Monroeville area: Medicare talk, fall craft festival, Gershwin program, more

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com.

Jazz program

Join Ron Bickel for jazz performances from 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at Monroeville Public Library’s Gallery Space.

Bickel will provide commentary and explanation about the jazz tunes and styles played.

An adjunct professor of piano at Duquesne University, Bickel has had a long and varied career as a professional pianist. He’s played at premier venues of Pittsburgh, including Heinz Hall, Benedum Center, Carnegie Music Hall, Syria Mosque and Stanley Theater.

Bickel has performed with Mel Torme, Rodney Dangerfield, Michel LeGrande, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Liberace, The Skyliners, Billy Eckstine, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Little Anthony and the Imperials and many more.

This in-person, all-ages event is for jazz lovers and those unfamiliar with it. No RSVP is required.

The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd.

Understanding Medicare, Medicaid

Presenter Jeff Weinberg will discuss the differences between Medicare and Medicaid from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Monroeville Public Library’s Gallery Space.

Weinberg, president of Caregiver Champion LLC, will focus on how best to navigate these systems for yourself and your loved ones.

Fall Festival at Concordia

Concordia of Monroeville will host its 10th annual fall festival from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 27.

The afternoon will include live music, a balloon artist, petting zoo, complimentary refreshments and open house tours. There is no cost to attend and the festival is open to the public.

It will be at Concordia of Monroeville, 4363 Northern Pike.

Registration is requested by Sept. 23 at 412-373-3900, but walk-ins are welcome.

For more, see ConcordiaLM.org.

Fall craft festival

Plum Mason Lodge 799 will host its second annual fall craft festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the lodge, 9521 Saltsburg Road in Plum.

There is no cost to attend. For information about vendor spaces, call 412-916-5835 or email mrdarts@verizon.net.

Rotary 5K Run & Walk

The Monroeville Rotary will host a Sept. 21 5K run and walk to celebrate World Peace Day. The race will begin at 9 a.m. at Monroeville Community Park West on Tilbrook Road.

“Love Your Library” Month, book sale

September is “Love Your Library” Month across Allegheny County.

The Monroeville Public Library will hold a its fourth annual “Love Your Library” book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 20-21.

Patrons can purchase a library bag for $15 and fill it up with as many items as possible. Individual books will be available for purchase, and there are a large variety of books and other materials to choose from.

Thanks to the generosity of the Jack Buncher Foundation, all donations made to Allegheny County libraries in September will receive a pro-rated match. This includes all donations to the Monroeville Public Library and proceeds from the book sale.

Donations support continuing programs, services and materials. Contributions can be made online at: monroevillelibrary.org.

Checks made payable to “The Monroeville Public Library Fund” can be mailed to: 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd, Monroeville, PA 15146.

For more, call 412-372-0500.

Garden City food pantry

The Garden City Food Pantry is open from 9-11 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. the second Thursday of every month, serving Monroeville and surrounding communities.

Volunteers are needed for 9 a.m. deliveries and stocking on the first Friday of each month, and at 10 a.m. for the same duties on the second Wednesday of the month. Additional volunteers are needed on the second Thursday to assist clients.

For more, see GardenCityFoodPantry.org.

Learn to play bridge

Join Barb Spiri at Monroeville Public Library to learn the ins and outs of contract (rubber) bridge from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning on Sept. 19. Lessons will be held every Thursday through Dec. 19.

This is “normal” bridge play using five card majors. No prior knowledge necessary. Lessons will start at the beginning; this is not a refresher course for those that already play.

Register through the library’s website at: monroevillelibrary.org Contact Spiri with at questions at: EAYCpgh@aol.com.

‘Fascinating Rhythm’: Gershwin program

The Monroeville Public Library will host an online program focused on the works of George Gershwin from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 19.

Gershwin was an acclaimed American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned popular, jazz and classical genres. The audience will hear recordings of Gershwin himself, including the first recording of “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris,” as well as solo piano recordings.

Presenter Tom Roberts is known as one of the world’s foremost practitioners of the art of Harlem Stride Piano. He has been featured at Jazz in July at the 92nd St. Y, the Professor Longhair Society’s Piano Night at Tipitina’s New Orleans, Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Orchestra, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the International Stride Piano Summit in Zurich, Switzerland.

No registration is required. The link to join virtually can be found on the library’s website.

Q&A with community leaders

The Gathering Place will host a speaking and fellowship event at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Triveni Center, 275 Center Road, Monroeville.

Pastors Ray and Renaid Almgren invite the community to learn and engage in a question and answer session with community leaders Judge Cheryl Allen and Dr. James Hayes about policies and legislation that impact citizens in Pennsylvania and nationally.

Light refreshments will be served.