🍾 These mobile Pittsburgh bars are driving so you can drink

Plus, a game of I Spy for our members.

By Francesca Dabecco

Welcome to Wednesday, Pittsburgh.

We’re just bubbling with excitement over the launch of The Incline’s Ultimate Pittsburgh Brewery Bracket. 🍻 Thank you to everyone who has submitted their favorite spots so far. Keep ‘em coming, tell your pals to get in on the fun, and we’ll present the final bracket to you next week. Remember: nominations close at noon on Monday, June 28.

After taking a couple newsletters off from our regular news roundups, we’ve got a lot to cover today including Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Pittsburgh, the local business owner who wants to buy the Buccos, the return of Little Italy Days, and the mobile bars that can serve your next shindig. Plus, we've got a game of I Spy for our Incline Insiders.

Let’s get to it.

What Pittsburgh is talking about

4 things to know today

💉 If there was ever a time to get vaccinated, it's now. Experts are raising concerns about the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, which could become the predominant mutant strain in the U.S. within weeks. The variant, first identified in India, is the most contagious yet and may cause serious illness among those still unvaccinated. (90.5 WESA)

• Related: As cases slow and our region approaches somewhat “normal” life, 90.5 WESA composed a comprehensive look at the past 15 months with graphs, statistics, and details on where we are headed next. (90.5 WESA)

⚾ A local business owner takes a swing at purchasing the Pittsburgh Pirates. Because of the Buccos’ poor record, Ty Ballou, owner of PLB Sports & Entertainment, wants to bid for the team although the current owner has publicly said he doesn’t intend on selling. Ballou plans on seeking support from local civic and corporate leaders before contacting Nutting by the end of the month; by his own admission, he knows the purchase is a long-shot. (90.5 WESA)

• Quotable: “I just want to make the team relevant, and I think I have a plan to make that happen.” - Ty Ballou

💵 Vice President Kamala Harris stopped by a Brookline daycare and recreation center on Monday to raise awareness for the Child Tax Credit, a White House anti-poverty program that expands on the relief measures provided for families in the American Rescue Plan. According to the article, the measure has the potential to lift half of all impoverished children out of poverty, but the program’s success will depend on how many people actually hear about it and apply. (90.5 WESA / TribLIVE)

🚌 Pittsburgh’s busiest bus stop is getting a new look. Starting this week, the Smithfield Street and Sixth Avenue stop in Downtown will also serve as an art exhibit. The stop will be closed through Thursday to install Janel Young’s “RESPECT” art piece. Sidenote: Pittsburgh Port Authority also lifted capacity limits on its vehicles earlier this week.(Pittsburgh City Paper)

4 things to make you smile

🐤 Take a Journey to Africa at the National Aviary’s new exhibit. The immersive bird show features daily activities spotlighting birds only found in Africa. The exhibit gives guests a chance to learn about all types of birds, ranging from vultures and cranes to penguins and hornbills. (TribLIVE)

🌅 Here’s a much-needed glimpse of the sun after the last few gloomy days. This Reddit user captured the most stunning sunrise over the Allegheny river; see it for yourself by checking out the link. (@vladdythegeek on Reddit) 

🇮🇹 Fantastico! Little Italy Days are returning to Bloomfield. The region’s largest heritage festival is taking place on Aug. 19-22, when guests will be invited to enjoy food vendors, festivities, bocce ball, local businesses, live performances, and more. (NEXTPittsburgh) 

🍺 No need to worry about picking a designated driver with these mobile bars: If you’re not comfortable going back out to the bars just yet, these six different services can come to you for your own in-person bar experience. Sticky, beer-soaked floors not included! (NEXTPittsburgh)

🔍 I Spy

Things to do

Submit your events to our calendar.

Today

💬 Learn how to convince your colleagues to to become engaged and impassioned about equity and inclusion with the Pittsburgh Arts Council(Online)

🌳 Try Tai Chi to improve balance, posture, and achieve better mental focus by creating a calm and clear mind(North Side)

🗞️ Listen in on how to preserve the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and tackle the issues unionized journalists are facing at Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh’s Interactive Community Town Hall Forum and Workshop (Online)

Tomorrow

😀 Join Pittsburgh Vegan Society for the Peace Advocacy Network (PAN) Virtual Vegan Pledge Program(Online)

🎥Support the Women and Girls Foundation and their GirlGov Summer Internship program at their “Hidden Figures” Drive-in movie night (The Waterfront)

🚴 Ride around Pittsburgh in your underwear to promote body positivity at Pittsburgh Underwear Bike Ride’s Pride Ride (Lawrenceville)

🎵 Enjoy live music, arts, food, and drinks this weekend at the Allegheny Overlook pop-up park grand opening (Downtown)

Friday

🍺 Drink local craft beer, listen to music, and eat from food trucks at Beers of the Burgh and the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild’s Traveling Beer Market (Friendship)

🖼️ Spend a “Night at the Museum” with three different experiences at The Heinz History Center’s 23rd Annual History Uncorked (Strip District)

👜 Connect with fashion lovers all over the U.S., France, and Africa in online and in-person events at FestivalAFRICANA through Sunday (Point Breeze)

🎨 Pop in at the Andy Warhol Museum on weekends all summer long for free, hands-on outdoor art activities at the Pop Art Pop Up (North Shore)

Saturday

🌈 Celebrate LGBTQ+ youth and families with food, games, crafts, music, and dancing at the LGBTQ+ Family Pride Picnic (Allegheny West)

✨ Join the celebration of the passing of the 13th and 15th Amendments, the right to vote, and the end of slavery at WPA’s reenactment Juneteenth Grand Jubilee Parade (Downtown)

🛍️ Shop and explore Black businesses at The Black Market: Celebration of Black Owned Businesses (Upper Hill)

🚴 Join BikePGH’s 8th Annual Women & Non Binary Bike Summit with a virtual collection of live-streamed talks, workshops, and afternoon activities (Online)

🌈 Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community at the first ever PRIDE Millvale 2021 with exciting events, food and drink, and local businesses (Millvale)

Sunday

🎵 Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the musical stylings of some of Pittsburgh’s most talented musicians at Weather Permitting: Hazelwood (Hazelwood)

One more thing …

As the past year or so brought tremendous struggle to so many, I wanted to take a moment to share this story/album with you:

Last year, the Pittsburgh City Paper staff was shaken after Managing Editor Alex Gordon took his own life. As detailed in this article, he was known for spreading joy to his friends by sharing music that he discovered or had made himself.

From the article: “Now, eight months after Alex died of suicide, and on what would have been his 34th birthday, his friend Shawn Cooke has released AG Forever, a compilation of songs dedicated to Alex’s memory and in the spirit of sharing the music he loved so much with others. The album is full of some of his favorite artists, including some from Pittsburgh, and also includes a bookend of Alex’s own recordings. All proceeds from the album benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.”

If you are struggling, please know that you are not alone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service: 1-800-273-8255.

Sending love to you, Steel City.

— Francesca at The Incline

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