Session set with new superintendent

Chartiers Valley parents are invited to meet incoming superintendent Brian J. White Jr. at a reception set for 7-9 p.m. Aug. 18 in the high school Internet cafe, located near the gym lobby.

Dr. White, who joins the district Sunday, will answer questions and talk about his vision for the district's future. He was hired in June with a five-year contract.

Desserts and beverages will be served.

College ball team may lease field

The borough is close to securing a college baseball team to lease the borough's five-field park.

Details of the arrangement aren't being made public yet, as the borough and team work out financial details, according to Dave Montz, borough manager.

The previous tenant, the former Duquesne University men's baseball program, built the field at Green Tree Park 15 years ago for about $150,000, and that was considered the team's rent, he said.

Having a college team play there is ideal, he said, because it doesn't conflict with other sporting events there, including Green Tree Athletic Association activities, Keystone Oaks baseball games and Keystone Oaks Area Soccer Association athletics.

The borough has been eager to get a new tenant since Duquesne ended its baseball program this year, he said.

Street party to help charity

The Historical Society of Mt. Lebanon, in cooperation with the Mt. Lebanon Partnership, will sponsor the fourth ULTRAparty from 8 to midnight Aug. 7 on Washington Road.

This is the first year the historical society is sponsoring the street bash, which attracts thousands each year and raises more than $15,000 for local charities.

Velveeta, an '80s cover band will headline.

Proceeds go to the Center for Autism at the Children's Institute, in memory of Mt. Lebanon resident Lisa Styles, who died in a pedestrian accident in July. Nate, one of Ms. Styles' three children, has a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. The historical society and the Mt. Lebanon Partnership also will receive a portion of the proceeds. Admission is $5.

Details: www.ultrapartylebo.com.

• Town firefighters will share their knowledge with residents and business owners at the fifth annual Citizens Annual Fire Academy, a nine-week program that begins Sept. 9.

Mt. Lebanon is the only South Hills fire department to offer such a course. Taught by both career and volunteer firefighters, the free course covers topics such as engine and ladder truck operations at structure fires, rescue methods, fire extinguishers, fire prevention and code enforcement, and emergency medical services.

"It's to make people aware of what their tax dollars are being used for and how the fire department functions and serves the community," said program coordinator Robert Fischer, volunteer fire department president.

More than 100 people ages 18-85 have participated in previous academies, Mr. Fischer said.

Classes will meet 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday nights at the Public Safety Building, 555 Washington Road. There will be one all-day Saturday experience at the Washington County Fire Academy, which will include a live structure burn.

Applications are at the Public Safety Building. Details: 412-531-5366 or www.mtlfd.org.

First garage band concert tonight

A first-ever garage band concert will take place at 7 p.m. tonight at Scott Park's amphitheater.

Two local garage bands, Blindsided Escape and Randy Penn and Steve Weiss, will perform in what Commissioner Eileen Meyers hopes will become an annual event. She would like to use the special theater, located on the wooded picnic grounds near the basketball court, for events for all ages.

The garage band concert is free and will end by 10 p.m.

Cabaret honors late teacher

The benefit Cabaret for Kathy at the Cabaret Theater in Theater Square Downtown at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 benefits the Kathy Cecotti Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund is in memory of the Thomas Jefferson High School theater teacher who died of brain cancer June 29, 2009.

The performance by Ms. Cecotti's former students reprises pieces from productions Ms. Cecotti directed. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with dinner, drinks and dessert available for purchase.

Details: www.pgharts.org, search Cabaret for Kathy or call organizer Kathleen Sauter, 412-370-8229.

Chamber combines with Bridgeville group

The Upper St. Clair Chamber of Commerce and the South West Communities Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeville, have joined forces.

"The unification represents the consolidation of a partnership begun more than 10 years ago. It will not only strengthen our legislative and economic voices, but will provide chamber members with expanded resources and exposure," said South West president Helen Wylie.

Details: 412-221-4100.

Clarks to open county fair

The Pittsburgh rock band The Clarks will open this year's Washington County Agricultural Fair at 7 p.m. Aug. 14. The fair runs from Aug. 14 to Aug. 21 at the Washington County fairgrounds in Chartiers.

This year's theme, Proud of Our Heritage, Envisioning the Future, will focus on the agricultural traditions and rural character of the 212-year-old county fair.

Admission for adults and children age 5 and older is $9, which includes rides, parking, grandstand entertainment and more than 40 shows and judged events.

Special rates include: Discounted admission on Aug. 15 and Aug. 17 for $6; free admission until 4 p.m. for seniors ages 62 and older on Aug. 16; and free admission for children ages 12 and younger on Aug. 20.

Nightly entertainment includes: Magician David Lawrence at 5 and 8 p.m. Aug. 15; country music star Donnie Cameron at 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 16; a monster truck rally at 7 p.m. Aug. 17; and the annual demolition derby at 8 p.m. Aug. 18. Closing out the fair at 8 p.m. Aug. 21 will be the popular, local Kiger Band.

Details: www.washingtonfair.org.

Fire station plan updated

Borough council, at a meeting last week, discussed building plans for a new fire station to be located on Route 51 near the current station. Following a presentation by project manager Emily Gaspich of Gateway Engineering, council agreed to recommend a $360,000 site plan to the planning committee for its approval. The building is expected to cost approximately $2 million.

• It was hard to tell if the borough building was hosting a birthday party or a council meeting last week: A 6-foot inflatable birthday cake stood by the entrance and a cardboard Snoopy held a sign that said, "Nifty, nifty, guess who's fifty?"

It was all in honor of borough engineer Ruthann Omer's birthday, which also was marked by an approved motion by Councilman Harold Berkoben to sing "Happy Birthday."

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.