In brief: Herald area events for the week of Nov. 11, 2024
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Beware fraudsters spoofing Fox Chapel police
Fox Chapel police are warning residents to be aware of calls claiming to be the police department asking for documents and personal information or seeking money.
In a fraud alert posted Nov. 4, police alerted the public about scammers who are spoofing the police department’s phone number and asking for return calls. Caller ID will show it is the Fox Chapel Police Department when in reality it is not.
If you receive a call, email or text purporting to be the Fox Chapel police, call the station at 412-963-7220 to verify the legitimacy of the call.
Residents are advised to never give their name, address, date of birth, Social Security number or financial information without checking to ensure the legitimacy of the request.
Sharpsburg prepping for holiday cheer
The community is invited to Sharpsburg’s Tree-Lighting Ceremony from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29 during the borough’s Holidays on Main Street event.
The holiday tree and main thoroughfare will be lit — and not just becasue of the lights.
Activities include a holiday sing-along with Kate Snow, letters to Santa, holiday-themed games and crafts, pet photos with Santa taken, as well as free s’mores and hot chocolate.
For details, visit eventcreate.com/e/sharpsburg.
Public meeting to explore zoning update
Aspinwall is hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 for residents to help update the borough’s zoning ordinance.
The meeting will be held at St. Scholastica Pastoral Center, 309 Brilliant Ave., Third Street side. Everyone is welcome to attend, including children.
Borough officials are working on updating the local rules for land use and development. Residents are encouraged to attend to hear about the effort and to provide input to guide how the update takes shape.
There will be a brief overview presentation followed by an invitation to provide input at stations set up around the room.
For details about the project, visit aspinwallplan.com.
Motorists reminded to lock their vehicles
O’Hara police are alerting the public about an uptick in calls from residents and neigbhoring jurisdictions about items being stolen from unlocked vehicles.
These crimes of opportunity often can be prevented by motorists locking their vehicles, whether they park on the street or in a driveway.
Motorists also should not leave keys or key fobs inside their vehicles, and all items of value, including change, should be removed.
O’Hara officers advise residents to report any suspicious behavior, as well as possible leads such as activity captured on home surveillance systems, by calling the police department at 412-784-1784.
Cookie tour, light-up night set in Blawnox
The Best of Blawnox is gearing up for the holidays with its Holiday Cookie Tour and Night of Lights, both on Dec. 7.
The cookie tour will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. in Blawnox’s business district. Participants will start at the Veterans Monument on Freeport Road and North Avenue, then stroll along the business district to sample cookies and holiday shopping.
The Night of Lights will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Blawnox Monument/Hoboken Presbyterian Church. There will be children’s activities and caroling. A lighting of the Christmas tree and a visit from Santa is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Blawnox residents encouraged to share holiday spirit
Blawnox officials are inviting residents to “Deck Their Yard” for the holidays and share the magic by posting their photos by 4 p.m. Dec. 1 for the start of the borough’s holiday season.
Homeowners should tag #BestofBlawnoxHolidayLights.
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.gribbin@lls.org.
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.
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 907 Freeport Road in the Waterworks Shopping Center and 2925 Freeport Road in Harmar.
Applications sought for full-time officer
Fox Chapel is accepting applications for a full-time patrol officer until 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18.
An application form is available on the borough’s website at fox-chapel.pa.us.
Forms must be fully completed and mailed to the Fox Chapel Borough Building, 401 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Applications also can be dropped off during business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Late or incomplete applications or those containing material errors will be rejected by the Civil Service Commission.
A physical agility test will be held at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 3 at the Allegheny County Police Academy, and successful candidates will be given the written exam immediately afterward.
Mandatory test components for all top-ranked candidates include an oral examination, background check, medical exam and psychological examination.
A copy of Fox Chapel’s hiring policy as outlined in its Civil Service Rules and Regulations is available for inspection during normal business hours at the borough building.
For questions, call police Chief Michael Stevens at 412-850-5024.
Sharpsburg’s 2025 budget available to review
Sharpsburg’s preliminary budget was expected to be available at the borough office starting this month.
On Oct. 24, council approved a 10-day public display of the proposed 2025 spending plan beginning Nov. 1.
The borough office is located at 1611 Main St.
Council’s next workshop meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14.
Its next voting meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21.
Food, hygiene products sought for community fridge
Second Harvest is always in need of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, milk and cheese, canned goods, cereals and personal hygiene products for its Community Free Fridge in Sharpsburg.
The Community Free Fridge is an outdoor, full-size refrigerator, freezer and pantry area, stocked with perishable and nonperishable donated food items available to anyone who needs them. It is open 24/7 every day and is located in the parking lot area of Second Harvest, at 624 Clay St.
Lauri Ann West Community Center, as a proud sponsor of the initiative, serves as a drop-off location for goods. People can bring their donations to the center at 1220 Powers Run Road in O’Hara during normal operating hours, and staff members will deliver the items to Second Harvest.
AAUW meets monthly on second Tuesday
The Fox Chapel area branch of American Association of University Women meets at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month from September through May at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.
The group advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, philanthropy, education and research.
Meetings are free and open to anyone interested in joining.
In addition to the monthly meetings, the branch offers members a variety of interest groups as well as numerous opportunities for community service involvement.
AAUW, founded in 1881, is open to all graduates who hold an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate or higher degree from a qualified college or university. Those enrolled in an associate or a bachelor’s degree program can join AAUW as Student Affiliate Members.
For details about the organization, including annual dues and grants, visit aauwfoxchapelareapa.wordpress.com.
Monthly council voting meetings set
• Aspinwall Council: 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the borough building, 217 Commercial Ave.
• Blawnox Council: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the borough building, 376 Freeport Road.
• Fox Chapel Council: 6 p.m. Nov. 18 at the borough building, 401 Fox Chapel Road.
• Indiana Township supervisors: 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Town Hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.
• O’Hara Council regular meeting: 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the township building, 325 Fox Chapel Road.
• Sharpsburg Council: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the borough building, 1611 Main St.
Check each community’s respective municipal websites for updates about meetings and workshops.
Indiana Township to present budget Nov. 13
Indiana Township officials are expected to present their proposed 2025 budget at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Town Hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.
Supervisors are expected to approve its advertisement later that evening.
Township Manager Dan Anderson said no real estate tax hike is included in the spending plan.
The budget will be available for review at the Town Hall and online at indianatownship.com.
The final budget is scheduled to be adopted Dec. 11.
Follies to present ‘ChapGPT’ to benefit District Association
The Fox Chapel Follies will present “ChapGPT” from Nov. 14-16 and 21-23 at the Pittsburgh Field Club, 121 Field Club Road.
A cash bar opens at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the show will start at 8.
The Nov. 14 show already is sold out.
All proceeds will go toward the District Association, which benefits projects in Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, Harmar, O’Hara, Sharpsburg and Indiana Township.
The District Association is a community-sponsored nonprofit that plans and implements projects to culturally enhance and beautify the communities.
Tickets are $115 for the Thursday performances and $145 for the Friday and Saturday shows. The cost includes a sit-down dinner.
Because the District Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, $75 of the Thursday ticket prices and $105 of the Friday and Saturday ticket prices are tax deductible. Your seat placard will serve as documentation for your tax records.
To purchase tickets, visit theda.org.
Middle schoolers to stage ‘Seussical Jr.’
Dorseyville Middle School will present “Seussical Jr.” at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22 and at 10 a.m. Nov. 23 in the middle school auditorium, 3732 Saxonburg Boulevard in Indiana Township.
Tickets, which are $12 plus an additional convenience fee, can be purchased online at https://our.show/dms-seussical-jr.
All seats are reserved. No tickets will be sold at the door.
O’Hara collecting old holiday lights to help Project Bundle-Up
O’Hara Township once again is partnering with Michael Brothers to be an official drop-off location to recycle holiday lights — all for a good cause.
Michael Brothers donates the funds generated by recycling the lights to WTAE-TV’s project Bundle-Up.
Project Bundle-Up, a joint program implemented by the Salvation Army Western PA Division and WTAE, provides new winter outerwear — including coats, hats, gloves and boots — for children and senior citizens from low-income households throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Since 1986, Project Bundle-Up has raised more than $17 million and provided winter gear for nearly 305,000 individuals.
Lights can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the lobby of the township building, 325 Fox Chapel Road.
Any type of holidays lights is eligible.
For details, call the township at 412-782-1400.
Ministry’s Trivia Night to include food, prizes
The Addiction Recovery Ministry is hosting a Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Nov. 27 at the John Paul I Center in Sharpsburg.
Join us for an evening of food and fun. Pizza and soft drinks will be available, and the top three teams will receive prizes.
The entrance fee is $10. Bring a team or join a team there.
All proceeds will be used to help support the ministry’s programs.
To reserve a seat, contact Rosemarie Haas at 412-378-9290 or rhaasarm@gmail.com.
AAUW to host speaker from Persad Center for ‘LGBTQ+ and Beyond’
The Fox Chapel Area affiliate of the American Association of University Women will present a talk on “What’s in a Name? LGBTQ+ and Beyond” at 10 a.m. Nov. 12 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, corner of Fox Chapel and Field Club roads.
Ted Hoover, an educator and trainer with the Persad Center, will be the guest speaker.
He will tackle each of the specific letters in the “alphabet soup” that’s associated with the LGBTQ+ community. The history and usage of each term will provide attendees with the vocabulary needed to better understand gender diversity and how it’s evolving.
At 52, the Persad Center is the nation’s second-oldest behavioral health and wellness center working with the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS community. The organization aims to destigmatize established cultural systems that exclude or discriminate against gender diversity. Homelessness, family rejection and bullying are among the topics of discussion.
Hoover has worked with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Family Health on youth suicide prevention, adolescent sexual health, and creating safe work and education environments for individuals identifying as LGBTQ+. He also consults with law enforcement agencies and the Civil Rights Division of the FBI on issues of discrimination, hate crimes and human trafficking.
Fox Chapel planning for annual light-up celebration Dec. 4
Planning is underway for the annual Light Up Fox Chapel celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4.
The festivities will begin with the Holiday Tree and Menorah lighting at 5:15 p.m. with Grand Marshall Alex Scott, followed by Santa being escorted in by Sergeant Pepper, the 1970 Volzwagon Beetle. The evening will include crafts for children, letters to Santa, the Pittsburgh Crepe Food Truck and hot chocolate provided by the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy.
The event is free, but please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need.
Sgt. Craig Sorg and the Fox Chapel Police Department have teamed up with the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League’s Stuff-a-Store to collect new, unwrapped toys for children the holiday season.
Toys will be accepted beginning Nov. 22 through Dec. 5. Drop-off boxes that look like giant wrapped presents will be set up at Beechwood Farms Nature Preserve, Fox Chapel Borough Building’s main lobby, B&Z Deli and Cooper-Siegel Community Library.
Children are invited to write letters to Santa; parents and guardians can scan the QR code in the fall 2024 newsletter on the borough’s website at fox-chapel.pa.us to download their Letter to Santa before the event. Youngsters can bring their letters to light-up night, or they can fill one out at the event. Please include a return address because Santa and his elves will send a reply letter.
Indiana Township to collect bagged leaves
Indiana Township is planning five weeks of leaf collection this fall, beginning Oct. 28 and ending the week of Nov. 25.
This program is for leaves only — no debris such as grass clippings or brush will be accepted. Leaves must be contained in biodegradable bags and placed curbside. Leaves in plastic bags will not be picked up.
To participate, residents can purchase brown biodegradable bags from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Town Hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.
A bundle of five bags costs $5, and quantities are limited. Each bag holds about one-third of a cubic yard.
Biodegradable bags also can be purchased elsewhere, including home improvement stores.
Once collected, the bags will be taken to a composting site in the North Hills.
In the spring, the Public Works Department will pick up the topsoil generated from the compost site for use throughout the township.
Residents do not need to call the township to participate. Crews will visit each public road sometime during each week, beginning on Mondays, to pick up the bagged leaves; Monday pickups are not guaranteed.
Leaf vacuuming underway, but pledge to ‘Leave the Leaves’ encouraged
Fox Chapel residents with wooded property are encouraged to compost, mulch and place leaves there, if possible.
Any help in removing leaves from the borough’s collection program is a sustainable solution, borough officials note.
To that end, the Fox Chapel Park Commission is running a pledge campaign to “Leave the Leaves” in an effort to help the environment.
By signing a pledge online at https://tinyurl.com/2j27324w, residents indicate that instead of raking leaves to the curb, they will leave them in place, rake them into the woods or mulch them. Borough crews still will come by but only will pick up leaves where they are piled.
The commission believes the environmental benefits and cost savings will be significant. As noted on the pledge page, it hopes to “give back” to the community with a celebration and recognition event if enough residents indicate their support.
Leaf collection via vacuuming is underway in the borough. The final collection will take place the week of Nov. 25.
The collection is for leaves only — brush and decorative grasses are not included.
All leaves should be deposited on the lawn behind the curb or road edge, not on the pavement or in the gutter.
Leaves placed on the roadway will not be collected because they can become wet from street runoff, which makes it difficult to vacuum and creates a safety hazard. Article III of the Borough Code lodges a penalty of $1,000 for anyone placing such materials on the roadway.
Once a complete pass has been made through the borough, crews will start over on the first street and continue throughout the borough. The Public Works Department maintains a daily log of streets collected. To track where crews already have vacuumed up leaves, residents can access the information on the borough’s website every Friday afternoon during the collection period.
Once crews have collected on a roadway on or after Nov. 25, they will not return. Residents should notify landscapers of the cutoff date and the need to keep leaves off the street.
Apparel, patches available to support SAVES
Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services now has merchandise available for purchase.
Supporter T-shirts and hoodies, both in navy, feature the SAVES emblem on the left chest and a large smoking skull decked out in firefighting gear on the back.
Short-sleeved tees are $12 for sizes x-small through x-large and $15 for 2xl-4xl; long-sleeved tees are $15 for xs-xl and $18 for 2xl-4xl; and hoodies are $22 for xs-xl and $25 for 2xl-4xl.
Patches also are available for $10 each; choose from two designs: Truck Co. 102 Sharpsburg Fire Dist. — Ketchup City Trucking Company, featuring a ketchup bottle decked out in firefighting gear and the phrase “Bringing Flavor to the Box”; or Aspinwall Fire Dist. Engine 102-2 — First and Center streets, featuring the road sign and a fire truck.
The deadline to place an order is noon Nov. 15. Arrangements for pickup will begin after Thanksgiving, An email from 102fundraising@gmail.com will be sent out to everyone who purchased with details to arrange pick up. Apparel will be picked up at the Aspinwall or Sharpsburg stations.
To place an order, visit the e-store at station102.org.
Help available for people grieving loved ones
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is?
Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.
GriefShare is a 13-week Christian faith-based support group that will be offered weekly from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays through Dec. 12, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.
People can join at any time.
For details or questions, contact Kim Power at 412-965-8794 or kimfpower@gmail.com.
Visit griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.
Pantry items wanted
Sharpsburg Community Library needs items for its Little Free Pantry at 1212 Main St.
Items needed include tomato sauce, pasta, tuna, cereal, mac and cheese, fruit snacks, peanut butter, snack packs and shelf-stable milk.
Items not needed include applesauce, pretzels, fruit cups, pudding, canned soup, canned beans and toiletry products.
Donations can be made during library hours from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
The pantry is stocked three times weekly and is completely supported through donations.
For details, call the library at 412-781-0783.
Sharpsburg seeks volunteers for bicentennial events
Sharpsburg will celebrate its 200th birthday in 2026.
Residents interested in planning or volunteering to help with any events are invited to sign up for the borough’s Bicentennial Committee.
To access the signup form, visit sharpsburgborough.com and scanning the QR code under the header “Want to help plan the bicentennial events?”
The borough anticipates having multiple events throughout the anniversary year and will need lots of help.
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 e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.
To have your event or information listed in the Herald’s briefs section, email Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.