News in Mt. Airy Scammers Strike Again
Transcription
News in Mt. Airy Scammers Strike Again
Mount Happy Airy Holidays! Independent December 24, 2009 • Volume 1 • Number 35 5275 Germantown Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19144 • 215-438-4000 • germantownnewspapers.com Scammers Strike Again By PATRICK COBBS Staff Writer A team of scammers preying on seniors in the Northwest [story, issue of December 3] struck again this month, conning a 77-year old woman out of $2,700 in cash on December 3 by convincing her to drive them to her bank and withdraw money. The crooks have conned at least five area senior women out of $20,000 in cash since March. As with the crimes reported previously, this latest victim was not physically harmed. A tall African American man, about 6’ 1” or 6’ 2” and speaking in an African accent, approached the victim outside the produce market at the corner of Greene and Harvey Streets. He asked for help finding a church. Then a second man also African American but shorter - joined in. The second man acted like a stranger who claimed to know where the church in question was located. Together the two men, playing the roles of strangers trying to help each other, convinced the victim to take them in her vehicle and stop at a bank to make a large cash withdrawal. Continued on page 2 News in Mt. Airy We Deliver to 17,000 Households in Mt. Airy Avenida Opens..............................................2 Brain Exercises..............................................3 Opinions........................................................4 Letters............................................................5 Community Calendar .................................6-7 Police Briefs...................................................8 Holiday Shopping ....................................9-10 Education.......................................................11 Religion..........................................................12 Real Estate....................................................12 Maternal Outreach Grant............................14 Business Directory..................................13-14 Classifieds.....................................................15 More than 12 inches of snow may be a foot-high nuisance for adults, but for kids it’s a winter wonderland. And as usual on the occasion of a big snow, Tommy’s Hill in back of the Thomas Mansion at Wissahickon Avenue and Johnson Street was thronged with dozens of sledders of all ages on Sunday, December 20. Above, Donald Baxter (foreground) gives his daughter Layla her first ride down the hill. Baxter grew up in the area but now lives in Wyncote; he and his family drove to Tommy’s Hill to go sledding because, he says, “It’s a tradition.” YMCA Board Plans March Limited Opening By PATRICK COBBS Staff Writer The YMCA of Germantown held its first official membership meeting in three years on December 16 at First United Methodist Church of Germantown, and the organization’s Board of Directors proposed a lot of changes. A change of name. Changes to bylaws. Changes to the board itself. And, after more than a year and a half staying locked up, a change to the building’s front doors. The board announced that it expects to open them for limited community programming by the end of March, 2010. “It’s much better than I anticipated when I walked in,” board member and architect Peter Bentivegna said of the building’s condition. He and fellow board member Dan McDevitt of Turner Construction, have been working with past Y Executive Director Peter Smith recently to form a strategy for opening the Y. The hope is to get the facility fully operational, or very close to it, by the summer, with the highest-used services like the after school program up and running by March. Some portions of the building are worse off than others after the sprinkler pipe burst in July, 2008 that forced the building’s closure, but over all the board members categorized the damage as very fixable. The locker rooms, some of the bathrooms and the pool area will likely take the most time to get ready, so the board aims to bring programs back on line first that don’t require a heavy use of those facilities. “We will open in a phased fashion,” Bentivegna explained. “The after school programs don’t have a lot of need for the locker room area and probably have less of a need for bathrooms.” According to Bentivegna and McDevitt, most of the Y fitness programs would likely need to come on line with the new locker rooms. That may take a few more months because they want to make long overdue upgrades in addition to repairs to the locker areas. The women’s lockers, for example, were really built for boys back when the organization only accepted male members, according to Bentivegna, and the space could use some changes to reflect its current use. Board members spoke to a room full of Y members at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown that night. There were moments of applause and moments of heckling. Margaret Robinson expressed doubt in the new board’s legitimacy and Tim Smigelski expressed doubt in the vision for the Y. It happened that some of the changes suggested by board members that night at least partially addressed both issues. The first member action of the night was to change the organization’s name. Because of legal requirements related to the loss of a charter license from the YMCA of the USA in June 2009 (under a different board configuration), the organization needed to eliminate “YMCA” from its name. To that end, the members Continued on page 2 Page 2 December 24, 2009 The Mt. Airy Independent Avenida Brings Latin Cuisine to Germantown & Gowen By KARL BIEMULLER Editor The newest addition to Mt. Airy’s Germantown Avenue businesses district has an appropriate name: Avenida, which is Spanish for “Avenue.” The husband-and-wife chef team of Edgar and Kim Alvarez opened the doors of Avenida, at the corner of Germantown and Gowen avenues, for the first time on Thursday evening, December 17 for what Kim Alvarez described in an interview the next day as “a good crowd – it was nice.” For the Alvarezes, who have a wealth of culinary experience at a number of Philadelphia-area restaurants, including the original Dock Street, Striped Bass, and Chin Chin, Avenida is a dream come true. Most recently they operated the Delaware Market House in Gladwynne as a gourmet take-out and catering operation. But their goal was to use their experience in their own restaurant. “This is something that we’ve deeply wanted,” said Edgar. Their goal, he said, is “to create a place that people will want to come back to.” To that end, he emphasized, Avenida will be a restaurant with a small bar attached, not a bar/restaurant; similar, in other words, to the Cresheim Cottage Café that formerly occupied the site. At present the restaurant does not have a liquor license. The Alvarezes wanted so badly to open their restaurant, they said, that they decided not Owners/chefs Edgar and Kim Alvarez in the main dining room at Avenida, 7402 Germantown Avenue. to wait for their license to be approved before opening Avenida. Those who dined at Cresheim Cottage Café will be familiar with the layout at Avenida because it is basically the same as the former restaurant. But the décor is dif- ferent – warmly–colored Spanish colonial – and so is the food. Avenida will feature Latin dishes inspired by Edgar’s heritage. Edgar was raised in Guatemala, where he first learned cooking from his mother and grandmother. On the initial menu are soups and salads, including “El Biche,” (described as Ecuadorian boullabaisse) priced from $6-9. Appetizers include queso fondido, mole glazed spareribs, fried calamari and more, again priced at $6-9. Among the entrees are flat iron steak with chimichurri, pepita and pistachio-crusted swordfish, Chicken Mishote with leeks, peas and yellow squash, and Pork Pibil with green mole and zucchini cheese pudding. Entrees are priced between $14-19. As the Alvarezes get feedback from their customers the menu may change a bit – when you open a restaurant, said Kim, “You have ideas about the food and what’s going to work and then the customers have theirs” – but it will retain its Latin character. Come spring the Alvarezes plan to feature outdoor dining in the rear of the restaurant such as was popular at the Cresheim Cottage Café. “We’re really looking forward to it,” said Kim. And one thing that both the Alvarezes emphasized was that a “family-friendly” atmosphere is a key part of what they’re trying to create. “It’s key for us,” said Edgar. “We welcome the kids. We had a family with kids in [on opening night] and the parents really appreciated it.” For more information or to make a reservation, call Avenida at 267-385-6857 or visit www.avenidarestaurant.com. Onstreet parking is available on Germantown Avenue. YMCA Board Plans March Limited Opening Continued from page 1 officially chose “The Germantown Y” for the new name, after some debate. The chief concern among members over the new name was whether or not to retain the term “Christian.” Rozella Ballard was worried about a degraded sense of mission if the term was lost. “That sounds like taking the Christ out of Christmas and making it Xmas,” she said. But without the brand-type recognition of the “YMCA” as being a fully open institution, others saw the potential for unintentionally turning off nonChristian community members if the new name included the term “Christian.” “I think we want to project in our name that we’re open to everybody,” said Chris Nicholson. “Germantown is known for its diversity. I think to put in our name a restriction is a mistake.” And to some, the issue of mission was rooted more in the actions of the organization than its title. “There’s a lot of organizations with ‘Christian’ in their name that don’t act Christian,” said Malik Boyd. “I think the impor- Several Y members called for a change to the bylaws allowing a membership vote to remove any board members if they were not performing. Foster said the board would consider such a change at future meetings. All of the proposed changes to bylaws passed without an opposing vote. The last matter of business was the board composition itself. Currently there are 14 members but the bylaws require 21. So the board also asked members to help begin a nomination process Flanked by board secretary Connie Bille, board chair Jim Foster addresses members at the members’ meeting at First United Methodist Church of Germantown. to recruit new members who would make a strong commitment to getting the organization back on its feet. Toward the goal of getting the facility open, the Y is planning a community workday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service January 18, 2010, and it needs volunteers who can help fix up the building. Registration for the workday and board member nominations can be made through info@ymcaofgermantown.org or by calling 215-8489601. Scammers Strike Again tant thing is remaining true to the original purpose.” Another major action included a long list of changes to the organization’s bylaws, most of which board members said were geared toward giving the membership more power to question and overrule sitting board members if the organization should ever find itself in a crisis like it has faced over the last year and a half. “This organization has been operating like a ship without an anchor, and without an propeller for quite some time,” said Board President Jim Foster. Foster, who is also the publisher of Germantown Newspapers, joined the board officially in the summer with nine others who were elected by a membership vote at an emergency meeting called by members in May. At first the existing board did not recognize the new board members, or even the meeting they were elected in, though there was a provision for such meetings in the organization’s bylaws. Continued from page 1 14th Police District Victim’s Assistance Officer Sabra Johnson believes there is at least one more accomplice to the crime team – a driver who follows behind the victim’s car and picks up the two men when the victim drops them off. According to some witness accounts this third accomplice could be a white man. Officer Johnson is worried about local seniors because she is convinced the scammers are targeting the area, particularly Germantown, and they know how to put people at ease. Realizing this, she thought the first line of defense should be an abundance of caution with strangers. “Anyone you don’t really know, you should not engage in conversations,” she said. “You’re on a fixed income. You don’t have money to give away. You have to be careful.” According to Johnson the Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the area senior scams, and she plans to hold an outreach soon to build awareness in the area. The Mt. Airy Independent December 24, 2009 Page 3 Brain Exercises at CIP Help Keep Seniors Sharp By REBECCA PETER and KAYLEIGH REED Editorial Staff Interns One by one, they filed into the room and pinned on a nametag with their first names in bold, black letters: Mildred…Laura…Ollie…Gladys. They and others gathered around two big tables on a recent Thursday morning at Center in the Park (CIP) in Germantown as the instructor posed a question from a warm-up exercise taken from a book titled Mind Your Mind. Participants had to name 10 places that started with the letter “N.” When the group reached 14, the instructor asked: “Who can give me another place that starts with ‘N’?” After a moment’s pause, a few hands flew into the air. “Nicaragua!” A chorus of oo’s and ah’s followed. The men and women gathered at CIP, 5818 Germantown Avenue, for a recent session of the Brain Health Workshop weren’t just having fun. They were also doing an exercise that scientists believe will help them maintain their memory as they age. “I was forgetting things, such as doctor’s appointments and meetings,” said Dionne Jones, 65, a retired high school teacher who took part in the recent session. “I Dionne Jones with the calendar she uses to refresh her memory and keep up to date. wanted an avenue to improve my brain so that I would remember these important things.” Jones is one of hundreds of seniors who have participated in the workshops, which have been going on for six years. The program, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, is part of a study being conducted by Thomas Jefferson University’s Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health. The Brain Health Workshop is only one facet of the “Touch: Mind, Body & Spirit” program put together by Thomas Jefferson University and Center in the Park, working as partners. Focusing on mind and memory, the program targets older African American men and women. Nancy Chernett is Project Director for the Jefferson Center of Applied Research on Aging and Health (CARAH). She said the collaboration with CIP, which serves a predominantly African American community, aims to examine the experience of aging among African Americans, a population that historically has been left out of medical research. As Chernett put it, “Almost everything we know about aging is based on the predominant white population.” This idea underlies CARAH’s Public Meeting on Wissahickon Problems The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District (USACE) and the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) are conducting a feasibility study for Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties. A public meeting to discuss this project is being held at Founder’s Hall on the New Covenant Campus, 7500 Germantown Avenue, on Thursday, January 14, 6-9 p.m. The feasibility study will examine and consider potential solutions to problems in the Wissahickon watershed identified in a reconnaissance report. This report determined the Wissahickon watershed had a poor-quality aquatic habitat, stream-flow variability issues, flooding problems, and overall ecosystem imbalances. Several possible solutions under consideration include stabilization of the stream bank, natural stream channel restoration, fish passage construction, and wetlands creation. The study will focus on several sections of Wissahickon Creek and its tributaries in Philadelphia, including Little and Big Ridge Avenue Dams, Monoshone Creek, Carpenter’s Woods, WANTED! Barbers & Stylists Fred’s Heads 1505 Wadsworth Ave. •Philadelphia 215-242-5650 $1,000 BONUS (For a stylist with large following) + $100 Finders Fee Ask for Nakia Gorgas Lane, Livezey Dam, Cresheim Dam and Creek, Magargee Dam, Cathedral Run, and Thomas Mill Dam. In addition to PWD the USACE is working with other agencies and organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Biohabitats Inc. Funding for the feasibility study is cost-shared between USACE and PWD. research and collaboration with CIP, which serves large numbers of older African Americans. “This is where research is going,” said Chernett “Community participation in research is important to understanding and responding to peoples’ needs.” The research at Center in the Park builds on recent discoveries about neuron connections in the brain. Traditionally, doctors believed that new connections made between neurons were not formed after a certain age and, in fact, started to disappear in later years. But new findings have challenged that belief. “What surprised us was that connections apparently continue to form throughout the majority, if not all, of the life of the brain,” said Dr. William Greenough, a member of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Delores Palmer, a retired registered nurse from Hahnemann University Hospital, facilitates the brain sessions. To keep neuron connections sharp, Palmer recommends that people exercise their brains with activities that interest them, including reading, puzzles and even counting vocal pauses while watching TV. The idea to count vocal pauses on TV – the number of times speakers say “um-m-m” – comes from the textbook for the class, Beatrice and Sara Seagull’s book, Mind Your Mind: A Whole Brain Workout for Older Adults (Attainment Company Inc., Verona, WI, 2005.) The book presents exercises aimed at sharpening memory, perception, reasoning and other skills. In addition, Palmer recommends that people write all of their appointments on a large calendar, place the calendar in a visible place and check it daily. Never leave home, she advises, “ without knowing the date, the day, exactly where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.” Palmer does not think that brain health is only for the elderly. “I think it should be a lifetime thing…we should just continue on through our lives trying to learn new things and enhance our memory,” she said. As a social studies teacher at Mastbaum High School Dionne Jones taught 120 students a year. To learn their names, she had a system of assigning seats for two weeks and then allowing the students to sit wherever they’d like. “I found in the last couple of years, I couldn’t allow them to move because it took me longer and longer to remember their names,” she said. Jones, however, was not overly concerned about her forgetfulness. “I figured that with age that it’s a normal progression,” she said. “So with the brain workshop I’m hoping that it stops, that it doesn’t go as quickly. I try to keep my brain going and I think it works.” One of the most helpful tips that Jones took away from the workshop was organization. “I now write everything down on a calendar,” she said. “In addition to that I use a pocket calendar … and in the morning I actually refer to both of them to see where I need to be.” Similar to exercising, Jones compared her mind to a muscle. “You need your brain everyday for activities,” she said. “The more you use it, the more you stimulate it … it’s good that it be nice and strong and healthy.” For more information about the “Touch: Mind, Body & Spirit” program call CIP at 215-8487722. (Rebecca Petner and Kayleigh Reed are members of the Community Journalism class at La Salle University.) 9OUR CHILD S MOST IMPORTANT TEST MAY BE AN EYE TEST )S IT TIME FOR YOUR CHILD S EYE EXAM 4HE EARL I ER A CHI L D S VI SI ON PROBL EM I S DETECTED THE MORE RESPONSI VE THE VI SUAL SYSTEM WI L L BE TO TREATMENT -AKE AN APPOI NTMENT TODAYAT4HE%YE)NSTITUTE TO ENSURE YOUR CHI L D HAS THE BEST POSSI BL E VI SI ON SKI L L S TO L EARN 4HREE CONVENI ENT L OCATI ONS -T !I RY 'ERMANTOWN !VE /AK ,ANE 7 'ODFREY !VE 3TRAWBERRY -ASNI ON . TH 3T Page 4 December 24, 2009 Editorial The Mt. Airy Independent Yesterday in the German Township … It Mattered Remember that election we had here only a month and a half ago? If you don’t it’s not surprising - only a relative handful of Philadelphians showed up at the polls in the first week in November to cast their ballots for city-wide offices such as City Controller and District Attorney. Roughly one voter in eight took the minimal steps necessary to express their preferences for the candidates of their choice. In the face of such a staggering amount of electoral apathy one can only conclude that the vast majority of citizens thought that the election was of little importance and that their choices didn’t matter. They were wrong. The recent series in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the city’s criminal justice system spotlighted just how dysfunctional that whole process has become. It’s a place where criminals and attorneys game the system to delay and evade justice, where the coordination between the courts and police fails all too often to ensure that defendants and witnesses appear in court when they’re supposed to. The result is that our city has the lowest rate of felony convictions among 39 major metropolitan areas surveyed. That directly impacts on the quality of life of every Philadelphian - and not for the better. Incoming District Attorney Seth Williams has the Herculean task of fixing all that. His constant message during his campaign was that the system was broken and needed a major overhaul. He has promised a number of reforms, including a decentralization of the current topdown system. That would bring assistant district attorneys and investigators to the city’s neighborhoods where they would be more accessible to the citizenry and more familiar with the communities they serve. But it’s no thanks to the electorate that the incoming DA is someone who has sensible plans for attacking the problems in the justice system. When only 12 percent of the electorate votes the result isn’t a reasoned choice. It’s an accident. This time we were lucky. Williams is familiar with the problems – he was an experienced and respected Assistant District Attorney under outgoing DA Lynne Abraham – and knows full well the magnitude of the task he’s facing. The next time we might not be so fortunate. Remember that the next time you’re tempted to pass up voting because “it doesn’t matter who wins.” It always matters. Karl Biemuller Editor Mt. Airy Independent 5275 Germantown Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-438-4000 • fax: 215-754-4245 germantownnewspapers.com Jim Foster, publisher@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Publisher Karl Biemuller, editor@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Managing Editor Scott Alloway, production@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Associate Editor Patrick Cobbs, pcobbs@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Staff Reporter Rachel Goodwin, rgoodwin@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . .Sales Representative Chris Warfield, cwarfield@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . .Sales Representative Avis Mudrak, amudrak@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sales Represntative Phyllis Sunberg, classifieds@germantownnewspapers.com . . . . . . . . . .Classified Advertising The Mt. Airy Independent is owned and operated by Germantown Newspapers, Inc., and has offices at 5275 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144. The Mt. Airy Independent is published every Thursday and is circulated door-to-door throughout Mt. Airy with a press run of 14,000 copies each week. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising. All content ©2009 Germantown Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. This photograph, taken around 1900, shows the building (no longer standing) on Morton Street above Haines Street as the Morton Street Day Nursery. It had been the mission of St. Michael’s Protestant Episcopal Church (which explains the look of the windows), which sold it around 1885. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.” HIV/AIDS: In Spite of Silence The Fight Continues By: SHERYL LEE RALPH and State Senator VINCENT HUGHES On HIV/AIDS, the silence is deafening. On a disease that kills millions on every continent in the world, the quiet hush breaks our eardrums, and works to end our resolve. We have been vocal advocates and policy drivers on the issue of HIV/AIDS for over two decades. Our concern for this health care epidemic existed prior to our meeting one another and has only been strengthened since we became a couple seven years ago. We have spoken out in almost every forum conceivable, throughout this nation, and around the world. From small community meetings, to large church groups. From the neighborhood block captain, to wide eyed high school students, to heads of state - people of all types have either wanted to listen to our message, or been forced to hear our words. In some cases there have been some positive developments. More communities are moving toward rapid testing of HIV/AIDS where you can know your status in 20 minutes, as opposed to having to wait a week for the results through the traditional testing method. More women are battling to take control of their lives and their sexual health. Thankfully, more churches and places of worship are getting the word that a sensible health ministry is in good keeping with the basic tenants of their faith. But in too many cases there remains a deafening silence - and consequently the appropriate public policy remains longing for a response that is consistent with the scourge of this disease. Television and radio production people have stopped discussing the issue. Recently, the Fox affiliate in Los Angeles refused to run a public service announcement about HIV. We even got a response from a television show producer who said that HIV/AIDS is “just not sexy anymore.” We wondered whether HIV/AIDS is not sexy or worthy of discussion, or are the people who are now getting HIV/AIDS in alarming numbers - black and brown women and children - “not sexy anymore?” If you look at the map of the spread of HIV/AIDS, it is breaking out in continents where there are large numbers of poor women and children who have been marginalized and stigmatized. Most of these countries, including the USA, have deficient systems of delivering health services to this population, and in far too many cases the women of these nations are not viewed as equals to the men, and not deserving of high quality health care for any disease, let alone HIV/AIDS. Even in the USA, although President Obama has begun to make real change on HIV/AIDS, the message, and the policy, has not caught up with the spread of the disease. In fact, the age-old fear of addressing any disease that implies that people are having sex has led to a fairly recent study by the Centers for Disease Control that indicates that one in four young women of all races and colors is already infected with some sort of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Twenty-five years ago, when Dreamgirls opened on Broadway, people found it easy to disown and abandon their sick and dying children, who were suffering from this disease that no one could explain. Twenty-five years later, as a new version of Dreamgirls begins its national tour, every time the show is performed the cast represents two of the fastest growing groups of people in America to become infected with HIV: young men and young women. But it appears that they aren’t sexy and worthy of discussion. They also don’t seem to be worthy of a strong public policy response. As cities and states face difficult funding decisions due to the national recession and tight budgets get slashed to come into balance, HIV education, prevention, and treatment programs become vulnerable. While we fight to protect their funding, the focus must shift to Washington DC for the help necessary to deal with this epidemic. But except for President Obama’s historic march toward the reinvention of the American health care system by driving high quality and preventive health care services to those who desperately need it, the action in Washington does not meet the health care demand. Continued on page 5 The Mt. Airy Independent December 24, 2009 Page 5 Letters to the Editor … Many Fair Ways to Implement Real Estate Taxation To the editor: Brett Mandel, in an opinion piece, December 17, 2009, asserts that Philadelphia’s system of real estate tax assessment has been “exposed as a fraud and a sham.” He is right. The Board of Revision of Taxes has long operated as a self-serving principality, favoring some well-connected individuals at the expense of others. There is an abundance of properties in Philadelphia that are similar in character and on the same block, let alone different neighborhoods, with radically differing assessments. The BRT whines that they cannot change the assessment method because City Council controls the tax rates; City Council whines that they cannot change the tax rates because the BRT controls the assessment method. The entire matter could be easily resolved by a few strokes of a legislative pen, but that is not likely to happen soon. There are many fair and efficient ways to implement real estate taxation. One method is Land Value Taxation which has been successful where tried but has a history of being repealed, likely because it makes the unsavory “dilapidation technique” of land speculation a less profitable business. The Henry George School of Social Science located at 413 South 10th Street in Philadelphia (215922-4278) offers free scholarly courses on this matter, and has done so for many years. Ray Haupt Mt. Airy HIV/AIDS Fight Continues Continued from page 4 Like the massive rebuilding of Europe after World War II, clearly there needs to be an international health care Marshall Plan to combat the scourge of this disease. HIV/AIDS awareness, education and treatment must be everywhere. Small nations and world powers, talk shows, newspapers, organizations, national, state and local governments, grade school, high school, and college administrators, churches, mosques, synagogues, and many others, all must engage in the fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. We must encourage everyone to speak up, get informed, and get tested, and to create the sustainable systems in their respective communities that allows for this fight to be impactful and ongoing. We must teach that HIV/AIDS is not only devastating in its own right, but that it is also a predictor of other health care and social problems that may exist in an infected community. When we fight and win on HIV, we get a chance to win on so many other issues that are legacy predators on communities whose defenses are weak. By fighting the fight on HIV on all fronts, we get to fight the fight for people who are struggling against poverty, oppression, and lack of education, just to name a few. For some it may not be sexy to talk about HIV/AIDS, but for the overwhelming majority of us it is absolutely necessary to talk about HIV/AIDS, at all times, and more importantly, to do something big about HIV/AIDS, immediately. On a personal level, if you are going to have sex, practice it safely, get tested, and know your status. On a family and community level, get informed and talk to one another from a factual basis. On a policy level, let’s get a strong health care bill passed that Merck’s Role GRINCH ‘Top 10’ for 2009 covers the uninsured and provides high quality preventive health services to people at a cost they can afford. This would at least give people a chance to opt into high quality health care, thereby putting them in a position to defend themselves against HIV/AIDS and many other diseases. After twenty-five years we won’t stop our efforts. Let’s make it sexy to not just talk about HIV, and to not just fight the spread of HIV, but to win the victory over a disease that is 100 percent preventable. Join us and get engaged as we fight for the humanity that we know still exists in all of us. Join us as we work to end the unnecessary spread of HIV/AIDS. For more information, find us at www.testtogether.org. To the editor: GRINCH (GreenINChestnutHill) has been a group of tree hugging do-gooders for about a year now. And we are always looking for foot soldiers to help further our mission. So when Professor Fleming of Philadelphia University sent us one of his brightest grad students, we gleefully welcomed her to our weekly meetings. She wanted to know what we were all about. We explained how we morphed from the Chestnut Hill Business Association Green Committee to GRINCH, represented by business people and Chestnut Hill residents. The mission statement of GRINCH is to raise awareness of environmental issues with outreach programs and green initiatives as outlined on our blog, GreenInChestnutHill.blogspot.com . As we began to chronicle our achievements of the past year I realized we could generate a “top 10” list. I always wanted to do a top 10 list! Starting with the most recent and looking back as 2009 comes to a close. 1 - GRINCH, in partnership with the Mt Airy Business Association, will host a tree chipping event on Sunday, January 11 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bring your 2009 Christmas tree to Allen’s Lane Art Center and we will turn it into mulch! No landfill! 2 - With help from the Jenk’s Home and School Association, GRINCH organized a Weird Waste Day in November. Nearly 10,000 pounds of potentially hazardous Electronic-waste was collected for responsible recycling and reusing. 3 - Members of GRINCH toured the E-force Compliance facility to ensure that that the E-waste collection is dismantled by a responsible operation. (see Blog for report on our field trip) 4 - GRINCH organized two interactive recycling assemblies at the Jenks School for grades K-8 during America Recycles week. The kids loved it! 5 - GRINCH organized student recycling ambassadors for the Fall for the Arts Fest with sponsorship from many of Chestnut Hill’s environmentally conscious businesses. Students schooled festival goers on Philadelphia’s single stream recycling while collecting plastics, glass and aluminum. 6 - GRINCH organized a composting demo for businesses and residents held at Laurel Hill Gardens and hosted by PhillyCompost.com. 7 - Kim Miller, president of the Mt Airy Business Association, and GRINCH organized a trash and recycling seminar with panelists Maurice Sampson of Niche Recycling and City of Philadelphia Recycling Department. 8 - Kim Miller and GRINCH organized an Intro to Sustainability seminar at Flying Fish led by Professor Rob Fleming. 9 - GRINCH organized a block of green vendors for the Garden Fest with signage sponsored by Valley Green Bank. Our student recycling ambassadors patrolled the fest, collecting recycling, as well. 10 - GRINCH created a blog for informative environmental info in your neighborhood and city. Become a follower! And much more is planned for the New Year. From all of us at GRINCH, happy holidays! Amy Edelman Owner, Night Kitchen Bakery Founding member, GRINCH To the editor: Thank you for Patrick Cobbs’ story on the major new grant received by the Friends of the Wissahickon (“Grant Enables FOW to Step Up Park Work,” December 3). However, the story inadvertently gives Merck far too much credit. The story’s lede says “A $780,000 grant from Merck & Co. is, in large part, to thank for the new effort.” But Merck isn’t to thank at all. In the story’s final paragraph, on the back of the newspaper, it’s revealed that Merck only paid the money in a settlement after a series of lethal chemical spills into the Wissahickon. One day, I hope the Wissahickon will again be a safe place for us all to swim. But that won’t happen until we make Merck clean up its act. Noah T. Winer Mt. Airy First Protest To the editor: Veronica Sussman wrote [Letters, issue of December 3] that the protest [in Germantown] against slavery was the first white written protest and that there were many protests by black slaves and freedmen. However, the First Protest Against Slavery, in 1688, came from Germantowners. It was explicitly written to address and condemn the practice by some inhabitants who were buying, selling and using slaves in William Penn’s new settlement in Germantown. In William Penn’s recruitment for new settlers he promised that there would be no slavery in his new colony. Ena V. Lindner Swain Germantown FRED’S MT. AIRY MOTORS Mt. Airy’s One-Stop Car Care Center Quality Service for ALL Cars Domestic and Foreign State Inspection • Emissions Inspection Scheduled Maintenance Quality Maintenance and Repairs Our skilled mechanics provide prompt, dependable service S a lo n E le v a t io n s h 52nd St. 1406 Nort 52nd & (corner of Master) Ph PA iladelphia, 888 (215) 747-6 215-247-4513 Blow Dry & Curl $19.99 Cap Weave $45.00 & up Sewn in Weave $65.00 & up Specializing in Celebrity Lace Weaves Come & Visit our Eyelash Bar $10 Serving the Community Since 1957 208 E. Mt. Airy Avenue Philadelphia Page 6 December 24, 2009 WEEK OF DEC. 24-30 THURSDAY 24 SWING DANCING Give and Take Juggling Studio, 6122 Greene St. 7-9 p.m. Series on Lindy, Balboa and Charleston, DJ dancing to jazz, 9 p.m.-midnight. $5. Info: 215-668-2227. FREESTEP DANCE Commodore Barry Club, 6815 Emlen St. FreeStep Dance Night at Irish Center. Info: 215-3601850 or www.freestepping.com. WORD 4 WORD Art Noir, 7175D Ogontz Ave. Art Noir hosts “Word 4 Word” open mic poetry every Thursday evening. Info: 215-438-5366. FRIDAY 25 ART + PEACE + PIZZA Earth Bread + Brewery, 7136 Germantown Ave. Northwest Art Collective holding holiday show of 14 artists, “Art + Peace + Pizza,” all work priced at $199 or less. Through January 31. Information: e-mail to melissahaims@gmail.com or visit nacollective.com. MOVIES AT VIDEO LIBRARY Video Library, 7141 Germantown Ave. Friday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 7 p.m. Great movies every week in the Little Theater at Video The Mt. Airy Independent To celebrate how well black and white go together, as perfect compliments and reflections of one another is the mission of the photography exhibit set to run January 2-31 at La Colombe Café, 4360 Main Street, Manayunk. Debbie Lerman, a freelance writer and photographer living in Mt. Airy, presents black and white photographs of black and white friends and family in Mt. Airy and surrounding neighborhoods in what she says are “scenarios aimed to delight, amuse, and inspire. For me, it’s a way to celebrate my family and community,” said Lerman. “It’s an ongoing project and I’d love to hear from anyone in the area who has an idea for a scenario or who would like to participate.” All are invited to the opening on Sunday, January 3rd, 3-6pm at La Colombe. For more information visit debbielermanphoto.com or email: debbielerman@yahoo.com. Left, Amhaad Robinson of Mt. Airy (at left) and Raz Reed of Manayunk feed each other black and white noodles. Below, Akayla Robinson and Maya Lerman of Mt. Airy agreed to be buried in sand and compost for the project. Library. This week: perhaps Hollywood’s greatest musical – “Singin’ in the Rain,” starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds in all-time favorite about switch from silent movies to talkies. $6 includes popcorn. Info: 215-247-3020 or www.mtairyvideolibrary.com. JAZZ AT CUBA Cuba Restaurant and Gallery, 8609 Germantown Ave. Live Latin jazz every Friday evening at Cuba. Info: 215-967-1477. Stitchers’ Dream •Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machine Sales • Service – All Makes •Notions & Patterns • Yarns • Knitting Machines Sales & Service Classes Mon: 10 AM – 3 PM Tues & Thurs: 10 AM – 5:30 PM Wed & Fri: 10 AM – 7:30 PM Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM Sewing, Knitting, Crochet. Kids & Adults. Day or Evening. Call for Details. merry maids HOME CLEANERS NO NIGHTWORK • NO WEEKENDS • NO HOLIDAYS $8.00 per Hour Training Salary Make Up to $12.00 or More! After Training 3, 4 or 5 Day Work Week Must Have Car, Driver’s License & Auto Insurance Profit on Mileage Call 215-576-5748 Just Like That Special Micros $145 w/hair 2-Strand Twist $125 w/hair Individuals Starting at $100 w/hair French Braid Starting at $20 Silky Locks Corn Rows $10 Off w/ This Ad Best of the Northwest 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 10% Off with AD • Low Prices • Herbal Medicine • Senior Citizen Discount • All Major Insurance Accepted • We Accept Medicaid, Medicare, Part B & D Plans Ask for Heather All Styles, Hair Included! Designer Jewelry, Hats & Bags Locticion on Staff Braiders & Stylists Needed Business Hours: Wed - Fri 9 – 6. Sat - Sun 9 - 3 4936 Germantown Ave. (Between Seymour & Logan) 215-848-5954 Free Delivery 215.438.3880 • Fax: 215.438.3883 206-B West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19144 Pharmacy Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am to 6 pm • Saturday – 10 am to 5 pm SATURDAY 26 LACE IN TRANSLATION Philadelphia University, Design Center, 4200 Henry Ave. Lace in Translation exhibit features work of three designers reconsidering conventional notions of lace. Hours Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Through April 3. Info: 215-9512860 or www.philau.edu/DesignCenter. SINGLES SCENE Unitarian Universalist Church, 6900 Stenton Ave. 7:30 p.m. 12:30 a.m. Weekly program for mature single adults. Donation $8. Info: 215-247-2561 (press 7). SUNDAY 27 KWANZAA AT JOHNSON HOUSE Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Ave. 2:30-5 p.m. Annual Kwanzaa activities at historic Johnson House, once a stop on Underground Railroad. Info: 215-438-1768. GARDEN RAILWAY Morris Arboretum, 100 Northwestern Ave., Chestnut Hill. Morris Arboretum’s 9th annual Garden Railway, with quarter mile of track, fifteen lines, made of all natural materials. Free with regular admission: $14 adults, $12 for seniors, students and ages 13-18, $7 for children under age 3 and members. Through January 3. Info: 215-247-5777. SUNDAY EVE JAM LaRose Catering/Social Club, 5531 Germantown Ave. 7-11 p.m. Sunday open jam session for all instrumental musicians, singers, spoken word, jazz poets. House band provided by Rob Henderson and HFactor features different bassist and pianist each week. $5. Continued on page 7 The Mt. Airy Independent December 24, 2009 World Class Jazz Continued from page 6 Info: 267-231-6779. MONDAY 28 MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO Video Library, 7141 Germantown Ave. Monday-Wednesday, 2 p.m. Little Theater. Award-winning Japanese animator Miyazaki delights all ages with film described by Roger Ebert as “a children’s film made for the world we should live in, rather than the one we occupy … a world where if you met a strange towering creature in the forest, you curl up on its tummy and take a nap.” $6 includes popcorn. Info: 215-2473020 or www.mtairyvideolibrary.com. SENIOR ACTIVITIES Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, 8431 Germantown Ave. CHAC has numerous programs each day for seniors, including exercise, crafts, games, workshops, discussions, more. Info: 215-248-0180, e-mail to chseniors@cavtel.net. BLUE MONDAY LaRose Catering/Social Club, 5531 Germantown Ave. 6-9 p.m. Jazz for everyone each Monday with Tony Williams Quartet. $8. Info: 215-248-1718. PAPER WORKS! City Hall, Northeast corner, second and fourth floors. “Paper Works!” exhibit features work of 20 area artists, including Mt. Airy native Lesley Haas, working in medium of paper. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. Work and Play in Germantown,” featuring historic toys, sleds, clothing and other items used here for winter work and play. Through December. Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursdays 1-5 p.m. Info: 215-844-1683. TABLE TENNIS Earth Bread + Brewery, 7136 Germantown Ave. 9 p.m. – midnight. Ping-Pong Night every Tuesday at Earth Bread. Info: 215242-6666. ACUPUNCTURE CIRCLE Springboard Studio, 530 Carpenter Lane. 6-7:30 p.m. Acupuncture Wellness Circle small group session offers relaxed, comfortable space to release stress. $30/person, $75 for 3. Reservations: 215-844-7675. • • • • • Sharpest Cuts Around Men & Children Walk-Ins Welcome TUESDAY 29 WINTER WONDERLAND Germantown Historical Society, 5501 Germantown Ave. Special exhibit “Winter Wonderland: 9 AM - 9 PM 215-438-8917 5104 Germantown Avenue TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST A & A TRANSMISSION CENTER, INC 6113 Germantown Avenue Transmission Check Free SPECIAL: IS YOUR TRANSMISSION SLIPPING? ASK FOR ARTHUR Clean or Replace Solenoid TRANSMISSION REBUILT As LOW AS $495.00 DAY: (215) 842-0284 Walt’s Bike Shop Barber Shop Senior Citizen Special $10.00 BODY CHALLENGE Fitness Center Home of the $5 Workout • Any Make • Any Model • • Automatic or Standard No Job Too Small or Too Large Guaranteed Speedy Quality All Work Guaranteed One Day Service Page 7 Holiday Special 10% Off New Bike. We Sell All Bike Parts. Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. Sat: 5 AM – 5 PM Wed. Close at 2 PM 5128 Germantown Avenue. 215-849-4984 No Contracts 1 Day Pass – $5 Winter Special 1 Month – $25 2 Months – $45 3 Months – $60 Save Your Life Free Parking • Bus Routes 23, C, R, Broad St. Subway 215-457-8418 1600 W. Hunting Park Ave. 2nd Floor Open Mon - Wed 6 - 10 Thurs & Fri 6-9 • Sat & Sun 6-5 www.bodychallengefitnesscenter.com Guitarist Jim Dragoni has been performing and organizing world class concerts in Northwest Philadelphia for several years now, with two notable performances on the horizon in the next several weeks. After four successful shows in November with the great songwriter and pianist Mose Allison, Dragoni will be holding court as a solo artist on New Year’s Eve at Roller’s Flying Fish, 8142 Germantown Avenue, 9 p.m. to midnight, performing his unique eclectic interpretations of jazz, blues and folk music on both acoustic and electric guitars and vocals. There is a dinner package on offer as well. And on January 22 and 23 he will be partnering with the great innovator Larry Coryell, famous for helping to shape the concept of how the modern guitar is played. A master class is being organized on January 24. Dragoni is a well-known teacher in the region, having studied with the late Dennis Sandole, mentor to both John Coltrane and Pat Martino. Dragoni has worked closely with saxophonist Odean Pope, leader of the Saxophone Choir, and member of Max Roach’s band for 25 years. Roller’s Flying Fish is emerging as a noteworthy music venue as a result of the developing partnership between Dragoni and Paul Roller. Roller has been an amateur guitarist and music lover for several decades and the two men have found common ground and interests in hosting world-class events in an intimate setting. “Music as it should be heard” is how Roller describes it. “Paul Roller is one of the more enlightened folks I’ve worked with over the past two decades” Dragoni said. “He has high standards, and while he is an excellent businessman, he is not mercenary in his attitude toward the artists he hosts; he has the utmost respect and consideration for the artists and the audience as well—a rare gem in this business”. For more information, reservations and tickets, call 215-2470707 or visit emusictime.com. BaSement PluS Co. 215.233.4598 One Company with Many Pluses ... Show We fix basement moisture problems This Ad we RENOVATE. . . ❏ Basement Plus will add value to your home and ❏ drywall, drop ceilings, closets, heater enclosures installed SAVE ❏ We will redesign your basement ❏ Pergo flooring, carpeting, ceramic tile, we can do! $100 Plus ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ neW BAthrooM in your basement, we do that too! ShoWer, toIlet, And SInk In one Week! We handle all PluMBIng needs for your basement We handle all eleCtrICAl needs for your basement Add lighting, outlets and switches... yeS, we do that too! Plus we WATERPROOF. . . Basement Plus will get your basement dry and odor free Waterproof and repair old crumbling walls and floor Sump pumps and French drains installed Install new windows, doors, locks and steps We dig out basements to add headroom Clean paint and seal unsightly pipes and flooring We elIMInAte MoldS And MIldeWS Build and install 100% steel weather-tight BulkheAd exterIor doorS ❏ Build and install 100% custom-made WIndoW Well CoverS to MAtCh your hoMe ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ Window Well Cover Glass Block Windows Basement Plus will redesign your basement … SATISFACTION GUARANTEED References • Insured • Warranty • And a Great Job FREE ESTIMATES and PROFESSIONAL BASEMENT DESIGN CONSULTATIONS www.basementplus.com Bulk Head Doors Page 8 December 24, 2009 Diabetes Education Set at CIP Center in the Park (CIP), 5818 Germantown Avenue in Vernon Park, will present a diabetes self-management program in January and February. Learn how to balance and manage diabetes, and how to read labels and plan meals. Classes met Mondays on January 4, 11 and 25, and February 1, 8, and 22 in the Wellness Suite at CIP. To register call Delores Palmer at 215-849-5100, ext. 305, or Dianne B. Tucker at 215-849-7722, ext. 233. Keep Up with Us on the Web. germantownnewspapers.com Semi-Annual Bra and Girdle SALE Need a Bra? Hard to Fit? WE ARE IT! SAVE up to $25 per garment (exclusions apply) T he Or iginal Corset Shoppe Bras, Girdles & Shapewear Expert Mastectomy Fitters -Since 1943Baederwood Shopping Center Jenkintown, PA 19046 215-885-BRAS (2727) www.Mi-Ladycorset.com The Mt. Airy Independent Police Briefs in Mt. Airy If you have been the victim of a crime and would like information or services, call Northwest Victim Services, 6301 Germantown Avenue, at 215-438-4410. Their services are free. West Mt. Airy Neighbors requests that all crimes committed in Mt. Airy be reported to WMAN at 215-438-6022. The following crimes were reported in Mt. Airy between December 14-20, 2009. THEFT FROM AUTO, ATTEMPTED AUTO THEFT December 15: unit block E. Hortter St. – 2008 Chevrolet entered, silver handgun taken. STOLEN AUTO December 17: Chew Ave. and Montana St. – 1996 white Chrysler Accord taken. BURGLARY December 18: 900 block E. Upsal St. – rear window found open at residence, WII game system and game, 18” TV taken. THEFT December 14: 200 block E. Hortter St. – Dell laptop missing from residence. December 15: 6800 block Germantown Ave. – complainant stated that offender ordered food, then paid for it with $100 bill, then said he had been given wrong amount of change. Offender grabbed $100 bill and ran from store. December 17: 6300 block Stenton Ave. – wallet, rings, flash drives missing from location. December 17: 7100 block Germantown Ave. – two rings with diamonds missing from location. December 18: 7100 block Germantown Ave., - while complainant helping female with store item, male went around counter, took wallets, credit cards, ID, gift cards. December 19: 7400 block Stenton Ave. – while business owner took order over phone, offender already in shop took iPhone, then fled on foot. ROBBERY December 14: Ardleigh and Upsal sts., 3 p.m. – while walking to bus stop complainant approached by three ofenders who demanded contents of his pockets. One slapped complainant, took his cellphone. Offenders ran north on Ardleigh St. December 15: Greene and Johnsons sts., 11:45 p.m. – complainant approached by offender who made threats, demanded money. Complainant said she had only enough money tog et home on, would not give it up. Offender fled south on Greene St., nothing taken. A Family Tradition of Excellence Since 1937 AL JEFFERSON 215-849-4343 December 16: 300 block Vernon Rd., midnight – complainant robbed at gunpoint by offender in black jacket with black and white scarf over face. Taken was purse, credit cards, ID, cash. December 16: Germantown Ave. and Nippon St., 12:05 a.m. – complainant and friend accosted at gunpoint by offender. Taken were purse, credit cards, keys, cellphone. Offender fled west on Nippon St. Complainant suffered facial, neck, and head injuries, taken to hospital. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT December 15: 400 block Vernon Rd., 5 p.m. – complainant alleged that offender came to his house, threatened him at gunpoint. December 16: 6300 block Chew Ave., 4:30 p.m. Complainant and offender allegedly involved in prior altercation. Offender allegedly returned with knife and allegedly made slashing motions to complainant. Complainant tacked offender, held him until police arrived. Suspect arrested. December 17: Chew Ave. and PhilEllena St. , 5:45 a.m. – police responded to report of shooting, found male shot twice in back and chest. Victim taken to hospital. Monthly townwatch meetings are held at the 14th Police District, 27 West Haines Street, at 7 p.m. BRICK & stone poIntIng Alfred Jefferson is the number one contractor for the tri-state area. If you need complete construction services for your home or business, then he is your go-to guy! Jefferson is the owner of Al Jefferson Brick & Stone Pointing, a family trade since 1937. His late father, Al Jefferson, Sr., initially taught him the business and the art of brick and stone pointing and also wood graining, which is a unique technique of transforming any door (wood or metal) into a beautiful work of art with the appearance of a wood-grained effect that is all done by hand. You have to see it to believe it! Neighbors in Mt. Airy thank him for giving their neighborhood a beautiful face lift and great curb appeal! If you ride through the streets of Mt. Airy, Germantown or West Oak Lane, you are sure to see his famous brick and stone pointing. His signs are seen all over Mt. Airy, Germantown, West Oak Lane and South Philadelphia. For more information, call 215-849-4343 and get a free estimate. You will be so glad you made the call. • Steps • Patios • Ext. & Int. Painting • Concrete Walks Also Custom Door Graining • Rough Cast Cellar Walls • Glass Block Windows The Mt. Airy Independent December 24, 2009 Page 9 Holiday Shopping and Entertaining 2009 CIP Members Aid Homebound Members of Center in the Park’s weekly Men’s Gathering, with facilitator Mike Somerville, meet to deliver food baskets they assembled to homebound elders in Germantown. To give: to make or perform an action that affects another. Center in the Park’s (CIP) programs and services are directly affected by the generosity of those willing to give. Each donation and contribution is appreciated and used to the benefit of the Center’s participants and the broader older adult community particularly in Germantown and Northwest Philadelphia. The holidays can be lonely for older adults who may be without family and friends to share in the joy of the season. A modest gift can bring joy to people who may be isolated or lonely. Thanks to the Northwest community’s overwhelming response to Center in the Park’s annual request for gifts for the homebound elderly, more than the 60 persons who received holiday gifts last year will receive gifts this year, delivered by Center in the Park social workers. Center in the Park members and staff generously donated gifts including: toiletries, beauty products, blankets, slippers, socks and other warm and thoughtful gifts! Additionally, this year, the members of CIP’s Men’s Gathering delivered food baskets to homebound elders. The men contributed funds, shopped, assembled and delivered the baskets which were filled with goodies – from soup to nuts – for holiday dinner. Persons wishing to make contributions in support of emergency assistance for the homebound elderly, including help A Germantown resident, who prefers not to be identified, has created a uniquely-decorated tree in his living room. He was in the antiques business for decades and in the process began collecting classic pre-World War II tree ornaments from overseas, principally from Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia. The hundreds of ornaments cover the 8-foot-tall tree which is illuminated the old-fashioned way by more than 30 candles. The ornaments, some of which are quite rare, are heavy by modern standards – all are made of glass that was hand-blown into wooden molds. In addition to traditional Christmas motifs they include fruits and vegetables and musical instruments. with heating oil or other energy assistance, are encouraged to call Melissa Cohen at 215-849-5100 for more information. one of the great innovators of the modern guitar Larry Coryell with Jim Dragoni at Rollers’ Flying Fish Jan 22 & 23, 2010 – 8 & 10 pM Master Class: Jan. 24 • 3 pM tickets: emusictime.com GROBEN'S HOLIDAY TRAYS TRAY 1 50 LARGE COOKED & CLEANED SHRIMP DISPLAYED ON A BED OF GREENS WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE $49.95 TRAY 1A $64.95 50 LARGE COOKED & CLEANED WILD SHRIMP, PLUS A CONTAINER OF CRAB CLAWS DISPLAYED ON A BED OF GREENS WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE TRAY 2 $79.95 100 LARGE COOKED AND CLEANED WILD SHRIMP, DISPLAYED ON A BED OF GREENS WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE TRAY 2A $94.95 100 LARGE COOKED AND CLEANED WILD SHRIMP, PLUS A CONTAINER OF CRAB CLAWS DISPLAYED ON A BED OF GREENS WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE TRAY 3 $84.95 50 JUMBO COOKED & CLEANED WILD SHRIMP DISPLAYED ON A BED OF GREENS WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE TRAY 3A $99.95 50 JUMBO COOKED & CLEANED WILD SHRIMP, PLUS A CONTAINER OF CRAB CLAWS DISPLAYED ON A BED OF GREENS WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE TRAYS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. • POACHED SALMON & SMOKED FISH • ORDER A FRIED CAJUN TURKEY BREAST FOR THE HOLIDAYS (average weight 12-14 lb. before cooking) Grobens • 6833 Germantown Avenue Phone: 215-843-4717, Fax: 215-843-5771 Page 10 December 24, 2009 The Mt. Airy Independent Holiday Shopping and Entertaining 2009 Kwanzaa at Johnson House Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Johnson House Historic Site, 6306 Germantown Avenue, on Sunday, December 27 from 2:30-5 p.m. It will feature African drumming, storytelling, and kid-focused arts and crafts activities. The PASEP Drumming and Percussion Ensemble of Temple University will drum during this free educational event. A storyteller will read and tell stories to children, accompanied by drums. Little listeners will be able to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and light snacks. The overall theme of this event is to assist in guiding our youth to adopt the principles of Children from Germantown High Bright Futures display their holiday creations made at Wyck. Festive holiday arrangements created by preschoolers to high schoolers will decorate tables, window sills, and mantles throughout Germantown this holiday season. More than 250 children who participate in Wyck’s Outdoor Education Program came to Wyck last week to assemble greens grown at Wyck, 6026 Germantown Avenue, including American Holly, Boxwood, and Cedar, into lush arrangements for their families. Each week students from Germantown Head Start, Germantown High Bright Futures, Germantown High School, and Fulton Elementary School walk to Wyck, a National Historic Landmark house and garden, where they receive standards-based environment and nature lessons from Wyck’s Education Program Coordinator, Lori Litchman. Litchman also visits Head Start students at the Mastery Charter/Pickett Campus each week. Wyck’s Outdoor Education program features hands-on activities that help students improve their literacy and observation skills. Children discover the farm within the city at Wyck’s 2.5 acre site which features a Home Farm - a large chemical-free production garden; icehouse, smokehouse, and coach house; and historic rose garden. Wyck’s Outdoor Education programming includes “From Farm to Food,” where children receive a basic introduction to where our food comes from on Wyck’s working Home Farm; and “Chickens and Birds,” where students meet Wyck’s flock of eleven Golden Buff laying chickens and learn firsthand about bird structure and parts. Other lessons include “Bugs, Bees and Worms,” “Pollination and Bees,” with visits to Wyck’s working hives, and “Nutrition and Healthy Eating.” Children in the program also participate in all aspects of the Home Farm, from planting seeds, to weeding, to composting. For more information about Wyck and its Outdoor Education Program, please contact Lori Litchman, Education Program coordinator, at 215-848-1690 or e-mail to llitchman@wyck.org . Happy Holidays! All You Can Eat Buffet NEW Dinner Buffet Cheltenham Plaza 8162 Ogontz Ave. Wyncote 215-886-6696 Christmas Tree Recycling The Mt. Airy Business Association, along with their partners GRINCH (Green in Chestnut Hill) and the Allens Lane Art Center sponsor, will hold a Christmas tree recycling event on Sunday, January 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., at Allens Lane Art Center, 601 West Allens Lane Trees will be chipped into a pile which will then be available in the spring as free mulch. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do. Trees are just like any other trash that gets sent to landfills and becomes pollution. By chipping Arden Theatre Company presents the perfect theatrical treat for the whole family this holiday season: Peter Pan, a brand-new version of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale, adapted for the stage by Douglas Irvine, from the books by J.M. Barrie. Arden Children’s Theatre brand-new version of Peter Pan celebrates the wonder of storytelling and the power of make-believe. It is recommended for families with children ages five and older. Performances are Saturday, December 26 at noon, 4 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 27 at noon and 4 p.m.; Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30 at noon and 4 p.m.; Thursday, December 31 at noon, Friday, January 1 at 2 p.m.; Saturday, January 2 and Sunday , January 3 at noon and 4 p.m. Tickets are: children $16-$18,teens $20$22, adults $30-$32. Order by calling 215-922-1122 or online at www.ardentheatre.org. Arden Theatre Company is located at 40 N. 2nd Street. Geechee Girl Rice Café Zagat Rated. Now Accepting Reservations for New Year’s Eve. The Solution to All Your Catering Needs. $10 $559 Mon thru Sat *Includes Crab Legs No Coupon Required Mon - Sat: L 11:30 - 3:30 D 3:30 - 9:30 M-Thur D 3:30 -10:30 Fri-Sat Sun All Day - Dinner the trees and re-using the mulch, you are helping to save our precious planet. We are asking a $5 donation to help cover our costs. C Kim Miller, executive director of the Mt. Airy Business Association, at 215-242-0777 or kim@mtairybiz.com if you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer to help that day. The Mt. Airy Business Association is committed to sustainability and offers community programs to help create and promote a more sustainable Mt. Airy. ‘Peter Pan’ at Arden Every Day 99 Lunch Buffet Kwanzaa, in order for them to live a life with a positive purpose (Nia). The Johnson House Historic Site, Inc. is a National Historic Landmark and treasure. In addition, the Johnson House is a leading educational site providing experiential learning opportunities for understanding the Underground Railroad and the struggle against slavery. The authenticity of this historic building and surrounding grounds provide rich encounters with history and evidence of the past in a tangible way. For more information about the event call 215-438-1768 or 215-438-4550. 6825 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, Pa 215-843-8113 www.geecheegirl.com Hours: Tu. - Th. - 5:30 - 9:00pm Fri. Sa. - 5:30 - 10:00pm Su. Brunch - 11:00 - 2:30pm Su. Dinner - 5:30 - 9:00pm • BYOB • Exotic • Savory • Gourmet • Delicious The Mt. Airy Independent December 24, 2009 Page 11 Education 2009 GSFS Collects Toys for Shelter Kids Students, teachers, and parents at Greene Street Friends School worked together to donate more than 200 toys to the children residing with their mothers at Women Against Abuse (WAA), an emergency shelter in Philadelphia for women and children fleeing domestic violence. The shelter for battered women and their children houses approximately 60 children at any one time. In these difficult economic times, the kids at the shelter have been affected harder than most, fleeing their homes for a safe haven, often with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Last year Greene Street Friends School’s Parents Association successfully coordinated the school’s first toy drive for WAA. This year’s parent team, Marcy Gialdo, Stacey Ferraro, and Melissa Rooney, wanted to find a way to get Greene Street’s children more involved in the spirit of giving in what can often feel like a consumer driven holiday season. Marcy Gialdo, parent of Kindergartner, Olivia Gialdo, stated, “We wanted to connect the students to this year’s holiday drive by giving them a role in the process. They may not be the ones who actually bought the presents, but they can still feel like they were helping by wrapping a gift or making a greeting card. It’s important for children Germantown Friends School seniors taking United States History with Jeremy Ross were treated to a special guest teacher on December 14: former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh. The former governor, who is the grandfather of GFS senior Alice Thornburgh of Chestnut Hill, was invited by Ross to lead his classes for a day. After summarizing his back- Senior Davide Horn of Mt. Airy asked the former governor to consider how important mass transit is today. Thornburgh acknowledged that it has always been the stepchild in the transportation industry. But he believes in it so much that he took the bus to work as governor in Harrisburg, and takes the bus now in Washington DC where he serves as counsel to a law firm. Greene Street Friends School second grade teacher Katie Portela (at right) and her second graders collected and wrapped presents for a local shelter. The event was coordinated by the school’s Parents Association and collected more than 200 toys. to realize the impact that each person can have, no matter how young.” This year, second grade teacher Katie Portela and fifth grade teacher Beth Duffy offered their classrooms as drop off sites. Second graders and fifth graders created holiday cards and worked together to wrap the gifts. With the help of sixth grade teacher Kiri Harris, TORCH, the Middle School student government team, promoted the event, decorated the drop off boxes and wrapped gifts. Second grade student Anne Shipley enjoyed wrapping the gifts along with her classmates. She noted, “I think it was important because if we did not do it, they [the children at the shelter] would have been sad and bored, especially the younger kids, and it is hard to be poor when you are a younger kid.” The Parents Association’s Holiday Giving team hopes to not only turn this toy drive into an annual event but to expand the project into a year-long giving program with several components, turning the traditional season of giving into year-long seasons of giving. Graduate! Philadelphia Opens Germantown Site Ongoing demand from area residents interested in resuming their college studies has prompted Graduate! Philadelphia to expand its services to six satellite locations throughout the city. Since Graduate! Philadelphia rolled out its first-of-its-kind college access and success services for adults at its flagship Center in the Gallery Mall in 2008, more than 460 adult learners have reenrolled in college, and 10 have already graduated with their degrees. Another 1,000 people are in the center’s pipeline preparing to enroll in college. In an effort to serve more people, Graduate! has expanded services at four CareerLink Centers in Center City, North Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia and Germantown. It also provides its signature college advising services at CORA Services’ Neumann Center in Kensington, and at Catholic Social Services’ Northeast Family Service Center. In 2008, Graduate! Philadelphia began offering Teacher for a Day at GFS adults its innovative College Access and Success services, which guide prospective adult returning students from exploration of opportunities to graduation with a two or four year college degree. “The new locations are a great opportunity for individuals to access ‘one-stop shopping’ for college right in their neighborhood. You can talk with representatives of 15 different colleges, file for financial aid, get advice about next steps, make a plan, all not far from where you live or work,” said Hadass Sheffer, executive director of Graduate! Philadelphia. “We’re delighted so many Comebackers have chosen to return to college and complete their degrees.” In Germantown, the Graduate! Philadelphia staff is at PA CareerLink Philadelphia Northwest, 235 West Chelten Avenue. Please call 215-5741341, option 2, for scheduled days and times. The main Graduate! Philadelphia office is at 9th and Market streets (enter at 9th Street, next to the Dollar Store), phone 215-574-1341, e-mail info@graduatephiladelphia.org Graduate! Philadelphia is an initiative of the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. For information visit GraduatePhiladelphia.org. GFS American history teacher Jeremy Ross (left) welcomed former Governor Dick Thornburgh to his 12th grade classes recently. ground and preparation for public service – not the career in sports writing that he had envisioned for himself in high school – he took questions from students. Thornburgh was asked to describe the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant that occurred “on March 28, 1979, when I had been in office for 72 days.” He believes that his background as a prosecutor helped him dig for facts about the situation and the possibility of evacuation. Asked by Jay Pabarue of Mt. Airy whether he ever needed to reassure the public without having all the facts, Thornburgh replied, “That happened all the time. But people are looking to you for leadership,” making it crucial to pursue the truth. HOPE Charter High School 9th through 12th grades • A tuition-free high school in West Oak Lane • Student enrollment from all areas Philadelphia • For the youth who needs extra help & small classes • For information, 215-849-2112 ext 5112 • Or email chaprich@hotmail.com HOPE CS is designed to give the underachieving high school student new hope for a bright educational future and a career We are accepting applications for the school year 2010-11 In response to a steady stream of students’ questions, Thornburgh addressed the goals he set before becoming governor, and the achievements he made; his role as undersecretary general of the United Nations; handling state budget issues; and his experience as U.S. Attorney General. Creating jobs for economic growth would be his highest priority if he were serving as governor today. His insights allowed GFS students to consider making a difference through public service in the very near future. Page 12 December 24, 2009 Faith & the Community The Mt. Airy Independent In the Home & Neighborhood Program on Justice and Education in /Haiti “Literacy for Liberation: Promoting Education and Ending Child Slavery in Haiti,” presented by Beyond Borders and featuring Dr. Anthony Campolo, will be held Saturday, January 9, at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane, Chestnut Hill. The free program to promote justice and education in Haiti will start at 7 p.m., and will be followed by an open reception. The featured speaker will be Tony Campolo, a professor and pastor who has organized and supported a variety of initiatives to foster social justice in Haiti and around the world. The Haitian youth choir of the Eglise Evangelique Baptiste Haitienne will provide music. In Haiti, where 90 percent of families live on less than $2 a day, it is almost impossible for children to get a good education. For the poorest children it is very difficult to get any education at all. Only about half of Haiti’s children ever attend school. Most of those who do attend never graduate from pri- mary school; and only 38 of every 1,000 students complete high school. More than half of Haiti’s adult population is illiterate, a major barrier to economic progress for Haitians. In addition, an estimated 300,000 Haitian children live apart from their parents in unpaid domestic servitude. The treatment of these children varies, but many endure conditions that human rights organizations classify as modern slavery. Since its founding in 1993, Beyond Borders has been working in Haiti to support the efforts of Haitian communities to develop sustainable solutions to their problems. Through its Child Literacy Program, Beyond Borders provides to some of Haiti’s most vulnerable children a solid basic education designed to help them escape poverty and reduce the chances of their being sent into servitude. Beyond Borders is also working to overcome adult illiteracy in Haiti by assisting local communities and churches to establish and run liter- Watch Night at Janes What are you doing New Year’s Eve? Want to make your new year truly new? Join Janes Memorial United Methodist Church, 47 East Haines Street, for our annual Watch Night Service. Be here at 10:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve. Hear an inspiring message from our pastor, Rev. Dr. Andrew L. Foster 3rd, and then let’s pray our way into 2010. Happy New Year from Janes! For information call the church at 215-844-9564 or e-mail to JanesMUMC@verizon.net. acy centers for adults and children too old to enroll in traditional schools. In coordination with its partners in Haiti, Beyond Borders has nurtured a small but growing movement of concerned citizens, organizations, churches, and survivors of child servitude, who are working together to protect Haiti’s children, reunite those in servitude with their parents, and create systems that allow parents to care for their children. The event is free and includes a free-will offering. For more information, call 610277-5045 or visit www.BeyondBorders.net. The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, located at the corner of Lincoln Drive and Carpenter Lane, has recently begun a weekly food cupboard for the purpose of serving those in our community who are in need. We have partnered with a national organization called SHARE and are looking to grow as a local neighborhood service. Since opening the cupboard, we’ve discovered a tremendous demand for food and we are struggling to keep up with the needs of the many people who’ve come by. In light of this, we are looking for local businesses in the food industry who would be interested in partnering with us by helping our supply keep up with the demand. If your business is interested, please contact Yvonne Lee at 215-301-0069. Under the umbrella of the Northwest Philadelphia Greening Initiative and our partners at OARC (Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation), Mt. Airy, USA was once again eligible to receive free street trees in 2009. The program included installation and all necessary approvals from the city and the Fairmount Park Commission. “We anticipated having 75 trees planted in our neighborhood,” MAUSA said. “However, we actually received well over 100 trees.” Pictured is Mt. Airy resident Carol Mack standing next to a new tree on Westview Street. If you are interested in street trees for your block, please contact Cynthia Bradley, Mt. Airy USA’s community organizer, at 215-844-6021. Ext. 214. Learn How to Weatherize Your Home at CIP Is your home drafty? Is your heating bill out of control? Weatherization workshops will be presented by the Neighborhood Energy Center at Center in the Park, 5818 Germantown Avenue, on January 8 and February 19 at 2 p.m. Trainers will demonstrate installation of weatherization materials, discuss rising energy costs, provide information for conservation and assistance programs, and ways to get tax credits for improvements. Weatherization materials will be provided free to all eligible participants. For information call 215-849-5100 or visit www.centerinthepark.org. Germantown DUBLIN FUNERAL SERVICE, INC. House for Rent Tulpehocken & Belfield Fully Remodeled. 3 Bedrooms - 1 Bath $700 + Utilities 215-849-4984 • Prearrangement Planning • Monuments • Cremation • Traditional Services • Memorial Services Marcell D. Dublin, FD, Supervisor www.dublinfuneralserviceinc.com “A Noble Level of Funeral Care.” Please Visit Us at Our New Location 5800 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120 • Ph 215-927-2000 • Fax 215-927-1153 Serving Pennsylvania and Delaware Dealership Level Car Service at Competitive Pricing Foreign & Domestic Autos Christmas Eve Service Thursday, December 24 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 35 W Chelten Avenue Philadelphia PA Nativity Concert Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols 215-843-8811 www.fpcgermantown.org Mt. Airy Off Lincoln Drive Near Public Transit West Johnson Garage 86 W. Johnson St. Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-438-4330 The Mt. Airy Independent Zoning Hearings The following hearings will be held at the Zoning Board of Adjustments, 1515 Arch Street, on the 18th floor. All information is according to the Community Alerting Service of the Housing Association of Delaware Valley. Tuesday, January 5, 9:30 a.m. – 8400 Germantown Ave., one zoning permit, one use permit, one certification. Permit for the creation of three tenant spaces with a retail clothing store in space A, vacant space B, and retail clothing in space C; for the conversion of an accessory parking lot to a public parking lot with 85 spaces, including four reserved for accessibility and 15 compact spaces; and for the legalization of an existing one-story structure for use as a guard shack. Wednesday, January 6, 4 p.m. – 7700 Crittenden St., three zoning permits. Permit for the erection of a 90’ high monopole tower with six panel antennas, six equipment cabinets at grade and an 8’ high fence, all for use as a wireless services facility on the same lot with an existing shopping center. Wednesday, January 6, 5 p.m. 13 Wyneva St., one use permit. Permit for the legalization of a three-family dwelling. December 24, 2009 Business Services Directory Do You Have a Listing for the Business Service Directory? Call Rachel to Add Yours! 215.438.4000 tes ima st eE Fre BAILEY CONSTRUCTION Formerly Honest Roofing We Will Beat Any Written Estimate All Types of Roofing • Specializing in Rubber Roofs 215-335-1448 or 215-535-6990 Lic & Insured - Lic #000142 BERNIE • Roofing • Cement • Plastering • Electric • Wallpaper Reasonable Prices • (215) 748-6497 Lic. #G-68410 Financing Available • Free Estimates • Fully Insured With Coupon New Roof All Types of Roofing Siding • Windows • Emergency Repairs Up to 400 Sq. Ft. Ask About Our 15 Year Guarantee as low as $490 Hot Coats Family Owned and Operated for Over 44 Years 215.332.6600 as low as • • • • • Concrete & Cement Of All Kinds Basement Waterproofing Garage & Home Renovations Power Washing Handyman Jobs Summer Special 15% OFF With This Ad No Job Too Small Samuel J. BaIleY • GeNeral CoNTraCTor• lIC & INSured • Painting Roofing Sale Small Ad Small Prices 215-495-9336 The Small Job Specialist Business Website The City of Philadelphia’s new, revamped website for businesses went live in November, the first phase in the creation of an interactive, online Business Services Center that will change the way businesses interact with city government. The new home for business on the City’s website can be found at www.phila.gov/business. The first phase is informational only, gathering together in one location information that until now has been housed on several departmental websites. Here users will be able to find information according to the type of business that they are, and the type of activity that they are engaged in. The website gives assistance to people trying to start a business, providing guidance on developing a business plan, understanding the City of Philadelphia’s business regulations, and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits to operate within Philadelphia. It also contains information on selling goods and services to city government as well as details of financing and incentive resources for which businesses may qualify. The next phases, to be launched throughout 2010, will provide a more interactive, user-specific experience for businesses. The City is developing a “decision wizard” which will guide users through the business process according to their specific circumstances and needs. Page 13 $57 City of Philadelphia Electircal License #000868 aFFORDaBLE ELECtRiCaL SERViCES Same day Repairs • Installations • Service Upgrades Heating & Air Conditioning Repairs Outlets • switches • Lights 100-200 Amp Circuit Breakers Air Conditioner Outlets Appliance Lines Ceiling Fans Doorbell Repairs Dryer Lines Real Estate Certification FULLy iNsURED FLAT RATE Prices Given BEFORE Work Begins. NO Hidden Charges NO Per Hour Charges Voted #1 Best Electrician AAA & AARP CiTy & UNiON DisCOUNTs CHURCH MEMBERs sENiOR CiTizEN DisCOUNT Best of the Northwest 2004 2006, 2007 No Coupon Needed to Get the Lowest Price! 215-927-1100 Affordable Electric, Inc. Prices Quoted Over the Phone www.affordableelectric.com We accept all credit & debit cards Quincy Logistics Inc. Professional Movers (We move you, not your money) Celebrating 25 Years of Expert Relocation Services •Residential •Commercial •Trucking Licensed and Insured 215-924-9915 • www.QuincyLogistics.com Best Handyman Service HSpackle HPainting HDrywall HCeramic HFloors Ceilings tile HCeiling Fans HRepair Work HCement work H15 yrs. Exp. all types of Electrical Work FREE EStimatES • Trouble Shooting • 100/200 Amp Upgrades • Indoor/outdoor Lighting • 220 Lines / AC Lines • Doorbells / Ceiling Fans • Fuse Box Repairs • Dryer Lines SEnIoR CITIzEn DISCounT 25% OFF WITH THIS Ad. All Work Guaranteed • Lic. #00793 Serving Mt. Airy, West Oak Lane Germantown Lic & Ins. 057860 215-927-3656 Quality Work at Prices You Can Live With! Residential & Commercial Termite Inspections and Extermination Is Just a Phone Call Away ENtErprisE ExtErmiNAtiNg Save 10% with this coupon We Deliver Do-It-Yourself Supplies & supply Co. bird • flEA • sQUirrEl & rOdENt spECiAlists QUAlifiEd tO mAKE fHA & VA CErtifiCAtiONs COMPLETE PEST, INSECT & MICE CONTROL 24 HOURS – 7 DAYS A WEEK PROMPT, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Call Now 4943 Wayne Avenue 215-849-7070 www.enterprisepest control.com • Rubber Roofs • Coatings • Skylights • New Shingle Roofs Roofing Sale! Will Not Be Undersold 2006 • Roof Certificates • No Job Too Small • Roof Repairs Senior Citizens & Handicapped Persons Discount FHA Financing • No Money Down 215-722-7131 Licensed & Insured • *Up to 500 sq. ft. Page 14 December 24, 2009 The Mt. Airy Independent Business Services Directory ELECTRICIAN SMALL AD SMALL PRICES 215-925-0606 AFFORDABLE PAINTING “Spruce Up for the Holidays” ANY ROOM Stairways & Hallways Repair or Patchwork Quality Work at Affordable Prices. Call 215-927-3656 HeaTING & a.C. rePaIrS We do IT all! SENIOR CITIzEN DISCOUNTS MARIO BROS. LICENSED & INSURED #G00848 Do It Right Clean Out specialist Also Moving & Hauling Basement, Garages, Attics Backyards, Apartments Fallen Tree Removal Oil Tank Removal Free Estimates Grant to Aid Maternal Outreach Picture Framing Pre-Owned or We Purchase to Suit. 25% Discount with Ad (267) 816-5268 Call 215-849-9192 Two Guys Drain & Plumbing Pickup Truck for Hire • We install BATHROOMS • DRAIN CLEANING • Repair or Replace BROkEN pIpES We’ll beat anybody’s price or we’ll take 10% off! Cell: 215-892-2172 Lic. #0390 Light Moving, Hauling & Deliveries Available 7 Days a Week Reasonable Rates 215-850-4559 215-668-8660 Free Estimates Fully insured JOSEpH’S AffORdABLE Senior discount pLUmBINg & HEATINg Keep Up with Us on the Web. germantownnewspapers.com philadelphia gas Heating & Air Conditioning Air Conditioning • 24 Hour Service / 7 Days a Week • City Violations Corrected • Hot Water heaters Replaced • Drain Cleaning Specialist • New Gas & Oil Heaters Installed • Certifications sAlEs Starting at $1695 Registered 3rd Generation #3922 Heater sale $1195 a/c checkup $80.00 Call Now 215.456.1300 fAst EmErgENCY sErViCE OffICE: 215-673-7700 • 215-6041728 CELL: 267-984-3088 $aVe eleCTrIC lowest Prices • Free estimates • Trouble Shooting • 100/200 Amp Upgrades • Indoor/Outdoor Lighting • 220 Lines / AC Lines • Doorbells / Ceiling Fans • Fuse Box Repairs • Dryer Lines O FREE O troubleshooting Emergency O O Service Do You have a Service? Are You in the Business Directory? Serving mt. airy, Germantown & West Oak Lane 215-768-6431 Call Rachel and Put ADVANCED ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. 215-396-2804 Low Rates • Fast Services Up Front Prices • 100-200 Amp Breakers Troubleshoot Repairs You Got a Friend in the Business. Let’s Beat the Recession Together “We Do It All!” License #17027 Bonded Your Business in Northwest Philadelphia’s Largest-Circulation Weekly Newspaper. 215.438.4000 Insured Maternal Wellness Center has received a $10,000 grant from Green Tree Community Health Foundation, in support of the Healthy Moms Initiative. Announcement of the grant was made by Susan Hansen, Ph.D., executive director and CEO of the Foundation, on behalf of the Board of Trustees on Nov. 20. Laura House-Kelly, executive director, Maternal Wellness Center, said the funds would be used to support outreach efforts to low-income women and teens through the center’s Healthy Moms Initiative, a program providing free, holistic, perinatal services. Begun three years ago by local award-winning childbirth educator, Kathleen Furin, the Healthy Moms Initiative is designed to improve maternal and infant outcomes by empowering women to take an active role in their own healthcare. The program provides childbirth education classes, breastfeeding counseling, psychotherapy services, yoga and support groups. “The Maternal Wellness Center is pleased to have the continued support of Green Tree Community Health Foundation. With so many maternity units closing across the Philadelphia region, and continued economic pressures, women across the area are hard-pressed to find high-quality perinatal care,” said House-Kelly. “With the Foundation’s support we can bring our services to those most in need, women living with lower incomes and adolescents. These women and girls are the hardest-hit by the recession and the continued closures of maternity units.” Clients of the Healthy Moms Initiative are showing remarkable results. House-Kelly says, “Our clients report breastfeeding initiation and duration rates twice that of the national average and decreased levels of stress. Recent research suggests there may be links between stress and anxiety with pre-term birth. We know that holistic healthcare; care that is client-centered, care that empowers women to advocate on behalf of themselves, and care that takes into account each woman’s unique experience, leads to excellent perinatal outcomes and to a stronger, healthier, community.” The Chestnut Hill Health Care Foundation is a not-for-profit public charity that identifies areas of vulnerability in the communities of Northwest Philadelphia and Eastern Montgomery County and provides funding to organizations whose work addresses these needs. For information about Maternal Wellness Center, visit maternalwellness.org. December 24, 2009 Germantown Newspapers Classified Advertising FOR SALE SERVICES 1986 Chevy S-10 Long Bed with Work Rack. $650 Call: 267-650-0629 WINDOWS–WINDOWS–WINDOWS $250 Installed BOB’S HOME IMPROVEMENT BOB’S CeLL 215-669-3752 NO SALESMEN. NO DEPOSIT. INSTALLED BY OWNER WEST JOHNSON CLASSICS 86 W. Johnson St., 19144 215-438-4330 MOBILE NOTARY SIGNING SERVICE Licensed, Bonded, Certified We Travel to banks, title companies, Senior centers, convalescent & Retirement homes. Your Business or Residence! Call: 215-548-5894 or www.needmobilenotaryservice.com TYPING Do you need a resume typed or updated? An Excel sheet created for your customers/clients? Book or memoirs edited/typed and put on a disk? Pamphlets, monographs, short stories? I type 100 wpm & am computer literate. Call: 215-753-0500, lv. message 1965 RED MuSTANG Convertible w/White pwr top, V-8, Automatic, upgraded radio. Complete restoration. $25,000 1966 TRIPLE BLACK CADILLAC FLEETWOOD, Mint original, always garaged! 64,000 miles $15,000 1960 CHEVY IMPALA V8, duals, 2-tone Excellent orig; garaged $14,500. 1974 MGB ROADSTER Red, Excellent-restored $7,500. 1975 TRIuMPH TR-6 Maroon/Tan; Garage kept. $8,500. 1987 JAGuAR XJ-S Convertible; 50,000 miles. Excellent throughout. $14,000. Other Collectibles & restoration projects available! COMPuTER FREEZES??? SLoooow? Need a Tune-up? Virus Protection, Installs/Memory, Faster Internet. 215-284-6038 www.SusanGuggenheim-IS.com Your answer for technical support & services SPECIALTY & GENERAL CAR SERVICE AVAILABLE REAL ESTATE HELP WANTED ARNETTE’S HAIR & NAILS LOOKING FOR LICENSED HAIR STYLIST w/some following, great personality, ambitious & works well with others. CALL Arnette at: 215-885-7608 *** EQuAL HOuSING *** All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitation, or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings are available on an equal opportunity basis Precious Babies Day Care & New Pre-School Day Care Directors & Teachers North Philadelphia Area Director Requires 3–5 Years AA Degree w/ 30 Credits in ECE Teachers Requires 2 Years Experience Writing Lesson Plans & Teaching AA in ECE or CDA Preferred Comp. Salary & Paid Vacation Ken (215) 694-0916 REAL REAL ESTATE ESTATE REAL REAL ESTATE ESTATE Pet Happy Apartments Charlwin Apartments Page 15 REAL ESTATE ESTATE REAL MARTIN ELFANT, INC. Call Jeff Elfant @ 215-844-120 3024 W. Queen Lane Hardwood Floors, Lots of Windows, Walking Distance to Public Transportation $99 Off First Month If You Apply by January 31st No Application Fee Required Just a Few Left — Contact Pam Woodland (215) 848-2100 HOuSE FOR RENT 2XX APSLEY ST. 4BR, 2baths, W/D hookup, open porch, backyard. Large family room. $1200/mo. Available now. CALL: 610-287-9857 1. MOuNT AIRY 79XX RUGBY ST. 2BRs, 2nd Floor, $750/mo + utilities. 2. GERMANTOWN 1XX W. MANHEIM ST. Furnished Rooms, $90 up/wk. Call: 215-849-4385 or 267-476-4942 (cell) CARLTON PARK & CHARLWIN APTS. OF EAST FALLS Now Leasing 2 & 3 BRs, starting at $895.+ utilities. MOVE IN SPECIALS! Please call Leasing Ofc. for more info: 215-848-2100 or E-mail pam@classicmgt.com GARDEN STYLE APARTMENT COMPLEX IN MOUNT AIRY NICE 1 & 2 BEDROOMS Utilities included except for electric. Lv. message for Sprague Court 215-842-2500 CRITTENDEN MANOR APTS. 1 BEDROOM apartment available in Mount Airy. Utilities included except for electric. CALL: 215-842-2500 Leave message for Crittenden Manor Germantown ** ROOMS AVAILABLE ** Need extra rm. for a few days during the holidays? Call us. Immediate occupancy, $100/wk, or efficiency avail. $500/mo. includes all utilities. Nr. R7, R8, rts 23,53, K & XH: 215-520-7752 HISTORIC TREASuRE circa 1850 XXX E. Church Lane 5BR, 2.5 baths, sunny grand foyer, gracious LR, marble FPs, random width floors. Lg. sculpted garden reminiscent of Tuscany. Turret, inside shutters, newer heater. $375,000!! CALL: 267-241-5373 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Our Clients and Readers! GARAGE AVAILABLE Double garage; can function as storage or workshop. $175/month 5812 N. 2nd ST. 1BR, 1bth avail. w/w carpets Off-street parking; w/d on site $550/month 262 E. CLIVEDEN 2BR, 1bth, ww carpets. Very spacious, off-street pkg. W/D on site. free heat! $725/month 6628 N. 8th Street 1BR, 1bath. Off street parking, w/d on site $550/month 700 W. WALNuT LANE 2BR, 1bth, ww/carpets, W/D, lots of closet space, new windows, off street parking. $695/mo FREE MONTH’S RENT ON ALL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LARGE 1BR APARTMENT Newly Remodeled, Private parking, Private entrance. Washer/Dryer optional. CALL: 267-226-0918 HOuSE FOR RENT Cozy 2BR, 1 bath home W/D, dishwasher, modern kitchen & bath; lg. fenced backyard. Near all transportation points. $775 plus utilities CALL: 215-849-8721 Page 16 December 24, 2009 The Mt. Airy Independent New Year, New Care!!! Enroll Your Child in Kindergarten Now!!! Fully Staffed for Safety.
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