Free water ice at Rita’s on March 20
On Friday, March 20, Rita’s will offer free water ice for the 23rd year in a row to mark the first day of spring.
The offer will be open from noon to 9 p.m.
The most popular flavors at Rita’s are mango, cherry, cotton candy, lemon and Swedish Fish.
Rita’s uses more than 300,000 pounds of mangoes annually to create its №1 flavor, mango. ••
Danza returning to NEHS for talent show
Actor Tony Danza will host Northeast High School’s Teachers vs. Students Talent Show at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 23, in the school’s Morrison Hall Auditorium
Tickets cost $8 in advance $10 at the door. All proceeds will benefit the school’s students and programs
Teachers and students will compete in dance, music, poetry and song categories. Refreshments will be available as will gifts made by teachers and students.
For more information, contact Theresa Bramwell or J. Fluellen at 215–7288–5018.
Danza, 63, taught 10th-grade in 2010 at Northeast for the A&E seven-part documentary series. The actor has maintained his ties to the school ever since. He will be at the school for rehearsals, beginning March 16. ••
Holmesburg Library offering GED classes
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will begin offering GED preparation classes.
There will be an orientation on Wednesday, March 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Classes will take place Wednesdays from 5:15 to 7:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., from April 1 to May 23.
Registration is required. Call 215–685–8756. ••
St. Martha to hold fundraiser on March 28
St. Martha, 11321 Academy Road, will hold a ticket picnic and auction on Saturday, March 28.
There will be a preview at 6 p.m. The event will start at 7. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door, and include light picnic fare, drinks and 10 basket auction tickets.
Individuals must be 21 or older to attend.
For tickets or more information, contact Sue at spav116@comcast.net, Joanne at jtrusdell@comcast.net or St. Martha rectory at 215–632–3720. ••
City giving away trees
Residents can register for free trees to be planted on private property from now to April 1 by calling 215–683–0217 or by visiting www.treephilly.org.
Those who register can get up to two trees and select between a variety of species.
In Northeast Philadelphia, trees can be picked up at the Pennypack Environmental Center, 8600 Verree, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. ••
Pub collecting supplies for SPCA
O’Mare’s Irish Pub at 10253 Bustleton Ave. is collecting donations of pet-friendly supplies to benefit the Pennsylvania SPCA. O’Mare’s is in the Bustleton-Somerton Shopping Center.
The SPCA’s wish list includes dog toys such as tennis balls, Frisbees, Kongs, food puzzles and Nylabones. There is also a need for dog and cat treats, dog and cat food, newspapers, leashes, collars, peanut butter, oatmeal, kitty litter, catnip, towels, blankets and linens.
All items should be delivered to the drop box at O’Mare’s. ••
Classroom Thrift Shop reopens
The Classroom Thrift Shop has reopened fully restocked at Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, 4301 Tyson Ave. Hours are weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call 215–624–9130. ••
Einstein offers screenings for Irish
Einstein Medical Center is offering free Tay-Sachs disease screenings to those of Irish descent on St. Patrick’s Day, which is Tuesday, March 17.
The screenings will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Genetics Division (Levy Building, 2 West) at 5501 Old York Road. Screenings involve a simple blood test. To be eligible, participants must be at least 18 years of age and have at least three grandparents of Irish descent.
To sign up, go to http://irish-tay-sachs-study.eventbrite.com, email irish@tay-sachs.org or call 484–636–4197.
Tay-Sachs Disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that can be passed on to children when both parents are carriers of an altered gene.
For more information contact Amybeth Weaver at 484–636–4197 or Irish@tay-sachs.org ••
Adult healthy living events upcoming
Wesley Enhanced Living and Nazareth Hospital are co-sponsoring an Adult Healthy Living Series.
On Thursday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park, 8401 Roosevelt Blvd., will offer Advance Health Care Planning, Heart Health and Nutrition. To register, call toll-free 1–866-NAZARETH.
On Thursday, March 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wesley Enhanced Living Burholme, 7040 Oxford Ave., will host Stress Reduction and Relaxation Techniques. To register, call 267–348–3345. Both events are free. ••
Pig roast at Ukrainian club
The Ukrainian American Citizens’ Association, 847 N. Franklin St., will hold a pig roast on Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m. The cost is $15.
For more information, visit www.ukieclub.com ••
