In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of March 17, 2025

Roadwork set through April on Allegheny River Boulevard

PennDOT is alerting motorists about maintenance work taking place through the end of April on Allegheny River Boulevard between Washington Boulevard and Sandy Creek Road in Penn Hills.

Single-lane alternating traffic will be in place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. PennDOT crews will conduct side dozing, shoulder cleanup, drainage ditching and other miscellaneous work in advance of seal-coating operations that will occur later this spring.

Flaggers will be on-site to guide traffic, and motorists should allow extra time when traveling through the corridor.

Dollar Bank Foundation offering $10,000 scholarship

The Dollar Bank Foundation is offering a $10,000 college scholarship to one student in each of the financial institution’s three markets — Greater Pittsburgh, Greater Cleveland and Greater Hampton Roads.

The scholarship will be doled out as $2,500 per year over four years.

Students from the class of 2025 must submit an essay answering the following: What would you like to see change in your community? How can financial institutions work with community partners to achieve this?

The essay must be typed in English and follow MLA format (Times New Roman font, 12-point font size and double-spaced), contain no fewer than 1,000 words and be the original work of the submitting student. Submissions using artificial intelligence will be disqualified. To be eligible, all parts of the question must be answered.

Essays are due by 5 p.m. May 16 via email to PublicAffairs@dollarbank.com and must be sent as an attachment — as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or as a PDF file. Any essay sent in the body of the email will not be considered.

To register and apply for the scholarship, visit Dollar.Bank/ScholarshipContest.

For questions, email PublicAffairs@dollarbank.com.

Youths encouraged to apply for summer job program

Applications are being accepted through June 6 for Allegheny County’s 2025 Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program. The program is open to youths ages 14 to 24.

Since its inception in 2014, the program has served over 13,500 young people, investing more than $14.3 million in wages. The initiative helps participants gain real-world experience and build essential skills in fields such as health care, business, public service and the trades.

This summer, 1,000 spots are available in three age categories:

• Discovery, for ages 14 and 15, focuses on career exploration, job shadowing, and work readiness training to help younger participants build a strong foundation. The starting wage is $10 per hour.

• Experience, for those 16 to 18, provides real-world work experience and college preparation activities to help youth develop valuable skills. Participants will earn $12 per hour.

• Advancement, for those 18 to 24, connects young adults to apprenticeships, preapprenticeships and industry-led training programs, giving them a direct path to high-demand careers. This group will earn $15 per hour.

For eligibility requirements and to access an online application, visit jobs4summer.org. Interested youths also can visit any of the in-person application support center locations throughout Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh.

Last year, 250 businesses participated in Learn & Earn. Those interested in hosting a Learn & Earn participant this summer can contact Markese Long, director of Career Pathways, at mlong@partner4work.org.

PALS to fill Easter baskets at next meeting

The Plum Area Ladies Society will hold its last meeting of the season at 6:30 p.m. April 2 in the Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road.

Members should bring candy and small toys to fill 41 Easter baskets for children serviced by the Plum Food Pantry. Members also can pay the $35 fee to attend the PALS end-of-year banquet, which will be May 17 at Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar in Fox Chapel.

New officers will be elected at the meeting. Members will vote on the top six charities to receive surplus funds in the club’s treasury.

The Ladies Day Out event for April will be a meet-up at 4:30 p.m. April 11 at the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department to attend their fish fry.

PALS is a service/social club open to women from Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and the surrounding communities. Newcomers are welcome to attend a regular meeting, which is always held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, September through April, at the Plum Community Center.

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

Pet walk to benefit rescues set for Boyce Park

The Wildflower Pet Walk, formerly the Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk, will be held April 27 at the Tanglewood Shelter on Pierson Run Road at Boyce Park.

The event starts at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10, and will take place rain or shine. It includes a 1-mile walk, basket raffle, pet vendors, pet photos, food truck and local rescues. New dog and cat items will be collected for rescues.

Walk participants must register and sign a release. People may walk with or without a pet. All dogs must be leashed, licensed and vaccinated, and be people and dog friendly.

Proceeds benefit local rescues including Wildflowers Sanctuary, East Coast Bulldog Rescue, Homeless Cat Management Team and Bridges from Kuwait.

For details and how to get involved, visit amongthewildflowerssanctuary.com or email amongthewildflowerssanctuary@gmail.com.

Church to serve free Easter dinner

A free Easter dinner will be served April 20 at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville. The holiday dinner will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m. or until food runs out in the Lourdes Center.

Spring craft fair at Masonic Lodge

Plum Creek Masonic Lodge will host a spring craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 30.

The lodge is at 9521 Saltsburg Road in Plum.

For details or to participate, contact Wayne at mrdarts@verizon.net or 412-916-5835.

Sorority chapter offering $500 scholarship to students in need

The Gamma Alpha Tau Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. is offering a $500 Overcomers Scholarship.

The scholarship is open to Western Pennsylvania students of any age who are enrolled in school and who demonstrate financial need and can share how they have overcome adversity.

The scholarship, which honors the late GATZ charter member LaTonya Frazier, aims to help provide access to higher education for individuals who may otherwise be unable to afford it.

The deadline to apply is March 31. To apply, visit zphibGATZ.org/scholarship.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded in 1920 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. It is committed to scholarship, service, sisterly love and finer womanhood. For details about the GATZ chapter, which is based in Penn Hills, visit zphibgatz.org.

2 collections set for yard waste

Penn Hills is offering two collection dates for its spring leaf and yard waste composting program.

The collection dates will be April 7 and 14; both are Mondays.

All waste must be in approved paper leaf bags, with the tops folded closed (no staples or tape). They should be placed curbside Sunday evening. Any leaf or yard wasted not in approved bags will not be picked up. Bags must be under 30 pounds; heavier bags and those filled with inappropriate material will not be picked up.

Acceptable material includes loose leaves; garden residue such as flowers and plants, with no roots attached; shrubbery; and tree trimmings smaller than a half-inch in diameter.

Unacceptable material includes ground-up leaves, grass, dirt, stones, roots, taped or plastic bags, boxes and unapproved bags.

Residents are reminded there is an ordinance against raking leaves to the curb.

Acceptable yard waste also can be dropped off at the municipal compost site throughout the year by making an appointment with the public works department at 412-798-2151, weather permitting. A minimum of 24 hours notice is needed to schedule an appointment.

For details about the program, visit pennhillspa.gov.

Church invites community to egg hunt

Oakmont Presbyterian Church is organizing a Community Easter Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12.

Children and their families from the surrounding communities are welcome to attend.

There will be activities, face painting and snacks.

The church is located at 415 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont.

Egg hunt features 2 time slots this year

An Easter Egg Hunt for children will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 19 in Penn Hills Park.

This year, the Penn Hills Parks and Recreation Department is offering two time slots: 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 1:30 p.m.

Each registered child will receive a treat bag featuring crafts and snacks.

Space is limited, and registration is required by April 11.

For details or to register, call the department at 412-798-2147.

Spring events set for children

The Penn Hills Parks and Recreation Department recently announced its lineup of spring events for children and families.

• Kids Painting and Craft: Session 1 will be from 10 to 11 a.m. April 12; Session 2 will be from 10 to 11 a.m. May 10.

• Kids in the Kitchen: Session 1 will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 16 and feature a take-and-bake entree; Session 2 will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 21 and feature a take-and-bake dessert.

• Family Trivia Challenge: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3. Join us for an afternoon of family-themed trivia. Prizes for first-, second- and third-place teams will be awarded. A pizza lunch will be provided.

All classes are held at Rolling Hills Church, 120 Gernert Drive.

Registration is required for all of the above events. To sign up, call the department at 412-798-2147.

Flea market, bake sale to benefit community center

The Riverview Community Action Center, 501 Second St. in Oakmont, is planning a flea market and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12.

The event will be held indoors; visitors should use the Delaware Avenue entrance.

There will be something for everyone.

All proceeds will benefit the Riverview Community Action Center, which serves the surrounding communities.

Credit cards will be accepted.

More Real ID days scheduled in Penn Hills

The Penn Hills PennDOT Driver License Center, 11620 Keleket Drive, will host a Real ID Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 14 and May 5.

Applications for Real IDs will be the only services available during the event. No other driver’s license business will be conducted.

Starting on May 7, anyone 18 or older will need a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly domestically or visit certain federal and military facilities, as well as enter nuclear power plants.

A valid passport or military ID will be able used in lieu of the Real ID for domestic commercial flights.

The Real ID is denoted as a star icon on one’s driver’s license.

Though the Real ID is optional for Pennsylvanians, according to the commonwealth’s website, the state Department of Transportation is hosting Real ID Days across the state to help residents get their documents verified and imaged.

PennDOT will need to verify your identity, Social Security number and Pennsylvania residency, even if you already have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID card.

For a list of documents required to apply, visit tinyurl.com/5e3d59t8.

Tickets available for spring musical

Penn Hills High School’s thespians are gearing up for their spring musical, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” which will run April 3-6 at the school’s auditorium, 309 Collins Drive.

Show times are from 7 to 10 p.m. April 3, 4 and 5 and 2 to 5 p.m. April 6.

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” brings the art of the con to the stage with charm, wit and a good dose of humor.

Tickets, which are $8 for students and $12 for adults, can be ordered online at phhsmusical.com. A 20-cent service fee will be charged for student tickets, and a 30-cent fee will apply to adult tickets.

August Wilson center seeks artwork for upcoming exhibit

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is inviting artists of African descent living in the Greater Pittsburgh area to submit work for Being/Seen, a group exhibition opening in May.

Selected artwork will be displayed at the center’s first-floor galleries, including the Victoria Gallery and Yvonne Cook Family Regional Gallery. The group exhibition will run concurrently with “Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden,” the first major retrospective of prolific 20th century African American sculptor John W. Rhoden (1916-2001).

Artists may submit new or existing work that reflects their personal experience or perspective on Being/Seen.

Emerging, early-career and established artists 18 and older from Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties are encouraged to submit work. All mediums will be considered.

The deadline to apply is April 6, and the submission fee is a $5 to $15 suggested donation.

For details about the exhibit’s theme and to access the online submission form, visit awaacc.org/news/being-seen-an-open-call-for-art.

Artists will be notified directly in early May. Selection includes a $190 honorarium and complimentary one-year membership to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

For questions, contact programming@awaacc.org.

Bingo night to help Rosedale firefighters

The Rosedale Civic Association is hosting a bingo fundraiser March 29 at Redeemer Lutheran High School, 121 Dawn Drive, Penn Hills.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and bingo starts at 7.

Tickets cost $20 and includes six bingo cards for each of the 10 regular games. There will be cash prizes.

All proceeds go toward purchasing protective gear for firefighters at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department.

Additional bingo cards and special games cost extra.

There will be a 50-50 and auction. Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

For tickets, email rosedalecivicassociation222@gmail.com.

Applications being accepted for seasonal work in parks

Penn Hills currently is looking for seasonal maintenance workers for the upcoming parks season.

These workers carry out park maintenance duties to keep the grounds safe and clean. They are assigned to various parks for janitorial, pavilion/ball field upkeep and grounds services.

Work takes place outdoors and is assigned as needed. Hours will vary but primarily take place on weekend afternoons and evenings.

The position requires extensive walking and standing on possible uneven terrain, the operation of a motor vehicle and heavy lifting and carrying of supplies such as equipment and picnic tables.

Applications are available online at pennhillspa.gov/employment and can be emailed once completed to John Scaglione, assistant superintendent of the public works and parks and recreation departments, at jscaglione@pennhillspa.gov.

Completed applications also can be delivered by mail or in person to the Penn Hills Government Center, 102 Duff Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

All applicants must have the necessary state and federal clearances/background checks to obtain employment.

For details, call 412-798-2147.

Tree Adoption Event planned for April 12

The Penn Hills Shade Tree Commission once again is partnering with Tree Pittsburgh for its second Tree Adoption Event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12 at the Sycamore Pavilion in Penn Hills Community Park, 120 Colorado St.

Residents are invited to add some beauty to their yard with up to two free trees from the Penn Hills group and Tree Pittsburgh.

Additional information about Tree Pittsburgh’s Tree Adoptions is available on its website at treepittsburgh.org/programs/tree-adoption/.

Closer to the event, a registration link to Tree Pittsburgh will be provided on PHSTC’s website at pennhillsstc.org. Once the link is available, residents will be able to select the type of tree or trees they want to reserve for pickup during the adoption event April 12.

Community invited to Arbor Day celebration

The Penn Hills Shade Tree Commission is planning its seventh annual Arbor Day celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. April 26 at Duff Community Park in Penn Hills.

The community is invited to help plant new trees in the park, which is located near the Penn Hills Municipal Center along Duff Road.

The rain date will be April 27.

The event will include giveaways of tree seedlings, free refreshments and face painting and nature crafts for children.

As part of the celebration, the community is invited to help plant new trees in the park.

Spring Craft Fair set at Masonic lodge

The Plum Creek Masonic Lodge is planning a Spring Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 30.

The lodge is at 9521 Saltsburg Road in Plum.

For details or to participate, contact Wayne at mrdarts@verizon.net or call 412-916-5835.

Spring Fabric Fair to benefit Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is presenting its annual Spring Fabric Fair on April 12.

The one-day sale, made possible by the Salvation Army Greater Pittsburgh Women’s Auxiliary, will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Pittsburgh Temple Worship and Service Center, 1060 McNeilly Road, Mt. Lebanon.

For more than three decades, this fundraiser has offered bargains on rare fabrics, unique patterns and a variety of materials and equipment needed for crocheting, knitting, quilting and “sew” much more.

After exploring inside, shoppers can enjoy a $10 bag sale outdoors, which will be stocked with a variety of materials.

Since its inception, the fabric fairs have raised more than $800,000, with all proceeds providing critical assistance to individuals and families throughout Allegheny County.

Admission is free. Complimentary parking will be available on-site, with free shuttles running from two satellite parking locations at Keystone Oaks’ middle and high schools. Snacks and lunch items also will be available for purchase.

Carts and strollers are prohibited, and reusable shopping bags are encouraged.

The Spring Fabric Fair is made possible by donations of all the items for sale. There always is a need for donated items, as well as additional volunteers to measure and sort fabric in preparation for the fair.

Donations are accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, February through October, at the Salvation Army warehouse, 820 Parish St., Green Tree. Please note that fabric donations will not be accepted during the fair.

For details, call 412-446-1500 or visit salvationarmywpa.org/fabricfair. Follow The Salvation Army Greater Pittsburgh Women’s Auxiliary on Facebook and @salarmypgh on Instagram to preview items for sale.

Mark your calenders: The Fall Fabric Fair will be Oct. 4.

Blood drive set at high school

Vitalant is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27 at Penn Hills High School, one of dozens of blood drives the group is holding in the Pittsburgh area this month.

Donors who participate at any Vitalant site during the month will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of two $5,000 prepaid gift cards.

All blood types are needed, but the greatest need is for type O — the most compatible when a patient’s blood type is unknown.

To make an appointment, visit donors.vitalant.org.

2 museums offering free admission for kids in March

Admission to the Senator John Heinz History Center and Fort Pitt Museum will be free for children 17 and younger during Women’s History Month, thanks to support from community partners UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.

Throughout March, youngsters will get free general admission to the Smithsonian-affiliated History Center, which includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, and the Fort Pitt Museum, located in historic Point State Park. Regular admission applies for all adult visitors and groups.

The museums also offered free admission for children during Black History Month in February.

At the History Center, families can explore six floors of award-winning exhibitions and interactive learning spaces. Visitors can:

• Spiral down a 12-foot Liberty Tube slide in the Great Hall and design pop art, construct bridges and more in the interactive Discovery Place exhibition.

• Explore the Neighborhood of Make-Believe featuring the original set and puppets in the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood exhibition.

• Exercise their minds and bodies while climbing the UPMC SmartSteps, the world’s only history exhibition in a stairwell. Punch a stamp card on all six floors to win a free Heinz pickle pin.

• Land a space rover on the surface of the Moon inside the Apollo 11 section of “Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation.”

• Throw a touchdown pass to legendary Steelers and score the winning goal for the Penguins inside the two-floor Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

At the Fort Pitt Museum, families can explore the history and culture of American Indian tribes who once called Western Pennsylvania home through a new exhibit titled “Homelands: Native Nations of Allegheny.”

Created in collaboration with federally recognized Delaware, Seneca, Seneca-Cayuga and Shawnee tribes, the exhibit illuminates the past, present and future of the region’s Native tribes with rare artifacts and new scholarship.

The History Center and Fort Pitt Museum are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For details, visit heinzhistorycenter.org.

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.

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.

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.