Chair Janine Santoro spoke about early September’s World Heritage Community Celebration, the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission 2025 Tribute to the Arts and a Habitat for Humanity Home Reveals at 1435 and 1439 Philip St., among other community updates at the Mayor’s South Side Task Force Aug. 26 hybrid meeting in the NCC Fowler Center.

Santoro announced an Opening Doors meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in room 605 at the Fowler Center. Two flag-raisings were happening soon at Payrow Plaza. The Chilean Independence Day Flag Raising is scheduled at 3 p.m. Sept. 18, and the Bethlehem-Patillas Sister City Flag Raising, Parade and Festival starts at 1 p.m. Sept. 21 to celebrate Bethlehem’s relationship with Patillas, Puerto Rico.

Santoro mentioned the Community Recovery Fund applications are being reviewed and a request for proposal (RFP) for the South Side Community Center operator is to be publicized soon.

Santoro reminded everyone there are still openings on Bethlehem authorities, boards and commissions, as well as open positions at City Hall and ongoing recruitment for the police department.

Aliva Ali from the Bethlehem YWCA announced upcoming programming, including the Courageous Love Luncheon being held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at Ben Franklin TechVentures on the Lehigh University campus. Ali said they have completed their move to new offices at 306 S. New St. and are focusing on celebrating the organization’s 100th anniversary in 2027.

3Sixty Pharma Solutions CEO Dalfoni Banerjee was enthusiastic about the ImmuNovX Biotech’s internship program for marketing and science-focused students. While usually open to college students, she mentioned a highly-qualified high school senior successfully completed his internship.

“Let’s try another cohort of high school seniors,” Banerjee remarked on her decision moving forward. “They have to be really into science.” The ImmuNovX Biotech is headquartered at Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

Glori Vasquez from State Rep. Steve Samuelson’s office described how senior and disabled residents of the commonwealth can benefit from the Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Samuelson’s office can assist with applications, as well as with reduced vehicle registration for qualified residents and with unemployment claims.

Attending remotely, Katy Knibbs from the South Side Arts District reported on a recent event they hosted for 2,200 incoming Lehigh University freshmen on the Southside Greenway. In art news, they unveiled a new mural at 333 Broadway in July designed and worked on by art teacher Carla Majezan and her class from East Hills MS.

Knibbs pointed out the mural calls attention to “food insecurity.” Another mural is in the works for the Greenway between Webster and Taylor streets. “More to come on that,” she promised.

The 29th annual Chili Festival is scheduled from noon – 4 p.m. Oct. 18, with live music and arts and crafts trail.

Also online, Anna Troxell and Madeline Alvarado from Bethlehem-bases Cay Galgon Life House weighed in with their organization’s mission to prepare pregnant women and mothers of infants for a life of self-reliance. They announced an “Oh What Fun!” fundraising event Nov. 11 at Lehigh Country Club from 6 – 9 p.m. A virtual session covering working rights for mothers, among other related topics, happened Sept. 11.

Victoria Fields proudly detailed her daughter’s ongoing youth and food advocacy efforts.

Before adjourning, Santoro called attention to Northampton County Digital Navigator Coalition’s free Tech Tutorial at ArtsQuest’s second floor Blast Furnace Room on Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. – noon.

The Glenn M. Taggart Family Foundation’s 13th annual Taggart Invitational will be hosted at Riverview Country Club, Easton, Sept. 26 at noon. The fundraiser benefits multiple Bethlehem organizations.

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