Monthly giveaway

The Tamaqua Community Volunteers monthly giveaway will be held this Saturday at the M&M Self Storage center, next to Schickram's Car Wash on Rose Street.Anyone wishing to donate items should have them at the facility between 8 and 9 a.m. Saturday. Donations of clothing, toys, tools, electronics, holiday decorations, pots/pans/dishes, cookware, furniture, appliances and practically anything else are welcome. The only items not accepted are floor-model televisions, computer monitors and obvious garbage.All donated items must be clean and odor-free.The free giveaway will start at 9:15 a.m. and is open to anyone living within the 18252 ZIP code area, regardless of income.For more information, visit the event on Facebook or call 570-668-1234.TASD newsThe Tamaqua Area School District is gearing up for the beginning of a new school year, with classes scheduled to begin on Aug. 24.The Blue Raider Band will hold Old and New Night on Tuesday, with camp scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Aug. 3.The last day for senior and junior students to apply for a parking permit is Aug. 3. Senior class members will be given priority for the 74 available spaces and permits will be issued on Aug. 17.Registration and initial drug testing for students participating in extra-curricular activities will be held from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday in the athletic center locker rooms of the middle school.Sixth-grade orientation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 at the Tamaqua Area Middle School. Homeroom assignments will be posted on the school's front door as of Aug. 10.For more information on any school activity/event, visit the district's website at

www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us.Cressona BandThe Cressona Band continues to perform free band concerts in our area.The next event will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the East End Playground on Mountain Avenue in Tamaqua. Rain date will be Thursday.The band will also perform from 3-5 p.m. Aug. 2 at Heisler's Dairy Bar in the Lewistown Valley.Both concerts will feature selections by the Junior Cressona Band.The public, and their lawn chairs, are welcome.Day care newsThe Tamaqua Area Adult Day Center Center will hold an Open House event on Aug. 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.Information on all of the services provided by the center will be available. Complimentary refreshments will be provided and door prizes will be awarded.Zion LewistownPastor Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service this Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. Sunday school classes will be held at 9:15 a.m.Bible study sessions are held every Thursday at 12:30 p.m.Faith Night will be held Aug. 20 at the Reading Phillies game. A bus trip is being planned.Volunteers are needed to help with the Aug. 23 church picnic.