🕶️ Style412’s ‘Showroom’ brings local fashion forward

Plus, the latest in Wilkinsburg’s possible merger with the city.

By Francesca Dabecco

Welcome to Wednesday, Pittsburgh.

How about that thunder and lightning the other night? Pittsburgh photographer Dave DiCello often goes storm chasing to get the best shots, but he didn’t have to stray too far this time. He said this past storm was the most lightning he’s ever seen over the city; be sure to check out this striking photograph he took of the Downtown skyline.

Today’s news forecast? We’ve got a 100% chance of important community news, a light drizzle of local happenings to make you smile, and puddles of events for you to splash into for the rest of the week.

What Pittsburgh is talking about

4 things to know today

🔒 Wilkinsburg won’t be merging with the City of Pittsburgh — for now. A committee in favor of the annexation announced Monday that it will delay a referendum in order to gather more community input first. (90.5 WESA)

• Quotable: “After productive meetings with Pittsburgh City Council, community stakeholders and the public at large, we have concluded that the compressed schedule required to place the referendum on the November 2021 ballot would not allow for the productive dialogue appropriate to address important details related to the seamless integration of the two municipalities,” — Tracey Evans, executive director of the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation.

📉 In a loss to local news, state funding has been cut for Pennsylvania’s public broadcasting stations. Unfortunately, this includes Pittsburgh’s own WQED. Since 2016, these stations have received $2.75 million in state taxpayer support, but that was reduced to zero this year. During the pandemic, the broadcasters said they primarily used the money to air children’s television programs, such as Sesame Street and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

• Quotable: “After serving Pennsylvanians with enriching, entertaining and educational programming and services during this greatest time of need, we are disappointed that the legislature removed funding for Pennsylvania PBS stations from the Commonwealth’s budget.” — Capital-Star Broadcasters

📃 In an attempt to create a system that serves justice equally, Allegheny County President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark released a letter to the public about systemic racism within the Allegheny County courts. This comes after a Black lawyer accused the Allegheny District Attorney office of being systematically racist. Clark wrote a list of commitments that Pennsylvania’s Fifth Judicial District will implement to combat these issues. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

🎨 The Mattress Factory is helping young minds flex their creative muscles with its free Teen Summer Workshops. There are a variety of offerings to choose from, including classes detailing how to build your own cigar box, combine tie dye and activism, make your own instrument with Erie-based musician Mathew Borczon, illustrate with Monica Quinn, or cook with SimonChough of Soju. Workshops begin Tuesday, July 20 at the North Side museum. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

4 things to make you smile

🍳 Hungry for an egg-celent breakfast? Check out food critic Hal B. Klein’s round-up of his favorite East End egg sandwiches right now. (Pittsburgh Magazine)

🍎 “Mother nature is her muse and her boss.” After The Fall Cider is a woman-owned cider business that makes good use of apples  from Maria Kretschmann’s 50-year-old organic family orchard just 25 miles north of Pittsburgh. Over the summer, she opened a small tasting room and event space in the farm’s barn where visitors can get three 4-ounce pours and a lesson in the cider-making process. (NEXTPittsburgh)

👗 Style412 is launching an online platform, “Showroom,” that will feature emerging designers from the area as a way to support the growing fashion industry. Eight brands were selected to be a part of Showroom’s 10-week accelerator program including local sustainable clothing outlet Otto Finn, who we featured in our small business spotlight. Watch Style412’s teaser video here. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

📸 We’ve got one pretty city! Check out this aerial view video from local photographer Mrityunjay Singh with stunning captures from around the ‘Burgh. (@visualsofmrityunjay on Instagram)

🔍 I Spy

Things to do

Submit your events to our calendar.

Today

📜 Get to know the history of Point State Park at History Speaks: Pittsburgh's Lost Outpost by author Jason Cherry and Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society(Online)

🎥 Watch Adventureland at Movies on the Mon and enjoy drinks from PA Libations' Bar Car (South Side)

Tomorrow

🎨 Join the Kelly Strayhorn Theater and their collaborators for Hotline Ring to raise funds for queer- and Black-led local arts, media, and entertainment groups (Virtual)

🎵 Celebrate Bossa Nova with Kenia & Her Trio at this City of Asylum event (North Side)

🔊 Listen to Dr. Edwin Everhart overview America’s political music and how it is used in social action organizing today at Union & Protest Songs- Their History & How to Use Them Today (Virtual)

Friday

🌱 Join Phipps for an online screening and discussion of "Gather," a film about Native Americans reclaiming their spiritual, political, and cultural identities through food sovereignty (Online)

📕 Learn the history of the Squirrel Hill Cafe at the launch and reading of The Red Door: An Historical Memoir of The Squirrel Hill Cafe written by past and present bartenders (Squirrel Hill)

🍔 Taste the best food on four wheels at the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival through Sunday. Enjoy dozen of the region’s best food trucks with live music, entertainment, drinks, vendors, and more (Meadows Racetrack & Casino)

Saturday

🎭 Audition with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival as they celebrate their rescheduled 30th year with new one-act plays. Actors of all types, ages, races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, sexual orientations, and experiences are welcome (Virtual)

🛍️ Shop around Market Square at the Saturday Night Market every Saturday until October for crafts, art, fashion, jewelry with live music, good food, and more (Downtown)

🎨 Stroll down Gist St. with local artist James Simon for a tour of one of Pittsburgh's most creative blocks, presented by Doors Open (Uptown)

🎵 Enjoy live music, artists, and vendors at Hands Over Deutschtown at Allegheny Commons Park (North Side)

🌳 Help Tree Pittsburgh litter, weed, and mulch around trees on East Carson St from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (South Side)

Sunday

📸 Ages 14 to 17 are welcome to take a shot at Rivers of Steel's Teen Photo Adventure at Carrie Blast Furnaces with professional photographer Cara Gaetano (Swissvale)

🍻 Drink some good brews for a good cause at Pints for Paws with The Urban Tap (East Liberty)

One more thing …