Profile on Japanese-American Pirates prospect Daniel Ross.

Millersville University's The Snapper profiles pitcher Daniel Ross, a senior for the Marauders and a 39th-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019.

Ross was excited to be here in Pennsylvania around his family, but it was also important that coach Jon Shehan sold him on the program. The toughest adjustment, however, was that he was from Japan and there were some major language barriers.

“There was a lot of language barriers and cultural barriers that didn’t click in immediately, but the language barrier kept me away from knowing people more and it was harder to understand people more,” Ross said.

Ross was concerned that the fact that he was still learning English might be a challenge or make it harder to get along with his teammates. But his language barrier wasn’t just holding him back off the field, it created on the field challenges as well. There are things about baseball that are universal, but Ross says in Japan players think differently.

“It’s a little bit different like how people think, baseball was a little differently. I don’t have any quick examples, but everything didn’t make sense or click for me right away,” Ross says.

Character Media and "Breaking The Model Minority Myth With Jasmine Cho’s Cookie Art."

Character Media talked with Pittsburgh baker, artist, and author Jasmine Cho earlier this month about her art, activities, and aims.

While reflecting on some of her more memorable cookie portraits, Cho explains that it wasn’t until 2017 that she intentionally made her cookies a political and historical statement. She had recently seen a photograph of an Asian man holding a sign in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots. The sign read, “I am gay, Korean American, immigrant, rape survivor, still standing proud.” “I remember I thought, ‘Oh my gosh! I have to recreate this portrait,’” Cho says. “His name was Ben Dumond, and I remember his portrait in particular. You kind of lose yourself to this; it’s the process of making art, and as you do you reflect on this person’s story and the courage it took for him to post that publicly.” After the inspiration for Cho’s Revolutionary Art exhibit came together, her collection of 11 cookie portraits was on display at the Pittsburgh City-County Building in 2017 as well as other local public art venues. Cho feels a responsibility to honor the identities and the stories she’s able to share, and she has no intention of minimizing individuals’ contributions to the world. The cookie-making process also helps her release emotions into something that proactively goes towards helping her community.

City-Paper looks at Umami's new bento boxes.

Today's Pittsburgh City-Paper has a profile on Lawrenceville's Umami and it's new bento boxes.

On a normal night at Umami, choosing what to order from the menu is difficult, especially if you’re like me and want to try everything. The lengthy list covers everything from one-piece nigiri to bowls of ramen to plates of sashimi. It’s almost impossible to make a decision.

Umami’s bento solves this problem. The box, which changes daily, offers small bites of four dishes, giving diners a chance to try something from every side of the menu.

2019 Chinese film The Wild Goose Lake (南方车站的聚会) continues streaming via Parkway Theater.

The Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks is still streaming the 2019 Chinese film The Wild Goose Lake (南方车站的聚会) online, with 50% of the proceeds going to the theater. The distributor summarizes:

A gang leader on the run seeking redemption . . .
A girl in trouble risking everything to gain her freedom . . .
Both hunted on the hidden shores of The Wild Goose Lake.
They set a deadly gamble for what may be their last day.

Tickets are available online.

Counter space at 朝茶 TSAOCAA, Squirrel Hill.

A look inside 朝茶 TSAOCAA, a Taiwanese bubble tea chain opening in Squirrel Hill. Work started on the storefront at 5871 Forbes Ave. (map) in the fall. The chain has locations in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, among a few other places in the US, and this one will be run by the people who own New China House in Monroeville.

Cancelled: Nicole Chung at City of Asylum, scheduled for May 11.

via nicolechung.net

City of Asylum has cancelled its event with author Nicole Chung, originally scheduled for May 11, along with all of its other programming in May.

The Pitt News profiles Timothy Vong of Thai Gourmet and Thai Gourmet Express for its Silhouettes 2020 series.

by Thomas Yang.

The Pitt News, the student newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh, has profiled Timothy Vong of Bloomfield's Thai Gourmet restaurant and Oakland's Thai Gourmet Express food truck as part of this year's Silhouettes series.

“I try to create a friendly environment and give my customers a warm welcome,” Vong said, flashing the trademark grin he gives every customer he serves. “If I see a friendly, familiar face I come out and shake their hand. As for my students, I treat them and try and take care of them like they’re my own kids.”

Each morning, Tim and Vilivan head to Thai Gourmet — their Bloomfield restaurant the truck is named after — to prepare the day’s supply of food for the truck. Depending on the season, they serve 30 to 120 people per day.

“Fresh, fresh, fresh, everyday. People support us, so we want to provide that for them,” said Vong. “I’m very satisfied and happy to be involved in the Pitt community — to meet the new students in the fall and give them satisfaction.”

The 52-year-old Turtle Creek resident is very satisfied with the life he has now, though his journey to Pittsburgh and the restaurant industry he adores actually took several decades.

Vong compared his childhood years in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, to that of today’s average American kid — spent doing chores and playing soccer with friends. But following the Vietnam War, life became harder and more dangerous for his family. In 1979, his parents made the decision to flee the country with Vong and his five younger siblings to attempt to start a new life elsewhere.

Online discussion of Akira Yoshimura's Shipwrecks, April 23 with Asian Studies Center of Pitt.

The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh will host an online discussion of Akira Yoshimura's Shipwrecks on April 23.

Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshimura explores the life of nine year-old Isaku, who lives in a poor fishing village in Japan. Aside from earning profits by distilling salt to nearby villages, Isaku's village sets fires with salt cauldrons to attract ships, which are then looted for food and valuables. One day, a ship washes ashore that carries unexpected cargo. Shipwrecks is Yoshimura's first novel translated to English.

Please join us on for an online lecture on Thursday, April 23 from 4:30 PM to 7 PM. For information, please email majab@pitt.edu.

UPMC hiring Director of International Training Center; bilingual English-Mandarin speaker preferred.

UPMC is hiring a Director of its International Training Center, specifically looking for someone bilingual in English and Mandarin or English and Russian.

This position oversees and directs all activities related to the UPMC International Training Center. The Training Center encompasses a series of programs aimed at UPMC's international clientele, providing best in class training and support for the development of their programs abroad. The Director also plays a pivotal role in supporting various business development proposal and the standardization of clinical operations in various countries and regions that are critical to UPMC International strategic initiatives. The International Training Center Director will coordinate the efforts for participants in the Physician and Executive International Health Care Management Program, the International Nurse Observership Program and other Training and Observership programs hosted across UPMC facilities. The Director will also collaborate with the UPMC International teams directing the International Administrative Fellowship Program. The Director will serve as the main point of contact with all international outreach efforts involved in recruiting participants to the programs. The Director must be an individual who is able to organize and work well within a diverse team, comprised of UPMC International and hospital leadership across the organization, as well as physicians, nurses, and other individuals key to the success of each of the International Training Center's programs.

More information available on the UPMC website.

Teppanyaki Kyoto shares new bento, kids menus.

Teppanyaki Kyoto restaurant in Highland Park (map) has remained open for delivery and take-out orders through this public health crisis, and has recently unveiled new bento and kids menus. They note, for the latter:

During this difficult time, providing 3 meals a day for your children can be tough. This the reason why we are creating a children's menu for children 12 years and younger. These meals will be served in bento boxes.
Bento #1: Fried Shrimps, Kara-age, Egg rolls.
Bento #2: Grilled Salmon, edamame, Chicken Meat Ball.

* There will be a limit of 2 orders per purchase.
No substitute individual item.

https://teppanyakikyoto.com/menu/

*If you'd like to order these for dinner, please call ahead during lunchtime (11:30-2:00) to allow us time to prepare. Orders *placed* at dinnertime will be $7 instead of $5. Thanks for understanding!