Free pet photos with Santa
PetSmart is offering free pet photos with Santa Claus on two weekends in December.
The dates and times are Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 8-9 and 15-16, from noon to 4 p.m.
The local PetSmart stores are at 7422 Bustleton Ave., 4640-60 Roosevelt Blvd. and 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. ••
Toy drive in Lawndale ends Friday
The deadline is Friday, Dec. 7, to make a donation and RSVP to the fourth annual Roxanne’s Run.
The HellRaisers Motorcycle Club will deliver toys for needy children 12 and under to Michael Crescenz VFW Post 2819, in Lawndale. The toys will be distributed on the afternoon of Dec. 16. Santa Claus will be there, and food will be served. To make a donation or attend the party, call 215-626-1723. ••
Heeney, McColgan to be honored
Two local people will be honored at the 138th anniversary celebration of the United Republican Club, 3156 Frankford Ave. The celebration will take place at the URC on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
William Heeney, a Torresdale resident who is seeking an at-large City Council seat, will receive the William A. Meehan Public Service Award.
Camille McColgan, of the Far Northeast, will receive the Mary Tierney Public Service Award. ••
Eagles watch party on Sunday
The Mayfair Business Improvement District will host the SportsRadio 94WIP Go Birds Pre-Game Block Party and Eagles Game Watching Party on Sunday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Frankford and Cottman avenues.
The day will start at 2 p.m. with the live podcast and Facebook Live show featuring John Barchard and James Seltzer. Starting at 4:25 p.m., there will be a giant screen TV playing the Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys live, with patio heaters to keep fans warm.
Visitors will be able to test their quarterback skills against former Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley at an inflatable football toss challenge, and get photos and autographs. For a small donation, people will be able to take their turn smashing a Cowboys car, courtesy of Dunphy Ford.
Also, there will be food vendors such as Nick’s Roast Beef, Factory Donuts, Halal Guys and Marinucci’s Deli. There will also be tailgate games such as Giant Jenga, Cornhole, Connect Four and the WIP Spin Wheel of Prizes. Art History 101 will be dropping its exclusive Frankford Yellow Jackets T-shirt design at the event. The Yellow Jackets played in the NFL from 1924-31, winning the championship in ‘26. ••
Learn about historical NE mansions
The Northeast Philadelphia History Network will present Up the Lazy River, Historic Journey on the Delaware on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. at Pennepack Baptist Church, 8732 Krewstown Road.
Archivist/historian Jack McCarthy will make the presentation, which will feature illustrations focusing on the grand estates and mansions that were situated along the Delaware River in Frankford, Wissinoming, Tacony, Holmesburg and Torresdale in the 18th through early 20th centuries. ••
AIDS quilt at Tacony Library
In honor of World AIDS Day, the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Tacony Library, 6742 Torresdale Ave. (at Knorr Street).
Music will be provided by local band SB Deluxe.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt display is presented by AIDS Fund and Southeast Northeast Philadelphia Arts Collective (SENE). Additional support is provided by Tacony Community Development Corporation, Tacony Library, Free Library of Philadelphia and the Office of Councilman Bobby Henon.
The quilt is a 54-ton, handmade tapestry that stands as a memorial to more than 96,000 individuals lost to AIDS. It is composed of more than 49,000 individual panels, each one commemorating the life of someone who has died of AIDS.
“Events like the AIDS Memorial Quilt display reflect the diversity of Northeast Philadelphia,” Henon said. “This powerful event will serve as a reminder about the impact of the AIDS epidemic, and provide a way for the community to come together.”
In addition, the “1981-Until It’s Over…” AIDS timeline will be on display. ••
Have breakfast with Santa
The St. Hubert Alumnae Association will sponsor a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Guests should enter at Ditman Street and Bleigh Avenue.
Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for children. Children under 2 are free. The price includes a full breakfast, activities and a visit from Santa.
Tickets must be purchased online. Download a form at bit.ly/SHSantaBreakfast18 or email shaabreakfastwithsanta@gmail.com ••
Free guided trolley tours of historic Tacony
The Tacony Community Development Corporation and Historical Society of Tacony will be sponsoring free guided trolley tours of the historic neighborhood on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The tours will depart from Tacony Library, 6742 Torresdale Ave., at noon and 1 p.m., and are recommended for adults and children over 10 years of age.
Pre-registration is strongly recommended and can be done by visiting the library during operating hours or by calling the Historical Society of Tacony at 215-338-8790. The tours will be offered as part of Winterfest. ••
Submarine lecture at NE Regional
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., will host Submarine Warfare During World War II on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Learn about U.S. Navy, Japanese, British and German submarine warfare. The event is free. No registration is required. ••
Santa Claus coming to Holmesburg
The Friends of Holmesburg Library is sponsoring a visit by Santa Claus on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. There will be cookies, candy canes, holiday crafts, pictures and storytime. Call 215-685-8756. ••
KleinLife announces upcoming trip
The Travel with KleinLife series offers a pair of one-day excursions. Travel With KleinLife will visit the Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theatre, in Huntingdon Valley, on Tuesday, Dec. 11, to enjoy a private magic and comedy performance. The other trip is an excursion to Broadway on Sunday, March 10, to enjoy The Cher Show,
For details and reservations, call 215-698-7300, Ext. 176 or email akimelheim@kleinlife.org ••
Donate Christmas gifts at Houseman
Houseman Recreation Center, 5091 Summerdale Ave., is accepting donations of Christmas gifts and toys through Dec. 11.
Gifts should be new and unwrapped. They can be for boys or girls ages 3 months to 16 years. ••
Christmas tea event is Saturday
Emmanuel Resurrection Episcopal Church, 8201 Frankford Ave., will hold a Christmas tea on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m.
Cost is $10 per person. Parking is available on Stanwood Street. Call Esther at 215-333-2391 or Colleen at 215-624-8520 for tickets. ••
Open house to be held for railroad club
The Abington Lines Model Railroad Club, 2066 Second Street Pike in Richboro, will host several open houses. Open houses are scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. on the following weekend days: Dec. 8-9 and 29-30, Jan. 5-6 and 12-13 and Feb. 2-3 and 9-10.
Admission is free. Call 215-598-7720. ••
Bridesburg seniors Tennessee bound
Bridesburg All Saints Seniors will enjoy A Taste of Country Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee.
The seniors will spend five days and four nights in Tennessee, from Dec. 8-12. The trip includes Christmas Dinner with Trace Adkins, a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry and a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The cost is $725 double occupancy.
Call 215-292-6402. ••
Toys for Tots seeks donations through Friday
Two Allstate agency owners in the Northeast are teaming up with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to spread holiday cheer through Dec. 7. Community members are encouraged to stop by the agencies owned by Jonathan Wright (9967 Bustleton Ave.) and Barry Petroziello (12327 Academy Road) to donate toys.
“As a small business owner in the Bustleton section of Philadelphia, I see firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing our area,” Wright said. “I’m proud to join my fellow Allstate agency owners in supporting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, and encourage community members to stop by to donate to this great organization.” ••
Lecture to be held next Tuesday in Frankford
The Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox St., will present a lecture on The Whitaker Mills on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
The lecture will be presented by historian Fred Maurer and conservationist Robin Irizarry. For 157 years, Henry Whitaker’s textile mill on the banks of Tacony Creek provided employment for hundreds of local residents. It ceased operations in 1970.
A holiday tea will precede the lecture at 6:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring light fare or desserts to share. Call 215-743-6030. ••
Open house at Keystone N Trak Model Railroad Club
The Keystone N Trak Model Railroad Club will be hosting its annual holiday open house events at its location, at the Dublin TEC Center, Suite 216, 123 N. Main St. (Rt. 313), in Dublin.
The public is invited to attend and see N Scale trains running on a layout on Dec. 9, 15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit facebook.com/keystonentrak ••
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