Happy newsletter day! I know a lot of people stayed home last weekend to avoid traffic so here’s to finding a cool event this week to attend!
Support Our Local Businesses
Seeing our city be the focal point of the sports world over the last week was really cool. Each drone shot of the skyline, PNC, the North Shore, was better than the last. And our weather really held out, which made it perfect.
The more we can do to get interest in the city, the better it is for everyone. Businesses get a boost in support, we get to participate in cool events, it just brings the city together.
That being said, there was an unintended consequence. There was a lot of talk around this event bringing business to businesses outside of the event and potentially throughout the city. Local businesses bought extra stock to try to be prepared. But the opposite happened. Most people who came for the Draft stayed around the Draft footprint. They didn’t really venture out.
On top of that, there were notices to locals to avoid downtown since it was going to be so busy. The net impact is that local businesses not only didn’t see an increase, they actually got a lot less business than usual.
I’ve spent the weekend having tons of conversations with locals and business owners to see who really felt that negative impact. And what I could do to help. I’d like to see if we can get people out this week to support their favorite local businesses or to try out a new one.
This list is not at all comprehensive. But I did my best through the conversations I had to put together the businesses that I know could use a boost this week. If you know of another who has struggled, by all means, go support them. I know that Market Square in general was slow so check out any of the businesses there.
Let’s get out this week and help our local businesses!
Restaurants/Bars
Shops
This Week’s Happenings
Featured Event
🐈⬛ Looking for an excuse to get out of the house and hang out with some cats? Well this is your event!
🎨 Whether you’re an expert artist or you’re just beginning, you’ll be able to leave with your own piece of art.
🖌️ All supplies, instructions, and refreshments are included. All you have to do is show up.
🐈⬛ And yes, there will be cats roaming the room while you paint!
Tuesday, April 28th
Creative Hive - Hang out with local creatives and check out glassblowing demonstrations. 5:30 pm at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. See more info.
Dr. Charles Cashdollar – The IUP Story - 6:30 pm at The Armory in Indiana, PA. More details.
Wednesday, April 29th
Little Shop of Horrors - This performance runs from the 29th until the 3rd at Pittsburgh Playhouse: PNC Theatre. Get your tickets.
Research Your Roots: Genealogy 101 - Learn how to get started in researching your family’s history. It starts at 6 pm at The Frick. Tickets.
Wine, Dine, and Live Jazz-the Music of Nina Simone - Enjoy a 4 course meal while listening to the best of Nina Simone. Seating starts at 6 pm at Con Alma. Tickets can be found here.
Thursday, April 30th
What the Muck?! Annual Lake Elizabeth Cleanup - Volunteer to help cleanup Lake Elizabeth. It’ll be a 2 day cleanup from 8:30 am to 11:30 am on both the 30th and 1st. More info.
JFilm Festival - The 33rd annual festival kicks off the 30th and runs through May 10th. Showcasing 40 Jewish-themed independent feature and short films from around the world. Learn more here.
Made Local: Adriana Ramírez - A powerful chronicle of Colombia’s descent into decades of civil war. 7 pm at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall. Details.
Friday, May 1st
The Garfield Night Market - They kick off their season on May 1st. Check it out the first Friday of every month through October. More info.
Prost to Spring at Maifest - Enjoy live music, cold bier, and a night full of Bavarian fun at Hofbrauhaus from 6 pm to 9 pm. Learn more.
Breakfast & Bingo - Enjoy breakfast for dinner with a side of Bingo. Proceeds go to Grow Pittsburgh. 6 pm at Square Cafe. Tickets.
Saturday, May 2nd
Janoski’s Farms Spring Vendor Show - The show runs 10 am to 4 pm on both the 2nd and 3rd. Check out all the vendors here.
Kentucky Derby Watch Party - Enjoy the Derby with local food trucks, vendors, games, and beer. It starts at 2 pm at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. Get tickets.
The Eldorado Band: Premier Rockin' Country - Doors open at 6:30 pm at The Tonidale Pub. Get your tickets here.
Afghan Whigs - The concert starts at 8 pm at Mr Small's Theatre. Get your tickets.
Sunday, May 3rd
Pittsburgh Marathon - Time is running (no pun intended) out to sign up for the marathon, half marathon, or relay. Register here if you’re interested.
Ligonier Valley Museum Day - Like a time machine to the 19th century, this is a must-see for history buffs. More info.
Rachel Carson EcoVillage Open House and Tour - Construction is underway at this new cohousing project. Check the open house out at 2 pm at the Kearns Spirituality Center. More details on the project here.
All About Dahlias! - This workshop teaches the basics of how to grow your own Dahlias. 2 pm at Roots to Petals Studio & Shop. Get tickets here.
A Taste of Two Towns - Oakmont Carnegie Library’s annual fundraising event runs from 5 pm to 7 pm. Get your tickets here.
Monday, May 4th
Introduction to Mahjong - Learn how to play Mahjong while eating some great food at Il Pizzaiolo in Warrendale. The event starts at 6 pm. More info.
Remember to tag us @steelcityledger on Instagram if you check out any of these events!
Weekend Weather
It’s certainly not going to be as nice as it’s been this weekend, but I’d call this nearly perfect marathon weather. For yinz that are running, I hope the weather holds!
Friday: 🌧️ 53° Hi / 36° Lo | 💧 86% chance of rain | 💨 7 mph wind
Saturday: 🌤️ 52° Hi / 36° Lo | 💧 55% chance of rain | 💨 10 mph wind
Sunday: ⛅️ 59° Hi / 42° Lo | 💧 14% chance of rain | 💨 9 mph wind
The Photo Desk
If you were to show this picture to someone who doesn’t know it’s Pittsburgh, where do you think they’d say it is? It’s stunning. The reflection of the skyline in the river almost doesn’t look real.
Huge thanks to u/Negative-Length3323 on Reddit. If you know them, or are them, let me know! I’d love to give a proper shoutout.
📸 u/Negative-Length3323 from Reddit
The Bulletin
Wegmans Potentially Coming to the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon
We already know about the Wegmans coming to Cranberry but another one potentially coming to Mt Lebo would be great. I’m in Dormont so selfishly this would be super convenient. The downside is that it seems like it would essentially take out all of the shops that are in there currently. There’s also a Fresh Market kitty corner to the center, a Trader Joe’s just up the road, and a Market District a little further ahead as well. It would be a heavy corridor for grocery. You can read more about it here.
How do you feel about Wegman's potentially coming to Mt Lebo?
Pirates and Laborers Union Repairing 20 Baseball Fields
A couple weeks ago I had written about the laser grader that will be used to help level the fields. In the council meeting last week, the vote passed for this to move forward and Pirates Charities issued a $300k grant to help with field improvements. They’ll be using the same crushed red brick for the infields at 20 fields. This is a huge win for our kids! Fewer rainouts and they’ll get to play on the same type of infield that the Pirates play on.
The Cat Report
Wilma from Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue
Wilma would love to say hi! She’s a 7-year-old tabby who is getting sick of shelter life. She was surrendered when her owner had a stroke and could no longer take care of her. She would love a home where she’s the only animal and can get all of the love. Meet her here.
See Yinz next Tuesday
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