Bulletin Board: A weekly roundup of things to do in North communities -- Oct. 9, 2008

Ross -- North Hills Art Center, 3432 Babcock Blvd., is holding a free multimedia membership show through Oct. 23. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Call 412-364-3622.

Jackson -- Seneca Valley High School National Honor Society will host a blood drive from 7:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. tomorrow in the senior high school gymnasium, 128 Seneca School Road. Walk in on the day of the drive or e-mail Jeff Roberts for an appointment at robertsjt@svsd.net.

Cranberry -- Cornerstone Church, 708 Thomson Park Drive, will bring the game of Candy Land to life during a free family open house from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Call 724-772-2970 or visit www.cornerstoneumchurch.org.

Richland -- PBS cooking instructor Penny Lawrence will teach a cooking class, Hearty Holiday Appetizers With Wine, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Northern Tier Library, 4015 Dickey Road. Fee is $32. Space is limited; call 724-449-2665 to register.

Fox Chapel --David A. Billings will perform a free organ recital at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road. Works will include Felix Mendelssohn, Buxtehude, Bach, Locklair, Durufle and Franck. Visit www.fcpc.us or call 412-963-8243.

Areawide -- The Butler County Symphony Association will host the Butler Symphony Idol Contest during its annual Young Artist Competition in January. The competition is open to college-age musicians up to age 24 who graduated from any Butler County high school or any nonresident attending one of these colleges or universities: Allegheny, Clarion, Geneva, Grove City, Indiana, Slippery Rock, Thiel, Westminster or Butler County Community College. A student will be chosen to perform as a soloist with the symphony orchestra in March. Application deadline is Dec. 3. For an application, call 724-283-1402, e-mail bcso1@juno.com or visit www.butlersymphony.org.

West View -- West View Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary will hold a craft show featuring 40 tables of crafts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the hall at 386 Perry Highway. Free admission.

Hampton -- Nativity Lutheran Church, 4517 Mount Royal Blvd., will hold an Oktoberfest dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Menu includes sausage, sauerkraut, wieners, potato pancakes, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, green beans and German chocolate cake. Beverages and takeout will be available. For reservations, call 412 487-1071.

Areawide -- North Hills Community Outreach is requesting donations for Turkey on Every Table. Items needed are grocery store gift cards, stuffing mix, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, pie crust mix, "easy" pumpkin pie mix, evaporated milk, muffin mix, turkey gravy mix and napkins. Call Judy Murchak at 412-487-6316, option 1, or drop off donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 7 at 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton.

Butler County -- The Butler County Senior Centers Program is sponsoring a Meet the Candidates program. Candidates are invited to visit any of the 11 senior centers throughout the county to meet and talk with senior constituents. Candidates can call the nearest senior center or Lutheran Service Society at 724-283-9002 for more information.

Marshall -- Pittsburgh International Children's Theater will present "If You Give a Pig a Pancake and Other Stories" at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Marshall Middle School, 5145 Wexford Run Road. Tickets are $9.50 in advance or $11 at the door. To order, call 412-321-5520.

Richland -- Kean Theatre, 5847 Meridian Road, is offering free movies at 2 p.m. Tuesdays and 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 29. The schedule is: "Nim's Island," Tuesday; "What Happens in Vegas," Wednesday; "Then She Found Me," Oct. 14; "Made of Honor," Oct. 15; "Deception," Oct. 21; "Baby Mama," Oct. 22; "Young @ Heart," Oct. 28; and "The Happening," Oct. 29. Call 724-444-5326.

Hampton -- St. Catherine of Sweden Church, 2554 Wildwood Road, will hold a Swedish Fall Fete from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Activities include games, crafts, pony rides, petting zoo, musical entertainment and appearances by Pittsburgh Steeler mascot Steely McBeam and a Pittsburgh Pirate Pierogi. A Harvest Market, Sweet Shoppe and used book sale also will be held. Admission is free for most activities. Call 412-486-6001.

Zelienople -- The Zelienople-Harmony Business Association will host a country fall festival from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday on Main Street. Activities include live entertainment, sidewalk sales, farmers' market, children's activities, historic encampments, food vendors and more. Call 724-452-5571 or visit www.zelieboro.org.

Richland -- St. Barnabas Medical Center, 5830 Meridian Road, will administer flu shots on a walk-in basis from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Cost is $30 each. Medicare and some insurances will be accepted. For those with mobility difficulties, shots will be available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the turnaround behind the medical center. To schedule an appointment, call 724-443-7231.

Butler County -- Lifesteps will offer free child development screenings for children from birth to 5 years from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at Butler YMCA, 339 N. Washington St., and from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 23 at Lifesteps' Early Education Center inside Veterans Affairs Building 69, 325 New Castle Road, Butler. To schedule an appointment or for information, call 724-283-2154, ext. 313, or 1-800-225-2010. Also for information, visit www.lifesteps.net.

Bellevue --Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus, Jackson Avenue, will hold a card party luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. next Thursday at the hospital. Tickets are $12. For reservations, call 412-766-8381 or 412-761-3180.

Bellevue -- The Court Bellevue No. 655 Catholic Daughters of the Americas will hold a charity bazaar and card party luncheon at 10 a.m. Oct. 17 with a flea market and bake sale at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 450 Lincoln Ave. Hot lunch served at noon. Tickets are $8. For reservations, call 412-931-4328 or 412-761-7959.

Fox Chapel -- PIZZAZZ 2008, by the Garden Club of Allegheny County, will offer wares from more than 30 vendors from around the world. It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. next Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at Fox Chapel Golf Club, 426 Fox Chapel Road. Tickets are $5 at the door. Buffet lunch available both days. All proceeds support local horticultural, conservation and environmental education projects. For information, visit www.pizzazzpgh.org.

Franklin Park -- Italian and locally produced wines, hors d'oeuvres and music will be offered at the St. John Neumann Church wine tasting from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 2230 Rochester Road. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple. Proceeds benefit the Appalachia Workcamp. Must be at least 21 years old to attend. Call 412-366-5885, ext. 15, or e-mail ambernehne@aol.com.

Mars -- Mars AARP No. 3359 will hold a luncheon and card party at noon Monday at the Mars Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mars-Valencia Road. Tickets are $6. Call Millie at 724-935-1028 or e-mail millie4@zoominternet.net.

Marshall -- The Strand Theater Initiative will present Taste of the New North from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday at the Sheraton Four Points Pittsburgh North. Restaurants will offer menu samples, wine and beer tasting, entertainment and auctions. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Call 724-742-0400 or visit www.thestrandtheater.org.

New Kensington -- The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center will host Dine Out Against Domestic Violence next Thursday at the Clarion Hotel, 300 Tarentum Bridge Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Price includes buffet, auction and jazz by Greg Lutz. Call 724-224-1100 for reservations.

Saxonburg -- St. Luke Lutheran Church, 310 W. Main St., will hold an German buffet Oktoberfest dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. A yodeling contest will start at 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 4 to 12 and free for age 3 and younger. Proceeds benefit the Winnie McGee Caring Fund at Glade Run Lutheran Services in Zelienople. Takeout available. Call 724-352-2333.

Sewickley -- Appetizers and desserts from local chefs and restaurants will be offered during Savoring Sewickley from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 19 at Sewickley Public Library, 500 Thorn St. Tickets are $50. Proceeds benefit the library. Call 412-741-3974.

Shaler -- Shaler Moose Lodge No. 46, 1044 Saxonburg Blvd., will hold an oldies dinner dance, with music by The Softwinds, a doo-wop oldies band, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Proceeds benefit the Performing Arts Alliance of Shaler Area scholarship and grant funds. Tickets are $30. Cash bar. For reservations, call 412-486-1433.

Fox Chapel -- Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will host Creatures of the Night, a non-scary Halloween program and trick-or-treat with the animals. The program will be offered at 6:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Fox Chapel Road. It will include snacks, drinks, crafts and storytelling. Come in costume. Fee is $5 per member; $8 for others. To register, call 412-963-6100.

Bradford Woods -- The Woodlands Foundation, 134 Shenot Road, will host its second annual Halloween Fright Fest from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The trail features a quarter-mile loop through the woods on a graded trail that accommodates wheelchairs and walkers. Participants are led by trained guides and can choose the scariness level for their trek based on the age and tolerance level of their group. Call 724-935-6533 or visit www.woodlandsfoundation.org.

Cranberry/Butler -- The American Cancer Society will hold two free "Look Good ... Feel Better" classes from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at UPMC Passavant in Cranberry, and from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Butler Memorial Hospital. Volunteer beauty professionals will teach women how to deal with some of the side effects of treatment. To register, call the American Cancer Society at 1-888-227-5445.

Richland -- A program on how nutrition can be used to treat diseases will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Northern Tier Library, 4015 Dickey Road. Free. Register by calling 724-449-2665.

O'Hara -- Author Brian Butko will present "All About Isaly's," a remembrance of the deli at 7 p.m. Monday at Lauri Ann West Memorial Library, 1220 Powers Run Road. Free Klondikes provided. Register by calling 412-828-9520, ext. 15.

Shaler -- Adults can make a styrofoam pumpkin craft at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mount Royal Blvd. Material fee is $2. Registration required; call 412-486-0211.

Cranberry -- A board-certified cardiologist from UPMC Passavant will talk about heart health for women at St. Ferdinand Women's Club meeting at 7:30 p.m. today in the education building of St. Ferdinand Church, 2535 Rochester Road. Refreshments will be served. Call Mary at 724-772-0843.

Fox Chapel -- Joseph Hardiman, of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, will present "Discrimination -- Some Forms Aren't Illegal (YET)" at the next American Association of University Women Fox Chapel Branch meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Chapel, 384 Fox Chapel Road. Call 412-782-4238 or e-mail Elm20@juno.com.

Mars -- Opus I Music Society will begin a four-part study of the life and music of Bach at 10 a.m. Monday at Mars Alliance Church, 997 Route 228. Free. For details, call 724-776-9169.

Mars -- North Hills Newcomers and Friends will host a tea at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Johnston House, Route 228. Reservation deadline is Tuesday. Call Nancy at 724-625-7280 or Laurie at 724-741-6377.

Ross -- The North Boros Old Tymers Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Monte Cello's Restaurant, 2189 Babcock Blvd. All men from Avalon, Bellevue and Avonworth high schools are invited. Call Bill Dugan at 412-766-7936.

Shaler -- Bauerstown AARP 2490 will meet at noon Tuesday in Bauerstown volunteer fire hall, Wible Run Road. Board meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Call 412-821-4124.

Millvale -- Mount Alvernia High School, 146 Hawthorne Road, will hold an open house for prospective students and their families from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Those attending can meet the faculty and students and tour the school. Visit www.MtAlvernia.com or contact Kimberly Minick, principal, at 412-821-3858, k.minick@mtalvernia.com.

Frazer -- The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will host its final star party of the year, October Dark Sky/Moonrise Star Party, weather permitting, at 6:40 p.m. Oct. 18 at Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Park. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Call 724-224-2510 or visit www.3ap.org.

Portersville -- Lawrence County Master Gardeners will talk about the benefits of gardening with native plants at 3 p.m. Sunday at the new native plant garden near the mill at McConnell's Mill State Park, rain or shine. A tour of the garden and a guided wildflower walk will be offered. Park at Kildoo Picnic Area and allow time to walk down to the mill. Parking is available for those who have physical challenges. Call 724 368-9320 or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

Portersville -- A search for nocturnal animals will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 on the Hell's Hollow Trail at McConnell's Mill State Park. From the old mill, allow 15 minutes to get to Hell's Hollow. Bring a flashlight, wear sturdy shoes and meet park staff at the Hell's Hollow parking lot. Call 724 368-9320 or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

Hampton -- Nativity Lutheran Church, 4517 Mount Royal Blvd., will hold a Bible study for beginners, taught by the Rev. Richard Merkner, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 15. Registration is not necessary. Call Nancy Coon, secretary, at 412 487-1071.

Emsworth -- The Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary will hold a flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sacred Heart Church, 154 Orchard Ave. at Ohio River Boulevard. Call 412-761-6651.

Franklin Park -- Bellwood Preschool and Kindergarten of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills, 2359 W. Ingomar Road, will sell slightly used infants' and children's clothing, toys, books, furnishings and more from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. next Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 17. Cash only. Proceeds will benefit the school. Call 412-366-3812 or visit www.bellwoodpreschool.com.

Reserve -- St. Aloysius Church, 3616 Mount Troy Road, will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Bake sale, raffles and more. Call 412-821-3610.

McCandless -- The Association of Pittsburgh Priests will host the Rev. Eugene Lauer as he speaks about leadership in the Catholic church at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kearns Spirituality Center, 9000 Babcock Blvd. Donation is $15 per lecture. Call Sister Joan Coultas at 412-366-1124.

Sharpsburg -- Penny Layne, of Paws for a Cause, and her service dog, will speak during a disability resource breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. next Thursday at Volunteers of America/Working Order, 1650 Main St. On Oct. 17, the organization will host a breakfast, Community Connections, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for open forums and cooperative networking. For reservations, call 412-782-5344.

West View -- State Rep. Don Walko, D-North Side, and Neighborhood Legal Services will hold a free "Older and Wiser" seminar on predatory lending from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow at West View Fire Hall, 398 Perry Highway. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited; call 412-321-5523 for reservations.

Jackson -- Watch a culinary specialist demonstrate nine recipes on stage during Taste of Home Cooking at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Seneca Valley High School, 128 Seneca School Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for a business expo, featuring products and services from local businesses and organizations. Call 724-452-6040 for tickets.

McCandless -- La Roche College will sponsor a panel, film and discussion on the Vietnam War at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Ryan Room in the Zappalla College Center, 9100 Babcock Blvd. At 7 that evening, a program on the Vietnam War and Agent Orange victims will be presented in the Zappala College Square. Events are free. For details, visit www.laroche.edu.

Areawide -- Catholic Hospice, a nonprofit program in Pine, is searching for volunteers of all faiths to work in one-on-one patient care, bereavement, clerical work, fund-raising and public relations. Applicants must complete a volunteer application with references and complete training with Catholic Hospice staff and administration. The next training will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 17. Call 724-933-6222 or visit www.catholichospicepgh.org.

Millvale -- Volunteer mentors are needed to provide one-on-one financial counseling and guidance to North Hills Community Outreach Family Savings Account savers. Volunteers will attend a training from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at NHCO's Millvale Satellite, 223 North Ave. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call Harriet Gibbs at 412-487-6316, option 2, ext. 3217.