🌱 Soil secrets from a Pittsburgh compost expert

A Leftward Turn for County Government?

Democratic State Rep. Sara Innamorato of Lawrenceville will face Republican Joe Rockey in the November general election for county executive. Innamorato’s campaign items include: creating affordable housing, transitional and emergency housing, and a county-wide land bank to address blight and housing stock; appointing new leadership at the jail; attracting infrastructure investments; building a mass transit system; and cracking down on air polluters. [PublicSource]

• Looking forward: If Innamorato wins the general election, her representative seat will be vacated, and Pennsylvania will have another special election that will determine whether Democrats keep their narrow one-seat majority in the state House.

Pgh Pools Need Lifeguards

The city needs about 40 to 50 more lifeguards to open all of its pools. Prospective lifeguards must be at least 16 years old by Sept. 5, city residents, and vaccinated for Covid-19. Pay starts at $16.48 an hour and can go up to $19.05. The city provides training and certification classes. [TribLIVE]

• Editor’s note: The same issue has persisted for years, which led the city to partially close two pools in my neighborhood on the North Side last summer; I hope they find a better solution this year so everyone can have access to respite on hot days.

Strip District Riverfront Development

Pittburgh’s Planning Commission gave the go ahead for a riverfront development in the Strip District. The plan is to convert seven-plus acres along 31st Street and the Allegheny River into 750 residential units, retail and food and beverage space, courtyards, parking, and other amenities. [TribLIVE]

New Plans for Enright Park

The Planning Commission also approved redevelopment of the East Liberty park to include a basketball court, a playground, picnic tables, a pavilion and lawn space, a grill, pavement games, benches, a bike rack, and a cooling spray feature. The swings and basketball court will be accessible for all ages and abilities. [TribLIVE]

• 🎧 Learn about a local organization making the outdoors more inclusive. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

🩺 Medical Milestones | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Go on a guided tour of the Heinz History Center exhibit Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, featuring medical milestones from Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine to Thomas Starzl’s world-renowned liver transplant program. [$9-18, Strip District]

🔥 Glass Center Tour | Saturday | 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Meet artists and get an up-close glass blowing demonstration at the Pittsburgh Glass Center every Saturday this summer. [free, Friendship]

🍾 Pittsburgh Wine & Spirits Festival | Saturday | 6 - 10 p.m.

Sample wine and spirits from around the world alongside a buffet dinner at Pittsburgh Magazine’s annual event at River’s Casino. [$30-100, Chateau]

Soil Secrets From a Pittsburgh Composting Expert

A few weeks ago, someone told the City Cast Pittsburgh team we should absolutely feel guilty if we don’t compost, and we take a personal challenge pretty seriously. Today we’re with Meg Graham of May Apple Gardening to talk about ways to get started, the biggest mistakes and misconceptions, a few handy tools, and her favorite recipe to get perfectly “cooked” compost every time.

Want someone else to compost for you? Head back to this newsletter for resources.