Bike ride will benefit fight against autism
The AJF Ride 4 Autism, with a virtual participation option, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12.
There will be 12-mile and 50K options, with a limit of 250 riders, at Lower Makefield Township Park, 1100 Edgewood Road, in Yardley.
Registration and check-in for the 50K are at 8 a.m. The ride begins at 9 a.m.
Registration and check-in for the 12-mile family ride are at 9:15 a.m., with staggered starts beginning at 9:45.
The virtual ride can be done on any bike path from Sept. 7-13.
Call 215-598-8175 or visit www.ajfride4autism.org. ••
Golf outing in memory of ‘Mac’
Democratic Ward 66B will hold a golf fundraiser in remembrance of Mike McAleer on Saturday, Oct. 10, at John F. Byrne Golf Club, 9550 Leon St.
McAleer led the ward from 1969 until his death last December.
The cost is $100. Registration is at 1 p.m., with golfing beginning at 2. Lunch is included. Dinner and draft beer will be available at 6 p.m. at the Taggart House, 9961 Frankford Ave.
The cost for dinner and draft beer at the Taggart House for non-golfers is $50.
Sponsorships are available.
Party boss Bob Brady is on the outing committee.
For more information, call or text ward leader John Del Ricci at 215-669-9495 or email Friendsof66B@gmail.com. ••
Program aids caregivers and loved ones
Penn Memory Center and Temple University have created an online pilot program called Time Out Weekly Smile.
Student volunteers will remotely connect with individuals with dementia who live with a caregiver.
“The mechanics may differ, but the mission is the same as our in-person program: offering respite care and reducing isolation for our families,” said Meg Kalafsky, Penn Memory Center’s program coordinator for Time Out.
Student volunteers will spend 30 to 60 minutes with each family.
The program is free.
Caregivers and their loved ones, along with prospective student volunteers from Philadelphia-area universities, can complete a form to get matched with a volunteer.
For more information, visit https://www.timeoutcare.org/. ••
Join Ferko String Band
The Joseph A. Ferko String Band, winner of 20 Mummers Parades, is welcoming new members as it approaches its 100th anniversary.
The band is located right off the Bridge Street exit of I-95 at 2630 Bridge St. in Bridesburg and rehearses on Tuesday evenings throughout the year.
If you play the saxophone, banjo, accordion, bass, violin or percussion, or would like to join as a helper/marshal, send an email to Bookings@ferkostringband.com.
For further information, visit www.ferkostringband.com. ••
Murt calls cops on Sims
State Rep. Tom Murt (R-152nd dist.) called Upper Moreland Township police last week after he said Rep. Brian Sims, a Center City Democrat, repeatedly cursed at him in a phone call.
Murt and fellow Reps. Wendi Thomas and Pam DeLissio are seeking cosponsors for an LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights.
Murt said Sims, the first openly gay elected legislator in state history, texted him, accusing him of treating LGBTQ+ rights as a joke.
Murt called Sims, who the Republican said began screaming and saying, “I will get you for this.”
Murt said his wife heard the salty language through the phone, so he walked outside. He ended the call after saying Sims continued to use the “F” word.
“I then called the Upper Moreland Township Police, who later visited my home. I spoke to an officer about what happened. I expressed to the officer that based on the actions and threats made by Rep. Sims, I was very concerned for the safety of me, my family and my staff,” Murt said in a statement.
The Capital-Star captured a Sims tweet, since deleted, claiming he did not speak in the way Murt said. ••
GOP AG candidate releases ad
Heather Heidelbaugh, Republican candidate for state attorney general, on Monday released her first TV ad.
“As attorney general, I’ll tackle the mental health crisis that’s filling our jails instead of our hospitals. I’ll keep our communities safe. Keep politics out of the office. And serve my full term,” she says in the ad.
Democratic AG Josh Shapiro is expected to run for governor in 2022.
“Pennsylvanians deserve an attorney general that is a lawyer for the people, not a career politician. With over 35 years of courtroom experience, I have built a career on practicing law, not playing politics. I will be an attorney general that is focused on the rule of law and the safety of our citizens,” Heidelbaugh said. ••
TruMark feeds healthcare pros
TruMark Financial Credit Union created a nursing home project to recognize the healthcare professionals who care for their patients. While many nursing home facilities’ doors still remain closed to visitors, staff members not only care for the patients’ medical needs but are their link to the outside world. They call a patient’s family on the phone or connect via FaceTime.
The credit union sent trays of breakfast goodies from local bakeries and eateries to nursing facilities in the Philadelphia area, supporting small businesses that are struggling during the pandemic.
“Our heroes on the front lines care for our loved ones daily while family members still cannot visit them. We salute their courage, dedication and resilience and are eternally grateful,” said TruMark Financial’s CEO, Richard Stipa. ••
Upcoming trips
SALEM HARBOUR TRIP Ocean City, Maryland. Sept. 8-11. Barbara, 215-639-1000 or bkravetz@uchweb.com.
BRISTOL CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL FOUNDATION Dec. 3. Bus trip to Tarrytown, New York, Tours of Lyndhurst Mansion, named as one of the top holiday house tours by USA Today, and Sunnyside, the home of author Washington Irving. Cost, including luncheon, is $138. For a flier and reservation form, call 215-788-9408. ••
