In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of June 24, 2024

Code enforcement officer sought after resignation

Penn Hills needs a new full-time code enforcement officer following a resignation within the department.

Chevy Nave has moved on from the role after two years, leaving the municipality with four code enforcement officers until her replacement is found. All code enforcement staff report to Fire Marshal Charles Miller.

Code enforcement officers handle complaints regarding properties and help connect residents to various officials and services based on their visits. Once hired, they also become licensed to perform building inspections.

Council gives OK to senior housing development

Developer Shawn Taylor is one step closer to transforming the former St. Bartholomew campus into affordable housing for seniors.

Council unanimously voted Monday to grant conditional use approval for the construction of Penn Heights Dwellings by an LLC of the same name. Taylor plans to create 100 housing units at the 8-acre property, starting with the rectory and nunnery.

All units will be reserved for seniors making 60% of the area median income or less.

Before the Penn Hills Planning Commission in May, Taylor said it’s likely that most of the school and church will be demolished.

Taylor now must submit a detailed site plan to the planning commission.

Air conditioners available to low-income residents

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program offers summer cooling assistance to people in need.

The program offers eligible families two Energy Star-rated room air-conditioning units, or one unit and a fan, or repair or replacement of an existing but broken central air-conditioning system or heat pump.

Homeowners or renters who qualified for or received emergency LIHEAP heating grants or weatherization assistance may be eligible.

Applicants can contact Action Housing and request an application through its Weatherization Assitance Program, which helps people in the city of Pittsburgh and residents of Allegheny, Greene and Washington counties. To learn more about the program, visit actionhousing.org.

Applicants sought for state House fellowship program

The Pennsylvania House Fellowship Program is accepting applications from undergraduate students for the fall 2024 semester.

The program is based in the state Capitol Building in Harrisburg, and fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or House leadership offices.

Participants are compensated for their work, which also might include college credit. They also are provided with opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greet events with various public officials and staff, tour some of the commonwealth’s historic public spaces and more.

The deadline to apply is July 1. For details about the program or to download an application, visit tinyurl.com/5szf8wfx.

The required documents — a completed application, resume, writing sample, two letters of recommendation and a current transcript — should be emailed to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net.

Verona Farmers Market sets up Thursdays

Verona’s seasonal farmers market has kicked off into full swing. Hosted every Thursday until Nov. 21, each market features a list of local vendors.

In addition, Verona and Oakmont Kennywood day tickets will be available for sale on June 27 until 6 p.m. Tickets are $38 each, for purchase with cash only.

For details, visit the Verona Farmers Market Facebook page.

Library offers movie screenings

• Indoor Drive-In Movie Night: All ages are invited to a showing of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) from 6 to 8 p.m. June 27 in the library’s community room. Popcorn will be provided. No registration is required.

• Midday Movie: All ages are invited to a showing of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) from 1:30 to 4 p.m. June 29 in the library’s community room. If the film is unavailable, another movie will be shown. Registration requested by visiting pennhillslibrary.org or calling 412-775-4700.

• Teen Outdoor Movie: Teens are invited to a hang out for a movie and s’mores from 1 to 3 p.m. June 29 on the library’s patio. The movie is to be determined. No registration is required.

Association of University People seeks members

The Association of University People (AUP) invites singles 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people.

Activities include monthly dinners, social gatherings, concerts, meeting up at local wineries and day trips. Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.

For details or to become an AUP member, call 412-353-9088 or email aupsingles@gmail.com.

Spaghetti dinner to benefit firefighters

The Verona Volunteer Fire Company is planning its annual spaghetti dinner and open house from 4 to 7 p.m. July 27 at its station, 465 Parker St.

Meals cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids, with a $2 discount for those who bring a toy for Toys for Tots.

Volunteers sought for townwide cleanup

The Penn Hills Rotary Club and Penn Hills Community Development Corporation are sponsoring a cleanup day and picnic starting at 8:30 a.m. July 27.

Volunteers are invited to tackle litter from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on roads and in neighborhoods of their choosing or can join an existing group.

The Rotary and PHCDC will provide everyone with the necessary cleanup supplies, including trash bags, gloves and safety vests. All of the bags and large debris collected by volunteers will be picked up by the appropriate agency.

After the cleanup, participants are invited to a free picnic at 11 a.m. at Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department’s Memorial Park, 5806 Verona Road. Food and drinks will be provided by the Rotary and PHCDC.

Registration is required. To register, visit pennhillsrotary.org/register.

Driving course open to 55 and older

Seniors for Safe Driving, a PennDOT-approved organization dedicated to highway safety, is conducting a Senior Citizen Driver Improvement Course from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 23 at the Penn Hills Senior Center, 147 Jefferson Road.

The course, which costs $17, is designed to refresh the driving skills and rules of the road for motorists 55 and older. Those who successfully complete the course can receive a three-year discount of no less than 5% on their auto insurance.

There will be no testing or behind-the-wheel driving. To register, call 800-559-4880 or 724-283-0245 or seniorsforsafedriving.com.

Weight-loss group meets Tuesdays

The local chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a support group to help those struggling with weight loss, meets Tuesday evenings at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., in Oakmont.

Meetings begin with a private weigh-in between 5:45 and 6:10 p.m. Anyone interested in joining can attend a meeting and decide if TOPS is right for them.

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

Household chemical collection scheduled

The Pennsylvania Resource Council will hold a household chemical collection from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at Boyce Park in Plum.

Individuals can drop off automotive fluids, household cleaners, pesticides, paints and other household chemicals. A $20 fee covers disposal of up to 10 gallons or 50 pounds of material per vehicle. Loads exceeding 10 gallons and 50 pounds will be subject to additional fees.

Participants must register at prc.org/collectionevents or by calling 412-488-7490.