In brief: Happenings in the North Hills Journal area

Music, mindfulness, movies on tap at HUB

The West View HUB, 435 Perry Highway, offers a variety of free programs for the community. Here are some upcoming programs:

• Community Jam Session: 5 to 7 p.m. March 22. Drop in to work on original songs together, share covers or personal compositions and enjoy live music in this open-mic gathering. A few basic instruments will be available, but feel free to bring your own guitar, bass, ukele, percussion, brass, woodwinds or any other instrument. All skill levels are welcome.

• Recording Studio: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Make use of our new HUBWorks recording studio free of charge. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/4h6zcesr.

• Curiosity-Driven Living: 4:30 to 6 p.m. every Monday. This workshop is designed to help you embrace curiosity, explore the world with fresh eyes and uncover the extraordinary in the ordinary to inspire a more connected way of living.

• Oddities of Pittsburgh: 4 to 6 p.m. April 1 (first Tuesday of each month). Explore Pittsburgh’s hidden history. April’s theme is “Gripping Tales of Pittsburgh’s True Crime History.”

• Family Tree Workshop 2025: 1 to 3 p.m. March 29, April 12 and 26. Join our free, hands-on Genealogy Workshop to explore your family history and build a comprehensive family tree. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced researcher, this workshop offers practical tips, guided research and the tools you need to uncover personal and shared histories. For details and to register, visit https://forms.gle/ibWjMEPnptg9dcNr7.

• Pittsburgh Film Series: 5 to 7 p.m. April 13 (“Flashdance,” 1983, rated R); May 11 (“Striking Distance,” 1993, rated R). Celebrate Pittsburgh’s rich film history with a free monthly movie night featuring films shot or set in the Steel City. The film will be followed by a lively discussion, led by a historian, exploring the unique Pittsburgh themes, film locations, behind-the-scenes stories and more. Enjoy free popcorn, drinks and pizza at every screening.

Cub Scout Pack 283 welcomes new members

Cub Scout Pack 283 in West View is looking for new members.

For anyone interested in learning more about Pack 283, which is chartered by the West View HUB, there will be a meeting at 7 p.m. April 24 at the HUB, 435 Perry Highway.

To request more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2ftew289.

North Hills thespians to stage ‘Alice by Heart’

The North Hills High School Drama Club will present its spring musical, “Alice by Heart,” over the next two weekends.

Show times are at 7:30 p.m. March 21-22 and 27-29; a matinee is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 23.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. They can be purchased online at nhchoiranddrama.net.

The musical will be held in the high school auditorium, 53 Rochester Road, Ross.

“Alice by Heart” is written by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, the Tony and Grammy award-winning creators of “Spring Awakening,” and co-written by Jessie Nelson (“Waitress”). It is inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”

Here is what the show is about, as noted on North Hills’ website:

In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend, Alfred, are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

As they travel through the tale, “Alice by Heart” explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss and finding the courage to move forward.

Kickin’ It for Kids open to community

The first-ever community event on the new multiuse turf field on the North Hills High School and North Hills Middle School hilltop campus, 53 Rochester Road, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26.

The event, Kickin’ It for Kids, will include a Kickin’ It Together kickball game that’s inclusive for all students and community members of all ages, including those with disabilities.

The game, similar to a Miracle League game, will be run by North Hills High School students. It will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until everyone who wants to has a chance to participate. There are no teams. Simply sign up and kick when your name is called.

There also will be booths and activities sponsored by North Hills High School clubs, a Touch-a-Truck, inflatables, food and a dance party hosted by DJ Geyer.

Kickin’ It for Kids is sponsored by the North Hills High School Buddy Club and class officers and replaces NHthon, which was held in April for the past 10 years.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a special-needs charity.

In case of inclement weather, all activities will be moved into the high school.

5K run/walk to raise money for nonprofit

The second annual ATP 5K Run & Walk — benefiting Adventures in Training with a Purpose and its military and first responder program, Aurelius — is planned from 8 a.m. to noon April 13 at the North House Boathouse, 10301 Pearce Mill Road, McCandless.

All ages and fitness levels are welcome, and a post-race party will be held at the boathouse.

The cost to register is $35 for adults, $30 for veterans and first responders, and $15 for children 12 and younger.

To register in advance, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/Hbn/. The registration link also includes sponsorship opportunities.

Day-of registration will begin at 7:30 and end at 8:30 a.m. The race will start at 9 a.m.

Advance packet pickup will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11 and 10 a.m. to noon April 12 at ATP’s office, 7000 Stonewood Drive, Suite 115, Pine.

Proceeds benefit the Christian nonprofit organization and its mission to provide physcial and mental health services to civilians, veterans and first responders confidentially and free of charge.

Awards will be given in several categories: overall top three males and females, top three senior males and females 60 and older, and top three boys and girls 12 and younger.

For details about ATP and its programs, visit adventurestraining.org, email info@adventurestraining.org or call 724-967-1628.

Personal care items sought to help people in need

North Hills Community Outreach is collecting personal care items through April 13 to stock its pantries.

Donations can be dropped off at any of its three offices from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to noon April 5 at its main office, 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton.

Other locations are NHCO Millvale on the second floor of the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave., and at NHCO North Boroughs at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Avalon.

Items needed include disposable razors, chapstick, dental floss, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, wash cloths or loofa sponges, body lotion, bars of unscented soap and unscented shower gel.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits cannot be used for personal care products. Such items are a necessity and often pose an expense that many low-income families are unable to afford.

Each family in need receives a bag containing the above products.

Donations also can be ordered from NHCO’s Amazon wish list and sent directly to its office.

August Wilson center seeks artwork for exhibit

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is inviting artists of African descent living in the Greater Pittsburgh area to submit work for Being/Seen, a group exhibition opening in May.

Selected artwork will be displayed at the center’s first-floor galleries, including the Victoria Gallery and Yvonne Cook Family Regional Gallery. The group exhibition will run concurrently with “Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden,” the first major retrospective of prolific 20th century African American sculptor John W. Rhoden (1916-2001).

Artists may submit new or existing work that reflects their personal experience or perspective on Being/Seen.

Emerging, early-career and established artists 18 and older from Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties are encouraged to submit work. All mediums will be considered.

The deadline to apply is April 6, and the submission fee is a $5 to $15 suggested donation.

For details about the exhibit’s theme and to access the online submission form, visit awaacc.org/news/being-seen-an-open-call-for-art.

Artists will be notified directly in early May. Selection includes a $190 honorarium and complimentary one-year membership to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

For questions, contact programming@awaacc.org.

53rd seedling sale under way for spring

The North Area Environmental Council is planning its 53rd annual seedling sale.

The sale offers a variety of noninvasive plants and trees to add to the beauty and natural habitat of one’s backyard and the ecological health of the region.

The following seedlings, sold in sets of two, are available: American common persimmon, black walnut, Eastern white pine, Northern bayberry, Northern catalpa, shagbark hickory and yellow buckeye. Blue rug juniper, a creeping evergreen, also is available.

The NAEC is partnering with North Park’s Latodami Nature Center to offer Lawn to Nature kits, which include wildflower seeds.

To learn more about the sale, the organization and to place an order, visit naecwpa.org.

The deadline to place seedling orders is April 7; the deadline for Lawn to Nature kits is April 1. Pickup for both items will be from 9 a.m. to noon April 26 at the Latodami Nature Center Barn, 575 Brown Road, in North Park.

Late Nite Catechism event to benefit Vincentian care fund

Vincentian is hosting a night of laughs with Late Nite Catechism from 6 to 9 p.m. April 11 in the auditorium of St. Vincent Hall, the former St. Louise Convent, 8200 McKnight Road, McCandless.

The interactive show is part catechism class, part stand-up routine. “Sister” will take you back to the days of Latin Mass, meatless Fridays and the crack of a ruler across your knuckles.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show will start at 6:30. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets for just the show are $7o each or $87 with the fish fry add-on.

The fish fry will be served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. downstairs in the Unconventional Kitchen Banquet Hall. The meal includes baked or breaded fish, with or with a bun; a choice of two sides: cole slaw, mac and cheese or hush puppies; a drink; and dessert.

Proceeds benefit Vincentian’s uncompensated care fund for older adults.

To purchase tickets, visit vincentian.us.

History Center, Fort Pitt Museum offering free admission in March for kids

Admission to the Senator John Heinz History Center and Fort Pitt Museum will be free for children 17 and younger during Black History Month and Women’s History Month, thanks to support from community partners UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.

Throughout February and March, youngsters will get free general admission to the Smithsonian-affiliated History Center, which includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, and the Fort Pitt Museum, located in historic Point State Park. Regular admission applies for all adult visitors and groups.

At the History Center, families can explore six floors of award-winning exhibitions and interactive learning spaces.

At the Fort Pitt Museum, families can explore the history and culture of American Indian tribes who once called Western Pennsylvania home through a new exhibit titled “Homelands: Native Nations of Allegheny.” Created in collaboration with federally recognized Delaware, Seneca, Seneca-Cayuga and Shawnee tribes, the exhibit illuminates the past, present and future of the region’s Native tribes with rare artifacts and new scholarship.

The History Center and Fort Pitt Museum are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For details, visit heinzhistorycenter.org.

Free tax help available through AARP Foundation

Beginning Feb. 1 and continuing through April 14, the AARP Foundation will provide free tax assistance and preparation in Allegheny County through its Tax-Aide program.

Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest nationwide volunteer-based free tax preparation service. In 2024, the nearly 2 million taxpayers who used its services received more than $1 billion in income tax refunds. Income tax returns will be prepared during one visit by appointment only, generally lasting an hour to 75 minutes. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

Here is list of nearby sites, schedules and contact information to make an appointment:

• Shaler Undercliff Volunteer Fire Department, 700 Mt. Royal Blvd.: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through April 14; contact state Sen. Lindsey Williams’ office at 412-364-0469 (there is no Tax-Aide contact number at the fire station).

• Ross Municipal Building, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 10; contact state Sen. Lindsey Williams’ office at 412-364-0469 (there is no Tax-Aide contact number at the center).

• State Rep. Jeremy Shaffer’s office, 5500 Brooktree Road, Suite 100, Pine: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through April 14; contact Shaffer’s office at 412-369-2230.

• State Rep. Jeremy Shaffer’s office, 4375 Gibsonia Road, West Deer: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 10; contact Shaffer’s office at 412-369-2230.

More information, including an update on tax code changes affecting 2024 tax returns and documents needed for return preparation, can be found online at taxaide-pittsburgh.com.