Apr 10, 2013 4 min read

Penn State Extension is offering a series of food preservation classes. On April 16 at the Buffalo Inn, South Park, the topic will be Boiling Water: Canning for High Acid Foods. On April 30 at the Wilkins School Community Center, Regent Square, drying and freezing for herbs, fruits and vegetables will be discussed. And, on May 14 at the Buffalo Inn, the class will cover pressure canning for low acid foods.

All workshops take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and will include formal instruction, a demonstration, samples and recipes. Cost is $25 per class or $60 for all three sessions. For more information, call 412-473-2540.

Giant Oaks Garden Club is hosting a day trip to Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, on May 8. Cost is $91 and includes house tour, garden and lunch. Call Kay at 412-833-8493 for more details and to reserve space.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council launches Spring 2013 Celebrate the Rain! Watershed Awareness/Rain Barrel Workshops on composting (backyard and worm), rain barrels and watershed awareness, and environmental health; and a lecture/slide-show on “feeding the earth.”

The workshops will take place at 7 p.m. April 23 at Phipps Garden Center in Shadyside, and 11 a.m. May 18 at Construction Junction in Point Breeze.

Students will learn how to harvest rainwater from their roofs and divert it for on-site usage in the landscape. The workshops raise awareness of watershed issues, demonstrate how to assemble and install a retrofitted 55-gallon rain barrel, and offer other rainwater harvesting options.

Cost is $50 per person and $55 per couple.

For more information or to register, call 412-488-7490 ext. 247 or visit www.zerowastepgh.org.

On April 13, Penn State Master Gardeners of Allegheny County will host a Backyard Gardening Lecture Series at Trax Farms Market in Finleyville. Topics will include Plants with Pizzazz, Growing and Preserving Small Fruits, Just Grow Up! Vertical Gardening and a Seed Starting/Lettuce Bowl Workshop. Light refreshments will be served and door prizes courtesy of Trax Farms will be drawn after each presentation. Registration is $15. For more information, call 412-473-2540.

The S.E.E.D. Spring Wildflower Walk will be held 9 a.m. April 20 at the Green Tree Nature Center. The free tour of the Nature Center will guide attendees through a plethora of blossoming beauty. Meet the tour guide at the entrance to the Nature Center on Crestmont Avenue at 9 a.m. for a personal introduction to more than 18 acres of wildflowers, wildlife and nature. Rain date is 1 p.m. April 21. For more information, call 412-921-1110.

South Fayette Township will conduct a clean-up effort along its roadways on April 19. Miller’s Run Road from Old Oakdale Road to the intersection with State Route 50 has been selected as a “focus area” for the township and volunteer efforts. Businesses and residents are invited to participate. The township will ensure that adequate protection is implemented through the assistance by police and volunteer fire departments.

Call the township office at 412-221-8700 to submit names/business and corresponding ages.

Collier Township’s seventh annual Keep Collier Beautiful cleanup day committee invites the entire community to participate as volunteers on April 20. Meet at 9 a.m. in the lower level of the Municipal Building, 2418 Hilltop Road.

After doughnuts and drinks, each volunteer will be given gloves, trash bags, safety vests, Keep Collier Beautiful T-shirts and will be driven to their assigned work areas. At noon, a light lunch will be served at the municipal building, and a raffle will be held. Prizes include Penguins and Pirates tickets.

Collier Township is also asking for sponsors and donors. For information and to register, call 412-279-2525, email Kientzmlk@comcast.net or visit www.colliertownship.net.