Around Town
Civic Association Meetings
• The East Falls Community Council will next meet Monday, July 17, at 7 p.m. at East Falls Presbyterian Church, 3800 Vaux St., East Falls.
• East Falls Forward will next meet Thursday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the BuLogics building, 3721 Midvale Ave., East Falls.
• The Manayunk Neighborhood Council will next meetWednesday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center,7 Lock St. Manayunk.
• The Central Roxborough Civic Association will nextmeet Thursday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Leverington Presbyterian Church, 6301 Ridge Ave., Roxborough.
• The Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association will next meetMonday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Church, 3158 Terrace St., Manayunk.
• The Ridge Park Civic Association will next meet Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Fifth District Police Station, 6666 Ridge Ave., Roxborough.
• TheUpper Roxborough Civic Association will next meet Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Roxborough Presbyterian Church, 8230 Ridge Ave., Roxborough.
• The Wissahickon Interested Citizens Association will next meetWednesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at Northern Children’s Services, 5301 Ridge Ave., Wissahickon.
Penn Therapy & Fitness Roxborough Open House
Good Shepherd Penn Partners will celebrate the opening of their 17th outpatient location, Penn Therapy & Fitness Roxborough, with a special community open house and ribboncutting ceremony Thursday, June 22.
Good Shepherd Penn Partners is a joint venture between Penn Medicine and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and is the official therapy provider for PennMedicine. Located at 6619 Ridge Ave., Penn Therapy & Fitness Roxborough offers physical therapy treatment for a variety of conditions.
Community members are invited to tour the new clinic andmeet the physical therapists. Refreshments will be served.
The event is from 4 to 6 p.m., with the ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place at 5 p.m. RSVP is not required. To learn more, visit PennPartners.org/Rox or call 215-621-6531.
Merge Dance Studio Open House
Merge Dance Studio, 4047 Cresson St., Manayunk, will hold open houses Thursday, June 22, and Monday, June 26, from 5 to 8 p.m.
For more information please visit mergedancestudio.com.
“Morning’s At Seven”
The Old Academy Players located at 3544 Indian Queen Lane in East Falls, will present “Morning’s At Seven,” the award-winning play by Paul Osborn.
Show dates are June 23, 24 and 25 with shows Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
All tickets for plays are $15. Parking for all performances is free. Run time is two hours. For reservations, call 215843-1109 or visit the theater’s website at oldacademyplayers.org for more information.
Manayunk Arts Festival
The Manayunk Development Corp. will present the 28th annualManayunk Arts Festival Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More than 300 artists that will showcase their work along Main Street in Manayunk.
For the fifth year, the event will once again feature an Emerging Artist Tent at Main and Grape streets.
TheManayunk Arts Festival is a rain or shine event.
“Shakespeare in Hollywood”
The Stagecrafters Theater will present “Shakespearse in Hollywood,” Ken Ludwig’s high-spirited comedy-farce, through June 25.
Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Stagecrafters, 8130 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill.
Tickets: $21 online, $25 at the door. Students with valid ID are $15 at the door.
For more information, call 215-247-8881 or visit thestagecrafters.org.
Solar Panel Informational Meeting
The Environmental Justice Center at Chestnut Hill United Church is partnering with Northwest Philly Solar Co- op to help residents learn what’s involved in putting solar panels on the roof.
The Solar Co-op is working with solar installers to arrange neighborhoodby- neighborhood buying groups. This results in lower prices and a more streamlined process for everyone involved.
Therewill be an informationalmeeting Sunday, June 25, at 11:30 a.m. at Chestnut Hill United Church, 8812 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill. The event is free, and all are welcome. Attendees will learn about what’s involved in getting rooftop solar on your home. Organizers will discuss whatmakes a good site for solar panels, as well as issues like payback periods and available tax breaks.
Vacation Bible School
St. Paul’s Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Chestnut Hill will host a Vacation Bible School Monday, June 26, through Friday, June 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with after-care when needed.
The theme is “Foundations of Our Faith.”
The littlest ones will learn Bible stories using a Montessori approach; others will be taught by City Camp Counselors from the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. There will be games, faith values and stories and songs as children of all ages learn to live courageously through faith.
The Vacation Bible School is open to all, ages 3½ to 12 years.
The cost is $50 for the weeklong camp. Scholarships are available. Registration is open now online at stpaulschestnuthill.org and includes a T-shirt for each registrant. Lunch and snacks are provided daily.
For more information, call Emmanuel Mercer at 215-242-2055.
Concert Series
The Chestnut Hill Community Association will hold its free 69th annual Concert Series at Pastorius Park.
This is the longest running outdoor concert series in the City of Philadelphia.
The concerts run every Wednesday night through July 26 at 7:30 p.m. If a show is rained out, it takes place at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy’s Cherokee Campus).
Off-Street parking is free. The park has many entrances; however the corner of West Hartwell and Millman Streets is closest to the concert amphitheater.
Performers include: June 28: Seamus Egan, founding member of Solas; July 12: XPN welcomes Worldtown Sound System, high-energy world rhythms and electronic dance; July 19: Parsonsfield-Jubilant, danceable indie roots music; July 26: XPN welcomes Suzie Brown-Bluesy, folky, achy sweet-voiced.
Children’s Story Hour
The Falls of Schuylkill Library will present a children’s story hour on the first Monday of each month this summer at 6:15 p.m. at McMichael Park in East Falls.
This summer’s dates are July 10 and Aug. 14.
Rain dates will be the second Monday of the month at 6:15 p.m.
Veterans Tribute
The 21st Ward Veterans Association will hold a veterans tribute from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. July 29 at Gorgas Park, 6300 Ridge Ave., Roxborough.
Activities begin with the arrival of hospitalized veterans, with their motorcycle escort provided by Warriors Watch and American Legion Riders.
There will be music entertainment, a one-act play, therapy dogs and a catered meal.
To RSVP, contact Bruce F. Hoffman at brucefhoffman@msn.comor 267-3045787. Provide full name, rank, branch of service and theater of operation.
Sunday Literacy Program
The Free Library of Philadelphia will pilot a Sunday Literacy Program at 11 libraries
This program is intended to offer additional help to students struggling to read in first through third grades. Continuing throughout the school year, each library hosting a Sunday Literacy Program will have two sessions for students. Each session will be run by a teacher and will include the following elements: read aloud, independent reading, literacy games and writing.
Registration is required to participate, but families can register on their first visit. Participants should plan to arrive at the beginning of one of the sessions.
Session 1 will be held from 1 to 2:45 p.m. Session 2will be held from 3 to 4:45 p.m.
Participating libraries include the Andorra Library, 705 E. Cathedral Road, Roxborough; the Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, 68 W. Chelten Ave., Germantown; and theWest Oak Lane Library, 2000 Washington Lane, West Oak Lane.
The Sunday Literacy Program is part of Read by Fourth, a citywide effort of more than 100 organizations convened and managed by the Free Library that aims to majorly increase the number of students in Philadelphia entering the fourth grade at reading level by 2020.
Lectures in Basic Civics
The Roxborough YMCA will offer several one-hour lectures on themakeup and functions of our federal government.
All lectures will be at the Roxborough YMCA, 7201 Ridge Ave., Roxborough, from 1 to 2 p.m. on alternate Wednesdays.
The lectures will be free, and no reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be served.
Lecture topics will include Our U.S. system of government: A constitutional federal republic; Our main branches of government: Congress, the presidency and the judiciary; What do separation of powers and checks and balances mean?; Why do we have two houses of Congress and how are they different?; What are the real powers and limitations of the presidency?; How do the Supreme Court and federal courts work?; and How do constitutional amendments work?
Lectures will be presented by Paul Selbst, PhD, a professor of politics and government at Temple University’s Lifelong Learning Institute.
The Y invites residents to come, learn and get a free copy of a pocket Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. Senior Citizens Dinner Join your neighbors every Wednesday evening from4 to 6 p.m. in the RoxboroughMemorialHospital Cafeteria for a $5 meal and a visit with friends.
Job Corps
Job Corps is the nation’s leading career technical training program for out of school youth ages 16 to 24. Whether you have graduated or dropped out of high school, this no-cost, government-funded program can
assist you with learning a technical trade in construction, health care, auto repair or culinary arts
Orientations are held Tuesdays at the Career Link office, 5847 Germantown Ave., Germantown. Arrive by 9 a.m. Parents should accompany minors under age 18, and all parents are welcome to attend.
For more information, call at 215-985-2319.
Journey’sWay Programs
Journey’sWay, Resources & Programs for People 55+, a division of Intercommunity Action Inc., invites communitymembers to celebrate October at the Center at Journey’s Way, 403 Rector St.
It offers a wide range of programs for personal growth, fitness, education, creative expression and volunteering, plus information, resources and social services if needed. Participants can get a ride if they are 65-plus and lunch if they are 60-plus (optional suggested donations for both). Journey’sWay strives to keep prices affordable; many services are free of charge. Programs: • Beginners tap dancing onWednesdays at 3:30 p.m.
• Get assistance with LIHEAP and MEDICARE — just call for an appointment.
• Check out the Next Chapter discussion group and share the challenges and joys of aging Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.
For further information, call 215-487-1750 ext. 1101.
Andorra Library Programs Information:
The Andorra branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia is located at 705E Cathedral Road, Roxborough. The library is open from 10n a.m. to 6p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and
Friday; noon to 8p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 1 to 5p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit libwww. freelibrary.org/locations/ andorra-library.
Teen Tuesdays: Stop by the library to sign up for this outdoor teen book club that will include hiking, expertly guided birding walks, outdoor skill building and fun book discussions. Preschool Storytime: The Andorra library hosts a regular drop-in preschool storytime onWednesday mornings at 10:30a.m.
Kids Yoga: The Andorra library offers free kids yoga every Thursday starting at 4:30p.m. All children in kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome to join. Wear flexible clothing, and bring a mat. Yoga mats are available for kids who do not have their own.
LEGO Club: Work on the building assignment, check out a project in one of our many Lego books or let your imagination soar and build a creation all your own on Fridays from 3:45to 4:45p.m. For school-age children (the youngest children should be accompanied by an adult).
Birding with the Andorra
Library: Experience nature closeup with our Birding Backpack program. Patrons can borrow a backpack filled with everything you need to learn about the many bird species found in Philadelphia and beyond. Each backpack includes a pair of binoculars, a birding field guide, a map of the Wissahickon Valley Park and a BirdPhilly Resource Guide. They are available for a three-week loan with a library card. American Red Cross Blood Drive: July 6from 2to 7p.m. Sign up at redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Andorra Library or call 1-800RED CROSS. Appointments are preferred.
Laurel Hill Cemetery Events
Information: Laurel Hill Cemetery is located at 3822Ridge Ave., East Falls. For more information, visit thelaurelhillcemetery.org. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse. The Hot Spots and Stories: Join Laurel Hill Cemetery for an informa- tive overview of Laurel Hill’s long and colorful history, which will include many of the marble masterpieces, stunning views and legendary stories that afford the cemetery its “wow” factor. “The Hot Spots and Storied Plots” will be presented monthly as part of Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Fourth Friday and Second Saturday tour series. The walking tour will take place Friday, June 23, at 10a.m., departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance. The cost is $12/perso,; $10/ students and seniors or $9/ members. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at thelaurelhillcemetery.org.
The Soulstice (A Young
Friends Event): To kick off the start of summer, Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Young Friends group, The Antemortem Society, will put the soul in solstice with a celebration and fundraiser. The Soulstice will take place Saturday, June 24, at 7p.m. in Laurel Hill’s oldest section, the Medallion Garden. This is not your typical garden party, however. Dance the night away to the seven-piece Balkan brass band West Philly Orchestra, while sipping on Bluecoat Gin cocktails from Philadelphia Distilling. Twilight tours of the cemetery’s historic grounds and other activities will also be offered throughout the evening. All funds raised from the event will support the preservation of Laurel Hill Cemetery. Ticketholders may check in at Laurel Hill Cemetery’s main entrance. Tickets for the event are $35general admission. Advance reservations are requested. Tickets may be purchased online at thelaurelhillcemetery.org. Cocktail attire is suggested, along with sensible footwear. Engines of Creation: Meet the architects, inventors and scientists whose contributions have had a lasting impact well into the 21st century. The walking tour will take place Sunday, June 25, at 1p.m., departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse. The cost is $15/ person, $13/students and seniors or $12/members. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at thelaurelhillcemetery.org. Yoga in the Cemetery: Find inner tranquility and balance during a one-hour yoga session in the peaceful backdrop of Laurel Hill Cemetery, overlooking the Schuylkill River. Sessions will be led by experienced yoga instructor Emily Tara Sabalbaro. Please bring your own mat and water. Sessions will be held outdoors on the pavement along Millionaire’s Row. All levels of experience are welcome. Yoga in the Cemetery will be held every third Saturday at 2p.m. May through September (July 15, Aug. 19and Sept. 16). There is a suggested donation of $15per person. Advanced registration is strongly suggested, as space is limited. Reservations can be made online at thelaurelhillcemetery.org; walk-ins are welcome.
Morris Arboretum Events
Information: The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is located at 100E. Northwestern Ave. in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. For more information, visit morrisarboretum.org.
Hidden Gems Tour: In the new Hidden Gems Tour, Morris Arboretum Guides will showcase little-known garden spots throughout the 92-acre arboretum. Planned at 11a.m. on Saturday, June 24, this tour is a combination of structures, sculptures, trees and vistas. Many are off the beaten path or concealed to most visitors. Others are near the main paths and considered “hidden in plain view.” Guides will reveal something different about these garden gems. The tour will last approximately an hour and a half. Visitors will be walking over some uneven ground and cover quite a bit of territory, so dress appropriately. Free with admission. Morris Arboretum in Motion — The Kinetic Sculptures of LymanWhitaker: Morris Arboretum’s 2017exhibit, Morris Arboretum in Motion: The Kinetic Sculptures of Lyman Whitaker, will be featured in the garden through Columbus Day, Oct. 9.