A.J. Slick concert
C.P. McMenamy Post 178 Auxiliary will host an outdoor concert by A.J. Slick on Saturday, July 8, from 8 p.m. to midnight, at 8041 Frankford Ave. Bring your own chair. There will be raffles and a 50/50, with donations going to Semper Fido. All ages welcome, but must be 21 to drink. ••
Neilson cheers I-95 work progress
State Rep. Ed Neilson (D-174th dist.) helped enact legislation allowing Interstate 95 reconstruction work to continue by extending the governor’s emergency proclamation before it expired.
After a truck tanker caught fire and the extreme heat caused a portion of I-95 to collapse, Gov. Josh Shapiro issued an emergency proclamation on June 12 to acquire federal emergency funds and cut through red tape to expedite the rebuilding of the collapsed road.
Due to a 2021 constitutional amendment, the governor’s proclamation would have expired after 21 days, July 3, unless the General Assembly voted to extend it.
“The emergency declaration was due to expire today, July 3, which would have brought the entire project to a halt and could have jeopardized the federal funding needed to complete it in an expedited manner,” Neilson said.
The House of Representatives previously adopted Neilson’s H.R. 154 on June 26, which would have extended the governor’s emergency declaration by one year to give the Shapiro administration enough time and resources to complete the permanent reconstruction. However, the Senate never considered it.
Neilson reached out to the governor’s office and House leadership on both sides of the aisle.
As discussions were ongoing, Neilson called a meeting of the House Transportation Committee, which unanimously approved Senate Resolution 136, an alternative proposal introduced by Sen. Jimmy Dillon. S.R.136 later cleared the Senate.
The House then needed to suspend its operating rules so it could immediately consider S.R. 136. Neilson huddled on the floor with House leaders and members.
The House unanimously voted to suspend the rules and adopted the resolution, extending the governor’s disaster proclamation to Nov. 1, allowing the reconstruction work to continue for now.
“Thank you to the members of the House Transportation Committee and staff along with the entire House’s willingness to suspend the rules and pass this legislation,” Neilson said. “I’m happy to report that the project is full speed ahead, as I stopped by this morning to see the progress.” ••
Bazaar vendors needed
The St. Martin of Tours Charity and Solidarity Center, 999 Sanger St., will host a bazaar on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Call Brenda Malavet at 215-744-2634. ••
FJ baseball, SH cheer to be honored
The Father Judge state championship baseball team and the St. Hubert national championship cheerleading team will be honored on Thursday, July 20, at 6 p.m. at Frankford and Cottman avenues. The event will coincide with the Mayfair Night Market, featuring live music by the Great Scott Band. ••
Book club meeting on Monday
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding a Zoom session on Monday, July 10, at 7 p.m. The book is The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan. To register, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan
The Polish American Cultural Center Museum volunteers are sponsoring a 7-day, 6-night trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan from July 9-15. The trip consists of a ferry ride to Mackinac Island, two nights at the Grand Hotel, a horse-drawn carriage ride and visits to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the Henry Ford Museum and the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods. The price includes bus transportation, hotels, six breakfasts, six dinners, a buffet luncheon at the Grand Hotel, admission to all attractions, baggage handling, taxes and gratuities. Call Theresa Romanowski at 215-813-2780 or 215-922-1700. ••
Teddy and FDR
Two Roosevelts, Theodore and Franklin, both who attained the United States presidency, will be the subjects for three summer learning programs for active adults to be held at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave.,, on Mondays, July 10 and 31 and Aug. 21. All are scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. The public is invited. Attorney David Hudiak will lead all three programs, which will examine their strengths and weaknesses and uncover interesting facts about their political and personal lives. Cost will be $6 per person per program. Checks should be made payable to KleinLife and paid in person at the front desk. Contact Mariya Keselman Mekler at 215-698-7300, Ext. 185 or [email protected]. ••
Money for police, nonprofits
City Council recently passed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Councilman Brian O’Neill procured an additional $3 million for the Police Department to recruit and hire more officers. The mayor’s original budget proposal included only $200,000 for recruiting and hiring. O’Neill was also able to secure $200,000 for two nonprofits in his district. Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy and Caring for Friends food bank will each receive a $100,000 grant. ••
Trip to Resorts Casino
Holy Innocents will hold a casino trip on Tuesday, Aug., 15. A bus will depart L Street and Hunting Park Avenue at 9:30 a.m. There will be a Mass at noon at the Hard Rock Casino Arena, a procession to the sea for a blessing at 1:15 p.m. and a $10 slot package at Resorts Casino. The bus will depart Resorts at 5 p.m. The cost is $35, due by Aug. 1. To reserve your seat, call Cindy at 215-535-2740. ••
Music and drama camp
Crescentville United Methodist Church, 412 E. Sentner St., will host a music and drama camp from July 9-14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The camp is for kids in kindergarten (must be 5 by Sept. 1) through recent eighth-grade graduates. The registration fee is $5 per child. There will be Bible stories, crafts, T-shirts, songs and snacks. Children will learn and perform the musical The Go Tour, which teaches that God’s love and spirit is the same around the world.
Call 215-745-7115, visit http://www.crescentvilleumc.com or email [email protected]. ••
Local opera shows
Amici Opera Company has the following upcoming performances:
Verdi’s Oberto on Sundays, July 9, and July 23, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.
Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci on Sunday, July 16, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale. The show will also take place on Tuesday, July 18, at 6 p.m. at La Piovra, 7901 High School Road, Elkins Park. The cost is $54.95 (not including tax and tip) and includes dinner. Make a reservation at 215-606-3800.
Verdi’s Rigoletto on Sunday, July 30, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, and Sunday, Aug. 6, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods.
DeBussy’s Pelleas & Melisande on Saturdays, Aug. 5 and 12, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
Call 215-224-0257 or go to the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
English classes for Ukrainians
Holy Family University’s English as a Second Language initiative for newly arrived Ukrainian adults is accepting new applicants. The classes are free and open to members of the community who are at least 18 years old. Classes are at 9801 Frankford Ave. and online. Class days and times are online (through Aug. 24, Tuesday and Thursday, 6-7 p.m.) and in person (through July 31, Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.). Since last fall, more than 100 newly arrived Ukrainians have attended classes at no cost to help them improve their English proficiency and become familiar with the Philadelphia community. Interested applicants can register at holyfamily.edu/ukraine-esl. ••
Christmas in July
Prince of Peace Church, at Colgate and Comly streets, will host an indoor Christmas in July and flea market on Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ••
Visas for noncitizens
State Rep. Joe Hohenstein applauded the approval of his U visa bill by the House Judiciary Committee. The vote was 12-9, with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans against. Hohenstein’s bill would require officials to develop a publicly accessible protocol establishing requirements for certifying officials and agencies related to request processing timeframes, record keeping, language access, training and victim notification for U visa certification.
“When you’re the victim of a crime, it shouldn’t matter what your current citizen status is. Every individual deserves compassion and support after a traumatic event,” Hohenstein said. “A U visa can provide safety and a pathway to citizenship and legal employment for these victims of serious crimes. What we need is clear guidance for certifying agencies such as law enforcement, prosecutors and judges so that they can guarantee these victims’ rights to an expeditious and fair trial.” ••
Charity wiffle ball tournament
The sixth annual Holly Colwell Save 2nd Base Wiffle Ball Tournament, a breast cancer fundraiser, will take place on Saturday, July 22, at 9 a.m., at Hayes Playground (Bustleton Bengals fields), 9945 President St. The winning team will designate $500 to its charity of choice. There will be raffle baskets, a 50/50, games and food and drink available to purchase. Volunteer umpires are needed and will receive a T-shirt.
Contact Nick Tarducci at 215-964-1944 or [email protected] or Chris Tarducci at 215-906-8179 or [email protected]. ••
Ryan at the shore
Archbishop Ryan High School will hold an alumni summer social on July 29, from 2-7 p.m., at the Seaport Inn in North Wildwood. For more information, visit arhs.me/summersocial. ••
Conflict resolution in schools
H.B. 1448, introduced by state Rep. Anthony Bellmon and House Speaker Joanna McClinton, was voted out of the House Education Committee, 16-5, and is headed to the full House for consideration. The bill would require public schools to provide instruction on conflict resolution to all students. The instruction would include topics such as skills of conflict resolution; respect for different cultures, races and beliefs; effectively managing emotions; and how to resolve differences peacefully. The bill also would require the instruction to be age appropriate and incorporated into an appropriate area of study. The Department of Education would compose a list of evidence-based model programs schools can use to provide this instruction to students.
“In areas across the commonwealth, such as Philadelphia, we’re seeing far too many young lives taken by gun violence,” Bellmon said. “It’s imperative that our children know that conflicts can be resolved in a non-violent way, and that’s why I introduced this bill that can help save lives.” ••
Campaign reform
State Reps. Jared Solomon and Malcolm Kenyatta introduced several election-reform bills, including ones that would establish an independent commission to draw congressional lines and require any elected official convicted of a crime to resign immediately upon conviction.
“It’s overdue for us to renew a commitment between trust and transparency regarding the entire election process – from campaign and redistricting reforms to accountability of an elected official,” Solomon said. “People need to trust that we are working for them.” ••
Community resource fair
The Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association will present a community resource fair on Saturday, July 15, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Bustleton Learning Center, 6600 Bustleton Ave. There will be refreshments, dancing, music, children’s storytime, raffles and prizes. Call 267-423-3323. ••
Flea market July 15
Delaire Landing, 9355 State Road, will host an outdoor flea market on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, near the tennis court parking lot. The rain date is July 16. Email [email protected]. ••
Vacation Bible School
Third Reformed Presbyterian Church in America, 3024 Byberry Road, is hosting a free Vacation Bible School for children ages 4 through just completed sixth grade from July 17-21, from 9 a.m. to noon. To pre-register or for more information, go to https://www.third-reformed.org/. ••
Travel solo
Starr Bus Charter and Tours is planning its next solo trip to Corning, New York on July 26-27. The trip will feature visits to the Corning Museum of Glass and the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. Travelers will explore 35 centuries of glass artistry, experience hands-on glass making, see historic aircraft and meet the craftsmen that restore them. There will be a buffet dinner and overnight hotel accommodations as well as a scenic boat ride on Seneca Lake. Call 609-587-0626. ••
Hoops camp for boys and girls
The 17th annual Jaguar St. Ephrem Basketball Camp for Boys and Girls will take place from Monday, July 24, to Friday, July 28. The cost is $150 and includes a basketball and T-shirt. The camp is held in the air-conditioned Marian Center at St. Ephrem Parish, 5400 Hulmeville Road in Bensalem. The camp is under the direction of former college coach Dan Williams. For more information, email Williams at [email protected]. ••
Vacation Bible School
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., will host a Vacation Bible School called Food Truck Party from July 31 through Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. All children ages 4 through sixth grade are welcome. Register at myvbs.org/mpcfc or call 215-745-2844. ••
Free art workshop
Ryerss Museum & Library, 7370 Central Ave., in Burholme Park, will host Ryerss History in Color: an Art Workshop on Saturday, July 15, at 1 p.m. The art workshop is free and for kids and adults. Artist Linda Fernandez will guide a hands-on art-making workshop inspired by the stained glass windows of Ryerss Museum. After viewing the stained glass windows of the house and learning about the history of the Ryerss Museum, participants will create their own faux stained glass masterpiece to take home. All materials will be provided. Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ryerss-history-in-color-an-art-workshop-tickets-639423722567?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or search Ryerss Museum and Library on Eventbrite.com. ••
Farm stand at Jeanes
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus has a farm stand that is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October. The stand is located next to parking lot C of Jeanes Campus and the Fox Chase Cancer Center Campus. Call 215-728-4861 or email [email protected]. ••
Mayfair Night Markets continue
The Mayfair Night Market will continue on Thursday, July 20, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Frankford and Cottman avenues. There will be food trucks, vendors, drinks and live music by the Great Scott Band. The remaining schedule is Aug. 17 (The Launch) and Sept. 21 (Jumper). Vendors can apply at MayfairVendors.EventBrite.com. ••
Third Thursday in Tacony
Tacony Community Development Corporation will hold its next Third Thursday event on July 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot at 6846 Torresdale Ave. (at Longshore Avenue). The free event will feature a food truck, live music, produce and bread for sale, quality vendors, activities for the entire family and information tables from elected officials and local organizations. Future Third Thursdays are on Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19. ••
National Night Out
National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 6-8 p.m. at Fox Chase Elementary School yard, 500 Rhawn St. There will be giveaways and food. Call Rep. Kevin Boyle’s office at 215-331-2600. ••
Parkinson’s support group
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus is offering a Parkinson’s disease support group for those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families. The group will meet on the second Wednesday of every other month from 6-7 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. The schedule is Aug. 9, Oct. 11, Dec. 13 (holiday party) and Feb. 14. The group is led by nurse practitioner June Ro, and will include guest speakers. To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or [email protected]. ••
Third Thursday at Glen Foerd
Glen Foerd, Philadelphia’s public park and nonprofit cultural site along the Delaware River, presents the return of its free Third Thursday Summer Series of live music, food, family-fun activities and art. The Thursday dates will be July 20 and Aug. 17, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The public is invited to bring a blanket or chairs, enjoy lawn games, roam Glen Foerd’s grounds and explore its Gilded Age mansion, which will be open for free self-guided tours. Donations are appreciated but not required, and attendees are asked to register in advance by visiting Glen Foerd’s events page at www.glenfoerd.org/events. For more information on the Third Thursday Summer Series, visit www.glenfoerd.org or call 215-632-5330. ••
Israeli Scouts performance
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will host a performance of the Israeli Scouts Friendship Caravan on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The evening will start at 6:15 p.m. with a pay-as-you-wish pasta dinner, followed by Israeli music and dancing by the Scouts scheduled for 7:30. Call 215-677-1600 to make your reservation. ••
September book club
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be hosting a Zoom session on Monday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. The September book is The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman. For further information or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Book club in Oct.
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be holding a Zoom session on Monday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. The October book is The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb. For further information or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Book club meeting
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will host a Zoom session on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. The November book is The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker. For further information or to register for the book club, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Day cruise
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a day trip on Tuesday, Aug. 22, that includes a narrated luncheon cruise on the “River Lady” paddlewheel out of Toms River, cruising on the Toms River and Barnegat Bay and free time on the Asbury Park boardwalk. All-inclusive cost is $118. Reservations close on July 7. Call 215-788-9408. ••
Book club meeting in August
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding a Zoom session on Monday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. The book is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. To register, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Lunch and a show
St. Katherine of Siena Primrose Senior Club is running a bus trip on Thursday, Sept. 28, to Beach Haven, New Jersey to see the comedy Popcorn Falls. There will be a sitdown luncheon at Waterfront Restaurant. The cost is $110. For reservations and more information, call Catherine Murphy at 215-919-4399. ••
Trip to Ohio, Kentucky
St. Jerome’s Senior Citizens Club invites the public to join them for a five-day trip (Oct. 15-19) to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, with a guided tour of Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky. For reservations, questions or a brochure, call Diane McDowell at 267-496-2431. ••
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. ••
Fox Chase names pancreatic cancer surgery chair
Fox Chase Cancer Center announced that Dr. Sanjay S. Reddy has been appointed to the Marvin S. Greenberg, MD, Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery.
“Dr. Reddy expresses a rare passion for providing the highest-quality care, fueled by the latest advances in pancreatic cancer research and surgical techniques,” said Dr. Robert Uzzo, president and CEO of Fox Chase.
Appointment to an endowed chair rewards a physician’s or scientist’s professional contributions, recognizes the value of their research endeavors, and safeguards the funding needed to continue innovative, groundbreaking work.
Reddy’s roles extend beyond his position as an associate professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology. He also serves as program director of the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship and clinical director of the Gastrointestinal Service Line. Furthermore, he co-directs the Pancreatic Cancer Institute with Dr. Igor Astsaturov and Edna “Eti” Cukierman.
Reddy specializes in treating patients with pancreatic cancer.
Reddy joined Fox Chase’s faculty in 2014 after completing a two-year complex general surgical oncology fellowship at FCCC.
Reddy’s focus will be on advancing the field of pancreatic cancer treatment, providing superior and compassionate patient care and ensuring meticulous, safe and high-quality pancreatic surgery. ••
Program for nonprofits
Cranaleith Spiritual Center, 13475 Proctor Road, will present No Margin, No Mission: Taking Your Nonprofit to the Next Level of Success on Wednesday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Duane Carter will lead the program, which includes a light breakfast, lunch, workshop and a copy of his book, No Margin, No Mission. The cost is $97. To register or for more information, call 215-934-6206 or visit cranaleith.org/calendarofevents. ••
Grant for Fox Chase researcher
Lucia Borriello, an assistant professor in the Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and a member of the Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment research program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has been awarded a three-year, $450,000 research grant from Susan G. Komen. The grant supports early career scientists investigating the biology of breast cancer and paving the way to develop new treatments for the disease.
“Susan G. Komen is a very prestigious organization. I’m delighted and excited to receive this award,” said Borriello. “The Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research Grant will be instrumental in fostering my independent career in breast cancer biology, establishing my translational breast cancer research program, and leveraging our discoveries to develop therapies to save the lives of those impacted by breast cancer.”
Borriello opened her lab in late 2022 with the aim of understanding how the tumor microenvironment, which consists of normal cells in the immediate vicinity of cancer cells, programs breast cancer to become dormant. Its mission is to develop novel therapeutic strategies to eradicate dormant tumor cells and combat mortality from metastasis.
While more than 44,000 people in the United States die from breast cancer annually, most do not die due to the primary tumor, but because tumor cells spread to other organs like the lungs where they proliferate, leading to metastasis.
However, in most patients, tumor cells do not proliferate immediately and can remain in a dormant state, sometimes for decades, before being triggered to grow and leading to metastasis.
“No treatment exists to kill dormant tumor cells, the source of metastasis. So we need to understand how tumor cells enter dormancy and what the factors are that trigger them to ‘awaken’ and lead to metastatic relapse,” Borriello said.
Her prior research showed that breast cancer cells acquire a dormant phenotype in the primary tumor when they interact with a particular population of macrophages. The Komen grant will fund the next stage of her research, which will define the molecular mechanisms by which macrophages prime tumor cells for dormancy.
Borriello said this new research has the potential to advance understanding of how breast tumor cells become and remain dormant for years. Her ultimate goal is to use these findings to develop targeted therapies that will keep tumor cells in a perpetual dormant state, thereby reducing breast cancer mortality.
She elected to conduct her research at the Katz School of Medicine and Fox Chase because of the institutions’ collaborative ethos, and she credits this supportive environment with her recent funding success.
She said the award would not have been possible without the support of her department chair, Erica Golemis, and her mentoring committee, especially lead mentor Neil Johnson, of Fox Chase. ••
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. ••
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]. ••
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]. ••
