Rachel Wilkinson

4 weeks ago | pghcitypaper.com | Rachel Wilkinson

This year, Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, encompassed the start of spring. In Pittsburgh, that meant the holiday’s dawn-to-dusk 12-hour fast grew even longer part way through with the arrival of daylight savings time, but Serap Uzonoglu says she’s grateful for it — in warmer weather, you can gather outside, pushing tables together so the whole neighborhood can come and break bread.

4 weeks ago | pghcitypaper.com | Rachel Wilkinson

On March 7, the Not on Our Dime campaign withdrew its petitions for a ballot referendum that would have prevented the City of Pittsburgh from doing business with governments actively engaged in genocide, ethnic cleansing, or apartheid — specifying Israel’s ongoing actions in the Gaza Strip. The withdrawal marked the second time in as many years that the group, previously known as No War Crimes on Our Dime, ended a ballot initiative aimed at divestment amidst legal challenges.

1 month ago | pghcitypaper.com | Rachel Wilkinson

PNC Park 115 Federal St., North Side. mlb.com/pirates/ballpark A new Pirates season means new culinary wonders at PNC Park. Longtime food vendor Aramark Sports + Entertainment announced a slate of Pittsburgh-specific items coming to the ballpark’s Cannonball Stand (section 146). Chipped Ham Empanadas offer a new spin on the Islay’s classic, filled with barbecue chipped ham, cheddar cheese, and pickles.

1 month ago | pghcitypaper.com | Rachel Wilkinson

Two weeks before its annual Lenten fish fry, students at Community Kitchen Pittsburgh are piloting a new dessert. During a Friday morning meeting, executive chef Bruce Harris pulls a recipe for banana pudding Rice Krispie Treats for “the 106s” — students from the nonprofit culinary school’s 106th class — to test out. Three class tiers, encompassing Community Kitchen’s range of programs, all go to work, supervised by Harris and chef Joe Joint, the in-house baker and a CKP graduate (class 76).

1 month ago | pghcitypaper.com | Rachel Wilkinson

Con Alma 613 Penn Ave., Downtown. conalmapgh.com Con Alma pays tribute to The Beatles’ Indian fusion phase for the third installment of its Dine, Drink, and Live Jazz pairing series. On Wed., March 26 from 6-9 p.m., experience a four-course meal with wine and cocktail pairings that “celebrate the Fab Four’s link to India.” While you dine, hear live jazz arrangements of Beatles songs from musicians John Shannon, Tania Grubbs, Jeff Grubbs, and David Throckmorton.