In brief: Herald area events for the week of July 22, 2024

Host families sought for upcoming school year

Expand your horizons and learn about a new culture by bringing an exchange student into your family this fall.

AFSUSA, one of the oldest exchange programs in the country, is looking for host families for the coming school year.

Students can stay for a half-year or full year, or you can be a “welcome” family for six weeks.

Students from Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, Thailand and Ghana are hoping to find homes in Western Pennsylvania.

More than 130 countries participate in the program and AFS matches students to families according to their interests and lifestyle.

Students participating in the program come from 140 countries and can be placed with families with children, empty-nesters or single adults.

For details, call Carol Huff at 412-848-8095.

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 getting new police car

Sharpsburg officials have authorized the purchase of a new 2025 Ford Explorer for their police department.

Council voted July 11 to buy the SUV from McCandless Ford for $44,347.

Police Chief Thomas Stelitano said the new vehicle will replace one of two 2017 Ford Explorers.

It is expected to be sold to help offset the purchase cost. The borough budgeted $40,000 for a new police vehicle this year.

Customization details such as police lights, borough decals and computer mounts still are being finalized.

The police department has three SUVs, all Ford Explorers, including the one set to go out to market.

Stelitano said he hopes to have the new vehicle on the road by the end of the year or early next year.

Garbage bill spike explained

Aspinwall residents expressed concerns about what appeared to be a sharp spike in their garbage bills this month.

Borough Manager Melissa Lang O’Malley explained the standard bill from Shank Waste, which includes weekly trash and recycling pickup, was raised to $98.79 per quarter.

The borough rebid the contract in May, and Shank did not bill for the month of June.

March-May was the last quarter they billed under the old contract, and the new bill includes June and the July-September quarter.

The next quarter bill for October-December will be $98.79.

Residents will need to contact Shank to receive the senior citizen or snow-bird discount to re-enroll for the new contract. The company’s customer service number is 724-226-8320.

Road closures set for events Sharpsburg

Clay Street between Sixth and Eighth streets in Sharpsburg will be closed from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 13 and Oct. 19 for events hosted by the Sharpsburg Family Workshop Center.

Aspinwall fills vacancy board post

Aspinwall resident Kevin Gorman was appointed to the borough’s vacancy board July 10.

Seat on code board available

Aspinwall has a vacancy on its Uniform Construction Code board of appeals.

Residents can submit letters of interest and resumes to the borough office, 217 Commercial Ave.

Applicants must have a background in construction or architecture.

Residents reminded to lock vehicles

Aspinwall police are reminding residents to lock their vehicles and secure their personal items.

Police reported several unlocked vehicles were entered and items stolen earlier this month.

People are encouraged to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.

‘Migration’ to be shown in O’Hara park

O’Hara will host a Movie in the Park night at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the O’Hara Township Community Park.

The PG-rated film “Migration” will be shown. Admission is free.

The 2023 animated movie tells the story about a family of ducks leaving the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, plans go awry and the experience inspires them to expand their horizons.

Stop signs to be installed in Fox Chapel

Fox Chapel officials have authorized stop signs to be installed on Fairview Road at Fairview Manor and Whispering Pines, as well as Fairview Manor at Fairview Road.

Officials said the stop signs are necessary to help improve sight distance and make the intersection safer.

Public viewing of joint long-range plan set Aug. 1

Fox Chapel and O’Hara officials are planning a public reveal of the borough and township’s joint inplementable long-range plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 at O’Hara Township Community Park.

Residents are encouraged to check out the drafted plan and comment before both communities consider adopting it.

Stop by for complimentary shaved ice, too.

A full draft of the “Joint Long-Range Plan for O’Hara Township and Fox Chapel Borough: Plan for Our Future” also is available online for public review and comment.

Residents are encouraged to review the plan and share their thoughts. To download and view a pdf of the document, as well as share comments, visit planforourfuture.com and click the respective links.

The Planning Commission for each community will consider all comments received by Aug. 12. Information about an upcoming public event to discuss the plan and share comments, as well as a public hearing advertised by the council for each community, will be posted once scheduled at planforourfuture.com.

Plan for Our Future aims to establish a policy framework for both communities during the next decade based on citizen priorities.

The plan is the result of a tremendous volume of input from many sources, including a community questionnaire that drew 1,345 responses, a wide range of interviews, several dedicated public events, public conversations and a series of pop-up booth appearances.

The plan’s Joint Steering Committee worked with staff and the consulting team to translate all input to well-targeted, practical action steps that will advance each of the key issues that proved most important to the community.

Free concert to feature meld of Chinese, Western music

Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road, will present a summer concert by the Flying Strings Youth Ensemble from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1.

The performance will take place in the Welcome Garden, weather permitting.

The group blends traditional Chinese and Western music. Highlights of the concert include “Ambush From All Sides” by Jin Yang and the Flying Strings Ensemble, “Seven Moments of Capriccio” by the Four Friends Chamber Group, “Tomorrow Wings” by Four Friends, “The Battle of Chu and Han” by Four Friends and solos on the erhu, piano, flute and pipa.

To register, click on the event under the events calendar at coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org.

Summer Reading Party planned at Allegheny RiverTrail Park

The Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg community libraries will be closed Aug. 17 to take the fun off-site at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall.

Families are invited to attend the joint 2024 Summer Reading Party from 3 to 5 p.m. at the park, 285 River Ave.

There will be free food, activities, performances and more for children of all ages.

Registration is required.

To register, call Cooper-Siegel at 412-828-9520 or Sharpsburg Community Library at 412-781-0783. Attendees also can register online coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org by clicking on the event under the events calendar.

Blood donors sought

Nonprofit Vitalant is calling on people of all blood types, especially type O, to help restore a shortfall in donations, blamed in part on the recent extreme heat and summer vacations.

According to Vitalant, the supply of type O blood, the most needed blood type, has dropped to an 18-month low.

Blood drives are held regularly at various locations across the Pittsburgh region, including from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 26, 27, 28 and 30 at Vitalant’s donation center in Fox Chapel, One Alexander Center, Suite 207, 2585 Freeport Road.

Donors who give through July 27 will be automatically entered into Vitalant’s Summer Car Giveaway for a vehicle valued up to $30,000.

To make an appointment, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app, or call 877-25-VITAL.

Flea market set Sundays through October in Sharpsburg

The Sharpsburg Community Flea Market is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through the end of October along North Canal Street from the Guyasuta statue to Bonaventura Way.

The cost is $5 per spot for vendors.

For details, call 412-927-9221.

Combined worship service planned at Hartwood Acres

Everyone is welcome to attend a combined outdoor worship service at 10 a.m. Aug. 4 at the amphitheater in Hartwood Acres Park.

A pre-worship concert will start at 9:30 a.m.

The service is a combined effort of the Elfinwild, Glenshaw, Glenshaw Valley, Hampton and Parkwood Presbyterian churches, which will lead the worship service. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs.

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:

July 28: James Hunter

Aug. 4: Anees

Aug. 11: Matthew Whitaker

Aug. 18: MAGIC!

Aug. 25: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

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.

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.

Free monthly musical performances open to community

The Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, is hosting free Thursdays on the Patio.

Each month will feature a different musician in partnership with Band Together Pittsburgh. From 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 25, the featured performers will be Patrick Lah and Joe Hnath.

Attendees are invited to bring wine or other beverages and spend a warm evening listening to live music on the center’s patio. Bring your own chair. In case of inclement weather or extreme heat, the event will move indoors.

Snacks will be available for purchase at the center’s Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet.

The event is free, but registration is required.

To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org.

Blawnox food pantry availability extended

Blawnox officials have added extra days and hours to the borough’s food pantry to serve more residents this summer.

The pantry at the borough building is usually open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the last Friday of the month.

Borough Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said the goal is to reach people who are working and cannot stop by in the morning.

The pantry serves at least 20 people each month. No proof of income or residency is required.

Donations can be dropped off at 376 Freeport Road during regular business hours. Paper products, laundry detergent and dish soap are in high demand.

For details, call 412-828-4141.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets Tuesday evenings

The local chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a support group to help those struggling with weight loss, meets Tuesday evenings at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., in Oakmont. Meetings begin with a private weigh-in between 5:45 and 6:10 p.m.

Anyone interested in joining can attend a meeting and decide if TOPS is right for them. For details, call 412-828-3854 or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Library’s pantry in need of supplies

Sharpsburg Community Library’s Little Free Pantry at 1212 Main St. needs some supplies.

A wish list was posted online at coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org/sharpsburg.

Items requested include small bags of cookies and snacks, pudding cups, applesauce and fruit cups, instant oatmeal, Campbell’s chunky soups, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

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

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

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.