Sewickley Organizations Collect Toy Trucks in Memory of Maddox

Toy construction trucks have become a symbol of community support for the Derkoshes, whose 2-year-old son Maddox died Nov. 4 at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

The Sewickley Mom’s Club and the Sewickley Newcomer’s Club recently joined forces in memory of little Maddox Derkosh, who died at the zoo Nov. 4. Members from both organizations participated in a toy truck drive, resulting in 30 trucks of various sizes donated over the course of a week in memory of the 2-year-old. Maddox died after he fell into a zoo exhibit and was mauled by dogs.  Toy trucks have become a symbol of community support for the Derkoshes and are being collected indefinitely. The trucks were delivered Sunday and will be donated to a children's charity in Maddox's memory. Like Sewickley Patch on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.

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Last Push: Sewickley Volunteers Work to Get Out the Vote

Democrats and Republicans plan to work the polls, transport voters on this Election Day.

With just a day before the election, volunteers at the Republican campaign headquarters in Sewickley were making telephone calls and passing out campaign materials to supporters who stopped in.  At the Democratic headquarters, volunteers at the Broad Street location were also still handing out campaign items and speaking to supporters as well.  For both campaign offices, weeks of phone banking, door-to-door canvassing and political discussions have come down to today, Election Day. Their efforts are anything but over, as the polls open at 8 a.m. Alisa Lenhardt, Republican volunteer, said they plan to have volunteers out at every polling place, including 11 people at the St. Stephen's Church polls and 25 working at the campaign office at …

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Superstorm Update: Patch & AOL Send Hurricane Sandy Relief Trucks to Long Island, New Jersey

Patch employees help out in storm-ravaged communities, and you can, too

It's been said it's far better to have a neighbor who's near than a brother who's far away, but in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Americans across the nation have proven to be the best neighbors and the strongest of families. This past weekend, AOL and Patch employees took an opportunity to pitch in, packing two tractor trailers worth of food, water and supplies in Dulles, VA, and Baltimore. The donations are headed to areas in New Jersey and Long Island that were ravaged last week by Hurricane Sandy. Want to join the relief efforts? Click here to donate: https://donate.networkforgood.org/aol "When a catastrophe of this size hits, we all feel it, both the hundreds of us who live in the impacted towns, and our colleagues who are watching and …

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Allegheny County Seeks Poll Workers to Help at Voting Sites

More than 7,000 poll volunteers countywide will be assisting with the Nov. 6 election.

With exactly two weeks until Election Day, the Allegheny County Division of Elections is looking for more poll workers to assist on what’s expected to be a larger-than-usual voter turnout day. Edward Barnard, Allegheny County elections office coordinator, said there are locations scattered across Allegheny County that could use the additional help, including a couple of positions in McCandless, Ross and Richland townships. “Those places are so big, they encompass so many districts,” Barnard said. “We always are looking for volunteers in those areas.”   Poll workers are paid $105 for the day, plus $20 for taking a two-hour training class. Experience is not necessary.  “Most of the time, the boards just need able hands," Barnard said. "…

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Dozens of Dogs Get a Second Chance on Liberation Day

Animal Friends took in nearly 30 dogs Monday as part of the biannual event.

For the fifth year in a row, Animal Friends held its annual "Liberation Day Rescue" to offer a second chance to lost and unclaimed dogs. Jolene Miklas, Animal Friends' spokeswoman, said the dogs that were saved Monday were slated to be euthanized at various animal control facilities if not claimed by their owners. "Animal Friends partnered with four animal control agencies to rescue and admit 29 unclaimed dogs who were facing euthanasia," she said.  The first wave of rescued dogs on Monday morning produced two from Triangle Pet Control of McKees Rocks. A second wave brought in a total of 15 dogs from the Greene County Humane Society. More would come throughout the day, with plenty of volunteers on hand to lend a helping hand.  "It's very …

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Business Notebook

Sewickley Cafe Welcomes Pets for Yappy Lunch

Every Saturday in June, July and August, the Sewickley Cafe will open the patio to pets for lunch in the garden.

When Sewickley Café owner Don Reinhardt opened his restaurant patio to dogs during Sewickley Unleashed  two weeks ago, he couldn’t be sure what to expect. Reinhardt said the Sewickley Café ended up hosting 15 dogs on the outdoor garden patio that day. “It went over well,” Reinhardt said. His idea to welcome four-legged patrons for one special day led to an even better idea: the Yappy Lunch. Starting today, pet owners are invited to bring their dogs for lunch in the restaurant garden. As a pet owner with a soft spot for Golden Retrievers, Reindhardt knows that dogs are considered part of the family in many households. Reinhardt said the patio will be open to dogs every Saturday in June, July and August to help raise money for the Beaver …

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Ber M.

2:04 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

Good Idea Stan! :) Leave those who think it's "dirty" to eat outside with their PET not a wild animal go to other conventional restaurants.... as for me, I can't wait to go to Yappy Lunch! :)   more ›

Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pet: Smart, Social Harry Likes to Play Ball

Harry has learned to sit and lie down during his stay at Animal Friends.

Anyone want to play ball? Then come meet Harry! He’ll retrieve the ball and drop it so that you can throw it again and again. He can even catch the ball on a bounce and never seems to get tired of the game. Harry looks like a yellow Labrador Retriever, but his legs are short! That doesn’t affect his enthusiasm for running and playing.  Harry is friendly, social and smart! He has learned to sit and lie down during his stay at Animal Friends. This energetic young guy is looking for an active family who has previous experience with owning dogs and no children in the home under the age of 12. A fenced yard for outdoor play would be a plus. Harry is also crate trained. He would love to continue his behavior training at Animal Friends’ classes…

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Claim Your Directory Listing to Help the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank

For every listing claimed by a local business during March, we will donate $5 in Patch advertising to the food bank that serves southwestern Pennsylvania.

Help Sweetwater Support the Hungry with Empty Bowls

All bowls created Saturday at the Open Ceramics Studio will be donated to Just Harvest.

  Sweetwater Center for the Arts will sponsor two open studio sessions Saturday in support of a Just Harvest's “Empty Bowls” fundraising event.  Just Harvest is a local organization that works to eliminate hunger and poverty.   Anyone may attend the studio sessions and help in the fight against hunger by producing bowls to donate to Just Harvest’s “Empty Bowls” dinner fundraiser, which will be March 11 at Rodef Shalom in Pittsburgh.   A Sweetwater instructor will be on hand to assist those with no prior experience, and wheel throwing and hand building options will be available.   Sweetwater will provide clay, and all bowls created will be left at the center to be glazed and donated to Just Harvest. There will be two sessions for this event…

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QV Offers Clearance Alternative for Volunteers

Volunteers can submit to a background check and must take a TB test.

Quaker Valley School District is offering an alternative to volunteers who must complete a clearance process. The district previously required that volunteers and chaperones file for all three criminal and child abuse clearances -- PA Criminal History, Child Abuse and FBI -- but now volunteers can choose to submit to a background check. As of Dec. 1, the background check is available as new option at a cheaper cost. The background check costs $26 compared to the $53 to $57 price to file for three clearances. Pennsylvania's public school districts require state and federal criminal and child abuse clearances for all new employees, but each district handles volunteers differently. Quaker Valley previously mandated the clearances for all …

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