efforts to roll back spending had already been in place prior to staff cuts, including freezing "all non-essential spending and hiring months ago,
and payroll expenses. Of that, nearly $800,000 was allotted to O'Reilly and the three next highest-earning managers.
Asked whether the company was considering executive pay cuts, O'Reilly tells Pittsburgh City Paper he is unable to comment while bargaining discussions continue.
"We are engaged in a process of good faith bargaining with SAG-AFTRA and have agreed with them that the specifics of our discussions will be kept confidential," O'Reilly wrote in an email statement.
The nonprofit radio company has reportedly landed on lean times this year. In a letter sent to station members June 15, President and CEO Terry O'Reilly acknowledged pending staffing and programming cuts brought on by "challenging times in our industry."
The letter points to rising costs from utilities and NPR programming fees,
eliminating a senior management position, and cutting travel and other discretionary expenses."
PCBC's most recent financial report shows the company had around $2.3 million in liquid cash last September. During the 2022 fiscal year it passed a roughly $7 million dollar budget, with nearly $2.8 million earmarked for salaries
Last fall, 26 workers across WESA and WYEP voted to unionize under national labor group SAG-AFTRA. When pronouncing their victory, radio workers talked about having a seat at the table when pushing for better contracts.
Union members and their local and national representatives did not respond to multiple inquiries made for this story.
In a short statement released after O'Reilly's June 16 letter, the union underscored their faith in the bargaining process.
"WHILE THE LOSS OF ANY OF OUR COLLEAGUES TO BUYOUTS IS DISAPPOINTING, WE ARE WORKING TO HELP THE COMPANY GET BACK ON THE RIGHT FINANCIAL FOOT AND PRESERVE THE JOBS OF THOSE WHO PRODUCE THE CONTENT THAT LISTENERS KNOW AND LOVE."
we are working to help the Company get back on the right financial foot and preserve the jobs of those who produce the content that listeners know and love," the statement reads.
Some present and former WESA staff say The Confluence was chronically under-resourced and the small production team never had the support it needed for the show to flourish.
“God bless Kevin Gavin, that man worked so hard," Nancy Wood, WESA's former director of development, tells City Paper
Wood said Gavin — who has been with the station and its predecessor for more than 45 years — would regularly work 12- or 14- hour days, along with the rest of his team.
Another former WESA employee, who requested anonymity to share their comments, reiterated a sense that the program was insufficiently supported.
“The show was understaffed and under-resourced from the start," the former employee said. "The staff worked really hard to put together a quality show every day but there was a lot more potential there that was never
as a weekly show and became a daily program two years later.
In response to accusations the show was insufficiently supported, O'Reilly tells CP, "We are proud of the journalism that The Confluence team produced, and of the awards and recognition that the program received during its run on WESA.”
A press release issued today about the show's closure points to the company's financial circumstances as the source of the programming cuts.
“The decision to end production of The Confluence was prompted by the financial challenges that we shared with our members several months ago — the same challenges being faced by other public radio stations across the country,“ Mike Sauter, vice president of broadcasting for Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting, said in a press release.
“While The Confluence is ending, WESA will continue to integrate great interviews and roundtable discussions about issues important to our region, as they will be integrated into the station’s other daily programs, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered ." •
THU., AUG. 3
LIT • MARS
PulpFest. 10 a.m.-11:20 p.m. Continues through Sun., Aug. 6. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry. 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars. $25. pulpfest.com
COMEDY • OAKMONT
Josh Wolf: Bring Your Kids to Work Tour. 8 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. The Oaks Theater. 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. $29.75-55. theoakstheater.com
MARKET • GARFIELD
Garfield Night Market. 5-10 p.m. 113 N. Pacific Ave., Garfield. Free. facebook.com/GarfieldNightMarket
THEATER • RANKIN
Quantum Theatre presents Hamlet. 7:30 p.m. Continues through Sun., Aug. 27.
Carrie Furnaces. Carrie Furnace Blvd., Rankin. $18-68. quantumtheatre.com/hamlet
DANCE • OAKLAND
Attack Theatre partners with the Grammy Award-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth for a special, one-night-only world premiere of Blurred Bodies. The performance combines the talents of 10 musicians and six dancers for what’s described in a press release as an “intertwining landscape of physicality and sound.” This exclusive show will take place at Carnegie Mellon University’s Chosky Theater. 8:30 p.m. 5000 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $25-40. attacktheatre.com/blurred-bodies
FILM • CHURCHILL
See some truly bizarre movies when Grossfest takes over the Comfort Inn Conference Center Pittsburgh East. The event includes such illustrious titles as Hexercise, Doomsday Stories, Night of the Axe, Bathtub Shark Attack, and Then My Mind Walked Away, as well as the locally shot Shingles the Movie. Guests can also meet indie filmmakers and actors, shop
the vendor market, and more. 11 a.m. 699 Rodi Road, Churchill. $10. grossfest.com
FESTIVAL • NORTH SIDE
Pittsburgh VegFest 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Allegheny Commons Park. W. North Avenue, North Side. Free. pittsburghvegfest.org
PARTY • MT. LEBANON
Uptown Unveiled. 12-6 p.m. Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. Free. All ages. mtlebanon.org
ART • LAWRENCEVILLE
Lawrenceville Art Crawl 1-9 p.m. 35th through 56th St., Lawrenceville. Free. redfishbowl.com/events
FESTIVAL • LAWRENCEVILLE
Driftwood Summer Fest 2-7 p.m. Bay 41. 115 41st St., Lawrenceville. Free. All ages. driftwoodoven.com
SUN., AUG. 6
TOUR • OAKLAND
Doors Open presents An Architectural
PARTY • NORTH SIDE
Trash Bash Community Fest 1-5 p.m. 509 Jacksonia St., North Side. Free. All ages. mattress.org
WED., AUG. 9
MUSIC • ALLISON PARK
Test your knowledge of color theory with a free Soccer Mommy show at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. Indie rock band Disq opens for the singer-songwriter — real name Sophie Allison — who, since debuting in 2018, has produced three albums and toured with Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, Paramore, and many other big acts. Presented as part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series, the show will also include food trucks and craft beer. 7:30 p.m. Doors at 6 p.m. 4070 Middle Road, Allison Park. Free. alleghenycounty.us
MUSIC • GARFIELD
Good Sleepy with overtheweather. 7 p.m.
The Mr. Roboto Project. 5106 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $10. All ages. therobotoproject.com
CONVENTION • DOWNTOWN
Antique cash will rule everything around the David L. Lawrence Convention Center when the American Numismatic Association brings the Money to the City of Bridges. Coin and monetary enthusiasts can enjoy auctions, exhibits, seminars, lectures, and youth activities, as well as a workshop about coin collecting. There will also be an award given for the most well-designed coins. 1 p.m. Continues through Sat., Aug. 12.
1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Downtown. $10-25, free on Aug. 12. pittsburghcc.com
FILM • SEWICKLEY
Vertigo. 7 p.m. Lindsay Theater. 418 Walnut St., Sewickley. $8.75-33.75. thelindsaytheater.org
LIT • BLOOMFIELD
Hemingway’s Summer Poetry Series with miss macross, Lori Jakiela, Dave Newman, Cedric Rudolph, and Kayla Sargeson. 7 p.m. White Whale Bookstore. 4754 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. Free. Registration required. Livestream available. whitewhalebookstore.com/events
THEATER • DOWNTOWN
Guys and Dolls. 7:30 p.m. Continues through Sun., Aug. 13. Benedum Center. Seventh St. and Penn Ave., Downtown. $29-81. pittsburghclo.culturaldistrict.org
MUSIC • SOUTH SIDE
Just Summer at the Highline presents Hugo Cruz & Caminos. 7:30 p.m. The Highline. 339 McKean St., South Side. Free. chambermusicpittsburgh.org/ just-summer-2023
10 A.M. MONDAY THRU THURSDAY AT PGHCITYPAPER.COM
The 5th Judicial District of Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Pretrial Services urges you to enjoy your weekend out in Pittsburgh but make the right choice, don’t drive impaired.PHOTO: NATE GUIRDY Just Summer at the Highline presents Hugo Cruz & Caminos PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION/ GREATCOLLECTIONS World’s Fair of Money at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
HELP WANTED
Seeking for a Personal Caregiver Job requires Assist with personal care tasks such as light housekeeping, bathing, dressing, shopping, and grooming
Salary : $30 per hour
Job Type: Part-time Contact me at Brewer ( betsyciprianio@gmail.com )
Carnegie Mellon University seeks a Sr. Software Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA responsible for designing, developing & analyzing complex software & robotic subsystems/ components. Apply at www.cmu.edu/jobs.
PUBLIC AUCTION
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell the contents of leased spaces to satisfy Extra Space’s lien at the location indicated:
PUBLIC AUCTION
2023, at
2001 Jessica Foster, 2146 Bryan Deering, 3070 Alivia Trent, 4047 Iiesha Perkins-Barron, 4113 Shalette White, 4168 Natalie Cooper. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell the contents of the leased space to satisfy the Extra Space Lien at 3200 Park Manor Blvd, Pittsburgh, Pa 15205 on 08/16/2023 at 1:00pm. 3197
Tiffany Anderson and 2016 Amanda Necciai. The Auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell the contents of leased spaces to satisfy Extra Space’s lien at the location indicated: 141 N Braddock Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15208, August 16, 2023, 11:00AM 2002 Sunsune Bey, 6048 Earl Clark, 6072 Deshawn Crawford, and 6090 Marcus Poindexter. The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell the contents of leased spaces to satisfy Extra Space’s lien at the location indicated: 6400 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 August 16, 2023 at 1:45 PM. 2069 Yolanda M Rodriguez, 5045 Kenneth Hunt. The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell the contents of leased spaces to satisfy Extra Space’s lien at the location indicated: 1005 E Entry Drive Pittsburgh PA 15216, August 16, 2023 at 11:30 AM. John Mcquillan 2156. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell the contents of leased spaces to satisfy Extra Space’s lien at 110 Kisow Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 on August 16th, 2023 at 11:15 am. Keisha Pugh 07, Keith Steed 344, Lindsey Joseph 72. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Many of the answers in this crossword are too long and won’t fit in the spaces provided. Each of these answers will either begin or end in the gray square immediately before or after it. When the puzzle is done, all the gray squares will have been used exactly once, and the letters in them (reading left to right, line by line) will spell out a quote by Chuck D.
39. Driving positions
40. Felipe, Jesús, Matty, or Moisés of baseball
43. One evaluating test results?
45. Bygone Intel processors
47. Point with a bullet
50. Granola grain
51. Tall ones?
52. Unreactive, chemically
53. “You’re bothering me!”
54. Weighed down
55. 2023 Taylor Swift tour
17. Three-word critical review
19. Beats to a pulp?
21. Included in the email chain discreetly
22. Tunisian couturier Azzedine ___
24. California city whose name means “tree-lined street”
26. Removes, as with scissors
28. Four-time discus Olympian
29. Touch ___ spot (evoke strong feelings)
30. Young’s accounting partner
32. Lettuce also called “rocket”
35. Named
38. Curving pool shot
40. Mafia bosses
41. Jacob’s first wife
42. Knowing about 44. A, in Ulm
46. Pharmacist’s container
48. “Buona ___” (“Good evening” in Italy)
49. Hiker’s peaks: Abbr.
Where some people lose their keys and cellphones
23. Remove, as from office
25. Contract provision
27. How some cars and apartments are acquired
31. Singer Kitt
33. One with a fitting job 34. Write at length, as an argument 36. “It’s tough to make a decision”
37. “You don’t like it? Tough!”
1. Fertility clinic cells
2. [crying emoji] alternative
3. Cheap places to drink
4. Cheese from Holland
5. Enjoy Door Dash, say
6. AA support
7. Really funky
8. Turn-down vote
9. Reeked and then some
10. Blew the whistle
11. Lunchtime, for some
