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Local Disability History & Fights for the Future

The Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium is hosting a free virtual event tomorrow focused on the movement away from state-run institutions and toward community-based services for people with disabilities. There will be film screenings of “From Wrongs to Rights,” sharing the beginning of the deinstitutionalization movement in Western Pennsylvania, and “Polk Center 1897-2023: A Reflection,” the story of a state-run institution in Venango County that closed earlier this year after operating for more than a century. [90.5 WESA]

Smithfield Street Bridge Changes

Heads up commuters: Traffic patterns are changing along the bridge between Downtown and the South Side at East Carson Street. One down-river lane and the sidewalk are closing while the bridge undergoes a $8.49 million rehabilitation project that includes steel repairs and spot painting. It should be completed by next summer. [Pittsburgh Union Progress]

Millvale To Get Green Community Hub

A vacant building on North Avenue will become the new home for Millvale Community Development Corporation (MCDC), as well as six retailers and a built-in patio stage connected to the Grant Avenue Pocket Park. What makes the hub green? The MCDC received a $90,000 grant for solar energy and an electric vehicle charger. [NEXTpittsburgh]

• Learn how small boroughs like Millvale can help us cope with climate change. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Studying the Train Derailment Fallout

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is bringing together a committee of toxicologists, epidemiologists, and emergency medical responders to evaluate the effects of the February train derailment disaster in East Palestine, about an hour northwest of Pittsburgh. The group is hosting listening sessions with community members to hear about their health and environmental concerns, which will help inform future research. The final session is online and in person this Thursday, Oct. 26. [Allegheny Front]

• While the derailment took place 50 miles from Pittsburgh, something similar could absolutely happen here. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

♻️ Webinar: How to Recycle Right | Wednesday | 6-7 p.m.

Lids on or off? Rinse or wash? Labels on or off? Which plastics are acceptable? The Pennsylvania Resources Council is answering all of your recycling questions. [free, virtual]

🎤 Nerd Nite | Thursday | 6 p.m.

Head to Spirit Hall for an evening that combines all of the things you love about comedy shows, TED talks, and social mixers. [$10, Lawrenceville]

🕯️ In Memoriam: 5 Years Out | Thursday | 6-8 p.m.

Join Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence at Rodef Shalom Congregation to hear community members share stories advocating for stronger gun legislation in recognition of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. [free, Squirrel Hill]

📽️ Freaky Film Friday | Friday | 6-9 p.m.

Join Commonplace Coffee at its Rockwell Park location for a “Night of the Living Dead” screening, an exclusive s’mores campfire latte, and free snacks from East End Food Co-Op. BYO chair/blanket! [free, Point Breeze]

Are Book Bans Coming to Western PA?

Book bans have been cropping up all over the country, and while other parts of the state have been inundated with book challenges, Western Pennsylvania hasn’t — yet. City Paper’s Colin Williams joins us to talk about why, plus how our upcoming election Nov. 7 could set the stage for challenges to come.