In a recent piece in Philadelphia Magazine, the new Drexel president John Fry lays out his hopes for the remaking of the neighborhoods near the campus – the Eds and Meds (universities and medicine/science) approach a la Penn. Fry imagines a Drexel that is the most “civically engaged university in America.” The plan seems to be similar to what has taken place at Penn, where Fry was a vice president under former president Judith Rodin. The plan includes more police, help with faculty and staff mortgages and improved schools.
From the piece:
The short-term goal is to make the northern University City neighborhoods around Drexel more like the clean, leafy, surprisingly safe and prosperous precincts that adjoin the Penn campus, whose very niceness Fry had more than a little to do with creating during a seven-year stint as Penn’s executive vice president under then-president Judith Rodin.
The piece is also sprinkled with contrasts between Fry and the neighborhoods he proposes to revamp – references to his Land Rover, his degrees and the fact that he lives in Bryn Mawr.
Eagles fever seeped out of West Philly homes and into the streets after the big win yesterday, leading to an impromptu twist on a Christmas classic during caroling in Clark Park. The Eagles notched a dramatic, come-from-behind win against archrival New York Giants and “Hark the Herald Eagles Sing” soon followed.
From the Annenberg website: “Using ordinary materials such as toilet paper, white sheets, foam and recycled junk that morph into giant balloons, huge slinkies, gargantuan potato heads and accordion-pleated tubes, this beloved Swiss company tells incredible stories that transcend the need for words.” That sounds kind of interesting.
Here they are (Oh, and it’s supposed to be quiet):
• Christmas Bazaar • 9 a.m. • Mercy Hospital lower atrium • 501 S. 54th St.
The bazaar will include jewelry, clothing, handcrafted items, artwork and more.
Teen and ‘tween manga fans are invited to read, draw and chat about their favorite Japanese comics. Art supplies will be provided and Japanese snacks will be served.
A sampling of things going on today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to: editor [at] westphillylocal.com
Drummer and composer Tomas Fujiwara was born in Boston and studied under Joyce Kauffman and Alan Dawson. Over the years he has performed with Anthony Braxton, Norah Jones, Herbie Mann, Joe Morris, Roy Campbell, William Parker, Vernon Reid, Vijay Iyer, and many others. His current projects, in addition to The Hook Up, include his duo work with Taylor Ho Bynum, The Thirteenth Assembly, the Taylor Ho Bynum Sextet and Trio, Matana Roberts’ Coin Coin, Ideal Bread, Red Baraat, and several others. He has released many records as both a group leader and sideman on labels like Important, hatOLOGY, Engine, Firehouse 12, Cuneiform, and 482 Music. Ideal Bread will perform the works of famed soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy. Here is a review of Tomas Fujiwara and the Hook-up from the New York Times. Here’s a taste of the music:
• Son Step/Renne • 7 p.m. • Green Line Cafe • 4426 Locust St. • $5-10 sliding scale
Son Step is Pat Lamborn, Jon Coyle, Chris Coyle, Matt Scarano and they play garage/folk/experimental songs “with 2 voices and muchos drumming.” Renne features Tim Brey, Chris Pearlberg, Mike Rowland and Doug Raus and is a 4-piece rock/pop/jazz group that “churns out some really great, interesting music.”
• WPEB programming meeting • 6 p.m. • WPEB Studios • 541B S. 52nd St.
The programming committee at WPEB, West Philly’s low-power FM station, will hold their regular monthly meeting.
If you were planning to head to Clark Park for some caroling tonight, you’re going to have to wait a week. The caroling that was planned to start at 5 p.m. today will now take place next Sunday, Dec. 19, at the maintenance shed near 45th and Regent.
We know. The easy thing to do is get some kind of worthless small appliance for your uncle or your in-laws. Maybe even two if they are on sale. Stay strong. Help is on the way.
OK, lame. But you get the point. There are lots of great, affordable, unique gift ideas around the neighborhoods. In addition to the shops above and a bunch of others, a couple of holiday fairs are also going on this weekend:
Second Saturday Holiday Craft Sale • Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. • The Rotunda • 4014 Walnut St.
This is a big one. It includes more than 30 local vendors with local goods.
• Holiday Craft Sale • University City Arts League • 4226 Spruce Street • Saturday – 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.
Several local artists will have jewelry, pottery, handwoven clothing, handmade cards and a bunch of other amazing stuff for sale.
In a recent piece in Philadelphia Magazine, the new Drexel president John Fry lays out his hopes for the remaking of the neighborhoods near the campus – the Eds and Meds (universities and medicine/science) approach a la Penn. Fry imagines a Drexel that is the most “civically engaged university in America.” The plan seems to be similar to what has taken place at Penn, where Fry was a vice president under former president Judith Rodin. The plan includes more police, help with faculty and staff mortgages and improved schools.
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