Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

Rep. Dan B. Frankel February 27, 2026 | 2:32 PM

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Friday, February 27, 2026

After completing training for my new employees, my office is once again are able to offer free notary service for state related documents. Rent certificates, apostilles, and high dollar unclaimed property forms are just a few of the documents that my staff is able to notarize. For more information, you can call us 412-422-1174 or schedule a meeting on my website.

Harrisburg Happenings

AI in Healthcare Hearing

On Tuesday, I convened a joint hearing to begin a focused discussion on artificial intelligence and its growing use in health care settings.

I feel strongly that the regulation of AI in healthcare would be best managed by Washington, but we cannot afford to wait for federal action. AI is already here, and it is changing the care we receive and the experience of our healthcare workforce.

Our expert testifiers helped frame the key questions before us: how to evaluate these rapidly developing tools and how to establish guardrails that ensure they serve patients, caregivers, providers, and payers responsibly.

Although we had originally planned to hold this meeting alongside this week’s budget hearings, weather concerns required us to shift to a fully virtual format and to postpone the second panel until March 24.

Community Events and Resources

Dream Sequence: Exhibition & Opening Reception

Friday, Feb. 27, 5-7 p.m. | SPACE Gallery, 812 Liberty Ave

The CMU School of Art’s MFA program presents its first- and second-year student exhibition, exploring the associative and often unpredictable logic of dreams.

Free event, no registration required. Learn more here.

JCC Blood Drive

Sunday, March 1, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | JCC Squirrel Hill

Give blood in your neighborhood to help accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, those battling cancer, and more. Appointments are encouraged.

Learn more and register here.

Library Book Sale

Sunday, March 1, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Carnegie Library Oakland

Attend the library’s annual book sale to purchase new and gently used books for all ages. Please bring your own bag. All proceeds benefit the PGH Book Fest.

Learn more here.

PA Unplugged School Technology Survey
Available Now | Online

PA Unplugged is inviting parents and caregivers to share their perspectives on technology and screen time in schools. Responses will inform a public dashboard comparing feedback across school districts statewide.
The survey takes about five minutes to complete.

Take the survey here.

Frontline DIGNITY Fundraiser and Info Session
Friday, Feb. 27, 7–9 p.m. | Creative Chem Co., 4618 Friendship Ave.

Learn how to participate in Rapid Response efforts, understand your rights, and support local families impacted by immigration enforcement while engaging in hands-on craft activities.

A portion of evening sales and art purchases will benefit Frontline DIGNITY. Opportunities for direct donations will be available on site.

Learn more here.

Pittsburgh Polar Plunge
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, 9–11:30 a.m. | Acrisure Stadium

Join thousands of participants for this winter fundraiser featuring food, music, games, and the annual plunge into icy waters. Proceeds support vital programming for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.

Learn more, register and donate here.

Tree Protection Prep
Tuesday, March 3, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Tree Pittsburgh, 32 62nd St.

Join the Tree Adoption Team to cut and bundle tree protection for trees being adopted this spring. Volunteers will help prepare materials that support healthy, thriving trees throughout the community.

Learn more and register here.

Reshaping Government: Possibilities & Perils

Tuesday, March 3, 4–5 p.m. | University Club

Join Pitt’s Institute of Politics and Dick Thornburgh Forum for “The Firings of Inspectors General, the Demise of Independent and Nonpartisan Government Oversight, and the Unprecedented Attacks on the Federal Workforce.” This conversation features former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Michael Missal and Pitt Chancellor Emeritus Mark Nordenburg.

Free event. Learn more and register here.

Karavansarai Benefit Party for Casa San José

Saturday, Feb. 28, 4–6 p.m. | Exact location shared upon RSVP (City of Pittsburgh)

Join Casa San José for a presentation, moderated conversation and Q&A, and fundraiser to support their work. Learn about CSJ’s ongoing projects supporting Pittsburgh’s Latino and immigrant communities. RSVP required.

Free event; donation suggested. Learn more and RSVP here.

WQED 2026 Writers Contest
Deadline: March 31 | Open to students in grades K–5

WQED’s annual Writers Contest invites young authors to submit original stories and illustrations, with no required theme. Now in its 17th year, the program encourages literacy and creativity and has engaged more than 16,000 local students.

Free to enter. All submissions will be returned at no cost.

Check out previous contest winning entries, review the rules and access additional resources here.