PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021

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a fork in it Image: Peter Miglino

Did the city’s overreaching COVID response kill the Philly restaurant scene?

Flip the switch: The Neon Museum of Philadelphia will light up your life. | Page 14

Burke to Buckley Program

FORMERLY CALLED THE REGIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Burke to Buckley Program

National Review Institute (NRI) was founded by SEMINAR TOPICS INCLUDE: William F. Buckley Jr. in 1991, 36 years after he FORMERLY CALLED THE REGIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM William F. Buckley Jr. & American Conservatism founded National Review magazine. The Institute The Founders’ Constitution is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), journalistic think-tank, Economic Freedom & Political Freedom established to advance the principles Buckley Burke, Prudence & theINCLUDE: Spirit of Conservatism National Institute (NRI) founded by SEMINAR TOPICS promotedReview throughout his life andwas complement the Conservatism, Libertarianism & Fusionism William F. the Buckley Jr. in 1991, 36 years after he mission of magazine, including by supporting William F. Structures Buckley Jr.Between & American Conservatism Mediating the State & the Individual founded National Review magazine. Institute and promoting NR’s top talent. EachThe year, NRI The Founders’ Constitution Conservatism, Democracy & Foreign Policy is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), journalistic think-tank, selects impressive mid-career professionals in key Economic Freedom & Political The Conservative Spirit & CivicFreedom Gratitude established to areas, advance the principles Buckley metropolitan including Chicago, Dallas, Burke, Prudence & the Spirit of Conservatism promoted his life and and San complement New York throughout City, Philadelphia, Franciscothe Conservatism, Libertarianism & Fusionism Seminar discussion leaders include an array of local mission of theinmagazine, supporting to participate its Burkeincluding to BuckleybyProgram. Mediating Structures Between the State & the nonprofit, academic, and public policy leaders as Individual well and promoting talent. Each year,eight NRI In each city, 20 NR’s to 25top participants attend Conservatism, Democracy & Foreign Policy as respected intellectuals from around the country such selects mid-career professionals in key dinner impressive seminars on the foundations of conservative The Conservative Spirit & Civic John Gratitude as Lee Edwards, Bobbi Herzberg, Hillen, William metropolitan areas, including Dallas, thought. Participants completeChicago, 25- to 30-page New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Schambra, Christopher Wolfe, John Yoo, and many others. reading assignments from foundational texts—from Seminar discussion leadersand include an array of local to participate in its Burkethen to Buckley Program. In addition, NRI fellows National Review writers such Burke to Buckley—and discuss the reading nonprofit, academic, and public policy leaders as well Jean In each 20 to 25 participants attend leading eight as Richard Brookhiser, Charles C. W. Cooke, Kathryn with onecity, of the conservative movement’s as respected intellectuals from around the country such dinner seminars on the foundations of conservative Lopez, and others have led sessions. thinkers. as Lee Edwards, Bobbi Herzberg, John Hillen, William thought. Participants complete 25- to 30-page Schambra, Christopher Wolfe, John Yoo, and many others. reading assignments from foundational texts—from In addition, NRI fellows and National Review writers such Burke to Buckley—andEXTENDED! then discuss the reading DEADLINE APPLICATIONS NOW DUE FEBRUARY 10TH as Richard Brookhiser, Charles C. W. Cooke, Kathryn Jean with one of the conservative movement’s leading FOR THE SPRING PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK AND Lopez, andCITY others have led PHILADELPHIA sessions. thinkers. The ideal candidate is a mid-career professional (ages 35 to 50, typically) who has an interest in the ideas that underpin ordered liberty and works outside the realm of politics and public policy.

DEADLINE EXTENDED! APPLICATIONS NOW DUE FEBRUARY 10TH

Visit THE NRINSTITUTE.ORG/PROGRAMS/BURKE-TO-BUCKLEY-PROGRAM to apply! FOR SPRING PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK CITY AND PHILADELPHIA The ideal candidate is a mid-career professional (ages 35 to 50, typically) who has an interest in the ideas that underpin ordered liberty and works outside the realm of politics and public policy.

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

FROM THE EDITOR

Be kind. Wait in line. For the inoculation.

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uring a recent Sunday “ladies’ 28-year old said he and other young, healthy friends registered for the vaccine through a brunch” over Zoom, my girlwebsite run by Philly Fighting COVID, which friends and I – we laughed, we has been vaccinating people in droves. drank and we even cried – when “I filled it out completely honestly, said I’m one chimed in from the hospinot a health-care worker,” he told CBS3. tal delivery room, surprising us “The next thing you know, I got a confirmawith her mere-hours-old baby tion.” boy. I think I can speak for all Farley said the city delivers the vaccine for of us when I say our faces hurt from smiling. the “off-site” Philly Fighting COVID for them That new arrival’s arrival was perfect timing because, up to that point, the conversation had to administer to patients, but beyond that – it doesn’t regulate what they do. taken a weird turn to COVID and the vaccine. But where some are chomping at the bit About a third of us work in health care and have already received the first Moderna or to get the vaccine, others are totally averse. In preparing for this column, I started with Pfizer booster. The rest of us are waiting our some basic research. As I began typing in the turn. Google search field: “Is the COVID vaccine…” What got us talking about this was how we Google guessed “safe,” followed by all wanted so eagerly to be togeth“FDA approved,” “a live vaccine,” er again in person. Some of us are “painful,” “free,” and “working.” more concerned about interaction Much further down the list was than others. And then we wandered “mandatory,” and I thought back to onto whether or not COVID vaccimy ladies’ Zoom brunch. nation should be mandated. On Monday, the Black Doctors In Philly, that type of thing would COVID-19 Consortium set up a testbe a long way off – if ever possible – ing site at Girard College. Led by Dr. says the city’s health commissioner, Ala Stanford, this group pushes for Dr. Thomas Farley. Besides, the way as many people as possible to get it’s being distributed, the vaccine’s the vaccine, especially minorities supply is lagging far behind its deand residents of North Philly who mand. are at higher risk of catching the Yet, new data surrounding the virus. Stanford reportedly called on administration of the COVID vacthe National Guard to push the vaccine shows healthy people in young@ RUFFTUFFDH cine out in larger doses among the er age brackets have been skipping population. the line to get their shots before Asked about the feasibility of that happenmore vulnerable groups – a loophole many see as unfair to those who are in real need or who ing this week, Farley responded: “I don’t think that’s going to be necessary have been waiting patiently. and I don’t think that’s necessarily the wisest “The information is constantly changing,” way to go, even if it were. Farley said during a recent COVID-19 press “The National Guard wouldn’t necessaribriefing with members of the media. ly be welcomed in a variety of communities, Health-care workers and residents in longso, maybe, at some point, we’d get there, but I term health facilities are first in line to get don’t think at this point it is appropriate.” the vaccine in a top-priority group called 1a, Good for Farley for saying that. We don’t which is considered to be the highest risk of need the National Guard here to help with the exposure to the virus. Beginning this week, administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. We the city will move to phase 1b, which includes know people are eager to be vaccinated and frontline essential workers, people 75 and like he said: older, those who live and work in congregate “It simply will take months before we have settings and those with high-risk medical conenough to vaccinate everybody who wants the ditions. vaccine. We do ask for people to be patient.” According to Farley, most of the time, the Farley also said he understands why many supplies are being delivered to hospitals, conPhiladelphians are hesitant to get it. I do, too. gregate health settings (homeless shelters, Perhaps you have had the virus already and group homes, prisons), pharmacies and mass have been told by a doctor you are immune. vaccination clinics. In some cases, those who Perhaps you have been told by a doctor you sign up online but don’t fit the criteria slip have the antibodies. In any case, individuals through the cracks and get the vaccine anyshould have a choice about what they put in way. When supplies are already short, this their arms, especially with regard to expercreates more frustration and confusion for imental vaccines. All that said: I still plan to many Philadelphians. get it, though I will be last in line. This week, CBS3 reported a case where a

JENNY DEHUFF

READY TO REBOUND? PHILLY IS REOPENING: LET CUSTOMERS KNOW YOU’RE READY AND OPEN. Philadelphia Weekly is ready to help your business rebound from the lockdown. Your customers are ready to get back out and support you. PW hasn’t missed a week since the lockdown began, and our readers are the people most excited to be in your establishment!

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STATE OF OUR CITY

We’ll cheers to that!

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY In happier news, a Philly Blackowned business is the recipient of a $10,000 grant thanks to “Real Housewives of Atlanta” TV stars Cynthia Bailey and Eva Marcille. Roughly 10 years ago, the pair founded Seagram’s Escapes, a “fun, fruit-forward” and “malt-based” adult beverage in a partnership with Seagram’s. Philly’s own Elements of Aliel, owned by LaKeisha Entsuah, was one of three Black-owned businesses chosen from nearly 2,000 participants in Bailey and Marcille’s national online holiday marketplace to each receive a business grant. Elements of Aliel specializes in plant-based, non-toxic beauty products for women of color.

STATE

OF OUR

CITY

AN ACCOUNTABILITY SHIT SHOW

After the news of the death of Milan Loncare last week, we can’t help but groan at the gall of D.A. Larry Krasner for still seeking re-election to the office his name has besmirched. Milan, a recent Temple graduate, was gunned down while walking his dog in Brewerytown. Police are pinning his murder on 20-yearold Davis Josephus, who – up until two weeks ago – had been behind bars for robbery, kidnapping and weapons offenses. But thanks to a drastically lowered bail by two Philadelphia Municipal Court judges, Josephus posted just a little more than $3,000 and was back on the streets on Dec. 29. Krasner claims he fought the bail reductions, but not enough to appeal to a higher court when his pleas went ignored. How did no one see a problem with letting a violent, repeat offender go without any regard for the safety of the community? There seems to be plenty of blame to pass around on this massive miscarraige of justice.

Wrigley’s Believe It or Not! Philadelphia Weekly Holdings, Ltd. 1520 Locust Street, suite 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-543-3743

Philadelphiaweekly.com @phillyweekly JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

PW got an inside tip this week that Andrew Wrigley, the Jim Thorpe native who posted Facebook pictures and videos of himself inside the Capitol in D.C. on Jan. 6, is also a talented Philadelphia artist with works hanging in public spaces throughout the city. Wrigley was arrested over the weekend for taking part in the riots and charged with knowingly entering restricted government grounds, disrupting orderly conduct of government business, disorderly conduct and conspiracy. Our tipster told us that when Wrigley isn’t going on insurrections, he is painting still life, and you can even see his stuff now that some of your favorite bars are back open.

Dan McDonough, Jr. Chairman & Publisher Jenny DeHuff Editor in Chief

John Montesano Art Director

Alan Bauer Managing Editor

Contributors: A.D. Amorosi, Jesse Bunch, Paul Davis Resolve Philadelphia, Timaree Schmit, Ryan K. Smith, Kerith Gabriel, Eugene Zenyatta. Intern: Zachary Bard.

To contact the news department: mail@philadelphiaweekly.com.

Ed Lynes Chief Revenue Officer Stephanie Hawkins Michael Chambers Controller Director of Circulation Signature Supporters: Ted Kazantzis

To purchase advertising in Philadelphia Weekly, contact Sales at 215-543-3743, ext. 104, or sales@philadelphiaweekly.com.

THE

BIG

PICTURE

Dancing in the dark What’s she dancing to? What’s behind that wall? So many looming questions lurk behind this spooky snapshot. Philly photographer Matthew Porter snuck into an abandoned clock tower at an undisclosed location somewhere in the city to capture this image of model Bianca McNulty. Have a photo for the Big Pic? Email it to news@philadelphiaweekly.com or tag us on social at #PWBigPic.

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THE GREAT COVID SHAKEDOWN Research shows Philly’s strict restaurant lockdown did little to stop the spread of COVID-19

JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

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espite Philadelphia officials allowing restaurants to resume indoor dining at 25 percent in the city after rolling back some coronavirus restrictions; many in the city’s hospitality community argue that, even at 25 percent; these onerous restrictions were a bureaucratic overreach that has hurt and possibly killed Philadelphia’s legendary independent restaurant scene. Worse, research shows that Philadelphia’s lockdowns, which were the strictest in the state, were unnecessary – doing little to prevent the spread of increased COVID-19 cases related to holiday gatherings. This is largely because, as was seen when the pandemic first emerged, cases are high during periods of colder weather, when people are indoors. Restaurants are allowed to reopen with 25 percent capacity. Tables will be limited to four people from the same household. Sitting at the bar? Still restricted. “Our sense is, things are probably going to get better with the epidemic from here, so we’re trying to allow some economic activity to take place,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said. “We are trying to strike a balance between protecting people from COVID and limiting the downside of restrictions.” Despite an increase in cases, the continual back-and-forth of restrictions are a cause of great frustration for Philadelphia’s world-renowned hospitality industry. Furthermore, the constantly-moving “goal posts” of whether or not residents will be able to eat and drink at their favorite places leaves many Philadelphians to wonder if the restrictions were undertaken in consideration of COVID fatality and infection rates, and if the restrictions were more a case of political mismanagement than a science-based public health strategy. For Philadelphians like Nicole Shultice, who along with her husband Joe owns Nick’s Bar and Grille in Old City, Farley’s revised restrictions come as yet another slap in the face for people like them who have invested their life’s savings into what was once a successful small business. “We’re out almost three-quarters of a mil-

eas, plexiglass shields, spacing, masking and lion dollars in revenue, but the bills keep coming in. Utilities and taxes don’t stop.” Shultice streets department restrictions having to do with outdoor and take-out only dining regulasaid. “The worst part is not being able to hire tions. Worse, with policies passed in haste with back our staff, and not being able to give back no legislation or oversight; conditions where to the community like we always have.” unequal enforcement and even corruption Like other establishments serving apartare heightened. This is especially ment-dwelling communities like true when agencies without strict Old City; Nick’s Bar and Grille was internal investigative oversight are able to capture a unique market A. BENJAMIN used to enforce COVID regulations, segment by being both a gastropub MANNES like the health department or L&I. and neighborhood watering hole. This concern was highlighted in While this combination netted the case of Dennis Fink, whose them a strong cadre of regular customers, this formula came at the steep price popular Northeast deli, Fink’s Hoagies, was fined and shut down on Dec. 11 by the health of rent, fresh ingredients, and the myriad of state and municipal fees that keep them in department when he was cited for not having his mask completely over his nose and mouth good standing with agencies like the Pennsyl– when he was alone in his shop prior to openvania Liquor Control Board, the city health ing for business. department, Licenses & Inspections and othFink’s story went viral on social media ers. Then, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, these small businesses had to add the when the health inspector shut his shop down in the same manner that other health violaburden of constructing outdoor dining ar-

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tions (that require reinspection for pest control, cleaning or equipment remediation) are handled. Thus, Fink’s was shut down again when the same inspector came in to “reinspect” on Jan. 6, begging the question why an establishment should have been shuttered with no ability to pay staff or bills for 26 days to remediate a violation that can be fixed by pulling up a mask in two seconds. Fink took to social media, calling the actions of the health department a “shakedown,” and received support from the public and City Council, which enabled him to reopen. While the resolution of Fink’s case is a comfort to his loyal following of northeast patrons, it remains unclear whether there are metrics to how the city selects establishments for inspections and what oversight there is in ensuring fairness and equality when sanctions are issued. Asked about this, a city spokesperson did not return an answer at press time. To endure these business-crippling restrictions in Philadelphia, while watching similar establishments thrive in lockdown-free places like Florida, Texas and even other Pennsylvania counties, illustrates possible political or bureaucratic undertones contributing to these heavy-handed restrictions. Leading to the contentious 2020 elections, COVID talking points shifted from deaths and hospitalizations to case rates, despite an extremely low mortality rate of only 1.7 percent to 1.9 percent in the U.S. As states like South Dakota, Texas, and Florida kept their hospitality industries open while increasing testing and mitigation strategies for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, many in the media attacked their Republican governors as reckless and insensitive to those at risk to the disease. Statistics, however, show that this criticism was unfounded. CDC contact tracing shows few infections originate in restaurants, according to CBS. When examining COVID death rates by state population, there seems to be little justification for the extended lockdowns that have cost so many Americans their SEE RESTAURANT, PAGE 8

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021

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o f d L n e a t l ters r a G Bookstore

RESTAURANT, FROM PAGE 7

Non-Fiction Bookstore Offering Self Discovery since 1972 Garland of Letters is a South Street staple, and has been providing tools for self-discovery since 1972. At Garland, you may find incense and incense burners, sage for smudging, oil diffusers, sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, soy and beeswax candles, natural crystals, rocks and minerals (both polished and rough), Himalayan salt lamps, journals, greeting cards, yoga mats, meditation cushions, singing bowls, authentic hand-made dream catchers, prayer beads, drums, wind chimes, mobiles, didgeridoos, flutes, essential oils, perfume, thangkas (Tibetan traveling altars), Tibetan prayer flags, posters, statuary from various spiritual traditions and more!

527 South Street Philadelphia PA 19147 Facebook.com/Garland-of-Letters-Bookstore - (215)923-5946 - 12noon-7pm

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jobs and businesses. Pennsylvania, despite a myriad of on-again-off-again lockdowns, had 19,424 deaths for a population of 12.8 million. On a global level, a scientific study evaluating COVID-19 responses around the world found that mandatory lockdown orders early in the pandemic may not provide significantly more benefits to slowing the spread of the disease than other voluntary measures, such as social distancing or travel reduction. Given these comparative death rates and results of global research, hard-working restaurateurs may be right to feel as if they were unfairly targeted in a Wolf and Kenney administration attempt to politicize the pandemic to assure that the party that ran on promises of state and local bailouts would win the 2020 election. “Being targeted as an industry is one thing. Knowing now, what we suspected all along is another,” Shultice said. “Living in a blue state, now getting a bailout, we’re collateral damage.” While their concerns many seem cynical, the ebbs and flows of COVID restrictions are adding fuel to the fire to those who predicted that the lockdowns that are crushing the American hospitality industry would start to fall away. While it seems far-fetched, consider the political leanings of the governors who were pro-lockdown vs. those who stayed open — which shows that the governors who endorsed Joe Biden closed their economies down. Now, as the vaccine is being widely distributed with warmer weather on the horizon, the new presidential administration may be able to claim victory over the pandemic without having borne the brunt of its fatal consequences. To go from conjecture to proof, look at recent developments as COVID infections grow in many places, including Virginia. Gov. Ralph Northam, the first governor in the country to shutter schools for the entire 2020 school year and who once outlawed sitting on the beach or playing loud music in the sand as bizarre COVID-curbing measures, now says it’s imperative schools reopen. “Children are hurting right now; families are hurting; we hear it every day,” he said.

“Test results are going down...We all need to collectively get our children back into school and that’s where they need to be for a lot of different reasons.” Kids have fallen so far behind, Northam said recently, that they may have to go to a year-round calendar to let them catch up. In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who received criticism when her city was shut down, to include hair stylists while sneaking out for a haircut herself, was faced with the fact that restaurants were going out of business due to her lockdown orders; especially true when outdoor dining is nearly impossible for a city with harsh winters like Chicago. Lightfoot recently said Chicago restaurants and bars, shuttered for indoor service since October, need to be allowed to reopen “as quickly as possible” not just to help those businesses survive, but Sadly, o also to cut down ondemic has instances of privateParkway parties where peo-Acclaimed ple don’t take properused to co precautions againstspeak abo selves. Leo COVID-19. Even New York,Shorty,” “ with the nation’sand other highest per-capitaa hugely COVID death rate,well as no is calling for chang- I’m an es – despite risingnado, and COVID case rates.event with Gov. Andrew Cuomo,editor at t who is responsibleFrank Wi for the controversialer’s book coronavirus lock-began his down plans copied in“Books I Pennsylvania, Newcom), soo Jersey, Michigan, andnewspape California that is attributed to the deaths of ed by the thousands of nursing home residents, is nowas one of in 2009. calling for New York to reopen. As part of his annual “State of the State” “Good w address, Cuomo denounced the economic re-signature: strictions that his own administration put intobody else’ place in response to the coronavirus outbreak.for Dostoy “We simply cannot stay closed until the vac-Waugh. Re right away cine hits critical mass,” Cuomo said. “The cost is too high. We will have nothingyou’re wit left to open. We must reopen the economy, buting Elmor ence. we must do it smartly and safely.” So, just a day after the Biden inauguration, “Case i officials in lockdown-heavy New York, Chica-Cuban to go, Virginia and Philadelphia were reversingand took their positions on shutdowns, which researchjail on Gu shows are ineffective. Whether this is a coinci-old, red br dence or political strategy matters little to theOkeechob hard-working chefs, bar owners, servers, and “That s restaurateurs in Philadelphia who have lostfirst one reader wh their livelihoods over the past year. again ente @PUBLICSAFETYSME inhabitan

o be for a

CRIME BEAT

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

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THE COOLEST GUY

Northam to go to a h up. t, who rehut down, ng out for e fact that iness due true when ining is ossible for harsh wincago. recently go restauars, shuthave an affection for all of my schools: American,” Wilson said. ndoor sercharacters, even the bad guys, “Once you find yourself in Elmoreland, you October, because they’re so dumb,” I re- also find yourself hanging on those inhabiallowed to call the late, great crime novel- tants’ every word. You just can’t help noticing s quickly ist Elmore Leonard telling the that what they say and the way they say it is ” not just audience at the Free Library smooth and tangy, like good bourbon. ose busiin Philadelphia on May 14, “These are people who say things like, ‘I’m vive, but 2009. an ordained minister of the Spiritualist Asdown on Sadly, one of the things the COVID-19 pan- sembly of Waco, Texas, but I started out doing of privatedemic has stopped is the author events at the nails.’ When you come upon a sentence like here peo-Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia. that, you realize that when language is alive, ke properAcclaimed national authors, like Leonard, it packs a wallop. You don’t have to take my againstused to come to Philadelphia and word for any of this. The man who discovered Elmoreland and who speak about their work and themew York,selves. Leonard, the author of “Get has been exploring its environs nation’sShorty,” “Raylan,” “Out of Sight,” lo these many years is with us toper-capitaand other classic crime novels, was night. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. ath rate,a hugely popular writer then, as Elmore Leonard.” or chang-well as now. Frank Wilson’s introduction that ite rising I’m an Elmore Leonard aficionight was perhaps Elmore Leonse rates.nado, and I attended the Leonard ard’s best review. w Cuomo,event with my friend and former Leonard came out and read from esponsibleeditor at the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Road Dogs” and spoke of his work ntroversialFrank Wilson. Wilson, the Inquirhabits, his influences (Ernest Hemlock-er’s book editor for many years, ingway, Richard Bissell, George V. copied inbegan his popular literary blog, Higgins) and how he visited prisons a, New“Books Inq” (booksinq.blogspot. and spent more than a month with higan, andcom), soon after retiring from the Squad 7 of the Detroit Police Dehat is at-newspaper. The blog was selectpartment’s murder section. He said of nursinged by the London Sunday Times he often revisited the squad and ew York toas one of the “Top 100 Best Blogs” used their methods and dialogue in PAULDAVISONCRIME.COM his novels, but not specific murder in 2009. the State” “Good writing is like a person’s cases. nomic re-signature: It doesn’t look like anyLeonard struck me as having the on put intobody else’s. No one would mistake Chekhov cool insouciance of an elderly jazz musician. outbreak.for Dostoyevsky or Graham Greene for Evelyn He was as interesting, clever and amusing til the vac-Waugh. Read any page of any good writer and, a speaker as he was a writer. I truly enjoyed hearing him speak that night. right away, you know where you are and who ve nothingyou’re with,” Frank Wilson said in introducI recently contacted Frank Wilson and nomy, buting Elmore Leonard to the Philadelphia audi- asked him if he recalled the event. “Dutch, as he was called by his friends and ence. uguration, “Case in point: ‘They put Foley and the asked me to call him, was maybe the coolest rk, Chica-Cuban together in the backseat of the van guy I ever met,” Wilson said. reversingand took them from the Palm Beach County “There was just something naturally unh researchjail on Gun Club to Glades Correctional, the pretentious and nonchalant about him. After s a coinci-old, red brick prison at the south end of Lake he finished speaking and we were chatting in ittle to theOkeechobee.’ the green room, he kept asking me questions rvers, and “That sentence, which happens to be the about Philadelphia. I asked why he was so inhave lostfirst one in ‘Road Dogs,’ will signal to any terested in Philadelphia, and he said you nevreader who’s been there before that he is once er know, you may just want to set a novel here again entering ‘Elmoreland,’ a region whose and it’s good to have the details down from someone who really knows the place. He was a inhabitants speak a language not taught in the

How I met the late, great crime novelist Elmore Leonard

“I

PAUL DAVIS

Elmore Leonard and Author’s Events Director Andy Kahan are pictured at the event. Image | Courtesy of Free Library of Philadelphia/Author’s Events consummate professional writer.” Although Leonard never wrote a novel about Philadelphia, he did write about Atlantic City in his 1985 crime novel “Glitz.” In “Glitz” his cop character, Vincent Moro, goes up against “Frank the Ching” and “Ricky the Zit,” two South Philly wiseguys who are working the seaside gambling resort. Leonard liked using local color, so he had a character bribe a doorman with a cheesesteak. He used the 1983 Pennsylvania Crime Commission Report as a guide to authentic organized crime dialogue.

“I suggested that he deserved the Nobel Prize,” Wilson said. “The writing is as good as it gets. No wasted words. As sharp an eye for the detail as anyone. Characters as vivid as they get. I’ve had friends in low places. Dutch got them right.” Elmore Leonard died on Aug. 20, 2013. He was 87. Hopefully, this pandemic will soon end, and the Free Library will again invite authors back to Philadelphia. Paul Davis’ Crime Beat column appears here each week.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021

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VOICES

OF OUR

CITY

Locked and loaded Re: “Granny, get your gun,” (Jan. 7-14) I’m in my 60s, female and have a loaded double-barrel shotgun. During the riots last year, I made sure the gun was loaded. I also made sure I had a clear shot at the front door. I was going to protect myself, meet force with force. I’ve been shooting that gun for many de-

cades. I’m able to reliably take out a clay bird. I’ve used the gun to protect my children and the animals on our farm. I’d had coyotes kill calves and emus. Last year was the first time I was prepared to protect myself against people. I don’t like knowing that I have the power, skill and courage to point and shoot.

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

THE SHOUT OUT

Anonymous

Kill bill that would politicize judgeships I am writing about HB38, a bill that was narrowly moved forward out of the Judiciary Committee for consideration by the State Legislature. HB38 calls for the establishment of judicial districts that can then be gerrymandered to give advantage to the nominees of the majority party. This would make our judges

more partisan. Judges are currently elected at large, and that is the way it should remain. They should not be beholden to legislators of the majority party. We need the most qualified individuals to fill judgeships, not party lackeys. I am asking legislators to vote against HB38.

Janet Finesilver | Prospect Park

End the ZIP Code exclusion Anyone else feel excluded and yet still wish to help? Elected officials, whose actions affect us, hide behind ZIP Code exclusions. The exclusions prevent anyone outside his/her district from expressing a point of view by email to them about their policies. Is that ethical or fair? Is it helpful for those officials? No. Consider an opinion that has wide importance for which you wish to approve or disapprove and make beneficial suggestions to that elected official. We are excluded from doing that by email unless we live in the ZIP Code of that district. This makes sense for dogcatcher issues, but not for wider, national issues of, say, the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is making significant decisions that affect every citizen.

Her website, and those of many other officials, exclude all citizens who are directly affected by her decisions from explaining our concerns to her by email. The present ZIP Code exclusion is part of why so many officials are insulated in their provincial bubbles. Liz Cheney, Madelaine Dean and so many others now in the spotlight would be educated, helped and understand issues better if they could read suggestions from citizens who live outside their district and are also affected by their decisions. I propose that elected officials be required to have their emails accessible to those who wish to contribute ideas and comments to the issues at hand and be required to stop excluding opinions of citizens not in their districts. We are all in this together, after all.

Gardner A. Cadwalader | Philadelphia

JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Image | Steven Cornfield

The coronavirus vaccine effort has begun.

Your turn: How would you rate the effort so far? Are you happy with the way the vaccination program is working or can it be improved? Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com

VOICES OF OUR CITY

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How to get away with murder in Philadelphia In 2020, the city of Philadelphia exceeded its highest number of homicides since 1990, with the official total being 499. To put this into a national perspective, consider that Houston had almost 100 fewer murders than Philadelphia despite having 782,000 more people. And New York had 37 fewer murders than Philadelphia despite having 6,861,000 more people. While these types of chilling statistics have normally been met with an immediate change in law enforcement policies and criminal justice leadership, the mayor, police commissioner, district attorney, and media establishment in Philadelphia seem more concerned with controlling the narrative than making communities safer. This is evident when looking at an overnight scramble on New Year’s Eve by police officials to keep murders under 500 (the record set in 1990), as well as the growing use of the “suspicious death” classification, referred to as “S-jobs” by Philadelphia police. When examining “S-job” deaths in 2020, Captain Jason Smith, Homicide Commanding Officer, said there may be as many as 173 cases. While Smith cites instances where S-cases were added to the homicide count, other police sources say that S-jobs may be a tool used by headquarters to keep the murder count down. A change in the tally and timing of when homicides occurred on a bloody, three-murder New Year’s Eve leaves many people wondering if the statistics are legitimate. Had they been tallied in a transparent manner, such record keeping wouldn’t warrant attention. However, the sheer number of these cases, combined with the city’s record-breaking number of homicides and the police department’s last-minute statistics changes, should be earning a great deal of media scrutiny and calls for reform by political leaders. At 12:01 a.m. on December 31, the city had reported 498 murders – a statistic that remained the same throughout New Year’s Eve despite news coverage of the murder of a 15-year-old that afternoon. When the tally was briefly reconciled on the morning of January 4, the 2020 homicide total lurched to 502. Af-

ter two hours of social media erupting over the shocking statistic, the tally was lowered to 499. When questioned in the Philly Trial Blog by veteran crime reporter Ralph Cipriano, the city said the change from 502 back to 499 murders was a statistical error made by a web designer, an explanation that sources within the police department say was more likely a coverup than a technical error. This has been corroborated by senior sources from within the department, some of whom have accused their own public affairs unit of lying to the press. They cite a December 23, 2020, shooting victim who died at the hospital on January 1, 2021. The medical examiner contacted Police Homicide on January 2 to tell them the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the abdo-

men from the December 23 shooting. However, the police department gave this murder a case number of M-21-04 (the fourth murder of 2021), when in actuality, it was case # M-20-500 (the 500th murder of 2020). But even if we disregard the blaring inconsistencies and take the tally of 499 to be true, the city sadly had a 40 percent increase in murder from 2019’s 356 murders. A statistic that is an embarrassment for the nation’s fourth-largest police department and the mayor. And a statistic that has shown how the fourth estate has allowed officials to play down a massive loss of life on Philadelphia’s streets. By using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse, local government officials have “handled” the press through pre-screened Zoom

conferences where these officials can easily avoid the few challenging questions that may come their way. As the year drew to a violent close, Commissioner Outlaw showed how easy it is to maneuver around malleable media by declining interviews about rising crime but agreeing to an interview on, “what’s it really like being the first black woman at the top coming in from the outside.” Similarly, DA Larry Krasner often shifts the blame to national politics when confronted by the press about the numerous cases involving suspects who were previously released without bail, undercharged, or simply set free by his office. And too often, local media obliges his fantasies or ignores his contradictions. The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story of how Krasner “blasted” low bail policies that contribute to the city’s record murder rate while blindly omitting that Krasner ran on the issue of “eliminating cash bail.” This sort of “journalism” renders the Inquirer newsroom a surrogate of the Krasner campaign in many people’s eyes and highlights a troubling trend in local crime reporting. Harvard’s Nieman Lab even published an article by two Philly activist reporters calling for the elimination of the crime beat. This may be because the same people funding these biased media initiatives are those also funding the campaigns of Larry Krasner and other radical prosecutors across the country – all of whom held office amid the rising homicide rates in 2020. Or it may simply be a radical ideology given too much power. Thankfully, not everyone simply accepts Krasner’s troubling policies. Carlos Vega, the city’s former top homicide prosecutor and current district attorney candidate, placed the blame for the rise in murders on Krasner, saying, “The police are doing their job and Larry Krasner is deciding not to prosecute.” There’s plenty of blame to go around. But with everyone with any influence over bringing down violent crime in 2021 more interested in controlling the 2020 narrative, it’s uncertain whether that blame will land on anyone at all.

A. Benjamin Mannes, MA, CPP, CESP, is a Subject Matter Expert in Security & Criminal Justice Reform based on his own experiences on both sides of the criminal justice system. He has served as a federal and municipal law enforcement officer and was the former Director, Office of Investigations with the American Board of Internal Medicine. @PublicSafetySME. This article was originally published at Broad + Liberty. Follow them on Twitter @BroadAndLiberty.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021

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Image | Bundo Kim

JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

REINVENTING RESTAURANTS Local eateries change to meet today’s needs

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A roomy restaurant hat is that stupid quote, the At a time with indoor dining re-comone that goes “Today is the first day of the rest of your menced, but spaced out seating at a premium, life?” Well, to all of Jan. 20’s sprawl and size is important, and bigger, widnewly-electeds, with Biden er and longer may very well be better. Avram and Harris at the top of the Hornik (FCM Hospitality) understands sprawl list, I say welcome, and enjoy and has Philadelphia’s largest indoor restauthe intention of all that such a dumb quote enrant – Craft Hall, along the waterfront, in Notails. There’s a long road ahead for all of you Libs – with 35,000 square feet of space ready elected officials, with a set of unenviable posito reopen to speak to size. That’s big enough tions to hold you in their grip. And just to put for a 700-pound smoker and yards of Execuall of this in perspective, Jan. 19 was “Nation- tive Chef Adam Iazarick’s BBQ brisket burnt al Popcorn Day.” One day off, and we could ends, pork spare ribs and more. That’s big have also paid tribute to Orville Redenbacher enough to host the team of Food & Wine Magand Paul Newman’s Own, while singing “Hail azine’s newest anointed top 10 bakery, Lost to the Chief.” Bread Co., who repay the favor with dough for And in terms of leadership roles gone Craft Hall’s pizza menu. That’s room enough awry, I’d like to send a similarly themed, fufor Mainstay Independent Brewing to produce ture-forward message to recently axedPaige Eagles their craft ales from and serve to. Image | Marilyn coach Doug Pedersen. Right or wrong, Comcast’s reach if you were let go by Jeff Lurie to save If you’re a fan of entertainment/inpetulant QB Carson Wentz’s snake … formation content kings as I am, you BY A.D. I mean …. pigskin, this is not the team AMOROSI know how far and wide Philly’s homefor you, Doug. grown Comcast’s tentacles reach. Far Ask the parents and fiancé of murbeyond Universal, and beyond the sea, dered dog-walking Brewerytown native Mi- there is the Comcast-owned European pay lan Loncar if Larry Krasner’s reduced bail television giant Sky, itself an all-consumprogram really works: One of the arrested ing and expanding entity. In December, Sky alleged assassins had been released from jail signed with Amazon which brought Prime on drastically reduced bail for charges of moVideo to its Eurohouse; this after Sky made tor vehicle theft, kidnapping and aggravated deals with Disney+, Netflix and other netassault on a prison guard. PLEASE GET THIS work/streaming/cable giants. As of this MOTHERFUCKER OUT OF OFFICE. week, the Comcast-Sky giant has enveloped Restaurant innovation the prestigious StudioCanal film studios like “To stay alive in the restaurant industry, a spider does flies. Known for the Oscar-winyou need to be constantly innovating and ning likes of “The Hurt Locker,” StudioCaevolving – always on the pulse of changing nal’s upcoming releases include this year’s trends in diner behavior.” That’s Stephen Academy Awards contender, “Supernova” Starr writing about the presto-change-o of (starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci) and having to turn his avant-garde South Street “The Electrical Life” (with Benedict Cumeatery with Peter Serpico – Serpico – into berbatch and Claire Foy). Plus, Comcast/Sky Pete’s Place take-out Korean, during the gets all of StudioCanal’s movie library, which COVID summer, and now also into Chickmeans Paddington bear will soon appear on en Scratch, a virtual, chef-driven, rotisserie your next Comcast bill statement. chicken delivery/take out hot spot. I say Sheer Mag music “hot” as Serpico is serving his birds with We haven’t heard from South Philly’s post“stoplight” red, yellow and green sauces. punks Sheer Mag since 2019’s A Distant Call

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GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY (well, save for Bernie Sanders using Tina Halladay & Co.’s “Expect the Bayonet,” at campaign stops for his last presidential run). That’s why it’s a friggin-in-the-rigging pleasure that the S-Mag has a new song, “Crushed Velvet,” on the soundtrack for the Hulu-produced film, “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise.” Strange week for Philly music Such a strange weekend for those connected to the music of Philly’s ‘50s and ‘60s past. Jerry Brandt, the legendary entrepreneur who brought the Rolling Stones to America and discovered South Philly’s Chubby Checker – so to make him a towering icon of “The Twist” – has died. Jerry Blavat, the Geator with the Heater, was talking to me about the real roots of the now-dead Phil SpecImage | Courtesy of NLBID tor’s past – of how Philly’s Frank Lipsius bankrolled the wall of sound music maker-turned-murderer’s first label, Philles – when his attention turned to another, younger legend of melodic roots music, the street corner sound of doo wop and angelic, Brooklyn-born vocalist (and local favorite) Tommy Mara, who passed away the same day as Spector. A large, regular part of Blavat’s annual Kimmel Center live showcases as the frontman for the late Johnny Maestro’s Crests, the Geator had booked Mara into the Golden Nugget and his Maltshop Memories cruise before the pandemic hit, and had nothing but admiration for the late vocalist and his craft. “Tommy was a master,” said Blavat of Mara and his heavenly trill. Masked Philly: Kris Kennedy In Icepack’s continuing saga of asking mask-donning local celebrities what they’ve been up to, beyond the pale, during COVID19’s pandemic, I reached out this week to the executive director of Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, Kris Kennedy. They say you never really know your business improvement district executives until things get weird, and quarantines go into place. With that, Kennedy, who has played guitar for over 30 years, been a six-string slinger in a number of bands throughout that time (e.g. Lefty’s Deceiver, Mazarin and Audible, the latter of whom has its first new track out in a decade this week), and, in her words, “toured the country a bunch,” and missed one essential part of the git-box experience. “I never took a lesson,” said Kennedy, about

using the masked-up lockdown as a hard excuse to get started in guitar school. “I’ve known Chris DiPinto for ages and live around the corner from his shop on Girard, so he was an obvious choice for a teacher. I felt like I owed it to Chris to be prepared the next week, which made me practice regularly. COVID turned every day into an emergency, and as the director of a business district, I was in the daily maelstrom with all the business owners. With that, practicing scales is very meditative.” Kennedy likes shopping in her district, and the COVID-19 mask she’s wearing in her selfie here is NoLib proud. “This was made by Erin Waxman of Art Star, a fantastic, handmade boutique in Northern Liberties,” said Kennedy. “At first, I had her make me some masks Image | Courtesy Bailey Walker and Adam Laub in a solid color, but my husband kept nabbing them and they started to smell like beard. So, I had Erin make me some he wouldn’t want to wear.” Until masks are less of a must than they are now, Kennedy will continue to order them fresh from Waxman. After that, however, “When it is finally OK to be around other people without a mask, I’m going to buy new lipsticks,” she said. “I’m not a makeup person really, but you really can’t do lipstick under a mask. It will be like the first warm day of spring when I’m inclined to wear a dress – also not really a dress person.” Like me, Kennedy is a skeptic as to whether or not COVID-19 masks will truly not be a necessity. “I’m not certain masks will go completely if and when COVID is under control. I think they will continue to be part of our winter attire. So I’ll keep ordering them from Erin.” The next thing Kennedy has planned, mask up or down, and beyond the release of the new Audible single with her husband, is waiting for warmer weather and longer days – (“It’s been a mild winter, actually, but I’ve been over winter for about a decade”) and a packed solid Northern Liberties Business Improvement District list of must-dos. “The NLBID has a solid calendar of ‘reasons to walk around’ events starting in April,” said Kennedy. “And I’m looking forward to watching people enjoy being outdoors.”

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LIT ART

From a hip-shaking Elvis to back-lit Pep Boys figures, the NMOP has it all

JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

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he pandemic hit, and, for to decades earlier. many places, that brought LD: The spiritual seeds of the museeverything to a standstill. um were planted in the late 1950s when Not for the Neon Museum of my father regularly took me to Levis Philadelphia, though. First Hot Dogs after seeing Philadelphia Warand foremost, the Museum riors games at Convention Hall. Spotprepared for its physical ting a tiny, neon hot dog as we turned grand opening that will take on to 6th Street at Market and watching place later this year at NextFab, it grow to a huge, 13-foot edifice 1800 North American St., Unit when we arrived was an exciting E. More than 120 vintage neon and mysterious experience for a signs were installed, and a myri- BY EUGENE 10-year-old. Eating secret recipe ZENYATTA hot dogs and fish cakes, drinkad of other displays and projects were completed. ing from the nation’s oldest soda The Museum features a dazfountain, reading the names on zling display of over 120 neon the 50-year club posters, soaking pieces with cultural narratives and has in the vibe of a joint that my dad enjoyed gathered a staff of sign designers, mu- and that his father had frequented linked seum professionals, and “talented weir- me to Philly roots and culture in a way I dos.” And that’s just for starters. couldn’t yet verbalize. When the museum physically opens In the mid-70s, these and other Philly to the public, it will offer an array of childhood experiences – entering Pep changing art exhibits and events, presen- Boys under giant tations on Philly commercial and neighfigures of Manny, Moe and Jack, seeborhood history, a daily video program, ing the tire man when crossing the Tacoa library, lounge and a museum shop. ny-Palmyra Between now and then, it’s launching Bridge – started to manifest their invirtual programs: Demonstrations, con- fluence when I opened The Gamery, a versations, art and performances. bar and restaurant in Gainesville, FlorPW recently caught up with NMOP ida. We put neon signs on the ceiling, founder Len Davidson to talk about the commissioned a giant Cezanne’s “Card museum’s past, present and future. Player” from a Mardi Gras float makPW: Talk a little about how the er for our front window, and the die Neon Museum of Philadelphia came was cast. about. I know it was established in This fascination with neon and the 1983, but has roots that date back American Roadside intensified when

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I began apprenticing at a Florida neon sign seum of pre-internet life in Philadelphia. Our shop in 1977. mission is not nostalgia but understanding I soon was collecting old neon in Florida 20th Century Philly history and culture, and creating a community setting to enjoy it. and New Orleans and left my teaching job at U PW: When the doors finally reopen later of Florida. I continued scavenging neon upon moving back to Philly in 1979. The collection this year (we all hope), what exhibits and events do you have planned? expanded when I opened Davidson Neon DeLD: We’re planning exhibits of local and sign, a custom neon business. The collection national neon artwork, a panel discussion was christened Neon Museum of Philadelphia about Reading Terminal history, another on in 1983. the South Street Renaissance in the 1960s, exPW: The pandemic and all of the clohibits on Philly brewing history, a program sures that accompanied it hit everyone on Philly street art, hard. Even though plus other ideas from the Museum was members. closed for in-person Though some areas visits, you still kept might seem removed active. Tell our readfrom neon, they rareers a little about all ly are. For instance, of the things going we have lots of signs on while the doors from the Reading are still closed to the Terminal and South general public. Street which amplify LD: There’s too those topics. much to tell – here’s PW: Which exhiba sketch: We installed its or displays generover 120 vintage signs ate the most reaction in our building and refrom visitors? In searched their history other words, when and cultural context. we visit, what do we That material was need to make sure we recorded on Museum see? Guide Cards that are LD: Everyone loves below the sign exhibanimated neon: Our its. We built a website racing Greyhound that describes the muDog, a 50’s camera seum and details its from Lancaster Ave. participatory nature: with an aperture that A membership structure, opportunities to While the pandemic closed many places around the opens and closes, a hip-shaking Elvis “adopt” signs, mech- city, the Neon Museum of Philadelphia was busy from a South Philly anisms for collecting preparing its new home, which will include more dive bar, a fuel oil deoral history and so on. than 120 vintage signs. Image | Courtesy of NMOP livery truck from 52nd We developed a Street with moving wheels, a dancing crab – to presence on social media, particularly on name a few. Plus, some of the relics are almost Instagram. We set up a library with volumes on Philly history, neon, folk art, the sacred to Philly lovers: The huge Pat’s Steaks American roadside and related topics. We neon and porcelain crown from the mid-50s, back-lit Pep Boys figures, an H and H sign solicited and obtained over 100 videos and from 30th Street PowerPoints on these topics from enthusiStation, the 13-foot Levis Hot Dog, the 60’ asts across the U.S. When open, we plan to Bookbinders sign from 15th Street. Our Buloshow material from this video archive on a va Clock from the 1939 NY World’s Fair that daily basis. ended up atop a North Broad Street jewelry We created a store and began stocking it store stops people in their tracks too. with neon and Philly books, neon postcards, PW: How can people support the old Philly bottles, museum T-shirts, jewelry, museum? etc. LD: Become a member. Adopt a sign. Bring We built three, double-sided, moveable walls for mounting art and history exhibits, your kids to play deadbox. Suggest a program. Plan an event in our space. Buy our Vintage and just installed our first show. It was put together by Philly artist Mason Carter. Mason is Neon book. Donate memorabilia relating to a sign. Share your stories about the businesses a self-taught futurist and urban planner who we profile. makes vibrant illustrations of a fantasy city, PW: What are the best ways for people to Blendini, complete with descriptions of each stay up-to-date with what’s going on at the neighborhood/drawing. museum? Best of all, we resurrected deadbox, a LD: Our website www.neonmuseumofphilPhilly street game in which players flick adelphia.com has all the news, and our Insweighted bottle caps across a 6-foot by 6-foot tagram page @neonmuseumofphiladelphia playing field. shows you visually what we are up to. What this is about is creating a history mu-

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Important Facts About DOVATO

This is only a brief summary of important information about DOVATO and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and treatment. What is the most important information I should know about DOVATO? If you have both human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Resistant HBV infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV infection before you start treatment with DOVATO. If you have HIV-1 and hepatitis B, the hepatitis B virus can change (mutate) during your treatment with DOVATO and become harder to treat (resistant). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in people who have HIV-1 and HBV infection. • Worsening of HBV infection. If you have HIV-1 and HBV infection, your HBV may get worse (flare-up) if you stop taking DOVATO. A “flare-up” is when your HBV infection suddenly returns in a worse way than before. Worsening liver disease can be serious and may lead to death. ° Do not run out of DOVATO. Refill your prescription or talk to your healthcare provider before your DOVATO is all gone. ° Do not stop DOVATO without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop taking DOVATO, your healthcare provider will need to check your health often and do blood tests regularly for several months to check your liver. What is DOVATO? DOVATO is a prescription medicine that is used without other HIV-1 medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults: who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past, or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines when their healthcare provider determines that they meet certain requirements. HIV-1 is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is not known if DOVATO is safe and effective in children. Who should not take DOVATO? Do not take DOVATO if you: • have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine that contains dolutegravir or lamivudine. • take dofetilide. What should I tell my healthcare provider before using DOVATO? Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • have or have had liver problems, including hepatitis B or C infection. • have kidney problems. • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. One of the medicines in DOVATO (dolutegravir) may harm your unborn baby. ° Your healthcare provider may prescribe a different medicine than DOVATO if you are planning to become pregnant or if pregnancy is confirmed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. ° If you can become pregnant, your healthcare provider will perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with DOVATO. ° If you can become pregnant, you should consistently use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with DOVATO. ° Tell your healthcare provider right away if you are planning to become pregnant, you become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant during treatment with DOVATO. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you take DOVATO. ° You should not breastfeed if you have HIV-1 because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby. ° One of the medicines in DOVATO (lamivudine) passes into your breastmilk. ° Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

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Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines interact with DOVATO. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. • You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of medicines that interact with DOVATO. • Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take DOVATO with other medicines. What are possible side effects of DOVATO? DOVATO can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “What is the most important information I should know about DOVATO?” section. • Allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop a rash with DOVATO. Stop taking DOVATO and get medical help right away if you develop a rash with any of the following signs or symptoms: fever; generally ill feeling; tiredness; muscle or joint aches; blisters or sores in mouth; blisters or peeling of the skin; redness or swelling of the eyes; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; problems breathing. • Liver problems. People with a history of hepatitis B or C virus may have an increased risk of developing new or worsening changes in certain liver tests during treatment with DOVATO. Liver problems, including liver failure, have also happened in people without a history of liver disease or other risk factors. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your liver. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow (jaundice); dark or “tea-colored” urine; light-colored stools (bowel movements); nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; and/or pain, aching, or tenderness on the right side of your stomach area. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis). Lactic acidosis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms that could be signs of lactic acidosis: feel very weak or tired; unusual (not normal) muscle pain; trouble breathing; stomach pain with nausea and vomiting; feel cold, especially in your arms and legs; feel dizzy or lightheaded; and/or a fast or irregular heartbeat. • Lactic acidosis can also lead to severe liver problems, which can lead to death. Your liver may become large (hepatomegaly) and you may develop fat in your liver (steatosis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the signs or symptoms of liver problems which are listed above under “Liver problems.” You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female or very overweight (obese). • Changes in your immune system (Immune Reconstitution Syndrome) can happen when you start taking HIV-1 medicines. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that have been hidden in your body for a long time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you start having new symptoms after you start taking DOVATO.

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SO MUCH GOES INTO WHO I AM HIV MEDICINE IS ONE PART OF IT. Why could DOVATO be right for you? DOVATO is proven to help control HIV with just 2 medicines in 1 pill. That means fewer medicines* in your body while taking DOVATO. It’s proven as effective as an HIV treatment with 3 or 4 medicines. Learn more about fewer medicines at DOVATO.com DOVATO is a complete prescription regimen to treat HIV-1 in adults who have not received HIV-1 medicines in the past or to replace their current HIV-1 medicines when their doctor determines they meet certain requirements. Results may vary. *As compared with 3- or 4-drug regimens.

What are possible side effects of DOVATO? (cont’d) • The most common side effects of DOVATO include: headache; nausea; diarrhea; trouble sleeping; tiredness; and anxiety. These are not all the possible side effects of DOVATO. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Where can I find more information? • Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. • Go to DOVATO.com or call 1-877-844-8872, where you can also get FDA-approved labeling. August 2020 DVT:4PIL Trademark is owned by or licensed to the ViiV Healthcare group of companies.

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MUSIC

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CATCHING UP WITH SORAIA The Philly rock quartet just dropped new music

Philly rockers Soraia dropped a new single, ‘Tight-Lipped,’ earlier this month. Image | Drew Bordeaux Photography

JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

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MUSIC

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hiladelphia rock quartet Soraia gave fans new music for the start of the New Year. The band released a 7-inch single titled, “Tight-Lipped” on Jan. 8. The single follows on the heels of Soraia’s most recent studio LP, “Dig Your Roots,” which was produced and engineered by Geoff Sanoff (Bruce Springsteen, Fountains Of Wayne, Dashboard Confessional) and spawned a number of singles, including “Evergreen,” “Wild Woman” and “Superman is Gone.” Soraia epitomizes raw power, unrelenting energy, chaos, and freedom. With a live show that is frenetic and intensely interactive, the band’s chemistry has been cemented through years of fierce, persistent touring from the dingiest dives to the most massive amphitheaters, helping them attract a worldwide fanbase. Soraia is made up of ZouZou Mansour: lead vocal, tambourine; Travis Smith: bass, backing vocals; Brianna Sig: drums, percussion, backing vocals; and Nick Seditious: guitars. PW recently caught up with Mansour to talk about the new music and life in the band during the pandemic. How did you all get together? Did you know from the beginning that the chemistry was right and that the group would succeed? Soraia formed after I decided I wanted to start a full-on band. I knew I was at the point where I was writing a lot of songs, and I had done a number of open mics to get my chops together enough to do a live show. Plus, I’ve always wanted to be part of a band/group with collaborative input since I can remember singing, which was 2nd grade. The band has changed members a number of times over the years, but I feel the main purpose, vision and focus have always been and will always be the same. Chemistry is important with the writing even more so than with the playing, I feel. But still, the group we have together now has played together a while – and chemistry has developed. It’s not always instantaneous, but we play so much together, it always develops, even when it’s there to begin with. But there has to be some type of magic in the room when you all play together initially for you to keep being inspired and motivated. Otherwise, it’s drudgery. So when these things are constant, success becomes a matter of going with the flow and honoring your vision for the songs. Wicked Cool’s Stevie Van Zandt has been a big supporter of the band. Can you talk a little about how that relationship developed and what it has meant to you? Sure, I’d love to. We met in 2010 initially af-

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Soraia can’t wait until they’re able to get back to what they are great at: interacting with a live audience. Image | Drew Bordeaux Photography

ter he’d heard a song I’d co-written with the love. But also I found out what happened to producer I was working with at the time. The the character of Ophelia in “Hamlet” and was outraged by it. So I decided to create Ophelia song was called “Runaround,” and they still to be revived and stronger by the end of the play it on The Underground Garage now – 10 song. If you listen to the choruses, you hear years later! That song got me my first meeting with Stevie, and from there he’s stayed with that she goes from being “Sweet Ophelia” to me and mentored me, until we signed with “Meet Ophelis,” who is a whole new person his label, Wicked Cool Records, in 2016. So by the end of the song. It’s really a song of my own transformation from being tight-lipped our relationship spans a period of time, and about things in my life out of fear. has a ton of mutual respect and adI’m super proud of the lyrics and miration. We’ve written together, the meaning of the song. And Travis he’s produced our band, and he’s diBY EUGENE always brings killer music and tone rected our career, aside from giving ZENYATTA that inspires the title line and lyrics us opportunities to open for larger in the end. artists. He’s been not only our inAs far as “Angel” goes, Jessie credible friend, but a great advocate and I had been talking this past summer, and for Soraia – the band and our music. If you’ve decided it would be fun to collaborate on a heard of us, it’s likely Steven-related, if you go song. We settled on “Angel” by Aerosmith, back to its roots. You just released a new single, “Tight- which was actually her choice. I had tried to sing that song as a kid, and failed miserably, Lipped,” (with a b-side cover of Aeroso I thought that would be a fun way to redeem smith’s “Angel,” featuring a guest appearance by Wicked Cool Records labelmate myself. Anyway, we ended up posting it on social Jessie Wagner). How did the song come together? What’s been the reaction of your media and it blew up fast, so we decided to record it and release it. fans? So far, our community of fans has been ec“Tight-Lipped” was originally written in January of 2020 by myself and Travis Smith, static about it, one of my friends even called who is also our bassist in Soraia. We’ve been and cried to me about “Tight-Lipped.” It’s been a wonderful response we’ve never rewriting together for 10 years now, and we’ve ceived before. developed a great chemistry and compatibiliYou’ve done a lot of touring in years ty that has served us really well. I was readpast, so how have the pandemic and all ing a lot of Shakepreare at the time, I rememof the closures affected you? How have you ber – looking for references – I was very into spent any downtime? “Romeo and Juliet” at the time, and loved that Well, we had to cut short our “Dig Your idea of an open-hearted, all-encompassing

Roots” album tour which had just begun when the pandemic hit. That was a downer for sure, but since then we’ve found other ways to connect. We’ve also realized there’s nothing quite like a live show experience – for both us and the audience. So we miss it. It’s been an adjustment, but I feel we’ve used the time to write more, record in our rehearsal room some “one and done” releases which we’ve self-released as acoustic songs – and they’ve been very successful limited runs that sell out. Our fans love them. It’s a stripped version of covers we normally wouldn’t cover live, so they see another side of us, and we get to be a little more diverse than when we’re on the road. And vulnerable, too. That being said, we miss touring. Badly. But there will be time to do it again – and in the meantime, we are all developing ourselves in other ways, as well as finding ways to connect with our fans in a different way. What’s the Philly music scene like? Are there any local artists you’d like to collaborate with? It’s hard to say now, but before Covid we all worked together and played together. I think Philly is just a town where you have to develop your craft to people who will be honest with whether or not they believe in you. Our fans have always told us the truth, whether it be about a particular song we’ve written or are covering, and whether or not we had a great show or a bad show. Philly is a tell-it-like-it-is kind of town, I believe. But we all collaborate a ton show-wise, and we have started collaborating with a few artists we know from the scene on one-off songs, too. Philadelphia has a great rock community and a very sociable and communicative stable of artists. What’s ahead for you after/if the pandemic passes? Back on the road? More new music? Both of these. We are always working on new music, but getting back on the road is a huge priority, and a need for our fans and fans of music in general. We have to show them it’s safe when it is safe. We have to get out there and do what we do – what we’re great at – and that’s interacting with a live audience. I can’t wait to get back on the road, honestly. What are the best ways for your fans to stay connected with what you’re doing? All of our social media accounts are updated practically every day, and they can hear any and all of our catalog on streaming services as well as our label’s bandcamp: soraiawcr.bandcamp.com/ Here’s our other sites, too: instagram.com/soraiarocks facebook.com/soraiarocks twitter.com/soraiarocks

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021

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THE RUNDOWN

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THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell

Let’s eat: Indoor dining returns to the city

Indoor dining has returned to the city – although at a limited capacity – and a number of restaurants have announced their plans. Here are the details for a few of them. If you own a restaurant and want to share your reopening plans with the city, email us at mail@philadelphiaweekly.com and we’ll do our best to spread the news.

Craft Hall

MilkBoy

The Philadelphia-born brand that includes a legendary recording studio in Northern Liberties and bar-andrestaurant concepts MilkBoy Philly and MilkBoy South Street will open its South Street location for indoor dining while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Diners can look forward to a stellar menu featuring tasty bites and libations including burger variations, fried chicken, cocktails, canned beers, and a unique selection of house-made seltzers. 215925-6455 | milkboy.tv/

JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Craft Hall is officially back on the Waterfront at 901 N. Delaware Ave. As restaurants adapt their operations to survive the pandemic, look for Craft Hall to pivot and turn the menu focus to BBQ, smoked meats and hearty pizzas. Executive Chef Adam Iazarick and his team will put the 700-pound smoker to full use in creating a menu that is delicious and hearty as the perfect mid-winter pandemic comfort food. crafthallphilly.com

Assembly Rooftop Lounge

Center City’s rooftop lounge with panoramic views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art has an ample supply of fire pits and brand new heat lamps to keep guests warm amidst the winter weather. 1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215-963-2723 | assemblyrooftop.com

The Bourse

Old City’s modern artisanal food hall is open for indoor dining seven days a week. Guests are invited to browse the food hall and indulge in a variety of food options from multiple vendors, including Prescription Chicken, Marino Brothers, Scoop DeVille Ice Cream, The Original Hot Dog Factory and Grubhouse while practicing social distancing. Due to big open spaces in the large food hall, operators are able to comfortably spread out all tables for guests dining indoors. No reservations needed. 111 S. Independence Mall E | 215.625.0300 | theboursephilly.com

Square 1682

The modern American kitchen located at the intersection of 17th and Sansom streets is excited to welcome back indoor diners for dinner service with offerings such as a Crab Cake Sandwich, Cauliflower Curry, Gnocchi, Jerk Chicken and more. Weekend brunch will also be available. 121 South 17th St. | 215.563.5008 | square1682.com

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THE RUNDOWN

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Urban Farmer

Logan Square’s modern American steakhouse is all set for indoor dining. Guests can look forward to a locally sourced menu offering grass-fed steaks, skuna bay salmon, pork chop, sandwiches and more, available for indoor and outdoor dining. Urban Farmer is working closely with the state Department of Health to keep all diners safe. Reservations are strongly encouraged, and credit card transactions preferred. 1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | urbanfarmerphiladelphia.com

Philly chefs have been waiting months to serve up these delicious dishes to your table. Go ahead and take advantage.

Image | Snyder_Sage

If you head out, reservations are probably a good idea East Passyunk Avenue

Red Owl Tavern

Forsythia

The Rules

Home to more than 150 independently owned businesses in South Philadelphia, East Passyunk Avenue has several restaurants opening for indoor dining. Eateries such as Barcelona Wine Bar, River Twice, La Scala’s Birra, and Flannel are open for service with masks and face shields worn by employees, increased cleaning, timed reservations, and even contactless payment and QR codes at various restaurants. 1904 E. Passyunk Ave. | visiteastpassyunk.com/

Old City’s French bar and restaurant helmed by Chef Christopher Kearse is set to re-open its doors for socially-distanced indoor dining on Friday, Jan. 29. The restaurant will only take on 18 guests at a time to guarantee a safe and intimate dining experience with French cuisine boasting Charcuterie, Mussels, Shiitake Mushroom Tartine, Rohan Duck, Seared Scallops and more. Reservations via the website or Resy are highly recommended. 233 Chestnut St. | 215.644.9395 | forsythiaphilly.com

The modern American restaurant across from historic Independence Hall is following all city and statewide safety protocols, using EPA-registered cleaning products and is conducting daily health screenings of all employees. Red Owl Tavern’s winter menu includes old favorites and new creations such as Roasted Chicken, Salmon with tomato, avocado, corn, Meyer lemon and a Cheesesteak with cheddar and fried onions. 433 Chestnut St. | 215.923.2267 | redowltavern.com

While indoor dining in the city is back, there are restrictions. Restaurants are limited to 25 percent capacity. Also, no more than four people to a table – and all four must be from the same household. One more: Keep your mask on unless eating or drinking. It’s a good idea to contact the restaurant before going out to make sure it’s not filled up, you need reservations, etc.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021

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THE RUNDOWN

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Visit Creativephl.org

OACCE launched a brand new version of the creativephl.org website recently. The new website includes the return of the Arts Access Calendar, enhanced opportunities pages, and a section focused on community engagement.

The city’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy recently announced plans for new and returning programs to support Philadelphia’s diverse arts community in 2021. OACCE’s programs strive to provide residents with access to quality cultural programs; link arts organizations and artists to resources; help arts organizations to reach broader and more diverse audiences; and increase community engagement in the public art process to ensure the city’s art collection reflects the diversity of Philadelphia.

City sets plans to support local arts community this year Arts Access TV

Arts Access TV is a new opportunity for Philadelphia’s diversity of local artists and cultural organizations to air their performances and programs on Channel 64 (PHLGovTV). Local artists and cultural organizations can participate for free to increase their visibility, connect with a broader audience, or stay engaged with existing audiences. Arts Access TV will air weekly on Channel 64 on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 7pm.

Later in 2021: Neighborhood Arts Programs

OACCE plans to resume funding to support the local artists and organizations presenting free theatrical and musical performances, dance instruction, art making and more in Philadelphia neighborhoods. A timeline for this program is dependent upon the City’s COVID-19 guidelines.

JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Arts Access Calendar

The Arts Access Calendar on creativephl.org provides a centralized listing of free arts and culture activities hosted by Philadelphia cultural organizations throughout the city. Organizations are invited to submit their free events to be listed on the Arts Access Calendar.

Public Art and Percent for Art Programs

OACCE is implementing changes in how new public art is commissioned through the Percent for Art program by creating a process that increases community engagement and participation. The Office continues the conservation and management of the City’s 1,100-piece public art collection.

Later in 2021: Neighborhood Arts Programs

OACCE plans to resume funding to support the local artists and organizations presenting free theatrical and musical performances, dance instruction, art making and more in Philadelphia neighborhoods. A timeline for this program is dependent upon the City’s COVID-19 guidelines.

THE RUNDOWN

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

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Chestnut Hill on Ice

Beat the winter blues and head to Chestnut Hill on Ice, Jan. 29 and 30 (rain dates Feb. 5 and 6), for socially distanced ice-themed attractions, including a pop-up iceless ice skating rink, live ice carvings, a designer-built yurt village and more. Chestnut Hill on Ice is free to attend, with pay-asyou-go activities for all ages. The two-day event will take place along Germantown Avenue between Rex Avenue and Willow Grove Avenue. Noon to 6 p.m. www.chestnuthillpa.com.

The weather might be cold, but things are heating up around the city and region. Here are a few of the upcoming events that caught our attention.

Image | Studio 92

Art, theater and ice: What more could you want? Songs for a New World

Villanova Theatre will be virtually presenting Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World” from Jan. 28 - Feb. 7. It’s about one moment. The first musical from the Tony Award winner, this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make. Tickets are $10 and valid for 48 hours after they’re activated within the viewing window. Tickets can be purchased at showtix4u.com/eventdetails/43428.

Collections: Art We Love

A new exhibition at The Galleries at Moore will take you behind the screens of the people you see during video calls and into their living spaces. “Collections: Art We Love” features works that are from the home collections of staff and faculty members of Moore College of Art & Design, appearing Feb. 2 through March 26 in The Galleries, 1916 Race Street. In accordance with Moore’s guidelines, indoor exhibitions at The Galleries are tentatively closed to the public until further notice because of COVID-19, but part of the exhibition can be viewed from Race Street. moore.edu/the-galleries-at-moore/

Rediscovering Judith Leyster

Join the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s virtual discussion with Curator Nicole Cook as she shares what led her to highlight Judith Leyster’s painting “The Last Drop” and other women artists in the installation “What Can Paintings Tell Us?” Scholar Frima Hofrichter will chart Leyster’s career and her pioneering research that reintroduced this artist to history. Free but donation appreciated. Jan. 29 at noon. philamuseum.org

The Clay Siblings’ Project

Join Jennifer Zwilling, curator of Artistic Programs at The Clay Studio, and Gerald Brown and Mike Tavares, co-founders of The Clay Siblings’ Project, as they discuss bringing artistic opportunities to diverse communities. The Clay Siblings’ Project was created to show that all people can come together through their love of ceramics, and can help anyone explore their passion for art. Join the Zoom call to listen to the discussion and ask questions live. Jan. 28 at noon. theclaystudio.org

Image | Timothy Goodwin

Singles in Agriculture

Bristol Riverside Theatre kicks off the new year by introducing audiences to rising star Abby Rosebrock with the Philadelphia premiere of “Singles in Agriculture.” In the virtual show, a resilient young South Carolina army widow, who loves “Modern Family” and talks to her Pygmy goats, angles for romance with a religious dairy farmer from Oklahoma. Four performances Jan. 26-30 at 7:30pm will stream live, directly from the real-life couple’s apartment. Tickets are $35 and available at brtstage.org or by calling 215-785-0100.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021

NICE RACK

SEX WITH TIMAREE

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LOVE

To maintain our emotional intimacy, we alWhether you met a hottie while traveling, are moving temporarily for school, or simply ways start the day with a video chat to share can’t be in physical proximity to your lover any joys or worries about the day ahead. For because there’s a barely-controlled pandemic, sexual connectedness, we have explored sendit’s a good idea to know about maintaining reing suggestive photos throughout the day, lationships over distance. planning sexy video chat dates, and talking I checked in with a few folks who have susall about things we are interested in as well tained love over the miles. as things we are curious about KR and partner (together for trying or learning about when we several years, partner is 3,700 are together next. These open and miles away): frank conversations have allowed A long-distance relationship is us to reach a deeper level of underdefinitely not my first choice for standing each other as well as oura relationship style. Once you’ve selves so that when we do someday made the conscious decision to be get to live together that we might emotionally or sexually connected just be way ahead of the curve to someone from a distance, then communication-wise. you can actually have a lot of freeRT & partner (together 8 years, dom to define how the relationship 1,960 miles away) : works best for you and your partIt probably makes a difference ner. that our long-distance sexual In my circumstance, my partner relationship is grounded in an and I were separated because of in-person sexual relationship. We immigration. The beginning was do a lot of texting each other sexy @TIMAREE_LEIGH full of longing, wistful texts of “I things and talking about sex on love you” and “I can’t stop thinktext. When we have sex, it someing of you.” There was just so much emotion times is on video chat, but more often a comthat we wanted to stay as connected as possibination of text and audio recordings. For us, ble. We told each other that we would always a lot of what we do from afar is also shaped by be in each other’s pocket. our D/s dynamic. Similarly, feelings of sexual frustration ran We text all day, and we used to have set date high, but video chats were new and exciting, nights to talk, but now we make sure to say so this satisfied our craving for sexual intihi and hear each other’s voices every day. We macy. As time went on, we had to continually send a lot of audio messages, pictures of our check-in and explore how we wanted our inday, from the mundane to the exciting to sexy. timacy and sexuality to evolve in a way that And after a lot of practice, we’ve done proallowed us to actually live our separate day-tolonged scenes essentially that involve, honestday lives. ly, what just feels like fucking from afar, where

TIMAREE SCHMIT

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

it’s not doing it for yourself at all, it’s because the other person is really guiding whatever it is, giving instructions, and responding. Stephanie and Johan (together 1 year, 4,000 miles apart) : We envision dates we would like to have, and then go on them! Bring the other over video chat and share the experience. Once I took Johan to a Swedish goods shop in Lancaster, and he advised me of all the best candy and treats to buy. It was very special. Sending little surprise gifts to each other helps your partner feel thought of. We recommend doing a little research into your partner’s hometown and supporting the small businesses there. All of this develops and nurtures a special bond, and sets the stage for a feeling of love, safety, and most importantly TRUST. There is SO much trust that needs to be maintained. People acy, we al-need to trust that they t to shareare loved, and that ahead. Fortheir partner is being ored send-faithful (including eththe day,ical non-monogamy nd talkingif that’s what you’re in as wellpracticing). Also, with ous aboutthe amount of digital when wecontent being shared, open andand video chat sex, you e allowedhave to trust that your of under-partner wouldn’t act ell as our-maliciously with it. o someday Share your emotions we mightand needs. Do not hide the curvethat you are having a bad day. You’re not er 8 years,doing yourself or your relationship any favors differenceby dealing with life e sexualalone. They are called ed in anpartners for a reason. nship. WeLastly, do your Gods other sexydamned best to be paut sex ontient. Always keep in , it some-mind that you both are en a com-experiencing desire gs. For us,and loneliness togethshaped byer. In these special times, there’s no choice but to quit, or stick it out for love. It will happen, ve set dateone very special and VERY SEXY day. ure to say JL: ry day. We A majority of my relationships are long res of ourdistance. I’m poly. Each of my relationships ng to sexy.differ. The two that are in a way the most acdone pro-tive, we text each other pretty frequently and ve, honest-FaceTime at least once or twice a month. Our far, wherelives are very busy and we try our best to re-

SEX WITH TIMAREE spect that. For my partner in the same state as me, we see each at one weekend or one week a month. Communication and compassion has been key. Also recognizing that we have to trust each other to know the boundaries in the relationship and willingness to discuss the changes with boundaries frequently. We can see that meaningful and regular interaction is a big piece, and something that even people who share a house can take into consideration. What are some other things that are recommended? Be clear on boundaries and needs: What level of contact do you expect? Will you travel to see each other? What kind of romantic or sexual options do you each have with other people? Will this remain at a distance? Do you expect that eventually you will be in the same place and how will that change things? Embrace technological options: Texting, video chats and sharing porn links and saucy pics are obvious upsides of LDRs in the modern era. There are also apps designed for partners and don’t forget about products that allow lovers to share physical touch over Bluetooth or even engage directly in sexual acts using teledildonics. Go Old School: Who sends a letter anymore? Maybe you do – because it’s extra special to get handwritten smut through the mail, as a belated fuck you to Anthony Comstock. Same with some good, old-fashioned phone sex. Another upside of long-distance love is the possibly extended spark of novelty. Since it’s so exceptional to get to be together, and you don’t get tired of each other, this model of dating might be ideal for particularly busy folks. Ultimately, what matters is that you are able to communicate your needs and wants and build the relationship that works for you. Have a question for Timaree? Send an email to asktimaree@philadelphiaweekly. com.

“Ultimately, what matters is that you are able to communicate your needs and wants and build the relationship that works for you.”

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PW Classifieds is a great place to sell your ex’s stuff.

SECRETARY/ LEASING AGENT - F/T Located in Montgomery Co. Pleasant person with good phone skills, to show apts., process applications, minimal secretarial work. Email resume to: nsgprop@gmail.com or Call 732-886-6830 Public Notice T-Mobile proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 51.4’ and 54.9’) on the building at 1814-22 South 11th St, Philadelphia, PA (20201914). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

T-Mobile proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 231.4’, 232’, & 232.4’) on the building at 210 W Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA (20210033). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

NICE RACK?

Sell with

PW Classifieds JANUARY 21 - 28, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

REACH OUT TO US. Carry PW’s at your spot. drops@philadelphiaweekly.com.

classifieds@philadelphiaweekly.com

REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

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                                                                                    

                                                                                                        

                                                                                

                                                                         

                                                                                       

                                                                                   

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