The Spirit of the Riverwards - May 31, 2017 by The Spirit

HYPE RLO CAL

D ONE DI FFER ENTLY

FISHTOWN + KENSINGTON + NORTHERN LIBERTIES + PORT RICHMOND + BRIDESBURG

THIS

WEEK MAY 31, 2017 VOL. 14 NO. 21

BEER WEEK Tap into local fun at Philly Beer Week, 15

ADAB IBRAHIM Al-Aqsa’s community liaison bridges differences within. 11

DEVILFISH INK Design and printing business osts anniversary celebration. 15

SANTERIA Witchcraft as diverse as the community it serves. 6

BALDSPOT Spirit's own weekly games and comics. 8

n Monday, June 5th, President Trump will welcome 50 Gold Star families (families who have lost immediate relatives in military combat) to the White House to honor the memory of their loved ones and recognize the sacrifices they made for our country. Among the honored guests will be Charlie and Mary Ann Strange, whose son Michael was from the Riverwards. Michael J. Strange was born on June 6, 1986. He attended St. Bartholomew’s and graduated from North Catholic High School before head-

ing off to boot camp. After completing his studies at the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida, he was sent to the Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) in Hawaii, where he honed his skills as a cryptologist. Over the course of the next few years, Michael climbed the military ladder. Eventually he was assigned to the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, more commonly referred to as SEAL Continued on Page 5.

ACCU-REGGIE Seven day forecast for the Riverwards. 3

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Local events, meetings and more. 12-13

HOT OFF THE

PRESS

here’s a new pot of gold in Port Richmond, but it’s not a cauldron with coins. Run by a thrifty Irishman, this prize at the end of the rainbow is filled with secondhand products and other treasures. Kensington-native Robert McCormac has moved his thrift shop, The Thrifty Irishman, from its former location at Westmoreland and Cedar Streets to a larger warehouse at 2226 E. Butler St. A leather-tanning business previously occupied the Port Richmond warehouse. The family that owned the tannery was closing its business in the ware-

house around the same time that McCormac was looking for a different building for his thrift shop. The new location seemed like a natural fit to McCormac, or perhaps even a supernatural one. “This store is the most serendipitous thing that’s ever happened to me,” McCormac said. “[The family who owned Regal] were gracious enough to want to work with me, and we said, ‘We’re going to put our store here,’ and Continued on Page 4.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

THE

local lens

BY THOM NICKELS

hen I became a man, I put away childish things. Then one day a woman talked to me about a Wishing Machine — or, as I like to call it, a Mr. Spock machine. The Mr. Spock machine is a device that makes personal desires come true. The machine is a white box with nine black knobs. The wooden box is a perfect square, 10” by 10” with a copper and a plastic plate on the upper right and left hand corners. The plastic plate is also called a stick pad. The master crafter of the Wishing Machine is a man named Dr. Mulder in South Carolina. Dr. Mulder insists that the Wishing Machine works. You might call the Wishing Machine a fast-paced prayer box with dials, only the machine works to make your wish come true long after you’ve put it away. Some call the machine advanced magic or techno-shamanism. “It’s all about intention and keeping that intended wish constantly conscious to the universe by sending out the intended signal every second of every day for your desired wish,” Dr. Mulder states. “We have been told all our lives if we think about something long enough it will come true. Since us humans have a hard time focusing on one thought for long periods of time, this device will do that thinking and intending for us 24/7. We can sit back and wait for our wishes to occur.” If all this sounds contrary to the world of logic, it is, and that’s what makes it so much fun. When tourists go to Rome and visit the Trevi Fountain, they throw coins over their shoulders into the foaming fountain pools and make a wish. It’s the same thing when you find a heads-up penny on the ground. It’s supposed to be automatic good luck, unlike a tails-up penny, which we are supposed to avoid. Of course, there are a million other superstitions out there, from prohibitions against “cutting a tree” (walking around a tree on the sidewalk in order to pass a slow walker in front of you), which is supposed to be extremely bad luck, to the classic black cat scenario. The Wishing Machine is something else entirely. It’s about focusing on something you want — a car, a new house, money, a job promotion or even a new boyfriend or girlfriend — and then getting it. The Machine has no limits and no prohibitions unless, of course, your wish is preposterous like wanting to live forever. The machine has even

been known to influence political elections. Imagine 200 protesters with Wishing Machines! If competing political parties had Wishing Machines, I imagine there would be an Armageddon of sorts. When my friend Connie offered to send me a Wishing Machine for free, I could not refuse. How could I? She initially described it as a radionics device. “Radionics has been around since the late 1800s when American physician Dr. Albert Abraham first brought it to light,” she said. “Abraham’s invention was a machine that could diagnose and cure almost any disease. The machine could also work across great distances, or reach a patient in the next room.” The Wishing Machine transmits the power of intention (your wish) to the intended source through scalar waves. What are scalar waves? “They are a form of radio waves,” Connie told me, mentioning a guy named Ed Kelly, head of Kelly Research Technologies in Lakemont, GA, which also manufactures radionics devices, especially to farmers who claim that Kelly’s devices yield more crops. Well, I’m not a farmer, but like most people I have a few wishes I’d love to see fulfilled, so I told Connie to send the machine as soon as possible. When the UPS box arrived, I opened it with a great deal of anticipation, impressed at the quality of the machine’s woodwork and, yes, even the smell of the wood itself. I placed the Mr. Spock gadget on my kitchen table and read the instructions again. I was ready to make my first wish. To do that I had to write the wish down on paper along with my name and then tape it to the copper plate. The next step was to make sure that all the black dials were on 0 (they go from 0 to 100). After this you turn one dial at a time slowly while meditating on your wish and simultaneously rubbing a finger over the plastic patch. As you rub, you slowly turn the dial up from 0, but the moment your finger gets sticky on the plastic patch you stop turning the dial and leave it where it is. You remove your finger from the plastic patch and start over with the next dial and repeat the same process until you feel the sticky sensation. You complete this cycle for all nine dials, then put the machine by a window or on a bookshelf and forget about it. All you have to do now is wait until your wish comes true.

NOTICE OF

PUBLIC MEETING FOR I-95 AFC PennDOT invites citizens to a Public Open House Meeting for the I-95 improvements between Ann Street and Frankford Creek. The Open House will be held at Richmond Hall Caterers at 2619 East Indiana Avenue in Philadelphia on June 15, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Open House) and 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Presentation) Please note, on-street parking is available, and the building is ADA accessible. If you have a disability and will require assistance at the meeting, please contact Pamela Conti, PennDOT District 6-0, at (215) 209-1249

For further information please visit www.95revive.com

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

Connie, who is a longtime paranormal investigator, told me that the timeline for the fulfillment of your wish can be anywhere from seconds to one or 10 days and sometimes weeks. She told me that wishers from across the U.S., China, Germany and Switzerland claimed that their migraine headaches went away, divorces were finalized, job offers came out of the blue and they were able to buy the house they’d always wanted. These wishes happened in weeks, days and sometimes within the hour or seconds of setting the dials. Connie said that some machines have amplifiers, handheld wands, even helmets designed to maximize the strength of your wish. The cost of these machines can get pretty ridiculous; they go from $800 to $100,000 — sometimes even more. The Mr. Spock machine that was sent to me ordinarily sells for under $200. My first wish on the Mr. Spock concerned a friend who had gone home to Allentown and then seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. My wish was to get him to get in touch with me somehow. A week later the unexpected happened. I received a friend request on Facebook. It was my friend Zack, currently in Allentown, asking when he could come and visit. Coincidence? Perhaps. I put the machine away because it never pays to get greedy. Do you remember that Brothers Grimm tale, “The Fisherman and His Wife”? It’s about a husband’s quest to catch a golden flounder that was really an enchanted prince. The husband releases the fish and then the wife demands that he go back and ask the fish for a reward of a new house for saving its life. The fish grants the wife’s wish but she’s never satisfied. She keeps making bigger wishes until finally she demands that the fish make her an equal of God. The fish then takes away all of the wishes and returns the couple to their poverty. Greed never pays. My second wish concerned another long-lost acquaintance. Again I asked the Mr. Spock machine to bring this person into my personal orbit and once again the lost person reappeared, causing me to inquire of my lost friend what made them contact me after such a long time. “Well, I just got this nagging feeling that we should reconnect,” he said. My Mr. Spock machine is about a year old now and occasionally I have to dust the dials and the copper and plastic plates off. I keep it high up on the top of a bookshelf so friends don’t ask me what it is. I’ve used the machine more than twice, of course, and over time got used to strange things happening because of it. I’ve ignored it for months now because sometimes you just want life to take its normal course without “interferences” from Mr. Spock. But it’s nice to know that in a pinch — an emotional rescue situation — I can suspend the logical part of my brain, tap into the “what if” factor, take down Mr. Spock, make a wish and then watch it come true. What more can a man ask for? •

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 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

ast week’s temperatures were up and down as we bobbed back and forth between dry and wet weather. Thursday was a washout and then a mostly dry weekend turned wet and cloudy for Memorial Day. In spite of the cool temperatures, I trust you all had a very nice holiday! This week continues the smorgasbord of weather we have been experiencing. Some days will be sunny and warm; others will be cool and rainy. Overall, I think you will like this week, but be prepared for frequent bouts of rain. We are stuck in a very wet pattern that shows no sign of stopping even as we enter our first real summer month (June). Some of the shower chances are just that — chances — like on

Wednesday and Friday, but others are legitimate rainstorms that will impact everyone for more than 24 hours. The Sunday storm is an example of the latter. As we head into June, expect to see the 80s more frequently as the warmth across the South becomes stronger and more intrusive. Wednesday starts the week off on a warm note. We will welcome normal temperatures near 80 degrees. Later in the evening, we could see a shower as a cold front comes through. Thursday looks like it will be the best day of the week. Temperatures will be in the 70s and there will be plenty of sunshine without any threat of rain. Go out and enjoy it! Friday is warmer than Thursday, but with the warmth

comes instability and the chance for showers in the afternoon and especially the evening. Saturday will feature another run to near 80 degrees, but a slow-moving front will move south across the region during the day and arrive in Philly after 2PM. Rain along the front will impact the area Saturday night, and then a storm system will ride along the front to bring us some rain on Sunday. The showers from Sunday’s storm last into Monday as the storm takes its time moving away. We will dry things out for Tuesday but remain on the cooler side as temperatures stay in the 70s. 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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SOCIAL MEDIA

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SPIRIT ASTROLOGY

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BALD SPOT COMICS

LITTLE FISH COMICS

BOB STEWART

PTAH GABRIE

CONTRIBUTOR

ANDREW MARK CORKERY

JACK GRAUER

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MEGAN MATUZAK

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JORDYN CORDNER

EDITORIAL INTERN

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No reproduction or use of the material herein may be made without permission. The Spirit of the Riverwards Newspaper will assume no obligation (other than cancellation of charges for the actual space occupied) for accidental errors in advertisements, but will be glad to furnish a signed letter to the buying public.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

Continued from Page 1. people [said], ‘You’re crazy.’” The warehouse is 60,000 square feet, essentially tripling the size of the store. The new location is a mile away from the original location and a mile and a half away from Village Thrift, a once popular community thrift store that has permanently closed its doors. McCormac thinks his new location won’t stop customers from coming by. “We’re still part of the community in this location,” McCormac said. “It’’s not a world away.” The old Thrifty Irishman building was white and featured a green Leprechaun logo. The new location is neither green nor orange, but a deep blue. McCormac settled on this hue after changing his logo’s color for a clothing drive with La Salle University. McCormac was not just sold on blue itself, but also the emotions he believes the color conveys. “From that day, I changed everything I had to blue. It’s incredible. It looks better,” McCormac said. “The [warehouse] is all blue so that it’s welcoming, comfortable.” Inside, the thrift shop is filled with racks of adult and children’s clothing that seemingly go on forever. The Thrifty Irishman still has the same pricing for its products: $5 a piece, five pieces for $20. McCormac collects the clothes he sells by setting up bins at fundraisers, weighing the collection, and writing the organization a check based on how much clothing he collects. One can get lost looking through the aisles and aisles of clothing at the Thrift Irishman, and staring upward to the building’s ceiling can yield a similar effect. The ceiling is in the process of being painted sky blue. McCormac plans to paint clouds into the “sky” with “inspirational” quotes. Whether the quotes come from Dale Carnegie or a friend of McCormac’s who helped fund the original shop, McCormac knows that he wants the quotes to be “positive” and consistent with the karma-driven approach to how he does business. “People come into my shop if they need something or if they are in need. Every single person that works with me

knows that we don’t turn anybody away [if they can’t afford something],” McCormac said. “I can always make money. You don’t always have the chance to help somebody. I just feel like because we have that philosophy, that contributes to what good happens to us.” Part of the “good” that came to McCormac was finding what was above the thrift shop’s ceiling, on a separate level of the warehouse. Through the various rooms and doors is a steep staircase that leads to a massive, open space. McCormac claims the space has been left unused, but he’s changing that. He recently allowed Sorority Noise, a punk band with local ties, to shoot a music video in the space, and doesn’t plan on stopping there. Whether it’s video shoots, art shows, nude photography, or beer festivals, McCormac wants to offer the space to anyone who needs it. “I do want to convert it into an event

space, but Robert J. McCormac is not going to be the person that runs it,” McCormac said, referring to himself. “I’m C going to help somebody turn this space into something spectacular.” Now that the Thrifty Irishman is bigger, McCormac wants to set up permanent bins at schools and continue holding clothing drives with organizations. No matter where the location, the “Bloomingdale’s of thrift” will continue to willingly give to the Riverwards. “[We’re excited to] still be part of the community and still be able help somebody out,” McCormac said. The Thrifty Irishman is open 10AM-6PM every day and closed most holidays. For more information, call 215-MARCH17 (627-2417). •

Robert McCormac stands in the large open space inside of his new warehouse./Shealyn Kilroy

FOX CHASE CANCER CENTER NOW AT TUH – NORTHEASTERN CAMPUS Two of the region’s most trusted healthcare providers have come together at the Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University HospitalNortheastern Campus. At TUH-Northeastern campus, medical oncologist Dr. Emmanuel Quien works with a team of specialists from both hospitals to provide the high-quality, compassionate care that patients with cancer need and expect – right here in the community.

2301 E. Allegheny Avenue | 215-926-3880

Emmanuel Quien, MD Hematologist/Oncologist

Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System (TUHS) and by the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. TUHS neither provides nor controls the provision of health care. All health care is provided by its member organizations or independent health care providers affiliated with TUHS member organizations. Each TUHS member organization is owned and operated pursuant to its governing documents.

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

Charlie and Mary Ann Strange pose with their photos bymedals./Thomas Thomas Beck son’s service /All awards and Beck

Continued from Page 1. Team Six. In the early hours of May 2, 2011, SEAL Team Six shot and killed Osama bin Laden, the founder and leader of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Michael came home several weeks later to spend time with his family. “Michael was completely different when he came home,” Charlie said. According to Charlie, on Michael’s 25th birthday, while sitting with his father, Michael mentioned wanting to put together his will. Then he grabbed his father by the bicep and said: “Dad, you would not believe what’s going on in [America].” Charlie says he pressed his son for details, but Michael did not elaborate, nor did he ever talk about what had happened overseas. He left for Afghanistan several days before the end of his leave. Two months later, on the night of August 5, 2011, a group of 47 Army Rangers traveled to Wardak Province, Afghanistan to capture or kill Qari Tahir, a senior leader of the Islamic fundamentalist group known as the Taliban. The Rangers engaged in battle with the Taliban forces in the area. The fighting spilled into the early hours of the morning, at which point a quick reaction force (QRF) was sent in to provide backup for the Rangers. The QRF approached the battle in a Chinook military aircraft known as Extortion 17. 38 people, including Michael Strange, and one military dog were on the aircraft. At approximately 2:40AM, a group of Taliban fighters began firing rocket-propelled grenades at the Chinook. The aircraft went into a spin and crashed, killing the 30 Americans, the eight Afghans and the one military dog on board. The shootdown of Extortion 17 is the single-largest loss of American life in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Many have come to regard the shootdown of Extortion 17 simply as an unavoidable tragedy of war. Charlie and Mary Ann Strange have not. Michael’s mysterious, troubling remarks several months before his death — as well as a number of other pieces of compelling evidence and apparent glitches in the presented narrative — have led the Stranges to believe that the story might be a little more complex than most people think. In October 2011, the families of those who died in the shootdown of Extortion 17 were invited to a naval base in Virginia. According to Charlie, Brigadier General Jeffrey Colt presented the families the results of the military’s investigation of the incident. Each family was given a folder containing a full summary of the investigation and a CD. When Charlie and Mary Ann returned home, they examined the contents of the folder. They discovered that the printed text in the summary was so faded that it was unreadable. The Stranges tried to procure another copy of the document, but to no avail. The CD proved to be a little more useful. It held a 1,364page report, complete with more than 60 interviews with commanders and soldiers. Mary Ann uploaded the file to her computer and printed it out for her and her husband to read. Not long after, an aggressive virus attacked her computer, causing it to crash. According to Charlie’s friend, whom they asked to examine the computer, the CD was filled with spyware, which is what prompted the activation of the virus. This ultimately led the Stranges (and their lawyer, Larry Klayman) to file a lawsuit against the United States government for collecting phone and Internet metadata from millions of Verizon customers. The Stranges, along with a few other parents of Extortion 17 victims, began to thoroughly examine the report. Based on the content of the document, Charlie thinks the shootdown could have been prevented. If not for the military’s rules of engagement, the Army Rangers probably could have stopped the Taliban fighters from firing rocket-propelled grenades at the Chinook. Presumably the Rangers were told not to intervene because of the possible presence of innocent civilians in the area.

Page 5

But why was the QRF deployed to Wardak Province, a historically dangerous area, in a Chinook when Chinooks are not equipped to combat rocket-propelled-grenade attacks? Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Garry Reid later said that other, similar aircrafts are not designed for higher elevation and would not have been able to fly over the mountainous region of Wardak Province. Some have speculated that the eight Afghans aboard Extortion 17 (seven Commandos and one interpreter) were somehow involved in an elaborate setup of the QRF. Such claims were supported by the fact that the names of the Afghans who died in the shootdown did not match the names of the Afghans on the aircraft’s passenger list. Reid said that there were two groups of Afghans involved in the mission — one with the Army Rangers, the other with the QRF. He attributed the discrepancy to simple human error. “There was a mistake made after the crash in retrieving the list of Afghans that were aboard,” Reid said. “The list that was provided was for the other squad that was with the Rangers. This created confusion and led to some speculation that there was a switching out of the actual forces. That was not the case.” According to the 1,364-page report, a U.S. commander claimed that the Chinook’s black box — a crucial piece of evidence that might have been able to shed more light on the shootdown — was swept away in a flash flood after Extortion 17 crashed. Reid assured the families of Extortion 17 victims that Chinooks do not have black boxes, only “analog gauges.” Why, then, would the commander claim that the black box was swept away? Perhaps he was simply confused. In December 2011, Charlie requested Michael’s autopsy report, which the Navy sent to him on a disc. After the shootdown of Extortion 17, a Casualty Assistance Calls

Officer (CACO) informed the Stranges that everyone in the Chinook had been burned beyond recognition when the aircraft crashed. Thus, Charlie expected the autopsy report to be filled with gruesome, grisly pictures of his son. Not so. According the Charlie, Michael’s body was completely intact (except for his badly bent right ankle). According to a Department of Defense official, this was merely a result of conjecture being misconstrued as fact. “I think there was speculation by some people that the bodies would be in really bad shape,” the official said. “Now, whoever said something [about the bodies] did not have authority to say that.” At present, it is unclear what exactly happened in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on August 5 - 6, 2011. The Stranges are convinced that someone in the Obama administration is responsible for the shootdown of Extortion 17. They are determined to uncover the truth, and they will not rest until the guilty party receives his or her comeuppance. “Who is going to be held responsible?” Charlie said at a press conference in Washington, D.C. in May 2013. “Someone has to be held responsible. It says in the paperwork that it goes all the way up to the top. It mentions [David] Petraeus. It mentions Leon Panetta. All the way to the top.” Amidst their grieving and their investigations of the shootdown, the Stranges have been able to turn this entire ordeal into something truly good. In 2012, Charlie and Mary Ann established the Michael J. Strange Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides comfort and support to other Gold Star families. “We [started this foundation] because there was such a great need for it,” Charlie said. “Our sons, they went to war. [Michael] gave it all, and I’m going to give it all to reach out to these other parents, these other brothers and sisters. We got to start something here and do some healing for ourselves.” As a result of their tireless efforts, the Stranges have attracted the attention of President Trump, with whom they will be meeting in less than one week. “We’re very excited and honored to meet the President and the First Lady,” Charlie said. “People wait all their lives to meet the President and go inside the White House. I never met anybody who was invited.” While there, Charlie plans to discuss further investigations into the shootdown of Extortion 17 and the possibility of altering the military’s rules of engagement to better protect our troops. To learn more about the Michael J. Strange Foundation, visit www.michaelstrangefoundation.org. •

A mural depicting Michael J. Strange adorns a wall in Port Richmond./Thomas Beck

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

WRITTEN BY SEAN BARRETT

Santeria

WITCHCRAFT AS DIVERSE AS THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES

n earlier social structures, priests would do most of their work outdoors and among their community, acting as therapist, doctor and agony aunt. Now, after so much of the world has modernized and secularized, there remain people dedicated to serving the community’s spirit, bearing the torch of traditions older than their written histories. One such community where these humble servants can be found is Kensington, in which people keep themselves in check with the help of Santeria priests. With a young brujo (witch) named Justin, Spirit News visited two botanicas near 5th and Lehigh to find out just what it is these priests do. It’s worth noting here that there is a common belief in magical thought that knowledge of a person’s full name grants one power over them, and, as such, we’ll only be using first names in this article. Our first stop was at La Botanica on 2726 N. 5th Street, stocked with a cornucopia of oils, beads, herbs, powders, lotions, oils, candles and idols. Mary, the calm, self-assured woman behind their counter, was getting ready to close, but took the time to answer our questions all the same. As to what it is exactly she does, she had the following to say: “I give a lot of advice. I get a lot of people who have a lot of issues going on and problems. Basically I just hear them out, give them good advice, tell them what they need to get, and 99 percent of the time, things work out. They always tell me, ‘You’re like a mother that gives good advice to their children,’ and that’s how I try to do it with everyone. Everyone that comes in here, I try to embrace them with that motherly love and try to help them as best as I can.” She went on to recount how Santeria came to be. During the African slave trade, those captured and transported from West Africa were forced into Catholicism upon arrival. In order to hold on to what was so near and dear to their hearts while appearing to appease their oppressors, they syncretized and conflated their Orishas (spirits who represent manifestations of the “Supreme Divinity”) with Catholic saints. This allowed them to mask their worship in Catholicism’s borderline-pagan reverence towards a pantheon of ascended humans. As we bicycled over to the next botanica, Justin explained these heady concepts with more postmodern sensibilities by finding analogues connecting some of these Orishas to more well-known deities such as Loki, Pan and Ganesh. Next on our route was Las Tierras De Orunmilla — or the Land of Orunmila, Orisha of wisdom, knowledge, and divination — at 2700 N. Reese St. where we met with Hector, an avuncular babalu (priest) who takes his role in a matter-of-fact sort of stride. He tells us, “We do readings, and the readings basically tell [people] how things can turn out in life and what they can do to better those things. We do different spiritual rituals that will help better people’s life, people’s conditions, and we do a lot with herbs to help out with medical issues. We never tell anyone not to see a doctor, but these are things that will help their health a little better. This is open to the community; they can always come with any issues and any concerns that they have and they’re always welcome to our help.” When he talks about the community, he’s not just referring to the Hispanic community. “This is a diverse community, and this is a diverse religion. There are Africans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Italians, people from Europe. This religion has grown a lot.” When Justin mentioned how his white partner seems to be linked to the Orisha called Ogum, Hector casually stated, “White people have them too. There’s always an Orisha for every person. The race does not matter.”

One thing that came up in both chats at both botanicas is the atavistic fear that still surrounds people’s perceptions of Santeria. As Hector put it, “There’s a lot of prejudice against us, because not everyone knows what this is really about. They have to be more in-tune to understand what we’re doing; they have to read about us, look into it. Don’t just go by and say, ‘Oh, they’re worshipping the devil.’ We do not worship the devil. Everything we do, first and foremost, is with the permission of God, and I do believe in God.” Like Spiderman before them, these Santeros accept their gifts and powers with a friendly humility, and understand

their responsibility to use them in service to others. Towards the end of our conversation with Mary, she pointed out, “It’s a gift. Some people take it for the good, some people take it for the bad, but it’s just a beautiful gift that you’re supposed to use to help people, help them.” Hector would go on to echo this point by saying, “Some people say we’re witch doctors, but we just try to help the best way we can. In my community, I try to be involved in everything, not just religion-wise, but anything that will help the community, whether it be the town watch or helping the elderly, or whatever it is that needs to be done. We’re just regular citizens, actually.” • La Botanica on 2726 N. 5th Street/Patrick Clark

Las Tierras De Orunmilla at 2700 N. Reese St./Patrick Clark

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

WRITTEN BY MAX WEINSTEIN

memphis academy

A S M E M P H I S S T R E E T A C A D E M Y T H R O W S E N D - O F - Y E A R B A S H , T H R E AT O F C L O S U R E L O O M S

usic boomed out of speakers, as clutches of the Memphis Street Academy (MSA) parents and children who came to take part in its third annual carnival milled around the juice and snack stand, took raffle tickets and participated in the sack race. “It’s really just a culminating event for the school year. We had a great year,” Principal and CEO Antoinette Powell said. In addition to celebratory activities, local employers on a talent search set up stand, and the school sponsored a book giveaway. Despite the festivities, stress lines are showing at the MSA, where 76 percent of students are defined as economically disadvantaged by the Philadelphia Charter School Office. That statistic comes from the Office’s Renewal Recommendation Report, the same report that recommended the MSA for non-renewal of its charter. The report cited a litany of issues, most seriously a lack of academic progress in math and science, as measured by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), a state exam given to every student in grades three to eight. Low staff retention, non-compliance with the Sunshine Act, and food safety issues were also noted, amongst other concerns. Members of the MSA community that Spirit News spoke to, including parents and teachers at the carnival, defended their school, arguing that robust, but hard to quantify, improvements in school climate had been made, and that, even in the actual numbers, growth was evident. 37 percent of students attend class 95 percent of the time, for example. In 2013, only 19 percent of students had attended class 95 percent of the time. The daily average attendance rate is 91 percent, up in 2013 from 84 percent. Using the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS), which measures how students with the same scores track relative to each other over time, MSA students are performing well, meaning that their scores have progressed more than other students who started off scoring similarly. Perhaps just as importantly, student conduct is much better now, according to Melissa Reese, a communications specialist at Sylvia Marketing and Public Relations, which is representing the school. “They used to have cops stationed during recess. Kids would just run wild,” she said. The improvements were not bolts of luck – American Paradigm Schools, the parent company of the MSA, knew when they took over the school as part of a city initiative to help troubled schools that transforming the middle school would take work. Cameras have been installed to defuse student conflict before it becomes violent. An attendance program was

launched so that parents know when their child was cutting class. Guidance counselors were brought in and a social worker was retained to provide extra-academic support to families. A behavior rating system was launched, which rates student conduct. “The kids like being here, they like the rating system,” Bridget Cole, a sixth grade math and science teacher who has been working at the MSA for three years, said. “It’s such a positive transformation,” she added, since her first year at the MSA. “If they changed this school back to the school it used to be, that’s going to be a big problem for my child,” Regina Ruffin, a parent at the carnival, said, citing bullying concerns. “They have very good activities for my child, they tutor my child, there’s a lot of things he can achieve at this school,” she added. The School Reform Commission (SRC) meets on June 15th, where they may vote on the Charter School Office’s recommendations.

HANGIN’ WITH REV. ED Rev. Ed found former WMMR and WYSP DJ Randy Kotz in the neighborhood.

“That could possibly determine the fate of Memphis,” Principal Powell said. If the SRC votes for non-renewal, Memphis will be scrutinized again, before a second, final vote, in a process that can take up to a year, according to Principal Powell. The school will revert to its previous life as John Paul Jones Middle School if both votes come down against the MSA. “I’m not worried that the school will not be here next year. I’m just concerned about what that will look like,” Principal Powell said. In the meantime, the school is stepping up its efforts to rise up to meet the city’s expectations. An early literacy initiative at the MSA’s feeder schools will be offered, the CEO and Principal position will be separated, and teachers will receive more training. Powell said that, since she received the Charter School Office’s notice, “it created a sense of urgency around the changes we need to make.” “We’ve been fighting,” she added. •

Memphis Street Academy held its end of year carvinval on May 24./Max Weinstein

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

WRITTEN BY SPIRIT STAFF

Tennis Tour

PHILADELPHIA FREEDOMS POP-UP TENNIS TOUR HOLDS CLINIC WITH BRIDESBURG BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

n May 25th, the Philadelphia Freedoms PopUp Tennis Tour presented by UnitedHealthcare, in partnership with the Down the Line and Beyond Foundation, held its first clinic of the summer for 75 children at the Boys and Girls Club of Bridesburg. The children were introduced to tennis for the first time, where they were explained a brief history of World TeamTennis and the benefits they can achieve from the sport. The children then got a chance to play some tennis with the coaches from Down the Line, as well as meet and take some pictures with the Philadelphia Freedoms’ mascot, Nettie King. You can catch the Freedoms at the Hagan Arena at Saint Joseph’s University this summer. The Freedoms play July 17 - 29. Fans can watch major stars like Andy Roddick, Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams play. For more information on the Philadelphia Freedoms, visit www.philadelphiafreedoms.com, and for more information on the Down the Line and Beyond Foundation, visit www. downthelineandbeyond.org. •

/Courtesy Down The Line and Beyond Foundation

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

WRITTEN BY STEVE BOHNEL

officer of the year 2 4 T H D I S T R I C T O F F I C E R S AWA R D E D I N A N N U A L B A N Q U E T

he 24th Police District Advisory Council honored its district’s best officers and community members during the past calendar year in a banquet at Romano’s Catering in Juniata Park Wednesday

evening. Officers were honored for heroic acts ranging from intervening in burglaries and attempted robberies, and community leaders were recognized for their ongoing work with civic-related organizations. Shannon Farrell, president of the Harrowgate Civic Association, told Spirit News how police officers are picked each year. First, the officers are nominated by their superiors. Then, the PDAC picks a couple from each platoon. “When they do it, they don’t give us the officers’ names,” Farrell, who also became the President of the 24th PDAC Wednesday. “That way, we don’t end up picking an officer two years in a row on purpose … but then if they do deserve it, we do pick them.” One of those officers was Rafael Ramos, who said he was honored to be recognized by his superior officers. Ramos said open discussion with the community always poses challenges, but added solving those requires cooperation from both sides. “We can’t read minds. We don’t know what other people are thinking, so we have to work together, in order to smooth out relationships,” he told Spirit News. “I guess there’s no lines of communication. People don’t approach us, we don’t approach them,” Ramos added about why community issues with police may occur. “But things like this help, a night like this.” Several politicians were in attendance during the banquet, and offered remarks. One of them was Councilman Mark Squilla, who represents the City’s 1st district. “During these times where it’s not always popular to be a police officer … we as a community need to work with them to keep open lines of communication,” he said in a speech. “Because without them, nothing gets done.” Along with police, the PDAC also awarded four community members the Walter Wesolowski Community Service Award, which recognizes those who are active in Juniata Park and the surrounding neighborhoods, whether it be through civic associations, volunteering or other related work. One of those honored was Kate Clarke, a lifelong Juanita Park resident. She is currently president of the Juniata Park Civic Association, along with being involved in numerous other boards and organizations. “Even if I weren’t recognized for it, I would still be doing community service no matter what,” she told Spirit News. “I firmly believe that’s what I need to do … I’m fortunate to have a lot of nice things and a good life, and I think that I need to give back.” Clarke added community and police collaboration is vital, and that Juanita Park is a changing community, especially in terms of cultural diversity compared to 40-45 years ago. She said language barriers and cultural differences can create some of those problems, but that being understanding and working through those is imperative. “Some of the cultures like their music and they like playing it late,” Clarke said. “So it’s a double-edged sword on that. And it’s just people respecting each other … and you just have to respect what one culture does with what they do with their kids and what you would do with your kids.” 2016 Officers of the Year: Daniel Sweeney, William Thrasher, Anderson Jimenez, Anthony Agudo, Rafael Ramos, Patrick Clark, Michael Mitchell, and Sean Foley. Walt Wesolowski Community Service Awards: Kate Clarke, Awilda Ocasio, Anne Pace Paul, and Elvis Rosado. •

The 24th Police District Advisory Council honored its district’s best officers and community members at its annual banquet./All photos by Steve Bohnel

Homeownership is important. We’re here to help homebuyers navigate the mortgage process and make buying a home affordable, even if you have little money for a downpayment, little or “less-than-perfect” credit history or have had a recent job change. And, for a limited time, M&T is providing loan subsidies to homebuyers that can exceed $10,000 in downpayment, closing cost and interest rate assistance in certain areas. As a good neighbor and integral part of the communities we serve, it’s important that M&T makes homebuying easy and affordable for you. Find out how by calling 1-888-253-0993 or visiting mtb.com/mortgage.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

WRITTEN BY MAX WEINSTEIN

Michael Flanagan F I S H T O W N L O C A L G O E S F R O M N E A R - F E L O N T O VA L E D I C T O R I A N

ichael Flanagan had worked a string of low-paying jobs, hamstrung by the fact that he never graduated high school. He was taking care of a newborn daughter. And he was selling and recreationally using marijuana. Then, in February 2016, a neighbor called the police on him, sending Flanagan, a Fishtown resident who was not yet 25, towards a potential felony conviction. His case was referred to Judge Marsha Neifield, who gave him a choice: Flanagan could proceed to trial, or go to a diversionary program for first-time nonviolent drug felony convictions, called The Choice is Yours (TCY). “They’re selling for economic reasons. They come into the program with legitimate jobs and they’re trying to make ends meet,” said Kristen Rantanen, a communications expert at TCY’s parent organization, JEVS Human Services. “It was fast money,” Flanagan agreed. TCY participants are assigned a case manager who works with their individual needs. They run the spectrum from social issues like housing and family care, to job readiness challenges. In Flanagan’s case, it was finishing high school. “I want to show my daughter you have to have your education,” he said. “When I met Mike he was already incredibly focused on his future,” Marta Buechler, Flanagan’s case manager, said. He “always had a vision of what was the most important thing, and that was his daughter, Brielle.” She connected him to the Penn Foster Program, an online high school completion program with instructors available 24 hours a day. Students spend at least 15 hours at TCY’s physical location during the week. Alberta Lloyd is the Penn Foster Coordinator for TCY. She had only praise for Flanagan’s conduct.

“He never said to me, ‘I hope I get a better grade.’ He just said, ‘I will get a better grade.” Flanagan’s road wasn’t easy. In addition to needing to graduate high school, he had to complete 220 hours of community service to graduate TCY, on top of which he was holding down a job and taking care of his family. “At first I didn’t know if I was going to keep up with it,” he said. “I stayed up all night, kept up with the tests. If I had a bad grade the first time, I made sure I had a better grade the next time.” He also credits his success to coffee, energy drinks, and Buechler, his case manager, who “is like my mom for the program.” Flanagan ended up graduating in three months, with a 3.8 GPA, and as valedictorian. He has less than a month now before he graduates from the larger TCY program, on June 19th. He’s dropped his old friends, who he says smoked a lot, and spends more time with his cousin and family now. Next, he wants to pursue an apprenticeship at the Local 19 Sheet Metal Union, working on roofing and metal work in kitchens and schools, while slowly moving up the ranks to journeyman and then master. “In the future I plan to own my own roofing business and send my daughter to the best school money can buy,” Flanagan said. His arrest record will be completely expunged if he stays out of crime for the year after graduation. “It’s gone, it never happened,” he said. Having an arrest record impacts your ability to access credit, education and a good job. “They really are a barrier to economic independence,” said Rantanen, the communications expert. On top of which, had Flanagan not joined TCY, he would

have gone to prison. “What a shame it would have been for a young man, for any young man, to spend a year or two in jail. What a shame, what a waste,” said Rantanen. The cost of the 13-month course costs the city $5,000, compared to the $42,000 cost of incarceration. Additionally, the one-year recidivism rate for TCY graduates is 11.7 percent, compared to 40 percent for those with a similar criminal profile who did not join the program. Of course, the success of the program comes down to the participants as individuals, not statistics. “We were joking about when Mike would sleep. And he didn’t,” Buechler said. “He has this all on his own.” •

Michael Flanagan at his graduation ceremony./Photos courtesy JEVS Human Services

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!

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

WRITTEN BY JACQUELINE M. MAHON

Adab Ibrahim

M E E T T H E C O M M U N I T Y L I A I S O N O F P H I L A D E L P H I A’ S A L - A Q S A I S L A M I C S O C I E T Y

dab Ibrahim, Community Liaison for Philadelphia’s Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, was already seated at ReAnimator Coffee in Kensington when I arrived. With three children (all at Temple University), a busy schedule, and a stress-fracture boot on one leg, Adab was gracious to offer me some time. We leaned over our steaming cups and beamed at each other. Perhaps she was happy to sit down and relax. I was vibrating with eagerness to learn, because hers is a culture about which I know little. We start by agreeing that misunderstanding is rampant. “It is the easy route, not to investigate,” Adab remarks. With a sociology degree from Temple University and a Master’s degree in Psychology, she is likely to be more understanding than most. As a feminist, I am especially curious about the hijab, which she is wearing, and the burqa. “Modesty is for Islamic women and men,” Adab explains. “The hijab, or headscarf, is one form it may take. It’s a choice, not a form of suppression, and it’s about identifying as a Muslim.” She shifts her clunky orthopedic boot under the table. The cappuccino machine whirs. “As for the burqa, it is not in the Quran. The burqa is a stricter interpretation of hijab. It’s a cultural thing and depends on the country.” While “hijab” is an Arab word meaning cover or barrier, in Islam it more broadly expresses the principle of decorum and humility and includes both dress and behavior. Muslim women and men who wear hijab express a variety of reasons, which may be religious, cultural, political, or personal — and are usually some combination thereof. Adab is a Muslim American born and raised in Philadelphia. Her name (pronounced to rhyme with “lab”) is a Muslim term meaning etiquette and respect. She is the oldest of six, with one sister and four brothers. Her father, Mahmud Ibrahim, came to the U.S. from Palestine in the 1950s and worked in a factory; he also sold housewares from his car. His earnings supported his parents and siblings still in Palestine, and eventually he helped everyone, including his new wife and her family, move to the U.S. — specifically the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Overall, approximately 200,000 Muslims call Philadelphia home, and about 85 percent are African American. Muslim Americans have been contributing to our city for over a century, starting with Lebanese merchants who set up shop in South Philadelphia. As the Palestinian-American community in Kensington grew, the need for a large place of worship and community center kept pace. Mahmud was a cofounder in 1989 of the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society, housed in the former Dublin Company furniture warehouse. At that time the area was full of crime and blight. The Society spread faith and good works, which include a mosque, grocery store (Al-Amana), accredited school (Al-Aqsa Academy, kindergarten through 11th grade), and playground. The center also offers a youth club and lectures and classes for adults. “Different cultures, like Egyptian and Moroccan, have joined the neighborhood because people want to be near the mosque,” Adab says. The building exterior glows with the brilliant colors of Islamic art thanks to a collaboration with ArtWell, a Philadelphia non-profit organization that supports young people through art education, and Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program. “ArtWell came to us about a pilot program to bring people of different faiths together through art,” Adab said. With the success of an initial quilt project, ArtWell and Al-Aqsa conceived an ambitious second project to include churches, synagogues, local artists, school children, and neighbors in tile making and mural painting. Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program provided funds and support. The combined effort produced “Doorways To Peace,” “Windows To Peace,” and other elaborate decorations on the white mosque walls facing the world. As the neighborhood bloomed with new residents, and the warehouse transformed into a jewel, crime and blight faded. “We also started an annual interfaith dialogue event — a “peace walk-and-talk,” Adab says. “We pick a Philadelphia neighborhood and work with them over 1–2 years to establish relations. In 2016, after 12 years of walks, we changed the event into a sit-down, face-to-face dinner to encourage dialogue even more. This year’s dinner was in

West Oak Lane in April.” One topic that could benefit from dialogue is Sharia: Islamic Divine Law prescribing religious and secular duties. Certainly it is taken to extremes in certain global hotspots. “There are many different adaptations of Sharia,” Adab said. One might equate these differences with those between Catholics who do and do not interpret the bible to decree that women are subservient and inferior to men, or between white Southern Baptists who do and do not support racism. “The key is, we abide by the laws of the country we live in,” Adab said. “Also, penal justice is only one small part of Sharia.” Newsworthy items tend to be dramatic and shocking to grab audiences. Meanwhile the complex, everyday depths go unexamined. “A very small number of countries operate under Sharia, because everyone must agree,” Adab adds. As with all religions, modernists and traditionalists plus innumerable interpretations of Holy Writ compose a living, evolving entity. Misunderstanding and lack of knowledge contribute significantly to the recent anti-Muslim rhetoric. Words have consequences: crimes against Muslims increased by 78

percent in 2015 and by an additional 44 percent in 2016. Adab describes a huge outpouring of support from the Philadelphia community. “People have been calling, offering help, asking about events,” she says. Collective Action, “a silent art auction for social justice under Trump,” raised $25,000 dollars with art donated by 100 area artists and gave a portion to Al-Aqsa as well as the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and 10 other organizations. I mention participating in the protest against Trump’s immigration ban at Philadelphia International Airport. “I was there,” Adab said, “and people were hugging me, saying, ‘Welcome,’ and taking selfies with me. It was surreal.” I see how this could be strange and annoying while also being funny and sweet. Enthusiasm is sometimes misplaced, but the heart is good. We could talk for hours, but commitments press. As we leave the café, Adab calls a greeting to a bicyclist. “I know her from my gym,” she says. This remark leads to a comparison of exercise routines. We squint in the sun. Then we make our good-byes and head off in different directions. •

Philadelphia’s Al-Aqsa Islamic Society in Kensington./All photos by Jacqueline M. Mahon

Adab Ibrahim, Community Liaison and lifelong Philadelphia resident.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 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 AND 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.

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

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.

Saturday, June 3, 8AM APPLEBEE'S FLAPJACK FUNDRAISER Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser sponsored by CDA Court St Francis de Sales #2617 Saturday June 3rd, 8-10 AM, 253537 Castor Ave. Bring canned goods for free Raffle ticket. $8 adults $4 children 6-12.

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.

Saturday, June 3rd, 6-9PM I GRIT MY TEETH BEFORE IT BEGAN @ LITTLE BERLIN Interested in the artist studio as a place of investigation and play, "I grit my teeth before it began" examines the artist inquiring in material and world making. 6 artist create moments in forms of works on paper, video and sculpture around the ideas of intimacy, sex, fetishism, devastation, medical procedures, and joy. Artist: Loren Erdrich, Shona McAndrews, Susannah Dotson, Rebecca Ott, Grace Kubilius and Caitlin Cocco. Curated by Eric Anthony Berdis in Little Berlin's Gallery.

Tuesday, June 6, 6PM ZNA ZONING MEETING This meeting will take place at the Fishtown Rec Center, 1202 E Montgomery Ave. All residents and business owners in Fishtown are eligible to vote. Please bring proof of residence or business ownership in the form of a driver’s license or a photo id and a lease, utility bill, or recent piece of mail addressed to your home or business. 2521 E Dauphin St: Proposal for new 4 story single family home with roof deck 1217 E Columbia Ave: Proposal for a new 50’ tall structure with 6 dwelling units, 4 off street parking spaces, and roof deck. Wednesday June 7, 7PM PROPAC MEETING AGENDA AT THE COLUMBIA SOCIAL CLUB 3529 ALMOND ST. Zoning Issues: -2866 Aramingo Avenue Tuesday June 13th 9:30 A.M. -3630 E. Thompson Street Tuesday July 11th 9:30 A.M. -2609 E. Cambria Street Wednesday August 2nd 9:30 A.M. -2500 E. Tioga Street 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.

Saturday, June 3rd, 4-6PM RECREATE FEATURED ARTIST OF JUNE: RYNE FULLER Reception Saturday, June 3rd, 4-6pm, exhibit in gallery throughout June. Celebrate the work of local illustrator Ryne Fuller at The Resource Exchange! Stop by, meet the artist, have a beverage, and view Fuller's illustrations made in part from reclaimed materials that investigate relationships between fashion, anthropology, and the diverse cultures of this planet. Can't make it to the opening? Fuller's work will be on display at the re throughout June! Learn more about Ryne Fuller at theneonundrgrnd.com 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. 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 3 LIBERTY LANDS FLEA MARKET AND MUSIC FEST A great line-up of local music including School of Rock, The Hoppin’ John Orchestra, After Dinner Mints, Broken Arrow, Michael Simons, and St. James & The Apostles. Plus an all-day flea market, great food and beer, and more! Band schedule and all details at this NLNA web page. Flea market vendor spots only $20. Reserve yours by emailing Kathy Vissar, kvissar@hotmail.com. June 3rd and 17th KONRAD SQUARE FLEA MARKET The Friends of Konrad Square will host a flea market on Saturday, June 3rd and 17th at Konrad Square, Tulip and Dauphin Streets. Anyone interested in renting a space should call Vicky, 215426-9654. Saturday, June 10, 8AM 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 Mondays and Fridays UKRAINIAN CATHEDRAL BINGO Bingo games every Monday And Friday night. Doors open at 4:30PM. Game starts at 7:00pm. Private parking lot. 801 N. 8th St. 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

The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017 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 10am-noon. 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 APPOINTMENT 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

Page 13

focus on processing through art. All children and families welcome, regardless of religious affiliation. At Atonement Lutheran Church, 1542 E. Montgomery Ave.

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.

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.

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.

FISHTOWN LIBRARY EVENTS June 7 at 6PM: Breast Health Information for all. A representative from the Linda Creed Breast Cancer organization will give an informative presentation on breast health for all, including the LGBT community. June 9 at 10:30AM: Merge Dance Studio Storytime. Dance, sing, & play at this special storytime event! Recommended for ages 2 and up. June 12 at 4-6PM: Summer Reading Kickoff Party. Sign up for summer reading & get your face painted! Surprises await! Please note face painting is limited; first come, first served. June 14 at 4-5PM: PAWS Read to a Dog. Meet & read to our new therapy dog, Keeva! For all ages. June 19 at 6PM: Master Gardener: Vegetable Gardening. A presentation from the Penn State Master Gardener Series on how to grow your own vegetables. June 14 at 6PM: Philadelphia Federal Credit Union. Credit Seminar. Learn how credit works, how to obtain and analyze your own credit report and what your credit score means. Please register by visiting the Events & Classes page at PFCU.com. June 29 at 2PM: Glitter Tattoos for tweens and teens! 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.

sign ups ROCK TO THE FUTURE SUMMER CAMP 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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

VOLUNTEER AS AN 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 7:15-8:15 with Ms. Amanda. Only $5 a class. Both classes are held at Cohocksink Playground, 2901 Cedar St. Our phone number is 215-685-9884 BRIDESBURG REC CENTER (4625 RICHMOND ST) Zumba – Classes are Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8PM, and the cost is $4. Pre-school — 3-year-olds. Thursday and Friday, noon2:40PM Pre K — 4-year-olds, age as of September 1, 2016. 8:5011:30AM or noon-2:40PM Monday and Wednesday. Food Pantry - Please donate nonperishable food and clothing for needy in the neighborhood. Drop off donations at the Rec weekdays from 9AM-9PM. Scrapbooking – Scrapbooking group meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9:30PM. The cost is $5 per class and everything will be supplied except a book and photos. Ladies Bowling League — Tuesday mornings at 9AM @ Erie Lanes. Interested? Come an join us any Tuesday. For more information call Miss Jackie at 215-685-1247. BOWS & BANNERS SALE Patriotic, police, firefighter, and breast cancer bows and Bridesburg pride banners are being sold for $3.00 each at Bridesburg Recreation Center (4625 Richmond St.) Orders for bows for special events may be ordered. If ordering, allow time for three day delivery. For more information, call 215-685-1247. PHOTOGRAPHY BROUGHT TO YOU BY BRIDESBURG RECREATION CENTER Whether it’s family, communion, individual, group, or beach photos, Bridesburg Recreation Center will make sure you capture your summer memories. To get photos taken during June, call 215-685-1247 and leave your name and phone number. Miss Jackie will call you when the photos are scheduled.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 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.

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

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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.

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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

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No one understands small business like small business. We may be getting a bigger staff and more readers, but we’re still just like you. Work together with Spirit News to help grow your business and inform your neighbors. ads@spiritnews.org 215.423.6246

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.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

WRITTEN BY MAX WEINSTEIN

Devilfish ink

G R A P H I C D E S I G N A N D P R I N T I N G B U S I N E S S H O S T S A N N I V E R S A RY C E L E B R AT I O N

his Friday, June 2, Devilfish Ink Graphic Arts & Printing will celebrate 20 years in the Fishtown and Kensington neighborhood with an art show at Atlantis, The Lost Bar, located at 2442 Frank-

ford Ave. The show will feature gig posters made by the owner of Devilfish, Brian Potash, which he designed for his own performances — he’s a musician as well as a business owner — as well as his national and local bands that are his clients. “It will probably be around 15 or so limited edition prints that were all hand drawn,” Potash said. Staff from Devilfish will be at the bar to answer questions about the works and the printing process on Friday, but the art show will last all month, with pieces available for sale. Brian Potash says that showing his work at a bar symbolizes how he has used his business to “spread my wings creatively,” with homemade art for musicians, rather than a more corporate clientele. That is one of the key things that distinguish Devilfish from its competitors-- everything is homemade with full custom illustrations, and no boilerplate templates. “We’re not relying on clipart,” Potash said. Potash started his business in 1997, out of his basement and has since turned it into an over 2,000 square foot space, on 2424 Martha Street, where he specializes in printing — on surfaces as varied as apparel and metal — as well as graphic arts. He lives just two blocks from his office, and says that he “loves being down here.” “Fishtown has really just become my life over the past twenty years,” Potash said. •

W R I T T E N B Y J E N C O L L E T TA

philly beer week TA P I N T O L O C A L F U N AT P H I L LY B E E R W E E K

eer-drinking opportunities abound in the River Wards in the coming days. Philly Beer Week, the nation’s largest and oldest celebration of all things beer, gets underway June 1, with Opening Tap at The Fillmore. Dozens of local and national breweries and cideries will be showcased at the kickoff event, which will also include a DJ and live music by American Deluxe and Welcome to My Face. About 1,000 people typically attend Opening Tap. At 7PM, officials will stage a ceremonial tapping of a firkin of Brotherly Suds, a collaboration among Tröegs, Victory, Yards, Sly Fox, Stoudt’s, Iron Hill and Flying Fish. Christina Dowd, executive director of Philly Loves Beer, the nonprofit that stages PBW, said the 2017 festival features the debut of nearly a dozen specially crafted, collaborative brews. “In this industry, people are naturally working together, and we certainly want to encourage that,” Dowd said. While there is a heavy emphasis on local, PBW welcomes international travelers. Two years ago, a couple from London incorporated the event into their American vacation, and last year a couple from Maine spent their honeymoon taking in the entire festival. PBW is now in its 10th year, but this is the first festival since organizers reconfigured as the nonprofit Philly Loves Beer. “We re-branded and we want Philly Loves Beer to curate programming throughout the year to educate and promote craft beer in the Philadelphia region,” Down explained. “One big reason we switched to Philly Loves Beer was to educate the consumer about beer and beer culture.” Education will be at the heart of several PBW activities, such as Art of Beer 7 PM. June 6 at Frankford Hall, 1210 Frankford Ave. The event features a panel discussion with the artists who design beer labels for a number of local breweries. “There is nothing quite like Philly Beer Week in terms of size and participation both in our membership and peo-

ple attending events,” Dowd said. “Events range from beer dinners to beer Olympics to education and the process of beer-making and -tasting.” About a dozen venues in the River Wards have events on tap for PBW, ranging from food-and-drink pairings and specials to games to fundraisers. Johnny Brenda’s will stage the second-annual Philly Lit Spelling Bee at 8 PM. June 3 at 1201 Frankford Ave., with 10 local literary organizations competing for the $200 cash prize for their respective organization. El Camino Real, 1040 N. Second St., will also get in the philanthropic spirit as a presidential impersonator sits atop a dunk tank for “Dunk-a-Trump-for-Charity” contest from 2-6 PM. June 3; proceeds from the event will benefit the American Civil Liberties Union.

A beer-themed block party is among the biggest PBW events happening in the River Wards. The sixth-annual Fishtown FestivAle takes over the area outside Frankford Hall starting at noon June 12. Frankford Hall will provide food and drinks along with Fette Sau, Johnny Brenda’s, ROOT restaurant + wine bar, Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop, Bottle Bar East, Fishtown Tavern, Kensington Quarters, Front Street Café, Barcade, Sancho Pistola’s and Weckerly’s Ice Cream. The event is family-friendly and features a dunk tank, carnival games, art, music and more. For a full listing of PBW programming, visit www.phillylovesbeer.org.

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The Spirit of the Riverwards – May 31, 2017

PHOTOS BY ROMAN BLAZIC

memorial day E L M T R E E P O S T # 8 8 C O N T I N U E S M E M O R I A L D AY T R A D I T I O N

or the 98th consecutive year, the Elm Tree Post #88 held Memorial Day services at Palmer Cemetery. Following 8AM mass at Holy Name Church, the annual ceremony began at Palmer at 11AM. The post’s rifle squad fired a salute and wreaths were placed at the Cpl. Charles J. Glenn III Memorial, which commemorates the young Marine from Fishtown who was killed on July 7, 1967 in an ambush outside the city of Da Nang. Nearly 50 years later, Glenn III’s memory lives as locals refuse to let a native son be forgotten. The Cpl. Charles J. Glenn III Memorial was one of the earliest Vietnam memorials in America and was dedicated on Veterans Day, 1967. The memorial is an engraved gray stone with a list of the deceased. Initially, only Glenn III’s name was carved into the memorial but by the end of the ‘60s, three more soldiers from Fishtown had been killed. In the ‘80s, a call was put out for the families and friends of other neighborhood soldiers to come forward and the total rose to 11. Behind the stone is a simple garden of bamboo and at either corner of the lot, purple flowers grow in planters in memory of the wounded. The Memorial Day ceremony at the Cpl. Charles J. Glenn III memorial is a neighborhood tradition that stretches back to 1986. In the years before, a new memorial committee had formed and worked to restore the memorial in respect of the deceased and so the younger members of the Fishtown community would know more of their neighborhood history. Following the memorial ceremony, Elm Tree Post #88 held its annual open house, where it welcomed the community into the post house for hot dogs and birch beer. •