In brief: Happenings in the Pine and Richland areas
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Blue paint, chiseled stone selected for Wexford Interchange
PennDOT recently released the results of its aesthetic design survey for the Wexford Interchange project.
The department asked the public for input on the color of the steel beams and the concrete texture of the abutments and piers.
The survey, which garnered more than 1,200 votes, was conducted on PennDOT’s website through Jan. 31.
Survey participants selected Nautilus Blue over Hulton Green as the color for the superstructure and chiseled-cut ashlar stone for the substructure. The winning design, as well as additional information regarding the project, can be found on the project webpage at pa.gov/agencies/penndot/projects-near-you/district-11-projects/wexford-interchange-project.
The project aims to improve safety and operations of the Interstate 79/Route 910 Wexford Interchange in Franklin Park and Marshall. Construction is expected to start in late summer.
Author to discuss Holocaust book
The Friends of the Northern Tier Library will present an Author Night at 7 p.m. March 18, featuring local author Lee Goldman Kikel sharing her book, “Perseverance: One Holocaust Survivor’s Journey From Poland to America.”
A lifelong Pittsburgh resident, Goldman Kikel grew up in Squirrel Hill and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in education from the University of Pittsburgh. In the 1970s, Goldman Kikel’s father began recording details of his experiences on cassette tapes, which lay dormant until 2015 when Goldman Kikel found them. Goldman Kikel honored his wishes to transcribe his story as a book, which was published in 2019 as “Perseverance.”
In April 2023, Pittsburgh’s Prime Stage Theatre debuted a theatrical adaptation of her book, written by playwright L.E. McCullough and generously supported by a National Endowment for the Arts grant. Over the years, Goldman Kikel has told her family’s story to many audiences, and became a generations speaker as part of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. She has discussed the Holocaust and antisemitism with diverse audiences around the region and beyond.
This event will be about an hour long, followed by a question-and-answer session with refreshments. The author will have copies of her books for sale and available to sign.
Advance registration is required. To register, visit northerntier.librarycalendar. com/event/uthors-night-5636.
School’s FBLA group collecting gently used workwear
Members of Pine-Richland High School’s Future Business Leaders of America organization are hosting a workwear donation drive through March 7.
The drive, led by junior Doug Van Meter and held in partnership with Dress for Success Pittsburgh and Heyward House Craig’s Closet, aims to provide business casual and business professional attire for students and young professionals in the local area.
Both organizations help individuals take the next steps such as applying for jobs, interviewing and obtaining internships.
Specific needs include gently used clothing and accessories for late teens and young adults, including:
• Suits
• Suiting separates
• Business casual attire
• Women’s scarves, handbags, jewelry, belts and dress shoes
• Men’s dress belts, ties and dress shoes
Please include hangers, if possible.
“Here at Pine-Richland and especially in FBLA, we are so fortunate to have the ability to wear this attire without any worry. Other people in our local area aren’t as fortunate,” Van Meter said. “I feel that it would be a great use of our platform to help as much as we can for those who aren’t able to get the attire they need for presentations, clubs, internships, interviews and the workplace.
To coordinate pickup or drop-off times, contact Van Meter at douglaspaul2007@gmail.com, Giuliana Contini at giuliana@clcagency.com or Michael Tunder at miketunder06@gmail.com.
Breakfast to benefit Richland firefighters
The Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department is planning an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 2 at the station’s social hall, 5857 Meridian Road, Gibsonia.
The breakfast will feature regular and buckwheat pancakes, fresh sausage, hot cinnamon apples and beverages.
There also will be an auction with a variety of baskets and items up for chance.
The event is one of many fundraisers held by the department to benefit its general and building funds.
Admission is free, but free-will donations are appreciated.
The breakfast will be held regardless of the weather.
Hack the Ram seeks sponsors, volunteers for March event
Hack the Ram, Pine-Richland High School’s sixth annual hackathon, is seeking sponsors and volunteers for the event on March 29.
Hack the Ram is a free, 12-hour invention marathon designed for students in grades 6-12 across Allegheny County. Participants, regardless of their programming or technology experience, collaborate to create innovative technology projects from scratch. For those new to coding and technology, we offer engaging seminars to help them build foundational skills and develop successful projects.
By supporting Hack the Ram, your organization will help foster opportunities for students while connecting them with the next generation of innovators. Last year’s event welcomed 143 students and awarded prizes to more than 24 competitors.
Thanks to the generous support of local companies, Hack the Ram remains free of charge, increasing access to STEM and computer science education for students across the Pittsburgh region.
Hack the Ram currently is seeking:
• Company and individual sponsorships;
• Code mentors to guide participants during the hackathon;
• Adult supervisors to ensure a smooth event;
• Contributions for tech goodie bags;
• Seminar speakers to educate and inspire attendees;
• Project judges to evaluate the work of the participants.
Additional details about the program and sponsorship opportunities are available at hacktheram.com.
For questions or to support Hack the Ram, email sponsor@hacktheram.com or vklosky@pinerichland.org.