Special Mass set
The Western Pennsylvania Polish Community will gather Thursday at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh for a special commemoration of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Czestochowa, known as the Black Madonna and the Queen of Poland. The event will include the celebration of Mass at 7 p.m. by Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik, followed by a community reception.
The events are sponsored by the Polish Falcons of America, one of the nation’s largest ethnic fraternal organizations, in cooperation with the Polish Clergy Association of Pittsburgh and neighboring dioceses of Greensburg and Altoona-Johnstown. As part of the community event, a copy of the revered image will be ceremoniously carried into the cathedral by area Polish-American youth dressed in traditional Polish attire.
Additional information on the event can be obtained by call the Polish Falcons of America at 412-922-2244 or by e-mail at info@polishfalcons.org. Information also posted on the organization’s website at: www.polishfalcons.org.
Critz to visit
U.S. Rep. Mark S. Critz, D-Johnstown, will join local and military officials for the official opening of the new Pennsylvania National Guard Readiness Center at 500 EverGreene Drive in the EverGreene Technology Park in Waynesburg at noon Thursday.
At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Critz will hold a town hall meeting for area residents at Waynesburg University. The meeting will be held in Miller Hall, which is on the third floor of Alumni Hall at 51 W. College St. in Waynesburg.
Drought watch
The Youghiogheny River Lake has entered into “drought watch” conditions, prompting the early closure of several recreational areas.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the lake is almost 19 feet below the target for this time of year. Because of low lake levels, several recreation areas at Youghiogheny River Lake are now closed for the season.
These areas include Tub Run Campground boat launch and beach, Jockey hollow boat launch, and Mill Run boat launch and beach. With current predictions, the Corps of Engineers anticipates closing Spillway Beach before Labor Day weekend.
The Corps of Engineers said the congressionally authorized purposes for Youghiogheny River Lake are flood damage reduction, low flow augmentation (for water quality) and recreation.
In a normal year, the project begins draw down in mid-July. In most years, the draw down is gradual and most recreation facilities are serviceable through the recreation season, which ends Labor Day.
Because there has been little rainfall in the Youghiogheny River Watershed, most of the water meeting this requirement is being provided from Corps of Engineers reservoirs. The flow on the Monongahela River is 43 percent of normal, and 80 percent of that water is coming from reservoirs. This has dropped the pool to lower-than-normal levels and has required the closing of the recreational facilities, the Corps of Engineers said.
For updated information on the recreation facilities at the lake, look online at http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/lakes/youghiog.htm or call the Corps of Engineers’ Code-A-Phone message at 814-395-3166.
Camping reservations may be made for the Outflow and Tub Run campgrounds up to 240 days in advance through the National Recreation Reservation System. Call toll-free at 877-444-6777, or visit online at www.Recreation.gov.
For further information, call the resource manager’s office at 814-395-3242, or visit online at www.lrp.usace.army.mil and follow the links to “recreation” and “Youghiogheny River Lake.”
Help offered
State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, said that a representative from the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center will be available to provide business owners with the information and tools necessary to build successful businesses.
Representatives will be available to work with for-profit businesses, both start-up and established, on issues that are affecting them. They will be able to help constituents with a wide range of areas from business plan development to IT issues.
Daley said SBDC representatives can offer expert guidance in market research, economic and community development, training and professional development technology development assistance, and capital formation.
“I am pleased to be able bring this organization into my district office and help my constituents,” said Daley. “They are ready and willing to help you get your business started or offer assistance in a wide variety of ways to ensure that your established enterprise grows.”
Assistance will be available at Daley’s Donora office. For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact Daley’s office at 724-379-5540, or toll free at 1-800-467-9486. Assistance dates are listed below:
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8
n noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3
n 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15
Sleep-over slated
The Flenniken Public Library in Carmichaels is holding a Library Sleep-over for grades 6 through 9 on Friday. Parent permission forms and information sheets are available at the circulation desk. The event begins at 8 p.m. and will end at 7 a.m. Saturday. Pre-registration is required.
Regular library hours resume on Aug. 30: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
The library will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 4 and Monday, Sept. 6 in observance of Labor Day. Library public service hours will resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7. Online library services are always available at www.flenniken.org.
The library board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14 in the Blue Room. The public is welcome to attend. The Flenniken Book Club will meet at 6:30 Sept. 14. The September book is “The Cabinet of Curiosities” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Sharon Brown will lead the discussion. New members are welcome. The book club’s reading schedule is available on the library’s website.