Briefs – Jan. 29
Beginning Feb. 1, the Washington County Farm Bureau will begin its annual food drive, which celebrates Food Check-Out Week, the week when the average American family has earned enough income to pay their food bill for the entire year. This year, it is February 16-22.
Collection boxes will be placed throughout the county and all donations will be made to the Washington County Food Bank for distribution through the food pantry closest to the donation box. Food should be in unopened packages and have a current sell-by date. Area donation boxes include Heritage Library in McDonald, Bahr Hardware and Frank Sarris Library in Canonsburg, Goodwill and the McMurray Dairy Bar in Peters Township and Peters Township Library.
For a complete list of drop-off locations or to learn how to get involved, call 724-350-2654.
The Allegheny County Health Department is accepting nominations for its annual Enviro-Star awards, which honor local businesses and organizations for voluntary pollution prevention practices undertaken in 2013.
Businesses and organizations are encouraged to nominate themselves or others for their pollution prevention accomplishments. Nominations will be accepted until March 21 and may be made online at www.achd.net/envirostar. For more information, call 412-578-8106.
The 2013 awards will be announced in conjunction with Earth Day, April 22.
Allegheny County’s Friends of South Park council and leaders kicked off the new year with the launch of a new website at www.southparkfriends.org . The website, created by Friends of South Park volunteer Anne Oyler, was designed to spread the word and update park patrons and friends about all the amenities and activities South Park has to offer. It includes maps, photos, articles and videos pertaining to upcoming events and activities, current and future projects and improvements, general park information, links to Allegheny County sites and other park resources, and other useful and interesting information.
Along with the new website, Facebook users can find daily updates, facts, photos and interesting posts on the Friends of South Park Facebook page at “Friends of South Park – Allegheny County Parks.” Users are encouraged to “like” their page, as well as post fun facts, memories and photos related to South Park. Feedback, comments and suggestions are also welcome on both the new website and on Facebook.
To become an active “Friend” of South Park, open monthly meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 at the Buffalo Inn on Buffalo Drive in South Park. The next meeting is Feb. 19. For more information, visit the website or contact Kristen Normile at kdznormile@comcast.net, Heather Sims at hhall81@gmail.com, or Erin Schwartz at erin.schwartz2011@gmail.com.
Horses Unlimited in South Park will hold two Pony Camps, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 11-14 and Aug. 18-21. Camper who sign up and pay the $95 deposit prior to Feb. 14 will pay the 2013 fee per camp, which was $295 per child. Camp is for beginner riders age 5-10, no experience necessary. Activities include learning to groom, saddle, bridle and ride a pony; how to feed and care for horses; “horsey” arts and crafts; blacksmith and veterinary demonstrations. Camp is limited to 12 children. To register or for more information, call 412-835-7726.
The Allegheny County Library Association and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are engaging in a strategic process, Library Service in the 21st Century: A County-Wide Conversation about Public Libraries, to gather community feedback regarding how best to structure and fund 21st century library services in Allegheny County.
In February, the first in a three-part series of community engagement sessions, to be held over the next few months, will begin. For area residents, there will be two opportunities to participate locally, with both meetings featuring the same agenda and topics of discussion. The first community meeting will be 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the South Fayette Township Library and the second is at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Bridgeville Public Library. The public is invited to attend either or both meetings. The survey can also be taken online at www.countycitylibraries.org. The deadline for feedback from Part I is Feb. 14.