In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Oct. 21, 2024
Share this post:
Plum Council approves hire, resignation
Plum Council approved hiring one employee and the resignation of another at its Oct. 16 meeting.
The borough made a conditional employment offer to Tyler Smith, for a skilled laborer position in public works. He would be paid $32.56 per hour, borough Manager David Soboslay said.
Council accepted the resignation of Jessica Yamnitzky, assistant borough secretary, effective Oct. 9. Officials did not give a reason for her resignation.
Lindsey Lane road work finished
Work and traffic restrictions on Lindsey Lane in Plum have ended, the Allegheny County Department of Public Works announced Oct. 16.
Traffic restrictions, which began March 20, were needed for chip sealing, base repairs and drainage improvements, the county said. A. Folino Construction, of Oakmont, did the work as part of a $5.9 million contract that included work on eight other roads.
Nearly 3,000 drivers use Lindsey Lane daily, the county said.
Veterans Day dinner planned
Oakmont Elks will host a Veterans Day dinner at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the lodge, 106 Washington Ave.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. There will be a parade of service flags, and Plum High School ROTC will perform the Vacant Table ceremony before dinner.
The menu includes roast pork loin, sides, salad, dessert, rolls and butter, and coffee or tea. Veterans attend for free. The cost for their guests to attend is $10 each.
Reservations are required. For reservations, call 412-828-1668.
‘Hocus Pocus 2’ to be featured at Plum Fall Movie Night
“Hocus Pocus 2” will be shown Oct. 26 at the Plum Borough Amphitheater on Mike Thomas Way. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. with the movie starting at 7:30 p.m.
Those attending are advised to bring blankets to sit on. Free popcorn and pre-show activities will be available, and children are welcome to come in costume.
The movie will be moved into the borough gymnasium if it rains.
Oakmont Halloween parade
A fall festival and parade for the whole family will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 along Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont. For more information, visit oakmont-pa.com/event-details.
Fall leaf collection runs through Dec. 6
Plum’s fall leaf collection is underway and runs until Dec. 6.
Leaves will be collected on the weekday after residents normal trash pickup. There will be no collection on Nov. 11, Nov. 28 and Nov. 29.
Unforeseen circumstances could cause a change in the schedule. Residents are asked to not contact public works about missed pick-ups or to ask for a special pick-up.
Guidelines include raking leaves to the back of curbs and not behind shrubs or bushes; keeping leaves away from storm drains; not raking leaves into flower beds or landscaped areas; and not bagging leaves.
Leaves are recycled into compost. Participation in the program is voluntary.
Fire hydrant flushing underway in Plum
The Plum Borough Municipal Authority will be flushing fire hydrants through Dec. 13, the authority announced.
No work will be done on weekends.
Flushing is required to check the operation of hydrants and to clean distribution lines, the authority said.
Water may become discolored while hydrants are being flushed. Residents are advised to test water before doing laundry or drawing large amounts of water.
If discolored water does not clear after two hours, contact the authority at 412-793-7331 for help.
Verona Historical Society program slated
A program dubbed “The Encampment at Valley Forge, 1777-1778” will be offered on Nov. 21 by the Valley Historical Society. The presentation from Ken Cherry will discuss a pivotal time in U.S. history.
For more information on the historical society’s programs or membership, visit veronahistory.org.
Craft show, bake sale
The craft show and bake sale sponsored annually by Clover Commons will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the Clover Commons Clubhouse, 600 Cloverview Circle, in Plum.
Crafts, baked goods, lunch items and a Chinese auction will be available.
Blood donors sought for fall drive
The American Red Cross is encouraging donors of all blood types and platelets, especially those who have never donated before, to consider doing so for the month of October.
According to the Red Cross, only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. Donations are critical to keep the blood supply stable during the fall months.
Donations of all blood types — particularly those with type O, the most transfused type — are needed.
Anyone who donates through Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.
To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Prospective donors also can enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or to seek more information.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 and older in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Rotary offering need-based scholarships
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from current high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.
This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded.
The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington- Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.
Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at rotarydistrict7305.org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
For details, email Dr. Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.
Entries sought for gingerbread house contest
Registration for the 22nd annual City of Pittsburgh Gingerbread House Competition is now open at pittsburghpa.gov/gingerbread through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 10.
The CitiParks Office of Special Events welcomes entries from individuals, schools, communities, nonprofits and professionals from Allegheny County and beyond.
The competition started in 2002 with Downtown Pittsburgh hotels to benefit the Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund. It since has attracted thousands of entries and visitors to PPG Place before moving to the City-County Building in 2019.
The Office of Special Events also recently announced a new partnership with Clearview Federal Credit Union to present the city’s official holiday events, including the gingerbread contest and the 109th Tree Lighting Ceremony to illuminate the only live holiday tree in Downtown Pittsburgh.
This year’s gingerbread display at the City County Building will open with a ceremony Nov. 22, with the entries remaining on view for Light Up Night on Nov. 23 through early January. In addition to 19 categories, participants will be eligible for overall awards such as “Clearview Choice,” as voted on by Clearview representatives, and “Curator’s Choice,” which will be selected by Carnegie Museum of Art staff.
For details about the gingerbread contest, visit pittsburghpa.gov/gingerbread, email specialevents@pittsburghpa.gov or follow @pgheventsoffice on social media.
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.
Assistance available for veterans, spouses
State Rep. Joe McAndrew’s office, 77 Universal Road, Suite 1, in Penn Hills provides free assistance to veterans and their spouses from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month.
A veteran service officer from the American Legion will be on hand to help with a variety of needs, including compensation and pension claims, education benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system, burial and survivor benefits, state benefits, and obtaining military personnel and medical records.
There are limited appointments available for August. To make an appointment, call 412-793-2448.
McAndrew’s 32nd District covers Plum, Oakmont, Verona and Penn Hills.