Shredding event on Feb. 18
State Rep. Joe Hohenstein, state Sen. Tina Tartaglione and City Councilmembers Mike Driscoll and Quetcy Lozada are sponsoring a shredding and e-recycling event on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Wissinoming Park, 5773-5945 Frankford Ave. (Cheltenham Avenue entrance). Paper, TVs, computers, appliances and VCRs will be accepted. For more information, call Hohenstein’s office at 215-744-2600. ••
Reclaim announces more endorsements
Reclaim Philadelphia officially announced its second round of endorsements, following previous endorsements of Helen Gym for mayor and Amanda McIllmurray for City Council at large.
Reclaim is also backing Erika Almirón, Isaiah Thomas, Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Rue Landau for Council at large. In the at-large general election, Reclaim will support incumbent Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke, both running on the Working Families Party ticket. ••
Green details gun violence plan
Democratic mayoral candidate Derek Green released his plan to combat the gun violence epidemic in Philadelphia.
Green noted that, in 2022, there were more than 2,200 shootings, with 74% of the victims and shooters being black men.
“A Green administration will create the first ever Gun Violence Suppression Division by fundamentally shifting resources within the Police Department,” he said.
The Gun Violence Suppression Division will consist of prosecutors and both city and federal agents to reduce homicides by 25% in year one of the administration. This division will be empowered to circumvent the District Attorney’s Office to process cases through a Memorandum of Understanding between the city and federal authorities.
“The new police chief will appoint a proven top deputy to stand up and lead the new division that could scale up to as many as 500 officers, state police and agents, including 100 Philadelphia Police Department detectives, that will be focused on working in the police districts where 90% of the gun violence happens,” Green said.
With the use of state and city funds, a Green administration will invest $50 million into the new division in order to reimburse the federal government for the 100 prosecutors and agents who serve in the division. Perpetrators of gun violence will be looking at federal time.
“Gone will be the days when gun offenders are not afraid of the consequences of possessing and using illegal guns in our city,” Green said.
Philadelphia averaged more than 525 murders from 2020-22. ••
Working Families makes endorsements
The far-left Pennsylvania Working Families Party released its endorsements for the Democratic primary.
The slate consists of Helen Gym for mayor; Isaiah Thomas, Erika Almirón, Rue Landau and Amanda McIllmurray for City Council at large; Jamie Gauthier in the 3rd Councilmanic District; and Seth Anderson-Oberman in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Working Families Councilwoman Kendra Brooks released the following statement:
“The Pennsylvania Working Families Party slate demonstrates the growing strength of our shared movements for justice. From labor leaders and grassroots organizers to youth advocates and housing justice champions, this diverse group of candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and share a commitment to improving conditions for working families in Philadelphia. I’m proud to support this powerful slate of candidates through this election cycle and look forward to working alongside them as elected officials to deliver a safe, healthy, thriving city for every resident.” ••
McIllmurray building support
The Working Families Party endorsed Amanda McIllmurray in the Democratic primary for City Council at large.
“The Working Families Party and I have fought together for poor and working families like mine at the ballot box and in the streets for years. We’ve taken power out of the hands of corporations, political bosses and Republicans and put it back into the hands of our neighbors. They’re a political powerhouse. I’m honored to have their endorsement in my race for City Council at large as we continue to fight for a better future for all Philadelphians regardless of race, ZIP code or income,” McIllmurray said.
McIllmurray has also been endorsed by Neighborhood Networks, Amistad Movement Power, Free the Ballot, Straight Ahead, UniteHERE Locals 274 and 634, Reclaim Philadelphia, District Attorney Larry Krasner, state Sen. Nikil Saval and state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler and Rick Krajewski. ••
Wildwood days in June
The Lutheran Settlement House Senior Center is sponsoring a trip to Wildwood from June 5-9.
The cost is $650 and Includes round-trip transportation; four nights at Oceanfront Hotel; four full breakfasts and dinners; a visit to historic Smithville and Cape May; and a dolphin watch cruise.
The trip is for people 55 and older. A deposit is due by March 6. Contact Geneva Scafe at gscafe@lshphilly.org or 215-426-8610, Ext. 1206. ••
Programs for children at Richmond Library
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., is offering children’s programs in February.
Preschool Storytime and Play Group is scheduled for Wednesdays, Feb. 15 and 22, at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Meghan for stories, songs and fun for ages 4 and under with caregivers. Stay after Storytime to play. Siblings welcome.
Read, Baby, Read Storytime and Play Group is set for Thursdays, Feb. 16 and 23, 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.
Circus Workshop will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. Learn how to juggle, balance feathers, spin plates and spin lassos in this interactive workshop with the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. For children and families.
Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) will be offered Mondays through Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. and Fridays from 3-5 p.m. LEAP is a free, drop-in afterschool program that offers homework help and activities for students in grades K-12 every day after school.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
Adult programs at Richmond Library
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., is offering adult programs in February.
Crochet Circle is set for Wednesdays, Feb. 15 and 22, at 4 p.m. Learn how to crochet. Bring a project with you and join in crafting. For adults of all experience levels.
Philadelphia Legal Assistance: Tax Resource Table will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 3-5 p.m. Talk with an expert about IRS, audits, tax returns, tax debt, filing for free and rights as a taxpayer. Learn how to get legal aid.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
North communion breakfast
The Northeast Catholic Alumni Communion Breakfast will take place on April 16 at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. Register at www.northcatholicalumni.org. ••
Rhynhart’s public safety plan
Democratic mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart announced her plans for addressing public safety, in particular the city’s high rates of gun violence.
“In our city, we have had three years of close to or above 500 homicides. This is double the rate of homicides that we had less than 10 years ago. This is unacceptable,” Rhynhart said.
Rhynhart’s strategies to improve public safety and reduce gun violence in Philadelphia include the following:
• Rhynhart will immediately sign an executive order activating the emergency operations center to tackle gun violence, with a specific focus on the 14 ZIP codes out of 40 experiencing the highest levels of gun violence.
• The Rhynhart administration will implement intervention strategies with a track record of success in other cities that reach the people most at risk of shooting or being shot and offer them a way out of the lifestyle with mentorship, therapy, job training and employment, working with anti-violence leaders who have been successful in the community.
• As mayor, Rhynhart will bring together the police, district attorney and courts to review illegal firearm cases and ensure all these entities are working together to prosecute those responsible.
• Make a course correction to the 2016 executive order on disorderly conduct so that police may arrest individuals to prevent escalations that may lead to violence.
• Mayor Rhynhart will move officers from desk work to patrol so that there are more officers available, implement community-first policing and address disparity in 911 response time by neighborhood.
• The Rhynhart administration will invest in neighborhoods that have experienced “historical disinvestment” to improve schools, provide localized job training and create pathways to good jobs with family-sustaining wages.
“Every resident of Philadelphia deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood and all of us deserve the peace of mind that our loved ones will come home safe at night. That’s why as mayor, public safety will be my No. 1 priority.” Rhynhart said.
The entire plan is at rebeccaforphiladelphia.com/public-safety. ••
Teamsters 53 endorses Jeff Brown
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 53, a council of 29 unions representing 60,000 members from the Philadelphia area, announced it is supporting Democrat Jeff Brown’s campaign for mayor. Joint Council 53 pointed to Brown’s history of supporting labor and creating jobs in neighborhoods across the city.
“Jeff Brown has been a friend and supporter of unions across the city for many years,” said Bill Hamilton, president of Teamsters Joint Council 53. “While others have done a lot of talking, Jeff has been working hard to bring and keep jobs in at-risk communities across the city. Throughout the many years that we have worked together, Jeff has shown the type of integrity, management expertise and commitment to our communities that make him the most qualified candidate. That’s why we are excited to wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy and look forward to helping make sure he becomes Philadelphia’s next mayor.”
Brown said, “It’s truly humbling to have the support of the unions and organizations with whom I’ve worked over the years. Unions are the backbone of our middle class, and they provide immeasurable benefit to their members, which is why I voluntarily unionized my stores. The challenges we face as a city will require new ideas and bold solutions, and I’m glad to count Teamsters Joint Council 53 as part of our team. Together, we will help make Philadelphia the city we all deserve.” ••
Domb details conflict of interest policy
Democratic mayoral candidate Allan Domb announced the details of the “gold standard” conflict of interest policy he, his appointees and executive staff will follow if he becomes mayor.
The plan is available at votedomb.com/ethics-plan.
As mayor, to avoid conflicts of interest, Domb will, among other things:
• Enter into an agreement to sell his operating businesses and the economic interests in his real estate holdings in Philadelphia to an entity that will be owned by his adult son and other outside investors;
• Transfer all other financial assets (stocks, bonds and any other non-diversified assets) into a “blind trust,” which will be managed by an independent third party;
• As he did for his tenure on City Council, Domb will donate his entire salary to charity, focusing on nonprofit organizations related to education, the arts, community safety and victims, and community building.
• Following the lead of former Gov. Tom Wolf, he’d prohibit his staff, appointees and officials from soliciting or accepting a gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, hospitality, loan or any other thing of monetary value, including in-kind gifts, from anyone who is not a family member or close personal friend.
• Significantly expand the funding for and staffing of the Philadelphia Board of Ethics;
• Increase penalties for violations of election law and regulation;
• Expand and make permanent an Independent Office of Inspector General for Philadelphia and;
• Reform councilmanic prerogative and limit “block by block” legislation. ••
DC 47 endorses Gym
AFSCME District Council 47 endorsed Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym.
The union represents workers in municipal government, higher education, social services and the cultural/arts sector.
Previously, Gym had been endorsed by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and Working Families Party.
“I’m deeply grateful to the hard-working members of DC 47 for endorsing our campaign for mayor,” Gym said. “DC 47 workers keep our city running as well as some of our most cherished institutions. I am in this race to finish the job I started in communities more than two decades ago: to build a city where prosperity is shared among all of us, not just a privileged few; a city where lifelong residents can afford to stay, and where others will want to come. I’ll be a mayor who prioritizes community safety, modernizing our schools, improving government services and fighting back against the forces of privatization. This endorsement proves that our movement for a safer, more prosperous, equitable Philadelphia continues to grow even stronger.”
DC 47 said it is backing Gym because she stands against the privatization of government and educational services and has been a supporter of elevating neighborhood quality of life with access to excellent public education, public health centers, public libraries and recreation centers and other essential government services. The union described her as pro-labor and pro-workers’ rights and a champion of racial, housing and economic justice. ••
Bingo on March 11
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, at Trenton Avenue and Cumberland Street, will hold bingo on Saturday, March 11, from 1-4 p.m. Doors open at noon. Packages are $20 and include lunch. Call 215-423-0792. ••
Celebrating 100 years of SMT
St. Martin of Tours Parish invites all school alumni, current and past parishioners and friends to a 100th anniversary Mass in the upper church, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., on Sunday, April 30, at noon. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Edward Adams. Afterward, there will be a “Past & Present — Building Our Future” celebration at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road, from 2-6 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and include food, soft drinks, music and door prizes. The event is for ages 21-plus. Tickets must be purchased in advance in the rectory, after all Masses, through Venmo (@smotphilly) or with check to St. Martin of Tours Church, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19124, Attn: Centennial Celebration. Proceeds will benefit church improvements. ••
Lil Wayne to appear at the Fillmore
Grammy Award-winning rap icon Lil Wayne announced his 2023 tour coming this spring, with a stop at the Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St., on Monday, April 17. Tickets are on sale at Lilwayneofficial.com. ••
Concert at Brooklyn Bowl
Electric Callboy will appear at Brooklyn Bowl, 1009 Canal St., on Sept. 14.
Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com. ••
Hayley Kiyoko coming to Brooklyn Bowl
Celebrating her sophomore album, Panorama, pop star Hayley Kiyoko will embark on tour this spring. The tour includes a stop at Brooklyn Bowl, 1009 Canal St., on May 25. For tickets, go to https://www.hayleykiyokoofficial.com/tour. ••
Sign up for senior softball
The Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced players for their 59-and-over and 68-and-over leagues. The seasons start mid-April and will go until the end of September. There will be about 30 games, plus playoffs. No games are played in July. The 59-and-over games are Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 68-and-over games are Mondays and Fridays. All games are played at Crispin Field, Holme and Convent avenues. Games start at 10 a.m. For more information on the 59-and-over league, call John Troy at 215-292-1437. For more information on the 68-and-over league, call Marty King at 215-409-5021. ••
Trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan
The Polish American Cultural Center Museum volunteers are sponsoring a 7-day, 6-night trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan from July 9-15. The trip consists of a ferry ride to Mackinac Island, two nights at the Grand Hotel, a horse-drawn carriage ride and visits to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the Henry Ford Museum and the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods. The price includes bus transportation, hotels, six breakfasts, six dinners, a buffet luncheon at the Grand Hotel, admission to all attractions, baggage handling, taxes and gratuities. Call Theresa Romanowski at 215-813-2780 or 215-922-1700. ••
Bingo 3 times a week
The Ukrainian Cathedral, at Brown and Franklin streets, hosts bingo every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Games start at 6:30. Call 215-829-8103. ••
Trip to the Tropicana
Holy Innocents is planning a trip to the Tropicana Casino on Tuesday, Feb. 21. A bus will depart L Street and Hunting Park Avenue at 9 a.m., and will leave the Tropicana at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $35, and includes $20 in slot cash. To reserve a seat, call Cindy at 215-535-2740. ••
Sisterhood meeting in March
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will meet on Tuesday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. The speaker will be Rabbi Sandi Berliner. Her topic will be: “What’s on your seder plate – Updating your Seder.” Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call 215-677-1600. ••
Upcoming cruise
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a fully escorted Holy Lands & Aegean Majesty cruise that will sail Oct. 6-17, featuring 10 ports-of-call. Rates, including airfare, range from $4,198 to $7,998 per person, double occupancy. Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations. ••
Cruise the Mediterranean
Norwegian Cruise Line will host a Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Venice on Oct. 10-19. The trip is all inclusive with round-trip airfare, a beverage package, all meals, three specialty dinners, taxes, transfers and all gratuities. The cost for a balcony sea view cabin is $3,511 per person. For more information, contact Fillmore Travel’s Kevin Fries at 215-498-8294 or fkevin910@comcast.net. ••
MMA fights at Rivers
Cage Wars 56, an evening of mixed martial arts, is coming to Rivers Casino on Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The fights will take place in the Event Center, and tickets starting at $60 are on sale at CageWarsMMA.com/tickets.
The main event is Chris Kwiatkowski going against Oscar Garcia Jr. in a bantamweight bout. Kwiatkowski, 2-0 as a pro, trains at Marquez Mixed Martial Arts, 4500 Worth St. Garcia is 1-1 and trains in Bloomsburg. ••
Poker series at Rivers
The Philadelphia Poker Championship Series will run Feb. 19 through March 12 at Rivers Casino. The series will feature $550,000 in guaranteed prize pools over 22 days. The packed schedule includes the $250,000 guaranteed Main Event as well as the Mystery Rush ($200,000) and Little Rush ($100,000) tournaments.
Buy-ins for the PPCS events range from $180 to $2,200, and players will have the opportunity to satellite into the Main Event and Mystery Rush tournaments. All three events will be two-day tournaments.
For more information, visit RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia. ••
Hospitality, food workers for Gym
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym was endorsed by UNITE HERE Philly, which has thousands of members who work in the hospitality and food service industries.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have earned UNITE HERE’s endorsement,” Gym said. “We’ve partnered together to pass some of the boldest legislation in the country to protect the dignity of Philadelphia service workers and confront our city’s shamefully high poverty rate. Whether it was Fair Workweek or the Black Workers Matter Economic Recovery Package, UNITE HERE has been an incredible and unrelenting ally for economic justice and the empowerment of Philadelphia workers. As mayor, I will continue to fight alongside service workers to make this a city where working families can thrive.”
UNITE HERE Philly Locals 274, 634 and 54 include bartenders, cooks, cashiers, dishwashers, restaurant servers and support staff.
Gym has also been endorsed by AFSCME DC 47, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and Working Families Party. ••
South Phila. HS class of ‘68 reunion
The South Philadelphia High School Class of 1968 will hold its 55th reunion on Saturday, Oct. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. Tickets cost $60 and include buffet dinner and open bar. For tickets and more information, call Arleen Liberi [609-922-2419], Maria Leati [856-287-3734] or Stephen Michielli [267-252-2740]. ••
