Goretti Class of ‘67 reunion
The 56th anniversary celebration of the St. Maria Goretti class of 1967 will be held on Nov. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. at the IATSE ballroom. Tickets are $67 per person. Call Millay Club at 215-389-0525 to purchase.
Learn all about COPD
The Temple Lung Center is teaming up with the COPD Foundation to give local patients and caregivers an opportunity to learn from global experts in COPD about new treatments, medications, research, management and approaches for managing the disease. The patient session will take place on Monday, Nov. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. The session is being held during the 2023 GOLD International COPD Conference, the world’s foremost conference for healthcare providers involved in managing and caring for people with COPD. Attendance is free to individuals with COPD and their caregivers. Valet parking is free. Advance registration is required. Register at goldconferenceondemand.com/patient. ••
Foodbanks, soup kitchens can apply for funding
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invited qualified food banks, pantries, shelters and soup kitchens that offer emergency food assistance to apply for $2.5 million in funding available through round two of The Emergency Food Assistance Program Reach and Resiliency Grants. The grants are just one element of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration’s commitment to increasing food security and access to healthy food for children and families across Pennsylvania, wherever they live.
In September, the Shapiro administration awarded more than $1.6 million to 39 food banks, pantries, shelters and soup kitchens across Pennsylvania in the first round of TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Grants.
“No one should go hungry in a state with the wealth and bounty we have in Pennsylvania,” Redding said. “But far too often families do not know where their next meal is coming from and they need our help. Expanding the capacity of local organizations to supply fresh, healthy food to families in need is just one part of a broad Shapiro administration strategy to work toward a healthier, more food-secure Pennsylvania.”
EFAP Reach and Resiliency Grants are awarded to organizations distributing USDA Foods through TEFAP contracts with the state, county or a county-designated lead agency.
Funded projects include expanded cold storage, warehouse space and equipment, delivery vehicles for food distribution and other investments that expand TEFAP’s reach into isolated or underserved rural or low-income communities.
Apply online through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Single Electronic Application. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 8.
City unveils educational exhibit about 1985 MOVE bombing
The City of Philadelphia unveiled a new exhibit entitled Remembering MOVE: May 13, 1985 about the history of the 1985 bombing on Osage Avenue.
The permanent exhibit, created by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, uses documentary photography and other sources to present the complex history of the MOVE bombing and remind all of the destructive event and its victims.
“My hope is that Remembering MOVE will inspire civic dialogue about Philadelphia’s controversial past and strive to prevent such a tragedy from happening again,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.
More than 120 public documents, including reports, news articles, videos, books and biographies, were used to develop the exhibit, from sources including the Charles L. Blockson Afro American Collection, Temple University Libraries; The Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries; The Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel University; The City of Philadelphia, Department of Records – City Archives; the Jubilee School; and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The permanent exhibit is located in the lobby of the Municipal Services Building, 1401 John F, Kennedy Blvd., and can be viewed during operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a tour, email OACCE at arts@phila.gov.
Apply to become a cop
The Philadelphia Police Department is accepting applications through Nov. 12. Applicants must be at least 20 years old and have a high school diploma. The starting salary is $61,888. Call 215-683-COPS or apply at joinphillypd.com. ••
Mass and gala for St. Martin’s
St. Martin of Tours Church, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., will hold a unity Mass and 100th anniversary gala on Sunday, Nov. 12. The Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., followed by the gala at 2 p.m. at Brookside Manor, 50 Bustleton Pike in Feasterville. Tickets cost $50. Call the rectory at 215-535-2987. ••
Run, walk on Veterans Day
The national nonprofit PACT for Animals will hold a 10K, 5K or 1-Mile Patriotic Pup Walk on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, either virtually or at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park, in Oaks.
Check-in starts at 9 a.m., followed by the run and walk at 10. There will be prizes, giveaways and appearances by John DeBella and Eagles No. 1 fan Shaun Young.
Register at https://pactforanimals.org/veterans-day-run-and-dog-walk/. ••
Farm stand at Jeanes
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus, 7600 Central Ave., has a farm stand that is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October. The stand is located next to parking lot C of Jeanes Campus and the Fox Chase Cancer Center Campus. Call 215-728-4861 or email Rosemarie.Schlegel@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
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 the second Wednesday of every other month from 6-7 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. The schedule is Dec. 13 (holiday party) and Feb. 14. The group is led by nurse practitioner June Ro, and will include guest speakers. To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Trip to Bethlehem
The Polish American Cultural Center Museum is sponsoring a trip to Bethlehem, “The Christmas City,” from Dec. 14-16. The tour includes two night accommodations at
The Windcreek Hotel and Casino; two $20 vouchers; $70 slot play; a visit to Pines Dinner Theater to see Holly Jolly Christmas, with lunch (BYOB); a tour of “The Lights on the Parkway;” a free day to gamble and shop at the outlets; a visit to the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas shopping and artisans craft markets); and round-trip motorcoach. The cost is $525 per person double occupancy or $700 single. For information and reservations, call Theresa Romanowski at 215-922-1700. ••
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. ••
Anti-looting legislation
In the wake of recent rampant and violent looting in Philadelphia that caused significant property damage and loss, House Republicans unveiled a package of anti-looting legislation that will increase penalties on looters, put additional teeth in juvenile curfews, crack down on social media coordination of looting and enhance penalties for those looting state property, including liquor stores.
Noting the increase of looting over the last several years, particularly under the cover of otherwise peaceful and lawful civil protests, Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) will introduce legislation to create a specific criminal penalty for looting.
“It has become clear with events over the last several years that looting itself is a premeditated and often coordinated crime committed with purpose and intent. It is time our criminal laws reflect this type of behavior and the state specifically criminalize looting to deter future planning and incidents of looting,” White said. “Criminalizing looting specifically will give law enforcement and prosecutors more tools to get looters off the streets and proactively deter looting incidents.” ••
Foster pets
The nonprofit PACT for Animals is looking for people to foster pets for military members and hospital patients.
Call 610-581-4141, fill out a foster application at PACTforAnimals.org or visit the group’s Facebook page. ••
Charity dinner and dancing
The Leigh Leckerman Foundation will hold its annual charity dinner and dance party on Friday, Oct. 27, at Brookside Manor, 50 Bustleton Pike in Feasterville, from 7-11 p.m. There will be a performance by the Dirty Dance Band. Tickets cost $80, and there will be raffle baskets. Sponsorships are available. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which assists those in need of financial support for substance use disorder treatment, aftercare and sober housing. For more information, call 215-377-1034 or visit leighshelp.org. ••
Vaccine shots
Representatives from Giant Pharmacy will offer flu and other vaccine shots at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited. The flu and pneumonia shots are covered by Medicare Part B, while the shingles shots, Tdap and RSV vaccinations are covered by the Medicare Part D prescription plan. To reserve an appointment, call 215-698-7300, Ext. 193. ••
Free haircuts for veterans
State Sen. Jimmy Dillon invites veterans to join him for a free haircut and some refreshments this Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Torresdale Boys Club, 4500 Linden Ave. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Call Connie at 215-695-1020 to secure your spot. ••
Benefit for Semper Fi Fund
A Night at the Races, in memory of Army PFC John Kihm and Marine LCpl. Louis Rotondo, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Presentation BVM Church hall, 100 Old Soldiers Road, Cheltenham. Proceeds will benefit the Semper Fi Fund, which provides financial support for injured and critically ill members of the armed forces and their families. The $25 entrance fee includes food and beer and other beverages and a chance to win door prizes. There will also be wheels of chance, card games and 10 video horse races. The event is for people 21 and older. For more information, contact Dave McCarron at davemccarron@comcast.net or 215-435-1293 or Ron Camp at roncamp1954@gmail.com or 215-292-2444. ••
Author, advocate, speaker at KleinLife
Tikvah will present international motivational speaker Melissa Hopely Rice on Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. Rice is a mental health, anti-bullying and suicide prevention advocate and author of The People You Meet in Real Life. The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. Call 215-832-0671 or email Office@tikvahajmi.org. ••
Holy Family helping students in recovery
Holy Family University has been awarded additional funding from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation for its collegiate recovery efforts, in partnership with the Association of Recovery in Higher Education. The program is designed to enable recovery for students who are experiencing or believe they may have a substance use disorder, are curious about sobriety or have someone in their lives who is struggling with these issues. Holy Family’s program is directed by Patrick McElwaine, a licensed clinical psychologist and professional counselor and director of the university’s Master of Counseling Psychology program. ••
Trunk or Treat in Tacony
Star of Hope Baptist Church, 7212 Keystone St., will host a community trunk or treat on Oct. 29, from noon to 3:30 p.m. There will be games, pumpkins, a bouncy house and plenty of candy. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. ••
WWII program
Trish Chambers will bring the role of the women code breakers of World War II to life for seniors at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave., on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 12:45 p.m. The public is invited to join with members. Chambers will present the story of these women who were recruited from colleges and trained to work in cryptography for intelligence branches of federal agencies during the war. They worked in many roles including making and breaking codes. They listened for coded radio messages from other countries, collected names of enemy ships and commanders that were in coded forms and assisted in breaking them. Cost for the program is $3 per person. For additional information and reservations, contact Shelley Geltzer at 215-698-7300 or sgeltzer@kleinlife.org. ••
