In brief: Craft and vendor show, blessing of the animals and more in Ross, West View

Craft & vendor show

On Oct. 2, Norwood Herrington Chapter #356 OES will hold the 5th annual Craft & Vendor Show at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center in Ross. Hours for the event are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and admission is free. Start your holiday shopping with local vendors who will be sharing their handcrafted items, unique gifts, sweets, jewelry, decor, apparel, and a large basket auction of items from the vendors at the show.

Blessing of the Animals

West View United Methodist Church will host a blessing of the animals at 1 p.m. Oct. 1. It will be on the front lawn of the church, located at 146 Cornell Ave. In the event of rain, it will be held in the fellowship hall.

North Pittsburgh college fair

More than 120 colleges and universities will participate in the North Pittsburgh College Fair on Oct. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. The fair will take place in the Kerr Fitness & Sports Center at La Roche’s campus in McCandless. Admission and parking are free. Visit laroche.edu/npcf to view a full list of participating schools and learn how to register. One of the largest college fairs in Western Pennsylvania, the North Pittsburgh College Fair will host universities, colleges and technical schools from across the country. High school students and their parents will have the chance to meet with representatives from each school to learn more about their campuses and academic programs.

For more information, call 412-536-1097 or email northpittsburghcollegefair@laroche.edu.

President’s Challenge 5K

Join the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association for the 22nd Annual President’s Challenge 5K Run/Walk/Wheel at 9 a.m. Oct. 8 at the North Park Boathouse. The event benefits the Steelwheelers, an organization dedicated to providing programs for physically challenged athletes from Western Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia and Eastern Ohio. It is a family-friendly and dog-friendly event. For more information or to register, visit wptla.org.

Touch a Truck

Memorial Park Church is partnering with neighbors at Royal Manor Apartments to host the first-ever Touch a Truck event from 11 a.m.-noon Oct. 1 in the MPC Parking Lot. The event is free and open to the community. Attendees are encouraged to register ahead of time at MYmpcepc.org/Kids, but day-of registration is also available. Families in attendance will enjoy exploring community vehicles, viewing personal show cars, great eats from food trucks for purchase, a bounce house for the kids, face painting, yard games and more.

Ole 5K

TASH’s 14th Annual Ole 5K will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at the Harmar Grove Pavilion in North Park.

TASH is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that has worked in Oaxaca, Mexico, since 1998. It aims to bridge the community of Pittsburgh with the people in Mexico. Pete Noll, a 1992 graduate of Quaker Valley High School, has lived in Oaxaca for the past 20 years, but comes back several times a year. Together with his team, they are organizing the 14th annual Olé 5k Benefit race to support The Anna Seethaler Hospital and other local nonprofits.

At the conclusion of the Olé 5K Benefit race, there will be a Mexican buffet, Oaxaca-grown organic coffee, smoothies, 50/50 raffle, music, and an awards ceremony.

For more information, visit tashinc.org.

AARP

AARP 595 welcomes new members and guests to its meeting on the first Tuesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. at Hampton Presbyterian Church, 2842 E. Hardies Road.

Join us for great fellowship, luncheons, entertainment and trips. Next meeting is Oct. 4 and reservations are required by calling 412-486-7465. Dues are $7/year.

Sealarks Women’s Group

Sealarks Women’s Group will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Road in McCandless. The group provides Christian fellowship and social activity for women alone – widowed, divorced or never married. All women alone are welcome to attend and consider joining. This month’s program will be on flower arranging by Patty Fowler from Flowerama. For more information, call Edie 412-487-7194.

E-waste collection

Pennsylvania Resources Council will collect electronics for recycling on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October in North Park. Registration is required and currently open for the drop offs, which will be 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesdays and 2-5 p.m. on Thursdays. At these collections, participants will pay a fee to dispose of some materials (such as televisions and computer monitors) while other items (such as cell phones and computer towers) will be accepted for free. For more information, visit prc.org.