The Streets of Cranberry offers retail stores, dining and, on certain days of the week, fresh fruits and veggies. Aaron Sturges, owner of Sturges Orchard and Farm Market in Fombell, has operated a farmer's market from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the shopping center since the beginning of summer. "It's been a great opportunity," he said. Sturges spent 14 years showcasing his wares at a farmer's market at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, but when The Streets of Cranberry management asked him to have the market at its site, Sturges said the offer was too good to turn …

The came. They saw. They cheered at the top of their lungs as the credits ran. Moviegoers flocked to the Cranberry Cinemas late Thursday to catch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, the last film in the blockbuster Harry Potter series. While the lobby to the theater opened at 10:30 p.m., the movie, which showed simultaneously in three separate screening rooms, didn't begin until the stroke of midnight Friday. Many attending the premiere dressed in costume, and the looks ranged from Hogwarts schoolgirl chic (think cardigans and kneesocks) to Luna Lovegood quirkiness.  Among the Luna …

Seneca Valley Middle School had its annual artist's reception and unveiling June 7 to showcase student artwork. The pieces now are a permanent part of the building's student art gallery. These eight students earned the honor to have their artwork on display: Melissa Carter - grade 7 - "Bubble Balooza" Danielle Gross - grade 8 - "Splatter Bridge" Mira Hoo - grade 7 - "Robowalk" Sami Hoover - grade 8 - "Johnny Depp" Jonnie Poepoe - grade 7 - "Mockingbird" Alyssa Rogalski - grade 7 - "Vase with Fourteen Sunflowers" Abbie Smith - grade 8 - "Self Portrait" Sidney Ziatek - grade 8 - Parrothead"

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 20074 is raising funds for earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan by making and selling small painted “Rock Buddies.” The Girl Scouts gathered, cleaned, painted and decorated the rocks on April 1. The artwork now is available for a donation. The troop includes girls ages 5 and 6. Folks who wish to purchase the artwork may contribute as much as they like. All money from the sale of the Rock Buddies will be sent to the Girl Scouts of Japan Relief Effort. Troop leader Jennifer Richart said she wanted the girls to experience helping others in need. "As the troop leader, I …

Pink, purple, yellow, green and blue Easter eggs lined the halls of the Cranberry Municipal Center on Sunday courtesy of Mr. Bunny and his friends from the Cranberry Township Parks and Recreation department. Children ages 1 to 8 raced around the building to gather as many eggs as their baskets would hold while parents snapped photos and enjoyed their Sunday morning. Each child also took a turn sitting on Mr. Bunny's lap, and some even shared a few possible gift ideas for Easter this year. If you didn't catch Mr. Bunny at the event, don't worry. The Easter Bunny will be hopping to events all …

After months of construction, Buffalo Wild Wings held its grand opening on Wednesday. The restaurant is located on Old Freedom Road in the former Hollywood Video store. While there was a crowd for lunch, general manager Mike Tunstall hopes the restaurant grows even busier this weekend because of the Final Four college basketball tournament, which will be shown on the venue's many televisions. "This weekend is going to be busy," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it." Buffalo Wild Wings opens at 11 a.m. and closes at midnight on weekdays. On weekends, the restaurant is open until 2 a.m.

While Cranberry didn't get the golf ball-size hail that pelted other communities on Wednesday, the township got its share of wacky weather. Wasn't it just last week that temperatures were in the 60s and 70s? It's a far cry from today, as residents woke up to a dusting of snow. Thursday's forecast calls for cloudy skies gradually giving way to sunshine with a high near 37. The rest of the week doesn't look much more spring-like, as the National Weather Service is predicting  highs in the 30s through Sunday. A low of 17 is forecast for Thursday night.

Spring isn't far off, but you wouldn't know it last week as snow blanketed the area. Hopefully, that was Old Man Winter's last visit to Cranberry Township. Signs of spring quickly returned, as evidenced at Cranberry Community Park on Monday. Local children enjoyed the warmer, drier weather while playing on the castle. Those at the park agreed they are ready for spring to get here, and all are anxious to get the kids back outside for some sunshine and some play. Check out this week's View Finder for a welcome prelude of more fun to come.

Cub Scouts from Pack 403 revved their engines at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township on Saturday as part of the Pinewood Derby races. The boys and their families also brought non-perishable food items that will be donated to a local food bank.  Earlier in the year, each scout who entered the race was given the official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit, which contained wheels, axles, and a wooden block. The scouts then worked with their parents to create a design before painting and decorating the cars. On the day of the big race, each scout checked in, weighed their racer, …

What do Clint Black, Lady Gaga and Frank Sinatra have in common? The foundation of their songs was built on rhythmic styles of Swing, Cha-cha, Salsa and Foxtrot.   This mix of music got things pumping for the 20 to 30 couples who attended the "Not Just Ballroom" dance, where the lively Juliann Tasick played host on Friday at the Cranberry Municipal Center.  Singles and couples mix it up from 7 to 11 p.m. on the last Friday of each month with the help of DJ Jazzy Jim and his wife, Dorie Weber. A catalogue of more than 32,000 songs keeps the dancers twirling, dipping and hopping. "No fluff, …

Early Saturday morning, the Cranberry Volunteer Fire Station on Route 19 turned into cookie central as local Girls Scouts and volunteers from the fire department received a truck load of 36,636 boxes of assorted Girl Scout cookies. The volunteers quickly unpacked the cases and prepared each troop's orders, which were later picked up by the troop cookie moms. This year's cookie sales were up by 1,356 boxes from last year. Photographer Jennifer L. White, owner of Jennifer L. White Photography LLC of Cranberry, was there to capture the cookie madness. 

A lot happened Cranberry this week, including a high-speed car chase on Interstate 79 that ended when both the driver of the vehicle and a township officer fell more than 20 feet from a highway overpass in Jackson Township. Cpl. Dan Hahn, 47, is recovering from serious injuries to his back and neck. Thomas Booth, a 22-year-old man from Volant, died from his injuries Tuesday. In other crime news, seven people were charged Friday by state police with participating in a ring of burglars who struck several homes in Cranberry Township and throughout Butler, Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties…

Yeah, the Steelers lost in the Super Bowl, but the community had plenty of fun at black and gold events leading up to the big game. Here's to the memories!

For our first View Finder, catch up on what's been happening around the community in recent days. From the memorial ceremony for three Zelienople firefighters and Seneca Valley High School seniors who lost their lives in a tragic accident to the elementary students at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary revving up for  Sunday's big game, there were plenty of special moments we don't want to forget. Enjoy!