Port Richmond resident Michael Duffy looks at images of his neighborhood's waterfront history.

This article ran on Page 2 of the May 6, 2009 edition of The Fishtown Spirit, where I work as a writer and copy editor.

“Pulaski Park is a little piece of the Delaware Waterfront,” said Joy Lawrence of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at last week’s meeting about plans for the area. “It’s a hidden gem, and we want to talk about our vision for the future.”

Lawrence set the tone for last Wednesday’s meeting at Our Lady of Port Richmond, where residents of the riverwards came to find out what’s in store for Pulaski Park and the rest of the Delaware Waterfront.

Residents of all ages came to hear plans from several groups involved in the project. Present were representatives from the New Kensington Community Development Corp., Delaware River City Corp., the Department of Recreation and Philadelphia Green. The representatives took turns presenting a slideshow, which outlined the waterfront’s current progress and plans for the near future.

“Our main goal is to introduce the plan for Pulaski Park,” Sandy Salzman of the NKCDC told The Spirit. “It’s a w

onderful little park. A lot of people aren’t aware it’s there.”

Michael Diberardinis, Philadelphia's commissioner of parks and recreation, explains the importance of revitalizing Port Richmond's waterfront.

Michael Diberardinis, commissioner of the Department of Parks & Recreation, was on hand to talk about his enthusiasm for Pulaski Park and for the waterfront in general. He said he feels creating better access to the river will open up new opportunities for residents and attract more people to the area.

“Opening up the river is important to keep the neighborhood strong,” Diberardinis told The Spirit. “It’s a great amenity, a great resource and makes the quality of life better.”

Throughout the meeting, all of the presenters emphasized the same key points: creating a greenway along the Delaware River in order to beautify the area, make it safer and enhance the overall quality of the neighborhood.

Sarah Thorp of DRCC itemized the elements of the current greenway project – an 11-mile stretch along the river from Allegheny Avenue to Bristol, Bucks Co. Among the features are a riverfront trail, benches, lighting, ecological restoration and parks. Also on the list are green connector streets – roads that run perpendicular to the river, which people can use for access – and signs along the greenway explaining the history of the area.

Residents were excited about the greenway project, but were particularly concerned about Pulaski Park, where past revitalization efforts have failed.

“Pulaski was totally forgotten about until about 10 years ago,” said Barbara McCabe of the Department of Recreation. “There is a renewed interest by the Parks Department because the community stepped up.”

McCabe and others have plans to deter what she calls the ‘negative elements’ of the park, like vandalism and light drug use, and she said the first priority in the Pulaski project is safety. As a step in the right direction, a new railing was recently installed that looks nicer than the old one, but is also kid-friendly and easy for fishermen to use. The railing was a large part of a $200,000 project, the first phase of the waterfront plans.

Attendees at the waterfront meeting had several questions and expressed their excitement for the project.

Leslie Schuster of Philadelphia Green said the more community involvement there is with Pulaski Park, the easier it will be to make the plans a reality. Among considerations for the second phase of the project are security cameras and an enhanced entrance to Pulaski Park.

“I hope it comes true,” said Port Richmond resident Lisa O’Malley. “I remember other plans that were vandalized.”

O’Malley is just one of many who expressed her hopefulness for Pulaski Park. As exciting as the plans sound, it was not too long ago that trees in the park were thrown into the river after being recently planted.

Michael Duffy has lived in Port Richmond for most of his life, and he said it’s nice to see the community putting effort into the community, especially since he recently renovated his 100-year-old home.

“It’s interesting to see so many people get together and revitalize the neighborhood,” Duffy said. “Rebuilding and cleaning up is important.”

The $2.7 million plan for the waterfront is expected to take about two years to complete. Design for the second phase will be ready in the next few months, and the construction could take up to a year. In the meantime, community leaders are encouraging residents to get involved. Thorp said even the smallest of contributions will help.

“If you can’t get involved with Friends of Pulaski Park,” she told the attendees,” then just go to the park. Encourage others to go. The more who use it, the better it is for everyone.”

If all goes as planned, there will be more people using the park. The design for the waterfront greenway includes a 12-foot wide trial with 3-foot shoulders, with plenty of room for bikers, runners, dog walkers and children to share.

The meeting brought together lifelong Port Richmond residents, newcomers and community organizations with a common goal: enhance the Delaware Waterfront so Port Richmond can meet its fullest potential, and revitalize Pulaski Park to make it a friendly neighborhood destination instead of a forgotten piece of land.

“Pulaski is the Rocky Balboa of Port Richmond,” said Patty-Pat Kozlowski, a Port Richmond resident and staff writer to The Spirit. We’ve been knocked down, she told the attendees, but we’re not out.

Shannon McDonald | Wilmington News Journal | March 27,2009

This is a story I wrote for the Wilmington News Journal in Delaware about some great stores in Philadelphia that people should stop by when they visit. I also took the photos.

The next time you visit the City of Brotherly Love, take the locals’ approach to shopping: mix it up, hit several neighborhoods and avoid the box stores.
Advertisement

You’ll find that Philly’s shopping scene is more than The Gallery and South Street. Unique stories can be found around the city — and they offer friendly service, reasonable prices and exceptional quality.

Start from the south and work your way north for a memorable trip. If you don’t want to drive, every neighborhood in Philadelphia is easily accessible by public transportation.

Here are five stores worth a look.

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
Where: 700 S. Fourth St.
Hours: 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily
Information: (215) 922-3274; famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com

The Famous 4th Street Deli in South Philly's Queen Village neighborhood

The name doesn’t lie. This deli, open since 1923, is famous among Philadelphians for its sandwiches and desserts. The Queen Village deli serves traditional Jewish-style fare.

Manager Jon Park, who has been with the business for four years, says the hot corned beef special ($14-$17) with Russian dressing is among the big sellers.

If you’re planning a weekend visit to the Famous 4th Street Deli, be prepared to wait; there are no reservations, and the line often stretches out the door.

But those huge and tasty cookies — chocolate chip ($3.50) and jumbo black and white ($3.75) — are worth the wait.

P.H.A.G.
Where: 1225 Walnut St.
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Information: (215) 627-0461; thephagshop.com

The PHAG Shop in Philadelphia's Gayborhood

Philadelphia Home Art Garden, at 12th and Walnut streets, is the perfect one-stop shop for the home.

Since 2003, this two-floor Gayborhood retailer has been offering unusual pieces for the home. From the one-of-kind locally designed shopping cart lounge chair ($950) to the funky shower curtains ($15-$30) and the cozy couches with the warm accent pillows, P.H.A.G.’s items can accommodate every taste.

Owner Jason Cook says there is no single word to describe the store’s ever-changing inventory. But you’ll be sure to find something for that quirky aunt you always have trouble finding a present for. Be sure to check out the shop’s novelty gifts, such as a tape dispenser in the shape of a cassette tape ($22.50), a gun-shaped mold for baking ($8.50) or the Hillary Clinton nutcracker ($28.50).

The Book Trader
Where: 7 N. Second St.
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Information: (215) 925-0517; phillybook trader.googlepages.com

The Book Trader in Old City, Philadelphia

Just off the I-95 exit ramp in Old City, you’ll find The Book Trader. A South Street haunt for 30 years, this jam-packed bookstore moved to its Second and Market street location four years ago.

With its two floors, The Book Trader is the largest used bookstore in the city. It also has a video library.

The unbeatable prices have kept the store afloat during the economic downturn. Manager Curtis Kise says people can walk in with $5 and leave with five books. If you’re really looking to enhance your collection, take advantage of the 30 percent discount on all purchases of $50 or more.

Check out the great view from the second-story lounge and browse the immense record collection in the back room.

Delicious Boutique and Corseterie
Where: 1040 N. American St. No. 901
Hours: Noon-8 p.m. daily
Information: (215) 413-0375; deliciousboutique.com

Delicious Boutique and Corseterie in Philly's Northern Liberties neighborhood

Tucked away on Liberties Walk in Northern Liberties, the Delicious Boutique and Corseterie is just a few minutes from I-95’s Girard Avenue exit.

Owner Psydde Delicious opened the store in 2005. The carnival-style design and dim lighting in the store make for the perfect conditions to try on corsets. Expect to lay out a little green for them — depending on the customization, $400 to $500.

The boutique offers custom fittings and specialists who can help customers choose a style and demonstrate how to lace and unlace a corset.

Though the corsets are the main attraction, the boutique also sells lingerie and other women’s and men’s clothing, accessories and housewares from independent designers like Bed Stu.

Dress Up Time
Where: 7240 Frankford Ave.
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Information: (215) 331-0343; dressuptimeapparel.com

Dress Up Time in Northeast Philly's Mayfair neighborhood

Ladies, if you’re in need of formal wear, Dress Up Time in Mayfair is just minutes from I-95.

Nestled between a hardware store and a beauty salon, this dress shop has it all — prom gowns, bridesmaids dresses, mother-of-the-bride/groom outfits, Bat Mitzvah dresses.

Prices for prom dresses range from $179 to $600. Mother-of-the-bride/groom dresses range from $300 to $1,200.

Owner Angie Maglio does all alterations on the premises, and once you’ve found the perfect dress, check out the accessories.

If your man is dragging his feet, send him across the street to Domenico’s Formal Wear (owned by Maglio’s husband) for a tux or suit.

This is a story I did for MURL, Temple University’s senior journalism class. The assignment was to go out into your assigned neighborhood – in my case, Strawberry Mansion- and report on how the residents feel about Mayor Michael Nutter’s budget proposal. This was a team reporting project, but I was responsible for the written portion.
Eric Jones* is almost 3 years old. His age is painfully apparent as his faulty legs struggle to carry him up the jungle gym beneath the weight of his puffy coat and snow cap. Eric spends his days the same way he has since he was 7 months old – in the care of Phyllis Fultz and Roslyn Fulton, who run the Urban Pioneers daycare on French and 31st streets near Ridge Avenue in Strawberry Mansion.

Eric – along with his five playmates – embodies childhood innocence, right down to the runny nose his caretakers attribute to the change in seasons. What Eric doesn’t know as he clasps the hands of a girl around his age, guiding her up the sliding board at Mander Playground at 33rd and Diamond streets in Fairmount Park, is that the odds are stacked against him. His race, socioeconomic status, neighborhood and infrequent contact with his father are designed to hold Eric back in life. These factors will work against him in every stage of his life until he either rises above or succumbs to them, becoming another statistic in Philadelphia’s records.

Several people will influence Eric’s life and guide him along what they hope turns out to be the right path: his parents, his caregivers and Mayor Michael Nutter.

Continue reading for thoughts from daycare owners, school teachers and nonprofit organizations.

When the nation’s economy hit a record low last fall, the urban areas of the country were the first to feel the effects. Six months later, as Philadelphia tries to sustain itself in the face of a billion-dollar deficit, Strawberry Mansion’s children are at the center of the crisis. After threats of closing first libraries, then public pools, Nutter’s popularity is waning. The libraries will remain open for now, and some pools have been spared, but Strawberry Mansion residents aren’t satisfied with the way the budget proposal has panned out.

“This is terrible,” Fulton said with one eye on the swings where three of charges swayed back and forth, blissfully ignorant of the tough road they’re facing. “There will be nothing for the kids to do this summer if the mayor doesn’t put some money back into the community.”

Fulton and Fultz bring the six children to the playground whenever the weather warrants it. They sit and watch tiny hands grip the monkey bars and push small bodies on swings, all in the middle of new basketball and tennis courts – courts that will go unused this summer if the community can’t come up with enough money to fund organized teams with coaches. Fultz worries that the pool at Mander playground won’t open this summer, leaving kids with nothing to do.

“The pool is better than the hydrant,” she said. “There needs to be a place for the kids to go, and someone to keep an eye on them.”

For Fultz, the rec center is more than just a place for kids to play.

“Kids need to be socialized so they can learn to get along with other people. How are they supposed to get along when they’re older if no one ever teaches them?”

Fulton worries most about the older kids – the preteens who are aching for more freedom and the teenagers who need help staying on track.

“Kids do things just to be mischievous,” she said. “The older kids suffer most from the lack of organizations. They need a guided path, or they’ll get into whatever they can.”

Shirley Boggs knows what happens when there aren’t enough resources for kids. Boggs founded Mothers United Through Tragedy Inc. 11 years ago after one of her twin sons was murdered. The nonprofit works to provide counseling to people who have lost young loved ones through violence and create programs for drug and violence prevention. Boggs has helped many people through her work with MUTT, but without city funding, she is floundering.

“I don’t get any money from the city,” she said. “I’m running the business out of my home because I could no longer afford to pay the bills on the other building.

The former MUTT Inc. building sits temporarily abandoned on the corner of Napa Street and Lehigh Avenue at the edge of Strawberry Mansion. Without government funding, Boggs couldn’t afford to keep the building up.

“I just don’t understand why, with all these bailouts and budget plans and proposals, there’s no money for the kids. There are good people giving everything they have of themselves to make kids’ lives better, and the mayor isn’t helping. Doesn’t he realize that by not giving us money now, he’ll have to put more money into juvenile facilities and the police department later?”

Nutter’s budget proposal didn’t leave room for youth organizations, but the mayor does have plans to help keep 30 city pools open. The Splash and Summer FUNd program is a project headed by the City of Philadelphia and United Way that will allow businesses, community groups and individuals to donate to the cause to keep public pools open this summer. So far, the city has raised $480,000 toward its $1.2 million goal.

Harrison Jardia said he thinks keeping the pools open is just a small part of what kids need. The Strawberry Mansion High School aide brings his autistic students to Mander playground for a break every day.

“All kids need an outlet,” he said. The break from learning helps my students a lot, and all children deserve that. What will happen to these kids without a place to go?

In 15 years, Eric Jones will be 18. He will still be wearing a puffy coat and snow cap. He’ll likely have a volatile relationship with his father. And if all goes well, he’ll be getting ready to graduate Strawberry Mansion High School. In 15 years, Eric could be tutoring kids at the library and holding down a summer job as a lifeguard for the Mander Recreation Center pool. He could just as easily be ditching school, selling drugs and facing jail time. Eric’s future depends on the quality of his childhood, and that depends on the resources available to him.

*Roslyn Fulton and Phyllis Fultz asked that Eric Jones’ real name not be used, as he is so young, and they are not his primary caregivers.

Shannon McDonald | The Temple News | March 24, 2009

‘Sunny’ star still a Philly guy at heart

Photo courtesy of Michael Becker for FX

If the name of his show wasn’t enough proof already, Rob McElhenney, 31, is a Philadelphia guy. In an exclusive interview with The Temple News, the writer, producer and star of
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia reminisces about his days of hanging out in Fairmount Park, sneaking into bars and roaming Temple’s Main Campus for a semester.

Shannon McDonald: You’re a born-and-raised Philly kid. How did you spend your time growing up?

Rob McElhenney: I grew up in South Philadelphia at Moyamensing and Dickinson, then, I moved to Delaware County after high school. I went to high school at St. Joe’s Prep and hung out with kids from all different schools. I don’t know if kids do this anymore, but we used to go to Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park after school to hang. Sometimes we’d go to the bars that let underagers in.

SM: I hear you went to Temple for a while. Have any fond memories?

RM: My time at Temple was short. I went for a semester but didn’t finish. I wasn’t a great student – I wasn’t excelling, and I wasn’t there long enough to declare a major. I wanted to leave Philly and see new things, so I moved to New York. I stayed there for seven years before heading out to Los Angeles.

SM: When did you realize you wanted to make a career out of acting?

RM: As a kid, I did plays in school but never really thought of it as being a career option. It wasn’t until I got to New York City and met waiters and bartenders who were doing shows at night that I ever considered it as a profession. I enrolled in Lee Strasberg [Theatre and Film Institute], which is associated with the Screen Actors Guild and started acting.

SM: The show is set in Philly, but some of its scenes are shot in Los Angeles. Why’s that?

Photo courtesy of Craig Blankenhorn for FX

RM: FX (the station Sunny airs on) is based in L.A., and originally, they wanted to keep us close. Since we were a new series, they didn’t want us running the whole show. It’s much easier to film parts in L.A. than to move the entire production to Philly. But the network is really supportive, and we film a lot in Philly. Philly is a major character in the show.

SM: Do you still have ties to Philadelphia?

RM: I’m home now more than I was when I lived in New York. I come home for Christmas and all the major holidays. My parents live in King of Prussia and Delaware County. My closest friends are guys I went to high school with. I’m actually in the process of buying a bar in Philly with guys I went to high school with. It’s in the early stages, but they’ll run everything, and I’ll get back as much as I can. We’re still planning it, but it looks like we’ll open it in Center City.

SM: You don’t have much of a Philly accent. Is that a result of acting?

RM: I specifically worked my way out of the accent for acting. It’s also partly a natural result of all my years in New York and L.A. My brother and sister have much stronger accents than I do. I still have a little bit of the accent on the show. 

SM: Do you think Philly will ever be a big movie town?

RM: I think Philly is already on its way. With all the talk about M. Night Shayamalan building a studio and all the recent things that have been filmed there, I think there’s a real chance. Sharon Pinkenson (a Temple grad) of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office works tirelessly to see that that happens. I love shooting in Philly.

SM: With all the time you spend in Los Angeles, do you ever interact with other Philly actors out there?

RM: There are a lot of people from Philly in L.A. – other actors, agents, managers. We all meet in a bar in Santa Monica to watch Eagles games, and you wouldn’t believe how packed it is. There is a huge concentration of Philly people – and East Coasters in general – in L.A. I think they come for the weather and end up staying.

SM: What’s next for Sunny?

RM: We’ll be back in June for a week or so to film, and I also get throw the opening pitch at a Phillies game, which I’m pretty excited about.

SM: Do you have a favorite episode?

RM: I don’t really have a favorite, but there are some I like a lot – like the 1776 episode. People had really strong reactions to that, which is great. I like when people either really love or really hate something. 

SM: What else are you working on these days?

RM: We’ve been working on the new show (Boldly Going Nowhere) for Fox. It’s going pretty well. Right now, we’re looking for someone to take it over, since Sunny takes up a lot of time. The actors who play Artemis and Rickety Cricket will have main roles in the new show. 

SM: With all the time you spend away from Philly, what do you miss most when you’re gone?

RM: My family and friends, definitely. They’re spread out all over the city, so I get to see everything. And I love coming back for sporting events. I’m a huge Eagles fan. I try to get to as many games as possible. The Eagles are easier to watch since they have a shorter season. Unfortunately, I missed the Phillies’ championship parade. But it’s great to be able to come back and see all the people I love. 

Despite spending the bulk of his time in L.A., Rob McElhenney might be more of a Philadelphian than he ever was. Instead of getting to his head, the huge success of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has connected him more with the city. His time away leaves him with nothing but good things to say about his memories of growing up, his time at Temple and all the things about Philadelphia that make it the perfect setting for a hit TV show. 

You can view the original article at temple-news.com.

Shannon McDonald | March 11 | Fishtown Spirit

This article ran on Page 7 in the March 11 issue of The Fishtown Spirit, where I work as a writer and copy editor.

Captain Daniel Castro is the new leader of the 24th District

An old marketing campaign for the Fraternal Order of Police featured a poster depicting a wounded police officer in front his squad car. “You wouldn’t do it for a million bucks,” the poster read, “but we do it for a whole lot less,”

Two decades and several slain police officers later, Captain Daniel Castro of the 24th District knows that statement is truer than ever. With just three weeks at the 24th under his belt, Castro is vowing to do all he can to bring the communities together and make them safer for the residents and the officers who patrol them.

“The community needs to do its part in crime prevention,” the 24-year veteran of the department said. The captain is taking serious steps to unite community members and police officers.

Castro is in the early stages of setting up a hotline for the district, which will allow people to anonymously report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. The hotline will be effective for people who need to make complaints about their neighbors, and for combating drug activity. It won’t be for emergency calls, but for more persistent problems. This way, officers in the district can investigate the complaints and work toward eliminating the problems.

Among these problems, the captain said, are warrants.

There are a “significant number of warrants in the 24th District,” he said. “I’m going to make a serious effort to track them down.”

Part of that effort is in the form of community meetings, where residents can voice their concerns and get a better idea of what’s going on in their neighborhoods.

As the Community Relations Officer, “I handle day-to-day complaints and organize and conduct community meetings,” said Officer Tina Willis, who works closely with the captain. Willis attends every community meeting and brings a district map with her, so people can learn which areas see the most criminal activity.

In order for community members to get better acquainted with the district, they first have to know each other. Many of the district’s residents don’t speak English, which can create neighborhood barriers. Castro is determined not to let this interfere with his plans to help the community.

“I have a responsibility to reach out to all ethnicities,” the captain said.

Captain Castro's team: officers Maureen Burns, Sharon Jonas and Tina Willis

Two other officers work alongside Castro to make that extra effort to help the community. Crime Prevention Officer Sharon Jonas will reach out to people through the local media, helping The Spirit publish a weekly neighborhood crime report to keep neighbors in the know. Victim Assistant Officer Maureen Burns helps crime victims get back on their feet emotionally and financially. Along with Captain Castro, Officers Willis, Jonas and Burns are protecting the 24th District.

Community protection isn’t the only thing on Castro’s mind. With the recent deaths of Officer John Pawlowski, Sgt. Timothy Simpson and Sgt. Stephen Liczbinsk fresh on everyone’s minds and hearts, the captain needs to protect his officers, too.

“I have a lot of confidence in cops of the 24th District,” he proudly said of his officers.

Castro said he is not concerned that the recent violence against the police force will put his cops on edge. He’s not worried about knee-jerk, reactions, he said, because officers know how to handle themselves.

Although the captain expects complaints against cops to go up with increased law enforcement, he hopes police officers’ presence in the community will comfort residents and eventually lead to more respect for the police department. But the captain knows it’s an uphill battle.

“I know there are police officers who may be too aggressive,” he said with regret. But Castro will hold them accountable for their actions, and believes that as his officers continue to act professionally, community members will be encouraged to work with the district to prevent crime. It’s things like that, the captain said, which boost officers’ morale.

Castro said he is excited about working closely with the community, and he believes the weekly crime report is a big step in crime prevention.

Burns agrees. “This is something we really needed to do in the district,” she told The Spirit. Burns said she’s enjoyed working the captain so far, and appreciates his fresh ideas, which she thinks will reduce crime in the district.

Captain Castro sees beyond that. He hopes his efforts won’t just reduce crime, but improve the quality of life in the district.

By Shannon McDonald

This is a story I did for MURL, Temple University’s senior journalism class. The assignment was to go out into your assigned neighborhood – in my case,  Brewerytown – and report on how the residents get around. This was a team reporting project, but I was responsible for the written portion.

The snowstorm that hit our region last Tuesday night left the city silent, snuggled up in a white, powdery blanket. But by Wednesday morning, the streets were a mess, the tighter ones paved in ice and the thoroughfares slippery with slush. Brewerytown residents didn’t seem to mind.

“I ride my bike in all kinds of weather,” said Waugh Wright, 34, a resident on the 800-block of Ringgold Street. “It’s a little icy today, but not bad enough for me to put the bike away.”

Wright is a teacher who bikes to work everyday, unless the weather is especially bad. Even though schools were closed last Wednesday, that didn’t stop Wright from pedaling around his neighborhood. The three-and-a-half year Brewerytown resident says the biggest attraction of biking is its environmental benefits, though the exercise doesn’t hurt, either.

“My bike keeps me active,” he said.

Though Wright lauds his bike’s convenience, he isn’t one to travel far with it.

“Center City is pretty much my limit,” he said.

If he’s traveling anywhere beyond that, Wright uses public transportation or his car. The bike is convenient, he said, but it has its limits.

Wright wasn’t the only one out biking through the snow in Brewerytown. Vincent Klopfenstein has lived at 25th and Poplar streets for four years, and uses his bike almost exclusively, even in bad weather, despite cautions from neighbors.

“It’s pretty bad out,” 23-year-old Klopfenstein said of the ice shining on his street last week.

But the slippery conditions and laughs from his neighbors didn’t keep him from his daily routine. Klopfenstein doesn’t own a car and rarely uses public transportation, because, he says, his bike is the “easiest and cheapest way to get around.”

Kay Sweet’s son-in-law uses a fold-up bicycle to get to and from work as a doctor when the weather is nicer. When the streets are messy like they were last week, he uses public transportation. His former preferred form of transportation remains parked outside his house.

“He used to ride the Vespa to work every day,” Sweet said of her son-in-law, “But a coworker was in a terrible Vespa accident recently, so he’s been using the bike more.”

While Brewerytown’s 20-and 30-somethings are part of the neighborhood’s biking subculture, the older and younger generations find different ways to get around.

Leroy Tunstall, 73, uses his senior pass to take public transportation around the city. While he makes his way around his small neighborhood by foot, longer trips, including visits to his grandson at Temple University, require the use of his pass.

Andre and Danny agree. The 12-and 13-year olds spent last week’s snow day covering their neighborhood by foot, looking for sidewalks to shovel. But normally, they prefer taking the bus. Though both boys have dirt bikes, they’re more for show than for travel.

“I get tired on the bike, ” Danny said. He’d rather take the bus if he’s leaving the neighborhood.

Bob Pignataro can also be found on the bus. The 46-year-old is a 25-year resident of Philadelphia, and has called Brewerytown home for 15 years. Though he has a car, Pignataro prefers to walk or take public transportation.

“SEPTA is quick and efficient,” he said of the city’s transit system.

An even bigger motivator for Pignataro’s bus use is the condition of the streets.

“It’s rare for the streets around here to get paved, especially the little ones,” he said.

Add the slushy, icy mix to the potholes, and it’s no wonder so many Brewerytown residents prefer to leave their cars at home.

When administrators at Temple University, where I just started my final semester of college, found out I was going to President Obama’s inauguration, they asked me to write something for them. The following piece was featured in Temple Times’ Temple Today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — I went to the inauguration as a journalist, and while I can’t say for sure, I think if I was pursuing some other profession, I would not have gone.

It almost didn’t happen. I was first denied press credentials on the grounds that The Temple News is too irrelevant to the event. By sheer luck, I obtained credentials from a small media group, but then had them revoked because too many media outlets were already set to flood the National Mall. Amtrak ticket prices for the weekend of the inauguration were astronomical, so I turned to the Chinatown Bus. Three hours, one rest top and a Metro ride later, I made it to Washington, D.C.’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, home of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

Monday was a day of preparation for the district. Streets were blocked off, parties were planned, and temporary fences were set up along the sidewalks to create paths for pedestrian traffic. Union Station was thick with tourists forming a line outside McDonald’s just to grab something to eat. The wait for a table at a Capitol Hill restaurant exceeded an hour, and I think hotdog carts received more patrons Monday than they had in all of 2008. There was nothing for me to do but take pictures.

Tuesday saw an early start, and the morning sun only felt warm for about 20 minutes. Not even the millions of people surrounding the historic landmarks could take the bite out of the unforgiving winds of the frozen Potomac River. Armed with four shirts and two pairs of gloves under my winter coat, I stood freezing and shaking as I filmed President Obama’s loyal supporters waving flags and wearing pins and everything else Obama. They didn’t seem to feel the cold. Only when Obama stood to take his oath of office did the crowd stop — in speech and movement. At 12:04 p.m., I took a shaky video of a crowd full of millions of silent, still people.

Vendors around the National Mall sold hoodies, t-shirts, scarves and more with President Obama's face on them.

Shannon McDonald | The Temple News | Jan. 20, 2009

They were all there for the same reason on Sunday. Every color, every age, every stage of life. They waited – some more patiently than others – in a cold, empty room until someone led them outside. Then, they waited again, in a line on Arch Street.

One by one, they boarded the Chinatown bus. They sat for three hours, growing more excited and getting more anxious, before they dragged their bags onto the Sixth Street sidewalk in Washington, D.C. They all went their separate ways, but they will reunite today for a common cause.

Today at noon, Barack Obama will become the 44th president of the United States. The theme – which commemorates the 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth – for the 2009 inauguration is “A New Birth of Freedom,” which was chosen by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in consultation with the Senate Historian’s Office.

The attendance rate is expected to be the highest in the nation’s history.

Though members of the inauguration committee have not released an official count, estimates range from 1 million to 3 million people.

People from all over the nation and all over the world will come together this afternoon to witness this historic event, and many of those people will be Temple students.

Sophomore political science major Megan Chialastri drove from Main Campus to Washington, D.C., yesterday with some of her fellow Temple College Democrats members.

“Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, whatever, I think it is important for people to be able to watch the event take place,” Chialastri said. “After all, it will set the tone for Barack Obama’s presidency, as well as the next four years of our lives.”

Even Temple students who aren’t planning to attend the inauguration can still get the chance to witness the day’s events.

Hillel Hoffman, assistant director of university communications, has confirmed faculty has been given permission cancel classes between the hours of 10:10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Lisa Staiano-Coico, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, sent an e-mail to faculty detailing guidelines for class cancellations. Staiano-Coico advised professors who wish to cancel class to do so beforehand, though she recognizes that may be difficult because today is the first day of the semester.

“I know one of my classes has already been canceled,” Chialastri said. “I’m thrilled that Temple has given professors permission to cancel class.”

Starr was also excited to learn about the possible class cancellations but had reservations.

“While I am excited to hear that the provost is allowing teachers to cancel class, I believe that it may have been more productive to allow the same on Election Day since we are a commuter campus, and many students voted in their hometown and took the day to help with the election,” Starr said in an e-mail interview.

As exciting and historic as today’s events may be for those on campus and in Washington, D.C., the issue of safety is a pressing one.

Several major traffic arteries in the area will be restricted to authorized vehicles, some will be designated as pedestrian only and others will be closed entirely. Inauguration officials have warned attendees that thorough screening is probable, and ticketholders should plan to arrive by 9 a.m. and plan to wait in lines. The list of prohibited items is extensive, but cameras and cell phones are permitted.

Despite the many security efforts, Chialastri still has some concerns.

“I’m more concerned about crowd control and the safety of spectators,” she said.

Junior film and media arts major Gregory Starr said he isn’t all that worried.

“The Metropolitan Police Department and Secret Service have spent a lot of time and money for the safety of President-elect Obama and all those attending the inauguration,” the former Temple College Democrats vice president said. “I am not overly fearful for the safety of anybody involved in Tuesday’s event.”

Chialastri has high hopes for the new president, and he’s ready for him to fulfill his promises.

“With the state of the economy, the national debt and the war, I expect Obama to try to fix as much as he can very fast,” Chialastri said. “I’m very excited to see how he handles it. I think if he takes care of things swiftly and makes the right decisions, his first term could be comparable to FDR.”

You can also see this article on Temple-News.com.

]]> http://shannonmcdonald.net/2009/01/20/students-head-south-for-historic-inauguration/feed/ 0 Shannon McDonald http://shannonmcdonald.net/2009/01/15/my-latest-project/ http://shannonmcdonald.net/2009/01/15/my-latest-project/#comments Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:31:50 +0000 Shannon McDonald http://shannonmcdonald.net/?p=109 ]]>

Posts on ShannonMcDonald.net have been sparse, and for good reason. I’ve been spending the past few months working on my latest project, NEast Magazine, currently on NEastPhilly.com.

NEast Magazine is a magazine for Northeast Philadelphia – a large, but widely ignored region of Philadelphia. I’ve been working with many people to help set up the Web site and generate content.

My contributions aside, NEast Magazine has some other regular writers, including two columnists.

Currently, all NEast Magazine content can be found on NEastPhilly.com, but as readership and advertising grow, NEast Magazine will expand and launch its quarterly print product in Spring 2010.

To learn more about NEast Magazine, visit NEastPhilly.com, or contact me here.

By Shannon McDonald | Nov. 4, 2008 | The Temple News

“It’s a tough night to be a cop,” a Philadelphia Police officer said. “But it’s a great night to be a Philadelphian. As long as nothing gets out of hand, I’m willing to let people celebrate.”

Mere seconds after the last out of Game 5, Phillies fans did just that.

The event was 28 years in the making, and the scene at Cottman and Frankford avenues took hours to prepare. Cars were cleared from the streets as police officers set up roadblocks, and store owners hung signs in their windows welcoming patrons and supporting the Phillies.

As the players piled on top of one another on the field at Citizens Bank Park, Northeast Philadelphians packed onto Frankford Avenue by the thousands. They marched, they sang and some even cried tears of relief and joy. Philadelphians are champions.

The crowd multiplied quickly, becoming a sea of red and blue with screams and chants so loud the fireworks and helicopters circling above were silent. It was cold, with a wind chill in the 30s, but there was no shivering. Only smiles.

“I have literally been waiting all my life for this,” said Joey Miller, a 14-year-old who was dressed in Phillies gear with a grin as wide as Cottman Avenue. “I’m not going to school tomorrow.”

Everyone in the Northeast came together.

Older couples watched the scene from their front porches, while everyone under 50 filled the streets.

Children rode on their fathers’ shoulders, guys in their 20s pulled their girlfriends from the crushing crowd and teenage girls screamed until their voices were hoarse. In a strange way, through the noise and chaos, the city was at peace.

Police officers, ready to break up fights and quell any potential violence, tried to hide the smiles behind their helmets.

Fans didn’t make it easy for the police. Teenage boys climbed traffic lights, and women pulled up their Phillies shirts just long enough to flash their breasts. The excitement went to everyone’s heads faster than bartenders could serve drinks.

But people kept it friendly. Complete strangers hugged in the street, some by choice, others as a result of the pulsing crowd. Blocks away, drivers leaned on their horns as a sign of camaraderie. Adults and kids joined in the cheers for “Lights Out Lidge” and “Tampa Bay sucks.”

It took five games and a rain delay, but the Philadelphia Phillies did what nothing and no one else can do: they brought everyone in Philadelphia together.

See this article at temple-news.com here.