| 1 President’s Message
by Bruce Holberg, President, Society Hill Towers Owners Association
ime Marches On. Here inspection by SageWater and mold resulting from the use Tin February we have just Brett of every completed unit of custom covers. Second, passed Groundhog Day, which and a meeting (when possible) we have been advised by the celebrates the halfway point with the unit owner. If we find manufacturer of the FCUs SOCIETY between the Winter Solstice items that haven’t been com- that the use of custom covers HILL TOWERS and the Spring Equinox. We pleted properly, we schedule restricts airflow and may void also are marking six months them for repair, immediately the warranty on units where since the HVAC project began. whenever possible. Still, some they are used. Shortly we will news In the past half-year, we have: difficulties have been either circulate a waiver for those hard to sort out or have re- of you who still wish to use • Installed new pumps and curred. We will keep going custom convector covers. It controls in all the mechanical February, 2019 back and fixing them as often will acknowledge the above rooms of all the towers. Issue 334 as necessary in order to give and make you solely responsible • Installed new hydronic you a job that is as perfect as for resulting mold removal or separators to balance our possible. We have now begun problems where use of the systems and magnetic filters work on the lower floors of the cover has voided the warranty, in all but the south tower north tower and believe that including the cost of mold (coming this spring). this piece of the project will go remediation and/or repairs to, more smoothly based on what or replacement of, damaged • Installed new valves that we have learned and proce- FCUs. We are sure you agree allow us to shut off water dures that we have modified. that neighbors should not one riser at a time rather Incidentally, it is possible that be financially responsible for than shutting down the entire we will complete the north the results of a resident going building as before. tower and move to the west against our advice and causing • Replaced all 11 sets of risers, tower as early as this April! damage. Sorry, but it is a fan coil units (FCUs) and distasteful topic all around. As you may know, Punx- horizontal pipes and enclosures sutawney Phil did not see his As I write this in mid-February, in the upper floors of the shadow this year, which means the situation regarding One north tower. an early arrival of spring and Dock Tower is rather fluid. To be sure, we have encountered maybe a swift and uneventful We were not successful with problems that we had not fore- completion of our project. our appeal at the Zoning Board seen, as this is a very complex of Adjustment (ZBA). That On a related subject, we need project. Among them have body takes a very narrow look to have a little chat about the been clogs and resulting at the project and is not a court topic of mold (ugh). The good shutdowns, difficulty in of law that can rule on the legal news is that we haven’t found installing new electric arguments that both sides any in the systems that have receptacles to replace broken advanced. We will evaluate dif- been replaced so far. The bad ones, and a myriad of fit and ferent ways of proceeding, all news is that we have found finish problems. Although the while bearing in mind the many examples where custom SageWater, our installer, is well cost of this endeavor both in convector covers are causing experienced in this work, every terms of money and distraction. mold on the tops of the con- building is different and with vectors and/or undersides of On the brighter side of things, Mark Your Calendar each unit completed we are the custom convector covers. as you look through this bul- learning more about this one. Wednesday, February 20 We strongly advise you not letin, you will find more great Let’s Talk! We have now named Assistant to use such covers, especially Towers-wide events than we’ve had before and opportunities Tuesday, February 26 to the General Manager Brett once your system has been r eplaced. There are several for you to take in programs Wine Tasting Scioli “Project Manager in the Field” and he will be taking a reasons for this. First is the that can enrich your life at Thursday, March 28 hands-on approach to avoiding obvious one…none of us wants Society Hill Towers. And, best Movie Group Meeting and following up on problems. mold growing in our homes. of all, it’s only about 110 more We have also implemented new Once your convector has been days until the pool opens! Thursday, May 9 “punch list” procedures replaced, the Towers staff will Bruce Holberg Blood Drive which provide for an in depth no longer remove or clean up President SHTOA n 22 | Society Hill Towers News Movie Group to Meet March 28th Lights, Camera, Action!
he movie group had a great about the directing and acting, Tyear. Four of the films it but about the music, cinema - discussed were nominees in at tography and how many least one category for Academy elements can be combined SOCIETY Awards: If Beale Street Could to produce great films. Talk, Roma, Can You Ever For- HILL TOWERS The group won’t meet in give Me? and First Reformed. February , but plans to resume news The meetings, attended by 20- meeting on Thursday, March 30 residents typically, produced 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Published by spirited discussions, not just Community Room. n Society Hill Towers Owners’Association 285 St. James Place Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-923-4105 Let’s Talk! on February 20th Council Officers Bruce Holberg President The Story of an Accidental Author Jerrold “Jim” Moss Vice President Jeremy Siegel n Wednesday, February Betty’s bafflement with all Squeamish about Sushi is a Treasurer O20, at 7:30pm in the things Japanese led to her useful and entertaining primer J Otis Smith Community Room there will sketching on the streets of for anyone interested in Acting Secretary be a speakers’ series event — Tokyo, filling sketchbook Japanese cuisine. Her first Council Members Let’s Talk! — Society Hill after sketchbook with all children's book, Tokyo Friends Ben Avicolli Towers Speaker Series. of the mysteries around her. was inspired by watching Wendy Handler Please join Betty Reynolds, Those drawings became the children play in a local park, Maggie Schultz a Towers neighbor, as she inspiration for five subsequent near the International School. books on Japanese culture. In Japanese Celebrations Management talks about how her life as Beverly Shien Sherman a Philadelphia advertising Clueless in Tokyo and its Betty wanted to show children General Manager art director was upended sequel, Still Clueless in Tokyo the many ways Japanese celebrate the four seasons. Design when her husband’s career contain paintings of all the Judy Lamirand took them first to Singapore weird and wonderful things Please note: No preregistration Editor / Designer, for three years, then on to Betty confronted as a typical is needed for this free event. ParallelDesign Tokyo where they lived for tourist in Japan. They have Light refreshments will be seven more years. become cult classics. served. n
Crafters Marketplace in May Continuing Activities Feeling Crafty? Exercise with Donna
alling all Residents! We are making plans for n Monday mornings, stretching and toning. CDo you like to make holding a Crafters Market- Oan exercise group lead Light weights are used with beautiful, unique and useful place in May. Call or email by Donna Cotzen meets a plan to include exercise items that your neighbors Donna in the Management in the Community Room bands. Bring a mat and will enjoy shopping for Office at 215-923-4105 if between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. light weights. Drop in at the craft fair? you’d like to participate. n The session includes and try it! n February, 2019 | 3
Society Hill Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice • La Colombe Coffee
Deli Counter Bringing Fresh Produce to you Delivery Boar’s Head Sandwiches Buying is a hands-on business for us. Available Different Hale & Hearty With multiple sources, we shop Monday — Friday Hot Soups every day around and find the best produce 11am — 7pm and fresh herbs. Pre-cut fruit and $15 minimum order vegetables available every day. $2 delivery fee
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Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday Sue’s Produce Market is a family business founded 1976.
44 | Society Hill Towers News Dining Club at Buc Chon Hot, New, and Around the Block Photos courtesy of J Otis Smith ith the Christmas season of no fewer than three hot Wbeginning at Thanksgiving appetizers including a fabulous (at retail around Halloween), pork bun. Main dishes were or- many of us in the Society Hill dered individually, so we again Towers Dining Club needed a had lots to sample. Notable were respite from the egg nog and the bulgogi, marinated grilled sweets, so December 11th was beef (the name means “Fire a perfect time to take a break Meat”), galbi (short ribs) and and visit the brand new Buk several types of bibimbop. The Chon at 132 Chestnut. It is latter is rice, vegetables, pepper a really interesting Korean paste, protein and an egg in a restaurant. Not a BBQ, but a bit very hot stone bowl. We had more contemporary and wide a variety of desserts too. Con- Diners sampled nearly everything on the Buk Chon menu. ranging. Goodness knows, we genial chef/owner Chris Chung were served almost everything took a break from the kitchen on the menu and it uniformly and spent some time with us. was delicious. The food was excellent, and so We started with a couple of cold was the company. The Dining appetizers and a collection of Club has shared the table at small plates of Korean salads sixteen dinners now, and about and marinated vegetables called two-thirds of the guests are Banchan, the highlight of which “regulars.” That means, though, was fermented cabbage called that a third aren’t. There always kimchi, an ingredient that finds are new folks who join the fold, its way into other dishes such as and we welcome them. Keep the scallion pancake that we also an eye open for Dinner #17 enjoyed. That led the parade coming soon! n Congenial chef / owner Chris Chung.
Thank You, Staff, for Everything You Do!
any Staff members were our high standards of living at join in with a few words of Mrecognized for their the Towers during the 2018 thanks when you seem them contributions to maintaining Staff Holiday party. Please hard at work on the job. n
George Trimbur, Dennis McVeigh, Bill Sieke, Ed Ethridge, Seydou Kouyate, Dave Burke, Chief Engineer Operations Manager Engineer Maintenance Garage Housekeeping February, 2019 | 5
Let’s Talk Speaker Series Relaunched
he “Let’s Talk” speaker for Wednesday, February 20, T series, which features at 7:30 p.m., when Towers Towers residents sharing their resident Betty Reynolds will experiences and expertise, was talk about how her life as an re-launched with great success advertising art director was on November 15, 2018, when upended when her husband’s Peter Conn, Executive Director career took them to Singapore of the Athen aeum of Philadel- and then on to Tokyo, where phia, gave a fascinating presen- they lived for seven years. Peter Conn, Executive Director of the Athen aeum tation about the history and See page 2 for more informa- role of libraries. Then, on tion about this upcoming December 6, Jo Holz, former lecture. head of research for Sesame Jo Holz is part of a small Street, spoke to an enthusiastic committee organizing the group about her recent book programs for “Let’s Talk.” on the history of children’s If you’d like to help or if you television, Kids’ TV Grows Up. have suggestions for possible The next “Let’s Talk” speakers, contact Jo at presentation is scheduled [email protected]. n Jo Holz, formerly with Sesame Street
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Two Great Causes in One Day Red Cross Blood Drive an Impressive Success
Save the Date Next Blood Drive Thursday, May 9th
n Tuesday, January 29th, resulting in robust neighborhood Red Cross Team in and out Othe Society Hill Towers backing and participation. of the Community Room residents and our neighbors throughout the day. A special While the online donation site displayed their giving commu- thanks to the gracious and was logging appointments, our nity spirit by kicking off 2019 invaluable help provided by own army of amazing residents with a Towers “first” — our our own Administrative Team raised their hands and volun- debut Red Cross Blood Drive. of Annemarie Carrasquillo, teered their time to welcome Over 55 donors signed up for Donnamarie D’Alicandro and neighbors and new friends appointments, which resulted Mary Donohue who displayed to our Community Room on in 43 pints of whole blood bottomless patience with daily drive day. Harriette Mishkin, collected. And of those 43, interruptions of endless Joyce Darrow, Lynne Rubin- 27 of them were first-time requests. stein, Pat Malunis, Christine donors! Most impressive! McBrien and Jo Holz brought Using the Blood Drive as From the initial proposal their own brand of sunshine, a convenient drop off site, on September 25th, so well- greeting each donor with warm a last-minute appeal for non- received and roundly supported smiles and getting them checked perishables for the Federal by the Activities Committee, in to start the process. After Employees at the Coast Guard to the weeks of preparation donating, each guest was Station on Columbus Boulevard and day of execution, it was an treated to refreshments before went out and resulted in an exciting and gratifying journey. they continued their day — overwhelming response! This could not have been adorned with a “Be nice to me, Your generosity resulted in two accomplished without the I gave blood today!” sticker. overflowing shopping carts of contributions and hard work of donations that were delivered Teamwork was widely evident many enthusiastic champions. the next day to grateful, smiling throughout the Towers. Many young men and women! Two Harriette Mishkin and Terry thanks to Beverly Sherman and great causes all in one day! Conn reinforced our strong Brett Scioli who provided some relationships with key neigh- terrific guidance and lots of In summary, this squad of borhood organizations — help in kicking off the initial amazing people has much Penn’s Village and the Society interest survey. Additional to be proud of! Please take Hill Civic Association — that thanks to Lou Crescenzo and a bow for what you have became our co-sponsors for his ace Garage Staff, as well accomplished. As a result of the event. Terry and Harriette as Elijah Weinberg and his this impressive outcome, the coordinated the release of the dedicated Housekeeping Team. Towers is scheduled for our drive information with these Major kudos as well to the next drive, set for May 9th — groups and ensured timely Towers Security Force who the Thursday before Mother’s reminders to their members, were key in shepherding the Day! Save the date! n 88 | Society Hill Towers News
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Reminders for Residents
• Schedule large deliveries and pickups with the Management Office, including drop-off and pickup of supplies belonging to caterers and contractors. • Schedule the moving in and out of large household items with the Management Office. If you can’t fit it into a shopping cart, call to reserve a freight elevator. • Schedule all moves well in advance with the Management Office. • Contractors must complete paperwork (along with the unit owner) and submit insurance documents. Once approved, contracting jobs must be scheduled with the Management Office prior to starting work.
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Michael Edward Cohen, REALTOR® I Live in Society Hill Towers, I Sell and Lease in Society Hill, Washington Square and the Philadelphia Region Residential & Commercial Sales, Leasing: Condos, Single Family Homes, Apartment Buildings, Retail
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Sun-soaked Corner Two Bedroom on a High Floor SOLD! We can sell yours, too! Two bedroom, two bathroom offering unobstructed sunrise river views to the east and views of the city to the south. The home has wood floors, a large great room, generously sized bedrooms, an updated master bath and washer/dryer. 1,253 sf | Offered for $525,000 Allan Domb Real Estate PHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS® 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected] | Society Hill Towers News 1212 Society Hill Towers Owners’ Association 285 St. James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19106
SOCIETY HILL TOWERS news
Selling at Society Hill Towers for 38 Years
Some of our recent sales Thinking of buying at Society Hill Towers
or selling a condo at 3B North 22AH West Society Hill Towers? 11BCD North 5B North 24G North 19A North Call us. 14C South 4G North 28E North 31C West We are happy to 23B South 24B West 26C West 2B South help you. 26B West 26C West 10E West PH5 South 19BCD South 12G South 8F South 29E South PH6 South 10AH North 21G West 4E South 27B West 24G North 2E West Allan Domb Real Estate PHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS® 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected]