PhilaNet.com

PHILADELPHIA, PA — It is rare to have an ozone action day in Philadelphia in December, but that is the status for December 4, 2013. (source)

Government Warning:
Data courtesy of: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

What does this mean to you? If you live within the Greater Philadelphia Region, DO NOT BREATH. Breathing may be hazardous to your health.

Air Quality on December 3, 2012 at 10:00PM in Philadelphia, PA

About Ozone and Your Lungs

Forecast Discussion: Wednesday will be an Air Quality Action Day for the Philadelphia metropolitan region. It will be unseasonably warm. Rising atmospheric humidity, with partly cloudy skies, will promote particle formation. Stagnation overnight and through the morning rush hour provided by calm winds and a shallow boundary layer will allow pollutants to accumulate. Surface winds from the south/southeast will pick up in the afternoon, but they will be insufficient to adequately ventilate the atmosphere. As a result, particle concentrations will average in the low Code Orange range. Extended Forecast: A slow-moving cold front will approach from the west on Thursday. Unseasonably warm and humid conditions will continue. Stronger south/southwesterly winds in the afternoon ahead of the front will provide enough ventilation to drop particle concentrations into the Moderate range. Particle concentrations will decrease further on Friday but remain in the Moderate range as the air mass is slow to change behind the frontal passage. -Huff

Out In The Woods is a record label based in Conshohocken, PA.

Out In The Woods Records became an official record label in 2011. It was formed on the underground in 2007. The goal with it was to be an alternative to the major record labels, where artist could feel free to express themselves with any kind of genre or style that they wanted. Out In The Woods Records specializes in real, authentic, documentation of musical moments in time.

Lots of different styles of recording happen at Out in the Woods Records. Polished studio recordings like Rick Reinhart’s 2012 album; raw live recordings like One Art Benefit Concert and The Benefit For Beth Concert; and, Electro Dubstep recordings like Industrial Death’s B4 The Art Party album. So far the genres that have been touched by Out In The Woods Records have been Jam Bands, Reggae, Psychedelic, Funk, Blues, Electronic Dance, Folk, Dubstep, Dub, Singer / Songwriters, Improvisational Jazz Fusion, Latin, Rock-n-Roll, Hip Hop, Spiritual Music, RnB, Country and Experimental.

Out In The Woods Records also has a production company that throws live concerts. It is called Out In The Woods Productions. Out In The Woods Productions has been involved with Raise The Vibration Festival 2012, Syd Barrett Tribute Music Festival (Atlantic City 2010-current), The Healing Philadelphia Music Festival at City Hall (Occupy Philadelphia). Out In The Woods Productions has also been throwing benefits for good causes such as The Benefit For Beth (benefit for a friend going through chemotherapy) and One Art Benefit (benefit to keep the doors open at our favorite venue.)

Discography

RATES
* Studio Time ($40 an hour for engineering)
* Live Recordings — Festivals, Theaters, Music Venues, Parties or any kind of live recordings ($50 an hour, 10 Hour blocks for $450).
* Concert/Festival- Throw a festival with us supplying booking the music, venue and promotion (Contact us for rates)
* Hip Hop and Reggae Beats for sale.
* Custom music available for Film, Soundtracks, T.V./Commercials.

CONTACT Out In The Woods
Phone: 215-805-1652
Email: outinthewoodsrecords@gmail.com

Small Business in the Philadelphia Area

There is a Christmas Shopping Village in Love Park.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – In the coming weeks, Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger will participate in series of events showcasing small businesses and neighborhood development to highlight the ways in which the City of Philadelphia supports economic development in Philadelphia. Small business development is a priority for the Nutter Administration, and this work is primarily implemented through the City’s Department of Commerce. The three events focus on recognizing the first recipient of the Department of Commerce’s new InStore forgivable loan program, promoting neighborhood shopping on Small Business Saturday and breaking ground for a brand new manufacturing facility on a large vacant parcel.

“While it is often the big deals and major developments that get the headlines, it is Philadelphia’s small business men and women who drive our economy on a daily basis, representing the vast majority of businesses in Philadelphia,” said Mayor Nutter. “Through the Department of Commerce and our partners like the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, my Administration is committed to finding new and innovative ways to provide funding to small businesses, to help them expand and grow, and to regenerate neighborhood commercial corridors throughout the city.”

Enhancing neighborhood commercial corridors through fit-out grants

The first event will be held tomorrow at 1:00 pm at Rose Petals Café and Lounge, a new sit-down restaurant located at 322 W. Chelten Avenue in Germantown. Rose Petals Café and Philly Office Retail partnered to apply for the InStore forgivable loan. The City’s $50,000 investment covered the costs of critical start-up supplies, including refrigeration units, a hood and exhaust system for the stove, new floors, shelving units, a unique copper color ceiling and more.

Jania and Desmin Daniels, the owners of Rose Petals, named the business in honor of Desmin’s late sister, Rose, who died tragically two years ago. “When my grandmother died a year later, we sharpened our resolve to not wait another minute to make the dream happen,” said Desmin Daniels, who previously worked as a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. “The InStore program was hugely helpful in making it happen.”

The Department of Commerce launched the InStore forgivable loan program in the beginning of 2013 as a means of enhancing commercial corridors, increasing foot traffic and improving the retail mix of neighborhood commercial corridors. For several years, the Department of Commerce has offered grants for façade renovations through the Storefront Improvement Program. However, a funding option for interior improvements previously did not exist. The small business community had repeatedly requested funding for financial assistance with business start-up costs related to the interior fit-out of a commercial space (i.e. commercial stoves, refrigeration units, ADA bathroom installation, electrical work, etc.). The Department of Commerce responded with the InStore loan program, which targets new and expanding retail, food and creative businesses looking to relocate to low and moderate income neighborhoods. The forgivable loans range between $15,000 and $50,000.

“This program was developed in response to demand from our small business community,” explains Jonathan Snyder, Commerce’s Senior Program Manager overseeing the InStore loan program. “When a business is approved for an InStore loan, they must comply with guidelines and stay in business for at least five years and then the loan is forgiven – effectively becoming a grant.”

Encouraging shoppers to buy local on November 30 – “Small Business Saturday”

“Small Business Saturday” is November 30m and Mayor Nutter will visit the East Girard commercial corridor in the Fishtown neighborhood in order to highlight shopping locally. This event is part of a larger national effort sponsored by American Express. East Girard, a newly popular shopping destination, had been an underutilized commercial corridor for decades. Recent investments from funders, such as the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), PNC Bank, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Commerce, have helped transform the district into a trendy place to shop, eat and drink.

For the last 7 years, the Department of Commerce has provided funding to New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) to support commercial corridor improvements and small business development. NKCDC has assisted dozens of businesses on the area’s main commercial strips—Frankford and Girard Avenues—to receive storefront improvement grants and financing.

“We are thrilled to have Mayor Nutter recognize that our growing commercial corridors here in Fishtown are a great place to shop and show his commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs,” said Sandy Salzman, Executive Director of NKCDC. “We hope that his actions will encourage other Philadelphians to invest in their city by shopping with locally owned businesses and for locally made goods whenever possible. It’s a great way to leverage the purchases folks already are going to make to benefit the growth and stability of our city.”

Replacing blighted vacant lots with small businesses that create new jobs

The final small business event of the Mayor’s three-pronged tour will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 11:00 am at a longtime vacant lot on the industrial corridor of American Street in East Kensington. The lot will soon be converted into an 11,550 square foot manufacturing facility for Veyko, Inc., a Philadelphia-based metal fabrication company. The total project cost is $2.1 million, $250,000 of which comes from a grant from the American Street Empowerment Zone, overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. Veyko plans to create 15 new jobs at the new facility. The company provides design, metal fabrication and installation services to architects, designers, general contractors and homeowners. Examples of Vyko’s work include the SEPTA 8th Street Station benches and the large scale exterior artwork at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Since 1994, the City of Philadelphia has been working to improve the American Street Commercial Corridor. Investments have been made through the Philadelphia Department of Commerce and the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone’s signature program, the Neighborhood Funding Stream, to support local economic development and neighborhood revitalization. The American Street Empowerment Zone Community Trust Board, an advisory board to the City of Philadelphia, provides input on grant making in the American Street Empowerment Zone.

“Through this process, grants are being provided to support major investments in real estate development. Veyko, Inc. is one of three recent American Street Empowerment Zone Neighborhood Economic Development grants. Veyko, Inc. will receive a $250,000 grant that will support the continued revitalization of the neighborhood,” says Aiisha Herring-Miller, Senior Program Manager for Philadelphia Empowerment Zones at the Philadelphia Department of Commerce.

PIDC, the City’s economic development corporation, invested $933,000 in the Veyko Project. Marla Hamilton, Vice President of Market Development for PIDC said, “What is especially exciting is that this is a project that was approved just when the recession hit. At one point, the developers even decided to halt the project. Clearly, they have weathered the storm and come back strong. This is a great opportunity for Veyko, Inc. and a great win for the City.”

Small business as the spark for community economic development

The projects described above offer a snapshot of the Philadelphia Department of Commerce’s daily work. With the help of partners, such as PIDC, the Merchant’s Fund, local CDCs and small business technical assistance providers, the Department of Commerce offers and supports many programs, including one-on-one technical assistance for small businesses, training programs on how to start and grow a business, micro- and small-business lending, an online business support website (www.phila.gov/business), grants for storefront improvements and security cameras, and more.

Mon Nov 25, 2013
6:00pm Act-UP Weekly Meeting – St Luke’s Church Basement – 330 S. 13th St Between Pine and Spruce

6:00pm DecarceratePA general meeting – Institute for Community Justice 21 South 12th Street, 7th floor, Philadelphia,

Tue Nov 26, 2013
7:30pm Books Through Bars Packing Cafe – The A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave

Wed Nov 27, 2013
6:00pm Money Out of Politics working group/ Philly Rootstrikers – Friends Center

Sat Nov 30, 2013
11:00am Books Through Bars Packing Cafe – The A-Space 4722 Baltimore Avenue

Sun Dec 1, 2013
2:00pm PHARE/Wells Fargo working group – 1706 Race St.

5:00pm Long Term Organizing MDU working group – Ethical Humanist Society, Rittenhouse Square

Tuesday, November 26, 7:00pm, Fund Raiser and Discussion on the Unnatural Disaster of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Calvary Church, 48th & Baltimore

On Tuesday, November 26 at 7pm. join in a Fund Raiser and Discussion on the Unnatural Disaster of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The event will be held at the Calvary Church, 48th & Baltimore, with special guest speaker Christina Hilo from Gabriela, a Filipina women’s organization. Sponsored by the International Action Center. For information call 215-724-1618 or email phillyiac@gmail.com

Saturday, November 30, 12:00pm, Continue Sound the Demand…Stop the Drone War Command Center at the Horsham Air Guard Station, Horsham, Montgomery County, PA. Corner of Route #611/Easton Road & County Line Road.

Stop the killing…stop the drone war command center in Horsham. Stand up…Speak Out…Protest and Demonstrate! Music, Reading the names of U.S. drone strike victims and their stories, Bell-Tolling, Banners and Signs, Large Drone Replica.

For more information, background, nonviolent discipline, directions, and more, see November 30, EVENTS at www.brandywinepeace.com, (610) 544-1818

Tuesday, December 3, 6:00pm, Philly NetSquared, Friends Center, 1501 Cherry ST.

On our next Net Tuesday, December 3, we’ll take a time out for an organizational meeting.

After doing this every month since May of 2008, it’s time to reassess our leadership roles, re-evaluate our processes and reaffirm our purpose. This will not be a Net Tuesday “program”. Rather, it will be a working meeting to discuss the direction and future of Philly NetSquared.

Some of the questions we will address include: How can we make the best use of our volunteer leadership to avoid burnout? What is working well with our Net Tuesday programs, and what needs to change? What role does (or should) Philly NetSquared play in the Philadelphia community as distinct from other groups? How should we relate to the vibrant interaction among other local NetSquared groups around the world? What should be the role of the website (phillynetsquared.org)? Should we continue streaming and recording our events (with new information that the technological opportunities at the Friends Center are changing)?

This is an important meeting. Attendance will be limited, and RSVP’s via Meetup or Facebook are required. Attendees will be expected to contribute their most caring and creative thinking, so that we will leave with a renewed sense of purpose, direction and energy to carry us forward.

Thursday, December 5, 6:00pm, Strike Student Debt! – First General Meeting, Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N Broad St

We’re a new coalition of students and recent graduates committed to free education for all and the abolition of student debt. We believe a mass movement of young people can achieve this. Come to our general meeting to learn more about Strike Student Debt and our new organizing campaign!

Strike Student Debt! – Demands

1. Automatic enrollment in Income-Based Repayment (IBR) for ALL student debtors. Currently IBR is only available for federal student loans – it should be extended to private loans as well. We also want the repayment period to be reduced from 20-25 years down to 10 years before outstanding debt is canceled.

2. Restoration of bankruptcy protections for student debtors, which were stripped away as recently as 2005. Abolition of the “Brunner test” to qualify for bankruptcy by proving “excessive hardship” in paying student debts.

3. Reversing tuition hikes through increased federal and state funding for education. More Pell grants and scholarships, especially for students from working class backgrounds. We also demand budget transparency, so students know whether their tuition is being spent on education or on capital projects.

4. Release of employment, income, and debt figures for graduates of each higher education institution, 2 years and 5 years after graduation. A school’s data must be sent to each person receiving an application to that school, so they can decide with the full information whether it is in their best long-term interests to attend.

5. Our ultimate demand is the abolition of student debt and free higher education for all.

For more info, check out our tumblr at strikestudentdebt.tumblr.com.

Thursday, December 5, 12:00pm, Trysts with Destiny: Documentary film and the unfinished agenda of Indian democracy, 255 S. 36th Street.

The next South Asia Colloquium on Thursday, December 5th will feature Documentary Filmmaker Sanjay Kak, who will give a talk entitled “Trysts with Destiny: Documentary film and the unfinished agenda of Indian democracy” at 12 noon in 826 Williams Hall. Lunch will be served at 11:45 AM. This event is part of the South Asia Center’s Affiliated Faculty Lunch Series. AND don’t miss the film screening of “Red Ant Dream” and conversation with Director Sanjay Kak at 4:30 PM (December 5th) in 401 Fisher-Bennet Hall. You can read about the film and watch the trailer here.

Saturday, December 7, 12:00pm, Protest against Drone Warfare, 34th & Walnut.

Friends – As unending war continues, the United States’ drone bombings in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia are still killing unarmed and innocent civilians. We walk with banners showing a drone bomber and hand out leaflets to inform people on the street that this is being done in our names. We have walked monthly for over 4 years. We oppose the wars and all drone bombings, which are supported by drone surveillance.

University research around the U.S. keeps advancing and expanding the drone program. UPenn receives about $21 million dollars from the U.S. government, including money for this research.

We will do the Death Walk on Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, meeting at 34th and Walnut, UPenn Campus. Please wear BLACK, we will bring plain white masks and will be sure to have some extra masks. Several people will hold signs and banners, two others will pass out leaflets. We will continue to carry signs opposing U.S. drone warfare and terrorism, which is the killing of civilians.

While walking in the manner of a Silent Death Walk we bring attention to the wars and the victims in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and other countries where drones are used. This is street theater, thus we keep to the form of single file, silence, masks and black clothing. Our leaflet is intended to educate the public on U.S. drone warfare. Some of us will stand with signs and banners at the intersection of 34th & Walnut while others walk through the campus areas.

Events listed here include Occupy Philly related events as well as other social justice events. For more updates be sure to check the Occupy Philadelphia Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OccupyPhiladelphia. Your support is greatly appreciated!

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

Sunday, December 15th @ 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Non-members $5.00, members & students under 18 $4.00, Children under 3 free
Outdoor tree lighting ceremony at 5:00pm free

Experience the magic of the holidays at Glen Foerd. While touring the mansion, enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. This year’s decorating theme is “A Celtic Christmas” in honor of the Scottish heritage of the estate’s founder, Charles Macalester. There will be Nutcracker Ballerinas, music and entertainment for the young and young at heart. Children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Advance tickets can be purchased online.

Mon Nov 11

6:00pm Act-UP Weekly Meeting – St Luke’s Church Basement – 330 S. 13th St Between Pine and Spruce

Tue Nov 12

7:30pm Books Through Bars Packing Cafe – The A-Space 4722 Baltimore Ave

Fri Nov 15

4:30pm Third Friday Protest In Solidarity With The Palestinian People – 19th and JFK Blvd

Sun Nov 17

2:00pm PHARE/Wells Fargo working group – 1706 Race St.

5:00pm Long Term Organizing MDU working group – Ethical Humanist Society, Rittenhouse Square

Tuesday November 12, 6:00pm, Philly Net Tuesday, 1501 Cherry St.
On November 12, Philly Net Tuesday will feature our signature “Crowdsourcing Change” format. (NOTE the change of date — since our usual “first Tuesday of the month” is Election Day.) Here’s how it works: Three local nonprofits share how they’re using online marketing and social media/networking to achieve their goals and objectives. Then the crowd (that’s you!) participates in a facilitated discussion about how each organization might use the social web to even greater effect.
We’re pleased to announce two local organizations eager to receive the wisdom of the crowd will be:
The Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative (http://www.urbannutrition.org).
The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools (http://westphillyschools.org).
And there’s room for one more! If your organization would like to apply to participate in this fun and (hopefully) useful process, please fill in the form at http://tinyurl.com/phlnet2-crowd).
More info about the participating organizations will be coming out shortly.
The event will be held at the Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street. Doors open at 6:00 PM on the evening of Tuesday, November 12. Light fare will be available, and RSVP’s are appreciated for planning, but not required.
Thanks to the American Friends Service Committee for sponsorship

Wednesday, November 13, 4:30pm, PHILLY SOLIDARITY PROTEST: Drop the Charges Against Rasmea Odeh!, 5th and Market Sts.
A protest at the Federal Building in Philadelphia in solidarity with long-time Chicago resident and community organizer Rasmea Odeh.
Rasmea was arrested Tuesday, October 22nd, at her home in Chicago by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and ICE. She is charged with immigration fraud. Allegedly, in her application for citizenship, she didn’t mention that she was arrested in Palestine 45 years ago and tried in an Israeli military court that does not recognize the rights of Palestinians to due process. She is now facing being stripped of U.S. citizenship, a prison term of ten years and probably, after prison, deportation.
Rasmea is the associate director of the Arab American Action Network (AAAN), one of the oldest institutions in the Arab community in Chicago. She leads a women’s committee with 600 Arab and Muslim women and she is also a leader in the immigrant rights movement in Chicago.
Come out in solidarity with Rasmea, and against the political attacks on the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities across occupied Turtle Island and in occupied Palestine by the United States and Israel.
Drop the charges on Rasmea Odeh now!
Endorsed by Philly BDS and the International Action Center.

Thursday, November 14, 4:30pm,
Lois Weiner, The Future of Our Schools: Teachers Unions and Social Justice, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Walnut St. Annenberg Rm. 111
Lois Weiner is a professor of education at New Jersey City University. She brings to her wide-ranging scholarship first-hand experience, as a classroom teacher and union officer.
In her presentation at University of Pennsylvania, she will analyze how changes being made to public education in Philadelphia, including school closings, budget shortfalls, and use of standardized testing to judge student and teacher performance, relate to the global project that is reshaping education throughout the world. Her presentation will take up ideas she explores in her most recent book, “The Future of Our Schools: Teachers Unions and Social Justice,” (Haymarket Press, 2012).
Teacher Action Group Philadelphia hopes to see you at this essential author event. Sponsored by Penn GSE / Teacher Education
P.S. Also, mark your calendars for a special evening with City Paper education writer Daniel Denvir on Tuesday, Nov 19th at the Media Mobilizing Project!

Thursday, November 14, 6:00pm, May Day 2014 Planning Meeting (for the 7th Annual Philadelphia May Day Rally & Family Celebration), PhilaPOSH Office 5th Floor of AFSCME DC 33 Bldg.
30th & Walnut Streets, Philadelphia.
We’ll discuss next year’s event – May Day 2014 – ALL ARE WELCOME.
Agenda:
Building May Day USA Planning Committee/Outreach
Fund Raiser
May Day Rally & Family Celebration @ Elmwood Park
Determine Time for Saturday May 3rd
Rally/March
Keynote/Main Speaker
Music/Entertainment
“Spiral Q”
Kids “Stuff”
Other stuff
Please RSVP your attendance to:
Jim Moran <Jimmoran2008@verizon.net>

Friday, November 15, 4:30pm,
Third Friday Protest In Solidarity With The Palestinian People, 19th and JFK Blvd.
The next monthly 3rd Friday protest in solidarity with the people of Palestine will be held on Friday, November 15 from 4:30-6pm outside the offices of the Israeli Consulate at 19th and JFK Blvd. Bring signs, noise makers and your energy to demand an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

Sunday, November 17, 3:30pm, Peace Center of Delaware County, 1001 Old Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064. Free!
Beacon Theatre Productions Presents… ‘MR. PRESIDENT, I’M FREDERICK DOUGLASS’: Ex-Slave Challenges Lincoln”at Peace Center of Delaware County, 1001 Old Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064.
A one-act, 35-min. play based on writings of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Followed by open discussion on racism in America today. Doors open at 2:30p.m. for refreshments and fellowship. More and directions at www.delcopeacecenter.org

Monday, November 18, 4 p.m. – District Office of Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D, CD #13), 801 Old York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. Sponsored by BuxMont Coalition for Peace Action.
Friday, November 22, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – District Office of Rep. Patrick Meehan (R, CD #7), 940 West Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064. Demonstration at well-traveled intersection will include large Reaper drone replica. Co-sponsors: Brandywine Peace Community, Central Baptist Church Peacemakers, Peace Center of Delaware County.
Representatives Patrick Meehan (R, CD #7) and Allyson Schwartz (D, CD #13), who is soon to leave her seat in Congress to run on the Democratic ticket for the PA Governor’s post of Thomas Corbett (and head of the PA Guard/Air National Guard) were both effusive in their support of the drone war command center in Horsham, as well as PA Senators Casey (D,PA) and Toomey (R, PA). Meehan is the chair of the House subcommittee on Cyber-security of the Homeland Security Committee, who spoke at the press conference announcement last March said regarding the establishment of the drone command center, “The new battlefields of the 21st century of the 21st century are being fought increasingly through the use of drone…Our region will soon be at the forefront of this effort.”
Drone War Command Center in Horsham, Montgomery County: Your Senators and Congresspeople supported it, promoted it, voted your Taxe$ for it. Now, we need to protest it! De-Fund the Drone War Command Center.
Protest Demonstrations & Visits, with signs, banners…at the district offices of Representatives Allyson Schwartz and Patrick Meehan, a part of demonstrations against drone war and surveillance around the country at congressional offices.

Wednesday, November 20, 7:30pm, Activists to discuss U.S. spy revelations Socialist leader to speak in Philadelphia, 1315 Spruce St., Philadelphia
On Nov. 20, two long-time political leaders and scholars will share the platform to discuss “U.S. Government Repression and Spying: What the Snowden Revelations Tell Us.” The speakers will be Socialist Action National Secretary Jeff Mackler and Temple University African American Studies lecturer Anthony Monteiro.
The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m., at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., in Philadelphia.
Jeff Mackler, based in San Francisco, is currently on a speaking tour of East Coast cities. Mackler is a national coordinator of the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) and a key figure in organizing nationwide support for the defense cases of Mumia Abu-Jamal and Lynne Stewart. He is a former schoolteacher and a vocal activist for quality public education for all. He is the author of numerous articles, books, and pamphlets on topics as varied as the Arab Spring, the threat of climate change, and Marxist economics.
Prof. Anthony Monteiro, a distinguished lecturer at Temple, has been a leading activist in the African American movement since the 1970s. Dr. Monteiro’s recent scholarship has centered on the work of social commentator and historian WEB DuBois; his forthcoming book on DuBois is scheduled to be published soon by Africa World Press.
This event is sponsored by Philadelphia Socialist Action. For more information please contact philly.socialistaction@gmail.com.

Events listed here include Occupy Philly related events as well as other social justice events. For more updates be sure to check the Occupy Philadelphia Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OccupyPhiladelphia. Your support is greatly appreciated!

PHILADELPHIA, PA — When I first volunteered for the “Matties Grand ‘Ol Hoo Hoo Hootenany” benefit, I had no idea as to the purpose. It was the line-up of top Southeastern Pennsylvania bands that caught my attention: The Whiskeyhickon Boys, Native Maze, Philadelphia Funk Hustle (PFH), Montoj, Catullus and The Happy Dog featuring Bernie Worrel.

So, I set off on assignment for Headspace magazine to the World Cafe Live in University City, Philadelphia. There I was greeted by not only the best local musicians, but also many of the major concert promoters from Montgomery County, including Who Hill, Opple Topple and Stir Fry.

Part of the assignment was to interview the bands about the benefit for Mattie Cassady. “What is this benefit about?” Much to my surprise, there was a reluctance from many of the artists to talk “on the record”… until I explained my dilemma to Jesse Wagner of The Happy Dog. “I’ll talk to you,” said Jesse. “We’re living 20 years in the past. It’s time we moved up to at least only 5 years.”

Thinking to myself, “Isn’t that the truth,” I headed back in to listen to the music. It was like having the best festival bands of 2013 at your own private concert — mind blowing. Then, I started to notice that quite a few of the song selections were the bands way of getting the message across. Many of the song titles and lyrics had been chosen to help the musicians communicate Mattie’s plight.  What a way to  give proof to the proverb “When words fail, music speaks.”

That is when it hit me. If it’s difficult to talk about a taboo subject, find a way to express yourself. Then, it hit me again. How ironic to have a Halloween Hootenany for the benefit. What other time of the year are you allowed to dress-up and be whatever you want to be?

Pictures

PHILADELPHIA, PA — On a monthly basis, the Panic Hour and Philly Norml hold a protest at the Liberty Bell in Old City Philadelphia. Each time there is a varying degree of police presence with agencies, such as, the US Park Service, Fish and Wildlife, the Philadelphia Police Department, SEPTA Police, Homeland Security and ICE.

At the most recent protest, a disturbing development was observed — US Park Service Rangers wearing video and audio recording devices to surreptitiously monitor protesters.

Illegal Recording Device

Holiday Harp Concert
Glen Foerd on the Delaware
Featuring Ellen Tepper

Friday, November 29 at 7:00 PM

Glen Foerd is kicking off the holiday season with a concert by talented harpist, Ellen Tepper. Ms. Tepper is an authority on the early harp and will be performing selections from her newest recording Winter Cycles. The concert will be held in the Art Gallery, so seats are limited and reservations are required. Please note that the Art Gallery is located on the second floor, where there is no disability access.

Reservations must be made by Wednesday, November 27.
$8 Members, $10 non-members
For more information you can call the business office at Glen Foerd 215 632 5330

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