n Girardville: Curbside recycling in the borough is set for April 29 and 30. All recyclables can be placed out either day, according to a press release from the borough hall. Acceptable items include newspapers and cardboard, clear, brown and green glass and metal cans as well as plastics Nos. 1 and 2. Newspapers must be bundled and tied or in brown paper bags and cardboard must be flattened. Glass must be placed in one container and cans in another. Schuylkill County Drop-Off Recycling Program Dumpsters are on site permanently near the borough hall. The recycling center is open to any Schuylkill County resident. Recyclables must be placed in the correct sections of the Dumpsters and people must remove all glass, cans and plastics from plastic bags before placing the items in the Dumpsters. People may not leave items outside the gates if they are locked. Leaving nonrecyclable items at the site is considered littering. If the bins are full, people may not leave recyclables on the ground or on top of the bins. Violators can face fines.
n Pottsville: The annual Block of Art, an arts and cultural festival in the city's downtown area, will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday when the city's historic district will feature fine art of all types. According to a release from Block of Art organizers, painters, poets and musicians fill the temporary galleries showcasing what Schuylkill County has to offer. This year's event will begin with an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Schuylkill County Historical Society headquarters, North Centre Street. It will be followed the next day by an all-day music venue at the Sovereign Majestic Theater, plus galleries and an "Artmart" in the downtown area. The day will end with an art auction at the Sovereign Majestic. Throughout the weekend there will be classes, poetry readings and a music venue in one of the city's historic churches. New this year will be a Meet the Artist Sunday Brunch at the Greystone Restaurant, North Centre Street. Block of Art, according to the release, is a "strategic partnership of Schuylkill County's VISION" and a participant in the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. For more about the Block of Art, go online to www.block-of-art.org.
n Saint Clair: The group Walk Saint Clair! will sponsor a trek called Zig Zag Saint Clair from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday beginning at Admiral Boone Park, Third Street. People are invited to wind their way "through the back streets of Saint Clair, zigging and zagging from one street to another," according to a press release. The walk will be led by Patrick M. "Porcupine Pat" McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the Schuylkill Conservation District. The walk will go on rain or shine. For more information, call 570-429-1161.
n Shenandoah: Trinity Academy in the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center, Cherry and Chestnut streets, will hold an informal question-and-answer session in the school hall/cafeteria followed by a tour of the school from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 28. All parents and students interested in visiting the school and learning more about what is offered are welcome to attend. The school's faculty, staff, current parents and student ambassadors will be available to answer questions regarding academics, registration and financial aid. Elementary students transferring into first through eighth grades receive $1,500 in grants, $1,000 in year one and $500 in year two. For those unable to attend, another session will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 18, according to a release. To register for the session, call Christine Fannick, advancement director, at 570-462-3927.
n Summit Hill: American Red Cross Blood Services, Northeast Pennsylvania Region, will hold a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. April 30 at the Summit Hill Heritage Center, 1 W. Hazard St. People 17 or older (16 with parental permission in Pennsylvania), who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health are eligible to donate blood. People should bring their Red Cross blood donor cards or other form of positive identification when donating blood. All presenting donors during April will have a chance to win a $250 gift card. People can make an appointment to donate blood by going online to www.redcrossblood.org.