< PreviouslLegislative Update Legislative Update BY PA REPRESENTATIVE VALERIE GAYDOS By the first few weeks of the new year, my House colleagues and I had already put forth several legislative initiatives intended to help make Pennsylvania a better place to live, work and play. In the months ahead, the legislative priorities that we will be tackling during this session can be best described as extensions of our efforts from last year. These measures include assisting our first responders, helping businesses to thrive, improving public safety, reforming the criminal justice system and improving government, just to name a few. So far this year, I have introduced two measures that are intended to reduce the size of the Legislature and help provide affordable health care for small businesses. This spring, we will also host educational and informative events that will help residents of the 44th District stay up to date on the latest developments in state government. A top priority of mine has been listening to constituents and keeping lines of communication open so your voices can be heard. In that spirit, I’d like to share with you details on two key initiatives I am spearheading this session. Reducing the size of the Legislature With 50 senators and 203 House members, our state Legislature is the largest full-time lawmaking body in the country. Cost-wise, it is the second-most expensive state Legislature, behind only California’s general assembly. My bill would cut the size of the state legislature by roughly a quarter, down to 151 members. There is objectively no reason why the House of Representatives must have exactly 203 members. As my colleague Rep. Jerry Knowles (who has himself advocated previously for legislation to enact a smaller state government) notes, the final number of seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the result of a map-drawing error made after the 1968 Constitutional Convention. When the final map was drawn, the drafters of the map realized that they had miscounted the number of districts and wound up with 203. Because they did not want to draft another map, the number has remained at 203 ever since. By reducing the size of the Legislature, we can provide cost- savings to taxpayers in the amount of $15 million every year. Additionally, shrinking the Legislature would streamline the legislative process and make it easier for members to reach consensus with one another on issues that matter to the people of the Commonwealth. A smaller lawmaking body would lead to better discussion and clearer debate. In order to take effect, this legislation would require an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution. That means that it would need to pass through both the House and Senate in two consecutive legislative sessions. Following that, it would appear as a question on the next general election ballot, ultimately leaving the decision up to you, the voters. This legislation faces several hurdles but I remain optimistic that this can be done. Pennsylvanians deserve to have a say in how they are represented and I have been overwhelmed by the support this measure has received from the community and my fellow lawmakers, both past and present. I look forward to providing further updates as this bill moves through the Legislature. Providing affordable health care for small businesses This past summer, I invited my colleagues in the Commerce Committee to visit the 44th District and to meet with several businesses in the Greater Pittsburgh region. In so doing, we had the opportunity to speak with many small businesses about the difficulties they face when it comes to offering the kind of insurance that their employees deserve. In light of these conversations, I was proud to introduce a bill designed to assist small businesses with providing additional opportunities for health care benefits to their employees. Specifically, this legislation will provide a mechanism for employers to join together to offer quality health insurance as a benefit for their employees, some for the first time. When small businesses group together, they can spread out the risk across the group and negotiate for discounted health insurance coverage in the same way that large businesses currently purchase health benefits on the group insurance market. This will provide a decrease in costs for small businesses and put the employer in a competitive position to maintain and attract a talented workforce. Working for Western PA: Legislative Spotlight Express knows jobs. Get to know Express. Oces in Robinson & Monaca 412.494.2000 ExpressPros.com Full-time and part-time opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional No Fees! State Rep. Valerie Gaydos represents Pennsylvania’s 44th District. Her office is located at 1009 Beaver Grade Road in Moon Township. Subscribe to her emails at www.repgaydos.com and follow her on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepGaydos. Save the date: My office will partner with the Sewickley YMCA for a Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is a pleasure to serve you. My office is always available to assist you with state-related questions or concerns that you may have. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (412) 262-3780. 20 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020lLegislative Update Legislative Update It is an honor and privilege to represent the 37th Senatorial District, which includes Moon, Crescent, and Robinson townships, as well as Thornburg Borough, Pennsbury Village, the Quaker Valley area, the airport corridor, and the majority of the South Hills. In this update, I’m sharing some of my legislative accomplishments and district activities since being sworn in as your state senator in April of 2019. I look forward to providing regular updates to Allegheny West Magazine readers and am excited for a productive year ahead serving the 37th Senatorial District! Supporting our veterans and first responders Improving the coordination of veterans’ services In October, the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously passed SR 170. This legislation, which I introduced, will improve the coordination of services for Pennsylvania’s over 800,000 veterans. SR 170, with strong bipartisan co-sponsorship from 22 democrats, 15 republicans and 1 independent, directs the Joint State Government Commission to establish a task force to study the coordination of the nearly 6,000 veteran service entities in the Commonwealth. This includes federal, state, local, not-for- profit and private programs. As noted in a 2014 needs assessment, there is no lack of programs and benefits for veterans. Rather, what is needed is increased awareness of and access to those benefits. The task force will conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the programs and procedures in Pennsylvania regarding the coordination of veterans’ services and will issue a report with findings and recommendations to the Senate. With these recommendations, the legislature and state can take informed actions to better connect veterans with the benefits that are available to them and that they have earned. Supporting fire departments First responders, a critical element of public safety in every Pennsylvania community, are facing a crisis of recruitment and retention. In the 1970s, Pennsylvania had more than 300,000 active volunteer firefighters. Today, there are about 38,000. In response to this ongoing crisis, I have used direct input from fire service personnel to craft a legislative package that will help them continue keeping us safe. Incentivizing Innovative Recruitment & Retention This legislation would create a new grant program available to fire and EMS departments that think outside of the box in their recruitment and retention efforts. An example is already in place at the Peters Township Fire Department, where they provide a “work from home at the station” workspace to allow volunteers to work remotely. Improving Fire Department Management Training Under this bill, management training would initially be recommended and eventually required for at least one member of fire department leadership. Additional grant funding would be available to assist departments with leadership training. The training would include legal and fiduciary guidelines, best practices to create efficiency of operations, human resources management, and working with public and elected officials. In addition to introducing legislation that benefits fire and EMS departments, I have also supported these departments’ annual grant applications to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner to help them maintain top-notch facilities, procure equipment, maintain training and readiness, and remain financially stable. I am proud to report the following grant awards to local departments: • Carnegie Volunteer Fire & Rescue: $11,509.46 • Crafton Volunteer Fire & Rescue: $13,837.24 • Imperial Volunteer Fire Department: $13,426.46 • Oakdale Hose Company: $12,467.96 • Valley Ambulance Authority: $9,192.44 State Sen. Pam Iovino represents Pennsylvania’s 37th Senatorial District. Her Robinson office is located at 5996 Steubenville Pike. She can be reached at (412) 788-2967. Visit her online at www.senatoriovino.com. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. BY STATE SEN. PAM IOVINO ABOVE: State Sen. Pam Iovino hears from local fire chiefs about their challenges and her legislation to support fire departments at a roundtable discussion in Robinson Township. BELOW: Iovino joins leaders in government, industry and academia - including state Representatives Anita Kulik and Valerie Gaydos - to announce Neighborhood 91 at Pittsburgh International Airport. This first-in-the-world development positions the region to become a hub for additive manufacturing and 3D printing. March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 21{ GroundworkGroundwork Though vegetable and flower plants are readily available in local nurseries, plant catalogs and big box stores, there are some good reasons to start your garden plants with seeds. One reason is you can grow a wider variety of vegetables and flowers. Another is you know exactly how your vegetables and flowers have been raised. With plants, that’s not always the case. For instance, were harmful chemicals used? You can’t be sure. For me, the pleasure is in the miracle of a seed coupled with the pride of producing something delicious and/or beautiful that I grew from a tiny seed! Usually, this process starts in dreary January when seed catalogs arrive in the mail and one can spend blissful hours choosing and planning the coming year’s garden. Certain vegetables such as cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts are cool-weather crops and should be started indoors in late February or early March. This way, they can be placed outside in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked. Other vegetables, such as peas, spinach and kale, can be sown directly into the ground at the same time. These cool- weather crops can also be started in the summer for a fall harvest. Some plants, such as tarragon, cannot be grown from seed but only from cuttings. It’s now March. Can we still start our garden from seeds? Of course you can! Other than the many seed catalog companies that are still happy to receive your order, some garden centers and big box stores have also begun stocking for the spring garden. Your first decision, though, should be where your seedlings will eventually call home. Will they be in the ground, raised beds or containers? How much sun or shade does that site get? What is the general condition of your soil? If it is not garden ready, will it need amendments? Soil amendments are materials such as sphagnum peat moss, composted manure and mushroom compost that are worked into the soil to enhance its physical properties. Good soil is the foundation of every successful garden. Where your seedlings will spend their summer determines the seed you should select. Growers are producing more and more plants suitable for shade or containers. Read the descriptions in your seed catalog and on seed packets themselves. This will give you much information about sun and water requirements as well as if that plant will grow in your area. Does this plant attract bees, birds, butterflies and/or deer and other pests? These are all things to consider. It is also important to know your growing zone, which indicates the last frost date in the spring and the first frost date in the fall. Here in Pittsburgh we are in Zone 6. Zones tell us which plants will grow in a specific area. The lower zone numbers represent colder climates and the higher numbers represent warmer climates. The last frost date for our area is May 15 and the first frost date is Oct. 15. These are guidelines - not absolutes. Once you have selected your seeds, you need containers in which to grow them. Egg cartons, butter tubs, vegetable cans, milk cartons and the like will work. Through the years, however, I have learned that peat pots or cow pots are the best containers. Why? These pots provide an environmentally friendly way to start seeds or seedlings without using nonbiodegradable planters. These pots can be planted directly in the ground, pot and all, which reduces the risk of root injury to seedlings. At some point, your seedlings will have outgrown their containers and will need to be transplanted once or twice before ending up in their final home outside. Many plants, such as tomatoes, do not like their roots disturbed. Peat pots nourish the soil and cow pots nourish the plant. Once you have decided which pots to use, you should decide what soil is best. Again, most seed catalogs, nurseries and big box stores offer seed germinating mixes under names such as “seed starting mix.” You can also mix your own. These mixes are usually composed of peat, compost and other compounds like perlite or vermiculite that create a lightweight medium in which your seedlings can grow. Oftentimes, there is no actual “soil” in them. Seeds need a lightweight growing medium for their roots to develop. In addition, they need heat, sun and water. When to plant your seeds depends on how long it will take for them to germinate and how many days or weeks before you can plant them outside. This is where your frost-free date is important. Many seedlings need warm soil and will be stunted or killed by a frost. Most seed producers will give you good guidelines for when to start planting your seeds inside or outside. This information can also be obtained online. Plant your seeds to the depth your seed packet advises. Depending on the size of the seeds and pot, I may plant three or BY DIANE HANEY, MOON TOWNSHIP GARDEN CLUB If you’ve been dreaming of your garden; March is time to start your seeds indoors! Peat and cow pots come in many sizes and offer a biodegradable option for starting seeds. 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020{ Groundwork Groundwork more seeds in each container. I label each pot with the date planted, the plant variety, days to maturity, and where I obtained the seed. This is helpful information. In the future, you will want to reorder from stores or catalogs whose seeds produced the best vegetables or flowers for you. Water the pots well and place them in warm, sunny locations. I use grow lights and heating pads but they are not necessary, just very helpful. I also place domes over my pots, which creates a greenhouse effect. Because I have curious cats, my domes are taped down. If you do not have pets, this step is not necessary. The domes are removed as the plants grow. Now you patiently wait for the seeds to germinate. Peppers and some flowers take weeks while others take just a few days. Keep the pots moist but not saturated. Placing the pots in a tray is ideal as you can water the tray and the water will move up the soil to the roots without damaging the plant itself. Once the seedlings have their second set of true leaves, it is time for what I consider the hardest part: thinning the plants to one or two of the strongest and healthiest plants in each pot. This is best done by cutting the plants you want to remove at their base. By doing this, you are not pulling the plant out and disturbing the roots of the remaining plants. These roots will eventually become food for the strongest seedlings. I hate to kill a plant, but this process helps to guarantee the remaining seedlings will grow into strong, productive and mature plants. In a few weeks, your seedlings will be ready to plant outside. For most plants, this is late May. Before transplanting outdoors, it is best to go through a process called “hardening off,” which means conditioning them for outside living. Start by moving the seedlings outside for a few hours each day. Increase the time outdoors until they are spending the entire day outside. This takes about a week. Now you can plant them in their permanent outside location. Every gardener has a preferred way to plant their seedlings outside. Some add a slow release fertilizer to a hole. Some mulch their baby plants or add straw. Others cover them at night for awhile to protect from late spring frosts. Some crops, such as squashes, melons and beans, can have their seeds sowed directly into the garden once the soil has warmed. Visions of a juicy red tomato, plump pepper or gorgeous flowers will keep you motivated to water and weed your garden throughout the long, hot summer. Wishing you a happy and successful seed starting adventure! TOP: Make sure you label your pots with what seeds you planted so you aren’t playing a guessing game later. MIDDLE: Though a sunny window with plastic domes will get seeds to germinate, investing in grow lights and heating pads will improve germination rates. BOTTOM LEFT: Taping domes down will keep curious pets from disturbing your seeds. Moon Township Garden Club Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month March through December. Visit MoonTownshipGardenClub.com for more info. March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 23S uch phrases have become considerably more common on property development signs in the last decade, both in Pittsburgh and around the country. As Baby Boomers have begun to reach their 70s and are retiring in droves, the population has created new demand for single- family home design. Today’s retirees are more likely than their parents to sell the homes in which they raised their children. They want less stress and maintenance, allowing them more time and freedom to travel and pursue hobbies and interests. The architectural history of the term “patio” is Spanish in origin, as Spaniards in medieval times adapted the atrium concept of ancient Rome to their dwellings. The Romans designed courtyards open to the sky within their public buildings. By the time of the Spanish Renaissance, many homes in Spain were built with secluded patios as a standard feature. According to the site Movoto.com, cluster homes first appeared on the scene in the U.S. in the 1960s. As a means of taking advantage of multi-family zoning while providing affordable single family homes, dwellings were built together in clusters that conformed in size, price and design. While upkeep of these new dwellings decreases with ownership, square footage actually increases in many instances. One developer stated that, instead of the term “downsizing,” the transition to patio homes should be called “rightsizing.” Patio homes with basements and a second story can have upwards of 3,000 square feet. Michele Lutz, a realtor with Cowden Creek Realty, says that she’s been seeing an uptick in demand recently among homeowners in their 60s and older who want to sell their current homes and move into single-level homes. These homeowners have oftentimes been in their current homes for decades but now not only want a first-floor master but to also be free of the work an older home requires. “They’re in their 60s, they’re still healthy and doing stuff, they just don’t want all that maintenance,” she says. For these homeowners, the maintenance agreements that come with many patio home developments are huge. She says that by the time homeowners decide to make the move, it’s already been on their minds for some time. Sandee Toulouse, a Berkshire Hathaway realtor who has been selling homes in the area for 30 years, says she believes there are not yet enough one-level, maintenance-free homes in the region to keep pace with demand. One reason for this is the area’s predominantly hilly terrain, which doesn’t lend itself to single- level homes. Toulouse commented that her office gets calls weekly from buyers looking for homes with a master bedroom on the first floor, which is a limited option in many Pittsburgh homes. Baby Boomers on the younger end of the spectrum are prime buyers of the residences, as they want to keep the open concept style of the 1990s-era homes they are selling. Toulouse stated that such buyers are planning for space to host family gatherings or allow extended stays for adult children and grandchildren. Here are three different area developers and a breakdown of how each is handling the growing demand for patio homes with their own unique approach: One-level design. Maintenance-free living. Patio homes. INTRODUCTION BY JILL BORDO CONTENT SUBMITTED 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020 It’s not every homebuilder that can say it changes lives with every home built, but it certainly is the case for local family-owned patio homebuilder Scarmazzi Homes. Recently ranked as Pittsburgh’s 7th Largest Single-Family Homebuilder, Scarmazzi Homes has provided over 500 single-level, low-maintenance patio homes to those looking for a more carefree lifestyle in the Pittsburgh region. “We don’t simply build homes,” says Lisa Scarmazzi, who owns Scarmazzi Homes along with her husband Paul, both Canonsburg natives. “We create vibrant neighborhoods where our residents form new friendships, connect with peers, and have more time to do the things they want to do, not have to do.” The patio homes in each Scarmazzi community range in size from approximately 1,500 to 2,800 square feet. All models feature a sun-filled open floor plan, two bedrooms, two full baths, a den in select models, and an oversized garage - all on one floor. A second floor or basement is optional, providing an additional bedroom, bath and living area. With the introduction of more free time, residents can also take advantage of outdoor living. “Our private courtyards, which come standard on every home, provide another living area for relaxation and entertaining. The interiors wrap around these outdoor living rooms and provide natural light and courtyard views from all areas of the home,” explains Scarmazzi. A private clubhouse with pool and fitness center is featured in many of Scarmazzi’s developments. Outdoor services include mowing of grass, seasonal mulching, edging of beds and snow removal to the front door. “We truly provide a ‘lock and leave’ scenario for those who travel or live away other times of the year. And for those who don’t…there is always a book club gathering, poker game or Happy Hour going on in the clubhouse!” says Scarmazzi. Scarmazzi Homes currently has a limited number of homes still available in its Preserves community located in North Fayette Township and in its Arabian Meadows community near The Meadows in Chartiers Township. Homes in both of those developments start at around $295,000. The company is also building in two new developments near Canonsburg. One of those developments, Arden Farms, is located close to I-79, the Tanger Outlets and the Washington County Country Club in Chartiers Township. The other development, called The Sanctuary, will be located just north of downtown Canonsburg and minutes from the Southpointe Business Park in Cecil Township. For updates on both, visit www.scarmazzihomes.com. Along with transforming the lives of residents, Scarmazzi Homes is committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Through the company’s Give-Back program, a donation is made on behalf of every new homeowner annually to a local charity and, this year, the City Mission was presented with a $4,900 donation on behalf of the residents who moved into their new homes in 2019. In addition, Scarmazzi Homes is an annual Corporate Sponsor of City Mission, has aided in the design and fundraising for City Mission’s newly renovated Avis Arbor Women with Children’s shelter, provides scholarships to graduating seniors entering a post-education trade school, is a financial partner in the construction of a new trade school in Haiti, and is a presenting sponsor for Canonsburg’s Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration. “We view our business as a platform to make a difference and give back,” says Scarmazzi. Through Guild Quality, a third-party customer surveying company for the homebuilding industry, Scarmazzi Homes has consistently been awarded the Guildmaster designation for its unparalleled customer service. In addition, 95 percent of Scarmazzi Homes customers would recommend the company to others looking for a new home. For more information on Scarmazzi Homes’ communities and patio homes, visit www.scarmazzihomes.com or call (724) 223- 1844. Developments in North Fayette, Chartiers and Cecil Townships $295,000+ www.scarmazzihomes.com March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 25 Much has changed with regard to modular and manufactured home construction since Dan Hall of Moon Township started developing property across North Fayette Township in the late 1960s. Back then, when Dan and his father, John, were developing the land where Virginia Hills and Walden Woods now sit, modular homes were largely limited because of the rigors they underwent during transportation. Walls were mainly comprised of plastic paneling while materials like drywall and tile were out of the question. Today, though, thanks to advancements in building techniques and materials, there isn’t much manufacturers can’t do with modular homes that they can do with traditional homes. Modular homes can have vaulted ceilings, dream kitchens, crown moulding and hardwood flooring. They come move-in ready and can even be pre-painted if buyers wish. They’re also extremely energy-efficient, making them perfect for downsizing or a second home. The single- floor homes have gained significant traction with the Baby Boomer generation in recent years and, compared to traditional construction, they’re also much more affordable. Dan Hall’s company High Tech Housing specializes in these homes and can construct them on any lot. Recently, High Tech started offering a new model called the Catena Patio Home that’s designed specifically for the 55-plus demographic. The single- level home boasts 1,493 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. For any orders placed by May 1, High Tech can bring the home in and construct it on a lot for just $188,888. For that price, homebuyers get a pier foundation with a block surround, an attached two-car garage and air conditioning. The kitchen also comes outfitted with granite countertops, a refrigerator, range, microwave and dishwasher. Delivery and construction are included, as are utility hook-ups. Another perk to the homes is that homebuyers don’t even need to come up with cash to finance. Rather, their lot can be used in lieu of a down payment. High Tech is a local, family-run company. Dan’s son, Tyler, is now helping his mom, Sandy, and his dad run the business. The company has also been named the official western Pennsylvania representative for Clayton Homes, which was acquired by Warren Buffet’s real estate company, Berkshire-Hathaway, in 2003. The Hall family has developed land where thousands of area homes now sit, including in Virginia Hills, Redwood Estates, Walden Woods, Timberglen, Settlers Place, Jeffrey Town, Pointe West and The Preserves. High Tech’s show lot is located in North Fayette at 7876 Steubenville Pike. For more information, call Dan, Tyler or Sandy Hall at (724) 695-3900 to schedule an appointment. Visit their website at www.hightechhousinginc.com or scan the QR code at right. Build on your lot Orders placed by May 1: $188,888 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020 When it comes to custom, high-end home construction, it doesn’t get any better than Paragon Homes. Any of the company’s homes could easily grace the pages of a magazine and the company has won multiple home of the year awards from the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh for its half-million to $1 million homes. Traditionally, Paragon has built multi-level, two- and three-story homes, but Paragon’s Steve Fink says that in recent years they’ve been getting an influx of requests for single- level, patio-style homes. He says many homes the company built in recent years at its Walkers Ridge community across from Nevillewood have had elements of single-level living, including first-floor master suites. That’s given homeowners the best of both worlds, allowing them to keep all the benefits of a single-family home but with all the modern amenities of single-level living. He says many of those homes also incorporated a second-floor loft space primarily for guests and storage. Paragon recently sold the last of its lots in that community. While Paragon can build on any private lot, the company is building in several developments located in South Fayette, Collier and Robinson townships. Parkside Meadows, its newest development in Collier Township, has many flat lots that are particularly suited to patio-style homes that blend the benefits of single-family homes with a single-level living lifestyle. It’s also located just a stone’s throw from Collier Township Community Park. A path at the rear of the development leads right into the park and the Collier Township Community Center is just a few minutes away on foot. Parkside Meadows has just 23 lots and several of those abut a forested area. All of the lots also have great backyards with tons of potential for outdoor living and offer more privacy than would typically be found in a development. As well, there isn’t an expensive monthly maintenance charge like with many patio home developments. Depending on the homeowner’s needs, however, Fink says his company can line up homeowners with contractors to perform regular maintenance if they prefer. As with its multi-level homes, Paragon’s patio-style homes trend toward the higher end, with nine-foot ceilings, eight-foot solid core doors, exquisite kitchens, beautiful wainscoting, vaulted ceilings, six-foot real wood windows and other amenities. Other trending popular features in their homes include spa-style showers, giant walk-in closets and more. As with the other builders featured in this section, Paragon is a local, family-run company. Paragon’s offices are located in Robinson Township at 5949 Steubenville Pike. Call them at (412) 787-8807 or visit them online at ParagonHomesCustomBuilder.com. Build on your lot or developments in Collier, Moon, South Fayette, Robinson. $450,000+ paragoncustombuilder.com March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 27On the Horizon On the Horizon ; West Allegheny Class of 1958 Meetings, second Thursdays, 9 a.m., Eat’n Park Robinson Township, (724) 747-1773. Robinson Lions Broom and Garbage Bag Sale, download order form at www.RobinsonLions.org, helps fund critical and worthwhile projects across Robinson Township. Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus Rehearsals, Monday evenings, 7-9:30 p.m., Sharon Community Presbyterian Church in Moon Township, open rehearsals, for women who sing, www.soundsofpgh.org, (412) 945-SING. Montour Robinson AARP Chapter 4820 Meetings, second Wednesdays, 1 p.m., senior center on Leona Lane, entertainment, 50/50, bingo, (412) 331-6817. American Legion Ken Mawr Post 464 meetings, third Tuesdays except January-March, 7 p.m., 229 Herbst Road, Kennedy Township, men and women veterans welcome, Rich Spanard, RJSPANARD@COMCAST.NET. Kennedy Garden Club, meets second Tuesdays, 11 a.m. except in August, Ken Mawr UP Church, lunch, guest speakers, free event but reservations required, Judy Fritzges, (412) 331-6175, find them on Facebook. Greater Pittsburgh Football Officials Association, seeking new officials for youth, scholastic, college and semi-pro levels, Mike Conlon, (412) 398-6545. TGIF, social group for high functioning adults on the autism spectrum, ages 18-40s, Fridays, 7-9 p.m., Youth Community Center at Sharon Presbyterian Church, food fun and fellowship, free, Terry Doughty, (724) 457-1088, TGIF.ASGroup@gmail.com. AARP Chapter #2203 Monthly Meetings, fourth Tuesdays, Kennedy Township Fire Hall, meeting at noon followed by refreshments and bingo, entertainment every other month, seniors 55 and older, (412) 771-5183. Singers Wanted for Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus, rehearses Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m., Coraopolis United Methodist Church in Coraopolis, premiere women’s a cappella chorus, www.soundsofpgh.org, (412) 945-SING. ICTUS (Ingram, Crafton, Thornburg United In Song) singers wanted, adult community choir looking for new members, men and women 18+ in Pittsburgh area, rehearses Mondays, September through May, 7-9 p.m., Crafton UP Church, (412) 716-1113, Ride_ICTUS@yahoo.com. Western PA Kidney Support Group, second Sundays, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Eat’n Park Robinson, (724) 796-1603, RSVP. Republican Committee of Robinson Township Meetings, last Mondays except: May, November, December; Pub at Tonidale, 7 p.m. American Legion West Hills Post 924, looking for veterans interested in making a difference, www.westhillspost924.com VFW Post 402, looking for new members, 412 Mulberry Street, Coraopolis, www.VFW402.org. McKees Rocks Historical Society Meetings, third Tuesdays, 6 p.m, social hour, 7 p.m. meeting, Rocky’s Restaurant and Pub, 1562 Island Avenue in McKees Rocks, all welcome. Lenten Recital Series, noon, Coraoplis UMC, 1205 Ridge Ave., Coraopolis, light lunch follows, March 18: Katya Janpoladyan (cello), March 25: Dr. Douglas Starr (organ), April 1: Robert Troeger (organ). One Voice Christian Vocal Ensemble, March 15, 2 p.m., Coraopolis Presbyterian Church, refreshments afterwards in social hall. Arts and Chocolate Spectacular, March 28, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Township of Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center, student artwork, sweet treats, performances, kids craft tent, free event, www.twpusc.org/rec-leisure/rec-leisure-home. Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop, March 28, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie, beginner and advanced classes available, registration required, www.orthodoxcarnegie.org. 2020 HOLT Brewhaha, March 28, 5-8 p.m., 498 Camp Horne Road (Avonworth Park), 10 breweries, course pairings, raffles, prize wheel, benefits Hollow Oak Land Trust, $75, Google event title for tickets. Moon Township Boy Scout Troop 905 Spaghetti Dinner, March 29, 12:30-6 p.m., St. Margaret Mary Parish Social Hall, includes spaghetti (meat or marinara sauce), salad, roll & butter, homemade desserts, beverage, dine in or take out, basket auction, $10 adult, $5 12 and under, $2 discount military and college students with ID, www.tickettailor.com/events/troop905/343153/. Ukrainian Pysanky/Easter Egg Sale, April 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie, featuring over 1,200 Pysanky (Easter Eggs) eggs, basket raffles, door prizes, bake sale, pre-packaged kielbasa, church tours, www.orthodoxcarnegie.org. Good Friday Community Cross Walk, April 10, noon, begins at Coraopolis Presbyterian Church. Kennedy Garden Club Plant Sale, May 9, 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Fairhaven Park upper pavilion, hanging baskets, flowers, plants, homemade baked goods, raffles (fire pit, butterfly bench, Yankee candle basket), 50/50, benefits club’s community efforts, (412) 331-6175. 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020; On the Horizon On the Horizon As a neighborhood-based and community focused publication, Allegheny West Magazine encourages complimentary submissions of informational school news, as well as informational (non- promotional) news from community groups, nonprofit organizations and churches. Please submit via e-mail to: info@awmagazine.com. Seniors Programs take place at Tapestry Senior Living unless otherwise specified. Senior Connection, Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Fridays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Pastel Productions put to Music, March 31, 2-4 p.m., artist’s performance combining art and music, register by March 24, $6. Music Bingo and Karaoke, April 6, May 11, 1:30-3 p.m., register by March 31, $6. Wichita Lineman “Glen Campbell Tribute” Bus Trip to Hartville Ohio, April 9, bus departs 9 a.m., returns 4 p.m., register by March 26, $90. Ladies Luncheon, Fashion Show & Jewelry Raffle, April 20, 1-3 p.m., register by April 6, $16. Kentucky Derby Horseracing Dinner Event, May 1, 3-6 p.m., register by April 24, $20. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cleveland West Side Public Market Bus Trip, May 20, bus departs 8 a.m., returns 4:30 p.m., register by May 6, $60. Fitness Adult Women’s Volleyball, through April 15, Moon Middle School Gym, schedule TBA, $45 residents/$50 non-residents, all skill levels welcome, join an existing team or start a new one. Senior Workout with Linda Francis, Wednesdays, March 18-April 22, April 29-June 3, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Moon Township Municipal Building Auditorium, low-impact aerobics class for seniors, $21 residents/$25 non-residents per six-week session, drop-in $4. Pilates, ages 15+, Wednesdays through March 25, April 1-May 6, 8:30-9:30 a.m., bring mat, light hand weights and water. $45 residents/$50 non-Residents per six-week session, $10 drop-ins. Pound, ages 15+, Tuesdays through March 24, March 31-May 5, April 28 class at Robin Hill, 6:30p.m.-7:15p.m., Moon Township Municipal Building, $45 residents/$50 non- residents per six weeks, $10 drop-in. Totally Toned, ages 15+, Mondays April 20-June 1, no class May 25, 7:15-8:15p.m., Moon High School Fitness Room, six weeks, $45 residents/$50 non-residents, bring hand weights, mat, water. Yoga: Basics and More, ages 15+, Tuesdays through March 31, April 7-28, April 28 class at Robin Hill, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Moon Township Municipal Building, $40 residents/$45 non- residents per four-week session, $12 drop-in, bring yoga mat and water. Art and Education Splash - Water/Mixed Media Art Classes, ages 18+, Thursdays, April 2-May 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Robin Hill Center, $74 residents, $79 non-residents, eight-week course, no experience necessary. Teen Drivers Education, Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 17-May 5, no class April 7, 9, 28, 6-9 p.m., 30 hours of theory and six hours of in-car training, must have learner’s permit, $25 residents, $30 non-residents, payable to Moon Parks and Recreation, fee reserves spot in class, $425 balance payable to Kennedy School of Driving. Moon Parks and Recreation Register by visiting MoonParks.org or calling (412) 262-1703. Programs take place at Robin Hill Center unless otherwise indicated. Imagine your website working as hard for your business as you do. 412.205.8998 | DDSWebDesign.com Websites that get results. Designed in Pittsburgh Contact us for a free website analysis. 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