Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

Rep. Dan B. Frankel February 21, 2025 | 10:11 AM

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Friday, February 21, 2025

Harrisburg Happenings

Anti-Trans Bill

Many constituents have reached out to my office, alarmed by Senate Bill 213. This legislation, introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano, is an attempt to erase the identities of transgender and non-binary Pennsylvanians. In addition, it would bar state funds from supporting gender-affirming health care -- all while the author of the bill claims to "protect women."

Let me be clear: This bill is not about protecting women—it is about discrimination. I have spent my career fighting to ensure that every Pennsylvanian, regardless of race, gender, disability status, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation, is treated with dignity and respect. With Democrats having the majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, SB 213 will never be considered for a vote. House Democratic leaders know that restricting gender identity and denying accurate identification harms our communities and undermines the progress we have made toward equality in the commonwealth. We will ensure Mastriano's bill never gets passed in the House and we will fight for policies that make our commonwealth more welcoming with legislation like the Fairness Act, the Marriage Equality Act, and the Patient Trust Act.

I want to thank all concerned constituents who reached out to my office about SB 213 and all the other harmful and hateful policies that are coming out from right-wing elected officials here in Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. Please keep speaking out, sharing your stories, and pushing for our communities to embrace and protect all its residents. Your voices are heard and valued.

Reminder: Text Messages Posing as Tolls Services are Scams

My office has noticed an uptick in scam text messages posing as Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls Services, Fasttrack Lane Tolls, or other similar services requesting payment for overdue balances. This is a reminder that these are scams, and those who receive these unsolicited texts or similar messages should not click on the link.

E-ZPass account holders and Toll By Plate customers can use safe methods to check their accounts, such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app available from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.

Community Events and Resources

Saturday Group Run

Saturday, February 22, 8-11 a.m. | Schenley Oval

The City of Bridges Run Club holds regular group runs around the city. This week, they will be meeting in Schenley Park. Runners can choose groups based on distances and paces. Registration is strongly encouraged.

Learn more and register here.

High School Engineering Day

Saturday, February 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | University of Pittsburgh, Benedum Hall

The University of Pittsburgh's Society of Women Engineers is hosting an event for high school students interested in engineering. The highschoolers will hear from current students at Pitt, learn more about Pitt's different engineering clubs, participate in a fun, hands-on design challenge, and tour the school’s engineering building. There will also be an informational parent program about the transition from high school to college.

The event is free and open to all high school student and their parents.

Learn more and register here.

Essentials of Tree Grafting

Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. | Tree Pittsburgh, 32 62nd Street, 15201

Tree Pittsburgh is hosting a workshop on techniques for grafting fruit and nut trees, including pawpaws, persimmons, and chestnuts.

Learn more and register here.

Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive Open House

Saturday, February 22, 2 p.m. | Carnegie Museum of Art

Charlene Foggie-Barnett, the Charles “Teenie” Harris Community Archivist, will be available to discuss the photographs in the exhibit. Guests who recognize individuals or events in the exhibit are invited to connect with Charlene.

Admission to the open house is free with museum admission.

Learn more and get tickets here.

Strings Attached

Saturday, February 22, 7:30-9:35 p.m. | Rodef Shalom

The Pittsburgh Chamber Orchestra will perform Jonathan Blair's "Concerto for Cimbalom." The program also includes Elgar's "Elegy for Strings" and Dvorak's "Serenade for Strings."

Learn more and get tickets here.

Pittsburgh Nature Photography Meetup

Sunday, February 23, 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Frick Environmental Center

Join Pittsburgh photographer Don Orkoskey for a free nature photography meetup; all ages and skill levels are welcome.

Learn more and register here.

Genealogy Day

Sunday, February 23, 12-4 p.m. | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh- Main (Oakland)

Join genealogy societies and libraries from Western Pennsylvania for help with your research and information about their collections. The workshop is for beginners and experts alike.

No registration required, and the event is free.

Learn more here.

Between Two Worlds- Jewish Brides after the Holocaust

Monday, February 24, 6-7:15 p.m. | Cathedral of Learning, Room 501

The University of Pittsburgh Jewish Studies Program will hold the second annual Renee Sachs Memorial Lecture on Holocaust history. The lecture will feature Dr. Robin Judd, a specialist in Jewish, transnational, and gender history with particular interest in Holocaust studies and the history of migration. She will speak about her award-winning book Between Two Worlds, which tells the story of the Jewish Holocaust survivors who married North American and British military personnel.

The lecture is free and open to all. Registration is requested.

Learn more and register here.

Carnegie Mellon Chamber Series: Happening Now

Monday, February 24, 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Kresge Theatre, 5000 Forbes Ave., 15213

The Carnegie Mellon University Chamber Series brings together CMU Faculty and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra members for outstanding music-making in an intimate space.