In brief: Herald area events for the week of June 10, 2024
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Public portion of library’s expansion project kicks off next week
The Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road, is launching the public portion of its capital campaign at 11:30 a.m. June 18 by breaking through a wall in the lower level of its facility.
The campaign aims to raise the funds required to renovate the unfinished portion of the library to better meet the growing needs of the communities it serves: Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, Indiana Township, O’Hara and Sharpsburg.
The undertaking will add 6,000 square feet to the library, in what is being dubbed Cooper-Siegel Community Library 2.0.
Since the pandemic, the library has seen a spike in usage, and library officials say an expansion is needed to keep up.
In the past year, the library welcomed more than 85,000 visitors, an increase of 20% over the previous year, according to Jill McConnell, executive director.
Fox Chapel Day set June 15 in McCahill Park
The community is invited to Fox Chapel Day 2024 from noon to 4 p.m. June 15 in McCahill Park, 625 Hemlock Hollow Road.
There will be games and prizes, food trucks, car seat installations, train rides, a bounce house, a petting zoo, face painting, balloon art and more.
First responders from local EMS, fire and police departments and members of the Allegheny County Police Bomb Unit will be on hand. A Life Flight helicopter also will be on-site.
Among the must-sees will be a local beekeeper displaying a live hive and entertainment by Weird Eric.
Hemlock Hollow Road will be closed to through traffic from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. from Hunt to Guyasuta roads. Detours will be posted.
Additional parking will be available at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, and a free shuttle service will be provided.
O’Hara community invited to pizza evening with police
O’Hara Council is inviting the community to a pizza night with the police from 6 to 8 p.m. June 20 at Shelter 2 in O’Hara Community Park.
Members of the police department will be available to talk to residents and for photo opportunities. There will be fun gear for children.
A police vehicle and other equipment will be on display.
Parkview EMS also will be on hand to check vehicles for proper car seat installation.
Comedy night set for Father’s Day
Cooper-Siegel Community Library will host its quarterly comedy fundraiser for adults from 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 16 in the Verne C. Koch Program Room.
The headliner for this installment of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Library” is Tyler Ray Kendrick, along with host and opener Abby Elias. The evening is presented by Dancing Gnome Brewery.
Kendrick — an actor, comedian, writer and lawyer — was voted Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best Comedian in 2022 and 2023.
Tickets are $20 per show.
Registration and payment can be made online at https://coopersiegel.librarycalendar.com/event/funny-thing-happened-way-library-1.
For details about the event, call 412-828-9520.
Spring Art Fling set for June 15 in Blawnox
Best of Blawnox will host its annual Spring Art Fling from noon to 3 p.m. June 15 along Freeport Road in the borough’s business district.
It will feature various art and food vendors as well as music, exhibits and demonstrations.
The event is sponsored by Dollar Bank. For details, email bestofblawnox@gmail.com or visit bestofblawnox.com.
Blood donors sought
Vitalant is planning blood drives this month across the Pittsburgh region, including from 7 a.m. to noon June 12 at UPMC-St. Margaret, first-floor conference center, 815 Freeport Road, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 30 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.
Everyone who donates blood, platelets or plasma in June will receive a $10 gift card through Vitalant’s Donor Rewards and will be entered for a chance to win one of five $5,000 gift cards in the Summer Adventure Gas Giveaway.
Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O — the most transfused blood type. O-positive is the most common blood type in the U.S., and O-negative can be used to help any patient in an emergency when their blood type isn’t known.
To review updated blood donor eligibility requirements and make an appointment, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Allegheny RiverTrail Park seeks marketing coordinator, seasonal workers
The Allegheny RiverTrail Park is seeking enthusiastic individuals who enjoy nature to fill a few job openings.
Marketing and development coordinator: This position is integral to the park’s success and is responsible for coordinating marketing efforts, managing the donor database, assisting with fundraising initiatives, and supporting park events and management. The ideal candidate will be creative, detail-oriented and passionate about promoting outdoor recreation and conservation. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communiciations, nonprofit management or a related field and a minimum of two years of experience in a relevant field.
Seasonal park maintenance workers: This position is crucial to ensuring the park is clean, safe and enjoyable for visitors throughout the busy season. Applicants must be at least 18. Employees will be paid $18 to $23 an hour and work 20 to 25 hours per week.
To learn more about the above positions, including detailed responsibilities and qualifications, visit alleghenyrivertrailpark.org/jobs. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to jobs@alleghenyrivertrailpark.org.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all of the positions are filled.
Blawnox food pantry availability extended
Blawnox officials have added extra days and hours to the borough’s food pantry to serve more residents this summer.
The pantry at the borough building is usually open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the last Friday of the month.
It also will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 25 and July 23.
Borough Manager Kathy Ulanowicz said the goal is to reach people who are working and cannot stop by in the morning.
The pantry serves at least 20 people each month. No proof of income or residency is required.
Donations can be dropped off at 376 Freeport Road during regular business hours. Paper products, laundry detergent and dish soap are in high demand.
For details, call 412-828-4141.
Movies in the Park to screen ‘E.T.’ and ‘Trolls’
O’Hara will present Movie in the Park at 8 p.m. June 20 and June 25 in O’Hara Township Community Park.
The first night is “E.T.” The second show will be “Trolls.”
For details about township events, visit ohara.pa.us.
Times change for several library programs
Sharpsburg Community Library, 1212 Main St., has changed some of its programs because of summer reading.
• Little Hands Art Storytime for PreK friends and their caregivers is moving from Mondays at 1:30 p.m. to Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. starting June 11.
• Wiggle Time storytime for children 2 and younger with their caregivers will resume at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays starting June 13.
• Senior Craft & Chat, the biweekly program for senior adults, is changing its time to 3 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
• Teen Scene, the Wednesday program for middle and high schoolers, is changing its time from 4 to 7 p.m. to 3 to 6 p.m. starting June 12.
• Read with Mishka, a storytime with the Elk hound mix and certified therapy dog, and Alejandra Bernal from Animal Friends, makes its surprise return at 4 p.m. June 14. It is expected to continue through the summer on the second Friday of the month.
The summer reading program is scheduled for June 1 through Aug. 3.
People are encouraged to read anything from comic books, biographies, plays and even food labels.
About 800 people at Cooper-Siegel Community Library and its Sharpsburg branch combined participated in last year’s program.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets Tuesday evenings
The local chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a support group to help those struggling with weight loss, meets Tuesday evenings at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., in Oakmont. Meetings begin with a private weigh-in between 5:45 and 6:10 p.m.
Anyone interested in joining can attend a meeting and decide if TOPS is right for them. For details, call 412-828-3854 or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.
Library’s pantry in need of supplies
Sharpsburg Community Library’s Little Free Pantry at 1212 Main St. needs some supplies.
A wish list was posted online at coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org/sharpsburg.
Items requested include small bags of cookies and snacks, pudding cups, applesauce and fruit cups, instant oatmeal, Campbell’s chunky soups, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
The pantry is stocked three times weekly and is completely supported through donations.
For details, call the library at 412-781-0783.
Funnel Cake Fridays return to Kennedy Park in June
The Sharpsburg-Aspinwall Rotary Club and Sharpsburg Parks and Recreation Commission again are sponsoring Funnel Cake Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. throughout the month of June in Kennedy Park, North Canal Street.
The events on June 14, 21 and 28 will feature food — including hot dogs, pierogies, funnel cakes and a few surprises — as well as activities from 5 to 7 p.m. and music from 7 to 8 p.m.
There are themes for each of the nights:
June 7: Safety Night — musician will be Donna O;
June 14: Service Night — musician will be Braylee Pierce;
June 21: Game Night — musician will be Marty Gonzales;
June 28: Music Night — Wild Bill Cox will kick off the evening as all of our musicians come back to perform a full evening of music.
All proceeds support the Rotary’s local and international charities.
Glass recycling set at Hartwood Acres
Glass recycling bins will be available July 13-18 at the Hartwood Acres amphitheater’s overflow lot, 4100 Middle Road.
The traveling program is offered through the Allegheny County Department of Sustainability and Pennsylvania Resources Council.
People can drop off glass bottles, jars and jugs of all colors from 7 a.m. to sunset.
No color sorting is required. Containers should be empty and rinsed, with lids and labels still on.
Bags and boxes used to deliver glass must be discarded off-site.
Story Supper caters to youngest readers
The area’s youngest readers, infants through age 5 accompanied by an adult, are invited to a monthly Story Supper at Sharpsburg Community Library, 1212 Main St. Siblings are welcome.
The program is a partnership with Fox Families Care, the family literacy program includes storytime, a nutritious meal, creative play and a free welcome book.
Remaining dates for the family literacy program, which runs from 5:45 to 7 p.m., are June 26, July 24, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30 and Nov. 20.
Families are encouraged to apply early when registration opens for each event because space is limited.
To register, visit coopersiegel.librarycalendar.com.
Free monthly musical performances open to community
The Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, is hosting free Thursdays on the Patio.
Each month will feature a different musician in partnership with Band Together Pittsburgh. From 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 20, the featured performers will be Vento, Ziggy, Hawk and McCarthy.
The gathering previously was known as Wine Wednesdays.
Attendees are invited to bring wine or other beverages and spend a warm evening listening to live music on the center’s patio. Bring your own chair. In case of inclement weather or extreme heat, the event will move indoors.
Snacks will be available for purchase at the center’s Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet.
The event is free, but registration is required.
To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org.
Nominations open for sports hall of fame
Nominations for the Sharpsburg Sports Hall of Fame are being accepted.
Nominations can be for any player, team or team builder such as a coach, equipment manager, broadcaster or someone who made a significant impact on a team. It is open to all sports.
Nominees must have lived in the borough at some point in time.
The Sharpsburg Historical Commission is expecting to induct three individuals and one team to the hall of fame. Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 31, and the induction ceremony will take place in the fall.
For details and nomination forms, visit the borough website at sharpsburgborough.com.