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Vandergrift Arts Festival set Friday through Sunday
The Vandergrift Arts Festival will host an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Vandergrift Market building, 134 Grant Ave.
Awards will be presented and there will be live music and refreshments. Admission is $5. Additional exhibit hours will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
The festival will be from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday on Grant and Columbia Avenues. This year’s theme is “Forever Neverland.” There will be artisans, food trucks, live music, children’s activities, costumed characters and more. Parking and shuttle transportation will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from the Big Lots store plaza in Allegheny Township.
Fridays on Fifth event to feature food, music and more
The monthly Fridays on Fifth event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday along Fifth Avenue in New Kensington.
Shops, businesses and eateries will be open and there will be live music and food trucks.
Calendar
Apollo
Today: 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: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details:724-478-4214.
Apollo/East Vandergrift
Aug. 14: Our Lady, Queen of Peace and St. James parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the St. James Church parking lot in Apollo. Cost: $35, includes driver gratuity and $20 in free play. Must be at least 21. Reservations required. Reservations:724-478-4958.
Brackenridge
Today: Trinity United Methodist Church will sponsor a story time from 11 a.m. to noon in Brackenridge Park. There will be a story and a craft and lunch will be served. Details: Amanda, 724-504-7876 or bartelkaw@gmail.com.
Upcoming Local Events
Today: 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: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.
Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details:724-994-6030.
Cheswick
Today: A department service officer from the American Legion will be available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of Pa. Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Appointments:724-826-5151.
Freeport
Today: 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.
Gilpin
Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
Monday through Friday: The Natrona Playground Summer Camp for children will serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the playground, 10 River Ave. Free classes will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Programs this week are: Tuesday, moving motion experiments with Mad Science; 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, a visit with a Pittsburgh Zoo animal; and Thursday, secret life of bugs and insects with Mad Science.
Today: 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. Clothing for all members of the family available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.
Today: 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 due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.
Featured Local Businesses
Today: 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.
Friday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50-50 raffle and final jackpot game.
Sept. 8: Table reservations are being acceptedbytheVeteransofForeignWarsforacraftshowsetfor11a.m.to5p.m.atthepost,894VeteransDrive.Cost:$25;withelectric,$30.Details:Deb,412-298-6175ordmckillop@hotmail.com.
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
Thursday: Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St., will have a lasagna dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church. Menu: lasagna, salad, bread and dessert, $12. Dine in or takeout. A portion of proceeds will benefit local outreach programs. Takeout orders: 724-845-6165 or 724-845-3305 on Thursday.
Lower Burrell
Aug. 16: Westmoreland County Marines No. 1416 is selling tickets for a $1,000 meat raffle. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Pennsylvania Lottery three-digit number. The winner receives $1,000 worth of meat from Sprankle’s Markets, a four-burner Char-Broil grill, grill cover, stainless steel utensils and a 20-pound propane tank. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Jim Walters, 724-681-6293 or waltersusmc@comcast.net.
New Kensington
Thursday: The Salvation Army will host Sally’s Outdoor Market from 2 to 6 p.m. at the center, 255 Third St. Free fresh produce will be available while supplies last. Vendor applications are being accepted. Details:724-335-7221.
Upcoming Local Events
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: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored in memory of Bob and Shirley Gaffron and Fran Woytek. Details:878-847-7997.
July 31: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments:877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and search with account code UK357.
Oakmont
Through August 31: Kerr Memorial Museum, 402 Delaware Ave., Oakmont, is featuring an exhibit of elegant fashions of the late 1800s to the Roaring ‘20s at the museum. Items on display were donated to the museum by the W. H. Brown Family of Pittsburgh. Hours are by appointment. Tours and information: 412-826-9295 to schedule a tour.
Parks Township
Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Plum
Aug. 2: Pucketos Garden Club will host a luncheon fundraiser at 11 a.m. at Veltre’s Wedding & Event Center, 324 Coxcomb Hill Road. There will be a bake sale, basket raffle and 50-50. Cost: $45. Proceeds benefit the club scholarship fund. Tickets: Barb, 724-448-6022.
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.
Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.
Featured Local Businesses
Tarentum
Today: The Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parking lot at 10th Avenue and Lock Street.
Today: 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.
Sept. 26 to 28: Summit Hose Company is accepting vendor applications for its fall festival. No food or alcohol vendors will be accepted. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470.
Ongoing: Tarentum Area Lions Club has a variety of styles of brooms for sale. Types available include soft and hard bristle push brooms, $16; kitchen brooms, $13; heavier duty mill brooms, $15; children’s brooms, $8; and whisk brooms, $8. Details: Jody Shumaker, 724-954-2341; Donna Holsing, 724-899-6277 or send a message to Tarentum Area Lions Club on Facebook. Proceeds benefit local and global Lions charities.
Torrance
Thursday: The Board of Trustees at Torrance State Hospital will have an open meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the CEO conference room, first floor, Greizman Building, Route 1014. Details: 724-459-4411.
Vandergrift
Thursday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 1:30 to 7 p.m. in the social hall of St. Gertrude Church, 303 Franklin Ave. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments:877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and search with account code 100560102.
Washington Township
Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.
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.