Glen Macnow hosts kick

SWARTHMORE — Radio personality Glen Macnow will host the Players Club of Swarthmore Theater’s Season 112 Kick-Off Party, 6 p.m. Saturday Aug. 26 at the Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Road Swarthmore.

Macnow is a celebrated sports analyst and philanthropist with a passion for connecting with his audience and giving to the community.

The fundraising event will transport guests back to the timeless elegance of the Rat Pack era, with iconic music and a variety of auction items, all in support of a worthy cause.

One of the highlights of the evening will be a captivating Rat Pack Variety Hour featuring an orchestra led by Jeffrey Pelesh of Media, with a wide array of music, including songs like “Pennies from Heaven,” “Feelin’ Good,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Sing, Sing, Sing” and more.

The songs will be sung by Donna Dougherty, Zoi McNamara, Danny Murphy, Nike Sokolowski, Meg Cranney, Emma Barrera, Charlie Meyers, Jason Boyer, Sean McDermott, Shawn Weaver and Theadora Psitos. The Variety Hour will also feature choreography by Karla Bradley.

The event will also showcase two auctions, offering guests the opportunity to bid on exclusive items and experiences. The silent auction will present an array of unique items, while the live auction will feature highly coveted prizes that are sure to ignite bidding wars.

Auction items will include a Philadelphia Flyers package, including tickets and signed paraphernalia; An autographed Travis Konecny jersey; lunch with Phil Martelli, Fran Dunphy and Glen Macnow; personalized messages from Joe Conklin and Merril Reese; Dick Vermeil Wine Package; tickets to “Tommy & Me” and an opportunity to meet playwright Ray Didinger; Owen Tippett-signed mini-hockey stick; Villanova men’s and women’s basketball tickets; “Mrs. Doubtfire” tickets at the Academy of Music featuring Rob McClure; a Vero Beach vacation; Chanel sunglasses; spa packages; and tickets to Arden Theater, Media Theater, Philadelphia Theater Co., Walnut Street and more.

The Raymond W. Smith Stage will feature a DJ from Power Surge and karaoke with Sean Patrick giving guests the opportunity to showcase their own vocal talents.

Adding to the excitement, the event will include a wine wall, offering guests the chance to select a mystery bottle of fine wine. Jeff Smith from Jazz 180 will tickle the ivories in the lobby with warm jazz.

PCS Theater will partner with Conshohocken Brewing.

Each ticket includes a drink ticket, light fare, entertainment, and full access to the auction.

Proceeds from the Season 112 Kick-Off Party will directly support an upgrade to the Main Stage sound system.

Tickets can be purchased at http://Givebutter.com/PCSKickoff. Early booking is encouraged. This exclusive event is expected to sell out quickly.

Trainer Borough Recreation Association will sponsor Arts in the Park for Trainer youth, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Henry Johnson Park, Ridge Road and Veterans Drive, Trainer.

Trainer will also hold Bacon Fest and a flea market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at Henry Johnson Park. DJ Dave will provide entertainment.

Festivities include a bacon food tasting contest, a mechanical pig ride and a contest with a $200 prize.

Spaces are available to rent at the flea market. For information, call 610-497-3838.

Trainer Food Pantry has been shut down temporarily until it moves to its new location. No reopening date has been announced.

Performer Chris Ruggiero will perform in concert on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m., with a full band, at the Media Theater, 104 E. State St., Media.

Ruggiero has been touring the country at a dizzying pace, taking his audiences on a musical journey through the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll. He has appeared on PBS-TV and “Good Morning America.”

His hit albums have brought an even bigger audience, selling out shows all over the country on his recent 37-city tour. Ruggiero has also collaborated with legendary pop stars such as Darlene Love, The Cyrkle and Peter Noone.

In his new show, “Teenage Dreams and Magic Moments,” Ruggiero tells his story by breathing new life into the timeless music of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s with a six-piece band.

Those who remember songs like “Unchained Melody,” “My Cherie Amour,” “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “This Magic Moment,” will relish the concert.

His unique interpretations of those and more hits are not only vocal triumphs, they feature brand new orchestrations by Four Seasons arranger and pop-rock legend Charlie Calello.

For tickets, visit http://www.chrisruggierosings.com.

Bread of Life Church in Upper Darby Township will hold its Free School Backpack Giveaway/Community Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 5 at Sellers Park, State Road and Penarth Avenue in Upper Darby.

During the day, church volunteers will give out — on a first-come, first-served basis — 500 school backpacks, filled with school supplies, to children ages 3 to 14 years old who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In addition to the backpacks, there will be inflatable bouncy houses for the children, games, face painting, free food, live music and more.

This second annual Free School Backpack Giveaway/Community Fun Day is made possible by the generous donations of the members of Bread of Life Assembly of God Church, 110 S. State Road, two blocks from Sellers Park.

The Chester Children’s Chorus will welcome back Skyy Brooks, a CCC alumna, for a one-night-only performance at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6 at Swarthmore College’s Lang Music Building.

Director John Alston will accompany Brooks. Brooks will sing hits, including “Almost Like Being in Love,” “My Foolish Heart,” “You’re Driving Me Crazy,” and a special arrangement of “My Favorite Things.”

Joining the CCC as a third grader, Brooks spent 10 years singing with the CCC before graduating from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in 2022.

She now attends both Harvard University and Berklee College of Music where she majors in African American Studies and Contemporary Vocal Performance. She is one of 20 students in the world to receive a fully-funded, dual admission to the prestigious institutions.

On break for summer, Brooks served as a program assistant for the CCC’s five-week summer learning program where she worked with middle schoolers, tutored children in math, and also performed in three CCC summer concerts.

“The CCC has played a huge part in my musical development,” said Brooks. “Not only did it introduce me to a new world of music including classical, jazz, and most recently, country, it has also put me in the community with many other young musicians. I would not be the musician I am today without the CCC.”

Sunday’s concert is free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about CCC, visit https://www.swarthmore.edu/chester-childrens-chorus/concert-schedule.

Concord Township and Darlington Arts Center will present The Fabulous Greaseband, as part of Concord’s Summer Concert in the Park series, 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 in Concord Township Park, 701 Smithbridge Road, Concord Township.

The rain date will be Aug. 31. Everyone in invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs to the free concert to enjoy the music. Concessions will be for sale.

PennDOT will host hiring events at its Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties maintenance facilities in mid-August to reach qualified candidates to fill vacancies.

In Delaware County, those interested in a career with PennDOT are encouraged to attend the event on Tuesday, Aug.15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Delaware County Maintenance Facility, 426 S. Old Middletown Road, Media. For more information, call 610-566-0972.

Applicants are encouraged to view open positions, find out about the other Philadelphia-area hiring events, and submit their application at http://employment.pa.gov.

Prospective candidates may also view other positions on the employment website available in the Philadelphia region and statewide and do not have to live in the county to get the job for which they are applying.

If for any reason an applicant cannot complete an application on the website before the scheduled hiring event, staff with laptops will be available at all locations to help interested participants navigate the electronic application system.

For positions that require a commercial driver’s license, PennDOT will conduct on-the-spot interviews for CDL operators. Driving tests will also be administered the same day, if available.

CDL operators should bring their current driver’s license and medical examiner certificate to the event. Also, PennDOT will train an employee for a CDL if hired for the Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee position.

Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at [email protected].

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