Tag Archives: Events

Paddle Without Pollution: Nominated for Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s ‘Paddle With Purpose’ award

Local non-profit (and I heart PGH favorite!) Paddle Without Pollution is up for an award celebrating the best philanthropic effort involving paddlesports. You can vote for the best “Paddle With Purpose” contender, plus those in other categories, until this Sunday, June 30, by visiting the Canoe & Kayak Magazine awards page.

The group was nominated by their fellow paddlers and peers and winners are honored at the annual ceremony, held this year on August 1 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Paddle Without Pollution gets canoeists, kayakers, and paddle boarders together to clean the rivers, streams, wetlands, and lakes of Pennsylvania. In 2012, they removed 15.3 TONS of litter from waterways during 13 cleanup events.

They also provide a watershed/paddling education program for inner city youth that teaches paddling skills, ecology, and proper nutrition, as well as other pollution prevention and education programs.

View their upcoming cleanup schedule and register to help clean up local watersheds! And don’t worry if you don’t have your own kayak or canoe, a few are available to borrow from their own fleet for those who sign up early enough. You can also donate money to their cause on their website, via PayPal.

Stay up-to-date on upcoming events and see photos from past ones, plus other news and happenings, by liking their Facebook page.

Click here to vote!

Guide to Pittsburgh public pools: hours, cost, locations, rules

UPDATE 6/2019 – Please visit Very Local Pittsburgh for an updated pool guide for 2019.

Image courtesy of Citiparks.

Image courtesy of Citiparks.

All 18 Pittsburgh city pools are officially open for the summer, until September 2! Check the Citiparks website to make sure your local pool is open for the day.

While none of the locations provide refreshments, guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks (no alcohol).

Don’t forget to check out the water carnivals, hosted by a different pool every few days in July. Basically an open pool party for the neighborhood, the carnivals feature unique themes, fun games, raffle prizes, and free food and drinks (normal admission prices apply).

Hours

Mondays – Fridays, 1:00- 7:45 p.m
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays, 1:00- 5:45 p.m.

Adult Lap Swim:
For individuals 16 years old and older.

Mondays – Fridays, 5-6 p.m.
Every pool

Mondays – Fridays, Noon – 1 p.m.
Highland, Moore, Schenley and Sue Murray

Saturdays – Sundays, Noon – 1 p.m.
Bloomfield, Highland, Jack Stack, Magee, Moore, Ormsby, Phillips, Ream, Riverview, Schenley, Sue Murray, West Penn and Westwood

Family swim:
Any individual under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older.

Monday- Friday 5pm-close
Every pool

Cost
Payable by cash, check, or money order only.

Year-long pool passes
Year-long (June-June) pool passes can be purchased at outdoor pools (except Ammon) during operating hours, or at the Citiparks Office on the fourth floor of the City-County building (414 Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh).

City of Pittsburgh residents (proof required)

  • Family of four: $60; each additional family member: $10
  • Adult (16 years old and older): $30
  • Youth (3-15 years old): $15
  • Kids (2 and under): free

Free pool tags are available for City residents who are disabled veterans, plus families of active duty military and activated reservist/guard members. Proper ID is required.

City of Pittsburgh residents who receive welfare benefits can buy tags at a 50% discount. A case print-out and proof of identity are required to receive the discount.

Non-City of Pittsburgh residents

  • Adult or youth: $45

Daily pool pass

  • Adult (16 years old and older): $4
  • Youth (3-15 years old): $3

Locations

 [cetsEmbedGmap src=https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=203916488985198549708.0004892c3ba6bd1ec9f3a&msa=0&ll=40.443289,-79.962959&spn=0.128813,0.308647 width=500 height=425 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no]

East/Central

Ammon (Hill District)
2217 Bedford Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-255-2627

One of the biggest pools in Pittsburgh, they get a lot of camps during the day but quiet down after about 4pm.
Water carnival: July 23

Bloomfield
408 Ella Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-622-6956

Water carnival: July 9

Highland Park -good for families -one of biggest
151 Lake Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-665-3637

With a kiddie pool and a mushroom spray fountain, plus handicap accesible features, this pool is great for families. It’s also one of the biggest and busiest in Pittsburgh and has sand volleyball courts
Water carnival: July 13

Homewood
540 N. Lang Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
412-244-4186

Another pool that gets a good amount of camps during the day but is very quiet in the evenings.
Water carnival: July 2

Magee (Greenfield)
745 Greenfield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-4265

Known for having one of the best swim teams in the program, this pool next to the recreation center gets decent crowds.
Water carnival: July 9

Schenley Park
1 Overlook Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-422-4266

One of busiest, this pool is favored by the college-aged and young adult crowd, with not a lot of kids swimming here. It is a walk-in pool though, which is great for kids and new/apprehensive swimmers.
Water carnival: July 13

West Penn (Polish Hill)
450 30th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-622-6908

Water carnival: July 20

North

Jack Stack (Brighton Heights)
600 Brighton Woods Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-766-4577

This newer walk-in pool (great for kids and different swim levels) also has a smaller kiddie pool.
Water carnival: July 4

Riverview (Perry North)
400 Riverview Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
412-323-7223

Water carnival: August 6

Sue Murray (North Side)
301 Cedar Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-323-7914

Although it gets busy with camps during the day, this walk-in pool with slides is much more quiet in the evenings. It’s also handicap accessible with a lift chair.
Water carnival: July 6

South/West

Banksville
1461 Crane Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
412-571-3231

A great (yet quiet) pool for families, this facility has a kiddie pool and fountain, baseball fields, playgrounds, an attached pavilion available for rent, and a brand new deck hockey rink sponsored by the Penguins.
Water carnival: July 11

McBride (Lincoln Place) – good for families
1785 McBride Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15207
412-476-1311

This pool is handicap accessible.
Water carnival: July 23

Moore (Brookline)
1801 Pioneer Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15226
412-571-3223

A big, popular walk-in pool, there’s slides onsite and a large shallow area that’s good for kids.
Water carnival: July 16

Ormsby (South Side)
79 S. 22nd Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-8377

This pool gets crowded with a wide variety of people, from teens to families to random passersby, and is right on the busline.
Water carnival: July 27

Phillips (Carrick) -good for families
201 Parkfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
412-885-7498

This quiet, mostly neighborhood pool has a spray pad for kids not quite ready for the actual pools, making it great for families with young kids. There’s also an attached rec center.
Water carnival: July 6

Ream (Mt. Washington)
321 Merrimac Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
412-488-8312

Right on the busline, this pool has a lot of programs and a playground.
Water carnival: July 20

Sheraden
1071 Adon Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15204
412-777-5011

Water carnival: July 25

Westwood
100 Guyland Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
412-937-3061

Water carnival: July 16

Rules

The pool promotes a family-friendly environment at all times.

  • Pool tags must be worn at all times.
  • Swim suits are required for the pool and deck area.
  • Patrons must shower before entering the pool.
  • No running, dunking, horseplay or profanity.
  • No diving on the shallow side of safety line.
  • Smoking is prohibited inside the facility, including e-cigarettes.
  • Food and drink are permitted only in designated area.
  • Swimmers under six years of age must be accompanied by an adult 16 years or older.
  • The Head Lifeguard must approve all flotation devices. Inflatable flotation devices are prohibited.
  • Lounge chairs & strollers must be kept at a minimum distance of ten feet from poolside.
  • Patrons with medical conditions should inform the Lifeguards.
  • Citiparks is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property.
  • Complaints – see the Head Lifeguard for procedures.
  • Lifeguards are responsible for your safety, so please follow the rules.
  • Violations of above rules may result in disciplinary action up to and including loss of pool privileges.

Click the links for more information about the four spray parks the city operates, swim lessons, and other swimming programs.

Got information to add? Dying to know an answer to a question about the pools? Facebook us, send us a tweet, or leave a comment below. You can contact the city pools directly here: http://pittsburghpa.gov/city-info/swimming-pools.html

Guide to unique, interesting, and fun classes and workshops in Pittsburgh

School may be out for the summer but there’s still plenty of opportunity to get your learn on. From day-long workshops to weekly evening classes, there’s tons of chances to try something new or pick up long-forgotten hobbies once again.

Knitting/crocheting

Whether you’re picking up a pair of needles for the first time, looking to perfect your purling skills, or ready to make the perfect pair of socks, a knitting or crochet class is a great opportunity to pull out the yarn and needles. The following locations offer a variety of classes for all skill levels.

Dyed in the Wool
3458 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh,  PA 15237
(412) 364-0310

Yarns Be Design
622 Allegheny River Boulevard
Oakmont, PA 15139
(412) 794-8332

Natural Stitches
6401 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 441-4410

Knit One
2721 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA, 15217
(412) 421-6666

Wine and Whiskey

Dreadnought Wines in the Strip District has a variety of classes for different levels of expertise, including both Wine and Spirit Education Trust Certifications and more casual tastings.
2013 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(800) 565 2816

Wigle Whiskey, one of the Strip’s newest establishments, distills their own whiskey and gin onsite in traditional copper pots and using local ingredients. They offer tours on Saturdays, plus have events like labeling parties and the annual tar and feather celebration.
2401 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 224-2827

Arts, Crafts, and Tech

The Society for Contemporary Craft holds day-long and evening workshops using all kinds of crafts and materials: fiber, wood, book arts and paper, metal, and mixed media.
2100 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 261-7003

Union Project is a neighborhood space for people to come together and connect, create, and celebrate. They currently offer ceramics classes, Zumba, salsa, yoga, and hula hoop lessons.
801 N Negley Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 363-4550

Cut and Sew Studio offers a social sewing environment, with all tools and materials available, for people looking to learn how to sew, wanting to get better at it, or working on specific or independent projects.
5901 Bryant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 865- 6565

Saxifrage, described as a higher education nomadic campus, offers classes in woodworking, computer programming, organic agriculture, graphic and user-centered design, map and geographic information systems, and carpentry.

TechShop is a community-based workshopping space for people who want access to industrial tools and equipment. Classes are offered in a wide range of industry, such as woodshop, metal work, silk screening, welding, embroidery, computer design, 3D printing, and much more.
192 Bakery Square Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 345-7182

Improv/Comedy

Steel City Improv has multi-level 8-week classes for both budding and more experienced comedians to hone their craft. Students have the opportunity to perform on stage, plus the chance to audition for the house teams and/or form independent groups.
5950 Ellsworth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
404-2695

Improv Academy also offers weekly classes, as well as private sessions for actors or writers, film, television, on-set work with production companies, and improv troupes.
109 Market Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 407-3319

Arcade Comedy Theater explores the many different forms and type of improvisational and standup comedy through various weekly classes, including some aimed towards kids and teens. They also host monthly workshops taught by visiting and local professionals.
811 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh PA, 15222
(412) 339-0608

The University of Funny has a comedy 101 class to teach adults the basics of comedy. Mic technique, confidence in front of crowds, and the art of standup are all explored to find your inner funny.
(412) 573-9444

Miscellaneous

Free Ride in Point Breeze isn’t so much a bike repair shop as it is a bike education facility. The idea is that you volunteer your time, paired with a willingness to learn, and the staff at Free Ride teaches you how to build, and repair, your own bike. They have a variety of earn-a bike programs for both adults and children, as well as individual classes throughout the week.
Construction Junction
214 N. Lexington Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
(412) 254-3774

The Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park offers tours Thursday and Friday nights in the warmer months. Tours start with a short presentation, followed by a walking tour of the building, and then end at the 13-inch Fitz-Clark refractor telescope. Public lectures are also offered every month.
159 Riverview Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15214
(412) 321-2400

While not necessarily a class or workshop, we’d be remiss to not mention Trundle Manor in a list of unique learning opportunities in Pittsburgh. Billed as “the most unusual tourist trap in the world meets the most bizarre private collection on public display,” you can tour (by appointment only) the manor’s antique taxidermy, old world charm, sadistic medical devices, coffins and coffin like items, Steampunk influenced creations, cryptozoology, and much more.
7724 Juniata Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
(412) 916-5544

Of course, all locations of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh have a plethora of classes, events, and workshops, from knitting book clubs and video game gatherings to language clubs and computer classes.

What cool classes and workshops did we miss? Leave us a message on Facebook, send us a tweet, or email Catherine@iheartpgh.com. And keep a look out for our posts on cooking/dining classes in the ‘Burgh and free/pay-what-you-can yoga!

16 Awesome Events in April

April showers (snow or rain) will eventually bring May flowers.  While we are waiting for those flowers to sprout, there are a whole lot of events happening in Pittsburgh this month.  From StartUp Weekend to the Dirty Ball – there is plenty to do in Pittsburgh this month.

votePGH events : May 21st is Election Day in the city of Pittsburgh.  Voters will head to the polls to choose the next mayor.  There are lots of events where you can meet the candidates and learn more about their visions for the city of Pittsburgh.  We’ve included some of the mayoral forums below.  If you know of other candidate events  – please let us know in the comments.

Just a reminder – anyone can submit events to the IheartPGH events calendar.  Click here to submit an event.

1. Friday
April 5, 2013
Outside the Box

Location: Union Project

  • Annual fundrasier for Future Tenant Art Gallery

 
2. Friday
April 5, 2013
INCH BY INCH, BLOCK BY BLOCK – A 1″ Button Art Show Opening

Location: Roboto Project

  • Over 250 pins will be on display
  • There will be a new slate of ROBOTO pins and new custom pins from (at least) five local artists including Max Traffic, Mike Q Roth, Jes LaVecchia, Andy Scott and Dave Scheponik.
3. Friday-Sunday
April 5-7, 2013
StartUp Weekend Pittsburgh

Location: East Liberty Presbyterian Social Hall & ShiftPgh (111 North Whitfield Street)

  • Weekend event where teams create a business in 48 hours
4. Saturday
April 6, 2013
ReWork’s Scrimmage in the Rustbelt

Location: Thrill Mill

  • The Scrimmage in the Rustbelt is about supporting and accelerating businesses based in the Rustbelt region that are striving to improve our community and environment. Learn Google’s method for rapid prototyping through an interactive day of problem solving with the region’s top entrepreneurs and business leaders.
5. Saturday – Sunday
April 6 & 7, 2013
Banff Mountain Film Festival

Location: Byham Theater, 101 6th treet, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

  • The Banff Film Festival tours the world and stops in Pittsburgh each spring
  • Benefits Venture Outdoors
  • Tickets are available here
6. Sunday
April 7, 2013
Soup N’At

Location: Union Project 801 N. Negley Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206

  • For a $10 donation, SOUP N’AT attendees receive a tasty meal and a ballot. All proceeds are pooled into a cash award. Artists present their ideas, and attendees cast their votes to determine which proposal will receive funding. The winning proposal is announced at the conclusion of the evening.
7. Tuesday
April 9, 2013
Social Entrepreneurs’ Meetup Featuring GTECH: How Hard is Creating a Green Job?

Location: Revv Oakland

  • Andrew Butcher, Executive Director of GTECH (Growth Through Energy & Community Health) which works in Larimer, the North Side, and all around Pittsburgh, doing land reclamation will speak at this monthly meetup.
8. Friday
April 12, 2013
PULSEations 2013

Location: Union Projct

  • Fundraiser for PULSE – a nonprofit that recruits college graduates to Pittsburgh and partners young leaders with Pittsburgh non-profit organizations.
  • Facebook Event Link
9. Thursday
April 11, 2013
votePGH – Community & Economic Development Mayoral Candidates Forum
  • hosted by Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group
  • Union Project
  • Please RSVP to csandvig@pcrg.org by April 5, 2013
10. SundayApril 14, 2013
Having Our SAY and Eating It Too: Indie Publishing Panel
  • This is a panel discussion on the possibilities of indie publishing in the age of Amazon. Two touring NYC writer/publishers will be on the panel, along with three Pittsburgh small press folks.
  • East End Book Exchange

East End Book Exchange
11. MondayApril 15, 2013
Propelle Presents: So You Want to Open a Storefront

Location: Shining Light Prenatal Education, Butler Street

  • Panel discussion hosted by the Women’s networking group Propelle
  • Panelists include female business owners from all over Pittsburgh
  • Tickets are limited
  • Facebook Event
12. Thursday
April 18, 2013
votePGH – Candidate’s Forum on Women in Western Pennsylvania

Location: Welker Room, James Laughlin Music Hall, Chatham University

  • Join Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates & PAC and candidates for the Pittsburgh Mayoral race and City Council candidates for an in depth conversation about the status of women in Pittsburgh and their plans to support and improve issues that affect women in our community
13. Wednesday
April 24, 2013
votePGH – Candidates Forum on Greenspace Issues

Location: Heinz History Center
14. Wednesday
April 24, 2013
The 2013 Beer vs. Cocktails Dinner

Location: East End Brewing, 147 Julius St.,Pittsburgh, PA 15206

  • 5 course dinner with beer and cocktails at the brewery
  • This is just one of the MANY events for Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week (check out the entire Craft Beer Week schedule here).
15. Saturday
April 27, 2013
The Dirty Ball

Location: The Clock Building, 2010 Mary Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
16. Saturday & Sunday
April 27 & 28, 2013
Art All Night 16

Location: Warehouse at 40th and Willow Streets, Lawrenceville

  • 16th Annual 24-hour art show
  • Anyone can submit art for the show

 

Don’t Miss the Pgh Vintage Mixer – A Vintage Fair on Sunday, July 29, 2012

Here is why Pittsburgh is great – a lot of people – who love neat, old, awesome things – have been working very hard to organize an awesome day dedicated to all things vintage in Pittsburgh.  Meet the Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer.

Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer
Sunday, July 29, 2012
9am-3pm
New Hazlett Theater
Facebook Event Link 

Brought to you by the folks that run the amazing online vintage shop – with the appropriate Western, PA name – Red Pop Shop!  This will be a day full of vintage shopping from awesome vendors – see below, tasty food and excellent music.

While I can’t promise all of these will be available on Sunday, here are some items that are available from the Pgh Vintage Mixer vendors online.  A complete list of vendors is available here.

http://storify.com/iheartpgh/things-you-might-find-at-the-pgh-vintage-mixer