Across the South Hills – May 1
Holiday Retirement is hosting a celebration open to the community, especially senior citizens, honoring mothers at 2960 Bethel Church Road. On May 3, a luncheon will be held at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. jazz concert by the Robbie Klein Duo. At 2 p.m. May 4, there will be a gardening class on how to plant a long-lasting container garden. All materials will be provided. At 2 p.m. May 5 there will be a craft photo keepsake. RSVP and bring two or three family photographs to use for the craft.
To RSVP or to lean more, call 412-833-3220.
• The Bethel Park PTO/PTA Council is hosting a “Meet the School Board Candidates” forum at 7 p.m. May 13 in the Bethel Park High School Auditorium. The format will consist of a brief introduction by each candidate to introduce themselves, discuss why they are running for a seat on the Bethel Park School Board and their vision for the district and the education of the children. Introductions will be followed by a question and answer portion consisting of pre-submitted questions from the community.
Questions to be considered for the forum can be submitted to Kelly Albenze at kalbenze@gmail.com. Additional questions can be submitted that evening by index card.
The Second Sunday Concert Series is returning to Canonsburg Town Park this summer. All three concerts will be held in the park band shell beginning at 6:30 p.m. each of the nights. The concerts are free.
On June 9, Abiline, a pure country/rock/jazz band is making its first appearance in the series.
The Four Townsmen Show Band will appear July 14 and will perform oldies from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
On Aug. 11, Tony Janflone Jr. will perform with his band.
The park is continuing with its “Summer Nights Series” to be held Wednesday nights from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the pool. Watch the borough’s website for announcements of performing bands.
Save the dates of Sept. 28 and 29 for the 26th annual Fall Festival. The event will be held 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 28, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 29.
Volunteers are needed to plant the Parkway Pinwheel at the Green Tree cloverleaf beginning at 9 a.m. May 11. Groups, individuals and students are encouraged to help. Community service hours are available.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy provides the flowers and Green Tree provides volunteers to plant. Some gardening gear will be available at the site, but bring some if possible.
Parking is available at St. Margaret’s upper parking lot. Email rca@greentreeboro.com for information or for questions.
The Kirwan Heights Fire Department will hold an open house from noon-5 p.m. May 11 at the department, 1200 Washington Pike, Bridgeville. Parking will be available at the DDI parking lot, 1225 Washington Pike, and a shuttle bus will be provided.
Activities include first aid and CPR classes from 8 a.m.-noon by preregistration only at www.kirwanfire.com/rsvp.
Using a hoseline will be offered at 1 p.m., and a vehicle rescue demonstration will occur at 3 p.m. All-day activities include fire extinguisher training, smoke trailer, and tours of the fire station, ambulance and fire trucks and equipment.
The state Department of Transportation Route 19 paving project will continue throughout 2013. The project includes concrete patching, milling, resurfacing, handicap accessible ramp upgrades, signal upgrades, drainage repairs and some new construction.
Peters Township Parks and Recreation Department is offering classes for eight weeks May through June. Classes begin the week of May 6. Register online or at the Community Recreation Center. For more information, call the Rec Center at 724-942-5000.
• Peters Township Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a blood drive and bone marrow screening in honor of the late Carol Foley, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 5 at the Peters Township Fire Department, 245 E. McMurray Road. To make an appointment, contact Amy Klevan at 724-941-6345 or email info@peterstownshipchamber.com.
• Camp Invention, a non-profit organization, will be held the week of July 8-12 at Bower Hill Elementary School. This year’s camp is Geo-quest, using physics and re-engineered household items to create the ultimate Duck Chucking device.
To register a child or for more information, call 1-800-968-4332 or visit www.campinvention.org.
The Upper St. Clair School District’s electronic newsletter, eBLAST, is one of three publications in the state to receive an Award of Excellence in the Electronic Newsletter category of the 2012 state School Public Relations Associations’ “Excellence in Education Communication” contest. The district, along with eight other districts in the state received an Award of Honor in the website category.
• The township has launched a new website that provides information about community events, boards and commissions, agendas and minutes, the budget, the history of the township and more. Visit www.twpusc.org.
• U.S. News and World Report has ranked Upper St. Clair High School as one of the best public schools in America. The high school was ranked No. 7 among Pennsylvania’s 687 public, magnet and charter high schools, and No. 440 of more than 21,000 high schools nationwide.
Schools are evaluated based on overall student performance on state tests, Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate exams. Rankings are designed to capture how well high schools educate students across a range of performance indicators, including college readiness, math and reading proficiency, and student-to-teacher ratio.
The Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation will offer a Homeschool Outdoor Classroom May 9 at Mingo Creek County Park, Shelter 6. Two sessions are available: Session I will begin at 10 a.m. and Session II will begin at 1 p.m. Enjoy old-time learning games that were played by Native American and pioneer children long ago. As the games are shared, a discussion will take place about the roles children had within the family, what daily life might have been like, and how it compares to the way children live today.
This program is designed for homeschooled children ages 5-11. Preregistration is required by calling 724-228-6867. There is no fee. Dress accordingly for the weather as the classes will take place outside.