PAWS announces ‘Match Madness’ adoption promotion
Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society is launching a limited-time adoption promotion aimed at finding homes for cats and dogs with longer shelter stays or special needs.
The “Match Madness” event runs through April 6 and allows adopters to name their own adoption fee for select animals. The effort comes as shelters remain at capacity, with officials emphasizing that each adoption creates space to rescue additional at-risk pets.
The promotion highlights animals that may require extra care, such as older pets or those needing medication, but are otherwise ready for permanent homes. Organizers say the goal is to match pets with adopters whose lifestyles fit their needs.
As part of the campaign, potential adopters can meet some animals in person during an event at a PetSmart store on March 28, held in conjunction with a national adoption initiative.
PAWS officials say the organization rescues thousands of animals each year and provides low-cost veterinary care, pet food support and foster services to help keep pets out of shelters.
Re-opening of PHS pop-up gardens in Manayunk and South Street
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will reopen its seasonal pop-up gardens on South Street and in Manayunk beginning, with a focus on food, drinks and community programming through the spring, summer and fall.
The South Street location, PHS Pop Up Garden at South Street at 1438 South St., will begin with a weather-dependent soft opening, followed by a grand opening March 27. The garden is scheduled to remain open through late fall.
Organizers say the South Street garden will feature globally inspired menu items, including shareable snacks, plant-based dishes and seasonal cocktails such as mango- and guava-flavored frozen drinks. The space will also host regular events, including twice-monthly free jazz performances, plant swaps and hands-on gardening workshops.
Programming will include monthly “Rooted” workshops tied to the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show theme, offering activities like terrarium building and seed saving. A recurring plant swap series, supported by Solo Real Estate, will provide free plants and gardening items to participants. Plants used in the Flower Show will be repurposed in the gardens as part of sustainability efforts, according to PHS.
Proceeds from food, drinks and events support the organization’s year-round initiatives focused on neighborhood greening, food access and public health. Beginning in mid-April, the South Street garden is expected to expand hours, opening as early as noon on select days, with updated schedules posted on social media.
Waxman HIV decriminalization bill moves forward
The state House Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation that would address outdated criminal penalties that disproportionately affect people living with HIV and are inconsistent with current scientific understanding of HIV transmission. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Ben Waxman.
“By keeping laws in place that discriminate against people living with HIV, we are saying that we do not care about a vulnerable population in our state and that we are choosing to disregard new scientific findings on HIV,” said Waxman. “It is long past time to overturn this prejudicial law, and my piece of legislation aims to do just that.”
Under existing Pennsylvania law, people living with HIV can face enhanced criminal penalties — including felony charges related to prostitution — based solely on their HIV status. Advocates and public health experts argue that these provisions reflect outdated assumptions about HIV rather than modern medical science.
1776 the musical at Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre will conclude its 217th season with the Broadway musical 1776, part of the city’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Previews begin April 14, opening night is April 22, and the production runs through May 31.
The Tony Award-winning musical, with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, dramatizes the debates of the Continental Congress as figures including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson push for independence.
Directed by Glenn Casale, the production stars Ben Dibble as Adams, with Lucy Horton as Abigail Adams, Grant Struble as Jefferson and Scott Greer as Franklin.
The show will also mark the first appearance in decades of the theater’s restored historic fire curtain, featuring “The Bells First Note – 1753” by artist J. L. G. Ferris.
Tickets and information are available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org.
Ethiopian food coming to Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market announced it will add its first Ethiopian cuisine vendor this spring with the opening of Sekela Kitchen.
The fast-casual stand will serve traditional Ethiopian dishes such as doro wat, injera and sambusa, along with customizable bowls for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu will emphasize the vegan and vegetarian options common in Ethiopian cuisine while also offering meat dishes.
Market officials said the addition supports efforts to expand the diversity of food offerings at the historic public market.
Sekela Kitchen is owned by Marta Kebede, who grew up working in her mother’s restaurant in Ethiopia and most recently managed Era in the city’s Brewerytown neighborhood.
Kebede moved to the United States in 2007 and has worked in businesses near the market, including the nearby Fashion District Philadelphia shopping center.
She said the goal is to introduce customers to Ethiopian cuisine while giving the city’s Ethiopian community a taste of home in Center City.
Phila Chinese Lantern Festival returns in Franklin Square
Historic Philadelphia Inc. and Tianyu Arts and Culture announced the return of the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square from June 5 through Aug. 16.
The annual festival will feature new illuminated lantern displays created by artists from Zigong, China — widely known as the world’s lantern capital — along with live cultural performances, a choreographed fountain light show at the square’s Rendell Family Fountain, food vendors and family attractions.
Organizers said this year’s event will highlight the Year of the Horse and tie into United States Semiquincentennial celebrations in Philadelphia.
Proceeds support programming and free community events at the park.
Tickets for the festival go on sale April 6. The 2026 season also marks the 20th anniversary of the revitalization of Franklin Square.
Veterans-themed films
American Veterans Media and the Cape May-based Longest Yarn Committee are presenting a day of veterans-themed documentary screenings on Saturday, May 16, at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St. Films shown will be Edison 64 (11 a.m.), Remember the 27 Crusaders (1:30 p.m.), The Ralph Galati Story (4 p.m.) and the world premiere of The Longest Yarn (6:30 p.m.). Each film will be followed by a Q&A with production crew members and people featured in the films. Tickets cost $20 and include admittance to an individual film screening, museum ticket until 5 p.m. and a $10 parking voucher. No tickets will be sold at the door. To RSVP, visit https://www.americanveteransmedia.org/donate ••
Ceremony for Sports Hall of Famers
The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Philadelphia City All Star Chapter, will hold its 32nd annual awards banquet on Thursday, April 16, at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road. There will be cocktails (cash bar) from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7. The class of 2026 inductees are Tom Bonk (North Catholic), Dom DiSandro (George Washington), Jahri Evans (Frankford), Tom Filer (Archbishop Ryan), Tim Gallagher (Cardinal Dougherty), Chuck Gesing (La Salle), Jayne McGinley (Frankford), Joe Ryan (Cardinal Dougherty), Kathie Beisel-Sims (St. Hubert) and Matt Walsh (Germantown Academy). Tickets are $85 in advance and $90 at the door. Tables of 10 are available. Checks can be made payable to Philadelphia City All Star Chapter, P.O. Box 672, Levittown, PA 19055. Include your name, email, phone number, number of tickets and name of inductee. For more information, contact Steve DiSangro at [email protected] or 215-421-7556. ••
Looking for senior softball players
The Philadelphia Senior Softball League 68 & over is in search of some experienced players. Games are played Monday and Friday at 10 a.m. All games are played at Crispin Park, at Holme and Convent avenues. Play starts in May and runs through October, with no games in July. All teams will play 24 games, along with playoffs. If interested, call or text Marty King at 215-409-5021 or Mike Bojanowski at 215-801-4869. ••
Come see Elvis
Jeff “Elvis” Krick will be in the building at Bustleton Memorial American Legion Post 810 hall, 9151 Old Newtown Road, on Friday, April 17, from 7-11 p.m. The cost is $30 and includes show and spaghetti dinner with a cash bar., basket raffles and 50/50. All donations benefit veterans and their families. For tickets, call Joan at 215-715-5704. ••
Benefit for suicide awareness
A beef-and-beer benefit for the American Suicide Foundation is taking place on Saturday, April 11, from 3-7 p.m. at the Eddington House, 2813 Hulmeville Road, in Bensalem. The event will be in memory of Ryan Sherman, who died last April at age 35. Sherman was a member of the Morrell Park Town Watch, a volunteer with Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department Station 16 and a marshal with Woodland String Band and Golden Crown New Year’s Brigade. The benefit will feature a DJ, Mummers, vendors, fire trucks, raffles, characters and a moonbounce. The cost is $50 in advance, $60 at the door or $10 for children and will include food, beer, wine, soda and water. For tickets or to make a monetary donation, visit the Eddington House or use Venmo @NSherman913. For more information on tickets, to make a monetary contribution or to donate a raffle item, stop by the Eddington House or email Nicole Fontanetta at [email protected]. ••
LIHEAP applications open
The state 2025-26 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program season will continue through April 10. Cash grants range from $200 to $1,000, based on region, annual income and number of people living in the home.
Apply at compass.state.pa.us
For more information, call 866-857-7095. ••
Sign up for free newsletter
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. The site also includes a way to read the paper in “flipbook” style.
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook and on X @SoPhReview. ••
Theater performances of Sister Act
The Star Players will present three performances of the musical Sister Act. The show will be performed on June 5, 6 and 7 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. They are available for purchase through Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or [email protected]. ••
Host foreign exchange student
ASSE International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students. Students come from countries such as Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, 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 Holly at 800-677-2773, visit asse.com or send an email to [email protected] 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. ••
Scholarship contest for HS seniors
TruMark Financial® Credit Union is accepting applications for its third annual Difference Makers Scholarship, an award that honors high school seniors who are using their time, talents and compassion to create lasting change in their communities.
The program not only supports students financially but contributes to the nonprofit organizations they partner with.
Top scholarship awards include $7,500 for first place, $4,000 for second and $3,000 for third, with additional $350 scholarships for students placing 4th through 10th. To further encourage community partnerships, a $350 donation will also be made to the nonprofit organization associated with each of the 10 student finalists.
To be eligible for the 2026 Difference Makers Scholarship, applicants must:
• Be high school seniors planning to attend a college, university, trade school or certificate program.
• Have completed a volunteer project, either through a nonprofit organization or one they created independently.
• Have a sponsoring teacher who supports their application.
• Reside in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties.
• Complete required financial education video modules.
Applicants are not required to be members of TruMark Financial at the time of application; however, scholarship recipients will be required to become members before receiving their award.
Students will be evaluated based on the impact and reach of their work, number of verified volunteer hours, scalability of the project and storytelling ability in describing their initiative, along with completion of the required financial education components. A personal essay is also required.
The deadline for applications is April 30. To learn more or submit an application, visit www.trumarkonline.org/difference-makers-scholarship. ••