City Councilman introduces new delinquent tax measure
City Councilman David Oh introduced a bill to automatically transfer delinquent tax accounts to a qualified third party to ensure greater performance in collecting more than $500 million in delinquent taxes.
“With more than half a billion dollars of delinquent taxes owed to the city, only about one-third is actually collectible because they have been delinquent for so long,” Oh said. “We cannot let this trend continue.”
The bill requires any tax delinquency that reaches 366 days without entering into a payment arrangement will automatically be transferred to a qualified third-party law firm or collection agency. It also states that any delinquent taxpayer who enters into a repayment arrangement and subsequently defaults on their agreement will immediately go to a third-party collector as well.
“The lack of action on the part of our city in collecting taxes is inexcusable,” Oh said. “If we cannot collect taxes in a timely manner, then putting that in the hands of a private entity is the best course of action. We will be more successful in getting money from Harrisburg when we demonstrate that we are collecting outstanding taxes and fixing the problem in our collection system.” ••
Bobby Henon wants you to text his office about issues
City Councilman Bobby Henon invites constituents to send text messages to his office about various issues.
The telephone number is 215–392–6606.
“Texting is the most pervasive way of communication, but it’s also a way for my office to have an ongoing conversation with constituents,” Henon said. “Rather than just talking at them, we can talk with them.”
Henon’s office also released a map showing various violations, refusals, revocations and denials to the Board of Building Standards, the Department of Licenses and Inspections Review Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The map is available at www.bobbyhenon.com/appeals_map ••
Art competition deadline nears
The deadline is May 7 to enter the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union’s third annual art competition.
The PFCU’s Picture of Success Art Contest is open to students in third through fifth grades. It is designed to teach children how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.
Each student will submit a work of art that depicts a financial goal. Winners will receive prizes for their classroom, along with a personal $100 savings account.
To enter the contest, download the entry form at www.pfcu.com/artcontest ••
Orleans offers driver’s license workshop
Orleans Technical Institute is offering a free driver’s license workshop to assist individuals in addressing the issues that suspended or revoked their license, with steps for reinstatement.
Workshop attendees can also get information on obtaining their driver’s permit.
The next workshop dates are April 22 and May 6 at 2 p.m. at Orleans’ facility at 2770 Red Lion Road.
The workshop is open to the public and stresses the importance of having a valid driver’s license for employment, especially for individuals who want to train in Orleans Tech’s building trades programs and secure a position working in the field.
Individuals can register at www.orleanstech.edu/register or call 215–728–4733 for more information. ••
Poetry events coming to Fox Chase
The Fox Chase Reading Series will host three outdoor poetry events this spring and summer featuring more than a dozen presenters.
Poets at Pennypack kicks off on April 12 when seven poets will read at the amphitheater at Pennypack Park Environmental Center on Verree Road. The series will return to the same location on May 10 when seven more poets will read.
The series will move to Ryerss Museum and Library on July 13 with 14 poets reading from the porch. All readings begin at 1 p.m. Visit foxchasereview.wordpress.com for information. ••
Nazareth doctor receives award
Dr. Stuart A. Scherr, medical director of the balance program at the Nazareth Center for Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation and Balance, received the Dr. Stanley J. Skromak Award.
The award is presented annually to a Nazareth Hospital physician who exemplifies dedication to the medical profession, fosters medical education, demonstrates exemplary patient/physician interaction, shows courtesy and respect toward everyone, and who is a true “doctor’s doctor.”
The award is named for Skromak, one of the founding physicians at Nazareth.
“Dr. Scherr continually demonstrates a commitment to improving the quality of patient care,” said Dr. Mathew Mathew, chief medical officer at Nazareth. “He truly is a champion of Nazareth Hospital’s core values. Dr. Scherr embodies the Skromak Award spirit, and we congratulate him for his achievement.” ••
Regional library to host movie showing
Northeast Regional Library, at 2228 Cottman Ave., will host a showing of the movie The World Before Her on Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m.
The movie delivers a portrait of India and its current cultural conflicts by focusing on the Miss India pageant’s rigorous beauty “bootcamp” and a militant Hindu fundamentalist camp for girls.
“The Free Library is excited to host screenings and discussions of such diverse and thought-provoking films through our partnership with Film Forward,” said Siobbhan A. Reardon, the library’s president and director. “From our Author Event Series to One Book, One Philadelphia, the Free Library is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural dialogue that is provoked and inspired by works of literature, films and more.” ••
Stamp collectors host show in Lancaster
The Philatelic Society of Lancaster County will be holding its 29th annual stamp show on April 25–26 at the Farm and Home Center in Lancaster.
Show times are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 26.
Admission and parking are free. ••
Library’s friends sponsoring free events
The Friends of Holmesburg Library will be sponsoring a number of free upcoming events at the library, located at 7810 Frankford Ave. (at Hartel Avenue).
Computer-based career workshops will take place on Thursdays, April 10, April 17 and May 8, from 10 a.m. to noon. Preschool story time is set for Tuesdays, April 22, May 6 and 20 and June 17 and 24, at 10:30 a.m. Each child will receive a book.
Children in first grade and up are invited to attend The Magic of Money, an entertaining money-management program using magic, music, comedy and audience participation, on Monday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Teenagers and adults are welcome to attend photography classes on Mondays, June 16, 23 and 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Schuylkill Center’s wildlife rehabilitation clinic staff will present a program on raptors on Wednesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. The presentation is for kids 5 and older.
For more information, call 215–685–8756 or visit the Friends of Holmesburg Library (Philadelphia) page on Facebook. ••
Ukrainian Club to host ball
The first Rock to the Future Music for All Ball will take place on Saturday, April 12, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Ukrainian Club, at 847 N. Franklin St.
Guest must be 21 or older. Dress is formal.
Tickets cost $40 and include live entertainment, cocktails, beer and light fare. There will also be a raffle.
Proceeds will benefit Rock to the Future’s mission of providing free music education to underserved Philadelphia youth. To buy tickets, go to musicforallball.eventbrite.com ••
Klein JCC asks: How old are you now?
The Klein JCC is seeking individuals who are 100 or older for the upcoming Northeast Centenarian Celebration. The celebration is set for May 29 at Klein JCC, 10100 Jamison Ave.
“Our centenarians serve as a legacy to the strength and dedication that built our wonderful country and provided us with so many groundbreaking accomplishments,” said Raechel Hammer, vice president of Klein JCC. “We will be bringing together families, friends, community partners and businesses to honor, salute and celebrate their rich heritage. This special occasion will provide a rare opportunity for celebrants of all ages to stroll back in time and reminisce with this treasured group of individuals.”
To make a reservation, call 215–698–7300, Ext. 143 or email [email protected] ••
Civic group to do some cleaning April 26
The Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association has developed the Clean Block Initiative.
The program will begin April 26 and continue through November.
The group will identify blocks in the 19149 ZIP code that require cleaning.
To apply for a block cleaning, contact Jared Solomon at 215–205–2167 or [email protected] ••
Golf program ready to tee off April 17
MossRehab’s annual “First Swing/Learn to Golf” Clinic & Golf Workshop for individuals with physical disabilities and their families will take place on Thursday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burholme Golf Center, at 401 Cottman Ave.
The cost is $5, which includes lunch and equipment.
To register, call 215–663–6295. ••
Library branch to welcome author
Holmesburg Library, at 7810 Frankford Ave., will welcome Kerry Zukus, author of Inside the Hotel Rwanda: The Surprising True Story…and Why It Matters Today, for a question-and-answer session on Wednesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. For information, call 215–685–8756. ••
Scouts collecting clothing
St. William Boy Scout Troop 563 is conducting a fundraiser clothing drive. The troop is collecting used clothing, towels and linen to help offset the cost of weekend camping.
Bagged donations will be accepted on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at the Scout shed on the church parking lot on Argyle Street. Or, donations can be brought to the Scout meetings every Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. William memorial hall.
For more information, call 215–745–1317. ••
Stories are waiting to be told
Holmesburg Library, at 7810 Frankford Ave., will hold several preschool story time programs on upcoming Tuesdays. The dates are April 22, May 6 and May 20. Story time is 10:30 a.m.
There will be songs and finger plays. Each child will receive a book. Call 215–685–8756. ••
Bingo fundraiser set for April 27
A Coach Bag Bingo fundraiser to benefit student tuition for the People to People summer educational tour program is set for Sunday, April 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road.
The cost is $40, which includes 10 games of Bingo, five Chinese auction tickets, an entry for a door prize, food, soda and draft domestic beer.
For tickets, call Karen at 215–275–4546. ••
Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is May 3
The ninth annual Saint Brigid Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 39 Kate’s Way Breast Cancer Awareness Walk will be held on Saturday, May 3.
The event will take place at the Mayfair Community Center, at St. Vincent and Battersby streets.
The walk is named in memory of Kate Palchick, who died of breast cancer. Registration forms are available at the community center or at www.aoh39philly.com
On the day of the walk, registration will begin at 9 a.m. The 3K walk will begin at 10. The cost is $20, or $10 for kids ages 6–12.
Representatives from cancer support organizations and hospitals will be available to answer questions.
Money raised will go to breast cancer research at local hospitals and support to patients at area cancer/wellness centers. ••
Tax help is available
Volunteers from RSVP Philadelphia are offering to help people prepare simple tax returns and other documents for free at Klein JCC, 10100 Jamison Ave. To be eligible, people must have annual incomes under $60,000. To make a reservation, call 267–345–7787. ••
5K event set for April 13
Special People In Northeast Inc. will host its third annual Possibilities in the Park 5K Run, Walk or Roll on Sunday, April 13. The event will be held in the industrial park surrounding SPIN’s campus at 10501 Drummond Road.
Registration will begin at 6:45 a.m., followed by the run, walk and roll from 8 to 9 a.m. Avalon String Band will provide entertainment, and there will be games afterward. Awards will be given to the top finishers in the 5K. The pre-registration fee is $10 for children and $25 for adults. The fee on the day of the event is $15 for children and $30 for adults.
Proceeds benefit services and supports for children and adults with developmental, intellectual and autism spectrum disabilities. To register, go to www.spininc.org/5k ••
Heart program launched by Nazareth
Nazareth Hospital recently launched the Lifenet System to improve heart attack patient outcomes.
The web-based data network offers tools so emergency medical services and hospital staff can work together to help improve clinical and operational efficiencies.
The system enables paramedics to provide patient data to hospital care teams so they can determine where to route them for care and have staff prepared before the patient arrives. The more quickly patients receive treatment, including balloon angioplasty and stent placement in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab, the more likely they are to have a positive outcome.
“Studies show that time from onset of symptoms to treatment is critical to improving survival and outcomes for these patients,” said Dr. George Hobbib, director of emergency medicine for Nazareth Hospital. “Having this new system will enable us to better meet the guideline of treatment as recommended by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.” ••
Local celebs to attend ‘Business is Blooming’ expo
Former Flyers center Bill Clement and 6ABC morning news anchor Matt O’Donnell will make appearances on Wednesday, May 7, at the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce/Crown Holdings’ annual “Business is Blooming” expo at Holy Family University, Frankford and Grant avenues.
O’Donnell will be the keynote speaker at the expo luncheon starting at 12:30 p.m. in the Campus Center, directly outside the entrance to the gymnasium.
Clement, who is a community ambassador for 3rd Fed Bank, will appear at the expo, which runs from 2 to 6 p.m. in the gymnasium.
The expo is free and open to the public. More than 100 vendors and nonprofits are expected. There will be free food samples, giveaways, prizes and entertainment throughout the day.
The luncheon is also open to the public. Tickets are $35 for GNPCC members and $50 for non-members. Call 215–332–3400 for ticket information.
In addition, the GNPCC will honor Sister Francesca Onley, president of Holy Family University, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
For more information, call 215–332–3400 or visit www.gnpcc.orghttp://www.gnpcc.org ••
Cinnaminson High to host designer handbag bingo night
Cinnaminson High School will host a Designer Handbag Bingo night on Friday, May 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the cafeteria of the school, at 1197 Riverton Road in Cinnaminson. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $40 and include dinner by Georgetti’s, desserts by Haegele’s Bakery, coffee, tea and a Bingo book good for 36 games.
Anyone who buys a ticket before April 18 will receive a free Bingo book. Checks can be made payable to Cinnaminson High School Project Graduation, 1197 Riverton Road, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077.
For information, email [email protected] or [email protected] ••
