Jeff Friedrich, a 2002 Mt. Lebanon High School graduate, received the Distinguished Student Award from the Duquesne University School of Law this past spring. Each year, one graduating student is recognized for his or her academic accomplishments and dedication to the institution. Friedrich was the top student in his class and participated in numerous Duquesne Law activities, including the university’s law review and Appellate Moot Court Board. He joined Reed Smith’s Pittsburgh office in September. Jeff’s parents, Jeffrey and Patricia, live on Vee Lynn Drive.

Seneca Drive resident Scott Elliott, along with his partners, has opened Medallion Wealth Management. Elliott has been in the investment business for 27 years, and he works with both individuals and nonprofits. Medallion employs 16 people.

The water that washed out many a basement in Mt. Lebanon this July also took out a very busy business. Grand Slam Grooming, owned by DeAnne and Otto Orive, at 2100 Bower Hill Road, was literally washed away. Luckily no one, including any dog, was hurt. The pet salon should be open now in its new location, 168 Vanadium Road, in Scott.  412-221-5081.

Alyssa DeLuca has been selected as executive director of the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education and in that capacity will serve as director of the Mt. Lebanon School District capital campaign DeLuca, director of development at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for the past four years, will provide staff support for a volunteer campaign committee and will work with the foundation board to identify, cultivate and solicit donors to fund a capital campaign.

Mt. Lebanon High School sophomore figure skater Cara Murphy will compete at the intermediate level at the U.S. Figure Skating South Atlantic Regional competition in Indian Trail, North Carolina, October 19-22. Winners of the regional competition  have the opportunity to move on to the National Figure Skating Championships. Regionals, followed by Sectionals and National are the qualifying competitions that ultimately lead young athletes to U.S., World and Olympic events.

Cara, daughter of Anna and Jeffrey Murphy of Craigview Drive, began skating at age 5 at Mt. Lebanon Ice Rink’s Learn to Skate program and now helps teach Learn to Skate.  Her coach is Darlene Valbrecht.

Artist and poet M.A. Sinnhuber, Washington Road, will collaborate with nationally known fiber artist Judith Austin in a Miniatures and Fiber Show in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, this month. Sinnhuber has known Austin since the 1970s when she worked with Austin’s husband, Joseph Essex, at WQED. Sinnhuber created four postcard-sized miniatures for the show—two acrylic on paper, one pen on paper and a fourth using metal paperclips and beads. Austin will create a corresponding piece of fiber art to accompany the miniatures. Sinnhuber formerly ran Art by M.A. on Washington Road and has exhibited her hand-knitted “Art Hats” at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Holiday Sale. She recently published a chapbook of her poetry, The Leaving Field, through MadBooks. The chapbook can be purchased at 412-341-8862.