Check out walkathons, beef and beers and more this week in Northeast Philadelphia.
Maternity BVM holding walkathon
Maternity BVM Elementary School will be holding its second annual walkathon on Friday, April 20, at 9 a.m.
The students will walk down Old Bustleton Avenue to the old church and back. All money raised will be put toward updating the library and creating a media center. Donations can be mailed to the school at 9322 Old Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19115 or dropped in the collection baskets at Mass.
To make an online donation, go to maternitybvm.net. For information, call 215–908–3329. ••
Water Department seeks rate hike
The Philadelphia Water Department wants to increase rates 10.6 percent over a three-year period.
The department will hold a public input hearing on Thursday, April 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Holy Family University’s Campus Center, Room 115, 9801 Frankford Ave. ••
Henon mobile office hours on Monday
City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.) will hold mobile office hours on Monday, April 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 2990 Welsh Road in Holme Circle. Constituents are welcome to relay concerns, complaints and requests to Henon’s staff. ••
St. Jerome Seniors announce trips
St. Jerome Seniors will be traveling to Baltimore on May 16 to see the Phillies play the Orioles at Camden Yards. The cost is $110 and includes round-trip motorcoach transportation, lower-level seating and a sit-down dinner at Phillips Seafood in the Inner Harbor.
The group will head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from May 28 to June 1. The cost is $620 per person, double occupancy, and includes four-night hotel stay, motorcoach transportation, taxes, meal gratuities, two shows, brunch and a guided tour of historic Georgetown. Call Ray at 215–332–0866. ••
Author lecture at Ryerss Museum & Library
Ryerss Museum & Library, at 7370 Central Ave. in Burholme Park, will host author John Whitenight on Sunday, April 22, at 1 p.m. Whitenight will be speaking on A Victorian Obsession: The Natural World Under Glass.
Guests will learn about glass as a Victorian art form in Ryerss’ downstairs Victorian parlor.
Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.
Call 215–685–0544 or visit ryerssmuseum.org ••
Open house at water treatment plant
The Philadelphia Water Department will host an open house at its Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant, State Road and Linden Avenue, on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Water Department Commissioner Debra McCarty will be on hand. Visitors should park at Pleasant Hill Park, Delaware and Linden avenues. Shuttles will transport them to the water treatment plant. ••
Night at the Races at St. Bart’s
St. Bartholomew Parish will host a Night at the Races on Saturday, April 21, at its church hall, 5600 Jackson St. in Wissinoming.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Cards and money wheel tables open at 5:30 p.m. Horse races begin at 6 p.m.
Tickets cost $15 and include dinner, beer, soda, coffee and cake. Horses cost $5 each.
The event is for people 21 and older. Tickets are available at the rectory or by calling 215–831–1224. ••
Beef and Beer Bingo fundraiser in Tacony
A Beef and Beer Bingo fundraiser will take place on Saturday, April 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Tacony Mayfair Sons of Italy, 4741 Friendship St.
Proceeds will benefit the Marie Huff Scholarship at St. Hubert High School. Tickets cost $40 and include bingo prizes, basket raffles, 50/50, wine, soda, beef, beer and disc jockey. Call 215–435–2871. ••
Free yard trees available
The Holmesburg Civic Association welcomes people to register for a free yard tree.
Trees will be given away on Sunday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, 8046 Frankford Ave.
To register, go to holmesburg.ticketleap.com/treegiveaway ••
Killer of bin Laden to speak at benefit
The Michael Strange Foundation will hold a fundraiser on Saturday, April 21, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Spring Mill Country Club & Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road in Ivyland.
The speakers will be Rob O’Neill, who killed Osama bin Laden; U.S. Navy SEAL Thomas “Drago” Dzieran; and Vietnam War veteran and radio host Joe Griffies.
The evening will include dinner and an open bar.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange was killed in eastern Afghanistan in 2011.
He was among 38 killed when their Chinook helicopter was shot down by insurgents using a rocket-propelled grenade.
Strange, 25, grew up on the 6100 block of Algard St. in Wissinoming and graduated from St. Bartholomew Elementary School and North Catholic High School. He signed up for the military in August 2004, two months after graduating from North Catholic. He was deployed once to Iraq and three times to Afghanistan, and was engaged to be married.
Tickets cost $100, and proceeds benefit the Michael Strange Foundation, which provides support and services to families of fallen service members. Call 215–983–4470 or visit americanheroesnight.ticketbud.com ••
Services for veterans on April 20
State Rep. Thomas Murt (R-152nd dist.) will host the Disabled American Veterans’ van at his district office, 19 S. York Road in Hatboro, on Friday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
DAV officers will be available to educate disabled veterans and their families on specific veterans’ benefits and services, and assist with the completion of required applications. Veterans are asked to bring their claim number, Social Security number, a photo ID and DD-214.
There is no need for an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted. For questions about this event, contact Murt’s district office at 215–674–3755. ••
City budget forum at St. Jerome
City Councilman Bobby Henon will hold a forum on the city budget on Wednesday, April 25, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Jerome School, 3031 Stamford St.
To register, call 215–683–9220 or visit goo.gl/xMHyhU ••
World Day of Prayer Service on April 20
The 2018 Community World Day of Prayer Service will be held on Friday, April 20, at 7 p.m. at Holmesburg Baptist Church, 7927 Frankford Ave.
The Republic of Suriname is featured, with the focus on the environmental changes that are affecting the rainforest.
Area churches involved with this service are Emmanuel Resurrection Episcopal, Holmesburg United Methodist, St. Dominic Roman Catholic, St. Jerome Roman Catholic, Mt. Zion Baptist of Holmesburg, Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity and Holmesburg Baptist.
Parking lot is located behind the church on Charles Street. The church is wheelchair accessible.
All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Call 215–338–1775. ••
Auction scheduled for April 21
Emanuel United Church of Christ, 2628 Fillmore St. (near Thompson Street), will host a Ticket in Basket Auction on Saturday, April 21.
Admission is $4 and includes $1 in tickets.
Food and snacks will be available for purchase.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Drawings start at 12:30 p.m. ••
Weight-loss surgery discussion at Nazareth
Nazareth Hospital, 2601 Holme Ave., will host a free bariatric information session to help weight-loss surgery patients become healthier on Friday, April 20.
Participants will meet Nazareth’s bariatric surgeons and learn about surgery options and support services.
The session will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Nazareth’s DiBello Conference Room.
To register, call 1–855-LESS-YOU or visit mercyhealth.org ••
Holocaust lecture Wednesday night
Hilary Earl, a history professor from Nipissing University in Ontario, Canada, will visit Holy Family University on Wednesday, April 18, to speak about the Holocaust. Her lecture is entitled “The Biggest Murder Trial in History: The Nuremberg SS-Einsatzgruppen Trial and the Banality of Evil.” The event will take place in the Education and Technology Center auditorium, Frankford and Grant avenies, at 6:30 p.m.
Earl’s lecture will focus on the postwar trials of the members of the Nazi death squads that were tasked with murdering the Jewish population of Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and other non-Jewish civilians.
She is the author of The Nuremberg SS-Einsatzgruppen Trial, 1945–1958: Atrocity Law and History.
The event is free and open to the public. ••
Volunteers needed for spring cleaning
The Northeast Naturally Occurring Retirement Community will hold its annual spring cleaning for older adults on Sunday, April 22.
Volunteers are needed for yard work; minor home repairs; cleaning and re-organizing kitchens, basements and garages; replacing hard-to-reach light bulbs and smoke detector batteries; uncovering or putting in window air conditioning units for the season; removing storm windows and putting in screens; and removing weatherization seals from doors and windows.
The time slots are 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Volunteers will meet at the NORC office at 8546-B Bustleton Ave. (near Mower Street), adjacent to the T-Mobile store.
Supplies and tools will be provided.
A parent or guardian must accompany children under 16.
Contact Michael Priole at [email protected] or 215–320–0351. ••
Holmesburg Coalition meeting on April 25
The Holmesburg Coalition will meet on Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at New Foundations Charter Elementary School, Torresdale Avenue and Rhawn Street. ••
Preschool story time on Friday
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host preschool story time on Friday, April 20, at 10 a.m. The book will be My Cousin Momo. ••
Molly Maguires event at Holmesburg Library
Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan will present a history of the Molly Maguires on Monday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave.
The presentation is sponsored by Friends of Holmesburg Library. Call 215–685–8756. ••
Nesbitt reunion scheduled for May 2
The 46th reunion of former employees of John J. Nesbitt will take place on Wednesday, May 2, at 1 p.m. at Tiffany Diner, 9010 Roosevelt Blvd.
Nesbitt was a large commercial heating and air conditioning company at State Road and Rhawn Street.
The cost is $20 and includes a meal.
Contact Edward Apice at 215–637–2637 or email [email protected] ••
Soccer combine for boys on May 6
Bryn Athyn College, 2945 College Drive in Bryn Athyn, will host a soccer event, combine and education seminar for sixth- and seventh-grade boys on Sunday, May 6, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
The day will include 9-on-9 games.
The price is $125, though discounts are available.
High schools in attendance will be Academy of the New Church, Archbishop Ryan, Bishop McDevitt, Cardinal O’Hara, Father Judge, Holy Ghost Prep, La Salle, Malvern Prep, Roman Catholic, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Penn Charter.
For more information, contact Jeff Stever at 215–280–7740 or [email protected] or visit scholarathleteadvantage.com ••
