philly

That asshat Tierney and Co who bought The Daily News and the Philadelphia Inquirer have pushed the remaining staffers at both papers to the edge. And as a result, the staffers may be going on strike at Midnight. There will be places to get the news going around the city as well as news on the happenings of the strike. Those fuckers with the money, the owners who call their group Philadelphia Media Holdings, are squeezing and squeezing our writers, editors, photographers, artists, et al and it just makes me sick to no end.

There will be lots of news coming from various sources in and around PNI, but for starters, read this Editor & Publisher piece for some background info.

Check me out! I sold me some prints. I previously mentioned that the Mural Arts Program was looking for photos of their murals from around town taken by the people of Philadelphia. I submitted a bunch and they picked three.

This one from Locust & 13th Sts.

This one from Manayunk.

This one from Chestnut & 7th Sts.

I printed them out at 18" x 12" and handed them in last week. I liked the way they turned out. They were the largest prints I've made to date. Now what to do with the dough?! I think I may put it towards a new camera bag which will fit my laptop. I eyed a nice Crumpler bag at Photo Lounge the other day. The new bag won't necessarily have to fit a laptop, but it would be convenient. We'll see.

So now those three prints are hanging in the hallowed halls of the Mural Arts Program up on 17/Mount Vernon. I'm told it's a former residence of Thomas Eakins. Pretty bitchin. I gotta get up there someday during biz hours to check it out. It's not every day I see my photos up on someone else's walls.

Anyone else want to buy a photo or two or three? They make nice presents! Look through the archives of my photoblog.

I went to the homeless crisis panel discussion I mentioned a few days ago. I got there about half an hour late as I was doing some after hours work-related stuff and traffic getting back into Center City from University City sucked, but I was there for 90 minutes of good stuff. I took a lot of notes and learned a good deal.

I arrived as Kristen Edwards, Outreach Coordinator, Project H.O.M.E. was speaking. She spoke of the much talked about numbers that have been swirling around in regards to Philadelphia's homeless. The national attention on how great the system has been in Philly in handling the crisis. Well, according to Project H.O.M.E.'s research of homeless in Center City, since 1996, the numbers have gone up 119%. The numbers are only from Center City due, I'm guessing, as a result of the manpower it takes to perform a general head count. Philly is 135 square miles large. Covering river to river from about Spring Garden to about Washington Ave is quite a task.

Edwards mentioned a homeless outreach number, 215.232.1984. She asked the audience of between 150 - 200 to put the number into their cell phones, I did. If anyone comes across a homeless person, she told us to call that number and report where the sighting was and that they'd try to get an outreach person out to that location as quickly as possible to help out that person. I think that's an easy first step for someone to get involved in any level without getting up close and personal which I know many people aren't comfortable with. We all start somewhere.

Rob Stuart, President, Logan Square Neighborhood Association spoke about homelessness and his community. Stuart mentioned a house at 21st and Arch Sts, I believe it's a shelter (not sure on this one) and that the neighbors in the area have no idea that it is any different from the other houses in the area. That this well-run shelter can serve as a model so that other neighborhoods should have no fears of a shelter opening up in their neighborhood as NIMBYism is most definitely a problem while tackling homelessness.

Stuart said that he's trying to play by the rules wherever possible and discourages people from forming ad hoc food runs and opening up a trunk of a car and handing out free food to the homeless. Because he has to file for a permit with the Fairmount Park Commission to do the same thing. He can't simply pitch a tent on the Parkway and let someone sleep in it, he'd need a permit - he wants everyone to work together under the rules in place to do what they can. I see his point and I don't. I definitely want to play by the rules, but fuck me, there aren't enough shelters handing out enough food to feed these people on the street.

Next up was Eleanor Daly, Director of Advocacy for the Mental Health Association of South Eastern PA. Daly said that people came to her program for a variety of reasons. Some were just entering the mental health system and didn't know how things worked or where they should go for help/advice. Some were people in the system for a long time. She spoke of the prison problem and the prison-to-community program she's involved with.

Daly said that most new releases are let back onto the streets around 2a with a SEPTA token (if they're lucky enough to get that) and directions to the Ridge Ave shelter. She said that those let onto the streets like that are basically forced right back to the prison system.

The Q&A session followed.

A man named Lance asked why there wasn't any discussion during the course of the night about a living wage. He was happy to see the talk about low-income housing, but was concerned that people working 40 hours a week couldn't afford to pay rent, let alone a mortgage. He didn't think a person working a full time job should have to be forced onto the street.

A man named Moses simply stated that he didn't know whether there were more abandoned shells of houses around Philly or people looking for affordable housing in Philly. Why aren't some of those shells being put to use and why aren't those looking for affordable housing able to get into those houses which should be habitable? If the mayor were to spend a day, a weekend, a holiday in a shelter, there wouldn't be any homelessness.. My god. Moses is onto something. I'd seriously consider working on the mayoral campaign of a candidate who were to take Moses up on his offer. I'm not talking about taking a camera crew into a shelter and setting up shop in a secluded corner with people cleared out so it would be a nice stay. I'm talking about showing up with an aide and maybe a writer who didn't stick out like a sore thumb and get in there. S/he shouldn't be in there preaching. S/he should be in there talking to some people. Seeing the problem first hand. Getting waist-deep into the problem of homelessness here in Philadelphia. If a candidate could show me that they gave a fucking shit, it just may light that fire under my ass the way Chuck Pennacchio did when he ran for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Will Nutter step up? Will Fattah even consider it? Maybe Knox will just plunk down $5M to build a few new shelters so he won't have to go to one. Maybe Saidel will coyly skip around the issue all day. Maybe Doc will send some Local 98ers to stand around and tell him what's what. I know nothing about Evans to make some smart-alleck remark just yet.

Jeanine Miller, Coordinator of Advocacy and Education for Project H.O.M.E, took the mic as she was asked to speak, by Edwards on the issue of new and affordable housing in Philly. She said that there were so many new condos sprouting up in Philly. Condos which were priced way to high for most people of any normal salary range. She mentioned Philadelphia City Councilman Darrell Clarke's legislation he's trying to push, for "affordable" new housing in Philadelphia. Great, right?! Well, not exactly. For Councilman Clarke, his definition of "affordable" housing consists of those making between $55k and $108k. You know what, if you're making between $55k and $108k and are being whiny ass titty babies about not being able to find "affordable" housing in Philadelphia, GO FUCK YOURSELF. And you to Councilman Clarke. The United States and the City of Philadelphia have set minimum wage at a level which will not allow a person, let alone a family, to get by in a city like Philadelphia. People working 40 hours a week, 60 hours a week at two jobs. Those people are struggling and are looking for a bone to be thrown to them. To focus on an income bracket like $55k to $108k is so lame.

Roosevelt Darby Jr, Deputy Director, Philadelphia Committee to End Homelessness, and panelist for the night (but I missed him speak), got up next to speak. He started off my reminding us that shelters were initially created as a last resort to help people out for a short period of time. It has evolved, or devolved, into The Solution, sorta like emptying a sinking ship with a Dixie cup or sticking a Band-Aid on a bursting dam - that shit don't work. He told us about the Housing First program his group has undertaken in the last year or so. Last year they were able to place 20 families who were just about to lose their housing into new, affordable, housing before ending up on the street. The group went around Philadelphia and painstakingly took down numbers off of apartment for rent signs all over town and worked with a collective of landlords who were willing to work with them to get people into houses. Landlords who were worried that their properties wouldn't properly be taken care of and that rents wouldn't be paid were assured, by the group, that they were there if things went astray. Thank you landlords whomever you may be. You're giving whole generations another chance.

Aaron Couch, board member of Young Involved Philadelphia (the group that put on the event) and the driving force behind Philly IMC took the mic to thank the great crowd that showed up on a cold Tuesday evening. He asked the audience to put pressure on the mayoral candidates to bring the issue of homelessness to the forefront of the race.

Pastor Robin Hynicka, Arch Street United Methodist Church (where the event was held), said that the Grace Café project may open up another branch at the Broad Street Ministry, across from the Kimmel Center, due to high demand. The Grace Café will start serving meals and provide shelter starting December 17th through April 16th. To volunteer, contact Rev. Rob at 215.568.6250 or robin@archstreetumc.org. I'd like to get involved at the Broad Street Ministry, it's right by my house.

The final person up at the mic for the evening was a woman named Julie. She shakily started to tell her story and gained strength as she kept on going. She got up from right behind me and walked up to the mic. Her friends egging her along the way. She said that at this time last year, she was living in a home down in South Philly. Now, she was homeless and struggling to find the money to pay her various medical bills. She said that she was currently going through Project H.O.M.E. for help and she had but one complaint: they treat everyone the same. She noted how she's been taking remedial classes for the last year on how to manage one's life. She already knows all this, what she needs is to be placed into a stable home where she can get the rest of her life back into the order it once was.

It was an incredible night and I learned a lot. Homelessness is an issue I've wanted to get involved with as it is a problem which does not need to exist in this the richest nation in the world. It's a problem politicians don't need to address because the homeless can't vote and don't have a strong collective voice. They need third parties to be their voice. I plan on being a booming voice whenever I can. Being a booming voice can be as simple as handing a bowl of chow to an open hand and as difficult as pinning down a mayoral candidate to really talk about what needs to be talked about. This meeting was the kick in the ass I really needed. Thank you Aaron for contacting me about this event.

Ray and Dan from Young Philly Politics were seated to my right and Ray shared his thoughts on the night.

Cross posted at Philly Future.

Good god am I thankful for my family and friends. For having Lady in my life for the last four years. For having a roof over my head. For having an engaging, fun and challenging job at a company I love and fully believe in. For having a little bit of time in my day for leisure to read, relax or write. For having some disposable income [even though there are gigantic school loans over my head] so that I can have a little fun here and there. For having a hobby I really enjoy which helps take my mind off of things. For having a chance to live and experience this great city of Philly during an exciting time of change.

I'm thankful for a lot of things.

One learns and sees cool things when reading Zoe Strauss's blog. Peep this article from the NY Times Magazine special Travel guide.

Above is an exercise I helped put together for Lady's grad school class. How many of the logos can you identify?

The answers.

Aaron of Philly IMC forwarded me some info on an upcoming panel. I hope to make it…

PUBLIC FORUM: IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE HOMELESS CRISIS

Philadelphia is often cited as a national model, yet street homelessness has risen dramatically here in the last five years.

This summer's homeless street census was the highest since 1997. The previous winter's street census was the highest in recorded history.

Meanwhile Philadelphia is experiencing a Center City renaissance and an unprecedented condominium boom.

Join Young Involved Philadelphia on Tuesday, November 21 at 7pm at the Arch Street United Methodist Church (55 North Broad Street) to discuss causes and solutions to these dramatic inequalities.

Speakers will include those on the front lines of this crisis including representatives from service providers, civic associations, and the City.

—

Signs of Hope: Arch Street United Methodist Church is the site of 'Grace Café', one of the most innovative and effective programs in the fight against homelessness. Grace Café is a safe haven for the most vulnerable members of the street homeless population. Grace Café opened for the first time last winter bringing hundreds of individuals off the street. Many of those who stayed at Grace Café spent previous winters on the street. Grace Café will reopen for its second season December 17th.

For more information see: http://www.phillyimc.org/en/2006/04/21299.shtml.

So I went to the National Constitution Center on Saturday the 11th for the impeachment panel I mentioned earlier. It was about what I expected: some for, some against and some good arguments for which I very much liked.

I got there a little late and sat down in the auditorium behind BooMan, Sally and Susie. There were about 75 other people in the second floor auditorium for the two part panel. First up were various people from various organizations/movements from around the way. First up to speak was Cindy Sheehan, I missed her speak. I'm both glad and sad I missed her. I'm glad because I truly can't stand the sound of her voice. I'm sorry. But that grating voice. Eeeeeek. I love her call to action to pieces, but I'd rather see her at the head of a march/protest or read her thoughts than hear her speak.

I got there as former Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman and author of The Impeachment of George W. Bush: A Practical Guide for Concerned Citizens was speaking. She was on the House panel which voted to impeach Nixon back in the day. She said back then, it was a bipartisan movement and it ended up bringing the nation together, not split it apart. She noted how the investigation started in the Senate and that Republican Senator Howard Baker (TN) was the one who asked "What did the president know, and when did he know it?" - the question which brought Nixon down. She stressed how we don't need an investigation started in the House by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI-14); anyone can start an investigation leading to impeachment.

David Swanson of After Downing Street mentioned a petition drive for impeachment and a Human Rights and Impeachment Day for December 10.

Founder of Progressive Democrats of America Tim Carpenter took the podium. He mentioned that two of the three PDA supported candidates took their House seats: John Hall (NY-19) and Jerry McNerney (CA-11). He said that while Speaker of the House Pelosi (heh!) has taken impeachment off of the table, it is up to us to keep up the heat on the street. Let impeachment percolate up from the grassroots so that those in Congress must listen once it reaches their deaf ears. He called on us to contact our Congresswo/men and ask them to pursue impeachment and that they have a page with local PDA Congressional liaisons to help out.

Jodi Evans, co-founder of Code Pink Women for Peace. She wore her pink slip she was arrested in while protesting during RNC 2004 in NYC. Her group has been responsible for some pretty major actions in the past few years. They're a pretty visible bunch always decked out in pink.

And then it was on to the bloggers! Here are Susie, Sally and Marty on the right side of the panel seated next to a gigantic Condi head.

And here are Rob Kall of Op Ed News and Susie. Rob said that he didn't think impeachment would ever happen, but that we must push for it in order to force Bush and the rest of them out of office in shame like Nixon. He also called for President Pelosi.

At left is Dave Lindroff of This Can't Be Happening - Lady and I saw him speak in August at Robin's Books. His logic hit home the most for me. He basically said that we should impeach the President on principle. Even if it's a month before the 2008 elections. Or one day before the 2008 elections. To show the rest of the world that America does not endorse what Bush and his administration have done in the past 6 years. To show the world and all future American presidents that future presidents will be held accountable for their actions and egregious offenses disregarding the Constitution. He said he came to blogging as a way to get his articles published when event the most left/progressive publications wouldn't. And with today's technology, he can see his popularity rise in real time. When a few of his articles make it onto the bigger sites, he can check his Amazon.com ranking rise and fall. He said that his ranking has been high recently after the election as he had a few election-related articles being passed around quite a bit lately.

Next to Dave is Chris Rabb of Afro-Netzien. He said that he was brought up in a household where he was told that life was unfair and it prepared him well for the rest of his life and that he can accept the OJs of the world who get off free as a result of being wealthy. He asked if impeachment was a means or an end. Ponder that.

And at right is Liza Sabater of Culture Kitchen. She is a self professed semantics gorilla/guerrilla, big on the tech side of things. She said that there is a war going on online, a war on and about information and that is Google. She noted that 90% of her hits come straight from Google. She said that Google was the internet via the trust people give the search engine. Blogs, for one reason or another, have risen in ranking by Google to become a source in searches often times showing up well before mainstream media does and in that way reaches the eyes and minds of people searching for information on current events. She pointed to when Memory Hole published the photos of the American soldiers in caskets when there was a complete top-down media blackout. They got the images out there.

It was a good event and I'm glad I went and I'm glad there was a good crowd there as well.

After the panel, I walked down to take a look around the Arlington North event. I walked down and at the north end of the park, I walked by a family, tourists I presume. A little girl, about 8 or so I guesstimate, asked her dad after seeing the crowd and all the tombstones, "Are they praying for them?" The father turns to the girl and says, "No, they're protesters." I wanted to grab the girl by the hand and tell her her dad was full of shit. But I kept walking.

I ran into Mr. Paul Lang and we talked for about an hour. It was great to catch up with him after the madness of the campaign. 3.5%. Good god. That's all he lost by. With no help from the higher ups in the Democratic establishment statewide. Fuckers. They need more Paul Langs who are ready, willing and able to put their lives on hold for public service. But they turned their backs on him and patted the back of his Republican opponent because they had deals worth millions to uphold. It was great to see Paul and catch up. I hope he's sleeping 12 hours a day for a couple weeks, he's earned it.

I haven't stopped by Philebrity in like a year or so and holy shit, they've added comments. Welcome to the world of blog. Oooh, and the 'roll link to me is way old.

And it seems one is not allowed to mention Philebrity without mentioning Phawker. The design is retarded. Cluttered. Change the padding around your embedded images, that teensy tiny little tweak will help more than you think. That background clashes with the header. Having a single category doesn't help, why bother at all? Blinq is spelled with one "i". And chroist, the local television channels got 'rolled and I didn't? I suck. But props for shouting out my girl Zoe Strauss, Everywhere Girl and Queen of Philadelphia. And peeping the masthead, I see Ms. Liao who, if memory serves me correctly, was an intern back when I was at PW. Philly sure is one small town.

Just scanning over the NY Times blog The Caucus reading about the new freshman class of Dems and I saw this post listing the new committee assignments and the assumed chairmanships.

I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw: Bob Casey Jr. (Pennsylvania): Agriculture, Banking, Foreign Relations, Aging, Joint Economic. The Brow on the Foreign Relations committee? Wha????!!!!! And Banking? This is the guy who signed an unconstitutional pay raise here in PA. Wonderful.