I just got an anonymous tip that supposedly, a major motion picture will be filming extensively on Penn's campus this summer.

Click to find out which film!

Sign up for the Dueling Tampons newsletter!

Join the DuelingTampons Facebook Group!

Friday, November 9, 2007
8am-5pm
PA Convention Center

The time has come for us to stop talking about the problems in our neighborhoods and start acting. This year’s conference is inspired by the community activists and youth leaders who work hard to make our neighborhoods places of opportunities where people excel, ideas grow and dreams are realized. By bringing together young people ages 14-21 and adults from around the region, we will begin to create real solutions to the many challenges in our communities. Workshops and interactive sessions will empower youth to effectively address the challenges they face everyday and enhance adults’ capacity to nurture the potential of every youth. We invite everyone, both youth and adults, interested in making a positive and lasting impact in their community to “Step Up!” and “Be the Change”.

**This year’s conference will feature an exciting keynote speech by Ephren W. Taylor, CEO of City Capital Corporation and the youngest African-American CEO of a publicly traded company ever!**

*The conference will also feature a lunchtime comedy performance by Philadelphia’s own Keith from Up Da Block!*

For more information, or to register, visit us online at www.greatsettlements.org or call Amanda at 215-925-7875.

What Do You Do After You Pray:
The Church's Response to Gun-Violence in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA – With more than 250 murders after the first half of 2007, the city once known as the City of Brotherly Love has instead quickly become known as Kill-a-delphia, forcing many residents to live and operate in fear as a result of the gun-violence inflicting the city.

On Saturday, August 25, 2007, Philly Koinonia Ministries (pronounced koy-no-NEE-yah) will organize its initial effort dealing with this problem, the "2007 Gun-drive and City Fellowship". This will be an outdoor effort beginning at 10 a.m. taking place at the Dorothy Emmanuel Recreation Center, located in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. To effectuate a change in our culture, we must not solely rely on the power of prayer, but also take responsibility with our actions to address the stronghold embattling our city; for our actions speak louder than our words. The organization identifies fear as the stronghold that simultaneously creates gun-violence, and results from gun-violence, and therefore will focus using this effort to present an understanding of God’s love to combat the stronghold of fear dwelling in this city as a result of gun violence; for God is love (1John 4:16) and in love there is no fear (1John 4:18).

In addition to the gun-drive (individuals will receive a gift card in exchange for their gun), this effort will also include an appearance by Mayoral Candidate Michael Nutter; messages given by local Pastors, such as: Bishop Keith W. Reed, Pastor Kevin M. Aiken, Pastor Chandra I. Williams, Pastor Daniel Sutton, Pastor Larry Anderson, Pastor Eric Mason, among others; performances by local choirs and other guest artists; and also a nonprofit/vendor area featuring more than 30 tables of advocates, businesses, and non-profit organizations that offer programs and services related to the focus of this effort.

For more information, please visit www.PhillyKoinonia.org.

The news is now moving thru the mass media. ABCNews has the latest.

The Pope Blog has quotes and more.

---Previously---

My wife found, in her memory box, a supplement commemorating his historic visit to Philadelphia October 3rd and 4th, 1979. You can find our special gallery of the event here.

Update: Please note the changed address for the gallery and update your links. Thanks.

KYW1060: City Councilman Frank Rizzo remembers vividly October 1979, when his father, then Mayor, greeted the Pope at the airport.

You can see a powerful photograph of that moment, when Mayor Frank Rizzo welcomed Pope John Paul II to Philadelphia here, in our photo gallery of the Pope's visit in 1979.

phillyBurbs.com: A time for reflection begins.

The Smedley log: Pope John Paul II

The Philadelphia Inquirer: He Changed the World

Billmon: Shoes of the Fisherman

peskyapostrophe: The once and future king

The Rittenhouse Review: Requiescat in Pacem

Suburban Guerrilla: bye bye

iFlipFlop: Requiescat in pace.

pstupidonymous: This Pontiff will be missed.

Eschaton: A.C.

Read the story in in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Inquirer has also put up a a slideshow from his 1979 visit.

Here is a short animation on how Papal elections are done. via pstupidonymous.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.

October 3rd and 4th, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Philadelphia.