City officials to visit two civic group meetings
The next meetings of the East Torresdale and Parkwood civic associations will feature guest appearances by two commissioner-level city officials.
Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Louis Giorla will speak during the monthly meeting of the East Torresdale Civic Association on Nov. 9 at Liberty Evangelical Free Church, Linden Avenue and Milnor Street.
The session starts at 7 p.m. Giorla will discuss prison issues, including proposals for construction of a new prison in the Northeast.
In addition, a Philadelphia Gas Works representative is expected to discuss new gas main construction in the neighborhood, while filmmaker Jason Sherman will talk about his new Northeast-centric film project, The King’s Highway.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey is expected to speak at the Parkwood Civic Association meeting on Nov. 18 at the 8th Police District, Academy and Red Lion roads. The session starts at 7 p.m. Ramsey recently announced his imminent retirement after eight years leading the department.
Both meetings are open to the public and free to attend. ••
History fair to be held Saturday
The Friends of Northeast Philadelphia History will present the Northeast Philadelphia History Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holy Family University Campus Center Building, 9801 Frankford Ave.
Admission is free. There will be historic displays, books and prints.
The day will include presentations on Tacony and the Railroad (11 a.m., by Charley McCloskey); Harrison’s Folly (noon, by Patty McCarthy); Lower Dublin Academy (1 p.m., by Fred Moore); and KingsHighway Film.com (2 p.m., by Jason Sherman).
For more information, call 215–624–6614 or visit www.nephillyhistory.com ••
KleinLife honoring four
Four officers of KleinLife will be singled out for special recognition as part of its 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration to be held at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The public is invited to join in the celebration. The evening will include a reception, dinner and a program featuring an anthology of KleinLife’s (formerly the Klein JCC) 40-year history.
Honorees will be Andre Krug, president and CEO of KleinLife; Barbara Shotz, vice president of Senior and Educational Programming; Sherry Mann, vice president of finance; and Victoria Faykin, vice president of business development, membership and Russian services.
Cost for the KleinLife 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration is $180 per person, with people under 40 years of age paying $90. Checks should be made payable to KleinLife and mailed to Sharon Kaplan, c/o KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19116.
For reservations and additional information, call 215–698–7300. ••
NE Chamber presenting awards
The Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce will hold its Awards of Excellence Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Belle Voir Manor at Pen Ryn Estate, 1601 State Road in Bensalem.
A reception will begin at 6 p.m. Dinner and awards presentations will start at 7:30 p.m.
The honorees will be Chapman Ford/VW Sales Inc., Realtor Charlie Boland and Sister Patricia Downs, of the National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel.
Tickets cost $125. Sponsorships are available. Call 215–332–3400 or email info@gnpcc.org ••
St. Bernard reunion planned
All current and former parishioners of St. Bernard Church and all alumni of the school are invited to a reunion party on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Paddy Whacks Irish Pub, 9241–43 Roosevelt Blvd.
Tickets cost $35, and include a buffet and open bar.
Call Steve Pinnelli at 215–391–7371 or the rectory at 215–333–0446. ••
Polish group turns 50
The Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Associated Polish Home, 9150 Academy Road.
Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. A buffet dinner will begin at 7 p.m., followed by dancing. There will also be a Chinese auction.
Call 215–483–0193 or 215–487–0221. ••
Church celebrates anniversary
Crescentville United Methodist Church, 412 E. Sentner St., will host a 95th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 8.
There will be a worship at 9:30 a.m., followed by a banquet at 1 p.m.
Tickets for a buffet meal for adults cost $25, and include gluten-free and vegan selections. Tickets for a children’s meal cost $5.
For more information, call 215–745–7115 or visit crescentvilleumc.com ••
Honor vets with motorcycle plates
Pennsylvania motorcyclists can show their support for veterans by purchasing the newly authorized Honoring Our Veterans special fund registration plates for motorcycles.
The plates were authorized by Act 17 of 2015 and feature a standard registration plate design in blue, white and yellow with an image of the American flag and a bald eagle with the words “Honoring Our Veterans” at the bottom.
The cost of the plate is $35, of which $15 benefits the Veterans’ Trust Fund administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
The fund supports and assists Pennsylvania veterans and their families through grants to veterans service organizations and other charitable organizations.
To obtain a plate, motorcyclists can complete and submit Form MV-914 via www.dmv.pa.gov. ••
Glen Foerd announces shows
Mosaica Music in the Mansion will bring three unique musical acts to Glen Foerd on the Delaware, 5001 Grant Ave., for a series of concerts starting Nov. 8.
Charm & Fiction will headline the Nov. 8 performance, followed by Trio Philagrande on Nov. 22 and Regina Shenderovich on Dec. 6. Single-show tickets cost $20 for general admission ($15 for students and retirees) and are available by visiting maesesonpass.bpt.me or calling 855–594–8414. Series discounts are available.
All programs will support The King’s Highway, a documentary in production about the historic Frankford Avenue. ••
Sinatra event at Act II Playhouse
Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler, will present An Evening with Rich DeSimone as Frank Sinatra as its next Spotlight Series event on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Playhouse’s production of the golf-themed comedy, The Fox on the Fairway, will continue through Sunday, Nov. 22. Performances are scheduled from Wednesday through Sunday each week, but many are already sold out.
For tickets and information about both productions, visit www.act2.org, email to info2act2.org or call 215–654–0200. ••
NE credit union wins accolades
The Philadelphia Business Journal has named American Heritage Federal Credit Union one of the Best Places to Work in the Large Business category in the Philadelphia region for the ninth consecutive year.
The Northeast-based credit union was among hundreds of businesses to enter and secured its position on the list on the strength of its company culture as evaluated by its employees.
AHFCU offers a variety of employee benefits such as medical, prescription, dental, vision and flexible spending plans, a retirement plan and wellness initiatives like yoga, pilates, smoking cessation, walking, softball and volleyball.
The credit union also has tuition reimbursement, on-site training, discounted gym memberships, an employee assistance program and an employee referral program.
AHFCU is a $1.5 billion member-owned financial cooperative serving over 700 sponsor companies. It is the nation’s 132nd largest credit union with over 137,000 members and 30 branches in the Delaware Valley. ••
Sign up to see musical in NYC
Join Hazak of Ohev Shalom of Bucks County to see the musical story of Gloria Estefan, On Your Feet, in New York City. The chartered bus will pick up participants in Rhawnhurst and Richboro on Sunday, Nov. 22. The performance begins at 3 p.m.
Cost is $180 per person and includes orchestra seating, transportation and continental breakfast. Limited tickets are available for the show.
For information, call 215–281–7530. ••
Dougherty class of ’85 reunion
The Cardinal Dougherty High School class of 1985 will celebrate its 30-year reunion on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Best Western Hotel, 3499 Street Road in Bensalem.
For more information, call Steve Schmidt at 267–301–6927 or Colleen O’Rourke at 267–265–2300. ••
Be ready for emergencies
With Philadelphia residents and business owners setting their clocks backward one hour last week to accommodate the annual conversion from daylight saving time to standard time, it’s a great time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and also to review your emergency preparedness, according to the city’s Office of Emergency Management.
Having a survival plan and supplies in place before an emergency happens is crucial to a proper response. Residents and businesses should be prepared to respond to severe storms, snow emergencies, extreme cold, flooding, downed trees and other possibilities.
Residents and businesses should have emergency supplies on hand for everyone in the home or business, including pets. Folks can also sign up for emergency text and email alerts from ReadyPhiladelphia by visiting www.phila.gov/ready.
Family emergency kits should have at least three days of bottled water, essential medications, non-perishable foods, flashlights, fresh batteries and a radio. For more tips, visit the ReadyPhiladelphia website and follow @PhilaOEM on Twitter and Facebook. ••
Home heating help is available
The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) began accepting applications for home heating assistance on Monday, Nov. 2, according to state Rep. John Taylor.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing their heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting the County Assistance Office. For information, visit www.reptaylor.com. ••
Philadelphia Police Boat Team to host fundraiser
On Sunday, Nov. 15, the Philadelphia Police Boat Team will host their annual Designer Bag Bingo Fundraiser at the FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and are available by calling 215–817–9631, or by purchase at the door. There will be 15 bingo games. Markers will be supplied.
In addition to the 15 designer handbags that will be up for grabs, there will be door prizes, a 50/50 and 30 gift baskets for raffle. The admission cost includes a buffet with desserts and beverages.
The Philadelphia Police Boat Team was founded in 2000 and is committed to the promotion of physical fitness, fraternity among law enforcement and fire department members and community service. The team is comprised of law enforcement and fire department personnel from the area who train on the Schuylkill River. The team has raised money for Urban Promise, a summer jobs program for teens, and other charities.
It has participated or will be participating in The Invisible River cultural festival on the Schuylkill, the Survivors Weekend in North Wildwood for the families of fallen police and firefighters, the World Police and Fire Games and numerous other Dragon Boat and outrigger canoe competitions.
For information, call Donna at 215–817–9631 or Frank at 267–334–6842. ••
Two playground meetings planned
City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) invites neighbors and users of Fitzpatrick and Palmer playgrounds and play equipment to review the final plans for the renovation of the play areas.
The meetings will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Playground and 7:30 p.m. at Palmer Playground.
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 215–437–9167. ••
