n Harrisburg: The state Department of Transportation is accepting applications for 2013 summer employment for students and government service interns, Rep. Sue Helm, R-Dauphin, said in a press release. To qualify, candidates must be at least 18 and enrolled in college for the fall 2013 semester and must have a valid Pennsylvania driver's license. The summer employment program runs from May through August to supplement the permanent PennDOT workforce. However, government services interns will not be hired in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties, according to Helm's release. The deadline to apply is Feb. 22. For more information about PennDOT's summer employment opportunities, go to www.SueHelm.net and click "PennDOT summer employment." Applications can be found under the student summer employment category.
n Pottsville: Mike Glore will present a PowerPoint program on the history of the Pottsville Fire Department at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Sovereign Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St. The program, sponsored by the Schuylkill County Historical Society, is free and open to the public.
n Sacramento: Bingo to benefit the Ruth M. Steinert Memorial SPCA will be held Feb. 17 at the Sacramento Firehall. Doors will open at noon and the early bird will begin at 1:45 p.m. with regular bingo starting at 2 p.m. There will be food, refreshments and door prizes. Those who bring a donation for the SPCA will automatically be entered for a chance to win a special prize. Donations needed include cat/kitten food (dry and canned), cat litter, bleach, office supplies, 30-gallon garbage bags and Spic and Span. Admission is $25 and tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For tickets, call RSM SPCA at 570-345-3540 or Shanelle at 570-590-6652. The event is sponsored by Shanelle Willier and RSM SPCA.
n Schuylkill Haven: Penn State Schuylkill will host two free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA - completion workshops in the Classroom Building, C/4, Cotler Computer Lab, at 1 p.m. Feb. 9 and 6 p.m. Feb. 26. Both are free and open to students and parents regardless of where the applicant is attending post-secondary school. For more information, contact Tammie Durham, director of enrollment services, at 570-385-6242 or via email at tld145@psu.edu.
n Shenandoah: Northern Schuylkill residents do not necessarily need to go to Pottsville for services of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown. The agency offers services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at 218 W. Cherry St. Services include pregnancy and parenting support, case management for individuals, families and older adults plus information and referral. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call Catholic Charities at 570-628-0466.
n Tamaqua: The Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation, a division of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, will bring agriculture education to the Tamaqua Area School District's West Penn Elementary School today through Friday, according to a press release. The bureau's Mobile Agriculture Education Science Lab will create an opportunity for students to learn about agriculture - the state's No. 1 industry - in a "fun and hands-on way." Bureau President Carl T. Shaffer said in the release, "With fewer children having a tie to farming, we created the Ag Lab to help teachers educate more students about the importance of agriculture." Once the lab is stationed at a school, students enter to perform science experiments that teach lessons focused on farm, food, fiber and the environment. Mobile Lab visits to schools are coordinated with the preparation of teachers and their classes for the science experiments. A certified teacher travels with the lab to lead each class in the science experiments. The lab is equipped with all the material and supplies needed for the experiments. Examples of the experiments that are taught in the lab include: Germinating seeds under different conditions, creating crayons from soybeans and testing the water capacity of different soils. A Mobile Lab can educate up to 900 students and involve up to 30 teachers per week. To set up a tour or interview, call Steve Behr at 570-386-5051.