Bethel Park School District is partnering with Allegheny County Councilman Vince Gastgeb (R) and the Bethel Park Police Department to present a free informational program for parents, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 at the Bethel Park Community Center.

"Keep Your Kids Safe--Educating Parents on the Potential for Drug Use" will feature representatives from the Allegheny County Health Department, juvenile court/probation, the Bethel Park Police Department, the Bethel Park School District and Gateway Rehabilitation to discuss with parents to how identify and deal with issues of inappropriate and harmful behavior in their children.

For information on renting the social hall call 412-835-3473, press # 1 to leave a message for the hall rental coordinator.

Bridgeville

Bridgeville Borough's summer recreation program "A Week in the Park" will be held July 21-25 at McLaughlin Park. Borough Manager Lori Collins continues to work to keep this program thriving. Joanne McClellan and Suanne Estatico continue to run this program. Both educators plan to continue making "A Week in the Park" a success.

n South West Communities and Upper St. Clair Chambers of Commerce will sponsor a joint golf outing on May 27 at St. Clair Country Club. There will be a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Package includes golf, lunch, dinner and prizes. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Scoring will be based on the Callaway system.

Canonsburg

Reservations are being accepted for Camp Splash, a six-week, full-day summer program at Canonsburg's Town Park. The camp, for children ages 5 and older, operates from June 30 to Aug. 8. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The camp includes swimming, crafts, sports, ice skating and other activities, and lunch and snacks are provided. Deadline is May 9. No reservations are available for the final week of camp (Aug. 4 to 8). For information call 724-745-1800.

Carnegie

Stage 62 in Carnegie will present "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde on May 9-11 and May 16-18. Friday and Saturday performances will be 8 p.m. and Sunday performances will be at 2 p.m. at Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall. Reservations are not required; tickets are available at door. Although not required, you may call ahead and reserve seats by leaving a message at 412-429-6262.

Castle Shannon

Recycling will be picked up bi-monthly. The following materials are to be included in the recycling program: clear glass, brown glass, green glass, aluminum cans, steel cans, bi-metallic cans and type 1 and type 2 plastics. All recyclables must be placed curbside in either a blue recycling bin or a similar container. Garbage and recycling containers must only be placed at the curb after 6 p.m. the day before collection. Recyclables will not be taken if they are placed in bags.

If your garbage and/or recycling has been missed, report it to the borough office by calling 412-885-9200, ext. 100.

Cecil Township

While Cecil Township's population is about 10,000, an influx of Southpointe II workers and new residents could double the number of people who are in the township each day.

Mike Debbis, chairman of the Cecil Township Supervisors, told firefighters public safety is something at which the community must take a closer look. The program, provided through the Governor's Center for Local Government Development, would provide a complete study of the volunteer fire companies and ultimately provide a report listing suggestions for improvements.

Once the report is issued, the parties can use or discard any of the recommendations.

Green Tree

Green Tree Garden Club plant sale, "13th Annual Spring N' Things," will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Green Tree Fire Hall, 825 Poplar Street. The sale will include perennials and geraniums from members' gardens. There will also be a flea market and jewelry sale, Chinese auction, baked goods and garden cafe.

For information about this program or the Garden Club, call Lyn Decker at 412-563-8388.

Mt. Lebanon

Mt. Lebanon Public Works Department and JVS Environmental is offering electronic items disposal services to the residents and businesses of Mt. Lebanon. Bring your unwanted electronic items (working or non-working) to the Mt. Lebanon Public Works Facility, at 1250 Lindendale Drive, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 to be properly recycled and help minimize the amount of toxic heavy metals and recoverable materials currently destined for our landfills and natural areas. A nominal fee will be charged.

The following items will be accepted for no cost: Central Processing Units (CPUs) laptop computers, keyboards, mice, radio equipment, telephone equipment, desktop model copiers and scanners, cell phones, non-freon containing household appliances and lead acid automobile batteries. Computer monitors will be accepted for a fee of $4 and televisions will be accepted for $1 per inch of screen size.

JVS asks businesses to pre-register by calling 814-442-4481.

Moon Township

Moon Volunteer Fire Department received a federal grant of $59,040 as part of the department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Moon Volunteer Fire Department is made up of more than 50 volunteer firefighters who responded to nearly 300 calls last year. In addition to serving Moon, they also assist the communities of Crescent, Coraopolis, North Fayette, Sewickley, and Neville Island.

North Strabane

Plans have changed for future expansion at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, and the new concept was unanimously approved by North Strabane supervisors.

Architects representing the casino were on hand with a large map of the new plans, which dropped a 200-room hotel and spa in favor of an attached four-story garage.

The move will allow for an increase in the size of the gaming floor at the new permanent casino to 30,000 square feet, with 4,200 slot machines. The new parking garage will add 1,000 parking spaces and will be designed to blend in with the permanent casino's motif.

Work on the project is scheduled to begin during spring 2009, and the $155 million cost is not expected to increase because of the changes.

Peters Township

The 4th Annual "Mr. Peters Township High School Competition" will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15 in the high school auditorium; the gate proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and freshman/sophomore classes.

Peters Township's finest young men from grades 9-12 will compete in categories such as formal wear, school spirit and talent.

Robinson Township

West Hills development leaders will gather from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 9 at the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber's Hot Topic Summit at the Crowne Plaza Hotel - Pittsburgh Airport to discuss how they are shaping opportunities in the airport corridor. The event will feature presentations and Q&A sessions. Panelists will include Bill Hunt, The Elmhurst Group, Sam Dicicco, Dicicco Development & Contracting, DeWitt Peart, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Rick O'Brien, Grubb & Ellis and emcee Bill Flanagan, Allegheny Conference, Pittsburgh 250.

For information call 412-264-6270.

Scott Township

A 10-week walking and fitness program for patrons 50 years of age and older will begin from 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 8 in Kane Woods.

The walk (weather permitting) will be in Kane Woods. Meet at the Whiskey Point trailhead, at the corner of Scrubgrass Road and Main Street. The parking lot at the top of the driveway will be open for walkers. It's jointly sponsored by AARP, Highmark, & the Allegheny Libraries Association. Each participant receives a pedometer in order to keep track of the weekly walking distance and a "team" T-shirt. Distances are self-recorded weekly. In addition to the weekly Thursday at 11 a.m. group walk, there are also several health related programs which will be held on selected Mondays.

For information call Pat Maxwell at 412-429-5380.

South Fayette

South Fayette Conservation Group will host a board meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8 at the South Fayette Municipal Building All Purpose Room. The conservation group is working to ensure the conservation, protection and enhancement of the township's natural and recreational resources. For information call Amy Smith at 412-257-8126.

Upper St. Clair

The township has expanded its recycling service to include #3, #4, and #5 plastics. Previously plastic recycling was limited to only #1 and #2 plastics. These items can include but are not limited to:

#1 drink bottles, oven-ready meal trays, water bottles

#2 milk bottles, detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, grocery, trash and retail bags

#3 vegetable oil bottles

#4 dry cleaning bags, produce bags, bread and frozen good bags, squeezable bottles

#5 ketchup bottles, medicine bottles, aerosol caps, drinking straws

Check the bottom of your plastics and look for the recycling triangle with the number in the middle to see if you are able to recycle these items. Recyclables should be rinsed and free from foreign materials.

For information contact the public works department at 412-831-9000, ext. 271.