Tai Chi classes begin Feb. 9
Tai Chi Along the Delaware begins on Feb. 9 at the Glen Foerd estate, 5001 Grant Ave., in Torresdale. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 5. The program includes 10 classes on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $150 for the general public. Glen Foerd members receive a $20 discount.
The Eastern art of Tai Chi reduces stress, improves muscle tone and helps to control blood pressure. People can enjoy these benefits regardless of age or fitness level. The instructor, Frank Shiery, brings 25 years of experience to the program.
Participants should wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing and sneakers. Register via www.glenfoerd.org or 215–632–5330. ••
Benefit for heart defects
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Children’s Heart Foundation will host its first Sweet Hearts Ball on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, 215 S. 16th St.
The evening will include cocktails, a sitdown dinner, dancing and silent auction.
The mission of the Children’s Heart Foundation is to fund the most promising research to diagnosis, treat and cure congenital heart defects. To date, the foundation has funded nearly $7 million in research projects.
Tickets are on sale now for $150 and can be purchased at Pennsylvania.childrensheartfoundation.org ••
East Torresdale group to meet
The next monthly meeting of the East Torresdale Civic Association will be on Monday, Feb. 9, and include a presentation by Amy Kurland, inspector general for the City of Philadelphia. She will discuss efforts to investigate corruption in city government.
Neighborhood development, public safety and quality of life issues may also be discussed during the session. All ETCA meetings are held at 7 p.m. at Liberty Evangelical Free Church, Linden Avenue and Milnor Street. They are open to the public and free to attend, although only dues-paying members are eligible to vote on motions. Visit www.easttorresdalecivic.com for information. ••
Library has story time
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave. (at Hartel Avenue), will hold a preschool story time on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 10:30 a.m.
There will be stories, songs and finger plays for preschool children accompanied by an adult.
For more information, call 215–685–8756. ••
Poetry contest for students
Ryerss Museum and Library, 7370 Central Ave. in Burholme Park, is sponsoring a poetry contest for high school students.
The theme should be related to the museum and library and/or the park.
First-place winners will receive $50.The top five winners in each grade will be invited to a poetry reading on April 5.
The museum/library is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Poems should be limited to one page and submitted by March 1 by email to diane.sahms.guarnieri@gmail.com
For more information, call 215–685–0544 or 215–685–0599. ••
Knitting workshop at Holmesburg Library
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave. (at Hartel Avenue), will be having an arm knitting workshop for adults on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m.
Registration is required.
Call 215–685–8756. ••
Water Department winterization tips
The Philadelphia Water Department is offering tips for winterizing pipes and water heaters.
The problem happens when standing water in the plumbing freezes and expands, putting pressure on the pipes. Drafty windows and unheated spots in your home are the main areas to address. With materials that usually cost $10 or less, homeowners can avoid hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs.
The department offers these five tips:
• Always keep your water meter above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Frigid air from drafty windows is a key culprit. Caulk those windows and cover them with plastic. Window-insulating kits costing about $15 to cover five standard windows are available online and at most hardware stores. If your window is cracked or broken, it’s best to replace it.
• Wrap and insulate the water meter and any connecting piping. Also wrap and insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as underneath a kitchen floor, near exterior walls — especially in kitchens and bathrooms — or in garages and sheds. Foam insulation is approximately $2 to $3 for a ¾” six-foot roll.
• In extremely cold weather, let water run trickle overnight to help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Shut off outside water faucets from inside valves, but leave outside valves open to drain any standing water sitting in the pipes.
For more information, call 215–685–6300. ••
Wesley hosts support groups for caregivers
Wesley Enhanced Living, a personal care community located at 7040 Oxford Ave., will host a free, monthly support group for adult children who are caring for an aging loved one.
A licensed social worker will facilitate the group, which is set to gather the last Thursday of every month, from January to May, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The first meeting will be on Jan. 29.
The group will discuss and explore a range of key concerns, including caregiver stress and burnout, family dynamics and future planning. Caregivers may choose as many sessions as they want to attend. Additionally, a light dinner will be served at no cost.
Space reservation is required and can be made by calling Tracy Felderstein at 267–348–3345 or emailing tfelderstein@wel.org ••
St. Christopher earns education grant
St. Christopher Elementary School received a $5,000 grant at the recent School Advancement Grants for Excellence awards celebration at the Hyatt at the Bellevue hotel in Center City.
Nine schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Diocese of Allentown and the Diocese of Camden received commendations for outstanding work in advancing their schools’ missions, including achievement in enrollment management and fundraising.
The awards were presented by the Healey Education Foundation. ••
Local company gets state loan to expand
Printfly Corporation, a custom printing, embroidery and screen shop, will acquire and renovate a site in the Byberry East Industrial Park, creating 53 jobs.
The company received a low-interest loan from the state.
The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority approved a $1.44 million loan for Printfly to acquire an existing building. ••
MaST Charter honored
MaST, the Math Science and Technology Community Charter School, has been chosen as a Title I Distinguished School by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the High Achievement category for the 2014–15 school year.
Title I is a 100-percent federally funded supplemental education program that provides financial assistance to local educational agencies to improve learning opportunities. Title I programs are designed to help children meet the state content and performance standards in reading, language arts and mathematics.
The Division of Federal Programs defines High Achievement schools as those in the highest five percent of Title I schools based on aggregate math and reading PSSA or Keystone scores. These schools have met all Annual Measurable Objectives.
MaST CEO John Swoyer said, “This recognition demonstrates the ability of MaST teachers, parents and students to work together to bridge the gaps in learning across our entire program. MaST has continued to grow in new ways by supporting all children due to our dedicated staff. Everyone in our community has had a special role in making our Title I program distinguished.” ••
Registration for World Meeting of Families
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has announced that registration has begun for the 2015 World Meeting of Families which will be held in Philadelphia next Sept. 22 to 25.
Individuals and families can register via worldmeeting2015.org/plan-yout-visit/register for the four-day congress at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and also book hotel rooms. Multiple options are available for participation and pricing, allowing delegates to select a package that best suits their needs.
Those registered can seek local host families through Homestay.com via worldmeeting2015.org/plan-your-visit/places-stay.
In addition, organizers are seeking volunteers to participate in the Host a Family Program for the event.
Residents in the Philadelphia region including South Jersey, Delaware and the Lehigh Valley are eligible. More than 10,000 delegates from 150 nations are expected to attend the congress, which will be followed by a visit to Philadelphia by Pope Francis on Sept. 26 and 27.
For information about being a host family, visit worldmeeting2015.org and click on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). ••
Funeral set for longtime Frankford barber
Lorenzo Della Valle of Bustleton, who operated Hair Styles by Lorenzo on the 4800 block of Frankford Avenue for more than 50 years, died of advanced lung disease Jan. 24.
The 78-year-old Della Valle never retired. His last two cuts were on Thursday, Jan. 15, the day before he was rushed to Aria Health’s Torresdale campus, said his daughter, Gabriella. He later was transferred to Vitas Nazareth, where he died
Mr. Della Valle’s shop remained a Frankford Avenue fixture for more than a half-century while much around it changed dramatically.
Like many barbers, he was quick with a joke.
Raising his eyes to his own next-to-nonexistent hairline, Della Valle in a 2011 interview said he charged balding men more for a cut. “With less hair to work with,” he said, “I can’t afford to make mistakes.”
“He probably made that up himself. He was a great story-teller,” his daughter said.
Della Valle for many years was an active member of the Philadelphia Master Barbers’ Association, his daughter said.
He came to America in 1956, surviving the sinking of the Italian liner Andrea Doria off the coast of New England. He settled in Frankford, his daughter said, and started his shop there.
“He never wanted to relocate his business,” his daughter said. “He was loyal to the community.”
Mr. Della Valle is survived by his daughter, Gabriella of Italy; and two stepsons, Joseph and Michael Colantonio of Philadelphia.
Visiting hours will be from 6–8 p.m. Thursday at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 9304 Old Bustleton Ave. and from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joachim Roman Catholic Church, Church and Penn streets. Burial will be at St. Dominic’s cemetery, 8500 Frankford Ave. ••
