The city's thoughts and prayers are with Ralph Archbold, the city's premier Benjamin Franklin impersonator as he recovers from a stroke.

In 2003, Time Magazine ran a profile of him that shared his level of commitment and what is at the heart of his success - that he works to create a community.

According to the Time piece, he checks his email, linked to from his home page regularly.

He has a linkedin page as well.

ABC 6: Action News: Remembering Gary Papa

Philadelphia Inquirer: Channel 6 sports anchor's death leaves hole in hearts of family, friends & fans

The700Level.com: Philly Loses the Great Gary Papa

A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago: GARY PAPA (1954-2009)

Katey's Kafe: R.I.P. Gary Papa

Phillyist: Gary Papa Dies

Philebrity: R.I.P.: Gary Papa, 1954-2009

Bleeding Green: Bleeding Green: Longtime Philly sports anchor Gary Papa dies

(please feel free and post your links - I will update this post)

Pepi is back and performing for a great cause! Pepi Ginsberg is headlining at a benefit concert hosted by United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Phrequency.com. Pepi’s “distinctively mournful voice with a remarkable range” is pairing with local Philly bands Oh Pears!, A Sunny Day in Glasgow and Neighborhood Choir at World Café Live on June 21st. If good music like Pepi’s most recent release “Red” isn’t enough to persuade you, come support a great cause for United Way’s third annual Stuff the Bus event! All proceeds from this event benefit United Way’s Stuff the Bus project that delivers book bags full of new school supplies to children living in homeless shelters throughout the region. Donate a *NEW* school supply at the concert and receive a LIVE UNITED pin. Tickets for the event can be purchased at www.worldcafelive.com or at the door for $12! World Cafe Live 3025 Walnut Street, June 21, 8pm

Check out United Way's Stuff the Bus Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWyI3OxlKLk

Learn more about Stuff the Bus:
www.liveunitedsepa.org/stuffthebus

Media Mobilizing Project recently started a new initiative: Community Journalism in Times of Economic Crisis. The initiative is a response to both the economic crisis, which is hitting Philadelphians hard, and the growing problems with the for-profit journalism model, which is making it difficult for local newspapers to cover stories about the struggles of everyday people during the economic downturn. The goal of this project is to report on and collect the real stories of Philadelphia and beyond on MMP's community blog, so we can begin to get a picture of the economic crisis from the ground up. Here is a copy of our latest newsletter: The Human Right to Healthcare: Northeastern Hospital is Groundzero. Sign up for the newsletter!

Since the advent of cities, those with the means have escaped during the steamy summer months. But what of those who remain? For the months of June and July, Projects Gallery presents “Summer in the City”, a group show resulting from an open call to artists from the greater Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region. The resulting artists run the gamut from current students to established, mid-career artists.
Daniel Petraitis, Fire Hydrant, 40”H x 16”W x 16”D, Blown glass, steel

Frequently galleries close or reduce their operating hours under the assumption that the sticky days and hot nights leave no audience for art. Projects Gallery believes that, for the peoples that remain, the thirst for expression is not diminished by the change of season. The work in this exhibition is a template of patient visual critique of the experience rather than simple jubilation. “Summer in the City” celebrates these die-hard urbanites and is reflective of their myriad experience.
Tamsen Wojtanowski, cast, 17"H x 17"W, Color photograph

Artists include Jennifer Baker, Henry Berkowitz, Aubrie Costello, Linda Dubin Garfield, Conor Fields, Ashley Flynn, Adam Lovitz, Daniel Petraitis, Bobby Rosenstock, Martha Savery, Allen Spencer and Deborah Imler, Fay Stanford, Jayne Surrena, Mat Tomezsko, Andrew Wapinski, Tamsen Wojtanowski and others.
Allan Spencer and Debera Imler Facade 18, 14”H x 14”W, Mixed media

With a broadly interpretive topic and locale constraint, a curious sub-theme emerged. Many of the works seem to observe the destructive nature of humanity on their environment with an air of detachment. In some works, a nearly anthropological or documentarian voice is expressed. A sense of urban decay extends from the abstract to the figurative, from literal crumbling buildings and abandoned lots to the reflexive decay of those who inhabit these settings. Many of these works hint at questioning the role of the urbanite in their treatment of their space, their peers and their community. This undercurrent energizes the collective voice of city dwellers, strengthening a conversation beyond the expected summery escapism.
Henry Berkowitz, Old City Fire Escape, 16”H x 22”W, Oil on canvas

Emerging from their wintry cocoon, Philadelphians take to the streets and stoops, bikes and bars, parks and playgrounds. Much of the featured art shows people outside of their homes, in the environment of the city and the resultant interaction between the two. Each of these varied artists lend a perspective to what summer in the city can mean in all the positive, negative and observationally neutral positions. Including photography, print, glass, sculpture, collage, works on paper, mixed media installation, as well as both figurative and abstract work, there is something for everyone in this firmly Philadelphian show.
Mat Tomezsko, Haircut, 26”H x 16 ¾”W, Oil on wood

“Summer in the City” will be on display June 5 – August 1, 2009. There will be an artist opening reception First Friday June 5th from 6 - 9 p.m. The opening will embody the energy of a backyard keg party as we celebrate our own summer in the city. The reception is free and open to the public.
Linda Dubin Garfield, South Philly Doorway 3, 19” H x 23” W, Mixed Media

Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd St. in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties section. Gallery hours are Wednesday & Thursday 4 -7 p.m. and Friday & Saturday noon to 7 p.m. For more information and images, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com
Adam Lovitz, Hat Collection, 21”H x 17”W, Mixed media on hand-cut paper, pinned on felt

Young Philly Politics: Why was turnout so low?:

..one reason turnout was low that we all have some control over: Our voting system sucks.

. Read the whole piece for some ideas to move things forward.

via my personal blog:

Following Refresh Philly May have been some great discussions in its related Google Group.

Technically Philly posted two followups: City CIO's $100 million Digital Philadelphia vision and Editorial: City government calls for tech support

Jonny Goldstein, on his blog, envizualize, had literally, visualized the discussion with some art live at the discussion that is just terrific, you got to take a look: Visual Notes From Philly CIO Allan Frank at Refresh Philly

Two efforts to collect what people want from Philly governments online efforts and the data it makes available have been launched by participants in the discussion:

Wikispaces: phillydata

Google Moderator: Philadelphai - What can we do for you?

Lawmakers will be making decisions on our health care this summer. Get the facts!

Panel and Audience Participation

Special Guest
Congressman Joe Sestak, 7th Congressional District

Date: Sunday, May 3
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Swarthmore College, Science Center, Room 101

Panelists:

Dr. Walter Tsou, M.D.
Former Philadelphia Health Commissioner
Marc Stier
PA Director of Health Care for America Now
Ellen Magenheim
Economics Professor, Swarthmore College
Dr. James Dixon
Former Philadelphia Health Commissioner
Chuck Pennacchio,
Executive Director, Health Care4AllPA

Directions
http://www.swarthmore.edu/visitordash/visitors_content_directions.php
From Route 320 turn onto Elm Avenue. Turn left onto Whittier Place, marked by stone pillars. Proceed to the end of Whittier Place and turn right into the Dupont parking lot, beside the Science Center, which has the slanted roof over a plaza. At the plaza, enter through the door to the left. Room 101 is on the right.

presented by:
Student Health Care Action Network and Citizen Access

Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19,2009, all weekend.
Mt. Airy Kids' Literary Festival! Big Blue Marble Bookstore's third annual kids' literary festival--a weekend of kids' literature, music, crafts, and activities. Featuring popular Baby Loves Jazz author Andy Blackman Hurwitz and special musical guests, a hands-on kids' cooking experience with Atsuko Quirk, young adult author Tonya Cherie Hegamin, storytellers Milt Cohen and Debra Johnson, and more guests to be announced.

Check out our regularly scheduled kids' events and reading/book signings, workshops, writing classes, and more on our website: www.bigbluemarblebooks.com!

Wondering how you can affordably and easily incorporate “green” practices into your everday life? Join us at Cliveden, a National Trust Historic Site, on Friday April 3rd and Satruday April 4th for Going Green: Environmental Stewardship for Preservation and Profit.

Located in our historic Carriage House, visitors will hear a variety of perspectives on local “green” issues from renowned scholars and environmental leaders. Topics will include an assortment of subjects including: “green” lawn care, protection of local wildlife, historical environmental issues and the true characteristics of eco-living.

The Going Green forum will begin on Friday evening, April 3rd, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a wine and cheese conversation about Cliveden’s climate control project. Learn about the special challenges historic sites face when balancing sustainability and historic accuracy. A presentation and panel discussion with local museum leaders will be followed by a behind-the-scenes architectural tour of the historic Chew House.

On Saturday April 4th, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, a full-day of scholarly speakers will address a variety of local environmental issues. Mike McGrath, host of WHYY’s You Bet Your Garden show, will bring his nationally syndicated radio antics to Cliveden. His keynote speech, Get Your Lawn and Landscape off Drugs, will reveal money-and-time saving tips that will help to achieve a lush, green lawn free of chemicals.

Dr. Andrew Isenberg, Chair of Temple University’s History Department, will begin Saturday’s program with a discussion of historical environmental issues. His talk Environment and History: The Historical Context of Environmental Challenges, will focus on how past cultures have attempted to confront environmental problems.
Defenders of Wildlife Outreach representative Richard Whiteford will follow with a discussion about Climate Change: Things Each of Us Can Do About It. An environmental activist, lobbyist and winner of the Sierra Club’s 2006 Environmental Hero Award, Whiteford will provide tips on how to protect natural habitats in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Exploring myths about “going green” will be Barton Partners Architects Planners’ Director of Planning and Urban Design, Seth Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro will question the myths about green design and focus on the chracteristics of what makes homes and neighborhoods truly “green.”

During the lunch break on Saturday April 4th, visitors will be treated to a natural history tour of Cliveden. Phillyist.com Green Scene Columnist Lori Litchman will explain what Cliveden’s 6 acre property would have looked like in 1777 as well as the variety of plant and wildlife at the site.

Farmers from Weavers Way, a food cooperative in Northwest Philadelphia, will provide eco-friendly appetizers for lunchtime and discuss the economic and health benefits of eating locally and organically.

Concluding the Going Green forum will be a brief local field trip to Weavers Way farms at Awbury Arboretum and Martin Luther King High School. Hop on the yellow bus to see a food co-op’s urban gardens and nutrition programs in action.

Admission to both days of the program, April 3rd and April 4th, is $30. Price of admission includes speakers, demonstrations, eco-friendly appetizers, local bus trip as well as a reusable Cliveden coffee mug and shopping bag. A reduced rate is available for one-day admissions and members of Cliveden.

For further information about this program and to RSVP, please contact by email at: rfink@cliveden.org or by calling 215-848-1777. A detailed program for this event can be found at www.cliveden.org.

Hello,

Quick update: Due to issues at the previous host that kept me from gaining the access I needed to diagnose the performance issues Philly Future was suffering, I have migrated Philly Future to a new host. This enabled me to determine that the blog aggregator, The Philly Wire, was the root cause of Philly Future's instability.

I will be upgrading Philly Future to the next major Drupal release to see if this resolves the issue. Going from Drupal 5.x to 6.0 involves major work since the templates that Philly Future employs need to be redone to be compatible. Finding uninterrupted to to accomplish this will be a challenge.

It is possible that this will not resolve the issue since it appears it to be one of sheer growth. The aggregator has grown to a size that a Drupal on any under $100 hosting solution cannot satisfy.

Installing memcached should help as a next step, which I will take, however, the smart, cost effective solution is to go distributed - to host Philly Future's aggregator process on Amazon web services or Google's App Engine. Incur the CPU and memory cost there, and consume the results of that processing here. More than likely, that will be the next phase of rebuilding Philly Future. If and when Philly Future goes this route I plan to document the process for others, and to hopefully build a solution that can be used by others who would like to build similar services.

I'd like to apologize for the issues Philly Future has been experiencing. Attempting to resolve them part-time, in fits and starts, the way I have has been largely unsuccessful.

So it is long past time I do this and practice what I preach - please join me at this google group to start an open conversation about Philly Future's management and its future.

Thank you,

Karl

Hello everyone, Philly Future is still here. I am working with our host to try and discern what has triggered the slow site performance these past few days. During this time, Philly Future may go into maintenance mode where no access is possible, do not be alarmed, we will be back.

Thanks for your patience,

Karl

Cardinals 32 - Eagles 25

'Nuff said...

News Link: The End of the Road

Cartoon from Sid in the City