Big meeting in Burholme
The Burholme Civic Association will discuss a proposed apartment complex on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. A developer will explain plans to build 52 apartments [with no parking] at 7248 Rising Sun Ave., a former oft-robbed Citizens Bank branch that closed in 2018. ••
Law on smoke detectors
In Philadelphia, one- and two-family homes are required to have tamper-proof smoke detectors with built-in batteries that last for a decade.
For homes built before 1988, the fire code requires those smoke detectors to be on each level.
For homes built from 1988 on, the code requires smoke detectors on every floor, along with in every bedroom.
The sealed 10-year smoke detectors with non-removable batteries are affordable, only a few dollars more than the traditional ones. Those traditional ones, with 9-volt batteries, are no longer permitted in Philadelphia.
In addition, one- and two-family dwellings must be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors.
You can request smoke alarms by calling 311 or using the app, and the fire department will install them in your home. ••
REUNIONS
HIGH SCHOOLS
• Archbishop Ryan — Class of 1972. 50th reunion. Friday, June 10. 7-11 p.m. Philadelphia Ballroom, 2014 Hornig Road. 215-632-1144.
• Archbishop Wood — Class of 1971. Saturday, April 9. The Bucks Club, 2600 York Road, Jamison. $75, includes buffet, DJ and photographer. Cash bar. Greg Volm: [email protected].
• North Catholic — Class of 1970. Saturday, March 26. 7-11 p.m. Sprinkler Fitters Emerald Room, 14004 McNulty Road. $70 per person. Buffet dinner, open bar, music. Jim Kelly: 215-808-4227 or John Peteraf: 215-342-7335.
• North Catholic — Class of 1972. 50th anniversary reunion. Steve Cardullo: [email protected] or John Garson: [email protected].
• Northeast — Class of 1974. Class No. 133. Avi (Allan) Adelman: [email protected]. More information: facebook.com/groups/northeast1974reunion.
• South Philadelphia — Class of 1976. Friday, March 18. 7-11 p.m. Lazaretto Ballroom, 99 Wanamaker Ave., Essington. DJ Eric A. Bartello. Michele: 267-971-4386.
OTHER REUNIONS
Navy Reunions
• Visit HullNumber.com for a listing of reunions. The site is a free service enabling Navy shipmates to renew old friendships. There are currently more than 8,700 Navy ship, submarine and air squadron personnel rosters listed. ••
Blood drive on Wednesday
A blood drive will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 1-6 p.m. at Cpl. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave.
To make an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor keyword PennyDoyle. ••
Zoom bingo
The Old York Road Temple-Beth AM Sisterhood invites the public to take part in a virtual bingo on Monday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. The cost is $18 for three bingo cards and a raffle ticket or $25 for three bingo cards and five raffle tickets. RSVP by Jan. 20.
Email your name, address and phone number to Eileen Simmons at [email protected].
For more information, email Cindy Garber at [email protected]. ••
Sign up for senior softball
Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced players for their 58 and over league. The season starts mid-April and runs through September. There are about 30 games along with playoffs. No games are played in July. Games are played Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. at Crispin Field, Holme and Convent avenues.
For more Information, call Jim Wilson at 609-636-1702 or Marty King at 215-698-0009. ••
Half-price sale at thrift shop
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, will extend its half-price sale through Jan. 20. Hours are weekdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is closed on Saturdays. Call 215-624-9130. ••
Learn about Elfreth’s Alley
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation, 321 Cedar St., Bristol Borough, will present Little Street, Big City – How Elfreth’s Alley Tells the Story of Philadelphia, on Sunday, Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. The presentation will be given by Ted Maust, associate director of the Elfreth’s Alley Association. Light refreshment will be served at the conclusion of the program. A donation of $4 per adult is requested; no charge for students. The public is invited; reservations are not required. Vaccinations and masks are requested. For information, call 215-788-9408. ••
Upcoming bus trip
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is running a bus trip to New York City on Saturday, May 14, 2022 to see the Broadway production of The Music Man. The cost is $345, which includes orchestra seating and round-trip motor coach. Bus leaves from 604 Township Line Road, Cheltenham. Call Harriet at 215-969-8366 for tickets. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care. ••
Upcoming cruises
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a cruise to Charleston and Bermuda, June 2-12, 2022, on the Celebrity Summit, sailing from Cape Liberty, in North Jersey. Rates range from $1,577 to $2,387 per person, double occupancy.
Meanwhile, a fully escorted Holy Lands & Aegean Majesty cruise will sail Oct. 6-17, 2023, featuring 10 ports-of-call. Rates, including airfare, range from $4,198 to $7,998 per person, double occupancy.
Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations. ••
Wolf celebrates expansion of PACE, PACENET programs
Gov. Tom Wolf was recently joined by state and local officials, including state Rep. Wendi Thomas (R-Bucks), and older Pennsylvanians to celebrate recently-signed legislation to expand eligibility in the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) programs.
“Ensuring that older Pennsylvanians have access to necessary services, including quality healthcare and affordable prescription drugs, is a priority of my administration,” said Wolf. “I commend the legislature, especially bill sponsors Reps. Wendi Thomas and Steve Samuelson, for working with my administration on this critical issue and passing this legislation. Programs like PACE and PACENET serve as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of older adults who need assistance with paying for their prescription medications and provide critical support to older Pennsylvanians.”
On Dec. 22, Wolf signed into law Act 92 of 2021 and Act 94 of 2021, both priorities for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Act 92 of 2021 extends the moratorium until Dec. 31, 2023, allowing enrollees to maintain their PACE benefits despite disqualifying increases in their overall income due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The original moratorium was set to expire Dec. 31, 2021.
Act 94 of 2021 expands the income eligibility limits for PACENET by $6,000 and removes the PACENET premium clawback, which will result in premium cost savings for some enrollees. The clawback will only apply to those individuals enrolled in the program’s Part D partner plans. This will reduce the premium obligation for about 28,000 individuals.
PACE and PACENET currently enroll more than 250,000 older Pennsylvanians. The income limit expansions mean that an additional 100,000 older adults are now eligible with an expected 20,000 older adults slated to enroll in 2022. Enrollment begins in February.
The governor was joined by Aging Secretary Robert Torres, PACE director Tom Snedden, and the bill sponsors Thomas and Samuelson at the PACE Call Center in Harrisburg.
“As the prime sponsor of this legislation, I was honored to work with chairman Samuelson in getting this legislation to the governor,” said Thomas. “More residents will receive help paying for their prescriptions, it will be easier for our seniors to get that help, and the federal government will pay for it. This is a win-win for Pennsylvania.”
“Access to affordable medications is essential for our seniors,” said Samuelson. “The higher income limits in this new law will ensure that thousands of seniors will gain and maintain eligibility for the proven PACENET program.”
“No Pennsylvania senior should have to choose between life-saving medications and paying the bills,” said state Sen. Maria Collett. “As a prime sponsor of the Senate version of this legislation, and as the Democratic chair of the Aging & Youth Committee, I was thrilled to see the PACENET expansion become law, enabling tens of thousands of additional seniors to benefit.”
“The PACE program plays an important role in supporting our growing older adult population by helping them pay for their prescription medications at significant savings. Thanks to the sponsorship and leadership that guided the passage of this important legislation, more older Pennsylvanians will be able to get life-sustaining medications and keep money in their pocket, which helps them be able to keep living independently in their own homes with a better quality of life,” said Torres. “The PACE program is a true example of government that works.”
“My administration is committed to ensuring that older adults have access to all of the resources and programs they need, and we will continue to invest in the programs that give older adults the freedom to live their life how they choose as they age,” said Wolf. ••
KleinLife, Starr Tours launch new venture
In an effort to enhance its Travel with KleinLife program, KleinLife, of Northeast Philadelphia, and Starr Tours, of Hamilton, New Jersey, are joining together for a new venture, “Starr Tours at KleinLife.
“We are thrilled to be able to team up with the Starr Tours organization known for its unparalleled quality and service since 1947 and take full advantage of their exciting and extensive schedule of escorted one-day and overnight excursions to exciting and popular destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada,” said Andrea Kimelheim, travel coordinator at KleinLife.
Each year, Starr offers hundreds of escorted multi-day vacations by bus, day trips, as well as fly and cruise vacations domestically and internationally.
“This is a win-win situation for both organizations,” added Kimelheim.
In addition to a large assortment of Starr trips accessible right from the KleinLife parking lot, Starr and KleinLife will offer exclusive trips just for the KleinLife community escorted by Kimelheim herself. These monthly excursions include day trips to Broadway, DC’s Holocaust Museum, Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad in Cambridge, Maryland, as well as a three-night getaway to see castles in New York. A travel education program is also in the works.
Buses will depart from KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. Parking is free. Starr’s deluxe motor coaches feature comfortable reclining seats, full WiFi, lavatory, power outlets and ample luggage space.
For more details, visit starrtours.com/kleinlife or call Starr Tours toll-free at 800-782-7703. ••
Tarken hosting adult art club
Tarken Recreation Center, 6250 Frontenac St, will host an adult art club, starting Feb. 1. The club will meet on Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., through April 5. Practice and discuss painting and drawing: still life, portraits, figure drawing, abstract art and illustrations. The program will conclude with a spring art show on April 14 for members to show off their work. No experience necessary. Basic art supplies will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they have them. The program will be held in person or virtually, through Zoom, upon request.
To register, call 215-685-1226 or find the @Tarkenplayground page on Facebook. ••
Open house at BVM
Maternity BVM School, 322 Old Bustleton Ave., will host a winter open house on Sunday, Jan. 30, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The school invites families who are interested in having their children attend Maternity BVM. The open house will include tours, registration information and a chance to meet the teachers. Go to www.maternitybvm.net or call 215-908-3329. ••
Flea market vendor alert
St. Hubert, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host an indoor flea market on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Faculty Scholarship Fund. To reserve vendor space or for more information, email [email protected] or visit huberts.org/fleamarket/. ••
Blood drive on Tuesday
St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral, 8598 Verree Road, will host a community blood drive on Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 1-6 p.m. The blood will go to hospital patients in the neighborhood and across the area. It helps the treatment of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Key Word: StStephens or call 800-RED CROSS.
Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at RedCrossBlood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. ••
Blood drive in Somerton
The Red Cross has recently reported that it is experiencing its worst blood shortage in many years, and patient care is being affected. Fellowship Bible Church and Somerton Civic Association are working with the Red Cross to host a blood drive in Somerton on Thursday, Jan. 27, from 2-7 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church, 13021 Worthington Road. Everyone is encouraged to participate and to donate.
Make an appointment to donate blood at this event by visiting https://rcblood.org/3frWTOp. Ask your friends and family to donate. ••
M&T has 2 local multicultural branches
M&T Bank is expanding the services it provides to diverse communities by designating branches at 6500 Castor Ave. and 7121 Frankford Ave. as multicultural banking centers. The centers will offer banking and other financial services in customers’ preferred languages and employ bankers from the neighborhoods who understand the cultural nuances of the individuals and communities they serve.
At M&T’s Castor branch, the bank utilized excess capacity to create needed community office and meeting space. Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association houses four employees in this space and uses the branch parking lot to distribute free food to more than 100 local residents each month. Additionally, Campaign for Working Families uses the branch’s community space for free tax preparation for working families and individuals earning less than $55,000 per year. ••
Thrift shop sale
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, will hold a bag sale (fill a bag of clothing for $6) Friday, Jan. 21, through Jan. 28. Hours are weekdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is closed on Saturdays. Call 215-624-9130. ••
North alums awarding grants
The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association awards tuition grants to the sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of its members. The checks are awarded to students who meet criteria, and the monies are sent to the Catholic school that they are choosing to attend. Aid is sent to Catholic elementary and high schools and universities in the Philadelphia, Camden and Trenton dioceses. Grants are given to 32 students annually for their four years in high school or college and three years in elementary school. Students can apply for a grant if their father or grandfather attended Northeast Catholic and is a dues-paying member of the alumni association. Applications are accepted until Jan. 31. Call 215-543-1051 or email [email protected]. ••
Indoor flea market open
A new indoor flea market will be open weekends through March at the Roosevelt Mall, 2329 Cottman Ave., next to Rainbow. Indoor spaces are $50. For more information, visit PhilaFleaMarkets.org. ••
Register for Red Tiger Cup
The Red Tiger TKD Cup will take place on Saturday, May 14, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bryn Athyn College’s Asplundh Fieldhouse, 2775 Buck Road, in Bryn Athyn. There will be competitions in sparring, patterns and special technique. Trophies and medals will be awarded to the top three competitors in each division. Call 215-969-9962 or email [email protected]. ••
Kimmel schedule
The Kimmel Cultural Campus has returned to live Broadway programming.
Here is the schedule through next summer: Hadestown (Feb. 9-20, Academy of Music); Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Feb. 22-27, Academy of Music); Rent: 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour (March 4-6, Merriam Theater); Oklahoma! (March 8-20, Forrest Theatre); Waitress (March 29 to April 3, Academy of Music); Hairspray (May 16-22, Merriam Theater); To Kill A Mockingbird (July 12-24, Academy of Music); and Dear Evan Hansen (Aug. 16-28, Forrest Theatre).
For more information, call 215-893-1955 or visit kimmelcenter.org. ••
