The Stroller, Jan. 14, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Start the new year off right! 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.

Adult education classes offered at Goodwill

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is accepting applications for its free adult education classes from residents of Allegheny County.

In-person and virtual classes are available to help students prepare to take a high school equivalency test, improve digital skills, improve their ability to speak English or prepare for the United States Citizenship and Naturalization Test.

For more information, visit goodwillswpa.org/digital or call 877-499-3526.

Grand opening specials at new car wash to benefit Knead Community Café

Clean Express Auto Wash, 97 Tarentum Bridge Road, New Kensington, will celebrate its grand opening today through Jan. 23.

Customers who make a monetary donation to Knead Community Café will receive a free Clean-est wash – an $18 value. Car wash gift cards with a value of $50 will be sold for $25 with proceeds being donated to the café.

Calendar

Arnold

Sunday: Arnold No. 2 Auxiliary and Arnold Fireman’s Band will host a luncheon bingo at 1:30 p.m. in the Arnold Social Center, 1702 Fifth Ave. Doors open at noon. Cost: $6, includes light lunch and one lapboard. Players must be at least 12 years old.

Bethel

Saturday: The Knee High To Nature Series at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer sponsor a winter science program for children in elementary school at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Choose either session. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Brackenridge

Saturday: The band Risen to Save will present a concert at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 857 10th Ave. Donations will be accepted to benefit the church.

Sunday: A bingo to benefit the Highlands Boys Basketball Boosters will be at 1 p.m. at Pioneer Hose Fire Hall, 124 Morgan St. Doors open at noon. Cost: $20, includes 20 regular games and five specials with cash prizes. There will be a $500 jackpot game, silent auction and side raffles. Snacks and beverages will be sold. Tickets: send a message at Pioneer Hose Ladies Auxiliary Brackenridge PA on Facebook.

Gilpin

Today: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firemen’s social hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

Harrison  

Today: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50/50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Wednesday: A trivia competition will be at 6 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Form a team of up to four members of family and friends. The winning team will receive a gift card to Dairy Queen. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 22: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free program, “Be In Charge of Your Own Health,” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Online attendance also available. Learn all about the Alle-Kiski Health Foundation and how you can take charge of your health with simple steps. Reservations required. Reservations: visit the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 26: The new Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6 p.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be, “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. Copies are available at the library. Reservations required. Details and reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenvalleylibrary.org.

Kiski Township

Jan. 27: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Company is accepting orders for baked goods from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, Dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, peach and raisin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $10; cinnamon rolls with white or cream cheese icing, $7.50 for 6; snails, $7.50 per dozen; pie variety pack of 4 4-inch pies, apple, blackberry, cherry and razzleberry, $9.50; and pepperoni rolls, $5. Paid order deadline: Saturday. Pick-up: Jan. 27. Orders: Morgan King, call or text 724-466-2812.

Leechburg

Saturday: The annual Leechburg Elks Hoop Shoot free throw competition will be at noon in the Leechburg Area High School gymnasium, Center Avenue. Boys and girls age 8 to 13 are welcome to participate. Students will be divided into age groups as determined by their age on April 1, 2022. Details: Anthony Shea, 724-842-8071 or ashea247@comcast.net.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items are 20 cents each. Customers should wear a face mask and bring a bag. Clothing donations welcome.

Jan. 20: Leechburg Public Library will host a free movie night, featuring the film, “The Wizard of Oz,” from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. Tickets must be reserved by Saturday. Tickets: stop in at the library.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: A luncheon bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission includes lunch at 12:30 p.m., 15 games that win $20 each; four specials that win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-335-4131.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the Stagger Lee Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Springdale 

Wednesday: The Wacky Wednesday program at 6 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library will celebrate National Popcorn Day with games, crafts and popcorn. Children of all ages welcome. Registration and masks required. Registration: 724-274-9729.

Summit Township 

Jan. 23: Table reservations are being accepted for an antique and classic bicycle swap meet set for 8 a.m. to noon at Shindigs LLC Event Center, 705 Herman Road. Vendor set-up will begin at 6 a.m. Cost: $30. Details and reservations: Jeff Rapp,724-287-8048 or Howard Gordon, 724-205-8172.

Tarentum

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A dollar breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Details: 724-224-9220.

Sunday and Tuesday: 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.

Vandergrift

Saturday: Vandergrift Fire Department No. 1 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 278 Franklin Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be 16 regular games and 4 specials and a 50/50 jackpot. Payout to be determined by the number of players. Light refreshments and beverages will be sold. Details: vandergriftvfd@gmail.com or Vandergriftvfd1 on Facebook.

Wednesday: Vandergrift Public Library will host meet-up event for children of all ages who are home schooled at 12:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Jan. 21: Vandergrift Public Library and Kiski Area Youth Network will host a free Teen Afterhours event from 6 to 9 p.m. for students in sixth through 12^th grade at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Teens can enjoy food, games and friends with adult supervision. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Today: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.