Thespians to stage ‘Once on This Island’
Penn Hills High School will present its spring musical, “Once on This Island,” at 7 p.m. April 9-11 and 2 p.m. April 12.
All shows will be held in the high school auditorium, 309 Collins Drive.
The musical, set in the Caribbean, is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” A peasant girl, Ti Moune, falls in love with a wealthy boy, Daniel, and makes a deal with the island gods to save his life. The gods wager on the strength of their love versus death.
For more information and ticket details, visit the district’s website at phhs.phsd.org and follow it on Facebook.
Trivia Night to raise money for Peace Pole in school district
The Penn Hills Rotary is hosting its first Trivia Night from 6 to 9 p.m. April 10 at the American Legion, 7824 Saltsburg Road, Plum.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., followed by games at 7.
The cost is $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight by March 20. After that date, the cost increases to $30 per person and $250 per table of eight.
A light meal and bottled water is included with the ticket price. Alcohol and other beverages will be available to purchase from the American Legion.
There also will be themed baskets and a 50-50 raffle.
All proceeds will support the purchase of a Rotary Peace Pole for Penn Hills School District students.
Indoor flea market to benefit nonprofit
The Riverview Community Action Corporation is hosting an indoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at the center, 501 Second St., Oakmont.
Credit cards will be accepted, and all proceeds benefit the center.
There will be something for everyone.
The Riverview Community Action Corporation is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to promote community involvement, pride and awareness through services and programs to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Oakmont, Verona and the surrounding communities.
Cottontail to hop on over to Boyce Park
Allegheny County Parks is hosting a free Cookies With Cottontail event from 1 to 3 p.m. March 15 at Boyce Park’s Four Seasons Activity Center, 901 Centerview Drive, Plum.
There are two sessions: 1 to 2 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. Each session is capped at 100 participants.
There will be cookies, crafts, face painting and more fun activities with Peter Cottontail.
Cookies with Cottontail events are indoors and free for all ages. Registration is required to ensure there are enough supplies. Parents or guardians are not required to register themselves; only the children participating in the event must be registered.
For details and to register, visit alleghenycounty.us/Parks-and-Events/Special-Events/Cookies-with-Cottontail.
Cottontail also will visit three other parks this spring: North Park on March 21, South Park on March 22 and Round Hill Park on March 29.
County seeks lifeguards for parks
Allegheny County Parks is hiring lifeguards.
The county has four pool facilities: North Park swimming pool in McCandless and the wave pools in Boyce Park in Monroeville, South Park in Bethel Park and Settlers Cabin Park in Robinson.
Lifeguards are responsible for ensuring safe swimming conditions in and around the pool areas, and creating a fun and positive atmosphere for all guests.
The pay is $16 to $18 per hour and successful candidates must satisfy the following criteria:
• Ages 15 and older;
• Complete all required lifeguard employment forms;
• Possess a current lifeguard certification and be able to pass an aquatics test;
• Work the entire swimming season, including flexible hours, weekends and holidays.
Successful candidates must successfully pass background checks as required for the position.
To apply and to access the required forms, visit alleghenycounty.us/Government/Employment/Job-Opportunities-by-Department/Park-Careers/Lifeguards.
For details, contact the Allegheny County Parks Department at 412-350-2455 or email lifeguards@alleghenycounty.us.
Project Prom Shop open in March
Allegheny County will hold its annual Project Prom event on March 14, 17, 19 and 21 at the Project Prom Shop, 10700 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills.
Through the generosity of donations and participating retailers, Project Prom has hundreds of new and gently used gowns, accessories and tuxedos — all free for eligible high school students who will be attending prom.
Participating high school students must live in Allegheny County and be receiving services from the Department of Human Services or qualify for a free or reduced school lunch. A student also is eligible if a household member is on active military duty or a veteran.
Guests must register in advance for an available 30-minute timeslot and are asked to bring only one friend or family member to accompany them.
For details about Project Prom or to register for a timeslot, visit AlleghenyCounty.US/ProjectProm.
Our Lady of Joy fish fry runs through Lent
The Knights of Columbus hosts a fish fry each Friday during Lent at the newly renovated Our Lady of Joy Church hall in Plum.
Dinner will be available through April 3, which is Good Friday.
The hours are 4 to 7 p.m. The church, part of the Holy Family Parish, is at 2000 O’Block Road.
Ladies society to meet April 1
The Plum Area Ladies Society (PALS) will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 1 in the Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road.
The speaker will be Diane Napper from the Glimmer of Hope Foundation. This organization works to improve breast cancer care through comprehensive integrated programs and research to advance the pursuit of a cure. The service project will be to contribute to this worthy organization.
Members are welcome to pay $35 for their ticket to the annual banquet May 6 at Ebbie’s.
Elections for new officers will be conducted at the meeting.
The Ladies Day Out for the month will be lunch from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 22 at Somma’s. We can play LCR (left center right) there after lunch.
PALS is a service/social organization open to women from Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and the surrounding communities. Newcomers are welcome to come to a regular meeting, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month, September through April, at the Plum Community Center.
For details, call Mary Lou Spohn-Meyers at 724-327-8265.
Plum AARP to gather April 14; new members welcome
Plum AARP will hold its April meeting at noon April 14 in the American Legion Post 980, 7824 Saltsburg Road, Plum.
There will be no entertainment. The program is to bring and play games at the meeting. Two slices of pizza will be served for $4, plus the usual free cake and coffee and tea.
Plum AARP is a social/service organization open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and the surrounding communities. Almost every meeting features either entertainment or a speaker. AARP hosts a Christmas party, a May luncheon and an August social, as well as two hot dog/condiments/chips luncheons for $3. The group also offers the opportunity to book one-day or multiple-days trips, presented every month by a representative from Thomas Tours. All this is offered for dues of only $15 per year.
Newcomers are welcome to come to a regular meeting, which is always held at noon at the American Legion on the second Tuesday of each month, except June.
For details, call Mary Lou Spohn-Meyers at 724-327-8265.
Class of 1976 to celebrate 50th reunion June 6
Penn Hills Class of 1976 will host its 50th class reunion at 6 to 11 p.m. June 6 at The Westin Pittsburgh, Downtown.
Space is limited and discounted ticket rate applies until April 1; tickets are $85 each through April 1 and $95 after that date.
Westin rooms are available at a special group rate for Friday and/or Saturday night.
The event will include a DJ, heavy appetizers and a cash bar. Additional activities include a golf outing, Friday night parties and goodbye fun on Sunday.
Details about the reunion are available on the “Penn Hills High School Class of 1976” Facebook page or via email at pennhillsclass1976@gmail.com.
Upcoming meetings
Upcoming municipal and school district meetings include:
• Council: 7 p.m. March 16 voting meeting (March 9 nonvoting meeting; looking ahead: April 13 nonvoting meeting, April 20 voting meeting) in Council Chambers at the government center, 102 Duff Road (first and third Mondays of every month);
• Zoning Hearing Board: 7 p.m. March 25 in Council Chambers (fourth Wednesday of each month);
• Planning Commission: 7:30 p.m. March 26 in Council Chambers (fourth Thursday of each month);
• Library Board: 7 p.m. March 25 at Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road (last Wednesday of each month);
• Penn Hills School Board: 6 p.m. March 25 (regular public voting meeting) in the Sen. Jay Costa Media Center at Linton Middle School, 260 Aster St. (last Wednesday of each month)
To check for cancellations, agendas or other changes to the municipal meeting schedule, scroll down to the bulletin board section of Penn Hills’ homepage at pennhillspa.gov or sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts. A hard copy of the township agenda also is available at the Penn Hills Library.
To sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts, visit savvycitizenapp.com/signup or download the app on your mobile phone.
Municipal, school district meetings viewable online
Want to stay informed about the municipality and school district you live in and the decisions made by people you elect to office?
Both entities livestream their meetings online.
• Penn Hills Council livestreams its monthly meetings on YouTube @PennHills TVONLINE. Past livestreams of meetings also are available to view. Check them out at youtube.com/@PennHillsTVONLINE/featured.
• The Penn Hills School District livestreams its monthly school board meetings on its website at https://www.phsd.org/our-district/school-board/live-stream-and-video-archive. Past meetings also are available. Among the videos are the school board’s regular public voting meetings, HR/Policy and Finance Committee meetings, and Athletic Advisory, Safety/Buildings & Grounds and Curriculum Committee meetings.
Boutique relocates
A shop with local ties that specialized in plus-sized clothing has found a new home.
Brick House Chic Boutique will open March 13 at 436 Allegheny River Blvd. in Oakmont.
Owners and cousins Anna Mayhood and Kristen Farringer said moving was beyond their control but did not elaborate. The shop closed in Tarentum on Feb. 5.
The move makes sense since the pair grew up in the Verona and Penn Hills areas, they said.
“Oakmont has a lot of foot traffic and traffic in general,” Farringer said. “We have been able to make the space our own and can’t wait for it to be done.”
The boutique opened in 2024 to cater to women with a niche shopping experience after the two said it was a challenge to find trendy plus-size clothes in brick-and-mortar stores.
Farringer said the shop plans to participate in events with the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce and will host small pop-ups with local vendors.
One big change is that they plan to be open during the day, whereas in Tarentum it was evening hours only.
3 Rivers Psychic Fair set for March 14-15
The 3 Rivers Psychic Fair, featuring more than 55 vendors, returns from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14-15 at Comfort Inn, 699 Rodi Road, Penn Hills.
Workshops will be available on a variety of topics, including manifesting, authenticity, feminine rising, group psychic medium readings and telepathy.
The 3 Rivers Psychic Fair takes place three times a year in and around the city of Pittsburgh. The next events are scheduled for July 25 and Oct. 17-18. The fair offers psychic, intuitive and medium readings, as well as Reiki and energy healers and holistic products.
The mission of the fair is to connect, heal and educate. It aims to help people expand their minds, learn about their bodies and kindle their inner flames.
Admission is $5, payable by cash or credit card. There also will be a 50-50.
To learn more, visit 3riverspf.com. To view a list of readers and vendors enrolled, visit facebook.com/3RiversPsychicFair.
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 email jmjkwj@gmail.com.
Course available to drivers 55 and older
Seniors for Safe Driving is offering an upcoming course for motorists 55 and older from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 24 at the Penn Hills Senior Center, 147 Jefferson Road.
The PennDOT-approved course is an opportunity for older motorists to refresh their driving skills and their knowledge of the rules of the road.
There is no testing or behind-the-wheel driving. Participants who complete the course can receive a three-year discount of no less that 5% on their auto insurance.
Course highlights include one’s health and driving performance; effects of medication and alcohol on driving; yielding and intersections; strategies for safe passing and managing one’s speed; keeping up with vehicle technology; preventive ways to reduce driver distractions;, proper use of safety belts, air bags and anti-lock brakes; defensive driving tactics and sharing the road; dealing with aggressive drivers and road rage situations; and the latest information on traffic laws and regulations.
The cost is $17.
To register for a class, call 800-559-4880 or 724-283-0245 or go online at SeniorsForSafeDriving.com.
Free clothing available
Mt. Hope Community Church, 12106 Frankstown Road, operates a free Clothesline to people in need from 10 a.m. to noon every Thursday.
Parking is available behind the church, and there is a bus stop nearby at Frankstown Road and Parkridge Drive.
Clothing for women, men and children of all ages is available, as well as some shoes and accessories.
Bags are provided, but visitors also are encouraged to bring their own.
The church also is accepting and loaning gently used children’s books.
For details, call 412-793-0227 or visit mthopepcusa.org/youth-ministries.
To have your news or event listed, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.