Passavant Hospital Auxiliary Basket Bash
Passavant Hospital Auxiliary is excited to announce their 2022 Basket Bash, with over $7,000 worth of donated products. Ticket sales for the 24 baskets valued between $200 and $375 are open now and close Aug. 17, 2022. Winners will be announced on Passavant Hospital Auxiliary and Foundation’s Facebook page on Aug. 26. For ticket pricing and basket descriptions, visit https://app.mobilecause.com/e/xrO3tQ?vid=sjxg4.
Daniel Horenstein Named Manager of Buhl Planetarium & Observatory
Daniel Horenstein has been named the manager of Buhl Planetarium & Observatory. Horenstein has a bachelor of arts in astronomy from Columbia University and a master of science in physics with an astronomy concentration from Georgia State University. His research interests include the formation of planetary systems, the application of machine learning to astronomy, and the practice of science education. Horenstein has academic experience through roles at Columbia University and Georgia State University, and most recently, Santa Ana College, where he rose in the ranks from assistant professor of astronomy and director of the Tessmann Planetarium to assume the position of physics and astronomy co-chair. He earned tenure at the end of his fourth year and was named associate professor of astronomy.
La Roche University Announces New DNAP Programs
La Roche University now offers two pathways for students to earn a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice—an Entry Level DNAP Program and a DNAP Completion Program. Both programs, approved and accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, have enrollment planned for Fall 2022. The Entry Level Program prepares graduates to assume leadership positions as nurse anesthetists, with the ultimate goals of improving health care and patient outcomes. The DNAP Completion Program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals, and for those who already are licensed as nurse anesthetists. Offered as a part-time option with six consecutive semesters, the Completion Program begins in early fall with a weeklong residency on campus. Classes are offered within a 15-week format. For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Studies & Adult Education at graduateadmissions@laroche.edu or 412-536-1260.
Aquinas Academy’s Class of 2022 Soars to New Heights
In May 2022, Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh graduated 51 seniors, its largest class in school history. Joseph Austin, class salutatorian, led the invocation followed by a welcome from Head of School Leslie Mitros. The commencement address was delivered by the president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR. Co-valedictorians John Griffith and Emilia Kartsonas gave the valedictory address. The ceremony concluded with a prayer led by Fr. Reed Frey, CO. The Class of 2022 had 196 acceptances to 98 colleges and universities and were offered $10.452 million in merit scholarships.
Four High Schoolers Named Bank of America Student Leaders
Pittsburgh high school students Priyanka Palayekar, Abigail Feinstein, Lina Fu and Lamees Subeir have been named Bank of America Student Leaders for 2022. This prestigious program helps prepare students to enter the workforce through skill-building and leadership development. As a part of this paid internship, Priyanka, Abigail, Lina and Lamees are working closely with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to support museum events and explore concepts in business development, exhibits, public programming, and retail sales. The students will also help build awareness of Museum Lab through a social media campaign which provides opportunities for older children to work with makers and experiment with cutting edge technology in the creation of art. The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is also a Bank of America anchor grant recipient—a grant created to support institutions and initiatives that anchor the local community and enable economic mobility, workforce development and education, and community revitalization.
Edible Landscaping and Foraging Topics of Summer Short Course
On Tues., Aug. 23, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Penn State Extension invite gardening and healthy food enthusiasts to a full day of exploring foraging and edible landscaping at this year’s annual Summer Short Course. Keynote speaker Ellen Zachos, author of Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn’t Know You Could Eat, The Wildcrafted Cocktail and The Forager’s Pantry, will be joined by a roster of engaging expert speakers as participants explore how to start backyard foraging, learn how to grow edible tree nuts, what kinds of less common small fruit and berries are good for you, and how ornamental garden plants can do double duty by being both beautiful and delicious. In addition, on Mon., Aug. 22, there will be a limited enrollment wildcrafted cocktail workshop. Registration for both programs is open now at www.phipps.conservatory.org/ShortCourse.
Fiffik Law Group, PC Launches Title Agency in Pennsylvania
Fiffik Law Group, PC recently launched Clover Lane Settlement Services, LLC, a real estate title agency offering statewide services across Pennsylvania. Based in Pittsburgh, Clover Lane offers services for residential purchases, commercial purchases, and refinances. Michael Fiffik, Esquire, managing partner of Fiffik Law Group and Susan Green, COO of
Fiffik Law Group, teamed up to create Clover Lane in 2022. Clover Lane settlement agents work to maintain control of the settlement process from start to finish to provide clients with the smoothest closing experience possible. Visit www.cloverlanesettlement.com or call
412-395-0370 for more information.
Supply and Demand Debuts at Wood Street Galleries
Ian Brill’s installations, performances and writings have been presented internationally as well as through local, regional and national collaborations. Supply and Demand, which opened in July and runs through November, is a collection of performative, light, and sound installations. Through the creation of interactive, performative, and multi-sensorial environments, Brill considers boundaries of becoming, versus being, and our immersive relationship with technology. See his work at the Wood Street Galleries, 601 Wood Street or learn more at www.TrustArts.org.
Chamber Music Pittsburgh Announces Season
Chamber Music Pittsburgh (CMP) has announced its 2022–23 MainStage Live subscription season, which embodies CMP’s commitment to producing world-class chamber performances. The season welcomes some of the world’s top chamber musicians for six concerts that illustrate the breathtaking range and musical excellence of this genre. This year, the MainStage Live concerts will take place at The Award Winning Pittsburgh Playhouse of Point Park University, a state-of-the-art and acoustically vibrant new venue in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. The season opens on Sept. 12 with a performance by Arab musician and folklorist Karim Nagi. On Oct. 17, pianist Garrick Ohlson headlines an intimate chamber performance with the Apollon Musagete Quartet. Grammy-nominated quintet Imani Winds will perform Dec. 5 in a performance dedicated to works by composers of color. On Feb. 13, the St. Lawrence String Quartet will perform, and the Takacs Quartet will perform March 20. The season will close with a performance by Anthony McGill and the Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet on April 24. To learn more, visit www.chambermusicpittsburgh.org.
ALCOSAN Open House
On Sat., Sept. 10, ALCOSAN will hold the region’s largest watershed and environmental festival, the award-winning ALCOSAN Open House, which is free and open to the public. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy a fun-filled day of hands-on environmental exhibits, wastewater treatment plant and laboratory tours, microbiology and watershed life demonstrations and educational activities for all ages. The open house will be held at 3300 Preble Ave., Pittsburgh 15233.
Glade Run Lutheran Services Receives Prestigious Award
Glade Run Lutheran Services is pleased to be recognized as the 2022 David L. Lloyd Memorial Chamber Business Champion. The Butler County Chamber of Commerce annually recognizes a successful entrepreneur, a long-time chamber leader, and an outstanding business in the community. An event and dinner honoring the awardees and celebrating the Butler business community will be held on Sept. 7, 2022 at Slippery Rock University’s Robert Smith Student Center. Tickets are limited and will be available for purchase at butlercountychamber.com. Glade Run has been serving the community since 1854 with a continuum of services that address the continually changing and challenging needs of individuals and families. For more information about its innovative and impactful services, visit www.gladerun.org.
Have You Signed Up for Bookshelf Bingo?
There’s still time to read and win by participating in Northland Library’s Bookshelf Bingo summer reading program! There are two more chances for registered readers to win a $25 gift card to Target or Trader Joe’s through the biweekly drawing, and each item readers log during the entire program enters them to win one of two grand prizes. The Book Lover’s prize features a $75 gift card to Riverstone Books, a ”book nerd” puzzle, an Out-of-Print tote bag, and other literary goodies. The Picnic in the Park prize includes an Igloo cooler bag, picnic blanket, Yeti mugs, a DiBella’s gift card, and five pool passes to any Allegheny County Parks pool. Register online at www.northlandlibrary.beanstack.org.
Featured Events For Adults at Northland Library
Registration required, where noted, to attend these free virtual and in-person programs. For more information and to register: www.northlandlibrary.org or call the Ask A Librarian desk at 412-366-8100, ext. 113.
Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m.: Exploring Argentine Tango With Alejandro Pinzòn
Monday, August 15 at 6 p.m.: My Garden Of A Thousand Bees
Thursday, August 25 at 6 p.m.: Craft Night: Beaded Wrap Bracelet
Thursday, September 1 at 6:30 p.m.: The Good Divorce
JKS Financial Sponsors Program to Teach High School Students Investment Skills
JKS Financial, a financial planning and wealth management firm affiliated with Northwestern Mutual, is helping high school students learn finance skills necessary for real-world investing. By sponsoring a First Generation Investors (FGI) chapter at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, 28 students learned the power of the financial markets. After eight courses about investing and portfolio management under trained student volunteers from Princeton University, students were granted a total of $100 to invest after delivering their capstone presentations that outlined their portfolio allocation. The allowance provided to the 28 Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School students gives them the opportunity to grow their portfolios at their own discretion thanks to a monetary donation from JKS Financial.
Fox Chapel Wins 10 Awards in National Publications Contest
Fox Chapel Area School District has won 10 national awards in the 2022 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards contest. The district received an Award of Excellence for the entry Arts, Music Programs Find New Creativity During Pandemic, Continue to Thrive in the excellence in writing category. The district won Awards of Merit in the internet/intranet website category for Adapting, Innovating, and Overcoming: The Story of the 2020-2021 School Year; the IN Fox Chapel magazine spring and summer 2021 issues; the 2020-2021 Fox Chapel Area School District State of the Schools in the annual report category; and for the stories FCASD Makes Strides on Diversity and Unified Soccer Team Builds on District’s Inclusion Efforts in the excellence in writing category. The district won Honorable Mentions for the Messages from the Superintendent in the excellence in writing category and for the IN Fox Chapel magazine winter 2021 issue. The district’s winning publications were coordinated by Jill Leonard, the district’s community engagement specialist, and Bonnie Berzonski, the district’s coordinator of communications.
Aquinas Academy’s Class of 2022 Soars to New Heights
In May 2022, Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh graduated 51 seniors, its largest class in school history. Joseph Austin, class salutatorian, led the invocation followed by a welcome from Head of School Leslie Mitros. The commencement address was delivered by the president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR. Co-valedictorians John Griffith and Emilia Kartsonas gave the valedictory address. The ceremony concluded with a prayer led by Fr. Reed Frey, CO. The Class of 2022 had 196 acceptances to 98 colleges and universities and were offered $10.452 million in merit scholarships.
La Roche University Named a 2022-23 College of Distinction
La Roche University has been recognized for its honorable commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students. La Roche is named a 2022-2023 College of Distinction, Pennsylvania College of Distinction and Catholic College of Distinction. The Colleges of Distinction selection process comprises a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with the schools, accepting only those that adhere to the four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. Colleges of Distinction also awards recognition in individual areas. La Roche earned additional recognition in the areas of business, education, nursing and career development. Learn more at www.collegesofdistinction.com.