In brief: Virtual paint and sip, chamber holiday luncheon and more in Bridgeville area

Career moves

Alka Patel of Collier was named vice president of government and external affairs for Comcast’s Keystone Region, which comprises western, central and northeastern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and the Maryland panhandle.

Patel leads a team responsible for engaging with the region’s local, state and federal government officials as well as other key stakeholders, including nonprofit partners with a focus on community investment. She brings more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of technology, business and law. She most recently served as the first chief of responsible AI for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. Previously, she was the inaugural executive director of the Digital Transformation and Innovation Center at Carnegie Mellon University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from Duquesne University.

Virtual paint and sip

The Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western PA is hosting its Second Annual Virtual Holiday Paint & Sip Celebration to benefit MGA’s free patient support services.

This year’s event will be held 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 9. For a $50 donation to MGA, participants will receive a link to participate in the virtual holiday paint and sip event, the supplies needed to create their own snowflake-inspired art, and two bottles of wine from Kavic Winery in Carnegie. The creation of the snowflake-inspired art will be led by Kristy Walter, art therapist, and the wine tasting will be led by Michael and Patricia Kavic from Kavic Winery. New activities for the event this year will include a holiday trivia contest, a virtual silent auction, a basket raffle and a 50-50 drawing.

“We had such a wonderful response to last year’s event, we knew we had to offer it again this year,” said Jim Joyce, executive director of the Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western PA. “We are hopeful that people will see this event again this year as an opportunity to get their family and friends together in a small group setting to celebrate the holiday season. With many continued limitations on larger social gatherings due to the covid-19 pandemic, we know this is a great way to spread some holiday cheer in a safe and fun way.”

Myasthenia gravis is often called the “snowflake disease” because it manifests itself differently in every patient. MGA believes that having participants create snowflake-inspired art not only will allow them to have a beautiful decoration for their home but also help raise awareness about Myasthenia Gravis and MGA.

For more information, contact MGA at mgaoffice@mgawpa.org or 412-566-1545.

Carnegie tree lighting

Carnegie Borough’s Annual Tree Lighting at the Carnegie Borough Building will take place at 6 p.m. Dec. 3. For more information, visit carnegieborough.com.

Russian Food Festival

The Holy Virgin Russian Food Festival will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 11 at Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church, located at 214 Mansfield Ave. in Carnegie. The menu will feature award-winning pierogis, haluski, homemade kielbasa, vodka-roasted chicken and Fr. George’s famous mushroom soup. Order online at hvroc.org or in person.

Chamber Holiday Luncheon

South West Communities Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Luncheon will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Club at Nevillewood. The yearly sold-out event will feature plentiful giveaways, live music by the Dave Iglar Band and nearly 200 South West Communities Chamber members and friends of the community. This event is open to the public. Tickets are $35 for members and $45 for nonmembers. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit southwestcommunities chamber.org.