🍅 The best tomato in the ‘Burgh

100 Affordable Homes for Bakery Square

Expansion is happening in Bakery Square, but not without benefits for communities that have seen decades of disinvestment. The Larimer Consensus Group and the Village Collaborative signed an agreement with developer Walnut Capital to ensure the expansion brings jobs, public infrastructure, and home ownership — including 100 market-rate and affordable for-sale homes. The city still needs to approve Walnut Capital’s zoning application; a hearing date hasn’t been set. [90.5 WESA]

• More development news: The city approved a housing development plan in South Oakland that will serve LGBTQ+ seniors called “Oakland Pride” — a 48-unit, six-story apartment complex on Forbes Avenue. [TribLIVE]

Cheswick Generation Station to Implode

Dozens of homes in Springdale will be evacuated on Friday morning to prepare for an implosion of the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station; the plant’s smokestacks were imploded in June. People within the evacuation zone will likely be able to return to their homes at 11 a.m. [TribLIVE]

• See the evacuation and shelter-in-place zones.

Automatic Voter Registration in PA

If you’re getting a new driver’s license or ID card, you won’t have to register to vote. Gov. Josh Shapiro enacted a new system to automatically enroll residents in the voter registration process (unless you opt out) when you interact with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. [Votebeat]

Development Banned in Pittsburgh Parks

Any type of development that isn’t directly related to the public’s enjoyment of parks and greenways will not be permitted, City Council ruled. While residential and commercial development won’t be allowed, exceptions could be made for buildings that promote health and safety, like buildings that house equipment for park maintenance or agricultural activities. New roads will only be allowed if they connect people to green spaces. [TribLIVE]

📸 Blawrenceville Photo Walk | Thursday | 5:30 p.m.

Bring your camera to Bankrupt Bodega for a two-hour, picture-taking tour; then grab a drink at Trace Brewing. [free, Bloomfield]

🍻 Oktoberfest | Friday-Sunday | 5-11:30 p.m. & 12-9 p.m.

Celebrate old-time traditions with new sounds and flavors at Penn Brewery’s historic building and biergarten. [$70-165, Troy Hill]

🛍️ Fourth Friday Markets | Friday | 6-9 p.m.

Enjoy a wine tasting and shop from local vendors selling handmade goods, plants, candles, vintage items, and art at the Lawrenceville Market House. [free, Lawrenceville]

🎶 The Velvet Underground at The Warhol | Friday | 7 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of unique 16mm film footage featuring New York City’s legendary Velvet Underground in concert at the Film-Makers’ Cinematheque. [$13-25, North Side]

🍂 Candles at the Conservatory | Friday | 7:30-10 p.m.

Join PGH Candle for a night of fall candle-making at Phipps, then browse the Conservatory while you wait for your candle to set. [$50-60, Oakland]

How to Can Your Pittsburgh Harvest

It’s harvest season, and if you’re looking to preserve your bounty, we’ve got some tips for you! Richard Kralj, a food safety educator at Penn State Extension, joins us to talk about why there’s a renewed interest in canning, the best ways to get started, and why you may not want to rely on Grandma’s preserved peach recipe.