In brief: Women's conference, Mother's Day weekend concert, student news and more in the Fox Chapel area

Virtual conference

Hundreds of women will come together for Women Leading Women’s virtual conference with keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Ashton on May 14. This mother of two is also a board-certified Ob-Gyn, author and TV medical correspondent. She and longtime friend and Emmy Award-winning journalist Susan Koeppen will show everyone how to embrace and feel empowered at every stage of womanhood.

The debut event will be held virtually at 12:30 p.m

Individual tickets cost $40.

For more information, visit womenleadingwomenpgh.com.

Mother’s Day weekend concert

The Hillman Performing Arts Series at Shady Side Academy opens its 2021 season Mother’s Day weekend with pianist and composer Robin Spielberg on May 8, at 3 p.m. The show takes place in the Richard E. Rauh Theater of the Hillman Center for Performing Arts, located on the Shady Side Academy Senior School campus, 423 Fox Chapel Road.

One of America’s most beloved pianists and composers, Robin Spielberg has been winning the hearts of listeners around the world with her compelling melodies for more than 20 years.

In this Mother’s Day weekend concert, Spielberg will perform music from her vast repertoire of American melodies and original favorites focusing on love, meaningful reflection and fun stories.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at thehillman.org. A limited number of tickets will be sold to ensure adherence to Pa. indoor gathering limits and socially distant seating. Covid-19 safety protocols will be in place, with masks required for all guests.

For questions, email boxoffice@thehillman.org.

Student news

Twenty-seven Fox Chapel Area High School girls were honored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for their achievements in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.

Students were nominated for the award by teachers.

As the sixth biennial STEM Careers Achievement Night event could not be held in person this year, the AAUW mailed personalized certificates, program booklets and letters of congratulations to each of the honorees.

Recognized for their ability, strong interest and enthusiasm in the study of STEM areas were Donay Allen, Delaney Asbury, Gabrielle Bell, Talia Bugel, Monica Chen, Elizabeth Crookson, Justine Eng, Anna Ferris, Mona Gerges, Claire Hamilton, Danielle Horne, Nabella Islam, Janise Kim, Kate Kinst, Laura Klamut, Nathania Lingam, Zoe Llakis, Uma Muzumdar, Molly McNaughton, Ester Nawrocki, Aurora Sauereisen, Peyton Shema, Anna Szymanski, Lydia Turnquist, Kaylee Uribe, Louiza Weissmann and Anne Yonas.

Hoboken’s Mother’s Day weekend plant sale

Hoboken Presbyterian Church will hold its annual plant sale this year on May 7 and 8 at the Monument on Freeport Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hanging baskets, annual and perennial plants in flats and in single pots, vegetable plants and more will be featured just in time for Mother’s Day.

For more details, visit HPCBlawnox.org.

Adopt-a-block program

The Best of Blawnox Organization is introducing a new volunteer opportunity, an adopt-a-block program, for community members.

Adopt-a-block is a volunteer program aimed at keeping the streets of Blawnox free from litter and debris. Volunteers will be assigned one (or more) designated neighborhood blocks to clean up regularly.

The recommended commitment is a few times a month when it is convenient for you. The adopt-a-block program kicks off in conjunction with Blawnox’s Earth Day celebration.

To sign up or for more information, adoptablockblawnox@gmail.com.

Food box distribution

Fox Families Care is partnering with Farmers to Families to provide free fresh food boxes.

The boxes will be available to all families that are eligible for the FCASD free/reduced-lunch program or any family in the school district that is experiencing a financial hardship.

Boxes will be distributed the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 4 to 6 p.m., through May 27.

Pickup will be at Kennedy Park in Sharpsburg or Emmerling Park in Indiana Township.

Visit Foxfamiliescare.org to sign up.

Lettuce Grow Together

Carnegie Science Center is teaming up with North Hills Community Outreach to broadcast Facebook Live events that will explore the science behind gardening and healthy eating.

The next virtual event, Apiaries and Bees, will take place at 11 a.m. on May 9 and will be hosted on Carnegie Science Center’s Facebook page and will be available on the Science Center’s YouTube channel following the livestream.

Participants will take a virtual tour of North Hills Community Outreach’s apiary and learn about the relationship between bees and plants.

The Facebook Live events are part of Carnegie Science Center’s Lettuce Grow Together! program, sponsored by GrowingGreat and Del Monte Foods. Learn more at: carnegiesciencecenter.org.

Summer camp registration

Registration is open for the Winchester Thurston summer camp at the Aspinwall Riverfront Park location. Camps are held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The four-week camp is from July 12 to Aug. 13. Grades 1 through 6 are eligible to attend.

There are limited spaces. Register at aspinwallriverfrontpark.org/wt-summer-camps/. The deadline to register is May 1.

Meditation sessions

The Pittsburgh Buddhist Center offers weekly online meditation sessions on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The series is designed for beginners. The guide is a Buddhist monk. There is no registration required.

For the link, visit coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org.