Tribune - Review / Pittsburgh Tribune - Review

Christian Video Games Offer Less Violence

Daniel Gruber battles demons and evil minions in his spare time. He plays the Christian computer game "Eternal War: Shadows of Light," controlling an angel that fights off hellish creatures with a spirit sword.

Shaler Township Hires Intern to Talk Trash, Recycling with Business Owners

Officials are talking trash in Shaler and how to recycle more of it. This summer, Shaler Township hired an intern, Nosheen Ahmad, to lead the township's recycling initiative and help business owners comply with new recycling requirements.

Windsor Road Residents Weigh in On Plans for Brentwood Park

The prospect of school buses going to Brentwood Park worries Windsor Road residents. Preliminary plans for the park's $8 million refurbishing show the student drop-off location for the fields going through Windsor Road, which already is too narrow for traffic, residents say.

Cancer Survivor Pushes Others to Fight for Their Lives at Upmc Shadyside

Outfitted in a Kelly green blazer and signature monogrammed, long- sleeved, white shirt -- a blazer is required attire for volunteers at UPMC Shadyside -- Mike Feeney works the corridors of the seventh floor, the "cancer floor," popping into patients' rooms. "How are you doing? My name is Mike Feeney," he said. "Do you need anything?

Shaler Area Senior Earns Perfect Score On Act Exam

Steven Iasella is at the top of his class. Iasella, an upcoming senior at Shaler Area High School, is one of three students in Pennsylvania -- and one of 268 in the United States -- who took the ACT in April and scored a perfect 36 on the college entrance exam.

Priest Aims to Find Catholic Mission Church Permanent Home in Pittsburgh

The Rev. Vic Cianca Jr., a priest with the Archdiocese of the Arabic Catholic Church, has received a special dispensation to say Mass at 5 p.m. Sundays at his Mount Washington home on Craighead Street. Sometimes, a well-known local personality also might attend the Mass, dinner and fellowship held in a "chapel area" of the home that contains a tabernacle.

Two Free Concert Series Resume in Cranberry

Cranberry is celebrating the summer with two concert series featuring 10 shows. The "Thursday in the Park" series continues at the Cranberry Rotary Amphitheater in Community Park at 7 tonight. Lunchtime concerts begin at noon Fridays at the Garden Gazebo at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. All shows are free.

Ex-Student Council Adviser at North Allegheny Recognized As Nation's Best

The country's best high school student council adviser is a former North Allegheny Intermediate High School teacher who said she worked for 25 years to "empower students." Kathy Ann Coll of Ross was recognized by the National Association of Student Councils in Colorado on June 28 as the 2009 Warren E. Shull National High School Adviser of the Year. She retired in June 2008 after 35 years as a teacher and 25 as an adviser.

Pennsylvania Communities Vexed by Slow Renewal of Recycling Bill

Cranberry recycles nearly 40 percent of the waste collected from the homes and businesses there. In Mt. Lebanon, recycling has increased 60 percent during the past year -- largely the result of a curbside recycling program. And the city of Pittsburgh earns about a half million dollars annually from its recycling program.

Iron City Church Pastor Relates Spiritual Journey to Secular Movies

As Iron City Church congregants flock to services each Sunday, the refreshments are one of the first signs that this is no ordinary house of worship. "Don't choke on the popcorn," says Deanna Kuder, 42, of McCandless.

School District's 'Elementary Center' Plan Troubles Penn Hills Parents

Like many parents in Penn Hills with school-age children, Lisa Silverman supports the school district's plans to build a new high school. "The current building is falling apart. It's embarrassing and you can only fix things so many times," said Silverman, who has a preschooler and children in first and fourth grade. "I think it's great that my younger kids will get to go to a new building."

Ohio Township Festivities -- State's Smallest Farm Fair -- Canceled

No Lego displays. No hickory nuts. No quilting contests. No Mt. Nebo Grange Fair. Organizers in Ohio Township have canceled this year's renewal of the state's smallest farm fair -- with about 140 vendors -- because they expect to lose state support that accounts for 40 percent of their funding.

Commissioner Says State Audit of North Versailles Not Needed

North Versailles commissioner Kash Snyder wants a state legislator to know a review of the township's finances isn't necessary. Sen. Sean Logan, D-Monroeville, last week requested the audit based on calls his office received from township residents concerned about the municipality's recent financial woes. Some residents said they paid their real estate taxes and trash collection fees, but that money wasn't forwarded to the appropriate agencies, Logan wrote in a June 29 letter to Auditor Gener...

Forest Hills Teen Aids Humane Society As Way to Meet Eagle Rank Requirements

Eight furry, playful kittens tumbled over each other in a large cage Saturday at Forest Hills Park's Fourth of July celebration. But the cuddly creatures didn't stay caged for very long. As the day wore on, families adopted them one by one. Credit Tyler McConnell's Eagle Scout project, a requirement to fill Scouting's highest rank.

Duquesne Teacher, Disabled Graduate Student Nab Awards for Travel Documentary

Wheelchair-bound Nick Sinagra trekked 3,000 miles by van across America last summer. Duquesne University instructor James Vota said the trip would be like his running from Pittsburgh to the Oregon coast. "I'm in awe of him," said Vota, 37, who teaches multimedia courses at Duquesne University. "The physical demands on him were more than I can fathom."

Young Achiever: Rachel Scott

Age: 12 Residence: Garfield

Residents: Whitehall Fireworks Attendees Leave Area in Shambles

When Caste Village merchants sponsor their annual fireworks celebration the Friday before the holiday, the surrounding neighborhoods brace for the worst: drunken drivers, litterbugs and illegally parked cars. Baptist Road residents Mary Beth and Paul Novak want the destruction to come to an end. Last week they asked Whitehall Council on July 1 for a solution.

Lapping Up the Fun at Vintage Grand Prix

It is a little more than a week until Schenley Park becomes one of the classiest courses in auto racing, but warm-up events are beginning to get the engines humming. At least, those engines in the hearts of fans of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, the annual race of classic sports cars at the park in Oakland. This year's event will be July 18 and 19.

Glorious Pastry Bakery Is an Open Secret

Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. Food Glorious Food, which opened in 2001, doesn't advertise. Its pastry bakery is open to the public only on Saturday mornings, which co-founder Brad Walter calls "secret Saturday."

Ross Township Time Capsule Includes Personal, Municipal Mementos

In 1959, e-mail didn't exist and no one ever considered receiving a note on an electronic device small enough for a pocket. Lana Mazur can't help but wonder what technology will look like 50 years from now.