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Free community picnic planned in Natrona park

Fun and Freedom will host a free community Picnic in the Park from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Natrona Park and Playground, River Avenue, Harrison.

There will be food, music, a popcorn machine, games, sports and balloon art. Pa. Game Warden Madison Pugh will demonstrate a bear trap and answer questions.

For details, call 724-274-7773.

Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, first responders

The fourth annual Operation Gratitude Collection drive will continue through Saturday.

The public is welcome to write a letter, make a thank you card or color a picture that will be sent in a care package. Creations will be sent to be distributed by Operation Gratitude in California to new recruits, first responders, troops, and veterans and their caregivers. A collection bin is located at Citizens Bank in the Allegheny Township Giant Eagle.

Monetary donations are welcome and help to cover the cost care packages. To donate, visit giving.operationgratitude.com/LeechburgCollectionDrive2022. For more information, email BrittanyMarie147@gmail.com.

Teen stress program offered at A-K Health Foundation

Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation will offer a free program, “Why is My Teen So Stressed,” from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the conference room at the Charles and Mary Lou Young Non-Profit Center, 1 Acee Drive, Natrona Heights, Harrison.

Dr. Angela Bloomquist, school of psychology program coordinator at California University of Pennsylvania, will be the speaker. The seminar is funded through the Heatherlyn A. Marshall Memorial Fund. Registration is required. To register, call 724-294-3157.

Today: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. to knit, crochet, embroider or cross stitch. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

Tuesday : The Rather Be Reading Book Club for adults at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Details and membership information: tinyurl.com/yc8c335t.

Aug. 11: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Full Moon $2,500 cash raffle. Cost: $10, includes two 3-digit numbers. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Aug. 11 Pa. Lottery Pick-3 number. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, after Mass in the church vestibule and at the parish office.

Saturday: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a workshop with the Traveling Greenhouse to make a macrame air plant pod at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Choose either session. Cost: $25, includes all materials, air plant, care instructions and a misting bottle. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/3j2efz5m.

Aug. 27: Summer’s Last Fling, a fundraiser for the Outdoor Discovery Center, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be music by the 7 Mile Run Band, a rock-climbing wall, food, drinks, raffles, silent auction and nature activities for the whole family. Admission: $20; children, $12. Tickets: tinyurl.com/bdf4jj5k.

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

Aug. 6: A drag queen bingo to benefit cancer patient Kevin Coudriet will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Brackenridge American Legion, 845 First Ave. Doors open at 2 p.m. Cost: $35, includes food. Extra packages and daubers will be sold and there will be a cash bar, refreshments, small games of chance, a silent auction and 50/50. Tickets: 724-814-0180.

Saturday: Rock of Ages Alliance Church will host a free community picnic from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Acme Park, 101 Herron Ave. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. and there will be activities afterward. Details: rockofagesalliance.com.

Aug. 7 to 11: Cheswick Christian Fellowship will host a free vacation Bible school, “Rocky Railway,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 1407 Pittsburgh St. Details: 724-274-4846.

Wednesday : Harvest Church will host a free dinner and evening of encouragement at 6:30 p.m. for teachers as they prepare to start the new school year at the church, 143 Reed Road. Reservations required. Reservations: harvestpa.org/events.

Saturday: The Eagles will sell outdoor-grilled barbeque chicken from 11 a.m. until sold out at the aerie, 101 Fifth St. Advance orders recommended. Cost: $8, includes coleslaw. Dine in or take out. Orders: 724-295-9979.

Sept. 17 and 18: Freeport Renaissance Association is accepting vendor applications for the annual September By the River event. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18. Art, food and business vendors welcome. Details: freeportcommunity.com or septbytheriver@gmail.com.

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

Today: The free music series at 7 p.m. in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center pavilion, 1877 Shriners Way, will feature Shelly Duff and Shell Shocked. Gates open at 6 p.m. Rain or shine. Free parking and food and drinks will be available. No tailgating, outside food or beverages permitted. The weekly event is sponsored by Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Today: The board of directors at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Details: 724-226-3491.

Friday: 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.

Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will have a Build-A-Buddy workshop fundraiser from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Cost: $20 for an 18-inch stuffed animal. Advance orders requested. Orders: 724-226-3491.

Saturday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host an Arctic Blast event for all members of the family from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. There will be face painting, animal ice rescue and other activities. Kona Ice will be sold with proceeds to benefit the library. Details: 724-226-3491.

Sunday : A purse bash to benefit Robin’s Home charity that provides help to low income women veterans and their children will be at Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes lunch. There will be a cash bar, pull tab tickets, a silent auction, pick of the table and raffles. Tickets: 724-904-7649.

Aug. 1 to 5: Guardian Angels Parish will have vacation Bible school, “Monumental,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for children in prekindergarten through sixth grade in the parish Patterson Hall, 800 Montana Ave., Natrona Heights. Volunteers welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-4900 or ccd@guardianangelspgh.org.

Today: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Today: 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.

Friday: A Fish Fry in July will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road. Menu: hand-battered fish sandwich, $11; fish on a dish combo, $12, fish sandwich combo, $13; and jumbo shrimp basket, $13. Combos and shrimp basket include fries and coleslaw. Takeout fee: $1. Orders: 724-339-9417.

Saturday: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market, 2800 Bethel St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lower Burrell Lions will sell brooms.

Sunday: Armstrong Community Theater will sponsor a Rubber Ducky Derby at noon at Falcon Park, 2169 State Route 66. Cost: $5, includes a duck and picnic lunch. Covered dishes welcome. Prizes will be awarded. Bring a lawn chair and favorite outdoor game. Tickets: available from theater members; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the children’s musical at the Casino Theater in Vandergrift.

Today: A free seminar on landlord and tenant rights will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. Sponsored by the Salvation Army and Laurel Legal Services Inc. Details: Lauren.Suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Today: 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 are sponsored by Westmoreland Community Action.

Today: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. weather permitting, at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be fresh produce, plants, baked goods, hot foods and more. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or lauren.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Today: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Today: 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.

Friday: Welcoming Westmoreland will host a free welcoming coffee talk from 10 a.m. to noon at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. New residents are welcome to enjoy free coffee and breakfast breads and learn more about what the community has to offer.

Saturday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will present, “Life in the Sea,” with Mad Science at 1 p.m. in the courtyard behind the library. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Saturday and Tuesday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during business hours.

Aug. 21: Sponsors are needed for a back-to-school bash planned at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Center, 408 Eighth St., rear. Details: Ronel, 412-219-8313 or Laurie, 724-594-7903.

Through Aug. 31: Panera Bread Café will donate a portion of sales from each Frozen Agave Lemonade, Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Drop Cookie and Lemonade tote sold to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a pediatric cancer charity that funds cancer treatment and research. Donations will also be accepted. Participating stores include Pittsburgh Mills Mall, Frazer, and Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont.

Aug. 6: A drag queen bingo featuring Divine Divas to benefit Guyasuta Youth Football will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at Comfort Inn RIDC, 180 Gamma Drive. Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission: $25. Must be at least 18 to attend. Food and drinks will be sold. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mvec3ncw.

Aug. 13: A cash bash to benefit Rory Ridge Horse Rescue will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rayburn Volunteer Fire Department, 102 Water Tower Road. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and drinks. There will be strip tickets, a basket raffle and 50/50. Winners need not be present. Tickets: 724-859-1972 or roryridgerescue@gmail.com.

Today: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

Today: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Saturday: Tarentum Elks will host a summer fling charity dance to benefit the Elks Home Visiting Nurses program from 8 to 11 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E Sixth Ave. Cost: $10, includes pop, snacks and draft beer. Music will be by the 56 East Band and there will be a cash bar. Tickets: Bob Morrow, 724-980-8819 or at the lodge bar.

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

Sept. 8 to 10: Summit Hose Co. is accepting crafter and vendor applications for its Fall Festival. No food vendors, please. Details: Tami Sudy, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

Today: The Board of Trustees at Torrance State Hospital will have an open meeting via conference call at 1:30 p.m. Details and access information: 724-459-4411.

Aug. 28: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces at its Swap N’ Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5 per space. Reservations and details: John Italiano, 724-339-3821.

Today: St. Gertrude Church will sell frozen meatballs and spaghetti sauce from 4 to 6 p.m. by curbside pickup at the church social hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Cost: sauce, $7 per quart; meatballs, six for $3. Please enter the driveway above Sandra Lynn’s Dance School and follow the arrows to the church basement doors. Items will also be available after the Saturday and Sunday Masses at the church while supplies last.

Today: The Farmer’s Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot.

Friday: 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.

Sunday: Cub Scout Pack 965 will sponsor a free bike rodeo from 1 to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at Deer Lakes Middle School. Bring your own bike and helmet. Snacks and refreshments will be served. The event is geared for children 12 and younger, but everyone is welcome. Trek Bicycle, West Deer Police and West Deer EMS will be onsite. Registration required to receive a goody bag. Registration: tinyurl.com/yc5bp2wr.

Aug. 11: West Deer Dog Shelter is accepting orders for a John Marshall Catering hoagie sale. Cost: $10, for a turkey or Italian hoagie. Order deadline: Friday. Pickup: 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the West Deer Municipal Building, 109 East Union Road. Orders: Marleen, 412-709-0978 or MarleenMeyer2020@gmail.com.

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