QV Quarterly Crier - Fall 2021

FALL 2021

Falling for

Queen Village A Fresh Look for Old Swedes'

Pedestrian Power on South Street

Congratulations, Mentor Grads!

Town Hall zooms in on ATVs

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

A TASTE OF

South Street

From pop-up pizza shops to MexicanJapanese fusion, you’ll find your new local favorite right here in the South Street Headhouse District.

Pine St St

Pine St

Lombard Gaskill

St

S 4th St

dge St

S Leithgo w St

Bainbri Pemb e

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South S t S 5th St

Kater St

S 6th St

S 7th St

S 8th St

S 9th St

S Darien

St

Addison

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Av e

Fitzw ater S t

MIDORI SUSHI

LIGHTBOX RESTAURANT

705 E. Passyunk Ave.

510 S. 5th St.

704 S. 4th St.

516 S. 5th St.

KESHET KITCHEN 5 FLAVORS

522 S. 5th St.

SOUTHSTREET.COM

COZETTE PIZZA 443 South St.

SCOOP DEVILLE

538 SouthChSt. r

istia

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St TACO & RAMEN

615 South St.

Monro

Need a place to start?

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SPRINKLED SWEETNESS

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ater S t these Eat your way through new SSHD restaurants that all Fulton St Cather opened up during theinesummer 2021!

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Contents 5

President’s Letter

6

The Common Good

8

16

Above

1936-1941. For the full story, turn to page 16.

Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/98517356

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

Volunteer Spotlight

11

It Takes a Village

12

South Street Beat

14

QVNA Spotlight

The Courtyard Mentor Network celebrates its first graduates.

The National Night Out communitybuilding campaign promotes police-community relationships.

A data-driven community project, launched this spring, has piloted a car-free, pedestrian South Street.

Who will be on QVNA’s board election ballot? Where will QVNA’s new office be?

Feature Old Swedes’ has weathered the test of time and, thanks to visionary volunteers, preservationists, and funds from contributors, the Commonwealth, and QVNA, it’s been restored to its original glory.

22

The Commons

24 Old Swedes’ Church as depicted in a WPA poster, ca.

After a pandemic hiatus, the Summer at Courtyard enrichment returned with educational offerings—and a ton of fun!

Out and About

Photo by Jenny Lynn

10

QV Life

20

The mural at the William M. Meredith School.

On the cover

When QVNA convened two town halls over Zoom, more than 1,000 participants citywide dialed in. The meetings addressed the escalating safety and quality-of-life concerns posed by illegal vehicles.

FALL 2021

Two eateries are lighting up the Queen Village culinary scene.

A Queen Village sister act publish a new book that looks at changes over time in the City of Brotherly Love.

QV History In 1892, citizens of Philadelphia greeted a newfangled invention that would change the face of the city. Welcome, the trolley.

26

School Bell

28

Ask QVNA

An award-winning curriculum uses the arts to teach young learners what they’ll need to succeed in and out of the classroom.

A friendly reminder of some upcoming deadlines! Don’t forget Election Day, your real ID, or Philadelphia’s plastic bag ban.

O L D VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 3 FALL 2021 Online at QVNA.org/crier

PUBLISHER Queen Village Neighbors Association EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Eleanor Ingersoll president@qvna.org EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lucy Erdelac wecare@qvna.org MANAGING EDITOR Nancy Brokaw editor@qvna.org PROOFREADER Jamie Bischoff DESIGNER Alec Meltzer meltzerdesign.net AD SALES advertising@qvna.org 215.339.0975 qvna.org/advertise

Services Holy Communion Sundays, 10:00AM Live and Streaming on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ gloriadeioldswedes/

Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, established in 1700, the oldest church in Queen Village, and where many historical events of national importance took place, invites you. We are a church where progressive Christianity is preached, black lives matter, LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, white supremacy is rejected, no human is illegal, science is real, love is love, and kindness is everything.

—Interim pastor, Fr. Koshy Mathews and the Congregation of Gloria Dei Blessing of the Animals October 10 immediately following the 10am service

Evensong Tuesdays, 6:30PM Video Service https://bit.ly/3gAgLAb Meeting ID: 834 5987 6076 Passcode: 988017 Columbus Blvd. & Christian Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 215-389-1513 www.old-swedes.org

S W E D E S’

Fall Flea Market October 16 8am-3pm, rain or shine All Saint’s Sunday November 7 Lucia Fest and St. Eric’s Fair (to be confirmed) December 10, 11, 12 An authentic Swedish holiday musical pageant, with a Scandinavian Christmas bazaar.

QVNA provides community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS: Eleanor Ingersoll—PRESIDENT Justin Fishman—VICE PRESIDENT Meredith Piotrowski—SECRETARY Mike McPhilmy—TREASURER Cait Allen Matt Atkins Joseph G. Brin Mark Grabarits

DIRECTORS: Michelle Grimley Rosamond Howard Chris Mullen Noah Swistak

EMERITUS DIRECTORS: Kathy Conway Inez Green Michael Hauptman EMAIL QVNA info@qvna.org CALL OR TEXT 215.339.0975 © Copyright 2021. Queen Village Neighbors Association.

All rights reserved.

Nuisance has no home here.

If an ALCOHOL-LICENSED business becomes a community NUISANCE, submit your complaint at QVNA.org/nuisance.

After calling 911, you can report nuisance behavior by an alcohol-licensed business on QVNA.org. Reportable nuisance behavior includes: • Alcohol from the business being brought outside • Minors consuming alcohol • Drug use • Crowd control issues

• • • •

Loud noise or music Loud and boisterous crowds Fights Trash and debris

Your submitted report notifies law enforcement and government officials of our neighborhood’s NightLife Task Force. It is not a substitute for calling 911.

Find out more information at www.qvna.org/nuisance QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 3

Contributors

C

ait and Michael Allen joined the Queen Village community in March 2019. Cait is the director of engagement at the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, and Michael is chief operating officer of Wills Eye Hospital.

Jamie Bischoff is an editor and a recently retired copyright and trademark lawyer, who has lived in Queen Village for the past 37 years.

A Row House blogger, Suzanne Dreitlein has been a Queen Village resident since 2007. She enjoys living in a 19th-century row cottage, wearing 18thcentury clothing, and writing about the great things going on in QV! Michael Kimmel and Mia DeCrescenzo not only partner in leading The Summer at Courtyard Enrichment Program, they are partners in life. For the past three years, they have been finetuning the reading program Michael developed—a cornerstone of the program—as well as planning and coordinating trips and activities. During the

school year, Michael is a fifth- grade teacher, and Mia instructs high school art students in New Jersey.

Richard De Wyngaert is an avid reader and proprietor of Head House Books, the independent bookstore that has been a mainstay of Queen Village’s literary life since opening in 2005.

Katie Grosh is a container gardener, playground aficionado, and public school booster. She spends her days with her three young kids.

Joel Spivak has been a resident of Queen Village and Bella Vista since 1969.

His passion for neighborhood history has made him a partner in many supportive and revitalizing projects in the area. The architect, artist, and author is also the director of National Hot Dog Month in Philadelphia.

Candace Roberts chairs the Gloria Dei Historic Preservation Corporation. In addition, she is president of QuantumThink, a marketing and graphic design firm in Queen Village. ■

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PRESIDENT'S LETTER

The Issues We All Care About

By Eleanor Ingersoll, QVNA President

Dear Queen Village, or neighbors, our shared interests have always focused on community issues and their impact on each of us. Today, however, while issues about community safety, zoning, and parking remain, they’ve been joined now by global concerns about health, wellness, and smart environmental choices. And that’s why QVNA brings this breadth of topics to our public meetings and hosted events.

This year, QVNA hosted town halls with city leaders about our escalating safety concerns caused by illegal wheels.

Our monthly zoning meetings to review applications for zoning code variances continue to consider the project’s potential impact on neighbors. Two community meetings invited a rare-disease immunologist to discussed and answer neighbor questions about the changing COVID landscape. We also hosted a hugely successful electronic recycling and document shredding event for Earth Day, which proved so popular that we’re hosting another on November 20—so

F

ebrate your actions—and we’re happy to foster volunteer efforts that improve our collective quality of life. And if all of this sounds like something you want to get involved with, you’ve come to the right place.

Please let us know at QVNA.org/volunteer.

In the articles in this issue, you can learn about initiatives on South Street, hiddengem educational programs, and QVNA grants that helped preserve history and provided much-needed art supplies to kids at Courtyard Apartments. Read about QVNA’s November 17 board elections and learn what board members do on page 14.

Last but not least, QVNA’s office has gone virtual until January. Be among the first to find out about our new brick-andmortar location when we announce it via eNews (bit.ly/Subscribe2eNews).

I look forward to seeing you this fall around the neighborhood.

Be safe and well,

save the date! (You’ll find all event details on the inside back cover.)

What’s important to Queen Villagers is important to QVNA because our board and committee members are neighbors who volunteer their time and energy on these issues we all care about.

For more than 50 years, QVNA has worked to adapt to community priorities. The association helped defeat plans to construct an expressway down South Street, stopped a casino from being built within community boundaries, and killed a project already underway for billboards along Front Street. QVNA will continue to stay relevant by recognizing what’s important to residents. After all, our founding documents state that this is why we exist.

Whether you read the electronic News You Can Use, attend a zoning or community meeting, or applaud Summer Enrichment or male mentor programs at Courtyard Apartments, know that it is the work of an association that puts neighbors first.

Whether you bring electronic recyclables to our November event, deliver our quarterly magazine, clean your pocket park, or clear your storm drains, we cel-

!

Find out what’s up in Queen Village in QVNA’s News You Can Use For weekly news, facts, links and more, go to bit.ly/Subscribe2eNews

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THE COMMON GOOD

QVNA Hosts Town Hall Nearly 1,000 participants citywide dialed in to hear about the safety and quality-of-life concerns posed by illegal vehicles.

E

ven before the pandemic, Philadelphia streets could be overrun

by ATVs and dirt bikes. With lockdown, riding culture—and residents’ complaints—escalated.

“No part of the city is untouched,” said QVNA President Eleanor Ingersoll at the June meeting, the second that QVNA convened on the topic. “I’ve heard many horror stories of near misses, sleepless nights, destroyed property—and multiple meetings with officials that have not amounted to action.”

It’s a problem plaguing cities nationwide, with municipalities from Baltimore to Buffalo searching for answers. One idea— a dedicated bike park—has gotten a lot

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

of traction, and several participants at the QVNA meeting voiced interest in creating such a park, much like Paine’s Park for skateboarders. “We’re trying to find a possible alternative space where riders can actually ride safely,” Councilman Allan Domb said, adding that he and Mark Squilla, a fellow councilman, recently scouted a possible location. While Assistant District Attorney Robert Listenbee seconded the idea, he added, “Even if we open up a beautiful park, that might not be the total solution.” He advocated preventive programs, pointing to efforts like those pioneered in Baltimore.

But a bike park is a long-term solution, so, at present, city leaders are deploying a range of tactics:

• Co-sponsored by Council members Domb, Squilla, and Derek Green, new legislation was passed by City Council in June to classify all offroad vehicles as illegal.

• The $2.6 million allocated for the ATV detail in this year’s budget should, said Green, help address enforcement challenges.

• Police Deputy Commissioner Joel Dales, whose ATV details confiscated 347 vehicles (as of June), spoke about cameras posted at key positions, like the Speedway gas station on Broad Street. “When we see ATVs, dirt bikes, whatever gathering, we’ll take action.”

• More block closures, like those on South Street, are coming, said Streets Deputy Commissioner Rich Montanez, as are more speed cushions.

• At L&I, Acting Commissioner Ralph DiPietro focuses on garages that house these vehicles in violation of zoning codes.

Queen Village

To watch QVNA town meetings, visit youtube.com/queenvillage.

Who Ya’ Gonna Call?

“It’s never pointless to call 911,” Ingersoll said, since logged complaints can be used as evidence when cases come to court.

For traffic and safety violations: • Dial 9-1-1 • Phone or text to 215-686-TIPS (8477) • Email tips (including a photo or video) to tips@phillypolice.com For zoning violations (i.e., garages housing illegal vehicles), dial 3-1-1. ■

Volunteers Sign up @ QVNA.org/Volunteer

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QV LIFE

Summer at Courtyard Returns After last summer’s pandemic hiatus, the enrichment program returns with educational offerings—and a ton of fun!

By Michael Kimmel and Mia DeCrescenzo, with photos by Mia DeCrescenzo

W

e were so excited to be program coordinators for the sixth year of the Summer at Courtyard Enrichment Program. After a hiatus during the pandemic summer of 2020, it was such a joy getting to see some familiar faces, especially those we have known since our beginning with the program—in 2017 for Michael and 2018 for Mia. This summer, we continued many of the partnerships that made the Summer at Courtyard successful in the past, albeit in a more abbreviated format. This year, due to COVID and an abundance of precaution, we could accommodate only 20 kids, ages 5-11 years.

Kids kept the beat in the Musicopia bucket drum sessions.

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

We continued our reading program and used leveled readers and educational reading games provided by the Free Library of Philadelphia. We incorporated fun writing skills with Mighty Writers, bucket drum sessions with Musicopia, a hands-on experiment with Science Explorers, and an art lesson with the Clay Studio’s Claymobile.

Through a grant from QVNA, Fleisher Art Memorial provided each of our participants with a backpack full of art supplies, including Model Magic Clay, two large drawing pads, colored pencils, and paint.

Each child also received an age-appropriate book to take home. The camp itself received donations of paper, paint, and more Model Magic Clay. These supplies were greatly appreciated and put a smile on the faces of the kids, now provided with activities outside of the program.

While we were not able to incorporate any off-site field trips this summer, we still had a ton of fun with these in-house partnerships, and we took full advantage of local parks: the gym and splash

ground at Shot Tower Recreation Center, the open fields at Sacks Playground, and the playground and water pole at Weccacoe Playground.

The program truly takes a village, as in addition to the partners above, it incorporates parents, caregivers, and youth workers from the Philadelphia Youth Net-

They made chemistry, courtesy of Science Explorers.

QV LIFE

They modeled Magic Clay from the Fleisher art box.

work. But this cautionary summer did not allow for volunteers—vital partners— who have been a great help augmenting the program in the past. Volunteer engagement also helps to build community as it allows volunteers and kids to get to know each other as neighbors—an unexpected perk.

Barring extenuating circumstances, the goal for next year is to be at full programming capacity for 35 kids, four days a week for six weeks. We look forward to offering access to clearances and an on-line sign-up platform so volunteers can return.

Thanks to Courtyard Residents Council, Queen Village Neighbors Association, Lauren Halley and Brooke Glickman of Better Tomorrows, and The Michaels Organization for another successful summer. We look forward to next summer, and hopefully meeting you! ■

And they still found time for the playground!

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QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 9

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

A Positive Development The Courtyard Mentor Network celebrates its first graduates.

By Eleanor Ingersoll

T

he Courtyard Mentor Network, created by QVNA Board Member Justin Fishman and his wife, Rachel, introduces young men to career path options while providing guidance for developing healthy relationship skills.

“I feel more confident after completing this program.”

—Yazeem Darby Green At National Night Out on August 3, all 14 participants of the inaugural class were on hand to receive program certificates.

Just two days later, 11 participants attended the 2021 Mentoring (sleep-away) Camp, run by Kirk Berry, a youth empowerment educator and vice president of Norristown Men of Excellence. Fishman reports that a generous donor stepped up to cover the entire $3,300 cost for the camp, and the Network provided each family with funds to cover needed supplies.

Future sessions, which are on the books for fall and spring, will feature field trips to local businesses and job sites. ■ The Courtyard Mentor Network is a fiscally sponsored group of QVNA. To support this volunteer-driven effort, visit bit.ly/ CourtyardMentorNetwork.

Or follow CMN https://instagram.com/ courtyardmentornetwork

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

Proud Courtyard Mentorship Network participants show off their certificates.

By the Numbers: Total Boys Enrolled: 14 Average Age: 12.4 Average Attendance: 87 percent Programming Hours, Professional: 8 (Fire/EMT, Construction Management, Chef, Barber, Emergency Doctor, Architect, Financial Advisor/Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship) Programming Hours, Real Essentials Advanced: 8 (Self-Confidence, Future Goals, Communication, Public Speaking, Healthy Relationships, Advertising and Social Media Influence, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Peer Pressure, Personality Profile, Commitments) Meals Served: 97 Thank-You Cards to Mentors: 15 Completion Certificates (and Wawa Gift Cards): 14 Resource Binders (with Mentor Contact Info and Recaps): 14 Average Program Rating (1-5 scale): 5

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Fellowship and Gratitude Queen Village joins the National Night Out community-building campaign that promotes police-community relationships.

Inez Green, Courtyard Residents Council (CRC) president, presents a City Council citation to Irene Foust in recognition of her advocacy for residents during the

By Eleanor Ingersoll

multi-year transition from Southwark Plaza to Courtyard at Riverview, circa 1996, while secretary for CRC.

A

cross the country, National Night Out provides an opportunity to enhance the relationship between residents and law enforcement— to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances to foster a true sense of community.

This was true in Queen Village on August 3, when the 300 block of Washington

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw was on hand to celebrate Courtyard Mentorship Network participants.

Avenue was closed to traffic, a stage was set up, and tables lined the block. There was food, laughter, music, and plenty of room for dancing as neighbors mingled with officers.

“Washington Avenue was paramount—it’s an intersection of many different communities. It does not feel territorial and makes everyone feel welcomed,” explains Town Watch Integrated Services Supervisor Carmetta Mitchell.

Mitchell helped recognize individual police officers for their commitment to the communities they serve, as well as honoring exceptional neighbors for their community activism and service.

Even Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw made a surprise visit, speaking with neighbors and addressing the crowd.

Thanks to organizing partners— Courtyard Residents Council, The Michaels Organization, Town Watch Integrated Services, Philadelphia Police 3rd District, Better Tomorrows, and Sacks Playground—the evening brought together neighbors in a way it has not in the past, setting a new standard for community fellowship and gratitude. ■

Foust currently serves as the Board’s historian

Deena Brown, CRC treasurer, is honored with a City Council citation for her work overseeing and advocating for residents’ during the multi-year rehabilitation of every unit at Courtyard, circa 2016.

Carmetta Mitchell, of Town Watch Integrated Services, recognizes Shanda Norfleet for Outstanding Leadership. Norfleet is site manager of Courtyard at Riverview for The Michaels Organization.

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 11

SOUTH STREET BEAT

Pavement for the People A data-driven community project, launched this spring, is piloting a car-free, pedestrian South Street.

By Suzanne Dreitlein

F

ourth Street resident Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman loves South Street. A lot. So much so that she moved to Queen Village because she was “blown away by the vibrancy, by the diversity of the shops and people, by the creativity, and by the history” of the street.

A longtime volunteer with the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD), Johnston-Zimmerman was motivated by her love of South Street to apply for a Knight Foundation open data and civic engagement grant. Its purpose is to fund datasupported community initiatives. Data, she believes, can offer the opportunity to enact positive change in the business district and, thus, the neighborhood.

Her team, Edit the City!, including Marisa Denker and Stephen Larrick, all urban research, engagement, and opendata specialists, was awarded a grant in 2020, one of only seven from a pool of national applicants. The grant allowed them to initiate an effort to translate the data that would be collected into what would become the South Street pedestrian streets pilot project. The data included a combination of publicly available statistical data from the City of Philadelphia, such as traffic patterns and crime data, along with voluntarily submitted feedback, discussion, and contributions directly from people, many of whom interact with South Street every day. The

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

project “emphasizes transparency and co-creation in data gathering and engagement to support a sustainable vision for the future economic and cultural vitality of South Street.”

In March 2020, COVID-19 restrictions forced the team to change the direction of their original proposal, shifting the

focus from in-person to digital engagement. This new focus allowed for the creation of a portal to collect and share all of the information the team gathered, enabling anyone to explore and learn more. The interactive portal, launched in June 2021, is available at bit.ly/LuvLtrs2SouthSt.

During 2020, the team also held focus groups with business owners, landowners, and neighborhood association leaders to ensure that the people who would most likely be affected by changes to South Street would also have a voice and connection to the project. The results of the focus groups informed the first public survey of residents, which garnered perceptions of South Street, in terms of safety and quality of experience, as well as their relationship to the street. The survey also asked about familiarity with pedestrian streets.

In total, 2,390 people responded. Sixty percent were from the adjacent neighborhoods, including Queen Village, Bella Vista, and Society Hill. The remaining 40 percent represented other Philadelphia neighborhoods, with a small number from places outside of the city. Every respondent had been to South Street personally. Responses about South Street were generally middle of the road—not great, not awful.

However, when asked about pedestrian streets, the responses were very favorable. “They really enjoy [pedestrian streets]. They really love that it’s peoplecentric; they can dine outside; and they can talk to other people. It’s quiet, kids can run around,” Johnston-Zimmerman sums up the results. She adds that, most surprising to the team, a majority responded that they would like to see South Street become a full-time pedestrian street, aside from delivery hours, a common practice.

Working with the SSHD, the first pilot phase began on May 14, 2021, and lasted for six weeks, during which the 200 and 700 blocks were closed to traffic and featured outdoor dining per the City's pandemic dining program guidelines.

Phase 2 occurred over the July 4th holiday, closing the street every evening for

11 days. For phase 3, the project plans to close the street from Front to 8th Streets daily during evenings, depending on the feedback received from ongoing steering committee meetings.

Data aside, South Street, with its colorful patchwork of retail, service, restaurant, community, historic, and nightlife entities, is ideal for pedestrianization.

Johnston-Zimmerman says that the vibrant day and night economy balance each other out, offering something for everyone, adding that a pedestrian street could help entice more businesses to open, creating more options and more variety.

Johnston-Zimmerman says, “There’s research that’s been done that shows the economic benefits of a pedestrian street.

Individuals tend to stroll longer, stay longer, buy more things from different stores. They don’t just come in and shop at one store and leave. They get food, they shop, they get some drinks, etc.

They spend a lot more time there. And they spend more money.”

Throughout the pilots, Edit the City! has been continuously collecting data and feedback and analyzing how the pedestrianization is going as well as making adjustments to the parameters of the program. Johnston-Zimmerman says, “How do we care for people in all capacities and how do we give them what they need to thrive, whoever they may be, while drawing that respectable line between what is important for the majority, for that greater good and the future of the place, while respecting all the wishes of the constituents involved in that situation?” The use of data to answer that is what the South Street pedestrian street project is really about: a South Street that’s thriving for today and the future.

For more information about Edit the City!, visit edityour.southstreet.com/. ■

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 13

QVNA SPOTLIGHT

New Beginnings Learn about eligibility to run for a seat on QVNA’s board, the board election, and the expectations of our officers and directors.

Interested in Running for the QVNA Board?

D

eadline for candidate nominations is October 20. Here’s what to know.

Board positions on the ballot: Our November 17 election will have six positions on the ballot: • Treasurer • Secretary • Directors (4 positions) The elected board members will serve a two-year term: January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

Candidate eligibility: Board candidates must be 18+ years of age and residents of Queen Village.1 In addition, they must have attended at least two QVNAsponsored meetings (i.e., community, town hall, and/or zoning) between January 1 and October 20, 2021.2 Candidate eligibility is verified by our Nominating Committee before the ballot is announced on November 4.

Interested in running for the Board?

Please contact our Nominating Committee at QVNA.org/bod-candidates. ■ 1. Queen Village boundaries are from the south side of Lombard Street to the north side of Washington Avenue; from the east side of 6th Street to the Delaware River, including the docks.

2. Although prior volunteer experience with QVNA or another nonprofit organization is helpful, it is not required.

3. Read about our office move on the next page.

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

November 17: Cast your Vote for Queen Village’s Leadership

T

wo weeks of voting in the QVNA Board of Directors election starts November 5.

All Queen Village residents, age 18+ are eligible to vote in QVNA’s board election on November 17. For complete election details, make sure you’re subscribed to QVNA’s eNews at bit.ly/ Subscribe2eNews.

This year, the ballot will include candidates for four director positions and two officer positions: Treasurer and Secretary.

On November 4, QVNA will announce the names of all candidates and link to

their biographies via eNews. Candidate videos will be posted on YouTube.com/ queenvillage.

In accordance with association bylaws, votes must be cast in person on or

by November 17. Voters must show proof of residency (a government-issued ID or a recent utility bill if you are new to the neighborhood).

Beginning November 5, neighbors may cast votes during office hours at the association’s office 3 or at our in-person community meeting on November 17. If QVNA’s November community meeting is via Zoom, all election voting will take place at QVNA’s office. ■

QVNA Board Members: Roles and Responsibilities

Q

VNA’s Board of Directors establish the association’s strategic direction and budget and determine key priorities, programs, and services. Board members are also strongly encouraged to work with a QVNA committee or represent QVNA within partnership organizations.

Board members work collaboratively to address issues and concerns of Queen Villagers. Each is an at-large community leader, representing the whole of the community.

Board members are Queen Village volunteers who contribute their skills

and experience to fulfill QVNA’s mission of community stewardship, advocacy, and service to help improve the quality of life in Queen Village.

Since QVNA’s founding in 1969, hundreds of Queen Villagers have stepped up to this important community leadership role. Their volunteer commitment resulted in a solid foundation that today’s Board of Directors proudly builds upon. ■ More information about board service, including an approximation of volunteer hours per year, is available at QVNA.org/ bod-candidates.

Why Be A Moving Experience A QVNA Member? for QVNA Because everything Our new office address? An eNews Exclusive.

Sign up at bit.ly/Subscribe2eNews.

we do depends on neighbors like you.

For more than 50 years, QVNA’s programs and services have been paid for through fundraising.

We depend on neighbors like you not only as volunteers but also as association members.

QVNA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing community stewardship, advocacy, and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents.

Your annual membership helps provide tangible benefits to our community.

Donation

A

s this Crier issue goes to press, the most well-kept secret—even from our Board of Directors and staff—is QVNA’s new office address.

Once our new home base is determined and the dust has settled, we’ll announce our location in News You Can Use. (bit.ly/ Subscribe2eNews).

As with our two recent office moves (2018 and 2020), QVNA remains available by phone, text, and at WeCare@ QVNA.org. Of course, you’ll see us on Zoom at community and zoning meetings. Our community programs,

services, and volunteer events are unchanged.

QVNA’s Board of Directors sincerely appreciates the generosity of 4th Street Development, LLC, whose owners have provided office space to the association since July 2020.

Queen Village, Philadelphia’s first neighborhood, has always been an interdependent community of good neighbors, whether residents or businesses.

Now in our 52nd year, QVNA is grateful to all those who support our mission of stewardship, advocacy, and service. ■

What Your Membership Supports

$40

50 leaf and yard bags

$60

One month of QVNA eNews

$120

Two truckloads of tree mulch

$250

One month of graffiti removal

$500

50 blocks of litter removal

$1,000

One modest community grant

At QVNA, “it takes a village” because everything we do depends on neighbors like you.

QVNA.org/Join

www.qvna.org • (215) 339-0975 facebook/queenvillage Twitter/qvnaorg instagram /queenvillagephila

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 15

FEATURE

Preservation for Future Generations Centuries before this “pleasant place” in Lenape country was designated a National Historic Site, Swedish settlers consecrated Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church. The church has weathered the test of time and was recently restored to its 1846 glory—thanks to visionary volunteers, preservationists, and funds from contributors, the Commonwealth, and QVNA.

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

Gloria Dei (Old Swede’s) Church.

By Candace Roberts Photos courtesy of Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation

T

he Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church site on the Delaware River in Philadelphia has been in continuous use from the time it was part of Lenape country through its 350 years of recorded history. The roots of the congregation reach back to 1677, when Swedish colonists first held church services in a blockhouse on the present property. The Lenape called the area “Wicaco,” meaning pleasant place. The Swedes adopted this name for their church. Recent scholarship indicates that the Swedes and Lenape formed a stable alliance based on mutual respect, “a shared use of the land, and an inclusive definition of freedom, all facilitated by mutual commitment to economic gain.”

From a humble birth grew a living landmark The balance of power along the Delaware shifted with the arrival of William Penn. When Penn’s commissioners arrived in 1681, they found that almost all the land along the western bank of the Delaware had already been granted to Swedish, Dutch, and English colonists.

The blockhouse was a notable landmark. Early in 1682, Penn’s commissioners purchased a stretch of unimproved waterfront property from some of the Swedish settlers who lived near the blockhouse. In 1697, Andreas Rudman became rector of the congregation and found a dilapidated building. He noted that the “[church is] old and in a bad condition, therefore, with God’s help, we are endeavoring to build [a new one].” The new church was consecrated on June 2, 1700.

Top to bottom: Rotted and damaged woodwork on the church exterior; the Materials Conservation team at work on the church windows; church exterior after repairs and repainting.

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 17

FEATURE

Past as prologue and preservation its future

Top to bottom: Stained glass windows in the church hall in danger of collapse; the church hall following repairs and repainting.

“And it was called GLORIA, and in Swedish, Gudz Ähros Huus, and in English, House of God’s Glory.” This is part of the entry that Erik Björk, pastor of the Swedish congregation at Christina (now Wilmington, Delaware), made in his records about the Wicaco consecration ceremony. “The church so beautifully christened on that June morning … not far from the southern edge of the town itself.” Björk and many of his parishioners had come to join their fellow congregation and its pastor Andreas Rudman, for consecration services. Also present were members of Christ Church in Philadelphia, to do honor to their Swedish friends and neighbors. William Penn and other notable historical figures of the time were also said to be in attendance.1

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From the 1930s to present, the site transformed from a constrained historic churchyard surrounded by industrial buildings into a living landmark set within an expanded, commemorative green space. This transformation began when Gloria Dei Church was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1938 and was designated a National Historic Site in 1942. The National Park Service acquired adjacent properties to the north and south of Gloria Dei Church and cleared the land for greening purposes. This is when Gloria Dei Church became a historic site set in the middle of a national park. The vision reflected the expansive city planning methods of the mid-20th century.

In 2014, the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation (HGDPC) was formed as an independent nonprofit to raise funds for the preservation of the historic buildings on the Gloria Dei campus as well as its graveyard. In 2019, HGDPC applied for and received a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Keystone Grant and a Queen Village Neighbors Association Community Grant to undertake extensive repairs and painting of the interior and exterior of the church and the exte-

Gloria Dei’s future is looking up

T

opping off its preservation work, the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation now plans to install a new roof to protect Old Swedes’, the heart of the Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site (bit.ly/ GloriaDeiNHS). Please consider donating at www.preserveoldswedes.org.

Attracting neighbors from around the world

T

he Gloria Dei congregation, which operates independently of HGDPC, continues to serve the needs of the local community with weekly religious services and community events and opens the grounds and facilities to more than 6,000 visitors annually. The guest book routinely includes signatures from across the U.S., Europe, and as far away as Japan.

rior of the church hall. This project has addressed repairs needed to the wood trim in both buildings. The repair team, Materials Conservation, made in-depth repairs on the windows and clapboard, removing and replacing deteriorated wood. All the church windows in the church were reglazed, while keeping the historic glass window panes. The stained glass windows in the church hall were in danger of imminent collapse and were repaired and saved from certain destruction.

In September, the project was complete. The church interior displays smooth, freshly painted walls. All areas of blistering and water damage have been repaired.

The wood trim surrounding the roof of the church and the hall are repaired.

HGDPC is greatly appreciative of the financial support it received from Queen Village Neighbors Association to help complete this much-needed restoration. ■ 1. Ruth L. Springer, Louise Wallman, And. Rudman and Andreas Sandell. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. 84, No. 2 (Apr., 1960), pp.

194-218 (25 pages). University of Pennsylvania Press.

Visit Philly, Circa 1936 To promote tourism to the city, a WPA agency created posters that celebrated Philadelphia’s many attractions—including Queen Village’s own Old Swedes’ Church.

F

rom 1935 to 1943, the Federal Art Project (FAP), a program of the Works Progress Administration, employed thousands of artists and artisans thrown out of work by the Great Depression. All across the country, FAP workers went to work creating murals, paintings, sculpture, photographs, museum and theater design, crafts, and graphic arts.

Overseeing the program in Ph i l a d e l p h i a — one of the FAP’s most vibrant— was Katherine Milhous, whose own contributions to the Pennsylvania collection skewed rural, with subjects that include the Ephrata Cloister, an Amish family, a Little Red Schoolhouse, and the like.

But Milhous didn’t overlook her native Philadelphia. Her FAP branch produced posters that illustrate both contemporary scenes—the Philadel-

phia Zoo’s hippopotamus, a lovely scene of Fairmount Park in winter, and an aerial view of the Port of Philadelphia—and icons of the city’s colonial era, including Independence Hall and Carpenters’ Hall.

One of the gems of the collection features P h i l a d e l p h i a ’s oldest church, Queen Village’s own Old Swedes’.

Built between 1697 and 1700, Gloria Dei Church, as it is officially known, served a congregation that had been established in 1677, five years before the city itself. Created more than 200 years later, the FAP poster depicts the historic church and a glimpse of its graveyard, looking much as it does today.

The poster is available from the Library of Congress and can be downloaded, free of charge, at www.loc.gov/ item/98517356/. ■

A T

O L D

S W E D E S’

Say I Do

surrounded by history at the Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Wedding Chapel Walk the same path as Betsy Ross (yes - that one! )

Create your ideal wedding experience

Go full-on 1700!

All traditions welcome! contact Amy, our Wedding Specialist:

weddingsatoldswedes@gmail.com Columbus Blvd. & Christian Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 267-667-5057 www.old-swedes.org QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 19

OUT AND ABOUT

Lighting Up QV’s Dining Scene Promoting calm and wellness, a new café serves vegetarian and vegan fair, while a new sushi spot dishes up culinary creations with a Burmese touch.

By Michael and Cait Allen Step into the Light Lightbox Café, 704 S. 4th Street

L

ightbox Café is the calm-meetswellness-meets-community vision of co-owners Gabriel (Gaby) Vazquez and Jen Hombach. Jen smiles with amusement as we explore the meaning of “lightbox”—Gaby’s inspiration based on dioramas. However, this curated world will not be miniature and unreachable. You are invited to step inside and become part of its unique and restful atmosphere.

The Golden Jungle Juice, a ginger-carrot-pineapplemint blend is among the café’s many healthful— and delicious—offerings.

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Reflecting on what is, for him, a complete career change, Gaby says, “I wanted to live and work in a much healthier environment. And I wanted to surround myself with foods that are actually good for me.” He is the mastermind and purveyor of the made-to-order and grab-and-go cold-pressed juices. Mind you, these are not sugary fruit combinations. They are filled with herbs and vegetables and spices to create a powerful nutritional and healthful experience.

Jen (and her yogi spirit) is the master brewer of kava kava tea, made from a root that grows on islands such as Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa in the South Pacific. Jen explains how kava, with its euphoric, stress-reducing properties, was traditionally used as a ceremonial drink on the islands. We are ready to dive in.

For our first foray, we try it pure with pineapple slices (think of the lime wedge after a shot of tequila). The astringent, somewhat bitter character asserted itself right away, but we were surprised by its mineral complexity. The pineapple’s sweetness indeed balanced the overall experience. The kava numbs your mouth

Lightbox Café on the outside; inside, the café has a relaxing vibe. Photos: Michael Allen

and radiates a gentle calm through your body, evoking cascading waters, lush plants, and volcanic rock on a faraway paradise.

Moving on to the flavored kava, Jen’s Golden Chai chimed like prayer bells.

Softened with almond milk, the brew perfectly wove together cardamom, clove, turmeric, and other Indian spices.

We could have sipped and melted away for hours. Lastly, the Cacao Kava vibrated the chocolate with cayenne, compelling you to draw in more and more of its curious, delicious warmth.

As our conversation continued, we felt a deep communal spirit that will most certainly be the vibe for the future evenings Gaby and Jen are planning—with tasty vegan food, restaurant pop-ups, poetry readings, and nutritional talks. Although a simple plumbing issue invoked every line of Murphy’s Law and delayed opening by 10 weeks, the daily buzz of passersby trying to peer inside proves how eager the community is for the chance to enter.

Lightbox is sure to become a neighborhood gathering place, where the traumas of the workday are washed away!

Become a Citizen of the World Midori Sushi, 516 S. 5th Street Philadelphia is fortunate to host one of the Burmese communities that has sought refuge from the long-standing turmoil and bloodshed of Myanmar (formerly Burma). That community is the reason we have Midori Sushi at 610 S. 5th St. (as well as Golden Triangle, down the block).

To understand the passion and generosity that co-owners Saw Oo and Ah Young Yang (also of Golden Triangle) bring to their restaurants, you must understand their origins in Burma: 40 percent of the population belong to one of more than 14 distinct cultural, linguistic, and geographic minority groups. The

A look inside Midori Sushi. Photo: Michael Allen The tuna tartare, a thing of beauty—and delicious flavor.

Photo: Michael Allen

tension between these peoples and the majority Bamar group extends back to Burmese independence following World War II. A military junta ruled the country from 1962 until 2011, when the first democratically elected government took office.

Sadly, that wonderful growth of democracy came to an end on February 1, 2021, when the military once again deposed the elected government, one day before new members of parliament were due to be sworn in. Persecution and human rights violations have escalated against the ethnic minorities since the coup, and hundreds of protestors have died in military crackdowns.

Saw belongs to the Karen group, which began leaving the country during the 2000s. Ah Young belongs to the Chin group, located in the mountainous region along the border with China. Each made the journey to Philadelphia to find safety and a chance to prosper.

When the time came for Saw and Ah Young to share their culinary creations, with us, they started with fried dumplings. We loved their light texture and delicate browning. We scoured our brains for memories of a better dumpling but could not top these. Next, we had to contem-

Midori’s unbeatable fried dumplings. Photo: Michael Allen

plate the artistic beauty of the tuna tartar before daring to disturb it with chopsticks. The secret ingredient is a zing of pepper that energizes each bite perfectly.

We are suckers for bean sprouts, so when the Yellow Fried Noodles arrived, we leapt into this first example of Burmese spices. The nostalgic, rich flavors felt deep and authentic, readying us for the stunning Crunchy Dragon Roll’s arrival at the table. Saw explained that its shrimp tempura was perfect for those who want to try sushi but are afraid of raw fish.

After visiting Midori, we felt fortunate to learn more of Myanmar’s struggles and to honor a journey through so many terrible challenges. Visit Saw, Ah Young, and their families. Listen and share. Our world community will be made stronger by it. ■

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 21

THE COMMONS

Scenes of the City, Then & Now A Queen Village sister act has published This Used to Be Philadelphia, a new book that looks at changes over time in the City of Brotherly Love.

Interviewed by Richard De Wyngaert Richard De Wyngaert: So, the biggest question, why did you write it?

Natalie Pompilio: I have a love of all things Philadelphia. This is going to be the fourth book I’ve written involving the city. The first book was More Philadelphia Murals and the Stories They Tell; the second was a self-published children’s alphabet book, Philadelphia A-Z; and I worked with my sister on the last book, Walking Philadelphia.

RD: How do you and your sister complement one another in this endeavor?

NP: Well, the good news is, we don’t have to be together a lot because our jobs are very, very different! She takes photos; I do all the research.

RD: So she’s the photographer, and you’re the historian and writer?

NP: I don’t know if I’d go historian. I know how to look stuff up. But it was good; we got to spend some time together. And this was a tough time for our family: Our dad died in May from COVID, and we knew we were going to dedicate this book to him.

So, it was extra, extra special.

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RD: Was the spawn of this book really your last one, Walking Philadelphia?

NP: We did have a lot of things in Walking Philadelphia that we couldn’t include, but it was actually talking to Reedy Press and their saying, “Here’re the kind of books we like—100 things to do before you die, restaurants….” This is the one that was the most appealing to me.

RD: So, why would someone want to read this book?

NP: Well, if you like interesting things— and you like being at any kind of party or event and you’re just like, “Oh, you know that Acme where you usually buy your groceries? That used to be a prison where America’s first serial killer, H. H. Holmes, was put to death.” I always bring up the Acme at 11th near Reed—it’s my Acme. I can’t help but walk around and wonder, okay, was Holmes hanged in the produce section? In the parking lot?

Philadelphia is so rich in history. So this is a real glimpse into its change, what exists now and what existed then, because it ultimately is the reflection of what we want.

Natalie Says: … Philadelphia is such a walkable city, and it’s so beautiful. One of my daughters just moved back from Austin, Texas. People rave about Austin, but you have to drive everywhere. Here, my husband walks to work every day! … Our block is tiny—an alley off an alley—so, when one of our neighbors went to her senior prom, we all got dressed up for senior prom and had a party in the street. … I did a Zagar-style mosaic, and almost all the neighbors contributed pictures of themselves. So you can see, that’s Mike, and, oh, there’s Natalie and Jordan.

Natalie and Tricia Pompilio.

There’s a lot of creative reuse because of all the old factories. And sometimes it got really repetitive: “This old factory is condos.” But then there’s the Stanley Blacker Suit Factory, which is now New Courtland Assisted Living, and Shibe Park, Connie Mack Stadium, is a megachurch.

RD: Do you have a favorite site?

NP: One of the pioneers of dental instruments, Dr. White, built factories in the neighborhood. The building’s still there where he created, I think, the first electric drill, and the first dentures that weren’t hideous. The building is now condos and businesses. I walked past it again the other day, and there’s only a really small sign that says, this is what it was.

RD: Anything else that you›d like to add?

NP: If you’re like me and you love knowing ridiculous little factoids, you’re going to have fun. I can be the most annoying person! Like, “Hey, you know what this used to be? This used to be a glove factory, and now it’s Liberty Park!” ■

Helping improve the quality of life in Queen Village is our mission.

Ready to make it your mission, too?

Run for the QVNA Board On Wednesday, November 17, board members will be elected for the January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 term.

Current QVNA volunteers are encouraged to consider Board service.

Candidate nominations will be accepted through Friday, October 20 for the following six positions:

Interested? We’d love to meet with you. Please call/text 215.339.0975 or email info@qvna.org.

■ Treasurer ■ Secretary ■ Directors (4 positions)

Find more information at: www.QVNA.org/BoD-Candidates

Qualifications for Candidacy: ■ Queen Village resident 18+ ■ Attendee of 2 QVNA-sponsored meetings (I.e., community, town hall, and/or zoning) between January 1 and October 20, 2021.

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 23

QV HISTORY

It’s Electric!

In 1892, citizens of Philadelphia greeted a newfangled invention that would change the face of the city. Welcome, the trolley.

By Joel Spivak

I

n the winter of 1892, Queen Village residents were witness to an event that would forever change the way people lived in the city of Philadelphia. For that winter, the Philadelphia Traction Company replaced its horse-drawn streetcars with a newfangled invention we now know as the “trolley.”

In March of 1892, fear of the unknown sparked many days of testimony before CIty Council against the overhead wire system. (The overhead electric trolley ordinances 388.974811-P533.) Many people were afraid of the new invention called electricity and felt more comfortable with an underground electric system like that used in Budapest. What the exact details were that made City Council agree to allow overhead wire to be installed is lost to history. However, one of the concessions made at the time was that the many transit companies in operation would have to pave and maintain the streets.

On July 22, 1892, the new cars were ordered from The J. G. Brill Company of Philadelphia, which later became the largest manufacturer of trolley cars in the world. Then, on Thursday morning, December 15, 1892, Lewis Hippler climbed on board The Crimson & Vermillion #871 and became Philadelphia’s first motorman. Within four years, Philadelphia had more than 400 miles of electric transportation.

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The first electric streetcar to enter Queen Village, at the northeast corner of 6th and Bainbridge Streets.

The last electric streetcar in Queen Village drops off passengers at 3rd and Bainbridge Streets.

A streetcar at Catharine and 4th Streets.

Also in 1892

Lease: Office or Retail

842 S. 2nd St. 3,200-3,600 SF May Divide

The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) began operation; the Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia opened; Florsheim Shoes began manufacturing and selling; and the Phillies played the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time. ■

Philadelphia’s first electric streetcar

David Hess 215-360-2969 dhess@poselmanagement.com QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 25

SCHOOL BELL

Kaleidoscope Celebrates 30 Years The award-winning curriculum uses the arts to teach young learners what they’ll need to succeed in and out of the classroom.

By Katie Grosh, with photos courtesy of Settlement Music School

S

troll around 5th and Queen Streets on any given day, and you’re bound to hear music emanating from one of the windows of the stately brick-andbrownstone building. But what you may not know is that for the past 30 years, the top floor has been dedicated to the inspiration and education of young learners in the Settlement Music School’s Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment Program.

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My children, like so many here in Queen Village and at the Germantown location, started their education in Kaleidoscope’s award-winning curriculum, built on the idea of using music, dance, and art to teach children the skills they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. The children are so enthralled with learning to play percussion instruments, practicing cool new choreography, or sculpting their own cave (to then

cover with cave paintings) that they hardly realize they are developing their academic and social-emotional skills at the same time.

Unlike many preschools that incorporate music or arts and crafts with a short lesson each day or a guest teacher once a week, Kaleidoscope stands out by offering students 12 arts-focused sessions each week with innovative teachers specializing in art, music, and creative movement.

Kaleidoscope’s classroom teachers are also exceptional. They create a warm and welcoming atmosphere while providing continuity through writing exercises, outdoor play, and family-style meals. All of the Kaleidoscope teachers are degreed, and more than half have been with the program for more than a decade, shepherding multiple generations of students on their creative journeys. I have met several neighbors whose children graduated from Kaleidoscope preschool decades ago. Their eyes light up when I tell them my children are enrolled now.

The foundational concepts of Kaleidoscope’s arts-integrated approach to

learning are a proven success. Three research studies conducted by Dr. Eleanor Brown, a psychology professor at West Chester University, have shown that Kaleidoscope students have higher advances in “receptive vocabulary,” significantly more positive emotions, and decreased levels of cortisol—a stress-indicating hormone—following arts classes. As a Head Start program, Kaleidoscope ensures any child can afford to benefit. Brown’s research confirms what I’ve witnessed firsthand; practicing basic preschool skills is more interesting when it happens in the context of a larger creative project.

2020 marked Kaleidoscope’s 30th anniversary. That was shadowed by a school year largely spent online. However, this team of deeply invested early childhood educators made digital classes come alive.

Advocates have started a national conversation about how to support students of all ages after more than a year of digital learning, and Kaleidoscope is a proven example of how a robust arts-focused curriculum helps children to flourish.

We are lucky to have Kaleidoscope in our neighborhood, preparing future generations for life through music, dance, and art. Another 30 years from now, when my children are grown, I hope I will also have the chance to beam at neighbors

with young children who tell me their little ones are attending Kaleidoscope preschool at Settlement Music School. ■ Kaleidoscope has a limited number of spots open for this fall in the Preschool and Afterschool programs. Please contact Tarrell Davis at tarrell.davis@settlementmusic.org or 215-320-2670 for more information.

B"H

JUDAISM.

done joy philly

hebrew

School Ages K-5 Monday & Wednesday 3:30-6:00 PM REGISTER AT JEWISHPRESCHOOL.ORG/JKC or call (215) 238-2100

SCHOOL PICK-UP OPTION

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 27

ASK QVNA

The End Is Near A friendly QVNA reminder of some important dates and deadlines.

Vote!

Get Real

our vote on November 2 matters!

Why? Because you’re electing not only county and city officials but also judges and magisterial district judges.

October 18: Deadline for registering to vote October 26: Deadline for mail-in or absentee ballot application November 2: Election Day polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by 8:00 p.m.)

Where’s my polling place? bit.ly/QVvote-here Am I registered? bit.ly/Am-I-Registered-to-Vote Voting by mail or absentee? bit.ly/ Absentee-or-Mail-in-Voting

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act requires a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other federally acceptable ID (i.e., valid passport or military ID) for citizens traveling within the U.S. In Pennsylvania, the REAL ID is optional, but you’ll need one to fly domestically or to enter certain federal facilities.

Y

QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ FALL 2021

Trash Bags Philadelphia’s plastic bag ban prohibits retail establishments from providing single-use plastic bags and non-recycled paper bags. Official implementation began on July 1, 2021, with a ninemonth grace period for education and compliance.

October 1, 2021: Prohibition begins.

Now’s a good time to start the habit of carrying your own reusable shopping bags!

April 1, 2022: Ban enforcement begins.

More info: bit.ly/PhilaPlasticBagBan

What you’ll need: Proof of identity (birth certificate or valid, unexpired U.S. Passport), Social Security card; two proofs of current PA address (PA license or ID, PA vehicle registration, auto insurance card or utility bill); proof of all legal name changes.

May 3, 2023: Deadline for compliance You can apply at the DMV or, if you received your first license after September 1, 2003, you can apply online.

More info: bit.ly/QV_Real_ID

QVNA Invites You to Think Globally and Act Locally On Saturday, November 20 from 10am-1pm join us for

Weccacoe Playground, 400 Catharine Street

FREE Electronics Recycling & Shredding Event Show your commitment to help curb climate change. Take action by responsibly recycling.

What Documents to Shred •

EXPIRED credit cards, ID badges, drivers licenses, etc.

•

EXPIRED insurance policies, medical records, passports, visas, etc.

•

OLD documents with your signature, name, social security# or birth date

•

OLD bank statements & cancelled or voided checks

•

OLD tax returns, see http://bit.ly/ IRSguidance

•

OTHER info, see http://bit.ly/ GovtGuide2Shredding

This event is sponsored by

What Can be Recycled Desktop Computing* Computers & mini-towers Hard drives Laptops & handhelds Notebooks & tablets Monitors

Office Equipment Calculators Copiers (desktop) Fax Machines Scanners Typewriters

Digital Storage* CDs & DVDs Video & audio tapes External drives Zip drives

Telecommunications Cell Phones Telephones

Computer Peripherals Cables Digital cameras Keyboards & Mice Mp3 players & iPods Printers Speakers

Small Appliances Air Conditioners Dehumidifiers Microwaves Televisions VCR/DVD Players

*All data media will be destroyed or wiped

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES FOX & ROACH, REALTORS

I was recently asked by Style Magazine: “What is the Best Advice I Ever Received in My Real Estate Career Which has Contributed to My Success”.

My response was: “The Best Advice I Ever Received was from My Mom - Treat Everyone as You Would Want to be Treated. Always be Kind, Honest and Smart”.

In 2020 we have sold and rented over 200 homes!

Thank you for your business. We are grateful!

Mother and son, Kathy and Patrick Conway, have lived in Queen Village all their lives. They don’t just sell real estate; they are part of the fiber and heartbeat of Philadelphia. With 56 years of real estate experience and wisdom between them, they make a perfect team.

Their negotiating skills are second to none. They are kind and patient and go far beyond what is expected of a real estate agent.

The award winning Conway Team broke ground as one of the first mother/son teams in the city and has been making real estate history ever since racking up the highest awards attainable, client and agent kudos and breaking sales records with their trademark honesty, genuine caring and work ethic.

For the Conway’s, success is part of their DNA. 26 Kathy’s background is in Social Work and of all the awards she has won, Real Estate Rookie of the Year in 1986 is the one that makes her most proud.

Patrick joined Kathy 26 years ago after starting his career as an agent with another firm. Even then he knew he could learn more from his mother about sales and people. He is savvy, tenacious, witty, smart and the winner of many prestigious awards.

With the Conway “never say never” attitude the word on the street is that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

530 Walnut Street, Suite 480 Philadelphia, PA 19106 215.266.1537 cell 215.627.6005 office