Giving blood and making sure family members have proper ID to vote will be my priorities for the week.

The American Cross is running short on blood supply and will be at four locations this month within our area. Hopefully, one of these will be convenient. Three of them are at the Lycoming Mall and the other one is this Thursday in Hughesville.

At the end of the month new voter ID’s will be issued by PennDOT for those who don’t have a driver’s license so everyone can vote. Representative Garth Everett’s office in Pennsdale can help get the right documentation. There is a process. I understand it takes awhile and there are long waits at the PennDot office on East Third Street on the ‘Golden Strip.’ I took my mother to get hers. We had to go back a couple of times because there were long lines. We didn’t know it was free and paid (by certified check) to get a photo ID card for Pennsylvania. My daughter who moved back from out of state had to get a transfer and that took awhile. So if you are a caregiver or do not have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or passport, it would be wise to start working on that process now. Getting that birth certificate can be a challenge as the form requires parents names and birth dates. My husband had the wrong one when he went to get his passport last year and with the help of Everett’s office, the website and a few extra dollars he was able to get it in time. Don’t wait and make sure everyone in your family can vote November 6.

MUNCY EVENTS

Blood drive Thurs. Aug. 16 at Verizon Wireless, 340 S. Lycoming Mall Road, Muncy, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Blood Drive at Sam’s Club, Aug. 17, 611 Mall Circle, Muncy, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aug. 21 at the Life Center ‘I’m All Stressed Out’ workshop to find ways to deal with stress and how it affects your body. Learn valuable skills to cope starting at 11 a.m. Call 1-877-883-4791 to register.

Aug. 22 and 23 Son Light House Distribution days. Weds. from ten to noon and Thurs. 6 to 7:30 p.m., 130 Carpenter Street, Muncy.

Saturday, Aug. 25, Blood Drive, Lycoming Mall, 300 Lycoming Mall Circle, Pennsdale, 9 to 2.

Lycoming County Master Gardener’s Garden Fest

September 8th, 2012 10am – 2pm

542 County Farm Rd at the Lysock View Complex

Montoursville Pa

Stop by the Ask the Expert table with your gardening questions. Door prizes & free refreshments. Educational displays. Plants & Garden Treasures from our master gardeners will be for sale. Special sale of garden gloves and the Cobra Head tool! Come out and enjoy this free, fun educational event!

For more information contact Penn State Cooperative Extension Carol Loveland at 570 – 433 – 3040

Wednesday, September 19, 6 p.m. Are You Covered? Health Insurance Benefits Workshop?As part of the Spirit of Women program, Susquehanna Heath and BCNEPA have joined together to offer education aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits of health insurance for women and their loved ones. A workshop includes information on the types of insurance plans typically available and how to select the plan that best suits your family and you. Celeste Curly, BCNEPA senior director of product management, will review the elements of common insurance plans like Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) and Point of Service (POS). She will also discuss what the consumer can expect as healthcare reform legislation is enacted and what that will mean to individual and family coverage. Seating is limited. Please call 1-877-883-4791 to register for this free program.