FOCUSING ON INCLUSION Longuevue Drive resident Anna Lynch’s 4-year-old daughter, Caroline, was born with Williams syndrome, a genetic condition that affects growth and development. While searching for a preschool for Caroline, Lynch was impressed with Temple Emanuel of the South Hills’ approach to accommodating all children’s needs. So impressed, that she and Jenna Hartman, mother of a child with Down Syndrome, worked with the staff at Temple Emanuel to present “Includ(Ed),” an early childhood conference on inclusion.

“The idea is that preschool teachers from within Allegheny County can come together and talk about inclusive classrooms and strategies for how to integrate children of all abilities into a preschool setting,” said Lynch. “We want to use Temple as a model because they’re able to do it so well.”

The conference will run from 5:30 to 9 p.m., on Thursday, November 14, at Temple Emanuel, 1250 Bower Hill Road. Meredith Peterson, executive director of the Parent Education Advocacy and Leadership (PEAL) Center, will deliver the keynote address, followed by breakout sessions for parents and educators, and a resource fair, with representatives from the PEAL Center, Best Buddies, Achieva, the Miracle League and more. Registration is required. templeemanuelpgh.org.

Cartoonist Wayne Honath (Wayno), Atlanta Drive, was honored by the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) with a Reuben Award for Best Newspaper Panel for his work on Bizarro, a syndicated Monday through Friday cartoon. Wayno has been drawing the cartoon, which was originated by Dan Piraro in 1985, since 2018. The NCS praised Wayno’s “unique blend of surreal humor and whimsical art, and his ability to push the boundaries of traditional comic strip storytelling while maintaining a
distinct voice.”

In his spare time, Wayno chairs the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Cartoonists Society, and performs with the rhythm and jazz combo Red Beans & Rice.

Heidi Heath Tony, Hoodridge Drive, is the author of a new novel, available on Amazon.

Queen of the Road tells the story of a woman who takes to long-haul trucking when her husband of 25 years leaves her for a colleague. At five-foot-one, Dee Levari may not look like a truck driver, but she’s determined to persevere in hopes of running away from a shattered past. Heath Tony, a freelance writer with public relations experience, came up with the idea for the novel 15 years ago, while driving a moving van home after helping her two kids move to other states. “I love to read and always wanted to write a book,” she said. Queen of the Road is her first novel. She will talk about the book at The Mt. Lebanon Public Library at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 2.

Diana Pasternak is Mt. Lebanon Magazine’s newest advertising representative. She brings decades of experience in local radio advertising and online sales to the role. Originally from northern Michigan, Pasternak has lived in Mt. Lebanon since 1992. She is an avid equestrian and spends significant time in Bentleyville with her dressage horse, Zoltan.

MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS Keynotes is accepting applications for its 2025 Music Scholarship Competition, which will be held May 10, 2025. The scholarship fund has more than $16,000 for full-time music majors who are Pennsylvania residents or attending school in Pennsylvania. Instrumentalists must be under 26 years of age by June 1, 2025, and vocalists must be under the age of 30. The student must be a full-time music major at a college, university or music school or a graduating high school senior accepted for admission as a full-time music major. Application deadline is April 30, 2025. For an application, call Lori Walter at 412-260-6972 or email her at houdini5@hotmail.com, or apply online at keynotesmusicscholarship.com.

EVERYWHERE A SIGN An election season reminder: Mt. Lebanon ordinances prohibit placing any signs on public property, such as parks, traffic islands and intersections. This goes for any signs, such as affinity signs, advertisements, public events, elections, etc. The only exception is for specific signs during real estate open houses. If you place a sign in a right-of-way it will be removed. Place signs on private property, with permission.

SNOW SEASON Mt. Lebanon’s snow ordinance requires residential sidewalks to be cleared within 24 hours following the end of a snowfall of more than one inch. Businesses have four hours to clear their sidewalks.

For seniors and others who may have trouble keeping their sidewalks clear, the municipality  has a program called Snow Angels, matching volunteer snow shovelers with residents who need to have the sidewalks in front of their homes cleared. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and must commit to taking at least one household for the winter. Volunteers must bring their own equipment.

The municipality is not responsible for providing the service, but will act as a clearinghouse, matching volunteers with residents. You can find more information on the program here.

GOLD CARD  Mt. Lebanon residents 62 and older are eligible for a Gold Card from the Mt. Lebanon School District. A Gold Card will get you free general admission to all regular season home sporting events; free general admission to one performance of any school district sponsored dramatic or musical production; and a discount on adult education courses. Learn more and download an application here.

HISTORIC HOUSES The Historical Society of Mount Lebanon is selling medallions identifying those properties in the Mt. Lebanon National Register Historic District as contributing to the historic designation. The cast aluminum medallions are 6 inches in diameter and include mounting screws and anchors. Cost is $214. Visit the Historic Properties section of the municipal website to see a map that shows the location of the 4,400 properties.

SEND US YOUR NEWS Launching a new business? Receiving a major award? Found a water stain that looks like Kenneth Branagh? Tell us! We’ll tell everyone! Send your news items and story ideas to mjantz@mtlebanon.org.