Bethel Park: All that jazz: Young musicians honored

Four high school musicians were selected to play in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association's Honors Jazz Band Concert, which will be held Jan. 9, at North Allegheny High School.

They are seniors Bo Collins (trombone), Alex Conroy (guitar), Andrew Roberts (trombone) and Jennifer Searles (trombone).

Burgettstown: Homes on holiday tour

The Burgettstown Community Library will sponsor a holiday tour of six local homes and a church from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6.

Raffle prizes will be awarded, and 10 gift baskets will be sold at a ticket auction. Refreshments and bus transportation are available.

Tickets are $20 at the library on Kerr Street. For more, visit www.burglibrary.org.

Cecil: Poster winners get bond; maybe calendar

Two Cecil Intermediate School fifth-graders in the Canon-McMillan School District are winners in the 2010 Attorney General Drug-Free Poster Contest.

Grace Dahl and Thomas Vissman each won a $200 savings bond and the opportunity to have their posters in the statewide calendar along with a trip to receive their awards in Harrisburg in December.

For many years, fifth-graders throughout Pennsylvania have participated in the contest in which students are encouraged to create an original work of art illustrating a drug-free message of their choice. Craig Barzan, guidance counselor, had his fifth-graders take part in this activity as a required assignment for Red Ribbon Week.

The 13 statewide winners represent each month of the 2010 calendar year and a grand prize winner's artwork is displayed on the calendar's cover.

Chartiers Valley: Interim assessments bring in money

Director Mary Lou Petronsky last week asked how much money the district has been collecting on interim assessments, the taxes levied against newly-built homes and structures until the county assessments kick in, a period that can last as long as several years.

Though he did not have exact figures on hand, Director of Finance and Support Operations Nicholas Morelli replied that two years ago the district took in about $875,000. He estimated that about $325,000 was collected this year.

The theory behind interim taxes is that the occupants of new structures begin using local services, such as schools, roads, police and garbage collection, as soon as they move in. Waiting for county assessments to kick in means established residents are paying more to cover the costs of new occupants who are getting a free ride.

Much of CV's interim taxes come from Collier, a developing community that has seen substantial residential and commercial growth within recent years. Officials in Collier are interested in collecting interim taxes, too, in part to help balance the budget in tough economic times.

Finleyville: Moose celebrate 100 years young

Moose Lodge 172 is hosting a weeklong celebration to commemorate its 100th year in service. The Lodge is located at 3545 Washington Avenue, the same location where the charter was issued in November of 1909.

Festivities begin tomorrow at 7 p.m. with Old-Fashioned Nite. Participates are invited to wear costumes from your favorite era and enjoy old-fashioned beverage prices and oldies music. Saturday at 7 p.m. will include a family dinner night and entertainment by a magician. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Moose Association will be in attendance. Sunday's activities at 1 start with a tail gate party, followed by the Steeler game and end the evening with a comedian. Monday evening will feature a pizza party and Deal or No Deal. Tuesday at 7 p.m. will include a fish fry and small games of chance. The celebration will conclude on Wednesday with a birthday party including cake, decorations and entertainment for dancing.

For more, visit www.mooseintl.org or Finleyville's website: www.finleyville172moosetracks.org.

Homestead: Learn how to buy a house

Mon Valley Initiative will host a pre-purchase housing workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at 305 E. 8th Avenue near the Waterfront. Free. All participants who complete this Housing and Urban Development curriculum will receive a certificate that is required to obtain community development mortgage loans from local lenders.

A light breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as free parking. For more, call Mike Mauer at 412-464-4000, ext. 4008 or visit www.monvalleyinitiative.com.

Keystone Oaks: Teachers' contract ratified

Nearly two years of teacher contract negotiations came to a close this week when the school board, on Monday, unanimously ratified the contract agreement that the Keystone Oaks Education Association, which approved a few days earlier.

"I realize this has been a long arduous journey," board president Marian Randazzo said. "Let's get going for our kids. We have a lot of issues to tackle."

Sue McAllister, union president, said contract "language and compensation issues" kept the agreement from being settled sooner.

The new contract, retroactive to July 1, provides annual teacher raises that average 3.5 percent per year, a slight increase in health care payments, and will increase the amount of time teachers spend in the classroom.

District spokesman Jim Cromie acknowledged potential changes regarding the district's three elementary schools played a "major issue" in the contract negotiations. Kimball Architecture, a firm the district hired, determined district buildings are underutilized and in September presented proposals that included closing one or more of the three elementary schools.

Munhall: This Bowl is no turkey

Steel Valley's student group "The Future is Mine" hosts a "Turkey Bowl" flag football game at 3:30 today at Campbell Athletic Field on West Run Road. Teachers and students will play and each participant will pay $5. Proceeds benefit Parkview Towers, a senior high rise/assisted living facility, on Caroline Street.

Teacher Ryan Dunmire and club president, junior Mike Pavasko, organized the event.

Club members will visit Parkview Towers on Nov. 23 to donate proceeds from the game.

Scott: Oh deer, it's that time again

Commissioner Tom Castello reported Nov. 10 that he saw an .8-point buck in his backyard the previous Saturday, as well as received a call of concern from a resident.

"We still have a deer problem," he said, adding officials need answers to decide how to deal with the issue.

In 2008, Mr. Castello talked about the deer population, which culminated in a public hearing last November. At that session, many voiced opposition to a controlled kill by archery hunters, but others agreed the township has an overpopulation of deer.

After the hearing, Mr. Castello tabled further discussion to give officials time to do additional reading on the subject.

• The board discussed the placement of speed bumps to deter fast-moving traffic on Jamestown and Robinwood drives.

Police Chief Jim Secreet said he generally doesn't advocate speed bumps because of their liability, but he also noted that the areas involve are in an apartment complex. Installation cost would be $150 per bump.

Commissioner Dave Calabria suggested the use of thermoplastic paint to warn drivers to slow down, but it was agreed that Chief Secreet will look into the situation further. He believes the majority of the speeders are residents of that area.

South Allegheny: Gladiators march on Disney

Some 73 members of the South Allegheny Gladiator Marching Band will board buses today to travel to Florida to perform in the Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade at Disney's Magic Kingdom. The band will return on Wednesday in time to celebrate Thanksgiving at home with their families.

South Fayette: Alumni get updated

The school district is updating alumni records in preparation for the 2010 publication of a directory.

All graduates, from the first class of 13 students from Lafayette High School 82 years ago to the Class of 2009, will be included. The directory may include information and contacts for more than 6,900 graduates.

Call Maureen Pedzwater at 724-693-3047 or e-mail alumni@southfayette.org with the following information: name, maiden name, class year, address, phone number and e-mail address. Any classes that are planning reunions should also contact Ms. Pedzwater. Deadline for all is Dec. 15.

Washington County: Trim this caring tree

United Way of Washington County and Community Action Southwest will join forces again this year for the 2009 Caring Tree Program. United Way has operated the Caring Tree program for more than 20 years to make the holidays a more joyous time for the less fortunate in the community. Last year, it provided gifts to more than 3,000 children, seniors and disabled adults.

Trees in local businesses include a gift request from a needy person, with the cost of the gift not exceeding $25.

Those interested in putting up a tree should call 724-225-3310 by tomorrow.

• "Ho, Ho, Ho with the WSO" plays at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at Trinity High School. Music Director and Conductor Yugo Sava Ikach said favorites from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker," and selections from Handel's "Messiah" are on the bill, along with a couple of mischievous favorites to appeal to younger audience members. The California University of Pa. Choir will sing.

Carol Couch, of Wheeling, W.Va., won the right to guest conduct the traditional sing-along as high bidder during the WSO's Grapes of Rhythm wine-tasting fundraiser last April.

Tickets are on sale at Citizens Library, all branches of Washington Federal Savings Bank, online at www.washsym.org or by calling 724-223-9796.

For more, visit www.washsym.org.

Whitehall: Board members needed for library

The Public Library wants letters of interest and resumes for two available library board positions, with each term beginning in January. Submit applications to Michael Romano, 100 Borough Park Drive, Pittsburgh 15236.

Deadline is Nov. 30.

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