This Week


ENTERTAINMENT

PASTORIUS PARK CONCERTS continue with The Savoy Company singing Gilbert & Sullivan favorites on Wednesday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m. The park is at Abington Avenue and Lincoln Drive. Rain place is Springside School, 8000 Cherokee St. Free. 215-248-8810.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST: Amp Fiddler performs on Friday, August 5; Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys play Friday, August 6. Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. are for Salsa; Sundays at 8, it’s classic R&B. Times and cover charges vary. 7105 Germantown Ave., Mt. Airy. 215-248-1000.

KESWICK THEATRE:  Blues legend Etta James will sing on Sunday, August 8 and Bond brings their world tour to Glenside on Thursday, August 12. It’s an evening of guitars, saxes and more on Friday, August 13. Times and ticket prices vary. The theater is at Keswick Avenue and Easton Road, Glenside. 215-572-7650 or www.keswicktheatre.com.

MERMAID INN: Fred's Mobile Homes play bluegrass on Friday, August 6; Richard Drueding & Stephe Ferraro do instrumentals on Saturday, August 7; Ellyn Hill & Richard Drueding play contemporary tunes on Friday, August 13; and Sherry Somach sings on Saturday, August 14. Times and cover charges vary. 7673 Winston Road, Chestnut Hill. 215-247-9797 or www.themermaidinn.net.

GOAT HOLLOW: Tim Concannon plays pop, rock & originals on Thursday, August 5; Animus plays world fusion music on Friday, August 6; Eastsiders play folk & rock on Thursday, August 12; Doublehorse plays bluegrass and more on Friday, August 13. No cover. 300 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Mt. Airy; 215-242-4710.

CONCERTS IN THE GARDEN AT THE MORRIS ARBORETUM. On Thursday, August 5, Pat Humphries and Sandy Opatow sing anthems of peace and justice. On Thursday, August 12, The Bloom Consort will perform vocal music of the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. The concerts are from 6:30-8 p.m. and are free with regular garden admission: adults - $8; seniors (65+) and students (13-18) - $6; children (3-12) - $3; and under age 3 free. Rain or shine; bring a chair or blanket for lawn seating. 100 Northwestern Ave.; 215- 247-5777.

JAZZ FLUTIST WALTER BELL, of Chestnut Hill, is a featured performer each Sunday at Hibachi, Pier 19, Columbus Blvd. & Callowhill St., from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 215-592-7100.

THE LOFT JAZZ CLUB (UPSTAIRS AT ANGLESEA’S PUB), 7132 Germantown Ave., offers live jazz on Saturdays from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. No cover. 215-247-0598.

AT THE LAROSE CLUB, 5531 Germantown Ave., Tony Williams plays jazz on Mondays; you can take dance lessons and dance to the oldies on Wednesdays; enjoy live jazz and Caribbean music on Fridays; and dance to the oldies on Saturdays. 215-844-5818.

SUMMER CONCERT ON THE LAWN AT HOPE LODGE, 553 Bethlehem Pike, will feature the big band sounds of the Vincent Lopez Orchestra on Wednesday, August 11, from 7-8:30 p.m. $. 215-646-1595.

SWING DANCE LESSONS: Saturday, August 14 at 7 p.m., followed by DJ music, 8:45 – midnight, at Widener Hall (Presbyterian Church) 8855 Germantown Ave. $10 ($7 students or substantial baked goods to share). 610-676-0123.

DELAWARE VALLEY OPERA COMPANY, Hermitage Mansion, 700 E. Hermit Lane, Roxborough, will present Tosca by Verdi, sung in Italian, on August 7, 12, and 14 at 8 p.m. This opera classic unfolds the tragic consequences of a love triangle in an outpouring of lush, passionate music. Box office opens 6:30 p.m. Picnickers welcome. Tickets are $20 for non-members, $18 for senior citizens and students, $15 for members. Children under age 12 are half price. 215-725-4171.

ARTS

** ARTISTS IN THE GARDEN, featuring original works (for sale) by the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators, will be on display in the Upper Gallery of the Morris Arboretum’s Widener Visitor Center through September 9. The Morris Arboretum is at 100 Northwestern Ave. 215-247-5777.

“THE INCREDIBLE LIGHTNESS OF SEEING” exhibit at Gallery Saint Martin, 7811 St. Martin's Lane, features paintings/prints and more by Susan Hall, GG Kopilak, Naomi Limont, Monique Seyler and Ursula Sternberg. Flexible summer hours. Call first: 215-247-7811 or e-mail gallerysaintmartin@comcast.net.

WHITEMARSH COMMUNITY ART CENTER, 100 Cedar Grove Road, Conshohocken, offers a variety of art workshops for adults and children throughout the year. 610-825-0917.

NATURE/GARDENS

THE WISSAHICKON VALLEY WATERSHED ASSOCIATION’S archeological dig continues to find artifacts. You can help with the dig and/or see the artifacts on display by calling 215-646-8866. Also, birding classes for all levels are available at the WVWA.

** THE SCHUYLKILL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (SCEE) is at 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Roxborough:  Summer Nature Art session III, for children 3-7, will be on Tuesday, August 10 from 1-3 p.m. Enjoy a “dog days of summer” picnic and hike on Friday, August 13 in the evening. Information/pre-registration: 215-482-7300.

AT THE WISSAHICKON ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, at the Tree House at Northwestern Avenue: Learn how to make natural stationery on Sunday, August 7 at 10 a.m.; learn about creek creatures on Sunday, August 8; and enjoy and evening campfire on Friday, August 13. Register: 215-685-9285.

AT THE ANDORRA LIBRARY, 705 E. Cathedral Road: Container Combinations for the Fall with Toni Ann Flanigan will be on Wednesday August 11, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.  215-685-2552.

FOR THE KIDS

** THE CHESTNUT HILL LIBRARY, 8711 Germantown Ave.: Story time for 1- to 3-year-olds is on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m., and on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. for children 3-6. 215-685-9290.

O’DOODLE’S TOY STORE, 8335 Germantown Ave., is now offering martial arts for kids classes and holds an interactive story time on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. 215-247-7345.

FREE LIBRARY OF SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, 1600 Paper Mill Road, Wyndmoor, offers daytime and evening story times for young children. 215-836-5300.

BORDERS, 8701 Germantown Ave.: Children’s story time is held Monday mornings at 10:30 a.m. 215-248-1213.

THE LOVETT LIBRARY, 6945 Germantown Ave.: Call for summertime story hours. Knitting for Kids is at 2 p.m. on Thursdays through August 19. Crafts for Kids is on Tuesdays, August 10 & 24 at 2 p.m. 215-685-2095.

AT THE WISSAHICKON ICE SKATING RINK, 550 West Willow Grove Ave., "Friends & Fun" is recreational ice-skating for children ages 4 1/2 thru 12, beginner-intermediate skating ability. Wednesdays, August 11 & 25, 3:30-4:30 p.m. $6 per child, parents / guardians skate free. Children are required to bring and wear bike helmet & gloves; skates provided. 215-247-1759, ext 13.  

NOAH’S ARK CHILDREN’S CENTER INC. ministry at Blair Christian Academy, 220 W. Upsal St., offers kid’s club for ages 3 – 13 every first and third Saturday from 10:45 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kids experience Bible time, music, games, arts and crafts and more. Lunch is provided. Registration begins August 7; classes begin September 11: 215-479-9375.

SUMMERTIME

ABINGTON ART CENTER, 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown, offers an art camp for kids. 215-887-4882 or www.abingtonartcenter.org.

ARTS-ORIENTED DAY CAMP for ages 5-12 runs weekly through August 13 at the Allens Lane Art Center, Allens Lane & McCallum Street. 215-248-0546 or www.allenslane.org.

ASTHMA CAMP EXPERIENCE (ACE) is sponsored by the American Lung Association for children with asthma. To find a nearby camp, call 1-800-LUNG-USA.

BOOKWORMS. The Wissahickon Environmental Center will be offering a program for children ages 6 and 7 on Tuesday afternoons. Each week will have a different topic and activities, depending on the book that week. The class will meet from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through August 24. Registration necessary: 215-685-9285.

CHELTENHAM ART CENTER offers instruction in the visual and performing arts for kids of all ages. Information: 215-379-4660 or www.cheltenhamarts.org.

CHESS CLUB. The Chestnut Hill Library has a summer chess club for ages 6-18 on Monday nights, 6:30 – 8 p.m., through August 16. All level players are, and parents or adult volunteers with chess experience are also needed. Call Irene Klemas-Brady at the library, 8711 Germantown Ave., 215-685-9290.

MT. AIRY PLAYGROUND, 7001 Germantown Ave. offers a variety of summer programs. The day camp, each one week of specialty activities — basketball, art, archery, golf, baseball, drama and soccer — will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call the playground at 215-685-9297 for more information or to enroll your child.

SUMMER ADVENTURES IN THE WISSAHICKON are available at the Wissahickon Environmental Center, at the Tree House on Northwestern Avenue, for kids of all ages. 215-685-9285 or wisswnvcenter@netzero.com.

SUMMER ART CAMP AT WHITEMARSH COMMUNITY ART CENTER, 100 Cedar Grove Road in Cedar Grove Park, Conshohocken. Explore sculpture through works in clay, collage and paper; painting, drawing and printmaking round out a week of fun and discovery. 610-825-0917.

THE ROXBOROUGH YMCA offers summer programs for kids of all ages. Call 215-482-9945.

THE WISSAHICKON ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, at the Tree House at Northwestern Avenue, has summer programs for young teens, including a Monday hiking club and a Monday volunteer group. Call 215-685-9285 for details about both.

WOODMERE ART MUSEUM, 9201 Germantown Ave., offers a wide variety of weeklong classes and workshops for kids ages 6-12 through August 15. Classes include: nature magic, art box, picture books, performance art and ideas, printmaking, draw your heart out, portfolio preparation for teens and more. Call 215-247-0948 for registration deadlines, fees and other information.

HEALTH/FITNESS

BEGINNER GYROKINESIS CLASS (therapeutic movement system for the spine) taught by Joe Tighe, physical therapist, every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. at his studio, The Balance Point, 400 W. Hortter St., 215-844-7773. First class free.

BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE AT A CRITICALLY LOW LEVEL! Being a donor might not get your name in the newspaper or on TV, but it sure makes you an American hero. Information: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or www.pleasegiveblood.org.

KEYSTONE HOSPICE OFFERS SUPPORT GROUPS throughout the month, with specialty groups for children, widowers, young widows, and a new “motherless daughters” group on August 7. Most are free, lunch is often included, but pre-registration is requested: 215-836-2440. 8765 Stenton Ave., Wyndmoor.

STAY IN SHAPE. For many kinds of movement, mind-body and dance classes for you and your kids, ongoing and drop-in, look to the Moving Arts Studio, off Lincoln Drive. 215 842-1040.

FUN RUN. Wissahickon Wanderers Running Club meets every Saturday at 8 a.m.; start at Valley Green. Details: 215-849-9080 or www.wanderersrunningclub.org.

YOGA / TAI CHI / QIGONG classes are offered throughout the week at The Second Wind Center, 98 Bethlehem Pike. Information: 215-248-9642. A classical yoga course, offered by the SKY Foundation, runs for four Wednesday evenings each month. 215-247-0641.

CHESTNUT HILL HOSPITAL offers a great variety of programs and support groups, plus exercise programs for all ages and physical conditions (including yoga and Feldenkrais), cardiac rehabilitation, women’s health issues, Smoke Stoppers, CPR, a senior activity and functional evaluation (SAFE) program, a variety of clinical trials, a driver screening course, wound care program, diabetes education and support center, a geriatric resource center, drop-in parenting discussion and child play group, a prosthetic and orthotic program, wheelchair program,  prenatal/postpartum yoga classes, cancer support groups, breastfeeding classes, stroke club, babysitter training and more. 215-753-2000 or www.chh.org.

EDUCATION

KIDS THAT START AHEAD, STAY AHEAD! How to teach your newborn to six-year-old anything and everything joyously. View a free 44-minute introductory video production, featuring author Glenn Doman, on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential, 8801 Stenton Ave., Wyndmoor. Reservations: 267-440-2576.

RELIGION

CONNECTING TO OUR JUDAISM is a series of interactive and experiential programs at Or Ami, 708 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill. 610-828-9066.

ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave.: Centering prayer sessions are on Wednesdays at 7 a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Information: Ken Garner at 215-242-2055 or www.stpaulschestnuthill.org.

Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane, has reverted to their summer service schedule, with services at 8 and 10 a.m. until September. 215-247-7466.

SHABBAT OPEN HOUSE will be on Friday, August 13 at 8 p.m. at Or Hadash, A Reconstructionist Congregation, 190 Camp Hill Road, Ft. Washington. 215-283-0276 or www.orhadash.com.

MISCELLANEOUS

RECYCLING of all kinds of paper, #1 and #2 plastic containers and more takes place the first Saturday of each month — August 7 — at the Wyndmoor Train station from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Money raised benefits the Chestnut Hill Community Fund. Information: 215-248-8810.

SECOND SATURDAY SALE will take place at St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh, on August 14, from 8 a.m. to noon. Bargain shoppers will find incredible deals on clothes for the entire family, books, toys, household items and more. The church is at the intersection of Church Road (Rte. 73), Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. All funds raised from the sales will benefit local charities. 215-233-3970 or www.stthomaswhitemarsh.org.

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC, to benefit Hadassah Associates of Greater Philadelphia and B’nai B’rith Liberty Region, will be on Monday, August 9 at the Meadowlands Country Club in Blue Bell. Call 215-732-7100 to register.

Philadelphia Transportation Campaign Northwest Greens will host a meeting of the Philadelphia Transportation Campaign (PTC) at 7p.m. on Wednesday, August 11, at the Urban Cafe, 5815 Wayne Ave. in Germantown. All neighbors from Chestnut Hill, Germantown and Mount Airy, who would like to see SEPTA achieve a firm financial footing, are welcome to attend, regardless of partisan or other affiliations. Achieving dedicated state funding for SEPTA and outreach to neighborhood organizations will be discussed. For more information please contact Chris Robinson at 215-843-4256 or nwgreens@yahoo.com.

FAMILY FUN DAY & BAZAAR will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5300 Germantown Ave., on Saturday, August 14 from 9 a.m.-4 pm. 215-848-8150.

HISTORIC RITTENHOUSETOWN FAMILY PAPERMAKING WORKSHOPS are held on each Saturday and Sunday through August. Information/registration: 215-843-2228. RittenhouseTown is at 206 Lincoln Drive. www.rittenhousetown.org.

AN ICE CREAM PHOTO CONTEST is being sponsored by Bredenbeck's Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor and Penguin Photo, Inc. Entries may be submitted and contest details obtained either at Penguin, 7928-30 Germantown Ave., or Bredenbeck's, 8126 Germantown Ave. Entries are due by September 3. See store(s) for details.

THE 3RD ANNUAL PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL — to benefit Fox Chase Cancer Center — will be on Saturday, October 2. Teams are forming now. Details: www.philadragonboatfestival.com or 610-642-2333.

HISTORIC RITTENHOUSETOWN will be open to the public on Saturdays & Sundays in the summer from noon-4 p.m., with no reservations necessary $. Weekdays are for reserved tours. 215-438-5811.

RETRIEVING MEMORY, an event for Alzheimer’s, will honor Robert Glendinning II for his years of service to the community on Monday, September 13, at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, with a golf outing, dinner and silent auction. Details: Bruce Glendinning at 610-940-3909 or bruce22@Comcast.net.

“CHOCOLATE: THE EXHIBITION” will be at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, through September 6. 215-299-1000 or www.acnatsci.org.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1974 REUNION will be on November 26-27. Make your reservation ASAP by calling 610-323-7150 or e-mail eces@enter.net.

GERMANTOWN HIGH CLASS OF 1974 is planning its reunion for Saturday, October 23. RSVP: 215-844-4901 or gtownreunion@aol.com.

“TITANIC: THE ARTIFACT EXHIBITION” is on display at The Franklin Institute Science Museum, 222 North 20th Street, through January 2. 215-448-1200 or www.fi.edu.

FREE ADMISSION TO THE NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM, 321 Chestnut Street, on Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in honor of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, one of the National Liberty Museum’s “Heroes of Liberty.” Often called the “saint of progress,” Kolbe lost his life saving hundreds of refugees during World War II. Along with free admission, the Museum offers an exhibit and booklet honoring St. Maximilian Kolbe.  215-925-2800 or www.libertymuseum.org

** Indicates that the sponsoring organization is part of the Chestnut Hill Cultural Alliance.

CONTACT US

E-mail press releases and information for This Week to listings@chestnuthilllocal.com by noon on the Friday before publication. Please be sure to include dates, details, complete addresses and phone numbers for events, as well as phone numbers for contact people. Questions? Call 215-248-8804.

YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW:

LOOKING FOR HALF-PRICE TICKETS to cultural events in the area? Click http://www.phillyfunguide.com/calendar/home.do and sign up!

THURSDAYS ARE OLDIES NIGHTS AT THE COMMODORE BARRY CLUB, Carpenter Lane and Emlen Street in West Mount Airy. In the tradition of continuing culturally diverse gatherings in Northwest Philadelphia, 2 Girls and A Guy sponsors an oldies night dance party every Thursday from 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $10 includes one drink and food. Information: 215-275-8577.

DATING PARTIES FOR GROWN-UPS are now available in Chestnut Hill for a range of age groups at different times. Call 215-248-9642 or click www.philadelphia-speed-dating.com for all the details.

INDEPENDENCE TOASTMASTERS OF FLOURTOWN provides training in leadership and public speaking skills every first and third Tuesday of the month at Scoogi’s, 738 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is optional.

THE BUSINESS CENTER AT NEW COVENANT CAMPUS offers a variety of courses in business, marketing, management and more for small businesses. 7500 Germantown Ave. Call 215-247-2473 or click www.thebizctr.com for more information.

THE WOMEN'S CLUB OF ERDENHEIM meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Oreland Presbyterian Church, Church and Paper Mill Roads, beginning at noon. Information: 215-836-1446. Guests are welcome.

CONGREGATION OR AMI: Classes in ethics, Torah study, women’s issues, basic Judaism and more, plus Shabbat services are held throughout the month. Call 610-828-9066 for more information. 708 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill.

MUSIC MEDITATIONS FOR PEACE AND HEALING, with Julia Haines on the harp, take place most Thursdays from 7:30-8:15 p.m. at the Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, 8812 Germantown Ave. 215-842-9123.

WALK THE WILD WISSAHICKON. The Sierra Club sponsors hikes regularly the last Saturday of each month, hiking a different trail each month. Meet at 10 a.m. at Sedgwick Gardens Apts. in Mt. Airy (McCallum and Sedgwick Sts.) Check with Sidney Goldstein for details, at 215-438-4459, or mrbasketball.net@verizon.net.

AAA NOW OFFERS A DISCOUNT DRUG PROGRAM FOR ITS MEMBERS. Get a brochure from a local AAA office or download it from www.aaa.com/prescriptions and follow the instructions. For a listing of participating pharmacies and more details about this program, visit www.aaa.com/prescriptions or call toll-free 866-222-7283.

FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS, a 12-step program for people recovering from addictive eating, welcomes newcomers and meets every Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. Call Pat at 215-836-0274 for more information.

DROP-IN PARENTING DISCUSSION AND CHILD PLAY GROUP, Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m., Chestnut Hill HealthCare parenting education, Laughlin Hall, playroom, 8835 Germantown Ave. Chat with other parents about why you're not getting enough sleep, your house is not as clean as you'd like, your child doesn't easily follow directions and more. Children of all ages welcome. No need to register. Free. For information, call 215-753-2000.

SHHH, A HEARING LOSS SUPPORT GROUP, meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Jeanes Library, 4051 Joshua Road, Lafayette Hill. 215-482-7829.

NEW BEGINNINGS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP is held the first Thursday of each month from 7-8:15 p.m. at Keystone Hospice, 8765 Stenton Ave., Wyndmoor. Free; no need to register; light refreshments. Information: 215-836-2440.

WISSAHICKON HOSPICE offers drop-in bereavement support groups for adults on the last Tuesday of each month from 1:30-3 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Laughlin Hall, 8835 Germantown Ave. 800-700-8807.

MIRIAM’S WELL: A JEWISH SERVICE FOR HEALING, takes place on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Germantown Jewish Centre, 400 W. Ellet St. Rooted in Jewish tradition, the service is open to anyone wishing to pray for physical, emotional or spiritual healing. 215-844-1507.

BREAST CANCER RECOVERY GROUP, fourth Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Chestnut Hill Healthcare Women's Center, 8835 Germantown Avenue. Call 215-242-4700 for information.

CHILDREN OF AGING PARENTS caregivers support group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at Atria Chestnut Hill, 495 E. Abington Ave. 215-247-5307.

HIKE THE WISSAHICKON with various groups throughout the month. Call the Friends of the Wissahickon at 215-247-0417 for details.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS conducts two meetings each week at Roxborough Memorial Hospital, near Walnut Lane and Ridge Avenue. Details: 215-674-4418.

DONATE YOUR OLD CELL PHONE, save a life and write off up to $100 per phone. Details are at www.seniormatters.org or call FAIR, a nonprofit organization serving senior citizens, at 215-333-4006.

LEGALLINE P.M. is a free legal advice call-in program conducted by volunteer attorneys as a public service of the Bar Association. Through this program, individuals can receive free legal advice from a Philadelphia attorney on the third Wednesday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. by calling the Philadelphia Bar Association at 215-238-6333. Callers can ask questions related to a variety of legal topics, including family law issues, landlord-tenant disputes, wills and employment.

VOLUNTEER

• The Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps of The Schuylkill Center is seeking active people over 55 who are interested in doing water quality monitoring, public outreach or related activities for just a few hours each month. Call 215-482-7300.

• Cancer Patients Need Your Help. Area cancer patients need your help to get to and from their medical treatments and appointments. Road to Recovery, a service program sponsored by the American Cancer Society, needs kind people to volunteer a few weekday hours to help a neighbor in need. Some mileage reimbursement is available and schedules are flexible. Reliable car and insurance required. For more information, call 610-692-0677.

• Special Olympics Needs Volunteer Coaches. Special Olympics Philadelphia, which provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports to children and adults with mental retardation, needs volunteer coaches for basketball, tennis, swimming, softball, golf and other sports. No formal coaching experience is necessary; all that is needed is knowledge of the sport you are coaching and desire to train adults and/or children with mental retardation. Call 215-842-4692 or e-mail robyna@specialolympicsphiladelphia.org.

• The Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking male and female volunteers to serve as mentors to the young men and women enrolled in DHS’ Achieving Independence Center (AI Center), a resource for young men and women in foster care who are “aging out” of the system. For many of these young people, there is no family or support network awaiting them. The AI Center enables these young men and women to acquire basic life skills, employment training, job opportunities and even a place to live. Mentors must be at least 21 years of age, be willing to make a 12-month commitment to the AI Center and volunteer a minimum of four hours per month. The AI Center staff will match you with a young person with whom you are compatible and provide you with mentor orientation and training sessions. The most significant requirements are compassion, strong listening skills and a desire to help someone less fortunate. To learn more about the program, call the AI Center at 215-574-9194.

• The Highlands Historical Society Needs Volunteers. The Highlands has a number of opportunities to work with children, (primarily 4th and 5th graders) guiding them through numerous hands-on activities and engaging their minds. A background in history and/or teaching is a plus but not a requirement. Call Jennifer April at The Highlands Historical Society for more information: 215-641-2687.

• The Red Cross Needs Disaster Response Volunteers. Free training provided. Call 215-405-8558.

• The Center for Literacy is seeking volunteers to help improve the reading skills of thousands of area residents. Call 215-474-1235 or click www.centerforliteracy.org for more information.

• Foster Parents Needed. Catholic Social Services is looking for married or single adults to become foster parents to children of all ages, races and religions. Homes are also needed for children with special medical or emotional needs and for siblings who wish to live together. 215-587-3960.

• Philadelphia Reads is seeking volunteers to read with children — 1st through 3rd grade — in school day and after-school programs throughout the city. Training programs are scheduled on a regular basis. Book sorters are also needed. 215-686-4450.

• Samaritan Care Hospice is looking for volunteers to provide one-on-one companionship to terminally ill patients with a wide range of life-limiting illnesses, including cancer, end-stage cardiac diseases, ALS and end-stage Alzheimer’s. For information call 215-653-7310.

• The Lupus Foundation of Southeastern PA can always use help with general office work as well as special projects. 215-517-5070 or www.lupus-sepa.org.

• Chestnut Hill Hospital is recruiting volunteers for a variety of challenging positions. Volunteers are needed in patient and non-patient care areas. A commitment of a 4-hour block of time once a week is desired. Call 215-248-8289 or e-mail vsd@CHH.org.

• Fox Chase Cancer Center is looking for volunteers to provide administrative staffing assistance. Call 215-728-3110 for more information.

• The Franklin Institute Science Museum needs volunteers in a variety of areas, from mentoring Germantown students about careers in science and technology to greeting visitors to helping with the museum’s special events. Call 215-448-1163 or visit www.fi.edu.

• www.volunteersolutions.org/volunteerway/volunteer/ is a great starting point for you to find volunteer opportunities, as is www.philacares.com.

• Mayor’s commission on service to the aging’s APPRISE program is seeking volunteers to counsel seniors regarding Medicare, Medicaid and health care fraud issues; training will be provided. For more information, call 215-686-8462.

USEFUL WEB SITES

• Your guide to most things local in Chestnut Hill is www.chestnuthillpa.com or www.chestnuthill.org.

• The Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration maintains a Web site chock full of good, important information for consumers … and you can read everything for free: www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

• The U.S. government's official Web portal is www.FirstGov.gov, with links to thousands of pages featuring helpful services and information from federal, state and local government.

• The Arthritis Foundation maintains www.jointeffort.info, an interactive online resource page to help prevent, manage and control arthritis.

• Do not call! Avoid those telemarketers. Everything you need to know about the state and federal “do not call” lists is available at www.nocallsplease.com.

• Wondering about product recalls? To be notified automatically when a product is recalled, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at 1-800-638-CPSC and ask to be put on their mailing list, or sign up at www.cpsc.gov.

• A cultural access guide for people with disabilities is at www.art-reach.org.

• There’s a virtual animal shelter at www.petfinder.com.

• Here’s an online club for children 7-14 with asthma: www.AsthmaBusters.org.

• To learn about your rights in dealing with debt, click http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm. As a matter of fact, www.ftc.com can be one of your most useful resources Check it out.

• "Personal Safety for Children: A Guide for Parents" is available at www.missingkids.com.

• See www.financialassistancenetwork.org for a free download about reducing your drug costs.

• The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has launched its e-commerce site, www.pawineandspirits.com, which will offer mostly super premium and hard-to-find wines, often not available in the local store.

• http://www.parentednet.org/ takes you to the Parent Education Network, which offers free information and technical assistance to parents of children with disabilities and the professionals who serve them.

• The Clean Air Council’s “Green Guide” is at www.temple.edu/env-stud.

• Keep safety in mind when shopping for toys. Check the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.aap.org; and a nonprofit group, Kids in Danger, which notifies parents of recalls at www.kidsindanger.org.

• The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission wants to help you make informed decisions about your choices of electricity, natural gas and telephone service. Click www.utilitychoice.org to learn how to make informed decisions.

• Traveling? www.bbonline.com can come in real handy if you’re looking for a bed & breakfast in which to stay.

• www.readandrideclub.com takes you to the transit book club. As a member you will receive a monthly discount on featured Read & Ride book selections, invitations to unique literary events, and more. So ride public transit, sit back, relax and read!

• www.seniormatters.org takes you to FAIR, the site of the  Fairness Advocates for Intergenerational Rights, who run programs like free 911-only cell phones and free “are you all right?” telephone calls for seniors. Whole Foods Markets are now a drop-off point for your used cell phones, in addition to the CHBA office at 8426 Germantown Ave. and other sites; contact FAIR at 215-333-4006 for details.

• www.attorneygeneral.gov is Pennsylvania’s site that is full of useful consumer protection information.

• www.mla.org is the site of the Modern Language Association, which will let you learn about what languages are spoken where in the U.S. — and in what percentage.