Around Town
Free gym memberships for students
The City of Philadelphia, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, teamed up with local Planet Fitness clubs ahead of the 2025 High School Summer Pass program. The initiative provides teenagers ages 14-19 with free access to any participating Planet Fitness gym from June 1 through Aug. 31.
“I am committed to ensuring our young people have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive year-round,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “The Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass program is about more than fitness. It’s about creating safe spaces where our teens can stay active, reduce stress and build lifelong healthy habits. This partnership reflects our shared belief in the power of prevention, community and investing in the future of Philadelphia’s youth.”
The program is designed to keep teens active, healthy and safe over the summer months by providing access to judgment-free, inclusive fitness spaces throughout the city. While the city offers a range of summer programs, the Planet Fitness High School Summer Pass Program adds another layer of support, providing teens free access to welcoming fitness spaces where they can stay active, care for their mental wellness, stay engaged and connect with positive community resources.
“We are excited to collaborate with the City of Philadelphia and Planet Fitness to provide high school students with free access to any Planet Fitness club during the summer months,” said Tony B. Watlington Sr., Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. “As we move forward with implementing Accelerate Philly, our five-year strategic plan, we will continue to prioritize the mental health and well-being of our students. We encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity and engage in physical activity over the summer.”
Now in its fifth year, the program is part of Planet Fitness’s national commitment to youth fitness and empowerment, and reflects a growing public-private partnership model aimed at enhancing community health.
“We’re proud to give teens a place to build lifelong healthy habits through our High School Summer Pass program because fitness is about more than strength; it’s about confidence, wellness and opportunity,” said Franz Kindler, Chief of Staff at National Fitness Partners. “We’re especially excited to bring this opportunity to Philadelphia, a city that shares our commitment to youth development and wellness, and we’re honored to partner with Mayor Cherelle Parker and the School District of Philadelphia to help make a lasting impact on the lives of students across the city.”
Eligible teens can register online at planetfitness.com/summerpass or at any club location. Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at sign-up.
Spruce and Pine bike lane safety upgrades project underway
The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Parking Authority began installing new loading zone and “No Stopping Anytime” curbside regulation signage along the Spruce and Pine streets corridor as part of Phase 1 of the Spruce and Pine Streets Bike Lane Safety Upgrades project.
The new loading zones will be installed on each block of Spruce and Pine streets from Front to 22nd streets and “No Stopping Anytime” signs will be placed along the entire length of each respective bike lane. PPA officers will issue warnings for a two-week period before ticketing enforcement begins on June 19.
The new curbside regulations are a result of Council President Kenyatta Johnson’s Get Out the Bike Lane legislation (Bill No. 240657), which was introduced on the first day of City Council’s fall 2024 session and signed into law by Mayor Cherelle Parker last November. The new citywide ordinance penalizes stopping, standing or parking in a bike lane with a fine of $125 in Center City and University City and $75 in other parts of the city.
“The city and PPA worked together to roll out new No Stopping Anytime regulation signs on the Spruce and Pine corridor concurrently with the addition of new loading zones,” said Mike Carroll, Deputy Managing Director, Transportation and Infrastructure, City of Philadelphia. “This addresses the need for resident motorists, ride hailing services and delivery vehicles to make short-term pick-ups and drop-offs, which formerly may have taken place in the designated bike lanes. We feel this balances longstanding concerns over safety while doing our best to accommodate loading activity.”
The city will continue to work on Phase 2 of the project, which includes the addition of traffic safety treatments, curb-separated bike lane infrastructure, as well as education and enforcement measures. The city will release a recommendation report for Phase 2 later this summer.
House passes Isaacson’s Cyber Charter School reform bill
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed H.B. 1500, authored by state Rep. Mary Isaacson, which she said would provide reform to cyber charter schools while enhancing transparency and accountability.
“This bill marks a milestone in my ongoing commitment to champion policies that guarantee Pennsylvania students receive a sound and equitable education, as enshrined in the state’s constitution,” Isaacson said. “Cyber charter schools are paid for by public funds and these reforms will ensure transparency and accountability for students, parents and teachers, and people across the commonwealth will benefit from this reform.”
The lawmaker explained that the bill would focus on cyber charter funding reform by setting a statewide standardized tuition rate for cyber charter schools while placing caps on their fund balances.
“Public funds that are allocated for education should be spent on teaching students the vital skills they need to succeed throughout their academic career. It should not be used to make cyber charter operators richer,” Isaacson said. “Cyber charters are moving hundreds of millions of dollars into slush funds and physical buildings with no public input or government oversight.”
Isaacson’s bill calls for transparency and accountability for cyber charters by following the same reporting requirements for annual budgets, financial statements and construction costs that public schools are required to report.
“If just one cent goes to any expense that doesn’t benefit students, it’s a waste of public funds. This bill has safeguards to protect against Pennsylvanians and school districts having to pay for students who may not even live in Pennsylvania,” Isaacson said.
The bill would also require all low-performing schools to be reported and prevents any gifts or incentives for students enrolling in a cyber charter school.
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. ••
Learn about brain, spinal cord injuries
The National Neurotrauma Society, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Minds Matter Concussion Program and the Centre for Neuroskills will sponsor a free discussion about brain and spinal cord injuries on Saturday, June 14, from 2-4 p.m. at the Marriott Downtown, Salon D, Level 5, at 12th and Market streets. ••
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. ••
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. ••
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. ••