See Santa at St. Hubert
St. Hubert, 7320 Torresdale Ave., will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
There will be gifts, an indoor snowball fight, a craft corner, a coloring station, letters to Santa, a selfie station, make your own reindeer food, a Christmas bean bag toss, dancing and face painting.
The cost is $30, or $25 for kids 12 and under, or free for kids 2 and under.
Pictures cost $5.
There will also be raffles.
Register at Huberts.org/BreakfastWithSanta.
For more information, email SHSanta@Huberts.org. ••
Fishtown Freeze this weekend
Fishtown Kensington Area Business Improvement District and Fishtown Co announced the expansion of the fifth annual Fishtown Freeze ice sculpture event into a weekend-long family-friendly ice sculpture event that will bring dozens of custom-designed ice sculptures and holiday shopping spree discounts at more than 20 participating area retailers.
Highlights of the Fishtown Freeze weekend include interactive live ice sculpture carvings by artists Ice Sculpture Philly and outdoor Pop-Up Makers Markets.
The event is set for Saturday, Dec. 9, from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 10, from noon to 6 p.m.
There will be photos with Santa at Frankford Hall and Vince’s Pizzeria and food and drink specials at restaurants.
There is no admission fee, and most individual events are free.
Fishtown Freeze Weekend is sponsored by Fishtown Kensington Area BID, Fishtown Co, Ice Sculpture Philly and Penn Treaty Special Services District.
For details, visit www.fishtowndistrict.com. ••
Write to Santa, get a response
Anthony “Stitch” Picariello, a mail carrier from Bustleton Post Office, is inviting children to write letters to Santa Claus.
The mailbox for kids to drop off their letters to Santa and get a response is in the lobby of Bustleton Post Office, 9925 Bustleton Ave.
As long as the kids include a legible name and return address, Picariello will make sure they get a personalized letter from Santa back.
No postage is necessary.
The deadline to drop off a letter and hear back is Dec. 16. ••
Library programs for adults and teens
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., will offer a number of adult and teen programs in December.
The Chess Club will meet on Mondays, Dec. 11 and 18, from 4-6 p.m. The club is free and open to the public. All ages and skill levels welcome.
The Crochet Circle will meet on Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, at 4 p.m. Bring a project. The group is for adults of all experience levels.
The Horror Book Club will meet on Monday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. The club, which meets on the third Monday of the month, is for people 18 or older.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
Children’s programs at the library
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., will offer several children’s programs this month.
Preschool Storytime and Play Group will meet on Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Meghan for stories, songs and fun for ages 4 and under with caregivers. Stay after Storytime to play. Siblings welcome.
Children’s Crochet Club will meet on Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, at 4 p.m. Learn to crochet. The club is recommended for children ages 7 and up.
Gingerbread Craft Day will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. Hear the story of the Gingerbread Man and decorate your own paper gingerbread house to take home.
Read, Baby, Read Storytime and Play Group will meet on Thursdays, Dec. 14, 21 and 28, at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Meghan for lap time with stories, songs, rhymes and bounces for babies with caregivers. Stay after Storytime to play. Siblings welcome.
Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program meets Mondays and Tuesdays, from 3-6 p.m., and Wednesdays through Fridays, from 3-5 p.m. LEAP is a free, drop-in afterschool program that provides homework help and activities for students in grades K-12 every day after school.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
Free help available during holidays
For the 13th year, International School of Coaching’s Master Coach Paula Michele Boyle and her team of trained Life Coach specialists are reaching out to support the community for those feeling frustrated or unsatisfied with their relationships, careers and wellness.
Enjoy a free opportunity to figure out where you are and where you want to go.
The session you will receive with a certified Life Coach is available through New Year’s Day.
There is a 10% discount to those who want to become certified as a Life Coach to help others in need.
To register or learn more, visit lifecoachphilly.com. ••
Social activities for seniors
Northern Liberties Recreation Center, 321 Fairmount Ave., hosts a Saturday’s Senior Social 55+ Program, through Dec. 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
There will be line dancing, bingo, card games, knitting and crocheting.
Tickets cost $5 and include light refreshments.
Call 215-686-1785. ••
Get your North Catholic gear
The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association is having a Christmas sale of North Catholic gear and merchandise on Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the alumni office, 2700 Rhawn St.
All are welcome. ••
New Dunkin’ on Aramingo
Dunkin’ last week opened its doors to its newly remodeled Next Generation restaurant at 3501 Aramingo Ave.
The store has a modern design, new interior color palette, atmospheric lighting, a drive-thru, complimentary Wi-Fi and a tap system for the pouring of cold beverages.
The 2,000-square-foot restaurant will employ 22 people and is open daily 24/7. ••
Second Thursday at Clay Studio
Second Thursday Gallery Nights at The Clay Studio will take place on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1425 N. American St.
The Clay Studio joins Crane Arts and NextFab in Second Thursday Gallery Nights, where galleries along the North American Street Arts Corridor are open late to highlight the neighborhood’s creative community.
At The Clay Studio, visitors can take a guided tour of the latest exhibition in the Jill Bonovitz Gallery and hear exhibiting artists talk at 6:30 p.m.
The Clay Studio celebrates its latest exhibition, Between Horizons: Korean Ceramic Artists in America, featuring the work of 12 ceramic sculptures by 12 Korean artists.
Each of the featured artists began their ceramic education in Korea before moving to North America to complete graduate work in ceramic art.
During the free event, guests will have the opportunity to join a curator-led tour, meet featured artists and ask questions about the work while touring the exhibition.
Additionally, The Shop at The Clay Studio will celebrate the holidays with a 10% discount on in-person sales that evening.
Email info@theclaystudio.org or call 215-925-3453. ••
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. ••
Trip to Brooklyn
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a “Brooklyn Christmas Lights” bus trip on Thursday, Dec. 7. The itinerary includes a full-course dinner at Tommaso’s Restaurant, followed by a tour of the decorated homes in the Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge sections of Brooklyn. Cost is $172. Call 215-788-7537. ••
Christmas tree lighting
A Christmas tree lighting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 9, at St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. The lighting ceremony, which includes hot chocolate and music, will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Pratt Street. ••
Santa coming to Holmesburg
Santa Claus is coming to Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. Kids can enjoy cookies and make-and-take holiday crafts while they wait to talk to Santa and get their picture taken. The program is sponsored by the Friends of Holmesburg Library. ••
Upcoming opera performances
Amici Opera Company will present Puccini’s La Boheme on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. at La Piovra Trattoria, 7901 High School Road in Elkins Park. The cost is $54.95 and includes dinner. Make a reservation at 215-606-3800.
Meanwhile, Amici will present Verdi’s Don Carlos on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m. at Dock Woods, 275 Dock Drive, Lansdale. La Boheme will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, 1128 Cottman Ave. Don Carlos will be performed on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 4 p.m. at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer. Call 215-224-0257 or visit the Amici Opera Company page on Facebook. ••
Remembering Fred Maurer
A memorial event for Fred Maurer will take place on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. at Pennepack Baptist Church, 8732 Krewstown Road. Maurer, 86, died in July 2022. He was active with the Northeast Philadelphia History Network and Frankford Historical Society. The program will start with an hour-long performance of Maurer’s favorite operas, followed by reminiscences by friends and associates. Contributions in Maurer’s memory can be made to Pennepack Baptist. Guests are also welcome to bring snacks. Call 484-452-6881. ••
Podcast at Punch Line
The podcast That’s Messed Up, co-hosted by comediennes and amateur detectives Liza Treyger and Kara Klenk, will come to Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St., on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m.
Treyger and Klenk will dissect episodes from Law and Order: SVU, extensively explore the real-life crimes that served as inspiration and engage in interviews with on-screen talent.
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. ••
Entertainment at Rivers
Rivers Casino will present the upcoming entertainment lineup:
• Dec. 22: Jim Breuer
• Dec. 23: The Whispers
For tickets and more information, visit RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia. ••
Talent show
The Race for Peace Committee will sponsor Frankford Got Talent on Saturday, Dec. 16, from noon to 3 p.m., at Faith Assembly of God, 1926 Margaret St.
Sign-ups are at 11 a.m.
The day will include free food.
For more information, call Andrew Howell at 267-339-4313. ••
Make New Year’s Eve plans
Rivers Casino will have live music, an all-you-can-eat menu, an open bar and a midnight champagne toast on New Year’s Eve.
An Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band, Let’s Groove Tonight, will play solid-gold hits at the Event Center party.
Guests can also enjoy a three-course menu at Martorano’s Prime before partying at a gala and taking a chance at winning their share of the $48,000 Gold Bar Giveaway all holiday weekend.
Book dinner reservations at OpenTable.com.
To buy tickets or for more information, visit RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia. ••
Concerts at Fillmore
The rock band Set It Off will perform at the Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St., on Sunday, March 24. Special guests will be Crown The Empire, DeathbyRomy and Caskets. Tickets are at setitoffband.com.
Rapper and 12-time Grammy Award nominee Busta Rhymes will perform at the Fillmore on April 7. Tickets are available at LiveNation.com.
Mariah the Scientist will bring her To Be Eaten Alive tour to the Fillmore on April 11. Go to mariahthescientist for tickets. ••
Bingo for a good cause
The Leigh Leckerman Foundation will hold an all-ages bingo on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bristol Moose Lodge, 2229 Radcliffe St. in Bristol. There will be prizes, raffle baskets and 50-50s. The cost is $30. Tables of 10 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 tickets, visit leighshelp.org. ••
Bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo every second and fourth Friday evenings. Doors open at 6:30, games start at 7:20. Refreshments available. ••
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. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, 2024, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.” Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia. Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking. Final payment by Feb. 27. Call 215-788-9408. ••
