< PreviousCAround Your Town Around Your Town Montour Run Road will be getting an overhaul in the coming year as Moon Township prepares for an influx of traffic associated with the opening of multiple development projects currently underway in the Marketplace District. Located on and around the site of the former Super K-Mart, the sprawling, 350-acre Marketplace District will eventually encompass a combination of office buildings, apartments, a senior living facility, townhomes, single-family houses and retail shops. Many projects are underway on the site, with hundreds of residential units already occupied. As more developments in the district open, traffic is expected to increase to the point that Montour Run will see upwards of 13,000 vehicles traveling on it each day. To handle that extra traffic, a new through lane will be added on the eastbound side of Montour Run from the intersection with FedEx Drive to the I-376 interchange. Additional turning lanes will also be added to the west-bound side where Montour Run intersects with Marketplace Boulevard and FedEx Drive. Marketplace Boulevard will get additional turning lanes as well and a pedestrian and bike corridor will be built connecting the Marketplace District with the Montour Trail. Altogether, the work will cost around $10 million, but is necessary to ease congestion and improve safety, says Moon Transportation Authority Director Lynn Colosi. “According to PennDOT standards, Montour Run is already at a failing level of service,” she says. As more of the Marketplace District continues to open, increased daily traffic is expected to only exacerbate issues on the two- lane roadway, she says. “It has the potential to bleed out onto the Parkway, and nobody can have that,” she says. Colosi says developers working on projects at the Marketplace District have agreed to pay or already have paid a collective $1.019 million to cover the “soft” costs, or engineering and planning portions, of road construction. Colosi says additional funds will come from the Commonwealth’s Department of Community and Economic Development and the MTA. Given that the Marketplace District is projected to create an estimated $14 million annually in local and state taxes, Colosi says spending MTA funds on the project is well within the scope of its mission, which is to encourage investment in the Moon Township community. Recently, though, the project received another $3.5 million in Congressional Community Project Funding. On Aug. 17, Congressman Chris Deluzio formally announced the awarding of the funds in a check presentation ceremony hosted at the Moon Township Municipal Building. Joining Deluzio were a number of local elected officials, including township supervisors and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. In remarks, Deluzio acknowledged the role of his predecessor, former Congressman Conor Lamb, in helping to secure the funds, and touted the 1,500 permanent jobs and 1,900 construction jobs the investment would help create. “That’s a big deal, for Moon, for western Allegheny County, I’m proud to be a part of it,” Deluzio said. Fitzgerald, in his remarks, called the region one of the fastest growing in this part of the state and said the project would assist with the vital infrastructure needed to support that growth. Moon Township Supervisor and MTA President John Hertzer spoke as well, saying that this project represents the seventh major project for the MTA. Collectively, he said those projects have helped infuse $9 million in real estate taxes into the community. The last major project for the MTA was the overhaul of the Thorn Run Road interchange off Cherrington Parkway. “This,” Hertzer said, referring to the work on Montour Run, “will activate hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment in Marketplace District.” Colosi spoke at the press conference as well, and praised developers for working with the township on the necessary infrastructure needed to support further development. “All of these entities had to come together to bring the money to improve the infrastructure to make hundreds of millions of dollars in development happen,” she said. In addition to easing traffic, Colosi says the road work will help open land-locked acreage adjacent to current development sites in the Marketplace District. Colosi says another 300 or so undeveloped acres without road access currently sit on the site. Among the projects currently under construction on the site is an office park called Diamond Ridge. Owned by the local real estate firm Burns Scalo, the development consists of three office buildings that, together, will encompass 500,000 square feet of office space, according to the company’s website. The firm purchased the acreage encompassing both the closed Super K-Mart and Gander Mountain stores from Chevron after the energy company abandoned plans to construct a corporate headquarters on the site. Also in the Marketplace District, Heartland Homes is partnering to construct townhomes that will be part of a 440-unit plan called The Village at Marketplace. Half of what will eventually become a 336-unit apartment complex called Prism at Diamond Ridge is already occupied while another mixed-use complex called Luna Ridge proposed by Kossman Development is currently in the permitting phase. Harmony, a new 150-unit senior living community being built by Smith/Packet, is already vertical with plans to open next year. Federal funds to help Moon prepare roads for Marketplace District STORY AND PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY Congressman Chris Deluzio (center left) presents Moon Township Supervisor and MTA President John Hertzer with a ceremonial check for road improvements near the Marketplace District. They are pictured with Moon Township Supervisor Allan Bross, state Sen. Devlin Robinson, MTA Director Lynn Colosi, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, state Rep. Valerie Gaydos, MTA Board Member Mark Scappe, Moon Township Supervisor Jim Vitale and MTA Board Member William Kammerer. 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023Moon gains a centenarian Catherine McEwen of Moon Township turned 100 in July. She was born July 12, 1923 in Monessen and has been a resident of Moon Township since 1957. She was married to the late David M. McEwen Jr. for 62 years and had two children, Shirley McGahan of Hopewell Township and the late David M. McEwen III of Moon. She has two grandchildren and five great grandchildren. For many years, Catherine was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Coraopolis and enjoyed participating in the Meals on Wheels program there. Catherine McEwen Each year, Steubenville Pike Auto in Robinson Township gives a local individual in need a quality used vehicle at no cost through its Steubenville Pike Auto Repair Charity program. Steubenville Pike Auto owner Jason Pottle has thus far given away 11 vehicles through the program and this December he will be giving away the program’s 12th vehicle. “Hopefully, the program will help recipients have an easier time getting to and from work, school events, doctor’s appointments and more,” Pottle says. “We’re proud to be a trusted independent auto repair facility in Robinson Township and we’re proud to give back to the community where we live and work!” The ideal nominee is somebody who thinks of others before themselves, is in need of a vehicle and resides in the local area. The winner will be announced in December. The deadline to submit a nomination is Dec. 2. Nominations can be submitted at steubenvillepikeauto.com by clicking on the SPARC link. They can also be mailed to: Steubenville Pike Auto, ATTN: SPARC, 6014 Steubenville Pike, Robinson Township, PA 15136 or emailed to Jason@ steubenvillepike.com. An independent group of trusted community members will review nominations. The recipient must have a current Pennsylvania driver’s license and be able to obtain vehicle insurance. Nominations must include the name, address, phone number and email of both the nominee and nominating person, along with a statement explaining why the individual or family nominated needs and deserves a vehicle. Steubenville Pike Auto is a 15-year-old, full-service auto business dealing in auto sales, repair and maintenance. To set up an appointment, call them at: (412) 787-9800. Car giveaway nominations now open CONTENT SUBMITTED CONTENT SUBMITTED Read and share stories online at awmagazine.com. September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 11 Over the past 17 years, the accounting firm Imperial Tax & Accounting has grown from a seasonal tax business to a multi- office firm serving clients throughout Western Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. According to Matt Connell, CPA and owner of Imperial Tax & Accounting, there’s been one major reason for all of the firm’s success, expansion and growth, which resulted in it recently needing to relocate to a larger office. “Hard work and an emphasis on client service has always been the priority,” says Connell. “We’re also a tight group. Every member of our growing team knows I love to joke around, and we try to have fun, even during stressful times. But at the end of the day, our clients are the top priority and receive our full attention and effort.” He says every member of the team checks in with that mentality daily, including Patty Giura, CPA, who has been with the firm for 15 years. “Without her and everyone who has contributed over the years I really don’t know where we would be at this moment. I could not give my entire team enough credit. They are the best.” As the firm has expanded, though, it has also outgrown the Imperial office in the West Allegheny community where it started. Earlier this year, the firm addressed its need for more space by signing a new lease in the Airport Office Park in Moon Township. In August, Imperial Tax & Accounting moved into its newly renovated office on the fifth floor of Building 4 at 333 Rouser Road. Their phone number remains the same and there’s plenty of additional parking. “West Allegheny has been home for the past 17 years and it has been so good to us,” says Connell. “I’m hopeful that we can continue to grow and serve our clients everywhere while building our name in the Moon community like we have in West Allegheny.” A University of Pittsburgh graduate, Connell passed the CPA exam right out of school and went to work for the accounting firm Ernst and Young before moving on to Imperial Tax & Accounting. Connell says that after a few years of being in the big-four accounting world, he knew it wasn’t his long-term plan. Instead, he says he wanted to know he was making a difference by working one-on-one with clients to help them with their tax issues. He credits Joseph Pustover, a Certified Financial Planner with an office in the West Allegheny community, with giving him the vision to get out on his own and be a resource to clients. Connell says owning and managing an accounting firm has been a fulfilling experience. Seeing and hearing firsthand that he and his team have been able to relieve their clients’ anxieties regarding taxes has been the biggest payoff, he says, and well worth trading in a downtown job for his own firm in the suburbs. In recent years, Imperial Tax & Accounting’s role has been even more crucial amidst changing tax laws and regulations following COVID-19. From PPP loans to employee retention tax credits, everyone in the office has been busy helping clients navigate shifting regulations and complex tax codes brought about by the pandemic. Given those evolving tax guidelines, Connell says it hasn’t been unusual for clients to receive communications from Continuing to grow, Imperial Tax & Accounting moves to Moon CONTENT SUBMITTED ABOVE: The team at Imperial Tax & Accounting is pictured at their new office in the Airport Office Park in Moon Township. Pictured is founder Matt Connell with January Dolata, Patricia Giura, Alyssa Daley, Kaylee Johnson and Richard Fuller. BELOW: Imperial Tax & Accounting’s offices are now located in Building 4 in the Airport Office Park. If you need help with income tax planning, preparation or other accounting services, Imperial Tax & Accounting can help. Call them at (724) 695-7354 or visit ImperialTax.com. Their office is located in Suite 505, Building 4, at 333 Rouser Road in the Airport Office Park in Moon Township. taxing agencies. While this can seem concerning, Connell says such a communication doesn’t mean an individual or business has done anything wrong. Just the opposite is typically true. “So many people are receiving notices from the IRS or the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and it’s the result of internal discrepancies in those departments and not anything they’ve done wrong,” says Connell. “So, we try to give people clarity.” As this next tax season approaches, Connell says Imperial Tax & Accounting is once again preparing and looking forward to helping clients who have trusted them with their accounting needs. “We’re also welcoming new clients,” he says. “We assist everyone from individuals to large and small businesses. No matter your situation or tax issue, we can help.” % New in Town New in Town 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 20235 Perspectives Perspectives Exploring literature and culture through cooking It was my turn to host our Hill Street Book Club monthly meeting and I wanted to do something different. I had just finished reading “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner. In the book, she writes about growing up as a Korean American, dealing with personal losses and learning to cook the Korean dishes that kept her childhood and family memories alive. My grandparents were immigrants from Hungary. I, too, have childhood memories of preparing and eating certain ethnic dishes, which I continue to make as an adult. I have a very limited knowledge of Korean food, however. This was my time to learn. I spoke with Chef Andrew Alvarez, coordinator for the culinary program at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. I asked him to give a “hands-on” cooking class to the ladies of our book club. Chef Andrew selected five Korean dishes: Miyeok- guk (seaweed soup), Yukgaejang (spicy beef and vegetable soup), Jjajangmeon (noodle dish with a dark sweet sauce made of diced pork and vegetables), Mandu (dumplings) and Kimchijeon (kimchi pancake). He presented a booklet listing each dish, ingredients, directions for preparation and a brief explanation. He informed us that Miyeok-guk is traditionally eaten to celebrate birthdays and by women who have recently given birth. We divided up the dishes, chose our Korean ingredients and started cooking. There was lots of laughter and rich aromas filled the air. Chef Andrew demonstrated wok and stir-frying techniques, stuffing and pinching of dumplings, and proper plating of food. Our selections were cooked, our table was set, and we all enjoyed a delicious meal. As we talked about the book, we almost felt transported to Michelle Zauner’s family table. At the end of the evening, we packed up leftovers, each of us secured our copy of Chef Andrew’s booklet and agreed that we wanted to do another cooking class at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. Food is indeed a universal language that can bring people together. STORY AND PHOTOS BY TERRI TUNICK Chef Andrew Alvarez leads a Korean cooking class for members of the Hill Street Book Club at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. The dishes they prepared were (clockwise) Kimchijeon, Yukgaejang, Jjajangmeon and Miyeok-guk. Sweetwater Center for the Arts is located in Sewickley and hosts regular culinary classes. For more, and to register, visit sweetwaterartcenter.org. September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 13y > Learning CurvesLearning Curves SUBMITTED BY MIA A. KOVACS, CFP®, BILL FEW ASSOCIATES How to choose a financial advisor 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 You’ve decided you need to hire a financial advisor. Whether you search on the internet, listen to the radio or pick up a magazine, you will find plenty of advertisements for financial advisors. So, how do you choose? You want to find someone who is right for you and your individual needs. Someone who you can trust, because your financial picture touches everything that you truly care about: your home, your children and your ability provide for yourself throughout retirement. A good first step is to look at the credentials and experience of financial advisors in your area. There are a number of credentials that financial advisors can acquire. Some of these credentials are easily obtained, and for a fee, can make a salesperson seem like a financial expert. Examples of credentials that indicate a higher level of education are Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). These designations have annual continuing education requirements and carry a higher level of fiduciary standard, meaning this person has the knowledge to act, and is required to act, in your best interest. Their level of experience is important, too. This ensures your advisor knows how real-world planning works. Once you settle on a few qualified advisors in your area, call them to set up an interview. Ask them who their typical clientele is. The answer will indicate if they can address your particular situation and goals. Ask them about their investment philosophy and make sure it is in line with your expectations. Ask how often they will meet with you and how they will communicate with you. An advisor should be meeting with you on a regular and ongoing basis, whether that is annually, semi-annually or quarterly. During the initial interview and meetings, make sure they take the time to educate you in terms that you understand. Make sure they are articulating your goals back to you and strategizing with you to meet those goals. Ask them how they get paid. Advisors can charge a fee or get paid by commission. If they charge a fee, it can be a flat fee, an hourly fee or an annual fee based on the assets they manage. If they get paid by commission, that means they only get paid if they sell you a product. There are potential conflicts of interest that can arise when advisors are commission based. Make sure you are comfortable with whatever fee structure the advisor uses. Finding a financial advisor can take some time and effort, but you will benefit by having the peace of mind that you are in the right hands. Mia A. Kovacs, CFP®, is a vice president and a financial consultant with Bill Few Associates. She can be reached at (412) 630-6041 or at mkovacs@billfew.com.y > Learning Curves Learning Curves What if I don’t trust my kids to get an inheritance before they’re ready? Most of us would like what we’ve worked hard for all of our lives to continue to provide for our families for a long time, even after we pass. We’d like it if that money didn’t go straight to creditors or get spent on things that are frivolous. As such, it’s normal if you have reservations about the possibility of bequeathing your entire estate to those who you feel may not yet be financially responsible enough. But what can you do if you have children who, should you pass tomorrow, would be far too young and inexperienced to receive an inheritance? One of the best tools used to plan for this is a testamentary trust or minor beneficiary trust. These trusts are generally created in your will to place an inheritance aside for minor children and children or other beneficiaries who you don’t believe are financially responsible enough to receive an inheritance just yet. By putting your assets into a trust, you can ensure that those assets will provide support for your family for as long as possible. Here are some points to consider when setting up a trust for this purpose: BY LAUREL KRAJEWSKI, CONTI LAW Laurel Krajewski graduated magna cum laude with her B.A. in Political Science & Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. While in law school, Krajewski received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Foundations of Legal Research and Law of Armed Conflict. She also served as the business manager and treasurer for Pitt Law Women’s Association. She and Michele Conti can be reached at (724) 784-0239. If you want to make sure your assets continue supporting your family for as long as possible after your passing, we are able to help. Consulting with an experienced and skilled estate planning attorney can help you make sure that assets are used for what you want them to be used for and ensure that those assets are around for the long run. September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 15 When should I give my kids access to their inheritance? The most common use of the testamentary trust or minor beneficiary trust is to set age restrictions on when assets can be distributed and how much is distributed at a time. There are two types of age restrictions that are commonly used. One option is to set a specific age when the entire amount remaining in the trust will be disbursed at once. For example, all assets of the trust are distributed once the beneficiary turns 25 years old. The other option is to stagger disbursements of the trust over several ages. For example, the first 30% could be disbursed upon the beneficiary turning 25, the second 30% when they are 30 and the remaining 40% when the beneficiary turns 35. This is only one example. Payout amounts can be disbursed as you see fit and dates or ages tailored to fit your specific wishes. What if I want to make sure the money gets used for a certain purpose? A lot of people want to make sure that assets placed in a trust are used for a specific purpose. The two most common purposes are for the care and support of the beneficiary or for educational expenses of a beneficiary. You can restrict educational expenses by amount, length of time, type of expense, type of institution, or level of education. For instance, you could provide so much per year per beneficiary for up to four years of higher education. You can both maintain control and ensure that as many people benefit as possible. What if I am concerned about substance abuse? Many people worry about what to do when a beneficiary struggles with substance abuse. Not only do many people want to prevent the beneficiary from using an inheritance for substances, but we want to make sure that the inheritance is protected from creditors. Substance abuse and creditor issues oftentimes go hand in hand. You can require your beneficiary to meet certain requirements before allowing trust assets to be disbursed. If you are concerned about potential substance abuse issues, you can require clean drug screenings before disbursements are made. These screenings can be monthly or required over the course of a specified period of time - even a year or more - before any disbursement is made. 2023 Sep 21 - Homecoming Parade and Carnival Sep 21 - Picture Make Up Day - 10 AM Sep 22 - Homecoming Game Sep 23 - Homecoming Dance Oct 4 - PTO Meeting - 9 AM Oct 7 - SAT Testing - 8 AM Oct 9 - In-Service (No School) Oct 14 - PSAT Testing - 8 AM Oct 28 - Band Competition Oct 28 - ACT Testing - 8 AM Nov 1 - ASVAB Testing - 7:30 AM Nov 7 - Parent Conferences (No School) Nov 9-12 - Fall Play Nov 15 - Financial Aid Night - 6:30 PM Nov 23-27 - Thanksgiving Break (No School) Dec 2 - SAT Testing - 8 AM Dec 12 - MAHS Choral Concert - 7 PM Dec 17 - Band Cookie Walk and Pancake Breakfast - 8 AM Dec 18 - MAHS Orchestra Concert - 7 PM Dec 20 - MAHS Band Concert - 7 PM Dec 25-Jan 2 - Winter Break 2024 Jan 15 - Teacher Clerical (No School) Jan 17 - FAFSA Completion Workshop for Seniors - 6:30 PMJan 27 - Winter Dance - 7 PM Jan 29 - Who Wants to be a Music Major Seminar - 7 PMFeb 7 - PTO Meeting - 9 AM Feb 9 - No School Feb 19 - In-service Day (No School) Mar 5 - All District Concert - 7 PM Mar 6 - ASVAB Testing - 7:30 AM Mar 6 - PTO Meeting - 9 AM Mar 8 - No School Mar 9 - SAT Testing - 8 AM Mar 11 - In-Service (No School) Mar 15 - Girls Night Out Event - 3 PM Mar 28-Apr 2 - Spring Break (No School) Apr 3 - PTO Meeting - 9 AM Apr 4 - NHS Induction and Breakfast Apr 11-14 - Spring Play Apr 13 - ACT Testing - 8 AM Apr 18 - MOCK Crash Presentation Apr 23 - ACT 80 Day (No School) Apr 23 - Career Project Day (No School) Apr 26 - Junior/Senior Prom May 2 - Honors Night and Art Show - 7 PM May 6 - ART History AP Test May 6 - Chemistry AP Test May 6 - MAHS Percussion Ensemble Concert - 7 PMMay 7 - Statistics AP Test May 8 - English Lit and Comp AP Test May 9 - Underclass Honors Breakfast May 10 - European History AP Test May 10 - US History AP Test May 13 - Calculus AP Test May 14 - English Language and Comp AP Test May 14 - MAHS Choral Concert - 7 PM May 15 - Computer Science AP Test May 16 - Biology AP Test May 16 - MAHS Band Concert - 7 PM May 17 - Physics AP Test May 17 - MAHS Jazz Concert - 7 PM May 22 - Finals May 22 - MAHS Orchestra Concert - 7 PM May 23-24 - Finals May 27 - Memorial Day (No School) May 28-29 - Finals May 30 - Baccalaureate May 30 - Finals Make Up Day May 31 - Last Day (early dismissal) May 31 - MAHS Class of 2024 Graduation Jun 1 - SAT Testing - 8 AM Jun 8 - ACT Testing - 8 AM MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ACADEMIC CALENDAR All dates subject to change. Dates prior to publication not included. Visit Moonarea.net for the latest schedule updates.Boys Soccer Sep 19 - @ West Allegheny - 7:30 PMSep 21 - vs Blackhawk - 8:15 PMSep 26 - @ Chartiers Valley - 7:30 PMSep 28 - vs Central Valley - 7:30 PMSep 30 - vs Central Catholic - 2:30 PMOct 3 - vs South Fayette - 7:30 PMOct 5 - @ Ambridge - 7:30 PMOct 10 - @ Montour - 7:30 PMOct 12 - vs West Allegheny - 7:30 PM Girls Soccer Sep 18 - @ Blackhawk - 7:30 PMSep 25 - @ Trinity - 7:30 PMSep 27 - @ Chartiers Valley - 6:30 PMSep 30 - @ Fox Chapel Area - 9 AMOct 2 - @ West Allegheny - 6:30 PMOct 4 - vs Montour - 7:30 PMOct 7 - vs Upper St Clair - 2:30 PMOct 9 - @ South Fayette - 7:30 PMOct 11 - vs Blackhawk - 7:30 PMOct 14 - @ Thomas Jefferson - 11 AM Cross Country Sep 19 - vs Canon McMillan - 3:30 PMSep 23 - PIAA Invitational - Hershey Sep 23 - Blue Devil Invit. - Buhl Park - 8 AMSep 26 - @ Mt. Lebanon w/ S. Fayette - 3:30 PMOct 3 - vs. Baldwin - 3:30 PMOct 11 - MAC Champ. - Settlers Cabin - 3 PMOct 17 - vs. Hopewell - Senior Rec. - 3:30 PMOct 26 - WPIAL Championship - 1 PMNov 4 - PIAA Championship - Hershey - 12:30 PM Football Sep 22 - vs Mars Area - Homecoming - 7 PMSep 29 - vs South Fayette - First Responders Night - 7 PMOct 6 - @ Peters Township - 7 PMOct 13 - vs Bethel Park - Pink Out - 7 PMOct 20 - @ Hampton (Upper St Clair HS) - 7 PMOct 27 - vs Baldwin - Senior Rec. - 7 PM Boys Golf Sep 19 - WPIAL Section Qualifi ersSep 26 - Tam O’Shanter Tourn - 10 AMOct 10 - WPIAL Team Semi-FinalsOct 12 - WPIAL Team FinalsOct 16-18 PIAA Finals Girls Tennis Sep 18 - @ Mars Area - 3:30 PMSep 20-21 - WPIAL SinglesSep 22 - @ Upper St Clair - 3:30 PMSep 25 - vs Butler Area - 3:30 PMSep 27-28 - Section Doubles Sep 29 - vs Chartiers Valley - 3:30 PMOct 3 - vs Montour - 3:30 PMOct 4-5 - WPIAL Doubles Girls Volleyball Sep 19 - vs Chartiers Valley - 7:15 PMSep 21 - vs West Allegheny - 8:15 PMSep 26 - vs Trinity - 7:15 PMSep 28 - vs South Fayette - Senior Rec. - 7:15 PMOct 3 - @ Oakland Catholic - 7:30 PMOct 5 - @ Shaler Area - 7:15 PMOct 10 - vs Montour - 7:15 PMOct 12 - @ Chartiers Valley - 7:15 PMOct 17 - @ West Allegheny - 7:15 PMOct 19 - @ Trinity - 7:15 PMOct 21 - @ North Allegheny - 8:30 AM - 7 PM ool) 7 PM7:30 AM9 AMng - 8 AM - ice (No School) Maydismissal) of 2024 Graduation g - 8 AMsting - 8 AM Girls Golf Sep 18 - @ Blackhawk - 3 PMSep 20 - WPIAL Individual Qualifi er Oct 12 - WPIAL Team Finals Oct 16-17 - PIAA Individual Finals Oct 18 - PIAA Team Finals Boys Basketball Dec 3 - @ Lincoln Park - 12 AMDec 8-9 - CC TournamentDec 12 - @ North Allegheny - 7:30 PMDec 15 - @ Pine Richland - 7:30 PMDec 19 - vs Fox Chapel Area - 7:30 PMJan 3 - vs South Fayette - 7:30 PMJan 5 - @ North Hills - 7:30 PMJan 9 - @ Chartiers Valley - 7:30 PMJan 12 - vs West Allegheny - 7:30 PMJan 16 - @ Mars Area - 7:30 PMJan 20 - PBC EventJan 25 - @ South Fayette - 6 PMJan 27 - PBC Event - Montour Jan 30 - vs North Hills - 7:30 PMFeb 2 - vs Chartiers Valley - 7:30 PMFeb 6 - @ West Allegheny - 7:30 PMFeb 9 - vs Mars Area - 7:30 PMFeb 12 - @ Mt Lebanon - 7:30 PM Girls Basketball Dec 1-2 - Tip-Off Tourn. - 7:30/6:30 PMDec 7 - @ Quaker Valley - 7:30 PMDec 11 - vs. Shaler Area - 7:30 PMDec 14 - @ Beaver Falls Area - 7:30 PMDec 21 - vs. Freedom Area - 7:30 PMDec 28-29 - Central Valley Tourn.Jan 3 - vs. South Fayette - 6 PMJan 5 - @ Trinity - 7:30 PMJan 8 - @ Lincoln Park School - 7:30 PMJan 12 - vs. West Allegheny - 7:30 PMJan 15 - @ Montour - 7:30 PMJan 18 - @ South Park - 7:30 PMJan 20 - PBC Event - South Fayette Jan 22 - vs. Central Valley - 7:30 PMJan 25 - @ South Fayette - 7:30 PMJan 27 - PBC Event - Montour Jan 29 - vs. Trinity - 7:30 PMFeb 1 - vs. Lincoln Park - 7:30 PMFeb 6 - @ West Allegheny - 7:30 PMFeb 8 - vs Montour - 7:30 PM Swimming and Diving Dec 6 - @ Montour - 6 PMDec 11 - vs South Fayette - 5 PMDec 19 - @ West Allegheny - 6 PMDec 21 - vs Quaker Valley - 5 PMJan 4 - vs North Hills - 5 PMJan 11 - @ North Allegheny - 6 PMJan 15 - @ Hopewell - 6 PMJan 25 - vs Butler Area - 5 PMFeb 1 - @ Pine Richland - 6 PMFeb 8 - vs Seneca Valley - 5 PMFeb 15 - vs Mars Area - 6 PMFeb 16 - MAC Diving - 4 PMFeb 17 - MAC Swimming - 10 AM Wrestling Dec 9 - Moon Duals - 8 AMDec 20 - vs Trinity - 7:15 PMJan 3 - @ West Allegheny - 7:15 PMJan 6 - MAC - FreedomJan 10 - vs Waynesburg - 7:15 PMJan 17 - vs South Fayette - 7:15 PMJan 19-20 - Allegheny County Tourn. - Fox ChapelJan 24 - @ Chartiers Valley - 7 PMJan 26-27 - Fred Bell Tourn. - Grove CityFeb 7 - vs Norwin - 7:15 PMFeb 10 - Pine Richland DualsFeb 14 - @ Upper St. Clair - 7:15 PM Girls Gymnastics Jan 13 - Moon Invitational - 8 AMFeb 16 - PA Classic - 2:45 PMFeb 17-18 - PA Classic - 8 AM STRICT All dates subject to change. Dates prior to publication not included. Visit Moonarea.net for the latest sMoon Area School District News Moon Area School District is proud to announce its 2023 Distinguished Alumni and Dedicated Legacy Award winners. This year’s awardees will be recognized Sept. 22 prior to the start of Moon Area’s homecoming football game. The Moon Area community is invited to come celebrate the achievements of the following individuals: Distinguished Alumni Awardees and Dedicated Service Legacy Awardees announced! To be honored at the homecoming football game Sept. 22. Distinguished Alumni Award Mr. Bryan Benson, Class of 1992 Mr. Glenn T. Marrichi, Class of 1968 Dedicated Service Legacy Award Dr. Donald Deep, Former Superintendent of the Moon Area School District Mr. Frank DiFiore, Former Custodian for the Moon Area School District Mr. Joseph Martonik, Former Teacher and Coach, Present Mentor and Coordinator for the Moon Area School District Moon Area School District needs help filling a number of roles for the 2023-2024 school year. The district is looking for the following: Substitute Custodians • Paraprofessionals • Cafeteria Workers • Secretaries Full-time and part-time positions are available, as are flexible schedules. Interested candidates must pass background checks and have current clearances. Visit www.applitrack.com/moonarea/onlineapp or scan the QR code to see open positions. Moon Area is hiring! 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 See pages 20-21 for tear-out Moon Area academic and sports calendarsMoon Area heads back to school! Moon Area students and faculty bid “farewell” to their summer break and headed back to school Aug. 23. The day marked the start to another exciting school year. Here are some photos from the first day and orientation. September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >