n Frackville: The local Knights of Columbus council will hold its monthly Hogan Happy Hoagie sale on Thursday. Hoagies will be available in a variety of configurations and can be ordered for pickup only by calling Tom Malloy at 570-874-1843 or Grand Knight John Costa at 570-773-0627.
n Harrisburg: The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has announced that employees of FesslerUSA, Orwigsburg, and its affiliates, Sew Mohr, Reading, and Key Mfg. Textiles, Allentown, "have been certified for and are eligible to apply for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits." TAA certifications, according to an L&I press release, are issued by the U.S. Department of Labor to workers impacted by foreign imports or shifts in production to foreign countries. Workers of FesslerUSA and affiliates are "certified as 'adversely affected' because a significant number or proportion of the workers are laid off, or are experiencing a reduction in hours, or are threatened with such layoffs or reductions. In addition, these companies suffered a decrease in sales and production of women's and children's clothes as a result of increased imports of similar or directly competitive articles. This increase in foreign imports contributed significantly to workers' separations and the decline in sales and production of articles produced by FesslerUSA, Sew Mohr and Key Mfg Textiles Inc.," according to the release. The TAA benefits are available through Nov. 6, 2014. "Qualifying individuals can receive funded training, cash income support, job-search and relocation assistance and transportation and subsistence allowances," the release continued. "A Health Coverage Tax Credit is also available to assist with health insurance premiums. Individuals 50 or older who obtain new employment at a lower salary may be eligible to receive cash benefits, known as Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance, to reduce the difference between their former salary and their new wages." Applications for TAA program benefits can be filed through the Unemployment Compensation Service Center by calling 888-313-7284, or at a local Pennsylvania CareerLink office.
n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy City Elks Hoop Shoot will be held Sunday in the Mahanoy Area gymnasium, with signups beginning at 12:30 p.m. followed by the shoot at 1 p.m. Immediately following the event, a pizza party will be held at the Elks lodge, East Main Street. The shoot, sponsored by the Elks National Foundation, is a free-throw contest for boys and girls ages 8 to 13. Contestants' age groups are determined by their age as of April 1, 2013. For more information, contact shoot director Tom Moucheron at 570-773-1590 or go to www.elks.org/hoopshoot.
n Pine Grove: The Pine Grove Area High School Band is preparing for its annual Christmas concert set for 2 p.m. Sunday featuring selections by the jazz band, concert choir and concert band. Admission is free. On Thursday, the Cardinal Band Boosters will sponsor the return of Twelve-Twenty Four, a high-energy rock orchestra that features the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as well as its own holiday creations. It includes a six-piece rock band, four-piece string section, six lead vocalists and an angel storyteller. This year's shows will feature songs from Twelve-Twenty Four's newest release, "Light in the Dark," as well as its 2010 debut CD, "Miracle on Rock Street," and the favorite Trans-Siberian Orchestra songs people have become familiar with through the years. Tickets, at $20 each, are available at the high school office or at the door.
n Pottsville: The reunion committee for the Pottsville Area High School Class of 1963 is seeking information for the following classmates: David Atkins, David Barnes, Carol Bechtel Spahn, Claude Davis III, Robert Dougherty, Robert Garland, Arnetta Heinbach Sullivan, Gale Krieger, Karen Kuss Pela, Dorit Langnes, Nancy Lasko McCarthy, Marilyn Liner Chasanow, Manuel Perez, William Roberts, Phyllis Rosenkrantz, Dorothy Schoffstall, Henry Schroding, Jay Wall and Emma Jane Walters Petosa. Anyone with the needed information is asked to call T. Bosack at 570-544-2428 or J. Miller at 570-622-7429.
n Schuylkill Haven: Liberty Fire Company No. 4 will its annual breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the firehouse, Columbia and St. James streets. Santa will arrive on a fire truck and youngsters on hand will each receive a stocking. Kids can have their photo taken with Santa and also should have their letters for Santa. Breakfast will include pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and drinks. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, contact the fire company at 570-385-3341.