The Stroller, Feb. 1, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Free tax preparation available at Springdale library

Springdale Free Public Library is accepting appointments for AARP’s free income tax preparation services.

Appointments are available Thursdays and Saturdays Feb. 5 to April 14 at the library, 331 School St. Services will be scheduled as same day drop off and pick up appointments, not in person tax preparation. Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be accepted.

For an appointment, call the library at 724-274-9729.

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.

Grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Allegheny Valley

Wednesday: The All Virtual chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Reservations required. Reservations and sign on information: Ariel Mookherji, 610-547-0004.

Apollo

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. Details: 724-478-4831.

Feb. 11: Apollo Memorial Library is sponsoring a Valentine money raffle. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Feb. 11 Pick 3 Pa. Lottery number. Cost: $2 per ticket, two numbers on each ticket. Winning number will receive $500 and the numbers one below and one above will each receive $25. Proceeds will benefit the library. Tickets: stop in at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Feb. 12: 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. All vendors needed. Cost: $20 per table; without electricity, $15. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

Arnold

Today: Bingo at St. Vladimir Church is canceled.

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the church social hall. Face masks required. Cost: $11 per dozen; 6 for $6. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th 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 County

Thursday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County will offer a free online support group at 7 p.m. at Zoom.us for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. The group meets the at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org. Participants must confirm attendance by 3 p.m. the day of the meeting to receive a link to participate.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. Donations of clothing, winter coats, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Gilpin

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

Harrison   

Today: Allegheny Land Trust will present, “Spring Wild Edible Plants,” at 5:30 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Online attendance available. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Wednesday: The Anime Club at Community Library of Allegheny County, 1522 Broadview Blvd., will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library. Online participation available. Focused for adults, but teens and young adults welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or visit the calendar section at Alleghenyvalleylibrary.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. Clean fall and winter clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

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.

Feb. 10: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a computer class about how to use free software including photo and video editing, mail and antivirus apps at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Online participation available. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or the calendar section at Alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Feb. 11: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a virtual story time and guided art project for children in kindergarten through third grade, “Zooming With The Queen,” at 10 a.m. Registration required. Registration: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Leechburg

Wednesday: Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., offers a free Senior Stretch chair class at 10:30 a.m. Details: 724-236-0080.

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

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.

May 7: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting vendor applications for an outdoor craft show. Cost: $25 for a 12 x 12-foot space. No electricity available. Bring your own table, chairs and tent. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090.

New Kensington

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. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals were donated in memory of Bob Mazur. Those picking up meals should observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Feb. 9: St. George Orthodox Church will sell kibbee from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Cost: $45 per dozen or six for $24. Orders required by Feb. 4. Orders: 724-337-3918.

Saxonburg

Through Saturday: South Butler County Library, 240 W. Main St., will sponsor a jigsaw puzzle exchange at the library. Bring a new or gently-used puzzle during operating hours and take home one for yourself. Puzzles for all ages accepted and must have all the pieces. Selections change daily. Details: 724-352-4810.

Springdale 

Wednesday: Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St., will celebrate World Read Aloud Day at 6 p.m. Children of all ages welcome. Face masks and reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Saturday: Springdale Free Public Library will host a DIY teddy bear workshop for children who are at least 2 years old from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Children will make their own stuffed animal to take home, and enjoy a story and snack. Masks and reservations required. Parents must accompany their children. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Feb. 7: The Geraldine Yanni Science program for children in second through sixth grade at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The topic will be Brixology Carnivals with Mad Science of Pittsburgh. Space is limited. Registration and masks required. Registration: 724-274-9729.

Feb. 13: Springdale High School Prom Committee is accepting basket auction donations for the annual prom fashion show. Details: 724-274-8100.

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.

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 p.m.

Vandergrift

Today: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

Feb. 8: A free crafting event will be at Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave. Stop in any time between 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and make a valentine for your special someone. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Today through Feb. 18: Vandergrift Public Library will have a book sale during operating hours. Fill a grocery store bag provided by the library for $3. DVDs, audiobooks, CDs and puzzles must be purchased separately. Hours: 1 to 8 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Proceeds benefit the library.

Washington Township

Feb. 19: A Moonlight Bingo will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Hall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $35 includes buffet and drinks. Those attending must be at least 21 years old. Tickets: 724-727-3079 or visit Washington Township VFC - Westmoreland on Facebook.

March 27: 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: outside 12 x 24-foot space, $25; outside 12 x 48-foot space, $45. Vendor set up will begin at 11 p.m. March 26. 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. Rain or shine. Details: 724-727-3079.

West Deer

Wednesday: West Deer and Hampton police departments will host a free Law Enforcement Explorers open house for students age 14 to 18 at 7 p.m. at West Deer Volunteer Fire Company No. 3, 4372 Gibsonia Road. Law Enforcement Explorers offers young men and women the chance to participate in hands-on career experiences with their local police department. Details: Officer Newman, 724-265-1100, ext. 310.

Thursday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. in the meeting room of the township municipal building, 109 East Union Road. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code C5300094.