Celebrate National Herb Day in May by learning more about the use and delight of herbs at the Herb Society of America’s Annual Herb Plant Sale to be held at the East Village Shopping Center adjacent to Trader Joe’s, 6343 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA  15206, on Saturday, May 22nd from 9 am to 2:30 pm.

 Sponsored by the Western PA Unit of the Herb Society, the event will feature a wide assortment of herbs, particularly basils and including Dill–Herb of the Year–as well as a Garden Mart where you may purchase handmade gifts, books and also learn about the growing habits and benefits of herbs.  It is highly recommended that shoppers come early for the best selection.

East Liberty Gardens is in need of volunteers to help install a new playground in East Liberty on Saturday, May 15^th. The brand new playground will be built for the children living in the subsidized apartment complex. Volunteers are needed to assemble and install a new slide, see-saws, tractor tires and benches. The day will be filled with fun and lunch is included. Volunteers can participate for any portion of the day from 9am to 3pm.

Please join East Liberty Gardens in providing the kids a place to play. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Ted Melnyk at tedmelnyk@hotmail.com.

East Liberty’s significant growth and redevelopment in the last ten years happened in large part thanks to a neighborhood-wide community plan created in 1999, A Vision for East Liberty.  In light of the progress that has been made since then, East Liberty stakeholders, guided by East Liberty Development, Inc., came together to update the East Liberty Community Plan for 2010.  Solutions and strategies from more than 60 community meetings have been compiled into a new vision for East Liberty, and the final document is now ready for publication.  It’s time to celebrate and share our community’s vision for our future!

 Please join the East Liberty community in celebrating the release of the 2010 Community Plan on Thursday, May 13th at 6:30 pm in the Social Hall at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, located at 116 South Highland Avenue.  Please RSVP by calling 412-361-8061 x15 or e-mailing tiffany.clark@eastliberty.org.

On Thursday, May 6^th from 10am to 12pm the New Pennley Place apartment complex is hosting a Health and Wellness Event for senior citizens. The event will take place in the building’s community room located on 5601 Penn Avenue. There will be a variety of local health and wellness professionals who will provide health information and free screenings for participants.

Anthony Rankin’s new album, Blow This House Down, harmonizes over five years of touring, writing and singing for Pittsburgh fans.  For those familiar with Rankin, this new album will not disappoint. On May 11^th at 4pm, Borders Bookstore, located on 5986 Penn Circle South invites fans to a late afternoon of refreshing music and treats from the café! For those who have never experienced Anthony Rankin’s music, drop by for a taste of Pittsburgh’s local music scene and enjoy one of Pittsburgh’s favorite musicians.