Around Town

Learn about retired presidents

United States Presidents In Retirement will be the subject of a four-part complimentary virtual series for adults being offered by KleinLife beginning on Jan. 18, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. The program is open to the public.

The series will be led by David Hudiak.

In addition to Jan. 18, the program will be conducted on Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 and 8 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.

To register and receive a Zoom link, contact Mariya Keselman-Mekler at 215-698-7300, Ext. 185 or email mkeselman@kleinlife.org. ••

Learn how to network

Mayfair native Sean Hand, aka The Awkward Networker, has released a book, That Was Awkward – 7 Secrets of An Awkward Networker.

One example Hand explains in the book was how he made a connection with the spouse of a  high-profile attendee at a charity event. The attendee was so relieved that Hand engaged with  his spouse (who was reluctant to attend) that he passed his business card along to Hand, inviting him to connect in the future. Hand eventually worked for the man until he retired, and the man remains a mentor and friend.

While many of the tips outlined in his book work for face-to-face communication  they can also be applied in a virtual setting. Hand notes that displaying confidence on a Zoom call, making connections on LinkedIn and prompt follow-up via email can turn virtual encounters into successful business leads.

Hand holds a bachelor’s degree in International Economics from La Salle University and an MBA from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.

To order Hand’s book or invite him to speak visit the Awkward Networker, email him at sean@awkwardnetworker.com. ••

City expands grab-and-go meal distribution

The School District of Philadelphia this week added 39 sites to its grab-and-go meal distribution program, bringing the total number of available sites up to 102.

The sites are open every Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and provide free meal kits to students while schools are closed. Each meal kit contains seven breakfasts and lunches.

Student meal sites in Northeast Philadelphia include A.L. Fitzpatrick, 11081 Knights Road; Abraham Lincoln, 3201 Ryan Ave.; Austin Meehan, 3001 Ryan Ave.; Baldi, 8801 Verree Road; Benjamin Franklin, 5737 Rising Sun Ave.; Fox Chase, 500 Rhawn St.; Frankford, 5000 Oxford Ave.; George Washington, 10175 Bustleton Ave.; Gilbert Spruance, 6401 Horrocks St.; Henry W. Lawton, 6101 Jackson St.; Joseph Greenberg, 600 Sharon Lane; Louis H. Farrell, 8300 Castor Ave.; MaST Community Charter, 1800 E. Byberry Road; MaST Community Charter II Lawncrest, 6238 Rising Sun Ave.; MaST Community Charter II Tacony, 6501 New State Road; MaST Community Charter III, 1 Crown Way; Mastery Charter – Smedley Elementary, 1790 Bridge St.; Mayfair, 3001 Princeton Ave.; Northeast, 1601 Cottman Ave.; Rhawnhurst, 7809 Castor Ave.; Robert Pollock, 2875 Welsh Road; Samuel Fels, 5500 Langdon St.; Stephen Decatur, 3500 Academy Road; Thomas Holme, 9120 Academy Road; Watson Comly, 1001 Byberry Road; William H. Loesche, 595 Tomlinson Road; William H. Ziegler, 5935 Saul St. ••

Wellness event on Saturday

Oak Street Health, 2311 Cottman Ave. in Roosevelt Mall, will host a wellness drive-in event on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There will be stations for COVID test/vaccine registration, diabetes, government resources and health insurance.

The event is sponsored by Glendale Prescription Center, state Rep. Joe Hohenstein and City Councilman Bobby Henon. ••

Salute to Holocaust Remembrance Day

Maybe Even Higher, a virtual dance program inspired by children’s artwork from the World War II Theresienstadt Concentration Camp in the Czech Republic and set to Brahm’s waltzes, will be shown by KleinLife as part of a salute to Holocaust Remembrance Day on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to view the complimentary program.

The Artist House, a Philadelphia dance company led by artistic director Asya Zlatina, will perform the original choreography for the program.

The four-part program will be presented in English and Russian.

Anyone interested in viewing the virtual Holocaust Remembrance Day program may register and receive a Zoom link from Mariya Keselman-Mekler at 215-698-7300, Ext. 185 or mkeselman@kleinlife.org. ••

Cleaning waterway pollutants

State Sen. John Sabatina announced that a Growing Greener grant of $178,458 has been awarded to Riverfront North Partnership for its Pennypack Creek Streambank Stabilization project.

“This incredible organization continually proves to be a committed and valued member of our community,” Sabatina said. “For too long, we have been disconnected from our waterfront. Riverfront North’s vision is to give us access to a clean and enjoyable waterfront. This is just another step forward toward achieving that goal.”

The Pennypack project will address a badly eroded section of streambank along the Pennypack Creek through a natural material retaining structure and associated plantings. Another component of the project is the restoration of the adjacent riparian forest and improved public access.

The funding comes from the state Department of Environmental Protection. ••

SPIN receives PA grant

Sen. John Sabatina announced a state redevelopment grant to assist in the expansion of space for Special People In Northeast.

“I advocated for this funding because SPIN is such an important organization in our community,” Sabatina said. “This project enables them to expand their mission and help some of our friends and neighbors who truly need it.”

SPIN provides a variety of community-based support and service options for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

The funding is specifically for the SPIN Early Childhood Education Center. The awarded amount of $840,000 will make it possible for SPIN to move six classrooms currently in rented space to its newly renovated, owned, eight-classroom space at 10541 Drummond Road. ••

Nazareth rates high for heart care

Nazareth Hospital has been reaccredited by Corazon Inc. for its Percutaneous Coronary Intervention program for emergency heart attack care.

Requirements for the accreditation include providing 24-hour coverage for PCI emergencies and undergoing detailed quarterly quality reviews.

“Nazareth continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing excellent heart care to Northeast Philadelphia residents,” said Dr. Edward O’Dell, chief medical officer for Nazareth Hospital. “We are proud to be recognized for our efforts, especially during this unusually challenging time.”
Call 866-NAZARETH or visit trinityhealthma.org. ••

White starts new term, has leadership role

Rep. Martina White (R-170th dist.) was sworn to serve her third full term after winning a special election in 2015.

In the new term, she will serve as secretary of the Republican Caucus.

“I am honored the people of Northeast Philadelphia have put their faith in me in our fight for the working families of our communities,” White said. “That means fighting to help our small businesses reopen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.”

White can be reached at her offices at 10752 Bustleton Ave., Suite C (215-330-3711) and at 10501 Academy Road, Unit E (215-632-3237). ••