To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.
Chili chefs, tasters sought for cook-off fundraiser
The annual Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off will be from 5 to 7 p.m. April 18 at a new location this year: Roots of Faith, 800 Main St., Sharpsburg.
Harvest on Main is the new sponsor.
Think you make the best chili? Beans or no beans, here’s your chance to prove it.
To register as a chef, visit tinyurl.com/bddjyks2. The cost is $10 per participant. Registration will close at 5 p.m. April 11.
Chefs will need to arrive between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m. and can expect to leave around 7:30.
There will be one Taster’s Choice winner (chosen by the attendees). First-, second- and third-place winners will be selected by three “celebrity” judges.
Here’s what you’ll need to participate:
• 1 gallon crock pot of chili with your choice of ingredients
• a list of ingredients emailed to library organizers in advance
• any additional fixings
• a name for your chili and brief description for our judges
To register as an attendee and serve as a taster, visit tinyurl.com/4897vfy8. Tasters should be 5 and older; children younger than 13 must be with an adult. The cost is $15 for tasters, and seating is limited. Tasters will receive a small cup of each of the competing chilis and a ballot to vote for your favorite chili.
All proceeds will benefit Sharpsburg Community Library.
Volunteers sought for Sharpsburg cleanup
Sharpsburg is looking for volunteers to help with its 2026 Earth Day Cleanup on April 18.
Volunteers are invited to gather and sign in at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and doughnuts in the borough building’s council chambers, 1611 Main St.
The cleanup will be follow 9 to 11 a.m.
Joint cleanups to tidy up riverfront
Volunteers are sought to help with a Redd Up the Riverfront cleanup on April 18.
Two community cleanups are scheduled:
• Helpers can participate in Sharpsburg’s effort from 9 to 11 a.m. at 13th Street to clean up James Sharp Landing. Volunteers can meet at the borough building at 8:30 a.m. for supplies and to sign in. To register, visit bit.ly/SBG-EARTHDAY2026.
• From noon to 2 p.m., helpers are invited to meet at the end of 19th Street in Sharpsburg by the river to help clean up the trail leading to Allegheny RiverTrail Park. No registration is necessary.
The cleanups are supported by Sharpsburg Borough and Friends of the Riverfront.
Help needed to spruce up Aspinwall
Aspinwall is hosting a communitywide Green Streets Cleanup on April 26.
To register, visit aspinwallneighbors.org/upcoming-events.
Volunteers can meet up for supplies from 1 to 4 p.m. at the borough building, 217 Commercial Ave.
Individuals, students, groups and families are welcome to participate. The borough will certify community service hours for students.
The goal is to clean up high-traffic areas and parks, including the new Commerical Avenue Butterfly Garden, Alley A Rain Garden and Allegheny RiverTrail Park.
Registration underway for Demchak Challenge
Registration is now open for St. Margaret Foundation’s 39th annual Brian Demchak Hope Challenge & Pets for Patients fundraiser, which will take place from May 10-16.
There also will be a Lunchtime Wellness Walk from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12 in RIDC O’Hara.
Participants will receive a race shirt and a finisher’s medal. Register by April 10 to ensure a preferred T-shirt size.
Designate your participation in honor or memory of someone special with a free wind spinner personalized by the foundation and displayed in the hospital courtyard. Wind spinners may be picked from the garden until June 21.
Brian Demchak loved participating in a 5K, and he loved doing it with someone he loved — his mom, Tina. They made it a family tradition to participate in the Hope Challenge until Brian passed away in 2016 at 57.
The Brian Demchak Hope Challenge, presented by PNC, is a fundraiser that one can participate at their convenience with the people or pets they enjoy while filling in the gaps with hope for patients and employees at St. Margaret. Proceeds provide medication, transportation to chemotherapy and other treatments, insulin, walkers and more for under-resourced patients of UPMC St. Margaret.
For details or to register, visit stmargaretfoundation.org/challenge or call 412-784-4205.
Registration also is available at runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=105779.
Camp for teens to teach animal welfare, advocacy
Animal Friends is hosting a free Community Voices for Animals apprenticeship for teens from noon to 3 p.m. June 15, 22 and 29 and July 6 at Roots of Faith, 800 Main St., Sharpsburg.
Teens entering grades 7 through 12 are encouraged to apply. Spots are limited and will be filled on a rolling basis.
During the Community Voices for Animals camp, teens will dive into animal welfare, advocacy and animal shelter care in ways that are creative, relevant and hands-on.
Through art projects, group activities and interactive discussions, participants will explore topics affecting animals and how they can help. The camp is about using one’s voice, creativity and compassion to make a difference for animals in need alongside other teens who care, too.
Acceptance notifications will be sent by June 5.
Audubon Society to sell native plants in May
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is gearing up for its annual Native Plant Nursery Spring Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9 at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road, Fox Chapel.
There will be plenty of native plants to choose from that will attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects to one’s garden.
Audubon Society offering summer camps
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is hosting Audubon Nature Camps this summer at its Butler, Fox Chapel and Sarver locations.
Full-day and half-day camps are available. Each week has a different theme.
Outdoor Discovery camps for grades K-6, Wilderness Skills for Survival for grades 5-8, Birdz 101 and Birdz 201 camps for grades 6-9. A four-hour training course, Audubon-Naturalists-in-Training (ANTS), for teens 13-18 is free, but participants must commit to 30 hours of service with the Outdoor Discovery campers.
Scholarships are available.
The cost for full-day camps range from $365 to $395 per member and $410 to $440 per nonmember; for half-day camps, the cost is $185 per member, $205 per nonmember.
For details, visit aswp.org.
Open play, board game night, CPR class set at center
The Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, hosts a variety of community events, including:
• Young at Heart Social Hour: 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 10. Community members 65 and older are welcome to visit the center for social time. Tables and chairs will be set up, and coffee and light snacks will be provided. Registration is not required. Check in at the Welcome Desk when you arrive.
• Community Board Game Night for Adults: 6 to 8 p.m. April 10. Bring your friends or find some here while playing classics such as Backgammon or Yahtzee. This is an 18-and-over adult event. More than 20 board games will be available to choose from, or you can bring your favorite from home. This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Visit. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/community-board-game-night-for-adults-3.
• Fresh Herb Wreath Making: 6 to 8 p.m. April 17. Build a lush, aromatic wreath using fresh culinary herbs and textural greens, designed to dry naturally right on the wreath form. We’ll walk through prepping, layering and wiring techniques so your wreath holds its shape and dries beautifully over time. This class is $70 and is open to the public. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/programs/adult-programs.
• Family Group Exercise: 11:15 a.m. to noon April 19. Join us for a free family-friendly group exercise class in the Alexander Family Community Room. The class is open to all and will be led by one of our experienced instructors. It will focus on getting families moving together. Guardians are responsible for their children during the class. Anyone younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/family-group-ex-april.
• Container Gardening With Doug Oster: 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 25. Doug Oster joins us as our Sue Golier Memorial Speaker Series guest lecturer and will share tips on how to grow one’s favorite plants in containers. This event is free and open to the public. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events.
• Social Tables: 1:45 to 3 p.m. April 24. Come on your own or bring friends to gather in our Alexander Family Community Room doing your favorite activity. We have board games available, or you can try your hand at card games, mahjong, have a book club meeting, knit, read or work. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks. You can make a reservation for one person or up to six people, as each table seats six. We encourage individuals to come and find others to spend time with, learn a new game or just socialize. This event is free and open to the public. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events.
• Take a tour at Beechwood Farms with us: 9 to 10 a.m. May 3. Community members interested in meeting at the beautiful nature reserve for a naturalist-led walk are welcome to join us as we learn more about migratory birds. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/naturalist-let-nature-walk-at-beechwood-farms.
• Pressed Flower Art with Fairway Farms: 1 to 3 p.m. May 3. Create a timeless botanical keepsake on natural matte cardstock using real pressed blooms and foliage. You’ll leave with a finished piece that can be mailed as a heartfelt card to a loved one, displayed on a shelf or framed at home for an original piece of handmade art. This class is $70. Register at lauriannwestcc.org/programs/adult-programs.
Community center offers summer camps
Registration is open for Lauri Ann West Community Center’s themed summer camps, which will run for nine weeks from June 15 through Aug. 14. The camps are for children ages 3 to 13.
Fan-favorite weeks such as Our Town, Carnival and Myths and Legends are back, along with new Friday surprises and a brand-new theme — Crafting the World Games — where art and sports come together for an action-packed week.
Scholarships are available.
To learn more about the weekly themes, visit lauriannwestcc.org/summer-camps-2026.
Eagle Scout hopeful offering free technology workshops for seniors
Elias Zeiner, 17, a Life Scout with BSA Troop 173 and a Fox Chapel Area junior, is looking to attain the rank of Eagle Scout through his Tech Care Project, which will be held on four Saturdays in April.
The sessions will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays in April at Roots of Faith, 800 Main St., Sharpsburg.
The free workshops will teach seniors and community members how to safely use technology. The first session covered Usining Your Device and Safe Browsing.
The remaining topics are:
• April 11: Passwords and Account Security
• April 18: Recognizing Scams and Fraud
• April 25: Privacy Settings and Safe Communication
Participants can select individual sessions or attend all of them.
The workshops use the CyberPatriot Tech Caregiver curriculum, a national program from the Air Force Association and AT&T, covering scam recognition, password safety and privacy settings.
To register, visit tinyurl.com/rof-tech.
Indiana Township plans Touch-A-Truck, open house
Indiana Township will host its fourth Touch-A-Truck event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 alongside an open house at Town Hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.
Children of all ages will have the opportunity to sit and climb when they explore their favorite emergency vehicles, buses, construction equipment and other big vehicles.
There will be trucks and machinery from the Public Works Department, a tow truck, police vehicles and more. Food trucks will be on-site.
There also will be airbrush tattoos, bounce houses, yard games, police department tours and more.
Community invited to Foxes on the Run 5K
Everyone is welcome to participate in Dorseyville Middle School’s Foxes on the Run 5K on April 25 at Hartwood Acres Park, 4100 Middle Road, Hampton.
The day’s events will include a half-mile Kids’ Run and a 100-meter Kids’ Dash.
The cost to participate in the 5K (through April 11) is $35 for adults and $25 for those 18 and younger; a signup fee also applies.
The cost to enter the half-mile Kids’ Run for those 14 and younger is $20, plus a signup fee; the 100-meter Kids’ Dash for 10 and younger is $15, plus a signup fee.
The half-mile Kids’ Run will be held at 8:45 a.m., the 100-meter Kids’ Dash will begin at 9, and the 5K race and fun run/walk will begin at 9:05.
All 5K participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a swag bag. Awards for first- through third-places will be given in multiple age divisions. All half-mile Kids’ Dash and 100-meter Kids’ Dash participants will receive a prize at the finish line.
The event is being coordinated by the DMS Foxes Council and Health and Wellness Committee. All proceeds will benefit the students at the middle school.
The day also will include games, face painting and an art station.
Race sponsors are GCXC Race Timing & Management, Smiles by Smith Orthodontics, PetVet365, the Hartwood Restaurant, Lauri Ann West Community Center and Bowser Chevrolet Monroeville.
For details and to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/FoxesOnTheRunK.
Boy Scouts to clean up Indiana Township park
Boy Scout Troop 854, along with Cub Scout Pack 137 of Oakmont and Cub Scout Pack 554 of Springdale, will conduct their annual Litter Cleanup on April 18 in Emmerling Community Park in Indiana Township and along the banks of Deer Creek.
Troop 854 has been conducting this cleanup in the park for the past 48 years.
The Scouts also will be camping in Emmerling Community Park that weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday morning.
If you have a Scout-aged boy ages 11 to 17 who might be interested in joining the Scouts, stop by on April 18 to meet the Scouts and talk with troop leaders about the program.
Troop 854 meets at 7 p.m. Monday evenings in Oakmont Presbyterian Church, 415 Pennsylvania Ave., and serves youths from Oakmont, Verona, Springdale, Cheswick, Harmar and Indiana Township.
For details about the troop, call Dave Scatena at 412-708-1569.
Aspinwall Tee Ball launches new website, accepting sign-ups
Aspinwall Tee Ball recently launched a brand-new website, aspinwallteeball.com, that features sponsorship and registration information, as well as the canteen menu and board member bios.
Registration for the summer is underway and ends May 3.
The season will start June 13 and run for 10 weeks. The fee is $30 per child. Registration is not limited to Aspinwall residents. Financial aid is available.
There will be two groups of play: tee ball for ages 3-6 and a more experienced coach pitch group for ages 6-8. Depending on experience, your 6-year-old can play in either group.
There will be an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. April 13 in the Aspinwall Borough Building, 217 Commercial Ave., for in-person questions and registrations. Registration forms also can be found on the Aspinwall Tee Ball website and at the borough building during business hours.
For details, email aspinwallteeball@gmail.com.
Free drum healing class to aid people in recovery
Addiction Recovery Ministry is hosting a free drum healing class for people in recovery at 9 a.m. April 11 at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St., Sharpsburg.
Let the healing power of rhythm guide you forward. This drum circle offers a safe, welcoming space to release, restore and reconnect one’s mind, body and spirit.
No experience is necessary.
For details, call Rosemarie Haas at 412-378-9290.
Spiritual retreat open to families
Addiction Recovery Ministry is hosting a half-day spiritual retreat for families from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St., Sharpsburg.
The retreat, titled “Living in Hope: In the Eye of the Storm,” will offer a day of renewal and connection filled with encouragement, inspiration and opportunities for reflection and spiritual rekindling.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration is limited. Reservations are required by May 10.
To reserve your spot, call Rosemarie Haas at 412-378-9290 or email rhaasarm@gmail.com.
Murder-mystery dinner to benefit outreach
Addiction Recovery Ministry is sponsoring a baseball-themed murder-mystery dinner fundraiser April 26 at St. Joseph Church, 342 Dorseyville Road.
The cost is $50 per ticket and includes a catered buffet dinner and interactive show.
Attendees will journey to Muddyville and watch as its best players rack up some impressive RBIs, ERAs — and at least one DOA! Pittsburgh-based Mystery’s Most Wanted will present plenty of laughs, clues and twists as the mystery unfolds.
Doors will open at 4 p.m.
All proceeds will go toward helping those suffering from addiction and the people who love them.
There also will be basket raffles and a 50-50 raffle. Monetary donations, gift cards and raffle baskets are welcome.
For details and reservations, call 412-378-9290.
Plant sale, Gardenfest coming up in O’Hara
Get ready for spring planting with two events scheduled in May for O’Hara Township Community Park.
The Trillium Garden Club will have its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2. There will be a variety of annuals, perennials, potted plants, hanging baskets, raffles and more. Credit cards, checks and cash will be accepted.
The Fox Chapel Garden Club is planning its annual Gardenfest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9. A variety of groups will be on-site:
• Fox Chapel Garden Club: Perennials, deer-resistant and native plants;
• Fox Chapel Girl Scouts: Garden art;
• The Green Foxes Girl Scouts: O’Hara Elementary School’s kids garden club and bake sale;
• Guyasuta Garden Club: Hanging baskets, floral baskets and houseplants;
• Lambs Ear Farm: Succulents, perennials and houseplants;
• Men’s Garden Club: Tool and knife sharpening;
• North American Rock Garden Society: Mini conifers, dwarf hardy ferns and alpine plants;
• Pa. Wild Ones: Wild Ones shirts and native seed packets;
• Penn State Master Gardeners: Perennials and tomato plants;
• PittMoss: Soil scientist and high-quality soils from recycled materials;
• Rustic Residence: Bird, bee and butterfly dwellings;
• Local artisans: Wood art, photography, paintings and glass creations.
For details, visit www.foxchapelgardenclub.org.
County councilwoman hosting coffee meet-up
Lissa Geiger Shulman, the new representative for District 3 on Allegheny County Council, will host her first Coffee With the Council Member event from noon to 2 p.m. April 19 at Tú y Yo Café, 3447 Harts Run Road.
Coffee and light snacks will be provided.
Geiger Shulman, who resides in Hampton, represents 13 municipalities in the Shaler Area and Fox Chapel Area school districts, as well as Hampton and West Deer townships.
To contact her about county government issues, email lissa.geigershulman@alleghenycounty.us or call 412-350-6490.
Catholic Charities providing free dental care
Catholic Charities is hosting free dental care to adults 18 and older at its free health care center from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays through April 18.
The center is located at 111 Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh.
No appointments are necessary. The free services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dental exams provided include oral cancer screenings, abscess checks and dental disease evaluations.
Care planning will be offered to connect participants to follow-up care and treatment, if needed.
Participants can expect friendly staff and student providers, a respectful and no-judgment environment, and a chance to improve one’s health and smile.
For details, call the health care center 412-456-6911 or visit ccpgh.org/services/free-health-care-center.
Household Chemical Collection set for May 2
The Pennsylvania Resources Council is hosting a Household Chemical Collection event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at the North Park Pool, South Ridge Drive, McCandless.
Advance registration is required by calling 412-488-7490, emailing info@prc.org or online at prc.org/HHW.
The cost is $20 for every 10 gallons or 50 pounds of the following materials:
• All paint products
• Household cleaners
• Aerosol cans
• Batteries
• Automotive fluids and fuels
• Pesticides and herbicides
• CFL bulbs
• Photo and pool chemicals
• Smoke detectors
Oversized loads will be subject to additional fees at the discretion of on-site staff. Other fees include $12 per fire extinguishers and $15 per pound of liquid mercury.
For a complete list and more information, visit prc.org.
Summer camp signups open in Indiana Township
Registration is now open for Indiana Township’s summer camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 15 to July 17, except July 3, at Emmerling Community Park, 151 Cove Run Road.
The camp is open to children who have completed kindergarten through age 12.
Early bird registration by May 29 for residential families is $110 per child, $110 for second child and $260 for three or more children; for nonresidents, the early bird cost is $220 for one child, $220 for a second child and $520 for three or more children.
The regular registration cost on May 30 and later for residential families is $150 per child, $150 for second child and $320 for three or more children; for nonresidents, the regular registration cost is $300 for one child, $300 for a second child and $640 for three or more children.
The deadline to register is June 5. Late registrations will not be accepted.
There is no early drop-off, and late pick up will be subjected to additional fees.
For details and to register, visit indianatownship.com/summer-camp-information-registration.
Indiana Township hiring summer workers
The Indiana Township Public Works Department is hiring workers for the summer.
The ideal applicant will have experience using lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment. The candidate also must be a college/technical school student or recent high school graduate with a valid driver’s license. Township residents will be given priority.
Applications are available on the township’s website at indianatownship.com or can be picked up during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Town Hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.
All successful candidates will be required to submit to a drug/alcohol test.
Applications are due April 17. Qualified applications received after April 18 might still be considered.
Counselors 16 and older needed for summer camp
Indiana Township is looking to hire counselors for its 2026 summer camp.
Applications are available at the Town Hall’s administrative office and online at indianatownship.com.
Preference is given to applicants 16 and older who reside in Indiana Township. All staff will be responsible for obtaining and submitting Childline and criminal history clearances and FBI fingerprinting before the first day of camp.
Summer camp is held in Emmerling Community Park. The position requires staff to be outdoors every day, except on inclement weather days.
Applicants must be available for all five weeks of camp from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from June 15-July 17. Anyone not available for those specific dates and times will not be considered for employment.
Applications, which are due by May 1, can be dropped off or mailed to Indiana Township Town Hall, Attention: Counselor Applications, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
2-day Junior Fire Camp open to teens
Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services is offering a Junior Fire Camp from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13-14 for teens ages 13-17.
Are you curious about what it’s like to be a firefighter?
Discover the world of volunteer fire service with this one-of-a-kind experience featuring fun, hands-on activities guided by real firefighters.
Participants will receive a T-shirt.
The cost of the camp is $35, and scholarships are available.
After applying, you will be notified if you qualify for a scholarship.
For details, visit station102.org/fire-camp.
Registration underway for fall at Good Shepherd Preschool
Registration for fall 2026 is now open at Good Shepherd Preschool for children ages 2, 3 and 4.
Located at 1610 Powers Run Road on 4 acres in Fox Chapel, Good Shepherd Preschool offers a play-based curriculum featuring weekly music, yoga and STEM activities.
The preschool features a low teacher-to-child ratio for personalized attention, as well as a safe, nurturing environment where children feel secure and loved. There are spacious indoor/outdoor play areas and optional extended days for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds.
For details or to schedule a tour, visit gslcfc.org/preschool or call 412-963-9494, ext. 304.
Fox Hill Preschool offers summer camps
Fox Hill Preschool is hosting summer camps from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1-Aug. 1 for children ages 2 to 5.
The camps are held at Faith United Methodist Church, 261 W. Chapel Ridge Road, Fox Chapel.
There will be theme weeks, fun crafts and water play.
Applications are available online at foxhillpreschool.org. For details, call director Jennifer Pierce at 412-963-8824 or email info@foxhillpreschool.org.
Trailside Tasting to benefit camp’s special-needs programs
Camp Guyasuta is hosting its second annual Trailside Tasting fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m. May 17 at the campsite, 300 23rd St., Sharpsburg.
The event raises money to support special-needs programs the camp provides to youths with disabilities.
It will feature an afternoon of sampling wine, spirits, beer, rum, vodka, whiskey from local vendors.
Attendees must be 21 and older.
The cost is $25 and can be paid in advance online at campguyasuta.org/trailside-tastings or at the door.
Participating vendors so far include Laurel Highlands Meadery, Ponfeigh Distillery, Low Rider Jewelry, Lucky Sign Spirits, Elfinwild Farms, Deadhead Winery, La Vigneta Winery, Wigle Whiskey, Threadbare Cider and Mead, S&S Chocolates and Hazel Grove Brewing.
For details, call 412-782-2669 or visit Camp Guyasuta’s website.
Registration open for summer camps at Camp Guyasuta
Camp Guyasuta is offering a weeklong co-ed STEM Adventure Day Camp throughout June and July for children ages 6 to 14.
The camp is held in a “drop-off” format, with early arrival and late pickup available. This arrangement allows youth of working parents the ability to attend an adventure of a lifetime while not disrupting work schedules.
Registration currently is underway and will close once 180 campers have signed up for each age group, 6-10 and 11-14, per week. The first week starts June 1 and the last week begins July 27.
The cost is $300 per camper for the 6-10 group and $350 for those 11-14.
Activities include archery, target and range sports, ropes courses, gaga ball, human foosball, creek hikes and swimming.
For details about the camp and to register, visit campguyasuta.org/day-camp.
For questions about participation or exclusion from an activity, call 412-782-2669.
To request to be with a friend, email Kim Daniher at kim.daniher@scouting.org as soon as both campers are registered. The camp tries to accommodate friend requests, but it is not guaranteed. Once groups are filled, however, friend requests will not be accepted.
North Hills Chorale plans patriotic spring concert
The North Hills Chorale will present its spring concert — “American in Harmony: 250 Years of Song” — at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at St. Vincent Hall, 8250 Babcock Blvd., McCandless.
Join us as we sing of the optimism of a new country, the hardships of a nation divided, the hopefulness of opportunity and the dream of a united future.
Free-will offerings are welcome to support the continued success of North Hills Chorale.
The group began as a CCAC noncredit class in 1993 and presented its first concert in December 2003. It gained nonprofit status in 2011.
To learn more about the group, visit nhchorale.com.
Backpack for Hunger welcomes donations, volunteers
Childhood hunger is an issue, even in the Fox Chapel area.
The Fox Chapel Area School District is the most socioeconomically diverse in Pennsylvania. More than 25% of the approximately 4,000 students in the district meet the low-income requirements to qualify for the free and/or reduced-price lunch program.
The Backpack for Hunger program helps to fill the gap. Twice a month, a group of volunteers gathers to pack food bags, which are then delivered to schools to be distributed to students on a weekly or more frequent basis, as needed. In addition to being volunteer-driven, Backpack for Hunger also is dependent on public donations to purchase food. The current high food prices mean more children than ever before need Backpack for Hunger’s food bags. These high food prices also make the Backpack for Hunger program more expensive to fund. Donations are especially needed at this time.
To donate to Backpack for Hunger or to help with packing food bags, visit the program’s website at backpackforhunger.org or call 412-418-6254. Donations may be mailed to Backpack for Hunger, P.O. Box 11266, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Grant covers free spay, neuter surgeries for Sharpsburg residents, veterans
Animal Friends provides free spay and neuter surgeries for owned dogs and cats within its partner communities of McKees Rocks, Millvale, Mt. Oliver and Sharpsburg.
The program is made possible by a grant from the McS Charitable Foundation. In addition, the program will be available to veterans regardless of their location.
Any dog or cat owner who resides in one of these communities or is a veteran and wishes to be considered for the service should complete an application at tinyurl.com/29z4vev so a member of the clinic team can reach out.
Spaying and neutering are among the most impactful choices one can make to protect their pet’s health and help reduce pet overpopulation. These safe, routine procedures prevent unwanted litters, reducing the number of animals entering shelters each year. In addition to easing overcrowding, spaying and neutering can lower the risk of certain cancers, decrease roaming and behavioral challenges, and often lead to longer, healthier lives.
The grant covers the cost of the spay or neuter surgery, including pain medication, a complimentary nail trim and e-collar. All other services, such as vaccines, will be at the expense of the owner.
For assistance with scheduling a feral cat, call Animal Friends directly at 412-847-7004.
Pre-K program applications now being accepted
The Fox Chapel Area School District is accepting applications for its 2026-27 pre-kindergarten program through April 10.
This will be the eighth year for the program, which is housed at Kerr Elementary School, 341 Kittanning Pike, in O’Hara. The program is open to students across the district who turn 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026.
The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and will consist of a 4-year-old classroom with 20 students.
All students must be toilet-trained and able to use the bathroom without adult assistance. Parents/guardians must be able to provide transportation to and from school. The program requires a five-day-a-week commitment; after 10 absences, a child may be withdrawn from the program.
Students are eligible for the program based on their family’s income, which must be below the 300% poverty level for the size of the family.
Enrollment forms, including the pre-kindergarten program application, income verification form and commitment form are available on the district’s pre-kindergarten website at prek.fcasd.edu. The completed forms and proof of income (a copy of most recent W-2 or three current pay stubs) should be mailed to Fox Chapel Area School District Pre-Kindergarten Program, c/o Dr. Ashley Constantine, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
If more than 20 applications are received by April 10, a random selection process will occur the week of April 20. Parents/guardians who have a child selected for the program will receive an acceptance letter with additional information to begin the registration process. All other eligible students will be placed on an ordered wait list.
For questions, contact Dr. Ashley Constantine, Fox Chapel Area School District’s executive director of elementary education and instruction, at ashley_constantine@fcasd.edu or 412-967-2455. Additional information also is available on the pre-kindergarten website.
Blawnox Food Pantry to be open April 24
The Blawnox Food Pantry will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 24 at 376 Freeport Road.
Pantry operations have shifted this year to a ticket system similar to a supermarket deli to help alleviate wait times and people lining up around the block to get food.
Participants may arrive at 10:45 a.m. to start picking their tickets.
No proof of residency or income is required.
For details, call 412-828-4141.
Commemorative bricks available to honor Blawnox veterans
Memorial bricks are still available for purchase to honor current or former Blawnox residents who have served our country.
Many bricks already have been installed at the Veterans Memorial, along with new lamps and new pavers, along Freeport Road.
The memorial aims to serve as both a remembrance and a living memorial.
To purchase a brick in honor of a veteran, visit BricksRUs.com/DonorSite/BlawnoxCentennial.
Each brick measures 4 inches by 8 inches and costs $100.
Select commemorative products also can be purchased as keepsakes, including a donor brick for $60, an exact duplicate of the brick purchased with the addition of felt backing; a souvenir brick for $25, a smaller option that fits in one’s hand bearing your custom inscription; and a donor certificate for $10, a laser-printed certificate on heavy ivory paper showing your inscription on a red-colored brick background.
State police academy applications open
The Pennsylvania State Police is accepting applications for its 2026 Law and Leadership Academy — Southwest Location. The application period runs through May 1.
The free program is designed for residents or students in Southwest Pennsylvania, 18 and older, who have a high school diploma or GED and are seeking a career in law enforcement. Modeled after professional police academies, the curriculum includes instruction on criminal investigations, traffic laws and police resources, alongside paramilitary training in physical fitness, swimming and marching.
The academy runs from May 11 through Aug. 5. Classes are held:
• Mondays: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Saturdays: Two dates (tentative)
The program aims to foster self-discipline and teamwork while giving participants a firsthand look at the cadet experience.
Interested applicants can obtain an application by contacting the Southwest program coordinator, Trooper Tristan T. Fay, at tfay@pa.gov or by visiting patrooper.com. More information is available on the Pennsylvania State Police website at pa.gov/agencies/psp.