The Spirit of the Riverwards - May 24, 2017

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FISHTOWN + KENSINGTON + NORTHERN LIBERTIES + PORT RICHMOND + BRIDESBURG

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WEEK MAY 24, 2017 VOL. 14 NO. 20

COPS & COFFEE Cops and residents mingle outside Wawa.

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ST. ANNE’S SENIOR CENTER Olde Richmond senior center to cut staff, hours.

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ROUNDABOUT? Possible roundabout coming to busy Riverwards intersection.

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CLEAN PLATE Recipe for chocolate pound cake.

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BALDSPOT Spirit's own weekly games and comics.

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DERBY DAY Photos from last week’s Kinetic Sculpture Derby.

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any students in the Philadelphia School District don’t go to college, let alone graduate high school. Only 65 percent of students who began high school in 2008 and 2009 graduated and only 10 percent of high school graduates went on to

earn a degree.

Penn Treaty School’s Class of 2017 plans break the mold and not become just another set of statistics. All but one senior — who will begin an apprenticeship — have applied to Community College of Philadelphia (CCP).

With the aid of 12+, Penn Treaty seniors have been approaching graduation plans in place — whether it’s college, a trade or the military — to have

a bright and successful future.

Started by University of Pennsylvania graduates, 12+ is a nonprofit organization that aims to assist students in underserved communities pursue postsecondary pathways after high school. From fetching juniors to register for the SAT to holding College Week and Career Day for students, the 12+ staff at Penn Treaty works directly with all of the school’s students, with special attention to juniors and seniors, to give them the resources for their career goals.

Continued on Page 5.

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MEMPHIS ST. ACADEMY Students, parents make case for Memphis Street Academy to SRC. 7

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Local events, meetings and more.

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here’s something of a mystery surrounding a Vietnam War Memorial in Port Richmond. For years, American Legion Post 152 took care of the small parcel of land on the west side of the 2900 block of Richmond Street, between Ann Street and Indiana Avenue. Every Memorial Day, Post 152 would meet at the site to pay their respects.

However, two years ago, after the death of one of the caretakers, the site was locked off with a chain. Post 152 searched for an explanation for this barricade and found nothing. No owner could be contacted or even named.

Calls to Philly 311 and the Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment (OPA) yielded likewise inconclusive verdicts. The address is simply not list-

ed in their directory. According to a representative from the OPA, without an address or owner, there is not much the city can do.

“First we were told PennDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) owns it. Then we were told a private person owns it,” Larry Tkaczuk, who served stateside as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, and has since has been taking part in Memorial Day celebrations at the site for thirty years, said.

One answer, however, Tkaczuk and Post 152 was given quite consistently; stay off the property, relayed by Pat Love, Commander of the 5th district of the Pennsylvania’s American Legion.

Continued on Page 4.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

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local lens

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BY THOM NICKELS

don’t get to hang out with my brother very often, but when I took the train to Exton this past weekend to spend some time with him, I expected that part of our time together would be talking politics.

My brother and I used to be on opposite sides of the fence when it came to politics. He likes to point out how I was once a billboard-carrying liberal. In those days, I was an early version of a social justice warrior and I was damn proud of it. Back then I kept score: I always knew who said what and why this-or-that aunt or uncle was offensive because they said such-and-such on such-and-such a date.

Well, maybe I wasn’t that bad, but you get the picture.

Today I consider myself a classic liberal and a firm believer in free speech, even if that speech is considered by some as hateful or obscene. If I could have molded the perfect candidate for president in the last election it would have been a hybrid drawn from certain aspects of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, “skin grafting” Trump’s views on immigration and Islam, which I like, with Sander’s socialistic economic and healthcare policies. That to me would have been the perfect presidential candidate.

My brother’s political views used to infuriate me. Then I saw that he was right on many issues, but certainly not all issues. A little disagreement is a healthy thing.

My brother and I got the political ball rolling when he mentioned some cousins of ours out on the West Coast.

We were all close as kids but that has changed since the election of President Trump. My brother, who would call these cousins periodically and shoot the breeze, was not shy about voicing his political opinions with them. What would begin as a polite call would morph into an intense, emotional debate with raised voices and terse “I have to go” hang-ups. The roof blew off the situation several months ago when one of two of these cousins called my brother to express their sympathy at the death of his wife of 38 years.

“I’m really sorry about the death,” the cousin said, “but you really need to work on your politics.”

If this isn’t the definition of high camp tacky, I don’t know what is. But the insensitivity of this comment speaks volumes about the current state of the nation.

My brother wanted to know who I voted for in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s race and I told him that I voted for Joe Khan, the candidate endorsed by Ed Rendell. I told him that most of my friends cast their votes for Rich Negrin and that I didn’t know a single person who voted for the controversial Larry Krasner.

“The turnout on primary day in my Riverwards neighborhood near Aramingo and Huntingdon was really pathetic,” I said. “Not many people were going to the polls.”

I told him I was very disappointed when I learned that Larry Krasner had won the Democratic nomination. As far as I was concerned, the people who supported Krasner were the same people trying to shut down Milo Yiannopoulos and Ann Coulter lectures. They were the same people who wore black bandanas at campus protests. They were the same people who spend all of their time on Facebook posting nothing but anti-Trump messages — not that Trump doesn’t sometimes deserve a lot of negative commentary but no president is wrong 100 percent of the time. It is not humanly possible to be wrong 100 percent of the time, not even for a Donald Trump. Fanaticism turns me off. The an-

ti-Obama brigade with their Michael/Michelle lump in the crotch dress photos and birth certificate paranoia were just as obnoxious and tiresome.

I told him if I was 29 and not the age I am now I would probably have voted for Krasner. When I was 29 I had a very dim view of the police. The police in my twenty something mind were about oppression and repression. I’ve seen police throw tear gas bombs at peaceful hippie protestors at the University of Colorado when I lived in Boulder. I’ve seen police harass homosexuals along Boston’s Charles River Esplanade. I’ve seen bored police go out of their way to harass innocent civilians, whether questioning someone walking on the wrong side of town or telling someone that they were “loitering” when they were just stopping to rest and take in a particular stretch of urban scenery. In those days I nicknamed the police “the harassers.” A bored officer sitting in a parked patrol car doesn’t like your face, so he pulls up beside you and asks for your ID just because he can, just because he has the power to do it and get away with it. “I don’t like the looks of that guy. Let me check him out.”

I suppose it boiled down to me having a big problem with authority in my twenties. I’ve changed my opinion since then because I realized that police officers are individuals just like everybody else. Case in point: When I wrote my columns on the homeless, I was often told by the homeless that six officers can alight from three patrol cars at a convenience store and five of them can walk past a panhandler and say nothing — some might even say hello to the panhandler — while the sixth officer tells the panhandler to “get moving.” While technically the law may forbid loitering, here you have five cops who don’t seem to mind while the sixth cop comes down hard. It’s the classic bad cop/ good cop routine, of course, although most of the homeless do say that the majority of cops in the city are far more understanding than they used to be.

Not all cops are bad, and anyone who tells you differently suffers from skewed thinking. This is why I was irked when I read in the Philadelphia Inquirer that during Larry Krasner’s victory party at the John C. Anderson Apartment Building on South 13th Street, some Krasner supporters began chanting of “F*** the FOP” and then later “No good cops in a racist system.”

To his credit, Krasner campaign spokesperson Ben Waxman and other Krasner staff did shut down the first chant but that did not stop a second chant from erupting. No good cops in a racist system. Really, not even one good cop?

Immediately after the election, Christine Flowers in the Daily News wrote about Krasner: “He deliberately traveled with those who attack the police, who challenge the idea that drugs laws are necessary, who think that the death penalty should be reserved only for the innocent victims of crime and not the perpetrators, and who think the Constitution is, as a great judge once argued it was not, a suicide pact,” she wrote.

According to Flowers, Krasner is a disaster. “Perhaps it’s wrong to blame all of Philadelphia for what happened, because only a small percent actually ventured out to slit our collective throats with their votes, but the result is the same: We are doomed.”

The head of the city’s Spanish American Law Enforce-

In our recent Election Edition Local Lens, it was stated that Hungarian billionaire George Soros had worked with Nazi’s in the mid-40s to confiscate property from European Jews. This statement was inaccurate, see: www.snopes.com/george-soros-ss-nazi-germany/ Suggesting Mr. Soros was a Nazi collaborator has been proven as a hoax spread on social media and on “fake news” websites. Mr. Soros was just a young boy during WWII, and widely-spread photos allegedly depicting a young Soros in SS attire have been proven false. Simple fact checking could have proven these claims of Nazi collaboration untrue.

An inaccurate transcript also accompanied the piece, which misquoted Mr. Soros in a 1998 interview with “60 Minutes.” Mr. Soros never stated that:

KROFT: I mean, that sounds like an experience that would send lots of people to the psychiatric couch for many, many years. Was it difficult?

SOROS: No, not at all. Not at all. I rather enjoyed it.

KROFT: No feelings of guilt?

SOROS: No, only feelings of absolute power.

CORRECTION NOTICE

What was actually said was: KROFT: I mean, that sounds like an experience that would send lots of people to the psychiatric couch for many, many years. Was it difficult?

SOROS: Not at all. Not at all. Maybe as a child you don’t see the connection. But it created no problem at all.

KROFT: No feeling of guilt?

SOROS: No.

THOM NICKELS IS A PHILADELPHIA BASED AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, POET, FILM CRITIC & FEATURE WRITER FOR SPIRIT NEWS.

ment Association labeled the chants at Krasner’s victory party “disgusting.” Meanwhile, John McNesby, President of FOP Lodge 5 called Krasner “anti-law enforcement” and dubbed the chanters at Krasner’s victory party as “parasites of the city.”

Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Will Bunch, however, praised Krasner’s victory as a revolutionary development: “What was that sound? Nothing less than the stirrings of a whole different kind of revolution from the city that gave America the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights — a revolution aimed at finally undoing draconian justice regime that had turned the Cradle of Liberty into a death-penalty capital and the poster child for mass incarceration,” Bender wrote.

What does all of this mean for the general election in November? Perhaps we can expect a backlash and Republican Beth Grossman, a former Democrat, will experience a slight bump in her poll numbers. But that’s about it. Grossman has absolutely no shot in Philadelphia. If she was running against Benito Mussolini, the “progressive” Democrats would line up to vote for Mussolini. That’s the way Philadelphia is. Flowers commented in a recent column that Philadelphia is so staunchly Democratic that it might as well be called “Moscow on the Schuylkill.”

My brother wanted to know if I had any predictions about Krasner’s future. I told him that he will change slightly once he dons the DA’s mantle and that during his watch the very people that he defended so staunchly as a grassroots civil rights attorney will be out on the streets protesting a number of his decisions.

Philadelphia may never be delivered from the dangerous, corruption of one-party rule, but it will always be subject to the self interest foibles of career politicians in the halls of power. •

KROFT: For example that, ‘I’m Jewish and here I am, watching these people go. I could just as easily be there. I should be there.’ None of that?

SOROS: Well, of course I could be on the other side or I could be the one from whom the thing is being taken away. But there was no sense that I shouldn’t be there, because that was, well, actually, in a funny way, it’s just like in markets–that if I weren’t there–of course, I wasn’t doing it, but somebody else would be taking it away anyhow. And it was the–whether I was there or not, I was only a spectator, the property was being taken away. So the–I had no role in taking away that property. So I had no sense of guilt.

We pride ourselves in getting the facts straight and the truth out in the public. We apologize for any and all misreporting or factual inaccuracies. All inaccuracies have been removed from Spirit News’ website and social media. •

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

S E V E N D AY F O R E C A S T F O R T H E R I V E R WA R D S

accu-reggie TWITTER: @ACCUREGGIE • FACEBOOK: ACCU-REGGIE

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ast week we registered our first official heat wave of the warm season: Temperatures went ballistic on us in the 90s for three straight days (Wednesday through Friday). Cloudy, cool, and showerery weather returned to end the week. The weather takes another interesting turn this week; the theme is “unsettled.”

A storm that brings rain for days is not on the horizon, however, this week will be characterized by many chances for showers from small storms flying around everywhere.

The temperature will be cool when it’s rainy and/or cloudy and near 80 degrees when it’s not.

The week starts off with a chance for light rain on Wednesday morning as a quick-moving storm misses us to the

south. It will rain at the beaches but not so much in Philly.

Rain hits everyone on Thursday as a bigger storm moves in from the west. Showers from this storm will linger into Friday. Saturday should be dry, but clouds increase in the evening. Showers return for Sunday evening into Monday morning and then again on Tuesday. Stay nimble with the umbrella this week!

Wednesday starts the week off on a cloudy note. The clouds will dissipate as the day wears on and temperatures climb into the 70s. Anywhere south and east of Philly will be rainy; Philly may see a shower.

Thursday is a rainy and cool day. We’ve had plenty of them this month, you know the drill.

Friday starts rainy and cool but should turn decent by the afternoon. Temperatures jump to the 70s.

Memorial Day Weekend will provide the best days of the week as temperatures get to about 80 each day. A shower is possible late Saturday, but very probable Sunday afternoon and evening.

The showers from Sunday last into Monday as cooler marine air works back into the region. Tuesday features some clearing and the return of sunshine but showers return in the evening.

As always, check us out on social media for daily weather updates! •

1428 East Susquehanna Avenue Philadelphia, PENNSYLVANIA 19125 TELEPHONE: 215.423.6246 EDITORAL INQUIRIES: NEWS@SPIRITNEWS.ORG ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: ADS@SPIRITNEWS.ORG OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY–FRIDAY, 9AM–5PM MATTHEW ALBASI

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THOM NICKELS

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

Continued from Page 1.

This coming Memorial Day will be the third on which Post 152 will be prevented from carrying out their annual tradition inside the memorial. In the years since they’ve been locked out of the site, weeds and foliage have grown up around it. The American and POW flags flown there have become worn and tattered.

But in a recent twist, the memorial was cleaned up, sometime in the “past week or two,” said Tkaczuk. A new American flag is flying, illuminated by a freshly installed light.

The future of the site likely holds more complications.

“We’ve been hearing rumours here in the neighborhood,” Tkaczuk said, that a construction project on Richmond Street will force a relocation of the memorial.

That’s not stopping Tkaczuk and the members of Post 152 from paying their respects to the monument as part of the Post’s larger Memorial Day celebrations this weekend, Saturday, May 27th to Monday, May 29th. “We do a prayer service, we do a gun salute, we also play Taps,” Tkaczuk said.

The memorial, which was erected about 40 years ago, is scheduled to be honored on Saturday at 10 AM, the second of three sites Post 152 will visit that morning.

Tkaczuk told an anecdote of the first young veteran, Charles Antonelli, from Port Richmond who died in the Vietnam War and was memorialized on the monument.

“Charlie died on his second tour of Vietnam, when his wife gave birth to their first child. The day the child was born, Charlie died,” said Tkaczuk.

About two dozen other local deceased veterans are named at the site, the newest one being Michael Strange, a Navy Seal whose helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan in 2011.

After honoring memorials, Post 152 will go to St. Peter’s Cemetery and put flags on the graves of every veteran resting there.

Sunday, a Veterans Memorial Mass will be held at St. George’s Church at 9:30 AM. Monday, a memorial ceremony will be held at Casbah Caterer’s parking lot at 8 AM, following which Post 152 will

return to St. Peters’ for a special dedication to three veterans of the First and Second World War, before capping off the weekend by marching in the Bridesburg Parade at 10:00 AM. For veterans who can’t march, Tkaczuk said that vehicles would be provided.

As veterans in Post 152 are aging, fewer and fewer are attending events. Tkaczuk, at 65, is one of the youngest. He served stateside during the war, as a Staff-Sergeant.

LESS YOU. MORE LIFE.

“After I’m gone, I don’t know what’s going to be happening C 20, 25 years from now,” he said.

Newer veterans are not joining the American Legion, and Tkaczuk sees the meaning of Memorial Day fading into one of “the hamburgers, the hot dogs, and people getting together.”

“It’s actually a weekend for honoring the men and ladies that died during our conflicts, he said.” •

The Veterans Park on the 2900 block of Richmond St. is still gated shut./Max Weinstein

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017 Continued from Page 1.

For 12+ to meet their mission, that staff functions through a “Plus Center,” which is an in-school space. The center’s computers are where staff members help students with their college and FAFSA applications, according to Penn Treaty’s 12+ Site Director Sophie Montgomery. 12+ also has active Plus Center in Kensington Health Sciences Academy and Hill Freedman High School.

The walls of Penn Treaty’s Plus Center are bright blue, decorated with words of positivity. During lunch time, the center was bustling — students were playing chess and hanging out beneath the banners from postsecondary schools draped across the across the center’s ceiling.

“It symbolizes how we want to be a source of positivity for the school in general. We want our space to be this fun, productive safe place for the kids to go,” Montgomery said.

With origins in Venezuela, valedictorian Estefany Aycardi’s first language is not English. Aycardi knew she wanted to go to college, so 12+ fellow Gabriella Nicholas helped her find a program to pursue.

Nicholas contacted La Salle about their Bilingual Undergraduate Studies for Collegiate Advancement (BUSCA) Program, an Associate’s program that offers courses in English and specific resources for Hispanic-speaking students. A BUSCA representative came to 12+ at Penn Treaty to hold an information session, which helped form Aycardi’s decision for her after high school plans. “[12+] gave me options,” Aycardi said.

The Senior Wall in Penn Treaty’s Plus Center is a big attraction. The wall has each senior’s name and picture, which are adorned with stickers that mark that particular senior’s postsecondary moves. Every time a senior is accepted to a college or receives a scholarship, the 12+ staff blast the song “Celebration,” sending good vibes out into the hallway, Montgomery told Spirit News. While the decorated wall is a physical site for seniors to commemorate, it’s not just for seniors.

“When these underclassmen come in and see seniors with these stickers — ‘Applied’, ‘Accepted’, ‘Scholarship Recipient’ — they really realize more than they did before that.

They think, ‘Wow, Penn Treaty kids can go to college. Penn Treaty kids can get scholarships. Wow, this is possible for me.’”

Sean Sipes’ paper plaque on the Senior Wall says “applied”; he’s sent applications to more than 10 schools with the help of Nicholas. Sipes was accepted to Cheyney University and now has his sights towards his college. However, the cost of college has Sipes leaning toward CCP. Snipes isn’t alone: More than 75 percent of children who attend Philadelphia public schools qualify for free or reduced price lunch, which means their families income exists around or below the poverty line.

“There are so many challenges our students face, and they’re really resilient,” Montgomery said.

Sipes’ hasn’t made his final college decision yet, but he knows exactly what he wants to do. After watching the horrific injury of basketball player Paul George and his recovery, Sipes made decided to he wanted to be a physical therapist.

“I’m excited about college. Period,” Sipes said.

Some seniors aren’t excited about college; instead they’re thrilled about joining the United States Armed Forces.

Crisitian Cueto is one of three Penn Treaty students to enlist. He spoke to Spirit News in a U.S. Army shirt and will ship off to basic training for the U.S. Army this summer.

Cueto and Montgomery agree that this path is a good fit for Cueto.

“Penn Treaty students have really personal and really inspiring visions of what success means for them individually. We totally embrace and encourage the fact that is different for different kids and will help them with whatever that vision of success is,” Montgomery said.

Cueto has teamed up with army recruiters to talk to students in younger grades about enlisting. Cueto likes to act as an older brother figure to others students. When speak-

Sean Sipes points to his photo on the Senior Wall at Penn Treaty School./All photos by Shealyn Kilroy

ing to his peers, he doesn’t only talk about their future but also about where they are now.

“You have these kids that run around the hallways and not want to go to class. I sit there and talk to them — not actually skip class with them — and have conversations with them about it. I find out why they don’t want to be in class, what’s the problem, how can we make it better and give them advice. [I try to] give them motivation to actually want to go to class and do what they want to do,” Cueto said.

As mandated by the School District of Philadelphia, high school seniors have to complete a senior project. The yearlong project includes a research paper and ends with final presentation on their thesis, presented to a panel at Penn Treaty during this time of the year. Cueto’s project was

on false advertising and he received a grade of 94. Aycardi presented her entire project on teen pregnancy in English and got a 100. Sipes hasn’t presented yet, but his project argues that profits made from the prison system should be allocated to schools. Regardless of the projects’ subject matter, it’s easy to see these kids are on their way to make a difference.

Graduation for Penn Treaty’s Class of 2017 is set for June 16th. Cueto has called his school a “paradise” and believes that Penn Treaty is the reason that he’s graduating, and moving in the right direction. “Coming to this school they actually helped me out they stayed with me and actually worked with me and now I’m right where I want to be,” Cueto said. •

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

WRITTEN BY STEVE BOHNEL

St. Anne’s Senior Center O L D E R I C H M O N D S E N I O R C E N T E R T O C U T S TA F F A N D H O U R S

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senior center that has served the Olde Richmond and surrounding communities since the late 1970s will be laying off four employees and reducing both its hours of operation and its social worker from 40 to 20.

Karen Rouse, center manager of St. Anne’s Senior Citizen Center at 2607 E. Cumberland St., said she expected the budget cuts. They begin July 1, the start of the new fiscal year for Catholic Health Care Services, which operates St. Anne’s and three other senior citizen centers citywide.

“I’ve been working in the aging field for a long time,” Rouse said. “You realize there are problems, but I didn’t expect the severity of it.”

Officials from Catholic Health Care Services (CHCS) told Spirit News the cuts were because of rising operating costs.

St. Anne’s and Star Harbor Senior Citizen Center in southwest Philadelphia were chosen because they see less senior citizens on a daily basis.

Karen Becker, director of in home support and special projects, said CHCS has been projecting these cuts since the start of the fiscal year last year.

“This fiscal year, we subsidized the four senior centers through Catholic Health Care Services $1.2 million,” Becker said. “In the course of the three years prior to this past fiscal year, we did subsidize those centers about $3 million… so the [Board of Directors of CHCS] came to us and said this isn’t something we can sustain for the long haul.”

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging gives about $400,000-$500,000 annually to CHCS to help operate the centers, Becker added.

John Wagner, deputy secretary and CEO for Catholic Health Care Services, said allocating resources and funds year-to-year can be difficult.

“For us and our organization, we have limited treasure,” he said. “You only have so many charitable dollars. Who do you take care of, and at what level? So we take that into consideration every year.”

Becker said St. Anne’s will serve as a “satellite” senior citizen center and be open from 9 AM - 1 PM, versus the current hours of 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. It still will offer a noontime meal, transportation through SEPTA’s CCT Connect, social services and a place for seniors to socialize and participate in recreational activity, she added.

“It was important for us in facing fiscal challenge we have that our first priority was to keep four centers operating in all four neighborhoods,” she said.

Karen Rouse said a community meeting will be held next month to plan for how St. Anne’s will operate its programs and work with community partners.

One of those partners is Greensgrow, the urban farm right next door. Ryan Kuck, executive director, said he’s seen the first-hand impact of St. Anne’s impact on seniors and that the relationship between the two organizations has been strong.

“Their parking lot has been invaluable for us,” Kuck said with a laugh. “The partnership has definitely been valuable over the years.”

Wagner said St. Anne’s cuts are a microcosm of a growing senior citizen population and deciding how to allocate limited resources to ensure they get the proper amount of care.

“You don’t have to go one night without watching the news and know that our government is trying to figure out how they’re going to pay for systems that affect the elderly,” he said. “It’s the topic of discussion.” •

St. Anne’s Senior Center will face cuts to both its staff and hours of operation./Photos by Patrick Clark

This recently dedicated mural was created following a partnership between St. Anne’s Senior Center, Greensgrow Farms and Portside Arts Center.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

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WRITTEN BY STEVE BOHNEL

memphis street academy S T U D E N T S , PA R E N T S M A K E C A S E F O R L O C A L C H A R T E R S C H O O L

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hey came off a school bus on North Broad Street, donning bright orange shirts with “Proud Supporter of Memphis Street Academy” written across the front.

These parents and community members, who support the school once nicknamed “Jones Jail” for its violence in Port Richmond, believe that improved education and overall quality of life mean more than the School District of Philadelphia’s Charter Office assessment.

This assessment was presented at an School Reform Commission (SRC) meeting earlier this month. On Thursday night, students and parents pleaded their case to SRC members for Memphis Street (MSA), stating its academics had greatly improved since American Paradigm had taken over the school in 2012.

There was no vote on Memphis Street or any other charter schools, and it’s unclear when a final decision will be made. Students and parents, however, continued to argue that closing MSA would be a mistake.

“When I leave at the end of this year to go to high school, I may cry tears of happiness because I know I have made it,” said Franiel Rodriguez-Santos, an eighth-grader at MSA and the first of 49 scheduled public speakers for various schools and topics at the meeting.

“Something that I didn’t even think was possible when I first moved here … from what life has taught me, education is sacred, and it matters more than anything.”

Blanca Tovar, the next speaker, wasn’t willing to have her autistic son attend MSA due to its violent reputation — but she gave the school a chance, given its change in leadership.

“The school not only changed my son … but it also changed myself,” Tovar told SRC members while holding back tears. “My son started at MSA at a fourth-grade reading level, and graduated reading [at] a college-reading level … this is all thanks to the dedication and the hard work of the teachers at MSA.” Tovar added she currently has a daughter in sixth-grade, and was one of the worst students in terms of reading level at MSA when she started. Suffering from ADHD, ODD and other behavioral disorders, she has now earned A’s and B’s in reading classes.

Still, the school district’s Charter Schools Office issued a report on May 1st that deems that Memphis Street does not meet academic standards in math, ELA/reading and science.

MSA Principal/CEO Antoinette Powell, however, believes that these metrics are unfair, given the level that students enter the school at. The report also notes that 76 percent of students at MSA live in poverty, above the district average.

“Based on how our fifth- and sixth-grade students enter, there is a proficiency ceiling,” Powell told Spirit News in an interview earlier this month. “The Charter School Office report fails to take into consideration the PSSA predictions provided by [the Pennsylvania Department of Education] that 61 percent of our incoming fifth grade students have a less than 10 percent chance of reaching the proficiency level on their next ELA PSSA test.”

Throughout Thursday night’s meeting, community members and teachers argued that students at MSA have made tremendous strides that the report does not fairly represent.

Jennifer Person, an ELL teacher at MSA, said Rodriguez-Santos started at a kindergarten reading level and finished at a seventh-grade reading level.

Julie Cousler Emig works at Stoneleigh Foundation, who seeks to help improve living conditions for impoverished and underserved children in the city. She argued the poverty and atmosphere in the neighborhoods surrounding MSA make it tough for students, and that they deserve mental-health and other related services.

“Nowhere is this need more apparent than at Memphis Street Academy,” Emig told the SRC at Thursday’s meeting. “Where an abundance of poverty and high health acuity levels demand these innovative measures … like you, we understand that a student’s health and academic performance are inextricably linked.”

After the meeting, Spirit News spoke with Bill Green, former SRC chair and one of the current commissioners. Green stated SRC members are unsure when a final decision on MSA will be made.

“It’s really individual to each school and circumstance,” Green said about making the de-

cision on MSA. “A lot of good things are happening in terms of climate and culture and the neighborhood and other things, and community members are pleased with it … however, like Walter Palmer [Charter] School, which we closed had academic problems … and the reason we create renaissance schools is for academic reasons … and if they can’t perform better than if we were performing as the operator of the school, then we should shut it down.”

Green added that the decision has been tough for him and other SRC members.

“For me, it’s a personally difficult decision, I’m not sure where I’m gonna end up or where the SRC is gonna end up on it,” he said. “But I think you can take from the fact that we didn’t have a vote that we’re struggling with the issue.” •

Memphis Street Academy supporters walk into an SRC meeting donning shirts stating “Proud Support of Memphis Street Academy.”

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

Page 9

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

WRITTEN BY MAX WEINSTEIN

Cops & Coffee

2 6 T H D I S T R I C T ’ S C O M M U N I T Y R E L AT I O N S T E A M M E T W I T H L O C A L R E S I D E N T S O U T S I D E O F WAWA L A S T W E E K

O

n Tuesday May 16th, the 26th District’s Community Relations Team tabled outside of the Wawa on Aramingo Avenue to meet residents and keep them apace of the Department’s work.

“Come out, talk with us in an informal way,” Edwin Correa, a Crime Prevention Officer, said, as he stood next to a folding table filled with informational pamphlets, as well as coupons for free Wawa coffee that the officers were giving away.

Correa encouraged residents to learn more about district programs that facilitate police and residents working together.

Operation I.D., one such program, dispenses stickers with serial numbers that residents can stick onto valuables. If their property gets stolen, the number helps officers return it.

Safe Cam, another collaborative crime deterrent tool, lets home and business owners register their security camera with the police.

Speaking to the Community Relations Team directly or voicing concerns at community events can also be an effective crime fighter for residents, said Captain Krista Dahl-Campbell, who was at the meet-and-greet, dubbed Coffee With A Cop. “Any information we get, we certainly use it,” she said.

Clare Coleman, a resident of the adjacent 25th district, commended the district for their ongoing community outreach.

“I think they really put out there 100 percent% to get to know us,” she said.

Based on resident feedback, Dahl-Campbell has concentrated more resources around 2500 Kensington Avenue, for example, to tackle what she called “real quality of life issues,” around drugs and prostitution.

That trouble spot notwithstanding, Dahl-Campbell reports that the 26th has low levels of serious crime.

“It’s definitely a great neighborhood, I enjoy working here,” she said.

Dahl-Campbell said that the district did have burglary problems, something typical of an economically developing area..

Dahl-Campbell is new to the 26th — she took command just three months ago, after moving up in the ranks in the 17th, 12th, and 9th districts, and then doing Community Relations & Victim Services work.

Though she has the authority to change policies, Dahl-Campbell reported that almost everything has stayed

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the same. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” she said.

“This is a good neighborhood,” Robert Quinn, a 26th district citizen, agreed.

He added that he was happy to see the police doing outreach.

“Gives more of a sense that they’re looking out for the community,” he said.

In addition to the police, members of the Police District Advisory Committee (PDAC), who represent various non-profit, faith, and education groups, and municipal bureaucracies, during monthly meetings with the Depart-

Officer Edwin Correa, Officer Maritza Matos, Captain Krista Dahl-Campbell, Officer Jose Dones

ment, came out to speak to residents.

“Our mission in the 26th is to bridge the gap between the police and community,” Patrica Coyne, a committee member who comes from the City Community Relations department of the Commission on Human Relations, said.

She cited one example of her work—a bullying incident at a local recreational center.

Coyne individually mediated the conflict, and then went back to PDAC and tapped Officer Correa to do a bullying workshop at the center.

Pizza was provided free of charge, courtesy of PDAC. •

Page 10

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

WRITTEN BY TIM MCCLOSKEY

hall of fame

F R A N K K U B A C H I N D U C T E D I N T O T H E P E N N S Y LVA N I A B O X I N G H A L L O F FA M E

O

n Sunday, March 21, the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Front Street Gym owner Frank Kubach into the class of 2017. The ceremony was held at Romano’s Catering in Juniata Park, with hundreds of boxing enthusiasts in attendance.

Frank is a Kensington legend and his gym is iconic (Spirit News has written about him and the gym several times).

It has been the training center and second home to a pantheon of great local fighters for over 35 years: fellow Hall of Famers Hank Quinn, Anthony Boyle, Brian McGinley, and Monty Sherrick trained there, among many others.

Kensington is not an easy place to grow up. Many of the institutions that people used to depend on — schools, churches, industry — have consolidated or moved away.

But the Front Street Gym is a beacon in which many people in the community take great pride. Legitimate world champions have trained there, ESPN named it one of Boxing’s Most Famous Gyms and the newest Rocky movie, “Creed”, was filmed there.

But people are most proud of what the gym has meant for so many kids who went on not to pursue a career in boxing, but went on the become policemen, firemen, roofers and laborers, or the first in their families to go to college, kids whose horizons were broadened. They were all able to do it because of Frank Kubach’s 37 years of hard work and dedication.

Frank got a standing ovation at the ceremony and was clearly choked up at the induction ceremony. He gave a short, emotional acceptance speech. He thanked everybody and said that the kids were the real people that should be honored.

“The Kids” feel that this honor is long overdue for Kubach.

“Frank Kubach is a great guy,” Hank Quinn told me. “He did everything for the kids. He spent money out of his own pocket to take us to tournaments in Florida. He took us everywhere. I absolutely owe my whole professional career to him. He deserves this honor so much.”

Last year, UFC star Eddie Alvarez brought journalist Ariel Helwani for an hour-long segment about the neighborhood and brought the cameras into the gym.

“Frank was monumental in creating an environment for young kids to get off the streets and into a place where they can push themselves and excel,” Eddie told me by phone.

Frank Kubach, Chalie Sgrillo

“I was one of those kids. Frank always allowed underprivileged kids to work out for free, and that may seem like a small gesture, but that gesture continues to put kids on the right path to becoming better and more righteous men. I want to thank Frank personally, and on behalf of the entire neighborhood of Kensington.”

“Frank is a long-time fixture in the Philly boxing community,” Freddie Druding Jr., vice-president of the Veteran Boxers Association, told Spirit News. “I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing him for so many years. From the very end of my amateur career through my entire professional career, I trained out of Front Street Gym. He’s an all-around class act. This is a well-deserved honor for him tonight.”

The permanent Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame will eventually be located at the Veteran Boxers Association, Ring One at 2733 East Clearfield Street in Port Richmond, just a short walk from the Front Street Gym. Others inducted this year include boxers Jerry Judge, Richie “The Bandit” Bennett, David “Hand Grenade” Bey, “Smokin’” Bert Cooper, Alfonso “Fonzie” Hayman, William “The Hammer” Jones and trainer Percy “Buster” Custus. •

Frank Kubach with his Hall of Fame plaque./ Photos by Tim McCloskey

Velasquez Defeats Sanudo

by Tim McCloskey

F

riday at the 2300 Arena in South Philly, prospect Thomas “TJ” Velasquez (9-0 with 5 knockouts) of Lehigh Avenue and the Danny Garcia Gym in Kensington defeated Brandon Sanudo (5-4 2KO) of Baja California, Mexico by Unanimous Decision in a lightweight bout.

Sanudo looked every bit an Olympian. Unfortunately he looked like a marathon runner and not an elite international boxer. It was the most one-sided fight involving a Mexican that anyone had seen since May 6th when Canelo Alvarez defeated Julio Cesar Chavez on Pay-Per-View TV. For the majority of the 6 rounds, Sanudo fluttered about like a wounded duck while Velasquez hunted him around the ring.

In the first round, Velasquez rocked Sanudo with a jab that almost knocked him down. It must have hurt, because there was genuine fear in Sanudo’s eyes from that point on. Velasquez hit him with several lefts and rights to the body but could not finish his opponent off. Late in the fight, Sanudo refused to exchange and accepted defeat. Judges scored the bout 60-54, 60-54 and 60-53. TJ was cornered by his father Tom Sr., Angel Garcia and cutman Joey Eye. “I thought TJ did great,” said Angel. “Sometimes you can’t knock everybody out. He ran a lot. If you run, you are just trying to survive. He was a good opponent. It makes TJ a better fighter. Next time TJ faces someone like that, he’ll know how to handle it.”

“I think it went alright,” said Tom Sr. “It could have done better if the guy wasn’t running around so much. We have to adjust. We did alright. When someone runs that much,

it’s because TJ hits hard. At the end of the day, if they don’t run they’ll end up on their back.”

In other bouts of local interest, Edison High School grad Steven Ortiz (6-0 2KO) stayed unbeaten as a professional by knocking out Hector Rivera (3-2 2KO) of San Juan, Puerto Rico at 2:37 of the second round in Super Lightweights.

He dropped Rivera twice with repeated left hooks and ended the fight with a thunderous right uppercut to the gym that caused the referee to intervene. Trainer Chino Rivas was in Ortiz’s corner.

Also at superlightweight, Titos Gonsalves (0-2) of the Joe Hand Gym was stopped after a pair of knockdowns by Gerardo Martinez of Mexico City by way of Phoenixvlle, PA at 1:47 in the first round.

Demetrius Williams (1-2) also of Joe Hand defeated Antonio Allen by decision in a four round Junior Lightweight bout.

Tyrone Crawley Jr. (7-0) stopped Juan Rodriguez (7-7-1) of Virginia in a six rounder to remain undefeated. • TJ Velasquez

and Freddie Druding Jr.

Did you know that Spirit News has it’s own radio show? Tune into Spirit News Radio every Wednesday night on WPPM - FM 106.5 from 6-7PM. We discuss local news, arts and entertainment pertaining to the various neighborhoods we cover across Philadelphia. Can’t tune in live? You can download our radio show each week in podcast form on iTunes, SoundCloud and Google Play.

Do you want to have your company or product sponsored on Spirit News Radio’s Podcast? Reach out to ads@ spiritnews.org today!

Thanks for tuning in!

Page 11

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

W R I T T E N B Y P TA H G A B R I E

save our city

COMMUNITY MEMBERS MARCH THROUGH KENSINGTON FOLLOWING SHOOTING

O

n Sunday May 21, residents of West Kensington as well as community activists from Operation Save Our City and the CHARLES Foundation gathered at the corner of Malta Street and Westmoreland Street, just off of Kensington Avenue, to rally the community to help find suspects involved in a shooting that left a two year old badly wounded.

Earlier reports said the child was shot twice; however, sources at the rally told us the victim was hit four times in the arm and leg. The child was not the intended victim — sources at the rally told us the 27 shots fired at the residence were intended for the child’s father.

Spirit News saw the bullet-riddled house and a car that was also parked out front during the shooting. Bullets smashed the driver’s side window and pierced the front of the vehicle. Stickers used by police to measure the size of the holes were still on the car and the house at the time of the rally.

According to Philly.com, East Detectives describe the suspects as African American males in their late teens to early twenties. Both men were around six feet tall. One was described as having braids and both were riding bicycles at the time of the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call East Detectives at 215-686-3243. Tips can be left anonymously.

Some residents and community organizations are taking a proactive approach to finding information surrounding the incident. Roz Pichardo, founder of Operation Save Our City, teamed up with members of the CHARLES Foundation to let the community know shooting a baby is unacceptable and that the perpetrators will be caught.

“We want somebody to speak up in the shooting [of the baby],” Pichardo said. “I say it over and over and over again about the no-snitching mentality; it’s got to go.”

The group rallied near the site of the shooting before marching through the surrounding streets. Pichardo, megaphone in hand, led the boisterous crowd with chants of “Stop the violence” and “Stand up, speak up.” The group ended their march at Kensington Avenue and Westmoreland Street, where people with signs promoting love and

Residents of West Kensington as well as community activists from Operation Save Our City and The CHARLES Foundation took to the streets to demand justice and peace./All photos by Ptah Gabrie

peace were greeted with the sound of supportive car horns echoing beneath the El tracks.

Pichardo vowed canvas the neighborhood door to door and pass out fliers to potential witnesses. We spoke with Pichardo before the rally. She is responsible for organizing many anti-violence rallies and free gun lock giveaways throughout Philadelphia.

“They don’t have to talk to us. Just call the anonymous hotline. Call that number give that tip. That’s all they have to do,” Pichardo said. “This is my home, this is my community. We’re not going to stand it. If we find out who did it, we’re going to put your face out there.”

The CHARLES Foundation is an acronym that stands for “Creating Healthy Alternatives Results in Less Emotional Suffering”. According to Movita Johnson-Harrell, founder of the CHARLES Foundation, she started her organization three months to the day after her son was murdered in what she describes as a case of mistaken identity.

“On January 12, 2011, two boys were beefing over a girl; my son went down to Germantown to pick up his sister,” John-

son-Harrell said. “They thought my son was the boy coming back to retaliate and they put four bullets in him.”

Since then she has turned this tragedy into a positive force by working with the community to stop the violence through mentoring programs and other direct community outreach methods.

According to Johnson-Harrell, there needs to be a fundamental change to the way young people view themselves and their lives. “We’re trying to change the mindset of these young people,” she said. “A lot of these young people don’t think they’re going to live past 20, so they’re easy to pick up guns and kill each other. We’re trying to give them some hope.”

Both women agree that the community needs to step up, and speak up about the violence in their neighborhoods.

“We need everybody involved in saving our children,” Johnson-Harrell said.

“Sometimes it takes the community policing their own community,” Pichardo said. •

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

COMMUNITY

CALENDAR N E W S @ S P I R I T N E W S . O R G • 1 4 2 8 E . S U S Q U E H A N N A AV E • 2 1 5 . 4 2 3 . 6 2 4 6

me e tings AL-ANON AT HOLY NAME CHURCH HALL Meetings are held every Monday night from 7-8PM at Holy Name Church Hall at 701 Gaul Street. Anything shared at a meeting stays there and everyone is welcome to attend. AlAnon meetings are free, anonymous and confidential.

Third Mondays LOST PARENTS & FAMILY MEMBER SUPPORT GROUP Meetings take place at Cione Rec Center (Aramingo and Lehigh Ave.). For anyone who is suffering the loss of a loved one, a friend, whoever, is welcome.

Wednesdays, 11AM OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS Those who suffer from eating disorders can find support at Circle of Hope (2007 Frankford Ave.) Follow the OA signs and head upstairs follow. For more information, call or text 267-752-3779.

Last Tuesday of every month, 7PM SPIRITUAL INQUEERY A safe space to explore and study the intersection of faith and sexuality for LGBTQIA+ Christians and Inquirers. Come share, listen, learn, and find community support in navigating the trials and tribulations of this life. We meet on the last Tuesday of every month at 1542 E. Montgomery Ave. EKNA MONTHLY MEETINGS East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA) meets at 6:30PM on the third Monday of the month at Philadelphia Brewing Company (2440 Frankford Ave.) Topics will include: Committee Updates, including Zoning and Development; Committee Meeting Time. Not able to make our meeting in person but interested in joining via livestream?

Email info@ekna.org for more information!

FNA MONTHLY MEETINGS Fishtown Neighbors Association (FNA) meets at 7PM on the third Wednesday of each month at Fishtown Rec Center, 1202 East Montgomery Avenue.

HCA MONTHLY MEETINGS Harrowgate Civic Association (HCA) usually meets at 6:30PM on the first Thursday of each month at Heitzman Recreation Center, 3631 Amber Street.

ORCA MONTHLY MEETINGS Olde Richmond Civic Association (ORCA) meets at 7:30PM on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Cione Rec Center, 2600 Aramingo Avenue.

PROPAC MONTHLY MEETINGS Port Richmond on Patrol and Civic (PROPAC) meets at 7PM on the first Wednesday of each month at Columbia Social Club, 3529 Almond Street.

SNBL MONTHLY MEETINGS Somerset Neighbors for Better Living (SNBL) meets at 6:30PM on the first Monday of each month. This month's meeting is on Monday, January 9. Meetings alternate between two locations. This month's meeting is at Rock Ministries, 2755 Kensington Avenue.

events Thursday, May 25, 2-5PM JOB RESOURCES FAIR In partnership with CareerLink, the Adult Education and Career Development Program at Lutheran Settlement House (1340 Frankford Ave.) will be holding a Job Resources Fair. Attendees will have a chance to meet potential employers and learn about local resources to help them reach their career goals.

To register and get more information, please visit lsheducation.org.

Saturday June 3, 9AM to 1PM OVERINGTON PARK FLEA MARKET Flea Market held around outside of park along the 1300 block of Orthodox Street, 19124. Reserve a space $10.

Please bring your own table.

For more info, call 215-533- 7747 Saturday June 3, 8AM-1PM FLEA MARKET Taking place at 4600 Richmond St., $15/ 2 for $25.

For more info, call 267-738-5414 June 3, 3:30-8:30 ATONEMENT CHURCH/BY MY SIDE BLOCK PARTY Atonement Church and By My Side invite you to a Block Party (1500 E. Montgomery Ave.) on Saturday, June 3rd 3:30 to 8:30PM. Pyrotechnics, jugglers, kids games, adult games, chances, prizes, face painting, food, music and more. Want to sell your treasures? Rent a table and 2 chairs for $10.

Parking available at Berks and Blair (at the Rec.) Are you the Best BBQer in Fishtown? Prove it! Enter our BBQ contest – bring a 4 quart, or larger – crock pot/container filled with your yummiest BBQ concoction. Write the ingredients and recipe, your name, address, and phone # with your submission. There's no cost to enter. Win the prize and be the official BEST BBQer in Fishtown. Raindate June 10th.

Contact AnneMarie (215-866-7133 or ambravo2015@gmail. com) or Zoa (267-886-8780, zoaschisler@comcast.net) to reserve your entry. Contact either AnneMarie ot Zoa for more information.

Saturday, June 3, 10AM-2PM ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH FLEA MARKET Visit or participate St. Michael’s Church Flea Market (Trenton Avenue and Cumberland Street) on June 3. Vendor space is available for $20, and vendors must supply their own table. St. Michael’s Church staff will be will be sponsoring a snack bar.

For more information, contact Pat Walder at 215-425-6190 or call St. Michael’s Church at 215-423-0792.

Saturday, June 10, 8AM, 1PM ELM TREE POST FLEA MARKET & BAKE SALE / FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY. The women of Unit #88 of the American Legion Auxiliary will be holding their annual Flea Market & Bake Sale around Palmer Cemetery and inside the Post home (1212 E. Palmer St.) At 1PM, the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held in the cemetery. The rain date is Sunday, June 11.

For more information, contact Tom Callen at 215-425-5356.

Saturday, June 10, 10AM-1PM KIDS HEALTH & SAFETY FAIR Use local resources for your child’s safety at Rep. John Taylor’s Kids Health & Safety Fair at Cione Playground (2600 Aramingo Ave.) Representatives and information will be provided from CHIP, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, SEPTA, ORCA and PROPAC. Car Seat Safety Check will be done by the 26th Police District. Operation Safe Kids will be conducting fingerprinting, and pictures will be taken from the US Secret Service.

To register for the Car Seat Safety Check and/or the Operation Safe Kids safety services, please call 215-708-3139.

SUMMER MOVIES AT 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Movies return at 1st Presbyterian Church (418 East Girard Ave). We're going to have a mixture of Saturday Matinee and Thursday Evening films for the entire family. Here is the lineup of movies: "Hidden Figures" - Saturday, June 10th - 1PM "Moana" - Thursday, June 29th - 6:30PM "A Dog's Purpose" - Saturday, July 8th - 1PM "Sing!" - Thursday, July 13th - 6:30PM "Kubo & the 2 Strings" - Thursday, July 27th - 6:30PM "The Shack" - Saturday, August 5th - 1PM "Trolls" - Thursday, August 10th - 6:30PM As always all the showings are FREE. Popcorn and snacks are also provided for free (donations always accepted and appreciated to help offset the cost). All movies are shown

inside, so no need to worry about the weather. All are welcome!

Wednesdays, 6-7PM WEDNESDAY EVENING CLEAN-UPS IN EAST KENSINGTON At Huntingdon Emerald (Huntingdon & Emerald) and Arcadia Commons (Kern Street, Mid-Block). Join us each Wednesday evening for cleanups at two of our beloved neighborhood parks! Help keep our green spaces beautiful by supporting Arcadia Commons. Monthly board meetings, open to the public, take place on the third Thursday of each month at 2614 Amber Street.

Wednesdays, 7PM ST. ANNE’S CHURCH CHOIR St. Anne’s Church Choir is back with a new director, April Anderson, and assistant director, Rich Burns. We’ll be rehearsing on Wednesday evenings at 7PM at St. Anne’s Church (Lehigh and Memphis).

Thursdays, 5-8PM GAME ON! THURSDAYS Bring or borrow games and players at Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse (2578 Frankford Ave.) for a night devoted of video game play.

For more information, contact amalgamphilly@gmail.com.

2nd Fridays, 7:15PM MOTHERHEART KIRTAN Welcoming everyone in the neighborhood to take part in MotherHeart Kirtan. Kirtan is the recitation of spiritual ideas through songs of devotion. Style is call and response singing of mantra and sounds. It is an easy, safe environment to experience group, harmony, healing, and community. Kirtan can be peaceful, uplifting, and ecstatic. MotherHeart Studio (2359 E Susquehanna Ave.) Donation only.

4th Fridays, 6-9PM GAME NIGHT Friends of Penn Treaty School and Circle of Hope are hosting a family and teen friendly game night during the fourth Fridays of the month at Circle of Hope (2007 Frankford Ave.) Games and snacks are provided, but feel free to bring your own.

For more information, contact Brooke at bhoffman@friendsofpenntreaty.org.

Saturdays, 9AM-3PM LIBERTY LANDS FARMERS MARKET Starting April 8, the Liberty Lands Farmers Market will be held on the Third Street side of Liberty Lands. Currently, there are 15 vendors, and additional vendors are welcome at $10 a space.

For more information, email Paul Hubert at spot2ndspot@ yahoo.com.

Sundays, 12-4PM AMALGAM ADVENTURER’S LEAGUE Adventurers! Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse is now hosting Adventurers' League play on Sundays from noon to 4PM. Bring your level 1 character, or just yourself and our DM will have pre-gens, and join us as we begin the new season of Storm King's Thunder with the Great Upheaval adventure. New and experienced players welcome!

LUTHERAN SETTLEMENT HOUSE JOB READINESS CLASSES Lutheran Settlement House (1340 Frankford Ave.) is hosting a month worth of job readiness classes as part of the Pathways to Employment Program.

Welcome to PA CareerLink and JobGateway: February 6th, 13th, and 27th, from 10am-noon Getting Your Resume Right: February 1st and the 15th, from 10am-noon Interviewing Skills: February 8th and the 22nd, from 10amnoon Career Drop-in: Drop into our computer lab for assistance with your resume, cover letter, or online job application.

Every Thursday in February, from 1pm-4pm. NO APPOINT-

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017 MENT REQUIRED! All the classes are free and are held at 1340 Frankford Avenue. Interested individuals can call 215-426-8610, Ext. 2006.

Visit www.lsheducation.org or email for more info: pep@lutheransettlement.org

children CUB SCOUT PACK 500 Open to boys in K-5th grade. We meet every Thursday 7-8pm in the St Anne's Annex gymnasium at the corner of Memphis & Tucker. Scouts build projects, learn skills, help the community, and go on hikes and camping trips. Feel free to stop by a den meeting and check it out.

For more information, email Pack500Fishtown@gmail.com Every Sunday, 10AM LET THE CHILDREN COME Progressive, child-led Christian education for children ages 3-13. Storytelling (with ample time for wondering) with a focus on processing through art. All children and families welcome, regardless of religious affiliation. At Atonement Lutheran Church, 1542 E. Montgomery Ave. SIXERS NEIGHBORHOOD BASKETBALL LEAGUE Hancock Rec has more openings for players in their SNBL league held at Moffett Elementary School. For more information please contact Coach Larry @215-685-9877, or come to Moffett to register on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4-6PM. FISHTOWN LIBRARY Tuesdays: Toddler Storytime: Join Miss Dana for stories, songs, and silliness! Tuesdays @ 10:30am. For ages 0-3 ½ Wednesday PRESCHOOL STORYTIME AT RICHMOND LIBRARY This program is intended for children ages 1-4 and their caregiver. Siblings are always welcome. Daycares should call for separate appointments. Richmond Branch of the Free Library, 2987 Almond Street.

For further information call 215-685-9992.

seniors EXERCISE CLASSES FOR PEOPLE AGES 50+ Stay Healthy and Active with a variety of exercise classes at St. Anne’s Senior Center. Latin Rhythm on Mondays at 10:00am; Chair Yoga on Tuesdays at 9:30AM (excluding the 2nd Tuesday of each month;) Tai Chi on Wednesdays at 10:00AM; EnhanceFitness on Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30AM; St. Anne’s Senior Center (2607 E. Cumberland St.) For more info call 215-426-9799 CREATIVE ART CLASSES FOR PEOPLE 50+ The Clay Creations class meets weekly on Friday afternoons from 12:30 – 2:00pm. Learn about the art of hand building to create spectacular pots and other clay forms.

Creating with the Color Wheel on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30- 2:00PM. Participants will mix paint to create a color wheel and use this technique to create colorful paintings and eye-catching designs. Registration and material fees will be charged for these workshops. St. Anne’s Senior Center (2607 E. Cumberland St.) For more info call 215-426-9799 BINGO St. Anne’s Senior Community Center has bingo on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Bingo supplies are on sale starting at 11:00AM. Lunch will begin at 11:30AM. Bingo will begin at 12:30PM. Please make your meal reservation in advance to dine with us. Free parking is available. CCT Transportation is offered to members who are 65 years of age or older. St. Anne’s Senior Center (2607 E. Cumberland St.) For more info call 215-426-9799 NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS Did you know that if you are age 60 or older, or disabled and have low to modest income that you may be eligible for SNAP benefits? Snap is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps) and can provide as-

sistance with purchase of groceries. If you are single and your income is less than $1962/month, or less than $2656/ month for a couple, you may qualify. There is no limit on how much a senior has in savings and checking accounts.

Don’t miss out on this important benefit for which you may be eligible!

For assistance in completing an application, contact the Social Service Coordinator at St. Anne’s Senior Center 215-426-9799.

Sundays SUNDAY BINGO St. Anne Church will host bingo on Sundays in the Social Hall, Memphis and Tucker streets. Doors open at 4PM; bingo starts at 6PM. Cost is $12.

Call 215-739-4590 for more details.

Fridays ART WORKSHOP FOR SENIORS St. Anne’s Senior Center, 2607 E. Cumberland St., is offering an art workshop for people age 50 and older. “Clay Creations” will meet weekly on Fridays, from 12:30-2 PM Participants will learn about the art of hand building to create pots and other clay forms. Those interested should register in advance.

For more details call 215-426-9799.

SENIOR EXERCISE CLASSES Exercise classes for people 50 and older will be offered at St. Anne’s Senior Center, 2607 E. Cumberland St. Class schedule will be Enhance Fitness on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30 AM, Chair Yoga on Tuesdays at 9:30AM, Tai Chi on Wednesdays at 10AM, and Line Dancing on the first and third Friday of every month.

For more information call 215-426-9799.

sign ups ROCK TO THE FUTURE SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION Registration for Rock to the Future’s GuitarStars summer camp is now open. Kids in Philadelphia ages 7-12 can spend a week learning acoustic and electric guitar or bass guitar. Additionally, camp goers will write songs, attend workshops, and perform live at the end of the week for family. friends and peers. The camp runs during July 10-14 from 9AM to 4PM. Camp is free for lower-income Philadelphia kids and $250 for others.

For more information or to register, visit Rock to the Future’s website or call 215-302-9633.

KINDER KAMP REGISTRATION Register your 2, 3, or 4 year-old for Kinder Kamp at Bridesburg Recreation Center. Camp begins June 27, and there will be two encampments during the day from 1:30 to 4PM. Both encampments are $120.

For more information, call 215-685-1247.

TOT REC AT BRIDESBURG RECREATION CENTER Starting in September, the Bridesburg Recreation Center (4601 Richmond St.) will be holding Tot Rec programs.

Two, three, and four-year olds as of Sept. 1, 2017 can be enrolled in one of the three daytime programs.

For more information, call Jackie at 215-685-1247.

Summer Lifeguarding Jobs Screening Days Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) is hiring 400 lifeguarding to staff is 70 outdoor and four indoor pools.

The job pays between $12.33 and $14.60 an hour. Interested candidates do not have to be strong swimmers, if they start being assisted by the staff early. These candidates should take the first step and attend a screening day offering now until June at the following facilities: Sayre Morris Swimming Pool (5825 Spruce St.) Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 6-8PM Pickett Swimming Pool (5700 Warne Ave.) Monday through Thursday, 6:30-8PM Lincoln Pool (7437 Rowland Ave.) Monday Through Thursday 7:30-8:30PM For more information, please visit phila.gov/lifeguards.

Page 13 3rd and 4th Tuesday of Every Month, 6:30PM-8:30PM WOMEN’S SELF DEFENSE CLASSES Fishtown Recreation Center is hosting a Women’s Self Defense class 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on the 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of each month for $10 per class starting 11/15/16. You can register in person at the Rec on weekdays 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM or on Saturdays 9:00 PM to 12:00 noon.

FREE ENGLISH & CITIZENSHIP CLASSES Can you or someone you know benefit from English as a Second Language (ESL) or Test for Citizenship Classes?

The Richmond Library at 2987 Almond St. presents free English and citizenship classes. Tuesday and Thursdays from 6-7:30PM at the Richmond Library.

For more information, call the Library at 215-685-9992.

CIONE TOT RECREATION PROGRAM Starting September 2017, our tot program will be expanding to four days a week, five hours a day. Our days will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 8:30AM1:30PM. Breakfast will be available at the start of the day, also snacks will be provided. Lunch can be brought from home: cold sandwich, hot thermos, beverages, etc. We will have a designated lunch time. School hours can be altered according to your needs, but total weekly school free must be paid. Your child must be 3 years of age by September 2017 and be toilet trained to start the program. School fees will be $60 per week (20 hours) and fees need to be paid by check or money order. Rules issued by the city. Receipts will be issued. As of now, the above information as the basic changes to our program. We understand these changes will not fit everyone's needs, but talk with us see to see if somethings can be changed.

More information will follow as soon as it’s available.

NLARTS SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION 2017 Registration for NLArts Summer Camp 2017 is now open. Judy Chicago is this year’s focused artist. NLArts is asking for a $100 deposit for the camp, and all payments are due by July 10th.

To register and find more information, visit www.nlarts.org/ registration.

BECOME A ADULT EDUCATION TUTOR Lutheran Settlement House (1340 Frankford Ave.) is seeking volunteer tutors. ​Tutoring hours are between 9AM -​ 7:30PM. Volunteers work with adult learners one-on-one or in small groups to help them meet their educational goals, including GED prep, basic math, basic literacy, and computer skills. Prior tutoring or teaching experience is helpful, but not required. Tutors are provided with curriculum materials, both physical and online, to use with learners.

Tutors are asked to commit to 3-5 hours/week of tutoring for a minimum of 6 months.

For more information contact literacy@lutheransettlement. org or 215-426-8610 ext. 1242.

COHOCKSINK PLAYGROUND (2901 CEDAR ST.) Zumba is on tuesday nights from 7:30-8:30 with Ms. Jamie.

Only $5 a class. Yoga is on Wednesday nights from 7:158:15 with Ms. Amanda. Only $5 a class. Both classes are held at Cohocksink Playground, 2901 Cedar St.

Page 14

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

COMMUNITY

CLASSIFIEDS A D S @ S P I R I T N E W S . O R G • 1 4 2 8 E . S U S Q U E H A N N A AV E • 2 1 5 . 4 2 3 . 6 2 4 6

Advertise With Us! By placing an advertisement with the Spirit News, you connect with the residents of Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Port Richmond, and Kensington.

HOME SERVICES

B&A

APPLIANCES

REPAIRS ALL MAKES ALL MODELS

WASHERS DRYERS STOVES REFRIGERATORS 24-Hour Emergency Service $10 Charge For Estimate No Charge With Repair

215-588-1671

PAY LESS

ROOFING

NEW RUBBER ROOFS MINOR ROOF REPAIRS ALUMINUM ROOF COATING

SHINGLES - GUTTERS - SPOUTS

215-743-8599 FREE ESTIMATES - CALL GERRY

HANDYMAN

PLUMBING - WINDOWS PAINTING - DOORS CARPENTRY - CEILINGS CEMENT - FLOORS

215-743-8599 BARRY FISHER

ELECTRICIAN OVER 27 YEARS EXPERIENCE

House wiring, 100 amp circuit breakers, ceiling fans & a/c lines.

LICENSED & INSURED - LIC #PA040852/16493

215-327-3817

FAIR HOUSING

YOU HAVE A NICE SET OF WHEELS BUT CAN’T FIND A PLACE TO PARK THEM.

Landlords must allow you to make reasonable accommodations to ensure full use of your apartment. Telling you that you can’t install grab bars and ramps is against the law. You can fight back.

If you suspect unfair housing practices, contact HUD or your local Fair Housing Center. Everyone deserves a fair chance.

FAIR HOUSING IS THE LAW!

610-604-4411 - FJCSP.COM

A D S @ S P I R I T NE W S . OR G

TH E FI N E P R I N T:

1 4 2 8 E . S U S QU E H A NNA AV E

We reserve the right to edit, refuse or classify any advertisement.

Advertising is a privilege which must be protected against misuse. All classified advertisements subject to pre-payment. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to check the advertisements each time it is published.

No responsibility is assumed by the newspaper for errors. Errors will be rectified by reinsertion in the following issue only.

215.423.6246 The deadline is Friday at 5pm for display ads, and Monday at 12pm for classifieds. All advertisements must be paid for in advance.

JOBS Drivers: Impressive Weekly Pay! Monthly Bonuses!

Medical/Dental/Vision!

Guaranteed Home Every Weekend!

Excellent Equipment w/APU’s 1yr CDL-A: 855-8428498

JUNK CARS Up to $1,100 cash for cars or trucks with bad engines or transmissions. $550 CASH for any complete junk car or truck with or without title. Call 215-669-1000

PARENTS

FOSTER PARENTS Good, Loving homes needed for children of all ages.

PLEASE CALL 215-203-8733 or 1-877-NFI4KID or visit nfi4kids.org

FOR RENT Port Richmond 2BR Townhouse Central air, hardwood floors, $975 + utilities. 1st floor 1BR apartment $775/month + utilities. Security check, application fee, NO PETS 215-425-3086 Efficiency 25xx Frankford Ave Fishtown first floor $600 + electric 215-634-7200 House for Rent in Fishtown 11xx Day St. 3 bedroom 1.5 bath great location $1700+utilities 215-634-7200

Room for rent 19xx Orleans St $375 215-634-7200 Fishtown 2 Bedroom, $1175 + Modern, newly renovated 215-634-7200 OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PORT AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 3460 N. DELAWARE AVE., PHILA., 19134 Minutes away from: I-95, Betsy Ross Bridge, Tacony Palmyra Bridge and Center City **Secured Building with Off-Street Parking** CALL: 215-423- 0458

New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) has been working to strengthen the neighborhoods of Kensington, Fishtown and Port Richmond for over 30 years. We are seeking two new team members.

CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATE NKCDC uses strategic real estate development as a catalyst for equitable community development. This year NKCDC completes Orinoka Civic House, a high-profile redevelopment of an abandoned textile mill in Kensington, Philadelphia, into 51 units of affordable housing with indoor community space and commercial space. Additionally, a new mixed income residential development dubbed "Awesometown" won Pennsylvania's first LEED V4 residential certification. In the role of Construction Associate, you will assist in the planning and execution of both new and rehab construction projects. Application deadline is May 31. For more information, please visit http://www.nkcdc.org/jobs/.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Our community-based work relies on a diverse and layered network of support to ensure its sustainability. The Development Director is part of NKCDC's leadership team and leads planning and successful execution of NKCDC's fundraising strategies consistent with the organization's annual and long range development goals. In this role you will be responsible for creating strategies to support the growth and diversification of revenue sources in line with NKCDC's mission, vision and goals. The Director also works to enhance NKCDC's image, and develop and implement strategies that effectively communicate NKCDC's efforts to key target audiences. Application deadline is May 31. For more information, please visit http://www.nkcdc.org/jobs/.

Page 15

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

WRITTEN BY STEVE BOHNEL

roundabout Ahead

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P O S S I B L E R O U N D A B O U T C O M I N G T O B U S Y R I V E RWA R D S I N T E R S E C T I O N

he intersection of Frankford and Trenton avenues and York Street is typically busy, as hundreds of cars merge daily into what Spirit News defines as the meeting point of Fishtown, Olde Richmond and East Kensington.

Now, the spot could be the site for the city’s second roundabout, a type of intersection typically seen in New Jersey and perhaps more commonly in the United Kingdom.

Richard Montanez, deputy commissioner for Transportation in the city’s Streets Department, said the department has spent $1 million toward a study into the feasibility of the roundabout. The only other roundabout in Philadelphia is in Northwest Philadelphia, east of Manayunk, he added.

Montanez said the area could prove sufficient for it because of the angles that cars enter off Frankford, Trenton and York, along with the size of the intersection itself.

During the past two to three years, the Streets Department has looked at about 20 possible intersections citywide to possibly feature a roundabout, he added. Some weren’t receptive, but members from the Olde Richmond Civic Association and East Kensington Neighbors Association were.

“We’ve gone to some communities and they said, ‘We don’t want any of those Jersey circles here,’” Montanez said. “But we didn’t get that here.”

Don Gould, president of the Olde Richmond Civic Association (ORCA), said East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA) has taken the lead in examining the possibility of a roundabout.

Nic Esposito, EKNA’s president, said some sort of intervention is needed at the intersection.

“Something needed to happen there, it’s just crazy,” he said. “I have a son and with a stroller it’s hard to just cross the street.”

Esposito said EKNA sent a letter of support for intervention at the intersection to the city’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. He understands the perks of a roundabout, including that it slows down traffic.

“I must have driven through a hundred roundabouts in France,” Esposito said about a recent vacation. “It definitely slows down traffic.”

Montanez said the proposal is still in the beginning stages and that much more community collaboration and discussion still needs to occur. Another one of those interested community members is Randy LoBasso, who serves as the communications manager of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

LoBasso lives near Letterly and Trenton streets and said he has seen several crashes at or near the intersection.

“The main issue should be slowing down traffic,” LoBasso said about the roundabout’s possible impact. “If you hit someone at 20 miles per hour, the likelihood of killing someone is much lower than at 40 miles per hour.”

According to a study done by the Department for Transport in London, the risk of a pedestrian dying because of a car collision drops from about 50 percent at 40 miles per hour to less than 5 percent at 20 mph.

LoBasso understands the process will take time, but is glad the city is considering the roundabout and wants the

project to be constructed efficiently if it proceeds. “The roundabout would have to be pretty big because it’s a pretty big intersection,” he said. “You don’t want to have the room for a car five cars back to cut ahead [in or near the roundabout] … but you can’t always trust a Philly driver.”

It’s difficult to determine when a ultimate decision would be made about the roundabout, Montanez said, but he wants engineers from the Streets Department to have a rough estimate on how a roundabout would impact utilities in the area, in terms of both cost and infrastructure. By September, he hopes to hold a community meeting with all interested stakeholders.

LoBasso thinks the long-term impact in safety makes the idea favorable. “From my point of view, living right there, I see it every day of my life… so I just think it’s a good idea,” LoBasso said. •

Here is a computer rendering of what a roundabout might look like at the intersection./Courtesy Randy LoBasso

WRITTEN BY CASEY ANN BECK

clean plate RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE

I

f you have a traditional, nine-to-five office job, the majority of your time is spent with coworkers. It’s one thing to have a cordial working relationship with your officemates, but if you consider them close friends you probably look forward to the daily grind and you might find your week seems to fly by.

My friends at work and I have a wonderful dynamic. When tasks pile up or it’s a particularly stressful time of year, we can rely on one another for help with a to-do list or, at the very least, a positive perspective on handling the stress. We love recapping the weekend come Monday, morning, brag — or vent — about our kids to each other and even spend time together outside of the 40-hour workweek when we can.

Like most offices, we welcome any opportunity to celebrate. Our dear friend Ro typically leads the festivities with her signature homemade poundcakes. Honestly, I’ve never looked forward to someone else’s birthday more than when I know Ro has made the person of honor a freshbaked pound cake.

Sadly, Ro is retiring in September. And while she’s irreplaceable for hundreds of reasons, it’s fairly obvious a woman who makes baked goods in her spare time for any office celebration is selfless, genuine and caring. We honored her with a party last week and, in her likeness, each made a poundcake. Though none of them were as delicious or loaded with as much TLC as Ro’s original recipe, it’s safe to say there are a few contenders for “resident baker” come fall.

Chocolate Pound Cake Adapted from Joy the Baker Cake ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ cup boiling hot water 1 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract 4 eggs, at room temperature 2 tablespoons milk, at room temperature Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Butter 9” x 5” inch loaf pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a piece of parchment paper.

In a small bowl mix the cocoa powder into the boiling water until the cocoa powder has dissolved and is smooth.

Let cool to room temperature. In a separate bowl, sift the flour and baking soda together with the baking powder and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment - or with a hand mixer - beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat, on medium high speed, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides and bottom of your bowl as needed. Beat in the cooled cocoa mixture. With the mixer

on low speed, add the flour mixture in two additions and then add the milk and mix only until just combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake just comes out clean.

Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 15-20 minutes. Run a spatula or knife around the inside of the pan and then remove the cake from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Chocolate Glaze 3 ounces dark chocolate chips 2 tablespoons butter, diced 1 tablespoon honey Melt all ingredients in double boiler. Remove from heat and let cool until mixture thickens to pouring consistency.

Pour the glaze over the top of the cooled cake, and allow the glaze drip down the sides. •

Page 16

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 24, 2017

PHOTOS BY ROMAN BLAZIC

derby day

P H O T O S F R O M T H E W I L D E S T S T R E E T F E S T I VA L O F T H E Y E A R

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his past Saturday, thousands of people from Kensington, Fishtown, Port Richmond and the surrounding neighborhoods gathered to watch the 2017 Kinetic Sculpture Derby and Arts Festival, which took place in parts of East Kensington and Fishtown.

Eighteen teams competed in the derby, which started at Trenton and Norris, continued through Fishtown to Girard Avenue, and then veered northeast up Frankford Avenue before turning left onto E Huntington and finishing near the starting point in a mudpit finish.

Several teams received various awards after the derby.

Here are just a couple: The People’s Award was given to the Galactic Whale, while Philadelphia Brewing Company was honored with the Judge’s Choice Award.

Perhaps most notable to Spirit News? Greg Labold, who won Best Costume as Baldspot Comics. Congrats, Greg!