🛍️ Support Small Business Saturday in Pgh

🌲 Drought’s Impact on PA Evergreens

Pennsylvania is a top producer of Christmas trees, but younger trees aren’t faring well after a dry summer and fall. [Allegheny Front]

• 🔥 Here’s what you can and can’t do during a drought in Pittsburgh. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

🚙 Purple Curb Program Continues

Pittsburgh is extending its smart loading zones, or “purple curb” program. Parking is free for the first 15 minutes; at 16-30 minutes, you’re charged the hourly metered rate. While these spots help drivers with quick stops, businesses say it deters would-be customers and makes big deliveries more difficult. [TribLive]

🏗️ New Community Center for Hazelwood

The nonprofit Center of Life is building a three-story, 127,000-square-foot hub at Hazelwood Green to house STEAM education, performance and practice areas, flexible workspaces, holistic wellness programs, and more. It’ll also include the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center early-learning space. [Union Progress]

• 📌 Do you know whose land Pittsburgh is built on? Test your knowledge of our city’s Indigenous history. [📝 Hey Pittsburgh]

🍦 Ice Cream Wins City’s Gingerbread Contest

Fifth grader Gabby Kleib’s recreation of Page’s Dairy Mart won the city’s competition this year. It was selected from among 300 entries. See them on display at the City-County Building through Jan. 3. [KDKA]