Fiedler, Saval secure $50,000 grant for Whitman Council
In April, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and state Sen. Nikil Saval helped secure a $50,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development for Whitman Council, a neighborhood advisory council that provides services to South Philly residents including senior citizen assistance, housing resources and other community support.
Whitman Council plans to use the grant funding for landscaping and facilities improvement projects around South Philly. The group has allocated about half of the funds for Burke Playground for long-overdue tree and landscaping work, and will also make repairs to the park’s street hockey rink.
“With young kids of my own, I know how much we need good-quality parks and facilities in South Philly,” Fiedler said. “I’m so appreciative of Whitman Council for taking on this work and for always working to keep their community supported and connected.”
The group plans to use the remaining funds to meet the demand of new bleachers and other facility upgrades at the athletic fields at 7th and Packer Avenue, which are managed by DVYAA. Working on the fields is a long-term goal for Whitman Council and the group has many ideas for how to improve them.
“As a lifelong South Philadelphia resident, these fields have been the perfect location for the thousands of children that need an outlet for sports and exercise in the community,” said Mark Kapczynski, president of Whitman Council. “With the help of our local political leaders like state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, state Sen. Nikil Saval, Councilman Mark Squilla and Live Casino & Hotel, these fields are finally getting some much-needed work and attention that has been lacking for years.”
Whitman Council is hopeful that work on the projects can begin as early as the end of May.
Evans, Markey introduce legislation to support victims of gun violence
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans and Sen. Edward Markey have introduced the Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act to help all victims of gun violence – from survivors to their loved ones, coworkers and classmates – identify and access the resources available to them to help meet medical, legal, financial and other needs.
The bill would establish a federal interagency advisory council to help victims navigate and use the resources, streamlining what can be a complex process in a nation of gun violence survivors. Every year in America, about 100,000 people survive gun-related injuries. An estimated 10 million people in the U.S. have been shot and injured in their lifetimes.
“While gun violence is down in Philadelphia and many other communities, it’s still far too common – more than 1,000 people were injured by gunfire just in Philadelphia in 2024,” Evans said. “So the list of victims and survivors who need well-coordinated help continues to grow, and our bill would make a difference for many of them. I appreciate Sen. Markey’s leadership in the Senate on this bill that would help so many victims and survivors across America.”
Evans and then-Sen. Bob Casey first introduced the bill in 2019 after reading a Philadelphia Inquirer article about difficulties faced by victims of gun violence, titled “Shot and Forgotten.”
The legislation has been referred to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees for consideration.
PA House passes Holocaust restitution tax exemption bill
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed H.B. 416, introduced by state Rep. Ben Waxman, which would exempt restitution payments and court judgments for stolen property for victims of the Holocaust from the state’s Personal Income Tax.
“While no amount of restitution can make up for the damage done during the Holocaust, these payments help victims and their families recover financial losses, offer supplemental support to survivors who may be living on limited incomes and can provide a sense of justice,” Waxman said. “Allowing Holocaust survivors to retain 100 percent of their restitution payments is one small step that we as legislators can take in recognizing the lasting impact of this tragedy on the world and in honoring survivors and their families.”
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
O’Neill wants higher Homestead Exemption
Councilman Brian O’Neill introduced legislation to increase the Homestead Exemption from $100,000 to $110,000. If you own your primary residence, you are eligible to receive the Homestead Exemption, which reduces the taxable portion of your property’s assessed value. There are no income limits. Under the new $110,000 exemption, more than 30,000 enrolled owner-occupants in O’Neill’s district would save more than $1,500 annually (an increase of $140). If you are enrolled in the Homestead Exemption, you do not need to reapply. To enroll in the Homestead Exemption or if you have any questions about the program, call 215-686-3422. ••
Dugan releases 2nd TV ad
The campaign to elect Democrat Pat Dugan for district attorney released its second ad of the primary. The ad, “Oath”, will air on broadcast, cable and digital. Dugan has raised more than $750,000, more than DA Larry Krasner’s campaign.
The primary is May 20.
In the ad, Dugan says, “As a paratrooper and a judge, I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
“Now Philly faces real threats: crime, injustice and a president bent on destruction.
“I’ve seen, up close, our district attorney fail to bring real reform or make us safe. Now he wants us to believe he can take on Trump? Get real.
“Philly, I took an oath. And as your DA, I’ll keep my word.” ••
Sign up for free Review newsletter
The South Philly Review has a new website: https://patimes.media/
The website includes news, arts and entertainment, crime, sports, opinion and ways to subscribe and sign up for a free newsletter that will bring stories to your inbox.
The site includes an option to read the current issue in “flipbook” style.
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook at South Philly Review and on X @SoPhReview.
In addition to the Review being delivered to homes, the paper can be found at these spots: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/#spr. ••
Taekwondo competition
The Red Tiger Cup will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, at Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Road, in Newtown. The fee is $80. Call 215-969-9962, email redtigertkd@gmail.com or visit red-tiger.com. ••
Theater performance of Honk!
The Star Players, of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, will present Honk! The Ugly Duckling Musical on May 30-31 and June 1, at 7 p.m., at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St., in Manayunk. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, follow @starplayersPPR on X, like the group’s page on Facebook or contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
Host foreign exchange student
World Heritage International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students. World Heritage students come from countries such as Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, Ukraine, Japan and Australia. They are ages 15-18. Host families may be single parents, couples and single persons.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance.
If interested in hosting an exchange student, call Debra at 800-888-9040, visit www.world-heritage.org or send an email to info@world-heritage.org to request more information or start the application process. ••
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.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
Pacific Wine Country tour
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is going on a Pacific Wine Country cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess, May 10-17. Ports-of-call include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Astoria (Oregon) and Victoria and Vancouver (Canada). Rates range from $3,048 to $3,578 per person, double occupancy, which includes round-trip airfare from Philadelphia, port charges, government fees, taxes and transfers to and from the ship. Call 215-788-9408 for more information. ••
Trip to Niagara Falls
Polish American Cultural Center is sponsoring a Niagara Falls, New York & Made in America Store trip from Thursday, July 10, to Sunday, July 13. There will be a canal Cruise and lunch, boat ride, underground railroad tour, wine testing, a visit to the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine and casino trip, with $25 slot play. The trip will be by motor coach, and there will be a three-night hotel stay with buffet breakfasts and dinners. The cost is $1,100 per person double occupancy, including taxes and gratuities. For more information and reservations, call Theresa Romanowski at 215-813-2780 or 215-922-1700. ••
5-year price guarantee for Comcast internet
For the first time, Comcast is introducing the option to choose a five-year price guarantee when customers sign up for a new Xfinity Internet package.
The nationwide offer includes Xfinity’s best-in-class WiFi gateway and unlimited data – for one price starting as low as $55 per month. The rate is locked in for five years with no annual contract required. Customers can cancel at any time without penalty.
“We’re addressing two significant consumer pain points – rising costs and transparency – with incredible value and easy-to-understand pricing that is locked in for five years,” said Steve Croney, chief operating officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast. “Our new price guarantee removes complexity, and when our customers also take mobile, they get the nation’s largest converged network, which automatically delivers gig speeds wherever they go.”
Customers who sign up for Xfinity Internet and opt for the new five-year price guarantee will receive:
• An Xfinity Gateway that delivers bandwidth capable of connecting upwards of 100 devices across the home. Customers also have access to Comcast’s WiFi network to extend their connectivity experience on the go for no additional cost.
• Unlimited data is included for every customer who chooses a plan with a price guarantee. The five-year guarantee includes an unlimited Xfinity Mobile line at no cost for a year.
• Mobile customers have access to WiFi PowerBoost, which delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps when connected to WiFi in and out of the home.
• Customers who take the Xfinity Gateway receive Xfinity Advanced Security, which protects all connected devices and the customers who use them at the gateway level from malware and other threats.
• The Xfinity Gateway also features network controls, available through the Xfinity app, that gives customers total control of their home network. Customers can set parental controls, test the connection to new devices as they join the network, pause WiFi and set WiFi schedules for family members.Consumers can sign up for Xfinity Internet and Xfinity Mobile at www.xfinity.com or at their local Xfinity store. ••
GirlzDay at the convention center
GirlzDay: Our World, Our Way, hosted by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, will take place on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 11th and Arch streets.
The event is geared to girls in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Tickets cost $35.
There will be keynote speakers, a dance party, interactive breakout sessions, live science experiments, gaming stations, an indoor roller rink, lunch, giveaways and a goody bag. For tickets, sponsorships and more information, visit www.gsep.org/girlzday ••
Ukrainian festival in August
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 24, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
The event will feature folk art, live music, dance, food, refreshments, vendors, arts and crafts displays and live historical reenactments.
Admission is $20, with a portion donated to the relief of war victims in Ukraine.
Kids under 15 are admitted free.
Parking is free.
For more information, call 267-664-3857 or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
Landau wants to strengthen Fair Chance Hiring Law
City Councilwoman Rue Landau introduced a set of updates to Philadelphia’s Fair Chance Hiring Law, which aims to ensure that individuals with criminal records, who Landau said are disproportionately black, brown, working class, LGBTQ+ and disabled, are granted an opportunity to rebuild their lives through employment.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Council President Kenyatta Johnson.
“We cannot have a serious conversation about economic recovery or equity without putting our people with records at the center of it,” Landau said. “Every Philadelphian — regardless of their past — deserves a fair shot, whether that be at a stable job, a livable wage or an economic opportunity. This is not just about second chances, it’s about making Philly a place where everyone, regardless of their past, has a path forward.”
More than 300,000 Philadelphians are living with a criminal record.
Here are the proposed updates to the Fair Chance Hiring Law:
• Clarify that the law applies to all uses of criminal history, whether that information is found by the employer themselves using public records, by a third-party service or on a PennDOT driver record, which are not required to comply with state law regarding expunged or sealed criminal records.
• Clarify what is required of employers who make individualized assessments of criminal records. The bill would close loopholes and ensure that employers are only rejecting applicants based on their criminal records if they can show that their specific record poses a specific risk given the duties and responsibilities of the specific job. Employers will also be required to provide individuals with a detailed written explanation of their assessment. The bill also clarifies employers’ duty to perform an individualized assessment of someone’s criminal history by providing a non-exhaustive list of evidence of rehabilitation that they must consider, if provided, when determining whether hiring or promoting someone would pose an unacceptable risk.
• Change how employers can consider different types of convictions to align with research on recidivism risk and with state law. The bill would reduce how long employers can consider old misdemeanor convictions from 7 years to 3 years after arrest or release from incarceration, whichever is later. Research indicates that this change will increase opportunities for people with misdemeanor convictions without increasing risk to business or public safety. The bill would also clarify that the law does not allow for the consideration of summary offense convictions in employment.
• Improve notice requirements for job applicants that an employer is considering rejecting because of their criminal history to ensure that they can effectively assert their rights by extending the time that they have to respond and requiring that employers inform them of their fair chance hiring rights, affirm that they will consider evidence of rehabilitation, and provide directions on how to submit evidence or explanation directly to the employer.
• Provide more options for people to assert their rights by allowing people injured by violations of the Fair Chance Hiring Law to go directly to court, instead of waiting for their case to first be considered by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, where cases can take years to resolve. The bill also allows PCHR to provide liquidated damages directly to the injured party to make them whole.
• Protect people who exercise their fair chance hiring rights from retaliation and provide a rebuttable presumption of retaliation for any adverse action taken against an employee within 90 days of exercising their rights. ••
Cruise in July
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is traveling on an Independence Day Celebration cruise, July 1-8. Ports-of-call include New York, Newport, Boston on July 4 and Halifax, Nova Scotia. A passport is required. Rates range from $1,920 to $2,680 per person, double occupancy. For a flyer, call 215-788-9408. ••
