SPHS Classes Jan./June ’64 & Jan. ’65 reunion
South Philadelphia High School will hold its 60th class reunion luncheon for classes January/June 1964 and January 1965 on Nov. 2 at noon at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St. Tickets are $70 and include buffet dinner and music. Cash bar. For tickets and more information contact Linda Lewandowski at 215-271-1674, Anna Marie Rosato at 856-371-7332 or Barbara MacCahery at 267-335-7072.
School district receives $7.8 million for environmental repairs
The Philadelphia House Delegation announced that nearly $8 million has been awarded to schools in the city for environmental repairs. The awards were secured through the Department of Education’s Environmental Repairs Grants program funding provided in the previous year’s state budget. The grants are to be used for improvements to air conditioning or heating, removal of lead and asbestos and repairs to roofs or other environmental hazards.
Delegation Chairwoman Rep. Morgan Cephas said the grants are long overdue to remediate Philadelphia’s aging school building infrastructure.
“Toxic schools have been a crisis in our city for more than a generation. Our delegation has fought to make these funds available as part of our efforts to improve the education experience for our public school students, so we are very excited to finally see it come to fruition, thanks to the Shapiro administration and the advocacy of House Democrats,” Cephas said. “The School District of Philadelphia has some of the oldest school buildings in the state, many of which are over 100 years old and absent of modern services, materials and resources. This is a down payment on providing an up-to-date, healthy and clean environment for all students, teachers and staff in our schools.”
The School District of Philadelphia received $7,831,350. In addition, the Laboratory Charter School received $97,892 and West Oak Lane Charter School was awarded $15,663.
Applications open for new state funding for afterschool programs
Applications for Building Opportunities for Out of School Time, also known as BOOST, are now open. The initiative received $11.5 million in this year’s state budget, delivering the first dedicated funding to afterschool and summer learning programs in Pennsylvania. Funding can be used for staff salaries, educational resources, enrollment costs and more.
These programs are designed to give students a safe space to receive mentorship, tutoring and career skills as well as time for recreation and extracurricular activities. Studies show that by providing young people with opportunities for continued learning, out-of-school time programming can reduce violence, teen pregnancies, school drop-outs and more.
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler is a co-chair of the Afterschool Caucus in the House. She stated that BOOST funding was a top priority in this year’s budget.
“No matter what they’re dealing with at home, afterschool programs can give kids a safe place to spend their time and grow,” Fiedler said. “This new, dedicated funding stream will allow more students to move off waiting lists and benefit from all these programs have to offer.”
Eligible applicants include school districts, area career and technical schools, libraries, statewide youth-serving nonprofit organizations and community-based nonprofit organizations.
Shapiro signs Housing Action Plan
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-03, directing his administration to create the Housing Action Plan to address the state’s housing shortage, address homelessness and expand affordable housing options – ensuring Pennsylvanians have access to safe, affordable housing and attracting more people to live in the state.
The executive order tasks the Department of Community and Economic Development with leading the plan’s development, working alongside various stakeholders to identify housing needs and devise a strategic response. The Housing Action Plan will guide efforts to expand affordable housing and provide support to the homeless. It will also ensure a coordinated, multi-agency approach involving state, local and federal partners as well as private organizations.
“To make Pennsylvania more competitive, we must cut costs, grow our workforce and attract more people to live and work in the commonwealth. A key challenge we face in attracting new residents is the lack of safe, affordable housing – which is why my administration is focused on delivering commonsense solutions to expand affordable housing and lower housing costs for Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said. “We recognize that Pennsylvania faces unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to housing – that’s why we need a comprehensive, coordinated statewide housing plan. We’re taking action to build more homes in the communities that need them most, lower costs so families can afford to stay in their homes, repair aging houses and make sure our seniors can live with dignity and comfort. We’re all in this together, and I’m committed to ensuring everyone has access to a place they can truly call home.”
Kitrosser’s show to make ‘Smooth’ debut
South Philly resident Dan Kitrosser’s solo queer noir musical “Smooth” will take the stage at
Christ Church Neighborhood Playhouse’s Harding Room, 20 N. American St. The show has six viewings from Sept. 20-29.
Kitrosser, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, performer and educator, dons multiple hats, embodying every character with a fierce, singular energy in this solo spectacle that puts the ME in FemME Fatale. The show features gender-bending performances, interactive moments and twists.
A private investigator is on the case to uncover the mystery behind the vanishing detectives in this queer send-up of classic noir. Tickets are $25 at www.dankitrosser.com.
Guys and Dolls on stage in Manayunk
The Star Players, of the city Department of Parks and Recreation, will present Guys and Dolls from Oct. 11-13 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. Tickets are available with Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St.
For more information, call Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714, visit the group’s Facebook page or follow @starplayersPPR on X. ••
NFIB endorses GOP row office candidates
The National Federation of Independent Business Pennsylvania PAC endorsed Republicans Dave Sunday for Attorney General, Tim DeFoor for Auditor General and Stacy Garrity for Treasurer.
The NFIB Pennsylvania PAC is comprised of NFIB members from throughout the state and endorses candidates based on their positions on key small business issues.
“Small business owners understand the importance of these state offices and the impact they have on their local economy and workforce,” said Greg Moreland, NFIB Pennsylvania state director. “Now more than ever, small businesses need clarity and certainty from their elected officials and that starts with elected pro-small business candidates. We are proud to endorse Dave Sunday, Tim DeFoor and Stacy Garrity because they are committed to making Pennsylvania a better place to do business and strengthening Main Street.”
Small business owners recently cited “Uncertainty over Economic Conditions,” “Unreasonable Government Regulations” and “Uncertainty over Government Actions” as three of the top 10 problems facing small businesses. ••
Hero Thrill Show is Saturday
The 69th annual Hero Thrill Show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Wells Fargo Center parking lot.
Featured will be the Sound of Philadelphia music by DJ legend Bob Pantano, performances and displays of K-9 and bicycle units, the elite Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team, mounted police horse, fire engines, crime-fighting equipment by the Police Aviation Unit, Bomb Squad, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Marine Unit, firearms instructors, Police Academy and SWAT Unit.
Tickets are $15 for individuals and $35 for a family (up to five).
Proceeds pay for the college tuition of children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
For more information, go to herothrillshow.org. ••
Entertainment at Parx
Parx Casino is offering the following upcoming entertainment:
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 ••
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. ••
Sign up for Philly Bike Ride
The third annual Philly Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Riders will pass Independence Hall, City Hall, Love Park, Chinatown, Old City, Penn’s Landing and Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive. They can choose between a 20-mile course or a 7.6-mile version, both ending at the art museum.
The free post-ride festival features live music, wellness activities, a beer garden and food trucks.
The cost is $69, with various add-ons available.
A portion of proceeds will support the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and its Youth Cycling Program.
For more information, visit www.phillybikeride.com ••
A space for UArts student work
Councilwoman Rue Landau, in collaboration with Creative Philadelphia, is launching an initiative to support students and faculty affected by the recent closure of the University of the Arts.
The project aims to transform City Hall into a welcoming hub for these displaced artists’ work, providing them with a space to showcase their work in City Hall and in the office of Landau (Room 592) and the corridors.
Students and faculty of UArts are invited to submit their artwork for consideration through an online submission form, with a deadline of Oct. 4.
“The closure of UArts is a significant loss for our city, but it also presents an opportunity for us to uplift and support these talented artists,” Landau said. “I’m honored to provide a space for their work alongside the Creative Philadelphia so that they know the city values their contributions to our arts scene.”
The submission form for UArts students and faculty to have their work featured can be found here. ••
After-school program for sophs
Applications have been extended until Friday, Sept. 20, for local students seeking educational experiences in science and healthcare fields to apply to The College of Physicians of Philadelphia’s Wohlreich Junior Fellows Program.
There is no cost to apply for any of the college’s science-focused youth programs.
Founded in 2009, the George and Judy Wohlreich Junior Fellows program is a summer and after-school program for Philadelphia high school students from “historically excluded” communities who have an interest in health. The program seeks to foster interest in careers in healthcare and medicine through hands-on learning and interaction with professionals. The program also provides academic counseling and support to better prepare these students for college and their future careers.
The program is open to students entering 10th grade who are Philadelphia residents, enrolled in a Philadelphia high school, have an interest in science and healthcare professions, will be the first in their immediate family to graduate from a college or university, qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch, and have no disciplinary problems on their school record. There are no costs to participate in the program.
The program goes for three years.
Apply here: Wohlreich Junior Fellows Program | The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
Learn more at https://collegeofphysicians.org/programs. ••
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. ••
