Plus, a new spot for great views ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Wednesday, September 2 

Your Daily Guide

When was the last time you took a spin through the casino? It’s been a minute for me, but next time I see a show at Stage AE — and take advantage of the casino’s free parking — I’ll make time for dinner, too.

City Cast contributor and Post-Gazette dining critic Hal B. Klein tried all the restaurants at Rivers Casino and told host Megan Harris what’s worth an order while trying your luck (especially late at night!).

PODCAST

Ranking the Restaurants at Rivers Casino

Display Ad: Planet Ice at Heinz History Center

What Pittsburgh's Talking About

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato speaks to a crowd in front of the rusty North Park Observation Tower.

The observation tower was built in 1937 as a water standpipe with a 300,000-gallon capacity. (Courtesy of the Allegheny County Parks Foundation)

A New (Old) Spot for Good Views

A $3 million restoration of the 102-foot North Park Observation Tower broke ground this week. The project includes sandblasting, repainting, and restoring the viewing platform at the top of its 154-step staircase to reopen next summer, just in time for the park’s 100th birthday. [Allegheny County Parks Foundation]

Goodbye for Now, 'Le Magnifique'

The upcoming Penguins season will be the first since 1999 where former player/owner Mario Lemieux won’t officially be part of the organization. He sold his minority stake when new owners, The Hoffmann Family of Companies, purchased the team from Fenway Sports Group for $1.75 billion. [TribLive]

Merged Theater Has Familiar New Name

The company’s new name, Confluence Theater of Pittsburgh, emerged from a poll garnering 3,000 submissions after they dropped their first pick for being too similar to other local theaters. Confluence Theater’s first production, “How Shakespeare Saved My Life,” will play at the O’Reilly Theater in November. [🔒 Business Times]

  • Remember that time it was Confluence Day in Pittsburgh? 🥹 [City of Pittsburgh]
Display Ad: Family House Polo - September 12 at Hartwood Acres

43rd Annual Polo Match Tickets on Sale

A Pittsburgh tradition returns! Head to Hartwood Acres on Saturday, September 12, 2026, for the 43rd Annual Family House Polo Match presented by F.N.B. Corporation.

Watch a professional polo match, explore a vintage car show, tailgate, shop, and enjoy food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities. FREE admission for kids 12 and under. Every ticket helps Family House offer a "home away from home" to families traveling to Pittsburgh for medical care.

Tickets: familyhouse.org/polo.

Where Is It?

Two kayak paddles are mounted on the wall in an “X” formation. The paddle blades are white with colors speckled throughout.

Have you seen these multicolored paddles? (Laura Tsutsui / City Cast Pittsburgh)

Let’s play a game! Where can you find these paddles around town?

Submit Your Guess

🌟 Shout out to Mara A., Katie & Christa, Heather B., Kellie L., Knox C., Carla C., Leslie P., Taylor P., Laura J., and Joann A. for correctly guessing last week’s photo challenge ⬇️

A tyrannosaurus rex mural on a blue wall.

Photo Location Reveal: This dinosaur adorns the building at 4719 Hatfield Street in Lawrenceville. (Laura Tsutsui / City Cast Pittsburgh)

I was biking to Mediterra and City Grows in Lawrenceville when I spotted this dinosaur! Since Hatfield Street runs parallel to Butler, you’ll only see the mural if you’re taking the back streets.

Find more recommendations in our neighborhood guide for Upper Lawrenceville. Lolev Beer is a personal favorite when I’m looking for an interesting beer to try, plus it’s open seven days a week!

Candlelit table in front of city skyline

Taste, Toast, and Support Young Pittsburgh Readers

Join Propel Schools Foundation for Taste & Toast for K-3 Literacy on September 10! Enjoy signature tastings, cocktails, interactive experiences, student showcases, and an incredible raffle featuring prizes from some of Western Pennsylvania’s favorite businesses. Best of all, proceeds support Propel’s K-3 Literacy Program, helping young scholars build the reading skills and confidence they need to thrive. Join us for an unforgettable evening with purpose!

What To Do

Wednesday, Sep. 2

Thursday, Sep. 3

More Pittsburgh Events

Record breaking teaching? 🦠 Francis Maxin is a microbiology professor at Community College of Allegheny County who now holds the Guinness world record for the longest science instructor career for men: 233 semesters so far. This is Maxin’s 60th year teaching at CCAC 🧬

— Laura Tsutsui

✍️ City Cast Pittsburgh’s Laura Kondourajian contributed to this newsletter.

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