LoMo Christmas Tree Cycle
The Lower Moyamensing Civic Association is hosting a pair of tree recycling days on Jan. 7-8. Residents can drop off their Christmas trees at South Philadelphia High School at 2101 S. Broad St. on Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Jan. 8 from noon to 3 p.m.
Poll workers needed
The city is in need of election polling place workers. An election board consists of a judge of elections, who gets paid $205, and a majority-party inspector, minority-party inspector, a clerk and a machine inspector, all of whom receive $200. There is an additional $50 for attending training. Poll workers must live in the division where they work. City, state, federal and school district employees are not eligible.
For more information, call 215-685-4811 or visit seventy.org/become-a-poll-worker. ••
Health Department encourages residents to stock up on COVID-19 tests
The city Department of Public Health is encouraging residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19 this holiday season with free at-home test kits. In addition to already existing health department test giveaway sites, the federal government announced that households can order one set of four at-home tests. Orders will be shipped free by the U.S. Postal Service.
“While the virus may not be as disruptive as it was this time last year, COVID-19 continues to evolve and cases are on the rise as people gather together for various holiday celebrations,” said Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole. “It’s important that we all do our part, not only in protecting ourselves but in protecting the health of our friends and loved ones. Get tested before attending any holiday parties, especially if you’ll be seeing older or immunocompromised people. If you test positive or just don’t feel well, please skip the gathering for everyone’s sake.”
The health department is continuing its Test for Your Guests campaign, which provides COVID-19 at-home test kits, along with PCR and rapid antigen testing at multiple mobile testing units and resource hubs throughout the city.
You can pick up free rapid antigen home test kits at five health department resource hubs.
• Mi Salud Wellness Center, 200 E. Wyoming Ave.
• Bethany Baptist Church, 5747 Warrington Ave.
• The Shoppes at La Salle, 5301 Chew Ave.
• Mt. Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Ave.
• Whitman Plaza, 330 W. Oregon Ave.
You don’t need to make an appointment, but daily schedules vary. Free COVID-19 tests are also available from the federal government. Each household can receive four tests for free by filling out the form found on COVIDtests.gov.
For more information on where to get free COVID-19 tests or to get tested in person, visit https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/find-a-covid-19-test/.
Reclaim backs Gym, McIlmurray
Reclaim Philadelphia officially announced its first round of endorsements ahead of the city’s 2023 municipal primary election.
By a near-unanimous vote, members have chosen to endorse progressives Helen Gym for mayor and Amanda McIllmurray for City Council at-large.
Reclaim has helped elect liberals such as state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Nikil Saval.
Reclaim will be doing another round of endorsements for Council elections early next year. ••
Dugan running for Superior Court
Municipal Court President Judge Pat Dugan, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for one of two open seats on the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Dugan has served 15 years on Municipal Court, president since 2019. He was a founder of the city’s Veterans Court, presiding since 2010 and lowering recidivism to less than 10 percent. He served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, including a deployment alongside the Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority as an Army Political Administration Officer then as a JAG officer. His campaign chairman is Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters President Bill Hamilton. ••
Free help for the holidays
International School of Coaching’s Master Coach Paula Michele Boyle and her team of trained specialists are reaching out to support the community for those feeling frustrated or unsatisfied with their lives, careers and relationships. The session you will receive with a certified Life Coach is available through New Year 2023. To register or learn more, visit lifecoachphilly.com. ••
Buy from small biz
American Workers Radio is promoting December as National Small Business Month. For more information, visit NationalSmallBusinessMonth.com or AmericanWorkersRadio.com. ••
Gift wrapping for charity
Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Board of Associates of Fox Chase Cancer Center, is running its holiday gift wrapping at Willow Grove Park, 2500 W. Moreland Road, Willow Grove, through Saturday, Dec. 24. Profits support patient care and medical research at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
Visit model railroad club
Chelten Hills Model Railroad Club, 8010 Old York Road in Elkins Park, will be hosting open houses from noon to 4 p.m. on the following Saturdays and Sundays: Jan. 7-8 and Feb. 4-5. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.cheltenhillsmrr.org or Facebook. ••
Bingo Night for Stray Cat Relief
Stray Cat Relief will be holding a Bingo Night on Feb. 11 at the EOM at 144 Moore St. from 7-11 p.m.
Ten games of bingo. Tickets are $40 ($50 at the door) and a table of eight is $280. Light food, soda, water and snacks will be served. Raffle prizes, door prizes and BYO bottles and snacks. Email purr@straycatrelieffund.org or Venmo @straycatrelief to purchase tickets.
Insect exhibition at Academy of Natural Sciences
An exhibition at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 19th and the Parkway, presents a new perspective on insects and reveals their beauty.
Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss is a series of portraits that capture the microscopic form of insects in high-resolution detail. It will be on view until April 23, 2023.
Each photograph makes visible the many intricate adaptations to the form of insects.
Award-winning British photographer Levon Biss created the exhibition, which showcases the insect collection of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in Oxford, England. Pinned specimens from the Academy’s own entomology collection are added to provide visitors an up-close look at the actual size of insects compared to similar-looking insects in the photographs.
South Phila. HS class of ‘68 reunion
The South Philadelphia High School Class of 1968 will hold its 55th reunion on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. Tickets cost $60 and include buffet dinner and open bar. For tickets and more information, call Arleen Liberi [609-922-2419], Maria Leati [856-287-3734] or Stephen Michielli [267-252-2740]. ••
Upcoming cruise
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a fully escorted Holy Lands & Aegean Majesty cruise that will sail Oct. 6-17, 2023, featuring 10 ports-of-call. Rates, including airfare, range from $4,198 to $7,998 per person, double occupancy. Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations. ••
Cruise the Mediterranean
Norwegian Cruise Line will host a Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Venice on Oct. 10-19, 2023. The trip is all inclusive with round-trip airfare, a beverage package, all meals, three specialty dinners, taxes, transfers and all gratuities. The cost for a balcony sea view cabin is $3,511 per person. For more information, contact Fillmore Travel’s Kevin Fries at 215-498-8294 or fkevin910@comcast.net.
