Community fund seeking donations
The Times’ 76th annual Eleanor Smylie Community Fund outreach program is here to help needy people in the Northeast for Christmas and Hanukkah. 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. ••
Donate blood
The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood.
The Northeast Philadelphia Blood Donation Center, 1401 Rhawn St., is open Monday-Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Other donation options are on Dec. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave.; and Dec. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Jeanes Hospital Patient Care Center, main lobby, 7600 Central Ave.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS. ••
Book club to meet on Tuesday
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 Tuesday 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. ••
Victorian Christmas at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave., in Burholme Park, will host a Christmas open house on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will feature raffle baskets, decorations, letters to Santa, crafts, hot chocolate, a performance by a children’s choir at noon, a visit from Santa (noon to 2 p.m.) and sales on fresh wreaths, baked goods and used books. Call 215-685-0599. ••
Bustleton Civic to meet
The Greater Bustleton Civic League will hold its monthly membership meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in the community room of American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. Meetings are open to the public and all are welcome. Email gbustletoncl@gmail.com or call 215-676-6890. ••
Christmas at St. James
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Ave., will hold the following upcoming events: Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Community Christmas Bazaar); Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. (Christmas Handbell Special Music); Sunday, Dec. 15, 5 to 6:30 p.m. (Live Nativity); Wednesday, Dec. 18, 11:30 a.m. (Christmas Luncheon); Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. (The Nativity Story movie); Sunday, Dec. 22 (10 a.m. service); Tuesday, Dec. 24 (services at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.); Wednesday, Dec. 25 (11 a.m. service); Sunday, Dec. 29 (10 a.m. service); Saturday, Jan. 4, 6 p.m. (Three Kings Service). ••
Light as a way to celebrate
Welsh Road Library, 9233 Roosevelt Blvd., will present Lights Around the World on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. Join the Geography Lady as she discusses the various ways different cultures use light to celebrate. Participants will explore different uses of light, play games, and do a small craft. ••
Christmas event on Saturday
The community is invited to a Christmas event, sponsored by Bella Victor Ministries, on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. The day will include favorite hymns, an inspiring message, doughnuts, apple cider, fellowship and a gift shop. RSVP at 215-526-7749. ••
Hat, scarf giveaway
Heather Miller’s annual free hat and scarf giveaway for children 10 and under will take place on Monday, Dec. 16, at Houseman Recreation Center, 5091 Summerdale Ave., and Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Michael J. Crescenz MOH Rising Sun VFW Post 2819, 6850 Martins Mill Road, both nights from 6-8 p.m. Contact Miller at 215-881-3042 or heatherleemiller429@gmail.com. ••
Meetings about the Boulevard
PennDOT, the city and SEPTA invite the public to open houses to discuss the future of Roosevelt Boulevard. The schedule is Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St.; Monday, Dec. 16, from 6-8 p.m., at the Radisson Hotel, 2400 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose; Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 6-8 p.m., at New Life Philly Church, 425 E. Roosevelt Blvd.; and Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 6-8 p.m., at American Heritage Credit Union, 2068 Red Lion Road. Light snacks will be available. ••
Half-price clothing sale
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, will hold a half-price clothing sale through December. Hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays and closed Saturdays. Call 216-624-9130. ••
Free holiday concert
Settlement Music School’s Kardon-Northeast Branch, 3745 Clarendon Ave., will host a chorale concert on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. The Kardon Center for Arts Therapy’s choir will perform holiday favorites, alongside special guest Angela McDonald. Admission is free. Light refreshments will follow the concert. To RSVP, email info@settlementmusic.org. For more information, call 215-320-2622 or follow Settlement Music School on Facebook, X or Instagram. ••
Programs at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave., in Burholme Park, will hold the following programs in December:
Friday, Dec. 13, 1-3 p.m., Fibercraft Friends; Saturday, Dec. 14, Christmas Open House, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 20, 1-3 p.m., Book Club: Christmas Bells: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini; Saturday, Dec. 21, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Storytime: Holiday Celebrations. ••
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. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 215-543-1051. ••
Tai chi at Holmesburg Library
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host a tai chi class at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Dec. 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. ••
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 a performance of Bellini’s I Puritani, on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m.
There will be two performances of Verdi’s Macbeth. The first is 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 second 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. ••
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. ••
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 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, call 267-350-1830 or visit msbt.org. ••
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. ••
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. 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. To find the bagged leaf drop-off location closest to you, call O’Neill’s office at 215-686-3422. ••
Donate blood at Jeanes
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the patient care center lobby, 7600 Central Ave. To register or for more information, visit redcrossblood.org and enter TUH Jeanes Campus as the location. ••
Bingo at St. Hubert
St. Hubert sewing students will present Fashion Bingo on Sunday, Feb. 16, in the school cafeteria, 7320 Torresdale Ave. Doors open at 1 p.m. Games begin at 2. The cost is $35 and includes 11 rounds of bingo, baked goods, water, tea and coffee. There will be raffle baskets, and people are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. Checks can be made payable to St. Hubert High School, Attn: Jillian Smith. Visit huberts.org/fashionbingo or email jillian.smith@huberts.org. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Concert at local church
Holmesburg United Methodist Church, 8118 Frankford Ave. will host a free concert featuring a Christian band on Saturday, Dec. 21. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The concert starts at 7. There will be light refreshments. There is a parking lot and handicap-accessible entrance behind the church. All are welcome. Call 215-624-6900. ••
Solstice celebration at Glen Foerd
Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave., invites the public to a free community celebration for all ages on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of seasonal festivities, including a bonfire by the river, hot drinks and light refreshments. There will be a fire-building demonstration (2 p.m.), a craft workshop and a guided walk focusing on the winter solstice. For more information or to register, call 215-632-5330 or visit www.glenfoerd.org/events. ••
Rhawnhurst Civic to meet in January
Rhawnhurst Civic Association cancelled its December meeting. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m., at Pelbano Playground, 8100 Bustleton Ave. The 2nd and 7th Police District community relations officers will provide neighborhood crime and safety updates, and there are pending zoning issues. For more information, go to RhawnhurstCivicAssociation.com and join the email list. ••
Christmas concert at St. Dom’s
St. Dominic Church, 8504 Frankford Ave., will host a Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy the sounds of the parish choir and cantors and guest soloist. Music will range from sacred and secular to classic and contemporary. ••
