January/February 2017 The Newsletter of The Society Hill Civic Association
SOCIETY HILL Reporter www.societyhillcivic.org Master Plan Discussion Continues
he Society Hill Civic Association (SHCA) The project team will present an analysis T invites all neighbors to the January General of the existing conditions of the Society Hill Membership Meeting, which will feature a con - neighborhood. They will summarize their tinuing discussion with the the distinguished findings related to current zoning and potential urban design firm of KSK Architects Planners re-zoning areas, at risk development sites, Historians, Inc. population demographics, retail market conditions and the open space network. The meeting will As you will remember, SHCA selected KSK to also give neighbors the opportunity to respond create, with input from the community, a master to and make additions to the report. Best wishes for a plan to evaluate all of Society Hill. This evaluation will include from the river to 8th Street and from Speakers will include John Gibbons from KSK, healthy, happy Walnut to Lombard Streets, for appropriate zon - Tavis Dockwiller from Viridian Landscape Studio New Year! ing, future development, suggested improve - and Jim Hartling, Chris Lankenau and John ments and maintenance plans for all buildings, Gallery from Urban Partners. walkways, parks and open space. Remember that everyone is welcome to attend the General Membership Meeting . Please note that it will be held at the Society Hill Synagogue’s Community Room. Simply arrive at the side entrance, 418 Spruce Street at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be available from 6:45 p.m. to give residents the opportunity to meet and greet their neighbors. All SHCA members interested in Society Hill issues are welcome at our monthly Board Meeting. See pages 14-15 for maps showing the zoning Please note this will be held at the Physick and open space for your block. House, 321 South 4th Street at 5:45 p.m .
WEDNESDMAAY RK YOUR CALENDAR STATELY IN SNOW January Society Hill Civic Association Meetings 18 Wednesday, January 18, 2017
5:45 p.m. Board Meeting Physick House, 321 South 4th Street 7:30-9 p.m. General Membership Meeting Society Hill Synagogue Community Meeting Room, side entrance, 418 Spruce Street Speakers: Representatives of KSK, Philadelphia-based urban planning firm Winter in Society Hill Topics: Existing Conditions to Consider Pennsylvania Hospital for Society Hill Master Plan Bonnie Halda photo PAGE 2 SOCIETY HILL Reporter
NUSA lace SOCIETY HILL 1st P inning ard-W Aw etter Newsl Reporter 2016 Editor in Chief Press Release Liaison Sandra Rothman c/o Matt DeJulio Columnists [email protected] Marilyn Appel Advertising Manager Claire Batten Lenore Hardy Jane Biberman [email protected] Al Cavalari Submission Deadlines Matt DeJulio March/April Issue Mike Harris February 1 Lisa Kelly Society Hill Civic Martha Levine Association Sandra Rothman P. O. Box 63503 Keri White Philadelphia, PA 19147 Katy Wich Tel. 215-629-1288 Contributors Website Jonathan Burton Find past issues in color Bonnie Halda at www.societyhillcivic.org. Graphic Design [email protected] The views set forth in the opinion articles are the views of the authors and not necessarily of the Society Hill Civic Association. Submissions If you have news that would be of interest to Society Hillers, email Sandra Rothman at [email protected]. Materials must be submitted in writing and include the name of a contact person. Edited submissions will be considered for publication if space permits. Letters to the Editor must be signed, with contact information. SHCA Mission Statement The aims and purposes of SHCA are to promote the improvement of parallel the Society Hill area of Philadelphia, including its cultural, educational and civic activities, and the preservation and restoration of its historic buildings; to represent the residents of Society Hill in matters affecting the City of Philadel p hia generally and Society Hill in particular; and to design interpret the value and significance of Society Hill to the public. Find our SHCA Board Officers and Directors designs President SE Quadrant online. Rosanne Loesch Woody Rosenbach, Barbara First Vice President Gelman, Gail Hauptfuhrer Martha Levine SW Quadrant BeyondTheLibertyBell.org Second Vice President Alison T. Young, Carolyn Parallel-Design.com Kim Williams Ambler Walter, Martha Moore Treasurer Continuing Director SusieMeissner.com Madeline Miller Bob Curley 215-476-4040 Secretary Representatives Diane Stein St. James Court Directors at Large Norm Wisler Logos Georgine Atacan, Jeff Berry, Penn’s Landing Square Amy DeMarco, George Dowdall, Loretta Burton Websites Shelly Hirsh, Dan Horowitz, Independence Place Banners Newsletters Mary Purcell, Lisa Unger Jerry Yablin NE Quadrant Hopkinson House The Award-Winning Books Fred Manfred, George Kelley, Diane Rossheim Brochures Society Hill Robert Kramer Society Hill Towers NW Quadrant Lorna Katz Lawson Invitations Reporter ! Sissie Lipton, Norman St. James Highrise Lieberman, Mary Tracy Priscilla McDougal JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017 PAGE 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BY ROSANNE LOESCH Our Oasis in the City
ur neighborhood association is continually that come out each Thursday. I urge you Ostriving to make this corner of the city a to become a member of your neighborhood calm, beautiful and neighborly place. I value the association to receive these weekly newsletters oasis that Society Hill feels like to me. It some - and to support the important work we do. times takes reminding that Philadelphia is the Just some of the reasons to renew your fifth largest city in the USA. When I return from membership or become a new member: our my visits to New York I feel like I can take a deep highly vigilant and knowledgeable zoning, legal breath of relief that I’ve returned to the beauty, and safety committees; our beautification projects spaciousness and relative calm of Philadelphia. in Washington Square; the weekly cleanups by (If only we could get rid of Philadelphia’s ubiqui - Center City District employees on trash day — tous billboards and put I-95 underground, but paid for by SHCA; our spring and fall community- Rosanne Loesch, I digress.) This feeling is especially notable SHCA President wide cleanups; weekly crime reports from the in residential neighborhoods like Society Hill 6th District Police; a graffiti removal task force; that are in the heart of the city, but seem to brick sidewalk repair subsidies to homeowners recall a quieter time. as an incentive to keep our streets safer for all; Philadelphia’s large variety of neighborhoods and a tree planting committee. Also, our work of different historical periods and styles is on issues like changes in zoning regulations and what draws both tourists and residents alike. procedures, bike lane delineators potentially pro - I’ve learned, as a transplant myself, how devoted posed for Spruce and Pine and efforts to resolve Philadelphia residents are to their own particular various construction project issues are additional geographic patch and I celebrate the devotion reasons to support your neighborhood association. and loyalty they show to their neighborhoods, Finally, I must give a shout out to the remarkable each charmingly unique, each vigilantly overseen efforts of our team of communicators: the editor by its own neighborhood association or group. in chief of our newsletter, Sandra Rothman and This year our association is continuing the her team; Martha Levine and her amazing Block project to create a master plan for Society Hill. Coordinators, who disseminate information to Three important General Meetings, the third the neighborhood at a moment’s notice; and the Wednesday of January, March and May, will chair of our website committee, Amy Demarco focus on the three phases of the plan: Existing and her team who are designing a brand new Conditions, Recommendations and Final Plan. website for SHCA with the help of the profes sional It’s very important that you come to these meet - website designers, Masters Group Design. ings because this is a community-driven plan On behalf of the board and our hard working and you will need to keep informed. The January administrator and accountant, Matt DeJulio and meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Society Greg DiTeodoro, our committees and volunteers, Hill Synagogue community room. To entice you I wish you all the best for a safe, peaceful and to this meeting we will have light refreshments happy new year. starting at 6:45 p.m. Come and mingle with your neighbors. Rosanne Loesch is an attorney and former presi - In addition, we are doing outreach to all stake - dent of SHCA. She, her husband and two children holder groups in Society Hill to get their input. have lived in a historic house on Spruce Street since These outreach meetings will begin this month. 2002 and, before that, lived for 14 years in the Washington Square West neighborhood. Look for notification in our weekly email blasts
In This Issue… Page 5 Page 9 Page 17 Page 23 Keeping Posted: If Franklin Be Well Now: Getting to In Memoriam: Donald South Street Headhouse Asked for Your Support the Root of the Problem Montanaro, 1934-2016 District: Awards Galore Page 7 Pages 14 and 15 Page 21 Page 26 Holiday Social: Neighborhood Plan: Headhouse Farmers’ Market: Nifty Neighbors: Good Cheer at Bridget Foy’s Current Society Hill Zoning Winter Farmers’ Markets Patricia Wilson Aden PAGE 4 SOCIETY HILL Reporter
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KEEPING POSTED
BY AL CAVALARI If Franklin Asked for Your Support
enjamin Franklin’s historic accomplishments Front During the First World Baffect you personally to this day. Ben risked War, which marks the 100th his life when he signed the Declaration of anniversary of America’s entry Independence, which was viewed as an act of into that conflict. The exhibit sedition by the English monarchy. At the end conveys life in Philadelphia of his life, so old and sick at age 81 that he had at that time and examines to be carried into the Constitutional Convention, the contributions its residents Franklin signed the document, which still protects made to the allied cause. you every moment of your life as an American In the 18th century, sharehold - citizen. As a civic leader, he contributed to ing became a matter of civic Philadelphia by establishing institutions that still pride, and it remains so today. serve you today. After all he’s done for you, how Franklin’s vision of a library far would you go to show support for Benjamin created by the collective efforts Franklin if he were able to ask you for it? of his neighbors — it is not I decided to show my own support by joining part of t he Free Library of four of the venerable institutions started by Philadelphia — continues with Ben Franklin in our city in the 1700s, each the historic membership shares of which I’ll feature in the next several issues it still issues. For a one-time of the Reporter . purchase and then a modest yearly contribution, you can say We begin with the Library Company of Phila - “yes” to Ben Franklin by pur - delphia. As a young leather-aproned tradesman, chasing a share, thus becoming Franklin established a weekly study group of 12 a descendent of his original junto, The Library Company of Philadelphia men who met in Pewter Platter Tavern down the or club for mutual improvement. alley across from Christ Church. Each share is numbered and the “If Franklin asked Franklin suggested that by “clubbing our books history dating back to its historical owner is doc - for your support, to a common library,” each would have access umented. You’ve heard of Elfreth’s Alley near to a larger selection than any one man could Christ Church? I now own the very share issued how far would have on his own. In 1731, he drew up articles to Jeremiah Elfreth in the 1760s and have a beau - you go? Living to charter a joint-stock company for the first tiful stock certificate as proof. in Society Hill, subscription library in North America. Members After the Constitution was signed, a woman out - you need not go who joined it by purchasing a share would side of the State House asked Franklin what kind very far to take support the Library Company. of government had been created, “a monarchy or advantage of his As America’s oldest cultural institution, it a republic?” He answered “A republic, if you can legacy to you.” still fulfills the purpose stated in its founding keep it.” Since in a republic the people hold the document. In the belief that books can change power, it’s the public’s responsibility to support lives, it is a research library “for the advance - and maintain its institutions. So if Franklin asked ment of knowledge and literature” with a non- for your support, what is your answer? circulating collection of half a million rare books If you visit: The Library Company is free and and other materials. These are made available open to the public at 1314 Locust Street, between to the public for study and enrichment. While Broad and 13th Street, Monday through Friday, advanced scholars come from around the world from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to use its holdings, its website states that it “serves all readers who can benefit from the The current exhibition runs through April 17. use of our collections.” We are fortunate that Visit www.librarycompany.org for more its public programming of exhibits, lectures, information. etc. are just down the street and easy to enjoy. Al Cavalari The postcard shown here was published by is a certified member of the Association The Library as a memento of its current exhibi - of Philadelphia Tour Guides and gives tours as a vol - tion Together We Win, the Philadelphia Home unteer for the National Park Service. For a day job he operates The Flag Guys, a flag business in upstate NY. PAGE 6 SOCIETYHILL Reporter NJAONVUEAMRBY E/R F/EDBERCUEAMRBY E2R 0127016 PAGE 7
ANNUAL HOLIDAY SOCIAL AT BRIDGET FOY’S ver 70 members of our civic association took the opportunity to greet old friends Oand make some new ones early in December at Bridget Foy’s, 200 South Street.
Ned Scharff, Rosanne Loesch and Jeff Berry Judy Spiller and Roberta Marcus Barbara Gelman
Bob Curley, Mary Purcell Rochelle and Bob Hirsh, Preston and Carol Feden
Louise Brown, Deana Stuart and Natalie Cornell Arleen Wolf, Malcom Lazin, Lenore Hardy PAGE 8 SOCIETY HILL Reporter
SHCA MEMBER NJAONVUEAMRBY E/R F/EDBERCUEAMRBY E2R 0127016 PAGE 9
BE WELL NOW
BY JULIE FEATHERMAN Getting to the Root of the Problem
f I had a dollar for every time I’m asked, Incorporate scalp manipulation daily. Scalp and I “Am I losing my hair?” I’d be a millionaire. hair follicles need good blood and lymph circula tion All hairdressers have heard remarks like these for optimal hair growth. Learn to gently massage over the course of their careers: “I feel like your entire scalp, with quality organic oil. Try I’m losing my hair, what do you think?” “Is this rich carrier oils like grapeseed, coconut or jojoba. normal?” “Have you seen this before?” “Does it Stop using shampoos that contain sodium look thinner than the last time you cut my hair?” lauryl sulfate, commonly known as SLS, the Women over the age of 30 most frequently ask ingredient that causes sudsing in soaps and these questions. Normally, we have a balanced shampoos. Research has proven a link between cycle of growth, loss and rest. However, this cycle SLS and hair loss. SLS is a caustic detergent, can become disrupted.There may be an underlying excellent for degreasing a car engine but capable health problem like diabetes, lupus or hyper - of compromising our hair follicles. SLS can also thyroidism. Sometimes a stressful period in one’s impair the ability to grow hair. Never buy or Hair follicle diagram life can affect hair growth and loss, as can certain use a shampoo or conditioner that contain SLS. prescription drugs, nutritional deficiencies and Take an honest look at your diet. A poor plain old genetics. diet can cause inflammation — the enemy of good skin and hair. Juliet Burgh, Philadelphia fitness Often, hair loss is related to a hormonal change, and nutrition expert and co-host of the health and such as after the recent birth of a child or during wellness podcast Insatiable , says, “When we aren’t the onset of menopause. As estrogen levels go properly digesting our food and getting the right down, women lose hair, and the result can have nutrients, one of the first physical symptoms of a palpable emotional toll. Dr. Sonya Lee, Chief a nutrient deficiency shows through our hair, skin of Gynecology at both Penn Presbyterian Medical and nails. Insufficient zinc and iron are a big cause Center and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center of hair thinning and breaking. Eating a primarily reports, “I have lots of patients who ask about plant-based diet rich in whole foods can help to hormone replacement therapy to help with hair ensure you are getting the proper vitamins and loss, even though it can increase risk for breast minerals to support healthy hair, skin and nails.” cancer and heart disease.” Also, make sure you take a quality omega-3 Here are some safer suggestions for strategizing supplement, either fish or flax, daily. They your hair loss: are known to play a vital role in hair health. Seek medical advice. Penn Medicine’s Hair Consider taking the Demodex Folliculorum and Scalp Department is a world-class center for information out there seriously. What? Never hair and scalp disorders. Their experts help to heard of these microscopic mites? Chances are, Julie Featherman assess and diagnosis even the trickiest of hair you may have them. As our age and sebum levels is the owner of Juju loss mysteries. Blood tests, nutritional assessment, increase, the Demodex mite infestation increases. Salon & Organics, 713 even a biopsy may be needed to get to the root Sea buckthorn and tea tree oils are known to wipe S. 4th Street. Her mis - of the problem. Excessive hair loss may be your out this mite. Add these powerful oils to your scalp sion is to help people body’s way of alerting you to a more serious massage regime and look for a natural shampoo live healthier, minimize medical condition. that includes these healing ingredients. their carbon footprint and think sustainably.
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