Elementary orientation

Changes were made in elementary school assignments for the 2010-2011 school year by Tamaqua Area School District officials in recent weeks. In an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible for students affected by the change, the district will conduct orientation sessions at each of its three elementary schools. The orientation sessions are for students and parents new to the district, as well as those who have been given new building assignments.Kindergarten orientation will be held separately, on Aug. 30 and 31. Parents will be notified by mail of kindergarten orientation dates and times.For students in grades one through five, orientation will be held at the Tamaqua Elementary School on Aug. 3, from 6-7 p.m.; at the Rush Elementary School on Aug. 3 from 7-8 p.m.; and at West Penn Elementary on Aug. 4, from 6-7 p.m.For further information, call (570) 668-3306.Writers' groupThe Black Diamond Writers' Network will meet July 17, from 10 a.m.- noon, at the Tamaqua Public Library, 30 S. Railroad St. Guest speaker will be Anne Supsic, a professional travel writer and world traveler. She will offer tips on finding story ideas, formatting articles and finding a publisher.The spotlight speaker for this month will be Patricia Shenyo of Drums.The public is welcome to attend.The BDWN is a nonprofit organization offering writing education and networking opportunities. The group meets the third Saturday of every month.For more information concerning the group or its activities and workshops, call Kathy at (570) 645-3059.SAL programsThe Tamaqua Salvation Army has a number of programs and activities scheduled over the next few weeks.Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of Aug. 2. There is no charge for the VBS, which will be held daily from 4-6 p.m. This year's theme will be "Rainforest." Sessions are open to all children between the ages of 6 and 12. To register, call (570) 668-0410.A free "Back to School" Camp, for children 6 to 12, will be held Aug. 9 through Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Elite Generation Wrestling will present its anniversary show on July 24 at the Salvation Army, 105 W. Broad St. A luncheon ceremony will be held at 1 p.m., with the show scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.Fall computer classes for beginners will begin Aug. 23.AARP Driver's Training classes will be held Sept. 23 and Sept. 24, from 2-4 p.m.Notre Dame ClubThe Notre Dame Club of Schuylkill County will meet this Sunday, at 5 p.m., at the American Hose Fire Company in Pottsville.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Sunny Stock will officiate at the 10:45 a.m. worship service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will include a children's sermon. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:30 a.m.Also on Sunday, the service will be followed by a brief congregational meeting.An old fashioned picnic is being planned for July 24, from 4-8 p.m., on the church grounds. In addition to great food and ice cream sundaes, the day's events will include cake walks, pie eating contests and entertainment.For more information concerning Zion's activities, visit the website at

www.zionchurchlewistownvalley.org.BloodmobileAn American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be held Wednesday, July 21, from 1 to 6 p.m., in the Tamaqua Salvation Army gymnasium. Anyone 17 or older, in general good health, is eligible to donate blood.