Laurels & lances: Bakers, groundhog, culture and taxes
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Laurel: To a nourishing idea. Chatham University is creating a new baker training program that brings together its Center for Regional Agriculture, Food and Transformation with Community Kitchen Pittsburgh.
Funded by a $215,000 grant from Bank of America, the pilot program launches in May and will allow students to earn a Community Kitchen Pittsburgh vocational education certificate or Chatham college credit, or both.
It also encourages learning about entrepreneurship and business, which could mean a whole new batch of great culinary businesses in the Pittsburgh area.
Lance: To protecting a rodent. Punxsutawney Phill sits in his burrow all year and get one moment in the spotlight to earn that “most famous groundhog” designation. Does he really need to be saved from that kind of gig?
PETA wants to have him replaced with a robotic replica. Maybe the Pennsylvania Lottery could do that instead. What do you say, Gus? Want a vacation?
Laurel: To a curator of curators. E. Maxine Bruhns spent 54 years as director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Nationality Rooms, described as 31 mini-museums that showcase the city’s diverse ethnic background.
Bruhns’ retirement, at the age of 96, was recently announced. During her years at Pitt, she saw the Nationality Rooms grow, and was behind creation of a dozen herself, including those celebrating African, Indian, Israeli, Japanese, Korean and Philippine culture.
“These rooms and programs that are so dear to me will remain my greatest accomplishment,” Bruhns said in a statement.
They will definitely be her legacy.
Lance: To insults on top of injury. No one likes paying taxes, but for employees of a Jeannette company, it’s especially galling to hear that you are being held responsible for taxes on income you were never paid.
Patriot Shield Security hemp plant employees have been protesting the paychecks they never received for months. Then this week they received W-2 documents indicating the money that wasn’t released.
The company has made misstep after misstep since beginning operation, but this one compounds a previous wrong.