CHARITY DRIVES AND AID
Anthony’s Café toy drive
Anthony’s, 319 E. Girard Ave., is hosting its first holiday toy drive for the patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Please donate a new, unwrapped toy at the bar. Contact the staff at 215–634–0981. ••
NKCDC holiday program
New Kensington CDC is seeking referrals from community organizations and leaders for individuals and families in the 19125 and 19134 ZIP codes who would benefit from its holiday program, which provides a gift certificate to Target or Wal-Mart for the holidays. If you know of an individual or family in need who would be eligible for this program, please contact Drew Serres at dserres@nkcdc.org by Dec. 7. ••
Food drive at 2424 Studios
“Smiles. Can. Help.” is Philly Photo Studio’s first annual canned food drive, and aims to collect 1,000 pounds of food. The canned-good collection will run through Dec. 21, and will be accepted at Philly Photo Studio, 2424 E. York St. ••
Society of St. Vincent thrift
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul continues to operate its thrift store at 901 E. Luzerne St. To schedule a free pickup of new or gently used clothing and furniture please contact Priscilla at 215–288–8160, ext. 209. It is also accepting can goods to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. ••
Aid for Friends donations
Aid for Friends is requesting holiday donations for senior shut-ins. Anything new that may be useful or enjoyed by seniors, such as toiletries, clothes, food products, stationery, fashion accessories or cash donations will be accepted.
All gifts and donations may be dropped off at Bridesburg Recreation Center, at 4601 Richmond St. For more information, contact Miss Jackie at 215- 685–1247, 533–6448, or 331–8417. ••
PMFA food truck donations
Partnered with Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization, the Philadelphia Mobile Food Association will be accepting non-perishable food donations through Dec. 23. You can drop off your donation at any PMFA food truck.
The participating trucks include: Lil Dan’s, Spot Burger, The Mini Trini, Chewy’s, Gigi’s and Big R, Cupcake Carnivale, Chef Johnny Bravo’s Surf and Turf, Luck Old Souls, Sweet Box, Foo Truck and Zea May’s. Visit www.facebook.com/phillymfa for more information. ••
PERFORMING ARTS
Rock to the Future Holiday Showcase
Philly’s youth music education program will host its third annual holiday showcase December 15 at 5 p.m. Enjoy the original musical stylings of the program’s students as well as holiday favorites. A $5 donation to the event includes a holiday feast, which also features vegetarian and vegan options. This event is family-friendly, and will take place at 2139 E. Cumberland Ave. ••
Walking Fish Theatre’s ‘Yuletide Burlesque’
Walking Fish Theatre, 2509 Frankford Ave., will host an “adult holiday show,” The Early Adventures of Santa, A Yuletide Burlesque from Dec. 19 through 31. It’s by no means your typical holiday performance — this Santa was abandoned as an infant and raised by a lioness and a bunch of nymphs. Visit walkingfishtheatre.com for information and tickets. ••
COMMUNITY PARK EVENTS
Palmer Park holiday events
This year, the students of St. Laurentius School will adorn the evergreen tree in Fishtown’s Palmer Park with earth-friendly decorations on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. On Friday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m., the St. Laurentius choir will perform carols in the park to celebrate the decorated tree and the year-round beauty of Palmer Park.
Refreshments will be served after each event. All are invited to attend; enjoy the choral music from the neighborhood schoolchildren and share in the spirit of the season. Sponsored by the Friends of Fishtown, who look after Palmer Park. ••
Campbell Square tree lighting
Join the Friends of Campbell Square for its annual Christmas tree lighting Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. There will be cookies and candy canes, entertainment by the CSPA dancers and a special visit from a jolly old elf! This year, the tree decorations are made with love and care by the kids from the Nativity Beacon Center. ••
Powers Park tree lighting
The Friends of Powers Park and the Friends of Richmond Library invite you to a Christmas tree lighting event Monday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a visit from Santa, Christmas tunes and the caroling of local kids. Sponsored by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. ••
Caroling in Penn Treaty Park
Join the Friends of Penn Treaty Park Saturday, Dec. 22, beginning at 2 p.m., for the annual Christmas caroling stroll through the park. Make ornaments for the holiday tree and enjoy hot chocolate and candy canes. The park is located at Delaware and Columbia avenues. ••
HOLIDAY PARTIES
FNA holiday party
The Fishtown Neighbors Association invites you its 2012 holiday party on Thursday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at Frankford Hall, 1210 Frankford Ave. Bring some of your favorite cookies to snack on and exchange! FNA will also be collecting gifts for Toys for Tots. If you are able to make a donation, please mark the toy for boy/girl and the appropriate age range.
If you have further questions about toys, check out the FAQ section at www.fishtown.org. Frankford Hall will graciously be offering happy hour specials for FNA guests. Bring a friend and come enjoy some holiday cheer. ••
FACT Christmas party
Fishtown Action invites neighbors and friends on Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., to its Christmas party at Holy Name Church Hall, 701 Gaul St.
Tickets to the party will be distributed Thursday, Dec. 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Shissler Rec. Center, 1800 Blair St. Tickets are free. The party will offer music by the John Clark Little Big Band, food and a visit from Santa. Admission by ticket only. ••
THINGS TO DO
Historic holiday church tour
The churches of Kensington and Fishtown will open their doors Dec. 30 for a guided bus tour through the history of Philadelphia. All proceeds go to benefit these architectural and cultural treasures, some of which may be at risk of boarding up their doors forever. Let St. Laurentius’ choir performance reignite your holiday cheer. Come celebrate Old Brick’s 200th anniversary. Each of the six churches will welcome you in, as historian Ken Milano reveals the hidden stories of the neighborhood.
Bus leaves NKCDC, 2515 Frankford Ave. at 1 p.m. and returns at 4 p.m. on Dec. 30. Light refreshments will be provided. Suggested ticket price is $20. To buy tickets online, email djih@nkcdc.org or call Debbie Kinkead at 215–427–0350, ext. 112. All tickets must be purchased by Dec. 17. Sponsored by NKCDC and Partners for Sacred places. ••
Enjoy the lights with the Fishtown Beer Runners
It is that time of year again when the South Philly Striders and Fishtown Beer Runners run the streets of South Philly to enjoy the holiday lights. On Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., the run begins at Broad Street and Oregon Avenue, where there will be a food drive.
Please donate canned and other non-perishable food to benefit Philabundance. The run ends with a holiday celebration at American Sardine Bar, 18th and Federal streets. Everyone is encouraged to come out for this event. Feel free to wear bells, lights, and holiday costumes. ••
Christmas toy shop at St. John’s
The Free Church of St. John’s, 3089 Emerald St., will be having its Christmas Toy Shop on Sunday, Dec. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call Pat Walder at 215–425–6190. ••
Holiday drinks workshop
On Thursday, Dec. 13, Greensgrow Farms presents a free, family-friendly drink-making workshop, from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn to make mulled cider, hot chocolate and eggnog. Greensgrow is also open until 8 p.m. for holiday shopping Wednesday through Friday. Check out Pennsylvania-grown Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths. Greensgrow is located at 2501 E. Cumberland St. ••
Angler holiday classes
Try a class at Angler Movement Arts Center, 1550 E. Montgomery Ave., at the studio’s special holiday price — $10 per class. Schedule: Monday: cardio Pilates, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, African dance, 6 p.m., Kickboxing 7 p.m.; Thursday: adult ballet, 7 p.m.; Saturday: Pilates, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday: Yoga, 11 a.m. ••
Skate at Blue Cross RiverRink
Lace up your skates and glide along the Delaware on the Blue Cross RiverRink, an Olympic-sized ice rink at Penn’s Landing. The RiverRink features an indoor heated pavilion with a snack bar and game room. A live DJ spins every Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight. ••
Would you like to see your River Wards community event listed in Star? Send event listings to star@bsmphilly.com.
