POLITICS

OCTOBER 20 2021 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 3 Councilmember David Oh Introduces New Film Production Tax Credit

Review UNIVERSITY CITY

Letter to the Editor

In our City of Philadelphia we need to decrease the crime, violence, and Police related issues. Two Nonprofit Organizations have been working towards helping the issues.

Urban Navigation is a community organization developed to help slow down gun violence into trying to build successful violence free lives for the youth. Information can be found on website www.urbannav.com .

The Race for Peace

Committee is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Formed in 2016 to enrich the lives of residents in all communities through programs, resources and activities for the family, to reach an understanding between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Vision for the Race for Peace Committee is to educate, circumvent and eradicate racism, violence and discrimination globally. The mission for Race for Peace is to revitalize the community through the enrichment and outreach programs in every community and to maintain a collective voice and sharing of ideas, creating an atmosphere of peace that encourages good citizenship.

Race for Peace Committee’s purpose is to strive to create enthusiasm in the communities, see through their eyes, understand their needs and deliver more than they expect. They do this by delivering reachable goals and solutions that support peace through the community.

For more information visit www.raceforpeace. org . Facebook page: @ RFPCSocialMedia.

Alim Howell Community Activist/ Advocate

Department of Health: Over 13.4 Million Vaccinations to Date, 70.8% of Pennsylvanians Age 18 and Older Fully Vaccinated day moving average number of hospitalized 3,584 New Cases, 3,025 patients continues to Patients Hospitalized and increase. The full 14-day 694 Patients in the Inten- moving average since sive Care Unit the start of the pandemic can be found here. Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania DepartStatewide percent positivity for the week of Oct. 8 – Oct. 14 inment of Health today creased to 9.7%.confirmed that as of As of 11:59 p.m. Tues12:00 a.m., Wednesday, day, Oct. 19, there were Oct. 20, there were 3,584 134 new deaths identiadditional positive cases fied by the Pennsylvania of COVID-19, bringing death registry, reported the statewide total to for a total of 30,721 1,520,815. deaths attributed to CO-

There are 3,025 in- VID-19. County-specific dividuals hospitalized information and a statewith COVID-19. Of that wide map are available number, 694 patients are on the COVID-19 Data in the intensive care unit Dashboard. with COVID-19. More For the 2021data is available here. 2022 school year, the

The trend in the 14- Department of Health

Councilmember David Oh. Courtesy of Philadelphia City Council

During last Thursday’s session of Council, Councilmember David Oh (AtLarge) introduced legislation to create a new tax credit for productions that opt to film in the City of Philadelphia. Under the legislation, production companies that make a $500,000 or greater investment into a project filmed in Philadelphia are eligible to receive a twenty-five percent tax credit against local Business Income and Receipts taxes (BIRT) or Real Estate taxes. If a production company can verify at least 30 percent of crew and staff are women or racial minorities, the eligibility threshold to receive the credit is $250,000.

Under the legislation, the investment is calculated as the total funds expended by a production company as “production expenditures” incurred in the City of Philadelphia, which are directly used in a City certified production. Similar to the state’s film production incentive, the local tax credit is transferable to any Philadelphia-based taxpayer.

The legislation authorizes the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, the City Representative’s Office, and the Department of Commerce to approve or “certify” a production’s company’s application. To qualify for the credit, productions must commit to certain promotional clauses, such as including the Philadelphia promotional logo in the final credits of the film.

“I believe the incentive will position Philadelphia to receive a larger slice of the booming, multi-billion dollar film and television production industry,” said Oh.

There are no financial caps on the incentive. Upon adoption, the legislation would take effect immediately.

218 South 45th Street, 218 South 45th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel (215)222-2846 Tel (215) 222-2846 Fax (215)222-2378 Fax (215) 222-2378 Email Email editor@pressreview.net editor@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net newsdesk@pressreview.net graphics@pressreview.net Editor & Publisher Editor & Publisher Robert Christian Robert Christian Assistant Editor Associate Publisher Jack Firneno Claudia Christian Associate Publisher Controller & Bookkeeping Claudia Christian Alexandra Christian Bookkeeping Tina Davis Administrative Website & Social Media Dorian Korein Graphic Designers Graphic Designers Kasia Gadek Kelly Kusumoto Kelly Kusumoto Kasia Gadek Contributing Writers Contributing Editor Nicole Contosta Bob Behr Thom Nickels Haywood Brewster Contributing Writers Napoleon F. Kingcade Nathan Lerner Dea Mallin Marc Holmes III Bill Burrison Thom Nickels Contributing Reporters Tim Legnani Paulina Malek Christopher Doyle Nathaniel Lee Columnists Haywood Brewster Jennifer Jones Community Contributors John Lane Henry Lazarus Kam Williams Nicole Contosta Jim Brown Theater & Arts Contributor Sales Claudia Christian Richard Lord Tim Legnani Arts Contributor Social Media Paula Roberts Kelly Kusumoto Architectural Contributor David Traub Columnists John Lane Henry Lazarus Sales Claudia Christian Dorian Korein

is providing weekly updated case counts for two age groups: 0-4 capturing child care and early learning age children and 5-18 capturing kindergarten through high school age children. Case counts will be updated on Thursday afternoon for the previous week and cumulative since Aug. 16, 2021, by county of residence. The case counts presented are total case counts in these age groups and are not necessarily cases exposed in school, early learning or child care settings. The location of exposure cannot be determined but may have occurred in a variety of settings including the community, household/family, or the school setting.

The number of COVID-19 cases among school-aged children (between 5-18 years old) is more than 9 times greater this year than in 2020. In fact, between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5, 2020, there were a total of 778 COVID-19 cases in school-aged kids compared to 7,046 cases in the same age group during the same week in 2021.

The latest data is available in the “Updated Case and Death

A student receives her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic hosted by the University of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Health Department at the Petersen Events Center, in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. Gene J. Puskar / AP photo

Information” section on the website.

Vaccine highlights

Federal data representing all 67 counties:

According to the CDC, as of Tuesday, Oct. 19,, Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all 50

He did just about everything,” Carlsen said.

Innes will be missed by many, many people but none more than Mary Brewster, his wife for more than 35 years.

During our interview I asked how she and Innes met. “That was kind of a funny thing,” she replied with a laugh.

“It was a sort of bicycle ride, and someone had told me that Frank had led this Christmas Carol ride on South Street, but you had to have a costume,” said Brewster.

Brewster said she wondered what kind of costume anyone would have on a December night in the dark.

“I took a coat hanger and wrapped some orange and silver tape around them and made coat hanger wings for myself,” she said.

Entering the party, in her custom made costume, Brewster turned heads – but not for the reason she might have hoped.

“I was the only person wearing any kind of costume,” she said laughing at the memory.

“I just remembered the look on Frank’s face. Oh, my God! I was trying so hard to fit in and, well, anyway, it was weird!

The two then met again at another party and, well, the rest is history.

Brewster said it was Innes’ smile and his voice which were two things she always adored about her husband.

“His voice, when I think about it it makes me cry. I love his tenor voice. It was just a beautiful sound that really struck me. I could listen to him sing forever,” she said.

“He was a guy who, you know, if somebody asked for help, he’d say, ‘Oh, I’ll do that’ or if there was an errand to run, he’d say ‘Oh, I’ll get that.”

When asked how she would like her husband to be remembered, Brewster’s voice began to tremble with emotion as she contemplated the answer.

“I would say to remember that he had a good heart. I think that about summarizes it, he had a good heart and it showed itself in many ways,” Brewster said.

The Memorial Service for Frank Innis will take place on Saturday, November 6th at 10 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church Hamilton Village, located at 3916 Locust Walk. 19104

Our hearts go out to Mary and Matt. Frank, indeed, was a wonderful person and contributed to the joy in many, many people’s lives by his kindness and by his involvement in so many of the events that take place in the community each

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Temple University.

McPhaul had all intentions of staying at Virginia Tech, but she found out Virginia Tech wasn’t a perfect fit for her. She wanted to be a starter on the team and Virginia Tech didn’t promise her that. So Temple women basketball coach Tonya Cardoza welcomed Destiney McPhaul with open arms.

“That’s who’s she is,” said Cardoza at a recent press conference. “ She wants the ball in her hands and to be on the floor. That says a lot about Destiney and I can’t wait for her to be those moments here at Temple University.”

While Temple has filed a waiver for McPhaul to become immediately eligible to play, she will most likely redshirt for a year and still have four years left to play at Temple University. Right now, Cardoza is more than happy to wait a year.

Two years ago, in a state playoff game, Destiney McPhaul hit the 1,000th-point in her high school career. She did it with 6:12 left in the game. The crowd exploded on the court when McPhaul nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key. The crowd staged a big celebration. McPhaul helped West Catholic defeat Susquenita in opening round of the state playoffs by a score, 91-38. McPhaul was the top scorer in the game. She scored 26 points. She managed to rip down 8 rebounds. She also dished off 6 assists and delivered 3 block shots against Susquenita. She led her team to victory.

A week before that, McPhaul helped West Catholic High win the Philadelphia Catholic League girls basketball title. She was the top scorer in the game. She led the way with 30 points. McPhaul helped seal the game in overtime. She drained a three pointer that gave West Catholic a 59-56 lead over Archbishop Wood. And then with 1:03 left in overtime, she came through again. McPhaul made a sweet layup that extended the Lady Burrs’ lead to 6158. During that moment, the Palestra floor was rocking. West Catholic managed to hold off Archbishop Wood and win its first-ever Philadelphia Catholic League title since 1988. West Catholic won the game, 65-60. After the game, the West Catholic fans went berserk. There was a mob scene that stretched across the Palestra floor. As they made their mark in modern history, West Catholic coach Beulah Osueke became the first Black basketball coach to win a Catholic League Title in league history. Destiney McPhaul was a big reason why the team won the Philadelphia Catholic League Title. During the team’s celebration, each West Catholic player took turns cutting down the net.

“It feels great to win the Philadelphia Catholic League championship,” said McPhaul who talked reporters after the game. “A lot of people didn’t expect us to win the Philadelphia Catholic League title. You could see people stop sharing the love when we were on that losing streak. We felt a lot of people were jumping ship on us. It was mainly people who didn’t believe in us. During that time, everything was going downhill. But we kept on fighting. We never gave up. Once we started winning again, we opened people’s eyes. For our team, our hard work finally paid off. All those loses taught us a valuable lesson.”

That was a great moment for Destiney. The following the year, McPhaul put together a historic season. Last year, McPhaul averaged 20.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists a game. She had a tremendous year as she was named the Philadelphia Catholic League’s Most Valuable Player. She posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in the PIAA 3A title game in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She did it against Mohawk, leading West Catholic to its first-ever state basketball title in school history. They won the game, 61-34.

“Her talent is unmatched,” said Temple coach Cardoza. “The fact that she won on her high school team and played great in the state championship game means a lot. For her to come back home says a lot. Hopefully with her impact, other local players will follow.”

Once McPhaul starts playing basketball for the Temple Lady Owls, there will be plenty of excitement at the Liacouras Center. The talented guard is looking forward to bringing excitement to the crowd.

“Having all the pressure on myself and my team is what I like,” said McPhaul. “As a player, you want to play in big games and win championships on the court. You want to play in those moments. I’m a big-time player. I play great when I’m in games that really matter.”

It will be a matter of time before Destiney McPhaul hits the court. Once that happens, Coach Cardoza will have the responsibility of putting more talented players on the team. If she follows the same blue print of former West Catholic High girls basketball coach Beulah Osueke, the Temple women’s basketball team should become a championship contender in college basketball. At this point in her college basketball career, Destiney McPhaul will expect nothing less.

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year. God rest his soul, and bring Peace to his family and friends. - Bob and Claudia Christian, co-publishers University City Review and Philadelphia Free Press

OCTOBER 20 2021 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 5 Pennsylvania grants aim to connect schools, businesses, workforce development boards

A Holy Show: Hijacking A Plane For Fun and Prophets

By Natalie Kapustik The Center Square

Workforce development boards in Pennsylvania are being urged to apply for grant funding to connect with businesses and schools and work together to create a trained group of workers for in-demand technical jobs.

The $3.3 million in new business-education Partnership funding is intended to increase awareness of in-demand technical careers and provide career-related opportunities through soft-skills development, internships, workplace shadowing and career mentoring.

“Last year the commonwealth funded Business-Education Partnership grant activities to serve more than 35,000 individuals across Pennsylvania,” Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier said in a news release.

passenger on the Aer Lingus flight. Shortly before landing, Downey slipped into the toilet, then re-emerged covered with some fluid. Making his way to the front of the plane, he burst into the cockpit (they had easy access back then), held a container (or pair of containers) over his head, announced it was “These partnerships benefit employers by educating tomorrow’s workforce about the career and technical education job opportunities that exist and provide students with a solid first-work experience that puts them squarely on the path to future success.”

The grant money is fully funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act.

Cranes work on construction of the Shell Pennsylvania Petrochemicals Complex and ethylene cracker plant Oct. 3, 2019, in Potter Township, Pa. Keith Srakocic / AP photo

By Richard Lord

Contributing writer

Distance in time sometimes allows us to see humor in situations which seemed all too serious at the time they were taking place. Irish playwright-directoractor Janet Moran can clearly attest to that fact, as her enjoyable comedy, A Holy Show, has managed to dredge a good deal of humor from a situation that is more often the stuff of thrillers than comedies: a plane hijacking.

The real-life hijacking that Moran chose to use as a basis for her play already had a number of comic elements built in. In May 1981, an Aer Lingus flight on the short hop from Dublin to London was commandeered by a single hijacker with an unusual agenda.

The hijacker was Australian Laurence Downey. Downey was actually a former Trappist monk who had been tossed out of his monastery for what he describes in the play as “a misunderstanding”. Indeed; the abbot at the monastery apparently misunderstood the spiritual message Downey was trying to convey when he punched the abbot in the face.

On the fateful day in May, Downey was a a highly flammable substance and threatened to ignite the fluid unless his demands were met. That would have ignited a tidy conflagration that could have engulfed most of the aircraft, incinerating most of the passengers and crew as it flared.

Downey’s initial demand was that the plane fly directly to Teheran. When the pilot insisted they simply didn’t have enough fuel to make it to Teheran, Downey then demanded the next item on his list: that Pope John Paul II finally reveal the Third Secret of Fatima*. (see sidebar)

Had there been a tragic end to this story, those

The Third Secret of Fatima

Roman Catholic lore tells us that when Mary, mother of Jesus, appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal in 1917, she entrusted three secrets to the children. The first two secrets were revealed in 1941, while the third was supposed to be held back until 1960. However, when 1960 came around, the Vatican released a public statement asserting that it was “most probable the Secret would remain, for ever, under absolute seal.” The Vatican’s refusal to honor the 1960 date generated a wave of wild rumours and supposition. Many believed the Third Secret was apocalyptic, perhaps providing the date for the end of the world, and that the Vatican had withheld it for fear of the worldwide panic it would unleash. The Third Secret was finally released in June, 2000, though many sceptics still believe that only a part of that secret was revealed then.

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Please adhere to our house policies:

• We will continue to require reservations for indoor and outdoor seating thru our website at copabananauc.com • Masks are still a requirement when dining inside the restaurant and bar.

Masks outdoors are optional for fully vaccinated patrons. • Bar service is only permitted with a seat. No one is able to stand at the bar and be served. • The entire party must be at the restaurant in order to be seated. We do not seat incomplete parties or add guests to the table once seated.

6 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • OCTOBER 20, 2021 FEMA Registration and SBA Disaster Loan Application Are Key to Hurricane Recovery HARRISBURG, PA — Federal Emergency FEMA assistance may be considered. Many Pennsylvanians Management Agency who register for disas(FEMA) officials are ter assistance through urging disaster relief ap- FEMA may receive an plicants to complete and automated call from return the loan applica- SBA with information tion forms from the U.S. on how to complete the Small Business Adminis- loan application process. tration (SBA). Completing and submit-

Completing the loan ting the SBA loan apapplication is a critical plication, even if you do part of the disaster as- not want a loan or think sistance process. It can you may not qualify for keep the door open to one, is a required step in all federal assistance, obtaining some forms of including possible ad- disaster assistance. ditional grants, from SBA provides lowFEMA. interest loans to busi-

Assistance from FEMA nesses of all sizes (inmay not cover all dam- cluding landlords) and age or property loss. The to homeowners, renters SBA loan application, and eligible private however, may make nonprofit organizations FEMA assistance avail- that sustained disaster Friday, 10 a.m – 5 p.m able to replace essential damage or losses dur- Closed: Saturday and household items, or ing the severe storms, Sunday replace or repair a dam- flooding, landslides and SBA Business Recovaged vehicle. It is critical mudslides that began ery Center that the SBA loan appli- on August 31, 2021 to York County cation be completed and September 5, 2021. There York County Economreturned before further is no cost to apply for a ic Alliance

loan.

Storm-impacted homeowners, renters and businesses in the 8 designated counties may be eligible for federal assistance: Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and York Counties

SBA has staff at all state and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to assist businesses, non-profits, homeowners and renters in completing their loan applications. Additionally, SBA has opened SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRC) in the following locations:

SBA Business Recovery Center

Philadelphia County The SBA Disaster Loan Assistance webpage

Falls of the Schuylkill Library 144 Roosevelt Ave. Sunday3501 Midvale Ave. York, PA 17401 SBA Recovery Center

Philadelphia, PA 19129 Hours: Monday – Chester County

Hours: Monday and Thursday 9:30 a.m – 5 Chester County EcoWednesday, noon – 8 p.m nomic Development p.m Friday, 9:30 a.m – 4:30 Council

Tuesday and Thursp.m Eagleview Corporate day, 10 a.m – 6 p.m Closed: Saturday and Center 737 Constitution Dr. Exton, PA 19341

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m

Closed: Saturday and Sunday SBA’s Business Recovery Centers are for all Businesses and residents who suffered damage to meet with SBA representatives one-on-one, for answers to questions and help submitting loan applications. Additional information on the disaster loan program may be obtained by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or 800877-8339 (TTY/TDD) or by sending an email If you love them enough to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends to listen to “Hot Cross Buns” e-mail). Loan applicafor two hours straight, tions can be downloaded from www.sba.gov . then surely you’ll check to Applicants may apply online using the Elecmake sure they’re correctly tronic Loan Application buckled in the back seat. (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.