Domb demands vaccine action
City Councilman Allan Domb wrote a letter to Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, reiterating his call for a better vaccine distribution operation and future mass vaccination preparedness.
Domb recently made Farley aware of several organizations and people who are offering to work with the department and partnering health care organizations to distribute vaccinations in parking lots all over the city.
Cities all over the country are providing safe drive-through vaccination options in addition to walk-up sites, Domb noted.
“The people of Philadelphia and I demand a mass vaccination campaign plan be developed by Feb. 12 – one that lays out a single-scheduling and intake process and ensures residents of Philadelphia are treated fairly and equitably citywide,” Domb wrote. ••
Help needy children
The public is invited by the Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim to attend a virtual baby shower mitzvah project meeting on Tuesday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Donations are being accepted for items for babies through age 5. Items will then be donated to benefit the clients of Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
Call the synagogue office at 215-677-1600 for further details. ••
Small business grants available
Comcast Corporation announced the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, providing $5 million of grants to hundreds of small businesses owned by blacks, indigenous people and “people of color.”
From March 1-14, eligible businesses in Philadelphia can apply for a $10,000 grant at www.ComcastRISE.com.
Grants will be awarded in May.
The Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been in business for three or more years with up to 25 employees.
Comcast RISE stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment.”
Business can also apply for marketing and media campaign assistance and technology makeovers.
More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or the marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. ••
Sinatra show at Buck Hotel
Joey C will perform the Romantic Sounds of Sinatra for two upcoming pre-Valentine’s Day shows at the Buck Hotel, 1200 Buck Road, Feasterville.
The shows are set for Friday, Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 13.
The cost for dinner, dancing and the show is $58, including tax and tip. There is a cash bar. Doors open each night at 6. The show begins at 6:30.
For tickets, go to www.thebuckhotel.com. ••
Free tax help available
The IRS has announced that, due to the pandemic, the 2021 tax season for individual tax return filers will not begin until Feb. 12. The tax professionals at Campaign for Working Families advise wage earners to not wait to have their taxes prepared.
CWF has free tax sites to help low- to moderate-income earners complete their tax returns now, then submit the forms on Feb. 12 to the IRS to speed up their refunds.
Appointments are necessary to visit an in-person tax site, and can be scheduled at CWFPhilly.org.
The website also offers virtual tax prep, so taxpayers don’t have to leave home – they can simply upload their documents and verify personal information online, then an IRS-certified preparer will begin the work. ••
Toomey targets sanctuary cities
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey has offered an amendment to the Democrats’ budget proposal that would facilitate the targeting of what he believes are dangerous sanctuary city policies that forbid local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, even when they wish to do so.
Toomey offered the following remarks upon offering his amendment:
“This amendment would allow the withholding of Community Development Block Grants and Economic Development Act funding from states and municipalities that prohibit local police from cooperating with federal officials to enforce federal law. It’s important to note it would not affect any security-related funds. It’s important because sanctuary cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia in my state have radical policies that actually forbid the local police from cooperating with federal immigration officials, even when the local police would like to cooperate. These policies are dangerous, they cost us time and money, but most importantly by far is the tragic cost to human beings. People like Kate Steinle, killed by an illegal immigrant who opened fire on a San Francisco pier. This shooter had been convicted of seven felonies, been deported five times. Why was he on the pier that night? Because San Francisco chose to release him rather than cooperate with federal authorities that wanted to take him off the streets.” ••
Tarken rink to finally open
The city Department of Parks & Recreation announced the opening of its ice rinks. Tarken Ice Rink, 6250 Frontenac St., will open Feb. 22.
Rinks will host public skate hours on evenings and weekends. Public skate is free. Youth and adult ice skates are available to rent for $3 or $4.
Residents must register online in advance for all ice rink activities this year.
All ice rink staff and visitors must wear masks at all times.
Locker rooms will not be open to the public.
Residents can find public skate times and register at https://www.phila.gov/2021-02-04-public-skate-begins-at-parks-recs-ice-rinks/. ••
Clothing and jewelry sale
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, has extended its half-price clothing and jewelry sale through Feb. 28.
Shop hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is closed Saturdays.
Call 215-624-9130. ••
2 local sites ID’d for vaccines
City Councilman Allan Domb called on the Kenney administration to improve the vaccination roll-out immediately before the city receives an increased number of vaccines from the federal government.
Domb and former U.S. Rep. Bob Brady are collaborating with several partners to utilize large unused parking lots across the city to create mass drive-through vaccination clinics.
The possible sites include Plumbers Union Local 690, at 2791 Southampton Road, and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road.
The drive-through vaccine clinics would be available to all Philadelphia residents. The sites will be designed to allow residents to receive the vaccinations even if they do not have a vehicle. ••
Registration for BVM
Maternity BVM Catholic School will hold registration for new and returning families for the 2021-22 academic year on Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 9 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall, 9322 Old Bustleton Ave.
For more information, call Mr. McDonough at 215-908-3329. ••
Comcast upgrading digital services
Comcast made several announcements that build on its commitment to digital services.
“As a media and technology company, we have a unique opportunity to provide meaningful connection to the communities we serve – whether that’s through access to the Internet, programs to support creativity and digital literacy and skills training for young people, or workforce development opportunities for adults,” said Dave Watson, president and CEO of Comcast Cable. “Our commitment has never been stronger, and we are dedicated to leveling the playing field and making a lasting impact for generations to come.”
Comcast will be accelerating Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest, low-cost broadband adoption program; launching 1,000 safe-space Lift Zones in community centers by December to address the homework gap; and investing in education and “equity-focused” organizations.
For more information, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/education. ••
Solomon wants open primaries
State Rep. Jared Solomon has introduced legislation to bring open primaries to Pennsylvania.
Solomon’s legislation would allow unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections.
“A more open system encourages greater civic engagement, new ideas and a healthier democracy,” he said. ••
White rejects income tax hike
State Rep. Martina White (R-170th dist.) rejected Gov. Tom Wolf’s call to increase the personal income tax by 46 percent, from 3.07 percent to 4.49 percent.
“This is the worst time to propose a tax hike, especially one of this size,” White said. “The coronavirus pandemic and the governor’s business shutdowns have hammered our families, with many still struggling to find some financial stability. This tax falls squarely on them.”
The governor’s $40.2 billion plan for 2021-22 would increase spending by 8.2 percent, or about $3 billion, over the 2019-20 budget.
“Even worse, the governor’s budget does nothing to prioritize vaccine distribution to return Pennsylvania to pre-COVID-19 levels,” White said. “That’s the best way to bring revenue into the state. Raising taxes on middle-class families won’t do it.” ••
Weekend of virtual activities
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be hosting a virtual Phenomenal February Weekend on Saturday, Feb. 20, through Monday, Feb. 22.
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m., it will be The Spirituality of Laughter with Rabbi Bob Alper. On Sunday at 2 p.m., The Matzoh Ball Diaries will feature actors sharing stories of food, culture and community. On Monday at 7:30 p.m., Jews In Space – Members of the Tribe in Orbit will be presented by the Jewish Museum of Maryland.
The cost for this weekend is $40 per program or $80 for all three. Checks must be received by Feb. 12. Include your email address.
Mail checks to the CSS office at 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115. For further information, call 215-677-1600. ••
Virtual bingo
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is hosting its second virtual bingo on two consecutive Mondays, March 1 and 8, starting at 7 p.m.
The cost is $36 per person and includes two cards, for eight games of bingo each night.
There will be a $5 50/50 that will be called on March 8.
Send your payment to the CSS office, 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115, attention: Bingo. Payment must be received no later than Feb. 18, and
you must include your email address.
For further information, call the CSS office at 215-677-1600 and ask for Gerry or Nancy. ••
New surgical technology at Nazareth
Nazareth Hospital now offers state-of-the-art surgical technology with the recent acquisition of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. This new surgical system features three-dimensional, high-definition visualization and allows for enhanced dexterity and greater precision and control for the surgeon. Robotic-assisted surgery is minimally invasive and can reduce a patient’s time in the hospital.
Board-certified, robotically trained surgeon Dr. Omer Nasir successfully performed the hospital’s first robotic procedure using the new Xi to treat an inguinal hernia.
“Introducing the latest technology for surgical procedures means Northeast Philadelphia residents can now access the most advanced life-saving procedures right here at Nazareth,” said Dr. Michael Magro, president of Nazareth.
By enabling efficient access throughout the abdomen and chest, the da Vinci Xi System expands upon core da Vinci System features, including wristed instruments, 3D-HD visualization, intuitive motion and an ergonomic design.
For more information, call 866-NAZARETH or visit trinityhealthma.org. ••
