BENEFITS FUNDRAISERS

• PVGP Kickoff Rallye
  Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is holding a scavenger hunt on wheels. Sun., July 6. Fundraiser for The Autism Society of Pennsylvania and Allegheny Valley School. The race starts at South Craig St. in Oakland and finishes at Geno’s Restaurant in Lawrenceville, site of the post-rallye party, which will include a classic car show, auction, prizes, celebrity guest bartenders, live music and food. Register by visiting www.pvgp.org.
   
• Ice Cream & Waffle Brunch
  Fundraiser for Sawyer’s Fund with silent auction and children’s activities to support Sawyer Rebholz’s leukemia recovery. Sun., July 13, 9:45 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Paul’s UMC, 1965 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park.
   
• Paul J. Wilhelm LPGA Pro-Am
  Golf Classic. Mon., July 14, Treesdale Golf & Country Club. Benefits Mars Home for Youth. Members of the LPGA are paired with groups. Call 724-625-5648 for details.
   
• Third Annual Medford Classic
  Three-on-three basketball tournament. Sat., July 19, 10:30 a.m. (Tip-Off), Kiwanis Park in Shaler Twp. Benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Raffles, music and refreshments. The Central Blood Bank will be present to accept lifesaving donations. Tournament participants will receive team T-shirts and a chance to win $100 Simon Mall gift cards and other prizes. Visit www.medfordclassic.com or e-mail info@medordclassic.com for official forms.
   
• Cranberry Township Relay for Life
  To celebrate those who have survived cancer; remember those lost; and fight back against the disease. July 19-20, 10 a.m. (Sat.) to 10 a.m. (Sun), North Boundary Park. All ages. Entertainment, games, food, raffles and more. Each team consists of 8-15 people who take turns walking around the track. Visit www.cranberryrelay.org, info@cranberryrelay.org, or call 1-800-ACS-2345 to register a team. (Cancer survivors, contact Laura at 412-919-1109 or laura.lopez@cancer.org to find out about the special Survivors’ Celebration and Luminaria Ceremony.)
   
• CACC 5K Race & Walk
  The Cranberry Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the 19th Annual Thorn Hill County Line 5K Race & Walk. Proceeds benefit the Thorn Hill Scholarship Fund. Sun., July 20, 7 a.m., register at Parks Moving and Storage in Thorn Hill Industrial Park. Awards will be given to winners in 15 age categories. Deadline to preregister is July 11. The entry fee for 5K runners, wheelers and physically challenged is $15 and walkers can pre-register for $8. Late registration after July 17 is $17. To register, call 724-776-4949 or visit www.cranberrychamber.com.
   
• St. Barnabas 5K Run/Walk
  The 17th Annual St. Barnabas Medical Center 5K Run/Walk will take place on Sat., Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. along Meridian Road in Richland Twp. Proceeds from the event benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. Trophies awarded. Post-race party. Registration/$14 by July 25 or $18 after. For an application, register online at www.stbarnabas5k.com or call 724-444-5512.
   
• Fore the Children Golf Classic
  Join Steve Blass, former Pirate’s pitcher, in this eighth annual event to help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County. Thurs., Aug. 7, 9 a.m. (registration), Olde Stonewall Golf Club, Ellwood City. Sponsor or golf in the event. Tee Sponsor ($150) and Gold Sponsor ($5,000); individual golfers ($300) and foursomes ($1,100). The fee to participate includes breakfast, dinner, gifts, prizes and more. Call Corinne or Andria at 724-287-4733 or visit www.bcfymca.org.
   
• ACHIEVA Golf Outing
  10th Annual ACHIEVA Million Dollar Golf Outing. Mon., Aug. 25, 9:30 a.m. (registration), 10:30 a.m. (brunch), 11:45 a.m. (shotgun start), 5:30 p.m. (million dollar golf challenge), 6:30 p.m. (dinner, prizes and awards), Valley Brook Country Club. Proceeds benefit nearly 7,000 children and adults with disabilities that ACHIEVA serves each year. Contact Deb Malanowski at 412-995-5000 x 452, e-mail dmalanowski@achieva.info or visit www.achieva.info.
   
• Our Own Home Golf Classic
  Third annual event. Thurs., Sept, 11, 8:30 a.m. (registration), 9:30 a.m. (shotgun), Cranberry Highlands Golf Course. Awards presentation/banquet immediately after. $170/player and special rates for foursomes. Lunch non-golfers/$50 and golfer’s lunch guest/$40. Sponsorships are available for $500, $250 and $100. Register by calling 412-367-4461 or 412-288-4050.
   
• Millvale Golf Tournament
  Fourth Annual Sisters of St. Francis Tournament. Mon., Aug 4, 12 p.m. (shotgun), Treesdale Country Club. Lunch, dinner, prizes and silent auction. Tee sponsorships, gifts and underwriting support welcome. Proceeds benefit the Spirit of Health mobile wellness unit and other ministries sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis. For tickets, call Michon Kerlin at 412-821-2200 x 217.
   
• NHCO Collecting School Supplies
  Throughout July, NHCO will collect new backpacks (appropriate for a variety of ages) and school supplies for distribution to low-income children in grades K-12. Items needed include: pencils, rulers, scissors, crayons, markers, notebooks and folders. For information, contact Judy Murchak at 412-487-6316, option 1.
   
• Donate Unwanted Vehicles
  Community Auto, a nonprofit organization that provides low-income individuals with safe and reliable vehicles at greatly reduced prices, needs donations of used cars, preferably ones that need minimal repairs. All donations qualify for a fair market value tax deduction. Contact Randy Murchak at 724-443-8300 for information.
   
• Back-to-School Supplies Needed
  Help 400 local, low-income students by donating back-to-school supplies in July. Oxford Athletic Club in Pine is collecting pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, glue sticks and new or used (in good condition) backpacks. Donated items may be dropped off in the lobby at Oxford Athletic Club, 100 Village Club Drive. For information e-mail byankel@oxfordathleticclub.com or call Beth Yankel at 724-933-1911 x 109.
   
• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables for WIC
  The Allegheny County Health Department is offering free produce through the Pennsylvania Farmers Market Nutrition Program to women and children enrolled in its Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program. In addition to regular WIC benefits, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum and children 2, 3 and 4 years of age each will be given checks worth $20 that are redeemable through Nov. 30 for fruits and vegetables. Call 412-350-5801 or 1-800-WIC-WINS or visit www.achd.net/wic for information.
   
• Bridge Players Needed
  Bridge-o-Rama is seeking new members. Foursomes meet at different players’ homes in round robin style once a month, and there is a banquet every May. Dues are $16 for the entire season, and all dues are donated to NHCO. To join (you have to have a partner), call Roma Vosc at 724-774-0817.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

• Pine St. Alexis Church Annual Festival
  July 30-Aug. 2, 6 p.m., parish grounds. Festival features games, rides, bingo, kiddie land, bake sale, frozen drinks and a large outdoor food booth. Dinners catered by Magoo’s Bar and Bistro will be served nightly from 4:30-7 p.m. in the cafeteria. Call 724-935-3940.
   
• Mars Farmers Market
  Through October. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, 225 Crowe Ave., Mars. Locally grown seasonal vegetables and fruits. Baked goods, pierogies, honey, jellies, eggs & dip mixes. Bedding & potted plants. Fresh cut flowers & herbs. Handmade crafts & jewelry. Local vendors. Meet neighbors and support local gardeners. Contact Fritz & Susan Bielo by e-mailing fritzbee@nauticom.net or calling 724-776-3527.
   
• Local Gardens Contest
  Submit five photos of your garden plus a brief description of what makes your garden special. All entries due July 15 (entry forms available at the Shaler North Hills Library). Prizes will be awarded for the top five gardens chosen. Winners will be announced on Tues., Aug. 26, 7 p.m., during a special Shaler Garden Club program at the library. The focus of the program is Butterflies of Western PA and Plants that Attract Them. Winners will have the opportunity to be part of the first annual Shaler Area Garden Tour in the summer of 2009.
   
• Piccadilly Herb Club Presentation
  Citrus and Spices- Five Lemon Herbs to Enjoy. Thurs., July 17, 12:30 p.m., Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. Public invited. Presented by Master Gardener Nancy Heraud. Free. Call 412-487-2343 for information.
   
• Avalon High School Reunion
  Avalon High School All Class Alumni Reunion Picnic. Sun., Aug. 3, 11 a.m. until dark, Rose Barn at North Park. Call Terry High at 412-821-4216 or e-mail tehi40@verizon.net for details.
   
• Cranberry Free Summer Concerts
  (call 724-776-4806)
  
  • Fridays at noon, Garden Gazebo, Municipal Center. July 11, Greater Cranberry Bogmeisters/ barbershop harmonies. July 18, Seth McCall/Celtic fiddler. July 25, The Pittsburgh Banjo Club/ banjo classics.
  • Thursdays, 7 p.m., Rotary Amphitheater, Community Park. July 17, American Pie/oldies band. July 24, Boilermaker Jazz Band/ jazz classics and vocals. July 31, Alli Gillis Band/country music.
  • Special Children's Concert. July 8, 7 p.m., Cranberry Rotary Amphitheater. Joe Negri & Mister Rogers Neighborhood Friends.
    
   
• Undiscovered Italy
  July 9, 6:30 p.m. Hampton Community Library. Join local author Paul Gentile on a journey to Abruzzi, Italy. Register by calling 412-684-1098.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• NHCO Volunteer Orientation
  For new and prospective NHCO volunteers. July 10, 10 a.m., NHCO Allison Park. Call Jennifer Drayton at 412-487-6316, option 2, for information.
   
• Free Rides for Seniors Trainings
  Volunteer drivers and dispatchers are needed for NHCO’s Free Rides for Seniors program, a shuttle bus that operates weekdays along Freeport Rd. Trainings will be held on July 21, 10 a.m. and July 23, 6:30 p.m., Lighthouse Pointe in O’Hara. To attend, call Kerry at 412-449-0151.
   
• Faith in Action Volunteers Needed
  Volunteers are needed to provide non-medical assistance (e.g., rides to the doctor, grocery shopping, visits, etc.) to senior citizens. Training will take place July 17, 9:30 a.m., NHCO North Boroughs. To attend, call Cathy at 412-307-0069.

BUSINESS & CAREERS

• Common Business Exchange North
  CBX North is a group of business professionals focusing on the exchange of information, presentations by members and business referrals. Meetings held every other Tues., 6 p.m., Fresco’s restaurant (Wexford). Upcoming meetings are scheduled for July 8 & 15. Visit www.cbxnorth.com.
   
• Ask the Attorney
  For qualified individuals. July 16, 7-9 p.m., NHCO Millvale. Volunteer attorneys will provide individual consultations on noncriminal matters. Appointments required, call Harriet Gibbs, 412-487-6316, option 2..