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WEEK SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 VOL. 1 NO. 31
COLTRANE LEGACY Remembering Coltrane's legacy in Philadelphia. 5
SERIALIZED FICTION Local author Michael Ferrence continues his new serialized fiction column with Part 2 of “When We All Went Away.” 8
COLTRANE AT 90 Celebration of the birthday and life of John Coltrane continues this week with more live music. 6
ACCU-REGGIE 7-day weather forecast for the region.
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t. Airy native Danielle Townsend is on a mission to outfit you for success. As a program coordinator for Career Wardrobe, a 21-year-old nonprofit situated on Spring Garden Street, she and her colleagues utilize clothing donations and professional development to empower and prepare unemployed women — and recently men — to reenter the workplace. In March 2016, Townsend along with her two program coordinator colleagues, Shauna Ekezie and Brooke Reeder, joined the Career Wardrobe team to build and expand the social enterprise brand.
“I like to think of us as ‘retail with a purpose,’” said Townsend. “The two other program coordinators and I were hired thanks to a grant given by the state to serve Philadelphia. The grant opened the doors for us to come on board — we are actually the ones styling our clients.” Since Career Wardrobe is a combination of community building, as well as retail and fashion — all of which Townsend and her team are passionate about, they decided to expand their clientele by introducing a highContinued on Page 2.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Events and happenings in our neighborhoods. 7
HOT OFF THE
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he intersection of Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue was filled with a sea of purple on September 15th. Drumming and chants of “What do we want? 15! What do we want? 15!” could be heard blocks away. Philadelphia security workers sported purple shirts that read, “Philly Security, Always There,” as they rallied for a 15 dollar minimum wage among advocates and Pennsylvania representatives. The protest was brought together by 32BJ of the Service Employees Inter-
national Union (SEIU). According to communication manager of 32BJ, Traci Benjamin, the average starting wage for a security officer represented by 32BJ is $10.25 per hour. LaRhonda Whitmore, a security officer in North Philadelphia said, “The [minimum wage] here is too low. There is no way we can give back or support the stores here. We are fighting for 15 dollars an hour for our chilContinued on Page 4.
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The Spirit of Penn’s Garden – September 21, 2016
Continued from Page 1. end lookbook for the fall 2016 season. “We are working to get bigger, better and continue to grow, exploring more ways we can serve our community,” she said. “We want people to get involved and we want more younger shoppers to come in and see what we are all about — get them interested to shop but also to volunteer. It’s such a great cause and I feel that fashion is [such a] facet in our lives that people can come together and collaborate.” During a recent visit to Career Wardrobe’s main hub, Danielle — a fierce and fun 26-year-old fashionista—gave us a preview of the 25 looks that will be revealed this week in their digital lookbook. The color-splashed pages of the fall-themed fashion line were curated by both Townsend and Ekezie, who worked together to transform select pieces of Career Wardrobe’s high-end donations into a show-stopping, must-have collection. For example, eager shoppers with an eye for fashion will soon be able to vie for a nautical-themed business suit that consists of a medi skirt with a sleek Yves Saint Laurent blazer. There’s also an eclectic floral-print Betsey Johnson jacket and a vintage button-down denim dress complemented with a fur vest that we predict are hits for any office. Just one page-through and you’ll agree, Townsend is trying to redefine the notoriously stiff looks of the workplace. All the stylized outfits being revealed in the nonprofit’s lookbook will be for sale immediately to the public. Just one facet of Career Wardrobe’s mission is to outfit women for better-paying opportunities. They’re a service that operates largely by referrals from approved organizations like PA Department of Human Services, independent job training agencies, domestic violence shelters and homeless and housing programs. However, Career Wardrobe recognizes that everyone may need help some point in their working lives, outside of their approved referral program, so they also offer open access to their dressing services for a small fee — $20 for a whole outfit! — once a year. Most recently, they have targeted college students and recent graduates to help expand their open-access program. There’s also the Wardrobe Boutique, which operates as Career Wardrobe’s storefront and styling center for all clients and is open to the public. That’s right, the Spring Garden Street boutique isn’t just for referrals, you can shop the well-curated resale boutique that Townsend and her team have designed. With a goal to target all ages and styles, swing by to explore options like their new vintage rack and denim bar, as well as the high- to low-end design brands. “Shauna and I work closely together to figure out our inventory and visual merchandising,” said Townsend. “We have something for everyone—no matter what’s in your pocket. You can come here and find a Moschino blazer thag normally runs for $300, shop mid-level brands like J. Crew or Loft and even spy deals like $5 sandals.” The new lookbook’s featured ensembles will be up for grabs in the Wardrobe Boutique, available to clients or to the public. Though they don’t have the retail capacity to sell men’s clothes, they host the ability to serve men in the same location. They can be seen like women by referrals, for free with walk-ins or participate in the open-access program— which is $5–$20 depending if you’re receiving government benefits. Career Wardrobe was founded in 1995 as a “basement operation” to help outfit women for better-paying opportunities. It’s become a local service that does much more than elevate your closet. In its first year, it serviced 660 female clients with different needs. Now in 2016, it’s on target to service over 6,000 Philadelphians (both females and males). “A new business wardrobe is not cheap,” continued Townsend. “Look on Theory’s website—a business blazer alone is more than $300. We have become the go-to spot for women who are transitioning back into the workplace and need work-appropriate clothing.” Under the leadership of executive director Sheri K. Cole, the Fairmount-based nonprofit also serves its local community beyond corporate dressing. They developed educational programming that was pioneered by program director Cait Garazzo.
The Wardrobe Boutique operates as Career Wardrobe’s storefront and styling center for all clients and is open to the public. “The whole purpose of Career Wardrobe from the very beginning was to fill an unmet need,” said Garazzo. “When there were a lot of funding cuts in what the city and the state are able to provide for unemployed people, we found a need that we could fill. “It was really important to us to create something of high quality,” she continued. “We have a lot of great volunteers who wanted to help facilitate something—but needed something for them to facilitate. We started with them doing their specialties through one-off workshops.” Eventually, Career Wardrobe built a reputable calendar of events, featuring workshops focused on networking, resume and LinkedIn building and role playing for job interviews. “We use high-level recruiters for our programming, who are responsible for recruiting executives and CEO type positions,” she said. “They can help people where they are and help ensure them that they can get there too and this is what you have to do.” Career Wardrobe’s success operates largely on receiving donations from the surrounding community.
“When people donate clothes, some of them are appropriate for work and some of them are great for play,” concluded Townsend. “Though we can’t give the ‘play’ [clothes] to our clients, we recognize that some of them are still in great condition. They may be cute and trendy, so we sell them in our boutique. When people come in and shop, each purchase is a donation. Those donations help fund our free educational programming. Even if you do something small like donate a few shirts or give a couple dollars, it’s great knowing that it’s going directly to help someone in need.” Any donated clothes not given to clients or resold in the boutique are further donated to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Inspired to shop, explore the new lookbook, donate or receive help from Career Wardrobe? Career Wardrobe’s Boutique is located at 1822 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood. For more information, visit careerwardrobe.org. Career Wardrobe also services locations and assists those in Bucks Co. and Delaware Co. •
Danielle Townsend, program coordinator at Career Wardrobe. /All photos by Amy Strauss
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The Spirit of Penn’s Garden – September 21, 2016 FORECAST FOR PENN’S GARDEN
accu reggie TWITTER: @ACCUREGGIE • FACEBOOK: ACCU-REGGIE
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ast week was a mixed bag. We started hot before getting a nice taste of fall and some much needed rain. The summer muggies returned to close out the week. This week continues the warm trend from last week all the way up until the weekend before we turn 10 degrees cooler from Saturday to Sunday and kick the humid air out again. In the past, low humidity has been very short lived, but this time we should get 3+ days of cool weather. I expect the overall weather pattern to remain much the same until about mid-October. What does this mean? Expect warmer than normal tem-
peratures and small steps toward fall. I also see the drier conditions remaining until then as well. Temperatures could reach close to 90 as late as October. Wednesday kick’s off the forecast period with heat and humidity settled into the region. Temperatures will be in the middle 80s and the A/C is still a good idea. Thursday and Friday are both warm and humid days. It is a continuation of summer-like weather even though the calendar says fall. We’ve experienced a southern US climate this summer so that’s not surprising! Saturday is the transition day. Things starts out warm, but then clouds roll through and it turns cooler later at
night when a front comes through. There is the slight chance of a shower in isolated spots with the cold front. Sunday is a very nice day with sun, clouds and a cool breeze. It will feel noticeably less humid and cooler as temperatures barely get to the middle 70s. Monday stays cool with the addition of showers later in the day as another cold front reinforces the cooler air. Tuesday is a breezy day with sunshine and temperatures continuing to camp out in 70s. The weather winner of the week is the Sunday; the weather loser is Thursday. •
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The Spirit of Penn’s Garden – September 21, 2016 Protesters chanted for a 15-an-hour minimum wage as they carried a 100-foot-long chain to represent the poverty that they feel holds back Philadelphia./All photos by Kaitlyn Moore
dren. It will keep our family strong, so we can stay in Philadelphia because we are the originals of this community.” According to a study by the Massachusetts Institute for Technology, a full-time working adult would need to make an average of $11.43 per hour to support themselves in Philadelphia. The current minimum wage of Pennsylvania is set at $7.25 per hour, $4.18 short of what is considered to be a living wage for a single adult. The state minimum wage is the same for each worker regardless of how many dependents they may have. For a single adult with one child, the living wage bumps up to a $23.06 hourly rate. Whitmore added, “[$15 an hour] is the minimum to start off. If it takes $23.06 to support just one adult and I have four kids, $7.75 is just not enough.” The protests were complete with signs, drummer performances and excited chants from advocates. The protesters also rallied for a higher minimum wage at Hahnemann University Hospital (230 N. Broad St) and at the intersection of 34th and Market Streets with information leaflets. Conservative experts, like James Sherk, a researcher at the Heritage Foundation, argue that increasing the minimum wage would promote job loss due to an increased financial burden on employers. Sherk notes that these losses would most heavily affect those working in unskilled labor jobs. Protestors were joined by State Representatives Jordan Harris, Donna Bullock, Joanna McClinton, Jason Dawkins and State Senate candidate Sharif Street. McClinton, State Representative of the 191st Legislative District stood with protesters, saying,“There are institutions of the Commonwealth that can afford to raise the wage.” Meanwhile, Street explained how, “It's shown that when you take corporate profits and you increase worker’s pay, the average worker spends 100 percent of their salary even at $15.00 an hour and therefore all that money is turning over the economy. When high-end corporate people get the money, they save it and may or may not invest it in our communities.” John Deval, security officer at Temple HSC said it comes down to respect. “Our wages don’t let us feel respected or appreciated for what we do. We deal with a lot.” Deval continued, “[this protest] lets us know we are being heard. And to whoever it may concern, it shows that we know what we are talking about.” •
NOTICES Home Burglaries As reported by the Fairmount Civic Association, in early August there was a series of attempted and actual home burglaries where the perp entered through open windows during the night. Through the efforts of our 9th District, the perp has been arrested and he has admitted to a number of the burglaries. The police are collecting evidence and expect to charge him with additional crimes. Just a reminder to be alert to your home security. The 9th also reminds us there I still a problem with bike thefts and auto break-ins. Don’t leave valuable items in plain view. • Bache-Martin Volunteers Needed
Democratic State Senate candidate, Sharif Street, address the crowd in support of a $15 minimum wage.
Bache-Martin Home and School is in the process of putting together a roster of volunteers at the school to help cover the front door at both school buildings. Right now, the noontime aides are doing it, though they would be better utilized during lunch and recess, and elsewhere in the school during other times of the day. The more adults in the school the better. The duties simply involve buzzing visitors into the building, having them sign the log book, and directing them to the main office a few feet away. They are looking for people to cover 1-2 hour shifts throughout the school day, with the key coverage times being 11am-1pm (one person for each building). These volunteers would ideally commit to a set schedule per week (day and time) to provide the school with consistency and avoid last-minute scrambling. Please spread the word in the neighborhood, to FCA members, and to especially our senior retirees who have the time and would like to give back to the community. We would also welcome shifts done in pairs if folks would like to bring a friend to play a game with or chat. •
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The Spirit of Penn’s Garden – September 21, 2016
W R I T T E N B Y M A R I LY N K A I J E W E T T
coltrane's legacy
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REMEMBERING THE COLTRANE LEGACY IN PHILADELPHIA
ohn William Coltrane, one of the most innovative jazz artists in history, was born September 23, 1926. While most jazz lovers know that Coltrane started his professional career in Philadelphia, many people don’t know the real Coltrane legacy in Philadelphia. There were two organizations that specifically worked to preserve Coltrane's legacy in Philadelphia – The TraneStop Resource Institute and the John W. Coltrane Cultural Society. The TraneStop Resource Institute was founded in 1979 by the late Arnold Boyd and named after Coltrane. It's primary mission was to promote jazz in general and the legacy of Coltrane in particular. Boyd and many others consider jazz to be African-American's equivalent to classical music. TraneStop advocated for jazz musicans and the genre at-large. Boyd and the TraneStop worked hard to unify and promote Philly’s jazz community. They organized an annual jazz seminar to discuss issues facing the art form and those connected to it. Each year, the TraneStop produced the free Annual Community Jazz Concert featuring local jazz artists and poets, to promote appreciation of jazz as an art form. Later, the TraneStop produced the Coltrane Jazz Festival at Awbury Arboretum. Boyd had also planned an annual, eight-week, jazz-education course for children to help them understand African-American classical music. Since that time, the TraneStop tried to continue Boyd’s legacy under the leadership of Rosalind Plummer-Wood and Ray Wood. The John W. Coltrane Cultural Society, founded in 1984, grew out of the TraneStop. In 1984, Lovett Hines, asked me to join the TraneStop’s Board of Directors. I was raised on jazz and had attended many jazz concerts as a student at Howard University, so I jumped at the chance to help promote the organization and its activities. Another friend of mine, Eloise Woods-Jones, Philly Joe Jones’ wife, was a board member and explained some of the inner workings of the group. Members of the board included Coltrane’s “Cousin Mary” Alexander, keyboard artist Shirley Scott, jazz singer Dottie Smith, saxophonist/Professor Linda Williams and jazz lover Sophronia “Sophie” Stewart. At that time, Boyd and the TraneStop primarily focused on promoting the music through concerts and shows. However, Cousin Mary who was a teacher’s assistant for the Philadelphia School District, and the women on the board, wanted to focus on educating African-American youth. We “discussed” that issue with the men on the board for months. Philadelphia is home to numerous world renowned African-American jazz artists who are virtually unknown in Philadelphia’s Black communities. When attending jazz concerts the audience is comprised of mostly white people, including college students. Where are the young, Black people? We wanted to change that scene. Boyd began talking about plans for the Coltrane House. “Wait a minute,” Cousin Mary said. “That’s my house and no-one is making plans for my house but me!” Coltrane and Cousin Mary’s mothers were sisters who lived with their husbands and two children as an extended family in High Point, North Carolina. John and Mary were both only children, and were more like brother and sister than first cousins. After the husbands died, the family moved to Philadelphia and lived for a short time in East Poplar across the street from the Richard Allen Projects. When Coltrane returned from the army, he bought the house at 1511 N. 33rd Street to serve as the family home for himself, Cousin Mary and their mothers. The Coltrane classic “Blue Trane” was composed in this house where he began his spiritual journey. Cousin Mary asked the women on the board to join her in starting our own organization dedicated to educating the youth. I was a mere 30 years-old -- the baby of the bunch. We all agreed, resigned from the TraneStop board and formed the John W. Coltrane Cultural Society. The group was incorporated in 1985 by Cousin Mary Lyerly Alexander, the late Shirley Scott, the late Eloise WoodJones, the late Sophronia “Sophie” Stewart, the late Dottie Smith, Professor Linda Williams and me, Marilyn Kai Jewett, — known as "The Seven." However, it was really eight because Cousin Mary’s husband Billy supported us every step of the way. The JWCCS was not a "music" organization as such, but more of an educational organization. Our mission was to 1) counteract negative constraints facing inner-city youth through presentations of the positive cultural forces embodied in jazz and other cultural programs; 2) preserve jazz as an American music tradition by making the contributions of African American jazz artists more visible and
/All photos by Max Pulcini
accessible and 3) preserve the genius and legacy of John W. Coltrane by establishing the John W. Coltrane Cultural Center at 1509 N. 33rd Street (next door to the house). Our programs included presenting children’s workshops conducted by local professional artists/musicians in Philadelphia public schools, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, day camps and other youth oriented groups. The children were taught life skills using the discipline, techniques and structure applied in learning jazz. Some of those artists included the late drummer Edgar Bateman, African drummer Zaire, and jazz dancer Carla Washington who performed with Sun Ra and his Arkestra. Washington taught teen mothers at William Penn High School how to soothe their babies with music and movement. Although we had left the TraneStop’s board, we still worked with them to promote the music. We wanted to achieve the same things, just using different means. After all, two jazz organizations gave the jazz community a louder voice and more clout. The city gave us the house at 1509 N. 33rd Street to develop the cultural center. We also obtained a vacant lot down the street from the house and created a community garden that included a jazz mural created by neighborhood youth with the assistance of a professional mosaic artist. The garden was used for summer children’s workshops led by jazz artists and poets like Pheralyn Dove. We adopted Strawberry Mansion High School where a Coltrane mosaic mural was created by the students. Cousin Mary also conducted a lecture series on Coltrane’s life and music at universities and conferences. The Black United Fund of Pennsylvania gave us our first small grant and our first big grant came from State Rep. Frank Oliver who made sure to fund us every year. The Coltrane House, where Cousin Mary lived with her husband Billy, was our headquarters. We spent many days and nights around the dining room table planning how to expose the children to the music and our culture. After incorporation, we immediately began working on getting the house designated as an historic site. The Coltrane House was given historic designation by the Philadelphia Historic Commission in 1990 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. We felt this was important because people in the community walked past the house every day and knew nothing of Coltrane or what transpired at that location. This is part of our history that the people needed to know. Additionally, internation-
al tourists would come to Philly and asked to see where Coltrane lived. As a matter of fact, a young, German jazz aficionado who visited Philly each year would come to the house to present Cousin Mary with a monetary donation he had collected from his friends in Germany. Our major fundraiser was an annual Coltrane birthday celebration and tribute held each year around September 23 that featured internationally known artists including Coltrane’s son Ravi, an exceptional artist in his own right. But, the most dynamic event was the Summer Backyard Concert Series held in June and July that featured national and local professional jazz artists, poets and young emerging artists. True to our mission, we always included youth performers from the Clef Club in the show. Artists like Ravi Coltrane and Robert “Bootsie” Barnes, among others headlined at the Backyard Series. The community supported those concerts wholeheartedly and there was always a traffic jam on 33rd Street on those days. People were thrilled to walk through the Coltrane House and sit in the backyard to hear the music up close. Cousin Mary’s husband Billy is buried in the yard. We planted a tree with his ashes because Billy loved sitting and chillin’ in the yard under the tree. After Billy made transition, Cousin Mary moved and sold the Coltrane House to Norman Gadsen in 2004 before she had the last stroke. Gadsen made transition and left the house to his young daughter. Sadly, Cousin Mary had a massive stroke which rendered her speechless. She resides in a Center City nursing home. The original organization has been defunct since then. Shirley, Eloise, Sophie and Miss Dottie all have made transition to the great jazz jam session in heaven. Linda is somewhere teaching music out west in the Dakotas and that leaves me. I will cherish those memories of my time working with the TraneStop and the women of the JWCCS forever. The ancestors have charged me with making sure the work we did on behalf of our youth and this city is never forgotten. Thanks to those who continue to perpetuate Coltrane’s legacy. However, you must not forget that on which the legacy was built. So, when people speak of the Coltrane legacy in Philadelphia, they must never forget to mention, Arnold Boyd, the TraneStop, Cousin Mary, “The Seven”, and the John W. Coltrane Cultural Society and remember -- teaching our children our culture is the most important thing. •
The Spirit of Penn’s Garden – September 21, 2016
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WRITTEN BY JORDYN CORDNER
Coltrane At 90
C E L E B R A T I O N O F T H E B I R T H D AY A N D L I F E O F J O H N C O L T R A N E C O N T I N U E S T H I S W E E K
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n conjunction with Temple University Libraries, WRTI, PhillyCAM, Jazz Near You and other partners, Philadelphia Jazz Project has been hosting a 90th birthday celebration honoring prolific jazz artist John Coltrane. Since last Saturday, various free music and cultural events have been offered across Philadelphia as part of the “Coltrane At 90” celebration. “These Coltrane At 90 events are a result of a desire to do something important for such a significant figure at such a significant time... ,” Homer Jackson, Director of the Philadelphia Jazz Club, said. “He was a neighbor. A man from simple means with great desire, great heart and immense dedication can and indeed did do great things.” As previously reported by Spirit News, Coltrane moved to Philadelphia at age 18, which shaped his craft and career greatly, as Philly was a hub for jazz culture and its major players. Starting in 1952, he resided at 1511 N. 33rd St. in Strawberry Mansion with his mother, aunt and cousin. In 1998, John W. Coltrane Society opened The John W. Coltrane Center next to the residence, which was declared a national landmark the next year. Coltrane’s tenure in town has long been a point of pride for Philadelphia. “As Philadelphia is a city steeped in history, it is significant that one of the 20th century’s greatest artists lived, worked and developed right here. He was a neighbor,” Jackson said. “It is also important that although he inspired many globally, he specifically inspired a generation of Philadelphians who went on to further the music: artists like Archie Shepp, McCoy Tyner, Norman Connors, Odean Pope, Earl and Carl Grubbs, James Mtume, Byard Lancaster, Alfie Politt and others. These artists have influenced and been sampled by legions of DJs, hip-hop producers and Neo-Soul artists.” Philadelphia, says Jackson, with its proximity to New York’s cultural hub of music, served as a springboard for many musicians who then packed up and left for the Big Apple. Coltrane was one of those who did just that. Even so, Jackson is strong in his pride for Philadelphia arts and his passion for our culture of artists. “As a Philadelphia artist, I know that we don’t always support, acknowledge, or educate the public about our own,” he said. “There is that popular quote about New York: If you make it there, you can make it anywhere. But for us in Philly it’s; if you make it here, it’s because you’ve made it everywhere. We must embrace our own. To celebrate our own, whether it be John Coltrane, Man Ray, Ben Franklin, Will Smith, Boyz II Men, Edgar Allan Poe, The Roots, Wilt Chamberlain, Jill Scott or whomever is an economic development and community self-esteem builder for a town that has been taught to believe that we are second class.” Be sure to attend the remaining “Coltrane at 90” events planned for this week in our coverage area. All events are free but must be registered for on EventBrite. Visit Philadelphia Jazz Project’s site for more links and information. Wednesday, September 21st, 2016 – 3:00PM COLTRANE FESTIVAL AT THE TEMPLE BELL TOWER Polett Walk between 12th & 13th Streets, Phila., PA 19122 (Rain Location, Paley Library, 1210 Polett Walk) All Coltrane, all afternoon at this pop-up musical performance by Temple University, Boyer School of Music students, faculty and local music professionals. Thursday, September 22nd, 2016 – 8:00PM EQUINOX CONCERT Conwell Dance Theater 1801 North Broad Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19122
A special event taking place on the Equinox and of course, celebrating Coltrane’s classic composition of the same name. Concert celebrating both the celestial equinox and John Coltrane’s fascination with science and celestial bodies. Featuring an all star ensemble withAlfie Pollitt – piano, Steve Beskrone – bass, Alan Nelson – drums, Victor North, Pete Chavez & Nasir Dickerson – tenor sax, Bobby Zankel – alto sax, Vince Turnbull – trumpet, Bob Blacksburg – trombone Friday, September 23rd, 2016 – 12:00PM LUNCHTIME JAM: TRIBUTE TO JOHN COLTRANE & EXHIBIT OPENING Church of the Advocate 1801 Diamond St, Philadelphia, PA 19121 Temple University Libraries and Charles L. Blockson Collection present an exhibition of John W. Mosley‘s Jazz photographs which opens at the Church of the Advocate with a celebration and musical performances. Mosley was a prolific and renowned Philadelphia photographer; his images are one of the Blockson Collection’s richest visual resources, documenting political, social, and cultural life of the African American community from the 1930s through the 1960.
1801 Diamond St, Philadelphia, PA 19121 WRTI’s, J. Michael Harrison & PJP present a saxophone-centered tribute to John Coltrane. Starting at 6:00PM and running until midnight. The players would include a diverse spectrum of local, regional and international artists, such as James Carter,Bobby Zankel, Greg Osby,Sonny Fortune, Odean Pope, Rudresh Mahanthappa,Julian Pressley, Billy Harper, Mark Allen,Azar Lawrence, Sam Reed, Oli Mathisen,Douglas Ewart, James Brandon Lewis, Nasir Dickersonand others. Sunday, September 25th, 2016 – 7:00PM LISTENING PARTY & JAM SESSION The Fire 412 W Girard Ave, Phila, PA 19123 The Fire, Brewerytown Beats & Cratebeats Inc. present a culminating Jam Session/Beat Battle/Listening Party for the Coltrane Celebration. We’ll be listening to ‘Trane recordings, checking out a crate diggers’ beat battle utilizing Coltrane recordings to create new Hiphop and Techno creations and then, we’ll open the stage to a Jam Session. It will be open to the public and musicians who performed in earlier events will be encouraged to come thru as well. •
Friday, September 23rd, 2016 – 6:00PM SOLO SAXOPHONE TRIBUTE & MARATHON Church of the Advocate Notice of A Hearing In a Guardianship Action To: Victoria Nuñez DOB: 11/28/95, Respondent From: Confidential Clerk of Family Court
Carlos and Maria Nuñez, Petitioner, has brought a civil action (Petition number 16-20818) against you to obtain guardianship of your child: Minor Male, DOB: 11/20/12 A hearing has been scheduled at the Family Court, New Castle Delaware on 11/1/16 at 3:30pm If you do not appear at the hearing, the Court may grant guardianship to the Petitioner(s) without your appearance IF YOU WISH TO BE REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY IN THIS MATTER BUT CANNOT AFFORD ONE, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE COURT APPOINT AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT YOU FOR FREE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CONFIDENTIAL CLEARK AT FAMILY COURT, (302)
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The Spirit of Penn’s Garden – September 21, 2016
COMMUNITY
calendar N E W S @ S P I R I T N E W S . O R G • 1 4 2 8 E . S U S Q U E H A N N A AV E • 2 1 5 . 4 2 3 . 6 2 4 6 ZONING HEARINGS The following zoning hearings scheduled over the next month or so. The hearings are at the ZBA (Zoning Board of Adjustment) room on the 18th floor of 1515 Arch Street. They are open to the public. 9/27 930 AM: 2830 W. Girard Avenue- proposal to permit a residential unit on the ground floor of the property. By code it should be commercial space. The property is not like most properties on Girard and would be better as residential.; 9/28 2 PM: 903905 N. 30th Street- proposal is to build two single family homes (attached) with a 16ft. setback from the street and with garages. The lots are narrow but very deep and really in bad shape. A meeting was held at Brewerytown CDC on 9/1 where a group of immediate neighbors expressed unenthusiastic support for the project. NETWORKING EVENTS 1st Tuesday of the Month, 6:30-8:30 PM DIG - Philadelphia Commercial Sub Group Diversified Investors Group Meetup for London Grill 2301 Fairmount Avenue For more info, contact Joe Scorese 215-290-5108 jscorese@ firstrust.com September 13-October 14 INSTANT REPLAY COLLECTION Instant RePlay collection of gently used toys/books at Ali's Wagon (2017 Fairmount) to support Smith Playground's Play for All program. RePlay, which organizes collections of gently used toys and donates them to organizations that work with kids and families in need in Philadelphia. We see play as a vital childhood opportunity. Since launching in 2015, Instant RePlay has kept more than 1,000 toys in circulation. For more info visit www.aliswagon.com Wednesday, September 21, 6-7:30PM GAMBA U: SECURITY BEST PRACTICES FOR A SAFER CORRIDOR Join Art Museum Area businesses for a discussion on security best practices to prevent loss while helping make the entire corridor safer. Security experts will be on hand to discuss products/solutions as well as incentives and programs offered by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. September 25, 11AM – 3PM CHARITY EVENT FOR LOGAN GIBBS Are you aware that September is childhood cancer awareness month? B’Ella Ballerina Dance Academy presents #Love4Logan, a Charity Event that will move you. The Charity Event is in honor of Logan Gibbs who at the tender age of 6 years was diagnosed with brain cancer. Logan passed away in August 2016. Logan loved the Arts; she was a student at the dance academy where she enjoyed ballet, tap and hip-hop. B’Ella Ballerina Dance Academy is hosting a free event at Hank Gathers Recreation Center (25th and Diamond Sts.) that is open to everyone. We have a day planed with dance performances, basketball games, face painting, raffles, give aways, vending and much more. For more info, contact Roneisha Smith Davis, at 609 6054052 Thursday, September 29 FCA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING We return to our regular venue of the City School – Fairmount Campus at 860 N. 24th Street at 7:30 PM. The agenda is not complete but City Councilman Bill Greenlee will be featured and at some point I would like t break the meeting up into four sub-groups to brainstorm the FCA approach to: Zoning and development; Community activities and events; FCA communications and publicity; FCA membership and solicitation efforts Tuesday, September 27 ANNUAL LIBRARY LECTURE: WHY THE BOOK STILL MATTERS Timothy Rub, The George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer, and Martha Hamilton Morris, Trustee and Chair of the Library Committee, cordially invite you to the Annual Library Lecture, Why the Book Still Matters. Noted book historian and digital humanities leader Michael F. Suarez, Director of Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, will consider the importance of books as objects and the future of libraries. 5PM Reception in Granite Hill, 6PM Lecture in Van Pelt Auditorium RSVP by September 21 to Marie Philbin at 215-684-7349 or ormarie.philbin@philamuseum.org.
Mondays, 6-8PM TOUR AMBASSADOR STEWARDS TRAINING PROJECT The Strawberry Civic Association is looking for young and young at heart folks to come out to Mander Rec Center (33rd and Diamond St.) to learn Philadelphia history, Fairmount Park history, museum and trail information, etc. Tourism is a lucrative industry…. Be prepared. For more call 215-765-9500
For further information contact Caron at 800-854-6023 or Rabbi Jill Maderer at (215)-627-6747 x216 or rabbimaderer@rodephshalom.org.
Tuesdays, 7-8:30PM SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS OF ADOLESCENT & ADULT CHILDREN LIVING WITH ADDICTION AND BRAIN DISEASE Learn about substance use and mental health disorders every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Rodeph Shalom (615 N Broad St) Those affected can share experiences and resources as well as how to support their children anonymously.
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The Spirit of Penn’s Garden – September 21, 2016
Page 8
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL FERRENCE
serialized fiction “ W H E N W E A L L W E N T AWAY ” PA R T 2
F
our American flags sewn together with 200 black squares where the stars once were. It had become their symbol, their mark, their calling card. The Rhinos MO- make a grand entrance, blow the top off the place, turn the lights out, scare the hell out of people, traumatize, minimize casualties, "move the cause", as they put it. We'd spoken out against them a lot lately at our shows, in interviews, and on Max's podcast, ‘Please Stop Talking’. The Rhinos had become exceedingly organized and aggressive in both recruiting and in their attacks. They'd gone from 4 members to a reported 4,000 in under a year, from propaganda to a hostage situation to these huge spectacles. By the time the lights went on, about 95% of the crowd had dispersed, either scattering out the back onto the railroad tracks or careening through the front door and as far away as possible. Those of us that remained were left picking up the pieces. When I got back to my place a few hours later Elizabeth was there waiting. She said she was so happy to see me, that she’d been worried something terrible had happened to me, that she’d missed me. I said she shouldn’t worry about me, that she didn’t have to come, but I was glad she did. We stayed in bed all day. I thought a lot about how grateful I was to be alive and well, to have friends and family whom I cared for and who cared for me, to be a white male in America, to feel generally safe despite the looming threat of potentially widespread hell. I talked about how much I wanted the best for everyone, everywhere. Things don't have to be this way, I said. War. Violence. Crime. Pollution. Hate. Corruption. It’s unnecessary. We don't have to gut the planet of all its resources. We could live more sustainably so that our generation and future generations could enjoy life. If we could all just change a little bit, just control ourselves a little, things could be so much better. “People are really messed up.” She said. “It’s sad. It’s scary. But the good news is…”
/Illustration by Luke Cloran She thought my beliefs, our beliefs, weren't that far off from what The Rhinos believed. She was probably right. Our behaviors, I said, the way we go about trying to change things, the way we treat people, our actions, that’s what’s so different, not our beliefs. I had no idea where that left us and still wasn't sure what The Rhinos were even trying to accomplish, other than make a name for themselves. They weren't anarchists or completely anti-government. They weren't militant, they
weren’t terribly violent- not yet, at least- but without question they were a threat, they were terrorists, and they needed to be stopped. The difficulty in defeating The Rhinos was their simultaneous popularity and anonymity. Aside from a few members who'd been caught, nobody knew who the people behind the movement were and no one was talking. Part Three of “When We All Went Away” will be published in next week’s edition of The Spirit of Penn’s Garden. •