Future events
local stage
Actors and Artists of Fayette County (AAFC) will present “Mame” at Scottdale Showtime Theatre at 8:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14, and 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 and 13. Tickets are $10, and reservations can be made by visiting the box office located at 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 724-887-0887. AAFC, Scottdale Showtime Theatre and the Lido Caf? will offer Luncheon Before the Lights at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Luncheon Before the Lights is a brief program about “Mame,” a light suipper including a deli-style sandwich, pasta salad, fruit salad, dessert, beverage and a ticket to Friday’s performance. The cost is $20. Reservations for Luncheon Before the Lights are required.
music
The Point Marion Lions Club will host a “Music Jamboree” fund-raising event at the skating rink in Point Marion every second Saturday of the month. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature an open-stage portion from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A feature group or band will play from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. These events will continue every second Saturday of the month through June 2003. There will be music from the staff band and unexpected guests. There is a $2 donation at the door. The kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m. To participate in the open stage, book a band or perform in the feature portion, call 724-725-5737 or 1-304-599-0795.
“Symphony on Wheels” will travel to Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 21, to attend the “Holiday Pops” concert. A holiday tradition that grows more popular every year, Heinz Hall is transformed into a winter wonderland by the sounds of the season. The audience will enjoy such favorites as music from “The Nutcracker” and holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night.” An audience sing-a-long will follow. Deadline for purchasing tickets for this concert will be Friday, Dec. 13. Ticket cost is $42 for seating in the grand tier or orchestra level. Bus transportation from the Uniontown Mall is available for a charge of $17 for a round-trip ticket. Call Susan at Communities in Schools at 724-437-2540 for reservations.
Scottdale Choral Society will present its Christmas concerts in December. The choral society will perform on the following dates: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Perryopolis United Methodist Church; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, East Crawford Avenue, Connellsville; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, Southmoreland High School Auditorium in conjunction with the Southmoreland High School Choir; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, St. John’s R.C. Church, Broadway Avenue, Scottdale; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Cochran Methodist United Methodist Church, Dawson.
art
The Flatiron Building in Brownsville houses two museums. The Heritage Center tells the story of the two major eras of history relating to the making of America. The Westward Expansion (National Road era) and the Coal, Coke, River and Railroad (Industrial era) offer changing exhibits every two months. For more information, call 724-785-9331. The Frank L. Melega Art Museum located in the upper level of the historic Flatiron Building offers Melega’s original art of many mediums focusing on the industries of the area. Reproductions and limited-edition reproductions are available for sale in the gift shop.
“The Mad Potter’s Tea Party” exhibit will be held through Saturday, Dec. 21, at 64 Crayons Cultural Center, which is located at the Thompson House, 815 Water St., Brownsville. The exhibit includes pottery, paintings, prints and drawings by Judith Hopson and friends. Most of the works on display may be purchased in time for holiday gifts.
odds & ends
“Homes for the Holidays” house tour will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in Uniontown. Tickets are on sale at the Crime Victims’ Center, 109 W. Fayette St., Uniontonw. Hosts welcoming guests will be Thelma Sandy, Jim and Brenda Churilla, Roger and Claudette Franks and Earl and Micki Mansberry. Also featured on the tour will be the Stephen E. Kezmarsky Funeral Home owned by Steve and Nancy Kezmarsky. Refreshments will be served. A special dinner at Caileigh’s restaurant of Uniontown will follow the tour. Tour tickets are $20, and dinner tickets are also $20. A limited number of tickets are available for both the tour and dinner. For more information, call 724-438-1470.
“Common Lives of Uncommon Strength: The Women of the Coal and Coke Era of Southwestern Pennsylvania” by Dr. Evelyn A. Hovanec is available for sale at the Coal and Coke Heritage Center located at Penn State Fayette Library. Arrangements can be made for personal inscriptions for gift giving. Also available are copies of the 56-minute VHS video “Silver Cinders: The Legacy of Coal and Coke,” which features many familiar sites in Fayette County. A variety of Christmas ornaments, reproduction maps and blueprints and sets of wooden collectibles, featuring a coal tipple, coke ovens, company store, stable, house and outhouse can be purchased at the center. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 724-430-4158 for more information.
Smock Heritage Museum will host its annual Christmas long roll sale. The deadline for orders is Saturday, Dec. 7, Pickup and delivery will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The varieties offered include nut, apricot, poppyseed and prune. To place orders, call Rita Kantorik at 724-677-2415.
Family Breakfast with Santa will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the First Christian Church, 235 S. Market St., Carmichaels. The menu includes ham, sausage, pancakes, eggs, sausage gravy and biscuits, hash browns, fruit, pastries, judge and coffee. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 10 and under. Santa hours are 9 to 10:30 a.m. Pictures with Santa Claus will be available for $5.
The book, “Point Marion … From the Beginning,” is currently for sale. The 490-page volume that includes the genealogy and history of the area begins with the Indians and ends with the year 1999. It details not only the borough of Point Marion, but also the surrounding area because Point Marion was once located within the boundaries of Springhill Township in the former state of Virginia. The book is available at The Book Store in the Cherry Tree Plaza, Smithfield Pharmacy in Smithfield, Kendall Floral, Clar-Mac Sales and the Point Marion Hardware in Point Marion, New Geneva Pottery in McClellandtown and Riverrun Books and Prints in Greensboro.
The fifth annual A Country Christmas in the Greenhouse will be held today through Sunday, Dec. 8, in Duda’s Greenhouse in Republic. The show will feature crafts by more than 25 local crafts. Live wreaths, swags and blankets will also be available. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, call 724-246-2132 or 724-246-7762.
Geezers’ Writing Workshops have been moved to Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The workshops are free, but individual tutoring sessions for writers may be arranged for other times at reasonable rates. These will also be held at Geezers’ Literary Book Shop, which is located on the third floor of the Thompson House in Brownsville. For more information, contact Dr. Fred Lapisardi at 724-785-9010 or e-mail Geezersbks@worldnet.att.net.
The Ethnic Craft Club of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church will hold its annual Christmas craft/bake sale from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in the upstairs hall located at 201 E. Main St., Uniontown. The sale will feature decorations, folk crafts, baked goods, cookbooks, homemade candy and imported items.
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook, now in its 10th printing, is again available for sale. The 330-page cookbook now features a protective plastic cover and includes sections on Christmas customs and recipes (and Easter customs and recipes), traditional Rusyn foods and other ethnic dishes and many other recipes of St. John’s parishioners. Many paska and kolachi recipes, as well as meatless dishes and Lenten recipes, are included. The price of this cookbook is $13 plus $2 postage and handling. To order, send a check or money order to Ethnic Craft Club, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 185 E. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. 15401 or call 724-438-6027 for more information.
Penn State Fayette has announced the Fall 2002 Cultural Events Series. All events are open to the general public. Musician Andes Manta will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Swimmer Hall. For more information, call 724-430-4199.
The fall coffeehouse at Penn State Fayette will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday in the J.L. Williams Building Caf?. The audience can relax and enjoy some coffee and refreshments while listening to coffeehouse-style talent from Penn State Fayette faculty, staff and students. Penn State Fayette English professor Dr. Fred Adams serves as the coffeehouse emcee as he performs many favorites on his guitar. Each evening has a mix of poetry reading, singing, piano and jam sessions. Campus clubs and organizations sponsor the coffeehouses by providing coffee and refreshments for all in attendance. For more information, call 724-430-4199.
The Friends of the Brownsville Free Public Library are currently selling packets of note cards. A hand-drawn sketch of the library is displayed on the front, with the inside left blank. One packet includes 12 note cards for $5. They can be purchased at the library or from any member of the organization. The organization is also conducting a membership drive. They meet the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the library. For more information concerning the note cards of the “Friends,” contact Barry Blaine, librarian, at 724-785-7272.
The employees of Mount Macrina Manor invite the public to view the Live Nativity Presentation from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, on the grounds of Mount St. Macrina. This year visitors can enjoy the reading of the nativity throughout the presentation as well as holiday music. In addition, the first 100 cars will receive an angel handcrafted by the residents. The event is free of the public.
Mount Macrina Manor Cookbooks will be available for purchase in December for only $10. The book offers a collection of more than 300 recipes from residents, employees and their families. Proceeds of the sale benefit the residents of Mount Macrina Manor. For additional information or to place an order, call Christie at 724-430-1125.
Fayette and Washington County artisans will be featured in the 20th annual Holiday Treasures Arts and Crafts Show and Sale, which will be held Friday through Sunday, Dec. 6-8, in the unique earth-sheltered home of Scott and Barbara Campbell on Grindstone Road, Brownsville.
The Flatiron Building in conjunction with the Brownsville Soup will hold a Christmas Toy Drive for the less fortunate children of Brownsville and the surrounding areas. The toy drive begins today during Light-Up Night festivities and ends on Friday, Dec. 13. The public is invited to join in this venture by coming into the Flatiron Building at 69 Market St., Brownsville, and selecting a child’s name from the Christmas tree and purchasing a new toy (minimum $10 cost) suited to that child. LightUp Night events include musical entertainment and the kick off of the Christmas auction/raffle. A doll collection provided by Betty Porter will be displayed in the Heritage Center. The Flatiron Building open house will be held on Dec. 13. The night’s activities festivities include musical entertainment and the drawing of the Christmas auction/raffle prizes. For more information, contact the Flatiron Building at 724-785-9331.
California University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present “The Nutcracker” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, in Steele Auditorium. All seats are reserved. Tickets are on sale for $10 for adults and $9 for seniors and children under age 12. Students with a valid Cal U ID are admitted free. For more information, call the box office at 724-938-5943.
Christmas Sport Card and NASCAR Collectible Show will be held today through Tuesday, Dec. 24, in the Uniontown Mall. The show will feature both old and new sports cards. There will be a large offering of autographs in all sport areas. The show will feature stand-up framed pictures and different sizes of NASCAR cars and trucks. Dealers will also be buying collections.
The State Theatre Center for the Arts, 27 E. Main St., Uniontown, will sponsor a food drive to benefit the Fayette County Community Action Food Bank. Residents are asked to bring their non-perishable donation to the State Theatre in downtown Uniontown. The theater’s administrative hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The theater will also accept donations at “Superstars in Concert,” which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Dec. 14, and “Cabaret” on Friday, Dec. 20. The first 80 people to make a donation will receive a gift compliments of the State Theatre.
A doll collection display featuring antique dolls provided by Betty Porter will begin today and continue until Jan. 10 at the Flatiron Building Heritage Center, 69 Market St., Brownsville. For more information, call the Flatiron Building at 724-785-9331 or Betty Porter at 724-785-7436.
area
stage
music
The Voices of St. Vincent are currently holding auditions for all sections of the chorus. Rehearsals are every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. in the St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica in Latrobe. Rehearsals are required. For additional information or to schedule an audition, call Joseph Bronder at 724-532-6600.
The Messiah Choir of St. Vincent College will hold final auditions for all selections of the chorus to sing the “Messish” on Saturday, Dec. 7. Rehearsals are every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Rovert S. Carey Student Center, formerly Kennedy Hall. Rehearsals are required. For more information or to schedule an audition, call Joseph Bronder at 724-532-6600.
art
Greensburg Art Center Gallery at 230 Todd School Road, Greensburg, will feature its own instructors in an exhibit entitled “Teachers in Our Midst.” The show will continue through Feb. 8. This is an off-the-wall show, which means painting purchased can be removed immediately. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. For directions or information, call the gallery at 724-837-6791 or visit the Web site at greensburgartclub.org.
The Three Rivers Arts Festival will present its first annual Holiday Show and Sale Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 3-5, at the Three Rivers Arts Festival Gallery, 707 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. All items in the show are for sale and handcrafted by local invited artists. Hours are from noon to 8 p.m. with light complimentary refreshments from 6 to 8 p.m. each day. Free parking is available in the Pittsburgh Port Authority garages. For more information, call the Three Rivers Arts Festival at 412-281-8723.
odds & ends
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park is staying open every Friday until 9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy an evening stroll through the entire conservatory, then sit and relax in the Palm Court where cappuccino, expresso and desserts will be available. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardents, the 13-room Victorian glasshouse and gardens in Schenley Park, is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phipps is closed Mondays. Phipps admission rates are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and older, $4 for students with ID and $3 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 and Phipps members are admitted free. For more information about the conservatory, call 412-622-6914 or visit online at www.phipps.conservatory.org.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPA Aquarium has switched to its fall and winter hours of operation. The zoo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with admission gates closing at 4 p.m.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History will present a special exhibit, “Fascinating Fakes,” through Dec. 8 in the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems. The exhibit showcases specimens that have been embellished to increase value, altered to look like a more valuable piece and examples of some specimens with questionable authenticity. The exhibit is free with museum admission. “Fascinating Fakes” can be enjoyed Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, $5 for children ages 3 to 18 and full-time students with ID. The exhibit is free to children under age 3 and Carnegie members. For more information, call 412-622-3131 or visit the museum’s Web site at www.CarnegieMuseums.org/cmnh.
The Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society in Harrison will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. There will be an opportunity to buy holiday gifts such as books, prints and pottery along with miniature soldiers, puzzles and coloring books. Bushy Run Battlefield is located east of Harrison City on Route 993. For more information, contact the battlefield at 724-527-5583. Bushy Run Battlefield is one of 26 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. For more information or to request a free 24-page visitor guide, visit www.phmc.state.pa.us or call toll free at 1-866-PA-TRAIL.