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With Equal Justice Center, Low-Income Philadelphians Will Soon Be Better Connected To Nonprofit Legal Resources

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Low-income Philadelphians will soon be better connected to nonprofit legal resources. Construction will begin this fall on what’s being called the Equal Justice Center that will house more than a dozen civil legal aid groups under one group.

Right now, it’s the home to about 200 parked cars, but in just a few years an often overlooked lot near 8th and Race Streets in Philadelphia will be transformed.

“We’re going to build a nine-story nonprofit center,” Philadelphia Bar Foundation executive director Jessica Hilburn-Holmes said. “We have some of the largest legal aid.”

The Equal Justice Center is a $65 million project that will house most of the city’s free legal services.

Currently, the agencies are scattered throughout Philadelphia.

‘There’s No Secret, My Friend’: Philadelphia Honors Its Centenarians During Annual Mayor’s Celebration

According to Hilburn-Holmes, Philly has some of the largest legal aid provides, including Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance and Legal Law Center. She said the Equal Justice Center would be “the first of its kind in the country.”

The Philadelphia Bar Association is spearheading the project and Hilburn-Holmes hopes the legal center can be a one-stop shop for anyone who may not have the means or the time to navigate the legal system.

“In its current iteration, we’ve been working very steadily for the past seven years,” Hilburn-Holmes said. “What this is about is bringing better access to justice for most Philadelphians. If you do have kind of a one-stop shop, a singular place you can go to. I’d imagine that would be helpful.”

Philadelphians say they’re looking forward to the doors opening since it could save precious time and money.

Philadelphia Police Outline Plan To Fight Rise In Gun Violence This Summer

“Because it will be consolidated in one building,” one Philadelphian said, “I think it’s a great idea.”

The plan is to have the center up and running by January 2022.

“Philadelphia is where the whole experiment with democracy and justice really started,” Hilburn-Holmes said. “We own this. We should bring it to fruition and I’m very excited to be a part of it.”

The $65 million is coming from a combination of bonds, state grants and private donations.

Hilburn-Holmes says groundbreaking is set for September.

Source: https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/05/29/equal-justice-center-philadelphia-bar-association/

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Apartment Week: AVE King of Prussia

Apartment Buildings

The people who made the "apartment hotel" respectable again have upped their luxury-flexible-stay-for-the-rest-of-us game with their Village at Valley Forge property.

One of the two interior courtyards at AVE King of Prussia. | Photos courtesy AVE

Way back in the late 19th century, when apartment buildings first began to appear in American cities, some of the early pioneers referred to their structures as “apartment hotels” to associate them with a more familiar form of multi-unit residence.

Over the years, the term became more closely associated with single-room flophouses, and after World War II, “apartment hotels” gradually disappeared from America’s older cities.

They’re back now, and they’re far more luxurious.

The main residents’ lounge. A VIP lounge with kitchen on the top floor looks out over the Village at Valley Forge

Korman Communities’ aka brand has set the standard for luxury in flexible-stay furnished residences, as these properties are known technically. The company also operates a less pricey but still luxurious collection of flexible-stay apartment complexes known as AVE, most of whose properties are located in the suburbs of our larger cities.

The cafe

AVE King of Prussia is the latest addition to the chain. Located in the Village at Valley Forge, it offers a level of convenience matched by few suburban apartment complexes of its type — and none in King of Prussia itself.

The fitness center

It also offers amenities rivaling those of a luxury resort hotel. You’ll find a 24-hour fitness center, a business center and conference rooms, a swimming pool, outdoor recreation facilities, kitchens and dining areas, indoor and outdoor movie theaters, and a full-service spa with massage therapy and wellness services. (On some days, AVE offers free massages for residents on a first-come, first-served basis.)

The AVE Screen theater

About the only thing missing is the sit-down restaurant — and residents need only walk for five to ten minutes, or borrow one of AVE’s seasonal bike shares and ride, down Goddard Boulevard to the adjacent King of Prussia Town Center to find plenty of those, including one in the center’s huge Wegmans supermarket.

Living room and kitchen in a furnished suite

The furnished flexible-stay apartments have everything the short-term resident needs to get on with everyday life. AVE provides not only towels and bed linens but also cookware, utensils, dinnerware, flatware and glassware in the kitchen. According to an AVE fact sheet, “We tell our furnished residents to bring a suitcase with their personal belongings and we’ll take care of the rest.”

Bedroom in a furnished suite

Residents of both the furnished flexible-stay apartments and the unfurnished apartments for rent can enjoy a complimentary club breakfast on weekday mornings and a program of catered functions, receptions and special events throughout the year.

Bathroom in a furnished suite. Not only are linens and toiletries provided in the suites, but their kitchens are fully stocked with tools and dinnerware

Originality distinguishes this building’s common facilities from those of others in its class. Custom-designed lighting and furniture make the cafe and central lounge urbane and sophisticated spaces. The same level of distinctiveness can be found in AVE’s meeting and function rooms, its lobby, its gym and its outdoor common areas.

In fact, it’s so original it even has its own scent. The air in the lobby and cafe is infused with a fragrance produced especially for AVE King of Prussia.

“AVE should be ranked among the ‘Best Places to Live’ by Elle Decor,” says chiropractor and resident Beau E. Casey, who wrote an enthusiastic endorsement of AVE King of Prussia in a resident feedback survey. “The apartments are spacious, modern and intelligently designed with full-size washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances, and top-of-the-line finishes and fixtures.”

AVE King of Prussia by the Numbers

Address: 555 S. Goddard Blvd., King of Prussia, PA 19406

Number of units: 274 furnished and unfurnished studio, 1-bedroom, 1-bedroom with den, 2-bedroom, and 2-bedroom with den apartments ranging in size from 550 to 1,414 square feet

Number of parking spaces: 397 in a secure, covered basement parking garage; 16, mainly for visitors, in a surface lot at the front entrance

Rents: Furnished suites: $140 to $170 per day, with leases available for stays of more than 30 days; leaseholders need only give 15 days’ notice to vacate. Unfurnished apartments: $1,600 to $2,900 per month

Other stuff: The building is pet-friendly; amenities include a dog wash station. In addition to the seasonal bike share, bike storage, a bike repair station and electric vehicle charging stations are available in the garage.

More information: AVE King of Prussia website; 215-544-3050

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/property/2018/10/17/apartments-for-rent-ave-king-of-prussia/

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New York City’s “Best Cookie” Comes From Philly

Food

Even better? It's made of pretzels.

Lost Bread Co. | Facebook

Non-Philadelphians tend to talk about Philly in terms of its relation to New York. They say that that it’s the “sixth borough” and write articles about the seemingly endless supply of expat Millennials with wildly disproportionate ideas about what makes rent “affordable” who are gradually taking over Fishtown. We mostly just ignore our overpriced sister city to the north and mind on our own business rather than engage with such microaggressions.

With that said, we have to admit that it feels good to see none other than New York magazine name a Philly product on their Best of New York 2019 list.

The magazine’s choice for Best Cookie was awarded to none other than Kensington’s beloved Lost Bread Co. and their groundbreaking confectionery mashup, the pretzel shortbread cookie.

Born of a desire to deliciously repurpose unused soft pretzels the bakery makes for FCM Hospitality’s bars and beer gardens, the sandy-textured, sweet-savory cookie is both sustainable and craveable. Lost has been selling them up there at the Union Square Greenmarket on Wednesdays, and it appears they’ve made an impression.

Maybe that’s the ticket to keeping rents low in Philly: we just have to export all our signature food items (DiNic’s roast pork sandwiches, Flying Monkey’s whoopie pies, these pretzel shortbread cookies) to NYC so they don’t have to come to us.

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2019/03/18/best-cookie-new-york-lost-pretzel-shortbread/

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Eagles injury update on Rodney McLeod, and it's not good

UPDATE (Thursday, Sept. 27, 12:46 p.m.): NBC Sports Philadelphia reports Rodney McLeod is out for the season:

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles practiced without safety Rodney McLeod and running backs Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles on Wednesday. 

McLeod suffered a knee injury in the Eagles' Week 3 win against the Colts, while both Ajayi (back) and Sproles (hamstring) missed the game. It was the second game in a row Sproles missed. 

The two running backs were at practice, despite their lack of participation. During warmups, Ajayi was off to the side -- not wearing a jersey, pads or helmet -- working out with a trainer. Sproles warmed up with the team but wasn't wearing pads or a helmet. 

Prior to practice, Eagles coach Doug Pederson offered little clarity on the injured trio's status. 

McLeod is still awaiting one more test on his injured knee, Pederson said, though there will be an update "later in the week."

"I keep pushing it down the road, but that's the truth," he said 

The starting free safety suffered the knee injury during the third quarter of Sunday's Week 3 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He limped off the field and didn't return. 

Ajayi and Sproles both missed the game against the Colts. Ajayi suffered a back injury during the Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sproles injured his hamstring in practice prior to the Tampa Bay defeat.

Pederson said he'll find out Ajayi and Sproles' statuses later in the week, too.

"They're both feeling really well," he said. 

Alshon Jeffery cleared for contact

If McLeod is unable to play in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans, the Eagles will most likely need to make a roster move.

The team currently has just three healthy safeties on the active roster: Malcolm Jenkins, Corey Graham and Deiondre' Hall. Graham would most likely start in McLeod's place at free safety.

With Ajayi and Sproles possibly missing another game, the trio of Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams may get another heavy workload in Tennessee. 

Here are three thoughts on how the trio's potential absence impacts the Eagles roster: 

1. Eagles may be able to get by at running back for one more week. The Eagles' backup running backs picked up the slack for Ajayi and Sproles in Week 3. Smallwood may have played the best game of his career, while Clement provided a solid performance as well. Adams, an undrafted rookie, also made a positive impression in his first NFL game, gaining 30 yards on six carries. If the Eagles need to play without their top two running backs again against Tennessee, they should be OK. 

2. If McLeod is out for a while, do the Eagles rely on Graham? Philadelphia has one of the best safety trios in the league, as Graham has proven to be a valued asset in a limited role. While he filled in well for McLeod during the second half of the win over the Colts, the Eagles may not be eager to have the 33-year-old playing extended snaps for a long period of time. If McLeod's final medical test comes back with bad news, the Eagles may need to look elsewhere for his replacement. Former starting safeties Eric Reid, Mike Mitchell and T.J. Ward are still on the open market.

3. Safety depth chart probably needs another player. Even if the Eagles were comfortable with Graham starting for the foreseeable future, the team would still need to replenish depth at the safety position. The front office could promote Tre Sullivan from the practice squad, as he knows the defense and played on special teams in Week 1. The team could also look to bring in an experienced special teams ace to take on Graham's third phase role if the veteran is promoted to the starting lineup. 

Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_E_Kaye. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Source: https://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2018/09/rodney_mcleod_jay_ajayi_injury_update.html

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Here’s another reason why the Bears should try to beat the Vikings and help the Eagles make the playoffs

There’s been a lot of talk about how the Chicago Bears should approach their Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

If the Bears don’t try to win, they can rest some of their starters heading into the playoffs. That could help prevent further injury.

If the Bears do try to win, there’s a chance they can get the No. 2 seed. That scenario would also require the Rams losing to the 49ers in a game which Los Angeles is favored by 10 points. Crazier things have happened, but it’s certainly not a “likely” outcome.

Another potential positive (?) to the Bears beating the Vikings is Chicago potentially knocking a division rival out of the playoff picture. But maybe that’s not so good because the Eagles might be a better team than the Vikings right now?

For what it’s worth, Vegas disagrees with the assessment that Philadelphia is the more dangerous side.

I’d like to imagine Jeffrey Lurie called up SuperBookUSA and pulled some strings to get them to post these lines because I don’t think they’re accurate. If I’m the Chicago Bears, I’d much rather play the Vikings in the first round than the Eagles.

Kirk Cousins is far from being known as a big game quarterback. Everybody knows his bad record against good teams.

Nick Foles, meanwhile, is the reigning Super Bowl MVP and the Eagles have just defeated the Rams (12-3) and Texans (10-5) in back-to-back weeks.

But if you’re a member of the Chicago Bears organization and you’re reading this article, please disregard what I just said and only read Adam Schefter’s tweet instead.

Let’s go Bears!!!

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/12/27/18157799/reason-why-bears-should-try-to-beat-vikings-help-eagles-make-playoffs-philadelphia-chicago-2019-nfl

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Eagles call up Tre Sullivan from practice squad, waive defensive tackle

The Philadelphia Eagles signed practice squad safety Tre Sullivan to their 53-man roster, according to the NFL’s official transaction wire. In a corresponding move, the team waived T.Y. McGill with a failed physical designation.

The Eagles were in need of extra safety depth heading into Thursday night’s game against the New York Giants. With Rodney McLeod on injured reserve and Corey Graham ruled out with a hamstring injury, the Eagles were down to just Malcolm Jenkins, Avonte Maddox (a converted cornerback), and Deiondre’ Hall on the back end. Sullivan’s presence now gives the Eagles a fourth safety.

Sullivan will also be counted on to contribute on special teams, especially with linebackers D.J. Alexander and Nathan Gerry being ruled out. Sullivan made a bad special teams mistake in Week 1 when he got too close to a Falcons punt and the ball went off his leg for an Atlanta recovery. Hopefully he’s learned his lesson since being cut and spending time on the practice squad.

The Eagles claimed McGill off waivers on Monday after placing Jay Ajayi on injured reserve. Now he’s gone and Philadelphia is down to just Fletcher Cox, Destiny Vaeao, and Treyvon Hester at defensive tackle with Haloti Ngata ruled out. Yikes. The Eagles are dangerously thin at that spot.

Please get well soon, Tim Jernigan.

...

Here’s an updated look at the Eagles’ practice squad:

DT Bruce Hector

LB Kyle Wilson

OL Josh Andrews

TE Billy Brown

LB Asantay Brown

WR Braxton Miller

WR Dorren Miller

DE Joe Ostman

CB Chandon Sullivan

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/10/10/17961838/eagles-tre-sullivan-practice-squad-philadelphia-safety-t-y-mcgill-defensive-tackle-giants-game-nfl

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Kessler replaces Foles as Eagles bolster Wentz back-up options

After Nick Foles left the Philadelphia Eagles for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cody Kessler has moved in the opposite direction.

Quarterback Kessler, who was released by the Jaguars last week, signed a one-year deal with the Eagles on Monday.

He will compete with Nate Sudfeld and Clayton Thorson for the back-up QB role, a position which proved hugely significant in each of the last two years when starter Carson Wentz had each season cut short due to injury.

Foles famously led the franchise to their first Super Bowl title in February 2018.

Kessler, 26, played four matches for Jacksonville last season, going 2-2 after Blake Bortles was benched.

He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, moving on to the Jags after two seasons. 

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are expected to sign well-travelled quarterback Geno Smith.

According to a report from ESPN, Smith is set to sign for his fourth team in as many seasons, where he will compete with Paxton Lynch for reps behind Russell Wilson. 

Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/kessler-replaces-foles-eagles-bolster-153920550.html?src=rss

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Why these digital nomads are starting a lunch club

After stints working as a branding designer in California and New York, North Jersey native Liz Borchert fully embraced the digital nomad life and set up shop in Philadelphia.

A more affordable cost of living and the need for a deeper sense of community beckoned Borchert, 28, into Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood and away from the Big Apple. One day, while on a tour of Bok makerspace, she met Sarah Skobeloff.They chatted, exchanged numbers and began hanging out ant events.

Alongside Skobeloff, a Philly native with a background in advertising, Borchert wondered about a gathering place for digital nomads.

“I’ve been working from coffee shops by myself and I thought it would be great to have more face time events that are maybe more social and less formal,” Borchert said.

On March 1, the first iteration of Lunch Club 215 is happening at Fishtown’s Front Street Cafe. The $25-a-plate lunch gathering is meant to provide all Philly remote workers with a place to bond and share some non-screen time.

(Wonder about digital nomadism? Here’s a postcard from DuckDuckGo engineer Olivia Haas, who split for Thailand to live her best life.)

“When you don’t work a traditional 9-to-5, you don’t have holiday parties or happy hours,” Skobeloff said, hoping the lunch can help spark those kinds of connections. “I love the coworking model, but this gives workers an excuse to come out of their bubble.”

Is Philly home to many digital nomads? With more companies following the distributed route these days, and Philly’s profile as a startup city rising, that number — whatever it is — is likely to continue growing.

-30-

Source: https://technical.ly/philly/2019/02/04/why-these-digital-nomads-are-starting-a-lunch-club/

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Lead-safety bill passes Philly City Council, more ambitious companion measure stalled

The city of Philadelphia will soon be required to have inspectors give many refurbished municipal buildings lead safety certifications.

The proposed regulation is part of a sweeping lead-safety legislative package introduced by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown last year. A bill requiring that municipal buildings built before 1978 be inspected passed the full Council Thursday.

Reynolds Brown said that the city is engaging in a flurry of renovation activity because of Mayor Jim Kenney’s Rebuild program, which is routing $500 million from the sweetened-beverage tax to rehabilitate parks, rec centers, and libraries.

“Knowing that the city was about to embark on Rebuild, we thought the opportunity was ripe,” said Reynolds Brown.

The most ambitious, and critiqued, bill in the legislative package remains stalled in the face of industry opposition. That measure would require that rental units built before 1978 be inspected regularly for lead dust — unless no children under 6 will be living in the unit. College dormitories and Philadelphia Housing Authority properties would also be exempted.

Reynolds Brown said the bill is an effort to demonstrate that she is acting in good faith and wants the city to be held to the same standards as private-sector landlords.

“We discovered that we, as a city, do not ensure our buildings are safe when they go through renovation,” said Reynolds Brown. “If [we want to] require the private sector to test and make sure their buildings are lead safe, why not the City of Philadelphia?”

Pennsylvania Apartment Association East and the Homeowners Association of Philadelphia, known as HAPCO, both oppose the idea, saying that such inspections could cost $200-$300 per unit and could prove prohibitive for multi-unit buildings. They also say that apartments could fail the test if the timing of an investigation is off: Realtors and potential tenants could track dust in if they come in before an inspector.

“It's impossible to do — some people have hundreds of units, others thousands,” said Harvey Spear, HAPCO president. “And it's impossible for the Department of Licenses and Inspections to inspect all these buildings. They don’t have all the manpower.”

Instead, Spear said, the city should concentrate its fire on unlicensed landlords, who often run the most unsafe apartments. It is these units that are the most likely to be riddled with lead paint, he said.

This more ambitious part of Councilwoman Reynolds Brown’s lead-safety agenda has yet to be brought before the full City Council for a vote, but it did pass out of the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.

Last year, City Council passed, and Mayor Jim Kenney signed, another bill that was part of the lead-safety legislative package, which was meant to make it easier for tenants and city officials to discern the individuals behind limited liability companies.

Source: http://planphilly.com/articles/2019/03/28/lead-safety-bill-passes-philly-city-council-more-ambitious-companion-measure-stalled

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Eagles cut Kamar Aiken, call up defensive tackle from practice squad

The Philadelphia Eagles made a roster move on Friday morning. The team officially cut veteran wide receiver Kamar Aiken in order to call up rookie defensive tackle Bruce Hector from the practice squad.

This move seems to indicate Haloti Ngata, who has been limited in practice this week, likely won’t be able to play on Sunday. Doug Pederson said Ngata is “questionable” for the Panthers game.

Prior to calling up Hector, the Eagles would’ve been down to just Fletcher Cox and Treyvon Hester at defensive tackle if Ngata couldn’t suit up. Destiny Vaeao went on injured reserve earlier this week.

Hector, an undrafted rookie free agent signing out of South Florida, began the season on the Eagles’ 53-man roster but got sent down to the practice squad in favor of Hester a few weeks ago. Now the Eagles are in a spot where they needed him back on the 53. That goes to show you how desperate the Eagles are at the position.

It’s hardly surprising to see Aiken get released. The 29-year-old hasn’t been a very effective contributor. Aiken has six receptions for 53 yards this season. The Eagles were at a point where they were playing him a ton of snaps earlier this year with Alshon Jeffery out and Mike Wallace getting hurt. Thankfully that’s not the case anymore.

With Aiken gone, the Eagles will move forward with Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews, DeAndre Carter and Shelton Gibson as their five receivers on the main roster. Wallace and Mack Hollins are still on injured reserve. The Eagles could look to activate at least one of them, if not both, once they’re eligible in a few weeks.

The Eagles now have a vacant spot on the practice squad with Hector getting called up. We’ll likely see the team make an addition there early next week.

Here’s an updated look at the Eagles’ practice squad:

DT Winston Craig

LB B.J. Bello

OL Josh Andrews

TE Billy Brown

LB Asantay Brown

WR Braxton Miller

WR Dorren Miller

DE Joe Ostman

CB Chandon Sullivan

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/10/19/17999764/eagles-cut-kamar-aiken-defensive-tackle-practice-squad-philadelphia-wide-receiver-nfl-bruce-hector

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Best Of The Worst: ‘Holmes & Watson’ Scores Big At 39th Annual Golden Raspberry Awards

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The best of the worst in film have been recognized. The 39th annual Golden Raspberry Awards were held Saturday morning.

“Holmes & Watson,” starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, was the big winner.

The comedy took home four Golden Raspberry awards for Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Remake or Sequel.

Uber Eats Offering Special Deal For Oscars

President Trump was also awarded.

He picked up two Razzies for Worst Actor and Worst Screen Combo for playing himself in “Fahrenheit 11-9” and “Death of a Nation.”

Source: https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/02/23/golden-raspberry-awards-holmes-watson-will-ferrell-john-c-reilly/

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Don’t forget to vote in midterm election on Tuesday, Nov. 6

Don’t forget to head to the polls this Tuesday, Nov. 6 to vote in the midterm elections. All registered voters in Pennsylvania can participate in the election and will be able to choose their candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate (even-numbered districts), and the State House of Representatives.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Click here to find your polling place.

Here are races of interest for West Philly residents: 

Governor

Tom Wolf (Democrat; Elected governor in 2014) Scott Wagner (Republican) Ken Krawchuk (Libertarian) Paul Glover (Green)

Lieutenant Governor

John Fetterman (Democrat) Jeff Bartos (Republican) Jocolyn Bowser-Bostick (Green) Kathleen Smith (Libertarian)

U.S. Senate

Robert P Casey, Jr. (Democrat, running for his third term in the U.S. Senate) Lou Barletta (Republican) Neal Gale (Green) Dale Kerns (Libertarian)

U.S. House of Representatives

District 3

Dwight Evans – Democrat. The incumbent by way of appointment and long-time state representative from Oak Lane.

Bryan Leib – Republican. The 32-year-old treasurer of the Philadelphia Young Republicans and the GOP-endorsed candidate.

State House of Representatives

Democratic candidates in West Philly are all running unopposed.

District 188 – James R. Roebuck District 190 – Vanessa Lowery Brown District 191 – Joanna McClinton District 192 Morgan Cephas

State Senate

District 8 – Democratic incumbent Anthony Williams, a political fixture in the city, is running unopposed.

More information on the midterm election in Pennsylvania can be found on the Committee of Seventy website.

Source: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2018/11/05/dont-forget-to-vote-in-midterm-election-on-tuesday-nov-6/

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Lindsey Harding | Learning a New Game

Not too long ago, Lindsey Harding seemed destined for Hollywood.

At least that’s what Gail Goestenkors thought.

“I fully expected to see her on the big screen,” said the former Duke University women’s basketball head coach, whom Harding played for during a standout career as a point guard for the Blue Devils.

In an individual meeting one time, Harding surprised Goestenkors by telling her that acting was her favorite class at the renowned ACC school. 

“She was getting ready to do what I believe was a monologue,” Goestenkors remembered, “and she said, ‘Do you want me to do it for you?’

“I said, ‘Yes!,’ and I mean she jumped right into character. I was about in tears, because it was so amazing and realistic. That’s when I said, ‘Oh my gosh, you have a gift.’”

Goestenkors wasn’t alone in feeling that Harding had a legit shot at becoming an actress. So too, Goestenkors said, did the acting coaches Harding continued to train with while she was in the WNBA.

Listen to Lindsey Harding's Appearance on The BroadCast

Whether Tinseltown is ever in the cards for the former National College Player of the Year and no. 1 draft pick remains to be seen. The anecdote, however, speaks to a broader, pertinent, and important theme of her life.

“She’s always very interesting, and always very interested,” Goestenkors said, “wanting to continue to grow, and explore different avenues. I always loved that about her.”

It’s a quality, by all accounts, that hasn’t changed, especially as it applies to Harding’s new line of work, a scout for the 76ers.

The game she’s learning might be different, but the approach - responsible for so many of her successes - has stayed the same.

Transitioning Into New Territory

In the modern NBA, four games in four nights is an unthinkable proposition. Truly.

Given the increasing (and justified) prioritization of player rest, the mere notion of inflicting such a demanding stretch on a player or team would be stopped dead before it could even qualify for nonstarter status.

These days, Lindsey Harding could be at a game on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Perhaps a Friday, too.

“It depends on the schedule, and who we’re trying to see,” said Harding, now four months into scouting for the Sixers.

Harding, by no means, is a stranger to the grind.

After completing a decorated career at Duke that earned her the no. 1 selection in the 2007 WNBA draft, Harding embarked on a pro career that was long and strong. It lasted 11 seasons, and featured stints with the Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, and Phoenix Mercury.

In the off-season, Harding typically packed up and went overseas, like many of her fellow WNBA peers. Opportunities in Europe took her to Lithuania, Russia, and Turkey, the country where her journey as a player officially ended 19 months ago.  

“I came back [to the United States] in May of 2017, and was done,” Harding said. “I took four months, and just vacationed. I was on any beach I could.”

But for someone who, for two decades, had poured so much sweat and cerebral equity into basketball, her feelings for the game didn’t just recede into the ocean.

“I knew I wanted to be in the NBA,” Harding said, reflecting on her state of mind in early retirement. “I didn’t know exactly in what capacity, but I knew that I had a lot of relationships, and wanted to just talk to people and see what they suggested.”

So, Harding decided to go to that year’s NBA Summer League.

One of the most impactul encounters she had in Las Vegas was with Bethany Donaphin, then the Associate Vice President of NBA Basketball Operations, and now the Head of WNBA League Operations.

Donaphin tipped Harding off about a newly-created initiative for former NBA players called the Basketball Operations Associate Program.

By the fall, Harding was in New York.

“You were given the chance to rotate through different departments within [NBA] basketball operations, from officiating to data analytics to CBA / salary cap, just everything to get an understanding,” said Harding. “It also helps with the transition from playing, what direction do I really want to go.”

More than anything, Harding’s year in the Basketball Operations Associate Program gave her a sense of what she didn’t want to do, and that was be in an office around the clock.

“I really wanted to work with a team. I missed that competitiveness, I missed ‘my’ team. So, from there, I talked to different teams and organizations about getting my foot in the door.”

A door opened earlier this year in Camden, New Jersey, and here Harding is now, the first real chapter of her post-playing career well underway.

Putting a Premium on Relationships

Everytime Harding drops by the 76ers Training Complex, which, in-season, is a rare occurrence, due to all the traveling she does, she gets a bunch of hugs.

Fine by her.

“I’m a hugger anyway,” Harding said. “I’m from the South.”

By necessity, Harding’s new role requires her to throw her arms around a bunch of different people, in a metaphorical embrace.

That’s because intelligence gathering is at the heart of her gig as a scout, “a big piece of the pie,” as Vince Rozman put it.

“It’s a huge component, especially from the NBA perspective,” said Rozman, Senior Director of Scouting for the Sixers. “Everybody knows what players are good and what they do. Understanding how they might fit, how they might react to our team and our coaching staff, it’s huge.”

Coaches, players, other scouts, executives, agents - all represent potential sources of intel capable of helping paint a more complete profile of a player.

Scouts like Harding are responsible for procuring this type of information.

And what’s the most direct, effective, and reliable way to unearth nuggets, big or small, that could eventually influence key personnel decisions?

Relationships, which Harding is all about.

“That’s why relationships are big, right?,” she said. “If I really know someone, and I have a great relationship with them, they’re more likely to tell me good stuff, the really good stuff. Some of the information I may not know, or I may not know how true it is, or I may not know if it’s heresy. But for me and my organization, I’ll bring it back and say, ‘What do you think about that, or is this crazy?’”

It can be a tricky dance, as straightforward as Harding makes it sound. 

Imagine this scenario:

You’re Lindsey Harding, an already recognizable figure in basketball circles, given your accomplishments on the court.

Now, you’re a scout, and odds are, just about everyone of your counterparts probably knows who you work for, and what you’ve come to the arena for that day.

Valuable intellectual property.

Harding’s personality has helped her cut through any potential awkwardness. “Genuine” was a word Rozman used to describe her.

“She’s easy to talk to, very outgoing, confident, and approachable. All of those qualities, once you walk into a gym and need to talk to a coach or other people scouting the game, it’s helpful, it goes a long way.”

Sounds a lot like the point guard Gail Goestenkors coached at Duke.

“She’s outgoing, for one, and she’s never met a stranger, for two,” Goestenkors said of Harding. “When you’ve got a great communicator who’s outgoing, but also very caring, sensitive, and curious, I think people are naturally drawn to that, and feel comfortable. And when people feel comfortable, they tend to open up more, and share more. I think that’s vital.”

Nailing the ice breaker, Harding has learned, is critical to starting good dialogue. She often picks the brains of some of the Sixers’ more experienced scouts for tips on how to get the conversation rolling.

“You don’t ever want to be someone who comes in and is like, ‘Hi, I’m Lindsey, soooooo…,” Harding joked. “That’s kind of rude, because people have done it to me. I don’t know if they think, ‘Oh she’s a newbie, she’s going to tell us everything we want.’”

Harding, as gracious and affable as she is, doesn’t. She’s catching on quick.

“Everyone’s been very, very helpful.”

Offering a Wealth Perspective

To only highlight Harding’s interpersonal skills would be to do a disservice to the well-rounded package she brings to the 76ers.

It would also be shortsighted to simply play up another narrative that’s associated with her.

“I don’t want it to be ‘The Sixers mostly hired you for that,’” said Harding, the second WNBA player and first African-American WNBA player to land a full-time scouting position with an NBA franchise.

She even addressed the matters of gender and race with the Sixers during her job interview. The response heartened her.

“They were like, ‘Yeah, we see that, but you’ve had experiences and have done things that most of our people haven’t. We want you to bring that, and we feel it’s going to be different, unique, and that it’s going to help us.’

In Harding, here’s what the Sixers saw:

“The combination of her skill as a player, and the personality and the desire to coach and learn and integrate herself into the NBA, that package was overwhelming,” said Brett Brown.

“She really comes with an amazing resume, pedigree, and spirit. When you talk to her, you feel that competitive drive that I would feel from Jimmy Butler.” 

Determination, and an insatiable desire to succeed have long been parts of Harding’s DNA.

Before basketball, she was a track-and-field star. Subsequently, Harding picked up hoops relatively late.

While being recruited for college, she was ranked predominantly on state level lists in Texas, mostly flying under the national radar.

But by the time Harding departed Duke for the WNBA, she was the sixth player in ACC history to reach 1,000 points; 500 rebounds; 500 assists; and 250 steals. Putting how good she was into further context, her no. 10 jersey hangs in the rafters of famed Cameron Indoor Stadium, and this past fall, she was inducted into the Duke Sports Hall of Fame.

“She just continued to work and improve,” said former coach Gail Goestenkors. “When it was all said and done, she was the top player in the country, and the no. 1 draft pick. That’s how far she came. She was very good, don’t get me wrong. But she wasn’t considered one of the elite. But by the time she finished, she was the elite.”

In addition to Harding’s work ethic, the Sixers were intrigued by the vantage point she could bring to the scouting staff as a former pro who had not only played extensively in the United States, but also, particularly, in Europe.

“She’s played in the WNBA, overseas, and she was obviously a high-level prospect,” Vince Rozman, the Sixers’ Senior Scouting Director, said. “She’s experienced all of these types of progressions that players we’re looking at have gone through. She’s really seen it all.”

Harding, who played for Belarus at the 2016 Olympics, admits she wouldn’t see the sport the way she does now had she not competed internationally. There were differences everywhere - in styles of play, coaching, and cultures.

“There are a lot of things I did learn from [international basketball], different talent, different players,” she said. “Some players you’d look at and say they’re not a great athlete, they’re not this and that, but how do they keep ending with 20 [points] and 10 [rebounds]? There’s something about this player that makes them good, and I really liked focusing on that too.”

In 13 seasons with the Sixers, Rozman has come to believe that diversity of perspective is an imperative dynamic to have within a scouting department. Harding, given the depth of her experiences, figured to enrich the room.

“Most of the year isn’t coming to answers, it’s coming to identify questions, and argue through them,” said Rozman. “As many different backgrounds and viewpoints as you have, it’s great.”

“It is sophisticated,” Brett Brown said about the art of scouting. “It’s intel gathering, it’s the nuances of seeing something that others might not see. It’s studied stuff, it’s homework stuff, it’s gut feel stuff.

“I think that with Lindsey’s experiences, both domestic and internationally as a player, she’s got a real chance to be something different as it relates to a polished, versatile scout.”

End Game

The way the world works, now that Harding has gotten started scouting for the Sixers, it’s only natural for us to wonder what her end game is, right? Where does someone with as intriguing a backstory as hers want to ultimately end up?

At the moment, Harding, who's scouting a little bit of everything for the Sixers, is just happy to have found a rhythm to her still relatively fresh routine, while continuing to meet new people, and expand her network of contacts.

“I’m much more comfortable now,” Harding said. “Everyone, not just my organization, but other scouts, has been very helpful.”

For as long as Gail Goestenkors has known Harding, which is pretty much all of Harding’s adult life, she’s admired her former player’s perpetual interest in “everything going on in life, and seeing life as a great adventure.”

“The sky’s the limit for her. I love that she dreams big, then goes out and tries to make it happen,” said Goestenkors, who spoke to Harding shortly before the season started

“She said, ‘I’m glad I’m doing this right now, because I’m behind the scenes, and I get to see how things work and how difficult it is and the decisions that need to be made. So this is so good for her.’

Harding was always a fast study anyways, Goestenkors said.

“She learns quickly, adapts, adjusts, and then excels.”

As Harding continues to learn more and more about the ways of the NBA, she’s already discovered that when it comes to professional trajectory on the basketball operations side of things, oftentimes “there’s no exact path.”

“You don’t go to ninth grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, then 12th grade,” said Harding. “Some people go straight to 12th grade.

“For me, and how I’m taking this, it’s one step at a time. I look at this as the opportunity of being a scout, a great opportunity to learn what everyone does, how they do it, and see what opportunities I have next.”

The partnership with the Sixers so far  has been productive, and promising.

“I just feel that at this stage of her life, and the timing we have in organization, I think it’s a great fit on both sides,” said Brett Brown. “We’re thrilled to have her. Male or female, she’s great at what she does.”

Source: https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/lindsey-harding-learning-new-game

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Philadelphia NAACP Takes Issue With DA’s Ruling Against Appeal For Convicted Cop Killer Mumia Abu-Jamal

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The District Attorney’s decision to appeal a ruling that would allow Mumia Abu-Jamal to appeal his case has drawn swift reaction from the Philadelphia NAACP.

Abu-Jamal is a convicted cop killer, while some describe him as an activist.

The President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP has a message for the district attorney’s office.

“The NACCP is not here to argue guilt or innocence of Mr. Jamal,” said Minister Rodney Muhammad of the Philadelphia NAACP. “We are talking about due process.”

He denounced District Attorney Larry Krasner’s move to appeal Judge Leon Tucker’s ruling that would allow Abu-Jamal to appeal the case against him.

The activist has been serving life without parole since his death sentence was thrown out.

Latest Appeal From Convicted Killer Mumia Abu-Jamal Sparks Reaction From Philadelphia NAACP

Abu-Jamal was convicted of the shooting death of 25-year-old Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner at 13th and Locust Streets on Dec. 9, 1981.

The NAACP says this appeal by the district attorney’s office is disappointing.

“We hope they reconsider and pull the appeal back,” said Muhammad.

Judge Tucker made his ruling last month because former Chief Justice Ronald Castille did not recuse himself when Abu-Jamal’s case went before the court.

Castille was Philadelphia’s District Attorney during Abu-Jamal’s initial appeal.

“There are so many question marks about Abu-Jamal’s case and how it’s been handled,” said Muhammed.

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A spokesperson for Krasner says the appeal reflects agreement with some and disagreement with other aspects of the court’s opinion.

The Fraternal Order of Police has supported the Faulkner family.

The President of the local lodge, John McNesby said, “It is nice to see the DA’s office advocate on behalf of hero Officer Danny Faulkner by filing his appeal.”

Source: https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/01/27/philadelphia-naacp-takes-issue-with-das-ruling-against-appeal-for-convicted-cop-killer-mumia-abu-jamal/

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On the Market: Rehabbed Rowhouse with a Twist in Queen Village

For Sale/Rent

The owner of this traditional Philly rowhouse recently updated it for modern times. But you'll also find in it an unusual touch of Art Deco.

510 Christian St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147 | Bright MLS images via BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors

This unassuming-looking rowhouse on Christian Street in Queen Village dates to 1919, like most of its neighbors. And like a number of them, it has an owner who decided to bring it into the here and now with a thoughtful update.

But (we suspect) unlike its other neighbors, something interesting happened to this house sometime between Then and Now.

What happened should be evident in the living room photos above and below.

Specifically, this house got a little Art Deco thrown into it.

Living room

That makeover gave the living room its large full-height mirrors and the curving staircase and railing that forms its back wall.

Dining room and kitchen

A passage next to the staircase leads to the dining room and kitchen in the back of the first floor. This is one of the spaces the current owner brought up to date.

They did so with a slight nod to that Art Deco dress-up in choosing the light fixtures. You’ll find similar modern references to the style in places like the master bathroom.

Kitchen

The kitchen is nicely outfitted with a breakfast bar that covers two wine racks and a wine fridge in addition to the full complement of stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and tile floor and backsplashes.

That Deco stair and railing continue up past the second floor and its three bedrooms to the top-floor master suite.

Master suite sitting area

It ends in a seating area next to the bedroom.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom has loads of space and an attractive en-suite bath with tile wainscoting, floors and tub enclosure.

Master bathroom

This house also has a wood-decked patio in back and a full finished basement with half bath. Either of these spaces can be used for relaxation or entertaining.

And finally, it has a great location. You’re close to a slew of great Queen Village restaurants, and South Street, Head House Square and the Italian Market are all a short walk away as well. With a Walk Score of 97, you may even be able to ditch your car if you have one now.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 4

BATHS: 2 full, 1 half

SQUARE FEET: 1,959

SALE PRICE: $510,000

OTHER STUFF: This house’s sale price has been reduced twice, most recently by $15,000 on Dec. 5th.

510 Christian St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147 [Caitlin Coppock | BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors]

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/property/2018/12/11/house-for-sale-queen-village-rowhouse-rehab/

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Autism Prevalence Now 1 In 40 US Kids, Study Estimates

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PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — A survey of parents across the United States estimates that one in 40 children has autism spectrum disorder, according to a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

In other words, the condition was reported in 2.5 percent of children, representing an estimated 1.5 million kids ages 3 to 17.

A report released this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the prevalence at one in 59 children or about 1.7 percent, based on 2014 data.

“Prevalence is not growing that rapidly, although the CDC’s data suggests it is still growing,” Thomas Frazier, chief science officer of the advocacy organization Autism Speaks, said in an emailed statement. He was not involved in the new report.

“What is happening is that these studies use methods that are a bit more liberal and inclusive than the CDC’s methods,” Frazier said, adding that he prefers the CDC’s numbers but understands “that they are likely a bit conservative.”

The new study is based on the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, which was conducted by the US Census Bureau and which collected information from parents of more than 50,000 children up to age 17. To be included in the estimate, parents would have had to report that their child had ever received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and that they currently had the condition.

The new numbers were also slightly lower than those in the 2017 National Health Interview Survey. It estimated that 2.76 percent of children had ever received such a diagnosis, which the authors of the new report note is a broader definition.

13th Case Of Adenovirus Confirmed At Voorhees Pediatric Facility

The fact that the new study relies on parental reporting — which is not validated by health and education records, as in the CDC report — may be a limitation despite the broad scope of the research, the authors say.

Frazier said the 1-in-40 figure is “generally consistent with previous parent surveys and other direct prevalence studies where researchers directly screen for and attempt to identify autism.”

The parents in the new study also reported more difficulties getting the health care their children need, versus those with Down syndrome, or other behavioral disorder, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

“Though we’ve seen progress in recent years, this confirms what we know from our parents — that many children face unacceptable delays in getting a diagnostic evaluation, even after parents, teachers or other caregivers have recognized the signs of autism,” Frazier said.

In the new study, more than a quarter of children with autism spectrum disorder were taking medication for symptoms related to the condition, and nearly two-thirds have received “behavioral treatments” in the past year, the study says.

It also found a higher prevalence for autism spectrum disorder among certain groups such as boys, children of single mothers and households below the federal poverty level, compared with those at least four times above that income threshold.

The differences between the new study’s numbers and those of the CDC study might be explained by the years they were conducted, the ages of children studied and where they lived, according to the new study.

The CDC report was based on data collected from 11 communities across the country but was not necessarily nationally representative, according to that report’s co-author Daisy Christensen, surveillance team lead in the developmental disabilities branch of the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.

“Parents know their child best,” Christensen, who was not involved in the new report, previously told CNN. “We want to encourage parents to be aware of their child’s development, to be aware of the milestones that children achieve.”

Autism spectrum disorder, a lifelong developmental disability, is characterized by problems with communication and social interaction with accompanying repetitive behavior patterns.

The authors note that it’s difficult to compare the new report with prior iterations due to updates in how the survey collected its data and how questions were worded.

“We cannot tell what proportion was explained by internal survey changes rather than external factors,” the authors wrote.

Still, the report comes as estimated prevalences of the disorder have been rising for decades.

“Over the ’80s and ’90s, the diagnostic criteria expanded to include more children,” Christensen said, “so I think that’s definitely a possibility for the increase that we’ve seen.”

In the past, more than half of children identified with autism also had intellectual disability, and now it’s about a third, she said. “And that’s really consistent with identifying children who are perhaps at the milder end of the spectrum.”

The new study’s authors also note that universal screening recommendations in the 2000s may have led to a rise in prevalence among younger children, for example.

“Because there is no biological marker, [autism spectrum disorder] is a particularly challenging condition to track,” the authors note.

But understanding how common it is allows health experts to distribute resources and get families the help they need, according to Frazier.

“Having prevalence estimates — even if there is some variation — helps us to advocate for improved screening, diagnosis, interventions and supports,” he said.

(The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.)

Source: https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/11/26/autism-prevalence-40-us-kids/

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‘Round-up For Change’ applications open for West Philly organizations/causes

June 28, 2019

Mariposa Food Coop is currently accepting applications for their 2019-2020 Round-up for Change cycle. Through the program, Mariposa’s members and shoppers “round-up” their purchases to the nearest dollar and the extra change is then donated to Philly organizations, groups, and/or causes.

The first recipient will be selected for September 2019 and the cycle will run until August 2020.

Local organizations whose missions or objectives carry out one of the following will be considered: 

• promote/support nutritious foods and healthy diets • support food justice and/or social justice • stimulate urban agriculture and/or the local food economy • promote environmental responsibility • serve as a cooperative organization • support Mariposa’s immediate neighborhood and community • focus on education initiatives, and/or • spur grassroots, community development.

Applications can be found here. Deadline is July 31, 2019.

Mariposa launched the Round-up for Change initiative last year in an effort to give back to organizations that positively impact the neighborhood and the City as a whole.

Source: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2019/06/28/round-up-for-change-applications-open-for-west-philly-organizations-causes/