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

Free class offered on mindfulness, trauma

Addiction Recovery Ministry, in conjunction with Awaken Pittsburgh, will present a free course on mindfulness and trauma from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 21 at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St., Sharpsburg.

The session will explore the basics of the nervous system states in relation to trauma. Responses, as well as up and down-regulating practices, to work with these different states will be explored.

To RSVP for the class, call Rosemarie at 412-378-9290 or email rhaasarm@gmail.com.

Thespians to stage ‘Something Rotten!’

Fox Chapel Area High School will stage its spring musical — “Something Rotten!” — at 7 p.m. Feb. 26-28 and 2 p.m. March 1.

About 110 students are involved in this year’s show, including the cast, crew and live pit orchestra.

The musical comedy, which will be held in the high school auditorium at 611 Field Club Road in O’Hara, is listed as PG-13 for some mature humor.

The show, originally staged in 2015 on Broadway, is set in the 1590s and follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, as they try to outshine William Shakespeare. They end up creating the world’s first musical based on a soothsayer’s misinterpreted visions — seeing “Hamlet” as “Omelette” and a danish pastry instead of a Danish prince.

Tickets cost $13 each and all seats are reserved. They can be purchased online at fcahsmusicdepartment.ludus.com; a convenience fee will be applied. Tickets also will be sold at the door pending availability.

Tickets are nonrefundable and can not be exchanged for other performances.

Indiana Township seeks administrative assistant, finance director

Indiana Township is accepting applications for an administrative assistant and finance director.

The administrative assistant position is 24 to 30 hours per week, and office experience is a must. Pay is biweekly and compensation is $20.60 an hour, with an annual increase when permitted. A background check also is required.

The deadline to apply for the finance director position is April 1. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field and/or progressively responsible municipal accounting experience. Applicants should include their salary requirements with their resumes.

To view the full job descriptions, visit indianatownship.com.

Resumes and a list of references can be mailed to Indiana Township, Attention: Holly Sammartino, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, or emailed to hsammartino@indianatownship.com.

Free movie night set at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church

Aspinwall Presbyterian Church, 299 Center Ave., is hosting a free movie night at 7 p.m. Feb. 15.

Local students do not have school the next day.

Everyone is welcome to bring a blanket and pillow and join fellow neighbors and church members for a showing of “101 Dalmatians,” Disney’s live action movie.

Popcorn will be provided.

AARP warns seniors about romance scams

As Valentine’s Day approaches — a time when many people are seeking companionship or exploring new romantic relationships online — AARP Pennsylvania is urging older adults to stay alert for romance scams, including catfishing schemes that exploit feelings of loneliness, trust and affection.

Catfishing is when a scammer uses fraudulent information and images to create fake identities, then attempts to attract people through dating apps, messaging apps and social media to build emotional connections and exploit victims.

Report scams to local law enforcement.

If you suspect a scam, call AARP’s toll-free helpline at 1-877-908-3360 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays or visit the AARP Pennsylvania Fraud Resource Page at aarp.org/money/scams-fraud.

O’Hara collecting valentines for seniors

O’Hara Township and its Human Services Department is hosting a Valentine’s Day card collection through Feb. 12.

Cards are available in the lobby of the municipal building, 325 Fox Chapel Road, during the regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Everyone is welcome to write something special to members of the local senior citizen community. The cards will be distributed for Valentine’s Day.

For questions, email Kayla Somerville, social service coordinator, at ksomerville@ohara.pa.us.

Mardi Gras fundraiser to benefit bereaved parents

Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas is organizing its second Mardi Gras fundriaser from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Allegheny Ballroom of Rivers Casino, 777 Casino Drive, Pittsburgh.

Tickets cost $125 each — $150 for VIP — and include appetizers and a New Orleans-style buffet dinner, one drink voucher, a Pittsburgh cookie table, masks and beads.

VIP tickets allow guests to arrive early at 6 p.m. for a cocktail hour and open bar.

Health care workers can use code 10off to receive $10 off their ticket.

Activities include tarot card readings, strolling entertainment and Brazilian dancers, a Mardi Gras-themed photo booth and live music from Elmoz Fire.

Donations of raffle baskets, as well as items and gift cards for baskets, are welcome. Sponsorship levels also are available.

All proceeds benefit the nonprofit’s vital work of assisting local families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.

For details and to purchase tickets, visit pittsburghbereavementdoulas.com/mardi-gras.

Tot night, family bingo, board night for adults set at center

The Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, is hosting a few free community events in February:

• New! Young at Heart Social Hour: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 13. Community members 65 and older are welcome to visit for social time. The center will set up tables and chairs and provide coffee and light snacks. Registration is not required. Please check-in at the welcome desk when you arrive.

• New! Family Group Exercise: 11:15 a.m. to noon Feb. 15. Join us for a family-friendly group exercise class in the Alexander Family Community Room. The class will be led by one of our experienced instructors. This class focuses on getting families moving together. Guardians are responsible for their children during the class. Anyone younger than 13 must be accompanied by a guardian. The class is free and open to the public, but registration is required at lauriannwestcc.org/event/family-group-ex-february.

• Running tricks and tips presentation: 7 p.m. Feb. 16. Nick Poilucci, P3R’s partnerships and event sales coordinator, will share nutrition tips, training best practices and what to expect during the upcoming Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events. Whether you’re new to exercise and running or a seasoned veteran, there will be something for everyone to take away, including new training partners or maybe even a relay team. Free and open to the public. To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events.

• Community Board Game Night for Adults: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 20. Bring your friends or make some new ones at the center while playing classics board games such as Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble. This is an 18-and-over event, and attendees are welcome to bring their favorite adult beverages and snacks. More than 20 board games will be available to choose from, or you can bring your favorite from home. Food also will be available for purchase through Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet. This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. to register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/community-board-game-night-for-adults.

• New! Arts and Crafts with the Lauri Ann West Crew: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21. Members of our Arts and Enrichment After School (A&E) or programming staff will offer a two-hour free program for school-aged students. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at lauriannwestcc.org/event/arts-crafts-with-the-lauri-ann-west-crew/2026-02-21.

• Audubon Society of Western Pa.: Audubon Society Western PA: 6 p.m. Feb. 26. Chris Bason, executive director of ASWP, will give an overview presentation about his new role with the organization and current activities happening at Beechwood. He will be bringing along their raptor friends for an up-close and personal look. FREE and open to the public. To help us plan for room set up, please RSVP at: LauriAnnWestCC/programs/speakerseries-events.

Registration open for summer camps

Registration 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.

Story times set for incoming kindergartners

All four elementary schools in the Fox Chapel Area School District are hosting in-person story times for incoming 2026-27 kindergarten students and their parents/guardians.

The program is designed to prepare all prospective kindergarten students — those age 5 on or by Sept. 1 — for starting school during the 2026-27 school year.

The story times will enable the incoming students to become acquainted with their elementary school and enjoy a story and activity with the kindergarten teachers. Parents/guardians will gain valuable information regarding school readiness and kindergarten registration.

Children and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend all of the story times offered at their prospective school:

• Fairview Elementary School: 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 10, March 11 and April 16

• Hartwood Elementary School: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 11, March 11 and April 15

• Kerr Elementary School: 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 12, March 12 and April 16

• O’Hara Elementary School: Feb. 10, March 10 and April 14; two sessions — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for incoming students with last names beginning with A-K and 2 to 3 p.m. for those with last names L-Z

Preregistration is requested.

To register for the story times and for details, visit kdgfcasd.com.

School district seeks input on comprehensive plan

The Fox Chapel Area School District is conducting community focus groups to support its ongoing work on a new comprehensive plan.

The focus groups will provide additional thoughts and ideas to inform the process. The community focus groups will be about 90 minutes in length and will be held virtually and in person.

District residents and business owners interested in participating in a focus group should contact Kathleen Anuszek, executive assistant to the superintendent, at 412-967-2413 or kathleen_anuszek@fcasd.edu.

Community focus group sessions will be held:

• 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 (virtual)

• 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 (virtual)

Registration for a focus group will close 48 hours before the session is set to begin to allow adequate time for necessary arrangements to be made. Those who sign up will receive a link via email for the community focus group session that they indicated an interest in attending.

Fundraising under way for Polar Plunge, Pens raffle

Students from Fox Chapel Area High School and Dorseyville Middle School are fundraising for the annual Pittsburgh Cool Schools Polar Plunge, which will take place Feb. 27 at Acrisure Stadium.

The money raised will help fund the school district’s and other Special Olympics Unified Sports teams in the Three Rivers Region. Donations can be made to Fox Chapel Area’s team at give.specialolympicspa.org/team/790101.

Once again, a local family will match a portion of every donation given to Fox Chapel Area’s team, up to $50,000, which is the team’s goal this year.

Last year, the Fox Chapel Area School District team raised $44,807, and it was the third consecutive year that the Fox Chapel Area team raised the most money out of all the school teams in Pennsylvania. Over the past three years, the Fox Chapel Area Polar Plunge team has raised $122,007.

The public also can support the Fox Chapel Area team through a raffle to win a Pittsburgh Penguins experience that includes a luxury suite game night for four people. The cost of tickets is $25 each, and the drawing will take place Feb. 12. The raffle also benefits Fox Families Care, a nonprofit that works closely with the Fox Chapel Area School District to bridge the gap between the needs and resources of Fox Chapel Area youths and families. For details about the raffle, visit tinyurl.com/3w7ahbas.

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.

Fox Hill Preschool open house to include puppet show

The Fox Hill Preschool will host an open house from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 21, followed by a puppet show from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

The preschool is located in Faith United Methodist Church, 261 W. Chapel Ridge Road, in Fox Chapel.

It offers programs for children ages 2 to 5 and is open to all ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The curriculum promotes creativity as well as social and emotional growth, while emphasizing basic universal values, such as kindness, friendship, honesty, compassion and patience.

To learn more, visit foxhillpreschool.org.

Aspinwall Dog Park permits on sale through March 31

Permits for 2026 to use the Aspinwall Dog Park, located at the Aspinwall Recreational Area, are on sale through March 31.

The cost for residents is $15 and $10 for an additional dog. For nonresidents, the price is $30 and $15 for an additional dog.

To register for a permit, visit www.tocite.net/aspinwallpa/portal/permit.

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.

Registration for kindergarten starting soon

Registration for children who will enter kindergarten in the fall is scheduled in the Fox Chapel Area School District for March. The district also offers various preregistration events, including parent/guardian orientations and 2026-27 kindergarten story times, that are held beginning in February.

Starting on Feb. 3, parents and guardians can visit register.fcasd.edu to begin the registration process. Once the online forms are complete, parents and guardians will attend the school’s registration day, at a specific time, with their supporting documents. Orientation meetings to acquaint parents/guardians with the kindergarten program and registration process are scheduled in February.

Children must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 to be admitted to kindergarten in the 2026-27 school year. A certificate of birth date, immunization records, two proofs of residency and a photo ID must be presented for registration. A child will not be officially registered in the school until all of these items are presented.

Here is the schedule for in-person parent orientation meetings and kindergarten registration. Parents and guardians will choose a specific registration time once they complete the online registration.

Fairview Elementary School — registration: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 4. The school is located at 738 Dorseyville Road in Indiana Township. Phone: 412-963-9315.

Hartwood Elementary School — registration: 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 4. The school is located at 3730 Saxonburg Blvd. in Indiana Township. Phone: 412-767-5396.

Kerr Elementary School — registration: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3. The school is located at 341 Kittanning Pike in O’Hara Township. Phone: 412-781-4105.

O’Hara Elementary School — registration: 9:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m. p.m. March 5. The school is located at 115 Cabin Lane in O’Hara Township. Phone: 412-963-0333.

Additionally, districtwide registration sessions for all elementary schools will be held in March for those unable to attend the individual school registration dates and times. Registration for all incoming kindergartners will be from 4 to 6 p.m. March 3 at Kerr Elementary School and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 5 at O’Hara Elementary School.

Incoming kindergarten families also are encouraged to sign up for the story times hosted by their elementary school. To sign up and to learn more about programs for incoming kindergartners, visit kdgfcasd.com.

Blawnox Food Pantry to be open Feb. 27

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

Pantry operations have shifted this year to a ticket system similar to a supermarket deli to help eleviate 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.

Sharpsburg VFW hosts winter flea markets, benefit breakfasts

The Sharpsburg Winter Flea Market and Sharpsburg VFW Post 709 benefit breakfast take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on select Sundays —Feb. 22, March 8 and March 22 — at the social club, 1017 Main St.

Vendor setup starts at 7 a.m., and free vendor tables are offered while available. due to limited space, call 412-781-7771to reserve a table.

A variety of breakfasts will be available, ranging in price from $5 to $14. Additional sides range from $1 to $2.50. All breakfasts include a choice of coffee, hot tea, soda or bottle of water. Follow VFW 709 on Facebook for the full menu and updates.

Breakfast is cash only. No bills over $20, please.

Follow VFW 709 on Facebook for updates.

Sign-ups 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.

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.

Blawnox looking to start a Shade Tree Commission

Blawnox is seeking volunteers to form a Shade Tree Commission, as well serve as as Tree Tenderers.

A Shade Tree Commission consists of residents who plan, plant, maintain and protect the community’s public trees. They work to ensure healthy tree canopy, species diversity and proper stewardship.

A Tree Tenderer, a trained volunteer within the Shade Tree Commission, who is involved in the hands-on care\, such as watering, mulching and inspecting and reporting on the health of trees.

Anyone interested in serving should contact the borough at 412-828-4141 or stop in the office at 376 Freeport Road.

Community blood drive set for Feb. 11

Fox Chapel Area High School is hosting a community blood drive with Vitalant from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11.

The drive will be held in the large group instruction room at Fox Chapel Area High School, 611 Field Club Road, O’Hara.

Everyone 16 and older is encouraged to donate blood.

As a special incentive, anyone who donates blood will receive a $15 gift card.

Vitalant also continues to offer scholarships to area high school students. To qualify for these scholarships, Fox Chapel Area High School will host several blood drives throughout the 2025-26 school year. The scholarships will be awarded for the highest percent participation and the largest number of registered donations for the year. Additionally, anyone who donates blood at a local donor center can request for the donation to count toward the school’s total. Just specify for the donation to count toward Fox Chapel Area High School using code UHS010025.

To schedule an appointment, visit vitalant.org, call 1-877-25VITAL or use Vitalant’s mobile app and apply the above code.

Students who would like to donate can stop by gifted education facilitator Lisa Gibson to arrange to make a donation.

While donors are encouraged to make an appointment, walk-ins will be welcome. Walk-in donors should enter at the athletics entrance at the back of the school by the fox statue.

The blood drive is being coordinated by the community outreach committee of the Fox Chapel Area High School Fox Leadership Council.

Registration underway 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.

Free webinar to provide training in suicide prevention

Penn State Extension offers a free webinar aimed at saving lives and reducing suicidal behaviors.

Participants can select one of the upcoming dates: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17, March 17 or April 21.

Penn State Extension educators will lead the webinar, “QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training,” developed by the QPR Institute. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. Participants will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide in friends, co-workers, family members or neighbors in need.

Designed for all people, regardless of profession, who are concerned about helping others, QPR is an emergency mental health intervention intended to interrupt a crisis and direct someone to proper care. Attendees will discuss potential scenarios and engage in active listening and persuasion techniques.

Penn State Extension offers the webinar free of charge, but participants must register by 11:59 p.m. the day before the event to receive the link to access it. The recording link will not be available after the webinar.

Continuing education credits are available. For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/2suk85t2 or call 1-877-345-0691.

Series to explore management of garden pests

Penn State Extension is offering a webinar series on integrated pest management for home gardeners, Master Gardeners, commercial growers and anyone interested in sustainable pest control.

The series, titled “IPM Essentials: Tools, Tactics and Techniques,” will run from noon to 1:15 p.m. March 10, 17, 24 and 31.

It will teach sustainable and practical strategies for managing pest control across diverse settings, including:

• The basic principles of integrated pest management;

• How to scout and monitor pest populations;

• How to recognize signs and symptoms of common pests and locate reliable identification resources;

• How to apply integrated pest management strategies in real-world settings;

Pesticide applicator recertification credits are available for participants pending approval.

Space is limited, and registration is required by March 9. The cost for the series is $20.

Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinars. A link to the recorded webinars will be emailed to registrants within 10 business days after the live events.

For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/ysddyd5x.

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