n Fountain Springs: The Pennsylvania Music Educators group will hold its annual district band concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 and 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in the auditorium at North Schuylkill High School. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
n Pine Grove: The Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association and Schuylkill Conservation District are again cooperating to sell quality seedlings. Tree seedlings, according to a press release from Patrick J. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, environmental education coordinator with the conservation district, increase property value, enhance wildlife habitat, beautify the landscape, improve the environment and can provide a source of income. All proceeds from the sale will go to support Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, located just off Route 443 outside of Pine Grove. Nearly 375,000 tree seedlings have been sold in the past to benefit the beauty of Schuylkill County, McKinney said in the release. Offerings are available for small yards to large tracts of land. Evergreens offered include concolor fir, Norway spruce, Black Hills spruce, Austrian pine and American arborvitae. Hardwoods include red maple, red oak, tulip poplar, American cranberry, forsythia, winterberry and common lilac. Order forms can be downloaded at www.sweetarrowlake.com. For more information, email McKinney at porcupinepat@yahoo.com or call 570-622-4124, ext. 113. The deadline to order is April 6 or until supplies last. Pickups will be from 9 a.m. to noon April 30 at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park.
n Pottsville: Dog licenses for 2016 are due, according to a release from Linda Marchalk, Schuylkill County treasurer. State law requires that all dogs three months or older be licensed by Jan. 1. Failure to do so is a summary offense and a maximum fine of $300 for each unlicensed dog may be issued. “Not only is it a state law, but obtaining a license is a good way to ensure the safety of our pets,” Marchalk said in the release, adding, “If a dog is lost or stolen, a license can safely reunite them with the owner.” An annual license is $8.50 and a lifetime license is $51.50. If the dog is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 while a lifetime license is $31.50. Discounts are available for senior citizens and people with disabilities. State dog wardens will soon begin canvassing communities, according to the release. Licenses are available at the Schuylkill County Treasurer’s Office or local dog agents. They are also available online at www.padoglicense.com. A list of 2016 dog agents and a downloadable application are available on the county website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us under the Treasurer’s department. Fishing licenses are also available at the treasurer’s office. Annual licenses are valid from Dec. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2016. The cost for an annual individual adult license is $22.70. Annual senior citizens licenses are $11.70. Trout/salmon permits are $9.70. Multi-year licenses and fishing license buttons are also available for purchase.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., will have free story time from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m, Mondays through April beginning Jan. 18. It is for preschool children ages 3 to 5 and will include stories, songs and a craft plus free play. Siblings are welcome. Another library program is “Builders’ Bonanza,” to be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through April beginning Jan. 18. It is free and participants will make “all sorts of creations” with LEGOs, Goldieblox and other educational toys. It is for children ages 5-12. People must register at the library for both programs.
n Schuylkill Haven: St. James Episcopal Church, 100 Dock St., will hold a soup sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Assorted flavors will be available at $7 a quart and $3.50 a pint.
n Shenandoah: A basket auction to benefit the Shenandoah sesquicentennial celebration will be held March 6 in Divine Mercy Roman Catholic Parish’s St. Stephen Hall, Main and Oak streets. Doors will open at noon and the auction will begin at 2 p.m. There will be a shop-and-drop from 1 to 4 p.m. March 5. The hall is accessible to the handicapped. Tickets are $10 each and include one beverage and dessert.