SPRING 2022
Queen Village
Blossoms!
The ins and outs of zoning
Queen Village back in the day
Talking (household) trash
Merchants mentor Philly kids
QVNA Invites You to Think Globally and Act Locally On Saturday, April 23 from 10am-1pm join us for
Carpenter’s Walk at the QVNA Parking Lot (Front and Carpenter streets)
FREE Electronics Recycling & Shredding Event Show your commitment to help curb climate change. Take action by responsibly recycling. What Documents to Shred
What Can Be Recycled
•
EXPIRED credit cards, ID badges, drivers licenses, etc.
•
EXPIRED insurance policies, medical records, passports, visas, etc.
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OLD documents with your signature, name, social security# or birth date
Desktop Computing: • Computers & mini-towers • Hard drives • Laptops & handhelds • Notebooks & tablets
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OLD bank statements & cancelled or voided checks
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OLD tax returns, see bit.ly/ IRSguidance
•
OTHER info, see bit.ly/ GovtGuide2Shredding This event is sponsored by
Digital Storage: • CDs & DVDs • Video & audio tapes • External drives • Zip drives Computer Peripherals • Cables • Digital cameras • Keyboards & mice • Printers • Speakers
Media Players: • VCR/DVD players • mp3 players & iPods • Radios (CD, tape) Office Equipment: • Calculators • Desktop copiers • Fax machines • Scanners • Typewriters Telecommunications: • Mobile phones • Telephones (landline)
What We Can't Accept: • Televisions (flat screen and CRT) • Computer monitors (flat screen and CRT) • Air conditioners • Air purifiers • Dehumidifiers • Microwaves
& The Ph i l ly Li
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PHILABUNDANCE FOOD DRIVE The Queen Village Food Drive is back in person! This year we will be dropping off bags to your homes on March 26th & March 27th
Please leave your bag filled with non-parishables outside on Monday, April 4th
We will be picking up bags after 10:30am
Thank you for supporting our local food bank for our 7th annual drive
Liz Lutz, REALTOR® • (o) 215.392.0230 • (c) 215.850.6827
Contents 5 6
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16 Above Spring's here! Time for a frozen custard at Rita’s.
Photo by Lucy Erdelac
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On the cover Street Tree (oil painting, 2020): Spring comes to Monroe Street.
By Ed Bell, edwardbellfineart.com
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
24
President’s Letter
SPRING 2022
9
Volunteer Spotlight With more than 150 years of combined professional experience among them, the members of QVNA’s zoning committee put their knowledge to work for the good of our community.
Throwing a lifeline to Pennsylvania restaurants, Harrisburg has passed new legislation that makes temporary changes to the state’s liquor code.
10
South Street Beat
12
It Takes a Village
QVNA Spotlight In 2003, QVNA introduced paid, offstreet parking at below-market rates. This year, we’ve changed a lot, but QVNA parking is still below market.
The Commons
A mentoring program is connecting local businesses and Philadelphia high school students—with a little help from the South Street Headhouse District.
Everyone makes a carbon footprint. The Crier has some suggestions about what you can do to minimize yours.
Feature Because navigating Philadelphia’s Zoning Code can be a project in itself, the Crier has put together a primer on the ins and outs of zoning.
QV History More than 200 years ago, the Southwark Soup Society began serving the neighborhood’s “deserving poor.”
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Out and About Three local pubs serve up delectable dishes with a side of neighborliness.
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School Bell Books aren’t the only thing to check out at the Charles Santore Jr. Library! Activities include a knitting circle, English language classes, a book club, and even homework help.
QV Life A new book of old photographs offers a glimpse of Queen Village as it was 50 years ago.
St. Philip Neri Parish Holy Week Schedule VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 1 SPRING 2022 Online at QVNA.org/crier
PUBLISHER Queen Village Neighbors Association EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Eleanor Ingersoll president@qvna.org
Palm Sunday Masses
10:00 a.m. St. Philip Neri Church (SPN)
Monday-Wednesday Masses 7:30 a.m. - SPN
Holy Thursday
7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer SPN 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper SPN
Good Friday
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lucy Erdelac wecare@qvna.org
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer SPN 4.00 p.m. Veneration of the Cross SPN 6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross SPN
MANAGING EDITOR Nancy Brokaw editor@qvna.org
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer SPN 11:30 a.m. Blessing of Food SS
PROOFREADER Jamie Bischoff DESIGNER Alec Meltzer meltzerdesign.net
Holy Saturday
Easter Masses
Vigil Mass: 8:00 p.m. SPN Easter Morning: 10:00 a.m. SPN WWW.QUEENVILLAGECATHOLIC.COM
AD SALES advertising@qvna.org 215.339.0975 qvna.org/advertise
QVNA provides community stewardship, advocacy and service to help improve quality of life for Queen Village residents. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2022–2023 TERM) OFFICERS: Eleanor Ingersoll—PRESIDENT Justin Fishman—VICE PRESIDENT Chris Mullen—SECRETARY Cait Allen—TREASURER Matt Atkins Joseph G. Brin Dan Doyle Don Finley
DIRECTORS: Michelle Grimley Philip Holzhauer Mike McPhilmy Noah Swistak
EMERITUS DIRECTORS: Kathy Conway Michael Hauptman (1983–2003) Marian Buczek Inez Green (1991–2003) QVNA OFFICE 709 S. 5th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 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 Cait 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. Ed Bell is an award-winning artist whose paintings and drawings include figure, portrait, landscape, cityscape, and still life using a variety of mediums. (edwardbellfineart.com). Ed co-founded Lawson Bell Architects and is a long-time Queen Village resident and community volunteer who served as a QVNA Board Director and more recently as President of the Southwark/Queen Village Community Garden. Jamie Bischoff is an editor and a recently retired copyright and trademark lawyer, who has lived in Queen Village for the past 38 years. 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. Lucy Erdelac bought the first and only home she ever looked at. Of course, it was here in Queen Village. While she considered a move from Brooklyn and Ted considered one from DC, they discovered Queen Village–and three hours later found the home of her dreams, where they still live today with Tennison and Bisbee. A principal of Atkin Olshin Schade Architects, Sam Olshin has led the design of many of his firm’s award-winning architectural projects. Sam discovered Queen Village when, as a graduate student at Penn, he volunteered at Meredith Elementary, knew he’d found his neighborhood, and in 1989 made Queen Village his home. Hilary Young is a Queen Village mom and owner of Hilary Young Creative, a brand strategy and marketing consultancy. ■
Queen Village
Volunteers Sign up @ QVNA.org/Volunteer
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Be the Change You Want to See By Eleanor Ingersoll, QVNA President
I
t’s March, so that means we’ve been at this pandemic thing for two years now. Each of us has felt its impact—if not by the virus itself, then certainly by the ebb and flow of feeling isolated. The pandemic’s by-product of isolation has had an effect on each of our psyches in some way. Oftentimes, it’s been compounded by frustration and feeling powerless to change things. In conversations with people on street corners and cafes, dog parks and stores— not to mention phone calls and emails— I’m seeing and hearing neighbors who are eager to reconnect with the neighbors they know and connect with those they don’t. Also, I’m hearing exasperation about trash and crime. People want a neighborhood that is clean and safe. I understand. I’m exasperated; I want a clean and safe neighborhood, too. It’s time to funnel frustration into action for a clean and safe Queen Village. And it starts where all effective community efforts do: with the grassroots efforts of neighbors. Whether you’ve lived here for years or recently arrived in Queen Village, take the time to say hello to your neighbors, learn their names, and start a block-based email group. Then discuss
what you and your neighbors see as goals for your block. Consider safety. Examples could include: encouraging each other to turn lights on outside or to leave a window light on at night. Or assessing the city lights on your block: Have they gone out and need replacing? Are there potholes on your street (which can quickly turn into dangerous sinkholes)? With a block email group, these issues can be readily identified, reported to 311, and advocated for by QVNA at the City Council level. Lastly, there’s crime. Queen Village has seen everything from porch pirates to carjackings to muggings and shootings. Residents are resilient and block emails can alert neighbors and shared video can be sent to police. Consider cleanliness. While we wait for City Hall to deliver a productive street cleaning system (like every other major city in the U.S. has), we contend with a growing problem of loose trash blowing down blocks and curbs compacted with debris, litter, and leaves. If you and your neighbors want this addressed, perhaps our community wants to come up with our own system for street cleaning, block by block? What if your block has a continuing issue with household trash placed curb-
side, days away from a scheduled pick up? Or household trash being dumped in and around pedestrian trash cans? What if contractors leave construction debris on your block? Instead of shaking our heads, does your block’s email group want to turn aggravation into action by reporting violators to 311? QVNA can then advocate case numbers at the city level. These is a lofty goal: having a grassroots groundswell to make Queen Village clean and safe. But it’s doable. And it starts with neighbors reaching out to each other. This spring, QVNA will hold a community meeting to hear from you about addressing cleanliness and safety. Until then, I’m hoping that you and like-minded neighbors share contact information and ideas about a vision for your block. Communities are organic: growing, shifting, and changing. But a sense of pride can be woven throughout. QVNA wants to engage neighbors to take an active role in adapting our community to these changing times, one block at a time. It takes a Village.
Wanted: Block Ambassadors Keep QV beautiful! Become a Block Ambassador! Must be willing to recruit neighbors for block clean-ups and planting. Interested? Visit qvna.org/block-ambassadors
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 5
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Our Zoning Committee With more than 150 years of combined professional experience, these QVNA volunteers put their specialized knowledge to work for the good of our community. By Lucy Erdelac
S
even neighbors volunteer their time to serve on QVNA’s zoning committee. On the second Wednesday of almost every month, neighbors can join them to review projects proposed for the neighborhood. The committee’s rulebook is the Philadelphia Zoning Code, used for considering a project’s potential impact. It’s a responsibility that takes specialized knowledge, discernment, and an understanding of the zoning process.
Peter Piven, FAIA Peter Piven Management Consultants Chair of QVNA’s Zoning Committee since 2016, Peter has served on the committee since 2003. An architect, author, teacher, and consultant, Peter focuses on management issues and business practices in the design professions. He holds graduate degrees in architecture from both Columbia and Penn. A native New Yorker, Peter settled in Philly after graduate school in 1972. He and his wife, Caroline, chose Center City to raise their family and, in 2003, moved to Queen Village—liking its scale, urban character, and diversity of all kinds. A committed QVNA volunteer, Peter also distributes the Crier to 60 homes on his block.
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
Richard Carroll, AIA LEED AP Senior Associate JKRP Architects An architect and expert in green building, Rich joined the zoning committee in 2021, shortly after he and his wife moved here. Rich said they left the suburbs for Queen Village because “we love the trees, all the young families, the history, and definitely the food.” He volunteers his time on the committee because, as Queen Village grows, he wants to see it evolve in a positive way. In addition to volunteering for QVNA, Rich volunteers at Mario Lanza Park and at Mario Lanza Dog Park.
Tania Nikolic, AICP, PMP Community Plans & Liaison Officer Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command A professional city planner, Tania joined the zoning committee in 2018. She felt that her professional experience in planning large developments could be of service to the neighborhood. Tania has also served as an instructor for the Philadelphia Citizens Planning Institute.
A Las Vegas native, Tania moved to Philly for grad school and earned her master’s of city planning degree from Penn. In 2004, Tania and her husband moved to Society Hill and then discovered Queen Village. Two years later, they purchased their Queen Village home and started their family.
Samuel E. Olshin FAIA Principal Atkin Olshin Schade Architects Sam has led the design of many of his firm’s award-winning architectural projects. In addition, he teaches design at Bryn Mawr College; volunteers to support the arts, education, and historic preservation— and since 2018, volunteers on our zoning committee. Architecture and Queen Village were Sam’s destiny. A lifelong love of drawing led him to Penn to study design and the environment before earning a master’s in architecture degree. As a graduate student in the mid-80s, Sam volunteered at Meredith Elementary; he knew then that he’d found his neighborhood and, in 1989, made Queen Village his home.
Fun Facts: Rich Carroll can’t sit still. When he isn’t volunteering, cycling, or golfing, he does projects around his house and for his friends. When Emily Perschetz wins the Mega Million Lottery, she plans to open a bar and restaurant— and not care if it ever makes money. Tania Nikolic loves board games. Looking for Tania? Chances are you’ll find her at Queen & Rook. In college, Sam Olshin’s favorite song was Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House.” (To sing along, scan the QR code). Peter Piven studies watercolor painting at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts. Amy Rivera’s lifelong fascination with bridges peaked her interest in structural engineering. Noah Swistak loves birds. He claims his favorite is The Millennium Falcon.
Emily Perschetz Development Project Manager Stone Sherick Consulting Group Emily is a real estate development consultant who focuses on building affordable housing, primarily for nonprofit organizations. In 2018, she joined the zoning committee, having served in a similar capacity for her neighborhood organization while living in Baltimore. A QV resident since 2009, Emily and her family of five recently moved into their third Queen Village home. A MidAtlantic native born in New York City, Emily grew up in North Carolina and Baltimore, went to college in Philly, boomeranged to Baltimore and back to New York before returning to Philly for good.
Amy Rivera, PE Rivera Structural Design, LLC Temple University A structural engineer, Amy has served on the zoning committee for more than 15 years. In addition, she is an adjunct professor of structural engineering in Temple University’s architecture department and an appointed member of the Board of Building Standards for the City’s Department of Licenses and Inspections. Twenty seven years ago, Amy fell in love with Queen Village and moved here. As her family grew, Amy relocated twice in Queen Village. A long-time QVNA volunteer, Amy also served eight years on QVNA’s board of directors.
Noah Swistak Member Services Manager The Energy Co-op After earning his master’s of city planning degree at Penn in 2010, Noah focused his career on sustainability: the practical application of making choices that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. Sustainability improves quality of life for people, businesses, and local communities. In 2018, Noah and his wife, Amy, moved to Queen Village to start their family. In 2020, Noah was elected to the QVNA’s board and soon after joined the zoning committee. Re-elected to the board in November, Noah also represents QVNA to the Community Coalition of Interstate Management. ■
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 7
QVNA SPOTLIGHT
Shining a Light on a Lot of Change In 2003, QVNA introduced paid, off-street parking at below-market rates. This year, we’ve changed a lot, but QVNA parking is still below market. By Lucy Erdelac
T
he late 1990s marked the first change to our streetscape—enter the homefront garage. To accommodate each driveway curb cut, 10 or more feet of space was pinched from formerly available on-street parking. QVNA volunteers surveyed neighbors and measured on-street parking capacity. The result, encouraging neighborhood cozy-car parking: “Park as close as you can to the car in front and beyond to help make space for someone else.” In 2003, as an alternative to disappearing on-street parking, QVNA leased its first of two parcels of land under I-95 and hired a parking management company. In 2014, the adjacent parcel was leased, paving the way for QVNA’s neighborhood lot that today offers 180 spaces for paid off-street parking at a below-market rate. Yet today multi-family buildings, both here and throughout the city, are designed with few—if any—parking spaces for residents and guests. (Be sure to read Sam Olshin’s article on page 16.) Then the onset of the pandemic ushered in city-sanctioned streeteries. While
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
streeteries have kept restaurants open and their staff employed, there is also the undeniable reduction of available onstreet parking.
Meanwhile, at the corner of Front and Christian… Fortunately, with the renewal of both the land lease and the lot management contract on January 1, QVNA can still provide neighbors with convenient-tohome, off-street parking at a below-market rate. But, as expected, the cost to rent the land and to manage the lot has increased. As a result, the association raised its monthly rate for off-street parking. On March 1, parking space rental increased from $125/month to $150/month. The association absorbed the lot’s higher expenses for January and February in order to give advance notice to current parking lot customers.
Creating change for good. Despite the $25 rate increase, the QVNA parking lot remains the greatest parking value in the area and one of the lowest in the city. Neighboring
lots’ monthly parking rates span $225 to $350+. The QVNA Board’s decision to keep our rate this low stems from our mission: to help improve quality of life for residents. That’s why, separate from the rate increase, 2022 also brought three parking lot improvements: 1. In January, QVNA installed new, brighter lighting to help provide a safer environment for drivers and pedestrians in and around the parking lot. In addition, we reduced our carbon footprint by using energy-efficient LED lights. 2. In March, new equipment was installed at the lot entrance, replacing the decades-old telephone system that had controlled the gate. Our new technology provides user-friendly benefits, including the ease of communication with Parkway customer service. 3. QVNA contracted to increase the frequency of litter and debris removal— multiple times each week. With the lease and the contract in hand, QVNA can continue to provide the option for convenient, low-cost, offstreet parking to interested neighbors. ■
THE COMMONS
Worth a Shot Throwing a lifeline to Pennsylvania restaurants, Harrisburg has passed new legislation that makes temporary changes to the state’s liquor code.
T
hroughout the pandemic, Philadelphia restaurants have struggled to stay afloat. But in November, the industry got a boost from Harrisburg as Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 81, new legislation that loosens longstanding provisions of the Commonwealth’s notoriously rigid liquor code. For Queen Village, the most noticeable change will come in the form of a provision that significantly—albeit temporarily— extends the physical area in which a restaurant may legally serve alcohol. Under the new legislation, a restaurant may now extend its licensed premises to an area within 1,000 feet of its main building; the length of two city blocks. This provision holds true even if the site is separated from the restaurant itself by a public thoroughfare. So, your server may be delivering drinks to you from the (licensed) restaurant by crossing the (unlicensed) street to reach your (licensed) table. Previously, restaurants in the Commonwealth could serve alcohol only within 400 feet of their main building. This provision is temporary and due to expire on December 31, 2024.
In addition, the new legislation includes changes to off-premises catering permits. In the past, owners of a liquor license could apply for a catering permit to serve alcohol off of its premises, at events like weddings and birthdays or for popular beer gardens. The annual cap for these permits—previously set at 52—has been lifted for the next two years. Act 81 allows the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to issue an unlimited number of such permits to qualified businesses. The traveling liquor license can also be used in multiple locations, simultaneously, if permitted. The fivehour limit on catered events is also suspended. Like the temporary extension of licensed premises, this provision sunsets on December 31, 2024. And finally, if none of the best efforts of the restaurant—or the new legislation—can save the business, Act 81 offers one more respite; upon permanent closure, a restaurant may sell its stock of liquor and wine to another licensed business. Questions? Contact the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Office of Chief Counsel at 717-783-9454 or ra-lblegal@pa.gov. ■
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What’s Up in Queen Village? Find out this week in QVNA’s eNews.
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bit.ly/Subscribe2eNews Another public service from QVNA.
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 9
SOUTH STREET BEAT
Niches & Riches A win-win mentoring program is connecting local businesses and Philadelphia high school students—with a little help from the South Street Headhouse District.
Daysha ‘Toki’ Ferney and Riley Becker working at Tattoo Threadz.
By Eleanor Ingersoll
P
art of the mission of the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) is to “build an engaging and enticing place to work, visit, shop, invest, and live.” Hence, connecting businesses to surrounding communities and beyond is evident in the District’s clean-ups, scavenger hunts, interactive window decoration competitions, and large-scale festivals and flea markets. But now SSHD is also connecting businesses with the future workforce through a unique partnership aimed at mentoring, skill-building, and budgeting. It’s called Niche Clinic, and its mission is to teach and implement financial literacy among Philadelphia’s high schoolers. Cre-
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
ated by Dan LaSalle while a teacher and administrator at Olney Charter, it’s now a nonprofit 501c3 and his full-time job. “Covid has created the perfect storm for education innovation because students have been deprived of in-person learning opportunities over the last two years,” says LaSalle. “And you only really learn by doing, and you only become wealthy by practicing being wealthy.” LaSalle explains that becoming wealthy comes from practice with saving, spending, and investing money: the art of budgeting. That requires a primer on ‘how to,’ including opening an account, applying for educational financial aid,
and recognizing the difference between happiness in the moment (impulse purchases) with happiness in the future (saving, investing, and budgeting). Niche Clinic starts with the premise that seniors should have $500 saved in a bank account in order to visit colleges, submit applications, put down a deposit, and begin the next stage of their life. The program awards money after a student passes the financial literacy course and creates a job, school club or tutoring. These efforts not only look good on applications but also provide hands-on learning about budgeting money between wants and needs.
The program was then expanded to business partnerships outside of school. Students are awarded money for hours put into an internship, where they can amass skills to increase their professionalism which, in turn, affects their capacity to increase earning power. Enter SSHD. “Dan called the office to ask if he could provide a service to us—perfect timing because our businesses were struggling for staff. We are constantly looking for opportunities to provide resources for our businesses. It was a natural fit,” explains Dana Feinberg, SSHD project coordinator. In the spring of 2021, Feinberg toured the District with LaSalle to meet different business owners and pitch the program. Keshet Kitchen (705 E. Passyunk Ave.) owners Sharon Shvarzman and Abraham Bloom, who jumped onboard immediately, say the Niche Clinic kids exceeded their expectations. “We’re the winners in the end,” says Shvarzman. “Dan found kids that want to work and work hard. It’s also awesome to introduce them to different vegetables and different spices, showing them that when you like your work, it doesn’t feel like work, but you’ve also got to know how hard it is to pay for oneself and bills.” Another successful partnership is with Tattoo Threadz. The 617 S. 4th Street business specializes in apparel that’s made unique by personalized graphics. Owner-artist Keith Wardlaw explains that they also have sewing machines to further customize denim pants and jackets. Wardlaw loves people and truly believes in paying it forward, so signing on with the Niche Clinic fit his life philosophy, “Show the kids what they can do, how they can elevate themselves using art,” he says. “These kids want to have their own brand, they want to do their own thing, but a lot of times don’t know
how to work [digital] art programs. So by them being here, they learn the art programs, get to know the fabrics, they get to understand the customers, listen to the customer to see exactly what they want. And not only that, they get to see the reaction after they’ve done the work for them.” Wardlaw is currently mentoring two Niche Clinic students. Daysha ‘Toki’ Ferney is learning the mechanics of applying the graphic designs to clothing while working on her drawing. “Mr. Dan pitched me about a summer job,” she explains, “and that is how I got into the program. Now I’ve changed schools from Cabrini to CCP so I can transfer to the University of the Arts.” Riley Becker is learning graphic design basics. “Mr Dan taught me a lot about money,” he says. “He matured me. And I have my own clothing line so this is a good, good fit. I wanted the learning experience.” LaSalle explains that naming the program comes from the biological implication of niche: when an organism finds the perfect habitat with a stable food source. In the South Street Headhouse District, those niches are being created at Tattoo Threadz, Keshet Kitchen, Isot Restaurant, and Ishkabibbles. “We’re designed to do things and be fulfilled,” LaSalle says. “Students get structured support doing meaningful internships. It’s finding the job that pays the bills and gives fulfillment. They go in and see masters of their craft, it’s impacting their lives. No one is there to diminish their profit margin.” ■ If you would like more information about applying to the Niche Clinic visit nicheclinic.org/contact. If you are interested in donating to the Niche Clinic visit nicheclinic.org/donate.
O L D
S W E D E S’
Regular Weekly Services
Sunday Worship with Eucharist In-person and livestreamed on our Facebook page “Gloria Dei Old Swedes’ Episcopal Church”
10:00 am
Tuesday Evensong on Zoom Meeting ID: 834 5987 6076 Passcode: 988017
6:30 pm All are welcome.
Planned Services and Events if Covid Restrictions Allow
March 2
Ash Wednesday Service 12:00 noon & 7:00 pm
March 30
Border Crossings: Modern Trade & Business Compared to the Historic Silk Road—6:30pm ($25 admission)
April 10
Palm Sunday and Reading of the Passion of Christ—10:00 am
April 13
Seder Meal and Service—6:00 pm
April 14
Maundy Thursday Service and Stripping of the Altar—7:30 pm
April 15
Good Friday Service—2:30 pm
April 17
Easter Sunday Service—10:00 am
April 22
Sexton Sideshow presents Jesus Christ Superstar 7:00 pm ($20 admission)
May 21 Spring Flea Market 8:00 am–3:00 pm Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church invites you to join us. 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. —Fr. Koshy Mathews, pastor, and the Congregation of Gloria Dei
Columbus Blvd. & Christian Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 215-389-1513 www.old-swedes.org QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 11
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Talking Trash Everyday actions create a carbon footprint—the measure of greenhouse gasses produced by an individual in a year. Everyone makes a footprint, so what we discard helps determine its size. By Lucy Erdelac
Why Trash Matters
I
t’s a fact: Trash is getting harder and harder to contain in our homes, on our streets, and in our landfills. From paper and delivery boxes to small and large electronics, trash produced throughout the city has grown exponentially. The reality of landfills: • Food, clothing, and paper decay in landfills to produce greenhouse gas. • As discarded electronics, appliances, and batteries break down, they emit toxins into the soil that spread into groundwater. Want to responsibly reduce household trash? Here are some ways:
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
Tons of Curbside Trash Collected in Philadelphia (January 2017-June 2021)
Source: Data Release: Sanitation Performance Metrics, City of Philadelphia, Office of the Controller,
November 21, 2021.
Electronics and Small Appliances Did you know that 70 percent of hazardous waste in our landfills comes from discarded electronics put out with household trash? If it has a cord, please don’t abandon it on the sidewalk or leave it with curbside trash.
Two Easy Ways to e-Cycle: On Saturday, April 23, conveniently recycle them for free! QVNA’s LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY offers free e-Cycling from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carpenter’s Walk at the QVNA parking lot (Front and Carpenter streets). For details, see QVNA.org/LOVEQV. Not around on the 23rd? Here are options for responsible recycling: • small electronics (laptops, tablets, and smartphones) Free drop-off at Staples, 1300 Columbus Blvd., 215-551-7543 • small appliances (TVs, monitors, and kitchen tools) Free drop-off at City eCycling Center, 5101 Grays Ave., Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • at-home pickup (small appliances, TVs, and computer monitors) From microwaves to mini-fridges or that boxy TV in your basement, Retrievr will recycle it responsibly for a modest convenience fee. retrievr. com or text PICKUP to 757-703-3824.
Is it trash, or can it be recycled?
Want to shrink your foodprint?
I Ready, set, take the quiz!
t’s been estimated that a typical Philadelphia household produces more than 170 pounds of compostable kitchen scraps, eggshells, banana peels, and teabags. In landfills, decaying kitchen scraps release methane, the most ecologically destructive greenhouse gas. By con-
trast, composting is nature’s way of breaking down plants and kitchen scraps in order to feed plants and trees. Interested in composting? Find a variety of local resources to help keep kitchen scraps out of the city dump at bit.ly/CompostingResources.
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 13
Paperwork and Junk Mail Did you know that, annually, the average household trashes 13,000 pieces of paper from junk mail and packaging? To make matters worse, 50 percent of junk mail ends up in landfills. But taking steps to responsibly reduce and recycle can make a dent in this tonnage.
Leave Shredding to Experts Keeping personal information private is the primary reason for at-home shredding. But paper shredded at home can’t be recycled—instead it likely ends up in landfills, where its decomposition adds to dangerous greenhouse gasses. Professional shredding companies use a specialized process to securely shred, compress, bundle, pulp, and mill paper for recycling into everyday products, including toilet paper.
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
Choose to Redact Three Convenient Options for for Responsible Shredding On LOVE QUEEN VILLAGE DAY, Saturday, April 23, responsibly shred your documents for free! 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Carpenter’s Walk at the QVNA parking lot (Front and Carpenter streets). For details, see QVNA.org/LOVEQV. Not around on the 23rd? Use Iron Mountain’s locked drop-off bins. For a modest per-pound fee, Iron Mountain transports locked bins to its shredding facility for secure processing. Secure bins can be found at: • The UPS Store, 614 S. 4th St. • Staples, 1300 S. Columbus Blvd.
Instead of shredding to keep your name and address private, use a redacting pen, stamper, or ID protection roller to hide them. The black, permanent ink covers information so you can opt to recycle more paper curbside.
Reduce Your Junk Mail The average American receives 41 pounds of junk mail per year, and almost half of that gets recycled. Here are three ways to reduce it: • Reduce junk mail by registering online at dmachoice.org ($2 fee) • Opt out of credit card and insurance offers at optoutprescreen.com • Cancel those unwanted catalogs at catalogchoice.org
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Who Takes What?
The Beauty of Upcycling Glass
I
t’s easier to recycle when you know what’s recyclable, who takes what, and where you need to take everything else. QVNA did the homework for you:
G
lass bottles and jars are 100 percent recyclable but all too often end up in landfills. At The Bok Building (1901 S. 9th St.), Bottle Underground accepts and responsibly recycles clean glass containers. Through its sister nonprofit, Remarkable Glass, bottles, jars, and other glass containers are transformed into works of art by professional glass blowers, upcycling them in unique and beautiful ways. For more information, see bottleunderground.com and remarkableglass.com.
Philly Recycling 1-Pager to Print Out bit.ly/guide2recycle
Where to Recycle or Donate (Interactive) phila.gov/recycling-donation-finder
Where to Take Household Hazardous Waste bit.ly/HouseholdHazardousWasteDropOffs
Schedule an At-Home Recycling Pickup retrievr.com
17 Springs of
Neighborhood Household Batteries Batteries are hazardous waste. In the U.S., approximately three billion household batteries (180,000 tons) are thrown away each year. But components from common types of batteries can be properly recycled so the metals and chemicals don’t end up in landfills. The Home Depot Store accepts household batteries for recycling at no charge: alkaline, rechargeable, lithiumion (L-Ion), and nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd). Drop them off at the Customer Service Center, 1651 S. Columbus Blvd. ■
Help
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QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 15
FEATURE
Under Construction Navigating Philadelphia’s Zoning Code can be a project in itself. So the Crier asked one of its own zoning committee members for a primer on the ins and outs of zoning. By Sam Olshin
Q
ueen Village is both one of the oldest neighborhoods in Philadelphia and also one of the most desirable to live in. Because of its character and amenities, it is constantly in a state of transition. There are currently five significant building projects planned or under construction in the neighborhood. These include sites at 2nd and Christian, 3rd and Christian, 3rd and Carpenter, Passyunk and Bainbridge, and Front and South Streets. With so many projects currently underway, many neighbors have questions about the neighborhood association’s role in the development of these parcels. That role is led by the QVNA’s Zoning Committee, which is composed of archi-
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
tects, engineers, and real estate professionals. Committee members, currently at seven, are all volunteers appointed by the president of the Queen Village Neighborhood Association. When landowners or developers wish to build outside of allowable zoning stipulations or requirements—the City has 19 separate zoning classifications—they apply for a variance. A variance asks for permission to build due to a hardship presented by current restrictions. The City issues a refusal notice, and an orange sticker is placed on the site. That denial is sent to the neighborhood association’s zoning committee, which schedules a community meeting to hear from the owner or developer about the
project’s hardship, determine the validity, and gauge neighborhood impact. See qvna.org/zoning. The zoning committee sends its determination—approve, non-opposition, oppose—to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), which hears the case, takes the community’s input into consideration, and makes a final ruling on the hardship. Some projects may be considered big for the neighborhood but are permissible based on the zoning designation of the parcel. “By-right” projects do not require a variance because they are proceeding within the city’s zoning code requirements with regard to use, setbacks, height, parking, etc.
Thus, there is no requirement for a public meeting with neighbors and no letter needed from the neighborhood zoning committee. A Civic Design Review (CDR) is triggered when a by-right project exceeds 50 units or more than 50,000 ft. of new gross floor area in a neighborhood. The City’s Planning Commission brings together the by-right project’s developers, the community, and a panel of design professionals. This review hears questions and concerns about the project and makes recommendations that are nonbinding because the project is still within allowable zoning code requirements. Another category of permissible construction is the “special exception.” A special exception can be granted by the ZBA if the project is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. For example, this may include the adaptive re-use of a former industrial building for a school.
The proposed building for Front and South Streets (courtesy of Ambit Architecture); inset, Front and South today.
The plan for 1015 South Third Street (courtesy of HDO Architecture); at right, the lot as it appears today.
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 17
FEATURE Variances also come up for the licensing of businesses in the South Street Headhouse District (SSHD) and the surrounding neighborhood. The zoning committee of Queen Village will work cooperatively with SSHD to hold a joint meeting to hear from the applicant as well as neighbors. Each body, both a Registered Community Organization (RCO), will then submit its own letter to the ZBA. It should be clear that the Zoning Board often listens to the RCO’s recommendations with regard to the granting or refusal of a variance request, but not always. The ZBA conducts monthly public hearings where the RCO’s position is read publicly, and others may speak at those public hearings either in support of or opposition to the variance request. The ZBA issues the final decision. The Zoning Code is being regularly updated and stipulations that affect development are constantly being re-evaluated, including phasing out of the 10year tax abatement and reassessing the permission to demolish older properties in order to build anew to qualify for a tax abatement. There will be other significant projects in the neighborhood, no doubt, in the future. Whether you are a homeowner or a developer, you are required to conform to the Philadelphia Zoning Code and secure zoning approval and a building permit. We in the neighborhood should be respectful of the process while doing our best to advocate and provide responsible stewardship of Queen Village. ■
The future for 419 Bainbridge Street and Passyunk Avenue (courtesy of Bernardon); below, the site today.
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Next month: Understanding legal vs. illegal construction
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
QV HISTORY: SOUP KITCHEN
To Feed the Poor More than 200 years ago, the Southwark Soup Society began serving the neighborhood’s “deserving poor.”
F
ounded in 1805, the Southwark Soup Society was the first soup society established in Philadelphia. More would follow in the decades ahead: Kensington’s in 1844 and Spring Garden’s in 1853. The society was founded by James Ronaldson to provide aid to Southwark’s “deserving poor.” A Scotsman who had emigrated to Philadelphia from Edinburgh in 1794, Ronaldson was a successful local businessman, who teamed with fellow Scot Archibald Binny to establish one of America’s first type foundries in 1796. Later, he also operated a cotton mill and dabbled in real estate. But Ronaldson was also active in Philadelphia’s civic life: He served as the first president of the Franklin Institute, ran (unsuccessfully) for Congress, and even established a private cemetery at 9th and Bainbridge (the site of present-day Palumbo Recreation Center and Playground) for those with no religious affiliation. The soup society he founded was located on South Hancock St. (then known as Sutherland St.) to serve the working poor of the neighborhood. The soup house was open for lunch, but only during the cold winter months. Society representatives distributed tickets redeemable at the soup house, and caretakers there—most of them women—distributed thousands of gallons of soup and
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
thousands of loaves of bread from January through March. The society served its last bowl of soup in 1929, when it merged with the Union Benevolent Association. Although now a private residence, the building that housed it stands, still inscribed “Southwark Soup Society.” ■
Soups On!
W
hen Erica Downey happened on a post about a soup group organized by the South of South Neighborhood Association, she was all ready to sign on. “Especially as someone who loves to cook and is relatively new to South Philly, I thought it was a fantastic idea,” she says. Alas, her Bella Vista address disqualified her from joining. Undeterred she floated the idea to a friend who’s involved with the Bella Vista Neighbors Association. And when the word got out, the response was strong. “Everyone seems quite enthused about the idea of not only meeting new neighbors but also learning and trying out new soup recipes,” Downey says. With 22 people signing up to date, Downey is hoping that Soup Group will become a yearly tradition.
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OUT AND ABOUT
Pub Crawl Through The Beating Heart Of Queen Village Delectable dishes with a side of neighborliness are on the menu at three local pubs. By Michael and Cait Allen New Wave Cafe Bar & Restaurant 784 S. 3rd St. When New Wave opened in May 1985, owners and high school friends Nate Ross and brothers Sam and Aly Lynagh were the youngest liquor license holders in Pennsylvania. “Queen Village was different back then,” Nate says, but they understood that the community had deep roots. New Wave’s philosophy: Every person who comes through the door is a potential regular, so treat them accordingly. Looking for comfort food, we started with French onion soup on a night sharp with knives of cold. The cheese, man, the cheese! Next, a wedge salad struck a beautiful triangular pose with buttermilk dressing, a tower of bacon, and red onion. The brisket comes with a gravy boat of au jus. A gravy boat! Heaven must serve sandwiches with a gravy boat. (And hint, you must add tots.) Finally, the bleu burger anchored the night with bleu cheese, bacon, and caramelized onion. You’re never sure how the Eagles are going to play, but
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
The cheese plays a starring role in New Wave’s onion soup.
you can always count on the performance of a New Wave burger! “We have been open every single day of our existence,” Nate says. “Our staff is why we thrive. They embrace the neighborhood, and the neighborhood embraces them.”
OUT AND ABOUT
Lucky’s roadside tots are always a winning bet!
Lucky’s Last Chance 848 S. 2nd St.
For Pete’s Sake Pub 900 S. Front St.
You enter an old, hip garage-meets-heroic-comic-realism with band posters, travel art, and advertisements from past eras. “Our vision was a punk-rock burger joint,” says General Manager Tim Spreng. “We wanted a neighborhood hangout where you can linger and immerse in craft cocktails, great beers, and glutinous food. You are never going to find a salad on the menu.” Founded in Manayunk, Lucky’s added its Queen Village location in 2016 and, ever since, has been knitting itself into the neighborhood. “We credit the closeness of our staff for our success,” Tim says. “A regular once invited us to her wedding, and we went!” The fame caught fire and spread with the peanut butter bacon burger. (Yes, we had to have it.) Expectedly complex and layered—more typical of a French wine than a burger—the rich beef shifts to salty peanut butter, then to savory bacon, then drops the shoulder for the tackle with sweet grape jelly. The award-winning pickle monster burger is a tower of taste with its fried pickles, dill flavor, and potato chiplayered crunch. And pull over for some roadside tots, with cheese sauce, spicy seasoning, sauteed onions, and jalapeños. Catch a little Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark on the TVs as you sip and savor some conversation.
In 2001, when Peter Quinn and his wife Deidre toured the tavern that would later be reborn as For Pete’s Sake, six people at the bar turned from their dollar ponies and stared at them. The building had once been the meeting place and watering hole for the International Longshoremen’s Association, where the men kicked off their mornings learning if there was dock work that day. The Quinns set to work restoring the
The apple empañada at For Pete’s Sake is OMG delicious.
facade to its original brick, uncovering 1830s window openings, and rebuilding the doors and windows to period designs. The result was a gastropub where people could enjoy great beer and great food without breaking the bank. “At that time,” Peter says, “most local bars served frozen and pre-processed food. I wanted only fresh food made from scratch.” Visions like Peter’s helped to launch the culinary renaissance in Philadelphia, which now stands as a national foodie destination. Speaking of food, we summoned our inner Slovak and started with pierogies with a touch of crispness, caramelized onions, and sauteed kielbasa. Our Eastern European ancestors rose in hearty applause! Also, being raised in Buffalo, we appreciated the wellcooked, well-tanged wings along with a smartly balanced beer called Swishy Pants. The house burger—a weekly get-it-while-you-can rotation—burst with a cacophony of flavors: goat cheese, caramelized onions, and pesto. The fish and chips tore beautifully thick and flaky with just enough batter to make it light, but legit. “When gathering places close, as they did for a time in COVID, the neighborhood becomes gloomy and dark,” says Peter, motioning to the dining room. “These little beating hearts breathe life into the neighborhood.” Yes, Peter, yes. Truer words were never spoken. Come to the corner of Front and Christian for an infusion of that life. And have the apple empañada, it’s OMG. ■
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 25
SCHOOL BELL
A Neighborhood Gem Looking to join a knitting circle? Need help with homework? Check out our local library. (Plus they have a great selection of books!) By Hilary Young
A
nyone who has ever set foot inside the Charles Santore Library branch at 932 S. 7th St. knows that its value to the community is far greater than a wonderful collection of books. Since opening its doors to the community in 1963, the library, which serves the Queen Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods, has become a hub of learning, experiencing, and connecting for so many, both young and old. “The library is an important gathering place and center for learning in a vibrant and diverse community,” says Branch Manager and Head Librarian Jeanne Hamann. “Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the pandemic has greatly impacted our ability to provide services.” As a result, the library has taken much of its programming virtual, including Knit/Crochet Circle, Intermediate English Classes, and the Bella Vista Book Club. It is, however, still able to offer its in-person, after-school homework help and enrichment program, called LEAP. “The courtyard has been invaluable as the preferred place for middle-schoolers to gather in the library after school, thus keeping the number of patrons in the meeting room and children's area from exceeding capacity limits,” explains Jeanne. “We are currently raising funds to restore the beautiful Charles Santore, Jr. ‘Escape from Poppy Field’ mural in the
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
The Charles Santore Library on South 7th Street.
courtyard,” said Mitchell L. Bach, president of Friends of the Charles Santore Library. “We received a partial grant from QVNA to improve that space, which has served as a vital gathering place for the community, but we need to raise additional funds to restore the mural, which has faded over time.” Although not the namesake of the library, Charles Santore, Jr., was a famous
illustrator and artist who not only painted the mural in the courtyard but also held a book-signing and talk at the library in 2017. His father, Charles Santore Sr., a former boxer, Republican ward leader, and founder of Municipal Employees Union Local 696, holds the honor of having the library renamed for him in 2004. At the time of his death, Santore was the oldest active ward leader to serve the city of Philadelphia.
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Escape from the Poppy Field mural, by Charles Santore, Jr., in the library’s courtyard.
With its rich history and positive impact on the community, the Charles Santore Library has become a true neighborhood gem—one that is worth fundraising
for. For those interested in supporting the Friends of the Charles Santore Library, please contact Mitchell L. Bach at MBach@ eckertseamans.com or 215-429-0100. ■
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QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 27
QV LIFE
The Old Neighborhood A new book of old photographs offers a glimpse of Queen Village as it was 50 years ago. By Richard De Wyngaert Richard De Wyngaert caught up with photographer Will Brown, formerly of Queen Village, to talk about his new book, South of South Street. Its a release focused on his 1970s-era collection of photographs that captured the essence of a rapidly changing Southwark District. (top right) Cover photograph: Three Men, 1971; (top left) Floyd and Friend-Fulton Street, 1973 [taken at 417 Fulton Street]; (bottom left) Ben’s, 1972 [324 Kater Street]
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER \\ SPRING 2022
E
mbarking on their artistic journeys in the 1970s, both individually and as a newly married couple, Will and Emily Brown were searching for a commu-
nity. Will, a photographer and professor at Swarthmore, along with Emily, a painter, were keenly interested in the faceted rehabilitation they observed going on in Philadelphia—particularly in Society Hill and Queen Village. They decided the Southwark District would provide the nutrients of a rich beginning—a diverse neighborhood both in people and architecture providing the literal and figurative space to build a community and grow their art. They put down roots in Queen Village.
(clockwise from top left) Scale, 1973; Afro, 1974; Fruit and Produce Market, 1973
Early on, Will’s photography was admired by the late Anne d’Harnoncourt, then director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and her husband, Joseph Rishel, the museum’s curator of European Art. They purchased a number of photographs and introduced Will to other museums, collectors, and institutions. Many one-man shows and group exhibitions followed, and his work was purchased by museums and private collectors. Many of his photographs were chronicled in an earlier book published in 2014, The Picture That Remains, Photographs by Will Brown / Poetry by Thomas Devaney. Will’s photographs are strong, compelling images of a time and neighborhood. They showcase change, diversity, and a spirited sense of place; the street corner as center stage where beautifully shot examples of urban decay and forgotten storefronts whisper, “I was once
important and can be again.” There are also photographs of all types of economic activity that simply stopped, no longer active in the same way: dry cleaners, produce markets, fabric stores. They reflect genuine economic hardship and struggle—a sharp contrast to much of Queen Village today. The photographs also illustrate examples of graceful, Federal-style architecture punctuated by too-long-neglected houses and boarded-up commercial properties. The economic straits are evident, as are the simple, reverberating joys: smiling children and families, the bonds of sisterhood, and the comfort that
comes from being part of a community. Will Brown’s photographs capture the ever-moving, forever-changing periods to which we often pay little attention— the snapshots of time framed by light and dark, shadow and focus. The contrast is evident in beautiful molding and dirt-layered windows, impressive architectural fortitude punctuated by urban decay. This period of profound change and struggle in Queen Village is reflected in Will’s photographs, which are available as a collection in the book, South of South Street. The book is available at Head House Books (HeadHouseBooks.com) and other places books are sold. ■
QUEEN VILLAGE QUARTERLY CRIER // PAGE 29
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QUEEN VILLAGE TRANSACTIONS IN THE PAST MONTH 610 S. Hancock St.
1025 Randolph St.
115 Monroe St.
127 Catharine St.
718 S. Philip St.
733 S. 2nd St.
300 Kauffman St.
107 Queen St.
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246 Fitzwater St.
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