Southeast Asian Market open for business
The Southeast Asian Market is now open for the season on Saturdays and Sundays at FDR Park. This market is a vending community that has blossomed from the original Lao and Khmer sellers, expanding to Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian vendors — each a part of the Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant narrative of Philadelphia, all finding a haven in FDR Park. Shoppers can enjoy many native cuisine dishes, culturally specific produce, plants, clothing and jewelry as well as services provided by entrepreneurs speaking multiple languages.
The market is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and also on Memorial Day and Labor Day. The last day of the market this year will be Oct. 29. The market has two locations categorized by two seasons. Season 1 is from April to June and is found near the Broad Street exit (Picnic Area 17). Season 2 runs from July to October and is found near the Taney Baseball field (Picnic Area 11).
Pop Up Gardens are back
The Pop Up Gardens have reopened for the season at 1438 South St.
Hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the tranquil outdoor gardens feature stunning plants and flowers as well as a tasty selection of food and drink, and fun entertainment options. Proceeds will support PHS’s important work advancing health and well-being through gardening in the Philadelphia region.
The South Street Pop Up Garden has expanded this year adding 50 new seats and will offer a menu that consists of both vegetarian/vegan and meat-based options plus water bowls and snacks for furry friends, making sure that there is something for everyone to enjoy. It will also provide cocktail, wine and beer enthusiasts with an expanded list of domestic and craft canned beers as well as 10 draft beer options. The Pop Up Gardens’ beverage menu will also provide several non-alcoholic drink options such as Athletic Brewing’s Free Wave non-alcoholic hazy IPA and virgin frozen piña colada.
Both the South Street and Manayunk sites will host weekly activities that include both free and ticketed events. Come and learn more about the joy of gardening. Visit www.phspopupgardens.com to view the complete schedule of activities and programs for the Pop Up Gardens this season.
Rendell backs Santamoor
Democratic City Council at-large candidate Eryn Santamoor has been endorsed by former Gov. and Mayor Ed Rendell.
“Philadelphians deserve to have her kind of passion, knowledge and character in City Council. Eryn is a proven leader who will work to strengthen our schools, protect our people and communities, and improve the direction of our great city,” Rendell said.
“I believe in Philadelphia’s strong future and I know I can help lead with a thoughtful approach to reforming business as usual in city government,” Santamoor said. “Gov. Rendell has always been someone I go to for advice, someone who I immensely respect and I am incredibly grateful to earn his endorsement because I know it truly means he believes in my ability to help this city.”
Santamoor served as a deputy managing director in the Nutter administration, a national consultant to cities and states and chief of staff for Councilman Allan Domb. ••
Jane Fonda endorses Helen Gym
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym was endorsed by the Jane Fonda PAC, which is focused on electing climate champions at all levels of government.
“The fossil fuel industry continues to make billions in profits while polluting our atmosphere and poisoning our communities,” Fonda said. “Unfortunately, many elected leaders fail to take action due to the overwhelming influence fossil fuel money has on our political system. This is why I established the Jane Fonda Climate PAC to help elect candidates like Helen.”
“I am so grateful to have the endorsement of the Jane Fonda Climate PAC as we work to seize this historic opportunity and transition our city away from fossil fuels and build a just, green, sustainable city for all,” Gym said.
As mayor, Gym plans to lead on a Green New Deal agenda to transform Philadelphia’s toxic, dilapidated and long-neglected public schools into green, sustainable and safe places to learn and work.
The announcement follows other endorsements earned by Gym, including Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, UNITE HERE Philadelphia, AFSCME DC 47, Working Families Party, AFT Pennsylvania, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, Teamsters Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, Reclaim Philadelphia, One Pennsylvania, Make the Road Action, 18th Ward Democrats, First Ward Democrats, Second Ward Democrats, Ward 39A Democrats, Amistad Movement Power, Philly Neighborhood Networks, Free the Ballot and Straight Ahead. ••
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 forum will be on the PHL website, beginning at 11 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. ••
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.” ••
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.” ••
Endorsements for Council candidate
Jalon Alexander, a Democratic candidate for City Council at large, has been endorsed by three North Philadelphia ward leaders: the Rev. Lewis Nash Sr., Keith Harris and Jewell Williams.
Alexander, 30, a cybersecurity attorney, is campaigning on a Drone Force Philly plan to prevent crime.
The plan would deploy two drones in each of the city’s 21 police districts to respond to gun violence and other violent crime in real time. A 10-member unit will monitor and operate the drones. Unlike stationery cameras, drones can follow a suspect and provide a live video feed as they try to flee.
“I think Jalon will have the opportunity to put a fresh breath of air in the crime and violence issue we have in the city of Philadelphia,” said Williams, a former sheriff. ••
Domb’s action plan
Democratic mayoral candidate Allan Domb released his Pledge to Philadelphia, a plan to provide high-quality, effective city services in every neighborhood.
Domb lays out action steps. Among others, he will:
• Improve 911 response times with a focus on ensuring ambulance response times are 10 minutes or fewer.
• Clean every street by expanding the street cleaning pilot program to every neighborhood from April through November.
• Plow every street, restoring a program started under the John Street administration.
• Keep libraries and rec centers open seven days a week and adjust operating hours to enable residents to better use these facilities.
• Open every pool full time during summer months.
• Replace burned out or broken street lights within 72 hours after an outage has been reported.
• Tow abandoned cars within 48 hours after being confirmed as abandoned.
• Fix potholes and create a Pothole Tracker to create public accountability for repair time.
• Create a real-time Garbage Truck Tracker, modeled on the city’s snow plow tracker, to enable residents to bring out trash before the trucks arrive.
• Clean and seal abandoned buildings and clean vacant lots to improve community safety, while providing wrap-around services to people found living in abandoned buildings.
• Fix broken sidewalks and curbs, ensuring that sidewalks and curbs are repaired as streets are resurfaced.
“It’s time to fix the things that we know are broken and get the government of Philadelphia working again,” Domb said. “Philadelphia is a first-class city, but the failure of leadership from the mayor’s office has left too many Philadelphians with second-class services.
“I’ve spent 40 years building a business from the ground up and solving problems, and I’ll bring that to the mayor’s office. My Pledge to Philadelphia plan will deliver accountability and get back to the basics of delivering results for Philadelphians. I will get the trash picked up, get the potholes filled, get the streets cleaned, responsibly manage our finances and prioritize the safety and well-being of every neighborhood. That’s what Philadelphians deserve from their mayor.” ••
Rhynhart releases education plan
Democratic mayoral candidate Rebecca Rhynhart announced her plans for improving public education in Philadelphia.
“As a mom to a seventh-grader in the Philadelphia school district, this issue is one that is personal to me. Every child in our city deserves a good school to go to, whether that is a traditional public or charter school,” Rhynhart said. “As mayor, I will provide the leadership needed to improve the quality of our schools, appointing a school board aligned with my vision for improvement, establishing a strong Mayor’s Office of Education reporting to me, and providing city services aligned with neighborhood schools.”
Key components of the Rhynhart plan for education rely on increased funding from the state. She believes every school should have a nurse and social worker. When a school does not have this, the Rhynhart administration will provide one by partnering with the city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Service. Additionally, the Free Library and parks and recreation centers will have extended afternoon and evening hours and offer programs to help advance students’ education achievement goals while providing them with safe haven outside of their homes.
You can read the plan in its entirety at rebeccaforphiladelphia.com/education. ••
Health workers back Gym
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym was endorsed by Health Professionals and Allied Employees, AFT, AFL-CIO, a union that represents registered nurses and health care professionals in the region.
“For years, I have proudly stood alongside nurses, social workers and hospital staff on the picket line to win safe working conditions for our city’s healthcare professionals. And I am honored that they are standing with me now as I run for mayor to make Philadelphia a safer, more vibrant and healthier place to live, work and raise a family,” Gym said. “Over the past three years, healthcare workers have gone above and beyond to keep our communities safe, even when faced with dangerous working conditions, dire staffing shortages and insufficient benefits. Healthcare professionals play a vital role in saving lives, stabilizing families and improving the public health, and when I am mayor I will treat them as partners to address the ongoing staffing crisis and ensure they receive the dignified working conditions they deserve.”
HPAE members work in hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, blood banks and university research facilities throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia area, including Local 5106 at Temple Episcopal Hospital and the Philadelphia locations of the American Red Cross.
The announcement follows other endorsements earned by Gym, including Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, UNITE HERE Philadelphia, AFSCME DC 47, Working Families Party, AFT Pennsylvania, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, Teamsters Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, Reclaim Philadelphia, One Pennsylvania, Make the Road Action, 18th Ward Democrats, First Ward Democrats, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, Second Ward Democrats, Ward 39A Democrats, Amistad Movement Power, Philly Neighborhood Networks, Free the Ballot and Straight Ahead. ••
Nutter endorses Santamoor
Former Mayor Michael Nutter endorsed City Council at-large candidate Eryn Santamoor in the May 16 Democratic primary.
“Eryn is more qualified to be on Council than I was when I ran the first time or the second time,” Nutter said. “I could not be more proud of her or excited about her candidacy. Eryn has always been someone I could count on to do what’s right and get the job done; she is relentless in her efforts and represents everything Philadelphia deserves right now.”
Santamoor worked on Nutter’s mayoral campaign and as a deputy managing director during his administration.
Former Mayor and Gov. Ed Rendell has also endorsed Santamoor, who has served as a national consultant to cities and states and chief of staff to former Councilman Allan Domb.
Santamoor has also received endorsements from state Reps. Donna Bullock and Jared Solomon, CWA Local 13000, TWU Local 234, IATSE Local 8, IUOE Local 542, Philadelphia Metal Trades Council, 5th Square, Philadelphia 3.0 and the 5th, 8th and 9th wards. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
CCP staff supports Gym
Democratic mayoral candidate Helen Gym has been endorsed by Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia (FSFCCP), Local AFT2026.
“An affordable and vibrant community college system is central to my vision of stabilizing, empowering and growing our city — so it means a great deal to me to have the support of the Faculty and Staff Federation of Community College of Philadelphia,” Gym said. “As the Philadelphia region’s most accessible institution of higher education, it is vital that the incoming mayor recognizes CCP for the incredible asset that it is, and uplifts its students and workers accordingly. CCP is and must be a college for the people of our city, where anyone, regardless of their background, can go to receive a world-class education that leads them to a high-quality job. I will be the loudest and proudest champion for the hardworking staff, faculty and students of CCP, and together we will transform higher education into a true public good.”
Junior Brainard, FSFCCP co-president, cited Gym’s record of fighting for public education, workers, students and families.
Gym said, “The faculty and staff of CCP are already delivering high-quality education and job training to thousands of Phialdelphians every year, and my mission as mayor will be to expand, increase and strengthen CCP’s capacity to deliver higher education to the masses. As a former teacher, organizer and Philly mom, I have spent my life fighting for fully-funded education for our kids and young adults. I know that in order for Philadelphia to flourish, we must provide residents with quality, affordable public schooling from early childhood through adulthood. As mayor, I won’t take for granted the invaluable work that CCP faculty and staff do every day to educate our neighbors – I will be their biggest advocate.”
Gym has also been endorsed by Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers, UNITE HERE Philadelphia, AFSCME DC 47, Working Families Party, AFT Pennsylvania, Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, Teamsters Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, Reclaim Philadelphia, One Pennsylvania, Make the Road Action, 18th Ward Democrats, First Ward Democrats, Health Professionals and Allied Employees AFT AFL-CIO, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, Second Ward Democrats, Ward 39A Democrats, Amistad Movement Power, Philly Neighborhood Networks, Free the Ballot and Straight Ahead. ••
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.
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. ••
