Within a day of the Jan. 10 at the Windermere Court Apartments at 48th and Walnut Street people from around the area stepped up to help the 100 or more people that the fire made homeless. Folks donated clothes, money and other things to the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and other organizations. Little of that help has seemingly made it to the victims. We wanted to alert readers to a discussion on our original story on aid to the victims. Here is a sample comment from Lara, a former resident of Windermere Court:

I am also a former resident of the Windermere apartments, and yes, I can confirm that none of the clothing donated to the Salvation Army goes directly to us. And the same goes for any money donated to the Red Cross – it DOES NOT go directly to us. We have each been given a $100 voucher to use at a Salvation Army store, in one visit, before mid February. As far as donated clothing goes, unfortunately I have no idea where it can be donated where it will be held for us. Some of us have found adequate clothing through friends, coworkers, and the help of other former residents of Windermere Court. Others have had more difficulty finding what they need. I will say this though… we have barely seen any of all of the aid we keep hearing of, and it is not only disheartening, but angering. Where is it going? We (many former residents) keep reading misinformation about such resources that have supposedly been provided to us in news articles again and again. We have not been put up in hotels or apartments by anyone but perhaps friends or family, and we have been mostly fending for ourselves at the same time as grieving what we’ve lost. We’ve been communicating with one another and have been each other’s best source of information and resources. I wish I could help you help us, but I don’t know exactly how to do that.

See more comments here. Next week we plan to do a one-month update on what’s happening with fire victims and the building.

Fox29 was at Powell Elementary yesterday for a discussion of the school district’s Imagine 2014 strategic plan. The discussion specifically concerned facilities and the possibility of closing and consolidating some schools.
A full account of the facilities plan is available here.
Here’s the Fox29 story:

Someone placed a lawn chair in this growing pothole near 43rd and Pine to help alert drivers. If your car rides low, it likely will bottom out in this thing, much like this car did a second after the photo was taken. Photo by Mike Lyons

This was relayed to us by a neighbor. She was at a local cafe recently with her young son.

I was having breakfast with my son at the Green Line at 43rd and Baltimore from 9:15 am to 10:00 am today and I had my credit cards taken out of my wallet while I was sitting at the table. Sadly, I had my purse on the back of my chair with my coat hanging over it with my son on my lap. A woman came in and sat behind me and I thought she was sitting too closely because there were so many other tables around me. I scooted my seat forward away from her. Well, turns out it was not far enough. When she left I felt paranoid about the situation and checked my bag to find my wallet still there. But 4 hours later I got a call from my credit card company questioning several fraudulent charges. Lo and behold I checked my wallet and my cards were gone. Please, please keep an eye on your bags. I was stupid, careless and taking care of my son.

Here are a few select events this weekend:

Friday

• Great Expectations • 8 p.m. • Curio Theatre (815 S. 48th) •Tickets $10 to $15.

Join the Curio Theatre performers as they explore Charles Dickens’ world of Pip, Estella, Miss Havisham, Joe and a small army of other characters in a classic story of love, revenge, redemption and the discovery of self. Preview performances will be Feb. 4, 5 and 10. The play opens Feb. 11. Jared Reed adapted the play and will direct it.

• Serafin String Quartet • 8 p.m. • Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts • General admission $25

Serafin String Quartet debuted in New York in 2004 to a sell-out crowd at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and has consistently received rave reviews in the press and ovations in the concert hall. New York Concert Review has applauded the quartet for their “excellent music making” and “uncommonly fine interpretation.” Enjoy Sky Quartet by 2010 Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize winning Philadelphia composer, Jennifer Higdon.

Saturday

• SAT Prep for Teens • 1 p.m. • Walnut Street West Library (201 S. 40th St.)

• Peanut Butter and Jams Welcomes Bollywood Dance • 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. • World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.) • Tickets $7 to $10

This workshop is a unique fusion of Bollywood beats, Indian folk dance moves and western style with an exhilarating style of dance technique, all in an easy-to-understand, format that anyone can follow. It’s a great way to experience healthy physical activity, broaden cultural understanding, develop musical skills and have fun. All Workshops are designed and conducted by celebrity choreographer Rujuta Vaidya who has the credit of choreographing this year’s Oscar ceremony as well as the Bollywood dance routines for superstars like Britney Spears, Cheetah Girls and Black Eyed Peas among others

The 10 a.m. show is for kids 4-11 and the Noon show is a fitness workshop for teens and adults.

Sunday

• Charles Dicken Birthday Party • 2 p.m. • Griffith Hall (University of the Sciences, 43rd and Kingsessing Mall) • Free

Dramatic readings and party refreshments. Sponsored by the Friends of Clark Park.

• Super Square Dance for beginners • 8 p.m. • The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) • $5 to $10

This could be all kinds of fun. Featuring Jamie Herman and Marian Macrae Band. Your caller is Keith Brand.

The entrance to West Philadelphia High School.

The success of the Penn Alexander school (4209 Spruce St.) sometimes overshadows what happens at other schools in the neighborhood. The fact is that many of these schools, while having individual successes, are struggling overall. The students are bright, the teachers are usually qualified and engaged, but the schools are not living up to their potential.

One problem is the lack of parental involvement in schools. Research has consistently shown that parental involvement is a key factor in a students success as well as a school success. Another factor, activists argue, is the school system itself.

The Enterprise Center hosted a screening of a school reform documentary called “A Community Concern,” which chronicles grassroots neighborhood reform efforts in the Bronx, Oakland and Boston. The documentary makes it clear thast school reform is rarely just a top-down process – that there has to be movement from below, among parents, community leaders, teachers and students to make real change. After the screening, several community members involved in school reform in West Philly discussed their efforts. These include parents from West Philadelphia High School (4700 Walnut St.), Henry C. Lea Elementary (4700 Locust St.) and Alain Locke Elementary School (4550 Haverford Ave.).

The same grassroots organizing that changed schools in Oakland, Boston and New York is alive in West Philadelphia as well with groups such as the West Philly Coalition of Neighborhood Schools.

The following excerpts from the discussion will provide an important primer on the efforts in local schools and a window into the issues that need to be addressed.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3 (it says “part 2,” but it’s part 3):