In brief: Happenings across the North Allegheny Journal area

Marshall plans Halloween bash for children

Marshall is planning a Halloween Kids Bash for children 11 and younger from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Elias Fry Barn in Knob Hill Park, 415 Knob Road.

There will be music, crafts, face painting, snacks and lots of candy.

Children are encouraged to come in costume.

The even is free for Marshall residents and $5 per nonresident.

Registration is required and closes Oct. 22.

To register, visit secure.rec1.com/PA/marshall-township- pa/catalog and click on Special Events.

Residents sought for various boards, committees

McCandless is looking for residents to serve of a variety of boards and committees:

• One partial term on the Environmental Advisory Committee (to expire Dec. 31, 2028)

• Three terms on the Heritage and Cultural Center FDPC (to expire Dec. 31, 2029)

• One term on the McCandless Industrial Development Authority (to expire Dec. 31, 2030)

• One term on the McCandless Township Sanitary Authority (to expire Dec. 31, 2030)

• Two terms on the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority (to expire Dec. 31, 2030)

• Two terms on the Personnel Board (to expire Dec. 31, 2028)

• Two terms on the Planning Commission (to expire Dec. 31, 2029)

• One term on the Zoning Hearing Board (to expire Dec. 31, 2028)

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Oct. 27.

Anyone interested is encouraged to complete the fillable PDF application online and email it to administration@townofmccandless.org or mail or hand-deliver it to Town of McCandless, 9955 Grubbs Road, Wexford, PA 15090. A majority vote by McCandless Council will lead to the appointment.

For additional details about each committee, including when they meet, visit town ofmccandless.org.

Hard-to-recycle event planned Oct. 18

The Pennsylvania Resources Council has another hard-to-recycle collection set in Allegheny County with an event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at Northgate High School, 589 Union Ave., Bellevue.

Participants must register in advance at prc.org/CollectionEvents or by calling 412-488-7490.

There is a $5 participation fee to drop off unlimited cellphones, home phones, computer towers and peripheral equipment such as keyboards, laptops, mice, etc. Also accepted will be expanded polystyrene packaging material, microwave ovens, video game consoles and DVD players.

For an additional fee, people can recycle televisions, computer monitors, printers, fluorescent tubes, small Freon appliances and tires (with and without rims). Visit PRC’s website at prc.org for a complete price list.

Floral shop participating in Petal It Forward

McCandless Floral, in partnership with the Society of American Florists, will distribute bouquets to morning commuters at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 on the streets of McCandless Crossing as part of the national Petal It Forward initiative.

Each person will receive two bouquets — one to keep and one to share.

McCandless Floral, owned by Emily Betler, is just one of hundreds of floral shops across the U.S. participating in this random-acts-of-kindness effort.

Petal It Forward began 10 years ago in response to survey data released by the Society of American Florists that showed the positive health benefits of giving and receiving flowers.

For details about McCandless Floral, visit mccandless floral.com. For more information about Petal It Forward, visit safnow.org/petalitforward.

Public invited to meeting to discuss McCandless parks

McCandless is hosting a public meeting at 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road, to discuss the future of the town’s parks, trails and programs.

All ages are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

The town is in the midst of its Comprehensive Parks Plan process.

For details about the parks plan, visit townofmccandless.org/452/Comprehensive- Parks-Plan.

For additional information, contact Heather Cuyler at hcuyler@pashekmtr.com or 724-272-9144.

Discounted park tickets available for fall, holiday events

Franklin Park is reminding residents that fall and holiday amusement park discount tickets are available.

Tickets are available for Kennywood’s Phantom Fest ($40 as opposed to the gate price of $75.99), Idlewild’s Hallowboo! ($36 instead of the $65.99 gate price) and Kennywood’s Holiday Lights ($24 instead of the $60.99 gate price).

To purchase tickets, visit the township’s Discount Park Tickets page at franklinpark borough.us/323/Summer- Discount-Park-Tickets.

Spooky science fun planned in Marshall

Marshall is offering a spooktacular event for children 5 to 12 with Mad Science Pittsburgh from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 at the municipal building, 525 Pleasant Hill Road.

North Allegheny students are off that day.

Participants will be able to watch Count Eggbert’s hilarious coffin struggles and help Countess Meggbert’s witchy spell with science.

There will be creepy potions, an eerie cemetery effect and floating eyeballs.

Each child will take home glow-in-the-dark slime.

The cost is $29 for residents and $34 for nonresidents.

The event is limited to 20 participants.

Registration is required and can be done online by clicking on the Youth Programs tab at secure.rec1.com/pa/ marshall-township-pa/catalog.

Franklin Park seeks items for annual Thanksgiving drive

For the ninth year, Franklin Park will serve as a drop-off site for North Hills Community Outreach’s annual Thanksgiving on Every Table campaign.

Donations will be accepted during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13 through Nov. 5 at the municipal office, 2344 W. Ingomar Road.

Please consider donating any of the following items to help families in need: $25 grocery store gift card; large box of stuffing mix or instant mashed potatoes; canned cranberry sauce, vegetables or yams; box of muffin mix, “easy” pumpkin pie mix, pie crust mix or andy dessert mix; turkey gravy mix; evaporated milk; and canvas shopping bags.

7th Light & Unite memorial set at Hartwood Acres Park

The seventh annual Light & Unite memorial to mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at The Stables at Hartwood Acres Park, 200 Hartwood Acres.

The memorial is open to bereaved parents, their loved ones and anyone affected by pregnancy loss.

There will be a petting zoo, live music, a craft for children, raffle baskets, a light buffet dinner, a dessert table and hot cider.

The barn setting also will provide therapeutic interaction with small farm animals, as well as a bonfire lighting for the International Wave of Light, a worldwide candle-lighting and remembrance ceremony.

The event will be outdoors so dress accordingly.

Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for children 10 to 18, $10 for ages 5 to 10 and free for those younger than 5.

Ticket sales will close at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 10.

Sponsorships ranging from $250 to $5,000 are available. Basket donations also are welcome.

To register, purchase tickets and for details on how to become a sponsor, visit pittsburghbereavementdoulas.com/light-unite.

Cosmetology students offering free haircuts to veterans

The cosmetology students at A.W. Beattie Career Center’s training salon will provide free haircuts for all veterans on Veterans Day.

The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11.

No appointment is needed; the event is walk-ins only.

The center is located at 9600 Babcock Blvd. in McCandless.

Tickets, sponsors available for Green Light Gala

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Keystone Pennsylvania is hosting its Green Light Gala from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Wintergarden at PPG Place.

This benefit for mental health awareness takes place every other year. Proceeds benefit peer and family support, education and advocacy services in the community.

The evening will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, complimentary valet service and silent and chance auctions.

Standard tickets are $250. Patron sponsor costs $300 and includes one ticket or $550 for two tickets; benefactor sponsor costs $500 for one ticket or $950 for two tickets.

Patron and benefactor sponsors will be listed in the gala’s program.

There also are opportunities for other sponsor levels and to place an ad in the gala program.

For details, visit namikeystonepa.org/events/green-light-gala-for-mental-health-awareness.

NAMI’s Keystone Pennsylvania affiliate is located in McKnight Plaza, 105 Braunlich Drive, Suite 200, in Ross.

For information about the organization and to find help and support, visit namikeystonepa.org.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or you need to talk for any reason, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org; the service is available 24/7, and a trained crisis worker will listen to your concerns and share resources that can help. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Fall tree adoption event open to McCandless residents

The Town of McCandless and its Environmental Advisory Committee is offering a fall tree adoption event to McCandless residents from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 in the back parking lot of Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road.

Tree Pittsburgh will be on hand to distribute the trees. There is a limit of one tree per McCandless address.

A variety of trees are available: Allegheny serviceberry, bald cypress, black birch, black cherry, Eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, musclewood, swamp white oak, umbrella magnolia and white oak.

Registration is required through Tree Pittsburgh’s website and closes Oct. 16.

For details and to register, visit action.treepittsburgh.org/a/tree-adoption-mccandless-fall-2025.

The website also includes descriptions of the various trees.

Course to explore how to care for trees

Tree Pittsburgh is offering a free Tree Tender course for adults from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at McCandless Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road.

The course will cover community forestry practices, tree biology and health, proper planting and pruning techniques, and basic tree identification, as well as a panel discussion with Duquesne Light on the concept of Right Tree, Right Place.

The McCandless Environmental Advisory Committee will share where and how to put one’s newly gained skills and knowledge to use, including the new Tree Champion initiative.

There will be indoor and outdoor instruction, weather permitting, with the majority of time spent indoors. Participants should bring a lunch or plan to pick up something during the 40-minute lunch break.

Registration is required through Tree Pittsburgh’s website at action.treepittsburgh.org/a/tree-tender-course-mccandless-2025-registration-1.

For questions or additional details, contact Maeve Rafferty, education coordinator for Tree Pittsburgh, at maeve@treepittsburgh.org or 412-781-8733, ext. 214.

Franklin Park readies for fall yard spruce-ups

Franklin Park is planning a series of leaf bag collection dates for fall.

Residents must place all bags curbside by 6 a.m. Monday of the following weeks: Oct. 20; Nov. 3, 10 and 17; and Dec. 1.

Only leaves in biodegradable paper bags will be collected. Bags should not be taped or stapled; leave enough room at the opening so the top can be folded or rolled closed.

Fall brush clipping will start Monday, Nov. 3.

All brush must be placed curbside by 7 a.m. Monday morning. The service is provided for brush and tree trimmings up to 4 inches in diameter. No thorn bushes will be accepted.

Yard waste and leaf bag drop-off sites for Franklin Park residents are located at the south end of Blaine’s Way in Blueberry Hill Park and are open from March 1 to Dec. 1. An application must be completed annually. The sites are for residential disposal only; commercial use is prohibited. Landscapers using residential permits are prohibited. The disposal of entire trees also is prohibited.

These areas are under video surveillance, and all violators will be prosecuted.

A cappella chorus to present ‘Golden Oldies’ show

The Cranberry Men’s Chorus, an all-male a cappella group in Cranberry, is presenting “Golden Oldies: Memories of the ’50s and ’60s” at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 in the auditorium of North Catholic High School, Route 228.

The nonprofit group has 40 members and is part of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Their 90-minute performance, with no intermission, will feature favorite doo-wop and oldies hits from the Everly Brothers, Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, The Temptations, Frank Sinatra, The Drifters and more.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from a chorus member, online at tinyurl.com/mukts29c, by calling 724-630-8137 or at the door.

Autumn hike planned in North Park

An instructor from the Latodami Nature Center in North Park will lead a 3.5-mile hike from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 around the Irwin Run/Red Trail area.

During the Latodami Day Hike: Autumn Changes, plenty of stops will be made along the way to learn about the surrounding natural and historical features with an emphasis on fall foliage, hawk migration and spooky stories fit for the season.

This hike is rated moderate-difficult and will include some long and steep hill climbs and descents.

Participants should pack a lunch, bring plenty of water, wear hiking shoes, dress for the weather and bring a pack containing the essentials.

All ages are welcome, but the hike is recommended for 9 and older. Children must be attended by an adult.

Space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register, visit tinyurl.com/4khz2ys7. For details, call 724-935-2170.

The Latodami Nature Center offers a variety of free activities during the year, and fall is as busy as ever. Activities coming up include a meadow hike on Sept. 28, a farm tour Sept. 28 with apple tasting from the 100-year-old-plus orchard, a Bat Week Celebration on Oct. 25, as well as birding hikes, volunteer days for habitat restoration and litter cleanups.

For details and to register, visit the center’s listing on the Allegheny County Parks website at tinyurl.com/2pkx6fvx.

Vendors wanted for fall craft show

Vendors of handcrafted items are needed for Marshall’s fall craft show set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at Altmyer Park and Barn, 607 Wexford Bayne Road.

The cost is $10 for a table outside and $30 for one indoors.

For details and to request a vendor form, email Jessica Drozd, director of parks and recreation, at jdrozd@twp.marshall.pa.us.

Church planning 11th annual fall market

Ascension Lutheran Church, 8225 Peebles Road in McCandless, is getting an early jump on its 11th annual Pumpkin Fest & Flea Market, which is planned from 8 a.m. 1 p.m. Oct. 11.

Community members are invited to spend a crisp fall morning on the church’s grounds.

Its “famous” homemade apple and pumpkin pies will be on sale, as well as hot dogs, homemade soups, beverages and other goodies.

Pumpkins also will be available for purchase.

The event includes a variety of craft and “treasures” vendors in the indoor and outdoor flea market. Vendors currently are being sought for the event. A space costs $20 and can be reserved by emailing vickig@zoominternet.net or calling 724-816-0413.

Veterans invited to 3rd annual breakfast salute

Franklin Park is planning its third Salute to Veterans Breakfast on Nov. 15 at the Blueberry Hill Park Activity Center.

All veterans are welcome, no matter when, where or how long they served.

The breakfast is to honor the service of the men and women who have served or currently are serving in our nation’s armed forces.

If you are a veteran or know a veteran who you think would like to attend, contact Donna Platt at 412-364-4115, ext. 302, or email her at dplatt@franklinparkborough.us.

Breakfast sponsorships currently are available.

The borough welcomes gold sponsors at $1,500, silver at $1,000 and bronze at $500. Each sponsorship will include two tickets to the breakfast, signage indicating event sponsorship and recognition in borough publications. In addition, gold and silver sponsors will receive an ad in the borough newsletter.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor at any level is encouraged to contact Platt.

Glass collection bin heads to North Park

Allegheny County’s traveling glass collection bin will be set up through Oct. 16 in the pool parking lot of North Park, 9901 South Ridge Drive, McCandless.

Residents can access the bin from 7 a.m. to dusk each day.

The self-serve drop-off site travels to various locations throughout the county to make it easier for people to recycle glass bottles, jars and jugs.

Color sorting is not required, and lids and labels can be left on the containers.

Glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.

The traveling glass recycling program is a joint effort of the county’s Department of Sustainability and the Pennsylvania Resource Council.

To learn more, visit prc.org/workshops-collection-events/collection-events/glass-recycling.

Workshop to provide driving tips for teens

Impact Teen Drivers, in partnership with the Northern Regional Police Department and Marshall leaders, is holding free workshops for teens and their parents or guardians throughout the year.

The final workshop will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Oct. 14 at the lower level of the Marshall Municipal Building, 525 Pleasant Hills Road.

Evidence-based strategies will be shared to keep teens safer on the road. Attendees will learn about Graduated Driver Licensing, tips and tricks to avoid distractions, the importance of seat belts, the risks of speeding and more.

The session is free thanks to funding by the NJM Insurance Group.

Seating is limited. To reserve a spot, email Detective Tim Hohos at thohos@nrpolice.com.

Outreach collecting coats, accessories for kids

North Hills Community Outreach is collecting new coats for children ages infant to 18 through Oct. 16.

New hats, scarves and gloves also are being accepted.

Gift cards to purchase coats are welcome as well.

The outerwear will be distributed in the fall to area children in need.

Donations can be dropped off at any of NHCO’s three offices — its main office at 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton; the second floor of the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave.; and Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Avalon.

Coats and accessories also can be ordered through the NHCO Winter Coat Shop wishlist on Amazon at tinyurl.com/ypc74ws9 and shipped directly to the nonprofit.

Blood donors sought

The need for blood donors persists, and the American Red Cross and Vitalant are encouraging people to help.

Donations of all blood types are crucial year-round, especially type O, the most frequently transfused blood type. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

Here are a few nearby Red Cross blood drives:

• 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – St. Athanasius Church, 7 Chalfonte Ave., West View

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Keystone Summit Park, 3000 Ericsson Drive, Marshall

• 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at Keller Williams, 1001 Village Run Road, Pine

• Noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 at Stoneridge Covenant Church, 811 Dressel Road, Shaler

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 28 at Baierl Family YMCA, 2565 Nicholson Road, Sewickley

To find a Red Cross location and to learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Vitalant operates about 115 donation centers nationwide and is hosting drives at several locations in the North Hills area, including:

• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at Deer Lakes High School’s gym, 163 E. Union Road, West Deer

• Noon to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at West Deer Township’s meeting room, 133 E. Union Road, West Deer

• 7 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 14 at UPMC Passavant Hospital’s Passavant Annex, 9100 Babcock Blvd., McCandless

• 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 15 at Fox Chapel High School’s LGI Room, 611 Field Club Road, Fox Chapel

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Matthew Parish, Holy Spirit Campus lyceum, 106 North Ave., Millvale

• 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at eVinci Westinghouse, 51 Bridge St., Etna

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at AHN-Wexford Hospital, 12351 Perry Highway, Pine

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Hampton High School library, 2929 McCully Road, Hampton

Vitalant also regularly schedules collection dates at its Cranberry Donation Center, Butler Centre, Second Floor, 20421 Route 19; Pittsburgh Fox Chapel Donation Center at One Alexander Center, Suite 207, 2585 Freeport Road; and Pittsburgh North Hills Donation Center at McKnight North Professional Center, Suite 600, 9365 McKnight Road, McCandless.

To make an appointment and find other locations, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

Animal Friends in need of wet cat food

Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon Pet Food Bank is facing a critical shortage of wet cat food.

For many families in crisis, the meals can mean the difference between keeping their beloved cats or having to rehome them.

Animal Friends’ goal is to keep these families together.

To help, wish lists are in place through Amazon at tinyurl.com/3nnvss7h and Chewy at tinyurl.com/ywsph223. Purchases made on those sites can be delivered directly to Animal Friends.

Donations of unopened wet cat food also can be dropped off in the grey donation bins in the lobby of Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Ohio Township.

Every single can makes a difference. Every donation helps keep pets with the people who love them.

Singles welcome to join Association of University People

The Association of University People invites singles 50 and older who are four-year college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include spring/summer picnics, monthly dinners, a book group, Scrabble, meeting up at wineries and local outdoor concerts.

Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.

For details about AUP or to become a member, call and leave a message at 412-353-9088 or email aupsingles@gmail.com.

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