Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

Rep. Dan B. Frankel July 11, 2025 | 10:07 AM

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Friday, July 11, 2025

Harrisburg Happenings

UPMC Must Respect Nurses’ Right to Unionize

I joined Rep. Aerion Abney and the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation in raising serious concerns about UPMC’s efforts to block a union election for nurses at Magee-Womens Hospital.

Members of the Allegheny County Delegation invited UPMC on July 2 to meet with us and address these issues, but the hospital giant has yet to acknowledge that request. Like so many of you, I will continue to stand with nurses and insist on a fair election.

House Dems Block Anti-Trans Bill

House Democrats blocked a harmful procedural effort to fast-track Senate Bill 9, which would ban transgender girls from participating in school sports. Let’s be clear: this bill isn’t about fairness in women’s sports. It’s about using state power to bully kids who are already vulnerable. I will always stand against efforts to target LGBTQ+ youth and weaponize misinformation for political gain. Pennsylvania should be a place where all children are safe, valued, and free to be themselves.

House Passes Bill to Join Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

The House passed legislation unanimously to authorize Pennsylvania to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. This compact helps address the shortage of audiologists and speech-language pathologists by allowing licensed professionals in member states to practice across state lines more easily. Joining would improve access to vital hearing and speech services for Pennsylvanians of all ages. With 34 states already members—including Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia—this bill would make it simpler for practitioners to serve patients in Pennsylvania and for Pennsylvanians to receive care from neighboring states. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Community Events and Resources

Summer Meals at the Library
Monday–Friday, June 18 to August 15 | Various CLP Locations

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is providing free meals and snacks for youth ages 18 and under (and up to 21 with disabilities) through the Summer Food Service Program. Meals are available at select library branches while supplies last.

Offered in partnership with Pittsburgh CitiParks and the USDA.

Find locations and times here.

Movie Night on the Lawn: Cool Runnings

Today, July 11, 6:30–10:00 PM | Hazelwood Green Plaza

Hazelwood Local and Row House Cinema invite the community to enjoy an outdoor screening of the 1993 film Cool Runnings (PG). The event includes free popcorn (while supplies last), face painting, and pre-show activities. Gates open at 6:30 PM and the movie begins at 7:30 PM Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs.

Free and open to all ages. Free lot and street parking available.

Learn more here.

Picklesburgh

Today-Sunday, July 11- July 13 | Market Square, PPG Plaza, and around and on the 6th & 7th Street Bridges

Pittsburgh’s annual pickle festival returns to downtown Pittsburgh for a three-day event dedicated to pickle-themed food, drinks, crafts, pickle-themed merchandise, contests, and live music all in Downtown Pittsburgh, showcasing Pittsburgh’s pickled history and culinary ingenuity. The festival is free and open to everyone.

Learn more here.

Yoga at Bakery Square

Saturday, July 12, 10:30–11:30 AM | Bakery Square

A free outdoor yoga session led by instructor Cara Bessko. Please bring your own mat and water. In case of bad weather, the event will move indoors to The Portal. Registration is required.

Public Day at Pittsburgh Public Theater

Saturday, July 12, 1:00 PM | O’Reilly Theater

Pittsburgh Public Theater invites everyone to its third annual Public Day—a free, family-friendly summer celebration featuring music, dancing, creative activities, and more. Enjoy live entertainment including DJ sets, salsa and line dancing, and jump rope demonstrations. Explore special exhibitions, get a henna design or face painting, and try your hand at candle making.

Free and open to all.

Learn more here.

Cinema in the Park

Sunday & Wednesday, July 13 & 16, dusk (roughly 8:50 PM)

The city of Pittsburgh hosts free movie nights. Participants are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets to make themselves comfortable on the lawn. The movies will begin at dusk throughout the summer, so start times will vary slightly from day to day.

Sunday, July 13—Schenley Plaza—Moana 2 (PG)

Wednesday, July 16 —Flagstaff Hill —Argylle (PG-13)

Learn more here.

Restorative Yoga at Frick Environmental Center

Sunday, July 13, 2:00–3:00 PM | Frick Environmental Center

This restorative yoga session is open to all experience levels and includes deep breathing, gentle poses, and extended holds for relaxation. Essential oils will be used in the space, and participants will receive an oil-infused sachet to enhance the experience. Modifications are available for all skill levels.

Minimum $5 donation; suggested donation $11.

Learn more here.

Walnut Street Invitational Car Show

Monday, July 14, 5:00–9:00 PM | Walnut Street, Shadyside

This annual invitation-only car show transforms Walnut Street into a display of 135 rare, classic, and exotic cars. A preview of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, the event showcases some of the most unique vehicles in the region.

Free and open to the public to attend.

Learn more here.

Zone 4 Public Safety Council

Thursday, July 17, 6:30 PM | JCC

The Zone 4 Public Safety Council is a monthly meeting where neighbors, police, and businesses meet to discuss the community's safety. Pittsburgh City Controller Rachel Heisler will be there this week to discuss how the city’s public safety money is spent.

Learn more here.

Revolving Doors Exhibit

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays, at 12PM, 1PM, and 2PM, until December 2025 | Chatham University’s Jennie King Mellon Library

Revolving Doors is an exhibit from the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh that explores Jewish cultural life, the enduring threat of antisemitism, and the legacy of the Holocaust—including artistic responses to the 2018 Tree of Life attack. Inspired by Man Ray’s 1916–1917 collage series, the exhibit invites visitors to consider how history repeats—and how we can break harmful cycles.

Tickets are free but must be reserved 24 hours in advance.

Reserve tickets here.

Northside Music Festival

Friday–Sunday, July 18–20 | Historic Deutschtown, Northside

The Northside Music Festival is three days of live music, food trucks, art vendors, and family-friendly activities. The festival features a wide range of musical genres, local and national performers while celebrating Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhoods.

Free and open to all.

Learn more here.

Repairing Together: Collective Healing & Resilience

Wednesday, July 23, 6:15–8:30 PM | Anathan, 1620 Murray Ave

Hosted by NCJW Pittsburgh, this free community gathering offers space for healing and connection through a shared meal, collective care practices, and a guest speaker from CONVERGE Pittsburgh. The event is designed to support resilience and strengthen movements for justice. Childcare will be available with limited capacity.

Free and open to the public.

RAD Pass Reminder

The Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) has brought back RAD Summer Staycation free-admission program for a second year. Allegheny County residents can use their library card at RADpass.org to reserve reduced cost or free tickets to museums and attractions that typically charge admission.

New offers are added regularly—especially on Mondays and Tuesdays—and passes are available through August 2025. Be sure to read offer details carefully, as some include 2- or 4-pack admissions.