n Harrisburg: The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency has announced that its annual Pennsylvania Student Aid Guide is available online to students and families for guidance on understanding the federal student financial aid process under the College Planning section of PHEAA.org. The free guide, according to a PHEAA press release, is Pennsylvania's most comprehensive financial aid publication and is a "great resource for finding everything students and families need to know about the financial aid process and paying for higher education." The guide also offers in-depth information on Pennsylvania's aid programs, including the need-based State Grant Program, the Pennsylvania Work-Study Program and the Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program. The online version of the guide is interactive and includes links to web pages of particular interest. PHEAA recommended that families considering taking the federal student loans or private loans visit its newest website, MySmartBorrowing.org. For information on the higher education financial aid process, schedules for upcoming financial aid nights and FAFSA completion sessions, reminders of financial aid deadlines and video clips offering tips and information pertaining to planning for higher education, students can join PHEAA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pheaa.aid.
n McAdoo: The McAdoo Lions Club will hold a Christmas home-decorating contest for McAdoo area residents. Three monetary prizes will be awarded this year. All residents are asked to register their homes by calling Anne Berlitz at 570-929-1732. Last year's winners or any member of the McAdoo Lions are excluded from the contest.
n Minersville: St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School will present "A Christmas Carol" at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the basement of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 415 N. Front St. Tickets are $2 for students, $3 for veterans and $5 for adults. Everyone is welcome.
n Pottsville: Pottsville Area High School will hold a registration night for new students and freshmen for the 2014-15 academic year from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Howard S. Fernsler Academic Center.
n Pottsville: The American Red Cross Schuylkill Chapter responded Dec. 8 for a fire at the single-family home on Winfield Drive, Middleport. According to a press release, the Red Cross provided the family with food, clothing and lodging and will follow up with the family for additional services as needed. The Red Cross is calling on people to "make a difference in the lives of others" by becoming a Red Cross volunteer with the disaster team. "For individuals and families who have been personally affected by a fire or disaster, the offer of a warm blanket, the means to purchase food and clothing, lodging, personal hygiene items like those found in a comfort kit, even a stuffed animal for a child can make all the difference for a hopeful tomorrow," Red Cross officials said in the release. For more information, call Red Cross Volunteer Services at 610-865-4400, ext. 219 or email Susan.Kalkhuis-Beam@redcross.org.
n Shenandoah: Registration for the 2013 Shenandoah Santa Trot is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the American Crow Bar (formerly RJ & Friends), Centre and Vine streets. The trot will follow.
n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Area High School Blue and White magazine and others are looking the extend the "gift of warmth" to those in need during the holiday season, according to a release. Decorated cardboard boxes have been distributed to all school district buildings, including the administration building on West Broad Street. Donations of lightly used coats, hats, scarves or gloves can be placed in the boxes. Items for students of all ages from kindergarten through 12th grade are being collected. Donations will be matched to students in need first and the overflow will be donated to the Salvation Army. The deadline to donate is Monday.
n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St., will sponsor a "Meet and Greet" session for artist Tammy Gilbert from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19. Gilbert, Jim Thorpe, draws on her childhood experiences and those of her children to create "A Whimsical World." The public is welcome to attend.
n Weston: The Weston Athletic Association will host a children's Christmas party from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nuremberg-Weston Firehall. Members and their guests are asked to register children 12 and younger. To register, call 570-384-3511 or 570-384-3470. Registrations are also being taken on Facebook at Weston Athletic Association.