To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.

Water authority continues to replace water meters, shares other updates

The Fox Chapel Authority currently is replacing all residential water meters.

The new meters allow for more efficient tracking of consumption, which benefits both the authority and its customers. The project is about 72% complete as of March 1.

If you have not had your meter replaced, call the Fox Chapel Authority at 412-963-0212 or email info@foxchapelwater.com to schedule an appointment.

The annual flushing program is tentatively set to start Monday, April 6. Alerts will be sent out to notify customers when the crew will be flushing the hydrants in their respective areas. There will be no planned disruption of service while flushing.

Crews began replacing the water main on South Oak Hill Road at the end of 2025, and the replacement will continue in the spring. That project is expected to be completed this fall. Alerts will be sent out to customers before any planned disruption of service.

Residents with questions are encouraged to call the office at 412-963-0212. Updates also will be provided online at foxchapelwater.com.

Dogs welcome for final romp on fields

The End of Season gathering for dogs and their owners is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 28 at the Aspinwall Recreation Field.

The park along Field Avenue is used as a ball field from April 1 through the end of October. Dog permits are required, and the animals can roam off-leash on the field from Nov. 1 to March 31.

The End of Season meetup provides an opportunity for pet owners to socialize with other adults while cleaning up the park and allowing their dogs to enjoy a play date.

Attendees are welcome to bring treats for dogs, snacks for people and contributions for Paws Across Pittsburgh, a foster-based animal rescue run by volunteers.

If possible, bring a shovel and a bag of soil to fill in any holes.

For details about the rescue, visit pawsacrosspittsburgh.com.

Free smoke alarms being installed in Aspinwall, Sharpsburg

A Sound the Alarm event to install free smoke alarms in Sharpsburg is planned from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 28.

House fires claim seven lives a day. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death from those fires in half.

State Rep. Mandy Steele. D-Fox Chapel, is partnering with the American Red Cross and Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services to install the free devices.

Aspinwall and Sharpsburg residents can request a smoke alarm by making an appointment.

To sign up and for more information, call 412-263-5278.

The Red Cross also welcomes volunteers to help install smoke alarms. No experience is needed. The organization will give you the tools and information to succeed. To register, vsit SoundTheAlarm.org/GreaterPA.

Catholic Charities providing free dental care

Catholic Charities is hosting free dental care to adults 18 and older at its free health care center from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays through April 18.

The center is located at 111 Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh.

No appointments are necessary. The free services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dental exams provided include oral cancer screenings, abscess checks and dental disease evaluations.

Care planning will be offered to connect participants to follow-up care and treatment, if needed.

Participants can expect friendly staff and student providers, a respectful and no-judgment environment, and a chance to improve one’s health and smile.

For details, call the health care center 412-456-6911 or visit ccpgh.org/services/free-health-care-center.

Volunteers sought to plant trees in Blawnox

Volunteers are needed for a tree planting project at 9 a.m. April 2 in Blawnox.

The borough is replacing 10 invasive trees with native ones along Freeport Road.

Trees will be provided by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Participants will meet at the borough building for supplies and instructions. Everyone is urged to bring their own gloves.

For details, call 412-828-4141.

Music store offering performance workshop

N Stuff Music, 468 Freeport Road in Blawnox, is offering a six-week Theater Prep Workshop, from March 30 through May 9, as part of its Little Lesson House music school.

Enrollment is open, and space is limited.

On Stage with Little Lesson House is a performance workshop designed for young artists 10 and older who want to strengthen their confidence, stage presence and communication skills.

Through a combination of individual coaching and collaborative group work, students will explore the fundamentals of performing while developing their own unique artistic voice.

By the end of the program, each student will present a fully prepared solo or scene in a celebratory final showcase for family and friends in early May.

For details, call or email the Little Lesson House at 412-828-1005 or llh@nstuffmusic.com.

Fox Chapel native honored at gala

Sewickley resident Tres Whitlock, Western Pennsylvania area president of Gallagher, was this year’s honoree at the Wesley Family Services 2026 Gala, held March 20.

“I am thrilled and humbled by this nomination,” Whitlock said. “Wesley Family Services’ commitment to a Quality Whole Person Care approach — seeing and supporting the entire individual — is an urgent, powerful mission that resonates deeply with me. It is a privilege to stand alongside an organization whose CEO, Doug Muentzel, embodies the conviction that ‘where there is help, there is always hope,’ driving this critical work with unmatched energy and compassion.”

A Pittsburgh native who grew up in Fox Chapel, Whitlock’s professional journey spans two decades in the commercial insurance sector.

Whitlock was selected as this year’s gala honoree in recognition of his philanthropy and dedication to the community. His leadership and commitment have made a meaningful impact and inspired others to make a difference. Over the years, Whitlock has demonstrated a consistent passion for helping families through programming, donation drives and volunteer efforts.

Household Chemical Collection set for May 2

The Pennsylvania Resources Council is hosting a Household Chemical Collection event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at the North Park Pool, South Ridge Drive, McCandless.

Advance registration is required by calling 412-488-7490, emailing info@prc.org or online at prc.org/HHW.

The cost is $20 for every 10 gallons or 50 pounds of the following materials:

• All paint products

• Household cleaners

• Aerosol cans

• Batteries

• Automotive fluids and fuels

• Pesticides and herbicides

• CFL bulbs

• Photo and pool chemicals

• Smoke detectors

Oversized loads will be subject to additional fees at the discretion of on-site staff. Other fees include $12 per fire extinguishers and $15 per pound of liquid mercury.

For a complete list and more information, visit prc.org.

Summer camp signups open in Indiana Township

Registration is now open for Indiana Township’s summer camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 15 to July 17, except July 3, at Emmerling Community Park, 151 Cove Run Road.

The camp is open to children who have completed kindergarten through age 12.

Early bird registration by May 29 for residential families is $110 per child, $110 for second child and $260 for three or more children; for nonresidents, the early bird cost is $220 for one child, $220 for a second child and $520 for three or more children.

The regular registration cost on May 30 and later for residential families is $150 per child, $150 for second child and $320 for three or more children; for nonresidents, the regular registration cost is $300 for one child, $300 for a second child and $640 for three or more children.

The deadline to register is June 5. Late registrations will not be accepted.

There is no early drop-off, and late pick up will be subjected to additional fees.

For details and to register, visit indianatownship.com/summer-camp-information-registration.

Indiana Township hiring summer workers

The Indiana Township Public Works Department is hiring workers for the summer.

The ideal applicant will have experience using lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment. The candidate also must be a college/technical school student or recent high school graduate with a valid driver’s license. Township residents will be given priority.

Applications are available on the township’s website at indianatownship.com or can be picked up during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Town Hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd.

All successful candidates will be required to submit to a drug/alcohol test.

Applications are due April 17. Qualified applications received after April 18 might still be considered.

Counselors 16 and older needed for summer camp

Indiana Township is looking to hire counselors for its 2026 summer camp.

Applications are available at the Town Hall’s administrative office and online at indianatownship.com.

Preference is given to applicants 16 and older who reside in Indiana Township. All staff will be responsible for obtaining and submitting Childline and criminal history clearances and FBI fingerprinting before the first day of camp.

Summer camp is held in Emmerling Community Park. The position requires staff to be outdoors every day, except on inclement weather days.

Applicants must be available for all five weeks of camp from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from June 15-July 17. Anyone not available for those specific dates and times will not be considered for employment.

Applications, which are due by May 1, can be dropped off or mailed to Indiana Township Town Hall, Attention: Counselor Applications, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Offices closed April 3

Municipal offices in Aspinwall and Indiana Township will be closed April 3 in observance of Good Friday.

Street sweeping scheduled announced

Sharpsburg officials have announced the borough’s street sweeping schedule.

Sweeping takes place April through November.

Residents should move their vehicles so the street sweeper can properly clean the streets. For every one vehicle that is unmoved, four parking spots can’t be cleaned. While the vehicles are moved, public works crews also can perform other routine maintenance on the parking lanes and curbs.

The schedule is available to download through the public works section of the borough website at sharpsburgborough.com.

Murder-mystery dinner to benefit addiction ministry

Addiction Recovery Ministry is sponsoring a baseball-themed murder-mystery dinner fundraiser April 26 at St. Joseph Church, 342 Dorseyville Road.

The cost is $50 per ticket and includes a catered buffet dinner and interactive show.

Attendees will journey to Muddyville and watch as its best players rack up some impressive RBIs, ERAs — and at least one DOA! Pittsburgh-based Mystery’s Most Wanted will present plenty of laughs, clues and twists as the mystery unfolds.

Doors will open at 4 p.m.

All proceeds will go toward helping those suffering from addiction and the people who love them.

There also will be basket raffles and a 50-50 raffle. Monetary donations, gift cards and raffle baskets are welcome.

For details and reservations, call 412-378-9290.

Casino night to benefit Fox Families Care

Fox Families Care is hosting a Swing Into Spring: Monte Carlo Night fundraiser on April 10 to benefit children and families in the Fox Chapel area.

The evening will start with a VIP reception from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring drinks and live music. Casino tables will open to all attendees from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Guests 21 and older can try their luck at blackjack, poker, roulette and craps. There will be food and drinks, live music and entertainment, and raffle prizes.

All proceeds support Fox Families Care, a nonprofit dedicated to meeting essential needs for children and families in the Fox Chapel Area School District. The organization’s mission centers on ensuring that no child in the community goes without basic necessities — from clothing and school supplies to emergency financial support and critical household items.

Tickets are $250 for a VIP guest and $200 for a Swing Into Spring guest.

The presenting sponsor of this year’s gala is Guardian Storage. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available: $10,000, Bridge the Gap sponsor; $5,000, FCC Spirit sponsor; $2,500, Clever as a Fox sponsor; and $1,000, FCC Friend sponsor.

To purchase tickets for the event, become a sponsor or to get involved or request information about available services, visit foxfamiliescare.org.

Fox Chapel police plan Egg-Stravaganza

Fox Chapel police will host an Egg-Stravaganza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 28 at Annie’s Field of Dreams in McCahill Park.

The free event is open to all ages and will be held rain or shine.

There will be games, crafts, a presentation by the Audubon Raptor Program and more at Foxwall EMS, which is next to the field at 749 Hemlock Hollow Road.

Don’t miss the giveaways, such as passes to Phipps Conservatory, a season pass to the Pittsburgh Zoo, a Penguin Encounter experience at the zoo, and movie tickets and popcorn.

Sponsors include Audubon of Western Pennsylvania, the National Aviary of Pittsburgh and Bird Town Pennsylvania.

To register, visit https://qrco.de/bgdob6.

More information will be posted on the borough’s Facebook page closer to the event.

Girl Scouts available to ‘egg’ yards

The Fox Chapel Girl Scouts once again is offering their Egg Your Yard service on Saturday, April 4.

The effort serves homes in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

Troop members will fill eggs with trinkets and candy and deposit them on your lawn between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. April 4. The Girl Scouts can either hide the eggs in your yard for you, weather permitting, or you can simply purchase the filled eggs to be delivered.

The cost is $30 for 40 eggs and $40 for 60 eggs.

For an additional charge of $25, you can have a special bunny spotted hiding or delivering the eggs. One of the troop members will be dressed in a bunny costume; you will be texted when we are ready for the bunny to be spotted.

The deadline to register is March 28. Limited spots are available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

To details and to register, visit tinyurl.com/FCeggyard.

For questions, email foxchapel5903@gmail.com.

A.W. Beattie’s last fish fry of season is Friday

The A.W. Beattie Career Center’s annual lunchtime fish fry is in full swing.

Meals, which started Feb. 20, are served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays at the school, 9600 Babcock Blvd., McCandless. The remaining date is March 27.

Dine-in and takeout options are available, but preorders are not accepted.

Entrees range from $10 for grilled cheese to $15 for an 8-ounce baked or fried battered fish sandwich; each entree includes two sides, cole slaw, dessert and a drink.

Sides include fresh-cut fries, fresh-cut chips, loaded baked potato, mac and cheese, stewed tomatoes and cole slaw.

A la carte items will be available, including a 16-ounce serving of New England clam chowder with a breadstick for $4.50 and six lump crab fritters for $5.

Fresh cookies and pastries also will be available for purchase.

To view a full menu, visit beattietech.com/quick-links/beattie-restaurant.

All proceeds benefit the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, a vocational student organization.

The career center serves students from nine area school districts: Avonworth, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Hampton, North Allegheny, North Hills, Northgate, Pine-Richland and Shaler Area.

Parish plans Tenebrae

Christ the King Parish will present Tenebrae, an hourlong meditation on the Passion of Christ, at 7 p.m. March 30 in St. Mary Church, 210 Garnier St. in Sharpsburg. Tenebrae is an ancient service of Scripture and music, where darkness increases by extinguishing candles, to symbolize the coming darkness of Jesus’ death. All are welcome.

Sign-ups start soon for Aspinwall Tee Ball

Registration for Aspinwall Tee Ball will begin April 1.

The season will start June 13 and run for 10 weeks, ending Aug. 15. The fee is $30 per child, and registration is not limited to Aspinwall residents.

There will be two groups of play: tee ball for ages 3-6 and a more experienced coach pitch group for ages 6-8. Depending on experience, your 6-year-old can play in either group.

There will be an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. April 13 at the Aspinwall Borough Building, 217 Commercial Ave., for in-person questions and registrations.

The registration form also can be found on the Aspinwall Tee Ball Facebook page or in-person at the borough building during business hours.

The deadline to register is May 3.

Registration underway in Sharpsburg for baseball, softball teams

Sign-ups are now open for the spring season of the Sharpsburg Baseball and Softball Association.

If you’re looking for a fun, positive way to get your children active this season, we’re here to help.

Available programs are:

• T-ball: Ages 4-6

• Instructional baseball: Ages 7–8

• Boys baseball: Up to age 12

• Girls softball: Up to age 13

Participants will learn the game, build confidence, make friends and have fun on the field.

For details or to sign up, call or text Denise Hoffman at 412-352-5158 or reach out by email at sbsa.playball@gmail.com.

Red Cross seeks blood donors, volunteers

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross urges donors to help the national blood supply recover following a severe shortage and empower their health by making an appointment to give blood or platelets.

Donors of all blood types remain critical to keeping momentum up and the blood supply steady headed into spring.

The Red Cross will perform free A1C testing on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made through March 31, one result per calendar year. Donors also will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email. Details can be found at redcrossblood.org/March.

The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood.

To donate blood or platelets, visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank donors at blood drives to ensure they have a positive donation experience. Volunteers also are needed as transportation specialists, ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For details and to apply for either position, contact Volunteer Services at 1-800-422-7677 or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

2-day Junior Fire Camp open to teens

Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services is offering a Junior Fire Camp from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 and 14 for teens ages 13-17.

Are you curious about what it’s like to be a firefighter?

Discover the world of volunteer fire service with this one-of-a-kind experience featuring fun, hands-on activities guided by real firefighters.

Participants will receive a T-shirt.

The cost of the camp is $35, and scholarships are available.

After applying, you will be notified if you qualify for a scholarship.

For details, visit station102.org/fire-camp.

Registration underway for fall at Good Shepherd Preschool

Registration for fall 2026 is now open at Good Shepherd Preschool for children ages 2, 3 and 4.

Located at 1610 Powers Run Road on 4 acres in Fox Chapel, Good Shepherd Preschool offers a play-based curriculum featuring weekly music, yoga and STEM activities.

The preschool features a low teacher-to-child ratio for personalized attention, as well as a safe, nurturing environment where children feel secure and loved. There are spacious indoor/outdoor play areas and optional extended days for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds.

For details or to schedule a tour, visit gslcfc.org/preschool or call 412-963-9494, ext. 304.

Fox Hill Preschool offers summer camps

Fox Hill Preschool is hosting summer camps from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1-Aug. 1 for children ages 2 to 5.

The camps are held at Faith United Methodist Church, 261 W. Chapel Ridge Road, Fox Chapel.

There will be theme weeks, fun crafts and water play.

Applications are available online at foxhillpreschool.org. For details, call director Jennifer Pierce at 412-963-8824 or email info@foxhillpreschool.org.

Internship available

Fox Chapel and the Park Commission have partnered to provide a seasonal internship to assist with various forestry, environmental, educational and volunteer management activities.

A full description of the position is available on the borough website at fox-chapel.pa.us.

Those interested should email a resume and cover letter to borough Manager Julie Bastianini at jbastianini@fox-chapel.pa.us.

Trailside Tasting to benefit camp’s special-needs programs

Camp Guyasuta is hosting its second annual Trailside Tasting fundraiser from 1 to 5 p.m. May 17 at the campsite, 300 23rd St., Sharpsburg.

The event raises money to support special-needs programs the camp provides to youths with disabilities.

It will feature an afternoon of sampling wine, spirits, beer, rum, vodka, whiskey from local vendors.

Attendees must be 21 and older.

The cost is $25 and can be paid in advance online at campguyasuta.org/trailside-tastings or at the door.

Participating vendors so far include Laurel Highlands Meadery, Ponfeigh Distillery, Low Rider Jewelry, Lucky Sign Spirits, Elfinwild Farms, Deadhead Winery, La Vigneta Winery, Wigle Whiskey, Threadbare Cider and Mead, S&S Chocolates and Hazel Grove Brewing.

For details, call 412-782-2669 or visit Camp Guyasuta’s website.

Registration open for summer camps at Camp Guyasuta

Camp Guyasuta is offering a weeklong co-ed STEM Adventure Day Camp throughout June and July for children ages 6 to 14.

The camp is held in a “drop-off” format, with early arrival and late pickup available. This arrangement allows youth of working parents the ability to attend an adventure of a lifetime while not disrupting work schedules.

Registration currently is underway and will close once 180 campers have signed up for each age group, 6-10 and 11-14, per week. The first week starts June 1 and the last week begins July 27.

The cost is $300 per camper for the 6-10 group and $350 for those 11-14.

Activities include archery, target and range sports, ropes courses, gaga ball, human foosball, creek hikes and swimming.

For details about the camp and to register, visit campguyasuta.org/day-camp.

For questions about participation or exclusion from an activity, call 412-782-2669.

To request to be with a friend, email Kim Daniher at kim.daniher@scouting.org as soon as both campers are registered. The camp tries to accommodate friend requests, but it is not guaranteed. Once groups are filled, however, friend requests will not be accepted.

Help available for people grieving loved ones

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is?

Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.

GriefShare is a 13-week, nondenominational Christian faith-based support group that meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, starting March 5 through May 28, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.

For details or questions, email Gail Harger at gailharger@verizon.net or visit griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.

Open play, board game night, CPR class set at center

The Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, hosts a variety of community events, including:

• Social Tables: 1:45 to 3 p.m. March 27. This event is free and open to the public. Come on your own or bring friends to gather together in our Alexander Family Community Room doing your favorite activity. We have board games available, or try your hand at card games, mahjong, have a book club meeting, knit, read or even work. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks. We will have multiple tables set up in the Alexander Family Community Room. Your reservation saves a spot for you. If you want to bring a group, book as many spots as you need. Each table seats six people. We encourage individuals to come and find others to spend time with, learn a new game or just socialize. Please register at lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events so we can plan for your arrival.

• Tot Time Open Play: 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. April 3. Guests 5 and younger, along with their adults, are invited to run around the Alexander Family Community Room and burn off energy. This is unstructured and unsupervised play time so guardians must stay and supervise their children. Register at lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events so we can plan for your arrival.

• Community CPR: 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. April 7. We are partnering with Foxwall EMS to bring you instruction and guided practice on following steps to save a life, including how to perform CPR, how to manage an obstructed airway and how to use an AED. The class is $60, and participants will be certified by the American Heart Association for two years. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/community-cpr.

• Young at Heart Social Hour: 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 10. Community members 65 and older are welcome to visit the center for social time. Tables and chairs will be set up, and coffee and light snacks will be provided. Registration is not required. Check in at the Welcome Desk when you arrive.

• Community Board Game Night for Adults: 6 to 8 p.m. April 10. Bring your friends or find some here while playing classics such as Backgammon or Yahtzee. This is an 18-and-over adult event. More than 20 board games will be available to choose from, or you can bring your favorite from home. This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. Visit. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/community-board-game-night-for-adults-3.

• Fresh Herb Wreath Making: 6 to 8 p.m. April 17. Build a lush, aromatic wreath using fresh culinary herbs and textural greens, designed to dry naturally right on the wreath form. We’ll walk through prepping, layering and wiring techniques so your wreath holds its shape and dries beautifully over time. This class is $70 and is open to the public. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/programs/adult-programs.

• Family Group Exercise: 11:15 a.m. to noon April 19. Join us for a free family-friendly group exercise class in the Alexander Family Community Room. The class is open to all and will be led by one of our experienced instructors. It will focus on getting families moving together. Guardians are responsible for their children during the class. Anyone younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/family-group-ex-april.

• Container Gardening With Doug Oster: 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 25. Doug Oster joins us as our Sue Golier Memorial Speaker Series guest lecturer and will share tips on how to grow one’s favorite plants in containers. This event is free and open to the public. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events.

Community center offers summer camps

Registration is open for Lauri Ann West Community Center’s themed summer camps, which will run for nine weeks from June 15 through Aug. 14. The camps are for children ages 3 to 13.

Fan-favorite weeks such as Our Town, Carnival and Myths and Legends are back, along with new Friday surprises and a brand-new theme — Crafting the World Games — where art and sports come together for an action-packed week.

Scholarships are available.

To learn more about the weekly themes, visit lauriannwestcc.org/summer-camps-2026.

North Hills Chorale plans patriotic spring concert

The North Hills Chorale will present its spring concert — “American in Harmony: 250 Years of Song” — at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at St. Vincent Hall, 8250 Babcock Blvd., McCandless.

Join us as we sing of the optimism of a new country, the hardships of a nation divided, the hopefulness of opportunity and the dream of a united future.

Free-will offerings are welcome to support the continued success of North Hills Chorale.

The group began as a CCAC noncredit class in 1993 and presented its first concert in December 2003. It gained nonprofit status in 2011.

To learn more about the group, visit nhchorale.com.

Audubon Society offering summer camps

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is hosting Audubon Nature Camps this summer at its Butler, Fox Chapel and Sarver locations.

Full-day and half-day camps are available. Each week has a different theme.

Outdoor Discovery camps for grades K-6, Wilderness Skills for Survival for grades 5-8, Birdz 101 and Birdz 201 camps for grades 6-9. A four-hour training course, Audubon-Naturalists-in-Training (ANTS), for teens 13-18 is free, but participants must commit to 30 hours of service with the Outdoor Discovery campers.

Scholarships are available.

The cost for full-day camps range from $365 to $395 per member and $410 to $440 per nonmember; for half-day camps, the cost is $185 per member, $205 per nonmember.

For details, visit aswp.org.

Backpack for Hunger welcomes donations, volunteers

Childhood hunger is an issue, even in the Fox Chapel area.

The Fox Chapel Area School District is the most socioeconomically diverse in Pennsylvania. More than 25% of the approximately 4,000 students in the district meet the low-income requirements to qualify for the free and/or reduced-price lunch program.

The Backpack for Hunger program helps to fill the gap. Twice a month, a group of volunteers gathers to pack food bags, which are then delivered to schools to be distributed to students on a weekly or more frequent basis, as needed. In addition to being volunteer-driven, Backpack for Hunger also is dependent on public donations to purchase food. The current high food prices mean more children than ever before need Backpack for Hunger’s food bags. These high food prices also make the Backpack for Hunger program more expensive to fund. Donations are especially needed at this time.

To donate to Backpack for Hunger or to help with packing food bags, visit the program’s website at backpackforhunger.org or call 412-418-6254. Donations may be mailed to Backpack for Hunger, P.O. Box 11266, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Grant covers free spay, neuter surgeries for Sharpsburg residents, veterans

Animal Friends provides free spay and neuter surgeries for owned dogs and cats within its partner communities of McKees Rocks, Millvale, Mt. Oliver and Sharpsburg.

The program is made possible by a grant from the McS Charitable Foundation. In addition, the program will be available to veterans regardless of their location.

Any dog or cat owner who resides in one of these communities or is a veteran and wishes to be considered for the service should complete an application at tinyurl.com/29z4vev so a member of the clinic team can reach out.

Spaying and neutering are among the most impactful choices one can make to protect their pet’s health and help reduce pet overpopulation. These safe, routine procedures prevent unwanted litters, reducing the number of animals entering shelters each year. In addition to easing overcrowding, spaying and neutering can lower the risk of certain cancers, decrease roaming and behavioral challenges, and often lead to longer, healthier lives.

The grant covers the cost of the spay or neuter surgery, including pain medication, a complimentary nail trim and e-collar. All other services, such as vaccines, will be at the expense of the owner.

For assistance with scheduling a feral cat, call Animal Friends directly at 412-847-7004.

Pre-K program applications now being accepted

The Fox Chapel Area School District is accepting applications for its 2026-27 pre-kindergarten program through April 10.

This will be the eighth year for the program, which is housed at Kerr Elementary School, 341 Kittanning Pike, in O’Hara. The program is open to students across the district who turn 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026.

The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and will consist of a 4-year-old classroom with 20 students.

All students must be toilet-trained and able to use the bathroom without adult assistance. Parents/guardians must be able to provide transportation to and from school. The program requires a five-day-a-week commitment; after 10 absences, a child may be withdrawn from the program.

Students are eligible for the program based on their family’s income, which must be below the 300% poverty level for the size of the family.

Enrollment forms, including the pre-kindergarten program application, income verification form and commitment form are available on the district’s pre-kindergarten website at prek.fcasd.edu. The completed forms and proof of income (a copy of most recent W-2 or three current pay stubs) should be mailed to Fox Chapel Area School District Pre-Kindergarten Program, c/o Dr. Ashley Constantine, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

If more than 20 applications are received by April 10, a random selection process will occur the week of April 20. Parents/guardians who have a child selected for the program will receive an acceptance letter with additional information to begin the registration process. All other eligible students will be placed on an ordered wait list.

For questions, contact Dr. Ashley Constantine, Fox Chapel Area School District’s executive director of elementary education and instruction, at ashley_constantine@fcasd.edu or 412-967-2455. Additional information also is available on the pre-kindergarten website.

Blawnox Food Pantry to be open March 27

The Blawnox Food Pantry will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 27 at 376 Freeport Road.

Pantry operations have shifted this year to a ticket system similar to a supermarket deli to help alleviate wait times and people lining up around the block to get food.

Participants may arrive at 10:45 a.m. to start picking their tickets.

No proof of residency or income is required.

For details, call 412-828-4141.

Commemorative bricks available to honor Blawnox veterans

Memorial bricks are still available for purchase to honor current or former Blawnox residents who have served our country.

Many bricks already have been installed at the Veterans Memorial, along with new lamps and new pavers, along Freeport Road.

The memorial aims to serve as both a remembrance and a living memorial.

To purchase a brick in honor of a veteran, visit BricksRUs.com/DonorSite/BlawnoxCentennial.

Each brick measures 4 inches by 8 inches and costs $100.

Select commemorative products also can be purchased as keepsakes, including a donor brick for $60, an exact duplicate of the brick purchased with the addition of felt backing; a souvenir brick for $25, a smaller option that fits in one’s hand bearing your custom inscription; and a donor certificate for $10, a laser-printed certificate on heavy ivory paper showing your inscription on a red-colored brick background.

State police academy applications open

The Pennsylvania State Police is accepting applications for its 2026 Law and Leadership Academy — Southwest Location. The application period runs through May 1.

The free program is designed for residents or students in Southwest Pennsylvania, 18 and older, who have a high school diploma or GED and are seeking a career in law enforcement. Modeled after professional police academies, the curriculum includes instruction on criminal investigations, traffic laws and police resources, alongside paramilitary training in physical fitness, swimming and marching.

The academy runs from May 11 through Aug. 5. Classes are held:

• Mondays: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• Saturdays: Two dates (tentative)

The program aims to foster self-discipline and teamwork while giving participants a firsthand look at the cadet experience.

Interested applicants can obtain an application by contacting the Southwest program coordinator, Trooper Tristan T. Fay, at tfay@pa.gov or by visiting patrooper.com. More information is available on the Pennsylvania State Police website at pa.gov/agencies/psp.

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