In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Oct. 7, 2024
Share this post:
Flu shot clinic scheduled
Flu and covid-19 shots will be available at two upcoming community clinics presented by Giant Eagle Pharmacy in Plum.
They will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Holiday Park Intermediate School and Oct. 24 at Plum High School.
Forms will be available at the clinics.
Participants should bring their insurance cards for proper billing. Giant Eagle Advantage Card holders will get a $5 grocery shopping trip reward.
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.
Meeting to offer update on VOPP trail
Friends of the Riverfront is organizing a public meeting to provide an update on the VOPP trail from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Oakmont Carnegie Library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd.
The VOPP Trail Connector will stretch from the Allegheny riverfront in Verona and connect Oakmont, Penn Hills along Plum Creek to Boyce Park in Plum — hence the VOPP name.
In 2022, Friends of the Riverfront worked with Penn Hills to raise funding to complete the design and engineering work for the 14-mile trail project. That work is being conducted by TranSystems through December.
According to the Friends of the Riverfront website, the first phase of design and engineering was completed in early 2023 and focused on the section in Verona and Oakmont. Survey and drone work is being completed on the remaining trail corridor to identify logical segments of the trail.
Free Health & Senior Fair set for older residents
The community’s older residents are invited to a free Health & Senior Fair from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 sponsored by Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, and state Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Penn Hills.
The event will be held at the Greek Orthodox Social Hall, 12 Washington Ave. in Oakmont.
No registration is required to attend.
More than 35 organizations will be on hand to provide information.
Services and resources that will be available include:
• Free flu and pneumonia shots (bring your Medicare or insurance card)
• Free blood pressure screenings
• An opportunity to apply for or renew one’s Senior ConnectCard with Pittsburgh Regional Transit
• Responsible disposal of unused medication through Project DUMP by the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office
• Door prizes
For details, call McAndrew’s office at 412-793-2448.
Verona dentist offering free care
Verona Dental Care, 625 Allegheny River Blvd., is hosting a Free Dentistry Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11.
Patients can choose one of the following services: a free cleaning, filling or extraction.
People of all ages who are in need of dental care will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Appointments also can be scheduled by calling 412-828-1920.
Spooky Night at the Races scheduled at Oakmont Elks
The Rosedale Civic Association is organizing a Spooky Night at the Races fundraiser for the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Oakmont Elks, 101 Washington Ave.
The cost is $15 per person and includes a buffet dinner. Costumes are optional, and there will be a $50 prize for the best costume.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 5 and the start of races at 6. There will be a cash bar.
Proceeds will be used to purchase personal protective equipment for Rosedale firefighters.
To purchase a ticket, send an email to rosedalecivicassociation222@gmail.com.
Music nonprofit offers festival in Verona
The Western Pennsylvania Center for the Arts Academy is hosting Beats & Eats, a music and food festival, from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 12 at Railroad Park in Verona.
The event will include a pet parade; a person/pet combination costume contest; a pumpkin carving contest; food and beverage trucks; and music, featuring RMR Jazz, Carnegie Mellon Bag Pipes and more.
To sign up for the parade or for more information, visit wpcaacademy.org.
Oakmont library events on tap
Multiple events are scheduled in October at the Oakmont Carnegie Library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd.
• The Third Tuesdays at the Movies rotation will feature “Thelma” from 3 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 15. The movie is for adults, and admission and refreshments are free.
• The Oakmont Anime Club for Teens meets from 3 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 22 in the library’s Oak Room.
• The Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh will offer an “Animals of the Night” program from 6 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 in the library’s Oak Room. The program, which gives a glimpse into the world of nocturnal animals, is recommended for elementary-age children to adults. Registration is required and closes at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23. For more information, contact Kelsey Grushecky at 412-828-9532 or grusheckyk@oakmontlibrary.org.
• A Pre-K Trick-or-Treat Story Time will be from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 30 in the library’s Oak Room. The program is for children ages 3-5. Participants are asked to wear their Halloween costumes for the story time before trick-or-treating around the library. For more information, contact Kelsey Grushecky at 412-828-9532 or grusheckyk@oakmontlibrary.org.
Plum plans fall leaf collection
Plum’s leaf collection program will start on Oct. 15 and will run through the first week of December.
Leaf collection will be the weekday following residents’ normal trash pickup day. There will be no leaf collection on Nov. 11, 28 and 29.
The borough says it could change if winter storm events occur which would cause leaf collecting equipment to be switched over to winter maintenance equipment.
Verona Historical Society programs slated
• The Verona Historical Society will host an Oct. 17 program for National Italian Heritage Month. Melissa Marinaro of the Heinz History Center will lead the presentation.
• A program dubbed “The Encampment at Valley Forge, 1777-1778” will be offered on Nov. 21. 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.
Oakmont Halloween parade scheduled
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.
Craft show, bake sale in works
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 8 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.
Station seeks firefighters, junior members
The Verona Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applictions for active firefighters as well as junior members 16 and 17 years of age.
Interested individuals can stop by the fire station, 465 Parker St., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays.
Training is provided through the Allegheny County Fire Academy.
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.
Verona Farmers Market sets up Thursdays
Verona’s seasonal farmers market has kicked off into full swing. Hosted every Thursday until Nov. 21, each market features a list of local vendors.
For special announcements about the market, visit the Verona Farmers Market Facebook page.
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.