BENEFITS FUNDRAISERS

• Vendor’s Fair/Flea Market
  Sponsored by the Southwest Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Sat., Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Cranberry Municipal Center. Seeking vendors and flea marketers. Proceeds will help Habitat make necessary improvements to recently purchased property and buy building materials for their next houses. Tables/$15 each or 2 tables/$25. Call Pat at 724-452-4649 or Sue at 724-452-0603.
   
• Unique Boutique
  The Heritage Valley Sewickley Auxiliary is sponsoring a Unique Boutique, Sat., Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Edgeworth Club in Sewickley. Proceeds benefit the purchase of an infant warmer for the Patricia S. Snyder Maternal/Child Health Center at Heritage Valley Sewickley. Admission/$10 or admission and lunch/$25. Call 412-749-7052.
   
• SneakerBash 2008
  Fourth annual event. Benefits Girls on the Run at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. Sat., Nov. 8, 7-11 p.m., La Casa Narcisi Winery. Tickets $35/person. Call 412-641-1596 or visit www.girlsontherun.magee.edu.
   
• Animal Friends’ 11th Annual Signature Gala
  Sat., Nov. 8, 8 p.m., Circuit Center & Ballroom. “Pets Make Us Laugh” theme. Wine, food by the Fluted Mushroom, dancing to music by Peter Hewlett and Cityscape, prizes, an auction and adoptable dogs, cats and rabbits. WDVE’s Jimmy Krenn will begin the program. Visit www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org.
   
• Sewickley Academy to Host Pancake Breakfast
  Sewickley Academy will host a pancake breakfast on Sat., Nov. 8 from 8-10 a.m. to support fire and police departments in the Edgeworth and Sewickley boroughs. Cost is $5 and Sewickley Academy faculty and students will be cooking and serving the breakfasts. For information, contact Emily Moschitta at emoschitta@sewickley.org or 412-741-2230 ext. 3309.
   
• Benefit for St. Barnabas
  Steve Martin’s The Underpants play. Fri., Nov. 14; Sat., Nov. 15; Fri., Nov. 21; & Sat., Nov. 22, Kean Theatre. $19/show (8 p.m.) or $37/dinner & show (6 p.m., dinner will be served at Atria’s). Proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Nursing Home. Call 724-444-5326 (KEAN) or visit www.keantheatre.com.
   
• St.Ursula Craft Show
  Sat., Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Kirk Ave. (across from the Hampton Fire hall). Wide variety of ‘Homemade in America’ crafts and specialty items. Homemade food and baked goods.
   
• Super Bingo XXIII
  Sat., Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Doors open 9:30 a.m. Benedictine Senior Center. 18+ event. Admission/$25 or in advance/$20. Call 412-931-6051.
   
• A Night at the Races
  Presented by The Knights of Columbus. Sat., Nov. 15, doors open 6 p.m. Knights of Columbus-Columbian Room, 250 Swinderman Rd., Wexford. Admission/$18 (includes buffet). BYOB. Event will supply beer, soda, mixers and snacks. Blackjack tables, chuck-a-luck and 50/50 drawings. Call Don Ettore at 412-366-7223 or Larry Emark at 412-367-0525 to purchase tickets or horses.
   
• Carnival of Miracles
  Tunes for a Cure. Sun., Nov 23, 1-5 p.m., The Hampton Banquet Hall. Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Hors d’oeuvres, gourmet desserts, prizes, 50/50 drawing, raffle, Chinese and silent auctions. Special guest appearance by Johnny Angel. Call 724-449-9595 for tickets.
   
• Avonworth Band Craft Show
  19th annual event.Sat., Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Avonworth High School. Show includes handmade craft items, food, raffles and a silent auction to benefit the marching band, guard and indoor percussion units. Call 412-358-8675 or email avonworthcraftshow@comcast.net.
   
• Johnny Angel & The Halos Christmas
  Sat., Dec. 6, Kean Theatre. $32/show (8 p.m.) or $50/dinner & show (6 p.m., dinner will be served at Atria’s Restaurant). Proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Nursing Home. Call 724-444-5326 (KEAN) or visit www.keantheatre.com.
   
• OrphanCareExpo
  Learn from a diverse group of experienced presenters about a wide variety of adoption, orphan and foster care related topics. Sat., Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Free and open to the public. Childcare provided. NorthWay Christian Community, 12121 Perry Hwy, Wexford. To register, call 724-935-6803 x 3976 or visit www.northway.org.
   
• Spaghetti Dinner
  The Elfinwild Lions Club is having its fundraising spaghetti dinner on Nov. 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the Elfinwild Presbyterian Church on Mt. Royal Boulevard in Glenshaw. Lou Gamber will provide musical entertainment. For information, call 412-487-1888.
   
• Sharing Holiday Warmth
  NHCO is requesting donations for its Sharing Holiday Warmth project which helps several hundred local families in need receive food and utility credits during the holidays. Send contributions to NHCO, 1975 Ferguson Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101. Congregations, schools, businesses or other groups can display a wreath with donation tags. Contact Judy Murchak at 412-487-6316, option 1.
   
• Animal Friends’ Pet Photos with Santa
  Sat., Nov. 22 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Looking for the perfect portrait to enclose with your holiday cards? A pair of 4 x 6 prints is just $5 and will be mailed to your home after the event. 562 Camp Horne Road. Visit http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/ or call 412-847-7055.
   
• Support Military Families
  Shop in Butler County and support military families now through Dec. 13. Purchase $1 raffle tickets to win a gift basket worth $200. Visit www.visitbutlercounty.com or call 866-856-8444 for a list of participating merchants.
   
• Patient Appreciation Day
  Choice Chiropractic and Wellness Center, P.C. will be hosting their annual Patient Appreciation Day, December 6th from 8 a.m.-noon in their Wexford and McKnight locations. New patients will receive a complete exam and films in exchange for their donation of a new toy. All current patients can have a free adjustment in exchange for their donations. All toys will be donated to North Hills Community Outreach’s Santa Shop. For reservations, call (412) 364-9699 (McKnight) or (724) 940-3900 (Wexford).

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

• A Civil War Round Table
  Different speakers each month. Bob Galbraith speaks on “John McClary’s War-Antietam to Appomattox” Nov. 24. Meeting held every 4th Monday, 7 p.m., Hampton Twp. Community Center. Free. Call Bob or Margie at 724-625-2329.
   
• Sewickley Series
  The inaugural season of the Sewickley Series kicks off with Cheryl Charles, Ph.D., on November 13. Charles is president of the Children & Nature Network and will offer helpful suggestions on how to develop environment-based educational programs that enhance children's problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills. Senior School Commons, 8:30 a.m. Visit www.sewickley.org/sewickleyseries.
   
• Northern Tier Regional Library Events
  (Call 724-449-BOOK (2665) for details)
  
  • Along These Rivers Poetry Reading
    Celebrate 250 years of Pittsburgh history. Visiting poets Michael Wurster and Judith Robinson will appear at the library for a poetry reading from Along These Rivers: Poetry and Photography from Pittsburgh. Sat., Nov. 8, 1 p.m. Registration required.
  • An Evening of Antiques
    Thurs., Nov. 13, 7 p.m. Antique appraiser Jack Squires will visit the library. Each participant is invited to bring one antique or collectible, excluding jewelry, for an informal assessment. If the item is a large piece of furniture, bring in a picture of the item. Tickets/$12 per person (purchase at library).
  • Book Discussion Group
    Meets on the last Thursday of each month. Next meeting is Thurs., Nov. 20, 10 a.m., for a discussion of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Informal and open to the public.
  • Knit Lit
    For knitters, crocheters and those who would like to learn. Thurs., Nov. 20, 7 p.m. Bring in a current project or some yarn.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• NHCO Volunteer Opportunities
  
  • Faith in Action
    Volunteers are needed to provide nonmedical assistance to senior citizens. Training will take place Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m., NHCO Allison Park & Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m., North Boroughs. To attend, call Bridget at 412-307-0069.
  General Volunteer Orientations
  Sessions for new and prospective volunteers (ages 14+) will take place on Nov. 13, 1 p.m., Allison Park. RSVP to Abigail at 412-487-6316, option 2.
  • Volunteer Bellringers
    For participation in NHCO’s annual fundraiser at Shoppers’ Choice in Allison Park. As a service unit of the Salvation Army, NHCO receives 90 percent of what is collected in their kettles during the holiday season. Volunteers are need for two-hour shifts. Contact Susan Rohm at 412-487-6316, option 1, x 3120.
     
• Volunteer Gift Wrappers
  Volunteer gift wrappers are needed at The Shoppes at Northway Mall in December to benefit the food pantries of the North Hills. For more information or to sign up, call Rozanne McCall at 412-487-3579.
   
• Tutors Needed
  Tutors are needed at North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center. Make a difference in the lives of area kids through a dynamic tutoring program. No experience needed. Instructional support provided. Call Sandy Niekum at 412-366-1300.

BUSINESS & CAREERS

• CCAC Transfer Days
  The Allegheny campus will host Allegheny Campus Transfer Days to further interest current and prospective students in opportunities to transfer to four-year colleges this fall. Wed., Nov. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Foerster Student Services Center. Call 412-237-2565.
   
• Zonta Meeting
  Professional women in the North Hills are invited to get involved in their community with Zonta Three Rivers North Pittsburgh--an international community service organization that raises money for and supports various women’s issues. The organization will hold its next meeting Wed., Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Fresco’s restaurant on Rt. 19 in Wexford. This month’s speaker is Janet Helms of the Olivia Kinship Program, which helps Ugandan orphans through supported kinship/foster care.
   
• Ask the Attorney
  For income-qualifying individuals. Nov. 12, 7-9 p.m., North Boroughs Satellite. Volunteer attorneys will provide individual consultations on noncriminal matters. Free. Appointments required, call Harriet Gibbs, 412-487-6316, option 2.
   
• Free Legal Clinic
  Free legal counseling will be available from 6-8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month (beginning Nov. 18), Neighborhood Wellness Site, 517 Lincoln Ave. in Millvale. Offered by the sisters of St. Francis. To schedule an appointment with an attorney from Dickie, McCamey and Chilcote, P.C. or for information, call 412-526-8545.

SENIORS

• AARP Meetings
  
  • Bauerstown AARP 2490
    Tues., Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m., Bauerstown Fire Hall. Bowling on Thursdays, noon, Pines Plaza Bowling Lanes on Perry Hwy. Line dancing Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. Call 412-821-4124.
  • Mellwood AARP 2854
    Fri., Nov. 14, 1 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church on Babcock Blvd. Health Work of PA will speak on home strength, general exercise and home screening.
  • Mt. Royal AARP 2510
    Wed., Nov. 19, 1 p.m., All Saints Activity Bldg. Entertainment by Frank Capri. Contact Jene at 724-898-2609.
     
• Conversation Salon
  For seniors and their companions to join in conversation. Thurs., Nov. 13, 1-3 p.m., Northern Tier Regional Library. Second Thursday of each month. Call 724-449-BOOK (2665).

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Parent Education Workshop
  Free parenting workshop for parents of children ages K-12. Learn about the “40 Developmental Assets” which will enable your child to be healthy and successful in school and life. Nov. 15, 9 a.m., Hope Lutheran Church. Call 412-366-1300 or visit www.nhymcc.org.
   
• Pain Management
  Discover alternative methods for pain relief. Thurs., Nov. 20, 7 p.m., Northern Tier Regional Library. Richard Fortune will discuss how acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas can be used to manage pain. To register, call 724-449-BOOK (2665).
   
• The Picky Eater
  Learn how to promote good nutrition, even for the pickiest eaters. Tues. Nov. 25, 7 p.m., Northern Tier Regional Library. Presented by Dr. Ditte Karlovits. To make a reservation, call 724-449-BOOK (2665).
   
• St. Barnabas Medical Center Offers Flu Shots
  Influenza vaccinations are available through November from St. Barnabas Medical Center, 5830 Meridian Rd. Flu shots will be administered from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and will be available on a drive-through basis from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Vaccination/$30 each. Medicare will be accepted as well as most insurances. Walk-in or schedule an appointment by calling 724-443-7231 (call ahead for drive-thru).

SUPPORT GROUPS

• NHCO Support Groups
  (For information, Contact Harriet Gibbs at 412-487-6316)
  • Nov. 6- Young Widows/Widowers Support Group, 7 p.m., Kings Restaurant (Wexford).
  • Nov. 10- Bereavement Support Group, 2 p.m., NHCO Allison Park (Call Sister Elizabeth at 412-536-2020 to register).
  • Nov. 13- Bereavement Support Group, 10 a.m., NHCO Millvale (Call Sister Elizabeth at 412-536-2020 to register).
    
   
• St. Ursula Parish Bereavement Ministry
  Support for grieving families. Share with others who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Free series runs Mondays, 7 p.m., Parish Social Hall. For information and to register, call Lorraine at 412-487-1094 or Sister Janice at 412-486-6700 x 7.
   
• Overeaters Anonymous
  Thursdays, 7:15pm, Memorial Park Church, corner of Peebles and Duncan Avenues. No dues or fees. Call 412-765-3004 for information.
   
• Compulsive Eaters Anonymous
  Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Cranberry Municipal Center, Rochester Rd, (Room 4), Cranberry. Free. For details, call 412-225-1664.
   
• Development Disabilities Support Group
  Meets the third Tuesday of each month, 7-9 p.m. Located at Orion Adult Day Services. 4361 Route 8, Allison Park. For more information, call 412-213-3500.