The 2015 swim season got off to a record-breaking start, as 1,836 people passed through the turnstiles on Memorial Day, outscoring the previous record, 1,744, which happened last July 22. Looks like the new pool is a hit.

ST. CLAIR EXPANSION St. Clair Hospital has purchased 3.7 acres of property at the intersection of Bower Hill Road and North Wren Drive, adjacent to the hospital, for $4.45 million. It had been a small neighborhood shopping area that included Sparkle Market and Chicago’s Pizza, among other retailers, until a corporate affiliate of Walgreens bought it in 2004 and demolished the stores, replacing them with medical offices.

The property is mostly in Scott Township. Hospital officials have not announced what they will do with it yet, pending review of the hospital’s master facility plan. St. Clair, which employs 2,300 people and has 550 physicians, is Mt. Lebanon’s largest employer.

FIRST FRIDAYS An actual question: “Do you have the dates for First Fridays this year?” Well, you’re in luck! We happen to have the dates, times, and the names of the bands right here. First Friday is a Washington Road street fair that takes place on the first Friday of each month, June through September, from 7 to 10 p.m. Music on two stages—main stage is at Clearview Common and the second stage near Wesbanco—all kinds of booths, Sparky the Fire Dog (available for pictures at no cost) and a general sense of summertime well-being are among the attractions.

July 3 Fungus, a Grateful Dead tribute band, will take the main stage to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dead’s first stage appearance (it actually happened May 5, 1965, but we’re celebrating all year). Lost Dogs perform on the second stage.

August 7 The Chalk Outlines perform on the main stage. They describe themselves as “sophisticated garage R&B…boozy, bluesy, hard-boiled rhythms and riffs.” Check out their single, Hole in the Ground. The artwork that goes with it is Lee Marvin from Point Blank. That should tell you all you need to know about the Chalk Outlines. As of press time, the second-stage act hasn’t been nailed down yet, but come on. Lee Marvin from Point Blank. Whatever else happens, we’ll be just fine.

NEW REVOLUTION Peg Pardini wants you to think outside the box—outside the big box national gym.

“I don’t want to be just another chain gym,” says the owner of Revolution Cycle, a new spin studio using stationary bikes for fitness, on Cochran Road in Manor Oak Village.

Pardini, Main Entrance Drive, has worked in the fitness industry since 1998 and operates Pardini Personal Training, LLC in Mt. Lebanon. A longtime instructor with the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department, she is certified through the American Council on Exercise, Beachbody, and Spinning, and teaches Zumba, kickboxing, step, Pilates, yoga, kid fitness, and many other activities. She has worked with cheerleaders and high school sports teams.

“Our philosophy and passion is very important,” she says. “We offer various classes include Cycle Plus, which includes weights, regular cycling and beginner classes.” The studio was specially made to accommodate the spin classes, as opposed to just shoving bikes in the corner of a yoga studio. Pardini says she and her staff gives extra attention to their clients.

The studio will focus on good manners. “Respect is very important to us. Not just respect for the instructor but also for the other clients. If you have to leave early, we ask that you let the front desk know so we can seat people properly. We always ask that you put your phone on silent and ask for no chitchat. This is a place where you are here to work out.”

For class times and more information: visit www.revolutioncycleusa.com.

BIRD PARK RESTORATION The eastern half of Bird Park will undergo a much-needed restoration this summer. The dense thickets between the soccer field and Washington Road will be cleared of invasive honeysuckles and vines through a joint effort of the Parks Advisory Board, the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy and the public works department.

Invasive plants can quickly take over an area, killing native trees. The proliferation of invasives was cited as a significant concern in the 2004 Mt. Lebanon Parks Master Plan, and the conservancy has been working to remove the invasives over the years. This summer’s work is targeting the densest areas of invasive shrubs and vines so that new native tree plantings can establish a self-sustaining woodland such as the one in the western half of the park.

The restoration plan consists of clearing shrubs and vines using a small motorized forestry mulcher within four acres of eastern Bird Park, and selective hand-cutting of an additional three acres along the edges of the park. Existing trees will be preserved. Because of their aggressive growth, the stumps of the shrubs that are cut must be painted with a low-toxicity, non-persistent herbicide to prevent re-growth.

Shrub clearing and stump treatment is anticipated to begin in July, and will be completed by August. During clearing, access to active work areas will be restricted and signage will be posted. The project is not anticipated to conflict with the use of John Doctor Field or public roadways. Tree plantings and re-seeding is planned to be completed in October.

Volunteers will be needed for both clearing and restoration activities—if interested, please call Jonathan Farrell at 412-400-8755 or contact the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy at LeboNature@gmail.com.