Program assists Jewish families
Heart to Heart is a program based at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., that assists vulnerable Jewish families or individuals 60 year or younger.
Karen B. Gurmankin, program director, helps people find work, enhance their career skills and obtain public benefits. She leverages charitable help and connects people to services relating to housing, nutritional support, medical and mental health services and recreational needs.
Contact Gurmankin at 215–698–7300, Ext. 135 or [email protected] ••
Riverfront cleanup on Tuesday
United by Blue and the Delaware River City Corporation will sponsor a cleanup at Lardner’s Point Park, 5100 Levick St., on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.
There will be games, prizes and ice cream. Cleanup supplied will be provided.
Call 215–278–7858. ••
Tacony a great neighborhood
City Councilman Bobby Henon congratulates the Tacony Community Development Corporation, Tacony Civic Association and neighborhood organizations and individuals following Tacony being named one of two “Great Neighborhoods” by the American Planning Association, Pennsylvania Chapter.
The distinction recognizes “unique, memorable places that work not only for their community, but as a model others want to emulate — places of exemplary character, quality, planning, identity, cultural interest and community involvement with a sustainable vision for tomorrow.”
“This is a great measure of the continued progress made in Tacony in recent years,” Henon said. “It’s a tribute to the hard work of the Tacony Community Development Corporation, Civic Association and the neighbors that are the driving force behind this revitalization.”
Alex Balloon, corridor manager for the Tacony CDC, added: “We’re honored to receive this prestigious award. We’ve always known Tacony was a great place and over the past few years key projects, smart neighborhood planning and strong partnerships have made it even better. We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and our project partners. We’re looking ahead to take on even more exciting projects in the near future.”
The APAPA announcement recognized Tacony as a “historic gem,” referencing its long historical legacy, and detailed the Storefront Improvement Program, a reimbursable grant program that brings together property owners, community development corporations and the city to update storefronts. To date, SIP has helped to revamp 16 storefronts in Tacony.
Media Borough was the other Pennsylvania neighborhood named as a “Great Place.” Other winners included Clearview Common (Mt. Lebanon), Market Square (Pittsburgh) and the Oval (Philadelphia) for “Great Public Spaces.” ••
Lung cancer fundraiser in Pennypack Park
The Trovato family will sponsor Breathe Deep Philadelphia, a 5K walk and fun run in Pennypack Park on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the park near the entrance at Rhawn and Holmehurst streets. The walk and fun run start at 10 a.m.
Proceeds will benefit the LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s largest private funder of lung cancer research.
Lung cancer takes the lives of three times as many men as prostate cancer. Lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic and melanoma cancers combined.
To register, go to www.lungevity.org/philadelphia ••
Family night at Holmesburg Library
The Friends of Holmesburg Library will sponsor Family Night in the Garden on Monday, Aug. 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, at 7810 Frankford Ave.
The night will feature art activities, face-painting, refreshments, storytelling and a puppet show.
Call 215–685–8756. ••
Attention Korean War veterans
All Korean War veterans from 1950 to the present are welcome to join Chapter 38.
The group meets once a month at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home, 2701 Southampton Road (at Roosevelt Boulevard).
The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27.
For more information, call John Radca at 267–304–2993. ••
Designer Bag Bingo fundraiser
The Michael J. Lutz Lodge 5 Auxiliary will sponsor its fourth annual Designer Bag Bingo on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Fraternal Order of Police, 11630 Caroline Road.
Doors open and lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 2 p.m.
The cost is $35, which includes lunch and 12 games of Bingo. The afternoon will also include raffle baskets.
For more information, contact Donna Giulian at 215–820–0865 or [email protected] or Bernadette Carter at 215–604–0416 or [email protected] ••
Planning meeting on Aug. 13
Philadelphia 2035 will hold a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. (at Ditman Street).
The focus will be on the North Delaware District Plan.
For more information, call 215–683–4649 or visit phila2035.org ••
NE celebration on Aug. 22
The Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association will hold its annual Northeast Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Max Myers Playground, 1601 Hellerman St.
The free event will include children’s activities, community organizations, music, food and free school bags, courtesy of Catholic Community Services.
Participants will include the Philadelphia Zoo, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, the Barnes Foundation, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Fleisher Art Memorial and Clay Studio.
Activities will include a magician, caricature artists, clowns, carnival games, face painting, health screenings, flu shots, educational programming and spin art.
Contact Jared Solomon at 215–205–2167 or [email protected] ••
National Night Out on Aug. 4
Residents of the 8th and 15th police districts will celebrate National Night Out with a parade and fair on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The parade will begin at 7 p.m. at Frankford Avenue and Welsh Road. It will end at Abraham Lincoln High School. The grand marshals will be the children of fallen police officer Robert Wilson.
At Lincoln, there will be a crime and informational fair in the school parking lot, near Rowland and Ryan avenues.
The event is designed to raise crime prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood spirit and foster community/police partnerships.
The night will include entertainment, giveaways and activities. Organizers are seeking stepper groups, bands, entertainers and exhibitors.
For more information, call Edith Simpson at 215–397–1357. ••
Lottery ticket convention at Sheraton
The Global Lottery Collector’s Society will host its annual lottery ticket convention, “Lotovention,” on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Four Points-Sheraton Hotel, 9461 Roosevelt Blvd.
The annual event gives members the opportunity to meet face-to-face after spending numerous hours trading tickets through the mail. Attendees will have access to thousands of different scratch-off tickets from all over the country, all in one room. The event is free and open to the public, and club members hope the event will attract new members.
“Every year, we find people who collect tickets but never knew there is an organization who meet and trade with others that share the same hobby,” said event chairman Steven Gilbert. “We invite anyone interested in learning more about collecting lottery tickets to come to the event or visit our website.”
For more information on the convention or the organization, call the hotel at 215–671–9600, visit www.lotterycollectors.com or email Steven Gilbert at [email protected] ••
Weight-loss program seeks members
The Trevose Behavior Modification Program is accepting applications for its free weight-loss program.
The deadline to fill out an application is Aug. 10. Applicants must need to lose about 20 to 80 pounds.
The group for new members will begin on Aug. 20. Meetings are held on Thursday mornings in Bustleton.
The program, a nonprofit support group, was started by the University of Pennsylvania in 1970.
For an application or more information, call 215–885–1007 or 215–342–5917. ••
Plenty of programs at Holmesburg Library
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will be offering numerous free programs through the summer, thanks to the Friends of Holmesburg Library.
Preschool Story Time will take place at 10:30 a.m. on the following Tuesdays: Aug. 4 and Aug. 18.
A Teen Tuesdays event is planned for Aug. 4 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
School-age children are invited to make crafts at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 30.
People are welcome to mingle in the library garden on Monday, Aug. 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be stories, a puppet show, face-painting, art and refreshments.
Call 215–685–8756 or visit the Friends of Holmesburg Library page on Facebook. ••
Cutting-edge technology at local eyecare clinic
Fox Chase Family Eye Care, 7834 Oxford Ave., recently implemented the Marco TRS 5100 to provide patients with the most advanced optical technology available.
The fully computerized system automates the refraction process. It represents a more accurate refracting system that allows doctors to choose a new prescription.
“I am especially excited to begin using this amazing new technology in our practice,” said Dr. Lance Dunoff. “It truly sets us apart and keeps us on the cutting edge of eye care. Getting your prescription has now entered the modern age.”
Call 215–745–0993 or go to www.foxchasefamilyeyecare.com ••
Car dealership supports charities
The All New Barbera Autoland, 7810 Roosevelt Blvd. (at Borbeck Avenue) in Rhawnhurst, supports BarberaCares, the dealership’s community and charitable initiatives.
The dealership has supported Toys for Tots, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the YMCA and the Police Athletic League.
Boulevard Auto Group LLC bought the dealership four years ago. ••
Exercise program available
Individuals 65 and older can qualify for complimentary memberships in the Silver & Fit and SilverSneakers exercise programs offered at KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia, located at 10100 Jamison Ave.
Seniors enrolled in either of the two programs will be offered full access to KleinLife’s indoor swimming pool, its fully equipped fitness center, sauna and steam room. Silver & Fit memberships may be covered under Aetna, Capital Blue Cross and Cigna-HealthSpring, while the SilverSneakers memberships may be covered under AARP Medicare Insurance Supplement Plan, Aetna Medicare, Highmark Inc., Humana, Independence 65 Blue Cross and United HealthCare.
In addition, those adults protected under HealthPartners healthcare insurance may qualify at any age for a free membership to KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia.
For additional information, contact KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia at 215–698–7300 or visit www.kleinlife.org ••
Frankford CDC earns grant
The Frankford Community Development Corporation is one of three winners of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Neighborhood Placemaker Grants.
The grants are for projects that will enhance public spaces and improve the beauty and environmental sustainability of communities.
Each winner will receive a $25,000 grant to support development and construction of its project.
There were 150 proposals submitted.
The Frankford CDC, in concert with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, will turn a vacant lot at Frankford Avenue and Paul Street into a public park. The park will be named for an expression used by locals when they are stopped in mid-conversation as the Frankford El rumbles overhead: “The Frankford Pause.”
The project will be completed within one year. ••
Farm Stand at Jeanes
The Farm Stand on the Jeanes Hospital campus is open every Thursday through November from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The stand offers fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, cage-free brown eggs, cheeses, apple butter, pumpkin butter, cider applesauce and honey. It is located between Jeanes Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center, on the 7600 Central Ave. campus.
For more information, call 215–728–2131. ••
Free Shoe Saturdays at Famous Footwear
Famous Footwear opened a new store on July 15 in the Northeast Town Center at 4640 Roosevelt Blvd.
The store will host Free Shoe Saturdays with hourly shoe drawings from 1 to 5 p.m. every Saturday through Sept. 12.
For information, visit www.Famous.com ••
