SMT Class of ’74 reunion
The St. Martin of Tours Class of 1974 will hold a 50th reunion on Friday, Nov. 29, at 4 p.m. at the Ashburner Inn, 8400 Torresdale Ave. Admission is free, and there will be a cash bar. ••
Get your North Catholic gear
Northeast Catholic High School Alumni Association will sell school shirts, hats, glasses, keychains and more at the alumni office, 2700 Rhawn St., on Dec. 7 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 215-543-1051. ••
Half-price clothing sale
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, will have a half-price clothing sale on Friday, Nov. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 1. Hours are week days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is closed Saturdays. Call 215-624-9130. ••
Tai chi at Holmesburg Library
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host tai chi classes at 2 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Dec. 3, 10 and 17. The class will be led in a relaxed, fun environment by Michael McCormack, who has more than 40 years experience. Tai chi is designed to improve your health and well-being. ••
Santa Spectacular at St. Hubert
St. Hubert High School, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host a Santa Spectacular on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Kathy’s School of Dance. The cost is $30, or $25 for kids 12 and under. There will be a Christmas show, all-you-can-eat buffet, indoor snowball fight, crafts, reindeer food station, bean bag toss, face painting, shopping, a lucky coin game, a magic show and pictures with Santa. Visit Huberts.org/SantaSpectacular. ••
Community fund seeking donations
Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah will both be celebrated this year on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and the Times’ 76th annual Eleanor Smylie Community Fund outreach program is here to help needy people in the Northeast. The fund — named in memory of our late chairwoman — relies on the generosity of our readers. All money collected will be used to buy supermarket gift cards for individuals and families. For those who donate, we’ll publish your names. Please let us know if you want your donation to remain anonymous. To donate or request help, or if you know of someone who could use assistance, write a letter to Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, 1810 Underwood Blvd., Suite 1, Delran, NJ 08075. Include a name and contact information for an agency or person for verification. Everything about the process will remain anonymous. Thank you for your consideration. ••
Grand Illumination on Saturday
American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road, invites the public to its 17th annual Grand Illumination on Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. The event includes the lighting of two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, more than 400,000 lights, seasonal music, performances by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, appearances by Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross and fireworks. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food item to help American Heritage reach its goal of 20,000 pounds for its annual holiday food drive. ••
Ban on license plate flipping
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law legislation (H.B. 2426) introduced by state Reps. Pat Gallagher and Greg Scott that bans license plate flipping devices in Pennsylvania. Gallagher issued the following statement after Senate approval sent the bill to the governor’s desk.
“There are currently many ambiguities in our state law that allow individuals to use these devices as loopholes to get out of making payments they owe,” Gallagher said. “The city of Philadelphia recently took action on this issue by prohibiting these devices in the city, and now it’s time for the entire state of Pennsylvania to follow suit.” ••
Local author’s novels in paperback
Tirgearr Publishing released Mayfair author Becky Flade’s award-winning Philly Heat Series in paperback. Available at Amazon, the Philly Heat Series is a collection of romantic suspense novels set in and around Philadelphia. The series follows different characters and storylines connected by their Philadelphia setting and a mix of romance, suspense and drama. The series includes the following six books with more to come: A Love Restrained, Fall to Pieces, Yesterday’s Over, Beautiful Dangerous, Fade Into the Night and A Safe Place. ••
Boscov’s announces holiday hours
All Boscov’s stores will be closed Thanksgiving Day, allowing coworkers to spend the holiday with their families. Black Friday specials will be available on Thanksgiving at boscovs.com, with free shipping that day and on Cyber Monday. Stores will be open on Black Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. ••
Holiday craft fair Dec. 7
The Villages at Pine Valley will host a holiday craft fair on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its clubhouse, 900 Pine Valley Blvd. (access off of 8540 Verree Road). There will be homemade candy, jewelry, wreaths, candles, artwork and more. Call Kathy at 215-722-1501. ••
Learn about Anna Rosenberg
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., will present Anna Rosenberg: A Story That Needs To Be Told on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited. The presentation will be given by Trish Chambers. Rosenberg helped shape post-war America with her involvement in the GI Bill and Social Security. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 176. or email akimelheim@kleinlife.org. ••
Leaf collection services
City Councilman Brian O’Neill announced that the Department of Street’s leaf-collection and recycling program will continue through Dec. 21. Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide on Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 10th Councilmanic District’s bagged leaf drop-off station is 7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Recreation Center). Residents can also drop off bagged leaves at the Northeast Sanitation Convenience Center at State Road and Ashburner Street, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bagged leaves intended for recycling will be accepted in biodegradable paper bags. Mechanical Leaf Collection will also be offered through Nov. 29 in areas with a heavy concentration of leaves. To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection, visit phila.gov/leaf-recycling. To find the bagged leaf drop-off location closest to you or to find out if mechanical leaf collection will be offered on your street, call O’Neill’s office at 215-686-3422. ••
Donate to food drive
American Heritage Credit Union invites the community to help collect 20,000 pounds of food in its 11th annual Spirit of Giving Food Drive. All nonperishable food donations will be distributed to food pantries and food banks throughout the region. Donations will be collected through Nov. 30 at all 35 American Heritage branch locations. ••
Book club to meet on Monday
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will host a Zoom session on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. The book is The Bird Hotel by Joyce Maynard. For further information, or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Lunch and mansion tour
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a “Holiday at Nemours Mansion” bus trip on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The itinerary includes a 3-course luncheon at Buckley’s Tavern in Centerville, Delaware, and a tour of the 77-room Nemours Mansion, built in the early 20th century and elaborately decorated for the holidays. The all-inclusive cost is $145. Call 215-788-9408 or visit www.bristolhistory.org. ••
White wants action on overcrowded schools
State Rep. Martina White released a statement following a recent Inquirer article highlighting overcrowding in Northeast public schools, forcing students to learn in hallways and closets.
“The overcrowding in our Northeast Philadelphia schools is unacceptable. Students being forced to learn in hallways or makeshift classrooms, such as closets, is a fundamental failure to deliver the quality education to which every student is entitled. I have requested a briefing be provided to Northeast Philadelphia elected officials from the Philadelphia School District to ensure the district quickly identifies solutions.
“This crisis requires immediate action. While long-term facilities master planning is necessary, we cannot ask our children and their teachers to wait years for relief. The Board of Education should immediately authorize increased charter capacity at public charter schools willing to accept more students, while exploring options to provide emergency scholarships to allow students to attend private schools with adequate space and resources.
“This unacceptable situation further highlights the need to expand the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, along with other highly successful school choice programs that empower families to choose the educational environment that best fits their child’s needs.”
“Every child is entitled to a safe and effective learning environment, and every teacher deserves a workspace that allows them to effectively teach. We owe it to our students, parents and educators to address this crisis head-on and ensure our schools are equipped to handle the needs of every family in our community.”
White said that, despite historic state investment in the school district and the district’s ongoing facilities master planning process, any new construction or school reorganization is years away. ••
New dialysis unit coming to Roosevelt Rehab
Roosevelt Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, 7800 Bustleton Ave., is placing the finishing touches on Lexington Renal, its state-of-the-art, in-facility dialysis unit. The 18-chair unit is set to open in early 2025, featuring in-patient and out-patient services – with the capability to treat patients who are tracheostomy dependent.
Lexington Renal is operating under the direction of board-certified nephrologist Dr. Michael Yoslov.
“This specialized unit responds to the need for additional dialysis chairs – on both an in-patient and out-patient basis – within the Northeast Philadelphia community,” said Danielle Koons, senior regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Roosevelt. “With Lexington Renal, Roosevelt Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is pleased to continue building on its next-level skilled nursing care offerings under its outstanding clinical leadership team.”
Spacious and filled with natural light, Lexington Renal includes an isolation chair, available as needed for patients with certain conditions. The new dialysis offering complements Roosevelt’s chronic kidney disease management program. That offering provides care and services to patients with CKD and related diagnoses, aiming to preserve kidney function and prevent further decline.
The Lexington Renal introduction is a Phase 2 centerpiece of an ongoing multi-million-dollar modernization at Roosevelt. Phase 1 featured the addition of an expansive rehab therapy gym with state-of-the-art-equipment, including a Smart Car, and the incorporation of a spacious activities of daily living suite. Roosevelt and Marquis continue to enhance the center’s specialty care programming in partnership with leading regional healthcare providers.
“Roosevelt’s modernization is further establishing the center as a destination of choice for quality care in Northeast Philadelphia,” Koons said.
Roosevelt is a 240-bed skilled nursing center that provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. Roosevelt offers a dedicated Russian-speaking cultural initiative centered on providing a culturally authentic environment for the care and comfort of seniors of Eastern European descent. For more information on Roosevelt and its offerings, visit rooseveltrehab.com. ••
GWHS class of ‘84 reunion
The George Washington High School class of 1984 will hold its 40th class reunion on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 6-11 p.m. at Twining Hall, 4900 E. Street Road in Trevose. The cost is $55 per ticket. Email gwhsreunionclassof84@eric-barson. For more information, call Bennett Love at 267-242-8201. ••
Vendors welcome at Christmas bazaar
St. James Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Ave., will host a Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec, 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables cost $15. Call 215-743-1828. ••
Upcoming operas
Amici Opera Company will be at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave., for two performances of Bellini’s I Puritani. The shows are set for Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14, at 4 p.m.
There will be several performances of Verdi’s Macbeth. The first is Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale. The second will be on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. at La Piovra, 7901 High School Road, Elkins Park. The cost for the show and dinner is $54.95 (not including tax or tip). For reservations, call 215-606-3800. A third performance will be on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
For more information, call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
The season of giving
St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn St., invites the public to take part in Giving Tree 2024. People can choose a tag from the tree and purchase the item listed. The deadline is Dec. 6 to choose a tag. Unwrapped gifts can be brought to the auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 6 a.m. to noon or 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Deliveries to local charities will be made on Dec. 9. To help make deliveries, call Ruth in the parish office at 215-725-2580. ••
Christmas party on Dec. 8
William D. Oxley American Legion Post 133, at 7900 Torresdale Ave. (at Decatur Street) will hold a children’s Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 1-4 p.m. The public is invited for food, games, crafts and a magician. Parents are asked to bring a wrapped gift with their child’s name on it so Santa Claus can present it to the youngster. ••
Preschool storytime
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host preschool storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12. There will be stories, songs and fingerplays. For children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Renew and Breathe: Part 1- A Mother’s Yes with Grace and Hope on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The speaker will be Stephanie McCarthy, a Catholic wife, mother and spiritual director. The retreat is open to mothers of all ages for faith sharing and reflection with other mothers. Part 2 will be on Jan. 11. Part 3 will be on March 1. Each retreat costs $55, or $150 for all three if registered by Dec. 6. Each retreat day includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, call 267-350-1830 or visit msbt.org. ••
Tree lighting at St. James
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Ave. (at Pratt Street), will hold a community tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. There will be holiday music and refreshments. Meanwhile, St. James hosts free English classes for Hispanic residents Sundays at 7 p.m. ••
Curfew, underage drinking
Curfew in Philadelphia is 9:30 p.m. for anyone 13 and under and 10 p.m. for those ages 14-17. If police pick up someone for a curfew violation in the Northeast, the young person will be taken home, to the Community Evening Resource Center at 4704 Leiper St. in Frankford or to the 2nd, 7th, 8th or 15th police districts. The penalty for a curfew violation can be up to $300.
Under state law, underage drinking is a summary offense with a $500 fine for the first violation. Anyone receiving a citation for underage drinking can be asked about it on applications for jobs, college applications and appointments to military service academies. ••
Meeting in Fox Chase
The Fox Chase Town Watch and Fox Chase Civic Association meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. The group will meet on the following dates in 2025: Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12. ••
Monthly senior luncheon
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., hosts a senior luncheon at noon on the third Wednesday of each month. Soup, sandwiches, salad and dessert are on the menu. An upcoming date is Dec. 18. ••
Bereavement support group
Lambie Funeral Home, 8000 Rowland Ave. (at Rhawn Street) sponsors a Bereavement Support group for all who have lost loved ones on the first Wednesday of the month (except January), from 6:30 to 8 p.m., through June 4. There is no fee. Call 215-332-6110. ••
KleinLife opens farmers market
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., has a farmers market that sells nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables every Friday from noon to 3 p.m., through the fall. The market accepts cash, SNAP/EBT Access Cards and Philly Food Bucks. Proceeds will go to support the Cook for a Friend program as part of the KleinLife Home Delivered Meals Program. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 196. ••
Support for Parkinson’s
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus hosts a Parkinson’s Disease Support Group on the second Wednesday of every other month. The meetings will take place from 5-6 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. The group is led by nurse practitioner June Ro and attended by guest speakers, patients and caregivers.
The guest speaker is social worker Luisa Enriquez (Dec. 11).
To register, contact June Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Programs at NE Regional
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., offers the following recurring programs:
• Crochet Club, Fridays at 11 a.m. in the second-floor Humanities Department. Bring your own materials.
• Mixed Level English Class, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-4 p.m. Call 215-685-0522.
• PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance, Wednesdays, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Call 833-750-5627.
• Chess Club for Adults & Teens, Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m.
• One-on-One Basic Computer Help Appointments, Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 215-685-0525.
• Thursday Computer Help: Various Subjects, Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.
• Gadget Help, Mondays and Wednesdays upon request. Call 215-685-0525.
• Computer Skills for Beginners, Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m. Register at 215-474-1235.
• English Conversation Group – Intermediate-plus, Mondays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Register at 215-474-1235. ••
Join St. Anselm Seniors
St. Anselm has started a senior citizen club that meets most Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Hall, 12650 Dunksferry Road. The club is open to men and women 55 and older, and members don’t have to be St. Anselm parishioners. For more information, visit the St. Anselm Senior Citizens Club page on Facebook. ••
BVM upcoming trip
The Maternity BVM Seniors Group will travel to Lancaster on Thursday, Dec. 12, for a luncheon and the show Joy to the World at the American Music Theatre. The trip is open to all. Call Jackie at 215-287-9968. ••
Bingo at Cannstatter’s
Bingo is played every Thursday at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:30. Call 215-322-0121. ••
Bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo every second and fourth Friday evenings. Doors open at 6 p.m. There are dollar hot dogs and free popcorn and refreshments. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Holy Inn to see Rat Pack show
Holy Innocents will be holding a trip to the Tropicana in Atlantic City on Thursday, Dec. 5. A bus will depart L Street and Hunting Park Avenue at 10 a.m. and will leave the casino at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $85, and includes bus transportation, a ticket to The Rat Pack Christmas Show at 3 p.m. and $25 slot play. To reserve your seat, call Cindy at 215-535-2740. ••
Santa coming to Holmesburg
Santa Claus will be coming to Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., on Monday, Dec. 9, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. There will be cookies and holiday crafts. The event is sponsored by Friends of Holmesburg Library. ••
Pacific Wine Country tour
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is going on a Pacific Wine Country cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess, May 10-17, 2025. Ports-of-call include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Astoria (Oregon) and Victoria and Vancouver (Canada). Rates range from $3,048 to $3,578 per person, double occupancy, which includes round-trip airfare from Philadelphia, port charges, government fees, taxes and transfers to and from the ship. Call 215-788-9408 for more information. ••
Cruise in July 2025
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is traveling on an Independence Day Celebration cruise, July 1-8, 2025. Ports-of-call include New York, Newport, Boston on July 4 and Halifax, Nova Scotia. A passport is required. Rates range from $1,920 to $2,680 per person, double occupancy. For a flyer, call 215-788-9408. ••
Thanksgiving football
There will be three local high school football games on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28. Frankford will host Roman Catholic at 9:45 a.m. Archbishop Ryan will travel to George Washington at 10 a.m. Northeast will host Central at 10:30 a.m. Father Judge and Abraham Lincoln ended their rivalry after last season. ••
Victorian Tea on Dec. 7
Redemption Lutheran Church, 8001 Bustleton Ave., is holding its annual Victorian Tea on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. There is a donation of $5 per person at the door. There will be tea, sandwiches, sweets, musical entertainment and holiday cheer. RSVP to info@redemptionphiladelphia.org or 215-342-2085. ••
Small biz disaster preparedness workshop
The 7th Police District Advisory Council will present a free small business disaster preparedness workshop on Thursday, Jan. 23, at American Heritage Credit Union, 2068 Red Lion Road.
Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the workshop at 7. The workshop is co-sponsored by the city Office of Emergency Management.
To register, visit 7thpdac.com and click on Workshops. ••
Book club to meet on Dec. 17
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host a meeting of its Book Club on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 5:30 p.m. Join the library’s book club every third Thursday of the month to meet new people and discuss great books. December’s book will be Seizing the Enigma: The Race to Break the German U-boat Codes, 1939-1943 by David Kahn. ••
Support cancer research
Philly Kicking Cancer’s Ugly Sweater Party will take place on Friday, Dec. 6, from 7-9 p.m. at O’Neal’s Pub, 611 S. 3rd St. Tickets cost $20. There will be an open bar, 50-50 and prizes for the ugliest sweaters. ••
