Where's Santa? Track Him Live from Sewickley!

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that now offers a Santa tracker mobile app to follow the jolly man's magical flight.

They sent him their wish lists, sat on his lap, and left cookies and milk for his arrival. Now the only thing left for children to do is track Santa's progress as he delivers gifts around the world on Christmas Eve. Thanks to the folks behind the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) website, families worldwide can follow Santa's Christmas journey in real time. The tradition started in 1955 after an advertisement for Sears Roebuck & Co. misprinted a telephone number for a special "Santa hotline." Instead of reaching Kris Kringle, the number put kids through to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Commander-in-Chief’s operations, according to a description on the NORAD Tracks Santa Facebook page, which has more than 1 …

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GET OUT

Get Out: Live Nativity or Lunch with Santa

We have five great ideas for your weekend.

It’s Friday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Sewickley Patch is coming to the rescue. Check out our ideas and tell us about yours. 1. Pet Photos with Santa When/Where: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 in Wolcott Park.  Why Go: Bring your four-legged friend to have its photo taken with Santa while enjoying carriage rides and the tunes of the Allegheny Brass Band in the village. Admission: Free.    2. Lunch with Santa When/Where: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Big Sewickley Creek Fire Hall in Bell Acres.  Why Go: Meet Santa for lunch and have your picture taken with him, or on a fire truck. Be sure to bring a camera.  Admission: $5 for adults; $3 for 16 and under; free for 2 and under, with paying adult…

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Santa to Visit North Park Boathouse, Share Cookies with Local Girls and Boys

Allegheny County and Santa are asking attendees to consider bringing a new toy or book to donate to the DHS Holiday Project.

Santa Claus is taking time out of his extremely busy schedule and visiting North Park to share cookies with local girls and boys, the Allegheny County Office of Special Events announced. The Jolly Old Elf will be at the North Park Boathouse from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 1. The event is free and open to all boys and girls. In addition to St. Nick, the events will include holiday crafts, musical entertainment, KDKA “KidKast,” holiday movies, refreshments, and of course, cookies! Allegheny County and Santa are asking those attending the events to consider bringing a new toy or book to donate to the DHS Holiday Project, which provides gifts to children and youth receiving services through the Department of Human Services Office of …

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Transportation Detours, Street Closings Set for Pittsburgh's Light-Up Night Festivities, Parade

If you're heading for the annual festivities scheduled for Friday and Saturday around the Golden Triangle, plan your route and parking options first.

Planning to head to Downtown Pittsburgh Friday for Light-Up Night? How about Saturday for the Sounds of the Season Parade or other daylong holiday activities planned throughout the Golden Triangle? Here are schedules and transportation details you'll want to keep in mind. Pittsburgh's 52nd annual Light-Up Night begins at noon Friday, when Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl lights the tree at the City-County Building on Grant Street. Also set for noon: the annual dedication and blessing of the traditional Christmas creche at U.S. Steel Tower on Grant Street. Most festivities begin at 5 p.m. Friday, however, with events scheduled for three stage locations — in Market Square, on the Clemente Bridge and at EQT Plaza. Performers include Joe …

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Charity Donations Stolen From Ambridge Home

Nell "Mrs. D" D'Augostino of Sewickley greets Santa, a.k.a Bob Dunn, Friday outside his home decorated with 20,000 lights and numerous figurines on Maplewood Avenue in Ambridge. Dunn has decorated his house every year for 20 years and the last four years

Santa to Visit the Cochran Hose Fire Station

The free holiday celebration includes crafts, snacks and a chance to visit with Santa.

  Cochran Hose Company will host the department’s third annual "Santa at the Station" Christmas event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Fire Chief Jeff Neff said there will be plenty of crafts for the kids and, best of all, Santa Claus will be there on the 1927 fire truck. “People can visit and tell Santa what they have on their wish lists,” Neff said. Visitors may have their pictures taken with the jolly fellow while partaking in one of his favorite snacks: cookies with drinks. The event is free, although donations are welcome, Neff said. A silent auction will take place. Several gift baskets will be raffled off, with the grand prize being a ride for a family on the fire truck with Santa between now and Christmas. "Santa at the Station" …

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Get Out: Decorate Pottery or Take a Cookie Walk

Patch gives you a rundown of weekend activities in the Moon and Sewickley areas.

  Trello Cioccolato 'Chicks at The Clay Cafe' in Sewickley When/Where: 7 p.m. Dec. 9. The Clay Cafe in Sewickley Why Go: The Moon-based Trello Cioccolato will pay the studio fee for guests attending this event at the Beaver Street pottery studio. Music and food will be provided and guests can decorate pottery for as little as $4 per piece.  Admission: Free.   Miss Marge's Knit and Crochet Club When/Where: 10 a.m. Dec. 10. The Coraopolis Memorial Public Library.  Why Go: Parents and children of all ages can attend this free event at the Coraopolis Memorial Library on School Street, where Miss Marge will teach the basics of crochet and knitting.  Admission: Free.   Open House Element Day Spa When/Where: Noon Saturday, Dec. 10. Element Day …

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Photo Gallery: A Light Up Night of Fun and Celebration

Sewickley celebrates the start of the holiday season with Light Up Night.

Anna and Emily Novak of Sewickley were excited to attend their fourth Light Up Night, the borough’s annual holiday event that has become a family tradition for the Novak's. The mom and daughter pair arrived a half-hour early as did others, in anticipation of the evening ahead. Street vendors were set up along Broad Street while stores remained open for shopping and live entertainment continued through the evening. From the free hot chocolate at Sewickley Eye Group to the cotton candy, face painting and ice sculptures, Anna Novak said the entertainment was suitable for both adults and kids. “There’s so much here you can do,” she said. “I really like the ice carving.” Her daughter, Emily, 10, said she especially liked the Santa booth over at…

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It's Here! Sewickey Lights Up Tonight with Fireworks, Entertainment

Light Up Night runs from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight. Santa arrives at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and stays until 1 p.m.

The holiday season will begin in grand fashion tonight as Sewickley celebrates its annual Light Up Night. Borough officials all agree the winter event in Sewickley is special. “It’s just, people are happy,” said Sewickley Councilwoman Susan Aleshire. “I don’t know how to describe it. There’s something for everyone, and it keeps getting better and better.” One of the newest features is the fireworks. Kirsten Stripay of Village Green Partners, a sponsor of the event, said Pyrotechnica is setting off the fireworks this year. “It’s a nice addition to an already wonderful event,” she said. “Fireworks had been discussed last year, but this was the year capable of handling it.” Stripay said the Sewickley Cemetery has been kind enough to allow the…

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