n Barnesville: An American Cancer Society Chinese auction and selective raffle will be held March 23 at the Lakeside Ballroom, Route 54. Doors will open at noon and the auction will begin at 3 p.m. with more than 500 prizes. There will also be a 50/50 and bake sale. Food will be available. People can buy "white tickets" now. Prizes include $1,000 cash, a laptop, fuel oil, four Disney hopper passes, an Xbox One, Kindle, iPad Air, Nascar tickets, gas cards, vacations, a 32-inch TV and restaurant certificates. Tickets are on sale throughout the area. For more information or to donate or bake, call 570-645-04228 or email to madula@ptd.net.
n Harrisburg: Dog wardens will canvass homes in Ashland for a week starting Monday to ensure all dog owners have current licenses and rabies vaccinations for their animals, according to a state Department of Agriculture press release forwarded by Nicole L.C. Bucher, deputy press secretary. "It's the Law - All dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year," she said in the release. The fee is $6.45 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.45 for other dogs. Older adults and people with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.45 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.45 for others. All dogs and nonferal cats three months and older must be vaccinated against rabies. Booster vaccinations must be administered periodically to maintain lifelong immunity. Violators can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per violation plus court costs, according to the release. Licenses can be purchased through Schuylkill County Treasurer Jacqueline V. McGovern by calling 570-628-1438 or online at www.padoglicense.com. For additional information, go to www.licenseyourdogPA.com or call 717-787-3062.
n Mahanoy City: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church is selling the new "Our Lady in Our Hearts and Homes" cookbook, which focuses on "the many different ways that Mary, Queen of the Angels and Saints, has come to intercede for her children," according to a press release. "Woven throughout the book are various saints who have had a strong devotion to Mary, as well as many apparitions of Our Lady, as she intercedes for us," parishioner Debbie Walker said in the release. The parish is also selling another cookbook titled "Recipes for Life - A Catholic Family Cookbook," which includes "inspirational biographies of 80 well-known, and not so well-known, saints." Orders will be accepted until April 2. The cost is $18 for one cookbook, $35 for two and $50 for three. For more information, call Walker at 570-773-0813 for more information.
n Schuylkill Haven: With March as Women's History Month, and in preparation for Penn State Schuylkill's second annual student-led production of "The Vagina Monologues," Women in Leadership Development - WILD - and the campus Office of Student Affairs will show "Until the Violence Stops," a documentary that shares the story and history of "The Vagina Monologues," at noon and 9 p.m. March 17 and 18 in Room 101 of the campus Conference Building. The film focuses on V-Day activities in the United States, Kenya, Croatia and the Philippines. Admission is $1 and the money will be donated to Schuylkill Women in Crisis, which helps women who are victims of abuse. To reach the campus, call 570-385-6000. Word of the event is included in the Penn State Schuylkill Spring 2014 Community Cultural Events Calendar.
n Tamaqua: The Tamaqua Student Government Association in conjunction with Leadership Council, National Honor Society, Junior National Honor Society and the Biology Club, will host the third annual Tamaqua Minithon on Saturday in the high school gym. Proceeds will be donated at the 35th annual American Cancer Society Telethon to be held at Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, on April 6. All proceeds will benefit pediatric cancer research. The theme for this year's event is "Kids Helping Kids." Events will include: faculty vs. student basketball game 1 to 3 p.m., admission $2 for students and $5 for adults; high school volleyball tournament 3 to 5 p.m., admission $2 for students and $5 for adults; open swim pool party and games for elementary students 5 to 9 p.m., $5 to $10 contribution requested. The minithon is open to the public. Food and beverages will be available and T-shirts will be on sale. For more information, contact Steve Ulicny at sulicny@tamaqua.k12.pa.us.