Get involved in Valentine’s Day events, fundraisers and library events this week.
Sinatra tribute on Valentine’s Day
Frank Hartman and Frank Tenaglia will present a tribute to Frank Sinatra on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. at Regal Caterers, 1444 Route 73 in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
The evening will include dinner, the show, dancing and a rose for ladies. The cost is $55, including tax and gratuity. Call 856–459–2185.
Hartman and Tenaglia will also be in concert on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Aldo Lamberti, 2011 Route 70 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The cost is $65. Call 856–663–1747. ••
Workshops on apprenticeships available
State Rep. Jason Dawkins (D-179th dist.) will host a series of workshops designed to educate people on apprenticeship opportunities with local industries.
Sessions will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Feb. 15 and March 1, 15, and 29. The site will be Dawkins’ district office at 4667 Paul St.
The workshops will provide information and overviews of local labor unions’ apprenticeship application and testing process. Members from local unions also will be in attendance to offer information and answer questions. To RSVP, call 215–744–7901. ••
Valentine’s program at Holmesburg Library
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host a Valentine’s Day program for school-age children on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 4 p.m.
Children will listen to a story, make a heart-shaped craft and enjoy goodies. The event is sponsored by Friends of Holmesburg Library.
Call 215–685–8756. ••
Palmer Playground being renovated
City Councilman Brian O’Neill announced that the Department of Parks and Recreation this week began a $475,000 renovation of Palmer Playground, 3035 Comly Road.
A safety fence will be installed, and the playground will not be accessible during construction. However, access to the recreation center will not be affected. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.
Upgrades to the play area include the furnishing and installation of new play equipment, safety surface matting and a new spray-ground water feature. It will also include the demolition of the existing steps and ramp, and the installation of a new staircase and ramp.
For more information, call 215–437–9167. ••
St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser at FOP
The St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association will hold a benefit for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, Feb. 25, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road.
Tickets cost $40 and include food, draft beer, chances for baskets of cheer and performances by Cummins School of Irish Dance, Emerald Pipe & Drum, Shantys, Bogside Rogues trio, Ray Coleman and Luke Jardel.
Guests will meet parade grand marshal Sister Mary Scullion and the Ring of Honor.
The parade theme is Saint Patrick, Bless Those Who Respond to the Call of the Needy.
For tickets or more information, call Joe Fox at 215–429–0193 or Ed Dougherty at 267–879–6107. ••
John Birch Society meeting on Tuesday
The John Birch Society will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Holmesburg Recreation Center, at Rhawn and Ditman streets.
A movie, Restoring the Constitution, will be shown.
Refreshments will be served.
The motto of the John Birch Society is “Less Government, More Responsibility and — With God’s Help — A Better World.” ••
Trip to Sands Casino on March 18
Holy Innocents Catholic Church is sponsoring a trip to the Sands Casino in Bethlehem on Sunday, March 18.
A bus will depart from L Street and Hunting Park Avenue at 9 a.m. and will arrive back at 5 p.m.
The cost is $35, and includes $25 in slot play. To reserve a seat, call Cindy at 215–535–2740. ••
Small business event at library
The Small Business Administration will offer tips on starting a small business at Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave.
The first sessions will be on Friday, Feb. 16, followed by the second session on Friday, Feb. 23. The times are 10 to 11:30 a.m. both days.
For information, call 215–685–0501. ••
Bereavement support group
Lambie Funeral Home, Rowland Avenue and Rhawn Street, hosts a bereavement support group on the first Wednesday of the month.
There is no fee. Sessions run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dates are March 7, April 4, May 2 and June 6. The sessions will be facilitated by Deborah K. Gawthrop.
For information, call 215–624–8190 or email dgawthropcnlt@verizon.net ••
Dr. Seuss event at CORA
CORA Services, 8540 Verree Road, will host a Dr. Seuss event on Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The day will include photos with Dr. Seuss characters, interactive readings of Dr. Seuss books, carnival games, face-painting, arts and crafts and resources for parents and educators. ••
St. Martin of Tours holding its Together Towards Tomorrow gala
St. Martin of Tours will hold its third annual Together Towards Tomorrow gala on April 14, from 6 to 10 p.m., at Leonardo Helicopter Hangar, 3050 Red Lion Road.
The honorees will be Wendell Young IV (Business Leader of the Year), Brother Richard Kestler (Alumnus of the Year) and Mary Harkins (Educator of the Year).
Young is president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, which represents more than 22,000 members who work in retail, food processing, manufacturing, healthcare and professional offices in parts of Pennsylvania and New York. He is a vice president of the UFCW international union.
Kestler graduated from St. Martin’s in 1956. He was principal of West Catholic from 1973–79 and president of the school from 1999 to 2005 and 2012–16. He was president of La Salle High School from 2005–12.
Harkins graduated from St. Martin’s in 1962, Little Flower High School in ’66 and Immaculata in ’70. She has been involved in Catholic education since her college graduation. She was principal of Cardinal Dougherty from 1999 to 2005 and is in her 13th year as principal at Archbishop Wood.
The evening will include dinner, hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail reception with two drink tickets. The cost is $75. For more information, go to stmartinoftoursphila.independencemissionschools.org/tickets ••
Bookkeeping workshop at NE Regional
Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., will host a bookkeeping workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Participants will learn the basics, including budgeting, accounting language and cash flow.
The course is taught by Community College of Philadelphia. To register, call 215–496–6151. ••
Free tax preparation available
City Councilman Brian O’Neill announced that the city and the Campaign for Working Families will be providing free tax preparation services for families and individuals making less than $54,000.
The free tax preparation will be available at 2113 Cottman Ave., near the Gap Factory. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call 215–685–0438. ••
Scholarship deadline March 1
The deadline is March 1 to apply for the Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia for the 2018–19 school year. The scholarships are available to low-income Philadelphia families who have children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The scholarships, drawn randomly, are for four years.
Applications are available at csfphiladelphia.org/scholarships/apply
Recipients will be notified in mid-March. ••
Comedy show on Feb. 24
The Knights of Columbus Regina Coeli Council 4921 will host a comedy show on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. at its hall, 9617 James St. in East Torresdale. The show will feature Steve Shaffer, Bob Marsdale and Theresa Krallinger.
Tickets cost $40 and include open bar and buffet. Call Nick at 215–364–2130. ••
Breast cancer screening on March 2
State Sen. John Sabatina Jr. (D-5th dist.) and Fox Chase Cancer Center will be partnering to host an upcoming breast cancer screening event.
The event will be held at Sabatina’s district office at 12361 Academy Road on March 2 at 10 a.m. The Fox Chase Mobile Mammography Van will be on site.
To qualify for a screening, participants must be 40 years of age or over, and have a prescription from their doctor. They also may not be breastfeeding or have breastfed within the last nine months, must not have had a breast cancer diagnosis within the last three years, or a mammogram in 12 months.
To make an appointment, contact Linda Hammell at 215–728–3554 or Linda.Hammel@fccc.edu ••
