The Pittsburgh chapter of Meeting Professionals International has named Jill Garcia, Beverly Road, 2023 Planner of the Year. Garcia is the owner of The Hutton Group—Inspired Meetings & Events. She has more than 25 years experience in event planning, most recently with Helms Briscoe, before purchasing The Hutton Group in 2020.

Larry Schardt, Mt. Lebanon Class of 1972, received an Alumni Award of Distinction from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Schardt, a professor in Penn State’s department of ecosystem science and management, attended Pitt-Bradford for two years before completing bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs at Penn State. In 2011, Schardt established a scholarship for non-traditional Pitt-Bradford students.

The Open Hearts Foundation honored Hoodridge Drive resident Vasso Paliouras with its annual Open Hearts Award. Open Hearts is dedicated to turning adversity into opportunity. in 2011 Paliouras founded Lending Hearts—a nonprofit that provides emotional, social and physical support to those living with cancer, with a special focus on the needs of children, young adults and their families and caregivers. Lending Hearts was inspired by Paliouras’s experience with her younger sister, Constance Zotis, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Disease as a teenager.

Mt. Lebanon’s second annual Lebo Pride celebration takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 17, at Mt. Lebanon Park. Lebo Pride celebrates the solidarity, resilience, and vibrancy of our queer and gender diverse community. The family-friendly event features face painting, a bounce house, a clothing swap, arts and crafts, music, food and much more.

Mt. Lebanon celebrates Juneteenth, a commemoration of the day in 1865, June 19, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War was over and all enslaved Americans were free. The celebration takes place from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 16, at Mt. Lebanon Park. Programming includes live music and a DJ, step performances and line dancing, like face painting and balloon animals for kids, a book display and sales from a local Black-owned bookstore, interactive games and activities with door prizes from local Black-owned businesses for the winners, and free catered soul food from a local Black-owned business.

A DECADE OF EXCELLENCE For the 10th consecutive year, Mt. Lebanon has been recognized by the Allegheny League of Municipalities as a Banner Community for its outstanding commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability and proactive communications to engage community stakeholders.

FISCAL ACHIEVEMENT For the 45th consecutive year, Mt. Lebanon has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, and for its Popular Annual Financial Report, both covering the 2021 fiscal year.