City Cast Pittsburgh
🍅 A Heinz smoothie?!
August 8, 2025 · — Francesca Dabecco
Happy Friday! Here’s your friendly reminder to support Bloomfield businesses this weekend / next week before Little Italy Days takes over August 14-17 🍝
While we love a celebration with meatballs and bocce ball, the festival can often negatively impact small businesses in the area, and they could use the extra boost!
What's CITY Talking About?
PA Could See Big Health Insurance Hikes
Individual plans could increase by 19% and small business group plans could jump 13% under proposed insurance rates for 2026. The rates need to be approved by the state Insurance Department. Give feedback through Sept. 2 at [email protected]. [WESA]
- Here’s why your electricity and water bills could go up, too. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Heinz Blends Up a Ketchup Smoothie
Heinz and Smoothie King are collaborating on a new drink that mixes ketchup with acai, apple juice, strawberries, and raspberries. Maybe they knew Pittsburghers would pass on this odd concoction because it’s only being sold in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Miami, New York, and New Jersey. [WPXI]
- Does Heinz really make the best ketchup? We put it to the test. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
Actors Catch Thrills at Kennywood
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson was spotted on the Sky Rocket with co-star Nicholas Hoult this week. They’re both in town shooting “How to Rob a Bank” with Zoë Kravitz. Davidson recently held sold-out shows at Bottlerocket Social Hall and Pittsburgh Improv. [TribLive]
- Bottlerocket just launched classes with the Upright Citizens Brigade, a renowned comedy institution that offers education in New York and Los Angeles. [Bottlerocket]
Parkway East To Close Saturday
From 9 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Monday, both directions will be closed between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood and Swissvale interchange. Be prepared with these alternate routes. [TribLive]
Pop Quiz, Pittsburgh!
💥 Pop quiz, Pittsburgh! Test your knowledge of local history and current events.
Vote for Us!
The City Cast Pittsburgh team is so excited to be nominated for “Best Podcast” in City Paper’s Best of PGH.
🗳️ Vote for us every day through August 22! Find us under the “people and places” category.
What To Do
Friday, Aug. 8
- 📺 Legacy of Mr. Rogers Panel at White Whale (Bloomfield)
- 🍻 Summer Fridays at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall)
- 🥳 Fridays on Deck with 1Hood Media (Hill District)
- 🍾 Bottle Share & Conference with Barrel & Flow (Downtown)
- 🎶 Free Concert at South Park Amphitheater (South Park)
- 🍿 The Wild Robot Screening on the lawn (Hazelwood)
- 🛍️ Carnegie Crawl on Main Street (Carnegie)
- 💻 Summer Friday Coworking with Pgh Social Health (Oakland)
- 🧠 21+ Neuro Night at the Science Center (Chateau)
- 🐕 Pet Vaccine Clinic at Public Works (Mt. Oliver)
- 🎹 Music on the Lawn in Town Square (SouthSide Works)
- 🌺 Bucco Luau Weekend at PNC Park — through Aug. 10 (North Shore)
Saturday, Aug. 9
- ☕ Coffee Tasting at Heat Check (Shadyside)
- 🍰 70th Birthday Celebration at Bethel Bakery (Bethel Park)
- 🌻 Sunflower Festival at Trax Farms (Finleyville)
- 🍅 PYO Weekend at Janoski’s Farm (Clinton)
- 👟 Breezefest & Breeze 5K (Brookline)
- 🛍️ Community Yard Sale (Swisshelm Park)
- 🇮🇹 Bocce Tournament at Acrisure Stadium (North Shore)
- 🍻 Barrel & Flow Fest at The Stacks (Strip District)
- 🛶 Kayak on the Mon with Three Rivers Waterkeeper (Duck Hollow)
- 🌳 Summer Park Cleanup at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall)
- 🎶 Jam at Grandview Park Bandstand (Mt. Washington)
- ⛱️ Pool Party with Sew Pittsburgh (Monroeville)
- 😻 Cats & Tats Fundraiser at Songbird Artistry (Bloomfield)
- 🌤️ Backyard Bash at The Roost (Highland Park)
- 👻 Steel City Spooky Market at Frankie Pace Park (Hill District)
- 🍉 End of Summer Bash in Simmons Park (Bethel Park)
- 🐕 Beers & Barks at The Dog Penn (Strip District)
- 🥂 30+ Party at City Winery (Strip District)
- 🌙 Soul Glo: Barrel & Flow After Party at Spirit (Lawrenceville)
- 🎭 Fences Play at the August Wilson House (Crawford-Roberts)
- 🌊 Evening of Poetry & Sound at Shore Thing (North Shore)
- 🎶 The Village DJ Night at SideQuest (Lawrenceville)
Sunday, Aug. 10
- 🛍️ Neighborhood Flea in SouthSide Works (South Side)
- 📚 Summer Reading Extravaganza with CLP (Oakland)
- 🍳 The Brewers Brunch at Kingly Spirits (Strip District)
- 👟 Run Club Meetup at Shore Thing (North Shore)
- 🐐 Baby Goat Yoga at The Dog Penn (Strip District)
- 🌳 Family Day in Schenley Plaza (Oakland)
- 🌼 Candles & Wildflowers at Simmons Farm (McMurray)
- 🌿 Cannabis Fest at Allegheny Commons (North Side)
- 🎶 Free Concert at Hartwood Acres (Allison Park)
- 🛍️ Summer Market with the Pittsburgh Creative (Gibsonia)
- 🐐 Goat Yoga at Freedom Farms (Valencia)
- 🎡 Hilltop County Fair at Bottlerocket (Allentown)
- 🛍️ Second Rodeo Sale at Workshop PGH (Wilkinsburg)
- 🍔 Kickback Cookout at Jackworth (Larimer)
- 🍷 Sunday Wine Down at TLC Libations (Point Breeze)
- 🎤 Catty Baret at the Blue Moon (Lawrenceville)
- 🎞️ Art House Classics at Harris Theater (Downtown)
💛 Sending a big thank you to our newest City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors: Michael P. and Carol S.!
We’re so touched because Michael wrote in to tell us that he doesn’t even live here… yet!
“I love the podcast and really enjoy learning about Pittsburgh. While I don't actually live in The Burgh, I am a central PA transplant living in Richmond, VA. Giving lots of thought to relocating to Pittsburgh.”
If Michael can do it, what are yinz waiting for? Become a Neighbor so we can hang at members-only meetups 😊
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