Hi all. I’m back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Pittsburgh Daily. Follow along to find out everything you need to know about what’s going on today, Aug. 18.
1) Pittsburgh residents have a chance to see the Northern Lights this morning. If you’re up early, keep your eyes to the skies! Otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis, this rare feat occurs when solar flares erupt in the sun’s upper atmosphere and send charged particles toward Earth. When multiple solar flares are released in succession, there is a potential to drive the aurora further south than normal. If other factors come together with this, the aurora might be seen over portions of Pennsylvania, Iowa and northern Oregon.
2) Pittsburgh is testing a program that will provide free transportation to lower-income city residents. Mayor Ed Gainey views the program as a way to provide economic opportunity to vulnerable residents. The test will give 50 participants free access to public transportation and other alternate means of transportation for one year, including the city bus, light rail, POGOH bikes, Spin Scooters and Zipcar rides. “Having access to affordable and reliable transportation is critical in helping families across our city find a pathway to prosperity,” Gainey said. The goal of the pilot program is to evaluate how to improve economic, health and social outcomes by removing transportation barriers.
3) The first Raising Cane’s fast-food joint is opening in a Pittsburgh location. It’s one of 20 locations that the chain is looking to open in Pennsylvania, but the first to service the area. Slated for business in the South Fayette region, Raising Cane’s specializes in chicken fingers. The chain was founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has gained popularity in southern states. The location is set to begin serving customers in 2023.
4) Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington’s jazz ‘Nutcracker’ will premiere in Pittsburgh this fall. Running from Oct. 19-30 at the Benedum Center, this will be the show’s first staging as a fully choreographed musical with libretto. Direction will be led by Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse, with choreography by Jade Hale-Christofi. The show tells the story of a young girl named Lena, who sneaks into a jazz club, and finds herself aboard a magical version of Strayhorn’s titular “’A’ Train,” which carries her through a whirlwind fantasy through the jazz-steeped world of New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. Tickets currently range in price from $51-$101 and are on sale at TrustArts.org.
5) A Black-led tech camp in Pittsburgh is setting out to help build pipelines of diverse talent. A North Shore-based company, IT’s 4 Me covers basic technology skills like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Students can also go on to learn graphic design and business planning. The nonprofit primarily serves Black and low-income households. “We tell [the students] all the time, ‘Look, if you get good with this coding thing, you can work for Google. You can be one of the brown faces at Carnegie Mellon University,” Education Curator Leslie Smith said.
Today in Pittsburgh:
- Market Square Farmers Market — Market Square. (10 a.m.)
- Bingo — Brentwood Library. (2 p.m.)
- Drawing Club — Avalon Public Library. (4:30 p.m.)
- Movie Night — Wilkinsburg Borough. (6:30 p.m.)
- Little Italy Days — Bloomfield, Liberty Avenue. (6 p.m.)
Pittsburgh Chatter:
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: “Ready for a luminous adventure? ✨ Asian Lantern Festival is happening now through Oct. 30 on select nights! Don’t miss out on seeing these beautiful, handcrafted lanterns. Buy tickets ➡️ https://bit.ly/395Ksbw” (Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium via Facebook)
- The Andy Warhol Museum: “Since 1996, Yoko Ono has invited people from around the world to write their personal wishes and tie them to a tree branch as WISH TREE. Visit Yoko Ono’s new WISH TREE installation in The Pop District across the street from the museum.” (The Andy Warhol Museum via Facebook)
- Visit Pittsburgh: “Heroes Wanted 🦸 🛥️ This week in Pittsburgh, go on a superhero cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet and meet your favorite comic book characters along with face-painting, story time, a DJ dance party and much more.” (Visit Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Visit Pittsburgh: “Holy cannoli! Bloomfield Little Italy Days returns Aug. 18-21 for its 20th year. Celebrity bocce, fantastic Italian food, 30 musical acts and tons of great local shopping make this free festival you can’t miss. ” (Visit Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- Bike Pittsburgh: “Open volunteer opportunities for PedalPGH! Sign up here: bit.ly/PedalPGHvolunteers2022 Volunteers receive free registration, T-shirt, water bottle, swag, beer🍻 at the Finish Line Festival, & link to the PedalPGH route. ” (Bike Pittsburgh via Facebook)
- POGOH: “Wheels and Wellness has a super fun lineup of fitness classes featuring Yoga, HIIT, Spin, and Zumba! Swipe for schedule. 📷 @bikepgh #burghbikes #bikeshare #bikepgh #pittsburgh #pogoh” (POGOH via Facebook)
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That’s it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!
— Rachel Tasker
About me: Rachel is a native Pennsylvanian with stops in Erie and State College before making Pittsburgh her home in 2020. She’s got a background in a little bit of everything… from working in media newsrooms and public health to the 2016 Presidential election in Washington, D.C. and the 2019 Super Bowl where (surprise!) Tom Brady won… AGAIN. She loves good coffee, bad reality T.V., attending local events and trying new food in the 412. She resides in the South Hills.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Pittsburgh Daily? Contact me at pittsburgh@patch.com
