Pop-Up Gardens return to South Street
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society celebrates spring with the highly anticipated reopening of the PHS Pop Up Gardens at Manayunk and South Street. These verdant outdoor spaces are a green retreat in the heart of Philadelphia; filled with plant displays, food and drink offerings and activities for all ages.
This year’s season brings new menu additions, freshly crafted cocktail creations and a lineup of hands-on workshops and events. At 1438 South St., visitors can enjoy a variety of food offerings while enjoying the garden setting.
Both PHS Pop Up Gardens will host a variety of events throughout the season, including both free and ticketed events. Visitors can explore their creative side with hands-on craft workshops, including garden embroidery, pressed flower workshops, orchid workshops and moss terrarium making. The monthly, free Plant Swap series is back again this year at both gardens. Throughout the season, guests who visit South Street can acquire new plants for their homes.
Events begin Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday at noon.
Annual Philly School Experience Survey
The School District of Philadelphia’s Philly School Experience Survey, the annual survey for Philly public school (district, alternative and charter schools) students, families and staff, is open now. The PSES is one of the tools to learn how school community members feel about their experiences in schools. School leaders use the results to identify what is working in their school and where more support is needed. The survey results are also used to inform annual school plans and funding priorities, and to direct community resources to where they can be most impactful. Two-way engagement with families and communities is a component of the district’s strategic plan, Accelerate Philly.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. The last day to take the survey is June 13. More information can be found at https://www.philasd.org/research/#sdppses.
House approves double penalties for child labor law violations
The PA House of Representatives approved legislation introduced by Rep. Regina Young that would increase the fines for violations of the state child labor law.
As state legislatures nationwide are weakening their child labor laws, H.B. 118 would ensure that Pennsylvania employers are held accountable for exploiting children by doubling the penalties for a first offense to $1,000 and $3,000 for each subsequent offense.
“Our highest duty as legislators should be to protect our most vulnerable people who are unable to protect themselves, especially our children,” said Young following the vote. “Child labor violations are still too common in our state, with too many employers chalking it up to ‘the cost of doing business.’ That is straight up exploitation and unacceptable as we should work to guide and mentor our young people toward gainful employment. These fines have remained unchanged for over a decade as violations increase, so it’s clear they are an insufficient disincentive. Exploitation of children in any circumstance should be abhorrent to all Pennsylvanians. I’m hopeful that these doubled penalties will act as a stronger deterrent to the illegal employment of Pennsylvania’s children.”
The bill was approved in the House by a 117-85 vote and now heads to the Senate for its consideration.
City receives $600K to update Climate Resilience Plan
The city Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Philadelphia City Fund, received a $600,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation to develop an “equitable” Climate Resilience Plan with input from residents and stakeholders across the city. The grant will support the city’s launch of an inclusive and equitable public engagement process, ensuring residents and local organizations play a role in planning for and building resilience to climate change.
“Philadelphians are already feeling the impacts of climate change, with communities like Eastwick and Hunting Park on the frontlines of increased extreme heat and flooding events,” said Sinceré Harris, Chief Deputy Mayor, Intergovernmental Affairs, Sustainability and Engagement. “Updating the climate resilience plan marks a significant step forward in the city’s preparedness for emergency events and chronic stressors caused by climate change. This plan will provide crucial guidance to build Philadelphia’s resilience, protecting residents, communities, businesses and infrastructure.”
OOS has been working across departments to lay the groundwork for an updated Climate Resilience Plan that looks at climate risk and vulnerabilities throughout Philadelphia and identifies climate solutions and actions to increase resilience. The plan will address citywide impacts to “vulnerable” populations, neighborhoods, assets, infrastructure and municipal services. In the next phase, OOS will lead a public engagement process to gather input from stakeholders across the city.
“We invite residents and local organizations citywide to help shape the updated climate resilience plan to ensure it reflects their community’s needs and experiences with climate impacts,” said Liz Lankenau, director, Office of Sustainability. “When we prioritize residents’ voices through an inclusive public engagement process and innovative programs like the Resilience Ambassador program, we can develop a plan that is both comprehensive and equitable.”
New info on traffic death reduction
Philly Stat 360 and the city’s Vision Zero program recently launched a new Vision Zero dashboard, showing how the city is working to reduce traffic deaths across the city and make roads safer.
In Philadelphia, 80 percent of traffic deaths and serious injuries occurred on just 12 percent of streets. These streets, called the “High Injury Network,” are being targeted by Vision Zero for strategic investments to reduce accidents, injuries, and deaths.
Vision Zero, a collaborative initiative led by the city Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems and the Office of Multimodal Planning, uses a “Safe System” approach to traffic safety that focuses on making streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
The new Vision Zero dashboard shows the work the city and partners have undertaken to make streets safer and includes interactive maps of total installed traffic calming devices, all projects on the High Injury Network and serious or fatal crashes in 2023.
High Injury Network projects have reduced deaths and serious injuries across the city. For example, since speed cameras were installed on Roosevelt Boulevard in 2020, speeding violations have decreased by over 95 percent, fatal and serious injury crashes have decreased 21 percent and crashes involving pedestrians have decreased 50 percent. In areas with Complete Streets projects, there have been 34 percent fewer fatal and serious injury crashes and 20 percent fewer total crashes causing injury.
“The Vision Zero dashboard shows how the Parker administration is committed to using data to drive change, holding ourselves accountable to reduce traffic deaths and injuries in Philadelphia, and ensuring that every decision is informed by the most accurate, up-to-date information to make the city safer for everyone,” said Kristin Bray, Director, Philly Stat 360. “Any traffic injury is one too many, and we will continue supporting Vision Zero initiatives to use data to make Philadelphia safer, cleaner and greener, with economic opportunity for all Philadelphians.”
Register for 2026 PGA Championship tickets
The PGA of America announced ticket registration for the 2026 PGA Championship, one of golf’s four majors, marking its return to the Philadelphia region for the first time since 1962. The PGA Championship, taking place from May 11–17, 2026, at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, will feature 156 of the world’s top professional golfers.
Coinciding with Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the 2026 PGA Championship will be a marquee event during a historic year, bringing increased visibility and tourism to the region. The Championship is expected to generate more than $125 million in economic impact, supporting local and regional businesses, while its global television broadcast will reach nearly 500 million households in 180-plus countries.
The tournament is expected to draw more than 200,000 attendees. Due to historically high demand, spectators are encouraged to register early at pgachampionship.com/register. Ticket registration is open through May 27.
“The 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club will offer a truly special experience for both players and spectators,” said Ryan Ogle, Championship Director. “This historic venue, located in a city with a rich sports culture, provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable PGA Championship. By registering early for tickets, individuals will have the best chance to witness golf’s best players compete for the Wanamaker Trophy. We expect the event to sell out, and through our ticket registration program, we aim to provide a seamless ticket-buying experience for those interested in attending the 108th PGA Championship.”
To ensure widespread access to the most in-demand ticket types, 2026 PGA Championship tickets are sold exclusively through a free, no-obligation, online ticket registration (pgachampionship.com/register) process. By participating in this process, individuals are registering for a place in line – first come, first served – for the opportunity to purchase tickets when they go on sale in May. The earlier an individual registers the better, as historically many of the most popular ticket types have sold out in advance of past PGA Championships.
Registrants will be assigned a group and purchase window. As their designated purchase window approaches, they will receive instructions on how to complete their order. To register, spectators must provide their name, email address and mailing address. Each individual is allowed only one registration per unique email address. Once all registration purchase windows have been completed, any remaining inventory will go on sale to the general public.
Additional ticket policies include:
• Juniors: Each ticketed adult may bring up to two juniors (age 15 and under) for free each day. No advance registration is required.
• Military: U.S. active duty, military retirees (with 20 years of qualifying service), Reserve and National Guard members are eligible to receive complimentary daily grounds tickets for themselves and one guest per day, subject to availability. These tickets will be available in the fall.
Details on ticket pricing and package options will be announced in May, ahead of ticket sales. The 2026 PGA Championship will exclusively offer Championship+ tickets to spectators, providing an elevated experience with inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the event.
To stay updated on the latest PGA Championship news, visit PGAChampionship.com, follow @PGAChampionship on X and Instagram or go to facebook.com/pgachampionship.
For questions or assistance with ticket registration, email the 2026 PGA Championship office at 2026pga@pgahq.com. ••
Variety show at Buck Hotel
Joey C’s Variety Dinner Show will take place on Friday, April 4, at the Top of the Buck Ballroom, 1200 Buck Road, Feasterville. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner is served at 6:30. The show starts at 8. There will be tributes to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Tickets are $85, which includes tax and gratuity. There will be a cash bar. Tickets are available at Thebuckhotel.com/eventscalendar. For more information, call 215-317-7675. ••
Liberal groups oppose voter ID
Twenty-three left-wing voting rights and democracy groups have written a letter to state House Speaker Joanna McClinton and members of the General Assembly, urging them to reject House Bill 771, a voter ID proposal.
The bill would institute new paperwork and voter ID requirements for in-person voting in all Pennsylvania elections. The bill would impose costs on election administrators and state agencies. If passed, the group said, the bill would cause confusion and unnecessarily complicate the voter check-in process, resulting in longer lines at the polls.
“The people are speaking with a clear voice. Our elections should be made more accessible, and this bill would make them less so. We encourage representatives to reject House Bill 771 and to not disenfranchise eligible Pennsylvania voters,” said Philip Hensley-Robin, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania.
Other groups opposed to the bill include the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates, Black Political Empowerment Project, Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition and SEIU PA State Council. ••
Real estate tax refund deadline extended
Councilwomen Jamie Gauthier and Rue Landau co-introduced an ordinance extending the deadline for low-income taxpayers to apply for a refund or forgiveness of real estate taxes. The ordinance will allow for the 2025 application deadline to be extended to Sept. 30. The extension will also permit the retroactive qualification for future applicants as well as institute an auto-enrollment process for the Department of Revenue to proactively register qualified applicants.
Homeowners can apply online via the Philadelphia Tax Center, by mail or in person at one of the city’s services centers. Based on state guidelines, participants cannot exceed a total yearly gross income of $33,500 for a single person. A married couple cannot exceed a yearly gross of $41,500.
Homeowners who enroll in the low-income tax freeze before the deadline will have their property tax bill frozen at its 2024 amount, even if their assessed property value or tax rate increased. This program helps seniors and other low-income homeowners stay in their residences as housing costs and property tax bills increase.
“With expenses surging, it’s more crucial than ever to do all we can to help Philadelphians save money and stay in their homes,” Landau said. “This is one more tool in our toolbox here in City Council to help seniors and low-income Philadelphians with their housing costs.” ••
Celebrating St. Katharine Drexel
The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament invite supporters and friends to gather for the 2025 Annual Gala, a special afternoon honoring the enduring legacy of their foundress, St. Katharine Drexel, on Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. at The Buck Hotel, 1200 Buck Road, Feasterville.
This year’s gala commemorates the 25th anniversary of St. Katharine Drexel’s canonization. The event will feature a keynote address by Robert Gutherman, whose miraculous healing led to the first recognized miracle attributed to St. Katharine Drexel.
Sponsorships and advertisements for the gala can be purchased until April 11. All ads must be submitted by April 19.
For more information or to attend the gala, visit https://www.katharinedrexel.org/news-events/gala-2025/, contact the SBS Gala Committee at sbscm.cfgp@gmail.com or call 267-592-6711. ••
Kids can learn from Stevie the Inventor
Local innovator and STEM educator Stevie the Inventor is bringing a hands-on Nanobot Building Class to the Free Library of Philadelphia. The workshops is intended to provide children and families with an interactive experience in robotics, engineering and invention.
Stevie the Inventor’s DIY Nanobot Kits come equipped with tiny car bots and all the necessary components for assembly, giving participants the opportunity to build, test and customize their own moving nanobots. His mission is to empower young learners by teaching them the basics of engineering while fostering problem-solving skills and innovation.
An upcoming class is at Olney Library, 5501 N. 5th St., on Saturday, April 12, at 1 p.m.
“I believe that giving kids the chance to invent and create at an early age is my way of giving back to my community,” Stevie said. “If we can spark their curiosity now, they’ll have the confidence to build the future.”For more information about Stevie the Inventor’s Nanobot Building Classes or to schedule a session at your library or school, email stevethelegacy@gmail.com or call 267-244-2101. ••
Senior softball needs players
The Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced softball players for its 58 & over and 68 & over leagues. The 58 & over league plays Tuesday and Thursday, while 68 & over plays Monday and Friday. All games are played at Crispin Field, at Holme and Convent avenues in the Northeast. Games start at 10 a.m. The season starts in mid-April and runs through September. For more information, call or text Mike Bojanowski at 215-801-4869 or Marty King at 215-409-5021. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Germantown Jazz Festival in April
The Germantown Jazz Festival will take place from April 25-27. Venues are Germantown Friends School, Vernon Park, First Presbyterian Church and The Nile Cafe. There will be performances, workshops, food vendors, children’s activities and cultural experiences. For more information, visit GermantownJazzFestival.com or call Sherri Pennington at 267-882-7385. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••
Trip to Hindu temple, lunch, chocolate
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a bus trip to Robbinsville, New Jersey, on Thursday, April 10, featuring a tour of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, the largest Hindu temple outside of India, a three-course luncheon at The Cranberry Inn and a visit to David Bradley Chocolatier. All-inclusive cost is $130. Call 215-788-2106 or visit bristolhistory.org for a flyer/reservation form. ••
