Toy drive
Walking the Talk, a small local group, is holding its 15th annual toy drive serving the Quaker Valley School District, Cornell School District and Moon School District. The drive will be held at the Sewickley Methodist Church on Dec. 13 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The drive is a project of Verna Corey, MC Nash and Judy Haluka. More than 720 children from 340 families were served last year and similar numbers are expected this year. Volunteers on Dec. 12 for setup and for giveaway on Dec. 13 are welcome. To sign up to volunteer or if you are in need of toys, visit walkingthetalk.net. Advance sign up is required to assure that we have the correct toys for the correct genders and ages. We also offer choices from new household goods and clothing.
Email judyhaluka@verizon.net with questions.
Winter concerts
Quaker Valley School District has a variety of free winter concerts planned.
The high school choir will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at the high school.
The middle school choir will perform Dec. 17 at the middle school
Sixth grade goes on stage at 6:30 p.m. Seventh and eighth graders sing at 7:15 p.m.
Edgeworth Elementary fifth graders perform at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the elementary school.
Osborne Elementary fifth graders perform at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the elementary school.
More information is available on the district’s Facebook page.
Bird count
Little Sewickley Creek Watershed Association will host a watershed winter bird count on Jan. 3.
Field watchers, those volunteering outside, will do counts from 8 a.m. to noon at Sewickley Heights Park, Walker Park, Morrow Pontefract Park and other locations within the watershed.
Theater watchers, those who want to stay inside, can participate anytime during the day and log their observations of bird species and the number of birds at their bird feeders or anywhere in their neighborhoods.
The association will post the results of the count on its website, lscwatershed.org.
Those interested in participating should contact John Orndorff at 412-313-1363 or email orndjo@gmail.com.
Verland Light Up Night
Verland’s Sewickley campus of 10 homes and an adult training center starts off the joyous season with a Light Up Night event from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 that will include a parade, family activities of games, crafts, a photo booth, DJ and balloon twister.
Verland serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in five counties (Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Mercer, and Venango) with more than 40 community living arrangements.
For more information, visit verland.org.
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.
All meetings are at 7 p.m. at the township office, 100 North Drive.
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.
Pittsburgh Zoo educators Jessica Ries and Heather Berkey will join The Lindsay on Dec. 14 at 1:45 p.m. for a free “Zootopia 2”-related Q&A and animal encounter.
Wendy Whittick, the Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club’s president, will introduce the 7 p.m. “Christmas for Connecticut” screening on Dec. 19. This zany farce stars Barbara Stanwyck as a food writer desperately trying to maintain her image as the perfect housewife after her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for Christmas.
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.
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.
SMC Club
SMC Club, an affiliate of the Sewickley Valley YMCA, will host its Christmas party on 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.