Live at Gillies Bar in Hartstown, between Greenville and Conneaut Lake, at the fourway, is the areas best action this Friday the 13th, at 9:00 till 1:00 with no cover.

Lights and Sound by Industrial Light and Music, DJ Phantom x will be making his only area appearence at Gillies

Enjoy the 10th Annual Kraut Fest from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Haus Cider Mill, 6742 W. Calla Road, Canfield, Ohio. Enjoy ethnic food, a magic show, live entertainment, shred-a-head contest, and more. Admission: $4 for adults, $7 for couples Info: www.hausappleorchards.com

A benefit party for Eric and Becky Ramp West is planned for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at West Salem Volunteer Fire Department, Route 358, Greenville. Eric was diagnosed with melanoma in December 2008. There will be a bake sale and unique gifts for Christmas. Info: 724-376-3763 or 724-699-2770.

The unemployment benefits extension was successfully passed on to a final vote that will take place on late Thursday. The cloture vote of 97-1 passed on Wednesday which ends a four week “argument” between Senate Democrats and GOP leaders over the extension. Even though the cloture vote passed with flying colors there were still some Senate Republicans who were unhappy with the bill.

The Republicans feel that the Democrats held them from debating many of the amendments that they felt were important. The GOP initially proposed nine changes but the Democratic party forced the Republicans to only three amendments. The most important amendment was an edit to have Congress to pay for the unemployment extension through unspent TARP money rather than an extension of an unemployment tax on employers.

On Tuesday, prior to the final cloture vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the statement, “”They are only trying to delay and stall things. We have done more legislating on voting on nongermane, nonrelevant amendments this Congress I think than any time in the history that I’ve been around. And we’ve done it because the Republicans said that’s what they wanted, and I wanted to be fair.”

The changeover is affecting 85 National City Branches in southwestern Pennsylvania alone.

Jim Balouris, senior vice president of PNC, says they know the key is anticipating customers’ concerns.

The only thing National City customers actively have to do for the transition is activate their new PNC debit card.

“The ATM machines will be open and available - both the National City ATM machines - they’ll be converted to PNC machines as well as they have free access to all the PNC machines in the area,” Balouris said.

In fact, Balouris says your National City card will continue working until December 9 and your National City checks will remain usable as well.

All the local National City branches will close for the last time at 4 p.m. Friday.

“We’re going to have live folks sitting out front of the doors to help them with any questions or concerns that they have.  We’ll do that as well on Saturday because we will close the National City branches on Saturday,” Balouris said.

Customers coming to a closed National City will be directed to the nearest PNC ATM or branch to handle their need.

If you are a National City Bank online customer, be advised your access to your account will be cut off from 3 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Monday.

Your user ID and password will not change.

Volant Volunteer Fire Company holds a buckwheat pancake and sausage day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

The all-you-can-eat meal is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for ages 6 to 12, and free for ages 5 and younger. Regular pancakes will also be served.

Info: 724-533-2673 or 724-748-5591. Wheelchair access available.

Spare change could change a life! “Round Up” your purchases at JCPenney in the Shenango Valley Mall from Dec. 4 through 13 and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund will donate the difference to the Hermitage YMCA Afterschool Program to provide programs.

For all of our programs, please remember volunteers and sponsors are always needed. Come to the YMCA for a tour and check out the fun fall back-to-school programs we are offering.

• West Hill Ministries Senior Citizens Thanksgiving luncheon begins at noon Nov. 11 at First Baptist Church, 301 W. State St., Sharon.

Following the luncheon there will be a musical program with the Rev. Burl Jernigan of Calvary Baptist Church, Youngstown.

Reservations for the free turkey dinner or for transportation, call 724-347-7261.

Mercer County Family Center presents a “Little Learners” Book Club for parents and children ages 1 and 2 in the Greenville, Reynolds, Commodore Perry and Jamestown school districts. This book club will focus on the importance of early literacy skills and will include a craft, activities, and story time. This four-session book club will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Nov. 10, Jan. 12, March 9 and May 11 at Greenville Public Library.

Every family will receive a free book at each session.

Registration: Emily Jackson, 724-588-2404 by Friday. Registration is limited.

The Thiel College Student Affiliate Chapter of the American Chemical Society is hosting its annual “Kids & Chemistry” program to spark interest in chemistry in children in grades 4-6 from local elementary schools from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Academic Center, room 100, at Thiel College, 75 College Ave., Greenville.

There will be exciting demonstrations and fun hands-on activities in which children can participate, including making slime and silly putty, chemistry games and building pop rockets.

The event is free.

If you have a child who would like to attend, please contact Dr. Kathryn Frantz at 724-589-2113 or kfrantz@thiel.edu

A roast beef dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Wheatland-Farrell United Methodist Church, 75 Mercer Ave., Wheatland.

Dinner includes dessert and beverage. Cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children age 4 to 12; and children ages 3 and younger are free. Proceeds benefit the general fund.