East Passyunk Community Center secures $180K grant
State Sen. Nikil Saval and state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler joined staff and kids at the East Passyunk Community Center on June 7 to announce a state grant worth $180,000.
The grant, issued through the Department of Community and Economic Development, will fund long-awaited repairs to the recreation center’s gymnasium roof.
“Community means connection, support and care, and EPCC anchors all of this for the surrounding community in so many ways,” Saval said. “Investment in this beloved space is investment in all who use it, and it has been a joy to work with Rep. Fiedler and the incredible team at EPCC to secure this investment from our commonwealth in our South Philly community.”
The East Passyunk Community Center, located at 1025 Mifflin St., offers programming for all ages, including afterschool programs and summer camps, recreational sports for kids and a community computer lab. During the holiday season, the rec center collaborates with Fiedler’s office to distribute free turkeys to local families.
“EPCC strengthens our community by providing a safe environment for neighbors of all ages. The repairs will be a huge improvement for everyone who uses the space,” Fiedler said.
“I’m so proud to help bring state dollars home to make material changes in the lives of South Philadelphians.”
In the past, the East Passyunk Community Center has received state funding for an outdoor sprayground, kitchen upgrades and more.
Marian Anderson Day recognized in PA
The PA House of Representatives approved state Rep. Regina Young’s House resolution recognizing June 8 as Marian Anderson Day in Pennsylvania.
Anderson was born in South Philadelphia and went on to be a world-renowned singer and civil rights icon. In 1936, she became the first African American to be invited to perform at the White House and the first individual to perform solo at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday in 1939. That performance gained her worldwide recognition as it took place in front of a racially integrated audience and was heard by millions on the radio, inspiring a new generation of civil rights crusaders.
“The powerful legacy of Marian Anderson should be uplifted with critical reverence in our community,” Young said. “The strength and bravery that she showed in the face of overt racism and misogyny during a difficult time of the history of our great nation is legendary. I’m so proud to see her name mentioned among our national heroes and honored by this House and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.”
On June 8, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Center City Philadelphia was rededicated as Marian Anderson Hall. Anderson passed away in 1993 at 96.
Free children’s show visits South Philly
REV Theatre Company will be making a stop at three South Parks with the children’s musical theatre piece Handsome and Petal.
The original adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, with two very hungry children lost in the park, looking for the House of Sweet, plus a flock of little bluebirds (played by children from the audience), a wild and wonderfully wacky Witch named Auntie Hystamine and her two hapless, hopeless helpers – a former “Vegas On Ice” showgirl and a runaway big cat tamer who’s terrified of cats.
The production will be immersive and interactive: Neighborhood children in the audience and their families will be encouraged to participate in the show to help with the action, further the plot and join in with musical numbers. The production runs about 35 minutes and will be colorful, vibrant, energetic and contemporary with REV’s signature athletic staging. The show will visit Jefferson Square Park (300 Washington Ave.) on June 17 at 6 p.m., Mario Lanza Park (214 Catharine St.) on June 18 at 7 p.m. and Dickinson Square Park (1600 E. Moyamensing Ave.) on June 19 at 6 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets.
Justinian Society honoring Di Bruno Brothers
The Justinian Society and Foundation will host its annual Election and Law School Scholarship Luncheon on June 13 at noon at the Union League of Philadelphia, with a networking reception at 11:30 a.m. This year’s honoree is William Mignucci, president and CEO of Di Bruno Brothers.
The Justinian Foundation will also present scholarships to outstanding area law students.
Barbara Capozzi, president of the Justinian Foundation, said, “We are proud of Di Bruno Brothers’ support of the Philadelphia community. Di Bruno Brothers donates more than $50,000 annually to local and national charitable organizations.”
Corporate sponsors are Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP and Phyllis Bevilacqua, in memory of Gabriel L.I. Bevilacqua, a veteran litigator at Saul Ewing, former Justinian Chancellor and Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association
Tax-deductible sponsorship and individual tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.justinian.org/events.php?action=view&id=360.
The Justinian Society is a legal organization comprised of attorneys, judges and law students of Italian ancestry. ••
Seeking participants for mobile preschool
Xiente, a nonprofit organization committed to fostering economic mobility within communities, announced the launch of its initiative, the Busesito Mobile Preschool. Serving as Philadelphia’s first mobile preschool, Busesito aims to revolutionize early childhood education by providing free, high-quality preschool readiness education to children aged 3 to 5. It also seeks to address the gap between the demand for childcare and available slots in Philadelphia, particularly affecting “communities of color” and low-income families.
Funded by The William Penn Foundation and Vanguard, and designed to address needs in early childhood education, Busesito offers a multifaceted approach to improving outcomes in these three pillars for children in the care of family, friends and neighbors who often do not possess formal teaching credentials:
• Enhancing Quality of Education: Offering technical assistance to FFNs empowers them to adopt a more structured and educational approach to childcare. By providing resources, training, and support, Xiente aims to empower FFNs to see themselves as educators, thus improving the quality of early childhood education provided in informal settings.
• Increasing Kindergarten Readiness: High-quality early education equips children with the academic, social and emotional skills needed for a successful transition to kindergarten. By focusing on preschool readiness skills such as letters, numbers, shapes, colors, comparisons and phonics, Busesito ensures that children are better prepared academically, socially and emotionally for their next educational journey. Closing the achievement gap at this stage sets a foundation for future academic success.
• Promoting Economic Mobility: Economic stability and access to resources are fundamental aspects of a child’s academic success. By working with families as a whole and addressing economic needs, Xiente aims to support the well-being of the family and create conditions conducive to children’s learning and development. Research consistently shows that children whose families have their basic needs met and are economically stable tend to perform better academically.
Rashanda Perryman, Head of Philanthropy at Vanguard’s Community Stewardship group, praised the initiative, stating, “With its innovative approach to supporting preschool students and their caregivers, Xiente’s mobile preschool is taking a meaningful step towards broadening access to early childhood education in Philadelphia.”
Jennifer Stavrakos, interim director of the Great Learning Program at the William Penn Foundation, expressed excitement about supporting Xiente’s efforts to provide high-quality early education opportunities, stating, “We’re excited to support Xiente’s new effort, as part of our goal to ensure all Philadelphia children have access to high-quality early childhood education programs that prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond.”
Busesito also collaborates with various organizations within Philadelphia’s early learning ecosystem to offer complementary programming. Partnerships include initiatives like ParentChild+ in collaboration with the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, with outcomes assessed by partner Mathematica.
Additionally, Valley Settlement in Roaring Forks, Colorado, serves as a model for Xiente’s mobile preschool program, providing technical assistance for the pilot. This initiative builds on Xiente’s more than 20 years of experience in delivering quality, bilingual early childhood education and support services, reaching nearly 3,000 families in 2022 alone.
Busesito seeks participants for its fall 2024 cohort across Philadelphia, but especially in North, Northeast and South Philadelphia.For caretakers interested in participating in the program, email Sarah Clemency at sarah.clemency@xiente.org. ••
GOP wants income tax cut
Pennsylvania House Republicans held a news conference calling on House Democrats to call up for a vote — without amendment or partisan gimmicks — the bipartisan Senate-passed tax cut plan that would reduce the Personal Income Tax and eliminate the Gross Receipts Tax on electricity. Rep. Martina White said the tax cuts passed by the Senate and introduced in the House would benefit working-class Pennsylvanians.
“These tax cuts, which passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, are a solution designed to provide much-needed financial relief to the backbone of our commonwealth, working-class people,” she said. ••
McCormick wants to secure border
Dave McCormick, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, released the following statement after Joe Biden released an executive order on the border:
“If Joe Biden were serious about securing our border, he wouldn’t have eliminated the Trump policies — which were working — on his first day in office.
“Biden’s open borders are completely out of control, enabling the scourge of fentanyl killing Pennsylvanians, known terrorists coming into communities, spiraling expenses for taxpayers and immeasurable human exploitation and suffering — and Bob Casey has unequivocally rubber-stamped his approach every step of the way.
“Career politician Bob Casey has voted: against the border wall, for mass amnesty, for sanctuary cities, against money to detect the fentanyl that’s killing Pennsylvanians, and against deporting criminal illegals.
“Pennsylvanians deserve a senator who will secure our border and keep them safe.” ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
June 14: Almost Queen, a tribute to Queen
June 21: Corinne Bailey Rae
June 28: It’s Happening w/Snooki & Joey
July 13: Clay Walker
July 19: Debbie Gibson
July 26: Kameron Marlowe
Aug. 3: Tyler Henry, The Hollywood Medium
Aug. 23: The Marshall Tucker Band
Sept. 7: Australian Pink Floyd
Sept. 21: Dustin Lynch
Oct. 4: Heather McDonald
Oct. 18: Straight No Chaser
Oct. 19: Giggly Squad Live
Oct. 25: Michael Blaustein
Nov. 9: Air Supply
Nov. 21: Aaron Lewis
Nov. 23: Steve Trevino
Dec. 7: Kathleen Madigan ••
Bus trip to Lancaster County
St. William Travel is planning a trip to Lancaster County on June 20. There will be a Magic & Wonder Theater show, buffet lunch at Shady Maple, round trip by motorcoach, with all taxes and gratuities included. The costs $120. Bus departs from Gloria Dei Estates, 1304 Rhawn St., at 9:15 a.m. and returns 6:15 p.m. Check or money order payable to St. William Travel can be sent c/o 206 Benner St., Philadelphia, PA 19111. Call 215-745-7199. ••
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. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.”
Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia.
Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking.
Call 215-788-9408. ••
Party for West Catholic girls class of ‘69
West Catholic Girls Class of 1969 will have its 55th anniversary party on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. The cost for the luncheon is $65. Call Hannah at 610-764-3249. ••
Ukrainian Folk Festival in August
The Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from noon to 8 p.m., at the Ukrainian American Sport Center — Tryzub, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham.
There will be Ukrainian folk art, music, dance, crafts and historical reenactments, a variety of food and refreshments and a vendors grove. Admission is $15, and a portion will be donated to relief of war victims in Ukraine. Kids under 15 will be admitted free. Parking is free. Call 267-664-3857, email info@tryzub.org or visit www.tryzub.org. ••
REUNIONS
HIGH SCHOOL
• Archbishop Ryan Summer Social. Seaport Pier, North Wildwood. Saturday, July 27. 2-7 p.m. DJ Bobby Sacco, buffet, drink specials. $30 in advance. $40 at the door. ARHS.me/SummerSocial
• Archbishop Ryan Class of 1984. 40th reunion. Friday, Nov. 22. Southampton Room, 2980 Southampton Road. 7-11 p.m. https://www.arhs.me/class84reunion.
• Archbishop Ryan Class of 1999. 25th reunion. Saturday, Nov. 30. FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road. 7-11 p.m. $75. Open bar, buffet, DJ. www.arhs.me/class99reunion.
• Father Judge/St. Hubert Party at the Pier. Saturday, Aug. 3. Seaport Pier, North Wildwood.
• Germantown Class of 1974. 50th reunion. Oct. 26. The Alloy/Doubletree Hotel, King of Prussia. germantownhigh74@gmail.com
• North Catholic Classes of 1963, ’64, ’65. Sunday, Sept. 22. Painters Union Hall, 2980 Southampton Road. 4-8 p.m. $85. Buffet dinner, open bar, DJ, gifts. NorthCatholicAlumni.org/reunion. Tom Morgan (’64): 609-352-7945 or morgantom7@comcast.net. Jim Cirillo (’64): 215-669-1663 or James.cirillo@temple.edu.
• Northeast Class of 1974. 50th reunion. Sunday, June 23. Noon to 4 p.m. Maggio’s Restaurant, Southampton. $133. www.Northeast1974Reunion.com or www.NortheastHighSchool1974.com. Avi (Allan) S. Adelman: event@northeast1974reunion.com.
• St. Joseph’s Prep Classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019. Saturday, Sept. 28. 4:30 p.m. 215-978-1013.
• St. Joseph’s Prep All classes. Aug. 1. Icona, 7849 Dune Drive, Avalon. Patti Killeen: pkilleen@sjprep.org.
• West Catholic Girls Class of 1969. 55th anniversary luncheon party. Sunday, Sept. 29. Anthony’s Ristorante, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield. $65. Hannah: 610-764-3249.
Navy Reunions
• Visit HullNumber.com for a listing of reunions. The site is a free service enabling Navy shipmates to renew old friendships. There are currently more than 8,700 Navy ship, submarine and air squadron personnel rosters listed. ••
