In brief: Sewickley board appointments, student art show and more

Student art show

Mark Rengers Gallery in Sewickley will host its annual Public Art Show with students of art tutor Dr. Robert Edwards from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 23-25. On display will be original drawings and paintings of various portraits, landscapes, animal studies and still lifes. For more information, call 412-741-5858, stop by Mark Rengers Gallery at 549 Beaver St. in Sewickley, or visit markrengersgallery.com.

Board appointments

Sewickley council appointed the following people to the following boards and commissions on Jan. 14:

Edward Renner and Oliver Poppenberg as alternates to the civil service commission for six-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2030.

Poppenberg was also appointed to the Sewickley Water Authority board for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.

Denny Campbell and Kathe Barge to the historic review commission for three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2027.

Danielle Shinsky to the shade tree commission for a five-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.

James Wiltman to the zoning hearing board for a three-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2027.

Kathy Brandt to the vacancy board for a one-year term expiring Dec. 31.

Certificate granted

Sewickley council approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for 215 Frederick Ave. for the construction of a four-foot black aluminum front yard fence with a minimum 18” setback from the Frederick Avenue sidewalk.

Such certificates are a requirement for making façade changes to properties in the borough’s historic districts.

Car show planned

Sewickley council approved the closure of Broad Street between Thorn and Beaver streets from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 9 for a car show presented by the Jaguar Club of Pittsburgh.

Approval is subject to costs and final details as determined by police Chief Dave Mazza and borough manager Donna Kaib.

Library activity planned

Sewickley Public Library will host a Sahaja meditation session from 11 a.m. to noon on Jan. 25 at 500 Thorn St. No registration is required. Enjoy the silence, peace and stress release that is this free weekly medication program.

Call 412-741-6920 or go to sewickleylibrary.org for more information.

Bridge lessons

Sewickley YMCA’s bridge class will introduce participants to the wonders of bridge, the most popular card game in the world. Bridge can be enjoyed at many levels – fun to play as a beginner and ever more challenging as your skills improve with time.

The class is designed for the complete beginner with no prior experience. A partner is not required. These classes are taught by Bill Holt, a Diamond Life Master, who has won many tournament events. Bill and the Pittsburgh Bridge Association team welcome the opportunity to teach beginners.

The bridge class will start on Feb. 2, from 1-3 p.m. for seven consecutive Sundays at the Sewickley YMCA. The cost is $75 per person, which includes textbooks and other materials. The classes are developed for 16-year-olds and above.

For more information, visit sewickleyymca.org/bridge.

Paddle Tennis Tournament

Pittsburgh North Optimist Foundation and Steel City Squash are partnering for a Paddle Tennis Tournament fundraiser on Feb. 2. Matches will begin at 11 a.m. at two locations — Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel and Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley Heights. Registration is $95 per player, and space is limited to 32 players per location. For more information, visit Pittsburghoptimist.com or steelcitysquash.org.

Summer camp

Don’t miss out on Fern Hollow’s Summer Camps this year! Weekly sessions will run from June 9 through Aug. 15 for children ages 3 to 14. Morning, afternoon, and full-day camps on subjects ranging from fishing to sustainability will be offered at Fern Hollow and new off-site locations. All camps include environmental education components, free play, exploration and nature-themed crafts and games. Teenagers (15 and older) are encouraged to apply for camp counselor volunteer positions and resumes for college-aged interns are also being accepted.

Priority registration for Summer Camp begins Feb. 1 for Fern Hollow members, who also benefit from discounted rates. A month later, full-rate registration will open to members of the public. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

For more information, visit fhnc.org.

Business Connection

The Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, a referral group of business professionals, will meet at Eat N’ Park on Route 60 in Robinson Township for breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m on Jan. 29. Speakers will be Brian Koeberle, esquire, and Nikson Valencik of Dollar Bank. To attend, become a member, or for more information, visit gpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.

Storytelling Show

“When You’re On The Edge Of Your Seat” is the theme of the Feb. 1 storytelling show at the Parkway Theater and Film Lounge in McKees Rocks.

Hosted by John McIntire, storytellers include Pirates announcer Greg Brown, Allegheny County councilwoman Bethany Hallam and attorney Heather Heidelbaugh. All will be spinning tales of when their life was going out of control and the suspense and uncertainty they faced waiting for the situation to be resolved.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show beings at 8 p.m. Parkway Theater is located at 644 Broadway Ave. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit parkwaytheater.org.

Fern Hollow winter programs

Even though the 10-week session is already underway, children ages 3 to 6 can still take advantage of Fern Hollow Nature Center’s Little and Jr. Explorers Winter programs.

Designed specifically for the youngest learners, these programs are the perfect pre-cursor and supplement to preschool. Children learn basic classroom skills like sharing and taking turns and receive nature-based lessons to foster an early love and appreciation for our environment. While each class begins in the Nature Center’s classroom, educators plan to spend as much time hiking, playing and exploring outside as the weather permits.

Two different drop-off programs are offered; Little Explorers for ages 3-5 on Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 am to noon and the Jr. Explorers program for children ages 4 to 6 on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 pm. All children must be fully bathroom-independent.

Drop-in rates are $35 for members and $41 for the public. Registration must be made 24 hours before the start of class. Scholarships are available. For more information, visit fhnc.org.

Christmas tree collection

Sewickley public works crews will be collecting Christmas trees daily through the end of the month. Residents should leave their trees between the curb and the sidewalk for pickup. There is no charge for the service and no registration is necessary.

Artificial trees are excluded.

No leaf collection

Glen Osborne officials remind residents that the borough does not provide leaf pickup. Residents are responsible for bagging their leaves and setting them out for weekly trash pickup. Residents can also use a lawn service or private contractor to remove their leaves.

The borough only picks up leaves in borough right of ways.

Help those in need

Bell Acres officials have partnered with the local food bank, Faith Restorations, to help residents in need of food or supplies.

Those who may need a helping hand or want to donate can contact Brock Meanor at brockmeanor@gmail.com.

People can also volunteer or donate directly to the food bank by visiting faithrestorations.org.

Film Festival

The Lindsay Theater & Cultural Center in Sewickley will host the Allegheny Sport & Outdoor Film Festival Jan. 26.

Activities start at 1 p.m. at 418 Walnut Street.

The festival highlights sport, outdoor culture and adventure documentary films with a special emphasis on stories from Western Pennsylvania, Northern Appalachia and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Tickets start at $8.75 for seniors and $11 for general admission. Call 412-259-8542 or email hello@thelindsaytheater.org for more information.

Sewickley Women’s Club

The Woman’s Club of Sewickley Valley will hold a meeting on Feb. 12 at the Allegheny Country Club. The program will honor Woman’s Heart Month and look at the WISER study and heart disease in women. How are we different? It will be presented by club president Judy Haluka.

On March 12, “Then and Now” A History of the Pittsburgh Zoo will be presented at the Allegheny Country Club.

On April 13, we will share some fun and song at the Montour Heights Country Club. Families are welcome, so bring them along! “Singing in the Spring” is presented by Sing, Sing, Sing from Wexford.

On May 13, “Gifts of the Living Earth” by author Patricia DeMarco. We will discover how to more appreciate our planet and its gifts to us.

For more information, contact judyhaluka@verizon.net, call 412-741-5818 or visit womansclubofsewickleyvalley.org.

AUP invites older college grads to join in activities

The Association of University People (AUP) invites singles 50 and older who are four-year college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include monthly dinners, social gatherings, concerts, meeting up at local wineries, Scabble and day trips.

Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.

To obtain more information about AUP or become an AUP member, call and leave a message at 412-353-9088 or email Aupsingles@gmail.com.

Litter Hawk Youth Award Program seeks entries

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 this year’s 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, 2025. 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 KeepPA Beautiful.org/ grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppa beautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.

To have your event or information listed in our briefs section, email Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.