See how maple syrup is made
The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership will present two free Tree to Table Maple Sugaring events at Tacony Creek Park, I St. and Ramona Ave., on Wednesday, March 4, and Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m. each day.
Participants will: see how maple syrup is made with environmental educator Judith Gratz; learn what makes maple trees special and why we can use them to make yummy syrup; experience what it’s like to tap a tree and watch maple syrup being made; and taste pure maple syrup on a waffle.
The presentation is designed for adults and children ages 5 and up. Folks are advised to dress warmly for the one-hour outdoor lesson. Contact Doryan DeAngel at doryan@ttfwatershed.org or 215–744–1853 for information and to register. ••
Bullshooters hosts concert
Benjamin Burnley, of the rock band Breaking Benjamin, will perform on Friday, March 13, at Bull Shooters Saloon, 14000 Bustleton Ave. in Somerton.
It’s an all-ages show, but people must be 21 to drink alcohol. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show will go from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door,
For more information, go to http://dvtevents.com ••
Local walking club seeks members
The Northeast Philadelphia Walking Club recently formed.
People 50 and older are invited to walk together to stay healthy.
According to the American Heart Association, people must walk 10,000 steps daily to stay healthy.
To join, call 215–485–3617. ••
Jeanes hosts free joint replacement seminar
Jeanes Hospital offers free seminars to learn more about total hip or knee or joint replacement surgery.
The seminars will include information on the benefits of total joint replacement, what to expect in the hospital and after discharge, a tour of the Orthopaedic Center at Jeanes, as well as a question-and-answer session.
The seminars are run by Jeanes Hospital physical therapists, nurses and case managers.
Upcoming seminars are scheduled for the following Tuesdays: March 10, from 11 a.m. to noon, and March 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Registration is required. Call 215–728–3944. ••
Tacony boxer has upcoming bout
Tacony heavyweight Joey Dawejko will fight Enobong Umohette on Friday, March 6, at 2300 Arena, at 2300 S. Swanson St. in South Philadelphia.
The other headline bout will match Jason Sosa against Bergman Aguilar in a junior lightweight division.
In all, there will be seven fights.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The first fight is 7 p.m.
The card will be streamed live on www.gfl.com and shown on Comcast SportsNet on a delayed basis.
Tickets are $35, $50 and $75. They can be purchased by calling Peltz Boxing (215–765–0922) or Wanamaker’s Tickets (215–568–2400).
Tickets also can be purchased at www.peltzboxing.com and www.wanatix.com
The card is promoted by Joe Hand Promotions, Peltz Boxing and BAM Boxing. ••
Christie play runs at Walnut to April 26
The world’s best-selling mystery by Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None, will continue the Walnut Street Theatre’s 206th Mainstage season, opening on March 10 and running through April 26.
The narrative follows 10 strangers who are lured by a mysterious host for a relaxing weekend at a remote island resort. Once the guests have arrived, there is a suspicious death. And the guests are trapped. The host accuses each person via recordings of having escaped justice for a past murder.
Unable to leave the island, the guests begin to share their darkest secrets until they begin to fall, one by one. The ever-dwindling party rushes to unmask the hidden killer in their midst.
As the world’s best-selling mystery novel, And The There Were None has sold more than 100 million copies in 50 languages worldwide. It was first published in 1939. Similarly, another Christie novel adaptation, The Mousetrap, played the Walnut in 2012 and became the most popular nonmusical in the theater’s history.
For tickets and information, call 215–574–3550 or visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org. Tickets are also available via Ticketmaster. ••
Penn Museum focuses on ancient Egypt
The Penn Museum, 3260 South St., will be featuring all things Egyptian on March 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Egyptomania! is a family-friendly spotlight on one of the world’s civilizations. The celebration is free with Museum admission donation ($15, general admission; $13, seniors [65+]; $10, children [6–17] and full-time students [with ID]; $2 ACCESS Card holders; free to children under 5, members, active U.S. Military, STAMP and PennCard holders). Penn Museum can be found on the web at www.penn.museum. For general information call 215.898.4000. For group tour information call 215.746.8183.
How to attract hummingbirds
“Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden” will be the featured PowerPoint program during the monthly meeting of the Trevose Horticultural Society on Tuesday, March 17, at 7 p.m. at the Bensalem Senior Center, 1850 Byberry Road.
Joann Cosgrove’s presentation will highlight sun plants, shade plants and shrubs that are most successful in producing the nectar favored by the ruby-throated hummingbird. These birds are due to return to the area from their winter habitats in Mexico and Central America, so now is the time to plan on including some of their favorites in your garden.
Cosgrove grew up watching hummingbirds in her family garden. She has been a member of the Southern Bucks Garden Club for 10 years, including three as its president and another tenure as its program chair.
Handouts will be available at the meeting, which is open to the public. A donation of $3 is asked of non-members. Call 856–866–9163 for information. ••
Local actor stars in theater show
Azuka Theatre will present Moon Cave through March 22 at the Off Broad Street Theatre, 1636 Sansom St.
Terrified that someone will recognize him from a childhood trauma that made national news, Richard spends his life in hiding. That all changes when he meets Rachel and starts letting down his guard. Richard must tell Rachel the secrets he’s been hiding, but will she still love him when she knows the truth? And if Rachel knows, how soon before others discover the things he would rather hide?
Kevin Meehan, a Holmesburg native and Father Judge High School graduate, plays Richard.
Tickets cost $15 to $25. Call 215–563–1100 or visit www.azukatheatre.org ••
Rodin Museum reopening
The Rodin Museum, which holds one of the largest collections of works by French sculptor Auguste Rodin in the United States, reopened to the public this month with a display focusing on Rodin’s remarkable achievements in portraiture.
The new presentation showcases the sculptor’s most iconic portraits as well as exceptional works that have not been seen for several years. It brings together a group of works that embody the artist’s realist spirit, offering a broader understanding of his contributions to the format of modern art.
The reopening followed a monthlong installation process. Among the highlights are busts of Pope Benedict XV, composer Gustav Mahler and publishing magnate Joseph Pulitzer. The Rodin Museum at 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Mondays. It is closed on Tuesdays. ••
College scholarships available for Tacony residents
The Joseph C. McCloskey Charitable Fund will be providing four college scholarships for students who live in Tacony.
Two women will receive money from the Elizabeth McCloskey Memorial Scholarship, while two men will receive money from the John C. Sullivan Jr. Scholarship.
The deadline to apply is April 15.
To obtain an application or for more information, call 856–461–7720 or visit http://jcmcccftacony.org/contact-us/ ••
Adult softball league looking for players
The Not Quite Over the Hill Softball League is recruiting players age 49–65 for its 25th anniversary season.
Games are played Mondays through Thursdays.
Call Bill at 215–722–8859. ••
Art museum has published handbook of its collection
The Philadelphia Museum of Art has published a new handbook of its encyclopedic collection.
The volume features some 550 masterpieces from the museum’s world-renowned holdings of Asian, European, American and modern and contemporary art. It features a broad range of media from each of the museum’s curatorial departments, including painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, sculpture, the decorative arts, costumes and textiles, arms and armor, architectural settings.
Expanded entries provide in-depth information on some of the most significant works, among them Thomas Eakins’ masterpiece The Gross Clinic and a superb man and horse armor acquired in 2009. Museum director and CEO Timothy Rub authored the introduction to the handbook with information about the museum’s institutional history, along with the formation and distinctive characteristics of its collection.
The handbook is 468 pages and costs $19.95. Visit www.philamuseum.org or call 215–763–8100 for information. ••
Waters wins Aria nurse award
Aria Health named registered nurse James Waters the winner of its monthly Daisy Award.
Candidates are nominated by fellow nurses, physicians, patients, families and coworkers for being exceptional role models.
Waters is known for his clinical expertise and his genuine, easygoing and humble personality. He joined Aria Health in 2013. Prior to joining Aria Health, he was a certified chemotherapy nurse and charge nurse for Virtua Health System. In addition, he worked for the Trenton State Correctional Facility in its infirmary and served as a Chemo/Telemetry Nurse at the University of Princeton Medical Center.
“Jim is often described by his coworkers as very easy going, and that nothing is too much for him,” said Waters’ supervisor, Mary Jo Marino-Hertzog. “His genuine sense of empathy, especially toward those who are newly diagnosed diabetics, make his patients and families thrilled to see ‘Tall Jim.’ I’m honored to be his manager, and it is a pleasure to have this very humble man on our team.” ull;•
Holy Redeemer seeks hospice volunteers
Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice is seeking compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties.
Volunteers are especially needed to provide companionship, emotional support, respite and compassionate presence to patients with life-limiting illnesses during the daytime hours.
Hospice patient care volunteers typically visit with patients in their homes, in nursing facilities and on Holy Redeemer Hospice’s inpatient unit once a week for two to four hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands, or provide respite for caregivers.
Patient care volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and complete an application and interview with the volunteer coordinator before being accepted into the program. The 20-hour volunteer training program includes online training as well as classroom sessions to cover the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of end-of-life care.
Both day and evening training programs are offered.
To sign up, contact Jean Francis at 215–698–3737 or jfrancis@holyredeemer.com ••
Education programs at Mitchell Playground
Mitchell Playground, 3700 Whitehall Lane in Morrell Park, offers a pre-kindergarten programs for 4- and 5-year-olds.
The class meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $95 per month, along with a $25 registration fee.
Mitchell also offers a preschool program for 3-year-olds. The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Children must be potty trained. The cost is $70 per month, along with a $25 registration fee.
Call 215–685–9394. ••
Klein JCC seeking iPad students
The Klein JCC, 10100 Jamison Ave., is seeking people to join an iPad class and then volunteer to train and coach others to use and enjoy the device.
The iPads were funded through the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, and the training and coaching program is being run by Generations Online.
“Here’s a wonderful opportunity to learn and get acquainted with the Internet technology in a fun and relaxing setting,” said Shelley Geltzer, the Klein JCC’s director of adult services. “It does not matter what level of understanding you currently have. Once you learn to navigate the Ipad, you’ll be in a position to coach others.”
For more information, contact Geltzer at 215–698–7300, Ext. 129, or email her at sgeltzer@kleinjcc.org ••
McCartney to perform at Firefly
The fourth annual Firefly Music Festival, set for June 18–21 at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway in Delaware, last week added Paul McCartney to the lineup.
It will be McCartney’s first appearance in Delaware.
“We’re not only excited, but honored, to have Paul McCartney join us at The Woodlands this year,” says Firefly Music Festival director Greg Bostrom. “With his addition, this year’s lineup is our most exciting one yet.”
Other headliners will be the Kings of Leon and The Killers.
The lineup will also include Morrissey, Snoop Dog, Foster the People, Bastille, Modest Mouse, Zedd, Hozier, Empire of the Sun and Kid Cudi.
In all, there will be more than 100 acts performing on seven stages.
Last year, the event attracted more than 80,000 people.
For tickets and more information, visit fireflyfestival.com ••
Local sailor earns award
Tesse Wilson, a 2002 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School, was recently named United States Coast Guard Sailor of the Quarter.
Wilson joined the Coast Guard after graduating from Dougherty, where she was a cheerleader for four years.
During her tenure, she has been stationed in numerous locations, including overseas in Bahrain.
At present, she is serving on the Coast Guard cutter ELM, stationed at Emerald Isle, North Carolina.
Wilson was recognized for her dedication, professionalism, perseverance, selfless and positive attitude, expertise, devotion to duty and commitment to the Coast Guard. She received 72 hours of special liberty. ••
Gwynedd Mercy expanding Center City site
Gwynedd Mercy University recently broke ground on the development of a Center City facility for its new accelerated nursing program.
The university is investing about $500,000 to revamp part of its campus at 6th and Chestnut streets with a new clinical lab, high-fidelity simulation lab and classroom space to accommodate the launch of its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in May.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor forecasts a shortage of more than 580,000 registered nurses by 2018.
Designed as a second degree program, the ABSN program enables students young and old — who may have not yet found a rewarding career, or may be pursuing a second career — to become nurses in as little as 16 months.
For more than 50 years, the Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions at Gwynedd Mercy University has provided nursing education.
Gwynedd Mercy will be hiring about 10 faculty members within the first year of operation. ••
O’Neill now has three neighborhood offices
City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) recently opened his third full-time neighborhood office.
O’Neill’s newest office is at 432 Rhawn St. in Fox Chase. The telephone number is 215–685–6431. The office is next to the Fox Chase SEPTA station, directly behind American Heritage Federal Credit Union.
“This new office makes it more convenient for not only Fox Chase residents, but also those living close to Fox Chase in Rhawnhurst, Burholme and Bustleton to get assistance on a variety of personal, neighborhood and city-related problems,” O’Neill said.
The other neighborhood offices are at 1701 Bowler St. (at Bustleton Avenue) and at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 headquarters, 11630 Caroline Road. O’Neill also has an office at 562 City Hall. ••
