Info on polling places
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Philadelphia has made some adjustments to polling place locations for the upcoming election.
Your polling place could be different from where you voted in the primary election.
If you are unsure of or to confirm where you should go to vote, contact City Councilman Brian O’Neill’s office at 215-437-9167 or [email protected]. ••
Virtual class on Jerusalem
Join Rabbi Reuben Israel Abraham of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim when he resumes teaching his virtual Wednesday morning Sisterhood class. His first session begins on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The cost is $12 per person.
The event gets underway at 10 a.m., and Abraham will present the lesson on Jerusalem: Footsteps Through Time from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Call 215-677-1600 to make a reservation or for further information. ••
History meeting on Zoom
The Northeast Philadelphia History Network will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m.
The topic will be Thomas Holme’s 1687 Map of Pennsylvania. The speaker will be historian Fred Moore, who will discuss the map as it pertains to the early settlement of the Northeast. Holme was William Penn’s first Surveyor General and was himself an early settler to the Northeast on Pennypack Creek. He is buried near Holmesburg.
The meeting invitation with login information will be posted on Facebook. ••
Blood drive at Loudenslager
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Cpl. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave.
Sign up by calling 800-RED CROSS or going to www.redcrossblood.org. The sponsor code is ALPOST366.
Face masks are required. ••
Celebrate Halloween
City Councilman Bobby Henon will hold Bobby’s Halloween Boo Bash on Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 2 p.m. at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road.
The outdoor event includes trick or treating through trunks and tables, games and activities, DJ, door prizes, scavenger activity, candy and other goodies, informative resources for parents and concession stand food available for purchase.
All attendees over age 2 will be required to wear a face mask at all times. They will be required to complete a healthcare questionnaire and have their temperature checked before entering.
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Call or text 215-686-3444. ••
Come get your candy
The Block Church will hold a drive-through trunk or treat on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Calvary Memorial Church parking lot, 7200 Roosevelt Blvd.
Families are encouraged to come dressed in costumes and enjoy decorated trunks, candy and a DJ.
All are welcome.
All candy will be prepackaged, and hand sanitizer will be available. ••
Haunted walk-through in Bustleton
A haunted walk-through will take place at 9123 Old Newtown Road on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31, from 5 to 9 p.m.
The public is invited.
Admission is free but donations are accepted.
Half of the proceeds will be going to the American Diabetes Association. ••
Poll workers needed
The Office of the City Commissioners fills poll worker vacancies when judges of election are unable to do so. Poll workers open voting machines at the beginning of the day, check voters into the polling place, support the functioning of the polling place and close everything up at the end of the night. Individuals interested in filling these positions must attend training and be available to work on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6:15 a.m. until election materials are picked up from the polling place location sometime after 8 p.m. Each appointed poll worker will receive a stipend of $145 ($115 for Election Day; $30 for training).
For those interested in becoming a poll worker, complete the form at https://pollworker.philadelphiavotes.com/. ••
Karen’s Law passes
State Sen. John Sabatina Jr. (D-5th dist.) announced Karen’s Law passed in the Senate by a vote of 46-3. The House companion bill (HB 1538) will be the official bill to be signed so as not to delay to process. Sabatina pushed the companion bill through the Senate instead of waiting for his own Senate Bill (SB 123).
“This is important legislation that survivors of sexually violent crimes so desperately need,” Sabatina said. “The most important thing was to get Karen’s Law signed sooner rather than later.”
Karen’s Law would affect parole application eligibility for inmates deemed Sexually Violent Predators or sentenced under one of the violent or sexual offenses listed in the legislation, increasing the time between parole hearings from one year to three years.
“The fact that these survivors must be retraumatized year after year just to make sure their attacker serves a full sentence is appalling,” Sabatina said. “This law will provide a measure of relief for them. We owe them a great deal, as they were brave enough to face their accusers in court in the first place. Our communities are safer as a result of their sacrifice.”
Sabatina also argued for the importance of elevating the punishments for sexually violent predators.
“It sends a message to Pennsylvanians that we’re tough on these heinous crimes but also caring of the experience of the survivors,” Sabatina said. “Oftentimes, these strong survivors are grappling with PTSD.”
Sabatina first met Karen Widdoss-Milewski in 2017 when she came into his office to discuss her situation. He introduced the legislation then. In 2019, state Rep. Martina White (R-170th dist.) joined Sabatina in pushing for Karen’s Law, which accelerated the process.
Sabatina thanked White for sponsoring the House companion bill.
“It goes to show the bipartisan nature of this law,” Sabatina said. “It’s been a pleasure to have Rep. White join us in this effort.”
Karen’s law is named after Karen Widdoss-Milewski, a constituent of Sabatina’s. It is supported by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Women Organized Against Rape, Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate, Pennsylvania FOP and Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association.
Democratic Sens. Sharif Street, Vincent Hughes and Art Haywood voted against the bill. ••
Nazareth hires cancer docs
Nazareth Hospital recently welcomed the following team of hematology and oncology specialists to Nazareth Hematology/Oncology: Drs. Moshe C. Chasky Frederick G. Dold, Julia M. Kennedy, James J. Perry, Anjana Ranganathan and Allen E. Lord Terzian.
The group has experience in treating all types of cancer, including blood, breast, colorectal and gastrointestinal, head and neck, lung, skin, thyroid and urologic.
Patients can be seen at Nazareth Hematology/Oncology, 2701 Holme Ave., Physicians Office Building, Suite 302.
Call 215-624-8138. ••
Murt bill on insurance advances
The state Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Tom Murt (R-152nd dist.) to require insurance companies to show the state Department of Insurance they are offering mental health coverage at the same level as coverage for physical illness.
The bill now moves to the governor for his signature.
House Bill 1696 would require insurers to file an annual report with the Department of Insurance detailing how they offer mental health coverage at the same level as medical and surgical benefits.
Murt’s bill would also require insurance carriers in the state that cover behavioral health to submit information each year to the Department of Insurance to help the department ascertain if the insurance carrier is being compliant with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. ••
Chapel Manor caring for those recovering from COVID
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the city Department of Public Health has contracted with Genesis Healthcare to convert Chapel Manor, 1104 Welsh Road, including the full second floor, into a dedicated unit to admit and care for nursing home residents and those discharging from the hospital who have tested COVID-positive and continue to need nursing and rehabilitation services.
The conversion creates 120 beds to support those recovering from COVID-19.
“We are honored that the City has recognized our unique capabilities caring for COVID-19 patients, as we have successfully converted a number of Genesis-affiliated centers to manage this population throughout the spring and summer,” Chapel Manor said in a statement. “Most of these centers have already converted back to caring for their original COVID-negative patients and residents, and we would hope and expect to do the same at Chapel Manor.
“We are proud to be able to assist patients, residents and families who need nursing and rehabilitation care and hospital partners who care for the sickest COVID-19 patients while still being able to provide post-acute care to all others. ••
KleinLife offering 2 programs
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., announced two education programs for active older adults. Both are free to members and the public.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Education is available by phone or Zoom. Supportive Older Women’s Network is available by phone.
Contact Inna Gulko at 215-698-7300, Ext. 195 or [email protected]. ••
AHCU will light its campus
American Heritage Credit Union and the Kids-N-Hope Foundation invite the community to drive through their main campus at 2060 Red Lion Road any evening from Nov. 23 to Jan. 3 to enjoy more than 400,000 lights from the comfort and safety of the car.
Each year, the American Heritage campus buildings and trees are illuminated. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, American Heritage and the Kids-N-Hope Foundation are not able to host their annual in-person holiday event.
Parking is available for socially distant photos. ••
Baldi honored by Special Olympics
CCA Baldi Middle School, 8801 Verree Road, is the first middle school in the state to receive the honor of a National Banner Unified Champion School from Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Baldi was among 10 other schools in the state to receive this distinction and 121 nationally.
“These schools set a wonderful example for others around the state, and we are also excited that Baldi was the pilot for our middle school model that establishes a feeder pattern of Special Olympics programming within its learning network,” said Matt Aaron, president and CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
Lincoln and George Washington high schools and Baldi have received national recognition as a National Banner Unified Champion School for meeting the 10 national standards of excellence.
“Our leadership and staff at Baldi and across the district are committed to providing opportunities for all students to participate in sports and recreational activities through unique programming models,” said school superintendent William Hite. ••
Federation Early Learning has new leader
Mark Ornstein has been named president and CEO of Federation Early Learning Services.
Ornstein, more than 20 years ago, was a camp counselor at the Paley Early Learning Center, 2199 Strahle St.
Over the last 17 years, Ornstein has been responsible for the oversight of 10 schools in three school districts in Detroit; for the programming and coordination of 15 Delaware County school districts; and 102 schools in the School District of Philadelphia. His most recent position was with University Prep Schools in Detroit, where he served as the CEO.
“As I look to FELS future, and think about how we can continue to meet the needs of our community and achieve our goals, I do so knowing that there is no better way than by working together – with our dedicated staff, board of directors and supporters,” he said.
Ornstein succeeds Maddy Malis, who dedicated the last 50 years of her life to FELS, serving as president and CEO for the last 21.
For more information, go to FELSkids.org. ••
Northeast poet releases new chapbook
G. Emil Reutter released poetry chapbook Poems of the Pennypack, which captures the respite the park provides in the middle of a bustling city. Reutter is a contributing editor at North of Oxford and published The Fox Chase Review.
“Poems of the Pennypack is a forthright book, which reflects a lifetime of exploring a place and one’s self in relation to that place,” local writer Thomas Devaney wrote in a review.
The chapbook is available at the Pennypack Environmental Center, 8600 Verree Road, or online at https://moonstone-arts-center.square.site/product/g-emil-reutter-poems-of-the-pennypack/221?cs=true. ••
Virtual urgent care visits
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Medical Groups has launched a way for the community to connect with an on-call provider for virtual urgent care visits. Staffed by providers from, among others, Nazareth Physician Services, the virtual visit service provides care for minor ailments such as colds, rashes, urinary tract infections and pink eye.
For $50, residents of Pennsylvania with minor ailments can access providers from home, office or wherever they are. All visitors need is a credit/debit card and a camera-enabled computer or tablet/iPad or smartphone.
Visitors can access video visits through www.trinityhealthma.org/patients-visitors/virtual-visit/, click on Start A Virtual Visit With an On-Call Provider, create an account, answer a short assessment and start their video visit.
Video visits are available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To find a nearby provider, visit trinityhealthma.org/find-a-doctor. ••
Virtual Shabbat service
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will host its annual Shabbat service virtually on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:45 p.m.
People can participate in either English or Hebrew.
For more information, call 215-677-1600. ••
Concert will benefit treatment facilities
David Uosikkinen’s In the Pocket will headline a drive-in concert on Nov. 7, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Neshaminy Mall.
The lot opens at 5:30 p.m.
There will be performances from members of the Hooters, Tommy Conwell, the A’s, the Soul Survivors, Smash Palace, Beru Revue and the American Dream.
People are welcome to tailgate. Food and refreshments will be available.
Proceeds benefit the Leigh Leckerman Foundation, which supports treatment facilities that help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
For tickets or more information, call 215-377-1034 or visit leighshelp.org. ••
Virtual meeting on heirlooms
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m.
The program is going to focus on members presenting family heirlooms or valued treasures with their special history.
Call 215-677-1600. ••
Sinatra show at Buck Hotel
Joey C will perform a dinner show tribute to Frank Sinatra on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, at the Buck Hotel, 1200 Buck Road, in Feasterville.
For more information, visit www.thebuckhotel.com. ••
Baseball tryouts planned
The Philly Lightning 16U baseball team will be holding spring/summer 2021 tryouts on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15, at Rakes Baseball Academy, located at 1615 Bustleton Pike in Feasterville.
Tryouts will begin at 1 p.m.
Contact manager Lee Winter at [email protected] or 215-696-4491. ••
Apply for scholarship
Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia announced the opening of its 2021-2022 application season.
Applications for need-based, four-year K-8 scholarships for Philadelphia families will be open through March 1, with a priority deadline of Nov. 15, and are available at www.csfphiladelphia.org.
All new CSFP scholarships will be awarded through a random lottery and can be provided to a family as a whole for up to three children.
Applications received by Nov. 15 will be entered into a December lottery. All other applications will be selected in a March lottery. ••
