n Barnesville: Basic kayaking courses are available at Tuscarora State Park, given by the park naturalist, Robin Tracey. Kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices will be provided. The vessel's maximum weight capacity is 275 pounds. Registration is required by signing up at the park office prior to the event via phone at 570-467-2506 or in person. No online or fax registrations will be taken. Each participant may send a check for $15 payable to the PA Parks and Forests Foundation or pay $15 in cash at the park office a reservation. For people who have their own equipment, the cost is $5. The class will be canceled in case of inclement weather. Participants will meet at the Lakeside Concessions stand at the park. Each child must be accompanied by an adult and be 12 or older. Class times and dates are as follows: 5 p.m. July 2, 10 a.m. July 4, 5 p.m. July 5 and 1 p.m. July 13. All classes are posted on the website at dcnr.state.pa.us under the calendar of events for Tuscarora State Park. There will be additional classes offered this summer as well. For more information call Tracey at 570-467-2506.
n Palo Alto: Bagged yard waste will be picked up by the borough on Thursdays. People may also call the borough hall at 570-622-8666 to arrange for pickups. Yard waste and household trash cannot be taken if mixed together, according to a borough press release. Borough officials also noted that building permits are required before any remodeling, construction or development is undertaken within any area of the borough. Permits can be obtained by calling the borough hall and leaving a message for the permit officer.
n Pottsville: The Ruth M. Steinert Memorial SPCA Thrift Boutique will hold a closing sale Friday and Saturday, located one mile south of Pottsville Dunkin' Donuts on Route 61. Buy one get one 50 percent off (except jewelry which is 20 percent off). There will also be flea market tables outside (weather permitting). The boutique will be closed during July and August, but are still accepting donations for sale at local flea markets while we are closed. Call Lee at 267-334-4220.
n Pottsville: The shingles vaccine is available at the Schuylkill County State Health Center, One Norwegian Plaza, for uninsured or underinsured adults who are ages 50 to 64 and adults who are age 65 or older who don't have coverage through Medicare Part D or the PACE Program. People who had the chickenpox are at risk for shingles, a painful skin rash. The risk increases as people age. For an appointment, call 570-621-3112.
n Schuylkill Haven: Penn State Night at the Fightin' Phils is set for July 28 at First Energy Stadium, Reading. The first pitch will be thrown at 6:05 p.m. The Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society has partnered with several neighboring chapters of the Penn State Alumni Society to sponsor the event. The fee is $25, which includes a game ticket and admission to the third-base picnic area. It includes a 2 1/2-hour all-you-can-eat buffet of barbecued ribs, chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, vegetable lasagna, mac & cheese, side dishes, cookies and Pepsi products. Wine, spirits and beer will be available on a cash basis. Children 4 and under may participate for free. The public also is welcome to participate. For more information or to by tickets, call Patty Shoener, assistant director of alumni relations, at 570-385-6262 or via email at pts11@psu.edu.
n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Community Watch group will sponsor a Labor Day Weekend Carnival Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 at Bicentennial Park/Shenandoah Area Girls Softball League Field in the borough's southeastern section. SCW President Gordon Slater announced the carnival during a meeting of Shenandoah Borough Council, which gave the OK for the event. "We do what we can for the town and we will continue to do that," Slater said at the meeting. SCW will also sponsor Kids Fun Day 2013 on Aug. 10 at Bicentennial Park. SCW meets at 6 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month in borough hall, Washington and Main streets. The public is encouraged to attend. Access to the borough hall is via the Shenandoah Area Free Public Library. Anyone with questions or suggestions for SCW may call Slater at 570-527-8459.