History meeting tonight
The Northeast Philadelphia History Network will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. at Pennepack Baptist Meetinghouse, 8732 Krewstown Road. Author Joe Minardi will speak on City of Neighborhoods: Philadelphia, 1890–1910. All are welcome. ••
Somerton Civic to meet Tuesday
On Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m., there will be a Somerton Civic Association meeting at the Walker Lodge at 1290 Southampton Road. Zoning appeals about a blood collection practice at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. and a sign at 725 Byberry Road are on the agenda. A representative of the American Red Cross (not associated with the parties to the zoning appeal) will introduce herself and the work that the Red Cross is doing in the area, including in relation to the need for blood donations.
Theater show at Glen Foerd
Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave., will host the world premiere theatrical staging of Langston Hughes’ The Ways of White Folks, Jan. 11-22. A champagne reception will be held on Jan. 13. Published in 1934, The Ways of White Folks is a collection of 14 short stories by American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright and columnist Langston Hughes (1901-67). The collection addresses multiple dimensions of racial issues, focusing specifically on interactions between black and white people. Performances will be held Jan. 11-15 and Jan. 19-22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Matinee performances will be held on Jan. 15 and Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $32, while the cost is $12 for students and industry professionals. Go to https://secure.egopo.org/ways-of-white-folks. Valet parking for all performances will be available. Masks are required to be worn during all performances. For more information, visit www.glenfoerd.org or call 215-632-5330. ••
Club for kids
The Good News Club meets Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. at Third Reformed Presbyterian Church, at Byberry and Barbary roads in Parkwood Manor. The evening will feature games, crafts, stories, songs and refreshments. The club is for kids from age 4 to sixth grade. ••
Solomon celebrates Krasner ruling
State Rep. Jared Solomon is celebrating a ruling by a Democratic Commonwealth Court judge who determined that articles of impeachment against District Attorney Larry Krasner did not satisfy misbehavior in office. Solomon labels the impeachment as “another antidemocratic attempt to overturn an election.” He and other local Democrats voted against impeachment. Democratic Reps. Kevin Boyle and Ed Neilson did not vote. Republican Rep. Martina White voted for impeachment. ••
Epiphany Day service at St. James
St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Avenue and Pratt Street, will host an Epiphany Day service to celebrate Hispanic customs on Friday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. There will be Latin American food and music and an appearance by the Three Kings. Parents are invited to bring shoeboxes for the traditional giving of gifts. ••
$1 sale at thrift shop
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, will have a $1 sale beginning on Sunday, Jan. 8. Buy any clothing item for $1. 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. ••
Volunteer for MLK Day
Caring for Friends, 12271 Townsend Road, is offering volunteer opportunities for Martin Luther King Day, Monday, Jan. 16. Volunteers can work at the Caring for Friends warehouse, at their job site at a school or house of worship or at home. Opportunities include cooking meals, sorting food and making caring cards. Sign up at https://caringforfriends.org/volunteer/. ••
Weekly art group
Fox Chase Library, 501 Rhawn St., hosts a free art group every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Bring your supplies. Call 215-685-0547. ••
Tacony Civic schedules meeting
Tacony Civic Association will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. at Tacony Library, 6742 Torresdale Ave. (at Knorr Street). ••
Grand opening of health office
SpectrumHealth, 3525-27 Cottman Ave., will host a grand opening and open house on Friday, Jan. 6, from 2-6 p.m. Services include pediatric and adult primary medical care and dental care, OB-GYN, HIV/AIDS outreach, behavioral health, weight management and care coordination. There will be free refreshments. Visit www.spectrumhs.org. ••
Visit model railroad club
Chelten Hills Model Railroad Club, 8010 Old York Road in Elkins Park, will be hosting open houses from noon to 4 p.m. on the following Saturdays and Sundays: Jan. 7-8 and Feb. 4-5. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.cheltenhillsmrr.org or Facebook. ••
Book club meeting
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding its January Zoom session on Monday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. The book is Montana 1948 by Larry Watson. For further information, or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Feb. book club meeting
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding its February Zoom session on Monday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. The book is The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. For further information, or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Train show on Sunday
The Train Collectors Association Atlantic Division will hold its Fall Train Show and Sale on Sunday, Jan. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The venue is Penns Landing Caterers (Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall), 1301 S. Columbus Blvd. There will be 140 tables with a variety of vintage toy trains and repair parts for sale, test track, operating toy train layouts, kids activities and door prizes for adults and children. Admission is $5 per attendee or per family of two adults and all children 12 and under. Food is available on premises, and there is plenty of free parking. For more information, visit www.ADTCA.com or call Bob at 610-872-3309. ••
Rhawnhurst Civic to meet
Rhawnhurst Civic Association will meet on Jan. 18, 2023, at 7 p.m. at Pelbano Playground, 8100 Bustleton Ave. (at Solly Avenue). Follow the group on Facebook or visit Rhawnhurstcivicassociation.com. ••
Cruise the Mediterranean
Norwegian Cruise Line will host a Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Venice on Oct. 10-19. The trip is all inclusive with round-trip airfare, a beverage package, all meals, three specialty dinners, taxes, transfers and all gratuities. The cost for a balcony sea view cabin is $3,511 per person. For more information, contact Fillmore Travel’s Kevin Fries at 215-498-8294 or [email protected]. ••
Upcoming cruise
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a fully escorted Holy Lands & Aegean Majesty cruise from Oct. 6-17, visiting Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Italy. Rates, including airfare, range from $4,298 to $8,098 per person, double occupancy. Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations. ••
South Phila. HS class of ‘68 reunion
The South Philadelphia High School Class of 1968 will hold its 55th reunion on Saturday, Oct. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. Tickets cost $60 and include buffet dinner and open bar. For tickets and more information, call Arleen Liberi [609-922-2419], Maria Leati [856-287-3734] or Stephen Michielli [267-252-2740]. ••
Baby shower at synagogue
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, is hosting its annual baby shower on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m. There will be games and refreshments while supporting Jewish Family and Children’s Services. The group will be collecting new children’s clothing in sizes newborn to 6 and new or gently used toys and equipment. Light refreshments will be served. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Bingo on Jan. 14
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, at Trenton Avenue and Cumberland Street, will hold bingo on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 1-4 p.m. Doors open at noon. Packages are $20 and include lunch. Call 215-423-0792. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. Contact Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Sisterhood meeting
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. A representative of Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy will be speaking about the use of strength bands in therapy. Light refreshments will be served. There is no charge. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Sisterhood meeting in March
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will meet on Tuesday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. The speaker will be Rabbi Sandi Berliner. Her topic will be: “What’s on your seder plate – Updating your Seder.” Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Remembering MLK at St. James
St. James Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Ave., will host The Preacher, a service remembering Martin Luther King, on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 3:30 p.m. There will be music, reflections and quotes, followed by light refreshments. ••
St. Jerome seniors to meet
The St. Jerome’s Senior Group will meet on Thursdays, Jan. 12 and 26, in the school hall, 3031 Stamford St. Arrive by 10 a.m. Meeting begins promptly at 11. ••
Broadway memories
The Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, invites the community to Together off Broadway: Merman and Martin on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at 2 p.m. Ethel Merman and Mary Martin were off-stage friends, theater royalty and iconic personalities. The show gives a peek at their personal lives while celebrating a song list including I’ve Got Rhythm, The Sound of Music and Hello, Dolly. The price of admission is $36 per person and includes a dessert reception. Mail your check to the synagogue. Call 215-677-1600. ••
