Spruce Hill Community Association Summer 2009 257 S. 45th St., Phila. PA 19104 www.sprucehillca.org 215-349-7825

Community Calendar Exhibit on Historic West Philly A very special exhibition titled and growth. Arts League Gallery This project, which includes web What : Steven Martin paintings “West : Building a Com- munity” is on display at the Arthur and video pieces, is co-sponsored by When: July 10- Aug. 9 the Arthur Ross Gallery, the Historical Where : 4226 Spruce Street Ross Gallery of the University of Society of , and the Uni- Info: 215-382-7811 or Pennsylvania. www.ucartsleague.org The exhibit documents the versity of Pennsylvania’s archives and ooo neighborhood’s 19th-century architec- records center. Philly Orchestra Tickets tural and urban development while After the grand opening on July 7, What: Free Philadelphia Orchestra also highlighting today’s dynamic, a series of free public lectures will be tickets multicultural community. offered in September and October. A When: All concerts are at 8 pm. July The earliest works in the exhibition free Family Day will be held on Sept. 21, Hollywood Classics; July 23, include watercolors by self-taught 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with events Scheherazade and Other Tales; July for children. 24, All Gershwin; July 28, Verdi and Scottish immigrant, David J. Kennedy. He depicts houses, What: Exhibit, “West Philadelphia: Rachmaninoff; July 29, Tchaikovsky Building a Community” with Fireworks; July 30, Herbie Han- institutions, and streets between When: July 7 – Oct. 11 cock and Lang Lang 1836-1898. His paintings are comple- Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Park- mented by city land maps, early pho- Where: Arthur Ross Gallery, 220 S. side Avenue tographs, and post cards that show 34th St. How: Send a self-addressed stamped the neighborhood’s rapid expansion Info: www.upenn.edu/ARG or 215- envelope to SHCA/Orchestra Tickets, 898-2083 257 S. 45th St. Philadelphia PA, 19104. Max of 2 tickets per concert. Info: www.philaorch.org (Or to buy extra tickets) ooo Cathedral Concerts What: Organ Concerts When : Each Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. from July 8-Aug. 12 Where : Philadelphia Episcopal Cathe- dral, 3723 Chestnut St. Info: 215-386-0234 or www.philadelphiacathedral.org ooo Paul Newman Movies What: Newman classics: Cat on a David J. Kennedy’s 1874 sketch of the cornerof Market St. and Darby Rd. Hot Tin Roof, Aug. 5; The Hustler, TreeVitalize Your Street Aug. 12; Hud, Aug. 19, The Sting, Aug. 26 In University City, West and Southwest Philadelphia, property owners may When : All screen- request new street, yard or public space trees provided by TreeVitalize. ings at 8 p.m. There is no charge, and the trees will be planted by community volunteers Where : Interna- organized by UC Green as early as Spring, 2010. tional House, 3701 Go to www.ucgreen.org and complete and submit the Property Owner’s Chestnut St. Request for a New Street Tree. You can also call (215) 573-4684 or email Info : 215-895-6546 or [email protected] to get a copy of the request form mailed to you. www.ihousephilly.org 73701 May Fair: Good Weather, Bad Financial Times Weather data have been kept A disappointment for this year’s department issued in January 2009. since 1869, and according to the folks fair had to do with what someone tact- The problem, of course, was that we who currently collect that information, fully described as a “new paradigm” didn’t know about them until too late. the first quarter of this year was the for food service. Too late, we learned We learned a lesson for the future. driest ever. They said we had an from city health officials that the days Thanks to everyone who made the enormous 19-inch rainfall deficit. of selling home-baked goods at a May Fair a success. Although we cer- That was hard to believe in the community fundraising event is a tainly didn’t raise as much money as days leading up to our 51 st Spruce Hill thing of the past; only commercially we hoped for -- the poor economy and Community baked goods can be sold. We had to the uncertainty it portends has hurt Association give away rather than sell the goodies fundraising of just about every non- May Fair. A that were graciously and generously profit entity – we have high hopes for regular mon- baked by our members -- and the the future. soon de- city’s Department of Public Health Enjoy a happy and healthy sum- scended on us, didn’t even like that idea. We were mer! with torrential President’s Corner also informed about “sneeze bars” Ed Halligan rains falling and various bureaucratic hoops that SHCA President every day for a week before the fair – made some of our food vendors back and rain predicted for the fair day. away. All these regulations are in a We took a gamble that we would 149-page publication that the health luck out and somehow, miraculously, we did. On Saturday, May 9 th , the sun was shining. People were able to get outdoors without getting soaked, to meet neighbors, hear live music and have a good time. The pollen count was high and a few sneezes were heard, but it was great to look over at the vendor tables, the book sale, and the association’s table where we of- fered free memberships for the bal- ance of this year. We hope that neighbors who accepted the member- ships will join us as dues-paying members next year. But I suspect the people who had the most fun at this year’s fair were the kids. Despite the economic down- turn, we decided to go all out for the youngsters. In addition to the usual games and face-painting, we brought back our friends from the Spiral Q Puppet Theatre, and our neighbor- hood juggler. The kids had a terrific time.

$50-$99 Conrad and Lois Hamerman Thanks to May Fair Supporters: Michele Richman Leo Korein & Ann Ritter Up to $50 George & Phebe Shinn Fay and Gary Beauchamp Local 44 Robert & Dorothy Larson Hsuan and Pauline Yeh Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell Joseph and Vanessa Lowry Janet Finin Garden Court Plaza Linda and David Blythe Jackie McCrea, Brian Yachyshen Fran Byers Molly Sayvetz & Nick Sanders Linda Cook and Dylan Gusztav and Reiko Gaspar Heiner and Gisela Moehren Melvyn Freid Mr. & Mrs. Joseph S. Moloznik Dean and Nancy Khan Urban & Bye Realtor, attn. Arthur Stephen & Alyson Herman Elaine Nelson Ruth B. Mellman Bye Rose and Ed Halligan Patricia Pickup

Page 2 Continued on page 4 Spotlight On… Demetri’s Pizzeria & Mediterranean Cuisine As I write this, I’m salivating. It’s porter Melissa Dribben recounted in Retirement? Fuhgeddabowdit. The Pavlovian. I’m thinking about the new her June 28 story in The Philadelphia restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch restaurant at 45 th and Chestnut. Inquirer, we wondered whether the and dinner, seven days a week, with Imagine chicken with artichokes dismal economy had taken a bite out take-out and delivery. (The menu has and capers in a white wine sauce over Demetri’s plans. (Full disclosure: I’m been pared down, however, from the angel hair pasta. Roasted lamb with an Inquirer reporter, but the story original 10 pages to six.) potatoes and a vegetable medley. wasn’t my doing.) Despite long hours, Demetri is Mussels, shrimp and scallops woven Anyway, good things are worth managing to spend a lot of time with with spinach over rice. waiting for. The grand opening was at his family: Michail is in the kitchen, Demetri's Pizzeria & Mediterra- the end of May. I, for one, have been while Michael’s wife Jasmine man- nean Cuisine also has the requisite cooking less ever since. ages the dining room staff. I haven’t cheesesteaks and pizzas, but this is Demetri, a former butcher, moved yet met Demetri’s wife, but I can not just another University City greasy to the U.S. from his native Greece in vouch for her homemade Greek de- spoon catering to the indiscriminate 1988. Over the past 25 years, he has serts, especially the baklava. taste buds of college kids. run seven pizzerias in the Philly area. By the way, Demetri actually spells We’re talking white tablecloths, Those, he told me, were “small pota- his name the conventional way — beige suede banquettes, wainscoting toes” compared to the new place. Dimitri. As Melissa’s story explained, and hardwood floors. And yet the He retired from the pizza biz in the city has so many places named prices are a bargain (entrees $11 to 2004, planning to relax with his family, Dimitri’s, he couldn’t get a business $18), especially considering the por- including two grandkids, at home in license until he came up with a unique tions are so huge you’ll leave with a Upper Darby. But Demetri is a can’t- sobriquet. doggy-bagged meal for the next day. sit-still type who needs little sleep. The restaurant’s official name also The building, which used to be a block-long disgrace, sat vacant for almost two years before Demetri bought it. He and his son Michail spent a year gutting it and transform- ing the prison-like gray exterior with white stucco, big windows, and bright blue awnings. Living a block away, I cheered them on. So did my neighbors. However, when the opening date kept getting pushed back – New Year’s became March which dragged on to Easter, then Mother’s Day – the cheering squad got worried. As re-

seems to be flexible. Contrary to the menu, the awning says Demetri’s Mediterranean Bistro and Pasta. Whatever. It gets my vote for the best all-round family restaurant in Uni- versity City. Marie McCullough Editor, SHCA News Where : 4438 Chestnut St. Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11 am-11 pm; Fri, 11am-midnight; Sat, 9 am-midnight; Sun, 9am-10pm Phone : 215-386-1246 (Take out and delivery available.)

Page 3 Baltimore Ave: Let There Be Light! Turning Teens Into Leaders On June 25, University City greeted governmental officials, part- celebrated the installation of 71 new ners, friends and neighbors – while Down on the Farm pedestrian lights along Baltimore Ave- they enjoyed complimentary Rita’s Wa- nue from 45th to 50th Street. ter Ice, soft pretzels and bottled water. If you know a Spruce Hill teen- The $1.1 million project was The lighting project is part of a com- ager who is looking for something funded by generous grants from the prehensive strategy to improve the Bal- fun, free and constructive to do this City of Philadelphia, INTECH, Penn- timore Avenue commercial corridor. August, pass on this item about Fel- DOT, the Philadelphia Industrial De- UCD has invested more than $1.3 mil- lowship Farm’s Leadership Academy velopment Corporation and the Wil- lion in greening, public murals, lighting Summer Camp. liam Penn Foundation. and grants to upgrade building fa- The farm, established in 1931 At the dedication, Mayor Nutter çades. near Pottstown, has received a spe- cial grant for teenagers from the 19104 zip code. The Leadership Academy, which will run from August 9-14, is looking for 30 teenagers, ages 13 through 17. They will stay overnight at the farm, located on 120 beautiful acres that include woods, a pond, a swim- ming pool, hiking trails, and buildings for lodging and gatherings. A profes- sional cook on staff serves healthy and delicious meals. The experience is designed to bring together young people of vary- ing backgrounds and cultures from all over the Philadelphia region. They (May Fair donors - continued from page 2) Constellar Corp. - Guy Laren will join in team-building activities Sharon and Jim Smith The Consortium - John White Jr. and physical challenges; develop Richard Stoy & Doris Dabrowski University City Science Center -Curtis Hess communication, conflict resolution Mary Goldman Baked Goods Libby Rosof and Murray Dubin Brelard Lewis and negotiation skills; and work on Joan Weiner Sarah Lochrie art and service projects. There will Judy Powers and Nancy Hanrahan Raffle Donors also be games, campfires and swim- $100-$249 Cream & Sugar ming throughout the week. Apartments at Penn Modern Eye All expenses are covered by sup- Frank and Linda Chance Green Line Café port from the Comcast Foundation Monica Ferguson & Khalil Meggett Lovers & Madmen and the Jaime Loeper Memorial Alan Fishman & Steve Herman Café Clave Barry Grossbach and Michael Hardy House of Our Own Fund. There is no income require- HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy Last Word Bookstore ment, and no charge to participants David Horwitz Saad's Halal or their families. "Michael Karp, University City Housing " Lee's Hoagie House Kathleen White & Erwin Miller Desai Village J. Matthew Wolfe & Denise Furey Dock Street Brewery University Pin Ball Monarch Hardware Central City Toyota - Max Paul Pattaya Grill Makkah Market Gold Standard Cynthia Roberts and Dan Biddle Metropolitan Bakery $250 and above Vietnam Café Philadelphia Federal Credit Union - Noreen Campus Copy Harrington Strikes What : Leadership Academy Summer Holly Pittman and Gary Hatfield Fit Camp at Fellowship Farm, 2488 Spruce Hill Homes in University City -Tom Lus- Marigold Kitchen Sanatoga Rd, Pottstown. senhop Rx Application : email camp director Arthur (Chip) Staddon and Marcie Robb Philly Cuts Nathan Swanson at University City District - Lewis Wendell Studio 34 Vincent Goffredo Plumbing - Eric Kassab Saturn Club [email protected] University of the Sciences in Philadelphia - Colonial Pizza Info: 610-326-3008 or Elizabeth Bressi-Stoppe Best House Pizza www.fellowshipfarm.org. Campus Apartments - David J. Adelman University Pinball

Page 4 Masterman Students Research Lives Beneath the Stones

Thanks to Jean K. Wolf, executive Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., director of Woodlands Cemetery, for or by appointment. Call 215-386-2181 writing this article about the historic or see www.woodlandsphila.org burial ground’s annual educational Here are some of their discoveries: program, “The Lives Beneath the * Luther Stedman Bent (1829-1915), a Stones.” Civil War general, moved to the west Last October, 14 teams of juniors after the war and became involved with from Masterman High School visited railroads. He married Mary Felton, the Woodlands Cemetery for a Victo- daughter of Samuel Felton, president of rian picnic and to select a grave marker Pennsylvania Steel Company. Upon with a legible male name of someone Felton’s death, Bent was elected presi- born in the 19 th century. dent of the company, which he brought On June 7 th , visitors filled William to new heights. He devoted himself to Masterman students at Woodlands Hamilton’s grand entertaining space -- philanthropy after retirement. the “Saloon” in the Woodlands Ceme- * Charles Randolph Mattson (1844- Like his father, he graduated from law tery mansion – to hear and see the re- 1922), grew up in Lower Merion Town- school at the University of Pennsyl- th sults of the students’ seven months of ship and enlisted in the 118 Infantry vania and went on to become a judge. research into “The Lives Beneath the Regiment. He fought in the Wilderness He served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Stones.” Battles of the Civil War. At the rela- Court, as director of railroad compa- Each team gave a power point pres- tively late age of 41, he entered Thomas nies, and on the Fairmount Park Com- entation backed up by three-ring note- Jefferson Medical School and became a mission. books full of documentation. The stu- physician. * Ethelbert Watts (1845-1919) was born dents also read fictional stories they had * William S. Price (1817-1912), born in in Philadelphia, but spent his youth in written about the deceased to fill in the Philadelphia of British parents, was Paris. He attended the University of gaps of history. initially interested in journalism but Pennsylvania, enlisted in the Civil War, Afterward, the students took bal- decided to study law. After admission and then went to Germany for further loons to the gravesites of the Civil War to the Philadelphia Bar at age 25, he studies. He ran his father’s iron works veterans, ministers, lawyers, doctors, won notorious cases, and was the first until moving into banking. Impressed industrialists, organ builder, upholster, to successfully use an insanity plea. He with Watt’s foreign studies, President and banker they had come to know in a practiced until his death at age 95, and Grover Cleveland appointed him to the personal way. was the city’s oldest lawyer of the day. consular services. He held posts around The students’ intriguing reports -- * Samuel Gustine Thompson (1837- the world until failing health brought and their own comments – are available 1909), was born in Venango to him back to Philadelphia. to visitors to the Woodlands mansion, one of Pennsylvania’s oldest families. Center Space Available for Meetings Get Involved The board of SHCA voted in tion to SHCA's Community Trust. June to make its meeting room at the There will be a $25 deposit for a key in SHCA! center at 257 S. 45th Street more to the center. available to SHCA members who Groups using the SHCA center The Spruce Hill Community need a place to meet. must have at last one person who is Association is always looking for For instance, if you want to meet an SHCA member and who will as- members to get involved on our with a group of neighbors to hash sume the responsibility for locking up over an issue, the center is available and ensuring the building is used in a committees. The Education, to you at no charge. Also, members responsible manner. Safety and Membership commit- who are active in other groups that For one-time meetings, contact tees are particularly in need of a need a regular meeting space Pauline Borkon at the center (215- few good men and women. For may apply for a key and reserve the 349-7825). Pauline will maintain a more information about the com- center. Currently, we have such ar- calendar of scheduled meetings to mittees check out our website or rangements with an AA group, Town avoid any conflicts. To use the center email board member Monica Watch and a Torah class. on a more regular basis, e-mail Mark Ferguson at In lieu of rent, groups will be en- Wagenveld (Vice President/ [email protected] couraged to make a voluntary dona- Operations) at [email protected].

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Spruce Hill Community Association News News Association Community Hill Spruce

Summer 2009 2009 Summer

Philadelphia, PA 19104 19104 PA Philadelphia,

257 South 45th Street Street 45th South 257 Spruce Hill Community Association Association Community Hill Spruce

Spruce Hill Community Association News

Clip N’ Mail Clip N’ Mail Clip N’ Mail Clip N’ Mail Clip N’ Mail Clip N’ Mail Name: Phone: Address: Email: Check the mailing label for your membership expiration date. Membership (2 year membership--deduct $5) __Individual/Family $20 __Senior/Student $10 __Business $35 __Sponsor $50 __Patron $100 __Lifetime $300

Make checks payable to SHCA and mail to: SHCA, 257 S.45 th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104