🎂 How to get free food on your birthday

Pirates Swing Into the Season

It’s opening day at PNC Park, and the first pitch is at 4:12 p.m.! The Pirates are heading into their home opener with a 5-0 lead for the first time in 41 years. [90.5 WESA]

• ⚾ Who’s playing? Here’s the opening day roster. [Pittsburgh Pirates]
• 🌭 It’s expected to be a sellout! Here’s what to know if you’re celebrating on the North Shore. [TribLIVE]

What’s New at Kennywood?

When Kennywood opens for its 126th season on April 20, it’ll feature two new eateries: Jeeters’ Pub, named after the park’s pink mascot from the 1970s and serving up a Strawberry Funnel Cake Shandy made in collaboration with Penn Brewery; and Carousel Burger Co., with “wild and crazy” Carousel Milkshakes.

• 🐢 Plus, updates to three rides! Potato Smash took over the bumper cars with a Potato Patch-themed design; the Aero 360 got a refresh; and the Turtle, originally built in 1927, got a full restoration. [NEXTpittsburgh]
• 🎢 I bet you didn’t know that Pittsburgh was once the roller coaster capital of the world. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

Jeff Goldblum Returns + More Summer Music

West Homestead native Jeff Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are bringing a night of classic jazz and improvised comedy to the Benedum Center for one night only on Saturday, June 1. [KDKA-TV]

• 🎶 More tunes to look forward to: Punkapalooza, Rumbleworld, Pittonkatonk, WonderWorks Music Festival, and much more. [NEXTpittsburgh]

Realtors Use AI to Sell Homes?!

Artificial intelligence is influencing almost every field — including real estate in Pittsburgh. With digital staging, drone tours, 3D photo walkthroughs, and virtual reality, buyers can imagine their future home in a whole new way. [Pittsburgh Magazine]

• 👀 Get a peek behind the scenes of tech-savvy home staging with reporter Meg St-Esprit on today’s Friday news roundup. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

It’s my birthday week! If you’re a regular podcast listener, you know I love little treats, so my birthday is the perfect time to go all out. But these goodies are extra special when you can get them discounted or free — so sign up for these mailing lists before your big day to get meals and desserts on the house.

Free Pastry from Mediterra

Kick off your birthday with a coffee and a free pastry from Mediterra. You can sign up for their loyalty program in stores, and you’ll be able to cash in for a free pastry your entire birth month. Plus, if you’re looking for a cake, Mediterra takes custom orders.

$30 Entree From big Burrito Group

The big Burrito Restaurant Group includes Alta Via, Alta Via Pizzeria, Casbah, Eleven, Kaya, Mad Mex, Soba, and Umi, and signing up for the group’s email list gets you an entrée up to $30 in value for free.

There are a few restrictions. The offer isn’t valid at Umi, so you need to dine in a restaurant, and you can’t use the promotion on Fridays or Saturdays. Plus, remember to bring your photo ID! I think I’ll spend my birthday noshing on some paella from Kaya!

Birthday Burrito From Mad Mex

Mad Mex may be a part of the big Burrito Group, but you can get a free burrito if you join a separate mailing list. The same conditions apply.

Free Scoop From Jeni’s Ice Cream

Signing up for Jeni’s rewards program gets you a free scoop of ice cream for your birthday. Even if your birthday isn’t coming up soon, it’s worth the trip to Jeni’s in Bakery Square or Southside Works to try the limited-edition eclipse flavors.

Out-of-the-Box Burials, AI Home Tours & Pgh’s Lifeguard Search

City Cast contributor Meg St-Esprit joins the team to talk about how AI is changing the local real estate market — and what it was like to take a virtual reality tour of an iconic Pittsburgh mansion. We also discuss shifting norms around funerals and burials as the Pittsburgh region becomes less religious, and the city’s latest push to hire enough lifeguards to open our pools this summer.