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. ••
St. Hubert trip to A.C. in June
St. Hubert will hold its eighth annual fun day trip on Monday, June 19.
A bus will depart St. Hubert at 8:45 a.m. There will be a one-hour boat ride on an Atlantic City cruise ship. Next will be a four-hour stay at Resorts Casino, with $15 back in slot cash and a $20 food voucher. After that, there will be a sit-down dinner and wine tasting at Tomasello Winery.
The bus will arrive back about 9 p.m.
The cost is $105, paid in full by May 15.
To reserve your seat, contact Mary Clifford at 267-231-7367 or mclifford@huberts.org. ••
Karaoke Happy Hour
Lutheran Settlement House Senior Center, 1340 Frankford Ave., will host a Karaoke Happy Hour on Friday, March 31, from 3-5 p.m.
The cost is $5. The event is open to anyone 55+. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided. Registration required by March 17. To register, contact Geneva Scafeat at 215-426-8610, Ext. 1206 or gscafe@lshphilly.org. ••
2nd Ward supporting Gym
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym has been endorsed by the 2nd Ward, known as a high-turnout ward.
I’m running on a 30-year track record of taking on this city’s biggest fights and delivering solutions that improved people’s lives,” Gym said. “I’ve been doing it way before I ever had a formal title or political power. I’ll be bringing this same relentlessness and tenacity all the way to the mayor’s office. Thank you to the Second Ward Democrats for standing with us. Together, we will win the future that our city deserves, which means safer neighborhoods, stronger schools and a fairer economy.”
“The Second Ward Democrats are proud to have resoundingly endorsed Helen Gym for Mayor,” said Julia Tackett, leader of the ward. “In her career as an educator, a community organizer and a member of City Council, Helen has demonstrated tenacity and imagination in bringing solutions to our city, and a talent for building and working with coalitions to bring different populations together. I applaud our committee people for administering a robust and thorough candidate vetting process, and look forward to engaging our voters on the issues that matter to them.”
Gym has also been endorsed by Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, Working Families Party, AFSCME DC 47, Unite Here Locals 274, 634 and 54, Teamsters Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, Reclaim Philadelphia, 1st Ward Democrats, Amistad Movement Power, Free the Ballot, Straight Ahead and Neighborhood Networks. ••
Rhynhart released economic development plan
Democratic mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart released her plan to support small business growth, spur economic development and create pathways to jobs with family-sustaining wages.
“As mayor, I will work hard every day to grow our economy and create new, well-paying jobs while making sure that our residents have the skills needed to get those jobs,” Rhynhart said. “We must reduce the red tape of government processes and rethink our overall tax strategy so that new and small businesses can find success without passing the tax burden to our most vulnerable residents. As mayor, I will create job pipelines for workers from our most disadvantaged neighborhoods to well-paying jobs in growing sectors such as the life sciences. With this comprehensive strategy, we can ensure our whole city is lifted up.”
Rhynhart’s plan highlights the following as key priorities for her administration:
• Work with business owners to identify and correct the bureaucratic red tape and missteps in city departments and the workforce system
• Continue to lower the wage tax, lower business taxes for small businesses and rethink the overall tax strategy so that it balances the need for business growth without passing the burden onto low- and middle-income residents
• Create and strengthen efforts to encourage business creation and expansion among black-owned companies
• Work with the private sector as well as education and training institutions to make sure that all residents have the skills needed to fully participate in the economy
• Invest in and strengthen commercial corridors
“I have outlined a plan for my mayoral administration to work with business, community, nonprofit and labor leaders to build an inclusive economy where every Philadelphian can thrive. This will mean a government that provides basic services effectively and efficiently and doesn’t get in the way of the innovation and creativity we know comes naturally to Philadelphia,” Rhynhart said.
The full plan is available at rebeccaforphiladelphia.com/economic-development. ••
Gym nabs One PA endorsement
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym was endorsed by One Pennsylvania, a grassroots group of mothers, workers, students, seniors and community members.
“I am so proud to be endorsed by One Pennsylvania,” Gym said. “I’m a tough Philly mom who has spent an entire career taking on this city’s toughest fights. I stood side by side with One Pennsylvania for many of those fights. Together, we passed Fair Workweek and created an eviction diversion program that ensured thousands of families could keep a roof over their head. As mayor, I’ll stay focused on making this a city where working families can thrive. This is a moment for change and change is coming on May 16.”
“Philadelphia is at a crossroads. Still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic fallout, Philadelphians, especially black and brown working Philadelphians, are struggling to pay their rent and mortgages, put food on their table and keep themselves and their families safe,” said Steve Paul, co-executive director of One PA. “For far too long, the solutions to these problems coming from City Hall have been austerity budgets, closing of public schools and tax cuts for corporations and the rich in this city. Helen Gym has consistently been on the right side of each of these fights. From helping pass Fair Workweek legislation to ensuring tenants were protected from unfair and unjust evictions, Helen has always been a champion for poor and working-class Philadelphians.”
In addition to One Pennsylvania, Helen Gym has been endorsed by Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, Working Families Party, AFSCME DC 47, Unite Here Locals 274, 634 and 54, Teamsters Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, Reclaim Philadelphia, First Ward Democrats, Second Ward Democrats, Amistad Movement Power, Free the Ballot, Straight Ahead and Neighborhood Networks. ••
Supermarkets hiring
ShopRite and Fresh Grocer will host hiring fairs for candidates looking for career opportunities and experience in retail on Saturday, March 11.
The walk-up job fair is taking place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested candidates can speak with a hiring representative for an immediate interview. Full-time, part-time and management positions are available, depending on location.
Available positions, including general, perishable, front end and stocking clerks, feature flexible hours and a variety of cross training to provide employees with the knowledge, skills and tools to work throughout the store. ••
$NOT coming to Fillmore
Rapper $NOT will perform at The Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St., on Sunday, June 18.
$NOT will be joined by special guests Night Lovell, DC The Don and Micro.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com. ••
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. Contact Geneva Scafe at gscafe@lshphilly.org or 215-426-8610, Ext. 1206. ••
Children’s programs at Richmond Library
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., is hosting children’s programs this month.
Storytime Yoga will take place on Tuesday, March 14, at 11 a.m. It’s intended for ages 2-5. Siblings welcome.
Preschool Storytime and Play Group is set for Wednesdays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29, 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 will meet on Thursdays, March 9, 16, 23 and 30, 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. The program is made possible by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.
Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program meets 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. ••
Library programs
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., is hosting programs in March.
Crochet Circle, for adults, will take place on Wednesdays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 4 p.m.
Philadelphia Legal Assistance: Property Tax and Mortgage Issues will take place on Tuesday, March 28, from 3-5 p.m.
A free SAT Crash Course is set for Tuesday, March 28, from 4-7 p.m.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
Library programs for all ages
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., is hosting programs for all ages in March.
Jewelry Making with Beads is scheduled for Friday, March 10, from 3-5 p.m. The program is free, and all supplies will be provided.
Stop by the library on Tuesday, March 21, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. to learn from a Mütter Museum educator and see objects from the medical history museum’s collection of anatomical specimens, models and instruments.
A Chess Club will meet on Mondays, March 13, 20 and 27, from 4-6 p.m. The club is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Sports Hall of Fame ceremony set
The City All Star Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 29th awards banquet on Tuesday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road.
The class of 2023 consists of former North Catholic soccer coach Jerry Brindisi; former Northeast High football coach Harvey “Brew” Schumer; Frank “Roscoe” Natale, who has coached baseball and been athletic director at Southern and Bok and been football coach at Bok, Bartram and Southern; and former La Salle University and Archbishop Ryan baseball coach Mike Lake.
In addition, the class of 2020 will be recognized. The banquet honoring them was postponed due to COVID.
Those inductees are former La Salle University basketball player Craig Conlin; coach and youth league organizer Lou DeCree; retired longtime women’s college basketball official Dennis DeMayo; Division I football official Joe Griesser; Joe Hand, a leading TV distributor of closed-circuit and pay-per-view boxing; Mike Hawkins, the PIAA District 12 chairman and former football coach and athletic director at Germantown High School; Steve Kane, the longtime former boys basketball coach at University City who led the Jaguars to the 1995 Public League title; Mike Koplove, who pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians; Kathy Lonergan, a Division I women’s basketball referee; Dave Mastropietro, a baseball star at La Salle University; and Dr. Anthony Salem, a former minor league baseball player.
Tickets cost $75 in advance and $80 at the door. Tables of 10 cost $750.
Checks can be made payable to Philadelphia City All Star Chapter, and mailed to PAHOF, P.O. Box 672, Levittown, PA 19055-9998 (include email address and inductee name on check). No paper tickets will be issued. Instead, guests will go to a welcome table at the FOP to get their seat assignments.
Organizers are also looking for sponsors for an ad book.
For tickets or ads, contact Steve DiSangro at disangroref@aol.com or 215-421-7556. ••
Community and health fair
Lutheran Settlement House, 1340 Frankford Ave., will host a community and health fair on Tuesday, April 25, from noon to 3 p.m.
The event is free and open to all. Available services include hearing aid screenings, blood pressures, height and weight checks, senior services such as SEPTA card new or renewals and photos, hearing aid screenings, mental health screenings and healthy cooking demo. Contact 215-426-8610 or mfinley@lshphilly.org for more information. ••
Sisterhood meeting March 14
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will meet on Tuesday, March 14, at 1 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. ••
Lane closure on Frankford Avenue
PennDOT announced that the Philadelphia Water Department will begin utility construction next week on Frankford Avenue.
Through Wednesday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a weekday lane closure is scheduled on Frankford Avenue between Lehigh Avenue and Somerset Street.
All scheduled activities are weather dependent. ••
Go see Mamma Mia!
The Star Players, of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, will present Mamma Mia! from June 2-4 at 7 p.m. at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St. in Manayunk. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Tickets are available at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St., or on Venmo @TheStarplayers. For more information, contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
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. ••
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]. ••
