Sweetwater to host RAD open house

Sweetwater Center for the Arts, in partnership with the Allegheny Regional Asset District, is hosting an Open House on Dec. 7, serving as the official launch of Sweetwater’s Giving Tree campaign.

The RAD Open House is a free event, inviting community members of all ages to explore Sweetwater’s studios, meet instructors, observe creative demonstrations and participate in hands-on

activities.

Activities and demonstrations run from noon-3 p.m. and will include needle punch and needle felting, printmaking, sugar cookie decorating, clay workshop, puppetry workshop and metalsmithing demo.

Enjoy a special live performance by Paul Thompson’s talented CAPA jazz students in the Community Room from noon-2 p.m. Plus, watch a class in action as Chef Laurie Trok leads her holiday cooking class from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the kitchen.

The unveiling of the Giving Tree Campaign is a fun and meaningful way to support Sweetwater’s artistic programs. This year’s campaign theme is “Give the Gift of Art,” with each ornament representing tangible improvements to Sweetwater’s studios and programs.

There will be two modes of giving: the in-person Giving Tree in Sweetwater’s main lobby, where visitors can choose any ornament from the tree, scan a QR code, and give directly through Sweetwater’s Amazon wish list, or partake digitally on Sweetwater’s social media pages.

Every time an item from the wish list is bought, an ornament gets removed, displaying the impact of community giving. The campaign will run from the day of the RAD Open House through Dec. 19.

Sewickley Music Club

The Sewickley Music Club’s Dec. 10 holiday program will be performed by Italian lyric tenor Marco Fiorante (vocalist) accompanied by Paul Calise (accordion).

Fiorante was born in Cellino San Marco, Italy. He completed his studies in opera performance at the Conservatorio Tito Schipa in Leece, Italy, and a master’s in professional music education from the Universita G. Fortunato in Benevento, Italy. He has been invited to sing at various prestigious events worldwide in places such as the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the FBI Headquarters, the Italian Cultural Society in Naples, Fla., the 50th Anniversary of Domenico Modugno’s Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue (Volare) in San Pietro V.co and he made his television debut performing on RAI International’s program, “Cristianita.” In 2016, Marco released his latest album “LOVE” featuring popular Italian songs.

The Club members will meet for their holiday luncheon and program on Dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the Edgeworth Club, 511 Creek Drive, Sewickley.

Information on The Sewickley Music Club membership can be found on The Club’s Facebook page or by calling Donna Pavlis, publicity/marketing, at 412-498-6352.

Christmas tree recycling

Aleppo residents should check their mailboxes for a township postcard about its annual Christmas tree recycling program.

Township Manager Gwen Patterson said the card will have information about when residents should leave out their trees. Public works crews will collect and mulch them after the holiday.

Meeting change

Aleppo commissioners’ regular December meeting has been rescheduled from Dec. 15 to Dec. 22 to accommodate commissioner travel and ensure a quorum.

Their Nov. 17 meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum.

The Dec. 8 workshop meeting is set to go on as planned.

All meetings are at 7 p.m. at the township office, 100 North Drive.

Toy drive

Leet Police Department is collecting unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.

People can bring their donations through Dec. 6 to the station, 194 Ambridge Ave.

Go to toysfortots.org for more ways to donate.

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 the shop. For more information, email info@sewickleyyarns.com or call 412-741-8894.

Cochran Hose holiday events

Cochran Hose Company is working with Sewickley Police to collect toys for local families in need as part of the Western PA Police Athletic League’s drive.

There are three ways to donate new, unwrapped toys:

• Drop off toys during normal business hours at The Ultimate Pastry Shop, Fun Buy the Pound, Bridgeside Market and Village Coffee until Dec. 5

• Bring toys to the fire truck parked on Beaver Street during Sewickley Light Up Night on Dec. 5

• Take toys to Cochran Hose Company’s Santa at the Station event from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Dec. 7

Cochran Hose Company’s annual Santa at the Station event will be held on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at 601 Thorn St. Join us for crafts, snacks, fire truck rides and photos with Santa. This is a free community event, but new and unwrapped toys will be collected for local families in need as part of the Western PA Police Athletic League’s toy drive.

Senior party planned

A senior Christmas party is planned for 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the high-rise on Spencer Street in Leetsdale.

It is open to all borough seniors. There is a signup sheet in the building’s lobby.

People can also register by contacting Mayor Sandra Ford at 724-266-4820 or by emailing mayorford@gmail.com.

The Lindsay Theater

Catch a film and fill a pantry this holiday season! The Lindsay is collecting nonperishable donations for the Center for Hope in Ambridge through New Year’s Eve.

Tickets are on sale for The Lindsay’s Holiday Classics! We’re playing “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (live action) and “Christmas in Connecticut” from Dec. 19 through Christmas Day.

A sensory-friendly “Zootopia 2” screening is set for 10 a.m. Dec. 6.

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 Venmo. Order deadline is Dec. 15. Proceeds will fund camping and safety equipment, transportation and scholarships for local scouts. To support this fundraiser, email BSTroop243 Sewickley@gmail.com or call/text Jennifer Nastasi at 708-829-8734.

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 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.

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.

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 Dec. 3. Speakers will be Chris Wasel with Senior Helpers and Bill Paviol with Smart Wired. To attend, become a member or for more information, visit gpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.

BROADcast Concert Series

The BROADcast Concert Series continues at 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at Sewickley United Methodist Church. The Slippery Rock University Chamber Singers present an afternoon of inspiring choral music that showcases the artistry and passion of one of western Pennsylvania’s premier collegiate vocal ensembles.

Admission is free, and donations are appreciated to support the ongoing work of the Charles Wesley Music Foundation.

For more information about the BROADcast Concert Series and the work of the Charles Wesley Music Foundation, visit cwmfdn.org.

SMC Club

SMC Club, an affiliate of the Sewickley Valley YMCA, will host Gary Augustine on Dec. 5 and the Christmas party is set for Dec. 12. On Dec. 19, the North Allegheny High School Choir will sing Christmas songs. 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.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)