In brief: Holiday happenings, leaf collection and more in Aspinwall area

Cookie Tour

Best of Blawnox will host its annual cookie tour from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 6.

The event runs at the same time as the borough’s holiday celebration.

There will be an information booth at the monument along Freeport Road with a map to the businesses with cookies. Participating businesses will also have a balloon at their main entrances.

The borough celebration will take place at the Hoboken Presbyterian Church along North Avenue. There will be face painting, airbrush tattoos, balloon art, a visit from Santa and more.

No formal tree lighting is planned. However, borough holiday lights will be turned on at dusk.

Light Up Fox Chapel

Fox Chapel will host its annual Light Up Fox Chapel event from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the borough building, 401 Fox Chapel Road.

Activities include cookie decorating, photo booth, sleigh rides, a bonfire, caricature artist, crafts, kids’ activities, a visit from Santa and more.

Attendees are urged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic League’s Stuff-A-Store Project.

Parking will be available at Cooper-Siegel Community Library and at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.

More information is available on the borough’s Facebook page.

Light recycling

O’Hara is partnering once again with Michael Brothers to recycle holiday lights to benefit Project Bundle-up.

People can drop off the lights from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the township office, 325 Fox Chapel Road.

Collection runs through Feb. 15.

Aspinwall Neighbors toy drive

Aspinwall Neighbors is again teaming up with Play It Forward Pittsburgh to collect, package and deliver toys to local children and families, giving toys a second life and spreading a lot of holiday cheer.

Play It Forward Pittsburgh is a regional toy donation effort that collects gently used and new toys so that every child can experience the joy of the holiday season, no matter their family’s circumstances. Since its start, this volunteer-driven project has helped thousands of families find holiday gifts, all at no cost.

Neighbors can drop off gently used or new toys in good condition at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church through Dec. 6 and Aspinwall Neighbors will deliver donations to Play It Forward Pittsburgh’s main sorting site in early December, where volunteers organize and prepare them for families across the region to “shop” for their children.

For specific drop-off dates and times and more information, visit aspinwallneighbors.org.

Free Thanksgiving dinner

Sharpsburg Family Worship Center is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner from noon-3 p.m. Nov. 27. Open to all, grab-and-go is available beginning at 2:30 while supplies last.

Optimist Foundation toy drive

Pittsburgh North Optimist Foundation is holding its annual Toy Drive on Dec. 6 from noon-3 p.m. in the Lauri Ann West Community Center’s parking lot.

It is a drive-thru event this year. Unwrapped toys and gifts, as well as monetary donations, are welcome. All donations will be given to Sharpsburg Family Worship Center’s Give a Gift program.

For more information, visit pittsburghoptimist.com/toy-drive.

Fall food collection

O’Hara Township is collecting nonperishable food items for the local food bank. Donations can be dropped off at the township building, 325 Fox Chapel Road, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Christmas concerts

Get in the mood for Christmas with a free concert of seasonal favorites by the Pine Creek Community Band on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. in Saint Mary Church, 210 Garnier St., Sharpsburg.

Join us for The True Meaning of Christmas: A Concert of Carols, Anthems, and Readings on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. in Saint Joseph Church, 342 Dorseyville Road. Christ the King Parish’s Choir will perform traditional carols along with uplifting readings to help prepare you for the arrival of the Christ Child.

For more information, call 412-963-8885 ext. 110.

Glitter & Glow

Fox Chapel Garden Club’s holiday event, Glitter & Glow, returns 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club. It’s a festive evening to enjoy cocktails, appetizers and desserts while shopping member-created live arrangements, flowering holiday combination planters, fresh cut greens and other unique gift ideas for home and family. A silent auction and teacup offers one-of-a-kind items from artwork and needlepoint to services utilizing members’ horticultural and beautification talents. For additional information, visit foxchapelgardenclub.org. Reservations are $40.

Leaf collection

Fall leaf collection in O’Hara runs through Dec. 1.

Residents are reminded to rake their leaves within four feet of the curb, but not on the street. No other debris may be mixed in with the leaves. Township officials said leaves left in the street can create a safety hazard, especially if it rains or snows.

Call the township office at 412-784-1784, ext. 203 with any questions or comments regarding the leaf collection program.

To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.