✅ 10 essential rules for living in Pittsburgh

🏙️ Can Smithfield Street Make a Comeback?

From fountain upgrades in Point State Park to half-moon pavilions in Market Square, it seems like every pocket of Downtown is getting a glow up. But improvements along the 10-block stretch of Smithfield Street seem to inspire a lot less fanfare. On today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast, hear how Smithfield used to be an “it” spot and what developers have in mind for its future. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

• Make your mark! Apply for a new Placemaking Grant up to $5,000. [PDP]

🥌 Curling Competition To Kick Off in Pittsburgh

Sixteen teams from around the world will compete in the inaugural World Five-and-Under tournament at the Pittsburgh Curling Club’s facility in Stowe Township, tomorrow through Sunday. [City Paper]

• Want to watch? Tune into their livestreams.

🦎 Eastern Hellbender Could Get Federal Protection

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the eastern hellbender — Pennsylvania’s state amphibian — under the federal Endangered Species Act. The wrinkly creature, distinguished by its flat head and paddle-shaped tail, has existed for millions of years and now faces threats from poor water quality. [Allegheny Front]

• Hellbenders have hilarious nicknames like snot otter, lasagna lizard, and Allegheny alligator. [📝 Hey Pittsburgh]
• Make sure they’re protected and share a public comment. [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]

1.📍 Know Your Neighborhoods

Our rivers, hills, and valleys have created unique boundaries for Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods — pockets of communities with their own special character. Even within those official neighborhoods, there are many distinct sub-neighborhoods — like Four Mile Run in Greenfield or Mexican War Streets in the Central North Side.

• Explore hidden gems through our neighborhood guide archive. (I’m slowly making my way through Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods, with pit stops in boroughs and townships along the way.)

2. 🪑 Respect the Parking Chair

On a winter day in the Burrr-gh, you’re likely to see snowy streets and parking spots marked with chairs — from the old wooden ones you sit in for church basement fish fries to striped ‘90s beach seats. Whatever their form, it’s their function that matters: you have to honor the sanctity of parking chair dibs. (That is, don’t park in a spot that someone’s reserving with their chair!)

3. 📚 Get (& Use) A Library Card

There are dozens of Carnegie Library branches across Allegheny County and even more that participate in its lending programs. But did you know you can check out more than just books? From power tools to bakeware, here are some things you didn’t know you could get with a library card.

• Like to own your books? Shop at Pittsburgh’s best indie bookstores.

4. 💬 Learn a Little Pittsburghese N’at

If you’re new in tahn, it may be helpful to know local lingo. Someone cuts you off? Call ‘em a “jagoff.” (Not to be confused with “jag,” often a term of endearment.) Want to order a soft drink? Your waiter might look at you funny if you say “soda” instead of “pop.” Your house is a mess? You should “redd up.” Addressing a crowd? “Yinz” is a gender neutral pronoun!

• Want to learn more? Hear actor, voice coach, and speech teacher Don Wadsworth give us a Pittsburghese lesson.