Animal welfare fundraiser is Saturday
The Humane League of Philadelphia, a nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare and protection, will host its annual gala, A Celebration for the Animals, on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Goldilocks Gallery, 723 Chestnut St.
Here is the ticket link: donate.thehumaneleague.com/philadelphia/events/philly-gala-celebration-for-animals/e102573 ••
Smoking cessation classes at Nazareth
Nazareth Hospital, 2601 Holme Ave., will hold free smoking and tobacco cessation classes on Wednesdays, Dec. 7 and 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in its seventh-floor rehab conference room. For more information or to pre-register, call 215–335–7727. ••
‘The Foreigner’ on stage this weekend
A comedy, The Foreigner, will be performed Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 8–11, at Playmasters, located in Neshaminy State Park, on State Road in Bensalem.
Charlie Baker pretends to speak no English because he wants privacy. He reacts to family conversations he overhears and learns secrets that no one is supposed to know. The Foreigner opened off-Broadway in 1984 and has been revived many times, including on Broadway in 2004.
Show time is 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $15, with group rates available. Call 215–245–7850. ••
Holmesburg Library to host Storytime
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host Storytime with Mr. Paul on Friday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m.
Children’s librarian Mr. Paul will read Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin and The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats. ••
Henon holding playground meeting Dec. 13
City Councilman Bobby Henon, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and the Department of Public Property will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss the proposed renovations and see the updated design at Torresdale Playground, 9550 Frankford Ave. ••
KleinLife sponsors bus tour of Jewish history
KleinLife is sponsoring a bus tour focusing on 270 years of Philadelphia Jewish history on Friday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Michael Schatz, Jewish education director of KleinLife, will lead the group through the aspects and essence of Jewish life, culture and history in the North Broad Street corridor, focusing on the synagogues and neighborhoods where Jewish life once flourished. Marshall Street, Northern Liberties and Strawberry Mansion will be among the stops.
The cost, which includes a box lunch upon return to KleinLife, is $50 per person. For information and to reserve a seat, contact Andrea Kimelheim at 215–698–7300, Ext. 176 or email akimelheim@kleinlife.org ••
Donate winter coats to the needy
Angela Jane Pavilion Subacute Rehabilitation, 8410 Roosevelt Blvd., is sponsoring a coat drive to help those in need stay warm this winter. All coats donated need to be new and may be dropped off at Angela Jane’s lobby.
Call 215–708–1200 or visit angelajane.com ••
Bariatric session at Nazareth
Nazareth Hospital, 2601 Holme Ave., will host a free information session on bariatric surgery options for people who are looking to lose weight. The session will take place on Dec. 21, from 8 to 9 a.m.
To reserve a seat or for information, call toll-free 1–855-LESS-YOU. ••
Arbours at Eagle Pointe has townhomes for sale
The Arbours at Eagle Pointe, a 55-plus community at Southampton Road and Roosevelt Boulevard in Somerton, offers front-entry garage townhomes.
Starting at $317,990, The Hickory floor plan includes two bedrooms plus a den, two baths and an attached front-entry garage.
Starting at $315,900, The Willow floor plan includes two bedrooms, two baths and an attached front-entry two-car garage.
Both designs include an open kitchen with a large island, counter space and a pantry.
The kitchen also includes an energy-efficient gas range, microwave oven and dishwasher, granite counter tops, 42-inch cabinets, recessed lighting and stainless steel sink with faucet. A great room with optional skylights leads to a covered porch in the rear.
The Arbours at Eagle Pointe is now more than three-quarters complete.
It features a two-story clubhouse with an outdoor heated pool and spa, fitness center, billiards room and pub. Snow removal, trash removal and homeowner’s insurance are all provided.
Homebuyers can take advantage of the city’s 10-year real estate tax abatement program.
The sales office is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Call 215–698–4540 or visit arboursateaglepointe.com ••
Toomey honored by National Taxpayers Union
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey has been recognized by the National Taxpayers Union for working to lower taxes, limit the size of government and promote economic freedom.
Toomey earned the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.”
Every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy is analyzed by NTU and the “Taxpayer Score” is based on how each member of Congress has stood up for controlling federal spending, taxes, debt and regulations.
“I made a promise to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania that I would fight for them by tackling Washington overspending while championing lower taxes and less government red tape. To help boost our economy and job growth, I will continue my efforts to lessen the tax burden families and employers shoulder,” Toomey said.
Pete Sepp, president of NTU, commented, “Sen. Toomey has proven he has what it takes to help make Washington work for taxpayers again. Sen. Toomey’s pro- taxpayer score of 84 percent was one of the best on all of Capitol Hill. Through his consistent voting record, Sen. Toomey showed his colleagues the way to lower deficits, less burdensome taxes and a stronger economy.” ••
Taylor resolution to help firefighters passes
A resolution sponsored by state Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.) to draw attention to a health issue that affects firefighters has passed the House of Representatives.
House Resolution 1056 encourages the Department of Health to offer programs in the state’s firehouses to focus on bladder cancer education, prevention and early detection and to provide voluntary testing for each firefighter in Pennsylvania.
“Firefighters are one of the most prominent occupational groups at increased risk for bladder cancer,” Taylor said.
“Unfortunately, far too many firefighters and their doctors are unaware of that risk.”
According to several studies, 68 percent of firefighters will develop cancer in their lifetimes, and firefighters under age 60 have higher rates of bladder cancer compared to the general population.
Many firehouses across the country are testing for bladder cancer in firefighters.
“We must make sure that every firefighter in this commonwealth understands his or her increased risk for bladder cancer, and that steps are taken to decrease that risk and how they can be tested for bladder cancer,” Taylor said. ••
Ryan teachers to attend national conference
Sister Alice Hess, I.H.M. and Kevin Lutz, teachers in the Archbishop Ryan High School math department, have been selected to attend the annual Texas Instruments T3 — Teachers Teaching with Technology.
As a national-certified T3 instructor, Sister Alice Hess has been invited to be a part of this educational endeavor for the last 25 years.
Lutz has been selected as a presenter for the conference. His presentation, titled Engaging Activities in Probability and Statistics with a Focus on Literacy, was selected from a national group of submitted sessions. His presentation will include hands-on activities that can be used from sixth grade to advanced statistics at a high school or college level.
The conference is scheduled to take place in Chicago from March 10–12, 2017. ••
Tartaglione approves of unemployment bill
State Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.) is pleased that Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation into law that will help 44,000 seasonal and cyclical workers gain eligibility for unemployment compensation insurance.
Tartaglione, who is the minority-party chairwoman of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, helped develop and shepherd the measure through the legislative process.
The legislation reduces the percentage of income earned outside an employee’s high quarter in order to be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.
“I am pleased that the governor signed the unemployment compensation measure into law. Seasonal and cyclical workers should not be ineligible for benefits because they earn a large portion of their wages in a single quarter. This measure is about fairness for our construction workers, and other seasonal workers, who experience periods of intense work following by lulls in employment,” Tartaglione said. ••
Toomey wants action on sanctuary cities bill
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is calling for action on his bill, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act.
The legislation would withhold certain federal funds from “sanctuary cities” — jurisdictions that forbid their law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials. Toomey also outlined a way President-elect Donald Trump could help keep violent criminals off the streets by issuing an executive order.
During a speech on the Senate floor, Toomey said, “It is the legal policy of the City of Philadelphia to forbid local law enforcement from even cooperating — even sharing information with federal immigration officials when the person in question came here illegally. So we confer this special legal privilege on, in many cases, dangerous, violent criminals because they came here illegally. It’s just unbelievable. I think it’s very clear we have to act. How important is the rule of law to all of us? How important is the safety and security of the American people?”
The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act received bipartisan support on the Senate floor in July. Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelly of Indiana joined all but one Republican in voting to approve the bill. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. voted against the measure.
The legislation passed, 53–44, but needed 60 votes. ••
Grief support group holding meetings
Donna Glatz, widow of slain Lawncrest jeweler William Glatz, will hold two upcoming sessions of Heal Your Heart From Loss.
The Free Library of Northampton Township, 25 Upper Holland Road in Richboro, will host sessions on Wednesdays, Dec. 14 and Dec. 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Glatz will share the story of her husband’s murder. He was shot to death in 2010 during a robbery attempt inside his jewelry store at 6435 Rising Sun Ave. The Glatz family had owned the store for more than 60 years.
For more information, email healyourheart8@gmail.com ••
Energy fair at Vogt
State Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.) will hold an energy fair to show residents how to become more energy efficient and reduce their utility bills.
The fair will take place on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Vogt Recreation Center, 4131 Unruh Ave. The event will be co-hosted by state Rep. Mike Driscoll (D-173rd dist.) and City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.).
PECO Energy representatives will be at the event to show low-income customers how to make energy service even more affordable through the company’s Customer Assistance Program.
Also attending will be representatives from the state Public Utility Commission, the Philadelphia Gas Works, the Philadelphia Water Department, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, the Energy Coordinating Agency, the Water Revenue Bureau, the Utility Emergency Services Fund and the Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment of Opportunity.
Call 215–708–3139 with any questions. ••
