Pine-Richland High School students hope to spread the magic of the season -- and raise some money -- by writing personalized letters from Santa to children. For $5 and a little background information -- name and age of the child; names of siblings, pets and teachers; favorite foods; recent activities and interests; and a Christmas wish list -- a student will write to a child as Santa Claus about the coming holiday. Requests must be received by Nov. 30. Send them to Santa's Mailbox, c/o Lisa Knapp, 329 Heather Hill Drive, Gibsonia, PA 15044.

The North Hills Art Center, 3432 Babcock Blvd. in Ross, will open its Holiday Handcraft gift shop Saturday through Jan. 6.

The center promises unique items created by local artists and crafters, with an emphasis on holiday decorations, jewelry, ceramics, stained glass, original photography and artwork.

The opening reception will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday with food and music. Admission and on-site parking are free.

Gallery and office hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The center is closed Sundays and Mondays. Call 412-364-3622 or visit www.northhillsartcenter.com for more information.

You may have seen the 1972 movie, "The Candidate," in which a newly elected senator, played by Robert Redford, turns to an aide on election night and asks, "Now what?"

Indeed.

The Local Government Academy, an independent, nonpartisan organization, is poised to fill in the blanks for those who have sought to serve their community and are now unsure of where exactly to begin.

The Newly Elected Officials course will start Saturday and is open to all winners of local office in the general election.

Sessions, scheduled for evenings and weekends, will be offered on a number of topics, including: scope of municipal powers; working with the media; understanding finances and the budget; and personnel law, among others.

Details about the course are available on the academy's Web site at www.localgovernmentacademy.org or by calling 412-237-3171. Advance registration is required.

To accommodate publication of our big Thanksgiving edition, stuffed with stories and Black Friday ads, next week's PG North will be published Wednesday.

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