South Street Pop Up Garden Returns
The PHS Pop Up Garden on South Street is heading into fall with a lineup of plant swaps, workshops, live music and other seasonal events at 1438 South St. The garden will remain open through Halloween, with the possibility of additional weekends if the weather cooperates.
An heirloom seed-saving workshop is scheduled for Sept. 29, followed by another plant swap Oct. 6. The garden also will continue opening at noon for lunch throughout the fall.
The seasonal programming is part of PHS’ effort to keep the Pop Up Garden a neighborhood gathering spot as the weather cools, with both free and ticketed events focused on gardening, creativity and community.
The South Street garden is open noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, noon to 11 p.m. Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Permanent Installation of the Rocky Statue at Museum of Art Steps
Construction to permanently install Philadelphia’s iconic Rocky statue at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps is underway.
The work, approved by the Philadelphia Art Commission in January 2025, will create an underground foundation to support the statue at its new permanent location.
The Art Museum steps at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway will remain open during construction, but visitors will temporarily be unable to access the statue itself. Rocky will remain visible from behind barricades throughout the work.
Construction is expected to take about two weeks, with the permanent installation anticipated by the end of September.
The statue, made famous by the 1976 film Rocky, has long been one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable tourist attractions and a popular photo stop at the Art Museum.
Fiedler announces $205K for South Philly nonprofits
Two South Philadelphia organizations are set to receive a combined $205,000 in state funding through Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler announced Sept. 9.
The funding includes $125,000 for Philly POPS, which plans to explore viable community concert venues in South Philadelphia, and $80,000 for the Garces Family Foundation to support its workforce development, food security and health care access efforts in the neighborhood.
“I’m really pleased to see these two organizations get state funding because they do such important work,” Fiedler said. “I’m excited to see Philly Pops bring more music and entertainment down to South Philly, and I am so grateful for the work the Garces Foundation does to support immigrant families as they seek a stable life and citizenship here.”
Isaacson secures over $500K in historical support grant funding
State Rep. Mary Isaacson announced more than $500,000 in state grants for museums and historical organizations in her Philadelphia district, including several institutions familiar to South Philadelphia visitors.
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission awarded $514,000 in Cultural and Historical Support Grants to 14 organizations in Isaacson’s district. The grants are part of a statewide program providing general operating support to museums and official county historical societies.
Among the recipients are the Independence Seaport Museum, which received $47,000; the Philadelphia Fire Department, which received $5,000; and Carpenters’ Hall, which received $15,000.
Other $47,000 recipients include the American Philosophical Society, Historic Philadelphia Inc., Museum of the American Revolution, National Constitution Center, National Liberty Museum, Science History Institute and Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.
“It is an honor to see so many of the historical landmarks, museums and societies right here in my district recognized with this grant,” Isaacson said. “This funding goes toward keeping Philadelphia’s story alive and shining on the world stage.”
Get free smoke alarm
The Philadelphia Fire Department provides free smoke alarms to city residents. Call 311 to request installation. ••
Sinatra tribute show in Bensalem
Joey C will perform his Tribute to Sinatra Dinner Show on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Maltese Room, 2049 Bristol Pike, in Bensalem. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 and the show at 7:30. Tickets are $50 for a buffet dinner and the show, and include a complimentary glass of beer or wine. For tickets, contact Tom O’Neill at 215-675-9700 or OneillsCatering@comcast.net. ••
Apply to become police officer
The Philadelphia Police Department is accepting applications from individuals interested in beginning a career in law enforcement. The application period runs through Oct. 11. New recruits are also eligible for a $2,000 signing bonus. Prospective applicants can learn more about the hiring process, salary and benefits, qualifications and specialized career opportunities, and view the department’s recruitment videos at JoinPhillyPD.com. ••
Volunteer for child literacy program
Philly Reading Coaches is looking for volunteers for the 2026-27 school year. Each coach reads one-on-one with a K-3rd grader for at least one hour per week after school. Visit ost.phila.gov/philly-reading-coaches or email PRC@phila.gov ••
New website for Review
The South Philly Review has returned to the website patimes.media.
The website includes news, arts and entertainment, crime, sports, opinion and a way to sign up for a free newsletter that will bring stories to your inbox. The site also includes a way to read the paper in “flipbook” style and a link to subscribe to the print edition. Copies of the paper can be found at the locations in this link: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/#spr
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook and on X @SoPhReview. ••
North Catholic 100th anniversary events
A number of events are planned for the 100th anniversary of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the opening of Northeast Catholic High School.
Here is the schedule:
• Oct. 3: Homecoming/all-year reunion at Cannstatter’s, 1-5 p.m.
• Nov. 1: Mass at North Catholic building, coffee and doughnuts afterward
• Nov. 8: Gathering of Alumni, family and friends, FOP Lodge 5
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day at St. Dominic
Call 215-543-1051 or necathalum@aol.com ••
3 performances of Oliver
The Star Players will present Oliver from Oct. 9-11 at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St. in Manayunk. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Buy on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
See Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
The Star Players will present Scrooge: A Christmas Carol on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St. in Manayunk. Tickets cost $10. Buy on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, call 215-685-8714 or email Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
Caribbean cruise in January
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter will cruise aboard the Norwegian Pearl to the Caribbean (Dominican Republic and St. Thomas), leaving out of Philadelphia’s Southport Marine Terminal, 5400 S. Broad St., Building 3, on Jan. 13 and returning Jan. 23. Group amenities include 5% off inside cabins, 10%-15% off ocean view, balcony, open bar/soda packages, shore excursion credits and 300 Wi-Fi minutes. Call Bernadette at 570-401-8417 for cost and additional information. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
Host foreign exchange student
ASSE International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students. Students come from countries such as Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, 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 Holly at 800-677-2773, visit asse.com or send an email to asseusasouth@asse.com 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. ••
