In brief: Happenings in the Penn Hills area

Feedback sought for library renovation

The Penn Hills Library is looking for feedback as it plans a renovation of the facility to better serve the community.

Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts to help the library design a welcoming and functional space for everyone.

To participate, visit tinyurl.com/mutvc6rb; the survey takes about seven to 10 minutes to complete. All responses will be kept confidential and used solely for planning the renovation.

Ladies society schedules September meeting

The Plum Area Ladies Society (PALS) will hold its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Plum Community Center. The speaker will be Kelly Hughes of Foster Love Project, who will discuss the nonprofit’s mission and operation.

The PALS service project will be to provide some of the following articles for foster children: baby bibs; sippy cups; board books for infants; baby wipes; pajamas; crib sheets twin sheets; toothpaste; tooth brushes; deodorant; and menstrual products, including pads and tampons.

The Ladies Day Out will be lunch from noon to 3 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Mohan’s Restaurant in Penn Hills. Sign-ups will be at meeting. Annual dues of $25 may also be paid at the meeting.

PALS is a service and social organization open to women from Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and surrounding communities. Newcomers are welcome at a meeting, held on the first Wednesday of each month from September through April. For more information, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.

Plum AARP meeting set

Plum AARP will have its September meeting at noon Sept. 9 at Unity Community Church Cafe. The Program will be Dennis Smalley, performing music from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Dues of $15 are payable at the meeting.

Plum AARP is a social and service organization open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and the surrounding communities. Newcomers are welcome at regular meetings, which are at noon at the church on the second Tuesday of each month except July.

Most meetings feature free cake and coffee/tea/water, as well as a speaker or entertainment. The club holds a Christmas party, May luncheon, and August social for its members, as well as two hot dog/chips/cake lunches over the year.

There also is an opportunity to schedule single-day or overnight trips through the ThomasTours representative who attends the meetings.

For details, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.

Junior Achievement seeks nominations of teens for program

Junior Achievement of Western PA is once again seeking nominations for 18 young leaders who are using their voices to create change.

The 18 Under Eighteen program, now in its fifth year, was launched to recognize young people who are making a difference, not just in sports or academics, but also within their communities.

The program, presented by the EQT Foundation, so far has honored 72 teens across 10 counties in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginio. Their contributions include medical research, founding nonprofits, advocating for marginalized communities, developing innovative solutions to real-world problems and more.

Honorees are selected by a diverse panel of judges from the corporate, nonprofit, community and educational sectors.

Those chosen will receive:

• Professional leadership training taught by White House-recognized community leader and brand expert BeNeca Griffin;

• Personal media assets and recognition, including a personal billboard courtesy of Lamar Advertising;

• Networking, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities;

• Gifts from JA partners.

Nominations are open through Sept. 30, and honorees will be announced Jan. 6. The awards celebration will take place Feb. 3 at Acrisure Stadium.

Parents, teachers, mentors and peers are welcome to nominate individuals 18 or younger who are making an impact and reside in JA’s 56-county footprint.

For details about the program and to submit a nomination, visit jawesternpa.org.

Francophiles welcome to attend Paris Affair

Higgins Productions is hosting the first annual Paris Affair at 11 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Riverside Landings Event Center in Oakmont.

The event will feature 55 vendors and workshops on French décor, culture and travel tips. The event is free to attend.

Tickets for a VIP reception starting at 4 p.m. are $75 and can be purchased at parisaffairpgh.com.

The event will continue annually around the Pittsburgh region. It was invented to showcase the beauty in each business and to create meaningful connections in the area.

Deluzio accepting applications for U.S. service academy nominations

Congressman Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, recently announced that his office is accepting nomination applications from eligible young Western Pennsylvanians to attend a U.S. service academy.

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy himself, Deluzio now has the honor as a congressman to nominate students within District 17 to attend the nation’s prestigious service academies.

“I was in my senior year of high school on 9/11, and it was a motivating factor for me deciding to serve the country. I applied to and ended up attending the U.S. Naval Academy — it was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Deluzio said. “Now, I’m honored to nominate the next class of future military leaders. I encourage any patriotic young person interested in military service to apply to a service academy.”

Applicants can access the nomination application on Deluzio’s website at deluzio.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations. Additional details, including eligibility criteria, also can be found on the website.

The deadline to apply is at 5 p.m. Sept. 30.

The U.S. service academies are the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.; and U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.

All-class reunion party set for Sept. 13

The annual Penn Hills High School all-class reunion party will be from noon to dark Sept. 13 at Penn Hills Park.

All Penn Hills graduates and their family and friends are welcome to attend.

There will be a bake sale by the Class of 1973, a 50-50, food trucks and Penn Hills apparel for sale.

There will be live music by the Penn Hills band Hot Weather Holiday, led by 1983 graduate Cathleen Ireland and 1992 grad Terek Richie, as well as entertainment by DJ Kevin Mahoney, a 1975 grad.

The cost to attend is $10.

Tickets can be purchased via Zelle to Lee Adams at aceadams25@hotmail.com, Venmo to Cynthia Fazio Merola @cindyphhs or by emailing Adams at aceadams25@hotmail.com for a mailing address.

Admission is free for veterans and first responders, including nurses, as well as all past and present Penn Hills School District teachers, administrators, staff and bus drivers.

Admission also is free for children younger than 10 and for seniors over 80.

For updates and details, visit the Facebook page of Penn Hills High School 50’s/60’s/70’s/80’s/90’s/2000’s Party @ PH Park.

Soul Food Festival to offer 3 days of culture, cuisine

The sixth annual 2025 Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival is slated for Aug. 29-31 in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The festival, which started in 2019, honors and highlights African American cuisine in Western Pennsylvania and showcase Black culture in America.

This year’s event, running from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, will include vendors, speakers, cultural activities, a youth fun zone, food competitions, free live music from 2 to 10 p.m. and more.

The historical site location will be at Stanwix Street and Liberty Avenue. The Stanwix site location, where the main stage will be, is where Charles Richards opened the first Black restaurant and inn, called “The Negro,” in 1795.

For details, call 724-205-9376 or email stoptheviolencepgh@yahoo.com.

There will be more than 50 local and national food businesses and 40-plus retail and culture vendors.

Fundraiser to feature Glow Golf, casino option

The Penn Hills School District Athletics is planning a Casino Clubs After Dark event from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Green Oaks Country Club, 5741 Third St., Penn Hills.

The first-ever 9-hole Glow Golf event includes a casino night option for nongolfers in the ballroom, offering games such as craps, blackjack and roulette.

There will be food, drinks, music, live art, prizes, a 50-50 and raffle baskets, all to support the district’s athletics and to launch its brand-new capital fundraising campaign.

The money raised will support improvements to facilities, equipment and programming that directly impact the Penn Hills’ student-athletes.

The cost is $125 per person, and attendees must be 21 and older.

The dress code is country club casual, and glow accents are encouraged.

Dinner will include a Southern barbecue-themed buffet of pulled barbecue pork, grilled barbecue bone-in chicken, baked beans, mac and cheese, green beans, coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread and butter, and assorted desserts.

Note that casino night is for entertainment purposes only. Per Pennsylvania law, there will be no pay out or prizes at the end of casino play.

For details and to purchase tickets, phsd.org/community/glow-golf-casino-night.

Checks can be mailed to Penn Hills High School, Attn: Stephanie Strauss, 309 Collins Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Payment also can be processed online with a 5% transaction fee.

Sponsorship opportunities also are available, including for the dinner, holes, favors, signage and raffle baskets. For a sponsorship interest form, visit forms.gle/6RG9Dni63ma4CKeh6.

For questions, contact Stephanie Strauss, director of athletics and activities, at sstrau@phsd.org or by calling 412-793-7000, ext. 5206.

‘Minecraft Movie’ to wrap up summer fun in park

The Penn Hills Parks and Recreation Department showed family-friendly movies during the summer with free admission and snacks.

The last movie in the lineup,“The Minecraft Movie,” will be shown Sept. 19 at Turner Friendship Park, 1340 Hunter Road

The movie is rated PG and will start at dusk.

Upcoming meetings

Upcoming municipal and school district meetings include:

• Council: 7 p.m. Sept. 15 (nonvoting meeting) and 7 p.m. Sept. 22 (regular meeting) in Council Chambers at the government center, 102 Duff Road;

• Library Board: 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road;

• Zoning Hearing Board: 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in Council Chambers;

• Planning Commission: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in Council Chambers;

• Penn Hills School Board: 6 p.m. Sept. 24 (regular public voting meeting) in the Sen. Jay Costa Media Center at Linton Middle School, 260 Aster St.

To check for cancellations, agendas or other changes to the municipal meeting schedule, scroll down to the bulletin board section of Penn Hills’ homepage at pennhillspa.gov or sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts.

To sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts, visit savvycitizenapp.com/signup or download the app on your mobile phone.

Municipal, school district meetings viewable online

Want to stay informed about the municipality and school district you live in and the decisions made by people you elect to office?

Both entities livestream their meetings online.

• Penn Hills Council livestreams its monthly meetings on YouTube @PennHills TVONLINE. Past livestreams of meetings also are available to view. Check them out at youtube.com/@PennHillsTVONLINE/featured.

• The Penn Hills School District livestreams its monthly school board meetings on its website at https://www.phsd.org/our-district/school-board/live-stream-and-video-archive. Past meetings also are available. Among the videos are the school board’s regular public voting meetings, HR/Policy and Finance Committee meetings, and Athletic Advisory, Safety/Buildings & Grounds and Curriculum Committee meetings.

Course available to drivers 55 and older

Seniors for Safe Driving is offering an upcoming course for motorists 55 and older from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 9 and Dec. 2 at the Penn Hills Senior Center, 147 Jefferson Road.

The PennDOT-approved course is an opportunity for older motorists to refresh their driving skills and their knowledge of the rules of the road.

There is no testing or behind-the-wheel driving. Participants who complete the course can receive a three-year discount of no less that 5% on their auto insurance.

Course highlights include one’s health and driving performance; effects of medication and alcohol on driving; yielding and intersections; strategies for safe passing and managing one’s speed; keeping up with vehicle technology; preventive ways to reduce driver distractions;, proper use of safety belts, air bags and anti-lock brakes; defensive driving tactics and sharing the road; dealing with aggressive drivers and road rage situations; and the latest information on traffic laws and regulations.

The cost is $17.

To register for a class, call 800-559-4880 or 724-283-0245 or go online at SeniorsForSafeDriving.com.

Group offers support for weight loss

All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.

With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.

You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.

There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security.

For details, call 412-828-3854 or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Station 225 seeks junior firefighters

Station 225 of the Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department is accepting applications for its new Junior Firefighter Program.

The program is open to 16- and 17-year-olds.

For details or to apply, call the station at 412-731-2222, email pennhillsvfd225@gmail.com or stop by the station from 7 to 9 p.m. any Tuesday.

In 2024, Station 225, located at 2997 Robinson Blvd., responded to 600 calls. The department encourages members of the community to join in its lifesaving efforts.

Verona seeks firefighters, junior members

The Verona Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applictions for active firefighters as well as junior members 16 and 17 years of age.

Interested individuals can stop by the fire station, 465 Parker St., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays.

Training is provided through the Allegheny County Fire Academy.

Free books available monthly for kids through age 5

Children who reside in the 15235 ZIP code are eligible to receive free books every month until their 5th birthday through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in conjunction with Reading Ready Pittsburgh.

The program, which aims to inspire a love of reading, is open to all children within the city of Pittsburgh and 18 ZIP codes in the Mon Valley area.

Each month, a new, carefully selected book will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home. The first book is always the classic “The Little Engine That Could.”

For details about the program and to enroll your child, visit readingreadypittsburgh.org/DPIL.

Cub Scout Pack 817 seeks members

Cub Scout Pack 817 is looking for new members.

Boys and girls in grades K-5 are welcome to see what the fun is all about. Pack 817 meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday, September through May, at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department, 5806 Verona Road.

Cub Scouts offers members many opportunities to try new things, provide service to others, build confidence, develop leadership skills and make new friends.

Members of Pack 817 participate in pinewood derby races, crafts and cooking, Cubmobile challenges, rocket launches, camping and more. There also are summer activities.

For more information about Pack 817, contact Cubmaster Randy Ford at 412-852-5840 or pack817.verona@gmail.com.

Assistance available for veterans, spouses

State Rep. Joe McAndrew’s office, 77 Universal Road, Suite 1, in Penn Hills provides free assistance to veterans and their spouses from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month.

A veteran service officer from the American Legion will be on hand to help with a variety of needs, including compensation and pension claims, education benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system, burial and survivor benefits, state benefits, and obtaining military personnel and medical records.

There are limited appointments available for August. To make an appointment, call 412-793-2448.

McAndrew’s 32nd District covers Oakmont, Penn Hills, Plum and Verona.

Free clothing available

Mt. Hope Community Church, 12106 Frankstown Road, operates a free Clothesline to people in need from 10 a.m. to noon every Thursday.

Parking is available behind the church, and there is a bus stop nearby at Frankstown Road and Parkridge Drive.

Clothing for women, men and children of all ages is available, as well as some shoes and accessories.

Bags are provided, but visitors also are encouraged to bring their own.

The church also is accepting and loaning gently used children’s books.

For details, call 412-793-0227 or visit mthopepcusa.org/youth-ministries.