Friday, April 24, 2009

Updates on Earlier Posts

Hello Faithful Readers (all 2 of you!) -- I thought I would do a post that is a follow-up to some of the topics from earlier posts.

Bajan pop singer Rhianna is no longer dating hip-hop artist Chris Brown after Brown allegedly assaulted her. Rhianna is cooperating with Los Angeles Police and the District Attorney's Office while they build a case against her former paramour. Brown pled not guilty at an April 6th hearing related to the matter. The scuttlebutt is that Rhianna's attorney is working with the District Attorney's office to work out a plea agreement, but nothing has been settled as of yet.

Chris Brown has moved on in the romantic department, now dating a college co-ed he knew from his growing up days in Virginia. Let's hope she knows karate... (ooh I didn't just say that!).

Michael Phelps has also moved on since his pot-smoking picture came out. My prediction that part of his "rehab" would be finding Jesus hasn't come true, but he did have a confession of sorts when he went on the Today show with Matt Lauer. While Lauer isn't exactly associated with hard-hitting interviews, he did put Phelps on the spot when Phelps said his canned "I made a mistake, it was dumb, I've learned from it" blah blah blah. Lauer played back the last time Phelps got into trouble, when he got arrested in 2004 (at the age of 19) for a DUI and he said almost verbatim the same thing. Well, at least he's got consistently on his side.

Phelps' images remains conspicuously abscent from Subway's web site and advertising campaign, despite being on the payroll as an endorser. Omega, the uber expensive watch maker, recently hired Phelps as a spokesman. Too bad it's not "takes a licking, but keeps on kicking" Timex...

Recently I expressed my disgust when Ravenstahl claimed not to have any time to devote to a debate with co-candidates Patrick Dowd and Carmen Robinson when KDKA postponed the planned debate due to a scheduling conflict.


I'd like to think I had something to do with this (I'm sure I didn't), but WTAE was able to put together a debate amongst the three candidates that was broadcast live April 20th. Unfortunately, I didn't know about the re-scheduled event so I missed it, but from what I understand from Chris Potter's piece in this week's City Paper as well as Jon Delano's report on kdka.com, both opponents tried hard to beat up Ravenstahl, but Ravenstahl was equal to the challenge. You can say a lot about Ravenstahl, but one thing that is consistent is his inflappability on the debate podium.
While all sides tried to make swipes toward each other (I heard Dowd was on the attack, showing greater strength than in recent history), no clear debate winner emerged. Judging from all of the Ravenstahl "get er done" signs in my neighborhood, it seems unlikely that Dowd or Robinson have any chance of beating him. But we'll see come election day who emerges the victor.

That's all for now!

Monday, April 13, 2009

And Here I Thought He Never Met a Camera He Didn't Like...

I've made no bones about how I feel about Luke Ravenstahl as Mayor. One of the things that has particularly annoyed me about him is that you can count on him to be arm in arm with any actress that happens to visit Pittsburgh (Sarah Jessica Parker, Sienna Miller, etc.), at any parade (or late night talk show), at any big sporting event (U.S. Open, Steelers games, etc.), and seemingly any place where filming was taking place. Look up "media whore" in the dictionary and you'll likely see a big picture of Ravenstahl.

But it seems he's found a camera he doesn't like: at any mayoral debate, one of which was scheduled to take place on KDKA last Wednesday evening. KDKA postponed the debate, citing logistical difficulties in airing the memorial event for the fallen police officers and also wanting to put "some time between the coverage of this emotional story and the debate." However, KDKA steadfastly denies that the debate was canceled: "It was our intention to postpone the debate and reschedule it, not to cancel it." (italics mine)

Now according to today's article in the Post-Gazette, Ravenstahl's camp said there wasn't time in Ravenstahl's schedule to fit it in. Patrick Dowd, the City Councilman who's running against Ravenstahl, scoffed at this excuse, saying, "I have a busy schedule. I have five children. My wife has a job. I have a job. Who's he kidding that he doesn't have enough time?" Dowd pointed to Ravenstahl's having time to meet with potential campaign funders, while accusing him of not attending community-oriented meetings. He added "that a mayor who has never run in a contested primary is using last week's tragedy to avoid a discussion about public safety and other critical issues facing our city is an absolute outrage."

Ravenstahl responded with both guns blazing: "I find [Dowd's] comments disgusting, offensive, and completely out of line. Pittsburgh deserves an apology. Shame on you, Patrick."

Ravenstahl can name call all he wants, but this is the second time he has ducked out of a debate this election season. Last month, the Post-Gazette invited Ravenstahl to participate in a town hall-style debate and he declined the invitation (maybe he heard Rihanna was in town?); Dowd accepted the P-G's invitation.

I think Dowd should get campaign t-shirts (or pins) printed saying "Where's Luke?" sort of like the "Where's Waldo?" artwork, because it seems that this is one camera Ravenstahl is fighting hard to avoid.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Pittsburgh Dance Alloy Theatre is Exposed

In many ways, Pittsburgh is an embarrassment of riches, and I sometimes forget how lucky we are for having such a vibrant arts scene. Last night I was reminded of this as I traveled over to the Hazlett Theatre for Dance Alloy Theatre’s Exposed.

Maybe it was immaturity, or shallowness, or just pure laziness, but when I was younger, I was not a fan of the more abstract—be it music, dance, or visual art. I wanted everything spelled out for me, I wanted to see something and immediately get it.

Now, while the more abstract may not always necessarily be my first choice, over the years I’ve come to appreciate the talent that goes into it, and how we can all bring our own personal repertoires into the story.

Artistic Executive Director Beth Corning did such a good job greeting the audience and telling us a bit about the three pieces and reminded us, simply and eloquently, that sometimes dance doesn’t necessarily have a story. Or perhaps one story, because it’s about anything viewers want it to be, to conform to what they’re feeling, or have experienced, or their viewpoints.

Of the three pieces, Beth’s 4-2 Men was the most linear story – about men who were puppets, constrained by hooded puppet masters. Then the puppets had the opportunity to cut the cord, so to speak, and experience love, freedom, and manipulation themselves.

The final performance of the evening was also a world premiere by an African émigré Nora Chipaumire who provided a piece involving angels. The work was ethereal and primal and soft but very powerful. The performance was paired with original music that completely complemented the dance and brought the mood from somber to soaring.

I was reminded of our embarrassment of riches here in Pittsburgh, and how Dance Alloy is such a shining example of that. Exposed has completed its run, but anyone interested in Dance Alloy should go to their next event in mid-April. It will feature new works in progress, and the five dollar admission (yowsa!) includes a wine and cheese reception, too.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

A Colorful Visit to the Hospital


Today I went on a tour of the new Children's Hospital, which many of you know is one block from my house. Those of us in the neighborhood have been living in a construction site for so long (about six years altogether) that there was some doubt that this day would ever come.

But they parted the "under construction" yellow tape and let residents take a self-guided tour. I've never minced words about the exterior of the facility: it is, in one word, hideous. To my mind, it looks like the builders cobbled together leftover material from old construction sites and slapped it on random parts of the building.

The new, hulking physical plant sends out an audible, low-rumbling constant drone that makes it difficult to enjoy my backyard any more. And atop this physical plant (it's about 5 stories high, above me on the hill) are lights that turn different primary colors. Combined with the constant rumbling, it's a bit much. Apparently others share my opinion, as reported in the recent P-G story.

As I said to Nut Bar, on some level you realize this is a big facility--its footprint is a city block--but you don't completely comprehend its enormity until you actually tour the building. Visitors were ushered into the first floor, where the emergency room and related services will be, then we were whisked up to the 6th floor. Visitors had a chance to tour all but the second floor, but by the time I made it down to the third floor, I was on sensory overload.

There's no doubt that this is a children's hospital; it's a bright, very colorful facility. A combination of volunteers and hospital staff acted as docents, and they enthusiastically showed you "their" portion of the tour. Everything is state of the art, from the medication delivery system to the monitors where parents can track a child's progress, be it in the ER, the OR, or the post-surgical recovery areas.

I have no doubt that this is going to be a crowning jewel not just for UPMC but for Pittsburgh as well. They've designed this hospital to be the best trauma center in the area, and the best transplant center in the world. There's no doubt that this greatly enhanced facility is going to bring people from all over for surgeries, transplants, and the like. They did an excellent job with the layout; there was a great deal of thought given to the patient and parent experience.

However, after the years of jackhammering, dust, and traffic interruptions, I can see this neighborhood changing in many tangible ways. From the sixth floor of the hospital there is a beautiful vista of Bloomfield and downtown. You get the sense that the designers deliberately chose this particular perspective to show that the hospital is part of a neighborhood. But I think that for me the traffic, noise, and constant hubbub will not offset the positive benefits. I'll give you all an update post-May 2nd, which is when "opening day" will be.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Dark Day in Pittsburgh

This morning, I met my friend Steve over at the Quiet Storm, which turned out to be a wonderful antidote to the mini-hangover from the night before (that's another story). Waiting for Steve, the waiter came over with my much-needed cup of coffee, and then he stopped to talk to friends sitting at an adjacent table. He asked them whether or not they heard about the hostage situation over in Stanton Heights. "It's really big," he said. "They've got SWAT vans there and helicopters all over the place."

Then Steve arrived and the comment I just heard was pushed aside for breakfast and conversation with Steve about Lost, his 50 dates in the last 6 months, and his running the half-marathon this year (you go, boy!). I shared my upcoming likely new job news, who I've been drinking aforementioned cocktails with, and plans to buy a new house.

Then after some errand running I returned home to hear the awful news: the (alleged) premeditated murder of three Pittsburgh police officers on an ordinarily quiet and peaceful street in Stanton Heights.

According to the AP story, the alleged murderer, Richard Poplawski, 22, and his mother got into a domestic dispute. His mother fled to the basement and called 911 for help. Apparently this is exactly what Poplawski wanted, and anticipating the police's arrival, strapped on a bulletproof vest and armed himself with an AK-47 assault weapon.

The ordeal left three police officers dead, one wounded, and a fifth injured; Poplawski was shot in the leg during the four-hour exchange of gunfire.

While reports from friends express shock and disbelief at Poplawski's behavior, a troubling story is emerging of an individual who clearly had a long history with anger and authority. Expelled from North Catholic High School, he got his GED and enlisted with the Marines. There Poplawski was dishonorably discharged while still in basic training after throwing a cafeteria tray at another trainee. A Stanton Heights resident described Poplawski as violent, often fighting with neighbors: "He was just one of those kids that [neighborhood residents] knew to stay clear from."

After being jilted by his girlfriend, he moved to Florida and lived there a few years before returning to Pittsburgh, where he lived with his mother and grandmother. He got a job at a glass factory, but was laid off in early 2009.

Poplawski fancied himself a politico, and recently co-produced a weblog with a friend. It was likely during this time that Poplawski became convinced that the election of Barack Obama meant the end of what he considered to be his right to bear arms and his freedoms.

Somewhere along the line he collected a mini-arsenal of guns: besides the aforementioned AK-47, he also reportedly owned several powerful rifles and handguns, including a 357 magnum.

Being raised in a rural county, I grew up in an area where many people hunted, and for a lot of kids, getting their first gun and hunting with their dads on the opening day of deer season was a rite of passage. I understand everyone's right to bear arms; I understand it's protected by the constitution.

But I find it incredibly hard to believe that the founding fathers envisioned a country where a person can go out and buy military-style assault weapons designed not to take down a deer, but to eviscerate a human being, or to be able to own multiple, high-caliber guns. To allow people who have a history of violence, a history of mental health issues, to buy a gun about as casually as one can walk into a 7-11 and buy a pack of gum.

A similarly sad and disturbing story occurred earlier this week when Jiverly Wong, a recently-laid off worker returned to his former place of employment in Binghamton, New York, and began shooting people. Like Poplawsky, he was wearing body armour, brought multiple guns, and was heavily armed, killing 13 people and wounding several more.

Every time a tragedy like this happens, it seems like the story gets a lot of press, but from a preventative standpoint nothing is done. Everyone sat around and wrung their hands after the tragedy at Virginia Tech, but not one thing from a legislative aspect was done to change the gun laws in this country.

I hope that Obama uses these recent tragedies as an opportunity to address this and once and for all put stricter gun laws on the books--including tougher restrictions on firearm applications, and a ban on assault weapons like the AK-47 rifle that just took the lives of three of Pittsburgh's own men in blue.