PhilaNet.com

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the City of Philadelphia as one of 20 communities to receive a grant to conduct a planning study to guide the cleanup and reactivation of brownfield land. A $200,000 grant to Philadelphia will fund a study for a four-square-mile area of Frankford Creek, including sections of the Bridesburg, Frankford, Port Richmond and Juniata Park neighborhoods. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission applied for the grant, which was announced April 25th, and will manage the planning process. The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Mayor’s Office of Grants assisted with the application process.

“Through the collaboration of the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation and the Grants Office, we received this EPA grant, which will be a critical part of the ongoing revitalization around the Frankford Creek,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “I look forward to seeing the final plan and eventual revitalization of these brownfields sites.”

Gary Jastrzab, Executive Director of the City Planning Commission said, “The revitalization of this area was the focus of the recently adopted Philadelphia2035: Lower Northeast District Plan. This grant is the first step toward reusing formerly industrial properties along Frankford Creek in new and exciting ways.”

The former Philadelphia Coke and Rohm and Haas site, totaling 126 riverfront acres in the Bridesburg neighborhood, present economic development opportunities for waterfront redevelopment and community revitalization. “By comprehensively planning in partnership with the EPA, Bridesburg’s vacant brownfields can successfully be remediated and redeveloped with a dynamic mix of uses that will contribute to the city’s and region’s economic vitality” said City Councilman Bobby Henon.

Similarly, the former site of Edgewater Dyeing and Finishing presents a unique opportunity for creekside redevelopment in Frankford. “EPA’s investment in the Frankford Creek area is crucial for us to unlock the transformative potential of these brownfields sites,” said City Councilwoman María Quiñones Sánchez, whose district includes the Frankford Creek watershed. “We now have the opportunity to replace environmental contamination and vacancy with new life and economic vitality, as we have done with nearby success stories like the Globe Dye Works and Amuneal Manufacturing.”

The rehabilitation of brownfield sites will also enable the development of the Frankford Creek Greenway, a greenway that would connect Tacony Creek Park to the North Delaware Riverfront. “This planning grant provides us with an exciting opportunity to advance our trails, watershed protection, and open space objectives while connecting and engaging with communities on these vital assets,” said Michael DiBerardinis Deputy Mayor Environmental and Community Resources and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner. “We look forward to continuing to work with PCPC and other partners on this important collaborative effort.”

The EPA will award a total of $4 million to 20 communities as part of the Brownfields Area-Wide (BF AWP) Planning program, which aims to promote community revitalization by using cleanups to stimulate local economies and protect people’s health and the environment. Since the program’s inception, all EPA’s Brownfields investments have leveraged more than $19 billion in cleanup and redevelopment.

Saturday May 4th – 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM TAG Education for Liberation Curriculum Fair and Citywide Summit Folk Arts and Cultural Treasures School, 1023 Callowhill Street

The morning Curriculum Fair will feature workshops, unit and lesson plans, projects, resources, and best practices for social justice education. This will be a space for educators to connect and exchange, learn from each other, and take new ideas back to their own classrooms. The afternoon Summit will be a space for building stronger community alliances for education justice, as parents, students, community members, and educators. Our public schools are under attack, and it will take a movement to fight back. Come learn from people who have organized together to save and transform their schools, and figure out how to take the lessons back to your school community.

The fair will also be featuring sessions hosted by The Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement, Decarcerate PA, and more!

Register at http://tagcurriculumfair.eventbrite.com/#

When Jesse Jackson visited Occupy Philadelphia after Joe Frazier’s funeral, he called for a statue of a real hero (as opposed to Rocky Balboa) be erected. The City Of Philadelphia has announced:

Lawrence J. Nowlan will be the artist to create a statue in honor of Joe Frazier. Mr. Nowlan previously created the Harry Kalas Memorial Statue at Citizens Bank Park. The statue is scheduled to be erected at XFINITY Live! by Spring 2014.

“I have no doubt that Lawrence Nowlan will capture Joe Frazier’s tenacity, energy and spirit in his work,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Mr. Nowlan’s previous work has proven to be exceptional, and I look forward to the finished product. Smokin’ Joe is one of Philadelphia’s great sports icons and deserves to be memorialized this way.

Eight artists were solicited for presentations. Then a statue review panel, which included several representatives from the Frazier family, selected Mr. Nowlan from among the presenting artists.

“To kids like me, growing up in Philadelphia in the 1970s, Joe Frazier was a hero. I became aware of Joe Frazier, the athlete and Smokin’ Joe, the personality during an era when the sweet science of boxing was at the forefront of the sporting world,” said Lawrence Nowlan. “To be selected by the Frazier family to create the monument that will forever represent one Philadelphia’s most enduring icons and greatest boxers is a heavyweight honor to me. Words cannot properly describe the gravity and meaning that sculpting this monument will have on this artist.”

The $160,000 raised will cover the cost of the statue and a perpetual maintenance fund administered by the City Board of Trusts. The major contributors to the project are as follows:

Cordish Family: $70,000;
Hand family: $27,000;
Bernard Hopkins and Golden Boy Productions: $25,000;
Jerry Perenchio: $25,000.

Reed Cordish of the Cordish Company said, “Along with Comcast Spectacor, owning and operating XFINITY Live! has been a great privilege and honor for our family. We welcome this new statue of one of the greatest boxers of all time to the iconic statues of Philadelphia sports heroes at XFINITY Live!. Being able to give back to the City by honoring one of its great sons is incredibly meaningful and gratifying for us.”

Joe Hand, Sr. of Joe Hand Promotions added, “Back in March 2012, I pledged that a statue would get built so I’m very happy to hear about the progress it has made with the help of Mayor Nutter and the city. Joe never complained or spoke out about not having a statue, but it bothered me. It’s about time we honored him. Joe deserves it. Philadelphia should be very proud of him.”

Franklin Institute
Opens May 5

In SPY: The Secret World of Espionage, learn the importance of intelligence gathering and discover how real men and women can change the world every day—one secret at a time. Featuring over 200 historical artifacts and the stories they have to tell—including a collapsible motorbike, a two-man submersible, and a CIA robotic catfish—combined with firsthand spy experiences like personal disguises, voice alteration and navigating through a field of laser beams—find out what it’s truly like to be a spy!

There has never been a shortage of intrigue in the world of spies, and the artifacts and interactive displays in the exhibit vividly tell their stories, past and present, through actual tools, technologies, and testimonials. Discover the real-life evolution of spy technology and experience life as a spy by navigating through an actual laser field, using voice altering technologies to conceal your voice, and creating your very own spy disguise.

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The City of Philadelphia filed suit Common Pleas Court against a former vendor of the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office and former Sheriff’s employee, including former Sheriff John Green, in an action that seeks monetary damages and payments of money owed to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW).

The filing was prompted by an action commenced by the City in October 2012. After an independent forensic audit of the Office of the Sheriff, City Controller Alan Butkovitz released a forensic investigation report prepared by Deloitte Financial Services, LLP in the Fall of 2011.

City Controller Butkovitz urged City Solicitor Shelley R. Smith to initiate civil action to recover from two primary service vendors, Reach Communication Specialists, Inc. (“Reach”) and RCS Searchers, Inc. (“RCS”), and others specified in the report for various apparent fiscal improprieties including: excessive fees and overcharges paid to Reach and RCS; unpaid amounts due PGW as a result of gas liabilities for properties sold at sheriff sale and other unpaid pass-through amounts; and improper, unauthorized or unsupported payments.

The Controller’s forensic report identified potential improper relationships, conflicts of interest and other alleged wrongdoing by and among former Sheriff John D. Green and other former Sheriff Office employees, as well as James R. Davis, Jr., his companies Reach and RCS, and others related to Davis and his companies. Moreover, the report noted that millions of dollars remained unaccounted for and millions of dollars in payments were unauthorized or unlawful.

With the assistance of attorneys at the law firm of Kaufman Coren & Ress, P.C., a prominent, well-regarded commercial litigation firm, the City initiated a lawsuit by writ of summons in October 2012 against the Reach entities and others. Today, the law firm has filed a complaint in that action on the City’s behalf.

In this action, the City seeks to recover for the wrongdoing of the Defendants named therein. The City asserts the following claims, among others: (a) an accounting with respect to the payment and disposition of more than $115 million that flowed from the Sheriff’s Office to Defendants Davis and his companies, and a judgment in favor of the City for the return of all ill-gotten gains established by that accounting, including any sums that may have been overcharged to the Sheriff’s Office in connection with the advertising of Sheriff sales, and $600,000 unpaid to the Philadelphia Gas Works; (b) treble damages for violations of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act; (c) treble damages for the submission of false claims in violation of The Philadelphia Code; (d) breach of fiduciary duty and fraud; (e) aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty and fraud; (f) conversion; (g) unjust enrichment; and (h) civil conspiracy.

In addition to those named above, the Defendants include Sheila R. Davis; Karen Coursey; Crystal Stewart; Darrell Stewart; Tyrone Bynum; Processing Link; Rory Lane Gazaway; Yellow Rose Enterprises; 400 PTM, L.L.C.; and Jackiem Wright.

Glen Foerd on the Delaware
5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
215 632 5330

POPULAR BIRD WALK RETURNS TO GLEN FOERD

Come join us on Saturday, April 27th, @ 7:00am for an enjoyable and educational walk around the grounds of Glen Foerd. The fall walk is an excellent chance to learn about area birdlife and enjoy one of the beautiful green spaces remaining in Northeast Philadelphia. The walk will be led by experienced birdwatcher and local educator Frank Windfelder. The program begins at 7:00am in the Glen Foerd mansion and ends at about 9:00am. Light breakfast will be provided. Dress casually and wear comfortable walking shoes. Binoculars are recommended.

GLEN FOERD MEMBERS – FREE
NON-MEMBERS $3.00

Glen Foerd on the Delaware
5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
215 632 5330

Children’s Art Classes
Begins June 1st 10:00 – 11:00am; Five Saturday Classes for Ages 6 – 10 years.
Registration required. $85.00 for members, $90.00 for non-members
Join this class for colorful fun at Glen Foerd on the Delaware; paint, collage, sculpture and more. Abrakadoodle’s award-winning program will have students exploring exciting artists from around the world as they experiment with a variety of cool art materials in a creative and fun environment, a new masterpiece will be created each class.

Children’s Theatre Classes
Begins May 1st 4:00 – 5:00pm; Five Wednesday Classes for Ages 7 – 12 years.
Registration required $50.
Future actress and actors learn theater skills through traditional acting exercises that lead to performances of monologues and skits using situational drama. Frank Turco, an experienced professional actor and teacher with the Philadelphia Community Arts network, will be the instructor.

The Art Museum
August 31st to September 1st, 2014

Featuring:
Nine Inch Nails, Beyoncé, Deadmau5, Phoenix, Queens of the Stone Age, Calvin Harris, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Gaslight Anthem, Public Enemy, Solange

CONTAINER GARDENING WORKSHOP AT GLEN FOERD
Saturday, June 1st from 11:30am to 1:00pm
Registration required $25 for members, $35 for non-members.

Have you always admired those lovely pots of flowers at public gardens or nurseries? Want to learn how to create them for your own backyard patio? This workshop will teach you the basic techniques and design considerations to produce beautiful ornamental container plantings. This is a hands-on class, so bring your gardening gloves and a container to plant and take home. Please – no containers larger than 10 inches in diameter and height, with drainage hose in the base.

Glen Foerd on the Delaware
5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
215 632 5330