House GOP member sponsors plan to discount property taxes during pandemic By Christen Smith The Center Square
pay elsewhere deserve a property tax break,” said Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, in a Tweet on Friday afternoon. A Pennsylvania House Diamond linked to a coRepublican lawmaker thinks families should get a discount sponsorship memo that encouraged other lawmakers on property taxes during the pandemic, especially if parents to sign onto legislation that would discount property taxes opt to keep their children out equal to the amount a family of district schools. “Parents who take their kids spends on alternative education expenses – including out of public education and
tuition, suppliers and tutoring, among other costs. “No parent should be forced to send their child to a school which is not enacting mitigation policies the parent deems appropriate,” he said in the memo. “In fulfilling our constitutional duty regarding education, we are obligated to make every effort to make sure parents are able to be confi-
SERVING THE WEST PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY
dent in how their children will be educated during this disaster emergency.” The Department of Education tasked the state’s 500 school districts in June with devising and implementing their own social distancing plans for when in-person instruction resumes in the fall. The state’s “general guidance” has resulted in a patchwork of
differing policies and attitudes among districts about how to safely bring students back into the classroom, with many still undecided of how to proceed. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Thursday, however, that climbing rates of positivity across the state and an exponential growth in new COVID-19 cases – more than 6,000 diagnosed since Monday, alone – could keep school doors closed next month after all. The pressure to reopen JULY 29, 2020 schools in the fall extends across the country, with President Donald Trump serving as the most vocal and high-profile supporter of the move. “So what we want to do is we want to get our schools open,” he said during a July 7 news conference. “We want to get them open quickly, beautifully, in the fall. And the – as you know, this is a disease that’s a horrible disease, but young people do extraordinarily well.” The administration argues that children’s mental health dent. It’s no coincidence that they just happen to find them- and well-being will suffer if selves in the shadow of a huge in-person instruction doesn’t resume. Parents also face diffiagency whose purpose is to find housing for low-incomed cult choices about how to conresidents, as we reported last tinue working if their schoolweek in Part I of this series, age children must remain at these occupants are there home. purposely and with intention. “Children’s mental health They are there to send their and social development must message and to show what be as much of a priority as they consider to be the conphysical health,” X said first lady tradictions of a system which, Melania Trump earlier this ...month. “The same is true for they say, spends billions on buildings and administration parents. Many will be forced while often residents they exto make stressful choices beist to serve go homeless and tween caring for their children plead for help. It was this writer’s intention and going back to work. And we must address those needs to hear from the members of as well, as their own mental well-being.” x continued on page 8 health andPage
www.ucreview.com
Homeless population resist efforts to vacate campsite, Pt. II By Nathaniel Lee UC Review Correspondent
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s the heat soars in Philadelphia, dozens of tents still occupied by members of the cities growing homeless population, sit beneath the shade of a few sparse trees at an encampment located at 21st and Ridge Avenue. Ironically, next to this array of tents and homeless occupants, is a multi-million dollar building owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority with $400 million in annual assets at its disposal. The occupants of the tent village aren’t there by acci-
Photo by Nathaniel Lee
Cedar Park: Folk Herbalist Helps Black and Brown Communities By Mydia Alonso For Philadelphia Neighbors
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esiree Thompson is a folk herbalist and energy worker who runs an herbal practice in West Philadelphia called Nana Catherine’s Apothecary. Through plant medicine and spiritual healing, Thompson aims to encourage environmental and social justice, all while bringing together black and brown communities through herbal wellness. Where does your story with herbs begin? My story with herbs began with a feeling of desperation at
continued on page 4
X follows PennChristen Smith sylvania’s General Assembly for ... The Center Square. She is an award-winning reporter with more than a decade of experience covering state and national policy issues for niche publications and local newsrooms alike. Page x
IS GOD IS
The twin sisters who are the central characters in Is God Is would disagree with... Page 10
Desiree Thompson owns Nana Catherine’s Apothecary in Cedar Park where she offers Spiritual and Herbal Healing. Photo Courtesy of DESIREE THOMPSON
POLITICS.....................................3 FUNDRAISER................................5 NOTES ON MUSIC..........................7 CLASSIFIEDS..............................11
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Announcing health and safety protocols, hotel Sofitel Philadelphia is slated to reopen in Center City on August 6th By Haywood Brewster ment, this means keepStaff Reporter ing guests and employees safe by preventing ofitel Philadelthe spread of COVID-19 phia at Rittenby partnering with house Square has top experts to impleannounced that the ho- ment new standards of tel will reopen its doors safety and enhanced opto hotel guests and visi- erational protocols and tors on Thursday, Auprocedures which are gust 6, 2020 at 11:00am. among the most strinThe luxury hotel that gent in the hospitality blends French elegance industry. As part of the with American style reopening plans, Sofitel will reopen for overPhiladelphia is offering night stays for guests guests a buy one, get in 306 newly renovated one free offer for a comelegant suites and 67 plimentary night stay newly renovated luxuwith the purchase of an rious suites, plus the equal night stay. For resstunning Presidential ervations with this speSuite. Banquet facilities cial offer and additional will be open for limited reopening information, private events in acplease visit Sofitel Philacordance with local and delphia on Facebook and visit www.sofitelstate guidelines. Hotel restaurants will remain philadelphia.com/happenings/. closed at this time. “We are excited to Sofitel Philadelphia’s top priority remains the share that Sofitel Philasafety, care and wellbe- delphia is reopening its doors as of August 6th,” ing of hotel guests and employees. At this mo- said Sofitel Philadel-
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phia General Manager Angela Bauer. “We’ve missed you all and are thrilled to welcome our friends, family and community back into the hotel.” The new operational standards being implemented at Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square and Accor properties across North and Central America were developed and vetted by a team of expert advisors to ensure maximum efficacy in preventing the spread of all viruses and pathogens, including COVID-19, with oversight by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspections and certification; Dr. Amesh Adalja, Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security & fellow with the Infectious Diseases Society of America; and Ruth Petran, Ph.D.,
Photos submitted by Sofitel Hotel
CFS, Senior Corporate Scientist, Food Safety and Public Health, for Ecolab, global leaders in cleaning and hygiene, and trusted advisors to the CDC. At each touchpoint along the guest journey through Sofitel Philadelphia, extensive measures are being taken to protect guests and employees, including physical distancing; mandatory screening for all guests and employees, which may include a temperature check; masks provided to guests and worn by all employees; a 48-hour “settling period” for occupied rooms postdeparture; increased frequency of cleaning & disinfecting, with a focus on high-touch points; and continued use of EPA registered disinfecting chemicals, proven effective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.
Hands-on training for all employees, a dedicated on-property rollout committee and a formal audit program, validated under the global ALLSAFE Cleanliness label, ensure initial and continued compliance. Additionally, Sofitel Philadelphia is asking guests to work with the hotel family on health and safety for everyone. Guests that belong to a risk group for COVID-19 are asked to postpone their travels until the risk period has passed, in order to help ensure the wellbeing of all guests and employees. Guests are asked to practice heightened hygiene measures, observe physical distancing, and follow the guidance of hotel employees, signage and markers while on property. Masks are also required when guests are on property outside of their hotel
rooms, per local and state guidelines and recommendations. “It seems like yesterday where we were celebrating the dawn of a new year and looking forward to the amazing spring days in the City of Brotherly Love,” said Bauer. “Since then, the subsequent global pandemic has brought challenges unlike anything I have experienced in my extensive career in the hospitality industry – but also, and more importantly, it has demonstrated the unfaltering spirit and unwavering sense of community that surrounds Sofitel Philadelphia. For that and for you, we are forever grateful. As we welcome our friends, family and the Greater Philadelphia community back to Sofitel Philadelphia, please be assured that we are looking ahead, through
continued on page 5
JULY 29, 2020 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 3
Government transparency bill becomes law without governor’s signature, support By Christen Smith The Center Square
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ennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf allowed a government transparency bill he once adamantly opposed lapse into law Sunday evening without his signature. In a lengthy statement, the administration minced few words, admonishing House Bill 2463 as “foolish” and “thoughtless” and little more than a talking point for Republican majorities in the House and Senate, even though it was approved unanimously with bipartisan support. “I will let this bill become law, but it is time for the Republican legislature to hold themselves accountable for their intentional lack of transparency, their failures throughout this pandemic, and their response that has repeatedly endangered employees and
citizens in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said. “It’s time for accountability and reform, and that is what we should all expect and demand.” The legislation requires state agencies to fulfill Right to Know records requests during disaster declarations. Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, sponsored the bill last spring after the administration denied access to public records to media outlets and others seeking specific data about the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commonwealth Foundation Vice President Nathan Benefield said the measure shouldn’t have been controversial. “After a week and a half of threats to veto, it is a relief to know that Gov. Wolf can be pressured into abiding the principle of transparency – a principle which he has claimed to champion,” Benefield said in a
to block the release of almost all information, including basic information such as correspondence and calendars, not to mention any emails that outline their oftenflawed decision-making processes,” he said. Grove said Sunday he Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf takes questions from the press after a visit to WellSpan York Hospital on July 21, 2020. Commonwealth Media Services and others – in the Legislature, at the Pennsylvastatement. “When put to legislation afforded no nia News Media Associathe test during the state- protections for employtion and the American wide shutdown, Wolf ees who may be forced Civil Liberties Union abandoned the laws that to enter state buildings – debunked all of the guarantee transparency during the pandemic. He governor’s issues with and accountability in also worries the “poorly the bill over the last 10 state government, prefer- drafted” language will days, leaving Wolf with ring instead to pull a cur- compel the release of little standing to pull out tain around his actions sensitive documents his veto pen. and delay publicity of his typically exempt from “It would have meant decisions. Without the the 2010 RTK law. the administration and bold actions of Rep. Seth Besides, he said, state state agencies under its Grove and his colleagues agencies began proumbrella could ignore on both sides of the isle cessing requests again valid questions from the in the General Assembly, months ago, so the bill public and the press,” he Wolf would have likely does little to advance said. taken the same actions to transparency – especially The Office of Open obscure his administrasince the Legislature Records also assuaged tion’s decision making in itself continues to be ex- some of the administraa future emergency.” empt from the law. tion’s concerns about Wolf – who said he “They have created a safety, Wolf said, though supports government category of legislative transparency – said the privilege allowing them continued on page 9
Philadelphia Bar Association Statement Letter: from Lene’s Daily of my families on the Right to Peaceably Assemble Childcare majority could not afford to pay
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hancellor Hon. A. Michael Snyder (ret.) of the Philadelphia Bar Association, the nation’s oldest metropolitan Bar Association, issued the following statement today on the right to peaceably assemble: “The Constitution of the United States contains two significant provisions: the Oath of Office taken by the President in which the President swears to support, obey, and defend the Constitution; and the right of freedom of speech and assembly, including the right to assemble to address grievances. “Despite these very clear statements, one a Constitutional protection and the other the very oath of Office taken by a President of the United States before he or she can take an action as President, last week the President ordered federal police to Portland, Oregon, arriving with no prior notice to
the Governor of Oregon or the Mayor of Portland. The troops arrived under cover of darkness, wearing no specific identifications on their camouflage attire, and operating unmarked vehicles. Once in Portland, these troops proceeded to swoop people up off of the streets, gassing some of them, shooting rubber bullets at some of them, beating some of them, and throwing them into unmarked vehicles for transportation and detention in the Federal Courthouse. No arrest warrants were issued, and those apprehended were not provided any reason for their detention. “The grossly unlawful nature of this conduct, together with the threat by the President to deploy similar federal troops to other cities including Philadelphia is intolerable to the Philadelphia Bar Association. “As an association of lawyers and judges, we are committed to
defending the Rule of Law, and have been so committed since 1802, when this Association was created. The actions described fly squarely in the face of the protections afforded to all of us by the Constitution. “The recent actions taken in Portland would appear to convince us of the fallacy of our belief in the protections of the Constitution. “Therefore, we, the Philadelphia Bar Association, call upon those in power to remove these troops from Portland, to forswear from deploying such troops elsewhere, and to return the powers of local law enforcement to local authorities. We call upon those in power to return to a commitment to defending the Rule of Law.” The Philadelphia Bar Association, founded in 1802, is the preeminent metropolitan association of lawyers in the United States. It is a keystone in the ongoing developments
July 16, 2020
To Whom It May Concern:
I
am so thankful that Senator Anthony H Williams and Representative Dwight Evans supported the stimulus bill authorizing substantial federal resources for childcare! The $116 million to cover COVID-19 losses/expenses is critical to our ability to reopen our site. My childcare closed on March 13, 2020. In that moment I stopped serving our childcare services to my families and their children. I had to lay off 15 employees. The of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania legal systems. With more than 200 years of dedicated service to stand on, the Philadelphia Bar Association is firmly rooted in the Philadelphia community as a steady and reliable bellwether.
childcare service out of pockets as their jobs was affected since the City mandated closure. That means for the last 18 weeks, I have had little/no income. Not only does that mean my family does not have the income but I cannot pay any of my employees or any of my other business costs. These stimulus funds will be critical in making sure I will be able to bring back my staff, prepare my facility and reopen when this shut down ends and families return to work. Our economy depends on working families and working families depend on high-quality childcare. Please keep the childcare field in mind for yet another stimulus bill each time you see a small innocent child who has also suffered from this closure. Sincerely, Charlene Rawlinson, CEO Lene’s Daily Child Care Inc.
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CEDAR PARK
ing process. What is the story becontinued from page 1 hind the name of your herbal practice- Nana looking to Western and Catherine’s Apothecary? allopathic medicine to Nana Catherine is my be able to help mitigate a paternal grandmother. lot of the troubles I was She died when my dad having with my mental was 14, so I never met health- particularly deher in the physical realm. pression and anxiety. You know, because I am While there were cera spiritualist, she was tain aspects of what I was one of the first ancesexperiencing that did re- tors that kind of came to spond to medication and me or that I connected therapy, there was this with. Which started my element of some sort of personal journey back to discomfort and pain that myself. those modalities weren’t What do herbs offer responding to. that pharmaceutical That’s when I started medicine can’t? to really get interested You have more agency in particularly Chinese and more of a say in how medicine with acupunc- you are managing the ture. Then plant mediherbs you are taking and cine with herbs because how they’re working eiI had no relationship re- ther for or against sympally with my body, with toms that you are having, nature, with looking to so it just becomes a little what is already offered bit stronger and more coby the Earth as a model, hesive, especially if side and as a teacher, and as a effects are a big thing for guide for me in my heal- you with pharmaceutical
medication. Herbs actually speak to and adapt to what is happening with you on a cellular and emotional level, so that they become more effective for you in particular. There are a lot of ways to incorporate herbs, even if you still do take pharmaceuticals and with the guidance of a clinical herbalist or a health practitioner, to begin to see how you can phase in more herbs and phase out pharmaceutical medicine for certain illnesses. What do you say to people who believe herbs should replace all pharmaceuticals? I’m not ever gonna be one of these people that are like, all or nothing, or this way or that way. We’re just too complex for that and, also, we don’t live in a society that supports holistic or total body health.
The community I work most with is black and brown queer folks. I try to work with herbs that are gentle enough to be taken in tandem with medication that are prevalent in those communities. So that’s like antidepressants, blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, hormones. You don’t want herbal practice to have to be something that excludes what are working for them in some way. Why do you think, in the past few years, there has been a sudden interest in herbal medicine and healing? Herbal medicine has always been around, but I think people are kind of tired of the same inconsiderate kind of approach that our society takes to caring or not caring for folks and the way it’s deprioritized. Overall, that’s why people get interested or stay interested. It’s because it’s about this reclamation
of power. Being able to respond to yourself with plants you can grow yourself. What do your clients usually come in to see you for? A lot of the things people come to me for really are what I view as a mix of biological, psychological, and also like spiritual illnesses. So, the Western illnesses that I think fall under the access of those three is something like depression, which has physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, then like spiritual/emotional symptoms. Anxiety, bipolar disorder folks will come to me for energy work, and herbal work with either side effects from the medication they are taking for these things or for some of the symptoms that the medication is not responding to. Those are the biggest three: depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Can herbal medicine be an alternative for
lower income communities who may not have proper insurance coverage or simply cannot afford pharmaceuticals? That’s one of the best justice-oriented things about herbal medicine, that it does tend to be cheaper. That hasn’t always been the case but now getting access to herbs is becoming easier. There’s a lot of what we advocate for, land and food sovereignty, especially in communities where fresh food and herbs and land, the lack of access is immense. It can be, for a lot of folks, a more just and equitable alternative approach to health in general for a lot of black and brown folks. Nana Catherine’s Apothecary 707 S. 50th Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143 @NanaCsApothecary Please email any questions or concerns about this story to: editor@philadelphianeighbors.com.
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You’re at higher risk. If you’re 65 or older, you are at higher risk of getting very sick from the coronavirus. You must take extra care of yourself. Stay home if you can. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your face. Disinfect frequently touched objects. Wash up after being in public spaces. Stay about six feet away from others.
Two long-time friends and musicians talk about music, life, society, technology and so much more in this podcast aimed at trying to understand why we get dumber as we get wiser.
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O N :
If you’re sick, stay home and away from others. If you have symptoms of fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, call your health care provider before going to their office. We are all at risk, and some more than others. In challenging times, the choices you make are critical. And their impact is significant. Help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Visit coronavirus.gov for the latest tips and information from the CDC.
TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP SLOW THE SPREAD.
JULY 29, 2020 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 5
City Provides Update on COVID-19 for Tuesday, July 28, 2020 July 28, 2020 Published by: COVID-19 Recovery Office, Board of Health, Managing Director’s Office, Department of Public Health, Office of the Mayor, Office of Emergency Management
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HILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Department of Public Health today announced 142 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia. That brings the number of confirmed cases to 29,945. The Department of Public Health confirmed no additional fatalities in Philadelphia. The number of residents who
SOFITEL continued from page 2
and past the COVID-19 pandemic, to ensure that our valued guests and employees will always be looked after with the highest degree of safety, care and comfort.” She added, “For more than 130 years, our loyal guests and employees at Accor properties across North & Central America have entrusted us with their care and safety. Sofitel and Accor have a long-standing tradition of setting new benchmarks for service excellence and today is no different.” For additional information on Sofitel’s and Accor’s commitment to helping its community stay safe and stay well, please visit ALLStayWell.com. As a welcome back to Sofitel Philadelphia, the hotel is offering guests a buy one, get one free complimentary night offer with a minimum of a two-night stay. The special offer will be available when you visit Sofitel Philadelphia on Facebook, and when a potential guest visits https://www.sofitelphiladelphia.com/happenings/. In order to help travelers book with con-
today’s press briefing. The Department has posted a webpage on this new contact tracing program. He described the process as follows: Health Department staff call people who test positive for COVID-19 and ask them to isolate. Staff ask for the names and contact information of anyone that they’ve had close contact with. have succumbed to the asymptomatic positive Health Department virus in Philadelphia cases in Philadelphia staff then call those conremains at 1,678. Of the prisons are now posted tacts, inform them that 1,678 total deaths, 855 on the testing and data they may have been ex(51%) were long-term page of the City’s COposed, and ask them to care facility residents. VID-19 website. quarantine for 14 days. Note: Today’s count is Contract Tracing: Staff will then follow one less death than reHealth Commissioner up with these contacts ported yesterday due to Dr. Thomas Farley introdata cleaning. Current duced the Department of every day to see if they have symptoms or any and cumulative totals of Public Health’s contact both symptomatic and tracing program during outstanding needs. To facilitate this process, the Department of starting on August 6th fidence, flexible rates Public Health has hired please call the hotel diare always available 108 diverse, new staff to rectly at 215-569-8300. for booking, allowing build an entirely new diFor immediate phone change or cancellavision. This new division inquiries, please call tion up to 24 hours Director of Sales & Mar- is 57 percent Africanin advance of arrival. American, 25 percent keting Anthony GeistFor guests who have White, 6 percent Latino, wite at 215-564-7980. booked a non-flexible Sofitel Philadelphia is and 11 percent Asian. rate directly with Sofitel Sixteen percent of the located in the heart of Philadelphia for travel Rittenhouse Square and through June 30, 2020, Center City at 120 S. the hotel has adopted more flexible modifica- 17th Street, with ample outdoor dining, retail tion and cancellation and cultural offerings policies to help guests just minutes away. and clients shift their travel plans as needed. Name: For more information,
for a site by address, click on a map location for specific site informanew staff were born out- tion, and filter by day of side of the United States, week and by drive-thru and 35 percent report or walk-up. speaking a language other than English. Of COVID-19 Resources: the five teams of contact • City’s COVID-19 tracers, one entire team homepage: phila.gov/ is Spanish-speaking to covid-19. facilitate communica• COVID-19 resources tion with non-English translated into mulspeakers. The Departtiple languages. ment of Public Health • Greater Philadelhas developed a video phia Coronavirus highlighting this staff Helpline: 1 (800) 722in an effort to encour7112. age Philadelphians to • Residents can text answer the call. COVIDPHL to 888Since July 6, the 777 to get updates Department of Public sent to their phones. Health has attempted • Find out more about to contact 554 cases that testing for COhave phone numbers VID-19. and completed inter• Businesses with quesviews with 53 percent tions about reopening of them. Of those cases using the Department who reported contacts, of Public Health’s contact tracers have guidelines should reached and interviewed email business@ 72 percent of those conphila.gov. tacts. • The PHL COVID-19 Testing Site Map: Fund continues to A testing site finder at solicit donations to phila.gov/testing helps aid nonprofits that people find a free COare on the frontline of VID-19 test in Philadelthe pandemic. phia. Anyone can search
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Trash and Recycling Collection Updates PCA reminds all to stay vigilant of older sdults sheltering in T homes during heat
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s temperatures continue to rise, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) encourages residents to continue their communication with older loved ones and friends. Elevated temperatures have the potential to cause heat related illness that can be especially harmful to older adults. Phone, video chat, email and textng are ideal methods to keep in touch with loved ones and friends. “As summer temperatures increase, the concern is that many older adults who are still isolating in their homes
could potentially be experiencing the effects of extreme heat without anyone knowing,” says PCA president and CEO Najja Orr. “As a community we have to be vigilant for one another.” PCA estimates that 36% of all people aged 60 and older in Philadelphia live alone. PCA is also doing its part to maintain contact with older adults, while adhering to social distancing guidelines. The agency’s long-term care assessment workers, service coordinators and Older Adult Protective Services (OAPS) investigators are conducting “visits” by phone. While physical loca-
tions remain closed, senior centers are also conducting regular wellness calls to existing members and those who are newly receiving meals through PCA’s Grab & Go meal program. In the event that a Heat Health Emergency is declared in Philadelphia, PCA also establishes a Heatline, which is conducted through its Helpline call center and is accessible through the Helpline phone number at 215-765-9040. For more information on PCA’s Heatline, heat related tips or additional resources, visit pcacares. org/SummerTips and pcacares.org/Heatline.
he Streets Department has suspended recycling collections for Monday, July 27 and
Tuesday, July 28 to allow crews to prioritize trash collection and return to a normal trash collection schedule as quickly
as possible. Residents should place trash out on their normal trash collection day this week.
OPA Offices now open
T
he Office of Property Assessment has re-opened to the public for in-person service. However, residents are asked to call 215-686-4334 before coming to the office to
see if their issue can be resolved over the phone. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All visitors will be required to wear a mask in order to enter both the building
and the office lobby area. Abatement applications that would have had a filing deadline of March 17 through September 3 will be considered timely if filed by the close of business on September 4.
Park Safety and Responsible Usage
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hiladelphia’s watershed parks have experienced a sharp increase in usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation reminds visitors to park in
designated lots only, follow all park rules, wear a mask, and practice safe social distancing. Swimming and bathing are prohibited in Philadelphia’s rivers, streams, and waterways,
and is extremely dangerous for even the most experienced swimmers. Bathrooms remain closed in Parks & Recreation sites, and visitors should carry out any trash they carry in.
COVID-19 Resources • City’s COVID-19 homepage: phila. gov/covid-19. • COVID-19 resources translated into multiple languages. • Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline: 1 (800) 7227112. • Residents can text COVIDPHL to 888777 to get updates sent to their phones. • Find out more about
testing for COVID-19. • Businesses with questions about reopening using the Department of Public Health’s guidelines should email business@phila. gov. • The PHL COVID-19 Fund continues to solicit donations to aid nonprofits that are on the frontline of the pandemic.
• Testing Site Map: A testing site finder at phila.gov/testing helps people find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia. Anyone can search for a site by address, click on a map location for specific site information, and filter by day of week and by drivethru or walk-up.
JUST JUST
DON’ T TEXT DON’ T TEXT AND AND
JULY 29, 2020 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 7
I
t’s almost August and time to get out of the house and make up for already missing a large chunk of summer. Our city is filled with lovely, inviting and soothing oases for a bite, a sip or just some sweet outdoor resting, all of course masked and six feet apart from anyone else. Dilworth Park on the west side of City Hall offers all that and more. In addition to foods and beverages, it boasts a vast lawn, a spray pad, free Zumba and boot camp, fun events such as live weekday hour-long musical performances at Noon on weekdays. Sister Cities Park at 18th and The Parkway is studded with shady trees, Children’s Discovery Garden and the coolness of the Splashing Earth Fountain. Nearby is Cret Park in the 1600 block of The Parkway, named for the distinguished French architect and designer who contributed so much of his genius to making out city as famed for its outdoor natural beauty as is Paris. Here the amenities include a cafe and an outdoor patio. Updates on all the above at centercityphila.org West Philadelphia is greatly beautified by the green UPenn campus and the attractions of Locust Walk with its benches and sculptures. Nearby is the popular Porch at 30th and Market Sts. nestled against Amtrak’s 30th St. Station whose majestic interior offers respite from the heat, numerous fast food offerings, and public restrooms. Outside on the Porch is a daily series of different food trucks offering varieties of ethnic and other fare as well as tables
and chairs and Noontime musical offerings., M/F. Check the truck schedules on Twitter and Facebook. A bit further west are Laurel Hill and W. Laurel Hill Cemeteries open daily free from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both are paradise for nature lovers and the attractions include 3,940 species of trees and 373 plant species , all visible from comfy benches and easy strolling paths, a combination of natural history and beauty as well as occasional special programs. Phillyfunguide. com. Manual Cinema is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary Retrospective with a series of on-screen productions through Aug. 23, free, These multicamera, high-definition videos include four of their seminal creations: “Lula Del Ray”(2012), “The End of TV(2017), “No Blue Memories: the Life of Gwendolyn Brooks”(2017), and “Frankenstein”(2018) all of them “vivacious shows that feature puppetry and projections”. info@broadwayasia. com. Something new to add to your westward strolls on Walnut St. A brandnew mural now shimmers on the exposed wall at 24th St., , a tribute to the Phillies and to baseball and its millions of followers. This one is especially appealing as it is in a highly visible and photogenic spot on the Walnut St. Bridge. Don’t forget your camera! Bartram’s Garden and its spectacular acreage at 54th and Lindbergh on the Schuylkill is welcoming visitors as always to its centuries’ old trees and plants and gardens and benches.
Its charming shop is another amenity there and it is good to report that their new on-line store boasts all the familiar classics: home-made vinegars and oils and bitters from their own plants, books on botany and Pa. history, tee shirts, field guides, jewelry, seeds and other reminders of the past and the wonders of nature. bartramsgarden.org A true reminder of the good old days is the new trend slowly reviving parts of our missing entertainment values. Drive-in theatres are springing up throughout the nation and quite a few are in Pa. The newest pop-up is The Greater Philadelphia Expo Theatre in Oaks, taking advantage of the Expo Center’s paved area which can accommodate 233 cars. The programs are nightly at 9 p.m. and change daily Thursdays through Sundays. Here’s a brief preview: July 30, “Shazam!”; 31, the brand-new hit “Palm Springs” starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, Aug. 1, the original “The Wizard of Oz” from 1939; Aug. 2, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”. Details and directions at info@valleyforge.org or 610-834-1550. The Metropolitan Opera’s free screenings of HD videos from their stunning vast collection are nightly at 7:30 p.m. and on view through 6:30 p.m. the next day. Upcoming: July 29, Verdi’s “Rigoletto”; July 30, Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”; July 31, Dvorak’s “Rusalka” available until Noon the next day; Aug. 1, Verdi’s “Ernani”; Aug. 2, Wagner’s “Die Walkure”. Another Met Opera innovation has begun every Sunday at
5 p.m., a series of $20. ticketed solo recitals and duets by the world’s greatest stars from their homes or studios. On Aug. 1, superstar sopra-
no Renee Fleming with pianist Robert Ainsley, perform in the luxurious Music Salon of Dumbarton Oaks, offering arias by Puccini, Massenet,
Handel, Korngold, Gounod, Strauss, Cilea and ending with Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow”. www.metopera. org
8 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • JULY 29, 2020
HOMELESS
Cobbs an occupant of the camp who escorted continued from page 1 me around the area on a sweltering hot 90-plus the Philadelphia Housing degree day. Authority (PHA) to get The garden in questhere take, to hear their tion was a in its infancy side of the story. Afterall, stages and consisted of a that is what real jourshovel embedded in the nalism is, an unbiased soil being dug for plantreview of all sides. And ing. Signs of a prolonged for a moment it looked stay? as if this would happen. “I’ve been here for We contacted PHA who about 2 weeks. I was a seemed willing to make chef and working under a statement and we even the table and couldn’t get held up this story waitunemployment,” said ing for that statement, Cobbs. and then, for no reason, When Covid-19 hit and they seemed to have restaurants closed their changed their minds. doors, Cobbs found himNo, they didn’t refuse self homeless and unable us although they might to get unemployment. as well have. They sent “I had a slum landlord a one-line statement via and he wanted his monemail which read: ey. I was paying $650 a “PHA has postponed month and I couldn’t the removal of encampafford it. I didn’t have ment in hopes to find a a lease, I went there on mutual resolution.” good faith and have only Yup, that was it. That been there a month and a was the statement made half,” he said. by PHA’s CommunicaThe landlord took tion person Nichole Till- Cobbs in as a favor and man. Yes, we can see the when he was unable to people’s frustration with continue paying the rent, this organization. Cobbs chose to leave So, we chose to focus instead of burdening the on the residents instead. owner. He’s been at the Far more interesting and camp since. communicative by the “Anyway, I’m here and way and they weren’t God has blessed me,” shy about how they felt. said Cobbs who says he “There may be about has a job interview toclose to 30 tents here and morrow. right now we are build“We have testimonies ing a garden,” said T.C.
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here; lives are being saved. We have clothes, food, showers, haircuts, everything you want is here and it gives you a little boost to go out and look for a job,” he said. When it comes to the PHA, Cobbs positive attitude turns negative and his bright demeaner gets a little darker. “I’d be all day talking about them, but what I’ll do is take you to some people who really want to talk about issues like this,” he said as he took me to the other side of the camp where more occupants were gathered. As we walked through the camp, Cobbs explained that all of the occupants have been tested for Covid-19 by visiting medical professionals and there was a tent which served as hospital area. There was also a tent for food and donated food boxes were gathered outside the campgrounds fence. “It’s like being home without no roof but it’s alright,” said Lakesha Parnell has been at the campsite for nearly two months. “We all get along,” said Parnell when asked about the people at the camp. “We get a lot of support though, we get whatever we need,” she said in reference to the organizations, groups and individuals who support them with resources and encouragement. Like others, Parnell has
a dim view of PHA. “They can’t evict people on public property. It’s illegal,” she said. So, what would she like the government to do? “Find us housing.” Ronald Story has been at the camp for seven weeks and says he was there to get permanent housing. “Everybody out here has PHA and some of the people out here have their keys but have to start the process over again which I don’t think it is right,” said Story. Story said that Covid-19 didn’t mess up paperwork, it didn’t mess up computers and so PHA’s failure to continue its work of finding suitable housing couldn’t be placed on the back of the virus. Parnell said she and her young son waited 8 years on PHA’s housing list when she lost her identification and was made to start the process over again. Instead of getting the keys to a home, she now finds herself at the camp, waiting. “That’s why we are out here, we’re all fighting,” said Story. “We’ve been putting out a lot of straight facts and proof about PHA that a lot of people don’t know about like, you have the CEO making over $300,000 a year and they get a $300 million or billion dollars a year for properties that they aren’t even fixing up.” “They [PHA] have
properties that they took over that they aren’t even fixing up and they got land that they aren’t doing nothing with. They’ve been taking land since the beginning of time,” he said. That message is getting out. Both Parnell and Story say that, while the PHA itself has been quiet, of this we can attest, other officials and organizers have come to hear their message which is resonating not only across the city and the state but is gaining attention around the country. We asked Story what he, if anything, would like the public to know or do and he had this to say: “Come out here and fight with us. Learn more about it. Do your own research and actually understand [what’s going on],” said Story. “We aren’t just fighting for our benefits we’re fighting for everyone, to pass a law on how PHA is,” said Parnell. “Permanent housing matters, the city would be a lot better if they would stop being so stingy. That’s why a lot of these council [members] are getting locked up because they are stealing from us,” she said. “We have families out here; we have people who are pregnant with kids. We have people 66 years old with heart monitors and a whole lot of health issues and shouldn’t even be outside sleeping in a tent
because PHA took their house, because they can’t afford to keep up with their houses because they have more medical bills and they can’t pay their other bills.” Unlike PHA, the office of Mayor Jim Kenney has no problem communicating with the people they represent and in a previous statement said: “We’re postponing the closure because conversations with the group are ongoing and I plan to meet with several camp representatives next week,” said Kenney. “A mutual resolution has always been our preferred outcome. We appreciate their willingness to engage in productive dialogue, and I’m hopeful that we will reach a peaceful resolution soon.” In a Press release dated July 16th, Kenney’s administration published an update announcing efforts to continue its push to help those in the city confronted with the problem of homelessness. “For the last week, outreach teams representing Merakey, Northeast Treatment Centers, veterans’ services, the Department of Human Services, Office of Homeless Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services have been part of an outreach effort called ‘Homeless Connect,’ which brings appropriate supports to those in need.”
JULY 29, 2020 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 9
TRANSPARENCY continued from page 3
he still worries the bill “will needlessly put commonwealth employees in possible danger retrieving records to meet an arbitrary timeline.” He blames his hesitance on fringe elements of the Republican Party – and calls out Grove specifically – for “wantonly” endangering legislative staff by making them come into the Capitol when “telecommuting would be adequate.” “Some members of the legislature have repeatedly said they do not take this virus seriously,” he said. “In fact, the author of this legislation has appeared in the chamber almost exclusively mask-less around staff and colleagues. They have rallied the fringes of their movement to needlessly endanger the residents of Pennsylvania for the approval of President Trump.” In a statement, Grove did not respond to the governor’s criticism, but rather praised all the voices that lent support to his public campaign to save the bill from certain veto. “House Bill 2463 has a simple goal,” he said. “To ensure the public has a route to hold its government accountable, even in times when a state of emergency declaration has been declared. A crisis is no reason for elected officials to ignore questions from the public. “This bill becoming law could not have happened without the support of all those who raised their voices in defense of an open government and the freedom of the press,” he continued. “I am eternally grateful for the support this law received.” Christen Smith Staff Reporter Christen Smith follows Pennsylvania’s General Assembly for The Center Square. She is an awardwinning reporter with more than a decade of experience covering state and national policy issues for niche publications and local newsrooms alike.
Science Fiction for August 2020 By Henry L Lazarus
I
n Science Fiction and Fantasy not only are the characters created by the writer, but also the society they live in.
Linden A. Lewis has an amazing first novel that hopefully will find its way to an award nomination. After a century long war in which the artificial intelligences quit is disgust, Earth and Mars have combined into the Geans, and are served by a mute sisterhood who both bless the soldiers and serve as their prostitutes. Opposing them are the rich Icarii of Venus and Mercury whose discovery of a metal on Mercury allows anti-gravity. Our heroine is The First Sister (hard from Skybound Book) of the spaceship Juno which had been captured from the Icarii. She was supposed to leave with the last captain, but somehow has to restore her ranks as the sister ministering to the Captain. Lito val Lucius is an Icarian specialized soldier wounded when the Gaens took Ceres. His old partner has turned traitor and he and a new partner have a mission to work their way into Ceres and kill his old partner with whom he had been linked with a brain implant. They also have to kill the mother of the sisterhood. Nothing that either character has been told is correct. There are so many twists here that the tale just blew me away. Sequels are promised, but the current tale stands enough on its own. Excellent. Marie Brennan tells
to get citizenship In the socialist walled Wiley city. Then reports of her alternate on Earth 175 of a universe of postthe savior. Granted capdying, lets the corporaapocalyptic worlds, taincy of an expedition tion send her, almost slowly disappearing like to this The Last Uncharted killing her in the process. Driftwood (paper from Sky (hard from Tor), Her alternate is actually Tachyon Publications) Isabelle has to not only alive. Earth 175, howevdeal with treachery, her er, reveals a secret about mental health as a conAdam Bosch, something worth stopping him. The Space Between Worlds (hard from Del Rey) is possible only for people a tense thriller that kept me up late finishing it. I whose doppelganger has died. Most of Cara’s hope this gets nominated for an award. alternate selves died Sucker Punch (hard young in the harsh reality of the Ashlands. Then from Berkley) is Laurell K. Hamilton’s twentyAdam Bosch, inventor seventh tale of Anita of the technology, hired her and others like her to Blake, Vampire Hunter. collect data on the other Ms. Hamilton practiinto a central core of cally invented the genre worlds, That gives her final destruction. One of vampires and werea job and a temporary constant of this group sequence of what hapwolves in an alternate visa. She has a deep of worlds is a guide pened in the previous world where they are secret, family ties to the called Last. He may have book, but also stop the Ashland and is trying finally disappeared, so man who wants access to continued on page 12 a group of people who the vault to destroy the knew him gather togeth- world. Very exciting and er to tell their tales. This an interesting and wellis a fascinating universe defined unusual world. 4424 Market · 386-3293 4424 Market Street ·Street 215-386-3293 and I suspect this group I can only hope for more of tales will find its way tales set in this interestIn West Philly Since 1970 to be nominated for ing universe. control control programs. programs. Healthy & Sick Pet Visits something. I can only hope that Going onPrevention vacation? Going Heartworm on vacation? Princess Isabelle des terrorists don’t read We offer shortterm or long term boarding! We offer short or long boarding! Zephyrs is a genius Ben Bova and Doug Flea and Tick Meds who only survived beBeason’s exciting tale of Routine Surgeries advantageadvantage 5% Discount 5% Discount PROGRAMPROGRAM FRONTLINE FRONTLINE Hospital Hours: (By appt.) cause the musketeer a Space Station Down M-Th with9-5 coupon with coupon Friday 9-12 Jean-Claude stopped (hard from Tor) because Dr.Dr.Littlejohn David ONLY ONLY Dr. David DavidLittlejohn Littlejohn Saturday 9-12 One coupon per customer. One coupon per customer. the midwife from killthey show a plausible Hospitalwww.onealanimalhospital.com Hours: Hospital(By Hours: appt.) (ByM-F appt.) 8-6M-Th Sat 9-noon 9-5 • F-SatSunday 9-noonClosed Exp. 3/31/11 Exp. 3/31/11 ing her because of her way for terrorist to get deformed hand. Curtis aboard the ISS. The Craddock sets the action on a broken world with floating islands and Free Month Rent continents Nobility is defined by having one of Open 7 Days the defined magical talents, like shape shifting Great Rates or mirror walking, and at the beginning of An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors (paper) Isabelle is chosen to wed the second son of the king of one of the two known continents but this is all a plot by an ancient sor- only survivor, Kimberly 5500 Sansom Street (at 55th Street) Hasid-Robinson, is at cerer and stopping him first disconnected from reveals Isabelle’s rare magical right arm. Then NASA support and watches as her astronaut The celebration of the friends are murdered so King of Isabelle’s home continent’s birthday, re- the station can be set to veals a plot to overthrow de-orbit as a potential bomb. The technical him with a disease that removes magic. Isabelle details feel accurate and make for an edge-ofand Jean-Claud have to your-seat thriller. Good navigate through a An way to take your mind Alchemy of Masques and off current events. Mirrors (paper) to save General Contractors, Painters, Roofers Micaiah Johnson tells the kingdom. As a result, of a future earth ruined there is a discovery of by corporations. Travel a third continent that may contain the vault of to 372 alternate earths is
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When Revenge Is Bitter : Wilma Theater’s IS GOD IS By Richard Lord Contributing writer
T
he twin sisters who are the central characters in Is God Is would disagree with the folk wisdom that assures us revenge is a dish best served cold. The sisters in this contemporary revenge tragedy like their revenge served piping hot. Or as close to piping hot as they can get it when they reach the final target of their winding revenge excursion. Is God Is was originally slated to close out Wilma Theater’s 2019-2020 season. An intricate, striking set had already designed, costume designs, lighting plot and mood boards were well underway. And then Covid-19 descended on Pennsylvania, forcing theatres throughout the area to scupper their plans for the entire Spring period. But with so much already invested in the play, the Wilma team was loath to just drop their treatment of this powerful piece, for which Aleshea Harris won a 2018 Obie Award for best playwrighting. The solution was to record an audio version of the play and offer it this past weekend as a radio play – except that it was available not on any stop on the radio dial, but via online transmission. This solution involved obvious limitations, but much of the fierce power of Is God Is came through even so. Now about those two sisters at the heart of
Danielle Leneé and Brett Ashley Robinson in IS GOD IS. Photo by Wide Eyed Studios.
the play: Racine and Anaia are not only twins, they are a unique sort of conjoined twins. Unique because they’re not attached at any part of their bodies, but at the wound in their souls inflicted on them when they were still pre-schoolers. There are, however, physical signs of those deeper wounds: both were physically scarred when trying desperately to put out a fire that engulfed their mother. Racine’s scars are more easily hidden: hypertrophic scars on her back, a bit creeping up her neck. Anaia was not so lucky; her face has been badly disfigured, making her life much more difficult than her sister’s. She habitually keeps her
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head down and is not as outgoing as Racine. Strangely, she also notes that her disfigurement has “trapped her in a prison of sweetness”. The twins grew up believing they were orphans as they were shuffled from one unpleasant, even abusive foster home to another. Now, as young women, their whole world gets turned upside down when Racine receives a letter revealing that their mother is not dead. She’s confined to an assisted living facility somewhere in “the Dirty South”, an amorphous region encompassing large swaths of Dixie. When they get to the facility, they discover their mother is indeed still alive … but only just. The mother explains that the horrific burns over much of her body is why she disappeared from the twins’ lives. And then comes the major shocker: that fire was set by the girl’s father, who carried out this crime with a casual, almost cheerful cruelty. Mama (who the girls dub ‘God’ because she “created” them) then issues a deathbed plea: that the girls find that runaway father, now living somewhere out west,
and make him pay with his life for his unpunished crime. Accordingly, the sisters take off as a pair of avenging angels on a “mission from God”. Their mother doesn’t actually know where the father has disappeared to, but she knows who might know: lawyer Chuck Hall, who defended their father and got him acquitted. Hall (credibly voiced by Akeem Davis) is himself scraping through the burnt-out ends of his life, but is able to give the twins a lead as to where they might find their estranged father. When they locate their father’s current residence, they find he’s started a second family, with a sophisticated lady of a wife and another pair of twins – this time, boys. Those at all familiar with Jacobean revenge tragedies (which clearly influenced playwright Harris) know what to expect – gore galore as the revenge spins out of control and the body count rapidly mounts. Playwright Harris is working not only out of the revenge tragedy tradition, but also manages to blend in elements of the Spaghetti Western and Greek tragedy.
(“Mama, are we cursed?” Anaia asks when she returns to see her dying mother following the revenge spree. And that question unleashes echoes of the unwashed sins plaguing numerous Greek tragedies.) Harris also infuses her dialogue with rich rivulets of darkly lyrical writing that work well in the audio-only format. This street lyricism not only defines the characters, but also adds a subtext of menace which makes the main themes that more alarming. James Ijames, who had prepared himself to helm the full staged production had never directed anything like a radio play and was wondering if he was up to the challenge. The product shows he was quite up to the task, as he led his cast to a finely textured sonic rendition of Aleshea Harris’ knotty script. The stars of this production were, not surprisingly, Danielle Leneé as Racine and Brett Ashley Robinson as the haunted Anaia. The rest of the cast also contributed significantly to the success of this rendition. Melanye Finister was totally convincing as the revenge-driven mother (a.k.a., God) as was Tay-
sha Marie Canales as Dad’s second wife, Angie. The twin half-brothers were quite good: Anthony Martinez-Briggs was suitably annoying as the self-absorbed Scotch, and Aaron Bell was even better as Riley, a sympathetic victim of circumstances and his own duty to avenge. Lindsay Smiling’s brief appearance was outstanding. Smiling delivered his malicious lines with a voice like honied sandpaper and came off as a seasoned practitioner of routine evil. There are obvious drawbacks to turning such an animated piece of stagecraft into a radio play, and this production was not able to escape those drawbacks. Yes, the entire cast delivered their lines admirably throughout, but body language is the mother tongue of theatre and it usually delivers an important subtext to the way lines are delivered. That was, necessarily, missing here. Even the commendable soundscape (with pinpoint sound effects) and by sound co-designers Daniel Ison and Chris Sannino weren’t able to fill the visual void that any radio play must accept as part of the bargain. More significantly, because we couldn’t see what was actually happening, the climax of the play was at points hazy, at other points simply confusing. While we could be sure of the ultimate fate of the characters, it was not clear exactly how they met their fate. After listening to this rendition (and I listened twice), I was gratified, stirred, and impressed. But I was also filled with a strong urge to experience Is God Is in a full stage production. I’m sure I’m not the only one hoping that the Wilma Theater will be able to mount such a production when public performances are again allowed. Note: This production was a collaboration with Die Cast, an experimental theatre collective, and its radio play division, 2X2L.
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part of the landscape. After the first ten, the tales added enough sex to edge into porn. This tale has no sex, but there is a lot of relationship talk that wasn’t
necessary. Anita has been called to a small Michigan town where another U. S. Martial has a problem with a warrant of execution against a wereleopard thought to have killed his uncle. The guy is locked in jail, but the Marshal thinks that the execution would be murder, especially if the young man was framed for the murder. The uncle was very rich, with relatives eager for their share of the fortune. Of course, the judge who issued the writ, will only extend the writ for a few hours. Anita’s friends and friend-enemies somehow make it to add their comments. This is a minor addition to a fun
long-running series and a must for fans of the series. Modern Earths with magic can create horrible
and contaminates the area it infects. Nell Ingram is one of the agents of PsyLED sent to investigate and has an ability to work with nature to make things grow. Faith Hunter’s tale of Spells for the Dead (paper from ACE) is a solid police procedural in which the PsyLED agents not only have to discover who was responsible, but also the motive and the real intended victim. They also have to discover how to stop and eventually contain the contamination. Lots of fun. murder weapons. A muJon Hayes is merely sical super-star is murBystander 27 (paper dered at her ranch by a from Angry Robot) spell of death and decay when his pregnant wife that attacks like a disease is killed during a fight
Staying home saves lives.
is so caught up in superhero battles. While the solution is a bit odd, Rik Hoskin tells an exciting and centered tale of a Navy Seal veteran using all his skills to probe the impossible. Lots of fun. In the second half of Anthony Ryan’s tale of Vaelin Al Sorna who has gotten himself caught in a fantasy version of the Chinese Mongol invasion, Vaelin has to battle the The Black Song (hard from ACE) within him, a spirit that gives him advance warning of sword blows, but sometimes turns him into a berserker unable to distinguish between friend and foe. His alternate with the same power has turned himself into a god, sacking cities and, with magic, turning most of his foes into warriors who worship him. Since the new emperor of China has been pushed out of the continent into the nearby islands, the exciting battles at the end are fought at sea. Very exciting. Arcane America surmises that Haley’s comet in 1759 brought with it a between Captain Light return of magic. Before and the Jade Shade. He that Ben Franklin had can’t let well enough become The Caller of alone, slowly realizing Lightning (hard from how inane his world’s Baen) because of the logic is. Villains somespecial metal in the key how have access to super which was also found in science to commit stuthe Liberty Bell. Peter J. pid crimes. Damage is Wacks and Eytan Kolcleaned up the next day. lin have fun with Ben He even visits the Jade Franklin’s investigation Shade, only to discover into magic in both Philaan empty space instead delphia and London. He of a jail. Stealing weapencounters magical socions from minor villains, eties, but also an immorhe plans to confront Cap- tal man who has spurred tain Light at the ceremo- these societies over the ny honoring him to help ages, and a plot to use discover why his world the Bell when the comet
was directly overhead, to create more immortals. Light fun. Outland Entertainment has an anthology from Neverland’s Library edited by Roger Bellini, Tim Marquitz, & Rebecca Lovatt in trade. Baen books has an anthology Give Me Libertycon (trade and edited by Christopher Woods and T. K. F. Weisskopf) with new tales by Baen authors who are celebrating the Chattanooga convention. Paper reprints from Baen include Charles E. Gannon’s Marque of Caine, the fifth of that fun series; David Drake’s RCN tale, To Clear Away the Shadows; and D. J. Butler’s Witchy Kingdom. Dr. Henry Lazarus is a retired Dentist and the author of A Cycle of Gods (Wolfsinger Publications) and Unnaturally Female (Smashwords). Check out his unified field theory at henrylazarus.com/utf.html that suggests fusion generation requires less energy because only one frequency is needed rather than a full spectrum. It also explains dark matter, the proliferation of subatomic particles, and the limit of light speed for matter.
LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY ORIENTED FREELANCE WRITERS
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