PRH Spring 2017

Real People. Real Stories.

Difficult Roads Lead to Beautiful Destinations A Heartfelt Thanks to our Medical Community

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VOLUME _35 ISSUE 45_ 2017 gohomephilly.com

Insidethis issue

April | May | June 2017

19_ LIFE Inside the new Museum of the American Revolution

by Jane Roser

36_ SALUTE TO SERVICE Rev. John Stabeno takes 12 steps to the streets As long as there is a heartbeat, there is hope

by Maria Merlino

40_ REAL PEOPLE. REAL STORIES. Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations 9 local people share their amazing journeys with us photos by Andrew Andreozzi

64_ MUSIC & ARTS Glen Foerd on the Delaware: A step back in time Art, history & one of the jazziest events in town

by Brenda Hillegas photos by Iveta Buonacuore

SPORT

72_ BUSINESS Women in Business Emily Bittenbender Managing Partner, Bittenbender Construction LP

by Jane Roser photo by Lorraine Daley Photography

79_ SPORTS Raise your cat for charity

64 lly i h P

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SALUTE TO SERVICE

MUSIC & ARTS

19 72

LIFE

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BUSINESS

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Summer Sessions Available Now Full Day Programs, Before and After School Care american montessori society

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MENU

6_ FROM THE PUBLISHERS Real People. Real Stories.

A heartfelt thanks to our medical community photo by Andrew Andreozzi

12_ NEIGHBORHOOD NOIR Boxer Frankie Carto trades punches with Heavyweight Champ and friend, Jack Dempsey

14_ HANGIN’ OUT Hangin’ out at the Kimmel Center with Jerry Blavat

21_ WINE KNOW Spring into winemaking Plus: Top picks of the season

by PRH Wine columnist Vincent R. Novello Jr.

50_ MENU Beignets from Fine Palate

April | May | June 2017

56_ BRIDES GUIDE The Water Works hosts the wedding of your dreams

by Joe Volpe /Cescaphe Event Group

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62_ THEATRE GEEK Rebecca Robbins on beating cancer and Jerry’s Girls

by Marialena Rago photos by Mark Bradley Miller and Dane Wagner

80_ GREEN SPACE Philly Compost: In soil we trust

by Kerri Lee Mayland

GREEN SPACE

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brides guide

96_ PRESSED Random acts of kindness

on the cover

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Real People.

Real Stories.

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

Monica Buchanico Church Angelina DeCarlo Alex Dunek Michael Edwards Cathy Gabrielsen Michael Mastro Robert “Boots” Nocille Deana Vega (and teacher Judy Willner) Isabella Ann Alessi Thank you for sharing your amazing journeys with us.

4

Stories begin on page 40

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

40 gohomephilly.com

Tony “Papa Luke” Lucidonio Founder, 1992

39 East Oregon Avenue Philadelphia, PA 215.551.5725 Get the real taste of South Philly online:

www.TonyLukes.com

L-R: Michael Mastro, Cathy Gabrielsen, Robert “Boots” Nocile, Dawn, Dorette, teacher Judy Willner, Deana Vega, Michael Edwards, Alex Dunek.

(Front row) Angelina DeCarlo, Isabella Ann Alessi, Monica Buchanico Church

Real People Real Stories photo by Andrew Andreozzi

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| rowhome magazine | January / February / March 2017

Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you. —Walt Whitman This edition of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine is dedicated to the men and women of the medical community, who mend, heal, nurture and inspire us to believe in the power of the human spirit.

Thank you for answering your calling.

Dorette & Dawn River to River.

One Neighborhood.

gohomephilly.com

Philly Monica Buchanico Church

Michael Mastro

Angelina DeCarlo

Robert “Boots� Nocille

Alex Dunek

Deana Vega

(and teacher Judy Willner)

Michael Edwards

Isabella Ann Alessi

Cathy Gabrielsen Thank you for sharing your amazing journeys with us.

Stories begin on page 40

January

/ February / March 2017 | rowhome magazine | 7

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GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

President | Publisher Dorette Rota Jackson

Vice President | Publisher Dawn Rhoades

Editor Dorette Rota Jackson

Vice President Marketing & Promotions Dawn Rhoades

Creative Director | production Omar Rubio

Contributors Mark Casasanto David Cava Vincent A. DeFino, Esq. Frank DePasquale Jr., Esq Dr. Richard Dittrich Larry Gallone Brett Jackson Maria Merlino

C

M

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CM

MY

Dr. James Moylan John Nacchio Vincent R. Novello, Jr. Michael Rhoades Leo Rossi Jade Rota Tony Santini Bob Wagner

Marketing & Editorial Assistant Brenda Hillegas

CY

Green space Editor

CMY

Kerri-Lee Mayland

K

THE BRIDES GUIDE Joseph Volpe

COPY COORDINATOR / THE MENU Maria Merlino

Marketing Communications Coordinator Carol Vassallo

Photographers Phil Kramer Andrew Andreozzi Maria Merlino

Account Manager Theresa Palestino

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Mike Rhoades

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Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Magazine and its contents are copyrighted.

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| May | June 2017

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Dorette & Dawn

I want to thank you for the beautiful article on Michael [Donatucci]. What a great job you did and the really great pictures done by Andrew [Andreozzi]. Hopefully [Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. Foundation] will help many people. Your article will reach many.

That’s what is needed right now.

Rita Donatucci

2014

born of an immigrant family who used life to the ultimate level of success.

A South Philadelphia Legend Memorial can be visited Upstairs at St. Rita’s Church on 1166 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19146

Dear PRH

Love this magazine! I look forward to seeing it in my mailbox!

Awesome Philly news and the people who make it happen!

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Ample Parking • Handicap Accessible April / May / June 2017

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| rowhome magazine | 11

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VOLUME _35 ISSUE 45_ 2017 gohomephilly.com

April | May | June 2017 1. S PBA member Jay Agnes, State Sen. Larry Farnese, Lt. Gov. Mike Stack and consultant Ken Adams hang out at the Rittenhouse Hotel. Photo by Maria Merlino 2. H angin’ out at the Kimmel Center with Jerry Blavat - Elaine Manfredo, Linda Onesti, Marie Elena Abbruzzi, TeTe Facenda, Jimmy Onesti & Denise LaRosa.

3. M ichael Giangiordano is hangin’ out at Stonehenge.

1

HANGIN’OUT

4. T he Spadeas, Santinis and Anastasis hang out at their first annual Dads and Daughters Dinner at Giorgio on Pine.

5. P resident of IAFF Local 22, Andrew Thomas, hangs out at the Fire Fighters’ Union with AJ Marsico, IAFF Chuck McQuilkin and PA Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.

Photo by Maria Merlino 6. V ince Cavallaro, Ben DeVries, Michael Rhoades & Jayson Dougherty hang out after their march down Broad Street with Cara Liom.

7. B renda hangs out with Jay Pharoah at Punch Line Philly.

2

8. B ubbles Louie A.K.A. Lou Pinto, Wolverine A.K.A. Joey Heinbach, The Hulk A.K.A. Frankie Bugs Fioravanti & Batman A.K.A. John Ferrara at the Angels of Christmas annual Benefit Party at St. Dominic’s Hall on Frankford Avenue in the Northeast.

9. D orette & Dawn are hangin’ out with Ann Catania and Maria Merlino at the SPBA Persons of the Year Awards Dinner.

Photo by Andrew Andreozzi 10. Sgt. Danté Coccia, SugarHouse’s Dan Stevenson, WPHL-17’s Frank Marciante and Joe Rafter encourage the crowd to take the SugarHouse Casino bus for the best parade views.

Photo by Maria Merlino 11. R ob Everett with Dawn Rhoades, Diana Caputo, Tracy Nunzio, Tracy Baretta, Barbara Rhoades and Dorette Rota Jackson on a warm February ski trip.

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| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

12. C ongratulations to Brian Donnelly who was presented with the Civilian of the Year award by the Veterans Advisory Commission for his tireless work helping our veterans.

13. Parks and Rec commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell hangs out with her husband Andrew Lovell, daughters Johanna and Lucy, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, Congressman Bob Brady and Chair of Love the Mummers, George Badey.

Photo by Maria Merlino 14. Angelo Valletta, pictured with Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO Red Cross of Southeastern PA, receives The Anita Lockwood Award for outstanding leadership.

Valletta serves as the Chairman of the Red Cross Philadelphia County Leadership Council and is co-chair of the Red Ball, Red Cross’s largest fundraising event.

15. S ugarHouse Casino’s Wendy Hamilton and son Owen hang out with Captain Michael Adams of the Shooting Stars.

Photo by Maria Merlino 16. T he kids at St. Monica’s School read RowHome Magazine during Career Day. 17. D orette & Dawn on Girls Night Out at Stogie Joe’s because WE LOVE Denise LaRosa! 21 & Done! With Donna Diorio, Joann Vacca, Barbara Ross, Marie Elena Abbruzzi & Edie Pepe. Shout out to Jimmy Post, our bartender!

18. Childhood friends and their families at Sunday Dinner on the annual ski trip to Canna Inn. The Everetts, Caputos, Nunzios, Jacksons, Marazzos, Rhoades (Mike & Joe), Amorosis and the Barettas. Cousin Ralph Pistoria is missing from photo.

19. K ing Arthur (Carlos Alvarez) is honored by the Street Corner Sounds Society for his contributions to Doo Wop music.

Listen to him every day on soundsofphillyradio.com 20. Vince Giannini, VP and GM of PHL17, hangs out with Councilman Mark Squilla at McCormack and Schmick’s on New Year’s Day. The Councilman just performed as The Phantom of the Opera for the Shooting Stars extravaganza, Broad Street to Broadway at the Convention Center. Photo by Maria Merlino gohomephilly.com

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| rowhome magazine | 15

PRHon the corner

Smells Like ON THE CORNER with Mark Casasanto

Sunday Morning

S

pring is here! The windows are up and oohhh that smell!

I was feeling a little under the weather this past winter on an unseasonably gorgeous day. It was the day before the city was expecting yet another version of “the biggest storm of the season.” With time on my hands, fresh meats in the refrigerator and ingredients in the pantry, out came the pots and pans. It was… time to make the gravy!

As the unmistakable smell of the browning garlic and onions permeated my modest apartment high above the traditional Irish neighborhood I call home, a call from the street below resonated through my opened windows: “Yo paison, it smells like Sunday morning up there!”

After some playful prose and joint laughter from outside the open window, the meatballs were rolled, fried with the sausage and submerged into the simmering crimson pool of pureed plum tomatoes. Gravy’s on!

During the low and slow process that is essential to the art of making gravy, with the friendly banter still fresh in my mind, I took to social media in search of thoughts, memories and recollections of Sunday mornings when the gravy was on and the meatballs were frying.

16

PRH: Wake up everybody…

Anthony Buchanico: As a kid growing up, we had season tickets for the Eagles.

There was no need for an alarm clock since the aroma of the garlic and oil and simmering gravy lifted me right out of bed. Sunday’s ritual was to grab a couple fried meatball sandwiches on a crusty roll with sliced tomatoes… breakfast! The summer was no different, same routine.

Stephanie Marsella: Waking up to the smell of meatballs frying and hearing Sunday with Sinatra on the radio is what I

remember most. I would go downstairs and my mom always left some fried meatballs on the side for me. That was my breakfast every Sunday!

PRH: There’s just something about that smell.

Mike Bevilacqua: The smell that would run through the house was amazing. First, the meat frying and then the meat combined with the gravy. We would get bread and dip it into the gravy because we were too hungry to wait. My mother would give us the “look!”

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

Michelle Lombardo Cowley: Coming home from church to the smell as soon as you would walk up the front steps; there was your prize. A fried meatball waiting for you!

PRH: What about those fried meatballs?

Sondra Buonadonna Ritondo: Getting ready for church and coming downstairs to see my mother preparing her gravy and meatballs, she always had a few fried meatballs for my sister and me. But, we could not eat them before communion!

Joe Cellini: We always kept several fried meatballs on the side to eat with sharp provolone on a hard Cacia’s roll! Of course, all this while listening to Frank and Sid on the radio!

PRH: Who made the gravy?

John McBride: The things that are impressed upon me all surround my father because when it was done, he was the one doing it! He made great gravy with hearty meatballs

and sausage. He’d add a massive bay leaf and somehow that leaf was always ladled out into my dish! My father served in the navy, he never learned to downsize his recipes.

Instead of enough for a family of five, he’d make enough for 35! We’d have gravy in Tupperware for months!

Jacqueline Shaw: Grandmom! I’d always steal meatballs from the pot only to get caught with a red plate of evidence. She’d shake her head, half amused and say, ‘See, I’m glad I made the whole batch.’

Her meatballs and gravy were just too good not to sample before dinner. There’s no better aroma in the world!

Denise Ciliberti: I still make it as often as I can. My kids love it! Back in the day, our table consisted of a priest, criminals, cops, friends, aunt and uncles - some related, some not! You weren’t allowed to talk shop either! I’m so happy to pass down the recipes and traditions. There’s just something about a Sunday!

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The Italian Hurricane hit that room at Category 5. Come to my next show at Galdo’s on June 16th and be prepared for Category 6,” says comedian Vic Dibitetto, who keeps them coming back to Galdo’s Catering & Entertainment for sellout shows. With comedian Joseph Anthony and DJ Tommy Pipino. Tickets are now available for June’s dinner show. Call 215.271.9083. #YeahThatGaldos

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| rowhome magazine | 17

PRHOn the Waterfront

Taco Fest

Invades SugarHouse Casino

T Paul Stolfo, Director • Marianne Stolfo, Director

The Tradition Continues the Fourth Generation

The Stolfo

Funeral Home

by Dan Stevenson External Affairs Executive

he “DraftHouse,” SugarHouse’s three-day football extravaganza April 27-29, is just another example of the casino’s diverse entertainment. After turning The Refinery restaurant, bar and patio into a one-of-a-kind sports bar, SugarHouse introduces the Philadelphia Taco Festival.

Mexican food lovers will enjoy the colors, the pageantry, the music and, of course—the tacos! On Saturday, May 13, more than 30 taco trucks will be parked outside the casino offering every type of taco imaginable: hard shell, soft shell, mild, spicy-hot, beef, pork, fish, and of course, all the favorite add-ons, like guacamole and pico de gallo.

There’s something for everyone at the Taco Festival: tequila sampling and margarita madness (the perfect Mexican food companion!), live entertainment, eating contests and lucha libre wrestling, featuring its colorful costumes and masks.

Join in the Mexican festival along Delaware Avenue and kick off the spring season.

SugarHouse Casino Dining

Where Everyone is Treated Like Family 2536 So. Broad Street • Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.334.7376 18

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

Taco Fest won’t be the only SugarHouse event taking advantage of the warmer weather.

The patio at The Refinery restaurant

will be open in the spring and summer for guests to enjoy dinner and drinks overlooking the Delaware River. Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House also offers outdoor dining; nothing like enjoying jumbo lump crab cakes and a Rush Street Manhattan on a warm summer night.

SugarHouse Event Center

The Event Center has seen overwhelming success in its first year, creating a demand for more tickets. Recent packed houses by Jeffrey Osborne and Walk Off The Earth, not to mention sellouts by LeAnn Rimes, Trevor Noah, Scott Stapp and Air Supply, have dictated that SugarHouse add more seats.

That means more room for friends and family for upcoming shows, including: ❚❙ May 13: The Scared Scriptless Tour, featuring Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood of the hit television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” ❚❙ June 10: The Mavericks ❚❙ June 30: Creedence Clearwater Revisited Whether it’s inside enjoying a show, or outside on the patio, SugarHouse is the place to be this spring and summer. See you at the casino! prh SugarHouse Casino is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network gohomephilly.com

PRH

life

Philadelphia’s newest Museum

Living History “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people...They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” —Thomas Jefferson

by Jane Roser

photo courtesy of the Museum of the American Revolution

Located in the heart of historic Philadelphia (101 S. Third St.) just a few blocks from Independence Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution began to take physical shape in 2014. During construction of the building, archaeologists excavating the site made national news when they discovered more than 20 Colonial-era privies and well shafts filled with artifacts untouched for more than 200 years.

“They were just packed with artifacts,” explains President and CEO Michael Quinn.

“One in particular really captured the period.

It was associated with a tavern located on the site around 1773. We found a bowl with a picture of a ship and the words “Success to the Triphena.” Our research showed that the Triphena sailed to Liverpool from Philadelphia asking merchants in Britain for their help to protest The Stamp Act.” Historians began the arduous task of obtaining artifacts for the collection more than a century ago when the Reverend W. Herbert Burk, hoping to build a museum at Valley Forge, heard that Mary Lee (Robert E. Lee’s daughter and a descendant of Martha Washington) was selling George Washington’s field tent.

“It took him two years to raise the funds,” Quinn says, “then he formed the Valley Forge Historical Society which spent the next hundred years collecting and exhibiting, so we have some

really unprecedented items in our collection. Of course Washington’s tent, but we also have the flag which signified his presence in camp, camp cups that he had made specifically as part of his field equipment and letters he wrote.”

The collection contains more than 3,000 items which encompass the era - equipment a foot soldier would have carried, weapons, uniforms and a copy of the first newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence printed on July 6, 1776.

“We have muster rolls, a statement of allegiance sign by Baron von Steuben and witnessed by George Washington. It’s a very broad-ranging collection that really does represent the period,” Quinn says. “What we’re striving to do is bring to life the people of this era. When we think of going to war now, we think of sending troops overseas, but this war happened in America, so it swept through every community and had a direct effect on families.

People from all walks of life were profoundly impacted, so you’ll see all of the people who made the decision to fight for the patriot cause and that required heroism and sacrifice. In some cases, it ended in victory, others in loss.”

The interactive exhibits will appeal to all age groups - in one gallery you can stand under Washington’s Liberty Tree to gain insight into The Sons of Liberty or board a full-size privateer ship and learn about the

war at sea. You can even use a digital installation featuring 360-degree photography of weapons to learn more about who made them and how they were used.

These exhibits are not just objects on shelves but rather an immersive environment which are shown mainly in chronological order to show the war’s cause and effect which is critical to understand how certain events turn out the way they do, that history happens because decisions were made and acted upon and that these decisions may change the course of history. What would have happened if Congress decided not to declare independence? How easily could we have lost the war if one wrong decision was made? What would our country be like today if the outcome had been different?

The museum hopes visitors will walk away understanding that the American Revolution gave birth to the radical idea that people can govern themselves. And that we’re continuing to define what it means to live in a society that evolves and changes as we carry on the legacy the founding generation left for us.

The Museum of the American Revolution opens on April 19, which is also the 242nd anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The grand opening festivity schedule, as well as museum hours and admission costs, can be found on www.

AmRevMuseum.org. prh

April / May / June 2017

| rowhome magazine | 19

Row Home Remembers PRH Life

Love Is… HAPPY WINDOWS

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Real Estate Sales

by Tony Santini hen I was dating my wife (do they even In 1975, Roberto was diagnosed with cancer say ‘dating’ anymore?), I used to give her and Kim stopped working on the cartoons, ceramic “Love Is” figurines on birthdays personally. Her inspiration continued through and holidays. These statuettes were the another cartoonist and then via a company inspiration of a cartoonist named Kim managed by her son.

Casali. Casali wrote the messages to her Through the printed material and souvenirs future husband, Roberto, and later had over time, the main characters progressed through them published in a comic strip. The their first meeting, dating and as a married couple. iconic female character’s name was Kim The whole time, they provided us all with inspiraand the male character was once referred to as tional quotes about Love, Friendship and Family.

“R.” Coincidence or creative genius?

Here are some updated submissions from my “Love Is...being able to say you are sorry,” was friends and family as to how they would compublished internationally for many years in plete these lines, today. It’s quite possible that greeting cards and trinkets. Later, it served as some of them may already have been published the signature line in the 1970 film, Love Story, in by the original creator or her successors. Either a slightly modified version, “Love means …never way, they are worth repeating. If you agree, having to say you’re sorry.” share them with your family friends. ➧

W

Love is… saying hello to your pet when you walk in the door even though he’s been gone for almost a year.

Love is… overlooking those little things that annoy you.

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accessphilly.com 20

Friendship is… going out to dinner for an hour but staying for another two hours just talking.

Friendship is… meeting at the same beach on a Sunday afternoon even though no one made a single phone call to set it up.

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

Friendship is… having conversations that you wouldn’t dare have with family members.

Friendship is… still recalling the fun you had on vacation 10 years ago.

Friendship is… making sure your friend gets a bottle of your homemade wine before it’s all gone.

Friendship is … losing touch for six months then picking up where you left off as if no time had passed.

Friendship is... wig shopping together when your best friend loses her hair to chemotherapy.

Family is... laughing at the same shared memories even though you heard the story a hundred times before.

Family is... your mother cleaning your house once a week and your mother-in-law bringing you a cooked meal every night when your medical condition required complete bed rest.

Family is… knowing where you are going to be on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Easter, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

gohomephilly.com

Wine Know

by Vincent R. Novello Jr.

Spring into Winemaking PRH Life

T

here is no need to wait for the fall season to make your homemade wine. The warm and cozy weather of springtime can be a great time to have some fun and start a new hobby of winemaking. No, you don’t have to wait for the fall crush of grapes. You can make a beautiful, full bodied wine from a kit.

Whether it be your favorite white or red, most varieties are available at very reasonable prices and can yield a great wine in three months. My wine partner and I have actually won different wine competitions with wine kits.

Wine kits come ready to go with easy to follow directions. There are also many ways to enhance

the complexity of your wine kit. For instance, you can add your favorite dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries during the fermentation stage. Choosing a wine as well as making it can be a group effort to be enjoyed by both family and friends.

This is a great time to make some of your favorite wines that are enjoyable during the warmer summer months: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or trying something different such as Viognier or Muscat for those who enjoy a sweeter wine or light reds such as Pinot Noir or a Rose.

Take the plunge and enjoy kit winemaking! Share it with your family and friends...the new friends you make after tasting your homemade wine. Enjoy!

For information on purchasing wine kits, visit www.homebrewit.com

Wine

Recommendations ❚❙❘ White Wines

❚❙❘ Red Wines

La Spinetta Fontana VI Barbera D’Asti DOCG $15

Menage A Trois $10

Tenute Ca Botta Cervero Rosso IGT $15

Clos LaChance ~ Sauvignon Blanc Reserve $12

Maison Nicolas Potel Bourgogne Rouge ~ Pinot Noir $16

Buehler Vineyards ~ Zinfandel $13

Domaine Du Haut Perron ~ Sauvignon Blanc Tourain $13

Cantina Zaccagnini Ikebana Rosso Colline Pescaresi $15

Tenshen White Blend $20

Lionel Osmin & Cie ~ Malbec $10

William Hill ~ Chardonnay $14

Educated Guess ~ Cabernet Sauvignon $22 The Pinot Project ~ Pinot Noir $14

La Tordera Prosecco Superiore Docg Brut $13 Any of these wines would make the perfect gift for any occasion. …and remember “Never save your good wine for tomorrow!”

For more information contact Vincent Novello Vinoinfo824@aol.com

Vincent Novello has been making his own wine since 1997 and has competed in and judged the annual Vendemmia. His 2008 Brunello took first and second place in the competition. Today, Novello serves as the Vendemmia’s contest director.

April / May / June 2017

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WHAT'S HER SECRET?

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Real Stories.

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take a look at yourself & Make that

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pring is in the air! It’s time to come out of hibernation and emerge from our dens with a sense of rebirth. Spring is a time of renewal. It is a time for self-evaluation.

Are you happy with the person in the mirror? Or are you ready to make a change?

This issue is dedicated to real people and their real stories.

The Professional Aesthetics & Wellness Center would like to share the stories of three women who stepped outside of their comfort zones and bravely made a change. ➧

215.465.9600 1315 Wolf Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 WWW.WELLNESSCENTERPA.COM *One time discount per service

22

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

gohomephilly.com

Susan was experiencing menopause with a vengeance! The hot flashes seemed non-stop. She could not concentrate on the simplest tasks. It was affecting her performance at work. Night sweats interrupted her sleep. She never felt rested. Her day started in a fog. Her sex life...well she was not sure that she could remember what a sex life was! Her desire for sex had dwindled to almost nothing.

When the mood did strike, she had such vaginal pain that intercourse was an unpleasant chore. At 52, she felt that she was becoming an “old lady.” There had to be an answer to this misery. Traditional hormone pills did not appeal to her at all. The health food store offered “natural” ways to treat menopause.

She gave those a try - to no avail.

Then a friend suggested Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). The naturally compounded pellets appealed to Susan. The idea of not taking a pill every day was a plus. And the fact that the dosing was individualized to her hormone levels made Bio-Identical hormones a good choice for her.

The results. Susan “could not be happier! The hot flashes and night sweats disappeared two weeks after insertion. My sex drive is back to normal. My husband is ecstatic!

The vaginal dryness that I was experiencing has completely reversed and sex is fun again! I don’t know why every physician who treats women does not offer this option. I feel like I am 25 again!”

Karen made a resolution to “get back to her college weight.” Serious dieting and a plan to “walk everywhere” have helped her reach her goal weight. But her jeans still refuse to button and her “muffin top” spills over her waistband. “I am the same weight as 10 years ago but my clothes didn’t fit. I was so frustrated that I wanted to scream. I even tried working out with weights but the fat around my middle would not budge.” Karen heard about a procedure called SculpSure on the

radio and decided to give it a try. “I was so excited to learn that I could have the procedure done right here at The Professional Aesthetics and Wellness Center. It is so much more convenient than having to deal with the hassle of going downtown.”

SculpSure is a non-invasive body contouring laser treatment that permanently eliminates stubborn fat cells. One treatment takes 25 minutes. “It was so easy. I could do the treatment during my lunch hour and go right back to work.”

In six weeks, Karen could button her jeans. Twelve weeks later and “I can’t wait to break out my bikini!

SculpSure gave me my body back!”

Diana was miserable. Sex had gone from a pleasurable experience to a chore. She just did not have the same sensation “down there” as she had before having her kids.

And now she was starting to “leak” when she sneezed! “I was only 45 years old. This could not be happening to me! I had to wear a pad daily to prevent embarrassment.”

Her doctor suggested Kegel exercises. When that did not work, surgery was discussed as an option.

“I have a career and three kids.

Major surgery was not an option.”

A girlfriend suggested vaginal laser rejuvenation. “My girlfriend saw the pamphlet at her gynecologist’s office and suggested that I talk to Dr. Dittrich about it.” After an office consult, Diana was convinced that vaginal laser treatments were the answer that she had been looking for. “It was so easy. The treatments were done in the office and lasted about 15 minutes. Best of all, there was no down time.”

Diana noticed an increase in vaginal lubrication and tone after the first treatment. “My husband was amazed by the difference.” After the second treatment, she was no longer leaking urine. “I feel like laser vaginal rejuvenation gave me back my life.

I wish I had done this years ago!”

Real people, real stories, real change. We all want to be the best that we can be. As the late, great Michael Jackson said, “Take a look at yourself and make that change!” prh

Serving patients for more than 30 years, Dr. Richard Dittrich has offices conveniently located in South Philadelphia at 1313 Wolf Street - 215.465.3000 - and in Voorhees, NJ - 856.435.9090. New patients are welcome!

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Why is Steam Coming from the COOLING TOWER? Water is used throughout the refinery to heat fluids during the refining process and to cool various production units while they perform refining functions. In some units, water temperature reaches more than 140 degrees fahrenheit.

In order to continually reuse and conserve the water, it is sent to be cooled and stored in the cooling towers.

Once in the cooling towers, hot water is cooled by an airstream that is blown at it as it enters the tower. The cooling process causes some of the water to evaporate while the major portion is cooled and stored to be reused in the refinery. The evaporated water mixes with the airstream on its way out of the cooling stacks at the top of the towers. This mixture forms the visible “cloud” over the cooling units.

The only thing coming out of he cooling tower stacks is the water in the form of STEAM and AIR that cannot be retained and reused in the refining process.

Philadelphia Energy Solutions believes in going beyond supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Through our active support of youth, culture, health, education and environmental opportunities, we strive to improve the quality of life for our employees and our neighbors.

We are focused to be the best every day.

April / May / June 2017

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PRHHEALTH

Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D.

Handling Anxiety.

Navigating Depression.

Step 1: Recognize the signs

by Moriah Kelley

Philly

I

n our winter 2017 issue of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine, we collaborated with Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D., a foundation created to raise mental health awareness in honor of Michael P. Donatucci. Anxiety and depression are two diseases often overlooked.

I have suffered from both, going years without fully understanding how my life had spiraled.

Looking back, there were many warning signs I wish I understood. The negative stigma often associated with anxiety and depression kept me from admitting to myself any abnormalities. I did not feel comfortable reaching out to loved ones for help. Sharing information and talking openly about the seriousness of anxiety and depression, as well as ways to help alleviate and treat them, are the first steps in ending the stigma and helping others receive the treatment and support they deserve.

Recognizing Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of fear, uneasiness and worry. For people who suffer from an anxiety disorder, these symptoms never pass. They often increase, leaving them feeling helpless and in a constant state of panic. Dr. Jaclyn Dietzold, a member of Temple University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, and a Michael’s Giving

24

H.A.N.D. partner, explains the types of anxiety and warning signs.

Signs: ❚❙❘ E xpressing worry or fear – which they often do not realize is excessive or unreasonable – and trouble controlling these worries ❚❙❘ F eelings of inner restlessness ❚❙❘ A tendency to be excessively wary and vigilant ❚❙❘ P hysical symptoms including headaches or stomachaches ❚❙❘ E xtreme shyness, avoiding new activities or experiences, fear of social settings or social scrutiny ❚❙❘ E ngaging in risky behavior such as drug experimentation or impulsive sexual behavior

Recognizing Depression Depression is an ongoing state of sadness. Symptoms associated with sadness and irritability lasting two weeks or more interfere with a person’s ability to function at school, home or with friends.

Depression can be genetic with an

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

increased risk in children of parents with a history of depression. It can also be environmental (under stress or experiencing a loss).

Individuals with disorders that affect learning, attention and conduct, as well as those with anxiety and other medical conditions are also at risk for depression.

Dr. Ruby Barghini, also from Temple University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, has partnered with Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. to alert people of these signs of depression.

Signs: ❚❙❘ Irritability or cranky mood ❚❙❘ Boredom, loss of interest ❚❙❘ Giving up favorite activities ❚❙❘ Extreme loss or gain in weight ❚❙❘ Difficulty falling asleep or waking up early ❚❙❘ Difficulty sitting still, pacing ❚❙❘ Slow movement, delayed spontaneous reaction ❚❙❘ Persistent fatigue (laziness) ❚❙❘ Blaming oneself for things beyond one’s control ❚❙❘ Frequent thinking and talking about death; writing about death; giving away belongings

Early detection is key

Anxiety and Depression can disrupt normal psychosocial development and lead to impairment in social, family and academic functioning. People

with anxiety disorders are at risk of developing new anxiety disorders, depression or substance abuse. Adolescents with anxiety or depression are 2-3 times more likely to suffer with anxiety or depressive disorders in adulthood.

Treatment: Treatment options for both anxiety and depression include individual therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Family Therapy, Group Therapy and/ or antidepressant medications.

Early intervention is the main goal. Recognizing the symptoms and opening the lines of communication are key to controlling the disease. Empathy and understanding are crucial in helping those experiencing depression or anxiety. prh Start the dialogue Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. Foundation is committed to shedding light on this devastating condition by changing the conversation. The first step is starting the dialogue. By initiating honest conversations in schools and around dinner tables of every home, we can help remove the stigma associated with this disease and let our friends and loved ones know that they do not have to suffer alone.

Visit michaelsgivinghand.org/resources to learn more. gohomephilly.com

No one can help you if no one knows you’re in pain.

Helping teens, parents, counselors and teachers recognize and treat anxiety and depression.

Michael P. Donatucci Foundation, Inc.

ORG

PRHHEALTH

More than just a yoga studio

We teach people, not poses

Accessible Series for Beginners, Chair Yoga, Adaptive Yoga & more

Specialized one-on-one Yoga Therapy for Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention

Drop-in Classes Mon-Sat Flow Heated Hatha Yoga Friday Mini-Retreats Restorative Yoga & Massage Yogapuncture

navayogacenter.com

267.592.3167

TheofReal People My Practice

t

by Dr. James E. Moylan, D.C

his year for our annual Real People/Real Stories issue, I’m taking a slight departure. Instead of telling you about a singular, particular patient, I’m going to share the story of a special group of patients.

Every fall, we begin to notice an influx in our office of patients who have similar complaints and symptoms- low-back aches,

shoulder area complaints, headaches.

It seems this group has been spending excessive hours dancing, rehearsing, and building sets. Carrying instruments for many hours, bending at awkward positions and in stressed postures can yield a notable level of pain.

It’s our world renowned Mummers!

I’ve been fortunate to treat hundreds of them over the years. Though many of them are active throughout the year, it seems that the October until New Year's Eve timeframe is just ramped up for them. And so are their aches and pains!

There is no chance that they will stop doing whatever it is that is creating their pain, but they have learned that if they come in for care to reduce their symptoms it will get them through their big day!

These are many men and women who have full lives with work and family, yet find the necessary time to prepare for the parade and their performances for the tens of thousands of Mummers fans waiting for them to officially ring in a new year!

My small part in this process is to create the pain relief and improve the balance of their mechanics and posture, allowing them to enjoy the day as much as the fans do!

They are dedicated to their clubs, families, friends and want to do whatever they can to ensure a smooth pain free day! Many clubs have intricate dance routines, heavy instruments, and displays. Timing and balance is critical to the individual performer and those around them.

I try to instill as much instruction as I can for them to be aware of how to limit the irritations and aggravations of their activities, but I’m also realistic enough to realize that the goals of most of them at this time of year are very narrow! Just get them down the street with minimal pain and in one piece! We will deal with the residual effects after parade day.

My reward comes with the many hugs, high fives and shout outs I get from my Mummer patients as they pass me on 2nd Street each New Year’s Day! prh

Dr. James Moylan, Chiropractic Physician, is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network

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gohomephilly.com

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS

ANNUAL HEALTH EXPO

2017

METHODIST HOSPITAL (Broad Street Entrance)

Nava

Yoga in the Navy Yard Before reaching for meds, meditate

M

ost of us suffer from back pain at some point in our lives. Did you know the American College of Physicians now recommends trying yoga, massage and other complimentary therapies before reaching for medication? Yoga has been around for centuries but the benefits can be immediate. We talked to Nava Yoga in the Navy Yard, a studio specializing in therapeutic yoga, to find out the best way to get your daily dose of feeling good.

Why yoga?

Yoga impacts multiple bodily systems at once. It can treat musculoskeletal imbalances with physical postures and calm the mind with breathing techniques. Meditation, an essential part of yoga, has been clinically proven to reduce the body’s stress response and decrease inflammation. Getting into the healthy habit of yoga often reveals the unhealthy choices we are making off the mat. Might low back pain be a symptom of a sedentary lifestyle, work stress or emotional problems?

Yoga provides the space to reflect, release and recalibrate mindfully.

Why now?

Contemporary medical practices do not always alleviate the problem. For example, if you take antiinflammatory medications, but do not address the cause, relief is only temporary. In more extreme cases, you could have back surgery but without addressing the muscular imbalance or your physical

response to stress, you might still have the pain. Yoga provides the tools to work on each of these potential factors at once; empowering the patient to be an active participant in their recovery with a path toward sustainable results.

How do you know which yoga is right for you?

Do your research! Popping into any yoga class may not be appropriate for certain conditions. Contact a yoga professional to find out if they have any experience with your condition. Ask about credentials. There are two main certifications for yoga professions. RYT is a registered yoga teacher with at least 200 hours of training. C-IAYT is a Certified Yoga Therapist with 800 hours of training. Talk to them about your options. Depending on your condition, a private therapeutic session or therapeutic class often provides the most focused and individualized plan. prh

Yoga is about the art of training our attention. With practice, you’ll become increasingly aware of your posture as you walk or sit at your desk and over time, find yourself moving more easily and feeling better longer. Visit www. navayogacenter.com for information on classes, workshops and more.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 9 A.M. – 1 P.M. FREE Health Screenings: • Cholesterol and glucose (fasting recommended) • Colorectal cancer • Blood pressure and stroke • Osteoporosis • Mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women, sponsored by the Linda Creed Foundation

FREE Health Information and Consultations: • Stop by our information booths for consultations with experts in their fields • Nutrition counseling • Diabetes education • Obstetrics and gynecology • Primary care

Family Fun and More: • Food and refreshments at no cost to attendees • Cartoon character guests • Face painting • Balloon twister

Registration Instructions: Registration is only required for mammograms and osteoporosis screenings. Call 215-952-9169.

Jefferson.edu/HealthExpo

HOME OF SIDNEY KIMMEL MEDICAL COLLEGE

April / May / June 2017

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Real

Estate

A fresh start for a new

Spring season S

by Christina Henck pring Equinox and several religious holidays around this time period, like Easter and Passover, symbolize new beginnings.

Americans have our springtime rituals like cleaning and organizing. We all know if you renew your home, you renew your life!

Now, not everyone is in the position to build a new home. With the right help and vision, most people can take a house that almost meets their needs (or barely at all), and turn it into a dwelling that not only is functional but a pleasure to live in, as well.

Let’s talk about transformation

People’s circumstances and lives evolve constantly. If the home isn’t evolving with them, it will eventually require adjustments. Many people add value to their home and sometimes, major life events drive a home renovation. There may be a new baby or a relative may need to move in unexpectedly.

Good help is hard to find

What’s my advice to homeowners looking to do a renovation? Make sure to research and do background checks on general contractors. It’s very important to know who you’re hiring for a job. A GC is not the only professional an owner needs for a home renovation. An interior designer is key for this kind of job.

A quality designer will help pick out your finishes and think ahead.

Tile, flooring and wall colors age quickly. If the owner renovates the kitchen and selects a tile that’s dated in two years, the investment’s return will be sub-par. General Contractors are better known for their skills, not necessarily their taste. Why waste all that money on a remodel only to use the wrong materials?

Universal design

There are simple things that a professional designer will advise clients for easy aging in place. We call it Universal Design. A built-in bench in showers, flush thresholds between rooms, wide doorways and handles for doors are a few examples of important design features that will enable easy use of the home for both young and old.

Everyone wants a great home that meets his or her needs. Just make sure to hire the right team to get the job done in an ethical, effective and beautiful way. That way, you can rest assured your job will be done right the first time! prh

Henck Design LLC is based in the Graduate Hospital area of the city and specializes in working with custom homebuilders on material selections and overall design in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. We customize homes with furniture, rugs, lighting, as well as wallpapers and custom cabinetry design.

Designing for you Christina Henck, Henck Design Henckdesign.com 28

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

gohomephilly.com

PRHReal Estate In the market for a

mortgage?

Top

5 things

you should know before you start your search Courtesy of Mark Canale of Gateway Mortgage Group Ask questions.

Don’t get railroaded into accepting deals you don’t fully comprehend. Your lender should be completely transparent. If there is a fee being charged, you deserve to know why.

2531-35 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19148

Go local.

Sure, you could probably save a couple bucks going to some online bank a thousand miles away, talk to a telephone operator who is reading a script and knows nothing about your market. Or, you could deal with a referred local lender that you can meet with personally and knows the market in which you are buying.

Start the process early.

The mortgage process can be simple if you plan ahead. Whether it be credit or savings, if we know the problem up front, proper steps can be taken so you are ready when the time comes to purchase a home.

Don’t quit your job.

As a loan applicant, you need to have work history. A general rule of thumb is it’s best to have a minimum of 2 years of work history with your current employer. If not, be prepared to provide previous employer info or explanation for any gaps.

Do ask about down payments.

You don’t need 20% down or even close to it. That thought is from decades ago. Meet with a mortgage professional and discuss what loans are available based on your latest credit score and income history. The goal is to come up with a percentage that will keep your monthly payment, plus real estate taxes, and escrow within your budget.

Gateway Mortgage Group is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

April / May / June 2017

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Real

Estate Contractor’s Spotlight

Edward Costello General Contractor 267.709.4181

Flooring by

Phill y

Costello Construction LLC “Just want to say thank you to Eddie Costello for putting up with my craziness. I built a new home and decided to rip out my floors - which was insane to do - with new cabinets in. I’ll be honest. It’s flawless! He is great if anyone is looking for work. The tile is on fleek.”

—Thomas Kelly TKsellsphillyhomes.com Costello Construction is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network

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gohomephilly.com

Philly

Home of the free because of the brave In the midst of the recent election controversy and protests against the President and his supporters, I sat down to talk about service to country with some people I respect. People that I always admired because of their courage as well as their mental and physical strength. Individuals that have provided us with the right to freedom of speech. Our Veterans.

Pete Cannella, U.S. Marines, Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006 to 2010

themselves after the physical and mental trauma of being at war.

Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

Charlie Bupp, U.S. Navy 2001 to 2005

A: We did supply missions and I would man the machine gun while another soldier drove through Baghdadi. This one particular day, while we were doing a run, I saw this little girl all dressed in rags waving and smiling at me. I know it sounds hokey but at that moment, I knew why I was there.

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: I’d want people to be happy, to be able to pay their bills. I want Americans to love our country.

I would like to see people have more respect for one another.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: No. Absolutely not. Fiftypercent of all homeless people are veterans, mostly because they can’t adapt to society or take care of

32

Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

A: Burying many veterans in Arlington and surrounding D.C. cemeteries. Being pallbearer and honoring our older veterans. I was also in D.C. on 911 when the Pentagon was attacked.

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: I want people like myself – hardworking people – to be happy and have a chance to succeed in life.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: I know that when our vets come back, they need special care and some of them are not getting it. It needs to be better.

Tom Green Sr., U.S. Air Force (Thailand, Vietnam) 1965 to 1991

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Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

A: The men I met and flew with. The honor of it all.

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: Find a religion that you could grasp and follow it with respect for your fellow man.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: Not as much as they should be, largely because bureaucratic administrations are screwing things up. As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing as too much care for our vets.

Ron Fortunato, U.S. Army 1964 to 1970 Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

A: Going to Kentucky, following Elvis Presley’s footsteps and getting my hair cut in the same room and chair as he did.

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: One Nation under God. Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: Unfortunately, no. Not enough is being done and the

by Dan Vanore

ones who are not being taken care of deserve much better.

Gary Iaconelli, U.S. Army 1968 to 1970, Military Police, Road Patrol, 9th Infantry Division, 188th Division in Vietnam Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

A: One night we were under attack while I was on beach patrol when a kid in a smaller boat was hit by a rocket and tore up pretty bad.

A friend and I got him out of the water and pulled him into our boat while rockets were exploding all around us. We took him to the bigger ship where the medics were and even though we were under relentless attack at the time, I constantly kept asking the medic, ‘Can you save him doc? Can you save him doc?’ I really wanted to save that kid.

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: Let’s unite together, succeed and never have another 911.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: I got treated royally but we’re from South Philly. We’re colorful. We’re gregarious. People are drawn to our personalities.

However, I can see how some of my brothers and sisters can get neglected. There should be a system in place to reach out to them. gohomephilly.com

Eddie Green, U.S. Marines 2nd Division, Corporal 2nd Medical Battalion 1959 to 1965 Camp Lejeune, NC

Being raised a Catholic, I particularly enjoyed being in Israel, experiencing Jerusalem and going through the Stations of the Cross.

Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: I absolutely loved being at sea traveling all over Europe.

Italy and France were my favorites but most of all, I loved the people that I served with.

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: For us to come together as a nation and respect one another.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: I can only speak for myself and I’ve always been treated fairly. But there is always room for improvement in the way our vets are taken care of.

Vinny, U.S. Army 2004 to 2009, Designated Marksman, Iraq Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

A: Just the experience of it all.

I’ve never felt so small, being in a third world country with the responsibility of protecting so many people on my shoulders.

Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: Cohesion. We have to get it together and stop being distracted by all the rhetoric from both sides.

While we’re arguing with each other about whose side is right, the enemy is right behind us waiting for the right moment to make their move.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: Yes, as far as my experience goes.

But I’ve heard some horror stories about others that are not as fortunate as me and need more care. There is always room for improvement.

Ray Wisniewski, U.S. Navy 1995 to 2007, Mayport FL, Coronado CA, Virginia Beach, Italy, Israel Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

A: All the different countries that I got to see along the way. I especially loved Italy and Israel.

A: I wish we weren’t so politically divided. It didn’t just start with this election or the last election. There has always been political division.

People need to realize that you don’t always get what you want and there are winners and losers.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: No. All you have to do is look at what’s going on with the VA. Long waits, delays for much needed tests. What they have to do is give vets more of a choice where to go besides the VA. They should be allowed at any hospital they choose. They bled for this country and they deserve the best.

Joe DeStefano, U.S. Army Special Unit, 17th Airborne, 194th Glider Outfit 1942 to 1945, NC, Tennessee, England, France

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Q: What was your most impressionable or memorable moment while serving?

A: My outfit! Jumping out of planes, gliding on contraptions with no motors for miles and miles. We were different. We were special troops. We were like the cavalry. When we got deployed to an area, there was a fight! It’s amazing what you do when you’re 22 years old! My most memorable moment was the end. Going back home to South Philadelphia.

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Q: If you had one wish for our country, what would it be?

A: Close the borders for a few years to get this country in order and get a much better system of bringing immigrants into this country. Keep the bad people out and let’s start feeding our hungry.

Q: Do you think we are taking care of our vets?

A: I’ve always been taken care of. I lost half of my left foot and most of the toes on my right foot in the Battle of the Bulge. I got the Purple Heart for my sacrifice and have always been taken care of by the VA with the utmost respect. But I can see how some of these younger soldiers are falling through the cracks. prh

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When you’re

smiling

by Dominique Verrecchio photos courtesy of Landi Comic Club

I

f you look at the Landi Comic Club website, you will see the words “Landi, a new beginning to an old tradition.” January 2016 was a new beginning for the club. For years, Landi was the smallest of all three comic clubs. But with very little effort, in its first year under the direction of Chuck Tomasco, membership nearly tripled. Landi keeps its doors open to all possible acts. It was a hair away from not existing after the departure of former owner Steve Melnychuck.

s e rv i c e

“With the city preaching diversity, Landi was the obvious destination for possible newcomers since we had more than enough room,” Tomasco explains. “We weren’t able to turn anyone down.”

For the last few years, Landi included 200 members.

But in 2017, they increased to 575. The 2017 Mummers Parade showcased many new groups under the Landi name: The Jacks Brigade (the Foschini and Cella families, along with Steven Leuzzi), The Rabble Rousers with Captain Jesse Engard, a steel drum band called Philadelphia Pan Stars and the LGBT community’s Miss Fancy Brigade. There was also the San Mateo Carnavaleros representing Mexican heritage with Captain David Pina, an Asian brigade called Southeast

by Southeast, captained by Catzie

34

| rowhome magazine |April / May / June 2017

the whole world smiles with you

Vilayphonh and an African American marching band named Second to None. Other groups consisted of The Mayfair Mummers, Philadelphia Pranking Authority, Marren’s Marauders and the Goudy Group.

Tomasco’s philosophy is simple.

Don’t overemphasize the aspect of winning. Stress the importance of having fun.

“In 1970, our motto was to bring smiles to all the children’s faces on New Year’s Day. In 2017, I think that we really accomplished that.

I’ve been in the parade for almost 50 years and we’ve always marched for ourselves and the people on the street. I don’t care if we get 100 points or 0 points. If we stay true to ourselves and keep it as what it’s supposed to be about, ringing the New Year in with joy, I think we’ll be okay. That’s why we do this.” prh

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PRHSalute to Service

Rev. John Stabeno takes 12 steps to the streets As long as there is a Heartbeat, there is Hope

B

by Maria Merlino

orn in the last year of the Baby Boomer generation, 53-year-old Rev. John M. Stabeno M.S.M. Div., was baptized in the Annunciation Parish, got his primary education at Stella Maris School and graduated from St. John Neumann High School. Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Stabeno is entrenched in the traditions of the neighborhood. He even marches with the Jesters Brigade on New Year’s Day.

s e rv i c e

“I was a typical South Philly teen,” he begins. “I liked hanging on the corner of 7th and Porter Street. There was a drugstore there and I became friends with the pharmacy student, Ernie Coccia. We still keep in touch.

He has a pharmacy at 8th and Moyamensing Avenue now.”

Stabeno says when he came to a fork in the road when he was a teen, one of his teachers at Neumann – Robert Romano – helped him choose the right path. “I wanted to do what he did. When I told my father I was going into the priesthood, he told me I’d last two weeks and be home.”

Father Stabeno says he did leave the priesthood a couple of times.

Once before he was ordained – from 1989-1995 – and once after he was ordained – from 2004-2008. “I’m like Al Pacino from the Godfather Part III. Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in,” he laughs.

But it’s no laughing matter when he walks the streets of his old neigh-

36

borhood and recognizes the familiar stamps of drug dealers on the empty heroin baggies that litter the sidewalks. They remind him of the reason he joined the priesthood in the first place. He was losing too many of his corner boys to drugs. “I lost a lot of people in the badlands. As a society, we can’t hide it. Families try to hide it. But they are in denial. They don’t know how to deal with the stigma.”

He says people have been dying from illegal drugs for years, but things are different these days. Drugs are stronger, easier to get. And things are spiraling out of control. Denial is no longer an option.

If families don’t heed the warning, what’s left to do? “It’s the person, the addict, who makes the decision.

It’s a spiritual awakening,” Stabeno explains. “As long as there is a heartbeat, there is hope. It’s the basis of our faith.”

Father Stabeno is adamant in his beliefs. “The person can come back, get recovery, get clean. But there is a

| rowhome magazine |April / May / June 2017

point of no return. It’s called death.”

He shifts uncomfortably in his chair. The air is thick with the weight of his memories. “The ugliest thing I’ve ever seen is a parent burying a child.”

He rattles off the points of origin of the deadly drugs that make their way onto the streets of our cities.

Afghanistan, Mexico, China. “Walls don’t keep them out because there are tunnels, air and water. Heroin is cheaper than pills.”

What about the War on Drugs?

“Just say no?” he laughs. “No. It gets uglier before it gets prettier.”

“Addicts need rehab not jail.” He says there are certain personality types that are more susceptible to addiction than others. “Parents tell me their most sensitive, compassionate children are addicted. How can that happen?”

Addiction is a spiritual disease, he says. There is a hole in the soul that may widen as the addiction worsens. “Emotions dry up. The addict becomes very manipulative. It’s like a Jekyll and Hyde. They’re not monstrous people but the disease makes them that way.”

He believes in the 12 Step Program – a set of guiding principles that outline a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion or other behavioral problems.

“These are principles we should all use in our lives. It’s not a life sentence, it’s a liberation.”

He should know. In addition to his pastoral duties as a priest, he’s spent the last 30 years working with people battling addictions. And the broken families that are the casualties of this war. His checklist of experience is long. Prevention, intervention, detox, residential treatment, halfway houses, support groups. In 2006, he founded the Prodigal House Foundation based in Sewell, NJ. “I can’t cure anybody. Only God can do that. I can’t tell people what to do with their money because they earn it.”

“Some say families enable the addict then ask how to handle it. I can’t tell people to give or not give. Any choices they make will have dismal consequences. Dead in bed or dead in the street. I’m doing this for 30 years.

I don’t give advice. I do invite people to seek out knowledge and the experience of others in good places.”

From the streets of his native South Philadelphia and across the bridge to Prodigal House in Camden, NJ, Rev. John Stabeno is a familiar name.

Thirty years ago, he answered the calling to save as many drug-tainted souls as he can reach. Too many have slipped through the cracks. But hope is a powerful motivator. prh gohomephilly.com

T s e rv i c e

en years ago, Tara Ritaldato had no idea that she would one day become so involved with an organization called Little Smiles. Years ago, the group contacted her at her salon, Strands 25, with a request to support their efforts.

“Little Smiles PA works with nurses, social workers and child life specialists to put smiles on the faces of children in traumatic or life altering situations in local hospitals, hospices and shelters. We work behind the scenes to help kids feel like kids again if only for a little while,” says Dr. Diane O’Mara, Director of Program Development for Little Smiles.

Every year, Ritaldato and her advisor, Teri Scogna, close their salon so they can devote all of their attention to 10 to 20 sick children who want to be pampered for the day. They make sure these little “stars” are ready for their big night at the organization’s annual Stars Ball.

Not only can the boys get haircuts and the girls get hairstyles, there also is a DJ there to make sure they all are having a good time.

“It is definitely something to see,” Ritaldato says regarding the transformation of the salon to focus solely on the kids.

Throughout the year, Ritaldato also helps with other events such as a costume drive for Halloween and the annual Monte Carlo Night fundraiser at Citizens Bank Park. Having worked with Little Smiles for the past decade, Ritaldato is now a board member. In 2014, she was the recipient of the Big Heart Award at the Little Smiles Ball, nominated by the children she has helped throughout her time volunteering.

Working with sick children can be especially heartbreaking. “It is difficult, but it is so rewarding,” Ritaldato says. She and the staff at Strands 25 say it’s their goal to make these children forget they are sick even for a few hours.

Dr. O’Mara agrees that Strands 25 is a wonderful asset to Little Smiles. “I cannot tell you how much we value [Ritaldato] and her staff. She is beyond amazing and we are so grateful to have her as our number one cheerleader. We really hit the jackpot when we met Tara and her team at Strands 25.” prh

Strands

25

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| rowhome magazine | 37

PRHSalute to Service

Covenant House

Pennsylvania

by Joei DeCarlo

A Right of Passage for homeless teens

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photo by Olivia Rae

ovenant House Pennsylvania (CHPA) has been working to help homeless, runaway and trafficked youth feel safe since 1999. John Ducoff, Executive Director Covenant House Pennsylvania, talks about how far their organization has come, their mission and how we can help those in need.

Eighteen years ago, CHPA began as a drop-in center with no beds in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Fast forward to 2017 and CHPA has a 76-bed home in Germantown

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and their Rights of Passage home in Kensington, which was built on the same site where the original Covenant House Drop-In Center stood, showing their commitment to the neighborhood and the children who live there. As soon as a young person knocks on the door, CHPA works to build a positive relationship with them.

CHPA is divided into three programs: street outreach, 24/7 emergency housing and the Rights of Passage housing program.

Street outreach works to reach every zip code in Philadelphia, searching for anyone in need under the age of 21 (post-foster care age). The 24/7 emergency housing portion is available 365 days a year and ensures that they will work to help anyone in need with no questions asked. Their Rights of Passage program is a 12-18 month program that works to teach youth skills and provide them with the resources

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they need to live independently.

Immediacy, sanctuary, structure, value communication and choice are the five principles at Covenant House PA. Each principle speaks to the work they are doing for our community.

Ducoff summarizes them by explaining, “We serve our young people with unconditional love and absolute respect. It begins with simple kindness.

We work with those who have aged out of the foster care system, who are victims of abuse, neglect, etc. We respect who they are, what they’ve been through and respect their potential.”

Working to form relationships with anyone they help, CHPA instills values through guidelines and traditions.

Ducoff went on to say, “We make sure everyone has a curfew. I was once told that the curfew made them feel as though ‘someone cared enough to make sure they came home.’ This was my favorite moment.”

CHPA also has family dinners and

| rowhome magazine |April / May / June 2017

invites volunteers to come in to speak to young people about their passions.

In a city with one of the highest teen poverty rates, the staff and volunteers at CHPA are working to help as many young people as they can. When asked about the challenges the organization faces, Ducoff explains, “We are 95-96 percent privately funded. In 2015, we served 512 young people but we had to turn away another 500. We have made progress and the city has stepped up.

Along with city council, they gave us funding to open another 25 beds.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer with Covenant House PA can attend one of its many upcoming events. Averaging to about three a year, CHPA hosts Sleep Outs where each sleeper is given a cardboard box, sleeping bag and a spot of pavement while they’re inspired by the youth at Covenant House. In March, they held their “Young Professional Sleep Out,” and April 28, 2017 is their “Women Unite Sleep Out.” The purpose of a Sleep Out is to let those in need know that they are cared about and someone is willing to make a sacrifice to see how they have had to live. To register for the Sleep Out or learn more about Covenant House PA, visit www.covenanthouse.org prh

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Michael Edwards

Real People Real Stories

A brain tumor didn’t cloud his

determination to win

by Nick Coppola

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

I

t all began in the fall of 2002. Michael Edwards was 8 years old and looking forward to playing football. Every day at practice, he told his mom his head hurt. She didn’t think much of it and told him to take a few Tylenol.

But when the season ended, his headaches continued.

One weekend in July, Michael and his father headed to the mall to buy a rubber football they could toss around in the pool. As soon as he got to the store, he felt nauseous and ran out. Later that day, they headed to the beach but Michael wasn’t feeling much better. His father knew some-

thing was up because he sat around all day. That week, his mother took him to the pediatrician where they checked his reflexes and behind his eyes to rule out a brain tumor. He was sent on his way with medication for allergies and migraines.

Michael still complained and his mother called a family friend, Dr. Gene Gatti. “I told him I saw two Sponge Bobs and that my mom was sometimes black,” Michael says. “He put me in a dark room to test my vision.”

They left the doctor’s office that day with two prescriptions. One for a brain CT scan and the other for blood work. His mother assumed the doctor suspected migraines so she scheduled the scan first.

“The person doing the scan called my mom in to show her a lump the size of a golf ball at the base of my neck,” Michael says. “They told her they had Dr. Gatti on the phone and he needed to talk to her.”

40

The lump on his neck was a tumor.

Dr. Gatti told them he spoke with the head of neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Dr. Leslie Sutton. He also told them to pack a bag and meet him in the emergency room at CHOP. “I had no idea what was going on,” Michael remembers. “That evening and the next day, I went for many tests to prep for emergency surgery on the morning of August 8th.”

It was the beginning of a long road ahead. Michael had to meet with radiation and oncology specialist Dr. Beverly Lange, to schedule his course of treatment, which also included neuropsychology, physical, occupational and speech therapy.

“I had to re-learn everything,” Michael says. “I couldn’t say words or walk after the surgery.” Michael was originally right-handed but the tumor left him slightly paralyzed on the right side. “I had to learn to do

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

a lot of things with my left hand and now I am left-handed,” he explains.

He spent three months in the hospital after the surgery and had to endure 31 days of radiation to the brain and spine. He also underwent 71 weeks of chemotherapy. Finally, in December 2004, Michael Edwards underwent his final treatment.

“Besides finishing chemotherapy, the highlight of that December was getting my dog Roxie,” he smiles.

“My mother helped me the most along the way,” Michael says. “She stayed at the hospital with me every night and made sure I was keeping up with everything I had to be doing in order to get better.”

Michael’s road to recovery was long and grueling. He spent three to four days a week at the hospital for therapy and had to have an MRI every three months to keep an eye on his brain and spine. He underwent treatment for six years before being deemed completely cured at the age of 15.

The tumor, known as a medullablastoma PNET, affected his eyesight and his learning aptitude wasn’t the same after surgery. He even had to leave his school to attend another that could accommodate his specific needs. He returned to high school at Clearview

in Mullica Hill.

Throughout his ordeal, Michael said he stayed focused on baseball, basketball and his overall love of sports to help him through the tough times. Today, he is a host and server at his family’s business, Popi’s Restaurant, where he works alongside his mother Gina Rucci. He says he’s met a lot of nice people. And he continues to keep up with the sports he loves.

In fact, he says he’s living in the wrong city because his favorite football team is the New York Jets.

“But they’re a lot like the Eagles,” he laughs. “They know how to disappoint you.” He grew up watching Kobe Bryant but wasn’t really a basketball fan until he got to high school where his friends got him hooked on the game. He started watching the Sixers even though they weren’t playing well at the time. He’s happy to see the improved team that’s on the court these days.

Michael has been cured for 13 years now, but still goes to therapy sessions twice a week to keep up with his recovery. Although he’s not exactly sure what he wants to do in the future, one thing is certain. His family will always be there to support him. prh gohomephilly.com

Cathy Gabrielsen

Real People Real Stories

Cuddle My

Kids

by Jane Roser

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

T

en years ago, the West Chester-based Cuddle My Kids creator and President Cathy Gabrielsen found herself in uncharted waters when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having recently given birth to her second child, Gabrielsen became concerned when she found it difficult to breastfeed and consulted her OBGYN, Dr. Michael Belden.

“Dr. Belden is one of those doctors who wants to do everything so you can have peace of mind,” Gabrielsen explains. “He thought I was too young to have cancer but requested a mammogram, which was very rare at 32.”

Gabrielsen was then referred to the director of the breast center at Paoli Hospital, Dr. Robert Fried, and to reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Gary Wingate. When the mammogram came back as cancerous and a biopsy showed she had invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer, Gabrielsen elected to have a single mastectomy.

“There’s so many fear-based decisions in the beginning,” Gabrielsen says. “You’re desperate to get that presence out of your body - I’ve had 13 surgeries since I was diagnosed and it’s hard when you have young kids. I used to be a teacher and was a very hands-on mom. I enjoy playing with my kids but when I had cancer, I couldn’t play with them or pick them up, so I felt like I was failing. I

couldn’t balance caring for them and caring for myself.”

For cancer patients, there’s an emotional component tied to the disease - nobody wants to feel like they’re a burden or feel as if they’re putting themselves ahead of their loved ones. Gabrielsen felt this cloud of guilt firsthand - the heavy weight of bringing “this horrible thing into their world and now you’ll also need care and assistance. I felt bad that I wasn’t being a good mom and I felt bad that I needed to take care of myself to get well, so the times that I was home, I wanted to give it 100 percent and found myself having more surgeries because I was picking up my kids and pulling my stitches.”

Going in for daily radiation treatments, Gabrielsen was surprised to see

how many young families there were - several with parents working more than one job so they could provide for their children. “Your socioeconomic status doesn’t warrant more care or compassion or need, everybody feels the same emotional component and that’s what I really wanted to feel when I started Cuddle My Kids.”

As are most brilliant ideas, this one was born in the shower. “That’s where I do most of my thinking,” Gabrielsen laughs. “At first it was just my sisters, mom, a couple of close friends and myself. We started out with creative play dates; bringing arts and crafts to people’s houses. We would read stories and start journals. We formed such intimate relationships with these families because they felt they could tell us what they really needed. Everyone needs just a little something, even if it’s just a ride to work. That little something makes their life better.”

Soon, Cuddle My Kids began to fill those needs and as the non-profit evolved, so did the available programs. An oncology nurse consults with the patient and family immediately and assists them in picking out

the program or programs best suited for their needs. These include access to cancer care resources, creative playtime, delivery of healthy snacks and creative play backpacks, wellness support (access to massage therapists, nutritionists and psychologists) and community support groups.

They also give out an annual award to a child who has made a difference in their community: the Marjorie Gormley Goodwin award, which was named in honor of one of their first patients, a woman who embodied bravery and gratitude.

Now assisting almost 1,000 people a year and with a $300,000 annual budget, Cuddle My Kids and their extraordinary team of volunteers have been able to do a whole lot for very little.

“I created the organization for the community,” Gabrielsen says. “It’s not mine, it belongs to everyone.”

When asked what advice she gives to newly diagnosed cancer patients, Gabrielsen encourages them to “honor the fear, experience it, then let it go and know that you’re not alone.” prh

April / May / June 2017

| rowhome magazine | 41

Alex Dunek

Real People Real Stories

Breaking through the chains of

cancer

by Matt Kelchner

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

“H

ard times are inevitable, but it’s not what you go through that makes you who you are, it’s how you get through it,” local deaf competitive bodybuilder and New Jersey native Alex Dunek says towards the end of our interview. “Keep pushing and stay strong.”

Faced with her own set of hard times early on in her life, Dunek battled through Germ Cell Sarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer that makes up 2 percent of all cases. Born in Mount Laurel, she is one of three triplets. While Germ Cell Sarcoma is extremely uncommon,

it is frequent in multiple births.

“My mother was originally supposed to have quadruplets and the fourth child (my twin brother) ended up not developing properly and turned into a tumor attached to me.”

The tumor was discovered shortly after birth and ended up being benign, but after the removal of a full body cast due to dislocated hips, a second tumor was found that was cancerous.

After multiple rounds of treatment at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children with Pediatric-Oncologist Dr. Greg Halligan and nurse Peggy Mulherin, Dunek was pronounced cancer free. However, the regimen left her with changes that would affect her for the rest of her life.

Dunek explains, “I went through six rounds of intensive chemotherapy which caused the hearing loss.”

Dunek is not shy to admit her full embrace of her disability. “The deaf community is a very big part of my life.” She is fluent in both American

42

Sign Language and lip reading. In 2014, she graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology, the second largest school for the deaf and hard of hearing, with a degree in professional and technical communications.

Shortly after receiving her diploma, Dunek started bodybuilding as a motivating way to deal with her depression. “My boyfriend at the time was really into lifting and working out so his lifestyle rubbed off on me.

Hearing him talk about something with so much passion really motivated me to try something new.”

Without college classes, exams or homework to fill up her days, Dunek was able to take a serious step into her new hobby. Competing was always in the back of her head, but it wasn’t until splitting up with her boyfriend that she found the final push to dive in. “The breakup really motivated me to channel my pain and energy into a specific goal. It took my mind off of what was going on and gave me

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

something to work towards. I ended up falling in love with competing.”

Fast-forward to today and bodybuilding has evolved from hobby into a fully encompassing lifestyle. She has become a two time nationally qualified athlete, as well as the fitness writer for JerseyMan and PhillyMan magazines. Her instagram account (@TipsFromAFitChick) serves as a way to casually teach others about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.

She even has a short documentary out about her life, entitled Stronger.

“Bodybuilding has made me not only physically stronger but mentally stronger,” Dunek expounds. “It has made me so much more confident as a deaf woman in the sense that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to regardless of my hearing (or lack thereof) that might try and hinder me.”

In her free time Dunek helps out with Alexandra’s Ambition, a foundation that she started with her mother.

“Alexandra’s Ambition is extremely important to my mother and I because we know first-hand exactly what these kids and parents are experiencing.” Once a month, they cook and serve homemade meals at the Ronald McDonald House on Erie Avenue in Philadelphia. During these dinners, they invite special guests like family favorite professional basketball

players Ryan and Jason Thompson.

During the winter holidays, they also sponsor one family and fulfill their wish list by buying presents for the children. “We want them to know that there is hope and people out there who do care. We really just want to help make the process a bit easier for them any way we can.”

In her lifetime so far, Dunek has proven that battling and defeating cancer does not have to leave negative scars on her life, even if it has left her without the ability to hear. In so many different ways, she has overcome her hurdles and changed her life for the better. “I was young at the time so I barely remember much about being diagnosed, but growing up the way I did, I definitely did not think I would ever become a bodybuilder let alone a nationally qualified one at that.”

Dunek has taken a step back from competing in bodybuilding contests, but that isn’t to say she has taken a step back in the lifestyle. She wants to continue and grow to teach people how to live a healthy life. She would also like to get back into the competition world and one day become a professional. She also has dreams of opening her own gym in Philadelphia. Given her determination, hard working ethic and great attitude, the sky’s the limit for Alex Dunek! prh gohomephilly.com

na Angeli lo r a DeC

Real People Real Stories

Angelina’s Angels

Taking Control

by John Nacchio

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

“W

ake up!” The day started like any other day as Angelina’s mother Denise DeCarlo called out to her daughter. But on this particular day, Angelina wasn’t feeling well enough to go to school. They scheduled a visit with pediatrician Dr. Glenn Pisk. Angelina, then a 6th-grader, told Dr. Pisk, “I have a really bad cold and a 101 fever but I’ve been experiencing things that I don’t normally feel when I am sick.”

Dr. Pisk tested Angelina’s blood glucose and it was over 700.

It was an extremely acute symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis, as her blood sugar levels exceeded 300 mg/dl.

Her mother knew it was a serious condition. Complications of diabetes are life threatening.

“My mom immediately drove me to the hospital and they took me into the Emergency Room. They explained everything. I stayed a week at CHOP. Not because I was unhealthy, but because I needed to learn how to take care of my diabetes. They taught me how to give myself injections and test my blood sugar 8 to 10 times a day. It was a little scary at first, but after a while, I got used to it.”

Angelina says The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Endocrinology staff was incredibly supportive, patient and caring. She met Sani A. Roy, MD, Pediatric Endocri-

nology Specialist, who finalized the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. The condition would negatively affect mood, mental focus and physical activity. Keeping it in control with diet, exercise and injections of insulin was the key, as there is no cure.

Denise DeCarlo was faced with overwhelming and sometimes frightening questions. What will my child be able to eat? How will she manage when she is at school? Will I ever be able to let her go out on her own? Is there a cure on the horizon? What can I do?

Angelina’s father, Philadelphia police officer Paul DeCarlo, provided a steady hand with the support of her grandparents, aunts, uncles and brother Domenick. Angelina was blessed with a caring family, friends, doctors and JDRF - the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

JDRF had walks for awareness and

provided emotional support. Kate Wickersham, Director of Challenge and Signature Events for the Philadelphia area, became a close contact.

More than 1.25 million Americans have Type 1 Diabetes and an estimated 40,000 people will be newly diagnosed each year in the U.S. It affects adults as well as children. JDRF ambitiously raises and invests more money than any other organization seeking a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

The school system - both Catholic and public - have a shortage of nursing hours. “It was a real issue, worrying about who would take care of Angelina during school hours,” says Angelina’s mom. Managing her diabetes became a daily challenge. They discovered the insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). For Angelina, “it was scary at first, wearing an insulin pump, but the pump replaced the need for injections and offers flexibility and privacy. CGM is a medical app installed on my phone that displays real-time glucose levels via Bluetooth. No more need to prick my finger 8-10 times a day.” Doctors could wirelessly monitor the history of glucose levels remotely via the app.

April / May / June 2017

Today, Angelina is a 9th grader at John W. Hallahan High School for girls. She faces the world with optimism. “She is growing up fast and meeting the challenge head on,” says her mom. Speaking proudly of organizing to rally spirits and support during the JDRF Walk For a Cure, “We carry a banner, wear tshirts and bracelets to exclaim support identifying us to the world as ‘ANGELINA’s ANGELS’.”

“My sole purpose of this article is to spread awareness of how dangerous TYPE 1 Diabetes can be if not treated or detected early on,” Angelina says to Philadelphia RowHome Magazine readers. “From the day my doctor told me that I was diabetic, all I wanted to do was make it more known to people. You never really hear people talk about it. Most people don’t even know that it exists. I didn’t.

If you feel in any way different or not well…please don’t ignore it. Talk to your doctor. It is important to always listen to your body. I did and it made a major difference in my life.” prh Join Angelina’s Angels at the JDRF Wildwood Walk on June 3, 2017, at Morey’s Adventure Pier.

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el Micha r t s Ma o

Real People Real Stories

The Addiction

Monster

by Dominique Verrecchio

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

A

ddiction is something that has plagued humanity since the beginning of time. Addiction has no prejudice. It comes in many different forms.

Michael Mastro, a South Philadelphia native, was a well-liked kid raised by an extremely loving and supportive family. As a teenager, he began experimenting with drugs, not thinking this choice would heavily affect his future.

“I was looking up to all of the wrong people. Even though at the time they seemed like they were the right people to look up to and be around,” Mastro says.

He started doing pills at the age of 15 because he thought it was cool.

His abuse began as recreational, only taking place on the weekends, but he soon found himself using daily and not knowing he was digging himself deeper into addiction.

At 16, Mastro reached out to his biological father, which would only make his addiction worsen. “I always heard stories about what he was into and honestly it intrigued me, so I started to hang out with him. I got involved in things that a teenage kid should never do.”

Mastro started selling drugs and got thrown out of school. “After I got kicked out, I continued to live a fast lifestyle by trying to keep up with the guys who were older

44

than me. I fell through the cracks. I started to do pills on a level that was out of control. I still didn’t realize I was an addict. I was in denial.”

At 19, Mastro was arrested for possession and distribution of cocaine and sentenced to nine months in prison. Although he promised himself that he would turn his back on drugs for good, within a month of his release he was using again.

He didn’t recognize himself. “I was doing terrible things to the people who love me the most.”

Mastro went to prison twice more for distribution of narcotics. Though he promised himself he would get out and get clean, he didn’t know anything about recovery. It was never long before he started doing

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

pills again; the battle just continued.

In 2016, Mastro’s grandmother Josie Mastro, the closest person in his life, passed away. This devastating event brought him to his lowest point. “It took me down a path of such pain that the only way I knew how to cover it was with pills. Still, to this day, I struggle with the fact that she is gone. But I know she is watching over me and she is the one who gave me the strength to finally keep my promise of recovery.”

In August of 2016, Mastro received a phone call from his cousin who was also a recovering addict. He explained that another friend, Christopher Ferry, was opening a rehabilitation center in Florida. It was called Boca Recovery and they offered Mastro the opportunity that would finally give him his life back.

“I was the first client to go through the facility. Not only did Chris give me a scholarship, but after completion, he offered me a job as the outreach coordinator for Philadelphia and South Jersey,” says Mastro, who has been clean for seven months.

He is living a much happier and healthier life in sobriety.

“It was the best move I’ve ever made. Boca gave me my life back.

They gave me my family back. And they gave me a platform to speak out and help recovering addicts find their lives and get the help that they need.

The way my life is today, I would have never dreamed of it. I am living a drug-free life with a job that I love.

I am finally able to be there for my family, compared to the way I was when I was active in my addiction.”

Mastro wants to thank his cousin Dominic, Chris Ferry and Boca Recovery Center for helping him get through the worst point in his life and teaching him that there is a better way of life. He would also like to thank his family, girlfriend and her two sons for being there for him throughout his years of drug abuse and now in his recovery. He has a message to anyone who is in the same situation that he once was in. If you are ready to seek help, he is just a phone call away. Call him at 215.398.5754 or 215.398.9676. prh gohomephilly.com

Monica Church

Real People Real Stories

Road to recovery is paved with

compassion

by Santina Pescatore

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

M

onica Buchanico Church received her life changing diagnosis on April 7, 2016. She had Stage II breast cancer, discovered after her doctor found something unusual in her ultrasound during her yearly mammogram.

Church opted to undergo a lumpectomy after discussing her options with Dr. Dahlia Sataloff of Pennsylvania Hospital. During the lumpectomy, doctors removed three of her lymph nodes. After surgery, she underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. Dr. David Mintzer, oncologist at Pennsylvania Hospital,

was also vital to Church’s recovery.

By July 4th 2016, Church was forced to cut off her hair. It was a traumatic experience because her hair had not been short since the day she was born.

After visiting Joseph Minniti Hair Replacement in Cherry Hill, some of her fears lifted. She calls Minniti “an angel.” He calmed her fears and made this part of her journey more comfortable. Unfortunately, Church mourns the loss of Minitti, who recently died, and recognizes him as “a true gentlemen” to the many cancer

patients he served.

Church credits her support system of family and friends for her recovery process. “I can’t imagine people who got through this without support.”

A cancer diagnosis is a traumatic life-altering experience. Church says she was still coping with the loss of her job just before her diagnosis and the mounting expenses of cancer treatments only compounded her stress.

Church’s sister, Joanna Buchanico, wanted to find a way to help her sister pay for her breast cancer treatment.

She channeled her love of running and started Miles for Monica to raise more than $10,000. She reached her goal of 300 miles the day Church finished her last chemotherapy treatment.

“I’m so overwhelmed at the gracious acts of kindness people have done for me and my family,” Church says.

DJ Russ Ferrante, who started the annual fundraiser Drink Pink, also honored Church in October and raised more than $3,300 for her breast cancer treatment. After a friend died from breast cancer, Ferrante created the fundraiser in her memory. “It is such an underestimated disease that women, also men, can get because the biggest issue is doctors, as well as women, do not have enough information even still,” Ferrante says.

While Church has completed treatment and there is a 95 percent chance

she will not get breast cancer again, the body and joint pain she experiences from her necessary estrogen receptor medication make daily life difficult at times. Even with the chronic pain, Church has resigned to not only live her life to its fullest, but also help others in the process. With the help of her high school friend Kristi Collins, she joined a support group called the Young Survival Coalition and now hopes to help others in need.

“I need to move on with my life and the mental anguish. I’m ready to help these people,” Church says.

While the battle to recovery has been long and the side effects from her required medication will most likely linger, Church says she will never give up.

“I’m a fighter. I don’t go down easy.” prh

April / May / June 2017

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Robert “Boots” Nocille

Real People Real Stories

Boots’

Brigade

by Anthony Grosso

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

R

obert “Boots” Nocille was born and raised in South Philadelphia. He grew up with my father and was a huge part of my life - an amazing man who would drop anything he was doing to help another person. In 2003, six months before the day of his wedding, Boots underwent triplebypass open-heart surgery. He recovered well and fought through it.

Boots moved to Washington Township with his wife Nicole and two beautiful little girls, Mia, 11, and Nina, 8. In 2008, he was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease, a genetic disorder in which many cysts

grow in and on the kidneys causing them to swell and lose function. The disease runs in his family and affected his mother, who also had kidney problems. “I was nervous,” he says of the diagnosis, “but I knew it was going to happen to me eventually because of my family genes.”

Boots’ kidney disease was originally detected by his cardiologist, Dr. Gregg Reis. His creatine level was elevated

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and he referred him to nephrologist, Dr. Carmen Petrusco. He was immediately placed on the kidney donor list at Jefferson Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Through everything, he continued to coach his daughters in soccer and make an appearance at every event for his friends and family. I remember the relief I felt the day we got the phone call that they had found a do-

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

nor. Deanna Ensign, whose daughter Boots coached in soccer, offered to donate her left kidney. Due to a minor setback and back injury, Ensign could not undergo the transplant until April of 2017. “I was absolutely shocked that a lady I’ve only known a year and a half would give me her kidney,” he says.

On December 8th, 2016, Boots went to the hospital for what he thought were kidney stones. Tests revealed that his kidneys were failing and he was immediately placed on Dialysis, which he undergoes three days a week at Fresenius Kidney Care in Deptford, New Jersey.

In February of 2017, Boots’ friends and family held a benefit to raise money to assist him. The combination of donations and support

from all the people that attended surpassed everyone’s expectations.

Friends, family and strangers donated 150 baskets for an auction and more than 450 people from South Philly to Washington Township showed up to support the cause.

“It was overwhelming. I can’t believe that many people showed up to support me,” Boots said.

Boots’ transplant will be performed in April of 2017 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is especially thankful to Deanna Ensign, an incredible woman who selflessly offered to donate her left kidney to someone she has only known for a year and a half.

An act of kindness that will certainly span a lifetime. prh gohomephilly.com

Real People Real Stories

5

th

Isabella A nn

Born on the

of

July

by Debbie Russino

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

M

y granddaughter Isabella Ann was born on July 5th, 2009 at 2:41 PM. Under normal conditions, this would have been one of the happiest moments of my life. But she was not due until October 5th. Isabella was exactly three months premature, weighing just one pound, 13 ounces. We all were expecting this baby in early fall yet God and nature had a different plan. And so we began our arduous journey praying for a happy and healthy ending.

Cora, Isabella’s mom, had problems from the beginning and it was

evident that this pregnancy would be very high risk. Doctor visits and tests would reveal that she was beginning to lose amniotic fluid. When she was admitted to Riddle Memorial Hospital, she learned that all of the fluid was gone and the baby had no way to move around. This particular hospital also was not equipped to handle a delivery for a baby this premature.

Cora was quickly transferred to Pennsylvania Hospital and treated by teams of doctors and nurses. It would be virtually impossible to name all of them. To this day, Cora speaks highly of her primary caretaker, Dr. Dominic Marchiano, describing him as an excellent professional with a very compassionate demeanor.

Dr. Soraya Abbasi, a very well known, capable and truly caring individual, was the primary doctor who delivered and helped care for Isabella. Cora was told that she needed complete bed rest for the next six weeks until the baby was born. I received a phone call from my son Pete telling me that the doctors decided to perform a cesarean section because it was too dangerous to wait any longer.

I arrived at the hospital only to find my son standing in the hallway holding his newborn daughter’s birth certificate with tiny footprints no bigger than two inches long.

They wheeled Isabella out of delivery in an incubator all wrapped up in

what looked like Saran Wrap to keep her body temperature warm. It was a difficult sight to behold; a tiny baby who looked more like a porcelain doll. So small and fragile.

Her head was no larger than an orange. Her arms and legs looked like breadsticks. And she was a pistol from day one! She wasn’t even fully developed but that did not stop her from pulling and kicking the wires until they became detached. The nurses constantly had to hook them up again! I knew right away that Isabella was going to be a fighter.

The dedicated neonatal nurses Cora would later refer to them as “miracle workers” - went above and beyond with their expertise, devotion and compassion for not only these precious babies, but also for the family members who needed words of comfort. I marveled at the remarkable care given to these newborns on a daily basis. These unsung heroes are responsible for nurturing and caring for these tiny infants when they can no

longer survive in their mother’s body.

Cora still vividly remembers the sadness she felt having to leave the hospital without her baby. Even though she went to the hospital every day, it simply was not the same.

Isabella was released from Pennsylvania Hospital in late October of 2009, but she had to leave with a monitor attached. The long road ahead was filled with countless appointments with doctors, specialists and ongoing tests. But by the grace of God and the expertise of the doctors, nurses and staff at Pennsylvania Hospital, Isabella passed with flying colors.

I feel so grateful and blessed to announce that Isabella is a very healthy, happy and rambunctious child who will turn eight this summer. She’s an honor student at the very top of her class and we couldn’t be more proud. Whenever we show Isabella photos of her time spent in the incubator, we laugh because she always responds the same way. ‘That isn’t me. I was never that little!’ prh

April / May / June 2017

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Deana a nd her teacher, Judy Willner

Deana

Real People Real Stories

Vega

How my sun got its

Smile

by Joei DeCarlo

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

A

lthough only 18 years old, Deana Vega has overcome and accomplished so much in her life. Vega is from Sarasota, Florida, and has been living in Philadelphia since she was five. At the age of nine, she was diagnosed with leukemia.

“The toughest part of my battle was missing out on family events.

Sometimes, I was too sick to go home or I would try to go home and I would end up back in the hospital. Missing out on time with my family was hard for me to deal with,” Vega says.

After eight months in and out of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Vega won her battle against leukemia. However, at the age of 11, she recognized that families such as her own were “in need of motivation to show that things will get easier.”

After identifying this void, Vega started working on her biggest accomplishment - writing her book, How My Sun Got Its Smile. The purpose in writing it was to inspire other cancer patients, survivors and anyone else who loves a happy ending! It’s the true story of Vega herself, a young girl who overcame Leukemia and

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learned an incredible life lesson.

With the help of her former art teacher, Meloni Kinckner, and another teacher in her school, Judy Willner, Vega got to work writing a children’s book to inspire families that were in need of motivation.

“Helping Deana illustrate her book was an amazing endeavor,” Kinckner says. “She taught me so much about staying positive and finding joy in the small things in life. Being alongside her as she read her book to kids at St. Christopher’s Hospital, walking with her and her family at the Philly Art Museum for Light the Night and

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

seeing her all decked out in a fancy gown at the LLS Gala are memories I will treasure for a lifetime!”

Eight years ago, 10-year-old Vega realized the importance of fundraising for cancer research. “Deana has overcome so many obstacles and has always remained strong. She inspires others and wants to help kids with cancer as a social worker - like the social workers who helped her,” Willner explains.

Vega’s dreams of becoming a social worker are in full gear. She plans to attend the Community College of Philadelphia to study social work and human services. She also wants to continue to challenge herself and become exposed to new opportunities.

“I would love to form connections with my professors and possibly take up a foreign language such as Arabic or Chinese,” she says.

Her success thus far proves that she is driven and will continue to

achieve anything she sets her mind to. With the help of her two teachers and the book, Vega has raised $20,000 to date to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

When asked about her success and role models, Vega looks to her family and her faith. “My biggest role model is my mother. Without her, I would not have come as far as I did. My grandmothers Mari and Nilda and my aunt Shay are also role models in my life. They push me to be a better person every day. I take nothing for granted. I thank God every day for what he does for me.”

To purchase a copy of How My Sun Got Its Smile, visit Amazon for digital and print versions. With more than 1,000 copies sold, Vega hopes to raise more money for the cause in the years to come.

“I never thought I could accomplish something so great. I can now treasure this experience forever,” she says. prh gohomephilly.com

Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey invites you to attend the

Family Pasta Dinner AT WATER WORKS

A N I G H T O F F O R M A G G I O A N D FA M I G L I A AT T H E F O OT O F T H E P H I L A D E P H I A M U S E U M O F A R T

Doors Open at 4pm HOSTED BY

RAFFLES DINNER COCKTAILS Jim Donovan & Rahel Solomon CBS3 Anchors will emcee the evening KID ZONE OPEN FROM 4-5PM COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING

TICKETS: RONALDHOUSE-SNJ.ORG

856.966.4663

#PastaDinner2017

PRHthe menu

Courtesy of Common Wealth Old City

Philly Courtesy of Lombardi’s Prime Meats

Lobster

Chicken with Olives & Pine Nuts

{The sauce that accompanies our Shellfish and Grits entree}

Ingredients

w w w . c o m m o n w e a lt h p h i l a . c o m

w w w . l o m b a r d i m e at s . c o m

➜1 whole 3.5 to 4 pound

chicken, cut into parts, with each breast cut in half ➜4 tablespoons olive oil ➜4 tablespoons butter ➜1 cup pitted brined cured green olives or pitted oil cured black olives

➜3 whole cloves garlic, peeled ➜ ( 2) 3-inch sprigs of fresh rosemary

➜1 /2 cup white wine ➜ J uice of 1 lemon ➜1 /4 cup toasted pine nuts ➜S alt and pepper to taste ➜P inch of cayenne pepper

Directions Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry. Remove any excess fat but leave the skin on. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne. In a large cast iron skillet, melt the butter and olive oil until hot. Add the chicken pieces, skin side down (you may need to do this in two batches) and cook about 4 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove chicken to a platter. Tilt pan and pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat. Add chicken back to the pan, skin side up. Tuck in garlic cloves, olives and fresh rosemary sprigs.

Pour wine and lemon juice all over chicken. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Chicken juices should run clear when pierced with fork. Remove from oven, sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top and let rest for 5 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

PRH Signature Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello Clos La Chance Sauvignon Blanc Reserve $12

Étouffée

Ingredients ➜2 tbsp garlic (diced) ➜1 /4 cup unsalted butter ➜1 /4 cup flour ➜1 /2 cup tomatoes (chopped) ➜2 cups onions (diced) ➜1 bay leaf ➜1 cup poblano peppers ➜1 /2 tbsp kosher salt (diced) OR green peppers ➜1 /4 tsp cayenne pepper (diced; for less heat) ➜1 tbsp Cajun seasoning ➜1 cup celery (diced) ➜2 cups lobster stock Directions In a large bottom pot, melt butter and add flour to make a roux. Cook the roux, stirring constantly, until it resembles the color of peanut butter, for about 15 minutes. Add the onions, peppers and celery. Sauté for another 10-15 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and tomatoes and sauté 10 more minutes. Add bay leaves, salt, cayenne and Cajun seasoning. Cook for 4 minutes. Add lobster stock and bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.

PRH Signature Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello William Hill Chardonnay $14 Common Wealth Old City Restaurant is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

Lombardi Prime Meats is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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gohomephilly.com

Summer Camp

Personal Health, Youth Sport, Education and Development Activities include: " Arts & Crafts # Water Activities $ Sport Activities and much more!

Courtesy of Giovanni’s Italian Catering

Pork Shank Stew

www . giovannisitaliancatering . com

Ingredients

SIGN UPS are now being accepted for campers, weekdays from 3PM to 6PM at EOM. Camp runs from June 25th - August 22nd, for children ages 4-12.

Located at EOM (138 Moore Street)

As always we will provide an enriching summer camp experience! $800.00 For Full Time Campers | $600.00 For Part Time (payment plans available; a small deposit of $200 will reserve your child’s spot)

➜ ( 2) 4 ounce pieces of pork shank ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜

cut in half (4 pieces total) 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon of minced fresh garlic 1 /2 cup olive oil, remove 2 tablespoons for potatoes 2 tablespoons of salt, remove 1 teaspoon for potatoes 1 tablespoon black pepper, remove 1 teaspoon for potatoes 1 pound Idaho potatoes, scrubbed, peeled and each cubed into 6 pieces 1 /2 cup of peas, fresh or frozen 2 onions, peeled and thinly sliced 1 /2 cup white wine 1 /2 cup water

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine rosemary, garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper. Place pork in bowl, and stir to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to marinate. While pork is marinating, season cubed potatoes with the reserved olive oil, salt and pepper. In the bottom of a heavy oven-proof pot, add sliced onions, peas and potatoes. Nestle pork shank pieces on top and drizzle the white wine and water over all. Place lid on top. Cook for 3 hours or until tender. Serves 4.

PRH Signature Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello Maison Nicolas Potel Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir $16

215-266-4195

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215.462.0505

www.crbuildingsupply.com DELIVERY AVAILABLE Hours: Mon-Fri. 7am – 5pm Saturday 8am – 1pm SOUTH PHILADELPHIA 1600-30 Washington Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19146

Giovanni’s Italian Catering is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

April / May / June 2017

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PRHthe menu Courtesy of Erica Daniels Ingredients onion, chopped ➜2 organic free-range eggs ➜2 lbs ground organic ➜1 /2 cup organic baby carrots, chopped

➜1 /2 cup organic green beans, chopped

➜1 /2 organic sweet

Philly

Meatloaf & Sneaky Veggies www.cookingwithleo.com

grass-fed beef

➜1 /2 cup Italian-Style

Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs

➜1 can organic tomato paste Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Crack eggs into a high-capacity blender.

Add carrots, green beans, and onion. Mix until blended into a liquid. In a large mixing bowl, mix the veggie-egg mixture with the meat and breadcrumbs.

Line the baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper to make cleanup easier. Make three loaves out of the mixture and place on the baking sheet.

Spread the tomato paste on the top and sides with a spreader or butter knife.

Bake in the oven for an hour.

Erica Daniels is the author of Cooking with Leo: An Allergen-Free Autism Family Cookbook, autism advocate, medical cannabis activist and public speaker. She’s the single mother of Leo who struggles with autism and chronic health issues. Her life changed and gained new purpose after her son was diagnosed with autism in 2007. Erica founded Autism Advisors LLC and #hope4Leo 501c3 after years of struggling to treat her son’s autism using conventional and biomedical treatments with little or no success. Eating a healthy allergen-free diet and using natural medicines have greatly improved Leo’s health and autism symptoms. Twenty-five percent of book sales go to www. hope4leo.org to improve the lives of families affected by autism.

Meet me at the Penrose

PENROSE DINER 20th & Penrose Avenue Philadelphia, Pa.

215.465.1097 Open 7 days S-Th: 6 am to midnight F&S: 24 hours

Food for thought 52

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S E RV I N G B R E A K F A S T, L U N C H & D I N N E R

gohomephilly.com

Spread the Whiz Adopts Local School Philly

I

n the winter issue of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine, we introduced you to Frank Olivieri’s latest project, his Spread the Whiz Foundation. Through the Foundation, Olivieri, owner of Pat’s King of Steaks, plans to combine the arts and his love of food as a way to educate, inform and demonstrate healthy eating habits and nutrition to school-aged children.

Since the launch of the Foundation and the release of our winter issue, Spread the Whiz has adopted its first public school, Chester A. Arthur, at 20th & Catharine Streets. It is a diverse K-8 school that encourages academic inquiry and discovery. The dedicated staff strives to give each child the opportunity to develop to his/her fullest potential and makes Chester A. Arthur the perfect first adoptee for Spread the Whiz. Oliveri says they plan to adopt one public school a year.

The Chester A. Arthur School and Spread the Whiz will be planting a variety of fruits and vegetables this spring, enabling children to learn through artistic and culinary experiences.

Olivieri says he strives to educate Philadelphia’s youth about better food choices as a way to invest in their future.

Through Spread the Whiz, he hopes to spread awareness to children and their parents about healthy food and nutrition. Follow Olivieri and his Spread the Whiz journey via www. facebook.com/STWhiz. prh

April / May / June 2017

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PRHthe menu

Philly Courtesy of Fine Palate

Beignets w w w . f i n e pa l at e g r o u p . c o m

Ingredients ➜1 package (1/4 ➜1 /4 cup sugar ounce) active ➜1 large egg dry yeast ➜4 -1/2 cups self➜1 /4 cup warm water rising flour (110° to 115°) ➜O il for deep-fat frying ➜1 cup evaporated milk ➜C onfectioners sugar ➜1 /2 cup canola oil

Directions

Andreozzi Photography

WEDDINGS • SPECIAL EVENTS • BIRTHDAYS • ANNIVERSARIES

Andrew Paul - Photographer “QUALITY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR LESS” (484) 614-1952 apandreozziphotography@aol.com apandreozziphotography.com 54

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, oil, sugar, egg and 2 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). Do not knead.

Cover and refrigerate overnight. Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; roll into a 16x12-in. rectangle. Cut into 2-in. squares. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°.

Fry squares, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Roll warm beignets in confectioners sugar. Yield: 4 dozen.

PRH Suggested Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello La Tordera Prosecco Superiore Docg Beut $13

gohomephilly.com

The Birthplace of Freedom

Still Has a King.

9th & Passyunk Avenue

PRH Brides Guide

The Sky’s the Limit The Water Works hosts the wedding of your dreams by Joe Volpe

T

wenty-seventeen has been the best year yet for Cescaphe Event Group. We will host more than 800 weddings, CEG University is well into its second year and we recently launched Cescaphe White, a concierge service that will help our brides and grooms secure their Wedding Block at our partner hotels. This is just the first of several exciting new services we plan to offer through Cescaphe White, this year. Nothing makes

56

me happier than hearing our couples say, ‘Cescaphe does it all.’ We are here to make your day one of the most memorable experiences of your life. The more we can do for you, the better we feel about us!

As extraordinary as 2017 is, 2018 promises to be just as exceptional. Come spring and fall 2018, The Water Works will host weddings for as many as 400 guests! If you are planning a celebration for more than 200, a designer tent on the Mill House Deck is the perfect backdrop to one of the most scenic views in

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

Philadelphia.

One of the highlights of a Mill House wedding is sharing every inch of majestic Water Works space with your guests.

Ceremonies are hosted under the Grand Pavilion, a structure that defines the Neoclassical architecture of the venue.

Its towering columns serve as windows to the breathtaking views. Guests are escorted into the historic Engine House to savor Cescaphe’s signature cocktail hour-and-a-half while taking in the scenery from the Veranda. Dinner and gohomephilly.com

dancing at the Mill House complete the most romantic reception imaginable.

We have hosted quite a few weddings on the Mill House over the last 18 months and each one has inspired me. During our exclusive Mill House 2018 wedding seasons, our brides and grooms can enjoy the benefits of a posh tented affair without assuming any additional costs. From lavish design-

by Joseph Volpe, Cescaphe Event Group

er tent to exclusive amenities and services, Cescaphe will construct this custom venue from the ground up and cover all the costs.

Every wedding becomes part of your personal history but a Water Works wedding becomes part of Philadelphia history. As for me and the entire Cescaphe Event Group, we cannot wait to help you create your exquisite Mill House affair.

Cescaphe is a member of the PRH Business Network.

photos by Susan Beard Design, M2 Photography and Lightyear Studios

Ever keeping his eyes focused on the latest wedding trends, Cescaphe Event Group CEO/Chef Joseph Volpe is recognized as the area’s leading authority on ballroom bliss. With his innovative approach to the most important celebration of your life, his award-winning Cescaphe Ballroom, The Atrium at Curtis Center, Tendenza, Vie, The Down Town Club and The Water Works combine a captivating ambiance with exquisite cuisine for an unforgettable experience. Visit cescaphe.com or call 215.238.5750.

April / May / June 2017

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Christine Krawiec Photography

weddings . engagements newborn . families maternity

PRHBrides Guide

Let this

TRAVEL

South Philly plan gal your next trip

www.christinekrawiecphotography.com

by Nique Strati

Italian Coffee House

TASTE THE TRADITION 903 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215) 627-2578 W W W . I TA L I A N C O F F E E H O U S E . C O M

ItalianCoffeeHouse @AnthonyICH

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ina Casella was born and raised on 9th and Cross Street in South Philadelphia.

Italian culture is in her bones, as she has been traveling to Italy ever since she was a child. In 1991, she decided to move to Rome where she set up an office for a US importer and oversaw the marketing and management. Her passion for cooking also inspired her to start her own catering company that serves clients from The American Embassy, Italian corporations and diplomatic families living in Rome.

Along with that, she was given the opportunity to return to her alma mater, Temple University Rome, as a teacher. After many years in Italy’s capital, Casella moved to Manhattan to pursue a career as a Product Development Manager.

Still residing in NYC, Casella now spends her days sharing her love of travel and Italy with anyone interested in planning their next vacation. She is the president of AT Escapes, offering international excursions and New York City walking tours. The idea for this boutique travel agency developed after best-selling author and friend, Adriana Trigiani, asked Casella to plan a trip to Italy for her to research her next novel.

“When the trip concluded, Adriana asked if I would arrange similar intimate trips for her readers,” Casella says.

Seven years later, AT Escapes has evolved into a full-service travel company. Casella now offers travel throughout the U.S., Europe, Caribbean and Cuba. Unlike a traditional travel company, group tours never exceed twelve people. Trips are designed to meet individual

budgets and create memorable experiences.

Casella enlists local historians, archeologists and fine artists to serve as tour guides.

Wine-tasting in Italy? Your group will visit wineries during a private tour, then enjoy a five-course meal featuring wines paired with foods that perfectly complement each other.

“If you’re visiting Italy, take your time traveling,” Casella says. “Indulge in the different food and culture in each region so you feel as though you’re visiting many places while ultimately only visiting one.”

Casella notes Greece and Cuba as recent top destinations for many clients. Not interested in traveling abroad? She also has NYC walking tours planned for a variety of neighborhoods.

You can enjoy a tasting tour in Greenwich Village, a book tour throughout the city for literary lovers, or discover the legacy of show biz with a walk along Broadway. A large selection of NYC tours are available on Casella’s website, so grab some friends and some comfortable shoes.

Though Casella lives in New York, she’s connected to her hometown and the Italian culture that fills Philadelphia. To learn more about AT Escapes, visit www.atescapes.com.

Casella is happy to set up a phone or Skype call to help you create a vacation that’s as unique as you. She also makes frequent trips back to her hometown where she’ll gladly grab a cup of coffee with you and start planning! prh AT Escapes is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

Open 7 Days

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gohomephilly.com

FLORIST

EVENTS

Wedding

g

It all begins with the

own

C

1921 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 215-336-3557 800-248-3557 www.tenpenniesflorist.com

by Stacy Murray

yndi Deal has been dressing brides in the most beautiful gowns for more than 25 years.

Having worked in the finest boutiques throughout the region, Deal decided it was time to venture out on her own.

Bridals by Cyndi offers clients the most memorable experience, focusing on that dreamcome-true dress and personal attention to every detail.

When you enter Bridals by Cyndi, the charm, warmth and stunning imagery of lace, organza, pearls, crystals, ball gowns, sheaths, veils and accessories will make a girl’s heart beat faster.

For starters, Deal schedules a two-hour salon appointment to ensure that each bride is the focus of attention. She personally welcomes them – even adds her name to a salon chalkboard as a reminder that “this is her day to fall in love with a gown.”

Shoppers surround themselves in a sea of white – an exclusive

collection of gowns from some of the industry’s top designers including KITTYCHEN COUTURE, Lillian West, Mikaella, Calla Blanche and Paloma Blanca.

As far as trends go, Deal says “brides are ready to be brides again.” They want to be the bride and not the wallflower, she says. “Brides today want luxurious fabrics, beadwork, embroidery and lace.” Silhouettes of ballgowns, sheaths, A-lines and fluted mermaids adorn the racks at Bridals by Cyndi. There’s also a glamorous array of veils and headpieces, most of which can be customized to reflect each bride’s personal style. To ensure the perfect fit, the salon provides its own alteration service.

“The joy, the love, the anticipation of the day. It all begins with the gown. A bride truly becomes a bride the moment she puts on the gown.” For Deal, it’s not about selling a dress. It’s about sharing an experience and creating a memory that will last a lifetime. prh

Bella Angel Bridal Hair & Makeup

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April / May / June 2017

| rowhome magazine | 59

PRHBrides Guide Tips from the Pros

2017 Spring trends

Bold & Beautiful

the the

❱❱

by Victoria DiPietro www.bella-angel.com

It’s going to be a great season for makeup!

The Petal Pusher FLORIST & DECORATORS

This spring is fun and colorful with no shades off limits. The bolder, the better.

Cat eyes.

Eyes are the focus and the “Cat Eye” look comes in many varieties. Black, brown and charcoal defined this look in the past but the color palette has expanded to include reds, purples, blues – even yellow.

Contrast.

FLOWERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS “the unusual is our specialty”

2515 S. Broad Street / Philadelphia, PA 19148 P: 215.463.5485 / www.petalpusherflowers.net 60

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

Outline your eyes with one color and use a contrasting color on the lid. A pale lip works great with a bold colorful eye. Or wear a red lip with matching red shadows. Try powder blue lips with matching eyeliner.

All that glitters.

If you thought glitter finally ran its course, think again. Models are hitting the runway with encrusted glitter lips in gold and silver paired with thick black cat eyeliner. Glitter is still prominent on both the eyelids and under eyeliner. You can use glitter on your lids and take it down onto your cheeks for a dramatic, highlighted and youthful look.

Microblade your brows.

Microblading is an exciting new technique that

makes your brows look amazing. If you tweezed or shaved your brows away and are using pencils or powders to fill them in, take note.

Microblading is a micro-needle used to deposit pigment beneath the first layer of skin to fill in your brows. The results are realistic, natural, hairlike strokes. Of course, you can choose a color that’s best for you. People suffering from alopecia, trichotillomania or other conditions that cause hair loss can benefit from microblading, too. It lasts up to 18 months and the cost is about $700-$1,800.

Makeup is all about expressing yourself. Show the world who you are, feel great about yourself and look great while you’re doing it!

Victoria DiPietro, Bella Angel, is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network

gohomephilly.com

PRHmusic&art

The Theatre Geek 267.439.0779 GiovannisItalianCatering.com Mention ROWHOME Magazine & Receive 10% OFF Catering

Rebecca Robbins Singer. Actress. Cancer Survivor

by Marialena Rago

R

photos by Mark Bradley Miller and Dane Wagner

ebecca Robbins is an honorary Philly girl. Hailing from West Virginia, Robbins got her first taste of Philly when she was in college at The Curtis Institute of Music and has not left since. She also prides herself on being a massive Eagles fan, naming David Akers as one of her favorite players.

One thing Robbins hopes to do in the future is sing the national anthem for the team. “‘I’ve made it one of my goals,” Robbins says. “Broadway was always one, but that’s really my goal.”

Robbins did accomplish her goal of being on Broadway. She made her debut in A Tale of Two Cities. “I was with that production for five years before [heading to Broadway].”

How Robbins was cast in the production was a surprise to her.

She found out through an online article. But how she got the role wasn’t important. She was living her dream. “Opening night is the best thing ever. It all felt so surreal.”

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| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

When she is not at home in Drexel Hill, she is touring or in New York. Robbins just finished touring with the North America cast of The Phantom of the Opera where she played the Confidante/Madame Firmin and understudying the role of Carlotta Giudicelli.

She’s currently in her 14th Walnut Street Theatre production, Jerry’s Girls, a review of Jerry Herman’s music. When asked why she keeps coming back to do shows here and not New York, she says it’s the level of talent and the community.

“Outside of NY, Philly is the best theatre community.”

Though Robbins has had a successful career on stage, she has had her struggles. Four months after making her Broadway debut, she was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The illness not only prevented her from performing, but had the potential to stop her from singing altogether. The cancer was on the side of her neck. “Right

next to my voice,” Robbins says.

“I had surgery and got rid of the lymph nodes. At that point, I was not doing a show so we came down to Penn. That is when I moved from NY to Philly.”

After months of treatment, radiation and chemotherapy, Robbins can now say she is cancer free. “I am totally cleared. After five years. I hit my cleared two years ago.”

She is now living her second chance at life by doing the thing she loves most – performing.

After Jerry’s Girls, Robbins will take on the role of Florence Foster Jenkins in the play Souvenir.

Robbins isn’t afraid of living up to the performance of Meryl Streep who played Jenkins in a recent film. She is prepared thanks to her training at Curtis.

“I am glad I went to Curtis because in order to sing badly, you need to sing well.”

You can catch Jerry’s Girls with Rebecca until July 2nd at Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3. gohomephilly.com

Pieter Praharsi and his mother, Irma traveled from Indonesia to Philadelphia for sight restoring care.

Photography/Roger Barone

Our patients are our focus.

840 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 www.willseye.org 1-877-AT-WILLS

P RH music

Glen Foerd On the Delaware

A step back in time

Art, history & one of the jazziest events in town

by Brenda Hillegas photos by Iveta Buonacuore

M

any of Philadelphia’s first families built country estates along the Delaware River. In 1850, a well-respected businessman named Charles Macalester, Jr., built a riverfront house that was the scene of many social galas.

He called the estate Glengarry, after his family’s Scottish ancestral home.

Known today as Glen Foerd on the Delaware - and listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Landscape Survey - the estate currently holds one of Philadelphia’s most anticipated events - Jazz Age on the Delaware. Taking place on July 29th, many attendees purchase tickets now to ensure they don’t miss out. This also gives ample time to find the perfect period attire for this Gatsby-era themed party. “[It] grew out of a small regatta event Glen Foerd had for about 20 years,” says Meg Sharp Walton, the executive director of Glen Foerd on the Delaware. “In an attempt to increase attendance, we had a 1920s-themed

A rt & h i s to ry

regatta in 2014. The idea to develop a larger event was born.”

Immediately, the team at Glen Foerd contacted the vintage community. The first planning committee included band members of the Gin Canaries, John Petty (Philly Seersucker Social) and Natanya DiBona (Diner En Blanc).

Walton even attended NYC’s Jazz Age Lawn Party that year to see how it was done. And just like in NYC, the planning committee was thrilled to discover that Jazz Age on the Delaware sells out quickly as the locals are excited to travel back in time for a day.

“Once on the grounds, it’s truly like stepping into the past,” Walton says. “The riverfront is breathtaking and the estate is tranquil, a great way to decompress from our hyperconnected world.”

The site is Philadelphia’s only remaining historic Delaware River

64

estate open to the public. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque natural landscape, historic buildings and art collection of the Glen Foerd mansion. It’s also perfect for weddings, relaxing by the river, wandering the rose garden or posing for a photo with Little Ugly (the cast iron dog erected by Macalester to honor his faithful companion).

In 1895, the mansion was purchased

by Robert and Caroline Foerderer, who gave the estate its current name, a merger of “Glengarry” and “Foerderer.” With elaborate renovations and delays in labor, Robert Foerderer died before completion. His daughter, Florence, moved there in 1915 to stay with Caroline, continuing to add to the art collection started by her parents. She eventually assembled one of the most extensive private collections of prints in the country.

As a poet, painter and musician, Florence was a strong supporter of the arts. She went to great lengths to encourage young artists by purchas-

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

ing and displaying their work and she remained active in local cultural and social affairs until her death in 1971 at the age of 89.

“The 19th century estate looks pretty much as it did in the late 1920s, when it was owned by the Foerderer family,” Walton adds. Jazz Age on the Delaware preserves that feeling with live jazz and swing bands, professional dancers (who will happily provide attendees with dance lessons), lawn games and photo ops with classic cars and motorcycles. Creativity is encouraged through pie baking and fashion contests. Pack a picnic or purchase food and drinks from on-site vendors.

Glen Foerd on the Delaware connects visitors to the legacy of Glen Foerd through programs in the arts, nature and history. It also aims to preserve and protect the landscape, buildings and collections for the community and future generations to enjoy.

Proceeds from 2017’s Jazz Age on the Delaware will fund new environmen-

tal activities; specifically a bike-to-boat program opening next year.

“Glen Foerd is on the North Delaware River Greenway and East Coast Greenway trails, making it a perfect location for a bike and boat program.

It will begin with a bike ride along the trail followed by a boating expedition led by an environmental educator,” Walton explains. “Trips will be easy, fun and focus on the unique ecosystem and the fascinating history of the Delaware River.”

New programs and initiatives this summer include community gardens, a natural children’s play space, gardening workshops and beehives.

A Honey Festival produced by the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild will take place in September.

“Glen Foerd is one of the most beautiful places in Philadelphia,” Walton says. “The mansion is amazing. A new picnic pavilion will open this year situated on old grass tennis courts adjacent to an ancient stone tower. It’s magical.”

To learn more about upcoming events, to donate, volunteer or become a member, visit www.glenfoerd.org. Members at the $125 level and above receive 25 percent off the ticket price for Jazz Age on the Delaware, the swankiest celebration around! They can also be purchased at www.jazzageonthedelaware.com. prh gohomephilly.com

PRHfilm West Coast

Hollywood hits are a roll of the dice

In loving memory of

James L. Guercio The Gangemi & Guercio families thank their friends, family and neighbors for the overwhelming outpouring of love and continued support during their recent loss.

by Leo rossi Writer, Actor, Producer Eastman-Rossi Productions

S

Rolling the Dice

ydney Pollack (1934-2008) was an Academy Awardwinning director. His movies included Tootsie with Dustin Hoffman, The Firm with Tom Cruise and Out of Africa with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. He came up with a quote that I never forgot. “In Hollywood, nobody knows nothing about anything.” What he was really saying is that, if you could predict what movie was going to definitely be a hit, there would be no failures. It’s a roll of the dice.

Let’s look at Philadelphia’s own M. Night Shyamalan. After his breakout success of The Sixth Sense with Bruce Willis, he was Hollywood’s darling. But when he hit a slump and his movies stopped making a profit, the studios turned their backs on him. Shyamalan was forced to raise money on his own to get his movies made. Fortunately for him, his latest movie Split went through the roof and made tons of money (it cost $9M to make and has already taken in $135M at the box office).

Matt Damon has been a sure bet in Hollywood because his films always make money. But his latest film, The Great Wall, cost $150M and has only made $43M. If we want to look at a film that “crapped out” at the box office, The Comedian starring Robert DeNiro has totaled $1.6M. Nobody went to see it. This business that I chose is not for the faint of heart. I’m on pins and needles hoping the September release of The Life and Death of John Gotti, which I wrote and star in with John Travolta, will hit the jackpot!

If you are looking for a great book to read, get Jay Wright’s Attitude. It’s a New York Times Bestseller and shows why the Villanova Basketball Coach is a winner.

I’m bringing the whole family back in August to see relatives and friends, so watch out!

Ciao Philly!

www.lombardimeats.com B E E F / P O R K / P O U LT R Y / V E A L / L A M B / P R E PA R E D F O O D S

Anthony, Vince & Vincent “Three generations; a team that is a cut above the rest.”

1801 Packer Avenue / Philadelphia, PA 19145 P: 215.940.2211 / P: 215.334.1212 / F: 215.940.2210 Photo by Andrew Andreozzi

April / May / June 2017

| rowhome magazine | 65

PRHTIPs FROM THE PROS Banking this Great Community Since 1912!

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by Frank C. DePasquale Jr., Esquire

Q:

My friend is in a longterm care (LTC) facility whose SSI benefit check is mailed directly to him. I thought that once an elderly person enters a long-term care facility, the SSI benefits stop. Am I wrong?

OLIVIERI & ASSOCIATES INC.

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A: This is a very complicated area

of the law. Irrespective of the age of an SSI recipient, their benefits will be affected if they enter a LTC facility. The type of facility and length of stay will determine how much of their SSI benefits they can keep. If they are in a private care facility that does not accept Medicaid, then they can keep their full SSI benefits. However, if Medicaid pays more than half of the cost of care in a LTC facility that provides inpatient medical care, their SSI benefits will be greatly reduced or terminated. If you or your parents are ever in this situation, you should consult with an attorney who specializes in SSI and elder care.

P.O. Box 60598 Philadelphia, PA 19145

Q:

Email: maria@olivieriandassoc.com P: 215.271.6777

Minority/Woman-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Certified

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| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

My wife and I would like to have a get together and are concerned because some of our friends drink a lot. Can we be held responsible if they leave our house and get in an accident on the way home and hurt someone?

A: No, unless the intoxicated

individual is a minor. In PA, under the Dram Shop Act, only establishments licensed to serve alcohol can be held liable to injured victims hurt by someone that the establishment served alcohol to while visibly intoxicated. Social hosts, like you and your husband, could not be held liable for injuries caused by your guests even if they were intoxicated when they left your home so long as they are not minors.

Q:

My elderly parents recently sold their home and moved in with me. My neighbor told me that I qualify for city or state assistance because I am their caretaker. Is that true?

A: I am unaware of any such

program that provides aid solely because you are now their caretaker.

However, there are state programs that provide benefits to low-income households under those circumstances such as the Cash and Counseling program offered by Medicaid.

Once again, Frank DePasquale has been recognized by his peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2017. He heads DePasquale Law Offices, 2332-34 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145. P: 215.755.4410.

Email him at frank@depasquale-law. com or visit www.depasquale-law.com gohomephilly.com

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Don’t be a Victim of

Identity Theft courtesy of ron Rabena Chief Administrative Officer, Allied Universal

E

ach year, millions of people fall victim to fraud. The impact on their lives is financially and emotionally devastating. In fact, the FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year and victims spend countless hours and dollars trying to correct the problem. At one time, a thief needed to actually have your card or check to gain access to your accounts, but today, e-commerce and “convenience” practices at many stores have eliminated that need.

Your Identity can be stolen when: ❚ Someone steals your information from his/her job or bribes an employee for the information. ❚ A hacker gains access to a business database and can view your records. ❚ Your mail is stolen or someone rummages through your trash. ❚ A thief poses as someone who has legal access to your credit reports. ❚ Information is pulled from an ATM machine by a small device attached to the card reader (called skimming). ❚ A change of address form is submitted by a criminal to divert your mail to another location. ❚ Someone contacts you via email or phone claiming “a problem with your account” and asking you to give them personal data.

To keep your information safe: ❚ Protect your information by opting out of mailing and calling lists. ❚ Exclude personal data from company and family websites, online directories and searchable databases. ❚ Instead of signing the back of your credit cards, print “PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED.”

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| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

❚ When paying bills, only write the last four digits of your account number on the memo line – the company will still be able to verify the account if necessary, but an unscrupulous employee handling your check won’t have your full account number. ❚ Keep copies of the front and back of all your identification, credit cards and the contact numbers in a safe place so you can report them immediately if they are stolen.

If you believe your I.D. was stolen: ❚ Cancel your credit cards and/or bank accounts immediately and notify customer service about the theft. ❚ File a police report. This will help you if you need to dispute any charges on your account. ❚ Call the national credit bureaus and have them place a fraud alert on your accounts and social security number so you will be notified before new credit is authorized in your name. prh Ron Rabena and Allied Universal are members of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network. gohomephilly.com

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| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

“B

to me in NOIR Restaurant, hugged eing a judge is the most responsible position in me and thanked me for doing such our democracy. Everyone great things for her daughter.” deserves a fair trial by an BRUMBACH received her uninterested jurist.” Marissa dergraduate degree in finance from Brumbach, candidate for Saint Joseph’s University and her judge in Philadelphia, ex- law degree from Widener Univerpressed that sentiment in a sity School of Law. She originally recent interview. wanted to pursue a career in finance It has been one of the foundations but during an internship, she came of her philosophy during her more to the realization that she wanted to than 20 years as a lawyer represent- expand beyond just finance. ing people from all walks of life. “I By going to law school, BRUMbelieve a judge should walk in some- BACH says she could get involved one else’s shoes,” says BRUMBACH, in corporate securities law, which who was born and raised - and still would join her finance and law lives - in South Philly. Her lifelong education. However, it was a crimicommitment to the neighborhood nal law advocacy class that got her includes working as a candy striper attention. It was exciting to be a in a hospital, scooping ice cream, courtroom lawyer. camp counseling and even bartendBRUMBACH and her sister ing. As a result of her varied service credit their mother’s influence to roles including offering low cost chase dreams, become educated legal services, BRUMBACH has and do what makes them happy. earned the trust, confidence and re- It just so happens to be very good spect of those in the community. advice. “I have made a living doing As a lawyer, BRUMBACH pro- what I really love to do,” she says. vides criminal legal services to peoNow, BRUMBACH is looking ple who can’t afford representation to take her experience as a lawyer when they need it. “People have ev- and become a judge, running in the eryday issues. I enjoy helping them. upcoming primary election on May I am part lawyer, part friend, part 16th. “Truth and justice is what I psychologist,” she explains. “I want believe in. Have a moral compass. to help get them on the right path. Have common courtesy. Be reWhen I deal with domestic cases, I spectful of people.” want to help them navigate through Her campaign website states: and get them back in balance.”

“This is not just a job and you go She points to one domestic cus- home at 5 PM. The decisions imtody case which was contentious and pact real lives of individuals, not where she, at times, had a conflict only today, but every day into the with the mother of a young woman future.” Get Out and Vote. she was representing. A few years afYou can learn more about Marissa ter the trial, the mother, who had dis- Brumbach at www.brumbachforagreed with BRUMBACH, “came up judge@gmail.com. prh

gohomephilly.com

Business Spotlight

Olivieri Jewelers

by Maria Merlino

Established 1957 photos by Andrew Andreozzi

PRH sits down with local jeweler Dan Olivieri and his mother Lena to talk about the family business and celebrating 60 years in the neighborhood.

MM: Olivieri Jewelers is a family-owned business.

Tell me how it all began.

DO: The business was founded by my father Dan Olivieri Sr. He was born to immigrant Italian parents in 1929 and when he was 13 years old, he got a job on Jewelers Row as a messenger boy.

A natural born artist, he soon had his own bench. He was an excellent watchmaker and diamond setter.

LO: My son also started at 13.

He was interested in becoming a jeweler and having the name passed down. All of my children went to the GIA School (The Gemological Institute of America) and they were awarded with the most prestigious credentials in the industry.

Danny also went to art school.

MM: What types of jewelry do you carry?

DO: We are well known for our custom designs but we carry everything from designer wear jewelry, in-house crafted artisan jewelry, Italian gold jewelry and locally crafted jewelry. In addition, we have our own watch brand – Philly Watch Co. We carry the Italian designers like Amore & Baci, Venetian artist Franco Pianegonda and Gucci. You’ll also find Yurman and Movado. We are known for

our variety. We have vintage and estate jewelry and beautiful gold chains. From a 1920s Rolex to a 2017 diamond ring, we stock it. We are very proud of our inventory.

MM: What are your best sellers?

DO: Our designs are unique. We are jewelers, not clerks from a catalog. Trending is something we take very seriously. Four times a year, we meet with the industry’s top designers so we can offer our clients the best selection. Rose gold incorporated with platinum is hot right now. But our styles are limitless.

We are already shopping for 2018.

MM: What makes Olivieri Jewelers different from other jewelers?

DO: Trust, loyalty and a proven track record set us apart from all the others. Being a family run business for 60 years at the same location, we are part of the community. We get to know our customers and offer them quality merchandise and services they rely on through the years. Customers can get almost anything while they wait – purchases and repairs. My bench area has a window and you can see me working on my customers’ jewelry. Whether it’s changing a watch battery or re-sizing a ring,

it’s all done right in front of you.

MM: Do you produce custom jewelry?

DO: An idea on a piece of paper can become next year’s trend. I can be a forensic jewelry sketch artist by taking an idea in your head, sketching it out with pencil and paper and then sculpting it to your specifications. Pick out a diamond and I’ll craft a piece of art around it. You are always a part of the process. When you are involved with every part of the ring, it makes it that much more special.

MM: What is a day like in your shop?

DO: Every day is different but each one involves a variety of tasks. I come in early in the morning to work on the designs. I barter and trade with people throughout the day. I keep an eye on the gold price chart, which changes hourly. I sell in-house as well as online where you can make an offer on all designer brands, handmade jewelry, vintage jewelry and watches at discount prices. I personally go to the post office to ship any items my customers order.

We went from a little jewelry shop during the 1950s to a global enterprise. In addition to our business, we are dedicated to our community.

My mother and I are active in our philanthropic work. We give back to the South Philadelphia community April / May / June 2017

and are benefactors to Methodist/ Jefferson Hospital. We also sponsor a scholarship for a local high school student through the South Philadelphia Business Association every year.

MM: You have generations of customers who rely on you for quality and service. What would you like younger customers to know about purchasing jewelry to get them into your shop for the first time?

DO: We are now dealing with the third generation of families. We get calls saying ‘Thank God you’re still here!’ The most important thing I want to impress on the younger generation is trust. We sell quality merchandise – like gold and diamonds – at the best prices.

We will work within their budget.

Whether they are searching for a designer watch or an engagement ring, they can trust they are getting the best in the industry. And they are dealing directly with me or a family member. Not a catalog or a mail order clerk. We’re here to make you happy, not push you out the door. As a family-owned business, we want you to shop local. We want you to come back. We stand proudly behind everything we offer.

Olivieri Jewelers is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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PRHWomen in Business

E

“They basically told me I had no talent,” Bittenbender laughs. “I said ‘I’m well aware of that, but if you give me a shot I’ll be one of your best students.’ I received a great education at Moore and their creative spin taught me how to connect the dots in so many different ways; they really push your mental boundaries and make you see things in a new light.”

After graduating from Moore, Bittenbender worked for design firm EwingCole before then-Mayor Ed Rendell hired her to run the Capital Program Office at just 29 years old. “Ed Rendell and [Chief of Staff] David Cohen gave me my first shot. I wouldn’t have been able to launch the career I have now if they hadn’t taken a chance on me. I was in charge of trying to burn down almost $500 million worth of projects in four years; they wanted me to bring a private sector approach to an outdated, bureaucratic system. I walked out of there having learned a lot about budget management, contracts and legal issues, but more importantly, I learned about the power of politics, relationships and how they work, especially in inner cities.”

In 2003, Bittenbender Construction, which specializes in cultural, academic, health care, corporate and retail projects, was launched. These work projects have included everything from Franklin Park to an exhibit installation at the Please Touch Museum.

Currently completing the renovation of LOVE Park, Bittenbender would like to stay involved in projects that have social and community impact.

“We just mobilized to build an addition onto the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market. That’s special for me because prior to starting my company, I built the National Constitution Center which is just a block away, so I’m really excited to be back in the historic mile doing projects again on Independence Mall.”

In 2009, Bittenbender founded Philadelphia Carpentry Systems, which

BUSINESS

Emily Bittenbender

by Jane Roser

Managing Partner, Bittenbender Construction LP photo by Lorraine Daley Photography

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mily Bittenbender initially wanted to move to Paris and become a fashion designer.

“I grew up on a 400 acre farm outside of the Poconos and couldn’t wait to get out. I coveted any opportunity I had to get my hands on fashion magazines.” With no formal art training, Bittenbender applied to Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art and Design, pulling together a last-minute portfolio that was met with little enthusiasm. provides carpentry and exhibit installation services to local general contractors and building owners. A pioneer in her field, she was presented with the 2016 Paradigm Award by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

The award is given out annually to “a singular woman in business whose professional and personal achievements serve as a model of excellence.”

Spending time mentoring young women is important to Bittenbender, and as a woman in a male dominated field, the advice she gives them is not to depend on anyone - make sure you can take care of yourself. For women entrepreneurs, she encourages them to never give up. If you have an idea and you think you can make it happen, then just do it.

Bittenbender’s company is mainly comprised of women and she was the first woman to chair one of the oldest trade organizations in America - the General Building Contractors Association of Philadelphia.

“The Founding Fathers created the Carpenters’ Company in 1724 as the first guild of master builders and I like the idea of continuing to be a builder in a city that was built on American freedom and democracy - to me, that’s very exciting, to be a part of that legacy.”

As CEO of a company that is committed to diversity in its field, Bittenbender says “there are several government programs and people who promote diversity in construction, but it’s still a very white, male-dominated field and it’s cultural. Most people who work in construction here in Philadelphia are multi-generationalwhich is why there’s such a tight bond in the industry, but I think it’s important to attract more women into this field and women who are great team leaders can be very successful.”

Bittenbender’s determination, integrity and affability helped her shatter a glass ceiling, but commitment to her work and team will keep this pioneer businesswoman walking on the shards for years to come. prh

gohomephilly.com

Business Spotlight

Little

Beth Boutique

by Dorette Rota Jackson

“I’ve had it. AND I’ve had it good!” photo by Scott Weiner Catherine “Cass” Bonavitacola recently bid a fond farewell to her loyal customers after more than 55 years as owner of Little Beth Boutique.

If you were one of the many to drop by her shop to wish her well, you certainly left feeling happy. Cass has a lot to do now that she’s retiring. Like spending more time with family and friends. And seeing more shows at the theatre and the orchestra. And volunteering more of her time to her church. And her neighborhood. And, of course, travelling.

Yes, if you visited Cass before she closed her store, you are happy that she’s so happy to embark on her retirement journey. Her shop overflows with joyful memories of more than three generations of mothers and grandmothers who dressed their babies in the finest outfits you

could find anywhere.

Maybe she told you how Little Beth Boutique got its start almost 60 years ago.

As a little girl, she remembered looking in the window of a neighborhood shop that sold children’s clothing. Beautiful dresses and baby boy suits. She knew that she would one day sell children’s couture. When that day finally came, she was stuck for a name. A friend helped solve her dilemma.

“My shop was small. I wanted to name it after my mother Beth. And I wanted to sell children’s couture.

My friend said, ‘Little Beth Boutique.’ And that is how it all began.”

Cass, thank you for sharing your dream with a grateful community for almost 60 years. We will see you at the theatre! prh April / May / June 2017

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PRHBUSINESS

Power

Up Your Business

N

by Bryan Culver eighborhood businesses are Philadelphia’s lifeblood—they give our city depth and character. From the corner bodega, to your local watering hole, Philadelphia couldn’t exist without their presence. In pop culture, entrepreneurs are often characterized by luxury and prestige. In reality, designing and launching your own venture is a much humbler, pragmatic affair. Although no less rewarding, entrepreneurship

BUSINESS

at the local level isn’t so much a lifestyle choice. It is a means of monetizing your passion to generate an income while serving your local community as you go along. It certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted. Staying afloat requires diligence, lots of hard work and constant attention to each and every minute detail.

Power Up Your Business is an initiative launched through the Community College of Philadelphia designed to help local proprietors zero in on those details.

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By recognizing the challenges of running a small business and their vitality to the local economy, the initiative pools a slew of resources accessible to anyone who owns a Philadelphia business at a bargain price: 100% free.

“You’d be surprised how many small business owners don’t understand their personal and business finances,” says Carol de Fries, VP of Workforce and Economic Innovation for the College—a cabinet-level position focused on expanding workforce development and continuing education programs. The goal is to gohomephilly.com

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Sign up for free workshops establish new partnerships with local businesses while promoting ways to increase job readiness, training programs and job creation. That may seem like a tall order but if anyone is qualified to meet such a mountainous challenge, it would be de Fries. She has been building strategic partnerships and launching commerce development projects in and around Philadelphia for more than 25 years. She is extraordinarily astute when it comes to understanding the nuances that can make or break your average business owner, but she is confident her new initiative can make a large impact.

Power Up Your Business is broken into two tiers: The Store Owner Series, which are stand-alone workshops designed to hone in on specific aspects of business, and the PeerBased Learning Experience, which is an intensive 10-week course.

The Store Owner Series covers essential topics like bookkeeping and profit-loss statements (P&L), neighborhood marketing tactics and tips for building strong personal credit. A selection of niche-specific workshops are also available, such as tips for negotiating a retail storefront. Workshops are capped at 25 participants so you have to reserve your seat in advanced. But the limited capacity also guarantees ample attention from the instructors, who are experts in their given field. There is only one criteria that you need to meet in order to join: you have to own and operate a business in Philadelphia.

The Peer-Based Learning Experience provides participants a deeper dive, encompassing a comprehensive 10week, 30-hour course that covers a wide breadth of topics while focusing around a business improvement plan. Through the aid of an assigned

business coach, each participant will use their plan to troubleshoot relevant business challenges.

Although the criteria for joining the Peer-Based Learning Experience is not overly “selective,” participants must first submit an application. This is because the course is more time-intensive, and they want to attract business owners who are committed to improvement. You must own a Philadelphia-based business that has been operating for at least 1 year with annual revenue not exceeding $1,000,000.

Additionally, you will need a letter of support from a local business organization, a copy of your City Commercial Activity License and one additional document such as a tax return or annual balance sheet.

The Peer-Based Learning Experience will take place at several of the College’s locations throughout Philadelphia. While the Center City Cohort is already under way at main campus, applications for the West Philadelphia Regional Center Cohort are due on July 21st, with classes running from August through November. Deadline for the Northeast Regional Center Cohort is October 20th, with classes running from November 2017 through February 2018. The program is also planning to add a South Philly cohort with a January 2018 deadline.

The primary aim and scope of the program is focused on helping businesses stabilize, which is often more vital for small business owners than other aspects, such as growth. Over time, the program will be identifying additional metrics and finding additional topics to cover. To see the workshops available and apply for the Center City Cohort visit www.ccp.edu/powerup prh

WAY BEYOND GAME DAY

April / May / June 2017

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De Fino Law Associates, P.C.

PRHBUSINESS

Don’t Settle for Less

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here is a lot to think about when buying your first home but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By going into homeownership prepared, you’ll be assured you’re making a wise decision. Ready to take the homeownership plunge? Here’s how to get started:

Think about your budget.

Decide how much you can comfortably afford. Create a budget with your new house payment included and try it out for a few months. Bank the difference and not only will you see what paying a mortgage will be like, but you’ll save some extra cash too!

Pay off debt. The less debt you have before purchasing a home, the better. Lenders usually won’t allow your monthly debt service – such as credit cards, student loans and auto loans – and your house payment to exceed 43 percent of your monthly income. Plus, your mortgage interest rate will be based on your credit score. If you pay off some debts, your score will likely rise.

Save for a down payment.

This will allow you to qualify for better interest rates, afford more home and start out with more equity.

JOHN FERULLO PHILADELPHIA 215-468-4116 ferullj@nationwide.com www.ferulloinsurance.com #

by Barton Skurbe Senior VP & Regional Sales Manager Univest Bank and Trust Co.

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

Get pre-qualified. Pre-qualification requires you to provide basic information regarding your income and debt. This information will identify the maximum home purchase price for which

you could possibly afford and qualify. Becoming pre-qualified will help narrow down your search to homes that are in your price range so you can confidently shop.

Be patient and consult the experts. The process of obtaining a mortgage can be daunting for the most credit-worthy applicants. The best defense a consumer can have when seeking to purchase a home is preparation. If you are ready to embark on the home buying journey, working with an experienced, dedicated, professional Home Loan Consultant, like those at Univest Bank and Trust Co., can help make the process as smooth as possible.

Univest Bank and Trust Co. has a robust history of making financial dreams, such as homeownership, a reality for local individuals and families since 1876. Get started today by contacting 877.723.5571 or mortgages@univest.net.

Univest Bank and Trust Co. is an Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC and Equal Opportunity Lender.

Univest Bank and Trust Co. is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network. gohomephilly.com

PRHsports

Dan Parrillo

Local teacher leaves a lasting legacy behind

W

by Anthony Panvini photo by Krista Pomante

hether it was in the classroom or on the field, one can bet that Dan Parrillo was present. A teacher at St. Nicholas of Tolentine School for 39 years, Parrillo was well known, loved and respected throughout the community. He was so beloved that his legacy still lives on – 10 years after he passed.

During his time at St. Nicholas (now St. Anthony of Padua Regional Catholic School), Parrillo taught many students and many subjects. He also coached multiple sports, ran the yearbook committee, took photos at every sporting event and was a constant

presence in the school and in the neighborhood he loved.

Teacher Krista Pomante has high praise for Parrillo. “He was loved by every student, every faculty member.

Everyone in the community knew him. Not only was he a teacher and a faculty member, he did everything.

He ran the yearbook here. He ran every event. You knew him because he was a part of the entire community, not just St. Nicks.”

Pomante’s fiancé, Albert Alessandrini, is the school’s current Athletic Director. He spoke highly of Parrillo though he never had the privilege to meet him.

“The things I hear about him, the memories that are left behind, the legacy that he’s left, I probably have the biggest shoes in the world to fill. There’s no way in the world that I can possibly fill those shoes,” Alessandrini said. “I will strive to do my best in reaching the legacy that he left behind and if I could become even one half of the man that he was, I’d feel accomplished here.”

Last year, a Boys vs. Girls basketball benefit was created (in addition to the Dan Parrillo Memorial Fund created by Perry Petrongola). Proceeds translated into new uniforms

for the CYO basketball organization.

However, many of the people there were too young to remember Parrillo. That is when Pomante came up with the idea to open the event to all alumni. On February 11th, the Tolentine Community Center hosted the second annual Dan Parrillo Sports Benefit and, as anticipated, attendance increased. The spirit of Dan Parrillo was in the air.

A man of strong Faith, Parrillo left St. Nick’s after 39 years to join the seminary. He finished his teaching career by instructing four classes of religion and two classes of physical science. During his time at St. Nick’s, his “partner in crime” was Bernadette Grimditch, a seventh-grade teacher who cotaught 7th and 8th grade with Parrillo. Grimditch, who met Parrillo in 1972, spent many hours teaching side-by-side with her friend and colleague. She says he will never be forgotten.

“There is not a boy or girl that he taught at St. Nick’s who does not remember him, respect him or care for him,” Grimditch says. “He was just a great guy; a great guy that was taken from us way too soon. I would say he impacted quite a few lives.” prh

H E A LT H B R I D G E CHIROPRACTIC

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April / May / June 2017

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RH

Philly SPORTS

Beyond the

Ring

by Stephen Pagano photos courtesy of Anthony Matteo

A

nthony Matteo, 57, isn’t your typical Italian South Philly guy. The father of three has been a full-time employee of Methodist Hospital for almost 40 years, but in his spare time, he pursued a career that most kids dreamed of wrestling. His battered knees and painful scars are just a small reminder of his decades inside the squared circle.

“Wrestling is often dubbed as phony or scripted, but the business brings on many real injuries,” Matteo says.

Matteo grew up on 12th & Ritner and graduated from Bishop Neumann High School. In the early 1980s, he began his training and quest to become a professional wrestler at Larry Sharpe’s Monster Factory in Burlington County, NJ. On December 9th, 1985, Matteo made his wrestling debut against his former trainer, Scott “Bam Bam” Bigelow in a WWF (now WWE) taping in New York. He did numerous Saturday morning matches in the WWF, including two with the iconic “Macho Man,” the late Randy Savage.

s p o rt

“I remember the elbow drop off the top rope from Savage like it was yesterday,” Matteo recalls.

After his stint with the WWF, he moved to the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA) under Joel Goodhart. Matteo took on a new ring name and gimmick, Tony “The Hitman” Stetson. “I ditched the bleached blonde hair and focused on something totally different,” he says.

“The Hitman” started to embrace a hardcore mentality in the ring;

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alongside his good friend and longtime opponent Johnny “Hotbody” Weiss. “Nothing was off limits, including chairs, tables, chains and trash cans,” Stetson says. “The blood was always real, but we respected each other in and out of the ring. We were like brothers joined at the hip.”

As the early ‘90s approached, Matteo was one of the first guys to join Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), founded by Tod Gordon.

Later renamed Extreme Championship Wrestling by Paul Heyman, the

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ECW and its unorthodox brand of no holds barred style wrestling was born in Philly.

The ECW arena (2300 S. Swanson Street) has hosted many of the craziest and heart pumping wrestling matches of all time. As popularity grew, fans couldn’t get enough of it. Other corporations, such as WWF headed by Vince McMahon and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) ran by Eric Bischoff, often mimicked and adopted ECW’s style.

“The Hitman” is also known as

being one of the founding fathers of hardcore. Throughout the ‘90s, Matteo continued to participate in dangerous barbed wire matches and backroom street brawls.

As the 2000s rolled around, the former ECW champion did a few more independent shows locally, including some at St. Maria Goretti High School. He hung up his tights and wrestling boots for good in a match against Donnie Hart in 2013.

Now, the retired hardcore brawler spends most of his time working at the hospital and enjoying a ride around the city on his Harley. He occasionally reminisces about the great matches of his career to his friends and co-workers. As far as a comeback in the future, Matteo says, “I still get that itch and I feel like I still have a little left in the tank, so never say never!”. prh gohomephilly.com

Raise your cat for the love of the game!

Philly

Philadelphia 76ers fan Dennis Grove (@GipperGrove) sent out a tweet earlier this season telling social media that if the Sixers won the game he was watching at that time, he would raise his cat over his head to celebrate the victory. It all started when Sixers player Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons on Instagram) adopted a new cat named Nala in October. Raising a cat high above one’s head seemed fitting in honor of Simmons’ cat photo posts.

Initiating #RaiseTheCat, Grove saw a flood of fans sharing photos raising their own cats when the team won a game. Even Simmons himself acknowledged the trend. Eventually, someone pointed out to Grove the obvious tie-in to local animal shelters.

“Literally raising a cat (or any pet)!” Grove says of his decision to put #RaiseTheCat toward a good cause. “The t-shirt business in Philadelphia is rather large especially when it’s about sports, so it really made sense.”

Grove got to work with his wife Valerie and his friend Max to create t-shirts. “My wife has a degree

in graphic design so she was happy to put it to good use [and design the website],” Grove explains. “Max is in charge of the website and was so grateful to let me bounce ideas and go live with the shirt once the movement went fully viral.” By buying a “Raise the Cat” t-shirt, people can support both their love of the 76ers and local animal shelters like PAWS. T-shirt sales have raised more than $3,700 so far!

“Without Sixers fans, this movement would not have started. It amazes me how awesome this fan base is. It was literally one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done (I have a few scratches to show for it), but that’s what goes viral these days. I love my fans. I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank the Sixers for their improbable winning streak. The city was electric. Lastly, Ben Simmons, if you are reading this. Let’s grab a bite to eat sometime!”

Visit www.raisethecat.com to pick up your shirt.

Thanks to @courtdynamite, @Elmccarthy, @gwackr, @jaybird0188, @raisethecat and @Smiley_vt for submitting your cat photos! prh April / May / June 2017

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PRHGreenSp ce

Healthy

Dirt ➺

by Kerri-Lee MAYLAND

What is Compost?

It’s decomposed organic matter that can be added to soil or can create soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, twigs) make up 20 to 30 percent of what we throw away. Why not compost it instead?

What can be Composted?

Probably more than you think - vegetable peelings, fruit waste, tea bags, plant prunings, outdated food, refrigerator spoilage, grass cuttings. Instead of throwing them out, put them in a different bucket and let a compost company do the rest. These are all quick to rot and they provide important nitrogen and moisture. You can also compost cardboard egg boxes, leaves, scrunched up paper and small twigs. My family tosses in used paper towels, too.

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how. He figured it out, started Bennett Compost and soon he was signing up like-minded clients. He began collecting organic material from residences and businesses, pairing up with community gardens and commercial composters and turned the waste into something valuable - compost. Bennett Compost builds the bins at gardens around the city, providing compost for Philadelphia’s urban growers. Extra compost is made available to Bennett Compost customers.

BennettCompost.com

➦

O

n a hot summer’s day, the breeze would catch it if you were close enough. The sweet smell of rot from Dad’s compost in the far corner of the backyard was part of our childhood, although, we cringed if a ball or frisbee fell into it. The rich beautiful soil that the carefully collected food scraps and raked leaves became was like none other.

Our neighbors would definitely agree we had the best raspberry patch around. We didn’t realize at the time, but Dad was teaching us a lesson about sustainability and green living. That lesson came to fruition when I set out to search for a composting company this past fall and decided to give it a try for a year, via a gift to my ecoconscious husband. Strange present under the tree, maybe, but he said it was the best gift he got this year! We began 2017 as dirt makers for the organic vegetable garden I plan to plant literally seconds after the final frost of the season. If your home has been on the fence about composting, too, here are some reasons to consider turning your food scraps into soil for your container garden or window boxes, too.

Why Compost?

There are many reasons to give this a try but a big one is the fact that you will be keeping food and plant waste out of the landfill. Food sits in landfills as it decomposes. If it’s exposed to oxygen, or provided with the proper materials for decomposition, it releases potent greenhouse gas into the air. Use the soil it creates in your window box garden, outdoor container plants or community garden plot. Compost is a crucial component of organic gardening.

Imagine the flowers you can bloom or the veggies you can grow from the soil it makes!

Local companies will do the “dirty work” for you:

Bennett Compost. Tim Bennett moved to Philadelphia 10 years ago to attend Temple University. He was living in an apartment and wanted to compost but didn’t quite know

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Philly Compost: In Soil We Trust.

Philly Compost in Fishtown focuses on neighborhood scale composting. They compost at a central site in the neighborhood with the help of volunteers; the compost goes back to the members and is then sold to the general public. They also help businesses all over the city figure out how to recycle their organics. Phillycompost.com Composting will get into your system and become second nature. In some parts of the country, like Seattle and San Francisco, it’s the law and you are fined if you don’t comply. My first compost system in Philly was a house-trained bunny (she was certainly happy!) but she could only eat so many carrot cuttings or apple scraps. If you aren’t ready for a pet or want to try composting on a greater scale, you can start saving the world in your own small way. Give it a try? You bet your garden! . prh gohomephilly.com

Gardens Urban

Bring Families Together

by Bryan Culver

N

othing beats a home-cooked meal. An unassuming plate of food has mystical powers capable of creating a powerful bond among friends, colleagues and family members.

Philadelphia is bursting at the seams with local eateries, cafes and food trucks eager to share a vibrant spectrum of cuisines. This medley of tastes brings together all walks of life to experience one of humanity’s simplest, yet greatest joys. The Great Melting Pot. So it should come as no surprise that when newcomers from afar arrive in the U.S., there are few things more comforting than the irreplaceable taste of home.

The Refugee Urban Agriculture Initiative is a South Philly based gardening project that harnesses the power of neighborhood collaboration to satisfy that food craving. It is organized by the Nationalities Services Center (NSC), one of the City’s largest resettlement programs, which helps families displaced by humanitarian crisis. The gardens themselves are grown and maintained completely by refugees and have plenty of homegrown benefits for participants.

“There is great power in the garden,” explains Juliane Ramic, Senior Director of Refugee and Community Integration at the NSC and one of the passionate organizers that helped bring the project to life.

The urban gardening movement has picked up steam in recent years, with projects large and small spawning all across U.S. cities. The reasons for this spontaneous combustion are numerous.

Working with your hands and spending time outdoors rejuvenates the soul. For the Refugee Urban Agriculture Initiative, this can be particularly therapeutic for those suffering from post-traumatic stress. It also gives people a positive and interactive way to meet neighbors.

The most important benefit, however, is its constant source of nutrition. A

single 4’ x 10’ plot can provide a family with up to $600 worth of produce a year.

“That’s essentially a partial month’s rent when you’re surviving on a tight budget,” Ramic notes. The gardens also boast an impressive variety of produce.

Participants represent a wide range of nationalities: The Republic of Congo, Syria, Burma, Iraq, and Bhutan. As such, the gardens are brimming with a vibrant cornucopia of staple ingredients prominent in those national cuisines: Thai basil, chili peppers, mushrooms, collard and mustard greens, specialty crops such as bitter melon, a citrusy herb called roselle and the rather elusive African eggplant. Before its incorporation into local gardens, this eggplant variety basically was unavailable in Philadelphia.

The program operates gardens in two South Philly locations. The Growing Home Garden at 8th and Emily sprouted in 2011 and maintained entirely by refugees. Point Breeze’s Growing Together started in 2015 at 25th & Reed and welcomes everyone to pitch in by purchasing a plot. Covering about 2.8 acres of space, Growing Together already tallies 250 raised beds. People can purchase a plot for $25 – a bargain considering the price includes a raised bed, seeds and access to shared tools.

The 2017 growing season kicked off in March but there are still plenty of ways to participate, volunteer or donate. Local businesses are encouraged to take part in a Garden Work Day. Take a break from the office and enjoy some fresh garden air with colleagues. prh For more information, photos and uplifting stories, visit nscfarming.wordpress.com.

Aprily / Mayy / June 2017

| rowhome magazine | 81

PRHWRITERSBLOCK Barbershop TALK

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s a barber, I have the wonderful opportunity to meet many “Real People.”

The difference that one person can make is truly outstanding. The human spirit identifies itself in conversations when two or more come together in dialogue. Sometimes, cultures differ, which may lead to misunderstandings.

But don’t stop the discussion. Most differences find their way into a balanced conversation and a mutual understanding.

Barbershop Talk is an amazing tool that leads to some of the most challenging questions and concerns about cultural diversity. That is how Barbershop Talk Human Family Day became a reality. Our mission is to bring diverse cultures together through sharing our differences. Our Foundation helps us “Celebrate Human Life and Support Human Health.” By doing this, we become “Life Savers.”

In my barbershop, located at 5031 Diamond Street, many people have shared their personal health challenges with me. Barbers were the first doctors and surgeons. Because of that, I have asked many of my patrons, who just happen to be doctors, questions about their individual fields. My conversations with these “Real People” are quite fascinating.

Last year at our Human Family Day celebration, we had a doctor panel segment and the audience lined up to ask questions about their health. I started with my questions and many “Real People” followed with real concerns about their health-related issues. Through dialogue and conversation, we were truly enlightened.

The entertainment was outstanding. We even got the Mummers to perform at the Historical Union Baptist Church, where the late, great Civil Rights activist Mrs. Marian Anderson attended.

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

by Robert L. Woodard The Wynnefield Barber The spirit of bringing the Mummers into that building was one of the highlights of my life.

These “Real People” took the time to show up and help us make history. Mr. Thom Loomis, President of the Woodland String Band, and I had a great conversation about race. He truly appreciated taking our Barbershop Talk “RACE Test” and it helped us both come to a greater understanding about how race is viewed in America today. The Mummers have now added other cultures to the parade and we all look forward to seeing their expansion to cultural diversity in the Mummers New Year’s Day Parade.

Barbershop Talk also made the international connection last year on the Democratic floor with the first female nominee for President of the United States of America. We were featured on Fusion’s “The Hillary Show” with Mr. Bassem Youssef of Egypt and Mr. Jorge Ramos of Mexico, two outstanding “Real People” as commentators making a big difference.

Ms. Katy Barkley, our 1ST New Jersey Ambassador, is doing a fantastic job managing our social media. Our Director and Coordinator, Ms. Tracey Payton Younger, has helped us by utilizing her wonderful administrative skills. The Union Baptist Church, their Pastor Donald West and my sister Teresa Pearsall, allow us to host our annual event at their Church. Many Senior Members, who have been “Real People” for a long time, are over 100 years in age. Those Elders were very proud of last year’s historical Human Family Day Celebration and for that reason, I think we did our job well by bringing all cultures together.

I look forward to seeing all of you this year on April 30, 2017 at Union Baptist Church, 1910 Fitzwater Street. Visit our website www.BarbershopTalkHFD.org and take the “RACE Test”. prh gohomephilly.com

PRHWRITERSBLOCK is in the

air S

pring has sprung and it can really bounce in South Philly. It’s a time when social interaction takes place in person and outdoors, not just through social media.

It’s a time when you can just feel and smell the love in the air!

Dating Growing up here, we wanted to find that someone who would make spring fever go away – or even better, make it worse! We wanted to find a person to “date” through the spring and up until the summer (because then it was “Down the Shore” time). Back in the day, a South Philly “date” was “Pat’s Steaks and down the Lakes.”

Guys with a little more class (and a little more money) splurged for a

movie at the Broadway or Colonial and pizza at Marra’s or Celebre’s.

But we always tried for the Lakes (FDR Park) at the end of the night.

Festivals Spring also marks the start of many outdoor events. South Philly’s Italian Festival will take place on May 20th and 21st. It’s a block party from one end of 9th Street to the other. Bring your appetite! You can literally eat your way up 9th from Washington to Fitzwater. This is (and always has been) a great place to meet someone.

One year, I didn’t feel like going but was coaxed by friends. It was a great decision. You see, in South Philly, any kind of event is like a family reunion. South Philly friends are “family” for life. I might be bias

Lou Pinto

by

but I’ve done a bit of traveling and there are no better looking women than South Philly women. Did I meet anyone that year? Let’s just say it was the start of a very good spring.

Prom Another spring tradition: prom. It’s almost as big a deal as a wedding. The guy is decked out in a tux and the girl in an elegant gown. The couples usually meet at one designated house.

Parents, aunts, uncles, cousins – the whole neighborhood – show up and after about two hours of pictures, the couples pile into a stretch limo or bus and are chauffeured off to prom.

Weddings In the Italian community, it is customary for the groom to serenade

his bride before the wedding. The bride’s family decorates the house with bright lights and white ribbons.

The groom arrives with two or three musicians (or sometimes a group of Mummers) and serenades his bride — even if he can’t sing - while the whole neighborhood looks on. South Philly weddings are especially festive.

Everybody shows up at the church, even if they weren’t invited! After the nuptials, the bridal party heads down the Lakes for a photo shoot and then to the reception. Horns blow as they drive through the neighborhood.

Yes, another South Philly tradition.

Spring is a time for love in South Philly. There is no escaping it. Just follow the bright lights and the sound of music and join the party. prh

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Celebrating The Abruzzesi!

20th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Abruzzo Partnership Save these dates: Columbus Day Gala Dinner Thursday, October 5 Proclamation Ceremony Friday, October 6 Columbus Day Parade and Festival Sunday, October 8 Look for more information in coming months!

by David W. Cava

Columbus sets sail down Broad Streetth October 8

PRH Writers Block

friend

I

became a dog owner for the first time back in September of 2015. I will admit I fought against it tooth and nail. I survived 50 years on this planet without having a pet so there was a side of me that was a little apprehensive. I also have allergies and can barely breathe when I’m around cats. So when the kids started begging for a dog, stressing to the kids that I enjoy breathing was my de facto way of saying no. My wife grew up with dogs and had no apprehension with us getting a pet, which left me as the lone detractor and thus the bad guy. I’m not saying that my wife was in on it, but someone definitely conspired against me. Before any successful coup, there has to be a well thought out plan of attack.

Step 6: Show initiative and search the web for pictures of the cutest little miniature Doberman mutt that needs a safe and loving home.

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Step 7: Show those pictures to the father and don’t mention that she’s not at all hypoallergenic.

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Step 3: Engage an agency to inspect you and your home to assure that your soon to be foster dog will be happy.

Step 5: After several more months, visibly show your frustration with the chosen process.

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Step 2: Register to become a foster family for said hypoallergenic dog breed.

Step 4: Wait a few months for the agency to match you with a dog.

A ffordAble r eliAble l AndscAping

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

man’s

best

Step 1: Search the web for a hypoallergenic dog breed.

CLEAN GREEN LAWN AND LANDSCAPES

this

Chances are good that the cuteness of the dog and her perfect size for any home will have the father considering the inconceivable.

Step 8: Set up a visit where it is suggested that the entire family be present. That way, there is little chance for the father to say no.

Step 9: Hope that the dog immediately bonds to the father in their first encounter so that he agrees immediately to adopt the adorable creature.

As with any great plan, Step 9 has a pitfall. Note that you will be taking a gigantic risk as the dog might hate the father and try and chew his face off during their first encounter.

Know that if that were to happen the chances of you ever getting a dog before marriage would be slim to none.

Step 10: Get mom involved.

Dad loves mom and he will listen to her if the plan goes sideways.

Assuming that you read the first sentence, you know that their sinister plan worked. Our Roxie has been a wonderful addition to our family. She has quickly turned me from a non-pet owning curmudgeon to a lovable, happy, pet owning softie. It’s hard to imagine our family and our home without our little Roxie.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that I’m not allergic to Roxie and they are starting to show me pictures of cute little dogs again. Thank goodness spring is in the air. A couple months of me sneezing and scratching my eyes should hold them at bay until the fall. prh gohomephilly.com

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PRHSCHOOLYARD NG

Spotlight

Dr. Joselli Deans

by Jim Gildea

Helping young people

to follow their dreams

Impassioned.

If you Google this adjective, you will discover that two of its synonyms happen to be fervent and ardent, along with also implying both warmth and intensity.

If you happen to find yourself in our building, simply walk by Room 113 at Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School, the classroom of Dr. Joselli Deans, to witness this theology teacher’s impassioned approach to education – rather, to just about everything she endeavors. From the sound of the bell that signals the beginning of each class to the one that sends her students to another room and teacher, Dr. Deans spends each minute vigorously engaging her students in the lesson of the day, as she makes sure to listen and react to their observations and questions.

Dr. Deans’ educational background may seem to be an unusual segue into this, her third year of teaching theology at Neumann-Goretti, but it surely accounts for her impassioned intensity.

After high school, she followed a career in dance, receiving both her Masters and her Doctorate in Dance Education at Temple University. During this time,

she saw her faith deepen. She asserts that “when I retired from dance, I pursued a degree in theology,” thereby merging her love of dance with her love for God. When asked how she is responsible for contributing to the success of her students, Dr. Deans replied by saying that she believes she is “contributing to both coaching and life skills.” She feels that it is important to “meet students where they are” and “to support them” at that level.

Dr. Deans loves the diversity of NeumannGoretti and hopes that such diversity and the school itself continue to grow.

Along with her teaching theology to juniors and seniors, Dr. Deans is the moderator of the school’s Dance Club, as well as spearheading the “Saints Got Talent” annual talent show. She also serves her school by acting as one of two internal coordinators for Middle State’s re-accreditation.

Dr. Deans believes that she was meant to work in an urban environment, from which she is also a product. She acknowledges that she prayed about working in a place “where I could make a difference, using my gifts more effectively, helping young prh people to follow their dreams.”

Ss. John Neumann-Maria Goretti Catholic High School

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram:

@NeumannGoretti neumanngorettihs . org

Schedule a visit or enroll today! www.neumanngorettihs.org • 215-465-8437 x 229 1736 South 10th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19148 “Compassion. Courage. Commitment.”

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| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

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Frank E. Olivieri, Founder

A special program designed to educate, inform and demonstrate healthy eating habits and nutrition in schools and to school aged children through artistic and cooking expressions.

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PRHSCHOOLYARD

Local teacher starts her own

cheerleading program

by Nicole Devereaux photo by Alaina Zepp

N

icole Cirillo, who was born and raised in South Philadelphia, has definitely made a positive impact in her community. A graduate of Girard Academic Music Program (GAMP) and Neumann University, Nicole is now a 6th grade English-Language Arts teacher at D. Newlin Fell Elementary School on Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia.

Teaching language arts is not her only role at the school. Over the past several months, Cirillo was busy building a cheerleading program for the middle school from scratch.

Through fundraising efforts, along with a donation from Castelli Roofing, and support from her principal Omahr Ashe, Cirillo was able to design and acquire cheerleading uniforms and

pompoms. She even had the uniforms embroidered with the school’s logo – the Falcons.

Cirillo cheered, competed and won multiple 1st place public school titles while in high school at GAMP so she was excited to take on this new role as a teacher. She held auditions for the cheer team and set out to recruit 12 students to join the squad. Not only is it a chance to cheer for the school’s basketball team, it is the perfect fitness opportunity for everyone involved, she says.

With previous cheerleading experience in hand, Cirillo choreographs the dances and cheers and then teaches them to the girls. She even remembers a few cheers from her days as a GAMP cheerleader.

Cirillo says this is more than an exciting

opportunity for her. It is a dream come true. Not only is her cheerleading program an exciting opportunity for the school, it gives her a chance to be a role model for young girls who attend a Philadelphia public school, just like she did.

The basketball and cheerleading season may have come to an end but the team still has some last minute action coming up. Members participated in the school’s PSSA Pep Rally at the end of March and they will also be featured in the school’s talent show in May. “I love this opportunity to not only teach these young girls but also to be a positive influence for them,” Cirillo says. Although it is only in its first year, she says Fell’s cheerleading program definitely started out on the right foot. prh

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PRHSCHOOLYARD

A Gas Tank What’s Happening in Away

the LehighValley

L

Courtesy of Lehigh Valley With Love Media www.lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

ooking for a quick day trip just up the Turnpike? The Lehigh Valley may have a few fun things to do. The area - Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton - is known for its year-round festivals. Here are some of our favorite picks for the upcoming months.

atmosphere of Zimmermann’s Coffee House offers the perfect environment for an evening of Baroque chamber music. Still others may appreciate a step back in time while attending a performance at the Saal, the original place of worship for the Moravian community in 1742. bach.org

110th Bethlehem Bach Festival (May 12-13th and May 19-20th) Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA Historic Downtown Bethlehem, Moravian Community For some, the annual performances of Bach’s music at Incarnation of Our Lord Church or Packer Memorial Church deliver a satisfying experience. For others, the relaxed

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (June-August) DeSales University Each summer, the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival produces a season of Shakespeare and other classics, musical theatre and children’s theatre. PSF is home to more than 200 artists from around the country, including winners and

nominees of the Tony, Obie, Emmy, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Jefferson and Barrymore awards.

Pashakespeare.org Antique Truck Club of America’s National Meet (June 16th & 17th) Macungie Memorial Park Big trucks, small trucks - we love all trucks! Don’t miss the best antique truck show in the world - the ATCA National Meet held at Macungie Memorial Park. antiquetruckclub.org Easton Heritage Day (July 9th) Heritage Day is a free festival that showcases local history with activi-

ties for kids and a fireworks display over the Forks of the Delaware.

Heritage Day celebrates Easton’s significance in the founding of the United States. At noon on July 8, 1776, Easton was one of three places where the Declaration of Independence had its first public reading. heritageday.org Blueberry Festival (July 15th & 16th) Burnside Plantation, Bethlehem Enjoy two days of indulging in all things blueberry - pie, ice cream, beer, wine and more. There are performers, crafters and a children’s section. historicbethlehem.org/blueberry-festival

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photo by Nicholas A. Tonelli

travel

We Want You

Join South Philly Lions Chartered 1935

Call Barbara Ricci 215-336-3932 or Russell Shoemaker 267-597-7154

BUSINESS NETWORK DIRECTORY

Shop Local / Support Local Automotive Services Accutune

Professional Automotive Service 2023 S. Percy St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.551.7559

_____________________________

Construction P. Agnes

Construction managers and builders since 1918

2101 Penrose Avenue Philadelphia, PA 215.755.6900 contact@pagnes.com www.pagnes.com

_____________________________

Entertainment Punch Line Philly

Comedy Club Restaurant and Bar 1004 Canal St. Philadelphia, PA 19123 www.punchlinephilly.com

_____________________________

Fashion

Goldstein's Clothing Men’s and boys’ clothing

114 years (1902-2016) 2537 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.468.0564 Goldsteinsclothing.com

_____________________________ Strands 25 Hair Salon 2504 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.923.5849

_____________________________

Financial Services United Savings Bank

1510 Packer Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.467.4300 www.unitedsavingsbank.com

_____________________________

Florists & Decorators The Petal Pusher

2515 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.463.5485

Specializing in weddings, funerals & corporate events

www.petalpusherflowers.net

_____________________________

Graphic Design

ten2two creative solutions Ken Cahill 267.408.5501 ken.cahill@ten2twocs.com

_____________________________

Gym / Fitness

PHL Athletics / CrossFit PHL 2017 S. Juniper St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.778.3259 www.phlathletics.com

_____________________________

Home Improvement Ritner Hardware

1641 Ritner St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.334.4927

Painter / Rita Coccia Trombetta Builder One Inc, owner Sam Troilo 267.446.0693 builderoneinc@verizon.net or infinity4367@yahoo.com

_____________________________

Home Services FBI Pest Control

We rid your pests so you can rest

info@fbipestcontrol.com Frank Fioravanti, route supervisor 2909 S Franklin St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.768.1804 www.termitecontrolphiladelphia.com

_____________________________ Filippone Electric & Contracting 856.952.8197 24-hour emergency service 215.783.3844

Free Estimates. We will beat any written estimate.

Licensed & Insured. 5-year warranty on all work.

AlFilipponeElectric@yahoo.com

_____________________________ Pad Porter

We coordinate your move so that you love your new home faster!

Nonya Collier, CEO nonya.c@padporter.co 484.483.5821 www.padporter.co

_____________________________

Philip's Moving & Removal Services No job too big or small.

Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates.

215.500.3903 www.PhilipsMovingandRemoval.com

_____________________________

Insurance Services

Troast-Singley Insurance Agency, LLC Kim Troast-Singley 2700 S. 18th St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.339.0333

_____________________________

Jewelers

Olivieri Jewelers

2523 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.336.1130 www.dolivierijewelers.com

_____________________________

Legal Services

Perry deMarco, Jr. Esq.

1500 Market St. Suite 4100 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.563.6100 PerrydeMarcoJr@gmail.com

Music Lessons

Joe Cuglietta Guitar Lessons Washington Township, NJ

Specializing in blues, jazz, rock & roll Beginners to advance

609.504.8258

_____________________________

Neighborhood Associations Newbold CDC

Revitalizing Newbold socially, economically & physically

1437 West Passyunk Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19145 Tim Lidiak, President (president@newboldcdc.org) www.newboldcdc.org

_____________________________

Professional Organizations

South Philadelphia Business Assn.

Oldest Business Association in South Philadelphia

Join today!

Russell Shoemaker Director of New Membership 267.597.7154 spba1897@gmail.com www.southphiladelphiaba.org

_____________________________

Real Estate

Leonardo Realty

2136 S. 16th St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.389.7944 Ciampittiventure@aol.com

_____________________________

Restaurants

Common Wealth

Old City’s newest low-country inspired Southern belle

319 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 267.372.7581 www.commonwealthphila.com

_____________________________ Fine Palate Restaurant

231 S. 15th St. Philadelphia, PA 19102 267.318.7971 www.finepalategroup.com

_____________________________ Francoluigi

1549 S. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 215.755.8900 www.francoluigis.com

_____________________________ L’Oceano Ristorante

_____________________________

833 Haddon Ave. Collingswood, NJ 08108 856.833.9888 www.loceanoristorante.com

Dr. Denise D’Adamo DC

Nick's Bar and Grille

Medical

2432 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.468.2999 www.Drdenisetdadamo.com

_____________________________ Pennsport Physical Therapy 2101 S. Columbus Blvd.

Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.467.4431 www.pennsportpt.com

_____________________________ 16 South 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 215.928.9411 www.nicksroastbeefbarandgrille.com

_____________________________ P'Unk Burger

1823 E Passyunk Ave Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.468.7865 www.punkburger.com

Revolution Taco

Dad’s Stuffing

_____________________________

_____________________________

2015 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 267.639.5681 www.therevolutiontaco.com

Stogie Joe's Tavern

1801 E. Passyunk Ave Philadelphia, PA 19148 215-463-3030 stogiejoestavern@hotmail.com www.stogiejoestavern.net

_____________________________

Security Services

Allied Universal Security Services Ron Rabena 1760 Market Street, 14th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 1.866.825.5433 ron.rabena@aus.com www.allieduniversal.com

_____________________________ SPI Security Services Inc.

2440 Federal St. Philadelphia, PA 19146 215.338.0800 www.spissecurityservices.com

_____________________________

Senior Services

Senior Companionship & Home Helper Carmen DeSanto 610.908.4811

Meal preparation, grocery shopping, light housekeeping. 30+ years of experience.

References available.

_____________________________

Spa Services Bella Angel

158 N. 3rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 856.227.7774 www.bella-angel.com

_____________________________ Hot Hands Studio & Spa 2545 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.467.9666 www.hothandsphilly.com

_____________________________ Philly's Nail Spa

Wellness and Beauty Spa Refer three customers and get $20 off the service of your choice!

2502 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.271.9831

1615 W. Ritner St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.389.3237 www.dadstuffings.com

Dew’s Deli

1710 S. 10th St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.465.4890

_____________________________ Giovanni’s Italian Catering

Located in the heart of South Philadelphia

267.439.0779 giovanniitaliancatering@gmail.com www.giovannisitaliancatering.com

_____________________________ Mike's Hot Dog Cart 24th & Passyunk

_____________________________ Swan Caterers

Now serving at 2 locations 2015 S. Water St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.389.8888 1500-02-04 Shunk St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.389.2045 www.swanwaterfallcaterers.com

_____________________________

Tailoring / Custom Clothing Alana Ferr Atelier

Clothing/Accessories/Custom Clothing/Alterations

2403 S. Broad St. 215.336.6166 www.facebook.com/Alanaferr www.alanaferr.com

_____________________________

Travel Services

Travel with Pam Draper

Full Service Agent 856.956.3532 TravelWithPamDraper@gmail.com www.TravelWithPamDraper.com

_____________________________ At Escapes

Your boutique travel company Gina Casella / Founder & President 917.514.5566 info@atescapes.com www.atescapes.com facebook.com/AdrianaTrigianiTours

_____________________________

Specialty Foods & Catering The Beer Peddlers

1942 S, Christopher Columbus Blvd.

Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.755.2337 www.facebook.com/beerpeddlers

_____________________________ Big Nick’s Cold Cuts & Italian Specialties 1311 W. Moyamensing Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19148

(Between 13th & Broad on Moyamensing)

215.952.2500

_____________________________ Cannuli’s Sausage

1640 Ritner St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.468.7997

Join the PRH Business Network!

Call Carol at 215.462.9777 or info@gohomephilly.com

Random acts of Kindness

D E S S E R P P RHPRESSED

Jackson y Dorette Rota

by Dorette Rota Jackson

I

t’s time for us to be kinder to one another. We all grew up watching small acts of kindness like thank you please and chance apiece. We learned how to take care of each other. And it’s still happening in neighborhoods everywhere. We just don’t talk about it enough. But we should. We all need to flip our switches and talk about the nice things people do.

Like this.

Dawn and her friend Mark were driving down 10th Street on a sunny spring afternoon. There’s a woman on the side of the street trying to flag down a passing car. Two cars ahead of Dawn ignore the call for help and keep going. Guess who stops.

Dawn pulls over and sees an elderly woman lying on the ground with a cartload of groceries toppled over. Her ankle is wedged between the crushed wheel of her cart and the curb.

‘She needs help! Her foot is trapped!’ the flagging lady hollers as she pushes her face through Dawn’s car window.

‘And you think flagging me down is a better option than 911?’ Dawn asks.

Dawn and Mark get out of the car to help. Mark pulls the crushed wheel of the cart away from the curb so Dawn can free the woman’s foot.

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‘I’m ok. I’m ok,’ the elderly woman insists as she waves her hands through the air. ‘I couldn’t get my cart up the curb. My husband wanted birch beer. Acme’s havin’ a big sale.’

Soda cans from three-cases-over-thecart’s-weight-limit are sprawled across Dickinson Street. Mark starts collecting them. Along with 6 cans of Tuttoroso (‘they were on sale, too’); a dozen rolls of Scott tissue (‘the others clog your toilet’) and 3 boxes of butterscotch krimpets (‘we like them with our coffee at night’).

‘Where do you live?’ Dawn asks.

‘Hoffman Street,’ the woman named Agnes answers.

‘We’re heading that way. Mark, put her in the back seat,’ Dawn decides.

Dawn gets behind the wheel as Mark helps Agnes into the car. She chit-chats with Agnes as he loads the groceries and the crushed cart onto the back seat next to her.

They head down 10th Street toward Hoffman. As she pulls up the small side street, Dawn recognizes some of the neighbors. A flashback from growing up in the same neighborhood.

‘Just pull up to the white door on the right,’ Agnes directs from the back seat. Dawn hits the flashers and gets out of the car.

She immediately strikes up a conversation with the familiar faces on the block.

While Dawn yaps, Mark helps Agnes up

| rowhome magazine | April / May / June 2017

the five marble steps to her home. Agnes’ husband is sitting on the couch watching Jerry Springer. ‘Henry! I told you to get rid of that old cart! It crashed in the middle of the street! Look at my ankle! I could have killed myself! These nice people drove me home!

You don’t see nice people like this anymore!’

Her rant continues as Henry reaches for the remote. He raises the volume.

‘Uh-right! Uh-right! You’re ok! I’m trying to listen to my program over here!’ Henry snaps.

Mark helps Agnes to her chair ‘next to the credenza’ and heads outside to get the groceries. Dawn is sitting on a neighbor’s step trading back-in-theday stories with a dozen old friends.

Birch beer and tomatoes, krimpets and paper towels. Sweat drips down Mark’s brow as he carries a broken cartful of groceries from the car to the kitchen table. On one of his several trips past the television screen, Henry yells out to him, ‘Hey son, grab me a pack of those krimpets on your way by. I don’t wanna miss the DNA results. The kid looks just like his father.’

And there you have it. Random acts of kindness happen every day in neighborhoods all over this city and beyond.

It’s time to start accentuating the positive. It’s been a long winter and I think we’re all in need of a little more sunshine. And a few new grocery carts. prh

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