In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Jan. 6, 2025

Open forum to discuss transportation rescheduled

The Penn Hills School Board has postponed an open forum to discuss transportation services in the school district after there was a heating system failure at Linton Middle School.

According to a post on the district’s website, the forum will be hosted later in January at a date to be determined.

The meeting will be held in the Sen. Jay Costa Media Center at Linton Middle School, 260 Aster St.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend and share questions, concerns and feedback about transportation services directly with Krise Transportation representatives and district administrators.

The goal is to problem-solve current issues and explore creative solutions to improve transportation services in the new year.

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.

Jobs available in district

The Penn Hills School District is hosting a Job Expo from 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Linton Middle School, Building W-6, 260 Aster St.

The school district is looking to hire STEM teachers, special education teachers, security personnel, as well as facilities and food service staff. Full-time, part-time and substitute positions are available.

Stop by to learn about these opportunities. On-the-spot interviews also will be held.

To register, visit https://forms.gle/eniaiH4iRWBGpgex5.

If you’re interested but unable to attend, email HumRes@phsd.org for more information.

Upcoming meetings

Municipal and school district meetings scheduled for January include:

• Council: 7 p.m. Jan. 21, in Council Chambers at the government center, 102 Duff Road;

• Zoning Hearing Board: 7 p.m. Jan. 22, in Council Chambers;

• Planning Commission: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, in Council Chambers;

• Library Board: 7 p.m. Jan. 29, at Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road;

• Penn Hills School Board: 6 p.m. Jan. 29, regular public voting meeting, Sen. Jay Costa Media Center at Linton Middle School, 260 Aster St.

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 monthly meetings on its website at www.phsd.org/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.

Hebron Community Center collecting shoes

The Hebron Community Center in Penn Hills is collecting new, used and gently worn shoes until Jan. 31.

The community center is asking local businesses to serve as additional drop-off spots. To participate, contact Hebron Community Center Executive Director Jennifer Balkey at jenb@hebroncc.org.

All donations will be distributed by Funds2Orgs to entrepreneurs in developing countries, who can then sell them. The community center will receive a check from Funds2Orgs for their efforts based on the weight of the shoes collected.

Free microchip clinic open to Penn Hills, Verona residents

Pawsitive Voice, a local coalition pushing for improved animal control practices in Penn Hills, will hold a free microchip clinic from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Steel Goat Marketplace, 200 Jefferson Road.

The clinic is only for dogs weighing 10 pounds or more. There will be 100 microchips available.

To secure a time slot, email pawsitivevoice@gmail.com.

Participants must bring a driver’s license or piece of mail showing Penn Hills or Verona residency.

Library highlights upcoming offerings

The Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road, offers a variety of programs for all ages.

For a complete list of offerings, visit pennhillslibrary.org.

Note the library will be closed Jan. 20 and 21.

Registration is required for the following programs unless otherwise indicated; however, the following teen programs do not require registration. To register for any of the programs, visit the website and click on the events tab to view an interactive calendar.

Here are some upcoming highlights:

CHILDREN

• Prada the Therapy Dog (all ages): 11:30 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 11 and Jan. 25. Prada, an American Staffordshire terrier, is an American Kennel Club-licensed therapy dog who loves snuggles and listening to stories. Registration is not required.

• Slime Science … Butter Slime (ages 6-11): 1 to 1:45 p.m. Jan. 11. Participants will experiment with mixing specific ingredients to make slimes with unique properties and will learn why it happens.

• Baby Rhyme Time (birth to 5): 10:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 14. Bond with your little one and meet other parents and caregivers while exploring the fun of rhythm and rhymes, bounces and books to support early learning. Registration is not required.

• KidzStix Cardio Drumming (ages 6-11): 1 to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17 and 4:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 27. Join this upbeat drumming program that combines exercise, dancing and fun with drums led by certified instructor Coleen Bortz.

TEENS (grades 6-12)

• Dungeons & Dragons for Beginners: 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 11. Learn the basics of Dungeons & Dragons in a slow-paced, friendly environment. Perfect for anyone with no D&D experience who wants to give it a try.

• Gender and Sexualities Alliance … MarioKart: 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 14. Join us once a month in asafe, inclusive environment where everyone is welcome to be themselves. This month, join us for a MarioKart tournament.

• Design a Mug with Sublimation: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 15. Participants will use special heat-activated markers to design a custom mug.

• Learn to Cross Stitch: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and Jan. 30. Join us throughout the month to learn and practice the basics of cross stitch.

• Life-size Hungry, Hungry Hippos: 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 29. Get on a scooter and battle your friends in this epic life-sized version of the children’s game.

ADULTS

• Yoga: 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 10. This regular program meets at 2 p.m. every Friday and from 1 to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Bring your own yoga mat and towel to this free class. A limited number of mats are available to borrow. Registration is not required.

• Movies Out Loud: 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Stand up, sit down, sing along: It’s all allowed during this movie showing. This month’s movie will feature the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. Popcorn will be provided. Registration is not required.

• Cellphone Photography: 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 13. Learn how to take amazing pictures with your phone in this photography class for beginners and amateur photographers alike.

• Accessible Crafts … Dream Jars: 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 13. No registration is required for this craft program held twice a month for patrons of all abilities. This week’s craft is dream jars. Mark your calendars: The Jan. 27 craft is screen printing.

• Sankofa: The Beauty of African American Cultural Memory: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16. Learn about sankofa, a concept in traditional West African philosophy that means “return to the past.”

ALL AGES

• Animal Behavior and Body Language: 3 to 4 p.m. Jan. 17. The Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh will present a program on how to recognize animal body language.

• Origami for All: 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 23. Simple origami will be demonstrated with three or four examples of origami models using a single square sheet of paper.

Heating assistance available to low-income households

Thousands of eligible customers miss out on bill assistance by not applying for federal grants. With the winter season approaching, many income-eligible customers remain unaware of programs that can significantly reduce their energy bill.

Peoples Natural Gas, an essential utilities company, encourages its customers to take advantage of available resources to help offset winter heating costs.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is now open for the 2024-25 heating season. LIHEAP is a federally funded assistance program that provides grants to eligible low-income households to help pay for heating costs. Grants start at $200 and may be higher based on income and the number of people living in the home.

To qualify for a LIHEAP grant, customers must have a total gross household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Customers do not have to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill. LIHEAP is open to renters and homeowners. To learn more about the income limits and to apply, visit https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs.html, click on Services in the menu and search for LIHEAP.

In addition to LIHEAP, Peoples offers programs to help make energy-saving home improvements that reduce long-term costs. If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more.

Blood donors sought

January is National Blood Donor Month, and the American Red Cross and Vitalant are highlighting the urgent need for blood donations and their lifesaving impact.

Donations of all blood types are crucial year-round, especially type O, the most frequently transfused blood type. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

To find a Red Cross location near you and to learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Vitalant operates about 115 donation centers nationwide.

Vitalant’s Pittsburgh Fox Chapel Donation Center at One Alexander Center, Suite 207, 2585 Freeport Road, regularly schedules collection dates, including these upcoming ones: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 and 31, and noon to 7 p.m. Jan. 14, 21 and 28.

Another nearby collection is set for 7 a.m. to noon Jan. 14 in the conference room at UPMC East, 2775 Mosside Blvd., Monroeville.

To make an appointment and find other locations, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

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.

Anti-litter award program offered for kids

Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.

Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.

The theme for the contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup! Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”

Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.

The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.

For an entry form, go to KeepPABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.

American Legion scholarships open to students in grades 6-12

The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500 scholarships.

The contest is open to students in multiple categories: grades 6-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or homeschooled.

Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 8 for those in grades 9-12, and by Feb. 5 for those in grades 6-8. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.

The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships offering $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest is open to those in grades 9-12. More information is available at legion.org/oratorical or by emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.

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.

Rotary offering need-based scholarships

The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from current high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.

This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded.

The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington- Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.

Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.

Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at rotarydistrict7305.org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.

For details, email Dr. Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at rarbuckl@yahoo.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.