IN Canon-Mac Winter 2019 | Page 10

WHAT’S NEWS IN CANON-MAC WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND TOURISM PROMOTION AGENCY ANNOUNCE $77,076 IN TOURISM INVESTMENTS Washington County, which is home to some of the country’s finest historical and cultural attractions, continues to lead the southwestern Pennsylvania region in both economic and tourism growth. To demonstrate this growth and a commitment to economic development through tourism, the Washington County Board of Commissioners recently announced $77,076 in new tourism investments. The commissioners were joined by board members of the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency as well as representatives of the county’s tourism attractions at an event held at Frank Sarris Public Library. “Washington County’s economy is not only being driven by energy, education and advanced manufacturing, but by a strong tourism industry,” said Jeff Kotula, President of the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. “In fact, tourism continues to be one of the largest industries in the county with over $700 million in direct visitor spending and supporting nearly 6,000 jobs according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. These new investments in our tourism assets and attractions will support additional economic growth and increase our quality of life, attracting more leisure and business visitors as well as residents to our county.” This round of tourism grants marks the first time that the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency has opened and awarded two cycles of grant applications within the same year. Locally, capital project grant awards include $2,355 to the McDonald Area Redevelopment Association for a welcome sign for McDonald Trail Station, $25,000 for the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for Education Center Display Development, and $25,000 8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ to the Washington County Historical Society for a Research & Education Center Project. Grants also were awarded for marketing programs, including $6,800 for a promotional campaign for the Hickory Apple Festival. CROSSROADS CHURCH ANNOUNCES CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE TIMES Crossroads Church, located at 1120 Boyce Road in Upper St. Clair, announced Christmas Eve service times. Services will take place at 2, 3:30, 5, and 11 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Go to crossroadsumc.org for more information. AUDITIONS FOR ‘THE LION KING’ (KIDS) The Abbey Players will be holding auditions for “The Lion King” (Kids) on Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. in St. Benedict the Abbot Church’s Pope Benedict Center in McMurray. Auditions are open to students in grades 1 through 8. They should choose a Disney song to sing for the audition. A parent meeting will be held at the start of auditions. For more information, find The Abbey Players on Facebook, or email [email protected]. FREE TAX ASSISTANCE BY VITA Free tax assistance by VITA will be provided at The Bible Chapel, 300 Gallery Drive, McMurray, on weekdays starting Monday, Feb. 3, through Thursday, Apr. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments; help is on a first-come, first-served basis. You must bring your previous year’s tax return; ID for yourself and spouse; Social Security numbers and birthdates for yourself, spouse and dependents; all W-2 and 1099 tax documents (including Social Security 1099); 1095 health care statements and property tax receipts. Both spouses must sign joint returns. Federal, state, local taxes and property tax/rent rebate forms will be prepared. If you have questions, call the IRS at 800.829.1040 or search “VITA” at irs. gov. (Please do not contact The Bible Chapel.) icmags.com ONE-OF-A-KIND CAR DONATION PROGRAM Community Auto, part of The Lighthouse Foundation, is a nonprofit low income car ownership program. It accepts donated cars, repairs and inspects them if necessary, then sells them to qualified working low- income people at discounted prices, as compared to a regular used car dealership. According to the organization, it is the only one of its kind in western Pennsylvania that puts cars back into the hands of families in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The used car sitting in the garage that you didn’t sell because it was a hassle, the car that didn’t get the trade-in value you wanted, or one the kids used for school but is no longer needed would be the perfect car to donate. Your generous donation is the fuel for the program and is tax deductible. Contact Community Auto at communityautolico.org or at 724.538.5081 to find out how to donate your car and give a family a hand toward self-sufficiency. n