The Stroller, Feb. 2, 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.

HOPE Center to offer training for healthcare professionals

The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center is offering virtual training for healthcare professionals that focuses on domestic violence and reproductive coercion from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11, 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 16 and 5:30 to 7:30 Feb. 25.

The HOPE Center is approved by the Pa. Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors to award 2 contact hours. Nurses may be awarded 1.75 contact hours through a partnership with West Penn Hospital as the approved provider by the Pa State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Attendees can select which session they would like to attend and must attend the entire two hours of training and complete an evaluation to receive the contact hours.

Registration is required. For details and registration, email Mary at maryb@akhopecenter.org.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution planned Thursday

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge offers free grab and go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Vandergrift Public Library to offer free AARP Tax Aid

Free AARP Tax Aid will be available at Vandergrift Public Library for senior citizens who have a low to moderate income.

Appointments are required and this will be a drop-off procedure with no in-person sessions. Seniors will make an appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursdays to bring their tax information to the library where it will be electronically scanned and must be available for telephone consultations with the tax volunteer. There will be a one- to two-week turnaround for most returns. A signature and review will be required at the pickup date that will be determined by the preparer and returns will be filed electronically. Face masks are required for drop off and pickup at the library.

For an appointment, call the library at 724-568-2212 during operating hours, 2 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.

Cub Scouts looking for new members

Apollo Cub Scout Pack 589 is looking for children in kindergarten through fifth-grade who would like to become new members.

Meetings are at 4:30 p.m. Sundays at the Apollo Sportsman Club, 1921 Route 56, Kiski Township. The group enjoys crafts, hikes and outdoor activities, attends a summer day camp and participates in flag ceremonies and community parades and activities. Parents are encouraged to participate as leaders.

For details, call or text Eric Bloom at 724-594-6427.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Wednesday: Kiski Valley Water Pollution Control Authority will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. at the plant, 1361 School Road. Details: 724-568-3655

Wednesday: Allegheny Township Supervisors will hold the agenda meeting at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Access information: alleghenytownship.net

Apollo 

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.

Armstrong County

Thursday: Armstrong County Commissioners will hold the first regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the Armstrong County Courthouse conference room, 450 Market St. Details: 724-548-3215

Arnold

Fridays: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is taking orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato and sauerkraut. Orders: 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the church social hall. Face masks required at pickup. Cost: $10 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257

Brackenridge

Thursday: Bingo will be hosted by the American Legion at 7:15 p.m. at the post, 845 First Ave. Face masks required. Seating arrangements will reflect social distancing. The kitchen will be closed.

Thursday: Brackenridge Council will meet at 6 p.m. online. Access information: brackenridgeboro.com/brackenridge-virtual-meeting-page/

Butler County

Wednesday: Butler County Commissioners will conduct the regular meeting at 10 a.m. in the County Government Center public meeting room, 124 W. Diamond St., Butler. Details: 724-284-5102

Feb. 9: The Butler chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will host an information session, “Bridges of Hope,” at 6 p.m. online at Zoom.us to educate and promote the exchange of information to faith communities about mental illness. A question-and-answer session will be afterward. Registration required by Monday. Details and registration: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org

East Vandergrift  

March 21: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling 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

Frazer

Today: Frazer Supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. at the township office, 592 Pittsburgh Mills Circle, Pittsburgh Mills Mall. Details: 724-274-4202

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. at the church. Winter clothing is available. Cash only. Donations must be laundered. Details: 724-295-2476

Freeport Area School District

Thursday: Freeport Area School Board will hold the agenda meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the high school audion, 621S. Pike Road, Buffalo Township. Details: 724-295-5141

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Saturday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for a drive-thru chicken dinner planned for 3:30 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Menu: baked chicken breast and thigh, rigatoni, parsley potatoes, corn, coleslaw and cake, $10. Orders: 724-845-7200, leave a message

Feb. 16: 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

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Saturday: A Polish dinner to benefit the building fund of Volunteer Hose Company No. 1 in Natrona will be from noon to 6 p.m. at the Natrona PNA, 14 Linden St. Menu: stuffed cabbage or halushki, vegetable and roll, $9; baked goods available for an additional charge. Delivery available. Dine in option will be available subject to covid rules. Advance orders and questions: Nancy, 724-410-8018

Feb. 8 to 14: Hilltop Hose Company No. 2 is sponsoring a “For the Love of Cash” raffle Feb. 8 through 14. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Drawings will be based on the 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery each day. Tickets: 724-224-9968 or stop in Tuesday evenings at the fire station, 1501 Cambridge St., Natrona Heights.

Leechburg

Wednesday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Sanitizing stations will be available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154

Thursdays: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

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

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line.

Thursday: New Kensington Redevelopment Authority will meet at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Access information: ID 898 5847 8055; password 256818; audio only, call 646-558-8656

Feb. 10: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host a virtual Bow Wow Bingo at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Cost: $25 for one card; $5 for each additional card. There will be 10 games. A gift card prize will be announced before each game and prizes will be mailed to winners. Bingo cards and instructions will be emailed. Registration required. Registration: animalprotectors.net/events

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.

New Kensington-Arnold School District

Today: New Kensington-Arnold School Board will conduct the regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the Valley Jr.-Sr. High School board room, 701 Stevenson Blvd., New Kensington. Details: 724-335-4401

Oakmont

Today: Oakmont Council will conduct the agenda meeting at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 767 Fifth St. Details: 412-828-3232

Saxonburg

Thursday: South Butler Community Library is collecting used holiday greeting cards through Thursday for St. Jude Ranch where they are repurposed by teens who are learning work and life skills. To donate, tear off the front of the card and drop them off at the library, 240 W. Main St.

Feb. 15: South Butler Community Library is conducting a raffle for a dog basket containing $100 of dog items from Saxonburg Agway, and a $50 Agway gift card. Cost: $1 each or eight for $5. The drawing will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 15. Tickets are available at the library express window, 240 W. Main St., and the Agway, 145 Butler St. Proceeds will benefit the library.

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  

Wednesday: Tarentum Elks will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen will be open from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays: BridgePoint Church, 400 E. Ninth Ave., hosts a parent-led learning pod from 1 to 4 p.m. in the church hall located on the lower level. Free high-speed internet, meals and access to the church children’s library will be provided. Use the Corbet Street entrance.

Feb. 9: The Tarentum Council meeting planned for today is rescheduled to be at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 online at Zoom.us. Details: tarentumboro.com. Access information: ID 724-224-1818; audio only, call 301-715-8592

Upper Burrell

Wednesday: Upper Burrell Supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. at the township office, 3735 Seventh St. Details: 724-335-3517

Cancellation

East Deer

Thursday: The East Deer Commissioners meeting is canceled. Commissioners will meet Feb. 11.