The Spirit of the Riverwards - September 21, 2016

H Y PERLOC AL

DON E DI F F E R E N T LY

FISHTOWN + KENSINGTON + NORTHERN LIBERTIES + PORT RICHMOND + BRIDESBURG

THIS

WEEK SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 VOL. 13 NO. 35

TEA AND TISANE La Colombe launches new tea program.

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JERKS PRODUCTIONS Locally-based Jerks Productions hosts horror showcases to fund filmmaking.

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DRUM CIRCLES Cuicati Cenzontle drum circle group celebrates it’s 6th year at Penn Treaty Park.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING Women’s Community Revitalization cuts ribbon on 36 new affordable townhomes in Port Richmond.

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egal geeks gather ‘round: Here’s a case that experts in city government and professors at local law schools like Temple’s Beasley School of Law are calling a rarity. So what’s the situation?

This case features a local man, Frank Galdo, who started making use of the odd-shaped chunk of a city block in plain sight of anyone riding the El near Front and Girard. He even put up an American flag on the lot to show he wasn’t shy about it.

Galdo is a neighborhood guy who took over the grounds he used as a childhood hangout. From paving a driveway for his work truck, to build-

ing a fire pit and hosting parties for his friends in his 20s, to planting trees and then building a treehouse in one of them for his kids, Galdo took over a vacant lot in between the 1100 block of Front Street and the 1100 block of Lee Street and made it his front yard.

“It’s been vacant since I was a kid,” Galdo said, standing on a portion of the lot that he maintains.

Galdo purchased a home on the 1100 block of Lee Street from his grandContinued on Page 4.

ACCU-REGGIE Seven day forecast for the Riverwards.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Local events, meetings and more.

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HOT OFF THE

PRESS

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he intersection of Frankford and Girard Avenues in Fishtown could easily be considered one of the fastest changing areas in Philadelphia. Old mom-and-pop shops and residential buildings have given way to cab-lined establishments like Frankford Hall, Fette Sau, and the newly opened Fishtown branch of Garage. Then there’s Johnny Brenda’s, a strange idol that represents both Fishtown’s past and recent rebirth. On one hand, Johnny Brenda’s had already been Johnny Brenda’s since 1967 when it was opened by boxer John Imbren-

da. On the other, Johnny Brenda’s became the seminal establishment of “new” Fishtown: interesting food, good beer, and, of course, great music.

Paul Kimport and William Reed, the owners of Johnny Brenda’s, met at Zocalo, a restaurant in West Philadelphia the two worked at in the mid-90s. Kimport was a bar manager and Reed was waiting tables while Continued on Page 8.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016 THE

local lens

W

riting about crime and criminals is not something that all writers do well, but since we live in a world interested in both, most people pay special attention to these

stories.

One great French writer who wrote about crime and criminals was Andre Gide (1869-1951). Born to a wealthy family, as a young writer Gide had no financial worries and could afford to be experimental in his writing. Many critics view Gide as the greatest journalist of the 20th century, but Gide himself believed that he was preparing for a “much greater work.”

One of these greater works may be Gide’s slim book, “Judge Not”, which is really a testament to Gide’s fascination and even obsession with crime and punishment.

In novels such as “Lafcadio’s Adventures”, Gide often explored the criminal mentality as well as the criminal’s place in society. In “Judge Not”, Gide recorded his impressions and analyses of judicial cases while serving as a juror. He wrote about the cases in depth, examining both the facts of the case and the background of the accused in a way that dovetailed with his lifelong rejection of traditional morality.

Many of the cases in “Judge Not” involved murder with adolescents as the accused and one can imagine Gide using them as the raw material for his fiction. Although Gide declared that his writings on judicial cases were not “literature,” they are nevertheless artful journalism in which Gide often saw facts that judges and jurors overlooked. Although some critics have deemed “Judge Not” too graphic in its descriptions of violent crime, such charges appear illogical given the book’s subject matter.

Gide used criminals in his fiction to explore human psychology. He himself was often considered an outcast or criminal because of his open defense of homosexuality.

Despite his lifelong love of the Bible, he had a persistent wish to escape conventional morality and explore the sensual life. Writing about his youth in his journal in March 1893, he wrote: “I have lived until the age of 23 completely virgin and utterly depraved; crazed to such a point that eventually I came to look everywhere for some bit of flesh on which to press my lips.”

Although he married in 1895, the marriage ended once he announced his homosexuality. No longer content to live life according to values that were not his own, Gide advocated in “Fruits of the Earth” (1897) that one should partake of life’s sensual pleasures rather than think of everything in terms of “sin.”

Gide was almost sixty when he wrote “Judge Not”. Gide never turned down jury duty and he even advised other writers to take time to do likewise. Now, the jury system in France differs from the American system. For example, jurors may speak out and ask the court to put certain questions to a defendant or witness. With this rule in mind, Gide wondered, “Did I dare use this prerogative? It’s hard to imagine how unsettling it is to rise up and speak in front of the court. If I ever had to testify, I would surely lose my composure and what would I feel in the defendant’s box?”

“Does an innocent man sound more eloquent and less disturbed than a guilty one? Nonsense!” Gide wrote.

“As soon as he feels that he isn’t believed, he might be even more disturbed since he is less guilty. He’ll overdo his statements, his protests will seem more and more disagreeable, and he will be out of his depth.” Gide was definitely in his depth as he took notes on case after case.

What upset him most, he confessed, was the tendency among jurors, during serious cases when it was clear that the defendant was not guilty, to opt to punish the defendant anyway. “To these jurors some punishment is necessary,” wrote Gide, “so just in case, let’s punish the man, since he’s the one offered to us as a victim. But since we’re not sure, let’s at any rate not punish him too much.”

But that does not seem to have been the case, as recorded in “Judge Not”. Gide was often appointed foreman,

BY THOM NICKELS

which is the head juror in French courts, because of his professional literary stature and patrician manner, and when he spoke to the president he did so eloquently and without much fanfare.

Gide’s attention to detail allowed him to see pertinent facts to which other jurors were blind. Consider the case of Charles, a 34-year old coachman, who allegedly stabbed his mistress, Juliette, to death. As witnessed by Juliette’s landlady, the killing would appear to be a simple case of murder. And this was what the jury saw, despite the defense attorney’s claim that Charles’ act “was done without the idea of killing being quite specified in his mind.”

Gide considered the attorney’s claim that the proof of this lay in the distribution of stab wounds and then posited: “Why didn’t the defense attorney go further and say that, not only had Charles not wanted to kill, but that he dimly tried, while mutilating his victim, not to kill her and that, doubtless so as not to kill her, he had grabbed the knife just next to the blade, which is the only way that the stabbing could have been so intense yet cause such shallow wounds?” Fed up with the appalling incompetence of jurors, Gide recorded how the jurors later changed their minds after a sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor was handed down. Stunned by the severity of the sentence, the jury chose to take another look at the case and obtained a reprieve.

Then there was the case of a teenager named Cordier, who got involved with two other young men in the killing of a sailor after a foiled robbery attempt. Here the jury only saw one thing, Cordier’s prior offenses. “No sooner were we in the jury room than a tall, thin, white haired foreman pulled from his pocket a paper on which he had written all the charges against Cordier and, most important, his previous convictions. In truth these would dominate and determine this latest verdict. That’s how difficult it is for a juror to not consider a previous conviction as an indictment and to judge a defendant outside the shadows that a previous conviction cast on him,” Gide wrote.

Gide took his job as juror very seriously. In some cases he took notes during trials; at other times he took it upon himself to visit the families of convicted felons. In the Redureau case, a teenage servant, Marcel Redureau, hacked to death the family of his employer. It seems Marcel was set off by the father calling him a “lazybones” and telling the boy that he hadn’t been at all happy with the boy’s work for some time. “At this remark,” Gide wrote, “the irked Redureau stepped down from the winepress, armed himself with a wooden hammer, a kind of fifty-centimeter-long bludgeon that was within his reach, and struck several blows at the head of his master, who sank down groaning, letting go of the bar. Then, seeing that he was still alive, Redureau grabbed a huge chopper that the country folk call a grape bullock, which is used not on vines but rather to separate bunches of grapes that are pulled in the winepress….Redureau opened the throat of his master, who was in his final agony and soon gave his last gasp.” Redureau then butchered the three children, the grandmother, the mother, and the housemaid.

Commented Gide: “In no way do I presume to lessen the atrocity of Redureau’s crime, but when a case is this serious, we have the right to expect that even the prosecution will be resolved to present for justice’s sake all appurtenances, even those that might be favorable to the defendant—above all when he is an impoverished child, with no help other than a public defender.”

Further testimony revealed that Redureau may have been affected by fumes from the winepress, but this theory was discounted when it was learned that the youth had worked primarily in the open air. Gide, finally, quoted the pathologist on the case: “Specialists who work on pubescent psychology have noticed that in schools the largest number of cases of subjects liable for punishment for bad behavior, disputes, and assault and battery occur in the fifteenth

THOM NICKELS IS A PHILADELPHIA BASED AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, POET, FILM CRITIC & FEATURE WRITER FOR SPIRIT NEWS.

year, because on reaching that age, young people have minimal control of their primary impulses.”

As a writer, Gide was entirely dedicated to his art, using every personal experience as fodder for his novels, which some critics maintained were nothing more than Gides’ thinly veiled life experiences.

Gide recorded in his journals that a number of his friends dropped him after his book Corydon appeared in 1911. Corydon was the author’s defense of homosexuality as expressed in the “homosexual models” of ancient Greece. “Homosexual periods in history,” Gide wrote, “are in no way periods of decadence. On the contrary, they were great periods when art flourished—the Greeks at the time of Pericles, the Romans in the century of Augustus, the English at the time of Shakespeare, the Italians at the time of the Renaissance…” Gide believed that “periods and countries without homosexuality were periods and countries without art.”

Gide felt his public image succumbing to tabloid oversimplification. “The legend is gaining credit little by little,” he confided in his journal. “The public knows nothing of me but the caricature… Even if some people have the curiosity to read me, they do so with such a mass of prejudices that the real meaning of my writings eludes them. They will end up seeing in them what they have been told is there, and not see anything else.” But more than sixty years after his death, Gide’s reputation as a writer continues to rise, while taboos against discussing sexual matters, including non-normative sex, have collapsed, revealing just how far ahead of his time Andre Gide really was. •

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016 S E V E N D AY F O R E C A S T F O R T H E R I V E R WA R D S

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L

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. •

FINANTA

Photo Credit Correction In last week’s issue, we ran an image along our “The Pink Elephant” story that featured the event organizers posing by Cione Playground. We credited that photo to Kathy Taylor, when the photo was in fact taken by Aja Beech. We apologize for the mix-up.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016

Continued from Page 1. mother in 1989. He began rehabbing the house and dug out the basement. With the extra concrete from that job he paved a parking space for his work truck on the other side of Lee Street, which is really an alley about six feet wide.

For the next few years Galdo had his friends come over on Friday and Saturday nights for parties. All the while he expanded the parking spot to accommodate his work materials, added in a fire pit, picnic tables, a horseshoe pit and a volleyball court. Galdo even submitted pics of a pig roast as evidence of his occupation of the lot in court. By Philly standards, his tailgates were so fly the Eagles should’ve been playing down the street.

Soon, Galdo picked up two shipping containers from the docks for storing equipment and other materials that a suburbanite might put in their garage. He painted those containers with a patriotic theme and the lot really began developing a unique character.

Galdo then bought the houses next to his in the early 2000s and started knocking down walls for expanded rooms to prepare for a growing family. Today, his kids enjoy the lot, taking advantage of their dad’s handiness with a top-notch tree house. Even though those parties with his friends back in the 90s have been replaced by his kid’s birthday bonanzas, the same policy remains: What happens on the Galdo parcel, stays on the Galdo parcel.

Now, we’ve mentioned how this parcel was vacant and that’s why Galdo decided to take over the plot of land. But what of this lot’s owner? Was anyone going to come and take it back?

Records show the City of Philadelphia as the owner of the property since the mid-1970s. According to other records, the land was condemned under eminent domain to make space for the I-95 project. Originally, the El may have needed re-routing, but it looks like the final use of the space was PennDOT building a shed related to the project. By 1976, the lot was no longer needed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The City condemned it and took back full responsibility for the property. The timeline of ownership is important.

The only known attention the City gave to the property after the I-95 project was a discussion in the 1970s by council members in which it appeared they intended to sell it. No action was taken then. In 2007 Bart Blatstein expressed enough interest in the lot that then Councilman DiCiccio got the council machine moving toward sale, but that plan stalled and both parties bailed.

A representative from Councilman Mark Squilla’s office acknowledged that recently, “Several developers have expressed interest in the lot.” As to what the developers' plans are, the rep added, “We haven’t seen any proposals yet.”

Things stayed quiet until one day in 2013 when Galdo came home to find notices on the lot that basically said, “Pack it up and get off the property.” Galdo instead obtained a lawyer and told the City a portion of the property was now his. The legal term for this is “adverse possession.”

Adverse possession is a Pennsylvania law doctrine that permits one to achieve ownership of another’s property by operation of law. One claiming title by adverse possession must prove actual, continuous, exclusive, visible, notorious, distinct, and hostile possession of the land for 21 years.

The Commonwealth is immune from adverse possession claims. Philadelphia is not. The City needs to prove the land was held for public use, or show they were in cahoots with the state.

Adverse possession cases are difficult and the law is actually not specifically designed for a case like Galdo’s. The majority of cases revolve around property boundary disputes between neighbors: misplaced fences not discovered for more than 20 years, shared driveway problems, etc. Galdo actually lost property that way when a neighbor obtained the alley way between their houses.

Temple law professor Jane Baron explains: “The burden of proof is on the person making the claim. They need to show they meet all criteria."

The basic requirements are that the person possesses the property, meaning you can’t just drive by the land for 21 years and then claim it. You have to be there continuously for the entire 21 year period. That possession needs to be exclusive — not multiple people doing different things.

Then there are a few cool words to consider: hostile, open and notorious. Hostile means you don’t have permission from the owner and open and notorious means it’s in plain sight and obvious. These thing all add up to mean that the original owner has neglected the land for decades and had every chance to see that someone took his or her land.

Baron said the law’s purpose is to, “punish negligence and reward diligence.” By any casual observation, Galdo has cared for the land diligently.

Galdo and his legal team presented evidence to prove his occupation of the lot began in 1990, including aerial pho-

Frank Galdo stands on the parcel of land he has turned into his front yard, complete with parking spaces, a driveway, treehouse and pavillion./All photos by Max Pulcini tos of the lot taken by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. That organization takes aerial photos of the entire region every five years and they have a picture of his paved parking spot in 1990. Photos taken later capture the improvements in 1995, 2000 and so on.

The lot is in plain view: Anyone riding the El can see it and Galdo never hesitated being loud with his decor. Even the lawyer Spirit News used to walk us through the case exclaimed, “Oh, I know the guy you’re talking about! I used to see his flag from the El.” He further elaborated, “If that guy can prove he was there for 21 years, it’s his lot.”

But the City defeated Galdo in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas.

Our lawyer just said, “Hmm, something’s not right.”

But the mystery may not be solved until Galdo’s appeal is heard.

Common Pleas judge Robert Coleman accepted the City’s argument that it is immune from adverse possession, citing in this case that the City acted as an “agent for the Commonwealth” in first acquiring the property. If the whole “agency” thing sounds exciting to you then take the LSAT this Saturday at your local university, because it’s not. But judges and lawyers can draw out a boring term into multiple hearings and suffice to say they did that here.

Coleman ruled, "Adverse possession can never be established against the Commonwealth or its agents” but Galdo’s team points out that … "no evidence presented at trial that the City acted as an agent of the Commonwealth in condemning the subject Property.” They also added a bunch of other legalese about “coordinate jurisdiction” and one or two other things designed to give a non-lawyer a headache.

Regardless of the official decision, the City had sole title to the property for more than 40 years since January 1976.

To give a sense of how long that is, they got the lot the same week the Flyer’s Ed Van Impe crushed Valeri Kharlamov and scared the Russians off the ice, no one in Philly ever heard of a Rocky Balboa, and retired Eagle Donovan McNabb was not born yet. During this entire time the City did not have to consult with the Commonwealth on disposal of the property.

The judge added that the City sufficiently proved that they held the land for public use in that they planned on selling it. Galdo’s lawyers pointed out that other cases ruled that just holding the land is not public use. The City has no record of ever maintaining the lot via lawn care or litter pickup. Spirit News requested documents related to the care of the property on September 2, 2016. The City failed to respond in the allotted five business days that Commonwealth law (you know, their buddies in agency and all) mandates for Right-to-Know requests. Not that it matters as they would have simply responded with a claim that they are taking advantage of the 30 day extension.

Nor did the City act to remove prostitutes or drug dealers from the lot. But as witnesses testified, Galdo did. He kicked out people who were up to no good, he graded the lot with soil, seeded that soil and maintained the land.

Interestingly enough, Judge Coleman did not rule on Galdo’s actual possession of the property, citing that there was no reason to do so since the City was immune adverse possession. That presents a tricky possibility for the appeals court. They could overturn the whole decision or confirm the decision. They could also say Coleman was wrong on the “immunity” and “public use” portions of the decision and send it back to him to fix it.

That could cost a lot of money in legal fees for Galdo, who’s already spent “a boatload of money” on lawyers and has had liens placed on his property to support this legal battle.

Speaking of money, the City’s Office of Property Assessment lists the current value of the property at about $586,800. The City’s “public use” argument was that one day they’d sell the land and the public would get the proceeds. But what if they sold the lot in 1976? The zoning could have been kept industrial or made to be residential.

The lot size is sufficient for about 24 properties similar in size to nearby properties. If the lot went for $50,000 back then, or just about $2,000 per residential plot, the value of investing that money in the S&P would give us a value $2,769,711.76. That’s almost five times what the City values the lot at now. Not to mention the 40 years of property taxes that would have been collected.

An email exchange between Bridget Greenwald, Commissioner of Public Property, and John Herzins, Deputy Commissioner of Real Estate, reveals that officials were surprised when Herzins emailed Greenwald and told her the value of the parcel was $586,000. Greenwald replied, “Good Lord! I assume we have no record of us signing any type of agreement for him to use our property?”

Ironically, if the City gave Galdo permission at any point, he’d have no case as his occupation would not be “hostile.”

For now Galdo awaits the decision on his appeal to Commonwealth court. Spirit News will update this story as it progresses. •

The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016

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WRITTEN BY SEAN BARRETT

Jerks Productions

L O C A L LY- B A S E D J E R K S P R O D U C T I O N S H O S T S B I - M O N T H LY H O R R O R S H O W C A S E S T O F U N D F I L M S

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n his 2012 novel, “The Map and The Territory”, noted French curmudgeon Michel Houellebecq proclaims, “You might think that the need to express yourself, to leave a trace in the world, is a powerful force, yet in general that’s not enough. What works best, what pushes people most violently to surpass themselves, is still the pure and simple need for money.” In some rare cases, these forces can work together in magnificent ways.

Enter Brandon Tanczak and Jill Trager, two young horror filmmakers who are Riverwards born and bred. The duo has friends in the art world and a driving need to do what they do to make their films become reality. Under the name Jerks Productions, they’ve been hosting art shows upstairs at South Philly’s Tattooed Mom for some three years now as a means for funding frightening short films, which they screen at the end of these evenings. Thanks to the revolutionary concept of not charging much at all for wall space and treating artists decently (even going so far as to make separate flyers for each of the 50-ish artists, featuring that artists’ own work), tales of their exploits have spread far and wide, bringing in artists from all over the east coast month after month. Tanczak and Trager agree to meet at the Tattooed Mom to help unpack all this, so I could get my little head around it.

From her experience at Moore School of Art, Trager had been around enough of these gallery showings to have a very clear idea of how things would be run.

“When we started, I wrote down everything I hated about other shows and decided here’s what I’m gonna do to change it,” Trager said. “We don’t charge a lot to be in the show, we’re really accepting of all mediums, we don’t have themes, and I think they see that we’re two hard-working people that wanna make a difference in the Philly art scene, so they’re willing to support it.”

Tanczak distinguished Jerks further, saying, “We don’t do the white-walled gallery, total opposite of that, and it gets them into a more comfortable setting, like ‘I can re-

ally be myself here’. We encourage them to, y’know, not drink too much, to hang out and be able to talk about their work, and they understand and they do that, but it’s more relaxed.”

In spite of that relaxedness, or, really, as a prerequisite to it, Trager goes through these walls inch-by-inch before every show, manipulating and maneuvering to take any sort of last-minute guesswork out of the equation. Artists pay $5 per piece on the wall regardless of size, shape, or medium, $20 for table space, and Jerks takes nothing off the top of direct sales that artists then make. Jerks also provides hanging supplies, shelves, labels, etc., and is equipped with power tools to display things as best they can be. With this unheard of accessibility towards artists with day-jobs (read: artists), not only do the artist themselves make out well, but Jerks ends up being able to make their movies, book more art showings, and even have a fund to help other artists (one whose studio was destroyed by a hurricane, and someone struggling to get supplies together as they began art school were the examples given).

Along with producing art of their own and throwing these gallery shows, Tanczak and Trager have day-jobs to support their production company. As Tanczak put it, “It’s basically 40 hours a week at our day job, 80 hours on this stuff. The quote we like to live by is by Dee Snider and it’s ‘There’s life after a day job.’”

Now, with their excellent horror shorts well-fed, they have something on their hands that has a momentum all its own. Those who feature end up coming back, telling their friends, meeting other artists, trading pieces, and these people who spend many hours alone in quiet rooms are brought together to function as a vibrant community. The Jerks takeover of the Tattooed Mom happens as a First Friday after-party and the next one is on Friday, October 7th. Their horror shorts and contact info can be found at jerksproductions.weebly.com, and if you or an artist buddy are interested in showing, here is Targer's response when I asked what the qualifications are: “Not being a jerk, being a pleasant person to interact with. We have a lot of communication back and forth with the artist, helping them make labels and understanding the space - since we’re in a very non-traditional spot, there’s a lot of communication — so not a total jerk… and they just have to be at least 21 to be in the bar.” •

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016

WRITTEN BY PTAH GABRIE

Tea & Tisane LA COLOMBE LAUNCHES NEW TEA PROGRAM

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merican history is steeped in tea culture. Our country was originally colonized by a bunch of rich, tea-drinking aristocrats and, more recently, a right wing political group known as the “Tea Party” has named themselves after the Boston Tea Party, an event which proved to be a flashpoint leading up to the American Revolution.

When it comes to drinking tea, however, Americans are a bit behind, usually favoring coffee or energy drinks as early morning pick-me-ups. That all may change now that La Colombe Coffee, the renowned coffee roasting company based in the Riverwards, is now offering a line of eight highly curated teas and tisane.

Tisane is another name for herbal tea. Two tisanes, five teas and one iced tea will be offered in custom designed tea bags or sachets. La Colombe and owner Todd Carmichael are known for sourcing some of the best fair trade coffee from places well off the beaten path. They’re taking the same approach for their tea and have teamed up with Rishi Tea, a company that sources teas and tisanes from some very diverse teas from all over the world, to do so.

According to their website, Rishi Tea began in 1997 as a small company in Milwaukee. Founder Joshua Kaiser has turned his passion for travel and tea into becoming a global distributor of organic teas. According to Alexis Siemens, La Colombe’s tea consultant, Rishi Tea meets the standard of quality that La Colombe customers expect.

“Rishi ended up being a perfect fit. They met all of our mission points in terms of organic direct trade traceability. Their quality is incredible...they’re well respected in the tea community,” Siemens said. “They were just as excited as we were.”

According to Siemens, she was brought in as a consultant in January to design a tea program that meets the standard of quality and fair trade that La Colombe is dedicated to, as well as appealing to the palate of locals who may not be tea experts. “For the first month or two, I sat down with a team, went to cafes and tried to understand what is important to them,” Siemens said.

Siemens says that La Colombe wanted to be able to offer a less caffeinated beverage to their customers. “They wanted to have options in terms of caffeine. They were aware that tea was a growing trend, and that if they were to offer it, they wanted it to match the quality of their coffee.”

Siemens’ knowledge of tea is impressive and she takes great care in making sure the tea is properly brewed for

Alexis Siemens, La Colombe’s tea consultant, brews some tea up./All photos by Ptah Gabrie

the best experience.

Spirit News was recently invited to a tea tasting at La Colombe’s tasting kitchen in Fishtown. The event was hosted by Siemens, who prepared samples of their tea and tisane with careful attention to water temperature and steep time.

Siemens prepared batches of tea for a small group of media and “friends” to sample. Classics like black tea and green tea are enhanced with carefully chosen ingredients you might not often associate with a standard cup of tea.

We first tried two green teas. One had barley and the other had toasted brown rice as ingredients. Both blends tasted similar to sake, but without the alcohol. The rice and barley flavors shine through the light green tea. The teas pair well with a white fish or sushi.

The golden turmeric tisane was our favorite blend. The bright yellow tea has a natural sweetness from candied lemon and the hints of turmeric and ginger make it a very refreshing drink. We tried it warm, but a glass of this on

ice would hit the spot on a hot summer day, for sure.

We also really liked the peppermint cardamom tisane.

The bold peppermint taste is complimented by cloves and basil. It’s absolutely delicious and would be very soothing and comforting on a cold winter day.

Siemens is confident that her hand-picked line of teas will appeal to everyone, but especially to people who know good tea. “I think people are going to enjoy our tea because the collection appeals to a variety of taste buds.

Whether you want that strong robust cup, or something light and delicate, I feel that’s what Fishtown has to offer.

I feel like the tea collection itself represents that multicultural, multi-flavor attitude.” •

Page 7

The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016 WRITTEN BY JIM MCGOVERN

drum circles S E E K I N G T H E S P I R I T AT P E N N T R E AT Y PA R K

O

n September 3rd, there were about 75 dancers gathered at Penn Treaty Park for the giant drum circle on a beautiful and cool afternoon. Dancers from as far away as New York, North Carolina and even Mexico were there to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the Philly-based Cuicati Cenzontle (Singing Mockingbird) group. Community and camaraderie of was on display for the myriad of First Nations tribes in attendance.

A sweat lodge was on the agenda following the meal they supplied after the circle dance. They were at it for more than two hours and the breaks were short and infrequent.

It was called an Aztec Dance and the costumes were worn by just about every participant, including plenty a lot of colorful and brilliant head dressings.

The celebration was not limited to the weekend. The following Sunday, members of the Iroquois and Lenape tribes hosted another drum circle near Harrisburg.

It seemed that most of the dancers and drummers were aware that Penn Treaty Park is an especially sacred space because of the honest and fair treaty the Englishman, William Penn, made with the Lenape Chief Tamanend in 1682. I personally go to that sacred space frequently. It’s a wonderful place to take in the joys of life; dogs chasing Frisbees, groups of people fishing, kids riding bikes and swinging on swings, family picnics; Penn Treaty Park features diversity and camaraderie every day.

When I do my silent meditation there, the qi (energy or grace) seems very apparent. If the spirit of the Native Americans who lived here really does live on, (and the nobility of some of the noblemen does so too) it seems only logical that they are well satisfied with what became of the land they both experienced. The reverence and fortitude of the drummers and dancers have likewise found a gloriously spiritual place to pound out the beat and dance up a storm. On most Fridays at 6PM, you can find about a dozen of them there and everyone, old or young, is welcomed

Photo provided by Valeska Garay

to join them.

The day before the big circle event, a different kind of event was taking place at Penn Treaty. It was the second time I had witnessed a crew of adults there who were mentally challenged. They and the caretakers who watched over them, really seemed to enjoy being out in nature.

Only one was disabled enough to have to be fed, but she

seemed very content. A sprint down to where the sliding board was seemed to be the highlight of their stay. At times I think of the spirit of these challenged types, about how pure the absence of guile or pretence makes them.

Spirits everywhere. May all of us humbly seek the will of our Creator as we venture forward being guided by the benevolent spirit deep inside our hearts. •

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Page 8 Continued on Page 8. studying at Drexel. The two soon found common ground. “ We were both in the industry and had a shared affinity for food, brewing, music, culture,” Kimport said. They took these shared affinities and bought and opened Standard Tap. After Standard Tap had been open for some time, Kimport decided he wanted to open a bar in his new home of Fishtown. “After opening Standard Tap I moved to Fishtown with my wife,” Kimport said. “We bought Johnny Brenda’s because we wanted to have a neighborhood place that we thought the community would support where we could have local food and local beer.”

At the outset, Kimport and Reed never intended for Johnny Brenda’s to also be a music venue. Kimport and Reed began buying up the lots around the original bar to protect the business while also setting their sights on expansion. Once the first floor was made into a large dining room and bar area, the idea for a second floor venue came up.

“We both really enjoyed music. We would go to Khyber Pass. We had friends in bands and we always had a great experience — we found community in such a small venue,” Kimport said, “We thought, ‘well, maybe we should do an independent music thing. An intimate space. It helped that we had a bar and a restaurant downstairs that was always comfortable and open where you could meet someone before [a show]. We thought they could work together.”

The bar and restaurant working together is quite the understatement. In the 10 years the venue has been open, the calendar is consistently full with some of the best local and touring artists for a room of its size. Being that Johnny Brenda’s venue capacity is 250, it serves as the next logical step for Philadelphia’s roster of rising DIY bands. The philosophy Kimport and Reed share about supporting local food and drink permeates into the process of choosing the venue’s music week after week.

This is where Johnny Brenda’s talent buyers (or show bookers) Barrett Lindgren and Chris Ward come in. To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Johnny Brenda’s, Lindgren and Ward cobbled together a week of performances running from 12th-17th by artists that represent both the venue’s past and present. Philly bands such as Bardo Pond, The Album Leaf, and Birds of Maya were heavy in Johnny Brenda’s rotation in the early days of the venue. Bardo Pond goes back so far with the venue that they played one of the first shows ever Johnny Brenda’s in September of 2006 with The War on Drugs. Frances Quinlan (of Hop Along) and Hurry, who played on Monday, on the other hand, represent Philadelphia’s more current music activity.

“I’ve been here almost the whole 10 years,” Ward said, “so yeah, I’m feeling pretty good about it.” Ward joined Johnny Brenda’s in 2007, one year after the bar and venue opened its doors. Ward got his start at Johnny Brenda’s doing sound for the bands each night. Two years later, in 2009, Ward took on the position of assistant talent buyer (Lindgren’s current position), primarily booking local bands to serve as headliners to touring bands or shows with primarily local bills. In 2011, Ward took over for Johnny Brenda’s first talent buyer, Brandy Hartley, and began booking the shows on his own.

Lindgren, much like Ward, cut his teeth in the DIY scene—primarily booking shows in West Philadelphia at DIY spaces like The Great Indoors and Golden Tea House.

After being recommended by his predecessor, Brendan Mulvihill, Lindgren took the job as assistant talent buyer.

“The story goes, a friend of mine told me, ‘I went to this DIY space and it was as organized as Johnny Brenda’s was.

I had never been to a DIY space that felt this good.’” Ward agreed to interview Lindgren, and was impressed, “Great temperament (“great beard,” Lindgren interrupts), great beard, super great head of hair—but yeah, great fit.”

Despite the recent success of Johnny Brenda’s, Kimport, Ward, and Lindgren seem to believe in preserving the spirit of DIY music. “This is important to Johnny Brenda’s, and in some ways some of our ethos comes from the DIY world. The thing people don’t realize about DIY, and this is extremely cheesy, is that it doesn’t just book any show. It books certain shows, and others it totally ignores. [That’s] the curatorial spirit. We’re not an open

The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016 Concert goers watch the show from JB's upsatirs balcony./Sean Kearney

Khruangbin performing at JB's. /Sean Kearney

venue that’s puts on any show you want,” Ward said, “If you go to a DIY show, even if it’s the crappiest venue you’re going to, there’s still such an air of ‘I give a fuck about this show,’ right? It’s not just a box to sell beer.”

“A lot of us put a lot of care and love into making sure [the show] is inclusive and that it’s interesting. We’re making sure it’s diverse every month. We’re doing a lot of different kinds of shows and we want to bring the best of that that thing. That’s what we want to bring to JB’s,” Lindgren said, “everybody’s got to have that ideology. It’s all people that have been on tour, been in bands, done DIY shows— you know, been in the game for no money for a long time.”

As Fishtown grows, so does Johnny Brenda’s. While some older businesses have been swept up in the neighborhood’s own success, Johnny Brenda’s has the particular pleasure of being successful because of its ideals, not in spite of them. Ward and Lindgren have said that there is never pressure to sell out the venue each night. That way, Lindgren and Ward are free to curate as they see fit while paying homage to the DIY mechanism that built and continue to rebuilt the Philadelphia music scene. “We get the benefit of keeping the ship going the same way,” Ward said, “the venue is still doing what it set out to do in 2006: put on music by people who like music. Everyone that works here likes music, all we do is talk about music.

We all live and die by it.” Lindgren adds, “We’re all so obsessed with it that I don’t think we’d be able to do other stuff.”

Luckily for Lindgren and everyone else involved at Johnny Brenda’s, if the venue’s first 10 years are any indication, they probably won’t have to. •

Johnny Brenda’s, Standard Tap owners Plan New Restaurant in Kensington

A

ccording to Billy Penn, William Reed and Paul Kimport, the folks behind NoLib’s Standard Tap and Fishtown’s Johnny Brenda’s, are preparing to open a third bar. The duo has signed a bill of sale for Shenanigan’s Saloon (1624 N. Front St.).

The owners say the new location, which at this time still has no name, will highlight local distilleries and spirits to take advantage of the neighborhood’s growing booze scene.

“Liberty Distilling, Stateside Vodka, there’s so much going on around there,” Reed told Billy Penn. “It’s exciting to be in a neighborhood like South Kensington, where there’s a lot of creative, maker-type businesses.”

Reed added: “In some ways we’re flip-flopping the concept. We’ll have the local spirits be the focus and go abroad for the beer.”

According to Billy Penn, you can expect a re-launch sometime this fall.

“Philadelphians’ opinions of being under the El has changed dramatically over the past decade,” Reed told Billy Penn. “For years there wasn’t anyone except planner types who’d use the phrase ‘transit-oriented development.’ Now people consider being next to the El a positive.” •

/Matthew Albasi

Page 9

The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016

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Page 10

The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016 WRITTEN BY AMY STRAUSS

Ready to Rock?

N

FOR 7 YEARS RUNNING, ROCK TO THE FUTURE HAS NURTURED YOUNG MUSICIANS

ot every local musician can cite that they’ve performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland or hit the court for a performance at a Philadelphia 76ers game — especially before the age of 18.

Cheyenne Oxendine, a Fishtown local and senior at the Creative and Performing Arts High School, already has those claims to fame thanks to her enrollment at Rock to the Future, a regional nonprofit that focuses on providing music education to Philly’s underserved youth.

It was seven years ago that Oxendine’s mother found an ad promoting the organization’s after-school program, MusiCore, and suggested she consider signing up. “My father is into classic rock and influenced my taste in music, making me want to learn how to actually play it,” Cheyenne said. “I figured this would be a great gateway into learning the theory behind it, eventually getting the skills and … here I am seven years later.”

MusiCore is just one facet of Rock to the Future’s mission—to offer a range of programming, from after-school, summer camp, mobile workshop and in-school programs that ignite creativity and passion through music.

“It’s really unfortunate that the School District of Philadelphia cut music programs and kids do not have music education or arts [in schools],” said Josh Craft, a 13-year music teacher-turned-Rock to the Future’s Program Director. “For me, music was the thing that gave me a focus and drive, steered me on the right path and always meant a lot to me. Being able to perform, to write and play an instrument was something that not everyone gets to have an opportunity to do.”

But, filling a void is where the community-supported Rock to the Future thrives. In 2010, inspired by the belief that the power of music education can transform the lives of children, Craft’s now-wife, Jessica, was awarded the Turning Point Prize of $15,000 from Women for Social Innovation.

This financial ammunition helped kickstart the organization, giving Jessica the monetary backing she needed to educate and guide 13 students in a music-fueled after-school program for a full academic year. With ever-increasing financial and community support, Rock to the Future’s second operating year served twice the amount of students, eventually leading the Crafts and their team to educate 500 students a year across all of its programming. Jessica formerly worked in the financial services industry and was—and still is—active in the Philadelphia music scene with bands like Which Craft? and Conversations and.

Rock to the Future’s MusiCore program continues to be

the most impactful to their students. Kids in grades 6–12 are invited to enroll in the after-school program for a full academic year, with a cap of 40 soon-to-be musicians able to participate annually.

Held at St. Michael’s Church in Olde Richmond, the after-school program hosts Monday through Friday activities. Its curriculum ranges from weekly private instrument lessons, band practice and music theory to business courses and guest musician spotlight classes.

There’s also a structured three-hour program reserved for homework in which the instructors keep a strict eye on students GPAs. “The goal is for students to maintain a B-average in school, while they are enrolled at MusiCore,” Craft said. “If they don’t, they get placed on academic watch and then we offer extended homework blocks for those students and pair them up with tutors.” MusiCore even helps with the college application process and 100% of the program’s alumni has been accepted to colleges.

“MusiCore is really about giving back to the community and providing a safe place for kids to hang out during an impressionable time period in their lives,” continued Craft.

Even better, it’s free. “We apply for private grants, receive support from family foundations and host giving campaigns, like our BANDmate program, where people will give what they can monthly,” he said. Rock to the Future also hosts an annual gala—this year to be held at Lincoln Financial Field—to support their cause, where the hardworking students showcase their new musical talents.

Equally impressive is the fact that the local program offers the young musicians the opportunity to perform at a professional venue like World Cafe Live and grants them the chance to record their very own original songs as part of a partnership with Mad Dragon Records and Drexel University.

Most recently, Rock to the Future was named a Philadelphia Eagles Care Partner for 2016-17, a partnership given to only five nonprofits per year. “They’ve been really awesome to us with letting the kids come to game and getting us box seats,” said Craft. “We even got a chance to do a meet-and-greet with Connor Barwin.” This week, they even teamed up with the Eagles for a cleanup day at Pop’s Playground and come December 5, the football players will participate in Rock & Return Volunteer Day. Rock to the Future’s MusiCore 2016–17 season began on September 12. It’s not too late for eager parents (and students), to sign up. Limited spots still remain—but act fast, as they are nearing their 40-students-only cap.

For more information on all of Rock to the Future’s programs, visit rocktothefuturephilly.org. •

The Rock to the Future Team./All photos by Chris Kendig

Jessica Craft

Josh Craft

Josh Craft with Cheyenne Oxendine.

Cheyenne Oxendine performing.

The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016

Page 11

WRITTEN BY SPIRIT STAFF

Rep. John Taylor COMMUNITY UPDATES FROM THE 177TH DISTRICT

Make Sure Your Drinking Water is Safe

By Michael Klusek With the recent situation in Flint, Michigan, many are concerned about water purity.

John Taylor, PA Representative for 177th District, which covers Port Richmond, Bridesburg and some of Northeast Philly, held a community meeting to update residents on water testing and safety.

Drew Brown, long-time environmental engineer for the Philadelphia Water Dept, spoke on lead in drinking water and where it comes from.

Lead in water is especially harmful in children nine months to six years old. Lead tends to accumulate in the brain and can cause learning deficiencies.

The water that is supplied to the street in iron pipes is free of lead, but lead can enter the water via the service line from the street main to a homeowner's house. Older homes had lead pipes. If the service line was not replaced, water siting in lead pipes for more than six hours can leach into the water because water is a universal solvent. The quick solution is to run the tap for a few minutes before you use it for drinking or cooking. Never use hot water tap for cooking either.

There is a simple method to test if your service line is lead. Locate the line from the wall to the water meter. Rub a sharp key on the service. If is is soft and ductile and you can see silver it is probably lead. Another indicator is whether a magnet sticks to the pipe. Lead is not magnetic so a magnet will not stick to it. Most modern plumbing is copper, which has an orange color, or ductile iron.

Most of the lead service lines have been replaced. Only 10 percent remain in Philly. If you suspect you have lead pipes, call 215-685-6300 and an inspector will come to confirm.

If the city is scheduled to replace the water main in your street in the near future then the service line will be replaced for free at that time.

If not, the service line is responsibility of homeowner, but there is a zero interest loan help line for assistance 215-685-4901. You can learn more at http://www.phila.gov/water/ lead •

are dealing with the issue. • Experts testifying included representatives from the PA DUI Association, AAA Federation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, NMS Laboratories, SmartStart, Pennsylvania State Police, local police chiefs and Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, along with Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse.

Labor and Industry Committee Investigates Workplace Issues The House Labor and Industry Committee held four discussions this week to look into several topics addressing workforce issues and enhancing workplace safety.

Tuesday’s hearings focused on House Bill 1141, legislation that proposes to reform the way workers’ compensation payments are handled, and House Bills 2130 and 400, proposals to enhance workplace opportunities for adults and working-age youth with disabilities.

Wednesday’s meetings involved a look at House Bill 1082, a measure to protect workplace safety, and Senate Bill 1265, legislation to allow for payroll card accounts. •

Attend the First Bridesburg Community Action Alliance Meeting State Rep. Taylor wants to encourage residents to attend the first meeting of the Bridesburg Community Action Alliance on Sept. 21, 6PM, at the Bridesburg Recreation Center, 4601 Richmond St. This is an active group committed to fighting blight and strengthening our community ties. Come out and support their work! • Launching the Children’s Scholarship Application Process State Rep. Taylor had the honor of attending the kickoff of the Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia’s (CSFP) new application launch event at the Please Touch Museum.

CSFP is a privately funded program whose mission is to provide children from low-income Philadelphia families the financial access to quality, safe, K-eighth grade, tuition-based schools, thereby increasing their long-term economic and social success.

Keep in mind that the application process is open now — two months earlier than in previous years. Get more information here: http://www.csfphiladelphia.org/about/news/ csfp-application-launch-and-opening-day-lottery/) • Drugged Driving Focus of House Transportation Hearing In helping to keep highways safe, the House Transportation Committee held a hearing in Montgomery County this week to explore the differences and challenges between drugged driving involving both drugs and alcohol and more traditional cases of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Specifically, the hearing covered several topics, including the effects of different types of drugs on motor skills and hand-eye coordination; police training to spot, detect, investigate or arrest those suspected of drugged driving; trends observed in drugged driving; prosecutorial experiences or difficulties with drugged driving; and ways in which states

(Left to right): Satteria Kelsey, phone bank supervisor, Rep. John Taylor, and Drew Brown, Environmental Engineer./Michael Klusek

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Drop us a line at news@spiritnews.org.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – 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

meet ing s NKCDC OPEN OFFICE HOURS NKCDC is hosting open office hours in the 19134 zip code at two locations. They will be at the Firm Hope Baptist Church on Tulip and Auburn Streets every second Wednesday of the month from 4-7PM. They will assist you with signing up for benefits like SNAP, connecting to housing counselors for any housing needs, rent and property tax rebates, food referrals, health insurance and safety or quality of life issues in your community.

For further information contact Tess at tdonie@NKCDC.org or 215-427-0350 x 139.

AL-ANON AT HOLY NAME CHURCH HALL Meetings are held every Monday night from 7-8PM at Holy Name Church Hall at 701 Gaul Street. Anything shared at a meeting stays there and everyone is welcome to attend.

Al-Anon meetings are free, anonymous and confidential.

September 21, 7PM ZONING 101 AT FISHTOWN REC CENTER Summer break is over... but that means FNA member meetings are back! This month we will cover zoning. Are you confused about zoning? Do you ever wonder why some projects require community meetings, but some projects get built with no input from the community? We'll present an overview of the zoning process and answer your zoning questions. We'll also announce the winners of this year's annual Eva Rubin Memorial Window Box and Planter Contest.

Tuesday, September 27, 7:30PM ORCA GENERAL MEETING General Olde Richmond Civic Association Meeting at Cione Playground (Lehigh and Aramingo).

Wednesday, September 28, 5:30-7:30PM LEGAL CLINIC: LANDLORD TENANT RIGHTS At Community Center at Visitation (2646 Kensington Ave.), this indoor workshop with organizations equipped to educate residents on Landlord-Tenant Rights and how to access resources for common problems encountered by residents. There will be additional organizations present to provide residents with resources for their household and to help residents navigate issues NETWORKING MEETINGS Philadelphia Mastermind Group – Every Friday, 8-9:30AM, B2B Networking at Front Street Café (1253 N Front St.) HAPCO/DIG/GPAR – 2nd Thursday of the Month, 12:001:30PM. Lunch & Learn, real estate meetup at the Greater Philadelphia Association of realtors (341 North Delaware Avenue, Suite 200) DIG/HAPCO – 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 6:30-8:30PM. Philly Riverwards Sub-Group, Diversified Investors Groups meet up at Front Street Café (1253 N Front St.) For more information contact Joe Scorese 215-290-5108 or jscorese@firstrust.com.

events Thursday, August 25-September 25 CAT-A-STROPHE AT THE PAPERMILL THEATER (2825 ORMES ST.) Cat-A-Strophe is coming to Philadelphia August 25: A new play written by playwright Yoel Wulfhart will premier at the Paper Mill Theater. Cat-A-Strophe is what would happen if Samuel Beckett, Dario Fo and Hannoch Levin cowrote a sitcom. Tickets are $15.

For more information, contact the Papermill Theater at thepapermilltheater@gmail.com.

September 16-22 SAUSAGE FEST AT STANDARD TAP Sausage Fest returns to Standard Tap for our annual celebration of cylindrical meat! During that magical week, the menu will showcase sausage in all of it's glory. We'll be serving up all sorts of small plates from scotch eggs to bratwurst to chorizo. This year we're handing out Sausage Fest punch cards. Each Sausage Fest item ordered fills a space on the card. Once all ten spaces on the card are filled, you can trade it for a Standard Tap Sausagefest Tee Shirt! We'll be pouring all manner of local festbier and German style drafts to complement your sausage feast!

September 23, 7-10PM SALSA NIGHT Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with a night of Salsa dancing under the stars in the Piazza! Siempre Salsa Philly and Philadelphia Dance Foundation are back for an evening of Latin Music and Salsa dancing. There will be a FREE salsa lesson starting at 7pm by Ex. Director of PDF, Jackie Fisher, with dancing beginning at 7:30pm. Sponsored in part by Royal Bank of American and Al Dia News Media. No cover, all ages, just come ready to dance!

September 24, October 8, and October 22, 8AM-3PM FRIENDS OF KONRAD SQUARE FLEA MARKETS The Friends of Konrad Square will host a few flea markets in the coming weeks at Konrad Square (Tulip and Dauphin Streets).

Anyone interested in renting a space should call Vicky at 215426-9654.

September 24, 12 - 2PM JOSHUA TORITTO & MATTHEW DENNION Amalgam is proud to welcome Joshua Toritto & Matthew Dennion, the creative team behind the imaginative children's book, "Frankenstein's Monster Goes to Oz".

Bring the family, and join us for a reading and signing on Saturday, Sept. 24th!

Saturday September 24, 11AM-2PM TRANSFERRING DIGITAL IMAGES ONTO RECLAIMED MATERIAL WITH DANIEL CAPPELLO reCreate Featured Artist Daniel Cappello will discuss the process by which he creates his dynamic prints using a simple inkjet transfer technique at The Resource Exchange (1701 N. 2nd St.). This method allows images to be applied directly to reclaimed wood or fabric while allowing the grain or pattern to show through. He’ll explore basic design principles of color, composition, and balance, and how these can be used to create your own stunning art object. Workshop participants will transfer their own preselected images or photographs. The Resource Exchange and Daniel Cappello will provide a selection of prepared reclaimed surfaces for participants to use. Additional supplies can be purchased from our warehouse full of reclaimed and salvaged arts materials during the workshop.

Workshop Cost: $10 per person.

Space is limited, so call 267.997.0060 or email us at info@ theresourceexchange.org to rsvp.

Thursday, September 29, 5:15-7PM ADAIRE OPEN HOUSE Friends of Adaire are hosting a family-friendly open house and school tour on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 5:15-7PM. Fun child care available for participating parents. Tour the school, learn about Friends of Adaire's work including our upcoming schoolyard project, and hear from Principal Anna Jenkins! Enter on Thompson near Earl Street, doors open at 5:15, FoA chat at 5:30, tour starts at 6. RSVP necessary only for parents who need childcare, to friendsofadaire@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 29 from 6-9PM MOVIE NIGHT The story of a nobody who saved everybody. Come to The Piazza at Schmidt’s Commons for The Lego Movie! Emmet Brickowski a normal, everyday normal minifigure goes on a adventure with the master builders Wyldstyle, Benny, Unikitty, and even Batman. The master builders have to defeat the evil Lord/ President Business from Kragling (gluing) the world of Lego. BYOC (Bring your own chair/blanket), food & drink available for purchase.

Thursday, September 29 7-8PM FRIENDS OF H.A. BROWN MEETING Join the friends of H.A. Brown for the first monthly meeting of the school year. Thursday, September 29th from 7 to 8PM at Five Sisters Ice Cream. New faces are welcome as the Friends seek to fill open leadership positions in the next couple of months.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/ events/1756991397846913/ September 30-October 2 SEAN MURPHY FIELD OF DREAMS The Sean Murphy Fall Classic will be played on Friday, Sep. 20 - Sun., Oct 2. All Games will be played at Shissler Rec (Berks and Blair Sts.) in Fishtown. Opening ceremonies will start at 6PM on Sep. 30. We will be unveiling a mural of Sean to start the festivities. The weekend will

include the following activities: Baseball tourney, food vendors, kids activities, concessions, live music, golf ball drop with a chance to win $10,000, Beef and Beer, raffled items. All proceeds will be used to renovate our neighborhood fields and provide a scholarship to local kids.

For more info, or if you want to make a donation, please contact Billy Gorey (215-901-2017 or goldenbeargarage@gmail. com) or Dave Doc (267-312-5869 or djdave05doc@aol.com) October 1, 9:30 24TH POLICE DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL GOLF OUTING Join us for the 4th Annual 24th Police District Advisory Council Golf Outing at Juniata Golf Course. Registration starts at 11:30AM, 1PM Shotgun start (scramble format), Beverage/snack carty, 5PM Awards, warm snacks, nuts, beer, soda and ice cream. Prizes awarded fromr First Place, Longest Drive, Closest to Hole, Hole in One, Most Honest Golfers. Register early: Only accepting 84 golfers.

24th PDAC is looking for the following sponsors: Event sponsors, food and beverage sponsors, gift sponsors, hole sponsors, donations for the raffle.

Please contact Pat Healey at 215-426-8851 for more info.

October 1, 9:30AM THE PINK ELEPHANT RUN: SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE OPIATE EPIDEMIC 5K race/1 mile walk will be taking place in the streets of our city neighborhoods in order to bring to light the drug addiction crisis that is crippling our neighborhoods. This is not only to bring hope to those struggling with drug addiction, but also to support the families and friends of those suffering and to change the path for the future of our younger generation. Starts and ends at Cione Playground. There will also be food, fun and entertainment.

Sponsors are also still needed. Register today at www.racemenu.com/pink.

For more information or to have a loved one remembered on race day, please email thepinkelephant215@yahoo.com October 1, 8AM-1PM FLEA MARKET Bridesburg Rec Ctr 4601 Richmond St 19137 Spaces $15/2 for $25. The market benefits the Bridesburg Community Food Bank.

For more info call 215-870-3819 Sunday, October 2 from 2-6PM MADE ON AMERICAN STREET: A BARBECUE AND HOMEBREW COMPETITION Cooks will be slinging slow-smoked ribs and chicken, but that's not all. Each team is bringing their own side to perfectly pair with their savory interpretation. We are wrapping each portion of meat and side up in a neat package for you available at each cook's station.

Barbecue ain’t all we’ll have cooking for you—the Philly Homebrew Club members have the beer game on lock.

Compliments of the club, dozens of varieties of fresh and original beers will be available for you to sample all afternoon and into the evening. Last year the club provided over 250 gallons so there's plenty to choose from! $15 admission in advance gets you in with a souvenir Philadelphia Homebrew Club glass, access to our vendors and a full concert, homemade non-alcoholic refreshments, 2 food tickets to start you off, and endless samples of fall brews. Kids under 12 enter for free.

Food portions of either ribs or chicken, and sides, will be ticketed. At $2.00 a ticket, there's plenty to stuff your face!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit phillyhbc. org.

October 2, 10AM-2PM 4TH ANNUAL LADIES OF PORT RICHMOND BREAKFAST BUFFET Join and support the Ladies of Port Richmond in their fight for a cure for breast cancer. The fundraiser will be held at the SugarHouse Casino. $30 donation, $10 free play.

For more info, contact Marylou Leuters at 214-427-3222.

Sunday, October 2 THE PULASKI PARADE The Pulaski Parade will be held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City Philadelphia (reviewing stand at Logan Circle,19th & Parkway) beginning at 12:30PM. Everyone is invited. Free seating. Parade will be televised live on WPVI-TV 6 ABC from 1PM until 2:30PM. For more information call 215-922-1700.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016 October 4, 2:30PM ST. FRANCIS VILLA DEDICATION Mark your calendars for the dedication of of St. Francis Villa. The ceremony will take place Tuesday, October 4 at 2:30 pm at 2450 Emerald Street. RSVP to Linda Rothwein

by September 26th at lrothwein@chs-adphila.org.

October 7, 6PM NEIGHBORHOOD ROSARY Upper Church at Nativity BVM (Belgrade and Allegheny).

Everyone is welcome to participate.

St. Georges, MDG, Nativity BVM, and St. Adalbert's.

For more info call 215-739-2735 Saturday, October 8, 12-6PM RIVERCITY FESTIVAL With great pride and anticipation, the Fishtown Neighbors Association is pleased to announce the Ninth Annual RiverCity Festival on Saturday October 8th, 2016 beginning at Noon until sunset at 6pm at historic Penn Treaty Park. Free and open to the public, the RiverCity Festival reinforces friendships in our community, promotes exciting local businesses, and showcases everything that makes Fishtown stand out as a neighborhood with tremendous history and vibrancy. Organized by the dedicated volunteers of the Fishtown Neighbors Association and featuring over 100 local arts and food vendors, RiverCity Festival attracts nearly 10,000 attendees to raise funds for neighborhood projects and revitalization. We also invite you and your employees to email, friend and tweet the RiverCity Festival, so all of our friends and family know that fun is to be had in Fishtown at the Penn Treaty Park.

For more information visit rivercityfestival.org.

Sunday, October 9, 8 AM 5000 YARDS DASH RACE In a race series celebrating the best of local craft brewing, we had to add a race with Yards Brewing Company. You will see that this is the must do race of 2016! Join us Octobert 9, 2016 for the 5,000 Yards Dash!

Saturday, October 8 FISHTOWN RIVERCITY FESTIVAL The Fishtown Neighbors Association is hosting the 9th Annual RiverCity Festival at The Penn Treaty Park (1341 N Delaware Ave).

October 11, 4-6PM UNITED BY BLUE'S DELAWARE RIVER CLEANUP Join United by Blue and Honeygrow for a cleanup of the Delaware River at Penn Treaty Park. United By Blue will provide water, trash bags, supplies, and gloves for volunteers. All volunteers will also have the chance to win prizes during two cleanup games: weirdest trash find and total weight guess. Groups of all sizes are welcome! Please wear closed toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty or wet. This event is free and open to the public! Help us to keep Penn Treaty Park beautiful! Learn more about the cleanup by visiting our website at www.unitedbyblue. com/honeygrowtemple Contact Kelly Offner with any questions or concerns by calling 215-278-7858 or emailing cleanup@unitedbyblue.com

inform so that we can all create less waste and be more self-sufficient. The fair will take place at Greensgrow, 2501 E Cumberland St.

tember 12: Monday/Wednesday 12-8; Tuesday/Thursday 10-6; Friday/Saturday 10-5.

Toddler Storytime is on Tuesday mornings at 10:30AM

Wednesday, October 28 PO1 MICHAEL J. STRANGE BEEF AND BEER FUNDRAISER Come out to St. Dominic’s Marian Hall (8532 Frankford Ave.) a night of food, cold beer, dancing and Philly’s greatest funny man, Joe Conklin. Tickets $30. Benefits healing retreat for Gold Star Families and will kick off fundraising for a Memorial Wall in tribute to the 289 Heroes killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Call for tickets 215-983-4470.

Wednesday PRESCHOOL STORYTIME AT RICHMOND LIBRARY This program is intended for children ages 1-4 and their caregiver. Siblings are always welcome. Daycares should call for separate appointments. Richmond Branch of the Free Library, 2987 Almond Street.

For further information call 215-685-9992.

October 29, 12-4PM

BY MY SIDE’S SECOND ANNUAL FAMILY FALL FEST Fall Fest raises money to support the critical programming By My Side’s non-profit parenting program provides to over 100 hundred Fishtown and Kensington families on a weekly basis. Last year over 200 families joined us, and we know this year is going to be even BIGGER! Parents and children will partake in food truck fare, participate in activities to include story telling by local elected officials, music performances, and safety activities by law enforcement. We are proud to partner with the New Kensington CDC as the host at the Garden Center located at Frankford Avenue and Berks Streets in the heart of Fishtown. The recently renovated Garden Center will be transformed into a celebration of fall with a hay bale maze, harvest crafts, and spooky fun. All funds raised will directly fund the critical programming By My Side Parenting has been providing to build community and nurture families for nearly a decade through playgroups, parenting resources, and two playschool programs for children 18mo-5yrs old.

Thursdays POWERS PARKS FARMER’S MARKET Come attend the Farmers’ Market on Thursdays from 3-7PM at Powers Park (Ann & Almond Streets). Fresh food available from local farms and kitchens.

More information (vendors, etc.) is available on the Powers Park Conservancy Facebook page.

Sundays, 12-4PM AMALGAM ADVENTURER’S LEAGUE Adventurers! Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse is now hosting Adventurers' League play on Sundays from noon to 4PM. Bring your level 1 character, or just yourself and our DM will have pre-gens, and join us as we begin the new season of Storm King's Thunder with the Great Upheaval adventure. New and experienced players welcome!

2016 CAMPBELL SQUARE EVENTS While every effort will be made to reschedule events cancelled by bad weather, we cannot guarantee that alternate dates will be scheduled. Please call John at 267-886-8799 or Susan at 215-426-3766 on event dates for possible cancellations, or check us out on facebook at Friends of Campbell Square.

Oct. 7th, Friday, 7-9PM "ELVIS" TRIBUTE NIGHT

Saturday, October 15, 2PM SATURDAY MOVIE MATINEE AT 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH We’ll be showing the classic movie “Casablanca” at 1st Presbyterian Church (418 E. Girard Ave.). Come enjoy an afternoon at the movies and relive when you first this timeless film. Popcorn and snacks are provided for free.

Everyone is welcome.

Interested in volunteering? We want YOU! For example, help with scheduled gardening and maintenance at Campbell Square on Wednesday nights, 6:30-7:30PM, Spring/Summer park events and all year round!

Saturday, October 22, 12-4PM FALL CRAFT FAIR Holy Innocents St. Paul’s Episcopal Church presents our Fall Craft Fair. Saturday, October 22nd from 12PM to 4PM at 7701 Torresdale Avenue (Torresdale and Tyson Aves) in our lower hall. 20 tables featuring unique crafters and vendors. Fun kids area including face painting, photo booth, fall crafts and other surprises. Tables are still available for $20.

For information please contact us at hispepiscopal@aol.com or call 215-651-5159.

LEPRECHAUNS SIGN UPS Leprechauns Sports Association is now accepting registration for Football and Cheerleading. This is open to boys ages 5-14 and girls age 6-14. The clubhouse will be opened Wednesday nights from 6-8 pm and Saturday mornings 10 am-12 pm..

The clubhouse is located at 2973 Gaul Street 19134. For more information call 215-423-6309 Check out our website http:// leprechaunsysa.wix.com/leps#!blog/chi3, or find us on facebook.https://www.facebook.com/Leprechauns-Sports-Association-347773417784/

Saturday, October 22, 10AM-3PM FRIENDS OF PENN TREATY FLEA MARKET Join us for a Flea Market at Penn Treaty Park! Spaces available for $15. Fee due no later than May 14, please make check out to “The Tamanend Fund” and mail to Barbara Moorehead at 2171 E. Letterly St, Phila PA 19125.

For more info call 215-425-0393

SIXERS NEIGHBORHOOD BASKETBALL LEAGUE Hancock Rec has more openings for players in their SNBL league held at Moffett Elementary School. For more information please contact Coach Larry @215-685-9877, or come to Moffet to register on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4-6PM.

Saturday, October 22, 10AM-2PM REPAIR FAIR #10 The public is welcome to carry in their inoperative/damaged/broken possessions and learn how to fix them. Our talented troupe of Fixers will be on hand to help and

FISHTOWN LIBRARY Join us for a Friends of Fishtown Library Meeting.

Strengthen your library and empower the community.

Bring a friend! Meetings will be held from 6:30-7:30 on October 12 and November 9.

The Fishtown Library will have new hours starting Sep-

children

seniors Sundays SUNDAY BINGO St. Anne Church will host bingo on Sundays in the Social Hall, Memphis and Tucker streets. Doors open at 4PM; bingo starts at 6PM. Cost is $12.

Call 215-739-4590 for more details.

Fridays ART WORKSHOP FOR SENIORS St. Anne’s Senior Center, 2607 E. Cumberland St., is offering an art workshop for people age 50 and older. “Clay Creations” will meet weekly on Fridays, from 12:30-2 PM Participants will learn about the art of hand building to create pots and other clay forms. Those interested should register in advance.

For more details call 215-426-9799.

SENIOR EXERCISE CLASSES Exercise classes for people 50 and older will be offered at St. Anne’s Senior Center, 2607 E. Cumberland St. Class schedule will be Enhance Fitness on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30 AM, Chair Yoga on Tuesdays at 9:30AM, Tai Chi on Wednesdays at 10AM, and Line Dancing on the first and third Friday of every month.

For more information call 215-426-9799.

sign ups Wednesdays, 7PM ST. ANNE’S CHURCH CHOIR St. Anne’s Church Choir is back with a new director, April Anderson, and assistant director, Rich Burns. We’ll be rehearsing on Wednesday evenings at 7PM at St. Anne’s Church (Lehigh and Memphis). Former director Nick Pignataro will return to conduct St. Anne’s Annual Christmas Concert later this year. All are welcome to come and sing.

Call 215-426-8422 for more information.

GIRL SCOUT TROOPS AT GLAVIN PLAYGROUND Welcomes New Members. Meetings will start week of Sept. 19 at Glavin Playground (2600 E Westmoreland St.) with breakdown of age level meetings as follows: Brownies – 1st – 3rd Grade – 6:45 – 8:00 – Monday Nights; Daisies – K – 1st Grade – 6:05 – 7:00 – Tuesday Nights; Older girls – 6th – 12th Grade - 7:00 – 8-00 – Tuesday nights; Juniors – 4th – 6th Grade – 6:45 – 8:00 – Wednesday nights.

Information about registration and the troop management will be available from the troop leader at the meetings.

BRIDESBURG REC CENTER (4625 RICHMOND ST) Zumba – Classes are Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8PM, and the cost is $4.

Pre-school — 3-year-olds. Thursday and Friday, noon2:40PM Pre K — 4-year-olds, age as of September 1, 2016. 8:5011:30AM or noon-2:40PM Monday and Wednesday.

Food Pantry - Please donate nonperishable food and clothing for needy in the neighborhood. Drop off donations at the Rec weekdays from 9AM-9PM. Scrapbooking – Scrapbooking group meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9:30PM. The cost is $5 per class and everything will be supplied except a book and photos.

Ladies Bowling League — Tuesday mornings at 9AM at Erie Lanes. Interested? Come an join us any Tuesday.

For more information call Miss Jackie at 215-685-1247.

TOT SOCCER SIGNUPS Sign up now for Tigers Tot Soccer. Girls and boys ages 3 ½ to 6. The season will begin soon, so sign up now at the Tigers’ clubhouse (2423 E. Ann St.) Also, t-ball pictures are in, please pick them up!

For more info, call Tom Mack (215-275-8838) FREE ENGLISH & CITIZENSHIP CLASSES Can you or someone you know benefit from English as a Second Language (ESL) or Test for Citizenship Classes?

The Richmond Library at 2987 Almond St. presents free English and citizenship classes. Tuesday and Thursdays from 6-7:30PM at the Richmond Library.

For more information, call the Library at 215-685-9992.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016 COMMUNITY

CLASSIFIEDS A D 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

Advertise With Us! By placing an advertisement with the Spirit News, you connect with the residents of Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Port Richmond, and Kensington.

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House wiring, 100 amp circuit breakers, ceiling fans & a/c lines.

LICENSED & INSURED - LIC #PA040852/16493

215-327-3817 PAY LESS

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We reserve the right to edit, refuse or classify any advertisement.

Advertising is a privilege which must be protected against misuse. All classified advertisements subject to pre-payment. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to check the advertisements each time it is published.

No responsibility is assumed by the newspaper for errors. Errors will be rectified by reinsertion in the following issue only.

215.423.6246 The deadline is Friday at 5pm for display ads, and Monday at 12pm for classifieds. All advertisements must be paid for in advance.

JOBS

PARENTS

FAIR HOUSING

Drivers: $1275 per week + Monthly Bonuses up to $500+.

Guaranteed Hometime. BCBS Benefits.

No Touch. CDL-A 1yr exp. 855-842-8498

FOSTER PARENTS

YOU HAVE A NICE SET OF WHEELS BUT CAN’T FIND A PLACE TO PARK THEM.

REAL ESTATE SALES: new or experienced; free training program.

Call Mike Dunphy at 215-840-8399 FOR RENT 2900 Block of Frankford Ave. One bedroom efficiency Two bedroom also available on 1900 Block of Cambria St. Call 856-305-2782 for pricing

Good, Loving homes needed for children of all ages.

PLEASE CALL 215-203-8733 or 1-877-NFI4KID or visit nfi4kids.org

Landlords must allow you to make reasonable accommodations to ensure full use of your apartment. Telling you that you can’t install grab bars and ramps is against the law. You can fight back.

If you suspect unfair housing practices, contact HUD or your local Fair Housing Center. Everyone deserves a fair chance.

FAIR HOUSING IS THE LAW!

610-604-4411 - FJCSP.COM 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 1620818) 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)

JUNK CARS Up to $1,100 cash for cars or trucks with bad engines or transmissions. $550 CASH for any complete junk car or truck with or without title. Call 215-669-1000

Is there something going on that’s a little funky in your neighborhood? Anything you want us to look into? Have something juicy you want to leak? Know of something fun or interesting going on that you think we should know about?

We rely on sources like you for news that effects our neighborhoods. No tip is a bad tip.

Drop us a line at news@spiritnews.org.

The Spirit of the Riverwards – September 21, 2016

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Page 15

The Spirit of the Riverwards – March 2, 2016 WRITTEN BY SPIRIT STAFF

Affordable Housing

WOMEN’S COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION CUTS RIBBON ON 36 NEW AFFORDABLE TOWNHOMES

T

he Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) and partner Firm Hope Baptist Church cut the ribbon during a ceremony Friday at Grace Townhomes, a newly built residential development that brings 36 townhomes to a formerly blighted lot in Port Richmond.

The two, three and four bedroom townhomes are rental units with options for eventual home ownership. They are the first homes to be built on land owned by the Community Justice Land Trust, which will ensure that the homes remain permanently affordable.

“This is a proud moment,” said Nora Lichtash, Executive Director of the Women’s Community Revitalization Project. “Families are now replacing blight and have an opportunity to live in beautiful homes that they can afford. To witness this transformation – from vacant land to what you see here today – is astounding.”

Each home features a variety of amenities including central air conditioning, washer/dryers and more. Construction began last September and families will move in next week.

“I’m proud to support these community partners in their efforts to revitalize this neighborhood,” 1st District City Councilman Mark Squilla said. “Not only will Grace Townhomes bring new energy to a formerly blighted block, it will also help to address the growing need for affordable housing across our city. This development is an excellent example of how real change happens by working together, and it’s an honor to be here today.”

Firm Hope Baptist Church, a strong neighborhood anchor in the Port Richmond community for many years, partnered with WCRP to make Grace Townhomes a reality.

“It’s a new day in Port Richmond,” said Richard Harris, Pastor at Firm Hope Baptist Church. “We look forward to welcoming to the neighborhood the families who will soon live in these homes. It’s a wonderful community and the future is looking ever brighter.”

“Built on the bedrock of a great community,” said PA House District 175 Representative Michael O’Brien. “Taking the deep roots of the Firm Hope Baptist Church, the skill of WCRP and the vibrancy of the community to ensure a brighter future is a remarkable combination.”

The Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) is committed to social and economic equity for low-income women and their families, developing housing; providing supportive services, advocating for policy change and honoring leadership, dignity, and justice in our communities.

Learn more at www.wcrpphila.org. •

Representative Mike O'Brien, Councilmembers Mark Squilla and Derek Green, WCRP Executive Director Nora Lichtash, Pastor Richard Harris from Firm Hope Baptist Church and others officially cut the ribbon on Grace Townhomes.

Nora Lichtash (left), Executive Director of the Women’s Community Revitalization Project, and Richard Harris (right), Pastor at Firm Hope Baptist Church holding Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney's citation celebrating the Grace Townhomes ribbon cutting.

Homes now replace blight in Port Richmond as the Grace Townhomes are ready for residents.

2201 E Auburn Street Google Streetview 09-02-2015

Message from the 26th District:

Councilman Mark Squilla addresses the crowd to commemorate the ribbon cutting of Grace Townhomes.

Close to Home, Close to Work…

QUALITY PRIMARY CARE

AT YOUR CONVENIENCE!

Elizabeth Cerva, DO and Angelique Mason, CRNP have joined Keino Johnson, DO at Hahnemann University Hospital Primary Care office at Fishtown.

We are experiencing a increase in several thefts and burglaries with some unique patterns. Trash cans: please paint your address inside & outside of the can so that if we stop someone carrying it, we can return the can to you. Planters: please paint your address on the bottom side.

Bikes: inscribe a name/number somewhere on your bike. Record your serial # and take a photo of your bike.

Do not leave metal items outside & unsecured - these are easily sold for scrap metal.

Our physician practice provides primary medical care as well as helps you coordinate specialized care for an injury or illness.

HAHNEMANN PRIMARY CARE 2424 East York Street For an appointment or additional information, call

215-203-8012

www.hahnemannprimarycare.com

Invest in dawn/dusk lights to illuminate your driveways / rear yards.

- most crimes are occurring in poorly lit areas. Report all crimes no matter how small. Call 911 first. Many residents are video taping the crimes & posting them on social media, but never calling 911. This prevents us from apprehending any criminals.