Concert benefits Sunday Love Project
A concert benefiting the Sunday Love Project will take place on March 26 at the Mitchell Hall of The College of Physicians, 19 S. 22nd St.
The concert, called “Music for Food,” will begin at 3 p.m. and will benefit the life-changing work of The Sunday Love Project, which serves 2,000 meals weekly to those experiencing food insecurity and homelessness.
The performance brings together the finest musicians from The Philadelphia Orchestra and Curtis Institute of Music. The program includes Hungarian Zoltán Kodály’s folk-like, gay “Serenade, Op. 12;” the powerful “Divertimento” by contemporary American composer, Gabriella Smith; and Beethoven’s only full-length string quintet (“String Quintet in C major, Op. 29, The Storm”), full of wit, hijinks and exhilaration.
Seating is first- come, first -served. A reception with the musicians follows the concert from Catering By Design. Tickets (concert and reception) are $30 ($10 student) plus additional optional donation. Tickets: https://muttr.org/MusicforFood.
1st Ward for Gym
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym has been endorsed by the South Philadelphia-based 1st Ward Democrats.
The ward issued the following statement: “The 1st Ward is an organizing ward, committed to bringing more and more of our neighbors into the fight for a city that uplifts working-class Philadelphians. With overwhelming support, we voted to endorse Helen Gym for mayor. We endorse Helen because she has always been with us in the fight for well-funded schools, family-sustaining jobs and safe, vibrant communities. We look forward to talking with our neighbors about what our city can accomplish with Helen as mayor.”
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 Way Employees Division, Reclaim Philadelphia, Amistad Movement Power, Free the Ballot, Straight Ahead and Neighborhood Networks. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Drones to fight crime
Jalon Alexander, Democratic candidate for City Council at large, is proposing a drone fleet to combat gun violence and other serious crimes in Philadelphia.
Alexander said the city must make better use of technology, including the small flying robots. Under the proposal, each police district would be equipped with two drones to patrol the city and alert the nearest precinct with information related to active shooters, carjackings and other violent crimes.
“Drones have a proven track record of reducing and deterring crime,” Alexander said. “In addition to spotting violent crime, drone footage can also be saved to track and monitor illegal dumping activity. The machines are used effectively in over 1,100 jurisdictions in this country.”
Operating one drone at each police division allows the department to patrol all 147 square miles of Philadelphia simultaneously, Alexander said.
“As the initial responder and observer of crime, drones remove the potential for racial bias in law enforcement,” Alexander said. “Drones see crime, not color.”
Drone Force Philly would begin with 42 of the devices, two for each police district. ••
Ridge, Castille endorse Oh
Former Gov. and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, former District Attorney and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille and the Republican City Committee have endorsed David Oh for mayor.
Oh was in his third term in City Council when he resigned to enter the mayor’s race.
“It has been an honor to serve Philadelphians as a city councilman, but only a mayor committed to bold action can stop the wanton violence this city is experiencing and drive the positive changes we so desperately need,” he said. “I’m deeply honored to have the support of those who have taken a public stand to support my bid to lead our city in addressing the spiraling crime, educational failure, oppressive taxes, declining quality of life and unsatisfactory government accountability.”
A lawyer and former assistant district attorney, he was elected to Council in 2011. He is married with four children and lives in Southwest Philadelphia.
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. ••
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. ••
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, an exhibition 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.
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. ••
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.
Sports Hall of Fame banquet 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. ••
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. ••
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]. ••
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.
