University City Review 03/03/2021

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Updates on Bob Christian… ...and the University City Review and Philadelphia Free Press

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ell over three months ago, we sent out an email blast as well as Facebook notifications that the editor and publisher of the University City Review and

Philadelphia Free Press, Bob Christian, came down with a very bad case of the coronavirus (Covid-19). Today, we would like to let you know Bob’s current situation. He was released from Jefferson University Hospital the first week of February, no longer carrying Covid-19 with him, but he suffers from the damage

that the virus has done and is working on overcoming some of those issues. He is in a special rehab now to wean off the ventilator. After that, he will be going for additional rehab to get his strength back. All this to say that Bob faces a lengthy recovery.

SERVING THE WEST PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY

Bob Christian

On the newspaper front: We intend to publish our digital editions again which will come out twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday of each month. In addition, we started the new year with a new website. This is a work in progress as we develop the depth and broadness of our coverage of the neighwww.ucreview.com local borhoods we serve. Please check it out at www.phillypressreview.com . Your comments are always welcomed! Additionally, we received a very generous Covid-19 ast week, FEMA and delphia above and beyond the grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the City of Philadelregular allocations and will help our operation navigate phia announced a partnot affect supply of ongoing these difficult times. nership to establish a Commuvaccine distribution efforts in We want to express how nity Vaccination Center (CVC) Philadelphia. Philadelphia has grateful we are to our com- the Center City Vaccination received its own allocation of munity and our readership, Center- which will be located vaccines, separate from Pennas well as to our advertisers at the Pennsylvania Convensylvania’s since the beginning who make it possible for us tion Center. of the vaccination mission. The to start to publish X again. The goal of establishing this additional vaccines are made Finally, we also want to joint federal pilot site is to possible through increases in ... thank all those many, many Vaccine bottles continue expanding the rate production and availability. people who have contacted of vaccinations in the City of Philadelphia County ResiThis site is in addition to and core network includes federus with concern and interPhiladelphia in an efficient, ef- in support of Philadelphia’s dents interested in receiving ally qualified health centers, est about Bob’s progress. fective, and equitable manner, existing core network of vaca vaccine must sign up using pharmacies and health care Your thoughts and prayers with a focus on communities the City of Philadelphia Decine distribution sites, which providers. for Bob’s recovery continue with a high risk of COVID-19 are rooted in key communipartment of Public Health’s Vaccines for this center are to be much appreciated and exposure and infection. Page x ties throughout the city. This provided to the City of Philacontinued on page 2 meaningful. MARCH 03, 2021

FEMA, opens the Center City Vaccination Site, located at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Wednesday, March 3rd

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Penn Medicine Teams with West Philadelphia Skills Initiative, Hires 50 Lab Assistants for COVID-19 Testing Efforts The University City District’s professional development program is giving nontraditional applicants access to STEM careers

(WPSI), the health system has hired 50 new lab assistants, who will play a pivotal role in collecting and processing large quantities of testing ven as COVID-19 samples. The Skills Initiative vaccine distribution connects Philadelphians who ramps up in Philadel- are under- or unemployed to phia, the virus remains preva- the region’s major employlent, and shoring up testing ers, in an effort to move city capabilities is a key way to residents into higher-wage, protect local residents. Penn secure careers, from which Medicine has tapped into a they have been historically workforce in its own backyard disconnected. to expand testing efforts in the “Hiring our talented neigharea: Through the University bors not only ensures that we City District’s West Philawill continue to meet the testdelphia Skills Initiative ing needs of the community,

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but also that we are creating pathways to healthcare and laboratory science careers for local jobseekers, many of whom have been living in intergenerational poverty,” said Kevin Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. “We recognize that they will make an important contribution to our health system and our city’s healthcare infrastructure, and they’re joining us in a crucial time in our fight against COVID-19.” To meet the increased demand for COVID testing in

Philadelphia, Penn Medicine made plans in the fall to not only keep its 4040 Market Street community testing site operational, but also to open eight additional testing sites throughout the University of Pennsylvania campus, in order to screen Penn students, faculty, and staff for the virus. The health system also worked with the university to convert a campus anatomy lab into a saliva-based testing processing center and is preparing to open a laboratory in Rittenhouse Square later this continued on page 4

... Sincerely,

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Claudia Christian, Associate Publisher, and Family

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SIN EATERS

Early on in Noel Coward’s 1930 comedy, Private Lives, the ultra-mondaine Amanda confides to her new husband... Page 8

POLITICS.....................................3 NOTES ON MUSIC..........................7 CRIME.......................................10 CLASSIFIEDS..............................11


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CONVENTION continued from page 1

COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form available at: phila.gov/vaccineinterest. Registrants will be contacted when eligible and there is a vaccine available. If residents have issues filling out the online form, they can call 311. There are no walk-up appointments. Individuals who show up without a scheduled appointment cannot receive a vaccine. The vaccine appointment confirmation message will have all details necessary for the day of their vaccination appointment. Vaccination appointments may be given at the Center City Philadelphia Vaccination Site or at one of the City of Philadelphia’s other vaccination sites. A government issued ID or utility bill with a Philadelphia address is necessary to provide proof of identity and contact information the day of the appointment at all Philadelphia vaccinations sites.

There will be no walkup appointments. All appointments will be scheduled by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Epidemiological risk factor and geographic location are the primary determining factors for Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s appointment timing and locations. The City of Philadelphia is currently scheduling vaccine appointments for registrants in Phases 1a and 1b. The Center City Vaccination Center will operate from 8am until 8pm, 7 days per week, for at least the next 6 weeks. Clinical staff will be a mix of federal partners, including uniformed military providers, and volunteers from the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps. U.S. Army North is serving as coordinating agency for the Department of Defense’s COVID-19 response in support of FEMA. A 222-person element from the U.S. Marine Corps is expected to

arrive in Philadelphia this weekend. More information on the DoD’s support to FEMA can be found here: https:// www.arnorth.army.mil/ jflcc/pages/jflcc-pressreleases.aspx The Center City Philadelphia Vaccination Site is accessible by a variety of public transportation options and passenger drop-off locations, as well as several nearby parking garages. The Pennsylvania Convention Center occupies a central, accessible location that is served by a robust municipal transportation system and is served by a significant number of advocacy and private non-profit organizations that can best serve isolated or underserved populations. The site will have signage with directions for clients with access and functional needs and non-English speaking clients in five languages, with additional language support on call as needed. There will be

Coronavirus Restrictions in Pennsylvania (1=Fewest, 25=Avg.): • 16th – Requirement to Wear a Face Mask in Public • 48th – Workplace Temperature Screening • 18th – State Guidance on Customer Health Checks at Restaurants • 46th – Travel Restrictions • 1st – Large Gatherings Restrictions • 1st – Strictness of “Shelter in Place” Order • 22nd – Reopening of Non-Essential Businesses • 20th – Reopening of Restaurants and Bars • 15th – Working from Home Requirements/ Recommendations Note: Rankings are based on data available as of 12:30 p.m. ET on March 1, 2021. From Wallet Hub Study

an assisted check-in area and process for clients with access and functional needs. There will be on-site translation in Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) with additional language capability on call as needed. Wheelchairs will be available. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

(ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not conduct enforcement operations at or near vaccine distribution sites or clinics. More information on the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Vaccination Plan can be found at: www.phila. gov/programs/coronavirus-disease-2019-cov-

id-19/vaccines FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on Twitter at twitter. com/femaregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/ company/femaregion3

Pennsylvania schools can delay standardized testing until fall

By Christen Smith The Center Square ennsylvania’s 501 school districts will have the option to delay federally mandated standardized tests until fall.

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The Department of Education confirmed over the weekend it drafted a letter to the federal government indicating that its schools can reschedule the assessments for the summer or fall in light of the pandemic. “Since the start of this pandemic, our work has been centered on protecting the health and safety of students, educators, and school staff across the state,” acting Secretary of Education Noe Ortega said. “Our decision to extend the testing window continues to prioritize their health and safety and creates needed flexibilities for our unique school communities.” The announcement comes after the U.S. Department of Education recommended states consider the idea if they were concerned about the impact of pandemic on the ability for students to complete the assess-

ments. States could also offer the tests online or offer shorter exams. The Pennsylvania State Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, expressed disappointment over the news, hoping that the federal government would have instead issued a waiver for tests this year. “As we wrote in a joint letter to our federal elected officials in January, we believe that if we truly want schools and educators to focus on learning recovery, we shouldn’t be administering standardized tests at all this year,” said President Rich Askey. “Our students have already lost too much classroom instructional time.” In the letter, PDE opts against a blanket waiver, preferring instead to push the academic achievement and English language proficiency tests until September “to ensure that a larger, more representative sample of students can participate; reflect the differential effects of the pandemic … and provide PDE with the opportunity to continue collaborating with its Technical Advisory Committee and

assessment vendors to ensure that assessment results have the greatest possible utility as our education community engages in the hard work of long-term education recovery.” Askey said that despite the decision, he “welcomes” the department’s plan to give districts time and flexibility to “address the logistics of annual standardized testing during the pandemic.” “For the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, educators and students will be able to spend more time focused on teaching and learning, rather than losing vital classroom days to testing this spring,” he said. “This important flexibility will ultimately require strategies at the local level to complete testing this summer or fall. It is our hope that this approach could offer safer conditions for the administration of assessments.” Christen Smith follows Pennsylvania’s General Assembly for The Center Square. She is an awardwinning reporter with more than a decade of experience covering state and national policy issues for niche publications and local newsrooms alike.


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Pennsylvania governor frames charter school reforms as better for taxpayers By Christen Smith The Center Square

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ennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday that cutting funding and increasing accountability for underperforming charter schools makes better use of taxpayer dollars than the current system. “If we don’t fix the problems in our charter schools now, we are setting our children up for failure and that’s unacceptable,” Wolf said during a news conference. “We are also charging our taxpayers too much and that’s unacceptable. Both of these are unacceptable.” But school choice groups say the repackaged messaging doesn’t change the fact that districts don’t undergo the same level of scrutiny or face funding cuts for poor student performance. Pennsylvania families across the Commonwealth are enjoying their lawful rights to enrolling their children in public charter schools,” said Lenny McAllister, CEO of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools. “The General Assembly created charter schools 24 years ago to be a public alternative to school districts for families who couldn’t afford the educational choices available to those with the resources to pay for it. The governor wants to slash funding and limit these options for our state’s neediest families to benefit his political allies.” The governor joined Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Pittsburgh, Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Royersford, and educational leaders

from across the state to stump for a forthcoming bill that standardizes charter school tuition rates and adds accountability provisions to give local districts a clearer view of how the funding gets spent. “We have some great charter schools out there,” Ciresi said. “This isn’t about that. This is about giving local control back. … This bill makes sure every student has everything they need and taxpayers are protected.” Under current law, school districts pay a per-student tuition rate for each child that attends a charter school. In 2020, that amount totaled $2.1 billion and will increase by $400 million this year alone. “The way the law is set up, we can’t guarantee that every charter school is giving every student the opportunity they need to get,” Wolf said. “The problem is more important right now than ever.” Critics say that charters get overpaid because they lack some of the fixed costs of maintaining physical locations. School board leaders also argue that charter school boards escape public oversight while taking taxpayer dollars because their members are appointed, not elected. This leaves critical gaps in oversight that allow problematic schools to stay operational. “These problems are impacting students and taxpayers, and they boil down to funding, accountability and oversight,” State College Area School District Superintendent Robert O’Donnell said. “Not one charter school in our region has a career and technical cen-

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Gov. Tom Wolf speaks at news conference in Harrisburg on Feb. 26, 2021, about reforming Pennsylvania’s charter school law. Commonwealth Media Services

ter for their students but are funded as if they do. … They don’t have the same building and grounds costs as traditional schools, and yet they receive funding as if they do.” The Commonwealth Foundation, a free-market focused advocacy organization, said because tuition rates subtract certain costs upfront – including transportation, facilities and debt services – charter schools receive about 27% less per student than the district does. Michael Torres, a foundation spokesperson, said although the charter school law needs updating, he’s critical of the “hyperbolic situation” presented by the

governor. The governor also wants to change the way special education funding flows to charters. Current law assumes that 16% of charter students receive special education services, a notion that is “outdated” and skews the tuition rate districts must pay. Instead, Wolf proposes limiting cyber tuition to a flat per student rate of $9,500 and funneling all special education dollars through an updated formula – a provision not applied to traditional districts. Ciresi estimates that the funding changes would save the Philadelphia School District – where half of the

state’s 170,000 charter students live – up to $64 million each year. In Pittsburgh, the district would recoup $11 million. Erie and Allentown would see tuition savings of $2.5 million and $3 million each, while the Coatesville Area School District would net $14 million. But charter school groups said the proposal will gut $229 million from their schools, including a $99 million cut to special education funding alone. “I would like to stress how devastating any funding cuts would be for our children, especially in Philadelphia where the governor’s plan would slash special education funding

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Email editor@pressreview.net newsdesk@pressreview.net editor@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net Editor & Publisher Editor & Publisher Robert Christian Robert Christian Associate Publisher Assistant Editor Claudia Christian Jack Firneno Controller & Bookkeeping Associate Publisher Alexandra Christian Claudia Christian Administrative Website & Bookkeeping Social Media Tina Davis Dorian Korein Graphic Designers Graphic Designers Kasia Gadek Kelly Kusumoto Kusumoto Kelly Kasia Gadek Contributing ContributingWriters Editor Nicole Contosta Thom Nickels Bob Behr Contributing Writers Haywood Brewster Napoleon F. Kingcade Marc Holmes III Nathan Lerner Bill Burrison Dea Mallin Contributing Reporters Thom Nickels Tim Legnani Christopher Doyle Paulina Malek Nathaniel Lee Haywood Brewster Columnists Community JenniferContributors Jones JohnContosta Lane Nicole Henry Lazarus Jim Brown Kam Williams Theater & Arts Contributor Sales Richard Lord Claudia Christian Arts TimContributor Legnani Paula Roberts Social Media Kelly Kusumoto Architectural Contributor David Traub Columnists John Lane Henry Lazarus Sales Claudia Christian Dorian Korein

Bipartisan cannabis legalization bill emerges in Pennsylvania Senate By Christen Smith The Center Square bipartisan duo of senators introduced a measure Wednesday to legalize adult use cannabis in Pennsylvania. It’s the first time a Republican member of the chamber has cosponsored the proposal – typically endorsed solely by Democrats, including Gov. Tom Wolf and Lt.

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Gov. John Fetterman. “That’s kind of the elephant in the room, if you will,” said Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie. “I believe in solving problems, and adult use cannabis is no more harmful than liquor. I’m not afraid to run a bill that doesn’t fit our party’s stereotype.” In addition to regulating and taxing the drug for public consumption, Laughlin and co-sponsor

Pennsylvania state Sens. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, and Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, unveil their joint measure to legalize adult use cannabis in Pennsylvania at a news conference in Harrisburg on Feb. 24, 2021. Image courtesy of the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus

Sen. Sharif Street, DPhiladelphia, said their proposal includes a provision that would erase

nonviolent cannabis convictions and decriminalizes the drug “up to continued on page 8


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PENN

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spring. Knowing these plans would require a large and well-trained staff., Penn Medicine joined forces with the University City District to tap into the group’s longstanding community workforce program. Despite vibrant economic activity in University City, fueled by the region’s “meds and eds,” 28 percent of West Philadelphia families live in poverty. Founded 10 years ago by the University City District (UCD), WPSI evolved from a small internship program into one of the nation’s most successful workforce development organizations. The initiative was created in order to bridge the gap between major local institutions and long-time neighborhood residents by building customized pipeline training for new staff — connecting employers seeking talent with West Philadelphians seeking op-

portunity. With the scarcity of new frontline jobs due to the pandemic, Penn Medicine opened the door to new career possibilities for WPSI graduates during difficult economic times. “The Skills Initiative succeeds because of deep-rooted collaboration with Philadelphia’s leading employers,” said Matt Bergheiser, president of University City District. “As a founding WPSI partner, Penn Medicine has long been a leader in recruiting untapped local talent to transform workplaces while changing lives.” Three cohorts of employees from the WPSI program joined Penn Medicine this past fall. Among them, 93 percent are Black, 90 percent are women, and five hold bachelor’s degrees. Training for the new hires included professional development delivered virtually by WPSI staff and laboratory skills taught by Penn Medicine staff. The

model consisted of a condensed, two-and-ahalf-weeks of self-paced, classroom content and small group work sessions, paired with about 40 hours of hands-on technical experience. Lab assistant jobs such of these can often be inaccessible for applicants without college degrees or laboratory experience, according to Robert Challender, chief operating officer and corporate director of laboratory services for Penn Medicine. “While a bachelor’s degree isn’t required for these entry-level roles, health systems typically hire college graduates for the positions, and then further train the individuals to progress into more senior roles in the laboratories. Postpandemic, Penn Medicine will transition the cohorts of lab assistants into other parts of the health system, depending on the employee’s interests and skillsets,” Challender said. David Roth, MD,

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PhD, chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, said “the WPSI program is giving people a path to careers in fields like laboratory science, medical technology, nursing, and pathology,” and broadening Penn Medicine’s reach to job applicants who may have been overlooked. Planning has already begun to evaluate the many opportunities throughout the health system where the lab assistants can make a meaningful impact in the future, according to Dwaine Duckett, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Penn Medicine. “We are pleased that we’ve widened the scope of how we evaluate and recruit candidates for jobs, giving people from the community access to positions they may not have thought about, taking into account their innate talents and skills. The WPSI-Penn partnership also gives more people of color access to Penn Medicine’s professional development benefits and tuition assistance,” Duckett said. “We are looking forward to working with this cohort of lab assistants and other community-based hires who will come after them, growing their careers within the health system.” Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $8.6 billion enterprise.

University City Arts League’s ‘Share the love’ Gala – Art never stops

By Nathaniel Lee UC Review Correspondent

a few changes. “It usually is a big inperson event. Sometimes we would rent a hall or rt has always have a sort of exciting been a big deal location. There’s food, for the people drinks, dancing, a live of Philadelphia. When a auction, there’s always group of artists wanted an auction featuring to do their part to main- Philadelphia artwork, tain and strengthen the and often times a guest art community here in of honor who’s usually a the city of Philadelphia, prominent Philadelphia they purchased a home artist.” at 4226 Spruce Street in There are also themed West Philadelphia and events where people organized what is now come dressed up accordknown as the University ing to the theme. City Arts League. Then came Covid and For 54 years, the Unithings changed. versity City Arts League “We planned for it (UCAL) has held its anto be in-person, but we nual gala to raise funds switched it to virtual and to support local artists it ended up happening and finance its many pro- early May.” grams. “This is the second “We’ve been making year we’ll be doing it virart in Philadelphia for tually because, of course, a long time,” said Luisa we still can’t be in-person Donovan, Development like we’d like to,” DonoAssistant for UCAL in van said. reference to the group’s Despite the change 54-year history. from in-person to virtual, “This is the Univerattendance to the ticketed sity City Arts League’s event was admirable 54th Annual Gala called last year – thanks to the Share the Love,” said charitable nature of their Donovan. patrons. “It’s a virtual arts auc“People had already tion to raise money to bought their tickets and make sure that the Art’s had planned on attendLeague stays open during an in-person event. ing this financially difWe were really lucky ficult time.” that our supporters, even This annual themed though we couldn’t be event changed drastically fully as they expected, due to Covid-19. donated the cost of their Changed it, yes. Ended tickets. Most people Penn Medicine is comit, not at all. did not ask for a refund mitted to improving lives The previous galas which was really crucial and health through a vawere festive ones attendsince all of our programriety of community-based ed by artists, residents, ming shut down at that programs and activities. and art lovers who gath- time.” In fiscal year 2019, Penn ered in-person to particiMedicine provided more pate in the festivities. The Not only did the show than $583 million to benefit pandemic caused the or- go on despite the new our community. ganizers to have to make continued on page 6

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Science Fiction for March 2021 By Henry L Lazarus

the same technology that allows transfer of skills, cience Fiction and Jonathon’s wafer can Fantasy can take take over the wearer’s you to anywhere. body up to thirty days. Great for imagining He is the decider agent yourself away from the called up in an emergenturmoil of present events cy. In the four centuries and cold. that Marc Miller’s fun tale covers, he wipes out an infected world, and helps plan an Imperial assassination. One of his ex-carriers suffered mental collapse, leaving Jonathon in control for twenty years. Apparently there is a game based on the tale, but that didn’t matter. This is a fascinating read and very enjoyable.

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Sylvain Neuvel proves that the space race was the result of alien interference in A History of What Comes Next (hard from Tor) which looks at how Sarah and her daughter Mi’a (the 100th in the line of Kibsi that stretch back to the iron age) first help rescue German rocket scientists for the Americans at the end of WWII. Then they go to Moscow to help Russia develop rockets. They are chased by men they call trackers, asocial killers who are hunting for a stolen machine. Their alien biology makes them stronger, smarter, and faster than humans and each child is an exact copy of their parent. Mi’a and Sarah’s story ends with Sputnic and a nasty encounter with the trackers that left me wanting more. Excellent.

Fans of Outlander and Netflix’s Barbarians will really love H. B. Ashman’s Echoes of Germania (paper from Timeless Papers) which sends a young woman from today back to a decade before the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. Arminius, the future general of that war and Marius, a famous Roman General who are in the middle of a campaign against a German revolt when engineering student Amalia Weber is sent back in time by a witch. Amelia has been trained by her bronze medal winning father in Judo and somehow took Latin in high school well enough to keep her alive (and not raped) until she can prove herself with Judo and bridge-building ability. Ms. Ashman captures the grit and bloodiness of that period and ends this portion of Amelia’s tale with an exciting Chariot race. I During the second look forward to more of Galactic empire, buthe tale. reaucrat Jonathon Bland L. E. Modesitt, Jr. volunteered to be an has spread his fantasy Agent of the Imperium series about the world (trade from Baen). Using of Recluse over cen-

turies of its history. Fairhaven eventually will be destroyed in The Order War (paper). At the time of Fairhaven Rising (hard from Tor) however it’s filled with the hopes of Chaos and Order mages working together, and it’s just a small, but growing town. Taelya, a chaos mage, is an undercaptain in the Royal Guards when Fairhaven is asked to provide troops in a war between two nation states. They’ve been fighting over a river, and politics has led one leader to demand help from his weaker neighbor. The problem to these leaders is the dangerous potential of Fairhaven. It may not have many troops, but it has too many mages for their comfort. Taelya and her friends soon find themself buried in political trickery that will take all their talents and magical abilities. This is a bit slow, but very enjoyable. I love this series.

Angie Fox continues her fun tale of a MASH surgeon in the war between the Old and New gods. Things are quieter during the truce, and Petra Robichaud has been treating a pregnant Medusa Then Marc sneaks into her camp. Marc, a were-dragon, surgeon,

and Petra’s old flame had been drafted by the other side and reported dead before Petra was drafted. Now he wants Petra to sneak into the other side’s MASH to talk to the ghost of his research head. It turns out that the other side has developed a disease with a total death rate for non-immortals. In The Transylvania Twist (ebook from Moose Island Books) Petra starts working with Marc trying to find an anesthesia drug for gods and demigods. But that, and the seer’s predictions only make things worse. One more book to go in this fun romance, and I can’t wait. A decade ago David Weber wrote a fun tale of alien invasion and Earth coming Out of the Dark (paper) with the help of vampires. Now with the help of Chris Kennedy he continues the tale Into the Light (hard from Tor). Some of the vampires take the Shongairi ships, which travel six times the speed of light, to the

Shongairi home world. That’s a journey of forty years. Meanwhile humanity, with the help of the Galactic Hegemony database, first recovers from the destruction and nuclear winter. Then engineers discover that the Hegemony is very risk averse and hasn’t improved their technology for millennia. Fortunately there are a lot of improvements. Then a ship is sent to a world with 1920’s technology to get allies. Lots of fun, and I suspect that sequels are planned. Subterranean Press has The Best of Elizabeth Hand and The Best of Walter Jon Williams, two excellent authors, in

hard cover. Baen has The best of Jerry Pournelle edited by John F. Carr in paper. They also have reprinted Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s Liaden universe tale, Accepting the Lance, and Will McCarthy’s tale of past memory Antediluvian both in paper. Metaphorosis best of 2020 is available as an ebook from Metaphorosis Publishing. Dr. Henry Lazarus is a retired Dentist and the author of A Cycle of Gods (Wolfsinger Publications) and Unnaturally Female (Smashwords).Check out his unified field theory at henrylazarus.com/utf.html that suggests fusion generation requires less energy because only one frequency is needed rather than a full spectrum. It also explains dark matter, the proliferation of subatomic particles, and the limit of light speed for matter.

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UCAL

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the onset of the pandemic. Dr. Rich Jensen, continued from page 4 continued from page 3 CEO of Agora Cyber Charter School, said circumstances but people by half for our stuthe state’s 14 virtual also gathered on their redents,” said Dr. Stacy institutions welcomed spective porches during Gill-Phillips, CEO of 25,000 new students the planned wine-pull, the West Philadelphia last year alone. He acan event where particiAchievement Charter cused the governor pants purchased tickets Elementary School. of prioritizing district to wines from wine dis“Philadelphia public leaders over the demtributors. charter schools, which onstrated preference of “People sat on their operate on an extreme- thousands of students. porches with dinner and ly tight budget, have drinks and we actually “The governor is not been leading the effort worried about what is did a wine-pull which people had acquired in our city to get stubest for Pennsylvania through the Arts League dents back in the class- students, he is too busy “UCAL children’s pottery class”. Photo submitted by University City Arts League. as well. It wasn’t as we room and any cut in listening to concerned expected but people reresources would derail school district leaders ally showed up and came Jodee Gamel, an arts people who are practicand lots more. this progress.” who are seeing their through,” said Donovan. instructor at UCAL, said ing in their own studios Unfortunately, the panPCPCS points out students seek options The wine was acquired that the League was and learning from their demic continues to wage that 70% of charter elsewhere,” he said. through local wine disfounded in the 1960’s by own work and learning its relentless battle but Williams said the tributors who donated a group of artists who about navigating the arts UCAL is just as relentless students are nonwhite and 65% are economiit to the Arts League for standardized tuition purchased a house in work.” and determined to host cally disadvantaged. use as a fund raiser. AtWest Philadelphia which The other mission was this year’s Gala. rate was calculated by This makes the protendants then purchased she” likes to think of to provide community Yes, there will be a taking the cost-pertickets which were posed cuts all the more student for the state’s as a mansion for artists arts courses and workwine-pull and guests drawn at random during because it’s a very Kool shops for people of vary- can purchase tickets troubling, said Dr. top five performing the event and the wine place,” said Gamel. ing abilities, she said. for their chance to win Dara Ware Allen, CEO charters and selecting ranging in prices from “The group which purAs far as creating a a bottle of wine from a of City Charter High the lowest rate among $20 to a $100. chased the place wanted community for artists local wine distributor, School. them. Still, some dis“That was going to be to deliver arts program- and arts instructions, there will be a virtual DJ, “Public charter tricts argued it was too a part of the in-person ming at an affordable the University City Arts and an exhibit featuring schools serve a diverse high while some charevent, but we still kept it cost to the community in League is unsurpassed. the works of local artists ter schools said it was at the virtual event.” West Philadelphia from With workshops in ceand, oh, yes, there will be population of stuThose who purchased teaching artists, not just ramics, painting, drawthe highly popular silent dents,” she said. “Many far too low. of them are some of the tickets were able to people who have degrees ing, dance, sculpting, auction and more. “Because of that, [we Pennsylvania’s most go to the Arts League in art education which after-school activities for “The Arts League’s thought] maybe we Porch prior to the event vulnerable children is amazing and great, students, as well as adult 54th annual gala, Share are in the right spot in to pick up their wine. and we love that but also arts education classes, the Love, a virtual art who deserve our inpicking a number that auction will feature local vestment and support.” was fair for everyone,” artists, getaways, restauRecognizing that Williams said. rants, and more,” reads high quality options She also pointed to the UCAL website. exist in both charter accountability and The in-person gallery schools and traditional transparency proviEverlasting Art Tattoo Studio exhibit will take place sions in the bill that from April 1st - April 10th, districts “should be a 4308 Pine St. bipartisan stance,” she received broad support and the highly anticiPhiladelphia, PA 19104 pated silent auction will said, something the from Republicans in (215) 386-7720 governor’s proposal be held virtually on the the past as evidence of Facebook: @everlastingarttattoostudio doesn’t do. groups site as well as a the proposal’s bipartiLove Zoom event which “We need all hands san nature. includes a virtual dance on deck helping stu“They [Republicans] party! So, grab your tick- dent succeed in these are seeing the crunch et, purchase your wine, unprecedented times in their home school and get your groove on and beyond,” she said. districts, specifically while supporting a worWhile the governor’s in regards to the cyber thy cause. support for charter charter tuition rate and “Share the Love Gala is school reform isn’t the special education especially important new, critics of the exist- funding,” she said. this year as UCAL faces ing law said the pana huge budget deficit “While they may not demic has illuminated agree with everything as we recover from the COVID-19 shutdowns. In the cost of virtual edu- in this bill, now more efforts to keep our staff cation and, they say, than ever there’s an apemployed, continue to cyber charters charge petite to get to a solupay our teaching artists, too much. tion on this.” and keep our building “It [costs] about open, we need this gala Christen Smith follows to keep moving forward. $5,000 to educate and Pennsylvania’s General Your support and atten- $13,000 to $25,000 is walking out the door,” Assembly for The Center dance are crucial to our West Philly arts commu- said Donna Smith, a Square. She is an awardmember of the Bellenity,” says Donovan. winning reporter with For more information, fonte Area School more than a decade of visit UCAL online at: Board. “So it’s really a experience covering state www.ucartsleague.org struggle for us.” and national policy issues or call them at 215-382The issue comfor niche publications and 7811. pounded last spring You can also reach out and summer as enroll- local newsrooms alike. to Luisa Donovan via ment at cyber charter email at development@ schools soared amid ucartsleague.org.


MARCH 03, 2021 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 7

T

Alvin Singleton. Photo by Jo Eldredge Morrissey

he Philadelphia Chamber Music Society has an intriguing program on March 3 at 6 p.m., an all-Schubert event featuring Mark Steinberg, violin; Marcy Rosen,Cello; Jonathan Biss, piano. A highlight is the masterpiece E Flat Major Trio D.929. On line only. boxoffice@pcmsconcerts.org or 215569-8080.  The Annenberg Center has two streaming programs in the days ahead. On March 4 at 7 p.m., cellist Thomas Kraines and cellist/oud player Kinan Abouafach offer a live performance of “a journey in sound” of original works, improvisations and the world premiere of a new work by Gene Coleman. Q & A follows the program. On March 11, HopeBoykinDance at 7 p.m. presents six dancers including Ms. Boykin, deemed a “force of nature on the stage”, a veteran of 20 years with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and a The Bearded Ladies Cabaret is on stage at the Fringe on March 5 at 8 p.m., part of their Get Pegged Cabaret: Keep on Pegging. Performers include classically-trained vocalist and drag queen Cookie Diorio and songcatcher and lyricist Samantha Rise. 140 N. Columbus Blvd. at Race St. 215413-1318 or FringeArts. com.  Curtis’s contempo-

rary music Ensemble 2021 opens its new free on demand online season on March 6 with student performers offering the music of Alvin Singleton and Julius Eastman with guest harpist Coline Marie Orliac, repeated on March 7 at 3 p.m. Details at curtis/edu or 215-893-5252.  A “Splendid Black History Concert” is set for broadcast on Facebook, YouTube and at #MarianAndersonMusicGuild on March 6 at 1 p.m. featuring soprano Julie Ann Green , baritone JL Henry and four instrumentalists, a ticketed event made possible by funds from the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission. 1-800 9999045.  STREAMING FROM AFAR: Here’s a chance to catch of film from the 2021 Athena Film Festival, a collaboration between Women and Hollywood, an organization devoted to gender diversity in the film industry, and Barnard College’s Athena Center for Leadership, exploring female authority on film Ticketed. Anytime from now until March 31 at watch.athenafilmfestival.com.  On March 4, learn a recipe for cabbage and prepare your garden for Spring in a cooking and gardening class from the U.S. Botanic Garden. Free. 12 noon usbg.gov/cooking.  The Metropolitan

Curtis’s contemporary music group Ensemble 2021 opens its condensed online season on March 6 highlighted by Alvin Singleton’s residency and the Julian Eastman project. Curtis students, faculty and alumni rehearse for the event.

Opera archival broadcasts every Saturday at 1 pm. on our city’s WRTI, 90. 1 offers four classic operas in March and our two great local operatic training schools are featured. On March 6, Bizet’s “Carmen” stars Anita Rachvelishvili, ldar Abdrazakov with Academy of Vocal Arts’ bass Keith Miller; on March 13, Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” stars AVA’s Ailyn Perez as the Countess and AVA’s bass James Morris celebrating many decades on the opera stage; on March 20, Curtis’s tenor Juan Diego Florez takes the title role in Rossini’s “Le Comte Ory” with Pretty Yende and Nathan Gunn; and on March 27, Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” stars AVA’s soprano Ellie Dean as Dona Elvira and James Morris as The Comendatore”.  The Met’s hugely popular nightly free streamings of HD’s from their vast archives of recent and golden oldies continues on March 3 with Wagner’s “Die Walkure”; 1989, Hildegarde Behrens, Jessye Norman and AVA’s James Morris; March 4, Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” with Golda Schulz and Rene Pape; March 5, Britten’s “Peter Grimes” Patricia Racette, Anthony

Dean Griffies; March 6, Dvorak’s “Rusalka”, Renee Fleming, Dolora Zajick, Piotr Beczala and Curtis’s bass John Relyea; March 7, Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino”, 1984, Leontyne Price, Giuseppe Ciacomini; March 8, Puccini’s

“Manon Lescaut”, 1980, Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo; March 9, Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” , Ava-Marie Westbroek, Marcello Alvarez, and Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci” , Patricia Racette, Marcello Alvarez; March 10, Cilea’s “Adriana Lecou-

vreur”, Anna Netrebko, Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczala. Each of these streams untll 6:30 p.m. the following day and are miracles of great castIng, costumes, decors and staging. metopera.org and 212362-6000. 


8 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • MARCH 03, 2021

CANNABIS

Street said. “And yeah, it is making history if people won’t [be prosecuted] anymore.” An analysis from the American Civil Liberties Union concluded that cannabis arrests account for more than half of all drug-related arrests in the county. Eight in

10 of the 8.2 million arrests studied between continued from page 3 2001 and 2010 were for possession of small a certain point” – an imamounts. Black users are portant step forward for also nearly four times social justice. more likely than white “Ordinary folks of users to be arrested for color know they are cannabis, the ACLU more likely to get prossaid. ecuted for doing this,” “This has been a 180 change in opinion for me,” Laughlin said. “I’m not a fan of the product. INSTRUCTION | PERFORMANCE I don’t use it. I don’t GEAR REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS think it’s great if people contests | and more! use marijuana. I know that seems a little odd … [but] I’ve realized some of the social damage we’ve done to communities of color over these minor offenses, and that really got my attention.” Laughlin also said testimony from the IndeUPSTAIRS & DOWN pendent Fiscal Office last week that estimated tax Fast Quality Hair Ser vice revenues from cannabis sales could approach $1 billion further piqued his interest. “The final straw was a Tuesda SENIO y R conversation I had with Haircuts DAY ALL DA$10 Y! one of my kids … he Omar • Lanzo • Rasheed • MOE • Aaron told me he could have a bag of weed delivered Mon - Sat 9:00am to 7:00pm • Walk-ins & Appointments 4252 Lancaster Ave., Phila, PA 19104 • 215-416-8544 to the house in under an V I S A • MC • EBT • AMEX • DISCOVER • DEBIT hour and that’s better service than Amazon,” he said. “I realize anyone in Pennsylvania that wants to smoke marijua4424 Market · 386-3293 4424 Market Street ·Street 215-386-3293 na is probably already doing it, so regulating it In West Philly Since 1970 control control programs. programs. is the responsible thing Healthy & Sick Pet Visits to do.” Going onPrevention vacation? Going Heartworm on vacation? As for the measure’s We offer shortterm or long term boarding! We offer short or long boarding! Flea and Tick Meds odds of winning over Routine Surgeries the rest of the Repubadvantageadvantage 5% Discount 5% Discount PROGRAMPROGRAM FRONTLINE FRONTLINE Hospital Hours: (By appt.) M-Th with9-5 coupon with coupon lican lawmakers in Friday 9-12 Dr.Dr.Littlejohn David ONLY ONLY the General Assembly, Dr. David DavidLittlejohn Littlejohn Saturday 9-12 One coupon per customer. One coupon per customer. Hospitalwww.onealanimalhospital.com Hours: Hospital(By Hours: appt.) (ByM-F appt.) 8-6M-Th Sat 9-noon 9-5 • F-SatSunday 9-noonClosed Exp. 3/31/11 Exp. 3/31/11Laughlin said he’s unsure. Senate leadership, he said, has yet to weigh-in, though If you would like to receive the President Pro Tempore Philadelphia Free Press Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, has been opposed in the past. “They [leadership] said the want to let this play out a little bit before they jump in or and/or not,” Laughlin said. University City Review, Christen Smith follows Pennsylvania’s General Assembly for The Center Square. She is an awardwinning reporter with more than a decade of experience covering state and please send your email address national policy issues for niche publications and loto: editor@pressreview.net cal newsrooms alike.

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Sin Eaters: It Must Have Been Something She Ate by Richard Lord Contributing writer

E

arly on in Noel Coward’s 1930 comedy, Private Lives, the ultra-mondaine Amanda confides to her new husband Victor that she believes “ … very few people are completely normal really, deep down in their private lives. It all depends on a combination of circumstances. If all the various thingummys fuse at the same moment, and the right spark is struck, there’s no knowing what one mightn’t do.” Flash forward 90 years to our own time, as Sin Eaters playwright Anna Moench drops us into the home of Mary and Derrick, a quasi-contented couple toasting the fact that Mary has just landed a new job at a “tech company”. (Her job and its duties are so packed in non-disclosure, she’s not even allowed to tell Derrick exactly what she does.) It’s not just the new job that has the two celebrating: Mary’s new position may be a giant step towards getting out of what Derrick affectionately calls their “den of misery”. Said den is actually a Staten Island apartment where their upstairs neighbor is a repulsively loud, foulmouthed, obnoxious harridan, while their downstairs neighbor is a former marine plagued with PTSD who’s prone to skulking about the hallways with his handgun. Mary suggests that if only Derrick will take on some catering gigs – he hates catering, though he’s quite good at it – they’ll have enough of a regular income flow to get out of their “den of misery” and into new, less stressful digs. We soon learn that Mary’s hush-hush tech job is with a social media company. The Internet, especially its social media province, hosts those very “thingummys” that Noel Coward and his Amanda could never imagine, but somehow understood that if and when those thingummys fused and the wrong spark was struck, there’s

Sin Eaters

all of its problems, a refuge from the world little that some users won’t get up to. The key she sees at her job. She difference between 1930 finds a kind of relief in knowing the world and 2021 is, of course, that the weirdest things is not “entirely full of monsters”, like those she they do does not stay encounters every day on hidden in their private her screen. But just as lives – they are eagerly many first-year medical shared all across the students start thinking public square of the Inthat they’re in the early ternet. stages of every nasty Mary’s employer, Between Us, is “an anony- disease they read about, mous social networking Mary starts thinking that the nasties she views on platform that enables peer-to-peer interactions her screen are people she sees on the New York in order to discover the subway, or on the streets. intimate, unseen and unknown world around And even at a much closer proximity. us.” However, for an Considering the terendless parade of its rain she’s exploring here, users, ‘intimate’ is a synplaywright Anna Moonym for unbridled, and ench missed an opporwhat was unseen will all tunity: Sin Eaters could too soon be on view for have been an extremely any who log in. However, the platform powerful play, but what we have instead is simdoes have its code of ply an interesting drama standards, and Mary Lee’s duties as a Between that holds our interest all Us content moderator is the way through. In handling this volatile materito view all the flagged al, Moench demonstrates content posted on the site and delete any con- more competence than brilliance. The dialogue tent that violates the code. So, Mary sits at her is taut and realistic, but more strategically computer and watches blunt than sharp. The violation after violation language does not define stream by. Much of it the characters, it funcseems to be male visitions as a tool for getting tors to the site eager to the story told. And the share close-ups of their genitals. But some of the understated ending of the piece seems more violations are quite dislike a safe off-ramp turbing, even criminal. from the tense last scene Mary herself gets deeply disturbed on her than a boffo wrap-up to very first day. Steve, the what’s just transpired. The Theater Exile protop advisor at Between duction of Sin Eaters is Us, later reminds Mary something of a mixed that the gatekeepers at bag. The strongest eleBetween Us “eat the ment was the acting. weirdos’ sins so other As Mary Lee, Bi Jean people don’t have to”. Ngo was a perfect fit But he neglects to add as the young woman that if we are indeed what we eat, then a “sin who doesn’t fit into the corporate culture she’s eater” soon becomes been swept into. With a stuffed repository of contemporary transgres- a face that exudes beleaguered innocence, sions. For a time, Mary finds Ngo delivered a Mary her home, even with continued on page 9


MARCH 03, 2021 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 9

SIN EATERS continued from page 8

who remains fully sympathetic as she tries to fight through confusion, delusion and ethical dilemmas. When Mary carries on a one-way conversation with her colleague Gary (just a few feet away, but with headphones pulled on tightly), we can read in Ngo’s anxious face the clutch of isolation in her unsocially distanced workplace. David M. Raine provided solid support for Ngo as Derrick (and perhaps a few other Derrickpervaded roles). Raine was unfailingly sympathetic and hit the right notes in every scene in which he appeared, though it was clear that his was a supporting role. (That’s down to the script, not Raine’s acting abilities.) The visual element of the show, however, was not as commendable as the acting. To put it simply, Jen Cleary’s cinematography often missed the mark. Cleary seemed to be experimenting at points, and those experiments usually were not successful. The cinematographer would occasionally try different camera angles that seemed to have no purpose other than trying something new. Also, from time to time, the screen would suddenly turn blue, for no apparent reason other than to go blue. In short, too much of the cinematography served as distraction rather than value added to the performance. Nonetheless, the script was engaging enough, the acting strong enough that Theatre Exile’s Sin Eaters is well worth a view as we slog on through the pandemic with a determination to keep Philadelphia theatre alive and kicking. Sin Eaters is available as a Video On-Demand (VOD) option from now through Sunday March 7. Tickets can be readily purchased on the Theatre Exile website. After purchasing the VOD ticket, you’ll be able to view the show at any time and your ticket will be valid for 48 hours from the time it is first viewed, regardless of when it was purchased.

Curio Theatre Company Announces Immersive Walk-Through Installation About the Life of Saint-Georges A Symphony for SaintGeorges, a multidisciplinary theatre experience, set to run March 19-April 18

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urio Theatre Company springs back after the pandemic closures with a massive installation celebrating the life and career of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the famed violinist, composer and fencer whose story has been buried by history. This multidisciplinary installation will feature five environments created by sculpture, music, projections, video and set design. Curio artists have been working for months independently on this ambitious experiment to highlight the life of an artist who rose from slavery. The piece involves no live actors. A Symphony for Saint-Georges runs Friday, March 19 through Sunday, April 18. In order to ensure patrons and staff remain completely safe during the show’s run, ticket times and dates vary and are available for individual households or pods with a maximum number of four people, at 50-minute intervals. Only one group will amble through the installation at a time, so patrons must make a reservation. There can be no late entry and groups will be let in and out by a masked front-of-house greeter. Audience members are required to wear masks at all times, as the health and safety of Curio’s staff and patrons is the first priority for the show. This is a PayWhat-You-Can performance with a suggested donation — for those able — of $20 for adults and $10 for students and children. Tickets are available online at www. curiotheatre.org or by phone at 215-921-8243.

Ebony Pullum. Photo provided by Curio Theatre.

All shows are performed at Curio’s home theatre at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 4740 Baltimore Avenue. “Curio has created an engaging tour that moves you with music and entertains you with adventure,” Director Rich Bradford said of A Symphony. “That is the life of Saint George! Music, adventure and the fight against oppression can be seen, heard, and felt in this production. With the voice of Saint Georges’ mother being the guide of this tour, you and your touring pod will be edutained — educated and entertained! — by the worlds of Saint Georges’ life.” At the center of A Symphony for SaintGeorges is the life story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Born in Guadeloupe to an enslaved mother and a wealthy plantationowner father, Joseph Bologne was once described as “the most accomplished man in France.” As a champion fencer, esteemed violinist, father, and composer, Bologne is said to have inspired musicians like Mozart. However, even he was not immune to the realities of racism. His story has been buried by history. Curio is excited to bring Joseph Bologne de Chevalier Saint-Georges back to life so we can tell his historic, inspiring, and under-told story. Artists participating in this exciting

project include Curio Co-Artistic Directors Rich Bradford and Paul Kuhn. Bradford adapted Saint-Georges’ life into this fully-immersive experience after being approached by Kuhn and choreographer Adja Samandoulgou with the idea. Paul Kuhn is also designing the set and creating the worlds. Visual Artist Jermaine Ollivierre is creating sculptures. Fight Choreographer Ian Rose is creating the fight choreography, which includes the fencing of Saint-Georges himself. Adja Samandoulgou is the dancer and choreographer, as well as a translator working with fellow translator Arrie Stuart. Dwayne Alistair Thomas is the Videographer and Editor. Keyonna Butler and Aetna Gallagher are the Costume Designers. Karen Smith is the Percussionist and Composer. Damien Figueras is the Sound Designer. Dalton Whiting is the Lighting Designer. Bless Rudsill and Colin Sass are the projectionists. Lexa Grace is the stage manager. Star violinist Randall Goosby, who has played symphonies all over the world, recorded famed Saint-Georges and Mozart pieces for the installation. Ebony Pullum voices Saint-Georges’ mother and acts as the installation’s guide. Ian Rose plays the fencing instructor. Wilma Theater Hot House member Lindsay Smiling plays Saint-Georges.

Rich Bradford. Photo provided by Curio Theatre.

About Curio Theatre Company: Curio Theatre Company’s mission is to serve audiences in West Philadelphia and beyond with high quality, affordable theatre performances; to develop artistic talent through ensemble, company -based training and rehearsal processes; and to further academic, social, and personal development through arts education. The artistic and the educational arms of the theatre company are

intertwined as we make our home in the diverse community of West Philadelphia. The company’s Educational program was awarded the 2017 Victory Theatre Education Award at the Barrymore Awards Ceremony. It marked the company’s first Barrymore Award. Curio Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit company based in West Philadelphia.

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10 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • MARCH 03, 2021

Crime Blotter

Crime Incidents as reported by the Philadelphia Police Department via opendataphilly.org. Feedback and inquiries can be sent to Dorian@Pressreview. net. This crime report does not cover the entire boundaries of each police district. It reflects only incidents in or near our circulation areas. The Following Crimes Occurred Between Friday, February 9th and Thursday, February 15th. 3rd DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 3rd District, please call 215-686-3030. Reporting 3rd District crimes from Lombard St. to Mifflin St. and Delaware Ave. to Broad St.: Rape: 700 S 2nd St. Assault: 200 Greenwich St, 500 Lombard St, 500 Manton St, 1700 S 4th St, 900 S 5th St, S 13th St & Washington Av, 500 S Broad St, 800 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, 1300 S Juniper St, 1100 Sigel St, 400 South St, 700 Tasker St. Burglary: 1200 Annin St, 800 S 2nd St. Theft: 1200 Dickinson St, 800 E Moyamensing Av, E Moyamensing Av & Wharton St, 700 E Passyunk Av, 1200 Ellsworth St, 0 Mifflin St (2 Incidents), 100 Moore St, 300 Reed St, 700 S 4th St, 1400 S 6th St, 1000 S 8th St, 1400 S 8th St, 1700 S 8th St, 800 S 9th St, 1400 S 13th St, 1800 S 13th St, 1600 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, 1500 S Front St, 1700 S Front St, 900 S Swanson St, 400 South St, 1000 South St (4 Incidents), 600 Wharton St. Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 1300 Carpenter St, 700 S 11th St, 1800 S Front St, 1000 South St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 1000 Fitzwater St, 400 Reed St, 600 S 2nd St (2 Incidents), 700 S 3rd St, 700 S 6th St, 500 S Front St. 6th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 6th District, please call 215-686-3060. Reporting 6th District crimes from Spring Garden St. to Lombard St. and Front St. to Broad St.: Assault: 700 Arch St, 1000 Cherry St, 200 Chestnut St, 300 Market St, 800 Market St, 900 Market St, 600 N Front St, 800 Spruce St (2 Incidents). Burglary: 300 N 13th St, 0 S 12th St, 700 Spring Garden St. Robbery: 0 Dock St, 1200 Filbert St, 900 Market St, 1200 Vine St. Theft: 1000 Arch St, 1100 Arch St, 1300 Arch St (2 Incidents), 200 Callowhill St, 300 Chestnut St, 1300 Chestnut St, 500 Cypress St, 1200 Filbert St, 1100 Locust St, 300 Market St (2 Incidents), 700 Market St, 1000 Market St (7 Incidents), 1200 Market St, 1300 Market St, 400 N 5th St (2 Incidents), 0 N Front St, 300 N Front St, 1200 Noble St, 1100 Race St (2 Incidents), 400 S 2nd St (5 Incidents), 0 S 8th St, 200 S 9th St, 100 S 11th St (2 Incidents), 200 S 11th St, 300 S 13th St, 800 Spring Garden St, 1200 Walnut St, 1200 Waverly Walk. Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 1000 Arch St, 1300 Arch St, 300 Market St, N Front St & Noble St, 700 Race St, 200 S 13th St, 1300 Spruce St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 100 Arch St (2 Incidents), 300 Chestnut St, 800 Chestnut St, 200 Cuthbert St, 200 Market St, 800 Market St, 1000 Market St, 200 N 3rd St, 600 N Front St, 300 N Water St, 800 Pine St, 900 Pine St, 1000 Pine St, 0 S 2nd St, 1300 Spruce St, 200 Vine St, 400 Vine St, 700 Walnut St. 9th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 9th District, please call 215-686-3090. Reporting 9th District crimes from Fairmount Ave. to Lombard St. and Broad St. to the Schuylkill River.: Rape: 0 Franklin Town Blvd. Assault: 1700 Chestnut St, 1400 Fairmount Av, 600 N 24th St, 600 N Broad St, S 15th St & Market St (2 Incidents), S 21st St & Chestnut St, 200 S 25th St, 300 S Smedley St (2 Incidents), 1700 Sansom St. Burglary: 1600 Market St, 200 N 16th

St, 200 S 21st St. Robbery: 2300 Fairmount Av, 1500 Latimer St, 1500 Market St (3 Incidents), 100 S 15th St, S 15th St & Market St, 2000 Spring Garden St. Theft: 1700 Callowhill St, 1900 Callowhill St, 1500 Chestnut St, 1600 Chestnut St, 1700 Chestnut St, 1900 Chestnut St, 2400 Chestnut St, 1500 Fairmount Av, 2300 Fairmount Av, 2000 Hamilton St, 1600 John F Kennedy Blvd, 1900 John F Kennedy Blvd, 1600 Locust St, 1500 Market St, 1900 Market St, 2000 Market St, 1900 Moravian St, 2100 Mount Vernon St, 200 N 17th St, 400 N 18th St, 400 N 19th St, 500 N 22nd St, 400 N Broad St (2 Incidents), N Schuylkill River Trl & Water Works Dr, 2000 North St, 2000 Pennsylvania Av, 2100 Pennsylvania Av, 1900 Pine St (2 Incidents), S 15th St & Spruce St, 0 S 16th St (3 Incidents), 100 S 17th St, 100 S 19th St, 200 S 21st St, 100 S 22nd St, S 22nd St & Walnut St, 1500 Sansom St, 2300 Wallace St, 1500 Walnut St, 1800 Walnut St, 2100 Walnut St, 2200 Walnut St (3 Incidents). Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 200 S Broad St, 1400 Wallace St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 1700 Chancellor St, 1500 Chestnut St, 2000 Chestnut St (2 Incidents), 2300 Fairmount Av, 1500 Green St, 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, 1500 John F Kennedy Blvd, 1700 Locust St, 1600 Market St, 0 N 15th St, 400 N 21st St (2 Incidents), 500 N Broad St, 600 N Broad St, 100 S 18th St (2 Incidents), 200 S 18th St, 300 S Smedley St, 2500 Spring Garden St (5 Incidents), 1400 Walnut St. 12th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 12th District, please call 215-6861320. Reporting 12th District crimes within Southwest Philly bounded by Baltimore at 49th St. to Bartram Dr. at 60th St.: Assault: 5600 Angora Ter, 5200 Beaumont St, 5500 Belmar St, 5600 Belmar St, 5700 Broomall St, 5700 Chester Av, 5600 Florence Av, 5300 Greenway Av, 1200 Greylock St, 5200 Litchfield St, 1600 S Conestoga St, 1300 S Lindenwood St, 1900 S Salford St, 1100 S Wilton St, 5800 Trinity St, 5500 Upland St, 5900 Windsor St, 5000 Woodland Av. Burglary: 5500 Chester Av, 2400 S 54th St, 2000 S 59th St, 5100 Springfield Av. Robbery: 5800 Windsor St, 5300 Woodland Av. Theft: 5500 Florence Av, 5200 Greenway Av, 5600 Hoffman Av, 6000 Kingsessing Av, 5500 Malcolm St, 1500 S 52nd St, 1200 S 57th St, 1200 S Ruby St, 5000 Warrington Av, 5800 Woodland Av. Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 2100 S 57th St, 1800 S Yewdall St, 5700 Wheeler St, 5700 Woodland Av. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 5700 Baltimore Av, Cobbs Creek Pkwy & Willows Av, 6000 Elmwood Av, 5500 Florence Av, 5600 Florence Av, 5500 Hadfield St, 5400 Regent St, 1100 S 52nd St, 2200 S 56th St, 1800 S 58th St, 2500 S 58th St, 1100 S Peach St, 1200 S Peach St, 1900 S Salford St, 5500 Windsor St, 5700 Woodland Av.

Robbery: 4000 Lancaster Av, 0 N 52nd St. Theft: 5100 Brown St, 0 Dearborn St, 3000 John F Kennedy Blvd, 3800 Lancaster Av, 0 N 39th St, 400 N 50th St, 700 N Holly St, 4400 W Girard Av, 400 Wiota St. Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 3800 Cambridge St, 3900 Cambridge St, 3300 Fairmount Av, 4400 Fairmount Av, 4000 Market St, N 35th St & Baring St, N 41st St & Westminster Av, 800 N 48th St, 600 N 49th St, 100 N 51st St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 5000 Aspen St, 3800 Folsom St, 3900 Haverford Av, 4200 Haverford Av, 5100 Haverford Av, 4900 Hoopes St, 4000 Lancaster Av (2 Incidents), 4500 Lancaster Av (3 Incidents), 2900 Market St, 4000 Market St (2 Incidents), 600 N 39th St, 800 N 40th St (2 Incidents), 700 N 49th St, N 50th St & Reno St, 300 N 52nd St, N 52nd St & Westminster Av, 700 N Dekalb St (2 Incidents), 4300 Parrish St, 4900 Reno St, 5100 Westminster Av. 17th DISTRICT: To report a crime to the 17th District, please call 215-6863170. Reporting 17th District crimes from Lombard St. to Mifflin St. and Broad St. to the Schuylkill River. Assault: 2200 Bainbridge St, 1300 S 21st St, 1400 S Broad St, 1300 S Hicks St, 1500 S Marston St, 2000 Titan St. Burglary: 2200 Kimball St, 1000 S Bouvier St (2 Incidents), 1000 S Cleveland St, 2600 Washington Av. Robbery: 1800 Federal St. Theft: 2500 Annin St, 1900 Carpenter St, 1500 Catharine St, 2100 Catharine St, 2400 Christian St, 1400 Fitzwater St, 2000 Oakford St, 1900 Pierce St, 1400 Point Breeze Av, 2900 Reed St, 700 S 16th St, 1500 S 20th St, 1100 S 23rd St, 1000 S Broad St (3 Incidents), S Broad St & South St, 1300 S Chadwick St, 700 S Rosewood St (4 Incidents), 2200 Saint Albans St, 1800 South St (2 Incidents), 1400 Washington Av (2 Incidents), 2400 Washington Av, 2600 Webster St. Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 1500 Manton St, 2000 Mountain St, 1100 S 18th St, 600 S 24th St, 1500 S 26th St, S Broad St & Fitzwater St, 700 S Rosewood St, 1400 Warfield St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 1400 Catharine St, 2000 Christian St, 1700 Dickinson St, 1500 Fitzwater St, 3000 Mifflin St, 1700 Morris St, 1200 S 20th St, 1100 S 25th St (2 Incidents), 1400 S 27th St, 1400 S 31st St, 1500 S Capitol St, 1300 S Lambert St, 1700 S Taylor St, 3000 Tasker St. 18th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 18th District, please call 215-6863180. Reporting 18th District crimes from Market St. to Woodland Ave. and 30th St. to Cobbs Creek Pkwy.: Assault: 4000 Chester Av, 6200 Chestnut St (4 Incidents), 4700 Hazel Av, 5800 Osage Av, 0 S 43rd St, 1300 S 48th St, 400 S 50th St, S 53rd St & Webster St, 500 S 54th St (2 Incidents), 600 S 55th St, 600 S 56th St, 0 S 58th St, 6100 Sansom St, 6100 Spruce St, 6200 Walnut St, 5800 Walton Av.

16th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 16th District, please call 215-6863160. Reporting 16th District crimes from Girard Ave. to Market St. and from the Schuylkill River to 52nd St.:

Burglary: 200 S 42nd St, 700 S 59th St (3 Incidents), 200 S 60th St, 1100 S 60th St, 4400 Sansom St, 4300 Walnut St.

Assault: 4000 Brown St, 3800 Haverford Av, 0 N 39th St, N 40th St & Reno St, N 41st St & Baring St, 900 N 42nd St, 800 N 46th St, 100 N 48th St, 200 N 52nd St, 700 N Holly St, 4900 Parrish St, 4100 Pennsgrove St, 3800 Spring Garden St.

Theft: 4000 Baltimore Av, 6100 Carpenter St, 4800 Cedar Av, 3600 Chestnut St, 4700 Chestnut St, 4900 Chestnut St, 5500 Chestnut St, 5600 Chestnut St, 200 Cobbs Creek Pkwy, 5600 Market St, 4400 Pine St, 200 S 42nd St, S 43rd St & Spruce St, 0 S 45th St, 0 S 52nd St, 200 S 52nd St, S 56th St &

Robbery: 5600 Walnut St.

Chestnut St, S 59th St & Christian St, 200 S 61st St, 4900 Sansom St, 5100 Spruce St, 3400 Walnut St, 3600 Walnut St (2 Incidents), 3900 Walnut St, 4000 Walnut St (2 Incidents).

Pennsylvania sees loosening of some pandemic restrictions

Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 4700 Chestnut St, 4800 Ludlow St, 4200 Osage Av, 100 S 40th St, 200 S 49th St, 6100 Spruce St, 500 Woodland Ter. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 5300 Addison St, 5600 Carpenter St, 5800 Cedar Av, 5100 Chancellor St, 5500 Chestnut St, 6200 Chestnut St (2 Incidents), 6100 Ellsworth St, 100 Farragut St, 5400 Irving St, 5500 Ludlow St (2 Incidents), 4400 Market St (2 Incidents), 5400 Norfolk St, 5800 Pine St, 6000 Pine St, 5200 Rodman St, S 42nd St & Market St (2 Incidents), 200 S 45th St, 500 S 52nd St, S 53rd St & Sansom St, 500 S 54th St, 600 S 55th St, S 55th St & Pine St, 0 S 57th St, S 57th St & Cedar Av, 500 S 60th St, 600 S 60th St, S 61st St & Hazel Av, 5000 Spruce St, 5900 Walnut St. 19th DISTRICT: To report a crime in the 19th District, please call 215-6863190. Reporting 19th District crimes from City Ave. to Market St. and 52nd St. to 77th St.: Rape: 0 N Ithan St (2 Incidents). Assault: 1800 Ashurst Rd, 5900 Callowhill St, 7500 City Av, 7300 Drexel Rd, 5700 Dunlap St (2 Incidents), 5300 Haverford Av (3 Incidents), 7200 Haverford Av, 300 Horton St, 5500 Lansdowne Av, 5900 Lansdowne Av, 6400 Malvern Av, 6100 Master St, 0 N 54th St, 1500 N 54th St, 2400 N 54th St, 500 N 55th St, 1300 N 57th St (3 Incidents), 300 N 60th St, 100 N 61st St, 200 N 61st St, 300 N 62nd St, N 65th St & Lansdowne Av, 600 N 67th St, 100 N Allison St, 0 N Hirst St, 0 N Lindenwood St, 100 N Peach St, 6000 Nassau Rd, 5200 Overbrook Av, 5500 Spring St, 6000 W Girard Av, 5300 W Montgomery Av, 5900 W Oxford St, 6100 W Oxford St, 600 Wynnewood Rd. Burglary: 5800 Arch St, 6600 Malvern Av. Robbery: 5200 Lancaster Av. Theft: 5400 Diamond St, 6700 Haverford Av, 6100 Master St, 2300 N 52nd St, 1200 N 54th St, 0 N Frazier St, 2100 N Wanamaker St, 5400 Race St, 5700 Woodbine Av. Vandalism/Criminal Mischief: 5400 Haverford Av, 5600 Lebanon Av, 400 N 53rd St, 300 N 60th St, 800 N 63rd St, 1300 N Allison St, 5200 Parkside Av, 5500 Pearl St, 5400 Pennsgrove St, 5600 Race St (2 Incidents), 6300 Sherwood Rd, 5500 Spring St, 5400 Upland Way, 5700 Vine St. Other Offenses (Any incident that does not fit into other definitions, and may include public drunkenness, runaways, loitering, weapons offense or missing person): 5400 Arlington St, 1800 Farrington Rd, 1300 Kimberly Dr, 5200 Market St (2 Incidents), 5300 Market St, 5600 Market St, 5900 Market St (2 Incidents), 6000 Market St, 6200 Market St, 1100 Marlyn Rd, 0 N 52nd St (8 Incidents), 300 N 54th St, 1700 N 54th St, 1400 N 57th St, N 58th St & Master St, 400 N 59th St, 1300 N 59th St, 0 N 61st St, N 62nd St & Vine St, 1100 N 63rd St, N 65th St & Callowhill St, 1100 N 66th St, 1000 N 68th St, 1400 N 76th St, 1200 N Allison St, 200 N Cecil St, 0 N Lindenwood St, 1600 Pennington Rd, 7500 Sherwood Rd, 5400 Spring St, 5500 Spring St, 5400 Stewart St, 5300 W Girard Av, 5300 W Montgomery Av, 5400 W Thompson St. Crime Incidents as reported by the Philadelphia Police Department via opendataphilly.org. Feedback and inquiries can be sent to Dorian@Pressreview.net. This crime report does not cover the entire boundaries of each police district. It reflects only incidents in or near our circulation areas.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf addresses reporters about his budget priorities Jan. 28, 2021, in Harrisburg. Commonwealth Media Services

By Christen Smith The Center Square ennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf rescinded some of his social distancing orders on Monday, including rules about out-ofstate travel and capacity limits for public events. Citing a downward trend in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the administration said residents leaving the state no longer are required provide proof of a test negative upon return or quarantine for 14 days. Indoor and outdoor event capacity limits have been raised to 15% and 20%, respectively. The lifted orders do not change rules for restaurants, bars, alcohol sales, wearing masks or other social distancing mandates put into place over the last year. “Pennsylvania is taking a measured approach to revising or lifting mitigation orders,” Wolf said. “The reason we are seeing cases drop can be attributed, in part, to

P

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people following the mitigation efforts we have in place. Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene are making a difference and need to continue even as we see more and more people fully vaccinated.” Hospitalizations for COVID-19 fell to just below 1,900 over the weekend as the positivity rate for tests for the week ending Feb. 18 stood at 6.5% – less than half of the rate measured during the virus’s second peak in December. “We need to balance protecting public health with leading the state to a robust economic recovery,” Wolf said. “We are lifting mitigation efforts only when we believe it is safe to do so.” Christen Smith follows Pennsylvania’s General Assembly for The Center Square. She is an awardwinning reporter with more than a decade of experience covering state and national policy issues for niche publications and local newsrooms alike.


MARCH 03, 2021 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 11

TO ADVERTISE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS CALL 215.222.2846

The Association of Community Publishers (ACP) is a progressive non-profit dedicated to helping community publishers succeed and grow. We’re emerging from a pending merger between the country’s best-known community publishing advocacy groups: IFPA (Independent Free Papers of America) and AFCP (Association of Free Community Publications). The collective associations have been the catalyst for industry prosperity for more than 50 years, and the pending merger will make ACP the largest organization advocating for community publishers in the United States with nearly 200 member publications. The selected candidate will be a self-starter able to creatively complete projects on time and within budget. Applicants will work with an energetic board of directors who oversee and give guidance about successfully navigating the position, but the Executive Director will be the chief executive officer of the organization. NOTE: This is a remote job since the association does not have a home office. The job can be handled from anywhere in the Continental United States. You will work from your home/office and may be reimbursed for typical office expenses. Executive Director Job Responsibilities • Responsible for planning, organizing and directing the group’s operations and programs. • Work with the Board of Directors to develop and implement goals to transform the new ACP organization and position it for future growth. • Develop and implement consistent initiatives and cost accounting policies, procedures and operational reporting/metrics. • Oversee and report on the organization’s results to the board of directors. • Prepare accurate and timely analyses that capture and communicate fundraising results, budget variances and performance trends. • Provide leadership to and manage the efforts of staff to ensure appropriate support for all members. • Supervise the development of operations-based financial modeling. • Coordinate and lead annual budget reviews, monthly and quarterly reviews, and periodic forecast updates with operational and senior management for all locations. • Approve major systems implementations related to cost and membership recruitment. • Work with a diverse, highly qualified staff and volunteers by providing publisher coaching, growth, and personal development for members. • Ensure that services and funding relationships are robust enough to meet or exceed strategic goals and objectives. • Successfully market and maintain a national classified advertising and display advertising sales program. Work directly with advertising organizations at times and close sales when necessary. • Oversee and plan an in-person national conference annually, as well as set up and execute regular Zoom-type conferences throughout the year. • Establish and meet, subject to board approval, annual new member solicitation goals, with possible salary bonus for successful completion of goals. The executive director will be expected to work 40+ hours per week, with most work conducted on weekdays but some weekend/night work possible. Paid vacation and personal leave are available. Efforts are managed remotely as board members, publishing members and staff are located across the continent. Starting salary for the position is $75,000 annually for a qualified candidate. Executive Director Qualifications / Skills • Demonstrated leadership and management skills • Ability to multi-task • Take initiative • Work independently • Creative problem-solving skills • Enthusiastic • Dynamic • Flexible • Organized • Collaborative • Existing social media/online skills Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements • Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Management preferred • 10 or more years of management experience in an operational environment • 5 or more years management or supervisory experience If you enjoy a fast-paced, stimulating environment where your efforts are encouraged and rewarded, revel in working with remote teams, have out-of-the-box ideas on connecting with members, thrive in the spotlight, and can be the “face” of an organization, please send your resume and a cover letter — no later than March 10, 2021 — expressing your interest and qualifications to employment@communitypublishers.com


12 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • MARCH 03, 2021

7 10 I N WE ST PH I L LY, O UT O F

OVERDOSE DEATHS H A PPE N AT H O M E .

W H AT K E E P S FA M I L Y SA F E AT H O M E ? N A LOXO N E .

G E T N A L O XO N E ( N A R C A N ) AT T H E P H A R M AC Y. N O PR E S C R I PT I O N N E E D E D.

If a person takes opioids (such as prescription painkillers, heroin or fentanyl) and stops breathing, call 911 and give naloxone (Narcan) to temporarily reverse the overdose.

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