16 minute read
NOTES ON MUSIC
as well as reminders of how many of us strove to keep up some normal patterns during the abnormal period of high Covid days and a crucial election.
The two floor wipers are portrayed by two of the co-writers – Jaylene Clark Owens and Taysha Marie Canales, and both give credible and commendable performances. Both use the upper parts of their faces well to deliver a salutary subtext, Canales being especially good in this regard. They could only use the upper half of the face because both wear masks during the entire performance.
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The two most interesting works in Wilma’s HotHouse project are dominated by dance and music. The Rot could best be described as a high-end music video, well-conceived and well-executed. The central talent in this piece is Sarah Gliko, who wrote and performed the song that runs throughout the video. Gliko. who wrote both music and lyrics of that song, is joined by Anthony MartinezBriggs, who wrote the rap lyrics spoken over the music at certain stretches delivering his lyrics powerfully. Gliko is also joined in The Rot
Hold Fast. Photo: By Johanna Austin.
by Campbell O’Hare and Justin Jain, who perform manically energetic dance numbers that are well suited to Gliko’s music. (O’Hare and Jain apparently did their own choreography for their appearances.) Michael Kiley handled the audio mix and production, while the video editing was handled by Campbell O’Hare.
Like many music videos, The Rot also has a number of elements that seem too (??) random, awhile nervous jump cuts sometimes detract from, rather than enhance, the strong visual images. But taken as a whole, this is an engaging piece of collaborative performances that is well worth a view. Make that a repeated view.
The most interesting piece in the HotHouse Shorts program so far is Hold Fast. The sole performer here is Steven Rishard. Rishard is a visual artist as well as an accomplished actor. (Some of his paintings were featured online in Art From the Walls of Azuka in the spring of 2020.) His sensibilities in that discipline are reflected in Hold Fast, where a series of engrossing visual images are enhanced by a captivating soundscape. That soundscape blends a range of mesmeric music, much of it minimalist, and a voice-over which is essentially dark-tinged poetry describing the emotional journey of an individual trying to find his place in a world that is no longer fully recognizable. In addition to being the sole performer, Rishard also wrote the text, designed the sound and worked out his cryptic choreography.
The Lagniappe Project is a short documentary showing actor Melanye Finister meeting a group of young people from Northern Children’s Services and collaborating with those youngsters to make a rich gumbo. Finister, a Louisiana native, is proud of the gumbo recipe she shares with the young people and all the viewers of this video. She has reason for that pride – the recipe has evidently been passed down through generations of her Creole family, most recently from Melanye’s mother. You can almost
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Aword about Notes on Music this issue, John Lane was out in a little too much sun last week and didn’t drink sufficient water. Coming home on the bus, John became dehydrated and had to be rushed to the hospital for a few days and then to a rehab to recuperate.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to John as he regains his strength and returns to writing his column shortly.
It is a warning to all of us to remember to stay out of the direct sun and heat as much as we can and above all to drink plenty of water during these very hot summer days.
John, we look forward to your next column and so do many other readers!
Bob and Claudia Christian, editors
taste the intense flavors of this stew as Minister and the young prepare it and then savor it. Briana Gause served as the videographer and editor of this documentary that captures the importance of people connecting in times like these and how the act of preparing and enjoying food together is one of the prime ways of connecting.
All of the Wilma HotHouse Shorts, including ones not mentioned here, are available free online. To view any or all of the Shorts, simply go to the Wilma website or the Theatre Philadelphia website, click on through, register and enjoy the works at your convenience. Once you’re registered, the Shorts are available for viewing – or repeat viewing – at any time.
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Development and Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission since 2013, has invested more than $28 million to rehabilitate 154 historic buildings leveraging an estimated $2 billion in construction expenditures. The investments have helped preserve buildings that contribute to the distinct character of Pennsylvania’s boroughs, townships and cities.
In Philadelphia, Historic Preservation Tax Credit projects for Fiscal Year 2020–21:
122 N. 3rd Street,
Philadelphia - Rehabilitation of a row building in the Old City Historic District into market rate apartments. $100,000 tax credit allocation, $1,250,000 in estimated construction expenditures.
American Protestant
Hall, Philadelphia - Rehabilitation of a fivestory elaborate Italianate brick and cast stone office building in the Broad Street Historic District into market rate apartments. $100,000 tax credit allocation, $2,244,174 in estimated construction expenditures.
St. Gabriel’s Convent,
Philadelphia - Rehabilitation of National Register listed convent into market rate apartments. $100,000 tax credit allocation, $2,800,000 in estimated construction expenditures.
West Philadelphia Passenger Railway Company Carhouse,
Philadelphia - Rehabilitation of National Register listed railcar building into mixed use with
O’Neal Animal Hospital O’Neal Animal Hospital
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American Protestant Hall. Phila. Photo: courtesy of Phila.gov
retail and market rate apartments. $150,000 tax credit allocation, $4,358,496 in estimated construction expenditures.
Edward Bok Vocational School, Phila-
delphia - Rehabilitation of National Register listed school building into mixed use business incubator for 150 tenants. $200,000 tax credit allocation, $25,500,000 in estimated construction expenditures.
John Greenleaf Whittier School, Philadel-
phia - Rehabilitation of National Register listed school building into a charter school. $200,000 tax credit allocation, $19,350,000 in estimated construction expenditures.
Peter Woll and Sons
Factory, Philadelphia - Rehabilitation of National Register listed curled hair mill into market rate apartments. $200,000 tax credit allocation, $5,000,000 in estimated construction expenditures.
Henry Whitaker’s
Mill, Philadelphia - Rehabilitation of National Register listed worsted yarn mill into market rate apartments. $200,000 tax credit allocation, $5,400,000 in estimated construction expenditures.
Sykes Brothers Yarn
Mill, Philadelphia - Rehabilitation of National Register listed yarn mill into market rate apartments. $250,000 tax credit allocation, $6,800,000 in estimated construction expenditures.
For more information about historic preservation or community development in Pennsylvania, visit the PHMC website or the DCED website.
Wolf Administration Announces New Law Enforcement Reform Tool to Enhance Hiring Practices
Governor Tom Wolf
Harrisburg, PA – As part of his ongoing law enforcement reform efforts, Governor Tom Wolf today joined the Pennsylvania State Police to announce the launch of a new electronic database for use by law enforcement agencies in the hiring of law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“This is an important tool for our law enforcement agencies. It will help agencies identify potential red flags in candidates, which helps agencies invest in better employees they’ll want to train and retain and keep officers with a history of misconduct away from roles where they can cause further harm,” Gov. Wolf said. “Law enforcement reform is crucial to improving public safety. This, along with the reforms my administration has implemented over the past year, will make our commonwealth safer for everyone.”
The database, established by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC), will contain information on law enforcement officers who have a history of criminal charges or discipline for actions ranging from excessive force to discrimination. It will be used to augment the enhanced background investigation process for the hiring of law enforcement officers.
Additionally, for the first time in the state’s history, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain and provide all employment records, including performance evaluations and reasons for separation, pertaining to a previously employed law enforcement officer to a prospective hiring agency.
“The database established by MPOETC is an added tool to assist in the hiring process of law enforcement personnel who are ultimately held to a higher standard of professionalism throughout the commonwealth,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “I would like to thank all of the MPOETC commissioners, staff, information technology personnel, and members of the PSP who worked tirelessly to ensure the database was operational by July 14.”
The database was created as a result of Act 57 of 2020, which was unanimously approved in the General Assembly and signed by Governor Wolf on July 14, 2020. It required MPOETC to develop a database to hold separation records of all law enforcement officers in the commonwealth defined as peace officers.
As required by law, on July 14, 2021 the database was operational and temporary regulations went into effect.
“The database is up and running, every department must participate, and it will save lives,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “This is a down payment on reform, one of many steps we need to take to fulfill the promise of safety and the promise of justice, so that every Pennsylvanian can be, and can feel, safe in their own community.”
The development of permanent regulations
will occur over the next year in accordance with the Regulatory Review Act and are required to be completed by March 2023. During this time, MPOETC will seek input and feedback of stakeholders and the public. In addition, MPOETC will also use this time to test and refine the database and associated regulations to ensure compliance in carrying out the purposes of Act 57.
The database will contain more than 1,300 agencies and approximately 30,000 to 35,000 officers. Pennsylvania State Police Troopers and Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement Officers are included. Currently in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania there are 1,063 municipal law enforcement agencies with more than 22,000 officers.
“We’re not perfect. We recognize we have a few ‘bad apples’ in our bunch, and I think I speak for all of us when I say we want those bad apples out too. We want to continue to do the things we need to do, to restore a reputation that has been tarnished over the past year or so, by the actions of those few thoughtless individuals. We want to nurture that public trust that once again fosters faith in local law enforcement and inspires little girls and boys to become police officers,” said York City Police Chief Michael Muldrow. “I commend Governor Wolf, our legislators and the commission for taking these first steps -- with the changes found in Act 57, the new database and the reporting requirements that come with it. It will undoubtedly help to fill in some of the cracks those individuals have been able to slip through. We’re going to take it from there, pushing to be best versions of ourselves, not because it’s mandated, but because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Act 57 is the culmination of robust police accountability legislation, nonviolent direction action inspired by a diverse array of Pennsylvanians’ grassroots mobilizing efforts to address and correct deep inequities in policing and society at large,” said state Representative Chris Rabb (DPhiladelphia). “With bolstered transparency measures adopted through the regulatory process, the proper resources and administrative rigor, this state inter-departmental law enforcement misconduct database has the potential to identify and ultimately reduce the number of law enforcement agency applicants with documented disciplinary actions against them that endanger community safety.”
“The launch of this police misconduct database moves us a step forward toward true police reform, accountability and transparency,” said state Representative Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia), chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. “Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus started advocating for this database after meeting with the mother of Antwan Rose who was fatally shot in 2018 by an officer sworn in just hours before. This database is a direct outcome of her advocacy, the Police Reform Working Group and many others.”
“The establishment of the police hiring database of all law enforcement officers is a critical step toward improving transparency and strengthening the bonds between the community and law enforcement,” said state Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia). “Bad actors often compromise the ability of police to effectively protect people by undermining the trust which is essential for a healthy relationship between the community and law enforcement. This is progress but we still have work to do.”
Addressing law enforcement reform is a priority for Governor Wolf. In June 2020, the governor announced comprehensive police reform executive actions in the wake of the death of George Floyd when in Minneapolis police custody and subsequent protests in Pennsylvania and across the country.
For more information on the Act 57 separation database, visit mpoetc. psp.pa.gov. 569 New Cases, 274 Patients Hospitalized and 49 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Harrisburg, PA
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed that as of 12:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 20, there were 569 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,217,332.There are 274 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 49 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. More data is available here.The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients continues to drop. The full 14-day moving average since the start of the pandemic can be found here.Statewide percent positivity for the week of July 9 – July 15 stood at 1.7%. The most accurate daily data is available on the website, with archived data also available. As of 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 19, there were 10 new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry, reported for a total of 27,805 deaths attributed to COVID-19. County-specific information and a statewide map are available on the COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Vaccine
highlightsFederal data representing all 67 coun-
ties: According to the CDC, as of Monday, July 19, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50 states for total doses administered.
According to the CDC, as of Monday, July 19, 61.9% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
Statewide data representing the 66 counties within the Department of Health’s vaccine juris-
diction: Pennsylvania’s vaccine dashboard was updated on Friday, July 9 to more accurately reflect the number of people who are partially and fully vaccinated in each county outside of Philadelphia, along with demographics of those receiving vaccine. For state-to-state comparisons, refer to the CDC vaccine data tracker.
Department of Health: Over 11.4 Million Vaccinations to Date, 61.9% of Pennsylvanians Age 18 and Older Fully Vaccinated be found here. Note that the number of deaths reported to NEDSS is not exactly the same as the COVID-19 related deaths reported by the death registry. The number of deaths among nursing and personal care home residents and employees is taken from the PANEDSS death data, as this information is not available in the death registry data.Approximately 29,185 of total cases have been among health care workers.The
Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to
all Pennsylvanians: All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COONLINE DRUMMER INSTRUCTION | PERFORMANCE GEAR REVIEWS | INTERVIEWS contests | and more! local to media, pa www.kmkandrum.com
Vaccine providers have VID-19 vaccine provider administered 11,442,686 near you. total vaccine doses as of A commonwealth Tuesday, July 20. COVID-19 vaccination 5,621,779 people are guide explains the curfully vaccinated; with a rent process for getting seven-day moving aver- one. Pennsylvanians age of more than 11,400 with questions about the people per day receiving vaccination process can vaccinations. call the Department of
The department Health hotline at 1-877continues to urge 724-3258. Pennsylvanians to fol- Vaccine dashboard low CDC guidance for data can also be found wearing a mask where on the website to find required by law, rule and more information on the regulations, including doses administered and healthcare, local business showcase demographic and workplace guidance. information. For the protection of The Unite Against COthemselves and others, VID Weekly Update is a individuals who have round-up of news you not yet been vaccinated can use and answers or are partially vaccinat- to your most pressing ed, are still encouraged vaccine questions – deto wear a mask when in livered directly to your public.There are 164,383 inbox every week. individuals who have Frequently asked quesa positive viral antigen tions can be found here. test and are considered probable cases and 639 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure. There are 4,852,775 individuals who have tested negative to date. In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 72,125 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 15,601 cases among employees, for a total of 87,726 at 1,599 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 13,374 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can