In Brief: Winter art show, ashes to go and more in Pine, Richland
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Winter Show
The annual Winter Show at the North Hills Art Center runs through Feb. 26 and will include a virtual display of pieces for people who want to avoid in-person gatherings.
The show, titled “Where Love Dwells,” benefits the nonprofit group Hello Neighbor, which helps refugee families with children settle in the Pittsburgh area.
The virtual show kicked off Feb. 6 on the art center’s YouTube channel, with a juried exhibition in the gallery through Feb. 26.
“This show visually depicts the meaning of ‘home’ across different countries and cultures and shows what is important to us and what makes a house a home,” said Kim Freithaler, the art center’s executive director. “In addition to our 79 local artists’ entries, we have 16 pieces created by refugee family members who come from Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Nepal/Bhutan.”
Hello Neighbor helps refugee families assimilate in their new homes in the Pittsburgh area by assigning them a mentor.
The gallery is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. The art center is located at 3432 Babcock Boulevard in Ross.
Church offering ashes to go
Northmont Presbyterian Church in Ross hasn’t been holding in-person worship services since the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic. But worshipers still can mark the start of Lent with the imposition of ashes during the church’s virtual service on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m., which is being live-streamed in conjunction with the Wexford and Hiland Presbyterian churches.
Small cups with enough ashes for a family are located inside the church entrance near the wheelchair ramp weekdays from 8 to 5 p.m.
The church is located at 8169 Perry Highway.
Pine Daddy Daughter Paint Day
Pine is sponsoring a Daddy Daughter Paint Day on Feb. 13 for township residents and members of the community center. Participants will paint a birdhouse and a wooden heart. There will be music, a chance to win a jar full of candy and treats to take home. Two sessions will be offered from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The event is for children 5 and older and costs $10 per person.
All participants will be required to adhere to covid-19 safety measures.
Register online to attend the event. Information about all the upcoming activities and events at the community center can be viewed on the community center webpage.
Send us your fish fry info
To get your nonprofit’s fish fry listed in the Pine Creek Journal and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com.
Block Party To Go charity fundraiser
Participants in North Hills Community Outreach’s annual block party fundraiser won’t be able to gather in person this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the North Hills charity and social service agency still is planning to party.
Have fun at home with a “Block Party To Go” party bag. The adult bags include a do-it-yourself pizza kit, wine, dessert, a game and more. The children’s bag includes a craft kit from Dots and Doodles, snacks and other items.
Some of the bags will include a “bonus” gift card to a local restaurant or business. The first 300 party-to-go kits will include a link to play BuzzWorthy Pub Trivia.
More information and an order form for party bags are available online at NHCO/Block-Party.
Pine seeks volunteers
Pine Township has two volunteer opportunities — one on the Planning Commission and the other on the Environmental Advisory Council.
For more information regarding the Planning Commission, contact Larry Kurpakus, Assistant Township Manager and Director of Land Development & Code Administration.
For more information about the Environmental Advisory Council post, contact John Swinderman, Code Enforcement Officer. Applications of Interest can be submitted online.
Richland Historical Society revival
Residents interested in preserving Richland history are invited to join an effort to revive the township’s historical society, which has been dormant for several years. The organization was formed by its former president, the late Bill Bardonner.
Efforts are underway to plan, organize and archive the records so future generations will have access.
Anyone interested in participating in the preservation effort should contact Cono Passione by telephone or text at 724-816-3157. Passione also can be contacted by email at cipsarop@gmail.com.
During the past year, Passione has been clearing the abandoned Baker Estates Cemetery off Route 8 and has been gathering records related to the site.
Free tax prep
A free tax preparation service is being offered by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania through April 10.
The service is available virtually or through a combination of online and in-person meetings.
Clients can upload their materials, and tax experts will prepare and review the return. The hybrid tax preparation will require two brief appointments in a safe environment, following covid-19 guidelines, to provide information and review the return.
The service is available to residents in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Assistance from a volunteer tax preparer is available for people and families with a total annual income of up to $57,000.
A free, do-it-yourself online tax assistance program is available at myfreetaxes.com.