n Allentown: With May as the month of Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus, a new podcast, available for download on the Catholic Diocese of Allentown website - www.allentowndiocese.org - and on iTunes, features Bishop John Barres leading a group in praying the Rosary, according to a diocesan press release. On each of the five Fridays in May, a new Bishop's Video blog will also be posted with each exploring aspects of the prayer of devotion to the Blessed Mother, Matt Kerr, diocesan director of public relations, said in the release. Barres is hopeful, Kerr added, that "people will download the podcast and pray the Rosary with their family."
n Auburn: The Auburn Fire and Ambulance mailed its annual fund drive packets on May 1 to residents and businesses in its service area, which includes Auburn borough and parts of South Manheim and West Brunswick townships. Anyone who does not receive a packet is asked to call Judy at 570-754-3014.
n Cressona: Gear Grinders Hot Rod Association will hold its annual charity cruise-in from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Advance Auto Parts at the Cressona Mall to benefit the Salvation Army of Pottsville. The entry fee is $3. For more information, call 570-366-1958 or 570-544-3247.
n Mahanoy City: Chairman James Samelko of American Legion Post 398 said in a press release placement of American flags on veterans' gravesites will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 10. According to the release, prepared by John F. Mellon, legionnaires will meet at the post home, Mahanoy and Oak streets. Mellon, a Boy Scouts chairman, has recruited Cub Scouts, leaders and parents to help with the flag placement and noted that help is "greatly appreciated."
n Mar Lin: The Schuylkill Technology Center's plant and flower sale is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 10. The sale will include annuals, perennials and hanging baskets grown by local students. For more information, call 570-544-4748.
n Pine Grove: Naturalist Denise "Nightowl" Donmoyer will lead a walk at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park from 9 to 11 a.m. May 11. Participants will locate and identify, from sight and song, resident and migratory species that inhabit the park. Participants will meet at the waterfall parking lot.
n Pottsville: Schuylkill Health will hold a free skin cancer screening from 9 to 11 a.m. today at the Outpatient Surgery Center, 200 Schuylkill Medical Plaza. No registrations are needed. Refreshments will be served. For more information, go online to www.schuylkillhealth.com.
n Saint Clair: A Mother's Day flower sale is set for 1 to 7:30 p.m. May 9 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. May 10 at the J.L. Dresch Storage area, Saint Clair-Port Carbon Highway. Proceeds will benefit Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, Saint Clair, and St. John's Episcopal Church, Ashland. Items will include logs, hanging baskets and assorted flowers. All are welcome.
n Schuylkill Haven: The Island Park Committee will hold its annual Appreciation Night Picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Island Park off Dock Street. Committee members, in a release, invited all of its sponsors and supporters who contributed time, money or in-kind services to the park over the past year to participate. RSVPs are not needed but would help in food planning. For more information or to register, call Gary or Sandy Hess at 570-385-3578.
n Shenandoah: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church hall, Main and Oak streets. People 17 and older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are eligible to donate blood. Identification is needed. All presenting donors during May will have a chance to win a $250 VISA gift card. To make an appointment to donate blood call 800-RED-CROSS or log onto www.redcrossblood.org.