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Library collecting handmade Valentine cards for local seniors
Community Library of Allegheny Valley is collecting handmade Valentine’s Day cards to be delivered to local senior citizens.
Residents are welcome to make a card with no glitter or candy at home or at the library and put it into a plastic sandwich bag. Each card should be in its own bag. Cards should be dropped off by Feb. 7 to the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights.
Nominations welcome for award to honor Concordia employees
Concordia Lutheran Ministries is accepting nominations for its Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award that recognizes its employees for exceptional service.
The award is named for Concordia’s late chairman of the board of directors, Stephen W. Johnson, who served for 19 years before passing away June 11, 2020.
Nominations will be accepted through March 13. Current and former residents and patients, Concordia employees and members of the community can nominate current employees by filling out an application and describing how the nominee shows a dedication to Concordia’s mission. A banquet will be held in June to recognize the nominees and announce the winner.
For an application and information, visit SWJMissionAward.org.
Supplies, food needed at Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue
Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue in New Kensington is asking for donations of paper pellet cat litter, any brand of canned cat food, bleach, paper towels, hand soap, Purina Dry Cat Chow in the blue bag and white kitchen trash bags.
Donations can be dropped off at the rescue, 750 Fifth Ave. New Kensington. For an online wish list, visit tinyurl.com/bdcspaud. To make an online donation, visit tinyurl.com/4u82j27u.
Calendar
Apollo
March 14: St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave., is accepting space reservations from flea market, yard sale and craft vendors for a flea market planned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month in the parish activities center. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.
Arnold
Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Cost: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. Orders:724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Tuesday: A free dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave. Everyone welcome.
Butler
Today: An antique and classic bicycle swap meet will be from 8 a.m. to noon at the Tesla BioHealing Wellness Hotel and Resort, formerly the Days Inn, 139 Pittsburgh Road. Admission: $5. Details: Jeff Rapp, 724-287-8048 or Howard Gordon, 724-205-8172.
Cheswick
Wednesday and Thursday: A veterans service officer will be available by appointment at the office of Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Services available include state benefits, burial and survivor benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system and more. Reservations:724-826-5151.
East Franklin
Monday: Armstrong County Republican Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Complex banquet room, 415 Butler Road. Details: Darlene Smail, 724-902-2244 or dsmail2244@windstream.net or Anthony Shea, ashea247@comcast.net.
East Vandergrift
Feb. 14: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Sweetheart raffle. The winning numbers will be the 1:30 and 7 p.m. Pennsylvania Lottery Pick-3 numbers on Valentine’s Day. Each winner will receive $1,000, a $50 gift card to Fine Wine and Spirits and a $50 gift certificate to Sweetlane Chocolate Shop in Vandergrift. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: 724-568-3409, in the parish office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.
Freeport
Jan. 24: A bingo to benefit the Freeport Area High School baseball team will be at 3 p.m. at Laube Hall, 115 Community Park Road. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $50. There will be 16 regular games, 5 specials and a $2,500 jackpot game. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold and there will be a basket raffle and 50-50. BYOB and snacks. Tickets: fhsjacketsbaseballboosters@gmail.com.
Harrison
Tuesday: The Accordion Club will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Performance dates for 2026 are now being accepted. Details:724-236-0665.
Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will have a story time from 10 to 11 a.m. for children age 3 to 6 at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The program will be about germs. No reservations required. Details:alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Wednesday : The Sip & Stitch group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Enjoy provided refreshments and conversation while you work on your needlecraft projects. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Jan. 28: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “A Spool of Blue Thread,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Tyler. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Note the new date. Reservations:724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Leechburg
Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.
Feb. 14: A murder mystery dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs hall at the Sokol Club, 55 Siberian Ave. Cost: $45. There will be a cash bar, basket raffle and 50-50. Tickets: stop in at the club. Questions: sokol255@outlook.com. Proceeds will benefit the Sokol 255 Educational Scholarship Fund.
Lower Burrell
Today: The American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road, will be open for breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. Menu: pancakes, creamed ground beef on toast, eggs made to order with toast, home fries and sausage or bacon.
Tuesday: Redemption Church will host a free GriefShare program about loneliness and sadness from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the church, 3400 Garvers Ferry Road. Anyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one is welcome. Meetings will continue on Tuesdays through March 17. Details: Brenda Heinz, 412-398-1622.
Tuesday: A family story time will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter St. Details:724-339-1021.
Jan. 31: A spaghetti dinner to benefit cancer patient Janet Powell will be at the Kinloch Volunteer Firehall, 915 New York Ave. Donations of gift certificates, gift baskets, pasta sauce, pasta, rolls, butter, salad, desserts, plates, and to-go containers are being accepted. Details: Carrie, 724-826-0168 or Holly, 724-351-2782.
Through Feb. 28: The works of local mixed media artist Lynn Jacques, a member of the Allegheny Valley League of Artists, will be on display during business hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave.
New Kensington
Today: The Holy Name Society of St. Mary of Czestochowa Church will sponsor bingo at 1 p.m. in the church Friendship Hall, 857 Kenneth Ave. There will be cash prizes, extra cards. Lunch and drinks will be available. Players must be at least 18 years old. Cost: $12, includes 24 regular bingo cards.
Monday: Peoples Library will offer Construction Crew, an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details:724-339-1021.
Tuesday: A family story time will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details:724-339-1021.
Tuesday: The Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania sponsors a free support group for Parkinson’s Disease patients and their family members from 2 to 3 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Valley Points YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Details: Chrissy and Josh Lookabaugh, 724-594-3245.
Oakmont
Tuesdays: 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.
Jan. 26: The Kids Book Club at Oakmont Carnegie Library will meet at 5 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Children in third through fifth grade or who are independent readers welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:oakmontlibrary.org.
Parks Township
Today: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details:724-845-2390.
Plum
Tuesdays: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Recipients in need must stop in at the pantry to be confirmed/verified. Details:724-327-0367.
Saxonburg
Thursdays: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will host a free weekly grief support group from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29 to March 26 at South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St. Reservations required by Tuesday. Reservations:724-898-0126, ext. 4426.
Springdale
Jan. 27: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.
Feb. 7: A bingo to benefit Frazer Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will be at 1 p.m. at the Springdale Veterans Association, 1151 Pittsburgh St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $40 in advance; at the door, $45; includes a package of 12 cards for 18 regular games, 12 cards for four specials and 2 jackpot games. Daubers must be used for all games. There will be over $4,000 in prizes. Cash will be accepted for food purchases. No BYOB. Tickets: Jennifer, 724-980-4544 or send a message to Frazer VFD No. 2 on Facebook.
Tarentum
Monday: Streetlight Ministries, 203 W. Seventh Ave., will have a weekly food pantry from noon to 2 p.m. for anyone in need. There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule after 8:30 a.m. Mondays and people are admitted through the line in order of signup. A variety of breads, sweet goods, canned items, produce and meats will be available. Walk-ins are welcome but will admitted after those who have registered.
Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St.
Vandergrift
Mondays through March 19: Vandergrift Public Library will sponsor a chess club for children in kindergarten through eighth grade from 6 to 7 p.m. at 163 Washington Ave. Students are paired with others their age and are guided by a chess master and volunteers. Chess boards are provided. A tournament will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 28. The group will not meet Jan. 19. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/yv5ztzrp.
Jan. 24: TinyCause will host a microchip and nail trim clinic for dogs and cats from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tiny’s Fur Family Shop, 131 Columbia Ave. Cost: microchips with lifetime registration, $25; ear cleaning, $5; nail trims, $10. Appointments required for microchips only. Microchip appointments: message TinyCause on Facebook.
Washington Township
Tuesdays and Thursdays: The Blessing Closet at Union Presbyterian Church will be open by appointment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 656 Route 380. Items available include paper products, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products and pet supplies. Appointments:724-337-3042.
Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments:724-387-9113.
West Leechburg
Jan. 23: Burrell Youth Wrestling will sponsor a bingo at 6:30 p.m. at West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall, 1116 Gosser St. Doors open and dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $45, includes regular and special games and buffet dinner. There will be instant tickets and a 50-50. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3xtnp7er. Details: call or text 724-882-9700.