News in brief (Got a tip? Send us an email)
Waves of Gratitude in Aspinwall
Aspinwall Riverfront Park is commemorating the first anniversary of the pandemic with âWaves of Gratitude,â a public art installation made of 1,800 ribbons hanging 24 feet in the air that was organized by Susan Crookston, the parkâs executive director. Each ribbon represents a life in the region lost to Covid and contains a handwritten message of gratefulness. The exhibition is located in the parkâs Welcome Center Pavilion at 285 River Avenue in Aspinwall.
Argyle Studio pop-up coming to Oakland
Argyle Studio, a pop-up shop filled with handmade goods from local artists, makers and entrepreneurs, is coming to Oakland this spring. Brigette and Christine Bethea â the mother-daughter team behind the Pittsburgh-based leadership development consulting firm, ULEADx â are taking over the space at 3608 Forbes Ave. through the fall. Interested vendors have until March 26 to apply to have their products included in the studio.
âThrough Argyle, we want to build a sense of community and happiness despite Covid,â says Brigette Bethea, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer who was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. âWe are creating an attractive space and offering a variety of goods that bring people joy. At the same time, we want to support local businesses, many that do not have a brick-and-mortar space of their own.â
Celebrate local musicians while supporting 412 Food Rescue
Mark your calendars, nâat! 412 Food Rescueâs Yinz Citizen event is returning on September 16. Launched in November 2020, the virtual concert â which was viewed 8,600 times and raised more than $54,000 to help feed Pittsburgh families â is bringing together more bands, artists and celebrity guests for an ultimate Steel City mixtape event. Swiss Army and Derek Woods Band are already confirmed for 2021. Want to perform? Apply for a spot online or contact Gina Vensel with Easy Street Promotions.
Pittsburghâs Blue Bin rollout
In May, Pittsburgh will launch Phase 2 of its Blue Bin Rollout campaign, an effort to help residents transition away from plastic bag-based recycling. Over a two-year period, the cityâs Department of Public Works Environmental Services will distribute more than 100,000 32-gallon, blue, curbside recycling bins to all single-family homes, duplexes and apartment buildings with five or fewer units in central and eastern neighborhoods. The goal is for the city to become bag-free by 2023. Pop-up events and webinars on the project will take place over the next few months. Check out the website for more information.
Fundraiser to help nightlife workers
Last year in Pittsburgh, 31,000 restaurant jobs were lost. Night Life Line, an online campaign raising funds for service and entertainment industry workers in Allegheny County, has launched on the first anniversary of the Covid shutdown. Organizers hope to raise $250,000 for need-based grants up to $500 each. The application portal opens March 31, but donations are being accepted now.
3 Rivers Comicon Lite scheduled for May
A scaled-down version of 3 Rivers Comicon will be held outdoors at The Waterfront in Homestead on May 22-23, from noon to 7 p.m.. The event is free to attend, but early bird shoppers can get a two-hour jump on the action starting at 10 a.m. for $5. Vendors can apply online.
Inventors wanted!
Innovation Works is looking for the most innovative artificial intelligence and robotics startups to participate in its 2021 Venture Fair on May 26. Last yearâs event attracted more than 400 corporations and angel investors from around the country. A group of 30 companies will be selected to pitch their ideas virutally to a large audience of investors. Apply online by March 26.
