Activist Tied To Obama; Brings Our Kids Hope
…TIYE THOMPSON Universal Companies Executive Manager for Parental Engagement
Vol. III No. 25 (Issue 89)
Books Not Guns Come and learn why it’s better to have a book in your hand than an illegal firearm. That’s what Kenyatta Johnson wants everyone to read about, as he hosts “Books Not Guns” Book fair at the Universal Institute Charter School, Broad & Catherine Streets on Saturday, Jun. 20. For more information, please call (215) 952-3378.
New Community Garden Opening The Universal Community Playground & Community Garden Grand Re-Opening has been pushed back until next week. The rain date for the new ‘Wellness of You Community Garden’, at 15th & Christian Streets, will now take place next Thursday, Jun. 25, 10 a.m.-12 noon. For more information, please call Tiye Thompson at Universal Companies, EMO Office at (215) 732-6518 x120.
Free Stuff! Parishioners at Mount Hebron Baptist Church want you to know about a (Cont. Page 2)
by R. George Linton Remember this name: Tiye Thompson. Tiye is the executive manager for parental engagement and community involvement at Universal Companies Charter School. Thompson, 32, helps bridge the educational void between parent and child through initiatives she plans at three area schools. She likes to call her children-parent collaborative efforts “progressive, productive play”. Her motto:"Determined to progressively rear and galvanize each
“Reporting South Philadelphia the way it deserves”
child, parent and community – one day, one person at a time." “You cannot sit there and complain about wanting to change your community, if you don’t get up and do something about it,” Thompson says. Tiye put together a talent show at Vare MS two weeks ago that parents, kids and families are still talking about today. The two-month program was met with excitement in the school, but there was a catch for kids to partake: They had to bring their parent or guardian to every rehearsal (Cont. Page 27)
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In Memoriam Cavalier Severino Verna, Jr. Philadelphia lost one of its most productive and beloved sons with the death of Cavalier Severino Verna, Jr., this past week. Cavalier Severino Verna, Jr., was a funeral director in South Philadelphia for the past 52 years. He is a graduate of Southeast Catholic High School and Dolan College of Mortuary Science. He received an honorary degree from the Gabriele d’Annunzio College of Letters and Sciences in Rome, Italy.
June 18, 2009
Will Pool Closures Create Turf Wars? By R. George Linton In Point Breeze and Grays Ferry no summer swimming pool means trouble on the street! The city is closing Chew Pool in Point Breeze and Stinger Pool in Grays Ferry, and the respective communities are not happy about it. “Closing the pool will put our kids on the streets,” said Albert Littlepage, a local activist. Littlepage joined over 50 people at Stinger Playground, Tuesday to rally against the pool closure. Another community activist, Damon Roberts, also believes the closures are unacceptable. “Far too many of our kids are hanging on street corners, and we’re not going to accept the government’s balancing the budget on the back of these children,” Roberts said. “We need to give them something positive to do. The City plan is for Stinger and Chew to be closed. The pools are two of 27 the city says it's forced to close (Cont. Page 2)
Jim Stevenson 9371 ROOSEVELT BLVD.
Children Don’t Know Where to Play This Summer
CAV. Severino Verna, Jr. Cavalier Verna was chosen a Commissioner on the State Board of Funeral Directors by the late Governor Milton Shapp. He was reappointed by Gov. Richard Thornburgh and served with distinction in that post for 10 years. In 1983, the Honorable William J. Green, the Mayor of Philadelphia, selected Mr. Verna as a Commissioner of the Fair Housing Commission, a post in which he served until 2006. Active in community affairs, Mr. (Cont. Page 2)
Ron Panepinto Jewelers GRAYS FERRY KIDS join community activists at rally to save swimming pool at Stinger Playground Tuesday. The city is closing the pool at 32nd & Reed Streets. Kids said they don’t know where to play this summer.
700 Sansom St. 215-923-1980
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