PRH Summer Hot Spots 2018

Sun Fun & & Sangria

JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2018 VOL 40_ISSUE 50_2018 GOHOMEPHILLY.COM $4.99 US

$5.99 CAN

PHILLY HOT SPOTS 2018 WWW.GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

A Taste For Tradition 700 Haddon Avenue Collingswood, NJ 08108 Call 856-854-2156 for reservations w ww . kitconcafe . com

Monday – Thursday: 4pm – 9:30pm

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Book your private parties | Home catering available

Certificate of Excellence 2014 Winner- Trip Advisor

Sunday: 12pm – 9pm Vo Sout ted “De he li 2013 rn Italia sh” Zaga n Far e, t Ra ting

Diner’s Choice Winner 2014- OpenTable.com Voted One of the Top 10 Restaurants in the Philadelphia Area Zagat 2013 Exclusive Caterer of Fralinger String Band, Contact: Catering@kitconcafe.com or 856-854-2156

Jewelers Since 1957

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Roman + Jules

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All the top designer brands.

❦ Large selection of Engagement Rings & Wedding Bands

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VOLUME _40 ISSUE 50_ 2018 GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

INSIDETHIS ISSUE 14_ LIFE

Announcing our 2018 Blue Sapphire & WishRock Award Recipients Save the Date! Thursday, November 1 / Vie

36_ REAL ESTATE

Contracting Spotlight: Novello Contracting photos by Andrew Andreozzi

47_ MENU

Pasta with Shrimp, Crabmeat & Grape Tomatoes Courtesy of Mark Casasanto

52_ SUMMER HOT SPOTS Our favorite places to eat, sights to see & hidden gems to brighten your Philly Staycation

72 MUSIC & ARTS

66_ BUSINESS

Business Spotlight: P. Agnes Local company celebrates 100 years

by Larry Gallone

14 LIFE

72_ MUSIC & ARTS

Marc Summers A walk down memory lane & through the doors of his local production company

by Dominique Verrecchio

90_ GREEN SPACE

From recycling to summer vacation, our Green Space writers tell you how to stay “green” this season

90 GREEN

SPACE

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

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MENU

36

REAL ESTATE gohomephilly.com

WELCOME TO PHILLY’S

BEER GARDEN THE PARTY’S ALWAYS ON AT THE CITY’S PREMIER WATERFRONT HOTSPOT. Enjoy craft brews, fresh food and a view, plus live entertainment, games and more!

FISHTOWNHOPS.COM FREE SELF-PARKING ON N. DELAWARE AVE. 1 MILE NORTH OF THE BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE Persons under 21 are not permitted inside the casino.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.

P OW E R E D BY

VOLUME _40 ISSUE 50_ 2018 GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

REGULARS 6_ FROM THE PUBLISHERS You’re invited to a night out with RowHome!

Come with us as we head to some of our neighborhoods’ hottest spots!

10_ NEIGHBORHOOD NOIR

Patricia Gallo-Stenman, author of Diary of a Beatlemaniac: A Fab Insider’s Look at the Beatles Era, reads about the band in 1960s Philadelphia.

Our interview with Patricia is in this issue’s Life section.

20_ WINE KNOW

Winemaking 101 & RowHome’s Summer Picks

by Vincent Novello

34_ HEALTH

Yoga Motion: Tips to get you going

by Jennifer Tini

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58_ BRIDES GUIDE

Introducing The Lucy: Cescaphe’s newest venue on the Avenue of the Arts

by Joe Volpe / Photos by Mike Morby Photography

12_ HANGIN’ OUT

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson presents Chick’s owners Philip & Gina Narducci with a citation from City Council for breathing new life into the Washington Avenue business district and celebrating their one-year anniversary.

JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2018

68_ THEATRE GEEK

The lowdown on Philly’s 2018-2019 season and what to do this summer while you wait for it to begin!

by Marialena Rago

BRIDES GUIDE

34 HEALTH

THEATRE GEEK

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96_ PRESSED

Give Your Tongue a Sleigh Ride!

ON THE COVER

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Sun Fun Sangria!

We have everything you need to make your Summer in the City a memory in the making. Hot Spots. Hidden Gems. Parks. Tours. Music & Recipes! Including a fruity pitcher of Maria Merlino’s homemade Sangria! Page 44.

Plus...

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gohomephilly.com

Tony “Papa Luke” Lucidonio Founder, 1992

39 East Oregon Avenue Philadelphia, PA 215.551.5725 Get the real taste of South Philly online:

www.TonyLukes.com

A NIGHT OUT WITH ROWHOME We decided it was time to park the car and take a walk, instead, through the neighborhood. Old School! Whether you’ve lived here for generations or are passing through, there’s a hot spot on our list that you won’t want to miss! And most of them are within walking distance of your front door!

Come with us as we head to some of our neighborhoods’ hottest spots!

RowHome supports the local businesses that line the cozy streets of our City. See why Philadelphia has the finest food, the friendliest people and is filled with traditions worth repeating! Like our recent Nights Out at…

Gran Caffe L’Aquila Lobo Mau Design Studio * Chick’s * photos by ANDREW ANDREOZZI *

Find out where we’re heading next! Like us on facebook for upcoming schedules, specially priced menus and discounts. Or find us through the following: www.gohomephilly.com | www.gohomephillyblog.com Facebook.com/PhiladelphiaRowHomeMagazine Twitter.com/RowHomeMag Instagram.com/RowHomeMag Do you want RowHome to visit your hot spot? It’s easy!

Call 215.462.9777 or RowHomeBrenda@gmail.com for details.

River to River. One Neighborhood.

Dorette & Dawn

2017.01.05 appzdepot - ROW HOME - 3.5x9.75 advert.pdf

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8:44 AM

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JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2018

GOHOMEPHILLY.COM PRESIDENT | PUBLISHER Dorette Rota Jackson

VICE PRESIDENT | PUBLISHER Dawn Rhoades

EDITOR Dorette Rota Jackson

VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & PROMOTIONS Dawn Rhoades

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Carol Vassallo

MARKETING & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Brenda Hillegas

CREATIVE DIRECTOR | PRODUCTION Omar Rubio

THE BRIDES GUIDE Joseph Volpe

GREEN SPACE

C

M

Kerri-Lee Mayland

Y

COPY COORDINATOR | THE MENU Maria Merlino

CM

LOCAL BAND CONSULTANT

MY

Albert Fortino

CY

PHOTOGRAPHERS Andrew Andreozzi Phil Kramer Maria Merlino

CMY

K

ACCOUNT MANAGER Theresa Palestino

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Mike Rhoades

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jade Rota

CONTRIBUTORS

Kelley Bregenzer Mark Casasanto David Cava Bryan Culver Joei DeCarlo Frank DePasquale Jr., Esq Victoria DiPietro Liam Divon Larry Gallone Brett Jackson Matt Kelchner Maria Merlino Ann Moschorak

John Nacchio Vincent R. Novello, Jr. Anthony Panvini Santina Pescatore Michael Rhoades Marialena Rago Jane Roser Leo Rossi Anthony Santini John Stabeno Geno Thackara Dominique Verrecchio Robert “Woody” Woodard

PUBLISHED BY Philadelphia RowHome Inc. P.O. Box 54786 Philadelphia, PA 19148 Phone – 215.462.9777 | Fax – 215.462.9770 www.gohomephilly.com | www.gohomephillyblog.com Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Magazine and its contents are copyrighted.

Content printed in the magazine may not be reproduced or reprinted, in whole or in part, by any other party without the expressed written consent of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine. 2018 Philadelphia RowHome Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. Published by Philadelphia RowHome Inc.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

gohomephilly.com

THEMAILBOX JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER Serving the Community since 1937

EMAIL YOUR LETTERS TO: INFO@GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

DAWN & DORETTE:

Love reading this! I read from page one to the end. Keep up the good work.

Rita D’Arcangelo

DEAR PRH:

I have been a fan since the very first issue and continue to look forward to each new edition. Dawn and Dorette embody the spirit, enthusiasm, family traditions and values that make our neighborhoods the greatest places to live. I am a lifelong resident of South Philadelphia and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the fact that all of my immediate family still live in my neighborhood; in my Parish, Saint Monica’s. I continue to walk the same streets, see the same familiar faces, frequent the same restaurants and businesses that I have from the time I was able to walk. And I reminisce as I take each step! Thank you for supporting our businesses, for attending our events, for becoming our friends. In fact, in all honesty, you have become family. I love to look at each page, read every article and see people that I know grace each and every issue! Keep up the great work.

Patricia Baldassarre-Teti

DEAR PRH:

A wonderful magazine. I look forward to each issue. The pictures and articles are always awesome.

Dorette and Dawn do a great job; always there to help special projects and fundraisers in South Philly.

God bless these two ladies. RowHome is the best.

Rita Donatucci

DEAR PRH:

I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your magazine. The spring issue [was] filled with all kinds of wonderful articles. The recipes are great. My favorites, believe it or not, are the ads. They make me homesick.

Donna Meidt

Vincent C. Gangemi, Founder (1915-2005) Vincent C. Gangemi Jr., Supervisor Randy L. Goldy, Director James L. Guercio, Funeral Director (1954-2016)

w w w. G a n g e m i F u n e r a l H o m e . n e t Funeral Pre-Planning Available Relieve your loved ones of future responsibility for funeral expenses

Handicapped Accessible

Neumann-Goretti Alumni Association

ALL CLASSES REUNION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 4:00 PM TO 8:00 PM DJ Jimmy Dee Special Guest Appearance by Jerry Blavat SUGARHOUSE CASINO - FISHTOWN HOPS 1001 N. DELAWARE AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, PA 19125 Tickets: $30 per person

Commemorative T-shirt · Appetizer Buffet $1 Draft Beers (Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois) $3 House Wines · $4 Well Drinks Free self-parking or free valet parking 50/50 Raffle ticket available for an additional $50 Tickets can be purchased: By mail: Make check payable to “The Millay Club” and mail to Neumann-Goretti HS Alumni Office, 1736 S 10th St. Rm. 112, Philadelphia, PA 19148 By phone (credit/debit card): 215-389-0925 Online (admission tickets only): www.themillayclub.org Reunion attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

Proceeds benefit Ss. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 9

far bito ( ” Mora mous a Marie F e s ld o r R e “Wo City. ue. h t n ic e t t v a n tA ft) 3. Atla far le ecticu 9, 195 nzio ( Conn July 2 ’Annu alk at D w d la r a & Vio he Bo right) h on t Ranc e d u D

h llo wit l Vassa & Caro ne. io o r a m a M D c City. nd, Vic Atlanti nd frie 1982. inger a s y r a legend

& JoAnn ant. Johnny ouse Restaur eh . ar no W e lia Th Ju 1971. nette James & An Vacca with

Circa

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. Fort Jackson, October 1965 Matty Raimo.

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1981.

Cher yl Sil vano with & Jill Mom Anas Mom tasio Mild red.

Circa 1950.

Kathleen & her brother Ralph – ch ildren of Le onard & Anna Iannel li - in front of their family owne d café. Rea d more about the Ia nnelli family and their cafe in our Life section.

ue. Danny Snyder Aven 1954. 1034 wedding nty on their & Theresa Fa cuzzi. ra St e in seph day with Jo

Patricia Gallo-Stenman, author of Diary of a Beatlemania c: A Fab Insider’s Look at the Beatles Era, reads about the Fab Four in 1960s Philadelphia. Rea d our interview with Patricia in this issue’s Life section.

Autograp

hed photo of Sally S to Jennif tarr prese er & Chri nted stopher Borger.

Circa 1957. .

Jennie Monzo artino atalie M r, NJ. N o tn n . e a V Alb 1976. ndmom with Gra

1940s. 2324 S. Warno ck Street. Mary Santelli & her son Sal vatore Santelli.

New

Year’s Day, 1973.

Head Broa , Pam d&S ela & nyde Vinn r. Ra ie An lphie n Cia fre.

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a im & Rit , 1968. J 0th 5 April 30 r ei te th lo celebra is year.

DArcange th ry sa anniver wedding

1954. Joseph Grimes, age 4, visiting his greatgrandmother Mary Angelina Mangino who lived in a mill village.

1978. 2440 S.

Percy Street.

Ralph Pearce & Jerr y Foschini.

ry 194 4. Jos & Phil eph R andaz omen a Sch zo their iavo o engag n emen t day.

VOLUME _40 ISSUE 50_ 2018 GOHOMEPHILLY.COM

JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2018

1.

2.

1

HANGIN’OUT

3.

4.

2

rothers Tony, Joe, Pete B & Frank Santini at Lucien’s Manor for the wedding reception of Pete’s granddaughter, Gina Santini, and Michael Impagliazzo. ouncilman Kenyatta Johnson C presents Chick’s owners Philip & Gina Narducci with a citation from City Council for breathing new life into the Washington Avenue business district and celebrating their one-year anniversary. “ I couldn’t have done it without all my volunteers,” says newly elected Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin at Famous Deli. Photo by Maria Merlino

11. “ Batman” Ellis O’Hara & “Captain America” Galen O’Hara hang out with Uncle “Spiderman” Sean Hanson.

12. P hiladelphia Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie hangs out with Alessia & Anthony Anastasio at Anthony’s Italian Coffee House.

13. M ark Casasanto & Niya Jones enjoy First Friday in Old City at photographer Phil Kramer’s beautiful new studio space and gallery on Quarry Street.

14. F riends & family members “Do it for Donna” to support cancer awareness in memory of Donna Testa Devereaux.

15. T he Imperial Events Security Services management team celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Convention Center during an afternoon reception.

5.

angin’ out with John Scarpato H on his 100th birthday!

16. R owHome Mag’s Joei DeCarlo hangs out at Chef Mitzi Jackson’s Twist event in Chinatown.

6.

owHome photographer R Andrew Andreozzi is hangin out with grandson Santino - “Sonny Blue Eyes.”

17. H angin’ out with students & friends at Girard Estate Park during Philly Spring Clean-up Day.

7.

ev. Nick Martorano (Pastor / R St. Nicholas & Annunciation) hangs out with local singing legend Bobby Rydell.

18. H angin’ out with the class of ‘73, St. Edmond’s Grade School reunion.

8.

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meritus Chair Vito Canuso, E political consultant Frank Daniel & Chairman of the GOP Michael Meehan at the Republican Spring Fling at Cannstatters in Northeast Philadelphia.

Photo by Maria Merlino

upreme Court Justice Kevin S Dougherty hangs out with great-niece Cellie Fiocca.

Photo by Maria Merlino ary Ellen Pahlka-Sokalski M hangs out at the Kimmel Center with actress Chrissy Metz of the hit series This Is Us during her Chrissy Metz: This Is Me Tour.

19. H angin’ out with Anthony Silvestro, the winner of Goldstein’s suit contest.

20. D orette, Dawn & Wendy Hamilton are hangin’ out on the River before heading to the shore!

10. J ulianna Casasanto & (Uncle) Joe Casasanto overlooking Laguna Beach after lunch at Las Brisas Restaurant.

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As part of its annual “Salute to Service” Program, Philadelphia RowHome Magazine (PRH) will present its 2018 Blue Sapphire Award to individuals whose “selfless dedication to the City of Philadelphia has left an indelible mark on the culture and traditions of our neighborhoods for future generations to enjoy.”

The following individuals have been named

Philadelphia RowHome Magazine’s www.lombardimeats.com B E E F / P O R K / P O U LT R Y / V E A L / L A M B / P R E PA R E D F O O D S

2018 Blue Sapphire Award Recipients

Anthony, Vince & Vincent LOMBARDI’S

STEVE HIGHSMITH

“Three generations; a team that is a cut above the rest.”

PRIME MEATS

Media Award

1801 PackerVincent Avenue / Philadelphia, Lombardi, Anthony PA 19145 Lombardi, Vince Lombardi P: 215.940.2211 / P: 215.334.1212 / F: 215.940.2210 Local Business Success Photo by Andrew Andreozzi Story Award

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LEON HUFF

BOBBY RYDELL

BOB SHANNON

Lifetime Music Achievement Award

Lifetime Music Achievement Award

Quaker City String Band Edward J. McBride Service to Community Award

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

gohomephilly.com

RowHome

2018 WishRock Award Winners

Anything is possible if you believe in yourself

GABRIEL BENDOTTI

ANTONIA BRUNETTI

EDDIE CAPPIO

SS Neumann Goretti HS

Washington Township HS

String Theory Schools

VINCENZO CONGIALDI

JAKE KUDRICK

PAIGE ROMANO

GAMP, String Theory Schools

Captain, Duffy String Band / Strath Haven Middle School, Wallingford, PA

GAMP

An Affair to Remember XIII & 2018 Blue Sapphire Awards sponsored by CESCAPHE EVENT GROUP The annual PRH Black Tie Business Networking Gala will be held at Cescaphe Event Group’s

Vie

| 600 N. Broad Street | Philadelphia, PA 19123 | Thursday, November 1st, 2018

Guests will meet on the Red Carpet at 6 p.m. for an elaborate cocktail reception followed by a five-course dinner. Entertainment provided by guest band The Business.

Tickets are $150. Tables of 10 are $1,500 and include sponsorship.

Individual sponsorships available. Contact Carol at 215.462.9777 or info@gohomephilly.com

PRHLIFE

Tips for Students:

S

BEFORE & AFTER COLLEGE

by Ann Moschorak

tepping into college is a wonderful milestone. As with any significant life change, you are bound to run into a few challenges. Keep these tips in mind as you get ready to take the plunge.

� Enjoy your summer at home. If you’re going to live on campus, the first challenge of adapting to college life is getting used to your new independence. Spend a little extra time with your family in the weeks before college and take in everything you know you’re going to miss. � Manage your relationships. The reality is, you can and will see your childhood friends after high school if you work on staying friends. Call once in a while and check in on each other’s accomplishments. Make it a point to meet up during your breaks. Do you have a significant other who’s not following you to college? Without holding each other back from any opportunities, see if a long distance relationship works for you. Consider all the possibilities and give it a try. And, of course, remember to call your parents! � Focus on your health. The “freshman 15” is not a fable. Give your body a chance to adjust to a new lifestyle, as well. This is particularly true for those who played sports in high school but have become less active after graduation. And campus food doesn’t always include nutritional choices.

Once you get sick of eating grilled cheese, every day, you may start opting for the late night pizza or Chinese take-out. Try your best to eat well and exercise at least three times during the week. Consider

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

getting a bathroom scale for your dorm and weigh yourself occasionally to keep your health in check. � Step up your studying. Yes, the work is more intense once you hit college. You will need to put more time into studying. Show up on time to class, take thorough notes, read them over that night and make a list of questions to ask your professor. Keep a daily agenda and write down your homework assignments/projects on a calendar. � Did you recently graduate? Maybe you’re in search of your first fulltime position. Remember to stay motivated and be persistent. � Reward yourself. Looking for a job can be exhausting. To avoid emotional burnout, reward yourself every time something good happens. Whether you get a call back, a first interview or an in-person interview, celebrate with something small like a fancy coffee or piece of candy. Keep searching until you find the perfect opportunity. � Save your money. Be conscious of your spending. While you’re waiting to land your first job, take this time as an opportunity to save some money. Look for a part-time job; do some yard work for your neighbors; babysit. Don’t spend your savings unless it’s an emergency. � Keep your future in mind. For every 50 applications you submit, only a handful will call you back. It can be frustrating but remember, all of your hard work that is behind you. You are qualified! Never lose sight of your goal and keep selling your achievements. gohomephilly.com

Row Home Remembers PRH Life

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS & JORDAN SPACE JAMS Collectors or Crazies? Hobbyists or Hoarders?

You pick a side.

P

by Tony Santini eople like to collect things. For some, they just don’t want to get rid of stuff that has sentimental value. For others, their small collection ends up turning into a lifelong passion.

Like most young boys, I collected baseball cards as a kid. I can still remember the smell of that fresh stick of bubble gum inside each new pack of Topps Baseball cards. I arranged my cards by teams and did the card flipping on the steps and card tossing against the walls to try and win my friends’ cards.

When I got married and had my first “man-cave” (a.k.a. the garage), I started a beer can collection. Whenever I traveled for work, I’d bring home a halfdozen empty cans from local breweries in other states to add to my collection.

I displayed all the beer cans on shelves around the garage to add to the ambiance surrounding my ping-pong table.

My collection rivaled that of what you see on the walls at Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philly. When my wife and I moved into our current home, I no longer had room for the collection but couldn’t come to grips with just throwing the cans in the recycling bin. Luckily for me, I was able to find a local artist who specialized in making sculptures out of scrap. I guess it’s true; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Lifelong South Philly resident Louis Galasso collects Michael Jordan sneakers. Apparently, he is not alone.

It seems to be a widespread thing.

His passion started in the early ‘90s when he was in the 5th grade. “Jordan sneakers were one of the coolest, moststylish, and best sneakers you could

be wearing at that time,” Galasso says.

“The trick was trying to stay current with new styles as they came out.”

Galasso says he’d ask for new Jordans as gifts for birthdays and Christmas. As he grew older and had his own money, he’d buy the latest Jordans and became more aware of protecting them. He’d only wear them out to certain places to keep them from getting dirty. He now has more than 50 pairs in his collection and keeps them neatly stored in their original boxes.

“Anyone who knows Jordans knows that each style has its own sequential number starting with 1,” he says. “The hardest to find being the Jordan Space Jams 11’s.” Consequently, these are Louie’s favorite and most expensive pair.

He kept a longtime promise to himself by wearing them at his wedding.

South Philly native Mary Grace Ruggiano-Swanson is also a collector.

In her first year of marriage to husband Butch, Mary Grace realized they needed ornaments for their Christmas tree and was drawn to the Hallmark Collectibles heart-shaped, “First Christmas Together” ornament. Her loving friends and

family also were thinking along the same lines and bought her a First Christmas Together ball and a Little Drummer Boy ornament also made by Hallmark.

Mary Grace was hooked. Since that first Christmas some 38 years ago, she’s been buying or receiving Hallmark ornaments as gifts every year and now has amassed a collection of more than 1000 ornaments. She stores them in large Rubbermaid containers in the family garage and uses different ones each year to make a unique Christmas tree presentation depending on what is happening in their family life at that time. Mary Grace’s efforts are worthy of the accolades she receives from everyone at Christmas on her beautiful Hallmark inspired tree.

Her most expensive ornament cost around $500 and was a recent gift from her husband. It completed a Hallmark series for her called Frosty and Friends.

Mary Grace says the funny thing is the ornament probably cost around $6.95 when it was originally available! Sometimes, collectibles can be expensive.

As for me, my interests have matured from my baseball cards and beer can days. I now collect wine bottles. It’s a much more “fluid” collection and constantly is being updated because I tend to drink what I collect. Sometimes, collectibles can provide a lot of enjoyment!

What do you collect? We’d love to see your collection and hear how it all began!

Email us at rowhomebrenda@gmail.com!

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 17

PRHLIFE

PRH Life

RALPH’S COZY CORNER Café

R

by Donna Meidt alph Iannelli (1886-1957) and Catherine (Katie) Russo (1892-1965) operated Ralph’s Cozy Corner Café at 1724 S. 20th Street with their family from the mid 1930s until the late 1960s. They originally came from Foggia, Apulia, Italy.

By 1920, Ralph – who worked as a hat blocker for Stetson Hat Company – and Katie had three children: Jerry (8), Susie (6) and Leonard (5). In the 1930s,

after prohibition was repealed, they purchased two properties at 1722 and 1724 S. 20th Street.

The café was located on the first floor of 1724 and they lived in an apartment on the second floor.

In 1942, Leonard was standing outside the café when he spotted Anna Gisondi walking home from work as a seamstress at a children’s clothing factory. He took one look at her and said to his brother Jerry, ‘Someday, I am going to marry that girl.’

On their first date, she put a pair

18

of scissors in her purse in case he got a “little too frisky.” Within a brief period, they were engaged and married in February 1943. They moved into another apartment over the café. Eventually, five grandchildren entered the extended family.

During WWII, Anna was reassigned to make officers’ military uniforms and Leonard worked in a factory that manufactured tanks. By 1945, all the family was involved in running the bar, except Susie, who became a dressmaker. The café was open from 7am until 2am the follow-

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

ing morning. Ralph, Katie, Jerry and Leonard took shifts. Anna took over the kitchen. When needed, Katie stepped in as bartender but worked in the kitchen alongside Anna.

The menu consisted of sandwiches that were cheese, ham, beef, tripe or spezzato (stewed cubed meat), and toppings of mushrooms and peppers. Anna eventually added meatballs and sausage with her homemade spaghetti gravy.

Draft beer was either from Esslinger’s or Schmidt’s breweries in Philadelphia. Anna continued to expand the menu with her Neapolitan family recipes.

Long before Rocky Balboa, Ralph’s Café was a social hub for boxers. Leonard spent his spare time at the local gyms as a sparring partner for other local boxers. Another boxer who frequented Ralph’s

was a northern New Jersey boxer named “Two Ton” Tony Galento whose family also came from Foggia.

Whenever he had a match in Philadelphia, he spent time at Ralph’s Café. It just so happened that he was there celebrating the end of World War II in early September 1945.

By 1965, Ralph, Katie and Jerry passed away. Leonard and Anna took over the business and called it L & A Café. A few years later, they closed the café and bought the Fountain Room in Oaklyn, NJ, and the JEM Restaurant in Atlantic City. They eventually retired in Boca Raton, FL. Many thanks to Kathleen Iannelli Engle and her brother Ralph, Leonard and Anna’s children, for their input and anecdotal information in writing this article. Photos courtesy of the Iannelli family. gohomephilly.com

Diary of a Beatlemaniac

GROWING UP WITH THE FAB FOUR PRH

’ A Philly girls Life

D

experience

by Tony Santini

o you believe a single event can shape a person’s future? Meet Patricia Gallo-Stenman, a copywriter, columnist, journalist and author of a new book set to be released this October – Diary of a Beatlemaniac: A Fab Insider’s Look at the Beatles Era. In December 1963, Gallo-Stenman was a typical teenager when she read about a new musical group from Liverpool, England, called the Beatles. She was captivated.

“From my first glimpse of their pictures, I fell in love. Like so many teens, I was glued to the television when they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. By that point in time, I was in full Beatle fan mode,” she says.

She and her friends - her Beatle Buddies - would search, collect and scrapbook anything related to the Fab Four. Gallo-Stenman also kept a personal diary chronicling activities that had plenty of references to her pursuit of all-things Beatles.

In 1964, the Beatles were scheduled to perform at Convention Hall in Philadelphia. Gallo-Stenman approached the editor of a newspaper in Southwest Philly and offered to cover the event if they would give her a press pass. Although the editor denied her request, she did offer Gallo-Stenman and her friend a job writing a weekly teenager advice column called “Teen to Teen.” She was only 14 years old at the time.

After graduating from West Catholic, Gallo-Stenman received an undergraduate degree in Communications from Temple University and went to work as a staff writer for

the Philadelphia Evening and Sunday Bulletin. She later received a graduate degree from the University of Stockholm, practiced journalism in northern Europe for nearly 20 years and has written about the Beatles for Discover, The Sunday Bulletin Magazine.

In October, she will release Diary of a Beatlemaniac, a book based on her life from December 1962 through January 1967. While she chronicled her personal activities, adventures and everything Beatles, GalloStenman was also chronicling a very tumultuous time in America’s history.

“Racial tension; assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King; the Vietnam War; and a musical and sexual revolution that some historians attribute to the Beatles permeated those years,” she explains.

“The most eye-opening realization was that while I was writing passages in my diary of my day-to-day activities surrounding the Beatles, I had a cousin, who was approximately the same age, sending me letters detailing his day-to-day struggles and exploits while in the Navy and deployed in Vietnam. The irony was cathartic.”

In her book, Gallo-Stenman credits two people for having a profound influence in her life as a Beatlemaniac: Hy Lit and Victor Spinetti.

“Most Philadelphians over a certain age will remember Hy Lit as the long-time disc jockey at WIBG-AM. In the early ‘60s, he was a guru to our group of Beatle Buddies because he was one of the only deejays playing the Beatles records,” she explains.

“Naturally, we tried hard to establish a friendship with him hoping that we could somehow parlay that friendship into a face-to-face meeting with the Beatles. This was especially true when we found out that he was going to be the emcee for the Beatles concert at Convention Hall.”

Though Gallo-Stenman and her friends never did meet the Beatles, their friendship with Hy Lit grew and they were able to get original press releases, photographs and other memorabilia.

Victor Spinetti was a British actor with roles in A Hard Day’s Night, Magical Mystery Tour and HELP. Through the Beatle Buddies’ extensive research, they found out that Spinetti was starring in a play at the Forrest Theater and would be staying at the Bellevue Stratford.

“We wrote him a few letters with requests to meet when he was in Philadelphia and he agreed,” GalloStenman explains. “He was gracious enough to talk with us at length about the four guys he affectionately

referred to as ‘The Lads.’ That meeting turned into a long-distance friendship over many years. Victor’s friendship with the Beatles paid off for us in terms of additional memorabilia, which he sent periodically with some items being quite rare.”

Gallo-Stenman was able to obtain a menu autographed by all four Beatles from the plane they used while filming HELP. “We have a cigarette butt from a cigarette that John Lennon smoked.

I also have a lock of Paul McCartney’s hair that is like a holy relic to me since Paul is my favorite,” she says.

Gallo-Stenman hopes that fans of the Beatles will read her book and appreciate that being a fanatic can be a healthy and life-changing experience.

“For the casual Beatles fan, the book reveals the thoughts of a young teenage girl as she is growing up in innercity Philadelphia during a decade of meaningful changes in America and how the music of the Beatles and the culture of Beatlemania intertwined with those changes,” she says.

Gallo-Stenman did end up seeing the Beatles at Convention Hall in 1964, as well as two other times in 1966 (Shea Stadium and JFK Stadium). She currently lives in Texas with her twin daughters but will always be a South Philly girl at heart. She still roots for her Philly sports teams.

You can preorder Diary of a Beatlemaniac, which includes a forward by another local Beatles expert, Larry Kane, now at www.cynren.com.

July / August / September 2018

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Wine Know

by VINCENT R. NOVELLO JR.

Winemaking 101 PRH Life

J

uly and August are great prep times for bottling last year’s wines. This will allow plenty of time to prepare for bottling this year’s masterpiece, which typically takes place late August and September. This is an exciting and fun time for the experienced winemaker and the new.

My partner (Paul Policarpo) and I started making wine in 1997. It wasn’t until 1999 that we were taken under the wing of Master Winemaker, John Patane. John taught us many important facts about winemaking. The one that stands out the most is one that is often taken for granted, “keeping all of your equipment clean and sanitary.” This is so important because it prevents the growth of different types of bacteria that can and will ruin a good wine.

Make your own wine

On the RowHome website (www.gohomephilly. com), I will place a Step-by-Step guide to winemaking along with information on the kits you need to get started. Newcomers have the opportunity to make different varietals of wine by purchasing 5-gallon containers of juice. These kits will provide two cases of wine or 24 bottles.

Hopefully, I can help anyone looking to make their own blends of wine and eliminate some of the common mistakes that take place when getting started. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can always reach me by email (listed below).

Sharing your “own wine’ with family and friends is rewarding and enjoyable for all!

Here is a list of some perfect summer picks.

Wine Recommendations ❚❙❘ RED WINES

❚❙❘ PINK WINES

J. LOHR ~ Cabernet Sauvignon $17 GERARD BERTRAND ~ Syrah Grenache $10 TORRI D’OCO ~ Negroamaro Salento $15 CHARLES & CHARLES ~ Cabernet Blend $13 GOULEYANT CAHORS ~ Malbec Merlot $13 NUITON BEAUNOY ~ Pinot Noir $15

COMM BARGEMONE ~ Rose’ $15 VILLA DES ANGES ~ Rose’ $10 ❚❙❘ WHITE WINES ALBERTO SANZ ~Verdejo Rueda $10 VILLA WOLF ~ Sauvignon Blanc $13 PAT PAULSEN VINEYARDS ~ Chardonnay $14 CHÂTEAU HAUT MAURIN ~ Sauvignon Blanc $10 VIEIL ORME ~ Sauvignon $13

CUVEE SABINE ~ Rose’ $13 JEAN LUC COLOMBO ~ Cape Bleue Rose’ $12 AIME ROQUESANTE ~ Rose’ $13 OFFLEY ~ Vintage Port $16 …and remember “Never save your good wine for tomorrow!”

For more information contact Vincent Novello Vinoinfo824@aol.com

Vincent Novello has been making his own wine since 1997 and has competed in and judged the annual Vendemmia. His 2008 Brunello took first and second place in the competition. Today, Novello serves as the Vendemmia’s contest director.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

gohomephilly.com

PRHON THE WATERFRONT

Paul Stolfo, Director • Marianne Stolfo, Director

The Tradition Continues the Fourth Generation

Jon Dorenbos reappears at

A

SUGARHOUSE CASINO

fter performing for sold-out crowds and standing ovations earlier this year, longtime Eagles player Jon Dorenbos returns to SugarHouse Casino this summer for two amazing magic shows. “An Evening with Jon Dorenbos” will entertain Philadelphia fans in The Event Center on Friday, August 24, and Saturday, August 25, at 8 p.m. RowHome caught up with Jon, the always-energetic entertainer, for the following Q&A:

RowHome: We’re excited you’re returning to SugarHouse.

What’s your favorite part of performing in Philadelphia?

JON: The fans, 100%! I love Philly and I love SugarHouse. It’s great to be in front of the home crowd.

When I was done playing, the thing I missed was the energy, passion and love. It’s what the city represents, so for me to come out here and get in front of these fans who want to see me, it’s extremely flattering and humbling. All I want to do is hang out with the fans and I want my show to feel like we’re all hanging out, having a beer and just having a good time.

RowHome: What can fans expect to see at your show?

JON: It’s a night filled with fun, magic, stories and a lot of laughs.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson was in the crowd last time, as were some of my former teammates, so you never know who you’re going to see at SugarHouse. It’s a

The Stolfo

Funeral Home Where Everyone is Treated Like Family 2536 So. Broad Street • Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.334.7376

deeply personal and engaging show where I tell stories on how football and magic have shaped my life.

RowHome: What are the similarities between magic and football?

JON: I was a long snapper and I snapped the ball millions of times in search of the perfect rep. I didn’t know if I’d ever hit it, but that’s okay, it’s the journey of getting it that matters. Then, I’d go home and work on my magic – on a move that seemed impossible – but guess what, over time I would work on it, I would struggle and then all of a sudden, I would start to get it. And then I would start to do it in front of people and then I got it. That’s when football and magic came together for me. It taught me that the difficulty doesn’t matter. If you tell yourself you’re going to get it, no matter how impossible it seems, just keep working on it. It’s the same thing in life. You pick yourself up, you dust yourself off when you mess up and you’re eventually going to get it.

Tickets for “An Evening with Jon Dorenbos” cost from $45 to $65 and can be purchased at SugarHouseEntertainment.com. A $95 VIP ticket experience for guests 21 years or older will allow fans to meet Jon after the performance for a private, closeup magic show. The VIP ticket also includes an autographed piece of memorabilia.

July / August / September 2018

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PRHLIFE

A NIGHT OUT WITH ROWHOME!

Gran Caffe L’Aquila Chick’s* photos by ANDREW ANDREOZZI *

FIND OUT WHERE WE’RE HEADING NEXT! Like us on facebook for upcoming schedules, specially priced menus and discounts.

Or find us through the following:

www.gohomephilly.com www.gohomephillyblog.com Facebook.com/PhiladelphiaRowHomeMagazine Twitter.com/RowHomeMag Instagram.com/RowHomeMag Do you want RowHome to visit your hot spot? It’s easy!

Call 215.462.9777 or email RowHomeBrenda@gmail.com for details.

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gohomephilly.com

July / August / September 2018

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PRHON THE CORNER

I’LL HAVE A _______ PLEASE! ON THE CORNER with MARK CASASANTO

SANDWICHES PROVIDED COURTESY OF

JOHN’S ROAST PORK

R

ecently, I crossed my fingers and channeled Gene Rayburn, the host from the old satirical game show, Match Game. I asked a couple thousand of my closest social media friends to basically fill in the blank to the question above. Talk about opening a can of imported Italian style tuna in olive oil...wow! Or do you prefer your tuna in spring water? Never mind. Save that debate for a different day.

Unless you travel a lot, at length or have relocated, I’m not sure if you truly realize just how much we take our indigenous sandwiches for granted.

Yes, I do see the signs on establishments as far as Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco – authentic Philly Cheesesteaks – or at so-called Philadelphia-owned businesses that tout Philly Style this and that. Oh, please! Make it stop!

No, this is not another cheesesteak story.

You see, I was covering the HoagieNation Festival this past Memorial Day Weekend that featured food, fun and music courtesy of our hometown boys, Hall & Oates. Surrounded by what Daryl Hall proclaimed as “a Philly vibe... our culture,” I wondered, did I take the hoagie for granted? Roast pork sandwiches are the hot national trend with foodies right now; we really don’t need to praise another cheesesteak; so what about the hoagie? I mean, we now have a top tier music festival where the hoagie is the culinary star of the show. That’s something, right?

Confused and annoyed by my own inner struggle, I needed answers. What the hell, I thought to myself. It’s summer. Let’s have some fun. So, I decided to see what you the reader had to say about this pickle we’re in – surrounded by serendipitous sandwiches. I floated a simple, two-part question on social media: What do you feel is Philly’s most iconic sandwich and what’s your go-to?

Honestly, I didn’t think the cheesesteak would be bounced from its lofty perch as Philadelphia’s most treasured sandwich and it wasn’t. Not by a long shot. Wit or witout, it reigns supreme and more than likely, always will.

What was hard to digest was the lack of love for the roast pork and - dare I say - the hoagie. Looking for some varied opinions, I turned to some of the most serious eaters I know - my high school buddies from St. John Neumann’s Class of ‘83. Sure enough, both Alex Morrone and Mike Gatta shared why – at least for them – all roads lead to a Roast Pork Italian. “Nine out of 10 times,” Morrone said, “it’s roast pork over the cheesesteak.” Echoing that sentiment, Gatta rightly proclaimed, “No city can do it better!”

But... What... About... The... Hoagie?

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&

PASTIFICIO Finally, someone I consider to be “in the know,” butcher extraordinaire, Anthony Lombardi, dared to stand alone amongst his classmates when he weighed in with an ultra tweaked version of a prosciutto and cheese hoagie. Reminiscent (to me, at least) of days sitting around a summer picnic table with a good hard roll and the freshest of Italian lunchmeats, cheeses and Jersey tomatoes.

The overall results? I’m stirred but not shaken. No arguments here, though. Philly is all about the cheesesteak, I’m okay with that. Before I go into that culinary coma, however, indulge me as I loosen my belt just a bit more.

I will not eat a roast pork sandwich outside of the city. If pulled pork is what you seek, have it. It’s not the same. Cheesesteaks? Outside of the four local joints I hold closest to my taste buds, I’m not touching any other, anywhere… I’m good, thanks.

Now, I’m adding the hoagie to my twisted “do not eat outside of Philly list.” The sub, the hero, the grinder, the po’ boy... all decent, somewhat worthy variations, but nah... I’ll pass.

So, just what is it about a hoagie done right? For certain, there are options. “Whatever kinda mood you’re in tonight...” And like a majestic skyscraper, it’s all about the build, starting with the roll. Turkey, Ham, American or other, if you build it, they will eat.

Carmen Verrilli was spot-on accurate in his assessment, “It’s the ingredients in the hoagie, how it’s assembled and the proper ratio of such that makes it!”

Truth be told, I love them all. But when I’m away from the familiar foods that shaped my waist, it’s a damn good hoagie that I usually (wink, wink) crave the most.

That’s my story and it’s sticking to me. PRH

gohomephilly.com

John J. Dougherty Business Manager IBEW Local 98

July / August / September 2018

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P RHSALUTE TO SERVICE FOUNDING HEARTS FOUNDATION

PRH Publishers have Golden Hearts

FOUNDING HEARTS FOUNDATION OF PHILADELPHIA presented its first annual Golden Heart Award to PRH owners/publishers Dorette Rota Jackson and Dawn Rhoades at a sold-out dinner celebration at Galdo’s. The publishers were recognized for “all the hard work they do for the community in bringing businesses and people together through their magazine,” according to its organizers.

Established by brothers John Ferrara and Benny Ferrara in 2017, the organization and its members raise money for children and their families, the elderly and individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

Proceeds from the 1st annual Spring Fundraiser benefit local children’s charities.

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gohomephilly.com

ART SPHERE Philly

Changing the world through art

A

by DOMINIQUE VERRECCHIO

rt Sphere Inc. (ASI) is a Philadelphia-based non-profit established to teach art to inner-city low-income youth.

Over these past 20 years, ASI has provided free te10week art classes that reinforce core curriculum such as literacy, health and environmental awareness. Their programs have inspired youth to excel in school, pursue college, careers in art and explore their creative potential.

While declining budgets and funding causes an ab-

S E RV I C E

sence for art programs in schools and recreation centers, more and more communities are becoming stretched for creative public services. ASI aims to fill the artistic void by fostering visual arts and developing broader skills to help students thrive in all subjects.

Kristin Groenveld, Executive Director of ASI, explains that students come to ASI now with fewer skills than ever. “There is never quite enough time to teach all the projects we want to share, answer all the questions about the world that kids ask, listen to all their ideas and give them all the encouragement that they need to flourish.” For this reason, ASI actively recruits volunteers to assist art teachers and help guide youth.

Groenveld says, “For a child, every day is full of new opportunities for learning about themselves and the world. Our teachers know that when we work with students, we are helping

youth build important skills, motivation and self-confidence to become lifelong learners. We make great memories and success stories that are very rewarding and keep us, as adults, aware of how wonderful life is. Young people are so excited to learn, try new art forms and make connections.

They are our next generation of problem solvers, innovators and healers!”

ASI gives students profound art experiences with professional grade art materials such as ceramics and glazing, architecture using perspective drawing and drafting tools, clay animation with iPads, literacy and bookmaking, mural painting and printmaking. Through their artwork, youth share their struggles and dreams with peers and mentors who support their growth.

“Our participants provide us with constant motivation and inspiration,” Groenveld says. “The mother of a preschool student wrote on our survey about her son who made a sculpture

from their recycling after our class.

A high school alumnus wrote that they never felt prouder of graduating as when they were able to say that they painted mascot murals in their school halls. A grandmother said her grandson would be the first to go to college in her family because our programs inspired him. The brother and sister who were learning English and identifying every letter that they could find in the classroom after making an alphabet book. The partner site teacher who was ecstatic that a father would bring in sticks for all the children and wanted to teach them to fish when he saw that they made fish art projects. Being a part of a community that values compassion and care gives us hope for the future.”

ASI’s survival primarily depends on monetary and service contributions from individuals and corporations. They look for support and volunteers so they can share programming in South Philadelphia and with immigrants and youth struggling to learn English.

A goal for the future is to sell more items in the Bok Building Cafe, including pillows inspired by a student’s need for more sleep. ASI staff was concerned after reading a Stanford Medicine article citing sleep deprivation in youth as one of the leading July / August / September 2018

causes of depression, obesity, emotional problems, suicide and academic issues. They hope to raise awareness of the impact of this epidemic while selling their student and volunteer art.

They would also like to expand their programming in South Philadelphia.

ASI runs a series of summer art programs for youth at schools and recreation centers from July-August. They will be hosting free art programs for all ages on August 5th and September 2nd at the Bok Bar Family Sundays.

“We raise money for Art Boxes filled with free art materials for youth to make art at school and home. High school students have also told us they use these boxes with siblings and babysitting. Parents have told us that making art together has brought their families closer. Students have brought their sketchbooks to show us years later as documents to their experiences, thoughts and feelings.”

ASI has a rich, diverse network of partners that value making art accessible. “Art is a vehicle for change,” says Groenveld. “Philadelphia has a wealth of creativity and resilience that fuels our students with the drive to want to make the world a better place.

ASI provides a map to go places!”

Visit www.facebook.com/artsphereinc or www.artsphere.org. PRH

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P RHSALUTE TO SERVICE WOMEN IN BUSINESS

(L-R): Janet Alvarez, Karen Corbin-Ward, Barbara Redel, Maria DiMarco, Allyson Hackett, Gretjen Clausing, Keenya Cain-Wiggins

MUSIC STRIKES A CHORD Philly

for these successful women

T

his past May, Ali Hackett’s hit show, Salt...Pepper N Memories, honored some empowering local women in the entertainment and/or culinary arts business. Hackett created this particular episode to “highlight some of the strong and successful ladies in our midst who have kept pushing forward regardless of the odds and sacrifices to reach their goals.”

S E RV I C E

Janet Cedrone Alvarez. Born and raised in South Philly, Janet has been married to radio personality Carlos “King Arthur” Alvarez for almost 50 years. Right out of high school, Janet operated a family grocery store called La Casa Alvarez until 1990 when she decided to close the food market and open a flower shop called Cedrone’s at 800 Lombard St. She has been running the flower shop for almost 30 years. Janet is also a noted on-air personality with her show Destination Doowop airing on Wednesday nights, 8-10 pm, at www.soundsofphillyradio.com. Janet’s dad, Danny Cedrone, was the original lead guitar player on the classic song, “Rock Around the Clock” and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Keenya Cain-Wiggins. Keenya is a natural born cook who began watching cooking shows when she was only three years old. Now known as Chef Shugar (www.shugarshacksoulfood.com), she teamed up with Ali Hackett for his Oldies in the

28

Park venture; he played oldies music and she cooked for the patrons.

Keenya has won several cooking competitions and continues to create a variety of culinary dishes.

Gretjen Clausing. For the past 29 years, Gretjen has worked in Independent Media Exhibition as a Media Arts Programmer / Curator in Philadelphia. She is a media activist committed to rethinking public media and securing access to technology, training and distribution platforms for all people. Since 2009, Gretjen has served as the executive director of Philadelphia’s Community Access Media (PhillyCam) and is a founding member of the Philadelphia Community Access Coalition. Gretjen’s independent film roots go back to the International House and the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. She later directed the repertory film program at the Prince Music Theater from 1998-2004 and was program director of Scribe Video Center from 2004-2009. Gretjen hosts a radio show called Pulling Focus on WPPM every Tuesday at 10am.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

Karen M. Corbin-Ward. Karen began studying classical piano at the age of five. While in high school, Karen met former WDAS radio personality Jimmy Bishop who managed the Philly Soul Group, The Ambassadors. He appointed her as president of their fan club. This move inspired Karen to learn more about artist management. During her time at Cheyney University, she and several others formed a 15-piece vocal / instrumental band named Onyx where Karen sang and played keyboards. Karen taught in the Philadelphia Public School system and later was employed by the Philadelphia Deptartment of Recreation Performing Arts Division.

In 1993, Karen was accepted into the Graduate Program at University of the Arts and received her Masters Degree in Teaching in Music Education.

This education has enabled Karen to interact with many of the groups that we know and love today. She is currently the manager / representative of the R&B group Bloodstone.

Maria “Mamma” DiMarco.

Born and raised in Abruzzi, Italy, this owner and operator of Mamma Maria Ristorante Italiano,1637 E. Passyunk Avenue, first opened her doors in South Philly on Mother’s Day in 1992. The restaurant is best known for genuine, authentic recipes - especially Mamma’s

hand rolled gnocchi and homemade limoncello. She even had her own TV show, Cooking With Mamma, that aired on WYBE TV. Allyson Lynn Hackett. Being the wife of one of the premier radio and TV talents in this area is not an easy task! Coming from more than 40 years in the auto and casualty insurance business, Allyson is now coproducing her husband Ali’s TV show and Radio Show. Her roles include scheduling guests and directing the audience. Soon she will be hosting her own TV show.

Barbara Redel. As a child of Holocaust survivors, Barbara learned to work hard and never give up. Her Real Estate practice experience and a Political Science Degree from Rutgers gave her the business skills needed to become a successful entrepreneur. As co-owner of Carl’s Farm Eggs (a very successful poultry and butcher shop in the heart of the Italian Market), Barbara loves to see people smile. She incorporates her wealth of knowledge about foods, preparation and very creative recipes to each one of her customers that comes through the door.

Ali Hackett’s Salt...Pepper N Memories airs every Wednesday at 6:30 pm on Comcast Channels 66 & 966 / Verizon Channels 29 & 30 / or on the Internet at phillycam.org/web-channel. PRH gohomephilly.com

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2547 S. Broad St., Phildelphia, PA 19148 Phone: (215) 462-3303 | Fax: (215) 462-3304

REAL LIFE SUPERHEROES The Philadelphia Avengers

A

by JANE ROSER photo by REVERSE RING PHOTOGRAPHY

zsking a founding member of the Philadelphia Avengers which Avenger is their favorite is a hard question to answer. “I love Thor, who doesn’t?”

Lady J Cosplay says after a few moments, “but Cap is so patriotic and Black Widowwho doesn’t love the first girl who held it down for all the ladies? Yeah, I can’t choose just one.”

In 2015, Lady J Cosplay, Kevin D Cosplay, Big Daddy Cosplay, LaVa Cosplay and Phoenix Rising Cosplay went to enter a costume contest at DC’s Awesome Con, but never made it through the door because so many people wanted to take their picture. Realizing their shared love for cosplay and charity work, they officially became the Philadelphia Avengers and opened the group up to new members, which currently stands at 22.

At conventions, the Philadelphia Avengers typically host panels whose topics range from how to start your own cosplay charity group to cosplaying cheaply (hint: buy discounted costume items the day after Halloween), to cospositivity- a panel that promotes anti-bullying.

“We give resources to people who are bullied and teach them how to handle it constructively,” says Lady J. “All cosplay is, is ‘costume play’ and you should be able to cosplay whenever and wherever you want to regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, skill level...it doesn’t matter. In our group, our ages range from 18 to 56 and people love to see that type of diversity. We encourage people to tell their stories during the panel and I’ve had people message me that they cosplayed the following year because of our panel.

They see someone like me who, on top of being African American- and our characters are very

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limited, but there are almost zero plus-size superheroes. I’ll wear whatever I want to, though.”

The group participates in approximately 15 cons a year, including Wizard World, the Jersey Shore Comic Book Show and Lehigh Valley Comic Con, and 15-20 annual charity events such as Toys For Tots, JDRF, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, breast cancer and leukemia walks.

All funds raised go directly to the charity.

“The kids events have a very profound effect on you,” says Lady J. “One of my most memorable moments was when a little girl ran up to me and said, ‘You’re my favorite character! I have your doll at home!’ I was Batgirl that day and she didn’t see color, she just saw Batgirl. Last month, I was Elastigirl and a little boy asked me, ‘Can you still stretch? Hasn’t it been, like 10 years?’

It was so funny, the kids are just awesome.”

Being a part of this group has been very fulfilling to Lady J. “We started as friends and now we’re a family. I can’t imagine my life without them.”

To become a member, message the Philadelphia Avengers on their Facebook page www. facebook/philadelphiaavengers and attach kidfriendly cosplay photos. After passing a social media page check, you then become a recruit so the group can see how you interact with families at a few events. Several events and a background check later, you’ll become a full-fledged Avenger.

Upcoming events include the an anti-bullying fundraiser on July 21st, Team Theresa’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand on August 11, Superhero Showdown race for Super T’s Mast Cell Foundation on October 6th, JDRF One Walk on October 28th, and Toys For Tots in November (date TBA). Check the group’s Facebook page for more information. PRH

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PRHHEALTH

YOGA Still measuring your advertising dollars by the number of “hits” you get?

We don’t HIT you.

We BRAND you.

Advertise with Philadelphia RowHome Magazine & customers will know who you are.

You can COUNT on that.

motion

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5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW TO GET YOU GOING

yoga!

I am sure you’ve heard so much about it but still are struggling with the decision to actually try it - right? All you have to do is G-O! Don’t be afraid to be a beginner. Here are five tips to becoming the best yogi you can be!

1 2

ove your body and respect its limitations. A L good yoga teacher will show you modifications of each pose based on your body’s flexibility.

Never push yourself. You will progress as you practice (and practice frequently). reathe. Breathing is the most important B aspect to becoming a good yogi. It helps center your body and bring it into harmony with your mind.

3

This is not a competition. As Americans, we are programmed to be competitive.

The only competition is with yourself – who you are and who you want to be.

4 5

se a good, sturdy yoga mat. There are new U versions made with a vegan suede top and natural tree rubber bottom. When you sweat, the grip holds you. No slipping and sliding like a full rubber or vinyl mat.

njoy yourself! Don’t take the class (or E yourself) too seriously. You will love yoga and reap the benefits in no time!

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Brighten stained teeth with whitening, bonding or veneers ❱❱ Repair worn or broken teeth with crowns or veneers ❱❱ Restore teeth with strong tooth colored fillings ❱❱ Replace missing teeth with a dental bridge ❱❱ Permanently replace missing teeth with dental implants Voted Top Dentists in South Philadelphia Keeping you smiling for over 30 years

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cosmsultation etic p roceds for ures

Drs. Steven A. Moskowitz and Kenneth S. Donahue invite you to make an appointment for a whiter, healthier smile.

1517 Packer Ave, Philadelphia (Across from Chickie’s & Pete’s) 215.462.2424

PRHTIPS FROM THE PROS Keep at-risk pets inside with the air conditioning on for them. Older pets as well as kittens or puppies don’t handle weather extremes as well as healthy adult pets. Dogs or cats of breeds known as “brachycephalic” – short-nosed pets such as bulldogs, pugs or Persian cats – have a greater difficulty keeping themselves from overheating. These high-risk pets should be kept inside where it’s cool. Any outings should be short – potty runs only.

RowHome Roscoe with his AutoDogMug water bottle.

How to prevent your pet from overheating courtesy of FERRULLO INSURANCE AGENCIES

Ferulloinsuranceagencies.com

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Exercise your dog during cooler parts of the day. While short-nosed pets should be kept inside, other pets can enjoy supervised outdoor time early mornings or late in the day. Walks are good for dogs and people and you don’t have to skip them. Just time them better. One rule of thumb: Put your hand on the sidewalk. If it’s too hot to leave it there, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.

Always have enough water. Whatever your summer activities, make sure there’s plenty of cool, fresh water for your pets. When you’re out and about, bring water with you. Don’t let pets drink from pools, standing water or oceans. There are handy devices you

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

can buy from pet retailers to make it easy to bring water along. Products that have flip-down cups or nozzles mean you don’t have to carry a bowl with you.

Warning signs that your pet is overheating. With dogs, look for rapid (even frantic) panting, very red gums and a glassy look to their eyes. Cats will have similar symptoms including panting, rapid heartbeat, dark red gums, hyperventilation and restlessness as the cat tries to find a cooler spot. An overheated dog or cat is in a life-threatening situation. Apply cool water – not icy cold and not ice – to the groin area and get your pet to your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital right away.

It doesn’t take much to keep your pets safe in the summer. Knowing how to protect your pet will allow you both to enjoy the warm summer days.

In addition, the right pet insurance coverage can help keep your dog or cat protected if they need a trip to the vet.

John Ferullo Insurance Agencies is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

gohomephilly.com

PRHHEALTH THE BOTTOM

Bottom the

Addiction Prevention What’s love got to do with it?

by REV. JOHN STABENO

W

hen a parent asks, “How can I prevent my child from becoming an addict?”

I generally respond, “You can’t.” Naturally, parents want something tangible they can do to feel safer that their children and families will not be plagued by this epidemic. However, in order to understand why I believe what I believe, it is important that you first read about my experience and understanding of addiction.

Addiction is a problem that goes beyond physical dependence to a chemical or behavior. It is not a moral deprivation or a lack of willpower. Addiction is ignited as a desire to fill a hole in the soul. It is first and foremost a spiritual disease with its quest for God and thirst for connection with self and others. Therefore, drugs and alcohol and other objects or processes are not the problem. Rather, they are the solutions that people use to temporarily fill the void and spiritual vacuum where shame, fear, mistrust, insecurities and despair reside.

Addiction will lead us to isolation

(from others), alienation (from ourselves) and separation (from God).

Recovery is about connections. It is a lifestyle that restores our relationship with God, self and others. We move from destruction to rebuilding and from deception to honesty.

We learn acceptance and forgiveness while practicing the principles of service, meditation, prayer and reconciliation in our lives, daily.

Addiction occurs when many factors collide and the opportunity for development of the pathological dependence emerges and magnifies. The combination of biological, emotional, social, moral and behavioral elements are all third variables that regress in the equation that results into full-blown addiction. It can be described as that inescapable escape from self.

Most people start using chemicals or engaging in certain unhealthy behaviors because they are curious as to what effect they will have on them.

The temptation to use these things increases when the object (chemical, person, money) alleges to produce

Addiction is a spiritual disease. As such, the soul is the area where healing needs to take place. Souls are not physical things inside our bodies that can be operated on or manipulated by physicians or chemicals. It is our energy source that encompasses our entire being.

This energy needs to be connected to its source to be fully charged and to produce light and love.

Without being charged, our energy is low; our light is dimmed. Ad-

diction leads us to darkness while recovery brings us to the light.

The only way for the light to shine forth is for it to be connected to the source of light and energy; plugged into God. Only through that energy can we begin to heal.

Most addicts have expressed that when they first used a drug, they fell in love. Many people, addict or not, enter into toxic relationships.

Telling someone their significant other may not be the best possible person usually ends up with them only separating themselves from everyone who believes it. Not until they have enough pain in the relationship will they terminate it. “Can you prevent your child from falling in love?” That is the response I give to parents who ask me if they can prevent their kids from becoming addicts. We cannot prevent it. However, the good news is that we can teach our children, primarily by example, how to love ourselves enough not to poison ourselves with toxic chemicals or people. By building a solid foundation, we can enable someone to recognize harm is being done and that change is possible. Have Hope!

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 33

a desired effect (removal of pain or promise of love and happiness). Although it may briefly and temporarily attain those effects, the continued reliance on those (external) objects fails to sustain those results (internal states or conditions), but the individual continues to repeat the external actions to the detriment of giving attention to other aspects of their life.

Over time, the constant, consistent repetition of acquiring those external objects typically produces the converse effect internally on the individual leading to an increased amount of internal pain, apathy and sadness while experiencing toxic amounts of shame, fear, anger and despair.

PRHHEALTH

KICK YOUR WORKOUT INTO HIGH GEAR

by ANN MOSCHORAK

K

ick your summer up a notch with CKO Kickboxing in South Philly!

The new fitness center provides the opportunity for people of all ability levels to expand their workouts and try something new. Here, people use real, pro-level heavy bags to punch and kick their way to prime health and fitness.

CKO Kickboxing was founded in Hoboken, NJ in 1997 by Joseph Andreula. The workout became so popular that nine additional locations opened throughout New Jersey and New York by 2004.

Today, CKO has more than 90 locations and has been featured in countless national fitness magazines and television programs.

Kickboxing is an intense workout that will provide quick results in strength training, stamina, stress

Dr. Adam Ellis family medicine

relief, toning and fat burning, all while learning a new skill in martial arts. Each kickboxing class lasts one hour and participants can burn up to an impressive 1,200 calories.

Classes are run by trainers who know how to create a workout for every person in each class no matter the level of fitness. Each class focuses on hands-on training and basic technique teaching with a different feel based on skill level and background of the instructor.

Abby Travelina, co-owner (along with Jeff Travelina) and part of the instruction team at the South Philly location, describes CKO Kickboxing as a high energy, proactive workout in a comfortable atmosphere. At a CKO Kickboxing class, people can expand their skills and leave knowing they accomplished something they never thought they could.

Travelina is a 2nd degree black belt

and has studied karate since age 18.

In addition, Travelina is South Philadelphia born and raised. She and husband Jeff dedicate their time to building the CKO Kickboxing center to its full potential. CKO South Philly offers a free first trial class and the center has a way of making everyone feel welcome to the point that people enjoy their workout and celebrating each person’s achievements at the end of each class.

In the future, CKO Kickboxing will grow in its resources. As a plus, the center will offer nutritional counseling, technique classes, pads training, private team training classes for groups and several other private personal training opportunities. CKO Kickboxing will also host events such as wedding parties/ladies’ night classes.

For more information or to join, visit www.ckosouthphilly.com.

Why did you become a family doctor?

Any special areas of expertise?

I have many physicians in my family so you could say it was already in my blood as a child. When I was in elementary school, I couldn’t think of anything more valuable or interesting to me than a career in medicine. I liked getting to the root of a problem so I trained in both psychiatry and general surgery as a resident. I was given extra training in family medicine since I wanted to go into practice for myself.

I have a special interest in treating knee and shoulder pain. By using joint injections, I have helped patients decrease their joint pain and maintain their usual lifestyle until surgery is required.

What is your personal care standard for your patients?

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and attended both the University of Pennsylvania and LaSalle University before going on to medical school.

Hobbies?

Care with me is always personal with only me as the doctor. There are no other people between me and the patient. No students or physician assistants are in my office, so my patients get true continuity of care.

This has been my standard for over 20 years. I offer house calls, visiting my patients right in the comfort and privacy of their own home. This is something only a private practitioner can offer their patients.

I am happy to do it since I really enjoy getting to know the patients and their families. South Philly is very family-oriented; it’s just a special place and has wonderful families I have had the chance to care for.

During undergraduate summers, I sold art, as it was one of my interests as well as playing golf. Like most Philadelphians, I also enjoyed Ventnor growing up.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

My hope is to spend the rest of my career practicing in South Philly as my patients have really added color and richness to my life. It’s been 20 years and continues to be a rewarding ride.

I have admitting privileges and am on staff at both Jefferson and Methodist Hospitals. And I continue to make house calls. My staff and I welcome new patients to our office. Please give us a call if you would like to schedule an appointment: 215.334.2550.

For an appointment, call:

Adam Ellis, D.O.

1641 Jackson Street, (corner of 17th & Jackson)

P: 215.334.2550 |Open Monday through Saturday 34

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

gohomephilly.com

#

Team In Our Market

Center City South Team

Michael Giuda & Mario Tropea Jr., have built the Center City South Team into a top producing real estate team. Having a strong passion and drive for all aspects of real estate, Center City South Team With Keller Williams has a very impressive and accomplished resume, with an outstanding reputation. With their established and reputable career, you can trust you are in the best of hands. Their knowledge, connections and enthusiasm will ensure a seamless and successful real estate experience.

Michael Giuda Office 215-227-3333 Mobile 215-783-3697 Email Mgiuda@kw.com www.sellinginphilly.com

Mario Tropea Jr Office 215-389-2222 Fax 215-389-0337 Mobile 215-783-3698 Email mariocentercity@gmail.com

Philly Dream Homes

REAL

ESTATE

Phill y

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HARRY ALESSI

Real Estate Sales

Novello CONTRACTING 267.688.4879

1033 N. 2nd Street 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19123 Office: 215-400-2600 Cell: 609-636-9783 HarrySellsPhilly@gmail.com

accessphilly.com

CONTRACTORS SPOTLIGHT photos by ANDREW ANDREOZZI Novello Contracting, in business for 49 years, designs units in the tristate area. Vincent Novello and his crew skillfully select all design and renovations choices. Together with his own team of painters, electricians and plumbers, Novello and partner Mario Cavallo work on a variety of projects from concept to completion. The condo shown here is a two bedroom, one bath located at 1919 Chestnut Street and part of the William Penn House Cooperative (www.williampennhouse. com). Novello tells us that he and his crew completely renovated this Center City residence.

They believe they have made creative, innovative decisions like making smaller rooms out of larger ones and creating walkways from part of a prior room. The space is totally restored from what it once was into an elegant, modern home.

Contact Novello Contracting at 267.688.4879.

Novello Contracting is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

PeterBUILT Construction LLC

From planning to completion.

All your contracting needs begin here.

Licensed & Insured

215-399-7732

July / August / September 2018x

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 37

PRHREAL ESTATE

y Phill

Create an Outdoor Space FOR YOUR DOWNTIME COMFORT

COURTESY OF FETTERMAN DESIGN GROUP photo by ANDREW ANDREOZZI

WOO-HOO!

The wait is over! The much-anticipated summer season is upon us and with it comes wonderful weather, beautiful sunsets and long evenings for lounging in a relaxing space outside your home.

Our team feels that all homeowners should have an outdoor space for personal relaxation or entertainment. We realize that it can be especially difficult for urban homeowners challenged by limited space, sparse natural landscaping or little to no grass. To help you create your own outdoor space, we’d like to offer the following practical tips to jumpstart your design.

DEFINE YOUR FUNCTION.

Do you want an outdoor place to relax? Do you love entertaining outdoors? Are you looking for the perfect space to do both? Understanding what you need from your outdoor space is crucial. It will

38

help you when choosing between lounge pieces or a dining set. Lighting your outdoor space is another important consideration. Ambient lighting with the use of candles, lanterns, string lights and landscape lighting not only injects warmth and comfort into your setting, but also enables you to use your space both day and night.

SPACE PLANNING.

For limited space issues, consider using live plants and flowers that grow vertically. Nature’s works of art bring a beautiful array of color, scents and backdrops to any concrete patio. The use of taller planters and a leaning wall trellis convey lush natural beauty without crowding your space. Consider using multi-functional furniture like a storage bench that provides seating but can also store cushions. Select a side-table that doubles as a cooler. A well-placed hanging or leaning mirror adds another dimension to your space.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

ESTABLISH COMFORT.

Consider using umbrellas or a pergola to provide comforting shade from the sun. Use soft decorative pillows and plush cushions for your seating areas for a cozy setting. Also, to create a foundation for your furniture pieces, use a large area rug. By emphasizing comfort, you enable the outside space to serve as a pleasing extension and complement the inside of your home.

Have a wonderful summer and remember, for additional ideas or assistance with home design, contact Cindy and Jackie at Fetterman Design Group, 856.264.6816/856.534.3094.

Fetterman Design Group is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Magazine Business Network.

gohomephilly.com

THE RIGHT PLACE. RIGHT IN THE HEART OF PACKER PARK.

Brand New 3-story Townhomes with Garages starting at $475,900 Invest in a unique and luxurious lifestyle in Packer Park, one of Philadelphia’s most desirable neighborhoods, with its own fusion of style, culture and personality. Sports and entertainment venues are nearby, and great restaurants and FDR Park are right around the corner.

New Phase Now Open!

Ask About Quick Delivery Homes!

SALES CENTER LOCATION: 2300 Hartranft Street Philadelphia, PA 19145

Where else will you get this much space, your own private driveway, 9’ ceilings, a private balcony, a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel GE® appliances, hardwood floors, and great views of the Philadelphia skyline?

10-YEAR TAX ABATEMENT VA AND FHA APPROVED!

215.339.5390 | SienaPlace.com Sales@SienaPlace.com Broker cooperation is warmly invited and appreciated.

DECORATED MODELS OPEN: Mon, Thurs thru Sat: 11 AM-5 PM Sunday: 12-5 PM

All prices and features subject to change without notice. Please see sales associate for details.

LIKE & FOLLOW US

PRHTIPS FROM THE PROS

STAY HYDRATED! SKIP THE CHIPS! And other ways to enjoy your fun in the sun

courtesy of RON RABENA Chief Administrative Officer, Allied Universal www.aus.com

You may look forward to the warm breezes and longer days of summer but the reality of extreme heat, humidity and a glaring sun will become an uncomfortable reality. Tips to deal with heat don’t change much from year to year, but it is important to have a refresher.

We provide safety tips each year on this topic because heat-related injuries are very preventable. Please review the safety tips and linked resources below so you are aware and prepared for the hazards that may arise in many workplaces during the hottest months of the year.

The Basics ❚H ydration. Drink plenty of water. Salty foods and beverages (like potato chips and soda) can work against you in the heat. If you have a specialized diet or other health concerns, you should consult a physician on this issue. ❚A cclimatization. Be even more cautious during the first few days of warmer weather or during a heat wave. Your body needs time to get accustomed to a warmer environment.

Pace your physical activity and drink more water. ❚H eat Illness. Watch for the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in yourself and others. Know the

details of your sites’ Heat Illness Prevention Plan. Don’t delay if you experience symptoms of illness. Respond immediately to cool down and seek medical attention as needed. ❚ S un protection. The CDC advises that you apply a thick layer of sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) on all exposed skin.

Seek or ask for sources of shade if you work outdoors. ❚ S evere Storms. Many areas of the country can be affected by severe storms. Register to get local weather alerts sent to your cell phone and familiarize yourself with your site’s response plan. Lightning strikes in the U.S. 25 million times a

Download the free OSHA Heat Safety Tool app so you can stay abreast of climate changes and adjust accordingly.

year. Move indoors if possible, or into a fully-closed, hardtop vehicle in an emergency. ❚ I nsects. Protect yourself from insect bites by wearing clothing that covers your skin. Use insect repellents. Survey your area for sources of standing water, where mosquitos lay their eggs. Always check your skin and scalp for tics after being outdoors for a prolonged length of time. ❚E xercise. Fitness is important year-round, but play it safe in extreme weather. Try to fit in your exercise during the cooler parts of the day when the sun is down.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_app.html (available in the Apple Store and Google Play).

Did You Know Know the signs and symptoms of heat illness, which can become a lifethreatening condition without the appropriate response.

HEAT EXHAUSTION ❚H eavy sweating ❚W eakness

❚C ool, clammy skin

❚N ausea, vomiting

❚F ast, weak pulse

❚F ainting

HEAT STROKE ❚H igh body temperature (>103° F)

❚H ot, red skin

❚P ossible unconsciousness

❚R apid, strong pulse

Ron Rabena, Allied Universal, is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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De Fino Law Associates, P.C. Don’t Settle for Less

LEGAL

& RDER LAWO Without a Will, your wishes won’t be honored

Michael Anthony De Fino

Vincent Anthony De Fino

Nicholas J. Starinieri

Nicholas L. Palazzo

Attorney at Law Attorney at Law

Attorney at Law

Benjamin J. Simmons

Attorney at Law

Attorney at Law

Areas of Practice •Personal Injury •Wrongful Death •Wills and Estates •Real Estate •DUI •Criminal Defense •Corporate •Traffic Violations

2541 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 TEL: 215-551-9099 | FAX: 215-551-4099

by FRANK C. DEPASQUALE JR., ESQUIRE

Q: I have been separated

for years but never divorced.

How do I protect my assets from my soon to be ex?

You can’t. Pursuant to Equitable Distribution, your spouse is entitled to one-half of the increased value of any assets during the marriage including the time during any period of separation. Accordingly, until you obtain a final divorce decree, the increased value of any marital asset will continue to be subject to Equitable Distribution.

A:

Q:

My mom recently died.

My dad passed away years ago. My mom didn’t talk to my only brother for years because he has a drug problem. She told me she didn’t want him to share in any of her assets including her house but she never did a Will.

Can I honor her wishes?

Unfortunately, no. Since your mother died without a Will, she is considered to have died intestate or without a Will. The

A:

w w w. d e f i n o l aw y e r s . c o m

Intestacy Laws of Pennsylvania provide that the issue or children of a parent share equally. This is why it is critically important that everyone should have what I call a Life Care Plan, which consists of a Will, Living Will or Healthcare Directive and a Power of Attorney.

Retirement

Business

Life

Home

Auto

Q:

My son’s parked car was totaled by a drunk driver with no insurance. He hit a parked car behind my son’s car, which in turn, collided with my son’s car. Would the owner of the parked car behind my son be responsible for the damage?

No. In order for an individual to be held liable, their conduct in causing the damage has to be negligent.

A:

Here for you in PHILADELPHIA. P # ROvIDINg# O ^ n YOur Side^ s # ERvIcE FOR 26 yEARs.#

At PHILADELPHIA, we’re proud to be part of the fabric of this community, helping you protect what you care about most. We consider it a privilege to serve you.

Once again, Frank DePasquale has been recognized by his peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2018.

He heads DePasquale Law Offices, 2332-34 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145. P: 215.755.4410. Email him at frank@depasquale-law.com or visit www.depasquale-law.com

JOHN FERULLO PHILADELPHIA 215-468-4116 ferullj@nationwide.com www.ferulloinsurance.com Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company.

Nationwide, Nationwide is On Your Side, and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2016 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. NPR-0784AO (04/16) #

#

#

#

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 41

PRHTIPS from the PROS

6

Things not to do When Applying for a

Mortgage courtesy of

TIOGA-FRANKLIN SAVINGS BANK

Take Your Building Supply Shopping Experience to the Next Level!

When lenders review your application, they like to see consistency in your finances. Here are a few things you should avoid when applying for a mortgage.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Do not make major purchases like furniture, appliances, jewelry, vehicles or vacations.

Do not change or quit your job.

C&R

Consult with your mortgage professional before withdrawing, depositing or moving large amounts of money in or out of your bank account.

BUILDING SUPPLY CONTRACTORS ONE STOP SHOP Products We Carry To Meet Your Needs!!!

Stock/Custom Windows & Doors Kitchen & Bath Cabinets Plywood & Lumber Products Metal Studs Pressure Treated Lumber Timbertech Decking Azek Mouldings & Boards

42

Custom-Made Wood Stairs Paints & Hardware Pine & Oak Boards Insulation Ceiling Tile Engineered Lumber Tools & More !!!

60,000 SF New Facility!

12,000 SF Of Hardware Store!

2,000 SF Show Room!

Full Service Drive Thru Lumberyard!

Benjamin Moore Paint!

Free Customer Parking!

Daily Specials!

215.462.0505

www.crbuildingsupply.com DELIVERY AVAILABLE Hours: Mon-Fri. 7am – 5pm Saturday 8am – 1pm SOUTH PHILADELPHIA 1600-30 Washington Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19146

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

Do not pay off debts or collections (unless instructed to do so by a mortgage professional).

Avoid using cash for a goodfaith deposit. Cash is very difficult to verify and could result in a closing delay.

Do not have your credit report pulled too many times. This can hurt your credit score.

Tioga-Franklin Savings Bank is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

gohomephilly.com

The Birthplace of Freedom

Still Has a King.

9th & Passyunk Avenue

PRHTHE MENU COURTESY OF MARIA MERLINO

EASY SUMMER

SANGRIA

INGREDIENTS ➜4 cups Carlo Rossi ➜1 orange, sliced into Red Wine

➜1 cup fresh orange juice

➜1 cup chopped

fresh pineapple

thin rounds and then halved ➜1 ripe pear, diced ➜2 bottles flavored seltzer: peach, orange or plain

DIRECTIONS Add fruit into a large pitcher. Pour in orange juice and wine. Stir. Refrigerate four hours or more to co-mingle flavors. Just before serving, add 1 1/2 bottles of the seltzer. Enjoy!

Meet me at the Penrose

PENROSE DINER 20th & Penrose Avenue Philadelphia, Pa.

215.465.1097 Open 7 days S-Th: 6 am to midnight F&S: 24 hours

Food for thought 44

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

S E RV I N G B R E A K F A S T, L U N C H & D I N N E R

gohomephilly.com

COURTESY OF MARK CASASANTO

SUMMER

GNOCCHI SALAD So you got that last minute invitation to visit Aunt Carmella down the shore for your long lost cousin’s birthday party and don’t know what to bring? Here’s something that I threw together unscripted, on short notice and didn’t even have to go shopping in search of ingredients.

INGREDIENTS tomatoes cut in half ➜2 bags of refrigerated (not frozen) gnocchi (prepare via ➜1 /2 jar of corn and chili boiling directions on bag)

➜1 package of refrigerated ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜

imitation king crab or lobster meat (lobster pictured) 2 large carrots, peeled, sliced to 1/4” thickness and steamed until fork tender 2 extra large or jumbo eggs, hard boiled, then chopped into bite size pieces 2 medium, young stalks of celery sliced to 1/8” thickness 8 to 12 cherry or grape

salsa (I used the salsa from Trader Joe’s to add a little heat but substituting a small can of drained sweet yellow or white corn would eliminate the heat while adding desired sweetness) ➜G arden herbs: lemon thyme, curled parsley, basil (Rinse, chop and add according to desired taste) ➜S ea salt and ground peppercorns to taste ➜O live oil

DIRECTIONS Prepare all ingredients as noted above and where necessary, set aside or refrigerate to cool. After draining pasta, coat lightly with olive oil and gently toss to prevent sticking.

Add all remaining ingredients, including herbs, salt and pepper to taste. Lightly toss. Add olive oil to coat and toss again before refrigerating. Do not over saturate with olive oil. Serve as a side dish in a bowl or as an appetizer with hardy, flavored crackers. Enjoy!

PRH Suggested Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello Villa Wolf ~ Sauvignon Blanc $13

215.755.7180 3120 S 20th Street, Philly, PA 19145

Monday-Thursday • 11am-9pm Friday&Saturday • 11am-11pm Sunday • 12pm-9pm

We would like to welcome Benny Marsella and friends back every Saturday night. Happy Hour Monday through Friday 4:006:30PM. Visit our website for all of our upcoming events!

w w w. p o p i s r e s t a u r a n t . c o m

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 45

PRHTHE MENU

CHEF MITZI JACKSON’S Twist on the

The historic rebirth of one of Italy’s premier cafes

PHILLY FOOD SCENE

by JOEI DECARLO photos by ERIC BRIGHAM

authentic italian restaurant & bar gastronomic gelato artisan coffee roasting assaggi (tapas) / crudo regional italian wine & beer italian cultural school

Guests recently filled the Johnnie Walker Lounge above Chinatown Square to celebrate Private Chef Mitzi Jackson’s new brand – Twist:The Art of Soulful Fusion. You may have read about Mitzi in previous issues of RowHome Magazine or watched her on Season 6 of the Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games. The Twist pop-up event consisted of a six-course food and three-course wine tasting presentation – a savorful blend between French and Southern cuisines including palate-pleasing, healthconcious options. With more than 10 years of culinary experience, Mitzi Jackson is a private chef for professional athletes and has worked as an executive chef in restaurants. With plenty of tasty skills up her sleeve, Mitzi served the following courses during her successful Twist event:

1716 CHESTNUT STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 215.568.5600 W W W . G R A N C A F F E L A Q U I L A. C O M

Collard Green Cornbread Muffins Chicken and Waffle Sliders Glazed Salmon Bites

Double Down Burgers Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms White Chocolate Bread Pudding

To learn more about Twist and private events and catering options, visit www.twistphilly.com.

Chef Mitzi Jackson is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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COURTESY OF MARK CASASANTO

PASTA

with

JUMBO SHRIMP, CRABMEAT & GRAPE TOMATOES Full disclosure. I’m an amateur Italian-American cook who doesn’t necessarily measure ingredients. I cook with my eyes and tastebuds. With that said, you may want to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.

INGREDIENTS ➜1 cup of white wine style pasta (Fettuccine, ➜ ( 1) 8 oz bottle of clam juice Tagliatelle or Pappardelle) ➜1 /4 stick of butter or ➜1 4-16 wild caught butter substitute (I use

➜1 lb of fresh, ribbon

➜ ➜ ➜ ➜

Argentinian jumbo shrimp (Argentinian Shrimp have the best fl avor for this dish) 8 -12 Oz fresh back fin crab meat 1 2-14 tri-colored grape tomatoes 2 garlic cloves

Country Crock)

➜1 /4 cup of olive oil ➜1 cup of pasta water (optional)

➜S alt ➜ F resh cracked black pepper ➜P inch of red pepper flakes ➜ I talian parsley (if fresh, minced)

www.lombardimeats.com B E E F / P O R K / P O U LT R Y / V E A L / L A M B / P R E PA R E D F O O D S

DIRECTIONS

Boil your pasta water on high heat in a separate pot.

Shell, devein and rinse shrimp. Rinse tomatoes. Set aside. Mince the garlic and add it to a large, deep frying pan. Add olive oil (enough to coat bottom of pan) and butter. Turn on heat. As the butter melts (but before the garlic browns), after about a minute, add shrimp, tomatoes and white wine. Bring to a gentle boil (shrimp should be pink), reduce heat to simmer and add clam juice and crabmeat. Season with salt, pepper, flakes and parsley. Stir gently with a wooden spoon. Cover and let it come together. As the tomatoes begin to lose form, take the wooden spoon and carefully squash them to help incorporate the pulp and skin into the sauce.

At this point, the pasta water should be boiling. Add a touch of salt and drop the pasta into the water. Fresh pasta takes only a few minutes so keep an active watch so as not to overcook. Once done, use tongs to remove pasta from pot and add to sauce mixture. Do not strain pasta. Gently use the tongs to toss the pasta in the sauce. Once all ingredients have been blended, should you feel the need for more liquid as part of your sauce, carefully remove about 1 cup of the pasta water from the pot and add it to your dinner mixture.

Incorporate. Serve immediately with a crusty garlic bread.

PRH Signature Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello Viel Orme ~ Sauvignon $13

Anthony, Vince & Vincent “Three generations; a team that is a cut above the rest.”

1801 Packer Avenue / Philadelphia, PA 19145 P: 215.940.2211 / P: 215.334.1212 / F: 215.940.2210 Photo by Andrew Andreozzi

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 47

PRHTHE MENU COURTESY OF LOMBARDI’S PRIME MEATS

GRILLED RIB-EYE STEAKS

FRESH HERB COMPOUND BUTTER with

w w w . l o m b a r d i m e at s . c o m

➜ ( 3) 1 1/2-inch-thick

rib-eye steaks (about 1 pound each) ➜ F resh Herb Compound Butter ➜4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

INGREDIENTS ➜1 garlic clove,

minced ➜1 /2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper ➜1 /2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

➜1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

➜3 tablespoons freshly chopped basil

➜2 tablespoons freshly chopped oregano

DIRECTIONS

Remove butter from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Put the butter in a bowl and leave at room temperature to soften. Add remaining ingredients (except meat) and mash together with a fork until combined. Using a rubber spatula, scrape butter mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Roll butter into a log and twist ends of plastic wrap. Refrigerate until needed.

Generously rub salt and pepper on steaks. On a medium high heat, place meat on grill and cook for 6 minutes per side for medium rare. Cut each steak in half.

Slice compound butter log into 6 rounds and top each steak before serving.

PRH Signature Wine Pairing by Vincent Novello Charles & Charles ~ Cabernet Blend $13 Lombardi’s Prime Meats is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

gohomephilly.com

Philly

SEE YOU IN

September!

THE SOUTH PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

held its last meeting before summer break with a good old-fashioned BBQ under sunny skies outside of Galdo’s. Proceeds benefit the group’s Scholarship Fund. Music by DJ Tommy Pipino.

photos by ANDREW ANDREOZZI

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 49

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1.-@PHILLYFOODGIRLS 2.-MOLLIE DRONSON OF @PHILLYFOODIES 3.-LORI DEFINIS OF @MUSIC2MYMOUTH 4.-LAUREN AYNN @HUNGRYHAPPYFOODIE AND JOSH MOORE @JOSHEATSPHILLY 5.-@SARAHMAIELLANO 6.-@PHILLY_FOODIES 7.-CAITLIN CHERKIN OF @PHILLYBRUNCHBABE

PhillyDo it for foodies

the ‘Gram

by Kelley Bregenzer

A

city with as rich a culinary scene as Philadelphia is apt to have its fair share of ‘foodies’ on Instagram. These accounts, dedicated primarily to documenting the city’s bevy of restaurants and dishes, serve as a visual menu of sorts. They help the hungry among us navigate our cravings and inspire us to experience the city’s culinary smorgasbord with the gusto it deserves.

Food is beautiful and Instagram is a space for pictures of beautiful things. But for many followers, geographically-related food accounts serve a more utilitarian purpose; they assist in answering the age-old

MENU

question, “Where should we eat?”

“People don’t Google a menu anymore,” said Lori DeFinis, who created the account @Music2MyMouth alongside her cousin Natalie Guarna, to poke fun at their shared obsession with food and song lyrics. “They see on Instagram where they want to eat.”

Behind the glistening photos of pastel ice creams and perfectly arranged plates of pasta, there’s often quite a bit of work that goes into running an Instagram account.

Here, we go behind-the-scenes with some of the city’s influential eaters.

Behind the Plate When they speak of Philadelphia’s food scene, there’s an air

50

of reverence among this group of account owners. Compared to massive, ultra-competitive markets in neighboring New York City and Washington, DC, there’s a certain familiarity to dining in Philadelphia.

“I personally think it’s more intimate. You have these amazing chefs coming here who are wanting to make their restaurants their own and they just put so much pride in it that you feel like you have to try them. You want to almost get to know them; they make their restaurants like their homes and they’re welcoming you in,” explains Sarah Formento, the food and travel expert behind @MenusAndMaps.

“I just think it’s quality, everywhere, and I think that Philly people will tell you if it’s not good,”

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

says Caitlin Cherkin, also known as @PhillyBrunchBabe. “So you’re going to make good food or you’re not going to be successful.”

For many, a special relationship with food started early. “I’ve loved food my whole life,” explains Lauren Aynn, aka @HappyHungryFoodie.

“My father was one of the first to graduate from the Restaurant School in Philly. My parents owned a little cheesesteak / ice cream shop on Long Beach Island.”

The self-described “bottomless pit,” who runs @lettuce_be_cereal and prefers to go by his Instagram handle, attributes an appreciation for a hearty meal to family. “I grew up with my mom and grandmother always cooking for me. It was always appetizer, entrée and dessert… dessert was for sure, which is why I put sugar on my sugar,” he says (he first started reviewing ice cream on message boards before starting his own Instagram account).

Although some were born with a curious palate, Sarah Maiellano (@sarahmaiellano) developed when food became her job. Before dedicating her Instagram ac-

count to her eating adventures in Philadelphia and abroad, Maiellano cemented her culinary expertise as a freelance food and travel writer for Eater and USA Today. But before all of that, she admits that she was actually a picky eater.

The same can be said of Formento. “When I first met my husband, he jokes that he would take me to steakhouses and I would order a Caesar salad. I really credit becoming very interested in food to my husband.”

Do it for the ‘Gram Getting a fabulous photo of your meal will get you ‘likes,’ but it’s also about showing respect for the city’s chefs by making something look as good as it tasted.

“I think lighting and angles are key. Lighting is the most important thing,” says Mollie Dronson.

Like most of the other foodies, she shoots entirely on her smartphone for her account @PhillyFoodies.

Several foodies insist on using only natural light. When you’re in a dark bar or a swanky lounge, this sometimes means taking your dish gohomephilly.com

outside. “I take probably 50 photos to get to the right one,” says Josh Moore of @JoshEatsPhilly. He carries lighting equipment along with him and admits that it can sometimes take up to an hour to stage the perfect shot. “I definitely get those crazy looks,” he laughs.

According to DeFinis, photos with a little bit of motion—think cheese melting or ice cream dripping—get the most likes.

Let’s make one thing clear. If these foodies don’t like something, you won’t see it in your feed. To share a dish that doesn’t meet their standards would tarnish the respect they’ve earned from their followers. Or in some cases, you will. @ Lettuce_be_cereal features dishes that sometimes just didn’t hit the mark with straightforward honesty.

Together, we can eat more

Even with champion appetites, Instagrammers need help and often bring along family, friends or other foodies to get the most out of dining. Abby Karasick and Amy Brazina, the duo

behind @PhillyFoodGirls, have been friends since kindergarten. For them, getting together to dine is just as important as running the account itself.

“We’ve always loved to go out and try new places but now that we run the account together, it’s a lot more fun. Whether it’s a Saturday or Tuesday, it definitely gives us a reason to get together and eat!”

The rest of their friends—whom Karasick and Brazina didn’t even tell about the account until they hit 2,000 followers—are now in on the action, sending along countless recommendations.

While it’s easy to assume that there would be competition among these Instagrammers, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Philly foodie scene is tight knit and account owners often meet one another at events or gather for a group meal.

Recommendations

The most enjoyable part of running a food related Instagram account is not all the incredibly delicious food. For many, it’s interacting with followers. They bestow onto

us some recommendations: For starters, brunch-babe Cherkin recommends On Point Bistro or Fond—which boasts an impressive bloody Mary bar. The @PhillyFoodGirls love South Philly classics like The Saloon or Ristorante Pesto.

Instagramability and flavor meet an Andy’s Chicken, according to Formento, who also frequents Pumpkin when in South Philly. @Lettuce_be_ cereal suggests some South Philly favorites: Sky Cafe or Hardena for some divine Indonesian food, the Italian Market for Anastasi Seafood, and amazing cheesesteaks at incoming Haddonfield import, Angelo’s Pizzeria (which will open where Sarcone’s Deli operated previously).

For dessert, Moore suggests some twists on traditional ice cream.

First, see what all the buzz is about at Arctic Scoop—where you can eat your ice cream out of a literal coconut shell. Moore says he loves what Arctic Scoop’s done, turning to influencers big and small for the word of mouth buzz that’s got them all over Instagram. As for exotic ice cream in other neighborhoods, he

also suggests satiating your sweet tooth with an impressive selection of soft serve at Kuriimii in Chinatown.

Maiellano, who has eaten all over the world, absolutely adores giving recommendations based on the individual wants and needs of each person who messages her. After a trip to San Sebastián—a coastal city in Spain known for its high concentration of Michelin star restaurants— she searched for similar flavors here in town and recommends Tinto for those who want to taste the Basque region without the plane ride.

As long as there’s food to be eaten, the Instagrammers—all of whom work full-time or study in addition— will keep going. Some, like Dronson, have even started to turn the hobby into something more. Alongside fellow foodie, Lauren Carroll, she has started City Chew, a consulting company helping restaurants improve their own Instagram presence.

Whatever these foodies wind up doing (or eating) next, one thing’s for sure: we’ll be following every bite.

Deli l Catering l Gift Baskets

215.463.9666 | 215.463.4975 Fax Give us a call because we do it all j Full-Service Deli j Homemade Daily Specials j Soup j Signature Salads j Hot & Cold Sandwiches j Free Delivery! j Corporate & Private Catering j Event Planning

Gourmet Gift Baskets & Specialty Italian Foods Shipped Anywhere!

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 51

Burger on a Pretzel Bun Tony Luke’s

What I did on my

PHILLY STAYCATION

by BRENDA HILLEGAS

Friends, fun and some of the finest food from our local top spots Summer is the perfect time to get out of the house and see what the city has to offer. You might even learn a little bit about Philly’s history, too. Hungry? Try hitting up one of Philadelphia RowHome Magazine’s favorite restaurants. Don’t forget to tag us in your instagram posts (@rowhomemag) so we can see what our readers have been up to during summer 2018. Did we skip over your favorite hot spot? Tell us where you love to hang out!

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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

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[ ❚❙ Anthony’s Italian Coffee & Chocolate House

903 S. 9th St., Italian Market 215.627.2578

Wandering around the Italian Market picking up fresh fruits and veggies is a great way to spend a summer morning. Even better - doing it with an iced coffee in one hand. Try their Shakerato - a blend of espresso, simple syrup and ice shaken to perfection! The perfect summer drink. Anthony’s also sells a variety of specialty coffees, paninis, chocolates and homemade gelato!

Purchase a bag or cup of Caffe di Causa (coffee for a cause) to help support children with dyslexia.

❚❙ Bark Park Philly

1930 W. Passyunk Ave. & 4809 Woodland Ave. www.barkparkphilly.com

The coolest new spot for dogs and their owners, too! Bark Park offers dog walking, pet sitting, doggy daycare, drop in play space, grooming and training. But what really sets this place apart from similar hubs is the coworking space with WiFi and coffee for pet parents. The Passyunk Avenue location is open now and Woodland Avenue is coming soon. For more info, check out the article in our Spring ‘18 issue.

❚❙ Big Nick’s Cold Cuts & Italian Specialties 1311 W. Moyamensing Ave. 215.952.2500

There are plenty of scrumptious, homemade specialties to take home from this corner deli. But don’t leave without the potato salad! It’s homemade – just the way you like it. Perfect take-along to that summer pool party or backyard bbq.

❚❙ Bok Building 1901 S. 9th St. www.buildingbok.com

If you haven’t been to the rooftop bar at this converted South Philly vocational school, check it out, now (www.bok-bar.com). Amazing city views, dog and kid friendly Sundays and a great food/drink menu await.

But have you explored the rest of the building? Previously vacant classrooms are now filled with local jewelers, architects, designers, artists, charitable organizations, a daycare and a brand new coffee shop.

Hot Spots

❚❙ Caffe Chicco 2532 S. Broad St. 215.334.3100

This place has THE BEST roast beef sandwich anywhere! On a long or round roll, this slow-simmered beef is cooked on-site with a special blend of family-secret seasonings and hand-carved for every order. Your search for perfection ends here! While you’re there, try an iced coffee or caffe latte.

Tell Rosario RowHome sent you!

❚❙ Cannuli’s Sausage

1640 Ritner St. / 215.468.7997

Family owned and operated since 1932, this local gem has been the go-to for homemade sausage – hot, sweet, fennel & cheese. Or order a pork roast – boned, rolled & tied with the perfect seasonings.

❚❙ Chick’s

1807 Washington Ave. 215.546.2233

This gastropub just celebrated its one-year anniversary in a prime spot close to the Graduate Hospital, Point Breeze and Newbold neighborhoods. It’s a great place to just unwind with a gourmet pizza & beer or order a favorite appetizer, sandwich or entrée from their mouthwatering menu.

Weekend brunch is a must for eggs benedict, fried chicken & waffles or a wake & bacon burger with a peach mimosa or a beer for breakfast.

RowHome writer Dominique loves the white muscles paired with a Lychee Love martini. We also can’t get enough of their wonton bites.

❚❙ Dad’s Stuffings

1615 Ritner St. / 215.334.1934 This old-school butcher shop, grocer and carry-out is best known for chicken meatballs and authentic, homemade dishes to go! Are you looking for jersey tomatoes?

Your search is over! They are fresh off the vine here. This place is a South Philly staple. Check out our feature story on their history in the Fall 2017 issue.

❚❙ DeMarco’s Italian Specialties

1338 Jackson St. /215.463.9666

This is a great place to pick up a unique dish before heading to a party this summer. From gift baskets to catering to specialty Italian products, whatever you purchase is sure to be

]

authentic and delicious. The deli also serves a wide menu of breakfast sandwiches, hoagies, hot and cold sandwiches, pitas, soups, salads and sides. “DeMarco’s always has a great chicken parm sandwich for lunch,” says RowHome writer Stephen.

❚❙ East Passyunk Avenue

www.visiteastpassyunk.com

There’s no need to wander down East Passyunk Avenue with any sort of agenda. Restaurants are plenty and filled with cuisines to please any palate. It’s also a great place to support local shops and services, making it easy to find something for everyone. Events take place throughout the year including the upcoming Car Show & Street Festival (7/29) and the Farmers Market at the Fountain every Wednesday from 3pm to 7pm (seasonal, check www. visiteastpassyunk.com for dates).

❚❙ Fishtown Hops 1001 N. Delaware Ave. www.FishtownHops.com

A great escape right in our city.

This must-do beer garden, located on the waterfront at the SugarHouse Casino (with free parking), Fishtown Hops provides guests with a beautiful and relaxing view, making it the perfect spot to wind down after the work day. Plenty of Happy Hour specials. Try the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls or some fire grilled wings while sipping on a local brew. The outdoor space also offers lawn games and live music.

❚❙ Francoluigi’s

1549 S. 13th St. /215.755.8900 www.francoluigis.com

They deliver pizza with any topping imaginable, including a neighborhood favorite –the Philly Cheesesteak pizza. Also order their garlic knots or a sandwich like the chicken Italian with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone. Dining in?

Enjoy savory homemade dishes (shrimp fra diablo, chicken marsala) in a relaxing dining room, opera singers, a piano player and friendly faces. Tell Franco we sent you!

❚❙ G iovanni’s Italian Catering

www.giovannisitaliancatering.com

267.439.0779

It’s always shower season! Baby shower? Bridal shower? Retirement?

July / August / September 2018

Holiday party? Whether you’re planning a memorable event or a fun backyard BBQ, Giovanni and crew will cater so you can spend time with your guests. Wait until you taste the homemade dishes on his menu.

❚❙ G ran Caffe L’Aquila 1716 Chestnut St. 215.568.5600

An authentic Italian experience right here in Philadelphia! This Center City restaurant will help you make the most of your staycation by providing you with the true taste of Italy’s Abruzzo region. Gran Caffe L’Aquila also offers Italian Culture Classes, food and drink specials for this summer’s Center City Sips and weekly rotating tasting menus that offer guests a variety of cuisines from different cities throughout Italy. Read more about the history and inspiration of this true Italian cafe in our Spring ‘18 issue.

❚❙ Kimmel Center 300 S. Broad St. www.KimmelCenter.org

The Broadway season may be over for the year but you can get excited for their epic 2018-2019 season by taking in everything else the Kimmel campus has to offer. Educational classes for students and free community shows/events constantly fill up the various venues associated with the Kimmel Center. The Phila Flea Market will be there (indoors!) on August 25th with plenty of vintage and antique goods so come experience the beautiful interior of the Kimmel Center while you search for some unique items.

❚❙ The Kitchen Consigliere

700 Haddon Ave., Collingswood NJ /856.854.2156 Head about six miles east of Center City to this great little town in New Jersey and spend the afternoon wandering in and out of the small local businesses. Go on August 18th or 19th for the Collingswood Crafts & Fine Arts Festival! Hungry after shopping? Make dinner reservations at The Kitchen Consigliere.

RowHome writer Stephen suggests ordering his favorites, the chicken parm entree or the chicken alfredo!

Dominique says they have the best gnocchis. “They are literally like pillows!” It’s BYOB!

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❚❙ Lombardi’s Prime Meats 1801 Packer Ave. 215.334.1212

Grilling this summer? Of course you are. Before you head for the shore, head to Lombardi’s for the best steaks, ribs, chicken, ground beef and the finest selection of meats in town. Look for a recipe from Lombardi’s in this (and every) issue!

❚❙ New York Bakery

2215 S. 11th St. /215.389.5912

RowHome writer Debbie loves this family-owned South Philly landmark established in 1926 and still going strong today. They are known for their tomato pie, also known as “church pizza” since it’s a stone’s throw away from Epiphany Church; attracting many customers on their way home from Mass. “The pie is made in a very large square pan and the nostalgic decor has never changed; that is a huge part of their charm. I was a regular on Sunday mornings on my way home from Mass and this bakery will always remain one of my dearest childhood memories,” she says. Also worth trying is their bread - light and airy, baked to perfection in a century-old brick oven. “This is what sets them apart from the rest,” Debbie says.

❚❙ Pastificio Homemade Pasta Co. 1528 Packer Ave. 215.467.1111

The food here is packed with flavor and you can’t go wrong no matter what you pick. But if you want a suggestion, the top choice from Dominique is their chicken parm sandwich. If you’re looking for some fresh, homemade pasta, this is absolutely the place. Numerous selections (ravioli, fetuccini, spaghetti, cavetelli) are available – all made on site with all-natural ingredients. Pick up some imported cheeses and try their various “inferno” sandwiches, too.

❚❙ Pat’s Steaks

1237 E. Passyunk Ave. (9th & Passyunk)

Are your out-of-town visitors overwhelmed and not sure what to order? Tell them they’ll fit in just fine with the simple “cheesesteak wit.” We don’t have to explain this

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one to you, do we? Take your loved ones to this landmark spot where the Olivieri family invented the iconic sandwich back in 1930. It’s a history lesson worth learning.

❚❙ Penrose Diner 2016 Penrose Ave. 215.465.1097

Our writer Charlie, as well as others on the RowHome staff, have had many business meetings here over the years. Charlie loves their omelettes and suggests trying one for breakfast, or their oatmeal!

“It’s the best around,” he says, “I’d love to get their recipe!” If you’re going after breakfast, Dominique says a must-try is the French onion soup, well done. Our writer Joei says “Chicken Athenian over rice is my go-to. It has chicken in a scampi sauce with cheese, tomatoes, spinach and crusty garlic bread to dip.” Penrose Diner, according to RowHome writer Marialena, reminds her of home. She loves their buffalo chicken wrap. “When I would come home from college, I would eat that and it would be like I was tasting home! I also think they have the best fries anywhere.”

❚❙ Philadelphia Folksong Society

6156 Ridge Ave. / www.pfs.org

They don’t just put together the oldest continually-run outdoor music festival in North America! PFS’s newest office/venue is located on Ridge Ave. in Roxborough where weekly open mics, monthly concerts (most are free for members), and other unique events take place on a regular basis. Classes and workshops are also held throughout the year for music lovers of all ages.

❚❙ PHL Athletics

2017 Juniper St. /214.778.3259 www.crossfitphl.com Get fit at this 3000 square foot strength and conditioning facility in the heart of the neighborhood.

The gym is great for any age and ability level with classes like CrossFit, bootcamp, sports and team training. Join them on July 29th for “doggy noses and yoga poses.”

You do yoga while adoptable puppies from the Brandywine Valley SPCA roam around. On Labor Day, there will be a hero workout to honor the troops. Visit www.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

facebook.com/phlathletics for more upcoming events and info.

❚❙ Philadelphia International Records Headquarters 309 S. Broad Street www.Gamble-Huffmusic.com

Though now demolished with condos/hotel under construction, this address was once the site of the ’50s -’60s pop and rock of CameoParkway Records and the ’70s R&B and soul of Philadelphia International Records (Gamble-Huff Music). Philly’s music history is rich with many influential hits recorded here. Head across the street to the Kimmel Center’s Balcony Bar this summer, grab a drink, and pull out your phone to learn more about the historic record companies that once existed on Broad Street.

Maybe you’ll even be inspired to create your next roadtrip playlist.

❚❙ Popi’s Italian Restaurant

3120 S. 20th St. / 215.755.7180 Charlie Sacchetti says all of their pasta dishes are great, so you can’t go wrong no matter what you order.

RowHome Brenda loves the eggplant rollentini and Dominique is a fan of their delicious jumbo lump crab cakes. Cocktails, live weekend entertainment and a friendly staff serve authentic Italian dishes (lunch & dinner) at this local favorite in the heart of our city’s bustling Stadium District. Perfect for dinner before a game or concert.

iconic. David Bowie recorded Young Americans there in August 1974.

Two years prior, in April of 1972, Billy Joel performed an hour-long concert at Sigma Studios. The recording of “Captain Jack” from that day received extensive radio play in our area which helped Joel establish a national following.

The historic site marker is there, though, so take a photo with it and immerse yourself in the sounds of Philadelphia. Have lunch in Chinatown while you’re there!

❚❙ Tony Luke’s 39 E. Oregon Ave. 215.551.5725

Try the ham and cheese breakfast sandwich. RowHome’s Stephen has been getting one every weekend for the past 15 years and says “it’s the best!” Charlie loves the Roast Pork Italiano and recently stopped by with his daughter (the two of them share a birthday) to grab a sandwich en route to a Phillies game. Try their new burger on a pretzel bun!

❚❙ Uncle Tomy’s

1653 S. 27th St. / 215.271.0250 Family owned and operated since 1972! Sure the pizza is great, but the menu is vast and ranges from light fare like salads to entrees like meatloaf (and two sides!).

Homemade soups are available in quarts to share at home...mmm buffalo chicken chili. There’s a lot of love and local ingredients in every order. Try some new menu items like the breakfast pizza, too!

❚❙ Pop’s Homemade Water Ice

❚❙ Yorkfest Fine Arts Festival

“Lemon is the best, with chunks right in the cup. This is our postPhillies game stop on the way back home to Jersey,” says Charlie. Joei says their iced tea flavor is “heavenly!” Family-owned since 1932, don’t leave without trying a gelati (water ice / ice cream combo). It’s a taste of Philly you’ll never forget.

Yorkfest is York, PA’s epic summer fine arts festival, taking place August 25th and 26th. The festival features 100 fine artists from all around the country as well as free family-friendly entertainment and hands-on arts activities, food and an evening community concert. Take a day trip down route 30 through Lancaster toward York.You never know what you’ll find on the way - small unique businesses, roadside stands, activities, local foods.

Consider making this journey your final family getaway before summer comes to a close. More details can be found in their ad in this issue.

1337 Oregon Ave. 215.551.7677

❚❙ Sigma Sound Studios 212 N. 12th Street www.sigmasoundstudios.com

From Aretha Franklin to ZZ Top, the client list at this now defunct recording studio was long and

Downtown York, PA www.yorkcity.org

gohomephilly.com

HIDDEN GEMS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD O

photo of John Heinz Wildlife Refuge Center by Lamar Gore, Refuge Manage

Perfect places for picnics, hikes & the oldest ginkgo tree in the country

by MATT KELCHNER

kay, these might not literally be in your own backyard, but below are some of our favorite, lesser known landmarks and destinations in the City. Start planning the perfect day trip for everyone in the family. Check out our list and let us know how many you already know, which ones you love or if we are missing any!

Bartram’s Garden A 45-acre park in West Philly that dates back to the mid 1700s, Bartram’s Garden is perfect for walks and picnics while being surrounded by nature. Last year, “Bartram’s Mile” debuted - a segment of trails running along the west bank of the Schuylkill River between Grays Ferry Avenue and 56th Street on either side of Bartram’s Garden. It’s also home to the country’s oldest ginkgo tree! Events of all kinds take place every week. If all of that isn’t enough, the boat launch within the park is a great starting point for getting out on the Schuylkill River.

The Rail Park The Rail Park sits on what was once the Reading Railroad Viaduct and is elevated feet above surface streets.

Mirrored after New York’s Highline Park, the city’s newest public space will stretch three miles once it is fully open. For now, you can enjoy the first phase that has been completed, a portion that begins near the cross

streets of 13th and Noble down to the 1100 block of Callowhill Street.

It is home to 1,100 plants, 11 types of trees and 30 varieties of perennials.

Keith Haring “We The Youth” Mural Originally completed by the Pennsylvania native in 1987, Keith Haring’s “We The Youth” mural brings his iconic, colorful characters to the corner of 22nd and Ellsworth.

It’s the last collaborative public mural done by Haring that remains intact at its original location.

John F. Collins Park Need a break from the busy streets of Center City? The John F. Collins Park is the perfect spot for you.

Located at 1707 Chestnut Street, the tiny green space is like a miniature oasis in the middle of a concrete urban jungle. Whether it’s for a quick lunch or a good book, you’ll feel like you’re in a different world once you’re inside. Just be sure to keep a careful eye open when trying

to find it. The park is easy to miss!

Cira Green Just like The Rail Park, Cira Green may not be new for most people. But if you didn’t know any better, would you expect to find a beautiful park atop an 11-story parking garage?

Neither would we! Don’t be surprised if you find yourself waiting in line to get to this green space high in the sky above the Cira Centre South parking garage (129 S. 30th Street) in University City. It’s a popular hangout with its own Beer Garden and some of the best views of the skyline.

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden This traditionally styled Japanese home and garden are tucked away in Fairmount Park west of the Schuylkill River. Visitors can tour the home, explore the gardens, feed koi in the surrounding pond or relax beneath a 75-year-old cherry tree.

The Shofuso house was originally built in Nagoya, Japan, in 1953.

Later, it was on display at New York’s Museum of Modern Art and finally made its way to its final resting spot.

Wagner Free Institute Walking through the Wagner Free July / August / September 2018

Institute is like taking a step back in time. Housed in a three-story, remarkably preserved Victorian building, the center opened its doors in the 19th century to give residents of the city free education in the sciences of the time. The collection includes more than 100,000 specimens including the first sabertooth tiger discovered in the United States. The items on display appear in their original positioning to demonstrate the changes in science and paleontology through the decades.

John Heinz Wildlife Refuge Center Whether you realize it or not, you’ve driven past the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge plenty of times while traveling south on I-95. Situated in Tinicum Township next to the airport, the refuge spans more than 1,000 acres in Philadelphia and neighboring Delaware counties. It serves as protection for the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in the state. It also is a great place for a short hike or bike ride. On top of it all, the well-preserved environment has become a haven for birdwatchers, who collectively have recorded more than 300 different types of bird species! PRH

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T Sign up for a

BYOB tour

by Liam Divon photo by Mittul Patel

im McAleer identifies himself as a failed comedian turned failed school teacher turned successful tour guide. He said he finally found his calling while working as a tour guide on his summers off.

In 2015, he started Founding Footsteps - a uniquely Philadelphia tour company that combines history, storytelling, bad jokes and cold beer.

Located at 3rd and Arch in the thick of the city’s most historic landmarks, Founding Footsteps offers a variety of personally guided treks through the City including a popular BYOB tour, a Philly Phables walking tour, a Tavern Tour, Beer and Band Tour and a historically non-historic comedy tour.

“A major reason our tours are so well received by our customers is because we truly only put out products that are worth the price,” McAleer says. Founding Footsteps is so confident in their customized tours through the city that birthed a nation, they offer customers a refund if they’re not having fun in the first 30 minutes. They’ll even call you an Uber.

Pick a Tour

The BYOB trolley tour is the only BYOB tour in Philadelphia. It lasts about two hours with comedic storytelling through the streets of Philadelphia.

The Philly Phables walking tour takes place in Old City with storytelling that breathes a lot of energy into the historic sights of the area.

The Tavern Tour last two hours with 20-minute stops at some of Philadelphia’s most famous taverns including Race Street Cafe, City Tavern and Independence Beer Garden.

Sign up now through August 17th for Founding Footsteps’ Beer and Band tours.

The BYOB trolley will escort you around the city to your favorite beer gardens while live musicians keep you entertained. Even better – 15 percent of ticket sales will be donated to Rock to the Future, a program that provides local kids with free music lessons and homework tutoring. Check out the list of upcoming performances on their website under the “Special Events” tab.

Need some comic relief? The “Stand Up and Drink Tour” is an hour-long comedy excursion that helps local comics get paid for stage time.

In addition to Rock to the Future, Founding Footsteps is involved with an organization called Teach 2 The Core. McAleer, who taught in the inner city, is aware of the number of students that live in poverty. The program, which runs on Drexel’s campus, focuses on literacy and selects 15 students who are the first to attend college in their family to mentor a younger student from a similar neighborhood and background.

By shining a positive spotlight on the City, Founding Footsteps is attracting a lot of attention from tourists near and far. To purchase tickets or learn even more about the tours, visit www.foundingfootsteps.com.

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gohomephilly.com

PRH Brides Guide

C escaphe unveils new venue on Avenue of the Arts The Lucy will encompass Cescaphe’s reputation for sophisticated, luxe venues by

JOE VOLPE photo by MIKE MORBY PHOTOGRAPHY

H

appy summer to all of our Brides Guide readers. I hope everyone is enjoying the sun and warm weather with family and friends. This summer is especially exciting here at Cescaphe as we prepare to open our seventh Philadelphia venue.

I am thrilled to share with you more details on The Lucy, located on the corner of Broad & Locust along Philadelphia’s famed Avenue of the Arts. It is a brand new building that will feature two floors of event space, including a grand ballroom with seating for up to 325 guests and a second-floor mezzanine overlooking the ballroom where we will host the signature Cescaphe cocktail

hour-and-a-half.

Everyone here at Cescaphe is very excited to be able to host weddings right in the heart of our beloved city, with the bright lights of Broad Street setting the stage for spectacular wedding affairs.

The Lucy will include all of the designer elements expected from a Cescaphe venue with a neutral feel to enable brides and grooms to personalize the space to fit their own wedding style. We are in the process of transforming the space into an elegant venue that will combine a modern interpretation of 19th century detailing with modern textures and materiality. European

inspired brass chandeliers will illuminate marble accents and ivory wall paneling for a warm traditional aesthetic. Painted white brick and chevron wood floors will evoke a timeless and classic emotion.

If you are engaged and still looking for a wedding venue, we would be honored to host your special day at The Lucy. We are currently booking weddings for November and December 2018 and all of 2019. Special inaugural pricing is available for weddings November 2018-April 2019. For more information and to schedule a tour, please call us at 215.238.5750.

The Lucy Wedding Features Six hour affair: 1.5 hours Cocktail, 4.5 Hours Reception. Additional 1/2 hour added for Ceremony

Chairs, 200+ designer linen choices, custom menu, custom hand-carved ice sculpture, seasonal coat check

Cescaphe events team: Event Manager, Event Coordinator, Event Chef, Maître D’, Head Server for Parents. Your team specializes in weddings and handles full event management

Top shelf open bar: Includes Champagne Greeting, Champagne Toast & Custom Signature Cocktail

Featured Amenities: Private Bridal Suite, Chiavari

Cescaphe signature cocktail hour-and-ahalf: 30-40 Butlered Hors D’oeuvres including Lamb

Chops, Coconut Shrimp, Seared Duck Crostini & Grilled Shrimp with Avocado Gazpacho. Raw Bar including Shrimp, Crab & Lobster.

Sushi Station Hand Rolled at Wedding by Sushi Chef 3-Course seated dinner: Salad, Intermezzo & Entrée.

Guests choose from three entrée choices ordered tableside. 60-70 entrée options to choose from

including seasonal selections.

Vegetarian offered off menu Wedding cake: Custom designed four-tier cake.

Fondant or buttercream Dessert: Gourmet Dessert Display. Butlered Dessert Option, International Coffee Bar with Espresso, Action Stations & Chocolate Fountain

For more information on CEG University and to see upcoming events, visit www.cescaphe.com/CEGU.

by JOSEPH VOLPE, Cescaphe Event Group

Cescaphe is a member of the PRH Business Network.

Ever keeping his eyes focused on the latest wedding trends, Cescaphe Event Group CEO/Chef Joseph Volpe is recognized as the area’s leading authority on ballroom bliss. With his innovative approach to the most important celebration of your life, his award-winning Cescaphe Ballroom, Tendenza, Vie, The Down Town Club and The Water Works combine a captivating ambiance with exquisite cuisine for an unforgettable experience. Visit cescaphe.com or call 215.238.5750.

PRHFASHION

ANN KING LAGOS

REALM JEWELRY Custom designs inspired by fashion & the women who wear it

by JANE ROSER

www.explorerealm.com

FOR REALM JEWELRY WO M E N I N B U S I N E S S

founder and designer Ann King Lagos, jewelry is more than just an accessory, it’s a reflection of the owner’s personality.

“I’m inspired by fashion and the women who wear it,” Lagos explains. “I wanted my brand to represent all women and our need to feel empowered and to be our best self, hence the name REALM instead of Ann King Lagos.

We’re all in this together!”

Lagos has been designing jewelry for 45 years and understands that each piece should not only look beautiful, but feel special. Her rings and bracelets, for instance, have a “silk fit” that feel like velvet when

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slipped on. Each piece can take more than eight months to create and are meticulously crafted in sterling silver; some with luxury finishes of 18k gold or rose gold vermeil and black ruthenium.

“I like to be relevant to the mood and style of our lives,” Lagos says. “I’m always noticing shapes throughout my day which gives me ideas for new designs. My work is classic, but I enjoy pushing the boundaries with contrasts and movement. For me, this translates into sculptural qualities of the form.”

There are eight REALM collections and each is represented by an iconic symbol with special meaning. Insignia, for instance, is the symbol for family, bond and power. Sceptre symbolizes strength, courage and spirit. The Empress Essentials are the most

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

popular with clients and include three of Ann’s favorite styles - the Domain Portrait Hoop Earring, the Realm Thoughtfully Cuff Bracelet and the Empress Insignia Luxe (which local Philadelphia women have fondly dubbed their friendship ring). The two-tone Tryst collection, featuring python links weaving in and out, will launch this July.

REALM hosts private events in their studio - think girls’ night out and birthday parties - and also collaborates with several local charities and institutions.

“I love creating the whole experience for women and giving to help others,” Lagos says. “We meet such wonderful women and enjoy making it fun for everyone.” gohomephilly.com

TIPS from the PROS

-2018 NER hoice N I W e r s ’ Cd ! d a e R Aw a r

“The Unusual Is Our Specialty”

The

Think Pink! ❱❱

by VICTORIA DIPIETRO www.bella-angel.com

WHETHER YOU ARE ENJOYING THE SUMMER SUN OR looking forward to the crisp breezes of fall, your makeup routine should reflect the layback feel of the season and that means plenty of color.

Focus on the eyes

Draw attention to those windows to your soul with bold colors. Eye pencils come in a variety of shades so grab a green, purple or hot pink hue and color your eyelid with it.

Add some spark with tasteful accents of glitter. For a fluttery eye and some Golden Age of Hollywood drama, complete your look with false lashes. Top it all off with your favorite mascara – also available in a variety of shades. Try blue mascara with blue shadow and a contrasting shade in the crease. A little fuchsia will work well as an accent.

Think pink

Pink lipstick with a matching pink blush will complete any look.

A natural choice Do you prefer a natural look?

Start with a bronzer on your cheekbones. Add a highlighter and finish with a simple sheer gloss on your lips. Mascara is a must for any look.

What to wear with black

The color black dominates my wardrobe so bold color choices

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are necessary for my makeup collection. My favorite look is a fiery burnt orange eyeshadow that I smoke out with a chocolate brown and golden highlight.

It really makes the eyes pop in contrast to the dark clothing.

Use heavy black eyeliner and mascara to complete this look.

Elegant Unforgettable

Wear your wings

If you’re in love with the winged look, don’t forget to add color.

Try a black eyeliner wing on your eyelids and add a color right above that liner for a great multidimensional look. If you’re feeling an even edgier look, try white eyeliner and add a color like pink on the wing. Eye jewelry is still attracting attention so feel free to enhance any look with rhinestone face stickers. They are so much fun, provide some added sparkle and come in all colors.

Just because the summer is winding down doesn’t mean you have to give in so quickly. Keep it fun and colorful and the sun will continue to shine on you!

Victoria DiPietro and Bella Angel are members of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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PRHFASHION A NIGHT OUT WITH ROWHOME!

Lobo Mau

Bold prints meet style & ease photos by ANDREW ANDREOZZI ABOUT THE DESIGNERS

Andreozzi Photography

WEDDINGS • SPECIAL EVENTS • BIRTHDAYS • ANNIVERSARIES

Andrew Paul - Photographer “QUALITY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR LESS” (484) 614-1952 apandreozziphotography@aol.com apandreozziphotography.com

Nicole and Jordan Haddad are a brother/sister duo behind local design studio Lobo Mau. A designer with a masters in Fashion Design from Drexel, Nicole launched Lobo Mau in 2008. Jordan studied at Franklin and Marshall College and brings four years of business development experience to the company. Their Brazilian childhood inspired the name Lobo Mau, which means “Big Bad Wolf” in Portuguese.

A NIGHT OUT WITH ROWHOME RowHome hosted a night out at Lobo Mau’s design studio inside the landmark Bok Building. Guests toured the studio and got a first-hand look at the team’s spring/summer lineup! Chef Mitzi Jackson provided a fabulous lineup of tasty hors d’oeuvres followed by a wine-tasting by PRH’s own Vincent Novello. Bok brought back a lot of memories for everyone who toured the former vocational school, transformed into retail shops and creative spaces for local artists. Last but not least, a toast to the town from the rooftop Bok Bar, which offers the most amazing views of the city’s skyline. A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s sales benefitted the students at SS Neumann Goretti High School.

JOIN THE WOLF PACK!

Sportswear for men & women Shop online at LoboMau.com or in their studio by appointment.

Bok Building / 1901 S. 9th St. / Philadelphia, Pa. 19148 Email: Info@LoboMau.com P: 610.316.9821

Lobo Mau is a member of the Philadelphia RowHome (PRH) Business Network.

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July / August / September 2018

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 PRHBUSINESS

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gohomephilly.com

P. Agnes CELEBRATES

100 years Jay Agnes talks about the past, present and future of his renowned family-owned company

P

by Larry Gallone . Agnes, a South Philadelphia building and construction company, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary, this year. “We could not have achieved this milestone without the guidance and inspiration of my Dad, Lou Agnes,” says his son, Jay Agnes. “His leadership and the values he instilled throughout the company - work with enthusiasm, encourage others to make the most of their opportunities and live for God and family - are the values that continue to drive P. Agnes. His spirit lives

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

on through our many achievements.”

Since its start, P. Agnes has been a mainstay in the Philadelphia construction industry. Family pride is one of the company’s strongest pillars. Remaining a family-owned and operated business for a century, the third generation has taken the helm of the organization. Lou’s son Jay Agnes (President) and his nephew Patrick Pasquariello III (CEO) now run the firm.

Jay Agnes says, “I’m proud that we have remained familyowned and operated since my grandfather, Pellegrino Agnes, started the company in 1918.

The fact that we have prospered through the ups and downs of the market through the years speaks to the work ethic and leadership that runs in our family, especially considering the typical lifespan of companies built from humble beginnings like ours.

“Another point of pride for me is that our employees consistently consider themselves an extension of the family. They appreciate being

given ownership of their work and their careers, and the large percentage of long-tenured staff at P. Agnes reflects that,” Jay Agnes continues.

“We have some of the best men and women in the business and we make a point not to lose sight of how blessed we are to have them on our team.”

P. Agnes has remained close to its South Philadelphia roots and has charitable partnerships with numerous organizations like the South Philadelphia Business Association, Variety Club of Philadelphia, Boy Scouts/Philadelphia Council, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Unico/ Philadelphia Chapter, The Four Chaplains Chapel, The First Police District and PAL, the Methodist Hospital Foundation, South Philadelphia Lions Club, National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia and Atlanticare/American Heart Association.

“Our dedication to reinvesting in our community is a core tenet of who we are. P. Agnes always makes a point to support our clients’ causes, whether they are in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Camden or elsewhere,” Jay Agnes says. Today, P. Agnes represents a

robust combination of family pride, strong tradition and forward-thinking culture. That has resulted in dozens of industry awards for the company.

P. Agnes is currently constructing an expansion to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut Street.

Jay Agnes explains that the project involves converting a landmark Victorian mansion and an adjacent building from a 40-room house to a 123-room community. The program includes a new tower for rooms, a new dining facility, a new entry and reception area - Main Street - and a new service zone.

“We are honored to be working with the Ronald McDonald House on this important project and are looking forward to a continued partnership with them in the future,” he says.

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary, P. Agnes is doing several things both internally and externally to commemorate this milestone. In the fall, they will host an event in Philadelphia for P. Agnes clients as a gesture of gratitude for their continued loyalty to the company and the greater Philadelphia area.

They also will host an event internally to thank their nearly 100 employees.

The company recently introduced “the Agnes Museum” on their social media platforms. From now until December, they plan to post images of antique P. Agnes construction equipment and memorabilia accumulated through the ages, along with old family photos,

quotes and employees’ stories. It’s their way of sharing a little more about who they are and where they came from with the rest of the world. Follow along on Instagram at @agnes_museum.

Throughout the years, the company has been on the leading edge of innovations that have helped it evolve and thrive. Jay Agnes remembers, “When my grandfather started the company in the early 20th century, he used to build relationships and clientele by engaging the community in a way rarely seen in today’s industry. I remember our old building was made with white bricks so that it would stand out in the line of brownstones adjacent to it. My grandfather would attract attention, invite passers-by in for open houses every Sunday and advertise his services by getting to know the clients and their needs, personally.

“He pioneered the word ‘entrepreneur’ and was an active member of his community. Part of what has kept us successful throughout the changes of this industry is our adherence to the values that built this company in the first place. It’s challenging to keep up on industry trends and easy to lose sight of your vision as a company. But at P. Agnes, our family values, rich history and loyalty to each other has given us an advantage on the other builders in our industry over the years.”

We are proud of the continued success of the P. Agnes organization.

July / August / September 2018

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PRHMUSIC&ART The Theatre Geek

BROADWAY in PHILADELPHIA kicks into HIGH GEAR

This is one lineup you don’t want to miss!

B

by Marialena Rago

roadway in Philadelphia’s upcoming season has one of the best lineups in recent history. All your favorite classics like Fiddler on The Roof, CATS and Miss Saigon, but the real draw are the contemporary shows like the 20th Anniversary Tour of RENT and the Broadway (and world!) smash-hit, Hamilton.

The season also includes Anastasia, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Book of Mormon, Roald

Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the follow-up to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies. This is one season you don’t want to miss!

Visit the Balcony Bar The Kimmel Center is also bringing back the Balcony Bar every Wednesday this summer. The Center City Sips hot spot features $6 cocktails, $5 wine, $4 beer and half-priced appetizers like Smoked Eggplant Hummus, Whipped Feta and much more. The bar is located on the second-tier balcony of the performing arts house and will be open Wednesdays from 5–9PM with specials until 7PM. Pick up tickets for the upcoming season, then head

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The story of Phantom of the Opera continues in Love Never Dies, kicking off the 2018/2019 Broadway Season at the Kimmel Center’s Academy of Music from October 2-7, 2018. Photo Credit by Joan Marcus

up to the bar for a drink with a view!

Broadway Dreams Every year, the Kimmel Center houses Broadway Dreams, a summer intensive for students of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Established in 2006, this program seeks to empower aspiring young artists through the performing arts with programs led by a faculty of respected entertainment professionals. These stars teach the students acting, vocal technique, song selection, dancing, the ins and outs of show business and much more. At the end of the intensive, the students perform what they learned in a show-stopping, onenight only concert on August 11th on the Kimmel Center stage. Come see the future of Broadway! Learn more at www.broadwaydreams.org.

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

Leonard Bernstein Exhibition You can also get your Broadway fix at the National Museum of American Jewish History’s Leonard Bernstein exhibition. The showcase will feature Bernstein’s Steinway piano, original short films about his most famous works like West Side Story and On the Town and 100 other artifacts, some that are on display for the first time. The theme of the exhibition is searching for a solution to the 20th-century crisis of faith. All of his experiences are major influences on his works, including being an American Jew and living through World War II and the Holocaust.

This beautiful exhibition on one of America’s finest composers is on display now until September 2nd.

Keep September open because murder, jealousy and revenge are all in the new production of Lucia di Lammermoor at the Academy of Music. This is the first time in 20 years that this opera will be performed at the Academy. Co-produced by Opera Philadelphia and Wiener Staatsoper, Lucia di Lammermoor is a tragic love story that

follows Lucia and Edgardo, members of opposing houses in Scotland who are carrying on a secret affair.

The opera will be performed with English and Italian subtitles and runs from September 21-30.

Also closer to Fall, the Walnut Street Theatre will be putting on a production of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn to kick off their 2018-2019 season. Follow a Broadway hotshot as he leaves the glitter and glamour of the Great White Way for a small country farm. The musical has songs for every holiday and includes some of Berlin’s greatest works like “White Christmas” and “Easter Parade.”

Come visit the Holiday Inn from September 4 - October 21 at the Walnut Street Theatre. Other shows coming to Walnut Street Theatre include Roald Dahl’s Matilda, A Comedy of Tenors, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime and Legally Blonde. PRH Visit www.theatrephiladelphia. org for a complete listing of theatres in our area and shows taking place throughout the year.

gohomephilly.com

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YES, And....

Philly’s Comics step out without a net

T

by Geno Thackara he stage is black and empty except for (perhaps) a couple chairs. The house dims. A group of plainly dressed people walk out with an uncertain buzz of excitement. Someone gives a quick hello to the crowd, dashes off any businesslike announcements, and then asks a semi-random question or two. There’s a quick flurry of shouting back and forth, and just like that, the gang is off and running to spin whole plot arcs out

of whatever silly idea came up. The show always starts the same way, and yet within half a minute, each one has gone in a unique direction nobody could expect.

Samuel Butler once wisely said that living is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as you go. Life doesn’t follow a script. You never quite know what someone’s going to say in any given conversation you have, let alone when some colorful nutcase might start preaching at you on the bus downtown. From jazz to mime, that unpredictability has also been a part of all kinds of art for, well, as long as there’s been art.

And of course, one of improv’s most fascinating expressions is in the fine art of comedy. People probably experience it most commonly through TV shows: besides the famously freewheeling looseness of Saturday Night Live or the sketch games of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, plenty of today’s finest comic actors (not to mention legends from past decades) honed their chops in the figurative trenches by going out to wing it week after week. We’d all be lucky to have that ability to spin life’s craziness into such laughs. And where would the film world be with-

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out the likes of Christopher Guest’s mockumentary spoofs?

The modern-day form of improv comedy first bloomed in the midwest - it was at the University of Chicago where David Shepherd and Paul Sills formed the Compass Players back in the 1950s, which led to the later and more famous Second City Theatre (with the help of their important colleagues like Howard Alk and Bernard Sahlins). It was the place that made a home base for the legendary Del Close, who taught and coached countless famous names you’d know from SNL or the Upright Citizens Brigade.

But hubs like Chicago and New York are far from the only game in town, so to speak. Philadelphia is no slouch when it comes to growing and showcasing brilliant comedy troupes of our own. There are hilarious shows and workshops to give you a reason to get out of the house any night of the week. The Adrienne Theater at 2030 Sansom Street serves as the epicenter of the city’s scene, home to multiple outfits, shifting house teams and a range of off-the-wall entertainment for any taste. (Need another perk? Most shows are BYOB too.)

Philly’s branch of the globe-spanning ComedySportz outfit has the

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

honor of maintaining the city’s longest-running show to date. Competitive showdowns happen between two teams every Saturday night and the more family-friendly Minor League Matinee version does the same on Sunday afternoons. Friday evenings belong to the inimitable N Crowd troupe, who manage nutty long-form sets for about an hour at a stretch.

For more off-color adult tastes, one late Friday slot each month is reserved for the R-rated Blue Show - something to consider if your sense of humor leans toward the Avenue Q end of the wholesomeness scale.

The Philly Improv Theater (PHIT) also keeps the Adrienne hopping every weeknight with a mix of freeform games and themed shows. Seasonal events are a recurring staple: the summer months often include an off-the-cuff rom-com story or action blockbuster spoof in between the regular features. Other shows might revolve around sharing true stories told by audience members. On Sunday evenings, it’s an incubator called the Dean’s List, where they randomly mix and match different combinations of house players for a few shorter games - and for the especially daring, anyone’s free to jump in on the informal open jam afterwards.

A little farther northeast in Chinatown sits the cozier Good Good Comedy Theater at 11th and Race.

This one is more of an independent DIY affair, a simple black-box space founded by a 2016 Kickstarter.

Nonetheless, it’s blossomed into another go-to spot on the art

scene, complete with stand-up acts, workshops and special events like the annual springtime Five-Dollar Comedy Week.

The single biggest improv event of 2018 is PHIT’s We the People Fest which recently wrapped for the year. It brings the whole community together for four days of wackiness at the Adrienne, with the local house teams joined by ensembles from Boston, New York, Washington DC, and places as far out as Chicago and Dallas. Philadelphia’s local-boy-done-good Paul F. Tompkins filled the headline slot with two live tapings of Spontaneanation - a chat/sketch podcast billed as “an hour of comedy that none of them ever see coming.”

(More details at https://wethepeopleimprovfest.com.)

Besides producing such a wide range of shows, all these outfits realize that the best service they can do for the city’s scene is to help the tradition grow. Their schedules are full of classes and workshops about acting (improv and otherwise), sketch writing, stand-up, theater production and others. They’re aimed at curious amateurs, adults, kids or teens as much as working pros; there’s even a recurring series of free one-night intro courses for anyone looking for a quick and painless first taste. It makes an inspiring array of chances to try something new, hone a skill, learn how the biz works and maybe rub elbows with some of the comic legends who drop in to teach from time to time. Why should the professionals have all the fun? PRH gohomephilly.com

LOCAL BAND SPOTLIGHT

KICKING SUNRISE K

by Bryan Culver photo by Gabriel Desanti (@gabriel.desanti)

eeping up with what’s hot in pop can be deceptively difficult. Fads come and go with the winds and there’s no telling which genre-bending music trend will take off next. Gone are the days when Top 40 radio stations and music videos a la MTV dictated our listening habits. The most influential tastemakers today are the musicstreaming apps on our phones that automatically key in to our preferences and suggest new music using algorithms. Each of us is just floating around in our own hyper-customized orbit.

That isn’t to say that certain pop music phenomena from yesteryear don’t crop up from time to time. Few branding masterstrokes have garnered as much chart-topping love as the boy band. Yes, that’s right, the boy band. You may love to hate on their clean cut swagger, their saccharine-sweet infusions of R&B and bubblegum pop, but there are very few acts—if any—that can effectively pull the heartstrings of teenage girls and sell concert tickets by the arena full.

New Jersey-based Kicking Sunrise is more or less your boy band flavor du jour: Four dudes hailing from Washington Township that have a penchant for super-smooth hooks, immaculately polished production and an all-ages friendly, feel-good vibe. But making status quo seem so effortlessly cool doesn’t come naturally. Reaching the top of the charts is just as steep a climb as it’s ever been.

The Kicking Sunrise lineup consists of Joe Murphy on rhythm guitar and vocals, guitarist Matt Bosco, drummer Mark Alamuro and bassist/vocalist Ryan Hornibrook. Hornibrook doubles as a rapper, adding an additional layer of movement into their mix while also setting them apart stylistically from contemporaries.

They cite a wide breadth of artists as key in-

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ItalianCoffeeHouse fluences from recent pop megastars such as Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake to hiphop legends such as Jay-Z and Will Smith.

Like many other bands of their ilk, Kicking Sunrise formed back in high school at a backyard BBQ. “We were all into music for a while already and just kind of got together and vibed.

The chemistry was there,” Joe Murphy explains.

They started out by mainly doing covers—still a large component of their repertoire. Their cover of Justin Timberlake’s hit single “Suit and Tie”, which they released on YouTube, helped catch the attention of indie label Right Coast Music. As Murphy mentions, releasing covers on YouTube this way also provided “really good feedback from our peers and realized the potential of the band.”

Kicking Sunrise has been on a roll since. They released their debut album, Here’s to The Sunrise and have been featured on CBS Philadelphia, TBS for Major League Baseball and TNT for the 2015 PGA Championship. This past January, they followed up with an EP titled When It’s Right, and released a slew of singles “Sky High,” “Take It All,” “Give Me Tonight” and “By Myself.” Right now, their primary goal is to continue writing more original material and expand their fan base to the West Coast.

Kicking Sunrise maintains a constant touring schedule. Earlier this month, they opened for the early 2000s boy band O-Town at the Fillmore in Philadelphia. They’ll be doing shows at various shore points throughout the remainder of the summer in New Jersey and two nights in Florida this August. Check out their music and show details at www.kickingsunrise.com and major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

@AnthonyICH Open 7 Days

Christine Krawiec Photography

weddings . engagements newborn . families maternity

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July / August / September 2018

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MARC SUMMERS PRHMUSIC&ART

Double Dare TV star is a Philly fan

A walk down memory lane & through the doors of his local production company

by Dominique Verrecchio

M

arc Summers represents something different for each generation. For some, it’s Double Dare. For others, Unwrapped. But regardless of how you know him, it is an undeniable fact that after a prosperous 50+-year career in television, Summers is a man who wears many hats.

Summers says he first fell in love with Philadelphia when Double Dare debuted in a televi-

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sion studio here 32 years ago. In 1992, he launched Marc Summers Productions with the TV show Pick Your Brain. Now his company has offices both here and in LA. “I love the people,” he says. “A major reason that Double Dare was successful [in Philadelphia] in 1986 is because the kids did not look like the kids on Disney. They did not have perfectly coiffed hair, perfect skin or perfect clothes.

They were real kids,” he explains. “The people in Philly, if they like you, they tell you. If they don’t like you, they tell you. And the food is great. It’s just the perfect big little city.”

When he’s in town, Summers enjoys dining at Butcher and Singer and The Palm. “When I am here three days a week, I love to just sit at the bar and talk. The Mayor is always [at the Palm], just chatting with the public like a normal guy and I really love that.” Summers also has a very high regard for Marc Vetri, calling him one of the best chefs in the world. “There are so many great choices [in Philadelphia].

Philly Cheesesteak? Good no matter where it is. I love Fette Sau for barbeque. I just love Philly food.”

Summers used to host “Dunkel Dare” at Starr’s Frankford Hall.

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When he was first approached with the idea, Summers thought, ‘Who is gonna show up to this?’ and then standing room only people began lining up! “You take a childhood show and add liquor to it, it starts becoming ridiculous! Hopefully, it can come back next year.”

Marc Summers Productions originated when Summers realized the importance of being his own boss. “When you’re in charge, you’re not just in charge,” he says.

“You’re the psychologist, psychiatrist, bookkeeper, the first one in and the first one out, along with many other roles.” The shows under his production company aim to tell the truth, he says. He doesn’t make up stories and is not a big fan of reality TV. He tries to shoot real action.

“Real life can be dramatic on its own,” he explains. “Restaurant Impossible. If you want to fix someone’s restaurant and they say ‘get out,’ you need to convince them why they should let you fix it. Dinner Impossible. You have to prepare any dinner without food or prep. Real life challenges. I try to do built-in drama in life. If it’s fake, I don’t want to produce it or watch it. I’ve never wanted to be anything else. I came out of the womb knowing that I wanted to do something on TV and then I

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came out of college and I had a job in TV. I am very lucky.”

Summers is also the subject of the documentary On Your Marc. He turned the idea down three times before finally accepting. “It feels weird! Who would care?

Who would want to watch it? I’m just surprised that anyone cares.” It turns out, everyone cares. Earlier this July, the doc was seen at the Adirondack Film Festival and the creators plan to take it to a major cable buyer.

A Double Dare reboot is now back on Nickelodeon.

Summers has been after the network for years to revive it; finally reboots are all the rage. Children who used to watch it are parents now and can watch it with their own families. YouTube’s Liza Koshy is co-hosting; Summers is announcing and doing physical challenges on the obstacle courses. He is also an executive producer, making business decisions and forming the overall look of the program.

He recalls a favorite memory from the original Double Dare when WWE’s Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan came on the show. “They tried to run the obstacle course and cheated. When I told them they cheated, they picked me up and threw me in a vat of chocolate. We were always doing it on two levels - making fun of ourselves while doing it for the kids and their parents.”

Summers can’t get enough of producing and being on camera. He likes to do a little bit of everything so he doesn’t get bored. Currently, he is focused on Double Dare and working on Throwback Trivia (where he goes to a random bar and plays trivia games with patrons). A one-man, off-Broadway show is also being discussed. For Summers, everything is a work in progress and he would not go back in his life to change anything. He’s paid a lot of dues and when opportunity came his way, he was ready. “If you make it to your 30s, 40s, 50s and say ‘wow, this is really cool,’ then you’ve made it. Once you feel like you would do something for free, you’ve made it. Passion is so important.”

Summers knows he was born to be on television. “[I’m inspired by] Johnny Carson. He did magic; he did comedy and TV. I just thought he was amazing. Bob Barker is the best host on TV. David Letterman and Howard Stern are great broadcasters who interview very well. My biggest concern is people who don’t listen. But all of these people listen. The key is listening.”

Helping others is the most fulfilling part of his career.

“When you have a platform and people know who you are for whatever reason, you can take the time to help them.” He struggles with OCD and wrote a book about his struggles before OCD was mainstream. “People didn’t know what they were going through and I was able to go on TV shows and talk about it. People have reached out to me and told me that I helped their lives, that I changed their lives.”

Another reason Summers loves Philly is because UPenn is here. It’s where he was treated while battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia. “September to February of this last year, I was in treatment and I am now clean for a second time. UPenn is the best hospital in the world. If I can go out there and help people fix their lives, then that is the most important part of my life.”

His message to the world is to treat others the way that you want to be treated. “If everyone did that, we would have a much better place to live.

“I’ll be 67 in November but I feel 27,” Summers says. “I have a grandson I love spending time with. I just have too much energy. As long as I can stand up and breathe, I will keep performing. I tell my wife, ‘If you think I can’t perform anymore, tell me to stop’ and I will.” PRH

Save October 7th for a date down Broad St. with Moon Doggie Save these dates: Columbus Day Gala Dinner Thursday, October 4 Proclamation Ceremony Friday, October 5 Columbus Day Parade and Festival Sunday, October 7 Look for more information in coming months!

For Locals, By Locals, Supporting Locals Founding Footsteps offers a variety of walking tours, trolley tours, and special events with a focus on giving back to local charities. Check out our new Beer and Band Tour where live musicians entertain you on the way to your favorite breweries and beer gardens.

Visit us on the web at

www.foundingfootsteps.com or call (609) 795-1776 for more information.

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PRHMUSIC&ART

THE EBONYS Forever Relevant

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by John Nacchio photo by Greg D Smith | Gregory Maxx Photography elcome to the music of The Ebonys and the reasons why we are still fans, today. The world witnessed the birth of a soulful sound resonating from Camden, NJ in 1969 when legendary producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff discovered this iconic, dynamic group called The Ebonys. Philadelphia International Records recorded their first big hit, “You’re The

Reason Why,” and later their soulful standard, “It’s Forever.” This popular signature love song was featured in several collections produced by Sony Records, Platinum Classic Records and WDAS Radio Station’s “Classic Love Songs.” Radio stations have continuously played their music across the country and internationally to fans in the United Kingdom, Japan and Europe.

After a successful start and several iconic hits, the group disbanded – creating a 20-year hiatus. Because their stylized music gained new fans, along with a base of original fans,

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the music industry witnessed another re-birth in the mid 1990s. David Beasley (original former member), along with current lead singer, William “Smoke” Howard, re-emerged the legacy of the group. Once again, their prolific smooth R&B sound would come alive on stage and in recordings.

“We are determined to continue our journey in making The Ebonys forever relevant,” Howard says.

Howard, a native of Bristol, Tennessee, is a veteran crooner who gives The Ebonys’ sound a raspy edge and soulful body. The current

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lineup also includes Ken Chaney, a talented first tenor who lives in Philadelphia; Neva Wilks from South Jersey, with a vocal range and versatility that can be compared to Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and Chaka Khan; and Ray Keniebrew, who was raised in Trenton, NJ and sings lead, first and second tenor.

In May of this year, The Ebonys released Forever Relevant, a package that includes a DVD documentary chronicling the group’s success and CD soundtrack with new songs.

“Somebody’s got to start this thing,” Howard says of the release. “Now tell me - what did you do today to make someone’s life a little better?”

This message resonates with fans.

The four incredible vocalists who make up The Ebonys have appeared and performed with some of the top, most-talented and memorable R&B

superstars in the music industry.

One look at their extensive bios on the Ebonys’ website will prove their impressive credentials. The group is currently managed by Swing City Recording Enterprise, Inc. (SCRE): Richard Waller III, Music Engineering & Recording; Ali Hackett, TV/ Radio Personality & Communications; Mark Abrams, Videographer & Website developer; Anthony Pastore, Promoter & Social Media Marketing. This team of professionals plays an integral part in shaping and directing the group, which distinguishes much of The Ebonys’ music and videos – crafting their selections and presentations.

This summer, you can catch their free concert on August 4th at Rose Tree Park in Media. Can’t make it?

View or purchase The Ebonys’ video and music releases - past and present - at www.TheEbonys.com. PRH

gohomephilly.com

New lease on

MARIO LANZA’S LEGACY

A

by Joei DeCarlo lfredo Arnold Cocozza (better known as Mario Lanza) left a long-lasting impression not just here in his hometown of Philadelphia, but all over the world. Born in the Queen Village section of the city at 636 Christian Street in 1921, Lanza entertained many with his showstopping operatic tenor voice and acting talents. At 21, he rose to fame and coined his stage name with his debut as Fenton in Otto Nicolai’s The Merry Wives

of Windsor in 1942. In 1947, Lanza signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and went on to star in films such as That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans.

After his passing in 1959, Lanza’s talents inspired family, friends and fans to open The Mario Lanza Institute and Museum. The Institute provides fans with an opportunity to learn more about his career and personal life, explore memorabilia and celebrate his operatic legacy.

The Institute also provides students from all over the world with the opportunity to win a scholarship to help them pursue a musical education, celebrated each year at the

Lanza Ball. As a staple in the South Philly community for more than 50 years, the Institute is now counting on the community to help it move to a new home on 12th & Reed Streets. Unfortunately the Institute’s lease is up at the end of the summer and its location is being sold to a developer. With limited funds (as it is a non-profit) and efforts from volunteers, the Institute needs to raise more money for renovations prior to moving.

Bill Ronayne, President of the Lanza Institute, explained how they celebrate Lanza’s accomplishments. With scholarships given to vocal students each year, Ronayne says “it was [Lan-

za’s] dream to help young students because he knew what it took. It’s a long process for students to discover they have a voice to finally getting on a stage and sharing it with others. Students sing at the annual Ball and have an award ceremony. This opportunity keeps the artform alive and helps kids in need of training.”

More than 200 scholarships have been awarded with many of the recipients going on to successful stage careers as well as teaching careers, thus helping to keep Lanza’s legacy and the art form alive for generations. Ronayne is one of many who help keep the Institute in top shape by giving tours and working tirelessly to make the museum a memorable experience for all who visit.

Ronayne’s favorite part of the job is “when I give a tour and I get to see the looks and reactions on the fans’ faces. I tell them about his life and career. That’s the nicest part; their responses and expressions as they learn about who he was.”

In order to help preserve the legacy of Lanza and to keep the Institute going, community members including Michael Giangiordano II and Pete Bilotti have been helping to raise as much funds as they can to complete their move.

“I needed to help because Mario Lanza is such a well known person from South Philadelphia,” Giangiordano says. “We need to keep our heritage alive and Lanza helps to do this. South Philadelphia is my home and preserving the Institute is not only a moral obligation but a celebration of our heritage and community’s accomplishments. If we lose traditions like this landmark institution, we lose a piece of who we are. No donation is too small and anything is greatly appreciated.”

Community members are urged to visit www.mariolanzainstitute. org and learn more about Lanza and all the Institute provides. Donations can also be made online through the website or by mail. PRH

July / August / September 2018

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PRHMUSIC&ART LOCAL BAND SPOTLIGHT

RETRO 5 267.439.0779 GiovannisItalianCatering.com

J

oe Pellegrino and Chris Rosato have a friendship that dates back to when they were just 15 years old. They played in various bands together while students at Bishop Neumann High School...45 years ago. Back then, they were into David Bowie, Electric Light Orchestra and The Rolling Stones—staples of what you might now lovingly refer to as “dad” rock.

Jump forward to a few years ago and Rosato came up with the concept of a cover band featuring an eclectic array of music - late ‘60s, early ‘70s, Memphis Stax, Motown.

He reached out to Pellegrino simply to inquire if he knew any bass players that might be available to join this new project. Pellegrino himself was immediately intrigued and wanted in.

“We then went about advertising and auditioning like-minded musicians,” Pellegrino says.

That’s how the Retro 5 came into being.

The current lineup consists of Pellegrino on bass, Rosato on rhythm guitar and vocals, joined by Chris Laganella on keys and vocals, David Marabella on drums and Mark Rodil on lead guitar.

Retro 5 primarily functions as a bar band.

Their main stomping grounds at the moment are The Shamrock - a watering hole located on South 2nd Street, and Filomena Rustica - an Italian restaurant that doubles as a babyboomer hangout in West Berlin, New Jersey.

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by Bryan Culver

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

What sets Retro 5 apart from their fellow dad rock contemporaries is their selection of material. As Pellegrino explains, “There are many songs that got forgotten.” They cover songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Ray Charles and anything Motown.

More importantly. they go for the slightly deeper cuts, the B-sides, all of those beloved tracks that abruptly vanished from collective memory when people kicked their record and CD collections to the curb and stopped listening to albums.

Retro 5 recorded a five-track teaser of some of their favorites: “Unchain My Heart” and “Rainy Night in Georgia” by Brook Benton, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen, “Black Magic Woman” by Santana and “Hush”

by Deep Purple. Both Pellegrino and Rosato mentioned to me that “Hush”- which arguably sees the least amount of airtime on classic rock radio out of the bunch - elicits the biggest reaction from the crowd.

Currently, Retro 5 is focused on landing more gigs and just adding more songs into their repertoire. The goal is to have fun. In September, they are playing in the 8th Annual Haverford Music Festival (haverfordmusicfestival.org).

In the meantime, if you want to catch one of their gigs or check out some videos of them jamming in their studio, Retro 5 has a Facebook group you can join: Retro 5 - Live Music: 60’s, 70’s(+), Motown, Memphis Staxx, and more. PRH

gohomephilly.com

GUEST SPOTLIGHT

Banking this Great Community Since 1912!

What’s in a Name?

Reliability ✦ Consistency ✦ Commitment ✦

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United Savings Bank The

“KING’S KORNER” J

Same Bank Same Name

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by Ali Hackett - King of the Oldies Baltimore Ave.

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t has been stated and proven, at least over this writer’s lifetime, that music is a universal language. This music crosses into all barriers, all nationalities and all people.

Being reared up in the ‘50s & ‘60s when most of this music began, it’s a journey into our hearts. Like most of you, I fell in love with some of the real music choices: Gospel, Acapella, Doo Wop, Street Corner, Soul & Jazz.

Talk about American Bandstand, The Mitch Thomas Show, Soul Train, school dances, record hops and house parties...combined with the dances we did like the Jitterbug, Bop, Jerk, Mashed Potato, Cha - Cha, Slow Drag...add in the clothes we wore - Dungarees, Tight Sweaters, Bobby Sox, Straight-legged Sharkskin Pants, Desert Boots, PF Flyers and Chuck Taylors. Don’t forget Tastykakes, Bazooka gum, water ice, a “full” 5-cent bag of potato chips, penny candy and popcorn at a Drive-In Movie. When any of these things are mentioned, my mind immediately goes back to a much better place and time. The longer the conversation goes on, the more the music comes back!

If someone mentions “You Belong To Me” by The Duprees, “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, “The Twist”

by Chubby Checker or even “Cool Jerk” by The Capitols, it brings a full and warm smile to my face as the memories start to fly.

You have now been formally introduced to the “King’s Korner.” I’m the King of the Oldies of WPPM 106.5 FM Radio. Let’s take a walk down memory lane with some entertaining and interesting reading, along with some facts, figures and some personal stories (when I can) on the music, the groups and the entertainers that we no longer hear on our radios. The ones we miss and love so much. It’s the music we grew up on, not that we’ve outgrown!

Music is the story of our lives. All of us who came through in these times have wonderful stories and great memories. In some cases, it was “only” the music that propelled and pushed us through obstacles and difficult times. That is why this music means so much to us, why it’s felt so deep in our hearts and souls, and why this music will never ever die!

Find Me On: WPPM 106.5 FM Radio phillycam.org/radio/listen Every Friday Night 10pm - 12 mid

Salt…Pepper N Memories - TV Show Every Wednesday - 6:30pm Comcast Channels 66 & 966 Verizon Channels 29 & 30 phillycam.org/web-channel July / August / September 2018

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PRHMUSIC&ART

PHILLY 45 SPOTLIGHT TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)

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by Geno Thackara t was a crazy time. The political and social upheaval of the 1960s were developing into the flower-power form they’d take into the ‘70s. The counterculture had drifted into a haze of eye-watering fashion and mind-altering psychedelia. Music was breaking out in all kinds of clever new directions. In between the reign of Motown and the later peak of disco, the turn of the decade was seeing R&B and funk get louder and more colorful than ever.

Philadelphia was in the middle of a lot of the moving and shak-

ing. Leon Huff, Jerry Ross, Bunny Sigler and Kenny Gamble were just a few of the names that had been helping shape the city’s music scene since the mid-’60s - not the famous visible stars, but the creative minds working magic behind the scenes where records got made. Ross and his protege Gamble co-wrote “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” for instance, whose most famous version saw a different Ross (i.e., Diana) and the Supremes teaming up with the Temptations.

The Gamble and Huff partnership would soon become legendary. The pair started a small label called Excel and Gamble, which led to Neptune Records and eventually the workhorse that became Philadelphia International Records. All along, a recipe was gradually developing: a stew of classic soul and gospel, crossing the booty-shaking rhythms of dance with bright strings and ear-grabbing horns, adding in the new trends

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of disco and funk along the way.

Any respectable producer knows that you’re only as good as your backing band, though, and Philly soul wouldn’t have become what it was without the gang of studio hands that laid down so many of Philadelphia International’s great tracks. Much like Phil Spector’s famous Wrecking Crew, it was a rotation of more than 30 first-call players they could count on to bring out the noise, the funk and anything else that was needed. They backed up Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes on Gamble/Huff singles like “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” then had the whole world shaking hips to the O’Jays’ “Love Train.”

So it was only natural that when TV’s variety show Soul Train really began taking off, its producer Don Cornelius knew just which guys to call for a new theme. It turned out that some of the PI players had already

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started recording occasional sessions on their own during 1973. They picked the name Mother Father Sister Brother to signify the togetherness of the label’s family - or at least that’s the kid-friendly version, anyway - for the outfit better known as MFSB. The groovy “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” was the exact encapsulation of what it promised. It made a technicolor patchwork that screamed bright colors and big Afros, fun dancing (probably in formation with lots of tie-dye) and summertime sun. The crew hooks you with punchy horns and grooves on an infectious shuffling backbeat. Most of the band’s music would be instrumental, but this tune benefits from some chirpy “doo-doo-doo”s sung by label-mates The Three Degrees. When they fade out with the only lyrics - “Let’s get it on / It’s time to get down” - you can take it as something naughty if you want, or just imagine they’re having such a good time dancing that they’re going to boogie all night.

Soul Train tried changing theme songs every couple years but different versions of “TSOP” kept recurring as the show’s defining staple for decades to come. MFSB’s full debut album Love Is the Message didn’t do

so badly either with such a popular hit on board, earning them the ‘75 Grammy for best R&B Instrumental Performance, and a few more LPs and chart-climbers followed after. With the help of Gamble and Huff, the sound of Philly soul went on to launch the careers of plenty more singers from Billy Paul to Teddy Pendergrass and Patti LaBelle. David Bowie couldn’t resist exploring the style with an album of his own, making sure to come to town and record Young Americans at the home base of Sigma Sound Studios for that unmistakable vibe.

“This song was one of our proudest moments with a great orchestration of music from our PIR Label,” Gamble and Huff are still happy to state all these years later. “While it was originally written for Soul Train, we were more thrilled and honored to have it later become the hallmark of our brand of music called ‘The Sound of Philadelphia.’”

Clearly these two have their priorities right. Popular hits can be a dime a dozen. Creating an iconic genre and helping your beloved city make a lasting mark on the music world? Now that’s something to treasure. PRH gohomephilly.com

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Gets Standing Ovation

by LEO ROSSI WRITER, ACTOR, PRODUCER EASTMAN-ROSSI PRODUCTIONS

Notes from the Cannes Film Festival! My wife Lynn and I had a memorable experience as we walked up the famous red carpet with paparazzi snapping pictures everywhere. The Gotti film that I wrote, starring John Travolta, had its world premiere at the festival and at the end of the film, the audience gave it a standing ovation.

It doesn’t get better than that!

Over the past 40 years, I have worked a great deal at the major studio lots. My car was on automatic pilot to get to Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, Disney, Sony and Paramount.

But now, the major players are Netflix, Amazon, Apple, etc. They bring a whole new philosophy to

getting films released in theaters.

These “new” players don’t really give a damn if a movie makes it to the theater. They care more about their subscribers who pay a monthly fee come rain or shine.

These companies need product, so it’s good for directors, writers and actors, but not for the theater owners who have to depend on blockbusters to survive. And blockbusters come few and far between. Oh, well. I’m a workhorse and a survivor so I don’t worry about it. My motto is Sempre Avanti (Always Forward).

I can’t wait to do another film in Philly. We are getting close on a deal but I don’t want to talk about if for fear I’ll jinx it.

Ciao Philly!

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PRHSPORTS

to the

CALL

HALL Southern’s Hall of Fame inducts another neighborhood athlete

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by Stephen Pagano outh Philadelphia High School, better known to locals as Southern, opened its doors on Broad and Snyder in 1907. Many local celebrities sat in the classrooms of this familiar landmark (Marian Anderson, Chubby Checker, Charlie Gracie, Jack Klugman). In addition to the artists who hail from its famed corridors, Southern is known for its sports programs and the Hall of Fame athletes it produced over the decades.

S P O RT S

Ron Malandro was your typical South Philly kid who loved baseball, football and basketball. He did well in school and played sports on the streets with his buddies. As soon as he finished his homework, he’d spend the rest of the day outside with his friends. Malandro jokes, “My friends’ moms hated me! I’d knock on their doors all day until their kids came out and played. It’s just how I was. I wanted to be outdoors with my friends.”

By the time he turned 40, his childhood friends were comparing him to Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez from the famous 1993 baseball movie, The Sandlot. Malandro loved teaching kids how to play the game.

“I was a very humble child and I never regarded myself as being better than anyone else,” he says. “I just loved playing.”

Growing up, his favorite player was Pete Rose. He was even nicknamed after the all-time hit king as “Ron Rose” for his constant hustle. In his early teens, Malandro promised his parents and himself that he’d one day be a scholar athlete from South Philly and see his name in The Philadelphia Bulletin. “The newspaper always listed the top high school scholars and athletes in the area and I wanted to be one of them,” he explains.

His love for sports and his determination to compete followed him through his high school years. In

the early 1970s, during his junior year, he was a skilled shortstop on the varsity team at Southern, batting .424 for the season. Later that year, he was voted All-Public. In his senior year, he was voted All-Public and All-City. Malandro batted .419 that season. He also played a year of football as a halfback, winning an All-Public honorable mention.

As promised to his parents, Malandro went on to receive the Bulletin’s Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award. He also received the Student Athlete of the Year from the SPHS Alumni Association and the Celia Pincus Award from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. In the classroom, Malandro was an all-star, too. He was a three-year member of the National Honor Society and ranked 15th in his graduating class of 873 in 1972.

He attended Temple University, where he played baseball. Unfortunately, a knee injury derailed him and abruptly ended his playing career. But his amazing high school baseball career would not July / August / September 2018

be forgotten. Southern recently gave Malandro the Call to the Hall.

Ron Malandro was inducted into Southern High’s Hall of Fame on April 29th, along with Steven Deprince and Joe Margolis at a ceremony at IATSE Ballroom in South Philly. During his speech, he thanked his coaches, his teammates and, of course, his parents.

“My parents kept it simple.

They said, ‘Do your homework and study and you can play all you want.’ It was that simple.”

A humble Malandro said he really appreciates this honor from his neighborhood high school.

Currently, Malandro, 63, has an associate’s degree in business and a real estate license. After working 39 years for the City of Philadelphia, he retired and now spends his summers down the shore (he hasn’t missed one in 63 years). He also loves spending quality time with his family and many friends.

“You don’t have to have special talent to hustle. As long as you give it your all, you’ll be fine.”

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PRHSPORTS

St.

2531-35 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19148

’ JOE S

PREP

Makes History St. Joe’s Prep made history by winning its first AAA State Championship, 4-0, against Seneca Valley. Teammates played in memory of fellow teammate Salvatore “Tankie” DiNubile, whose family praised the “wonderful coaching staff and remarkable young men…whose “character and heart made them the champions they are and always will be.” The team photo included the #14 jersey of the late DiNubile.

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PRHWRITERSBLOCK

H

In the spring of 1957, for some inexplicable reason, our father Henry Sacchetti decided that we should see how he made his living. Dad worked at the Lester, PA plant for Westinghouse Electric Corp. Many Southwest Philly men did the same. Others worked at the General Electric facility at 67th and Elmwood Avenue. Being 10 years old with a teenage sister, I knew some things about Dad’s job but I was too busy being a kid to care a whole lot.

Dad never really talked much about his job. I’d see him at the dinner table with nicks, burns and various cuts on his hands and arms. I knew he couldn’t hear very well. On a couple of occasions, I overheard him tell Mom about a co-worker who “dropped dead” while at his work station in the “Blade/Hammer Shop.” I knew he never missed a day’s work. It didn’t matter if he was sick. He went in anyway. There was that Friday afternoon when I was about four years old when Dad had half of his pinky finger chopped off when his machine malfunctioned. Lawsuit?

Big cash settlement? No. Dad’s reaction was to report to work as usual the following Monday morning. His 1957 Dodge Coronet didn’t have air conditioning (or power steering!) so he always looked hot when he came in, even if it wasn’t hot outside. As I think of these things now, they were kind of strange, but heck, I was just a kid more concerned about Richie Ashburn’s batting average than what my Dad did for a living.

So, we were told that Mom, Kathy and I would have the privilege of attending “Family Day” on Saturday at the Westinghouse Plant. We knew little else except that we would be able to actually see what Dad did to keep us fed, clothed, healthy and warm on those cold winter nights.

After a brief welcome from some guy in a suit, the tour started. I remember walking up two flights of metal stairs and down a long corridor. I noticed the more we walked, the warmer it became.

Then it happened.

We walked through a heavy metal door onto a catwalk that was suspended about 20 feet above the work area. I looked down at the floor and saw what I could only describe as an inferno. My 15-year-old sister Kathy said, ‘Oh my God, we’re in hell.’ The guide said the temperature was about 110 degrees on the shop floor.

The shop consisted of numerous furnaces – flames a blazing.

Some of my Dad’s coworkers were actually working that day and we could see them using long tongs while holding white-hot steel blades over the flames to “soften” them up. The men then placed the blades under the huge hammer, which came down, repeatedly, with a deafening bang. The hammer shaped the blades to spec.

These blades would become part of turbine engines, many of which were used by the military during WWII. The post war era had provided new uses for industry.

So, now we knew exactly what Dad did for a living.

On the way to our car after the tour was over, Dad took me aside and said, ‘This is the kind of work you have to do when you don’t have an education.’ At that moment, I made a conscious decision to do well in school so I wouldn’t have to work a job like this.

As I grew up, I came to appreciate the sacrifice Dad made for us. The oldest of six children, he had to quit school and go to work to help the family. With only an 8th grade education, he was my “human dictionary” while I was in college. He was an extremely bright man in many ways. Circumstances led him to Westinghouse and he worked at that job for 41 years. He was able to enjoy a long retirement and died a beloved Pop-Pop at the wonderful age of 91.

Dad made sure I got the message on that Saturday in 1957.

And I can’t thank him enough.

Message Received

by Charlie Sacchetti

July / August / September 2018

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PRHWRITERSBLOCK

Allusions of

Grandeur T

by Jim Gildea his poor, hard working noun is often confused with the hocus-pocus craft of Criss Angel, David Copperfield and a glut of hopefuls who have vied for recognition on a glut of reality talent shows. However, allusion, simply defined as a reference, doesn’t involve water tanks and chains or eighty-sixing the Statue of Liberty.

We pay tribute to allusion’s scope and breadth whenever we think of someone who tips tightfist-

W R I T E R S B LO C K

edly or seldom buys a round of drinks as a scrooge, or whenever we know to call someone’s missing the mark with his or her words (“A rolling stone gathers no moths” or “the richness of hardware floors”) as a malapropism, eponymously linked to the chattering of Mrs. Malaprop, muse to Yogi Berra and Archie Bunker, from Richard Sheridan’s The Rivals.

There happens to be a two-edged sword with allusion, and it is this:

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we may miss the nuances of a scene in a movie or miniseries, the lyrics of a song or a passage in a book if we are unfamiliar with its reference – even though we may understand exactly what the actors, singers and authors are conveying. The convoluted routes of Lost might have had us scratching our heads – but the going seemed a bit less dense if we were able to invoke some of the mythological and Biblical backdrops and themes that the writers have employed. Pixar’s three Toy Story audience pleasers have been ap-

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

plauded by adults and children alike, even without one’s ability to detect the many acknowledgements – even kudos – to other films, especially the Star Wars collection, that their creators purposefully included. You did not have to have read Lord of the Flies to enjoy viewing The Hunger Games – but it’s as much a part of the stories’ unfolding as is Donald Sutherland’s Machiavellian bluster.

Scores of allusions abound in our archives of films. In Finding Nemo, the shark’s name is Bruce, the nickname for the mechanical menace in Jaws. The seagulls in this Pixar classic are modeled after the evil penguin in Wallace and Gromit’s The Wrong Trousers.

If you look very carefully behind Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark – right before the Nazis shed a few pounds – you will notice that the temple’s hieroglyphics include gilt images of Star War’s R2-D2 and C3P0. In (500) Days of Sum-

mer, a film chock full of referential homages, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s mail-clad protagonist is seated on the beach, playing chess with Cupid, as does the knight with Death in Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal. Pulp Fiction has Bruce Willis stuck in a car, stopped at a red light, his eyes locking with those of Ving Rhames, as Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane also did, as her boss walked in front of her getaway vehicle, decades before, in Hitchcock’s Psycho. You do not need me for you to connect the dots, your having realized that the mask in the Scream franchise is a facelift from the iconic paintbrushed images of Edvard Munch.

Almost all American television production corporations end their weekly offerings with animated logos, called vanity cards, sporting a design and a motif that often require explanation. Bad Hat Harry Productions, founded in 1994 by Bryan Singer, ended each episode

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of House with Singer’s hats off to Jaws, in which Roy Scheider’s Chief Martin Brody sits on the beach, having a discussion with one of Amity Island’s geezer locals, with Brody’s getting in the last word with “That’s some bad hat, Harry.”

During the reign of Queen Victoria, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, once England’s poet laureate, employed the interminable trek, with its seascourged tempests and tests, endured by the hero of Homer’s Odyssey, as the extended metaphor for his often-quoted compass for his own – and our – introspective, personal expeditions. The voyage of Tennyson’s Ulysses does not measure and mark nautical miles, for each line unfolds to make certain that his readers understand and acknowledge something more significant: that we become who we are because of what we have done, because of the people, places and events we have encountered as we have journeyed through life.

I am become a name; For always roaming with a hungry heart Much have I seen and known…

Myself not least…

I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough Gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades Forever and forever when I move.

How dull it is to pause, to make an end, To rust unburnished, not to shine in use!

As though to breathe were life!

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Tennyson’s alter ego does not go through life in a straight line. Everything which he experiences serves to tint that which he will subsequently experience, and so on, with each step affecting – redefining and reconfiguring – that which is still to come.

There are many who are responsible for the person each one of us has become. As we continue to pass through the network of arches that life has in store for us, our doing more than just breathing honors – reflects – their influence, their having burnished our shine and glow.

A hungry heart? Perhaps Bruce SpringC steen was once touched by Tennyson’s imagery during his early songwriting days.

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PRHWRITERSBLOCK

It’s still

Rock and Roll to me

WAY BEYOND GAME DAY

by Debra Russino

I

am so fortunate that I was exposed to music at such a young age. I was raised in a home where a radio and stereo were always playing.

My father had a beautiful voice and sang through the house, quite often. Although I took these things for granted at the time, I now realize how much it all means to me. I have so many cherished memories from my childhood. My older siblings listened to Motown.

Even though I was many years younger, I have a deep appreciation and love for all genres of music.

Vinyl records, albums and turntables with huge speakers were all the rage. The louder, the better. This old school technology suddenly seems to be making a big comeback! Back in the day, everyone congregated over each other’s houses to hear the latest song or learn the coolest dance.

Everything we did centered around music. Every music lover knows the power of a great band. Believing the song is meant just for them.

Ripley’s Music Hall on South Street was a great place to catch the latest talent in the ‘80s. This hall was very intimate and supported local singers as well as bigger names. South Street’s TLA opened in 1988 but dates back to the early 1900s as a nickel-

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odeon. Valley Forge Music Fair (1955-1996) was a theater in the round so there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. The Rolling Stones played in many of these venues!

One of the many advantages of living in South Philly is the access to so many music arenas. Of course we will never forget JFK Stadium where Live Aid was held on July 13, 1985, as a fundraiser for African famine relief. Artists came together in the name of humanity, leaving their egos at the door and putting on a truly star-studded, memorable show. This musically historic concert will forever be known as a day that Philadelphia owned the attention of the world.

Many great stadium acts will make their way to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex in the upcoming months. Ed Sheeran and Maroon 5 will be here in early fall along with the iconic Elton John during his farewell tour this September. Bruno Mars and Phil Collins will perform there in October.

There have been so many seats filled with screaming, adoring fans over the years. Our fondest memories and exquisite life moments happened in these concert halls. I can’t imagine a life without music.

It is the world’s most popular language; interpreted by all who listen.

gohomephilly.com

W

hat is an ordinary man? Is it a man who goes to work every day to provide for his family?

Is it a man who does things around the house? Pays the bills? Is it a man who is a chauffeur for his children when they’re young and waits up for them until they are home safe? Is it a man who lives for his family?

Jim Frye was all of these things and more. An ordinary man who grew up in South Philly. He loved his neighborhood and he loved his family. Jim never had a cross word to say about anyone. He greeted everyone with a ‘How are you’ or a ‘Glad to see you’ handshake. He was always there to help anyone and everyone.

His Anna was his life. He was devoted to her for more than 60 years. Jim met Anna Dupon at a very young age and said, ‘That’s the girl I’m going to marry.’ This

might sound pretty ordinary to most people, but Jim was raised a strict Catholic and Anna came from a Jewish background. Despite the objections of his family, he married his Anna and they raised two daughters.

Unbeknownst to his wife, this ordinary man saved money every week for their daughters’ weddings.

Jim was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease in his early seventies and died on May 8, 2018 at the age of 81. His Anna died three years before him. This ordinary man and the love of his life are survived by their two daughters, three sonsin-law, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

I had the honor of being a sonin-law of this “ordinary” man and although I am no longer married to his daughter, I had the privilege of being in his life until the end.

We should all be so lucky to be as “ordinary” as Jim Frye.

An Ordinary

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by DAVID W. CAVA

PRH WRITERS BLOCK

The Heroes’ Journey

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M

y wife and I began our journey into parenting with the birth of our twins 18 years ago. We’re fortunate that both are very good students. I, on the other hand, was not.

I don’t know if I was bored in school or just couldn’t sit still for more than five minutes, but one thing was for sure - I did not like to read.

My mom recognized I wasn’t reading and solved the problem by buying me comic books.

Not sure if it was the graphic art, the endless action or the fantastical stories I enjoyed most, but comics definitely helped me read more and sparked my interest in storytelling. Comics aren’t about super-powered people; they’re about people. It just so happens that some of them have super powers.

Ten years with RowHome Magazine and I’m thankful that Dorette and Dawn have allowed me to wax poetically on almost any subject. Over those same 10 years, Marvel Studios has made 19 movies about comic book characters. They have built a movie mega franchise that has grossed more than $17 billion at the box office, alone.

That’s a lot of cheddar for something that’s based off of, what my mother calls, “joke books.” I contend that the reason why those movies have done so well is that they are - at their core - stories about people. It just so happens that some of them have super powers.

As my wife and I prepare to send the twins off to college this fall, we do so believing that we

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

have properly prepared them for the next chapter of their lives. As young adults with individual gifts and abilities, it’s up to them to figure out how to put their gifts to good use. In comic books, the main character must decide whether to use their fantastic talents for good or for evil.

A hero helps others selflessly while the villain manipulates others for their own selfish interests.

If the characters are written well, both the hero and the villain believe they are justified in how they have decided to act. As a parent, it’s hard to let go. Allowing our children to fly as high as their abilities will take them is always a little frightening at first. But in time, we will enjoy watching them soar, knowing that they are well prepared to make the right decision in the end.

In the 10 years of writing stories inspired by my own experiences, I’ve found that the world has its share of heroes and villains. But it’s mostly filled with regular hard-working folks doing everyday things. It’s hard to believe that our twins are now adults who will begin experiencing all sorts of amazing things that will help them transform and grow. Fantastical experiences that will shape the content of their own individual stories.

They may not have super powers, but they are individuals with their own wills and abilities. My hope is that they will both choose to use their abilities for good. To be selfless when making those important decisions. And to be creative when looking for solutions to some of life’s more difficult problems. Good luck kids. See you in the funny papers.

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PRHWRITERSBLOCK Philly DJs and summer memories

Georgie Woods Jerry Blavat Jocko Henderson …

by Robert L. Woodard The Wynnefield Barber

G

rowing up, every summer was an adventure. I remember bus trips to summer camp programs hosted by the city. The outings were exciting because they enabled children to have fun visiting places outside the neighborhood.

I found out what “love at first sight” meant the summer I met Rhonda. We fell in love after a wonderful bus trip. The only problem was that she lived in the DC/Virginia area and I was from South Philadelphia. In those days, there were no cell phones and your parents did not allow you to make long distance calls. My father even purchased a phone lock so you couldn’t dial out! I thought about Rhonda every day for the rest of the summer.

I knew if I wanted to feel better, I had to hit the dance floor. Dancing became my therapy. The Boogaloo, the Funky Broadway, the Jerk, the Twist, the Mashed Potato. I learned the Bristol Stomp and the Eighty-One when I danced on the Jerry Blavat Show – “The Geator with the Heater, The Boss with the Hot Sauce.” I even helped form a Cha Cha Club, The Imperial Diplomats. We traveled around the Tri-State area competing with other Cha Cha Clubs. We made up our own steps and became Cha Cha Champions.

There were dances everywhere back then and Philadelphia DJs were some of the best Dance Hall hosts in the world. Georgie Woods, “The Guy with the Goods,” used to tell his fans not to eat chicken on Sundays because it would “put a hole in your soul.” Jocko Henderson would say, “E-tidily yock, this is the Jock and I’m back on the scene with the record machine, saying oh papa do, hi y’all do.” Sonny Hopson, “The Mighty Burner,” played music back to back, which gave birth to the Disco scene – ongoing music with few commercial breaks. Off the air, he was a civil rights activist. He used his show to bring Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali their first championship bout after Ali’s boxing license was revoked for refusing to take part in the Vietnam War. Hopson’s popular radio show helped Ali get his license back. DJs were special people.

When the transistor radio came along, we could carry a radio around wherever we went and listen to our favorite shows. One day, I heard a DJ on the radio whom I thought was a black man until I saw him live at Stage Three Dance Hall in New Jersey. He was so cool. And because he was a fat white guy and I was a fat black guy, I liked his style as much as his delivery on the air. He called himself Butterball. He’d say, “I’m too tall to get over, too wide to get around

and I’m laying down the fat sounds in our town and I’m doing it pound by pound.” DJ Carl Helm played most of the slow sounds on the air. Later came the smooth, cool sounds of an up and coming DJ, Tony Brown. At the end of the dance show, they played a slow song called, “It’s Time to Go Now.” It was our last chance to dance the Slow Drag with someone special.

Dancing was mentally and emotionally therapeutic for me and helped keep thoughts of Rhonda off my mind. Even though I was a fat guy, I was very light on my feet. They called me the “Heavy D” of my time – the name of a well-known and respected rap star who had great dance moves.

Sundays were special because we would all go to the dance at Town Hall Theatre on North Broad Street. The only problem with going there was that you would have to fight your way back home because of all the gang wars in neighborhoods. North Philly guys didn’t like South Philly guys coming into their neighborhood and dancing with their girls. I would bring my PF Flyers sneakers in a bag so I could “run faster and jump higher” to get home safely without damaging my Stacy Adam shoes!

Every time I left Town Hall, I’d ask myself, “Why do I put myself through this?” The answer? My friends in the Imperial Diplomats – John Robbins aka “Frankie,” Bernard Baxter and Daniel Boone.

Even with all that pressure, one of the good things about going to Town Hall was meeting a nice girl from South Philly named Jean. She later became my girlfriend. The summer’s end approached and my memories of Rhonda slowly faded... … Until Jean and her family invited me to Thanksgiving dinner. When I walked through the front door, Rhonda was sitting at the head of the table! My summer love and Jean were cousins!

People in the neighborhood started calling me a “MacDaddy” and “Player.” When I walked into a room, I heard them shout, ‘Heavyweight lover in the house!’

This awkward situation made me realize how things can appear one way but aren’t always what they seem. I didn’t know the two young ladies I cared about that summer were cousins until I showed up for Thanksgiving dinner. Judging others before knowing the facts can lead to many misunderstandings – between people, between races, between nations. We can all do our part to make the world a better place. To share love – not only with your girlfriend – but with your fellow man of every cultural and ethnic background.

Take the RACE Test today for a better way at www.BarbershopTalkHFD.org.

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Skip the 6-pack!

Grab a growler

by MATT KELCHNER Wait! Before you flip to the next page, this is not another article telling you what colors to add to your wardrobe (although after the Super Bowl, green should be in everyone’s!). Have you hosted a family member or friend from out of town and listened to complaints about trashlined streets across the city? Did you know our city has a goal of becoming 90 percent zero waste and litter-free by 2035? On any given day, it’s common to see litter as you’re walking around. It’s sad, gross and also something we all have the power to fix.

We have collected some of our top tips to help clean up our city. First, and probably the easiest, is to pick up trash if you see it on the ground. It might be frustrating to clean up after a random stranger, but it sets a good example. This is so simple, it didn’t even make our list. Check out our suggestions below and let us know if you have any other ideas to share. Together, with a few simple changes, Philadelphia can shed its dirty image.

STOP USING PLASTIC One of the easiest ways to have less trash is to use less of it. Pick up a few reusable bags to carry around with you. Swap out those plastic water bottles for a reusable one that keeps things colder much longer. Next time you need a restock on beer, try filling up a growler or two instead of picking up a six pack.

GET TO KNOW YOUR SANITATION & RECYCLING CENTERS Sure, they might not sound like the coolest places to go, but the sanitation and recycling centers located across the city can help out in more ways than

July / August / September 2018

one. For starters, they provide free recycling bins.

They also serve as drop off points for various things like car tires, mattresses/box springs and “E-waste” (think TVs, computers, anything electronic).

PUT THE RIGHT STUFF IN THE RIGHT BIN Philly’s single stream recycling program is great. Everything that is recyclable goes in the same bin. There’s no sorting on our end!

Most plastic, paper/cardboard, glass and metal can go in. Just make sure there are no food or grease stains (pizza boxes - we’re looking at you). Also, plastic bags and styrofoam anything are big no-no’s. The city’s recycling website, Philacycle.com, offers a detailed breakdown.

SIGN UP FOR PHILACYCLE REWARDS! Speaking of Philacycle, sign up for their rewards program. As a member, you collect points every time you recycle. These can be redeemed for anything from free magazine subscriptions to coupons for restaurants. You can even donate your points to help fund projects at various schools around the city!

PARTICIPATE IN CLEAN UPS Get together with your neighbors, family and friends and help tackle the littering problem. The Philadelphia Streets Department hosts neighborhood clean up events throughout the year. The city’s own United By Blue also hosts weekly clean ups near waterways in and around Philadelphia.

Visit www.philadelphiastreets.com/events for more! gohomephilly.com

Leave the Starfish Behind

Why is Steam Coming from the COOLING TOWER? Water is used throughout the refinery to heat fluids during the refining process and to cool various production units while they perform refining functions. In some units, water temperature reaches more than 140 degrees fahrenheit.

In order to continually reuse and conserve the water, it is sent to be cooled and stored in the cooling towers.

Once in the cooling towers, hot water is cooled by an airstream that is blown at it as it enters the tower. The cooling process causes some of the water to evaporate while the major portion is cooled and stored to be reused in the refinery. The evaporated water mixes with the airstream on its way out of the cooling stacks at the top of the towers. This mixture forms the visible “cloud” over the cooling units.

The only thing coming out of he cooling tower stacks is the water in the form of STEAM and AIR that cannot be retained and reused in the refining process.

Philadelphia Energy Solutions believes in going beyond supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Through our active support of youth, culture, health, education and environmental opportunities, we strive to improve the quality of life for our employees and our neighbors.

➺

by KERRI-LEE MAYLAND You survived the traffic out of Philly, your car is filled to the brim with beach essentials and you have arrived down the shore. As you unpack your wares and get set to dive into your beach read, take a quick inventory of your goodies and ask yourself, ‘Did I go green?’

You have probably noticed we don’t take the best care of our beaches. The trash and debris left behind after a routine beach day is appalling. None of us could possibly approve of the mess left behind. The only way to make it go away is to DO something about it. It’s not hard to make a difference! Here are some ways you can get it right next trip.

Plastic Pollution. There is a lot of it in the world’s oceans – so much that the great floating garbage islands cover large swaths of our oceans. Not only does it wash up on the beaches, it winds up in the stomachs of sea turtles, marine birds, fish and whales. Reports indicate at the rate we’re going, plastics in the ocean will outweigh fish pound for pound in 2050.

Summery Snacks. We all get hungry during a good beach day but how are you going to dispose of the garbage? According to the Ocean Conservancy, the most commonly found beach trash includes cigarette butts, plastic utensils,

We are focused to be the best every day.

food wrappers/containers, beverage bottles/cans and straws, bottle caps and single-use bags. Cut down by making different food choices.

For example, more fruit and less processed plastic wrapped foods.

Seaside souvenirs. It’s tempting to take some sand home or for kids to fill their buckets with minnows or starfish finds. Instead, let’s teach our kids to respect nature and leave it for all to enjoy. Taking away what has taken thousands of years to create may seem harmless, but it’s seriously damaging to fragile ecosystems. Imagine if we all do it.

Signs are serious. Those signs you see near the dunes - don’t ignore them! They’re there to protect you, the ecosystems and wildlife around you. Same goes for dog-free zones and leash requirements. In addition to easily damaging sensitive beach dune vegetation, an unattended dog can dig up a sea turtle nest or destroy a colony of beach-nesting birds in a matter of seconds.

Get Involved. Clean Ocean Action is “making waves to save our seas.” Getting onboard with the group is a way you can help protect and preserve the beauty of the Jersey Shore. Email outreach@ cleanoceanaction.org by September 1st for the Fall Cleanup.

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PRHSCHOOLYARD

A message from Neumann Goretti President

Freshman Class slated to be largest in 10 years!

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Greetings South Philadelphia!

Hard to believe my one-year anniversary is quickly approaching. The past 11 months have been extremely rewarding. We have accomplished much but have so much more to do. I look forward to working with the South Philadelphia community in the coming years. Yes. I said years.

This graduation season, we are pleased to welcome 116 young men and women into the alumni ranks of Saints John Neumann & Maria Goretti Catholic High School. Together, they will walk in the steep tradition that is Saints Neumann-Goretti, Saint Maria Goretti, Southeast Catholic, Bishop John Neumann and St. John Neumann Catholic High Schools. Remember, it is not a name or a building or a location that creates alumni but rather the life experiences, traditions and friendships we accumulate along the way. We are 29,000 strong and need to make our future as great as our past.

We are in line to have the largest freshman class in 10 years! Our standardized test scores had the highest year-over-year increase of any Philadelphia Archdiocesan High School. More than $20 million in academic scholarships were offered to our graduating seniors. Our fundraising efforts are paying off and alumni engagement has increased by 35 percent over last year. You are, indeed, beginning to “Come Home!”

As I have said, our goal is to create the finest aca-

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2018

demic institution in the city of Philadelphia over the next five years. That is a lofty goal and a heavy lift but we have the team in place – administrative and academic – to succeed. As good alumni and good neighbors, we hope you will join us along the way.

Remember, Neumann - Goretti is the only Catholic high school south of Chestnut Street, river to river.

That is a lot of square miles! It is an anchor in our community and we should all embrace its existence.

Our opportunity to succeed is only limited by our ability to engage the community and raise needed dollars for facility upgrades and academic scholarships. After all, if we are going to be the finest academic institution in Philadelphia, we need to look the part! We have big ideas and a bold vision for this school but we need your help as neighbors in South Philadelphia in seeing it come to fruition.

We are educating 21st Century Minds in a 21st Century World so we need to start planning for the next 20 years, not just the next five.

One last thing. If your child is entering 7th or 8th grade this year, give us a call. We would love to show you and your children around. Remember, “Local never goes out of style!”

Have a great summer and I’ll be welcoming the Class of ’22 in just a few short months!

Joseph M. McColgan President Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School

gohomephilly.com

Q: You reside in South Philly and you are a third generation NG grad. Tell me about your family members who attended NG. My grandfather, Robert Brescia, attended back when it was Southeast Catholic and is currently retired. My father Louis Cambria attended Bishop Neumann and was inducted into the Varsity Hall of Fame in 1999 for his athletic achievements.

He currently runs an independent law practice. My mother Deborah Cambria attended St. Maria Goretti and is a nurse.

I also have three younger brothers who attended NG. The oldest, Dante, currently works as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. Giancarlo works for Whole Foods. My youngest brother, Antonio, just obtained his associates degree from CCP and plans to attend Temple University to pursue a degree in education.

Q: What did you enjoy studying at NG? Science in general was my biggest scholastic interest. I especially enjoyed biology and physics.

Q: Were you involved in any extracurricular activities while at NG? I fully took advantage of everything NG had to offer. I participated in multiple sports across all seasons including football, ice hockey, lacrosse, track and even swimming (my last two years). I also played the alto saxophone in the band for four years.

Q: Are there any teachers or classes that really stood out for you? Why? There are a number of teachers that I feel had a significant impact on my life and career. If I had to limit this to a reasonably sized answer, I’d have to mention two: Mr. Michael Sheehan, English class in my senior year. His course was totally different than other language/English classes I had been exposed to prior. He prepared me for the studying of liberal arts at a college level. He ran the course like a college class. To be honest, English was not my favorite class, however, he has the ability to inspire and challenge his students in a way that was not only applicable to higher

education, but also laid the groundwork for the philosophical insight into literature. I’d also like to mention Mr. Gino Lomaestro, my Biology teacher in junior year. He was the quirky mad scientist type but his excitement for science and biology kept everyone engaged. He was inventive, passionate and energetic. Interestingly enough, he encouraged me to pursue a college degree at the University of the Sciences, which is where I ended up doing my graduate level education.

Q: Tell me about your education after graduating from NG. In what field are you currently working?

After graduation, I attended Temple University and received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. I then went on to obtain a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Currently, I work as a Physician Assistant, practicing in a sub-acute rehabilitation setting.

Q: How do you feel your time at NG impacted who you are today? How do you think NG prepared you for future goals?

NG cultivated my academic skillset but was also a nostalgic and memorable time in my life. It was embedded into the culture at NG that respect for one another and oneself was paramount. They had set a culture of community. The students and faculty were always referred to as the NG family. Respect, Gratitude and Fortitude were values instilled into us as students. My involvement in multiple sports programs led to a pursuit of education in Kinesiology and working in the health and fitness world most of my adult life. While playing in the band, I had the opportunity to travel with a local string band where I was part of their group’s trip to Italy for a week. I continue to play the saxophone with Greater Kensington String Band. My interests for biology and physics led to the pursuit of my current career as a Physician Assistant. NG’s Catholic tradition, partnered with the opportunities they were able to provide, enabled me to continue to excel and were the catalysts to my continued pursuit of knowledge and life.

NG Alumni Spotlight

GAETANO CAMBRIA SS Neumann Goretti High School Class of 2006

July / August / September 2018

| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | 93

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D E S S E R P Give Your Tongue a Sleigh Ride!

P RHPRESSED

ta Jackson

By Dorette Ro

W

hat do you miss most about your summers as a kid?

The question pops up on my facebook feed. I make the fatal mistake of reading it out loud to my sister Dawn who is sitting next to me on the front step.

Calypso ice cream from 48 Flavors, I answer in an instant. The memory is so vivid, I can taste the rainbow jimmies. And a dollar’s worth of penny candy from Mary’s.

In a brown paper bag! Root beer barrels, Mary Janes, shoestring licorice! Pizza from DiFabio’s. And fudgy wudgies on the beach. ‘Give your tongue a sleigh ride!’

She interrupts my joy with one of her own throwbacks. ‘Remember when we first moved up 12th street.

How old were you, 9? You sat on the step for hours watching the neighborhood girls jump rope. I said to you, ‘Why don’t you introduce yourself?

Don’t you want to jump rope?’

I was sharing my happy memories, I say to her. You’re ruining my moment. I was shy. Your mouth runs deep. She ignores me as usual and continues the story.

‘I went up to them and said, ‘we’re new on this block. I’m Dawn. My sister wants to jump rope with you. Is that ok?’ You’ve been friends ever since. Why are all your memories about food?’

They are not! I react. I liked playing the jukebox (Sweet Talkin’ Guy by the Chiffons) while I tap danced on the counter at Ray’s Luncheonette. I played pinball there, too!

She’s not interested in my pinball memory. ‘Whatever happened to that old man who lived on the corner? He was so mean. Hit

by DORETTE ROTA JACKSON

you with his cane if you walked on his pavement,’ she giggles.

He died, I answer. His nephew cremated him and buried the ashes at sea.

‘How do you know?’

She looks confused.

I went to his services. There were four people there. We had lunch at the Penrose after. The entire lunch party fit into one booth. Sad. ‘That’s why they used to hire people to cry at your funeral. Families were ashamed if only four people showed up. So, they prepared,’ she answers.

What does any of this have to do with my summer memories as a kid? I ask her.

‘They’re my summer memories,’ she says.

No one asked you, I mumble under my breath.

‘Ok. Ok. Here’s one,’ she keeps going. It was 1976. I decided to paint the outside railing red, white and blue to celebrate the Bicentennial.’

With oil based paint! I remind her.

‘I was trying to clean the brushes with the hose outside but it was staining the pavement! So I ran into the house to use the kitchen sink,’ she continues.

And tipped over a can of white paint in the living room, I remind her. Splashed all over the emerald green carpets that were installed the day before! Literally, they were one day old!

‘I was freaking out,’ she remembers. ‘We started scrubbing the paint off before mommy got home from work! It was so crazy! I’ll never forget that summer memory of my childhood! July, 1976!’

She’s laughing so hard, slapping her knees and snorting. Like this is the fondest memory of her lifetime.

I should have minded my busi-

96

ness, I say out loud to no one listening. Kept my memories to myself. Your stories give me anxiety attacks, I rattle on as she plays another hand of iphone solitaire.

‘Ok. Ok. Seriously. Here’s a summer memory,’ she says with a twinkle in her eye.

‘You were riding your brand new gold bike with the banana seat down a hill up the mountains. You were going so fast, you couldn’t stop! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I thought you were so awesome on your new bike! Racer X! Then you hit the brakes! Crash!! I felt so bad. You fell so hard. You still have that scar on your knee, don’t you?’

Do me a favor. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all, I tell her. My food memories are a highlight of my summers as a kid.

Notice, you haven’t mentioned a single one of your own. Just then, I hear the familiar jingle from a Mister Softee truck in the distance. As it pulls up the street, I refrain from jumping off the front step to join the line of happy kid customers. Dawn looks confused. My self-control astonishes her. Until the truck starts pulling away.

Dawn jumps off the step and waves to the driver to stop. She comes back with a vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. A truce? Then she starts licking the ice cream that’s dripping off the cone. Big, round circular motions from one side of the cone to the other.

I watch as the jimmies quickly disappear into her mouth along with the creamy vanilla ice cream. It’s torture!

Then she hands the halfeaten cone over to me.

What’s this, I ask?

‘One of my childhood food memories,’ she says. ‘Mommy cleaning all the ice cream off my cone so ‘it doesn’t drip all over you.’ Happy summer!’

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