Thrift shop offering weekend discounts
The Medical Mission Sisters Thrift Shop, 8400 Pine Road, is hosting a sale every Friday and Saturday throughout July. All clothing is $1.
For information, call 215–745–7930 or visit www.mmsthriftshop.org ••
Church hosts music and drama camp
Crescentville United Methodist Church, 412 E. Sentner St., will host a music and drama camp from July 10–15, from 7 to 9 p.m.
The camp is for kids age 5 (by Sept. 1) through eighth grade.
They will learn and perform a musical. The camp will also include Bible stories, T-shirts, crafts, songs and snacks. The cost is $5.
For more information, visit www.crescentvilleumc.com or call Sue Snyder at 215–771–4441. ••
Week-long summer program at St. Hubert
St. Hubert High School, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will be hosting the Summer at St. Hubert program the week of July 11–15.
The program includes week-long camps in Robotics, Digital Art and Graphics Design, Performing Arts, Sewing and Clothing Construction and Art Media and Methods. Camps run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and are open to girls entering sixth through ninth grades.
To register, visit www.huberts.org/SASH and submit the registration form with payment. Cost for all programs is $100 per participant.
A registration form can also be completed at the school weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, contact Roseanne Duzinski at 215–624–6840, Ext. 211 or rduzinski@huberts.org ••
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament celebrating anniversary
Founded in 1891 by St. Katharine Drexel, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament will celebrate their 125th anniversary on July 9–10 on their Motherhouse grounds, 1663 Bristol Pike in Bensalem.
The public is invited to visit with Sisters. Guests are welcome to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in St. Elizabeth Chapel and visit the Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel.
On July 9, there will be a presentation on Native American music and dance, displays on missions and ministries, a book signing by author Cordelia Biddle and opportunities to meet Robert Gutherman and Amy Wall, recipients of miracles through the intercession of St. Katharine.
On July 10, there will be a Mass, followed by a light reception and a presentation and book signing by author Lou Baldwin.
Activities will begin both days at 10 a.m.
Visit www.katharinedrexel.org/news-events/125thcelebration-event-page/ for a map and list of scheduled activities. ••
Ryan president will receive honor
Archbishop Ryan High School president Denise LePera will receive a 2016 SmartCEO Philadelphia Brava Award on July 12 at a gala at the Crystal Tea Room. The Brava Awards program celebrates high-impact female business leaders in three categories: CEOs, Executive Directors of Nonprofits and C-suite executives.
LePera, who has two sons who are Ryan graduates, has been president at the school since 2014. ••
Enjoy a movie at Pennypack on the Delaware
The Delaware River City Corporation will sponsor four outdoor movies on selected Thursday nights this summer at Pennypack on the Delaware park, at State Road and Rhawn Street.
On July 7, Blended will play from 8 to 10 p.m.
On July 21, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will play from 7:45 to 10 p.m.
On Aug. 4, Inside Out will play from 8 to 9:35 p.m.
On Aug. 18, Zootopia will play from 8 to 9:45 p.m. ••
NE Chamber welcomes Fed adviser
The Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce will welcome Gary A. Wagner, economic adviser for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, on Tuesday, July 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Village of Cottage Green, 9001 Ashton Road.
The cost is $40.
To register for the event, go to
www.nephilachamber.com/event/federal-reserve-bank-ne-philadelphia-economic-forecast/?instance_id=147 ••
Greyhound coming to Holmesburg Library
A retired racing greyhound will visit Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., on Monday, July 11, at 6 p.m. The program will be presented by Teresa Glover, of Citizens Against Greyhound Racing.
Call 215–685–8756. ••
Toomey, Driscoll honoring veterans of the Korean War
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and state Rep. Mike Driscoll will honor Korean War veterans who reside in the 173rd Legislative District with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.
To receive the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal, an eligible veteran must have served during the Korean War from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953 or have participated in UN peacekeeping operations until the end of 1955. Members of the US Navy are eligible if they had served aboard a naval vessel that was assigned to Korean waters in 1950 to 1953. It may also be awarded posthumously. The only document required is the Notice of Separation or DD-214 discharge document showing service in Korea.
Applications for the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal must be received by July 29.
For applications, contact Phil Innamorato at Toomey’s office at philip_innamorato@toomey.senate.gov or 215–241–1090 or Pat Gallagher at Driscoll’s office at 215–281–3414 or pgallagher@pahouse.net ••
White fighting opioid crisis
State Rep. Martina White (R-170th dist.) joined her colleagues in passing legislation to combat opioid drug abuse in Pennsylvania.
In addition, she joined a bipartisan effort with Republican and Democratic leadership to strengthen the fight against the opioid crisis by calling for a special session of the General Assembly on the important issue.
“Opioid abuse has had an especially hard impact in our communities,” White said. “It does not differentiate by race, region, religion or income.”
White joined her colleagues in passing bills that would prohibit emergency providers from prescribing long-acting opioid painkillers in emergency rooms and place a limit on discharge prescriptions; ensure the safety of Pennsylvania’s drinking water by providing for the proper disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications; urge the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to establish and administer a task force on access to addiction treatment through health plans and other resources; require that insurance plans provide access to abuse-deterrent opioid drugs, which are products that contain abuse-deterrent properties and are designed to be harder to crush, cut, dissolve or inject; require doctors and pharmacists to attend three hours of opioid and addiction-related training prior to obtaining relevant licenses, and would further require two hours of ongoing training in every renewal period.
“While these actions are a step in the right direction, we need to do more,” White said. “That’s why I join with my colleagues in seeking to further examine this issue in a special session of the Legislature. We must do all we can to end this terrible opioid epidemic.” ••
Toomey wants end to sanctuary cities
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey has introduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act.
Toomey recently spoke on the Senate floor about Kate Steinle, who was shot to death in July 2015 as she and her father, Jim, were walking on a San Francisco pier.
The shooter was in the U.S. illegally, and had previously been convicted of seven felonies and deported five times. Three months prior to Steinle’s death, federal officials had requested San Francisco turn over the shooter, but the city refused and instead released him.
During his speech, Toomey said, “According to an internal Department of Homeland Security memo, during an eight-month period in 2014, sanctuary jurisdictions, cities and counties and towns that have chosen to be sanctuaries, they released over 8,000 illegal immigrants just during this period in 2014. 1,800 of those released were arrested for new criminal acts.” ••
Ashley Furniture opens on Boulevard
Ashley Furniture recently opened at Whitman Square Shopping Center, on Roosevelt Boulevard, north of Grant Avenue.
“We’re very excited to welcome Ashley Furniture HomeStore to Whitman Square, a vibrant urban power center in Northeast Philadelphia that today remains 100 percent occupied,” said Adam Rosenzweig, Goldenberg Group’s senior vice president of Leasing & Asset Management. “In addition to being a perfect complement to the current tenant mix, Ashley Furniture’s presence will provide exciting opportunities to draw traffic to and from the Center’s dining amenities, including LongHorn Steakhouse, Famous Dave’s and Chick-fil-A.” ••
Taylor tax bill passes committee
The state House has passed legislation sponsored by Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.) that is intended to fuel job growth in Philadelphia.
Currently, the Uniformity Clause of the state Constitution requires that all taxes in Pennsylvania be applied uniformly among the same class of subjects. Taylor’s legislation — House Bill 1871 — will permit Philadelphia to impose taxes on real estate used for business purposes at a rate that exceeds the rate applicable to other real estate. That rate cannot vary by more than 15 percent from the rate applicable to other real estate.
Taylor said Philadelphia must then reduce the aggregate revenues of wage and business taxes by the amount of any real estate tax revenues attributable to the rate variance.
“Something must be done to encourage job growth in Philadelphia,” he said. “We must face the reality that since 1970, Philadelphia has lost more than a quarter of its jobs.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for a vote.
Because the bill would amend the state Constitution, it must pass the Legislature this session and again in the 2017–18 term. It would then go before the voters. ull;•
Sabatina highlights rebate program
State Sen. John Sabatina Jr. (D-5th dist.) praised the extension of the deadline for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, and urged residents to double-check their eligibility.
“Although this program can significantly ease the financial pressures on low-income seniors, many who qualify fail to apply,” Sabatina said. “It’s important to get the word out to all seniors to check whether they are eligible under the income guidelines.”
State officials have extended the application deadline from June 30 to Dec. 31.
Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits those eligible age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit for the program is $35,000 per year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Half of Social Security income is excluded.
“Each year, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians see significant tax or rent relief,” Sabatina said. “It’s our goal to make sure everyone who qualifies gets what they are due.”
Funded through the Pennsylvania Lottery and slots gaming revenue, the maximum standard rebate is $650.
For more information about the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program or to apply, visit www.revenue.pa.gov or call toll-free 1–888–222–9190. ••
National Wholesale Liquidators at Castor and Wyoming
National Wholesale Liquidators has opened at the former Kmart location at Castor and Wyoming avenues.
The nearly 100,000-square-foot space is NWL’s 13th big box store.
Items include housewares, appliances, food, cleaning aids, health and beauty products, clothing for the entire family, home décor, furniture, flooring, seasonal merchandise, bedding, hardware, paint, automotive supplies and pet care.
“NWL is back in Philadelphia and it feels like home,” said Scott Rosen, CEO of NWL. “As someone who studied at the University of Pennsylvania and has lived in this great city, it’s a pleasure to help create jobs and drive more revenue for the local economy. With every new location we open, our customer-centric philosophy and can’t-beat prices are really resonating with the community, and we are seeing customers flock to our stores in record numbers. This is only the beginning of our growth in Philadelphia and we can’t wait to expand into new neighborhoods and serve even more customers.”
Nominations for NWL’s charity of the month program can be sent to nwlcharity@shopnwl.com for consideration. ••
Summer music festival on July 10
The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center will hold its annual summer music festival on Sunday, July 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Congregation Keneseth Israel, located at 8339 Old York Road in Elkins Park.
Performers will be Rak-Dan, Ross M. Levy and the Bobby Block Klezmer Trio.
There will be food for sale, vendor tables, raffles and books for sale written by survivors.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, or $10 for senior citizens and students. Children under 12 are free.
Call 215–464–4701 or email tammy@hamec.org ull;•
New name for law firm
The law firm of Baik & Associates, P.C. recently changed its name to The Baik Law Firm, P.C.
The firm is located at 1100 Vine St.
One of the attorneys in The Baik Law Firm is David M. Chandler, who is a resident of Oxford Circle. ••
Teen Tuesdays at Holmesburg Library
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host Teen Tuesdays on July 12, 19 and 26 and Aug. 2.
All events start at 2 p.m.
Programs are sponsored in part by Friends of Holmesburg Library.
Call 215–685–8756. ••
