Spookfest event in Lawncrest
State Rep. Mark B. Cohen, Engine 64 and Larry’s Famous Steaks and Hoagies invite the community to the Northeast Youth Spookfest at Lawncrest Recreation Center on Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 4 p.m.
There will be hayrides, pumpkin painting, food, games, a photo booth, facepainting, eating contests, a costume contest and displays of fire department and SWAT vehicles.
Lawncrest Rec is at 6000 Rising Sun Ave. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. ••
Olney orchestra to perform
The Olney Symphony Orchestra will be holding a concert on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Berachah Church, which is located at 400 Ashbourne Road in Cheltenham.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. There is a large parking lot in the back of the church.
The light classical concert will feature selections from the following pieces: La Boheme by Puccini; Egyptischer Marsch by Johann Strauss; Showboat by Jerome Kern; and a light symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn. ••
Food drive donations sought
SEPTA is helping Philabundance re-stock its shelves in preparation for the cold-weather months and the holiday season and is asking riders to join the effort.
The seventh annual Stop Hunger at Your Station food drive began on Oct. 19 and will continue through Oct. 30. Collection barrels will be available at 43 SEPTA stations, including Somerton, Torresdale, Fox Chase and the Frankford Transportation Center.
Citizens are asked to drop off donations of canned goods at these locations. Also, CCT riders who wish to take part may give their donations to their vehicle operators.
Cash donations are also being accepted via www.philabundance.org/septa or by text message. Donors can text “Food” to 41010 to give $10 automatically. For every dollar collected, Philabundance can provide two meals to needy families.
If you know someone in need of food assistance, call 1–866–3HUNGRY. Other information is available via www.philabundance.org. ••
Celebrate National Opera Week
Chris Creelman, chief of staff for City Councilman Bobby Henon, invites residents to attend Opera Philadelphia, a celebration of National Opera Week at the Devon Theater, 6325–43 Frankford Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 1 p.m.
Tickets are free to the public and available at Henon’s office, 6730 Torresdale Ave., or by calling 215–683–9221. ••
Theater show this weekend at Ryan
Ghostlight Players will present three upcoming performances of the musical Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits at Archbishop Ryan High School’s theater, 11201 Academy Road.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23–24, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Tickets cost $15, or $12 for senior citizens and children. For information, visit theghostlightplayers.org/tickets ••
Father Judge craft show on Sunday
The Father Judge Parents Association will hold a craft show on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be two floors of shopping at the school, 3301 Solly Ave. Call 215–338–9494. ••
John Birch Society meeting on Tuesday
The John Birch Society will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, at Rhawn and Ditman streets.
There will be a DVD presentation of John Birch Society president Jack McManus speaking about a possible Constitutional convention. ••
Driscoll’s senior fair at Torresdale Boys Club
State Rep. Mike Driscoll (D-173rd dist.) will host his first senior fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, at the Torresdale Boys Club, 4500 Linden Ave.
The fair is free and includes door prizes and information and materials from local and regional organizations, as well as senior citizen service providers. Seniors will have access to information on services and programs from many exhibitors. Call 215–281–3414. ••
Rhawnhurst NORC meeting next week
The Rhawnhurst Naturally Occurring Retirement Community will hold a luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 22, at noon at KleinLife: Rhawnhurst, 2101 Strahle St.
Tang Pharmacy, 6801 Rising Sun Ave., will provide flu shots. PECO Energy will offer energy-management tips. Registered nurse Mariann Wilusz will provide cold weather health tips. The cost is $2.
To register, call 215–320–0351, Ext. 5. ••
Planning meeting scheduled for Oct. 22
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission will hold a community meeting about the Philadelphia2035 North Delaware District Plan on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln High School, 3201 Ryan Ave. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
Participants will view a brief presentation and then prioritize specific city investments through facilitated exercises. The North Delaware District includes Wissinoming, Tacony, Mayfair, Holmesburg and Torresdale. For information, call 215–683–4649 or visit www.phila2035.org ••
Job fair to be held at Katharine Drexel library
The Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host a job fair on Friday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests will meet with employers recruiting for customer service, sales, administration, manufacturing, security and warehouse. They are encouraged to dress well and bring current résumés.
Admission is free. Call 215–685–9383. ••
8th Police District to host Fall Festival on Saturday
The 8th Police District will become a haunted house for its fourth annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at Red Lion and Academy roads.
The public is invited to this free event for food, beverages, desserts, games, face painting, costumed characters and surprises. Families are encouraged to show up in costume for the trick-or-treat parade and costume contest. There will be DJ entertainment, karaoke and a pumpkin decorating contest (visitors should bring their decorated pumpkins).
In case of rain, the first postponement date will be on Oct. 25 and second postponement date on Oct. 31. The event is sponsored by the 8th Police District Advisory Council. ••
Spooktacular Birthday Bash is this weekend
Mayfair Memorial Playground, an independently operated community playground at Rowland Avenue and Vista Street, invites children under 10 and their parents to attend the fourth annual Spooktacular Birthday Bash Fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission costs $3 per child under 10. Adults get in for free.
Children should get into the spirit by arriving in costume. They’ll pick pumpkins from the “playground patch” and decorate them, play games and trick or treat among sponsor tables (children should bring their own bags).
Proceeds will enable the development and maintenance of this safe and fun place for children to play. For information, visit www.mayfairmemorialplayground.com. ••
Northeast History Fair is Nov. 7
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 King’s Highway Film.com (2 p.m., by Jason Sherman).
For information, call 215–624–6614 or visit www.nephillyhistory.com ••
Book on Philadelphia released
Author Ron Neumer has released a book titled Once in a while in Philadelphia.
The book is about a cast of colorful characters who did some off-the-wall things in a rowhouse neighborhood bordered by a high-speed railroad corridor and an elevated north-to-south interstate highway.
“I guarantee you this, my book will take you on a ride,” he said.
The book is available at amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. ••
Pet costume contest planned
All World of Animals locations will be having a pet costume contest on Halloween, which is Saturday, Oct. 31.
The contest will begin at noon at World of Animals locations at 6503 Frankford Ave.; at 2621 Philmont Ave. in Huntingdon Valley; and at 408 S. 20th St. in Rittenhouse Square.
There will be a prize for the best pet costume, along with refreshments and treats for people and pets.
For more information, call 215–624–8433 or visit www.veterinarianNEphiladelphia.com ••
College guide available
Philadelphia Futures has released its 26th edition of Step Up to College: Philadelphia’s Guide to the College Preparation, Application, Admissions & Financial Aid Processes.
The 66-page resource book is designed to lead high school students and their families through each stage of the college admissions and financial aid processes.
The theme is “The Path to College Starts Here.” A PDF version can be downloaded at www.stepuptocollege.org ••
New York shopping trip set
The Knights of Columbus Regina Coeli Council 4921 will sponsor a Christmas shopping trip to New York on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The cost is $50, which includes round-trip bus transportation and breakfast at Mastori’s Diner. Stops include Macy’s on 34th Street. There will be time for dinner in either Little Italy or Chinatown. For information or to make a reservation, call 215–725–3180 or 215–704–6035. ••
Ryan alums plan gathering
The In Vite Mane Alumni Group will hold “Ryan STILL Makes Waves” on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Katie O’Donnell’s Irish Pub, 4501 Woodhaven Road.
The event is open to graduates of Archbishop Ryan High School. It celebrates a new approach to working together as alumni, and encourages grads to engage in networking and fellowship. For details, go to invitemane.org ••
Conklin at Christ the King
Christ the King will host a comedy show featuring Joe Conklin on Saturday, Oct. 24, at its parish hall, Chesterfield Avenue at Morrell Avenue.
Conklin will be joined by two other comedians. There will also be a DJ. Guests must be 21 or older.
Doors open at 6:30. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $45 per person. Call 215–901–0073 or 610–633–4443. ••
St. Martin 90th anniversary
St. Martin of Tours, an Independence Mission School at 5701 Loretto Ave., will kick off its 90th anniversary celebration with a Mass and lunch on Sunday, Oct. 25, from noon to 3 p.m.
Tickets cost $15 per person. For information, call 215–535–2962, Ext. 420. Text STMARTIN to 22828 to get on the school email list. ••
Winterization Day on Sunday
Rhawnhurst Naturally Occurring Retirement Community will hold a Winterization Day on Sunday, Oct. 25. Volunteers are needed to seal drafty windows and doors; replace smoke alarm batteries; replace hard-to-reach light bulbs; rake leaves; remove window air conditioners; and make minor home repairs.
Volunteers can work in two-hour shifts from 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. or 2 to 4 p.m. Contact 215–320–0351, Ext. 5 or eweick@jfgp.org ••
