Church keyboardist needed
St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street, is looking for a keyboardist for its contemporary Sunday service.
Call 215-743-1828 or email stjameschurchphila@gmail.com. ••
Help available for small businesses
SCORE Philadelphia assists small business owners impacted by COVID-19 by offering free individual mentoring sessions regarding available loan and grant programs to support the financial needs of their businesses as well as re-examining their business strategies going forward.
To request a volunteer mentor from SCORE Philadelphia, call 215-231-9880 or visit philadelphia.score.org.
To become a SCORE Philadelphia volunteer mentor, visit https://philadelphia.score.org/volunteer-17.
To sign up for a future online workshop or seminar hosted by SCORE Philadelphia, visit https://philadelphia.score.org/content/take-workshop-247. ••
Learn about coping in a shared space
AmeriHealth Caritas Partnership, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing health care disparities with programs across the country, will hold a virtual meeting of Healthy Hoops, its chronic disease intervention program.
“Healthy Hoops has been incredibly successful at using basketball as a touchpoint to share information and promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles,” said Christopher Drumm, senior vice president of government affairs at AmeriHealth Caritas. “With COVID-19 continuing to impact in-person events, we recognized the need to bring our Healthy Hoops curriculum online so we can continue to educate communities across the country about important health and wellness matters.”
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at noon. The title is Self-Empowerment in The New Normal: Working, Parenting and Teaching in a Shared Space. Healthy Hoops coaches and health educators will explore ways to improve physical, mental and social-emotional health during this time of social distancing. Participants will explore how to cope with the demands of work, school and shared spaces during this new normal.
The webinar is open to the public and free to join.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/healthy-hoops-coaches-workshops-tickets-116244487391. ••
Election deadline dates
The last day to register to vote in the upcoming election is Oct. 19.
Meanwhile, the last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot is Oct. 27. Completed ballots must be received by Election Day, Nov. 3.
For more information, call 215-MU6-3469 or go to pavoterservices.pa.gov. ••
Register for free yard trees
MaST Community Charter School and Somerton Civic Association, in partnership with TreePhilly, the Fairmount Park Conservancy and TD Bank, are inviting people to register for up to two free yard trees.
Thirteen kinds of trees, and 100 overall, will be available on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at MaST’s campus at 1800 Byberry Road.
Registration is required, and must be done by Sept. 23. Go to https://sites.google.com/view/somertoncivic. ••
Xfinity store moves
Comcast opened an Xfinity retail store, located in the Northeast Shopping Center at 9171 Roosevelt Blvd.
This new location replaces the nearby Roosevelt Mall store, which opened in 2014.
The 4,500 square-foot center provides new and existing customers an opportunity to learn about the latest Xfinity products and services.
The store is operating with increased safety measures, including limiting store capacity, hand sanitizing stations, directional signage and clear barriers, disinfecting high-touch areas and increased store cleanings throughout the day and requiring all employees and customers to wear face coverings.
Hours are modified due to COVID-19: Monday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ••
No Thanksgiving parade
The Mayfair Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade has been canceled.
Organizers cited the state ban on large gatherings and the city’s refusal to issue permits for events.
The next parade will be Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. ••
Postal service hiring
The U.S. Postal Service is hiring for the holiday season.
Jobs available are clerk assistants, mail processing assistants, mail handler assistants, holiday transportation assistants and carrier assistants.
Individuals can apply through Sept. 18.
Go to usps.com/careers. ••
Civic meeting at 8th PD
The West Torresdale/Morrell Park Civic Association will be meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the 8th Police District, at Academy and Red Lions roads.
The meeting will follow the captain’s meeting, which starts at 6 p.m.
All attendees must wear a mask. There is a limit of 25 people.
All are welcome to attend. Email wtca19114@gmail.com. ••
Rivers Casino offering dealer training
Rivers Casino is offering free dealer training programs — one weekend program starting on Sept. 18 and one weekday program beginning on Oct. 12.
The deadlines to apply are Sept. 16 and Sept. 30, respectively. Applicants who graduate from the programs receive a job offer.
Individuals interested in joining the gaming industry can learn to deal various table games, including blackjack, craps, baccarat and pai gow.
Weekend dealer school lasts for five weeks, Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekday dealer school lasts for six weeks. It runs Mondays through Thursdays, either from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 4 to 9 p.m.
Students must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience is not required.
Interested dealer school participants can apply online at RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia/Careers. ••
Wolf opposes local control of school spectators
Gov. Tom Wolf will veto a bipartisan bill that would allow schools to determine whether to allow spectators at sporting events and other activities.
School officials would be responsible for establishing safety protocols for permitting visitors and spectators to attend sports and in-person extracurricular activities; limits on gatherings for indoor and outdoor sports and in-person extracurricular activities to ensure social distancing; protocols for sports consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Considerations for Youth Sports; and methods of ensuring that social distancing and other safety measures are in place for students, staff and spectators.
Wolf is allowing only 25 people at indoor events and 250 outdoors. But those numbers include coaches, referees, trainers, cheerleaders, band members and athletes, leaving little or no room for family, friends, college recruiters or anyone else.
The bill passed the Senate, 39-11. Sen. John Sabatina Jr. voted for it. Sen. Tina Tartaglione voted against it.
The bill passed the House, 155-47. Reps. Mike Driscoll, Tom Murt, Ed Neilson and Martina White voted for it. Reps. Kevin Boyle, Jason Dawkins, Isabella Fitzgerald, Joe Hohenstein and Jared Solomon voted against it. ••
Toomey seeks protection for police
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey joined nine colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General William Barr concerning the recent rise in individuals willing to justify targeting law enforcement officers for harassment, assault and deadly attacks.
“The brave men and women in our law enforcement community are essential to public safety and stability. We know that you and the Justice Department are doing everything you can to protect the lives of law enforcement, and to prosecute violent offenders who assault and kill law enforcement officers,” the senators wrote. “However, given the attacks we are seeing against law enforcement officers, we believe it is time to consider whether your Department needs additional authorities, resources and tools to combat this activity.”
Joining Toomey in sending the letter were Republican Sens. Thom Tillis, Roy Blunt, Mike Braun, Susan Collins, John Cornyn, Joni Ernst, Jim Inhofe, David Perdue and Mike Rounds.
The letter cited the actions by agitators across the country seeking to defund the police. ••
Jeanes awarded for stroke care
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus was recently recognized with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to providing the most appropriate treatment to stroke patients according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.
Jeanes also met specific scientific guidelines as a primary stroke center by providing the highest level of care, from urgent diagnosis and treatment to early prevention. Emergency stroke cases are evaluated 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the TUH-Jeanes Emergency Department.
“Every month with Get With The Guidelines, we enter our statistics. We have to qualify in 10 different achievements to be recognized,” said Donna Zielinski, stroke program coordinator at Jeanes. “I am beyond honored that Jeanes has received this recognition.”
Jeanes also received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award for the first time. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score. ••
Roosevelt has new medical director
Roosevelt Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, 7800 Bustleton Ave. in Rhawnhurst, has named Dr. Umar Farooq as its new medical director.
The 240-bed skilled nursing facility provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care.
The appointment coincides with a multi-million-dollar repositioning at Roosevelt, which is introducing new programming and physical plant upgrades. There are immediate plans to enhance Roosevelt’s onsite dialysis services. The renovation also includes the addition of a state-of-the-art therapy gym and updates to patient rooms and common spaces, including a second-story patio. ••
Driver’s licenses for illegals?
State Rep. Joe Hohenstein joined the Driving PA Forward Coalition to highlight legislation to help illegal immigrants apply for a driver’s license.
Hohenstein pointed to immigrants comprising a substantial population of Pennsylvania’s workforce, especially as essential workers during the pandemic.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that immigrants have a large role in keeping our country running,” he said. “One in six people fulfilling essential roles during the pandemic is an immigrant. Many are our doctors, nurses and healthcare providers. Others are farm workers who sow, tend and harvest our food. Others prepare and serve us our food. All should have access to an official driver’s license from the state in order to continue their work in the safest way possible.”
Seventeen states allow illegal immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. ••
Nazareth holding bariatric sessions
Nazareth Hospital hosts free, online bariatric information sessions for the community to educate patients about weight-loss surgery options and support services at Nazareth Bariatrics.
Participants will have the opportunity to speak with Nazareth Hospital’s bariatric surgeons. The information sessions will take place at 5 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.
Registration is required. Upon registration, attendees will be sent a link to access the session virtually.
For more information and to register, call 215-335-2090. ••
Services at Temple Beth Ami
Temple Beth Ami, 9201 Old Bustleton Ave., invites the public for services on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, at 9 a.m.
Guests must wear masks.
Registration is required. Contact Jill at 215-673-2511 or templebethami2@gmail.com. ••
Colleges could receive more state funding
The state Senate Appropriations Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Sens. Christine Tartaglione and Democratic Leader Jay Costa that would allocate $130 million in federal CARES Act funding to help higher education institutions manage financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Bill 1226 proposes to grant $35 million to Pennsylvania’s community colleges, $25 million each to Temple University, the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University and $10 million each to Lincoln University and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
The Appropriations Committee adopted SB1226 unanimously. The legislation will advance to the full Senate for consideration.
“Pennsylvania’s state-related institutions, community colleges, and technical schools have suffered great financial setbacks due to the pandemic,” Tartaglione said. “Despite these challenges, our higher education community has responded to this crisis in numerous ways to assist students and the entire commonwealth as we navigate this uncharted territory.” ••
Virtual run/walk will support police
The Philadelphia Police Foundation’s second annual Market Street Run for Blue will take place virtually from Oct. 16-25.
The 5-mile run/walk is in memory of SWAT Cpl. Jimmy O’Connor.
The cost is $40, including a T-shirt.
Call 484-433-6201 or visit marketstreetrun.org. ••
Celebrate Yom Kippur
Temple Beth Ami, 9201 Old Bustleton Ave., invites the public to celebrate Yom Kippur.
Services are Sunday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 28, at 9 a.m. (Yizkor at 11:30 a.m., free Yizkor at 3 p.m., Mincha at 5 p.m.).
Masks are required.
To purchase a ticket, call Jill at 215-673-2511 or email templebethami2@gmail.com. ••
Jeanes hosting farm stand
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus, 7600 Central Ave., hosts a farm stand every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October.
Items available include fresh, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, cage-free brown eggs, cheeses, apple butter, pumpkin butter and raw honey.
The stand is located next to Parking Lot C.
Call Rosemarie Schlegel at 215-728-2131. ••
CTK holding golf outing
Christ the King School will hold a golf outing and luncheon on Monday, Oct. 12, at Bensalem Township Country Club, located at 2000 Brown Ave., Bensalem.
The cost is $100 per golfer, and the price includes golf fees, cart and luncheon.
For information regarding sponsorships or to participate as a golfer, contact Terri Cristofaro at CTKPhila@gmail.com or 215-281-2810. ••
