Lovers of reading have a chance to celebrate their favorite booksellers " and get some fun giveaways in the process " with the nationwide Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday. Independent Bookstore Day, now in its 11th year, is an event conceived by the American Booksellers Association. Participating bookstores offer giveaways

Film Pittsburgh's JFilm Festival, the largest Jewish cultural event in the region, will screen May 2-12 at three theaters around Pittsburgh. This is the 31st year for this highly anticipated event, which brings engaging independent Jewish-themed films to Pittsburgh. This year, JFilm will present 16 films, six of which will be available to screen virtually. "Independent films are so impactful in people's lives." said Kathryn Spitz Cohan, Film Pittsburgh's executive director. "Sometimes they feed your mind by showing you some incredible little-known history like in 999: The Forgotten Girls and other times they feed your heart by transporting you to another time like the visit to the great resorts of The Catskills. But one thing is for sure: independent films always add a richness to the human experience." JFilm will screen at the Carnegie Music Hall, the Oaks Theater, and CMU's McConomy Auditorium. The festival will include Q&As with visiting filmmakers, a Mother's Day screening with sweet bakery treats, scholar-led Film Schmooze discussions, and more. One highlight will be opening night's Pittsburgh premiere of Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless at the newly restored Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. The film, sponsored by The Arthur J. and Betty F. Diskin Cultural Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, tells the inspiring story of Bayless, a Leonard Bernstein protégé and successful concert pianist and composer who suffered a debilitating stroke, and his heroic efforts to continue playing with his left hand alone. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Bayless and director Stewart Schulman. John Bayless will also play several songs before a dessert reception in the Music Hall's Foyer. In other films to watch for, Spitz Cohan says, "We're excited for our audience to look back at some beloved pop culture icons in Remembering Gene Wilder and Shari & Lamb Chop. These lovely documentaries will have you revisiting happy memories with film and TV legends who were a big part of so many people's lives." For more information about JFilm and to purchase tickets, visit FilmPittsburgh.org.

Publicize your non-profit's community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Taste of Two Towns event to benefit Oakmont Carnegie Library Oakmont

When it comes to preserving the integrity of your home, understanding the signs of foundation damage is crucial. Foundation issues not only compromise the structural integrity of your home but can ...

Live! Casino Pittsburgh will host its inaugural Live! in the Community Lecture Series at 7 p.m. May 10, featuring Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Vietnam War veteran Rocky Bleier. May is National Military Appreciation Month, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh is dedicated to people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Live! Casino is celebrating the courage and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve our nation as we honor them during May. Through this lecture series, Live! Casino aims to highlight inspiring stories and foster a deeper understanding and connection within our community, beginning with the legendary Rocky Bleier. Bleier will speak about his journey from the battlefields of Vietnam, where he was severely wounded, to the pinnacle of NFL success as a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and mental toughness. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via AXS.com. Over the same weekend, the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition's Make it Matter Conference will be held at The Venue Live! May 8-10. The conference examines how employers can gain an economic advantage through diversity and sustainability. The link to the conference is here: https://makeitmatter.info/

Harsh storms, like the ones that we have seen recently in Western Pennsylvania, can cause all sorts of damage to your home, especially the roof. Some problems with your roof can be pretty easy to spot, but some damage isn't so simple to see. Whether you can see these problems or not, fixing any of these issues that appear in the wake of a storm can help keep your home safe from any further harm. These strong storms can have sharp winds, heavy rain and even hail that can damage shingles, gutters, flashing and other areas around your roof. These are some of the most common signs of storm damage to look out for: Damaged or Missing Shingles Your shingles are one of the first places you should look when spotting storm damage on your home. Sharp winds from these storms can cause shingles to blow away or loosen from your roof. Hail or even flying debris such as tree branches can crack or dent your shingles if it hits your roof. Also, shingles may curl upward after being damaged in a storm. When shingles on your roof are missing or damaged, the material beneath it becomes at risk for early deterioration without having the protection of the shingles. These fragile areas need an urgent fix. By calling a roof contractor as soon as possible you can prevent disasters before another storm hits. Water Leaks Unwanted moisture inside your home after a storm can be a clear indication of storm damage. Wind-driven rain will quickly get into your home from openings in the roof, especially if there's no leak barrier installed with your roof. Water damage that comes from these leaks may cause water staining on your ceilings and walls. This can also lead to a musty odor around your home as well as the drywall can crack due to excessive moisture and bulge out. Wet spots could also form around the toilet or pipes, which can be incorrectly associated with a plumbing issue. Granule Loss Roofing manufacturers add granules to shingles to help protect your roof against the sun's harmful UV rays. Unfortunately, harsh weather, mainly hail, can cause significant granule loss across your roof. When you look for granule loss, check for areas of discoloration or dark spots on your roof. It is very difficult to spot missing granules when looking up from the ground at your roof, but you can often see the evidence of granule loss by looking at the ground directly beneath your roof. You can also check your gutters to see if there is an accumulation of granules in them. A roofing contractor can identify granule loss by climbing onto the roof and performing a closer inspection. Broken Downspouts, Gutters and Flashing Shingles aren't the only thing that can be damaged by a severe storm. Downspouts, gutters and flashings can also take a beating from a storm. If hit by large pieces of hail, metal gutters and downspouts may dent while ones that are plastic can crack or break. Flashing can come loose from the winds or dent and break if impacted by hail. Meanwhile, debris such as leaves and dirt will clog your gutters. Damaged gutters and downspouts are very easy to find, but flashing is a bit more difficult to spot for someone not experienced with roofing. Flashing is crucial to your roof with any cracks or openings leading to water leaks. Damage to your Attic Your attic is one of the most critical places to inspect after a storm for damage. Any dark spots on the attic walls and underside of the roof deck can indicate that moisture is present. Also, take note if any of the insulation in the attic appears wet. Water leaks will create wet insulation, causing the insulation to stop working correctly. This could possibly require an expensive replacement of your attic insulation. You also need to take into consideration that excessive water can cause mold to grow quickly in your attic as well. Inspection of the rafters and trusses for cracks or damage should also be done, especially during a snowstorm. Heavy snow and ice can add weight on the roof and the structure may show signs of bending, sagging and cracking if you are seeing over a foot of snow. Call the Roofing Professionals at Mt. Pleasant Window & Remodeling. It's a great idea to call a professional roofing contractor to fix any roofing concerns before they worsen. Mt. Pleasant Window & Remodeling can help you inspect the roof and assess any possible damage after an intense storm. Call us today at 724-200-8555 or visit mtpleasantwindow.com.

For decades, martial arts have been more than just a form of physical activity; they're a conduit for personal growth and development. Among the myriad of benefits it offers, one stands out signifi...

For the first time since 1982, the Democrat ballot for Pennsylvania's 32nd House District won't feature Tony DeLuca. The late lawmaker of 40 years died in October 2022, one month before the general election and too late to print new ballots. He won nonetheless, triggering a special election. Joe McAndrew

Publicize your non-profit's community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Alle-Kiski Sports Hall of Fame tickets on sale Alle-Kiski Valley Sports

The Importance of Sourcing Sustainable IngredientsFairHaven Soap Company places a significant emphasis on only using ingredients that are both beneficial for the skin and gentle on the environment....

Are you looking for an impressive and fun way to make your wedding day even more memorable? Look no further than a photo booth! Photo booths have become a popular addition to weddings in recent years, and we can see why! Not only do photo booths provide entertainment for your guests, but they also create lasting memories that you can cherish for years to come. An open air photo booth have a sleek and modern design that can easily be added to any reception while taking up very little space. Why You Should Have a Photo Booth at Your Wedding, you ask? 1. Entertainment for Guests Weddings are all about celebrating love and creating unforgettable moments. A photo booth adds an element of fun, excitement, and creativity to your special day, giving your guests a chance to let loose and have a great time. Whether they're striking a pose with silly props or capturing candid moments with loved ones, a photo booth is sure to keep everyone entertained. 2. Unique Keepsakes While professional wedding photographers and videographers are essential for capturing the big moments, a photo booth allows guests to take their own photos and create personalized keepsakes. From funny group shots to intimate couple portraits, the photos taken with the booth will be unique and special, providing a different perspective on your wedding day. Photo booths are also capable of taking videos, boomerangs and gifs! This opens another opportunity for creative captures. Add a second photo booth to your big day and place one booth near the dance floor to capture everyone's stellar dance moves through video or boomerangs! 3. Guest Book Alternative Instead of a traditional guest book, consider having a photo booth at your wedding for guests to leave a printed photo in a custom photo album with a personal message. This interactive guest book alternative not only captures the essence of your wedding day but also gives you a fun memento to look back on for years to come. 4. Social Media Sharing In today's digital age, sharing photos on social media is a common way to connect with friends and family. A photo booth with instant printing and digital sharing options allows your guests to share their photos online, instantly! Remember those videos boomerangs and gifs, from the dance floor? Make your social media friends laugh with the silly photos, videos, boomerangs and gifs! 5. Instant Gallery Wake up the next morning to your full gallery from the night! Relive the night through an instant gallery while your photographer and videographer are still working hard to deliver your sneak peak. 6. Personalization and Fun Props Photo booths can be customized to fit the theme and style of your wedding. From backdrops to props, you can tailor the experience to reflect your personalities as a couple. Guests will love dressing up, trying out different props, and creating truly memorable and fun photos. Add more personalization with a custom guest interface screen (the tap to start screen) using a photo of the couple or using the color and theme of the wedding. Your template will also feature your first names, initials, last name and/or date! The possibilities are endless with personalizing your photo booth rental! Your wedding day is a celebration of love, joy, and memories that will last a lifetime. Capture those memories with a photo booth!

Volunteer registrations for the 125th U.S. Open Championship are now available online. The United States Golf Association is hosting the tournament June 9-15, 2025, at Oakmont Country Club in Plum and has made the official callout for volunteers. Positions currently are available on nine committees, including access control, corporate hospitality

Everyone dreams about their perfect wedding day and has a vision of what their big day will look like. Who will be standing there beside them what season it will be and what their venue will look l...

Oakmont has been recognized for its green thumb. The borough officially was named a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation, a global nonprofit that encourages people to "plant, nurture and celebrate trees." Brian Crooks, chair of Oakmont's tree commission, said the status serves as recognition of the dedication of