Community Corner
Airport Confiscated Gun Problem + Holiday Pop-Up Bars + Free Admission
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Pittsburgh.
Hello all- Happy DECEMBER!
I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Pittsburgh Daily. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's happening around town, including updates on:
- Pedestrian, traffic safety improvements planned on Strip District's Liberty Avenue
- Pittsburgh Airport confiscated gun numbers still problematic
- Holiday popup bars in Pittsburgh offer full-on explosions of holiday spirit
Let's go!
Breezy and colder. High: 37 Low: 25.
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Here are the top stories today in Pittsburgh:
1) Internet scams throughout the year have cost western Pennsylvania residents nearly $1M this year, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. That amount already has surpassed the amount of $848,000 that residents in the region lost in all of 2021. With Internet shopping on the rise as Christmas approaches, bureau officials are warning people to be on the lookout for potential scams. The two most prevalent of these holiday scams are non-delivery and non-payment crimes. In a non-delivery scam, a buyer pays for goods or services they find online, but those items are never received. Conversely, a non-payment scam involves goods or services being shipped, but the seller is never paid. For FBI information on how to avoid scammers, click here.
2) A portion of Liberty Avenue running through Pittsburgh's Strip District will see major pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, according to city officials. Councilwoman Deb Gross the city will partner with PennDOT on the nearly $1 million project. The stretch of Liberty Avenue was "one of our highest corridors of safety concern in the city," said Kim Lucas, director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. There were 93 reported crashes in that stretch of Liberty from 2017-2019, according to information posted on the city's EngagePGH site. The intersection of Liberty Avenue and 16th Street was the most frequent crash site, with 26 wrecks reported. Planned safety updates include traffic signal replacements at the intersections of Liberty Avenue and 16th, 21st, 25th, 26th, 28th and 31st streets, as well as a new signal at the intersection of 27th Street. Timing updates are slated for traffic signals at several intersections. The project also calls for widened sidewalks at bus stops, additional bus shelters and improved lane widths.
(TribLIVE)
3) With air travel on the rise for the holiday season, Transportation Security Administration officers at Pittsburgh International Airport are reminding travelers not to put firearms in their carry-on baggage. TSA officers at the airport have detected 24 guns in carry-on luggage thus far this year; 91 percent of them have been loaded. All of the firearms were discovered during routine screenings of carry-on items at the airport checkpoint. This is the highest number of confiscated firearms in the last 6 years. In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face federal civil penalties of as much as $14,000 for bringing guns to the security checkpoint. TSA evaluates each gun incident on a case-by-case basis. "The most common excuse we hear is that someone claims that they forgot that they had their loaded gun with them," said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA Federal Security Director for the airport.
4) Multiple 'pop-up' holiday bars in Pittsburgh are serving up holiday spirit to visitors. Barcadia, the gaming-centric spot that opened in Market Square in March, has embraced "Christmas Vacation" in a major way. Cousin Eddie's Christmas Bar, decidedly DIY, has taken over the second-floor bar, and just taking the staircase up is a charming experience, with the walls completely covered with holiday wrapping paper. The Industrialist Hotel is serving up a tastefully cozy Winter Wonderland in its lounge. Sit at the bar or in one of several nooks, and bask in the sophistication of soft white lights, strung from the ceiling and on numerous trees. Miracle downtown is all about drinks this year, though there is a party space you can reserve, with catering provided by The Warren. Known for its fun glassware, Miracle is again serving its cocktails — 11 total, plus a couple of shots — in holiday-ready containers, including a Hot Buttered Rum in a Santa mug and Christmapolitan (vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce and more) in snowflake-embossed stemware. And, the reopening of Butcher & Rye starting Dec. 2 and "all winter long," will become a space will channel a hygge ski lodge vibe, with the addition of couches and accouterments such as snowshoes and pine trees. Finally, The Tipsy Elf pop-up, inside Hough's Taproom & Brewpub, offers 90-minute sessions. You're greeted with a cocktail (nonalcoholic options are available), then ushered into the holiday extravaganza – with Santa and elves, of course.
5) This holiday seasons, teens can check out the exhibits at local organizations for free. The Smithsonian's home in Pittsburgh is offering free admission for ages 17 and under now through Jan. 8. The policy will be enforced at the Senator John Heinz History Center, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, and the Fort Pitt Museum. Some events of interest related to the holidays include: Santa will visit the History Center! Old St. Nick will appear from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 10th and 17th. On Christmas Eve (Saturday, Dec. 24), Santa will appear from 10 a.m. to noon. The History Center will showcase artifacts and images throughout its first-floor Great Hall that will explore how Western Pennsylvanians have celebrated major winter holidays, including Christmas, Chanukah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa, through the years. Visitors can also explore memorable objects from Kaufmann's Santaland, including Santa's original chair and giant Mr. and Mrs. Claus ornaments, and see the mailbox where thousands of Pittsburgh children mailed their Christmas wish lists to the North Pole. Plus, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum has added rare artifacts and historic images to its Super Steelers exhibition that examine the life and career of Franco Harris.
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Today in Pittsburgh:
- Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh (5:30 PM)
- Dementia & the Holidays - Northland Public Library (6:00 PM)
- HS- 7pm Jazz Concert - Plum Borough SD (7:00 PM)
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Vegas Golden Knights (7:00 PM)
From my notebook:
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: "Waddling back into weather-permitting weekends this December is Penguins on Parade! Join us outside the PPG Aquarium on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. to see our penguins explore. View this weekend's parade status ➡️ http://bit.ly/3..." (Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium via Facebook)
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History: "The days are darker, but Dippy is glowing! He'll be lit up through December 17th as part of Oakland's winter festival, Glowland. https://fal.cn/3u3La" (Carnegie Museum of Natural History via Facebook)
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Police: "Pittsburgh Police are asking for the public's help to identify the male in these photos. He is a suspect in at least four business burglaries and about half a dozen vehicle break-ins Downtown over the past couple of weeks." (Pittsburgh Bureau of Police via Facebook)
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: "Light up your evening with the wonder and whimsy of this year's Winter Light Garden! Join us for a night of spectacular lights in countless colors and vivid shades that are sure to leave guests of all ages in awe. Learn more here: https:..." (Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
- The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: "🚨 GIVEAWAY ALERT 🚨 John Mellencamp comes to Pittsburgh for two nights next May. Enter now and you could win tickets to one of the shows — we're giving away two pairs! ENTER NOW ➡️ https://bit.ly/3VatvQ5" (The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust via Facebook)
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Events:
- Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Rodef Shalom Congregation (December 8)
- North Hills Cares Community of Music (December 9)
- North Hills Cares Kids Day (December 10)
- Add your event
You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for another update.
— Rachel Tasker
About me: Rachel is a native Pennsylvanian with stops in Erie and State College before making Pittsburgh her home in 2020. She's got a background in a little bit of everything... from working in media newsrooms and public health to the 2016 Presidential election in Washington, D.C. and the 2019 Super Bowl where (surprise!) Tom Brady won... AGAIN. She loves good coffee, bad reality T.V., attending local events and trying new food in the 412. She resides in the South Hills.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Pittsburgh Daily? Contact me at pittsburgh@patch.com
