See what events are happening in your neighborhood.
Christmas fun at Butterfly Pavilion
The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, 8046 Frankford Ave. in Holmesburg, will host a community Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day will include pictures with Santa Claus, cookie decorating and do-it-yourself ornament making. The event is free with regular admission.
For information, call 215–335–9500 or visit phillybutterflypavilion.com ••
Dollar General grand opening Saturday
Dollar General’s newest store at 8445-C Frankford Ave. is open. Dollar General will celebrate the store’s official grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8 a.m. with free prizes and special deals. Additionally, the first 50 adult shoppers at the store will receive a $10 Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag with complimentary product samples, among other giveaways. ••
Live Nativity at Lambie Funeral Home
Lambie Funeral Home, 8000 Rowland Ave. (at Rhawn Street), invites the community to its 10th annual Live Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event will feature live animals and performances by the choirs at Holmesburg Christian Academy and New Foundations Charter School.
Collections will be taken for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots and nonperishable food for St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Feast of Justice. ••
Pro-lifers to sing outside Planned Parenthood
The public is invited to join the Pro-Life Action League at a “Peace in the Womb” Christmas caroling event on Saturday, Dec. 16, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. outside the Planned Parenthood Health Center, 2751 Comly Road (near Roosevelt Boulevard). ••
Craft show at Fox Chase Library
Fox Chase Library, 501 Rhawn St., will host a craft show on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 7 p.m. ••
Come see ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
The Olde Richmond Civic Association is sponsoring a screening of the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life on Friday, Dec. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Cione Recreation Center, 2600 Aramingo Ave. ••
John Birch Society meeting on Tuesday
The John Birch Society will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, at Rhawn and Ditman streets.
A movie, The Constitution is the Solution: War Powers and the Enemy Within, will be shown. ••
Holiday event at Tacony LAB is Saturday
The Tacony LAB community arts center, 6918 Torresdale Ave., will host a holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 16, from noon to 5 p.m.
Free pictures with Santa Claus will be taken from noon to 2 p.m. All ages can make ornaments and bows throughout the afternoon. Christmas carols will be sung along Torresdale Avenue from 2 to 4 p.m.
Email [email protected] ••
Hanukkah celebration at Shaare Shamayim
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will host a free Hanukkah celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy latkes, doughnuts and applesauce. The evening will include a candle lighting and entertainment by Ice Creations. ••
Tot Shabbat service at local synagogue
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road in Bustleton, will host a tot Shabbat service on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m. There will be crafts, songs, activities and free dinner. Call 215–677–1600. ••
Jr. Vogue Players to present musical
The Pelbano Recreation Center-based Jr. Vogue Players will present two productions of Fame Jr. at Thomas Holme School, 9125 Academy Road (at Willits Road). Show time is 7 p.m. on Dec. 15–16.
Advance tickets are $8. Tickets at the door are $12 or $10 for senior citizens and kids under 12.
Call director Allison Darcy at 215–683–1975. ••
Local doctor’s office will be on TV
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation/Orthopedics, 9140 Academy Road, will be featured on American Health Front, a medical news program, on Fox 29 on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
The show will follow the Eagles’ wrap-up show. Dr. Randall N. Smith and the staff at Dr. Richard H. Kaplan will discuss effective treatments to relieve pain. ••
Charity needs volunteers
Feast of Justice, at 3101 Tyson Ave. in Mayfair, welcomes people to take part in “Volunteerapalooza,” an open volunteer day to help prepare to give out 1,000 turkey baskets for Christmas, on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Donations of turkeys and gifts for children for the holidays would be appreciated at the event.
Call 215–268–3510, Ext. 2. ••
Activities at Frankford Library
Frankford Library, 4634 Frankford Ave., welcomes teenagers and adults to use its computers to brush up on their computer skills on Monday, Dec. 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The library also invites people to visit for help with their resumes on the following Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Dec. 14 and 21. Call 215–685–1473. ••
KleinLife sponsoring trip
KleinLife is sponsoring a trip to the Terracotta Warriors Exhibit at the Franklin Institute at 20th and the Parkway in Center City on Thursday, Dec. 14.
For additional details and reservations, call 215–698–7300, Ext. 176 or email [email protected] ••
Free smoking cessation classes offered
Nazareth Hospital, 2601 Holme Ave., will offer a smoking and tobacco cessation class on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the first-floor cancer team conference room.
Registration is required. Call 215–335–7727. ••
Live Nativity on Sunday
United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd, 10901 Calera Road, will hold its annual Live Nativity on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The evening will include animals, a reading of the Christmas story and hot chocolate.
Call 215–632–1929. ••
Donate to Toys for Tots
State Sen. Christine Tartaglione is partnering with the U.S. Marine Reserve Toys for Tots Program to offer a toy donation drop-off point at her district office at 1061 Bridge St.
The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The deadline is Friday, Dec. 15, to donate new, unwrapped toys in their original packaging.
There is a special need for toys suitable for children ages 2 and younger as well as children ages 8 and older.
For more information on the program or to register as a recipient family, visit philadelphia-pa.toysfortots.org ••
Roxanna’s Run is Sunday
The third annual Roxanna’s Run will take place on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Michael Crescenz VFW Post 2819, 6850 Martins Mill Road (at Longshore Avenue) in Lawndale.
The event, for kids 13 and under, is organized by Roxanna Gambino Schroeder and the HellRaisers Motorcycle Club.
The afternoon will include food, refreshments and pictures with Santa Claus. For information, call 215–626–1723. ••
Maternity BVM sets Christmas schedule
Maternity BVM Catholic Church, 9220 Old Bustleton Ave., will hold its annual Christmas tree-lighting service on Monday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Dec. 24, Masses will be at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
The Christmas Eve Mass schedule is 4 p.m. (upper church, children’s liturgy with the Christmas story by the children); 4:10 p.m. (overflow Mass in lower chapel); 5:30 p.m.; and midnight (with Christmas carols at 11:30 p.m.).
The Dec. 25 Christmas Day Mass schedule is 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
For more information, go to maternitybvmchurch.net or call the rectory at 215–673–8127. ••
LIHEAP applications available at O’Neill’s office
The district offices of City Councilman Brian O’Neill have applications for information on the 2017 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Philadelphia Gas Works customers can apply for LIHEAP, which provides federal grants that help income-eligible families pay their heating bills and restore gas service in the event of a shutoff.
Grants range from $200 to $1,000, are available to both renters and homeowners, and do not have to be repaid. The award amount is based on household size and income.
Applications are available at O’Neill’s offices at 7522 Castor Ave. (215–685–0438); 432 Rhawn St. (215–685–6431); FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road (215–437–9167); Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street, above the 7th Police District (215–685–0432); and 562 City Hall (215–686–3422). ••
Blue Christmas service in Somerton
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 14100 Worthington Road, will host a Blue Christmas service on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m.
The service is designed to be an experience of encouragement and hope for those having a difficult Christmas season for reasons such as the loss of a loved one, transitions or personal challenges or pain.
The service will include prayers, scripture and music that acknowledges that God’s presence is for those who mourn and struggle.
For information, call 215–464–1540 or visit immanuelphilly.org ••
Grief support group meeting
Donna Glatz, widow of slain Lawncrest jeweler William Glatz, will hold Heal Your Heart From Loss on Thursday, Jan. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the James E. Kinney Senior Center, 165 Township Road in Richboro. Glatz will share the story of her husband’s murder.
William Glatz was shot to death in 2010 during a robbery attempt inside his jewelry store on Rising Sun Avenue.
Obina Onyiah was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Kevin Turner, who had escaped from Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility nine days earlier, died in a shootout with Glatz.
The Glatz family had owned the store for more than 60 years.
For more information, email [email protected] ••
St. Martin of Tours holding gala
St. Martin of Tours will host its third annual Together Towards Tomorrow gala on April 14, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Leonard Helicopter Hangar, 3050 Red Lion Road.
The honorees will be Wendell Young IV (Business Leader of the Year), Brother Richard Kestler (Alumnus of the Year) and Mary Harkins (Educator of the Year).
Young is president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, which represents more than 22,000 members who work in retail, food processing, manufacturing, healthcare and professional offices in parts of Pennsylvania and New York. He is a vice president of the UFCW international union.
Kestler graduated from St. Martin’s in 1956. He was principal of West Catholic from 1973–79 and president of the school from 1999 to 2005 and 2012–16. He was president of La Salle High School from 2005–12.
Harkins graduated from St. Martin’s in 1962, Little Flower High School in ’66 and Immaculata in ’70. She has been involved in Catholic education since her college graduation. She was principal of Cardinal Dougherty from 1999 to 2005 and is in her 13th year as principal at Archbishop Wood.
The evening will include dinner, hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail reception with two drink tickets. The cost is $75.
For more information, go to stmartinoftoursphila.independencemissionschools.org/tickets ••
Free photos with Santa
Children and their families are invited to have their picture taken with Santa Claus on Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 2 to 5 p.m. at state Sen. Tina Tartaglione’s office at 4th Street and Allegheny Avenue.
Visitors will also have the chance to obtain information about state-sponsored programs and services, including home heating assistance and rent rebates. ••
Primerano to perform Dec. 31
Singer-pianist/entertainer John Primerano will perform on Sunday, Dec. 31, at Moonstruck Restaurant, 7955 Oxford Ave. in Fox Chase.
Call 215–725–6000 or 215–677–1843, or visit johnprimerano.com ••
Retirement program at library
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., will host Prepare for Retirement, on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Citizens Bank will discuss setting goals and staying on path to a comfortable retirement.
The event is free, and no registration is required. Call 215–685–0522. ••
Comedy night at local AOH
The deadline is Jan. 11 to buy tickets for Northeast Catholic Alumni Association’s upcoming comedy night.
The show will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, at Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 39, 7229 Tulip St.
Tickets cost $45 and include beer, wine, soda and buffet.
Doors will be open from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The show will run from 8:30 to 10 p.m. and feature Jim Daly, Ed McGonigal and Jake Mattera.
The evening will include a Chinese auction. Call the alumni office at 215–543–1051 or Jeff Rzepczynski (class of 1988) at 267–879–4894. ••
Trip to see musical in AC
Jewish War Veterans Post 98 is organizing a trip to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City to see the musical Gantza Ge Mishpucha on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
The cost is $30, which includes round-trip bus transportation, a show ticket, $10 in slot play and $5 food credit.
A bus will begin boarding at 9:45 a.m. at Welsh Road and Leonard Street, in front of Tremont Plaza, near Burger King. All vehicles must be parked on the street, not in the lot. The bus will depart at 10 a.m. The show is at 3:30 p.m.
For reservations, call senior vice commander Gil Benedict at 215–742–1420. ••
