North Park’s ice rink to open Dec. 24
North Park’s ice-skating rink at 1101 Pearce Mill Road in Pine will open for the season on Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Public skating will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 24. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day. It will reopen on Dec. 26. It also will be open for public skate from noon to 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Public skating is $5 for county residents, $6 for nonresidents. Skate rental is $2 for residents and $3 for nonresidents.
Additional hours, rates and programming information can be found online at alleghenycounty.us/Parks-and-Events/Activities/Ice-Skating-and-Hockey.
Allegheny County’s ice rinks are open every winter for lessons, stick time and hockey clinics, and public skating sessions, including for seniors. Skaters of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Free skate walkers are available upon request.
For the latest information on winter recreation across the Allegheny County Parks system, visit the Allegheny County Parks website or Facebook page.
Marshall to pick up live trees curbside
Marshall residents can dispose of their live holiday trees beginning Monday, Jan. 5, through Wednesday, Jan. 14, on your regular collection day.
Trees that are taller than 6 feet should be cut into 4-foot lengths. All ornaments, lights and decorations must be removed.
The pickup is for live trees only. Artificial trees will not be accepted.
Old, broken string lights can be recycled
Franklin Park will continue to collect old and broken string lights through Jan. 9 in the lobby of the municipal building, 2344 W. Ingomar Road.
A collection bin set up by Michael Brothers Hauling & Recycling provides a place for people to recycle their lights for a good cause. Michael Brothers has partnered with Project Bundle-Up for its annual Christmas Light Recycling Drive. All holiday lights are accepted, referably not attached to garlands or wreaths.
The collection bin can be accessed during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except for holidays.
All proceeds support Project Bundle-Up to provide winter outerwear to children and seniors.
Free session to teach first aid for pet owners
McCandless is sponsoring a free Pet First Aid session at 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Powers Room at Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road.
Certified vet technician Cheri Herschell will teach participants how to triage pet emergencies at home, what medications and treatments are safe for pets, and share community resources for people and pets in difficult situations through the Paws for Empowerment Program.
Seating is limited to 30 registrants.
Registration is required and can be made online through CivicRec at secure.rec1.com/PA/mccandless-pa/catalog.
Throwback Thursday event to highlight 1990s
The McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage & Cultural Center, 830 Aufman Lane, is hosting a ’90s Nostalgia Board Game Night for Throwback Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 22.
Attendees will watch a VHS tape; play Mall Madness, Where in the World Is Carmen San Diego board games and more; eat Dunkaroos; and drink Hi-C.
Bring the kids and teach them how to play low-tech board games from the 20th century.
The event is free, but space is limited.
Registration can be made online through CivicRec at secure.rec1.com/PA/mccandless-pa/catalog.
Super Bingo to benefit North Allegheny band students
The North Allegheny District Band Patrons is hosting a Super Bingo from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 in the cafeteria of McKnight Elementary School, 500 Cumberland Road.
Participants must be 18 or older to play. All proceeds will help to ensure every student has access to a quality band education.
Tickets cost $30 each.
The evening will include concessions, a bake sale, a 50-50 and special bingo games.
Hoagies and pizza can be preordered online. Each 14-inch hoagie is $10 and is available in five varieties: Italian, All American, traditional, three cheese and turkey. Pizza will be available in cheese and pepperoni for $1 per slice; gluten-free slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza are $2 each.
To purchase tickets and preoder hoagies and pizza, visit zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bingo-night-77.
Polar Plunge set for Feb. 7
The community is invited to participate in the McCandless Polar Plunge from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 7 at McCandless Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road.
Participants jump into a mobile plunge unit, dubbed Bear Force One, to raise money for Special Olympics athletes in Pennsylvania.
Every dollar raised helps support programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring quality training, competition, leadership programs and health initiatives for Special Olympics athletes in and around McCandless, including North Allegheny’s Unified Bocce team.
Plungers commit to “Freezin’ for a Reason” and raise a minimum of $50 to dip a toe, wade or jump into icy waters. Teams are welcome.
Anyone not ready to take the plunge can register as a fundraiser and cheer on the plungers and stroll through Plunge Town, which will feature food, games, vendors, music and more.
To register, visit register online at give.specialolympicspa.org/event/2026-mccandless-mobile-plunge/e752697.
AAA recognizes local police departments for road safety efforts
AAA East Central honored local police departments last month for their efforts to increase road safety for motorists.
Sixty-five Western Pennsylvania departments received platinum awards, while 23 departments were honored with gold or silver awards.
Platinum recipients covering the North Hills area include police departments in Allegheny County, Allegheny County Port Authority, Bellevue, Cranberry Township, McCandless, Northern Regional, Ohio Township, Shaler and West View.
The Hampton Police Department received a gold award.
Free webinar to provide training in suicide prevention
Penn State Extension is offering a free webinar aimed at saving lives and reducing suicidal behaviors.
Participants can select one of four dates: 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17 or April 21.
Penn State Extension educators will lead the webinar, “QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training,” developed by the QPR Institute. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. Participants will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide in friends, co-workers, family members or neighbors in need.
Designed for all people, regardless of profession, who are concerned about helping others, QPR is an emergency mental health intervention intended to interrupt a crisis and direct someone to proper care. Attendees will discuss potential scenarios and engage in active listening and persuasion techniques.
Penn State Extension offers the webinar free of charge, but participants must register by 11:59 p.m. the day before the event to receive the link to access it. The recording link will not be available after the webinar.
Continuing education credits are available. For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/2suk85t2 or call 1-877-345-0691.
Series to explore management of garden pests
Penn State Extension is offering a webinar series on integrated pest management for home gardeners, Master Gardeners, commercial growers and anyone interested in sustainable pest control.
The series, titled “IPM Essentials: Tools, Tactics and Techniques,” will run from noon to 1:15 p.m. March 10, 17, 24 and 31.
It will teach sustainable and practical strategies for managing pest control across diverse settings, including:
• The basic principles of integrated pest management;
• How to scout and monitor pest populations;
• How to recognize signs and symptoms of common pests and locate reliable identification resources;
• How to apply integrated pest management strategies in real-world settings;
Pesticide applicator recertification credits are available for participants pending approval.
Space is limited, and registration is required by March 9. The cost for the series is $20.
Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinars. A link to the recorded webinars will be emailed to registrants within 10 business days after the live events.
For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/ysddyd5x.