5275 Germantown Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-438-4000
From the Chronicle • Germantown News Stories
July 15, 2010 • GC.071510.pdf
Site Index
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Items of Interest in Philadelphia History - Rick Vinson - Updated June 11
In This Issue
The Stories
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Friends and Family Day at Cliveden Park -
Vandals Torch Henry School Play Equipment
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Who’s in Charge of NWRL’s Parking Lot?
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TraneStop to Commemorate Wes Montgomery
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CHCA Explores New Ways to Reach Community
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Report from Social Forum
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Script-in-Hand at Stagecrafters
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For First-Time Home Buyers
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Business Workshops
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Sacred Music at St. Luke’s
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Sign/Sing Camp Registration
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First Pres. Grants
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Gospel Concert at St. Andrews
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Kaz Song Featured on ABC
Friends and Family Day at Cliveden Park
The Friends of Cliveden Park invite everyone to join us on Saturday, July 24, for our annual Friends and Family Day Community Festival in Cliveden Park, 6415 Musgrave Street, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We’ll have line dancing with Tina Walls, live entertainment by Tap Team Two and Co., Dime Street Joker, Vanida Gail and LXG (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) and vocalist Ms. Barbara Sheree with a special demonstration by the students of Uechi-Ryu-Karate Do Academy.
Come spend the day with friends and family enjoying the games, music and great food and fun. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, kick back and enjoy.
For information e-mail friendsofclivedenpark@gmail.com.
By BOB O’BRIEN
Editorial Staff Intern
C. W. Henry Elementary School on Carpenter Lane was the site of a different kind of pyrotechnics than those usually found on July 4: the illegal kind.
On the evening of Independence Day, around 9:30 p.m., the Fire Department responded to a call about a fire at the school’s playground. The blaze destroyed a part of the playground set and the rubber matting it sat on, principally plastic railroad cars used by the youngest children. It also damaged some of the trees surrounding the play equipment.
“It’s completely destroyed,” Robin Roberts, president of the Henry School Parent-Teacher Association, said. “There’s nothing that is salvageable.”
According to Principal Caren Trantas, the equipment destroyed was part of a play-set intended for kindergarten children to play on that had been built only a few years ago through a project geared toward greening schools. “[It was built] three or four years ago,” she said. “It’s relatively new.”
According to Captain Carlton Grinds of Engine 66 station in Roxborough, the fire was listed as “incendiary” in the report with an investigation pending. “Basically arson and incendiary are the same thing,” he said. “It was a fire set with malicious intent.”
“It was vandalism,” said Roberts. “There is no natural cause of this.”
A police investigation is also taking place.
Jennifer Jones, a nearby resident, witnessed part of the fire but saw nothing suspicious. Her backyard borders the playground. “When I noticed the fire trucks pulling up I knew something was wrong,” Jones said. [But] we didn’t see anybody run from the scene or anything like that.”
According to Jones, teenagers frequent the place when school is out, sometimes leaving broken bottles and graffiti behind, but nothing of this magnitude has taken place before. “Kids are back there a lot, but for the most part they mean no harm,” she said.
Trantas said that a Serious Incident Report has been filed with the school district, but the school itself will likely be responsible for replacing the equipment.
Roberts estimated cleaning up the site and replacing the equipment will cost about $4,000. She said that the PTA will work hard to gather the funds to replace the equipment, and that the school is accepting donations. Roberts, who has children in fifth and second grade at Henry and a child who will starting kindergarten in the upcoming year, hopes that the equipment can be replaced by the time school begins.
“We’re going to do everything we can [to replace it quickly],” said Roberts.
“We’re hoping to be able to do it by the start [of the school year],” Kelly Tanin, a member of the PTA, said. “It will really depend on coming up with enough funds.”
“My staff will likely help them pay for that out of own pockets,” Trantas said. However, she doubted that the equipment would be replaced by the beginning of the new school year.
Those wishing to make a donation should make their checks out to C.W. Henry PTA and mail them to C. W. Henry School, 601 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia PA 19119, c/o Amy Martin. Martin is the PTA treasurer.
Who’s in Charge of NWRL’s Parking Lot?
By BOB O’BRIEN
Editorial Staff Intern
A large parking lot sits behind Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library at 68 West Chelten Avenue. Part of the lot is reserved for library employees and part, equipped with parking meters, is intended for the use of the public. But putting money in the meter is a something of a challenge for library patrons these days because of an accumulation of illegally-dumped tires and litter and yards-high weeds that bar access to the coin slots.
Lois Ann Handrich, a resident of Germantown and a patron of the library, first noticed the problem earlier this spring.
“The problem is the litter and junk that lines the parking lot behind the Joseph E. Coleman library,” Handrich said in an e-mail. “One literally has to climb over and around tires, an abandoned shopping cart, litter, and now six-foot tall weeds to get to the side of the meter in which one has to place the money.”
The solution to the problem might seem as simple as getting the proper authorities to clean up the lot. However, as is so often the case in Philadelphia, finding the proper authorities has proved to be anything but simple.
“Earlier in the spring I had asked the library personnel who was responsible for maintaining the parking lot,” Handrich said. “They said they had no idea.”
Handrich said she also spoke to Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller’s office, but said that office could provide little information. Next, Handrich said, she called the city’s 3-1-1 information system and was referred to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, where she left a message describing the issue. She never received a call back.
When this newspaper spoke to a 3-1-1 operator, she said that the library is in charge of maintaining the parking lot.
However, several library employees reported that though they could not say who was responsible for the lot, the library is not. “As far as I know, it’s the city’s parking lot,” Eric Woods, a librarian, said.
Woods said that the part of the parking lot directly surrounding the building is intended for employee use, is not equipped with parking meters, and is the library’s responsibility. He said that security guards maintain that part of the lot.
Steven Clark, a security guard, was also without an answer. “The city I would say is responsible,” he said. “I don’t know what department is responsible.”
“I can’t say,” Clark said when asked if any city department had ever made an attempt to maintain the lot. “[But] we all chipped in and volunteered [to clean it up] in the past.” Clark mentioned that this was likely to happen again in the future.
Patti McLaughlin, regional librarian for Coleman Library, was confident that the Streets Department was responsible for maintaining the lot. “Periodically we ask them to clean it up and they don’t,” she said.
McLaughlin said that a past head of security knew how to contact the department about the matter, but that person had since left his position.
When questioned about the matter, the Streets Department seemed to be just as unsure as everyone else.
“I don’t have the authority to tell you that,” said June Cantor, a Streets Department spokesperson, when asked if the lot was the department’s responsibility.
“We’ve been told it’s the [Philadelphia] Parking Authority’s,” said Keisha McCarty-Skelton, the Streets Department public relations supervisor of planning and public affairs.
“I just wasn’t able to verify with them.”
However, Sue Cornell, the director of customer service at the Parking Authority, said she could not answer questions regarding the parking lot.
Linda Miller, deputy executive director and media contact for the Parking Authority, said little more. “I don’t know that answer,” she said when asked if the parking lot was the PPA’s responsibility.
Meanwhile, the trash piles up and the weeds grow higher.
Chestnut Hill Book Festival
Also, Amy Ignatow (right), cartoonist for the Mt. Airy Independent and author of the young adult graphic novel The Popularity Papers, which received a rave review from The New York Times.
TraneStop to Commemorate Wes Montgomery
Right, acclaimed vibraphonist Khan Jamal, one of the headliners at this year’s TraneStop concert.
On Sunday, July 25, The TraneStop Resource Institute, Inc., the 31-year old 501(c)(3) non-profit jazz education organization, will present its 15th annual Community Jazz Concert at Felicia’s Gardens, 500 East Washington Lane, from 2-6 p.m. This year’s event will pay tribute to the late jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery and will feature local jazz great Monnette Sudler and her “Full House” Quintet. Also performing at the concert is vibraphonist Khan Jamal and his Quintet, featuring vocalist Lauren Lark.
A new twist will be added this year as TraneStop introduces a youth ensemble comprised of participants from its “Horns4Guns” - P.R.I.S.M. program, conducted in concert with the Lucien Crump Gallery Education Foundation. The concert takes place in a private outdoor setting and remains free and open to the public, although donations are requested and gratefully received. Some seating and shade tents are provided; you may bring your own lawn chair. Food, refreshments and tee shirts are available for purchase on premises. No outside food is permitted and no recording devices permitted without a prior media clearance.
Wes Montgomery is often considered the greatest of modern jazz guitarists. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1923 and was part of a musical family. Although Montgomery was not skilled at reading music, he could learn complex melodies and riffs by ear. He started learning guitar at the age of 19, listening to and learning recordings of his idol, guitarist Charlie Christian. He was known for his ability to play Christian solos note for note and was hired by Lionel Hampton for this ability.
Montgomery toured with Hampton early in his career, but the stress of touring and being away from family soon brought him back home to Indianapolis where he supported his family of eight as a factory worker, supplemented by evening performances at local clubs. Cannonball Adderley heard Montgomery in an Indianapolis club and was so impressed he helped secure a recoding contract for him and included Wes on his Pollwinners album. Montgomery also recorded with the Wynton Kelly Trio (which previously backed up Miles Davis), Jimmy Smith, Freddie Hubbard, Tommy Flanagan, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath. John Coltrane asked Montgomery to join his band after a Jam session, but Montgomery declined, preferring to lead his own band.
It is hard to argue there was a more influential Jazz guitarist than Wes Montgomery. Following the early work of swing/pre-bop guitarist Charlie Christian and gypsy-jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, Wes arguably put guitar on the map as a bebop or post-bop instrument. While many jazz players are regarded as virtuosos, Montgomery was unique in his wide influence on others who followed him, and in the respect he earned from his contemporaries. To many, Montgomery’s playing defines jazz guitar and is the sound that many try to emulate, including among those Pat Martino, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Joe Diorio, David Becker and Jimi Hendrix.
Montgomery received many awards and accolades. He was nominated for two Grammy Awards for Bumpin’, 1965; received a Grammy Award for Goin’ Out of My Head, 1966; he was nominated for Grammy Awards for Eleanor Rigby and Down Here on the Ground, 1968; and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Willow, Weep for Me, 1969. Wes’ second album, The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, earned him Down Beat magazine’s “New Star” award in 1960. He also won the Down Beat Critic’s Poll award for best Jazz guitarist in 1960, ‘61, ‘62,’63, ‘66, and 1967.
Jazz purists relish Montgomery’s recordings up through 1965, and sometimes complain that he abandoned hard-bop for pop jazz towards the end of his career. However, even in his later years, his playing was still stellar, and through his soft jazz he gained a wider audience for his brilliant earlier work. This late period also earned him considerable wealth, though he didn’t live very long to enjoy his commercial success; he died of a heart attack at age 45 on June 15, 1968.
CHCA Explores New Ways to Reach Community
By JIM FOSTER
Publisher
At its meeting on Wednesday, July 7, at 8430 Germantown Avenue, the Executive Committee of the Chestnut Hill Community Association (CHCA) introduced extensive plans designed to change the way that the association communicates with its members and the community.
Chaired by Walter Sullivan, the Committee first reviewed the activities of standing committees. Progress reports were made on routine issues regarding sewer work and plans for pending reoccurring scheduled events such as the Holiday House tour.
Treasurer David Mansfield stated he had suggested to the auditors of the CHCA, St. Clair Associates, that they forego the annual audit for the CHCA and replace it with a “review” where they would not have to offer a formal opinion and would be less costly. It was pointed out that the CHCA has passed required solvency tests and reserve requirements, and has regained its Dun & Bradstreet rating.
The CHCA had been censured and fined by the Attorney General of Pennsylvania for financial irregularities and substandard record keeping, and is under an agreement to upgrade its reporting under oversight by the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
The need for additional members of the Budget and Finance Committee, preferably those with experience, was discussed. It was noted that requests for local bankers to fill those slots had been unsuccessful.
An extensive power point presentation was initiated by Rob Remus focused on asking the full board to approve the expansion of community contact through an interactive website using a contractual arrangement with a company called Media Span. The detailed presentation was made by Gerald Tracy of that company, who reportedly has designed and implemented similar sites for the Delaware County Times, Burlington County Times and many others. This was proposed as an alternative route to get news and advertising to the community outside of the Chestnut Hill Local, the newspaper owned and published by the CHCA.
Remus and CHCA Secretary Noreen Spota presented statistics about the Local that that stated that it publishes 4,600 weekly newspapers for paid circulation, but only 900 of those are sent to Chestnut Hill addresses.
Membership in the Chestnut Hill Community Association was pegged at approximately 2,600. Some of those newspapers are sold outside of membership fees.
Key information presented included that the web version of the Local has a significant following and longer-than-average time spent on the site, which indicated continued interest. However, Tracy stated, their analysis had determined that the majority of those who used the site were under 45 years of age.
The proposed site would offer continuing news update, interactive feedback, and issue discussion from the readership in real time and expanded and variable advertising techniques, said Tracy. The basic cost outlined was $550 a month, but final figures as to the cost of additional personnel with expertise needed to make it fully operational discussed were not a part of the presentation.
Prolonged discussion followed as to how to expand CHCA membership and interact with the Local itself. Larry Hochberger, publisher of the Local, took part in the discussion. Suggestions as to how soon the proposal could be ready for presentation to the full board for approval produced discussion with some attendees wanting to have it there for the July meeting in two weeks. Most agreed that was too soon to get the details in order and agreed on a motion to expedite it and make the presentation in August.
Treasurer Mansfied took a different tack and suggested an immediate motion to spend $5,000 a month and hire a “young techy” to put a site like this on line now without waiting. This was discussed, but the final determination was to recommend the use of some version of Media Span with the possibility that Tracy, a Chestnut Hill resident, could be considered for employment at some level in the process. A nearly unanimous vote was to create a task force immediately to get research and a formal plan ready for the Board to vote on as soon as possible.
At this point the Committee went into executive session to discuss confidential matters.
Report from Social Forum
On Saturday, July 17, 1-2:30 p.m., the Global Women’s Strike will hold a report-back from the US Social Forum which took place in Detroit, MI on June 22- 26. The Report-Back will be held at Germantown Friends Meeting, 47 West Coulter Street.
See video clips and hear about our work and resolutions won: on child welfare saying that children should not be removed from their homes due to poverty; on Haiti, a call to support grassroots people in Haiti calling for the return of President Aristide and an end to UN occupation; and on prostitution calling for the decriminalization of prostitution.
The Report-Back will be followed by the regular monthly meeting of DHS-Give Us Back Our Children from 2:30–5 pm.
For further information and childcare, contact the Crossroads Women’s Center at 215-848-1120 or e-mail to philly@crossroadswomen.net.
Script-in-Hand at Stagecrafters
Over the next two weekends The Stagecrafters brings once again its third summer “Reader’s Theater” to the Northwest, presenting three full-length plays to be read on stage “script in hand” by some of the best of our local theatrical talent. The readings are set to take place Friday-Saturday-Sunday, July 16-18 and July 23-25.
The planned program will feature performances of:
The Tale of the Alllergist’s Wife by Charles Busch, an award-winning hit at the Manhattan Theatre Club and on Broadway. Performances are directed by Dave Ebersole and will be Friday, July 16, 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 24, 8 p.m.
Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams, directed by Loretta Lucy Miller. Performances are Saturday, July 17 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 25 at 2 p.m.
Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2000, directed by David Flagg. Performances are Sunday, July 18 at 2 p.m. and Friday, July 23 at 8 p.m.
This series of readings will feature a number of performers who have appeared on stage in recent seasons at The Stagecrafters including Gerard Joseph, Mare Mikalic, Rhonda Goldstein, Jeff Ragan, Marilyn Yoblick, Pierlisa Chiodo-Steo, Mark Grayson, Mike Raimondo, Kyle Paul Dandridge, and Susan Mooers, among several others.
An added bonus will be a “Talk-Back” Q & A session with actors and director following each performance. All are invited to stay and participate.
Admission to each performance is whatever one may wish to pay. No reservations are being taken, just show up. The auditorium, which is fully air-conditioned, will be open 30 minutes before each performance. The theater is located at 8130 Germantown Avenue. For information visit www.thestagecrafters.org.
Color panoramic photographs of Mt. Airy will be on display starting Monday, July 19, at High Point Café in the Allens Lane Train Station. The exhibit by New Jersey photographer Jack Souder (pictured above holding one of the photographs) is free and open to the public. The exhibit, entitled “Panoramas of Mt. Airy,” is a collection of large-scale panorama photographs that showcase the beauty and breadth of this diverse area. Souder’s photographs are up to five feet in length and show 180- to 360-degree views of both Mt. Airy street life and nearby Wissahickon wildlife. Of his experience of creating these images Souder says, “I found great pleasure in printing these large rambling pictures because they revealed the landscape’s whimsical quality.”
For First-Time Home Buyers
For first-time buyers, making the investment in a new home is as complex as it is exciting. Mt. Airy, USA, a HUD-certified counseling agency, offers services designed to teach the basics and beyond, including purchasing foreclosed homes.
Free First-Time Homebuyer Workshops will be held at Mt. Airy, USA’s office (6703 Germantown Avenue, Suite 200, Philadelphia) on July 29, August 11 and August 26 from 5:30-9 p.m. p.m. They’ve been offered for 15 years and Mt. Airy, USA has helped more than 4,000 individuals buy their homes and avoid foreclosure. To register go to www.mausa.eventbrite.com.
For more personal, one-on-one advice, Mt. Airy, USA offers individual homebuyer counseling sessions on a sliding scale basis. Private credit and budgeting counseling is also available, offering tools and instruction to help individuals manage finances, improve their credit and build their savings. To sign up for individual counseling email Marianne Holt at mholt@mtairyusa.org or call 215-844-6021 x213.
Business Workshops
Upcoming business-related workshops at the Wadsworth Branch of the Free Library, 1500 Wadsworth Avenue, include:
July 21, 6:30p.m., Start a Business versus Buying a Franchise. This workshop is for the person who is considering starting a business or purchasing a franchise. Our goal is to be a resource in your research process as you near making your final decision.
August 18, 6:30 p.m., The Best Customer -The Current Customer. We have created this workshop to demonstrate to the current and aspiring business owner how to nurture and grow a client base.
All Wadsworth small business workshops are free. They are sponsored by the Urban League Entrepreneur Center of Philadelphia and the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation .
For more information contact Juanita Vega DeJoseph, librarian, at 215-685-9293 or Patrice Edwards at 215-549-4099, e-mail pedwards@ogontzave.org.
Informal Services at UU
Join us for our informal Summer Services in our Fellowship Hall at 11 a.m. each Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration, 6900 Stenton Avenue (Stenton Avenue and Gorgas Lane).
On July 18 our topic will be “What Happened to Unitarian Universalist House?” UU House Board members Rob Gasparro, Brad Bradburd and former board member Julie Bradburd face the history and the ramifications of the recent closing of UU House, the well-regarded UU personal care, assisted living and nursing care facility which existed in Germantown for over 75 years.
Visit their website for more information at www.uurestoration.us.
Sacred Music at St. Luke’s
Angelus: Sacred Music for Women’s Voices, is comprised of five young women from Mt. Vernon Senior High School, Mt. Vernon, IN. Angelus has dedicated itself to the performance of the sacred music of varied religious traditions and historical periods. Featuring music ranging from medieval chant and polyphony to contemporary Irish choral music and the American Sacred Harp tradition, the ensemble’s influences include the Irish choral ensemble Anuna and the American quartet Anonymous 4. The ensemble performs almost exclusively a cappella.
They will be performing July 19, 7 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5421 Germantown Avenue. The event is free, with donations accepted.
Sign/Sing Camp Registration
Germantown Deaf Ministries Fellowship, will hold its Sign/Sing Camp Lifesaver from Sunday, July 18 through Thursday, July 22, at 5213 Germantown Avenue, (across from the Family Dollar Store) from 6-8 p.m. Campers will learn sign language, hear Bible stores and have fun. All ages are welcome. A freewill donation is suggested. There will be a $10 charge for an all-day event on Thursday, July 22.
For information call Roz McKelvey at 215-848-7279, text to 215-275-6853, or e-mail to rosaline.mckelvey@comcast.net.
First Pres. Grants
The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown has a rich history of ministry in the Germantown community over the last two centuries. Much of this ministry has been possible as we partner with other agencies and organizations by offering financial support for their efforts to minister to others and benefit the greater Germantown community.
The church is now accepting applications for grant money to fund programs and ministries that are consistent with our congregation’s mission by providing direct service to people in need (including children and youth) through education, advocacy, housing, and other ways that may enrich their lives. Individuals and families are not eligible to receive a grant. Grants will range from $500 to $5,000 and will be made on a one-year basis. Those organizations which have previously received funds from The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown must complete an application to be considered for future funding.
Applications will be reviewed by The Mission and Outreach Committee of the church. The deadline for receiving applications is August 1. Grants will be awarded for programming during the 2011 calendar year. All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision regarding their request by October 1.
To receive guidelines and procedures for making an application, you may contact the church by e-mail (info@fpcgermantown.org), call 215-843-8811, fax to 215-844-8141, or write to the Outreach and Mission Committee, The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144.
Gospel Concert at St. Andrews
On Saturday, July 17, at 5 p.m., Great Wind Sounds of Trumpets will be performing songs from their R&B gospel album More Than A Conqueror at St. Andrews Fellowship Baptist Church, 4910 Wayne Avenue.
For more information contact Kandee Shepherd at 888-361-9473 or e-mail to kandee@tatepublishing.com.
On Monday, July 19, musician Gina Kaz, a resident of Mt. Airy, will have the big break that every artist dreams of when her song “Water and Wine” will be featured at the close of the ABC Family show Make it or Break It that airs at 10 p.m. EST.
Make It or Break It is an American television drama series that focuses on the lives of teen gymnasts who strive to make it to the Olympic Games.
To watch, check the local channel lineup for ABC Family or ABCF. “Water and Wine” is from Kaz’s album For You.
For information on Kaz and her music, visit www.ginakaz.com or follow her blog at ginakaz.blogspot.com.
The featured song can be downloaded on I-Tunes music store.
Venus in
East Falls
Left: Venus Williams showed off her championship form and met with youth on the court at Arthur Ashe Tennis and Education Center at School House Lane and Ridge Avenue after an exhibition with some of the Center’s members last weekend.
Later that evening Williams took part in a World Team Tennis match at Villanova between the Washington Kastles, for which she plays, and the Philadelphia Freedom.
Photos by Solomon Williams
