City Cast Pittsburgh
🏫 Someone finally bought the Irish Centre
May 22, 2024 · — Adrian González
Today is Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco’s birthday! She’s still on vacation, but she left a b-day treat for you — a feature on an impressionist painter from Pittsburgh who shares her special day. 🧁
Before we get into it, I want to shout out to the readers who reached out to let us know that the survey I shared yesterday did not work on mobile devices. After some troubleshooting, the annual survey is back up and running. Please check it out. Your answers help us keep Hey Pittsburgh fresh. Plus, you’ll be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card and Hey Pittsburgh swag.
What's CITY Talking About?
PRT Discounts Made Permanent
Starting June 3, SNAP-eligible residents of Allegheny County can apply for half-off fares on Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The new program, Allegheny Go, is the result of last year's pilot, and this new iteration is estimated to cost $1.2 million per 10,000 riders. County officials say they'll continue exploring a fully free option, and that an updated ConnectCard system coming next year will allow Allegheny Go to work without smartphones. [PublicSource]
Cultivating Community in Squirrel Hill
Phipps Conservatory has agreed to purchase the long-vacant Irish Centre in Squirrel Hill. The four-acre property will be transformed into what’s tentatively being called the Phipps Program Staging Center to host the Homegrown Edible Garden Program and serve as an incubator for green community projects. The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition praised the move; they’re also working on a partnership with the conservatory. [TribLIVE]
There’s, to me, nothing more beautiful than community coming together in a supportive way that’s really healthy.
Schools Go Remote Due to Heat
For the second consecutive day, Pittsburgh Public Schools is keeping classes at several locations remote because of extreme heat. Teachers at 39 buildings without air conditioning will conduct classes online. [WTAE]
- Planning ahead? Contributor Meg St-Esprit rounded up a bunch of great, free ways to entertain the kids in your lives this summer. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Sponsored Content
AIDS Free Pittsburgh presents Too Hot For July
The annual HIV awareness event Too Hot For July is Thursday May 30th from 4pm to 10pm at Allegheny Commons East Park. The event includes trailblazer and Tony Award winner Alex Newell, DJ sets and performances, confidential HIV/STI testing, health fair, and ballroom inspired battles. Visit TooHotForJuly.com for more.
What To Do
Wednesday, May 22
- 🧑🌾 May Work Days at Kincaid St. Garden | 4-6 p.m. | volunteer | Garfield
- 🚲 How to Plan and Prepare to ride the Great Allegheny Passage | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | free | Regent Square
- ✏️ Rain Poetry at YMCA Lighthouse | 5-7 p.m. | free | Homewood
- 🍸 Flight Night at Kingfly Spirits | 6-7 p.m. | $35 | Strip District
- 🪴 Plant Propagation 101 at Strange Roots | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $45 | Millvale
Thursday, May 23
- 🧑🌾 Lawrenceville Farmers Market begins | 3-7 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville
- 🐕 Yappy Hour at SouthSide Works Dog Park | 5-7 p.m. | free | South Side Flats
- 🍷 Veneto Wine Tasting at Nine O’Clock Wines | 5-6:30 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville
- 🚴 WMNBikePGH Group Ride | 6-8 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville
- 🌧️ Harvesting Rainwater 101 | 6-7 p.m. | $10 | Millvale
- 🍹 Cocktails That Cookout at the PA Market | 6:30-8 p.m. | $45 | Strip District
Friday, May 24
- 🍴 Bites & Pints Food and Drink Festival begins at Kennywood | 4:30-9 p.m. | $18.75+ | West Mifflin
- 🏺 Clay Vessel Workshop at Assemble | 7-9 p.m. | free-$30, 21+ only | Bloomfield
- 🚲 Bike Tune Ups with Free Ride | 5-8 p.m. | free or donation | Regent Square
- 🤣 Comedy & Cocktails at Love, Kate Distilling | 8-10 p.m. | $20 | Sharpsburg
- 🛍️ Hops & Shops Market at Strange Roots | 5-8 p.m. | free | Millvale
- 🎨 Paint & Sip: Bold Abstracts at Atithi Studios | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | $55 | Sharpsburg
Today on City Cast
How to Celebrate Pride in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pride festivities kick off this Memorial Day weekend. Dena Stanley, one of the co-founders of the Pittsburgh Pride Group, joins us for a preview of the Bigger Gayer Picniq and what to expect as the party gets started. Plus, hear all about the QMNTY Center’s role in creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and youth.
That’s all for today. And if you’d like to start an argument today, just share this story about Pittsburgh ranking 36th in a list of the country’s best cities to live. 🥴
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