Friends Center City Community

Friends Center City Newsletter
Spring 2013 

 

Featured Volunteer  
Brearley Karsch

 

 

 

"Samantha never talks," says Brearley Karsch, speaking of her beloved cat. "When we moved here to Riverfront, she meowed for an hour. But once she found familiar furniture, she sat down and looked at me and said, 'OK, if you think this is good, we'll stay.' She stopped talking, and she has been content ever since."

 

Karsch and Samantha moved to Riverfront in August 2011, before which they lived at 13th and Lombard for 45 years. "Riverfront is exactly what I wanted: to stay in the city with accessible transit. I wanted - and have - the freedom to do things, to see art, to travel. I love this group setting." The building, aims to have half seniors. Currently 10 seniors, including 3 couples, occupy 7 units.

 

"Although the building lost a big tree during a storm - right out there, you can see where it was - I am very happy with my 1-bedroom with loft. Samantha and I have a bedroom, living room, kitchen, even a small home office. We have ample space."

 

With a professional background in nutrition, Karsch naturally gravitated to food planning in her new environment. The planners of Riverfront anticipated that residents would share in 3 "community meals" each week, even though, so far they're at 2. Guess who plans those meals.

 

Sunday evenings, the seniors typically dine together, and Tuesdays they order in - with Karsch in charge of reviewing and recommending menus. They share meals in the Riverfront's riverfront rooms. "We vary the menus," says Karsch. "One person is on a gluten-free diet, one cannot tolerate hot seasonings. We haven't yet had a diabetic, but we might."

 

The financial system, which is someone else's headache, handles dietary billing system, so residents pay only for what they eat. "We all have kitchens."

 

Karsch, who grew up in Norristown and lived in farm country in Malvern when first married, earned a bachelor's in science from Drexel Institute of Technology and later a master's science from Drexel University. For more than 25 years she was a nutrition coordinator for federally funded nutrition programs for preschool programs, including Head Start and Title XX in the Southeastern Pennsylvania.

 

Her late husband, Carl, had 3 sequential careers: First as photojournalist for the magazine ofthe Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Life. Second as administrator for the Hahnemann Hospital department of radiation oncology and nuclear medicine. Third as photojournalist for both the Seaport Museum and The Carpenters Company.

 

After Carl died, "Samantha and I decided we didn't need 3-story house." Woman and cat are thriving in the conviviality, community and location of Riverfront. Meow.

 

Read more about Brearley Karsch at https://www.philafound.org/tabid/663/Default.aspx 

 

written by Susan Perloff

 


Reminder from FCC Partner
Friends Life Care 

 

Do you know someone who needs help? Perhaps grocery shopping, bill paying or even personal care has become difficult to manage? Our partner organizations may be able to help. Intervention Associates provides professional care management and bill-paying services. Caring Friends Home Care provides home care assistance with personal care and other activities of daily living as well as concierge services such as grocery shopping, companionship and accompaniment to appointments. Both organizations are subsidiaries of Friends Life Care System and offer preferred pricing to FitC members.

For more information contact Maggie Finnegan at

610-254-9001 or [email protected].

 

 

Are you healthy and between the ages of 40 and 81?  Do you know how you will pay for long term care services if you have a change in health?  Perhaps more important, do you know where you'll turn if you have a change in health?

 

Friends Life Care, a partner organization of FitC, can help you with put together a long term care plan.  For those who want to plan ahead, Friends Life Care membership offers a unique, affordable alternative or supplement to long-term care insurance and continuing care retirement communities. Designed to help you remain in your own home and independent as you age, this plan helps you protect your savings and prepare for the unexpected, while providing innovative options to help increase your vitality and longevity.  For every FitC member who becomes a Friends Life Care member, FCC receives a "thank you" contribution.  Contact Steve Walsh at 215-628-8964 or [email protected] for more information.

 

 

 

 


Cos Club Luncheons Becoming
Increasingly Popular

 

The March Current Events Luncheon, with special guest Dr. Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer of the Franklin Institute, was so popular that it was moved to the main dining room of the Cosmopolitan Club. This move seem to be necessary more often, for the Luncheons have developed quite a following.

 

The goal of these luncheons, held the third Thursday of most months, is to bring friends together to converse.  To make it more interesting, a special guest is invited who can provide special insight and steer the conversation.  In the past year, our guests have included Paul Levy, of the Center City District, Inga Safron and Trudy Rubin, both major contributors to the Inquirer, and Harris Steinberg, director of Penn Praxsis.  Lesser known but just as interesting, we engaged in conversation about our schools with Christine Carlson, a parent activist, and Sarah McEneany, an artist and civic mover who is currently working on the Reading Viaduct project.

 

Dr Pitts, started off by asking us a number of questions about our space program and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, and that shaped a rather lively conversation, especially about current educational issues. There was much talk about the difficulties of test-oriented education and of favoring critical thinking instead.

 

Whether the lunches are served in the very cozy and comfortable library or the larger dining room, we all sit "in the round," to make for better conversation. The guests enjoy the lunches, because they are told not to prepare a presentation, just to come as they are and enjoy a good lunch with some engaging friends. 

 

The April luncheon, which is sold out, will feature the company of Anne Ewers, the very dynamic director of the Kimmel Center.  In May we look forward to talking with Robert Thomas, AIA, one of the city's leading planners and preservationists.  FitC members should look for the announcements in the special emails, but if you are interested, register right away; the limited seats go fast

 

 submitted by Dane Wells

 

 


A Walk in the Park
  Roosevelt Park and 
the Swedish Museum

 


Eight intrepid FitC members walked in the FDR Park on March 16th. The weather was "iffy" but we made it before the snow began. We visited and dined at the excellent American Swedish Museum on nearby Pattison Avenue.  The Museum was interesting and the Swedish waffles were extraordinarily delicious. We didn't walk very much because everyone wanted to get to the waffles!    
 
 

FitC- William Penn House 
ANOTHER NEW WALKING GROUP
"THE EASY WALKERS"
 

 

Start April 1, 2013

Monday and Friday Mornings

 

Put your walking shoes on and join in exercise and fun!

 

Go from William Penn House to and around Rittenhouse Square. The full course will be one mile -- with easy stopping points along the way.

 

This is a great way to get some exercise and socialize with other residents. Walks will be led by Mike Tomalin. If you could like to join, contact Mike (Apt. 1510) or email [email protected].

* * *

 

 


SCHUYLKILL WALKERS
WE SEE IT ALL!
 

 

You never know what you will see on a Schuylkill Walk. The scene below greeted the morning walkers recently. 

 

 

Schuylkill Walkers

 

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

8 a.m. (8:25 Fairmount group)

 

 Every Tuesday and Thursday

2:00 p.m. (2:25 Fairmount group)

 

Meet where the Schuylkill Trail meets Locust Street

Except for days with major precipitation, we walk briskly to the pagoda in back of the Waterworks for a total walk of about three miles. People who live in the Fairmount area may meet us at about 8:25 or 2:25 pm. at the pagoda for the walk back to Locust Street. If you are interested in joining, please contact 

Afternoon walks: Bob at [email protected]

Morning walks:  Lee at  [email protected]

   or Pam at [email protected]

* * *



Who Are We?
Will You Help Us Find Out?
 

 

Who are the people who join FitC? 

 

We know that we all love living in the city. But what else is special? One feature that we have observed is that FitC members are very active volunteers. We would like to create a list of all the varied places that FitC members serve.

 

Please help us. The survey will take about three minutes. Thank you so much.

  

Click for Volunteer Survey

 


A Second Play-Reading Group is Forming!

 

A New Play-Reading Group is Forming for 2013-2014.

Reading a play out loud can be such fun!  So many FitC members enjoy it that we need to start another group.  

One afternoon a month a small group (limit of 10) will read a play they have selected.  

Organizational meeting will be 
Wednesday, May 1 at 3:30 PM.   
Contact [email protected] to attend 
and get details. 

If you love theater, come and share your thoughts
about how you would like the group to be organized and what plays you might like to read.

 

 

 
Ethnic Eating 
Vientiane Cafe
 

 

 Nine members of Friends Center City ventured into Thai/Laotian culinary territory for the Ethnic Eating excursion on March 8th.  Hits were TomYam Soup, Green Papaya Salad, Pad See-eew & Homemade Sausages.

 

 
 
A Balanced Life
 

 

Most of us over a certain age start to worry about falls, especially when the weather, construction, and tree roots conspire to keep us "on our toes" as we enjoy Center City walks. As we age, we are more vulnerable to falls, in part to muscle and balance loss. We asked Brian Walls from Friends Life Care what we can do to help prevent falls.

 

IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE

 

The act of balancing is nothing new. We perform some kind of balancing act everyday of our lives. Whether it is how we balance our money, how we balance family life and work schedule, or how we balance any other issue that may arise within our lives. The balancing act that each of us performs in our daily lives is to an easy task but somehow each of us finds a way to find that happy medium and live a happy life. What's funny is that as each of us ages our focus of how to balance the different aspects of our lives changes from 'how do I balance work and family' to 'to how do I work on maintaining or improving my physical balance, so that I do not experience a fall and break my hip?'. Although how we maintain our physical balance may not have been a primary focus of ours on a daily basis, our bodies have been concerned about balance the moment all of us took our first baby steps.

 

No one remembers his or her first baby steps but I'm sure that it was not too graceful! Each one of us stumbled, wobbled, walked two steps and plopped down on our butt. For some, this may sound like the ending to a very interesting night out on the town! With these first 'baby steps' the balancing act of walking on two feet has begun and we will fight to maintain our upright position while walking for the rest of our lives. True some individuals may naturally have a slight balance advantage, but that does not mean that all of us cannot improve our balance through a few simple exercises. Below are three exercises that will help to improve balance.

 

1. Sit to Stand exercise

- Sit tall near the middle of the chair with your hands on your thighs or folded across your chest. Your feet are shoulder width apart.

- Slightly lean forward and stand up.

- Slowly lower yourself back into the chair.

- Repeat this motion for 10 repetitions.

 

2. Moonwalk

- Using the back of a chair, stand sideways with your left hand supported by the back of the chair.

- Using a toe through heel action, slowly walk backwards for 5 steps, keeping your back tall and look straight ahead throughout the exercise.

- Keep your pace steady and controlled.

- Repeat the other way after the fifth step, which completes your first lap. Perform this exercise for 4 laps.

 

3. Single leg stand

- Facing the back of a chair, stand close to and holding on to the chair.

- Slowly lift your left leg, balancing on your right keeping yourself in an upright posture.

- Hold this position for 15 seconds.

- Repeat on the other leg.

 

The goal with the exercise is for you to be able to perform 2 to 3 sets of each exercise three times a week. In addition to the exercises mentioned above, try to incorporate walking around your neighborhood or joining a dance class, which will further help to improve balance. With time and planning, we can all improve our balance and our confidence. Good luck working on your Balancing Act!

 Brian Walls

Wellness Coordinator, Friends Life Care

  
 
 
Kudos to Penn's Village
FitC Partner
for the great article in the March 23 Inquirer!
Click here Penn's Village
 

 


A MESSAGE
FROM YOUR SPONSOR

 

FitC now has 162 members.  We celebrate our growth and expansion; our activities continue to increase in response to suggestions from our members.  Please support FitC by joining, encouraging your friends to join, participating in our exciting events, and providing financial support for our volunteer efforts.  

 

This newsletter is brought to you by Friends Center City (FCC) and FCC subsidiaries, Friends in the City (FitC) and FCC Riverfront (Riverfront). You are receiving this newsletter because you have indicated an interest in our activities and programs. If you are not a member of FitC, please join us so that you can be part of the exciting informative events, groups, volunteer projects and other activities.  Friends Center City is a non-profit organization, and FitC membership fees are tax-deductible.

 

The annual fee to join FitC is $60.

 

All FitC work is done by volunteers. Because FitC activities have become so successful and popular, many non-members are attending and enjoying our programs.  We are happy to have guests attend our events, and we welcome those who want to sample an activity before becoming a member.  However, we need your financial support to continue to grow and expand our programs.   

JOIN NOW!   

Send a check for $60 for a one-year membership to   

 Friends Center City

 c/o Ted Reed The Reed Group

 2 Penn Center #711

 Philadelphia, PA 19102 

or

Print out  membership form at

Friends in the City Website

 

www.friendscentercity.org 

 

* * *


FitC April Events

  

 Monday, April 1, 2013 

12:15 p.m. 

Brown Bag Book Club I 

Discussion: Sisters of the Sinai by Janet Soskic Meet at Dorchester on Rittenhouse Square Contact: Seamus Kearney at [email protected] Or Pamela Freyd at [email protected]

  

* * *

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 Visit Drexel's URBN Center 

3501 Market Street 

  

Join us for a tour of the  iconic post-modern Robert Venturi - Denise Scott Brown building at 3501 Market Street, newly renovated for the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design.   The renovation has preserved the significant facade that defines Venturi's "decorated shed" while re-imagining the interior for its repurposed uses. Inga Saffron labeled the URBN Center "thrilling" and  "the kind of place that makes you wonder if it's not too late to enroll in art school." 

  Lecture room

After the tour, those interested in lunch at The Han Dynasty, the well-regarded Chinese restaurant just down the street, may make reservations with Mignon Adams, [email protected]  

 

Parking is available at the Drexel garage at 34th and Ludlow, one block south of Market . Or, the site is easily reached by public transportation. The Market-Frankford el stops at 34th and Market, just a half block from the URBN Center; for greatest convenience, use the northwest exit. And, SEPTA buses 21 and 42 go west on Walnut across West Philadelphia and back east on Chestnut. 

 

 Click to Register for URBN Center  

  

* * * 

  

Monday April 8 , 2013

 6:00 p.m. 

Play Reading Group 

  

The History Boys by Alan Bennett 
Contact for location: Peggy Curchack at pcurchack@gmail.com 
N.B. April 22 See film The History Boys
 

* * * 

  

 

Friday, April 12, 2013

 Noon

 Exploring Ethnic Eating 

 

Each month former chef Seamus Kearney and FitC members explore an ethnic restaurant.

Kilimandjaro Restaurant

 (West African - Senegalese)

4317 Chestnut Street

Seamus Kearney at [email protected] 

 

Click here to Register for April Ethnic Eating

 

 

* * * 

 

 Friday April 12, 2013 

11:00 a.m.

Great Strolls: 

Tour and Tea Ceremony at Japanese House in Fairmount Park    Cost:  $10.00 

 

Japanese House  

We cannot guarantee, but it is likely that the Cherries will still be in bloom on April 12.

 

The beautiful Shofuso Japanese House, built in Japan in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials, was moved from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to Philadelphia in 1958. It is a gem that is easily accessible by public transportation. After the ceremony, those interested can join for lunch at Ohio House, built as part of the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. 

Early risers can join Pam or Brian at 10 a.m. for a walk around the Horticultural Center. 

 

This walk is sponsored jointly by Friends Center City and Friends Life Care.

 Contact: Brian Walls [email protected] Or Pamela Freyd at [email protected]

 

Driving

Take the Montgomery Drive exit (Exit 341) from I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway). Turn west on Montgomery and take the first left at the sign for the Horticultural Center and the Japanese House & Garden; pass through the gate and follow Horticultural Drive around the greenhouses to the Japanese House. Park behind the Japanese House complex. The Horticulture Center may also be entered from Belmont Avenue by turning east onto Montgomery Drive.

Public Transportation

Take SEPTA bus 38 or the Philly PHLASH to the Please Touch Museum. The Japanese House is a five minute walk behind Memorial Hall, left on Lansdowne Drive and through the iron gates.

 

 Click here to Register for Tour and Tea Ceremony at Japanese House

 

 

* * * 

  

 

Monday, April 15, 2013
 12:30 p.m.
 Brown Bag Book Club II
 
Discuss: How the Other Half Lives - Jacob Riis. Meet at City Institute Library on Rittenhouse Square
Possible date change. Be sure to contact:
Mignon Adams at [email protected] 

 

* * * 

  

Monday April 15, 2013

 5:45 p.m.

Dinner and Curtis Recital

Branzino Restaurant, 261 S 17th St

Student Recital at 8:00 p.m. at Curtis.

 

Join FitC classical music lovers for dinner and recital. We have arranged a fixed price dinner at Branzino ($30.00 including tip for FitC members; others $35.) It will be BYOB. Branzino is a block and a half from Curtis. Recital is free.

 

Program includes

 

  Oltarzewski: Three Spheres I 
  Oltarzewski: Weather Music 
  Oltarzewski: Five Miniatures 
  Schoenberg: Pierrot lunaire, op.21 
Anna Davidson, soprano 
Patrick Williams, flute 
Stanislav Chernyshev, clarinet 
Zo� Martin-Doike, violin 
Arlen Hlusko, cello 
Xiaohui Yang, piano

Remainder of program to be announced

Click here to Register for Dinner and Curtis Recital

 

* * * 

 

Saturday April 20, 2013 
11:00 a.m. 
 Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve 
1635 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938

Washington Crossing Park Commission set aside 100 acres as living memorial to the Colonial soldiers who camped there during the American Revolution. In addition to the wildflowers, there is a magnificent view of Delaware River and countryside.   
           Adults $5.00 Seniors $3.00 

In bloom in April: Bloodroot, Twinleaf, Trout-lily, Spring beauty, Cut-leaf toothwort, Dutchman's breeches, Squirrel corn, Wood poppy, Toadshade, Red trillium, Large-flowered trillium, Creeping Jacob's ladder, Virginia bluebells, Rhododendron. See http://www.bhwp.org

Rhododendron
Rhododendron
We will walk unguided for an hour or more and for those who are interested have lunch near New Hope. For those who wish a tour, free guided Wildflower Walks start at 2:00 p.m. and last about one hour. Sign up for the walk at the Twinleaf Shop in the Visitor Center when you arrive.

Transportation: for this walk we will need to rely on car pooling. In addition to registering, please email [email protected] so that we can do our best to arrange transportation.

 

Thursday, April 18, 2012
Noon
Lunch and Current Events Discussion
 at Cosmopolitan Club
 1616 Latimer Street 
 
Anne Ewers , CEO Kimmel Center, will be the guest for this lunch and informal discussion. Ms Ewers has been instrumental in the Philadelphia Arts Festival, which is taking place in April.

Contact Dane Wells at [email protected] 

We are very sorry but this event is sold out. FitC members have an opportunity to register early for the limited seats before the newsletter appears. 

* * *

 

Saturday, April 27, 2013  

12:00 - 4:05 p.m.

Handel's Giulio Cesare 

 (simulcast - new production)

 

 The Rave Theater 

4012 Walnut Street 

Participants purchase own tickets

 Contact Val Sandberg at [email protected] Or 215 751 0918 

 

  Julius Caesar

 

* * *

 

Monday, April 22, 2013

7:00 p.m.

Queen Village Book Club 

at Old Swedes

 

Old Swedes Church

Parking and handicap accessible

Contact Queen Village Book Club at

Old Swedes (Google Groups)

or Pamela Freyd at [email protected]

 

* * * 

 

Burger Quest
April
Village Whiskey
118 South 20th Street

For our last burger in this year's burger quest, we recommend that you visit this Joses Garces restaurant. Because Village Whiskey gets very crowded, we suggest that you go at 11:30 for lunch or 5:30 for dinner.

Please return your review for this burger (and any other burgers you have tried) to me by April 21st so that the results can be tallied for the next newsletter.
* * *

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR ACADEMY HOUSE
Dinner and a Concert
Wednesday, April 17, 2013.
 Dinner will be at La Fontana della Citta,
1701 Spruce Street

Order from the menu, pay your own bill. BYOB. Then it's a short walk to Temple Beth Zion Beth Israel at 18h and Spruce for a free concert by the Amerita Chamber Players. This event is sponsored by Friends in the City at Academy House.

 Meet in the lobby of Academy House at 5:45 p.m. to walk to the restaurant (or meet us at the restaurant at 6:00 p.m.) After dinner it's a short walk to Temple Beth Zion Beth Israel for the concert at 8 p.m. You are welcome to join us for dinner, the concert, or both! Please contact Sue Kruse (215 / 735-6328, Academy House 33 A/B or [email protected]) no later than April 15 if you're interested in this event. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. at Temple Beth Zion Beth Israel 18th & Spruce Streets.             Free Admission

 

* * * 

  

UPCOMING PARTNER EVENTS

   

Philadelphia Center for Architecture

 

David Bender of the Philadelphia Center for Architecture has sent an email to inform us of a very interesting lecture series.  Check it out!

 

I wanted to let FCC know about a fun lecture series which is starting in a few weeks. I thought some of your members might be interested in joining us for some or all of the lectures, which explore Philadelphia's architectural, social, and political history - there's even the opportunity to become a tour guide (of many different neighborhoods!) once they complete the lecture series.

We also host free monthly film screenings related to architecture (except during the Summer). Details can be found at: http://www.philadelphiacfa.org/film-series.php 

 

LECTURE SERIES
Building Philadelphia: Architecture, History, & Politics

 

10 Tuesday evenings: March 26 - May 28, 2013

 

6-8 pm at the Philadelphia Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St. Phila.

 

Registration Required: http://www.cvent.com/d/4cqfpc/1Q 

 

Individual Lectures: $20 General Admission, $15 Member of AIA Philadelphia / Center for Architecture / Preservation Alliance / Landmarks, $10 Students w/ Valid ID

Full Series: $150 General Admission, $100 Member of AIA Philadelphia / Center for Architecture / Preservation Alliance / Landmarks, $50 Students w/Valid ID

 

Join us for our entertaining and enlightening annual lecture series, featuring talks by some of Philadelphia's most distinguished scholars on how Philadelphia came to be the city it is today. Topics include architecture, urban planning, history, and social sciences. Those who attend at least eight of the lectures are invited to continue training on Tuesday evenings for several weeks after the series to become volunteer tour guides for the Philadelphia Center for Architecture and/or the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia - a terrific opportunity for students seeking to expand their immersion in Philadelphia's rich history, for business professionals seeking a creative outlet for their passion for Philadelphia, and for recently retired individuals (or couples!) looking for ways to stay engaged with their community and to share their knowledge with visitors. Discounted pricing is available for those who purchase the entire package.

    

 Science Cafe

Tuesday, April 2, 6-8PM

Bella Cena Restaurant - 1508 Spruce Street

 

SPEAKER: James O. Pawelski, PhD

Director of Education and Senior Scholar, Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania

 

TOPIC: The Science of Well-Being and the Culture of Human Flourishing: Positive Psychology and Literary Studies

 

Positive psychology has revolutionized the scientific study of happiness and well-being in the 21st Century.  This talk will present an overview of positive psychology, with special emphasis on the importance of this field for the humanities, and in particular for literary studies.

 

 
 
Love Your Park Day
 
 

Saturday May 11, 2013.

 

On Saturday, May 11 volunteers across the city will help spruce up Philly's neighborhood parks. This is a collaboration of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. 

 

You need to register before the end of April to help at your favorite park. Visit with your neighbors and friends and other park lovers as you work. You can register at   http://loveyourpark.org/volunteer/  

 
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