The Stroller, Feb. 12, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com.

Grants available to Westmoreland County performing arts groups

The Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation is offering grants to non-profit organizations to support art-related projects and activities that benefit county residents.

Local non-profit arts organizations and governmental units involved in the production or display of arts activities are eligible to apply. Eligible arts activities include projects involving music, theater, dance and other performing and visual arts.

Projects that are not open to the public, take place outside the county, have a religious purpose or serve as vehicles for prizes, fundraising or academic credit are not eligible.

Application deadline is March 30. For an application, visit co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks or call 724-830-3950.

Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church accepting donations

The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, is accepting donations of clothing for men, women and children, as well as purses, shoes and belts.

Donations will be accepted during Closet operating hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the church, 305 Allegheny St., and by appointment.

For an appointment or to arrange a pickup, call the church at 724-224-9220. For details, visit the church website. cpctarentum.org/donate

Calendar

Apollo 

Saturday: A vendor fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. Face masks and social distancing required. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776

March 17: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish scratch-off lottery ticket raffle. Winner will receive one complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch off lottery tickets. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 17 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776 or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule and the church office, 109 Owens View Ave. Proceeds will benefit the church operating budget.

Brackenridge 

Today: Tarentum Book Club will meet at Trinity United Methodist Church, 857 10th Ave. Holly Puett will discuss, “Where the Crawdads Sing,” by Delia Owens. Betsy Buco will be the hostess with Mary Lou Beck, Linda Robertson and Terry Walker.

East Vandergrift  

March 21: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling raffle tickets for a Half A Cow raffle. Winner will receive half a cow, a 20-cubic feet freezer, $200 gift card to Naser’s Foods, $200 gift card to Rukas Beverage and a $100 gift card to Lackey’s Dairy Queen. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 21 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186, after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule and the church office, 400 Kennedy Ave.

Fox Chapel 

February: Fox Chapel Area High School will host a community blood drive during February at the Vitalant Harmar/Fox Chapel Donor Center, 2585 Freeport Road, suite 207. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors must be at least 16 years old and will be tested for antibodies to covid-19 for free. Appointments: 866-366-6771 and specify the donation is for the Fox Chapel Area High School drive, or click on the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025

Gilpin

Tuesday: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department social hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD

Harmar

Feb. 20: The designer purse bash planned by Fun and Freedom Youth Sports has been changed to be an all-virtual event beginning at 6 p.m. Cost: $35, includes entry in 13 prize drawings. There will be side and 50/50 raffles and a silent auction. Details: 724-274-7773 or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Harrison

Saturday: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, Harrison, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide present their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Feb. 16: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present a virtual presentation of the Who Knew? program, “All That Jazz,” at 6 p.m. online. Learn interesting facts about jazz in Pittsburgh and our local neighborhoods. Registration required. Registration: visit the EventKeeper section of alleghenyvalleylibrary.org

Leechburg 

April 1: Tickets are on sale for a No Foolin’ Lottery Scratch-off Ticket Raffle to benefit Leechburg Area Community Association and Leechburg Public Library. Winner receives one roll of $20 and one roll of $10 scratch-off tickets. Cost: $5, includes two numbers. Winning number will be the 7 p.m. April 1 Pick 3 number. Tickets: stop in at the library, 139 Market St.

April 17: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applications for vendors for an outside Rally on the River set for noon to 6 p.m. at the firemen’s grounds, 268 Canal St. Vendors are responsible for their own signs, tables, chairs and tent. No electricity available. No yard sale tents. Cost: $25 for a 25 x 25-foot area. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or Kari, 724-309-6143

New Kensington  

March 27: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is seeking gift basket and gift card donations for a virtual spring basket raffle. Deadline: Feb. 20 Details: Val, vdesanto@animalprotectors.net

May 29: TryLife Center is accepting crafter and vendor applications for a fair set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 300 Tarentum Bridge Road. Details: 724-339-9399, ext. 105

Parks

April 10: Pawz for Cure animal charity is accepting table reservations and food truck reservations for a craft and vendor show planned 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Parks Volunteer Fire Department, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Cost: tables, $25 or two for $35; food trucks, $50. Reservations and details: Joni, 724-681-5935

Plum

April 12: Plum Senior Center will have AARP Tax Help from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays through April 12 at center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Appointments and masks required. No walk-ins. Social distancing will be observed. Appointments: 412-731-2330

Springdale 

February: Springdale Free Public Library is offering a fine amnesty through Feb. 28. Return any overdue item belonging to the library and all fines on that item will be waived, regardless of how long it has been checked out. The book drop is available 24/7 for all items except CDs and DVDs. Details: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

Saturday: The Men of Bethel AME Church will sponsor a takeout fish fry from noon to 5 p.m. at the church, 250 Seventh Ave. Menu: fish, coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob and dessert, $10; fish sandwich with coleslaw, $8. Masks required for pickup. Details: 724-224-2417

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220

Tuesday and Sunday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

Upper Burrell

March 17: Upper Burrell and Portvue volunteer fire departments are selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish $15,000 cash prize drawing. Cost: $20 per ticket, includes eight numbers. The winning number will be taken from the 7 p.m. March 17 Pennsylvania Pick 4 number. Details and tickets: text 412-926-4678

Washington Township

March 28: Space applications are being accepted for an auto parts swap meet set for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Co., Route 66. Cost: 12 x 24-foot space, $25; 12 x 48-foot space, $45; inside 32-foot space, $55. Vendor set up will begin at 11 p.m. March 27. First come, first served. Items will include parts and accessories from anything automotive, classic, high performance, trucks, cars, motorcycles or boats. Food and beverages will be sold inside. Reservations and details: 724-727-3079, leave a message