Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com.
Space program at Murrysville community center
The Murrysville Recreation Department will host “Mad Science: Space Phenomena” from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 at the Murrysville Community Center at 3091 Carson Avenue.
Franklin Regional students do not have school on Feb. 14.
The program is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, who will explore the events that take place in the night sky. They will also create their own impact craters and observe model meteors falling through a model atmosphere.
The program cost is $45 per child. Register at MurrysvillePArecreation.com by clicking on “Program Registration.”
For more, call 724-327-2100, ext. 131 or ext. 115.
Self-defense class
ATA Martial Arts in Murrysville will host a free women’s self-defense class at 6:15 p.m. Feb. 6 at its new location, 5270 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.
The class will be taught by ATA Grand Master Michael Caruso and ATA Brand Ambassador Shannon Kearney. Active clothes are the proper attire.
Following the class, there will be a social at the nearby Juniper Grill. A free appetizer card will be given to all participants.
For more, or to RSVP, call 724-575-0186.
‘Hot Chocolate Hikes’ in Murrysville
The Murrysville Recreation Department will host a Feb. 14 Hot Chocolate Hike this winter.
It will take place at 10 a.m. at the Kellman Nature Reserve on Kellman Drive in Murrysville.
The hike is free, but registration is encouraged by calling 724-327-2100, ext. 131, or visit MurrysvillePArecreation.com — click on the program registration link.
Ladies society meeting
The Plum Area Ladies Society will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Plum Community Center at 499 Center New Texas Road.
There is no featured speaker. The program will see members creating cards for residents of the Concordia at Ridgewood senior community. Members should bring construction paper, markers, scissors, glue sticks and anything else needed to create a Valentine’s Day card.
The society is also undertaking a service project to bring ice cream and toppings to Concordia residents on Feb. 8 for an ice cream social. Sign-ups will take place at the Feb. 5 meeting.
And as always, the society is collecting paper products and cash donations for the Plum Food Pantry.
For more, call 724-327-8265.
Comedy to benefit fire company
The Sardis Volunteer Fire Department will host an evening of stand-up comedy as a fundraiser.
It will be Feb. 1 at the department’s social hall, 5205 Rocky Hill Lane in Murrysville, featuring comedians Mark Riccadonna and Chris Nakis.
Tickets are $25. The event is BYOB and is for adults age 21 and older. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, gift basket auctions and games of chance. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show will be at 7 p.m. The Earth, Wheel and Fire food truck will be on-site.
For more, or to order tickets, call 724-327-3987 or visit SlapsticksProductions.com.
Dinner to benefit Delmont K-9
The Delmont Police Department will host a Feb. 1 dinner to benefit its K-9 program.
It will be from 2-7 p.m. at the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department, 2360 Route 66. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and younger. There will be a basket raffle and 50/50.
Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, a dessert and beverage. Tickets will be sold at the door.
For more, call 724-468-4422.
Library marks Chinese New Year
The Murrysville Community Library will ring in the 2025 Lunar New Year from 1-3 p.m. Feb. 1 at the library, 4130 Sardis Road in Murrysville.
Join the Pittsburgh East Chinese Church, Pittsburgh East Chinese Dancing Fellowship and Pittsburgh East Chinese School to take part in the celebration of tradition and creativity.
The afternoon will include demonstrations on Chinese musical instruments, face painting, paper cutting, origami, paper lantern making, air-dry clay figures, calligraphy, dumpling making and more.
There is no cost to attend. For more, call 724-327-1102 or see MurrysvilleLibrary.org.
Comedy night to benefit parks, trail projects
An evening of stand-up comedy at the Live Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield will benefit Westmoreland County parks, trail project and concert series.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for comedy shows on March 7 and 8. Tickets are $40. The shows are for adults age 21 and older. The evening will also include food, a cash bar, basket auctions and a 50/50 raffle.
Featured Local Businesses
Tickets are available at the Westmoreland County Parks office, 2 North Main Street in Greensburg; at The Lamplighter, 6566 William Penn Highway just outside Delmont in Salem Township; and at Ginny’s Neighborhood Pizza Joint, 5549 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.
No tickets will be sold at the door.
Anti-litter award offered
Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.
Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.
The theme for the contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup! Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”
Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.
The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.
For an entry form, go to KeepPABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.