New garden awarded to Fanny Jackson Coppin School
The Fanny Jackson Coppin School (formerly Andrew Jackson School) at 1213 S. 12th St. in South Philadelphia was selected to receive a new school garden as part of the Sprouts Foundation’s 24 Gardens in 24 Hours in 24 Communities campaign – a $500,000 investment in local schools across the country for nutrition education.
The garden at Fanny Jackson Coppin as well as the 23 other winners will be built by volunteers on Sept. 23.
“Sprouts is committed to providing children with hands-on educational experiences that shape how they think about food. We believe that our Foundation’s efforts to make these connections will play a pivotal role for children to develop an understanding of the importance of healthy eating,” said Nick Konat, president and chief operating officer of Sprouts. “We are also very excited for our team members to give back to their local communities on Sept. 23 as we build these learning gardens in 24 hours.”
Drawing for Eagles tickets
Posh Fuel and Food, 8901 Ridge Ave. in Roxborough, will hold a random drawing for tickets to the Eagles’ home opener, on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 8:15 p.m. vs. the Minnesota Vikings. There will be two winners, who will each receive two tickets and an Eagles swag bag. To enter, follow the Posh Fuel and Food page on Instagram, “like” the video announcing the contest, make a comment on the video post and tag two friends. Owner Arsh Pola will announce the winners on Sept. 1. ••
Da Vinci Art Alliance presents terrains: into black existence.
Curatorial fellow Mai Eltahir presents an exhibition of seven artists exploring the poetics of black ontology. The exhibition will present work by Jonathan Gonzalez, Aamirah Khafre, Ingrid Raphaël, Danielle Morris, Zekkereya El-margharbel, Tafari Robertson and David Norori and will be on view in Gallery 1 through Sept. 24. An opening reception will be held on Sept. 2 from 5-8 p.m. and a closing talk on Sept. 24 from noon to 2 p.m.
terrains: into black existence offers a place to examine how artistic expression, emotional and intellectual work collapse into constellations that complicate colonial boundaries of existence and endings. This exhibition explores the poetics and diffusion of contradictions placed within the same container (between past and present, reality and fiction, life and death, endings and beginnings) just as it evinces the opaqueness of black existence.
The artists featured in the exhibition use their multifarious art practices (respectively) to elucidate the breadth of existentialism while also offering alternative scenes unbound by imperial certainties. In doing so, each artist’s work supplements, interrupts, extends and creates different and new types of existential questions to ponder.
‘Transcendence’ to open at No. 5 Butchie Alley
A new exhibition of paintings and ceramic tile, Transcendence, by Mary Gamble Barrett opens at No. 5 Butchie Alley, 1175 S. 13th St. on Sept. 9 and runs through Nov. 4. An opening reception will be held on Sept. 9 from 6-9 p.m.
The creation of these works was both meditative and cathartic for Barrett after the passing of her husband and best friend, Dominick Barrett, in 2021.
During preparation for this exhibition, she rediscovered her love of dualities: order/chaos, inside/outside, physical/metaphysical(spiritual) combining the chaotic swirls of color wash with the structure of symbolic geometry.
Leisure Timers return
The Leisure Timers are returning to dePazzi Hall, 714 Montrose St., starting on Sept. 11, for another season of fellowship, food and bingo. Meetings are Mondays at 1 p.m. All men and women 50 years and older are welcome to join. Membership is $5 yearly and weekly dues are $2. Bingo cards are $3 each or two for $5. For more information call the rectory at 215-923-0355. All are welcome.
Free admission for kids at Museum of the American Revolution
Bring the whole family to the Museum of the American Revolution during Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4, for pop-up talks, discovery carts, crafts and other family-friendly activities in celebration of the birthday of James Forten, who is featured in the special exhibition Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia. Throughout the holiday weekend, kids 12 years old and younger will receive free Museum admission (available at the Museum’s front desk, not online).
Free rides home after Eagles games on Broad Street Line
Unibet, an official casino and sportsbook partner of the Philadelphia Eagles, will help Eagles fans get home safely after each Eagles home game by sponsoring free rides home from NRG Station on the Broad Street Line. NRG Station provides service to venues at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia, including Lincoln Financial Field.
The free rides begin at halftime and run for two hours post-game or until the last scheduled train departs. Regular fares apply for all Broad Street Line travel to the game
Rental Improvement Fund launched in Philly
PHDC announced the Rental Improvement Fund, which offers eligible landlords citywide forgivable and zero percent interest loans to cover the cost of much-needed repairs and maintenance in exchange for rent stability.
PHDC recruited landlords who had previously worked with other PHDC programs and services to participate in a small RIF pilot. After months of testing the loan products with this initial group of landlords, PHDC is ready to launch RIF to small landlords across Philadelphia.
“With the help of the Rental Improvement Fund, landlords across the city will finally be able to give their buildings the necessary updates needed to assure a comfortable living space for residents,” said David Thomas, CEO of PHDC.
RIF loans can be used for repairs and upgrades such as roofs, windows and doors; asbestos, mold and lead remediation; and electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling improvements. RIF is partially funded by the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative and Whole Home Repair Fund.
“Thanks to the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative and Whole Home Repair funding, this program will help many landlords across the city provide affordable and safe units to rent,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.
RIF offers two types of loans, 10-year forgivable loans up to $24,999 and 15-year zero percent interest loans up to $50,000. To qualify landlords must:
Own no more than five rental properties and no more than 15 rental units
Have a rental license and property insurance, unless the loan will be used to address repair issues that currently prevent the property from getting a license and/or insurance
Be current or in a payment agreement for city taxes and able to produce a tax compliance certificate
“Everyone deserves to live in a home that is safe, healthy and affordable, regardless of whether that home is owned or rented,” said state Sen. Nikil Saval. “When our small landlords are forced to sell their properties or to forgo repairs, the loss of this housing is experienced across the city, and the repercussions are irreversible. When we create the means to shore up our small landlords, properties are preserved, communities are stabilized, and residents can stay in their homes.”
Polish festival at Czestochowa
The 57th Annual Polish American Festival at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, located at 654 Ferry Road in Doylestown, opens on Labor Day weekend. Hours are Saturday through Monday, Sept. 2-4, from noon to 8 p.m. The festival will continue Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, noon to 8. The $15 admission includes all events and carnival rides. There will be live music, Polish folk dancing, stage shows, food, refreshments and ongoing entertainment highlighting Polish traditions and customs.
For information, visit PolishAmericanFestival.org or the link on the front page of PolishAmericanCenter.com. ••
Trip to Ohio, Kentucky
St. Jerome’s Senior Citizens Club invites the public to join them for a five-day trip (Oct. 15-19) to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, with a guided tour of Cincinnati, Ohio and Northern Kentucky. For reservations, questions or a brochure, call Diane McDowell at 267-496-2431. ••
Protect Pakistani Christians
Aaron Bashir, the Republican candidate for city controller, said he is concerned about the safety of Christians in Pakistan. Bashir said a Muslim mob of radicals recently burned and destroyed 25 churches and more than 300 homes in Pakistan, leaving tens of thousands of Christians homeless. He said the United States keeps sending tax dollars to Pakistan in the name of humanitarian aid, yet the human rights violations against Christians continue to escalate. He’s demanding that U.S. officials stop sending money to Pakistan unless the Pakistani government protects Christians. ••
Local author releasing novel
Mayfair author Becky Flade announced that Tirgearr Publishing will release her next novel, Beautiful Dangerous, worldwide on Sept. 26. Beautiful Dangerous is the fourth book in Flade’s award-winning series of romantic thrillers set in Philadelphia. It is available for pre-order at all major digital retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks/iTunes. Flade, a Frankford High School graduate, has been writing since kindergarten, when her Brown Elementary School teacher, Miss Daniels, helped with her first book detailing her and her best friend’s first solo trip to the market for milk. For more information, follow Flade on Facebook. ••
Farm stand at Jeanes
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus, 7600 Central Ave., has a farm stand that is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October. The stand is located next to parking lot C of Jeanes Campus and the Fox Chase Cancer Center Campus. Call 215-728-4861 or email Rosemarie.Schlegel@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Parkinson’s support group
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus is offering a Parkinson’s disease support group for those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families. The group will meet on the second Wednesday of every other month from 6-7 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. The schedule is Oct. 11, Dec. 13 (holiday party) and Feb. 14. The group is led by nurse practitioner June Ro, and will include guest speakers. To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Support for small nonprofits
A Little Better Company, an agency focused on making the world a little better, announces the launch of its inaugural Unless Project, a grant-meets-accelerator program providing $150,000 in marketing and capacity-building services to small organizations with big ideas but limited resources.
Up to four U.S.-based nonprofits will be selected to participate in the Unless Project to turn their transformational ideas into impact.
Simon Rogers, founder of ALBC, said: “In our experience, organizations with truly new and novel ideas struggle to get the resources and buy-in they need to bring their ideas to life. Today, the ability to communicate in the right way can make or break their success, and that gap between idea and impact is where the Unless Project comes in.”
The Unless Project seeks applications from nonprofits that are working on new, novel, provable, scalable and sustainable solutions to challenges in one of ALBC’s four focus areas:
• Environmental Sustainability
• Human Health and Wellness
• Social Progress and Advocacy
• Artistic Activism
The short application process includes a five-question eligibility quiz (yes/no answers only), a short application (written or video submissions) and, for finalists, a 30- to 45-minute Zoom discussion with the selection committee.
The eligibility quiz is available now, and applications are open through Oct. 15. Awardees will be notified on Dec. 15, and then be guided through a six-month process to transform their brand, tapping into all of ALBC’s capabilities and expertise.
ALBC will cover all marketing-related expenditures along the way. Additionally, the grant will include a $2,500 stipend to cover unplanned out-of-pocket expenses.
Interested nonprofits can take the eligibility quiz at https://bit.ly/unless-quiz.
Or sign up for an information session: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A14a76RyQImqfP1CS62XhA#/registration.
To learn more, become part of the ALBC collective or to partner with the Unless Project, visit https://www.alittlebetter.co/. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. Contact Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Broadway show
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is running a bus trip to New York on Saturday, Sept. 30, to see the Broadway production of Some Like It Hot. The cost is $230, which includes orchestra seating and round-trip motor coach. Bus leaves from 604 Township Line Road, Cheltenham, at 9:15 a.m. Call Harriet at 215-969-8366 for tickets. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
Upcoming cruise
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a fully escorted Holy Lands & Aegean Majesty cruise from Oct. 6-17, visiting Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Italy. Rates, including airfare, range from $4,298 to $8,098 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. ••
Register for bike ride
The closed-road, non-competitive Philly Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14, starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Participants can choose from a 20-mile course or a shorter 7.6-mile version, with a finish line by the iconic setting of the art museum and the shadow of the famed Rocky steps. The event concludes with a post-ride festival, free and open to the public, that features live music, wellness activities and food trucks.
The cost starts at $35, with various add-ons available. There are two special ticket deals available.
The event supports the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. A portion of proceeds from the event will support the Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling program.
Registration is open and more information is available at Phillybikeride.com. ••
Save at Boscov’s
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is partnering with Boscov’s “Friends Helping Friends” on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at all Boscov’s locations, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The group is selling a shopping pass for $5, which can represent savings of up to 25% off purchases. Call Shirley at 215-530-6637 to purchase shopping passes. The profits of the event will be donated to Fox Chase Cancer Center to support cancer research and compassionate patient care. ••
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]. ••
Day dedicated to women
NBC 10 news anchor Tracy Davidson will present Lifting Your Voice, a day dedicated to women, on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Philadelphia Country Club 1601 Spring Mill Road, in Gladwyne. The guest speaker will be Jen Croneberger, an author and former recipient of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry’s Female Business Leader of the Year. She holds a master’s degree in Sports and Performance Psychology and a Sustainable Business Strategy Certification from the Harvard Business School.
For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lifting-your-voice-fall-2023-tickets-522147375857?aff=erelexpmlt. ••
