Happy Fourth of July! Friday is this nation's 238th birthday.

Take a moment to reflect on the blood, tears and sacrifice it took to build this country.

The freedoms we have are so precious.

***

Ebenezer Church, New Tripoli, reminds the community the clothing closet will be open 6-8 p.m. July 10 and 10 a.m.-noon July 12.

There are free clothes for the entire family. Clothing donations are not being accepted at this time.

For more information, call 610-298-8000.

***

Lehigh Valley Tea Party will meet 7-9 p.m. July 11 at Chrin Palmer Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Easton. Peg Luksik, an authority on Common Core, will be the speaker.

Luksik will discuss how Common Core will impact local education.

For info, go to facebook.com/lehigh.teaparty.

***

New Bethel Church, 135 New Bethel Church Road, Kempton, is having Vacation Bible School for children ages 3 to fifth grade 6-8:15 p.m. July 14 to 18.

That Friday, the children will attend the Reading Fightin Phils game.

Call 610-756-6589 for more information.

***

The 2014 Steps4Stellar 5K Run/Walk will take place 9 a.m. July 12 at Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Parkway Blvd., Allentown. Online registration closes July 10.

Proceeds go to a scholarship for a student whose family is battling cancer.

For additional information, go to Steps4Stellar.com.

***

The Western Lehigh Exchange Club will have shoot at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, 2750 Limestone Street, Coplay,at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 12 to benefit victims of child abuse in the Lehigh Valley.

For information on pricing, visit westernlehighxc.com.

***

Friends of Parkland Community Library will have a used book sale from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 15 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 16 at Asbury Methodist Church, 1533 Springhouse Road, South Whitehall.

Book donations will be accepted 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 11-13, and 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 14 at the church.

Donations of used books, games, puzzles, DVDs and CDs are welcome. Books should be in good saleable condition.

No encyclopedias or Reader's Digest will be accepted. For information, call 610-398-1361 or visit parklandlibrary.org