River Ward events for the week of Feb. 13

This week's meetings, events and community happenings.

Bridesburg hoagie and soup sale
The Bridesburg United Methodist Church will host a hoagie and homemade soup sale on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hoagies will consist of American, ham and cheese, turkey and cheese or Italian. Soups will consist of chicken noodle and vegetable beef barley.The date for pre-order has passed, but you may eat-in the day of with a bowl of soup, hoagie, drink and dessert for only $5.75. ••

Story Slam at Liberti Church
Join the church, at 2424 E. York St., for a "Story Slam" Friday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. Participants have five minutes to tell their story, which will be judged by content and presentation. The them is, "biggest crush ever." Come share or just listen and vote. There are a limited number of storyteller spots, so sign up with noelstr8@gmail.com. This is a BYOB event. ••

NoLibs’ Winterfest
Visit North Bowl in Northern Liberties on Sunday, Feb. 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. for this family-friendly neighborhood blowout with food, drink, raffles, kid-friendly events and bowling, all benefiting the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association and Liberty Lands. Advance tickets are only $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and kids  ages 11 to 18.  Kids under 11 are free. Ticket price includes food, drink and bowling. Go to NLNA.org for tickets. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors; kids under 10 free. ••

Nativity B.V.M. parish benefit
Join Nativity parishioners on Sunday, Feb. 24, from 3 until 7 p.m. for a spaghetti dinner to benefit the parish. Tickets are $11 for adults, $5 for kids. A cash bar, crafts for kids, poker and table games will be available. Tickets are available after each Saturday and Sunday Mass at Nativity B.V.M. Church, 2535 E. Allegheny Ave., and Our Lady Help of Christians Church, E. Allegheny Ave. and Gaul Street, and through Nativity’s rectory from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. ••

FABA to meet this month
The Fishtown Area Business Association invites all area business representatives to a forum to discuss what FABA needs to do for its business community on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at Liberti Church, 2424 E. York St., Suite 122. Reserve your spot at refaba.eventbrite.com or by calling 215-901-6036. Join FABA or sign up for the enewsletter at fishtownbusiness.org. ••

Martial arts workshop
On Thursday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m., at the Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., learn the basics of aikido, a Japanese martial art that emphasizes flexibility, balance, and timing. Those under the age of 18 will need to have a release form signed by their parent or guardian. Please contact Sheila O’Steen for more information at 215-685-9992. ••

LSH fine arts class
Lutheran Settlement House has announced that Sarah Gamble, who specializes in oil and acrylic painting, will begin teaching at LSH, 1340 Frankford Ave., twice a month.  This class is for all skill levels; come out and join fellow artists for the challenge and companionship. Please call Peggy at 215-426-8610, ext. 206 to reserve your spot on Tuesday mornings. ••

Register for Kensington Kinetic / Trenton Ave. Arts Festival
The 2013 Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby and the 8th annual Trenton Ave. Arts Festival will take place Saturday, May 18, from noon to 5 p.m.
Registration is now open; vendors and artists are wanted to sell their work, and teams are needed to make sculptures to compete in the derby.
Registration information is available at www.kinetickensington.org and www.trentonaveartsfest.org. Early registration for both events is April 1, final deadline is May 1. ••

Bridesburg Rec. winter classes
This winter, the Bridesburg Recreation Center is offering a wide range of adult activities, including: Zumba classes on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings; ceramics on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; scrapbooking on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; a ladies’ bowling league on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at Erie Lanes, 1300 E. Erie Ave. For more information and the prices of these activities, call 215-685-1247 or visit the Bridesburg Rec. Center at 4625 Richmond St., at the corner of Richmond and Buckius streets. ••

Free tax prep at Finanta
Every Friday in February, by appointment at the Finanta Building, 1301 N. 2nd St., Ceiba is offering free tax preparation for families who earned less than $50,000 in 2012. To set up an appointment, contact Daniel at danharvesterskcp@gmail.com or call 215-427-3463. ••

Free tax prep at the Richmond Library
Pathways PA will once again be providing free tax preparation assistance at the Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St.  The program will be held on Tuesdays in March from 4 to 7 p.m. (March 5, 12, 19 and 26).  Registration is required; space is very limited. For more information call Jerry at 215-685-9992. ••