Preschool storytime
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host Preschool Storytime on Thursday, Feb. 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. ••
Fox Chase doc to offer care at Shriners
As part of a recently announced collaboration, Dr. Joshua Cohn, an associate professor in the Department of Urology at Fox Chase Cancer Center and a member of the Fox Chase – Temple Urologic Institute, will serve as a consultant at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. He will care for patients with neurogenic urologic conditions, in which a patient lacks bladder control due to injury, neurological disorders or congenital malformations.
“I am very excited and grateful for this collaboration, which we believe represents a significant step forward for the Urologic Institute, but far more importantly, for patient care. We aim to provide important services to both our local community here in Philadelphia and the national and international clientele of Shriners Children’s Philadelphia,” Cohn said.
Cohn is known for his specialization in female pelvic medicine and reconstruction. He offers unique expertise in pelvic organ prolapse, neuromodulation, urinary incontinence, bladder augmentation and urinary diversion, complex bladder pathology and vaginal reconstruction.
Shriners Children’s Philadelphia provides specialty care to the Philadelphia community and beyond. For more than 95 years, it has cared for children with routine and rare orthopedic conditions, including fractures, sports injuries, scoliosis and spinal cord injuries.
“We are genuinely appreciative and enthusiastic about having the Fox Chase – Temple Urologic Institute and Dr. Cohn join our care team at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia,” said Gregory Passanante, Northeast Market Administrator for Shriners. “Their addition is a significant step forward in more comprehensive care for our patients, providing vital services to children with urologic care needs related to musculoskeletal conditions. The impact will be immediate and felt within the entire Shriners Children’s community.”
Cohn received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. He went on to complete an internship in general surgery and residency in urology at the University of Chicago Medical Center and a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery and neurourology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Cohn is a member of the American Urological Association; the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction; the International Continence Society; and the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons.
All care and services at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia are provided regardless of the families’ ability to pay or insurance status. Shriners Children’s Philadelphia is part of the Shriners Children’s healthcare system. ••
Donate blood
The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood. Those who give in February will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email.
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.
Another donation day is on Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Philadelphia Charter School for Arts & Sciences, 1197 Haworth St. Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED CROSS. ••
Free movie at KleinLife
KleinLife (10100 Jamison Ave.) will host a free Black History Month program on Friday, Feb. 23, at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to view Green Book, a movie inspired by a true story. Don Shirley, a world-class black pianist, recruits Tony Lip, a tough-talking bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, as his driver and protector during a 1962 concert tour in the deep south. The film stars Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen. ••
Vendors/crafters wanted
St. Hubert Parent Association will host a vendor/craft fair on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost per table is $20 and a $20 value product donation. Venmo payment to @st-hubert-pa or mail to St. Hubert High School, 7320 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19136. For more information, email Sheila Picinich at [email protected] or Sandy Vaughan at [email protected]. ••
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. ••
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 [email protected]. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Banning tag flipping
In response to the proliferation of “tag flippers,” devices allowing drivers to change the license plate displayed on their vehicle, Councilman Mike Driscoll introduced legislation prohibiting the purchase, installation, possession for the purpose of installing, manufacture, sale, offer to sell or otherwise distribute a license plate flipping device in the city of Philadelphia.
“Tag-flipping devices belong in a James Bond movie, not on our city’s streets,” Driscoll said. “Many individuals use these when engaged in illegal activity like street racing, drifting or for evading tolls. While the state motor vehicle code only imposes a small fine, my legislation has teeth, hitting offenders with a $2,000 fine.”
Co-sponsors of the legislation include Councilmen Jim Harrity, Anthony Phillips, Mark Squilla and Isaiah Thomas.
“A tag flipper could be used by someone fleeing the scene of an accident, perhaps one in which there’s serious harm or injury,” Driscoll said. “The vehicle is caught on camera, but a tag flipper prevents the driver from being held accountable.” ••
Learn about elder fraud
Oak Street Health will present a wellness town hall, Elder Fraud: Signs & Solutions, on Feb. 20 from 1-3 p.m. at 1009 Unruh Ave. The event will be catered, and there will be a guest speaker from the state attorney general’s office. ••
Rhawnhurst Civic to meet
The Rhawnhurst Civic Association will hold its next monthly meeting on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at Pelbano Playground, 8101 Bustleton Ave. (at Solly Avenue). The 2nd and 7th Police District community relations officers are invited. There will be discussions on streets, abandoned cars and zoning issues, along with a planned dance club at 8014 Castor Ave. For more information, visit Rhawnhurstcivicassociation.com or the group’s Facebook page. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. 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. ••
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. ••
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 5-6 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 [email protected]. ••
Upcoming opera performances
Amici Opera Company will present Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore 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, 1128 Cottman Ave.
For more information, call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
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. ••
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 [email protected] or Jack at [email protected]. ••
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 [email protected] ••
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. ••
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. ••
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 [email protected]. ••
Writers series at Holy Family
Holy Family University will welcome fiction and creative nonfiction novelist Liz Moore in its Distinguished Writers Series on Wednesday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Education and Technology Center auditorium (9801 Frankford Ave.). The event is free and open to the public. Free off-street parking is available. Call 215-637-7700. ••
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. ••
Donate blood
Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, is holding its annual blood drive being run by the American Red Cross on Sunday, March 17. Appointments are available starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m. In addition to donating blood, you can volunteer to check people in and assist where needed. Light refreshments will be served. To reserve your time slot or for more details, call 215-677-1600. ••
DVIRC earns contract
The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, 2905 Southampton Road, has been awarded a $1 million contract by BlueForge Alliance to address the demand for increased workforce and capacity in the U.S. Submarine Industrial Base.
DVIRC will create and deploy a regional strategy and taskforce to spur enterprise engagement, elevate opportunities to expand capacity and connect more people to the mission across Southeastern Pennsylvania’s defense industrial base workforce.
“The U.S. Navy and its civilian workforce are building the most advanced sea-based strategic deterrent the world has ever known. DVIRC is both honored and humbled to help find and contribute some of the additional workforce and manufacturing supply chain capacity needed to achieve the required submarine cadence,” said Chris Scafario, president and CEO, DVIRC. “The Navy is on a generational journey to recapitalize its sea-based strategic deterrence and to guarantee a capable and enduring undersea presence in times of peace and conflict,” said Rear Adm. Scott Pappano, Program Executive Officer, Strategic Submarines. “Achieving that goal means strengthening supply chains to ensure America’s submarine industrial base has the capability, capacity and skilled workforce to maintain our existing fleet and manufacture one Columbia and two Virginia class submarines per year beginning in Fiscal Year 2028 — which amounts to a five-fold increase in submarine construction rates.
“With its talented manufacturing workforce, concentration of key suppliers and history as a maritime center of gravity, the Delaware Valley region is a big part of making that happen. I thank the DVIRC for partnering with us on this no-fail mission.”
DVIRC supports more than 5,500 manufacturers within Southeast Pennsylvania.
About 25 percent currently support the defense industrial base.
The award will help increase the number of current manufacturing suppliers and strengthen all companies, including an expanded and trained labor market, targeting “underserved” populations, modernized and technical capabilities, and best-in-class product and process improvements.
“It is estimated that as much as 20 percent of the Columbia-class supply chain will come from the surrounding regions of the Delaware Valley. The growth associated with this historic program is likely to spawn a revitalization of our regional manufacturing base, create thousands of family-sustaining careers in manufacturing and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in value-added impact for our region,” Scafario said.
To learn more about the initiative and to stay informed about DVIRC’s upcoming events, community outreach or program specific tools, visit www.dvirc.org.
For more information about shipbuilding and submarines, visit www.buildsubmarines.com. ••
New researcher for cancer and aging
Fox Chase Cancer Center announced the hiring of Yash Chhabra as an Assistant Professor in the Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program, where he will focus on the influence of sex disparity in cancer and aging. He started the job last week.
Chhabra will be joining Fox Chase from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where his research focused on determining vulnerabilities in targeting the aging tumor microenvironment in melanoma. “Microenvironment” refers to the different cell types in the immediate vicinity of cancer cells that play a key role in the growth and metastasis ability of tumors as well as in preventing antitumor immunity, deterring the effectiveness of various drugs.
At Fox Chase, Chhabra will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the sex disparity in cancer progression and therapeutic responses and how they are affected with aging. The clinical implications of this research will highlight the need for stratifying available treatments and developing therapeutic programs based on the age and sex of patients.
More importantly, the research will shed light on utilization of preclinical models across different ages and across both sexes. Currently, these models are overtly reliant on the use of young male mouse models.
Chhabra received his Master of Science and doctorate degrees from the University of Queensland, Australia. Prior to his work at Johns Hopkins, Chhabra was a postdoctoral researcher in cytokine receptor and melanoma biology at the University of Queensland Frazer Institute and at the School of Biomedical Sciences in Australia from 2015 through 2020.
Chhabra has published more than 20 articles in different research areas such as biochemistry, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology in journals such as Cell, Nature, Nature Aging and Clinical Cancer Research. He has also served as a manuscript reviewer for several journals, including Nature Communications, Cell Reports and Cancer Research.
Chhabra has an extensive history of research supervision and mentorship for students and trainees and has won numerous awards and prizes while presenting his research both nationally and internationally. He is also a member of several professional societies, including the American Association for Cancer Research, the European Association for Cancer Research, the Society for Melanoma Research and the Growth Hormone Research Society. ••
Transparency by tax preparers
Councilwoman Rue Landau has introduced a bill aimed at ensuring transparency by requiring tax preparers to inform consumers of the existence of free tax services that are available citywide and to disclose their tax preparation fees.
The proposed bill mandates that tax preparation service providers furnish consumers with crucial information regarding the availability of no-cost tax preparation services such as the national Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offered by nonprofits and the city, state and federal programs. The city revenue department will maintain and update a resource for Philadelphians with information about these programs and how to qualify. Furthermore, tax preparation service providers are obligated to provide a detailed explanation of the costs associated with their services up front.
Landau emphasized the importance of the legislation, saying, “Too many Philadelphians shell out too much money for commercial tax prep services, unaware of free alternatives. Many of them are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, one of the most effective anti-poverty tools implemented by the federal government. Our push for transparent fee disclosure is a small but important step to help ensure more money stays where it belongs – in the pockets of low- and moderate-income families. It’s about empowerment and informed decisions.”
Under the proposed bill, violations of these provisions will incur a fine of $500 for each offense.
By enacting measures to ensure transparent fee disclosure for tax preparation services, her bill aims to keep more money in the pockets of “vulnerable” communities.
The proposed ordinance would take effect on Nov. 1, pending approval by Council.
The bill has received co-sponsorship support from Councilmembers Gauthier, Jones Jr, Young, Driscoll, Brooks, Harrity and O’Rourke. ••
Support Storm the Heavens
Storm the Heavens Fund will hold its sixth annual Bean’s Ball on March 9 at 7 p.m. at Vie, 600 N. Broad St.
The masquerade ball will be held in memory of Philomena “Bean” Stendardo, an 8-year-old from Port Richmond who died in 2017 of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a fatal form of brain cancer that mostly affects kids under 11.
Philomena’s parents, Mark and Mina, started the Storm the Heavens Fund to spread awareness and fund research for DIPG.Tickets cost $275. For information on tickets, sponsorships and event booklet ads or to make a donation, visit StormTheHeavens.org. ••
Book review for charity
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center, is having a book review on Tuesday, April 2, at 6 p.m. at Guiseppe’s, 990 Second Street Pike, Richboro. The book being discussed is Mad Honey by Jodi Piccoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. The cost is $45 per person, which includes dinner and dessert. Call Joyce at 267-808-2022 for reservations. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
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. ••
