In brief: Author talk, bingo fundraiser and more in Fox Chapel area

American Association of University Women

Author Beverly Harris-Schenz will be the guest speaker at a public program in February hosted by the Fox Chapel Area affiliate of the American Association of University Women.

She will speak about issues in her book, “Living while Black: My experience with everyday racism.”

The program is free and open to the public. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 11 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church at the corner of Fox Chapel and Field Club roads.

Harris-Schenz will delve into her personal exploration of racism and select stories from her book to illustrate how she believes systemic racial bias and unfounded assumptions pervade ordinary situations.

The program is intended to provide tools to empower participants to act against racism.

Harris-Schenz was the first Black faculty member in the German departments of the University of Pittsburgh, University of Massachusetts and Rice University. She also was the first Black female appointed Vice Provost and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies at Pitt.

Paddle tennis tournament

Pittsburgh North Optimist Foundation and Steel City Squash are partnering for a Paddle Tennis Tournament fundraiser on Feb. 2. Matches will begin at 11 a.m. at two locations — Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel and Allegheny Country Club in Sewickley Heights. Registration is $95 per player, and space is limited to 32 players per location. For more information, visit Pittsburghoptimist.com or steelcitysquash.org.

Reservations begin

Indiana Township residents may reserve park pavilions for April through October beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 3. Non-resident 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. Two separate checks or cash are required. The township does not accept credit cards for the rental fee or 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.

Bingo fundraiser

Addiction Recovery Ministry is sponsoring a Bingo fundraiser at 2 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the John Paul I Center, 201 9th St., Sharpsburg. The proceeds will benefit our Light of Life Rescue Mission brown bag lunch fund, which packs lunches to help those suffering from substance use disorders and all who need help with food insecurity on a monthly basis.

Prizes will be awarded for 10 regular games ($25 per game), five specials ($50 per game,) and a jackpot ($200 for the game). Cost is $25 for six cards per game.

For reservations, call Rosemarie at 412-378-9290 or email rhaasarm@gmail.com.

Winter Flea Market & Benefit Breakfasts

Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization and the VFW Post 709 are sponsoring Winter Flea Market & Benefit Breakfasts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16 and March 16. The events will take place at the VFW Post 709 Bingo Hall, 1017 Main St., Sharpsburg. A suggested donation for the breakfast will help support the VFW. There is no fee for vendors or flea market attendees. Vendor setup begins at 7 a.m.

For more information, call Chas Smith at 412-927-9221.

Adult education offerings

Fox Chapel Area Adult Education is keeping you on the move during this cold winter with at-home and in-person opportunities.

Availability is limited, but there still are plenty of options to enrich your winter, socialize with others and stay healthy throughout the season.

At-home live Zoom courses include exercise and strength training, French or Spanish language, creating mocktails and oil painting with a virtual group.

Swimming classes take place the Fox Chapel Area High School pool. Whether it’s lap swimming, aqua exercise, swim lessons to learn or improve, we’ve got it for you. If it’s family fun time you’re looking for, we’ve got that, too. Bring the family, pay one flat rate, and enjoy some heated swim time with them at the pool. We’ve even got noodles and kickboards for you.

Other in-person courses include pottery and crochet. Beginning in January, hand-building and wheel-throwing will be taught by an experienced potter. A basic skills crochet class also is being taught this winter.

Class schedules and their respective fees can be viewed on Fox Chapel Area Adult Education’s website at fcaae.org. In most cases, as long as there is space, it’s not too late to sign up.

Second Harvest wishlist available

Second Harvest Community Thrift Store, 624 Clay St. in Sharpsburg, regularly curates and updates an Amazon Wishlist for items that are most often needed at its Community Free Fridge, which is open 24 hours a day, year-round.

To access the list, visit secondharvestthrift.com/community-fridge and scroll down to the wishlist mentioned in the lower right corner. Items can be shipped directly to the store.

Items currently needed include Campbell’s Chunky Soup, peanut butter and jelly, Jergens moisturizer, toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine products, diapers and toilet paper.

Overdose loss support group

Addiction Recovery Ministry hosts a grief support group at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays through January at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St., in Sharpsburg.

The group is open to anyone who has lost a loved one to an overdose. Attendees are welcome to share their experience, grief and healing.

Heating assistance available

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.

Food, hygiene products sought

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.

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 bicentennial volunteers

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 scan 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.

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 e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.