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Hello Pittsburgh! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Penn Avenue reconstruction, Rep. Summer Lee’s $3M for affordable housing, and heated rivalry night: Pens vs. Canes + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

📰 In the news

Businesses and commuters feel strain: A new Penn Avenue reconstruction phase is underway in Bloomfield and Garfield, disrupting traffic and parking. Work near UPMC Children’s Hospital continues, with project expected to last another two years — see where work continues.

New path to stable homes: On March 10, Rep. Summer Lee announced $3 million to preserve affordable housing in Allegheny County, converting vacant or underused buildings into new units for residents exiting homelessness — see how funds will be used.

Building tomorrow’s skilled workforce: New Castle School of Trades hosts its 10th annual career fair today, bringing more than 90 employers to connect western Pennsylvania job seekers with trades opportunities at a free event — get all the event details.

Gold just hit record highs. What about your savings? While traditional IRAs have been treading water against inflation, gold has gained over 50% in three years. That gap is why more retirees are rolling a portion of their savings into gold IRAs (the kind that hold physical metal). We compared the top five options and broke down who they’re best for. Check it out here →

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:

• Network after hours to support WIN-Spirations
• Shop handmade at Spring Craft Show
• Celebrate needle noses at ice cream social
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home*

💎 Local business spotlight

Sip-worthy sanctuary: Feeling a midweek slump? Dobrá Tea Pittsburgh pours from 100+ thoughtfully sourced teas in a cozy, Bohemian-style tearoom vibe that makes lingering dangerously easy. Try a classic green or wander into pu’er and tisanes—you’ll leave calmer, maybe a little tea-nerdy. (dobrateapgh.com)

See it in focus: Silver Eye Center for Photography just opened Fierce: Pittsburgh by Ajamu X—a vibrant look at the city’s Black queer community—so swing by for a dose of sharp, thoughtful image-making and that “I should pick up my camera again” inspiration.

Turn it up tonight: Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall keeps the calendar stacked—from indie darlings and heavy-hitters to dancey late-nights—so you can pick a vibe and go. Bookmark it now and let Future You pretend this was spontaneous. Bonus: the room sounds great. This week’s slate looks especially tempting.

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 →

Own a piece of Apple for less than a coffee: Every time you buy something from Amazon or Starbucks, you’re putting money in their pocket. Fractional shares flip that: you can own a slice of those companies for as little as a dollar. Most investing apps make it incredibly easy, with zero commissions and no account minimums. See which ones we recommend →

Mom says she’s fine. You’re not so sure: “What if something happens when you’re home alone?” You’ve asked a hundred times, but the outcome’s always the same. I don’t need that. Life Alert’s for old people. The real struggle isn’t finding a medical alert system that’ll work… it’s finding one she won’t fight you on. We looked into five options designed to settle the standoff, from smartwatches to systems with nothing to wear at all. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Your shampoo was never going to fix it: I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of money on hair-loss products, biotin, masks, sprays, you name it. Not one of them lasted. Turns out, most things target the strand, not the follicle (where thinning actually happens). Dermatologists have been prescribing treatments that work for years, but there are now plenty of options available with no office visits required. See our top picks for men and women →

Strangers can buy your personal data for $0.50: Data brokers sell your name, home address, phone number, estimated income, and other personal info to anyone willing to pay. Scammers and identity thieves use these databases to take advantage of you. There are dozens of affordable services that can help you protect yourself. These three are our favorites →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

🎪 Youth Circus Arts Session @ Pittsburgh Circus Center | Saturday (3/21) at 10:10 AM – Your kid climbs everything but the laundry pile? Send them to this beginner-friendly Saturday session where grades 1-8 learn aerial silks, hoop, and trapeze. Real instruction, not chaos, and a better use of energy than launching off the sofa; book online, FAQs included.

🌸 South Side Spring Social 2026 @ Velum Fermentation | Saturday (3/21) at 5:00 PM – Spring on the South Side means bumping into half your block over beers at Velum Fermentation, with local bands, nostalgia-inducing arcade games, and basket raffles that might fund your next garden gnome. Bring the kids, or be one. Grab tickets: https://bit.ly/springsocial2026

🐱 Crafting With Cats: Cats Rock! @ Kitty Queen Cat Rescue | Saturday (3/21) at 5:30 PM – Craving a low-key night that still counts as going out? Paint cat-themed rocks while feline art directors supervise, picking from sizes, wood backings for wall hangings, and paint colors. Materials, light snacks, and NA drinks included, BYO, and keep hands clear of the hot glue.

⚔ Rangos Realms: A Knights of the Arcade Adventure @ Kamin Science Center | Saturday (3/21) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been itching to swap the couch for a quest, Pittsburgh’s Knights of the Arcade are running a live D&D comedy you get to steer. Choose the party’s path in an immersive theater, and wear chainmail or pajamas, your call. No tunnels required.

🐱 Slumber Purr-ty @ Kitty Queen Cat Rescue | Saturday (3/21) at 7:00 PM – Kitty Queen is throwing a cat-cuddle sleepover with pizza, games, crafts, and an overnight in the main cat room. Built for ages 6 to 12, your ticket covers one kid and their adult, who is also staying, because bedtime stories land better with purring.

🏒 Heated Rivalry Night: Pens vs. Canes @ PPG Paints Arena | Sunday (3/22) at 2:00 PM – Pens vs Canes with a Heated Rivalry nod, and we’re cheering the inspo in black and gold. Score premium seats, VIP Casamigos Club access, all you can eat and drink, early entry, a custom tee, and a take-home spirit sign, then yell like it’s cardio.

🐶 Hockey for Hounds @ PPG Paints Arena | Tuesday (3/24) at 7:00 PM – Hockey for Hounds is taking the ice at PPG Paints Arena as the Pens face the Avs, and five bucks from every ticket helps Paws Across Pittsburgh rescue animals. Cheer, chirp the refs, feel virtuous. It’s a night out where your loud voice saves pups.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Pittsburgh report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 40°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 9%

Partly sunny, with a high near 40. South wind 2 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind around 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 33%

A chance of rain after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

This house is wild

Built in 1892 for a distinguished Gilded Age family, this 7-bed, 3.5-bath West Shadyside estate sits on a sought-after street. Grand, open entertaining rooms radiate from an extraordinary central dining hall that anchors the first floor. A large, flat, and private fenced backyard feels estate-like. The carriage house and garage add flexibility and long-term potential.

Take a peek inside →