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. We have received recent donations from Hal and the late Sue Rosenthal and John and Janet Gaittens and in memory of Vince and Nellie Salandra and May Szymborski. 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. ••
Watch local Christmas movie
Philly Born Films has released Finding Christmas, written and produced by Mike Walsh and directed by Bridget Smith. After suffering a head injury on Christmas Eve, a rebellious teen transports back in time, Wizard of Oz style, to the woods outside Bethlehem. Alone in a scary forest, he struggles to get to the stable where Jesus was born so he can get home. Watch the movie at these links: https://bit.ly/m/FINDING-CHRISTMAS-MOVIE ••
Blood drive on Dec. 28
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Saturday, Dec. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cpl. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. Sign up by calling 800-RED CROSS or going to www.redcrossblood.org and entering ALPOST366. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Christmas at St. James
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Ave., will hold the following upcoming events: 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). ••
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 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, including a sale on Christmas merchandise Dec. 22-24. 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. ••
Programs at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave., in Burholme Park, will hold the following programs in December:
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. ••
Upcoming opera
Amici Opera Company will be at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave., for a performance of Verdi’s Macbeth, on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m.
For more information, call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
Leaf collection services
City Councilman Brian O’Neill announced that the Department of Street’s leaf-collection and recycling program will continue through Saturday, Dec. 21. Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide on Saturday 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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Renew and Breathe: Part 2 – A Mother’s Yes with Grace and Hope on Saturday, Jan. 11, 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 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. ••
