Vendemmia Celebrates Its Winners Wine Enthusiasts Raise A Glass To The Best
by Maria Merlino It was poet Andre Simon who once said “Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.” For the winners and participants of Vendemmia 2009, the best wine makes the very best occasion. Wine enthusiasts packed La Stanza earlier this week as Chairman of the Vendemmia Foundation, Gerard Vernose, MD, VP of the Foundation, Theresa McMichen, and BEST OF SHOW, and 1st and 2nd place winners, Frankie Valereox Chairman of the Winemakers, Vince (Blues Jr.), Dr. Gerald Vernose, Frank Valereo (Blues Sr.) and Vince Novello hosted an awards gala. Novello toast winners of 2009 Vendemmia Wine Festival. My guest and I hadn’t been to La Photo by Maria Merlino Stanza, located at 20th & Oregon for
Vol. IV No. 16 (Issue 133)
The Only Union Newspaper Reporting South Philadelphia The Way It Deserves
a number of years and after we left, we vowed to return. It was the perfect place with the perfect atmosphere for an awards dinner. Chef Marco Decoti prepared a Tuscan meal that was worthy of the fine captivating wines that we all shared. Robert De Salvatore’s thirdplace winning wine, called Super Tuscan, along with first- and secondplace winner’s Frank Valloreo’s Petit Syrah and Zinfandel, were passed around and sipped during the course of the meal. Additional bottles provided by the Best of Show and Finalists Tenaglia(Cont. Page 2)
Value 50¢
April 22, 2010
Taste Of The Avenue East Passyunk Ready For Spring Flavor-Fest
Shine A Light For Local Cops Do you want to show your neighborhood support for your local police officers? If so, all it will cost is $8.00 and a little energy. To celebrate ‘Police Week,’ Town Watch groups from the 3d Police Dist. are selling special blue lights. Police Week begins next Monday, May 3 through May 14. The Home Depot is sponsor(Cont. Page 2)
by Thomas James Just south of the two well-known cheese emporiums on Passyunk Avenue, is home to some of the best chefs in the City. On Saturday, from noon-5pm, 20 of E. Passyunk Avenue's award-winning restaurateurs will gather under the ‘Flavors Tent’ on E. Passyunk to share their delights. Over 500 people will bring their empty stomachs to Tasker & Morris Streets and fill them with signature dishes and drinks. “Everyone has really gotten behind Flavors this year and we are so grateful to the restaurants, merchants, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for ensuring it is back for good,” said E. Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District’s Executive Director Renee Gilinger. “The restaurants are putting out (Cont. Page 12)
Ron Panepinto Jewelers 700 Sansom St. 215-923-1980 www.PanepintoJewelers.com We Buy Gold & Diamonds
Volunteers Mark 40th Anniversary Of Earth Day Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, but all week some local volunteers have been educating people on green issues. The Lower Moyamensing Civic Association (LoMo) has been holding variety of projects in the area designed to make a positive impact on our local environment. Earlier this week, members of LoMo’s Education Committee made a special visit to local schools – Little Duckies Day Care & Epiphany of Our Lord – to teach children the importance of keeping trash out storm water inlets. With adult supervision, students marked storm water inlets near their schools with decals that read “Yo! No Dumping! Drains to River.” The decals were provided by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary on behalf of the Philadelphia Water Dept. The new LoMo Education Committee will be working to create positive connections with our local schools and library and advocate for these important neighborhood institutions. On Monday, volunteers gathered at the Gas Station Garden at 11th & (Cont. Page 14)
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URBAN JUNGLE host Curtis Alexander, whose huge building is located at 1528 E. Passyunk, enjoys tour with Councilman Frank DiCicco of eateries in his establishment offering E. Passyunk Avenue restaurant menus to visitors.
City Controller Alan Butkovitz joins new Variety-Children’s Charity Executive Director Kelly Smith at gala. See Page 31 for pictures.