Chairperson Janine Santoro provided members of the Mayor’s South Side Task Force with news from the Mayor’s Office at the May 30 hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center.

Santoro announced free smoke alarm installations are continuing on the Southside. Bethlehem’s fire department is assisting with the American Red Cross Sound the Alarm program. Around 150 free smoke detectors were installed May 6 in Bethlehem homes in the Southside through this initiative.

Fire Chief Warren Achey jumped in to say volunteers will help with installing more of these safety devices June 7 from 6-9 p.m. Achey repeated what he had said at a previous task force meeting that in more than 30 years, he has not experienced fatalities in fires where the structures had working smoke detectors.

According to Achey, an ambulance has been added to the fire station on the Southside to shorten response times.

Continuing with her updates, Santoro said the Community Recovery Fund deadline closed and applications are in review. Grants will be awarded sometime in the fall.

The Sister City Search survey is in and the conversation goes on.

A Juneteenth Flag Raising is scheduled for June 11 at 3 p.m. by Juneteenth Lehigh Valley.

The Live in the Garden Saturday concert series continues through July 1 in the Bethlehem Rose Garden.

Southside Arts District Downtown Manager Erin Zebertavage said Live on the Greenway continues to June 11. The Sunday Concert Series at Harmony Pavilion runs 1-4 p.m.

She promoted the annual Bethlehem Sip & Slide Summer Cocktail Crawl happening June 17 from 1-5 p.m. The ticketed event featuring live music and tropical cocktail sampling is for adults 21 and over.

Christine Wieder from the Bethlehem Area Public Library Southside Branch announced a Queer Book Tasting on June 10 where attendees can “taste” various books on LGBTQ subjects by reading descriptions, observing the cover art, and skimming a few paragraphs in honor of Pride month.

There are several kids activities scheduled for June. These include a Puzzle Piece Painting where children and accompanying adults can paint giant floor puzzle pieces June 14 from 5-6 p.m.

The library is seeking recipes for a community cookbook.

Southside Community Police Officer Sean Landis mentioned a Cops ‘n’ Kids Juneteenth event for June 14 at the NCC Fowler Center from 11 a.m. - noon

Attending remotely, CADCB Southside Community Organizer Samantha Mravlag spoke about CA Development Bethlehem’s monthly Southside Community Cleanups. The next two are scheduled for June 17 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (433 Carlton Ave.) and July 8 at Yosko Park (Sixth and Atlantic streets) from 10 a.m. - noon. A free screening of “Disney’s Lightyear” will be held at Yosko Park Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. She mentioned they are looking for vendors for the upcoming Back to School event in mid-August.

Toni Fernandez from Northampton Community College mentioned the Holy Infancy Multicultural Fest starts June 16 at Holy Infancy School on Thomas Street.

Prior to the monthly meeting, Santoro distributed event flyers to members. These include the Hispanic Center Gala 2023: Fiesta Ecuador for June 23 at 5:30 p.m., a D&L Trail Ride on June 28 departing from the Ice House at 6:30 p.m., and Bethlehem’s Summer Park Program that runs from June 19 through July 27. Programming is scheduled on various days at Yosko Park, Friendship Park, L.G. Stewart Park, and the Rose Garden.

The Lehigh Valley Disc Club is seeking new members. City of Bethlehem clinics are scheduled for June 21 and July 27 at South Mountain Disc Golf Course from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. with discs provided.

Santoro provided members with a link to City of Bethlehem Community Health Needs Assessment, and to open positions in Pool and Recreation, as well as other city jobs.

Attendees said goodbye to community fellow Kevin McNulty. He has completed his city hall internship.

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