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 [email protected]. ••
Gym wants better school conditions
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym released an action plan that would address the unsafe conditions in school facilities across the city.
“As mayor, I will not send one more student or teacher into a school that is known to be unsafe,” she said. “Our kids get to be kids one time. To have our students’ lives interrupted during what is the most critical and celebratory times of year, with prom, college acceptances and graduation ceremonies already planned, is robbery.
“Time and again we have seen children’s lives disrupted because of the district’s failure to act. The district has known about the dangers of asbestos at Building 21 for years. And despite Council laws and hearings, they have failed to answer the call when families, children and staff lives are at stake. Instead of working with communities to fix problems, they treat anyone who raises concerns as a problem to be managed, or worse an enemy. As mayor, the city and district’s dysfunction and hostility around fixing our schools will end. That’s why I am proposing a citywide action plan that will align all parties around a shared vision for safe, healthy public schools.”
At the announcement, Gym outlined her plan to comprehensively address the school facilities crisis:
• Increase transparency around building conditions and unresolved school facility issues by making data on school facilities publicly available to school communities and local leaders;
• Make parents and community members part of the solution by establishing parent councils to assist with plans for alternative spaces for displaced school communities while remediations and renovations are being completed;
• Establish an intergovernmental agreement and taskforce to convene stakeholders, organized labor and community members to develop a 10-year plan to modernize schools; and
• Secure and deploy funding to guarantee the health and safety of every student in Philadelphia by advocating for a greater share of state funding to flow through the funding formula.
“Yes, we can rid our facilities of asbestos, lead and mold. Yes, we can also make needed improvements to ventilation, heating and cooling systems. And yes, we can champion sustainable, green facilities improvements,” Gym said. “But it will take a leader who truly believes in our school communities and can organize stakeholders, work hand-in-hand with communities and deliver results for our students. As mayor, I will deliver on a 10-year plan that doesn’t just apply Band-Aids to long-overlooked crises but ushers our schools into the 21st century.” ••
Election lineup
The following candidates have filed for the May 16 primary:
• Mayor: Democrat – Allan Domb, Amen Brown, Cherelle Parker, Delscia Gray, Derek Green, Helen Gym, James DeLeon, Jeff Brown, John Wood, Rebecca Rhynhart, Maria Quinones Sanchez, Warren Bloom. Republican – David Oh.
• Election Commissioner: Democrat – Lisa Deeley, Omar Sabir. Republican – Seth Bluestein.
• City Controller: Democrat – Alexandra Hunt, Christy Brady, John Thomas. Republican – Aaron Bashir.
• City Council At Large (nominate 5): Democrat – Abu Edwards, Amanda McIllmurray, Charles Reyes, Christopher Booth, Clayton Prince, Curtis Segers, Deshawnda Williams, Derwood Selby, Donavan West, Erika Almiron, Eryn Santamoor, George Stevenson, Isaiah Thomas, Jalon Alexander, Jim Harrity, Job Itzkowitz, John B. Kelly, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Luz Colon, Max Tuttleman, Melissa Robbins, Michelle Prettyman, Naderah Griffin, Nina Ahmad, Ogbonna Paul Hagins, Qiana Shedrick, Rue Landau, Sherrie Cohen, Wayne Dorsey. Republican – Drew Murray, Frank Cristinzio, Gary Grisafi, Jim Hasher, Mary Jane Kelly, Sam Oropeza.
• Register of Wills: Democrat – Craig Smith, Elizabeth Lowe, John Sabatina, Rae Hall, Tracey Gordon. Republican – Linwood Holland.
• Sheriff: Democrat – Jackie Miles, Jacque Whaumbush, Michael Untermeyer, Rochelle Bilal. Republican – Mark LaVelle.
• 6th Councilmanic District: Democrat – Mike Driscoll.
• Common Pleas Court (nominate 10): Democrat – Qawi Abdul-Rahman, Wade Albert, Aaron Bell, Will Braveman, Jessica Brown, MK Feeney, Melissa Francis, Damaris Garcia, Joseph Green, Kenneth Joel, Chesley Lightsey, Brian McLaughlin, Colleen Osborne, John Padova, Natasha Taylor-Smith, Caroline Turner, Tamika Washington, Samantha Williams, Kay Yu.
• Municipal Court (nominate 2): Democrat – Qawi Abdul-Rahman, MK Feeney, Melissa Francis, Joseph Green, Rania Major, Colleen Osborne, Cortez Patton, Barbara Thomson Previdi, Caroline Turner. Republican – Rania Major.
• Supreme Court (nominate 1): Democrat – Deborah Kunselman, Dan McCaffery. Republican – Patricia McCullough, Carolyn Carluccio.
• Superior Court (nominate 2): Democrat – Jill Beck, Timika Lane, Pat Dugan. Republican – Maria Battista, Harry Smail.
• Commonwealth Court (nominate 1): Democrat – Bryan Neft, Matthew Wolf. Republican – Megan Martin, Josh Prince. ••
North Catholic reunion
Northeast Catholic Class of 1969 will meet on May 13 at 2 p.m. at Port Richmond Pub, 2601 E. Venango St. (at Almond Street). There will be a cash bar and food. To RSVP, contact Jack Devine ([email protected] or 215-379-3303); Tom Jordon ([email protected]); or Leo Filewicz (215-292-7193). ••
Children’s programs at Richmond Library
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., is hosting children’s programs this month.
Preschool Storytime and Play Group is set for Wednesdays, March 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 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 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.
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 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. ••
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 [email protected]. ••
Ballet concert at Penn Charter
Metropolitan Ballet’s Variations/Collaborations concert will take place on Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m. at Kurtz Center, William Penn Charter School, 3000 West School House Lane. Tickets for the evening of dance and music are $25. Purchase tickets at www.metropolitanballetcompany.org.
Settlement Music School’s William A. Loeb Chamber Ensemble and the Myer Schwartz Advanced Study Trio will also perform. ••
$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 [email protected] or 215-426-8610, Ext. 1206. ••
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] for more information. ••
Tower of Power in concert
R&B and funk band Tower of Power will perform at Rivers Casino on Friday, May 26, at 8 p.m.
Tickets for The Event Center performance start at $59.
For tickets and more information, visit RiversCasino.com/Philadelphia. ••
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 [email protected]. ••
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 [email protected]. ••
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]. ••
