200 Attend Senior Day
For complete coverage go to www.phillyrecord.com GUEST OF HONOR State Rep. Bill Keller, far right, congratulates senior volunteers of the year. They are, from left, Carmela Joyce, Rita Monzo, Isabel Casey, Josephine Stanish, Al Tropiani, Lena Oliveri, Jane Azzinaro, Rev. Monsignor Richard Powers, Hon. Judge Alex Bonavitacola, Anthony Budwin and Leonard Bunch. Not pictured is Nancy Virgilio, who couldn’t attend the event.
by R. George Linton Over 200 packed a South Philadelphia community center to applaud a group of seniors for their volunteerism. The event held at the South Philadelphia Older Adults Center, 10th & Dickinson Streets, and sponsored by the Philadelphia Consumer Council, heralded 11 seniors for their work in the community, with the Hon. Judge Alex Bonavitacola honored as their “Volunteer Senior of the Year”. Eleven South Philadelphia seniors were given proclamations from the City and State as well as awards from the PCC and sponsoring local newspaper, the South Philadelphia Public Record. The SPOAC was filled to capacity and
chairs were added to accommodate – with some standing in the doorways. Beside the outstanding nominees, there were many VIPs in the auditorium representing numerous organizations, such as Philadelphia Corp. for Aging, Bravo Elder Health Care, Verizon, St. Nicholas Parish, Annunciation Parish, Epiphany Parish and St. Charles Parish. Among the dignitaries attending were State Reps. William Keller and Babette Josephs, along with Debra Hopkins from State Rep. Kenyetta Johnson’s office. Also in attendance were Richard Vinci, Joseph Vendetti, Fred Druding and Lois Bartella, who represented PCC. Al Boccella, executive director of PCC, (Cont. Page 19)
It’s Snow Joke Walking For Your Supper Vol. III No. 6 (Issue 70)
“Reporting South Philadelphia the way it deserves”
Value 50¢
February 5, 2009
Celebrating Year of The ‘Ox’ Students Show Their Asian Heritage SPBA Hosts Scholarship Night The South Philadelphia Business Association will host its annual scholarship Awards gala tomorrow night at Galdo’s Catering. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. For more information, please call Reggie Lozzi at (215) 336.1108.
Anderson Awards The Marian Anderson Historical Society presents the Classical Icon Vocal Competition, Dinner and Celebrity Ball on Friday, Feb. 27, to help raise financial resources to advance aspiring young opera singers and other vocal artists of great promise. (Cont. Page 2)
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by Rory G. McGlasson Van Tsang was up at 3 a.m. cooking Chinese food in her McKean Street row home as she prepared to celebrate the Lunar Celebration at Southwark School Monday. This is just an everyday occurrence for Tsang, who runs the Asian Heritage Program at the school at 9th & Mifflin Streets. Thanks to her limitless work in South Philadelphia’s Asian neighborhoods, the School District hosted its fifth annual Lunar Celebration at Southwark ES to celebrate the Chinese New Year theme: Year of the Ox”. In its auditorium over 80 people crammed in to enjoy Asian-themed cultural-arts activities and performances from the students. Southwark hosted two performances on Monday, one in the morning; another in the afternoon. The older students will perform again tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. The school string band kicked off proceedings with a Chinese New Year folk song in the morning show. The dance team performed two numbers and the K-through-8th graders performed a Chinese and Vietnamese Fashion show. However, the highlight of the morning show was the K- class performance: “2 Tigers”. According to Principal Jill Silverstein, her school had a 48% Asian PaSouthwark school student Michelle Zhang, six, leads her dance troop to cific registration. “Little World” song as part of Chinese New Year celebration, Monday. (Cont. Page 2)
by Maria Merlino When it comes to homey Italian cuisine, South Philly is lucky to have many first-rate BYOB restaurants from which to choose. If the budget is tight but you still want to have a nice date-night, try Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant. In business since the summer of 2003, Chef and co-owner Christian Varalli and his business partner, co-owner Michael Gibson, have steadfastly made their mark in the neighborhood and have won many awards. I’ve been here a number of times for different occasions, like the (Cont page 19)
Photo by Maria Merlino
A blustery 28 degrees outside but warm and cozy inside Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant.
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