Vol. II No. 58 (218)
Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia
May 6, 2011
Philadelphia Daily Record
Sing It!
PUCCINI’S CELEBRATED OPERA Tosca fills stage at Academy of Music. See review page 6.
Rendell, Judges Clown It Up Volunteer Judges and Attorneys dressed in costume and presented mock trials based on fairy tales to Philadelphia grade-school students this morning and heard a presentation by former Gov. Ed Rendell. The event was held in City Hall’s Courtroom 653 and was staged in honor of Law Week. for violating safety regulations, requires new pipes to have shutoff valves that can be controlled remotely and increases public availability of pipeline information.
Toomey Backs Pipeline Safety Bill US Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) supported advancing the Pipeline Transportation Safety Improvement Act (S.275) out of the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee to the full Senate yesterday.
“As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I was pleased to support this bill for consideration before the full Senate,” Toomey said. “The bipartisan measure takes important steps toward improving pipeline safety and preventing future tragedies like those that unfortuIn the wake of pipeline accidents across the country like nately took place in Philadelphia and Allentown. I will the tragic explosions in Allentown and Philadelphia earcontinue working with members of the Commerce Comlier this year, the Pipeline Transportation Safety Immittee and Senate Leadership to address any remaining provement Act will help ensure the safety of our issues before the Senate votes on final passage.” pipelines and our citizens. The legislation increases fines
Small-Biz Group Slashes At Philly Bar Over Tort Reform Kevin Shivers, State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents nearly 15,000 small businesses in Pennsylvania, issued a statement yesterday in response to a resolution approved by the Philadelphia Bar Association urging lawmakers to defeat the Fair Share Act: “It was as predictable as the sunrise that the Philadelphia Bar Association, whose members have achieved for their city the grotesque title of ‘America’s Worst Judicial Hellhole,’ would ask the Legislature to enshrine it by defeating the Fair Share Act,” Shivers said. “The Bar Association makes the comically insincere argument that lawsuit abuse is a service to justice. 2|
It argues that civil defendants who are not directly negligent, but who are theoretically negligent according to the elastic vocabulary of attorneys, should have to pay all of the damages anyway because the real guilty party has no money.
are the lawyers representing?
“The fact is defense attorneys get paid when their clients get sued. Personal-injury lawyers get paid when their clients win. So when it comes to protecting their cash cow – Pennsylvania’s upside-down legal “If any one of them were charged for system – all of the lawyers are sitthe cost of something that their secre- ting on the same side of the table. tary shoplifted, they would proclaim “As a political interest group, they the arrival of totalitarianism in Amerihave been extraordinarily successcan. Yet, that’s the sort of justice under ful at defending the indefensible. which they want the rest of us to live. But the tide is turning against them, “Some of the lawyers who sup- and we are confident the new Legisported that resolution are defense lature will approve the Fair Share attorneys. Many of them are paid by Act and restore common sense to a small businesses. The overwhelm- legal system that has turned Penning majority of small business own- sylvania into a game preserve for ers believe that the Fair Share Act is trophy-hunting lawyers.” in their interest. So whose interest THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
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Philadelphia. He first announced this effort on Tuesday during Sonia Sanchez Live at City Hall, an event to highlight poetry in Philadelphia that was presented in US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced yesterday the partnership with Art Sanctuary. The planning commitUS Dept. of Labor has awarded $15,033,797 to seven tee for the Poet Laureate program will be chaired by schools in Philadelphia to reduce violence and improve Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer of the Mayor’s Ofeducational outcomes. fice of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.
Casey Announces $15 Million For Philly Schools To Boost Safety
“Ensuring our children receive a quality education in a “I am extremely excited and proud to announce that the safe environment is vital to the future strength of our City of Philadelphia will create an official Poet Laurecommunities and our nation,” said the Senator Casey. ate program. Poetry is an extraordinary and powerful art form, and our great city is filled with an astonishing The federal grants will be used to reduce violence and array of poets who help us to understand better our support educational opportunities within these schools community,” said the Mayor. “Sonia Sanchez exemplithrough strategies such as anti-bullying education, peer fies the role a poet can play in helping to define a city mentoring and crisis management. Expected outcomes and helping its citizens discover beauty. I look forward for the initiative include decreased dropout rates, a reto receiving the recommendations of the planning comduction in school violence and improved student bemittee and establishing, for the first time, a Poet Lauhavior and academic performance. reate for the City of Philadelphia.” Funds have been awarded to the following schools in The other members of the planning committee are the School District of Philadelphia: Lorene Cary, author and executive director of Art SancGermantown High School $2,312,892 tuary; Siobhan Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia; Al Filreis, Kelly Writers John Bartram High School $2,312,892 House at the University of Pennsylvania; Beth Feldman Brandt, poet and executive director of the Stockton Overbrook High School $2,312,892 Rush Bartol Foundation; and Greg Corbin, founder and Thomas FitzSimons High School $2,312,892 executive director, Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement. University City High School $2,312,892 “Promoting the arts in Philadelphia includes creating new institutions and programs that will showcase and Abraham Lincoln High School $1,156,445 offer insight into our city,” said Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer. “The work of renowned former national Poet Laureates including Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Mayor To Create Poet Laureate Frost, Richard Wilbur and currently W.S. Merwin offer a unique perspective on America. I hope this initiative Program will provide the same opportunity for Philadelphia’s Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced he has directed artists to explore what it means to be a Philadelphian.” the Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy to create an official Poet Laureate program for the City of West Philadelphia High School
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$2,312,892
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The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar May 6State Sen. Shirley Kitchen hosts Senior Healthy Living Expo at Columbia N. YMCA, 1400 N. Broad St., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free event. Breakfast and lunch will be served. For info (215) 227-6161. May 6State Rep. Michael McGeehan hosts tour of Samuel Baxter Water Treatment Plant celebrating National Drinking Water Week at 9001 State Rd., 10 a.m. To join tour call Nancy Hartey (215) 3339760. Need photo ID. May 622nd Ward Democrat Committee Spring Fundraiser at Gathering Place, 6755 Germantown Ave., 6-8 p.m. Candidates $100, community $50. Meet 8th Dist. City Council, at-Large City Council and judicial candidates. For info Ward Leader Ron Couser (215) 817-6159. May 6AOH 40 names John McNesby Labor Leader of Year at Ironworkers Ha., 11600 Norcom Rd., 7-11 p.m. Open bar, dinner, music. Tickets $50. For info Brian Coleman (215) 779-1330. May 6Cocktail fundraiser for 8th Dist. Council candidate Verna Tyner at Maia’s Fine Dining & Jazz, 5920 Greene St., 7-11 p.m. $50. For info (267) 297-7470. May 7State Rep. Michelle Brownlee hosts Mother’s Day celebration with free health screenings, games and prizes in her 195th Dist. Office, 2839 W. Girard Ave., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For info (215) 684-3738. May 7Pre Mothers Day Jazz Brunch hosted by Ed Nesmith for Council THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
at Large, Teamsters Local 623, 4369 Richmond St., 1-4 p.m. Special guests include Urban Guerilla Orchestra and Co-Pastor Dayna Devine of Family Life Worship Ctr. Tickets $25. For info (215) 992-9273. May 7Beef & Beer Fundraiser for Traffic Court GOP candidate Lewis Harris, Jr. at 6924 Greenway Ave., 2-6 p.m. Tickets $35. For info Annie (215) 416-8366. May 8- Lane Team Mother’s Day Breakfast at Oak Lane Diner, 6528 N. Broad St., 9 a.m.-12 m. Hosted by Marion Wimbush. First 100 mothers 50 years and older receive free breakfast and gift. Broadcast over 900AM WURD. May 9Democrat City Committee’s Jefferson Jackson Day Cocktail Party at Sheet Metal Workers Ha., Columbus Blvd & Reed St., 5:307:30 p.m. $150. For info Yolanda (215) 241-7804. May 9Shaare Shamayim Candidates Night at 9768 Verree Rd., 8 p.m. Free. For info Myles Gordon (215) 673-6377. May 10Republican City Committee Primary Election Cocktail Party and Buffet at Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, 9130 Academy Rd., 5:30 p.m. For info Carmella Fitzpatrick (215) 561-0650. May 10Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell holds Democratic 43rd Ward Candidates Meeting at 1str Dist. Plaza, 3801 Market St., 6-9 p.m.
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OARC Announces 8th Annual City Locals 2187 And 2186 Jazz Details Rank And File Pitch In For The Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corp., Philadel- Philabundance phia’s leading community development corporation, will hold a press conference on Monday, May 9, at 10 a.m., at Relish Restaurant in Northwest Philadelphia to announce the details of the Annual West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival.
The City of Philadelphia’s white-collar workers, working without cost-of-living or merit increases or pay raises while they deal with ever-increasing health-care costs for almost three years in the absence of a contract, are giving up this Saturday to help Philabundance sort Now in its eighth year, the Festival is scheduled for Fri- and package food for their fellow Philadelphians in day, Jun. 17, through Sunday, Jun. 19, and will take need. place along Ogontz Avenue in the city’s West Oak Lane These workers are acutely aware of the fact that – as section. they see their paychecks diminished through inflation The Festival celebrates the rebirth of the West Oak and increased health insurance deductions – they could Lane community and will feature dozens of internation- easily find themselves unable to provide food for their ally acclaimed, award-winning artists, including Chaka own families. By volunteering at Philabundance, these Khan, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne, Chrisette City employees are demonstrating their ongoing comMichele and Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra, alongside mitment to the welfare of all of Philadelphia’s families and participating on and off the job in making Philadelsome of the best regional and upcoming talent. phia a better place to live and work.
Historic Allen Lane Station Receives Award-Winning Makeover SEPTA representatives, elected officials and community leaders celebrated the culmination of a two-year renovation project at historic Allen Lane Station with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning. Allen Lane Station, which opened in 1885, is now fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The renovation of the historic station earned SEPTA a 2011 Preservation Achievement Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.
Throughout her Local 2187 and District Council 47 presidency, Cathy Scott has scheduled volunteer days at the Food Bank/Philabundance to help this region’s families who are food insecure gain access to affordable, nutritional food. At least 50 will be on site.
Philly For Change Endorses Treatman In 8th Dist. Eighth Dist. City Council candidate Howard Treatman earned the endorsement of an important Philadelphia progressive organization Wednesday night as the candidate’s field program achieved a canvassing milestone. Members of Philly for Change overwhelmingly voted to endorse Treatman for City Council at the group’s monthly meeting. Meanwhile, the Treatman campaign yesterday knocked on the door of its 15,000th voter. “Philly for Change values grassroots campaigning, and
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from the beginning, my goal was to take the message straight to the voters,” Treatman said. “PFC wants to see new ideas in City Council, not more of the same. They liked my plans for bringing jobs to Northwest Philadelphia. They want someone who will make sure that public funds allocated in the 8th Dist. actually create public benefit, rather than enriching a few connected individuals and organizations. PFC is a great group of people who really care about this city and I’m honored to have their support.”
Our members looked at all the candidates in the 8th District City Council race, and determined that Howard Treatman has the kind of experience, independence and fresh ideas we want to see in City Council,” said PFC Chair David Sternberg. “Philly for Change enthusiastically endorses Howard Treatman in the 8th Dist.”
sponsible Democrats. Activists and citizens gather on the first Wednesday of each month at the PFC Meetup to discuss politics and hear about ways to get involved in campaigns and issues.
“Speaking with everyday people – real voters – has given me a perspective on this race I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else,” Treatman Philly for Change is the Philadel- said. “My experiences at the doors phia chapter of Democracy for have been extremely gratifying, and America, which was founded in I’ve found people are very receptive 2004 by Howard Dean to support to my message and to my candisocially progressive and fiscally re- dacy.”
Tosca Meets High Expectations In Opera Co. Performance by Adam Taxin
tential audience members who are complete opera novices but are looking to get more familiar with the artform, Tosca, which has a relatively straightforward plot, is probably one of the most ideal “gateway operas.”
The current Center City production of Tosca, with two of its five Academy of Music performances remaining (tomorrow at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.), meets the lofty expectations one would place upon an Opera Co. of Philadelphia Sung in Italian with English transversion of one of Giacomo Puc- lations projected on a screen above cini’s best-known works. the stage, Tosca takes place over a 24-hour period in Rome of the year This three-act production, the first 1800. That year was part of an era production of Tosca by the Opera in which the Bourbon-run city-state Co. in over 10 years, should please of Naples, in conjunction with Vatsavvy opera veterans. Audience ican authorities and Austria, was members who are positively discompeting for control of Rome with posed toward, but not particularly Napoleonic France. knowledgeable about, opera may vaguely recognize a few arias (e.g., This historical backdrop provides a the title character’s “Vissi d’arte” starting point for the opera’s plot, [translated as “I lived for art”] in which is based on the Frenchman Act II) and the “Te Deum” chorus Victorien Sardou’s play La Tosca, near the end of Act I. For those po- with text for the opera written by 6|
THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD
Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica. A short, not-giving-away-most-ofthe-important-surprises summary of the opera’s plot is: Baron Scarpia, a corrupt chief of police (played by Russian baritone Boris Statsenko), engineers a plot by which he will be able to obtain temporary carnal favors from celebrated singer Floria Tosca (played by Romanian soprano Adina Nitescu) by trumping up legal charges against her handsome painter lover Mario Cavaradossi (played by Brazilian tenor Thiago Arancam). All three of the production’s main performers are making their Philadelphia Opera Co. debuts. As for stage presence, Nitescu brings the mandatory sense of Puccini-heroine drama (along the lines
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of Mimi in La Bohème and the title character in Madame Butterfly) to her role. Nitescu is funny in the parts of Act I in which she exhibits a sense of threat from a woman in a painting on which her lover is then working. Arancam brings the right mix of charisma and sympathy to his role. Statsenko is exceptional in making his character reek of vile ominousness. Statsenko’s Scarpia reminded me of Rod Steiger’s Victor Komarovsky in the 1965 film version of Doctor Zhivago, with a touch of the senses of jealousy and menace of Shuler Hensley’s Olivier Award-winning London/Broadway portrayal of Jud Fry, the jealous farmhand in Oklahoma! Enough of an opera novice myself to know my limitations as a critic, which include the ability to discern sublime from merely excellent vocal performances, I was fortunate to run into Mark Kushner, a Center Citybased cantor (Congregation Mikveh Israel at 20th &
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Chestnut), at the performance. I took advantage of the opportunity to solicit his more-expert assessment. Kushner’s overall take on the vocal performances was that “the soprano is maybe world-class, but that’s it. But you’re still riveted.” In terms of a criticism of the opera in general, he added that “it is a shame that the tenor’s best aria is at the beginning; he barely has a chance to warm up.” Nevertheless, according to Kushner, “without worldclass voices and without world-class sets, it is still a grand and glorious opera because of Puccini’s music and the wonderful libretto.” He emphasized the importance of the characters which enable the audience to relate. Whether “a boss who was corrupt and [whom you hope gets] his due at the end” or “a girlfriend who was high-maintenance,” the characters, Kushner said, “speak to you.”
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