In brief: Herald area events for the week of Aug. 26, 2024

Touch-A-Truck event to benefit Blawnox pantry

The Fox Chapel Police Department invites the community to “see, touch, explore, honk” during its second annual Touch-A-Truck event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 behind the borough building, 401 Fox Chapel Road.

The event is for all ages and will include emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, tow trucks and more.

Admission is free with a monetary or nonperishable food item for the Blawnox Community Food Pantry, which serves the Fox Chapel Area School District.

There also will be activities for children.

Garden club’s fundraiser slated for Oct. 16-18

The Garden Club of Allegheny County is celebrating its 110th anniversary and the 28th year of Pizzazz, a boutique shopping benefit set for Oct. 16-18 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club, 426 Fox Chapel Road.

The event has raised more than $2 million to fund environmental and conservation projects throughout the Pittsburgh region.

This year’s event will feature more than 30 boutiques from across the country and Scotland. Merchandise will include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, jewelry, leather goods, gifts, home décor, linens, personalized stationery and specialty food items.

There will be a preview party from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Tickets are $150.

Shopping hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18. Admission each day is $10 or $45 for admission and lunch at the club’s Tavern Room from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17-18. Advance ticket purchase for lunch is advised.

For details, visit https://www.gcacpgh.org/pizzazz or call 412-967-9081.

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.

Quiet time starts at 10 p.m.

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

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.

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.

Fall Fabric Fair set for Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is hosting its Fall Fabric Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Salvation Army Pittsburgh Temple Worship and Service Center, 1060 McNeilly Road, Mt. Lebanon.

The popular one-day sale is made possible by the Salvation Army’s Greater Pittsburgh Women’s Auxiliary

For more than three decades, the twice-a-year fundraiser — held in the spring and fall — has offered bargains on rare fabrics, unique patterns and a variety of materials and equipment needed for crocheting, knitting, quilting and “sew” much more. The fabric fairs have raised nearly $750,000 over the years, with all proceeds providing critical assistance to individuals and families throughout Allegheny County.

Shoppers are advised to come early for the best selection. After exploring indoors, visitors can enjoy a $10 bag sale outside, which will be stocked with a variety of materials.

Admission is free and complimentary parking will be available on-site, with free shuttles running from two satellite parking locations at Keystone Oaks High School and Keystone Oaks Middle School. Snacks and lunch items also will be available for purchase.

Carts and strollers are prohibited, and reusable shopping bags are highly encouraged.

The Fall Fabric Fair is a community-driven event made possible thanks to donations of all the items for sale. There is always a need for donated items, as well as additional volunteers to measure and sort fabric in preparation for the fair.

Donations are being accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays (February through October) at the Salvation Army’s warehouse in Green Tree, rear of 820 Parish St.

Fabric donations will not be accepted during the actual Fabric Fair event.

For details, call 412-446-1500 or visit salvationarmywpa.org/fabricfair. For a peek at items for sale, follow the Salvation Army Greater Pittsburgh Women’s Auxiliary on Facebook and @salarmypgh on Instagram.

The Spring Fabric Fair is set for Saturday, April 12.

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.

Summer Concert Series wraps up at Hartwood Acres

The Summer Concert Series will wrap up its season Sept. 1 with the 24th annual Allegheny County Music Festival at the Hartwood Acres Amphitheater, 4070 Middle Road.

The festival, starting at 7:30 p.m., will take place rain or shine. Local food trucks will be set up on-site at 6 p.m.

It 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.

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.