The California Area Historical Society and the California Area School District Foundation are holding a wreath auction. Bids are being accepted for the handcrafted wreaths, which in addition to seasonal and thematic decorations, contain gift certificates, coupons for free meals and admission tickets to various events.

Final bidding will take place at an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Gallagher House, 429 Wood St. Tickets are $8 prepaid, or $10 at the door. For more, call 724-938-3250.

The school district's Parent Council is an organization of parents and administrators interested in the education of children as well as the activities and functions of the schools.

Council members serve as liaisons between parents and school administration, appoint representatives to districtwide committees as needed, foster communication among all school levels, and encourage participation in Parent Council activities.

"They are very informative meetings," said Joann Naser, president. "You learn about important issues in the district at these sessions."

All meetings are open to the public. Here is the schedule for meetings, which are held at 9:30 a.m. Fridays: Nov. 13 at Wylandville Elementary School; Jan. 15 at Canonsburg Middle School; Feb. 19 at North Strabane Intermediate School; March 19 at First Street Elementary School; April 16 at South Central Elementary School; and May 21 at Cecil Intermediate School.

The local Rotary club has donated more than 330 dictionaries to the Peters school district to be given to every third-grade student in Bower Hill and Pleasant Valley elementary schools. The third consecutive year for the donation, the dictionaries were donated in honor of Dr. Howard Jack, a former superintendent in the district.

The dictionaries were presented to the schools by Rotarian Dave Wylie.

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino is sponsoring Charity Days this month. Proceeds collected Monday benefit Washington Area Senior Center. Washington Women's Shelter will receive funds raised Nov. 16.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.