“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Unless anyone discovers some virtues in bittersweet, English Ivy or wild grapevine real soon, the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy will be yanking it out by the roots in Bird Park, Saturday at 9 a.m. You’re welcome to join in the fun. It can be very therapeutic.  Bring gloves and gardening tools.

After you’ve put the invasives on the run, reward yourself with a free concert. Tres Lads (Spanish for “three lads”) will be performing at 7:30 on Sunday in Mt. Lebanon Park as part of the  Music in the Park concert series.

Congratulations to Walt Henry, the new chair of Indoor Tennis for Mt. Lebanon. Indoor Tennis, a private organization, has partnered with Mt. Lebanon Municipality over the years on many project, including the bubbles, that enhance both the program and the players’ experience.

In addition to seasonal tree maintenance and removal and street repair/reconstruction, public works crews have  painted the exteriors of the municipally owned  “houses” at 788 and 794 Washington Road (corner of Lebanon) and also added wood carpet to  fall zones under play equipment at Country Club and Mt. Lebanon parks.

Firefighters responded to 35 incidents this week. Among the calls were seven rescue and emergency incidents, five vehicle accidents, four hazardous condition calls and 11 false alarms. Kudos to firefighter Kevin Abbott, who has graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, a major accomplishment that has required mastering a variety of leadership and management skills over the past four years.

Police have arrested three people who confessed to breaking windows at the high school last week. They have been charged with institutional vandalism. Other notable police activity this week includes numerous underage drinking arrests.  A 51-year-old male was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Salem Drive; a 58-year-old male was arrested for indecent assault on Cedar Boulevard, and  a 58-year-old male was arrested for DUI on Washington Road.

There will be a sobriety checkpoint this weekend somewhere around town. For a behind the scenes look at what goes on at a sobriety checkpoint, check out the September issue of Mt. Lebanon Magazine.