Little Shop of... Everything?

While on our usual Kensington jaunt for stories and pictures, group 14 stumbled upon a quaint little shop called Perpetua. We were actually taking pictures of the place next to it, but the man out front, who turned out to be the store attendant, told us to come into the store because, while it may not look as "cool" as the one next door, it would still change our lives. Needless to say, we had some time to kill before a prior engagement, so we explored the store. The first thing I noticed was a cat, snugly nestled in a basket on the counter. It appeared to be the store mascot.

However, at second glance of the store, there were all sorts of things around me that made it hard to categorize anything. They had everything from old letters to Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn from the Philippines and Argentina, to vintage X-Men comic books, to fairytale books from the 1800s, to giant novelty bottles of Rolling Rock Beer.

This place, like any given attic, was strange and had that certain smell to it, but in a really zany, intriguing sort of way. Not to mention, the lovely man working the register was chalk full of information and personality, leading to quite the enjoyable shopping or perusing experience.

This hidden treasure was certainly an eye-full and definitely makes it impossible to not want to come back. But, if you're not one for novelty items like antique mini-revolvers or old-fashioned cash registers from the 20th century, there is yet another eccentric aspect to the store that could interest some.

In honor of the traditional first Friday this upcoming week, Perpetua is hosting "mind reader extraordinaire," Steven Cambian. He's said to have mystical powers including telekinesis, mind-control and psychic prediction. Those weak of mind are warned to enter at their own risk.


Kensington, Group 14 - Jessica Bautista, Allison Ashenofsky, Nick Sero

Ridge Avenue was an interesting Ride

As the semester winds down and MURL comes to an end so does my experience covering Ridge Avenue along with my group members. It was certainly an interesting and new experience as we frequented an area that I guarentee none of us had even glanced at even passing right through on our way to Fairmount park. I still remember the first day in our neighborhood on Super Bowl sunday when we walked for blocks looking for appealing story ideas. Or our weekly neighborhood meeting at Johnny Manana's restuarant on Midvale.

We got to meet some interesting people and saw some pretty cool places. We found out that the Market Place at East Falls is a hidden gem. As well as the Mander Rec. Center where the kids loved Amber so much they wouldn't let her leave.

But what I will remember most about MURL is the people that we met along the way. In our neighborhood we met some unique characters indeed, all with a story to tell. We found places and organizations that we otherwise would have never known existed. Like the 2400 sq. ft. green energy roof on top of the philadelphia housing authority building. I will also remember my group mates. We were three very different people all with one common goal. Getting through MURL! But as we went along we learned a lot and had more fun than I ever expected as well.

And while our time as reporters on Ridge Avenue may be done, it will certainly not be last time we see it. For now on on those rides to Fairmount Park we will stop and look at what lies in front of us on the way there. A neighborhood with potential. A neighborhood with hard working people. And a neighborhood with hope.

Group 26 25th to Midvale
Tom Kelly, Amber Sizemore and Holly Otterbein

Leaving North Broad Street

And so, the time has come to say goodbye to Group 25's time on North Broad Street.

It was an interesting ride, as we ventured out into a neighborhood that was more populated by local businesses and community centers than residents.

Plus, we had to avoid dealing with Temple-related stories, which sometimes proved to be a difficult task considering how the University as come to dominate much of Broad's territory between Girard and Erie.

But, still, we were able to find plenty of interesting stories and plenty of interesting people whose lives were affected by the different kinds of things going on North Broad Street.

Perhaps the most interesting story was the tale of Treehouse Books, one of the few, if not only, book stores in the neighborhood. Considering the crime and the lack of education the area, having this place--and it's a nice store-- is unique and shows the progress the neighborhood is making to better itself.

These are the things that don't get much attention from the media, as the only team they seem to be around is when someone is shot or police is involved. And thus, we've reached the very point of the class-- the find stories about people and places that more or less go unreported.

I personally found my time at the Blue Horizon to be the most valuable, as I was able to walk around the historic venue and talk to fighters and to trainers and to the many personalities that have been a part of Philadelphia boxing for many, many years. As someone who is interested in sports reporting as career, this was a good experience that I probably never would have even done if not for this class.

Overall, being out in the North Broad Street neighborhood was a valuable experience. The things our group learned and saw when out and about are things that will stay with us for the rest of our journalism careers.

Group 25
Todd Orodenker, Tiffany Miller, Emily Patz, LeAnne Matlach

Shad Fest 2009 - The Heart of Fishtown

For as long as most Philadelphians can remember, Fishtown has hosted a Shad Fest every spring. At first glance, the festival may seem like any other neighborhood celebration, but the Shad Fest represents the history and foundations of what is now known as Fishtown. During the cold spring of 1778, soldiers in George Washington's army searched the banks of the Schuylkill River for food. Most times, the soldiers found thick, bony, and surprisingly tasty fish. These fish are believed to be the reason many soldiers were able to survive tough times. Shad runs up the Delaware River actually helped to build up 19th century Fishtown, which consisted of several dozen fisheries.

Although Fishtown no longer has such fisheries, the reviving town took pride in holding their 28th Shad Festival. The festival was hosted by the Fishtown Area Business Association. Fishtown residents plan this event every year in hopes that it will bring a community and city together simply for a day of fun.

This year's Shad Fest took place on Saturday, April 25 at Penn Treaty Park. The fesitval lasted from 11:00 AM to 5:oo PM and included various events that ultimately brought Fishtown residents and Philadelphians together on a common ground. Events included two bike rides along the proposed East Coast Greenway path, ending at the festival's location. The festival included music, food, entertainment and plenty of activities for children. Local arts and crafts vendors were present throughout the park. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council set up makeshift docks for free kayak , and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and local environmental groups offered workshops.

Fishtown residents had a successful celebration on Saturday, and they already look forward to another successful Shad Fest next year.

Group 20
Amanda Geronikos, Connor McCormick, Justin Elson

Fair teaches Logan residents how to live healthy

Red and yellow balloons tied to street signs along the 200 block of East Olney Avenue marked the location for the Logan Olney EPIC Stakeholders’ Community Health Fair.

Titled “Living Fine in 09,” the fair featured health care vendors and workshops on juvenile and adult diabetes and different types of cancers such as breast, prostate and colon.

The fair was held at Grover Washington Middle School last Saturday.

Valarie Keyes, a representative of the Family Leadership Institute, said the fair informed Logan and Olney residents about free health care resources that are available.

“One of the things we want them to know is that it doesn’t cost anything to stay healthy,” Keyes said. “There are a lot of things you can do without spending a whole bunch of money.”

Co-sponsored by Let’s Love Logan & Jr. Stakeholders, the fair included activities for school-age children, too.

Among the many parents in attendance was Tameca Wilkerson, Girls Scout coordinator for Grover Washington Middle School.

Wilkerson said keeping her family informed about healthy lifestyles is what brought her to the fair.

“I have a daughter that has asthma, so I want to learn more about the asthma programs, and my husband is a diabetic, so I’m getting some diabetic information to give to him,” she said.

Wilkerson said she notices asthma is a common illness affecting many children in Logan.

“I see a lot of children that come in with asthma,” she said. “They need to learn about it themselves so they know how to take care of themselves in the future.”

From senior citizens to children as young as 3 years old, the fair provided attendees with an array of activities to participate in.

Mascot Hip-Hop Harry engaged children in dancing and exercising routines, while a masseuse offered free massages to adults.

A cooking demonstration showed guests how to prepare snacks that have few calories.

“Instead of grabbing potato chips, you can make healthy snacks,” Keyes said. “The whole idea is to get up, get fit and get moving without spending a lot of money.”

Keyes hoped the fair encouraged attendees to live healthier.

“We need to educate them about the resources available and have people come out and take charge of their own health,” she said. “This is what we’re about doing: giving them the knowledge they need to take care of things they need to take care of.”

Group 21 Olney/Logan: Brittany Diggs, Jessica Ann Geoghan and Andrew Forgotch

Long Lost Caves

My name is Stephanie, member of Group 17 for MURL. For this last capstone project, my group members and I decided to go a more unusual route. We had learned, through our studies of Brewerytown's history, that brewers were not always equipped with ice machines. In the early 1800s, ice machines were either too expensive or not yet invented. Therefore, many of the brewers found it productive to build caves, or beer vaults, in the banks along Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River.

We spoke to Brewerytown historian, Richard Wagner, who explained to us that ice could be cut right on the river. It would then be moved into the caves or vaults, which would allow brewers to ferment their lager. The next question was, “Where are these caves and do they still exist today?”
Driving, walking or running, however you get around Kelly Drive; it is noticeable that high areas are covered by what is meant to look like natural rock. We didn’t come across any physical caves, but we did find some old maps that maintained old brewery records. They were called “Ice Houses” and the maps showed plenty of them along the river. Richard Wagner says he’s found enough material to conclude up to 200 caves were located along the river at some point, all belonging to Philadelphia’s breweries.

Still, somewhere in our research, we had learned that the actual brewery buildings were built right over these man-made holes once ice machines became available. It didn’t make sense to us that the maps showed caves along the Schuylkill, but all the breweries were in Brewerytown. Well that was until we spoke to a Pennrose Property executive, Richard Barnhart.





Bernhart’s office building happens to face one of Brewerytown’s latest renovations: a condominium and townhouse project by Westrum Developers. Although he is not associated with Westrum and their plans, he did describe the construction process. “There was a mass excavation process,” he began to describe, where all the underground tunnels where dug-up and filled in.

We were so excited to learn there was actual activity under Brewerytown. However, we’re still not sure for what. The tunnels could have been to store excess production, to ferment beer, to transport the product, and possibly to travel from one brewery location to another. The tunnels could have even been used during the times of Prohibition.

We weren’t really able to prove the actual use of Brewerytown’s underground. Still the adventure of confirming this idea for ourselves was a great experience.

Goodbye Germantown

Fifteen weeks ago, Group 15 got off the R7 train and stepped foot into a place that we were absolutely clueless about. We walked up and down Chelten Avenue trying to get a feel for this neighborhood. Our first stories were definitely harder than others. It seemed as if every single time we went to Germantown, it was pouring rain. We would always say to each other, "this is going to be the longest semester ever!"

Fifteen weeks later, here we are. We just finished our final project. The three of us probably have each others schedules memorized because we spent so much time together. And, more importantly, we all learned about an area that we were absolutely clueless about. The people have gotten to know us, and we have definitely gotten to know them. We could probably walk down Chelten Avenue with our eyes closed and know exactly where we are.

One thing that I think a lot of us can take from MURL and spending time in these neighborhoods is that you can't really judge a neighborhood from what you hear on the news. The first day of MURL, I was not happy I was going to spend a semester in Germantown. After spending hours there each week, I have learned what a great place Germantown actually is. It has such a rich history and so many unique people. Germantown is just like the areas that we are all from. A woman I just spoke with for our final project worded it perfectly---"Every neighborhood has their blank spots." However, Germantown really is a great area once you spend some time there.

From now on, when I hear Germantown on the news, I will think of all the days my group spent there, all the people we got to know, all the stories we did, and all of the history we learned.


Jennifer Campbell, Anna Conzelman, Tom Wolfe

A recap of our time in the neighborhood

Wednesday marks our last blog post and last day of class. We've spent 15 weeks touring Brewerytown and Strawberry Mansion, during which time we got to know the neighbors, visited the businesses and tried to understand the dynamics of the neighborhoods.

After 15 weeks, I know more about these two neighborhood than I ever have, or thought I could, but I understand them less.

The two North Philadelphia neighborhoods sit side-by-side and overlap a little. They both have incredible histories - one a former brewing community, the other a former wealthy Jewish region. And while both neighborhoods have gone through the various stages of transition, Brewerytown has come out the other side looking fresh, with new housing developments, upscale businesses and plans for a supermarket. Strawberry Mansion is making progress, but on a much smaller scale.

This very broad assertation - two North Philadelphia neighborhoods with rocky pasts - is the result of an intricate process that I don't think a person can ever understand. How does one area out-progress its neighbor? What makes one low-income, predominantly black neighborhood more desirable to home owners, developers and business operators?

Some developers offer Brewerytown's proximity to Center City as an excuse, but in some cases, the neighborhood's new developments are on the border of Strawberry Mansion, which boasts large, historic homes and a short walk to Fairmount Park.

On the surface, the neighborhoods looked the same pre-development; vacant properties, public housing, low-income residents and beautiful views and architecture. But for some reason, people see more potential in Brewerytown.

For that reason, I think out group spent more time in Brewerytown, because its demographics are more diverse. Trips to Brewerytown have produced a story on white, educated home owners who want to be near Center City, and one about two daycare owners who stressed the importance rec centers play in the lives of their young, African-American charges.

While reports from Strawberry Mansion have been equally inspiring, they seem to have recurring themes of poverty, struggle and crime.

It would probably take a lifetime to understand these neighborhoods and the strange dynamic between them, but the last 15 weeks have at least allowed me to appreciate their complexities.

Group 17
Ibtisam Abdul-Barr, Shannon McDonald and Stephanie Ramirez

A 1987 Map of Port Richmond Tracks Two Decades of Change

At the corner of Belgrade and Clementine streets in Port Richmond sits Tony’s Pizzeria. Local workers stream in and out the front door during lunch hour. Some are here to pick up takeout orders. Others take a seat at one of three barstools for a quick slice of pizza or a cheesesteak. They chat about the unseasonable heat and the fact that—unfortunately—it’s only Monday.

Owner Tony Ditri has been running the pizza shop for 28 years and has watched as many neighboring businesses have closed their doors. The 1987 Port Richmond map that hangs on the wall inside his restaurant serves as a constant reminder both to Tony and to his loyal customers of the changes that have occurred in the community over the past two decades.

“A lot of the places you see up there,” Tony says, pointing toward the map, “they’re not around anymore.”


The map features prominent businesses from 1987. While some, such as the Aramingo Diner and Cheer’s Café, are still going strong, others, such as Sitko Pharmacy and Almond Beer Distributor, have changed names, relocated or gone under.

Maria, a waitress at the Aramingo Diner, notes how remarkable it is to work for one of the few remaining businesses. “Sometimes, I like to go to Tony’s just to take a look at that map and see how much this neighborhood has changed,” says Maria. “Not that it’s changed for the worst, but things are definitely different.”

The map also includes a history of Port Richmond, dating back to its founding by William Ball in 1728. Formerly known as Balltown, Port Richmond was incorporated into the city of Philadelphia in 1854 and was the busiest port along the Atlantic seaboard by the late 1800s.

By Lydie Miller, Meghan Grever and Anthony Trivelli
Group 24 Port Richmond

A Neighborhood's Lesson

Over the course of 15 weeks Hunting Park has become a part of our lives. Initially, it was just a place we as a group would levitate toward to do a interview, capture some B-Roll or just wonder around until we found something interesting to write a 300-word blog about. However, that quickly changed. As we met people at barbershops, local eateries and folks active in the neighborhood, we ourselves became entrenched in it. In fact, it’s to the point that all three of us go up to Hunting Park when in need of a haircut or some scrumptious frijoles and rice. Not just because it suits our college budgets well, but because we can rest assured that our favorite barber or cook will be present and remain consistent with quality service.

This leads me into the street vendor, Jose Cruz, and his shoe/board game store on the northeast corner of Fifth Street and Hunting Park Avenue. Cruz is Hunting Park. I’ve seen this guy through rain, snow and on this day 85-degree weather, outside making a living. See, Cruz speaks little English and objects to ever having his photo taken (hints the fact he’s in none of the pics), so it was tough to get into how much he earns or how he gets the shoes, but that’s not what this blog is about. It’ s about how Cruz and Hunting Park have opened my eyes to having a sense of consistency and drive--no matter what. For three years Cruz has sold shoes and domino boards from his maroon van. In the 10 or plus times I’ve walked past that intersection he’s been there--consistently day after day. And I would go on to bet money he’s never missed more than five days in his time working from this Hunting Park street corner.

Consistency in our work ethic and principles is an attribute needed as we exit the confines of college life, seek jobs and build relationships. On that note I bid farewell and best wishes to all in the spring 2009 MURL sections. Keep in touch! And to the future MURL teams lucky enough to have Hunting Park, entrench yourselves in the neighborhood, because you might just come away a better person.

By Kurtis Lee, Kendra Howard and Cris Robinson
Group 22 Hunting Park

We Feel Sad We Weren't Allowed to Play

Olive Park after I was kicked out

For most of our trips here in Mantua, we have been greeted warmly by its inhabitants. People smile wide and ask “is this gonna be on the news?” but nonetheless jump in front of the camera, answer questions and provide wonderful background.

But, this time, when I was alone, trying to gather information about students at Mantua’s public schools. Something changed. The children were very reluctant to talk to a stranger. Perhaps they were taught well by their parents. Perhaps I didn’t quite fit in.

Over at Olive Playground, I was able to get one young man to talk to me. After some back and forth about the particulars of his life, I noticed that he was itching to play some basketball. He was fooling with the ball in his hands, rotating it, spinning it between his fingers and generally just fidgeting around. I asked him if I was making him uncomfortable. He shrugged and told me it was okay. I told him I was a basketball player myself and asked him if I could shoot around with him for a little. A reluctant okay came out.

For most of our trips here in Mantua, we have been greeted warmly by its inhabitants. People smile wide and ask “is this gonna be on the news?” but nonetheless jump in front of the camera, answer questions and provide wonderful background.

But, this time, when I was alone, trying to gather information about students at Mantua’s public schools. Something changed. The children were very reluctant to talk to a stranger. Perhaps they were taught well by their parents. Perhaps I didn’t quite fit in.

Over at Olive Playground, I was able to get one young man to talk to me. After some back and forth about the particulars of his life, I noticed that he was itching to play some basketball. He was fooling with the ball in his hands, rotating it, spinning it between his fingers and generally just fidgeting around. I asked him if I was making him uncomfortable. He shrugged and told me it was okay. I told him I was a basketball player myself and asked him if I could shoot around with him for a little. A reluctant okay came out.

For about five minutes I was shooting with the child and his friends. Some shots were being made, some were being missed, nothing was wrong. But something about the exercise felt stiff. Finally, one of the kid’s little sisters spoke up: she said “can we have our ball? We don’t really want to shoot with you.” I felt sick to my stomach. Could these really be the children of those people who always want to be on camera?

Of course I rolled the ball to her, looked at the older kids who seemed to nod in silent affirmation and decided to make my escape. “I’m sorry guys, I have to go home and edit.”

For about five minutes I was shooting with the child and his friends. Some shots were being made, some were being missed, nothing was wrong. But something about the exercise felt stiff. Finally, one of the kid’s little sisters spoke up: she said “can we have our ball? We don’t really want to shoot with you.” I felt sick to my stomach. Could these really be the children of those people who always want to be on camera?

Of course I rolled the ball to her, looked at the older kids who seemed to nod in silent affirmation and decided to make my escape. “I’m sorry guys, I have to go home and edit.”

The Final Days

As the final days of the semester approach, Group 11 looks back on our experiences in the Allegheny/Nicetown/Tioga neighborhoods. Though some days were a lot more productive than others, we can genuinely say we learned a lot from the experience. We definitely learned how to look beyond the bigger picture and dive into a situation to find and reveal the smaller things that matter just as much. Of course we stumbled along the way, meet a few unhappy children who enjoyed throwing rocks, received a few dirty looks and were turned down for interviews, but overall the residents of those neighborhoods are nice people who recognize a good deed and are always willing to help.

Since the beginning of the semester our anxieties of the entire MURL experience have lessened and we no longer dread it, but actually we look forward to our final projects and interactions with the residents in the neighborhoods.

However, we don’t look forward to post graduation, for those anxieties are increasing by the day. We’ve spent four years or more in this institution earning a degree so that we may get a good paying, stable job. But things aren’t looking to peachy right now and all recent college grads are swimming against the economic current trying to find the best way upstream. We hope to use everything we learned in MURL and all of our past journalism courses to obtain a job and eventually a career. We thank MURL and its curriculum for broadening our horizons and teaching us that there is a world outside of our own and how to use the media to embrace it; and we say goodbye to all those in the Allegheny/Nicetown/Tioga neighborhoods who have let us into their lives and in return greatly impact ours. Group 11: Grace Reed, Andrew Holland, Brittney Barrett

Casa Nueva: In Spite of the Budget Crisis, Green and Local Solutions Are Available to Make Homes Affordable

The recurring theme during the budget hearing at Temple University a few weeks ago, voiced by both city council members and residents, was concern over property taxes. Everyone was fearful that they would no longer be able to afford their homes if the already-high taxes on their homes were hiked further. While 10-year tax abatements insulate owners of luxury Center City high rises, low income households will certainly feel the pain.

Even if the property-tax increases come to pass, there are other solutions available for citizens to save on housing and energy costs. There are also neighborhood organizations that can assist them in their quest for security and affordable housing.



A recent article in Metro announced the launch of month-long, green job training by The Energy Coordinating Agency in Philadelphia. Apprentices are educated in the fundamentals of heat transfer and building science, and learn the nuts and bolts of weatherization, such as insulation and window and door replacement. Not only will this create jobs, but it will greatly increase the energy efficiency of homes in the city, thereby reducing the cost of living.

The Energy Coordinating Agency’s Web site also lists various resources and information. They also map out “neighborhood energy centers.” The ECA has established locations throughout the city where they have stationed trained counselors to assist people in finding “permanent solutions to the problem of energy affordability”. They claim to have prevented 25,642 utility terminations last year. Congresso De Latinos Unidos on Somerset Street in North Philadelphia is the closest of these centers to Hunting Park, according to the map provided on the ECA page.

Nueva Esperanza is a national, Hispanic, faith-based organization with an affiliate in Hunting Park. Several of their core initiatives are home ownership, real estate development and residential development, which encompasses new home construction and housing rehabilitation. To promote home ownership, Esperanza provides pre-ownership counseling, as well as guidance through the intimidating and confusing web of loans, property inspections, mortgages, and settlement. The current housing crisis exposes the need for such assistance now more than ever.

The Last Apothecary

In my travels throughout Port Richmond one unique attribute I have found is the loyal customer base for small local businesses. In a time when most businesses encourage customers to make purchases on-line for reduced prices, many small businesses in Port Richmond don’t even have a website.

Take for example the local Apothecary at the corner directly across the street from the now struggling Northeast Hospital. It’s the kind of place that is a throwback to the days of the pharmacist who knew your entire family, and all their ailments, as well as offering a selection of natural remedies, and old fashion candies.

You would think that in the days where big pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS offer drive through service an Apothecary would never be able to compete, but on a busy Monday morning I encountered a steady stream of customers coming to pick up their prescriptions, or over the counter remedies for whatever ailed them.

I think the reason places like this thrive is because people in a community like Port Richmond, where language can be a barrier, need to have these face to face interactions. Also there is a large elderly community in Port Richmond, as Virge Ross a life long Port Richmond once told me “People live and die here.” I think there is something very comforting about knowing that your prescriptions are being handled by a known and trusted pharmacist, rather than anyone willing to work the grave yard shift of a 24 hour mega-pharmacy.

Although there is certainly a convenience factor that comes with round the clock services, what about the mistakes that can be made? We have all heard the horror stories about young and unqualified high school pharmacy technicians filling prescriptions for highly potent drugs in error.

In one case 20/20 did an Investigation into the death of a Florida woman who had a prescription for Coumadin, which was filled by a technician. The family won a verdict of 25.8 million in damages, but in the end does that really change the loss?

Group 12 Port Richmond Thandi Williams

Just "Say No"

I was infuriated. My eyes stung with tears as Jeff Moran the Director of Communications for Philadelphia’s Public Health Department nearly cussed me out when I asked him to set up an interview with AIDS Activity Coordinating Office (AACO).

Listen. I would have been okay if he gave me the normal answer, “Receptionist, take a message.” Or the other response, “I am always busy in a meeting” and never get back to my voice messages or emails. I am used to it. I think as journalists we become numb to it. It’s part of the job description. But what I am not used to is being blamed for something I can’t control.

I asked politely if we could schedule an interview and he goes on a rant. He tells me that Temple University screwed over his department. Therefore, he blatantly continued, “I am going to maintain the same policy in this circumstance.”What circumstance? Since when did students have anything to do with the bureaucracy of our university? I explained this to him. But he wasn’t going to hear it. The funnier part was that our Journalism department wasn’t even the one attributed with the blame of causing the “fall out” between Philadelphia’s “esteemed” Health Department and Temple. And he knew it. So what was his next lame excuse? “If you were a REAL newsroom we would accommodate you. But, since you aren’t, we just don’t have time for classroom projects.” I am sorry. How does any journalist in college get experience? Plus, if a person is the “director of communications”, wouldn’t there have been period of time, when he to was a “student” working in a “classroom” to create a portfolio and gain enough experience to get, oh I don’t know, something like a …. job? In this situation, a simple “no” would’ve sufficed.

The weirdest part of the whole experience was that I have interviewed AACO. Last semester, I used them for another story. They were pretty nice people. I didn’t expect any problems. It just goes to show how quickly things can turn. I have learned a very valuable lesson.

In the end, he did end up giving us some leads. He sent us an email with some suggestions of places for interview. However, since he gave me the privilege of “scapegoat,” the martyred victim of all that goes wrong with our college, I feel inclined to give him the same courtesy that he did to me. Since we all know that “we,” students, play such a major part in the decision making of our university’s board even though we are just meager “student journalists” working on our “projects” in our “classroom.”

Here is the link for Philadelphia's Department of Public Health: http://www.phila.gov/health/index.html

Here is Jeff Moran's contact as posted on Philadelphia's government website:
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
686-5244
DIR OF COMMUNICATION
JEFFREY MORAN

By Marie Tedesco, Group 5, Fairhill

Housing problems - and a potential solution

We decided to drive through the neighborhood on Sunday in order to get some inspiration for the final project. Focusing upon the housing situation in Allegheny, Tioga and Nicetown, we wanted to get a sense of what the actual homes in the neighborhoods were like. What we found was a mix of many different homes in varying states of repair.
While the majority of row-homes appeared to be in decent shape, there were a surprising number of decrepit houses. Shattered windows, boarded doors, trash strewn about in yards – all were common sights throughout the area. Several doors were missing from the frames, providing a partial view of the insides of the dwellings. Of course, the situation within was no better than the outside – mattresses, broken furniture and trash crowded the living rooms. We opted not to go inside any of these areas for two reasons – besides the fact the properties were often condemned or restricted, they just looked too dangerous to explore.
The multitude of abandoned properties throughout the area made me wonder about the problems of housing and homeless, both common issues in poorer neighborhoods. Could these houses be renovated or replaced in order to bring about more housing that could be made available to those in need? Would the city government be willing to partake in such a plan? Does the city even have the money in the ever-so-strained budget to accomplish such a task?
Clearly, in the current economic situation there is little money to be spent, though one should also consider the additional benefits of such a project. With new construction efforts in the area, more jobs would become available. In addition, the general appearance of the neighborhoods would improve, making it a more desirable area to live in. Perhaps , even in a tough economy, it is something worth considering.
Team 10 Allegheny/Tioga/Nicetown - Laura Yacoe, Brian Myszkowski, Lauren Pappas

Museum Week at Cliveden in Germantown

Museum Week at Cliveden in Germantown

Cliveden historic site in Germantown, Philadelphia, will be hosting free outdoor tours all this week. The tours will be held outside on their six acre site as well as in the neighborhood; showing where the battle of Germantown was held.

In case you haven’t heard about Cliveden, it is a historic mansion where British troops were sheltered during the Battle of Germantown during the revolutionary war in 1777. Cliveden is a National Trust Historic Site, located in the Germantown Historic District. On the floor of the Cliveden, you can still see musket burns on the floor from when George Washington’s army attacked during the Battle of Germantown. The soldiers were holed up in the Cliveden house, and when the Americans could not get the British out of the Cliveden, they retreated. More than 1000 men were injured or died during the fighting.

The free tours that are being offered this week are a part of Museum Week. Museum Week is a production of the American Association of Museums. Fifty museums in the Philadelphia area will be offering discounts on admission during museum week.

My group and I have visited Cliveden before and the gardens surrounding the house are beautiful, and so is the inside of the home. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the free admission to see a part of Philadelphia’s history in Germantown.

Group 2, Germantown, Amanda Hill, Steve Urgo, Erika Ransom