Briefs: October 19th, 2021

St. Gabriel will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Oct. 24.

Celebrate St. Gabe’s 125th

St. Gabriel will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Grays Ferry parish on Sunday, Oct. 24.

The day starts with a Mass at noon at the church, 2917 Dickinson St. That will be followed by a reception and dinner at 3 p.m. at the Crystal Tea Room, 100 E. Penn Square.

Tickets are $100 each and include beer, wine, dinner and dancing. For more information, call the rectory at 215-463-4060 or email rectory@stgabes.org.

Big sale today at Boscov’s

Boscov’s announced a $1 million goal for charity as it launches its 25th Friends Helping Friends event on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

“Throughout the markets we serve, over 3,000 nonprofit organizations have been working to distribute shopping passes, giving their supporters a 25% discount on almost everything we sell,” said Jim Boscov, chairman and CEO. “Now, more than ever, we need the services that these charities provide in all of our communities.”

In addition to the largest discount of the year, all Boscov’s stores will offer extended store hours from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“This event has developed into a wonderful opportunity for both our customers and nonprofit partners and we believe the $1 million goal is realistic,” Boscov said.

Customers earn the 25 percent discount by contributing $5 to a participating nonprofit.

Also, one participating customer at each store will win a $100 gift card. 

Conto fighting at Live!

South Philadelphia heavyweight fighter Sonny Conto (7-0, 6 KOs) will put his undefeated streak on the line when he enters the boxing ring at the new Live! Casino & Hotel, 900 Packer Ave., on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. It will be the first live boxing event at the newly opened 1,000-plus-seat Live! Event Center. Conto will face Ed Fountain (12-8, 5 K0s) of St. Louis in a six-round fight.

The main event and full card will be announced. The card will consist of a minimum of seven fights, with the first one beginning at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30. The card is promoted by Joe Hand Promotions.

Tickets at $50, $75 and $125 are on sale now and are available at https://philadelphia.livecasinohotel.com/, https://www.axs.com/ or by calling 215-364-9000. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Southern 1976 class reunion rescheduled

The 45th reunion of the Class of 1976 has been rescheduled for March 18, 2022 from 7-11 p.m. at the Lazaretto Ballroom, 99 Wanamaker Ave., Essington. DJ Eric A. Bartello will provide entertainment. Call Michele at 267-971-4386 or Maria T. at 657-215-1979 for information and tickets.

Concert on Saturday

John Primerano will perform The Soundtrack of Your Life on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Kelly Center, 4 E. Eagle Road, in Havertown.

Primerano will perform popular songs from the 1940s through the ‘80s.

For tickets, go to https://kellycenter.ticketleap.com/john-primeranothe-soundtrack-of-your-life/

Donate food at AHCU

American Heritage Credit Union invites the community to take part in its Spirit of Giving Food Drive. All nonperishable food donations will be given out to various food pantries and food banks throughout the community to help families in need this holiday season.

The donations will be collected through Nov. 27 at all American Heritage branch locations. Nonperishable goods such as soups, canned meat and vegetables, rice and pasta are at a higher demand this time of year. 

Honor Vietnam War casualties

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 266 will be doing its 25th annual name reading at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Front and Spruce streets, on Oct. 23, at noon, rain or shine. Members of the public are invited to show their respect for the 648 men and women from Philadelphia who died in the Vietnam War. Chapter 266 is also looking for new members. Call Chuck Bauer at 215-722-3518. 

March in Thanksgiving parade

Groups of any kind are invited to participate in the 44th Mayfair-Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade, which will take place on Sunday, Nov. 21, at noon on Frankford Avenue.

Groups are welcome to create their own family-friendly floats.

Anyone interested in marching in the parade can call Lisa Greco at 215-624-6667 or Donny Smith at 267-538-4668, or email info@thanksgivingparade.org

Designer Bag Bingo on Friday

Holy Name of Jesus Church will host Designer Bag Bingo on Oct. 22, at its hall, 701 E. Gaul St.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Bingo starts at 7.

Tickets cost $35. They are available in the back of the church after Mass or in the rectory office, which is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pizza, hot dogs, water, beer and soda will be for sale. Guests can bring their own snacks.

Proceeds benefit Holy Name. 

Christmas bazaar at Cannstatter

The St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association will hold a Christmas bazaar on Nov. 28, from 3-7 p.m. at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road.

The cost is $30 and includes food, live music, wine, beer, Christmas shopping, wood crafts, candles, Irish shops, pictures with Santa and raffles.

Vendor space is $40 per spot. Reserve by emailing WilliamIvers54@gmail.com

Activities at Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is hosting several current and upcoming exhibits.

Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs goes through Jan. 17, 2022.

Paleo Playdate dates are Wednesdays, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10, from 10:15 to 11 a.m. The event is geared to preschool children, who will listen to science story time and take part in activities and crafts. For more information and to register, go to https://bit.ly/38yjJAr.

Paleopalooza runs through Oct. 24, online or in person. There will be workshops, digital drawing classes and fossil exploration stations.

Junior Scientist Workshop: How Do Trees Get Ready for Winter? will take place on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3DB9IRz.

Invisible World of Water runs from Nov. 13 to April 17, 2022.

Visit ansp.org.

Hall of Fame ceremony at Rivers

The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame will hold an induction ceremony and dinner reception on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at Rivers Casino’s Event Center, 1001 N. Delaware Ave.

The class consists of Bill Bradley (football), Bonnie Rosen (lacrosse), Charles “Kid” Keinath (football/basketball), Dallas Green (baseball), Gary Smith (Legacy of Excellence), Jim Katcavage (football), Larry Foust (basketball), Lew Tendler (boxing), Mark Recchi (hockey), Mike Teti (rowing), Olga Dorfner (swimming), Richard Hamilton (basketball), Seth Joyner (football), Yolanda Laney (basketball), “Zack” Clayton (basketball and boxing) and the 1947 Basketball Association of America-champion Philadelphia Warriors.

The emcee will be Joe DeCamara, of WIP.

The evening will also include a fundraising auction and an exhibit featuring Philadelphia sports memorabilia.

For tickets or more information, call 215-254-5049, Ext. 3 or visit https://www.philadelphiasportshalloffame.org/registration/

Candidates favor term limits

U.S. Term Limits praises 2022 U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Baumlin for signing the pledge for an amendment to term limit Congress. Previously, candidates John DeBellis, Jeff Bartos and Larry E. Johnson signed the pledge.

The U.S. Term Limits amendment pledge is provided to every announced candidate for federal office. It reads, “I pledge that as a member of Congress, I will cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) House terms and two (2) Senate terms and no longer limit.” The U.S. Term Limits constitutional amendment has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz and the U.S. House by Rep. Ralph Norman.

The term limits amendment resolutions would require a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate, and ratification by 38 states, in order to become part of the U.S. Constitution.

Water exhibit to open in November

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, will present Invisible World of Water, opening Saturday, Nov. 13.

Invisible World of Water will be on view through April 17, 2022 and is free with general admission.

The exhibit coincides with “Water Year,” a 2022 initiative of the Academy of Natural Sciences and Drexel University aimed to increase public attention of the resource.

For more information, visit ansp.org

Kimmel reopening

The Kimmel Cultural Campus is announcing the return of live Broadway programming to Philadelphia.

Here is the schedule through next summer: Hamilton (Oct. 20 to Nov. 28, Academy of Music); Rain – A Tribute to The Beatles (Oct. 29-31, Merriam Theater); Anastasia (Nov. 23-28, Merriam Theater); Stomp (Dec. 28 to Jan. 2, Merriam Theater); Pretty Woman: The Musical (Jan. 4-16, Academy of Music); Hadestown (Feb. 9-20, Academy of Music); Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Feb. 22-27, Academy of Music); Rent: 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour (March 4-6, Merriam Theater); Oklahoma! (March 8-20, Forrest Theatre); Waitress (March 29 to April 3, Academy of Music); Hairspray (May 16-22, Merriam Theater); To Kill A Mockingbird (July 12-24, Academy of Music); and Dear Evan Hansen (Aug. 16-28, Forrest Theatre).

For more information, call 215-893-1955 or visit kimmelcenter.org

Upcoming bus trip, cruise

The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a bus trip to the Mt. Hope Estate’s holiday dinner theater in Manheim, Lancaster County, on Nov. 29. Cost is $115.

The group is sponsoring a cruise to Charleston and Bermuda, June 2-12, 2022, on the Celebrity Summit, sailing from Cape Liberty, in North Jersey. Rates range from $1,577 to $2,387 per person, double occupancy.

Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations. 

Amazon hiring for the holidays

Amazon announced it will be hiring more than 3,900 in the Philadelphia area for seasonal jobs.

The jobs have an average starting pay of $18 per hour, sign-on bonuses up to $3,000 and an additional $3 per hour depending on shifts.

Jobs in Amazon’s operations network include stowing, picking, packing, shipping and delivering customer orders.

A local site is at 2414 S. Weccacoe Ave.

Go to www.amazon.com/apply

Movie fundraiser for SPCA

Punch Line Philly, the comedy club, restaurant and bar in Fishtown, is celebrating the Halloween season with a drive-in showing of the movie Hocus Pocus to benefit the PSPCA.

The motion picture tells the story of a Halloween-hating teenager who inadvertently resurrects three witches and must risk his life to protect his sister and defeat them with the help of a classmate crush, a friendly zombie and an immortal black cat.

The drive-in movie will take place at the IKEA, at 2206 S. Columbus Blvd., on Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Priority seating is available for those who wish to sit upfront, with first and second row spots available for a donation of $200 and $150, respectively. General admission tickets are available for a donation of $45 per car.

For more information, visit pspca.org/drivein2021