LOOKING FOR ARTISTS The Mt. Lebanon Artists’ Market, sponsored by the Mt. Lebanon Partnership, will take place October 1 and 2,  in the Academy Avenue parking lot. The juried arts festival features between 60 and 80 booths showcasing professional quality, original art in a variety of media. Food trucks and entertainment round out the festival, which awards cash prizes to top artists. Application deadline for artists is April 30.

The Partnership is seeking entries for its scholarship program, open to Mt. Lebanon residents who will be attending an accredited higher education art program in the fall of 2022. Deadline for applying is April 15. Entrants must submit five examples of their work online and complete an essay on one specific piece, explaining its significance.

Upon completion of the judges’ review, finalists will be asked to attend an interview. At that time, each individual will be asked to bring the artwork from the essay.  To apply for acceptance into the festival or for the scholarship, visit the events section of the Partnership’s website.

SIGN OFF With the May primary elections coming up, here is a reminder about campaign signs. Actually, this reminder applies to all types of signs. Mt. Lebanon ordinances prohibit placing any signs on public property, such as parks, traffic islands and intersections. 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.

AUTHOR TO SPEAK Amor Towles, author of A Gentleman in Moscow, which was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than a year, will discuss his latest novel, The Lincoln Highway, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 5, at Mellon Middle School auditorium, as part of Mt. Lebanon Public Library’s Speaker Series. General admission tickets are $20. VIP tickets, which include special seating and a reception with the author, are $50.

DISABILITY SUMMIT This year’s Disability and Mental Health Summit, hosted by state Rep. Dan Miller, is taking on a different format. On March 17, St. Clair Hospital will be the site of a bipartisan legislative summit, with topics including structural issues exacerbated by COVID, and the shortage of direct-support professionals. Look for two separate days of information sessions on a disability and mental health topics, and an outdoor resource fair in June. Visit DisabilitySummit.com for updates.

WATER SYSTEM UPGRADE If you notice a slight change in the way your water tastes this month, don’t worry. Pennsylvania American Water is making a temporary change in its water treatment process, from March 14 through April 25, as a part of routine maintenance of their distribution system. The company is switching to a form of chlorine known as “free chlorine,” which does not contain ammonia. This disinfectant is used to flush water mains and fire hydrants. During the temporary treatment change, you may experience a more noticeable chlorine taste or odor in your water, but there is no reason for concern. This temporary condition is due to the switch in disinfectant types. Pennsylvania American will switch back to chloramine, which it typically uses to treat your water. If you have a health care need that requires purified or filtered water, you should reach out to your health care provider with any questions. For more information and a map of the affected area, visit Pennsylvaniaamwater.com or call 1-800-565-7292.

INSPECTION OFFICE NEWS Brian Dinkfelt is Mt. Lebanon’s newest code enforcement officer. Dinkfelt comes to Mt. Lebanon from White Oak Borough, where he served as code enforcement officer, zoning officer, flood plain manager and fire official, and was also in charge of planning. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Penn State.

FREE INCOME TAX HELP The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is available through April 7 at the Bible Chapel, 300 Gallery Drive in McMurray, (five miles past South Hills Village) Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. No appointments, first come first served. Masks and vaccination are required. Taxpayers can receive assistance with federal, state and local wage tax returns and real estate/rent rebate. Must bring ID for yourself and your spouse; last year’s tax return; birth dates and Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and dependents; all W-2s and 1099s, 1095 health care statements and property tax receipts. Both spouses must sign joint returns.