Upcoming operas
Amici Opera Company will present a number of upcoming performances. The schedule is below.
Verdi’s Un Giorno Di Regno (A King for a Day) on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.
Donizetti’s Il Castello Di Kenilworth on Saturdays, Jan. 18 and 25, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
Puccini’s La Boheme on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale; and Saturday, Feb. 1, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
Also, La Boheme will be presented on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. at La Piovra, 7901 High School Road, Elkins Park. The cost is $54.95 per person (tips and tax not included) and includes dinner. For reservations, call 215-606-3800.
Call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company on Facebook. ••
Events at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum & Library, 7370 Central Ave. (Burholme Park), will host a number of upcoming events. The schedule is below.
Friday, Jan. 17, 1-3 p.m.: Book Club, The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon.
Saturday, Jan. 18, 1 p.m.: Free Laughter Workshop led by Barbara Hee, certified laughter specialist.
Friday, Jan. 24, 1-3 p.m.: Fibercraft Friends
Saturday, Jan. 25, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Storytime: Pajama Party. Come in your pajamas.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 1-3 p.m.: Valentine’s Event. Suggested donation $5. Register: RyerssMuseum@gmail.com. More information: 215-685-0599.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Storytime: Cowboys and Cowgirls. ••
Mass for CTK alums
Christ the King Elementary School invites all alumni and current families to attend a special Mass on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. to kick off Catholic Schools Week. The church is at 3252 Chesterfield Road. ••
Book club meeting
The public is invited to the Holmesburg Library Book Club meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 5:30 p.m. The book will be The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. The club meets every third Thursday of the month at the library, 7810 Frankford Ave. ••
New poems, stories by g emil reutter
On the Other Side of Goodbye, a new collection of poems, flash fiction and short stories by Lawndale resident g emil reutter, was just released by Alien Buddha Press.
The book is his eighth title with Alien Buddha Press. It can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Goodbye-emil-reutter/dp/B0DPCLN3Y3
For more information, visit https://gereutter.wordpress.com/about/ ••
Best-decorated homes
Below are the winners of the annual Mayfair Christmas Decoration Contest, in no particular order.
Rowhome: 3513 Shelmire, 3535 Shelmire, 3112 Fanshawe
Singles/Corners/Twins Category: 7411 Brous, 7816 Lexington, 7816 Calvert
Business: Torresdale Flowers, McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc., Lloyd Sixsmith Sporting Goods
Houses of Worship: St. Matthew Parish, St. Timothy Catholic Church ••
Preschool storytime and play
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host Preschool Storytime & Play at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 16 and 30 and Feb. 13 and 27. Stories and songs will be followed by creative play. The program is for children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
Book club to meet
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., will host a book club discussion of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 11 a.m. The book is a modern classic of the spy genre. Reading the book beforehand is encouraged but not necessary. Copies will be available for library card holders to borrow. At the February meeting, members will discuss Paula Hawkins’ new novel The Blue Hour. ••
Zoning cases in Somerton
Somerton Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Walker Lodge of the I.O.O.F., 1290 Southampton Road. The agenda includes the following zoning appeals: a “single room residence (46 rooms)” at 14000 Bustleton Ave., a commercial vehicle repair business at 2181 Bennett Road, a barber shop at 10800 Bustleton Ave. and several appeals involving residences at 10914 Nandina Court, 822 Barlow St., 11212 Jeanes St. and 11249 Jeanes Court. ••
Senior luncheons at Fox Chase church
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., hosts a monthly Senior Luncheon at noon on the third Wednesday of each month. Upcoming dates are Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 19 and April 16. ••
Tickets available for Wings lacrosse game
The Knights of Columbus St. John Neumann Assembly #933 are selling tickets for the lacrosse game between the Philadelphia Wings and Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets cost $25. The Knights Honor Guard will be presenting the colors on the field. For tickets, call Ed Kligge at 267-262-2023. ••
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Mothers Be Still and Know That I Am God 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. ••
Rhawnhurst Civic to meet Jan. 15
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. ••
Come see Dr. Yvonne Kaye
The Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martin’s Mill Road, will host Laughing When Nothing Seems Funny and When It Is on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. in its social hall. The program will be led by Dr. Yvonne Kaye, a mother, grandmother, storyteller, writer, published author, blogger, humorist and former Philadelphia radio show personality. All are welcome. ••
New website for NE Times
The Northeast Times has a new website: https://patimes.media/
The website includes news, sports, opinion, crime, features and a way to subscribe. The site includes an option to read the current issue in “flipbook” style. Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Facebook at Northeast Times and on X @NETimesOfficial. In addition to the Times being delivered to homes, the paper can be found at these spots: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/.
The website northeasttimes.com is not affiliated with the Northeast Times. ••
Meeting in Fox Chase on Jan. 8
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. ••
English classes at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., hosts free intermediate English classes on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. To register, go to remind.com/join/dbhd4e or call 215-685-0472. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is traveling on an Independence Day Celebration cruise, July 1-8. 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. ••
Exhibit of UArts student work
Creative Philadelphia and City Councilwoman Rue Landau announced an exhibition titled Transcending Uncertainty: Art Endures at Home in Philadelphia, through Jan. 25, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the City Hall Art Gallery. The exhibition is a collaboration between Creative Philadelphia and Landau to support students and faculty affected by the recent closure of the University of the Arts. The exhibit features the work of 42 former UArts students, faculty and staff displayed on the first-floor art gallery within Creative Philadelphia-Room 116, and on the fifth-floor corridor near City Council offices. The exhibition features more than 50 artworks and was selected by artist Lauren Rinaldi, who also serves as Landau’s arts and culture liaison.
“The closure of UArts is a significant loss for Philadelphia, but our local creative community is resilient,” Landau said. “I’m honored to provide a space for these talented artists to display their work and remind them that Philadelphia values and celebrates their contributions.” ••
World Nativities exhibition at Glencairn
Glencairn Museum, 1001 Cathedral Road in Bryn Athyn, continues with holiday events, including the annual World Nativities exhibition through Jan. 26.
Glencairn Museum’s annual World Nativities exhibition presents dozens of three-dimensional Nativity scenes collected from around the world.
One of the highlights of this season’s World Nativities exhibition is a crafted Nativity scene by husband-and-wife artist team Karen Loccisano and R. Michael Palan, in memory of their friend Linda Weller.
Another standout piece in the World Nativities exhibition is a ceramic Nativity scene crafted by Armenian artist Gohar Petrosyan. It depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds, inspired by a 1262 Gospel illumination by Armenian artist T’oros Roslin. It was commissioned by Anna Akhobadze, a member of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Cheltenham. Akhobadze, a 15-year-old high school junior and church member who visited Glencairn’s World Nativities exhibition last season, was passionate about including an Armenian Nativity in this season’s exhibition.
For more information, visit GlencairnMuseum.org or call 267-502-2600. ••
Comedy show at Painted Mug
The Black Power Rangers comedy tour will come to the Painted Mug Cafe, 1527 Jackson St. (at Mole Street), on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The show starts at 8 and features four black stand-up comedians: Wills Maxwell Jr., Brandi Roberts, Jarrod Fortune and Cordero Wilson. The show is for people 18 and older. Tickets cost $16.88. They are available at https://www.simpletix.com/e/black-power-rangers-comedy-tour-18-tickets-190171#smtx-click. ••
Chair yoga at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., hosts chair yoga on Wednesdays at 10:10 a.m. The class is presented by Yoga4Philly and sponsored by Friends of Bustleton Library. ••
