With the Sands casino sale still pending, Task Force Chairman Roger Hudak said May 19, “If your organization needs money from the casino folks, it’ll have to go through Donna Taggart.” Taggart Associates currently represents the Sands Casino.

Janine Santoro from the Bethlehem Area Public Library South Side Branch announced several free programs for May, including a showcase of the comic ballet, “Coppélia,” presented by the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley May 21. Performers include the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and puppeteers from the Mock Turtle Marionette Theater.

Library programming for adults included “In Our Own Voice” on May 16, with NAMI-Lehigh Valley members addressing living with mental illness; “Share a Vision: Topics in Public Speaking” on May 30 at 5:30 p.m., with five speakers providing public speaking tips; a workshop on creating a terrarium May 18, and advice on reaching personal financial goals May 23. Some of these programs require registration. For information: bapl.org.

Legislative assistant for State Rep. Steve Samuelson (D), Glorilex Vasquez, mentioned that June 30 is the deadline to file for a low-income-based Pennsylvania senior rent rebate. She also said, “We are gearing up for our second annual fair coming up on Sept. 13.” Vasquez added, “Friday the thirteenth ? we are going to do a ‘spooky theme.’ The free Southside Community and Senior Fair is to be held at St. John’s Windish Lutheran Church. Vasquez said donation baskets are being sought for the upcoming event.

Samuelson’s office, in partnership with the Salvation Army, will hold another diaper drive. Vasquez said last year’s drive collected over 3,000 diapers.

Rich McGarr, patrol officer crime prevention for Lehigh University Police Dept., spoke about how his department and the city police have been partnering on alcohol patrol on the Southside to “Just keep the nonsense from happening.” Funding has been provided by Liquor Control Board (LCB) grants, he said, adding, “We’ve got another grant starting 2019-20.” According to McGarr, the latest $20,000 grant involves a social media element.

Grace Crampsie Smith (D) introduced herself as a city council candidate for a two-year term. “I just wanted to come over to see what’s going on the South Side and what are the issues, good and bad.”

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force meets regularly on the last Tuesday of the month at Northampton Community College’s E. Third Street campus.