Summer 2024 QV Crier

SOLACE in SUMMER

Southwark History Remembered Reining in Retail Theft

Old Friends Remembered Dogs Reign in Queen Village

iberty 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.

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.

215.886.6111 (Glenside, PA)

215.725.3637 (Philadelphia, PA)

215.572.6937 (Fax) www.libertytreecare.com

Arborist

Years Experience

VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2024

PUBLISHER

Queen Village Neighbors Association

CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Cait Allen cait@qvna.org Louis Bartholomew louis@qvna.org

DESIGNER

Alec Meltzer meltzerdesign.net

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Maxine Mayer

PROOFREADERS

Jamie Bischoff

AD SALES qvna.org/advertising louis@qvna.org

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2023–2024 TERM)

OFFICERS

Cait Allen – PRESIDENT

Chris Mullen – VICE PRESIDENT

Matt Atkins – SECRETARY

Philip Holzhauer – TREASURER

Andrew Jarrah

Mae Johnson

Patricia Kucker

Amanda Maize

Mike McPhilmy

DIRECTORS

Dan Orr Micah Shapiro Rich Villa Kim Vo

EMERITUS DIRECTORS

Kathy Conway Inez Green Michael Hauptman Marian Buczek

OFFICE: 709 S. 5th Street

EMAIL QVNA: info@QVNA.org

PHONE: 215.339.0975

Meet Your Neighbor Contributors

QVNA sincerely appreciates the time and talent of the volunteers who helped create this issue of the QV Crier

Michael Allen moved to Queen Village in 2019 and is chief operating officer of Wills Eye Hospital when he is not exploring the neighborhood dining scene.

Louis Bartholomew is the executive director of QVNA. An avid urban planning nerd, coffee shop enthusiast, and architecture buff, he loves working with neighbors to make Queen Village an even greater place to live.

Shelby Fisk is a writer and a mom who has lived in Queen Village since 2016. She loves listening to music in our parks and dining at neighborhood restaurants.

Shelby holds a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.

Kelly Joyce has lived on a tiny street in Queen Village since 2012. She is a professor of sociology at Drexel University where she researches medicine and health. She volunteers with the Tree Tenders to help plant and care for trees in Queen Village.

Daniel Lidon has lived in Philadelphia for nearly 20 years and Queen Village for a decade. He works as a commercial photographer and filmmaker. In his spare time, he can be found in Mario Lanza Park with his dog, Ziggy.

Nicole Maley moved here in early 2022, so she is relatively new to the Village but already considers it home. By day, she works as a director of media for

C: 267-225-3678

O: (888) 397-7352 EXT.# 1523

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A: 630 Freedom Business Center Dr, Suite 300 King of Prussia, Pa. 19406

“It was an excellent experience working with Deidre while selling my house - she is knowledgeable, timely, and on top of every detail. Not to mention very easy to work with. I would highly recommend Deidre for anyone who has real estate needs. Thank you, Deidre!”

a New York marketing agency; by night and on the weekends, she’s an avid walker, amateur historian, and diehard 76ers fan.

Maxine Mayer has been a Villager since 2004. After retiring from a fulfilling nursing career, Maxine pursued her love of photography, volunteering for the Southeastern PA Red Cross and QV Crier. Follow Maxine’s instagram @maxine.mayer.

Marge Schernecke was born and raised in Queen Village and is a lifelong community activist, including serving as president of QVNA. She remains active in the Association.

Maureen Brady Weir has been a Queen Village neighbor since 2000 and a member of The Friends of Moyamensing Point since 2008. A communications director by trade, she is also a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist.

Hilary Young is a Queen Village mom and owner of Hilary Young Creative, a brand strategy and marketing consultancy. ■

Collaborating Together on South St.

By Cait Allen, QVNA President

My fellow Villagers, Summer is here! The warmer weather means ball games, trips down the shore, and block parties. Unfortunately, it can also bring an increase in the illegal vehicular traffic that can be disruptive to the neighborhood. I have been working closely with my fellow civic leaders, the South Street police mini station, and Councilman Squilla to get ahead of potential concerns to ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone.

I am thrilled to share that the coowners of Yowie are spearheading an initiative to transform the 200 block of South Street into a family-friendly dining oasis on Friday and Saturday evenings. Starting soon, the entire block will be pedestrianized and filled with outdoor dining, music, games, and more—all under a canopy of string lights. So, please

keep an eye out for more information and come out to support A Summer on South Street

Additionally, thanks to our collective efforts, we will be piloting traffic calming measures on South Street, including speed cushions and “daylighting”— a quasi-misnomer that means making intersections safer for pedestrians and eliminating opportunities for vehicles to park illegally. We are also exploring longer-term strategies, such as installing cobblestone and noise cameras and will share more information as we have it.

I hope that whatever your plans are, you enjoy a safe and relaxing summer! Cheers,

Why Be a QVNA Member?

Because everything we do depends on neighbors like you!

Your annual membership provides:

Your What It Donation Supports

$40 50 leaf bags

$60 1 month of QVNA eNews

$120 2 truckloads of tree mulch

$250 1 month of gra ti removal

$500 50 blocks of litter removal

$1,000 1 modest community grant

Make your tax-deductible membership donation at QVNA/join

709 S. 5th Street ■ 215.339.0975 info@qvna.org

Subscribe to eNews: qvna.org/enews-signup

Join and Change

By Louis Bartholomew

Meet Officer Thomas Lewis, a 28year Philadelphia Police Department veteran and the current longest-tenured officer assigned to the South Street Mini Station. Officer Lewis was born and raised in Queen Village, giving him a unique perspective on the monumental changes in the neighborhood over the decades, as well as firsthand knowledge of the area that allows him to effectively build relationships and serve the community. QVNA Executive Director, Louis Bartholomew, sat down with Officer Lewis to learn more about his story, what experiences shaped his perspective as a police officer, and his aspirations for the Village.

Louis Bartholomew: When did you become a police officer?

Officer Thomas Lewis: I became an officer back in ‘96. When I was younger, it wasn’t like I thought to myself, “I want to be a police officer.” But growing up in this neighborhood, I didn’t see too many people [who look] like me as police officers. That’s just the way it was back then. But it wasn’t right. So, I did my part by joining, and I’ve seen more diversity over my career with Black, Hispanic, and Asian people wanting to be police officers. For the people that live in the city, you need that.

Was this your first job as an adult?

No, I joined the military after high school. I wanted to be a Philadelphia police officer afterwards, but I wound up working for the government down at the Defense Personnel Support Center, which is now

Quartermaster, on Oregon Avenue. They made all the uniforms for every branch of the military.

But after multiple government shutdowns, I became a corrections officer at Graterford Prison, the worst prison in Pennsylvania. I spent eight years there. I had a great career there, never had any trouble. Knew how to talk to people, how to handle situations. That’s why working with crowds never bothered me. Because you’re talking about five corrections officers on a block with 400 inmates walking around. The only difference is as a corrections officer you don’t have a gun. You better work with your head or that job is not for you.

What is it like to work at the Mini Station?

When I first graduated, they sent me to the Third District. The Captain pulled a few of us aside and said, “We need some people to go to South Street.” Well,

guess what? I grew up down here. So, I said, I know South Street. We used to come down here and go to the stores and buy our clothes and everything. Crash Brothers was right here. Before Whole Foods and all this other stuff. It was clothing stores.

So, I got sent here; it was my neighborhood and I felt comfortable. I treated people comfortably. Because I remember run-ins with police officers growing up that had nothing to do with me but weren’t pleasant. So, I made running into people and talking to people and stopping people an easy experience for them rather than a fearful one.

What are your hopes for the neighborhood?

You always want things to get better. It’s a small word, “better.” It may sound general, but it has to get better: better people, better police officers, better store

owners. You can’t get stagnant, because I saw South Street stagnant at one time, and it wasn’t working.

But now things are better. We got Lt. Ricci. He fits here. Things are working how they should work. And I’m happy to serve here with him.

I hear that you are quite the Halloween buff.

Well, it’s not just Halloween. My mother was into horror movies, so I grew up watching them with her. I like special effects and the makeup, and I just got into that at an early age. I used to build monster models.

And then one day, I said I can make better looking stuff myself. My first big costume was a vampire. People couldn’t believe it, because it didn’t look like me. I painted my face. I mixed black and white paint and made it gray. My favorite horror movies are zombie movies. I have zombie costumes. I have superhero costumes. I got all that stuff.

What is one of your favorite memories from working down here?

I like the festivals. They’re always fun because you meet people who normally wouldn’t come to South Street. And I know business owners who have been down here since I’ve been a police officer who consider me family. That’s what they say. You know, the guy that owns Atomic

City? His was the first Black-owned comic bookstore in the country.

So much has changed over these 28 years. Oh, my goodness. Sometimes yearly, monthly. We’ll ask each other, “When did that store pop up?” You come back on your days off, and it’s a new business.

What advice do you have for kids who might want to become police officers?

Go into it with an open mind. And the type of person you are is the type of police officer you are going to be. So, I can’t really say what advice I could give you, because I don’t know the type of person you are. But if you’re going to take this job, serve the public the way they expect you to serve it, and keep a level head.

What about to the kids who feel wary of the police?

Well, they learn from TV, social media, and, unfortunately, if their parents have had a bad run-in with the police. Right or wrong, you have to say, “Look, you have to consider your own interactions with the police. Don’t listen to what happened to somebody else, because it didn’t happen to you.” And if you really feel as though something is not right, join and change. That’s what I did.

When should people call 911?

Anytime they need it. I don’t care what happened. Your parent died? We’re here

to serve you. You can’t find your cat? We’re here to serve you. Serve, serve, serve. No matter what. I help homeless people any way I can. Sometimes I feed them, get them pizza or something to drink or whatever. I’ve even taken off my scarf and put it around people up here. That’s me. And that’s my life. That’s not just as a police officer. That’s how I roll. ■

A Chat with Captain Skala of Engine 11

By Nicole Maley

Engine 11 is a Queen Village staple, and the crew is finally back in the neighborhood. In October 2023, the members of Engine 11 returned to the station at 6th and South Streets after it underwent extensive restoration stemming from longtime water erosion damage. Adorned with a mural honoring the writings of W.E.B Du Bois, Engine 11 has a storied history as Philadelphia’s only all-Black segregated fire company from 1919–1952. Captain Daniel Skala, who now oversees Engine 11, recognizes the importance of that history and what this station means to the community. I took a tour of the station and spoke to Captain Skala about being a firefighter, what makes Queen Village special, and what he thinks the neighborhood should know about Engine 11.

What made you want to become a firefighter?

I grew up working class in Northeast Philadelphia, not poor but not very rich. After graduating from Temple University in 2000 as finance major, I worked in the Finance department of Blue Cross Blue Shield. And on the 39th floor of the Blue Cross building I was contemplating jumping out the window because I was so miserable in that job! Obviously, 9/11 was big in refocusing me on what I wanted to do with my life. I’m a third-generation firefighter: My father is a retired captain,

and my grandfather was assistant chief of the Philadelphia department, so this is part of my family history. My brother is also a captain, currently in North Philadelphia at Engine 2—and he’s about to make chief! But this job is the dream, it really is. I took a significant pay cut to do this and enjoy my life. It was the best decision I ever made besides marrying my wife.

What do you love about Queen Village?

Coming from Northeast Philadelphia, this is the true city experience. It’s a great neighborhood full of great people. It’s a dream because for me, hanging out on South Street was one of the rites of pas-

sage when I was young. I’m a big music guy too and there is great music hiding in plain sight all up and down South Street. We have a guy in the D platoon whose band has played at The Twisted Tail (in Headhouse Square). I don’t have all that in Northeast Philadelphia, but it’s here. And it’s great to see the foot traffic coming back to this area after the pandemic. People are out in the bars and restaurants and venues, and we love to see it.

Are there any local neighborhood spots that you and the staff enjoy going to?

I’m a closet wrestling fan. There is a store right across the street called Suplex,

which has vintage wrestling stuff. Speaking of foot traffic, with Wrestlemania in Philadelphia this year, the amount of foot traffic coming in and out of that store has been unbelievable.

What are your plans for this fire station? What are you most looking forward to?

The nice weather! Traditionally, we have a flow test in the spring.

What is a flow test?

Flowing water. We hook up to the hydrants, get everything tuned to the correct pressures. It also gets the young guys out to show them the works and do hands-on training. You can only talk about this stuff so much. There’s nothing better than hands-on training.

What do you see as your biggest challenge in this neighborhood?

Old city, old infrastructure. It can make fighting fires more difficult. A traditional “bread and butter” fire is a two-story 15x45 dwelling: That’s a row home Philadelphia firefighters specialize in. We get fires in those all day, every day. In Queen Village, though, these houses have had every jack-of-all-trades working on them since the time of Ben Franklin. They have been added onto, they have been chopped up. A perfect example was a recent fire on a third-floor rooftop. As the weather gets warmer, deck fires are the No. 1 concern. For this fire, we raced a 40,000-pound apparatus down streets that were designed for trolleys and horses, not cars. To get water on the fire quickly, the members had to get to the house through the alleyway, through the rear of the house, to come up exterior steps to go interior, and then up another floor to get to the roof deck just to put this fire out. That is the norm for pretty

much everything down here because of the old city, the old infrastructure.

And it doesn’t help that the design of all these houses is totally different! It’s wild! I will say that I am a significantly better firefighter for working down here in something that is outside of what we see traditionally.

What would you like the neighborhood to know about this station and the members that work here?

We’re a very diverse station. We have everybody working here from paramedics to EMTs to firefighters, male and female. My daughters love to come here and love to see women on the job. It’s so empowering that this is the norm for them.

We also love having the station doors open. We want people to come

in and say hi, we want to give your dog a treat, we want to see the kids going to the park across the street. Firehouses used to be the meeting place of the community—you voted there; you had meetings there. In a true city neighborhood like this, it should have that feel. ■

The Only Pre-K to 12 Quaker School in Center City.

Partnered Principals

Meet the Leaders of our Local Schools, Striving for Success—Together

By Shelby Fisk

Photos by Maxine Mayer

Queen Village and its surrounding neighborhoods have a lot in common: They are walkable communities filled with historical charm, great dining, and public parks. There’s another similarity, one resounding reason families with children flock to our area: the schools!

There are four K-8 public schools within a 1-mile radius of Queen Village: General George A. “McCall” School (325 S. 7th St.), “Vare-Washington” School (1198

Principal Antoinette

Powell

General George A. McCall School

Antoinette Powell, in her second year as principal of McCall, has had a 26-year career in education, which began as a teacher at Tilden Middle School where she worked for 11 years.

“It was mostly serving Black and brown children, and I wanted to make a difference in the lives of those kids,” Powell said.

Powell served in several leadership positions during her tenure, including assistant principal at John Barry Elementary School and principal chief executive officer of [charter school] Memphis Street Academy Charter School at J.P. Jones. She

S. 5th St.), William M. “Meredith” School (725 S. 5th St.), and George W. “Nebinger” School (601 Carpenter St.).

These four schools offer a wide range of educational and extracurricular opportunities, and while each of the schools is separate, their principals, students, and families benefit from their close proximity and a shared School District of Philadelphia learning network.

“Working together, learning from each

returned to the School District of Philadelphia at Robert E. Lamberton Elementary School before stepping into her role at McCall.

Powell moved to Philadelphia when she was in fourth grade and later graduated from George Washington High School.

“I think that my experience as a student in Philadelphia wasn’t necessarily negative because I was that quiet kid who came to school; I was very compliant. I did everything that I was supposed to do as a student.” However, when it was time to graduate, she and her mother were surprised to hear how she was doing in a class.

“I think that my teachers didn’t show up for me, and I only say that, because when it was time for me to graduate from 12th grade, I was failing a history class, but I was a student who went to school every day.”

“They told my mother that the only way that I could pass this class or graduate with my peers would be to take a 300-question exam, which, of course, I

other, sharing things together is extremely important,” said Meredith Principal, Brian Wallace. “We all have different schools, different demographics, different problems, and different successes, but working together to learn from each other is what we’re all about in Philadelphia.”

Meet the principals leading four schools in our area, from north to south.

failed,” Powell said. “People often ask me how this is reflected in my leadership. I try to be the voice for the voiceless. I always look for the student who is left behind. I look for the student who is different. I look for the student who is marginalized or isn’t heard. How do I show up for them?”

A moment of pride was when a group of fourth-grade students wrote her a letter about a guest teacher they had. “The first line of the letter said, ‘Dear Principal Powell, it has been brought to our attention that this guest teacher is not living up to teacher expectations.’”

“I think the thing that I’m most proud of is being able to lead such a diverse group of young people who are super bright, super articulate.”

—Principal Powell

Powell said moments like those make you take a step back and say, “Wow, I see the impact.”

“My leadership philosophy is centers on the idea that all children are born with greatness, and we have a responsibility to pull out whatever that greatness is,” she said.

In this role, Powell strives to push herself, her students, and her staff. In the next school year, she also hopes to continue to build bridges with families and the community. According to Powell, having strong neighboring principals creates space for collaboration—and healthy competition.

Principal Brian Wallace William M. Meredith School

Brian Wallace is in his second year as principal of Meredith. He taught at several schools, both within Philly and in Altoona, and he was a vice principal at Walton Elementary School. He served as principal at two schools outside Philadelphia before returning home. “I missed Philly so much that I came back,” said Wallace, a Philadelphia native who attended Germantown High School and loves everything about the city.

“Everything Philadelphia, I’m a big fan. In fact, seeing the Ben Franklin Bridge on my way to work every day brings me joy.”

About Queen Village, he said, “I think this is one of the most amazing neighborhoods where I’ve ever been a principal. Each have been unique and I’ve loved them all, but this one is special. You can walk outside and be in a coffee shop out-

side, one of the most famous cheesesteak shops [Jim’s Steaks], or Fourth Street Deli. And the community really supports the school. The parents, the businesses, everyone’s proud of Meredith, and to be a part of that is really special.”

The path to becoming a principal began for Wallace while he was in Boy Scouts when his then-scout leader, Charles Whiting, became his mentor.

In 11th grade, Whiting, a former principal, brought Wallace to tour Walton Elementary School. “I was impressed that everyone greeted him, and from that moment on, I wanted to be a principal. He told me that I needed to be a teacher first, and the rest is history.” Wallace still meets regularly with Whiting. “We usually eat pizza and discuss education.”

Among Meredith’s many offerings is its annual play, which is so engrained in its history former school emblems include a drama mask. Wallace is proud that students can learn everything about theater, from stage crew and behind-the-scenes work to program making and acting.

Wallace added, “We take pride in being one of the best schools in the area.” Thanks to a lot of “hard work,” Meredith is currently ranked number one among Philadelphia’s public schools. Wallace credited measurements, including attendance and test scores, but also the community, parents, teachers, and staff working together to serve students.

“I love working with the community, working with parents, and helping the school obtain its goals, get better, and continue to develop.”

—Principal Wallace

“Meredith strives for excellence for three reasons. First, it has a community that supports the school. Second, its parents are proud of the school and do everything they can for it. And third, our staff is experienced and knowledgeable and goes out of their way to make sure that each student gets the best education possible.” Wallace also praised the collaborative spirit of nearby principals, describing each other “as a close network who always strive to be the best.”

Principal Ayana Townsend

George W. Nebinger School

Principal Ayana Townsend has been a familiar face at Nebinger for years. After teaching at the school for a year, she served as dean of students for six years then as assistant principal.

“It’s not often that you get the opportunity to transition through all those positions and remain the administrator of a building. I think that’s an advantage,” Townsend said.

Knowing the school’s community well, including parents and partners, is a point of pride for her.

“We are a loving community. Every person here absolutely cares for the children, and you see it.” Townsend added this is evident at Nebinger in how teachers speak to the students and how the students speak and respond to the staff.

“Everyone is one team,” she said. “Our students know everyone by name—our custodial staff, our cafeteria staff. We’re just one big family.”

“What I love most about the job is the children. There is not a child in my school that can pass me, and I don’t know their name. They’re all my babies.”

—Principal Townsend

When older students come to her with ideas for fundraisers, she pushes for them to create detailed business plans.

She’s watched Nebinger students grow beyond the walls of the school, and alumni have even returned to help others thrive. For example, two students she taught in fifth grade are now in college and work with the school. She smiled reflecting on their growth saying she knew, even back then, the potential those children had to be in such roles.

Of all the programming the school offers, Townsend is especially excited by some of the latest additions: Spanish for students in grades 1–8 and algebra for eighth-grade students. The school also has a growing media club for grades 5–8.

She prides herself on being a participative leader. “I always include parents, families, community members, teachers, and of course, the students. There’s not a decision in this building that I make by myself.”

Similarly, being close to other K-8 schools, Townsend said, is a benefit for all.

“Even though the students are at different schools, it gives the opportunity to collaborate within the same area, and a lot of places don’t have that,” Townsend said. “We speak all the time.”

“I come here every day for the kids, the families, the teachers, the community.”

—Principal Barnes

Principal Alison Barnes Vare-Washington School

Alison Barnes is in her second year as principal of Vare-Washington.

Before stepping into this role, she taught special education for nearly a decade then served for four years as an assistant principal for Mastery Charter School before returning to the District as a professional learning specialist.

“My heart was really in public education, so I wanted to get back to the School District of Philadelphia,” Barnes said. “I believe there should be a great school in every neighborhood. I am a mother, and I want this school to be a school that I want for my kids.”

Vare-Washington is growing, Barnes noted, and among her top goals is a new playground. Currently in its fundraising phase, she hopes it’ll be a place for students—and everyone—to gather and enjoy once complete.

“I really, truly want to be that hub for our community,” she says.

“What keeps me coming back to Vare-Washington is the growth, all the projects we are working on. It’s so exciting,” Barnes said. “The school was doing a lot of great things before me, then the pandemic happened, and everything shut down. I came in just as things were opening up again. We brought back some of the things that they were doing before, but we’re also adding a lot of

new events. This community is hungry for them.”

Among Vare-Washington’s points of pride is VB-MAPP, a verbal behavioral autistic support program. “We have kids with limited to no verbal skills. VB-MAPP is great for the kids that need that program, but it’s also great for all our kids. Everybody’s different, but we can go to the same school together. Everyone can be successful,” Barnes said. She also highlights the growth of science programming, one of the school’s four preps which also includes music, art, and gym. “They get their science instruction with their core teacher, but they also go to a science-special STEM lab.”

When it comes to collaboration between the schools, Barnes shared, “We’re all in the same network, we get all the same training. All our teachers and principals are of similar caliber. The schools are very, very similar, and the school district does that on purpose because we have such a transient population.”

When it comes to schools in our area one might argue that you can’t go wrong, so how do you pick one? Barnes advises parents to find the best fit for their family.

Start by entering your home address on the School District of Philadelphia’s School Finder to find your catchment school.

You may also apply for School Selection during eligible dates listed on the School District of Philadelphia’s website. School Selection allows students currently in pre-kindergarten through 11th grade to apply to attend any school with available space outside of their catchment area.

Visit the District’s website, philasd.org, to learn more about these processes, the schools in our area, and more! You may contact our neighborhood schools directly to inquire about tour information. ■

Strength in Community Building

By Hilary Young

When the world shut down because of a global pandemic in March 2020, gyms and fitness studios were among the first casualties to close. So, it came as no surprise when Sweat Fitness—the Queen Village gym that occupied a massive space at 700 E. Passyunk Ave.—was shuttered.

For months, rumors swirled and the space sat empty. Finally, in September 2023, the Queen Village location changed hands and reopened.

“Under the new ownership, everything has changed,” said Sam Massie, Queen Village general manager. “From the renovations that were made to an investment in all new equipment and the overall community culture that we provide, it’s all a very different experience than it would have been before.”

With newly installed wood floors throughout the space, new cardio and weight machines, and major upgrades in the spin studios, this version of Sweat is committed to perfecting the experience for its members.

“We are proud torchbearers of a vibrant culture defined by joy, camaraderie, and a relentless pursuit of collective goals,” explained Massie. “Our ethos is simple yet profound: We are in the business of fostering connections, realizing aspirations, and uniting our community in a shared journey towards health and vitality.”

As part of this effort from the new management to not only encourage exercise but also reimagine what a “third space” could be, the team at Sweat is

working to realize a vision for an upstairs deluxe lounge area.

Massie explained that they wanted to create an inviting environment, complete with pool tables, ping pong tables, cozy couches, and 70-inch TV screens to build the ideal spot for people to unwind outside of their home or office.

With the rise of flexible work-fromhome schedules, the upstairs lounge space would be an ideal place to catch up on some emails or hop on a quick conference call either before or after a workout.

“Our commitment to enhancing your gym experience knows no bounds!” Massie said. “In the near future, we expect to introduce luxurious

amenities in our recovery room, including a sauna and hydro massage chairs. We’re also excited to offer IV therapy and cryotherapy to ensure that our valued members have access to cuttingedge recovery solutions.”

Looking to raise the bar when it comes to fitness, owner Maureen Faber and her team want people to know that whether they’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or stepping into the gym space for the first time, they will be more than just a member–they’ll be an integral part of the Sweat family.

If you’re interested in checking out what Sweat 2.0 has to offer, consider stopping in to see for yourself. ■

Dogs Reign in Queen Village

By Kelly Joyce

Photos by Maxine Mayer

As dogs and their human companions take their daily walks, many stop at places on the greet-andtreat trail that weaves through the Village. In these brief exchanges, humans swap stories, dogs get praise, pets, and biscuits, and a neighborhood becomes a community.

We visited some neighbors who made time to say hi to the dogs.

First stop, 4th Street. Greg, owner of Queen Village Bicycles, is known for his delicious snacks. Noticing the large number of dogs sauntering by his shop, Greg started providing water and handing out treats. Stored behind the counter, dogs know exactly where to find them when they stick their heads in the door. Big dogs, little dogs, one dog, two dogs—all stop by to sit, shake paws, and say hello. The dogs love the treats, and their happiness is contagious.

Next, we headed to S.J. Cigars to say hello to Rocco, who greets dogs with vigorous, full body pets and healthy biscuits. His peaceful vibe gets even the wildest puppies to calm down, focus, and sit nicely. Paw, please.

Beth, a crossing guard at 3rd and Lombard Streets, started giving out treats years ago when a neighbor gave her dog bones to help her meet passersby. Beth now gives out about 25 treats each morning to pups on their early AM walks. You can see the dogs running up to Beth, tails wagging, each weekday morning.

We made our way south on 3rd Street and stopped at Ox Coffee’s self-service treat and water station that is available during café hours.

Our last stop was a visit with Jimmy, a retired Villager, who sits in front of his house on 3rd Street during the warm months soaking up the sun. With a kind greeting for people and canines alike, he always has a cookie and love for the hounds. Having grown up with dogs, he enjoys getting to know the neighborhood pups.

A big thank you to the Villagers who sprinkle joy through biscuits. There are many more folks who give dog treats than we could cover in this walk.

If your pooch pulls you toward a shop or a person, they have probably identified a stop on the greet-and-treat trail. Dogs know. ■

John Battice Favour and the Young’s Place Courtyard

By Daniel James Lidon

As we approach the historic 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, our city prepares to celebrate like never before. July Fourth in Philly has a long history of bringing friends and neighbors together for block parties, barbeques, and “bangers,” and our beloved neighborhood of Queen Village is no exception. Our patchwork community is built from the fabric of American history, and our unique network of alleyways, courtyards, and side streets each have their own holiday traditions and stories to tell. However, not all July Fourth celebrations were as joyous as the kind we have today.

In the early 1800s, far away from Queen Village in the heart of the bustling port city of Marseille, France, John Battice Favour was born—a man whose life would weave through the threads of history like a ship navigating tumultuous seas. Entering a world where hard times were as common as the salt spray on the Mediterranean breeze, Favour inherited a legacy of exploration and resilience from his father, who had served as a ship captain in Napoleon’s Imperial Navy.

As he grew, so did his aspirations, and Favour set sail for distant shores. For 17 years, Favour sailed under the banner of the East India Company, traversing the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean to find his place in the New World. In 1839, his journey led him to the bustling docks of Philadelphia where the promise of op -

portunity beckoned like a siren’s song. It was there, amidst the clamor of the Southwark docks, that Favour decided to build his new life.

The Frenchman arrived in Southwark like many immigrants did at the time seeking a steady job at the docks scattered along the Delaware River. Due to his age and sailing experience, he quickly established himself as a full-time mariner under the East India Company’s Philadelphia outfit. A short walk from the river nestled behind a recently built house at 235 Queen Street was a courtyard connecting three red brick Trinity-style houses, one of which Favour would call home.

Trinities were common at the time and popular with the large population influx of workers employed at the docks. A small three-story house was more than enough accommodation for those escaping their past troubles, and the shared courtyard added a sense of community to the vibrant immigrant culture. Favour’s newly-built Trinity was neighbored on both sides. To the left was an elderly gentlemen named Asa R. Lovell, and to his right was William Weed, a fellow dockworker who operated primarily as a ferryman. Collectively, this courtyard of Trinities was known as Young’s Place.

Much like today, neighbors would come and go. In 1842, three years after he moved in, Favour found himself living next to two new residents of Young’s Place: a shipmaster named William Barford who moved into Lovell’s former home and William H. Sheetz, a painter and printer.

At the time, these three men could have never predicted they would collectively be the longest-tenured residents of Young’s Place throughout the 19th century. Nor could they have foreseen the events that would take place in front of their quiet courtyard just two short years later.

William Barford and John Favour were likely of similar economic status. Shipmasters and mariners in the 1840s often brought home a monthly salary around $50—a surprisingly decent pay compared to other positions along the riverfront. The previous tenant, William Weed, would have only received $15 a month for his services as a waterman, still not a terrible amount when an entire pound of fresh Delaware bay oysters cost only 15 cents. One can easily imagine a world where Favour and Barford helped each other at the shipyard and at home in the courtyard.

As the years went on, Favour and Barford continued their lives in Southwark as many did: long hours at the docks, longer hours at the local drinking establishments, of which there were many, and attending Church on Sunday. Favour also met his future wife, Margaret Ramsa from Baltimore, around this time.

July Fourth of 1844 was sweltering hot. Political and religious tensions in the neighborhood were rising even more than the temperature. North of the neighborhood in Northern Liberties and Kensington, Nativist “Old Philadelphians” had already burned two Catholic churches to the ground. The mob, angry with the new Irish Catholic movement in the city, set their target on St. Philip Neri as their next victim. Local militias, authorized by Governor David Porter, gathered to defend the church against an attack by the Nativists. What would typically be a day of celebration in the courtyard was spent with factions forming, rumors spreading, and general escalation throughout the neighborhood.

The next day, violence broke out between the Nativists, Irish Catholics of St. Philip Neri, local citizens defending their property from damage, and a stateordered militia of nearly 5,000 men. The smell of cannon smoke and gunpowder

filled the air in a dark ridicule of any traditional Fourth of July barbeque. A nearly five-day long battle resulted in 15 people dead and almost 50 wounded, all within footsteps of John Favour and his quiet courtyard.

It is unclear whether Favour held allegiance to either side in this gruesome battle of American politics and religious freedoms. Favour’s own father would have been part of a military regime that fought against the Protestant British who more closely resembled the ideals of Philadelphia Nativists. Favour was also an immigrant himself, so how could he possibly deny the Irish Catholic settlers the same rights to which he sought after? However, his employer at the time was the East India Trading Company, the pinnacle of British Imperialism and a largely Protestant organization. To further complicate the violent matters around the neighborhood, Young’s Place was also attached directly to the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, which served as place of worship for many of the “old guard” residents. Favour likely found himself feeling like a sailor without a home once again.

The environment of the neighborhood—and Philadelphia—was forever changed. Sometime after the smoke physically cleared from the Nativist riots of 1844, Favour traveled to San Francisco with the East India Company. Uprooted from his life in Southwark, he took the nearly 200-day journey around South America to yet another new world. After spending some years in the frontier city of Sacramento, John returned to the east coast. He settled down with his wife, Margaret, on a farm outside of Fallston, Maryland where he undoubtedly spent many quieter July Fourths surrounded by family, friends, and only the distant memory of cannons blazing from a tiny courtyard on Queen Street. ■

Get to Know Our Neighborhood Hawks

By Maureen Weir

Spotting a hawk in our urban environment can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one. Encountering these magnificent raptors can stop you in your tracks, as you can’t help but sense their presence, both intimidating and captivating. But how much do you really know about the hawks in Queen Village? Here are a few facts to help acquaint you with these amazing birds.

• Cooper’s hawks and red-tailed hawks are two of the more common types you will see in Philadelphia neighborhoods.

• Hawks in urban environments will often nest in tall trees in parks and backyards. The red-tailed hawk is also known to build their nest on city buildings and bridges.

• Cooper’s hawks and red-tailed hawks start mating in February with nest building taking place in early March. Chicks hatch in late April or early May and typically leave the nest in June/ July. Side fact: Hawks normally mate for life but if one dies, the other will soon find another mate.

• When it comes to diet, Cooper’s primarily feed on songbirds, while red-tailed hawks feed primarily on rats, squirrels, rabbits, and pigeons. If you worry about hawks being a danger to your dog or cat, don’t. Cooper’s normally do not hunt for anything larger than a squirrel, while red-tail hawks won’t go after anything larger than a rabbit.

As responsible urban dwellers, there are a few things we can do to help protect neighborhood hawks:

1. Never use rodenticide. Hawks and other animals that prey on rodents can be unintentionally poisoned. Instead, use non-poisonous traps as an alternative.

2. Observe hawks from a distance. If you see a juvenile on the ground, let it be. It is probably learning how to fly, and the parents are likely nearby.

3. Do not feed hawks. They are expert hunters and do not need our help.

4. Adhere decals to windows to reduce the chance of collisions.

The good news is that despite some challenges, hawks are thriving in urban environments. So, the next time you take a stroll in the neighborhood, be on the lookout. You might pick up on the presence of a hawk by hearing the frenzied alerts from other birds or see the sudden flurry of pigeon feathers falling to the ground. Keep your eyes peeled, whether you’re in our local parks or just wandering around the neighborhood. Hawks are around, and they are a breathtaking sight to see. ■

Special thanks to Christian Hunold, professor of Political Science at Drexel University specializing in environmental political theory and human-animal studies for serving as a resource on urban hawks.

Meet the New Executive Director

By Louis Bartholomew

Hi, everyone!

I'm Louis Bartholomew, and I’m the new Executive Director for the Queen Village Neighbors Association. I joined the organization in January 2024 and have loved getting to know neighbors over coffee, at our monthly safety meetings, and at each of our beautiful parks. I’m also extremely grateful to the QVNA board for their warm welcome, support, and collaboration over these last few months.

I began my journey in community work as a public high school teacher in Detroit in 2018. As I continued teaching, I became more aware and frustrated with the factors affecting my students outside the classroom, including divested communities, poorly connected public transit networks, and a lack of quality housing.

After moving to Philadelphia in 2022, I joined the East Kensington Neighbors Association as their secretary and expanded our neighborhood's Safe Streets Committee. I also began working with the PA Safe Roads PAC, which advocates for Vision Zero: the goal of achieving zero deaths on our city streets due to traffic violence. Queen Village has always been one of my favorite neighborhoods, from its treelined cozy alleys, to the great mixing of restaurants, cafes, and residences. I also love how walkable and effortless it is to

get to everything that I need without requiring a car for most trips!

I’m most excited about working with Queen Villagers to increase the vibrancy and joy of the special events we hold in our parks and streets and adding great new festivities to the mix. I am also keenly invested in working with other nearby civic associations to promote better municipal trash services for our city and encourage safer street design for all road users. Please stop by the office at 709 S. 5th Street and say hello! ■

Primary Care that Makes YOU Primary

Dr. Vicki Bralow’s primary care practice is a private Family Practice with extended visit times. Members can reach Dr. Bralow 24/7 and take part in a comprehensive annual wellness program that includes advanced, comprehensive screenings and diagnostics. Schedule a “meet and greet” to see if her MDVIP program is what you’ve been looking for.

DR. VICKI BRALOW 420 Bainbridge St Suite 201 Philadelphia, PA 215-832-0135

Dr. Bralow’s practice is affiliated with both the Penn and Jefferson health systems.

Bainbridge Green Cleanup

By Louis Bartholomew

Photos by Maxine Mayer

On a frigid, blustery morning this past Saturday, April 6, Villagers and members of our local police and fire departments joined together to clean up Bainbridge Green and the surrounding streets.

Major shoutout to our two sponsors of the cleanup, Philadelphia House Painting & Historical Restoration and Cohen’s Hardware, as well as Maxine for taking such awesome photos throughout the day!

Jonathan at Philadelphia House Painting worked diligently with his crew and other volunteers to repaint the entire 3rd St end-cap, remove dead tree branches, plant new soil, and install new plantings in the garden beds!

Mitch and Annamarie Cohen from Cohen’s Hardware generously donated 120 brown trash bags, as well as landscaping gloves for the cleanup!

Volunteers collected over 40 bags of plant debris and trash, ensuring that Bainbridge Green starts the spring season as a welcoming, clean, and safe

spot for Villagers and visitors alike to enjoy themselves. Temporary trash bins were placed at four locations throughout the Village, with pickup coordinated by Councilmember Squilla’s office. Huge thank you to Anne Kelly at Squilla’s office for coordinating and helping us make the pickup process run smoothly!

Volunteers at Jefferson Square Park and Moyamensing Point were also out in force on Saturday, preparing garden

beds, trimming branches, and gathering trash. Thank you to our Friends groups who diligently maintain these spaces and hold programming there!

Cleaning our shared spaces together is a great way to build community, get to know your neighbors, and learn about upcoming events in your area. Want to get involved with future neighborhood cleanups? Contact info@qvna.org or check out the “Volunteer” tab at qvna.org. ■

QVNA Remembers Two Unique Neighborhood Icons

By Margaret (“Marge”) Schernecke

Two beloved longtime resident activists for Queen Village and South Street, Ellen Lariviere, 96, and Margery Niblock, 86, passed away peacefully in February. I am privileged to call them two of my closest friends.

Ellen resided at the southwest corner of 2nd & Bainbridge Streets where she and her husband, Dave, formerly operated a luncheonette patronized by many “old timers.” She also ran a print shop in the rear of the building where she published the QV Crier for many years.

In the early 1960s, Ellen and Dave settled into Queen Village at Front & Beck Streets where they bought and renovated a lovely historic colonial. She became an active, committed, and vocal member of the Queen Village Neighbors Association (QVNA) in its early days in our fight against PennDOT and other government officials to stop the Crosstown Expressway, which would have built more ramps along Front Street between Bainbridge and Lombard. Ellen used the power of her printing press, just like Ben Franklin did, to disseminate information through flyers to old timers, newcomers, South Street, and Fourth Street residents about what was being planned for our neighborhood without our input. Her generous and tireless work was critical in uniting all of us in opposition to the Crosstown and I-95 ramps.

Our mutual opposition led to lifelong friendships with South Street Renaissance artists and entrepreneurs, such as Rick and Ruth Snyderman, Joel Spivak, David Auspitz, Marvin Finklestein, and, of course, that brilliant woodcutter Margery Niblock. Margery’s wood-cut prints, as well as her sea glass jewelry, have been recognized nationally and abroad.

Margery penned the phrase “Queen Village—The First Neighborhood.” Although she grew up and was educated in New York City, she married a Philadelphian and moved to the 300 block of Lombard Street. She became a committed activist against the Crosstown Expressway and I-95 ramps.

Margery’s contribution to highlighting and preserving the historic significance of our community and City can be seen through her work. Below are local scenes of Queen Village, including Old

Swedes Church, Shot Tower, Front Street Homes (saved from the Crosstown), City Hall, and Independence Hall.

Margery was also deeply committed to protecting victims’ rights in Philadelphia’s criminal justice system. In the mid-1970s Queen Village experienced a wave of violent crime including rape, home invasions, gun crimes, and assaults. Margery and QVNA worked closely with then-District Attorney, F. Emmett Fitzpatrick, to make sure violent criminals were prosecuted and that the rights of victims were prioritized. She was instrumental in advocating for the City to set up the first Victim/Witness Assistance Program. She also organized a grassroots group called Citizens to Investigate The Criminal Court System to monitor how judges were meting out sentences to violent criminal offenders. After she moved to Portland, Maine, she was appointed a member of the Portland Civil Service Commission, which oversees the hiring of police and firefighters. She was named Citizen of the Year in 2017.

Let’s honor the memories of these two fine women by recognizing their accomplishments and by reaffirming our commitment to keep the Village, Philly’s First Neighborhood, the best place to live, work, and raise our children. ■

Reining in Retail Theft

By Cait Allen

When was the last time you walked into a drugstore and were able to get everything on your shopping list? Or at least one item was not under lock and key? How many storefronts can you point to and say, “That used to be…”?

Retail theft is a pervasive problem contributing to these new realities. It cost stores an estimated $122 billion in losses last year, and everyone, from nationwide chains to mom-and-pops to consumers felt its impact through higher prices, reduced inventories, and shuttered doors.

(Consider some of the places around the neighborhood that would make life extra difficult if they closed.)

To address this, the Philadelphia Police Department created a task force in conjunction with the District Attorney’s Office, civic associations, and local businesses. What the Department found is that most repeat retail theft is committed

by a small group of offenders. However, investigation, prosecution, and sentencing were often fragmented.

Before this initiative, it could be difficult to track if the same individual committed multiple thefts across different areas of the city. Now, it is easier to identify chronic offenders and divert those suffering from underlying conditions into treatment.

Assigned to this position in January, Officer Dallas Drummond oversees these efforts by serving as the point person for the Division. He reviews police reports, video footage, and witness testimonies to tie together individual jobs that were previously being missed.

South Division conducts regular meetings with business and community leaders to provide updates and discussion prevention strategies.

Thanks to this effort, 90 clearances were made totaling more than $48,000 in retail value in the first quarter of the year. ■

Louise Curtis Branch

Eleven Eleven: Make a Wish

727 South 2nd Street

By Michael Allen

It may have been during the birth of the New Age movement in the 1980s when 11:11 became the most magical minute in everyone’s day. Some say the numbers signify cosmic equilibrium when the connection between you and the universe is strongest. Others say 11:11 signifies angels. Banesha Whitney, owner of Eleven Eleven, says that that whenever she caught that time in her youth, she would make a wish in the form of a goal—some challenge she set for herself. When she opened her restaurant in Queen Village, she wanted a place where people could celebrate, where people could pause in that moment of celestial convergence and make wishes of their own.

Banesha learned to cook from her father, particularly over FaceTime as

he walked her through each step, like when she made fried chicken for the first time. She loves soul food and breakfast and an intriguing blend of flavors and spices that permeates every dish at Eleven Eleven.

This particular morning, we ordered an omelet with all the fixings and the salmon over grits, which was rich and buttery and decadent—and perfect for a morning about to become lunch. As we were enjoying the amazing cuisine, 11:11 arrived. Banesha lit sparklers and brought them to the table. Our own make-a-wish time. Banesha truly has created a place of calm and magic. She will tell you to always keep faith and have hope despite a long, hard journey, and success will most certainly come to you. ■