PGN July 21-27, 2017

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

Vol. 41 No. 29 July 21-27, 2017

Family Portrait: Manjot Singh Khalsa answers to a greater power PAGE 29

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

• City seeks dismissal of Boxers’ lawsuit • Action Wellness extends reach

Pride Nights approach for Philadelphia Union and Phillies

PAGE 2

Exclusive: Former Mazzoni Center CEO Nurit Shein speaks out

D.A. may request a protective order in Morris case

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com A representative of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office this week said the agency expects to seek a protective order in PGN’s open-records case for 911 recordings relating to the Nizah Morris incident.

Protective orders typically are employed to seal court records that otherwise would be accessible to the public.

During a July 18 pretrial conference, an assistant district attorney also said the office expects to request that PGN cover legal fees and costs associated with the litigation.

Immediately before the assistant D.A.’s statement about a protective order, PGN attorney Justin F. Robinette requested limited discovery in the case, which the assistant D.A. opposed.

“Civil cases such as this one typically have a discovery phase, which involves the sharing of documents and information,” Robinette said outside the courtroom. “I objected to the D.A.’s opposition to discovery because our side is entitled to it.”

Robinette also emphatically opposed a protective order in the case.

“I hear your outrage,” replied Common Pleas Judge Abbe F. Fletman, who’s handling the case.

Fletman said the D.A.’s Office is free to file whatever motions it pleases, and she’ll rule on them in due time. Fletman also said she may hold oral arguments prior to ruling on a motion from the D.A.’s Office.

Morris was an African-American trans woman found with a fatal head wound in December 2002, shortly after a police “courtesy ride” in the Gayborhood. Her homicide remains unsolved, and the D.A.’s Office says it has an “open” investigation.

In the past, the D.A.’s Office indicated it doesn’t have any Morris 911 recordings in its “possession, custody or control,” which is a legal phrase to denote an agency’s records. But in 2016, the state Office of Open Records determined a nine-page transcript of Morris 911 recordings created by PGN is in the D.A.’s “possession, custody or control.”

PAGE 8 PGN made the tran-

PAGE 28

By PGN Staff

SUNDAY SIZZLE: Locals came together for some fun in the sun last weekend at LGBTQ Home 4 Hope. The organization, which provides housing and other services for LGBT people, hosted a Community Day July 16 at its North Philadelphia location.

Supporters enjoyed barbecue food, played games and took part in community-building exercises, as well as donated items to the organization’s drive, which amassed toiletries, clothing, food and more for the residents. Photo: Scott A. Drake

PA teens testify in trans-bathroom case

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Students at a Berks County school district testified Monday in a federal court case in which students are claiming the school’s transgender-inclusive policies violated their privacy. Two of four students suing the Boyertown Area School District and one trans student presented their cases at an evidentiary hearing in Easton.

The two cisgender students, a male and a female, testified their privacy was being violated and constituted it as sexual harassment. The male student, identified as Joel Doe, recalled a situation in October in which he saw a trans male student getting changed in the locker room.

“Someone next to me tapped me on my shoulder and said, ‘Turn around,’” Doe testified, according to The Morning Call.

“I turned around and saw a girl standing there.

“I scrambled to get everything into the locker as fast as I could so I could get out of there,” he added.

The Alliance Defending Freedom and the

Independence Law Center are representing the two cis students. Neither organization responded to requests for comment.

Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Pennsylvania Youth Congress provided representation for the school district and Aidan DeStefano, a trans male student whose rights could be affected if the cis students win the lawsuit.

“I made sure that my peers were OK with me going into that bathroom,” the 18-year-old testified, according to a Penn Live story. “I never got any questions at all, because this is who I am.”

While DeStefano graduated inJune, he contended in court documents that he would still use the school’s facilities on certain occasions. His younger sister will be a senior at the school, DeStefano said in a supplemental declaration, as will several close friends.

“I may want to come back to campus for other events where alumni and visitors are welcome, as I will be attending college in the area and will have many friends still attending BASH,” he wrote.

Another hearing will be held Aug. 11. n

After two decades at the helm of Mazzoni Center, CEO Nurit Shein left the organization in the spring after allegations of racism at the organization, an employee walkout and criticism that she covered up incidents of alleged sexual impropriety by the organization’s former medical director, Dr. Robert Winn. In her first interview since leaving Mazzoni, Shein spoke to PGN exclusively about her last days of employment, the protests against her and her role in the Winn investigation.

This interview has been edited for length; the full interview can be found at www. epgn.com.

PGN: When did you learn about the allegations of sexual impropriety by Dr. Winn?

NS: I think we need to put it in context.

It was brought to me on a Monday morning after, on Friday, a case manager and her supervisor learned from a client about some allegations. When it was brought to me on Monday, we turned it to the lawyers and we started an investigation — an external, outside, unbiased investigation — and at that point, I informed my board president about it and I also informed the insurance company. Now these are just allegations that a client brought. I can’t tell you where it is right now because I don’t know.

PGN: What is your response to criticism that you knew about these allegations prior to their being brought to your attention?

NS: Obviously, for liability reasons and for confidentiality reasons, I am not going to go into any specific allegations. What I will tell you is that any allegation that came to my knowledge was investigated, dealt with either internally or with the board and/or externally. That is not to say that gossip within an organization of 140 people doesn’t go very far. So while as an employer and as a supervisor, I cannot tell PAGE 15 anybody what correc-

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LOCAL PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

Resource listings

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com

Legal resources • ACLU of Pennsylvania: 215-592-1513; aclupa.org • AIDS Law Project of PA: 215-587-9377; aidslawpa.org

• Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations — Rue Landau: 215-686-4670

• AIDS Law Project of South Jersey: 856-784-8532; aidslawsnj.org/

• Philadelphia Police Liaison Committee: 215-7603686; ppd.lgbt@gmail.com

• Equality PA: equalitypa. org; 215-731-1447

• SPARC — Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition: 717-920-9537

• Office of LGBT Affairs — Amber Hikes: 215-686-0330; amber.hikes@phila.gov

Community centers • The Attic Youth Center; 255 S. 16th St.; 215-545-4331, atticyouthcenter.org. For LGBT and questioning youth and their friends and allies.

• LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania; 3907 Spruce St. 215-898-5044, center@dolphin.upenn.edu.

• Rainbow Room: Bucks County’s LGBTQ and Allies Youth Center Salem UCC Education Building, 181 E. Court St., Doylestown; 215-957-7981 ext. 9065, rainbowroom@ppbucks.org.

• William Way LGBT Community Center

Health and HIV testing 1216 Arch St.; 215981-0088, actionwellness.org

• AIDS Library:

1233 Locust St.; aidslibrary.org/

• AIDS Treatment Fact line: 800-6626080

• COLOURS: colour-

sorganization.org, 215832-0100

• Congreso de Latinos Unidos;

216 W. Somerset St.; 215-763-8870

• GALAEI: 215-851-

1822 or 866-222-3871, www.galaei.org. Spanish/English

• Health Center No. 2, 1720 S. Broad

St.; 215-685-1821

• Mazzoni Center:

1348 Bainbridge St.; 215-563-0652, mazzonicenter.org

• Philadelphia FIGHT:

1233 Locust St.; 215985-4448, www.fight. org

• Washington West Project of Mazzoni Center:

1201 Locust St.; 215985-9206

• Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215-7321207

Other • Independence Branch Library Barbara Gittings Gay and Lesbian Collection: 215-685-1633 • Independence Business Alliance; 215-557-0190, IndependenceBusinessAlliance.com

• LGBT Peer Counseling Services: 215-732-TALK • PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (Philadelphia): 215-572-1833 • Philly Pride Presents: 215-875-9288

A local nonprofit is expanding, with increased services and a new location.

Action Wellness, in partnership with The Family Practice & Counseling Network (FPCN), will now offer primary-care services 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Annex West Health Center, 3901 Market St. To accommodate this growth, Action Wellness also opened an office at 3600 Market St. in June.

“Our mission is to help people access care with HIV and other chronic illnesses and I think having the combination of services is a one-stop-shopping kind of model,” said Action Wellness Executive Director Kevin Burns.

Burns said Action Wellness’ goal is to offer primary-care services up to five days a week, noting the value of more hours and locations.

“Some of our clients want to be seen at an office that’s not in their neighborhood and some want to be seen in their neighborhood,” Burns said. “The more options we have for people, the more likely they are going to stay connected, especially if the office is convenient, accessible and welcoming.”

“It’s a real opportunity for us to do other health screenings, including testing

for HIV,” Burns added. “So I’m hoping it will help us to identify people who are HIVpositive and not aware of their status as they begin to get services from us.”

Action Wellness and FPCN partnered in January 2015 to open the Annex West Health Center. The fully staffed clinic provides primary-care, behavioral-health and preventative services. It previously offered these services one day a week before increasing to three days.

Emily Nichols, FPCN’s director of operations, said she was excited for the expansion.

“Our HIV patients need increased services,” Nichols said. “They have a host of issues going on. So to be able to use Action Wellness’ expertise for more of our patients is really exciting for us.”

Burns said FPCN has been “phenomenal” and “generous” during the duration of their partnership.

“They work with clients where they’re at, which is very much what we do,” Burns said. “We have a real social-work model and they share that value with us. I think the thing that has been so nice is that we have a lot of shared values and philosophies about how we want our sites to be welcoming to people and they share that.” n For more information, visit ActionWellness.org.

City asks judge to dismiss Boxers suit

1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220, www.waygay.org.

• Action Wellness:

Action Wellness expands services

By Timothy Cwiek timothy@epgn.com City attorneys are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Boxers PHL, a sports bar in the Gayborhood that claims anti-LGBT bias motivated a city order that its roof deck be removed.

Located at 1330 Walnut St., the popular LGBT venue claims it was treated in a homophobic manner by city officials and seeks more than $50,000 in damages. Numerous city officials are named as defendants, including city Department of Licenses and Inspections Commissioner David Perri and various members of the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.

In January 2015, Boxers sought city approvals for the erection of a roof deck over the rear portion of its first floor. L&I promptly issued a zoning permit and later a building permit for the deck. But in April 2016, L&I revoked all approvals, even though most of the roof deck was constructed, according to the lawsuit.

L&I claimed the zoning permit was incorrectly issued because a formal hearing before the zoning board was required.

Boxers eventually appeared before the zoning board, which denied approval for the roof deck in February 2017.

Boxers requested a jury trial but, last month, city attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez to toss out the case as meritless.

In a statement, Mike Dunn, a spokesper-

son for Mayor Jim Kenney, said the city “vehemently” denies Boxers’ allegations.

“On the contrary, the city welcomes and embraces diversity in businesses, including those serving the LGBT community,” Dunn said, pointing to a section of the city’s filing contending Boxers’ complaint is “void of a single factual allegation which suggests that the city or its zoning board harbor animus against LGBT persons or businesses that serve such persons.”

Wally Zimolong, an attorney for Boxers, scoffed at the city’s dismissal request.

“The city’s motion is a typical response to a suit like this,” Zimolong said in an email. “Instead of admitting mistakes were made and working towards making sure the city is an inclusive place for LGBT-owned business, the city circles the wagons. It is just another example of the city saying one thing regarding the LGBT community and then doing another. Actions speak louder than words.”

Zimolong reiterated Boxers’ position that it was treated unfairly by the city.

“First, city officials revoked the permit. Then, they ordered the deck removed.

According to the relevant law, the city only can do that if the deck is a threat to the ‘health, welfare and safety of the community.’ I can only assume the city believes that gay men drinking beer on an outdoor deck in the summer is a big risk to the community.”

As of presstime, the city’s dismissal request remained pending with Sanchez. n

PGN

AUGUST 11

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

News & Opinion

7 — News Briefing 10 — Creep of the Week Editorial 11 — Letters/Feedback

Street Talk Transmissions

Columns

8 — Gettin’ On: Older

transgender adults 28 — Get Out and Play:

Two nights of Pride

“I lament and mourn for churches who are really missing out on folks who can bring incredible, beautiful gifts to their communities because they can’t see past their ingrained prejudice.” ~ Rev. Sammie Evans, page 13

Arts & Culture 23

25 26 29 30 31

SUMMER CINEMA: Supporters of AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania came together at William Way LGBT Community Center last Friday for a screening of “Berserk!” The 1960s horror-thriller starring Joan Crawford was selected as the centerpiece of the agency’s annual Summer Movie Party, which raises funds for ALP’s work on behalf of HIV/AIDS communities. In addition to the screening, the event, now in its 18th year, also featured food and drinks by local restaurants and bars. Photo: Scott A. Drake

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Shannon Kennedy and Julie Ann Samanas were refused service at a local bridal shop that has a history of antigay attitudes.

PGN 505 S. Fourth St. Philadelphia, PA 19147-1506 Phone: 215-625-8501 Fax: 215-925-6437 E-mail: pgn@epgn.com Web: www.epgn.com

Publisher Mark Segal (ext. 204) mark@epgn.com

— Feature: Country comes to Bucks — Scene in Philly — Out & About — Family Portrait — Q Puzzle — Comic

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Creep of the Week: U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler thinks trangender people would be a distraction in the military.

Editor

Jen Colletta (ext. 206) jen@epgn.com Staff Writers Jeremy Rodriguez (ext. 215) jeremy@epgn.com Larry Nichols (ext. 213) larry@epgn.com Writer-at-Large Timothy Cwiek (ext. 208) timothy@epgn.com

Advertising Sales Prab Sandhu (ext. 212) prab@epgn.com Kyle Lamb (ext. 201) kyle@epgn.com Office Manager/ Classifieds Don Pignolet (ext. 200) don@epgn.com

LGBT religion? There’s an app for that.

Art Director/ Photographer

Scott A. Drake (ext. 210) scott@epgn.com 267-736-6743 Graphic Artist Sean Dorn (ext. 211) sean@epgn.com

Philadelphia Gay News is a member of: The Associated Press Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Suburban Newspapers of America

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Singer/songwriter Chely Wright will perform in New Hope this weekend.

Copyright © 1976 - 2017 Copyright(s) in all materials in these pages are either owned or licensed by Masco Communications Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliate companies (Philadelphia Gay News, PGN, and it’s WWW sites.) All other reproduction, distribution, retransmission, modification, public display, and public performance of our materials is prohibited without the prior written consent of Masco Communications. To obtain such consent, email pgn@epgn.com Published by Masco Communications Inc. © 1976-2017 Masco Communications Inc. ISSN-0742-5155

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The views of PGN are expressed only in the unsigned “Editorial” col­umn. Opinions expressed in bylined columns, stories and letters to the editor are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of PGN. The appearance of names or pictorial representations in PGN does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that named or pictured person or persons.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

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Obituary Todd McKee, loan specialist, 50

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Todd McKee was known among loved ones as “Sunshine,” a nickname that friends said embodied his personality.

“He was just always happy, had such a great outlook,” Wayne Bowman, a friend of 28 years, recalled. “He always saw the better side of people. He was nonjudgmental, always listened and gave an ear.

McKee’s love of the beach also informed his moniker. He lived in Rehoboth Beach for more than a decade and had a beachside condo from which friends said he would often watch the sunset and sunrise.

McKee, 50, went out for a nighttime swim July 8 and lost his life during an accidental drowning, said partner Jeff Guaracino.

McKee’s body was found July 14 after an intensive search.

McKee’s mother, Lonna, wrote about her son’s love of the ocean in a social-media post this week.

“He loved the ocean and, while most of us were frightened to enter after dark, nor dared to swim out so far, Todd found it therapeutic, a sanctuary for both body and mind,” she wrote. “He explained on many occasions how the seawater washed away the pain in his bones and gave clarity to his

thoughts.”

Guaracino, the CEO of Wawa Welcome America and PGN’s travel columnist, said he and McKee’s family were heartened by the outpouring of support during and after the search.

On July 13, loved ones held a moment of prayer on the beach at sunset. Guaracino said they fielded calls, emails and photos from supporters who held their own beachside vigils around the world — from Provincetown to Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii, South America, Israel and Germany.

“That really showed us the power of prayer,” Guaracino said. “Even in the greatest sorrow, we have seen so many blessings this week.”

Many of the people who have offered condolences shared stories of McKee’s compassion, Guaracino said.

“So many people I’ve talked to said they came out or felt more comfortable being a person of the LGBT community because of Todd,” he said. “Several people said, ‘I accepted myself because Todd helped me do that.’ People whose families didn’t accept them went to Todd and he warmly embraced them.”

“He was absolutely the kindest, sweetest person who always wanted to know how you were doing,” added Bruce Yelk, a friend for 25 years. “He would have a con-

versation and ask you what’s going on in your life and offer great advice. He wasn’t the type to say, ‘Yes,’ ‘No’ and move on.

He really wanted to know what was going on; it was always more about you than him.”

McKee was a private person who preferred to be behind the scenes, Guaracino noted, adding that trait balanced well with Guaracino’s outward-facing work.

“We had a yin and yang in our relationship,” he said.

The couple, who would have celebrated their fifth anniversary in September, often traveled, relating to Guaracino’s work in the tourism industry.

He said it was a joy to watch McKee accomplish some “bucket-list” travel dreams.

“When we got together, one of the promises we made was we wanted to start traveling, and that became our thing. We went to Rio — it was his first time in South America — London and Paris, which he’d never been to. When I took him for his first first-class experience, he’s like, ‘Wow, this is nice’ and kept the amenity bag,” Guaracino laughed. “I was like, ‘It’s OK, we can get another one.’”

While he loved exploring, McKee also reveled in returning home and spending time with his family.

He was very close with his parents, siblings and their children, Guaracino said.

“They’re such a great, loving family,” he said. “They get together just about weekly for parties and celebrations.

“The LGBT issue never was an issue with them,” Guaracino added. “Some families may have a hard time with it, but his family defended him when things were PAGE 8 against gay people and

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

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By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com The owner of a Pennsylvania bridal shop recently claimed that her faith precluded her from selling a dress to a same-sex couple.

Shannon Kennedy and Julie Ann Samanas said the incident happened July 8 at W.W. Bridal Boutique in Bloomsburg, about twoand-a-half hours north of Philadelphia. The West Pittston couple visited the shop in search of a dress for Samanas for the couple’s March 2018 wedding.

“We filled out the form that said ‘Bride’s name,’ ‘Budget’ and then where it said ‘Groom,’ we crossed it out and wrote ‘Bride’ and put Shannon’s name down,” Samanas explained.

The couple, who were accompanied by Samanas’ sister, handed one of the two women who was working the form and, after reviewing it, she inquired if the dress was for a same-sex wedding.

“She said, ‘I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we’re Christian and we don’t believe in that; our faith doesn’t let us believe in that,’” Kennedy recalled.

The women said they didn’t challenge the staff member and exited.

“I think we were kind of in shock,” Kennedy said. “We all looked at each other and went, ‘Oo-k’ and walked out. It was unexpected. Afterwards, you think of everything you should have said.”

W.W. Bridal Boutique did not respond to a request for comment.

The women posted about the incident on Facebook and tagged the store. In a July 11 post that has since been deleted, the store posted: ”The owners of W.W. Bridal Boutique reserve the rights afforded to them by the First Amendment of the Constitution to live out our lives according to our faith. ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’ We will continue to serve our customers based on the tenets of our faith.”

Kenney and Samanas said they believe the operators of the store’s Facebook page have blocked them both.

They said they have received a wealth of support on social media.

“I grew up about 20 minutes from there and I think about 90 percent of the people who commented were straight people I went to high school with, which is awesome,” Kennedy said. “We had about 300 shares of our post, and I think we only saw two negative things.”

W.W. Bridal was embroiled in a similar situation in 2014, after the store owners, identified then as Victoria Miller and Jeremy Stabler, allegedly declined to schedule an appointment for a lesbian couple.

Kennedy and Samanas said they recalled hearing about that incident but didn’t realize it was the same shop.

Pennsylvania continues to lack a statewide LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination law; more than 40 municipalities have adopted their own nondiscrimination measures, though Bloomsburg is not among them. After the 2014 incident at W.W. Bridal, members of the Bloomsburg Town Council proposed asking the town solicitor to draft an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance, but SHANNON KENNEDY after a community meeting (LEFT) AND JULIE ANN SAMANAS Photo: Tara that drew both Beth Photography support and opposition, voted 4-3 against moving forward with such a measure. The council did send a letter to the state legislature urging it to adopt statewide LGBT protections.

Bloomsburg Mayor Sandy Davis did not respond to PGN’s request for comment. n

LOCAL PGN

News Briefing

held 6-8 p.m. July 26 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Visit http://bit.ly/2tnspCO to register.

— Jeremy Rodriguez

ACLU of PA to host storytelling workshop for trans individuals A statewide nonprofit organization next week will host a workshop for trans individuals to share their stories. Naiymah Sanchez, the transgender-advocacy coordinator for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, will facilitate the discussion.

Sanchez is also coordinating an upcoming lobby day in the fall, as well as a page on the ACLU PA’s website specifically related to transgender rights. The event’s description states that the “hope” is for attendees to have an interest in participating in the lobby day as well as sharing their stories for the website.

The workshop is open to 25 individuals who ideally identify as transgender, gender variant, gender-nonconforming or non-binary.

The ACLU of Pennsylvania storytelling workshop will be

Allentown advances conversion-therapy bill The Allentown City Council’s Committee of the Whole unanimously approved legislation to ban conversion therapy for minors last week.

The bill passed out of committee July 12 and was slated for final adoption at council’s July 19 meeting.

“Conversion therapy is a harmful, unscientific practice promoted only by those who seek to do harm to LGBT people,” Adrian Shanker, executive director of the BradburySullivan LGBT Community Center, said in a statement after the committee vote. “LGBT youth deserve high-quality health care, not junk science.

I’m proud of City Council for moving this critical ordinance forward.”

The center worked with National Center for Lesbian Rights and Jerner & Palmer, P.C., on crafting the legislation.

“Protecting our LGBTQ youth is not a partisan issue,”

said NCLR Youth Policy Counsel and Born Perfect Campaign Coordinator Carolyn Reyes in a statement.

“All of our youth are born perfect and deserve to be protected from the harmful, discredited practice of conversion therapy.”

Philadelphia last month adopted similar legislation, which is awaiting Mayor Jim Kenney’s signature. Pittsburgh became the first city in the state to ban conversion therapy last year.

Deadline approaching for Leeway grants Applications are due Aug. 1 for the Leeway Foundation’s Art & Change Grant.

The program provides grants of up to $2,500 to women and transgender artists in the Delaware Valley for art projects focused on social change.

Entrants must be pursuing an art-for-change project that impacts a community; demonstrate financial need; have a project supported by a Change Partner (a person, organization or business); and live in the Delaware Valley.

For more information or to apply, visit www.leeway.org. n — Jen Colletta

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

Philadelphia Asian & Queer provides support and social interaction

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com When Matthew Wong was a student at University of Notre Dame, he was able to find others in the gay Asian community with whom he could identify. However, the 23-yearold said this changed when he moved to Philadelphia in 2015.

“I was expecting Philadelphia to be this robust city, kind of thriving with diversity, culture and inclusion — and lo and behold, there was no Asian gay community I could find,” he said.

To fix this, Wong founded Philadelphia Asian & Queer (PAQ), a discussion group for queer Asian individuals such as himself. The group held its first meeting last month and has a second meeting scheduled for July 30 at William Way LGBT Community Center. Wong said he formatted the meetings as a general discussion highlighted around one topic each meeting. The July 30 meeting will center around Asian queerness, what that means for members and how they navigate life.

However, Wong said this format could change.

“As we go forward, we will hopefully go deeper into topics that surround Asian LGBTQ individuals but we’re also a very dynamic, new group that is willing to change with the community needs as well,” he said. “So if

it evolves from, let’s say, a discussion group to a fun, social outing, we will accommodate to that as well.”

Wong noted that the terms “LGBTQ” and “Asian” do not necessarily stack up culture-wise. ““We are typically from old-school, conservative types of families where you’re supposed to marry a woman, you’re supposed to have children and you’re supposed to be successful in your career,” Wong said. “The discussion of being married to the same sex or being gender-fluid, or anything like that, is not really within our culture or within our language.”

Wong said he is not out to his parents and that his sexuality is an “unspoken truth” among his family, something he said is similar to other Asian LGBT people.

“I’m the older male,” Wong said.

“I’m supposed to get married to a woman. I’m supposed to spread the ‘100-percent Chinese blood.’ We’re really proud of our culture and we’re really proud of being 100-percent Chinese. So for me, being gay is obviously preventative in the fact that I can’t really have the type of children that my parents dreamed or idealized for the rest of our family.”

While the first meeting only had four members in attendance, Wong said he and the other participants are highly optimistic about the future. Since the June meeting, he PAGE 8

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

PGN

Transgender older adults must be reinstated to key federal aging survey Each year, the Administration orientation and gender identity for Community Living (ACL) of since 2014. The inclusion of these the U.S. Department of Health questions in the survey was the culand Human Services (HHS) conmination of extensive work encourducts the National Survey of aging the federal government to Older Americans recognize the importance Act Participants of data collection to bet(NSOAAP). This surter understand the needs vey provides critical of the growing populainformation on fedtion of LGBTQ elders. erally funded aging However, earlier this programs created year, the ACL, which and authorized by oversees the AoA within the Older Americans HHS, eliminated quesAct (OAA), including tions inviting survey transportation services, participants to identify caregiver support, as LGBTQ. ACL offered adult day care, senior no grounds for the decicenters, health and sion and, in fact, said Andrea C. there were “no changes wellness programs, legal-assistance serAnastasi of a currently approved vices, longterm-care collection” in its draft of ombudsman services the survey published in to residents of nursing homes and March, despite the absence of the elder-abuse protection. questions pertaining to sexual ori The Administration on Aging entation and gender identity.

(AoA), the agency within HHS In response, advocates for responsible for carrying out the LGBTQ older adults organized a provisions of the OAA, then evalunationwide effort to oppose the ates the survey results to determine proposed elimination of LGBTQ the efficacy of these programs and elders from the survey. Thousands of people around the country sent whether they are reaching all older comments and feedback voicing adults, including LGBTQ elders.

Thanks to considerable advocacy their opposition. In June, as a direct result of the overwhelmingly critby LGBTQ groups, the survey has ical reaction, the ACL announced included questions on both sexual

Gettin’ On

OBITUARY from page 5

stood side by side with him.”

His father taught him electrical work, Guaracino added, noting McKee was very handy around the house.

McKee took great pride in decorating his home for holidays too.

“He wanted to make sure I had the red, white and blue stars plugged in for Fourth of July,” Guaracino recalled. “He loved Halloween and costumes. He had elaborate Christmas displays in the windows; Christmas was his most favorite time of year. He just loved to have fun.”

That was evident in his extensive T-shirt collection, many of which were emblazoned with humorous slogans, such as “Kiss me, I’m a ginger.”

“He was a ginger and he embraced his gingerness,” Guaracino laughed.

While McKee loved having fun, he also was gifted with a methodical, math-oriented mind, earning an accounting degree from Widener University. He owned and operated MORRIS from page 1

script based on Morris 911 recordings received from a private citizen — and shared the transcript with the D.A.’s Office in 2009.

Outside the courtroom, Robinette said the type of secrecy associated with a protective order would be “antithetical” to the trans-

that it would restore the question about sexual orientation.

This reversal represents a significant victory and demonstrates that the ACL heard the message from LGBTQ older adults, advocates and elected officials. That said, the ACL’s response was incomplete, as it plans to continue with the removal of the question on gender identity.

ACL’s refusal to reinstate the question pertaining to gender identity is unacceptable. If it does not restore this query, transgender older adults will not be counted and information about how they are being served by the OAA will not be collected. Such an exclusion would not only be egregious, in that transgender adults would be the sole demographic cut from the survey, but also incompatible with the federal government’s responsibility under the OAA to serve all elders.

Although all older people face many challenges inherent in the aging process, transgender individuals confront serious, additional barriers that other older adults do not, mostly as a result of past and present discrimination.

Additionally, most aging-service providers are ill-equipped to provide competent and nondiscriminatory services to transgender pop-

Delaware-based TMJ Financial, which specializes in loans for working-class residents. “[TMJ] was his baby, and he did very well there,” Bowman noted. “His put his heart and soul into the company. He was very good with numbers.”

“Everyone wants to go for the 1-percenters, the wealthy folks, but a lot of his customers were regular working people,” Guaracino added. “He wanted to work with everyday moms and dads who needed a financial partner. During the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, his work became even more important; banks were shutting off credit cards and people were at such high risk but his financial smarts and his compassion made him really excel. He was a smart cookie and really had compassion for the people he served.”

McKee was also a nature lover, adding florals and palm trees to his home décor; was passionate about animals and very interested in spirituality.

McKee’s mother recalled his “gentle parency PGN seeks in the Morris case.

“It’s very strange that the D.A. would raise the specter of a protective order in this case, yet at the same time insist it has no Morris 911 recordings. What does it need to protect? I’m also concerned that the assistant D.A. indicated that a request for a pro-

ulations. Consequently, collecting data on the experiences of transgender elders is absolutely critical to understanding their unique needs and improving access to the services for which they are eligible under the OAA. It is also critical to ensuring the accuracy and success of the survey, which is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of federal programs serving older adults. If older transgender adults are not counted, it is not possible to fully evaluate the efficacy of these programs. Erasing transgender older adults from the NSOAAP subverts the objective of both the OAA and the survey.

HHS has opened a second period of public comment on the NSOAAP. You can help advocate for transgender older adults by submitting comments to HHS about the importance of retaining the survey question on gender identity by July 24. You may submit electronic comments to heather.menne@acl. hhs.gov. And you may submit written comments to: Heather Menne U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living Washington, D.C. 20201

soul.”

“He loved animals since he was a young boy, and felt a connection in their vulnerability and dependence on others. Todd found friendship with people from all walks of life — empathetic to their struggles, their isolation and their need for acceptance — in a world he knew could be both beautiful and cruel. Those of us who loved him will always remember his kind, loving nature.”

In addition to Guaracino and Lonna McKee, he is also survived by father Bill; twin sister Melissa; brother Bill; and sisters Kristene, Kim and Mary; as well as siblingsin-law, 14 nieces and nephews and a wide circle of friends.

A memorial service will be held July 24 at Nolan Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Ave. in Aston. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., followed by a short Christian service.

Memorial donations can be sent to the Todd McKee Fund, c/o People’s Place, 1129 Airport Road, Milford, Del. 19963. n tective order will include a request for sanctions against PGN in the form of legal fees and costs. This would have a chilling effect on the free press. Journalism is a search for the truth. And the search shouldn’t come with a price tag.”

Melanie Dante, an advocate for victims of

Please tell HHS to: 1. Restore the gender identity question to the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants.

2. Continue efforts to make elder services more culturally competent to serve LGBT people.

3. Analyze and publish the results of these surveys on a regular basis.

You can also sign the online petition created by Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (www. sageusa.org), which takes less than one minute to complete.

Now more than ever, we must refuse to stay silent or to be invisible. We must show our strength in numbers and our unity against the erasure of transgender older adults.

If the ACL reacted to the message before, hopefully they will hear it again when contacted more specifically about gender identity. n Andrea C. Anastasi is an attorney, writer and advocate committed to effecting positive change, spreading awareness and connecting people to help the arc of the moral universe bend toward justice. She uses her expertise to support public-interest issues and collaborates with socially conscious organizations including the LGBT Elder Initiative, where she serves as a member of the Advocacy Committee. She believes that kindness is contagious and encourages anyone who has read this far to spread the love.

PAQ from page 7

has created a Facebook page for the group and an event page for the upcoming meeting. He hopes for the group to eventually become “a safe haven for Asian LGBTQ members.”

“I volunteered at [William Way LGBT Community Center] as a peer counselor and there was an influx of Asian callers coming in and especially Asian young teens calling in about issues of coming out, not knowing how to tell their parents and not knowing how to compromise the Asian and LGBTQ-ness within themselves. I hope it becomes that place where young people, children, can come to for advice, for representation [or] for [role] models.” n The next Philadelphia Asian & Queer meeting will be held 3-4:30 p.m. July 30 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. For more information and to RSVP to the meeting, visit the group on Facebook (https:// www.facebook.com/PAQPhilly/).

police violence, attended the court proceeding.

“Silence perpetuates police violence,” Dante said outside the courtroom. “And it sounded to me in that courtroom that the D.A.’s Office wants to silence anyone asking for sunshine on this murky case.” n

T:10.125”

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

9

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

EDITORIAL PGN

Creep of the Week

D’Anne Witkowski

Vicky Hartzler

Editorial

Business bias This week’s PGN carries a story about a lesbian couple who was refused service at a bridal-dress shop in Pennsylvania.

It’s almost hard to fathom that, in 2017, such situations still exist — and it’s even harder to grasp that such businesses have a license to discriminate.

Pennsylvania continues to lack an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination law.

Despite years of debates and lobbying, Pennsylvania’s legislature has yet to advance legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the listed of classes protected from discrimination. The Keystone State holds the unenviable distinction as the only state in the Northeast to lack an LGBTinclusive nondiscrimination law.

So when this shop owner freely admitted to the lesbian couple that, essentially, she couldn’t serve their kind, she was within her right to do so. While LGBT bias continues to be challenged in court, without a statewide law explicitly stating that people cannot be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, there remains little recourse.

Supporters of the store owner applauded her on social media for her supposed refusal to compromise her religious beliefs. Would those same people have clapped her on the back a few decades ago if she shrouded her prejudice against interracial couples in religious convictions? (We don’t want to know the answer.) Race-based discrimination was rightfully prohibited by law, as was bias motivated by other factors like religion; it’s ironic that the store owner’s chosen faith is protected, while LGBT customers’ intrinsic identity is not.

While the state may not be encouraging shop owners like the one in Bloomsburg to actively discriminate against LGBT people, it’s certainly not doing anything to stop it. We have a governor who supports LGBT nondiscrimination and a sea of allies in the legislature — but the Republican majority continues to stonewall this vital legislation.

LGBT discrimination is often discussed as an intangible concept; we know it exists — some of us may have experienced it personally — but it’s somewhat of a nebulous idea. However, the bias-motivated treatment the Bloomsburg couple received when trying to go about their daily lives is anything but intangible.

Discrimination is very real — as is the need for action from our elected officials. n

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) really want to give them a doesn’t like transgender people and she gun and train them really, really doesn’t want them serving in to kill people? the military.

During a June You may remember that a year ago, the 29 interview with Pentagon gave the green light for trans Family Research men and women to serve. After all, letCouncil, Hartzler ting gays and lesbians serve openly didn’t reiterated her disdestroy America’s military might, despite dain for trans peodire predictions by idiots, so why block ple, calling them “a trans service members based on those same threat to national idiots’ objections? defense.”

But that was under a legitimate pres “At a time when we should be focusing ident. Now that we have Trump, the on the threats from North Korea, and Putin, anti-LGBT right is pushing back against and ISIS, we’re having to deal with a threat previous gains. While they certainly don’t here at home, a domestic threat , of allowwant gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the ing transgenders in our service,” she said, military, they currently have their sights set apparently unaware and no doubt unconon trans men and women. cerned that “transgenders” isn’t a word.

During a June 28 House Armed Services I’m certainly glad she sees Putin as a Committee meeting, Hartzler proposed threat since many of her Republican pals and then withdrew an amendment to the don’t, but it sure is hard to buy that she’s National Defense Authorization Act that truly focused on actual threats when she would essentially boot all trans service puts trans service members in the same members from the military. Why bother category as ISIS. Needless to say, Hartzler was very happy proposing this measure only to withdraw when Defense Secretary James Mattis it? Hartzler wanted to make it clear that announced a six-month if the Pentagon doesn’t on the military’s deal with ousting trans “At a time when we delay trans-members policy. service members, then “The Obama transgenCongress is waiting in should be focusder policy, which was the wings to do it.

According to Hartzler, ing on the threats implemented without transgender people are input from members from North Korea, incapable of serving and of Congress, is ill-conand Putin, and ISIS, ceived,” she said in a should be disqualified the same as someone we’re having to deal July 3 statement. “This “with less-complicated delay is indicative of a with a threat here at policy that was rushed conditions like flat feet, bunions, asthma and and never clearly thought home, a domestic sleepwalking.” out, and I am pleased And then she brings up threat , of allowing that Secretary Mattis showers, of course. decided to delay the transgenders in our has “Is it fair to recruit our accession policy. It is my service.” sons and daughters to hope that he will move fight for the nation and forward with full repeal — instead of being able to focus on the in the coming months.” enemy — subjecting them to disturbing Mattis has apparently said that “full distractions of very personal privacy issues repeal” isn’t going to happen. But we involving sleeping and showering with shall see. After all, the Republicans need a individuals born of the opposite sex?” she “win” and fighting trans service members asked. is a lot easier than fighting ISIS. n First of all, trans people are also “sons D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian and daughters,” thank you very much. And living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been if someone can’t cope with showering and writing about LGBT politics for over a decade. Follow bunking with other people, do we really her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.

Tell us what you think Send letters and opinion column submissions to: pgn@epgn.com; PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147; fax: 215-925-6437.

Please include a daytime phone number.

Letters may be edited for clarity, style and space con­sid­er­ations.

OP-ED PGN

Transmissions

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

Gwendolyn Ann Smith

Uniformly bad Since prior to the last election, many have warned of the precarious position of transgender rights at the federal level. While great strides were made during the Obama years on behalf of our community, a lot of those wins were not legislative, but administrative, consisting of policy changes and legal interpretations that sided with the transgender community.

In the last few months, the Trump administration has gone into hyper-drive, working to reverse these rules. These moves started within weeks of Trump taking office, with the administration withdrawing protections for transgender students in February. It would seem that Trump’s Education Secretary intends to keep things this way, saying she hopes to return the Office for Civil Rights to “its role as a neural, impartial, investigative agency.” While I might contend that it has been such, reading between the lines makes it clear that this — as well as recent moves to massively cut funding for education — will all but gut civil-rights protections within the Department of Education.

The story is same elsewhere in the administration, with many department heads who have a history of anti-transgender and antiLGBT stances. Trump’s most recent addition is Bethany Kozma as the senior adviser for women’s empowerment at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Kozma is an anti-LGBT activist who has worked to restrict bathroom rights for transgender youth.

The very notion of seeing transgender people treated fairly in any way within this administration is simply off the table.

I wish I could tell you that there is a silver lining, but a bleaker story has gotten even bleaker.

There was a victory last week in Congress, as an attempt by U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) to ban the coverage of transgender health care for troops and their families failed. However, that win has been quickly overshadowed by a far more insidious bill, one that, quite frankly, should scare us all.

Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas), HR 2796 — aka the Civil Rights Uniformity Act of 2017 — may be one of the most discriminatory bills since the Sodomite Suppression Act was axed from consideration in California by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris.

The bill claims to be about repealing “executive overreach” and states, “The proper constitutional authority for social transformation belongs to the legislative branch.” That, however, is but the start.

The legislation cites and seeks to reverse Obama-era developments to define “sex” as inclusive of gender identity — including the landmark interpretation that found Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to be inclusive of transgender identity and expression, as well as efforts within the Department of Education to allow transgender students’

use of appropriate sex-segregated facilities in accordance with their preferred gender and the Department of Health and Human Service’s regulations that saw transgender people covered in the Affordable Health Care act Now, mind you, this is not some general law about overreach, attempting to provide nebulous guidance on the divisions between the legislative and administrative branches of our government. No, this bill has two stated purposes, and both are pointed directly at transgender people.

“The purposes of this act are ... to prevent the executive branch from unilaterally rewriting federal civil-rights laws by enacting or implementing any policy or undertaking any enforcement action that is based on construing the term ‘sex’ or ‘gender’ to mean ‘gender identity’; and ... to ensure that gender identity is not treated as a protected class in federal law or policy without the affirmative approval of the people’s representatives in Congress.”

It actually gets worse.

The final section of this bill has three specific things it seeks to put into place. First, it attempts to refine “sex” and “gender” in “any federal civil-rights law, and of any related ruling, regulation, guidance or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States” to not be interpreted in a trans-inclusive manner, and further restricts “man” and “woman” to “a person’s genetic sex.”

Second, it would disallow any federal civil-rights law from permitting transgender people to be part of a protected class, unless expressly designated as such.

Finally, it further clarifies that “federal civil-rights law” is inclusive of “any federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex or gender,” and specifically notes Title XI, the Fair Housing Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. What this insidious piece of legislation seeks to do is strip transgender people of any and all federal protections. And this is from the party that has claimed for eight years that rights should be up to the states, and not the federal government.

As it stands, this bill was introduced to the House of Representatives, and is currently in the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. It could die in committee — but I don’t think any one of us feels confident enough to sit back and let this happen.

Visit contactingcongress.org to reach out to members of the committee. Further, contact any others who can speak out. We need everyone we can.

I don’t feel I am being overly dramatic to say that a bill like this would be the death knell to the transgender community. We need to do everything we can to stop this, before it stops us. n Gwen Smith is in it for the long haul. You can find her at www.gwensmith.com.

11

Street Talk What's your opinion of Ellen DeGeneres cancelling Kim Burrell's appearance on her show?

"I love Ellen.

I totally support her sexuality, but she could have been a better sport and heard the girl out.

Censorship Jessica Batton doesn't solve maintenance engianything. neer South Philadelphia I think a dialogue between the two ladies could have been handled well, with them talking to each other respectfully."

"Ellen missed an opportunity for an important conversation.

Maybe she could have given Kim a new Alexis Perry perspective. art director I just wish Society Hill Ellen had been more open to having a conversation with her. But I also realize that Ellen may be tired of the debate, and I can understand that."

"I agree with Ellen. I don't think she was being too thin-skinned.

I understand why Ellen wouldn't want Kim on the show. Josh Righter Ellen is an creative director icon for Ottsville the LGBT community; why sully her reputation by having a homophobic guest on her TV show?"

"I agree with Ellen.

She can do what she wants with her show.

Kim has no business [being] on her show if she's John Shirreffs opposed to student homosexual- South Philadelphia ity. I support Ellen's decision. Kim shouldn't be making money on Ellen's back if she's going to bash her lifestyle."

Letters and Feedback In response to “Engagement: Gabrielle Gibson and Jaden Rogers,” March 24-30, 2017: Awesome love story.

Watching a repeat of “Yes to the Dress” now.

— Jessica Vandenberg

In response to “PGN Exclusive: Mazzoni Center leadership talks transition,” July 14-20, 2017: Leadership conundrum of the day: How do you convince a community and an organization that you understand their culture and the pressing chal-

lenges they face when your decision to accept a job offer clearly demonstrates that you have no understanding of that community, the organization or the pressing challenges they face?

— phillygrover

We want to know!

If you are celebrating an anniversary, engagement, wedding, adoption or other life event, we would be happy to help you announce it to the community. Send your contact information and a brief description of the event to editor@epgn.com.

12

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

Come celebrate

joy & justıce: A CALL TO COMMUNITY

3700 Chestnut St., Saturday, Sept. 23, noon–4 p.m., Free.

Come for fun, games, music and food!

Bring your whole self and your whole family to worship 10 a.m. every Sunday.

We’re an open and affirming congregation since 1992.

3700 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-386-4100 • www.tabunited.org

FAITH PGN

Lesbian Christian woman to launch Bible app for LGBT people

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com Crystal Cheatham created the Our Bible App with a mission in mind.

“I created the app because I felt like there isn’t enough material for queer Christians out there, and it doesn’t mean that the material doesn’t exist,” the 32-year-old said.

“We are surrounded by a ton of progressive Christian pieces of media, all pieces of a puzzle, but we don’t have one common place to consume that media.”

The app is expected to launch before the end of the summer and will include a bookstore with progressive Christian content, a devotional section and a chat function.

Additionally, Cheatham said the app will offer different Bible translations, including versions using words like “homosexual” and with references to God including gender-inclusive pronouns.

Cheatham noted the app will not only focus on defensive theology, which pushes back against aspects such as the word “abomination” and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. It will also highlight affirming theology in which users can read about same-sex love, transgender people, gender-nonconformity and other LGBT identities.

Cheatham, who grew up in Michigan, said her family raised her in the Southern Baptist Church. After graduating college, she considered a career in the church.

Then, she came out as a lesbian.

“When I came out, I was told that practicing homosexuals don’t have a place in leadership and can’t be on stage,” Cheatham said. “It was definitely a shock to the system.”

Cheatham moved to Philadelphia in 2009

and said she began exploring who she was as a queer woman of color and of faith, learning that the Bible was affirming to LGBT people.

She said this app will help others realize this as well.

In addition to LGBT people, Cheatham said she hopes others will also gravitate to it, including millennials and whom she referred to as “the other kind of Christian.”

“The other kind of Christian is the Christian that doesn’t condemn people for being who they are,” Cheatham said. “My kind of Christianity means that I am going to figure out what my path is, and [that] is my conversation with my God and my conversation with whatever holy book I deem holy.”

Cheatham has been crowdfunding on the app’s website to assist in raising money for its development. That effort has raised more than $100,000 so far, though she said it still needs at least $30,000 more to be successful.

Additionally, the site is also selling Zebracorn merchandise, including T-shirts and mugs, to raise funds. These items feature a zebra with rainbow stripes to symbolize multiple identities using the tagline, “Believers of All Stripes.”

Cheatham noted that the misconception that LGBT people cannot be Christian has been “blown out of proportion” and used as fuel for political movements.

“You see that so many Evangelicals are supporting this idea that it’s wrong to be gay.

Meanwhile, these are the same people who are voting for Trump,” Cheatham said. “So what we’re trying to do with our message is combat that and say, ‘Hey, there is another narrative and all you have to do is look a little further within the pages.’” n For more information and to donate to Our Bible App, visit www.ourbibleapp.com.

FAITH PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

‘Radical hospitality’ in action at Broad Street Ministry

By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Once a month, LGBT and ally congregants of Broad Street Ministry gather for conversation and community.

“It’s not about educating or about advocating, it’s just a time to really build one another up and be able to be in a safe space and be fully who they are, in relationship and community with one another,” explained BSM pastor and manager of faith worship the Rev. Sammie Evans.

While the monthly fellowship group provides the church’s LGBT members — who comprise about 13 percent of its overall approximately 115 regular congregants — an outlet, Evans said that LGBT affirmation is a natural part of Broad Street’s overall operations.

“We’ve had several queer pastors and people in leadership,” noted Evans, who herself identifies as queer. “We recognize all the gifts of God’s people. I lament and mourn for churches who are really missing out on folks who can bring incredible, beautiful gifts to their communities because they can’t see past their ingrained prejudice.”

BSM is a member of The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which Evans called a “champion of LGBTQ people.” In 2012, PCUSA began allowing ordination of openly LGBT people, and later amended its Book of Order to sanction same-sex marriage.

Evans noted that some more-conservative congregations splintered with PCUSA after the 2012 decision.

“The biggest thing folks said at the time was that [LGBT acceptance] comes down to your interpretation of the Bible, and they’re exactly right,” Evans said. “First of all, it doesn’t talk about consensual, loving, same-sex and same-gender relationships.

The Bible doesn’t have that concept; it’s an ancient text. The way I read scripture is, start to finish, as a narrative of good people trying to get it right and constantly getting it wrong. It chronicles a beautiful narrative of God being faithful to humans who are trying to figure it out.”

BSM uses that message to inform its own work.

“Radical hospitality is our tagline,” Evans noted. “What I’ve come to understand that to mean is that everyone shall extend and receive hospitality, no matter who they are, when they’re in that space. The experience of that is transformative.”

That inclusivity is felt at BSM’s Sunday services, Evans said, as well as its secular social-services programming, which includes at least one daily meal for those experiencing homelessness, hunger or poverty. Several-hundred people come through BSM each week for both food and other resources, including mail service, personal care, clothing and therapeutic arts. Partner organizations also offer case management, medical care, HIV/AIDS testing and refer-

rals, legal services and more.

“The point and reason we gather together is to be in relationship with one another,” Evans said, “to extend hospitality and see one another with dignity, love and respect.

We’re a community of people showing up for one another.”

Before coming to BSM three years ago, after earning her master’s of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Evans said she had heard of its mission — but was impressed to see it in action.

“As an outsider, I saw this as a place where people were walking the walk. I had this vision of people just doing really great work,” she said. “But as I’ve been here, I can see that it’s so much more than that. It’s a community of people proclaiming that the world should be different. And while we’re together in that space, we act as though the world is.”

That means respecting one another’s diversity, a key component of the BSM community, she said.

The congregants represent a wide range of backgrounds, which, while a strength, can also be a challenge, Evans noted.

“We have a very diverse congregation and it’s something that people celebrate all the time but it does provide a barrier. When you are such a diverse community, with people who have different day-to-day lives and past experiences, it takes a risk and a vulnerability to be in a real relationship with one another. So my main priority for the congregation right now is getting them to be in deep, authentic relationships with one another.”

To that aim, BSM held its first Pride service at the end of June, which celebrated the contributions of its LGBT congregants and faith leaders, and the community at large.

“We had all of the lay leaders from the congregation, people who identify as LGBTQ, participate, and it was a great way to celebrate the gifts of LGBTQ folks in the community and to provide a voice and a place for worship,” she said.

In addition to deepening the relationships among congregants, Evans said she envisions BSM enhancing its advocacy work.

“Since we’ve been doing so much social-service work, our advocacy work has kind of fallen off, so right now there’s a concerted effort to provide a place for people to have a voice,” she said. “For our guests who are homeless, our LGBTQ folks, people who feel like they don’t have a voice in the world, we have a platform.

We’re in the process of discerning how to enter into those conversations and provide opportunities for congregants, guests and donors, and whoever finds themselves a member of the Broad Street Ministry community, a platform and voice to proclaim to the world the need for real change.” n For more information about Broad Street Ministry, visit http://www.broadstreetministry.org.

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FAITH PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

William Way to launch faith-based OUTCatholics to ‘build bridges’ with local parish communities workshop series

By Jeremy Rodriguez jeremy@epgn.com A local LGBT community center will explore the intersections of faith and LGBT identities in a new workshop series.

William Way LGBT Community Center received a $5,000 grant last month from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation to support its faith-based programming initiative Out & Faithful. The program will offer a quarterly workshop series for LGBT people of faith.

“The intersection of faith, spirituality and LGBTQ identity is something that is so important as part of a wellness strategy,” said William Way Chief Operating Officer Candice Thompson. “[We want] to continue to emphasize that a person’s faith and their spiritual life is a key element of their queer identity. So we’re always looking for opportunities to grow and add additional support for the Out & Faithful program.”

Thompson spoke of the four workshops the series will offer: • Radical Welcome: From the Church to the White House — “This is an exploration of social activism, nonviolent resistance and political advocacy in faith communities.

That’s setting the stage for us to go deeper into specific communities.”

• A Light in My Heart: LGBT and Muslim in America — “We’re really looking at exploring, uplifting an important dialogue specifically around that topic. So we’re not shying away from the hard questions but we also want to illuminate how wonderful Islam can be and how affirming it can be to a queer identity while still exploring the myriad of issues around that.”

• Queer Voice in the World: An International Perspective on LGBT Faith

— “Through that, we are going to be exploring stories from across the world as told by LGBT people of faith [to ask], ‘What does the world landscape look like for people of faith?’”

• Walking Along: LGBTQ People and the Quakers — “We really want to highlight and bring forth the story of the Philadelphia Quaker community and its influence on LGBT activism because there’s such a rich tradition there.”

While these topics are set to launch as early as November, Thompson said the program could expand with community input.

“One of the goals that comes out of this is that other issues, other ways to engage, will emerge from this, naturally,” Thompson said.

“So we want each of these events to be a conversation, a dialogue around these topics. But we also want to find ways to empower people and meet their spiritual and religious needs. I can imagine that coming out of this, we will explore different programs that are happening with the support of the center.

“We’re excited and energized to dig right in this year and have a huge focus on faith and spirituality through a queer lens,” Thompson said.

While each workshop topic is niche and specific for a certain faith community, Thompson said they would also allow allies to learn about other backgrounds.

“I think anyone can tap into this,” she said.

“I think each of them is going to be incredibly interesting and an opportunity to share but also listen and know a little more about these topics.” n For more information on the workshop series or to get involved, contact Candice Thompson at cthompson@ waygay.org or by calling the William Way LGBT Community Center at 215-732-2220.

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By Jen Colletta jen@epgn.com Once a month, a group of local LGBT current and former Catholics gathers to discuss the intersections of their faith and identities.

“The aim is not only to support LGBTQ Catholics but also to really engage in direct action to bring about a more loving and inclusive Catholic Church,” explained Seth Jacobson, founder of OUTCatholics.

Jacobson launched the group as the LGBT Catholic Community of Philadelphia in September; a co-facilitator had a family illness and Jacobson was finishing a Ph.D. so meetings fell by the wayside for a bit, but the group reconvened about six months ago with a new name and meeting place, the Camac Center.

Jacobson, 32, noted that, while he initially was interested in the group being more activism-driven rather than support-oriented, he recognized a need for both missions.

“I was weary of the idea of a bunch of LGBTQ Catholics sitting in a circle as a support group. And that’s only because I don’t feel like there’s anything wrong with us — many of us don’t — but rather that we’re in a challenging position within the church,” he said. “But I came to realize after I started the group that there were a lot of LGBTQ Catholics looking for support and a sense of community because of painful experiences they had within their parish communities.”

The first half of the monthly meeting is typically devoted to members sharing about a particular theme; a recent meeting focused on transgender issues and featured remarks by a transgender Catholic woman.

Then, for the second half, members delve into a “call to action.”

“In the first hour, we listen to one another and understand what the challenges are for us within the church, why we stay, and then we move into trying to brainstorm and execute direct actions we can do together as a group to bring about changes within our local parishes and the broader Church,” Jacobson explained, “so the hardships we struggle with don’t continue, and don’t continue to inflict pain on younger LGBTQ Catholics and even those who aren’t LGBTQ.” The group’s attendance varies, with anywhere from six to 16 members at any given meeting. Attendees also represent a wide age range, Jacobson noted, adding that allies are welcome, as are those who no longer identify as Catholic.

“We want to make sure that folks who are Catholic and ex-Catholics who want to be part of encouraging a more inclusive Church can come together, and we need our allies in the pews and within the Church to

help with this,” he said.

To that end, OUTCatholics is launching a new outreach initiative based off of its reading of “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity,” a new book by the Rev. James Martin.

Jacobson said he’s read several works by the progressive priest and was particularly inspired by his new book that highlights the need for openness both from the Church and from the LGBT community.

“That’s a tough message for a community that has felt so marginalized by the institutionalized Church, to hear, ‘OK, now treat them with more respect, compassion and sensitivity.’ But what Father Martin tries to urge is that that is the Christian message: Love thy enemy,” Jacobson said. “It’s a tough call and a high toll to pay for creating and walking that bridge, but it’s one we’re called to do.”

The group will discuss the book at its July 27 meeting and later this year will invite parish representatives, such as those who sit on local councils and committees, to meet with the members.

“The immediate plan is to identify folks on parish councils and church committees throughout the region and all come together,” Jacobson said. “We’ll have the first hour of our meeting continue to be about supporting LGBTQ Catholics and then in the second the call to action which, in this case, will be about building bridges with these representatives. We’ll ask them questions about what their churches are doing to be more sensitive, compassionate and respectful to LGBTQ people at large and in their pews and see what they need from the community to assist them in engaging in these kinds of conversations.”

Jacobson noted that the effort is not necessarily meant for those who are resistant to LGBT acceptance, but rather for resource-building for those interested in starting or furthering the conversation.

“We’re not trying to immediately open doors and ask people who are really struggling with the general reconciliation of LGBTQ identities and Catholicism to come in and try to covert them to being more open,” he said. “In the interim, we’re trying to recruit folks from different parishes who have an interest in having these conversations. We want to be an incubator through which different representatives of parishes can come and we can encourage them to build these bridges in their parishes and provide them resources for how to go about doing that.” n OUTCatholics meets from 6:30-8:30 the last Thursday of the month at the Camac Center, 201 S. Camac St. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/outcatholicsphilly or search Facebook for OUTCatholics of Philadelphia.

PGN NURIT from page 1

tive action I am putting in place except for HR, maybe, because I am not going to talk to one employee about another employee. I think that gave rise to a lot of the gossip that was going on. When this last investigation was turned over, because we actually thought we had something really substantial, I actually had a conversation with the clinical staff at the medical office and what they said was, “Well we knew about this. We talked about it behind closed doors but we never talked to you.”

So when you talk about this behind closed doors and you never bring it to me even though you see me day in and day out, don’t turn around and tell me that I covered it up.

PGN: What were the allegations made against Dr. Winn?

NS: For confidentiality and because I understand there is an investigation still going on and for my own legal liability and Mazzoni’s, I don’t think I can go into any of the details of specific allegations.

PGN: Did you contact law enforcement? If no, why not?

NS: No. There was no need to get law enforcement into the mix.

PGN: At what point during your tenure with Mazzoni Center did you hear about allegations of racism within the organization? From whom? What were the allegations?

NS: June of ’16 when I was in Israel, the BBWC [Black and Brown Workers Collective] stormed into a staff meeting and started calling the names of the individuals who were murdered in Orlando at Pulse and made some allegations of racism at Mazzoni. I was told via emails and phone calls when I was in Israel.

So what we started doing was internal work. We talked to management and to staff. We decided that there needs to be some very intense training and changes in some policies. We involved staff in a very long process. At the end of which, in November, we decided on a national company that would come in and they did an intense two-day training to each and every individual in the organization.

Actually, the [Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations] said this should be a model for many organizations because the training was very intense. In addition to which, we started an internal committee that was comprised of people of color out of staff, as they saw fit, and they would inform us of whatever recommendations and whatever issues and whatever areas in the organization they wanted us to look at. At the same time, we started a strategic plan which [reinforced] structure. I will tell you, one of the real deficits I saw [was] we have not done enough in professional development for staff. We were not in a position to pay for people’s education and most of what we were doing was really the training that they needed for their specific jobs. So one of the things that I committed to was really opening up a professional

education and giving people more ability for more advancement. Again, I want to say that the gossip mill feeds a lot of these things. One of the things we were accused of was there is different criteria for different positions at Mazzoni. If the [Centers for Disease Control] or [the Health Resources and Services Administration] mandates that a case manager has to have a master’s degree, I cannot hire anybody else but somebody with a master’s degree.

So therapists, doctors, nurses, etc., had to have certain credentials. And on the other hand, some of the very-valuable HIV counselors, the CDC does not mandate, so we were able to open it up to many more people. But the impression is all the black and brown people are our line staff and all of the other people — the professionals who make more money — have degrees and stuff like that. But it’s not because of what we mandated. It’s because of where the money is coming from and mandated in.

PGN: During your tenure, were there any other efforts to specifically recruit employees or board members representing the people-of-color community?

NS: Yes. We always had specifically wished and wanted to recruit people of color and if you look at the organization when I left it, 50 percent were people of color so I would say we were doing OK. Was upper-management as reflective of people of color as we would’ve liked it to?

No. But if you were to look at the last two years of my tenure, any senior position that was hired were people of color. Now, I had directors who worked for me for a decade or two and they came up the ranks.

The director of care services, she started as a case manager and came up the ranks.

So should I fire her because she’s white and doing a good job? It is a process and lucky for Mazzoni, we had a longevity in positions and as we grew, we opened up manager positions. Most of the manager positions were people of color. You can’t just look at four people at the top and then say, “Racist.” You have to look at the whole organization and say, “What ability was there to increase?” And through the strategic plan, we were going to open it even more. Could we have done better outreach to pools of where people of color were? Probably. In any organization, you can always do better. You should always try to do better.

PGN: The BBWC had been calling for your resignation for some time; when was the first time you had a discussion with anyone on the board, on staff, etc., about that demand?

NS: I think when I came back from Israel in the summer. First of all, we reported to the board that this is what happened.

Since then, on an ongoing basis, I have reported to the board things that have happened, demonstrations outside Wash West, anti-Semitic remarks against me and so on and so forth. And we actually hired a consulting person [and asked], “Should we respond to this? Should we not?” And

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

together with the board, the decision was not to respond to Facebook issues and so on and so forth.

PGN: How did those conversations progress?

NS: I, of course, reported to [the board] on the training that we were doing and there was a schedule for the board to be trained from [PCHR]. There was a progression and the board was involved with all of this. I [had] been in discussion with my board president and then later with the board about my retirement. Everybody knew that after 22 years and with the move to the new building, I was going to retire. My senior staff knew it. Probably most of the staff in the organization knew it. And I’ve been making plans. I am from Israel. I have been making plans to go back to Israel to get an apartment so we can live back and forth. This was not news to anybody. In fact, I already videotaped my announcement of my retirement and the board, in my March meeting with them, said, “No. No. No. With all that’s going on, we don’t want you to announce this until we move to the new building.”

So I was already retiring. We were finishing up a strategic plan —which I have no clue what’s going on with it now; my understanding is that it’s not enforced — to have a transition period. I knew we needed a transition period from an executive director that was really the founder almost of the organization, even though we have a really wonderful history before me. Twenty-two years [working as CEO] is a long time. I was working with my board president on putting a transition plan in place.

PGN: So when were you planning to officially retire?

NS: I talked with the board that once we moved to Bainbridge, I would announce my retirement. My intent was to retire at the end of the summer.

PGN: Shortly before your resignation, the board said it had confidence in you, but by the end of that weekend had asked you for your resignation. From your understanding, what changed?

NS: I don’t know. We always had board meetings with senior staff and myself present. I learned that there was going to be a board meeting in which no staff was involved. That was on Sunday, April 23.

That evening, I received a phone call from Anthony Rodriguez, who is now the acting board chair, to say to me, “The board has met and we’re asking for your resignation.”

I said, “What?” And he said, “Yes.” I said, “Why, what’s going on?” And he said, “Well, I can’t tell you. But it’s for the good of the organization.” We went back and forth. [I] never heard why. And then I said, “Well, if I am going to resign, there needs to be a transition period and there needs to be some negotiations.” He said, “Not a problem.” I said, “OK, so I’m going to the office tomorrow morning to start the transition.” And he said, “Sure.” About an hour later, I got a text message — which I have

15

— saying, “Don’t come into the office until you hear from our lawyers.” At that point, I said, “I need to get a lawyer too.”

There was back-and-forth and I was asked not to go to the office, not to use my email, not to talk to anyone. I receive an email from [Rodriguez] on May 5, informing me that this was my last day of employment at Mazzoni Center. So, I did not resign.

PGN: Would you say you were terminated?

NS: Yes. PGN: To clarify, did you ever submit a letter of resignation?

NS: No. PGN: Was it challenging to not oversee the completion of the move to Bainbridge Street?

NS: Yes. I do want to say, it’s painful. I have given two decades to this organization and I think I have done a good job at building a very robust and important health organization for LGBT people in Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. To be wiped out of Mazzoni in such a manner is painful. I’ve been talking about our building for the last eight years and we have seen almost every vacant building in the city.

So when we made this building into what is going to be the future of health care in Philadelphia, it’s painful that I worked for the last two years, almost three years, on this building. Almost exclusively, my job was to make this happen, to raise the money and to bring everybody together. To not even be able to go, that’s painful.

PGN: What would you like to see in your successor?

NS: I think Mazzoni is a great organization. I think the staff is [comprised of] good-hearted, hard-working, conscientious individuals. I think if we take a look at the strategic plan — make whatever you want of it — but the organization needs to change [in structure]. I think we need to open it up. We have been able to reach over 800 people with PrEP but what we knew for a fact is that we’re not reaching young people of color, who are at disproportionate risks. What I started was the PrEP clinic at Wash West. That is the key to bringing in more young people of color to get on PrEP. That’s the future. The other big future for Mazzoni is research. I have tried for the last two years and we were going to get a grant for research. I don’t know where it is now. But we are sitting on a treasure of data. That data needs to be used in order to inform us of the specific needs and to get more money. In the climate of Washington, D.C., today, everything is eroding. If we don’t come up with the proven science, we will not be able to survive. I think Mazzoni is poised to do the research that we need to do. I really think it’s a great organization and great people work there. We can make it better internally and, definitely if we put more energy into MSM of color into research, I think this organization is going to be there for many years to come. n

liberty City Press july 16 — july 23, 2017

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point

Black Like… Nobody Part II All-White marijuana applicants outscore an African American operated group on diversity points Last week, we railed against the Commonwealth’s failure to select an African American operated marijuana grow application sited in the African American city of Chester. This week we dive into the numbers to find the greatest irony of all: the Chester group failed because it didn’t have enough diversity points. nder the PA Medical Marijuana Act, goals were set for diversity. These goals were translated into the 1000-point scoring system that awarded 100 points out of the 1000 points available for diversity.

However, diversity is in the eyes of the beholder. When it comes to the Wolf administration and its Department of Health, diversity apparently means all-white. Let’s look at the diversity scores of some of the applicants in the recent marijuana grow/ processor sweepstakes.

u

The highest diversity score in the state was awarded to a group that appears to have no African Americans on its management team

The highest diversity score in the state was 93 points — almost perfect diversity — awarded to a group out of McKeesport that appears to have no African Americans on its management team or African Americans with any equity in the company. They had no African American operator. They were located in a community in Allegheny County with a clear 75% white population.

In the Southeast region, where the Chester group applied, the highest diversity score given was 68 points to a group in Sinking Spring, Berks County. It appears to have no African Americans on its management team or African Americans with any equity in the company. It has no African American operator. It is located in a community in Berks County with 1.7% African American population.

In Chester, there was a group that had an African American operator managing the entire grow/processing operation. He is based in Washington, D.C. and is the largest African American operator in a medical marijuana state on the East Coast. He is one of only 2 African American operators currently operating in a strict medical marijuana state. This operator had a 20% equity interest in the Chester applicant’s business.

Chester has nearly 75% African American population.

Compare Chester’s applicant with another Delaware County applicant just up

the road in Aston. This group, MedGarden, finished in third in the Southeast region, just 2.6 points above Chester’s fourth place finish. According to published reports, the group is owned by the wife and two daughters from a wealthy white residential community development company, the McKee Group. While we cannot see their application, as the PA DOH only published only those applications of the winners, we

suspect that MedGarden had little to no African American equity and no African American operator. This group received an identical score of 60 diversity points as the Chester group.

But the Chester group went beyond diversity in its equity and operating group; it built a relationship with its diverse community unique among applicants for mariContinued on page 2

We wonder what the PA Department of Health is smoking when they tally up their diversity points.

Illustration by LCP staff.

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Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

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people

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Black Like… Nobody Continued from page 1 juana grow licenses across the Commonwealth (at least the winners whose applications we can see). The Chester group executed a “Development and Operating Agreement” with the City of Chester that committed PGM to the following: (a) payment of a city fee at the rate of 5% of gross revenue which will be added directly to Chester’s General Fund (annual revenue flowing from the group to the city would be $750,000); (b) a Site and Infrastructure Fee of 1.25% for the first three years of operation which would equate to an additional $225,000 per year to the City of Chester General Fund. (c) build an indoor produce grow on site to alleviate our food desert; and (d) conduct a Sickle Cell Anemia research program with Jefferson University Hospital.

Even that wasn’t good enough for Chester. A winning group in

the predominantly white community of New Castle in the Northwest region took top points statewide for community impact and they had no host agreement whatsoever.

Bottom line: Chester lost out on millions of dollars in annual revenue because their highest scoring applicant, an African American medical marijuana operator who has brought diversity to the entire medical marijuana industry and would singlehandedly pump millions of dollars into an African American community, wasn’t diverse enough for the PA Department of Health and left 40 points of diversity on the table.

Next week: How did this happen? The dirty little secrets of diversity scoring in the Department of Health’s medical marijuana applications.

Sessoms Ready to Make His Mark Continued from page 12 case when we are facing each other, or Philly Pride, or We R1, or Jersey City Warriors, or other local teams,” he said. “We get along once the game is over and continue to be friends, so it’s a fun thing.”

Sessoms is a rare find for the Shipley School, a private school on the Main Line that is not known for producing major Division I talent. Sessoms already is the top scorer and that is through three seasons, not four. “To be the leading scorer at the Shipley School is a huge accomplishment,” he said. “I have put in the

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time and work year by year. I deserve to be the leading scorer. It’s a great feeling walking into a gym or school knowing that you have put up the most points.” Sessoms though thinks his best asset to a team, whether it’s AAU or high school, is actually not his scoring.

“The best asset of my game is my ability to make other guys better,” he said. “And to make them play harder than they ever had. I always play my hardest and act like it’s my last game. And my teammates do the same when they see my intensity.”

Sweet Beginnings West Philly water ice entrepreneur opens flagship store

by Sheila Simmons

B

ehind the counter of his flagship store, located at 264 S. 60th St. in West Philadelphia, owner Siddiq Moore provides firm but gentle instructions to his young employees who are serving up scoops of creamy water ice to a line of customers that stretches to the door.

It is the grand opening of Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice, and members from all segments of the community are there to support and snap up cups of the frozen treat.

The throng of well-wishers and Siddiq Moore (right), provides instruction to employees during the opening customers includes City Council of his flagship store at 264 S. 60th Street. Photo by Sheila Simmons members, Pennsylvania State Reprebers — particularly one young man seeking purpose sentatives, members of the Police Motorcade Unit and productivity — showed up every day to help and Philadelphia Fire Department, Temple Univerdevelop the site. sity students and alumni, members of the African“The brand represents more than just water ice,” American Muslim community, and residents of the Moore explained in a statement prior to his opening. surrounding neighborhood. Many fans have tracked “I’ve always had a vision of helping my community.

Moore’s progress over the years and know this day I come from West Philly. It’s why I chose this locahas been a long time coming for the popular entretion: to give back to the community, to encourage preneur. others to become entrepreneurs and start their own During a break from the opening-day bustle, he businesses, to offer our youth training and gainful expresses wistfully, “Twenty-two years [from] when employment. It’s not just about water ice, it’s about I started out with that cart at Temple. It was 1995.” people. Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice is in the busiIndeed, more than two decades ago, Moore, takness of uplifting people.” ing experience from a job at a turkey lunch cart on Last year, Saddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice bested the Temple campus, set up a cart selling ice infused 32 other frozen treat distributors for the title of Philwith real fruit. With the slogan, “It’s so good, we’ll adelphia’s “Ultimate Frozen Treat,” in BillyPenn. let you taste it first,” that single cart at 13th Street and com’s, March Madness style contest. A large image Montgomery Avenue grew into a small fleet, located throughout the city. of the winning bracket now hangs on a wall in the Many hope that the flagship store, which emstore. Moore hopes to franchise his water ice brand ploys members of the nearby community, will and expand both its product and community influlaunch a revitalization of the 60th Street Business ence throughout the region.

Corridor.

He states, “Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice is an in“It’s already saving lives,” Moore insists. He vestment in the future of our children and a people notes that for two years, several community memthat are often forgotten.”

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Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

SHERIFF’S SALE Properties

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JEWELL WILLIAMS Sheriff on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at First District Plaza, 3801 Market Street, at 9:00 AM. (EST) Conditions of Sheriff’s Sale for JUDICIAL/FORECLOSURE SALE Ten percent of the highest bid for each property auctioned off shall be deposited in certified check, attorney’s check or money order with the Sheriff by each bidder when his bid is registered, provided that in no case shall less than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) be deposited, otherwise upon failure or refusal to make such deposit, the bidder shall lose all benefit of his bid and the property may be offered again and sold unless a second bid has been registered, then, the second highest bidder will take the property at the highest bid price.

Additionally, where there is active bidding, the highest bidder, and the second highest bidder, if any must post the entire amount of the cost of the distribution policy for the property at the time of sale by certified check, attorney’s check or money order with the Sheriff. The Sheriff reserves the right to reject any certified check, attorney’s check or money order that on its face has an expired use date and is presented for payment of the deposit.

The balance of the purchase money must be deposited in certified check, attorney’s check or money order together with a Deed poll for execution by the highest bidder to the Sheriff at his office within 30 days from the time of the sale. An extension of time for an additional 30 days may be granted at the discretion of the Sheriff upon receipt of written request from the buyer requesting the same, except when a second bidder has been duly registered. Also, if the first bidder does not complete settlement with the Sheriff within the thirty (30) day time limit and a second bid was registered at the sale, the second bidder shall be granted the same thirty (30) day time limit to make settlement with the Sheriff on his second bid. Thereafter, the Sheriff shall be at liberty to return the writ to court. A second bid must be registered on any property immediately after it is sold. The second bidder must present the same amount of deposit that the highest bidder delivers to the Sheriff at the sale. An extension of time under no circumstances will be granted or honored by the Sheriff whenever a second bid is registered on a property at the sale.

The first bid or opening bid on each property shall be set by the City of Philadelphia. In no event will the successful bidder be allowed to settle on the property unless all the Sheriff’s costs are paid notwithstanding the final bid.

The deposit by any bidder who fails to comply with the above conditions of sale shall be forfeited and the funds will be applied to the

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Sheriff’s cost, then to any municipal claims that the City of Philadelphia has on the property. Finally, if a balance still remains, a Sheriff’s Distribution Policy will be ordered and the money will be distributed accordingly.

No personal checks, drafts or promises to pay will be accepted in lieu of certified checks, attorney’s checks or money orders made payable to the Sheriff of Philadelphia County.

The Sheriff reserves the right to grant further extensions of time to settle and further reserves the right to refuse bids from bidders who have failed to enter deposits on their bids, failed to make settlement, or make fraudulent bids, or any other behavior which causes disruption of the Sheriff Sale. Said bidders shall be so refused for the sale in which said behavior occurred and for said further period of time as the Sheriff in his discretion shall determine.

The Sheriff will not acknowledge a deed poll to any individual or entity using an unregistered fictitious name and may, at his discretion, require proof of identity of the purchaser or the registration of fictitious names. The bid of an unregistered fictitious name shall be forfeited as if the bidder failed to meet the terms of sale.

All bidders are advised to remain at the sale until after the last property is sold. The Sheriff reserves the right to re-sell any property at any time before the end of the sale, upon the successful bidders’ failure to tender the required deposit. The Sheriff reserves the right to postpone or stay the sale of any property in which the attorney on the writ has not appeared and is not present at the sale.

Prospective purchasers are directed to the Web site of the Philadelphia Bureau of Revision of Taxes, (BRT) brtweb.phila. gov for a fuller description of the properties listed. Properties can be looked up by the BRT number – which should be cross checked with the address. Prospective purchasers are also directed to the Room 154 City Hall, 215-6861483 and to its website philadox. phila.gov and to its website at http://philadox.phila.gov where they can view the deed to each individual property and find the boundaries of the property.

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE NATURE, LOCATION, CONDITION AND BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPERTIES THEY SEEK TO PURCHASE. The BRT # refers to a unique number assigned by the City Bureau of Revision of Taxes to each property in the City for the purpose of assessing it for taxes. This number can be used to obtain descriptive information about the property from the BRT website. Effective Date: July 7, 2006 NOTICE OF SCHEDULE OF DISTRIBUTION The Sheriff will file in his office, The Land Title Building, 100 South Broad Street, 5th Floor, a

Schedule of Distribution Thirty (30) Days from the date of the sale of Real Estate. Distribution will be made in accordance with the Schedule unless exceptions are filed thereto within ten (10) days thereafter.

The name first appearing in each notice is that of the defendant in the writ whose property is being sold. All Writs are Writs of Executions.

The letters C.P., Court of Common Pleas; O.C., Orphans’ Court; Q.S., Court of Quarter Sessions; C.C., County Court - indicate the Court out of which the writ of execution issues under which the sale is made: S. 1941. 223. means September Term, 1941. 223, the term and number of the docket entry; the figures following show the amount of debt; and the name following is that of the attorney issuing the writ.

Attention is called to the provisions of Act No.104, approved July 27, 1955, which requires owners of properties which are used, designed or intended to be used by three or more families, or of commercial establishments which contain one or more dwelling units, to deliver to the buyers of such properties a use registration permit at the time of settlement, under certain terms and conditions. Sheriff Sales are not subject to provisions of the said Act and the Sheriff will, therefore, not deliver use registration permits in connection with any sales conducted by him.

Very truly yours, JEWELL WILLIAMS Sheriff City and County of Philadelphia

MENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Theresa A. Martin C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03285 $113,065.81 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-303 2032 E Elkhart St 25th wd.

1,742 Sq. Ft. BRT#25-22184-00 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Augusto Santos and Bibiana Santos C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 00695 $32,118.57 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-304 3600 Conshohocken Ave., Apt. 411 19131 52nd wd.

1,251 Sq. Ft. OPA#88-85204-13 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Unknown Heirs, and/or Administrators of the Estate of Barbara A. Weldon; Kory V. Smith AKA Kory Vaughn Smith, as Administrator to the Estate of Barbara A. Weldon; Kyra Smith, as Administrator to the Estate of Barabara A. Weldon C.P. June Term, 2014 No. 01050 $142,207.26 Justin F. Kobeski, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski LLC 1708-305 5020 Boudinot St 19120 42nd wd. 1,158 Sq. Ft. OPA#42-1422000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Louise Charles, Guerino Pierre-Louis C.P. January Term, 2011 No. 00994 $66,162.34 Justin F. Kobeski, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski LLC 1708-306 7151 Montague St 19135 41st wd. 1,271 Sq. Ft. OPA#412263100 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Cheryl Ladely, AKA Cheryl A. Ladely; James Ladely C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03954 $104,793.43 Justin F. Kobeski, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski LLC 1708-307 901 N Penn St, Unit F201 5th wd. 1,516 Sq. Ft. OPA#888062310 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNIT Tobi Simone C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 003269 $21,097.74 Elliot H. Berton, Esquire - Benjamin F. Dill, Esquire 1708-308 7022 Saybrook Ave 19142 40th wd. 1,254 Sq. Ft. OPA#403307500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Veronica L. Jenkins C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00460 $29,580.75 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-309 1115 W Somerville Ave 19141 49th wd. 1,320 Sq. Ft. OPA#493031400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Robert Cooper Individually and as

Administrator of the Estate of Barbara E. Cooper Deceased C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 00607 $16,207.54 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-310 1921 S 30th St 19145 48th wd.

1,438 Sq. Ft. OPA#482396100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Maxine L. Hayman as Administratrix of the Estate of Arnold Rivers Deceased C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 02083 $140,238.03 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-311 1117 W Duncannon Ave 19141 49th wd. 1,360 Sq. Ft. OPA#493025200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Ruth A. Johnson and Calvin W. Johnson C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 03005 $112,290.83 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-312 4551 N Smedley St a/k/a 4551 Smedley St 19140 13th wd.

1,246 Sq. Ft. OPA#132131200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Carolyn Smith C.P. March Term, 2016 No. 02609 $59,560.93 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-313 1946 W Godfrey St 19141 17th wd. 1,550 Sq. Ft. OPA#171288000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Kimberly Lee C.P. April Term, 2012 No. 03257 $140,367.32 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-314 2229 S Colorado St 19145 26th wd. 679 Sq. Ft. BRT#262022300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Adina M. Gerhardt and Richard H. Gerhardt and Frederick A. Guaglimore, III C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04345 $170,619.67 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-315 1221 S 2nd St 19147 2nd wd.

620 Sq. Ft. BRT#021377400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Richard Kee C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00788 $106,014.62 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-316 6259 Cottage St 19135 41st wd. 1,444 Sq. Ft. BRT#552406600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Michael Caruso a/k/a Michael R. Caruso C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04346 $77,948.67 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-317 2039 S Redfield St 19143 40th wd. 1,078 Sq. Ft.

BRT#401065400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Veronica L. Smoot C.P. March Term, 2014 No. 03492 $0.00 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-318 5445 Quentin St 19128 21st wd. 4,254 Sq. Ft. OPA#213221540 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Sandy V. Henley and Rebecca Thomas-Henley C.P. March Term, 2012 No. 3940 $138,424.19 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-319 5317 W Thompson St 19131 44th wd. 1,552 Sq. Ft. OPA#442133000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Richard Blackmon C.P. December Term, 2015 No. 01615 $48,799.44 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-320 2420 N Garnet St 19132 16th wd. 1,044 Sq. Ft. OPA#162107600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Rhasheeda G. Kane C.P. February Term, 2017 No. 07600 $56,772.73 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-321 4927 Monument Rd 19131 52nd wd. BRT#521106300 Charlye L. Butts (Deceased) C.P. June Term, 2015 No. 0272 $471,831.37 Michael F.J. Romano, Esquire 1708-322 2816 B St 19134-3327 7th wd.

899 Sq. Ft. OPA#071391400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Carmen M. Sierra C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04537 $30,037.10 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-323 518 Widener St 61st wd.

1,165 Sq. Ft. BRT#612109100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Lisa J. Brown C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03814 $77,694.99 Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC 1708-324 7539 Briar Rd 19138 50th wd.

1,350 Sq. Ft. BRT#501347100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Keith Ball, Known Heir of Juanita C. Ball; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Juanita C. Ball C.P. June Term, 2014 No. 04541 $77,598.97 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-325 6474 Milton St 19119-3950 22nd wd. 1,684 Sq. Ft. OPA#221305700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Ella E. Lewis a/k/a Ella Lewis C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 00322 $239,798.13 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP

www.Officeof Philadelphia Sheriff.com

SPECIAL NOTE: All Sheriff’s Sales are conducted pursuant to the orders of the Courts and Judges of the First Judicial District. Only properties that are subject to judgments issued by the First Judicial District are listed for sale. By law, the Sheriff’s Office cannot decide if a property can be listed for sale; only the District Courts can order a property to be sold at auction.

SHERIFF’S SALE OF Tuesday, August 1, 2017 1708-301 2651 E Auburn St. 19134 25th wd. Land: 1,000 Sq. Ft., Improvement: 564 Sq. Ft., Total: 1,564 Sq. Ft. BRT#251026700; OPA#121N05-228 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Eileen Gallagher and David Gallagher C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 02050 $123,436.19 Richard M. Squire & Associates, LLC 1708-302 1958 Goodnaw St 19115 56th wd. 3,214 Sq. Ft. BRT#562293300 IMPROVE-

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1708-327 5613 Willows Ave 19143 51st wd. 1,243 Sq. Ft. BRT#153207600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Marvis L. Cheeks, Known Heir of Gloria Cheeks; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Gloria Cheeks C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 00750 $43,331.56 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-328 4333 N 17th St 19140-1839 13th wd. 1,196 Sq. Ft. BRT#132140300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Beatrice V. Martin and Denfield D. Martin C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 02363 $6,279.27 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-329 1028 W Olney Ave 191413605 49th wd. 1,274 Sq. Ft. OPA#492064900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Wallace E. Johnson C.P. March Term, 2016 No. 03386 $83,231.99 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-330 6634 Cornelius St 19138 10th wd. 1,400 Sq. Ft. OPA#102371800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Ervin Rembert C.P. November Term, 2010 No. 02113 $81,699.33 Justin F. Kobeski, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski LLC 1708-331 1800 Sulis St 19141 17th wd. 1,730 Sq. Ft. OPA#17-10314-00 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jennifer Hand C.P. December Term, 2013 No. 00106 $127,061.28 Meredith H. Wooters, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC 1708-332 3681 Calumet St 19129 38th wd. 1,099 Sq. Ft. OPA#383086300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Stanley Zimmelman; Peter Dissin C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 00438 $183,956.87 Meredith H. Wooters, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC 1708-333 1016 Cantrell St 19148 39th wd. 840 Sq. Ft. OPA#394044700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Dorothy M. Picuri AKA Dorothy Picuri C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01262 $29,128.76 Meredith H. Wooters, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC 1708-334 15 N 58th St 52nd wd. Situate on the East side of Fifty-eight Street at the distance of One hundred feet Northward from the North side of Market Street OPA#042083800 IMPROVEMENTS: ROW 2 STY MASONRY Raymond A Hopkins C.P. October Term,

2016 No. 03755 $73,078.86 Patrick J. Wesner, Esquire 1708-335 1732 S 65th St 19142-1321 40th wd. 1,410 Sq. Ft. OPA#403000700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jerome T. Clements C.P. January Term, 2008 No. 00725 $53,892.64 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-336 7323 Bingham St 191113613 56th wd. 1,350 Sq. Ft. OPA#561019800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Miguel Martinez and Danielle Galanti C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04190 $120,070.64 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-337 3105 Tasker St 191451120 36th wd. 990 Sq. Ft. OPA#364250900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Diane Pittman, Deceased C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 02275 $25,613.87 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-338 8030 Mars Pl 19153-1112 40th wd. 1,260 Sq. Ft. OPA#405890055 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Denise Hawkins C.P. September Term, 2012 No. 00675 $66,468.40 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-339 5779 Stewart St 191313419 4th wd. 1,024 Sq. Ft. OPA#043219100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Monya Bell C.P. June Term, 2013 No. 01570 $90,446.22 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-340 7735 Loretto Ave 191113555 56th wd. 1,728 Sq. Ft. OPA#561193400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Carlos G. Braga C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03254 $161,143.09 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-341 9164 Old Newtown Rd 191154937 56th wd. 2,300 Sq. Ft. OPA#562441820 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Myra Esterman, Barry Esterman, Jacqueline Miller C.P. August Term, 2014 No. 01177 $356,990.18 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-343 3347 N. Gratz St 11th wd.

Sitatue on the East side of Gratz Street at the distance of 135 feet 2 inches Southward from the South side of Ontario Street OPA#112260500 IMPROVEMENTS: ROW 2 STY MASONRY Melissa Watts C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 01498 $47,504.01 Patrick J. Wesner, Esquire

1708-344 2804 Hellerman St 19149 55th wd. ROW B/GAR 2 STY MASONRY; 1,166 Sq. Ft. BRT#551033700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING James F. Donnelly, IV and Loreen M. Donnelly C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 02990 $173,802.20 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-345 236 E Cheltenham Ave 19120 61st wd. ROW B/GAR 2 STY MASONRY; 1,296 Sq. Ft. BRT#611472400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Rodney A. Faison, Known Surviving Heir of Robert W. Faison and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Robert W. Faison C.P. October Term, 2015 No. 01413 $171,581.53 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-346 5210 Osage Ave 19143 46th wd. 990 Sq. Ft. BRT#602137300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Brandi Warwick, Known Heir of Raymond S. Warwick and Felicia L. Warwick; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Felicia L. Warwick; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Raymond S. Warwick C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 03772 $78,991.63 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-347 2021 McKean St 19145 48th wd. 852 Sq. Ft. BRT#481099600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Charrisse I. Jackson, James Jackson C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00488 $188,207.68 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-349 2220 Memphis St 19125 31st wd. 648 Sq. Ft. BRT#31-2004300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Edward Wilson, Known Heir of Marion Wilson; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Marion Wilson C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03165 $101,762.25 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-350 306 E Gale St 19120 42nd wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 1,140 Sq. Ft. BRT#421240300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Manuel A. Garay and Lydia I. Garay C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 02768 $82,629.32 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-351 2558 N 29th St 19132 28th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 1,302 Sq. Ft. BRT#282010800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Clyde

Faulkner, Known Surviving Heir of Gwendolyn Faulkner, Charles Thomas, Known Surviving Heir of Gwendolyn Faulker and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Gwendolyn Faulkner C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 00438 $41,765.60 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-352 2036 E Clementine St 25th wd. 747 Sq. Ft. , more or less BRT#252254200 Edna E. Valerio and Andrew W. Valerio C.P. March Term, 2016 No. 02595 $62,324.59 Jennifer G. Fowler, Esquire 1708-353 2317 S 63rd St 19142 40th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 924 Sq. Ft. BRT#401167200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Justin Moore and Diony Elias C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 01822 $37,608.56 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-354 12712 Minden Rd 19154 58th wd. 2,242.12 Sq. Ft. BRT#663332200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING James Lankin C.P. September Term, 2014 No. 02953 $115,075.48 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-355 5739 N Mascher St 61st wd. 1,703 Sq. Ft. BRT#612439900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Savorn Ung and Charles A.J. Halpin, III, Esquire, Personal Representative of the Estate of Saensak Buthdy, Deceased C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 04130 $89,055.11 Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC 1708-356 5310 Gillespie St 191241508 62nd wd. 891 Sq. Ft. OPA#622388700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Omar K. Johnson C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00506 $132,678.89 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-357 2216 S 67th St 19142-1801 40th wd. 1,326 Sq. Ft. OPA#403052300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Kim Dung Thi Nguyen C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03104 $15,754.85 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-359 827 E Hortter St 19119-1530 22nd wd. 1,504 Sq. Ft. OPA#221187700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Conner Blaine, Jr., in His Capacity as Executor of The Estate of J B. Taylor; Derrick Wilkerson C.P. September Term, 2015 No. 01156 $174,541.53 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP

1708-362 1418 W Allegheny Ave 191321708 11th wd. 2,613 Sq. Ft. OPA#111128600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Rosalind Mccrea C.P. December Term, 2011 No. 00890 $85,290.55 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-363 5861 Cedar Ave 191430000 3rd wd. 2,088 Sq. Ft. OPA#032134101 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Diane Johnson f/k/a Diane Gardener C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04847 $119,228.70 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-364 2601 Pennsylvania Ave Unit 143, a/k/a 2601 Pennsylvania Apt 143 19130-2316 15th wd.

758 Sq. Ft. OPA#888072456 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY John J. Manacchio, Jr C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 02276 $165,057.32 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-365 6344 Kingessing Ave 19142 40th wd. 1,206 Sq. Ft. OPA#401268800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Anthony Greenhill C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03264 $48,627.99 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-366 312 Hoffnagle St 191111819 63rd wd. 1,823 Sq. Ft. OPA#631379700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Michaela M. Parrotti a/k/a Michaela M. Parrotta C.P. February Term, 2013 No. 01318 $182,722.48 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-367 3433 Arthur St 19136-2321 64th wd. 1,144 Sq. Ft. OPA#642326200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Mae H. Shallcross a/k/a Mae Heather Shallcross C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04517 $160,796.86 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-368 686 Renz St 19128-1421 21st wd. 1,746 Sq. Ft. OPA#214048100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Stephen A. Cabot Jr., Renee Palmer C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04189 $242,095.32 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-369 3157 Cedar St 25th wd. 1,510 Sq. Ft. BRT#25-1-4289-00 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Kathleen E. Hahn and Michael J. Hahn C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 02295 $80,089.31 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-370 1606 S 28th St 19145-1202 36th wd. 1,248 Sq. Ft. OPA#364348900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all

persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under John Mitchell, Deceased C.P. March Term, 2015 No. 00265 $54,056.98 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-371 10726 Philcrest Rd 191544031 66th wd. 1,386 Sq. Ft. OPA#662072267 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Paul W. Winter, Jr and Rachel Winter C.P. September Term, 2014 No. 03305 $100,034.42 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-372 2208 W Venango St 191403823 11th wd. 4,730 Sq. Ft. OPA#112133400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Ahmad J. White C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00502 $210,370.50 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-373 2653 S Lloyd St 40th wd.

1,120 Sq. Ft. BRT#404015400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Sayheem Jones C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03322 $54,011.64 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-374 926 W Duncannon Ave 19141 49th wd. 2,081 Sq. Ft. BRT#492023500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Bryant J. Hampton in his Capacity as Heir at Law of Ethel Hampton a/k/a Ethel L. Hampton, Deceased and Helena Hampton, in her Capacity as Heir at Law of Ethel Hampton a/k/a Ethel L. Hampton, Deceased and Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Ethel Hampton a/k/a Ethel L. Hampton, Deceased and United States of America C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 01451 $67,730.99 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-375 6227 Trotter St 19111-5811 53rd wd. 1,296 Sq. Ft. OPA#531234800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Tiffany N. Dales C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 04459 $128,720.78 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-376 309-313 Arch St Unit 607 a/k/a 309-13 Arch St Unit: 607 19106 88th wd. (formerly 5th wd.) 972 Sq. Ft. OPA#888058772 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Ann S. Boris and Vamsidhar Vurimindi C.P. October Term, 2015 No. 01609 $251,348.71 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-377 1115 Montrose St 19147 2nd wd. 1,698 Sq. Ft.

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OPA#021036900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Johnnie Coger, Leola Coger, United States of America C.P. October Term, 2011 No. 01625 $332,032.58 Meredith H. Wooters, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC 1708-378 2718 C St 19134 33rd wd.

700 Sq. Ft. BRT#071435400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Elsa M. Gonzalez a/k/a Elsa M. Gonsalez C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00997 $65,870.41 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-379 915 Woodbrook Ln 19150 50th wd. 5,952 Sq. Ft. OPA#502519300 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Muriel Horne a/k/a Muriel Houston C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03282 $82,769.88 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-380 6129 N 7th St 19120-1322 61st wd. 1,536 Sq. Ft. OPA#611145500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jennifer Dancy C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03674 $215,233.53 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-381 4513 Mitchell St 21st wd.

2,187 Sq. Ft. BRT#21-2489300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Lauren Westcott a/k/a Lauren Benson C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 01387 $246,469.44 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-382 5923 Palmetto St 19120 35th wd. 1,064 Sq. Ft. OPA#352293400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Juan Agosto C.P. March Term, 2016 No. 00131 $78,811.14 Meredith H. Wooters, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC 1708-383 8743 Gillespie St 65th wd.

1,791 Sq. Ft. BRT#65-22430-00; PRCL#136N17-240 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Jose Sanchez C.P. July Term, 2013 No. 001072 $133,875.29 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-384 7325 N 20th St 19138-2729 10th wd. 1,500 Sq. Ft. OPA#101157900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Sheray Oliver C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 01954 $76,778.12 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-385 112 Kingfield Rd 19115 63rd wd. DET W/B GAR 2 STY MAS㤱㤱; 2,012 Sq. Ft. BRT#632061500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Craig R. Sobel, Administration of the Estate of Adele Sobel C.P.

November Term, 2016 No. 00630 $253,410.51 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-386 3536 Aldine St 19136 64th wd. ROW B/GAR 2 STY MASONRY; 1,804 Sq. Ft. BRT#642113400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING United States of America and Janine Thomas C.P. November Term, 2015 No. 03543 $194,737.23 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-387 7308 Walnut Ln 19138 50th wd. ROW B/GAR 2 STY MASONRY; 1,242 Sq. Ft. BRT#501350000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Brian L. Winn, Known Surviving Heir of Barbara J. Monroe, Ronald Winn, Known Surviving Heir of Barbara J. Monroe, Gregory Winn, Known Surviving Heir of Barbara J. Monroe and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Barbara J. Monroe C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 03072 $74,399.72 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-388 370 Selma St 19116 58th wd. S/D W/B GAR 2 STY MASONRY; 1,548 Sq. Ft. BRT#582245200 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Andrew Rader, Administrator of the Estate of Norman A. Rader C.P. March Term, 2016 No. 00555 $216,081.38 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-389 2017 S 58th St 19143 40th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 1,460 Sq. Ft. BRT#401049500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Unknown Surviving Heirs of Milton E. Robinson C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 00311 $51,336.55 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-390 2214 S Felton St 19142 40th wd. 1,200 Sq. Ft. OPA#401162000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Thanh Tran C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 03251 $49,416.58 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-391 8410 Madison St a/k/a 8410 Madison Pl 19153-1527 40th wd. 1,440 Sq. Ft. OPA#405100305 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY James Brown and Joyce Jordan-Brown C.P. December Term, 2011 No. 01104 $80,960.47 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-392 6526 Keystone St 41st wd.

1,825 Sq. Ft. BRT#411464800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Wesley Rasorenov, Solely in his Capacity as Heir of Catherine Rasorenov, Deceased and Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming

right, title, or interest from or under Catherine Rasorenov, Deceased C.P. December Term, 2016 No. 02859 $99,977.68 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-393 723 E Cornwall St a/k/a 723 Cornwall St 19134 33rd wd. (formerly part of 34th wd.)

838 Sq. Ft. OPA#331123200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Phyllis Ann Wixson a/k/a Phyllis Ann Moebius Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Thomas Wixson Deceased and David Wixson Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Thomas Wixson Deceased C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 03525 $71,827.62 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-394 2208 Mount Vernon St 15th wd. 1,032 Sq. Ft. BRT#152057500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Vincent C. Rogers C.P. July Term, 2015 No. 01863 $395,681.22 Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC 1708-395 5822 Belmar Terr a/k/a 5822 Belmar St 19143-5209 3rd wd.

1,088 Sq. Ft. OPA#034107000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Grace Godwin C.P. May Term, 2012 No. 00031 $40,951.90 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-396 1141 Passmore St 191115411 53rd wd. 1,278 Sq. Ft. OPA#531111700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Timothy J. Cervino C.P. October Term, 2010 No. 00504 $117,007.27 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-397 2410 Duncan St 19124 23rd wd. 1,153 Sq. Ft. OPA#231007900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Aspen M. Wilson C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00668 $106,565.16 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-398 6241 N Woodstock St 19138 17th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 990 Sq. Ft. BRT#172395500 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Louvenia Smith C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 02030 $76,212.88 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-399 8300 Algon Ave 19152-2224 56th wd. 1,301 Sq. Ft. OPA#562319000 William J. Pepe, in His Capacity as Devisee of The Estate of Carl H. Schmittinger, Jr. a/k/a Carl H. Schmittinger; James A. Pepe, in His Capacity as Devisee of The Estate of Carl H Schmittinger, Jr. a/k/a Carl H. Schmittinger; Unknown Successor Executor of The Estate of Dolores Schmittinger; Unknown heirs,

successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Carl H. Schmittinger, Jr. a/k/a Carl H. Schmittinger, Deceased C.P. April Term, 2015 No. 01938 $102,268.17 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-400 5354 Morse St 19131 52nd wd. ROW B/GAR 2 STY MASONRY; 1,230 Sq. Ft. BRT#521072200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Cynthia E. Brown C.P. May Term, 2011 No. 03965 $63,614.24 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-402 11729 Stevens Rd 191162503 58th wd. 1,332 Sq. Ft. OPA#582576900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Michael J. Murphy and Angelique Murphy C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03120 $227,046.04 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-403 4504 Longshore Ave 19135 41st wd. 1,796 Sq. Ft. OPA#412024900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY John P. Dillon a/k/a John Dillon and Christina M. Dillon a/k/a Christina Dillon C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 02626 $106,886.74 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-404 5825 Belmar Terr a/k/a 5825 Belmar St 19143-5208 3rd wd.

1,088 Sq. Ft. OPA#034101300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Shawnna Lee Roberson a/k/a ShawnnaLee Gibbs C.P. August Term, 2013 No. 02995 $51,220.10 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-405 1814 W Glenwood Ave 191323825 16th wd. 1,300 Sq. Ft. OPA#162340500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Tarez Madalion, in Her Capacity as Heir of Laura Drummond, Deceased; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Laura Drummond, Deceased C.P. April Term, 2015 No. 01610 $34,756.67 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-406 611 Alcott St 19120-1219 35th wd. 1,152 Sq. Ft. OPA#352080100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Luis Santana C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03251 $53,870.28 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-407 4246 Stirling St 19135 55th wd. 1,344 Sq. Ft. OPA#552051400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Erik J. Badeaux and Kelly L. Badeaux C.P. March Term, 2017 No. 02493

$111,311.91 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-408 2225 S 21st St 48th wd. Situate on the East side of 21st Street at the distance of one hundred eighty eight feet two inches Southward from the South side of Jackson Street OPA#481367800 IMPROVEMENTS: ROW W/GAR 2 STY MASONRY Jeremy R. Verwey C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04527 $298,645.70 Patrick J. Wesner, Esquire 1708-409 11030 Ferndale St 19116 58th wd. 9,750 Sq. Ft. OPA#582475100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Eileen Bianco C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 00399 $272,739.29 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-410 2958 W Rosehill St a/k/a 2958 Rosehill St 19134 7th wd.

840 Sq. Ft. OPA#071417300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Carmen N. Santiago C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 03039 $36,581.12 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-411 5628 N 18th St 19141 17th wd.

1,584 Sq. Ft. OPA#172277200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jessie M. Patterson C.P. February Term, 2017 No. 00504 $105,913.55 Meredith H. Wooters, Esquire; Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC 1708-412 506 McClellan St 191481819 1st wd. 840 Sq. Ft. OPA#011398500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jamkarel Mato C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04538 $108,474.72 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-413 1942 E Westmoreland St 19134 45th wd. 1,095 Sq. Ft. BRT#452034800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Cross Keys Investment, LLC C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 01954 $68,414.48 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-414 2865 Gillingham St 45th wd.

1,350 Sq. Ft. BRT#45-30554-00 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Bryana Houck and Howard McCune, III a/k/a Howard A. McCune, III C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 00633 $133,359.91 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-415 5033 Knox Street 19144 12th wd. 2,670 Sq. Ft. BRT#123179100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Magdalena Lebron C.P. September Term, 2012 No. 03471 $130,313.71 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Jeniece D. Davis, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq.

1708-416 713 W Wingohocking St 19140 49th wd. 1,610 Sq. Ft. OPA#491008100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Dr. Ndubuisi O. Okoro and Brenda Okoro C.P. March Term, 2017 No. 00876 $59,156.67 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-417 1222 Saint Vincent St 19111 53rd wd. 4,219 Sq. Ft. OPA#532319600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jose A. Gatmaitan, IV C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01731 $200,792.49 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-418 809 Marlyn Rd 19151 34th wd.

1,600 Sq. Ft. OPA#344264600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Kimberley Strickland C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 02474 $188,739.02 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-420 210 Locust St, Unit 9C 19106 5th wd. 683 Sq. Ft. OPA#888052115 Subject to Mortgage Defendant, Maureen Flanigan C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 144596 $5,054.00 Monica M. Littman, Esq.; Fineman, Krekstein & Harris, PC 1708-421 5529 Loretto Ave 19124 35th wd. 1,432 Sq. Ft. BRT#351397500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Ryan Tanio a/k/a R. Tanio C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00119 $108,079.62 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-422 4928 Convent Ln 19114 65th wd. 15,209 Sq. Ft. BRT#65-2170015; OPA# 652170015 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Casey Jones and Gina Schultz C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 03208 $405,959.65 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-423 13029 Townsend Rd 19154 66th wd. 0 Sq. Ft. ; undivided interest in the Common Elements (as defined in such Declaration) of 1.159% Condominium BRT#888660110 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Richard Garcia a/k/a Richard Garcia Zayas and Josephine Garcia C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 00516 $155,812.15 Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, P.C.; Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, Esquire; Heather Riloff, Esquire; Tyler J. Wilk, Esq. 1708-424 5110 Darrah St 19124 62nd wd. 1,364 Sq. Ft. OPA#622222800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Carla DrakesPilgrim and Nigel Pilgrim C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 01786 $117,605.70 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-425 4630 Kendrick St 19136 65th wd. 2,275 Sq. Ft.

SHERIFF’S SALE

SHERIFF’S SALE

SHERIFF’S SALE

SHERIFF’S SALE

SHERIFF’S SALE

SHERIFF’S SALE

BRT#124N2-213; OPA# 652070000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING William McLaughlin C.P. October Term, 2015 No. 02816 $162,178.87 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-426 30 Pelham Rd 22nd wd. 10,000 Sq. Ft. BRT#223095250 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL/RESIDENTIAL MIXED-USE DWELLING Hector P. Badeau a/k/a Hector Badeau and Susan M. Badeau C.P. July Term, 2016 No. 02417 $505,810.53 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-427 1419 E Vernon Rd 19150 50th wd. 2,251 Sq. Ft. BRT#502-4141-00; OPA# 502414100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Agnes Kofa a/k/a Agnes D Kofa and John Kofa a/k/a John C. Kofa C.P. March Term, 2017 No. 02906 $139,149.51 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-428 2306 E Sepviva St. 31st wd.

1,336 Sq. Ft. BRT#311220100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Frank Simmons, Jr., Deceased C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 01785 $17,743.11 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-430 1128 Tabor Terr 19111 63rd wd. 1,374 Sq. Ft. OPA#631367300 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL Gregory T. McKee and Laura Wojtusik C.P. August Term, 2015 No. 01500 $172,800.41 Jill M. Fein, Esquire 1708-431 1812 Harrison St 19124 23rd wd. 2,450 Sq. Ft. BRT#232-2025-00; OPA# 232202500 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING William G. Johnson a/k/a William Gerard Johnson C.P. March Term, 2017 No. 02317 $95,701.11 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-432 5002 Pine St 19143 60th wd.

2,033 Sq. Ft. BRT#602130400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Hatim Mukhef, individually and as Attorney in Fact for Mohamad Najawi and Shireen Malik a/k/a Shireen Saikh Malik and Mohammed A. Najawi a/k/a Mohamed Najawi C.P. July Term, 2014 No. 03687 $259,663.33 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-433 6526 Cobbs Creek Pkwy a/k/a 6526 Beaumont St 191421318 40th wd. 1,229 Sq. Ft. OPA#403073700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Karin M. Joyeux C.P. August Term, 2015 No. 03189 $116,508.78 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-434 3165 Gaul St 19134-4446 25th wd. 1,152 Sq. Ft.

OPA#251385400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Robert J. Lindsay and Diana Glinka C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 04920 $171,904.66 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-435 4970 Fitler St; Unit 115-A a/k/a 4970 A Fitler St 65th wd.

1,056 Sq. Ft. (no land area) OPA#888651123 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNIT John A. Seagrave C.P. February Term, 2017 No. 03573 $9,460.32 Elliot H. Berton, Esquire; Benjamin F. Dill, Esquire 1708-436 4000 Gypsy Ln, Unit 735 21st wd. 1,128 Sq. Ft. OPA#888210381 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNIT Ruby Alsbrooks C.P. March Term, 2017 No. 002560 $13,073.96 Elliot H. Berton, Esquire; Benjamin F. Dill, Esquire 1708-437 1208 Hale St 19111-5830 53rd wd. 1,290 Sq. Ft. OPA#531028600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Elvis Joseph and Angela Degazon a/k/a Angela B. Degazon C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03567 $126,862.29 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-438 2633 E Huntingdon St 191253705 31st wd. 1,565 Sq. Ft. OPA#314164500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Nancy Halloran a/k/a Nancy Haas C.P. February Term, 2015 No. 00084 $39,529.13 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-439 3532 Meridian St 19136 64th wd. 1,442 Sq. Ft. OPA#642236000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Robert M. Swearingen C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 02121 $96,158.22 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-440 4202 Oakmont St 19136 65th wd. 1,404 Sq. Ft. OPA#651058200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jennifer L. Groves C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 02872 $60,581.17 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-441 3082 Aramingo Ave 191344316 25th wd. 990 Sq. Ft. OPA#251478600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Marcelino Cuadra, Jr. a/k/a Marcelino Caudra, Jr. and Kathleen A. Cuadra a/k/a Kathleen A. Caudra C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 01037 $117,436.45 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-442 166 Covington Rd 19120 61st wd. 1,944 Sq. Ft. OPA#611442800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Herbert Frayer C.P. February Term, 2010 No.

02163 $165,811.04 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-443 126 Fern St 19120 61st wd.

1,233 Sq. Ft. BRT#61-2-201400; OPA# 612201400 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Montrell N. Bolden C.P. April Term, 2015 No. 03006 $82,166.65 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-444 1429 W Conlyn St 19141 17th wd. 1,346 Sq. Ft. OPA#171138800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Tennille D. Hill, Administratrix of the Estate of Carolyn M. Averette Johnson a/k/a Carolyn M. Johnson a/k/a Carolyn M. Averette, deceased C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 04986 $74,391.40 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-445 3627 Almond St 19134 45th wd. 1,918 Sq. Ft. OPA#451290100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Dawn Wikiera and John J. Wikiera C.P. September Term, 2013 No. 03600 $168,923.83 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-446 725 S 55th St 19143 46th wd.

1,499 Sq. Ft. OPA#463192900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Lisa C. Labes Administratrix of the Estate of Moises R. La Bes Jr. a/k/a Moises La Bes Jr., Deceased C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 00135 $76,001.12 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-447 4819 N 13th St 19141-3426 49th wd. 1,590 Sq. Ft. OPA#491503800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Bakary Kante C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 02277 $85,082.41 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-448 5639 Malcolm St 191434633 51st wd. 1,038 Sq. Ft. OPA#513170100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Keisha R. Paul a/k/a Keisha Paul C.P. March Term, 2015 No. 03951 $76,960.75 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-449 3275 E Thompson St 19134 45th wd. 945 Sq. Ft. BRT#451231200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Stanley M. Furlong and Veronica Simmons C.P. September Term, 2014 No. 03544 $184,690.39 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-450 8235 Bayard St 19150-1701 50th wd. 1,608 Sq. Ft. OPA#501216300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Joyce A. Lockett a/k/a Joyce Lockett, in Her Capacity as Trustee Administratix of the Estate and Heir of The Estate of Anthony C. Lockett a/k/a Anthony Cecil Lockett a/k/a

Anthony Lockett; Syreeta Lockett, in Her Capacity as Heir of The Estate of Anthony C. Lockett a/k/a Anthony Cecil Lockett a/k/a Anthony Lockett; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Anthony C. Lockett, Deceased C.P. January Term, 2016 No. 03395 $17,478.98 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-451 6238 Christian St 3rd wd.

2,958 Sq. Ft. BRT#033071800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Jimmie I. Talton C.P. November Term, 2014 No. 00370 $82,853.30 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-452 938 N 48th St 19131-5119 44th wd. 1,480 Sq. Ft. BRT#442199500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Jeffrey Smith C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 00642 $66,717.14 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-453 2328 Benson St 56th wd.

3,116 Sq. Ft. BRT#562136500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Jammie M. Lyani C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 01533 $180,448.62 Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC 1708-454 1844 W Albanus St a/k/a 1844 Albanus St 19141 17th wd.

1,068 Sq. Ft. OPA#171038600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Brenda M. Brown C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 04786 $88,625.23 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-455 6058 Market St 19139 46th wd.

2,112 Sq. Ft. OPA#871400450 IMPROVEMENTS: STR/OFFô㤱 3 STY MASONRY Rafiqul Bhuiyan C.P. March Term, 2017 No. 003164 $294,986.16, plus interest through the date of the sheriff ’s sale, plus costs William J. Levant, Esquire 1708-456 7239 Saul St 19149 54th wd.

1,405 Sq. Ft. OPA#542448000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Frank Bonilla C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01999 $193,445.99 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-457 7224 Mallard Pl 19153 40th wd. 1,784 Sq. Ft. OPA#406649017 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Willie G. Mikell a/k/a Willie G. Mikell Jr. and Virginia B. Veterano-Mikell C.P. August Term, 2013 No. 000250 $127,849.71 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-458 3405 W Penn St 19129 38th wd. 1,216 Sq. Ft. OPA#383021900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Dorothy M. Selgrath C.P. April Term, 2015 No. 03700 $112,593.70 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC

1708-459 7035 Andrews Ave 19138 10th wd. 2,136 Sq. Ft. OPA#101138100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Aaron Boyd, Administrator of the Estate of Helen F. Boyd, deceased C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 01529 $143,287.97 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-460 8566 Provident St, a/k/a 8566 Provident Rd 19150-1606 50th wd. 1,320 Sq. Ft. OPA#501178900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Michael R. Hamilton, Individually and in His Capacity as Administrator of The Estate and Heir of The Estate of Mark Hamilton; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Shirley Hamilton, Deceased; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Mark Hamilton, Deceased C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01938 $104,798.11 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-461 359 E Sharpnack St 19119 22nd wd. 1,437 Sq. Ft. OPA#221128200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Gayle C. Pringle, Executrix of the Estate of Valerie D. Croswell a/k/a Valerie Randle, a/k/a Valerie Croswell, deceased C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 04353 $108,624.66 Shapiro & DeNardo, LLC 1708-462 558 Alcott St 35th wd.

Southwesterly side of Alcott St; Front: 15 feet, Depth: 68 feet OPA#352054900 IMPROVEMENTS: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE Sandra Ciceron and Yanick Ciceron C.P. March Term, 2016 No. 00728 $168,141.46 Stephen M. Hladik, Esq. 1708-463 342 E Mechanic St a/k/a 342 Mechanic St 19144 59th wd.

1,826 Sq. Ft. OPA#592020000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Gene Katsman and Gary Lerner C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03753 $53,295.87 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-464 7 N Columbus Blvd Unit 115 19106 5th wd. Together with a proportionate undivided interest in the Common Elements (as defined in such Declaration) of 1.030185% of PIER 5 TOWNHOUSES; 2,165 Sq. Ft. OPA#888060132 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Edward B. Horwitz C.P. September Term, 2009 No. 02979 $543,138.43 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-465 4250 Neilson St 19124 33rd wd. 930 Sq. Ft. OPA#332524900 IMPROVE-

MENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Vivian Camacho C.P. February Term, 2011 No. 01193 $100,681.96 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-466 1430 S 31st St a/k/a 1430 31st St 19146 36th wd. 832 Sq. Ft. OPA#364434500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Cheryl Brown Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Odessa Allen Deceased, Mildred Green Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Odessa Allen Deceased, Thelma Allen Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Odessa Allen Deceased, Terry Jackson Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Odessa Allen Deceased and Allen, Stephon, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Odessa Allen, Deceased C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 00312 $105,213.20 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-467 1350 E Airdrie St 19124 33rd wd. 900 Sq. Ft. OPA#331238400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Rosaline Serrano C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01313 $63,491.13 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-468 6510 Allman St 19142 40th wd.

828 Sq. Ft. BRT#403104800; OPA# 403104800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Estate of Daryl S. Douglas c/o Nathaniel Douglas, III Executor; Nathaniel Douglas, Executor of the Estate of Darryl Douglas a/k/a Darryl S. Douglas; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Darryl Douglas a/k/a Darryl S. Douglas C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 02866 $43,519.66 Udren Law Offices, P.C. 1708-469 2718 North Bonsall St 19132 11th wd. 653 Sq. Ft. OPA#111396300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Nickeya James C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00459 $58,603.78 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-470 613 Edison Ave, Unit C 19116 58th wd. RES CONDO 2 STY MAS㤱㤱; 1,040 Sq. Ft. BRT#888581388 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Robert E. Haas, Known Surviving Heir of Faith L. Haas, Faye Anne Mitchell, Known Surviving Heir of Faith L. Haas and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Faith L. Haas C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 01472 $122,992.87 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-471 2836 Michael Rd 19152 57th wd. 3,980 Sq. Ft. OPA#571066200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY John R. Lyons C.P. July Term, 2016 No. 03076 $193,437.67 KML Law Group, P.C.

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1708-472 5117 Locust St 19139 46th wd. SEMI DET 2 STY MASONRY; 1,650 Sq. Ft. BRT#602075300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Modi Doucoure C.P. July Term, 2014 No. 00483 $119,129.86 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-473 7643 E Roosevelt Blvd 19152 64th wd. 2,681 Sq. Ft. OPA#641004900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Mary Ann Davis a/k/a Aneesah Shareef C.P. September Term, 2015 No. 01489 $213,850.44 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-474 5106 Brown St 19139 44th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 1,280 Sq. Ft. BRT#441269700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Roland F. Singleton a/k/a Ronald F. Singleton, Known Surviving Heir of Eva Mae Singleton, Harry Lee Singleton, Known Surviving Heir of Eva Mae Singleton and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Eva Mae Singleton C.P. January Term, 2016 No. 00591 $56,780.19 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-475 7468 Rhoads St 19151 34th wd. ROW B/GAR 2 STY MASONRY; 1,446 Sq. Ft. BRT#343156400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Mark Brame and Natasha Brame C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 3952 $141,084.52 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-476 8645 Ferndale St 19115 63rd wd. 5,175 Sq. Ft. OPA#632250700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Carmen J. Digiorgio Jr. C.P. July Term, 2015 No. 01401 $235,522.29 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-477 3857 Brandywine St 19104 24th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 924 Sq. Ft. BRT#242028800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Raymond G. Moody C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03368 $129,335.07 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-478 5819 N American St 191201862 61st wd. 1,200 Sq. Ft. OPA#612404700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Ping Cao C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 00269 $71,990.70 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-479 1193 Morefield Rd 191152525 58th wd. 1,201 Sq. Ft. OPA#581154900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY William J. Currey C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 02507 $200,696.42 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP

1708-480 3048 Magee Ave 191492532 55th wd. 1,382 Sq. Ft. OPA#551086900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY David Glucker C.P. July Term, 2016 No. 00322 $129,591.95 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-481 339 W Porter St 19148 39th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 1,204 Sq. Ft. BRT#392213200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Domenic Veneziano, Known Surviving Heir of Theresa Faulds, Deceased Mortgagor and Real Owner, Rosemarie Faulds, Known Surviving Heir of Theresa Faulds, Deceased Mortgagor and Real Owner, Robin Lavery, Known Surviving Heir of Theresa Faulds, Deceased Mortgagor and Real Owner, Antoinette Fromm, Known Surviving Heir of Theresa Faulds, Decease Mortgagor and Real Owner and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Theresa Faulds, Deceased Mortgagor and Real Owner C.P. March Term, 2015 No. 02825 $137,186.90 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-482 1125 Rodman Street 8 a/k/a 1125 Rodman Street Unit: 8 19147 88th wd. 1,320 Sq. Ft. OPA#888051547 IMPROVEMENTS: CONDOMINIUM David S. Lubin C.P. November Term, 2015 No. 01805 $181,006.17 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-483 6738 Paschall Ave 191421809 40th wd. 960 Sq. Ft. OPA#403173700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY William Butler C.P. February Term, 2014 No. 01393 $74,714.43 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-484 1916 S 68th St 19142-1214 40th wd. 1,024 Sq. Ft. OPA#403188300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Antoinette Marshall and Jonathan Cousins C.P. October Term, 2011 No. 03495 $87,215.62 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-485 3354 E St 19134 7th wd.

1,036 Sq. Ft. OPA#073195900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jorge L. Mateo, Jr C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 01633 $54,121.28 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-486 3528 Arthur St 19136-2303 64th wd. 1,280 Sq. Ft. OPA#642324700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jason Jordan C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 04522 $109,924.58 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-487 5354 Morris St 19144 12th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 1,232 Sq. Ft. BRT#124144400

IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Keith Bennett C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 01370 $72,821.68 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-488 5305 Glenloch St 19124 ROW 1 STY MASONRY; 660 Sq. Ft. BRT#622425200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING William B. Friedman C.P. January Term, 2017 No. 01618 $64,831.40 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-489 1630 Morris St a/k/a 1700 S Chadwick St 19145 ROW W/ OFF STR 2 STY MASON; 1,472 Sq. Ft. BRT#871170550 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING David D. Chaloeunporn, Tum Chaloeunporn and Kagna Chaloeunporn C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 02185 $65,756.36 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-490 3024 Vista St 19152-4516 64th wd. 1,552 Sq. Ft. OPA#641209000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Melissa Ann Osea C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03569 $129,864.79 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-491 6461 N Smedly St 191263535 17th wd. 1,310 Sq. Ft. OPA#172160500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Roosevelt Hall C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03671 $86,382.64 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-492 9621 Convent Ave 191143603 57th wd. 1,480 Sq. Ft. OPA#572227900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Denise M. Aiken C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 02246 $185,584.65 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-493 6353 W Columbia Ave a/k/a 6353 Columbia Ave 19151 34th wd. 2,100 Sq. Ft. OPA#344068900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Pamela C. Gibson C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 00996 $162,208.36 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-494 7413 Belden St 19111 56th wd. 2,969 Sq. Ft. OPA#561177800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY William Gamble C.P. April Term, 2013 No. 03639 $184,095.85 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-495 403 E Wister St 19144 12th wd. 6,512 Sq. Ft. OPA#121057500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Latrice Harrison Solely in Her Capcity as Heir of Shirley A. Harrison Deceased C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03686 $163,346.74 KML Law Group, P.C.

1708-496 6635 Blakemore St 19119 22nd wd. 3,172 Sq. Ft. OPA#221288120 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY George L. Brown C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03590 $87,265.06 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-497 1417 N Redfield St 19151 34th wd. 1,331 Sq. Ft. OPA#342162400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Denise Silver Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of James E. Alexander Deceased C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 00074 $35,278.86 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-498 1735 N Robinson St 19151 34th wd. 1,727 Sq. Ft. OPA#342279800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY The Unknown Heirs of Sylvia Wesley Deceased and Kevin Wesley Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Sylvia Wesley Deceased C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01728 $73,739.64 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-499 4844 Unruh Ave 19135 87th wd. (formerlypart of the 41st wd.) 1,230 Sq. Ft. OPA#871562900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Alexander J. Zivkovic C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 00640 $151,502.27 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-500 4620 Naples St 19124 23rd wd. 1,426 Sq. Ft. OPA#234212900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Cynthia N. Ramos C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01238 $100,848.80 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-501 543 N Paxon St a/k/a 543 Paxon St 19131 44th wd.

729 Sq. Ft. OPA#442257100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Elijah Briggs Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased, Franklin Briggs, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased, Carrie Lee Briggs Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased, Anderson Thomas Briggs Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased, Loretta Fulton Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased, The Uknown Heirs of Huie R. Hampton Deceased, Frank Millie Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased, Ethel Parker Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased, and Shannon Willene Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Huie R. Hampton, Deceased C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 00806 $51,489.52 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-502 5301 Ludlow St 19139

60th wd. 1,498 Sq. Ft. OPA#602007500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Aiko T. Latney C.P. November Term, 2015 No. 04502 $114,444.82 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-503 1142 Kenwyn St 23rd wd.

Southwesterly side of Kenwyn Street; Front: 25 feet 1.5 inches Depth: 110 feet OPA#234173700 IMPROVEMENTS: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE Cheri Clayton C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 02069 $201,673.48 Stephen M. Hladik, Esq. 1708-504 2836 Newberry Rd 19154 66th wd. 6,000 Sq. Ft. BRT#662522900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Mohamed Abouakil and Rachida Moulouad C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03476 $235,830.35 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-505 6638 Greene St 22nd wd.

(Formerly 59th wd.) 13,320 Sq. Ft. BRT#223243500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Gregory T. Goodwin and Victoria J. Goodwin C.P. May Term, 2015 No. 02921 $97,966.26 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-506 1929 S Norwood St 191452730 48th wd. 1,024 Sq. Ft. OPA#482144500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Jeanette Keys, Individually and in Her Capacity as Adminsitratrix of The Estate of Mary Jackson; Howard Collins, in His Capacity as Heir of The Estate of Mary Jackson; Roosevelt Collins in His Capacity as Heir of The Estate of Mary Jackson; Anthony Noakes a/k/a Tony E. Noakes, in His Capacity as Heir of The Estate of Mary Jackson; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Mary Jackson, Deceased C.P. September Term, 2015 No. 01400 $66,637.65 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-507 308 E Queen Ln 19144 12th wd. 1,110 Sq. Ft. OPA#121126610 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY All Known and Unknown Heirs of Marilyn F. Robinson a/k/a Marilyn F. Davis C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 02680 $74,866.10 Brett A. Solomon, Michael C. Mazack 1708-508 5119 Aspen St 19139 44th wd.

1,532 Sq. Ft. OPA#441254500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Diyaaldin Kelley, in His Capacity as Heir of Douglas Kelley, Deceased; Bilal Kelley, in His Capacity as Heir of Douglas Kelley, Deceased; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns,

and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Douglas Kelley, Deceased C.P. January Term, 2016 No. 02785 $76,496.37 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-509 6205 Lansdowne Ave 34th wd.

Northerly side of Lansdowne Avenue; Front: 16 feet Depth: 87 feet OPA#342054700 IMPROVEMENTS: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE Janelle Smith C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01644 $105,758.68 Stephen M. Hladik, Esq. 1708-510 1023 Fillmore St 23rd wd.

Northeast side of Fillmore St; Front: 25 feet Depth: 89 feet 9 inches OPA#234115000 IMPROVEMENTS: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE Karin Tucker, Administratrix of the Estate of Wilbert E. McKoy a/k/a Wilbert Earl McKoy, Deceased C.P. February Term, 2017 No. 04789 $74,031.42 Stephen M. Hladik, Esq. 1708-511 814 Griffith St 63rd wd. (formerly 35th wd.) 1,082 Sq. Ft. BRT#631262900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING John F. Sheridan, Deceased and Rita Sheridan, Deceased C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 00933 $197,367.61 Powers, Kirn & Associates, LLC 1708-512 7160 Edmund St 19135 65th wd. 1,328 Sq. Ft. OPA#651287400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING Michael Carpino C.P. March Term, 2012 No. 00335 $30,268.49 with interest from 9/12/17 Drew Salaman, Esquire 1708-513 898 Granite St 19124 Lot: 110, Block 139N2, Tax Map of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania OPA#871161100 IMPROVEMENTS: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Christopher A. Williams C.P. March Term, 2012 No. 001819 $36,908.15 Kristofer B. Chiesa, Esquire 1708-514 2335 E Fletcher St 19125 (Land) 800 Sq. Ft.; (improvements) 940 Sq. Ft. BRT#313059900 Geoff Thompson C.P. May Term, 2017 No. 01430 $355,508.77 Dana S. Plon, Esquire 1708-515 5433 Sansom St 19139 60th wd. APT 2-4 UNITS 2 STY MASON; 2,016 Sq. Ft. BRT#603019100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Raven O’Joy Outterbridge a/k/a Raven O’Joy Leigertwood, Known Surviving Heir of Veno Leigertwood, Nichole Leigertwood (a minor), Known Surviving Heir of Veno Leigertwood and Unknown Surviving Heirs of Veno Leigertwood C.P. August Term, 2015 No. 02349 $112,011.02 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C.

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1708-516 5521 Catharine St 19143 46th wd. ROW 2 STY MASONRY; 1,320 Sq. Ft. BRT#463093200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Bonnie Hall C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 0955 $163,976.83 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-517 1845 N Ringgold St 191212016 32nd wd. 964 Sq. Ft. OPA#322154700 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Ernest Jenifer and Denise Jenifer C.P. September Term, 2016 No. 03259 $108,608.73 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-518 6760 Linmore Ave 191421807 40th wd. 1,216 Sq. Ft. OPA#403185300 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Tiah Slanger C.P. December Term, 2011 No. 00458 $57,795.76 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-519 219 Widener St 19120-1840 61st wd. 1,050 Sq. Ft. OPA#612122800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Erica Shubert C.P. February Term, 2012 No. 03591 $75,980.42 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-520 2620 S 65th St 19142-2813 40th wd. 1,236 Sq. Ft. OPA#406002800 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Judy Mccollum C.P. February Term, 2016 No. 02375 $45,612.80 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-521 6271 Frankford Ave 19135 41st wd. 6,417 Sq. Ft. OPA#882963085 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: COMMERCIAL BUILDING Yvonne Hu C.P. February Term, 2012 No. 03780 $289,265.02 Drew Salaman, Esquire 1708-522 847 Atwood Rd 19151-3307 34th wd. 1,172 Sq. Ft. OPA#344323100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Tanya A. Lawhorn C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 03266 $45,205.13 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP

1708-523 5807 Newtown Ave 191201135 35th wd. 1,132 Sq. Ft. OPA#352212500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Sadie I. Finney C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 02517 $144,920.69 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-524 1716 Widener Pl 191411334 17th wd. 1,360 Sq. Ft. OPA#171183400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Stephen V. Johnson a/k/a Steven Johnson C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 00504 $82,002.43 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-525 929 W Butler St 191403128 43rd wd. 1,280 Sq. Ft. OPA#432226600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Juliet Jackson and Jermaine Whitehead C.P. October Term, 2016 No. 02662 $41,425.23 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-526 1617 N Newkirk St 191212712 32nd wd. 1,058 Sq. Ft. OPA#324150901 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Janie Louise Shippen a/k/a Janie L. Shippen C.P. April Term, 2009 No. 02034 $47,267.65 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-527 3428 Emerald St 19134 45th wd. 903 Sq. Ft. BRT#452338100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING April Candelet a/k/a April M. Candelet and Steven M. Walker C.P. June Term, 2016 No. 00588 $60,646.36 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-528 1333 McKinley St 19111 53rd wd. 1,139 Sq. Ft. OPA#531027500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Carmen J. Alicea C.P. June Term, 2015 No. 02822 $69,059.26 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-529 1875 Conlyn St 19141 49th wd. 0.84 acres BRT#171146200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY C.P. March Term,

2015 No. 04415 $70,359.08 Scott A. Dietterick, Esq.; Kathryn L. Mason, Esquire 1708-530 127 Wharton St 19147 2nd wd. 1,120 Sq. Ft. OPA#021338000 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Thomas J. Brown and Gertrude Brown C.P. April Term, 2015 No. 02422 $279,933.23 Brett A. Solomon, Michael C. Mazack 1708-531 5726 Chester Ave 19143 40th wd. 1,457 Sq. Ft. OPA#401120400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY The Unknown Heirs of Nella Reid Deceased, Allyson Gayle Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Nella Reid Deceased, Antoinette Simon Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Nella Reid Deceased, Irma Mohammed Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Nella Reid Deceased, Merlyn Sifontis Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Nella Reid Deceased, Monica Ramberan Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Nella Reid Deceased, Patricia Nicholson Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Nella Reid Deceased and Bernadette Forde Solely in Her Capacity as Heir of Nella Reid, Deceased C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 03079 $83,292.15 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-532 3129 Holly Rd 19154 66th wd.

2,826 Sq. Ft. OPA#663017600 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Terrianne Deniken C.P. November Term, 2015 No. 02815 $59,956.15 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-533 2001 Lardner St 19149 62nd wd. Land: 2,930 Sq. Ft.; Improvement: 1,188 Sq. Ft.; Total: 4,118 Sq. Ft. BRT#621180400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Nawraj Lama and Vanny Ol C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 02948 $19,692.24 Richard M. Squire & Associates, LLC 1708-534 5818 Washington Ave 19143 3rd wd. 1,280 Sq. Ft. OPA#033113900 IMPROVE-

MENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY The Unknown Heirs of Marian D. Moore, Deceased, Benjamin Moore, Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Marian D. Moore, Deceased, Joel Moore Jr. Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Marian D. Moore, Deceased and Lois Braithwaite Solely in His Capacity as Heir of Marian D. Moore, Deceased C.P. February Term, 2014 No. 00788 $79,786.33 KML Law Group, P.C. 1708-535 1100-1106 Shackamaxon St, Unit 2B 19125 RES CONDO 3 STY MAS㤱㤱; 921 Sq. Ft. BRT#888180260 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Charles Aaron Williams, III and United States of America, c/o United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 02362 $196,103.51 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-536A 1951 Wakeling St 19124 62nd wd. 2,000 Sq. Ft. OPA#622009100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING Lisa Creedon C.P. April Term, 2005 No. 00186 $59,561.37 with interest after 8/1/17 Drew Salaman, Esquire 1708-536B 2045 Granite St 19124 62nd wd. 815 Sq. Ft. OPA#622088500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING Lisa Creedon; Terre Tenant: Derry O. Smith a/k/a Dery O. Smith a/k/a Darry O. Smith C.P. April Term, 2005 No. 00186 $59,561.37 with interest after 8/1/17 Drew Salaman, Esquire 1708-536C 6759 Hegerman St 19135 41st wd. 750 Sq. Ft. OPA#412435100 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL BUILDING Lisa Creedon C.P. April Term, 2005 No. 00186 $59,561.37 with interest after 8/1/17 Drew Salaman, Esquire 1708-537 1036 S 54th St 19143 51st wd. ROW B/GAR 2STY MASONRY; 1,344 Sq. Ft. BRT#513126200 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Lula M. Wilson-

Toe and Daniel S. Toe, Sr C.P. February Term, 2014 No. 00852 $78,867.59 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-538 2900 Walnut Hill St 19152 57th wd. S/D W/B GAR 1 STY MASONRY; 1,095 Sq. Ft. BRT#571076000 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL DWELLING Kathleen Lombardo, Administratrix of the Estate of Michael Markow C.P. November Term, 2016 No. 01273 $239,328.68 McCabe, Weisberg, & Conway, P.C. 1708-539 5657 Boyer St 19138-1732 12th wd. 1,200 Sq. Ft. OPA#122254400 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Luther Allen, Deceased C.P. April Term, 2016 No. 03384 $47,039.36 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-540 4285 Leidy Ave 191041016 6th wd. 1,436 Sq. Ft. OPA#062203500 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Anita E. Williams, Individually and in capacity as Co-Administratrix of The Estate of Lerondya Williams; Laterra D. Ruffin, Individually and in capacity as Co-Administratrix of The Estate of Lerondya Williams; Unknown heirs, successors, assigns, and all persons, firms, or associations claiming right, title, or interest from or under Lerondya Williams, Deceased C.P. December Term, 2016 No. 01508 $28,356.02 Phelan Hallinan Diamond & Jones, LLP 1708-541A Premise A - 4200 Chester Ave 19104 3rd wd. improvement area 6,820 Sq. Ft. OPA#871299720 Subject to Mortgage Subject to Rent IMPROVEMENTS: STR/ OFF; 3 STORY MASONRY APARTMENTS 4200-02 Chester Associates LLC; John J. Gillespie; Lynette M. Gillespie; Gillespie Properties LLC, UVC, Inc. C.P. December Term, 2016 No. 00765 $1,502,202.32 Lawrence J.

Avallone, Esq 1708-541B Premise B - 4202 Chester Ave 19104 3rd wd. Land area 4,752 Sq. Ft. OPA#871286300 Subject to Mortgage Subject to Rent IMPROVEMENTS: STR/ OFF; 3 STORY MASONRY APARTMENTS 4200-02 Chester Associates LLC; John J. Gillespie; Lynette M. Gillespi; Gillespie Properties LLC, UVC, Inc. C.P. December Term, 2016 No. 00765 $1,502,202.32 Lawrence J. Avallone, Esq 1708-542 534-542 W Olney Ave 19120 42nd wd. 8,104 Sq. Ft. BRT#882928115 Subject to Rent IMPROVEMENTS: STR/ OFF 2 STY MASONRY Daniel C. Williams C.P. August Term, 2016 No. 000486 $246,337.66 McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP 1708-543 2604 Gerritt St 36th wd.

OPA#36-4-2263-00 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: UNKNOWN Paul Jones and Margaret Jones a/k/a Margaret Holmes Jones C.P. May Term, 2014 No. 02718 $35,424.24 Richard A. Gutman, Esquire 1708-544 6340 Ardleigh St 19138 22nd wd. 2,404 Sq. Ft. BRT#221291900 IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Vivian Shelton, Administratrix of the Estate of John Isaac a/k/a John Walter Isaac, Deceased C.P. March Term, 2017 No. 00875 $180,144.79 Stern & Eisenberg PC 1708-545 300 W Byberry Rd, Unit 217 19116 58th wd. 439 Sq. Ft. and a 1.0% undivided interest in the common elements, as more fully described in the Declaration of Condominium of the Stonebridge Condominium dated 10/24/1989 and recorded on 10/25/1989 in Deed Book FHS 1511 page 442 OPA#888582299 Subject to Mortgage IMPROVEMENTS: RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM Randy Kopf C.P. May Term, 2016 No. 134153 $11,300.00 Glenn M. Ross, Esquire

liberty City Press Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

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Welcome America Philadelphia’s annual celebration was better than ever

By HughE Dillon On July 4th weekend, the 6-day Wawa Welcome America festival culminated with a grand finale on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Queen of Hip Hop, Mary J. Blige performed along with the Philly POPS BIG Band. The city also honored Philly’s own Boyz II Men with a citation, and then the guys entertained the crowd. The night ended with fireworks over the Parkway.

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1. Stephanie Mays Boyd and Monica Lewis, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. 2. Stanley Cortez Webster and Paula Abdul. 3. Mary J. Blige performs.

4. Jeff Guaracino, Welcome America, Inc. 5. Robin Younger, Meryl Levitz, Visit Philly and Patty Jackson, WDAS. 6. Larry Dubinski, Franklin Institute and Margaret Hughes, Office of the City Representative. Photos by HughE Dillon.

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Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

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Letting in the Light in Old City New Hunter Douglas Design Gallery opens

By HughE Dillon Allure Window Treatments and Architectural Digest hosted a reception to celebrate the grand opening of the Hunter Douglas Design Gallery in Old City. Guests were among the first to experience the new store while enjoying cocktails and conversations with celebrity interior designer, Thom Filicia.

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1. Gary Goldsmith and Joe Jankoski, Hunter Douglas. 2. Thom Filicia and Stacey Kracher. 3. Parisa Abdollah, Paula Connell and Rene Galvin. 4. Roi Albo, Shani Albo, Liron Agiv and Victor Agiv.

5. Avraham and Dulya Albo. 6. DJ Eddie Tully. Photos by HughE Dillon.

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The Sky’s the Limit WeWork adds rooftop event space

by HughE Dillon On June 28, 2017, WeWork Walnut Street at 1430 Walnut Street celebrated the launch of their new rooftop event space, which features a beautiful skyline view. Members and nonmembers enjoyed delicious food by High Street on Market, music by Mole Street Artists, and specialty cocktails. The event space is open to organizations free of charge, as long as the WeWork community members are also allowed to attend the event.

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1. Michael Adler, Nicole Kagan and AJ Rewari. 2. Jim Magnatta, Ashley LaBau, Marlene Malec and Renata Gordon. 3. Julian Kam, Irena Kenny and Leo Kenny. 4. Alex Winokur, Mamady Kaba, Daniel Vessal and Ben Tshribi. 5. WeWork’s new rooftop space. 6. Lauren Yagoda and Jessica Snyder. Photos by HughE Dillon.

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Liberty City Press is a collaborative publication effort of the Philadelphia Multicultural Media Network.

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Sessoms Ready to Make His Mark The Shipley school standout bided his time and is ready to shine

By Jeremy Treatman

T

he inaugural “Battle of the Bell” July 8, between the 15-, 16- and 17-andunder elite local AAU Program’s K-Low Elite and Team Final came down to the last game knotted at one apiece.

Many thought K-Low Elite would win round three easily. Team Final’s top two 17-and under players Cam Reddish and Louis King were away representing the USA in a national event. Team Final nonetheless won by seven points. Leading the victory was this summer’s sensation, diminutive point guard Sam Sessoms, a Shipley senior to be.

The 5-foot-11-inch backcourt standout has been tabbed by team director Rob Brown as a top college prospect for the past two years, but has no major offers yet. That appears to be changing soon for Shipley’s all-time leading scorer, who tallied over 23 points a game this year. “There have been a lot of people talking about me and how I should soon get a ton of offers,” said Sessoms. “I don’t think I have been overlooked. I just haven’t been seen yet. During this whole process, I’ve just been positive and willing to do anything necessary. I know that my time is coming.”

Sessoms feels distributing the ball to players like Reddish and King during the July opening period will probably lead to huge opportunities.

He has already averaged double-digit points and eight assists per game on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer. “Playing point guard with a talented group of guys definitely took my game to another level mentally,” he said. “I’m always thinking about getting the team involved, and it forces me to think faster when playing with some of these stars. This group of guys on Team Final are all Division I players, so they always keep me on the top of my game and thinking at all times [when] I’m on the floor.”

Sessoms wasn’t trying to make a statement

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with his performance at the sold out tourney at Imhotep Charter High School, a rare site for a summer event.

“Beating K-Low Elite without our two super star players definitely gave the group of guys a feeling how good we could be, and increased our momentum heading into the live period and Peach Jam Invitational [in Atlanta]. We needed this win without those guys and to experience that type of atmosphere in order for us to be successful. We really wanted to win over KLow at the “Battle of the Bell.” Mainly because they were from Philly too, and there was a lot of trash talking about the event prior to it. We wanted to destroy them; we wanted to show the city who the best team was.”

Many pundits have tabbed Sessoms the glue of this team even when Reddish and King are also playing. That’s high praise considering Reddish, a 6’8” combo guard had offers from Duke and Kansas as a freshman. He’ll get a chance to shine in front of Division I coaches in the upcoming weeks as the three-week live period will host hundreds of the top coaches in the country. “The open period coming up is huge for me and my family,” he said. “All the work I have been putting in is for this exact moment and I’m ready. This open period can change my entire future, without basketball I do not know where I would be.”

Sessoms feels the pressure won’t be any different than it was in the highly anticipated “Battle of the Bell.” The joint was buzzing and hundreds of city hoops fans came out in droves to see a battle between two of the area’s best AAU programs that are both ranked nationally.

“The atmosphere of the top AAU teams in the city are really serious and when we face each other. Every time we go out there and play, we try to destroy each other. This is only the Continued on page 2

(Left and Center) Devon Ferrero (#11) and Naheem McLeod (#10) on Team PYO; and (Right) Owen McGlashan (#10) on Team Speed play during a travel basketball tournament hosted by Philly Pride at Cardinal O’Hara. Photos by Sarah J. Glover.

NEUMANN MAY BE GETTING SOME HELP Neumann-Goretti has been the top area high school for hoops over the last 15 years, with Chester and Roman Catholic having a say in the matter, too. The Saints may also be adding a transfer from Sterling High School in New Jersey.

Noah Syer says he is seriously contemplating switching states. He has shadowed at the school and enjoys the kids, the academic environment and, of course, the basketball program. “At this point, we are waiting until the transfer is official,” he said. “We just have to get approved by both schools and [state associations]. I have to write a letter on why I would like to transfer, and Sterling will need to send my school records.”

If it happens, Neumann-Goretti will go from a state and Catholic League contender to a favorite in both.

Competition is fierce with Roman Catholic, St. Joseph’s Prep, Archbishop Wood, La Salle, Monsignor Bonner, and Archbishop Carroll all alleged to be loaded on the court for 2017-2018 in the Catholic League. “I think my role, if I do transfer, will be a guy who could start at the power forward position and can learn to play good defense on a 3, 4, or 5-position player. I am someone with a good post game, athleticism, ball handling and a solid mid-range jump shot.”

Syer was interested in Neumann because of its excellent history as a hoops power and good academic school with tight discipline. “My decision was based on [the record] the school has with players going on to play high level college and how they develop the players there,” he said. “Playing in Philly is also a jump from South Jersey with better competition and I would like that challenge. I will be very excited to play in the Catholic League. I think it’s a great opportunity to show what I can do as a player.”

Syer starred in Philly Pride’s one-day event at Cardinal O’Hara High School on July 9, where he averaged a double-double in every game he played. “I had a fun weekend,” he said. “I’m improving by constantly working on my game and expanding my game from the post to the wing which I think will benefit me in the Catholic League.”

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Country

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

Family Portrait Get Out and Play Out & About Q Puzzle Scene in Philly

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Crooner

Chely Wright to share stories, songs in New Hope

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor Country singer/songwriter Chely Wright came out publicly in 2010 after topping the charts with hits including “Shut Up and Drive” and “Single White Female.” She then made a moving documentary, “Wish Me Away,” about her struggles with coming out, and published her autobiography, “Like Me.” Last year, Wright released her first studio album in six years, “I Am the Rain,” produced by Joe Henry. It’s a fantastic showcase for her voice, which has become stronger, and more confident, perhaps as a result of her coming out.

Wright will perform “Story and Song” at the Rrazz Room in New Hope this weekend. PGN chatted with the performer about her songs, stories and her upcoming show.

PGN: “I Am the Rain” is your first new work since you came out. Can you describe your approach to the album?

CW: This record is leaps and bounds from what I’ve done before. Joe Henry’s process is very different from how I make records, which is go in, track it and do vocals. Joe records music in the immediacy and the urgency of the moment. The players and artist know they have to bring their A-game. It’s terrifying to know that if the band got their take, that’s your record.

It’s sobering. You hear about people in car wrecks lifting the car off their child with superhuman strength; I liken that to working with Joe. Maybe it’s adrenaline, or fear of every musical dream bubbling up and crawling out of your throat. I could find 100 vocal mistakes on this record that I couldn’t on my others, but they set off the other great moments vocally. They shine a light on the moment. When you listen to a record Joe Henry makes, the throughline is that he’s trying to reflect a musical moment, a snapshot of humanity.

PGN: “Inside,” the opening track on “I Am the Rain,” is a beautiful, confident, inspirational song. Can you talk about your inspiration for writing it?

CW: I wrote it as a lullaby to myself. I wrote it at a time when you feel either really big in the world or crushed by your smallness. I was terrified being the speck of dust in the world. I was trying to find that bigness … I hope you hear confidence, but also the emotional vulnerability.

I think for the first time in my life I made a record that possesses all of that, and holds up the strength and vulnerability and yearning and some intrigue.

PGN: Can you talk about two “story” songs: Bob Dylan’s “Tomorrow is a Long Time,” which is a love song, and “Mexico,” a wonderful ditty about a

straight truck-stop waitress?

CW: Joe Henry asked if I would be open to doing a cover. [Dylan’s] recording was much different than mine. It’s not a samesex love song; it was me interpreting a Bob Dylan song and not changing the pronoun, because, well, who’s gayer than me? I can leave the lyric the way it is. It’s about the song first. With “Mexico,” I’m looking at this waitress in a truck stop. Truck stops are magical places: You can buy an engagement ring, a pair of roller skates and an Easter basket. I would end up at these diners and just watch these ladies, and they were always the wisest ones in the room.

PGN: Your soulful track, “Pain,” has a lyric about “my own dark little secret.”

Was that cathartic or, pardon the obvious, painful to write?

CW: That one really fell out of the guitar. I wrote it on a guitar that PAGE 24

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

FEATURE PGN

things. The songs that stand the test of time for me come from my observation of the day. I’m a curious person. When I meet someone, it’s not that I’m trying to get a song out of them, but I’m interested in them.

WRIGHT from page 23

belonged to Dolly Parton. I got this guitar Porter Wagoner gave me 25 years ago. I opened it up, tuned it up and if the song is four minutes, it took me four-and-a-half minutes to write it. Was it painful? It was like I was working out in the yard all day mulching and then taking a really great shower. It’s like when you have a pain, and the doctor finally tells you what’s wrong. There’s a huge relief in that. That’s why I felt so cleansed and relieved. The pain and I were having a standoff. I lanced the boil. There was a huge liberation.

PGN: How has your place in the country-music industry changed since you came out?

CW: It’s hard to say. I know what happened when I came out: the nasty mail and the silence in my industry. That, in and of itself, is the litmus test. That was a referendum on the state of country music.

I don’t know that I’m qualified to say how it affected my career. I had my eye on the track artists to be like Roseanne Cash, who parlayed commercial success into Americana. It wasn’t that I tried to stay in country music when I came out. I didn’t try to release a single when I came out.

It’s less quiet about gay issues in country music now. I hold that into the light. I may have been a little part of that, and I like that. I know the gumption it took. I had to dig for it a long time. I’m proud of the way I came out.

PGN: What music do you like to listen to?

CW: Well, I don’t think that people would be surprised to learn I love bluegrass. I like a little of everything. I go into phases. I listen to bluegrass and rock on Etta James. Music is intriguing to me.

When I go to the Middle East, the tones you hear in the middle of the morning are very different, and they hypnotize me. It’s spiritual for me. There are parts of that music I don’t understand.

PGN: What is your process for finding a song and finding the way to perform it?

CW: I think life is the creative process.

For me, early on when I was a songwriter, I would pop into the office of legendary songwriters and try to extract secrets of their process. What I learned

is living is the process: getting married, getting divorced, losing a child, getting arrested, etc. — paying attention and marking the process. Look at the songs that are your favorite, or that shape your musical taste. They are the soundtrack of your life, and they are about everyday

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PGN: What can audiences expect from seeing you perform?

CW: We’re calling the tour “Story and Song” because people love stories. The older I get, the more settled into my body of work I am. People are not coming to hear me be Adele; they are coming to hear me take them on a ride. It’s been fun to tell stories I haven’t told before — things like Dolly’s guitar. That’s what I’ll do. I’ll sing songs and tell how they happened. n Chely Wright will perform 8 p.m. July 28 at the Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope. For more information, visit www.chely.com.

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS PGN

Chinese culture comes out of the closet in new doc

By Gary M. Kramer PGN Contributor The Lightbox Film Center (formerly International House) is offering viewers a peek “Inside the Chinese Closet” later this month.

This interesting documentary, directed

by Sophia Luvara, profiles two queer subjects, Andy and Cherry, in Shanghai. The film is not an exposé, nor it is comprehensive; Luvara is focusing on the pressures Andy and Cherry (and by extension, other queer people like them) face regarding getting married and having children.

There are a few brief scenes of Cherry dining out with her friends, or Andy at clubs or in a karaoke bar, that show them forming their own “families” in the LGBT community. However, most of the film depicts the issues of Andy and Cherry creating fake families for the sake of their parents.

Andy, an architect, identifies as a bear.

His father knows Andy is gay, but he is pressuring his son to get married to a lesbian and have children. “You should take care of this thing,” dad tells his son over the phone in the film’s opening scenes.

Andy feels obligated to fulfill his father’s wishes even though he understands the fake marriage and real kid is “for show.” “Inside the Chinese Closet” depicts Andy’s efforts to attend a fake marriage market — a fascinating, too-short sequence — in the hopes of befriending a lesbian who will help him achieve this goal. A subsequent date with a woman who may be a prospective bride and mother has them negotiating expectations of Andy’s parents, childcare and even the baby’s surname.

Such scenes reveal the complexity of legal, cultural and social issues that are entangled in fake marriage arrangements.

Andy, who is quite affable in his interviews with the filmmaker, seems to be struggling under the burden of pleasing his family. While it is mostly implied, in his efforts to make his father happy, Andy is sacrificing his own happiness. This is a powerful message, albeit obliquely told.

The film’s other subject, Cherry, is a lesbian who is being pressured to adopt a child. She is already “fake married,” and trying to get divorced so she can have sole custody rights to her child when she does adopt. A baby is important, as her parents explain that they had Cherry so she will take care of them as they age; they want her to have a child so someone will care for their daughter in her dotage. Her family is looking at hospitals and costs for adoption, while Cherry is concerned mostly about the baby’s health. There are also discussions about what gender baby to adopt, given that “having a girl is OK now; before it wasn’t.” This sign of how

attitudes have changed in China gives hope that homosexuality will also be more accepted over time.

Cherry may be confident in the big city where she lives, dining out with friends and negotiating a kiss from her girlfriend on a date in a café. (The scene is nicely shot in silhouette, which adds to the taboo of same-sex affection in public.)

However, when she returns to her parents’ village, Cherry recounts how difficult her life has been in the village. Her first girlfriend got her expelled from school. Her

Theater & Arts Around the World in 80 Days Hedgerow Theatre presents the global adventure story through Aug. 13, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; 610-5654211.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer The action-horror film is screened 8 p.m. July 24 at The Trocadero Theater, 1003 Arch St.; 215922-6888.

Chris Franjola The comedian seen on “Chelsea Lately” performs July 27-29 at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St.; 215606-6555.

close-minded village neighbors, who are not open to change, continue to express concern to Cherry’s parents that their daughter may be married, but she is childless. Cherry’s traditional father is not aware of his daughter’s sexuality, although her mother is. There is a sense that children must protect their parents from the truth; parents cannot deal well with gay children.

As such, one of the key points of Luvara’s film is that when the kids come out of the closet, parents “go into the closet,” meaning that the families must protect their reputations since homosexuality is not widely accepted in China. This is a key point that could have been developed further. The stigma towards LGBT people in China is indirectly addressed, but palpable nonetheless.

Luvara also features a few scenes that touch on LGBT issues in China without exploring them in much depth. One sequence has a psychiatrist counseling a woman who is hoping to like men again; another scene has a mother talking about getting a new member in a gay parent-support group; a few subjects in the film discuss HIV, which they say comes up in LGBT Google searches.

While “Inside the Chinese Closet” raises these issues, it also raises many questions, which makes it somewhat unsatisfying.

Luvara obviously has compassion for her subjects, but this slight film seems to only scratch the surface of the pressures lesbians and gay men face in China. n See “Inside the Chinese Closet” 7 p.m. July 27 at Lightbox Film Center, 3701 Chestnut St.

Christopher Titus The comedian performs July 27-29 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.

Guys and Dolls Bucks County Playhouse presents the legendary musical through Aug. 12, 70 S. Main St., New Hope; 215-862-2121.

Grease Camden County College presents the beloved musical set in the 1950s July 22-29 at Dennis Flyer Memorial Theatre, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, N.J.; 855-936-2467.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The fantasy film is screened, with a live score performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. July 28 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215546-7900.

Jurassic Park in Concert The blockbuster film is screened with a live score performed by a symphony orchestra, 7:30 p.m. July 22 at The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215546-7900.

Philadelphia Assembled Initiated by artist Jeanne van Heeswijk, together with hundreds of collaborators from across the city, the project explores Philadelphia’s changing landscape and tells a story of radical community building and active resistance, through July 31 at Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

Transparency The LGBT glassart exhibition runs through Aug. 6 at National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.; 215925-2800.

Wicked The Broadway musical based on the popular book set in the land of Oz returns July 26-Aug. 27 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-8931999.

Wild: Michael Nichols Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the work of the legendary photographer, artist, technical innovator and ardent advocate for preserving natural habitats through Sept. 17, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

MORE THAN A BAD REPUTATION: Head over to Jersey early as Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famers Joan Jett & The Blackhearts rock the house, opening for classic rockers Boston 7:30 p.m. July 27 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-3651300.

Witness: Reality and Imagination in the Prints of Francisco Goya Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works by the artist who witnessed decades of political turmoil and social upheaval as court painter to four successive rulers of Spain, through Sept. 6, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-7638100.

The Woodmere Annual: 76th Juried Exhibition An exhibition featuring works in a wide variety of media from regional artists through Sept.

4 at the Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave.; 215-247-0476.

Music 311 The rock band performs 7 p.m.

July 21 at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, 601 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-922-1011.

The Doobie Brothers & Chicago The classic-rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. July 21 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609365-1300.

One Republic The pop band performs 7 p.m.

July 22 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.

John Legend The soul singer performs 8 p.m.

July 24 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.

Toad the Wet Sprocket The alternativerock band performs 8 p.m. July 26 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PGN LISTINGS

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

27

The LGBT history of ComedySportz Philadelphia

By A.D. Amorosi PGN Contributor

DAYS GONE ‘MY’: Pop/rock band One Republic revs up this summer in support of its latest album “Oh My My,” as part of the Honda Civic Tour, 7 p.m. July 22 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J. For more information or tickets, call 609-365-1300.

Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.

Korn and Stone Sour The hard-rock bands perform 5 p.m. July 26 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.

LFO The pop band performs 8 p.m. July 26 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215625-3681.

Boston and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts The rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. July 27 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.

Seether The hard-rock band performs

7:30 p.m. July 27 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215625-3681.

Wilco The jam-rock band performs 6 p.m. July 28 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.

Chely Wright The country-music artist performs 7:30 p.m. July 28 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-5961027.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and The Pietasters The ska/rock bands perform 8:30 p.m. July 28 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215232-2100.

Notices Send notices at least one week in advance to: Out & About Listings, PGN, 505 S. Fourth St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 fax: 215-925-6437; or e-mail: listings@epgn.com.

Notices cannot be taken over the phone.

Nightlife Bev’s Bitchfest with Delta Work The long-running drag-comedy show returns 9 p.m. July 22 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675.

Bears of Summer Happy Bear joins the Boys of Summer swimsuit party 5-9 p.m. July 28 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St.; 215-9649675.

Gear of Summer The Boys of Summer hit the leather scene 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at The Bike Stop, 206 S. Quince St.; 215627-1662.

Outta Town Kathy Babe Robinson “Both Sides Now: My Piano Bar/ Cabaret Life” The cabaret singer performs 8 p.m.

July 21 at The Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888596-1027.

Jeff Dunham The comedian performs July 2223 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.

Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling The comedian performs 7:30 p.m.

July 22 at The Rrazz Room, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-5961027.

Reservoir Dogs The gangster film is screened 9:30 p.m. July 22 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610917-1228.

The Villain The sendup of Hollywood Westerns is screened 2 p.m. July 23 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228.

Hackers The cyber-thriller film is screened 9:45 p.m. July 28 at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-1228. n

Locals who love to laugh have been in a longtime embrace with ComedySportz Philadelphia, the competitive improvisational sketch-comedy troupe based on Sansom Street. The troupe celebrates its 25th birthday this weekend with two anniversary performances at the Mandell Theater at Drexel University.

The rules of attraction and interaction (there’s nothing but interactivity with the audience) for CSz are: two teams playing rounds of improv games, based on shifting topcis, battling for the audience’s approval, with a referee timing and calling fouls and an announcer providing color commentary.

The audience then acts as judge and juror, often winding up as part of the staged action.

While star-studded CSz alumni include Jennifer Childs (founder of 1812 Productions), Scott Greer (Barrymore Award-winning actor) and Thomas Fowler (“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”), for PGN’s purposes, there are a handful of LGBT-related players such as Brian McCann (joined 1997), Jessie Preisendorfer (1998), Kelly Jennings (1992) and Dan Rich (2013), who have been part of the troupe’s history and founder Don Monterey’s vision.

PGN: Where were you living when you first got to CSz, and what sort of comedy were you known for?

BM: I was living in Wilmington when I first auditioned — a horrible one as I just didn’t know what I was doing. I choked so badly. Consequently, I did not get into CSz. Two years later, I moved to Philadelphia, saw they were having auditions again and really wanted to go in just to prove to myself that I could have a better audition — and I did. I was accepted.

I was an actor at the time and doing a lot of comedic shows but aside from “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” I had very little experience with short-form improv.

JP: I was and still am living in Delaware County. I wasn’t doing comedy at the time I auditioned. But I attended one show, signed up for classes, took the beginner class and I was hooked. They did clean, smart comedy and I became quite addicted.

KJ: I graduated from the drama department at Syracuse University and, after a summer-stock gig in Massachusetts fell through, I returned to Philadelphia to work as a resident company member of Hedgerow Theatre. When my contract was up there, I started auditioning. I never viewed myself as a comedian and I hadn’t done any improv work except as an acting tool before auditioning for Comedy Sportz.

It was the most fun, unusual audition I had done but I was certain I wasn’t going to be cast. I was a “classical actor.” I didn’t “do” comedy, and I had seen really poorly performed comedy improv in college and

I knew that improv wasn’t for me. The evening after my audition, I received a call stating I was cast. I thought I’d be found out after a few weeks; they’ll see they made a big mistake.

PGN: What is your comic signature, and how do you think you added to the troupe?

BM: I hate to pigeonhole myself as a player but I guess I would best be known for playing the pedantic, arrogant buffoon.

Comedy is math.

KJ: No one pressured me to be someone or something I wasn’t, in terms of being a certain “type” of comedian. I drew on all my professional acting training to play characters and the deadpan “straight-man” characters. And, of course, I love when I have the opportunity to play improvised Shakespeare.

PGN: Did everyone in the troupe know you were LGBT? How does your personal life play into CSz? JP: I thought I was pretty much out when I got into the group; turns out, I was not.

There was an email survey floating through the group and when I answered, I got a couple replies telling me I was brave. I didn’t feel brave, but I still think it’s funny that I came out by doing a jokey survey.

BM: I didn’t hide the fact but I didn’t make an announcement either. There was a company member that I was attracted to and I didn’t want to scare him off, so I may not have been as forthcoming as I might have been. I don’t know how much of my personal life I bring on stage aside from it being me up there with my world view.

I know, however, that I bring the skills I learned at ComedySportz into my regular day-to-day life. I listen more intently to others. I’m able to think on my feet, which is something I was not very good at before.

And I think I’m just more fun at parties.

KJ: I didn’t know anyone coming into the company so I can’t say what they “knew” or didn’t know. I have always been out. As far as I know, I was the only openly gay cast member at CSz for the first few years.

As far as how I bring my personal life into CSz, this is an interesting question. It is one that some of the gay players in CSz Worldwide have been discussing privately.

For myself, while I would very much like to play a character more like myself, I don’t think it would be received without some discomfort, so I don’t tend to deliberately choose to play a gay character. I also have concerns about audiences expecting a stereotype or non-gay players portraying a stereotype. Others may feel differently; perhaps I reflect more of an attitude from the early ’90s than early 21st century. n ComedySportz celebrates its 25th anniversary with shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. July 22 at Mandell Theater at Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut St. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for students, seniors and military with a valid ID. Tickets and more information are available at www.comedysportzphilly.com.

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

SPORTS PGN

Get Out and Play

Scott A. Drake

Union of soccer and Pride kicks off Pride nights by professional sports organizations are becoming more common as the seasons go by. The Philadelphia Union aims to score with its LGBT soccer fans with its first Pride night July 26, for a matchup against the Columbus Crew SC at Talen Energy Field. The first official Philadelphia Union Pride Night, presented by the Pennsylvania Lottery, sprang up quickly this season, but there is plenty for the inaugural year to make LGBT fans feel welcome.

Union sales rep TJ Smink and fan-service rep Alyssa Gentile told PGN that fans can get in on the fun before the game even starts, with a pre-game celebration at the Toyota Plaza that includes live music with DJ Jovi Baby and representatives from Youth Valley House and You Can Play Project, the beneficiaries for the night.

Inside, there will be recognition on-field for Patrick Cahill, the board of governors chair for Valley Youth House who leads the #CouchesDontCount program, which highlights the plight of youth who may, on any given night, be couch-surfing because they have no permanent home.

The national anthem will get star treatment as well during the pre-game ceremonies, performed by singer/songwriter Gretchen Schultz, who has performed at Philly Pride, New Hope Pride and at the inaugural Chester County Pride Fest last year.

Expect to see rainbow flags, rainbow nets and, courtesy of Sons of Ben, a rainbow smoke display. (For the uninitiated, the Sons of Ben take up most of the end zone and were instrumental in getting a professional soccer team in Philadelphia.)

If that’s not enough rainbow for you, there will be a variety of Pride-themed gear like shirts and scarves with the Union logo available at a special price.

Groups of 10 or more can get special rates and should email either agentile@ philadelphiaunion.com or tsmink@philadelphiaunion.com. See you there!

Fielding their second official Pride Night, the Philadelphia Phillies proudly host an old-fashioned double-header against the Florida Marlins Aug. 22.

The 4:05 p.m. game is a make-up from a

rain-cancelled one earlier in the year, with the official Pride game commencing at 7:35 p.m. or thereabouts, depending upon the earlier game. Extra innings means extra waiting.

The evening game is the official Pride Night game, but your ticket will get you into both. It will make for a long day, but an experience not many people get to have. It’s a pretty rare two-for-one ticket price that cannot be ignored!

This year’s giveaway is a pair of rainbow socks with the Phillies “P” logo on them.

They are free for the first 1,000 tickets purchased with the special code PRIDE. Go to the Phillies’ Facebook events page and scroll to Aug. 22 for more information and the link to order tickets.

And in the meantime, get out and play!

Short stops • A salute to the more-than 100 Stonewallers and friends who headed to the nation’s capital for the annual summer tournament July 14-16. Kudos especially to sand volleyball second-place performers Sets on the Beach and the fourth place Rough Sets. Betsy Ross’ Speed Balls took fifth in the dodgeball competition. For information on Stonewall PHL and its new bowling league this fall, head to stonewallphilly. org.

• This weekend you can head up to the Youth Legacy Tennis and Education Center at 4842 Ridge Ave. to catch a few games, sets and matches during the Philadelphia Open, hosted by our very own Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association. Exact dates and times can be found at philadelphialibertytennis.org/ philly-open.

• Reminder that a representative from Gay Games XI will be kicking off the citywide registration for next year’s competitions. The evening includes giveaways, specials and more from 6-9 p.m. July 27 at Boxers. n Scott A. Drake was the 2015 Sigma Delta Chi national winner for best sports photo and the 2017 Professional Keystone Press Awards winner for best sports column in a weekly paper. If you have a person or event you think should be highlighted, email scott@epgn.com.

PROFILE PGN

Family Portrait

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

29

Suzi Nash

Manjot Singh Khalsa (aka Rik Fire): Finding higher-level health and happiness This week’s Portrait is a man of many skills. A master’s-level, licensed clinical independent social worker with a private practice in Bucks County, he also has a healing center in Asbury Park, N.J. Manjot Singh Khalsa is also an ordained interfaith minister, Reiki master, advanced Shamanic practitioner and Kundalini yoga and meditation teacher, as well as a member of NASW, ISSTD, WPATH and ACFE. I don’t even know what they mean, but they sound good.

PGN: I’m a little groggy because some crazy person called me at 5:45 this morning about our interview. [Laughs] You’re lucky we’re not meeting in person or I’d pull your beard!

MSK: Text! It was a text. So sorry. I was finished Sadhana and didn’t think it would bother you.

PGN: What is Sadhana?

MSK: The start of the day is during the ambrosial hours; those are the hours usually around 3 or 4 a.m. when the rest of the world is quiet. As Sikhs, we believe it’s a perfect time for a connection between ourselves and the divine. There’s a series of morning prayers and then a yoga portion and then Aquarian chants, which are meditative mantras. In Kundalini yoga, we believe that it is the best way to start a day and that a regular Sadhana practice will create a huge shift in your life.

PGN: Wow, and you do all that every day!

MSK: Yeah, the belief is that we should give 10 percent of everything to God, including our time. So if we give the first two-and-a-half hours of the day to God, the rest of the day is ours to do with what we will. Just like we believe in dasvandh, which in other religious traditions is called tithing. We too believe that 10 percent should be given to God and the Dharma or the Sikhs.

PGN: Give me a little about your background, your life before you were getting up at 3 a.m. Was the family conservative, liberal?

MSK: I was raised in Bucks County in a fairly conservative family and community.

Probably the most liberal thing my parents ever did was to put an Obama sign in their front yard when my wife, our son and I were campaigning for him. I was surprised to find out they were pro-Obama.

PGN: What were some of your favorite activities as a kid?

MSK: I was heavily involved in Girl Scouts. I liked camping, racing canoes and bicycles. We traveled a lot; we went to Europe and Mexico. I was semi-athletic, so I was on the softball team and in a bowling league. And I’ve always been clear since an early age that I was put here to serve others.

PGN: What faith were you raised in?

MSK: That’s a good question. Loosely Catholic — church on high holidays only — and then my mother married a Lutheran and we went to his church on Saturdays for German school to learn the language.

It was a very informal, quasi-religious upbringing. When I was a teenager, I did my own religious exploration, volunteering at local vacation Bible schools and various Christian churches, visiting synagogues with friends, etc. Then from about 18 on, I more seriously investigated a myriad of religious traditions and in 2004 I was ordained as an interfaith minister. I then found my way to Sikhism through Kundalini yoga and meditation. It’s a form of yoga based on Sikh teachings. It was started by Yogi Bhajan, who brought it to the West. There’s a lot of good information about it at 3HO. org. The 3 Hs stand for healthy, happy, holy.

PGN: What was the family’s reaction to your spiritual quest?

MSK: My mother died of a heart attack 11 days before my 40th birthday and I had not converted to Sikhism at that point. My spiritual meanderings weren’t a problem; she believed in God but since she didn’t attend a specific church, she never verbalized anything about it. Her husband never verbalized much about anything but a poignant moment was at my mother’s funeral when I delivered the eulogy in the Catholic Church where I was baptized and she received Confirmation and was married. Catholic priests usually do not share their pulpits, but lo and behold, I was allowed to co-officiate the Mass. It was pretty radical for them.

trauma and dissociative-identity disorder and holistic healing. I work with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, anger management and relationship issues. I work with couples and families to assist in developing healthy, happy, functioning relationships. We focus on body, mind, spirit.

PGN: Why were you doing so much soul searching as a teen?

MSK: I think I always felt connected to spirit, to the unseen, to the divine. Since I didn’t have structure to find that at home, I felt pulled to discover it myself.

PGN: I read that you described yourself as being pretty femme before transitioning.

MSK: It’s interesting: When I was very young I was more of a tomboy or perhaps gender-queer but it didn’t last long. I was active after that, but with a girlish exterior and then later I became very high-femme for quite some time!

PGN: When did you begin to explore your

PGN: Where did you go for higher ed?

MSK: I went to Temple for undergraduate and graduate school. I planned to major in English and go to law school but then I was in a serious car accident and almost died. It really made me rethink things and I decided I wanted to go back to being of service and got my master’s in clinical social work and social administration. I ran nonprofit programs for many years. I ran a program for seniors, I started the first youth shelter in Philadelphia and I ran a managed-care program among other things. Now I’m doing doctorate work in nutrition and natural health and hygiene.

PGN: Tell me a little of what you do.

MSK: I’m a licensed clinical social worker and I’ve been in private practice since 1996.

I have a healing center in Bucks County and one in Asbury Park, N.J. I work now primarily as a psychotherapist and currently I have about 80 active clients. In addition to the psychotherapy, we offer the modalities such as life coaching, yoga, meditation, Shamanic healing, energy work. We also offer retreats and fasting programs. My areas of specialization include sexual and gender identity,

authentic self?

MSK: I identified first as a straight female, then as a bisexual female, then a lesbian, then two-spirit, queer and now, even though I’m in a monogamous heterosexual marriage to a female, we both identify as queer.

PGN: You just wanted to claim the whole alphabet.

MSK: Clearly! And I’ve ended up male-identified but maintaining a queer identity.

PGN: What were some of the high and low points of your journey?

MSK: Not necessarily a low point, but I transitioned without telling my family.

I’ve always had primary physical custody of our son, but during the custody battle, the trans matter became an issue. I had to really fight. My son is 22 and next month I’ll finally be finished paying for the legal expenses incurred. Speaking of transitioning, can you hang on while I move inside?

[After a moment] Sorry, my garage tenant drove up. He does not know that I’m a trans man. He’s a very nice guy and mows our lawn and rents the garage, but he does have a Trump sticker on his truck. I wouldn’t lie if asked, but I’d rather avoid the conversation if it’s not necessary. [Laughs] He was freaked out enough thinking that I’m Muslim.

PGN: Do you mind if I keep that in?

MSK: Include it all! Maybe I’ll leave the column in the driveway for him. Back to low points, I’d say that in-between time when the identification didn’t match the physiology, trying to figure out what to do at work. There was a house fire that wasn’t related to me being trans, but it happened at the same time as me transitioning, which added another challenge. High points: everything I do now because I’m always being authentic to myself. In Sikhism, we greet each other and depart by saying, “Sat naam.” “Sat” means “truth” and “naam” means “name.” Truth is the name. It’s an edict that I live by.

PGN: How does Sikhism fare on LGBT issues?

MSK: That’s a good question. Western Sikhism is very inclusive. We just had a gathering in New Mexico to celebrate Summer Solstice and I was a part of the LGBTQ Rainbow group there. We were working on educating the larger community of Sikhs on LGBTQ issues. Those of us who have received Amrit, or baptism, are known as Khalsa, “the pure ones,” and we will be presenting a video to the Khalsa’s council. It will say, “Here we are, your siblings of destiny.” It’s only been recently that there’s been consideration for same-sex marriages so we’re trying to expand from there. In Eastern Sikhism, Punjab Sikhism, they’re much more conservative. An interesting thing is that in Kundalini yoga, the instructors must take PAGE 30

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PORTRAIT from page 29

the oath each session, “I am not a man, I am not a woman, I am not a person, I am not myself, I am a teacher.”

PGN: As an American Sikh, do you worry about appropriation?

MSK: No, because nothing is being appropriated. Yogi Bhajan came from India to oversee Sikhism in the West. I went before a council to receive Amrit and have to live by particular guidelines, to live by a particular Dharma. I can’t leave my house with my head uncovered, I can never cut my hair, I have to wear particular ornaments, I have to wear a certain type of underwear, I cannot have sex outside of marriage, I can never drink alcohol or do drugs, I can never eat meat or eggs.

It’s a true commitment. It’s not something you just try on. Anyone who is called is believed to have had the destination written on their foreheads. Whether you’re pink, purple or something in between, Guru gave the dictate that if it calls you, you go. It’s a beautiful blessing.

PGN: I thought that Mormons are the only ones with special underwear.

MSK: Nope! And it’s interesting, many Indians, or Punjab, assume that I’m Indian but light-skinned.

PGN: Tell me about your immediate family.

MSK: My wife’s from Sweden; we’ve been together since 2004, married in 2006. We have a 22-year-old son who’s just finishing up at Drexel and is doing a co-op at a recording studio here in Asbury.

So he’ll officially graduate in September, and we have a 2-and-a-half-year-old.

It’s quite a gap, but we do what we’re instructed to do by God and He spoke to my wife and said that she needed to have a baby. So we chose a known donor and made it happen. She actually met the spirit of that child before it was born and the child gave her the information about why it needed to come through at this time, and gave us its name! It’s funny, the midwife told us to be prepared because it could be a difficult conception and birth and we said, “No, it’ll be fine because we’re doing what we were guided to do.”

My wife’s never been pregnant before but it took only one insemination and nine months later the baby was here.

PGN: [Laughs] You didn’t say, “Hey big guy, couldn’t you have thought of this 15 years ago?”

MSK: Yeah! But you gotta do what you gotta do. It wasn’t part of our plan, but I’m so grateful and blessed. My daughter is everything.

PGN: What are some of your curricular activities?

MSK: We travel all the time; sometimes it feels like we’re gone more than we’re here. We live eight blocks from the beach so we’re there all the time too. I love to do yoga and meditation even when I’m

PROFILE PGN

not teaching — any activities that raise my vibration. I’ve been engaged in a lot of self-care recently and actually lost 70 pounds in the last two years.

PGN: How would your wife describe you?

MSK: Oh! Hmmm … Driven, committed, spiritual. Someone who can manifest whatever we desire guided by God, and an awesome parent.

PGN: If there was a holiday in your honor, what would it celebrate?

MSK: Courage.

PGN: Genre of music people would be surprised that you listen to?

MSK: Well, my son’s a hip-hop artist and producer, so while I’m not well-versed in the field, he’ll play his music for me and ask for feedback. Particularly if there are themes about social justice in the lyrics.

PGN: What’s next for you?

MSK: We’re leaving the country next year. We made the decision before the elections to move out of the country but the current political situation makes it even easier. Why would we continue to subject ourselves to this climate? Why would we raise a toddler in it? Our children are both children of color — they’re biracial — and I walk around with a turban and people assume I’m a follower of Islam. In Asbury Park, it’s not a problem; we’re very diverse — economically, socially and racially. There’s a mosque right on my corner and rainbow flags everywhere. In fact, we were just rated the “number-one coolest small town in America.” But outside of here, who knows?

PGN: Three people you’d love to see in your meditation class?

MSK: If they don’t have to be living …

Yogi Bhajan, Guru Ram Das and Guru Nanak. I’d love to sit in meditation with them.

PGN: [Laughs] Not Trump? I’d think he could use it most of all.

MSK: Ya know, as yogis and in Sikhism, we’ve been preparing for these times. We believe we’re in the Aquarian age and everything is unfolding as has been told it will. Everything is in due order, all things come from God, all things go to God and the arc will bend towards the light and the higher vibrations. All things will play out as it has been foretold.

PGN: So we’re going to be OK? MSK: Well, some will be, some won’t be.

Some will perceive that they are and some will think that they’re not. There’s always a dual — make that multi — sphere of realities. We shall all see where we land. n

To suggest a community member for Family Portrait, email portraits05@aol. com.

Q Puzzle Hell of a Choice Across

1. Opponent of Caesar 5. Position in Bernstein’s orchestra 10. Deep pink 14. “Exotica” director Egoyan 15. Like bell-bottom jeans 16. Jannings of old films 17. Petty of “Orange Is the New Black” 18. Patronize, as a Star Canyon restaurant 19. Cucumber wasted on a hamburger?

20. Portrayer of Bennett, the onetime companion of 38-Across 23. Butts 24. Prefix with European 25. Hit from “Cats” 28. S&M namesake 32. Cockamamie 33. With 38-Across, movie about a gay activist who became an anti-gay minister 36. Norse race 37. Unknown degree 38. See 33-Across 41. “Get thee ___ nunnery” 42. Renege, slan-

gily, with “out” 44. Takano and Baldwin hold them 45. Sea eagles 46. Amelia recently in the news 48. Initial phase 50. Greek city of tough guys 51. Pulled on a stallion’s strap 52. Portrayer of 38-Across 56. Favorite holiday ending 58. Rest atop 59. Stone of “Easy A” 62. Masseuse’s target 63. It dangles on a private 64. Songwriter Holly 65. Give some lip 66. Rendezvous request 67. Greek love

Down

1. James Dean’s “East of Eden” role 2. The whole shebang 3. Scroll at Beth Chayim Chadashim 4. “O” of Sapho 5. Smooth 6. Enjoys phone sex 7. Firm member (abbr.)

8. Baghdad resident 9. Equatorially ample 10. Clown acces-

sory for Cam Tucker 11. Cut 12. Hole entered by a Minuteman 13. Allen-wrench shape 21. Place for women who live together 22. Rupert Everett’s “An ___ Husband” 25. Chops finely 26. Lure into wrongdoing 27. Big Indians 29. One who looks at Uranus 30. “I Say a Little Prayer” singer Warwick 31. Used rubbers 33. Thespian rapper 34. “So, it’s YOU!” 35. Sweaty guys get pinned to them

39. A guy named Sharon and others 40. Queer online?

43. “Lesbians Ignite” and such 45. Androgynous 47. It swallows plastic and spits cash 49. Fabric suffix 53. “West ___ Story” 54. Lavish party 55. Knock around 56. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” to Mick Jagger 57. Zenith rival 60. Noted Warhol subject 61. Pirate interjections

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

Food and Drink Directory

Eating Out Should Be Fun! Read PGN’s food reviews every second and fourth week of the month

- and check out our archive of past reviews on epgn.com.

1846 South 12th Street at the Corner of 12th & Mifflin

(215) 551-7111

Catering Available - Delivery All Night Long

www.KeyPizzaOnline.com “Serving your Philadelphia neighborhood a variety of fresh quality food since 1989”

The Center City IHOP located at 1320 Walnut St. is now open 24 Hrs on FRIDAY and SATURDAY

THANKS FOR MAKING IT A IHOP DAY

Want to try new dining options?

Try Food and Drink Directories in PGN.

FOR ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

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Wedding Services Directory

Spring Hollow Golf Club A venue as unique as you!

3350 Schuylkill Road (Route 724) Spring City, PA 19475

610-948-5566

www.springhollowgolf.com www.facebook.com/SpringHollowGolfClub www.facebook.com/spring.hollow

Wedding Services Directory Ads in PGN. For Wedding Services designed with you in mind.

800 Lombard Street Washington Square West Philadephia. PA 19147

Cedrone’s Flowers Any Occasion. Every Day

FOR ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501

PH: 215.629.9858 CELL: 215.990.7812

www.cedronesflowers.com

Wedding Services Directory Ads in PGN. For Wedding Services designed with you in mind.

Private Affairs

Wedding Planner • Party Planner Event Lighting • Lounge Furniture & Décor

Landis Osborne MrLandis@aol.com

215-518-4448

like us on

FOR ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT YOUR PGN AD REP AT (215) 625-8501

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Classifieds All real-estate advertising is subject to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended.

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). PGN will not knowingly accept any real-estate advertising that is in violation of any applicable law.

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

Real Estate Sale PGN does not accept advertising that is unlawful, false, misleading, harmful, threatening, abusive, invasive of another’s privacy, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful or racially or otherwise objectionable, including without limitation material of any kind or nature that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, provincial, national or international law or regulation, or encourage the use of controlled substances.

VENTNOR, NJ House for sale in Ventnor NJ. 2 story 5 bedroom house, needs some repairs. Priced right. Call 215 468 9166. ________________________________________41-39 Real Estate Auction. 7/22/17 @10am, 89 Lambert Street, Pittston, PA 1500SQFT Single Family, 3BR/1BA, Garage, Updates Throughout. Minimum Bid $15,000. Terms/pics at cowley1.com 570-499-8883 AU002923L ________________________________________41-28

Body U

Megan Nino

Real Estate Rent BELLEFONTE, DE 1001 Brandywine Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19809 3rd floor 1 Bedroom, Den, Livingroom, Dining area, Kitchen w/ dishwasher, bathroom. New Windows, Hardwood Floors. $800 a month, one month security deposit, no pets, Heat and hot water included. Access to large yard, on street parking. Dart Bus stop out front of building.

Small Shops and local restaurants nearby. Call or Text Mark at 302-383-1841. ________________________________________41-29

Vacation/Seasonal Rent OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Resort Services.

1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com ________________________________________41-29

Help Wanted

pgn Philadelphia Gay News LGBT NEWS SINCE 1976

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • PROFESSIONALISM

Adonis cinema needs cashier/ cleaner. 3rd shift. part time fornow. Call 215-557-9319. ________________________________________41-32

For Sale SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 – MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill – Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N. ________________________________________41-29 Dish Network-Satellite Television Services. Now Over 190 channels for ONLY $49.99/mo! HBO-FREE for one year. FREE Installation, FREE Streaming, FREE HD. Add Internet for $14.95 a month. 1-800-758-5070. ________________________________________41-29

Looking to get in shape, shed a few pounds or just prioritize self-care? Body U answers your exercise questions to help you be your best you.

Services AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING Get FAA certification to fix planes. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance.

CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 877-207-0345. ________________________________________41-29

Adoption Happily married couple wish newborn. Will shower your baby with warmth, love and security. Expenses Paid. Call/ Text Penny and Eric anytime 262-PE-ADOPT. ________________________________________41-29 Happily married couple will provide infant loving home and future filled with laughter, joy, and financial security.

Expenses paid. Call/text Lauren and David: 917-714-0680. ________________________________________41-29 CONSIDERING ADOPTION? A joyful home filled with endless love and secure future awaits your baby. Expenses Paid. Call Diane toll free (855)790-9311. Text (917)727-8813. www.DianeAdopts. com ________________________________________41-29

Friends Men LOOKING FOR ROMANCE Attractive GWM, warm, sensitive, caring, 48 y.o. with a smooth gymnast build looking for other GWM, 30-50, who is also in good shape. I live in NE Phila. I’m looking for guys who are also sensitive, caring with a fun personality.

If this sounds interesting to you feel free to call me, David, 215-698-0215. ________________________________________41-29 WM, NE Phila. If you’re looking for hot action, call 215-934-5309. No calls after 11 PM. ________________________________________41-32

Only in Online and in print every first Friday.

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PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

ADONIS CINEMA “THE ONLY ALL MALE ADULT THEATER IN THE CITY”

2026 Sansom St (located 3 doors up from Sansom St Gym)

215-557-9319 4 Small Theaters with Video & Dark Room Area

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday - Thursday

7am-6am

(closed an hour for cleaning)

Friday- Sunday:

Open 24hrs

ADMISSION: $12.00

We now accept all major credit cards.

Plenty of New Things Happening at 2020......

“THE SUITES”

• 8 NEW Deluxe Rooms “EVERYTHING is LARGER” • New sound system • New custom Slings • A New Video Room with 6 video booths

WEEKLY SPECIALS:

TUESDAYS & SUNDAYS

Half Price Rooms & Lockers (6am Sunday till 8am Monday, 12am Tuesday till 8am Wednesday) ROOMS: Members: $12.50 and Non-Members: $22.50 LOCKERS: Members: $9.00 and Non-Members: $19.00

MONDAY thru FRIDAY: (8am to 4pm) Business Mans Locker Special 4 hour lockers Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00 WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY NIGHT CRUISE $12 Flat Rate for Locker Admission & Clothing Optional (4pm-12 Midnight)

ALSO DO NOT FORGET P.A.N.G. (Philadelphia Area Nudist Group)

Sunday, June 25th • Time: 3pm- 6pm For More Information On Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/pang

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DELIGHT 4 Hour Lockers (8am - 4pm) Members: $5.00 and Non-Members: $15.00

Check out our website for our WEEKLY SPECIALS & JOIN OUR e-mail List to get the latest information on upcoming events....

www.sansomstreetgym.com

BIGGER, BETTER & MORE ENTERTAINING EVENTS...

PGN

Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

SERVICES & HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECTORY Plumbing • Heating • Air Conditioning • Electrical Contracting •

Family Plumber For All Your Plumbing Needs, No Job Too Small or Too Big

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licensed & insured / / 24-hr. emergency service / / Payment Plans available

Contact us Today for a Consultation and Free Estimate!

LICENSED AND INSURED Philly Lic #18313 • PA. Lic #053919 www.filipponeelectric.com

2i5.533.4066

FLORIO HOME REMODELING Creating Fabulous Homes for Over 25 Years Remodeling Professionals

Customizable Kitchens and Bathrooms, Specialize in all Crown Molding, Install Windows and Hardwood Floors, Demolition and Home Clean Out Assistance Doors, Sheetrock, Electric & Plumbing

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Wake up and smell the coffee, Francine.

PGN directory ads are terrific way to get your message out.

Spend as little as $50 a week when you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Call/Email John Florio:

you run for a minimum of 8 weeks.

Make your voice heard to a target audience with higher than average disposable income.

Carpentry - Kitchen/Bathroom Hardwood Flooring - Windows Doors - Sheetrock - Plumbing Electrical - Cement - Stucco - Painting

We’ll Beat Any Written Estimate Financing Options Available %15 Off when this ad is presented at time of estimate, and always for seniors, military and local or state police and fire employees

NJ office: 8569528197 Philly office: 2157833844

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Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com July 21-27, 2017

PGN