Activities at animal center
Women’s Animal Center, 3839 Richlieu Road in Bensalem, is hosting a Happy Pawlidays Party on Thursday, Dec. 28, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Children of all ages accompanied by a parent or guardian are invited to decorate treats to be given to the shelter dogs waiting for their forever homes and read to the center’s adoptable shelter cats and small pets. The cost is $5 per treat to decorate and $5 per reading session. Donations of items will be accepted. ••
Activities at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., has daily programs during the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
Here is the schedule: Thursday, Dec. 28: Show and Tell Live Infotainment for ages 5-10 at 11 a.m.; and Friday, Dec. 29: Crazy Coverings from the Center for Aquatic Sciences for ages 2-10 at 11 a.m.
Call 215-685-0472. ••
Free help available during holidays
For the 13th year, International School of Coaching’s Master Coach Paula Michele Boyle and her team of trained Life Coach specialists are reaching out to support the community for those feeling frustrated or unsatisfied with their relationships, careers and wellness. Enjoy a free opportunity to figure out where you are and where you want to go. The session you will receive with a certified Life Coach is available through New Year’s Day. There is a 10% discount to those who want to become certified as a Life Coach to help others in need. To register or learn more, visit lifecoachphilly.com. ••
Buy a lottery calendar
St. Martha Parish is selling its 2024 lottery calendar for a $25 donation. Choose a three-digit number and you have 365 chances to win, based on the Pennsylvania daily number (straight) that is pulled at 7 p.m. The daily prize is $25. There is one bonus day each month worth $100. Calendars can be bought after Mass or by mailing a check made payable to St. Martha Parish, with “2024 Calendar” in the memo, 11301 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154. ••
Donate blood
The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood. Those who come to give blood in December will be automatically entered to win a holiday prize package.
The Northeast Philadelphia Blood Donation Center, 1401 Rhawn St., is open Monday-Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Another date is Dec. 28, 2-7 p.m., St. Katherine of Siena Parish Center, 9700 Frankford Ave.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS. ••
Blood drive on Saturday
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Saturday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cpl. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. Sign up by calling 800-RED CROSS or going to www.redcrossblood.org and entering ALPOST366. ••
Food donations wanted
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., is seeking food donations to fill breakfast bags for homebound seniors as part of its annual Subaru Share The Love Program. Items requested are tea bags, instant coffee, hot cocoa and instant oatmeal packets and boxes of dry cereal. In addition, KleinLife is asking for donations of juice packs, boxes of raisins, cranberries and nuts, pudding and fruit cups, canned fish, granola bars and peanut butter crackers. The foods can be dropped off at KleinLife through Dec. 29. Call Fredric Byarm at 215-698-7300, Ext. 196. ••
Program on critical thinking
Critical Thinking will be the main subject of a five-part series for active adults to be held at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Other sessions will be held on Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30. All five programs will begin at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to join with members. All five programs will be led by Steve Pollack, entertainer, singer, lecturer, voice teacher, actor and director. Cost for all five sessions will be $50 per person, to be paid at the front desk at KleinLife prior to the start of class. Email info@kleinlife.or or call 215-698-7300, Ext. 193. ••
Upcoming opera performances
Amici Opera Company will present Puccini’s La Boheme on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. Verdi’s Don Carlos will be performed on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer. Call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
Program on short stories
American short stories will be the subject of an eight-part program for active adults to be held at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., beginning on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to join with members. For the program, students should have a copy of 100 Years Of The Best American Short Stories, edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor and published in 2015. Participants should read the stories before attending the program. Cost of the program is $48 per person for all eight sessions. Money is due at the KleinLife front desk prior to beginning the program. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 193. ••
Rhawnhurst Civic to meet in Jan.
The Rhawnhurst Civic Association will not hold a meeting in December. Its next meeting will be on Jan. 17, at 7 p.m., at Pelbano Playground, Bustleton and Solly avenues. To stay up to date on such issues as holiday fire safety, the city real estate tax credit program and the Roosevelt Boulevard transformation plan, see the “Issues & Information” at Rhawnhurstcivicassociation.com. ••
Local author’s novel releasing soon
Mayfair author Becky Flade announced that Tirgearr Publishing will release her latest novel, Fade into the Night, on Jan. 23. It is the fifth book in Flade’s award-winning series of romantic thrillers set in Philadelphia. It is available for pre-order at all major digital retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks/iTunes, at a specially reduced price. Flade, a Frankford High School graduate, has been writing since kindergarten, when her Brown Elementary School teacher, Miss Daniels, helped with her first book detailing her and her best friend’s first solo trip to the market for milk. ••
Donate baby items
The annual Baby Shower Mitzvah Project hosted by Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. Members can purchase and donate baby and toddler items or gift cards for clients of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Light refreshments will be served. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Restored Glen Foerd pipe organ to debut Jan. 6
After a year-long restoration project, Glen Foerd’s 121-year-old pipe organ will sing once again on Saturday, Jan. 6, when Mark Loria, principal organist for the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, commemorates the occasion with a free live concert performance. The concert is set for 1 p.m. at Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave.
The celebration will commence with a toast, opening remarks about the history of residential pipe organs and a retelling of the dramatic circumstances of the family that brought the organ into existence in 1902.
The restoration project was funded through a grant of $425,000 from the Wyncote Foundation, in its mission to support efforts that strengthen and enrich culture, community and the natural environment. Ohio-based Charles Kegg, president and artistic director of Kegg Pipe Organ Builders, led the restoration.
The pipe organ is nestled in the grand stair hall of Glen Foerd and ornamented by carvings of winged cherubs and floral garlands. Powered by a motor in the basement, the organ resonates in the adjoining art gallery and speaks to all parts of the home. It was built in 1902 by Philadelphia’s one-time C.S. Haskell company and installed in the main house by industrialist Robert Foerderer, who had the custom organ built for his wife Caroline, an accomplished organist.
Heidi Weinstein Malloy, of Glen Foerd’s Lily P.A.D.s program, will be hosting a drop-in craft activity for young children in the dining room throughout the event. Attendees are invited to explore the many floors and rooms of the house while they enjoy the pipe organ music. Seating will be available in the art gallery and first floor.
For more information about the organ recital with Mark Loria, and to register, call 215-632-5330 or visit https://www.glenfoerd.org/events. ••
Parkinson’s support group
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus is offering a Parkinson’s disease support group for those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families. The group will meet on Feb. 14 and the second Wednesday of every other month from 6-7 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. The group is led by nurse practitioner June Ro, and will include guest speakers. To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Feb. Zoom book club meeting
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding a Zoom session on Monday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. The February book is the historical mystery The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen. For further information or to register, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Claims assistance for veterans
Veterans can receive claims assistance at state Rep. Jared Solomon’s office at 7104 Frankford Ave. (near Princeton Avenue), beginning on Thursday, Jan. 11. A VA representative will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist veterans and answer any questions. Call 215-543-6755 to schedule an appointment. ••
Half-price merchandise
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., will hold a half-price clothing sale on all merchandise, including Christmas items, through Dec. 24. Shop hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is closed Saturdays. The shop will be closed Dec. 25 through Jan. 6, reopening fully restocked on Jan. 7. Call 215-624-9130. ••
St. Jerome Seniors to meet
This month’s meeting is Thursday, Dec. 28, in the school hall, 3031 Stamford St. Arrive by 10 a.m. Meeting begins promptly at 11. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, 2024, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.” Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia. Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking. Final payment by Feb. 27. Call 215-788-9408. ••
Book club on Zoom
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be hosting a Zoom session on Monday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. The January book is The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. For further information or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at the synagogue office at 215-677-1600. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. Contact Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Learn about China
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., will present All About China, a five-part program for active adults offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Widener University. Participants will learn about China’s history, people, culture and place in the world today. Sessions will be at 12:30 p.m. on Mondays, Jan. 8, 12, 22 and 29 and Feb. 5. The course is open to the public. Cost is $30 per person, with checks and money orders payable to Widener University and returned to KleinLife. For additional information, contact OLLI at olli@widener.edu or 610-499-4279. ••
Bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo every second and fourth Friday evenings. Doors open at 6:30, games start at 7:20. Refreshments available. ••
