Gov. Wolf, religious leaders encourage alternate order should affect the forms of religious gatherings home operation of religious institu-
Stay-at-home order updated to Commonwealth are encouragreflect need to limit in-person reli- ing alternative forms of faith gious gatherings gatherings. Gov. Wolf and Department arrisburg, PA – of Health Sec. Dr. Rachel Amid the COVID-19 Levine updated the stay-atpandemic and as home order guidance to reflect significant religious holidays the need for further guidance approach in the coming weeks, for religious gatherings. Governor Tom Wolf and reliUpdated guidance notes that gious leaders from across the while nothing in the stay-at-
tions, “Religious leaders are encouraged to find alternatives to in-person gatherings and to avoid endangering their congregants. Individuals should not gather in religious buildings or homes for services or celebrations until the stay-at-home order is lifted.” “I know that we’re nearing several holidays, including Gov. Wolf speaking from the podium. major religious holidays like Easter and Passover,” Gov. Center City Philadelphia's Community Newspaper Wolf said. “I am encouraging leaders hosting a holApril 8, 2020 religious iday celebration to consider an alternative that does not bring people together in-person. “As a person of faith, I understand how important it is to worship, and that congregating, whether for a service or Seder dinner, can be at the very core of one’s faith. But I also understand how important it is to help neighbors, and the best way to help our neighbors right now is not by congregating. It’s by staying at home.” Pennsylvania religious leaders joined Wolf in urging felI moved into the area in 2002 low leaders to embrace alterBy Thom Nickels when one could still see the Contributing Editor nate forms of worship. walls of smaller factories lin“Christians the world over he little WAWA at the ing the small streets, shooting are preparing to enter the holiest week of the year,” said end of my street is a out from nearby Aramingo Most Rev. Nelson J. Pérez, life lesson in survival. Avenue. Archbishop of Philadelphia. Built near a large chemical The appearance of this plant that produced things like WAWA in a heretofore forgot- “This year, Holy Week comes at a time when the coronavirus paint coatings, sheeting, pipes, ten ‘triangle’ on the edge of has abruptly altered our lives. lead paint and a variety of Port Richmond and Fishtown, For the common good, and other lead-related chemicals, was a cause for celebration for the preservation of each the ground under the store’s among local residents. ‘Civiother’s health,Xit is essential for foundation was really a pile of lization’ had finally come to a ...all Pennsylvanians to heed the toxic dirt, cosmetically topped remote neighborhood, where governor’s call not to gather with landscaper’s soil, to “prothe only restaurant outlets in large groups. We must emtect” the neighborhood from were mom and pop luncheon- brace our common responsiStore of convenience. bility to one another and slow exposure to lead. ettes and the bigger Polish the spread of this virus. We It was, as they say, a thin establishments on Allegheny mond Shopping Center, just a Anzon Factory or the creator are blessed with the gifts of veneer of polish, hiding a mul- stone’s throw away, was built of all this toxic mess, sometime Avenue. Construction of the technology and social media, titude of sins. The Port Richafter 1997. on the site of the mammoth Page x continued on page 4 which enable us to experience the richness of these Holy CHRISTENDOM Days virtually.” Sebastian “As we come into this seaBarry son ofmay renewal and celebration not be exactly of new life where Christians atypically household come together in name in greaterhere numbers than usual, s an arts nonprofit, America... we grieve that the COVID-19 the Brothers’ Network crisis is preventing our ability fosters what it describes as a Theory of Change continued on page 4 praxis model. They meld artistic, archival, GROCERS curatorial, and editorial pracNext to water, tices to signify, solidify, and food is the sustain the humanity of black most important men locally and globally. necessity in The Brothers’ Network David C. Driskell and Curlee Holton life. Americans builds and sustains new audihave grown so Gregory T. Walker’s message: to provide experiences, educahad the distinguished pleasure ences to inform, enlighten, accustomed... “It is with great sadness that to bring David C. Driskell’s and engage to the artwork and tional forums, and enlightenI share with you the loss of an vision to life in our steadfast ment in Atlanta, Berlin, Chiculture created by Black men Page 2 in high art, theater, film, litera- cago, Edinburgh, Houston, Mi- icon of African American Art, commitment to amplify Art History, and Culture. ami, New York, Paris, and San and Art making from the truly ture, democracy, and sport. CRIME/POLITICS...........................3 David C. Driskell, aged 88, unique lens of blackness.” It, was founded in Philadel- Francisco, in conjunction with A&E............................................7 passed away late last week. “Prof. Curlee Raven Holton, FUNDRAISER................................8 phia, Pennsylvania by Gregory their affiliates and partners. “The Brothers’ Network has Brothers’ Network founder, T. Walker, and has expanded
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HAPPY EASTER! HAPPY PASSOVER! City Safari: Intrepid ole’ WAWA tests the sands of time
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Brothers’ Network honors the late celebrated Black Artist, David C. Driskell
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CLASSIFIEDS..............................11
C I T Y
O F
P H I L A D E L P H I A
Office of the Mayor 215 City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 686-2181 FAX (215) 686-2180
JAMES F. KENNEY Mayor
Fellow Philadelphians: Every year since 2016 I’ve been thrilled to take part in Philly Free Streets as thousands of residents from every neighborhood came out to walk, bike, roll, and play after we closed some streets to cars. Each time I was awestruck. Their unbridled joy, their enthusiasm, and their love for our city were abundant on the streets of Philadelphia. It made me very proud. Today, the streets are quiet. Most residents are heeding our order to stay at home. Businesses are shuttered. Playgrounds, schools, and houses of worship are empty. We are waiting, hoping, praying, and mourning those who were lost. But I write to tell you that even amid our silent streets, the spirit of this great city has not, in any way, been diminished by this virus. I see this spirit in the growing number of folks at home sewing and donating face coverings, and manufacturers who have shifted production to personal protective equipment. It’s seen in the countless people opting to order food and supplies from our restaurants and local small businesses. That spirit is in our philanthropic community who mobilized in record time and raised tens of millions of dollars for struggling nonprofits. It’s in the School District and Community College of Philadelphia, doing everything possible to bring remote learning to all students. And it’s also in the scores of volunteers packing thousands of meals every week to ensure Philadelphians don’t go hungry. If you’re looking for ways to help, here are some ideas: • • • •
Call neighbors, particularly seniors and those who live alone. Help them get the essential supplies they need. Stay in touch with others by phone, video conferencing, or email—and reconnect with those who you may have lost touch with. Remind others of social distancing guidance, including teens who may still feel inclined to hang out with friends. Order take-out or delivery from a locally-owned eatery.
• •
Donate to the PHL COVID-19 Fund to help our nonprofit organizations on the front line of this pandemic. Offer a wave of thanks when you see essential employees, especially our healthcare workers and first responders who quite literally put their own health on the line for all of us.
But the greatest single contribution you can make is simply to do the basics: stay at home, wear a face covering if you must go outside, and wash your hands frequently. To those of you doing these things, please know that you are already part of the solution. You are already helping our healthcare workers save lives. We have weeks if not months to go before the crisis eases. Before we reclaim our lives. Take comfort knowing that when we’re through this, we will once again enjoy all that Philly has to offer – whether it be a crowded festival on South Street, a sunny picnic on Belmont Plateau, a stroll in the Italian Market, or a block party on North Fifth Street in Fairhill. We’ll see joggers and bicyclists moving in groups, food vendors and merchants busy with customers, musicians playing to applause, and neighbors sharing stories on their steps. When we get all of that back, we will stop and remember the sacrifice, the loss, the pain of this time. We will realize that the silence which now pervades the streets of Philadelphia was not, by any means, a sign of defeat. Rather, it was the abundant evidence of our resilience. When that day comes, we will watch our children head off to school, play on the sidewalks, and even share snacks and hugs. And we’ll know that when it mattered most, we stepped up, we cared for one another, we did what was right, and we endured. Because we are Philadelphia. With gratitude,
James F. Kenney Mayor