✨ Plan your days around gazing at Pittsburgh's holiday light displays

Plus, the Pittsburgh Record Fest returns and Leona’s releases a limited-edition ice cream flavor.

By Francesca Dabecco

It’s Thursday, Pittsburgh.

Did you hear that Bob Nutting is selling his three ski resorts (Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain Ski Area) to a Colorado-based ski resort company? 

Now, this is just me editorializing here, but I bet yinzers everywhere are scratching their heads wondering why Nutting can’t cut a deal for the Pirates, too. But that’s a whole different ball game, and there’s only so much space in a single newsletter. 

With that in mind, let’s take a look at today’s headlines...

What Pittsburgh is talking about

4 things to know today 

🐕 The city is looking to extend its contract with Humane Animal Rescue, a nonprofit that provides care for stray animals and facilitates their adoption. Although The Bureau of Animal Care and Control has partnered with Humane Animal Rescue for the past 15 years, the agency is also considering the need to develop its own shelter as other cities comparable to Pittsburgh have done. (TribLIVE)

🚧 What’s going on with the plans for Oakland Crossings? The City Planning Commission is likely to vote on the proposed redevelopment by Walnut Capital for the 18 acres spanning the Boulevard of the Allies next month. The plan has the support of outgoing Mayor Bill Peduto and includes a grocery store, green spaces, and housing. However, community members are concerned with the project's attempt to rewrite zoning rules for much of the area and how such rearrangements could potentially affect the rest of the neighborhood. (PublicSource)

🚎 Mayor-elect Ed Gainey put the Mon-Oakland Connector project on hold. As a refresher, the undertaking is an effort to improve infrastructure from Hazelwood through Junction Hollow and all the way to Oakland. The project has generated opposition over the years, but proponents say it’s necessary for the growing job sector to commute from Hazelwood Green (the region’s first “Complete Streets” neighborhood) to Carnegie Mellon University. This is the latest blow to the community’s ongoing goal of becoming a multi-modal, sustainable community. (Pittsburgh City Paper)

📚 Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh employees have reached a tentative agreement on their first contract as members of the United Steelworkers union. If ratified, the four-year contract would give roughly 300 workers a seat at the bargaining table. (90.5 WESA)

4 things to make you smile

🍨 Leona’s Ice Cream released a limited-time Italian Rainbow Cookie flavor filled with hunks of layered almond cake and dark chocolate. You can find these sweet treats at Market Districts in Robinson, Bethel Park, and Waterworks; at Giant Eagle in Cranberry; Mayfly Market on the North Side; and other locations. (Leona’s Ice Cream on Instagram)

🎨 Contemporary Craft is getting ready to launch a new program for teens called TACT (Teen Apprentice in Craft and Technology) in January. A pilot cohort of 10 teens from the region will explore the intersection of craft and tech as well as complete a capstone project using the Rabbit Laser Cutter. The program is free for students grades 9 through 12. (contemporarycraft.org)

✨ Plan your days to gaze at holiday light displays with this list of the 10 best regional spots, including the Laser Holiday Magic Show at the Carnegie Science Center, Phipp’s Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden, the Pittsburgh Zoo’s Lights Drive-Thru, and more. (NEXTPittsburgh)

🎶 The Pittsburgh Record Fest is celebrating its 25th anniversary at Spirit Lodge in Lawrenceville this Sunday. Local DJs will be on hand to soundtrack the proceedings while attendees search for vinyl treasures to take home themselves. The event is for all ages, but there will be drink specials for the 21+ crowd. Early bird admission is from 1 to 2 p.m. and costs $10. Regular admission is $3. (Pittsburgh Record Fest)

🎁 Enter for you chance to win…

Things to do

Submit your events to our calendar.

Today

✨ Be dazzled by the Christmas Lights Kickoff at Mansions on Fifth(Shadyside)

🍸 Have a merry good time at Carnegie Museum of Art’s Out of the Office Party (Oakland)

🍜 Enjoy a bowl of comfort from brothmonger paired with wine from Refucilo at a cozy, festive event (Northside)

🎤Hear the stories of six local businesses a part of the Prototype Incubator at a Virtual Pitch night (Online)

🎷 Listen to live jazz while you shop for local gifts and drink holiday beer at Cinder Bell Rock Night Party at Cinderlands Warehouse (Strip District)

Tomorrow

🎶 Celebrate winter, the solstice and the holidays with the Mendelssohn Choir(Various Locations and Times)

✨ See Illumin Avenue illuminate with five new art installations at the Talk and Walk Hazelwood Local event (Hazelwood)

🎄 Get festive at the signature holiday production of Highmark Holiday Pops at Heinz Hall (Downtown)

🎨Learn how to heal your heart through art at a free live virtual event hosted by Ebtehal Badawi (Online)

Saturday

🍪 Enjoy sweet treats along Butler Street at Lawreceville’s annual Cookie Tour (Lawreceville)

✨ Find your flow at the virtual Take Up Space Festival / fundraiser for the PostpARTum Project (Online)

🛍️ Shop from local makers at the Winter Artists’ Market at Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media (Shadyside)

🎶 Listen to live gospel music with the Sounds of Season at Carnegie Museum of Art (Oakland)

😂Watch the Arcade Comedy Theater’s mix of improv, sketch, stand-up, and musical comedy in “Nebby Neighbors” (Downtown)

🔥Gather around the fire with some drinks and food at Grist House’s Fire Fest (Millvale)

🎄 Take your little one to find hidden candy canes at the Candy Cane Walk in Frick Park (Point Breeze)

One more thing…