spring 2020
Queen Village Volunteers for The Great Global Cleanup
Where designers materialize fashion
The open air gallery of South St.Art
Fed up with the Feds, 23 civics united to save our neighborhoods
Contents 5
6 South St. Art Photo by Riley Loula
10
Philly Fashion Week 12
14
18
spring 2020
President’s Letter Plans in the works for spring, the season of renewal. Find out how you can get involved and share ideas.
Out and About Discover two Mediterranean treasures, a restored shopping convenience, the place with the tap that’s flowed for 40 years, and who won $8,000 in giveaways.
20
Meet the makers who are transforming Fabric Row into a hub for high quality, slow fashion, custom gowns and runway couture. Get ready to be floored by avant garde designs worthy of the red carpet.
QVNA Spotlight Is what we hold dear today also our legacy to the generations to come? How QVNA adds value to the invaluable: an historic landmark, a park canopy, and the joy of live performance.
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QVNA at 50 When suing the Feds wasn’t enough to keep it from trying (once again) to rip through the heart of Queen Village, volunteers unified and fueled a media firestorm that gained the Governor’s attention and the city’s ire. As the bicentennial beckoned, a mock funeral fanned the flames…
28
Cheers to Volunteers The State of Pennsylvania honors QVNA’s golden anniversary, the community toasts 50 years of volunteers, and neighbors celebrate the season of giving Queen Village style.
30
South Street Beat South St. Art introduces an open air gallery to the hippest street in town, and East Passyunk signs with The Roots.
32 Photo by Brenda O'Livis
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Feature: Where Fashion Designers Materialize
The Commons Learn three tender ways to make a new BFF, where to take tree hugger lessons, what high school teens teach about storm drains, and why a new ground cover goes to the dogs.
It Takes a Village Love Queen Village? Have we got a day planned for you! In honor of Earth Day, our second annual LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY connects you with volunteers around the world. And did you know that WHAT gets recycled, depends on HOW you recycle?
How It Works Are you ready to vote on April 28th? QVNA gives you the information you need to get registered, and provides the ins and outs of the state’s new mail-in ballot. On April 21st, QVNA and BVNA host a Meet the Candidates Forum where you can hear from the candidates in person. And get ready to receive your 2021 property tax assessments and learn how to file an appeal.
QV Life Last but not least—here’s a calendar of upcoming dates. Go ahead. Rip it out. Hang on your fridge so you don’t miss a thing.
Background Checked Trained & Insured
Volume 2 | Issue 1 SPRING 2020 Online at QVNA.org/crier
Publisher Queen Village Neighbors Association Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Ingersoll president@qvna.org Managing Editor Lucy Erdelac editor@qvna.org PROOFREADER Jamie Bischoff Designer Alec Meltzer meltzerdesign.net Ad Sales advertising@qvna.org 215.339.0975 qvna.org/advertise
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QVNA provides community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS: Eleanor Ingersoll PRESIDENT Inez Green VICE PRESIDENT Meredith Piotrowski SECRETARY Tom Bonney TREASURER
Direct: 267-225-3678 Office: 215-627-3500 deidre@deidrequinn.com deidrequinn.com
DIRECTORS: Caroline Allen Joseph G. Brin Anita Dupree Mark Grabarits Rosamond Howard Mike McPhilmy Mike Seidenberg Noah Swistak
1619 Walnut St, 5th FL Philadelphia, PA 19103
EMERITUS DIRECTORS: Kathy Conway Michael Hauptman QVNA Office 417 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 info@qvna.org 215.339.0975 © Copyright 2020. Queen Village Neighbors Association. All rights reserved.
Knowledge and Experience Combined with Your Best Interests in Mind
I just want to give a shout out to Deidre Quinn. She listed and got me to closing on my condo in just one month(!!!). Not only is she just the best realtor but she is also a lovely person and a dream to work with. If anyone in Philly is thinking of selling I can't recommend her highly enough. - Pam Q. Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 3
Contributors
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VNA sincerely appreciates the time and talent of the volunteers who helped create this issue of the Crier. Cait and Michael Allen joined the Queen Village community in March 2019. Cait is Director of Engagement of 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 last 37 years. Suzanne Dreitlein is a Row House Living blogger and Queen Village resident since 2007. She enjoys living in a 19th Century row cottage, wearing 18th Century clothing, and writing about the great things going on in QV! Dan Gibbon is a lawyer living in Queen Village who thinks pruning trees on a sunny Saturday afternoon is about as good as life gets. Taryn Goldsmith is a neighbor and the cousin of Black Thought, lead rapper in The Roots. She leads Hood Savior Inc, (HoodSaviorInc.com) a Queen Village organization that guides youth toward positive lifestyle choices, acquire new skills, greater confidence and motivation to succeed. Amanda Hall has photographed her beloved Philadelphia, and Queen Village, for more than 15 years. See more of her portrait and urban landscape work at AmandaHallStudios.com. Jim Hunt is a nationally recognized cartoonist (www.acartoonist.com) whose clients include Google, MLB on FOX, Hersheys, MAD Magazine, NASCAR, and Bank of America. He and his wife Fuller live in Queen Village.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Susan Kellogg has lived in Queen Village for 23 years, running her tour guiding business from a home office. Riley Loula is a self-employed creative director who specializes in videography and photography. While he collaborates primarily with corporate, wedding and non-profit clientele (RileyLoula.com), Riley’s true passion is exploring and documenting nature with his wife, Morgan and dog, Piper. Martha Morowitz is a writer who moved to Queen Village in 2016 with her husband, Cory and their poodle, Gus. Her creative endeavors include cooking and baking, graphic and paper arts and the occasional acting gig. Meredith Piotrowski has lived in Queen Village since 2007, loving its treelined streets, pocket parks, architecture, and people who are drawn here. Meredith is Secretary of QVNA’s Board of Directors. Oliver Ricciardelli is a life-long resident of Queen Village and a high schooler who enjoys writing about Queen Village with his grandmother Susan Kellogg. Holly Russel is a copywriter, editor, and occasional editorial features writer who lives in Queen Village with her two rescued pit bulls. Alex & Marge Schernecke have lived in Queen Village for more than 50 years, (and Marge since birth). They are lifelong community activists and have both served terms as President of QVNA. They remain actively involved in the Association today. Marissa Stern is a writer, a Philadelphia native and still the worst person to ask for directions. She has called Queen Village home for two years. All opinions are of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Queen Village Neighbors Association. ■
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President's letter
A Season of Renewal for Queen Village by Eleanor Ingersoll, QVNA President
Hello Neighbors, ueen Village is not only defined by our geographical borders; it’s also defined by our business district, green space, neighbors and their spirit. We are a unique geographical location as a river ward of the Delaware, but we also have diverse commercial corridors, thriving elementary schools, neighbors committed to maintaining green space and volunteers leaders committed to the fabric of the community. The QVNA Board and its committees work to bring you information and initiatives that support all these facets. For example, in partnership with Civics along the South Street corridor, QVNA is working to fully interpret different zoning variance applications and all available tools to vett and manage said applications. For upcoming zoning meeting information, scan the weekly News You Can Use email newsletter. Sign up at http://bit.ly/QVNA-eNews-Signup.
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In support of the neighborhood’s many green thumbs, we’re excited to launch the second annual Love Queen Village Day. You can help add more trees to the Queen Village canopy by helping QV Tree Tenders dig, plant and mulch empty tree pits with new saplings. Also, pocket parks will be taking center stage with clean ups planned across the neighborhood. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 25th, to green up the neighborhood, honor Earth Day, and meet your neighbors. Don’t forget on Love Queen Village Day, the Village loves you back! Morning volunteers are thanked with afternoon food and drink specials at a number of neighborhood restaurants who support the initiative. This season brings a number of important topics before the community. In March, learn how the partnership between QVNA, South Street Headhouse District and government agencies work together as the Nightlife Task Force to monitor and help improve the safety
and quality of life around Queen Village’s business district. In April, prepare for the General Primary Election at our forum for new and incumbent candidates. It’ll be moderated by Patrick Christmas, Policy Advisor with The Committee of Seventy, and co-sponsored by Queen Village and Bella Vista Neighbors Associations. In May, we’ll learn about changing Tobacco laws and how they affect the neighborhood. Whether you want to participate or celebrate, this quarter’s issue has many opportunities for you. Check it out to see what fits, or drop us a line if something could be added. Our mission is to help improve the quality of life for Queen Village residents. Your ideas, energy and support are always welcome at info@qvna.org. The calendar, on the last page of this issue, is ready to be ripped out and put on the fridge so you don’t miss a thing. Here’s looking toward the season of renewal.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 5
Out and About
The Shores of the Mediterranean in Queen Village Featuring Alyan’s Restaurant (Israel) and O Sole Mio (Italy) by Cait and Michael Allen
[The Phoenicians], who had formerly dwelt on the shores of the Red Sea, having migrated to the Mediterranean and settled in the parts which they now inhabit, began at once, they say, to adventure on long voyages, freighting their vessels with the wares of Egypt and Assyria…. — Herodotus, The History, I.1., 4th Century B.C.
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s the ships of the Phoenicians crisscrossed the waters of the Mediterranean, centers of commerce, such as Neápolis (Naples) in Italy and Jerusalem in Israel, became melting pots of language, art, and cuisine. Now, as spring arrives in Queen Village, come to the shores of the Mediterranean and meet the proprietors of Alyan’s Restaurant (603 S 4th Street) and O Sole Mio (250 Catharine Street) as each shares the experiences and tastes of his childhood home.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Dine in the Hills between Jerusalem and Bethlehem at Alyan’s Chef-owner Mohammed Alyan grew up in the village of Beit Safafa just south of Jerusalem. In his youth, he learned the rigors of cooking when he worked at a bakery and a hotel kitchen. He reminisces about the wonderful landscape of traditional ingredients and flavors in the region, such as the artichoke-like blossoms of Akoub that his family gathered in the mountains. He has operated at his 4th Street location since 1986 and lives in
Photo by Michael Allen
Queen Village. “When you cook food the way it should be cooked, it takes all of your time,” he told us. He described soaking chickpeas for falafel a day in advance and the additional four hours of postsoaking boiling time in order to make hummus. “The meat is trimmed lean by hand,” he said, “and once it is marinated overnight, you must use it the next day.” While our kabobs sizzled on the grill nearby, our table was filled with Baba Ghannouj and the Middle Eastern Combo, which included marinated carrots, mushrooms, eggplant and turnips. At first taste,
we were transported! The Baba Gannouj was creamy and so delicate with small bursts of garlic and olive oil. We imagined ourselves having lunch in the foothills under the quiet branches of an olive tree. And every carrot on earth should taste like Mohammed’s creation, incredibly juicy with hints of exotic spice and lemon. We won’t even mention the turnip soaked in beet juice with its salt-of-the-Earth flavor. Alyan’s Mixed Grill and the Falafel platter joined the feast. Just cutting into the lamb filled the air with the delicious aroma of meat smoke. Every piece
of chicken, every cut of beef, seemed to have been plucked from the fire at the precise right moment. And confession: we are not the biggest fans of zucchini. (It is so often used as a filler.) But at one bite of Mohammed’s grilled zucchini, we wanted to spin in the middle of a zucchini field like Maria in The Sound of Music. Drenched for a moment in oil to keep it from sticking to the grill, the flesh was seared, tender, seasoned, and bursting with juice. We were converted. Lastly, we cleared our minds to enjoy the falafel that takes so much experience and time to create. “We don’t use flour,” Mohammed said. “Most people don’t know that. It is gluten-free. When you know how to make it, the chickpeas alone hold it together.” We noticed sesame seeds mixed into the crisp crust, and within, the soft interior was Cilantro-green and delicate. It paired scrumptiously with the tahini sauce and dips of elegantly smooth hummus. Sipping our yogurt drink and hot mint tea, we enjoyed learning about Mohammed’s family and children and promised that we would most certainly be back to visit him soon.
Photo by Michael Allen
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 7
Out and About Naples-style Pizza and Recollections of a Fishing Heritage at O Sole Mio When Sal Virgi was 11 years old, he worked at a restaurant in his hometown of Naples, Italy. One short-handed day, the owner pulled him from his dishwashing duties and put him to work adding pizza toppings. He dropped the first pizza he ever retrieved from the wood-fired, brick oven. The future chef-owner learned that day to never drop a pizza again! Naples was not a wealthy town, and pizza was affordable. In a household brimming with seven brothers, this hometown treat became a weekend comfort food. During springtime, before the growing season, seafood dominated. Sal remembers his father, a fisherman, carrying in just-caught mussels and clams. He still smiles when he talks about the dishes his mother prepared with all the wonders his father brought home.
Traditional Naples margarita pizza fresh from the brick oven.
Photo by Michael Allen
Shrimp, calamari, octopus, scallops on bed of fresh greens.
The seafood salad is one of the creations where Sal pays homage to his roots. The dish—full of shrimp, calamari, octopus, scallops, and luscious greens— is topped with a lemon vinaigrette light enough not to quiet the sounds of the crashing sea. The scallops were especially miraculous, still warm and tender from Sal’s sizzling skillet. Next, we (not so) patiently watched the traditional Naples margarita pizza slide into the brick oven assembled from materials brought over from Italy. The fire glowed hot, allowing the baking perfection to happen in merely 60 seconds. The crust steamed with home-baked goodness slightly blackened where it touched the hot stone. And oh, the sauce—so fresh, as if Sal’s hands were stained vinegreen from picking the tomatoes. For our
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Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Photo by Michael Allen
entrée, we got to live one of Sal’s fondest memories—yes, those mussels and clams piled around the Linguine Pescatore. We could almost hear those seven brothers running for the kitchen. Lastly, with barely any room left, we took Sal’s advice and spooned rich chocolate, pistachio, and cherry layers through his imported Spumoni Gelato. Magnifico! Visit Sal on May 26th when he celebrates the second anniversary of O Sole Mio. “There is so much potential here,” he says about his choice of Queen Village. “There are so many young families here, and that’s what I love. The family atmosphere.” He is dedicated to the oldfashioned ways. “It’s important to create things and do it right,” he says. “It’s a lot more work, but it makes me happy.” It makes all of us happy too! ■
Got Milk? by Susan Kellogg and Oliver Ricciardelli
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f you haven’t been in the Wiccaco Market on 4th and Catharine Streets, stop by for a look-see at the changes made by new owners, Victor Fernandez and Jovanny Sanchez. Under this new management, the large windows are free of signs, (you can see right into the store), and tables have been added so you can sit and have your hoagie (still made by Carlos Morales) and people watch the neighborhood. Also new are the store’s hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. until
Wiccaco Market owners Jovanny Sanchez and Victor Fernandez. Photo by Oliver Ricciardelli
8:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Friends for more than 20 years, Fernandez and Sanchez have been brewing a partnership plan since high school, and purchased the market last October. The duo will be adding and taking suggestions for new products to the store, and lottery tickets should make a return soon. The goal: to make the market more of a neighborhood corner store, and community hang out for all ages. ■
It Pays to Shop Local by Marissa Stern
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ight $1,000 shopping (and dining) sprees were given away on February 3rd at O’Neals Pub, host of the Queen Village HUGE Holiday Giveaway drawing party. More than 60 businesses along Fabric Row and South Street contributed gift cards totalling $8,000, according to giveaway organizers-turned-emcees for the evening, Mary Harvey and Cindy Ray, coowners of Urban Princess Boutique. Congratulations to winners Gilda Edelstein, Don Martinelli, Rob Panish, Bernadette Schad, Tyler Solcolis, Samantha Sperling, Lindsay Steigerwald, and Susan Torrie. Entering the giveaway was as easy as completing an entry form at participating businesses. No purchase was necessary. O’Neals was a fitting setting for the
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in Queen Village, O’Neals Pub owner Spoonie and SSHD’s Dana Feinberg paused for photos and toasts before officially cutting the cake. Photo by Marissa Stern.
party, as the pub celebrates its own milestone— owner Spoonie is now 40 years at the bar’s 611 S. 3rd Street location. That longevity is part of what Harvey and Ray hope for the rest of the neighborhood, especially Ray, who has lived in the area since she was 12 years old. When asked if they’ll go for a third year, Harvey and Ray answered with an emphatic “yes.” “It’s going to be bigger and better next year,” Harvey said. ■ Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 9
Q V NA S P O TLI G H T
Three QVNA Community Grants Awarded
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reserving history, protecting nature and raising student performers. On December 13th, QVNA announced the Fall 2019 recipients of its Community Grant Grants Program. In total, three recipient organizations will receive $6,550. Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation (HGDPC), a volunteer-driven nonprofit, will receive $3,000 to help fund a capital at unce th to anno d project to repair se a le p We are and paint the exterior wooden to t n surfaces on the nity gra commu arded a sanctuary, parhas aw ish hall, and sexton house, r u as well as the ort of o in supp nt Project! rt o ra p p eG d su first floor Keyston l for neighborholinog and new! ratefu edes') spark very g Sw so ld re a interior of We Dei (O p Gloria mission to kee eum Com us M the sancorical & ania Hist Pennsylv tuary. The na.org www.qv
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estimated cost of this sorely-needed preservation work is $130,000. Undaunted by the financial challenge, HGDPC volunteers qualified the project for a matching fund Keystone Grant of $130,000. In 2019, they raised $65,000 through individual donations, fundraising events and, with the help of QVNA’s grant, will receive $65,000 in matched funds through the Keystone Grant. Friends of Mario Lanza Park, a volunteer group of Queen Village neighbors, will receive $2,000 to help save the life of a 200-year old tree located in Mario Lanza Dog Park. Root-level soil testing, disease treatment, and fertilization are required to rejuvenate and nourish this park treasure and essential source of shade. During 2019, this Friends group tackled multiple major tree-care projects and is raising funds to continue this important work. The Parent Teachers Association of Nebinger School will receive $1,550 to purchase risers for the school auditorium.
QVNA President Eleanor Ingersoll presents Nebinger PTA’s Ben Schindler and Abby Maher with a community grant along with Keira and Noah Schindler, a high-spirited Nebinger student, and Hazel Maher.
These risers will not only help audiences better see students perform, but also help student performers better see their performance leader and the audience. Nebinger’s PTA anticipates that the risers “will last forever and be used by all students in the school at one point or another.” QVNA’s Community Grant Program provides funding to help improve the quality of life of Queen Village residents. Grant requests are accepted for a wide range of projects and programs, such as enhancing parks, playgrounds, clean and green projects, and historic preservation. QVNA also accepts grant applications for in-school, after-school, and summer academic and/ or learning enrichment programs. ■
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ith the demise of the Crosstown Expressway, neighbors breathed a sigh of relief, but not for long. Ellen Lariviere, a long time member of the QVNA Board, read a small article in the Inquirer about a design for on/ off ramps connecting I-95 to the South Street-Bainbridge Street Corridor. Losing no time, Ellen made her way to the City Planning Commission to inspect the ramp design and report back to the community. Sure enough, the Inquirer article was accurate.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
The proposed on/off ramp interchange at South-Bainbridge would be the major intersection between I-95 and the river wards from the Ben Franklin to the Walt Whitman Bridges. Eight ramps were to be part of the interchange. The threat of many more homes being demolished strengthened the bond and energy between the older and newer residents who fought the Crosstown. The neighborhoods were now galvanized around a single goal, “Stopping the I-95 Ramps”. We knew we would be in a legal war with the
City, PennDot, and Federal Department of Transportation, and we needed an army to fight that war. The Neighborhood Preservation Coalition (NPC) was that army. Instead of neighborhoods acting hiladelp hia, Pen ns y lv an ia) · 29 individually Jto an 19“Stop 74, Tue the I-95 Ramps”, · Page 3 Downloa ded on twenty-three neighborhoods, from river Feb 27, 2020 to river, joined together to form the NPC to leverage the resources of the member organizations. QVNA, Society Hill Civic Association (SHCA), and the South Street Renaissance (SSR) were NPC founding , Sun · Page 38 members. Queen Village residents Bill Krebs and Rick Snyderman served as NPC co-chairs, who then brought in Queen Village attorney John Hunt as the NPC’s legal counsel. Hunt’s Harvard thesis focused on urban transportation and the law, and when the NPC formed, he taught at Temple University Law School on the same topic. The NPC sued the City, State and Feds to “Stop the Ramps”, and raised money for legal fees by holding block parties, festivals and parades, and selling bumper stickers, buttons, and tee shirts with the logo “Stop the I-95 Ramps”. The South Street Renaissance collective had taught everyone how to use the media and demonstrate effectively to get our message out to politicians and the public. This included a very successful mock funeral around City Hall. Covered by the press, it was a demonstration of the eventual death to our neighborhoods if the Ramps went through. The collective of civic groups and their constituents in the NPC provided the necessary political clout, to oppose such a high profile government project. When then State Senator Henry “Buddy” Cianfrani and State Representative Sam Rappaport joined the NPC lawsuit as co-plaintiffs, the NPC grew in legitimacy, recognition, and political clout. After that, the Federal Department of Transportation, PennDot, and the City of Philadelphia began to ne-
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gotiate with alternate proposals for the Ramps. A final design resulted in a Consent Degree approved by the NPC and government agencies calling for construction of only two ramps from I-95 onto Delaware Avenue — with no homes bulldozed. The Consent Decree also mandated a major role for the communities in the future maintenance of I-95, through the formation of Interstate Land Management Corp (ILMC); a partnership between the riverward communities and the beforementioned government groups.
Today, ILMC is responsible for the land abutting either side of I-95, from bridge to bridge. In Queen Village, examples of this include landscaping on the east side Front Street and maintenance of the South Street walking bridge. ILMC also leases out parking lots such as the sleeve parking areas on the east side of Front Street, from Fitzwater to South. All told, it’s the story of how committed volunteers and communities turned a potentially disastrous highway project into a public asset. ■
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 13
Q V n e i gh b o r s
Celebrating Community
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ore than one hundred Queen Village neighbors toasted QVNA’s Golden Anniversary on December 13, 2019 at Felly’s Bistro on Passyunk Avenue, host of the association’s annual holiday party and volunteer celebration. Adding to the festivities were presentations of two ceremonial State of Pennsylvania citations in honor of the QVNA’s longevity and service to the community. State Senator Larry Farnese sponsored and presented the first citation. State Representatives Mary Isaacson and Brian Sims sponsored the second citation which, due to Harrisburg’s legislative calendar, was presented to QVNA by their respective senior staff members. Since QVNA’s founding in 1969 as a volunteer-driven nonprofit, well over 400 neighbors have shared their time, skills and expertise serving on the association’s board or its committees. Hundreds more have participated in community cleanups, plantings, and other task-activities that help improve the neighbor-
hood’s collective quality of life. Today, more than 125 neighbors volunteer with QVNA, whether occasionally or on a regular basis. Additionally, and most significantly, a handful of volunteers from the 1969-1973
era still commit time to QVNA, including Alex and Marge Schernecke, who co-authored the article on I-95 ramps, and Herbie and Kathy Conway who have delivered the Crier to nearby neighbors since its first edition as a hand-typed newsletter. ■
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Citation was presented on their behalf by Samantha Pearson, Chief
A Senate of Pennsylvania Citation of Congratulations
of Staff for Rep. Isaacson and Ashton Adams, Director of Community Relations for Rep. Brian Sims. Accepting on
on QVNA’s 50th anniversary was sponsored by Senator
behalf of QVNA were Director Caroline Allen, President Eleanor Ingersoll and Executive Director Lucy Erdelac.
Larry Farnese Jr.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Top row (left to right): Caroline Allen and Max Young; Jon Takiff; Gwendolyn and Katie Lockwood; Edwin and Amy Rivera. Middle row (left to right): Councilman Mark Squilla, Mike McPhilmy, Ted Mader and Dan Gibbon; Duncan Spencer; Colleen Puckett and Ron Klatzkin; Eleanor Ingersoll and David O'Donnell. Bottom row (left to right): Noah, Ben and Keira Schindler; Lucy Erdelac, Dan Gibbon and Jamie Bischoff.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 15
Q V n e i gh b o r s
‘Twas A Night of Good Cheer and Giving
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VNA holiday party goers shared more than good cheer. Dozens of neighbors brought winter coats, hats, warm sweaters and pants for donation to the homeless.
QVNA volunteer Beverly Rears readied more than a dozen sweaters, ten coats, six wool hats, and pairs of pants for donation to Old Pine Community Center for its homeless community outreach program.
OPCC’s Executive Director April Thomas-Jones and Coordinator Jared de Uriarte accepted the donation. Old Pine
Photos by Lucy Erdelac
Community Center is a secular, nonprofit community center located at 4th and Lombard streets.
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Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
!
We r ou s r e e t n u l o V !!! In service to the greater good of Queen Village, volunteers preserve, maintain, improve and advocate for what we hold dear. With vision and compassion for future generations, volunteers care for our environment: our shared parks, playgrounds and tree canopy. When powerful forces threatened to divide our neighborhood, volunteers unified, fought and, against all odds, won the battle for our one-of-a-kind lifestyle. Whether cleaning and greening on LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY, serving on a committee or the Board; contributing magazine ideas, photos or art; distributing the Crier; helping in the office or at a community meeting, whether regularly or for an hour here and there—QVNA appreciates your volunteer service.
Thank You Queen Village Volunteers
April is National Volunteer Month. Since 1969, QVNA has depended on volunteers to lead and advance our mission of community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents. To those who have helped bring positive change to our community, and to the volunteers who sustain it today,
thank you for your service.
Community Stewardship. Advocacy. Service. Find opportunities @ QVNA.org/volunteer
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 17
So u t h S t r e e t B e a t
Art on the Street A new initiative transforms the hippest street in town into a canvas for local artists
Doggy Treats (at Starbucks), a whimsical piece by local illustrator and teacher at the University of the Arts Tara
Reported by Nancy Brokaw with photos by Riley Loula
T
hanks to a new project called South St.Art, the work of six local artists will be housed in empty storefront windows along the street’s 300 block—windows that provide the perfect canvas for inspiring local artists and revitalizing the streetscape. The project is a collaborative effort of the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) and Vision Urban Renewal & Transformation (V.U.R.T.), a Fishtown nonprofit founded and supported by local artists and advocates to inspire, unify, and renew urban communities through public art. Last year, SSHD Executive Director Mike Harris and his board began brainstorming ideas about ways to activate the street’s unused spaces and celebrate local talent. Their
idea? Recruit Philly artists to create work for display in vacant storefront windows. Richard Perry, a SSHD board member and proprietor of Tattooed Mom, who knows a thing or two about street art, suggested V.U.R.T. for the project. (A mecca for artists, Tattooed Mom’s second floor features an ever-changing gallery of graffiti, wheat paste, and other street art.) V.U.R.T.’s creative director, Evan Lovett, describes the collective, rather modestly, as “a group of artists, activists, and community members who are just trying to make things look better.” In fact, the group has strong public art cred—it created some 30 rolldown gates along Frankford Avenue’s commercial corridor—and was a natural to spearhead the project.
Kristin Scholes—her artist’s moniker is Sea of Doom—is showing Moth Bat, which riffs on the bat motif that’s garnered her a coast-to-coast following. Split between two windows of the old Indulgence Boutique, this piece depicts bat ears that seemingly morph into moth wings.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Jacoby, depicts three dogs, each dreaming of a particular food that bears an uncanny resemblance to them.
With SSHD funding and a grant from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the artists created a series of murals and printed them on large-scale vinyl banners for hanging in three empty storefronts on South Street: 325, which housed Indulgence Boutique; 328, site for the former Boyler Room; and 347, where Starbucks caffeinated Queen Villagers until December, 2018. “And when a property is rented out,” Lovett explains, “the work can be easily transferred to another space.” South St.Art isn’t the District’s first foray into art patronage—nor will it be its last. SSHD commissioned its first public art back in 2016, with a call for artists to transform the utility boxes that dot the street, explains SSHC Executive Director Mike Harris. “Then, in 2018, we did the Eyes mural over Johnny Rockets.” “Every empty wall, every vacant window is a canvas for us,” says Dana Feinberg, who serves as project coordinator for the District. “We’re building on a strong artistic heritage, and we want these projects to reflect our diverse, art-centric community.” As for South St.Art, “we’re at the beginning stages of identifying the next set of South Street locations to activate and the next set of artists to feature,” says Harris. “Robert [Perry of Tattooed Mom] is going to be putting more art in more windows and talking about expanding to other mediums—lighting, sculptural work, and video projections.” ■
Photo by Mark Henninger of Imagic Digital for WHYY’s Billy Penn (www.BillyPenn.com)
Repairs & Renovations
South Street Meets Avenue of The Roots
P
Carpentry Plumbing Electrical Tile HVAC Systems Power Washing Property & Construction Mngmt.
Queen Village Builders
by Taryn Goldsmith
hilly’s Streets Department took the world by surprise when it installed the Avenue of The Roots street signs at South Street and Passyunk Avenue three months early. Even The Roots. Beautifully surprised, describes Roots frontman Questlove’s tweeted reaction upon learning of the new co-naming of the intersection. “...does this mean WHAT I THINK IT MEANS!!!???!!!??? Hell of a way to find out!!!! WOW!!!!! @ South Street in Philly baby!!” Widely known not only as the House Band on The Tonight Show but also from their international concerts and fanbase, few people know that The Roots actually got their start performing on the sidewalks of South Street. Tariq Trotter and Ahmir Thompson met in high school at CAPA, the Creative and Performing High School on Broad and Christian Streets, and went on to form a band that would receive critical acclaim for its role in redefining hip hop. The Philadelphia natives have certainly done their city proud, representing Philly everywhere that they go with unmatched sophistica-
1/2 & full day Handyman
267-283-8122 MFactor@QueenVillageBuilders.com
tion. The street co-naming is a wonderful way for the city to share their appreciation for arguably one of the most talented hip hop/musical acts to come from Philly. The man behind the mission to initiate the block’s co-naming, LeRoy McCarthy, is a Cheyney University grad who is currently residing in NYC. His firm, Heterodoxx Inc., is also behind the creation of several street co-naming efforts throughout the country. “I have reached out to mayors in different cities coast to coast,” says McCarthy. “Honoring hip hop would show the communities where hip hop historically comes from, that the city, government, and law enforcement has respect for their art and culture.” Queen Village Neighborhood Association played an instrumental role in lobbying support for the street renaming. “It is particularly rewarding to celebrate Philadelphians who are role models to our youth.” says Eleanor Ingersoll, president of the QVNA Board of Directors. An official dedication for the 600 block of E. Passyunk Avenue is slated for May. ■
Email to Printer: MFactor@HPeprint.com
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 19
Feature: fabric row
Where Fashion Designers Materialize Some envision couture fit for the runway; others see slow fashion made for long life. Yet even designers with distinctly different styles, are likely to have one thing in common: their fabrics, feathers, rhinestones and leathers came from Fabric Row. by Martha Morowitz
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hile Fabric Row, the area of 4th Street from Bainbridge to Catharine streets, has seen a good many of its textile storefronts replaced by other ventures, it still remains a destination in the city and beyond. Here on the Row, neighbors meet for coffee or a meal, run errands, and pick up groceries. Recently named “Best City Shopping Destination” by Philadelphia Magazine, the street is evolving, with intriguing new businesses popping up while older stores just seem to get better. Let’s take a peek at a few of the fashion centered establishments that have staked their claim on the street in the last ten years. Their presence has added to the small town feel of Queen Village, while pumping up the fun factor with some very alluring fashion and fabric! One of the unique offerings along the street is Steel Pony, a beautifully appointed boutique featuring women’s clothing, handbags and accessories. All the store’s clothing is “individually created and dyed by hand,” onsite by the husband and wife team of Joanne Litz and Dennis Wolk. They have been committed to sustainability since the business started in 1992, producing high quality,
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Steel Pony, 758 S. 4th Street, Queen Village.
slow fashion [the movement of designing and creating garments for quality and longevity; encouraging slower production schedules, fair wages and (ideally) zero waste], with pieces that are meant to be enjoyed for years. This fashion design duo have “30-year customers, including many from Europe, who still wear clothes they bought long ago,” says Wolk. Litz is the artist behind the clothing designs. Her work has a distinctive flair with its detailed construction, the sumptuous
Photo by Riley Loula
drape of the natural fabrics, and lush shibori dye [Shibori is a Japanese dyeing technique involving folding, twisting or bunching cloth and binding it, before the dyeing process.] One of the hallmarks of the apparel line is that everything can be dressed up or down, looking equally fabulous whether worn with stilettos or sandals. Not to be missed is the collection of alternative wedding wear that Litz made for a show at Dilworth Plaza not long ago. The elegant dresses are subtly embellished, ren-
dered in luminous hues of off white. Even the specially made labels are tiny treasures. The gorgeous clothing is complimented by luxe, unique handbags, designed and expertly crafted by Wolk. Hand sewn in a variety of leathers, some are done in buttery, plush deer skin, others accented with snake skin or highly textured, nubby ostrich. The purses are artfully displayed on individual shelves, and bathed in pools of soft lighting. It is an exhibit worthy of a high-end gallery, and a reminder that the handbags and clothing created at Steel Pony are truly wearable art. When asked about the store’s name, Wolk explained that it is an homage to the invention of the sewing machine, dubbed steel ponies because they are the workhorses of the garment trade. Though not intentional, it is ironic that Steel Pony would wind up on Fabric Row. When you see the window at Oxymoron Fashion House, it is immediately apparent that this design house is something special. The little jewel box store always has a clever, engaging display. One recent vignette featured the mannequins styling each other’s hair, another had the mannequins wearing animal heads! No matter the beguiling theme of the showcase, the forms are always clothed in beautifully tailored, original designs. A Philly native, proprietor Monica Monique is the witty, ingenious force behind
Fleishman Fabric & Supplies, 737 S. 4th Street, Queen Village.
Oxymoron. After getting her Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, she worked for a clothing manufacturer in New York City, then, returning to her roots, worked with a premier vintage clothing store in Rittenhouse Square. After gaining valuable experience, she knew it was time to open her own shop. Monique’s vision is to create gowns for special occasions. Brides and prom bound young women flock to the atelier for her one-of-a-kind, glamorous frocks. Custom bridal orders may start a year out, and prom requests start to come in January. Clients arrive at Oxymoron, where Monique takes measurements and discusses design. The next step is to peruse fabric and trim in the neighboring shops, and once the dress has been
Photo by Riley Loula
sewn, there will be two fittings (possibly three for a bridal gown). Demand for creations from Oxymoron is strong, and for busy prom and bridal season, Monique employs high school and college level interns. She finds it rewarding to mentor young people, noting that “for a lot of these kids, it is their first time actually working in their field of study - fashion design.” There is something for everyone at Oxymoron. Not planning a wedding, or your prom days are over? You can find plenty of exquisite ready-to-wear cocktail dresses, funky denim, and highly original outfits to wear this weekend. “Oxymoron is the perfect last-minute stop to get a vibrant look for any special event!” Monique says. Fleishman Fabrics is a beehive of activity, the many customers perusing over 5,000 bolts of fabric on display. Third generation owner, Joshua Fleishman, attributes the hustle and bustle to a confluence of factors: The enthusiasm of makers and crafters; the fact that Philadelphia has the largest concentration of fashion design degree programs in the country (Drexel, Moore College of Art, the Fashion Institute of Philadelphia, Jefferson Textile Design to name a few); the city’s robust drag queen and burlesque culture; even Continued next page
Oxymoron Fashion House 751 S. 4th Street, Queen Village.
Photo by Riley Loula
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 21
Feature: fabric row Continued from previous page
the Mummers. Add to this mix serious designers shopping for fabric and trim to make bridal, prom, and formal gowns headed for red carpet events (The Met Gala! The Oscars!), and you’ve got a devoted following for your business. The frenzy is fed by the ubiquitous presence of social media. In a bit of circuitous logic, Instagram accounts promote the pageantry of Prom Season (apparently there is a scholarship awarded for the best “Promposal” - ask your kids, if you need an explanation), which pretty much echoes the Instagram accounts touting who wore what during the previous Award Season. Between the two annual fêtes, customers bring photos on their phones, trying to duplicate what celebrities have worn. This makes for some lively commerce in what is known as the Glitz and Glam room—where broad counters are surrounded by bolts of sequined, rhinestoned and feathered fabrics, some costing from $100 to $200 a yard. Surveying the scene, Joshua says he and his father, Stanley, often wonder what founders Harry and Sylvia Fleishman would think of this modern iteration of their dry goods business (in the early 1930’s, the couple sold staid, woolen suiting from the trunk of their car). Stanley thinks they would be proud of the new store, and probably amazed at the Glitz and Glam room with its fancy, bright and sparkly goods. But Joshua? He’s not so sure. The customers, though – they know what they want, and they clearly love what Fleishman’s is selling! Fabric Row has become an official shopping destination by sticking to its roots while welcoming newcomers to the scene. This winning combination is one of the many reasons Queen Village continues to be a marvelous place to call home. ■
Seamless Fashion Connections For a Manayunk designer, Fabric Row is a perfect fit by Martha Morowitz
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renda O’Livis studied fashion design at the Maryland Institute College of Art, briefly leaving needle and thread behind to work in fashion retail before returning to her true calling: designing fashion. O’Livis has cultivated deep, trusting relationships with Fabric Row merchants, relying on them to source unusual textiles and trim from across the globe for her couture designs, custom wedding gowns, and the materials required for the reverse-engineering she does for other designers (precision in design sample work is required to successfully create a line of factory-manufactured clothing). Philadelphia Fashion Week is also close to her heart. Last September,
Photo by Brenda O'Livis
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Photo by Brenda O'Livis
O’Livis curated a selection of stunning gowns and dresses, believing that Philly is uniquely positioned to grow this unique clothing sector: a concentration of schools with fashion degree programs; a strong culture of makers and designers; and the covey of world-class suppliers of fabric, trim and notions – right here on Fabric Row. O’Livis’ Spring collection includes a line of evening wraps featured in area boutiques and bridal stores. You’ll find them in Queen Village at The Wedding Factor at 125 South Street. Philadelphia Sewing Company, 6109 Ridge Avenue, rear. ■
Feature: fabric row
Competing at the Cutting Edge
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ongratulations to Francesca Rivetti, owner of Follicle Studio, whose hair design collection made the final cut in the Avant Garde category at North American Hairstyling Awards in Los Angeles—the “Academy Awards” of the beauty industry. The heady designs were conceived
and styled by Francesca who credits her “amazing team that deconstructed dozens of commercial mops” to obtain the varying lengths of fibers needed.“ This was one of my favorite collaborations.” The collection’s three wigs are currently featured in Follicle Studio’s window at 4th and Fitzwater streets. ■
Francesca Rivetti, owner of Follicle Studio, walked the red carpet in Los Angeles at January’s NAHA competition.
Photo provided by Follicle Studio.
Hair and Concept: Francesca Rivetti, owner of Follicle Studio Photographer: Jason Chen, co-owner of Paradigm Gallery Make-up Artist: Linda Charles Model: Terri Lisa Designer/Stylist: Kylie Stetler Shoes: Bus Stop Boutique Photography Location: Moon + Arrow (rareCo) NAHA Avant Garde finalists reflect “good taste and aesthetically pleasing images, displaying fashion forward, unique and edgy styles.” Watch the video of Avant Garde finalists at http://bit.ly/FollicleStudio.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 23
THe commons
Outside and Waiting: Your New BFF Queen Village’s canopy includes many Accolade
Three easy steps to becoming Best Friends Forever with your tree.
Flowering Cherry trees. The species is one of the most adaptable trees to urban environments, and horticulturalists consider it a top choice for curbside planting.
Photo by Dan Gibbon
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s you and your tree come out of winter’s hibernation, it’s time to think about what you might do to ensure that you and your tree become or remain BFFs.
From Compacted Hibernation to Exposed Flares Take a good look at the pit your tree lives in. The soil is likely compacted, so it’s time to un-compact it—like shedding the layers of winter sweaters. Minding the roots, so as not to damage them, carefully work a shovel, trowel or soil knife in between large, woody roots. While you’re loosening up the soil, work on exposing the root flare—the place where the tree’s roots meet the trunk. Buried root flares restrict the carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange that is critical to the health of your tree. Gloved hands are the best tool for uncovering the root flare. If you
By Dan Gibbon
want some help with this, I and other members of Queen Village Tree Tenders would be happy to lend a hand.
Mulch Moat vs Mulch Volcano When the soil in the pit has been loosened up and the root flare exposed, it’s time to add mulch. Be careful to keep the mulch away from the trunk of the tree and the exposed root flare, and lay down about three inches of mulch in the pit. Think in terms of a ‘mulch moat’ as opposed to a ‘mulch volcano,’ where mulch is piled up against the trunk. Your friendly tree tender will be happy to provide you with mulch.
Two Buckets are Better than One Last, but certainly not least, your BFF needs water to survive. For the first two years after planting, a tree needs about twenty gallons of water a week during the warm and hot months of April-Sep-
tember. That’s equivalent to one of those green gator bags full of water. While Queen Village Tree Tenders has a limited supply of gator bags, Home Depot has an unlimited supply of utility buckets. Here’s a great life hack for watering your BFF: buy two Home Depot buckets and put a dime size hole near the bottom of one. Put the bucket with the hole in the pit next to the trunk of the tree and fill it four times a week with the other bucket. The water will slowly trickle out, fully saturating the roots Queen Village Tree Tenders believe every tree, especially new ones, needs a BFF. So claim one in front of your house or on your block. You can get those utility buckets for $3.25 a pop, or go in on a 20 pack ($55) with neighbors and share the love of watering! It’s a great block project, and your BFF will be singing your praises forever. Have a tree question? Let us know at TreeTenders@QVNA.org. ■
Philadelphia Gardens, Inc. URBAN GARDEN DESIGN + INSTALLATION CONTAINER GARDENS TONI ANN FLANIGAN 215.951.9193 WWW.PHILADELPHIAGARDENS.COM Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Where Tree Huggers Go to Grow PHS’ Tree Tender training program starts in May
ree
by Thomas Paine In a chariot of light, from the regions of the day, The Goddess of Liberty came, Ten thousand celestials directed her way, And hither conducted the dame. A fair budding branch from the gardens above, Where millions with millions agree, She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love, And the plant she named Liberty Tree. The celestial exotic stuck deep in the ground, Like a native it flourished and bore; The fame of its fruit drew the nations around, To seek out this peaceable shore. Unmindful of names or distinctions they came, For freemen like brothers agree; With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued, And their temple was Liberty Tree.
The PHS Tree Tenders Basic Training Program Dates: May 6, 13 and 20, 2020 Time: 5:45 p.m. until 9 p.m. Location: PHS Headquarters, 100 N. 20th Street 1st Floor Fee: $40 Register: http://bit.ly/TreeTenderTraining
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n three Wednesday nights in May budding dendrophiles will unite to learn about tree care and planting during Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Tree Tenders basic training. This nine-hour course offers classroom and outdoor hands-on learning on topics including tree biology, identification, planting and proper care. Tree Tenders are given the tools to plant and nurture trees in their own neighborhoods. More than 100 neighborhoods, including Queen Village, benefit from this PHS program. In fact, over the past five years, our community’s tree canopy has grown by more than 400 trees, thanks to Queen Village’s Tree Tenders. For more information call (215) 988-1698. ■
iberty
Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs of old, Their bread in contentment they ate, Unvexed with the troubles of silver or gold, The cares of the grand and the great. With timber and tar they Old England supplied, And supported her power on the sea; Her battles they fought, without getting a groat, For the honor of Liberty Tree. But hear, O ye swains (’tis a tale most profane), How all the tyrannical powers, Kings, Commons and Lords, are uniting amain To cut down this guardian of ours. From the East to the West blow the trumpet to arms, Thro’ the land let the sound of it flee; Let the far and the near all unite with a cheer, In defense of our Liberty Tree.
Cartoon: Jim Hunt
Did You Know? Queen Village Tree Tenders will source and plant curbside trees for Queen Village property owners, free of charge. If necessary, they even provide sidewalk cuts for the tree pit. Each Spring and Fall, QVNA announces when tree applications are available in its email, News You Can Use. (Think April and November.)
215.886.6111 (Glenside, PA) 215.725.3637 (Philadelphia, PA) 215.572.6937 (Fax) www.libertytreecare.com MIKE DUFFY Certified Arborist PD-1766A
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 25
THe commons
Eco-conscious Reminders Are Afoot Students help connect stormwater and the river to your faucet
by Marissa Stern
E
ver wonder who placed those blue storm drain labels on Queen Village street corners and why? Meet the River Ambassadors from the Independence Seaport Museum. An environmental education program for high school students, River Ambassadors provides intensive, hands-on science learning experiences about Philadelphia’s waterways -- and why and how to protect them. Last summer, using materials provided by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Philadelphia Water Department, River Ambassadors labeled storm drains in Queen Village and other neighborhoods to remind neighbors that any trash, chemicals or water runoff in those storm drains will end up in the Delaware River. In the process, the students learned why it’s important to keep our storm drains clean -- because the Dela-
Supervised River Ambassadors label corner storm drains, reminding us that keeping them clean helps keep the river clean.
Photo provided by the Independence Seaport Museum
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
ware River provides drinking water for 15 million people. “Storm drain labeling is important,” said Mara, 15, a 2019 River Ambassador, “because it encourages and reminds the public that storm drains are not for trash, but to collect water to prevent flooding.” According to the Philadelphia Water Department, about 75,000 inlets throughout the city collect stormwater runoff, which is known to be the number one cause of pollution to rivers and streams, the source of our drinking water. In addition to its storm drain labeling program, River Ambassadors participate in on-water activities, conduct daily water testing in the Delaware River’s boat basin and care for its floating wetlands, thus demonstrating that anyone can take small steps to care for our environment. To find out more, visit www.phillyseaport.org/ riverambassadors. ■
the commons
Dog Run Improvements in the Works QVK9 rolls out short- and long-term resurfacing plans by Holly Russel current surface, which has seen countless pawprints and potholes over the years, will be replaced by clean, pet-safe gravel. Resurfacing is slated for summer. “Phase Two” is QVK9’s plan to install K9Grass in the run, which is a more sustainable surface than gravel, providing better drainage and antimicrobial protection. The cost to purchase and install K9Grass is $40,000, and QVK9 hopes all dog lovers will donate funds for this project at www.QVK9.org. ■
Photo by Amanda Hall Studios
T
he dog run at Mario Lanza Park, located in the 200 block of Catherine and Queen streets, will soon get a facelift. This project is spearheaded by QVK9, a group of Queen Village neighbors who volunteer to maintain and improve the dog run. “Phase One” improvements include the gates, doggie fountain, and seating. But the biggest – and perhaps most exciting – project will be the resurfacing of the ground cover in the dog run. The
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Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 27
It takes a village
Queen Village Joins The Great Global Cleanup for Earth Day 2020 April 25th is LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY, and you’re invited by Lucy Erdelac
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olunteers from around the world will be cleaning up their communities and “creating acts of green” in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in The Great Global Cleanup. Here, in our little corner of the world, QVNA is organizing our community’s second annual homage to Earth Day on Saturday, April 25th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY is a neighborhood-wide cleanup of pocket parks and playgrounds—with just enough planting of bulbs, new trees and pit mulching to satisfy those with green
thumbs. In 2019, more than 65 neighbors volunteered to clean up and plant in six pocket parks and add 11 trees to our canopy. On April 25th, QVNA hopes that even more neighbors will volunteer on LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY. It’s a great opportunity to care for community’s common areas, meet neighbors, and yes, have fun. And starting at noon, several Queen Village pubs and eateries will extend an exclusive offer of hospitality to LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY volunteers. To volunteer, please sign up at www.QVNA.org/LoveQV. ■
FUN FACT: Both QVNA and Earth Day are celebrating their 50th years of organizing and inspiring community action to help protect and improve quality of life.
“You cannot get through a single day without impacting the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Dr. Jane Goodall,
Primatologist and Conservationist
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Take a Minute Before You Bin It What Philly can recycle depends on you
St. Philip Neri Parish Holy Week Schedule Palm Sunday Masses
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. Vigil SPN Sunday: 8:30 a.m. St. Stanislaus Church (SS) 11:00 a.m. St. Philip Neri Church (SPN)
Monday-Wednesday Masses 7:30 a.m. - SS
Holy Thursday
7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer SPN 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper SPN
Good Friday
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer SPN 4.00 p.m. Veneration of the Cross SPN 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross SPN
Holy Saturday
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer SPN 11:30 a.m. Blessing of Food SS
by Susan Dreitlein
W
onder if what you put in your recycling bin actually gets recycled? Well, it depends -- here’s why: In 2019, the city signed a new contract for recycling not only to help make sure that your recyclables are actually recycled, but helps Philly save money as a result -- but there’s a catch: It’s not only what you recycle but how you recycle. The aptly named “Take a Minute Before You Bin It” campaign aims to teach everyone how to become recycling experts. Straightforward items like glass, plastic bottles, and metal cans are generally OK to recycle as long as they are rinsed clean. If items are not clean, they can’t be recycled. So, take a minute... and rinse it! Multi-material items, like light bulbs, are not recyclable. Plastic bags are not only not recyclable but they present a hazard for recycling center workers. Not sure about an item? Check out the Streets Department website: http://bit.ly/RecycleReference. ■
Easter Masses
Saturday: 8:00 p.m. Vigil SPN Sunday: 8:30 a.m. SS 11:00 a.m. SPN WWW.QUEENVILLAGECATHOLIC.COM
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 29
H o w I t Wo r k s
Get Ready. Get Set. Vote! What you need to know to cast your vote in April by Suzanne Dreitlein
S
pring is election season and here’s the dates to know: March 30: Last day to REGISTER before the primary April 21: Attend "Meet the Candidates for State Representative and State Senator." This forum is co-hosted by QVNA and BVNA. April 28: GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION and last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted mail-in and absentee ballots (deadline is 8:00 p.m.)
GET READY: 1. Are you registered to vote? March 30th is the deadline. Not sure if you’re registered? Call 1-877-VOTESPA or check online at http://bit.ly/Am-I-Registered-toVote. Need to register? You can submit an application online or by mail. • Apply online at http://bit.ly/Register-to-Vote-Phila. • Mail-in applications are available at any U.S. Post Office or public library, or download the application at http://bit.ly/VoterRegistration-By-Mail-Form 2. Decide if you need to vote by absentee ballot or by mail-in ballot.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
If you’re registered to vote in the April 28th election, you can choose to vote by absentee ballot or mail-in ballot. Either way, your ballot must be postmarked by 5:00 p.m. on April 21, 2020. You can also request, complete, and return a mail-in ballot during one trip to City Hall. Learn more at http://bit. ly/Absentee-or-Mail-in-Voting.
GET SET: 1. Find out who is running for office. The April 28th primary includes candidates for office at the national and state levels. United States: President; Congressional Representative. Pennsylvania: Attorney General; Auditor General; Treasurer; Senator (District 1); House Representative (District 175). As of the date this issue went to press, sample ballots were not available. Please check online closer to the election at http://bit.ly/SeeSample-Ballot. 2. Attend the April 21st “Meet the Candidates” Meeting at 6:30 p.m. You are invited to meet the candidates running for the offices of Pennsylvania State Senate District 1 and
Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 175. Queen Village and Bella Vista Neighbors Associations are event co-sponsors. Please check QVNA’s calendar in April for location confirmation: www.QVNA.org/ event/4-21-20 This event will be moderated by Patrick Christmas, policy director for the Committee of Seventy, a nonpartisan civic leadership organization that advances representative, ethical and effective government.
VOTE! 1. Voting by Mail-in or Absentee Ballot? It must be postmarked by 5 p.m. on April 21st. 2. Voting in Person? Double-check the location of your polling place. Recently, Philadelphia’s 2nd Ward increased its number of districts. Locate your polling online at http://bit. ly/WhereToVoteQV or call 215-6861590. Polling hours are 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. (If you’re still in line at 8 p.m. you can vote.) You can find a comprehensive voting guide at www.pa.gov/guides/ voting-and-elections. ■
Taxing Topics by Meredith Piotrowski How To Contest Your Property Tax Assessment
T
he Office of Property Assessments (OPA) begins mailing 2021 tax assessments in April. Have you received your property assessment? Have you wondered how the Office of Property Assessment came to the figure stated in the notice? Have you disagreed with that figure and wondered how to contest it? QVNA is here to help. The basis is the Actual Value Initiative (AVI), implemented in 2014, intended to assure that “properties of equal value get the same assessments.” OPA considers the property’s size, age, location, condition, and use when determining its value. For more information, http://bit.ly/How-OPA-Assesses-Property. If you believe the OPA has inaccurately assessed your property, complete the the First Level Review (FLR) form included with your 2021 assessment. The due date is printed on the form. You can also request a FLR form by calling 215-686-9200. An FLR can result in your tax assessment being decreased, increased, or even staying the same.
If you requested an FLR last year and have not yet had a hearing, your request may have been transferred to the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) due to the high volume of FLR requests in 2019. To find the disposition of your FLR, call BRT customer service at (215) 686-9283 or (215) 686-4343.
Sign Up for the Homestead Exemption You may be eligible for the Homestead Exemption if you own a home in Philadelphia AND it is your primary residence. In effect for 2020 Real Estate Tax bills, the assessed value of the property is reduced by $45,000 when you get Homestead. You can apply online at http://bit.ly/Homestead-Exemption-Signup, by phone (215) 686-9200, or by downloading the application at http://bit.ly/Homestead-Download and mailing it in.. If approved, you
can receive this tax benefit for as long as you own and live in the property.
Consider the Longtime Owner Occupancy Program Another tax relief option that may be available to those who have lived in their homes for upwards of 10 years is the LOOP program. If your assessment has increased by 50% or more since last year, you may be eligible. In addition to those two stipulations, you must be up-to-date on your current tax bill and your income level must fall below the set value for your family size as listed at http://bit.ly/Longtime-Owner-OccupancyProgram. Unlike with the Homestead Exemption, trusts are sometimes eligible for this tax break. Also, if the Department of Revenue approves your application, you do not need to reapply every year. Consequently, it will be applied to your tax bill annually. ■
Queen Village Quarterly Crier // PAGE 31
Q V LI F E
Community Calendar THU March 19
TUES April 21 • 5pm
SAT May 2 • 11am - 8pm
First Day of Spring
Postmark deadline for Mail-in or Absentee
South Street Spring Festival
Ballot for Voting in Primary Election
South Street from Front to 8th
FRI March 27 • 4pm 4th Friday on Fabric Row
http://bit.ly/Absentee-or-Mail-in-Voting
TUE May 6 • 6:30pm
Start your weekend early
TUE April 21 • 6pm
Shop and dine locally
Police Captain’s Town Hall
Santore Library
Lombard to Queen on 4th Street
3rd District Headquarters
932 S. 7th Street
SAT March 28 • 7pm
11th & Wharton Streets
Annual Student Concert (free event)
TUE April 21 • 6:30pm
Settlement Music School
Meet the 2020 Primary Candidates for
416 Queen Street
State Senator and State Representative
Police PSA 1 - Public Meeting
WED
May 13 • 7:30pm
QVNA Zoning Meeting 416 Gaskill Street
Location: www.QVNA.org/event/4-21-20
THU May 14 • 6pm
Police PSA 1 - Public Meeting
WED April 22
Society Hill Towers Community Room
Santore Library
Earth Day - 50th Anniversary
285 St. James Place
FRI April 24 • 4pm
SAT May 16 • 9am - 3pm
WED April 1 • 6:30pm
932 S. 7th Street SAT April 4 • 9am - 3pm
Central DE Advocacy Group Meeting
4th Friday on Fabric Row
Hazardous Household Waste Disposal Event
Hazardous Household Waste Disposal Event
Start your weekend early
1st District Highway Yard
8401 State Road at Ashburner Street
Shop and dine locally
4800 Parkside Avenue
http://bit.ly/2020-Hazardous-Waste-Events
Lombard to Queen on 4th Street
WED
April 8 • 7:30pm
SAT April 25 • 9am
TUE May 19 • 6pm Police Captain’s Town Hall
QVNA Zoning Meeting
Curbside Tree Planting - Volunteers Needed!
3rd District Headquarters
416 Gaskill Street
Meet at Weccacoe Park
11th & Wharton Streets
THU April 9 • 6pm Central DE Advocacy Group Meeting
400 Catharine Street SAT April 25 • 9am - noon
WED May 20 • 6:30pm QVNA Community Meeting
Society Hill Towers Community Room
Love Queen Village Day!
St. Philip Neri Church
285 St. James Place
Volunteers Needed!
218 Queen Street
SUN April 12 • 12:30pm
www.QVNA.org/LoveQV
FRI May 22 • 4pm
Easter Promenade
TUES April 28 • 7am - 8pm
Starts at 5th and South streets
Primary Election
Start your weekend early
Ends on 2nd and Lombard streets
Find your polling place at
Shop and dine locally
Easter Bunny party ends at 2:00 p.m.
http://bit.ly/WhereToVoteQV
Lombard to Queen on 4th Street
MON April 13
FRI May 1 • 10am - 6pm
MON May 25
Last Day to Register to Vote in April Primaries
Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser for Hill-Physick House
Memorial Day
Register online at http://bit.ly/Register-to-Vote-Phila
321 S. 4th Street SAT May 2 • 10am - 6pm
See www.qvna.org/events for our calendar.
Queen Village Quarterly Crier \\ spring 2020
Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser for Hill-Physick House 321 S. 4th Street
4th Friday on Fabric Row
SAT May 30 Trash & Recycling Pickup Delayed due to Federal Holiday
Volunteers needed 9am - noon to help plant and beautify Queen Village
Sign up @ QVNA.org/LoveQV
This event is sponsored as a community service by:
614 S. 4th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 215.733.9200 store3633@gmail.com It’s easy, just mention this ad for your printing at our location.
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Kathy & Patrick Conway What’s the job of a real estate agent? It’s not a job—it’s a passion! Buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions of your life, and it has been a privilege to help so many friends and neighbors in Queen Village. Though we’ve been doing this for decades, we still treat every call like it is our first and only one. We are grateful for your business!
Trust. Attention. Service.
We have built our careers on treating every client like they are the only one.
-Kathy and Patrick 215.266.1537 215.850.3842 215.627.6005 conwayteam@gmail.com
