Fire hydrant flushing underway in Plum
The Plum Borough Municipal Authority will be flushing fire hydrants through Dec. 13, the authority announced.
No work will be done on weekends.
Flushing is required to check the operation of hydrants and to clean distribution lines, the authority said.
Water may become discolored while hydrants are being flushed. Residents are advised to test water before doing laundry or drawing large amounts of water.
If discolored water does not clear after two hours, contact the authority at 412-793-7331 for help.
Fall craft festival slated
Plum Mason Lodge 799 will host its second annual fall craft festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the lodge, 9521 Saltsburg Road in Plum.
There is no cost to attend. For information about vendor spaces, call 412-916-5835 or email mrdarts@verizon.net.
The event will take place rain or shine.
AARP meeting scheduled
Plum AARP will hold its monthly meeting at Unity Community Church at noon on Oct. 8.
The guest will be Donna Groom, who sings with the Skyliners. Donations will be accepted for Christmas gifts for residents of the Veterans’ Hospital in Aspinwall. After the meeting, hot dogs and chips are available for $3. Cake, coffee and tea are free.
Plum AARP is a social organization open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and surrounding communities. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month, except June, at noon at the church. Dues are $15 per year.
Two hot dog lunches are served each year, and the club hosts a Christmas Party, May Luncheon and August social. There is entertainment or a speaker at each meeting.
The club also offers one-day or longer trips via Thomas Tours or Louise Grassi’s Tours. Newcomers are welcome at the monthly meetings. For more information, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.
Meeting to offer update on VOPP trail
Friends of the Riverfront is organizing a public meeting to provide an update on the VOPP trail from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Oakmont Carnegie Library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd.
The VOPP Trail Connector will stretch from the Allegheny riverfront in Verona and connect Oakmont, Penn Hills along Plum Creek to Boyce Park in Plum — hence the VOPP name.
In 2022, Friends of the Riverfront worked with Penn Hills to raise funding to complete the design and engineering work for the 14-mile trail project. That work is being conducted by TranSystems through December.
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According to the Friends of the Riverfront website, the first phase of design and engineering was completed in early 2023 and focused on the section in Verona and Oakmont. Survey and drone work is being completed on the remaining trail corridor to identify logical segments of the trail.
Free Health & Senior Fair set for older residents
The community’s older residents are invited to a free Health & Senior Fair from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 sponsored by Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, and state Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Penn Hills.
The event will be held at the Greek Orthodox Social Hall, 12 Washington Ave. in Oakmont.
No registration is required to attend.
More than 35 organizations will be on hand to provide information.
Services and resources that will be available include:
• Free flu and pneumonia shots (bring your Medicare or insurance card)
• Free blood pressure screenings
• An opportunity to apply for or renew one’s Senior ConnectCard with Pittsburgh Regional Transit
• Responsible disposal of unused medication through Project DUMP by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office
• Door prizes
For details, call McAndrew’s office at 412-793-2448.
Verona dentist offering free care
Verona Dental Care, 625 Allegheny River Blvd., is hosting a Free Dentistry Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11.
Patients can choose one of the following services: a free cleaning, filling or extraction.
People of all ages who are in need of dental care will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Appointments also can be scheduled by calling 412-828-1920.
Spooky Night at the Races scheduled at Oakmont Elks
The Rosedale Civic Association is organizing a Spooky Night at the Races fundraiser for the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Oakmont Elks, 101 Washington Ave.
The cost is $15 per person and includes a buffet dinner. Costumes are optional, and there will be a $50 prize for the best costume.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 5 and the start of races at 6. There will be a cash bar.
Proceeds will be used to purchase personal protective equipment for Rosedale firefighters.
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To purchase a ticket, send an email to rosedalecivicassociation222@gmail.com.
Music nonprofit offers festival in Verona
The Western Pennsylvania Center for the Arts Academy is hosting Beats & Eats, a music and food festival, from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 12 at Railroad Park in Verona.
The event will include a pet parade; a person/pet combination costume contest; a pumpkin carving contest; food and beverage trucks; and music, featuring RMR Jazz, Carnegie Mellon Bag Pipes and more.
To sign up for the parade or for more information, visit wpcaacademy.org.
Plum plans fall leaf collection
Plum’s leaf collection program will start on Oct. 15 and will run through the first week of December.
Leaf collection will be the weekday following residents’ normal trash pickup day. There will be no leaf collection on Nov. 11, 28 and 29.
The borough says it could change if winter storm events occur which would cause leaf collecting equipment to be switched over to winter maintenance equipment.
Craft show, bake sale in works
The craft show and bake sale sponsored annually by Clover Commons will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Clover Commons Clubhouse, 600 Cloverview Circle, in Plum.
Crafts, baked goods, lunch items and a Chinese auction will be available.
Blood donors sought for fall drive
The American Red Cross is encouraging donors of all blood types and platelets, especially those who have never donated before, to consider doing so for the month of October.
According to the Red Cross, only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. Donations are critical to keep the blood supply stable during the fall months.
Donations of all blood types — particularly those with type O, the most transfused type — are needed.
Anyone who donates through Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.
To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
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Prospective donors also can enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or to seek more information.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 and older in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Station seeks firefighters, junior members
The Verona Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applictions for active firefighters as well as junior members 16 and 17 years of age.
Interested individuals can stop by the fire station, 465 Parker St., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays.
Training is provided through the Allegheny County Fire Academy.
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.
Verona Farmers Market sets up Thursdays
Verona’s seasonal farmers market has kicked off into full swing. Hosted every Thursday until Nov. 21, each market features a list of local vendors.
For special announcements about the market, visit the Verona Farmers Market Facebook page.
Assistance available for veterans, spouses
State Rep. Joe McAndrew’s office, 77 Universal Road, Suite 1, in Penn Hills provides free assistance to veterans and their spouses from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month.
A veteran service officer from the American Legion will be on hand to help with a variety of needs, including compensation and pension claims, education benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system, burial and survivor benefits, state benefits, and obtaining military personnel and medical records.
There are limited appointments available for August. To make an appointment, call 412-793-2448.
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McAndrew’s 32nd District covers Plum, Oakmont, Verona and Penn Hills.