Happy anniversary
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5185 Castor Ave. (at Pratt Street), will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its preschool on Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. in the church social hall. The public is invited. ••
Somerton Civic to meet Tuesday
Somerton Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Walker Lodge, 1290 Southampton Road. A zoning appeal regarding 488 Byberry Road is on the agenda. Both existing members and other Somerton residents are welcome to attend, and new members are welcome to join. ••
St. Jerome Seniors to meet
Meetings for November are Thursdays, Nov. 9 and 30, in the school hall, 3031 Stamford St. Arrive by 10 a.m. Meetings begin promptly at 11. ••
Join the parade
The 46th annual Mayfair-Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade will be on Sunday, Nov. 19, from noon to 3 p.m. The parade will go south on Frankford Avenue from Rhawn Street to Knorr Street. The grand marshal will be Seward Johnson Atelier, the organization that placed statues in Mayfair this past spring and summer. Homemade floats are being accepted. Anyone in seventh grade or above who volunteers to carry a banner will receive six community service hours.
Scouts will be collecting nonperishable food, and Marines will be collecting Toys for Tots at Knorr Street.
To participate in the parade, to be a sponsor or to volunteer, call 215-624-6660, email info@thanksgivingparade.org or visit thanksgivingparade.org. ••
Clean local parks
More than 100 city parks will take part in clean-up service days during Love Your Park Fall Service Weekend, Nov. 10-12. To lend a hand planting trees, collecting leaves and helping to keep Philly parks clean and green, register at https://loveyourpark.org/events/lyp-fall-2023. ••
Local author writes humorous essay book
Longtime Northeast resident Martha Cooney recently had her first book published. Entitled Walk Me Through Your Resume, it is a collection of 22 humorous essays that recount her adventures and misadventures while working as a nanny and camp counselor, trying to retrieve her car after it had been towed away and the chaos that ensues at a movie theater when a man snores very loudly. Author R. Eric Thomas dubbed the essays as “from hilarious to heartwarming.” The book is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. ••
Vacated conviction in 1995 Northwood murder
The Court of Common Pleas on Thursday ruled that Eddie Ramirez’s conviction for a brutal 1995 robbery-murder in a Northwood Laundromat should be vacated, following a contention by District Attorney Larry Krasner that Ramirez’s constitutional rights were violated at his 1996 trial.
Ramirez and co-defendant William Weihe, both now 46, were convicted by a jury for the Feb. 20, 1995 killing of Joyce Dennis – who was found viciously beaten to death late at night with a steel pipe, after the Laundromat had been robbed of about $1,100. The 40-year-old Dennis worked as an attendant at Fabric Care Center, at 5201 Oxford Ave.
Ramirez was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on the strength of statements from friends implicating him, including testimony from Weihe. Weihe, the lookout, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and spent five years in prison. Many of the friends’ statements have been recanted.
The D.A.’s office will conduct a review and will inform the court of its intent to retry or decline further prosecution within the next 30 days. ••
Ogrod settles with city
Walter Ogrod, convicted of the 1988 murder of 4-year-old Castor Gardens girl Barbara Jean Horn, agreed to settle his wrongful conviction lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia and several members of the Philadelphia Police Department for $9.1 million. Ogrod was represented in the matter by Joseph M. Marrone and Michael Pomerantz, of Marrone Law Firm. Ogrod claimed that Philadelphia homicide detectives coerced him into confessing to the crime during an interrogation at the Roundhouse. He was arrested in 1992 and convicted in 1996 and sentenced to death. He was released from prison in 2020 after the district attorney’s office determined he was wrongfully convicted. Barbara Jean was playing outside on the 7200 block of Rutland St. on July 12, 1988, when she disappeared. Her naked and battered body was found later in a plastic bag stuffed in a cardboard television box put out in the trash nearby on the 1400 block of St. Vincent St. The case remained unsolved for four years, and Robert Stack ran a story on Unsolved Mysteries. Ogrod lived across the street from Barbara Jean, who lived with her mom, Sharon, and stepfather, John Fahy.
At trial, the key testimony came from a jailhouse snitch who, Ogrod’s lawyers alleged, received made-up information from John Hall, nicknamed “The Monsignor” for his incredible ability to elicit confessions from fellow inmates in major cases.
The real killer has not been identified. ••
Apply for historic house program
The Historical Society of Tacony is accepting applications for the 2024 historic house plaque program. This is a grant program available to any homeowner in Tacony and covers two-thirds of the cost of installing the plaque and preparing the house’s report. The homeowner receives a 9″ x 12″ bronze plaque showing its approximate date of construction and a narrative research report detailing its history. The cost to the homeowner in 2024 is $310, half of which is due upon acceptance of the application. Call 215-338-8790 to have an application sent via email or go to the Society’s new website at www.historicalsocietyoftacony.org. ••
Get your medicine reviewed
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus and the Temple University School of Pharmacy present Brown Bag Medication Review on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon., in the Jeans main lobby, 7600 Central Ave. The public is invited to bring current medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements for a medication review. Pharmacists and pharmacy students from the Temple University School of Pharmacy will review medicines to look for any potential problems including drug interaction and side effects. Attendees should bring a list of all medications with dosages, list of allergies (particularly to foods and medications), medication boxes and any medication-related questions and concerns. Always consult your physician before changing or stopping your current medication. ••
Attend Knights at the Races
Knights of Columbus Father Ryan Council #5036 (which is made up of Resurrection, St. Cecilia and Maternity BVM parishioners) will be holding a Knights at the Races Monte Carlo Night on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 7-11 p.m. (doors open at 6) at the St. Cecilia Church auditorium, 535 Rhawn St. Those who attend can bet on video-recorded horse races and play other games of chance. People can buy a horse and name it for $5, and you don’t have to be present to win. Bets on a horse at the event start as low as $2. The $35 ticket price includes a catered dinner and soft drinks. The event is BYO, and you must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets can be purchased at http://donorbox.org/events/486678. Proceeds benefit Council #5036 and its ladies’ auxiliary group. For more information, call 215-495-7310. ••
Donate blood
The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood. Those who give through Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card to a restaurant of their choice.
The Northeast Philadelphia Blood Donation Center, 1401 Rhawn St., is open Monday-Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There will be a donation day on Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, 3252 Chesterfield Road.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS. ••
Upcoming opera shows
Amici Opera Company will present Verdi’s Ernani on Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale.
Amici will present Donizett’s La Regina Di Golconda (The Queen of Golconda) on Nov. 11 and 18 at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.
Amici will present Ernani on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at La Piovra Trattoria, 7901 High School Road, Elkins Park. Arrive by 6 p.m. The show and three-course dinner cost $54.95. Call 215-606-3800 for reservations.
For more information, call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company on Facebook. ••
Events at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum & Library, 7370 Central Ave. in Burholme Park, will hold a number of upcoming events.
Here is the schedule: Friday, Nov. 10, 1-3 p.m. (Fibercraft Friends); Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. (Storytime: It’s Turkey Time!); Sunday, Nov. 12, 1-3 p.m. (Manga Club: Sailor Moon); Friday, Nov. 17, 1-3 p.m. (Book Club, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland); Friday, Dec. 1, 1-3 p.m. (Genealogy Group: How to dig up your ancestors); Friday, Dec. 8, 1-3 p.m. (Fibercraft Friends); Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Ryerss annual Christmas open house); Sunday, Dec. 10, 1-3 p.m. (Manga Club); Friday, Dec. 15, 1-3 p.m. (Book Club); and Friday, Dec. 22, 1-3 p.m. (Fibercraft Friends).
Call 215-685-0599. ••
St. Hubert seeks vendors
St. Hubert, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host a holiday vendor fair on Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables cost $20 and a donation to the tombola table. Visit Huberts.org/Vendor or email SHSanta@Huberts.org. ••
Tacony history meeting
The autumn general membership meeting of the Historical Society of Tacony will be held on Monday, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Innocents-Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 7001 Torresdale Ave. A slide presentation will be featured with historian Patty McCarthy about one of the most prominent families of early Tacony — the Lardners. Light refreshments will be served. All are invited to attend and consider joining the Historical Society of Tacony. ••
Living with epilepsy
Temple University Health – Jeanes Hospital, 7600 Central Ave., will present Epilepsy and Living Your Best Life on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Carla LoPinto-Khoury, a Temple Health neurologist, will discuss what care is available at Temple to allow you to live your best life. Additionally, the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern PA will provide interactive seizure first aid training. To register, call 215-728-4861 or email Rosemarie.Schlegel@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Variety dinner show
Joey C’s Variety Dinner Show will take place on Friday, Nov. 17, at the Buck Hotel, 1200 Buck Road, in Feasterville. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30 and the show at 8. Tickets cost $80, including taxes and gratuities. There is a cash bar. Call 215-396-2002 or 215-317-7675 or go to https://thebuckhotel.com/eventscalendar. ••
Free haircuts for veterans
State Sen. Jimmy Dillon invites veterans to join him for a free haircut and some refreshments this Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Torresdale Boys Club, 4500 Linden Ave. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Call Connie at 215-695-1020 to secure your spot. ••
Mass and gala for St. Martin’s
St. Martin of Tours Church, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., will hold a unity Mass and 100th anniversary gala on Sunday, Nov. 12. The Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., followed by the gala at 2 p.m. at Brookside Manor, 50 Bustleton Pike in Feasterville. Tickets cost $50. Call the rectory at 215-535-2987. ••
Craft show Nov. 11-18
A farmhouse craft show will take place Nov. 11-18 at Tamanend Park, 1255 Second Street Pike, in Southampton. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be wreaths, jewelry, wood items, centerpieces, antiques, candy and baked goods. Visa and Mastercard accepted. For more information, call Nancy at 215-808-3004, visit threedcrafts.com or go to the Farmhouse Craft Show page on Facebook. ••
Apply to become a cop
The Philadelphia Police Department is accepting applications through Nov. 12. Applicants must be at least 20 years old and have a high school diploma. The starting salary is $61,888. Call 215-683-COPS or apply at joinphillypd.com. ••
Food and music
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will hold a fall festive fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 12:30 p.m. There will be a hot thanksgiving feast, followed by a musical performance by Benson on Broadway. The cost is $42.50 per person. Call 215-677-1600 to make your reservation and send your payment to the above address. ••
Do you need to see a rheumatologist?
Temple University Health – Jeanes Campus will present Arthritis, Joint Pain and Osteoporosis – Should You See a Rheumatologist on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Marissa Blum, a Temple Health rheumatologist, will discuss when it makes sense to see a rheumatologist for specialty care to find relief. To register, call 215-728-4861 or email Rosemarie.Schlegel@tuhs.temple.edu.••
Blood drive on Nov. 24
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Friday, Nov. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cpl. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. Sign up by calling 800-RED CROSS or going to www.redcrossblood.org and entering ALPOST366. ••
Hohenstein opposes LNG report
State Rep. Joe Hohenstein introduced a minority report as part of his membership on the Philadelphia LNG Task Force, which was tasked with examining and making recommendations regarding obstacles, economic feasibility, economic impact and security that would be involved with making the Port of Philadelphia a liquified natural gas export terminal. Rep. Martina White chairs the task force.
“This is a complex topic with many stakeholders holding a variety of views and strong opinions,” Hohenstein said. “And it is my belief that this report accurately addresses the concerns with placing an LNG facility within the geographical area covered by the Philadelphia Port, resulting in the conclusion that there is simply no suitable location for an LNG facility in Philadelphia or Southeastern Pennsylvania.
“The commonwealth should be engaged in a transition away from fossil fuels because of the need to address climate change. As such, I plan to propose the formation of a task force to review the state’s energy policy and to map a path toward a future with family-sustaining jobs in an energy sector that does not produce dangerous pollution or carbon emissions.” ••
Poetry at Chase’s Hop Shop
North of Oxford will present poets Thomas Devaney, Kathy Barham, John Timpane and Bob Zell at Chase’s Hop Shop, 7235 Rising Sun Ave, on Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. Admission is free. An open mic will follow the featured readers. More information is at https://northofoxfordreadingseries.wordpress.com/2023/05/04/chases-hop-shop-seasonal-reading-series/. ••
Buy a lottery calendar
St. Martha Parish is selling its 2024 lottery calendar for a $25 donation. Choose a three-digit number and you have 365 chances to win, based on the Pennsylvania daily number (straight) that is pulled at 7 p.m. The daily prize is $25. There is one bonus day each month worth $100. Calendars can be bought after Mass or by mailing a check made payable to St. Martha Parish, with “2024 Calendar” in the memo, 11301 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154. ••
TBYN civic to meet
Take Back Your Neighborhood will meet on Monday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Max Myers Playground, 1601 Hellerman St. Guests will include police officials and Anlin Wang of Councilwoman Kendra Brooks’ office. Subjects to be discussed are absentee landlords, unauthorized vending and quality-of-life issues. ••
Bustleton Civic to meet
The Greater Bustleton Civic League will hold its monthly membership meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m. at American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. Meetings are open to the public and attendees are encouraged to join. Email gbustletoncl@gmail.com or call 215-676-6890. ••
Come celebrate Christmas
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., will present A Night in Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3-5 p.m. There will be crafts, activities, a marketplace, the story of Christmas, food, hot chocolate, a fire pit and Christmas carols. ••
Attend Grand Illumination
American Heritage Credit Union invites the community to visit its main campus at 2060 Red Lion Road to enjoy more than 400,000 lights and holiday displays. Each year, the American Heritage campus buildings and trees are illuminated, and multiple light displays are featured throughout the campus grounds. Community members are welcome to stroll the campus, take photos and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season. The Grand Illumination celebration kicks off with a special event on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. There will be a concert featuring the Philadelphia Boys Choir, the Ukrainian Children’s Choir Soloveiky and the New Jersey Fifes and Drums. Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross will be on hand, and a firework symphony will fill the night sky. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food item to help American Heritage reach its goal of 20,000 pounds for its annual holiday food drive. ••
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 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 Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Donate to food drive
American Heritage Credit Union invites the community to donate food as part of its 10th annual Spirit of Giving Food Drive. All nonperishable food donations will be distributed to various food pantries and food banks throughout the region. The donations will be collected through Nov. 25 at all American Heritage branch locations. ••
Movie, discussion, refreshments
St. Luke’s, 1946 Welsh Road, will host a spiritual cinema and discussion on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m., in its parish hall. The featured presentation will be Big Night, about two brothers struggling to keep their Italian restaurant afloat in the 1950s. Light refreshments and discussion will follow. Call 215-969-3645. ••
Historical presentation
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation Inc. will be holding its annual membership meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in its headquarters at 321 Cedar St., Bristol Borough. The public is invited. No fee. A presentation entitled The African-American Presence at Pennsbury Manor: Reconstructing Individual Stories will be made by Mary Ellyn Kunz, education coordinator at the Grundy Museum. Refreshments will be served. Call 215-788-7537. ••
New business coming
National Wholesale Liquidators will be opening on Nov. 21 at 7101 Roosevelt Blvd.
The company will be moving into a former Kmart, which closed in 2019. ••
Run, walk on Veterans Day
The national nonprofit PACT for Animals will hold a 10K, 5K or 1-Mile Patriotic Pup Walk on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, either virtually or at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park, in Oaks.
Check-in starts at 9 a.m., followed by the run and walk at 10. There will be prizes, giveaways and appearances by John DeBella and Eagles No. 1 fan Shaun Young.
Register at https://pactforanimals.org/veterans-day-run-and-dog-walk/. ••
Learn all about COPD
The Temple Lung Center is teaming up with the COPD Foundation to give local patients and caregivers an opportunity to learn from global experts in COPD about new treatments, medications, research, management and approaches for managing the disease. The patient session will take place on Monday, Nov. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. The session is being held during the 2023 GOLD International COPD Conference, the world’s foremost conference for healthcare providers involved in managing and caring for people with COPD. Attendance is free to individuals with COPD and their caregivers. Valet parking is free. Advance registration is required. Register at goldconferenceondemand.com/patient. ••
Trip to Brooklyn
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a “Brooklyn Christmas Lights” bus trip on Thursday, Dec. 7. The itinerary includes a full-course dinner at Tommaso’s Restaurant, followed by a tour of the decorated homes in the Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge sections of Brooklyn. Cost is $172. Reservations close on Nov. 1. Call 215-788-7537. ••
Trip to Bethlehem
The Polish American Cultural Center Museum is sponsoring a trip to Bethlehem, “The Christmas City,” from Dec. 14-16. The tour includes two night accommodations at The Windcreek Hotel and Casino; two $20 vouchers; $70 slot play; a visit to Pines Dinner Theater to see Holly Jolly Christmas, with lunch (BYOB); a tour of “The Lights on the Parkway;” a free day to gamble and shop at the outlets; a visit to the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas shopping and artisans craft markets); and round-trip motorcoach. The cost is $525 per person double occupancy or $700 single. For information and reservations, call Theresa Romanowski at 215-922-1700. ••
Workshops at Holy Family
Holy Family University’s Family Center invites the community to its free fall workshops, which promote the “Value of Family,” during the months of October and November on the campus at Frankford and Grant avenues.
The four sessions of the “Living Fully” series will explore contemporary issues such as finding meaning and striving from life’s difficulties; exploring your creativity as a call from God; saving money with coupons – the latest updates; and reviewing common steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Education Technology Center, Room 411.
The “Pathways to Prayer” series will examine how to understand and work through the peaks and valleys of one’s journey with the Lord. Using the book, Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies, by the Rev. Timothy Gallagher, the series strives to give participants’ spiritual life a boost, help them avoid discouragement and sharpen their awareness of God’s presence, action and communication in their lives and experiences. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the Campus Center Chapel, Room 104.
Participants will have the opportunity to interact with University faculty, staff and credentialed guest speakers. Register at holyfamily.edu. ••
Dining event will aid charity
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Board of Associates of Fox Chase Cancer Center, is hosting a dining-in event at Ben & Irv’s Deli, 1962 County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mention the Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter and a percentage of all proceeds will be donated to Fox Chase Cancer Center for patient care and medical research. ••
Hibernian Ball
AOH and LAOH Division 87 will be holding its annual Hibernian Ball on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 7-11 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Regina Coeli hall, 9617 James St. The Man and Woman of the Year will be honored. Tickets cost $65, which includes buffet, desserts, open bar, live music, disc jockey, Irish dancers and a possible guest appearance by the Mummers. Contact Kieran McGovern (267-249-7632, kieran.mcgovern@pgworks.com) or James “HiFi” Carr (215-620-6547, jimgutters@comcast.net). ••
North Catholic fundraiser
The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association will hold a Turkey Bowl beef and beer on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 1-5 p.m. at the Red Rooster Inn, 7960 Dungan Road. The cost is $40 in advance or $45 at the door. For tickets and information, call 215-543-1051. ••
Grant will help Fox Chase address cancer ‘disparities’
Temple University/Fox Chase Cancer Center and Hunter College of the City University of New York have received a five-year, $13.3 million competitive grant renewal from the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, to address cancer health “disparities.”
The grant will enable NCI-designated cancer centers and research institutions to better support “underserved” populations. It will continue to support work in reducing cancer health disparities that are said to affect blacks, Hispanics and Asian and Pacific Islanders in Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey.
“It is an honor for Temple and Hunter to have this important comprehensive cancer health disparities partnership grant renewed so we can continue to tackle the disproportionate cancer burden affecting underserved and diverse communities by making a significant impact on multiple levels. This includes institutional, multidisciplinary research and community engagement as well as training, education and diverse workforce development,” said Grace X. Ma, Contact Principal Investigator on the grant.
Ma is the Associate Dean for Health Disparities, Founding Director of the Center for Asian Health, and Laura H. Carnell Professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, as well as a Professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
“In the next five years, our partnership aims to break systemic structural barriers and promote inclusiveness across disciplines in order to advance cancer health equity,” Ma added.
“The support from this grant allows us to foster new and innovative approaches to health challenges that have been affecting these populations for many years,” said Camille Ragin, Co-Principal Investigator on the grant and Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Fox Chase. “With a diverse group of investigators and trainees, we put ourselves in a position of strength to effectively engage with our communities and develop research-based solutions to the barriers impacting these groups.”
The initial five-year, $13.5 million grant, which was awarded in 2018, helped underwrite the creation of the Temple University/Fox Chase Cancer Center and Hunter College Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Disparities Partnership. Since the grant was first awarded, it has helped fund studies focusing on liver, lung and colon cancers that have led to a better understanding of more personalized treatment strategies for underserved populations.
“The collaborative efforts of Temple and Hunter College have already proven instrumental in addressing these health disparities,” said Dr. Amy J. Goldberg, the Marjorie Joy Katz Dean at the Katz School of Medicine. “We are incredibly proud that Temple and Hunter College have been awarded this opportunity for a second time, and we look forward to seeing the continued positive impact these endeavors will have on our communities.”
The cancer health disparities partnership created by the initial five-year grant is also known as the Synergistic Partnership in Enhancing Equity in Cancer Health. Since 2018, SPEECH has launched 108 cross-institutional research projects, established collaborations with 51 community- and faith-based organizations and educated 1,340 community members on liver, colon and lung cancer prevention.
SPEECH includes more than 80 multidisciplinary investigators across both Hunter College and TUFCCC organizations. It also includes 207 trainees from diverse backgrounds who are mentored by TUFCCC and Hunter College faculty.
The two institutions will continue to focus on three core areas: multidisciplinary cancer research; diversifying the research and medical pipeline by training and mentoring minority junior faculty, undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers; and educating and engaging the community.
Community outreach will specifically focus on intervention, early detection and access to treatment. It will also continue to address barriers that contribute to cancer disparities, including social determinants of health, proximity to care, economic issues, health literacy, stigma, stress and mental health. ••
Presentation on Titanic
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation, 321 Cedar St., Bristol Borough, will host Survivors, Victims and Legacies: The Rest of the Story on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. The presentation will be given by David J. Kaplan, a member of the Titanic Historical Society for over four decades who has met 18 survivors, including Melvina Dean, who was the last living survivor and who passed away in 2009. Reservations can be made at 215-788-9408. Attendees are asked to bring a donation for the Bristol First United Church Food Pantry of paper and sanitary products or a monetary contribution. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, 2024, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.” Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia. Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking. Final payment by Feb. 27. Call 215-788-9408. ••
Volunteer to deliver meals
KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., is seeking volunteers with private automobiles and valid insurance to pack and deliver meals to people in need who cannot shop or cook for themselves. Volunteers would work two to four hours a week and make deliveries to the Northeast, Center City, the Main Line, Lower Bucks County and South and West Philly. Anyone who can help should call Federic Byarm at 215-698-7300, Ext. 196. ••
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. ••
