This season, jewelry is stepping away from minimalism and embracing bold, old-school charm. It’s about making statements, mixing textures, and letting accessories bring your fall looks to life. Come along to various Pittsburgh shops that are ready to supply all your fall jewelry trend needs.
Sculptural jewelry is having a major moment — an oversized cuff or an art-inspired necklace can instantly transform even the simplest outfit. Mixed metals, once a fashion faux pas, are now a must. Stacked rings in gold, silver, and bronze tones feel fresh and give your look that effortless fall coolness.
Vibrant gemstones are also back in a big way. Think ruby, sapphire, emerald, and citrine — rich jewel tones that catch the light and add depth to cozy fall layers. Stack rings for a bohemian edge, layer colorful necklaces, or pair a gemstone statement with a neutral outfit to let the colors pop. Vintage-inspired pieces with unique cuts feel especially right now, offering a touch of nostalgia with a modern twist.
It’s all about the mix: dainty bracelets paired with chunky rings, bold necklaces over silky tops, or gemstone accents peeking through under an oversized sweater. This season’s jewelry trends are bold but wearable, polished yet playful — the perfect finishing touch to any fall look.
Scorpio is the sign ancient astrologers tied to hidden gods and to the scorpion itself, that small and fearless creature whose power lies in precision. So yes, we’re leaning into the darker side of things here: the gleam of obsidian glass, the smoke that rises just once before disappearing, the pleasure of working with tools that feel intentional and a little secretive.
Most Scorpios I know prefer drinks that unfold slowly, built from spirits that show depth more than sweetness, from ingredients that sharpen the palate rather than soothe it. Nothing sugary or casual made the list below, but if you do have a sweet tooth – like the many Scorpios with neighboring sign Libra woven through their charts – each of these choices can be softened. Swap in lighter vermouths, fruit liqueurs, or fresher citrus to round the edges without losing the precision that defines the sign.
What to Fill Scorpio’s Bar Cart With
Joven Mezcal
A quiet, mineral backbone
A smoky spirit suits Scorpio’s taste for depth as well as focus. A joven mezcal brings structure without being heavy – clean mineral smoke that sits low in the mix and gives stirred cocktails a quiet center. This is one of those pleasures that reward restraint: half an ounce behind rye or dark rum changes the entire temperature of a drink, turning sweetness into shadow. Use it to define the edges of a negroni-style build or add a faint, saline whisper to something bright and citrus-led.
For the cart, look for a bottle that feels shaped rather than rustic. Banhez Espadín & Barril (Astor) delivers subtle roasted agave with a dry, peppery close; Montelobos Espadín Joven (Warehouse) keeps the smoke tight and herbal, a good workhorse for both rinses and base spirits; and Los Vecinos del Campo Espadín (Top Shelf) brings a touch of cocoa and black pepper that plays well with amaro. Kept cool and out of the light, one will last months of quiet, precise pours.
Try using joven mezcal in one of our mezcal-focused cocktails below.
Scorpio’s signature is best seen in lines of cool, easy control. That’s where a vegetal amaro or bitter comes in: it’s the silent scaffold in a cocktail, clipped and firm rather than florid. Use it to stabilize a strong base, to arrest late sweetness, or to build a precise contrast against smoky or citrus notes. A half-ounce of this kind of amaro can reshape the tilt of a drink – turning brightness into contour, sugar into ballast.
On your cart, pick something dark, herbaceous, and assertively savory, not syrupy (unless you also have a taste for the saccharine). Cynar is always a dependable anchor (Astor) –artichoke, herbs, caramel undercurrent – an excellent “go-to” to corral fruit or soften mezcal’s smoke. Try our Papà ‘Groni cocktail recipe that lets cynar be the star.
But if you want off the beaten path, Amaro Nonino blends warm botanicals and bitter fruit peel that lean austere rather than sweet (Whisky Exchange). For something more vegetal, Fernet Branca in microdose (think ¼ oz) gives cassia and eucalyptus – enough shadow without calling undue attention (The Argentino). The Paper Plane Cocktail is the perfect example of how to use Amaro Nonino while our Negronish touches on Fernet Branca.
A whisper in the right place can make all the difference
An atomizer gives you control over the subtlest aromatics, to insinuate smoke, anise, herbal tinctures, or finishes without tipping the drink toward overt sweetness. A light mist over a stirred glass, or a ghosted spray across the surface, calibrates the nose without altering texture. Use it for absinthe rinses, herbal top notes, or even citrus notes that can make dark spirits a touch more complex.
Because this tool is about precision, you don’t need anything extravagant. But you do want reliability. An atomizer that gives fine, even fogs (rather than sprays that spit) becomes one of those items you learn more by feel than by measurement. A Cocktail Kingdom 50 ml atomizer is a classic workhorse in pro kits: sturdy, calibrated, and easy enough to integrate into daily use (Cocktail Kingdom). On a lighter scale, a Viski glass atomizer holds about 30 ml and is dazzling to see in person (Viski). If you want multi-bottle flexibility, a 4-pack glass atomizer set is practical for branching into bitters, oils, or smoke blends without cross-contamination (Walmart).
Over time, you’ll know just how many pumps in the glass will shift the drink’s grammar instead of its silhouette. Keep the atomizer filled, cleaned between use, and tucked into a low tray so it’s ready for the moment a cocktail wants a hint of something unique. Use your new atomizer for our Green Beast Cocktail featuring a glass sprayed with absinthe.
Scorpio might get overdone for having some taste in the dramatically macabre, but how could we miss an opportunity to try something your friends almost certainly won’t know: black citrus. Dried black limes, crushed just before use, bring a tangy, almost smoky acidity that can tighten a sweet build or underline a vegetal note without brightness. A fine salt dusted over foam or pressed lightly on the rim draws flavors into sharper focus and helps spirits read colder and drier than they are.
You don’t need much, but quality counts. Burlap & Barrel’s Black Lime Powder (Amazon) is a pantry-level investment that transforms a cart: deep, tart, as well as slightly bitter.
For salt, Caravel Gourmet Black Lava Sea Salt (Walmart) or Maldon’s Smoked Sea Salt (Amazon) each offer a quiet mineral grip that complements mezcal, amaro, or dark rum. Mix a pinch into a small saucer and run only half the rim, so the salt frames but doesn’t quite push into dominating territory.
Keep both sealed tight and out of humidity – nothing kills that mood faster than clumped salt or faded citrus. To give your black sea salt a chance to shine, use it to rim the glass of our Pineapple Habanero Margarita.
Scorpio’s sense of order shows best when tools disappear into the rhythm of use, and a Japanese-style mixing glass does exactly that. It’s weighty, balanced, and designed for clean stirring – no sound except the ring of ice against glass. The thicker base keeps temperature steady while you dilute just enough to round the edges of spirit-driven drinks. Once you’ve worked with one, you understand why every movement matters: the clarity, the quiet, the control.
A few options balance price and performance beautifully. Yarai-style mixing glasses like this Cocktail Kingdom 500 ml version give classic diamond texture and solid heft, ideal for a two-drink stir (Cocktail Kingdom). The Viski Japanese Mixing Glass is slightly larger and pairs well with a fine coil strainer for smaller, more frequent pours (Viski). Either will handle the clean lines Scorpio favors.
Keep the glass hand-washed, polished, and stored upright with the Hawthorne strainer nearby (Williams Sonoma, Viski).
A Note on Storage
Scorpio’s bar should look as composed as its drinks – no clutter, no glare. Keep the palette tight: dark glass grouped together, clear spirits aligned by height, and tools nested in a shallow tray. Bitters and atomizers belong within reach but never in sightline; their presence is implied, not advertised. Store salts and citrus powders in sealed jars away from humidity, and tuck opened amaros or fortified wines in a cool, shaded cabinet.
Label dates in small, neat script. A heavy linen towel folded beside the mixing glass says more about care than a dozen accessories ever could. The cart should read like a still life: minimal movement, everything in its place, waiting for the next quiet pour.
Horoscope Author
Wade Caves, based in Brooklyn, NY, is an astrological consultant and educator specializing in problem-solving applications of astrology. He teaches astrological divination and astronomy at the School of Traditional Astrology. Wade also publishes his work on world astrology through Skyscript’s In Mundo publishing desk. He even hosts the World Astrology Summit. A conference dedicated to the advancement of astrology for global problem-solving. Website: wadecaves.com • skyscript.co.uk/inmundo. Email: hello@wadecaves.com.
One in Five Children in Western PA are Food Insecure. Let’s Help!
The headlines are clear. Just as Pittsburghers ready themselves for Thanksgiving and the rest of the winter holidays, food insecurity is on the rise. Just when every household in the region wants to focus on drawing their near and dear together in the American tradition of gratitude and friendship, Lisa Scales, President and CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, says that food insecurity is up 13% this year in Allegheny County. Need is knocking on the doors of many of our neighbors.
Freedom from Want?
Norman Rockwell’s 1943 painting, Freedom from Want, is one of the many thousands of images stored in my brain. As a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, its depiction of a pair of sweet grandparents serving a Thanksgiving turkey resonated. Were my grandparents or great-grandparents quite that sweet? No. The men were brusque, get-it-done and get-it-done-perfectly guys who measured your worth in what you could do not in what you had or what you looked like. If they found you wanting, you knew it immediately. The women had nurturing and kindness in their quivers, though they were, it must be said, prone to snapping a dishtowel in your direction to get you out of the way.
Nonetheless, something about Rockwell’s image rang true. My great-grandparents on Hastings Street in Point Breeze held crowded holiday gatherings in their home for most of my childhood years. The menu was dependable: turkey, stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, salad, dinner rolls, and pies. Salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning were the only flavorings…unless you consider the love that fueled my great-grandmother and her daughters through the preparation of the meal, and the hilarious stories my great-grandfather and his sons in law told around the table. Some of those oft-repeated stories were as reassuringly familiar as the food.
My great-grandfather, a streetcar driver, was able to feed his eight grandsons, and their children, on his dependable union wage. He and his working-class family enjoyed “freedom from want,” one of four goals for American life described by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union speech. But, decades later, times have changed for many working people.
One in Five Children in Allegheny County are Food Insecure
Lisa Scales says, “According to Feeding America’s 2025 Map the Meal Gap, more than 320,000 individuals in our 11-county service area are food insecure, including nearly 160,000 in Allegheny County. That’s one in eight of our neighbors, including one in five children.”
What’s behind this phenomenon? “Food insecurity,” Scales explains, “is a lack of access to nutritious food. When poverty, inequality and crisis collide, empty plates follow. Many families are facing financial strains right now for various reasons, including lost jobs due to the government shutdown, as well as cuts to SNAP benefits. The cost of nutritious food has also increased, making it harder for families to afford food.”
What Can We Do to Help Ease Hunger in Our Area?
The problem is huge, and it will get worse without coherent and speedy action from Washington, DC. As always, our noble non-profit sector looks to bridge the gaps left open by governments and corporations. These wonderful organizations need us to step up and donate money and time in these moments of crisis. Scales is up front about the need: “Every dollar donated and every volunteer hour helps increase our ability to serve more families. Visit our website to donate, volunteer or advocate for our mission.”
“More people using food services will lead to a shortage of resources and our region is not yet fully equipped to handle a large influx of food insecure households. Consistent food security is vital in managing chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease and without it the health of the entire population starts to deteriorate. Table readers who want to help can consider donating to Metro Community Health Center. Metro frequently hosts free produce distributions for food insecure communities, and as this shutdown continues, that need will only grow,” says Michael Mingrone, President and CEO of Metro Community Health Center.
Working together as a community
Making a donation has an effect not just on non-profit bottom lines. Working constructively together to solve also brings us together as a community. “We work to bridge the distance not only between surplus food and hunger relief networks but also between people seeking to build stronger community with each other,” says 412 Food Rescue CEO Alyssa Cholodofsky. “Now more than ever, and especially during the holidays, those connections are vital. Whether you’re contributing surplus food, a donation, or your time, you are our heroes. Together, we can overcome anything.”
All of us at TABLE hope that you will find a moment this holiday season to donate what you can to local organizations trying to address food insecurity.
Story by Keith Recker Imagery: Norman Rockwell, Freedom from Want (1943). Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services. (03/09/1943 – 09/15/1945). This media is available in the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration, cataloged under the National Archives Identifier (NAID) 513539. Copyright laws apply.
A timeless holiday favorite, Thumbprint Cookies, gets a fragrant twist with orange zest and a jewel-like finish of jam. These buttery, nut-crusted thumbprints were one of the Hendricks family’s favorites to make during their Crate Cooking School workshop. They’re simple to bake, endlessly customizable, and perfect for sharing.
A timeless holiday favorite gets a fragrant twist with orange zest and a jewel-like finish of jam.
Ingredients
Scale
2 ⅔ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
1 ⅓ cup sugar
8 eggs, separated (egg yolks in one bowl, whites in another)
4 tsp pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Zest of 2 oranges
2 tsp salt
6 cups flour
4 cups finely chopped pecans (or walnuts)
Stonewall Kitchen Jam of your choice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350degrees and line baking pans with parchment paper.
Beat butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolks, vanilla, orange zest, and salt. Beat until well combined. Add flour on low speed until blended.
Beat egg whites in a small bowl until frothy. Place finely chopped pecans in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Use a small cookie scoop (2 teaspoons), roll dough into balls, dip into egg whites and roil into nuts.
Place on prepared cookie sheet. Make an indentation on the top of each cookie with your thumb or the stick of a wooden spoon.
Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and make indentation again. Place ½ teaspoon jam into each indentation. Bake an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and allow cooling on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely.
Story and Styling by Quelcy Kogel Photography by Laura Petrilla
The holidays are synonymous with cookies and endless plates of sweets shared between neighbors, family, and friends. Crate Cooking School in Greentree offers a new way to share. You can give the gift of a private workshop or gather your relatives while everyone is in town. Coming together to learn, bake, and share food feels all the more special—especially because Crate does all the prep work for you.
In that spirit, Beth and James Hendricks gathered with their daughters, Isabelle and Cora, to kick off their holiday baking in a unique way. A longtime customer, Beth said, “I love how Crate’s classes give our whole family an opportunity to share kitchen experiences together. It has turned cooking and baking into playtime for all of us. My girls have gained confidence and independence in the kitchen. They now see cooking and baking as a creative activity instead of a chore.”
Their confidence showed as they helped owner Jen Clark sandwich chocolate ganache between cookies and sprinkle powdered sugar onto an edible Christmas tree.
Confidence Starts Young
Cora, age eight, proves that you’re never too young to start learning kitchen skills and gain independence. She said, “I like learning about the different tools you could use like that off-set spatula and bench scraper. Getting the best tools makes it a lot easier and more fun to cook at home.” That’s convenient, since Crate offers almost everything you need (and want!) in their retail section. Cora added, “Crate makes me feel like I enjoy cooking a lot more than when my mom makes me do it.”
Expert Tips and Family Memories
As with any baking endeavor, what really counts is the taste. Jen shares her tips on standout jams, when to add a hint of pepper, or how to brighten a recipe with orange zest. Eleven-year-old Isabelle gave her seal of approval: “The food is really good, and it makes you want to make it again at home because it’s better than any restaurant you can visit.”
More Than Just a Sweet Treat
The experience of learning and baking together leaves a lasting impression. Students walk away with more than just a box of goodies—though that’s a sweet perk. James said, “I like that Crate gives me a chance to try something new with my kids and also to learn about new foods and cultures without leaving Pittsburgh. I love that you make the food as a group but then take home the recipes as a souvenir. You get to recreate the experience again and again.”
Create Your Own Tradition
Visit cratecook.comto explore in-person and virtual opportunities. This season, find new ways to come together and make the holidays feel special—and if those ways are delicious, all the better.
Story and Styling by Quelcy Kogel Photography by Laura Petrilla
Turn classic sugar cookies into a showstopping centerpiece with this edible cookie tree. Dusted with powdered sugar “snow,” it’s part craft, part dessert — and a creative reminder of Crate Cooking School’s playful spirit. Perfect for family baking days or a sweet holiday gift.
Turn classic sugar cookies into a showstopping centerpiece with this edible cookie tree.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cup sugar
½ tsp kosher salt
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 large egg yolks
4 cups AP flour
Powdered sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
Beat the butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla together until smooth and creamy. Mix in the egg yolks until well incorporated, scraping down the sides of bowl at least once. Add the flour and mix just until combined.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead a few times, just until dough smooths out. Divide dough into 2 equal parts and turn onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Form each into a disk, wrap up, and refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes.
Divide each disk in half and roll out between 2 sheets of parchment paper to about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut out 2 each of 10 different-sized star cookie cutters. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are brown. Cool cookies completely.
Stack cookies on top of each other, rotating star points to form tree. Dust generously with powdered sugar.
Story and Styling by Quelcy Kogel Photography by Laura Petrilla
Crisp, buttery shortbread meets the tart pop of cranberry and a drizzle of silky white chocolate. This festive Cranberry Shortbread Cookie adds a little sparkle (and spice, if you dare) to your dessert table. Inspired by Crate Cooking School’s hands-on approach, this recipe invites you to experiment with flavor and form.
Crisp, buttery shortbread meets the tart pop of cranberry and a drizzle of silky white chocolate.
Ingredients
Scale
½ cup dried cranberries
Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp baking powder
¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch pieces
6 oz Callebaut white chocolate, melted (for drizzling or dipping)
2 tbsp chopped dried cranberries, to garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small bowl, combine cranberries and crushed red pepper (if using) cover with boiling water. Let stand for 10 minutes, then drain.
In the bowl of a food processor, add flour, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and baking powder. Pulse to combine. Add butter and soaked cranberries. Pulse until dough starts to clump together. Remove dough from processor onto a piece of parchment and press into a free-form square/rectangle. Place another piece of parchment over top and roll dough between the two sheets of parchment to a 12 x 9 rectangle. With a knife or bench scraper, cut thirty-six 3 x 1-inch pieces, without separating. Slide parchment onto baking sheet and remove top piece of parchment.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from oven, cool on wire rack.
Drizzle each rectangle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped cranberries. Or dip each cooled cookie halfway into melted chocolate and sprinkle with dried cranberries.
Story and Styling by Quelcy Kogel Photography by Laura Petrilla
Take your classic chocolate chip cookies to the next level with a silky layer of homemade ganache sandwiched in between. These cookies are soft, rich, and irresistibly decadent — the perfect treat for any holiday dessert tray.
Take your classic chocolate chip cookies to the next level with a silky layer of homemade ganache sandwiched in between.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chocolate chip cookies:
1 cup + 2 tbsp flour
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup packed light brown sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
¼ cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or callets
For the ganache:
3 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced
1 tbsp light corn syrup
2 tbsp heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
For the chocolate chip cookies:
Adjust oven rack to 325 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk brown sugar, melted butter, and sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract and whisk until well combined.
Add flour mixture and use a rubber spatula to stir until just combined. Add chocolate chips and stir until evenly combined. Place dough in fridge for 15 to 30 minutes to chill before proceeding.
Using a 2 teaspoon scoop, place dough balls onto prepared baking sheet, leaving space in between (arranging them in staggered rows).
Place baking sheet in oven and bake until edges are set and beginning to brown but still soft and puffy in the center, about 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes.
Make the Ganache
For the ganache:
Place chocolate, butter, heavy cream, and corn syrup in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring between intervals.
Stir in powdered sugar. Let stand at room temperature until thickened or refrigerate until thick and spreadable, about a half hour.
Story and Styling by Quelcy Kogel Photography by Laura Petrilla
As of November 3, Pennsylvania residents have not received, and will not receive, their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supplements for November as the government shutdown continues. There is no immediate pathway open to get the funds flowing again. President Trump has said he will use emergency money to partially fund the program after a federal judge’s recent order, but weeks or months could pass before funds can reach those in need.
This means almost two million people who rely on SNAP to feed a total of over 713,000 children and 697,000 older adults across the country are now in an emergency state of food insecurity. With Thanksgiving coming later this month, the thought of all the families who may not even have a turkey for their table hits hard.
Whether you’re one of these residents who is in need of a little help or someone wishing to lend a hand, there are establishments and organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania working to ensure no one goes hungry.
Supporting these organizations with donations and volunteering is vital during this time of crisis. TABLE encourages you to be as generous as you can this holiday season.
Food Resources Around Western Pennsylvania for Assistance and Volunteering
Even though the Great Pittsburgh Community Food Bank helps citizens year-round, they’re working as hard as they can to address the current crisis. However, in a recent statement they remind us that “…the charitable food network was not designed to replace federal food assistance.” Nevertheless, their online tool can help you find what food resources best help you based on your current needs and other factors. You can also get involved through various options like volunteering, running a food drive, advocating, partnering, and so much more.
The Freestore in Wilkinsburg usually houses products for families such as clothing, housewares, toiletries, books, small appliances, accessories, and special items for children. But, on Friday, November 7 you can attend their Fresh Market that provides produce to those who need it. Volunteers can lend a hand with stocking, fresh market distribution, and Saturday store openings.
Are you not sure how you’re going to get a Thanksgiving meal on the table? Harvest of Hope Pittsburgh Inc is currently taking sign ups through November 7 to receive a prepared meal on Thanksgiving morning. All you need to do is email harvestofhopepgh@gmail.com with your name, address, phone number, and number of family members who will need a heat-and-serve meal. No eligibility requirements or explanations needed.
Not only does 412 Food Rescue provide ingredients to fight hunger, they also combat food waste at the same time. This organization works with a team of supporters who ensure food gets to where it’s needed. You can download their app to volunteer for food rescue notifications that will let you know when and where you can help. Simply pick an option that works for you and in just 30 minutes you can pick up fresh food and deliver it to a nonprofit serving the neighborhoods or a personal home. As a special program this year, you can also buy and donate a pie to 412 Food Rescue through Third Space Bakery’s Pie for a Neighbor program.
Those who are in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Green, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties are able to use two different resources from the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. The first is Emergency Food Assistance that allows families to use an emergency pantry one-a-year and then connects them with other neighborhood pantries and facilities. There’s also the Food for Early Development program to give baby formula and soft foods to moms and dads who do not receive WIC benefits.
This food bank knows you can’t thrive when you’re hungry and that nutrition is just as important as the quantity of ingredients. Anyone in Westmoreland County can get connected to a food pantry nearby, receive a monthly food box full of produce, pantry items, and proteins, or even get assistance applying for other resources. If you’re looking to be a part of their volunteer team you can either pack food boxes, help with food drives, assist with fresh produce distribution, pick produce at local farms, deliver boxes to seniors, sort the warehouse, or even help with mailings and data entry. Plus you can donate to make a simple, easy difference as well.
Those who meet income eligibility requirements even outside of the 15217 area code can receive fresh food through Pittsburgh’s Jewish Family and Community Services. Whether you need one-time assistance or recurring packages, you can get a bag of food to match your family’s dietary requirements. This means those with kosher family members can get what they need on top of regular non-perishables, fresh produce, meat, poultry, hygiene products, and at times, pet food.
Over in Plum, Lelulo’s is taking hunger into their own hands by creating a distribution hub in their own restaurant. Currently, you can drop off eggs, milk, butter, bread, cheese, deli meats, frozens, pasta, cereal, and more. Then, Lelulo’s sets up all the donations they receive for anyone to come in and take what they need. There are essentials available as well as treats, heat and serve homemade meals, and other items. Check out their Facebook page linked above for information on what donations and volunteers are needed as well as when you can stop by for distribution.
In Hampton, Butler, and North Side the Allison Park Church Food Banks through Network of Hope host giveaways of groceries twice each month. The North Side food bank operates at 3035 Perrysville Avenue on the first and third Tuesday of the month, Butler operates at the Clearview Mall every other Wednesday, and Hampton operates at 2326 Duncan Avenue on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Each location also has an individual contact you can email with any questions or to help assist with serving the public.
Produce, canned goods, meat, frozen food, and fresh bakery items line the shelves at The Lighthouse Foundation’s food pantry. Twice each month (besides once a month in December) participants can pick up two food orders. The pantry is open Monday through Thursday and accepts food donation drop offs on Thursdays and Fridays. To contribute in other ways you can join the cleaning group, food collection group, preparation team, or help on the truck route.
All About Pittsburgh-Native Artist Justin Emmanuel Dumas
His “painting-like objects” and mixed media pieces have adorned the walls and floors of The Mattress Factory, Romance Gallery, The Tomayko Foundation, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Manchester Craftsman’s Guild (MCG), and more.
As he evolves, Dumas pushes the boundaries of how he manipulates both materials themselves and their effect on the viewer. Recent work brings his signature complex-yet-platatable beauty into even closer proximity with the profane. Think ballistic gelatin jawbone sculptures in conversation with layered fabrics and delicate stitching. Over a shared pot of tea, we discuss how this work is a microcosm of the irreconcilable reality of life itself, a depth of conversation that comes naturally to the up-and-comer.
FRMWRK/001 (Perpetual Prototype – V.2)
Dumas operates with restraint that is uncharacteristic of contemporary artists. Perhaps this is part of why he finds himself pursued by the independent and institutional alike. Generous writings accompany shows and the artist himself is approachable and thoughtful — but any declarations of meaning stay in the realm of wonder. It’s delightfully effective, as after seeing Dumas’ work at a few shows, one begins to develop “habits of viewing” in anticipation of such an experience.
Untitled, 2023, 20.5 x 20 inches (52 x 51 cm)
Opening Up Views on Visual Arts
For example, by my second show, I’d begun to approach his painting-like objects from the side first, instead of straight-on as one would a traditional painting. I knew I would discover entrancing details even on the edges of a piece or be offered a literal shift of perspective. Here, Dumas imposes that restraint onto the viewer, in that his work often beckons for you to touch it but the medium restricts it to sight only by its fine art environment. It’s an intentional pursuit that he explains in a video interview by The Carnegie and a perfect example of how Dumas creates a broader cultural conversation without spoon-feeding his audience.
Sheer Strata Compress
While his operating range has expanded greatly with the occasional modern element and the incorporation of his found objects and materials in more types of modalities — many threads run through his work year after year. Namely, the materials of our industrial and post-industrial world appear how and where we don’t expect them — composed painstakingly into something that allures galleries and collectors alike. In this way, Dumas achieves the ever-challenging feat of creativity that is both timely and timeless.
