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Plum Christmas celebration set Thursday
Christmas at Plum Creek will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Plum Municipal Complex, 2000 Mike Thomas Way.
Parking and round-trip transportation will be available starting at 5 p.m. from Plum High School, Amplify Church and Holy Family Parish. No onsite parking is available.
There will be visits with Santa, food trucks, music by Plum High School ensembles, a train display, crafts, kids games, a Santa Shoppe and live reindeer. A drop box for new toys for Toys For Tots will be at the borough building.
Free meal distribution planned at Knead Community Cafe
Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington.
This week’s meals are sponsored in honor of Reese and Claire Orait. To sponsor a meal, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org or call 878-847-7997.
East Deer to host annual holiday event
Light Up Night in East Deer will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday in Memorial Park, 700 Front St., Creighton.
There will be crafts and an opportunity to write a letter to Santa. Santa will arrive on the East Deer Volunteer Fire Department fire truck.
Calendar
Allegheny Township
Friday, Saturday and Dec. 8: Freeport Theatre Festival, 2498 White Cloud Road, will present “Jesus – The Hidden Years” at 7 p.m. Reservations encouraged, but not required. Donations will be accepted. Reservations:724-295-1934.
Apollo
Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details:724-478-4831.
Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.
Arnold
Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. Cottage cheese pierogi will be sold Dec. 13. Cost: $16 per dozen. Orders:724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Brackenridge
Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.
Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details:724-994-6030.
East Vandergrift
Friday : Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a St. Nicholas Day lottery raffle. Winning numbers will be the first drawn Pennsylvania Daily Pick 3 numbers at 1:30 and 7 p.m. on St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6. Winners will each receive $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Donghia Lumber Company in Vandergrift. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Patricia, 724-568-3409 or Deborah, 724-859-3186, in the parish office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.
Buffalo Township
Wednesday: Sarver Momco, formerly known as MOPS, will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Christ Community Fellowship, 160 Singleton Road. This is a non-denominational faith-based group for mothers of children in 12th grade and younger and those who are expecting. Reservations required. Reservations:Sarvermomco@gmail.com or SarverMomco on Facebook.
Freeport
Wednesdays: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details:724-295-3095.
Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at United Presbyterian Church, 411 High St. New members welcome.
Gilpin
Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
Today: Pa. CareerLink Job Assistance will be available from noon to 2 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Help will be available for resume building, mock interviews, job search and apprenticeship opportunities. No appointment required, just drop in.
Today: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details:724-236-0665.
Featured Local Businesses
Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.
Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.
Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.
Thursday: Friends of Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details:724-226-3491.
Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a pasta sale through Friday online and at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Varieties include unique shapes such as animals, sports and more. Details:tinyurl.com/3acetrnu.
Dec. 31: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a New Years Eve celebration from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Music will be by the Cool Change Band. Public welcome. Cost: $25, includes two drinks and food. Cash bar. Tickets:724-904-7649.
Jefferson Township
Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.
Leechburg
Dec. 14 and 15: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting table reservations for a craft and vendor fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the firehall. Cost: $30 for one day; $50 for both, includes a table and chair. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.
Today: A wellness class for those with Parkinson’s Disease is offered from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Sponsored by the Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, the program is a mix of exercises designed to help manage Parkinson’s Disease and includes aerobic and resistance training, stretching, balance, facial and voice exercises. Reservations required. Reservations:724-335-9191 or tinyurl.com/5n8jp8y9.
Wednesday: The Ken High Class of 1960 will meet for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. The group meets the first Wednesday of the month. Spouses and guests welcome. Details: Robert Grden, 440-269-0345 or bgconcord@aol.com.
Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details:724-448-7403.
Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Household items, dishes, appliances and books will no longer be accepted. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.
Dec. 10: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a Christmas sweets sale. Pickup: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Prices: baklawa, $14 per 10-piece section; and sambosic, $3 each. Quantities are limited. Order deadline: Thursday. Orders: 724-335-9988 or tinyurl.com/yn2etanz.
Dec. 12: New Kensington-Arnold School District will have its annual free Holiday Student Family Dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the jr.-sr. high school cafeteria, Stevenson Blvd. District students, parents, guardians and employees welcome. Reservations required by Friday. Reservations:nkasd.com.
Featured Local Businesses
Oakmont
Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details:412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.
Plum
Today: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details:724-327-0367.
Springdale
Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.
Tarentum
Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details:724-224-7666.
Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders:724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.
Upper Burrell
Jan. 1: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and Export Volunteer Fire Department are selling 2025 lottery calendars. Cost: $20. Details:724-339-0965 or ubvfc115training@gmail.com.
Vandergrift
Today: Vandergrift Public Library’s Light Up the Library event will be at 5:30 and 6 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Choose either time slot. There will be crafts to make cards and ornaments, cookie decorating, hot cocoa and an appearance from Santa. All ages welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:724-568-2212.
Washington Township
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
Winfield
Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details:724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.