Preschool storytime
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host Preschool Storytime on Thursdays, Feb. 8 and 22, at 10:30 a.m. There will be stories, songs and fingerplays for children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
Post office renaming advances
A bill to rename the post office at 9925 Bustleton Ave. as the “Sergeant Christopher David Fitzgerald Post Office Building” passed out of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
“Sgt. Fitzgerald was a valued member of the Temple University community and was passionate about serving our city,” said U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle. “His commitment to serving the public was absolute, and he took great pride in his work protecting the Temple community. His conduct was and is an extraordinary example of absolute commitment to his community and city. Renaming this post office in the city he called home is the least we can do to recognize his bravery; a small but important symbol of our eternal thanks.”
Fitzgerald, a Temple University police officer who resided in Mayfair, was shot and killed in the line of duty in February 2023. He was the first Temple officer to be killed in the line of duty. He joined the school’s police force in October 2021.
Fitzgerald is survived by his wife Marissa and five children. ••
Meeting on higher education
State Sen. Jimmy Dillon, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), will hold a town hall meeting on affordable access to higher education and recent changes to the FAFSA application process on Feb. 26, at 6 p.m., at Community College of Philadelphia’s Northeast Regional Center, 12901 Townsend Road. Light refreshments will be provided. Register in advance by calling 215-695-1020. ••
First ladies and suffrage
First Ladies of the United States and Suffrage, the Fight for Women’s Rights will be the subjects for two live performances presented by Trish Chambers at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., on Feb. 27 and March 25. Both shows will begin at 12:45 p.m. Chambers will dress in period costumes for the shows, and there will be information on first ladies from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama. Cost for each program is $3 per person. For additional information and reservations, contact Andrea Kimelheim at 215-698-7300, Ext. 176 or akimelhein@kleinlife.org. ••
Half-price clothing sale
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., will continue its half-price clothing sale through Feb. 29. 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. ••
Make a key chain bracelet
Professional craft maker Pam Thomas will help people make a key chain bracelet for themselves or their sweetheart at Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Supplies are provided. Registration is required. Call 215-685-8756. ••
Bus trip to Tropicana
Holy Innocents Parish will hold a Mardi Gras casino trip on Feb. 13 to the Tropicana in Atlantic City. A bus will depart L Street and Hunting Park Avenue at 9:30 a.m., and will depart the Tropicana at 5 p.m. The cost is $40. There will be $20 in slot cash. To reserve your seat, call Cindy at 215-535-2740. ••
Free Valentine’s Day concert at Glen Foerd
A concert and happy hour will take place at Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Ave., on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, Feb. 14. Luke Staisiunas will perform romantic melodies. Glen Foerd’s recently restored 122-year-old Haskell pipe organ will be part of the concert. The event is free, though registration is required. Guests can tour the mansion, and there will be vendors, a raffle, tarot readings, a cash bar and light snacks for sale. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the concert starting at 5:30. Register at glenfoerd.org/events. ••
Fundraiser for recovery programs
The Leigh Leckerman Foundation will present Drags & Bags on Friday, Feb. 9, from 7-11 p.m. at the Southampton Room, 2980 Southampton Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. The cost is $40 and includes dinner and a pack of bingo cards, with winners receiving designer bags. Tables of 10 are available. There will also be raffle baskets, a 50/50 and appearances by Miss Troy (aka Aunt Mary Pat) and her queens. Proceeds will benefit the foundation’s mission of helping addicts receive treatment. For more information, go to LeighsHelp.org. ••
Activities at Ryerss
Ryerss Museum & Library, 7370 Central Ave., in Burholme Park, is hosting a number of upcoming activities.
Here is the schedule: Friday, Feb. 9: Fibercraft Friends (1-3 p.m.); Sunday, Feb. 11: Manga Club: My Hero Academia (1-3 p.m.); Friday, Feb. 16: Book Club: Three Things About Elsie (1-3 p.m.); Saturday, Feb. 17: Storytime: Storytime Really Rocks (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.); Friday, Feb. 23: Fibercraft Friends (1-3 p.m.); and Saturday, Feb. 24: Laughter Workshop (1-2 p.m.).
Call 215-685-0599. ••
Somerton Civic to meet Tuesday
Somerton Civic Association will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 13, beginning at 7 p.m. at 1290 Southampton Road, the Walker Lodge of the I.O.O.F. The agenda includes a zoning appeal regarding 11500 Roosevelt Blvd. and guest speakers from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Civic’s board invited the speakers to discuss the Game Commission’s recent acquisition of 2651 Southampton Road (at Carter Road) and tentative future plans for the land, and to answer any questions. All residents of Somerton are welcome to attend and to join the Civic. ••
History meeting tonight
Northeast Philadelphia History Network will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. at Pennepack Baptist Meetinghouse, 8732 Krewstown Road. The topic will be Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape. The speaker will be educator and author Amy Jane Cohen. Copies of Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape will be available for purchase. ••
Black History Month at PPH
The Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road, invites members of the public 60 and older to a series of Black History Month programs, all at 2 p.m.
The Male Chorus of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church will perform on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Julie Kring will present American Artist from the African Diaspora on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Dr. Century portrays Phillis Wheatley will take place on Monday, Feb. 26.
Call 215-697-8000. ••
Valentine’s Day dinner and show
The Buck Hotel will present Valentine’s Day with the Romantic Sounds of Sinatra & Friends, starring Joey C, on Friday, Feb. 9. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show starts at 6:30. The cost is $68, which includes dinner, dancing, the show and taxes and gratuities. The Buck is at 1200 Buck Road in Feasterville. Tickets are available at thebuckhotel.com/eventscalendar. For more information, call 215-317-7675. ••
Valentine music class for kids
Cranaleith Spiritual Center, 13475 Proctor Road, will present Hearts Open: A Special Valentine Caregiver/Child Music Class, on Monday, Feb. 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Christina Klaproth will lead the class, geared toward kids 4 months to 4 years. The cost is $20 for a caregiver and child, and $5 for each additional child. Call 215-934-6206. ••
Zoom book club meeting
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding a Zoom session on Monday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. The February book is the historical mystery The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen. For further information or to register, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
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 Feb. 14 and the second Wednesday of every other month from 6-7 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. 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. ••
Upcoming opera performances
Amici Opera Company will present Verdi’s La Traviata on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 4 p.m., at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave.
Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore will be performed on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, in Lansdale.
La Piovra, 7901 High School Road in Elkins Park, will host a performance of L’Elisir D’Amore on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Dinner and the show cost $54.95, not including tips and tax. Arrive by 6 p.m. For reservations, call 215-606-3800.
There will be two performances of Donizetti’s La Regina Di Golconda: Saturdays, Feb. 24 and March 2, both at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer.
For more information, call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
State firefighters group chooses Solomon in AG race
State Rep. Jared Solomon, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, an organization representing more than 8,000 career professional firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
“Jared Solomon has cut through the political noise in Harrisburg to ensure that Pennsylvania’s firefighters have the resources we need to keep our neighbors safe.” said Robert Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association. “As our next attorney general, we know he’ll always put public safety above politics and protect the union way of life in Pennsylvania.”
Other unions endorsing Solomon are United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, Philadelphia Firefighters’ and Paramedics’ Union IAFF Local 22 and Pittsburgh Fire Fighters IAFF Local No. 1. ••
Driscoll chairing 2 committees
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson appointed Councilman Mike Driscoll chairman of the Transportation and Public Utilities and Licenses and Inspections committees.
“I am grateful to Council President Johnson to be appointed to chair these two committees,” Driscoll said. “There’s a high degree of synergy among these committees. They are integral to commerce and the economic vibrancy of our city.”
Driscoll also thanked Johnson for appointing him to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.
“This is a critical juncture for Philadelphia,” Driscoll said. “I’m enthusiastic about working with Mayor Parker, Council President Johnson and my Council colleagues, and I’m confident we can successfully tackle the many challenges facing our city.” ••
Sign up for senior softball
The Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced players for its 68-and-over and 58-and-over leagues. The 58-plus teams play Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 68-plus teams play Mondays and Fridays. All games start at 10 a.m. and are played at Crispin Fields, at Holme and Convent avenues. Games start mid-April and run till the end of September. No games in July. For the 58-plus league, call Mike Bojanowski at 215-801-4869. For the 68-plus league, call Marty King at 215-409-5021. ••
Ryan winter social
Archbishop Ryan High School will hold a winter social on March 2, from 7 p.m. to midnight, at the Philadelphia Ballroom, 2014 Hornig Road. The event will feature The Exceptions, DJ Bobby Sacco, raffles and a silent auction. All alumni, parents and supporters of Ryan are invited. Tickets, sponsorships and raffles are available at https://www.arhs.me/2024wintersocial. ••
Sign up for St. Cecilia run
The second annual St. Cecilia School Legacy Run will take place on Saturday, April 20. The event is a 5K run/1-mile walk that raises money for a scholarship fund that benefits students at St. Cecilia who have a parent who is an alum of St. Cecilia or St. William. Sign up at https://runningintheusa.com/details/137457. ••
Free tax preparation
People who need help preparing their federal income tax return can take advantage of the free assistance program offered by KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. The program will run through April 12 and is available to everyone with incomes of up to $73,000 whether filing single or joint returns. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 194 to make an appointment. Have all of your tax information, including last year’s federal tax return, W-2, 1099 and real estate tax bill. ••
Senior softball league seeks players
The Bucks 65+ Senior Softball League is holding registration for the upcoming season, which begins in April. Indoor practices will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Pennsbury Racquet Club, 375 W. Trenton Ave., Morrisville. For information, go to www.bucksseniorsoftball.com or email Bill at bbjt03@gmail.com or Jack at Zupan.jack@gmail.com. ••
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. ••
Bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo every second and fourth Friday evenings. Doors open at 6:30, games start at 7:20. Refreshments available. ••
Yoga classes
Cranaleith Spiritual Center, 13475 Proctor Road, will offer Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra classes on Fridays, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., from March 1 to April 12. There is no class on Good Friday, March 29. The cost is $15 per class, which will be led by Tiffany Cooper. Call 215-934-6206. ••
A group for moms
A Sacred Mother’s Circle will meet at Cranaleith Spiritual Center, 13475 Proctor Road, on Wednesdays, from March 13 to April 17, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20 per class. Call 215-934-6206. ••
Millbrook Civic to meet
Millbrook Civic Association will meet on Feb. 27, at 7 p.m., at the Calvary Athletic Association clubhouse, 4330 Deerpath Lane. Future meetings will be on April 30, June 25, Sept. 24, Oct. 29 and Nov. 26. For more information, email millbrookcivic@verizon.net ••
Learn about the ‘Rosies’
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will host The Secret Rosies of World War II – the unsung heroes of American history — on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. This is the story of the incredible women who helped break the codes used by the Japanese and German armies during World War II. Many of these women took their stories to their graves. This is the story of where they came from, what they did and the surprising impact they had on the outcome of WWII. The cost for the program is $20. A homemade dessert reception will follow the presentation. Send your reservation and payment to the address above. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Learn Yiddish
Kim Reddin Yiddish with Maxine Goldman will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road. A light snack will be served. Call 215-677-1600 for details. Transportation is available through Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Call 215-320-0351. ••
History-themed bus trip
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a bus trip to the historic Village of Roebling and historic Bordentown on Thursday, April 11. The itinerary will include a docent-led tour of the Roebling Museum and a leisurely walking tour of the Village, established in 1905 by Charles G. Roebling as a complete self-sustaining community for the workers of the Roebling Steel Mill, followed by lunch at the Old Town Pub in Bordentown and a visit to Point Breeze, the former estate of Joseph Bonaparte. The all-inclusive cost is $125. For a flyer and reservation form, call 215-788-2106. Reservations close on March 4. ••
Ryan ’74 reunion
The Archbishop Ryan High School Class of 1974 will celebrate its 50th reunion on Friday, May 31, from 7-11 p.m., at the Southampton Room, 2980 Southampton Road. For tickets or more information, go to https://www.arhs.me/update ••
Shabbat Across America
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will celebrate the 28th annual Shabbat Across America on Friday, March 1, at 6:15 p.m. The evening will include dinner, services and an Oneg Shabbat. Dinner costs $24. Make a reservation at 215-677-1600. ••
Life cycle class
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will host a life cycle class on birth taught by Rabbi Sandi Berliner on Sunday, March 3, at 10 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. For reservations and more information, call 215-677-1600. ••
March book club
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be hosting a Zoom session on Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The book is The Star Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lois Nelson Spielman. To register or for more information, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Bingo in March
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is hosting bingo on Zoom on Mondays, March 11 and March 18, starting at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $36 per person and includes two cards for eight games of bingo each night. Send your payment to the CSS office, 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115, attention: Bingo. Payment must be received no later than Feb. 26. Include your email address to receive the Zoom link. Call Gerry or Nancy at 215-677-1600. ••
Synagogue Sisterhood meeting
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at 1 p.m. Jack Myers will present a free program on genealogy. Light refreshments will be served. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Life cycle class
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will host a life cycle class on B’Nai Mitzvah taught by Rabbi Sandi Berliner on Tuesday, March 26, at 10 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. To make a reservation or for more information, call 215-677-1600. ••
Nazareth ranks high in transitional care
Nazareth Hospital announced that its Transitional Care Unit has been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for Short-Term Rehabilitation for 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
“This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication of our colleagues to provide outstanding service to our patients and community,” said Dr. Michael Magro, president of Nazareth Hospital. “Many patients look to the U.S. News & World Report rankings for guidance on where to receive treatment — this is just one more reason for Nazareth Hospital patients to know they can depend on us for comprehensive care that meets national quality and safety guidelines.”
For the 2024 edition, U.S. News rated more than 15,000 nursing homes on patient and resident outcomes, such as infection rates; staffing levels; potentially inappropriate reliance on antipsychotic drugs; health inspection results; and other indicators of quality.To calculate the Best Nursing Homes ratings, U.S. News evaluated each nursing home’s performance using a variety of quality measures obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The U.S. News methodology factors data such as resident care, safety and outcomes. Short-term ratings include data on nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing ER and hospital visits. ••
Health program at KleinLife
Help Yourself To Health, a free six-week evidence-based chronic disease self-management program, is being offered at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The public is invited to join with members. The program will run consecutive Tuesdays through March 26. Program topics will include how to address and combat fatigue, pain, sleep, shortness of breath, stress and emotional difficulties, breathing techniques, fall prevention tips, healthy eating and physical activity, communication skills, action planning, decision making and problem solving. Participants must register in advance by contacting Inna Gulko at 215-698-7300, Ext. 195 or igulko@kleinlife.org. ••
New hire will work on Fox Chase research program
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University announced the hiring of Amina Abdul-Aziz as an assistant professor at the Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine and new member of the Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Abdul-Aziz joins the institute following a postdoctoral fellowship in the Leukemia and Drug Development Lab in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Cincinnati. Prior to that, from 2018 through 2021, she was a postdoctoral fellow at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
She specializes in stromal bone marrow microenvironment modeling and has more than 10 years of experience in the biology of blood disorders, including acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
She has led drug development projects targeting signaling pathways and biological processes driving leukemia development. Her current focus is on aging-related alterations in the bone marrow microenvironment, which consists of surrounding cells that assist in growth. Her research seeks to develop therapies to target aging and senescence of the tumor microenvironment.
She received her doctorate in biomedical sciences related to cancer research from the Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. She earned a Master of Science degree in oncology from the School of Molecular Sciences at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Biotechnology from the German University in Cairo, Egypt.
She is a member of several scientific societies, including the European Hematology Association, the Association for Cancer Research, the International Cell Senescence Association, the American Society of Hematology and the American Aging Association.
She has published a number of studies in peer-reviewed journals, including Blood, Cancer Research, the Journal of Hematology & Oncology, The Lancet Haematology and the British Journal of Haematology. ••
Storytelling at library
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host Telling Tales with Mama Carla, a program of Black History Month, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to experience black storytelling, interactive songs and easy-to-learn rhythms. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
St. Jerome Seniors to meet
Upcoming St. Jerome Seniors meetings are on Thursdays, Feb. 22, March 14 and March 28, in the school hall, 3031 Stamford Street. Arrive by 10 a.m. Meetings begin promptly at 11. ••
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. ••
