City Cast Pittsburgh
🏀 Will Pittsburgh ever get an NBA team?
February 20, 2024
Good morning, neighbor! One of the charms about the Burgh is our small-town feel, even though we’re a decent-sized city. I like to call us a “little, big city,” but does that actually represent the stats?
We’re digging into our city’s population data in today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast — and why a decrease in size might actually be a good thing!
What's CITY Talking About?
Zoo Closes After Animal Deaths
The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium closed over the weekend out of respect for staff after multiple animals died this month, including Tsuni the 2-year-old elephant calf, Mrithi the gorilla, and Hawk the sea lion. [WTAE-TV]
Can Pittsburgh Get A Basketball Team?
The city commissioned a $90,000 feasibility study to see if we could support a professional basketball team. The NBA is unlikely, because other cities like Seattle and Las Vegas are at the top of everyone’s list for the next expansion. But what about a women’s team?! [TribLIVE]
- 🎙️ Hear for yourself: Gainey told the pod team why he wants a team back in December.
- 🏀 Dig deeper: Why Pgh probably can’t score a men’s team. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Pittsburgh Icons & Local Beer
Check out Allegheny City Brewing’s Chocolate Chip Cookies Stout with the iconic Nancy B’s Bakery — or if you watched the Penguins honor Jaromir Jagr on Sunday — the Jags brew, a traditional Czech Lagr. [Allegheny City Brewing]
Free Bookstore in the Mon Valley
B is for Books at 222 E. Eighth Ave. is a new children’s bookstore in Homestead focused on supporting early literacy in the community. The nonprofit Reading Ready Pittsburgh stocks the store with all donated, new, and used reading materials. [Pittsburgh Magazine]
- 📚 There’s more! You can also find Ready Ready Pittsburgh’s little free libraries all around the Mon Valley.
Where Is it?
Let’s play a game! I’m shocked that no one guessed last week’s “Where Is It?” photo challenge… so I’m giving you another chance!
Where can you find the photo above? 👀
Hint: You can get those delicious-looking breakfast foods inside this joint.
What To Do
Tuesday, Feb. 20
- 💰 Unclaimed Property Session with Rep. Lindsay Powell | 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville — through Wednesday
- 🌱 Building People Power for Community Gardens with Grow Pittsburgh | 6-7 p.m. | $10 | virtual
- 🍦 Picturing Joy: Stories of Connection at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream | 6 p.m. | free | Bakery Square
- 👟 Trail Run with 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. | 6-8 p.m. | free | Frick Park
- 🎶 Bring Your Own Vinyl at the Poetry Lounge | 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. | free | Millvale
- 🍏 Wild-Fermenting Apples with Community Cultures at Velum Fermentation | 7-8:30 p.m. | donation | South Side
- 🎤 Story Club Pittsburgh Slam at City of Asylum | 7-8:30 p.m. | free | North Side / virtual
- 🎨 Crafting Abolition with the Black Unicorn Library Project | 7-9 p.m. | free | virtual — Tuesdays through March
Wednesday, Feb. 21
- ☕ Steel Smiling Meetup at Hazelwood Cafe | all day | free | Hazelwood
- 📣 International Mother Language Day at the City-County Building | 9-11 a.m. | free | Downtown
- 📖 Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration at the History Center | 5:30-7 p.m. | $5-10 | Strip District
- 🍳 Guest Chef Csilla Thackray at Community Kitchen | 5:30-8 p.m. | $65 | Hazelwood
- 🌧️ SAD Party & Care Package Exchange at Radiant Hall Studios | 6-9 p.m. | free | McKees Rocks
- 🐇 Mad Tea Party Cocktails at The PA Market | 6:30-8 p.m. | $45 | Strip District
Thursday, Feb. 22
- 🎨 ART & The Body: Andrea Peña at the Mattress Factory | 6-8 p.m. | $5-$10 | Mexican War Streets
- 🍽️ Girls Want Dinner Parties at Commerce Bar | 6-9 p.m. | $100 | East Liberty
- 🍷 Pour Me Another: That's Amore at the Renaissance Hotel | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $72 | Downtown
Today on City Cast
Pittsburgh Isn’t Growing. Could That Be a Good Thing?
How important is a region’s population? Southwestern Pennsylvania is BIG and getting bigger, but Pittsburgh as a city has been shrinking for decades. We’re talking to a regional economist to figure out why… or if… it even matters.
💖 Big thanks to yinz who sent me sweet notes for Valentine's Day last week. I always appreciate hearing what you like about the newsletter. The inbox is always open: What do you want to see more of?
Have a great week!
— Francesca Dabecco
City Cast’s Wil Fulton edited this newsletter.
Free · Daily