Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. I No. 145

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

January 21, 2011

Philadelphia

Daily Record

Lights Out For This Tree

UNIVERSITY CITY DISTRICT and UC Green combined to chip 275 Christmas trees into mulch in W. Phila., part of a citywide plan to recycle them. See page 5.

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Obama Administration Goes State By State In Campaign To Defend Health Care Reform US Dept. of Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius zoomed in on Pennsylvania today, as part of a concerted plan by the Obama Administration to muster support for the embattled Affordable Care Act, which the Republican-dominated House of Representatives recently voted to repeal. Similar media blitzes are unfolding in other states.

Sebelius announced 216,666 Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania, and three million people nationwide, have received prescription drug cost relief through the Affordable Care Act. To date, three million eligible beneficiaries who fell into the drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” during 2010 have been mailed a one-time, tax-free $250 rebate check.

“For too long, many seniors and people with disabilities have been forced to make impossible choices between paying for needed prescription medication and necessities like food and rent,” said the Secretary. “The Affordable Care Act offers long overdue relief by lowering prescription drug costs each year until the donut hole is THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

closed.”

Eligible beneficiaries who fell into the coverage gap during 2010 are continuing to automatically receive rebate checks. These checks are only the first step in how the Affordable Care Act will reduce prescription-drug costs for beneficiaries in the doughnut hole each year until it is closed in 2020.

Starting this year, eligible beneficiaries in the coverage gap will receive a 50% discount on covered brand name medications while in the doughnut hole. In addition, in 2011 Medicare will begin paying 7% of the price for generic drugs during the coverage gap.

City Flags At Half Staff For Fallen PGW Worker On Tuesday night, Mark Keeley, a first responder with the Philadelphia Gas Works since September 2010, lost his life while responding to a leak in a high-pressure gas main in the Tacony section of Northeast Philadelphia. The gas explosion injured four other PGW first responders and a Philadelphia firefighter.

Mark Keeley joined PGW as a distribution worker after graduating from Cardinal Dougherty HS. His father, Thomas Keeley, has been an employee of PGW as a pipe mechanic for 17 years.

“This explosion was a dreadful ac1 JANUARY, 2011

cident that resulted in the tragic loss of Mark Keeley. His family and friends have my deepest sympathy as they grapple with the loss of a life that was still just beginning. First responders understand they put their lives on the line everyday, but we never expect such a terrible accident to occur,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “I would like to thank all of our city’s first responders, who continue to serve Philadelphia’s citizens even while putting their lives on the line.

Philadelphia has sustained a great loss.”

As a sign of respect, Mayor Nutter has requested that all City flags be lowered to half-staff until after the funeral services for Mark Keeley on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011.

Sen. Kitchen’s Daughter Passes Away

the public her beloved daughter, Veronica R. Kitchen, affectionately known as “Ronnie,” passed away on Monday, Jan. 17.

“My family and I are heartbroken, but we are comforted by the fact that she led a tremendous life and accomplished so much,” Kitchen said. “I am so very proud of her contributions to this world while she was with us. We were all blessed to have her in our lives.”

A dedicated federal employee, Veronica was highly regarded in the financial community.

“She worked very hard throughout her career and often talked about the challenges facing women; in particular, women of color,” Kitchen said. “Although she faced difficult trials at times, she was one never to quit. Veronica was a fighter.”

Sen. Kitchen will create the Veronica R. Kitchen Foundation to help educated women as they journey through the ranks of the business world.

VERONICA KITCHEN

“Oftentimes, we make sure that women have a solid education but they are ill-equipped to deal with the challenges they face while climbing the corporate ladder,” said Kitchen. “Ronnie overcame obstacles and I know she would want other women to succeed, too.

It is with profound sadness that State Sen. Shirley Kitchen informs

Born in Philadelphia and raised in North Philadelphia, she began her

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

storied career in the federal government at the US Mint at the tender age of 19, after her first year of study at Drexel University. Veronica graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Despite suffering a serious illness in her senior year, she graduated from Drexel on time.

She attended the James R. Ludlow ES until 3rd grade, when she was recommended to attend the Julia R. Masterman MS, where she graduated 8th grade. Veronica was also a proud graduate of the Philadelphia HS for Girls.

Veronica also attained a certified public accountant license, and later received certification in government finance management.

Although Philadelphia was her hometown, Veronica accepted a position in the nation’s capitol.

After living in the District of Columbia for a short time, she later moved to Maryland, eventually making the city of Upper Marlboro her home for the last 21 years.

During her 30-year career with the federal government, Veronica served in several prestigious offices, including the Office of Management & Budget, which is responsible for devising and submitting the president’s annual budget proposal to Congress; the White House Accounting Staff for three-and-a-half years under President George W. Bush; and the US Dept. of the Treasury. |

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Veronica rose through the ranks to become a staff accountant with the US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, where she remained until her passing. She received several commendations throughout her career, including an award for outstanding work from former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros.

She also taught fiscal management classes across the country, even as far away as Alaska.

Veronica was an avid reader and enjoyed biographies as well as non-fiction and fiction. She also cherished spending time with her godchildren and taking her godson to the White House Easter Egg Roll. She had the special privilege to sit in the President’s Box for a performance at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. She enjoyed watching her favorite television game show, “Jeopardy!” and was a fervent sports fan, often attending Washington Redskins football games and Washington Wizards basketball games. Veronica was always up on current issues.

Funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers, the Kitchen family kindly asks supporters contribute to the charity of their choice. Cards and letters are welcome.

Mayor Gets National Art Award Mayor Michael A. Nutter received the “2011 Public Leadership in the Arts” Award at an awards ceremony hosted by the US Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts, a national nonprofit organization.

This award is given to public-sector leaders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts. Since 1997, USCM and Americans for the Arts have partnered to present the “Public Leadership in Support of the Arts” award to governors and mayors during the annual USCM Annual Winter Meeting in Washington. D.C. Other awardees at yesterday’s ceremony included 12-time Grammy award winner Herbie Hancock, who received the “2011 Legendary Artist Award” and actress, playwright and author Anna Deavere Smith, recipient of the “2011 National Artist Advocate Award”. From Mar. 18 to Apr. 10, Smith will perform in Let Me Down Easy at the Philadelphia Theatre Co. “Philadelphia’s economic and cultural health is owing to the vibrancy of our local arts and culture sector,” said Nutter. “I believe the local arts sector is a big reason why Philadelphia is a great city to live, visit and work.”

Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer commented, “The arts sector in

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Jan. 21State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown hosts Breakfast Mtg. with seniors at Sarah Allen Sr. Ho., 4035 Parrish St., 9 a.m.-12 m.

Jan. 24Phila. Tea Party Patriots NW meeting at Kendrick Rec Ctr., 5800 block Ridge Ave. by Roxborough Mem. Hosp. at 7 p.m.

Speakers are Commissioner candidate Al Schmidt and 6th Dist.

Council candidate Sandy Stewart. For info Mike Lodise (2115) 487-0118 or Pat Haraburda (215) 482-7991, or teapartynw@comcast.net.

Jan. 24Rally to reelect Mayor Michael Nutter at Metropolitan Carpenters Union, 1812 Spring Garden St., 2nd fl.

Jan. 24— The Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots Northwest host 7 p.m. meeting at Kendrick Recreation Center, On Ridge Avenue beetween Rector and Roxborough avenue.

Jan. 25Traffic Club of Phila.’s annual dinner honors James T. McDermott’s Phila. Regional Port Authority as company of year and Jeffrey L. Sustch, Pres. SMS Rail Lines, as Person of Year at Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Penn’s Landing, 6 p.m. For info www.tcphila.org.

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Philadelphia continues to grow in vibrancy and acclaim even during challenging times. Mayor Nutter has helped bolster our art community’s impact and our city can be proud of his immense dedication.”

In 2008, Nutter signed an executive order creating the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and appointed Steuer to the cabinet-level position of Chief Cultural Officer. The Executive Order also reestablished the Cultural Advisory Council to advise City officials on arts and culture issues. In 2009, through a five-year, $5 million grant program, the PNC Foundation partnered with OACCE to increase public access to arts and culture opportunities while helping local arts organizations to expand.

OACCE partnered with the City’s Dept. of Commerce to fund the creative sector through the Creative Industry Workforce Grants Program.

In 2010, The Art Gallery At City Hall opened to residents and visitors with revolving art exhibitions that were created by local artists and residents. That same year, the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation announced the “Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia”, a threeyear, $9 million initiative support local artists and organizations. The Creative Industry Workforce Grant Program, a joint program established by the US Dept. of Commerce and the Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy, received $500,000 in facility-related grants to eight nonprofit and 20 JANUARY, 2011

for profit creative businesses. The focus of the program was to stimulate the economy and provide lowmoderate income jobs.

Neighbors, Newbold Neighbors, and Lower Moyamensing Civic join forces to chip 450 trees.

In the River Wards, Sustainable

Neighbors Chip In: ‘Treecycling’ Gives New Life To Christmas Past On the weekend of Jan. 8-9, over 1,700 trees were chipped across the city and used at local dog parks, community gardens and parks.

More than 20 local civic and nonprofit organizations worked together this month to recycle Christmas trees.

For the second year in a row, the City of Philadelphia did not recycle Christmas trees during trash pickup. Trees left at the curb went into landfills. But, volunteer groups across the city, with sponsorship by Bartlett Tree Experts and Schectman Tree Care, took it upon themselves to recycle trees.

In Chestnut Hill/Mt. Airy, volunteers from Mt. Airy Business Association and Green in Chestnut Hill chipped 175 trees. In Fairmount, Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary Park chipped 320 trees.

The Logan Square Neighbors Association chipped 50 trees. Northern Liberties Neighbors Association chipped 227 trees.

South Philadelphia saw

a coalition of volunteers from Passyunk Square Civic Association, East Passyunk Crossing Civic, Queen Village THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

19125, Fishtown Neighbors Association, East Kensington Neighbors, New Kensington CDC and the Olde Richmond Civic Association chipped over 200 trees.

University City had

volunteers from University City District and UC Green chipped 275 trees in Clark Park.

Weekend Tip: In The Heights, Featuring Ana Nogueira of East Falls and Friends Central

by Adam Taxin The touring production of In The Heights, the 2008 Best Musical Tony-winning“slice of life” production about the predominantly Dominican/other Hispanic-immigrant Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights continues its five-day visit to the Academy of Music through this Sunday night, Jan. 23.

One of the predominant if not leading characters in the show is Carla, who works in the salon where several of the show’s scenes take place. The character – a somewhat ditzy “peacekeeper” who recently became immersed in Christianity – is played by Ana Nogueira, a native of the East Falls neighborhood |

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of Philadelphia who grew up attending Friends Central.

One of the songs in which Nogueira is extensively involved is Act 1’s “No Me Diga,” the title of which refers to a Spanish term people say when they’re gossiping, roughly translated as “you’re kidding me.” According to Nogueira, the song “is basically girls being girls, in a salon, doing each other’s nails, but really just gossiping and teasing each other. It’s a blast to do every night.”

Nogueira sees an analogy between that song and parts of West Side Story, such as in the song “America”: “There’s definitely a similarity there, the girls who work in a dress shop in West Side Story and the girls who work in the salon, sort of the girly teasing. In the dress shop, they’re trying on beautiful dresses. In this, they’re doing nails and perming hair. It’s very modern.”

She adds, “Many people do compare it to West Side Story because

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of the culture, but it’s a lot different from West Side Story.”

Nogueira’s character Carla is also involved in the song “96,000”, about a winning lottery ticket: “Carla doesn’t know how she’d spend it, but she knows that she would get herself a hair weave.”

The show’s songs feature a variety of musical styles. “It has salsa. We all salsa dance in a club. I had to learn to salsa, which was hard but also great. And then there’s a lot of music that’s sort of referential to Puerto Rican music or Cuban music. And then there’s a lot of hip-hop, a lot of rapping, which is very cool. I don’t think people are used to seeing that when they go see a musical. In the very beginning, you’re like ‘whoa, they’re rapping! This is like the kind of music I listen to on the radio.’ I think that that’s really exciting for people, especially people who don’t go to see musicals.”

Nogueira is not Hispanic but might

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

be able to relate to the show more than others, because her father is Brazilian. “There are similarities in the culture. When I saw the show, even though I don’t speak Spanish, I felt this is a show that I could really relate to, because with the Latin communities – Brazilian or Puerto Rican or Cuban or whatever – there’s something that makes us all have the same values and have a similar lifestyle.”

Finally, Nogueira points out the enjoyably light tone of the show: “I think people hear it’s about Latin immigrants, and they think it’s going to be really dark and about gangs, and it’s not at all. It’s about people. It’s about home. It’s about community. It’s about family. It’s like a classic American musical, for a different culture and for a new generation. I think people worry that if they’re not Latin, they won’t get it, they won’t relate to it. But that’s also not true. I think everyone relates to it.“ Adam Taxin is a Center City attor-

20 JANUARY, 2011