2 weeks Ago By TribLive
Volunteers sought to help plant trees The Penn Hills Shade Tree Commission needs volunteers to help plant 15 trees from 9 a.m. to noon Nov.
16 along Allegheny River Boulevard. The planting will take place rain or shine. The organization is partnering with the Allegheny River Boulevard Preservation Association (ARBPA) and TreeVitalize Pittsburgh in an effort to ensure the historic roadway remains tree-lined for the next 100 years.
Volunteers are invited to park and meet for coffee and doughnuts at 9 a.m. in the parking lot to the right of 4610 Allegheny River Blvd.
The lot is on the riverside between Nadine Road and stone turnout No. 2, where the Welcome to Penn Hills sign is located. The group will cross the street and begin planting by this stone turnout.
TreeVitalize will have the planting holes predug. Penn Hills police will slow down traffic. Water will be provided.
The tree planting will conclude with a pizza party at noon at the Penn Hills Government Center on Duff Road. Visit https://waterlandlife.org/.
../tree-planting-penn-hills-2/ to register or contact Alicia Wehrle, community forestry project coordinator for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, at awehrle@paconserve.
org or 412-586-2386. Volunteers are advised to dress for the weather and should bring a shovel and work gloves. Extra supplies will be available, if needed.
Bingo to benefit Penn Hills Rotary’s charities The Penn Hills Rotary is hosting a Fall Bingo on Nov. 15 at Universal Banquet Hall, 2240 Main St., in Penn Hills.
Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Early bird bingo starts at 6:15 p.
m., and regular bingo starts at 7. Tickets cost $25 and include six cards for each game, soft drinks and water.
Tickets do not include early bird games; those cards can be purchased at the event. Extra cards, tickets for special games and a 50-50 will be available for purchase. Beer, wine and light snacks also will be available for purchase.
Anyone who brings a donation of pet supplies to benefit a local animal shelter will receive a free bingo card. Welcome supplies include any brand of dog or cat food, pet toys, creamy peanut butter (without xylitol), canned pumpkin, canned chicken or uncooked white rice. All proceeds benefit Penn Hills Rotary charities.
To purchase a ticket, visit pennhillsrotary.org/purchase . Tickets are not distributed once purchased; all tickets will be claimed at the door.
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 monthly meetings on its website at www.
phsd.org/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. Heating assistance available to low-income households Thousands of eligible customers miss out on bill assistance by not applying for federal grants. With the winter season approaching, many income-eligible customers remain unaware of programs that can significantly reduce their energy bill.
Peoples Natural Gas, an essential utilities company, encourages its customers to take advantage of available resources to help offset winter heating costs. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is now open for the 2024-25 heating season. LIHEAP is a federally funded assistance program that provides grants to eligible low-income households to help pay for heating costs.
Grants start at $200 and may be higher based on income and the number of people living in the home. To qualify for a LIHEAP grant, customers must have a total gross household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Customers do not have to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill.
LIHEAP is open to renters and homeowners. To learn more about the income limits and to apply, visit https://www.pa.
gov/en/agencies/dhs.html , click on Services in the menu and search for LIHEAP. In addition to LIHEAP, Peoples offers programs to help make energy-saving home improvements that reduce long-term costs.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more. Students sought for charity’s leadership program The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking participants for its “Student Visionaries of the Year” program, where local student teams undergo a seven-week leadership program to raise awareness and funding for blood cancer patients and their families and build professional skills.
Teams are tasked with organizing fundraisers and other events for the benefit of the society. For details, visit LLSstudentvisionaries.org or email erica.
[email protected]. Free webinar to explore Alzheimer’s, dementia More than 6 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.
S., and there are about 11 million unpaid caregivers supporting them. Around the world, the disease impacts about 50 million people.
Penn State Extension is joining forces with the Alzheimer’s Association to present a free webinar, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” to provide an overview of Alzheimer’s and dementia. This webinar will take place from 6 to 7 p.m.
Nov. 29. The program is designed for people who are facing an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, for caregivers looking after someone with these conditions, and for anyone who wants to learn more about Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Participants will learn: • How Alzheimer’s disease affects people. • The difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia. • The stages of Alzheimer’s and what makes some people more likely to get it.
• What scientists are discovering and the treatments available to help with some of the symptoms. This webinar is free, but attendees must register by Nov. 29 to get access to the link.
Those who register also will receive a link to watch the recording of the program. For details and to sign up, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.
edu/understanding-alzheimers-and-dementia or call 1-877-345-0691. McDonald’s offering free meals to veterans, service members on Nov. 11 McDonald’s restaurants are thanking the region’s veterans on Veterans Day by offering free food to current and former military members.
Veterans must show a valid military ID. For breakfast, veterans can enjoy a free Sausage Egg McMuffin meal, including a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee. For lunch or dinner, veterans can enjoy a free 10-piece McNugget Meal, with medium fries and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.
The deals are available via dine-in or drive-thru. They are not available in the McDonald’s app. Breakfast meals are only available until 10:30 a.
m. Nearby McDonald’s locations are at 11591 Frankstown Road in Penn Hills and 70 Allegheny River Blvd. in Verona.
Free books available monthly for kids through age 5 Children who reside in the 15235 ZIP code are eligible to receive free books every month until their 5th birthday through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in conjunction with Reading Ready Pittsburgh. The program, which aims to inspire a love of reading, is open to all children within the city of Pittsburgh and 18 ZIP codes in the Mon Valley area. Each month, a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home.
The first book is always the classic “The Little Engine That Could.” For details about the program and to enroll your child, visit readingreadypittsburgh.org/DPIL.
Community invited to grief awareness event Soxman Funeral Homes, 7450 Saltsburg Road, is organizing an event to mark Children’s Grief Awareness Day from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov.
23. Children, teens and adults of all ages are invited to attend. Visitors are encouraged to wear blue.
There will be crafts, snacks, a butterfly scavenger hunt and story time with the funeral home’s bereavement care dog, Lilo. To register, visit soxmanfuneralhomes.com and click on “events” in the menu.
Children’s Grief Awareness Day, which is Nov. 21, aims to help make people aware of the needs of grieving children and the benefits they obtain through the support of others. For details about the movement and to find resources, visit childrensgriefawarenessday.
org. Cub Scout Pack 817 seeks members Cub Scout Pack 817 is looking for new members. Boys and girls in grades K-5 are welcome to see what the fun is all about.
Pack 817 meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday, September through May, at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department, 5806 Verona Road.
Cub Scouts offers members many opportunities to try new things, provide service to others, build confidence, develop leadership skills and make new friends. Members of Pack 817 participate in pinewood derby races, crafts and cooking, Cubmobile challenges, rocket launches, camping and more. There also are summer activities.
For more information about Pack 817, contact Cubmaster Randy Ford at 412-852-5840 or [email protected].
Library highlights November offerings The Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, offers a variety of programs for all ages. For a complete list of offerings, visit pennhillslibrary.org.
To register for any of the following programs, visit the website and click on the events tab to view an interactive calendar. Here are some of November highlights: CHILDREN • Maker Lab ..
. Wearable Circuits (ages 6-11): 1 to 2 p.m.
Nov. 16. Children will learn how to use different machines and supplies to create something completely new.
Registration is required. • Parachute Play (ages 3-5 with a caregiver): 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Nov. 18. Join us for creative movement, songs and games with a colorful parachute.
The focus is on developing gross motor skills, rhythm and social interactions. Registration is required. • Bluey Bingo! (all ages; families welcome): 3:30 p.
m. Nov. 27.
Do you love Bluey and playing bingo? Participants will watch some favorite episodes while shouting out “Bingo!” to win fun prizes. Bluey games, coloring sheets and puzzles will be available. Registration is required.
TEENS • Teen Advisory Board ...
Ceramics (grades 6-12): 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov.
14. Teens, the library wants to hear from you. Stop by on Thursdays this month to give your input.
Each week will feature a different craft. To sign up for text reminders for all teen programs, text TEENSPH to 412-240-6540. • “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (grades 6-12): 3:30 to 5:30 p.
m. Nov. 18.
Watch Tim Burton’s animated musical fantasy from 1993 and decorate themed cookies. • Make Your Own Photo Cubes (grades 6-12): 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 19. Use our Instax camera and decorate wooden cubes to display your favorite pictures.
• Teen Advisory Board ...
Taylor Swift Crafts (grades 6-12): 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov.
21. Teens, the library wants to hear from you. Stop by on Thursdays this month to give your input.
Each week will feature a different craft. • Faux Carmel Apple Decor (grades 6-12): 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Nov. 27. Create fake caramel apples to decorate your home for fall.
ADULTS • Merrymakers Jazz Trio: 6 to 7 p.m. Nov.
18. Musicians will play traditional jazz music and some current styles. Registration is required.
• The Most Delicious Way to Save the Planet: 6 to 7 p.m. Nov.
20. Our dining choices can have a big impact on the planet. Join Maria Wheeler-Dubas in exploring this tasty power by sampling planet-approved, local foodie favorites while learning more about how food systems tie into ecology.
Registration is required. ALL AGES • Spooky & Grimm ..
. Live Storytelling: 6 to 7 p.m.
Nov. 21. Spooky fairy tales from Germany will be told, including a few from the Brothers Grimm.
Suitable for 9 and older; parental guidance is advised for anyone younger than 9. Registration is required. • Native American Drum and Dance: 1 to 2 p.
m. Nov. 23.
Witness the beauty and rhythm of the heartbeat of the Nation as traditional and modern Native Americans’ music and dance come to life. All ages welcome, including children. Registration is required.
Holiday bingo boasts $1,000 jackpot Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Company No. 7 is teaming up with Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans for a Christmas Bingo with a $1,000 jackpot Dec. 7 at the station, 125 Universal Road.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. and bingo starts at 5:30.
Tickts are $20 and include six cards per game, with 20 regular games. Special bingo games will be sold separately. Anyone who brings an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots will receive a bingo card for an exclusive game.
There will be a 50-50 and other raffles. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and alcohol will be available to guests 21 and older with a photo ID. Tickets must be purchased for entry.
To purchase tickets, call 412-247-1892 or visit the station’s website at phvfd227.store and click on the bingo link . Rotary offering need-based scholarships The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from current high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.
This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded. The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington- Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service. Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at rotarydistrict7305.
org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors. The deadline to apply is Feb.
28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted. For details, email Dr.
Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at [email protected]. Donors sought for raffle benefiting district’s arts programming The Steel Goat Marketplace, 200 Jefferson Road, is hosting a fundraiser in November to directly benefit the music, art and theater programs of the Penn Hills School District.
A portion of weekend sales throughout the month will be donated. There also will a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and vendors. Businesses and vendors are welcome to participate by donating a product or service.
All donors will be acknowledged. To donate or learn more about how you can contribute, visit steelgoatmarket.com or call 412-241-0411.
Leaf and yard waste collections set The Penn Hills Department of Public Works released a schedule for its fall leaf and yard waste composting program. The next collection dates are Nov. 18 and 25.
All of the dates are Mondays. Bag requirements: All paper leaf bags should be placed curbside Sunday evening. Any leaf or yard waste not in an approved bag will not be picked up.
Bags must weigh less than 30 pounds. Do not use staples or tape to close the bags, but fold over the tops to prevent leaves from spilling. Also, do not rake leaves to the curb, in keeping with ordinance No.
2012-2548. Acceptable material includes leaves, garden residue such as flowers and plants with no roots attached, and trimmings from shrubs and trees with a half-inch or smaller diameter. The following material will not be accepted: bags over 30 pounds, ground-up leaves, grass, dirt, stones, roots, tape or plastic bags and other types of paper bags, boxes or containers.
Residents also can drop off their bags at the municipal compost site by appointment through the Public Works department. A minimum 24-hour notice is required. To make an appointment, call 412-798-2151.
For additional details about the annual fall collection, visit penhillspa.gov. Meetings slated for November Here are the tentatively scheduled Penn Hills School Board and Penn Hills municipal meetings for November: SCHOOL BOARD • Penn Hills School Board, regular public voting meeting: 6 p.
m. Nov. 26, media center at Linton Middle School, 260 Aster St.
To view voting meeting agendas and livestreams of meetings, visit Penn Hills School District online at phsd.org and click on the School Board tab. MUNICIPALITY • Penn Hills Council, voting meeting and first budget hearing: 7 p.
m. Nov. 18 • Penn Hills Council, second budget hearing: 7 p.
m. Nov. 25 • Penn Hills Zoning Hearing Board: 7 p.
m. Nov. 20 • Penn Hills Planning Commission: 7:30 p.
m. Nov. 21 • Penn Hills Library Board: 7 p.
m. Nov. 27 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. To sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts, visit savvycitizenapp.com/signup or download the app on your mobile phone.
Fall/winter activities planned for children Penn Hills Parks & Recreation recently posted its fall and winter schedule. Space is limited for the following events, and registration is required. All events take place at Rolling Hills Church, 120 Gernert Drive.
• Kids Painting and Craft: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov.
13 and Dec. 11 • Kids in the Kitchen: 10 to 11 a.m.
Nov. 16 and Dec. 14 To register, call the recreation department at 412-798-2147.
Holiday cheer already in works Penn Hills Parks & Recreation is planning a variety of holiday events for the community: • Holiday Lights Cruise: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec.
5 at the Penn Hills Government Center, 102 Duff Road. There will be a drive-thru lights display and a visit from Santa. Treat bags will be provided, but registration is required.
To register, call 412-798-2147. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unopened and unwrapped toy donation for a chance to win a $100 gift card. • Letters to Santa: Drop off your letters Dec.
1-19 at Penn Hills Library. You also can mail them to 102 Duff Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or email them to [email protected].
Please include a return address. • Lunch With Santa, two sessions: 11 a.m.
to noon and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Dec.
7 at Rolling Hills Church, 120 Gernert Drive. Join us for a visit from Santa, arts and crafts and a pizza lunch. Space is limited.
To register, call 412-798-2147. • Christmas Lights Display Contest: To enter your home, call 412-798-2147 or email [email protected].
Judging will take place Dec. 17-19. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated home.
Verona Historical Society program slated The Verona Historical Society will host a program dubbed “The Encampment at Valley Forge, 1777-1778” on Nov. 21. The presentation from Ken Cherry will discuss a pivotal time in U.
S. history. For details about the historical society’s programs or membership, visit veronahistory.
org. 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 this fall. 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. Those who donate from Nov.
1-17 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice and will be entered into a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Thanks .
To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767). 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. 26th Holiday Craft Show set for Nov.
23 Penn Hills Parks & Recreation will present its 26th annual Holiday Craft Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.
m. Nov. 23 at Linton Middle School, 250 Aster St.
Admission is free. The event will showcase more than 100 spaces of handmade arts and crafts. There also will be door prizes, gift card raffles and concessions in the cafeteria.
For details, call the Parks & Recreation office at 412-798-2147. Class of 1984 to gather in November The Penn Hills High School Class of 1984 is celebrating its 40th reunion in November. Members are invited to mark the occasion from 6 to 11 p.
m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Comfort Inn & Suites RIDC, 180 Gamma Drive in O’Hara.
The cost is $58 per person and includes a buffet dinner and two drink tickets. The itinerary includes cocktails at 6 p.m.
, dinner at 7, dancing until 11 and a karaoke afterparty from 11 p.m. to 2 a.
m. in the hotel bar. Tickets can be purchased via Venmo at https://venmo.
com/u/Kristy-McGowan-1 through Kristy (McGill) McGowan. For attendees who prefer to stay at the hotel, a block of rooms with king-size beds have been reserved for $87 a night. The hotel offers free breakfast from 7 to 11 a.
m. Sunday, Dec. 1, and has an indoor heated pool that’s open from 9 a.
m. to 9 p.m.
daily. To reserve a room, call the hotel at 412-963-0600 and ask for the Penn Hills High School 40th reunion rate. For questions, email ph84reunion@gmail.
com or visit the Penn Hills Class of 1984 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. McAndrew’s 32nd District covers Oakmont, Penn Hills, Plum and Verona. 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.
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.
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, Pa Farmers Market Facebook page . 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..
