The Stroller, Aug. 10, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Free STEAM camp offered in New Kensington

New Kensington Salvation Army and Peoples Library will sponsor a free STEAM camp from for children ages 6 to 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 16 and 17 at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St.

Campers at this hands-on program will learn simple coding, work with Bee-Bots and Finch Robots, work in small groups to make a dragon robot and participate in the Dragon Olympics. Special guests will include representatives from The Digital Foundry, Penn State New Kensington and ABC Create.

Registration is required by Friday and includes lunch. For a registration form, stop in at the Salvation Army; Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St.; and the Corner, 701 Fifth Ave, all in New Kensington; or visit adobe.ly/3x3ccU5.

Job fair planned Thursday at Pa. Career Link

Pa. CareerLink Alle-Kiski will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the center, 1150 Fifth Ave., New Kensington.

Ten local employers will participate. Entry level and experienced workers of all education levels are needed.

Church to give out free backpacks, school supplies

The 14th annual back to school Kids’ Closet event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The River Church, 200 Freeport Road, New Kensington.

Free backpacks and school supplies will be given to school aged children. For details, call 724-337-4837.

Tarentum concert to feature Classic Brew Band

Tarentum Summer Concert Series will feature the Classic Brew Band in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Carl J. Magnetta Jr. Memorial Amphitheater in Riverview Memorial Park.

The Snack Shack opens at 6 p.m. The concerts are sponsored by Tarentum Recreation Board.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution offered 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.

Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: The Wheel Good Wednesday food truck event sponsored by the Apollo Events Committee and Apollo Area Historical Society will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at the old Stanford lot on Clifford Avenue. Food truck vendors who would like to participate at a future event should email apolloevents@gmail.com.

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Prize amounts have been raised and there will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-478-4831

Saturday: St. James Church will host a vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center, 109 Owens View Ave. Tables: $20; without electricity, $15. Table reservations: Linda, 724-882-8776

Sept. 6: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive one roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch-off tickets. Cost: $10 for two numbers. The winning number will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number at 7 p.m. on Labor Day. Proceeds benefit the church operating budget. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Arnold

Today: Bingo will resume at 7 p.m. at St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave. CDC guidelines will be observed. Unvaccinated players must wear a face mask. Those who are vaccinated are also encouraged to wear a mask. Future games will depend on compliance.

Brackenridge

Today: United Steel Workers Local 1196 Retirees and Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) will meet at 1 p.m. at the Union Hall, 1080 Brackenridge Ave.

Wednesdays: Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10^th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

Butler

Today through Saturday: Butler Lions Club will sell merchandise to benefit charity at the Butler Farm Show. Items for sale include brooms, dustpans, garbage bags, fire starters, mints and cleaning cloths.

Cheswick

Thursday: The Pittsburgh Shrine Center will present a free outdoor concert featuring the Bo’ Hog Brothers Band from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday under cover at the center, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick. Gates open at 6 p.m. Seating and tables will be provided, and food and beverages will be sold. No outside food and beverages, please.

East Vandergrift 

Sept. 6: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day weekend cash raffle. Winners will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number of the 7 p.m. Sept. 4, 5 and 6 drawings. Prizes are $500 Sept. 4 and 5 and $1,500 Sept. 6. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Debbie, 724-859-3186, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Fox Chapel

Thursday: Fox Chapel Area High School will sponsor a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. 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. Appointments: 412-209-7000 and specify the donation is for the Fox Chapel Area High School drive, email cfunk@vitalant.org or click on the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025.

Freeport

Wednesdays: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. No donations are being accepted at this time. Details: 724-295-3095

Gilpin

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

Sunday: Orders are being accepted by Gilpin Fire Department for a drive-thru chicken dinner sale. Cost: $10. Pick-up begins at 4:30 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Advance orders required. Orders: 724-845-7200

Harrison

Today through Friday: Harvest Church will host Kidzfest from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Natrona Community Park, 12-20 River Road. Children entering first through sixth grade welcome. Details: 724-548-5643 or harvestpa.org

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required.

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 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Friday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will sponsor a field trip to the library. Reservations and permission slips required. Details: Pat, 724-224-7599

Aug. 25: Christ Our Hope Anglican Church will offer a seminar, “Loss of a Spouse,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., Natrona Heights. Topics will include how to find the strength to go on, how to handle the loneliness and what to do with your spouse’s belongings. Cost: $10. Scholarships are available. Registration and information: 724-895-3105 or email frjohn@cohac.org

Jefferson

Today: Saxonburg Goldenagers will meet at noon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Dinnerbell Road. Lunch will be served by the American Legion Auxiliary. New members welcome.

Leechburg 

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Details: lamahs@windstream.net

Thursday: 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.

Lower Burrell 

Aug. 28: The K9 Officer Derek Kotecki Baskets for the Blue basket raffle and vendor show is accepting items and gift certificates for the auction and raffle prizes. Details: visit the Events Calendar at officerderekkotecki.com or ODKBC27@gmail.com

New Kensington

Wednesday: 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

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. This week’s meals are sponsored by Jean Nader. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open with new selections. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required except when eating. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403

Oct. 9: Tables reservations are being accepted for a craft and vendor show at East Ken Community Center, 1785 Seventh St. Cost: $10. Details: Marie, 724-472-5106

Plum

Thursday: Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at the firehall, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Face masks required. Details: holidayparkvfd.org/ under the weekly bingo tab.

Springdale 

Aug. 18: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a craft workshop at 1 p.m. to make a suncatcher using marbles and glass beads at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729

Aug. 18: Springdale Volunteer Firemen are accepting orders for a take-and-bake carnival pizza sale. Pickup: 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at the firehall, 845 Lincoln Ave. Cost: whole pepperoni pizza, $10; whole plain pizza, $9. Order deadline: Aug. 11. Takeout only. Orders: 724-274-5090

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Wednesdays: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 7 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

Upper Burrell

Aug. 29: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces for its annual Swap n Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5. Reservations: John, 724-339-3821

Vandergrift

Wednesday: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212

Thursday: The Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: vandergriftfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

Aug. 18: “Dance the Story,” an active, dance-centered program with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, will be at 11 a.m. at the Casino Theatre. Sponsored by Vandergrift Public Library, the program will explore movement and dance and is suitable for children in prekindergarten through fifth grade. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212 or stop in at the library

Aug. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a patriotic quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each or $5 for an arm’s length. The drawing will be Aug. 31. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave. For a photo of the quilt, visit vandergriftpubliclibary.org. Details: 724-568-2212

West Deer

Wednesday: East Union Presbyterian Church will have a takeout spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Menu: spaghetti with choice of several sauces, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-265-1381