Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

Rep. Dan B. Frankel April 17, 2025 | 11:01 AM

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Thursday, April 17, 2025

My office will be closed on Friday, April 18. It will reopen on Monday, April 21 at 9 a.m. Happy Passover and Easter to everyone celebrating!

Harrisburg Happenings

Attack on the Governor’s Residence

Early Sunday morning – just hours after Gov. Josh Shapiro celebrated the first night of Passover with his family and guests -- the Governor’s Residence was deliberately set on fire. Thankfully, no one was injured.

I am grateful to the Pennsylvania State Police who responded quickly and kept the governor’s family safe. But like so many others, I am also deeply disturbed. I’ve heard from Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth who are shaken and outraged—not just by what happened, but by what it represents.

We are in the middle of an alarming rise in political violence and antisemitic hate. Whether this attack was meant as a threat to the Jewish community, a strike against public officials, or both—it cannot be dismissed or ignored.

As we await more information on this incident, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Harrisburg to prevent violence like this from happening again in our Commonwealth.

Black Maternal Health Policy Committee Hearing

On Tuesday, I joined the House Majority Policy Committee for a hearing in Pittsburgh to address the growing crisis in maternal health care across Pennsylvania. We heard powerful testimonies from panels of experts underscoring the need for policies from Harrisburg to improve maternal health outcomes in our commonwealth. As Chair of the House Health Committee, I’m working closely with advocates to expand access to midwives, doulas, and other essential services—especially in communities of color where the need is most urgent.

Thank you to state Rep. LaTasha Mayes and the Policy Committee for putting together the hearing.

Schenley Park Visitor Center Remodel

I'm pleased to share that the Schenley Park Visitors Center has officially reopened following a major upgrade supported by funding state Sen. Costa and I helped secure. The refreshed space features new flooring, updated furniture, and a more welcoming and accessible layout. I’m proud to partner with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in making this community space even more vibrant and inclusive for all who enjoy our parks.

Community Events and Resources

Frankel & Costa Satellite Office Hours

Thursdays, 12-4 p.m. | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill

Senator Costa’s office and mine will be hosting joint satellite office hours to help with a range of services, including notary needs, help with property tax and rent rebate forms, applications for senior bus passes, and more. Please come by and say hello!

PNC Carousel Now Open

Weekends, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Schenley Plaza

The carousel in Schenley Plaza is now open on weekends through Memorial Day. Families can enjoy a day pass or purchase an early bird season pass online before May 1.

Learn more here.

WEEK OF WILL: A Shakespeare Celebration
Saturday, April 19 – Sunday, April 27 | Various Locations

Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks is hosting a week-long birthday celebration for William Shakespeare filled with free and low-cost performances, readings, and immersive outdoor experiences. The list of events includes:

April 19: Mrs. Shakespeare & Cupcakes performance and a Bard Walk at Schenley Plaza (Free)
April 22: Macbeth reading alongside the First Folio at Carnegie Mellon University (Free)
April 23: Solo show Mrs. Shakespeare: Will’s First and Last Love at Sewickley Heights History Center (Free)
April 27: Puppetry Slam: Ciphers of the Great Accompt – a unique puppetry and Shakespeare mashup (fee for general admission; free for students and artists with code)

Learn more and RSVP here.

Purrs ‘n Beers
Saturday, April 19, 3-6 p.m. | Alternate Histories, 517 Greenfield Ave., 15207

Alternate Histories, Trash Cat Rescue, and Hazel Grove Brewing will host a spring pop-up event where guests can sip locally brewed beer, meet adoptable cats, and browse a massive clearance sale featuring scratch & dent items, vintage finds, and more.

Learn more here.

Birding Pittsburgh’s Parks – Schenley Plaza
Monday, April 21, 8-9:30 a.m. | Schenley Plaza

Join Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin for a beginner-friendly birding walk through Schenley Plaza. Binoculars are available to borrow, and all experience levels are welcome. The group will meet under the large white tent.

Free.

Learn more and register here.

Monday Evening Yoga

Monday evenings, 7-8 p.m. | Wilkins School Community Center, 7604 Charleston Ave., 15218 (Room 202)

Join 3 Rivers Outdoor Company’s community yoga instructors for a weekly donation-based class at the Wilkins School Community Center. All levels are welcome to this drop-in class, designed to help you reset and reconnect for the week ahead.

Donation suggested.

Learn more here.

JFilm

Thursday, April 24 - Sunday, May 4

JFilm is Film Pittsburgh’s celebration of Jewish-themed, independent feature films from around the globe. The festival features film screenings, Q&A panels, and ‘schmooze’ events with other film enthusiast.

Learn more and get tickets here.

Bingo Night Fundraiser

Friday, April 25, 5:30-8 p.m. | Spartan Community Center, 134 E. Elizabeth St., 15207

Join the Greenfield School community for a family-friendly evening of bingo to raise funds for student field trips. Enjoy games, prizes, food, and fun.

Each packet is $15 and includes 10 sheets with three boards per sheet, plus four extra boards for special games. Additional boards will be available for purchase at the event. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn more here.

Citywide Yard Debris Collection Day

Saturday, April 26 | Curbside Pickup

Pittsburgh residents can place eligible yard debris curbside for collection. Collected materials will be turned into mulch and compost for use in city parks and public landscaping projects.

Accepted materials include leaves, grass, brush, and bundled branches under 5 feet long and 4 inches in diameter. Yard debris must be placed in brown paper bags weighing no more than 35 pounds. Bundles should be tied with natural twine.

Plastic bags, rocks, dirt, and other non-organic material will not be collected.

Learn more here.

Voting Resources

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, is Primary Election Day.

Satellite Offices

Allegheny County will be opening Satellite Offices throughout the County. At these offices voters will be able to register to vote, request a mail-in ballot and immediately complete it -- all in one trip .

The offices will be open Saturday & Sunday, May 10 & 11, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Community College of Allegheny County-Homewood

Address: 701 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh, 15208

North Park Ice Rink

Address: 1200 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford, 15090

South Park Ice Rink

Address: 30 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park, 15102

County Office Building

542 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, 15219

Ballot Return Sites

Allegheny County will be opening Ballot Return Sites were mail-in ballots can be return. Voters can return their ballots between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 16 through May 19.

911 Center

Address: 150 Hookstown Grade Road, Coraopolis, 15108

Boyce Park Four Seasons Lodge

Adress: 901 Centerview Drive, Plum 15239

Carnegie Public Library–Squirrel Hill

Address: 5801 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15217

North Park Ice Rink

Address: 1200 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford 15090

South Park Ice Rink

Address: 30 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park 15102

Dormont Pool

Address:1801 Dormont Ave., Pittsburgh 15216

Community College of Allegheny County-Homewood

Address: 701 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh 15208

Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank

Address:1 N. Linden St., Duquesne 15110

Avalon Public Library

Address: 317 S. Home Ave., Pittsburgh 15202

County Office Building

542 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15219

Check Your Voter Registration Online

The Pennsylvania Department of State has an online portal that provides voters’ Election Day polling places, the status of mail-in or absentee ballots, and resources to connect with the County Board of Elections if there are any issues.

Update Your Voter Registration or Register to Vote

The application must be turned in by May 5, to vote in the 2025 Primary Election.

Voting with a Criminal Conviction in Pennsylvania

Individuals with criminal convictions are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania. You are allowed to vote if you are in jail or prison with a misdemeanor conviction, under house arrest, on probation or parole, in a halfway house or community corrections center, or being held in jail while waiting for trial. Some of these voters will require an absentee ballot.

If you are already registered to vote, you do not need to do anything to regain your voting rights after you have served your sentence for a felony conviction.

Learn more about voting in Pennsylvania with a criminal conviction here.

Registering to Vote before an 18th Birthday

Pennsylvanians turning 18 by the next election (May 20) can register to vote before their 18th birthday and vote in the election.

Voting as a College Student

College students can vote in the community they are attending college or at their prior home address, provided a family member or guardian still resides there.

A student can register to vote at their home address and order a mail-in/absentee ballot to their school address. The voter’s mailing address does not have to be the same as the home address.

Mail-in or Absentee Ballots

Applications for mail-in or absentee ballots must be turned in by May 13.

Accessible Voting for Citizens with a Disability

Every polling place in Pennsylvania must have at least one accessible voting system. You can view and learn how to operate Allegheny County’s accessibility voting system on Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.

Not every polling place in Allegheny County is accessible for those with mobility issues. You can check if your polling place is accessible before Election Day.

If you have a permanent disability, you can apply to be added to the permanent absentee voter list by submitting an absentee ballot application. If your application is accepted, you will receive absentee ballots for the elections that take place during the rest of the year. You will also receive an annual absentee ballot application every year that you are on the list.