Drones to deter crime
Jalon Alexander, a Democratic candidate for City Council at large, is calling on Mayor Jim Kenney, members of Council and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw to immediately implement a highly sophisticated drone program to help deter, combat and arrest violent criminals.
Alexander’s plan comes after the 17th murder this school year of a student. A 15-year-old boy who attended Kensington High School was shot multiple times in Oxford Circle on March 13.
“Unfortunately, if law enforcement had a drone program in place the shooter who gunned down the student would have already been arrested,” Alexander said. “Instead, he is on the run and despite the presence of stationary cameras, it is clear we do not have enough tools to apprehend violent criminals on the spot. We need to use drones ASAP to deter crime and make the city safer.”
Alexander, who is a cybersecurity lawyer, introduced a plan called Drone Force Philly in which each of the city’s 21 police districts would deploy two sophisticated drones. A 10-person unit would coordinate and operate the drones, providing coverage citywide.
“An individual was also shot 70 times on the porch of his home in Tioga, and like the student shooting in the Lower Northeast, an arrest has still not been made,” Alexander said. “If a drone had been stationed in the police precinct, it could have recorded the engagement and followed the shooter with live video to help police make an arrest. The city is less safe because a murderer who should have been caught – or deterred – is still on the streets. Drones must be a part of our gun violence solution going forward. The drones I am advocating include software to detect and respond to live shootings, much faster than humans.” ••
Big party on Saturday
Port Richmond’s 176th community birthday festival will be celebrated on Saturday, March 25, from noon to 5 p.m. at Richmond and Tioga streets. There will be food trucks, live music, face painters, a Henna artist, moonbounce, 40 vendors, funnel cake, cotton candy, roasted peanuts and a beer garden. ••
Register for mayoral forum
The Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a mayoral forum on Tuesday, April 18, in the gym at Holy Family University, located in the Campus Center, close to the entrance at Frankford Avenue and Stevenson Lane. PHL17 will broadcast the forum from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The moderators will be Dan McElhatton, a lawyer, former city councilman and chair of the GNPCC’s government affairs committee; Northeast Times editor Tom Waring; and Jennifer Lewis-Hall, of PHL17. To register to attend, visit https://gnpcc.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/5106157. ••
Lunch at Kalaya
Kalaya, 4 W. Palmer St., has added weekend lunch service to the restaurant’s repertoire. Lunch will run Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 11 a.m., with final seatings at 2 p.m. each day.
“We always planned on adding weekend lunch, and after months of recipe testing and execution, we are finally ready to welcome in guests during the daytime,” said owner Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon. “My partners, myself and our entire team are very excited to add all these wonderful new dishes to the menu, while also giving people a chance to come in earlier in the day for something new. We put a lot of hard work into this menu, and we are very proud to bring it to life.”
As the weather gets warmer, Kalaya will also make use of its three large doors facing Palmer Street, which provide the restaurant with an indoor-outdoor effect while propped open.
Those looking to book parties of nine or more as well as inquiries about private events should email the restaurant at [email protected]. ••
Election lineup
The following candidates have filed for the May 16 primary and remain on the ballot, at least for now:
• 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, 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, 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, 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. ••
Nutter backs Rhynhart
Former Mayor Michael Nutter endorsed Rebecca Rhynhart in the Democratic mayoral primary.
Rhynhart is seeking to become Philadelphia’s 100th mayor, and first woman to hold the post.
Rhynhart worked as city treasurer and budget director under Nutter.
“Working in his administration was one of the key experiences that has prepared me for the role of mayor and I’m honored to earn his endorsement today,” she said.
“Rebecca Rhynhart not only has the best qualifications to excel in the role of mayor, she also has the courage to take on our city’s greatest challenges and make sure that the people of Philadelphia come out on top,” Nutter said. “I hired her as a key member of my administration and now I’m encouraging the voters of Philadelphia to hire Rebecca to serve as our next mayor.”
Former Mayor John Street has also endorsed Rhynhart.
“Rebecca has now earned the support of two of Philadelphia’s previous mayors,” said campaign manager Kellan White. “This fact demonstrates that, even in a crowded field, her qualifications and leadership style stands out to those who have done the job.” ••
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 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 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 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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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, 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]. ••
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. ••
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. To register, contact Geneva Scafeat at 215-426-8610, Ext. 1206 or [email protected]. ••
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. ••
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]. ••
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). ••
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]. ••
REUNIONS
HIGH SCHOOL
• Northeast Catholic Class of 1969. May 13. 2 p.m. Port Richmond Pub, 2601 E. Venango St. (at Almond Street). Cash bar and food. RSVP: Jack Devine ([email protected] or 215-379-3303); Tom Jordon ([email protected]); Leo Filewicz (215-292-7193).
• Northeast Catholic Class of 1973. 50-year reunion. June 1. 6-10 p.m. Brookside Manor at Somerton Springs, 50 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville. $73, includes appetizers, full buffet, dessert and open bar. Payments due by May 22. Send to NC-73 Reunion, c/o Mike Kaiser, 14014 Napier St., Philadelphia, PA 19116.
• St. Hubert Class of 1974. 50-year reunion. June 5, 2024. Information: St. Hubert’s Class of 1974 on Facebook.
• St. Joseph’s Prep Class of 1973. 50-year reunion. June 2-4. Charlie Van Kula: [email protected] or 215-978-1013.
• St. Joseph’s Prep All classes, parents, friends. Thursday, Aug. 3. Icona Avalon. Charlie Van Kula: [email protected] or 215-978-1013.
• St. Joseph’s Prep Classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018. Saturday, Sept. 30. Charlie Van Kula: [email protected] or 215-978-1013.
Navy Reunions
• Visit HullNumber.com for a listing of reunions. The site is a free service enabling Navy shipmates to renew old friendships. There are currently more than 8,700 Navy ship, submarine and air squadron personnel rosters listed. ••
