FREE of The Fallser!

THE FALLSER
December 2014
www.thefallser.com
Volume 21, No. 7
NEWS & EVENTS FOR THE EAST FALLS COMMUNITY
Christmas Caroling
In The Park
E
ast Fall’s 29th Annual
Holiday Carol Sing will be
held in McMichael Park
at 7pm on Wednesday, December 10th. This long-stranding
tradition brings out hundreds
of Fallser residents and friends
each year for a candlelit community Christmas carol sing.
The pathway to the Memorial in McMichael Park will be
trimmed with luminaries, carefully placed by area Girl Scouts
and school children. The air
will buzz with music provided
by a brass ensemble beginning
at 6:45pm.
After we’ve sung the last
carol, everyone is invited to
East Falls Presbyterian Church
at the corner of Midvale Avenue
and Vaux Street for hot apple
Blighted, Dangerous
Eyesore Coming Down?
cider and homemade cookies
made by bakers from around
East Falls. We have heard from
the North Pole that. Once again,
Santa Clause will meet us at the
church!
One of the event’s founders
and retired East Falls Branch
librarian, Wendy Moody, will
bring her local singing group,
The Wendellas to both entertain and lead attendees in song
of the season. The group has
enjoyed singing together for
the Fall Festival’s local talent
night for several years. We are
excited about their return as
Carol Sing song leaders!
As always, this year’s celebration is sponsored by The
East Falls Community Coun(continued on page 13)
Top: Gotcha! Responding to surveillance cameras at his Plymouth Meeting home, property and call from
local police, a Conrad St. derelict landlord is confronted by Bill Epstein of the East Falls contingency.
The amount needed to satisfy taxes and penalty ( $12,726) is likely less than 3 months payment on his
mortgage! Bottom: EFTW activists at Conrad Street property, vacant for more than two decades.
Photos courtesy of Bas Slabbers for Newsworks
by Bill Epstein, Chair, EFCC
Zoning Committee; member, East
Falls Town Watch
Councilman Curtis Jones joined other celebrity readers for a scary,
spooky night of storytelling at the Falls of Schuylkill Library on
October 28th. The Councilman was joined by 20 children--each in
Halloween’s finest/scariest/prettiest.
I
t’s likely the worst eyesore in
East Falls – but, it could be
coming down soon.
Getting a decaying, abandoned house at 3342 Conrad St.
fixed up or torn down has been
the long-time goal of both the
East Falls Community Coun-
cil (EFCC) and East Falls Town
Watch (EFTW).
Leaders of both organizations have been frustrated
repeatedly to see the property
slated for Sherriff’s sale, only
to be removed at the last minute when the owner – nearly
$13,000 behind on taxes – steps
in to dodge the sale by paying a
small portion of what he owes.
The leaders and activists of
both groups finally got tired of
the excuses and inaction of city
administrators and elected officials. They decided it was time
for direct action to rid East
Falls of this board-up, glassstrewn tax delinquent mess
right in the middle of our residential community.
(continued on page 13)
PAGE 2
www.thefallser.com
Letters
The Fallser welcomes letters to the editor dealing
with topics of general interest. This is not, however,
an arena for personal attacks. All letters should be
200 words or less, must be signed and include the
address and verifiable phone number of the writer.
The staff will withhold a writer’s name if requested
to do so; however, unsigned letters will not be
considered for publication.
Dear Editor,
At the November EFCC meeting,
the most recent proposal for the dog
park was presented.
As the residents directly impacted
by the proposed site, we want to first
state that we are not against a dog
park in East Falls. We love animals of
all kinds, but we also believe there is
a better location than just feet from
our homes. In fact, we were only informed of the site location on October
20th, even though residents who have
attended EFCC meetings were told a
specific site had yet to be selected.
More importantly, there are some
significant aspects of the project that
cannot be ignored. The park plans cut
directly through what is likely private
property. The property owner has paperwork supporting this argument. It’s
also a safety and quality of life issue
for all. The proposed entrance would
use a very narrow access street where
20 buildings, at least 30 cars, numerous businesses and upwards of 40 residents use to enter and exit this already
compact space. Adding more foot traffic only increases the risk of accidents
as well as unwanted attention to the
block.
We are more than happy to help!
For the sake of safety for all who live
there, we’ve been tirelessly making
sure that the neglected park area behind our homes looks attended to. Although looks are a matter of opinion,
the caretaking of this space has deterred further dumping and criminal
activity. Thanks to the recent attention
that has been brought to our location,
we’ve been made aware of resources
that will help us beautify the space
while keeping it as natural as possible.
Sincerely,
Residents
40XX Ridge Ave.
THANK YOU!
Julie Camburn has made an immeasurable contribution to this Community over the last twenty years. We
needed The Fallser and she met that
need as no one else could have done
with kindness, patience and wisdom.
I hope your legacy continues.
It has been an honor to work with
you.
With great affection.
Meg Greenfield
Message to the TROOPS:
Phila. U. Makes First
Presentation of 30-Year
Master Plan
P
hiladelphia University
officials made their first
presentation of the
school’s 30-year Master Plan
at the November 19th meeting
of the East Falls Community
Council’s Zoning and Land Use
Committee.
The plan grew out of a series of discussions between
the University and nearby
neighbors and the University’s
consideration of whether to
apply for an institutional zoning overlay under the city’s
recently amended zoning code.
The lomg-range plan will be
posted on the Zoning tab of the
EFCC’’s website, www.eastfallscommunity.org, and will
be discussed at future Zoning
Committee meetings.
Committee members agreed
to support a request from the
owners of Slices Pizza, 4249
Ridge Ave., as they seek City
Council approval to set up tables and chairs on the sidewalk
of their property. The members
indicated their preference for
no advertising on the furniture
and umbrellas, and for furniture that enhances the quality
of the setting along Ridge Ave.
Committee members also
discussed the proposals in Philadelphia 2035, the city’s longrange planning process. The
plan can be viewed on the Zoning tab at www.eastfallscommnity.org. Also, they raised the
work in Roxborough to create
a Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay, and agreed to examine
whether such a step would be
appropriate in East Falls.
Bill Epstein, Chairman of
the Zoning Committee, said
the next regular meeting of the
Committee will be on December 17 if the Committee has
business to conduct. A notice of whether the Committee
will meet will be posted on the
EFCC’s website and in email
notices to EFCC members.
From The Editor
Easin’ On Out
S
ome things simply take
more time...
Many thanks to Fallser
readers – residents and nonresidents -- for their outpourings of good wishes following
last month’s announcement of
my intention to retire.
Things, however, are taking
a bit longer than anticipated, so
there may be a hint of my presence as a background player just
T
a while longer.
Meanwhile, The Fallser has
entered the 21st century with
a newly-designed website:
www,thefallser.com – available
for comment by December 1st.
With tremendous affection
to all East Falls residents,
Julie M. Camburn
soon-to-be
Publisher Emeritus
CORRECTION
hanks to an alert East Falls resident and faithful Fallser
reader, Bin Z. for calling the editor to question date published in November issue for City of Philadelphia Streets
Department’s mechanical leaf collection in East Falls.
Correct date for 2014 Mechanical Leaf Collection and Recycling in East Falls:
Monday, December 8, 2014
Schoolhouse Lane to Indian Queen Lane, from Henry Avenue to Wissahickon Avenue
Schoolhouse Lane to Indian Queen Lane, from Ridge Avenue to
Henry Avenue
When the dog POOPS, a
good neighbor SCOOPS!
Be a good neighbor…
Keep East Falls Clean.
email us: [email protected]
December 2014
Next Steps
by Gina Snyder
A
s the year draws to a
close, there are some
major changes underway. First and foremost, this
venerable publication is up
for some changes. As people
are well aware, Julie Camburn
will be stepping back from
publishing the paper with the
hope that someone else will
take over the mantle.
We are in that transitional
period. Julie has been an
extraordinary asset for East
Falls. The Fallser, with 20
years’ of service to the neighborhood, has helped build
this community and weave it
together.
The EFDC began writing articles in its early years,
when Carolyn Sutton, then
Board President, penned her
musings about the world and
our neighborhood. EFDC’s
monthly column has given
us the privilege of communicating with members of
the neighborhood on various
projects we had undertaken.
In this monthly column,
we introduced/invited/updated residents on our two
great events – the Bike Race
Block Party and Dance on the
Falls Bridge.
Over the past 20 years that
Julie has been at the helm of
The Fallser, the way people get
information has moved from
primarily print to the digital
age, The Fallser has remained
an anchor and a stable part
of the East Falls information
pipeline. As Julie steps into
her well-earned retirement, it
is a great time to say “Thank
you’ for your service and devotion to the neighborhood.
It has been blessed and has
grown under your stewardship!
“Reboot” doe EFBA
Julie, as a small business
owner of two East Falls busi-
nesses (About Face Type and
Design and The Fallser) also
provided leadership to the
East Falls Business Association (EFBA). The EFDC is an
outgrowth of the work of the
EFBA. We are its implementation arm, empowered to take
on projects envisioned by the
founding Board.
The EFBA has re-energized with East Falls businesswoman, and EFDC board
member, Peicha Chang, owner
of Falls Flowers at the helm.
Art McDowell continues on
as Treasurer. The group had
its first ‘reboot’ meeting on
November 20, to see who was
interested in getting involved
and what kind of work the
group will undertake in the
next few months. More than
20 business owners attended
the first meeting and committed to supporting the EFBA as
it moves forward.
There is a nice cleave of
work between our two organizations, and we intend to
continue our close relationship. The EFBA serves to empower its members through
networking and information.
It will hold regular meetings
designed to include a networking opportunity coupled
with an education lecture or
exchange on an important
small business topic – such
as insurance, taxes, employee
benefits, and the like.
The EFDC will continue its focus on marketing
and events. The EFDC has
worked to ‘brand’ East Falls as
a neighborhood (for example,
we have an eBook ‘Open” and
our website markets the business and investment opportunities here). We also have a
Business Directory. We invite
all business owners to participate in our planning of events
ifor 2015!
THE FALLSER
Julie M. Camburn, Publisher/Managing Editor • Alec Meltzer, Graphic Designer
Features Writers/Contributors
Jen Arnoldi, Bill Epstein, Anne Farnese, Mary Flournoy, Alexis Franklin, Mary Jane
Fullam, Meg Greenfield, Councilman Curtis Jones, Charlotte Kidd, Cynthia Kishinchand,
Michael Mattioni, George Matysik, Karen Melton, Wendy Moody, Nicholas Natalicchio, Sue
Park, Rev. Katherine Rickmiller, Tom Sauerman, Gina Snyder, Barnaby Wittels
The Fallser, P.O. Box 43275, Phila., PA 19129
Ph: 215/848-1322 • Web site: www.thefallser.com
Email: [email protected]
Published monthly • Subscriptions by mail: $30.00
Free distribution to residences & businesses within 19129 & adjacent sections of 19132 &
19144 zip codes. Available free of charge at local business establishments. Opinions expressed
in submitted articles do not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher. No portion of this
newspaper may be copied or reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. ©2014
December 2014
Town Watch
What’s Next
it probably isn’t.” Watch
out for your neighbors and
en days after we took
your
neighborhood, as well
our case of “enough
as
yourself.
We’re all in this
is enough” to the
together.
doorsteps of a scofflaw who
A local apartment comlives in the suburbs and has
plex
has reported a rash of
allowed his property on
car
break-ins
in its parking
Conrad Street to decomlots.
Tires
have
been stolen.
pose for years - it appears
Thieves
wer,
unwittingly,
the City of Philadelphia has
“buzzed in.” While mantaken decisive action.
agement is planning secuFor the record, several
rity
upgrades and tenant
EFTW members Plus media
outreach,
tenants would be
persons went to Plymouth
wise
to
screen
or deny entry
Meeting on Veterans Day to
to
unknown
persons,
and to
protest what we have long
heed
the
advice
that
follows:
perceived as willful neremoving valuables from
glect on the part of propvehicles,
locking all car and
erty ownership, and woeful
home
doors,
locking home
inertia on the part of city
windows,
parking
in well
stewardship. We exposed
lit
areas,
installing
motion
a rogue businessman on
detector
lighting,
security
his suburban street for the
blight he has perpetuated in cameras and alarms - all
are steps in the right direcour backyard. The protest
tion.
was covered by Newsworks
If you’re walking a dog or
2014. Citizens and bureaujogging,
or waiting at a bus
crats have responded.
stop
or
train
station, take a
On a Notice of violameasure
of
what’s
going on.
tion repair-or demolish
Again,
be
alert.
Criminals
document dated Novemand would-be criminals
ber 21 st and tacked to the
look
for easy targets.
doorframe of 3342 Conrad
All
neighbors are invited
Street, the owner was given
to
attend
EFTW and 39th PD
30 days to take action, or
face the consequences. A
meetings. On the Decemcaveat: the consequences
ber docket those gatherings
are severe and include “deare as follows: Thursday,
molition at any time therethe 11th, EFTW will meet at
after.” The owner had five
our HQ, 3540 Indian Queen
days to appeal…
Lane, 7:30pm. Guests will
We shan’t hold our colinclude Patricia G Coyne,
lective breath. Yet it is
a liaison with the City’s
heartening that after a
Human Relations commishandful of stalwarts stood
sion, and Doug Evans, a liaiup to the blight, the City
son with the City’s Operastirred and, finally, stood
tion Town Watch Integrated
up, too. The owner verbally
Services Department of the
promised to demolish. We
Managing Director’s Office.
will be watching.
On Wednesday, the 17 th,
So, what’s next for East
the 39th PD’s PSA#1 led by
Falls Town Watch? It’s back
Lt Christopher Wagenhofto our basics - patrolling,
fer, will meet at EFTW HQ
addressing problems of sanin the Carfax Building, at
itation and graffiti, meeting
8pm. Holiday cheer will be
with neighbors and police,
served.
and promoting safety and
The 39th PD commusecurity.
nity meeting, scheduled for
This could be our last
Monday, the 22nd at 6pm,
opportunity to pass on via
is subject to change due
the hardcopy of The Fallser
to the nearness of Christsafety advice we’ve accrued
mas. A call to 215-686-3390
over the years…The big
is advised. EFTW can be
mantra is “Be aware of your
reached at 215-848-2033 and
surroundings at all times!”
via EastFallsTownWatch@
Dispense with the ear-buds
gmail.com.
and cell phone blather. Get
Merry Christmas and
unplugged. Stay alert. “If
Happy Hanukah to each
something doesn’t feel right, and everyone!
by May Jane Fullam, Pesident
T
www.thefallser.com
PAGE 3
Grab Your
Paint Brush!
E
ast Falls residents, Mifflin
parents and faculty, and
Philadelphia Univ. students will paint up a storm on
Martin Luther King Day weekend, January 17-19. The plan is
to paint the first floor hall and
classrooms—that have not been
painted in 45 years. “We want
the room atmosphere to better
reflect the bright, cheerful children who study in them,” said
Principal Leslie Mason. If you
want to help or donate paint or
paint supplies, contact Friends
of Mifflin at 215.848.3300 or
[email protected].
Four Fallsers
to be Honored
T
he East Falls Community Council will honor
four residents who have
volunteered their services and
services for our community.
The event will be held on Monday, January 12, 7:00pm at the
Falls Presbyterian Church.
The honorees are Linda
Koons, president of the Friends
of Falls of Schuylkill Library;
Charlie Day, founder and
leader of East Falls Village;
Mary Jane Fullam, president
of East Falls Town Watch; and
Alice Reiff, founder and past
president of Friends of The Inn
Yard Park.
Winter Sports
Programs
with EFSA
by Jen Arnoldi
B
asketball runs Saturday
mornings at McDevitt
Recreation Center for
boys and girls ages 4-9, starting
December 6th at 9am.
The Friday Night league
for boys and girls, ages 10-13,
begins Friday, December 5th.
Registration can be done in
person at McDevitt Rec, 3501
Scotts Lane, Mondays thru Fridays, 2pm to 5 pm, or 7pm to
8pm as well as online at http://
www.efsasports.com/ The registration fee is $30. If
you have any questions, please
contact Tom McNicholas at 215685-2197.
For interest in indoor or
spring soccer, please contact [email protected].
Year End Update
by Barnaby Wittels, Esq., Pres.,
EFCC
The Fallser
lthough much remains
to be resolved, many in
the community have
stepped forward to be part of
the solution and to help transition from Julie Camburn as
owner and editor of the Fallser
to a new entity.
John Gillespie has volunteered to serve as interim editor
with Bill Epstein’s assistance.
Julie has graciously agreed to
stay on for a short while to aid
in the transition.
A great deal remains to be
resolved. Although there are
some proposals on the table,
more work and more discussion need to take place before a deal is in place. Useful
discussions have been had
with both Philadelphia University in terms of its ability
to assist with marketing and
production.
Similar discussions have
taken place and are on-going
with Larry Hochberger, Associate Publisher of the Chestnut Hill Local. Henry Donner
has been instrumental in this
endeavor as have Bill Epstein,
John Gillespie and Tom Sauerman. I acknowledge the input
and assistance of Gina Snyder and EFDC. who It is our
aim to have the new entity in
place and ready to go by the
New Year.
A
EPPI
As some of you may know,
New Courtland, Inc. has purchased EPPI’s Henry Avenue
site. Settlement is scheduled for
January 3, 2015.
While New Courtland is
considered a reputable owner
and operator of nursing homes,
this transaction has gone forward without any community
input or consultation.
This is in flagrant violation of
a prior agreement between the
Mutli-Community Alliance and
the state of Pennsylvania as well
as understandings among the affected community groups, communities, other interested local
entities as well as State Senator
Hughes and Councilman Jones.
We will not accept this outrageous conduct by New Courtland. State Representative Pam
Delissio has been a great help
in getting information for us
even though EPPI is not in her
district. We will hold the politicians accountable and we will
do everything in our power to
bring New Courtland to the
table as well.
A nursing home, while it
may be laudable, does not represent the best and highest use
of this very valuable tract of
land. EFCC will work together
with Rose Cooper and RAH on
this vital issue. I may soon call
on you dear ready to join me on
the picket line! More to come in
the New Year.
Time Out
For Pets
Leslie Levy and Ted Sheridan will:
• Walk your dogs or keep them
company
• Care & dote on cats/kittens
• Early a.m. or late p.m. availability
• Will take your pets to
veterinarian
• Fully bonded & insured
• Certified in Animal
Assisted Activities &
Therapy
• Completed nationally
recognized Pet Partners
Animal Evaluator Course
by the Delta Society
• Excellent references from
long-term local clients
Rest assured—your four-legged family members receive loving care
East Falls residents, we share our home with our own dog and cats
215-350-5752 or 215-844-2645
PAGE 4
www.thefallser.com
Library News
Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Ave., (215) 685-2093.
Falls of Schuylkill Library Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 12-8
pm; Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am - 6pm; Saturdays 10am – 5pm;
Closed Fridays & Sundays. All programs offered by the library are
FREE. Have fun and make new friends. Please consider joining the
Friends-yearly dues are only $5.00-if you haven’t already joined!
For Children
Story-dance with Ms. Loren (walkers-5 years)
Mondays, December 1 and 15 at 1pm
Caregivers invited with children! Creative and rhythmic movement inspired by children’s stories. We’ll have lots of fun while
being ourselves, appreciating each other, working together, dancing
like animals, playing games, and acting out stories.
Baby & Toddler Story Times (0-2½ years)
Every Tuesday at 10:30am
Caregivers invited with Infants and Toddlers! Shorter than story
times for Pre-Schoolers, these last around 20-25 minutes and focus
on teaching finger plays, rhymes, songs, bouncing activities and
oral language that will help you teach your child basic coordination
and beginning concepts.
Pre-School Story Times (2½-5 years)
Every Tuesday at 11:30am
Bring your children and get them loving the library and ready to
read! Fun stories, songs, rhymes and activities, to stimulate imaginations and develop respect for others; learn library manners, and
develop language, listening, and motor skills.
Yoga with Ms. Keirra (5 & under)
Thursdays, December 4 & 18, 1am
Children ages 5 and under and their caregivers are invited to explore yoga basics.
Wee Can Craft (1-5)
Saturdays, December 6, 20 & 13, 10:15am
Join us for stories, singing and rhymes with a theme. Then make
an easy craft with your child based on that theme.
School-Age Programs
Afterschool Program
Monday through Thursday
Join us Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-6pm, and Tuesdays &
Thursdays, 3-5:30 pm for homework help, games and enrichment
with our afterschool staff (Grades K-12).
Read with Wally the Dog
Wednesday, December 10, 4:30pm
Come out and share your favorite story with Wally!
LEGO Club (for school-age children)
Wednesdays, December 3, 6-7:30pm
Saturdays, December 20, 3-4:30pm
School-age children are invited to drop in to design and build
amazing LEGO creations.
Fun with Science (school-age children)
Thursday, December 4, 4:30pm
Come have fun with other kids as we explore basic scientific principles.
Holiday Party
Monday, December 22, 4pm
For more information on these programs, or to confirm program
times, please call Maggie McGinn at 215-685-2093
Falls Library
Greens Sale
Dec. 11-13
T
he Falls of Schuylkill Library kicks off its annual
holiday tree and greens
sale on Thursday, December 11,
from 12 to 5pm and continues
Friday from 5 to 8pm, and Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Proceeds benefit Library
programs. Last year, buyers
grabbed up 106 trees and assorted greens, holiday wreaths,
cyclamens, poinsettias and
white pine roping, just in time
for the sale.
This annual sale helps inaugurate the neighborhood’s
holiday season. Sales coordinator John Gillespie, Jr. urges residents to take advantage of the
one-stop shopping.
“This is a great chance to
decorate your home and benefit
the Library at the same time,”
said Gillespie, who has taken
over management of the sale in
2014 from the coordinator of
many years past, Ed Doubleday.
“You’ll find all you need for
the holidays right here,” says
Gillespie.
Freshly cut Frazier firs,
shipped from the Poconos the
day of the sale, will be available
in four sizes: 4-5 feet; 5-6 feet;
6-7 feet; and 7-8 feet. As in past
years, the Library will deliver
on request.
Complimentary refreshments will be served. Friday night buyers will get
to choose from an array of
baked goods prepared by
Gwen Gatto and her team of
Falls Library bakers.
PET TENDERS
20+ years & growing
CARING FOR YOUR PETS
WHILE YOUʻRE AWAY
(either on vacation or at work all day)
Dog Walkers & Cat Sitters available
• walk
• feed
• play
• exercise
• maintain cat box
• admin. medicine
• security check
• collect mail
• plant care
Doggie
Daycare
Available
Susan Goldstein
(215) 843-4436
est. 1991
December 2014
EFCC Monthly Meetings
EFCC General Meeting
Monday, December 8, 2014, 7:00pm
Agenda
President’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
Motion: to adopt Budget for FY 2014-15
Update: Closing Walnut Lane Bridge
Special Presentation: COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR.
EFCC Committee reports
Announcements
Old Business
New Business
It’s Your Turn
Adjournment
Zoning Committee
by Bill Epstein, Chair
T
he Zoning and Land Use
Committee of the East
Falls Community Council
will meet at 7pm on Wednesday,
November 19 in the Auditorium
of Downs Hall on the campus
of Philadelphia University.
The Committee’s Agenda
will include an application from
the owners of Slices Pizza, 4249
Ridge Ave., seeking a zoning
variance related to new signage and for plans to seek City
Council legislation to permit
outdoor seating.
Comments on the application, available for viewing at
the zoning tab of www.eastfallscommunity.org, can be
submitted at the meeting. They
must be submitted 48 hours
prior to the meeting online at
zoning@eastfallscommunity.
org or by mail to EFCC Zoning,
PO Box 12672, Philadelphia, PA
19129.
The Committee met on Oct.
15 to consider two applications:
• One application from the owners of the garden apartments at
2991 School House Lane seeks
a zoning variance to install a
six-foot-high fence across the
front of the property – two feet
higher than permitted by the
city zoning code. The owners
said they intend the fence to reduce the risk of burglary. Committee members stated their belief that the proposed fence by
itself would not reduce the risk
of burglary, but agreed to not
oppose the plan before the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA)
if the owners proceeded with
their plans for comprehensive
safety measures, including a security gate on the driveway into
the property and other steps to
limit entrance to the buildings
to residents and their guests.
• Representatives from the
Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) presented its application for a fence around the
Queen Lane Reservoir – a fence
higher than the city code permits.
Members of the Committee and
the community questioned the
PWD officials about the inconsistent color temperature of the proposed lighting and about other
renovations planned for the facility at Fox St. and Queen Ln.
They also asked about the
quality of the PWD plantings
in the traffic cut-outs on Queen
Ln. The PDW officials agreed to
work with the Committee and
residents on the lighting and
plant issues. The Committee
voted to support the variance
for the reservoir fencing.
Bill Epstein, Chairman
of the Zoning Committee,
introduced two new members
of the Committee – Todd
Baylson and Michelle Kleschick.
Epstein said the Committee
will conduct interviews to fill
a remaining vacancy at its Nov.
19 meeting. The vacancies were
created when the three-year
terms of Alex Keating, Franz
Ostertag and Heather Matejik
expired per the EFCC bylaws.
East Falls residents interested
should fill out the form at the
zoning tab on the Council’s
site and submit it to zoning@
eastfallscommunity.org.
C h e c k O u t O u r We b s i t e
w w w. t h e f a l l s e r. c o m
December 2014
www.thefallser.com
December Calendar
Falls of Schuylkill Library
hours: Mon/Wed 12-8 pm; Tues/
Thurs 10 am-6pm; Sat10am–
5pm; Fri/Sun CLOSED.
School-Age Afterschool Program: Mon/Wed 3-6pm, Tues/
Thurs 3-5:30pm for homework help, games and enrichment with our afterschool staff
(Grades K-12).
Info on any program or times,
please call Valerie Taylor-Samuel at 215-685-2093. Dec 7th through 23rd, As It Is In
Heaven, Old Academy Players.
Info: oldacademyplayers.org or
215-843-1109.
1 Monday
5:45pm, Bridge Club, Falls library.
8 Monday
7pm, EF Community Council
meeting at Falls Presbyterian
Church, Vaux St. & Midvale Ave.
Councilman Curtis Jones, featured speaker. Open to all.
10 Wednesday
Mid-Winter Bird Census. Info:
Winston Moody, 215-848-5131.
1pm, Beginner’s Bridge Play
7pm, Military History Book
Club at Falls Library..
7pm, Annual Candlelight
Carol Sing. McMichael Park.
Hot Cider Reception follows at
East Falls Presbyterian Church,
Vaux St. & Midvale Ave.
Thursday
3 Wednesday 11
10:30 to Noon, Scrabble at Falls
1pm, Discover Your Family Roots: How to Begin Your
Search. Falls Library, free, open
to all; sponsor EF Village.
1pm, Beginner’s Bridge Play at
Falls Library..
4 Thursday
10:30 to Noon, Scrabble at Falls
Library..
5 Friday
EFSA’s Friday Night League,
ages 10-13. Sign-up info on pg1
in this issue of The Fallser.
6 Saturday
9am, Basketball for boys and
girls ages 4-9. McDevitt Rec
Center.
7 Sunday
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Library.
12-5pm, Falls Library Greens
Sale. The Falls of Schuylkill Library kicks off its annual holiday
tree and greens sale.
7:30pm, EFTW meeting at 3540
Indian Queen Lane. All neighbors welcome. 215-848-2033.
12 Friday
5-8pm, Falls Library Greens Sale.
13 Saturday
10am-3pm,
Falls
Greens Sale.
Library
15 Monday
5:45pm, Bridge Club at Falls Library.
17 Wednesday
Happy Chanukah/Hanukkah
1pm, Beginner’s Bridge Play at
Falls Library..
8pm, 39th PD’s PSA#1 led by
Lt Christopher Wagenhoffer,
will meet at EFTW HQ in the
Carfax Building, 3540 Indian
Queen Lane. Holiday cheer will
be served.
PAGE 5
Happy Holidays
18 Thursday
10:30 to Noon, Scrabble at Falls
Library..
21 Sunday
Winter Begins…brrr
22 Monday
6pm, 39th PD community
meeting, subject to change call
to 215-686-3390.
6:45pm: Falls Book Group at
Falls Library..
Books Make Great Gifts
www.temple.edu/tempress
TEMPLE
UNIVERSITY PRESS
24 Wednesday
Christmas Eve
Last Day of Chanukah Wishing our Readers a Happy Chanukah
1pm, Beginner’s Bridge Play at
Falls Library..
25 Thursday
Wishing our readers a Merry
Christmas
26 Friday
Kwanzaa Begins
Wishing our readers a Happy
Kwanzaa
31 Wednesday
New Year’s Eve
The Fallser would like to wish
all of our readers a safe, happy
and healthy 2015.
Library Book Club’s Night Out
O
n October 29th, the Falls
of Schuylkill Library
Military History Book
Club met at the home of John
Kormanski on Midvale Ave.
Club members gathered in Mr.
Kormanski’s Library. There they
watched and discussed documentaries relating to recent book club
monthly literary reads.
Light refreshments were
served and a good time was had
by all.
The Book Club meets every
2nd Wednesday of the month at
Falls of Schuylkill Library. If military history is of interest, to you,
please consider joining them. For
add’l info, call Karl at 215-753-3198.
Pictured, l to r: seated: Charnel Anderson, Joseph Wilson, Sherwin
Zitomer, Mike Davis, & William Koons. Standing: John Kormanski
& Karl Biemuller
Delivered Free – Ours is a targeted market.
It pays to advertise in The Fallser. Call 215-848-1322
PAGE 6
www.thefallser.com
Curt’s Corner
by Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., 4th Councilmanic District
I
can’t believe
that 2014 is
rapidly coming
to a close. What a
year it has been!
East Falls is
one of the most active and engaged neighborhoods not only
in my district but the entire city
and that was clearly evident in
2014. Just a quick year in review…. In February I attended
our 1st annual Parking Summit. There was great dialogue
between government officials
and the community that so far
has yielded a handy parking
glossary and a plan to increase
parking in the neighborhood.
On a blustery Saturday
morning in March, we cut the
ribbon for a new sprayground
and playground at McDevitt
Recreation Center. Thousands
of kids have been able to enjoy
the improvements and we look
forward to more changes at
McDevitt in the near future.
In mid-summer, I was alerted
of a retaining wall that was failing between Penn St. and Midvale Avenue. We engaged the
City’s L&I and Streets Department and met with neighbors,
Hopefully, we will have a plan to
remediate the situation before
the end of the year.
As a follow up to the parking summit, I promised to look
at progressive ways to increase
parking. On Crawford and
Conrad Streets we turned both
streets one way and have added
angle parking on Conrad –increasing in the number of parking spots on that street.
We enjoyed another great
bike race thanks to the East
Falls Development Corporation
for the block party. In neighboring Manayunk, recently, we
cut the ribbon for a beautiful
state of the art performing arts
center on Venice Island and
broke ground for a new bike
and walking trail on the iconic
Manayunk Bridge.
As 2014 turns into 2015, we
are still grappling with a location for a dog park, the future of
the EPPI site on Henry Avenue,
a dilapidated house on Conrad
Street and a noisy bus depot,
just to name a few issues.
If 2015 is anything like 2014,
I look forward to working with
my friends in East Falls to make
the neighborhood an even better place to live, work and play.
Finally, I would remiss if I
didn’t acknowledge Julie on her
final issue of The Fallser. For 20
years, Julie has provided, without
fail, a great snapshot of what is
happening in the neighborhood
on a monthly basis. For the last 7
years, she provided me a space to
report to my constituents. I want
to thank her and wish her well in
her new endeavors. I am working with stakeholders to make
sure there will be a similar news
forum moving forward. I hope to
have more to report about this in
the near future.
Happy Holidays to all!
Mostafa Mouhib
The handy man with professional skills
No home repair too big or too small
painting • masonry • yard work
gutter cleaning • power washing, etc.
local references available
Tel: 215 843 6817
Cell: 267 312 5780
215-438-8566
In-House Bakery
Artisan Breads
and New York Bagels
Specialty Coffees
Our Hours:
Mon. thru Friday:
7am to 3pm
Saturday and Sunday:
8am to 3pm
Espresso,
cappuccino, latte
Chai plus assorted
green & black teas
Try our new
muffins and
check out our
Sunday brunch
specials.
• LARGE cookies
• Scones & muffins
• Brownies & blondies
• Cheesecakes
• Pies
• Assorted cakes include too-good-tomiss carrot & decadent chocolate
Kudos to Harry Prime...
Hohenadel party was a blast!
Full hot breakfast • Lunch – eat-in or take-out • Dinner platters to go
December 2014
Mid-Winter Mifflin Archive Arrives
in life is learned and accomplished
Bird Census “Much
by accident.” – Harley Brown, artist
In East Falls
by Winston Moody
O
n Saturday, January
10th, Phil Hineline,
Wendy Moody and I
will explore East Falls to identify and count birds for the annual Philadelphia Mid-Winter
Bird Census.
If you are an East Falls resident with an active bird feeder,
you can help us in two ways:
(1) You may call me, Winston
Moody, designated census recorder for East Falls, 215-8485131) or e-mail wmoodyw@aol.
com before the census date so
that I can add your address to
our list of sites to observe, or,
if you feel comfortable in bird
identification, please call before
4pm on January 10th with the
number of each species of bird
you observed—on the day of
the count only. You may leave a
message on the machine.
We appreciate the efforts
of Fallsers who provide winter
food and water for birds.
Some of you are experienced
in this. Others may be doing it
for the first time. If you have
questions about feeding birds,
the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
is likely to have answers on its
website:www.allaboutbirds.org.
The Mid-Winter Census
is “the only monitoring effort
in which birds are counted
throughout Philadelphia
County – what birds are present, where they are located, and
how they change through the
years,” according to Keith Russell, Census Coordinator.
Since East Falls is situated
on an edge of Fairmount Park,
our area is vital to the census.
In 2008 Fairmount Park was
named an Important Bird Area
(IBA) by National Audubon.
The Park, a significant wildlife sanctuary, is one of 82 IBAs
in Pennsylvania (the first state
to recognize IBAs).
Happy sightings!
Photo/TheFallse/S. Filmore: Presentation of Mifflin Archive. Wendy
Moody (far left), Principal Leslie Mason, Ellen Sheehan, Lara
Mickle, and Steve Fillmore
by Steve Fillmore
O
n Tuesday November 18, Ellen Sheehan
presented the Mifflin
Archive, a volume of historical
documents about the school, to
Principal Leslie Mason.
Two years in the making, the
Archive is the carefully curated
result of a fortunate accident. “I
didn’t go to Mifflin School years
ago to make an archive,” said
Ellen, “I was only looking for
a letter or marker recognizing
that Mifflin was included on
the U.S. National Register of
Historic Places.” (Mifflin is one
of approximately 20 buildings
in East Falls which have been
designated on the Register.)
Ellen never found a marker
that day, but she did leave with
a trove of documents, courtesy
of school librarian Susan Brennan. Ellen had no inkling that
the volume of letters, graduating class lists, articles, photos,
and maps, which spanned almost 50 years (1936-1985), would
keep her and her archiving
team busy “on and off” for two
years. The team would spend
many hours scanning, curating,
and making copies of the Mifflin Archive. (One copy will be
preserved by the East Falls Historical Society.)
Prominent members of the
team included Lara Mickle, a
work-study student currently
with Philadelphia University,
and Jenna Brotherton a volunteer and native Fallser (Sunnyside Street).
But, their work is not yet finished. The Archive represents
only the first step in what Ellen
hopes will be a more thorough
record of the school’s history.
“There are several closets we
haven’t catalogued yet, full of
documents we think will cover
the more recent history from
1985 to present.”
Ellen hopes that the documenting of Mifflin’s history can
raise awareness of its central
role in the community and build
greater support among residents.
“It has such a long history and it’s
been such a fixture for so many
kids and families, we need to
document everything we can
about it,” she said.
There is another, more practical purpose for the historical
recognition. Principal Mason
thanked Ellen and her team
profusely, adding “with all of
the cuts to education in the
Philadelphia school system,
every bit of recognition of our
school and its history helps.”
Ellen hopes Mifflin’s history
can help build financial support
as well. She intends to launch a
fundraising effort soon that she
believes will finally raise the
historical marker she couldn’t
find years ago.
December 2014
www.thefallser.com
About Our Residents
Navy Experience in New Book
‘Memories of My Three Years Aboard Destroyer Escorts’ is summary, diary of author’s navy life
J
ohn J. Sheehan served as
Communications Officer on
the USS CROSS and the USS
CHAMBERS. After his honorable discharge, he had many
similar experiences as a civilian
as he had in the navy but his
navy experiences are still fresh
in his mind that is why he
decided to write a book about
it. He also wanted to leave a record of his navy experiences for
his children and grandchildren.
“Memories of My Three
Years Aboard Destroyer Escorts” (published by Xlibris)
is a summary and a diary of
his life as an officer candidate
and a young naval officer from
June 1956 to October 1959. He
enlisted in the United States
Navy and graduated from
the Naval Officer’s Candidate
School in 1956. He was ordered
to join destroyer escorts for his
three years of commissioned
service and served on the
USS Cross (DE-448) and USS
Chambers(DER-391). He had
many varied assignments and
experiences as a young Naval
Officer, mainly because destroyer escorts are small ships.
They had six officers aboard the
CROSS and 15 aboard the USS
Chambers.
Upon his retirement from
the City of Philadelphia Controller’s Office, John uses the
logs from the National Archives
to research material from his
real life experiences aboard the
ship. He realized his naval experience was all about personnel, technical and management
experiences. He saw the same
problems occurring in civilian life that occurred aboard
the ship and as he approached
middle age, he appreciated how
valuable his navy experience
was to his professional life.
“This book will appeal to
readers because it has many of
my interesting experiences and
many funny sea stories. These
real life situations are timeless,”
says the author.
Burned-Out…Back By Christmas?
by John T. Gillespie
F
our years ago, fire destroyed Colleen Moffit’s
home at 3325 Krail Street.
Today, mostly restored, but
still uninhabitable, this typical row-house dwelling awaits
some final interior work before
Colleen, her three daughters
and a grandson can return,
hopefully by Christmas.
“It would mean so much after
all this time to be back in by the
holidays,” says the 46-year-old
Colleen, who is grateful for the repairs contributed by Good Samaritan neighbors and contractors.
To this point, the roof has
been repaired, windows replaced, and the front restored.
Colleen’s daughter, Dakota,
gave up a new car, to help raise
$700 for supplies. Her mother
sold the trailer for $3,500. Her
son, Anthony, a plumber, replaced broken pipes. Colleen
herself won $2000 in the instant lottery. Neighbors kicked
in the rest.
The house stills needs sheet
rock to replace bedrooms walls
destroyed in the fire, interior
painting, and kitchen appliances, including stove, refrigerator and sink.
A lifetime East Falls resident
who went to Mifflin School,
Colleen can’t say enough for the
generosity of the neighborhood.
Lacking homeowner’s insurance, she and her family were
forced to depend on their own
resources and the help of Good
Samaritans.
With nowhere to go, the
Moffit family found a twobedroom rental apartment
on Crawford Street owned by
Vincent Novitsky. There, they
have spent the last four years in
crowded but livable conditions.
“If it hadn’t been for Vince
Novitsky, I don’t know where
we would have ended up, “ Colleen said, thankful to the last.
T hose wishing to donate
money or supplies should call
267-770-6552.
PAGE 7
East Falls Past
by Wendy Moody
The EFHS warmly thanks Julie
Camburn for providing us a venue
for sharing our neighborhood’s
unique history for the past 20
years.
J
oe Petrone, a realtor, raconteur, and second generation
Fallser, shared some of his
lively memories with us:
Where you were born?
In Doctor’s Hospital, Philadelphia, on October 6, 1943.
The bill was $32.
Any special memories of St.
Bridget Church?
I was in “altar boy school”
and then found out that altar
boys had to wake up at 4 in the
morning. I said “Uh, uh, not for
me.” So I flunked out of altar
boy school. I was the first one
in history to drop out. To this
day, I can still say the Latin.
Did you have an afterschool
job in East Falls?
My father owned a poolroom and every day I would
shine the balls, polish tables,
clean floors, and carry fuel oil
from the gas station to the kerosene heater. I got five bucks
every two weeks.
It was a social gathering place. All the young men
came—it was strictly men.
Women would phone to find
their husbands. I guess you
could call it a seedy place – it
was. There were card games
in the back and numbers being
taken. If a guy didn’t like what
was happening, he’d throw
the cards in the air - when I
cleaned, there might be five
decks of cards lying on the floor.
I was the only kid in grade
school that had 150 decks of
blue ribbon cards.
Did you know the Kellys?
Oh yeah. My dad was very
friendly with John B. Kelly. Mr.
Kelly gave me a little golden oar
from the Henley Regatta from
his son. I kept it in my cigar
box with my marbles.
He was a nice man, strong
looking. Dad would do the
painting and papering up at his
house. He’d go through the front
door with his paint bucket and
walk up the steps, spilling paints
all over the floor with Mrs. Kelly
running behind “You’re spilling
paints on my steps!
Any impressions of Grace?
Ah! I was in love with her.
Around 1952, Mrs. Kelly was
involved with the hospital [Ed
note: Medical College of Pennsylvania on Henry Ave.] and
they had a Rose Carnival. I
was nine. My job was to ride
through East Falls in the back
of a Buick convertible with
Grace Kelly and sell chances to
the Carnival. The loudspeaker
would be blaring and the people
selling chances would walk
along the car.
I would sit there and just
gawk at her. I was in love with
her. She was very pretty. One
day at the Carnival somebody
brought a gold compact over to
a Germantown lady and me and
said “Oh Grace gave you this to
sell.” It had her name engraved
on it. It was hers! It was five
bucks but that was a million
dollars in those days. I wanted
that so bad, so bad. I didn’t get
it. But she was a beauty…
Interested in EFHS?
Contact Steve Fillmore:
[email protected]
(215-689-1043) or visit www.
eastfallshistoricalsociety.com
Benefits East Falls
Serving The Community
Since 1928
President:
Julie M. Camburn • 215-848-1322
Delaware Valley Computing
215-849-1700
Business Solutions…Thought Through
Michael E. Markovitz, Esq.
[email protected]
East Falls Dentistry 215-849-1826
All phases of dentistry [email protected]
McIlvaine Funeral Home
215-844-0211
Dignified Service for Over a Century
Falls Flowers
www.fallsflowers.com
Peicha Chang
215-888-1754
Falls Pediatric & teen Care LLP 215-842-7415
Mary Dhand, MD and Kathryn Vanderhei, MD
215-844-8080
215-888-1754
Slices Pizza
215-843-4747
East Falls’ Best Pizza, Hoagies & Wings
F.X. Duffy Kevin Duffy
215-438-8300
St. Bridget Parish
www.stbridgeteastfalls.org
215-844-4126
Laurel Hill Cemetery
www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org
215-228-7940
StChrisCare at Falls Center
215-438-3300
Charlene Brock, MD and Eileen Tyrala, MD / Pediatrics
PAGE 8
www.thefallser.com
December 2014
PhilaU President Shares
Entrepreneurship Insights
P
STAYING IN PLACE, IN OUR COMMUNITY
by Mary Flournoy
The Benefits of Membership
in East Falls Village
opular East Falls Village
benefits—available only
to members—include
access to EFV’s Vendor Referral Service, in-home help with
technology, and low-cost,
pre-arranged, snow shoveling.
Many EFV members enjoy
the information and social
interaction of Village programs – from walks and yoga
to museum tours and musical
programs. Our newest program – a memoir writing series—is getting great reviews.
Planned “tech” programs
include “Understanding Social
Media” and a hands-on workshop to help you “get smarter
about your smartphone.”
Monthly lunches provide the
opportunity to “dine around”
-- East Falls’ and nearby eateries. “Lunch in the ‘hood”
features Fred Vincent talking
P
about the history, architecture,
and current real estate trends
of a neighborhood over lunch
at a local food emporium.
In addition, vetted volunteer drivers provide rides to
medical appointments, the
grocery store, or Falls Library.
Even members who don’t need
these services at the present
time appreciate the security
of knowing that they exist
should a future need arise.
Give an East Falls Village
Membership this Holiday
Season
Do you know someone in
East Falls who would enjoy
any of the above programs
or need EFV’s services? Does
a family member, friend or
neighbor depend on you for
rides to doctor’s appointments
or a trip to the grocery store?
If you’re not always available,
the Village can help – if only
on occasion.
Pick up a membership
brochure/application at Falls
of Schuylkill Library or call
267-444-4507 to have one sent
to you. Or, go to EFV’s website, eastfallsvillage.org, scroll
down and print out the application. You could present the
Membership with a holiday
card or as a “Secret Santa.”
Discovering Your Roots:
How to Begin Your Search
Lee Arnold, Senior Director of the Library & Collections of the Historical Society
of Pennsylvania, will speak
on how to begin researching your own family history
on Wednesday, December 3,
1pm, at Falls Library. Free and
open to all.
Special Thanks...
To EFV founding members
Julie Camburn for leading The
Fallser for 20 years (and helping publicize the Village) and
to Charlie Day, who is stepping down as “fearless leader”
of East Falls Village.
Celebrate the holidays at
East Falls Presbyterian Church
3800 Vaux St. (off Midvale) in East Falls!
Don’t miss this special event!
EFPC Chancel Choir & Philadelphia Opera Box present :
“Amahl & the Night Visitors”
by Gian Carlo Menotti
hiladelphia University
President Stephen Spinelli Jr. shared insights on
entrepreneurship and lessons
learned from co-founding Jiffy
Lube on Oct. 17 at the University City Science Center Smart
Talk, a series designed to give
start-ups and growing companies a look at best practices
and business strategies from
industry leaders.
Spinelli, who helped start
Jiffy Lube shortly after graduating college, told the group that
opportunity is greater today for
start-ups, driven by technology,
ubiquitous access to data, huge
opportunities for efficiency and
reduced barriers to cross-national trade.
Of his experience at Jiffy
Lube, the leader in the quick
lube industry, Spinelli said he
“learned as much from failure
as from success.” At its start in
1979, when changing oil was “an
old, grimy business,” he said
the founders had to answer the
question “what are we bringing
to the table?”
What Jiffy Lube brought
to the table was a fast, convenient and inexpensive option
to change oil. To help grow
the market and revenues, Spinelli said the firm worked
to convince customers to
change their oil every 3,000
miles, rather than the thenindustry standard of 7,500
miles.
Doing that helped increased
the number of annual oil
changes per car and, as a result,
he said, “We just got a bigger
market.”
Spinelli advised those attending to aim big when it
comes to starting an enterprise.
Small business owners think
they can control risk, he said,
but that is a false assumption.
“At the end of the day,” he said,
“you’ll probably risk everything
and be exhausted, so why not
go big?”
After starting Jiffy Lube, Spinelli earned his MBA and Ph.D.
and embarked on an academic
career. He became president of
PhilaU in 2007.
Philadelphia University
encourages innovation and
entrepreneurship throughout
its academic programs, with
support from the Entrepreneurship Center. Philadelphia University also partners
with University City Science
Center and Temple University
to support student entrepreneurs through the Philadelphia area Blackstone LaunchPad, funded with a grant from
the Blackstone Charitable
Foundation.
Professional soloists supported by the choir
sing and perform this delightful story
of Amahl and the three kings.
4:30pm
Sunday, December 14th
Followed by a light supper
Christmas Eve Festival Worship
Wednesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service & Children's Christmas Pageant: 4:30pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service: 11pm
Ring in the holidays with an East Falls community tradition!
Community Holiday Carol Sing
Wednesday, December 10th at 7pm
McMichael Park (the corner at Coulter and Henry Ave.)
Followed by hot apple cider reception at the East Falls Presbyterian Church
For her vision and stewardship,
East Falls Town Watch salutes, and
thanks, Julie M. Camburn, founder
and publisher of The Fallser, the
heart and voice of our East Falls
community for a score of time.
Julie, we hardly knew ye!
December 2014
www.thefallser.com
East Falls Tree Tenders
East Falls Tree Tenders—A Long,
Happy History with The Fallser
by Cynthia Kishinchand
“W
here in the world
is The Fallser?” is
a favorite feature
for its readers.
To paraphrase,
where in the
world would
East Falls Tree
Tenders have been without The
Fallser to announce its projects
and to inform readers how to apply for a tree and how to register
for Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society (PHS) Tree Tree Tender
Training? One thousand street
trees ago in the October 1995
issue was an article by EFTT
founders Sallie M. Maser and
Lloyd Russow about the EFTT’s
first meeting complete with a
photo. No group had a better
launch pad.
Of the 40 tree tender groups
throughout the City, nary a one
has been as fortunate as EFTT
when it comes to local press
coverage. The impact extends
beyond this section of William Penn’s “Greene Countrie
Towne.” The articles have served
as an incentive for other groups
to submit articles to their local
newspaper, that is if they are fortunate enough to have one.
EFTT is also keen on making
sure funders, be they local resi-
PAGE 9
Prominent Experts
Speak at PhilaU
Tree Tenders Training
L
earn to Plant and Care
for Trees in Our Community.
Do so by becoming
a Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society (PHS) Tree Tender.
The PHS Tree Tenders® program offers hands-on tree
care training at the PHS
headquarters in Center City.
This two-part series will meet
on Saturdays, Jan. 24 and 31,
from 8:30am to 1pm.
During two energetic Saturday sessions, learn the basics of tree planting and care,
dents or foundations and corporations supporting the PHS Tree
Tender and Plant One Million
programs, know how the impact
of their funding throughout the
region. One of the best ways to
thank them has been to acknowledge in an article. Last but
not least, never underrate the
impact of the printed page on
elected officials. At a meeting in
the 1990s Mayor Michael Nutter, then councilman, stated, “I
cannot know what is going on in
your neighborhood if you don’t
tell me.” The Fallser let us share
including tree biology, identification, stresses, planting,
pruning and root care. proper
care, and working within
your community. Available
for ISA credit.
This course is appropriate for anyone over age 16. To
register, click here. The cost
of the series is $25. Location:
PHS Town Hall, 100 N. 20th
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
For more information contact
Mindy Maslin at mmaslin@
pennhort.org or (215) 9888844.
information with one and all, 12
months of the year.
To founder and editor, Julie
M. Camburn, thank you for
providing free press to all Fallsers. Now, enjoy writing the next
chapter of your life.
For information on City
regulations, permits, tree applications, or to report a dead
street tree, visit www.fairmountpark.org, www.treephilly.org, or
contact Frances Piller, Manager,
PPR Street Tree Maintenance
Office, (215) 685-4363, call 311, or
email pfc.streettree.info@phila.
Opening in December
Full Service Veterinary Clinic for Dogs and Cats
Caroline Patten VMD, PhD
Owner and Medical Director
M
ore than 75 students,
faculty, staff and others attended Philadelphia University’s first Law and
Service Day on Nov. 8 to hear
prominent speakers address
such topical issues as homeland
security, the death penalty,
women’s rights, medicinal marijuana and same-sex marriage.
Hosted by the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service,
the day was capped by a talk
on how civil litigation can help
bring about positive social
change. Attorney Shanin Specter, son of the late Sen. Arlen
Specter, discussed some of his
cases that resulted not only in
financial awards for his clients
but led to broader changes that
benefitted many more people.
For instance, he discussed a
case resulting from the death of
a pedestrian killed by a speeding police car that ultimately
resulted in changes in the way
Philadelphia police officers operate their vehicles.
Marissa Pembroke, a junior law and society student who
helped organize the event, said,
“We wanted to bring different
majors together to learn about
and discuss national issues.”
For students, the event was
an opportunity to hear about
different careers in the legal
field and make contacts for pos-
sible internships and jobs.
The threat of global terrorism was addressed by Thomas
Minton, director of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office
of Homeland Security, who
talked about his role in developing strategies to prepare for
and mitigate both physical and
cyber-attacks.
State Sen. Daylin Leach,
representing the 17th district,
spoke about pending state legislation to legalize and regulate
marijuana use, which, he said,
would generate tax revenue,
provide alternative treatments
for those suffering from serious illnesses and allow police to
focus on more serious crimes.
Marijuana, Leach said, causes
no more harm than alcohol and,
unlike that substance, is not additive.
Other speakers included
D. Bruce Hanes, a Montgomery County Register of Wills
and adjunct faculty member,
who signed the first same-sex
marriage license in the Commonwealth; David Richman of
the Pennsylvania Innocence
Project, which helps those who
may be wrongly convicted; and
Rue Landau, executive director
of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, who
spoke on protecting women’s
rights.
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Close to the intersection of
Ridge Ave and Bells Mill Rd
Call Today for an Appointment
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STAYING IN PLACE, IN OUR COMMUNITY
PAGE 10
www.thefallser.com
Film Review
“Big Hero 6”—Big on Heart
by Nicholas Natalicchio
O
ver the years Walt Disney Animation Studios
has become synonymous with heartfelt warmth and
humor. Entire generations have
been raised watching such classics as the early “Mickey Mouse”
cartoons to the more contemporary “The Princess and the Frog”
and everything in between.
That being said, Disney films
have become something of a
mixed bag as of late. A;so, a
number of Disney films have
not aged well.
“Big Hero 6” represents the
new era of Disney films -- as
heartfelt as the originals while
at the same time in touch with
contemporary audiences. “Big
Hero 6” is an action-packed
comedy about a robotics genius named Hiro (Ryan Potter). When disaster strikes the
fictional city of “San Franso-
Enliven your
kyo,” Hiro turns to his dearest
friend–a robot named Baymax
(Scott Adsit). With the help of
his brilliant brother Tadashi
(Daniel Henney) and their likeminded friends, Hiro transforms the bouncy and caring
Baymax into a crime fighting
action hero. Together, Baymax
and the group of high-tech wiz
kids set out to save the day.
“Big Hero 6” is as funny as
it is uplifting, and has a lot of
action to boot. The movie also
offers high praise for kids interested in science and technology.
Some critics may point out that
the lovable protagonist robot
Baymax becomes highly weaponized, but the overall tone
of the film is overwhelmingly
positive and has something that
everyone can enjoy.
In the end, “Big Hero 6” will
leave you wishing there were 5
other movies preceeding it.
Party/Affair this year
with a Beatles singalong!
with
Grant’s
beatlemania
Sing along or just listen to live (not too loud) 12 string guitar and
voice to relive those memories of way back when.
[$50 for over an hour of songs, this price won’t last!]
(Lyrics provided)
Email: [email protected]
Or call: 720-998-4825
Year of
the Horse
Now serving
choice wines
and liquor
F.X. DUFFY & CO.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS
KEVIN P. DUFFY, CPA
President
4265 Kelly Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Tel. 215-438-8400
Fax 215-438-9630
December 2014
Fallser
Kitchen
by Anne Farnese
I
t’s fair to say the most popular homemade treat this
time of year is cookies.
Some culinary historians
suggest that cookies evolved
from a crude flat cake made
by Neolithic man who mixed a
grain and water paste that was
cooked on hot flat stones.
That may or may not be true,
but it is true that cookies, as we
know them today, were developed and somewhat refined
during the Middle Ages
At that time, bread production was well-established
so bakers experimented and
created sweet breads by adding eggs and a new ingredient; sugar. Besides sugar, trade
expansion provided spices such
as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg,
black pepper and cardamom.
The bakers’ experiments led to
the development of some cookies that are still baked today.
Among them are German
Lebkuchen; gingerbread and
Spritzgebäck; spritz cookies.
The Swedes developed a thin
crisp ginger and black pepper
flavored cookie called
Papparkakor; Norwegians
made lemon and cardamom
scented Krumkake.
Photo: Moyan Brenn
The word cookie is derived
from the Dutch word koekje
which was a small test cake
baked to determine oven
temperature. The koekje often
was a treat for children. Dutch
settlers in America brought
their custom of baking a koekje
here, and, as the saying goes,
the rest is history.
Whether you are a novice or
a veteran cookie baker, these
basic tips apply.
• Set up your work area in advance. Assemble all ingredients and measuring tools.
Don’t forget to set out cooling
racks.
• Read the recipe. If nuts or
fruits need chopping, do it
before mixing ingredients.
• Heat oven ahead of time. Use
an oven thermometer for accuracy.
• Before measuring flour, aerate it by turning it over a few
times with a large spoon.
• If the recipe calls for “sifted
flour,” sift before measuring.
“Flour sifted” means to sift
after measuring.
• Measure accurately. Use mea-
suring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring
cups for liquids.
• After using an ingredient,
put it away; if your concentration is interrupted, an ingredient won’t be omitted or
added twice.
• Bake one sheet at a time and
always cool sheet completely
before refilling.
• Instead of greasing, line
sheets with parchment paper.
• When called for, chill dough
completely.
• For rolled cookies, use a pastry cloth and stockinet rolling
pin cover. Do not overuse the
rolling pin. Reroll scraps just
once.
• Have fun!
Fallser Kitchen extends a
huge forkful of thanks to Editor
Julie Camburn for her delicious
creation The Fallser and offers
her this “recipe.”
Mix 20+ years of memories
and joy with a future filled with
relief, fun and enthusiasm.
Garnish with family and
friends.
Older Volunteers Sought for Tutoring
T
he Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
which provides volunteers
55-years and older, working or
retired, with an opportunity to
help in their community, seeks
people to tutor students at the
J.B. Kelly Elementary School,
5116 Pulaski Street in neighboring Germantown.
A program outlining the
program will be held at the
school on Thursday, December
11. Registration and light breakfast at 9:30am will be followed
by a one-hour program at 10am.
Sandi Friedman, a project
coordinator for the Philadelphia area’s RSVP program, says,
“This is part of our ongoing
program seeking volunteers
who enjoy working with young
people and who can act as tutors for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
If you’re 55-years or older
and can volunteer from two to
four hours per week, we’d love
to talk with you about becoming part of this engaging and
most worthwhile program.”
Anyone interested in attending the special program to
volunteer to tutor, may contact
Friedman at 267-345-7787 or
email her at [email protected].
The RSVP program is federally funded through the Corporation For National And Community Service, plus funding
from the Philadelphia Corpora-
tion For Aging and the Jewish
Federation of Greater Philadelphia. In Philadelphia.
RSVP is sponsored by the
Klein JCC, 10100 Jamison Avenue in Philadelphia.
Last year, all over the country, more than 450,000 RSVP
volunteers, ages 55 and over,
contributed in excess of 98 million hours through 6,500 organizations, improving the lives of
millions.
Locally, RSVP has some 950
active volunteers working with
hundreds of Philadelphia area
organizations, communal endeavors and schools. This year,
RSVP celebrates 44 years of service to the Philadelphia community.
December 2014
www.thefallser.com
PAGE 11
Councilman
Rep. Youngblood in
Caucus Leadership Post Jones Asks
What’s on your mind?
P
W
ith her election to
the post of House
Democratic Caucus
secretary, PA State Rep. Rosita
C. Youngblood, became the
first African-American woman
to hold a caucus leadership
position since the Pennsylvania General Assembly was
organized in 1682. Rep. Youngblood’s district includes a portion of East Falls.
First elected to represent
the 198th Legislative District
in 1994 and currently serving
as Democratic chairwoman of
the House Gaming Oversight
Committee, Rep. Youngblood
will now take on administrative
duties, track votes on the House
floor and work with others in
caucus leadership to develop
legislation, policy and strategy. “I am honored and proud to
have been elected as the Pennsylvania House Democratic
Caucus secretary for the upcoming legislative session,” she says.
“And to become the first ever African-American woman elected
to a House leadership position
is both humbling and hard to
believe, since so many talented
African-American women have
served in this chamber throughout the years. But I look forward
to working with my colleagues
on both sides of the aisle and
with our new governor in this
new leadership role.”
Representative Youngblood
accepted the position upon her
election by fellow House Democrats on November 12th. hiladelphia’s 4th District
Councilman Curtis
Jones, Jr. will speak at
the December 8 meeting of the
East Falls Community Council
(EFCC).
Held monthly at East Falls
Presbyterian Church, Vaux
St. and Midvale Ave., EFCC
monthly meetings start at 7pm,
promptly. The Councilman
will provide an update on City
Council issues that relate to
East Falls residents. Questions
and comments by those in attendance will follow.
The 4th Councilmanic District includes sections of Overbrook, Manayunk, Belmont Village, Wynnefield, East Falls and
Roxborough. Jones was elected
Majority Leader of City Council
in 2012 and is currently in his
2nd term as the Chair of
Public Safety. Additionally, the Councilman is Vice
Chairman on the Committees
of Parks & Recreation, Cultural
Affairs, and Appropriations.
Josh Cohen staffs the Councilman’s Northwest Office at
5462 Ridge Ave. Josh is available
to assist residents; call for an
appointment at 215.685.2547.
YOUR AD HERE
Call Us At: 215-848-1322 To Advertise
Celebrating Volunteers at the Annual Parks and Recreation
Thanksgiving dinner at the Horticulture Center on November 12th. Pictured, l to r: East Falls’ volunteers Sue Park, Alexis Franklin
and Cynthia Kishinchand.
The Implied Warranty
of Habitability and New
Construction
by Michael Mattioni, Esquire
D
oes the purchaser of
a home have a claim
against the builder
for construction defects if the
purchaser did not purchase the
home directly from the builder?
The Pennsylvania Supreme
Court decided this issue on
August 18, 2014.
The Pennsylvania Supreme
Court on August 18, 2014, reversed a decision of the Superior Court and held that a
purchaser of a home can only
sue the builder for breach of the
implied warranty of habitability if the purchaser had privy
of contract with the builder.
This means that the purchaser
must have purchased the house
directly from the builder. See
Conway v. The Cutler Group,
No. 80 MAP 2013 (Pa. 2014).
In Conway, The Cutler Group
built a home and sold it to Fields.
Fields sold the home after living in it for 3 years. The Conways, after living in the home
for about two years discovered
water infiltration and other construction defects. They filed a
claim against The Cutler Group
alleging a breach of the implied
warranty of habitability in the
construction of the home. The
trial court dismissed the claim
because The Conways did not
purchase the property from
The Cutler Group. The Superior
Court reversed, and on August
18, 2014, the Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court and
denied the claim.
The Supreme Court reviewed similar cases in many
states before deciding that the
breach of the implied warranty
of habitability would only be a
valid claim for the purchasers
of the home from the builder.
This was clearly a difficult decision for the Court, which stated
that any extension of the implied warranty of habitability to
any party other than the original buyer was a policy decision
best left to the legislature.
The bottom line is that purchasers of homes, even new
homes, are unable to look to the
builder to cure defects, unless
they purchased the home directly from the builder.
This article provides some
information about the implied
warranty of habitability and
how it impacts new construction in Pennsylvania. Anyone with any questions about
how the implied warranty of
habitability is applied to new
construction should contact
an attorney as each situation is
different.
Michael Mattioni, Esquire
is President of the law firm
Mattioni, Ltd., where he practices
in the tax, business, real estate
development, land use and zoning
areas of the firm.
Savvy Seniors…Committed to Community. Care to connect? Join us! www.eastfallsvillage.org
PAGE 12
www.thefallser.com
December 2014
Need Health Insurance? The Turtle Talks…Love Your Park…
and The Fallser
S
ign up for health insurance at one of the Free
Library’s branches. Open
enrollment in the Federal Marketplace (healthcare.gov) runs
through February 15, 2015.
You must apply during that
time to make sure you get health
insurance and to avoid paying a
penalty fee. The Free Library is
working with trained experts to
answer your questions and help
you enroll. Walk-in or appointment options available.
Walk-in
Parkway Central Library,
1901 Vine St. is only locale to
accommodate walk-ins.
• Mondays, 10am to 2pm (Tech
Lab)
• Tuesdays, 12pm to 6pm (Tech
Lab)
• Saturdays, 9:30am to
5pm (Central Senior Services)
Trained assisters can help on
a first-come, first-served basis.
Make an appointment
Call one of the local community libraries listed below or
go to the main branch at 20th
and the Parkway in center city
at hours listed above.
Call 877-570-3642 to make
an appointment at a nearby library: providing this service:
• Andorra, 705 E. Cathedral Rd.,
Andorra Shopping Center
• Joseph E. Coleman Northwest
Regional, 68 W. Chelten Ave,
Walk-ins may not be able to be
accommodated at local branches.
Be certain to call for appointment.
fiorino
cucina italiana
3572 Indian Queen Lane, East Falls, PA 19129
Tel. 215-843-1500
[email protected]
WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
THE HAPPIEST HOLIDAY SEASON!

“FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISH” DEC. 22, 23, 24
NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER DEC. 31
MENU AND DETAILS AT WWW.FIORINO.US
by Alexis Franklin
A
nother year celebrating
Love Your Park, November 15th, with volunteers
who broke out the rakes and
the gloves, the bags, and
friends to help with the
fall clean up. Friends
have been helping in
McMichael Park since
1990 ,so this fall marks
our 24th year. Fifty bags of
leaves were filled with the help
of a Parks and Recreation mulch
truck which allowed more leaves
to be compacted. The mulch truck was ordered
to assist in the accumulation of
leaves on Midvale Avenue’s park
side which tend to blow across
Midvale and accumulate in front
of residences there. So nice to see the Davenport
family who make this accitivityi
a regular family affair. Pat Malloy has returned as a McMichael
Park user with her grand daughter; gret to have them helping for
a few hours. Welcome back Pat...
Turtle is happy to see you again.
The Turtle bed got a sweeping
thanks to John-david Franklin. Joe Martz, Alexis Franklin, Bill
Epstein and Mary Jane Fullam
who took care of the entrance
beds at Henry and Midvale Aves.
along with Joan Mcilvaine and
her “grands, Dorothy and Henry.
Deborah Thorp cleaned up
the entrance beds at both Henry/
Coulter and McMichael/Coulter Streets. She planted some
crocuses, donated by Parks & Rec,
as well. Bill Hoffner and Christina
Kistler managed the Winder garden (near corner of McMichael
and Midvale) cleaning oiut and
planting bulbs. Mary Flournoy
and Marilynn Shaffer stockpiled
large and small limbs that had
fallen during recent winds. One
nice neighbor came along and
took the small pile of limbs
for home kindling. A
beautiful brisk morning
was enjoyed by seventeen volunteers. McMichael Park looks terrific!
As one looks back over
the past twenty plus years, The
Friends of McMichael Park
would be remiss to not mentioned the support of The Fallser
and in particular, editor Julie
Camburn. Julie has always dedicated space for the monthly column, Turtle Talk, which allows
everyone to read about Park happenings. Getting the word out regarding clean-ups, getting volunteers,
acknowledging supporters and in
particular supporting our annual
Lovelights campaign which lists
loves and loved ones of community residents. Lovelighting
has been a major fundraiser for
McMichael Park and it would not
have grown so successfully without the help of The Fallser. A number of our Friends have
come and gone, but The Fallser
has always been a mainstay in
supporting McMichael Park
events. Change happens, ;tho we are
never ready for it. The Turtle and
Friends wish Julie, much Good
Fortune with her decision/next
step. Our Lovelights will go on
with the first one dedicated to
Julie Camburn for years of supporting the Friends of McMichael Park and the East Falls
Community. Left to right (top to bottom): AbbyDavenport…a pink spot on a
bright day gathering limbs that had fallen; The Mulcher…Parks &
Recreation; Jow Martz…tending to the entrance beds at Henry and
Midvale Avenue; Mary Jane Fuller and Joan McIlvaine…the baggers;
Deborah Thorp, John-david Franklin & Marilynn Shaeffer…the rakers
Protecting Elders from Abuse and Neglect
T
6
he Pennsylvania Supreme
Court has adopted a
blueprint to improve the
way Pennsylvania elders interact with the court system
and are protected from abuse
and neglect.
The court’s 38-member Elder
Law Task Force, appointed by
the Supreme Court in 2013 and
chaired by Justice Debra Todd,
delivered a comprehensive
284-page report detailing 130
specific recommendations to
help lay the foundation for improvements in tackling issues in
the courts and by other government entities involving guard-
ianship, elder abuse and neglect,
and overall access to justice.
The task force recommendations are intended to serve as
model practices and to encourage leaders in government and
local communities to be both
advocates and instruments of
reform for elders, who increasingly need and deserve assistance due to advancing age.
The Supreme Court will
review the recommendations
and determine how best to put
them into practice. Others are
directed to the executive and
legislative branches of state
government, the federal govern-
ment, prosecutors, elder and
victim service providers, bar associations and the public.
The first task force recommendation, which has already
been approved by the Supreme Court, is the creation
of an Office of Elder Justice
in the Courts to study, coordinate and implement report
recommendations. The new
office, which is being staffed
by existing personnel, will be
established in January 2015
in the Administrative Office
of Pennsylvania Courts at the
Pennsylvania Judicial Center in
Harrisburg.
December 2014
www.thefallser.com
Tours at Laurel Hill
by Emma Stern, Director of
Programs
A
ll tours depart from
Laurel Hill Cemetery’s
Gatehouse entrance,
3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking in
the lot across street from the
Gatehouse.
Tickets can be purchased at
the door or in advance by phone:
215-228-8200 or online at www.
thelaurelhillcemetery.org.
The Faces of South Laurel Hill
Cemetery
When the gates are closed
and the day is done, who looks
out on Laurel Hill? The familiar
faces of the cemetery, though
carved in unyielding stone, are
animated with the spark of lives
they represent. The solemn
patriarch, the earnest scientist, the gracious beauty; they
stand on the grounds forever
observing and epitomizing the
very people for whom they were
built. Join us on this tour of
sculpture where you will learn
their stories and see Laurel Hill
“through their eyes.”
Saturday. December 6, 1pm
Cost: $12/person; $10/students and seniors.
Reservations suggested.
Fourth Friday Tour Series:
Hot Spots & 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”
is presented monthly on the
fourth Friday at 10am.
December 26. 10am $8/person
General Meade Birthday
Celebration
Annual General Meade
Birthday Celebration marking 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 reenactors, 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.
Wednesday, December 31.
12pm
$10 donation suggested
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 selfguided 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
Conrad Street Eyesore, cont’d
(continued from front page)
The property is owned by
Brown Street Investments, LLC.
The only thing the EFCC and
Town Watch knew was that the
company’s address was a home
in an upscale neighborhood in
suburban Plymouth Meeting.
On October 11, a delegation
representing the two Eat Falls
groups planted itself in front of
a home on Black Walnut Lane
in Plymouth Meeting, listed on
court documents as legal address of Brown Street Investments. Several members held
signs protesting Brown Street’s
ownership of the blotted Conrad St. property. Others went
door to door with flyers showing the broken down house on
Conrad St., asking Brown Street
Investment’s neighbors, “Would
you want to live next door to
this kind of blight?”
Taking part as a reporter and
photographer from WHYY’s
Newsworks recorded the scene
were Mary Jane Fullam, President of EF Town Watch, Bill
Epstein, Chair of EFCC’s Zoning
and Land Use Committee, Meg
Greenfield, Past President of
EFCC and a member of the Zoning Committee, Marie Filipponi,
Town Watch board member, former EFCC President Tom Sauerman and The Fallser‘s Editor,
Julie Camburn.
Within minutes, the Fallsers
were greeted by five – yes, five
– police cars from Whitemarsh
Township.
Next, the owner of Brown
Street Investments appeared,
and to the delegation’s surprise,
he offered to talk with the Falls
contingency.
Harry Scott, who said he
was not aware that the Conrad
Street property was in such bad
condition, asked why the delegates needed to protest outside
his home in Plymouth Meeting.
“Why didn’t you just call me or
write me?” he asked.
“Have you tried to Google
Brown Street Investments?” Epstein asked Scott. “You get a big,
fat zero. Not your name. Not
your telephone number. Not any
confirmation that you live here,
or any way to reach you.”
Epstein and Greenfield explained that in addition to the
Conrad Street property spoiling East Falls, Scott’s nearly
$13,000 delinquency in taxes on
the Conrad St. address makes
it only more difficult to fund
Philadelphia’s schools.
“And we don’t enjoy the same
kind of police protection you get
here in Whitemarsh Township,”
Epstein said, gesturing to the
five police officers and their cars.
The conversation proved
productive when Scott told Epstein and Greenfield that he was
willing to tear down the Conrad
Street house. They took him up
on his offer, and later in a telephone conversation he stated
that he would be willing to allow
the cleared property to be used
for community gardening until
he is prepared to build housing.
Days later, at the urging of
Councilman Curtis Jones and
his staff, the City’s Department
of Licenses and Inspections
posted on the Conrad Street
house a long overdue notice ordering the owner to repair or demolish the home within 30 days.
Fullam and Epstein said that
Town Watch and EFCC expect
that the dilapidated house will
be torn down by the owner or
the City. They acknowledge
that the goal has been elusive,
but noted they are prepared to
take further action if necessary.
Stay tuned to The Fallser for
further news.
PAGE 13
Obituaries
Obituaries of residents/former residents of East Falls as posted in The
Fallser may not be timely as this is a monthly publication. It is never too late,
however, to send condolences, remembrances or donations honoring family
or friends.
Joseph Francis Fergus, Jr, passed away
on Oct. 30th. A former resident of East
Falls, he was the beloved son of the late
Joseph and Catherine (nee Donahue). Joe
is survived by his brothers Eugene and
John (Linda), plus 3 nephews and 2 nieces,
Nicholas, Cynthia, John, Denise and Jeffrey.
Joe was in international sales for the
J.P. Lippincott Co. and St. Martin’s Press.
Most recently, he was a guide at the Franklin Institute, a position he very much enjoyed. To offer condolences to the family,
please contact John Fergus, Jr. 215-8668348. Interment was private.
Viola R. Falbo (nee Ciamaichela) of East
Falls passed away on October 31st. The beloved wife of the late Vincent J, she was the
dear mother of Linda Mingle (Francis) and
Ann Marie Fahringer (Alan Kaffenberger);
loving grandmother of Tim (Carrie), Melia,
Chris and Dan Mingle and Vince and Nick
(Anna) Fahringer; and, great grand-mother
of Noa Mingle.
Viola was preceded in death by 3
brothers, Ettore Jr., Rocco and Anthony.
She is survived by 3 sisters-in-law, Millie,
Yolanda and Pauline and many nieces and
nephews.
Viola’s Viewing on November 6 was
held at McIlvaine Funeral Home on Midvale Ave., followed by a Funeral Mass at St.
Bridget Church and Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Donations in her memory,
made to Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Phila. PA 19106, would
be appreciated.
Dolores Quattrocchi (nee Hesselden),
died on October 14, 2014.
The beloved wife of the late Frank Newsome, and dear mother of Cynthia Neild,
Frank Newsome and David Newsome (Dorothy), Dolores is survived by her sister Joan
Vare, 3 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, plus nieces and nephews,
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations in Dolores’
memory may be made to the charity of your
choice.
Walter R. Mettinger of East Falls passed
away on November 6th. The beloved husband of Joyce (nee Pearl), Walt was the
dear father of Robin Gallagher (Thomas)
and Sharon Heiler (Gerald). He was preceded in death by his son Walter r. Jr.
Walt is survived as well by 9 grandchildren 13 great-grandchildren a brother
Clarles, and many nieces and nephews.
Services were private.
Donations made to the VNA Hospice
of Philadelphia, 3300 Henry Ave., Philadelphia. ,PA 19129, in Walt’s memory would
be appreciated.
Patricia A. Linke of East Falls passed
away on October 21st at the age of 72.
Pat had been an ER nurse at MCP for
35 years. The beloved wife of the late Karl,
Pat she was the dear mother of Kimberly
Romano and Carl Linke (Chauncy). The loving grandmother of Christoher and Nicholas Romano, Gianna Saunders and Connor
Linke; she was the great-grandmother of
Anthony Romano. Pat is survived by 3 sisters, Libby Wright, Geri Henkel and Charlene Romano, plus many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
brother, Raymond Dobson.
Relatives and friends attended Pat’s
Viewing at St. Bridget Church, followed by
a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment was
private.
The family would appreciate donations
in Pat’s memory to the St. Bridget Memorial Fund, 3667 Midvale Ave., Phila., PA
19129.
Caroling cont’d
(continued from front page)
cil, The Friends of the Falls of
Schuylkill Library, and the East
Falls Presbyterian Church.
Sponsors are soliciting community participation to provide cookies for the reception.
Contributions may be brought
to the East Falls Presbyterian
Church any time during the day
on December 10th.
This is a rain or shine event.
In case of inclement weather,
the Carol Sing will take place
indoors at East Falls Presbyterian Church, only one block
down Midvale Avenue from the
Park.
The Turtle is excited as well
-- see you in the Park!
PAGE 14
www.thefallser.com
Crime Report
The Information on these incidents comes
directly from the files of the 39th Police
District. The Fallser includes only those
occurrences within our distribution area.
Descriptions of perpetrators (race, age,
clothing, etc.) are as filed on police reports.
Tim Gallagher
NMLS ID# 704364
215-913-8250
[email protected]
Mortgages are offered and originated by RBS Citizens, N.A. Citizens Bank is a brand name of RBS Citizens, N.A. (NMLS ID#
433960) and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania (NMLS ID# 522615). RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania are
affiliates. All loans are subject to approval. Member FDIC.
Equal Housing Lender. 0213
YOUR AD HERE
215-848-1322
Oct 10, 11:25am: Theft from Auto.
45xx Kelly Dr. Unknown person/s pried
the front p/s door of a 2012 Mazda 3 and
removed ID and credit cards. Cards were
used for $1600.
Oct 10, 2pm: Bicycle Theft. 28xx
Midvale Ave. Unknown person/s removed a 20” black/green bike, 26” yellow/black GT mountain bike and a 26”
navy blue GT mountain bike with carrying
bag from yard.
Oct 11, 7pm: Theft. 40xx Ridge
Ave. A delivered package containing (2)
white gold wedding bands was taken.
Oct 13, 9pm: Auto Tag Theft. 36xx
Scotts Lane. Unknown person/s removed PA tag from a 1999 Toyota Corolla.
Oct 16, 11:30am: Theft. 31xx Henry Ave. Unknown person/s removed an
I-Phone 5S from bag.
Oct 24, 11:01am: Retail Theft.
29xx Fox St. Unknown male took (8)
gray sweatshirts and pants and fled.
Oct 24, 2:30pm: Theft from Auto.
33xx Wiehle St. Unknown person/s removed a Garmin GPS from a 2010 Toyota.
Oct 25, 2:30pm: (2) Theft from
Auto. 48xx Ridge Ave. Unknown
person/s broke the rear p/s door lock
of a 2013 Ford E-350 and removed duffle
bag, medication, I-phone, charger, keys,
Jordan bag, medicine bag, LL Bean backpack, Toshiba laptop, I-pod touch & headphones, various clothing and toiletries.
Oct 25, 7:44pm: Bicycle Theft.
33xx Henry Ave. An unknown male
was observed taking a bicycle. Male was
ID’d and detained for this and possibly
other bike theft.
Oct 26, 8:30pm: Theft from Auto.
39xx Netherfield Road. Unknown
person/s broke the rear p/s window of
a 2006 Honda Fit and ransacked the interior but nothing was taken.
Oct 27, 9:15pm: Theft from Auto.
36xx Calumet St. Complainant stated
he left his I-pad on the front seat of unsecured auto. Upon return I-pad missing. Complainant did observe (4) juvenile
males in the area at the time and police
followed area they were known to have
taken. I-Pad was found in a bush and returned.
Oct 30, 9:47am: Retail Theft. 36xx
Midvale Ave. Complainant stated an
unknown male (5’10”, thin, full beard,
med complex, Phillies hat, dark jacket,
red shirt) left store with several Braun
electric shavers, detergents, and Dove
bar soap and fled in a tan Toyota Camry
with a dent in left side of trunk driven by
an unknown female.
Nov 03, 9:25am: Retail Theft. 41xx
Ridge Ave. Unknown male took a Bic
lighter without paying.
Nov 05, 7:46pm: Robbery. 33xx
Henry Ave. Complainant stated (2)
unknown juvenile males approached and
pushed her down to the ground and took
her wallet containing various ID, insurance and change.
Nov 05, 8pm: Theft from Auto.
28xx Midvale Ave. Unknown person/s
removed a pocket knife and $20 from a
2011 didge.
Nov 05, 11pm: Theft from Auto.
34xx Ainslie St. Unknown person/s
removed an I-phone and charger from a
2013 Ford Fusion.
Nov 08, 9:45pm: Robbery. 32xx
Authority Terrace. Complainant stated
that while delivering a pizza he was met
December 2014
by (2) unknown males (both wearing all
black clothing) when one of the offenders
pointed a shotgun ant him and took his
car keys, Samsung cell phone and $200.
Nov 10, 3:10pm: Theft. 30xx Allegheny Ave. Complainant stated an
unknown male (22-28yrs, beard, med
complex, 5’9”, gray short/shirt, black
skull cap) came into shop and took his
gold I-Phone 5S and fled in a red van.
Complainant then called the offender on
his phone and agreed to leave the phone
at a set address. Police found the I-phone
and returned it to the complainant.
Nov 11, 1pm: Theft. 36xx Indian
Queen Lane. Unknown person/s removed a delivered package containing an
I-Phone 6.
Nov 11, 5:45pm: Theft from Auto.
42xx Henry Ave. Unknown person/s
threw a brick through the rear p/s window of a 2010 Ford Focus and removed
a school bag containing an Apple laptop,
T184 calculator and a belt.
Nov 12, 4:30pm: Theft from Auto.
29xx Kelly Dr. Unknown person/s
broke the rear p/s window of a 2014
Ford Focus and removed (10) sunglasses,
jacket, wallet, ID, various debit/credit
cards and a black I-Phone in white case.
Nov 13, 4pm: Theft from Auto.
42xx Kelly Dr. Unknown person/s
broke the front p/s window of a 2014
Subaru Impreza and took a brown wallet
containing various ID, insurance, credit/
debit cards and $60.
Nov 14, 7pm: Theft from Auto.
29xx Schoolhouse Lane. Unknown
person/s moved a 2008 Honda Accord
and then removed all (4) tires and replaced them with (4) smaller spare tires.
Nov 16, 2am: Theft from Auto.
29xx Midvale Ave. Unknown person/s
ransacked the contents of an unlocked
2006 Volvo.
Nov 16, 11pm: (2) Theft from Auto.
29xx Schoolhouse Lane. Unknown
person/s broke out the p/s window of a
2012 Nissan Maxima and removed a wallet containing ID and $15. #2 - Unknown
person/s took out the p/s window and
placed it on the ground of a 2005 Nissan
Sentra, nothing was taken.
Nov 17, 9am: Burglary. 36xx
Stokely St. Unknown person/s removed a Macbook Pro, I-Pad Air, watch
keyboard/pad, and an I-Pad.
Nov 17, 3:30pm: Theft from Auto.
42xx Kelly Dr. Unknown person/s shattered the d/s front window of a 2013 Nissan Altima and removed a wallet containing ID, various debit/credit cards and $40.
Nov 17, 6:50pm: Retail Theft. 31xx
Allegheny Ave. An unknown male
(40-50yrs, 5’5”, stocky, dark skin, green
jacket, black pants) took ConAir Fast Cut
Pro and fled the store.
Nov 17, 9pm: Theft from Auto.
29xx Schoolhouse Lane. Unknown
person/s removed (4) tires and 16” rims
from a 2013 Honda Fit.
Nov 18, 8:50pm: Robbery. 32xx
Authority Terrace. Complainant went
to deliver a pizza when (2) men (both
wearing black clothing & plastic masks)
approached him pointing*- a shotgun and
stated, “Where’s the money?” Then the
males went through his pants pockets
and took a Samsung flip phone.
Nov 18, 11:30pm: Theft from Auto.
29xx Schoolhouse Lane. Unknown
person/s removed the rear p/s tire from
a 2010 Honda.
Nov 20, 12pm: Auto Tag Theft.
35xx Midvale Ave. Unknown person/s
removed PA tag from a 1980 BMW.
Nov 20, 6pm: Theft from Auto.
35xx Scotts Lane. Unknown
person/s removed a bag containing an
I-Pad, ID, debit/credit cards and books
from auto.
Community
Activist to
Run for City
Council
G
eorge Matysik of East
Falls has thrown his hat
into the ring to run for
an At-Large City Council seat
in Philadelphia next spring.
Many Fallser readers know
George through his involvement and extensive work as
the Co-Chair of the Friends of
Mifflin School, an organization
dedicated to provide resources
to our neighborhood public
school.
Philadelphia born (Olney)
and bred -- raised in the Lower
Northeast -- George graduated
from the University of Pennsylvania, having worked his way
through as a janitor. He serves
on the board of his alma mater,
Mercy Vocational High School,
and on the Pennsylvania Resources Council, the state’s
oldest environmental advocacy
organization.
A lifelong Philadelphian,
George has worked to find public policy solutions to the big
issues that face our City and
region. As Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy
for Philabundance, he develops
anti-poverty and economic development partnerships at the
local, state, and national level.
To find out more about George’s
background and campaign, go to
www.georgematysik.com.
If you want to drink,
That’s your business.
If you want to stop,
That’s ours.
Call Alcoholics Anonymous
215-923-7900
www.sepennaa.org
December 2014
www.thefallser.com
PhilaU Students are Tops in
Architecture Competition
T
wo Philadelphia University students in the
College of Architecture
and the Built Environment won
the top awards in this year’s
BLT Architects student design
competition.
Fifth-year architecture student Bong Hei Wong won first
place and Oliver Thompson, a
graduate student in sustainable design and 2014 graduate
of PhilaU’s architectural studies
program, took second place.
BLT Architects, a Philadelphia-based architectural
and interior design firm,
challenged students to design
an adaptive reuse of a century-old warehouse in Center
City into a high-tech incubator facility with retail, office,
prototyping, auditorium and
breakout space. Students were
judged by BLT principals on
their creative approach, response to site, sustainability
and functionality.
As the first-place winner,
Wong received a cash prize of
$500 and was offered a paid
summer internship with the
company.
Wong said he created a design that would “reuse the existing building to serve new hightech businesses while contributing as a public space on the
street level.”
Wong adapted the existing
design by adding void spaces
through the building’s center
to increase transparency and
allow users to relate to the city,
rather than an enclosed office
space. “The entire roof space is
dedicated to a garden,” he said.
Thompson won $300 for his
second-place design, but said
recognition from an awardwinning firm was his most
valuable prize. “The fact that I
placed at all, let alone in second,
gave me confidence in myself
and my education,” he said.
His design utilizes a massive “skywell” that allows natural light into almost all usable
spaces and incorporates a new
pedestrian street under the
building. “I wanted to design
something that would fit into
the context of the city, the existing master plan for the area
around it, while still breathing
life into it,” Thompson said.
Snow Blower User?
Things to Remember
A
ccording to weather
forecasters, the winter of
2014–15 will see belownormal temperatures for about
three-quarters of the nation.
That means snow blowers could
be getting a workout this winter.
The Outdoor Power Equipment
Institute (OPEI) offers the following safety tip. Make sure your snow
blower is in good working
order, before the first flakes
fall. Change the oil. Install a
new spark plug and inspect the
belts to be sure they are in good
working order. Review your owner’s manual. Before it snows, clear the
pathways you intend to use. Use the correct fuel. . It
is illegal to use any fuel with
more than 10% ethanol content
in outdoor power equipment
(see www.LookBeforeYouPump.
com). Handle fuel carefully. Use
non-spill containers with
spouts. Fill up the fuel tank
outside, before you start the
engine and while the engine is
cold. Dress properly for the
job. Wear adequate winter
garments and footwear that can
handle slippery surfaces. Put on
safety glasses, and avoid loose
fitting clothing that could get
caught in moving parts. Tie
back long hair.
Operate your snow blower
in visible conditions. Never
operate the snow blower without good visibility or light. Aim carefully and avoid
people and cars. Never throw
snow toward people or cars.
Keep children or pets away
from or in front of your snow
blower when it is operating.
Use extreme caution on
slopes and hills. Do not clear
snow across the face of slopes.
Do not attempt to clear steep
slopes.
Turn OFF your snow
blower if you need to clear a
clog or repair it. Wait for all
moving parts to come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark
plug wire or power cord.
KEY SAFETY TIP: Never
put your hands inside the
auger or chute. Use a clean
out tool (or stick) to unclog wet
snow or debris from your snow
blower.
Know where the cord is. If
you have an electric powered
snow blower, be aware of where
the power cord is at all times.
Avoid tripping. Do not run over
the power cord.
If you are a member of East
Falls Village, you can arrange
for snow shoveling help. See
EFV article elsewhere in this
issue of The Fallser.
PAGE 15
“As It Is In Heaven” at OA
OLD
ACADEMY
PLAYERS
O
ld
Academy
Players
present its second
FOUR SCORE AND
show
for the 2014-15 season, As
A WHOLE LOT MORE
192 3– 200 3
It Is
in Heaven, Arlene Hutton’s
fascinating Americana drama
about the close-knit women
of a seemingly utopian Shaker
society in 1838 Kentucky. As
It Is in Heaven, directed by
Jane Jennings and produced by
Charlotte Higgins, runs from
November 7-23.
As It Is in Heaven, which debuted in New York City on September 13, 2001 right after the
9/11 attacks, is a story of human
nature and faith.
The Shakers, a religious sect
that flourished in 19th century
was founded upon doctrines
that forbade the private ownership of anything. Their worship
consisted of ecstatic singing,
dancing and a ‘shaking’ type
of movement. Membership required hard work, communal
living and strict celibacy. This
last meant total dependence on
recruitment since there were no
born Shakers.
The story’s routine is upset
when a newcomer arrives claiming to see angels and to be in contact with the long dead founder,
Mother Lee. Conflicts arise as
jealousy rears its ugly head. After
all, it is human nature. As It Is in
Heaven is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play
Service, Inc.
The outstanding cast features: Norma Kider as Rachel
the longtime pure-in-heart
Shaker, Jillian Bosmann as
Peggy the cook, Susan Miller
as Hannah, the Eldress (leader),
Front, l to r: Melissa Fernandez,
Rachel Cammisa-Cantz,
Melissa Montgomery, Loretta
Lucy Miller; back row, Chase
Byrd, Annie Hnatko, Art Henry,
David Wolf
Marcy Hoffman as Jane the
mournful newcomer, Sarah
Labov as Betsy the peacemaker
(but also a gossip) deaconess,
Freda Gowling as Phoebe, the
deaconess seeking righteousness, Nicole Bishop as Polly the
poor in spirit newcomer, Austin
Stanton as Fanny the independent newcomer claiming to see
angels, and Jessica Hobbs-Pifer
as Izzy the youngest raised with
the Shakers.
Located at 3544 Indian
Queen Lane in East Falls, Old
Academy Players has provided
continuous community theater
since 1923, and featured the acting debuts of both Grace Kelly
and Robert Prosky.
All tickets are $15. Friday
and Saturday performances are
at 8pm; Sunday performances
at 2pm. Parking for all performances is free. For reservations,
call (215) 843-1109 or visit the
theater’s website: www.oldacademyplayers.org for more information.
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Only $16.40 per Column Inch
PAGE 16
www.thefallser.com
December 2014
Take charge
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