n Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation driver license and photos centers will be closed Wednesday in observance of the Independence Day holiday, according to a PennDOT press release. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website - www.dmv.state.pa.us. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24/7 and include driver's license and photo ID renewals, vehicle registration renewal, driver-history services, changes of address, driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters, and exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2011 is available on the website under "News, Stats and Facts." In the relaese, PennDOT also reminded motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions before heading out.
n Mahanoy City: The Active Christians in our Neighborhood Youth Group of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, and St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Barnesville, will celebrate its 30th anniversary Aug. 19. To mark the event, the Very Rev. John O. Barres, bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, will be the main celebrant at a special 3 p.m. Mass in Blessed Teresa church. Following the Mass, there will be a banquet in the church hall with dinner and "surprises," according to a release from Deborah Walker, ACTION Youth Group director. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration. "We are putting a special shout-out to our alumni, families and friends to come to this reunion of Christians from the past 30 years." The cost is $16 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. Attendees are asked to wear something red "as our banquet will be filled with fiesta fun." ACTION was formed in 1982 with a mission to keep teens connected to their church and their faith. Sponsored by the Catholic Church, it welcomes teens of all religions and has three dimensions: A social dimension to help teens form friendships that can last a lifetime; a service aspect that teaches teens it is important to help those less fortunate, the elderly, children and community, and the spiritual aspect that God is the center of our group. For tickets, call Walker at 570-773-0813 by July 30.
n Pottsville: Upcoming events for the Pottsville Kiwanis Club include a Kauffman's chicken barbecue Sept. 8 and the Farm City Dinner on Nov. 2. Tickets for the chicken barbecue are $7 each and are available now. They include a half chicken, potato and roll. Anyone interested should contact any club member.
n Pottsville: Registration packs are filled and ready to go for the 19rth annual Great Pottsville Cruise to be held Aug. 11. The first 500 cruisers to register will receive the collector's Yuengling Dash Plaque sponsored by Yuengling Brewery & Gift Shop, the Cruise Collector Pin sponsored by VIST Bank & Insurance and AAA of Schuylkill County and the official Cruise Sticker, which this year is being dedicated in memory of John "Jack" Rich Sr., sponsored by Bruce's Auto Mall, the new raffle map, which is needed for the run with all the stops, sponsored by Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. and Alpine Post & Building Supplies, as well as other goodies from many local businesses that help sponsor the event. Registration outlets are: Jerry's Northeast Auto Sales, Route 61; 12-Volt Dave's Audio, West Market Street, Yorkville; Coney Island, Yorkville; Naftzinger's Used Auto Parts, Auburn, and Bruce's Auto Mall, Schuylkill Haven. For more on this year's event go oneline to www.TheGreatPottsvilleCruise.com or call 570-622-9510 or 570-628-4561. The Great Pottsville Cruise is a Pottsville Lions Club and Pottsville Pride event.
n Pottsville: For people with questions about trees, flowers, shrubs, lawns, garden soil, vegetables, pH, insects or disease on plants, the Penn State Master Gardener volunteers are available at the Schuylkill County Cooperative Extension office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesday through Sept. 26. The volunteers will help answer the questions. Call 570-622-4225 and ask for the Master Gardener line or email schuylkillmg@psu.edu.