Chair Janine Santoro announced the 40 in 10: Every Park in 10 Years survey was open until May 11 at the Mayor’s South Side Task Force April 29 hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center.

Available on We Build Bethlehem, the community-driven “40 in 10: Every Park in 10 Years” initiative includes upgrading all of the city 40-plus parks north and south of the Lehigh River within a 10-year span. She encouraged residents to participate as short-term and long-term goals are to be drawn from community input.

The Pembroke Choice draft plan can now be viewed online and applications for the Community Recovery Fund remain open until May 16.

The Community Action Development Corp. Bethlehem (CADB) Summer Kick Off at Yosko Park is happening May 31 from 2 – 5 p.m. and the next Bethlehem Park Clean-Up is scheduled for Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. – noon at the Lynfield Community Center.

On behalf of the South Side Arts District, Santoro mentioned that the Live on the Greenway Summer Concert Series starts May 18. Across the river, Live in the Garden! featured more live music at the Bethlehem Rose Garden on May 11. These are all free performances.

Nayeli Hance from the Bethlehem Area Public Library Southside branch announced that the Free Lunch for 18 and Younger program runs noon – 1 p.m. every Monday through Thursday June 16 – July 24. Meals will be served each day while supplies last.

She also said the BAPL Southside Book Sale is scheduled for 2 – 6 p.m. May 28 and 29.

Diana Vargas from St. Luke’s promoted health-related programs open to the public through A Healthy Meal & A Healthy Lifestyle, featuring $3.99 meals with guest speakers for older adults, held at the Bethlehem Campus Cafeteria on various days from July 11 through Sept. 19.

St. Luke’s also has educational programming on mental and physical health available on YouTube.

Vargas passed out postcards about St. Luke’s Community Health supports with food, housing, work, education, transportation and legal services found at: sluhn.find help.com.

State Rep. Steve Samuelson called attention to Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and provided state budget updates that would impact area residents and the Bethlehem Area School District.

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities said his organization is looking for vacant land on which to build affordable housing.

The SSTF chair quickly ticked off updates from community partners:

• Touchstone Theatre’s 20th Annual Young Playwright’s Festival is May 18 at 3 p.m.

• The Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley’s Fiesta Colombia is happening May 30 at 5:30 p.m. at Wind Creek Bethlehem.

• Lehigh University’s Great South Side Sale is scheduled for June 7 at 10 a.m. on the Broughal Middle School football field.

• The South Side Film Festival runs June 10 — 14 at various venues, including “Rooted” which will be showing at the Zoellner Arts Center’s Baker Hall June 15 at 2 p.m.

Before the meeting, Santoro provided members with PDFs of “Conoce Tus Derechos/Know Your Rights” published by Impacto, a Pennsylvania-based free media outlet that provides guidance to those affected by new immigration policies.

Santoro again mentioned there are open seats on several authorities, boards and commissions. City Hall is also seeking applicants for employment opportunities. Attending for the first time, Bethlehem resident Carlos Diaz expressed interest in one of the volunteer opportunities.

According to Bethlehem Community Police Officers Sean Landis and William Rodriguez, the Bethlehem Police Department is accepting applications.

Attending remotely, marketing agency owner Victoria Fields proudly spoke about her older daughter’s work to put in place hydroponics systems at Lehigh Valley schools and other projects.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for May 27.