Golf outing set for Oct. 11
The friends of slain Philadelphia warrant officer Sgt. Joseph E. LeClaire Jr. invite golfers to sign up for the 10th annual LeClaire Fall Classic on Oct. 11 at Bensalem Township Country Club, 2000 Brown Ave., Bensalem.
The entry of $100 includes greens fees, cart rental and a dinner banquet at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. Tee time is 11 a.m., followed by dinner at 5 p.m. The cost of the banquet is $30 for non-golfers. All proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots in the name of Sgt. Joseph E. LeClaire Jr. For information, call Heather at 215–828–2278 or Andy at 267–808–7643.
On March 19, 2004, LeClaire led a team of warrant officers from the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to an apartment building in Northwest Philadelphia in search of a wanted fugitive. As the officers located the fugitive in a bedroom of an apartment, the wanted man began firing a .45-caliber handgun at the officers. LeClaire returned fire and provided cover for his partners, who were able to exit the apartment to safety. Both suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds.
As the last man out, LeClaire was unable to avoid the opposing fire and suffered multiple wounds of the head and stomach. The warrant officers wounded the fugitive and captured him as he attempted to flee. LeClaire died about two hours later in a nearby hospital.
LeClaire’s killer was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. He remains on Pennsylvania’s death row.
LeClaire was a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran who had served nine years as a warrant officer. He was survived by a wife, Gretchen, and two adult children. ••
Plenty happening at Palmer Playground
Michael Palmer Playground, Thornton and Comly roads, is offering a number of programs. Activities include preschool, after-school and tot recreation programs. In addition, there are hip-hop, jazz, tap and ballet classes.Every Friday night, there are karate classes for children and adults. Boys and girls age 3–6 are welcome to join a soft stick foot hockey league.
For more information, call 215–685–0371 or email [email protected] ••
MaST receives donation for new printer
MaST Community Charter School recently received a $3,000 donation from the Philadelphia section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
The money will go toward a 3D Plastic Printer for the new Makerspace, an innovative space that will serve MaST high school students with a state-of-the-art center geared toward creative thinking and unconventional learning.
The Makerspace continues to carry out MaST’s vision of thinking outside of the box and into the future with 3D design, robotics, science, technology and healthcare. ••
The focus is on breast cancer awareness
Nazareth Hospital and the Ladies of Port Richmond will sponsor their fifth annual breast cancer education and awareness event on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Richmond Hall, 2619 E. Indiana Ave.
Check-in will begin at 4:30 p.m. Guests will be seated at 5:15 p.m.
Admission is $10, and includes dinner, giveaways and raffle tables and resources from the American Cancer Society.
Registration is required. Call toll-free 1–866-NAZARETH. ••
McCloskey grant application deadline is Oct. 15
The deadline is Oct. 15 to apply for a grant from the Joseph C. McCloskey Charitable Fund.
A $1,000 grant will be given to a Tacony-based youth association or organization.
To obtain an application, go to http://jcmcccftacony.org/contact-us/ ••
Voter education handbook available
Philadelphia Commissioner Stephanie Singer has just released a new voter education handbook detailing election processes and voting information for citizens of Philadelphia. It is available online here:
http://www.patransparency.org/index.php/blog/voter-handbook-for-11-4-14-election/ or you can pick up a hardcopy at Room 132 City Hall at no charge.
The handbook contains important information on absentee voting, provisional voting and how to look up your polling location. Last day to register is Oct. 6.
College helps local school
Manor Junior College in Jenkintown recently donated supplied to Fox Chase Elementary School. Manor donated 55 backpacks, 180 folders, 200 rulers, 88 packs of crayons, 200 pencils, 200 erasers, 50 notebooks, and other items. ••
Fox Chase resident new director of nursing excellence for Einstein Healthcare Network
Nancy Pokorny, a resident of Fox Chase, has been appointed director of nursing excellence for Einstein Healthcare Network.
In her new role, Pokorny provides direction and leadership in all areas that support professional nursing practice. She works to implement programs and practices that promote nursing excellence, best practices and improved patient outcomes.
In addition, she implements strategies necessary to meet Institute of Medicine recommendations as published in the Future of Nursing and exceed nursing practice performance as described in the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program. She continues to manage Einstein’s nurse extern program.
Pokorny is a longtime Einstein employee, having joined the organization as a direct care nurse in the emergency unit in 1973. She has subsequently held positions as assistant nurse manager and nurse recruiter.
Pokorny holds an associate of science in nursing from Gwynedd-Mercy College; a bachelor of science in health arts from the University of St. Francis; a master of science in health administration from St. Joseph’s University; and a master of science in nursing administration from La Salle University. ••
Let kids be kids
LetTheKidzBeKidz.com helps sports teams raise money for their expenses and for charity.
LTKBK also urges parents and other spectators to mind their manners at youth games.
The organization provides clothing, jewelry and decorative items for teams to sell. Some of the items are designed by the players.
Teams register and let their supporters know they can order online.
Founder Candace Riccobene said, “I’ve seen that many people are hesitant to get into an altercation by asking some misbehaving parent to chill out. It’s so much easier and less confrontational to wear Sideline Awareness items to every game. It sends a clear message to everyone around you. And there is strength in numbers: the more folks with Sideline Awareness gear, the greater the influence.
“Children’s sports are supposed to be fun — for the children. Unfortunately, many parents, fans and coaches don’t realize that their actions, whether verbal or nonverbal, can have a lasting emotional effect on children. Too many children are leaving sports activities because the fun is unfairly taken away by adults.”
For more information, go to LetTheKidzBeKidz.com ••
Bowlers needed
Resurrection Bowling League is looking for male and female bowlers, individuals and teams.
The league bowls on Tuesday nights at 8:30 at Thunderbird Lanes, 3081 Holme Ave.
Anyone interested in bowling can call Joe Gessner at 215–725–3556 or Kathy Pearce at 215–802–6912. ••
Parx to host run on Oct. 11
Parx Casino and Parx Racing at 2999 Street Road in Bensalem will host its third annual Octoberfest 5K Run to benefit the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health on Saturday, Oct. 11.
FBPH is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit think tank that is highly regarded worldwide in the advancement of breast and prostate cancer research and treatment. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Parx is dedicated to raising awareness about early detection for breast cancer, along with raising funds to help organizations like FBPH.
On Oct. 11 at 10 a.m., registered runners will set out on the 5K course that travels the perimeter of the casino and racetrack, with the final lap of the race taking place on the same track that thoroughbreds like Smarty Jones have called home for decades. Track announcer Keith Jones will call the home stretch.
Participants may instead opt for the one-mile Fun Walk starting at 9:30 a.m. Both events will be broadcast live on the giant screens in the track’s infield for spectator families and friends to watch and show their support.
Prizes will be awarded to overall place-winners, as well as the top three in each adult and children’s division. Register in advance via www.runtheday.com or in person at 8 a.m. on race day. ••
Literacy center operates in St. Bernard R.C. Church
The IHM Center for Literacy welcomes visitors to its site at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, 7341 Cottage St.
The center is operated by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It offers instruction in English, encourages computer literacy and teaches practical life skills. Testing is given along the way. Day and evening classes are available. To register or for more information, call 215–338–3120 or email [email protected] ••
L&I has new online resource
The City of Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspection in June announced the launch of a new online resource that will allow the public to review information about zoning applications in their neighborhoods.
The online database lists all upcoming hearings on zoning permit applications before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Interested users can find zoning hearings based on various criteria including hearing date, council district, planning district and the applicable Registered Community Organization. Users can also select a specific address to find complete zoning application history on the property, including the applicant’s name, the proposed use of the property and any decision and court history on the application. Information on the date, time and location of the upcoming zoning hearing is also available for each property.
Visit www.phila.gov/li and click on the “Zoning Appeals” link at the lower right corner of the page to use the database. ••
Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival announces plans for 34th season
The Gershman Y will present its 34th annual Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival from Nov. 1–16.
The festival will feature 15 films from seven countries at seven different venues throughout the city.
There will be a mix of narratives, documentaries and shorts that explore subjects and themes including immigration and exodus, overcoming discrimination and persecution, family secrets, and love and loss.
Tickets begin at $12, with student and senior citizen discounts available. Call 215–545–4400 or visit www.pjff.org ••
Philadelphia Theatre Company announces cast for season opener
Philadelphia Theatre Company’s 40th anniversary season kicks off with the Pulitzer Prize finalist Detroit, running Oct. 10 to Nov. 9 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard streets.
The show is a dark comedy about the country’s fraying social fabric and the effects of economic uncertainty on a middle-class couple.
Performances run Tuesdays through Sundays.
Tickets start at $46. They are available by calling 215–985–0420 or visiting PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org ••
Talk about drugs with Friends pharmacist
The Family Resource Center at Friends Hospital has a pharmacist who can discuss problems or concerns with psychiatric medications.
The pharmacist can give information about the latest drugs to treat depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Call 215–514–5110 on Thursdays. ••
Jeanes Hospital Receives Good Health Care 2014 Award
Common Market, a nonprofit distributor of local and sustainably produced foods, in an alignment with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability Local Food Program, recognized Jeanes Hospital with a Good Food is Good Health 2014 Award.
The award recognizes hospitals for their achievements in providing healthy food and beverages for staff, visitors and patients.
Jeanes Hospital received the award for its Farm Stand — an initiative launched by the Jeanes Hospital Auxiliary and the hospital’s nutrition services department.
The Farm Stand promotes wellness by offering employees, patients and members of the community easy access to foods like fresh, locally sourced fruits, vegetables, cage-free brown eggs, cheeses, apple butter, pumpkin butter, peach cider applesauce and honey. The products for the Farm Stand are supplied through Common Market.
“Through our community health needs survey in 2013, we discovered that obesity is statistically worse in Jeanes Hospital’s service area,” explained president and CEO Linda J. Grass. “So, to augment our bariatric surgery program and our workplace wellness initiatives, we concluded that bringing farm-fresh produce to our campus in Philadelphia would be a tangible and real-world solution.” ••
Russian-speaking doctor joins Klein wellness center
Dr. Helen Volokhonsky, a Russian-speaking physician from Einstein Healthcare Network, board-certified in family medicine, practices at the Klein JCC Wellness Center, at 10100 Jamison Ave.
“She is an experienced physician and being fluent in Russian will enhance the comfort level among her Russian-speaking patients,” said center director Sue Aistrop.
Since its inception in November 2012, the center has been providing medical services to Klein JCC members, as well as the general public residing within the surrounding communities, many who speak only Russian.
“With that in mind, Dr. Volokhonsky is a most valuable addition to our program,” Aistrop said.
For an appointment, call 215–969–7870. ••
Military and Veterans Affairs inducts new Hall of Fame members
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs inducted Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery and state Sen. Lisa Baker into its Hall of Fame.
McCaffery, of Bustleton, created “Veterans Courts” across Pennsylvania to assist veterans charged with non-violent crimes who are struggling with addiction, mental illness or disorders. He also co-chairs the Veterans Justice Statewide Task Force.
McCaffery served 40 years in the military, beginning with his enlistment in the Marine Corps in 1968 and ending with his retirement from the Air Force Reserve in 2008. He is an honorary board member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee, the Liberty USO and the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. He is a graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School, La Salle University and Temple University School of Law.
“His dedication and hard work is responsible for Pennsylvania having the largest and most successful veterans court program across the nation and has set the standard for other states to follow,” said Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig, the state’s adjutant general. “We are indebted to him for his tireless work on the behalf of veterans.”
Baker, of Luzerne County, is serving her second term representing the 20th Senatorial District. She chaired the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee from 2007–14. She currently chairs the Labor and Industry Committee.
“Her outstanding devotion to Pennsylvania’s veterans is evidenced by her work to secure funding for veterans outreach and support programs and her efforts to establish the Pennsylvania veterans Trust Fund to help needy veterans and their families,” Craig said. “She has also advanced numerous bills to assist our deployed servicemen and women and veteran-owned business.”
The DMVA Hall of Fame, established in 1998, recognizes unique and exemplary contributions to the department and the Pennsylvania National Guard. This award not only recognizes significant achievements, but the honor and prestige an individual has brought upon the department, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania veterans. It is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the department.
For more information about the DMVA, visit www.dmva.state.pa.us ••
