Tamaqua news

Bloodmobile

An American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be held in Tamaqua this Wednesday, from 1-6 p.m., at St. John United Church of Christ, Pine and Biddle streets.

Anyone 17 or older, who weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health is eligible to donate.

This visit is being sponsored by Marion L. Fetterman of Professional Massage Therapy.

Tax exemptions

The Tamaqua Area School District is accepting Assessed Occupation Tax exemption applications for the 2010-2011 school year. This will cover the 2010 calendar year.

Retired persons and housewives with no earned income, who have previously been exempted, do not need to file again unless their status has changed and they are now earning income. Also, those who are disabled or at least 75 years of age, who have been specifically notified of their exemption by the district, need not file an application.

Students who reach the age of 18 by June 30, 2010, will be responsible for paying the tax unless exempt by application.

Requests for exemption must be filed with the district by March 1, 2010. Application forms are available at the following locations: school district administration building; local tax collectors' offices; the Tamaqua Public Library; Tamaqua Borough Hall; local post offices; and all local bank branches.

Christmas trees

The Borough of Tamaqua's Street Department will be collecting discarded Christmas trees throughout January. Residents are to place their trees curbside on their regular trash collection days. Trees will be collected as time and weather permit.

Trees must be free of all tinsel and decorations. Residents are also asked to remove any plastic bags from the trees. Trees may also be dropped off behind the Tamaqua Borough Garage, at 421 rear E. Broad St.

No trees will be collected after Jan. 31.

TOPS

The Tamaqua Chapter of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets every Wednesday, from 6-8 p.m., in the Tamaqua Salvation Army Community Center, 105 W. Broad St. The meeting includes a short business session and a program.

For more information, stop by a meeting or call Nancy Barron at (570) 668-4651 or Bernie Kunkel at (570) 645-7702. Information is also available on the Web at TOPS.org.

Anyone interested in learning more may attend the meeting without obligation.

Recycling

Wednesday is the day for curbside recycling pickup for all residents of Tamaqua.

All recyclable items must be placed in the containers issued to each borough household. Any other containers, such as plastic bags and cardboard boxes, will be emptied and left behind.

Anyone who needs a recycling container may contact borough hall at (570) 668-3444.

Collection bins for cardboard have been moved to the Tamaqua Transfer Station on Sewage Treatment Plant Road.

Collection bins for newspaper can be found at the Tamaqua Borough Garage on East Broad Street.

Senior news

The Tamaqua Senior Citizens group meets every Thursday, at 1 p.m., at the Tamaqua Community Center, located to the rear of Boyer's Food Mart.

Last week's meeting was attended by 76 members. President Jean Machamer conducted the business session. Eleanor Roberts offered the invocation, entitled "No Matter What the Day Brings."

Vice President Doris Brobst reported sending get well cards to Theresa Reed and Frances Koch. The monthly birthday party for January will be held at this week's meeting. Three new members were welcomed Pat and Joseph Bednarik and Norma Baker.

Readings were offered by Jean Machamer.

Anyone 55 or older is welcome to join. The meeting room is handicap accessible.