There’s a lot happening in Pittsburgh every day. ETC is a fun, informative collection of news briefs that, in this busy world, could easily fall through the cracks. Here, they take the spotlight. Got a tip? Send us an email.
Free literacy program for Pittsburgh kids
In partnership with A+ Schools and The Grable Foundation, OpenLiteracy and BOOM Concepts are offering 412 Rhymes, a text-based program designed to aid literacy development. The pilot project, which teaches reading skills such as rhyming, letter sounds and phonemic awareness, is being offered for free to 350 children ages 3 to 5 in Pittsburgh. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 5 at midnight. Lessons begin Feb. 8.
P3R celebrates and empowers women through Ready.Set.MOVE.
P3R, which runs the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, teamed up with Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation to curate a quarterly subscription box filled with fitness items that support and empower women. For each $49.99 Ready.Set.MOVE. package sold, $10 will be donated to Girls on the Run Pittsburgh.
Venture Outdoors hosting logo design contest
Venture Outdoors is celebrating its 20th anniversary by revamping its logo. People 18 and younger are invited to enter the Youth Logo Design Competition. The winner will receive a $500 prize scholarship toward the educational or enrichment program of their choice, and their logo will be used for one year on the organization’s website, apparel and other marketing. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 26.
Spread the Love campaign supports Downtown businesses
Planning a Valentine’s Day date? Book a Downtown hotel between Feb. 4-28 and receive $100 in vouchers that can be redeemed on matched purchases at participating restaurants and shops Downtown through March 7. Funded through the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and a grant from RK Mellon Foundation, the Spread the Love Campaign aims to generate $300,000 in economic impact.
USPS honors playwright August Wilson
The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating the legacy of Pittsburgh-born playwright August Wilson with a Forever stamp. It is the 44th stamp in the Black Heritage series and is being sold at Post Office locations nationwide and online.
Adda Coffee & Tea expands bazaar concept
Adda Coffee & Tea has expanded its Bazaar and Global Pantry collections to its locations in Shadyside and the North Side. The concept started online and at the company’s new café in Garfield, where it was an instant hit. Adda customers can now pick up pantry supplies and goods from around the world, including vegan and gluten-free items.
Support local bartenders through the Featured Cocktail Experience
When you buy a tasty beverage through the Featured Cocktail Experience created by Derivative Mixology, a portion of the sale goes to the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation. Released quarterly, the bottled drinks are created by local bartenders. Lucky Cardigan is currently available at Fire Bar & Grill in Dormont and Smokin’ Fir is offered at Oddballs in the South Side. Scan the QR code for information about the creator and the cocktail, including the local spirits used in it.
Carnegie Museum of Art launches podcast
Mirror with a Memory, Carnegie Museum of Art’s first podcast, launched Feb. 1. The six-part series is hosted by artist Martine Syms and investigates photography, surveillance and artificial intelligence.
Hilltop Alliance looking for artisans, makers and resellers
The Allentown Side Lot located at 819 E. Warrington Ave. is renovated and ready for vendors to sell their merchandise this spring. Interested parties can fill out an online form.
Mental health conference goes virtual
On Feb. 5, the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Keystone Pennsylvania is hosting a virtual conference on the impact Covid is having on children and adolescents. Presenters for Closing the Gap: Prioritizing the Needs of Traumatized Youth include NAMI CEO Dan Gillison Jr. and Kai Koerber, a survivor of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Clothing drive at Bakery Square
Through Feb. 26, Bakery Square is hosting a clothing drive in East Liberty to benefit the East End Community Thrift Store. Everyone who donates will receive a free tote bag. Four of those bags will contain $250 in gift cards from the shopping complex. Donations can be made Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the lobbies of Bakery Office One and Bakery Office Two.
