Goodwill drive

Tamaqua area Girl and Boy Scouts plans to sponsor a donation drive to benefit the Keystone Area Goodwill last weekend had to be postponed due to a snow storm. The scouts have rescheduled the event, which will be held from noon until 2 p.m., this Saturday, at St. John United Church of Christ, 150 Pine St., Tamaqua.Goodwill accepts donations of new and gently used clothing, household items and furniture. They do not accept air conditioners, recalled items, dehumidifiers, hazardous and/or household chemicals, infant furniture, kerosene heaters, large appliances, large exercise equipment, lawn mowers, mattresses, small engines, televisions, tires and weapons due to safety concerns. Goodwill's mission is to support persons with disabilities and other barriers to independence in achieving their fullest potential as workers and as members of the broader community.Donated items may be taken to the church parking lot, located to the rear of the church.For more information, call Annette Kaiser of Goodwill at 1-877-585-0135 or Kevin Steigerwalt of Boy Scout Troop 777 at 570-668-3444.YMCA newsThe Tamaqua YMCA's annual Christmas party, which is open to the public, will be held from 6-8 p.m. today.New membership fees will be waived from Jan. 1 through Jan. 18 and a free trial week is being offered from Jan. 11 through Jan. 18.For more information, about any Y activities, call 570-668-2903.Tax exemptionsThe Schuylkill County and Tamaqua Borough Per Capita and Occupation Tax Exemption Forms for the year 2014 will become available on Monday for Borough of Tamaqua residents.The exemption forms can be obtained at the Tamaqua Municipal Building, 320 E. Broad St., from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.Forms will also be available at tax collector Alan Kerr's office, the Tamaqua Area School District Administration building, the Tamaqua ABC High Rise, Majestic House Apartment Complex, the Tamaqua Public Library and the Tamaqua Post Office.Residents must complete the form each year to qualify for the tax exemption.Exoneration forms must be submitted by Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.Dog licensesSchuylkill County treasurer Jackie McGovern reminds residents that 2014 dog licenses are now available.Dogs 3 months of age or older must be licensed by law.Licenses may be obtained at the county courthouse in Pottsville, by mail, online at

www.padoglicense.com or at a variety of licensing agents.Locally, those agents include AAA at 202 E. Broad St.; Tom's Auto and Marine, Greenwood Street and Mountain Avenue; and Koch's Farm Service in the Lewistown Valley.For more information, call McGovern's office at 570-628-1433. The county treasurer's office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays.Zion LewistownThe Rev. Jim Williams will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday in Zion Church in the Lewistown Valley. The children's program will be presented during the service and light refreshments will be served following the service. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.The Christmas Eve service will be celebrated at 4 p.m. next Tuesday.Calvary EvangelicalThe Rev. Dr. Edward Bean will officiate at the 10:25 a.m. worship service Sunday in Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church in the Lewistown Valley. The service will be followed by the annual Christmas dinner, which was postponed due to last week's inclement weather. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:15 a.m.Also on Sunday, the Sunday school program will be presented at 6:30 p.m.