Community fund seeking donations
The Times’ 77th annual Eleanor Smylie Community Fund outreach program is here to help needy people in the Northeast for Christmas and Hanukkah. The fund — named in memory of our late chairwoman — relies on the generosity of our readers. All money collected will be used to buy supermarket gift cards for individuals and families. For those who donate, we’ll publish your names. Please let us know if you want your donation to remain anonymous. To donate or request help, or if you know of someone who could use assistance, write a letter to Eleanor Smylie Community Fund, 1810 Underwood Blvd., Suite 1, Delran, NJ 08075. Include a name and contact information for an agency or person for verification. Everything about the process will remain anonymous. Thank you for your consideration. ••
Half-price thrift sale
The Classroom Thrift Shop, 4301 Tyson Ave., sponsored by the women of Temple Menorah Keneseth Chai, will have a half-price sale from Wednesday, Dec. 17, through Dec. 24. The shop will be closed Dec. 25-26 and will reopen Sunday, Dec. 28. Regular hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Saturdays. Call 215-624-9130. ••
Volunteer to prepare tax returns
Campaign for Working Families is looking for volunteers for the upcoming tax season to work at a pop-up tax preparation site at the PATH building (1919 Cottman Ave.). Tax preparation is free. Volunteers receive IRS-certified training and help their neighbors save money. Volunteers can choose to be greeters who welcome taxpayers to sites and direct them through the tax prep process, or they can learn how to prepare the tax returns themselves. Call 215-454-6483 or visit https://www.cwfphilly.org. ••
Art club at Lawncrest Library
Lawncrest Library, 6098 Rising Sun Ave., will host an art club meeting on Friday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Artists of all levels are invited to do some watercolor painting and freehand drawing. Materials provided.
The library hosts LEAP after-school programs Mondays and Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays to Fridays from 3-5 p.m. The after-school leader offers homework help and fun activities such as stories, games, crafts, dance parties, puzzles, scavenger hunts and movies.
The Open Enrollment Period for health insurance is coming soon. Get the lowest costs on high-quality health coverage through Pennie, Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace. Pennie Certified Assisters can help you in person at Lawncrest Library, Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. Stop by, discover how Pennie can connect you to savings in 2026, and find the best plan for you.
Every Thursday at 1:30 p.m., an English conversation group for adults meets. The group is for intermediate-advanced English speakers. ••
Santa coming to Fox Chase
Fox Chase Lock & Key will sponsor a visit by Santa Claus to Fox Chase on Saturday, Dec. 20. For details, follow foxlock.phila on Facebook and foxlockphilly on Instagram. ••
Leaf collection
City Councilman Brian O’Neill announced that the streets department’s 2025 Fall Leaf Collection and Recycling Program will go through Dec. 20. Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide on Saturdays only at 13 locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Dec. 20). The 10th Councilmanic District’s bagged leaf drop-off station is 7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Recreation Center). Residents can also drop off bagged leaves at the Northeast Sanitation Convenience Center at State Road and Ashburner Street, open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bagged leaves to be recycled at the specified drop-off locations will only be accepted in biodegradable paper bags. Otherwise, leaves set out at the curb, either in bags or containers, will be collected as trash.
To find the bagged leaf drop-off location closest to you, call O’Neill’s office at 215-686-3422. ••
December bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo on Friday, Dec. 19. Doors open at 6 p.m. There are dollar hot dogs and free popcorn. ••
Teamsters 830 collecting food for the needy
Teamsters Local Union 830 is partnering with the nonprofit Feast for Friends to collect non-perishable food items to help feed struggling Philadelphians during the holiday season. The union has set up a large food collection box in its hall lobby (12298 Townsend Road) and is inviting its members and Northeast neighbors to drop off non-perishable food items weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., through New Year’s Day. Some of the non-perishable food items that the group is collecting are canned vegetables, canned soup, canned pasta, boxed pasta, canned meats, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni & cheese and dried beans. ••
Charity gift wrapping
Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Board of Associates of Fox Chase Cancer Center, is running its annual holiday gift wrapping at Willow Grove Park, 2500 W. Moreland Road, Willow Grove, through Dec. 24. Stop by the kiosk to have your holiday gifts wrapped. The event supports patient care and cancer research. ••
Upcoming opera performances
Amici Opera Company will present several upcoming performances.
There will be a performance of Puccini’s La Boheme on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m. at La Piovra, 7901 High School Road, Elkins Park. The cost for dinner and the show is $54.95, not including tips and tax. For reservations, call 215-606-3800.
Another performance of La Boheme is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 28, at 4 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 1501 W. Brigantine Ave., Brigantine. The cost is $30.
There will be two performances of Verdi’s La Battaglia Di Legnano, on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave., and on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale.
Call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
BVM Seniors trips
Maternity BVM Seniors Group will take part in the following trips:
• Magic & Wonder’s – Imaginarium – Where Reality Disappears, with lunch on Thursday, March 19; $145;
• Tropicana Casino – Famous Duets, $20 slot play, on Monday, April 20; $85;
• Hershey, lunch included, on Tuesday, May 19; $145;
• Tropicana, Famous Groups of Motown, $20 slot play, Monday, June 29; $85;
• American Music Theater, Winter Wonderland, lunch included, on Tuesday, Dec. 8; $160.
For information, call Connie at 215-338-9141. ••
Apply for LIHEAP
State Sen. Tina Tartaglione announced that the 2025-26 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program season will continue through April 10, 2026. Cash grants range from $200 to $1,000, based on region, annual income and number of people living in the home. Apply at compass.state.pa.us. For more information, call 866-857-7095. ••
Sign up for free newsletter
The Northeast Times has returned to its original website, northeasttimes.com. The website includes news, sports, opinion, crime, entertainment and features, and a link to sign up for a free newsletter that will bring stories to your inbox. The site includes an option to read the current issue in “flipbook” style. Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and on X @NETimesOfficial. In addition to the Times being delivered to homes, the paper can be found at these spots: https://northeasttimes.com/pickup-locations/. ••
Curfew, underage drinking
Curfew in Philadelphia is 9:30 p.m. for anyone 13 and under and 10 p.m. for those ages 14-17. If police pick up someone for a curfew violation in the Northeast, the young person will be taken home, to the Community Evening Resource Center at 4704 Leiper St. in Frankford or to the 2nd, 7th, 8th or 15th police districts. The penalty for a curfew violation can be up to $300.
Under state law, underage drinking is a summary offense with a $500 fine for the first violation. Anyone receiving a citation for underage drinking can be asked about it on applications for jobs, college applications and appointments to military service academies. ••
Chair yoga at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., hosts chair yoga on Wednesdays at 10:10 a.m. The class is presented by Yoga4Philly and sponsored by Friends of Bustleton Library. ••
English classes at Bustleton Library
Bustleton Library, 10199 Bustleton Ave., hosts free intermediate English classes on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. To register, go to remind.com/join/dbhd4e or call 215-685-0472. ••
Activities at Rosemary Montagno Senior Center
The Rosemary Montagno Senior Center, 12601 Townsend Road, has the following schedule: Monday – free time activities, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday – bingo, 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Wednesday – pinochle and mahjong, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., ceramics, 10 a.m. to noon; Thursday – line dancing, 10:30 a.m. to noon; Friday – Pinochle 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ••
Join St. Anselm Seniors
St. Anselm has started a senior citizen club that meets most Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Hall, 12650 Dunksferry Road. The club is open to men and women 55 and older, and members don’t have to be St. Anselm parishioners. For more information, visit the St. Anselm Senior Citizens Club page on Facebook. ••
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. Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Programs at NE Regional
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., offers the following recurring programs:
• Crochet Club, Fridays at 11 a.m. in the second-floor Humanities Department. Bring your own materials.
• Mixed Level English Class, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-4 p.m. Call 215-685-0522.
• PA CareerLink® Job Search Assistance, Wednesdays, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Call 833-750-5627.
• Chess Club for Adults & Teens, Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m.
• One-on-One Basic Computer Help Appointments, Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 215-685-0525.
• Thursday Computer Help: Various Subjects, Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.
• Gadget Help, Mondays and Wednesdays upon request. Call 215-685-0525.
• Computer Skills for Beginners, Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m. Register at 215-474-1235.
• English Conversation Group – Intermediate-plus, Mondays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Register at 215-474-1235. ••
Help available for veterans
State Rep. Jared Solomon hosts a veterans clinic at his office at 7104 Frankford Ave. on the second Thursday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A representative from American Legion Post 810 assists veterans with benefits. To make an appointment, call 215-543-6755. ••
Bingo at Cannstatter’s
Bingo is played every Thursday at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:30. Call 215-322-0121. ••
Gone cruisin’
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is planning to go on two cruises next year.
The group is headed to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina from April 30 to May 7, on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel, sailing from Philadelphia; Rates range from $1,710 to $2,283 per person, double occupancy, and includes the cruise, service gratuities and beverage and dining package gratuities.
There will be a trip to Greece from Aug. 29 to Sept. 7. Rates range from $4,957 to $5,771 per person, double occupancy, and include round-trip airfare from Philadelphia, the cruise, beverages and taxes.
Passports are required. For a flyer, call 215-788-9408. For reservations, call 800-423-0247. ••
Bird walks every Monday
Fox Chase Farm, 8500 Pine Road, holds a free weekly bird walk, every Monday from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Bring your own binoculars. Email [email protected] ••
Volunteer at Fox Chase Farm
Fox Chase Farm is looking for adult volunteers. Opportunities include weekend community programs and events, garden and greenhouse support, animal care support, administrative duties during events, general grounds care, weekly and monthly highlights newsletters and farm educational ambassadors. For more information, contact Angela at 215-400-3310, Option 3 or [email protected] ••
Volunteer for child literacy program
Philly Reading Coaches is a program that combines early reading support, access to books and community volunteers to boost reading skills for the city’s children. The program works by pairing trained volunteers with young students – kindergarten through 3rd grade – and by providing fun and child-guided reading experiences that help build reading skills and motivation. Each child in the program also receives 25 free books to take home. PRC is funded by the Office of Children and Families and implemented by Out-of-School Time Providers. PRC operates in 14 elementary schools throughout the city. Locations and schedules can be found here: http://ost.phila.gov/locations-and-schedules/
Volunteers must be 16 years or older and must submit the required clearances for working with children. Begin your application here: bit.ly/ApplyPRC ••
Monthly food pantry
St. Mark’s Church, 4442 Frankford Ave., hosts the Matthew 25 Food Pantry on the second Saturday of each month from 9-10 a.m. The pantry is a ministry of the Court St. Francis de Sales Catholic Daughters of the Americas. ••
Apply for scholarships
Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, a K-8th grade scholarship program, has opened its 2026-27 scholarship lottery application. CSFP is a privately funded program that provides financial access to students from “under-resourced” Philadelphia families, ensuring that they have access to tuition-based schools. The application is open through March 1, 2026. Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia also offers resources for families, access to school selection support, events hosted at cultural institutions and the opportunity to receive funding to attend summer camps. To be eligible for a CSFP scholarship, families must be residents of Philadelphia with children in kindergarten through 8th grade and meet household income guidelines. Students who are chosen through the lottery will receive a scholarship through 8th grade. Up to three children per family, per year, can receive a scholarship. To learn more about Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia and apply for the 2026-27 scholarship lottery, visit www.csfphiladelphia.org/apply ••
Bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo every second and fourth Friday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and games begin at 7:30. There are dollar hot dogs and free popcorn. ••
Elvis in Huntingdon Valley
The Women’s Club of Huntingdon Valley holds luncheon meetings on the second Thursday of the month (noon to 2 p.m.) at Gloria Dei Fellowship Hall, 570 Welsh Road. On Jan. 8, Elvis Pretzel will entertain with Elvis Presley music. For more information, email Doreen ([email protected]) or check out the club on Facebook. ••
Sign up for Souper Bowl
The Souper Bowl 5K will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m., at Northeast SkateZone, 10990 Decatur Road. The 3.1-mile race will have a “Big Game” theme and will benefit the Kyle Ambrogi Foundation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and MANNA. To volunteer or for more information, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Philadelphia/SouperBowl5K ••
Preschool storytime and play
Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Road, will host Preschool Storytime & Play on Thursdays, Jan. 8, Feb. 12 and 26, at 10:30 a.m. There will be fun stories and songs followed by creative play. For children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. Call 215-685-9383. ••
Senior lunch
Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., hosts a senior lunch on the third Wednesday of the month at noon. There will be soup, sandwiches, salads and dessert. Upcoming dates are Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 18. ••
Holme Circle Civic to meet
Holme Circle Civic Association will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at St. Jerome parish hall, 8100 Colfax St. Follow the Civic group on Facebook, X and Instagram. ••
