Top stories from The Herald communities for the week of April 12, 2021

Tawnya Panizzi, The Tribune-Review, Greensburg
·2 min read

Apr. 17—Here are some of the top stories for the week of April 12, 2021:

—Aspinwall seeking $215,000 in grants for town upgrades

Aspinwall residents could see townwide improvements thanks to three grants that council has applied for.

Money would help pay for trail improvements at Fireman's Memorial Park, sewer separation along Western Avenue and work at the Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department garage.

Park work would include replacing the current asphalt trail with a wider, wheelchair-friendly walkway.

Stormwater separation along Western Avenue would alleviate overflows along the road from Fourth Street to Alley A.

Work at the fire department would reconfigure the garage doors.

—Brilliant Line rail corridor to become bike/ped trail

A project along a former railroad corridor could connect residents from Sharpsburg to Pittsburgh's East End.

Allegheny Valley Railroad has agreed to sell the Brilliant Line to Aspinwall Riverfront Park. Work would transform the four-mile line into a bike/pedestrian corridor in a project that's expected to cost nearly $14 million.

The Brilliant Line stretches from the park's shoreline up Washington Boulevard past Highland Park, Lincoln/Lemington and beyond. Some spurs of the trail stretch toward Verona and The Waterworks.

—Fox Chapel Area streams 'Songs for a New World' as spring musical

Fox Chapel Area students will stream a pre-recorded cabaret filled with vignettes about survival in a show that will replace the traditional spring musical.

"Songs for a New World," has short pieces about struggles and success, and will be streamed in four shows April 15-18. Presentations are 7 p.m. April 15-17 and 2 p.m. April 18 and can be viewed on any device.

Tickets cost $15 per person or $25 per family and can be purchased at showtix4u.com/events/fcahsmusical.

—Fox Chapel Area Adult Education sees sharp decline in enrollment

Fox Chapel Area Adult Education (FCAAE) is experiencing a steep decline in enrollment for the spring semester, leaders said.

The program, which enjoyed robust fall and winter semesters, is seeing enrollment down about 75%, and leaders feel it might be because of Zoom fatigue.

Spring classes include art, cooking and spirits, Malbec wine, cardio yoga, photography and special history courses that include "Lost Treasures of Pittsburgh" and "Theatres of Downtown."

Classes start at $10. Register at fcaae.org.

Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 724-226-7726, tpanizzi@triblive.com or via Twitter .