PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021

FREE | JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021

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Seniors lead the way as local gun sales spike

Gr a n n y,

Philly will miss U.S. Attorney William McSwain, the anti-Krasner. | Page 9

Image: Abad AxeRosa

get your gun

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WE ASKED, YOU ANSWERED

ARE YOU READING THIS?

PW READERS: KRASNER MUST GO GOOD. SO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS. Are your customers under 40? Engaged in the city?

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NO MATTER THE PLATFORM, Larry Krasner

Carlos Vega

Last week, PW’s Shoutout question asked for your thoughts about Philly DA Larry Krasner. Should he stay or should he go? You responded – and included thoughts about former prosecutor Carlos Vega, who’s challenging Krasner in the Democratic primary.

Here’s a sampling of your responses: “As a small store owner in Philadelphia, I recently had $420 in merchandise stolen.

When the police came, they informed me they couldn’t do anything about it and pointed me to Krasner’s office for answers. There I learned that he will not prosecute thefts under $500. That is a disgrace. These thugs already know this and are killing small businesses like mine with theft. It was a huge mistake to even think about voting for Krasner in 2017.

I’m going to have Vega signs posted in every business around mine.”

“Changing my party registration so I can vote D in the primary and for Mr. Vega.”

“The slimy creep is a blight to Philadelphia and law-abiding citizens. We cannot wait for the primary to get his no good ass out of Philadelphia.”

“He is a joke, a poor excuse for a man. He only cares about having his name remembered. Even if that is a horrible memory. He believes he is some new age, kind heart, for the people DA! He has the blood of thousands of people on his hands. Some of them were children killed by the criminals he either let go or released. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I have lived here for 36 years. I never thought I would leave. But I cannot raise my boys in this city.”

“I voted for Larry because I thought the City could use a fresh perspective on law enforcement; however, he has been quite a divisive figure, unprepared for the job. He believes that he has been anointed to educate us on racial theory and advanced metrics and to

change society, but he is so blind to the role for which he was elected. From virtually eliminating cash bail to not prosecuting property crimes, to finding ways to let murderers out of prison, he has failed us and he needs to go. We are blessed to have one of the most qualified, most deserving, and most dignified candidates ever to seek the position – Carlos Vega!”

“Larry Krasner has put this city back into the dark ages. His motives as a DA are questionable, they are not for the victims, they are not for the families, not for the businesses, and we know for sure they are not for the police.

We need someone in the DA’s office that stands for the families and hard working people of this city. Vega for DA!” “Larry ‘Let ‘em Loose’ Krasner is on his way out. Carlos Vega is a REAL prosecutor.”

“It’s obvious by now that Krasner’s ideology and his social experiment have been an absolute failure. His firing of experienced homicide ADAs has had a direct effect on the quality of prosecutions. The District Attorney’s Office has lost the respect of the U.S. Attorney and PA Attorney General due to his liberal policies and approach in dealing with victims. Most critical, though, is the loss of trust of the detectives and officers of the police department. Because of Krasner, police are very cautious and the lack of proactive policing is evident in looking at the explosion of crime in this once great city. Carlos Vega is an experienced prosecutor who cares about the victims and would restore the relationships with police to allow them to perform their jobs again.”

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PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021

4

STATE OF OUR CITY

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

STATE

OF OUR

CITY

Eagles letdown

After Sunday’s dramatic disappointment for Philadelphia Eagles fans, CBS3 sports anchor Pat Gallen asked his Twitter followers to sum up the entire Eagles season in exactly four words. The response that garnered the most likes: “My wife left me.” (LOL)

$250 MILLION Philadelphia Weekly Holdings, Ltd. 1520 Locust Street, suite 501 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-543-3743

Philadelphiaweekly.com @phillyweekly JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Dan McDonough, Jr. Chairman & Publisher Jenny DeHuff Editor in Chief

John Montesano Art Director

That’s how much New York’s Tunnels to Towers Foundation has donated to families of fallen first responders since its inception. Last month, a Philly family became the recipient of a great gift. Tunnels to Towers paid off the mortgage on the home of slain Philadelphia Police Sergeant James O’Connor, who died earlier this year and left behind his wife and three children.

The foundation was created in 2015 and pays off mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty who leave behind young children. Its goal is to ensure stability and security to families facing sudden, tragic loss. O’Connor, a 23-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, was shot and killed in the line of duty while serving a homicide warrant in March.

Alan Bauer Managing Editor

Contributors: A.D. Amorosi, Jesse Bunch, Paul Davis Resolve Philadelphia, Timaree Schmit, Ryan K. Smith, Kerith Gabriel, Eugene Zenyatta. Intern: Zachary Bard.

To contact the news department: mail@philadelphiaweekly.com.

Ed Lynes Chief Revenue Officer Stephanie Hawkins Michael Chambers Controller Director of Circulation Signature Supporters: Ted Kazantzis

To purchase advertising in Philadelphia Weekly, contact Sales at 215-543-3743, ext. 104, or sales@philadelphiaweekly.com.

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STATE OF OUR CITY

PUTTING DOWN HER PEN At the end of 2020, Philly bid a happy retirement to one of the most talented editorial cartoonists to ever have parodied its politicians, its people and the state of our city – Signe Wilkinson. Wilkinson sketched for the Philadelphia Daily News for 30 years and until more recently, The Inquirer. As the first female cartoonist to win a Pulitzer Prize, she found a way to stick a finger in the eye of our elected officials without bludgeoning them. For many, she will be missed.

Courtesy of Facebook

...In our step knowing that the Allegheny Avenue Pep Boys, owned by billionaire Carl Icahn, will soon be closing, the Inquirer reporter on Sunday. The company, which turned 100 in the New Year, suffered losses in recent years due to a credit rating downgrade and was forced to close stores and garages across the country.

Many are criticizing the move, saying that Philly – and the northeast especially – rely on Pep Boys’ investment for jobs. Manny, Moe and Jack were unavailable for comment.

QUOTABLE:

“The United States government is making latemodel Philadelphia mafia look sophisticated.”

– Tara Murtha, communications head at Women’s Law Project and former writer for PW.

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A LITTLE LESS PEP…

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6

FEATURED

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DO YOU LUCKY,

Then say hello to Granny’s little friend

Kay Cawman says she likes the handling of smaller, heavier guns, despite her arthritis.

NRA-certified instructor Bob Dulee shows her how to use one at Delaware Valley Sports Center in Northeast Philly on Monday. | Image: Abad AxeRosa

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

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FEATURED

FEEL PUNK? I

t was only her second time earlier this week to take her second lesson with an NRA-certified instrucat the gun range, but it didn’t tor and get more comfortmatter.

Sevenable with her soon-to-be ty-two-year old Kay purchase.

Cawman already In Philadelphia and knew what she across the Commonwealth, wanted for a weapgun sales surged in 2020. A on. She knew what felt global pandemic, a divisive comfortable in her hands presidential election, peace – the weight, the grip and protests-turned to violent the kind of kick it gave – riots and overall uncertaindespite her arthritis. ty about the future are all Like many others her factors, experts say. With age and older in Philadelmany businesses closed, phia, Cawman is buying a workers laid off and peohandgun for the first time ple struggling to pay their for several reasons. The bills, more and more Philamain one is self-defense. @ RUFFTUFFDH delphians are justifying the After a year that made her purchase of a firearm. generally nervous, she says According to the National Shootshe felt the time was right.

A registered nurse from Salem, N.J., she traveled to the Delaware Valley Sports Center in Northeast Philly SEE GUNS, PAGE 8

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8

FEATURED

“It is common to see spikes in PICS activity surrounding major news events and before elections, and that was certainly the case in 2020,” said Ryan Tarkowski, spokesman for the Pennsylvania State Police.

But not everybody is buying their guns at federally licensed dealers, as one gun control advocate points out.

“In Pennsylvania, you can buy a semiautomatic – really any long gun – without a background check if you get it from a private dealer,” said Marybeth Christiansen, Pennsylvania State Chapter Leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Image: Abad AxeRosa in America.

“The data shows the increase in gun sales has led to an increase in all forms FROM PAGE 7 of gun violence – homicides, suicides, domesing Sports Foundation, a trade organization tic violence shootings, unintended shootings.

The shame of it is households that have a gun for the gun industry, there were more than 1 make it five times more likely that the owner million background checks into people seekwill die from gun violence. ing to buy guns in Pennsylvania in 2020, com“There are reasonable ways to limit gun vipared to 714,413 in 2019. For first-time buyers olence that fully protect the 2nd Amendment like Cawman, she understands the reason for that would be important at this time at the the increase. pandemic with increased sales.”

“It’s just a very unpredictable world,” she Yet a boost of first-time buyers has been a said during a recent interview with PW. “With the civil unrest that is happening, is huge part of many gun shops’ customer base it going to be that much harder to purchase this past year. Bob Dulee, an NRA-certified ina gun in the future? The laws change and I structor with Delaware Valley Sports Center, teaches gun safety five days a week. didn’t want to wait any longer.”

“Guns are being used in self-defense sucTony Filippello, owner of Delaware Valley Sports Center, has been in the gun sales cessfully to deter and stop crime often without a shot even being fired,” he said. business since 1992. He said never before has Although he and owner Filippello still get he seen more women and seniors buying their regulars who come in looking to add to weapons for themselves than over the past six their inventory – buying for sport, hunting, or months.

“The reason why a lot more Philadelphians collection – Filippello said something different he saw in 2020 was the number of women and are purchasing firearms more than ever is beseniors looking for firearms. cause of the fact that they realize they need to “[These are] women who have never, ever protect their family and themselves,” he said. thought about owning a firearm or women “You have a national agenda for defunding who would never think about owning one the police. They realize that the city law enforcement agencies may not be there for them when their husband was alive – are buying firearms to protect themselves. They come in and they’re scared.”

Filippello says they’re selling so many: “We here scared and I will not let them leave until they get a lesson and they learn how to shoot,” can’t keep the guns on the shelf.”

Last year proved to be the highest volume Filippello said.

“I have a group of women – they’re maybe year in the history of the Pennsylvania In60 and older. They come once a week in varistant Check System (PICS), which state police use to determine a person’s eligibility to ous groups and they shoot. I remember when purchase a gun. Between the first and third they couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. Now, quarters of 2020, numbers steadily rose, and I would put any one of these women against so did the number of gun purchase denials, any competitive shooter – that’s how good they are. Some of these women are in their 80s subsequent investigations and arrests resulting from those investigations. (Numbers for and early 90s. They’re shooting aces.”

For Cawman, who lives alone, she said she the fourth quarter were not yet available as of just wants something that will make her feel press time.) protected in her own home.

According to a state police news release, the “I plan on going to the range several more increase in activity began when Pennsylvatimes to try out which gun feels right,” she nians began learning about the COVID-19 pandemic in early spring. The state ran 406,151 said.

“For me, it’s about security and taking care background checks in the third quarter of of myself.”

2020 – the most ever in any third quarter.

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GUNS,

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Rifles on display at Delaware Valley Sports Center in Northeast Philly. | Image: Abad AxeRosa

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CRIME BEAT

9

BILL MCSWAIN VERSUS PHILLY’S CROOKS

I

recall when the FBI’s 1979 ABSCAM According to the indictment, Myers is alinvestigation nabbed several politileged to have bribed Domenick J. Demuro, cians accepting bribe money from the Judge of Elections for the 39th Ward, 36th undercover FBI agents posing as Division in South Philadelphia. Demuro, a representatives of a fictitious MidDemocrat, was charged separately and pleaddle Eastern sheik. Of course, sev- ed guilty this past May. He was responsible for eral Philadelphia politicians were overseeing the entire election process and all indicted in the FBI scam, voter activities of his Division.

The voting machines generate including South Philly’s then-Conrecords in the form of a printed regressman, Michael “Ozzie” Myers. ceipt known as the “results receipt,” Myers was captured on videotape which documents the use of each stating famously, “Money talks and voting machine. The Judge of Elecbullshit walks.” tions and other Election Board offiConsidering the number of cials at each polling place attest to crooks in and out of city governthe accuracy of machine results. ment who were indicted by the U.S. Myers is charged with bribing attorney for corruption and other Demuro to illegally add votes for federal crimes this past year, this certain Democratic candidates in could be Philadelphia’s slogan. primary elections. Some of these With the inauguration of Joe candidates allegedly hired Myers, Biden as president, many U.S. attorand others were candidates that neys will be replaced, as the federal Myers favored. According to the inprosecutor job is a political appointPAULDAVISONCRIME.COM dictment, Myers took “consulting ment. This probably includes Wilfees” from his clients and then used liam M. McSwain, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for the Eastern District some of this money to pay Demuro and others of Pennsylvania. McSwain has been an ag- to tamper with election results.

“Voting is the cornerstone of our democgressive and effective prosecutor, as well as a counterbalance to the city’s district attorney, racy. If only one vote has been illegally rung up or fraudulently stuffed into a ballot box, Larry Krasner. McSwain has been critical of Krasner’s progressive reforms and leniency the integrity of that entire election is undermined,” McSwain said. toward violent criminals.

“Votes are not things to be purchased and McSwain racked up a good record of prosecuting crooks in our Democratic-controlled democracy is not for sale. If you are a politicity, something that a Biden-appointed U.S. at- cal consultant, election official, or work with the polling places in any way, I urge you to do torney may be reluctant to pursue. your job honestly and faithfully. That is what For example, back in July, former Congressman Myers was indicted by McSwain for the public deserves, it is what democracy demultiple counts. These included conspiring to mands, and it is what my office will enforce.”

In another case, McSwain announced on violate voting rights by fraudulently stuffing Dec. 21 that Jeffrey Blackwell was sentenced ballot boxes for certain Democratic candidates to 22 months in prison, three years of superfrom 2014 to 2016 in the Pennsylvania primary elections, bribery of an election official, falsi- vised release, and ordered to pay $25,612 in fication of records, voting more than once in restitution for misusing his official position with the Philadelphia City Controller’s Office federal elections and obstruction of justice.

PAUL DAVIS

to enrich himself by soliciting and accepting bribes, and for committing additional tax crimes.

Blackwell pleaded guilty to charges of honest services wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and two counts of failure to file a tax return. A former City of Philadelphia employee in the Investigations Division of the Office of the City Controller, Blackwell committed a series of frauds between 2013 and 2015, accepting more than $20,000 in bribes for city services.

According to court papers, Blackwell solicited bribes from people who sought permits or contracts from the city. He reportedly accepted U.S. Attorney William McSwain bribes from a furniture store who wanted permits to park a storage container on the wherever it exists,” McSwain said. street. Another owned a construction busi“Jeffrey Blackwell used his public position ness and paid Blackwell to obtain a plumbing to enrich himself to the detriment of all Philpermit. Yet another owned an auto body shop adelphians who expect and deserve honest and paid Blackwell to get a license to buy and services from the City’s employees. Today’s sell cars, as well as obtain a city contract to sentence puts Mr. Blackwell where he belongs install decals on police vehicles. Another in– in prison.” dividual, who was cooperating with the FBI In addition to judges, political operatives at the time, told Blackwell that he needed perand city officials, McSwain shipped off other mits from the city to renovate a house. thieves and crooks to prison. McSwain shall “During my tenure as U.S. Attorney, we be missed. have made it a top priority to uncover and Paul Davis’s Crime Beat column appears prosecute public corruption in Philadelphia here each week.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021

10

VOICES

OF OUR

CITY

Repairing our world: The power of language Words hold immense power; power that can be wielded positively and negatively. In a year where those in power have perpetrated violence by malice and negligence, the language we use to describe things matters. In a year like this, healing often does not come easily.

Rather, it is a deliberate effort. A key part of healing is also discomfort. To this end, a group of various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds gathered at Fort Washington State Park on Nov. 8. We were joined by a Holocaust survivor, Ruth Hartz. Uniting us all was our connection to a vibrant secular humanist Jewish community: Folkshul.

The program commemorated two events – Kristallnacht, in which Jewish communities were destroyed by Nazis, and the Tulsa Race Massacre, where a Black community was destroyed by white Americans. The Tulsa incident occurred in 1921 when allegations about a Black man and a white woman were blown out of proportion. This ultimately led to a riot where the “Black Wall Street” Greenwood district was destroyed and hundreds of people died. The police did little to quell the violence.

At the Nov. 8 gathering, we looked at first-person accounts of both incidents. Although written in different time periods, places and contexts, fear is a universal language – among victims and perpetrators. This language can both illustrate and reinforce fear.

Of course, fear isn’t an excuse for oppression; rather, it’s essential to understanding how oppressive systems thrive. One only needs to look at the way police shootings of (very often unarmed) Black men are described in official documents.

When George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis in May, the initial autopsy report said this about his cause of death: “The autopsy revealed no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation...The combined effects of Mr. Floyd being restrained by the police, his underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.”

Patricia Williams, a law professor at Columbia, wrote in The Guardian that this plays into the “trope of black bodies killing themselves.”

Responsibility is systematically shifted from the perpetrator (often a member of the group in power) to the victim (often a member of an oppressed group).

Finally, there’s the issue of tense. It’s tempting to use the past tense when talking about trauma. Just look at the white tendency to proclaim that yes, America was racist, but it’s not racist anymore. Perhaps it’s even the least racist country on earth! Segregation isn’t legal anymore, after all.

But this is deeply flawed reasoning. For every piece of legislation dismantling legal racism, there is de facto racism and de facto segregation that resulted from red-lining and the racial wealth gap. It took Philadelphia 35 years to apologize for bombing MOVE headquarters and ordering firefighters not to put out the blaze. In the first eight months of this year alone, police killed 164 Black people. Historical events do not exist in neat, discrete packets, and it’s irresponsible to pretend they do. That’s what was so essential about our Folkshul event: we were all trying to collectively de-compartmentalize trauma.

I was one of the discussion leaders, which was in itself a big step out of my comfort zone.

We figured out the language of oppression together, but we also communally found the value of silence. It was in those moments, in between shares, that I felt the full value of the event: sitting, thinking privately, individually, but still in the same space. I’m a high school senior. The event taught me something simultaneously humbling and empowering: I have a lot to learn, but I also have a lot to contribute.

Language can be a tool of the oppressor, but it’s also a vital tool of the oppressed. When things look bleak and restrictive, I think of this Elie Wiesel quote about his writing: “We may use words to break that prison...that is why I wrote that book, and that is why I wrote the others.”

Hannah Dubb is a Jewish high school senior and Folkshul classroom assistant from Philadelphia. As a Folkshul youth leader and assistant, Hannah has curated the tool “Understanding Race and Justice: A Resource Guide for A Secular Humanist Community.”

With interests in the Classics, humanities, and social sciences, her work has appeared on the Medium blog Ad Aequiora and the website Diotíma.

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

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THE SHOUT OUT

Image | hosein charbaghi

Gun shop owners are reporting a spike in sales in Philly.

Your turn:

Do you own a gun?

Why or why not?

Send your thoughts to voices@philadelphiaweekly.com

In resp article las tion proce stand the ing everyo If the e ery electio

VOICES OF OUR CITY

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Founding Fathers knew what they were doing In responding to Beth Goldstein-Huxen’s article last week about Compact and the election process, it’s safe to say she doesn’t understand the purpose of the electoral college giving everyone a voice.

If the electoral college was eliminated, every election would be selected by California

and New York because they’re the most populous states.

The small states therefore would not have a voice.

The Founding Fathers knew what they were doing so all states are represented.

Please, read up on your history.

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12

GOSSIP

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ICEPACK

2021 ALREADY SUCKS 2020’s misery keeps on keeping on

S

o, is it me, or do you, too, feel as if ally coolest thing about January, this city’s this year is as thoroughly hateful Philly Loves Bowie extended week created as the last? What’s changed but a

by Doobies’ Patti Brett and WXPN’s Robert single number on the calendar? Drake, is pushed back to July?

There was no real demarcation to “While this might seem obvious, we wantsignal the shift – no fireworks, no ed to make it official and let you know that parade. we will be postponing our 5th annual Philly We’ve entered the vacuum of Loves Bowie Week until summer 2021,” 2021 to incessant, cold rain. There’s the bit- Drake wrote, to remind us of the fest we’d terer, chillier pill of waiting until the 15th miss that always celebrated Bowie’s birth for everything to open indoors – even then: (Jan. 8), death (Jan. 10) and his longtime conWHY BOTHER? Nobody’s getting COVID-19 nection to this city, such as Ziggy Stardust shots. Eagles’ chieftain Doug Pederdates at the Tower (to say nothing son is still here through the next seaof taping 1974’s “David Live!” at the son, a promise and a threat. If we dine same theatre) and recording “Young

BY A.D. outside, rather than inside, we are Americans” at 12th Street’s Sigma AMOROSI foodie-forced to commit to that eerie, Sound Studio. uncalming hum generated by sizzling, “Details will roll out once we have high-wattage heat lamps. some to share – but there’s no practical way (No. Seriously. If you’re not noticeably to produce our 10-day celebration of The hearing them, yet find yourself ordering Starman while in this pandemic. Until then, white, potato-based items you normally stay safe, stay (Aladdin) sane, and listen to would not, because like, you know, CARBS, Bowie.” those scary, buzzing lamps that unsuspectDag. So, it’s on to February then. ingly fry the top of your head are weaving NBA’s dining tips their hidden magic).

Hey, speaking of the 15th, did you know There’s no winter Flower Show for which that the NBA and its player association just to prepare or feign interest. Winter cocktails issued a list of safe restaurants in various must be accompanied by food, which ruins cities throughout the U.S. that thoroughly half the fun and speed of inebriation that comply with all of its necessary COVID-19 goes with seasonal depression drinking. distance and health concerns?

Damn, damn, damn, damn, even the usuYup, and for the 2021 season, whether

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

you’re a baller from out of town or one of the Sixers, you can dine at Marc Vetri’s Cucina, Stephen Starr and Aimee Olexy’s Talula’s Garden and Michael Schulson/Nina Tinari’s (Harp & Crown, Double Knot, and Via Locusta.) Atza nize. Also, the NBA recommends Chef Schulson’s handmade bucatini at Via Locusta.

Jake Ewald’s new music In the not-so-distant past (2017 isn’t that far away, is it?), I wrote about my Philly postemo favorites Modern Baseball for this paper and elsewhere with alarming regularity.

There was/is great reason.

MVP M-Ballers Brendan Lukens and Jake Ewald were/are one of pop’s great songwriting teams – punk, emo, screamo – and the fact that they never officially broke up (the aforementioned 2017 date was one of an extended hiatus, wishing to maintain mental health and long-term friendships) makes the band as mysterious as they are mesmerizing.

With that, the always soul-folksy Ewald has continued on, solo, under the Slaughter Beach, Dog moniker for a minute. And just like Taylor Swift in her current quarantined goth folksy period, Ewald-Dog’s newest, most homespun album, At The Moonbase – released the day before Christmas – makes a delicious case for great power-pop, but in a moodily intimate setting.

GOSSIP

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY Money for art You say there’s no cash benefactors for art in a pandemic? You might be wrong. Philly’s Monument Lab public art and research studio just snagged a handsome $4 million grant from the Pittsburgh-born Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to become the first partner in its upcoming “Monuments Project,” its fiveyear, $250 million initiative that promises to transform the way America’s “histories are told in public spaces.” This goes with the dissection of celebratory public monuments – who should get them, who should not, whose should be scorned and shorn from display forevahhhhhh ala Confederate icons and Rizzo – and the potential diversification of our country’s historical narratives, past, present and future. Good luck and go to it.

Meek’s been busy Proof that promoting prison justice pays, Philly’s Meek Mill not only signed onto Random House’ new Roc Lit 101 publishing imprint to write about success over the system, but also tweeted out, in the last several days, that he bought a Rolls Royce Phantom (“cuz I always wanted one”), that he is considering moving to Africa (“I want to buy a property in Ghana where do I start? A nice house...I need to feel that experience With my family as another option in life! I don’t wanna dedicate my whole life to the American lifestyle I been living...the odds are too stacked against us it feels like!”), and dropped an Instagram story with a chunk of fresh music and the caption “new flames coming January first.” Good. Cool. All that, and still Millie has time to concern himself with his old flame, Nicki Minaj, her husband and their new baby on the newly-designed Clubhouse app – a mad move that left many readers annoyed that Meek might just be obsessed with his one-time fiancé. C’mon, maaaan.

Masked Philly: Kerri Park In Icepack’s continuing saga of asking mask-donning local celebrities what they’ve been up to, beyond the pale, during COVID19’s pandemic, I reached out this week to Kerri Park, GM of World Café Live.

If you’ve paid attention to my writings, Icepack and beyond, at Philly Weekly (fuck you if you didn’t, seriously), you know Park has been embroiled with helping to preserve hers and the rest of this city’s live venues through Save Our Stages and her boss, Hal Real’s National

Independent Venue Association initiative.

“Philadelphia and live music are two of the things I love most in this world; having so many independent venues in jeopardy has been rough,” said Park.

With that continued (it’s not like Philly live venues got any of Amy Klobuchar’s promised $18 billion, yet) struggle, Park had little time for further adventures away from the hassles of the music biz.

“I’m pretty committed on that front, but, besides that, there’s the continued failed attempts at cooking…Not getting better at cooking, just literally cooking anything at all. So far, nine months in, I am doing a way better job of supporting local restaurants with takeout instead. I was heavily present at protests supporting Black Lives and equitable justice. I walked to and from the venue taking a different route every time looking for murals I hadn’t seen before. I started keeping indoor plants that are actually all still alive, and I’m developing a (non-music) current events podcast with a friend.”

As for wearing a mask, Park’s favorite may be her Save Our Stages face-cover – a constant reminder to keep fighting, a cue she needed to get through these challenging months.

“I am, by nature, a behind-the-scenes type of person, so a little extra anonymity with the mask didn’t bother me. I think the mask situation hit me hardest watching my son having to wear one, something about seeing them on children was way more difficult.”

When the time is Image | Courtesy of Kerri Park right, Park will definitely be ready to stop wearing the mask. Its removal will signal her victory in the war waged against live venues, not only from raging viral plagues, but, public officials.

“Watching Save Our Stages develop from a hashtag to federal legislation has been inspiring; 100 percent reinvigorating my connection to being a more full-time citizen and a better Philadelphian. The pandemic forced me to connect with elected officials to advocate for our survival. I am grateful for that catalyst to engage. As soon as it’s responsible to stop wearing them, besides becoming a regular at as many venues as possible, I plan to take a trip with my son and explore a new city for a few days – right after I get drinks with my staff and toast to their resilience.”

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NEW MOVIE, MUSIC FOR JILLIAN SHEA SPAEDER P

The Phillyborn performer also works for change in the world

Aside from music and acting, Philly-born Jillian Shea Spaeder also promotes equality and inclusivity, and supports a number of worthwhile causes. | Image: Storm Santos

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

hilly-born actress and singer/ rosis Society and Children International, songwriter Jillian Shea Spaed- through which her family sponsors kids in need. She also actively uses her platform er, best known for her series regular role on Disney XD’s to promote equality and inclusivity.

PW recently caught up with Spaeder to “Walk the Prank,” can currently be seen as a lead in the Dis- talk about her career and what’s ahead.

Let’s go back to the beginning. When ney+ original film, “Godmothered.” She appears alongside did you become interested in acting and Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher. Spaeder also music? Who were some of your earliest sings two songs in the movie and has new influences?

Growing up in a musical famioriginal music coming out in the ly, I’ve always been drawn to pernew year. forming. My parents say I had reSpaeder also recently appeared

BY EUGENE ally good pitch at a young age and as a guest star on Netflix’s “No ZENYATTA started singing as soon as I could Good Nick” (with Sean Astin and talk! Besides shows in my baseMelissa Joan Hart), on Disney ment for family and friends, I did Channel’s “Just Roll with It,” and some elementary school and local musical in a supporting role in the film “To the Beat!: Back 2 School.” In addition to her theatre class shows, which really gave me the acting bug. I got private coaching and acting career, the 18-year old is also a taleventually booked roles in several local ented singer-songwriter. She got her start singing and playing the piano when she equity theatre productions before heading out to Los Angeles to audition for TV and was 5 years old, discovered her love of guifilm roles. tar/ukulele at 12, and is currently writing My earliest influences are probably and recording her own original music. She The Beatles and Queen. My parents have has several more songs in the works for a band that plays everything from the release in the next few months and contin‘60s through now, so I’ve been exposed to ues to write when she is not in the recordmany different genres of music. When I ing booth.

Aside from music and acting, Spaeder was around 9, I started doing some guest appearances at their gigs singing songs enjoys being able to utilize her voice for from artists like Alicia Keys and Adele. change in the world. She has dedicated her A few years later, I started playing guitime to both the National Multiple Scle-

mer or

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY tar and writing my own music. Now my influences are singer-songwriters like Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes and Julia Michaels.

After appearances in a number of television series, you landed a leading role in “Godmothered.” Why were you drawn to this film? What were some of the highlights of the production process?

Playing Jane in “Godmothered” was really a dream role for me. Acting in a Disney holiday movie was already a big draw, but the character also sings and plays guitar. Being able to do three things I love in one project was an incredible opportunity, so I’ll always be thankful to the director, producers and casting directors for choosing me to tell Jane’s story.

One of the first things I got to do when I arrived in Boston for filming was to record “Rise Up (Joy to the World)” and “Hero” in the studio, so that was a highlight. Then, performing “Rise Up” with a choir behind me and a huge audience in front of me for the big concert scene was surreal. One of the funniest memories on set involved a “newer” actor. We filmed a few scenes with a little piglet named Yenny, who interrupted some of the takes with her squealing or untimely entrances into the scene! It was a challenge to get the scenes done, but we laughed a lot at her antics.

You sing two songs in “Godmothered” and have new music dropping in 2021. Talk a little about your music career. Where do you find the inspiration for the songs you write?

I started writing music a few years ago, and most of the time I find inspiration in the people or things happening around me. For example, I wrote my song “I don’t know” while sitting in a parked car (that’s the first line of the song) and my song “2021” as a response to our crazy year finally coming to an end. Other times, I just get ideas for melodies and certain lyrics pop into my head.

You’re originally from Philadelphia.

What was it like growing up here? Were there any people or organizations here that helped launch your career?

I grew up in Malvern, which is such a cool, small town and close enough for my family to jump on the train or drive into the city for a Phillies game, a show at Walnut Street Theatre, or lunch at Reading Terminal Market.

Our house is near the borough, so I have always loved being able to walk with my friends to Wawa or Scoops ‘N Smiles, my favorite ice cream place.

My career definitely started here, although I had no idea then that it would actually become my career! I first started taking musical theatre classes at the Music Training Center, which had a Malvern location at that time. I later took voice lessons at the Music Workshop in Berwyn and was a theatre student at the New School at Media Theatre. But my first big “break” was when I was cast in an equity theatre production, “The Holiday Panto,” at People’s Light Theatre Company in Malvern.

The only child in a cast of 12, I played “Flea”

ARTS in their production of Cinderella, which ran for about three months. It was such a great experience, and I’ll always feel like it was the one that started me on the professional part of my journey.

The following year, I portrayed Young Eponine in Media Theatre’s production of “Les Misérables” during the holiday season.

Just a few weeks later, I headed to Los Angeles for pilot season, and that’s when I booked the series regular role on “Walk the Prank.”

How have the pandemic and all of the closures impacted your career? How have you spent any downtime?

The entertainment industry was on hold for about six months because of the pandemic, so I spent a lot of that time working on music. I did some remote recording for a few songs I’d already been working on with my producers, and I also wrote a few new songs. One of those was “I don’t know,” which I wrote and recorded in two days. My dad and I produced it, a friend came over to safely help me record a music video, and we released both the song and video that same week.

Before the past election, you were one of the creators behind “It Counts,” a film that provided education for young voters. Why was it important to you to be involved in a project like this?

I have been vocal about issues like equality the past few years. I turned 18 in September, so as a new voter I felt it was important to use my voice to help encourage others to make their voices heard – by voting. My friends and I made the short film to encourage teens to take an active role in determining the future of this country, if not in this election, then in future ones. The message is that every vote counts!

In addition to your professional career, you find time to give back, and are active with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Children International. How did you get involved with these organizations?

My aunt has MS, and my uncle started the MuckFest, a mud run to raise awareness and support people with MS, in our area many years ago. A lot of my family members and I do the run every year, and my aunt is always there waiting for her muddy hugs at the end!

My family also sponsored three kids through Children International as we were growing up; the ages and genders of the kids matched those of my siblings and me. This organization helps children in impoverished communities get the health care, education, and support they need to make a lasting change in their lives. I hope to do even more to help support the National MS Society and Children International in the future.

In addition to your new music, what’s ahead for you? Any new acting projects you can share?

I have a few projects that might be coming up, but they are in the pre-production phase at this point. In the meantime, auditions are starting to come in again, so I hope to have more to report soon.

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CATCHING UP WITH

MONDO

COZMO The Philly rocker has a true tale of blood, sweat and tears

Y A lot of blood (literally blood), sweat and tears were spilled before Mondo Cozmo was able to write the album he always meant to write. | Image: Chriss Luttrell

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

ou hear and read countless sto- window for a second, but the four-hour ries about blood, sweat and tears surgery did suck. Yet, breaking the glass smashed a figurative ceiling. In the afterall shed in the name of art. math, he learned how to “Say no,” departHowever, you never validate ed amicably from the major label how much of each flusystem, “taped a fucking pick to id really flowed. Until his cast” to play guitar, lost feelnow.

BY EUGENE ing in the aforementioned hand In this case, blood actually ZENYATTA for two years, attracted the wisspilled (beyond a lot of tears and dom of Butch Vig, and wrote the sweat) for Philly alt rocker Monrock ‘n’ roll record he always do Cozmo to craft his second fulllength and first release for Last Gang Re- meant to write. The most rock ‘n’ roll thing about it isn’t the right hook, the guitars, cords, “New Medicine,” which dropped in or even the attitude. It’s the moment of June.

According to his official bio, Mondo does self-actualization by the Philadelphia-born and Los Angeles-based critically acclaimed not regret putting his fist through that

H

O

O

MUSIC

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY alternative troubadour and gutter punk poet.

Philly-born rocker Mondo Cozmo’s secThe man himself, Josh Osond full-length album, ‘New Medicine,’ trander, tells the story best. came after a period of painful self-actu“We were shooting a live video alization. | Image: Chriss Luttrell on a sound stage in Culver City, and I fucking lost it because the whole thing didn’t feel like me,” he recalls.

“I never lose my cool. I try to be the leader I want to see. A switch flipped, though. I thought I was looking at a dumb foam wall in the studio, but it was the glass door. I punched it so hard that when I pulled my hand back out you could see the eruption of blood everywhere. Turns out, I clipped all of these arteries. My drummer pulled a handkerchief from my pocket, tied a tourniquet around my arm, and my tour manager took me to the hospital. It turned out to be therapeutic. So many beautiful things happened. Since I made such an ass of myself, I knew the next record had to be the best thing I’ve ever fucking done.”

As performing proved a challenge, to say the least, he took a primitive approach to writing in addition to enlisting the help of some friends. With the pick taped to his cast, he simplified the chord structures and allowed the anger to ring out (you can hear his cast hitting the strings) as he wrote in his home studio.

He invited longtime friends and tourmates Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to lend their talents to the project as Peter Hayes cut guitar and Leah Shapiro performed drums on multiple tracks. Not to leased “In Utero.” I asked for an electric guitar mention, legendary producer Vig professed for Christmas that year and my folks bought his fandom for Mondo Cozmo on a podcast, so me a black Squire Stratocaster with a white Josh found a way to get in touch. Butch then pickguard. They hid it in the closet where my became a sounding board and “father figure” dad would keep all his hunting rifles. Each throughout the whole trip. day, I would have about 45 minutes to myself before my mom would come home. So, every In the midst of the recovery, Josh’s doctor day, for a month, I would sneak into the closet, prescribed an antibiotic, doubling as an omen. carefully remove the guitar, teach myself how “When I was on the antibiotic, I was coming to play and then carefully put it back in the up with all of these fucking songs,” he says.

“I told him! He looked at me and said, ‘Do case. When Christmas morning came, I acted you actually think it’s the antibiotic? Or, do surprised to see the guitar and my family was super confused as to how I knew how to play. you think because you said what you needed I miss that guitar. I would eventually take it to, you’re writing these?’ I thought, ‘Maybe, apart to see how it worked and was not able to he’s right.’ So, I called the album ‘New Medput it back together, because I’m an idiot. My icine’ as it stemmed from the whole experibrother likes to say at the point I got the guitar ence.”

PW recently caught up with him to talk I went into the basement and came out three about the – literally, blood, sweat and tears years later.

There was a band down the street from that got him this far.

How did it all begin? When were you first me in Southampton (off of Churchville Road, attracted to performing and music? Who make a right up toward where Stackpole Elementary was) and, god damnit, this band was were some of your earliest influences? amazing. They were young, but a couple years OK. Bucks County, PA. Nirvana had just re-

older than me, that massive age gap between 15 and 18 that seemed impossible to crack.

They were called Trip 66 and they were signed to Columbia Records. I would sneak over and watch them rehearse through the basement storm window, and they would go on to teach me how to write songs, what beers to drink, which cigarettes to smoke. They took me under their wing, and, to this day, they continue to be my greatest musical influence and the only people I try to impress.

How has Philadelphia helped to shape your career? Are there any Philly artists who had a big impact on you?

Philly taught me how to treat people, how to talk to people and more importantly, when to shut up and listen. There is a work ethic ingrained as a child.

Literally, a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making “New Medicine.” You’ve said that smashing that glass door actually smashed a figurative ceiling, and that the album is the rock ‘n’ roll record you always meant to write. Can you talk a little

17

about how that moment, and everything that followed, have changed your career trajectory? Why is “New Medicine” the album you were always meant to write?

Yeah, the “great rock ‘n’ roll freak out,” the band calls it. After almost two years of non-stop touring, we had one last thing to do before a well-deserved break.

We had to shoot a live video for the label. I didn’t want to do it. Every request I asked was denied, and I completely lost control of the situation. I was pissed because I had prided myself on being super particular with everything creative up to this point…And then, mid-set, I lost it. I broke. I walked into the recording room and screamed at the label, punched a glass door, went to the emergency room, surgery, cast, medicine, label dropped me, wrote “New Medicine,” found a new label. It’s all a blur now. I guess the weird part is, I don’t regret it. I wrote “Black Cadillac” with a cast on, and now Bruce Springsteen is playing it on his radio show. Worth it.

The pandemic and all of the closures have affected everyone. How did all of that impact your career? How did you spend any downtime?

Yeah, the whole year was a wash. All tours canceled, our merch company went out of business and stole all my money.

It was a shit year. The only thing that was good are the songs I recorded during the lockdown. I have about 50 songs recorded. Some are really powerful. Some are terrible. Some songs I will never release because they are too personal.

But, it’s been beautiful writing and recording during these historic months.

What lies ahead for you once/if the pandemic clears? Do you think it has led to any long-lasting changes or challenges for the music industry?

I guess the best thing I can do is be prepared for what happens next. I look forward to getting back on the road. It broke my heart that we couldn’t tour “New Medicine.” I spent two years making a record that was made to be played live and then god laughed. I worry about smaller venues and how they will make it through. I try not to get overwhelmed by it all. Work hard. Be nice to people and wear a fuckin’ mask.

What are the best ways for your fans to stay up-to-date with what you’re doing?

I have been terrible on social media lately.

That said, I am best on Instagram, @mondocozmo.

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THE RUNDOWN Image | Nathan Ansell

Get back into the swing with these events

David Meade Walker: A Retrospective

Da Vinci Art Alliance will host a retrospective of work by late artist David Meade Walker in Gallery 1 Jan. 7-24. Organized by David Meade Walker’s sister, Sharon Walker Eisenhour, this collection of work surveys the life and mediums that defined the artist. “David Meade Walker (1948-2012): A Retrospective” will be on view physically at Da Vinci Art Alliance by appointment and as a recorded video tour on the Da Vinci Art Alliance website. On-view in-person: Jan. 7-24 by appointment. Virtual Opening Reception: Jan. 10, 2:45pm on Zoom. davinciartalliance.org

With the holidays in the rearview, it’s time to get back to what passes for “normal” these days. We’ve rounded up a few events you won’t want to miss.

MLK Weekend Celebration at AAMP

The African American Museum in Philadelphia and Citizens Charitable Foundation invites audiences to join them for a full weekend of enriching, fun, inspirational, family-friendly activities celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s celebration includes MLK morning programming for youth and family, a special virtual screening of Shuja Moore’s webseries “Walkies,” a reading by Philadelphia Poet Laureate Trapeta Mayson, virtual tours of their latest exhibition “Rendering Justice,” and a special MLK keynote with “Marking Time” author Nicole Fleetwood. From Jan. 16 at 10am to Jan. 18 at 5pm. aampmuseum.org

Preservation and the Public Realm

Presented by Design Advocacy Group, Ashley Hahn, writer on preservation and public space, will lead a conversation on the role of historic public spaces in old cities. She will explore the question of how the historic public realm can support a more just built environment. Hahn is a writer and researcher working at the intersection of public life, public space and public history. She is the former managing editor of PlanPhilly and serves as the volunteer organizer for Jane’s Walk in Philadelphia, a global festival of public walks celebrating the legacy of Jane Jacobs. Thursday, Jan. 14, 1011:30am. Free. Online. eventbrite.com

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Pea Soup To-Go Virtual Dinner The American Swedish Historical Museum is offering a to-go Pea Soup dinner on Jan. 30 at 6pm that you can enjoy from your own home with an added virtual dining experience. A special guest will open the evening with a welcome address and then participants will be assigned to breakout rooms for a small group dining experience. The dinner package includes one quart of Pea Soup, a wedge of Prästost XO Swedish cheese, a package of WASA Crispbread, and spicy Swedish mustard.

To-go dinner packages will be for two people and available for $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Meals will be available for pick-up on Jan. 28 and 29 from 10am-4pm and the 30 from noon-4pm.

Pre-registration is required and closes on Jan. 25. Register at americanswedish.org.

Stand Pup Comedy Online

Presented by Pitman Revitalization Corp, “Dogs, Cats, and Comedians - It’s Stand Pup Comedy Online!” stars adoptable pets, funny humans and you! See Fred Stoller from “Seinfeld” and “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Laurie Kilmartin and Brian Kiley from “Conan,” Taquita Love from “Funny or Die,” and Orlando Leyba from HBO. The host is Richy Leis from “TMZ Live,” MTV and VH1. Philly groups benefiting from the show include the Morris Animal Refuge, Saved Me Adoption Center and Street Tails Animal Rescue. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 8–9pm. $20.

Online. eventbrite.com

THE RUNDOWN

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Book Launch: The Effort

Presented by Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore and Café, join Philadelphia author Claire Holroyde in conversation with writer Scott Hines for the launch of her debut novel, “The Effort.” What would happen to Earth’s 7 billion inhabitants if a comet threatened to hit the planet? The Effort, an international counteraction team including scientists, scholars and engineers, must fight together with the passengers of a polar icebreaker to neutralize the greatest threat the world has ever seen (preferably before mass hysteria hits or world leaders declare World War III) or come to terms with the annihilation of humanity itself. Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:30pm. Free. Online.

It’s January, so the weather could turn rough any time. And, of course, there’s this COVID thing.

So we went to eventbrite. com to find a few fun things to do while stuck online at home. Check out the website for even more activities.

Online events – in case the weather’s bad or you just feel like staying in Exploring Philadelphia’s Built Environment

Presented by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, join Elizabeth Milroy, author of “The Grid and the River: Philadelphia’s Green Places, 1682-1876,” online for a tour of some unique resources for researching the history of Philadelphia’s architecture and urban spaces.

Several of HSP’s collections will be highlighted, including the David Johnson Kennedy watercolors collection and the Jane Campbell Scrapbook Collection, among others. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 6:30-8pm. Free to $10.

The See You At Home Concert

The See You At Home Concert is a livestream concert experience featuring Eclectica Division’s rostered artists of Philadelphia musicians and bands in indie and alternative rock. Streaming live exclusively for ticket holders. Featured artists include Bel, Panic Sets In and Sara Henya.

Saturday, Jan. 16, 7-9pm. $5-$17.

Medieval Life Spotlight: Early Music

Join vocalist and instrumentalist Adam Ward to explore the sounds and contexts of music from the Medieval period. Hear early songs for peace and protest, communication and communion.

Curator Dot Porter will finish the program with a show and tell of relevant manuscripts from Philadelphia collections. This program is inspired by the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Medieval Life exhibit. Monday, Jan. 25, 5:30-6:45pm. Free.

Online.

The Birthplace of America

Presented by Virtualtrips, on this patriotic journey, you’ll see Independence Hall where the founding fathers discussed, debated and ultimately signed two important documents: the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

You’ll find out why the U.S. Post Office in this historic district doesn’t fly the American flag. Plus much more. Saturday, Jan. 9, 6 pm. Free. Online.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021

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THE RUNDOWN

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A zombie apocalypse

Several online sites cited this prediction from Nostradamus, who, for a dude who lived in the 1500s, has a pretty good record for getting things right. Let’s hope he missed the mark on this one because we’re pretty sure this is the one that could actually make 2020 look pretty good in comparison.

The start of a new year means it’s time to dust off the crystal ball and predict what lies ahead for us all. So here, with some help from the internet and ample adult beverages, are our (somewhat) bold picks for 2021.

Want to know what’s ahead in 2021? Here you go Most Philly sports will suck

We know this isn’t an especially bold take, but, face it, things are grim around here when it comes to the major sports. The Eagles ended the season a mess, so 2021 already looks bad for them. The Sixers are outgunned in the East, and the Phillies still (still!) need a bullpen. The lone hope – the Flyers. Our gut tells us they might surprise some folks this year.

Homicides will go down

Philadelphia experienced almost 500 homicides in 2020. That number has to go down this year, right? Maybe (probably) this is just wishful thinking more than a prediction, but, at some point and by some means – getting criminals off the streets, people just coming to their senses – Philadelphians just have to stop killing each other. We hope, anyway.

Safe-injection sites What do you think? will be a thing again Do you have any predictions for Remember the hot debate topic in Philly immediately before everyone got caught up with COVID? Safeinjection sites. Yep, the debate over not only locations, but also their legality was on everyone’s mind.

Eventually, the COVID situation will be resolved – and then the debate over these sites will return.

JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

the city in 2021? What do you think it will look like next year at this time? We want to share your thoughts with everyone else. Send your 2021 predictions to voices@ philadelphiaweekly.com, and we’ll publish some of the better ones in a future edition.

MLK DAY

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21

An MLK Day of Service unlike any other Tell us how you’re lending a hand this year and how others can help

U

sually, PW features lots of just fun things to do every week in The Rundown. And, this week, we continue to do that.

But we also want to lend some space to a special day that is less than two weeks away.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is Monday, Jan. 18. By now, you’re all aware of what that means.

Every year, groups everywhere spend the day honoring Dr. King by making this a “day on, not a day off.”

They volunteer to clean up parks, feed the homeless and more.

But this year, of course, is different. COVID restrictions are impacting everyone and no doubt will change the way people come together to honor Dr. King on his day.

There will be not only new challenges this year, but new opportuni-

ties to give back.

If you or your organization is planning a Day of Service event, and you could use some volunteers, donors, etc., please tell us about it. And then we’ll tell everybody else.

Just send an email with all of the details – how people can help or get involved, for example – to mail@ philadelphiaweekly.com by Monday, Jan. 11. Then we’ll publish all of the events we hear about in our Jan. 14 edition.

The need for help is great this year.

Nonprofits have suffered greatly due to the pandemic, and people have been forced to stay away from their usual volunteer activities.

Let’s do what we can to help on Jan. 18. Just send us information about your event, and we’ll get it out to the rest of the city.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021

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SEX WITH TIMAREE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

WHEN YOUR NEW

PARTNER HAS

HERPES

Q: I was in a long-term relationship for the cator hip waders and spend the whole article last decade and am freshly back in the dating combating stigma about STIs. Instead, you scene. It’s been interesting facing this terrain have presented a specific flavor of the univerduring COVID, but it’s been helpful having sal conundrum of dating as an adult: Navithis obvious reason to be cautious gating the present as humans who and deliberate with people. Rehave lived lives. cently, I met a really lovely woman In our teens and early 20s, our on one of the apps and we started partners have usually had prior texting every day. Eventually, it experience with sex and dating, built up to meeting in person and but there’s still a degree of tabula making out. Before we were going rasa. Add a decade – or several – to have sex the first time, she disand it becomes rarer to find someclosed that she has herpes. I was one who doesn’t have an ex-spouse, able to retain my cool while we significant debt, a semi-public talked about it, but I’ve been anxscandal, or a kid or three. ious since then. If I go forward We can view those complicawith a sexual relationship with tions as scary baggage we must her, am I just agreeing to having avoid (*cough Leonardo Diherpes too? It doesn’t make me any Caprio’s entire dating history less attracted to her, but will that cough*) or we can embrace that @TIMAREE_LEIGH necessarily add a level of seriouswe are complex creatures who ness and commitment onto an othlearn and grow with experience. erwise fairly new, casual thing?

It is only through survival that many of us Shhhew *wipes brow* Honestly, given learn perspective, compassion, and what we the setup, this is a refreshing question. truly desire out of life: Traits that make for I was preparing to slip on my sexuality edu- a good partner.

TIMAREE SCHMIT

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

Add to that the implicit sex-negativism of our culture where pleasure is treated like a scarce luxury and our bodies assessed as commodities. Then there’s the absurdly damaging fetishization of female “purity.” It’s only in the arena of sexuality where we prize lack of experience, skill, or comfort.

Can you imagine hoping that you get the most pure pilot? “If he’s had to steer through turbulence like this before, it won’t feel as special when it happens on our flight!”

Anyway, that’s a subtext present in our narratives about dating…

And it’s not helpful. It also contributes to a culture where nearly every adult who has had sex with another person has – at some point – had an STI, but we almost never discuss it. It’s normal to have sex, yet there is often stigma from getting an infection from sex.

Though we manage to eschew this ole articleshame with other tead, youcommunicable illhe univer-nesses, like colds ult: Navi-and flu, there’s a mans whopearl-clutching undercurrent of “ewy 20s, ourwww, you touched had prioranother person!” nd dating, That stigma of tabulacan keep us from several –getting tested, so find some-we can maintain ex-spouse,plausible deniabilemi-publicity about our sta. tus. Other times, complica-we simply don’t we mustknow: Some STIs, ardo Di-like HPV, can go g historyaway on their own. brace thatIn other cases, ures whosymptoms are hidden or easy to chalk up to xperience.something else, like a UTI or ingrown hair. It’s any of usentirely possible to have an STI – herpes inwhat wecluded – and have no idea. The images shown make forin middle school health class rarely depict an average outbreak. Instead, we’re shown the

SEX WITH TIMAREE worst-case-scenario incidents, folks who don’t have regular access to medical care, in an attempt to scare us into abstaining.

In practical terms, your decision to have sex with her is not a blanket acquiescence to herpes. It is, of course, a potential outcome. But that is true of any partner. In this case, you can reduce the risk by using condoms and other barriers (like dental dams) and skipping oral and genital contact when an outbreak is present – though herpes can spread even when there is no visible outbreak and even when condoms are used. She can also take medications to prevent outbreaks and further reduce the odds of transmission.

Given the fact that 1 in 5 people has herpes, and add to it the fact that Philadelphia is third in the nation for STI rates, odds are good that this new potential partner is far from the first of yours to have an STI. She’s just the first to be upfront about it.

Frankly, that bodes well for her as a potential partner, whether it be for a serious long-term relationship or just a short fling. It means that she is ready to discuss sexuality and prepared to be met with boundaries or even rejection. I don’t know if she’s an emotionally mature person in general or particularly good at active listening and open communication, but it’s a really good sign.

Good luck to you both!

Have a question for Timaree? Send an email to asktimaree@philadelphiaweekly. com.

“Given the fact that one in five people has herpes, and add to it the fact that Philadelphia is third in the nation for STI rates, odds are good that this new potential partner is far from the first of yours to have an STI. She’s just the first to be upfront about it.”

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THE

BIG

PICTURE

ALL AROUND

STOIC

Asim Ahmen took this beautiful photo of the Washington Monument Fountain framed against wispy clouds at Eakins Oval during his visit to Philadelphia on Jan. 2. Have a photo for the Big Pic? Email it to news@philadelphiaweekly.com or tag us on social at #PWBigPic.

REAL ESTATE

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GENERAL AND TREATMENT FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED Open your heart and home to children of all ages New Foundations, Inc. 215-203-8733 www.nfi4kids.org MAINTENANCE TECH Must have knowledge of plumbing, painting & some electrical. Prior maintenance exp. necessary. Salary commensurate with exp. Email: nsgprop@gmail.com

SECRETARY/ LEASING AGENT - F/T Located in Montgomery Co. Pleasant person with good phone skills, to show apts., process applications, minimal secretarial work.

Email resume to: nsgprop@gmail.com or Call 732-886-6830 FLAGGERS ($12.50/hr) Traffic Plan seeks Flaggers to set up and direct traffic around construction sites. A valid PA driver license and clean driving record a must, good pay and benefits. If interested please fill out an application at 510 Hertzog Blvd, King of Prussia, PA on MondayĘźs 9am - 12pm or online at trafficplan.com.

Legal Notices

Notice of Public Sale: The following self-storage Cube contents containing household and other goods will be sold for cash by CubeSmart, 456 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia PA 19123 (215)922-3715 to satisfy a lien on January 11th, 2021 at approx. 6:00 PM: www.storagetreasures.com:

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8500 BUSTLETON AVE. Corner of Evart St. Winter Special 1 & 2 BR $900 - $1,200. Water & gas included. 215-742-2261 Grant Garden Apartments Winter Special, upgraded 1 & 2 BR, 1 BA. $825 - $1050 includes water. Laundry rm on site. Off of Blvd. 215-464-6411

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                                                                       

                                                                     

                                                                   

                                                                                      

                                                                                         

“QUARANTINE IS KILLING ME! I CAN’T STAND THE INSIDE OF THIS APARTMENT ANYMORE!” -Literally Every Young Person in Philly Philadelphians have been trapped in their house for months. Work from home, eat at home, live at home. They’re craving a change of scenery.

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JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021 | PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

REAL ESTATE

PHILADELPHIAWEEKLY.COM @PHILLYWEEKLY

REAL ESTATE

REGGIE Conveniently located

$1,600 / 2br - 930ft2 - Brand New 2 Bedroom Condo for Rent in Center City 211 N Camac Street, 1st Floor near Race Street.

Brand-New 2 bedroom condominium with 1 full bath in the heart of Center City. Gorgeous custom-kitchen with granite countertop and stainless appliances, opens to the spacious living/dining area, premium hardwood floors throughout.

Additional features include a private laundry room and individual heating and air conditioner units. This building is conveniently located in the Center City district, just across from PA Convention with plenty of restaurants and nightlife to choose from, walking distance to shopping mall, Greyhound Bus Station, Jefferson Train Station and still bustling Reading Terminal Market. 267-912-7888.

Charming Rittenhouse

$1,000 / 1br - Charming Rittenhouse Square One Bedroom, Center City (20th and Chestnut). Charming Rittenhouse One Bedroom Apartment - Only $1,000 per month, Heat, Hot water & Gas included. Available for Lease Date starting February 1st or Before. Go to RobinApartments com. Heart of Center City Philadelphia - Just two blocks from Rittenhouse Square, Excellent Sunlight, Built-in Shelving, Laundry Facilities on-premises, Beautiful Hardwood Floors throughout, Cable & Internet-ready, Within UP & Drexel Shuttle District, Walking distance to University City - UP & Drexel & Hahnemann Hospital, Maintenance included, One cat allowed, Packages accepted at RE office for your convenience.

Luxury apartments

$2,495 / 2br - 1000ft2 - BEAUTIFUL 2 BEDROOM! REDUCED DEPOSIT! CENTER CITY (1900 ARCH STREET). Center City Philadelphia offers the region’s best shopping, restaurants, and cultural experiences. Home to the Rittenhouse Square, Logan Square, and City Hall districts, Center City is the perfect choice for those looking to work or attend school in the city.

Location, lifestyle, and luxury! This 14-story rental community features more than 300 1- and 2-bedroom luxury apartments in Center City’s Logan Square neighborhood. Located just steps away from the new Comcast Center, 1900 Arch offers a resident roof deck, a public courtyard, a state-of-theart fitness center, resident lounge, and an underground parking garage. Features: Hardwood floors throughout.

Modern, fully-equipped kitchens with granite countertops, GE stainless steel appliances, glass tile backsplash, Grohe gooseneck faucets, under-mounted sinks, and breakfast bar. Full-size Bosch washer and dryer in each apartment.

High-efficiency, individually controlled A/C and heat. High ceilings and expansive double pane windows with natural lighting. Custom window shades. Cable-ready. High-speed Internet. Amenities: State-of-the-art fitness center with flat screen TVs. Entertainment lounge featuring Wi-Fi, leather club chairs, billiards, shuffleboard, and gas fireplace. Fully furnished resident sky deck. Resident courtyard with fire pits. Dog-walking and pet-sitting services available. Resident bike storage. Bike-share program. Green roofs. Elevator. Pet friendly. Dog Park. Neighborhood: Local attractions include Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, Walnut Street Shopping, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and Schuylkill River Park. Situated closely to the Comcast Center, One Liberty Place, Two Liberty Place, and Logan Square. Local universities include Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University.

Rittenhouse Square Park Farmer’s Market, Parc, Rouge, Dandelion, Garces Trading Company, El Vez, and Sampan offer exceptional dining within a few blocks. Easy access to Market East SEPTA station and SEPTA bus routes, and routes I-95 and 76. (267) 634-0472.

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Reggie can make it happen. happen Deadline is every Monday at 10 am for Thursday’s issue. Email him at REReggie@philadelphiaweekly.com for details.

Center City Studio

$1,575 / 399ft2 - Center City Studio. 1401 Arch Street. Located in Philadelphia’s historic Center City neighborhood, One City offers modern elegance with timeless grandeur. With views of Philadelphia’s City Hall, and just steps away from Philly locations such as the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market and Love Park. One City offers the most discerning residents the ultimate living experience.

Inside this historic building, located at 1401 Arch Street, each apartment residence holds unique original features coupled with contemporary sophistication. Thoughtful design details include custom built-in storage, stainless steel appliances, and modern connectivity offering luxury and convenience to a range of lifestyles. Control is always at your fingertips with your app based smart home features including keyless entry. With community spaces for every activity One City offers multiple lounges and entertainment experiences. Our tech-connected fitness center, lobby lounge, and roof top sky lounge with demo kitchen enhances your city life. Immerse yourself in the historical architecture, modern convenience and innovative charms that One City has to offer. Be one with the city. Amenities Include: Guest Suites. Fully Equipped Kitchens. Additional Storage Available. In Unit Washer & Dryer.

Rooftop Sundeck. Custom Built-In & Historic Detailing. Interior & Exterior Entertainment Lounges. Stainless Steel Appliances.

Quartz Countertops. Dapper Lounge. Smart Thermostat. Bike Storage. Call: (844) 204-7536.

Natural light

$1,175 / 1br - 550ft2 - Beautiful Apt In Great Center City Location! 2008 Chestnut. Large windows that allow plenty of natural light. Nice size kitchen. Central A/C gas heat. Water included!! Washer/Dryer in the basement. Located in a prime location close to everything -Penn and Jeff Hospitals, Public trans, Restaurants, shops. (215) 900-3607.

Midtown Philadelphia

$1,295 / 1br - 563ft2 - 2 Months FREE on 14 & 18 Month Lease !! 1 Bedroom~1 Bath~Center City (1411 Walnut St.). 1 Bedroom Apartment home with Hardwood Floors; Central Heating; Central Cooling; Microwave; Building Features Exercise Room and Front Desk. The original home of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange; Known for its popular restaurants and nightlife spots, Midtown Philadelphia is a fun and exciting place to live. Just steps away from some of Philadelphia’s best culinary experiences, you will revel in the hustle and bustle of Center City life! RENTAL FEATURES: Living room. Range / Oven. Refrigerator. Microwave. Heat: forced air. Central A/C. Double pane / Storm windows. Cable-ready. Hardwood floor.

COMMUNITY FEATURES: Vintage building. Elevator. Doorman.

Fitness center. Near transportation. pmcpropertygroup.com/ properties.

Art deco

27

$1,595 / 1br - 764ft2 - Luxury Art Deco Building in Center City - Limited Time Specials. 117 N. 15th near Arch/Cherry.

Great Views. Spacious Floor Plan. Wood Plank Flooring.

Granite Countertops. Stainless Steel Appliances. Garbage Disposal. Microwave. Dishwasher. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Pet Friendly (Restrictions Apply). State-of-the-art Fitness Center.

Indoor Basketball Court. Roof Deck with Amazing City Views.

Conference Room. Resident Lounge/Multi-Purpose Room.

On Site Maintenance. 24/7 Lobby Attendant. Convenient Location. Up to Two Months Free! Net effective rent includes applicable special. Deposit must be made on or before 1/31/21. Move-in within 30 days. Metropolian-living.com.

Exceptional living

$2,378 / 1br - 767ft2 - Spectacular One Bedroom/One Bathroom Center City Apt Available NOW! 300 Alexander Court near Vine Street. Discover the definition of exceptional living at The Alexander. Here, at our high-rise Philadelphia apartments, you will find the perfect blend of modern design and enduring style. The Alexander will feature luxurious homes with unique configurations and unmatched amenities, all in a smoke-free environment. Enjoy upscale urban living from the rooftop deck, the lavish courtyard or by simply letting our on-site concierge assist with making your everyday a little more extraordinary. Live in a walkable, pet-friendly residential neighborhood near museums and parks. Classic, warm, and inviting – find your future at The Alexander. Features: Picturesque terraces and balconies in select apartments. Walk-In Closets. Stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops in Kitchens. Spacious studio-, one-, two-, and three- bedroom apartment homes available. Open-concept floor plans. Views of Center City Philadelphia from select apartments. Community Amenities.

Pet Grooming Station. TV Lounge. Fitness Center with Cardio Equipment. Storage available. Penthouse and Townhomes available. Valet Laundry Service Available. Roof Terrace with Observation Deck. Pet Friendly. 24-hour Concierge. On-Site Underground Parking Garage. Bike Storage with Mechanic Station. Lavish Community Clubroom with Demonstration Kitchen. Refreshing, Spa-Inspired Indoor Pool. Children’s Play Room. On-Site Management. Public Art Landscaping.

Access controlled garage parking. Package Receiving. Smoke Free Building. 2nd Floor landscaped terrace with BBQ Grilling Stations. Call Now: (215) 596-4234 x 93.

Great views

$1,500 / 2br - Cool 2BD/1BA with Dishwasher, Central A/C - Center City. 35 S. 13th St 4th Floor. This beautiful 4th floor apartment has great views and plenty of natural light! Features include hardwood floors with wainscoting details, central a/c, gas fireplace, ceiling fans, and so much more. The living and kitchen flow nicely, creating an open space. The kitchen has a full lineup of appliances including gas stove and dishwasher.

The 2 bedrooms are nicely sized and separated by the bathroom. Laundry is in-unit for added convenience. Schedule your showing today! About The Neighborhood: Located in the heart of Center City, be near some of the best restaurants in town! Walkable to Sampan, McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Barbuzzo, Zavino, Hip City Veg, Double Knot, Graffiti Bar, El Vez, 1225Raw Sushi and Sake Bar, Porta, Green Eggs Cafe, and so much more! Be near plenty of public transportation routes as well. Jg-realestate.com.

Private deck

$1,650 / 2br - 2013 Moravian St- 2 BDRM Home w/ Center City Views from Private Deck. Moravian Street near S 20th Street. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this beautiful 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home in the Heart of Rittenhouse Square and steps from Center City. Walk into this beautiful home that features an open living space with central air, a bright kitchen with beautiful cabinets, brand new stainless steel gas range and access to a shared back patio, great for entertaining! Washer and dryer are located in the basement.

The second floor includes a den area at the top of the stairs that’s perfect for a home office, the full bathroom that’s been updated with new shower tile and tub plus a new vanity, a large bedroom with a closet and built in shelving. The third floor features the second spacious bedroom with high ceilings and exposed rafters. Last but not least, you will enjoy a roof deck with stellar skyline views where you can retreat from the Center City hustle and bustle for maximum relaxation.

215-735-7368.

16th floor

$2,000 / 2br - Splendid 2BD with ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED. 1324 Locust St. Located on the highest floor (16th) at The Arts Condominium building, a high-rise condo building in the heart of Center City, unit #1602 is a rarely offered large 2 bedroom w/additional large den. Electricity, water, heat, and even Cable TV (channels 1-100 + Free HBO) are included.

The only thing you would have to pay additional for is internet for the unit, although there is free wi-fi in the lobby of the building with computer/printer terminals and also a business center, fitness center and large laundry facilities on the lower level. A 24/7 front desk attendant and on-site management and maintenance staff complete the offered conveniences here. There are hardwood floors in the living room, entryway, kitchen and hallway, and then wall-to-wall carpeting in all three bedrooms and tiled baths. Open floor plan living and kitchen area make entertaining easy, especially with an additional L-shaped breakfast bar creating additional seating and prep space. Kitchen has granite countertops, stainless appliances, cherry cabinets and lots of storage space. Half bathroom is off of the main living space and then a full bathroom down the hall. About The Neighborhood: Centrally located just off Broad Street, and walkable to a long list of convenient and fun neighborhood favorites. The iconic Avenue of the Arts is home to big names like the Kimmel Center, Academy of Music, Wilma Theater, University of the Arts, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, amazing eateries like City Diner, Sumo Sushi, Big Gay Ice Cream, Giorgio on Pine, Volvér, and hotspots such as Woody’s, Fox & Hound, Howl at the Moon, and MUCH more!

Jg-realestate.com.

Ideal address

$1,584 / 1br - 637ft2 - Media Room, Islands and/or peninsulas, 360-Degree View of the City. 2116 Chestnut.

Situated steps from all the best of Philadelphia, 2116 Chestnut is the ideal address for an urban lifestyle. Walk to work in Center City or classes in University City. Rittenhouse Square, with its outdoor recreation and surrounding shops and restaurants, is a five-minute walk away. Shop for daily necessities at retailers within the building or at an abundance of stores nearby. Our community prides itself on providing world-class customer services. Our team members are uniquely trained to focus on the needs and desires of our residents. From your first visit our teams are here for you. In our community, you are never just an apartment number. You are our valued resident and will be treated as such. No matter what you’re looking for, 2116 Chestnut is an experience…

Life is Better Here. Features: Side-by-side washer/dryers.

Walk-in closets in certain homes. Wood cabinets with chrome hardware. Track lighting. Individual controlled thermostat(s) in each home. Pantry, storage and/or linen closets in certain homes. Balconies at all two-bedroom homes and certain one-bedroom homes. Stainless Steel appliance package (GE). Granite countertops. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Doublebowl stainless steel sinks in most one-bedroom and all two-bedroom homes. Islands and/or peninsulas. Community Amenities: Business Center and Conference Rooms. Fitness Center and Yoga Room. Package Room and Mailroom.

Pet-Friendly Building with Dog Run. Storage Lockers. Car Share Program. Outdoor Grills and Kitchen/ Prep Area on the Sundeck. Club Room. Ground-Floor Retail along Chestnut Street. Media Room. Outdoor Hot Tub on the Sundeck.

Bike Storage. 360-Degree View of the City. Party Room with Catering Kitchen. Sundeck with Seating/Landscape/Lawn Area. Call Now: 215-825-1400.

Management special

$910 Studio and One Bedroom Apts! Heat and Water Included! 206 S. 13th Street near Chancellor Street. Sunny, Studio AND One Bedroom Apartments available for rent!

Apartments feature upgraded kitchens and baths. Studios range $910 to $1,080 based on availability. One Bedrooms range $1,265 to $1,455 based on availability. Apartments feature large windows and 9 ft. ceilings. Ask about our Management Special! NO SECURITY DEPOSIT program!!

Cats are welcome (add’l fee)! All apartments are rented unfurnished. Chancellor Apartments is a convenient high rise apartment community in an amazing location in Center City.

We are close to most major schools and universities, public transportation, historical attractions, shopping, restaurants and theaters. Center City at its best! Rent includes: heat, hot/ cold water, 24-hour front desk attendant, free bike storage room, package acceptance service, 24-hour emergency maintenance service, on-site smart card laundry plus card access system and BuildingLink resident services portal access for all residents. The Chancellor boasts several different studio and one bedroom floor plans. Apartments feature high ceilings, large bright windows, ceiling fans in most units, hardwood floors and breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline and Delaware River. Many apartments have large walkin closets, too! We have partnered with Optimal Sport Health Club to offer a generous discounted gym membership (we pay your initiation fee!). There are several off street parking lots and garages in the area, too! 215-735-8404.

Discover new passions

$1,676 / 1br - 687ft2 - 1 Bed 1 Bath Luxury Apartment Home Available Immediately! Each day at Indigo 301 brings the opportunity to discover new passions, come together with friends and challenge yourself to personal victories.

Whether your goal is to perfect your golf swing, fine tune your downward dog, or host your first Thanksgiving, we’ve got you covered. We’re collecting the most sought-after shops, tastiest restaurants and newest conveniences right outside your front door. Live here and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of an urban streetscape, or hit the bike trails at nearby Valley Forge Park. Stroll past intriguing storefronts, colorful awnings and charming chalkboards that announce the evening’s dinner specials. Dining, drinks, designer shoes -- the corner store has never been so hip. Features: Quartz Countertops, Large Closets, Individual Climate Control. Community Amenities: National Green Building Standard Bronze Certification, Resort Style Swimming Pool, Media Bar, Outdoor Kitchen & Grilling Stations, Game Room, Sport Simulator, Electric car charging stations, Demo Kitchen, Bocce Court, Bike Storage & Repair, Fitness Center. Pet Policy: Dogs and Cats Allowed: Some breeds are restricted. Please contact the office for details. Call Now - (484) 309-5812 x 107.

Timeless and modern

$1,550 / 504ft2 - Studios, 1 Bedrooms & 2 Bedrooms, Walk to Center City, 14’ Ceilings (16th Street). A PHILADELPHIA ICON. This is a Studio, 1 Bath, approximately 504 Sq. Ft. Originally built amidst a sea of immense factories that made up the Callowhill branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Sixteen Hundred is an incarnation of the city’s manufacturing heritage.

The newly updated Sixteen Hundred is timeless, modern, and distinctly Philadelphian. Features: Generous Closets.

Open Loft Layouts. Original Brick Walls. Panoramic Views Available. Expansive Windows. 14’ Ceilings. Equipped Kitchens.

Exposed Beams and Columns. Studios, 1 Bedrooms & 2 Bedrooms. Community Amenities: Roof Lounge. Bike Storage.

Community Room. Visit the Museums. Roof Deck & Patio. Ride the Broad Street Line. Terrace. Fitness Center. Walk to Center City. Ground Floor Retail. Call Now: (267) 460-7663 x 1.

PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY | JANUARY 7 - 14, 2021

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