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(Masonic Library and Museum) maintains and preserves the historic Masonic Temple, located at One North Broad Street, Philadelphia; operates the John Wanamaker Resource Center, a public circulating library and museum within the Masonic Temple; conducts educational programs for Pennsylvania Masons and the public concerning the history, philosophy and activities of Freemasonry; and restores, preserves and maintains monuments representing the heritage of Freemasonry throughout Pennsylvania. The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia was constructed in 1873. It has been called one of the great “wonders” of the Masonic world. Adorned with some of the finest artifacts of Freemasonry and magnificent lodge rooms based on themes of the ancient architectural world, the Masonic Temple displays historical Masonic traditions and values. Located within the Temple is the Wanamaker Resource Center, which houses thousands of texts and artifacts relating to the history of the Masonic fraternity in Pennsylvania and be-
Wolf ’s shifting views on cannabis legalization not enough to spark change in response to Pennsylvania emergency the pandemic. By Christen Smith The Center Square
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yond. Founded in 1908, the center was dedicated by Brother John Wanamaker, a prominent Philadelphia merchant who served as the first Chairman of the Library Committee. The center’s collection consists of more than 30,000 items. Some of these include Brother George Washington’s Masonic Apron, which was presented
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ennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf may be the state’s most high-profile public official calling for recreational cannabis these days, but that wasn’t always so. During his six years in to the Grand Lodge of office, the York County Pennsylvania in 1829 by native’s shifting views the Washington Benevo- appear molded by a cabilent Society; two letters net stacked with some in Washington’s own staunch pro-cannabis hand, addressed to his advocates. Masonic brethren; and From the success of the Brother Benjamin Frank- Department of Health’s lin’s Masonic sash, worn medical marijuana program to hiring former in 1782, when he was Democratic challenger Venerable (Worshipful John Hanger as his secreMaster) of the Loge des tary of policy and planNeuf Soeurs (Lodge of the Nine Sisters or Mus- ning to aligning himself es) in Paris and when he with Lt. Gov. John Fetterguided Brother Voltaire. man, it seems logical that (For more information on Wolf would eventually the center’s artifacts, visit find himself stumping for the policy as a panacea to here. (online) state budget problems. The center has one “The time has come to of the finest collections legalize adult-use cannaof books and Masonic bis in Pennsylvania,” he records for the study of said last month. “It will Freemasonry. The imhelp our economic recovportance of collecting ery, it will help Pennsyland cataloging seminal vania families and it will works in the history of help make our criminal Freemasonry has rejustice system fairer.” mained a focus of the Except, the Republicaninstitution since its inheld Legislature finds ception. Housed within the stacks are thousands little value in pursuing the issue now – especially of volumes covering all after seven months of a aspects of Freemasonry protracted power strugand its history, philosogle over the governor’s phy and contributions to economic restrictions encivil society. The center acted as part of the state’s is a place of interest for members and academics alike, providing research NOTES ON MUSIC and lending services continued from page 7 in an effort to advance knowledge and underthe Franklin Institute. standing of the fraternity, its meanings and its Costumes are suggested, 222 N. 20th St. Advance place in history. One of the center’s prize posses- reservations suggested sions is an incunabulum, at 215-448-1200 www. fi.edu , Oct. 31, Nov. 1. or book printed before As always, we end Dec. 31, 1499. For more our suggested streaminformation on the coling ideas with the grand lections of books and old Metropolitan Oprecords housed within era whose free nightly the John Wannamaker showings of the greatest Resource Center, visit opera with the greatest here,(online). singers are a tremen-
Wolf and his Democratic allies insist legalization could net a minimum of $300 million in annual tax revenues, though conservative analysts place the figure much closer to $100 million, at best, or about 4 percent of what’s needed to address budget challenges. And, Republicans say, the deficit – the direct result of depleted tax revenues as the state forced businesses to shut down in March and April – were consequences Wolf administration accepted as part of their “draconian” mitigation strategy. So why bail him out now with an “illogical” policy with few guarantees that creates more spending, not less, House GOP spokesman Jason Gottesman asked. “Gov. Wolf pursuing recreational marijuana at this time is not only illogical, but inconsistent,” he said. “Pennsylvania is in the middle of an opioid addiction emergency that takes over 300 lives per month. Now is not the time to be legalizing a recreational drug.” Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former Obama administration adviser and president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a nonprofit dedicated to opposing marijuana commercialization, also criticized Wolf’s logic and likened the policy to “legalizing speeding to pay
dous boon during these tough times, all at 7:30 p.m. and on view until 6:30 p.m. the next day: Oct. 28, Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra”, Adrienne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, Placido Domingo and Academy of Vocal Arts alumnus James Morris; Oct. 29, Adam’s “Nixon in China”, Kathleen Kim, James Maddalena; Oct. 30, Moussorgsky’s “Boris Godunov”, Rene Pape, Ekaterina Semenchuk,
for more hospitals.” “Today’s marijuana isn’t Woodstock weed – it is highly potent and toxic to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems,” he said after Wolf again pushed the policy as part of his fall agenda. “This is the opposite of what one should be encouraging during a global pandemic.” It’s not just about money for Wolf, however. Part of his policy redirects tax revenues from cannabis sales to restorative justice programs meant to undo the decades of disparate drug law enforcement in communities of color. The state has been recognized as a leader in criminal justice reform since the passage of the Clean Slate Act in 2018 and for Democrats, decriminalizing marijuana is a logical extension. “I stand with the governor and lieutenant governor in support of legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis because this issue is about far more than money,” said Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, last month. “This is about criminal and social justice reform and righting past wrongs. It is about creating a flourishing new industry to help keep people safe and educate them on responsible use.” “Especially during a pandemic, we need to provide every avenue for relief and this one is well overdue,” he added. Wolf and Fetterman first endorsed legalized adult use cannabis in September 2019 after the latter completed a statewide listening tour that concluded a majority of residents supported the measure, as well as decriminalization and expungement of small possession convictions. Nine months prior, the governor signaled a willingness to reconsider the policy amid growing
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Alexandrs Antonenko; Oct. 31, Corigliano’s “Ghosts of Versailes”, Teresa Stratas, Gino Quilico Marilyn Horne, Renee Fleming; Nov. 1, Glass’s “Satyagraha”, Rochelle Durkin, AVA’s Alfred Walker; Nov. 2, Handel’s “Rodelinda”, Renee Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Andreas Scholl; Nov. 3, Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice”, Danielle de Neise, Heidi Grand Murphy. www.metopopera. org 212-362-6000.
