Voice - Germantown Newspapers

Transcription

The
Independent
Voice
“Your guide to responsible
reform government, with no
political oversight”
Like Us on Facebook.
Germantown Newspapers
December 18-31, 2014 • Volume 6, Number 15 • germantownnewspapers.com • gtavenue.blogspot.com • Philadelphia, PA 19119
Major Germantown
Developments
Generate Community
Resistance
... page 7
Also
Domesti-city... page 3
Two Priests and a Missing Man ... page 4
Political and Judicial Arrogance... page 5
Happy Holidays from All of Us at
Page 2
December 18-31, 2014
All Major Insurances Accepted
The Independent Voice
No Insurance? No Problem!
DISCOUNT DENT
DENTAL
AL LAB
Dentist Referral Service
¾Dentist Referral Services
¾Door To Door Pick Up Service
¾Dentures Made On Premises
¾All Major Insurances Accepted
¾Affordable Payment Plans Available
¾Full & Partial Custom Dentures
¾͞&ůĞǆŝďůĞ͟sĂůƉŚĂƐƚWĂƌƚŝĂůƐ
¾Crown & Bridgework
¾͞^ŶĂƉKŶ^ŵŝůĞ͟sĞŶĞĞƌƐ
¾Repairs & Adjustments While U Wait
Monday ʹ Friday: 9ʹ5 P.M. Saturday: 10-5 P.M.
Sunday: By Appointment Only
DENTURES
FOR $205!*
*Starting price for a flipper denture*
You Can Afford To
To Smile Again
243 W. Chelten Ave
215-381-2122
2122
Up
!
Page 3 a
Domesti-City
by Brett MandelI
A little perspective is a good
thing, even if it takes a good
amount of time to develop.
At the end of the 20th century,
American cities needed a little
hope and some guidance.
Decades of urban crises -- and
the resulting population and job
loss -- left many convinced that
cities, themselves, were an
anachronism.
To help challenge that notion,
I wrote the book Philadelphia: A
New Urban Direction (1999,
Saint Joseph’s University Press).
With the assistance of my colleagues in the City Controller's
Office, I examined the trends
and issues affecting the city and
laid out a plan to make Philadelphia a preferred place to live,
work, and visit.
Now, more than a decade and
a half after its first publication,
some recent developments (and
a lack thereof) help illustrate an
important truth about cities. The
city remains, most fundamentally, a place to live. When we
cultivate the city as a place to
live, it thrives.
Publi-city
In concluding the book, I
noted plans for a few future
building projects that provided
hope that some were still bullish
on city investment.
Philadelphia’s
turnaround
from the brink of bankruptcy to
record budgetary surpluses has
generated national attention.
The City’s positive energy has
attracted favorable notice from
such diverse organizations as the
Republican National Committee, which selected Philadelphia
as the site of the 2000 Republican National Convention, and
the Walt Disney Company,
which selected Philadelphia as
the site of the world’s third Dis-
neyQuest interactive theme park.
This positive momentum is
slated to continue. In the near
future, eye-popping waterfront
development, dramatic airport
expansion, and the largest postWorld War II private housing development in the City, should
add to Philadelphia’s evolution.
Electri-city
We now know the history of
these projects. More than 1,000
Philadelphia residents now live
in the homes developed on the
site of the former Naval Home in
Grays Ferry at the southwestern
fringe of Center City.
The vitality from this project
has served as a catalyst for additional residential and commercial development in the
surrounding area that has reanimated vacant houses and derelict
buildings. A major construction
project initiated recently by
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will bring additional activity to the area while public
investment from the completed
South Street Bridge reconstruction to the planned southern extension of the Schuylkill River
Trail enhance the neighborhood's physical infrastructure.
On the less-positive side of the
ledger, the land selected for the
DisneyQuest location languished as a hole in the ground
for years before being abandoned. After the project failed,
the hole was refilled so that the
site now exists as a surface parking lot -- a void of development
in the heart of Center City. The
waterfront development never
materialized and Penn’s Landing
remains as in need of eye-popping renewal as ever.
While writing the book in
1999, I heard from many who
declared confidently that the
city's future was one as a place
to play, not a place to live. Projects like DisneyQuest and the
mega-mall planned for Penn’s
Landing, they said, were going
to move in as residents continued to move out.
But, I submit that the opposite
has turned out to be the truth. As
I argued in the book:
Cities have always prospered
by becoming places where people want to live, transact business, recreate, and visit. Great
cities attract residents by fostering vibrant neighborhoods
where families can grow, entice
employers by establishing a
marketplace where fortunes can
be made, and lure visitors by
supporting attracting that draw
HARMONY
Whether you’ve reviving a long-forgotten artistic outlet, continuing
a life-long pursuit, or experimenting with a form of self-expression
you’ve always been keen to try, Cathedral Village is the ideal place
to do it. Here you will find a diverse, thriving artistic environment
that values what the arts mean both individually and collectively.
That’s especially true of music. The Cathedral Village musical
tradition stretches back decades and today finds expression in
a diverse suite of programs including on-site performances,
guest performances, educational programs, and organized
outings to The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera, and Ballet.
Call 215-984-8621 for more information or to schedule a tour.
600 East Cathedral Road
Philadelphia, PA 19128
215- 4 87-1300 | www.cathedralvillage.com
A premier continuing care
retirement community
travelers.
Simpli-city
Cities are not destined to become mere tourist attractions or
entertainment venues. They are,
as they always were, places to
live. Over millennia, cities have
endured and proved their relevance and intelligence as an efficient way for people to live and
organize social and marketplace
interactions. Once seen as the future, the suburb has failed to capture lasting human imagination
in less than a century.
Cities are most certainly preferred places to live, work, and
visit.
If we continue to work to
make neighborhoods cleaner and
safer and strive to provide people with economic and educational
opportunities,
Philadelphia can help lead toward a positive urban direction.
If we continue to offer firms
and families overly high costs of
living and doing business and if
our streets are not clean, our
neighborhoods not safe, and our
schools are not high-quality, we
will lose neighbors and employers to the cities that work.
www.brettmandel.com
Brett Mandel
Page 4
Two Priests…. and a Missing Parishioner
by Sabina Clarke
The disappearance of Westchester University senior Shane
Montgomery, a member of St.
John the Baptist Church in Manayunk, has shaken and confounded the FBI, the Fifth
District Police, the Northwest
Detectives, the Police Marine
Unit, the Police Canine Unit, and
the Aviation Unit –all agencies
assigned to the case.
Federal agents have been
combing Main Street in Manayunk along with hundreds of
volunteers , friends and family
members in an effort to find the
missing college student whose
disappearance has had a devastating impact on the Manayunk
Roxborough community and on
two Irish Roman Catholic priests
in particular— Father James
Lyons the former pastor of St.
John the Baptist Church who
knew Shane and his family personally and Monsignor Kevin
Lawrence, the current pastor of
St. John the Baptist who has met
with Shane’s parents Karen and
Kevin and his brother Tom since
Shane’s disappearance.
Shane had been pub hopping
with his cousin Tim Wittman and
ended up at Kildare’s Irish Pub
on Main Street in Manayunk
where they met up with friends.
After leaving the bar alone close
to closing time, Shane vanished
without a trace in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving
Day—only hours away from
when families gather to count
their blessings.
Until this past Wednesday, December 10, there was not a trace
of Shane. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air--– no witnesses, no sightings, nothing
captured on video despite the
proliferation of businesses on
Main Street on one of the most
highly trafficked nights of the
year for college students home
on break.
The exasperating lack of clues
left the entire community frustrated and law enforcement baffled. Then this past Wednesday,
December 10th, there was a big
break in the case when Christie’s
Nail Salon, a business on Main
Street, accidentally retrieved a
frame on their store video capturing Shane crossing a bridge on
Main Street leading to a parking
lot. The video, which is being
withheld by the police, also indicated that Shane never returned
from the parking lot.
After speaking with Shane’s
aunt, Marianne Wittman, the
family’s spokesperson for media
inquiries, I met with St. John the
Baptist’s pastor Monsignor
Lawrence who said that he and
231 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave
215-247-3535
RoysRugs.com
his parish have been “ deeply
traumatized” by Shane’s disappearance .
St. John the Baptist parish is
Monsignor Lawrence’s third pastorate, having previously served
at St Timothy’s in Mayfair and
St. Malachy’s in North Philadelphia. He talked about the special
vigil mass for Shane the Saturday
after Thanksgiving which followed the huge search effort by
hundreds and hundreds of volunteers who came to help that day.
Monsignor Lawrence said, “I
am doing exactly what Shane
Montgomery’s family asked of
me and the parish community—
that is to pray for Shane’s safe return.
This trauma of Shane Montgomery missing breaks everyone’s heart. Our hearts go out to
his parents, Karen and Kevin and
his brother Tom and to all his
family. And as brokenhearted as
we all are and as hopeful as we
all are, this traumatic event has
also demonstrated the heart of
this community with the support,
prayers and outpouring of love it
has showered on Shane and his
family.”
Father James Lyons, the former pastor of St. John the Baptist—who has close ties with the
Montgomery family—is now the
pastor of St. Charles Borromeo
parish in Drexel Hill. He was assigned to St John the Baptist
from 1994 to 1996 before returning to St. John's and serving as
Pastor from 2006 to 2012.
A former Philadelphia police
officer, he sees parallels between
his former life as a Philadelphia
cop and his current priestly vocation, “A lot of times people don’t
want to see you unless there is a
problem; in both jobs, you are
with people at the best of times
and at the worst of times.”
Father Lyons knew Shane
from grade school through high
school, “Shane was a very happy
and energetic kid. He came from
a very close knit family and was
very close to his maternal grandmother.”
Recently Father Lyons has
been looking through some old
photos from his time as Pastor at
St. John the Baptist and found a
photo of both Shane and his
cousin Tim at a 4th of July parade on Lyceum Avenue sitting
together on the back of an open
1952 Packard convertible with
the top down waving to the
crowd while he, Father Lyons,
sat in the front seat with the
driver.
Regarding the outcome of this
case, he said, “Everyone is praying for the best for Shane. We all
hope for a positive outcome.
And I know that for this family,
their faith will help them get
through whatever happens. “
As of today December 13, the
investigation into the disappearance of Shane Montgomery is
still open and ongoing with a reward that now stands at $65,000
dollars for information that may
help investigators solve the
mystery of what happened to
Shane Montgomery on the
night he disappeared from Main
Street in Manayunk into thin air.
Make the Holidays about Friendship
and Love, Less About Expenses.
Hanukkah has already begun, Christmas, the New Year, Kwanzaa and Little Christmas are coming soon. According to the PEW Research Center's
2005 survey and follow-up in 2013, more than half of all Americans are
bothered by how commercial the holiday season, Christmas in particular,
has become. The materialism, as it turns out, is our least favorite part of the
holidays. That's not surprising. Most of us are working harder and making
less, or trying to make do on a shrinking fixed income. The holidays can
collapse a budget in seconds flat. Here are 2 suggestions for resetting the
Holidays in your household.
Regifting: Regifting used to be a dirty word but it appears to be more
readily accepted these days as a wonderful green way to make the best use
of things. The emphasis in regifting is still on material goods. With regifting, you can feel good that another tree hasn't been needlessly felled, or more
plastics haven't been used stupidly to produce a new thing that you already
own and can pass on to another who would appreciate it.
Spend time with each other, instead of money. Most of us would rather
have it this way anyway, if you believe the Pew Research Center's survey.
It's worth the effort to try shifting the focus from material goods to experiences. Offer to help someone with their vegetable garden in the Spring,
promise to take a walk together... Or do something as a family together.
Think of something you all like to do together, or try something new. Or
you could donate your time as a family to a community service, not just over
the holidays, but throughout the year.
Let's try to make the holidays more about experiencing friendship and
love and less about expenses.
Time4Time Community Exchange
Philadelphia, Pa 19118
Page 5 a
Political and Judicial Arrogance on Center Stage
with campaign contributions and
public money pay for some very
comfortable careers and soft nobid arrangements for family,
friends and developers who are
part of ongoing inside arrangements with very long tails.
Non-profits who gobbled up so
many millions for so many years
through appropriations chairs at
the city, state and federal level are
finally under the microscope and
what a tale they tell when the low
hanging fruit is examined. U.S.
Congressman Chaka Fattah has
been accused by his own of being
an associated architect of a nonprofit money laundry designed to
pay his own campaign bills and
other expenses.
Nowhere is that arrogance more
obvious as Fattah tells the public
that once he appropriates money
he does not bother to see how it is
used over the years and just keeps
appropriating more from his powerful seat in Washington. The
r’s
quote about his less clever associates not being smart enough to use
non-profits to launder shakedown
money as he did was his actual
statement, not an urban myth. But
he was convicted and “went
away” as the saying goes. So did
others, and despite some genuine
pre-election manipulation by our
new State Attorney Kathleen
Kane to bury investigations into
cash and other payoffs to serving
officials, an intramural war arising
out of a challenge to DA Seth
Williams has brought about a public corruption task force, three indictments of key officials and
promises of more to come.
The news reports and on-tape
attitude of those who reportedly
took the cash or gifts so casually
is the kind of thing that many
know has been part of the political
culture for years. Folks keep voting for the same individuals they
know are untrustworthy because
the back door deals they make
ill
e
Home Repair Service
M
Egos and Invincibility rule.
There has only been one serious
political reform movement in the
City of Philadelphia in the last
150 years and that only came
about after some intense investigations, grand juries, indictments,
convictions and suicides by four
city leaders.
Although that
process was begun in the later
1930s, it was postponed during
World War 2, and resumed thereafter. After many convictions and
press reporting the election of
1950 was the only significant one
time game changer in the city long
characterized as “Corrupt but
Contented”.
Sure, we have sent individuals
from both political parties to jail
from time to time, and they run
the gamut from City Councilmen
to State Reps and Senators, but to
anyone who cares to look, the machine never lost a beat in running
no-choice elections, massive patronage deals, crooked courts, insider deals with public dollars,
and dragged out costly legal battles that accomplished little, but
brought about continuous paydays for the lawyers and the players. Add to that significant
yet-to-be-exposed internal financial fraud and neglect and we are
talking about a city on the brink of
a Detroit like failure. Some
thought it could never happen, but
it looks as if there are cracks in the
foundation that the machine is
built on.
Egos and arrogance that have
been projected by the elected and
appointed have long rivaled those
of New York’s Tammany Hall as
they laugh at allegations and press
releases about wrongdoing over
the years. Senator Fumo’s classic
& General Remodeling
Bathrooms and Kitchens from $3550+
Designs & Problem Solving by Engineer
30 years experience
Carpentry, Plumbing, Tile
Insured for Your
Protection
Electrical, Masonry, Drywall
License #99113
(ask to see everyone’s)
Decks, Shed, Window, Door
267-225-0050
Quality, Honest, Friendly Service
Real Estate Investing Financial Partner
Are You Looking for a Quality
Educational Experience for
Your Child?
West Oak Lane Carter School is Accepting
Applications for Kindergarten Students for Next Year.
Visit Our School at 7115 Stenton Ave.
Between January 12th and March 13th
to Complete an Application.
e Lottery to Accept Applicant will be Held at the School on
March 23rd.
facts have born that out and with
an attitude of self-importance not
seen since Jimmy Walker in New
York; Fattah invites the citizens to
attended his birthday party and
fund raisers, cash him up so he
can do more of the same.
We have just watched a controversial state judge resign in a food
fight with a Chief Justice. The
State Attorney General is making
a fool of herself with political
wheeling and dealing. Convictions, plea deals and jail time
seem to be on the horizon for the
first time in many, many years,
and federal prosecution of crimes
in this city and by elected leadership are making a lot of folks
nervous.
No one thinks Congressman
Fattah will survive, but the larger
question is will the citizens allow
the machine to re-stack the deck
the same way they always have
with an insider replacement who
always deals from the bottom of
that deck. Informed sources say
that is exactly what they have
planned in the next few months
running up to the primary election.
The question is “Will you let
them”
Jim Foster
Editor
YOUR
AFFORDABLE
HANDYMAN
• Light Hauling
•Plumbing
• Painting
• Cleanouts
267-808 -4537
Building Blocks
Child Development Center
on Lasalle University Campus
is now enrolling children
between 12 months to 5 years.
We are Keystone Star 4 and
NAEYC accredited center.
We serve all meals and accept all subsidies.
Please call
215-951-1572 for visit.
Page 6
Opinions & Commentary
Mayor’s Inquirer Commentary is “Nutter Nonsense”
On December 4, 2014, the people of
Philadelphia were treated to a prominently published commentary in the editorial pages of the Philadelphia Inquirer
entitled “Benchmarks for Mayoral Candidates.”
This self-promoting puff piece by our
currently serving Mayor Michael Nutter
is a sophomoric, romantic, but largely
falsified remembrance of what our lame
duck mayor may have wished he had accomplished, but it is Nutter Nonsense.
Philadelphia has lost more economic
ground and quality of life in the years he
has served than any time in its long and
sometimes checkered past, but no
amount of fabricated statistics and outright lame claims of accomplishments
can make it so. Our economy is not surging and if our population is growing, it
is only with those who are expanding our
dependent population out of desperation,
not contributing to employment and the
tax base.
Claiming he has created a viable foundation for the future could not be further
from the truth as his battles and non-ac-
complishments with City Council and
the unions are legendary - - and very
costly when one does the analysis no one
wants to talk about in legal fees paid to
insider law firms as he keeps dissention
going for 6 years.
Adding layers of new “Czars” outside
of the budget and paying them 6 figure
salaries to “oversee” those who are already paid to run departments is nothing
more than political patronage du jour,
but never has anyone in the media or the
opposition party wanted to tally what
those czars cost John Q Public. Generally speaking the media is still in love
with the illusion of Mayor Nutter; a creation of a very clever now-deceased political operative and ward leader named
Carol Campbell.
The School District crises is another of
his failures, for it is really a very predictable continuation of past sins and a
second level of significant union challenges he just walked away from. The
kind of intramural fighting that has gone
on here is what genuine leadership takes
on when they get elected and then there
is a legacy when meaningful resolution
can be validated. The city department he
promised to “Blow up” when he took office has been blown up and there are
many dead people in the rubble. The
still corrupt, inept and failed L & I is his
legacy, as are 6 years of union disputes
and a school system even less effective
and itself loaded with featherbedding,
corruption and poor performance that is
nowhere near meeting standards.
But the worst unknown disaster is the
finances, and again this is an area that is
not covered by the media in any depth
whatsoever. All of the sleight of hand
and cover up budgeting is helped along
tremendously by the one and only overseer this city has had in years since it
went to a one party government having
an inept Controller with his own agenda.
That would be the state authorized PICA
Board.
With the quiet resignation of its only
citizen advocate Chairman in recent
years last January, the process of this
board continuing to whitewash the city’s
actuarially unsound financial records, its
budget and five year plan have reached
a new low in politically-influenced chicanery; all of it being done as a favor to
Nutter, as it is his budget after. PICA has
been covering Nutter’s tracks for the last
few years when the overseers look the
other way. He even had one of the board
members removed when he would not
vote for passage.
This city’s financial records are prepared a way that would not pass the
smell test in any other major city, let
alone any legitimate accounting firm,
and its pension fund shortfalls are most
likely the worst in the nation, rivaling the
condition in Detroit. But, with the help
of major political conspiracies by members of both parties, the truth has been
kept from the bond rating agencies and
the citizens for another year, and Nutter
is allowed to create fairy tales about his
accomplishments like the one in the Inquirer.
Jim Foster
Publisher
Don't Kick Santa Across The Yard. Move On, Give and Celebrate Christmas
by Glenn Mollette
This Christmas give somebody the gift of mercy and forgiveness. Actually be broad
with your giving and generous.
We all need a lot of both. For
such a joyful holiday of cheer,
giving and yuletide merriment
there are certainly a lot of
stressed out sourpuss faces and
agitated people. If you haven't
seen any of these you probably
haven't been to the mall or busy
shopping districts. People get
tense over decorating, shopping, spending, and fitting into
their schedules all the jolly dinners, gatherings and religious
services. You may have
watched Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. He becomes over the top
stressed out when his Christmas
lights don't work and literally
kicks, stomps and curses a blue
streak across his yard. It's a
funny scene. Mostly because in
some way we've all been there
a time or two.
We go crazy at Christmas.
Everything is totally and abnormally different from the rest of
the year. We spend money, eat,
cook, travel and over schedule
more than any other time of the
year. By the time December 26
rolls around we're sick of
Christmas. We start making a
list of New Year's resolutions
that include never doing some
of the stuff ever again that we
did at Christmas! By the time
the next Christmas rolls around
we do it all over again and often
worse than the year before. We
promise and swear we are going
to do things differently but as
long as we are able we do it
over and again.
Most of us enjoy giving if we
can. We enjoy giving to the people we love. Christmas trees,
decorating, eating and gatherings are all a part of the season.
However, we become frustrated
when we lose sight of the big
picture. The big picture includes
looking around and beyond our
Christmas pain. Millions of
people would simply be thrilled
to have the problems that some
of us have. Many people are in
the nursing home and will never
go to the mall again. Some have
a terminal disease and this may
be their last Christmas. Others,
would simply love to have a
house to decorate or someone to
buy a gift for.
Celebrate Christmas this
year. Give away some special
gifts. Give gifts that money
can't buy or time cannot fade.
Give love, give forgiveness and
give some mercy. Extend these
generously to yourself. If you
can't give them to yourself it's
impossible to give them to others. The little baby that Christmas celebrates became a man
and taught people that we
should love God and love others
as we love ourselves. Herein is
part of the rub. Too often people
stop loving themselves. Life becomes imperfect, we fail, get
hurt or mad and we kick Santa
or the reindeer across the yard.
Unfortunately we stop there.
We go into Ebenezer Scrooge
bah humbug mode. We don't
get our groove back and miss
out on some of Christmas' most
wonderful
characteristicsmercy and forgiveness. The
Christmas story is about a child
who came to show us the way.
He showed us how to love, forgive and be merciful. Some of
the people in your life probably
need it more than you know.
Give generously and start with
yourself.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and
author. He is read in all 50
states. The views expressed are
those of the author and are not
necessarily representative of
any other group, organization
or this publication.
Like his facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/Glen
nMollette or visit www.glennmollette.com
Germantown Newspapers, Inc.
6661 Germantown Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19119
Office: 215-438-4000 • fax: 215-754-4245 •www.germantownnewspapers.com
Jim Foster, publisher@germantownnewspapers.com................................................................................Publisher
Scott Alloway, [email protected] ...................................Associate Editor, Production
Brett Mandel, Contributor
Sabina Clarke, Contributor
Sales Staff
Paula Moore, paulamoore925@gmail.com................................................................................Sales Representative
Meredith Sonderskov, msonderskov@germantownnewspapers.com...............................Sales Representative
Francine Ferrell, classifieds@germantownnewspapers.com............................................................Administrator
The Independent Voice, incorporating the Northwest Independent and the Germantown Chronicle, is owned and operated by Germantown Newspapers, Inc., and has offices at 6661
Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. The Independent Voice has a press run of 30,000 copies and is circulated
door-to-door throughout Northwest Philadelphia and at selected sites through Philadelphia. The publisher reserves the
right to refuse any advertising. All content ©2014 Germantown
Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Page 7 a
Major Germantown Developments Generate
Community Resistance
Two Germantown development projects, one under development and one proposed, have generated community
push-back that runs to our City Council Office and is illustrative of the lack of confidence concerned neighbors
have with process in their community.
A major rehab of a multi-story former commercial facility on the 5300 block of Germantown Avenue was first
believed to be a development of market rate apartments
and a coffee shop, but now is caught up in controversy
with how a special exception category in our recently revised zoning code allowed it to be converted and developed outside of the zoning and variance process with no
prior public disclosure of intent or purpose.
Letters from concerned citizens in the community went
to City Planning, Licenses and Inspections, city officials
at many levels and expanded articles have appeared in
the Philadelphia Daily News and on the well-respected
blog Plan Philly that raise the question of how this project
by a well-known area developer and Chairman of the
Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation quali-
fied for such a specialized clandestine process when the
special provisions in the Code don’t seem to apply. Experts state that in other cities no such exception to the life
safety statues allows such development. (read links to
those articles from the Daily News and Plan Philly on our
facebook page).
Drawn into the controversy is an organization known
as Women Against Abuse that tries to place women and
children in difficult circumstances into facilities where
secrecy and anonymity are primary concerns as they
might have reason to want to be difficult for prior family
members to find. Executives of that organization claim
that they have the obligation to keep their operating locations secret and have secured three million plus in city
funding through City Council to provide those services.
Community activists have joined together as they feel
that inaccurate information characterized the particular
development in lower Germantown and took their complaints to the Office of Councilwoman Bass. A proposed
bill was to be taken by her before City Council to amend
the Zoning Code, but objections from City Planning
Commissioner Alan Greenberger and Councilman Bill
Greenlee scrubbed the attempt according to recent reports, and the Councilwoman plans to restructure it in a
way that can find satisfaction for all concerned parties.
Neighborhood concerns arose for a number of reasons,
but one of the major ones is that the Germantown area
has been substantially impacted with social service facilities and boarding homes, often operated illegally and
without licenses or oversight. The history of these type
situations is well known and illustrated just recently when
community action from Rockland Street Neighbors Association caused a landlord to take action and close one
down almost overnight. A number of others without licenses are reported to be operating illegally in the same
general community and have been referred to the appropriate city agencies for action. The neighbors feel this saturation and these illegal entities have been permitted to
operate for far too long, and that granting special zoning
Continued on page 8
Opinions & Commentary
An Open Letter to State Representative Stephen Kinsey
Dear Rep. Kinsey
I believe that it is vital for citizens to be in constant and
strong communication with
those who represent them. Representatives act as a voice for
the concerns of the people. As a
resident of your district I would
like to commend you for the
work and effort you have made
to improve the lives of those
whom you represent. I would
particularly like to commend
your efforts in promoting a
healthier district. I personally
appreciate your public support
for Health Partners.
Healthcare is a necessity for
everyone, however, Health Partners in particular is showing its
commitment to community
health by partnering with local
establishments such as the
YMCA.
Because of my Health Partners Plan I am able to take advantage of the gym, swimming
pool, and basketball courts at
my local YMCA for free. This
past summer my younger
brother attended free swimming
lessons at our local YMCA and
is currently taking a karate
class. Keeping people active is
an important part of not only
community health, but also preventative health.
Soon after your Pennsylvania
primary win in 2012 you expressed that as the State Representative for District 201 you
would seek to build an office of
which your constituents would
feel they have ownership. As of
late, you have not been living
up to this promise. You described the meeting you and
other elected officials had re-
garding alternative education in
Germantown as small and private. How can such a small and
private meeting fully represent
the voices and concerns of community members. Residents
have already been described as
leery and mistrustful of government officials heading the proposal that is to be given to the
Student Reform Commission
(SRC).
As a state representative it is
vital to maintain strong and
open communication with the
residents you represent. I, and
I’m sure other residents of district 201, appreciate your presence at Candidate’s Night on
November 4th at the Wissahickon Charter School.
Events like Candidate’s Night
provide us residents the opportunity to meet with you in person and express concerns
regarding school funding and
closings, minimum wage, and
job opportunities.
Best,
Jazzlyn Sturgis
Philadelphia
City Government Attracts Political Addicts
Editor:
This entire affair with the proposed sale of the gas works, a
deal that every member of the
city council actively played a
role in killing, one that would
have set Philadelphia up as a regional energy hub, reminds me
of my many dealings with drug
addicts as a policeman.
There are only two ways an
addict frees himself of the hold
drugs have on his life: He bottoms out one day, sick of the
downward cycle he finds himself in and gets in to a rehab
program, or he ends up dead.
The trouble with the rehab approach is that most of these
folks live in really bad situations that have too many temptations to relapse, and no
supportive components to help
them through the rough patches.
That’s what I see when I look at
Philadelphia: one big addict that
lacks the will and means to “get
himself out of the life” as they
say on the street. That's what
we’ve become by continuing to
elect and reelect people who
“go along to get along,” and put
their own political ambitions
ahead of the growth and prosperity of the city they are supposed to be serving.
We in Philadelphia are too dependent on government programs. We always opt to tax our
way out of our problems, but in
so doing have chased every single business that could be here
out that would be employing
people.
And we are led by people (the
mayor and city council) who act
as drug dealers do. All they
want is for the addict to get further in to his addiction so they
can profit. And when he dies,
there are always ten more stand-
ing right behind him to take
their places. It’s like swirling
around in a toilet bowl, waiting
for the water to suck you under.
Kevin ingram
r egistered m aster P lumber
Office: 215-329-4993
Fax: 267-437-2223
Lou Lanni
Candidate for
City Council at Large
Philadelphia PA 19107
[email protected]
Licensed and insured
Water Service
Over 30 years in business
Drain cleaning
Residential or commercial
Heating
Free Estimates
Curb Traps
Bathroom and kitchen remodeled
Any Jobs Big or Small
15% Discount for Seniors with This Ad
Page 8
Germantown Avenue Building Plans Draw Fire
Continued from page 7
consideration for entitles that reportedly no one can know about
is without justification.
Developer Ken Weinstein is
moving ahead with a project that
is to include 11 market rate apartments and a restaurant/coffee
shop and has announced that a
lease has been signed for that
restaurant that will open under
the name of Gracie’s Pizza and
that leases have been signed for
four of the 11 market rate apartments. Operations and occupancy are planned for the early
spring.
Another proposed project on
Wister Street near Belfield was
the subject of controversy at a
community meeting last week
where the developer, Nora Lichtash, Executive Director of the
Women’s Community Revitalization Project, called a meeting
in order to garner local area support for a variance to build a rent
subsidized complex on Wister
Street in the 400 block.
A significant turnout of near
neighbors make it quite clear that
they were tired of these so called
“already done deals” that had
permeated their community for
Top: The playground associated with the 5300 Germantown Avenue building.
Lower picture: The parking lot for the 5300 Germantown Avenue building.
years and the residents only find
out when the developer needs
something at the 11th hour. Local
resident and former housing specialist with the city, Charles
Lanier provided a two page summary of why this project did not
fit when there were so many
other reasons to prioritize the use
of taxpayer money elsewhere in
immediate neighborhood; where
prior developers took the funds
and left the projects unfinished or
abandoned them later just blocks
away from this new proposal. In
essence the vast majority of those
in attendance voted against the
zoning variance.
Reported just prior to press
time is that Ms. Lichtash has
withdrawn her request for the
zoning variance at this time.
Editor’s Comments:
In a study I did only a few
years back using state regulatory
statistics it was determined that
in using the records of personal
care boarding homes alone, that
Germantown was the most
highly impacted city community
by a long margin.
Although licensing of personal
care/boarding homes was supposed to spread them equally in
urban and rural areas, I found
that 75% of all beds in those
homes were located in only 6 of
the 60 zip codes in Philadelphia.
Of those six, 40% were in the
Germantown zip codes of
19144/19138 and 19119. It
should be noted that the ones in
19119 were actually on the border street with Germantown
19144. Essentially Germantown
was by far the most impacted in
the city and the state.
Other facilities of this type, and
other social services, clinics, etc.
have long been known to exist
and saturate the Germantown
community disproportionally
and that does not take into account how many of them operate
illegally and are not on the
state/city records we accessed.
Community concerns of this
type are justified when it is well
known that it has been the city
government itself that brought all
Continued on page 9
Germantown
Avenue
Building
Plans Draw
Fire from
Community
Continued from page 8
of it about by design. If recent
past is prologue, just a few years
ago the last segment of undeveloped land in the center of Germantown became a classic
example of city and state elected
leadership double dealing the
citizens after promising a certain
high quality development, making tax concessions and providing millions in state money,
changed the deal, to low quality,
issued illegal permits through L
& I and ramrodded a Spot Zoning change through City Council
overnight making legal what they
had conspired and done illegally,
after massive community protests
made the mainstream news.
The Germantown neighborhood has been “hoodwinked”
time and time again unlike any
other. It is not just a few folks
with concerns and bad experiences, it is the majority.
Jim Foster
Editor
Page 9 a
Classifieds –
Buy, Sell, Rent, Look for Work.
215-438-4000
dŚĞŶĞŝŐŚďŽƌƚŚĂƚ
ƚĂŬĞƐĐĂƌĞŽĨĞǀĞƌǇƚŚŝŶŐ͘
īŽƌĚĂďůĞΘZĞůŝĂďůĞ,ŽŵĞĂƌĞ
“Let Us Make Your Home Your Castle!”
Quality & Service at Discount Prices
We Install What We Sell
Area’s Largest In-Stock Selection
Receive $2.00 Off Per Single Roll of In-Stock Wallpaper
8765 Frankford Avenue • 215-332-9300
Ϯϭϱ-ϱϮϱ-ϱϰϳϬ
ǁǁǁ͘ŵǇǁĂǇŽŶůŝŶĞ͘ŽƌŐ
ϳϬϱϭ'ĞƌŵĂŶƚŽǁŶǀĞŶƵĞ
^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ/ŶĐůƵĚĞ͗
x WĞƌƐŽŶĂůĂƌĞ
x ŽŵƉĂŶŝŽŶƐŚŝƉ
x ,ŽƵƐĞŬĞĞƉŝŶŐ
x dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ
x DĞĂůWƌĞƉĂƌĂƟŽŶ
x ,ĂŶĚǇŵĂŶZĞƉĂŝƌƐ
x zĂƌĚtŽƌŬ
Page 10
Don’t Let Kids’ Brains Go on Vacation During the Holiday Season
(StatePoint) You may have
heard of “summer slide” – when
those summer months cause kids
to lose all that glorious information and knowledge they acquired during the school year.
But even shorter breaks can
cause education rifts for students,
too.
Not to worry. You can help
dampen this effect by making
sure kids use their brains over the
holidays. The only requirement:
make it fun.
Here are a few ideas to keep
your children’s brains busy during holiday breaks:
Study Buddies
Whether your children pair up
with just one friend or an entire
crowd, consider making studying
a social event. Add some festivity
to the affair by serving snacks
and desserts. Around the holidays, you might even include a
themed gift exchange for added
appeal.
If you are in between semesters, there may not be any official
studying to do, but kids can keep
their minds moving with supplemental learning. For example, if
your child studied “As I Lay
Dying” in school, make a movie
night of it. Pop some popcorn
and invite his or her friends over
to watch the film version of the
novel.
Fun Learning Tools
Consider online learning tools
that use creative techniques to
engage students. For example,
Shmoop, an online curriculum
and test prep provider, offers
original content that is fun without being cheesy. For example,
the site has a “Pride and Prejudice” course which asks students
to create OkCupid profiles for
Lizzy, Jane, and Lydia Bennet.
“Even if it’s not 100 percent related to what your child is studying, fun tools and content can
spark new interests,” says David
Siminoff, founder and chief creative officer of Shmoop.
For example, the site’s “Shake-
The holiday season is not necessarily a time to be bored by schoolwork. But it’s also
no excuse to shut down all brain function.
spearean Translator” translates
anything students type into
“super authentic Shakespearean
English,” turning even resistant
readers into Shakespeare aficionados. Additionally, the site
has online courses on subjects
that will definitely keep kids’
brains stimulated without feeling
like a snoozefest. For example,
short courses like “Breaking Bad
as Literature,” “The World According to Dr. Seuss,” and
“Bruce Springsteen`s America,”
can make holiday learning a
treat.
Educational Videos
It’s no surprise that kids love
television and movies. So why
not mimic the experience with
educational videos? Whether it’s
a historical documentary or a
math-oriented
instructional
video, the audiovisual format is a
great vessel for many learners –
especially those on vacation.
Incentivize
For students who need motivation beyond the pursuit of knowledge or the satisfaction of better
grades, consider a rewards system. Offering prizes for books
read or lessons completed could
be just the encouragement
needed to get kids focused on academics over the holidays.
Shmoop’s “Math Shack” takes
this concept to heart, awarding
badges and “Shmoints,” a virtual
currency. No matter what your
child is learning, a bit of material
incentive can prove useful when
helping kids set and achieve
goals. Cookies can’t hurt, either.
More information can be found
at www.Shmoop.com.
White’s
Wines
by David White
Alexander Niehenke began to
appreciate wine ten years ago. But
for the first four years, it was simply a beverage he enjoyed with
dinner from time to time, especially
when cooking at home.
And then he put his nose in a
glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from
Justin, a winery based in Paso Robles, California. He was at a bachelor party, where few attendees were
paying any attention to the wine inside their glasses. But for
Niehenke, the aromas were intoxicating. Something clicked. So he
promptly dove into the world of
wine.
For the next five years,
Niehenke's passion for wine grew
steadily and predictably. As a resident of San Francisco, weekend
trips to Napa Valley and Sonoma
were easy -- so he started driving
north regularly. He began attending
tastings, reading wine publications,
and even collecting.
And then he discovered Delectable, a mobile wine app. Since
downloading the program last fall,
Niehenke has been moving towards oenophilia at lightning
speed.
“The app has taught me about
new producers, new regions, and
even new varieties,” he explained.
“I actually just learned about orange wine -- and tried my first one
-- thanks to it.”
An orange wine is made by treating white wine grapes as if they're
red -- in other words, soaking the
skins and seeds alongside the juice
during fermentation. Orange wines
have become quite popular among
some of the nation's hippest sommeliers, and thanks to Delectable,
Niehenke can see what those sommeliers are opening each night.
Delectable traces its roots to
2011, when Alex Fishman was
working in Dubai for Palantir, the
data analytics firm best known for
its work with the U.S. intelligence
community. Shortly before returning home, Fishman and his girlfriend came upon a wine they'd
enjoyed on many occasions. Wanting to remember the bottle so they
could purchase it in the United
States, they looked to the label for
information -- but were overwhelmed.
Fishman recalled this experience
a few months later over breakfast
with in New York with Aaron Vanderbeek, a video-game designer.
The two were old friends, and Fishman was detailing his desire to
launch a mission-focused company
-- ideally, one that would “make the
world a more delicious place.”
In short order, they realized that
there weren't any good mobile apps
for wine enthusiasts. So Fishman
and Vanderbeek began building
Delectable. Today, the app identi-
Page 11 a
A Wine App That Could Revolutionize Drinking
fies all a wine's details from a photo
and allows users to review and purchase wines. It also helps users discover industry professionals -winemakers, sommeliers, and critics -- and see what they're drinking.
It's no wonder why Delectable
has been described as “the Instagram of wine.” Thanks in large part
to this feature, Delectable could
revolutionize consumption. As
Fishman told me, “the wine market
is broken because of a lack of information. That's why consumers
buy points. But the point system is
flawed because people have radically different tastes.”
As consumers discover other enthusiasts on Delectable with similar
tastes, they'll discover new wines
worth drinking. After all, it doesn't
make any sense to take the advice
of a critic who has slapped “98
points!” on a bottle unless one
shares that critic's preferences. Delectable solves what Fishman calls
“the matching problem” consumers face with wine critics.
Niehenke is certainly drinking
better thanks to the app.
“When looking for new wines, I
used to call my knowledgeable
friends. Now, I can just open up
Delectable to see what they're
drinking,” he explained. “When I
realized I could follow pros, too,
wow -- that was cool. I love seeing
what my favorite winemakers -people like Ross Cobb and Cathy
Corison -- are drinking. Now, I follow people with similar palates to
mine and un-follow people with
different tastes.”
Fishman is convinced that his
app will fulfill its mission. “If we
do this right,” he concluded, “the
amount of global happiness that's
derived from wine will go up. People will drink better and better
wines, since our suggestions will
be tailored to individual users.”
David White is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com, which was
named “Best Overall Wine Blog”
at the 2013 Wine Blog Awards. His
columns are housed at Grape Collective.
EDEN VEHICLE MARKETING
Dr. Credit has the prescription.
Fix Your Credit Here!
UÊ>`Ê
Ài`ÌÊUÊ>ÀÕ«ÌVÞÊUÊ,i«ÃÃiÃÃ
Apply online at www.edencars1.com
DRIVE TODAY!
SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR SEPTA,
HOSPITAL, GOV’T & CITY EMPLOYEES
YOU ARE APPROVED!
Sign and drive for
$
0 Down!
7iÊÜÊÜÀÊÜÌÊÞÕÀÊLÕ`}iÌtÊ
2003 HONDA ACCORD EX
2011 CHEVY IMPALA
2010 CHEVY MALIBU
Navigation, CD Changer,
$0
120 Watt Stereo, Heated
Down
Leather Seats, Moonroof,
Keyless Entry, Dual Climate
$4900,
Control, Cruise Control,
Alloy Wheels
$113/Month
CD, 6 Speakers, Dual
$0
Zone Climate Control,
Down
Alloy Wheels, Keyless
Entry, Cruise Control,
$5900,
Interior Air Filtration $129/Month
CD/MP3, XM Radio,
$0
OnStar, Alloy wheels,
Down
Cruise Control, Power
Everything, All Season $7900,
$161/Month
Tires, 6 Speakers
2012 DODGE AVENGER
2005 TOYOTA SIENNA LE
2008 MERCURY MARINER PREMIER
CD/MP3, Phone Telematics,
SXT
Steel Wheels, All Season
Tires, Cruise Control, A/C,
Interior Air Filtration, 12V
$8900,
Power Outlets
$177/Month
CD, Roof Rack, Privacy
$0
Glass, 3rd Row Seats,
Down
Reclining Rear Seats,
Captain’s Chairs, Climate $9900,
Control, Cruise Control $193/Month
CD/MP3, Heated
Leather Seats, Dual
AWD
Zone Climate Control,
Privacy Glass,
Parking Sensors,
$10,900,
Alloy Wheels,
$209/Month
Cruise Control
2013 CHEVY CRUZE 2LT
2007 LAND ROVER LR3 SE
2010 TOYOTA RAV4 4X4
CD/MP3/USB, LCD
$0
Monitor, Satellite Radio, Down
Bluetooth, OnStar,
Climate Control,
Heated Leather Seats, $12,900,
$242/Month
Steel Wheels
CD, 240 Watt Premium
$0
Stereo, Roof Rack,
Down
Sunroof, Privacy Glass,
Three Zone Climate
$12,900,
Control, Parking
Sensors, Leather, AWD $242/Month
CD/MP3, AWD, Interior
$0
Air Filtration, Climate
Down
Control, Cruise Control,
Reclining Rear Seats, $14,900,
Premium Cloth Seats $274/Month
2009 BMW X3 XDRIVE30I
2011 NISSAN MAXIMA
2008 DODGE NITRO AWD
AWD, Leather, CD/
$0
MP3, Dual Subwoofer, Down
Bluetooth, Climate
Control, Sunroof, Roof
Rack, Privacy Glass, $14,900,
$274/Month
Alloy Wheels
CD/MP3, Bluetooth, 8
$0
Speakers, Power Moonroof, Down
Alloy Wheels, Dual Climate
Control, Cruise Control, $14,900,
Keyless Entry
$274/Month
CD/MP3, Satellite Radio,
R/T
Roof Rack, Privacy
Glass, Alloy Wheels,
Reclining Rear Seats,
$14,900,
Premium Seats, Fold
Flat Passenger Seat $274/Month
2010 INFINITI EX35 AWD
2011 BUICK REGAL CXL
2007 FORD F-150 LARIAT
Leather, Rear View
$0
Camera, Climate Control, Down
CD/MP3/USB, Satellite
Radio, Alloy Wheels,
$16,900,
$307/Month
Cruise Control
34k Miles, CD/MP3/USB,
Satellite Radio, Bluetooth, Turbo
OnStar, Heated Leather
Seats, Alloy Wheels, Dual
Climate Control, Cruise $16,900,
Control
$307/Month
AWD, CD/MP3, Bed
$0
Liner Cap, Climate
Down
Control, Privacy Glass,
Cruise Control, Heated
Leather Seats, Polished $16,900,
$307/Month
Alloy Wheels
2013 BUICK LACROSSE
2010 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 LT
2007 GMC YUKON DENALI
CD/MP3/USB, Satellite
$0
Radio, Bluetooth, Heated
Down
Leather Seats, OnStar,
Alloy Wheels, Rear View
Camera, Navigation, Dual $19,900,
Climate Control
$356/Month
8ft Extended Bed, Extended
$0
Cab, AWD, CD/MP3,
Down
Satellite Radio, OnStar,
Privacy Glass, Chrome
Wheels, Premium Seats, $19,900,
$356/Month
Cruise Control
CD/MP3, Navigation, Heated
$0
Leather Seats, AWD, Running Down
Boards, Privacy Glass, Roof
Rack, Dual Zone Climate
$23,900,
$420/Month
Control, Moonroof
2007 MERCEDES S550
2011 RAM LARAMIE CREW CAB
2010 AUDI Q7 3.6 PRESTIGE
CD/MP3, Navigation, 600 Watt
46k
Premium Stereo, Dual Subwoofer, Miles
Bluetooth, Alloy Wheels,
Moonroof, Heated Leather Seats, $27,900,
Dual Climate Control
$485/Month
CD/MP3/USB, DVD, 500 Watt
Longhorn
Premium Stereo, Satellite Radio,
Heated Leather Seats, Dual Zone
Climate Control, Navigation,
$27,900,
$485/Month
Bluetooth, Alloy Wheels
CD/MP3, DVD, AWD, Navigation,
$0
Bose Premium Stereo,
Down
Bluetooth, Privacy Glass, Alloy
Wheels, Sunroof, Roof Rack,
4 Zone Climate Control, Rear $29,900,
View Camera, Leather
$518/Month
MONDAY - THURSDAY 9AM-9PM - FRIDAY 9AM-6PM Saturday 10am – 4pm
215-698-9996
6213 E Roosevelt Blvd, Phila., PA 19149
Between Bustleton & Devereaux on the Boulevard
www.edencars1.com
Monthly payments based on 2.49% APR for 66 months for qualified buyers. Outright prices reflect $2000 down or trade equity. Tax and tags extra.
Page 12
The Independent Voice Blog: gtavenue.blogspot.com
Since April 2009 the printed
voice of Northwest Philadelphia
has been the publications and the
web pages of Germantown Newspapers, now known as The Independent Voice.
Stories we initiated have been
circulated in other publications,
news outlets and blogs as well as
gaining national coverage. More
recently we took our message to
the airwaves with The Independent Voice Radio Show on station
WURD in Philadelphia.
Our weekly Sunday night
broadcast from 7 to 8 pm was a
call-in listener response discussion hour and we carried our message of challenges to the political
status quo, provided recognized
guests from city leadership positions, and candidates for office
from December, 2013, until just
before the past elections in No-
vember.
Knowing the tactics of the
Philadelphia political machine so
well, and having been on the receiving end of prior attempts to
shut down our publication and
communications medium, we are
now going to take the message to
the people through an interactive
blog.
The Independent Voice Blog
will be your access to the kind of
news and political analysis you
won’t find elsewhere in this city,
the mainstream communications
mediums or other so-called reputable sources.
Of course your responses will
be handled in the same professional and respectful manner that
we have always extended to those
whose letters and commentary we
have printed over the years.
Jim Foster
Publisher/Editor
Residential Christmas Tree
Recycling Program
Streets Commissioner David J. Perri
announced today the Residential
Christmas Tree Recycling Program
will run from Monday, January 5
through Saturday, January 17.
Citizens who wish to drop off their
trees to be recycled may take them
to the Streets Department Sanitation
Convenience Centers which are
open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday through Saturday and located
at:
· 3033 S. 63rd Street
· Domino Lane & Umbria St.
· State Road & Ashburner St.
· 2601 W. Glenwood Ave.
Page 13 a
Rich Little Still Impresses
Tinseltown
Talks
by Nick Thomas
At 76, veteran comedian and impressionist Rich Little is still
zigzagging the country doing oneman shows.
Impressions have been Little’s
stock and trade since his school
days in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
“I would answer teachers' questions in their own voices,” said Little, from his home in Las Vegas.
“Pretty soon, they stopped asking
me questions!”
That was 60 years ago. Today,
crowds still flock to see the man
who claims a repertoire of over
200 voices.
But if you can’t make it to a
show, Little’s talents are evident on
the Emmy Award winning “Rich
Little's Christmas Carol,” originally released on video in the late
‘70s and re-released on DVD in
2007.
“I played all the characters in the
Dickens' classic,” said Little. “For
instance, I play Scrooge as W. C.
Fields, Bob Cratchit as Paul
Lynde, and Jacob Marley as
Richard Nixon!”
Unlike ordinary comedians, Little says impressionists have double-duty on stage.
“You've got to do a convincing
impression and also tell jokes in
that character,” he explained. “It's
really all about concentration
when you do impressions, and becoming the person. Sometimes
when I really get into Johnny Carson, I'll come off stage and find
myself writing out an alimony
check!”
While Little's performances
focus mostly on deceased actors,
celebrities, and politicians such as
John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, and
Ronald Reagan, he also tackles
more contemporary personalities.
“You have to keep it topical,” he
said. “I don't know what the future
holds for me, but if Hillary becomes president, I may be in big
trouble!”
Although Little does some female impressions, such as Dr.
Ruth, Carol Channing, and Jean
Stapleton, he says Mrs. Clinton is
tough to mimic. “She needs to develop a lisp or a rasp or twitch to
make her a little more distinctive.”
While he does a convincing Jack
0/.¶V³:KHUH'R:H*R
from Here: Chaos or
&RPPXQLW\´
Nicholson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Willie Nelson, George Bush
and Bill Clinton, impersonating
today's younger stars is challenging due to their lack of distinguishing voices and body language.
“So many of the stars of the silver-screen era had distinctive
voices, walks, hand gestures, and
facial mannerisms,” noted Little.
“But how do you do Brad Pitt,
Johnny Depp, or Leonardo Dicaprio? Their voices just aren’t that
distinctive. Even Robert Redford
is near impossible to do.”
In additional to his vocal talents,
Little also draws sketches of
celebrities.
“I've dabbled in art all my life,
charcoal portraits mostly,” he said.
“I've done hundreds of sketches
over the years. I guess I have these
people in my head and I can put
that down on paper as well as
voice. I've also done people other
than the ones I imitate, like Meryl
Streep and Tom Cruise. I did a
pretty good portrait of Tom, but it
wasn't easy because he kept
bouncing up and down on the
sofa!”
Despite the strain impressionists
place on their vocal chords, Little
says his voice has held up well
over the years. He has never taken
voice lessons or studied the science of speech, relying on natural
talent and hard work. “I just listen
over and over again to a new voice
and practice until I get it right.”
And no, his voice is not insured.
“I once contacted Lloyd's of
London, but they wanted something like $50,000 a year to insure
my voice,” said Little.
So has Rich ever been tempted
to use his talents to mimic a
celebrity for personal gain? Well,
sort of, he says.
“Years ago when I was starting
out, I ordered room service as
Gary Grant – and found he got
much faster service than Rich Little usually did. When the food arrived and they asked for Mr. Grant,
I just took the food and said he was
in the shower.”
Of course, not all his impressions commanded the same respect.
“I once ordered a cheeseburger
as Richard Nixon,” he recalled.
“I'm still waiting for it.”
Little's
web
site:
www.richlittle.com
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn
University at Montgomery, Ala.,
and has written features, columns,
and interviews for over 450 magazines and newspapers.
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn
University at Montgomery, Ala.,
with features, columns, and interviews in over 450 magazines and
newspapers.
The New Pleasant Playground
6757 Chew Avenue • Phila., Pa 19119
215.685.2230
Winter Programs
After School Program
This program is designed for elementary level students (grades K-6). Students will be given homework assistance, the opportunity to
engage in a variety of structured activities and provided with a snack daily. Also, an escort will be provided from Emlen Elementary
school to Pleasant Playground.
Monday thru Friday 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Fee: $20 weekly
Dance
This program is designed for youth 2 years and older. Instructional classes include: African, Ballet, Jazz,
Hip-Hop, Modern and Tap.
Wednesday
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Fee: $40 monthly/class
Saturday
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Girls Basketball League
This is a developmental league for girls 13U. The season will run from January thru March.
Saturday
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Fee: $60 per team
Martial Arts
Shotakan Karate developes physical, mental and spiritual discipline. This class is designed for students 5 years and older.
Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Fee: $75 monthly (youth)
$125 monthly (adults)
Sanuces Ryu Jui Jitsu is the art of self-defense. The class is designed for students 7 years and older.
Tuesday & Thursday 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Fee: $75 monthly (youth)
$135 monthly (adults)
Zumba Fitness
This is a fitness program that involves dance and aerobic elements. So, ditch the workout and join the party!
Monday & Wednesday
7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Fee: $6 per class
Saturday
9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
&,3¶V,QWHUJHQHUDWLRQDO7DON
Friday, January 16th 2015 @ 1:00pm
In this intergenerational workshop, facilitated by Michael
Obryan, an award winning teaching artist, we will continue to
GLVFXVV'U0DUWLQ/XWKHU.LQJ¶VYLVLRQDQGZRUN³:KHUH'R:H
*RIURP+HUH&KDRVRU&RPPXQLW\´ZLWKVWXGHQWVIURP
Mastery Charter focusing on economic justice and examining
how our personal economic decisions can affect our
communities.
Please Register for the FREE Event
Refreshments will be available
To register contact the program office at (215) 848-7722 ext 225 or
email [email protected]
&HQWHULQWKH3DUN*HUPDQWRZQ$YHQXHZZZFHQWHULQWKHSDUNRUJ
Financial Literacy Classes
Join the Smart Money Club! Become well versed in financial matters such as the ins and outs of budgeting, banking, credit and loans,
how to keep money safe, how to recover from financial loss, how to pay yourself first, and steps to homeownership and more
January 5, 12, 26
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Free
Healthy Steps
This is a therapeutic program for seniors, breast cancer survivors and those battling chronic health issues. The exercises can be done
either seated or standing, utilizing gentle to moderate moves to improve breathing, loosen joints, support balance, minimize or control
lymphedema, increase flexibility, endurance and manage stress.
Monday & Friday
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Fee: $4 per class
Bingo
Join other seniors for an afternoon filled with food, fun and prizes.
3rd Friday
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $5.00
Advisory Council Meetings for 2015
Pleasant Playground’s Advisory Council will meet the first Friday of each month promptly at 6:30 p.m.
January 2nd March 6th
May 1st
September 4th
November 6th
February 6th April 3rd
June 5th
October 2nd
December 4th
For more information, contact the facility supervisor Lisa Gilliam Ruffin
Page 14
Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty at Irish Center in Mt. Airy
by Sabina Clarke
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Pearse Doherty, Teachta Dala (TD) for
Donegal South West and Sinn Fein’s official
spokesperson on finance. As such, Doherty
is directly responsible for the party’s annual
alternative budget submission.
He made a scheduled stop at the Irish Center in Mt. Airy to address an eagerly awaiting
crowd the night after attending the annual
Friends of Sinn Fein fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel in midtown Manhattan with
Gerry Adams. He was accompanied by
Conor Duffy Director of Operations for
Friends of Sinn Fein USA which sponsors
the annual New York fundraiser.
Doherty is extremely articulate and passionate about what he believes in; in addition
to being well-versed regarding economic issues in the South and the priorities of Sinn
Fein some of which include: preserving the
Irish language, uniting Ireland and recognizing “orangeism” as an integral part of their
culture and the country’s identity.
While he is innovative and knowledgeable on economic issues, he also has a keen
grasp of the current political landscape and
a very comprehensive understanding of the
complex, tangled history of his country—
both North and South.
Prior to our conversation, I watched his
address on the government’s budget cuts to
members of the Dail on You Tube which he
called “an absolute disgrace” and “economic
treason”. He pointed out that the cuts would
force the less well-off to pick up a large part
of the tab while not one penny from a gross
TD’s salary would be reduced. In conclusion, he addressed the Taoiseach (Enda
Kenny) asking, “Is that fair, is that fair An
Taoiseach?”
Doherty’s anger at the economic inequity
was palpable and forceful –and was again on
display in this interview when the topic of
the budget cuts and the recently imposed
water tax came up in our conversation.
How do you feel about the recently imposed
water tax that is now in effect?
“The water tax that is obviously being
pushed through by the Irish government was
met with massive resistance in the South of
Ireland. Just two weeks ago we had 200,000
people out on the streets. That is the equivalent of 1 out of 25 people who live in Ireland
who told Enda Kenny and his government
what he can do with his water tax. The Irish
people have said that they are simply not
paying it. Sinn Fein and Gerry Adams have
said the same thing and we are standing with
people who simply can’t afford to pay it.
This really is the straw that broke the camel’s
back. The State has gone through six years
of austerity. We‘ve had cut after cut and additional tax after additional tax. So for many
people, a water tax is simply a matter of principle. They feel that they are already paying
for it through taxation and simply can’t give
anymore.”
What do you think of the current budget?
“Well this is the 4th budget that has been introduced since this government took office
in 2001 and each year an independent office
looks at the budget and decides whether it is
‘progressive’ or ‘regressive’. And what it
shows is that each time the government has
introduced the ‘most regressive’ budget
which means taking from the least well off
in society –the low to middle income earners-- and rewarding the highest earners in society. And this budget is no different. There
is no transparency and nothing to show how
the money has been transferred from the
least well-off to the most well-off—and that
is in terms of tax cuts. That is typical of this
government. They are simply out of touch
with where ordinary people are.
What is the debate about regarding the
Irish language centers and is funding for
Irish language centers not a priority with
Taoiseach Enda Kenny?
Where I come from, the Gaeltacht—meaning where the Irish language is spoken every
day—Irish is the normal language. So my
kids go to Irish speaking schools. That is not
because I want them to—although I do—it
is because they are the only schools in my
area---and the secondary school is all Irish
as well. Those regions in Donegal that have
the biggest Gaeltacht are under serious pressure from Anglicization because of the way
culture changes. The supports are not there
for young people who want to continue to
speak Irish.
There was a very comprehensive study done
five years ago on the Irish language and the
use of the Irish language. And it said that the
strongest areas in the country that speak the
Irish language had a 20 year maximum to
survive and that after 20 years, it will be
dead. And when your language is extinguished, it is next to impossible to bring it
back—yet the government hasn’t done anything about it. They have introduced a strategy that they have not resourced. The
strategy itself is terrible-and as a result of the
strategy they introduced, the entire opposition of the Parliament walked out in protest.
And as weak as that strategy is, they haven’t
put any resources into funding that strategy.
The present government, the ruling party
Fine Gael, wants to end the obligation to
learn Irish in secondary school and this same
party and the Taoiseach from this same government party is suggesting that the rebels
from 1916 were criminals and that they
shouldn’t have taken on the British Empire.”
“And now we have John Bruton saying that
the rebels of 1916 were wrong. It would be
like your President saying that the signers of
the Declaration of Independence were
wrong. That would not be accepted here in
the United States and it would definitely not
be accepted in Ireland. That shows you the
mentality of the ruling party where the party
itself is really not supportive of the Irish language even though there are many people in
that party who do come from a republican
tradition and who do support the Irish language.”
“In the South we have two parties with the
only difference being what side they took in
the civil war in 1921--Fine Gael and Fianna
Fail. There is no difference in economic policies, no difference in social policies, no difference in terms of their international
outlook—they are very similar. What we
would like to see in Sinn Fein are normal
parties where you have left wing politics and
right wing politics. That is why we want to
see a realignment of politics in the South
where Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are forced
to merge or to go into a coalition-so we
could have real political debate which is
what is happening now. I think this is something that people within Fianna Fail have already called for and it’s an open discussion.”
How has the landscape changed in the
South with the rise of Sinn Fein?
Civil war politics would be continuing today
if it weren’t for the emergence of Sinn Fein.
We are the largest party on the island of Ireland and as of the most recent poll; Sinn Fein
is the largest political party in the South. And
we are forcing a new debate about what it is
to be an Irish citizen and what kind of rights
come with that as a citizen of the state and
what it really is about fulfilling the dream of
the Proclamation cherishing the children of
the nation equally and making sure there are
equal rights and equal opportunities for people---that is the type of debate that is happening now instead of squabbling about minor
differences on major policies which is what
was happening in the past.”
Do you think there will be a united Ireland
or is it too late?
I think without a doubt there will be a united
Ireland. I think this generation of Irish republicans is going to be the generation that delivers an Irish unity. Irish unity is not as
simplistic as joining 6 counties to 26 counties. The 26 counties are far from perfect.
What we want is a New Ireland. It is also
about understanding the anxieties and concerns and fears that nearly a million people
on the island of Ireland have in terms of their
identity of Britishness and making sure that
their traditions are recognized. Unionism
must be a part of a New Ireland.”
How about those who object to this?
“When people object, I tell, them to consider
the color of the national flag—it is made up
of 3 colors-orange is an equal equivalent to
the green—orangeism is a part of our tradition and the orange has to be part of our New
Ireland. And we want to see that debate. Unfortunately things are becoming more challenging because unionism is retrenching into
an anti-agreement position and that is worrying because of all the success we’ve had in
the past 16 years but you have to remember
that the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party)
was not in support of the GFA (Good Friday
Agreement) in 1998. And it was only because of the relationship fostered between
Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley (former
Stormont First Minister and deceased former
Democratic Unionist Party leader) and that
was genuine friendship.”
“And the key thing about this is that equality
shouldn’t threaten anybody—it is not about
anyone losing their rights or traditions or
their way of life. Unfortunately what we
have in unionism is that they are pandering
to anti-agreement elements. And this is not
only dangerous in regards to the peace
process but it also is a lack of responsibility
in that they don’t provide the leadership that
they are required to do. And they are out of
touch with ordinary unionists on the ground
who don’t want to harken back to the past
but who want to be part of the United Kingdom but who also want to see positivity
and progress on the ground while working
within the institutions in the here and now.”
How do you think you, Sinn Fein, is perceived by other parties?
One of the things our opponents do not understand is that we are not like other political
parties. Other political parties are looking for
self-promotion--for the position and their
members are looking for promotion and dissenting within their own parties. The difference between us and them is that we are not
in it for personal gain or for position. We are
activists. The reason we are in Irish Parliament in the first place is that there is a burning desire in each of us. This is what makes
us so passionate when speaking about what
we believe--- because we genuinely believe
it.”
This seems rare in politics.
“It is. You know politics corrupt and power
corrupts. I believe that whatever political
party you are in—you are in for the right reason ---to do good for society and to do good
for your country. With other parties it is all
about status and power and position. Sinn
Fein doesn’t have that. One of the beautiful
things about Sinn Fein is that we don’t take
home our wages. A TD in the Dail is paid
$87 thousand euro a year but as TD in Sinn
Fein I take home the average industrial wage
which is $34 thousand euro. Sinn Fein injects the rest of the money back into the community so I am able to employ two people
by taking them off social welfare. So I can
provide enhanced deputy service that no
other TD from other parties can do. The people who work in my office get exactly the
same money as me whether they started last
week or 2 years ago”
Has this helped you identify with the
working class low to middle income people?
“When we take home the average industrial
wage, we keep our feet on the ground. We
don’t have to wonder about how the families
are struggling, because we understand it because we are the people getting that same average industrial wage. When you are getting
paid $187,000 a year, you lose touch. When
you have to get experts to write reports for
you to explain what it means to worry about
sending your children to 3rd level education
or what it means to be unable to afford private medical insurance or what it means to
have your children forced to emigrate because they can’t afford to stay in this country
anymore or can’t get a job here---there is no
substitute for knowing it and seeing it first
hand and that is why people are in touch with
Sinn Fein and that is why we are in touch
with them.”
Pearse Doherty, a founding member of Ogra
Shinn Fein, served on its National Executive
between 1998 and 2001 and is currently a
member of the Ard Comhairle of the party
He resides in his hometown of Gweedore and
is married to Róisín, a native of County
Monaghan and a national school teacher.
They have four sons.
State Crossword: Wild West
74. Lofty homes
ACROSS
1. French pancake
6. Trig function
9. *The steam ____motive drove Western growth
13. Flotsam and jetsam alternative
14. Earned at Kellogg School of Management
15. In any degree at all, archaic
16. Discrimination against elderly people
17. Black gold
18. Traction aid
19. *Spaghetti _______
21. *Precursor to cowboy
23. Type of tree
24. Cough syrup balsam
25. Contrary conjunction
28. Heracles’ wife
30. Methane or carbon dioxide, e.g.
35. “Put a lid __ __!”
37. Russian mountain chain
39. Lorry in America
40. Capital of Norway
Streets Dept.
Christmas Tree Recycling
Citizens who wish to drop off their
trees to be recycled may take them
to the Streets Dept. Sanitation Convenience Centers which are open 8
am to 6 pm from Monday through
Saturday and located at:
· 3033 S. 63rd Street
· Domino Lane & Umbria St.
· State Road & Ashburner St.
· 2601 W. Glenwood Ave.
There will also be Christmas tree
drop off sites located throughout
the city at 23 designated locations
on Saturday, January 10 and 17. To
find the location nearest to you,
please visit
www.philadelphiastreets.com/holiday/2015-christmas-treerecycling-program.
41. Special Administrative Region of
China
43. Tubular pasta
44. Rock bottom
46. *____ Party, Manifest Destiny opponent
47. Norse deity and husband of Frigg
48. Shoe hole
50. Audio bounce-back
52. Lt.’s inferior, in the Navy
53. Frequenter
55. ___ de Triomphe
57. *Type of Wild West wagon
61. Metallurgy factory
65. Run off to wed
66. Female sheep
68. “_____ two shoes”
69. RAF member
70. Spring mo.
71. Plural of ostium
72. A chronic drinker, pl.
73. *Billy the Kid’s was less than 20
when killing his first
DOWN
1. Bird weapon
2. Angry display
3. Shining armor
4. Fusilli, e.g.
5. Catch in a net
6. Ke$ha’s 2012 hit
7. ___-Wan
8. Artillery burst
9. Beauty or babe
10. Curved molding
11. Blacken
12. Football great ____ Graham
15. *Jury did it to Wild Bill Hickock after
famous gunfight
20. Watery discharge from eyes or nose
22. Priestly garb
24. *She often worked in one room in
Old West
25. *The Wilderness Road trailblazer
26. “Take it back!”
27. Found over “n” in Spanish
29. Brightly colored and showy, Scottish
31. Rice-like pasta
32. *Sacagawea, e.g.
33. To ___ __ a play
34. *They were often traded
36. Work hard
38. Nonclerical
42. Early Irish alphabet
45. Bemoan
49. Triple ___ loop in skating
51. *______ Trail, spanning east-west
54. Swelling
56. Intimate
57. Large edible mushrooms with a
brown cap
58. Assortment
59. Unit V
60. “Iliad,” e.g.
61. Bone-dry
62. Marines’ toy recipients
63. Prep for publication
64. Swedish shag rugs
67. Tail action
Page 15 a
Business Services
Directory
Do It Right
Drain & Plumbing
BERNIE
The Small Job Specialist
Is Your Toilet Leaking?
• We install BATHROOMS
• DRAIN CLEANING
• Repair or Replace BROKEN PIPES
We’ll beat anybody’s price
or we’ll take 10% off!
Cell: 267-586-2809
Reasonable Prices
(215) 748-6497
Lic. #G-68410
Lic. #0390
Philadelphia Gas Heating
Heater Sale
& Air Conditioning
$1195
Air Conditioning
SALES
heater
checkup
$80.00
Starting at
$1695
Answer on page 17
Call Now 215.456.1300
FAST EMERGENCY SERVICE
ELECTRICIAN
SMALL AD
SMALL PRICES
WE Do IT ALL!
215-925-0606
SenioR Citizen
DiSCountS
MARIo BRoS.
LiCenSeD & inSuReD #G00848
• Roofing
• Plastering
• Wallpaper
• Painting
• Cement
• Electric
Free Estimates
Senior
Discount
Fully Insured
JOsePh’s AffORDAble
PluMbiNG & heATiNG
• 24 Hour Service / 7 Days a Week
• City Violations Corrected
• Hot Water Heaters Replaced
• Drain Cleaning Specialist
• New Gas & Oil Heaters Installed
• Certifications
Registered 3rd Generation #3922
OffiCe: 215-673-7700
Cell: 267-984-3088
THE ELECTRICIANS, INC.
“WE DO IT ALL”
Roofing Sale
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
FAST EMERGENCY SERVICE
• Breakers
• Lighting
• 100 Amp
• Fuse Repair
• Ceiling Fans
• Outlets
• Dryer Lines
• Doorbell Repairs • Switches
Financing Available • Free Estimates • Fully Insured
We
Finance All
Credit!
All Types of Roofing
Siding • Windows
Emergency Repairs
Ask About Our
CALL: 215-927-1100
15 Year Guarantee
We BeAt ALL eStiMAteS BY 10% • CALL uS noW!
Family-Owned business
B.B.B. • AARP • SenioR • CHuRCH • CitY & union DiSCountS
LiCenSeD & inSuReD PA#0A068325 • PHiLA MASteR eLeCtRiCiAn LiC. #17027
Check Us out online at
WWW.AFFoRDABLELECTRIC.CoM
Celebrating 50 Years
215.332.6600
With Coupon
New Roof
Up to 400 Sq. Ft.
as low as
$490
Hot Coats
as low as
$57
Page 16
Arts & Culture
School District of Philadelphia
Students and Families: Important Information Regarding
the School Selection Process
for September 2015
Students and families who wish
to attend a school that is not their
neighborhood elementary, middle or high school in September
2015, in grades K-12, should participate in the School Selection
process. The last day to apply is
fast approaching. On December
10, 2014 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
seven Free Libraries and the
Center City Parent and Family
Resource Center will offer FREE
help with the the new onlineonly application.
Go to greatphillyschools.org for
details.
December 9
20th Annual Greater Philadelphia
Martin Luther King Day of Service Online Planning Workshop
Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 1:00
- 2:00 PM
Anymeeting.com
RSVP at https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegE
v.aspx?PIID=EA56D987834931
Last January tens of thousands of
people throughout the tri-state region, including children, seniors
and families, received vital services and resources as part of the
19th Annual Greater Philadelphia
King Day of Service.
Last January, more than 125,000
people throughout our region
volunteered in some 1,700 projects. For example:
26,799 meals were prepared and
served to those in need
27,127 books were donated and
sorted for distribution to centers
and schools in some of our region's most underserved communities
21,815 care packages or hygiene
kits were created and distributed
to those in need
We hope to expand the impact of
the King Day of Service and
serve even more people in 2015.
Please join us as a partner on
Monday, January 19 for the 20th
Annual Greater Philadelphia
Martin Luther King Day of Service.
Coordinators should register their
projects by Monday, December
1. You can register on our website, www.mlkdayofservice.org,
which also allows you to publicize your projects, recruit volunteers and request FREE King
Day of Service T-shirts. If you
would like to attend a coordinator briefing to learn more about
planning a King Day project,
please click here for a listing of
our workshop schedule.
All-Day Jewish Mindfulness
Retreat
December 20
An all-day Jewish Mindfulness
retreat on Saturday, December
20, will combine liturgy with
yoga and meditation to deepen
the mind-body connection -- and
awaken to the present moment.
Sharon Barr, a certified yoga
teacher, will join Rabbi Yael
Levy to co-lead parts of the retreat at Mishkan Shalom synagogue, 4101 Freeland Ave., in
the Roxborough section of
Philadelphia (19128). Click here
for a flyer.
The day begins with a Shabbat
Mindfulness service from 10
a.m. to 12:15 p.m., led by Rabbi
Levy of A Way In Jewish Mindfulness organization and
Mishkan Shalom. There will be a
silent eating meditation at lunch.
(Participants are asked to bring
their own vegetarian lunches.
Drinks and snacks will be provided.)
An afternoon program from 1:15
to 5 p.m. includes yoga as well as
sitting and walking meditation,
ending with the lighting of the
fifth Chanukah candle.
Participants are invited to come
to all or part of the day’s program, but pre-registration is requested for the afternoon. For the
afternoon program, there is a
suggested donation of $36, $54,
$72 or $108.
All are welcome. The afternoon
program is accessible to people
of all faiths. Previous mindfulness or yoga experience is not
necessary. Participants may bring
a yoga mat, meditation cushion
or blanket, if desired.
Traditional yoga poses led by
Sharon Barr will be used to aid
participants in experiencing the
teachings in their bodies. In addition, Barr will offer alternatives
for all poses so that people of all
abilities may participate.
“Sharon will bring her sensitivity, awareness and great skill as
she guides us,” said Rabbi Levy.
The theme of the retreat comes
from the Winter Solstice and
Chanukah as well as a line from
Genesis: “The spirit of God is
within each of us.”
“Interweaving meditation, yoga
practice, prayers and music, we
will immerse ourselves in the interplay of light and darkness,
standing and stretching into attentive awareness, intuitive wisdom and clear discernment,” said
Rabbi Levy.
Register and donate by check
(mail to A Way In, Box 118,
Swarthmore, PA 19081) or by
credit card online. (Enter “Yoga
Mindfulness” in the Notes field
online or in the memo line on
checks and please include your
email for confirmation. For more
information, email [email protected] or call
215.508.0226x2.
Germantown Jewish Centre
400 W. Ellet Street
Germantown Jewish Centre’s
Kol D'mamah Monthly Contemplative Service
Saturday, January 3 at 10 AM
Connect to the divine through
music, breath & learning in a
monthly minyan that includes
chant, hand percussion, meditation and contemplative teaching.
For more info [email protected] or 215-844-1507 Ext 19.
Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by Men's Club at Germantown Jewish Centre
Sunday, January 4
8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Walk-ins welcome but appointments preferred. Register at
www.redcrossblood.org and use
sponsor code: Germantown Jewish Centre.
January is National Blood Donor
Month. A whole month dedicated
to celebrating you! Dunkin'
Donors Make a Difference. All
presenting donors this January
will receive a voucher for a free
pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee
(while supplies last).
Monthly Intergenerational Gathering of Women Sponsored by
Women’s Club
Sunday, January 11 at 10 AM
(offsite at a home in Mt. Airy)
GJC is a "community of communities." We are seeking to develop a community of women
across the generations, from age
13-90. All those who identify as
women are welcome. We tell stories and pass on traditions and
wisdom and share in brunch
(please let us know what you will
bring to share). This month we
will discuss: What do you hope
to be remembered for? What difference do you want to make in
the lives of those around you or
in the wider world? For more
info and to RSVP [email protected] or 215-844-1507 Ext 19.
People of the Book Group
Tuesday, January 13 at 7:15 PM
GJC's book group meets monthly
and reads fiction and non-fiction
books of Jewish interest written
mostly, but not solely, by Jewish
writers and chosen by the group.
For more information, contact
[email protected] or 215-844-1507 X
19.
Bizarre Talmudic Passages with
Rabbi Joshua Gutoff
6-session Adult Ed Class at Germantown Jewish Centre begins
January 13
Meets Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM
Many know the Talmud as a collection of profound Jewish
thought, of nuanced rabbinic argument, inspired spiritual insights. But it's also a treasury of
tales of tricksters and demons, of
lust and rage, of humor and
imagination. In this class we'll
look at some of the Talmud's
strangest tales and try to understand what they're doing in one
of our most sacred texts, and
what they tell us about the teachers who helped create the Judaism we recognize today. No
experience with Talmud is required. Six Sessions: Tues 7:309 pm, meets on Jan 13, 20, 27:
Feb 3, 10, 17. GJC Members $75
/ Non-Members $100. For more
info and to RSVP contact [email protected] or 215-844-1507 Ext 19.
“The Reality of Racial Justice
Today”
31st Annual Ralph Granger Memorial Shabbat at Germantown
Jewish Centre
Saturday, January 17 program at
1:30 PM
Join us for a panel of speakers
exploring what it means to be
black in America in this age of
Ferguson and what we can do to
work for racial justice in our city
and in our country. This annual
event honors Ralph Granger, a
well-loved and respected former
custodian at GJC. Ralph was a
Christian African American who
was known for his dignity and
love for the synagogue. During
his life he served as a role model
to our community for valuing
and respecting differences in others. The Granger Memorial
Shabbat continues to pay tribute
to his memory, while focusing on
current social issues pertinent to
the larger community in which
we live. For more information,
contact [email protected] or 215-8441507 X 19.
Kol Zimrah (monthly musical)
Service
Friday, January 23 @ 6 PM
Please join us for this monthly
joyful Friday night service (generally the 4th Shabbat of the
month), followed by a wine and
cheese oneg. We welcome all
who are moved by song to participate in this service featuring
new melodies, beautiful harmonies, chanting and percussion.
Everyone is welcome. For more
information contact 215-8441507, Ext. 19 [email protected]
Israeli Dancing at Germantown Jewish Centre
Sundays at 10 AM in January
(except 1/18)
The Germantown Jewish Centre
Israeli dance group meets on
Sunday mornings throughout the
school year. Our repertoire consists mainly of intermediate
dances, though we always begin
with easier, older dances. There
Page 17 a
Arts & Culture
is an emphasis on instruction and
review in the earlier part of the
session. We are an informal,
friendly group, and always welcome new dancers! $5 per session. We meet each Sunday in
October. For more info contact
[email protected] or 215-844-1507 Ext
19.
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Avenue
Monthly Fourth Friday Tour
Series: Hot Spots and Storied
Plots
In life and in death, we all have
stories to tell. Join Laurel Hill
Cemetery for an informative
overview of Laurel Hill’s long
and colorful history, which will
include many of the marble masterpieces, stunning views and
legendary stories that afford the
cemetery its WOW factor. This is
the perfect tour for first-time visitors to Laurel Hill, and anyone
else who enjoys beautiful art,
scenic nature and fascinating history. “Hot Spots and Storied
Plots” will be presented monthly
as part of Laurel Hill Cemetery’s
Fourth Friday tour series, which
take place on the fourth Friday of
every month at 10:00am.
December’s walking tour will
take place on Friday, December
26 at 10:00am, departing from
Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge
Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132.
Free parking is located in the lot
across the street from the Gatehouse.
The cost is $8/person general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance
by phone (215) 228-8200 or online at www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org.
General Meade
Birthday Celebation
The annual General Meade
Birthday Celebration will mark
the 199th anniversary of the birth
of General George G. Meade,
commander of the Union Army
at the Battle of Gettysburg. A parade of Civil War re-enactors,
civilians in period attire, special
dignitaries, heritage groups and
participants will advance to
Meade’s final resting place and
memorialize his services to his
nation. A 21-gun salute and
champagne toast will cap off the
program at graveside, and will be
followed by a reception in the
Cemetery Gatehouse. A tour of
historic Laurel Hill will be offered following the festivities
(weather permitting). This year
holds special significance as we
continue to commemorate the
Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.
The event will take place on
Wednesday, December 31 at
12:00pm, departing from Laurel
Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free
parking is located in the lot
Free and open to the public; a
$10 donation in support of Laurel Hill Cemetery’s work and
preservation is suggested and
would be much appreciated. Additional information can be found
online at www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org or by calling (215) 2288200.
Lunchbox Lecture: A Toasty
Tour for the Curious
As the days grow shorter and the
chill of the winter season settles
upon us, Laurel Hill’s 78 acres of
enchanting landscape becomes
increasingly difficult to traverse
by foot. The Lunchbox Lecture
series offers visitors the opportunity to tour and explore the
Cemetery from the seated comfort of the warm indoors. Feed
your curiosity and gather around
the fireplace for the first presentation of the indoor lecture series,
which will feature an informative
overview of the Cemetery’s most
historic spots, notorious names,
and noteworthy art and architecture.
January’s lecture will take place
on Thursday, January 8 at
10:00am and guests are encouraged to bring a bagged lunch to
enjoy after the program. The cost
is $8/person general admission.
Tickets may be purchased in advance by phone (215) 228-8200
or online at www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org. Advanced reservations are requested and seating is
limited.
Upon arrival, check in at Laurel
Philadelphia PA 19132. Free
Monthly Fourth Friday Tour
Series: Hot Spots and Storied
Plots
This is the perfect tour for firsttime visitors to Laurel Hill, and
anyone else who enjoys beautiful
art, scenic nature and fascinating
history. “Hot Spots and Storied
Plots” will be presented monthly
as part of Laurel Hill Cemetery’s
Fourth Friday tour series, which
take place on the fourth Friday of
every month at 10:00am.
January’s walking tour will take
place on Friday, January 23 at
10:00am, departing from Laurel
Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free
The cost is $8/person general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance
by phone (215) 228-8200 or online at www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org.
Laurel Hill is America's first National Historic Landmark Cemetery, boasting art, architecture,
nature and stunning river views.
This final resting place of numerous historic notables is open
daily with free admission for
self-guided tours or recreation.
Joggers, dog walkers, bicyclists
and photographers are welcome.
Unique public tours and events
are offered throughout the year,
with all proceeds benefitting the
preservation and educational
mission of Laurel Hill Cemetery.
www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org
THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT CENTER
ONLINE TRAINING
CLASSES
New 6-week sessions begin
monthly
These courses are ideal for existing or aspiring entrepreneurs and
their employees
Choose from over 45 courses in
the following categories:
* Start Your Own Business
* Accounting & Finance
* Business Communication
* Web Technology
* Management & Leadership
* Marketing & Sales
* Non-Profit & Grant Writing
Cost: $99.00 per course
Date: New sessions begin
January 21, 2015
February 18, 2015
March 18, 2015
To view the complete catalog and
to enroll, visit
www.ed2go.com/wbdconline
For more information call:
(215) 790-WBDC (9232) or
email [email protected]
or visit www.womensbdc.org
Thursday, January 8, 2015
from 6:00 to 7:30 pm
The Women’s Business Development Center “Orientation
and Business Assessment
Workshop”
1315 Walnut Street
Suite 1124
Philadelphia
Cost: Free
Pre-registration is required
For more information call:
(215) 790-WBDC (9232) or Fax
(215) 790-9231
or visit www.womensbdc.org
This workshop is designed for
women interested in starting or
growing a business.
ness development survey tool,
discuss their business needs,
learn about WBDC resources,
and meet other women business
Participants will complete a busi-
owners.
Page 18
Classified Advertising
Real Estate
Help Wanted
One Bedroom Apt.
16xx East Duval St.
Newly Renovated , Near Transportation
$700 .00 dollars monthly plus utilities
215-247-1210
_________________________________
Live-In Care - Mt. Airy.
Female LI Caregiver/Housekeeper for bedbound female w/dementia in hospice.
Reqs 1 yr training, patient/elder care cert,
1 yr exp. ADLs incl bath, meals, hskpg.
OJT on specific needs. Sal range $11.04$13.50/hr x 40 hrs (5 days, 8 hrs work & 8
hrs on-call in exch pvt rm/board). Any addl
days @ regular rate; no overtime pay rate.
One temp 6-mo position (possibly renewable), to begin on/abt 12/1/14, end on/abt
5/31/15 unless elder sooner becomes unable tolive @ home.
Employer: Dorothy M. York, [email protected], 215.586-5955.
_________________________________
Corporation Notice
262 E Cliveden Street
Spacious layouts, updated windows, off
street parking, w/d on site, gas included!
*Ask about our move in specials! *
$725.00 +electric
$825.00 +electric
M.E. INC
215-844-1200
www.elfantre.com
_________________________________
Cozy 2 bdr house w/ hrdwd flrs, dishwasher, washer & dryer, ultra modern
kitchen and large fenced bck yd.
895.00 per mo. Plus util
Call 215 868-2047
_________________________________
Furnished Rooms
Clean & quiet, no drugs
private entrance
Call 267-988-5890
_________________________________
Garden Style
Apartment Complex
in Mt. Airy. Nice 1 & 2 Bedrooms
Utilities included except for electric.
Leave message for
Court Rentals.
215-842-2500
_________________________________
Want to Buy Real Estate
I BUY HOUSES;
I PAY CASH
Any Condition
Private, Professional,
Personal Services.
Call Brennan Properties
215-990-4137
_________________________________
Germantown Area
64xx Musgrave St.
Spacious straight-through.
EIK, porch, more.
$66,900.
Call Marlene
Prudential Prime Real Estate
215-338-3200
_________________________________
2xx Berkley
2-bedroom 2nd fl.
$700 plus utilities.
51xx Wakefield
1st fl, private entrance.
$650 plus utilities.
Section 8 and VA welcome.
Call 215-432-9369 _________________________________
CLIVEDEN STREET
Newly Decorated
One Bedroom Apartment w/w carpet,
tiled bathroom, garbage disposal.
Off street parking, No Pets.
$595 plus utilities
215-782-8030 EXT. 2
_________________________________
Gorgeous 2 bedroom Apt. 2nd floor
(Germantown Area).
Rent $675.00 per month includes
(water), first & last month's rent plus one
month's security.
Call 215-288-1615
_________________________________
REAL ESTATE
CASH FOR YOUR HOME
Cash today for your home any area any
condition.
Call 267-499-6847
_________________________________
NONPROFIT CORPORATION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Articles
of Incorporation have been filed in the Department of State of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
(1) The name of the corporation is: Rowe
Academy, Inc. (2) The corporation has
been incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988. (3) The Corporation
is incorporated for the purpose of promoting arts and music education. (4) The corporation's Articles of Incorporation were
filed on November 11, 2014. Rhonda M.
Anderson, Esquire
DRIVERS NEEDED
Busy car service needs drivers!!!! Full
time positions, flexible hours. Must be
over 25 with clean driving record.
Call 215-333-3333
_________________________________
Church Programs
Sanctuary of Praise and
Worship International
26 W. Queen Lane, Philadelphia
215-843-9030 or 215-843-9031
Service Line Up
Sunday Morning
Worship Experience: 10: 00
Tuesday Prayer
12:00 Noon
Wednesday Night Prayer
& Bible Study 6:45
Friday Night Youth Explosion
Every Other Friday
_________________________________
Handyman Available
Fran The Handiman
* General Contracting
* Cement Work
* Stone Pointing
* Pressure Washing
* Stucco & Concrete
215-739-1820 or 267-242-8118
_________________________________
Legal Notice
Notice: 2014-2015 Germantown Special
Services District Board of Directors will
meet as outlined below. All meetings will
be held at The Flying Horse, 5534 Pulaski
Ave, Philadelphia unless otherwise indicated. The public is invited to attend.
Friday, October 17, 8:30AM
Tuesday, November 11, Annual Meeting,
6PM @ Treasure's at 5549 Germantown
Ave.
Friday, December 12, 8:30AM
Tuesday, January 13, 8:30AM
Friday, February 13, 8:30AM
Tuesday, March 10, 8:30AM
Friday, April 10, 8:30AM
Tuesday, May 12, 8:30AM
Friday, June 12, 8:30AM
_______________________________
Antiques
OLD FURNITURE & ANTIQUES
(Also: paintings, crafts, coins,
gold, oriental rugs,
dolls, pottery,
clocks & jewelry)
We Buy The Unusual!
Call Tyler’s at
215-920-7310 (cell) or
215-844-9272 (store
Business
Services
Directory
Call
215-438-4000
Beloved Children’s Song
Brought to Life Through
Art at Woodmere
“I Know an Old Lady”
on view Jan. 10 —March 1
Woodmere Art Museum’s exhibition “I Know an Old Lady” will
delight children of all ages with depictions of captivating critters
and downright creepy animal companions. The beloved song and
nursery rhyme is brought to life through paintings, sculptures and
photographs of our furry friends, drawn from Woodmere’s permanent collection.
The exhibition is on view Jan. 10 – March 1 (members-only,
family-friendly opening event on Jan. 10, 1-4 p.m., Woodmere Art
Museum).
Each stanza of the humorous children’s song — featuring a fly,
bird, cat, dog, cow, horse and of course, the Old Lady herself — is
represented by charming artwork from Helen Corson Hovenden
(1846–1935), Razel Kapustin (1908–1968), Franz Kline (1910–
1962), Susan Lowry (born 1953), Daniel Miller (b. 1928), Brian
Meunier (born 1954), Peter Paone (born 1936), Leopold Seyffert
(1887–1956), Philip Taylor (born 1926), and Patricia Traub (born
1947).
The classic folk song was composed by Alan Mills, with lyrics
by Rose Bonne, and was made popular in the 1950s by singer Burl
Ives. A family guide with imagination-building projects will accompany the exhibition, and the family-friendly opening event will
feature a sing-along and fun art-making activities for the whole
family.
Woodmere Art Museum is located at 9201 Germantown Avenue.
Admission to special exhibitions is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors,
and FREE for students, children and Museum members; exhibitions in the Founder’s Gallery and Helen Millard Children’s
Gallery are FREE. (Woodmere offers free admission on Sundays,
including all special exhibitions.) Museum hours are: Tuesday
through Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.–8:45 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, visit woodmereartmuseum.org or call 215-247-0476.
Property Tax Relief
Forum at CIP
Are you behind on PROPERTY TAXES? Have you received
threatening letters stating that if you don’t pay they will foreclose
on your home?
You could be eligible for a hardship agreement and/or a tax freeze.
Come to a workshop presented by Community Legal Services Attorney Monty Wilson, Esq. and learn about this process and what
your options are.
Jan. 6, 2015, 10 to 11:30 a.m..
Center in the Park
5818 Germantown Ave.
215-848-7722 x 225 to register.
Speaker: Monty Wilson, Esq.
• Legal Services Attorney Monty Wilson, Esq.
Legal Notice
Classifieds: Buy,
Board Meeting Change Notice
Sell, Rent,
The December meeting of the Board of
Directors of the Imhotep
YardHighSales,
Institute Charter
School will be held
on December 18, 2014 at
7:00Notices,
PM at
Legals
6201 N. 21st Street,
Look for Work.
215-438-4000
1974 MGB ROADSTER
Beautifully maintained garage kept MGB. Last year for chrome bumpers.
Excellent condition inside and out.
Needs nothing. $9500 • Call Jim 215-438-5171
Intercultural Communication
Page 19 a
Make Sure Your Company is in the
CERTIFIED DOCUMENT TRANSLATION
BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTORY
INS Documents, Patents, Contracts, Academic Transcripts, etc
Spanish, German, French, Indonesian,
Portuguese, Russian, Haitian Creole ...
All Languages
24 Hour Fax 215-438-1958
Interpretation
Arbitrations, Workers Comp Hearings, Conventions, Business Meetings, etc.
SI Wireless Systems and Booths • Audience Response Service
Text Translation & Interpreting Services • 215-520-0031
Mailing Address: PO Box 12349, Philadelphia, PA 19119
[email protected]
,
+
$!
,
" )
))
&
(
+
&
!
#
)
!
"
# $%%
'
*
,
"
#
-.
%%
&
A Family Tradition of
Excellence Since 1937
AL JEFFERSON
215-849-4343
!
!
$
#
&
'
()
*
bRiCK &
sTONe
POiNTiNG
Alfred Jefferson is the number one contractor for the tri-state area. If you need complete construction services for your home or business, then he is your go-to guy!
Jefferson is the owner of Al Jefferson Brick & Stone Pointing, a family trade since
1937. His late father, Al Jefferson, Sr., initially taught him the business and the art of
brick and stone pointing and also wood graining, which is a unique technique of transforming any door (wood or metal) into a beautiful work of art with the appearance of
a wood-grained effect that is all done by hand. You have to see it to believe it!
Neighbors in Mt. Airy thank him for giving their neighborhood a beautiful face lift
and great curb appeal! If you ride through the streets of Mt. Airy, Germantown or
West Oak Lane, you are sure to see his famous brick and stone pointing. His signs are
seen all over Mt. Airy, Germantown, West Oak Lane and South Philadelphia.
For more information, call 215-849-4343 and get a free estimate. You will be so glad
you made the call.
• Steps
• Patios
• Ext. & Int. Painting
• Concrete Walks
Also Custom Door Graining
• Rough Cast Cellar Walls
• Glass Block Windows
Page 20
19 Ye
ars
in
Busi
ness
We are a member of the Better Business Bureau with an A + rating.

Voice - Germantown Newspapers

Transcription

Similar documents

Brochure - Equity Retail Brokers

For far too long, City Hall – and its signature courtyard

Philadelphia Pregnancy Accommodations (e2525)

PHILADELPHIA

Calendar of Events

Philadelphia Cream Cheese

sofitel philadelphia - Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

February 2014

Voice - Germantown Newspapers

Maria J. Falco Biography III, Retirement 1994-