Around Town

Waxman honors 22nd Amendment

State Rep. Ben Waxman held a news conference at the state Capitol to honor the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which established that no president of the United States may serve more than two elected terms in office.

This comes after Waxman introduced H.R. 128, which would designate April 29 as 22nd Amendment Day in Pennsylvania.

“We thought it was important that we celebrate this amendment and take a moment to highlight it and that we here in Pennsylvania believe in the Constitution, and we believe in the rule of law,” Waxman said.

“Attempts to joke about a third term by any president are not just inappropriate – they’re un-American,” said Philip Hensley-Robin, guest speaker and executive director at Common Cause Pennsylvania. “They disrespect the Constitution that all Americans honor, and all officials are sworn to uphold.”

Afterschool Caucus announces bicameral expansion

State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler announced the expansion of the Afterschool Caucus. Originating in the House, the Caucus now includes membership from both chambers and both parties.

The caucus is a space for members who support afterschool and other out-of-school time programming across Pennsylvania.

“Families that can’t afford afterschool childcare shouldn’t be left wondering what their child is up to when the bell rings,” said Fiedler. “At its heart, afterschool programming is about taking care of students and helping them grow. I’m really thrilled to see support for this issue from all sides of the legislature and to know that protecting our kids is a unifying cause.”

Last year, the legislature secured $11.5 million for Building Opportunity for Out-of-School Time, the first dedicated line item for afterschool programs in the state budget.

This June, the Afterschool Caucus wants to secure the full $21.5 million proposed in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address for the BOOST program. BOOST aims to expand structured OST programming, such as morning and weekend programming, for at-risk, school-age youth.

School districts, career and technical schools, libraries, statewide youth-serving nonprofits and community-based nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for BOOST grant funding. Small and local community organizations are particularly encouraged to apply.

City launches mobile site to locate lactation spaces for public use 

The City of Philadelphia launched the Philadelphia Lactation Spaces Finder App, a new mobile tool designed to support nursing mothers in finding safe, clean, and accessible lactation spaces throughout the city.  

This initiative is in response to the PUMP Act (Providing Urgent Maternal Protections), signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022. Under the PUMP Act, most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion to express breast milk while at work. 

In 2023 City Council passed Section 16-132 of the Philadelphia Code requiring all city departments responsible for managing city property shall oversee the creation of lactation spaces for city employees and, where possible, members of the public. The bill was signed into law by Mayor Kenney in 2023, and continues to be a priority under the Parker administration.

“We recognize the importance of supporting nursing parents, especially in urban environments where accessible and private spaces are often limited,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “The Lactation Spaces Finder App is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that Philadelphia is an inclusive city where all residents, especially children, can thrive. The PUMP Act also provides essential protections to city employees and this tool will help make those protections a reality.” 

The app, developed by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of the Chief Administrative Officer and the Office of Innovation and Technology, allows users to easily locate designated lactation spaces in public buildings, workplaces and other key areas. The free and user-friendly app, powered by an open dataset, aims to ensure nursing mothers have access to spaces that meet their needs, whether at work, in transit or out and about in Center City. 

The Philadelphia Lactation Spaces Finder App features a map of lactation spaces across the city; the ability to filter results by room type or optional amenities preferred by the user; see who to contact to access or schedule time to use the space; and information on all amenities of each space, including privacy, cleanliness and comfort.

To view the Philadelphia Lactation Spaces Finder App visit lactation-spaces.phila.gov.

City earmarks $500K to combat human trafficking

As part of the City of Philadelphia’s Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, City Council approved $500,000 in funding to launch “Red Card Philly,” a multilingual awareness campaign to combat human trafficking across the city. This specific request was made by Councilwoman Nina Ahmad.

The “Red Card Philly” campaign will use a range of tools — including multilingual posters, public service announcements and social media outreach — to educate residents and visitors on how to identify the signs of trafficking and how to safely report suspected cases. The campaign aims to build citywide awareness and foster a culture of vigilance and prevention.

“As we prepare for 2026, increasing our anti-trafficking efforts around major events will be essential to raising awareness and driving meaningful action to combat this heinous crime,” said Ahmad. “For the first time in our city’s history, we are making a significant investment to address the crisis of human trafficking. Through ‘Red Card Philly,’ we’re calling on every neighborhood, every resident and every visitor to stand together against exploitation.”

The campaign is designed with accessibility and cultural competency in mind, with materials and programming available in multiple languages and distributed through channels that reach diverse communities throughout the city. Special emphasis will be placed on outreach in transportation hubs, hospitality sectors and areas with high foot traffic.

Philabundance LunchBox program in full swing

Philabundance and The Giant Company announced details for the 2025 Summer LunchBox program, which provides meals to children who lose their school breakfast and lunch when school is out for the summer, and their families. Alongside a host of community volunteers, the Philabundance Community Kitchen team will be preparing up to 40,000 fresh and ready-to-eat lunch meals for families across Philabundance’s service region, available at any of Philabundance’s 24 youth-serving community partners in all nine counties.

It will also supplement fresh meals with 20,000 pantry-friendly breakfast kits, each containing enough for two full breakfast meals, and 10,000 “Rainy Day” frozen PCK breakfast meals.

“For tens of thousands of children across the Greater Philadelphia region, summer vacation is not just a break from school, but also a break from the reliability of school meals. Our children should go to bed tired out from summer fun, not from hunger,” said Loree D. Jones Brown, CEO, Philabundance. “Thanks to generous funding from our valued corporate partner The Giant Company and other partnerships, Philabundance will continue to help fill the summer meal gap through our LunchBox program, an important addition to our year-round efforts providing food for those in need, and their children.”

LunchBox meals are prepared by students at PCK, a culinary job-training program for adults with low to no income. Most meals will be fresh, while others are shelf-stable or frozen for later preparation. Each week, these free and nutritious meals with items like wraps, salads, fruits, vegetables and milk will be distributed through Philabundance’s 24 community partners. 

The 2025 Summer LunchBox program will last through Aug. 22. For more information, visit www.philabundance.org/summer-hunger.

Saints at the Shore

Saints at the Shore will take place on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 3-7 p.m. at Keenan’s Irish Pub, in North Wildwood. Graduates and friends of Southeast Catholic, Bishop Neumann, St. John Neumann, St. Maria Goretti and Neumann-Goretti are invited. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. The event will feature DJ Johnny Looch, drink specials, buffet, raffles, throwback merchandise and 50-50. Buy tickets at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=hHzbrx ••

Review returns to old website

The South Philly Review has returned to its original website, southphillyreview.com.

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.

Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook and on X @SoPhReview. ••

Trip to see Nunsense

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is running a bus trip to see the musical comedy Nunsense at Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee-On-Delaware, Monroe County. Cost is $144 and includes buffet luncheon at Shawnee Inn, ticket to see show and round-trip motorcoach. Bus departs at 9:15 a.m. from 604 Cottman Ave., Cheltenham, and returns about 6:30 p.m. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Call Sharyn at 267-265-5348. ••

Sign up for basketball camp

The 19th annual Jaguar Summer Basketball Camp will take place from July 21-25 at the air-conditioned Marian Center at St. Ephrem, in Bensalem. The camp is for boys and girls in kindergarten through 12th grade and will be a mix of fun, fundamentals and competition. The cost is $150 and includes a free basketball and T-shirt. Campers must bring lunch. The camp is under the direction of former college coach Dan Williams. To request a brochure or for more information, email Williams at DanW@aol.com. ••

Golfing for a cause

The Leigh Leckerman Foundation will hold Tee for Leigh, its second annual golf classic, on Friday, Sept. 5, at Bensalem Country Club. The cost is $200 per golfer, $800 for a foursome or $60 for dinner only. Sponsorships are available, including those for holes and beverage carts. Proceeds will benefit the foundation, which provides addiction-related services, including detox inpatient and outpatient services and housing. For more information, visit LeighsHelp.org. ••

Enjoy the music of Bobby Darin

The Maryln Chakov Fein Chapter, Fox Chase Cancer Center is going to New York City on Sept. 6 to see the Broadway show about Bobby Darin, Just In Time. The cost is $270, which includes orchestra seat and coach bus. The bus leaves from 604 Township Line Road, Cheltenham, at 9:15 a.m. and returns about 7:30 p.m. This event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. To reserve a ticket, call Penny at 215-342-4231. ••

LGBTQ+ exhibition on display

Creative Philadelphia and City Councilwoman Rue Landau will present Portraits of Pride and Resilience, a juried group exhibition celebrating LGBTQ+ artists in the Philadelphia region. The showcase will be on view through Aug. 28, with works displayed both in Room 116 and in Landau’s office (Room 592).

LGBTQ+ artists were invited to submit work exploring themes of identity, resilience and presence. The final selection features the work of 27 artists across a range of media, including a special installation, “Living in Color,” by Rosko Scott of the Attic Youth Center. Displayed in the hallway cases outside Room 116, Scott’s photographic series reimagines the colors of the Pride flags through intimate, affirming portraiture of LGBTQ youth.

“We reopened our Art Gallery because everyone deserves a seat at the table in Philadelphia City Hall,” said Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer and executive director of Creative Philadelphia. “The gallery is a public space, and just beyond its walls is where the Creative Philadelphia team works each day. We’re proud to be a city office where LGBTQIA+ community members — and all Philadelphians — feel welcomed, invited and encouraged to belong without question.”

“Pride and arts go hand in hand, because when we talk about living our authentic lives, we cannot do that without mentioning expression,” Landau said. “For our artists, living authentically during Pride Month and all year long means being able to express themselves without inhibition, and I’m glad City Hall is lifting up the artists in this exhibition. The works displayed in this curation don’t just portray queer excellence – they are a statement of resilience and freedom.”

The exhibition was selected by local artists Symone Salib and Lauren Rinaldi, with support from Tu Huynh, Creative Philadelphia’s Curator of Exhibitions and Programs.

Portraits of Pride and Resilience is part of the Art In City Hall program, Creative Philadelphia’s ongoing effort to present exhibitions that reflect the city’s cultural fabric and amplify “underrepresented” voices. Visitors can view the exhibition through Aug. 28 during gallery hours (Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, noon to 4 p.m.). Guests should enter City Hall through the NE Corner Visitor’s Entrance and sign in with security. ••

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. ••

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. ••

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. ••

Ways for dog owners to make mail delivery safer

Incidents involving dog attacks on Postal Service employees rose to more than 6,000 cases last year, including 32 in Philadelphia and 316 in Pennsylvania.

As part of the 2025 USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign, the Postal Service is offering information on how dog owners can be good stewards for safe mail delivery and ensure the safety of its employees.

“Customers may not consider their dog a danger to others, however, to a letter carrier like me, all dogs can be considered a threat when delivering the mail,” said Jonah Helfrich, a Blue Bell letter carrier. “I was recently delivering mail and a dog barged through a door and bit me on the wrist, which required me to seek medical treatment. I strongly encourage all dog owners to take precautions to make sure their dog is secure when mail is being delivered.” 

The month-long campaign theme is “Secure Your Dog, Keep Deliveries on Track.”

Most people know the approximate time their letter carrier arrives every day. Securing your dog before the carrier approaches your property will minimize any potentially dangerous interactions.

Keep your dog in a separate room or area away from the door when the mail carrier comes to your house. If you go outside, close the door firmly behind you and make sure it is secured so your dog doesn’t slip out or bust through it unexpectedly. If you are outside with your dog while mail is being delivered, make sure your dog is secured away from the mail carrier and on a leash. Never accept the mail from your mail carrier in the presence of your dog.

Pet owners also should remind children not to take mail directly from a letter carrier because the dog may view the carrier as a threat to the child.

By using USPS Informed Delivery, a free service, customers can digitally preview incoming mail and packages from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Millions of customers have enrolled since the service was launched in 2017. Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com. This service can help dog owners anticipate when their carrier will arrive. 

When a postal employee suffers an injury from a dog attack, it can cost the dog owner thousands of dollars because they could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs and pain and suffering for the employee.

When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service can be stopped.

Until the carrier feels safe enough to restart delivery, the mail will have to be picked up at the dog owner’s local Post Office.

If a carrier feels a house or neighborhood is unsafe to deliver the mail and there is no way to inform residents their mail service has been suspended, the residents would have to contact the supervisor at their local Post Office for more information. The residents would also have to pick up their mail at the Post Office until it is safe to resume delivery.

If a dangerous dog issue is not resolved, owners can be required to rent a Post Office box to receive mail. ••

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. ••