Monroeville area: Markosek appointed to House committee, chorus seeks members, upcoming library programs, more

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com.

Markosek to serve on housing committee

State Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, has been appointed to serve as majority chair for the House Housing and Community Development Committee.

The committee reviews legislation impacting the state’s cities and towns, focusing on housing, urban redevelopment, economic development, land use planning and critical services such as police, fire, sewage and water.

The appointment makes Markosek, 30, the youngest majority chair of a House Committee. Markosek is in his fourth term as state representative.

Monroeville Chorus seeks new members

The Monroeville Chorus is seeking new members. There is no audition necessary.

The chorus performs for community events and groups, hospitals and similar functions. It meets for rehearsals at Hillcrest United Presbyterian Church, 1622 James St., Monroeville.

For information, call 412-357-6079.

Upcoming library programs

The Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd., will host the following programs:

• Jan. 17: MLK Jr. Day of Service project, will take place throughout the day. The library is seeking volunteers to write letters to senior citizens. Library staff will address and mail letters and cards. For more, see Facebook.com/MPLchildren and LettersAgainstIsolation.com.

• Jan. 23: Resume building workshop, 6:30 p.m. with speaker Bernard Metro, formerly of the Pennsylvania Professional Employment Network, who will discuss how employers process resumes, and how to best present one.

• Jan. 25: Planner making workshop, 11 a.m. with staff from the Center for Creative Reuse, who will share basic bookbinding techniques in order to make a do-it-yourself planner book. Open to all age levels.

For information, or to register for a program, call the library at 412-372-0500 or visit MonroevilleLibrary.org.

Blood donors sought

The American Red Cross and Vitalant are encouraging prospective blood donors to participate in upcoming blood drives.

Donations of all blood types are crucial year-round, especially type O, the most frequently transfused blood type. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

To find a Red Cross location near you and to learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

To make an appointment and find locations, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-258-4825.

Anti-litter award program offered for kids

Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.

Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.

The theme for the contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup! Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”

Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.

The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.

For an entry form, go to KeepPABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.