Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 40 (200)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

April 8, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Philly Says Salut!

GEORGES PERRIER was congratulated on his PIFA Visionary Culinary Award

by Mayor Michael Nutter at the gala kickoff to the festival, held at the Kimmel Center. Story on page 4. Photo by Bonnie Squires

Will Gov’t Shutdown Harm Recovery?

Voters Are Split A new IBOPE Zogby Interactive poll finds likely voters split over whether or not a government shutdown would be harmful to the economic recovery. Fortynine percent say they agree a government shutdown would hurt the recovery, 45% say they disagree and 6% are not sure.

The poll also finds a seven-point bump from Apr. 4 on approval of Republicans in Congress, from 34% to 41%. Approval of the Congressional GOP by Republican voters moved from 61% April 4 to 71% now.

Among independent voters, approval of Congressional Republicans went from 26% to 32%.

Responses of Republicans and Democrats are sharply divergent. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to agree military spending should be exempt from cuts and disagree that tax cuts on the wealthy should not continue and that a shutdown would harm the economy.

Job approval for all of Congress is up two points from Apr. 4; now at 24%. Approval of Congressional Democrats dropped one point to 31%. The percentage saying the nation is headed in the right direction fell three points to 26%.

Toomey Urges ‘Responsible Compromise’; Will Take No Pay In A Shutdown Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) has issued the following statement on the possibility of a government shutdown.

“It is my sincere hope the leaders of both parties will be able to reach a fiscally responsible compromise soon so we can continue to address the nation’s pressing issues – from private-sector job creation and rising gas prices to approving a sustainable budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“It is important to remember that

we are in this dysfunctional mess because my colleagues across the aisle refused to produce a budget for the current year. This abdication of leadership was irresponsible and reckless, and I hope they will recognize that we can no longer kick the can down the road.

It is imperative that we deal with our country’s out-of-control spending and deficit problems immediately.

“If a shutdown does occur, my staff and I are committed to working with Capitol officials to make

sure I can fulfill my constitutional duties to serve the people of Pennsylvania in accordance with the law. Serving Pennsylvania is my priority no matter what happens,” Toomey said.

Toomey has also signed a bipartisan pledge introduced to forgo his congressional salary in the case of a government shutdown. By signing the “No Budget, No Pay” pledge, Toomey will return his salary to the US Treasury until the government resumes working.

Some City Tourist Draws Will Not Be Affected In the event of a federal government shutdown, Philadelphia museums and attractions which are not federally funded will remain open and operate under regular business hours.

All City offices will be open and City government services and programs will continue without interrup2|

tion during a federal shutdown.

The National Constitution Center, Independence Visitor’s Center, Betsy Ross House, Franklin Square and the historic Philadelphia Center showing Lights of Liberty 360 will continue operations daily and will be open to the public.

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The following, however, will be affected by a shutdown in the Independence National Historical Park: Liberty Bell Pavilion, Independence Hall and Consti-

tution Hall. All National Park properties will be secured but closed during a shutdown.

Casey: Drug-Crime Report Shows Need For Federal Help In Eastern Pa. After a threat assessment was released on drug and gang crime in Eastern Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) called on the Dept. of Justice to provide additional assistance to local law enforcement to fight this growing threat. The report was prepared at the Senator’s request by the National Drug Intelligence Center.

“The Eastern Pennsylvania Drug & Gang Threat Assessment 2011 has highlighted a regional crisis that cannot be ignored,” wrote Casey in a letter to US Attorney General Eric Holder. “As this crime comes to Pennsylvania from across the borders of New York, New Jersey and Mexico, it is imperative the federal government provide assistance to local law enforcement to target this imported crime that threatens our communities. I urge you to provide any and all available federal resources to combat drug and gang-related crime in Eastern Pennsylvania.”

New York area drug trafficking organizations and gangs operate in nearly every drug market in Eastern Pennsylvania. There are at least 20 nationally recognized gangs in the region, and each one is active in drug distribution.

In Philadelphia and Reading, Mexican DTOs dominate the wholesale cocaine market through a direct supply of cocaine from the Southwest border.

Dominican DTOs and gangs are centralizing operations in Hazleton, where they have access to both

drugs from the New York area as well as a wide distribution market in neighboring communities.

Cocaine and heroin trafficking are now the primary drug-related law-enforcement challenges in Eastern Pennsylvania. Heroin trafficking and abuse have increased sharply in recent years, with many youth in particular transitioning from abuse of prescription opiates to heroin because it is significantly cheaper and easy to find.

NDIC predicts violence against law-enforcement officers is likely to increase as gangs in Eastern Pennsylvania are using more firearms to carry out criminal activities. New York-area gangs are likely to move farther into the central and western parts of Pennsylvania. The influence of Mexican DTOs and gangs is likely to increase in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York.

In January, Casey sent another letter to Holder calling for additional federal help to combat drug crime in Pennsylvania. He called for the reestablishment of the Route 222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative that targeted gang-related violence in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Reading, Lancaster, York and Harrisburg.

Casey secured $400,000 for the Lehigh Regional Crime Center in the Senate version of the fiscal 2011 Commerce-Justice-Science. Unfortunately, appropriations bills were blocked at the end of last year in part because of earmarks and this funding did not go through.

School Dist. Rolls Out 3-Year Plan For Its Buildings The School District has announced its “Imagine Great Schools” facilities master plan, a key component of the District’s five-year strategic plan. This master plan will provide a roadmap for the District to deter8 APRIL, 2011

mine necessary rightsizing adjustments, help guide where future investments need to be made, and focus its resources on learning environments that facilitate the improvement of student achievement THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

and accelerate academic progress.

“When we started this process nearly a year ago, we did so with the firm commitment it would engage all stakeholders in building a |

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blueprint for ensuring each and every student has equal access to high-quality education options in appropriate learning environments,” said Dr. Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia. “More than 1,000 stakeholders from every area of the city have participated in community meetings, engaged with us in the decision-making process, and helped guide the recommendations we are making today.”

The master plan will cut the variation in grade configurations from 25 to 4. It will provide comprehensive, Career & Technical Education, special admissions, “turnaround” and charter pathways in geographic areas throughout the city.

The plan aims to bring the utilization rate of its real estate up to 85% by closures, sales and termination of leases. Fifty facilities will be disposed of. There will be selective renovations and new construction as

well.

The District is continuing to seek community and stakeholder input on the “Imagine Great Schools” plan before it is finalized. Between Apr. 14 and May 12, the District will hold six community meetings. In this third phase of facilities master plan community meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the proposed changes for 2011-12 school year, comment on proposed policies to guide right-sizing of schools and the District, see the framework for decision-making in future phases and learn how to access school-specific data. After these public meetings, the District and SRC will consider the input received and make adjustments to the policies and/or draft plan as necessary.

Next week’s meetings will be on Tuesday, Apr. 12, at Bartram HS, 2401 S. 67th Street, Southwest Philadelphia; and Thursday, Apr. 14, at Roxborough HS, 6498 Ridge Avenue. Meeting times are 6-8 p.m.

PIFA Gala, Concert Dazzle 800 Guests

by Bonnie Squires More than 800 partygoers attended the amazing opening gala of PIFA, the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, at the Kimmel Center on Apr. 7. The kickoff of the 25-day celebration of the arts, based on Paris in the early 20th century, saw people swirling around the giant replica of the Eiffel Tower in the center of Commonwealth Plaza at the Kimmel Center.

Verizon Hall was the setting for a spectacular concert by The THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as an enchanting ballet by the Pennsylvania Ballet, both of which received standing ovations.

After dinner, patrons were treated to an aerial ballet by the group called Grounded Aerial, where dancers on wires seemed to be climbing the walls of the atrium of the Kimmel Center, while performing to beautiful music.

The entire festival was commissed because of a bequest by the late Leonoare Annenberg.

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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar Apr. 8-

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State Rep. Rosita Youngblood sponsors Career Fair at 1st Presbyterian Ch., 35 W. Chelten Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For info Dayne Cofer (215) 849-6426.

Fundraiser for Jewell Williams for Sheriff at Dockside Condos Community Rm., 717 S. Columbus Blvd., 6-9 p.m. Catered by Kozy Kitchen. Contributions $50-$1,000. For info and to RSVP (267) 351-0709.

Join Jerry Blavat “Geater with the Heater” at Beef & Beer for Common Pleas judicial candidate Fran Shields at Emerald Rm. of Sprinkler Fitters Union Ha., 14002 McNulty Rd., 7 p.m.-12.a.m. $45 per person, $80 per couple. For info Wayne Miller (215) 671-1692 or Tony Yanni (610) 8251121. Send contributions to Committee to Elect Fran Shields, Constitution Place, Suite #515, 325 Chestnut St., Phila., PA 19106-2614.

Mark Squilla for 1st Dist. Council Fundraiser at Shooting Stars Club, 1931 S. 3rd St., 7 p.m. Tickets $30. For info Josh Cohen (267) 290-8836.

State Rep. Cherelle Parker hosts College Fair at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Ch., Family Life Ctr., 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration not required. For info (215)

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8th Council Dist. candidate Suzanne Carn holds office grand opening at 2015 N. 29th St., 2-5 p.m. For info (267) 334-3916.

Democrat 42nd Ward Candidates Night at Local 6 Bakery Hall, 5416 Rising Sun Ave. (enter on Lima St. through parking lot), 7-11 p.m. Music, food, dancing. Tickets $20, $25 at door. For info Elaine Tomlin (215) 457-4024.

7th Ward Democrats host Candidates Night at Palladium Night Club, 229 W. Allegheny Ave., 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Tickets $25. Includes buffet, beer, soda. For info Carol (215) 360-1524.

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Fundraiser for 2nd Council Dist. candidate Barbara Capozzi at La Stanza, 2001 Oregon Ave., 5-7 p.m. Portion goes to Pa. Breast Cancer Coalition.

Sponsor $200, Guest $75. For info Stacey Goldman (267) 888-6045.

Fundraiser for City Commissioner Joseph Duda at Phila. Quartet C. C., 1075 Southampton Rd., 6-8 p.m.

Ticket $250. For info Republican City Committee (215) 561-0650.

S. Phila. Business Ass’n hosts candidates at Waterfall Rm., 2015 Water St., 6:30-9:30 p.m. Open bar, buffet. Ticket $35. For reservations Reggie Lozzi (215) 336-1108.

Grand opening of new 180th Dist. Office of State Rep. Angel Cruz, 3501 B St. in Mall.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Awards Ceremony at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden Sts., 6-9 p.m. Tickets $25. For info Mike Callahan (215) 983-7224.

World Trade Ass’n of Phila. fundraiser for Autism Speaks, honoring 2011 Company of Year, at Cescaphé Ballroom, 923 N. 2nd St., Reception 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. Ticket $100. Call Deborah Ingravallo for information at 1 (856) 642-3957.

Fundraiser for Derrick Coker, candidate for MC Judge, at Café Santa Domingo, 3547 N. 5th St., 5:30-8:30 p.m. For info call Iliana Renoso, 215740-5273.

Fundraiser for Jeff Hornstein, candidate for 1st Council Dist., at AFSCME/Dist. 1199C Hall, 1319 Locust St. Hosted by Marty Tuzman, DC 47’s Cathy Scott and Rita Urwitz, and Wayne MacManiman, Jr., SEIU Local 32BJ. RSVP Dave O’Hara (257) 6031480 or Dave@jeffhornstein.org.

Fundraiser for 2nd Council Dist. candidate Barbara Capozzi at Chickie’s & Pete’s, 15th & Packer. For info (267) 888-6045. |

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Diana Regan, president of the Alliance Franรงaise de Philadelphie, and her husband John were de-

MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER and Jerry Lenfest prepare to press button to start light and sound show on giant Eiffel Tower at Kimmel Center, a centerpiece of Phila.

International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). Photos by Bonnie Squires

lighted with the giant model of the Eiffel Tower. The Alliance is giving free French in 10 Minutes

GOV. ED RENDELL and his family joined Mr. & Mrs. Fred Schabel to celebrate at Kimmel Center wingding. Governor served on Honorary Committee.

DIANA REGAN, president of Alliance Franรงaise de Philadelphie, and her husband John were delighted with giant model of Eiffel Tower. Alliance is giving free French in 10 Minutes classes every day in Kimmel Center Plaza during festival, weekdays at 5 p.m.

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classes every day in the Kimmel Center Plaza during the festival, weekdays at 5PM.

ANNE EWERS, president and CEO of Kimmel Center, talks to Gwen Borowsky, Irv Borowsky and Laurie Wagman about 145 cultural events planned for the duration of PIFA, involving music, art, theater, culinary arts, fashion, flowers, and a giant street fair on Apr. 30.

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Convention Ctr. Expansion Lands Its First Big Fish Mayor Michael Nutter welcomes the largest organization of journalists of color to Philadelphia this afternoon. It is the first major multicultural group to convene in new Philadelphia Convention Center expansion space.

Nutter and PCVB President Jack Ferguson hailed the leadership of the National Association of Black Journalists, the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation and its president Kathy Times.

NABJ will be bringing national media icons and the “who’s who” of Hollywood back to Philadelphia after 16 years, with its history of empowerment and action.

Thousands of the nation’s foremost journalists and media professionals will take part in full- and halfday seminars designed to strengthen and enhance their skills in Philadelphia, Aug. 3-7, 2011 in the newly opened expansion space at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Coalition for Victims Hosts Candle Lighting For Victims And Survivors The Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy will kick off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week this evening with a Candle Lighting Ceremony at the 1st Unitarian Church at 6:30 p.m. (doors opening at 6:00 p.m.).

This free annual event is an opportunity for victims, survivors, their families and the community to gather, share information about their journeys, and gain strength from each other. The 1st Unitarian

Church is located at 2125 Chestnut Street and discounted parking is available. Childcare is available for 3-12 year olds and interpretation will be available in Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese.

During the week of Apr. 10-16, crime victims and survivors, victim-service providers, criminaland juvenile-justice professionals and community volunteers will join across America to commemorate the 27th anniversary of Na-

tional Crime Victim’s Rights Week. This year’s theme, “Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past”, captures the mission and the passion behind their work. “We guide our victims to needed resources, and we envision a justice system that responds to their needs,” states this group.

DA Seth Williams will be making opening remarks.

Bishop Intros Resolution For Foreclosure Relief to keep their homes.

State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop (D-W. Phila.) has introduced a concurrent resolution (HR 199) that would provide temporary relief for people facing mortgage foreclosures in Pennsylvania.

Bishop said her measure would urge the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to provide a temporary stay on residential foreclosures.

Bishop’s resolution would 8 APRIL, 2011

also allow homeowners to apply for a bridge-loan with the United States Dept. of Urban Development in order THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

“Oftentimes homeowners, through no fault of their own, lose their homes because they cannot afford the payments,” Bishop said. “Many homeowners who are faced with financial hardships, such as the loss of a job or medical bills, are unable to make monthly mortgage payments.”

Bishop is chairwoman of the House Children and Youth Committee. |

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Josephs: Ensure Nursing Moms Have Place To Express Milk At Work State Rep. Babette Josephs (D-S. Phila.) has introduced a bill that would ensure nursing mothers could express their breast milk at work in an appropriate place that employers set aside.

“It is generally recognized mother’s milk is very beneficial to nursing children, both in terms of nurture and for its ability to confer on those children invaluable health advantages,” said Josephs. “Many mothers return to work after they give birth and have no choice but to stop nursing because the work place has

no location set aside for them to privately express their milk and to refrigerate it safely before they leave work for home.”

Josephs said this bill (HB 1300) would place no onerous burdens on employers for compliance, and excuse any employer who can show compliance would place undue hardship on its business.

The bill has been referred to the House Children and Youth Committee for consideration.

Irish, Norwegian, Brit Shows Sparkle On Suburban Stages Delaware River suburban professional productions I have recently seen is being performed through Sunday, Apr. 17 in Malvern, Chester Co. There, People’s Light & Theatre is presenting a reinterpreted version of the 19th-century Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s The Master Builder.

PETER KRISS plays “Tommy” in Media this month.

by Adam Taxin The present warming of the weather makes excursions, particularly weekend excursions, to the suburbs much more appealing.

Professional theater in the Philadelphia area is of course not limited to Center City, and a number of picturesque suburban municipalities are currently offering worthwhile productions.

The most outstanding of the current Pennsylvania-side-of-the8|

The play is saturated with sexual and emotional tension, driven by the way the existence of a solidly grounded and professionally very respected middle-aged homebuilder (Halvard Solness, played

by Stephen Novelli) is shaken by the out-of-the-blue arrival of a 23year-old woman (Hilda Wangel, played by Barrymore winner Kim Carson) at his home. Halvard was briefly acquainted with Hilda when she was 13, and the sirenlike effect she has on him a decade later is clearly what fuels The Master Builder’s dramatic energy.

It is Carson’s performance in particular which turns a perfectly solid production of one of Ibsen’s THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

not-quite-best-known works into something truly memorable. Beyond youthful attractiveness, Carson’s Hilda has a kind of irresistible, perhaps-Borderline Personality Disorder, ultimately selfish sense of relentless enticement that suggests Vivien Leigh’s Scarlett O’Hara (Gone with the Wind), Natalie Wood’s Deanie Loomis (Splendor in the Grass) or Glenn Close’s Alex Forrest (Fatal Attraction). It is clear from the start the proper-but-vulnerable middle-aged Halvard stands no chance.

Susan McKey deserves mention for her performance as Aline Solness, Halvard’s suffering-in-partdue-to-childlessness middle-aged wife. Suggesting Beatrice Straight’s Oscar-for-Best Supporting Actress performance as Louise Schumacher in Network, McKey’s performance exudes a compelling sense of resignation in her sad awareness that she simply cannot compete with Hilda.

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-------Few tend to confuse The Who’s Pete Townshend with Ibsen. Nevertheless, Townshend wrote the music and lyrics, as well as cowriting the book, for Tommy, which began as a rock-opera double album in 1969, became a movie in 1975 and became a Broadway musical in 1993, running over two years.

The Who’s Tommy is currently on stage, through May 22, at the Media Theatre, a professional theater on State Street, the main thoroughfare in the picturesque seat of Delaware Co.

The Media Theatre itself is a beautiful 84-year-old building that started out as a vaudeville theatre and which underwent a seven-figure renovation during the mid1990s. Unfortunately, the grandness of the venue was something of a liability during the performance I attended last Sunday.

The theater was not even one-third full, and I found myself thinking about how much more enjoyable an experience the performance would have been had there been an audience at relatively full capacity clapping along enthusiastically.

There is a huge challenge involved in successfully maintaining professional theater in the heart of not-atThe Media Theatre team, led by di- all-glitzy, rector Jesse Cline, has put together often-overlooked-by-Philadelphiaa solid version of the story about a residents Delaware Co., so it is apboy born in World War II-era propriate here to insert a Britain who, affected by a traupublic-service announcement that matic event in his early childhood, the Media Theatre, during noneffectively chooses to go through rush-hour times, is a ride of only life as if deaf, blind and mute … at approximately 25 minutes from least until he discovers that he is a Center City. pinball prodigy.

-------While the story itself is at times a bit incoherent (particularly in The 130-seat, professional Act II terms of Jesus allusions), provokPlayhouse in downtown Ambler, ing occasional “huh?” reactions, Montgomery Co., is presenting the music itself is outstanding.

The Pride of Parnell Street, Those who appreciate rock musithrough Sunday, Apr. 17. The cals and who, as I do, consider the hour-and-a-half, two-person drama actual music by far the most imbasically involves extended monoportant part of musicals, will enjoy logues by a husband and wife who the performances of some of The remain largely in love with each Who’s better-known hits (“Pinball other despite being poor and havWizard,” “See Me, Feel Me” and ing lives which unfold in a way “I’m Free”) by the production’s few would envy. six-piece orchestra.

I tend not to be a huge fan of Irish

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THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

dramas, especially those heavy on extended monologues. Largely because of that, I was not enamored with the production, although I certainly noted the excellent acting of Kittson O’Neill as Janet Brady and David Whalen as Joe Brady.

However, it was clear that I was in the minority in an audience that was largely transfixed.

Speaking with O’Neill after the performance, I gained a much greater sense of what so many in the audience appeared to appreciate more than I did. Alluding to the sense of storytelling in many Irish dramas, O’Neill emphasized “the crafting of the tone of the story” as a reason so much of the audience seemed to connect to The Pride of Parnell Street.

O’Neill also mentioned how, although the characters were ones which many might dismiss basically as losers, “if the theater were a place to go to just to see people you see every day, why bother paying for a ticket? … People are hopefully coming in and meeting people they wouldn’t ordinarily meet, so maybe it’s opening up minds and hearts about lower-class people.”

-------Adam Taxin, a Center City attorney, can best be reached at adamtaxin@gmail.com or via Facebook.

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SHERRI XANTHOPOULOS RUSSO will be representing Collegeville, Pa. in pageant.