Chair Janine Santoro listed upcoming events for November at the Oct. 28 Mayor’s South Side Task Force hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center.

Among the updates from the Mayor’s Office Santoro mentioned are a 40 in 10 Plan: Every Park in 10 Years virtual public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 and a 9 a.m. Climate Action Plan Annual Meeting for Nov. 20 at Town Hall and virtually through Facebook Live.

The 2025 Bethlehem Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 28 at 4:30 p.m. on Payrow Plaza.

Community partner updates include a Free Medical Clinic available to those in need at Northeast Middle School on Dec. 6 - 7 by Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps with assistance from the Bethlehem Health Bureau. Available at a first come, first served basis, are dental cleanings, fillings, extractions and X-rays; complete eye exams, eye health evaluations and prescription glasses; physical exams, prescription consultations, women’s health and general exams. Info: www.ramusa.org

The last of the 2025 Southside Clean Ups with Community Action Development Bethlehem is happening at 10 a.m. - noon on Nov. 8 at Enix Park.

Northampton Community College’s Pathways to Manufacturing Program, begins in February 2026. The free 8-week grant-funded program provides participants with an opportunity to learn more about modern manufacturing while obtaining the skills and credentials in this career path as well as job interview opportunities. Information sessions are scheduled for 1 p.m. Nov. 10 and 10 a.m. Nov. 24 at the Fowler Center.

Damaris Garcia from State Rep. Steve Samuelson’s office announced they are collecting diaper donations at the office through Dec. 19. Afterward they will go to the Hispanic Center for distribution. She mentioned the state budget passed the House twice, but is “in the State Senate’s hands.”

Garcia said, “Gov. Shapiro has today joined in the multistate suit against the USDA for the SNAP benefits they’re not using the federal funds. They do have the consistency funding.”

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities suggested Lehigh University could possibly rent out a plot of “vacant” property for a temporary affordable “tiny” dwellings demonstration site.

Attending online, Adrienne McNeil from Lehigh University spoke about Empty Bowls scheduled for Dec. 4 from 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. hosted at Broughal Middle School by Sodexto at Lehigh and Moravian universities.

The 2025 Lehigh University Research Symposium takes place 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Clayton University Center.

She was proud to say that Lehigh has been named as a top research university, and, at the time of the meeting, the Lehigh football team was undefeated.

Also attending remotely, Katy Knibbs from the SouthSide Arts District announced the SouthSide Bethlehem Tree Lighting Ceremony is at 5 p.m. - 6 p.m., Nov. 29 at the Southside Greenway where it intersects with New Street. She noted this falls on Small Business Saturday.

Santoro reminded everyone there are still openings on Bethlehem authorities, boards and commissions as well as open positions at City Hall and recruitment efforts by the Bethlehem Police Department.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month.