Spring 2018

Real People Real Stories

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VOLUME _39 ISSUE 49_ 2018 GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

INSIDETHIS ISSUE

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2018

16_ LIFE

20_RowHome Remembers Dancin’ On Air

by Tony Santini

34_ REAL ESTATE

Joseph Coradino: The Secret of his Success The man behind the transformation of the Gallery at Market East

by Jane Roser photos courtesy of PREIT/Dawn Deppi

44_ THE MENU

The Menu From the Piazza Duomo to Philadelphia The renaissance of Gran Caffe L’Aquila

by Matt Kelchner photo by Stephanie Nolt

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66_ MUSIC AND ARTS

Philadelphia 45s Madara and White: Rock & Roll is Here to Stay

by Geno Thackara

66

16

MUSIC & ARTS

LIFE

76_ SPORTS

E! A! G! L! E! S! The Birds make Philly history!

Where were you when the Eagles won the Lombardi Trophy Super Bowl LII Champs & fans paint the town GREEN

76 SPORTS

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

44

MENU

34

REAL ESTATE gohomephilly.com

WELCOME TO PHILLY’S

BEER GARDEN Fishtown Hops is an experience complete with a delicious food menu, craft beers, cocktails, games, live entertainment and more.

Join us for happy hour, a bite to eat with a view or a fun night out catching up with friends.

Located on the river at SugarHouse Casino, where parking is always free.

P OW E R E D BY F I S HTOWN H O PS .CO M FREE SELF-PARKING ON N. DELAWARE AVE. 1 MILE NORTH OF THE BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE

Persons under 21 are not permitted inside the casino.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.

VOLUME _39 ISSUE 49_ 2018 GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

REGULARS

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2018

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6_ FROM THE PUBLISHERS Priceless Fluff

58_ BRIDES GUIDE 12_ NEIGHBORHOOD NOIR Rose Toner came to Philadelphia from Loughilly, County Armagh, Ireland, in 1878. She and her husband owned a public house at 9th & Jackson.

Cescaphe Couple Dana DePasquale & Daniel Ricciardi Seamless

by Joe Volpe photos by Art Work Photography

GREEN SPACE

58

69_ THEATRE GEEK

14_ HANGING OUT

BRIDES GUIDE

A conversation with designer Machine Dazzle

by Marialena Rago photos by Teddy Wolff

The Geator hangs out with boxing champ Christian Carto (14-0).

18_ WINE KNOW

Time for a Change RowHome’s wine expert Vincent Novello picks the best of the lesser knowns

90_ GREEN SPACE

Green travels

by Kerri-Lee Mayland

96_ PRESSED 30_ HEALTH

Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. 1 in 4 teens lives with a mental illness

3 Best Friends

by Dorette Rota Jackson

ON THE COVER

THEATRE GEEK

69

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

Real Stories.

photo by ANDREW ANDREOZZI Stories of courage, resilience and new beginnings thanks to the support of family, friends and the medical community that led them on their journeys of a lifetime.

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(clockwise from top)

Jasmine Poole Dese’Rae Stage Deanna Ensign John Bucci Gabrielle Delisi 4

Not pictured:

Patty Jackson Maria Santangelo

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

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

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SAHADI

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | January/ February/ March 2018

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PRICELESS

FLUFF Philly

April is a special month for Philadelphia RowHome Magazine. It’s the month we launched our first edition back in 2004.

From a scribbled sketch on a napkin to Issue 1 of PRH, advertisers and readers alike welcomed our family-owned publication to the neighborhoods of our beloved hometown.

For the past 14 years, we’ve been on a mission to tell the stories of the neighborhoods we call home. We will continue to keep those memories of life in a RowHome around so we never forget. Shine a spotlight on generations of families who set up shop on the streets of this city we’ve all come to know and love. And welcome the entrepreneurs who pick Philly as the perfect place to earn a living.

RowHome connects the dots.

We put a face to the names behind the businesses. We introduce one to another so you all can do business on a personal level.

Advertising is key to building relationships.

We have to retrain our minds to recognize its impact on the bottom line.

Number crunchers in the publishing industry used to think that editorial was fluff. A loss leader when it comes to turning a profit.

We proved them wrong. How? We threw a party. Invited everyone we knew. All our clients, families, friends. And we introduced each to the other. River to River.

Why? So we can do business with each other. Learn about our neighborhoods. The history of our family businesses. Celebrate our achievements. Shake hands.

Build relationships. Lend a hand. Or ask advice.

We will continue to tell the stories of our neighborhoods.

That is the power of editorial. And where we come from, that fluff is priceless.

If you’re ready to jump on board, call us!

River to River. One Neighborhood.

Dorette & Dawn

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 7

January/ February/ March 2018

2017.01.05 appzdepot - ROW HOME - 3.5x9.75 advert.pdf

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8:44 AM

VOLUME_39 ISSUE 49 APRIL

| MAY | JUNE 2018

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 Frank DePasquale Jr., Esq Dr. Richard Dittrich Larry Gallone Brett Jackson Maria Merlino Dr. James Moylan John Nacchio

C

M

Y

CM

Vincent R. Novello, Jr. Michael Rhoades Marialena Rago Leo Rossi Jade Rota Anthony Santini John Stabeno Robert “Woody” Woodard

MY

MARKETING & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

CY

Brenda Hillegas

CMY

GREEN SPACE EDITOR 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

PUBLISHED BY

Philadelphia RowHome Inc. P.O. Box 54786 Philadelphia, PA 19148 Phone – 215.462.9777 | Fax – 215.462.9770 www.gohomephilly.com | www.gohomephillyblog.com

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

Content printed in the magazine may not be reproduced or reprinted, in whole or in part, by any other party without the expressed written consent of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine. 2018 Philadelphia RowHome Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. Published by Philadelphia RowHome Inc.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

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John J. Dougherty Business Manager IBEW Local 98

THEMAILBOX APRIL | MAY | JUNE Serving the Community since 1937

DEAR PRH:

Love [this magazine]. Looking forward to catching up on happenings!

Joseph Grimes

DEAR DORETTE & DAWN:

I love love love your magazine. I really enjoy it and look forward to reading it and seeing all the pictures past and present. It’s a walk down memory lane.

Diane Severino Marconi EMAIL YOUR LETTERS TO: INFO@GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

Vincent C. Gangemi, Founder (1915-2005) Vincent C. Gangemi Jr., Supervisor Randy L. Goldy, Director James L. Guercio, Funeral Director (1954-2016)

w w w. G a n g e m i F u n e r a l H o m e . n e t Funeral Pre-Planning Available Relieve your loved ones of future responsibility for funeral expenses

DEAR PRH:

Great article in RowHome [Celebrating 50 Years of Engelbert Humperdinck by Mark Casasanto]. I too grew up with the same Engelbert influence. I saw him three times and loved it every time!

Anthony Lombardi

ROWHOME MAG HAS A NEW FAMILY MEMBER! Handicapped Accessible

GiaCapri Locascio Born February 1st, 2018

Law Offices of Perry de Marco Jr. Perry de Marco, Jr. ESQ. Centre Square West Tower 1500 Market St Suite 4100 Philadelphia PA 19102 215-421-5528-Cell 215-563-6100-Office 215-563-6150-Fax

ATTORNEYPERRYDEMARCOJR.COM Congratulations Jade Alexis Rota & John Frank Locascio @BreanaTiffanyPhotography

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

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PRHLIFE

SAVE THE DATE FOR LUCKY #13!

PHILADELPHIA ROWHOME MAGAZINE

Banking this Great Community Since 1912!

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Cescaphe Event Group Thursday, November 1, 2018 You won’t want to miss this!

Reserve your tables & tickets now by calling us at 215.462.9777 or info@gohomephilly.com

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 11

April / May / June 2018

res & Dolo accare ly.

B il h h p P se South for Jo ery in g day k a in B d d o t We

by Lit 1950. made Cake Bove.

sasanto Street. The Ca home on 19th At s. ark.

70 M 19 & te La ike, Joe a, Anthony, M children – Lind

Dan Cedrone.

The only Sout h Philly musician inducted into the Rock & Ro ll Hall of Fam e.

1949. Sa

batino’s (now JC Louie Da ’s), 8th & y & wife, Morris.

Mary Sca D’Armi, fide, Spa Lee Saba rky tino, Vic ki D’Arm i.

e 7th & is Vintag lie & h 1948. le Wil are. r. Unc c e c t a a B w e Fitz law Jo er-inbroth

t. Anna in Stree a 18 Miffl ters Ann h g 1944. 20 u a ith her d . w io io rg rg o DiGe DiGeo Dorothy Marie &

July 1954. Coney Island.

Thomas & Jean Ciampi.

lphia ilade to Ph rmagh, e m r ca nty A Tone d her , Cou Rose arrie hilly g n u e o h m L S . m ciatio 8 o n 7 fr Annu in 18 t t d l a i n u e a c b Irel asn’t erren ny w and T ipha ned a p husb w E o ( y ch n. he Chur ckso 89. T & Ja in 18 t 9th yet) a e s u ic ho publ et. inson Stre 1957. Hutch .

Jr d Christmas ar Leon imini with Leonard C

1956.

Wedd ing D (seate ay for d) wit Dona h bro ld Re Paul R thers tallick Tomm etallic y Ret k & fr allick iend J , oe Pa uley.

1956.

Atlan tic Cit Maria y.

DelB orrell (righ o t) & h er friend Claire .

1949. 8th & Mo rris. Fillipa Saba tino above her restau rant, Sabatino’s .

Louie & Morris.

1949. 8th tino. ba Sa a ip Day & Fill n& ama Jea 1920s. M chicken e th ou from Daddy L dley. th & Du store, 9

in ars old ed 95 ye aldi turn her in f in o R a re it a R hotos on These p mailbox March! one at a t er rs fi th o e h e 1943. T nue & th unk Ave y ss a P r.

1900 & Ritne at 16th

1958.

Charli e & Jo Philly an (D & ma ’Ama rried to) G racie on Va met in lentin e’s Da South y wee kend.

Isabe l DiPie tro sit niece s on t & god he ste daugh gradu p with ter Rit ation her a Rin d ay fro garten aldi o m St. . Rita n her Edmo later nd’s k went inder on to becom e a nu n.

VOLUME _39 ISSUE 49_ 2018 GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2018 1.

1

2.

armen LaRosa’s birthday C party at South Bowl.

3.

ark Casasanto & Yousef M Kassis of Imperial Events Security Services backstage with the inaugural performance of The Kings of Disco (formerly Village People) after their performance at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

4.

HANGIN’OUT 5.

L eading the String Bands: Congressman Bob Brady, Deputy Mayor Michael DeBerardinis, Vince Giannini (VP / GM of PHL17) and George Badey, Chair of Love the Mummers/former tenor sax player for Fralinger String Band. Photo by Maria Merlino angin’ out at the Army Navy H game with Ken Adams, Col. Jack Jacobs & Stephanie & Matt Lyons (former Mayor of Washington Township, NJ).

The Lyons’ son Brennan is a Navy Corpsman stationed with a Marine weapons platoon ready to deploy to Afghanistan in April. Photo by Maria Merlino

6.

he Geator at Club Sway in T Ft. Lauderdale with Denise Capone, Marie Elena Abbruzzi, Gina LoMonaco, Nancy DiPasquale and Denise LaRosa.

7.

nd Street childhood friends 2 Ken Adams & retired court officer (and longtime member of the Fralinger String Band) Kyran Gilbert hang out on Broad Street. Photo by Maria Merlino

8.

ictoria DiPietro (Bella Angel) V hangs out with CBS3 news anchor Jim Donovan.

9.

angin’ out with Marcus H Anthony Girardo.

2

3

ark Casasanto & Harold M Palmer escort music icon Smokey Robinson through the Flower Show Preview Gala at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

10. J ody Della Barba, Patricia Teti & Noelle Pawlowski hang out at Gran Caffe L’Aquilla.

11. H appy birthday Joe Donatucci. With Dorette, Donna & Anthony Anello.

12. H angin’ out at the Shamrock Pub with Erik Mackinson & Albert Fortino.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

13. R occo Polutro hangs out at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School.

14. T he Geator hangs out with boxing champ Christian Carto (14-0).

15. J immy Harrity, State Rep. Kevin Boyle, State Rep. Sharif Street & State Rep. Brendan Boyle.

Photo by Maria Merlino 16. J ohn Dougherty hangs out with great-granddaughter Cellie Fiocca and her parents Brian & Brynn Fiocca.

Photo by Maria Merlino 17. B renda hangs out with Broadway’s Adam Pascal after a performance of Something Rotten in Philadelphia.

18. H angin’ out with Brett Jackson, Michael Rhoades & crew - Cara Liom Wench Brigade NY2018.

To Broad Street & Beyond!

19. J ohn & Joanne Vacca with Rob Ellis, NBC Sports, on Valentine’s Day. 20. H wy Patrol Officer Andy Chan & Councilman David Oh enjoy the Irish camaraderie of the parade. Photo by Maria Merlino 21. P arks and Rec Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell hangs out with husband Andrew & daughters Johanna & Lucy for the Mummers Day Parade.

Photo by Maria Merlino 22. H angin’ out with Tyler & Raymond Nord who carry the championship trophy for their Golden Crown NYB first-place win.

23. S ugarHouse Casino GM Wendy Hamilton hangs out with Councilman Mark Squilla after his New Year’s performance with The Shooting Stars.

Photo by Maria Merlino 24. R etired Police veteran Pat Boyle, whose son Danny, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty, marches in his name with Ken Adams.

Photo by Maria Merlino 25. T he Psychedelic Elders hang out at the Shamrock Pub. 26. M elissa, Alison, Brenda & Katie hang out in Edinburgh, Scotland.

27. M arialena Rago hangs out with Broadway’s Adam Pascal after a performance of Something Rotten in Philadelphia.

28. J ason Kelce hangs out at Pastificio with Anthony Messina.

gohomephilly.com

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 15

April / May / June 2018

Looking for a local doctor?

Start here  PRH Life

YOUR HEALTH IS THEIR PRIMARY FOCUS photo by Andrew Andreozzi

Dr. Mark Testa

I

n this age of social media, you can Google everything from fancy foods to fishing rods, but when it comes to finding the right physicians, nothing compares to familiarity. In a city steeped in tradition, the family doctor is a mainstay for generations of family members. Primary Care Physicians build relationships with patients and are a key component to personalized healthcare.

If you are in search of a qualified professional with a keen eye on your wellbeing, skip the express line.

To help with your search, Philadelphia RowHome Magazine is spotlighting some of the private practice physicians who have been caring for our community for generations.

Dr. Mark Testa graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York and specializes in family medicine.

He has been in private practice for more than 20 years.

Q: Where is your practice located?

South Philadelphia.

2601 S. 12th Street.

Q: Where did you grow up?

Upstate New York Q: Who inspired you to become a doctor?

My parents Q: Give us a bit of background on your speciality and education?

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

I went to college at the University of Scranton and medical school at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York.

Q: How many generations of families do your patients represent?

Three generations Q: What are some of the benefits of regularly visiting a family physician?

Continuity of care and advocacy Q: Do you have any recommendations for a primary care physician or specialist?

Build relationships and value.

Contact Information Mark Testa, DO 2601 S. 12th Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.389.6461

gohomephilly.com

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 17

April / May / June 2018

Wine Know

by VINCENT R. NOVELLO JR.

Time for a Change PRH Life

T

he selection of wines I listed below are totally out of the norm. These varietals come with complexities not found in the everyday favorites that are a convenient go-to when selecting wines. You can enjoy wines from different countries and regions while

suiting your own palate’s taste. You will be surprised to find many reasonably priced wines available to start your own favorites list to bring to the table.

Taking your next wine selection a step further than the often disappointing “Chairman Select” is a great way to start putting your own “personal select” together.

Wine Recommendations

❚❙❘ RED WINES BIELER PÈRE ET FILS La Jassine $15 RAIZA, Tempranillo Rioja Crianza $13 MEGA PETITE Petite Sirah $10

❚❙❘ WHITE WINES

GUENOC VICTORIAN CLARET, North Coast $12

DOMAINE PAUL MAS LANGUEDOC Blanc $14

BARON HERZOG Cabernet Sauvignon $11

PAT PAULSEN VINEYARDS Chardonnay $14

PAUL DOLAN Zinfandel – Mendocino County $15

RODNEY STRONG CHARLOTTE’S HOME Sauvignon Blanc $15

FABIANA KALEMA Negroamaro Salento $10

STERLING Sauvignon Blanc $15

SIMI SONOMA COUNTY Merlot $19 WHIPLASH Red Blend $13 OVR Old Vine Red $13

…and remember “Never save your good wine for tomorrow!”

For more information contact Vincent Novello Vinoinfo824@aol.com

MENAGE A TROIS California White $10 LES CHAMPS DE LIERRE Chardonnay $12

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.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

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PRHON THE WATERFRONT

Paul Stolfo, Director • Marianne Stolfo, Director

ROLLIN’ on

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUGARHOUSE CASINO

the

T

RIVER

The Stolfo

Funeral Home

by Wendy Hamilton SugarHouse Casino General Manager

his spring marks the one-year anniversary of Fishtown Hops, SugarHouse Casino’s very own beer garden.

As we open the patio for our second year, guests continue to enjoy amazing food and a front-row seat to the Delaware River and Ben Franklin Bridge. There’s nothing like cold drinks in the warm weather at our fabulous oasis!

Fishtown Hops has become THE spot to grab a bite to eat with friends, cheer on your favorite sports team or unwind and relax from a long week with one of our signature brews. Drafts include Philly’s Winner Yards Saison and Saint Benjamin Wit that pair perfectly with our Original Philly

The Tradition Continues the Fourth Generation

Cheesesteak Rolls or Fire Grilled Wings with homemade sauces.

And that’s just a few of our favorite things on the menu.

From checking out all of the fun at Fishtown Hops to catching the next show in The Event Center, there’s always something exciting happening at SugarHouse. The casino continues to bring in a variety of entertainment that offers something for everyone.

Our comedy lineup includes a Cinco de Mayo celebration with Cheech and Chong and their “Light Up America & Canada” tour. SugarHouse will also feature social media phenomenon Vic DiBitetto and Cedric the Entertainer, which will have guests laughing all through spring and summer.

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

The SugarHouse Casino Event Center

has quickly become a favorite destination for headliner music, comedy and boxing – grab your tickets before they’re gone!

Here’s a look at the upcoming events in The Event Center: April 20:

Buddy Guy

Chicago blues singer and guitarist April 27:

Night Ranger

the band that invented the power ballad of the 1980s

May 5:

Cheech and Chong legendary comedy duo June 1:

The B-52s

American new wave band

June 2:

Vic DiBitetto

– stand-up comedian known for ‘Bread and Milk’ video

July 21:

Cedric the Entertainer and Friends actor and comedian

July 13:

Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson worldwide rock phenomenon

Be sure to get your tickets for these shows and for all of our events at SugarHouseCasino.com

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 19

April / May / June 2018

Row Home Remembers PRH Life

Kim Nasuti-DiPietro

Carmen Maniaci w/ Kelly Ripa & Denise Jadczak-Daley

DANCIN’

on

by Tony Santini

American Bandstand

Philadelphia has been a pioneer when it comes to television dance shows as far back as 1952. If you are in the 60 to 70-year-old age bracket, you were probably a fan of the locally produced American Bandstand. Originally broadcast from the WFIL-TV Channel 6 studios at 46th & Market Streets, the show was hosted by Bob Horn and later

by Dick Clark. It went national in 1957 and continued to provide afternoon entertainment until 1989.

The Steel Pier Show

If you are in the 50 to 60-year-old category, you were likely a fan of Summertime on the Pier broadcast from Atlantic City’s Steel Pier and hosted by Ed Hurst. This show was regionally broadcasted on KYW-TV Channel 3 before it moved to WCAU-TV Channel 10 and finally to ABC-TV Channel 6 from 1960 to 1978. In later years, was known as The Steel Pier Show and went national in 1970.

The Discophonic Scene

You may also have been a fan of the locally originated television

20

dance music show called The Discophonic Scene. This dance reality show was filmed in Philadelphia at the WCAU-TV 10 studios and hosted by South Philly’s own Jerry Blavat. The show went right into national syndication but was filmed with local teenagers as the primary stars from 1965-1967.

If you are currently in your late 40s or early 50s, you may have been a fan of the locally produced television dance music reality show originally known as Dancin’ on Air. This show usually was broadcasted live from the WPHL-TV Channel 17 studios on City Line Avenue from 1981 to 1987. It occasionally offered live remote broadcasts from popular area locations such as Penn’s Landing, Wildwood, Ocean City and Six Flags Great Adventure.

Like its predecessors, the show’s stars were local teenagers. During its tenure, there were many local hosts including Eddie Bruce, Bill O’Brien and Dave Raymond (who you may know was also the original Phillie Phanatic). The show featured guest performers like Madonna, Will Smith and New Kids on the Block. The real stars, however, were the dancers who became regulars. Three of those local stars shared their experience

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

Joe Polutro

AIR

with me: Joe Polutro, Carmen Maniaci and Kim Nasuti-DiPietro.

Where are they now?

Today, Joe Polutro is a restaurant consultant/corporate chef. From 1981 to 1983, he was a South Philly teen attending the School of the Performing Arts. Each day after school, he caught a SEPTA bus to the Channel 17 Studio to appear as a Dancin’ on Air regular. Though he didn’t have a steady dance partner on the show, he does recall getting a lot of face time on the broadcasts.

Polutro says that his biggest thrill was coming home and seeing himself on television. And the fan mail.

His fondest memory was the fact that his mother Joanne was a regular on the original American Bandstand.

Carmen Maniaci grew up at 13th & Bigler and attended Mercy Vocational High School. He currently is the Mayor of Aldan Borough and the Captain of the Avalon String Band. From 1985 to 1987, he was a featured dancer on the show.

Maniaci also remembers hopping on SEPTA after school to make the trip to City Line Avenue for the tapings. He recalls two steady

dance partners -- Jody Derita and Denise Jadczak. He also danced with a Jersey girl named Kelly Ripa. Yes, that Kelly Ripa! You can check it out on YouTube. Maniaci likes to say that he made her famous. His fondest memory of the show is being recognized at other dance venues or when hanging out at the malls.

Kim Nasuti-DiPietro is a St. Maria Goretti High School alum from 8th & Ritner. She was a Dancin’ On Air regular in 1981-1982. Too young to have a driver’s license, she said she hopped a ride to the studio after school with her friends who had cars. They made sure they had a change of clothes with them so they didn’t have to dance in their school uniforms. Nasuti-DiPietro remembers that Eddie Bruce was the host during her appearances and does not recall a steady guy partner.

She and her friends Renee Schiavo, Sharon Panvini and Monique Negro were on the dance floor and in the television shot as much as possible. Her fondest memory also was getting fan mail. The host always seemed to put her and her friends in the weekly “roll call” during the taping. Today, Nasuti-DiPietro is the manager/bartender of Nickel’s Tavern in South Philadelphia.

gohomephilly.com

PRHON THE CORNER

MISS JR. TEEN AVA CIMA ON THE CORNER with MARK CASASANTO

IS A CROWN JEWEL photos by RICHARD KRAUS

H

er title is as lengthy as her remarkable achievements: USA National Miss Pennsylvania Jr. Teen 2018. But for high school freshman Ava Cima, she’s still the same fun loving girl from South Philadelphia.

A simple letter is all it took to give her pageant fever. She was nine years old and it sounded like fun. She talked her parents into taking her. “After that first meeting,” she says, “I knew I wanted to be part of it.” She instantly related to the message of empowerment, confidence and learning important life skillsets.

She’s been taking part in pageants ever since.

Her mom Susan, whom Cima lovingly refers to as “momager,” is part and parcel responsible for the JW Hallahan student’s bustling itinerary. Her father Tony, along with Cima’s twin brother Antonio, a freshman at Roman Catholic, handle the home front. Still, with a family on the move, her commitments can be challenging. Literally anything, anytime or anywhere. Walking the fashion week runways in New York, Philly or Atlantic City. Locally, cheer meets, No Place For Hate events, school plays and Philadelphia Soul Dance Team activities dot the calendar. Mix in statewide appearances and community service commitments that come with wearing the national crown and you have the moving parts in a week in the life of Ava Cima.

She’ll tell you that her favorite part of pageantry is interacting with people that she would never have had the opportunity to meet. “My current pageant sisters are very special to me and I remain in contact with friends I met years ago from all over the country.” Cima appreciates the efforts of UNM PA State Director Kim Dornheim in that regard. “She sends the state queens gifts every month and we try to get together every couple of months.” In essence, nurturing the camaraderie for the good of the sisterhood.

As for the magical moment when her name was called as the new UNM Miss Pennsylvania Jr. Teen, she confesses, “It didn’t seem real until they put the crown on my head.” Even then, she humbly shared the credit. “I was so happy that I was Miss Pennsylvania after all the hard work my family and I put into it.” Now looking ahead to the nationals in Orlando this July, she is grateful for the opportunity to compete among her contemporaries and meet two of her favorites, former Miss America Savvy Shields and former Miss USA Nia Sanchez.

Through it all, she remains grounded and focused

as a student. She’s in the honors program at Hallahan and works hard at getting good grades. Garnering just as many accolades for her academic achievements, projects and competitions as she does when “rocking the stage like no one’s watching” (her mantra to help conquer fear), her educational possibilities remain endless. While astronomy, environmental science and engineering are chief among her interests, it wouldn’t be shocking to see her commanding research vessels or assuming mission controls for NASA. Heck, she’s already designed underwater robots for the United States Navy and helped build a boat that currently sails the Delaware River.

But for all that Cima has already accomplished in her young life, she’s now extending helping hands to lift and support others in need. Having recently started her own foundation called Project HALO (Help Ava Lift Others), with her mission statement now in place, Project Halo is primed to be a cornerstone of reinforcement be it anti-bullying, fostering friendships, help with schoolwork, volunteerism or associated fundraising.

During a September meeting with members of the attorney general’s office, various discussions ensued including the important topic of human trafficking. In a collaborative effort with Hallahan’s student council and student ambassadors, the action plan will feature an awareness program at school and fundraising to aid women who once fell victim to human trafficking.

Inspirationally wise beyond her tender years, she confidently affirms, “Never be afraid to go for it... What’s the worst that can happen? You will either win or grow from the experience.”

Out of the mouth of babes... but spoken like a true champion. PRH

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 21

April / May / June 2018

PRHON THE CORNER

ON AN EVENING IN

Philly

Che Bella Notte!

by MARK CASASANTO

O

nce upon a time somewhere in Naples...or maybe even Vienna...a young boy went in search of his mamma’s secret stash of vinyl records.

In breaking with his papa’s proud love of traditional Neapolitan songs, he cautiously explored the treasure trove of American music that in many ways would influence him for years to come.

Meanwhile, decades later in America, after stumbling upon a PBS special, I became fascinated with an international singing sensation by the name of Patrizio Buanne. Intrigued, I rounded up tutti la famiglia and off we went to the Keswick Theater for a great night of beautiful Italian music.

And so it goes, life went on...

As fate would have it, while recently perusing social media, I happened upon a post advertising Buanne’s return to Philadelphia to launch his Italianisimo tour.

With renewed interest, I reached out. Before long, we were chatting and laughing, he through somewhat broken English and me through somewhat butchered Italian. Like all great conversations, however, time flew and the night quickly grew short. But before bidding addio, I asked one last question: “Patrizio, what type of music do you like to listen to?”

He answered. I fell silent.

“Ciao Marco? Marco?”

Indulge me, if you will, as I fast forward to World Cafe Live, Valentine’s night, earlier this year. Halfway through his engaging set, Patrizio began to

22

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

tell the story of our conversation to his audience. Unbeknownst to me, he asked me to stand and wave. Humbly, I obliged. Comically, he continued, “I thought Marco hung up on me when I told him I love to listen to the Italian boys from Philadelphia.”

Regaling in the moment, he repeated my simple response after the unintended pregnant pause... “I know them.” Now animatedly pacing the stage, he said, “So I asked Marco, can you please bring them to my show?”

With that, Patrizio declared, “He’s a man of his word” and asked me to introduce my friends. Nervously rising to my feet, the house lights came up and I said with great honor, “Patrizio, say hello to Mr. Robert Ridarelli (Bobby Rydell) and Mr. Charlie Gracie.”

In a total moment of spontaneity, with the audience now in a tizzy, Patrizio descended from the stage and walked into the crowd to pay homage to rock and roll royalty. The love, respect and admiration for two of his musical idols unabashedly on full display. This magnificent moment of affection witnessed by many was rivaled only by the mutual adoration played out privately backstage later in the evening.

For this was the night when Patrizio met Bobby and Charlie. When idols became friends, legends became fans and we all lived happily ever after.

Read Mark’s interview with Patrizio Buanne at www. gohomephillyblog.com. gohomephilly.com

P RHSALUTE TO SERVICE

CHILD ADVOCATES Philly

We change the story

S

by DOMINIQUE VERRECCHIO

upport Center for Child Advocates – or Child Advocates, for short – is a free legal program for abused and neglected children in Philadelphia. They recruit, train and support volunteer attorneys from the community, pair them with a staff social worker and assign them to represent one child or sibling group. They advocate for the child client in court, seeking the appropriate social services to address the trauma of abuse and securing a safe home.

S E RV I C E

Moira Mulroney, Director of Development and Communication for Child Advocates, has a background as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia and also worked in nonprofit fundraising for the Philadelphia Zoo and WXPN Public Radio. She has been with Child Advocates for almost eight years and she is finally taking her first case as a volunteer attorney.

“For thousands of children in Philadelphia, the stories of their lives include horror and trauma. These children are involved in Philadelphia’s child welfare system. They are victims of abuse and neglect - children without a voice but with a story to tell. Recognizing that the legal issues children face can become life issues, we use a whole-child representation model to address the full range of their needs. We

change the story,” Mulroney says.

Child Advocates provides child advocacy through the Direct Representation and Child Advocacy Leadership Programs. In the Direct Representation Program, lawyer-social worker teams help children who are in protective foster care and/ or involved as victims in criminal cases. Their projects focus on child safety and justice, health and well being, and empowering older youth.

“We work to establish and maintain a relationship with every child.

Our low caseloads and dedicated Volunteer Attorneys allow us the time and attention required to provide the high-quality service for which we are recognized locally and nationally,” Mulroney says.

Through their Child Advocacy Leadership Program, they focus on important issues such as child protection, sex and labor traffick-

Advocates. In order to get on board, you must be licensed to practice in PA, take a day-long training workshop, attend a courtroom observation session and pass a background test.

“I hope my experience helps me persuade others to join the cause. As a community we need to look out for our children. Child abuse is an issue that is hard to talk about for many people but we need to shine a light on the dark secrets,” Mulroney says. “Every child deserves to feel cared for and protected.”

One of the biggest struggles that Child Advocates has is resources.

These important programs need funding and with a budget of $3.8 million a year, 43 employees and more than 1,000 child clients a year, they are always working hard to secure funding through charitable donations.

A 5K charity run/walk will take place on May 20th at Memorial Hall.

Child Advocates’ message to the world is Be Good to the Children.

For more information on Support Center for Child Advocates, please visit their website at SCAAlaw. org. You can also call ChildLine (1-800-932-0313) to report suspected child abuse or concerns about general child well-being. PRH

ing, school-to-prison pipeline, substance-exposed infants and adoptions as trainers, conveners, thought leaders, legislative advocates and policy specialists. Their Center for Excellence in Advocacy offers diverse training curricula in the five-county area and beyond for professionals and lay people working with youth and families.

“We are dedicated to working with children who have suffered trauma and abuse, to help change the circumstances of their lives so they may grow up to be healthy and happy adults,” Mulroney says.

“We are supportive of each other and work together as a team to ensure the best outcomes for our clients. When our hard work results in a good outcome, whether it is adoption or reunification with their parents or aging out of foster care with a plan in place, we know the hard work is worth it.

Our clients are resilient and strong and we get to see them through a bad situation and get them on the path to a brighter future.”

Mulroney encourages all lawyers even those who do not practice law on a daily basis - to consider taking cases as a volunteer attorney with Child

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April / May / June 2018

P RHSALUTE TO SERVICE

CHERICE CORLEY

by MARIA MERLINO

Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation

C

herice Corley, Public Affairs and Communications Director at Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES), has fire prevention in her blood. Her mother worked at a refinery and was an emergency response shift supervisor. “Part of her responsibility was to fight fires,” Corley shares.

“My youngest brother is a volunteer firefighter in his community and has been for almost 30 years. He, too, works at a refinery and serves in that capacity. In addition, my husband and older brother work at PES. Both serve on the Volunteer Emergency Response Team at the

S E RV I C E

plant. I work at the refinery, which has its own in-house fire department and in my role at PES, I work very closely with the City of Philadelphia Fire Department.”

Her passion made her the perfect choice to serve as the President of the Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation (PFDF), a 501c3 with roots in an organization established in 1952 called Citizens for Fire Prevention Committee.

“I got involved with the Citizens a few years ago when I joined the Board of Directors at the request of the Fire Commissioner at that time. I quickly realized this was an organization worthy of my time since their efforts were geared towards fire prevention and supported the PFD’s mission which was to install 10-year lithium battery smoke detectors throughout the city of Philadelphia.”

24

In December 2017, the Citizens for Fire Prevention Committee unveiled its re-branding initiative and is known now as the Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation (PFDF). With updated Mission and Vision statements in hand, the PFDF also announced its expanded efforts in support of the PFD. The group will continue to champion many ongoing efforts including a smoke alarm program and fire prevention education programs. Many of those efforts are directed towards youngsters like Youth Fire and Life Safety Education; Awareness and Recruitment Junior Fire Patrol; Fire Explorers Program; Youth Summer Camps and more. Future efforts are aimed at increasing funds to support technology, equipment and training.

“This organization embodies everything that we want to accomplish to reflect

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

change and provide additional resources.

Most importantly, it’s about saving lives through fire prevention efforts and developing programs that effectively educate the citizens of Philadelphia. The way we do that is by supporting the Philadelphia Fire Department mission,” Corley says.

It was a proud moment for the PFDF when Gentry, the Fire Department Dalmation mascot, debuted his brand new costume – a black and yellow jacket and red fire hat – at a recent event. “The Fire Department gets a lot of requests for Gentry. He’s a very sought-after and popular mascot requested by many school and community organizations. He serves as a friendly reminder to the youth the importance of fire prevention around the city.”

“Our Board is made up of all volunteers,” says Corley (who was also recently honored by the South Philadelphia Business Association). “All my free time goes to my desire to make the Foundation the best it can be. And 99 percent of the money we raise goes right back to the Fire Department.”

For more information, visit www. phillyfirefoundation.org, www.facebook.com/PFDFoundation and @ PFDFoundation on Twitter. PRH gohomephilly.com

Chefs Samuel Ccheuk, Betty Yu and Angelina Branca with Mayor Kenney. Under the new budget, investing in education will help children advance to become the new generation for the future of Philadelphia.

The good news for Engine 49 and the entire Fire Department is that the lean years are over and additional emergency responders (firefighters, paramedics) can be hired under Mayor Kenney’s budget.

CHAT CITY HALL

St. Anthony of

Safety & Education Top the Budget List

Padua

by MARIA MERLINO

“The most important thing a government can do is educate its kids.

There are many issues out of our control for funding education.

Since the State is not living up to its responsibility, there is a deficit.

We must take care of our own children’s education and not let them flounder or continue to live in poverty. As it’s done in the suburbs, we need to fund through real estate taxes. Investing in education is an economic development effort to keep the cohort of thousands of millennials who start families and also to give kids in struggling neighborhoods the opportunity to break out of that poverty and become tax payers, homeowners and the base of our future.”

The Fiscal Year 2019 Budget $4.89 billion Capital Program and Five-Year Plan recently proposed by Mayor Kenney to City Council include significant investments in public safety and substantial investments in funding services.

Police

The Police Department will get $100 million in additional funding but with more than 6,500 officers, staffing will be at its full complement – the highest in almost a decade. This peek capacity seeks to combat crime and enhance public safety through expanded and more effective services to residents and visitors alike.

Emergency Responders The Kenney administration has re-invested in the Fire Department, which had been decimated over the last few years. With a 24 percent increase in the PFD’s personnel budget since Mayor Kenney took office, growth in budgeted positions means additional emergency responders like firefighters and paramedics. In addition, it will help provide critical training, continue replacing outdated vehicles, hire more firefighters and paramedics and support vital health and safety initiatives.

Regional Catholic School Administered by St. Nicholas of Tolentine and Annunciation B.V.M. Parishes

“Educating Our Future One Child at a Time”

Mayor James F. Kenney.

Approximately $10 million will be invested each year for vehicle replacement, safety training and dedicated officer positions. A facility, the Logistics Hub, will house covered reserve apparatus, a health and safety unit and training spaces, among other functions.

In addition to the funding provided for the Police and Fire Departments, the Budget and Five-Year Plan makes key investments in building safety, safe streets and protecting our most vulnerable children.

Safety

The Streets Department is budgeted for $60 million to focus on reducing traffic fatalities through Vision Zero, and establish a safe, efficient transportation network.

The Plan invests $1.5 million more annually in child welfare, matched by almost $9 million in federal and state grants. Increases will cover actual costs for providers and fund additional staff. Family Empowerment Services will gain 16 additional case managers to help keep kids in their homes.

The Plan proposes $2 million more annually in demolition funding for L&I to enable the Department to demolish up to 650 unsafe properties, focusing on imminently dangerous structures.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 25

April / May / June 2018

P RHSALUTE TO SERVICE THE PHILADELPHIA

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story and photo by TONY SANTINI

W

hen it comes to service in the community, one South Philadelphia entity has been doing so much, for so long, for so many, and at no cost. It is certainly worthy of a RowHome Magazine salute!

The Philadelphia Access Center, located on the corner of 11th & Mifflin Streets, is a Christian social services and counseling agency. Since 2001, the center has offered free services to anyone in need regardless of race, background or religious beliefs.

Under the guidance of director Ken Melloni, the staff of four includes counsel-

or/teacher Joe Welch, social service coordinator Tina Bush, and caseworkers Kim Perrone and Tricia Short. In addition, there are 10 part-time volunteers serving in reception, maintenance, group facilitation, and children and senior services. This non-profit center is operated as a Christian organization under the auspices of the First Christian Assembly Church and through the kindness of Tenth Presbyterian Church, which supports PAC’s counselor as a Metro Outreach Partner.

Melloni says the Center is a beacon of help, hope and healing to the neighborhood and the city. Its mission is to reveal Christ through compassionate service by helping people in need whether that need is spiritual, emotional or physical. The Center is a local hub for people to access social services, biblical counseling and live, person-to-person support. It is not a replacement for city, state and/or federal services but can serve as a temporary haven or steppingstone for people in our community to get the assistance they need in time of crisis and help navigating the paths to available non-profit, city, state and/or federally-funded programs.

Tina Bush says the staff maintains connections with hundreds of area churches and community centers to share knowledge and resources. The staff has developed and maintained personal contacts with representatives from city, state and federal offices who can assist with the variety of problems presented to them by the guests who seek the Center’s services.

The Center has a three-pronged approach to its compassionate service through Christ:

S E RV I C E

PeterBUILT

A beacon of help, hope & healing for anyone in need

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

Social Services. Information, referrals and advocacy for resources such as food, clothing, housing, substance abuse recovery, children’s resources, senior programs and public assistance Counseling. Biblical-based counseling for men, women, married couples and young adults dealing with a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, abuse addiction and/or grief Community Outreach. Alliance with the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a Family program, Cradle to Crayons, which is a non-profit partner for children’s services, and Aid for Friends which serves meals to house-bound seniors The Center also hosts a free Christian legal clinic that offers a one-hour consultation with an attorney and provides assistance with public benefit applications, services for senior citizens and child resources such as food, clothing, shoes, toys and diapers.

“At PAC, we want to serve the people of our community,” Kim Perrone says. “Our job is to become a part of their lives for comfort, friendship and lending a helping hand to address life’s problems through our personal relationship with Christ.”

“Although it has been estimated that the Center provides nearly a $3 million value of free services annually, the true measure of success in the community can only be measured by the testimony of a life changed through the grace of Jesus Christ,” Melloni adds.

To take advantage of any of the free services offered by the Philadelphia Access Center, donate or obtain additional information about the Center, call 215-389-1985 or visit their website at www. philaccess.org. gohomephilly.com

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Convenient Jefferson offices: • 2301 S. Broad Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19148 (GYN) • Methodist Hospital (OB-GYN) 1302 Wolf Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148 • 833 Chestnut Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (OB-GYN) • 2130 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130 Jefferson Health Art Museum (OB-GYN)

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Women receive care in a group setting allowing you to learn more about pregnancy together. Each woman receives private time with her physician at the beginning of each session, followed by 90 minutes in the group setting learning about healthy pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum.

96% of women surveyed prefer receiving their prenatal care in a Centering group.

To schedule your initial OB appointment at Jefferson Obstetrics & Gynecology and to be part of this new care model, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW.

ThermiVa Now Available ThermiVa is a treatment for women who have experienced vaginal laxity due to vaginal delivery or the natural aging process. The vaginal rejuvenation treatment aims to correct the laxity of vaginal tissue though a temperature controlled radiofrequency device. It can also help women reduce bladder symptoms.

Jefferson’s multidisciplinary Comprehensive Urogynecology & Female Pelvic Management program is designed to incorporate evidence-based, integrative medicine into our approach. ThermiVa is performed by the area’s only board-certified urogynecologist who is also fellowship-trained in integrative medicine.

For more information or a consultation, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW.

1 in 4 Teens Live with a Mental Health Illness One local organization is confronting this alarming struggle head-on The struggle is real but often dealt with in silence. Michael’s struggle was no different. Michael was well-educated, well-liked and achieved great success in his career. He wasn’t the poster child for anxiety and depression. Then again, who is?

Anxiety and depression do not discriminate. Even though Michael eventually lost his battle with anxiety and depression, the Michael P. Donatucci Foundation formed Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. to raise awareness, provide support and erase the stigma associated with anxiety and depression in teenagers. These are the four paths we walk to achieve these admirable goals.

EDUCATE.

Knowledge is power which is why we promote awareness of anxiety disorders and depression through our High School Outreach Program. We offer engaging presentations, through our partnership with Temple Health, to educate the stakeholders involved in the well-being of our children which include students, parents, teachers, school administrators, school counselors, and coaches. Contact us to schedule a presentation for your school or organization.

NAVIGATE.

Let’s face it, wading through the results of an internet search on anxiety and depression can produce anxiety.

We have identified valuable resources to help you navigate the information and your options. In addition, we established a fund with the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Jefferson Health to support our adolescent Mental Health Counseling Program. This program provides financial assistance for the mental health evaluation and treatment of teenagers seeking help. Contact us to learn more about how your high school students or your teenager can access this distinctive program.

ADVOCATE.

Bringing anxiety and depression out of the darkness is a team effort. Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. works with healthcare professionals, educators, mental health advocates, community organizations, elected officials and individuals such as yourself to advocate for comprehensive educational programs and equal access to much-needed care for these illnesses. Contact and join us if you are passionate about raising awareness and advocating for equal access to mental health care.

ELIMINATE.

An important goal of Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. is to eliminate the stigma surrounding anxiety and depression. We aspire to foster compassionate communication, increase medical access, and create universal awareness for anxiety disorders and depression. No one should ever suffer in silence or feel ashamed. Join us to learn how you can help erase the stigma associated with anxiety and depression.

Together, with your support, we will make a difference in the lives of teenagers who struggle with anxiety and depression. To support our mission, we invite you to visit our website at www.michaelsgivinghand.org.

Or, please contact us at info@michaelsgivinghand.org or (267) 858-4291.

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3

Storm Part Guidance Gone Astray

by REV. JOHN STABENO

I

n this final article concerning the causation factors to the opioid epidemic, I would like to address the contribution of the treatment industry to the storm.

As we all know by a series of Nor’Easters that we experienced recently, guidance in the atmosphere directs storms. By observing guidance, the prediction of extreme weather can help save lives. When experiencing the effects of addiction, we look towards what we hope would be professionals who can guide us and improve the well-being of those affected. However, there has been evidence of so-called “professionals” whose self-interest has been placed in front of the proper protocols needed to assist those addicted into the recovery process.

The addiction treatment industry has fallen prey to people attempting to get rich on the misery of the people they portray to help. Outrageous reimbursements from insurance companies for things such as urine tests, referral fees and pharmaceutical incentives have led to opportunities for substantial profit. Marketing for these treatment centers is big business. Most advertisements are for private insurances and give false promise to those with less expensive benefits. Many young people cycle in and out of treatment and are

aware of their value as commodities. As such, traditional treatment is compromised by attractive nonessentials aimed at increasing clients’ pleasure. While I always state that a treatment center is as good as the client’s motivation, there are variables that set some apart from others. Finding one with a good clinical staff together with recovering addicts who care about the persons in their facility can be difficult.

Big pharmaceutical companies fund research aimed to suggest that medication assisted treatment (MAT) is more successful than 12 step programs which these “studies” claim have been a failure. My experience tells me otherwise.

This is not to say that MAT does not provide a cushion for some people, but to solely rely on it is misleading. Parents and other loved ones feel a false sense of security when those addicted are prescribed drugs like Suboxone or a Vivitrol shot as if the person cannot get high or use drugs with them. Most addicts are very adept at finding ways around these obstacles.

In the midst of a crisis and the desperation of dealing with addiction, many people make impulsive and uninformed decisions for treatment based on what they see and hear on social media or on television.

Caveat emptor, Let the buyer beware!

Father John Stabeno has a master’s degree in psychology from Saint Joseph’s University and a second master’s degree in theology and pastoral counseling from The Catholic University of America. Throughout his priesthood, he has continuously provided education and support to individuals in various stages of recovery from addiction. He also offers solace for parents and families who are coping with the loss of their loved ones to addiction.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE |April / May / June 2018

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JOSEPH CORADINO THE SECRET OF HIS SUCCESS

by JANE ROSER

The man behind the transformation of the Gallery at Market East photos courtesy of PREIT/DAWN DEPPI

F

or most people, growing up in a Philadelphia row home surrounded by a tight-knit community helps develop social skills, boost confidence and master the art of communication, as opposed to a sprawling suburban lifestyle where you may see your neighbor once in a blue moon. PREIT CEO Joseph Coradino grew up on Colorado Street near 18th and Oregon in South Philadelphia and credits his childhood home as being the foundation for his success later in life.

“It was an environment where the kids I grew up with were part of

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

the fabric of my life,” Coradino recalls.

“We played sports together, we hung out - it was just a time of tremendous learning and development.”

Joining the Army shortly after his 18th birthday, Coradino returned to Philadelphia and studied at Temple University before heading out to Arizona to obtain his Master’s degree in Urban Planning.

“While I was in Arizona, I was mentored by the former president of Macy’s Department Store who took a liking to me and got me my first job. That job was back in Philadelphia, so I came back here in 1977, entered the shopping center and real estate business and never looked back.”

Coradino soon moved on to building high-rise office buildings, including the iconic Mellon Bank Center (now BNY Mellon Center) on 18th and Market before returning to developing shopping centers, joining PREIT (Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust) in 1981. Coradino was the driving force behind the $218 million renovation of Cherry Hill Mall in 2009,

which he considers one of his crowning achievements. The redevelopment transformed Cherry Hill into a premier shopping destination that continues to be PREIT’s top-performing property today.

“Both Cherry Hill Mall and Mellon Bank Center were two very successful projects that were highlights of my career,” Coradino says. “When I became the CEO of a publicly traded company, it was a real challenge for me in the sense that I was transitioning from deal maker to leader and rather than success being measured by how many deals you made, success began being measured by how well you led your team. It became more of a selfless approach to business and more about helping others to succeed, because their success will result in your success and I think the greatest reward is to see others succeed.”

PREIT owns and operates more than 21 million square feet of retail space in the eastern half of the United States. Perhaps their largest and most anticipated current project consists of transforming the former Gallery at Market East into a cutting-edge retail, entertainment and dining center spanning three city blocks.

“We’re spending $400 million to build it,”

Coradino says. “Philadelphia has one of the fastest growing residential communities in the country. We’ve got almost double the proportion of millennials living downtown and we’ve gone from four sidewalk cafes in 2001 to over 400 today. We think our project will really transform the retail environment in Philadelphia. The whole concept around Fashion District Philadelphia is to blend flagship stores, off-price retail, designer outlets and destination dining and entertainment.”

He’s particularly excited about this development, which is the convergence of some of his favorite things – reinventing retail and Philadelphia. Philadelphia is really hitting its stride and Coradino believes his firm will deliver exactly what the city needs to complete its own transformation, which has been remarkable. AMC will open a dine and recline theater in 2019 at Fashion District, making it one of the first movie theaters built in Philadelphia in more than 30 years. H&M, Levi’s and Columbia Sportswear have all signed leases with openings that will complement the existing Century 21 department store and new prototype Burlington with more exciting announcements to come soon.

June 7th will mark Coradino’s six-year anniversary as CEO of PREIT, an impressive achievement considering most CEO tenures expire around the four-year mark.

He never tires of work, either, continually looking for ways to improve his business.

When I ask how he plans to celebrate this milestone, Coradino laughs and replies, “I’m from South Philly, so it’ll be with pasta, a glass of Chianti and a cannoli.” PRH

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 35

April / May / June 2018

PRHREAL ESTATE

STAGING YOUR HOME FOR A

successful

by CINDY ROSARIO-FETTERMAN & JACQUELINE ENGLE FettermanDesignGroup.com

SPRINGTIME IS PRIME TIME

for those wishing to sell a home.

That’s the good news. The bad news - there’s an awful lot of competition out there in the market once the temperature warms up.

So how do you ensure that your home will stand out, sell fast and for the highest possible price?

STAGE IT! Professional home-stagers The Fetterman Design Group, based out of Collingswood, NJ, share a few of the strategies they use to successfully stage and sell homes in a crowded market.

DECLUTTER Declutter to make your home interior seem bigger and to allow prospective buyers to visualize your current home as their future home. Potential buyers form an opinion within 20 seconds of entering a home. Remove all personal photos and pack away unnecessary memorabilia. Buyers need to

36

picture themselves living in the home. Too many decorations and furniture pieces also can make the home interior seem smaller than it is. Providing the clients with a clear vision of their own future in a roomy new home is key.

NEUTRALIZE Neutralize to make spaces appear larger and brighten the mood! Colors such as grays, tans and whites create a clean, bright, airy environment that can lift an individual’s spirits. That is why a neutral color palette generally appeals to a much larger audience. Neutral colors also have the ability to make a room appear larger. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to repaint multiple rooms in your house before you sell. If your situation doesn’t allow repainting, utilize neutral colors in other complementary ways: Use neutral bedding; feature clean white towels in the bathrooms; and/or add neutral pillows and throw-blankets to the sofa.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

LIGHTING. Let the light shine bright! Darkness is a sure-fire way to turn potential buyers away. Darkness can make an area feel small and cramped. Darkness also can make an area feel cold and uninviting. Natural lighting creates a pleasing and inviting feel.

Pull back the curtains so they only frame the windows and angle the blinds to bring in plentiful light.

To highlight an area with artificial lighting, use ambient lighting because it both radiates warmth and provides a soft friendly light.

POSITIONING Positioning provides comfort and inspires interaction. People typically choose to position their furniture against the wall of a room because it’s “safe.” However, don’t be afraid to visualize outside the box and arrange the furniture to float in the room. Think of it as creating spacious and comfortable conversational areas that will invite guests to sit and share both discussion and laughter.

MAKE THE BED

Make the bed to create a warm appeal. Your bed should be the natural focal point of your bedroom so angle it to make a statement to all who enter. And always feature a neatly made bed. A freshly made bed with clean linens and large plush pillows radiates both warmth and comfort.

These are a just a few of the simplest Home-Staging strategies that we use to successfully stage homes in the local area to sell fast and sell high!

ABOUT FETTERMAN DESIGN GROUP Fetterman Design Group is an interior design and staging company based out of Collingswood, NJ. Our design team works cohesively with each client’s style, personality and budget to provide a seamless and harmonious design process from start to finish.

Fetterman Design Group is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

gohomephilly.com

HARRY ALESSI

Real Estate Sales

3RD STORY PHILLY

Up! building on

1033 N. 2nd Street 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19123 Office: 215-400-2600 Cell: 609-636-9783 HarrySellsPhilly@gmail.com

accessphilly.com

by ANTHONY PANVINI

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA IS BURSTING

at its seams with people! From growing families to new neighbors and businesses, property owners and developers alike are looking for ways to accommodate this ongoing crave for space.

In their quest for linear expansion, Phil Katz and wife Leah decided to build a third-story addition on their house in Bella Vista back in 2012. A lifelong resident of the city, Katz quickly realized how much he enjoyed the project and the real estate market. He decided to make a career change from documentary production to real estate development.

“I made the switch because I found it was more stimulating, challenging and rewarding,” Katz explains. “I really liked the product that came out of the process and specifically, with the third-story projects, a niche of what we do—I was able to help people who were in the same situation that I was in.”

He recalls running into a number of problems during the process of adding a third story to his own home and wished he had someone to guide him along the way.

In 2016, Katz launched 3rdStoryPhilly. com, a division of Katz Development, founded in 2012. Initially, Katz was shocked with the number of requests he was getting through the website and how interested people were in adding a 3rd story to their home.

“I look at the spreadsheet of hundreds of leads generated and see it as a real tes-

tament to how great this city is. People not only want to stay, but will consider a good-size investment and short-term sacrifice to do so with a project like this.” ​Katz says he takes pride in what he does and enjoys working on a variety of projects in different neighborhoods throughout the area. He points out specific ventures in Fitler Square and Passyunk Square.

“I think [Passyunk Square] is the next neighborhood to hit with third stories, especially with the Avenue booming,” Katz says. “I predict the next 10 years in Passyunk Square are going to become a domino effect with 3rd story additions as it has been in Fitler Square, Graduate Hospital and Bella Vista. Financially, the numbers make sense in this South Philly pocket, in that the cost to do the project is justified by where the house will appraise when completed.”

Katz gives a lot of credit to his team. He says his group tries to make this construction process as efficient as possible. “​This is a fragile project with little room for error. We help ensure that the right strategy is put together; team assembled and plans designed and executed so that it’s not only in budget, on time and well-built, but a fun and collaborative process along the way,” Katz says. “Every project has its share of obstacles; there’s no avoiding it. You just gotta problemsolve with a positive attitude and some healthy perspective. It’s all worth it in the end.”

COMING SOON

RENAISSANCE ESTATES 3320 S. 20th St

Large new custom, quality town homes, 2 car garages, expansive roof decks, and much more.

‘Interest’ List - be the first to get updates, timeline, pricing, revised designs.

Please email bc@CapozziRealEstate. com / subject line “Renaissance Estates” There is no one who knows and cares about Packer Park more than BC. For all your real estate needs, stay tuned for news of expansion / improvement in the services we will be able to offer our Packer Park residents.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 37

April / May / June 2018

PRHREAL ESTATE

Prepping Your Home For Sale

the Seller’s Guide

courtesy of JG REAL ESTATE

M: MINIMAL

Keep it simple. Don’t go crazy throwing stuff away and making it look like the lobby of a corporate building. But don’t overdo it with the décor, either. You want people to see the actual space, not your furniture and little trinkets. You want the space to look as open and bright as possible so get rid of clutter and focus on highlighting the features of the property.

A: AESTHETICALLY-PLEASING

㌀爀搀 匀琀漀爀礀 䄀搀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀㨀 伀渀攀 匀琀漀瀀 匀栀漀瀀 ㄀㔀 倀爀漀樀攀挀琀猀 ☀ 䌀漀甀渀琀椀渀最

㌀爀搀匀琀漀爀礀倀栀椀氀氀礀⸀挀漀洀 ㈀㘀㜀ⴀ㤀 㠀ⴀ㌀㌀㜀㔀 38

You know when you see really amazing decor on HGTV and think, “oh yes.” You want potential buyers to come in and think, “oh yes.” Home design and staging are art forms and art is not confined by frames or screens -- it is everywhere. Pay attention to symmetry, complementary patterns and shapes, and mixing modern styles with vintage vibes. Most importantly – open the blinds. Every property looks better with the sun shining in.

T: TIDY

It’s self-explanatory but make sure the house is CLEAN! Dust is a turn-off and spring cleaning season is upon us! The dirtier the place is, the harder it will be for your buyers to picture it clean.

Make sure the air vents aren’t caked with dust and dirt, the sink isn’t full of dishes and the beds are made. Cleanliness isn’t just about appearance either – smells are crucial. Take the trash out, do your laundry and clean out your fridge.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

H: HOMEY

You want your buyers to come in to your home and already imagine themselves living there; warm, welcoming, cozy. Make it so that they can picture themselves cuddled up reading a book on the couch, drinking coffee under a blanket on the patio, raising their kids and growing old with their loved ones in that space. Make it feel like home.

In addition to M.A.T.H., never underestimate the power of curb appeal. Take the time to mow the lawn, trim the trees, sweep the collection of dried leaves off the front step and get rid of any cobwebs. Make sure the house number is nice and visible.

Remember, none of this has to break your bank. If you can’t afford staging, take the virtual route. Technology is incredible and virtual staging can blend furniture into the space perfectly. If you can’t redo your bathroom, focus on making sure grout is clean and recaulk anything that’s cracking. If you have an older kitchen, invest in one new appliance or do something as cheap as updating the knobs on your cabinets.

The most important thing of all is to trust your instincts. Don’t feel like you have to do a full renovation or ANY renovation. As long as you follow the rules of M.A.T.H., you get a gold star.

Good luck, and happy selling!

JG Real Estate, LLC. is located at 1140 Frankford Ave in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia.

A full-service real estate brokerage, they specialize in property management, leasing, buying and selling and have experience working with first time home buyers, seasoned investors, builders, developers and everyone in between. For more information call (215) 467 - 4100 or visit www.jg-realestate.com.

T I P S F RO M T H E P RO S

Are you planning on selling your home but don’t know how to ensure it sells as quickly as possible at the highest price? Our experts have a few tips to help you prep your space for the market that won’t break the bank.

Remember those acronyms you used back in school? We’re bringing them back! Let’s do the M.A.T.H.!

JG Real Estate is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network gohomephilly.com

THE RIGHT PLACE. RIGHT IN THE HEART OF PACKER PARK.

Brand New 3-story Townhomes with Garages starting in the Upper $400’s Invest in a unique and luxurious lifestyle in Packer Park, one of Philadelphia’s most desirable neighborhoods, with its own fusion of style, culture and personality. Sports and entertainment venues are nearby, and great restaurants and FDR Park are right around the corner.

New Phase Now Open!

Ask About Quick Delivery Homes!

SALES CENTER LOCATION: 2300 Hartranft Street Philadelphia, PA 19145

Where else will you get this much space, your own private driveway, 9’ ceilings, a private balcony, a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel GE® appliances, hardwood floors, and great views of the Philadelphia skyline?

10-YEAR TAX ABATEMENT VA AND FHA APPROVED!

215.339.5390 | SienaPlace.com Sales@SienaPlace.com Broker cooperation is warmly invited and appreciated.

DECORATED MODELS OPEN: Mon, Thurs thru Sat: 11 AM-5 PM Sunday: 12-5 PM

All prices and features subject to change without notice. Please see sales associate for details.

LIKE & FOLLOW US

PRHTIPS FROM THE PROS

CHEMICAL SAFETY Be Prepared

courtesy of RON RABENA Chief Administrative Officer, Allied Universal www.aus.com

Everyone encounters chemicals on a regular basis. You may directly handle chemicals like cleaning products or indirectly be exposed to chemicals such as pesticides. You may have what we call “potential exposures” to chemicals on a routine basis. These chemicals, such as gasoline, are those that are isolated but in the event of an accidental release, you could be exposed, like when fueling your vehicle.

General Safety Tips for Chemicals ❚ Never combine any products that contain ammonia and chlorine bleach. When these common household substances are combined, they form a gas that is highly toxic and can result in serious breathing difficulties or death.

❚ Always take the time to read the warning label on any chemical product you use. ❚ Read container labels, safety data sheets or special instructions before you handle a chemical.

Use Chemicals Safely ❚ Make sure the area where you are working with the chemical or cleaning product is well ventilated.

If you experience any dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or a headache, move to fresh air immediately. ❚ Wear the recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which may include

safety gloves, safety glasses or goggles, a mask, respirator and safety shoes. ❚ Inspect all PPE before use. Look for defects in the equipment and replace if necessary.

If the chemical gets on your skin, wash the area immediately using warm soapy water. ❚ Wash your hands after handling chemicals, especially before eating.

Hazard Communication ❚ Identify the chemicals that you use or could be exposed to at work. Potential exposures include the chemicals that could be released from storage or a closed process in

the event of an accident or emergency.

Properly inform your family members how to handle chemicals to which they could be exposed.

Chemical Exposure Methods ❚ Inhalation: Breathing in dusts, mists and vapors ❚ Ingestion: Eating contaminated food ❚ Absorption: Skin contact with a chemical

❚ Injection: Forcing an agent into the body through a needle or a high-pressure device

Common Chemicals at Home Chemicals used at home include: gasoline, paints, fertilizers, lawn chemicals, bug spray, paint strippers, kerosene, bleach and household cleaners.

Container labeling and safe storage are important steps to keeping your family safe.

Ron Rabena’s security career spans more than 40 years—first beginning as an entry-level security officer and working his way up to several senior-level management roles at various regional security companies. Rabena is currently Chief Administrative Officer-East for Allied Universal, primarily overseeing all aspects of post-merger integration of large acquisitions as well as presidents of the Midwest and Canada, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Regions.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE |April / May / June 2018

gohomephilly.com

De Fino Law Associates, P.C. Don’t Settle for Less

LEGAL

& RDER LAWO

Your debt is

FORGIVEN

Michael Anthony De Fino

Vincent Anthony De Fino

Nicholas J. Starinieri

Nicholas L. Palazzo

Attorney at Law Attorney at Law

Attorney at Law

Benjamin J. Simmons

Attorney at Law

Attorney at Law

Areas of Practice •Personal Injury •Wrongful Death •Wills and Estates •Real Estate •DUI •Criminal Defense •Corporate •Traffic Violations

by FRANK C. DEPASQUALE JR., ESQUIRE

2541 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 TEL: 215-551-9099 | FAX: 215-551-4099

w w w. d e f i n o l aw y e r s . c o m

Q:

My friend told me that his landlord agreed to hold his mortgage. What does that entail? Is it legal?

A: Technically, the landlord

cannot issue a mortgage. The Pa. Mortgage Licensing Act prohibits anyone not licensed by the Pa. Department of Banking to transmit money by means of a transmittal instrument (a mortgage).

However, the landlord and tenant can enter into an installment purchase agreement that would allow your friend to pay monthly installments toward the purchase of the property but there will be no filed mortgage or deed transfer evidencing the financing arrangement and ownership of the property will remain with the landlord until it is paid in full.

Q:

Does a bank have the right to cancel a personal line of credit even if your account is in good standing? Only because you are at your limit?

Retirement

Business

Life

Home

Auto

A: Most applications state that a line of credit can be reduced or canceled if the value of the property securing it drops below the appraised value or if there is a material change in your financial circumstances.

Once again, Frank DePasquale has been recognized by his peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2018.

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

Here for you in PHILADELPHIA. P # ROvIDINg# O ^ n YOur Side^ s # ERvIcE FOR 26 yEARs.#

At PHILADELPHIA, we’re proud to be part of the fabric of this community, helping you protect what you care about most. We consider it a privilege to serve you.

Q:

I received a letter saying my credit card debt was forgiven. Does that amount have to be reported on my tax return?

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

A: Forgiven credit card debt in

excess of $600 must be reported as taxable income on your tax return.

You will be receiving a 1099 from your credit card company.

Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company.

Nationwide, Nationwide is On Your Side, and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2016 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. NPR-0784AO (04/16) #

#

#

#

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 41

April / May / June 2018

PRHTHE MENU

by JANE ROSER

from Gilmore Girls to coffee entrepreneur photos by MICHAEL BECKER

Scott Patterson serves up Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee

P

“

onzios was always the go-to diner when I was growing up there but there were diners all over the place. There were more of them back then and they were spread out all over the state.”

Scott Patterson is reminiscing about his time growing up in South Jersey with jaunts into Philadelphia to see concerts at The Spectrum or the Philadelphia Flyers at the Stanley Cup Championship Parade. The area’s diner culture also helped shape his vision for Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee, which Patter-

MENU

son launched this past November.

Best known for his iconic role as diner owner Luke Danes on the hit (and addictive) series Gilmore Girls, Patterson’s late mother was his main inspiration for going into the coffee business.

“We would sit in the kitchen and drink coffee and talk about the future, talk about life, just discuss all of the problems that an adolescent faces,” Patterson says. “That’s what sort of sealed the deal for me when I was thinking about starting my own coffee company and how to honor her. The longer she’s been gone, the more I see how her influence has been ingrained in me and I see it in my son, as well.”

It was important to Patterson that his son see him build something while he was growing up, as opposed to just reading press clippings about his days playing baseball or his days in Hollywood. “I want him to see me fighting those battles,” Patterson says, “and I think it’s important for a child to see that. So it really is a bonded family lineage that inspired this company - past, present and future.”

Scotty P’s bestseller is the signature Breakfast Blend that Patterson describes as a lighter blend with little acidity. Bright and well-rounded.

“The one thing I wanted to do with all of my blends was to make sure they were reminiscent of the diner coffees that I grew up with, which were actually pretty good - a little on the stronger side, perhaps. So I just tried to remove the bitterness and smooth

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

it out. But you can still taste its earthiness.

Coffee’s as complex as wine, if not more.”

Patterson’s focus was on providing a specialty, quality coffee experience for half the price while delivering exceptional customer service. This has clearly been achieved. Read his consistently stellar customer reviews (one client mentions that “coffee has never disappeared this quickly in my house” while another took the time to write from Salzburg, Austria, after having a bag shipped to her there).

“If they’re paying their hard-earned money, customers expect a positive experience and I’m going to give it to them,” Patterson says. “If I’m going to gain their trust, I owe them that much. We try to go above and beyond and I think we’re doing a great job at achieving that.”

In October 2016 Netflix sponsored several Gilmore Girls themed pop-up Luke’s Diners in select cafes across the U.S. to promote the show’s highly anticipated four-episode revival. The fans came out in droves, including to Comoncy Cafe in Beverly Hills where Patterson surprised everyone and helped serve up hot cups of joe.

“That was rock-starish,” Patterson laughs. “We pulled up and there were about a thousand people lining the street.

It was just really something. It was a very celebratory atmosphere and just a lot of fun, you know? Fans are fun but I’m not saying they were coming to see me. I think they just wanted the free coffee!” PRH Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee can be purchased at www.scottyp.com gohomephilly.com

The Birthplace of Freedom

Still Has a King.

9th & Passyunk Avenue

PRHTHE MENU

FROM THE PIAZZA DUOMO TO PHILADELPHIA

THE RENAISSANCE OF

GRAN CAFFE L’AQUILA Philly

by MATT KELCHNER

H

photo by STEPHANIE NOLT ow many times have you found yourself daydreaming about a trip to Italy? The country has something for everyone: history, fashion, beaches, food and wine.

On the 1700 block of Chestnut Street, just off Rittenhouse Square, there is a restaurant that is like a one-way, non-stop flight to The Boot -- Gran Caffe L’Aquila.

“The greatest compliment we get from people is that they feel like they are in Italy,” Riccardo Longo, one of the three

MENU

owners of Gran Caffe L’Aquila says.

“That’s what we went for and that’s what I think makes the place special.”

Together with Stefano Biasini, an Italian gelato champion, and Michele Morelli, an award winning Italian coffee roaster, they have a bi-level establishment that feels like you’re walking into a traditional Italian cafe.

If it were not for a tragic natural disaster in 2009, Gran Caffe L’Aquila would still be located right off the Piazza Duomo in the city that it is named after. It was in this year

44

that an earthquake hit the central Abruzzo area. The epicenter was not too far away from the region’s capital, L’Aquila. It leveled much of the city and surrounding villages.

The rebuilding process wound up being a long and slow one. “It was a medieval city that had to be rebuilt the way it was,” Longo explains. “So that was going to take a couple of years.” To this day, some areas are still under reconstruction.

Years after the earthquake, during one of his culinary tours, Longo met Biasini and Morelli while in L’Aquila.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

“They gave me a really in-depth tour of L’Aquila, of the ruins of the city and the city itself.” A friendship soon developed that would become one of the central pillars in bringing Gran Caffe L’Aquila to Philadelphia.

It was during their visits to Philadelphia that Biasini and Morelli noticed something welcoming and comforting. “They fell in love in Philadelphia because what they realized was that the roots of the city is from Abruzzo, the region in Italy that they are from,” Longo recalls. The idea of moving the once famed cafe across the Atlantic Ocean was born.

“The idea was to not just create a restaurant, but an experience.” By now it should be common knowledge that Philadelphia has a wide range of eateries that offer Italian dining. Longo, Biasini and Morelli set out to do something different. The original Gran Caffe L’Aquila focused primarily on Bi-

gohomephilly.com

“We wanted to put together the best overall experience by combining the coffee, gelato, food and wine all in one location.” asini’s and Morelli’s areas of expertise, coffee and gelato. In the new iteration, they wanted to expand on that. “We wanted to put together the best overall experience by combining the coffee, gelato, food and wine all in one location.”

After things were up and running, they also began an array of continuing education classes through a partnership with the American Italian Society. Longo adds, “on top of the continuing teaching multiple levels of Italian language, we also do classes on the histories of different cities where people get to try different courses from that city while learning.” The classes are a big part of their mission of educating authentic Italian culture and language. Details can be found on the Gran Caffe website.

The level of authenticity seeps down to the bones of Gran Caffe L’Aquila. Carrara marble and Italian limestone were imported from overseas, along with much of the woodwork. Incorporating Italian materials was a key element in the planning process. Longo notes that most other restaurants only look to imitate their Italian counterparts and they did not want to follow suit. “All of the times you see restaurants put up this Disney World like facade, but for us, everything from the front to back is real.”

A major part in ensuring the level of quality and feel was capturing the quintessential Italian bar. “In Italy, a place that serves coffee and liquor is called a bar.”

Another factor, Longo goes on to add, is the way it “evolves as the day goes on.” In the mornings, it’s cappuccinos and espressos. As the hours go by, lighter fare such as paninos and salads are offered for lunch, followed by the aperitivo - “the classic Italian happy hour,” and then dinner in the evenings. “We try to bring the traditional dishes here from Italy.”

Upstairs, Longo offers the gastronomic version of the Italian tours that he has offered in the

past. The fixed menu offers dishes specific to many of the different areas within Italy. And what’s an Italian meal without wine?

Don’t worry, Longo has taken careful consideration within this department. “Basically, you’ll find wine from all across the country, spanning from Palermo to AltoAdige,” he comments. “Each week we feature some of these wines, but they are always available.”

There is also a rotating menu that focuses on a different region in Italy. “Every week is an adventure.” The classics, such as Rome and Naples, are covered, along with others that diners might not be too familiar with. Dishes such as wienerschnitzel, gollash and strudel show up when the focus is on the Alto-Adige region in Bolzano. For the Piedmont region, Longo describes, “Over there, they are using a lot more butter than olive oil and a lot of dishes seem French.”

Creating the new Gran Caffe L’Aquila did not come easy. “We went way over budget and were way over time,” Longo says. In fact, it was well over a year. Recreating the Italian cafe was a passion project for Longo, Biasini and Morelli and in the end, they wanted things done right. He isn’t shy to admit, “I think we are a piece of Italy that was dropped here in Philadelphia.” With the two masterminds behind the original cafe, as well as importing a large portion of the new one, it’s not an over-exaggerated statement.

Despite the wide landscape of Italian restaurants, Gran Caffe L’Aquila has solidified its position as being something special and unique. Any meal throughout the day transports you to the Old Country regions to which so many locals have ties. Towards the end of our conversation, Longo proudly shares, “If someone wants to experience an authentic Italian experience from top to bottom, that’s what we’re here for.”

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

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April / May / June 2018

PRHTHE MENU COURTESY OF CHEF MITZI JACKSON

SESAME SOUTHERN

CRAB CAKES

COURTESY OF LOMBARDI’S PRIME MEATS

with Wasabi Crema & Soy Sauce

ROMAN STYLE

VEAL CUTLETS

Philly

with

CRAB CAKE INGREDIENTS ➜1 lb of lump crab ➜1 /4 cup of diced yellow onion ➜1 egg ➜1 tsp brown sugar ➜1 /2 cup of panko bread crumbs ➜1 tsp spicy mustard ➜1 /2 tsp of garlic powder ➜1 /4 cup of mayonnaise ➜1 /2 tsp old bay ➜1 tsp of sesame seeds seasoning ➜O live oil ➜1 tbsp of diced ➜S oy sauce for drizzle red pepper ➜P ickled ginger (optional) ➜1 tbsp of diced ➜M icro greens or parsley yellow pepper

for garnish (optional)

WASABI CREMA INGREDIENTS ➜1 /2 tsp wasabi ➜M ix together sour cream, wasabi and vinegar. ➜1 /2 tsp sour cream Cover and refrigerate ➜1 /4 tsp of vinegar until ready to use.

DIRECTIONS

Combine lump crab, egg, panko, garlic powder, old bay, red pepper, yellow pepper, yellow onion, brown sugar, spicy mustard, mayonnaise and sesame seeds in a mixing bowl. Toss with large spoon to combine or use your hands. Take the mixture and make into round patties and set to the side. Place a thin layer of olive oil into a frying pan on medium high heat. Once pan is hot, pan sear crab cakes on each side. Plate immediately with micro greens, wasabi crema and drizzled soy sauce.

Place pickled ginger on plate for garnish.

PRH Signature Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello Commanderie De La Bargemone $15 46

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

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

INGREDIENTS ➜8 veal cutlets, ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜

thinly pounded 8 slices prosciutto, sliced paper thin 8 large sage leaves 1 /4 cup flour 1 /4 teaspoon

black pepper

➜4 tablespoons butter ➜2 /3 cup dry white wine ➜S alt to taste ➜ T hin lemon slices ➜C hopped parsley

DIRECTIONS Place a slice of prosciutto on each veal cutlet and a sage leaf over that.

Roll and secure with a toothpick. Mix pepper into flour and dredge each roll up.

Heat the butter in a heavy skillet and fry the veal pieces on all sides over medium heat until browned all over. Pour in the wine and add lemon slices. Simmer for 6-8 minutes. Season with salt to taste. With tongs, remove pieces to serving platter. Remove toothpicks. Pour the pan sauce over the veal. Garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley. Serve hot.

PRH Signature Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello Mauro Molino Barbera d’Alba $14 Lombardi’s Prime Meats is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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The historic rebirth of one of Italy’s premier cafes

READING TERMINAL MARKET

authentic italian restaurant & bar gastronomic gelato artisan coffee roasting assaggi (tapas) / crudo regional italian wine & beer italian cultural school

by JOEI DECARLO

celebrates 125 years

T

Images courtesy of READING TERMINAL MARKET he Reading Terminal Market (RTM) at 12th & Arch Streets has been a source of local goods and produce since 1893. The Market, located in a National Historic Landmark building, offers patrons a variety of items ranging from fresh fruit and produce to table linens, desserts, flowers, meats and

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fish. This nonprofit’s mission is to provide fresh food to all customers in a safe space for everyone to enjoy.

This year, Reading Terminal kicked off its year-long lineup of celebrations marking its 125th birthday with “1893 Day,” honoring the Market’s history and its countless customers. Guests enjoyed throwback pricing, entertainment and shopping and took part in its annual “Party for the Market” fundraiser.

This remainder of 2018 will be filled with opportunities to celebrate the Market’s birthday. Mark your calendars for:

Diamond Day: Saturday, May 19th – giveaways, entertainment food samples, demonstrations and more Diamond Speaker Series: every 3rd Saturday of the month Diamond Music Series: every 4th Sunday of the month.

Both series are dedicated to topics and themes surrounding the Market’s history.

A Taste of the Market is slated for September and will celebrate all of the savory selections the Market has to offer.

Reading Terminal Market invites fans to “Celebrate Our

Past, Experience Us Today and Imagine Our Tomorrow” and will provide them with opportunities to make their mark on the Market. One important way is to share their own memories.

Select memories of the Market will be chosen for inclusion in the 125th Birthday Time Capsule. Fans will be interviewed about their experiences with the Market through the years.

Another way you can celebrate the Market’s birthday is to purchase a commemorative diamond plaque that will hang on the Market’s Wall of Diamonds.

Diamond plaques can be purchased for $125 and inscribed with up to 50 characters.

To learn more about the Reading Terminal Market and its 125th birthday, you can visit their website at: https:// readingterminalmarket. org/125th-anniversary/

1716 CHESTNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 215.568.5600 W W W . G R A N C A F F E L A Q U I L A. C O M

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 47

April / May / June 2018

PRHTHE MENU COURTESY OF PATTY JACKSON

EASIEST

VANILLA POUND CAKE EVER INGREDIENTS ➜2 cups flour ➜4 eggs ➜2 sticks of butter (room ➜1 cup milk temperature) ➜1 teaspoon vanilla ➜2 cups sugar DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your baking pan. Cream your butter, add sugar and add eggs one at a time. Then add flour and milk. Add vanilla last. Mix. Bake for 30 minutes. When cool, top with your favorite frosting.

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 48

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

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

COFFEE for a CAUSE

by BRENDA HILLEGAS

Anthony’s Italian Coffee House perks a special brew to help kids learn to read ANTHONY ANASTASIO

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is the fourth generation owner of his family’s business – Anthony’s Italian Coffee & Chocolate House – located in the heart of the Italian Market.

For Anastasio, family means everything. A personal experience within his family led him to give back, not just to his community, but to the entire country.

Anastasio was inspired by the resilience and determination of a young family member who successfully learned to read despite being diagnosed with dyslexia in kindergarten. Dyslexia, a language-based learning disability, is the leading disability in our schools, affecting nearly 20 percent of students. Unfortunately, many students continue to be misidentified and misdiagnosed because dyslexia is still misunderstood. Children with dyslexia can overcome the disability if they are given the proper reading programs, correct program timing and consistent classroom accommodations.

Anastasio’s solution? He’s been brewing up a new specialty coffee called Caffe di Causa – a dark roasted, full-bodied blend of South American coffees grown in the regions of the Andes Mountains.

With its subtle finishing notes of dark chocolate and roasted nuts, he says every sip will help support a very worthy cause.

Proceeds from Caffe di Causa will be used to purchase audio books for students with dyslexia from Learning Ally. This company provides the materials students with dyslexia need to succeed in school and enables them to reach their full poten-

tial. A year of access to the specialized program costs $135 per child.

“Our goal is to raise $13,500 to provide 100 children across the United States with access to the program,” Anastasio says. “We are quite passionate about raising awareness on the prevalence of dyslexia in our schools while enabling students the opportunity to read, via grade level audio books in their classrooms. Learning Ally is a great resource, yet many families cannot simply afford this service.”

Through the generosity of Caffe di Causa’s roasting partner, Anthony’s Italian Coffee House can double its dedicated funds from $1.35 to $2.70 per pound roasted. With every 50 pounds of Caffe di Causa roasted, Anastasio will reach that $135 donation and offer one child access to needed services for a full year.

“The coffee is symbolic of the Inca Empire, whose people devised unconventional ways to achieve success and thrive, despite lacking many of the tools associated with civilization during that time period,” Anastasio explains.

Coffee for a Cause is a yearlong effort. In March, Anastasio held his first fundraising event to celebrate “Read Across America Day,” raising more than $500. The coffee house is planning more events throughout the year to help reach their fundraising goal of $13,500. Stop in to purchase a cup of Caffe di Causa. Or buy a pound in store or online and have it shipped right to your home.

Please visit www.italiancoffeehouse.com or supportus. learningally.org/anthonys for more information.

215.755.7180 3120 S 20th Street, Philly, PA 19145

We would like to welcome Benny Marsella and friends back every Saturday night. Happy Hour Monday through Friday 4:006:30PM. Visit our website for all of our upcoming events!

Monday-Thursday • 11am-9pm Friday&Saturday • 11am-11pm Sunday • 12pm-9pm

w w w. p o p i s r e s t a u r a n t . c o m

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 49

April / May / June 2018

ANNUAL HEALTH EXPO

2018

METHODIST HOSPITAL (Broad Street Entrance)

SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 9 A.M. – 1 P.M. FREE Health Screenings: • Cholesterol and glucose (fasting recommended) • Blood pressure and stroke • Osteoporosis • Mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women, sponsored by the Linda Creed Foundation

FREE Health Information and Consultations:

Real People Real Stories

• 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.

JeffersonHealth.org/HealthExpo

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.

This issue 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.

Walt Whitman These are the stories of the people whose lives have been forever changed because of you – our healthcare professionals.

We thank them for sharing their personal journeys with us – putting a face to the triumphs – as we celebrate new beginnings.

• Jasmine Poole

• Deanna Ensign

• Dese’Rae Stage

• John Bucci

• Gabrielle Delisi

• Maria Santangelo

• Patty Jackson HOME OF SIDNEY KIMMEL MEDICAL COLLEGE

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

gohomephilly.com

Jasmine Poole

Real People Real Stories

Rece Wants

J

CEREAL

by Dominique Verrecchio

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

asmine Poole is a Neurology/Neurosurgery RN at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of a published children’s book. But most importantly, Poole is Maurice (Rece) Rush’s mom.

Rece was born during Poole’s junior year at Villanova. At the age of two, Rece’s developmental pediatrician confirmed a diagnosis of autism. This was the start of Poole’s journey.

“Rece is chock full of energy and has the biggest heart-warm-

ing and contagious smile,” Poole says. “He is non-verbal but does his best to get his point across. He uses picture icons to exchange for what he wants, a portable computerized communication device, modified sign language or takes you to the object/place he desires. As Rece has not fully mastered communicating everything, oftentimes he may exhibit frustration, anger and emotions not easily understood by others.”

Rece also loves cereal. His diagnosis, frustration and love for cereal were all motivating factors for Poole to write Rece Wants Cereal.

“If you know Rece, you know he loves a particular brand of cereal.

We’ve tried to buy the generic version; it was a no go! Cereal became a huge staple of our household.

His father and I would literally buy boxes and boxes of this brand! As if someone was paying us to eat it!”

Cereal also became a tool to teach Rece skills that did not come naturally to him. It reinforced abilities like walking, overcoming different tactile sensations and eating other foods. Cereal helped him understand how to use picture icons to tell someone what he wanted; how to use his communication device;

and how to use some modified signs to communicate his desires.

“Imagine living in a world where everyone speaks a different language than you. Imagine not being able to tell someone what you need, what you want, where you hurt or what’s hurting you. You may get frustrated,” Poole explains. “You may cry, scream or yell. You may grab them, pull them, bite, scratch or hit! You may throw a tantrum.”

Poole wanted to get Rece’s story out into the world because it is reality for him. “I felt compelled to give children and adults who may be unfamiliar to autism an opportunity to understand and not judge, a different perspective,” she says. “I also needed to give those who did understand or identify with autism a book that they could relate to!

Knowing that we are still raising money for research and supportive services for autism, I wanted to have a way to help out with that, as well.”

Rece Wants Cereal has been welcomed with open arms into many homes, schools, libraries and play centers. It’s also a part of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Reach Out and Read Program. “It is amazing to know that a child is eager to

read your book and a conversation is sparked on the subject of autism and those who are ‘different’,” Poole says.

Poole is also the CEO/Founder of The Maurice Rush Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to promote autism awareness and to provide acceptance, represent families and fuel constant encouragement for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The foundation also provides education and support to schools, homes and medical facilities.

Poole plans on going back to school to obtain her Masters in Special Education with an autism concentration. Once completed, she will be able to sit for a board certified exam, adding more to her work with the special needs community along with the ability to train other upcoming therapists. She would also love to write another children’s book.

“Tell the world what you are going through,” she says. “Chances are, someone is counting on you to do it! Never hold back in fear that you or your experiences are “different” because that will make all the difference!”

It’s clear that Rece is Poole’s biggest inspiration. “He was given to me during an unexpected time, given an unexpected personality and led me to an unexpected destination.

Despite how the previous day or night has been for Rece, he always, without fail, wakes up eager to get out of bed, clapping his hands! He is unapologetically and authentically himself. He cares not what others

think of him, he does not care to impress. He is honest and pure. His outward smile lights up a room, is infectious and captures his inner happiness,” Poole says. “Because of him, I have learned patience, humility, increased empathy and have pushed (and continue to push) beyond my own perceived limits.

He inspires me and I hope that he inspires this world, as well.”

Poole encourages everyone to join her team - iWalk4Rece - in the fall at the Autism Speaks Walk at Citizens Bank Park. iWalk4Rece has raised more than $20,000 and anyone can support or get involved by donating money directly to schools who foster autistic support programs, talking or listening to those who are directly connected to autism, offering support to autistic individuals and their caregivers and continuing to allow businesses to incorporate autism and sensory friendly environments within their spaces.

Poole would like to thank some of Rece’s doctors for their amazing work and dedication: Dr. Susan Levy, the entire team at CHOP Care Network Broomall, Dr. Rump and Missy Modesti at Penn Behavioral Medicine, Lisa Scanlon, and the team at ABA2DAY Therapy Center.

April is Autism Awareness Month.

With a goal to “Light It Up Blue” to promote Autism Awareness. Poole personally went blue by dying her hair. “I went blue [for Autism Awareness] and I’ve never stopped!” PRH

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April / May / June 2018

Real People Real Stories

John Bucci

How to save a

S

LIFE

by Mark Casasanto

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

ometimes, life has a funny way of knocking you to your knees and keeping you humble. Like driving the length of a football field, getting ready to convert the game-winning touchdown, then turning the ball over into the almost certain hands of defeat.

Always a fierce competitor, John Bucci Jr. can relate.

He’s been battling in the game of life since adolescence. In the classroom as an honor student, in the

field of play as a standout athlete or managing his iconic family business, John’s Roast Pork, Bucci is no rookie when it comes to grinding it out.

Life was on the uptick. Business was booming thanks to a recent designation of having Philadelphia’s “Ultimate Cheesesteak.” Bucci was busy. Very busy. The little shack at the corner of Weccacoe and Snyder Avenues, suddenly, a nationwide culinary destination. But after finally realizing the fruits of his family’s labor, something wasn’t quite right.

Back then, downtime and exercise for him included a fair amount of racket ball. Seeking relief for a supposed sore shoulder, his wife Vicki, whom at the time was the office manager at his doctor’s office, suggested a blood test. That simple procedure revealed an elevated level of white blood cells. Elevated to the point of 77,000 to be exact.

A best guess and still undetermined diagnosis of myeloid leukemia was all he had to go on as days moved to months and months to years. Bucci, however, pushed on

52

through often-grueling hours at work. Physical and mental anguish notwithstanding, every day seemingly remained another frustrating day of not knowing exactly what was happening to him.

Oral chemotherapy began in 2006. But even battling through the nasty side effects of the daily pills and dabbling in experimental medications, by the beginning of 2008, treatment options began to favor a bone marrow transplant (BMT). By March of that year, and many painful days and nights later, Bucci was in full prep for what seemed to be the inevitable.

Although tested, his sister Carol was not a match. Still, odds remained fairly decent for Bucci.

As a Caucasian, middle aged male of Italian descent, he sat at a 71 percent probability of finding a donor match. In comparison, the odds decrease significantly to around 7 percent for a probable match for people of color.

With a match in place from an anonymous donor and coordinated

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

by the Be The Match Foundation, Bucci underwent the life saving operation on June 6, 2008. Even with the success of the surgery, the road remained long, arduous and often rocky. Not just for him but for his family, as well.

After 33 days at Fox Chase Cancer Center, a susceptible and highly compromised immune system forced confinement to his basement for about a year-and-a-half.

Visitors for the most part were relegated to immediate family because of the high risk of infection.

All the while, his stouthearted mom Vonda quarterbacked the drive downfield and the road to recovery.

Now approaching the 10th anniversary of his BMT, Bucci finds himself a true champion of the cause. He’s an avid spokesperson for the Be The Match Foundation and is actively involved in fundraising events and awareness efforts.

He continues to pay it forward by giving countless hours of his time and working hard to educate anyone who’ll listen to the immediate need for minority donors.

To mark his milestone, John’s Roast Pork will be the site of a fundraiser on June 6th to benefit the Be The Match Foundation.

While there, take a minute to ask John Bucci how to save a life. He knows first-hand and he’s happy to share just how easy it is. PRH

gohomephilly.com

Real People Real Stories

Deanna Ensign

A match made in

HEAVEN

D

by Anthony Grosso

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

eanna Ensign is a 6th grade Social Studies teacher in South Jersey. In 2017, she made one of the biggest decisions of her life by doing one of the most selfless acts a person could do. She donated a kidney to a man on dialysis, allowing him to survive and see his two daughters grow up.

Robert “Boots” Nocille was the recipient; a man featured in last year’s Real People, Real Stories edition of

this magazine. In 2008, Boots was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease, a genetic disorder in which many cysts grow in and on the kidney causing them to eventually lose functions. In an effortless search by family and friends, there weren’t any matches that seemed possible for Boots. Then came Deanna Ensign.

“I met Boots in August of 2015 when my daughter began playing soccer on a new team where Boots was one of the coaches,” Ensign explains. “I was completely blown away when I came across a Facebook page that was set up to spread the word that he was in need of a kidney.

I had no idea. He seemed totally fine on the sidelines of the soccer field.”

Becoming acquainted through soccer and their young daughters’ friendship, Ensign got tested to see if she was a match. “I’m an organ donor, it’s marked on my driver’s license,” she says. “But it never crossed my mind to be a living donor until I heard that Boots was sick.”

Though the odds seemed to be stacked against them, Ensign tested to match. As Ensign began to process everything that was about to happen, she questioned herself as to what she would do if she re-

ally did turn out to be a match.

In what seemed like the very last chance for Boots, this was a perfect match. The moment Ensign found out that her kidney would work for Boots, she had no hesitation at all. She knew what she had to do.

“I was absolutely shocked that a lady I’ve only known a year and a half would give me her kidney,” Boots told Philadelphia RowHome Magazine last year.

A few setbacks delayed the testing and surgery at first. “I pulled my back out and was barely able to walk for about one and a half months,” Ensign says. “After numerous chiropractic appointments, my back got better but then summer got in the way and I was pretty busy having two girls from Spain staying with our family for a month. The other setback included an irregular mammogram in which I had to first have an ultrasound done to look at the irregular cells.

And when they didn’t like those results, a biopsy was done to make sure all was okay. Fortunately, everything tested out to be fine.”

The surgery finally took place just last April. Everything ended up going smoothly that day, however

Ensign developed an infection two weeks into recovery. “I had high fevers and severe stomach cramping to the point I couldn’t sit up or stand,” she says. “I went into the hospital on a Saturday morning and remained there until the next Friday. I had to undergo many tests and they never did get a definitive answer as to what was wrong so I was just given a blanket diagnosis of an infection within my body.”

Now, both Ensign and Boots are going to be just fine. It’s an amazing thought that you can actually hand someone else one of your own organs to give them a newly revived life. This is what Ensign has done for a great man and his family. Post-surgery, she says that she would not change one thing.

“I feel one thousand times better than I ever felt before,” Ensign says.

Though Ensign’s daughter is now on a different soccer team, she and her family remain close to Boots, his daughters and wife Nicole by keeping in touch via phone calls and texts.

To find out more about becoming an organ donor and to register, visit www.donatelife.net.

Ensign recommends that anyone who is healthy enough should consider getting tested to donate an organ if someone they know is in need. “There is no greater reward than knowing you did something to make a difference and in this case, it happened to be that it saved someone’s life.” PRH

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April / May / June 2018

Gabrielle Delisi

Real People Real Stories

Scoliosis can’t stop

HER SONG

P

by Santina Pescatore

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

hiladelphia RowHome Magazine’s most recent Wishrock award winner, Gabrielle Delisi, is known for her talented singing voice. However, she also has been struggling with scoliosis.

As a student at GAMP, Delisi has excelled in the performing arts and even made it to the second round of the television show, The Voice. She has been singing since preschool and has been in many musicals at GAMP. As

Delisi would love to pursue a career in music, dealing with her scoliosis has been her next big challenge.

She was first diagnosed with a minor case of scoliosis in the sixth grade; however, as the years progressed, her scoliosis did, as well. She had to wear a brace to treat the scoliosis in the hopes she would not have to undergo surgery.

Unfortunately, the brace did not prevent the curve in her spine from growing. The curve increased by 20 degrees from a 44-degree curve to a 64-degree curve. Delisi explains that the orthopedic surgery to repair the spine of a patient with scoliosis is usually performed on a patient with a 45-degree curve.

54

Her curve was so severe that it prevented her lungs from getting a full intake of air. The effect of scoliosis also made singing difficult.

When asked about the surgery, Delisi says, “Every day I would stress about it.”

Finally, on January 24th, doctors performed the operation. This surgery included making an incision and drilling into the vertebrae of her spine, then using screws and rods to straighten the spine.

Since the surgery, Delisi makes sure she sings every day to continue to improve her voice.

Delisi thanks all the nurses who took care of her during her stay at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

(CHOP), the anesthesiologist who calmed her fears before surgery and the plastic surgeon who explained that her scar from the surgery would be minor. She would most like to thank her surgeon, Dr. John M. “Jack” Flynn, Chief of the Division of Orthopaedics at CHOP. Dr. Flynn’s area of expertise includes operating on adolescent patients with scoliosis.

After surgery, Delisi discovered that she had a morphine allergy, making her recovery more difficult. While she continues to heal every day, she still must take precautions to avoid injury. She cannot hang with her friends.

She also had to be homeschooled for a while but finally returned to her regular classes in March.

As she progresses in her recovery, Delisi explains that she is “seeing the light.” At first, she was very upset about having the surgery but is happy she did it. She believes the surgery will help her lead a normal life. PRH

gohomephilly.com

Dese’Rae Stage

Real People Real Stories

Live Through

L

THIS by

ive Through This began in 2010 after Dese’Rae Stage photographed 15 New Yorkers who wanted to share the stories of suicide attempt survivors. Stage is a compassionate person, determined and very strong-willed.

With the help of a Kickstarter campaign a few years later, Stage is now able to give survivors a place to tell their stories and show the world that we are all capable of feeling hurt, depressed and suicidal. No one is im-

mune and everyone is affected.

“The biggest misconception people have is that it’s a sin, it’s selfish, they’re weak,” Stage explains.

“Most people who are suicidal are in a lot of pain and they think they’re a burden on everyone around them, and that’s not selfish at all. What kind of pain does someone carry that they want to end their life?

For me, having heard these stories and what people have been through and struggle with every day - that requires an immense amount of strength to get through each day.”

Stage travels around the country interviewing and photographing survivors to share on the Live Through This website. She encourages survivors to shed their anonymity and any feelings of shame that may be anchored to that silence - to open up and share their experiences publicly. So far, Stage has interviewed 186 people in 36 U.S. cities and maintains a database of hundreds of

Jane Roser

photo by Andrew Andreozzi

survivors requesting to participate.

“The project itself is self-selecting,” she says, “and I’ll plan a trip to a location if 3-5 people there reach out to me. No one from the Dakotas has reached out yet and I haven’t been to the middle of the country as much as I’d like to. They come to me but when I first started on this project I placed ads on Craigslist, which has kind of a sordid history with suicide, so the bots would immediately catch the word ‘suicide’ and pull the ads down. My ad said something like ‘suicide attempt survivors wanted for an educational portrait project,’ so my first couple of participants came to me that way, then the more I talked about it, the more [word spread] and it was a slow trickle those first three years.”

After the Kickstarter project took off, media coverage spread and people started coming to Stage with their survivor stories. Those who have participated in the project have

ally and physically abusive relationship. Afterwards, Stage noticed that she wasn’t hearing stories like hers.

“I didn’t know people who had attempted suicide and lived, as far as I knew. It was something people didn’t talk about. I was never really ashamed of it but if there’s no one to talk to, it falls by the wayside. I had an inkling that there were a lot of us, so the purpose of starting this project was, and still is, to show that suicide can affect anyone and we now have the research that backs that up. But suicide doesn’t discriminate and talking about it can neutralize it and I think can help and save lives.”

While survivors talk, Stage listens and encourages others to do the same.

“There are people who are there for them, who understand, who can empathize and who care. People sometimes tend to forget that there’s power in just being a shoulder to lean on and that your feelings are valid.”

Please visit www.livethroughthis.org for more information.

If you’re feeling suicidal, please talk to somebody. You can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), or the Trans Lifeline and The Trevor Project. PRH

said that doing so changed their lives. Several shared their stories for the first time and it gave them the strength to continue talking about it.

Some have even gone on to become vocal advocates of suicide prevention.

“One of the most important things for me is that the people who told me 10 years ago when I was in grad school that I couldn’t study this, they’re now onboard,” Stage says, “and they see this project as a useful tool. We’ve started doing research based on the project and graduate schools are using the stories as a teaching tool. For me, that’s such a huge accomplishment because the way we’ve been training our future mental health clinicians has been so discouraging. I believe about 7 out of 50 states require mandatory suicide crisis training of their social workers, clinicians, etc., so the people that we’re sending to help suicidal people don’t have the proper training. For me to see that universities are starting to use this project as a training tool, it’s really fulfilling. It means our voices are getting heard.”

Stage herself began to experience severe depression when she was 14, lost a friend to suicide at 15, then survived a suicide attempt in her 20s after suffering through an emotion-

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 55

April / May / June 2018

Maria Ilisco Santangelo

Real People Real Stories

Live life with

PURPOSE

M

by John Nacchio

aria Santangelo is hard at work at Ilisco’s Italian Specialties & Catering. She is busily moving through the store’s kitchen, intensely focused on preparing an array of foods for an important customer’s annual employee luncheon. Mastering culinary preparation skills and love of traditional styled recipes was a perfect match for engaging her into a catering business.

But it wasn’t always that way.

“Ten years ago, I took life for granted. I took walking for granted and I took loving for granted. The Lord knew my path had to change direction. I just couldn’t do it on my own. So he did it for me,” she explains.

In a very tragic moment, Santangelo was in a car accident and faced the end of life. The EMT, Scott Henley, arrived and found her in critical condition, her lungs collapsing. A man she never knew, Henley acted quickly and performed the needed procedure without hesitation. The problem was, he had only read about it but had never needed to perform it. To say there was little hope is understated. Santangelo believes he was guided by a divine hand.

“He is my hero,” she proclaims.

It was more than just her lungs, though. Her pelvis was shattered and required surgeries and therapy for more than a year. A team at Rothman Institute (Jefferson Hospital) led her through it, but they

56

did not expect her to walk, again.

“After, the doctors told me they didn’t know if I could ever have kids because of the trauma my body went through,” Santangelo says. She was alive, but what now?

A journey, a life quest, a bucket list.

Rome, Italy, offered two things - The Vatican to find spiritual answers and the chance to explore her family roots and an inner yearning to learn about traditional foods.

She took a culinary tour, studied in Italy and culinary arts at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. To complete her bucket list, she enlisted the help of her father to further a dream.

Back home, she was working at an Italian specialty shop and the owner was prepared to sell. If her father could pull together the finances, she could provide a renewed sense of purpose. A perfect match clicked and opened the doors to a new world of opportunities.

Meeting her husband, she reflects, seemed like the stars were aligned when a long-time customer said he wanted to introduce her to

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

someone. She and Alfino Santangelo shared a two-year romance leading to marriage last August and a magnificent wedding celebrated at Cescaphe’s Vie Ballroom.

Santangelo learned a life lesson.

“Life always offers us a second chance. It’s called tomorrow. Don’t give up against adverse circumstances and keep fighting.” She thanks the universe and it rewards her with more to be thankful for.

“I thank God every day with every step I take that I can walk after being told I couldn’t ever again. I thank God every day that I was able to become pregnant, carrying a baby to almost full term and delivering a healthy, beautiful baby girl who is my life.” Her family recently celebrated baby Alina’s first birthday!

Santangelo’s gratitude continues to be paramount in her life. “I’m so thankful for Scott Henley and our friendship, and to my parents and family for helping me through what was the hardest time of my life and helping keep my sanity. I now cherish my amazing life, my beautiful family and my great friends.”

In the forefront, she keeps in mind a deep awareness to help others. Let tomorrow be your second chance to prove that you are better than today and yesterday through resonating a spirit to live life with purpose. PRH

gohomephilly.com

Patty Jackson

Real People Real Stories

Don’t stop the

R

MUSIC

by John Nacchio

adio Personality and acclaimed broadcaster at WDASFM collapsed at age 52. She became one of more than 795,000 Americans who suffer a stroke each year. She survived in a statistic that ranks it as No. 5 among all causes of death in the US, killing nearly 133,000 people a year. Heart disease is often thought to be a man’s disease but is the number one cause of death among women, claiming one in three women’s

lives. Her relentless spirit was key to the three years that followed.

“I’m a proud South Philadelphian from 23rd and Ellsworth,” she says. “My Mom taught me to be good to people. My father taught me how to be a good worker.”

She attended South Philadelphia Motivation High School and the American Academy of Broadcasting before embarking on a radio career at WSSJ in Camden, NJ. Jackson reflects, “I didn’t go to college because I started my broadcasting career six months after I graduated from high school. I got my work ethic from my Dad.” Her father worked long and hard at the Navy Yard when the Navy was building and overhauling ships.

Her drive is unmistakable. For more than 35 years, Philly listeners have known and loved the voice and the heart of Patty Jackson. She created a diverse career of country, urban and pop formats, including Power 99 FM and Q102. But, her

warm and soulful voice found its true home with listeners on WDAS-FM. Jackson was working at the station seven days a week as well as doing numerous personal appearances.

Applying the same principles, she tirelessly cared for her aging mother.

It was the saddest day in her life when she passed in October 2015.

“I had my stroke two weeks after my mother died and I think everything just came down on me. I really do.”

Working hard had consumed her life but thanks to singer Jill Scott and others, she gained new awareness about how she had neglected her health. It caused her to pause and make changes like extensive gum health surgery and dental implants. Apparently, the pause was not enough and she found herself in the midst of an abrupt stop. When she collapsed, it was several days before she even acknowledged and attended to her daunting symptoms and went to Abington Memorial Hospital. The diagnosis was con-

clusive that a vessel had burst in her head and she had suffered a stroke.

Jackson’s whole life was turned upside down by her stroke. Not only couldn’t she walk, her condition was further complicated because she was unable to see straight. She suffered partial paralysis of her right side and a loss of vision, which is why you may have seen her wearing an eye patch on her left eye.

Staying on the air attests to her indomitable spirit and work ethic.

During her scheduled breaks, she went through weeks of rehab, which included learning how to walk again. She also had to recover use of her right side and work to regain her vision. Jackson credits not only the support of her family and friends for her recovery, but also the health professionals at the Moss Rehabilitation Center.

“Listen to them,” she says. “They are there to help you. They won’t let you give up. Having a positive attitude is crucial to your recovery. If you ever are in this kind of situation, listen to the doctors.”

Although back on-air and making personal appearances like hosting her weekly Friday Happy Hour at Warmdaddy’s on Columbus Boulevard, she continues physical therapy.

“Pay attention to signs when something is wrong,” she says. “Don’t

wait. Don’t keep going. Stop and say, ‘Hey, I think something is wrong.’ I didn’t take care of myself. I neglected me. You can’t help anybody else if you don’t take care of yourself.”

The hardest working woman in Philadelphia radio, Jackson is known for hosting scores of engagements, public appearances, interviews, podcasts and devoting time to raising her teenage son. On the go and in the moment, she is a diehard Philly sports fan. On Sunday, it’s dinner, a long-time family tradition. Jackson is an exceptional cook. Taking on any recipe complemented by her spicy seafood salad, jambalaya and peach cobbler, she’s got everyone’s taste buds covered. Also, take note. She is the official voice of welcome and information at the Philadelphia International Airport. Travelers from all over the world are greeted by Patty Jackson’s warm and inviting voice.

Her long list of interviews, interactions and social media is filled with a record number of music legends, newsmakers and local personalities. She now acknowledges the importance to better balance her schedule at this point in her life. Nevertheless, Jackson has Olympic champion characteristics rooted in her early days growing up in South Philly – an unstoppable spirit that won’t stop the music. PRH

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PRH Brides Guide

Cescaphe Couple

Dana DePasquale & Daniel Ricciardi Seamless by

Joe Volpe

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pring is in the air! At Cescaphe, we are always “in season” and in wedding planning mode!

It is our mission at Cescaphe to produce not only unforgettable events, but unforgettable experiences – throughout the entire wedding planning process. That is why our exclusive Cescaphe White concierge division is here to

guide and educate Cescaphe couples with wedding planning, while making all their dreams a reality.

We know wedding planning can be stressful, but our Cescaphe White Event Coordinators are here to make it as easy as possible for brides and grooms.

I had the pleasure of talking to Cescaphe couple Dana DePasquale and Daniel Ricciardi

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

about their wedding experience. The wonderful newlyweds were married at Down Town Club on October 28th, 2017. Like many of our couples, they leaned on our team of experts to help their wedding plans come together flawlessly. I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Dana with all of our Brides Guide readers. gohomephilly.com

photos by ART WORK PHOTOGRAPHY How did you meet?

Danny works for Rizzo Rink in South Philly. Along with the staff, he helps organize a fundraiser every year. My best friend asked me to go so I decided to take my little cousin. I told my friend how good-looking he was and she told her boyfriend at the time. Once it got back to Danny, that was it - we’ve been together ever since.

How did the proposal happen?

Our family spends all summer weekends in Wildwood and Danny sets up “Wine and Cheese by the Bay” - something we do from time to time. He asked me to walk to the water to skip rocks. He knows I am not

good at it so I rolled my eyes and said “no,” which, unbeknownst to me, was part of his plan. Then, he asked to take a selfie by the sunset instead which, of course, I hopped right up for it. I walked down to the water and when I turned to grab him for the picture, he was on one knee.

Why did you choose a Cescaphe Wedding?

We chose Cescaphe because not only did we want our wedding to be perfect, we wanted the entire process leading up to it to be stress free. From the first phone call to the night of, the Cescaphe team takes care of everything. Every family member, guest and friend could not believe how calm

by JOSEPH VOLPE, Cescaphe Event Group Cescaphe is a member of the PRH Business Network.

we were throughout the planning process and we owe that to Cescaphe. The Cescaphe White Coordinator calls you to keep you updated. They are responsive to any questions and they guide you in the right direction for vendors. Plus, do I even need to mention the quality of the food and the amazing spread from cocktail hour through dessert?

How was the planning process experience?

Seamless. Cescaphe is such a reputable company that I didn’t worry about the night of at any point in the planning process. It was the least of our worries. They are flexible with what you want

for your special day and provide you with the tools

and resources throughout the planning process with the Cescaphe University monthly events. We went to every one, had so much fun and learned so much!

What did you do to make your day extra special?

We wanted to make sure we took the time to savor those special moments with the people who mattered most.

Danny slept at his mom’s house with his childhood best friend. My mom, maids of honor and cousins stayed at the Hilton with me so we could wake up together. My dad and I drove together in a Rolls Royce and sang along to Oldies music on the way to the church. Then Danny and I were able to

share a bottle of champagne alone before taking pictures at the venue. We ended it with a night full of dancing - no garter toss, no bouquet toss, just good food, good music and a fun time.

What advice would you give to newly engaged couples?

Enjoy the planning process. You only do this once and you are sharing it with the most important person in your life.

It is worth every dime!

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Make decisions together, laugh together and take it all in because in the blink of an eye – it’s over.

Go on your honeymoon two days after your wedding. You’ll need it!

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.

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PRHFASHION

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LOBO MAU Bok to basics

Local designers create wearable art

by JANE ROSER

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

gohomephilly.com

FLORIST photographer: Aileen Bannon clothing and Styling: Nicole Haddad art Direction: Pia Panaligan models: Khalia Abner, Melanie Blankenship, Daryl Bright, Jordan Haddad

As the first tenant of the Bok building (an historic vocational school that was closed by the School District of Philadelphia in 2013), fashion designer Nicole Haddad has grown her innovative clothing line from a small collaborative pop-up boutique to one of the hottest commodities in South Philadelphia.

Launched in 2008, Lobo Mau (Portuguese for “Big Bad Wolf”) combines comfortable, sustainable fabrics with classic silhouettes that appeal to a wide customer base.

From their best-selling Pom jacket (named after a favorite pet and inspired by bohemian socialite Peggy Guggenheim) to a cozy swing sweatshirt, each garment is painstakingly handcrafted and printed. These are the ultimate wearable pieces of art.

“We do customization so our clients will get pieces that fit them really well,” Nicole says. “The collections are mainly inspired by the textile designs we create and colors I discover. If I come across an interesting fabric, then that could become the crux of the whole collection, but collaborating with the textile artists is what motivates me. We’ll come up with a concept - this season we’re working with the look of torn fabric and with splatters - but we put our own creative take on it. I focus on the designs and marketing while Jordan oversees the textile printing.”

Jordan is Nicole’s brother who spent several years in business development before joining Lobo Mau as CEO two years ago. “This just felt

more comfortable for me. Working with a sibling has its advantages because you can always be frank with one another and whatever disagreements you have, you know that you’ll always bounce right back.”

Lobo Mau has an atelier attached to their studio so clients can receive personalized assistance in the same space the garments are created.

Soon they’ll be working with a local factory to produce on a larger scale and use the studio space for research and development, designing and wash tests – an important step to make sure the fabrics are durable and the inks are colorfast.

“We want to give business back to Philadelphia and hopefully create more jobs in the process,” Jordan says.

The Haddads are very passionate about giving back to the community and hold annual fundraisers for local charities in their studio space.

“We’ve raised money for Puerto Rico and the ACLU,” Nicole says.

“We have a fundraiser coming up May 3rd for Career Wardrobe which provides assistance for low-income women entering the workforce.”

Hard at work on the Spring/Summer collection, Nicole and Jordan say clients can expect to see transparent fabrics, new sweatshirts with a signature ribbing and for a touch of nostalgia, Nicole adds, “we’re really into bomber jackets right now.”

Lobo Mau is located at 1901 S. 9th Street. You can make an appointment at www.lobomau.com.

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PRHFASHION TIPS from the PROS

Cleopatra Eyes are hot this season ❱❱

by VICTORIA DIPIETRO

www.bella-angel.com

SPRING IS IN THE AIR AND THAT MEANS NEW LOOKS for a sunny season.

Bare skin and flushed lips are in vogue and can be both subtle and stunning. Minimal makeup is the wave of the future if you wear a raspberry or red lip. Red lips with minimal, barely-there eyes give an effortless edgy look.

If you like the “barely there” look then you better take care of your skin. Always cleanse before bed. Don’t ever go to bed with makeup on. Don’t forget to moisturize and hydrate. Your skin will thank you for it. Also, use a good eye cream. I recommend NEURO LIQUID™ VOLUFILL™ EYE SERUM™

by Peter Thomas Roth.

If you love bright makeup like I do, then you will love the new colors this spring/summer season.

Chanel introduced the perfect eye pallet with lots of color, so you can shine with eyes that really stand out. The pallet has smoldering and luminous shades of green, yellow, gold, red and black for an explosive look. Ombre hair made a splash a few years back and now you can give yourself Ombre eyes with these colors. I always like to take makeup as far as I can with bold colors, smoky eyes, metallic colors and even dramatic, strategically placed gemstones. I am thrilled about the Cleopatra eye.

It’s extremely “pointy,” graphic, dramatic and heavy under the eye above your bottom lashes.

If you’re not into makeup, then don’t wear any. Don’t forget to curl your lashes and brush your

brows. There are other options for perfecting a spring/summer look.

If you want the look of long thick lashes, give lash extensions a try.

Lash extensions are wonderful and last for a few weeks. They grow out slowly over time. Lash extensions can be touched up as your lashes grow. Make sure the person applying them is certified to do so and pick the length that is right for you. The application takes 1-2 hours and for two weeks, you will have long, gorgeous, thick lashes without applying any mascara. The touchup application takes about 30 minutes. Lash extensions are “so hot right now,” and our Bella Angel brides are opting to get them right before their wedding day. While they are enjoying their honeymoon, they don’t have to take time to apply extensive makeup!

Another beautiful look comes from using gemstones. They were big last year and are still popular. I like wearing gemstones on the weekends when I go out with the girls for a fun night on the town. They add an extra dimension to makeup.

And of course, as you venture outside this season, make sure to use sunscreen. This cannot be overstressed. Protect your skin and enjoy the sun!

Victoria DiPietro and Bella Angel are members of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network. gohomephilly.com

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When people think of a movie, they think of the actors, maybe the director or the writer. Truth be told, there are many people behind the scenes who are just as responsible for turning out the finished product.

Let’s start with the Line Producer who is the person that must make sure the film comes in on time and on budget. It is a pressure-packed job! Then you have the First Assistant Director (1st AD), who controls the movie set. They are the disciplinarians who make sure everybody is ready when the Director calls, “Action!”

The Director of Photography (DP) and their camera crew are the ones who make sure all the actors are in focus and lit properly.

The DP can set the mood for a film.

The editor is the person responsible for putting all the scenes in the right order after they’re filmed. Contrary to what people may think, films are never shot in the order they’re written in the script.

A good editor can save a picture. The Production Designer can create the 1920s or a futuristic set with equal skill. They are magicians at creating any set for the required time period. The Costume Designer does the same with the actor’s wardrobe. From top hats to bell-bottom pants, they can find it.

I always thanked my lucky stars for the Hair & Make-up Department because they were the artists who could take away the bags under my eyes and coif my hair in a flattering way. The Transportation Department moves the cast and crew from point A to point B with maximum efficiency. Now we get to the most important component of movie making, the Caterer. Feed the cast and crew well and you will have a happy, contented and productive group of movie people!

I can finally tell you after many delays the movie, Gotti, which I wrote and act in, is getting a wide release on June 15, 2018. I will be in Philly promoting it on radio and TV.

Ciao Philly!

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gohomephilly.com

a

I

“

TALE TWO SLANGS

by Matt Kelchner photo by Charlie Lowe

just see myself as a never-give-upper. Anything else wears too much weight,” James Alex explains when asked if he feels like a veteran in the Philadelphia music scene. His tenure dates back to 1992 with the Bethlehem pop punk band Weston. More recently, he’s been the mastermind behind the supercharged, heart-on-your-sleeve group Beach Slang. In the midst of a somewhat rough 2017, Alex and Beach Slang started to develop an alter ego and he’s ready to unleash it in 2018.

MUSIC

Beach Slang has always been about loud, fuzzy rock songs where everyone shouts the lyrics back, word for word. The energy at the shows is electrifying. Alex, who is no newcomer to the stage, puts other lead singers and guitarists half his age to shame. All of that takes a back seat as he trades distorted guitars and booming drums for a cello and a piano for his latest project, Quiet Slang.

“Beach Slang is loud and drunk and raucous. Quiet Slang is soft and searching. I like them that way.” After two full length releases of the wilder side, the more delicate half is getting its time in the spotlight with Quiet Slang’s debut album, Everything Matters But No One Is Listening. The release hits shelves in May and following a tour supporting Dashboard Confessional with Beach Slang, Alex will take Quiet Slang out on the road.

of

The story of Quiet Slang started back in 2015, right before Beach Slang’s debut The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us was released.

With just himself and an acoustic guitar, Alex played a short four song session for NPR’s Tiny Desk series.

It wouldn’t be until the later half of 2017, after a few bandmate departures, where Alex found himself in the same situation, only this time on tour.

In October, he went on to release We Were Babies & We Were Dirtbags under the Quiet Slang monikar. It was made up of stripped down Beach Slang songs and two covers. Everything Matters But No One Is Listening sees a continuation of the reworking old Beach Slang tunes. The subtle character of his new project has helped Alex grow as a songwriter. He notes, “Making the Quiet Slang record really cracked something open in me.”

New chord structures and vocal harmonies have helped scratch an

experimental itch that did not fit the sound of Beach Slang. The staunch contrast of the two is one of the main factors behind deciding to split the two styles. “To me, they deserve separation, to have their own voice,” Alex says. “They get to be what they are without tripping each other.”

Having the two distinct avenues both simplifies and complicates the writing process. He goes on to add, “But more so, it gives me outlets for different, but equally loved approaches to writing.” A unique tug of tension has developed with these two running simultaneously. Ideas for songs might not come together all at once and some might not become anything more than ideas. Alex notes that the best comes through with just the right amount of focus and diligence. “So much of songwriting is patience and failure. What a strange thing to love.”

Despite the added layers that the two sides of Beach Slang have given Alex, he is not shy to admit how lucky he feels to have both. Through the ups and downs of starting and growing a band, Beach Slang has become somewhat of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation, only if you switch out the monster and the scientist with The Replacements and The Magnetic

Fields. Alex adds, “I’ve described it as ‘if Beach Slang is me fawning over Paul Westerberg [of The Replacements], Quiet Slang is me adoring Stephen Merritt [of The Magnetic Fields].’”

With the release of Everything Matters But No One Is Listening and the following tour in the upcoming months, James Alex will be putting most of his attention on Quiet Slang. Despite all the hard work that went into the softer side of things, he has already written pieces of the next Beach Slang album. However, Alex isn’t planning on releasing the new things to the public until 2019. “It feels right to let the Quiet and Loud stuff have a little distance from each other.”

Somehow between building a two headed band now, Alex manages to give himself time to breathe. Living out in the suburbs with his wife and two kids now, he still finds himself in the city. You can find him at a few of his favorite spots south of Washington Ave like South Philly Tap Room, Royal Tavern or Santucci’s. Above all else, his favorite pastime is his family. When asked what he does with his free time outside of Beach Slang, he simply says, “Being a full-time, all-the-way dad to the coolest kids around.” PRH

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PRHMUSIC&ART

PHILADELPHIA 45s Madara and White: Rock and Roll is Here to Stay

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Mention ROWHOME Magazine & Receive 10% OFF Catering

66

ignificant partnerships so often start in the most ordinary ways. Jagger and Richards had no idea what was about to begin the day they bumped into each other on a train platform.

Simon met Garfunkel after sitting together in grade school; Lennon and McCartney happened to see each other play at a church picnic.

It was a similar story for John Madara. Already a recording artist in his teens, he was intrigued to hear a group of singers harmonizing outside his South Philly window one warm evening in 1956 - and another notable moment in music history followed. The combo in question was a group of John Bertram High students calling themselves the Juvenaires, whose lead tenor David White would soon join Madara in shaping the soundtrack of the city.

Madara hit the ‘57 charts with “Be My Girl” while White’s quartet began building buzz under their new name Danny and the Juniors.

All the while, the pair kept working on songs of their own. They and Artie Singer wrote a jumpy ditty called “Do the Bop,” though friendly advice from Dick Clark led them to change it to the trendier “At the Hop” (sock hops being more of a fad at the time). The timing couldn’t have been better: doo-wop was king, Philadelphia was one of its royal courts and the tune became practically synonymous with pompadours and poodle skirts.

Madara produced the Juniors’ next two singles and soon opened his own West Philly record store. Their career was soon, well, hopping as they found themselves penning toe-tappers for a number of artists. The partnership provided The Pixies Three with the peppy “Birthday Party,” Johnny Caswell with “My Girl,” and the city’s perennial staple “Play Those Oldies, Mr. DJ” for Anthony and the Sophomores. (Hey, your favorite decade’s band names are silly, too.)

The pair continued fruitfully for the next decade. More hits broke out from time to time; other pieces might make barely a splash (Madara estimates that they wrote more than 280 together). Success along the way was always nice, of course, but he and White were

MUSIC

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

most interested in simply making good music and giving others a boost whenever possible.

Madara spotted a notable talent in Leon Huff, for instance, and made sure to put him at the piano on any session when he could, which led to him becoming half of the hall-of-fame writing team Gamble & Huff. Daryl Hall made another early signing as a young solo artist - those recordings are mostly forgotten, but the work introduced him to a backing session guitarist named John Oates.

Good luck stayed through the ‘60s as the friends helped lay the enduring foundations of Philadelphia soul. Another dance sensation came when Chubby Checker popularized “The Fly” at his peak of jitterbugging fame. Len Barry crooned his way to a Grammy over the easy jangle of “1-23.” A teenaged Maureen Gray greatly impressed Madara by simply wandering into the shop and singing for him one day. She ended up known for girl-group staples such as “Today’s the Day” and “Dancin’ the Strand,” and the duo had her in mind for a bluesy tune called “You Don’t Own Me.” Lesley Gore got to that one first, as fate would have it, and her slinky performance made it a classic girl-power anthem to this day. Then again, if you know the song these days, that could be just as likely due to Grace and G-Eazy’s sassy R&B-rap duet of 2015. Madara and White certainly never could have envisioned that, but it only shows just how resilient great songwriting always proves to be.

The pair parted ways on friendly terms when Madara moved out to California in the late ‘60s. Both have kept the good work going ever since, still writing, producing, performing and always helping people be creative. The names have become practically legendary. They have a star on Broad Street’s Philadelphia Arts Alliance Walk of Fame. They’re known for historic songs everyone’s heard all their lives, on TV, in movies or down at the diner - yet when it comes to making an important mark on the world, the love Madara and White have earned from listeners and musicians is probably the biggest of all. PRH Philadelphia 45s will be an ongoing series in Philadelphia RowHome Magazine. Do you have a 45 idea you’d like us to cover? Email or Tweet us with your favorites!

gohomephilly.com

Local Band Spotlight

BOSOM BAND

Italian Coffee House

A music mojo kind of mix

M

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by Bryan Culver photo of Monica Lynne Chase by Robert Chimienti

MUSIC

y favorite thing in the world is to be on stage,” proclaims Monica Lynne Chase, the lead vocalist, songwriter, lyricist and founding member of Philadelphia’s Bosom Band. It’s early evening on a lazy Sunday.

Outside, Philly is a winter wonderland, having been rattled by one of several nor’easters that laid siege upon the city this past March.

“It’s like meditation, and then when you get off stage, the adrenaline level is insane.”

I’ve talked shop with innumerable musicians but there’s something about living in Philadelphia, working in Philadelphia and absorbing Philadelphia that makes speaking to a local Philadelphia-based musician all the more captivating.

Chase is a blues singer and Philadelphia is in her bones. Her music drips with a deep connection to the city: its rich heritage, its robust musical lineage, its rustbelt grit. The blues, as it turns out, makes for an exceptional creative vessel by which to encapsulate these incongruent elements.

Often times, phone interviews can make for stiff conversation. Participants adhere to strict question-answer patterns. Not this one. Our conversation drifts through a mosaic of anecdotal back-stories as Chase weaves together the brilliantly detailed account of the everyday life of a Philadelphia musician, artist, mother, spiritual guide.

Chase learned to sing the blues from an early age. She grew up in a religious community where gospel music was a cherished family pastime. Her family had a house with a porch which often drew a large crowd after church let out. Her mom was a music major who sang opera and her grandmother, who lived down the road, played the organ. Music was a second language – a natural means of creative expression.

As she grew up, she became more interested in rock and mainstream pop. She regularly watched 120 Minutes on MTV and became obsessed with a rotating swatch of artists from Kate Bush, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Janis Joplin, Queen, Mazzy Star and classics like Billie Holiday and Etta James. As her lyrical aspirations progressed, she began jotting down her ideas in journals.

Her initial ambition was to move to New York and “be a poet and a painter and live in a loft.”

Instead, Chase made her nest in Philly. She began offering her vocal talents to local music studios,

which is how she linked up with Dan Michael.

Bassist Michael has a distinct mystique. Back in the ‘60s, he traveled the country playing in various rock bands. Over the years, his house became a key junction for many musicians in the Philadelphia area and eventually he started his own recording studio, Studio 1421.

After one recording session, Michael approached Chase about one of her journals, curious to see the contents. He immediately was intrigued by the material and wanted to try producing a few tracks with her. At first, she was skeptical—but once they began working on material, it was a natural fit. As Chase put it, they “connect on a music mojo kind of level.” It also doesn’t hurt that Danny Michael is a seasoned bassist, capable of laying down the perfect grooves to match Chase’s mighty croon.

As is the case with many creative projects, forming a band wasn’t Monica’s and Danny’s initial plan. But the jam sessions gradually increased and their creative process continued to flourish. After an impromptu gig at a block party a few years ago, they decided to make their project official.

Finishing off Bosom Band’s current lineup is drummer Jared Williams and lead guitarist Shawn Touhill. It might strike you as odd that given the deep back-history between Michael and Chase, that Touhill is still in his 20s. Chase explains that age doesn’t factor in too highly when considering band mates. “When finding a new band member, it’s really important to gel from the get-go, otherwise it doesn’t work.” Bosom Band’s core members represent three generations of Philadelphians.

Bosom Band has been quite prolific in releasing music, from old-time blues to more current rock and pop tunes. Much of their music can be found on Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Last summer, they got in the studio to record their first fulllength album, Rolling Organic. They also keep an active performance schedule so be sure to check out their website (bosomband.com) or follow their Facebook page (facebook.com/bosomband) to find out where you can catch them live.

In terms of their goals, Chase says it’s quite a straight-forward endeavor for her, at least. “The only thing in life I really want is to be really happy, you know, and music makes me really happy.”

Given her talent as a vocalist and her penchant for compelling storytelling, I don’t think Bosom Band will need to worry about finding a stage to perform on in the foreseeable future. PRH

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PRHMUSIC&ART The Theatre Geek

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CONVERSATION with MACHINE It changes how you see Theater

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by Marialena Rago photos by Teddy Wolff aylor Mac: A 24-Decade History of Popular Music will be presented over two weekends during the Kimmel Center’s Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) this June. The 24-hour performance art concert tells the social history of America. There are more than 240 songs with more than 24 musicians and more than 100 local performers. There are also 24 breathtaking costumes by Mac’s designer, Machine Dazzle. I

spoke with Machine Dazzle about his inventive costumes and how they will make you think differently about the world around you.

Q: How do you find inspiration for these costumes?

A: I find inspiration in music, what was going on socially and politically at the time, the inventions of the time and tying that with clear thinking and considering queer people throughout history, even though it isn’t in any of the history books.

Q: Can you give an example?

A: The Civil War [costume] - the American hot dog was invented at that time and US barbed wire was patented at that time. I also used the Civil War soldiers costume as a jump off, which continues this day in school bands.

Q: You mention queer history.

You are quoted on The Cut, New York Magazine’s women’s site, saying, ‘I prefer to queer the history or the ideas instead of accept the status quo.’ Can you explain how you do that?

A: It is hard to explain how you just are in nature. It involves not settling

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and not accepting things as they are - like radical thinking and thinking outside the box. You don’t have to accept what people are wearing; you can wear something else, you can wear it a different way. The essence of queer thinking is not accepting things and not settling.

It is a lot more organic and a lot more free-thinking. It is easy to accept things when there are no challenges. If there is nothing wrong, if you aren’t ostracized in society, everything’s fine. If you just exist, it’s fine and if you are the way society operates then you aren’t a queer thinker, probably, because you never had to survive in a different way. You never have to adjust yourself personally towards society. If you’ve never had to survive or exist, if you’ve never had to pretend to be someone else, if you never had to experience hardship in terms of just daily survival, then chances are that you aren’t a queer thinker.

That’s not a blanket statement. There are people who are smart who see that things are not even. But if you never had to smooth yourself out just to fit in society - you know people who are totally tortured because they are queer - those are the people who are real queer thinkers. They have to think outside the box because no one is going to do it for them.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

Q: I’ve seen your clothing described as gender-bending or drag. Is that how you would describe your style? Would you describe it differently?

A: I don’t use the word clothing. Taylor doesn’t wear clothes, he wears costumes.

There is a big difference. Not to be confused with fashion, either. When Taylor is on stage in my work...those are costumes and it’s art. Huge difference. It’s sculpture. It’s not about gender at all. Not really, anyway. I’ve learned to not think in those terms. Basically, what Taylor is wearing are sculptures made out of ideas.

He is basically wearing ideas.

Q: When did you and Taylor start working on the show?

A: We started work shopping about seven years ago and in the fall of 2016, after six years of work shopping it, we did the big 24-hour, non-stop show.

Q: Have your costumes changed since the beginning?

A: I change things now and then.

Q: And you help change Taylor while he is still on stage, correct?

A: I will come out in a costume and change Taylor every now and then.

That is my role.

Q: Is there a reason for it?

A: Taylor has 240 songs to memorize and he is usually singing at the same time that we are changing so he needs help getting into them because he can’t hold the microphone and change at the same time. Also in terms of drama, it is more exciting.

Q: Do you have a favorite costume?

A: No. I love them all. I love all of my babies.

Q: What should people expect when they see the show?

A: They need to come and see what the show is all about. They need to come with an open mind and be ready to participate because there is a lot of audience participation.

Q: What do you want your costumes and this show’s legacy to be?

A: They will be in museums and revered very highly. I think there has never been a show like it. It is a very original show and I think the legacy will be, whenever you see something new, it raises the bar and it changes the way you see theater. People who see it, it will affect the way they see theater for the rest of their lives. People can expect to see theater differently and music because we get into the meaning of these songs that people take for granted that they never considered what the song actually is - oh this is a minstrel song, oh this is a song about slavery, oh this song is really offensive to Native Americans.

We really get into it.

You can see the Philadelphia Premiere of Taylor Mac: A 24-Decade History of Popular Music in two 12hour parts at the Merriam Theater: June 2, 2018 – PART I (1776 – 1896), 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

June 9, 2018 – PART II (1896 – Present), 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. PRH gohomephilly.com

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his is the opening line of the song “The Never Was” from side two of Psychedelic Elders’ new album, Under Glass. For every band that became “superstars,” there are hundreds of thousands that didn’t. This album is written about and dedicated to the ones who kept playing anyway and continue to do so.

It is a story of the musical journey of an experienced, yet unknown rock band that hasn’t quite given up. They must learn to navigate through this modern age. The musical tale begins with headlines proclaiming the death of rock and roll.

Our heroes refuse to believe this and embark on a mission to keep the music alive. There are songs of reminiscence, angst, hope, realization, acceptance and more than a little social commentary!

Will our heroes triumph? Will rock live again?

Are the reports of its untimely demise false news?

Listen to the new album and find out!

Psychedelic Elders continue to traverse the musical world with the hope of reaching new and ever-expanding audiences. Their shows and musical journey can be followed at www.psychedelicelders.com as well as on Facebook by searching “Psychedelic Elders”.

The band will be playing in and around the TriState area, so stay tuned for future developments.

Listen to your Elders.

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April / May / June 2018

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BarkPark’s co-founder Katherine Wade talks to us about Philadelphia’s exciting new play place coming soon to 48th and Woodland.

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A: I have extensive experience with all types of animals, both domestic and exotic. I have been working with animals since I was a child in 4H where I raised various types of livestock and of course, dogs! In college, I began volunteering to walk and foster dogs, and became very interested in canine behavior, body language, and reactivity training. Later down the line I took an animal care internship at the Philadelphia Zoo and realized then that I wanted to pursue a career working and caring for animals. Since then I started working with a few organizations doing “Trap-Neuter-Return” for feral cat colonies in residential neighborhoods, and I volunteer to walk and train adoptable dogs through PAWS. I have taken classes on canine body language and reactivity behaviors and even earned my certification in Canine CPR and first aid!

Q: Why was opening an indoor dog park important to you?

A: Our inspiration to open an indoor dog park is our own dogs! Our co-founder, James, adopted a beautiful and energetic German Shepherd about two winters ago. If you know Pennsylvania weather, you know you can expect just about anything from freezing cold and raining to scorching hot and sunny, neither are ideal scenarios to take your dog out in. It felt like we were constantly searching for a new way to exercise the rambunctious pup without struggling with inconsistent weather, broken glass/ trash on the streets, and the awful reaction to sidewalk salt on her fresh paw pads. We realized

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

Kiera was not getting enough socialization or exercise, two of the most crucial elements of a well-balanced puppy, especially during her first 4-16 weeks of life. This is why we decided to make every urban dog owner’s dream come true, a climate-controlled space with plenty of room to romp, handlers on site to answer questions and to supervise play, free Wi-Fi, and coffee!

Q: Can you tell us about the BarkPark’s co-working space?

A: We are super excited about this aspect of BarkPark! We are encouraging people who have remote professions or even the occasional workfrom-home day to spend that time at BarkPark.

Our drop-in play space will have two different daily rates- $10 a day for basic entry including guest Wi-Fi and coffee by the cup. In addition to the basic day-pass we will be offering a “Pupfessional Pass” which will include access to our high speed Wi-Fi, unlimited coffee refills, and free printing services for $17 a day. We will be offering package deals so members can expect to get a discount when they book multiple days in advanced.

Q: Are you offering any services in the meantime before the actual indoor park opens?

A: We are offering dog walking and sitting services. Our customers receive a free behavioral assessment when they book their first walk or overnight with us. This means when we open this spring, we will already have their dog’s veterinarian information and temperament on file, so they can be the first to experience all of the great things we have to offer. We currently service West Philadelphia, South Philadelphia (both East and West sides of Broad), Center City, and Fairmount!

BarkPark is slated for a late spring opening. They will also be offering daycare services that are separated from the drop-in play space and will have its own entry to the 2,000+ square foot backyard! Dropin customers will also have access to the fenced in backyard during nice days. In the meantime, you can contact BarkPark regarding their walking and sitting services. Visit www.barkparkphilly.com. PRH

gohomephilly.com

SPOTLIGHT

JACKIE FITZPATRICK Univest Bank & Trust Co.

Senior VP and Area Manager Southern Region

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by MARIA MERLINO rom stay-at-home mom to regional manager in the banking industry, Jackie Fitzpatrick has built a strong career while balancing family and community service.

After a few years of staying home to raise her children, Fitzpatrick knew it was time to pursue career opportunities that would help her make a difference. In 1999, she decided to explore a position in the field of banking and she’s never looked back.

BUSINESS

“While I loved being a stay-athome mom, I was ready to challenge myself and do something else,” Fitzpatrick said.

She applied for a part-time job as a teller at a local bank. Through the years, she earned promotions for her ability to build relationships, deliver financial solutions and actively serve her community.

Fitzpatrick worked for a variety of local banks including Conestoga Bank and Beneficial Bank. She currently serves as Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Univest Bank and Trust Co., a Souderton, Montgomery Countybased bank with 41 financial centers throughout the region.

Fitzpatrick is responsible for managing the South Philadelphia Financial Center in addition to overseeing the sales and operations for all six Philadelphia-based financial centers, one in West Chester, Chester County, and one in Ocean City, New Jersey.

“It is so rewarding to work for a strong financial institution that offers a wide range of solutions that enable me to work with my customers and help them achieve their financial dreams,” Fitzpatrick said. “It is also extremely refreshing to work for a local bank that supports the community financially

and truly encourages its employees to get involved through volunteer and leadership opportunities.”

Univest and its subsidiaries – which deliver banking, insurance and investment solutions to businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations – contributed $1.8 million to nearly 550 nonprofit local organizations, last year. Fitzpatrick is one of approximately 850 employees who exemplify the company’s community core value by serving in several volunteer positions. She currently sits on a number of local boards and advisory councils.

While Fitzpatrick is constantly on the go between her role at Univest and her work in the community, she loves the opportunity to come back to her hometown neighborhood in South Philadelphia where her office is still located.

Reflecting on the past, present and future, Fitzpatrick said, “I’m very lucky to have worked with tremendous mentors and teams that have helped me grow both personally and professionally. In addition to my coworkers, I am blessed with strong support from my family.”

While banking has been a maledominated industry for decades, the tides are turning and strong female leaders like Fitzpatrick are being recognized and encouraged to continue

to grow their careers. In fact, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Banker) established a Women in Banking initiative. According to PA Banker, this peer-based group offers educational programming to generate professional development opportunities, mentoring programs, networking, recognition and volunteer activities among the Association’s female members.

Women are really making strides professionally, especially in banking, Fitzpatrick added. “I think women are beginning to realize that they need to work together to build each other up rather than knock each other down. The female mentors I’ve had in this industry have and continue to provide incredible support and guidance. As a result, I am intentional about trying to mentor others who are starting their careers or making a transition so I can help create opportunities for them as well.”

Fitzpatrick has come a long way in 19 years. Her life has changed a bit with the added responsibilities and expanded roles outside of the home, but her commitment to her family has never faltered.

“My daughter is in college and my son is in high school now,” Fitzpatrick added. “Many people ask me how I manage balancing home life with banking life. For me, it’s about the little things and making time to be there.

One important way to do this for my family is to go home and cook dinner. I always make it a priority to have a home-cooked meal that we enjoy together. I won’t change that.” PRH Univest Bank and Trust Co. is Member FDIC

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PRHBUSINESS

Mission Statement

Our mission is to link together the business owners, residents and community groups and effectively network, utilizing the collective efforts and resources of these groups to pursue common goals that improve the success of the business community and the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

S

— South Philadelphia Business Association

panning three centuries of businesses, from textiles to technology, the South Philadelphia Business Association (SPBA), once known as the South Philadelphia Businessmen’s Association, is now in its 121st year. Incorporated on October 15th, 1897, its first members were mostly Eastern European Jewish trade merchants who immigrated during the 1880s to South Philadelphia. In 2018, the SPBA, the oldest chartered business

BUSINESS

group in the City, is still flourishing.

Its main goal is to support local businesses within the organization. It also raises thousands of dollars in scholarship funds that are awarded to deserving high school seniors for higher education each year. In 2017, members raised $10,000 for continuing education.

Dan Olivieri, a past president of the association, has memories and memorabilia that date back to the 1960s.

“I was going with my father to these meetings when they were held at the Venice Plaza on Snyder Avenue.

Many of the businesses and officers are still members.”

Looking over a 1973 meeting program, Olivieri points out familiar names of both current and past members - Dan Rendine, Esq.; Vince Fumo, who became a State Senator, is listed as a realtor; Anthony Nardi of Oregon Windows; Grasso Funeral Home; P&S Ravioli; Monti Funeral Home; Baldi Funeral Home and Olivieri Jewelers.

Lou Galdo Sr., Galdo’s Catering & Entertainment, is a second-generation business owner and serves as the organization’s current President.

Gina Rucci, Popi’s Italian Restaurant, is the Vice President and also

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a second-generation business owner.

D u r i ng t he 1 9 9 0 s , t h e n am e changed. “We try to stay ahead of the curve and make it more appealing to everybody that has a business here,” Olivieri explains. “It was the changing of the guard, the next generation replacing the previous. Our goal is not only to network and promote business in South Philadelphia, but also to give back to the community by getting involved with local affairs and holding fundraisers and events to fund our scholarships. The money raised encourages young people to get into business or to become entrepreneurs. Hopefully, they will set up shop in our community and give back to the neighborhood.”

Olivieri said the open forum format of the Association’s monthly meetings is a great way to introduce yourself, your business and your expertise to an ever-growing network of business members. “We are moving forward with an expanded social media presence, a variety of handcrafted businesses and an increase in demand for brick and mortar.”

With second, third and fourth generation business members on board, the SPBA has a lot to offer newcomers with a passion to succeed in our community of neighborhoods. PRH

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

Dan Olivieri, Olivieri Jewelers, displays an archival brochure, circa 1973, from the SPBA

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA

BUSINESS ASSOCIATION celebrates 120 years

Become the newest member of the oldest chartered group in Philadelphia

by MARIA MERLINO

Save the Date!

Please join the South Philadelphia Business Association as it celebrates 120 years of doing business in the neighborhood with a dinner gala!

Where:

The Down Town Club When:

October 11th, 2018 Time: Cocktail Reception begins at 5:30 Become the newest member of the oldest Business Association in Philadelphia, chartered in 1897.

Proceeds to benefit the SPBA Scholarship Fund.

For tickets and more information, contact Jackie Fitzpatrick 215.668.6875.

gohomephilly.com

Philly

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 2018 PERSONS OF THE YEAR GALA Galdo’s Catering & Entertainment Honoring

Captain Lou Campione Philadelphia Police Department

Loretta Crea

Sunrise of Philadelphia

In Memory of

James Tayoun Sr. photos by ANDREW ANDREOZZI

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PRHBUSINESS

A perfect SPORTSCASTER Union LOCAL LANDS DREAM JOB

M

arisa Pilla remembers the days of living in her friend’s parents’ basemenet covering high school football and hockey for less than $40 a game.

Now she is starting her third season as a sideline reporter and host of both Union PreKick Live and Union Post Match Live for the Philadelphia Union.

“I always felt comfortable and confident in sports growing up.

My driving force is that sports have always been my passion. This is the greatest job. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” Pilla says.

She grew up in Churchville, PA and attended Council Rock South High School before heading to the University of Maryland and working her way into becoming a face and voice of her hometown team the

by LIAM DIVON photo by JILLYNN GROW Photography

Union. Pilla also has covered the Big East Men’s soccer championships on FS2, Villanova Basketball and has appeared on NBC Philadelphia and Washington covering various sports.

Pilla describes herself as a tomboy who grew up living and breathing soccer. Her father played professionally, which created the bond and connection that sparked her career.

She said she always wanted to be a sports reporter but admits it hasn’t always been easy. She credits her mother and fiance for providing the support that kept her motivated.

“My mom has always been my rock. I look to her for strength. I wouldn’t have gotten this far in my career without her and I know she’s going to continue to play a huge role as my life and career progress.”

Pilla hosted the National Women’s

Soccer League College Draft held in January at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. She was joined by former U.S. Women’s National team player Aly Wagner; Jen Cooper, a color commentator for the Houston Dash; and former NWSL player Jordan Angeli.

Pilla said she was open to the challenge of providing creative, in-depth analysis of all 40 players selected.

The Union’s regular season will conclude on October 28th. For the first time ever, the Philadelphia Union and Pilla will begin to cover away games. Not only will the coverage expand but Pilla believes after a few key free agent signings, the Union will continue to exceed expectations and build on their 2017 season. Tune into PHL17 or 6ABC to catch Pilla tell the story of your Philadelphia Union during the 2018 season.

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gohomephilly.com

Jody Della Barba

Spotlight

Jody Della Barba and granddaughter Rose Campolongo

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by LARRY GALLONE ody Della Barba embodies the spirit of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine: river to river, one neighborhood. A lifelong South Philly resident and former secretary for Mayor Frank Rizzo, Della Barba has been involved with neighborhood community groups, international cultural exchanges and civic initiatives her entire life.

“Next to my family, I love my neighborhood, love my neighbors. When you get something done, it feels great to do something for the people and the neighborhood,” she says.

BUSINESS

Della Barba is president of the Girard Estate Area Residents (GEAR), a position she has held for 20 years.

One of the highlights for the organization was the Philadelphia Historical Commission’s certification of Girard Estates as an historic district in 1999.

“It’s been almost 20 years.

That was an important certification for the neighborhood.”

With all her community and civic involvement, the heart of Della Barba’s life is her family: her husband Victor, two children and a granddaughter. She also is heavily involved in the Rose Ball with her daughter Noelle and granddaughter Rose. It’s a ball for special needs children and adults; a night filled with dining, dancing, prizes and special guests. The entire community supported this wonderful event.

“I love tradition. It’s good to keep your culture, background. And it is good to know who you are and how you got there,” she says.

That is one of the motivations that

spurred Della Barba and neighbors to work with city council to establish a cultural and social exchange between Philadelphia and the Abruzzo region in Italy. “So many of our neighbors have roots in Abruzzo that we have this partnership.” It features tour groups and visits from the Abruzzo region by students, musicians and even the President of the Region and mayors of cities in Abruzzo. Philadelphians, as well, enjoy the same hospitality when visiting there.

Additionally, she is a Knight in Societa’ Cavalieri d’ Italia of Philadelphia. One of the organization’s charters is the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation with Italy and the fostering of Italian culture.

For the last 10 years, Della Barba has served as a coordinator for the Columbus Day Parade and is the Secretary of the 1492 Society, which raises funds for production and other costs for the parade. She currently works for Judge Rose Marie DeFinoNastasi and was also the secretary and administrator for former Mayor Frank

L. Rizzo. She serves as an officer for the Frank Rizzo Sons of Italy Lodge.

Having spent her entire career as a community advocate, she is very close to the issues that affect the neighborhood and the elected officials who can help solve problems and improve the quality of life for residents.

Della Barba is the Girard Estates representative to the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (formerly Sunoco) South/Southwest Philly Community Advisory Panel. The CAP meets regularly to encourage two-way communication with neighbors about ongoing operations at the largest refinery complex on the East Coast and to discuss future projects. The CAP format also provides an opportunity for the representatives from various neighborhoods that surround the community to meet and discuss common issues and seek solutions.

For Jody Della Barba, it’s all about family and neighborhood – the community, civic and religious institutions all intertwined to keep the neighborhood growing and vibrant. She is so heavily involved because she fondly remembers growing up in Girard Estates, attending St. Monica grade school and Girls High. She wants others to have those memories and ties to neighborhood and family, as well.

“If you don’t remember where you came from, you don’t know where you are going,” she says. PRH

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PRHSPORTS

It’s only a game

OR IS IT? T

he landscape of America in the 21st century is paved with division: Republican vs Democrat, rich vs poor, black vs white, immigrants vs citizens. The politicians and media keep us so preoccupied with what separates us that we often lose track of what unites us.

Eagles fans are not like those of some other football teams. Dallas and New England come to mind.

We didn’t jump on a winning bandwagon. We were born into this. We become fans through pedigree. It’s in our DNA. This is the family business that has been passed down from generation to generation. Many of our forefathers and foremothers have been buried in Eagles attire, surrounded by memorabilia. A modern version of the Egyptian rulers. Eagles fans have walked a trail of tears from Shibe Park to Franklin Field to The Vet and Lincoln Financial Field.

Super Bowl LII will be remembered in Philadelphia as the year we finally did it! After decades of frustration and heartache, our beloved Birds got to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Philadelphia, once again, sent out a proclamation to the world. This time announcing we are the football champions of the world!

As the last second ticked off the Super Bowl clock, my family, like many others across the Delaware Valley, screamed, hugged and cried. We then began the pilgrimage to Broad Street. My wife and son stayed a few steps ahead; a bit hesitant to be seen with me as I was

S P O RT S

WAY BEYOND GAME DAY

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@rowhomemag

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

by Bob Wagner decked out in full helmet, pads, pants and cleats donning a vintage 1960 Eagles Chuck Bednarik jersey.

I admit it was a bit over the top.

My goal was to show how long this struggle has lingered. Fifty-eight years! Two years longer than I’ve been alive. I truly have waited my entire life for this moment.

My family was shocked to see their fellow celebrants howling not with laughter, but joy, over my choice of attire. There were about a hundred folks who asked me to stop and take a picture with them.

I chalked that up to the Twitter universe we live in. Then something unexpected happened. Complete strangers of all ages and ethnicities began hugging me and telling me their history as an Eagles fan. One gentleman actually broke down crying while recanting being at Franklin Field as a young boy with his Dad when Bednarik tackled Jim Taylor to seal the 1960 Championship. I started crying at that. Granted, I cry at the end of It’s A Wonderful Life … but you get my point.

I think what I’ll remember most is someone tugging at my pant leg. When I looked down, I saw the cutest little girl motioning me to bend down. She couldn’t have been more than three or four. She looked just like Beyoncé’s daughter. She asked if she could take a picture with me. Her dad picked her up and handed her to me and took the picture of his absolutely beaming little girl. They both waved to me as they departed.

For a brief moment, all throughout the city and suburbs, millions of people united as one. Eagles Fans. gohomephilly.com

My

SUPER BOWL LII EXPERIENCE Every fan was there

L

Story & photos by George Wacker ifetime Philadelphia Eagles fan George Wacker was lucky enough to attend Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. This is his first-hand recounting of his experience at one of the most memorable Philadelphia sports experiences of all time.

The morning of Super Bowl LII, I woke up on the hardwood floor of an AirBnB about three miles from downtown Minneapolis. I had gone to sleep about four hours before after landing in Minneapolis three hours

S P O RT S

before that. I was the first one out of the four guys in this one-bedroom apartment to hop up, put on a black Nick Foles jersey with the official SBLII patch and realize we were only a few hours from the most important game any one of us may ever see in our entire lives.

How I got a ticket to Super Bowl LII is another story that you’re not interested in.

What you are interested in is that we took an Uber down as close to U.S. Bank Stadium as the barriers allowed us at about 10 a.m. We had a few hours to kill so we visited a bar called The Local and found a few empty seats next to a few other Philadelphia Eagles fans who had also flown in from Pennsylvania (believe it or not, there were Eagles fans we met from

Texas and Georgia, as well).

The Local’s beautiful, and multiple, hardwood bars, booths and decorations were perfect for resonating the first of dozens of “E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!” chants we heard throughout the day. Thick in the middle of the NFL’s Super Bowl week-long build up to the big game, we already noticed that the midnight and kelly green outnumbered the red and blue by about two or three to one.

We arrived at the stadium a solid three-and-a-half hours before kickoff to make sure that we didn’t run into any last-minute issues, and we’re happy we did. The security was expectedly long and a full quarter mile or so from the entrance, which gave us an unforgettable view while we walked into what would end up being one of the best experiences of not only our

game I actually have to recount for you. You remember it. Even though we were there, every Philadelphia Eagles fan was there, too. Every Eagles fan who waited for years, unabashedly and unwaveringly, for their team to return, was there.

Every fan who was there in 1960 or watched the Raiders take it home in 1980. Every fan who felt the sinking feeling of The Fog Bowl after an electric regular season, or who remembered Kotite’s runny play chart. Every fan who watched the team nearly come away with it in 2004 or who was ready for a change when Chip came to town. Every fan who, admittedly, was tentatively behind Doug Pederson even though there were a few question marks… they were there.

And, when the “Philly Special” was converted and then, when Tom Brady’s last attempt fell to the turf, the rest of the world was there, too.

While we were able to watch everything happen in front of us and take home what will be some of our most cherished memories of all time, a large part of us wished we were back home with everyone else.

lives, but also so many others’.

Heading into U.S. Bank Stadium for the Super Bowl is probably what you would have expected. It was human sardines packed to the point that we accepted the fact that it was going to take us a solid 20 minutes just to get to our section on the other side of the stadium. Normally, that’d be annoying but when the crowd we were in was as electric as it was and we saw the Philadelphia Eagles logos on everything that used to be reserved for pretty much every other NFC team but ours for years, the wait was enjoyable.

At the risk of bragging, our seats were incredible. We were about 25 rows up in the Eagles-painted end zone to the right of the uprights if you’re looking at it from the television broadcast. It was like walking into an impossible dream. Not only were we all actually at the Super Bowl in real life, but there was a 25-foot-tall picture of Nick Foles next to Tom Brady at the opposite end of, what anyone had to admit, one of the best football stadiums in the United States.

I’m not sure how much of the

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PRHSPORTS

City of

CHAMPIONS

T

by Stephen Pagano he three coveted words Philadelphia fans thought they’d never utter in their lifetime: Super Bowl Champs!

The excitement of football loomed long before the start of the new NFL season as Philadelphia hosted the annual NFL Draft in April of 2017 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The event featured the Vince Lombardi trophy, one of the most sacred prizes in all of sports. Fans lined up to take pictures with it

S P O RT S

as they thought it would never come to fruition in Philadelphia.

Second-year head coach Doug Pederson was poised to make the Eagles a contender, once again.

After finishing the 2016 season with a losing 7-9 record, the Eagles started out strong from the gate.

Young phenomenon Carson Wentz was playing like an MVP, showing the world that he had arrived in the NFL. The Eagles were a league’s best, 9-1 entering the bye week.

They’d win two of the next three games before playing the Los Angeles Rams. For the majority of the season, the Eagles looked unstoppable. They were destined for a deep playoff run and favorites in the NFC. However, in this game against the Rams, Wentz made an aggressive

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move towards the end zone and was sandwiched between two defenders.

He came up limping on the play.

The City of Brotherly Love held its breath as their season and Super Bowl hopes flashed before their eyes.

Shortly after, the devastating news was confirmed. Wentz had a torn ACL and would miss the remainder of the season. The team called upon backup quarterback Nick Foles, in his second stint with the team. Foles helped fight off the Rams for the win but everyone, including the experts, knew the Eagles were doomed.

The team won two of its final three games of the season, clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs and a key first round bye. They finished at 13-3, tying the best record in their franchise history.

No matter what team they played, gohomephilly.com

they were considered heavy underdogs after a season full of injuries including Wentz, Jason Peters and several others. Foles, who considered retirement before the start of the season, had the burden of carrying the injury-plagued Eagles into the playoffs.

In the divisional round, the Eagles hosted the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterbacked by local Matt Ryan, they looked for redemption after their blown Super Bowl lead against New England. It was a tough fought defensive game and came down to the final plays but Philadelphia defeated the Falcons, 15-10, to advance to the NFC title game.

Next up was the 13-3 Minnesota Vikings that featured a top defense and a backup quarterback just like the Eagles had. The Eagles, for the second straight game, were considered home underdogs. Many players and fans wore dog masks at the game to embrace the roles they were given.

The Eagles crushed the Vikings 38-7 en route to the Super Bowl. They would play Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, a rematch of Super Bowl 39.

For the third straight playoff game, the Eagles were underdogs and they and their fans embraced it. All of the experts were picking the Patriots and many people dubbed it “Dynasty vs. Destiny.” The Eagles led 9-3 after the first quarter and 22-12 at the half. Foles and the Eagles executed a trick play called “The Philly Special” in which Foles caught a touchdown as a receiver. The Patriots came out strong in the third quarter and only trailed 29-26, and took the lead in the beginning of the 4th, 33-32. It seemed like the experience for New England was showing. Foles led them down the field and scored again, taking a 38-33 lead. The clock was winding down and Brady had the ball.

It looked like he had one more comeback in him. A few plays later, Brady was stripped and the Eagles recovered. They’d kick a field goal to lead 41-33 with little time left. Brady threw up one final Hail Mary in the end zone. The ball was batted around and finally landed on the ground. Philadelphia went crazy! The Eagles won Super Bowl 52! Their first ever Super Bowl victory. Thousands and thousands of fans flooded Broad Street in excitement. It was a scene like no other. There was only one thing left to do. Have a parade!

Three days later, Mayor Jim Kenney planned a victory parade in Philadelphia.

It started at Lincoln Financial Field and ended at the Museum of Art. Approxi-

mately three million people attended the parade and witnessed history in the making. Generations of Philadelphians came together and celebrated. Broad Street was a sea of green. Schools and businesses closed so everyone could attend. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The City of Philadelphia Speaks “What we witnessed at Super Bowl LII was a dream we never imagined would come true,” says longtime WIP sportscaster Angelo Cataldi. “The Eagles, who had already won the city’s heart with their resilience, went out and - against all odds, in an unforgettable game - captured the ultimate prize.

I’ve been doing Philadelphia sports radio for 28 years and this is by far the biggest thrill I have experienced. A beloved team of fanfriendly players giving the city the one thing we wanted most. This is why we love sports.

And it’s why the 2017-18 Eagles now hold the distinction of being the most admired and respected team in Philadelphia sports history.”

“The Eagles Super Bowl victory was a victory for the organization - front office, coaches and players - but it was also a victory for the city and the fans that waited so long for this moment,” says Ray Didinger, Comcast Sports. “I understand that and identify with it because I was an Eagles fan long before I became a reporter. It is almost a cliché to talk about Philadelphia as an underdog city and I agree the Rocky analogy can sometimes seem tired, but there is a lot of truth in it and heart, as well.

Nothing came easily for this team, underrated all season, losing key players to injury, underdogs in the playoffs. Yet, in the Super Bowl they took down the mighty New England Patriots. And of course it went down to the final play. It was a fitting end to a dramatic season and the celebration that followed was one the city will cherish forever. When owner Jeffrey Lurie raised the Lombardi Trophy and said, ‘This is for the fans in Philadelphia,’ he spoke the truth.”

“It means a lifelong dream is fulfilled,” says Michael Barkann, Comcast Sports.

“We hope that the upcoming seasons bring future championships, but even if they do, nothing will replace the elation we all shared the week of February 4th, 2018.”

Merrill Reese, longtime broadcaster and “voice of the Eagles” and 94.1 Sports Radio says, “This was all about the fans.

After years and years of heartbreak and disappointment, the fans finally got to

experience a championship. Fans flocked to the store for their merchandise and memorabilia. The parade was incredible! This was for you Philadelphia!”

“Growing up in South Philly, you have one first love and for me it was the Eagles,” says South Philly native Phil Comorato.

“Sitting with my mom, dad and sister around the television listening to Merrill Reese was as close to Heaven as we get. All the heartbreak and sadness were washed away with this one win. I can say to my mom and dad who are watching from Heaven, your Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champions.”

Todd Farrell, a season ticketholder for 17 years says, “It really was a dream come true. It made going down there to tailgate with my dad and brother at 6 am each home game totally worth it.”

Born and raised in South Philly, Matt Ciotto says, “I had a chance to watch Eagles history with my father. You can’t ask for more for a die-hard fan.

The birth of my son was the best day of my life but the Eagles winning the Super Bowl was a very close second.”

South Philly’s Ron Funaro, a lifelong fan says, “It seemed like yesterday that I was watching the first Super Bowl at age 15 with my friends. It was so sweet watching the E.A.G.L.E.S. win! Especially since we had no idea at the start of the season that we even had a chance. Then Wentz went down and there was the season! Or so we thought. It was especially satisfying sharing this Super Bowl win with my son, Eric.”

Pat Lerro explains, “I’ve waited 33 years for this. Fans like my Dad over 50 years waiting to see this moment! Having the Eagles bring this city its first Lombardi trophy was gratifying to have it finally happen. This team and city deserved it!”

Michael Howanski, a Delaware native and longtime fan says, “The Eagles are more than a football team. They’re part of our family and community. They unite us. The way this particular team came together and never gave up will always hold a special place in my heart. It embodies the people of Philadelphia.”

The future looks ever so bright for this franchise. A young and confident group of guys with a whole city behind them. Once Carson Wentz is 100 percent healthy then more Super Bowl appearances and champions will be possible. Until then, let’s enjoy this one!

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gohomephilly.com

RH

Philly SPORTS

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PRHSPORTS

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iehard Eagles fans Michael Howanksi and James Knox couldn’t wait for the parade down Broad Street in South Philly. The day after the Super Bowl, they decided to make their own giant version of the Vince Lombardi trophy...out of duct tape. Five hours and three rolls later, they had their finished product. Little did they know what was about to transpire.

Howanksi and Knox lined up early on the day of the parade to secure a great spot to see the floats pass. The guys, along with close friends and family, hoisted their replica 5ft trophy as the World Champion Eagles rode by. Many people stopped to take pictures with it and the trophy eventually caught the eye of players on the float as they called out to pass it up to them. Minutes later, the trophy was crowd surfed and a police officer handed it to them.

Howanksi and Knox were beside themselves with excitement. The trophy made its way all the way up to the Art Museum and was photographed by millions of people. Eagles tight end Brent Celek held it up to the crowds along the route. It was by far one of the best days of these two guys’ entire lives.

A couple of days later, Howanksi joked with friends and family about the trophy and wondered if he’d ever get it back. At this point, they didn’t even care if they got it back. But they reached out to many on social media, including the Eagles. Brent Celek wrote on his Instagram, ‘Where is it?’ Surprisingly, the Eagles had some fun with this and contacted Howanski via Facebook. Their post read, ‘Hey Mike Howanksi, we

S P O RT S

WE STAND

BY OUR WORK

heard you are looking for this!’ The Eagles also posted pictures with the trophy at The Linc, at the podium and in the locker rooms. Once Howanksi and Knox got in contact with the organization, they were invited down to the stadium to retrieve the now famous Duct Tape Lombardi.

Howanski, his fiancé Taylor, Knox and several other family members were in attendance. Their first surprise was meeting and hanging out with Brent Celek, who also signed the trophy. The crew was allowed in the locker rooms, the playing field and the tunnels, where the guys channeled their inner Brian Dawkins. However, the highlight of the day was holding and taking pictures with the real Vince Lombardi trophy. Howanksi and Knox both gave it a big kiss as they posed for pictures. Everyone was smiling from ear to ear as they held the most coveted prize in sports.

This was a dream come true for everyone but it wasn’t over yet. Next up – the media tour!

Shortly after, Howanksi and Knox appeared on CBS News, Fox 29, WIP Sports Radio, 97.5 The Fanatic and Philly Sports Talk on Comcast SportsNet. The Duct Tape Lombardi made its way around the city at Methodist Hospital, Chickie’s & Pete’s and the Manayunk Mummers parade. It even took a dip in Wildwood’s ocean during the Polar Plunge in February.

“All of this was possible because the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl,” Howanksi says. As of now, the Duct Tape Lombardi will be a conversation piece in the man cave for years to come. They plan to make an even bigger one when the Eagles win again next season.

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gohomephilly.com

by DAVID W. CAVA

PRH WRITERS BLOCK

Happy Eagles Day!

Score a Touchdown 1 – 2 - 3 There’s a part of me that wanted to type “Eagles” over and over, figuring all of Philly would understand. Watching Quarterback Nick Foles dismantle the Minnesota Vikings defense in the NFC Championship had every fan believing this would be our year!

Hit’em Low Football has been compared to religion. To faithful fans, each season brings hope and belief in ultimate glory: a dream that can quickly fade as the season unwinds.

For Eagles fans, our dreams of a Super Bowl Championship victory seemed to never come true.

Hit’em Hig h My place isn’t much different from other Christian homes. Displayed are various religious items: some jewelry, Crucifixes, a statue of the Mother Mary, a couple Bibles, and even a few angels. Faith is complete confidence in someone or something, and the purpose of those items are to remind us of our faith. I noticed that we have a lot more Eagles items throughout the home reminding us of our dedication to the team. Some years

it was hard to believe. But even after 51 years of watching other teams win, we never lost faith.

And Watch our Eagles Fly Super Bowl 52 had our backup quarterback face off against the dynasty that was Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. We waited 13 seasons for revenge on those cheaters and after watching how we won two weeks earlier, most of the Delaware Valley no longer believed it was possible - we knew it was. We watched in awe as our team battled.

We watched in total support as our coach took risks. We watched with unbridled joy as our quarterback called for the Philly Special and pulled off the most memorable touchdown in Super Bowl history.

We watched in total disbelief when the clock finally went to zero. And then we collectively exhaled and watched our team hoist the Lombardi Trophy for all the world to see.

Fly Eagles Fly Since the first Mummers Parade in 1901, there has been nothing quite like our experience on February 8th, 2018. The region buzzed with excitement over the magical combination of a Super Bowl win and

a parade down Broad Street. My brother described the day as “Drunk and Happy,” but with no alcohol. I knew what he meant. Hundreds of thousands of people celebrated an event that had never happened before in the history of our great city.

It was the drunkenness of pure joy.

On the Road to Victory…

Having family right on Broad Street, we never missed a parade.

New Year’s Day was a given and mom even pulled us out of school for the Flyers, Phillies and Sixers celebrations. The Phillies in 2008 was amazing but now that the Eagles had won, nobody was going to miss this one. Among a sea of green we sang, cheered, laughed, hugged and kissed and shared stories of friends and family who would’ve loved to be there. We shouted “Happy Eagles Day!” to celebrate our team beating the best there was. Our faith was finally rewarded and the team that gave Philadelphia its greatest victory will never be forgotten. For several weeks following the game, many fans were still trying to wrap their head around the fact that we won. Well, we did, and can I get a “hell yeah?”

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PRHWRITERSBLOCK

What is your

BARBERSHOP TALK

life’s blueprint?

Join Us For:

on May 22nd Masses and events all day long.

All are welcome!

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o parade can top a parade where people of every ethnicity and culture are represented. It is beautiful to see when all are in balance.

Human beings have a natural desire to come together as one.

Understanding that means we are the world and the children of it. We as people are “One Family” called “Human.”

In my barbershop, I have the unique privilege of cutting the hair of numerous human beings, all with many different hair textures. This gives me the opportunity to talk to diverse people from various countries around the world. I guess you can call me the “Crossover Barber.” Working on the head and in the head gives me an advantage. I use my skills to work on the head, which gives me the privilege and opportunity to touch the inner thoughts of these diverse people. I have traveled the world from behind the barber’s chair. In many of my conversations with patrons, most people realize that people are people regardless of where they come from. Each individual wants to share his culture with others.

One of the greatest ways to understand this most awesome reality is by watching a city win the Super Bowl. We just won our very first Super Bowl. The coach, quarterback and each great player showed us all what it takes to become a real team. Teamwork is the key to controlling our destiny as human beings.

We first have to see ourselves as “One Big Human Family” with many wonderful cultures, just waiting to communicate with each other to win the game. That game becomes the game of life. Each person’s life is different, yet meaningful. Doug Pederson realized this and his players understood it and respected him as a friend. Nothing on earth can supersede love for your fellow man. The Eagles represented that in their quest to bring home their very first Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Hats off to Pederson for realizing that the whole team is the answer to a sure win in football and in life. When we lost Carson Wentz, Nick Foles stepped up. Foles knew that, with God, all things are possible. He allowed himself to be used as a tool to get the job done. He first had faith in God and then he learned to love his teammates as himself.

That simple formula spread to all the other players and they became a family. Once you become a family, it makes you a believer. Everything is possible if we all love our team members as we love ourselves. This great lesson is something the whole world witnessed because just about everyone on the planet watched that game. And, oh what a game!

This gave all of us an opportunity to see not just

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

by Robert L. Woodard The Wynnefield Barber the game of football, but the game of life. It gave us a chance to take the game seriously enough to want to win in it. Winning in the game of life starts when we love our neighbors as ourselves. Neighbors don’t just live next door. They live around the world. As a team, we human beings should not discriminate against each other. Together we stand, divided we fall. People around the planet watched this formula create the very first Super Bowl win in Philadelphia history. We watched the Eagles win regardless of all the adversities and obstacles that tried to get in their way.

The late, great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the greatest neighbor’s I know.

He spoke at my Junior High School just a couple of months before he was assassinated. He delivered his speech entitled “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?” on October 26, 1967, at the Norris Barrett Junior High School at 16th and Wharton Streets. The school closed in 2011 due to declining enrollment, which leads to the question. Why would the city change the name of a school that reminds all people of this national and international history that happened right here in our City of Brotherly Love?

If I have learned nothing else from the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles, I have learned the importance of teamwork. Each player must have direction in order to perform his job correctly.

You have to know where you came from in order to know where you are going. The city allowed the name Norris Barrett Junior High School to be changed to the G. W. Child’s School, throwing the history of the school in another direction. Think about it, if the quarterback threw all of his passes in the wrong direction, we would never win any games. I am asking, along with many other fellow citizens of this City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, to give that historical school its original name back. Future Philadelphians of every culture will have the proper direction in knowing our history as a great and growing city that makes sure we give all the people proper direction. Without it, we will lose something very special.

Our Barbershop Talk Human Family Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2018. We are looking to present the “Good Neighbor of the Year” Award to the Philadelphia Eagles for their outstanding example of what it takes to win a Super Bowl and to win in the game of life as a “Good Neighbor.”

The successful future of our Human Family depends on how each of us views Race. Take the “RACE Test” today for a better way at www.BarbershopTalkHFD.org. gohomephilly.com

PHOTO BY MARIA MERLINO

Saint Rita’s Feast Day

M

any of us are facing these difficult times wondering how things will ever turn for the better. I look at my children and I wonder what things will be like in five years, or 10, or 20 if we as a society remain on the course that we are on now. It seems as though our willingness to care for each other is at an all-time low. Somehow we have become empowered by finger-pointing and disrespecting one another. Caring for each other is seen as a “weakness” for some strange reason.

How do we fix this? Where do we start?

It is such a big world and there is no way a single person can even make a dent in all of the problems we face today.

We fix the world one neighborhood at a time. Most great movements are started from the ground up. We may not be able to control what happens states away and countries away, but we can control what happens in our back yards. It simply requires a willingness to be different. It requires a small group of people to decide that they want to live differently than the rest of the world is living.

In my neighborhood, when there is a significant snow, nearly everyone fires up the snow throwers and clears the driveways and sidewalks. Young kids walk the streets looking for people that they can help dig out.

Another great idea that we have done here

is to have a neighborhood Facebook page.

On that page, we alert each other to dangers, buy and sell from each other and help each other find lost pets. We’ve used it to collect canned goods for families in need. We’ve collected clothes for homeless families. We’ve raised money for school events. In the process of doing all of these things, we’ve gained a sense of pride in the power of a good neighborhood. We have community yard sales and Halloween is like a block party.

There is incredible strength in the power of a community. When a community watches out for each other and helps to report problems, the word gets around. When a community takes pride in the appearance of their yards and common areas, it catches on. When people next door to each other CARE about each other, it multiplies. Over time, the community gets a reputation as a “good neighborhood” where people want to live.

We can’t change the world, but we can demand respect and compassion in our own homes. We can be good neighbors and good stewards of our streets. And if we do those things, we can change a piece of this world. With God’s help, maybe one piece will connect with another and another and another.

It’s time to fix our world

One neighborhood at a time

by Tom Klinedinst

Be well and God bless.

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PRHWRITERSBLOCK

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H

by Lou Pinto

ere are my thoughts on this oh so precious thing we call life that so many of us take for granted.

Start each day with a plan. Every day should include being the best person you can be.

Be kind. Always be kind. Even to those that aren’t kind to you. You don’t know what someone is going through.

Be generous. Not with money but with your time. It only takes a few moments to stop and say hello, chat or help someone in need.

Every situation is different so think before you act. You don’t want to act unconscionable and regret it later or even worse, hurt someone.

My everyday plan is to make everyone I come in contact with smile. To leave my presence with them. To make a positive difference in their lives even if it’s in that little time I spent with them.

Make sure you let the people you love and care about know just that - that you love and care about them. Life really is short but so many of us take up the short time we have on this Earth by complaining, being miserable and thinking only about ourselves. It seems there are more and more narcissists in the world every day. Don’t succumb to peer pressure. Be your own person.

The majority isn’t always right. Be strong enough to do the right thing. Follow your heart. If it’s a good one, it will lead you in the right direction. gohomephilly.com

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ost of us live very ordinary lives.

We wake up every morning and go about our day, sometimes taking our blessings for granted.

While watching the news, we constantly are reminded of the tragic events going on in the world, today. But we are comforted by the fact that we are protected by our police officers, military and firefighters who are heroes for their acts of bravery.

In this issue of RowHome Magazine, you read about a different kind of hero. They are the warriors who walk through the fire of affliction and find the courage to come out of it strong and C triumphant. This very sensitive and touching issue features real people who have real stories andM are fortunate enough to be here to share their Y victorious recovery back to health.

There is a very poetic phrase that is so true. It CM states “you never know how strong you are until MY you have no other choice.” Looking back at some of the many personal journeys that I’ve read in CY past issues, it makes me think about life and howCMY each and every moment truly does count.

I have struggled down a dark path as many of K us have and still are, but by the grace of God, I am among the blessed to have survived to share my story. There is always a reason to be thankful and I try to begin and end my day with deep gratitude and appreciation. It is by human design to always find fresh cause for optimism each and every day so let us all enjoy the neverending hope springs eternal second chance at this complicated thing we call life.

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PRHGREENSP CE

Green travels

➺

by KERRI-LEE MAYLAND Spring can be a tough time. Winter is not yet a distant memory and summer still seems a long way off.

Do you find yourself daydreaming of places far, far away? Warm beaches and blue waters with palm trees in the breeze filtering the beating sun. Or maybe you long for spring skiing with its blue skies, t-shirts and sparkling slushy slopes. Exotic destinations always do it for me. If you are toying with the notion of travel this season, I’d like you to add one important item to your packing list: go green.

You already recycle at home.

You are careful not to waste water when you brush your teeth. Maybe you’ve even tossed around the idea of composting. So why wouldn’t you keep your travel green, too? That’s not to say you need to forgo a flight to a tropical paradise and top-notch accommodations even though planes emit greenhouse gases. And routine hotel practices like washing the linens every day, hurt the environment.

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There are easy ways you can soften the blow when you are on the go.

After all, the beautiful places you are longing to visit won’t look that way forever if we don’t take care of the communities we are traipsing through.

Last summer, I was visiting Block Island with my family. It’s a story we could have experienced anywhere from the Jersey Shore to Maine.

We packed a lunch and took off on our bikes and let the meandering oceanside roads take us where they chose. We didn’t have a plan -- or a care -- in the world. We came upon a remote entrance to a lookout spot with a rocky path that led to what looked like an unspoiled, undiscovered beach… or so we thought. We locked our bikes at the top and as we climbed down to the bottom, we saw so much litter—mostly plastic—that it literally turned our stomachs. We had some backpacks with us and as foul as it was, we filled four of them with other people’s trash. I wish I

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE |April / May / June 2018

could say our efforts made a dent in the garbage-strewn landscape.

It didn’t. I just couldn’t understand why anyone would drop their garbage there in the first place.

I was reading a blog post on Green Philly by Julie Hancher who said succinctly after the Eagles Championship parade: “One Solution to Cleaner Streets, Don’t litter.” I mean, why WOULD you? (Why DO some of you?) Trying not to judge here, but it would not only be a solution to post-day parade route cleanups, it would preserve beaches like the one I saw trashed last summer. Sadly, litter isn’t the only problem plaguing the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. There are a number of ways we are directly and inadvertently spoiling our planet when we travel. Planes spew carbon emissions; hotels guzzle gallons of water to launder sheets and towels; and thirsty travelers chug-a-lug plastic bottles of water (there’s that plastic again). gohomephilly.com

I’m not trying to rain on your travel parade. Eco-friendly travel can relieve you of your green guilt and lighten your luggage load. It also gives Mother Earth a MUCH-needed break. If you travel sustainably, you can leave a positive mark on the communities you visit. A green attitude is something you can pack and no airline is going to charge you extra baggage fees for it.

PACK LIGHT Think of it like a car. The heavier the load, the more fuel you burn to move it. Same deal with your luggage on an airplane. Even little things like a laptop can add up, especially if everyone on the plane brought theirs, too. It’s easier and more fun to travel when you aren’t bogged down with baggage.

plants. Keep in mind that you won’t get them through customs, anyway.

RECYCLE TRASH Staying at a hotel? Ask about the hotel’s recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If your hotel doesn’t recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle.

STAY ON THE PATH Stick to pre-marked trails when you hike. Not only will it help prevent unwanted animal encounters, it will ensure any trash you accidently leave behind (try not to!) won’t spoil the environment. Deposit your trash in marked receptacles or take it with you when you leave. Start campfires only in areas where permitted and be sure they’re completely extinguished before you leave.

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.

BIKE (OR WALK) There are so many bike rental options all around the world. My husband and I love finding local bike shops, strapping on our helmets and really seeing the places we visit. If this isn’t something you feel comfortable doing, strap on some comfy shoes and walk. Or ride the bus, subway or train. If you MUST rent a car, request a hybrid.

If you hire a driver, try to carpool.

FLY NON-STOP Not only is it more pleasant to avoid plane hopping during a trip, but nonstop flights – if possible – spare the environment. A significant percentage of a plane’s carbon emissions come from takeoff and landing.

REUSABLE BOTTLES Plastic is everywhere. Single use bags hang from our neighborhood trees. Plastic glaciers float in all of our oceans. Anything we can do to cut down on the global overuse of plastic is a good thing. You can start with your own personal hydration plan. An easy, inexpensive investment in a reusable container (or drink locally sourced water when you’re on the go) is the right choice.

KEEP IT LOCAL When traveling, look for products that don’t have many miles on them.

Buying local means merchandise hasn’t flown a great distance or sailed overseas. Make sure the local souvenirs or products you buy aren’t made from endangered animals or

IF YOU HAVE TO RENT A CAR… Go small. Choose the smallest car or even better, a hybrid. Resist the urge to accept those “free” upgrades that will end up costing you more in gas. If you want to take your personal car for a road trip, make sure it’s small and efficient. Keep your gas guzzler in the garage.

We are focused to be the best every day.

EAT LOCAL Eating locally is one of the best ways to support a community. It’s never been easier! From farmers’ markets to farm-to-table restaurants, these options are fairly abundant. Find a dining option with locally sourced ingredients.

SPREAD THE WORD Now that you’re a green travel expert, share what you have learned with others! There is power in numbers when it comes to sparing our planet from our travel wear and tear. A green traveler is a force for good. It is important we learn about the world around us but we have to respect the places we visit in the process. This can’t be something we do sometimes.

Green travel needs to be a portable lifestyle choice we all make.

Whenever we go hiking or visit a national park, my husband and I give our kids our best advice: ‘Take out whatever you bring in.’ In fact, why not leave things better than you found them.

Safe green travels, my friends.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 91

April / May / June 2018

PRHSCHOOLYARD “You educate a man; you educate a man.

You educate a woman; you educate a generation.”

Greetings Neighbors It has been six months since my first check-in with you and I want to bring you up to date on the great things happening at Ss John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School.

But first, let me say “thank you” to all the alumni and alumnus who “came home” these past six months and contributed to our annual fund. Our alumni engagement is up over 30 percent year-over-year along with a 15 percent increase in the average donation made.

If you have been putting off contributing to the Annual Fund, there is no time like the present. You can go to our website neumanngorettihs.org/support-us/ and make your contribution today. Every dollar you donate stays at the school, so thank you in advance.

As I said in the October issue, “To paraphrase Samuel Clemens (a.k.a.

Mark Twain), ‘the reports of SS Neumann-Goretti High School’s death are greatly exaggerated.’” Let me toss a few facts at you:

Brigham Young

An update from

Neumann Goretti High

�� SAT scores are up over 90 points in reading and 38 points in math �� Approximately $4,000,000 in College/ University Scholarships have already been awarded to the graduating class of 2018 �� The incoming Freshmen Class – Class of ’22 - is

on track to become the largest Freshman class in the last 10 years �� More than 500 eighthgraders took the Neumann-Goretti entrance exam for the Class of 2022 �� More than 150 eighthgrade students spent a day at Neumann-

Remember, local never goes out of style. Come back to the neighborhood! I’ll see you in a future issue.

Joseph M. McColgan President Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School

Goretti “shadowing” a sophomore, junior or senior in order to gain clarity around the life of a student here at the high school �� More than 200 seventh-grade students from surrounding neighborhood grade schools attended our 7th Grade Visitation Day.

neumanngorettihs . org

SAINTS NEUMANN GORETTI is the only Catholic high school in South Philadelphia Thank you for keeping the tradition alive

❚❙❘ Enrollment is up 18%

❚❙❘ 2017 Graduates received more than $21 million in scholarships

❚❙❘ 95% of NG students go to college

❚❙❘ Our students are active members of more than 30 extra-curricular activities

(the most in the Archdiocese)

❚❙❘ Accomplished Arts Programs ❚❙❘ And so close to home, you can walk to school. ❚❙❘ Come back to the neighborhood.

Schedule a visit or enroll today!

1736 South 10th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19148 • 215-465-8437 x 229

Join the NG Community.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | April / May / June 2018

gohomephilly.com

NG Alumni Spotlight

SALVATORE FILIPPELLO, JD MBA SS Neumann Goretti Class of 2005

Q: What did you enjoy studying at Neumann Goretti?

Political Science, History and English Q: Are there any teachers or classes that really stood out for you?

My English teachers Michael Sheehan and William Feeley. They remind me of some of my college professors in terms of their teaching style and the way they treated us as students. They provided us with tremendous insight but allowed us the freedom to learn in a way that is comparable to what we would experience as college students.

As a senior in high school, this professor/ student relationship they cultivated enabled me to be extremely prepared for what was to come in college. Namely, after taking their classes, I knew and was prepared for the fact that it was going to be up to us to make sure we understood and absorbed the material in college. If we put the work in, we would succeed and if we neglected our studies, we would fail.

Three other teachers who truly helped guide my career path were Mr. James Stinger, Mrs. Loretta Kalinger and Mrs. Joan Kelly, who were my history and political science teachers. It was in their classes that I truly developed an interest in the law and politics. My foundation in Constitutional law was created at Neumann Goretti and I continued to build upon it in college and law school.

Q: Did you continue your education after NG? How did NG prep you for your continued education?

After I graduated from Neumann Goretti, I went to the University of Pennsylvania where I graduated with a BA in Political Science, Philosophy and Economics with a minor in History. From Penn, I went to the Villanova University School of Law to obtain a Juris Doctor. After passing the bar, I joined a law firm but continued my education at the Villanova University School of Business for my Masters in Business Administration. After my MBA, I decided to switch careers and joined a healthcare organization as their Chief Executive and Financial Officer, where I am able to apply both my law and business degrees. Currently, I am attending the Villanova Law Graduate Tax Program and expect to graduate with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation this fall.

Q: How do you feel your time at NG impacted who you are today?

I learned two invaluable lessons at Neumann Goretti: (1) the value and importance of education and (2) the importance of being involved in whatever organization you are a part of. I learned early on at NG that if you were looking to succeed in business, law or any professional field, the foundation was created through education. In light of my experiences at Neumann Goretti, I knew that I was destined for higher education and that has certainly come to fruition (I have had one year since high school where I was not enrolled in formal education).

The faculty and staff of Neumann Goretti instilled this desire of learning in me and I continue to view that as an indelible part of who I am. I do not believe that we are ever done learning and that notion was inspired

by NG. The second invaluable lesson I learned from NG is to be involved in extracurricular activities. I remember sitting in an auditorium where Mr. DeVelasco said as only he could, “It is very important for you to get involved in the Neumann family.� I took this advice seriously and joined many clubs and sports teams during my time at Neumann Goretti. Not only did this make me a more attractive candidate to university admissions committees, but more importantly, it enabled me to learn how to be part of a team and the importance of emotional intelligence. I took these lessons with me to college and law school where I joined fraternities, clubs and sports teams and continued to develop my ability to successfully work with others to achieve our goals. Human interaction is at the center of almost everything I do in my professional life. It is inextricably linked to doing business, representing a client or almost any other professional activity. My networking abilities were born at Neumann Goretti and the opportunities they provide to do so at a young - yet extremely important age for development - is invaluable to any student.

Q: Why do you believe in NG? I believe in Neumann Goretti because having experienced their rigorous educational offerings and extremely important extracurricular ones, I would be confident in advising any 8th grader to attend Neumann Goretti. I know that after graduating, they will not only be prepared for college and higher education, but they will be prepared for life.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 93

April / May / June 2018

BUSINESS NETWORK DIRECTORY

Shop Local / Support Local Automotive Services

Univest Bank & Trust Co.

Professional Automotive Service 2023 S. Percy St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.551.7559

_____________________________

Accutune

_____________________________ Twins Auto Body & Detail Centers 2525 S. 72nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19142 215.365.8212 7931 Oxford Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19111 215.745.8428 www.twinsautobodyinc.com

_____________________________

Construction P. Agnes

Construction managers and builders since 1918

2101 Penrose Avenue Philadelphia, PA 215.755.6900 contact@pagnes.com www.pagnes.com

_____________________________ PeterBuilt Construction LLC

Financial Solutions for Your Business 1536 S Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19146 215.462.2265 www.univest.net

Florists & Decorators The Petal Pusher

2515 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.463.5485

Specializing in weddings, funerals & corporate events

www.petalpusherflowers.net

_____________________________

Gym / Fitness PHL Athletics

2017 S. Juniper St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.778.3259 www.crossfitphl.com

_____________________________

Home Improvement Ritner Hardware

From planning to completion.

All your contracting needs begin here.

1641 Ritner St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.334.4927

_____________________________

Rita’s Unique Painting Inc.

Licensed & Insured 215.399.7732

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

_____________________________ Lobo Mau

1901 South 9th Street, Suite 501 Philadelphia, PA 19148 610.764.9035 info@lobomau.com www.lobomau.com

_____________________________ Shear Artistry Beauty Salon "Every cut a Masterpiece."

2136 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19145 Phone: 215.271.5982 Fax: 215.271.3770

Special Retail Products Available All Major Credit Cards Accepted Gift Certificates Available

_____________________________ 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

_____________________________ Rita Trombetta 856.986.0252 infinity4367@yahoo.com

_____________________________

Home Services

Clean Green Lawn and Landscapes Affordable, reliable landscaping 856.513.5758 cleangreenlandscapes@gmail.com @cleangreenlawnandlandscapes on Facebook & Instagram

_____________________________ CPR Restoration

Restoration & cleaning service Fire/Smoke/Water/Mold 215.704.4958 www.cprrestoration.com

_____________________________ 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

_____________________________ Lou’s TV Electronics

We do everything! Install & Repair all your electronics, any make/model, new/used antennas, cameras, surveillance equipment

1817 S. Dover St. Philadelphia, PA 19145

Law Enforcement & Senior Citizen Discounts

215.271.1138 or 215.468.3028

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

_____________________________ USHEALTH Advisors

Angela Venable Licensed agent 1806 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.681.5078 angela.venable@ushadvisors.com www.ushagent.com/AngelaVenable

_____________________________

Jewelers

Olivieri Jewelers

2523 S. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.336.1130 www.dolivierijewelers.com

_____________________________

Legal Services

Brian E. Fritz, Esq. Fritz, Goldenberg & Bianculli 1515 Market St., Suite 1801 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.458.2220 (direct) 215.300.7474 (cell) bfritz@fritzgoldenberg.com www.fritzgoldenberg.com

_____________________________ Perry deMarco, Jr. Esq.

1500 Market St. Suite 4100 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.563.6100 PerrydeMarcoJr@gmail.com

_____________________________

Medical

Dr. Denise D’Adamo DC

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

_____________________________ Spectrum Eyecare Center Comprehensive Eye Exams Glasses / Contact Lenses Dr. Gerald L. Ross, O.D. 1622 Oregon Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.755.6820

_____________________________

Music Lessons

Joe Cuglietta Guitar Lessons Washington Township, NJ

Specializing in blues, jazz, rock & roll Beginners to advance

609.504.8258

Join the PRH Business Network!

Call Carol at 215.462.9777 or info@gohomephilly.com

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

Fetterman Design Group, LLC. 211 East Palmer Ave Collingswood, NJ 08108 856.264.6816 www.fettermandesigngroup.com

_____________________________ Leonardo Realty

2136 S. 16th St. Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.389.7944 Ciampittiventure@aol.com

_____________________________ Lou’s Real Estate Co. Inc.

We sell, buy, fix & rent apartments & houses.

Open 7 days.

Law Enforcement & Senior Citizen Discounts.

215.271.1138 or 215.468.3028

_____________________________

Restaurants

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

1549 S. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 215.755.8900 www.francoluigis.com

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

L’Oceano Ristorante

Specialty Foods & Catering

Francoluigi

_____________________________ 833 Haddon Ave. Collingswood, NJ 08108 856.833.9888 www.loceanoristorante.com

_____________________________ P'Unk Burger

1823 E Passyunk Ave Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.468.7865 www.punkburger.com

_____________________________ Revolution Taco

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

_____________________________ Tollman Joe's

South Philly Sports Bar Great food, Live music & even greater memories

26 E. Oregon Ave Philadelphia, PA 19148 215.644.8388 www.tollmanjoes.com

_____________________________

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

_____________________________ 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

_____________________________ Celebrity Chef Mitzi Jackson Private Dinners, Catering, and Meal Fit Plans for Professional Athletes We specialize in "Eating to Win"

704.901.6136 chefmjbusiness@icloud.com www.chefmjnc.simdif.com

_____________________________ Dad’s Stuffing

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

_____________________________ Palm Tree Gourmet

Special gourmet food, Boar's Head deli Delivery and party trays available

1940 Pine St. Philadelphia PA 19103 901 South 2nd St. Philadelphia PA 19147 717 North 2nd St. Philadelphia PA 19123 215.334.2400

_____________________________ 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 At Escapes

Your boutique travel company Gina Casella / Founder & President 917.514.5566 info@atescapes.com www.atescapes.com facebook.com/AdrianaTrigianiTours

_____________________________ Travel with Pam Draper

Full Service Agent 856.956.3532 TravelWithPamDraper@gmail.com www.TravelWithPamDraper.com

We’re the 3 Best Friends that Anybody could have!

D E S S E R P by DORETTE ROTA JACKSON

M

y sister starting singing the tune from the movie The Hangover the day my granddaughter was born.

‘We’re the three best friends that anybody could have …’

We knew there was something magic in the air the minute we laid eyes on her tiny little face that early morning on February 1st. The second we took her tiny little hat off her tiny little head to – lo & behold! Crimson red! ‘She’s a red head!’ Dawn squeals. ‘Our first redhead in this family!’ she laughs.

As I wrestled my sister to the floor of the maternity ward at HUP, I made a mad dash to nestle my precious little muffin before the baby hog got to her. Dawn is shocked when you bring that to her attention. Says she’s not a baby hog. ‘I can’t help it. I’m obsessed with her. She looks for me. See! She smiles when she sees me.’

‘She’s not smiling. She’s gassy,’ I tell her as she twirls the baby cart to her corner of the room to set up shop. A leather recliner, a bottle of Deer Park and a fuzzy pink elephant blanket to keep the baby warm while she keeps her from anybody else who wants to hold her. ‘Chance apiece,’ I smile in her direction trying not to attract too much attention.

‘You’ve been holding her for hours,’ I smile through gritted teeth. Like a ventriloquist. ‘You’re not the only one here you know.’

‘I don’t really care about the other people,’ Dawn says loud enough for the other people to hear. ‘She

P RHPRESSED

ta Jackson

By Dorette Ro

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wants her DeeDee to hold her.’

That became the routine for the next few days as we Ubered to HUP to visit Jade and John and baby GiaCapri. Aunt DeeDee always got to the room ahead of me and always twirled the baby bin over to her own little corner.

Every time the new parents walked down the hall for some exercise, we grabbed our bundle of joy out of her baby beddie to snap a few selfies. And we sang – pretty loud if you ask the nurses on the floor – ‘We’re the three best friends that anyone could have …’ As soon as her parents rounded the end of the hall (the nurses were our lookout!), we’d put her back in the bassinette like nothing ever happened.

And we would have gotten away with it if not for Dawn’s incessant facebook posts!

‘When did you take that pic?’ my daughter’s texts kept coming.

‘I don’t remember,’ I lie.

‘Mom, there’s an IV pole in the background. You were taking selfies in the hospital room?

She wasn’t even a day old!’ Jade (a.k.a Hormona) nags in her moody post partum voice.

‘Hours old,’ I mumble under my breath. ‘Your Aunt made me do it,’ I add just in case she heard the mumble.

In the last two months, we’ve taken a lot of pictures. And we’re not getting in as much trouble as we did with those hours-old selfies. Jade still rolls her eyes every time we break into song but GiaCapri loves her special tune….

‘We’re the three best friends that anybody could have… and we’ll never ever ever ever ever leave each other!’ PRH gohomephilly.com

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—Coco Chanel

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