See Santa at St. Hubert
St. Hubert, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be gifts, an indoor snowball fight, a craft corner, a coloring station, letters to Santa, a selfie station, make your own reindeer food, a Christmas bean bag toss, dancing and face painting. The cost is $30, or $25 for kids 12 and under, or free for kids 2 and under. Pictures cost $5. There will also be raffles. Register at Huberts.org/BreakfastWithSanta. For more information, email SHSanta@Huberts.org. ••
Holiday craft fair
The Villages of Pine Valley will host a holiday craft fair on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its clubhouse at 900 Pine Valley Blvd. (access off of 8540 Verree Road. The fair will feature homemade candy, jewelry, wreaths, candles, artwork and more. Call Kathy at 215-722-1501. ••
A health center at Friends?
A meeting will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. at Simpson Recreation Center, 1010 Arrott St., to discuss the planned city district health center at Friends Hospital. ••
Update on Boulevard
PennDOT, the city and SEPTA will hold a Roosevelt Boulevard public open house on Monday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St. There will be updates on safety improvements and Direct Bus enhancements. Light refreshments will be served. ••
History meeting on Dec. 6
Northeast Philadelphia History Network will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. at Pennepack Baptist Meetinghouse, 8732 Krewstown Road. The topic will be Northeast Philadelphia Rowhouses. Historian Lou Lescas will present a pictorial history of the evolution of the Northeast Philadelphia rowhouse, from the 1870s to the 1980s. ••
Coat giveaway on Saturday
Catholic Community Services is planning to distribute 1,000 coats at the Operation Bundle Up event on Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at St. Martin of Tours, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd. ••
Bingo at St. Martha
St. Martha School is holding a “Dashing Through the Cash Bingo” fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 2, in the parish hall, 11321 Academy Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. Bingo starts at 7. Prizes for each game will be $100 to $200. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. The price includes 10 rounds of bingo, water, soft pretzels, cookies and coffee. Tickets can be bought at school, after Masses and through Venmo @sms19154. Contact Maria Gilbert at 215-632-0320 or mgilbert@stmarthapa.org. ••
St. Jerome Seniors to meet
The group will meet on Thursday, Nov. 30, in the school hall, 3031 Stamford St. Arrive by 10 a.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 11. ••
Learn about assistance programs
A Northeast Region LIHEAP and Utility Services Clinic will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Hub, 6434 Castor Ave. (at Hellerman Street). The Energy Coordinating Agency will evaluate your eligibility for many assistance programs, including gas, electric and water. Bring ID, income and Social Security numbers for the household. ••
Holiday shows at Katharine Drexel Library
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will offer holiday shows for children to learn about the customs and origin of each holiday through storytelling, puppets, music and magic presented by Mlanjeni Magical Theater and the Amazing Mr. Q. The shows will take place on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. on upcoming Tuesdays. The show schedule is Dec. 5 (Hanukkah), Dec. 12 (Christmas) and Dec. 19 (Kwanzaa). All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
Events at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum & Library, 7370 Central Ave. in Burholme Park, will hold a number of upcoming events.
Here is the schedule: 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. ••
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. ••
Victorian Christmas Tea on Sunday
Redemption Lutheran Church, 8001 Bustleton Ave., will host its annual Victorian Christmas Tea on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. The guest speaker and singer will be opera singer Todd Thomas. Admission is $30 and includes tea, finger sandwiches, scones, sweets and a sparkling toast. Purchase a table of eight for the discounted admission of $200. All proceeds benefit Redemption’s Special Music Fund that supports local artists. Call 215-342-2085 or email info@redemptionphiladelphia.org to reserve your seats. ••
Book club on Zoom
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be holding a Zoom session on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. The book this month is The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker. For further information, or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at the synagogue office at 215-677-1600. ••
Music, message, market
Bella Victor Ministries will present Light of the World, on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. The morning will start with pastries and coffee, followed by music and message and a Christmas market. Call 215-526-7749. ••
Half price on clothes
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., will have a half-price clothing sale on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 215-624-9130. ••
Hat, scarf giveaway for kids
Heather Miller’s annual hand-knitted hat and scarf giveaway will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m. at Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Ave. All are welcome to select hats and scarves for kids age 2-12. To make a donation or for more information, call 215-645-2589 or email heatherleemiller429@gmail.com. ••
Program for Advent
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will sponsor a morning reflection, “Prepare Your Heart: Advent’s Greatest Invitation,” on Saturday, Dec. 2. Stephanie McCarthy will present a reflective, prayerful and engaging morning designed to help participants notice, pause and stay alert during Advent. The program begins with a morning snack at 9 a.m. and concludes with lunch at 12:30 p.m. The fee is $45. To register go to www.msbt.org or call 215-350-1830. ••
Live nativity at St. James
St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Avenue and Pratt Street, invites the community to a live nativity on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. ••
Free help available during holidays
For the 13th year, International School of Coaching’s Master Coach Paula Michele Boyle and her team of trained Life Coach specialists are reaching out to support the community for those feeling frustrated or unsatisfied with their relationships, careers and wellness. Enjoy a free opportunity to figure out where you are and where you want to go. The session you will receive with a certified Life Coach is available through New Year’s Day. There is a 10% discount to those who want to become certified as a Life Coach to help others in need. To register or learn more, visit lifecoachphilly.com. ••
St. Hubert seeks vendors
St. Hubert, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host a holiday vendor fair on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables cost $20 and a donation to the tombola table. Enter on Ditman Street or Bleigh Avenue. Visit Huberts.org/Vendor or email SHSanta@Huberts.org. ••
Tree lighting in Fox Chase
The Rockledge Fox Chase Business Association will sponsor a tree-lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 2-5 p.m. at Northeast Lions Park, 7964 Oxford Ave. There will be face painting, crafters/vendors, hot chocolate, cookies, ornament making, holiday music, singing with Leslie, Joe and Jeff and an appearance by Santa Claus. ••
Make Christmas table centerpiece
Professional craft maker Pam Thomas will help you make a Christmas table centerpiece during an event on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave. Supplies are provided. Reservation is required. Call 215-685-8756. ••
Craft fair at Delaire
The public is invited to the annual Delaire Landing Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will take place in the recreation center, 9355 State Road. There will be food, a DJ, raffles and holiday items. ••
Donate blood
The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood. Those who come to give blood in December will be automatically entered to win a holiday prize package. Those who come to give Dec. 1-17 will get a $10 Amazon.com gift card.
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.
Other dates are Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6500 Tabor Ave.; Dec. 6, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Medical Office Building, 333 Cottman Ave.; Dec. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, 1009 Unruh Ave.; Dec. 13, from 2-7 p.m., at Our Lady of Calvary, 11024 Knights Road; and Dec. 15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Nazareth Hospital, 2601 Holme Ave.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS. ••
Get your North Catholic gear
The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association is having a Christmas sale of North Catholic gear and merchandise on Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the alumni office, 2700 Rhawn St. All are welcome. ••
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. ••
Bingo for a good cause
The Leigh Leckerman Foundation will hold an all-ages bingo on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bristol Moose Lodge, 2229 Radcliffe St. in Bristol. There will be prizes, raffle baskets and 50-50s. The cost is $30. Tables of 10 are available. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which assists those in need of financial support for substance use disorder treatment, aftercare and sober housing. For tickets, visit leighshelp.org. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Israel is meeting topic
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. The guest speaker is Sigal Kanotopsky, Northeast Regional Director of The Jewish Agency for Israel. Sigal was born in Ethiopia and is a strong advocate for Israel. She will tell her story and speak on the present situation in Israel. Chanukkah refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call 215-677-1600. ••
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. 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. ••
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. ••
Holmesburg holiday party
Holmesburg Civic Association invites the community to its annual holiday party on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:15 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. Light refreshments will be provided. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for a chance to win prizes and gift certificates for neighborhood businesses. ••
Upcoming opera performances
Amici Opera Company will present Puccini’s La Boheme on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. at La Piovra Trattoria, 7901 High School Road in Elkins Park. The cost is $54.95 and includes dinner. Make a reservation at 215-606-3800.
Meanwhile, Amici will present Verdi’s Don Carlos on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale. La Boheme will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. Don Carlos will be performed on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer. Call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
Apply for artist residency
Glen Foerd is accepting applications for its 2023-2024 Artist-in-Residence program. The closing date for applications is Dec. 18. Glen Foerd will be accepting one regional visual artist (or artist collective) to complete a site-specific work during their residency. The selected artist will receive a stipend of $3,000 to create their works. Once selected, the Artist-in-Residence will have from Feb. 1, 2024 until Sept. 30, 2024 to complete their residency. The selected artist will create works that engage Glen Foerd’s audience and collections, which includes architecture, material culture, art and natural landscapes. The opportunity offers area artists access to Glen Foerd’s historic collections, grounds and the Delaware River. Outcomes must include a public engagement component. For application information, visit www.glenfoerd.org/artists-in-residence or email Alice Thompson at athompson@glenfoerd.org. ••
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. ••
