Did you know ...

 

that 2012 marks the 95th year of the Girl Scout Cookie Sale? And, the time has now arrived for the Brownsville/National Pike Area's Girl Scout Troop 51063 to begin taking orders.

 

The first fulfillment order goes in Jan. 25 and continues until March. Deliveries begin Feb. 22.

 

The Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Okla., held the first sale in December 1917 as a way to finance the girls' activities. Last year, the Brownsville/National Pike Troop 51063 used part of its proceeds from the sale to donate boxes of cookies to a soldier, build a honey bee garden in Brownsville and fund a sleepover at the Pittsburgh Zoo in addition to many other activities for the local Daisy, Brownie and Girl Scout troops.

 

Businesses interested in helping Troop 51063 with its sale - putting out forms for customers or ordering cookies to sell to patrons - should contact Rose Ziglear of Brownsville at rziglear7@aol.com or text her at 724-560-3253. She's also available to take individual orders on behalf of Troop 51063.

 

Cookies are $4 per box; payment due at delivery. This year's selection is:

Savannah Smiles - crispy, zesty, lemon cookies
Trefoils - light and delicious shortbread cookies
Do-Si-Dos - oatmeal cookies with peanut butter filling
Samoas - caramel, toasted coconut, chocolate coating
Dulce de Leche - milk caramel chips
Thank u Berry Munch - real cranberries, white fudge chips
Tagalongs - peanut butter, chocolate coating
Thin Mints - natural peppermint, chocolate coating

 

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS

 

CHAMBER NEWS

 

NEW:  The Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce has approved two ticket sales - Memorial Day and Fourth of July - to raise funds for the annual fireworks display at Hillman Park. Proceeds also benefit the chamber-sponsored Light-Up Night, held each year on the day after Thanksgiving, and the town's Christmas lights. Details will be provided immediately prior to the start of the ticket sales.

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Only seven 2011 Rose Mansion collectibles are left on shelves at the chamber and BARC offices. Prior years are still available.  Click here for an up-to-date list. A single ornament is $8, $12 for two and $15 for three. Ornaments are available at the chamber office, 325 Market St., and BARC's office, 69 Market St.

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THROUGH MARCH 30:  Business & Community News sponsorships - one month free for a three-month ad ($75 total) with your company's logo and business information; two months free for a six-month commitment ($150 total). Banner ads are excluded from the offer; chamber memberships are not required.

Showcase your business or an upcoming event while showing your support of Business & Community News. The chamber's free e-mail is ongoing initiative to promote interest and participation in Brownsville's businesses and community events - reaching nearly 530 people each week. 

Promotional opportunities include a logo with business information, coupon or banner ad at the top of the e-mail.  

1. •$25 per month - Display your business' logo, address, website and telephone number.
   

2. •$100 per month package deal - banner and logo or $75 per month for banner only
   

3. •$15 per week or $50 per month - Customized coupon to promote your business specials or organization's upcoming events in the body of Business & Community News.  
   

To arrange sponsorships and advertising, contact connie.gore@att.net or the chamber at 724-785-4160 or brownsvilleareachamberofcommerce@yahoo.com. Please include a telephone number in your message. All sponsors and advertisers are required to supply graphics. All payments should be made to the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce, 325 Market St., Brownsville, Pa. 15417

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JOIN THE CHAMBER: Annual memberships are $50 for individuals; $75 for local organizations and businesses with up to five employees; $100 for medium-size businesses with six to 25 employees; $200 for businesses with more than 26 employees and financial institutions. For more information or an application, contact brownsvilleareachamberofcommerce@yahoo.com.

 

BUSINESSES

 

NEW:Best Medical International Inc. is planning to create an estimated 100 jobs as the new owner of the Brownsville Hospital campus along Route 166 in Redstone Township. Headquartered in Springfield, Va., Best Medical International is a consortium of 12 companies that provides oncology services, manufacture products and engage in research and development.

Brownsville is the company's second location in Pennsylvania, catapulting the Pittsburgh region into the ranks of Best Medical's other dual-campus states of Virginia and Rhode Island. The company's other facilities are located in Georgia, Illinois and Tennessee as well as Belgium, Canada, which also has two campuses, France and the UK. For more information about the area's newest business and career opportunities: www.teambest.com. 

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NEW:  Friends of the Marcellus Shale is hosting a business-to-business seminar for business owners, local chambers and members, jobseekers and citizens interested in economic opportunities and networking with shale businesses and operators. The event, slated for this Friday, will be held at the Douglas Education Center, Van Keulen Complex, 531 Schoonmaker Ave., Monessen. $20 per person, payable at event. Registration begins at noon; event is 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. To pre-register/pay in advance, www.TheFriendsofMarcellusShale.com. Contact Julian Imbrescia at jimbrescia@tfoms.com or 724-653-2228 to reserve a seat.  

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NEW:  A wine appreciation class begins Jan. 30 at Market Street Academy & Performing Arts Center, 33 Market St. The four-week course, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, will be taught by Dave Zuchowski, a wine judge at competitions in Pennsylvania and Texas. The course material includes basics of wine, cooking with wine, wines of major grape regions in the world, winemaking and wine selections at a restaurant or wine shop. $60 per person.

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REMINDER:  Construction is continuing at the Brownsville Dairy Queen, 640 National Pike, which is being remodeled and converted to a Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. The drive-through window is expected to reopen this week.

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ENROLLMENT OPEN: Market Street Academy & Performing Arts Center has expanded its Kindermusik and educational line-up for 2012. Jan. 24-May 1, a 15-class program at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays for children from 5 years old to 7 years old. Jan. 25-March 14, an eight-class program at 2 p.m. Wednesdays for newborns to 18 months old. Jan. 26-May 10, a 15-class program at 5 p.m. Thursdays for children from 18 months old to 3 years old. Jan. 27-March 30, a 20-class program at 5 p.m. Fridays for newborns to 7 years old. The programs are taught by licensed Kindermusik educators Emily and Jackie Lapisardi. For more information or enrollment: www.kindermusik.com or call Dr. Fred Lapisardi, 724-880-3801. Also this winter, the academy, located at 33 Market St., will offer Suzuki violin in group classes or private lessons and art classes for children.

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NEW:  The hours have changed at Nonna's Trunk, a retail shop with an eclectic mix of antiques, collectibles and handmade items. Starting this week, the shop, located at 200 Bank St., will be closed on Thursdays and open Fridays from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. New merchandise and new vendors are arriving weekly.  Vendor information is available from the shop manager, Blanche Booker, bbooker71@yahoo.com.

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FOR SALE:  Full system computer set-ups, $225. Individual accessories are also available. Donations of old computers are being accepted Tuesdays through Thursdays from 2:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Youth Technology Center, 165 Market St. Contact Don Bartowick, supervisor of the Communities in Schools of SWPA, at 724-322-1595 or donb@atlanticbb.net.

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HIRING - Teleperformance USA, 111 Roberts Rd., is hiring again. The company is seeking customer service representatives at its Brownsville contact center, one of 268 locations in 50 countries. To apply online: www.teleperformance.com/en.aspx.

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HIRING - Brownsville Marine Products LLC, 1800 Paul Thomas Blvd., has openings for experienced welders and fitters. For additional information, e-mail emetzger@brownsvillemarine.com or check out www.brownsvillemarine.com for employment opportunities.

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HIRING - Frac Tech Services, 801 Low Hill Rd., Brownsville, has openings for industrial oil field electronics technicians, diesel mechanics and equipment operators (CDL preferred, but not required). For all openings, oil field experience is preferred, but not required. Additional information about Frac Tech, a Marcellus Shale Coalition member, or the positions is available at www.fractech.net.

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HIRING - Tri-County Mechanical Services, 1 Broadway St., Brownsville.

  

BROWNSVILLE BOROUGH

 

NEW:  Due to the lack of a quorum last week, Brownsville Council has rescheduled its monthly meeting to Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. in the borough building, 200 Second St.

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NEW:  Residents interested in filling the unexpired term of tax collector should submit letters of intent to the borough by the Jan. 23 close of business. Requirements are a one-year borough residency and ability to be bonded.

  

BASD & MORE

 

NEW:  The Brownsville Youth Soccer Association will begin registering players tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hiller Fire Hall, 937 1st St. A second registration is set for Feb. 1. Additional information is available at www.falconfutbol.org. Practices begin in March, weather permitting; the eight-week season gets under way in April.

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NEW:  Students of the Factory Digital Filmmaking Program at Douglas Education Center will hold community screenings of "The Second Chance!" this Tuesday at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at The Factory Theater, 531 Schoonmaker Ave., Monessen. The film features the Mon Valley communities of Monessen, Charleroi and Donora. Check out the trailer at  http://youtu.be/cviacpcn-Mk. Seating is limited. To ensure a seat is available for a specific performance, contact Kate Kellar at kkellar@dec.edu or 724-653-2221.

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A special opportunity to make a difference has been called to our attention: www.freerice.com. No donations are required; no volunteer hours. The nonprofit website is sponsored by the UN World Food Program.

Participants of all ages can earn 10 grains of rice to combat world hunger by correctly answering questions about language, geography, math, humanities, English and chemistry, with levels ranging from one to 60. The rice is bought with money generated by sponsors, whose banner ads appear at the bottom of the page when a correct answer is given. For the past year, the rice has been sent to Haiti.

Founded in October 2007, founder John Breen donated the site to the UN World Food Program in March 2009. Play as an individual or form a group with friends, a school class or an organization. And, there's no penalty for a wrong answer ... you're still in the game!

 

BARC

 

THIS WEEK:  At 7 p.m. tonight, local singer Christian Sesek will appear in a benefit concert, arranged by Megan Sheesley, BARC's local OSM/VISTA volunteer in conjunction with AmeriCorps' Martin Luther King Day commemoration. The show, being held on the third floor of the Odd Fellows Building at 31 Market St., benefits the Fayette County Food Bank, which is replenishing shelves following losses from a flood in recent months. Free admission with the donation of at least two non-perishable food items on the night of the concert. In high demand are cans, jars and boxes of cereal (high fiber, low sugar), tuna, salmon packed in water, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, beans, vegetables, fruit and peanut butter along with paper products, laundry detergent and diapers (baby and adult sizes).

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NEW: BARC's monthly meeting for its board of directors has been rescheduled to Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the second-floor conference room of the Flatiron Building, 69 Market St.

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UPDATE: The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has declared Stonycreek River as the winner of the 2012 "River of the Year" challenge. Stonycreek's supporters cast 5,674 votes of the more than 12,000 that were recorded. The rankings of the Monongahela River and other finalists have yet to be released. Until the last few days of the competition, Mon River voters held the lead.

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NEW:  The winners of BARC's holiday drawing are Brownsville Mayor Lester Ward and his wife, Kasandra. The gift package included a custom Christmas stocking by Cameron Neth, 2012 Lucky Lotto calendar and this year's limited edition collectible, featuring the Rose Mansion along Market Street. 

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FOR RENT:  Office suites of 500 square feet and 900 square feet available in the historic Flatiron Building, 69 Market St. Hardwood floors, chair lift and ADA-compliant conference space in a landmark restoration. Co-tenants are Heritage Center Museum & Gift Shop, Frank L. Melega Art Museum and BARC's headquarters office. ($4.50 per square foot or $450 per month, plus utilities) For more information or showings, contact Dennis Cremonese, BARC executive director, 724-785-9331, dennisc@barcpa.org or stop at the BARC office, 69 Market St. Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  

CHURCHES and ORGANIZATIONS 

 

NEW:  The Brownsville chapter of the Izaak Walton League is seeking volunteers for a water monitoring program and new members. For more information about the monitoring program, contact Megan Sheesley, BARC's AmeriCorps Vista volunteer, at the BARC office, 69 Market St., 724-785-9331 or Americorps@barcpa.org.

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NEW: The Patsy Hillman Park Board is evaluating plans to construct a garage and amphitheater at the park. Pending key approvals, the goal is to have the expansion work completed before this year's July 4 fireworks display.

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NEW:  Center in the Woods has scheduled trips to Washington, D.C. (March 31 to April 2) and New York (Sept. 21 to Sept. 24). To make a reservation or more information, contact the center at 724-938-3554, ext. 104.

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Well Care Center LLC, a pre-diabetes, diabetes and weight-loss clinic, is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Center in the Woods, 130 Woodland Court.

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Brownsville Area Ministerial Association has scheduled its monthly meeting for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Fort Burd Presbyterian Church, Route 166.

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Center in the Woods' monthly card party will be held Jan. 25, beginning at 1:15 p.m. $5 per person, including refreshments and dessert. Also, bridge, euchre and 500 bid are played several afternoons during the month, beginning at 1 p.m. The schedule is at the front desk of the center, located at 130 Woodlands Court.

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The Brownsville Area Ministerial Association is sponsoring a weekly community prayer initiative, "Wings and A Prayer," at the Brownsville Pizza Hut, Route 40, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays. The public is invited to attend: Godly conversation, wings (pizza too) and a prayer. 

 

BINGO ...

 

Every Monday at Hiller Fire Hall, 937 1st St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Early Bird Bingo begins at 6:45 p.m.

 

Every Tuesday at Denbo-Vesta #6 VFD, 415 Low Hill Rd. Games start at 7 p.m.

 

Every Wednesday at South Brownsville Fire Hall, 530 Water St. All paper Bingo, progressive jackpot and "6 of Hearts" will be featured every Wednesday. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

 

Every Friday at the Frank R. Ricco Sons of Italy Lodge 731, 16 Race St. Doors open at 5 p.m. Early Bird Bingo begins at 7 p.m. 

 

  

Presbyterian Church, 1936 Storm Damage

Volume Two of the book series, LOOKING BACK: The Best of Glenn Tunney, by well-known journalist Glenn Tunney, is now on sale ($19.95).  It may be ordered by phone from Glenn Tunney at 724-562-8886, or it may be purchased at the Brownsville Free Public Library or Fayette Chamber of Commerce, 65 W. Main St., Uniontown.  The 300-page book features 15 chapters brimming with local history and nostalgia and more than 90 historic photos of the Brownsville area --https://sites.google.com/site/lookingbackbooks. 

Last year's book, Volume One, is still available.  It may be ordered by phone from Glenn Tunney or purchased at the Flatiron Building Heritage Center gift shop, 69 Market St. or by phoning the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. at 724-785-9331.   

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"A Driving Tour of National Road in Pennsylvania" by Cassandra Vivian

This 80-page compact guide has 18 pages of essays followed by a drive down a road of history complete with directions and GPS following the original National Road and detours off Route 40, with more than 80 photos and maps. The mile by mile guide along America's first highway features taverns, towns and monuments. Learn firsthand what it was like to be a pioneer headed west into unknown territory. March with George Washington and Edward Braddock as they try to win the Western Country for the British. Meet the rebels of the Whiskey Rebellion as they protest against taxes in America's first Civil War.

All rights reserved. copyright © Cassandra Vivian 2010. Check out additional books and essays on Pennsylvania (or Italian-Americans) or order "A Driving Tour of the National Road in Pennsylvania" in soft-cover hardcopy ($10) or e-book format ($8) at www.cassandravivian.com.

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The third volume of the Historic National Road Yard Sale Cookbook is now available, featuring treasured family recipes from Brownsville-area residents Karen Grishkin, Chris Haines, Margaret Peceraro, Anna Petrick, Delva Trevisanutto and Norma Ryan. Some of the local favorites are Sweet Russian Soup, Pignolia Macaroons, nut rolls, almond pine nut cookies and Dana's bangin' chicken. Contributions also came from Fallingwater, Pittsburgh chef Robert Selden and Elsie Henderson, whose Clove Cake was a Kaufmann family favorite. The new edition features 350 recipes from local contributors, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and historic restaurants that are no longer in business. $20 per cookbook, includes postage and insurance; $38 for two if sent to the same address; five or more, $14 per book plus $6 total for postage and insurance. To order the cookbook, contact the author, Patricia McDaniel, P.O. Box 357, Dublin, Ind. 47335, or call 765-478-4809.

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"Recipes From The Heart," a collection of family favorites of seniors, staff and friends of Crosskeys Human Services, is on sale for $7 at Crosskeys Seniors Center, 302 Shaffner Ave., Brownsville.

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"The Monongahela Railway: Its History and Operations, 1903-1993" is available in the Flatiron Heritage Center Gift Shop, 69 Market St. Authors David E. Gratz and Terry E. Arbogast chronicle the history of the Monongahela Railway and the region's development. Limited number of autographed copies is available. $42.35 each.

 

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Dairy Queen, 640 National Pike

REMINDER: Remodeling is under way.

JANUARY SPECIAL: Mini Blizzard Meal, $5, featuring Grillburger with cheese, fries, medium drink and mini blizzard

BLIZZARD OF THE MONTH: Strawberry Cheesequake

DAILY SPECIAL: Soup, $2.49; Chili, $3.49

Special offers and coupons on our Facebook page. Let us know you "Like" us: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Brownsville-DQ-Restaurant/226227074055538.

Also, sign up at www.dairyqueen.com for the Blizzard Fan club for a monthly Buy One/Get One Free coupon.

HOURS: Monday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 724-785-9469

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Thompson House Restaurant & Tavern, 815 Water St.

SUNDAYS: Open for breakfast and brunch, menu items from $4.99 to $12.99. Sunday special is NY Strip dinner, $12.99.

HOURS: Monday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Take-outs available. Delivery to local businesses from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  www.the-thompsonhouse.com   724-785-4744

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Route 40 Classic Diner, 6229 National Pike

DAILY DINNER SPECIALS: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY SPECIAL: Prime Rib dinner

HOURS: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

www.tjent.com   724-785-4000

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Paci's Restaurant & Lounge, 384 Old National Pike

Dart League matches are under way.

MONDAY - Pizza specialties

TUESDAY - Burgers on special

WEDNESDAY - Mexican night

THURSDAY - Pasta Night

FRIDAY & SATURDAY - Dinner specials

HOURS: Restaurant, Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; bar, 4 p.m. to close. www.pacislounge.com          724-785-7113

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Crosskeys Senior Center, 302 Shaffner Ave.

THIS WEEK'S LUNCHEON MENU

MONDAY - Closed for Martin Luther King Day.

TUESDAY - Rigatoni with meatballs, salad, fruit

WEDNESDAY- Hot dogs, potato salad, Jell-O, baked beans, pie

THURSDAY - Beef stew, salad, cornbread, pudding

FRIDAY - Sloppy Joe Sandwich, bean soup, coleslaw, fruit

Noon luncheons: Open to senior citizens 60 years old and over and spouses, regardless of age. Free transportation is provided. To reserve seats, call 724-785-6180 ext. 11 or 12 on the previous day or 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the morning you're planning to participate.  Voluntary donations for the meals are encouraged, but not required. Suggested donation is $2 per person. 

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Pixels, 316 High St.

CLOSED - MONDAYS

TUESDAY - Spaghetti, Chicken Parmesan

WEDNESDAY - Creamed chicken over biscuit

THURSDAY - Hot sausage sandwich

FRIDAY - Cabbage 'n noodles, large fish sandwich

SATURDAY - Salisbury steak

SUNDAY - Cabbage rolls, stuffed pepper, Chef's Choice

724-785-3577

  

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Frank L. Melega Art Museum, 71 Market St., features original art by Frank L. Melega and changing exhibits of contemporary artists in a variety of styles, medium and subjects. Museum and gift shop are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. www.melegaartmuseum.org. Also open by appointment by contacting Patrick Daugherty, director, at 724-245-6120 or director@melegaartmuseum.org.

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The Monongahela River, Railroad, and Transportation Museum, 412 Church St., Brownsville, is open every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or by appointment. For more information or schedule a visit, contact Marc Henshaw, marc_henshaw@hotmail.com.

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Flatiron Heritage Center Museum, 69 Market St., a treasure trove of local road, river and rail artifacts, including vintage photographs. Gift shop with Brownsville collectibles. Hours:  Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Capture Gallery of Art, lower level of Flatiron Building, 69 Market St. For viewing hours and contact information, www.captureincphotography.com.