Upcoming operas
Amici Opera Company will present a number of upcoming performances. The schedule is below.
Donizetti’s Il Castello Di Kenilworth on Saturdays, Jan. 18 and 25, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.
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. ••
Vendors wanted for St. Hubert flea market
St. Hubert High School, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host an indoor flea market in its cafeteria on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interested vendors can email fleamarket@huberts.org. ••
Bingo at Marian Hall
Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Francis de Sales #2617 will hold bingo on Saturday, March 22, at St. Dominic’s Marian Hall, 8532 Frankford Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Games begin at 6:15. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door (if available) and include beer, wine, soda, water and tea. Light snacks will be available. The event is for people 21 or older. Food can be brought in, but not liquor. There will be raffle baskets and a 50-50. Nonperishable food items will be collected for a food cupboard. For tickets, contact Maryann Morley at 215-288-8691 or chachisfo@aol.com or mail a check to CDA/St. Francis de Sales #2617, 2565 Exton Road, Hatboro, PA 19040. ••
St. Jerome Seniors to meet
Upcoming St. Jerome Seniors meetings are on Thursdays, Jan. 23, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27 in the school hall, 3031 Stamford St. Arrive by 10 a.m. The meeting begins promptly at 11. ••
Dinner, dancing and sounds of Sinatra
The Buck Hotel, 1200 Buck Road in Feasterville, will present Valentine’s Day with the Romantic Sounds of Sinatra & Friends, featuring Joey C, on Saturday, Feb. 15. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 and the show at 8. The cost is $72, including taxes and gratuities. For tickets, go to thebuckhotel.com/eventscalendar. For more information, call 215-317-7675. ••
Travel with Maternity BVM Seniors
Maternity BVM Seniors have announced their 2025 group trip schedule. People are invited to join them on the following trips: Mt. Hope Winery – Murder Mystery, Thursday, March 6, $130; Tropicana – Joey Arminio and Family, Monday, April 14, $80; Sight and Sound – Noah, Thursday, Sept. 25, $180; Tropicana – Blockbuster Broadway, Monday, Nov. 17, $80. For information, call Connie at 215-338-9141. ••
Neilson bill would protect consumer data
State Rep. Ed Neilson introduced legislation (H.B. 78) along with Rep. Stephenie Scialabba to establish a Consumer Data Privacy Act, which would ensure that consumers are able to make informed decisions about how their data is being used online or sold to a third party.
“Unlike other states, Pennsylvania has no safeguard to protect our constituents’ privacy,” Neilson said. “Pennsylvanians should be able to interact online without worrying how their information is used; they deserve the option to protect themselves from targeted advertising and other nefarious ways their information can be used.”
Neilson added that it’s unfair to consumers who expect their private information to be safely stored with one business, but they are incentivized to sell it to third parties for targeted advertising purposes.
“Many other states have protections for consumer data, but we are falling behind in Pennsylvania,” Neilson said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to establish important privacy laws.”
House Bill 78 is based on similar legislation from last session, which received bipartisan support in the House but failed to receive a vote in the Senate. ••
Concert Jan. 15 at Protestant Home
The Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road, will host a concert featuring singer Chris Fitting on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m., in its social hall. The concert is free. All are welcome. ••
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. ••
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/ ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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 Bluesky, 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. ••
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. ••
New term for Boyle
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd dist.) was sworn in as a member of the 119th Congress. Boyle is the longest-serving Democrat in the Pennsylvania delegation, following Matt Cartwright’s defeat.
“It’s an incredible honor to once again represent the people of Pennsylvania’s 2nd District,” Boyle said. “I take this responsibility seriously and am eager to continue fighting for the issues that matter most to the neighborhoods I represent — lowering costs, creating good-paying jobs, improving public transportation and ensuring access to affordable health care. Philadelphia deserves strong leadership in Congress, and I’m proud to work every day on behalf of my neighbors.”
Boyle will again serve as the minority-party chairman of the House Budget Committee. At 47 – he’ll turn 48 on Feb. 6 – he is the youngest Democrat to lead a committee this Congress.
“As ranking member of the Budget Committee, I will fight for a federal budget that reflects the values of working families — not just the interests of the wealthiest 1 percent,” Boyle said. “Republicans are focused on giving tax breaks to billionaires while slashing programs that families rely on, like Medicare and Social Security. I’m ready to fight back. My focus is on lowering costs, strengthening communities and ensuring our government works for everyone — not just the wealthy and well-connected.” ••
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. ••
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. ••
Meeting in Fox Chase on Feb. 12
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: Feb. 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12. ••
Information for businesses
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., will host Is Your Pricing Right? on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The city Department of Commerce will provide information for new and existing businesses on pricing their products and services. ••
Donate blood at Jeanes
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus, 7600 Central Ave., in partnership with the American Red Cross, will hold a blood drive on Monday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the multi-purpose room in the main lobby of the Patient Care Center. To donate, visit redcrossblood.org and enter “TUH Jeanes Campus” for location. ••
Benefit concert in Rhawnhurst
Art City Opera will be holding its first benefit concert on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. at Redemption Lutheran Church, 8001 Bustleton Ave. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $15 (at the door). ••
Solomon starts 5th term
State Rep. Jared Solomon last week was sworn in to his fifth term.
“In this new legislative session, I will continue to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan and bicameral spirit,” Solomon said. “I stand firm in my belief that the only way to end partisan gridlock in Harrisburg is by working together for the improvement of all Pennsylvanians.”
Solomon said he will continue to work on legislation that restores the public’s faith in Pennsylvania’s electoral process — a gift ban for elected officials, transparency around dark money in elections and providing Pennsylvanians with the right to recall state and local officials who aren’t living up to their expectations.
“I’m proud of everything we accomplished during past legislative sessions; it is an honor to serve Pennsylvania’s 202nd Legislative District,” Solomon said. “I look forward to the next chapter building on the important changes we’re making for the commonwealth.” ••
Tumor Support Group to meet Jan. 15
Fox Chase Cancer Center will hold a meeting of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Support Group on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 4-5 p.m. The group is for people diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors who are receiving treatment. Social workers will lead the group, and participants can share their personal experiences, ways of coping and helpful resources. For a link to participate, email Anjali.Albanese@fccc.edu or Mark.Itzen@fccc.edu. ••
Classic silent film to be shown at Glen Foerd
The Secret Cinema will return to Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave., on Friday, Jan. 24, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., for a special screening of Erich von Stroheim’s 1924 silent-era classic Greed, accompanied by live music on the nonprofit’s restored 1902 Haskell pipe organ. The performance, featuring organist Don Kinnier, will take place in the second-floor art gallery, accessible only by stairs.
Based on Frank Norris’ naturalistic novel “McTeague: A Story of San Francisco,” it graphically depicts the slow descent into madness of a simple-minded miner-turned-dentist and his bride, as each becomes obsessed with gold.
Concessions will be available at a pop-up bar before and after the event, with soft pretzels, soft drinks, beer and wine for purchase. General admission is $25, with students and seniors’ tickets available for $20.For tickets and more information, visit www.glenfoerd.org/events. ••
Parkinson’s support group at Jeanes
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus, 7604 Central Ave., will host meetings of a Parkinson’s disease support group in its Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse. The meetings, from 5-6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every other month, are open to people diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families, and are led by nurse practitioner June Ro. The schedule, with guest speakers, is Feb. 12 (physical therapist Michele Aguado), April 9 (Dr. Willard Kasoff, neurosurgeon), June 11 (speech therapist Marissa Rock), Aug. 13 (Dr. Molly Cincotta, neurologist), Oct. 8 (social worker Luisa Enriquez) and Dec. 10 (Dr. Teodora Schellato, urologist, and physical therapist Sonia Williams-Joseph).
To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Free tax preparation
People who need help with preparing their federal and state income tax returns can take advantage of the free assistance program being offered by KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. The program will run from Feb. 3 to April 15 and will be available to everyone with annual incomes of up to $79,000, whether filling single or joint returns. All of the volunteer tax helpers are qualified with extensive experience to help prepare federal and state tax returns as well as PA Rent/Real Estate tax rebate forms. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 194 to make an appointment. ••
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Mothers Be Still and Know That I Am God on Saturday, March 1, 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. The retreat costs $55 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, call 267-350-1830 or visit msbt.org. ••
