Checkpoints set up over holiday weekend
PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police and local police are partnering to help decrease impaired driving and aggressive behaviors through the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Last year, there were 326 alcohol-related crashes resulting in 11 fatalities statewide from Friday, June 27, through Sunday, July 6. This marked an increase from 2013 when there were 256 alcohol-related crashes and 11 fatalities during the holiday period. In addition last year, there were 85 drug-related crashes and four fatalities, an increase from 69 and four in 2013.
State troopers will enforce speeding, aggressive driving and impaired driving laws throughout the holiday weekend through roadway checkpoints and roving patrols. The effort will be funded by more than $4.7 million in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funding distributed through PennDOT. ••
Hazardous Waste Drop-Off is July 16
The Streets Department will hold its fourth Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off of 2015 on Thursday, July 16, at the Streets Department’s Training Center on State Road at Ashburner Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is open to Philadelphia residents.
Trained staff will be on hand to sort and properly package materials dropped off for disposal. No business waste materials will be accepted. This is for residential waste only.
As an incentive for residents, the city’s Recycling Rewards Program will credit 25 bonus rewards points to residents who drop off household hazardous waste. Visit the Streets Department website or call 215–686–5560 for information, including the hazardous waste list. ••
PAL extends weekend summer hours
In an effort to provide Philadelphia youths with safe alternatives to the streets this summer, the Philadelphia Police Department and Police Athletic League of Philadelphia are extending Friday hours at 15 PAL centers and will open the centers on Saturdays throughout the summer.
There are 18 PAL centers in all serving more than 17,000 youths annually. Fifteen of those centers will stay open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and open from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 29.
Affected PAL centers in the Northeast include Gibbons at 6901 Rising Sun Ave., Oxford Circle at 1267 E. Cheltenham Ave., Tacony at 4401 Aldine St. and Wissinoming at 4419 Comly St. ••
Farm Stand is open on Jeanes campus
The Farm Stand on the Jeanes Hospital campus is open every Thursday through November from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The stand offers fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, cage-free brown eggs, cheeses, apple butter, pumpkin butter, cider applesauce and honey. It is located between Jeanes Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center, on the 7600 Central Ave. campus.
For more information, call 215–728–2131. ••
Sabatina provides aid for veterans
Recently installed state Sen. John Sabatina Jr. will provide a veterans services coordinator at his Bustleton Avenue district office to help former service men and women.
Joseph Buckley, a veteran with extensive veterans outreach experience, will be available Friday mornings by appointment at 8016 Bustleton Ave. to help with issues including housing for homeless vets, medical access, obtaining service medals and more. Buckley is a retired Marine and member of the VFW, Disabled American Vets and Marine Corps Association. He also works in the VA Regional Service Office.
Call 215–695–1020 for an appointment. ••
Playground meetings scheduled
City Councilman Brian O’Neill invites neighbors and users of Fox Chase, Gifford, Palmer and Fitzpatrick playgrounds and play equipment to review new plans for the renovation of the play areas.
The meetings will be held as follows:
• Fox Chase: Tuesday, July 7, at 6:15 p.m.
• Gifford: Tuesday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m.
• Palmer: Wednesday, July 8, at 6:15 p.m.
• Fitzpatrick: Wednesday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m.
O’Neill welcomes all in attendance to review the architectural drawings and provide input on the final plans for the projects. For those who are unable to attend, the plans will remain on display at each location for the following month.
For more information, call or visit O’Neill’s offices at 432 Rhawn St., behind American Heritage Federal Credit Union (215–685–6431); Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road (215–437–9167); at Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street, above the 7th Police District (215–685–0432); and City Hall (215–686–3422). ••
River’s Edge needs volunteers
River’s Edge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 9501 State Road in East Torresdale, has volunteer opportunities.
Volunteers can make friendly visits and assist with activities and fundraising.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can stop by to fill out an application at River’s Edge. Or, call activities director Denise Bolli at 215–632–5700. ••
Insectarium event on July 11
The Insectarium, 8046 Frankford Ave. in Holmesburg, will assist people in beautifying marigold containers used for flowers.
The event will take place on Saturday, July 11, at 1 p.m. It is free with general admission to the museum.
Call 215–335–9500 or email insectariuminstitute@aol.com ••
Crabfries for $1
Chickie’s and Pete’s will celebrate National French Fry Day by offering Crabfries for $1 on Monday, July 13.
As part of the promotion, Chickie’s and Pete’s will also feature $5 Miller Lite Personal Pitchers.
Chickie’s and Pete’s will donate all proceeds from each order of Crabfries and each Miller Lite Personal Pitcher sold during the day to the Survivors Fund, which benefits the families of fallen Philadelphia police officers.
ldquo;As a thank you to the men and women of law enforcement who bravely serve the surrounding communities, we are honored to partner with the Fraternal Order of Police to donate all sales from Crabfries and Miller Lite Personal Pitchers on this day to their Survivors Fund,” said Pete Ciarrocchi, chairman and CEO of Chickie’s and Pete’s.
ldquo;It is humbling to know how much people care about the officers who protect and serve our communities every day” said John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5. “We are honored to have these great partners, Chickie’s and Pete’s and Miller Lite. They are staples in our community, and we appreciate their generous support of the Survivors Fund.” ••
Houseman has summer camp
Houseman Recreation Center, 5091 Summerdale Ave., is holding signups for its summer day camp, which will run from July 7 to Aug. 14.
The camp is for kids 5–12. It will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Activities will include swimming, arts and crafts, sports, trips and games. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
The registration fee is $25. The cost is $600 for all six weeks. There is an additional weekly charge of $30 for extended care.
Call 215–685–1240. ••
Sabres holding soccer tryouts
The Academy Sabres Under-15 boys soccer team, coached by Matt Devlin, is looking for committed players.
Boys should have a date of birth from Aug. 1, 2000 to July 31, 2001.
There will be open tryouts on Wednesdays, July 15 and July 22, at 6 p.m. at the Academy Sabres fields, located at 12401 Academy Road.
For questions or information, email mdevlin1223@gmail.com or rgspangler@comcast.net ••
Football and cheer signups
Rhawnhurst Raiders, based at Pelbano Playground, 8101 Bustleton Ave., will hold football and cheerleading signups every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through July 29.
The signups are open to boys and girls ages 5–14.
For information, email Bcosgrove1956@comcast.net ••
Soccer signups at Mayfair A.C.
Mayfair A.C. will be holding registration for its in-house soccer program for kids ages 3–6.
Signups will take place at the clubhouse at 7374 Edmund St. from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on July 24 and July 31. The cost is $45. Call 215–624–6193. ••
Looking for volleyball players
Vogt Recreation Center, 6700 Cottage St. in Tacony, is hosting travel volleyball games for girls age 10–14 on Thursdays through mid-August.
Games are played from 5 to 7 p.m.
The cost is $5 per person. Teams consist of at least eight players.
Call 215–685–8753. ••
