Gardening and cooking enthusiasts are invited to attend free classes offered by two organizations that support the new community garden on the grounds of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1020 State St., Baden.

As part of free programming associated with Miriam's Garden, master gardeners from Penn State Extension and Cura Hospitality will offer free classes to help support the goals of Miriam's Garden, which are to provide education and practical skills and to reduce hunger in Beaver County.

This summer, 11 families are growing food for themselves and food to donate to local soup kitchens and food banks in Miriam's Garden.

Here are the classes, which will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on the following dates in the cafeteria of the former Mount Gallitzin Academy building, 1016 State St., Baden:

• Soil and seeds, Sept. 7 - The class will discuss soil and pH testing for the garden bed, seed germination and transplanting, choosing the proper medium and containers and best practices for home flower or vegetable gardens. If there is enough interest, the class will be repeated Oct. 5.

• Composting and harvesting, Sept. 14 - How to start composting with a demonstration of how to maintain a compost pile.

• Preserving fresh produce, Sept. 14 - Freezing, canning and cooking to preserve fresh produce from the garden.

• Insects and diseases in the garden, Sept. 22 - The class will discuss pests and diseases found in vegetable gardens and offer organic methods to prevent, control or eliminate those problems as well as suggestions to eliminate weeds and animal pests.

• Root vegetables, Sept. 28 - Cura Hospitality Food Service Manager Fred Blosat will offer a cooking program about parsnips, potatoes and rutabagas to help gardeners identify garden vegetables and learn how to prepare and cook them.

Registration: 724-869-2151, ext. 6285.

The group Kuzyn will perform at 7 p.m. today in the final free concert of the music in the park series at the 11th Street gazebo park on Merchant Street.

The event is sponsored by the Ambridge Area Chamber of Commerce.

At 8:30, Crime Watch of Ambridge will sponsor a movies in the park program.

Attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch a movie at gazebo park. Refreshments will be available at the concession stand.

There will be traffic restrictions this week during maintenance by state Department of Transportation crews on these Beaver County roads:

• Brodhead Road, Center - Sweeping between Pleasant Drive and Frankfort Road.

• Green Garden Road, Raccoon & Hopewell - Sweeping between Frankfort and Todd roads.

• Green Garden Road, Raccoon - Side dozing between Frankfort Road and Mill Street Extension.

• Gringo Independence Road, Hopewell - Patching between Independence and Gringo roads.

• Independence Road, Hopewell & Independence - Patching between Bocktown Road and Mill Street.

• Park Road, South Beaver - Drainage repairs between Shenango and Blackhawk roads.

• River Road, North Sewickley - Shoulder cutting between Routes 588 and 351.

• River View Road, Marion - Shoulder cutting between Chapel Drive and Route 588.

• Salem Church Road, Ohioville - Patching between Lisbon and Blackhawk roads.

• Shivler Road, Raccoon - Resurfacing between Frankfort and McCleary roads.

• Soap Run Road, Franklin - Shoulder cutting between Celia and Old Furnace roads.

• Valley Road, Darlington - Patching between Cannelton and Taggart roads.

• Wises Grove Road, Marion - Shoulder cutting between Route 65 and Brush Creek Road.

The McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation will host its second Run Your Rox Off 5-kilometer and 1-mile race at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Miles Bryan School on Chartiers Avenue.

The course winds though various residential areas of McKees Rocks and Stowe to showcase the history and beauty of the homes within the communities.

A free concert will follow the event, which will generate funds to benefit the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation and its plans to redevelop the school building.

It was built in 1927 and served as McKees Rocks High School. The school later served as Sto-Rox Middle School for grades four through six until it closed in 1997.

The Sto-Rox School District had sold the building in 2000, but development plans did not materialize. The CDC has the property under agreement and is looking for a development partner.

The CDC hopes to convert Miles Bryan into loft apartment housing and preserve the character and architectural features of the building, which sits atop a hill that has a skyline view of Pittsburgh.

Runners and walkers are invited to participate in the fund-raising event. Afterwards, there will be food, beverages children's activities.

Information and registration: 412-331-9901, or www.mckeesrocks.com.

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