Meeting outlines springtime events
Chair Janine Santoro and attendees highlighted spring happenings at the March 31 Mayor’s South Side Task Force hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center.
Santoro reminded the group that the Bethlehem’s State of the City address was scheduled from 7 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. April 8 at the ArtsQuest Musikfest Café.
She added that city hall is hosting an Arbor Day Tree Planting and Free Saplings at 1 p.m. April 24.
The schedule for Trail Tuesdays can be accessed on the city’s website. The themed hikes happen on the first Tuesday of the month from April through October. The first, a tree species identification walk with Wildlands Conservancy on the Monocacy Way Trail, was scheduled for April 7.
Health Director Kristen Wenrich is seeking public input on the Bethlehem Health Bureau’s Mobile Health Clinic Survey which is open until April 30. Residents are being asked what services should be offered, where the mobile clinic is most needed, and which are the best days and times for these services to be available.
Bethlehem Community Police Officer William Rodriguez spoke about the Cops ’n’ Kids 18th Annual Celebration of Reading … and the Arts and Sciences being held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 25 at the NCC Fowler Center, preceded by an opening parade at 10:30 a.m. on the Greenway.
Katy Knibbs from the SouthSide Arts District (SSAD) mentioned Community Action Development Corp. Bethlehem (CADB) has a Southside Neighborhood Meeting: Southside Arts District Conversation hosted at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity April 8 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as well as on second Wednesdays of every month.
The next monthly SouthSide Community Cleanup, hosted by CADB, is scheduled for April 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at Yosko Park with free music afterward. CADB’s free eight-week course in Community Housing Advocacy Training at their office at 1337 E. Fifth St. continues through April 16.
New Bethany is applying to create a new Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) for South Bethlehem. The NPP would expand services and resources to help with resolving homelessness and food insecurity. New Bethany encourage people to take its online Community Partner Survey.
Other events promoted during the meeting include:
• PBS Be My Neighbor Day, April 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Univest Public Media Center, 839 Sesame St.
• YWCA Bethlehem’s Courageous Conversations, April 23, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Northeast Community Center’s Basket Social Fundraiser, at 1161 Fritz Drive, June 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Nonprofit Energy Makeover Contest from the Sustainable Energy Fund can be accessed here: thesef.org
Santoro said that there are still openings on Bethlehem authorities, boards and commissions as well as open positions at City Hall. Recruitment efforts continue with the Bethlehem Police Department.
The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month.








