In brief: Purse bash, trivia night and more in Fox Chapel area
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Purse bash
The sixth annual Wayne Fusaro Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Purse Bash is set for March 29. The event will take place from 5-8 p.m. (doors open at 4:15 p.m.) at the Comfort Inn, RIDC Park. Only 250 tickets will be sold at $40 each. For tickets and more information, call Jill at 412-828-7856.
River Rail trivia
Allegheny RiverTrail Park’s first-ever family-friendly trivia night is set for Feb. 21. Hosted by Drew’s Clues, the unique event promises an evening of fun, friendly competition and community engagement. Category sponsors include Trace Brewing and Treat Down the Street, adding an extra local touch to the night’s trivia rounds. Teams can purchase tables at three levels:
• $50 – Half Table: Up to four people
• $100 – Full Table: Up to eight people
• $140 – VIP Table: Up to four people, includes four beer stipends, shareable snacks and an advance hint for one trivia category
Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and all ages are welcome to participate.
“We’re always looking for new ways to bring the community together, and this trivia night is a fun way for families and friends to enjoy a lively evening at the park,” said Dee Stathis, executive director at Allegheny RiverTrail Park.
Seating is limited, and tickets are expected to sell quickly. For more information and to reserve a table, visit the Allegheny RiverTrail Park Facebook page or purchase tickets at alleghenyrivertrailpark.org.
Unity in the Community
Lauri Ann West Community Center will host its second “Unity in the Community” family night on Feb. 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Designed for families with children 4 to 12 years old, the event showcases the Center’s Arts and Enrichment programming and instructors.
Participants will rotate between four stations. In one station they will learn the science of building a model sailboat or paddle boat made from simple supplies like juice cartons, popsicle sticks and rubber bands. They will then put their creations to the seafaring test in our indoor testing area. They will also spend time playing games and creating artwork. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend and participate alongside their students.
Jane Siddons Herrmann, who sponsors a Kona Ice Truck during summer camps and the Breakfast with Santa event during the holidays, generously provided the support needed to allow Lauri Ann West Community Center to continue offering Unity in the Community events. The first Unity in the Community event took place in the fall, and was funded by a grant from the Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time.
“When I heard about the event last fall, I was eager to get involved. The opportunity to bring families in our community together is fulfilling,” Herrmann said.
Amy Berman, programs manager at Lauri Ann West Community Center, added, “Families depend on us to provide quality experiences that help them connect and learn with community members. We are very fortunate to have Jane as a partner.”
This event is free to the public, but space is limited, and registration is required. You can register online at LauriAnnWestCC.org or by calling Amy at 412-828-8566 ext. 105.
Planning commission to discuss church’s future
Aspinwall planning commission will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the borough building to discuss the future of the former Community United Methodist Church.
Fox Chapel businessman Tony Pompeo Jr., founder of Amena Properties, recently acquired the property at 400 Center Ave. Pompeo plans to make the pitch of raising the sanctuary to help create room for two apartment complexes or townhouses.
He said on Feb. 13 no architectural drawings or detailed engineering plans have been made.
The planning commission meeting will be more of an informal proposal and discussion to gauge public interest. No action is expected to be taken. Pompeo said plans would eventually be submitted to the borough’s zoning hearing board as part of the development process.
Safety meeting set
The Aspinwall Police Department will host a meeting about careless and distracted driving at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at St. Scholastica’s Pastoral Center, 309 Brilliant Ave.
Representatives from the Allegheny County Police and AAA will be in attendance to discuss and present information on safety topics.
Mayor Joe Noro said the talk also applies to distracted pedestrians on their phones while crossing the street. He encouraged drivers and walkers to look up and pay attention to their surroundings.
The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.
Polar Plunge fundriser
Fox Chapel Area High School and Dorseyville Middle School students are fundraising for the annual Cool Schools Polar Plunge. The money raised will help fund the Fox Chapel Area School District’s and other Special Olympics Unified Sports teams in the Three Rivers Region. Donations can be made to Fox Chapel Area’s team at give.specialolympicspa.org/team/619749. Additionally, the Kramer Family will once again match a portion of every donation given to Fox Chapel Area’s team. The Fox Chapel Area team has a goal of raising $50,000 this year. Last year, the Fox Chapel Area School District team raised more than $46,640, and broke its own state record for the most money raised. In 2023, the Fox Chapel Area team broke a state record by raising $30,558.
The Fox Chapel Area High School and Dorseyville Middle School students will be participating in the Pittsburgh Cool Schools Polar Plunge on Feb. 21 at Acrisure Stadium.
Board, commission appointments
Indiana Township board of supervisors recently made the following appointments to boards and commissions:
• Robert Newland to the vacancy board for a one-year term expiring at the end of this year.
• Peter Blume to the planning commission for a four-year term expiring at the end of 2028.
• John Carson to the shade tree commission / parks and recreation board for a five-year term expiring at the end of 2029.
• Thomas Ceponis to the zoning hearing board for a three-year term expiring at the end of 2027.
• Cullen Higgins to Deer Creek Drainage Basin Authority for a five-year term expiring at the end of 2029.
Meeting planned
Sharpsburg council will meet Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the borough building, 1611 Main St.
Reservations begin for park pavilions
Indiana Township residents may now reserve park pavilions for April through October. Nonresident reservations will be accepted starting Feb. 17.
Applications must be made at the township building, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd., during regular business hours and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment for rental and damage deposit must be made at the time of sign-up. The township does not accept credit cards for the deposit. Renters should bring a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of their damage deposit check.
More information is available at indianatownship.com or by calling 412-767-5333.
Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser
Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families navigating the difficult journey of pregnancy loss, is hosting its first Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 28 at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh on the North Shore.
The evening will feature music by Pure Gold Singers, magicians, tarot reading and live dancers. Guests will have New Orleans-inspired drinks, appetizers, dinner and an interactive customizable dessert station.
“We are thrilled to bring the Pittsburgh community together in celebration of life, love and healing,” said Heather Bradley of O’Hara, founder and executive director of Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas. “Pregnancy loss can be an incredibly isolating experience, and our goal is to ensure that families never have to go through it alone.”
Guests are encouraged to dress in their Mardi Gras best. Masks and beads will be provided.
Tickets start at $125 and are available at pittsburghbereavementdoulas.com.
AAUW meets monthly
The Fox Chapel area branch of the 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 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.
Weight loss support
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 on 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 email jmjkwj@gmail.com.
To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.