River Ward events for the week of Feb. 20

Stay on top of what's happening in your neighborhood with our "Around the Neighborhoods" guide.

PRWCAN meets tonight
The next meeting of the Port Richmond West Community Action Network is tonight at 7, at 2950 Memphis St. The meeting will feature the “New Leash on Life” program, “Hoss,” a canine graduate of the Philadelphia Prison System, the Animal Care and Control Team, and the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team. For information, call 267-650-6168. ••

Nativity B.V.M. parish benefit
Join Nativity parishioners on Sunday, Feb. 24, from 3 until 7 p.m. for a spaghetti dinner. Tickets are $11 for adults, $5 for kids. Tickets are available after each Saturday and Sunday Mass at Nativity B.V.M. Church, 2535 E. Allegheny Ave., and Our Lady Help of Christians Church, E. Allegheny Ave. and Gaul Street, and through Nativity’s rectory from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ••

Port Richmond Tigers sign-ups
Boys and girls ages 4 to 18 can sign up for t-ball, softball or baseball. Teams will fill up quickly, so sign-up now at the Tigers’ clubhouse, Chatham and Ann streets, Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more info, call the clubhouse at 215-423-7611. ••

Tax prep. at the Richmond Library
Pathways PA will once again be providing free tax preparation assistance at the Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St. The program will be held on Tuesdays in March from 4 to 7 p.m. (March 5, 12, 19 and 26).  Registration is required; space is very limited. For more information call Jerry at 215-685-9992. ••

Join Bridesburg’s Post 821
Woman’s Auxiliary American Legion Post 821, 4404 Salmon St., would like to invite women who have a blood relative who is now serving or did serve in the military to join its post. 
The yearly dues are $15. Please call Dolores T. Volz at 215-288-4312. The Legion would also like to invite men who have served in the military and/or sons of military personnel.  Please call Commander Stanley Fabiszewski at 215-289-3686. ••

Get AVI help with NKCDC
In mid-February, homeowners will receive a notice with the new value that the city is using to assess their home for tax purposes starting in tax year 2014. This is part of the City’s Actual Value Initiative (AVI). NKCDC is partnering with Regional Housing Legal Services to answer questions about your assessment or the Homestead Exemption on Friday, March 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at NKCDC, 2515 Frankford Ave. Please contact Anne Czajka at 215-427-0350, ext. 109 to secure a 15- to 30-minute appointment with an attorney that day.  ••

Story Slam at Liberti Church
Join the church, at 2424 E. York St., for a “Story Slam” Friday, Feb. 22, at 8 p.m. The them is, “biggest crush ever.” Come share or just listen. There are a limited number of storyteller spots. Sign up with noelstr8@gmail.com. This is a BYOB event. ••

Port Richmond Tigers sign-ups
Boys and girls ages 4 to 18 can sign up for t-ball, softball or baseball. Teams will fill up quickly, so sign-up now at the Tigers’ clubhouse, Chatham and Ann streets, Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more info, call the clubhouse at 215-423-7611. ••

FNA to meet
All are welcome to attend the February general membership meeting of the Fishtown Neighbors Association on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Fishtown Rec. Center, 1202 E. Montgomery Ave. There will be updates on the FNA’s 2013 “Chili Cookoff,” local law enforcement updates, and the main speaker will be Jorge Santana of “New Kensington Parents.” ••

Sign up for Fishtown chili cook-off
The Fishtown Neighbors Association is looking for contestants for its third annual Chili Cook-off. The Chili Cook-off will be held on Sunday, March 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 2424 Studios, 2424 E. York St. All contestants must bring 12 quarts of chili, minimum. There is no fee to enter, but there are prizes for winning. If you are interested, please contact Jed at chilicookoff@fishtown.org or call 412-613-4782. ••

Frank Glavin tot program
On Thursday, March 7, from 6 to 7 p.m., sign your child up for the Frank Glavin Playground’s tot program. All children must be able to handle their own bathroom needs; no pull-up diapers. For the three-year-old class, child must be 3 by Dec. 31, 2013. For the four-year-old class, child must be 4 by Dec. 31, 2013. Bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate and a $20 non-returnable fee that night, at the playground, Almond and Westmoreland streets.  For more information, call 215-685-9898. ••

Cione Playground events
Sign up at Cione Playground, Aramingo and Lehigh avenues, for the following events: spring soccer for boys and girls, Saturdays from March 16 to May 18; ages 4 to 6 at 10 a.m., and ages 6 to 8 at 11 a.m. Registration is $2. Summer camp: boys and girls ages 5 to 12; runs from June 24 to Aug. 16, Monday through Friday,  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Camp includes swimming, arts and crafts, games, reading, trips and more. For more information, call 215-685-9880. ••

PAL Positive Images program for girls
The Rizzo PAL Center’s Girls Positive Image program will be holding signups for the 2013 Spring session on Monday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m., for girls ages 10-18. Positive Images is a tool to help build self-esteem and self worth in the young ladies of PAL through strong minds, bodies and spirit. Positive Images meets on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. The program is free of charge, but PAL asks that at least one parent attend the registration with their child to fill out paperwork. Rizzo PAL is located at Belgrade and Clearfield streets in Port Richmond. For more info, contact Police Officer Ernie Rehr, Rizzo PAL Director at 215-426-6583.••

PRCG to meet
The Port Richmond Community Group will meet Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., at Our Lady Help of Christians Church hall, on Allegheny Avenue at Gaul Street. The topic is, “How Safe is Port Richmond?” Forms will be available to address quality of life issues; please bring exact address. Guests will include State Rep. John Taylor. Email prcghelp@aol.com.••

Philadlephia Mobile Food Association food trucks in NoLibs
On Saturday, Feb. 23, from 5 to 10 p.m. at The Piazza in Northern Liberties, the PMFA is teaming up with Spodee Mulled wine for a Spodee Spiked Food Truck Round Up.
Each truck will offer a free Spodee spiked appetizer bite to the first 100 guests. Attendees can vote for their favorite bite. Each vote counts as a raffle ticket for a Spodee themed gift bag. The winning truck will be announced the next day. Each truck will also have their own unique pay-as-you-go menus. The sponsor bar, King’s Oak, is allowing everyone to enjoy their food truck meals inside the warmth of their bar space. For more information and a list of participating food truks, check out the Facebook event page here: http://www.facebook.com/events/555017134509347/ or email info@phillymfa.com. ••

FACT to meet
Fishtown Action will meet Monday, Mar. 4 at 7 p.m., and will feature City Councilman Mark Squilla. The Councilman will address concerns as well as issues we have asked him to speak about which include: additional police for the 26th District; permit parking, and the Wynn casino proposal. All meetings are held at Holy Name Church Hall, 701 Gaul St. ••

To run your event in Star, email all details by the Thursday BEFORE the issue in which you want the event to run to star@bsmphilly.com.