Subscribe | Get featured

Hey Pittsburgh, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A Living Building Challenge classroom, The Fresh Market opening, and a book club with cats + lots of fun things to do for free.

Quick money tip: 2025 was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%. Analysts expect the momentum to continue, making precious metals a smart way to protect your savings. Curious how it works? Check out AHG’s free investor guide.*

📰 In the news

Eighth-grade space reimagined: Heartwood Annex, a 1,000-square-foot classroom at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, uses salvaged materials and has earned Living Building Challenge recognition for healthy, sustainable learning — get all the details.

New grocer comes to Pittsburgh: The Fresh Market opens today in Shadyside at the former Whole Foods, with opening-day samples and a happy hour later this week as the long-vacant space comes to life — learn what to expect.

Behind a neighborhood TNR surge: Kitten season is near, and Pittsburgh trappers are gearing up. Brighton Heights resident Gabrielle Sikora has rescued dozens, as the city’s relaunched spay and neuter vouchers are drawing more volunteers — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Paying hundreds of dollars a month for car insurance? Switching providers could save you up to $600 a year, and shopping around is way faster than it used to be – free comparison tools like this one make it easy.*

Highlights this week:

• Enjoy spaghetti to support Marcy
• Join Mexican War Streets Stoop Night
• Pappy’s Pre-Jam benefiting Just Harvest
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Let them zoom free: It’s basically dog social hour with trees—Frick Park Off-Leash Exercise Area gives your pup room to sprint, sniff, and self‑appoint as mayor of Squirrel Hill. Bring a tennis ball and your best “who’s a good dog” voice; you’ll both head home deliciously tired.

Classic Oakland dive fix: Gene’s Place has kept the neighborhood fun since the ’90s—Gene took over a struggling spot and turned it into a cheap, welcoming hang where anyone can feel at home. When you want zero fuss and maximum neighborhood comfort, this is your midweek reset.

Your weekly reset spot: Between shoulders-turned-earrings and winter skin, Evolve Wellness Spa quietly fixes what’s fraying, with legit massages, targeted facials, and that unpretentious Shadyside calm that makes errands feel optional; book a little you-time and float out feeling like yourself again.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, *their curated kits are worth a look →

The $1,300 mistake most Americans make every year: According to the National Financial Education Council, poor financial literacy costs the average American over a thousand dollars annually. That’s not investment losses. That’s money lost to bad decisions, missed strategies, and advice from people who may not always put your interests first. There’s a free way to fix that, and it starts with one question. Find out what it is →

$22k in interest (on a $30k balance): That’s what minimum payments cost you over 20 years. You’ll pay back nearly double what you borrowed, and your credit card company is counting on you not doing that math. Debt settlement programs negotiate balances down and get people out of debt in 2-4 years instead of 20. Learn more about how they work →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared five programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as “normal wear and tear,” and they’re 100% on you. We looked into solutions that fill that gap. Here’s what we found →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

📖 KQ Book Club – We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida @ Kitty Queen Cat Rescue | Wednesday (3/18) at 7:00 PM – Nothing says reset like a book club with cats. We’ll discuss We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida, with extra credit How to Train Your Human, plus snacks and drinks provided. Come early for cat time, booze is BYO, it’s free, and donations welcome.

🎻 Smallsgrass Bluegrass Jam Wednesdays @ Mr. Smalls Café (Millvale) | Wednesday (3/18) at 7:00 PM – Bluegrass is taking over Wednesdays at Mr. Smalls Cafe in Millvale, with a free, all-ages jam led by Joe Dep. Bring a banjo, a mandolin, or just your listening face, and watch strangers become a band in three verses. Better than cable.

❓ Trivia Night: Name That Tune @ Back Alley Brewing Company | Thursday (3/19) at 7:00 PM – Name That Tune trivia is taking over with free entry, real prizes, and the kind of bragging rights that last till brunch. Assemble your crew, come early, and snag seats. Finally, all those years of humming commercials, mixtapes, and guilty-pleasure hits pay off.

🎤 Greggy\_Oke Karaoke Thursdays @ Mr. Smalls Café (Millvale) | Thursday (3/19) at 8:00 PM – Thursday night here means Greggy-oke karaoke, free to join, with drink specials, goofy prizes, and the kind of fun you cannot stream. Warm up your pipes, pick that car-only power ballad, and let the regulars clap like you just won the county fair.

🎸 Acousticafe Songwriter Series: Vanessa Prentiss and more @ Mr. Smalls Café (Millvale) | Friday (3/20) at 7:00 PM – Acousticafe brings Vanessa Prentiss’ surreal, imagery-rich songs and rising country-pop spark Skylar Edson to Mr. Smalls Café. Free and all ages, with a polite $10 ask, it’s just songs, stories, and zero fluff. No smoke machines, just the good stuff.

🍺 Acoustic Night @ Smokey’s Tavern | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 PM – Free live music in Millvale? Smokey’s is rolling out acoustic takes on Tom Petty, Alanis, Pearl Jam, Fleetwood Mac, the whole ‘I still know every word’ crew, courtesy of Jill and Dave in the main room. Good pours, familiar faces, zero cover, zero pretense.

🎵 Michelle Hall @ Ruckus Coffee Gallery & Cafe | Sunday (3/22) at 6:00 PM – Trade your Sunday scaries for Sunday feels with Michelle Hall, a 20-year songwriter taking the piano for a spin with heartfelt originals that flirt with country. She has shared stages with local favorites, so expect quality, not fuss. BYOB, no cover.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Pittsburgh report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 32°F – Low: 19°F – Precip: 23%

A slight chance of snow showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

—

Tomorrow – High: 40°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 5%

Partly sunny, with a high near 40. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain and snow between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

This house is wild

Residence 6 at 2500 Smallman in the Strip District is a 4,300-square-foot, two-level showpiece reimagining a historic warehouse with LEED-certified design by Desmone Architects. Soaring ceilings, steel accents, and gallery-style sightlines frame entertaining zones. The layout features two guest bedrooms and an upstairs primary suite. Outdoor living shines with a terrace, gas grill, fireplace, rain barrel, and a kitchen-adjacent patio.

Take a peek inside →