Sewickley Restaurant Reopens with New Name, Fresh Look

The former Sweetwater Grille, now known as 424 Walnut, returns today after being closed since August to undergo a transformation.

A popular Sewickley restaurant is back in business today, operating under a new name with new hours and a new menu.   The owner of "424 Walnut," formerly the Sweetwater Grille, said the restaurant will reopen its doors at 4 p.m. today, May 16. Customers were surprised when the restaurant closed last August, but Jimmy Zipparo, owner and head chef, said he wanted to concentrate on reorganizing, renovating and reopening with new beginnings. “It’s just a fresh start, you know, a new place,” Zipparo said. Returning lunch and dinner customers will notice the restaurant's name and logo has changed to reflect the 424 Walnut Street location. New art, décor and lighting help give the restaurant's atmosphere a warmer, inviting feel.  Zipparo …

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A 'Smooth' First Day at Quaker Valley Middle School

The new and improved Quaker Valley Middle School has reopen for classes to students in grades 6 through 8 after undergoing a $26.5 million renovation.

For the most part, Monday was business as usual for Quaker Valley Middle School students and staff--except that this wasn't your typical first day back to class. The new and improved Quaker Valley Middle School reopened for classes Monday to students in grades 6 through 8 after undergoing a $26.5 million renovation. Middle school principal Sean Aiken said the school day, including arrival and dismissal, went “very well” with the new walkway and new traffic patterns on Harbaugh Street. He estimated about 98 percent of parents followed the correct driving patterns. “We really increased our walking and car riding population over here in Sewickley. We see a lot of kids walking and getting dropped off. It went smoothly,” he said. Sewickley …

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Unique Boutique Returns for 12th Annual Shopping Benefit

The Unique Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 10 will feature 50 vendors at the Edgeworth Club. Proceeds support renovations to the Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital surgical waiting area.

The Heritage Valley Sewickley Foundation will host its 12th annual Unique Boutique on Saturday, Nov. 10 at the Edgeworth Club. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for shopping or $35 each for admission and lunch. The buffet lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and reservations are required.   Terri Tunick, event coordinator, said 50 vendors will be featured representing a variety of products, including adult and children clothing, gourmet food, home and holiday decor and jewelry and accessories. Six local artisans and business owners featured at the event, include: Robin and Ding Hays of Party Ants, Carolyn Korb of Pursenalities, Caroline Conlan of Exfuze, Julie Jubeck of Ann Radcliff's Designs, Kristen Finamore of…

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Laughlin Children's Center Showcases New Renovations

The center holds an open house to unveil and celebrate its complete renovation.

Dozens gathered Thursday in front of the Laughlin Children's Center in Sewickley as its governing board and staff held a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by an open house to showcase the center's completed renovations. Laughlin's Executive Director Doug Florey thanked the board, staff, clients and community for their dedication to the center. Harton Semple, of the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, also shared with the audience the highlights of 115 years of Laughlin's history. Other speakers included Child Health Association President Elisa DiTommaso, St. Stephens' Rev. Geoff Chapman, Alexander Laughlin and Mayor Brian Jeffe, who said that the Laughlin Center has not only been an asset to the community, but also to his family as well. …

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QV Middle School Renovations Moving Forward--Check Out the Photos!

Quaker Valley's Middle School construction work is taking place this summer. View the district's media gallery.

QV Superintendent Addresses Middle School Renovations in Letter

In a letter Wednesday, Superintendent Joseph Clapper discusses the timeline for moving students into the newly renovated school.

In a letter Wednesday addressed to district families, Superintendent Joseph Clapper reviewed the latest timeline relative to the middle school project and what it will mean for students next school year. Clapper explains in the letter that unforeseen challenges, such as the asbestos abatement, have delayed the school construction schedule. "We anticipate that all middle school students and staff will transfer to the newly renovated Quaker Valley Middle School over the winter break," Clapper writes.  Delayed occupancy, he states, is a minor inconvenience compared to having students contend with a building under construction.  To read the complete letter, see the PDF attached to this article, or click here. 

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Middle School Won't Be Ready for First Day of Classes

But district officials expect students will occupy the building by late fall.

A group of Quaker Valley Middle School parents had the chance to learn more Thursday about the school construction and where the project stands for the beginning of next school year. Joseph Marrone started out by telling parents with the Middle School Home and School Association who gathered at the Penguin Bookshop that there is no definitive answer at this point, while assuring them that the building will be ready for students sometime in the late fall, possibly after the holidays. "The big question, I don't have the answer yet," he said. Marrone, director of administrative services, who is overseeing the project, said the construction portion of the work is about 68 percent complete, according to construction-based measurements. Once …

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Presbyterian Church, Sewickley Votes to Preserve 'Pink House'

The goal is to reuse the Civil-War era home for a youth education center.

The governing body of the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley has agreed to renovate a home known as “the pink house” as long as funding is available to pay the costs. According to a statement from church leaders, the session came to the decision during a special meeting the evening of Monday, April 23, a week before a set deadline to come up with a solution. “The session voted to state its desire to renovate the house at 202 Beaver Street for future use as a youth and education house for the church, provided that sufficient funds are obtained,” the church said in a statement. The session is made up of 24 members whose job is to make decisions on church construction plans and the future of the house. The Rev. Kevin Long, pastor of the church, …

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Steel Arrives as Construction Advances at the QVMS

With the arrival of steel, the construction of “additions” to the original middle school structure is more evident. During construction, seventh- and eighth-grade students attend classes in Ambridge and sixth-grade classes are at Osborne.

Open for Play: Sewickley Academy's Frick Field Renovations Complete

School officials say the field will be used for team practices, as well as recess and intramurals.

Sewickley Academy's first phase of renovations has wrapped up with the reopening of Frick Field on the campus of the private school in Edgeworth. Students are now putting Frick Field to use for play, practices and games, according to academy officials, who say the field turf is for varsity, junior varsity and Middle School practices, as well as Lower School recess and intramurals. Mandi Semple, director of community and media relations, said the field work took three months to complete. Overall campus renovations began nearly a year ago in February 2011. Since then, a new parking lot has opened on the corner of Beaver Road and Hazel Lane; a new loading area has opened for buses and delivery trucks; and the lower parking lot off Hazel Lane…

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