In brief: Leaf collections, luminaria fundraiser and more in Sewickley area

Luminaria fundraiser

Sewickley Boy Scout Troop 243 is continuing the tradition of selling luminaria kits for the holiday season. Each kit contains 10 five-inch candles, 10 white paper bags and a bag of sand, with delivery to local homes on Dec. 20. The price is $14/kit, by check or PayPal. Order deadline is Dec. 15. Proceeds will fund camping and safety equipment, transportation and scholarships for local scouts. To support this fundraiser, email BSTroop243Sewickley@gmail.com or call/text Jennifer Nastasi at 708-829-8734.

Food pantry donations

Leetsdale Mayor Sandra Ford thanked several donors who recently contributed to the borough’s food pantry, keeping it operational while state legislators continue budget negotiations.

Ford, who volunteers as food pantry coordinator, said significant contributions came from the Buncher Corporation, Rotary Club of Quaker Valley, Kiwanis Club and Ellien Stevenson as well as other small private donations.

The pantry receives about $1,200 every six months and $700 for the year for delivery expenses from the state, but those funds have not been distributed due to the budget impasse.

The pantry serves about 60 households per month. Distribution is on the third Monday of the month.

Park upgrades complete

Park upgrades at Ambridge Avenue Park in Leet have been completed.

They included upgrades to the basketball and tennis courts, dek hockey and pickleball, new playground equipment and sidewalk improvements. All courts are ready for play.

Donora-based El Grande Industries did the work this year.

Sewickley Heights History Center

Pittsburgh Parlor Song of the Gilded Age lecture and recital is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Sewickley Heights History Center. Bardy Collins will discuss Pittsburgh’s music publishing scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and perform selections such as “Pittsburgh (You’re a Grand Old Town),” “My Youghiogheny Girl,” and “Pittsburg: The City of Smoke.”

Donation is $25. RSVP at sewickleyheights history.org or by calling 412-741-4487.

Leaf cleaning offered

Leetsdale is hosting a fall leaf cleaning through November for all disabled and low- income senior citizens in the borough. DeGori Lawncare is donating services.

Those interested in the service can contact Mayor Sandra Ford at 724-266-4820 or email mayorsford@gmail.com for more information.

Child Health Association Ball & Play

The Child Health Association of Sewickley’s biennial Ball & Play will take place Nov. 21-22 at The Edgeworth Club in Sewickley.

A hallmark of CHA’s history, the Ball & Play combines theatrical performance, fine dining and elegant celebration. Written and performed by community and Child Health members, the original play is a lighthearted Sewickley satire, poking fun at local life and traditions while bringing the community together for laughter and fun.

The Ball & Play has been a cherished Sewickley event for generations, blending artistry, community and philanthropy. Proceeds benefit the Child Health Association of Sewickley’s mission to improve the quality of life for children throughout Western Pennsylvania through health, education and charitable initiatives.

Tickets for the play only (Friday) are $65. For the Ball & Play on Saturday, tickets are $225 per person. Attire is formal/black-tie optional. To purchase tickets, visit childhealthassociation.org.

Knit and crochet group

Sewickley Yarns invites crafters to a free knit and crochet group from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesdays at 435 Beaver St. For October, the group is making Knitted Knockers, prosthetics to donate to breast cancer survivors. Approved yarns are available for purchase in shop. For more information, email info@sewickleyyarns.com or call 412-741-8894.

Dazzling Nights

Tickets are now on sale for the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh holiday light show.

This is the fourth year for what has quickly become one of Pittsburgh’s most highly anticipated holiday light experiences, this year boasting 20 distinct worlds that guests will explore as they walk through the immersive, mile-long path. Dazzling Nights opens Nov. 28 and runs through Jan. 3, with entry times beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific time and date, and are available exclusively at DazzlingPittsburgh.com. Tickets are $28-34.75 for adults and $25-$33.75 for children (prices listed include fees) plus tax. Children 3 and under enter free. Active Garden members enjoy 20% off up to 8 tickets in a single transaction using their member discount code (exclusions apply). Memberships are available at pittsburgh botanicgarden.org/membership.

Turkey Trot registration open

Registration is open for the Sewickley Turkey Trot 5K on Nov. 27 at War Mem­orial Park. Perfect for runners, walkers and families, the scenic 5K through Sewickley supports the YMCA’s Faith in Action program, helping neighbors in need.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. and awards will take place at 9:20 a.m.

Register at sewickleyymca.org/5k.

Leaf collection

Glen Osborne’s pilot leaf collection program runs through Dec. 8.

Collections will be made on Mondays and Wednesdays by the borough’s new public works contractor, Brian’s Property Maintenance.

Residents do not need to register or contact the borough to have their leaves collected.

Those who want their leaves collected should rake them in rows, no more than five feet from the curb, and not into the street, either the night before or early in the morning of collection.

Do not mix in grass clippings, mulch, sticks or other yard waste, as this can clog the vacuum equipment.

Residents should also avoid on-street parking on leaf pickup days and avoid piling the leaves around mailboxes, street signs, telephone poles, fire hydrants or under shrubs and low trees.

Resident trash collection and recycling are covered by the borough through real estate taxes. There is no additional fee for leaf collection.

Leaf collection

Leetsdale leaf collections are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Borough officials said residents should rake their leaves to the curb the night before and not in the road. Leaves also should not be put into bags for collection.

Business Connection

Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, a referral group of business professionals, will meet at Eat’n Park on Route 60 in Robinson Township for breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 12. Speakers will be Jason Henze of Overhead Door Company of Pittsburgh and Jim Kernick of Kernick Tire Center. To attend, become a member or for more information, visit gpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.

BROADcast Concert Series

The next concert of the BROADcast Concert Series is 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at Sewickley United Methodist Church (337 Broad Street). Two of Pittsburgh’s premiere musicians, soprano Charlene Canty and pianist Ellen Fast, present Women’s Voices: Music of Ned Rorem and Florence Price.

Admission is free, and donations are appreciated to support the ongoing work of the Charles Wesley Music Foundation and the church’s music ministries.

For more information about the BROADcast Concert Series and upcoming performances, visit cwmfdn.org.

SMC Club

SMC Club, an affiliate of the Sewickley Valley YMCA, will host Cindie Carioli, Allegheny District Attorney’s office, on Nov. 7. On Nov. 14, Frank Gamrat of the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy will discuss skill games and the Pennsylvania gaming landscape. Bob Ferguson will talk about opening the Ohio River for navigation on Nov. 21, and there will be no meeting on Nov. 28 because of Thanksgiving. The Christmas party is set for Dec. 12. There will not be a meeting on Dec. 26 because of the holiday. For more information, visit smensclub.org or Facebook.com/ smensclub.

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