Philly hosting Memorial Day weekend concert
Philly POPS will present Memorial Salute, Philadelphia’s first major Memorial Day weekend concert, on Saturday, May 28, at 7 p.m., at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.
Philadelphia natives and Broadway stars Allison Blackwell and Hugh Panaro will join music director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece POPS orchestra as guest vocalists. Tickets range from $15 to $25.
There will be 2,000 complimentary tickets provided to veterans, active military, Philadelphia police officers and firefighters, and their families. Additional tickets have been made available to select School District of Philadelphia students and Boy and Girl Scouts.
For information, visit Manncenter.org ••
Looking for centenarians from the Northeast
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., is seeking Northeast residents 100 years of age or older to be honored at a centenarian celebration on Thursday, May 26.
The event will feature entertainment, stories and activities. There will be a special tribute to the late Frank Sinatra, who would have been 100 this year, by orchestra leader and entertainer Stu Weitz.
Also, there will be a costumed Mummers band.
For information, call 215–698–7300, Ext. 150. ••
Decatur school planning 50th celebration
All are welcome to attend Stephen Decatur Elementary School’s 50th anniversary open house on Thursday, May 26, at 5:30 p.m. at 3500 Academy Road.
This celebration will feature a community tree unveiling, a Parkwood history mural unveiling, school tours by student government, old yearbooks and photos on display, 50th anniversary commemorative apparel sales and a spring concert at 7 p.m.
Call 215–281–2606 for information. ••
Neilson holding SEPTA ID event next week
State Rep. Ed Neilson (D-174th dist.) will host an event for older Pennsylvanians and residents with disabilities to obtain their SEPTA Key photo ID cards from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, at his district office, 16 Old Ashton Road.
SEPTA Key is the modern fare payment and collection system being unveiled by the transit agency. It offers seniors an alternative to using their Pennsylvania driver’s licenses or state-issued ID cards.
The new Key cards will have contactless chips, so riders will only have to pass it across the face of the validator to pay for their ride.
While an appointment isn’t required to attend the event, interested attendees can call Neilson’s office to reserve their spot. For information, call 215–330–3714. ••
Benefit adult soccer tourney in Parkwood
The third annual SHASTA (Supporting Heroes and Scholar-Athletes through Action) six-on-six adult soccer tournament will take place on Saturday, June 4, at Parkwood Youth Organization, 3301 Mechanicsville Road.
The cost is $455 per team. The maximum roster is 13, and each team must have at least two females. All participants receive a game shirt and will play in at least three 30-minute games.
Proceeds benefit the Johnny Pawlowski Scholarship Fund, Father Judge Soccer Alumni, the Holy Family men’s and women’s soccer teams and Parkwood Youth Organization.
For more information, email Tony Parson at difacsport@gmail.com ••
PPH to host Memorial Day ceremony
The Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6500 Tabor Road, will host an American flag-raising ceremony on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, at 8:30 a.m.
Residents of the Philadelphia Protestant Home, along with Boy Scout Troop 160, will be on hand to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. ••
Deadline approaching for rebate program
United Social Services, a community outreach program, reminds Pennsylvania residents that applications are available for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The deadline to apply is June 30.
Under new guidelines, individuals may qualify for a rebate of $250 to $650 from property taxes or rent paid in 2015. Funding for the program comes from the Pennsylvania State Lottery Fund. Rebates do not have to be repaid.
Applicants must be either 65 or older; a widow or widower 50 or older; or a disabled person 18 or older. Homeowners with annual incomes of $35,000 or less may qualify, as may renters with incomes of $15,000 or less. Only half of Social Security or SSI income counts toward the income guideline.
Additionally, seniors in Philadelphia can apply for the city’s Property Tax Freeze Program. For more information, call United Social Services at 215–923–1900. ••
Writers’ Conference to be held June 10–12
The 68th annual Philadelphia Writers’ Conference will take place from Friday, June 10, through Sunday, June 12, at the Wyndham Hotel Historic District (formerly the Holiday Inn) at 400 Arch St. The keynote speaker will be Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz, a New York Times bestselling nonfiction writer and poet. She is the author of six books of poetry as well as two highly acclaimed novels.
Kelly Simmons will be the opening speaker. She is the author of three critically acclaimed novels. Scheduled workshop speakers and leaders include Bruce Graham, Alison Hicks, Rachel Pastan, Jeff Herman, Deborah Levine Herman, Kevin Ferris, K.M. Walton, BJ Ward, Diane Walsh, Ben Yagoda, Kathleen Volk Miller, Bernadette McBride and many other talented writers. The conference will include meetings with book agents and editors; master classes in poetry, character building, voice, storytelling and dialogue; as well as competitions. There will also be several three-day workshops covering a variety of genres.
Registration is required. The cost is $300, excluding master classes, Saturday keynote speaker dinner and Friday night buffet with editors and agents. A college discount is available, as are scholarships. Email 2013pwcreg@gmail.com or visit www.pwcwriters.org for information. ••
