Check out community events and notices for the month of December!

December 2

Lawrenceville

Adult Game Night

Join your neighbors at the Lawrenceville branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 279 Fisk St., every Tuesday at 6 p.m. for board games and card games. Games played include Quantum, Ticket to Ride, Quiddler, Seven Wonders, Mexican train dominos, and backgammon. Ages 18 and up. Call 412-682-3668 with any questions. Repeats on Dec. 9, 16, 23, and 30.

Tween Scene

Come to the Lawrenceville branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 279 Fisk St., from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for the Tween Scene program. Each week, the activity is different. It could be video games, board games, or arts and crafts. Students in grades 3 to 5 are welcome. Call 412-682-3668 with any questions. Repeats on Dec. 9, 16, 23, and 30.

Bloomfield

Prenatal Yoga

Looking for an ideal way to stay in shape during pregnancy? Discover prenatal yoga to help keep you limber, tone your muscles, and improve balance and coordination. Our experienced yoga instructors facilitate the class, which is designed for expectant moms. It will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at West Penn Hospital, 4800 Friendship Ave., in the Burstin Room. It costs $50 for a four-week session. Written permission from your doctor is required. For more information, call 412-578-7030. For a complete listing of classes and events at West Penn Hospital, visit www.ahn.org/westpenn. Repeats on Dec. 9, 16, and 30.

Garfield

S&B Stitching Circle

S&B meets every other Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Assemble, 5125 Penn Ave. Leave the kids at home and bring your sewing, knitting, or crochet project and possibly a dish or drink to share. Sewing machines and basic knitting instruction will be available. Email outreachvista@assemblepgh.org with questions, comments, or general excitement. Repeats on Dec. 16.

December 4

Lawrenceville

Snugglebug Storytime

Join fellow caregivers, babies, and toddlers at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk St., at 10:30 a.m. for a storytime program of rhymes, songs, finger plays, and fun. Call 412-682-3668 with any questions. Repeats on Dec. 11 and 18.

Tree Lighting

From 6 to 7 p.m., come to the Allegheny Cemetery driveway, 4734 Butler St., for the annual Lawrenceville tree lighting, which includes music, cookies, games, and an appearance from Santa.

Cookie Tour

The annual Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour will be Dec. 4 to 7. Sample shopkeepers’ favorite cookies at 37 businesses throughout the Lawrenceville business district. To receive this year’s tour map, sign up for the e-newsletter at www.lvpgh.com/cookietour.

December 5

Garfield

Unblurred Gallery Crawl

The first Friday of every month, from 6 to 11 p.m., venues in the Penn Avenue Arts District, 4800 to 5500 Penn Ave., open their doors to showcase the work of a variety of artists and performers.

Alternative Gift Market

Join PULSE for a holiday art and craft sale. You will have the opportunity to browse handmade gifts from local artists and crafters, find presents for your loved ones, enjoy a holiday drink, and connect with friends. The Alternative Gift Market is held at the PULSE office, 5151 Penn Ave., from 7 to 10 p.m., and will repeat on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 412-361-0124 or visit www.pulsepittsburgh.org/gift-market for details.

Film Screening

From 7 to 9 p.m. at 5429 Penn Ave., join Neighborhood Learning Alliance for a screening of the documentary “First Generation,” which follows four low-income high-school students striving to be the first in their families to attend college.

Closing Event

From 7 to 10 p.m., come to the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, 5006 Penn Ave., for the closing of “Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh Artists 4.” Bands performing include Elephant Gerald and the Jazz Kissingers, ATS, Meet the Beatless, and the Sex-Tet-Offensive.

December 6

Lawrenceville

Cookie Mall & Children’s Party

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., come to St. Augustine’s Social Hall, 220 37th St., for the annual Joy of Cookies Cookie Mall, featuring homemade cookies available for purchase to support local nonprofits. A children’s party runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes games, crafts, refreshments, pictures with Santa, and toy giveaways. For more information or to volunteer, contact Lawrenceville United at 412- 802-7220 or info@lunited.org.

Bloomfield

Ladies’ Night Out

This event is from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m at Pittsburgh Dance Center, 4765 Liberty Ave. Learn mini dance lessons in bellydance, aerial silks, vertical bar, and burlesque. Vendors catering just to ladies will be on-site. Wine tasting provided by Pittsburgh Winery. Tickets can be purchased for $10 online in advance, or for $15 at the door. Refreshments provided.

December 7

Lawrenceville

Young Adult Bible Study
The young adult Bible study started in October continues this month. Topics will include faith and community, degrees of sin, and living a life of faith. Studies are non-denominational, and some may be divided up to cover multiple weeks. Bible study is held at Crazy Mocha, 4032 Butler St., from 7 to 8 p.m. The program is being sponsored by Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Call 412-621-2720 with any questions. Repeats on Dec. 14, 21, and 28.

December 9

Bloomfield

Newborn Basics

From 6 to 9 p.m., expectant parents are instructed in the care of a newborn infant with a hands-on skills lab, using dolls to practice before their baby arrives. Topics include breathing, swaddling and soothing, diapering, taking the baby’s temperature, and signs of illness. The class will take place at West Penn Hospital, 4800 Friendship Ave., in the Allegheny Room. It costs $40 per couple, or $25 per grandparent. For more information, call 412-578-7030. For a complete listing of classes and events at West Penn Hospital, visit www.ahn.org/westpenn.

Garfield

Grid Emergency Preparedness

Learn why our electric power grid is vulnerable to an outage lasting weeks or months. You can also learn how to prepare yourself and your family for a possible collapse. Tim Cimino of GridEmergency.org will explain the vulnerability and how people can successfully survive such an emergency. Come to the 113 N. Pacific Ave. from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. or call 412-390-4675.

December 11

Bloomfield

Infant CPR and Safety

Designed for parents and caregivers to develop skills in infant and child CPR, the “Baby 911” class focuses on safety concerns including “baby-proofing” your home, SIDS, and car safety. The class takes place at West Penn Hospital, 4800 Friendship Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Burstin Room. It costs $40 per person or $75 per couple. For more information, call 412-578-7030. For a complete listing of classes and events at West Penn Hospital, visit www.ahn.org/westpenn. Also offered Dec. 17.

Lawrenceville

Safe Streets Fundraiser

From 5 to 7 p.m., join the Lawrenceville Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (LBPC) for a fundraiser at Franktuary, 3810 Butler St., to help make the neighborhood safer and more enjoyable for bicycling and walking. Learn about LBPC’s vision, win raffle prizes, eat delicious food, and contribute to tangible projects that make the neighborhood better for everyone.

Park Master Planning

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Arsenal Middle School auditorium, 220 40th St., join Lawrenceville United, Lawrenceville Corporation, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Friends of Arsenal Park, and MKSK to learn about the design concepts for Leslie and Arsenal Parks. All are welcome to share their thoughts at arsenalpark.mindmixer.com. Call 412-802-7200 for details.

December 13

East Liberty

Let’s Move! Family Dance Party

Put on your dancing shoes and bring your family to join the fun at a Let’s Move! Family Dance Party. This winter-wonderland-themed party has just the right mix for toddlers and their families to get down. Stop by Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to enjoy kid-friendly music spun by our guest DJ, dancing, hands-on art activities, and more. The event is pay-what-you-can and open to the community. For more information, visit www.kelly-strayhorn.org.

Lawrenceville

Teen Saturtime

Come to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Lawrenceville, 279 Fisk St., from 2 to 4 p.m. for personal project workspace, playing Xbox, and just hanging out with friends. Start a project as small as painting your shoes all the way up to programming your own video game. Call 412-682-3668 with any questions. Repeats on Dec. 20 and 27.

December 14

Bloomfield

Kids’ Dance Party

Come to Pittsburgh Dance Center, 4765 Liberty Ave., from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Please wear your best holiday outfits and Santa hats. Dance, games, and tree-trimming will be included, and refreshments will be provided. Tickets are $5 per child. No reservations are required.

December 15

East Liberty

Imagination Builders

Come to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty branch, 130 S. Whitfield St., for creative fun building structures out of blocks, Legos, and more. This event is open to families with children in grades 2 through 5. It is from 6 to 7 p.m. Call 412-363-8274 to register.

December 16

East Liberty

Pajama Storytime

Come to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty branch, 130 S. Whitfield St., at 6:30 p.m. for family fun pajama time, a story, and an activity. This event is open to children ages birth to 5. Call 412-363-8274 to register.

December 20

East Liberty

Holiday Storytime

Come to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty branch, 130 S. Whitfield St., at 1 p.m. to listen to books about December holidays and to make a holiday card. This event is for children ages 3 to 5. Children should come with an adult. Call 412-363-8274 to register.

Kids Create: Origami

Come to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty branch, 130 S. Whitfield St., at 3:30 p.m. to learn how to make origami. This event is open to all ages. Call 412-363-8274 to register.

Family Fun: Winter Bingo

Come to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s East Liberty branch, 130 S. Whitfield St., at 11 a.m. to play bingo. This event is open to children in grades 2 to 5. All children are asked to come with an adult. Call 412-363-8274 to register.

December 21

Bloomfield

Holiday Showcase

Come to Pittsburgh Dance Center, 4765 Liberty Ave., for the annual holiday student dance show. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the show begins at 4:30 p.m. Latecomers will have to wait to be seated. Youths under age 12 are admitted for free, and adult tickets are $10. Refreshments are provided, and parking is free.

Ballroom Dance Party

Come to Pittsburgh Dance Center, 4765 Liberty Ave., for a “Celebrate the Season” holiday ballroom dance party for adults. There will be a ballroom dance lesson at 6:30 p.m., with open dancing until 9:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Bring your own beer or wine to share. $10 per person. No reservation is required, and parking is free.

Lawrenceville

Christmas Candlelit Service

You’re invited to a special Christmas candlelit service at Encounter Church. On Sunday, Dec. 21, come be a part of Encounter’s Christmas service, which will include acoustic worship, an encouraging message, and a special candlelit response moment. Afterward, there will be photos with Santa and a hot chocolate bar. You’re invited to join Encounter all December long for their “A Christmas Story” message series based on the Christmas movie classic. Encounter Church meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. at Arsenal Middle School, 220 40th St. Visit www.encounterpgh.com for more details.

Ongoing

Garfield

Toy Drive

From Nov. 15 to Dec. 10, Toys for Tots and Garfield Jubilee Association’s YouthBuild AmeriCorps Program are coming together for a toy drive to give deserving children a merry Christmas. New toys that are unwrapped should be donated by 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. The dropoff location is 5323 Penn Ave., behind Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center. Call 412-665-5200 for more details or to arrange a toy pickup.

Insurance Enrollment

Every Saturday from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15, noon to 4 p.m., individuals can meet with a trained health insurance enrollment specialist, called a Certified Application Counselor, who can guide applicants through the process of enrolling in affordable health coverage at 5321 Penn Ave. Call 412-205-1298 to schedule an appointment.

“Joseph” Trip

Travel with Morningside Church of God in Christ (COGIC) to Lancaster, Pennsylvania for the play “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” This production is at the Milennium Theater and is coming in 2015. Make your reservation by calling Mary Spidell at 412-466-2188. A reasonable payment plan is available which includes breakfast, lunch, theater ticket, and deluxe round-trip motorcoach transport.

All Neighborhoods

Recovery Services

To be eligible to participate in treatment at Sojourner House, a woman must be 18 or older and have at least one child 12 or younger, be actively seeking custody of a child, or be pregnant. The Single County Authority and providers that serve the injection drug abuse population shall give preference to treatment as follows: 1) pregnant, injection drug users; 2) pregnant substance users; 3) injection drug users; and 4) all others. For more information, call 412-441-7783.