Broad Street Run back on April 30
The nation’s largest 10-mile road race, which traditionally occurs on the first Sunday in May, will take place one week earlier this year on April 30 to avoid conflicting with another large sporting event in Philadelphia. After three years of race-day restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 Broad Street Run is returning to traditional race protocols. Kids’ events and post-race activities will be held, and spectators are welcome to cheer on runners along the course.
Registration for the Broad Street Run will open Feb. 1 at 12:01 a.m. and will close on Feb. 15 at 11:59 p.m. The race will welcome up to 40,000 runners. Registrants will be accepted through a lottery system or have the option of running on behalf of a charity partner. Runners will be notified the week of Feb. 19 if they have secured a race bib.
Free tax preparation
The nonprofit Campaign for Working Families provides free tax preparation, including identifying tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. On Friday, Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. at CWF’s Center City tax site, 1425 N. Broad St., CWF will celebrate National EITC Day. There are more than 50,000 eligible Philadelphians who do not claim this credit each year, resulting in some $100 million left on the table. For more information about volunteering or CWF’s services, call 215-454-6483 or visit cwfphilly.org. ••
Brown releases fundraising figure
Democratic mayoral candidate Jeff Brown announced that his campaign will report taking in close to $1.1 million from more than 500 contributors during the final eight weeks of 2022. The campaign ended 2022 with close to $500,000 cash on hand and has seen campaign donations since the beginning of 2023.
“We’ve been humbled by the fundraising support we’ve received since announcing our candidacy,” Brown said. “We were the first campaign to share our vision with the people of Philadelphia through our TV ads. We’ve heard how our message of addressing structural poverty, making our streets safer and ensuring Philadelphians have access to the basic public services they deserve has resonated with them. They believe we’ve got the experience and skills necessary to help turn this city around. And they’re backing up their enthusiasm by donating to our campaign. We’re just getting started, and together, we’re going to make Philadelphia the city we all deserve.” ••
Rhynhart details drug plan
Democratic mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart held a news conference at McPherson Park in Kensington to discuss actions she would take to solve the crisis in Kensington fueled by the open-air drug market and the opioid epidemic.
“On my walk here from the Somerset station, I saw what residents and families of Kensington see every day: People injecting themselves with drugs in broad daylight, people leaned over and passed out, and trash piled up,” Rhynhart said. “This is not acceptable. Philadelphians are raising their families here. I am a mother and what I am seeing must end.”
Rhynhart’s strategies include:
• Deploying more police officers to Kensington and increasing foot patrols to provide safety for residents;
• Evaluating and improving the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion for low-level offenders, a program that has been successful in other cities;
• Breaking up the open-air drug market through a Drug Market Intervention program focused on dealers, offering them a choice between a way out of the lifestyle assisted by city services or incarceration;
• Appointing a drug czar who will report directly to the mayor to coordinate the city’s response;
• Implementing community responder teams with representatives from appropriate city departments and community-based harm-reduction organizations to offer services to those suffering from addiction; and
• Streamlining intake at city-contracted facilities to ensure that those seeking treatment receive immediate medical assistance that can serve as a bridge until they can receive long-term care.
During her remarks, Rhynhart emphasized the need to have a compassionate response for those who are suffering with substance use disorder, while holding those responsible accountable with real consequences.
“To the residents of Kensington who have continually said enough is enough, I hear you. To those suffering with addiction on the street, I see you. We cannot let this continue. I will lead with the courage necessary to fix this. As mayor, I will act immediately to restore the quality of life here in Kensington, and at the same time, help those suffering from addiction,” Rhynhart said. ••
Ahmad gains key endorsements
Nina Ahmad, a Democratic candidate for City Council at-large, has been endorsed by the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council business manager Ryan Boyer and AFSCME District Council 33.
Boyer said, “Nina is an inspiring leader and a true champion for the underdogs of our city. I know she’ll throw her heart – as she always does – into finding innovative solutions to Philadelphia’s biggest problems.”
DC 33 represents close to 10,000 blue-collar municipal workers.
“Nina knows how hard it is to get ahead even working 24/7 because of all the systemic barriers. She’s an inspiration for our members, who wake up early each day to do the hard work that keeps our city functioning. We endorse Nina’s approach to addressing gun violence as the public health crisis and we trust her to go to bat for our families who are the backbone of Philadelphia,” said Ernest Garrett, president of DC 33.
Ahmad grew up in Bangladesh and came to the United States alone when she was 21. She later worked as a molecular biologist and entrepreneur.
Ahmad previously served as a deputy mayor, launching the Commission for Women, managing the Office of Black Male Engagement and the Youth Commission and working closely with the office of LGBTQ Affairs.
Ahmad serves as the state president of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
She said, “I’m running to make Philadelphia a healthier, stronger city. All of our challenges are, at their root, health challenges. From crime and gun violence to housing and the environment, if we make Philadelphia a healthier city, we can make it a stronger, safer city. As a biomedical scientist, I’ve spent my life taking on these kinds of challenges and I’ve used science and data to find new solutions to old problems. That’s my agenda for Philadelphia: A healthier city for a stronger future.”
Visit model railroad club
Chelten Hills Model Railroad Club, 8010 Old York Road in Elkins Park, will be hosting open houses from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4-5. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.cheltenhillsmrr.org or Facebook. ••
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. ••
Bingo Night for Stray Cat Relief
Stray Cat Relief will be holding a Bingo Night on Feb. 11 at the EOM at 144 Moore St. from 7-11 p.m.
Ten games of bingo. Tickets are $40 ($50 at the door) and a table of eight is $280. Light food, soda, water and snacks will be served. Raffle prizes, door prizes and BYO bottles and snacks. Email purr@straycatrelieffund.org or Venmo @straycatrelief to purchase tickets.
Exhibitions at Academy of Natural Sciences
An exhibition at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 19th and the Parkway, presents a new perspective on insects and reveals their beauty.
Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss is a series of portraits that capture the microscopic form of insects in high-resolution detail. It will be on view until April 23.
Each photograph makes visible the many intricate adaptations to the form of insects.
Award-winning British photographer Levon Biss created the exhibition, which showcases the insect collection of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in Oxford, England. Pinned specimens from the Academy’s own entomology collection are added to provide visitors an up-close look at the actual size of insects compared to similar-looking insects in the photographs.
Meanwhile, a new exhibition opening Saturday, Feb. 18, celebrates the diversity of birds, their role in ecosystems and people’s relationships with them. Conversations With Birds spotlights familiar local birds, such as house sparrows and cardinals, and goes beyond to introduce the variety of migrators that pass through on journeys across the globe.
The exhibition features avian photography and video by local birders and wildlife photographers. There will be hands-on activities that explain the body architecture that enables birds to do what they do.
Conversations With Birds is free with general museum admission and on view through Sunday, May 21.
Visit ansp.org.
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]. ••
Feb. book club meeting
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be holding its February Zoom session on Monday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. The book is The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. For further information, or to register for the book club program, call Lynn Ratmansky at 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.
