In brief: Herald area events for the week of Aug. 19, 2024

Garden party open to all

Everyone is invited to attend a Community Garden Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Sharpsburg Community Garden behind the library, 1212 Main St.

There will be free food made by members of the garden club, activities for children, free sharpening of garden tools, local garden-related crafts for sale and basket and gift card raffles.

Aspinwall Tee Ball to cap season with fireworks

The Aspinwall Tee Ball organization invites the community to cheer on its young players during two “Under the Lights” games Aug. 23 to mark the end of the 2024 season.

The first game will start at 7:30 and the second one will begin at 8:30 at the Aspinwall Recreational Area off Field Avenue.

There will be fireworks in between the games, and everything at the concesion stand will be half-off.

More than 200 children participated this year.

AAUW, CCAC team up to boost women’s careers

The Fox Chapel Area affiliate of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is announcing a new partnership with Community College of Allegheny County as the two organizations work together to help launch young women on new or expanding careers.

The AAUW meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at the pavilion in Allegheny River Trail Park, Aspinwall. The speaker will be Kristina Zuccarelli, manager of scholarships and alumni affairs for CCAC.

Zuccarelli will discuss the benefits of the partnership and how she believes the Career Launching Awards from AAUW will be received by older or returning female students at the school.

Attendees will learn how CCAC is changing and helping students manage the cost of higher education. The college’s current demographics will offer a glimpse into what the student body looks like today as well as its projected outcomes. Zuccarelli, in cooperation with the enrollment department, also will share the number of students who could be eligible for the AAUW awards in the spring.

Camping outing open to all ages in Aspinwall

Aspinwall is planning a “Sleep Under the Stars” camping outing for all ages Aug. 30 in Aspinwall Fireman’s Memorial Park.

Attendees are invited to bring their camping gear and a covered dish or snacks to share among friends.

Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by Movies in the Park, which is sponsored by the Aspinwall Police Department.

The PG-rated “Trolls: Band Together” will start at 7:30 p.m. There will be free popcorn.

Tents can be set up anytime after 3 p.m. Aug. 30 and must be removed by 10 a.m. Aug. 31.

School supplies being collected

O’Hara Township is collecting school supplies through Aug. 22 for students in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

A donation box is located in the lobby of the township building, 325 Fox Chapel Road.

Items needed include notebooks, pencils, highlighters, crayons, markers, erasers, rulers, scissors, glue sticks, pencil cases, backpacks, graph paper, graphing calculators, plastic folders, index cards, loose-leaf paper, three-ring binders, washable markers, black or blue ballpoint pens, colored pencils, construction paper, blunt-tipped scissors and lunch boxes or bags.

For questions, contact Jalen Byrd, the township’s social services coordinator, at jbyrd@ohara.pa.us.

Democratic committees plan free picnic for community

A Dogs & Democracy Picnic is planned from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at O’Hara Township Community Park.

Admission and hot dogs are free. There will be games and children’s activities.

The event is hosted by Fox Chapel, O’Hara, Indiana Township and Aspinwall Democratic committees.

For details, visit dogsanddemocracy.eventbrite.com.

Sharpsburg flea market runs Sundays through October

Sharpsburg Community Flea Market is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through the end of October along North Canal and Tenth streets.

The cost is $5 per spot for vendors.

For details, call Chas Smith at 412-927-9221.

Disability celebration planned at Schenley Plaza

Disability Pride PA is partnering with the Pittsburgh community for its third annual Disability Pride celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave.

The event, which is free and open to the public, celebrates the 34th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

There will be entertainment, giveaways, activities, advocacy, resource tables and a variety of vendors and food trucks.

The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with stage performances and a parade around Schenley Plaza. The keynote speaker will be disability rights leader Josie Badger.

Stage performances include comedian Gab Bonesso, musician Ryan Gilfillian and Friends of Tom Band, children’s entertainer Miss Cassidy Creates and poetry from the Live/Ability project.

There also will be accessible games and activities sponsored by the Ryan Shazier Fund and a sensory-friendly space sponsored by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The National ADA Disability Caravan will be on-site with voting information and story collecting.

To register or volunteer for the event, visit tinyurl.com/PGHVolunteer.

Anyone who needs disability accommodations, including a tactile ASL interpreter, are encouraged to register in advance at tinyurl.com/dppgh2024.

Masks are encouraged.

For details, visit disabilitypridepa.org/dp-pgh.

Celebration of Recovery set; game room opening soon

Addiction Recovery Ministry invites the community to its third annual Celebration of Recovery from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 21 at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. in Sharpsburg.

The legacy of the Rev. Michael Decewicz, who died in November at 72, will be celebrated. Decewicz, a recovering alcoholic, founded Addiction Recovery Ministry and served as its director.

There will be music, art and light refreshments.

To RSVP by Sept. 10, call Rosemarie Haas at 412-378-9290.

In addition, the ministry has announced the Sept. 27 opening of the Michael Decewicz Sober Game Room for people in recovery.

The game room will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the John Paul I Center.

Chamber plans golf fundraiser

The Aspinwall Chamber of Commerce is organizing its 11th annual golf outing Sept. 6 at 3 Lakes Golf Course, 6700 Saltsburg Road in Penn Hills.

The cost is $125 per golfer and includes a golf cart, lunch and dinner, and beverages served with meals.

The cost for the dinner only is $40.

The outing raises money for annual community events.

Registration runs from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., with tee off at 10 a.m. The format is full-course shotgun, with lunch at the turn. Dinner will be served at 3 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded, including for the longest drive and closest to the pin.

For details, call Tom Kingsley at 412-860-4533.

Aspinwall to inventory water lines

Per a requirement by the state Department of Environmental Protection, Aspinwall must complete a boroughwide water line inventory by Sept. 30.

Personnel from the water department must be able to access property owners’ water meters to investigate the pipe material entering the property from the outside.

To schedule an appointment, property owners should contact the borough office at 412-781-0213.

Help available for people grieving loved ones

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is?

Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.

GriefShare is a 13-week Christian faith-based support group that will be offered weekly from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, starting Sept. 12 through Dec. 12, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.

For details or questions, contact Kim Power at 412-965-8794 or kimfpower@gmail.com.

Visit griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.

Pantry items wanted

Sharpsburg Community Library needs items for its Little Free Pantry at 1212 Main St.

Items needed include tomato sauce, pasta, tuna, cereal, mac and cheese, fruit snacks, peanut butter, snack packs and shelf-stable milk.

Items not needed include applesauce, pretzels, fruit cups, pudding, canned soup, canned beans and toiletry products.

Donations can be made during library hours from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

The pantry is stocked three times weekly and is completely supported through donations.

For details, call the library at 412-781-0783.

Craft night planned in Blawnox

Best of Blawnox hosts a craft night every Monday throughout the summer from 6 to 8 p.m. at the pavilion in Blawnox Community Park.

People are encouraged to bring supplies for knitting, scrapbooking, embroidery and more. No registration is necessary.

Don’t miss upcoming free entertainment at Hartwood Acres

The Allegheny County Summer Concert Series is in full swing at the Hartwood Acres Amphitheater, 4070 Middle Road.

The concerts are free and take place rain or shine. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. Sundays, with local food trucks set up on-site at 6 p.m.

Here is the remaining lineup at Hartwood Acres:

Aug. 25: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

The PBT’s annual “Ballet Under the Stars” performance will include free preshow family activities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be food trucks, a grab-and-go ballet craft, face painting, balloon art and a mini dance class led by a PBT teaching artist.

Attendees also can join fellow ballet enthusiasts and PBT’s artistic director, Adam W. McKinney, under the tent from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for drinks, dinner and the opportunity to meet PBT artists. Tickets are $100 for adults and $25 for children. To sign up or for details, call Aziza El Feil, associate director of development, at 412-454-9127. Visit tinyurl.com/ycxcdest to register online.

Sept. 1: 24th annual Allegheny County Music Festival

The music festival, starting at 7:30 p.m., will feature two-time Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris singing the songs of David Bowie backed by a Pittsburgh All-Star band with special guests Scott Blasey and Rob James of The Clarks.

For the festival, a $20-per-vehicle requested donation supports requests made through the Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Section of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Since 2000, the music festival has raised nearly $550,000 for the Allegheny County Music Festival Fund.

Donations, volunteers needed for Harvest Fair

Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church is seeking donations and volunteers for its Harvest Fair, scheduled Sept. 5-6.

Most home furnishings and clothes are accepted. Exceptions are mattresses, bed pillows, text books and encyclopedias.

Clothing and shoes should be in good condition and clean. Furniture pickup is available.

Drop-offs can be made from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

People should come to the Springhouse Lane side of the church.

The committee also is looking for volunteers to help sort donations and prepare them.

The huge affair requires lots of hands.

Proceeds benefit local charities such as the Youth Empowerment Project of Sharpsburg, women’s and children’s health organizations and shelters and food banks.

For details, call 412-576-8898.

Sharpsburg seeks volunteers for bicentennial events

Sharpsburg will celebrate its 200th birthday in 2026.

Residents interested in planning or volunteering to help with any events are invited to sign up for the borough’s Bicentennial Committee.

To access the signup form, visit sharpsburgborough.com and scanning the QR code under the header “Want to help plan the bicentennial events?”

The borough anticipates having multiple events throughout the anniversary year and will need lots of help.

Tree organization seeks volunteers

The Aspinwall Shade Tree Commission is in need of volunteers.

The environmental group meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the borough building, 217 Commercial Ave.

Those interested in joining should contact the borough office at 412-781-0213 or email Councilwoman Mary Hancock at mhancock.aspinwall@gmail.com.

Group offers support for weight loss

All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.

With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.

You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.

There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Nominations open for sports hall of fame

Nominations for the Sharpsburg Sports Hall of Fame are being accepted.

Nominations can be for any player, team or team builder such as a coach, equipment manager, broadcaster or someone who made a significant impact on a team. It is open to all sports.

Nominees must have lived in the borough at some point in time.

The Sharpsburg Historical Commission is expecting to induct three individuals and one team to the hall of fame. Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 31, and the induction ceremony will take place in the fall.

For details and nomination forms, visit the borough website at sharpsburgborough.com.

Categories: Fox Chapel Herald | Local