Programs at Richmond Library
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., offers a Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program that meets Mondays and Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m. and Wednesdays, Thursdays and 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.
There will be a yoga program on Mondays, March 11, 18 and 25, at 5:30 p.m.
Preschool Storytime and Play Group will meet Wednesdays, March 13, 20 and 27, at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Meghan for stories and songs for ages 4 and under with caregivers. Stay after Storytime to play. Siblings welcome.
A Children’s Crochet Club, recommended for ages 7 and up, will meet on Wednesdays, March 13, 20 and 27, at 4 p.m.
The Chess Club will meet Mondays, March 11, 18 and 25, from 4-6 p.m. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Read, Baby, Read Storytime and Play Group will meet on Thursdays, March 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.
The Horror Book Club will meet on Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m. The club is for people 18 and older.
A professional teaching artist from the Clay Studio will help children create pottery and sculpture on Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
Vendors/crafters wanted
St. Hubert Parent Association will host a vendor/craft fair on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost per table is $20 and a $20 value product donation. Venmo payment to @st-hubert-pa or mail to St. Hubert High School, 7320 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19136. For more information, email Sheila Picinich at s.picinich@olcalvaryschool.org or Sandy Vaughan at sacoleman@philasd.org. ••
Support Storm the Heavens
Storm the Heavens Fund will hold its sixth annual Bean’s Ball on March 9 at 7 p.m. at Vie, 600 N. Broad St.
The masquerade ball will be held in memory of Philomena “Bean” Stendardo, an 8-year-old from Port Richmond who died in 2017 of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a fatal form of brain cancer that mostly affects kids under 11.
Philomena’s parents, Mark and Mina, started the Storm the Heavens Fund to spread awareness and fund research for DIPG.Tickets cost $275. For information on tickets, sponsorships and event booklet ads or to make a donation, visit StormTheHeavens.org. ••
Bingo in Bridesburg
Bunny Family Bingo will take place on Sunday, March 10, at 4435 Almond St. Doors will open at 2 p.m., and six rounds of bingo will be played from 3-5. The cost is $20, with discounts available for full tables. There will be games, music, prizes, a 50/50 and an appearance by the “Bunny.” All ages are welcome. Bring daubers. For tickets, text 267-339-2396 or email HSABridesburg@gmail.com. ••
St. Patrick’s Day party
City Councilman Mike Driscoll, state Sen. Jimmy Dillon and Rep. Pat Gallagher are sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Day celebration for seniors on Wednesday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. There will be breakfast, music, Irish dancers and a photo booth. RSVP to Michele Fleming at 267-878-3516. ••
Sign up for senior softball
The Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced players for its 68-and-over and 58-and-over leagues. The 58-plus teams play Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 68-plus teams play Mondays and Fridays. All games start at 10 a.m. and are played at Crispin Fields, at Holme and Convent avenues. Games start mid-April and run till the end of September. No games in July. For the 58-plus league, call Mike Bojanowski at 215-801-4869. For the 68-plus league, call Marty King at 215-409-5021. ••
Program on Holmesburg Prison experiments
Holmesburg Library, 7810 Frankford Ave., will host Human Experiments at Holmesburg Prison on Monday, March 11, at 5:30 p.m. Allen M. Hornblum, author of Acres of Skin, will give a presentation on the history of the use of inmates at Holmesburg Prison for medical research. ••
Attend special Mass
St. Martin of Tours, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., invites everyone to a Mass to celebrate its pastor, the Rev. Efren Esmilla, becoming a bishop in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Mass is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 17. A reception will follow in the gym. Call 215-535-2962. ••
Learn some Irish language
Profs and Pints will hold An Introduction to Irish Gaelic on Wednesday, March 13, at the Black Squirrel Club, 1049 Sarah St., in Fishtown. The instructor will be Jonathan O’Neill, native of County Clare who teaches the Irish language as assistant professor in the Center for Irish Studies at Villanova University. Doors open for happy hour at 5:30 p.m. The talk starts at 6:30. Advance tickets cost $13.50, plus processing fees. Tickets at the door are $17. Student tickets are $15. For more information, email profsandpints@hotmail.com. ••
Landau proposes consumer protection
Councilwoman Rue Landau is introducing a consumer protection ordinance at the request of the Parker administration.
The ordinance would empower the Law Department to investigate potential violations such as misleading financing plans and false advertising of product conditions.
If violations are found, the Law Department can take action in the Court of Common Pleas, seeking remedies such as injunctive relief, civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation and compensatory damages and restitution for affected consumers.
“Our aim is ultimately to ensure that no one falls victim to predatory practices, and that every Philadelphian has confidence and security in the city’s commitment to protecting them from scams and fraud,” Landau said. “I deeply value the mayor prioritizing this ordinance in her first 100 days, and I’m proud to introduce it and stand up for working Philadelphians.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker said, “This ordinance reaffirms my administration’s strong commitment to fostering a fairer and equitable business environment in Philadelphia, where consumers are respected and protected from exploitation and misleading promises and claims. I want to commend Councilmember Landau’s commitment to consumer protection this early in her first term, and I look forward to finding ways to work with her and her team moving forward on consumer protection issues. In addition to the protections available under state law, there are steps the City of Philadelphia can take to better safeguard consumers from fraudulent claims and tactics. This legislation is a step in the right direction.”
“The Consumer Protection Ordinance will allow the city to take legal action against bad actors whose deceptive business practices cause financial harm to consumers in Philadelphia,” said City Solicitor Renee Garcia. “I am grateful to Councilmember Landau for introducing this legislation and to Mayor Parker for pushing the ordinance forward. The Law Department will continue to work with City Council and the Parker administration on innovative legal solutions to protect our residents and promote a secure, equitable and vibrant economy.”
While the ordinance does not provide a private right of action, it ensures that the city is empowered to act on behalf of the public, acting as a guardian for working families when necessary. The legislation aligns with the existing state consumer protection law, reinforcing practices already deemed illegal at the state level. ••
Support police survivors luncheon
FOP Lodge 5 will host a luncheon for all families of Philadelphia police officers killed in the line of duty on Wednesday, May 1.
To offset the costs associated with the event, money is raised through an ad book form. Donations are tax deductible.
The cost is $700 for the back cover, $600 for the inside cover, $500 for the center page, $450 for a full page and $400 for a half-page.
Advertisements can be emailed to shawthorn@fop5.org.
Forms, along with checks or money orders payable to FOP Survivors’ Fund, are due by April 5. They can be sent to Samantha Hawthorn, FOP Lodge 5/Ad Sponsor, 11630 Caroline Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154.
The annual Survivors’ Fund event will be held at the FOP, 11630 Caroline Road, on Saturday, May 18, from 3-7 p.m.
For more information, call Samantha Hawthorn at 215-629-3602. ••
Landau wants hearings on sidewalk dining
Councilwoman Rue Landau has introduced a resolution that would examine the current state of streeteries and sidewalk cafes in Philadelphia. The resolution calls for hearings that would result in a review of the city’s regulations and policies regarding outdoor dining as well as a consideration of possible improvements that could allow more restaurants to participate in the program and enhance the vibrancy of the restaurant scene and support small businesses.
Landau’s resolution aims to renew the discussion around outdoor dining by holding hearings on the current regulations and identifying areas of improvement to the program to enable more “equitable” access to streetery and sidewalk café licenses and approvals.
“As a city known for its culinary diversity and innovation, Philadelphia’s outdoor dining scene has become an important part of our city. However, the transition from emergency COVID conditions to permanent outdoor dining regulations has posed significant challenges for many of our restaurants,” Landau said. “Through this resolution, we want to revisit and consider improvements to our current policies, ensuring fair access to streeteries and sidewalk cafes for all restaurateurs. By holding hearings and collecting feedback from the community, we will work towards a more ‘inclusive’ and thriving dining experience that helps both our small businesses and residents alike.”
“Philadelphia’s culinary scene often ranks in the top three reasons why travelers choose to visit our city,” said Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia. “We support continuing the dialogue and bringing communities together to discuss streeteries and their impact on the culinary scene, neighborhood vibrancy, and in exploring regulations and policies that would democratize the process for restaurant owners and operators.” ••
St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 10, starting at 11 a.m. The parade starts at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard and heads east on Market Street. The theme is St. Patrick, Bless Philadelphia with a New Dawn of Hope. There will be a pre-parade Mass at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 20th and Locust streets. The parade will be broadcast live on Channel 57 from noon to 3 p.m. and rebroadcast on March 15 on Channel 3 from 9 a.m. to noon and March 17 on Channel 57 from noon to 3 p.m. ••
Weight-loss program
The New You Program is a behavioral weight-loss program that provides support through weekly meetings and accountability. As a member, you will learn how to manage your cravings and learn how to lose weight and maintain it. A new group is starting March 25. For more information, call Sophia at 267-254-4050 or email Ilya Khaytin at Ikhaytin@verizon.net. ••
Bus trip to Lancaster County
St. William Travel is planning a trip to Lancaster County on June 20. There will be a Magic & Wonder Theater show, buffet lunch at Shady Maple, round trip by motorcoach, with all taxes and gratuities included. The costs $120. Bus departs from Gloria Dei Estates, 1304 Rhawn St., at 9:15 a.m. and returns 6:15 p.m. Check or money order payable to St. William Travel can be sent c/o 206 Benner St., Philadelphia, PA 19111. Call 215-745-7199. ••
2 senior trips
St. Katherine of Siena Primrose senior club is running two trips.
The first trip will be on Tuesday, May 14, to Lancaster to see Mystery, a variety magic show featuring illusionist John Brett Myers, at Magic & Wonder Theater. The cost is $130 and includes a buffet lunch at Miller’s restaurant.
The second trip will be on Friday, June 21, to Shawnee Playhouse for a sit-down luncheon and the musical My Fair Lady. The cost is $110.
Call Catherine Murphy at 215-919-4399 for reservations. ••
Bingo in March
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is hosting bingo on Zoom on Mondays, March 11 and March 18, starting at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $36 per person and includes two cards for eight games of bingo each night. Send your payment to the CSS office, 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115, attention: Bingo. Include your email address to receive the Zoom link. Call Gerry or Nancy at 215-677-1600. ••
April book club
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be hosting a Zoom session on Monday, April 1, at 7 p.m. The book is The Gown by Jennifer Robson. To register or for more information, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Free tax preparation
People who need help preparing their federal income tax return can take advantage of the free assistance program offered by KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. The program will run through April 12 and is available to everyone with incomes of up to $73,000 whether filling single or joint returns. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 194 to make an appointment. Have all of your tax information, including last year’s federal tax return, W-2, 1099 and real estate tax bill. ••
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. ••
Hear about riverfront access, recreational use
The Historical Society of Frankford, 1507 Orthodox St., welcomes everyone to the opening of its lecture series on Tuesday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m., with the talk, Welcome to Riverfront North.
The speaker will be Gina Craigo, Community Engagement Manager for Riverfront North.
Bridesburg and the surrounding river wards once had their own Boathouse Row with much recreational use by local residents. Years of heavy industrial use and disconnect with I-95 changed that landscape.
However, Riverfront North has been working since 2003 to return access and recreational use to the northern Delaware River waterfront. Learn about this 11-mile greenway and the organization working with the city to provide access and recreational use. ••
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. Call 215-788-9408. ••
