Westmoreland happenings: Birding walk, community festival, meetings, more

Festival

• The West Newton Community Festival will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 6, noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 7 and 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8 in Vine Street Park. There will be entertainment, games, food trucks, crafters, a basket sale and more. A parade will begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 7. Sept. 8 activities include a worship service at 10:30 a.m. and an exotic animal show from 1 to 4 p.m. All events are free. Sponsored by Community Revitalization of West Newton.

Fundraisers

• A dine-to-donate fundraiser to benefit Mon Valley Paws will continue through Sept. 30 at Felicia’s Restaurant, 450 Schoonmaker Ave., Monessen. Menu: spaghetti, salad, bread, meatball and drink. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Tickets: Randy, 724-493-8305.

• The 21st annual Green Luncheon hosted by the Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Board will be Sept. 19 at pavilion 10 at Twin Lakes Peach Park, Georges Station Road, east of Greensburg. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m. and a buffet lunch by Angelo’s Cucina and Catering will be served at noon, rain or shine. Awards honoring those who support the county parks through donations and outstanding service will be presented afterward. Cost: $27. Ticket deadline: Sept. 11. Tickets and details: 724-830-3962.

• Space reservations are being accepted for a flea market and bake sale set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 21 at Cook Township Community Center, 1714 Route 711. Cost: $10 in advance, includes a table; $15, the day of the event, will include a table if available. Details: Pat, 724-238-2630.

• Lincoln Heights Civic Association will have bingo from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 5 at the center, 42 Millersdale Road, Hempfield. There will be 20 regular games and five quickies. Payout is 50/50. Free coffee. Cost: 25 cents for a three-card board; $1 for quickies.

Meetings

• Greensburg Garden Center will meet and have a plant auction Sept. 3 at the center, 951 Old Salem Road. Members should bring plants, cut flowers, perennials, vegetables and house plants to be sold to the highest bidder. Bring a friend and stay for lunch.

• The Botanical Society of Westmoreland County will have a business meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Westmoreland Conservation District Barn, 218 Donohoe Road, Hempfield. Guest speaker Jennifer Ippolito of Dandy Botanicals will discuss “Pollinators Gone Wild.” Annual dues of $15 per household or $10 per person will be collected.

Nature

• The Brandywine Conservancy will offer a birding walk with local ornithologist Andrew Mack from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 9 at Penguin Court, 309 Penguin Court, Laughlintown. Rain or shine. Bring a pair of binoculars if possible. Tickets: $10. Reservations required: tinyurl.com/yck385tx.

Senior Citizens

• A Seniors For Safe Driving course will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Murrysville Senior Center, 3091 Carson Ave. The class is PennDOT approved and for drivers who are at least 55 years old. Those who complete the course can qualify for reduced auto insurance premiums. There is no behind-the-wheel driving. Details and registration: 800-559-4880 or seniorsforsafedriving.com.

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