Planning meeting is Dec. 16
The third and final public meeting for the North Delaware District Plan will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Holy Family University’s Campus Center, 9801 Frankford Ave.
The meeting is free to attend and open to the public. It will have an open house format when visitors may view the draft plan recommendations.
Previously, community stakeholders from the neighborhoods affected by the plan — including Wissinoming, Tacony, Mayfair, Holmesburg, Upper Holmesburg and Torresdale — identified various components of the area as assets, obstacles and those with potential for improvement. The plan addresses residential and commercial development, parks and recreation, as well as transportation needs in the community.
Information from prior steps in the planning process is available via phila2035.org or send an email to
Larissa.Klevan@phila.gov. ••
Clothing drive needs donations
State Sen. John Sabatina (D-5th dist.) is urging people to visit his district offices and bring a new or gently used item of winter clothing for their less fortunate neighbors.
Sabatina will be hosting collection boxes for Catholic Community Services’ second annual Operation Bundle Up.
“For some of our neighbors, it’s a year-round challenge to make ends meet, and winter makes those needs more acute,” Sabatina said. “Operation Bundle Up is a great way to for those who have a little extra to share it at this time of year.”
Operation Bundle Up collects new and gently used hats, coats and scarves for boys and girls up to age 18. Organizers say they have a special need for clothing for children under the age of four. Distribution of donated items is scheduled for Dec. 5.
Sabatina has two district offices, both open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. They are located at 12361 Academy Road and 8016 Bustleton Avenue. ••
Taylor holding drug meeting
State Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.) will host a series of community meetings called “A Path to Recovery” to enlighten residents on the challenges of drug addiction and recovery.
The first meeting will be held at the Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St., on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m.
ldquo;We must develop an ongoing dialogue about drug rehabilitation, recovery and resources for the people of our community in response to the prescription pill and heroin crises,” Taylor said.
Speakers will include Mary Doherty from CORA, John Cooper from Self Help, and Sgt. Andrew Callahan from the narcotics division of the Philadelphia Police Department.
For more information on the first meeting, call 215–708–3139. ••
Two new shows to hit the Devon Theater stage
The historic Devon Theater will be filled with music, dance, singing and magic for the weekend of Dec. 12 and 13 as the En Pointe ballet school and Multicultural Arts Exchange present two live shows in the state-of-the-art performance venue.
On Saturday, Dec. 12, En Pointe will light up the stage with two performances of The Nutcracker at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for general admission or $20 for VIP seating. Visit www.enppointeonline.com or call 215–856–7100 for information.
On Sunday, Dec. 13, Multicultural Arts Exchange will bring the interactive music show Two of a Kind to the Devon, featuring the award-winning duo of David and Jenny Heitler-Klevans. The 45-minute performance includes songs, puppets, choreography and storytelling with an emphasis on audience interaction and participation.
The child admission price is $10 and includes free admission for two adults. Visit http://mae.ticketleap.com/two-of-a-kind for information. ••
Business event at library
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave. (near Bustleton Avenue), will present the “Starting A Business Expo” on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The event is for people starting or growing a business. They can meet representatives from the city commerce department, Small Business Administration, The Enterprise Center, Small Business Center/Community College of Philadelphia and Women’s Opportunities Resource Center.
Guests will learn about loans, government contracts, permits, licenses, social media, business plans and business counseling. Admission is free. No registration is required. Do not park in the Sears or Nick’s Roast Beef lots.
Call 215–685–0522 or 215–685–0501. ••
Donate toys at Taylor’s office
State Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.) will again sponsor his annual toy drive for needy children in his district.
“Christmas is the season for sharing and giving,” Taylor said. “Each year, people throughout my district come together for this worthy toy drive.”
Toys and gifts are needed for children from birth to 12 years old. Baby food and diapers are also accepted.
ldquo;Each donation, no matter how small, helps another family experience the meaning of Christmas,” Taylor said.
Items need to be new and unwrapped. Gifts can be dropped off at any of Taylor’s three offices: 2901 E. Thompson St. (215–425–0901), 4725 Richmond St. (215–744–2600) and 4117 Longshore Ave. (215–708–3130). The toys collected will be distributed to families in time for Christmas. ••
Christmas activities in Mayfair
The Mayfair Business Association, Civic Association and Community Development Corporation, along with Wawa, will present their seventh annual Christmas Village and Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Mayfair Civic President and CDC vice chair Donny Smith, who was the guest of honor at a surprise 50th birthday party on Saturday night at the Tacony Mayfair Sons of Italy, stated, “We have an exciting event this year that kicks off at noon at our own town square, better known as Cottman and Frankford, where we’ll have holiday-themed music featuring the acoustics and vocals of neighbor resident Trish Paffen at 2 p.m. as well as the St. Hubert’s chorus performing at 4 p.m., many crafters, awesome food vendors, a winter wonderland beer garden provided by the Grey Lodge Pub and special guests like Santa Claus, who we hear will be arriving at 3 p.m., and an appearance by our parade grand marshal, Father Joe Campellone, who will light the neighborhood Christmas tree at dusk.”
Mayfair Business Association president and Grey Lodge owner Mike “Scoats” Scotese added, “Along with the above, we will also have a visit from the United State Marine Corps, who will be bringing their military vehicles and collecting Toys for Tots, thanks to business association member and owner of Avenue Chiropractic, Dr. Anne Marie Muldoon. It’s neighborhood involvement like this that makes Mayfair a great place to live and work, and in my case, grab a beer with 500 of your closest friends.” ••
Donate luggage to foster kids
The public is invited to take part in A Bag to Pack, an initiative to help youths in foster care.
The effort was begun because many kids in foster care move from home to home with their belongings in trash bags and shopping bags.
The charity is looking for new or slightly used luggage such as a suitcase, duffle bag or travel bag.
Luggage can be dropped off at the following sites:
• Goddard School, 420 Dresher Road, Horsham, on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 to 11 a.m.
• SEPTA Fox Chase Station, Rockwell Avenue parking lot, on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information, contact Connie at 215–620–1768 or c.m.pinero@gmail.com ••
Leaf collection underway
The Department of Streets is conducting a leaf collection and recycling program through Dec. 19.
Bagged leaves can be dropped off at 23 locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. They must be in biodegradable paper bags.
Bagged leaves set out at the curb will be collected as trash.
Mechanical leaf collection will also be offered on a designated weekly schedule in areas with a heavy concentration of leaves.
To find out bagged leaf drop-off locations or for more information on mechanical leaf collection, call the office of City Councilman Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) at 215-MU6–3422. ••
Santa is coming to town
Santa Claus will visit the Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave. (at Hartel Avenue), on Monday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Children will be able to have their picture taken with Santa. The night will also include holiday crafts, story time, cookies and candy canes.
The event is sponsored by Friends of Holmesburg Library.
Call 215–685–8756. ••
Murt holding open house
State Rep. Tom Murt (R-152nd dist.) will hold an upcoming open house to give residents a chance to learn more about the services available from his office.
The open house will be held Friday, Dec. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Murt’s district office at 19 South York Road in Hatboro. Light refreshments will be served.
“This is the perfect time to stop by, learn about legislation in Harrisburg, and share your concerns with me,” Murt said. “It’s very important that we keep the lines of communication open.”
Call 215–674–3755 for more information. ••
Free shredding event is Saturday
State Rep. Kevin Boyle will host a free document shredding event for members of the community to destroy unwanted personal papers on Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at his district office at 7801 Hasbrook Ave. in Fox Chase.
Shredding confidential personal documents helps people protect themselves from identity thieves. Typically, these documents contain Social Security numbers, bank account information and credit card information. Each visitor may bring up to four plastic trash bags of documents for shredding. ••
Rebels to be discussed at lecture
“Punishing the Rebels: A New Look at the Fourteenth Amendment” will be the topic of a free lecture presented by Glen Foerd on the Delaware and Holy Family University at Holy Family’s Education Technology Center Auditorium, 9801 Frankford Ave., on Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.
Despite the many advocates for executions, no rebels were hanged for treason after the American Civil War. But this does not mean they escaped punishment. The best articulation of how the United States punished the rebels is found in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified on July 9, 1868.
The amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. Dr. William Blair, director of the Richards Civil War Center and author, will discuss why the rebels didn’t hang, but rather faced power politics in the cornerstone amendment. ••
