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City Cast Pittsburgh

Tips and tricks by Pittsburgh locals, for locals.

 Stephanie Yackovich at Clearview FCU

When’s the last time you thought about where you bank?

If you’re like most people, the answer is… not recently. Maybe you opened your account in college. Maybe it was the bank closest to your first apartment. Maybe you opened an account where your parents have always banked.

And now? You’re still there! Even though your financial life looks nothing like it did at 22.

So let’s dig into something more Pittsburghers are starting to ask: What’s the real difference between a credit union and a bank — and does it actually matter?

The clearest distinction has to do with ownership. Traditional banks are for-profit institutions owned by shareholders. Their goal is to generate returns for investors.

Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives owned by their members, AKA the people who have accounts there. When you join a credit union, you’re not just a customer, you’re technically a part-owner.

That structural difference may sound subtle, but it shapes everything from fee philosophy to customer experience.

At a bank, profits typically go to shareholders or toward expanding the business.

At a credit union, earnings are reinvested into:

In a city like Pittsburgh, where people care about shopping local, supporting nonprofits, and showing up for their neighborhoods, that distinction hits differently. Your financial institution is part of the local ecosystem, too.

Not all banks operate the same way, and neither do all credit unions. But many people describe big banks as transactional: open an account, use the app, call a customer service line if there’s an issue.

Credit unions often lean more relationship-based. Because they’re member-owned and community-focused, the model prioritizes long-term financial guidance and personalized support.

Having a local financial partner, not just a login, can matter more than you expect.

This is a city where people care about local businesses thriving, first-time homebuyers getting a fair shot, and neighborhoods continuing to grow. When your financial institution reinvests locally through lending, community partnerships, and member-focused products, that money doesn’t disappear into a national balance sheet. It circulates here.

Someone needs real help navigating fraud or identity theft.

You want to talk to a person who understands the region you live in.

Banking may feel invisible day to day — until it suddenly isn’t.

So here’s the practical takeaway: if you haven’t evaluated your account in years, now’s a good time. Compare what you’re getting. Look at the fees. Check the protections. Ask whether your institution feels like a partner or just a platform.

And you might be wondering what the credit union model means in real dollars. America’s Credit Unions, the national trade association representing credit unions across the country, estimates that Clearview Federal Credit Union returned more than $11.2 million in direct financial benefits to members in the twelve months ending September 2025. That’s about $84 per member or $176 per member household!There’s also a current 

$412 bonus for new members who open an Absolute Checking® account and meet the qualifications

. It’s a strong incentive, but the bigger reason to explore a credit union is to find a financial partner who’s invested in your goals.

Because in a city built on reinvention, loyalty, and local pride, where you keep your money matters.

 Clearview Federal Credit Union has been in operation since 1953 and serves more than 140,000 members in the Southwestern PA region. Their commitment is to create an inclusive and thriving community where financial growth and prosperity are accessible to everyone. 

, you're part of a movement toward a brighter financial future for yourself and for everyone around you. Clearview is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and is an Equal Housing Lender.

Credit Union vs. Bank: What’s the Difference And Does It Matter in Pittsburgh?

Tips and tricks for living your best Pittsburgh life, by locals, for locals.

Pittsburgh Life Hacks

Francesca Dabecco

Looking out for your neighbors’ safety can be as simple as looking down.

 is building a network of volunteers to document risky sections of our city’s walkways. The collaborative project is led by BikePGH, Access Mob, and Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

“It’s really about equity,” says Seth Bush, Advocacy Manager at BikePGH. “We’re looking at the distribution of the quality of our sidewalks and how we can connect neighborhoods to resources more effectively.”

The crew’s observations will be used to assess sidewalk conditions throughout our 90 neighborhoods and help the city create long-term plans for upgrades.

This planning, Bush says, is essential to 

. A 2024 report from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows that 

 in the U.S. happened in locations without a sidewalk.

“This program works best when volunteers report from their neighborhood. They know it best.” Bush says. “We have a lot of ground to cover, and we need a lot of people.”

Discover what makes sidewalks safe and accessible 

. Attendees will learn how to report sidewalk issues through a form where users can easily log a concern by noting the location and uploading a picture.

If you don’t see a training date that works for you, contact 

 and they’ll coordinate a session. Once trained, you can submit reports from anywhere in the city.

If you want to connect with more crew members, be sure to look out for neighborhood-wide “blitz” efforts on 

. Note: Training isn’t required before attending one of these events; you’ll get a crash course and a partner to walk with.

Pittsburgh Walks can also train volunteer groups, such as clubs and workplace teams. Reach out to 

Disability advocate and Access Mob Pittsburgh Director Alisa Grishman 

 — but especially wheelchair users like herself.

“In a world that has great sidewalks, sliding doors, and ramps, I wouldn’t be disabled; I’d be able to get everywhere just the same as someone who is currently able-bodied. It’s the world that creates the disability, not my chair.”

Stay engaged by following organizations like 

, and reporting all kinds of neighborhood 

Help make Pittsburgh more accessible by reporting sidewalk issues from anywhere in the city.

How You Can Help To Make Pittsburgh Safer for Pedestrians

How To Join Pittsburgh’s Safe Sidewalks Crew

A city controller report from 2024 showed that 

 actually gets recycled. That’s why it’s important to know what’s accepted and how you can divert items from the landfill.

Your collection day depends on where you live. 

. When a holiday falls on or right before your collection day, pickup is often delayed one day. Remember: You can’t have more than two bulk items (like furniture or carpets) per week, per household. Otherwise, 

The city will collect yard waste like leaves, branches, and tree trimmings two days a year: April 25 and Nov. 7. Yard waste must be in a paper bag. Branches should be bundled and tied, no thicker than 4 inches and no longer than 5 feet. Miss the pickup day? Find year-round 

You could get fined between $35 and $100 if you don’t 

. Trash must be in a tightly sealed container and out of public view. Trash cans can’t be on the curb before 6 p.m. the night before collection and must be put away before 10 p.m. on collection day.

Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs, cleaned with lids removed

Mixed paper like junk mail, newspapers, magazines, and soft and hardcover books

Metal like aluminum, aerosol, and steel cans that are clean and dry. You can leave the labels on

Cardboard boxes that are flattened, bundled, and placed in your blue bin or another box

You can always put glass at the curb, but it often breaks before it gets to the recycling center, making it difficult to recycle the other items carried in the same heap. You can make sure your glass is recycled by using one of these 

City residents can make an appointment to drop off electronics or hazardous chemicals through 

. Also keep tabs on Pennsylvania Resources Council’s calendar for ongoing 

Have leftover supplies from a house project? Furniture you grew out of? Old doors and hardware? 

 in Point Breeze is your one-stop shop — but be sure to 

 because they accept donations depending on what they have in stock. Most thrift stores will also resell old furniture, but you can help a family in need by donating to 

 also takes things for recycling like alkaline batteries; electrical ballasts; light bulbs; scrap metal; and medical supplies like crutches, walkers, and shower chairs. 

, attached to Construction Junction, accepts a bunch of random household objects and craft supplies.

Pickup: Have an old (working) refrigerator, freezer, AC unit, or dehumidifier? If you're a Duquesne Light customer, they’ll 

, and they’ll haul it away at no charge. Or, you can arrange to have it picked up from the 

 (for a $10-$20 processing fee per object).

Special trash pickups, what's recyclable, and how to get rid of hazardous materials in Pittsburgh.

How To Recycle in Pittsburgh

Your Complete Guide to Trash and Recycling Rules in Pittsburgh

Pack up your ornaments and coil your lights — it’s time to recycle your Christmas trees 🎄 

Pennsylvania has a claim to fame for its lush firs and pines. The commonwealth 

Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association

, there are more than 1,400 Christmas tree farms statewide. They cover nearly 31,000 acres and produce about one million cut trees every year. Luckily, trees are considered a renewable and recyclable resource.

Here in Pittsburgh, cut trees get recycled into mulch. Find a tree recycling drop-off near you:

 take place Dec. 26 through Jan. 26 at the following locations.

Allegheny Center – Sue Murray Swimming Pool

Brighton Heights – Jack Stack Swimming Pool

Hazelwood – 3rd Division of Public Works

Homewood North – 2nd Division of Public Works

Perry North/Observatory Hill – 1st Division of Public Works

Squirrel Hill South – Prospect Drive Roundabout in Schenley Park

West End – 5th Division of Public Works

Mulch produced by the city will be available for residents for free this spring. Check the 

 in April to see announcements for free mulch pickups at local parks.

 run from 8 a.m. to dusk through Jan. 18 at the following parks.

Mulch produced will be spread throughout more than 12,000 acres of Allegheny County parks.

Find tips on reducing your holiday waste from the 

Pennsylvania Resources Council’s Holiday Greening Guide

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will recycle your Christmas trees and turn them into mulch for spring gardens.

How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree In Pittsburgh 

How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Pittsburgh

Seeking Snow Angels! The city is looking for volunteers to help seniors and people with disabilities as part of its annual snow removal assistance program.

 on the city’s website, and the Department of Public Works will match you with a resident no more than a 10-minute walk away. Once registered, you’ll be notified via email when you’re assigned. Volunteers are asked to shovel and salt steps and walkways within 24 hours after snowfall.

To receive assistance, you must live within the City of Pittsburgh; be 62 or older and / or have a physical disability; and have no other resources for snow removal. 

 to see if your home address is within city boundaries.

. Note: Signing up does not guarantee assistance. Volunteers may be assigned immediately or later during the winter.

If your street still needs snow or ice removal 24 hours after snowfall has ended, make a report to the city by calling 412-255-2621 or contact the 

More Winter Weather Tips

The City of Pittsburgh is looking for Snow Angel volunteers to help remove snow for seniors and people with disabilities.

Volunteer To Remove Snow for Your Neighbors in Pittsburgh

How To Become A Pittsburgh Snow Angel

Megan Harris

 between now and mid-day Tuesday, thanks to a winter storm stretching from Arkansas to New York.

Salt trucks in Allegheny County typically deploy when snow starts falling — forecasters say that should be 

Stephen Shanley, director of the county's Department of Public Works, says plow drivers need up to three hours to complete their routes, especially during morning rush hour, before returning to the nearest maintenance garage where they reload with salt and start again.

Shanley says we're well-stocked for the season's first significant snowfall — 9,837 tons of salt and 2,615 gallons of liquid calcium chloride. Trucks will stay on the roads around the clock, he says, until precipitation stops and all county-maintained roads are clear.

Fun fact: many roads aren’t county-owned. The Pittsburgh region includes about 1,200 miles of roadway, and only 357 are serviced by the county. 

 if you’re wondering who maintains the streets you travel the most.

If the city services your area and snowfall gets deep, Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works will prioritize main roads, with smaller service vehicles on secondary routes. You can 

And be patient! Snow removal takes longer during high traffic hours — and when pavement temperatures are below freezing during a storm, which affects how quickly road salt can work. Officials suggest staying home if you can while the snowfall is heaviest.

🚙 Consider getting your car off of main roads or away from alleys before the trucks come through. Pittsburgh issues 

 when the snow gets deep and cars are in the way of plows. Car owners often aren't warned.

❄️ Renters and homeowners should shovel their walkways within 24 hours of a snow or ice event. The city suggests 

😇 If you’re a senior or have a disability, you can 

 — a volunteer within walking distance who will shovel your sidewalk.

🧣 Know a neighbor in need? Find a map of 

☎️ Call 311 or 412-255-2621 for non-emergency city services. To report a power outage, contact your provider, such as 

. For fallen trees, gas leaks, or other life threatening situations, always call 911.

Get to know the rules and need-to-knows for snowy weather in Western Pennsylvania.

Resources For Winter Weather in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

Who Plows Your Roads When It Snows in Pittsburgh?

When Andrew Carnegie began opening libraries in southwest Pennsylvania in the 1890s, he wanted to bring books and knowledge to everyone — not just those who could afford to pay. Now local libraries are taking that spirit beyond the printed word. Check out these six unique things you can do with your library card:

Millvale Community Library has a tool library with a collection of 

 for building, home maintenance, gardening, plumbing, car repairs, bike tuneups — you name it.

 DIY Digitization lab in Oakland has hardware, software, and documentation to digitize VHS tapes, audio cassette tapes, documents, photographs, slides, and negatives.

 has an entire cooking and baking catalog where you can find everything from popcorn, ice cream, and waffle makers to holiday cookie cutters and cake pan shapes for any themed birthday party.

The main branch of the Carnegie Library in Oakland has a 

where you can book an appointment to research your family tree. They have old newspaper clippings going back to the early 1900s, a microfilm collection with census records and city directories, and books that teach you how to do cemetery research. Plus, their collection of more than 100,000 negatives and prints can give you an incredible visual history of Pittsburgh.

Music lovers can borrow synthesizers, beatmakers, sequencers, effects pedals, recording equipment, instruments, 

 like pickleball and tennis racket sets, bocce ball, corn hole, and a fishing rod kit. Artsy folks can access a wide array of online crafting tutorials through 

 like quilting, embroidery, bookbinding, and sewing, plus tools like a full pottery wheel.

If you have an Allegheny County library card and are over 18, you can access 

 to a bunch of cultural attractions — like all the Carnegie Museums, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and Pirates games — with a RAD pass. 

How you can check out power tools, music equipment, bakeware, and more at Pittsburgh-area libraries.

What Can You Check Out At Libraries in Pittsburgh?

6 Free Things You Can Get With Your Library Card in Pittsburgh

Wondering what to do with your leftover Halloween pumpkins and gourds? Here are some options to avoid rotten jack-o-lanterns on your porch.

Celebrate the end of the Halloween season at Kamin Science Center’s 

. Drop your carved pumpkin from a 16-foot height, watch it splatter, and learn the physics behind the crash. Pumpkin-smashers get $5 off admission. Costumes are encouraged!

Or take your decaying pumpkins back to the patch! Shenot Farm in Wexford will let you 

 your jack-o-lanterns 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 

, a team of goats that help control invasive species in the city, by donating your whole, uncut pumpkins. They must be firm, fresh, and mold-free; larger than your palm; and without paint or other decorations.

Pigs like pumpkins too! Donate your uncarved, unpainted pumpkins to 

Your donation will also benefit your teeth! Polished Dental is running a promotion where you can 

 if you donate a pumpkin to Pigsburgh Squealers.

Whole, undecorated pumpkins are great in 

. They may have been sold as “carving” pumpkins, but they are perfectly edible. (I roast, blend, and freeze mine to use all winter long.) Get ideas with some of our 

If you already compost, cut up your pumpkin and add it to the bin — just be sure to take the seeds out so they don’t sprout.

the city accepts food waste drop-offs at 

 in East Liberty and on the North Side. Pittsburgh Food Policy Council is also running a 

 Do not eat, compost, or donate pumpkins that’ve been preserved with chemicals, hairspray, or vinegar; or if they have paint, glitter, or other decorations.

Take your jack-o-lantern to a Great Pumpkin Smash or donate your uncarved pumpkin to Pittsburgh goats and pigs.

How To Recycle Your Halloween Pumpkin in Pittsburgh

What To Do With Leftover Pumpkins in Pittsburgh

Ready to do your civic duty Nov. 4? Below is a breakdown of your ballot ⬇️

⏰ Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

. If you’re in line at 8 p.m., they have to let you vote!

✅ If you're voting at a new polling place, you may need to provide an 

. If you're a returning voter, you don’t need an ID.

📬 If you’re voting by mail, your ballot must be received by election officials by the time polls close.

Send your ballot by USPS or drop it off at the Allegheny County Office Building or 

 during their designated dates and times.

Want to make sure your ballot was received? 

If this feels annoying, we hear you. Go vote anyway! And check out 

 here in PA. Now let's dig into the races.

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. The positions are elected in 10-year increments, and once on the bench, judges can run for retention — similar to re-election. Three of seven justices are up for a retention vote. State Supreme Court judges have made influential 

Learn what’s on your ballot in Allegheny County, from Pittsburgh mayor to PA Supreme Court.

Pittsburgh Life Hacks

Credit Union vs. Bank: What’s the Difference And Does It Matter in Pittsburgh?

How To Join Pittsburgh’s Safe Sidewalks Crew

Your Complete Guide to Trash and Recycling Rules in Pittsburgh

Latest articles

How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Pittsburgh

How To Become A Pittsburgh Snow Angel

Who Plows Your Roads When It Snows in Pittsburgh?

6 Free Things You Can Get With Your Library Card in Pittsburgh

What To Do With Leftover Pumpkins in Pittsburgh

A Pittsburgh Voting Guide for the 2025 Election

Where To Donate or Find Food Assistance in Pittsburgh