In brief: Herald area events for the week of March 25, 2024

Pitt professor to discuss electoral system during AAUW meeting

Guest speaker Susan Hansen will discuss the current electoral system during the April meeting of the Fox Chapel affiliate of American Association of University Women.

A University of Pittsburgh professor emerita, Hansen will talk about the pros and cons of the Electoral College and whether it is an institution worth preserving.

Hansen is a former professor of political science and women’s studies and an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at Pitt.

She has a doctorate from Stanford University and has written four books, including “The Politics of Taxation” and “The Politics of Sex: Public Opinion, Parties and Presidential Elections.”

Her current research interests include the impact of religion on politics and the role of gender in politics.

The meeting will be at 10 a.m. April 9 in Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Fox Chapel and Field Club roads.

It is free and open to the public.

Aspinwall paving considered

Aspinwall officials have sent this year’s paving program out for bid.

The borough budgeted $100,000 for paving and brick work.

Roads to be worked on include the 200 block of Fifth Street and at the intersection of Eastern Avenue.

Bricks would be removed and asphalt added.

Alternate roads include Alley E, O Block and the 400 block of Eastern Avenue.

Borough Manager Melissa Lang O’Malley said streets are evaluated by Gene Marsico, the public works supervisor, and he generates the list of those in need of repair.

Brick work will be decided after the bids come in.

Bids are scheduled to be opened March 31.

Dog park to close March 31

Aspinwall’s dog park at the Aspinwall Recreation Area ball fields will close March 31.

The area is used for baseball and other recreation activities April 1 through Oct. 31.

Aspinwall seeks volunteers for board vacancies

Aspinwall has several vacancies on commissions and committees to fill.

Volunteer positions include one on the vacancy board, one on the shade tree commission, two alternate positions on the civil service commission, two on the zoning hearing board and one on the UCC board of appeals.

Interested residents can submit resumes and letters of interest to borough Manager Melissa Lang O’Malley at melissa@boroughofaspinwall.com.

Board posts available in O’Hara Township

O’Hara has two vacancies on its parks and recreation commission, a vacancy on its Uniform Construction Code board of appeals and an alternate position on its zoning hearing board.

Residents who are interested in the positions should submit a letter of interest and resume by April 5 to the township manager at 325 Fox Chapel Road.

For details, email jjakubec@ohara.pa.us.

Zoning hearing board meeting canceled

O’Hara’s zoning hearing board meeting set for April 1 has been canceled.

A reason for the cancellation was not posted on the township’s website.

Blawnox firefighters plan fish fry on Good Friday

Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company is planning a fish fry from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Good Friday, March 29, at the station.

The menu includes fish sandwiches with or without cheese, cole slaw, haluski, fries, pierogies, mac and cheese, pizza and soft drinks.

Options are take-out, eat in or delivery by request.

For details, call 412-828-6380 or visit blawnoxvfc.com.

Tee ball registration opens soon in Aspinwall

Registration for the second season of Aspinwall Tee Ball starts April 1.

The season starts June 15 and runs every Saturday through Aug. 17.

The cost is $30 per child.

Registration forms are available at the borough office during business hours and on the Aspinwall Tee Ball Facebook page.

Parents and guardians also are invited to ask questions and register during an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. May 6 at the Aspinwall Borough Building, 217 Commercial Ave.

Luncheon, fashion show to raise money for Panhellenic scholarships

The Pittsburgh Alumnae Panhellenic, a chapter of the National Panhellenic Conference, will have its annual scholarship benefit luncheon at 11 a.m. April 13 at the South Hills Country Club in Whitehall.

For the past 107 years, this event has raised funds to support local collegiate members in their academic pursuits. The 2024 event is themed “Raising Strong Women” and will include a fashion show featuring girls through collegians.

The Pittsburgh Alumnae Panhellenic is a fraternal organization comprised of representatives of national sororities who live in and around the Pittsburgh region.

Sorority women, as well as their friends, are encouraged to attend to support the group’s fundraising efforts.

The April event will include a cash bar and raffle auction. Tickets must be purchased by April 1. The cost is $55 for adults, $35 for college students and $20 for children. Reservations can be made at https://tinyurl.com/mvtybh2h through Eventbrite.

For details, send an email to papbenefit@gmail.com.

Street sweeping to begin in April

Street sweeping in Sharpsburg is scheduled to start April 1.

Residents are reminded to move their cars to the appropriate side of the streets.

The street sweeping schedule is posted on the borough website at sharpsburgborough.com.

Adat Shalom invites community to open mic storytelling event

Adat Shalom, 368 Guys Run Road, will present “A Night of Stories” for adults from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 6 featuring host Alan Olifson, an award-winning humorist and public radio commentator.

The theme for the open mic event is “the kindness of strangers.” All adults are welcome, including anyone wanting to share a story as well as listeners. Refreshments will be served.

The cost $36, and preregistration is required at https://adatshalompgh.org/ by March 30.

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.

Applications available for military banners in Blawnox

Blawnox is accepting applications for its Hometown Hero Banner Program.

It is designed to recognize and honor residents who served or are serving in the nation’s armed forces.

Each banner will honor a specific service person and will include their name, branch of service, medals of valor and a photo if provided.

The hometown hero must be a current or previous resident of the borough.

An immediate family member of a current or previous serviceman or woman of Blawnox also will suffice. Banners will be displayed on Freeport Road from Memorial Day to Veterans Day to honor and celebrate their dedication to our country.

There is no official deadline to submit an application.

However, it must be submitted by the end of March at the latest if the family wants the banner up for Memorial Day.

There is a $110 application fee.

Forms and details are available on the borough website at blawnox.com.

Run to benefit first responders

Run for the Hill of It, a FoxWall EMS and Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser, is set for 9 a.m. to noon April 28.

The 1-mile competitive race and family fun walk is presented by UPMC St. Margaret. Registration is open.

Participants will meet at the Aspinwall borough building, 217 Commercial Ave., and run to the top of Center Avenue and end at Fireman’s Memorial Park.

There will be food trucks, a balloon artist, face painting and other activities after the race.

More information is available at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Aspinwall/RunForTheHillOfItChallenge.

Sponsors, vendors sought for school’s fashion fundraiser

Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy in Aspinwall is seeking sponsors and vendors for its annual Sip & Style fashion show fundraiser.

This year’s event will be from 1 to 4 p.m. May 5 at the Pittsburgh Field Club, 121 Field Club Road, Fox Chapel.

The event will include pop-up boutiques; a live fashion show featuring styles by One Brilliant, The Sol Collective, Groove on by Nancy Delaney, Trendy by Summer Wise and Jo Jo Shoes; a social lunch and cash bar (a complimentary glass of champagne is included); silent auction and raffles; and gift bags filled with goodies from sponsors and vendors.

Information about sponsorship levels is available online at https://cdtca.org/2024-fashion-show. All sponsors are welcome to include promotional items and marketing materials in the guest gift bags.

For details about sponsorship and vendor opportunities, contact Jayna Varley-Ifft at 412-425-3755 or jmvarley@gmail.com and Lauren Shepherd at 302-379-4577 or laurenshepherd@howardhanna.com.

For details about the event, email cdtca.fashionfundraiser@gmail.com.

Voting polls moved to senior high-rise

Blawnox’s primary election polling location has been moved from the fire company station to the senior high-rise, 701 Center Ave.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 23.

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.