Philadelphia Daily Record

Vol. II No. 44 (204)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

April 14, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Furore Over Ackerman

SIDEWALK OF N. BROAD STREET erupted with controversy yesterday afternoon in front of School District HQ, as a fierce debate broke out over future of Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman. Here State Sen. Shirley Kitchen rallies Dr. Ackerman’s supporters to decry a demand by another State legislator that the Superintendent be fired. Story page 2.

McGeehan Calls For Ackerman’s Ouster; Her Backers React With Rage him to call upon the School Reform Commission to immediately terminate Ackerman’s employment.

“It is apparent the SRC did not exercise adequate due diligence in thoroughly vetting Ackerman for the position, which has resulted in the diminished standing of Philadelphia School District,” McGeehan wrote in his letter that was hand-delivered to Corbett’s office Thursday. “I ask you to use your authority to request the SRC to immediately end her tumultuous tenure,” McGeehan wrote.

STATE REP. MIKE McGEEHAN called for Superintendent Arlene Ackerman to be dismissed, citing a string of recent contretemps which have plunged her office into controversy.

State Rep. Michael McGeehan (D-Northeast) unleashed a firestorm yesterday when, standing before the School District’s steps, he asked Gov. Tom Corbett to call upon the Philadelphia School Reform Commission to sack School District Superintendent Arlene Ackerman.

Immediately after McGeehan’s press conference, a large rally of the Superintendent’s supporters took his place, many of whom made not-so-subtle comments that McGeehan should be terminated himself.

McGeehan said the laundry list of her disputable dealings is long, from questionable procurement practices and a scathing federal report on the District’s handling of racial violence, to the dismissal of two employees for possibly blowing the whistle on the District’s wasteful spending practices. He said that all of this has resulted in negative press about the school district.

McGeehan said Ackerman’s actions and the resulting negative press are particularly frustrating when, as CEO of the District, she oversees a budget of $3.2 billion, and is responsible for addressing a $629 million shortfall in the next fiscal year.

One hour later, a gathering of Black legislators and civic leaders flocked to those same steps. Well armed with posters, they hailed Dr. Ackerman as a godsend to the city’s largely minority student body.

McGeehan cited the recent news reports that she owes $20,000 in federal back taxes among the litany of issues that have been raised within the past six months.

“She has led years of test-score gains,” said State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.). “Her leadership is vital to this city.”

“Arlene Ackerman’s many controversies are fodder for negative press, which only serves to distract District employees, parents and the public from the real task at hand: educating our children,” McGeehan said.

State Sen. Vincent Hughes said a focus on Dr. Ackerman was a “distraction” from the real challenge facing Philadelphians in Harrisburg: saving the city from the devastating impact of Corbett’s proposed budget cuts, which disproportionately target funding for education.

McGeehan stated he has written to Corbett asking 2|

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Jerry Mondesire, head of the Philadelphia Chapter NAACP, made no bones about the fact he interpreted McGeehan’s stand as a racial challenge. He stated plans were afoot to “recall” McGeehan in retaliation.

(Pennsylvania does not actually have a recall mechanism for General Assembly Members.)

McGeehan was unfazed by the opposition he faces from fellow members of the Philadelphia delegation.

“If I have to be a voice crying in the wilderness, I will do that,” he said.

Casey Intros Bill To Combat Sexual Violence On Campus US Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced legislation to combat the problem of sexual violence on college campuses yesterday. The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (S 834) will close a serious gap in the law by requiring colleges and universities to clearly spell out their policies regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.

“Sexual violence is a tragic and harsh reality on college campuses throughout the country,” said the Senator. “We must ensure that when we send our sons and daughters off to colleges and universities, we are providing every means necessary for them to learn in a safe environment.”

Sexual assaults, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking are serious problems on college campuses. According to the US Dept. of Justice, 20-25% of female undergraduates will be the victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault this year and in nearly all cases it will be by an acquaintance.

Casey also introduced a resolution recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month to promote

awareness of sexual violence and encourage solutions to decrease the incidence of sexual assaults.

Casey’s measure would require a college to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding its domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking awareness and prevention programs and the procedures it follows when such an offense occurs. It would have to explain in writing students’ rights anytime a student reports being a victim of sexual violence, including stalking, dating or domestic violence. This would include a victim’s right to notify law enforcement if the victim chooses, to receive help from the school to report the incident, to seek a protective order from a local court, and to change residence, class schedule and travel arrangements as necessary to preserve the victim’s safety.

Colleges would have to explain to students the school’s obligation to help enforce those protective orders. They would start teaching bystander education – a prevention strategy that focuses on teaching male and female students alike they can prevent sexual assaults and that they have a responsibility to do so.

It’s ‘Hon. Frank L. Oliver Day’!

While many dread Apr. 15 as Tax Day, others will be honoring retired Philadelphia State Rep. Frank L. Oliver. A House Resolution introduced by State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D-N. Phila.) declared today “The Honorable Frank L. Oliver Day” in the Commonwealth of Pennsyl13 APRIL, 2011

vania.

Oliver, who was born Apr. 15, 1922, is being honored for 37 years of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a State legislator. He retired in 2010, as the most-senior African American THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar

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Apr. 15Job Fair & Career Day hosted by State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson and Pastor Terrence A. Griffith, 1st African Baptist Ch. at 1600 Christian St., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For info (215) 952-3378.

Apr. 15Committee to Elect Verna Tyner Wine & Cheese Fundraiser hosted

by State Sens. Shirley Kitchen and LeAnna Washington, State Rep. John Myers and Councilman at Large William Greenlee at office of Tina Lawson, 7500 Germantown Ave., Ste. 107, 5-7 p.m.

For info (267) 771-5699.

Apr. 15Happy Hour for judicial candidate Harry Levant at Ladder 15, 5:308 p.m., 1528 Sansom St. Apr. 15Latino community honors Iris Violeta Colon Torres at Isla Verde Cafe, 2727 N. American St., 6 p.m. Free admission and buffet.

Drinks half price. She is poet, news reporter among other accomplishments.

Apr. 15Temple Law Class of ’95 Fundraiser for Joe Grace at Dark Horse Pub, 421 S. 2nd St., 6-8 p.m. For info info@electjoegrace.com.

Apr. 15Fundraiser for judicial candidate Anne Marie Coyle at Ashburner Inn, 8400 Torresdale Rd., 7-10 p.m. Tickets $45, $80/couple. For info (215) 462-3200.

Apr. 15Wine & Cheese reception for judicial candidate Nycole Watson, at Soft Illusions Fine Art Gallery, 4203 Main St., 7-10 p.m. Tickets $25 at door. For info Info@nycole4judge@gmail.com.

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Apr. 15Beef & Beer for Marty Bednarek, 6th Dist. Democrat Council candidate, 8 p.m. to midnight at St. Dominic’s Marion Hall, 8504 Frankford Ave., 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

Tickets $25. Live music by “Formerly Known As”.

Apr. 16Women Organized Against Rape hosts Community Walk & Speak Out rally at 16th & JFK Blvd., registration 11 a.m. Ends at Visitors Center, 6th & Market Sts. For info Carrie (215) 985-3315, ext.

169.

Apr. 162nd Dist. Council candidate Barbara Capozzi opens office at 2504 S. Broad St. (at Porter), 4-7 p.m.

All voters and committeepersons welcome.

Apr. 16Ducky Birts Foundation’s Medallion Scholarship Banquet, 1st Dist.

Plaza, 3801 Market St., 6 p.m., sponsored by Brown’s ShopRite.

For info (215) 242-1220.

Apr. 17Ducky Birts Fdn. hosts Health Fair & Gospelrama at Zion Baptist Ch., 3600 N. Broad St., health 3-6 p.m. and gospel 5-8 p.m., sponsored by Keystone Mercy Health Plan. For info (215) 2421220.

Apr. 18Fundraiser for judicial candidate Daine Grey, Jr. at Henry Law Firm, 1500 Walnut St., 22nd fl., 57 p.m. For info Marianne (215) 564-5959.

Apr. 18Democrat 40-A Ward Spring Fling at Swan Caterers Waterfall Rm., 2015 S. Water St., Food, drinks, music. Tickets $50. 5:309:30 p.m.

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elected official in the Commonwealth and the longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He represented the 195th House District honorably from 1973 to 2010. At his retirement, Oliver was majority chair of the House Health & Human Services Committee and previously served as Democratic chair of the House State Government Committee.

“As the longest serving member of the House, Frank has been a steady and effective lawmaker and an advocate for his constituents, who always brought the bacon back to his district,” recounted Thomas. “He is also responsible for the new supermarkets we now have in Philadelphia. We are setting aside this day to say thank you to Frank for the contributions he has made to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the people of the 195th Legislative District.”

Oliver was one of the most influential members of the legislature respected by members on both sides of the aisle. His ability to cross party lines to negotiate on behalf of his constituents and the

city is legendary. He spurred the building of new supermarkets in Philadelphia and other communities throughout the Commonwealth when he introduced a resolution in 2003 that called for the Health & Human Services Committee to study the problem of the lack of supermarkets in urban and underserved communities in Pennsylvania.

Oliver introduced an amendment to the Civil Service Act and the Human Relations Act, which enhanced 1st-Amendment freedoms and affirmative-action benefits for women and “minority” civil-service employees. He was the first to introduce a bill to make the race designation optional on voter registration forms. He also was the first to introduce legislation to make Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a State holiday.

For six years, Oliver worked on legislation that is now law, which allows mothers convicted of drug offenses to get a second chance to support their families legally with the help of public assistance. He is also responsible for the law that denies person-to-person liquor li-

cense transfers and one that enhanced penalties for assaulting teachers and school employees.

Oliver alone championed the cause for historic Berean Institute for over 30 years. The last thing Oliver worked on before retirement was focusing on restoring the historic institution’s State funding.

The resolution was presented to Oliver Tuesday, Apr. 12 at a luncheon/reception given by his former colleagues in his honor in the Main Capitol. It was co-sponsored by Philadelphia State Reps. Bishop, Brown, Brownlee, Boyle, Cohen, Cruz, Johnson, Josephs, McGeehan, Myers, D. O’Brien, M. O’Brien, Parker, Payton, Roebuck, Sabatina, Taylor, Waters, Williams and Youngblood; Allegheny Co. State Reps. DeLuca, Dermody, Markosek and Wheatley among many others from both sides of the aisle.

Oliver continues as Democratic leader of the 29th Ward – a post he has held since 1970 – and is the first African American treasurer of Philadelphia’s Democratic Party.

Proposal Would Modernize Pa. Wine & Spirit Store Ops In response to this week’s Senate Law & Justice Committee hearing on the modernization of the Liquor Control Board operations and in conjunction with the Senate Democrats “Budget Savings Plan,” three Democratic senators are unveiling legislation aimed at modernizing Pennsylvania’s wine and spirit store operations.

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“We must continue to find ways to improve the efficiency and flexibility of the LCB and the wine and spirit stores across Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny). “We can continue to improve the customer experience at the stores while generating millions in new revenue. By modernizing the way the LCB does business, we enable it to operate more effectively and tap into the full potential of the agency

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– so Pennsylvania’s economy can reap the benefits.”

The legislation, proposed by Ferlo with State Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.) and Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Kensington) would be centered on the “3 P’s” – Procurement, Pricing and Personnel.

“PLCB modernization is an integral part of the Senate Democrats’ $1.1 billion budget savings plan announced today,” Hughes said.

“It’s a win-win for Pennsylvania.

Not only will modernization generate substantial new revenue to help offset some of the Governor’s most egregious budget cuts, it will

also improve the customer’s experience and protect thousands of good-paying jobs.”

The proposal would allow the LCB greater flexibility to purchase goods and services outside of the code’s parameters and market its services out of state. It would let the LCB to alter markup and proportional pricing to better reflect market conditions. This portion of the proposal includes offering a customer-relations marketing program to improve the buying experience. This could generate new revenue between $20 and $70 million.

The LCB could begin to hire outside of Civil Service requirements.

But “by ensuring collective-bargaining rights for liquor-store employees, we preserve the family-sustaining jobs our economy needs,” Tartaglione said.

“And continued support of hiring veterans should remain a priority in Pennsylvania.”

The Senators said they are encouraged by Senate Law & Justice Committee chairman John Pippy’s (R-Allegheny) willingness to have open dialogue on the future of the State wine and spirit stores.

Sen. Washington’s Anti-Bullying Law Aims To Protect Children worst state to live in due to bullying,” Washington said. “We must end this vicious circle of abuse that threatens the education, well-being and lives of our children. We must send a strong message bullying is not acceptable.”

State Sen. LeAnna Washington (DNorthwest) will join with colleague Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.) to introduce anti-bullying legislation that would strengthen the standards and procedures for preventing, reporting, investigating and responding to incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying that occur at school and off school premises.

“According to several articles, Pennsylvania ranks as the fourth6|

Washington’s bill is modeled on the New Jersey “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.” Farnese stated anti-bullying legislation is critical to keep students safe in their learning environments. “To experience bullying once is one too many times,” he asserted.

School Psychologists, bullying is keeping as many as 160,000 children away from school each day.

“Bullying and low-level violence affects approximately 20-30% of our students on a daily basis,” Washington said.

Farnese added that he is pleased this legislation focuses on many kinds of discrimination and harassment, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community – a community he said is more commonly targeted than any other.

Recognizing the State’s financial problems, Washington said her legislation would use existing financial resources to combat bullying.

According to the US Dept. of Justice and National Association of THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

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Commissioners Throw Their Weight (Off) WEIGHING IN ON 25: Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, 2nd from left, and Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, 3rd from right, hit the scales at City Hall and provide a friendly handshake during kickoff of Weight Watchers Battle Of The Badges™ weight-loss competition between the City’s two uniformed departments, while Weight Watchers VP John Birnhak, center, looks on. Also sharing opening moment are Gentry, Fire Dept. mascot, left; attorney Jimmy Binns, 2nd from right, chairman of Hero Thrill Show, Inc.; and McGruff, The Crime Dog, police mascot. Department with highest percentage of weight loss after 13 weeks of competition will capture perpetual trophy and victory banner, while Hero Thrill Show will get a $10,000 donation from Weight Watchers. Competition is tied at 12 to 12.

SEPTA Plans Extra Service For Big Sports Weekend SEPTA has extra service ready for fans heading to the Sports Complex for a big weekend, highlighted by Flyers playoff action and a three-game set pitting the Phillies against a division rival.

“Sports Express” trains will supplement regularly scheduled service on the Broad Street Line for the Phillies-Marlins series and Saturday’s Flyers-Sabres playoff game. SEPTA looks forward to welcoming regular game-day riders, as well as new customers looking to avoid hassles on the roadways around the Sports Complex.

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These kind of event-filled weekends always bring major traffic jams to South Philadelphia. For the foreseeable future, however, motorists should expect added complications due to I-95 construction near the Sports Complex. Fans are urged to give their cars a rest, let SEPTA do the driving, and take advantage of the following services: Friday: Sports Express trains will supplement regular Broad Street Line service, with trips every 10 minutes starting at 6:08 p.m. for Phillies-Marlins game at Citizens

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Bank Park. The Phillies 7:05 p.m. start-time coincides with kick-off for the Soul game next door at the Wells Fargo Center, so football fans can also take advantage of SEPTA’s extra service.

Saturday: Sports Express trains begin running on the subway at 3:55 p.m. for the 5 p.m. FlyersSabres playoff game. Extra service kicks in again at 5:55 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. Phillies-Marlins game.

Sunday: The busy weekend closes with the 1:35 p.m. Phillies-Marlins game. Sports Express service starts at 12:18 p.m.

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2 Mayors Bet Community Service On NHL Quarterfinal Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown announced a National Hockey League Eastern Conference quarterfinals bet dedicated to community service. The Mayors agreed that the losing city’s Mayor will wear the winning team’s hat and will volunteer in their respective city while participating in a service project.

If the Philadelphia Flyers win the series, Nutter will participate in a “Let’s Read. Let’s Move.” program while wearing a Flyers hat. If the Sabres win the se-

ries, he will wear a Sabres hat. Brown will participate in a Salvation Army program that serves lunches to senior citizens while wearing the hat of the winning team.

“I may not agree with Mayor Brown regarding who to root for in hockey, but we are both committed to promoting community service in our cities. I’m looking forward to wearing my Flyers hat and promoting physical activity this summer,” said Nutter.

Fulbrighters Learn From PGW’s Diversity

15 INTERNATIONAL 2011 Fulbright Scholars visited Philadelphia Gas Works to learn about programs and techniques which are part of its award-winning workplace-diversity strategy. Scholars were visiting Phila. for the week as part of Fulbright Visiting Scholar Regional Enrichment Seminar highlighting “Valuing Diversity and Resolving Conflict.” Fulbright Program is flagship international educational-exchange program sponsored by US government to increase mutual understanding between countries. Fulbright Program awards 8,000 grants a year and operates in over 155 countries.

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Ayn Rand Fans Head To Bensalem For Premiere Of Atlas Shrugged: Part I

by Adam Taxin Approximately 20 people, predominantly right-ofcenter fans of the Russian-immigrant objectivist writer Ayn Rand, traveled to AMC Neshaminy 24 Bensalem, Bucks Co. last night for the midnight Philadelphia-area premiere of the movie Atlas Shrugged: Part I. Modified for the movie version to be set in 2016, the original work of fiction is an indictment of overbearing government in the private sector, a phenomenon leading to the perhaps-expected result of societal and economic collapse.

This reviewer would describe the film as fairly good, although suffering from the pretty insurmountable challenge of turning a philosophy-heavy book of well over 1,000 pages into a movie, even if the first part of a trilogy, of less than two hours. Others had other opinions.

Michael McCartney, 38-year-old libertarian from Northeast Philadelphia, was “definitely disappointed.” According to McCartney, “I don’t think the movie did the book justice.”

In contrast, Amanda Constanzer, the 25-year-old outgoing head of the Villanova Law School Federalist Society, raved. Constanzer, who was not previously familiar with Rand’s work, thought that “the cast, which was relatively unknown, did an excellent job of exploring a terrible economic situation. You had two really incredible protagonists who are digging to make things work. They don’t believe in the government spreading the wealth, they don’t believe in government takeovers, they don’t believe in being told how to run their business. When they know what’s good, they go out and do it, against all odds.”

Constanzer also appreciated the movie’s depiction of its heroine, Dagny Taggart (played by Taylor Schilling). “She’s an intriguing heroine because she simply didn’t let emotion govern her business sense 13 APRIL, 2011

TAYLOR SCHILLING as Atlas Shrugged heroine Dagny Taggart, appreciating her lover’s Rearden-metal bracelet of what she was trying to accomplish. I actually thought she was really inspiring. She really played hardball in a world in which men didn’t want anyone to succeed.”

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New Musical Comedy Is A Gas; Other Local Shows Passing In The Wind

by Adam Taxin Although it is tempting to indulge the opportunity to make some flatulence puns, the most crucialpoint about the new musical comedy A Passing Wind is that it is excellent.

Consistently hilarious and imbued with a comprehensive, even educational, sense of Belle Epoque Paris, A Passing Wind is based on the life story of Joseph Pujol (aka “Le Pétomane”, which translates to “The Fartiste”) from a country baker to star at the Moulin Rouge.

Written and directed by Seth Rozin, founder and artistic director of Philadelphia’s InterAct Theatre (which is currently presenting his Two Jews Walk into a War), A Passing Wind features songs and spoken dialogue which are consistently clever. The show, narrated

by Tim Moyer in the role of Sigmund Freud, never drags or slips into the “gimmicky” category.

The cast is, without exception, outstanding. The matter-of-fact way in which Damon Kirsche plays what is, all things considered, a pretty ridiculous character is one of the many ways the show’s humor builds. Laura Catlaw is particularly hysterical as star-in-her-own mind Angele Thibodeau. Much is added by the show’s Greek chorus of Peter Schmitz as Claude Monet, Maureen Torsney-Weir as Sarah Bernhardt, Jered McLenigan as Erik 10 |

Satie. McLenigan engages the audience throughout with an uproarious laugh which recalls that of Tom Hulce’s Mozart character in the movie Amadeus.

The show went over particularly well, perhaps at a different level, with audience member Sophie Alfonsi, a native of Cannes, France.

According to her, “Erik Satie was portrayed very accurately: his velvet coat, his hat and the cynical way he approached life, which is a very French way. The writer of the musical found a clever way to name and include major French writers, composers, theater writers, and painters that have influenced the history of France with their ideas. The French Anthem was very well performed, and I’m sure it will remain the funniest version that I will remember.”

(For what it is worth, it should be noted that, according to Wikipedia, it is a “common misconception that Joseph Pujol actually passed intestinal gas as part of his stage performance. Rather, Pujol was able to ‘inhale’ or move air into his rectum and then control the release of that air with his anal sphincter muscles.”)

The limited run of A Passing Wind has five more performances: tonight at 2 p.m., tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

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JOSEPH PUJOL, a unique finde-siècle French performer, was In terms of other current Center the Cityoriginal cultural “Pétomane”. happenings with descriptions less likely to elicit giggles, the Bard of Avon is well-represented. In addition to the closing weekend of the Lantern Theater’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, previously covered here, the Philadelphia Shakespeare Company is currently presenting, with rotating performances the comedy As You Like It (through Saturday, May 14) and the tragedy Hamlet (through Sunday, May 15).

This reviewer found As You Like It quite delightful. Hardly unique among Shakespearean comedies in featuring retreats to the woods, romantic advice and cross-dressing, this production certainly benefits from the intimate space the theater offers (at 2111 Sansom Street).

The play contains the famous “All the world’s a stage” speech, per13 APRIL, 2011

formed very ably by Ames Adamson as the constantly-complaining character Jaques.

It should be noted that the Philadelphia Shakespeare Co. starts performances particularly promptly, so audience members should be in their seats no later than the announced performance time. (Yes, this reviewer discovered that the hard way.)

Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts). Who Cares? brings together Balanchine’s choreography with a George Gershwin score.

In addition, the program includes a world premiere ballet by Frenchborn choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who is currently a Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet. Millepied was mentored by choreographer Jerome Robbins, a colleague of Balanchine’s

--------------This weekend, the Pennsylvania Ballet is presenting Building on Balanchine, which includes two works by the 20th-Century master Russian choreographer, George Balanchine.

Agon, which pairs Balanchine’s choreography with the music of Igor Stravinsky, a long-time collaborator with Balanchine, really has no story. Agon features dancers interacting in various combinations, with several movements based on 17th-Century French court dances (in keeping with the French theme of the ongoing

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Building on Balanchine opened last night and will be performed four more times (tonight at 7:30 p.m., tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.).

--------------The Philadelphia Orchestra’s program this weekend features works by innovative early-20th-century Viennese composer Alban Berg and by Bohemian-Jewish composer Gustav Mahler, who passed away almost exactly 100 years ago, on May 18, 1911. The concerts are conducted by David Zinman, music director of the

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Tonhalle Orchestre in Zurich.

The first piece is Berg’s Lulu Suite, described by the Philadelphia Orchestra’s website as “densely colorful music from Berg’s gruesome, tawdry operatic masterpiece,” with an end in which “the lascivious title character tries to seduce a man who turns out to be Jack the Ripper.”

The second part of the program is Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, which features a finale derived from the composer’s own song “Heavenly Life.” According to the Orchestra’s website: “At the end of Mahler’s Symphony, a soprano chimes in with a sublime, childlike song in which angels bake bread, St. Peter goes fishing, and St. Cecilia’s band accompanies dancing virgins.”

Jennifer Welch-Babidge will be featured as a soprano during Mahler’s Symphony No. 4.

This concert program opened last night and features performances today at 2 p.m. and tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

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