Unusual Varieties Highlight 'Queen's' Garden

The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will dedicate its newly refurbished Queen of the Apostles Garden to honor the life and work of Reverend Monsignor James J. Howard.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Procession and Dedication to Follow 9:30 a.m. Mass

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Reverend Monsignor James J. Howard was born on May, 19, 1925, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He attended Saint Patrick Parochial School, Pottsville, and Pottsville Catholic High School before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.  He was ordained to the Priesthood by Cardinal John O’Hara on May 10, 1952, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. On September 24, 1973, Monsignor Howard was named a Prelate of Honor by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI.

Monsignor Howard served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Mary Parish, Beaver Meadows; Saint Francis DeSales Parish, Lenni; Our Lady of Angels, Parish, Philadelphia. Monsignor Howard also served as Faculty, Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill; and Faculty, Vice-Principal, and Principal, Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia. In 1973, he was appointed Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, and named Rector Emeritus in 2000. Monsignor Howard died October 28, 2014.

Located on the Northeast Corner of the Cathedral Basilica, the Queen of the Apostles Garden, underwent a transformation over an 18 month period that included planning, design, plant selection, demolition, and statue restoration.  The statue of Our Lady was a gift to the Cathedral Basilica from Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. in July 2015.

All featured plants in the Queen of the Apostles Garden are symbolic of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A sampling of the plantings is listed below.

• Alchemical Mollis~ Our Lady’s Mantle

• Armenia Maritime ‘Splendens’~ Our Lady’s Pincushion

• Campanula Rotunda Folia ~ Our Lady’s Thimble

• Olygonatum Multiflorum~ Mary’s Seal

• Rose Rugosa ‘Snow Pavement’ ~ Mary’s Rose

• Rosmarinus Officials ‘Prostratus’~ Rose of Mary

• Teucrium Chambers ~ Our Lady’s Marks

• Vinca Minor ~ Virgin Flower

The Garden was completed with the help of  Fine Garden Creations LLC, Swarthmore, (Landscape Design), Hoffman Design, Sharon Hill, (Landscape Maintenance), Tom Gavigan, Philadelphia, (Pedestal), De Vito Brothers & Son, Ardmore, (Iron Works), Members of the Cathedral Parish Hispanic Community (Demolition), Carr & Duff, Philadelphia, (Electrical), Saint Jude Shop, Havertown, (Stone Benches), The Bronze Age, Villanova, (Statue Restoration), and parishioner Mary Ann Leigh.

Note: The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is here that the Archbishop, as local ordinary, has his chair, called the cathedra. Located on the east side of Logan Square on 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, it first opened in 1864. It is the largest brownstone structure in Philadelphia and the largest Catholic Church in Pennsylvania. Additional information on the cathedral can be found at www.cathedralphila.org.

Free Preview Concert Live On The Square!

In advance of its spring benefit concert next weekend, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will hold a free preview flash performance with selected soloists in Rittenhouse Square.

Saturday, April 2nd

Rittenhouse Square

11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

The full concert on April 9th will be led by the Seminary’s new Director of Sacred Music and Wanamaker Organist, Rudolph Lucente. He will be joined by Artist in Residence and Philadelphia Orchestra organist Michael Stairs, organist Colin Howland and trumpeter Brian Kuszyk. 

Also performing will be renowned vocalists Amanda Frederick, Toffer Mihalka, John Frederick and Kaitlyn Tierney. 

The concert program includes sacred and classical music. The theme of the concert is “Music, Mission and Faith.”

Look: Spring Programs For The Whole Family!

The National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia is pleased to announce a range of engaging spring programs for visitors of all ages. The Museum’s fourth annual Freedom Seder Revisited will take place on Wednesday, April 13th. Each year, hundreds of community members of all different backgrounds come together for good conversation and an engaging celebration of freedom and justice. Guests not only hear the stories of what freedom means to others, but share what it means to them. More information below.

The Inhabitants Thereof: Philadelphia Jewish History

Wednesday, April 6, April 20, May 4, and May 18 from 6 pm – 7:30 pm

$90/$75 members/$65 teachers

This four-week class (every other week) is taught by Rabbi Lance Sussman and will explore the sweep of Philadelphia Jewish history. For much of its history, Philadelphia has functioned as the Jewish capital of America. At other times, it has been paradigmatic of the American Jewish experience. In many ways it is a part of the "national" story the Museum is dedicated to exploring.

Weekly topics include:

1. A Revolution in Jewish History: Jewish Patriots and Tories in Philadelphia, 1776-1787

2. The Golden Age of Philadelphia’s Uptown Jewish Community, 1866-1920

3. South Philly: An American Shtetl, 1880-1920

4. Suburban Frontiers: Jewish Life in Philadelphia Since 1960

For more information and to register, please visit NMAJH.org

Second Sunday Family Activities

Sunday, April 10 from 10 am - 3 pm

Free with Museum admission

Visitors can join the Museum for family-friendly activities celebrating freedom and the upcoming holiday of Passover. Families can explore the connections between the Museum’s story of freedom and the Passover story with our Haggadah*-based Passover family guide. They can also engage in hands-on arts and crafts such as creating paper frogs. These activities are suitable for kids of all ages.

*The book read during the Passover meal, telling the story of the holiday.

Conference: Wrestling with Peoplehood

Sunday, April 10 and Monday, April 11

Tickets available at Kaplancenter.org

This conference aims to explore the extent to which "peoplehood," in its many variations, remains a concept of utility and significance to Jewish life. Confirmed speakers include Peter Beinart, Jane Eisner, Irving "Yitz" Greenberg, Shai Held, Sharon Kleinbaum, John Ruskay, and Deborah Waxman. On Sunday evening participants will enjoy a special musical performance by Hankus Netsky, founder and director of the Klezmer Conservatory Band.

Sponsored by The Mordecai M. Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood, Temple University’s Feinstein Center for American Jewish History, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and the Department of Judaic Studies of McGill University.

4th Annual Freedom Seder Revisited

Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30 pm

$36/$25 Members, Kosher dinner included

Registration deadline: March 25

Inspired by the original 1969 Freedom Seder, where hundreds of people of all backgrounds gathered to explore and celebrate freedom in the context of the Civil Rights Movement, this communal event invites guests to the Passover table for an evening of commemoration, stories, and community exploration of freedom in America today.

Featured speakers, storytellers, and performers to-date include:

Rev. Dr. Charles L. Howard, University Chaplain, University of Pennsylvania; Rev. Dr. Susan Richardson, Assistant Minister, Christ Church Philadelphia; Romona Riscoe Benson, Director, Corporate Relations, PECO; Lenny Seidman, Tabla, Percussion, Composer, Teacher; JJ Tiziou, Visual Artist & Community Organizer; NMAJH Open for Interpretation Artist-in-Residence; Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Founder and Director of The Shalom Center, and founder and leader of the original 1969 Freedom Seder; and Hani White, Deputy Director, Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of Philadelphia.

Guests can also view the original storyboard sketch from the movie The Ten Commandments, by costume and production designer John L. Jensen, which will be installed in a highlights case on the first floor in honor of Passover and the 60^th anniversary of the movie’s release.

For those who will not be able to make it to the actual event, the entire program will be available live online at nmajh.org/freedomseder.

Community Partners to-date: Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, Art Sanctuary, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania, Jews in ALL Hues, Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Repair the World: Philadelphia, Taller Puertorriqueño, and The Shalom Center.

Sponsored by PECO. In partnership with First Person Arts.

Media Sponsor: Al Día and The Philadelphia Sunday Sun.

Second Sunday Family Corner

Sunday, May 8 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Free with Museum admission

Families are invited to celebrate Mother’s Day at the Museum. They can explore the exhibition with a focus on women in American Jewish history. Kids can listen to stories and create arts and crafts that make great gifts for Mom or other loved ones.

Young Friends C-Suite Speaker Series

Tuesday, May 10 from 12pm – 1pm

$36 per session, Young Friends Members Only

The last in the inaugural Young Friends of NMAJH C-Suite Speaker Series, created to allow young adults to learn from influential leaders, features Mitchell L. Morgan, President and CEO of Morgan Properties, a residential property management company. Seating is extremely limited. A kosher lunch is provided.

Two Americans Who Defied the Nazis

Tuesday, May 10 at 7 pm

Free, Registration Required

Filmmaker Artemis Joukowsky will share excerpts from his upcoming documentary, Two Who Defied the Nazis. His work tells the story of Martha and Waitstill Sharp, an American social worker and Unitarian minister who provided aid to refugees fleeing Nazi persecution.

Presented with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Unitarian Universalist Association

PlayPenn presents a reading of a new play: Schlueterstrasse 27

Monday, May 16
Free, advance registration strongly encouraged

Based on events from the playwright's life, this story follows a woman's search to better understand her family—from the initial discovery of her grandfather's diary at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum all the way to Berlin, Germany. Reading by Andrea Stolowitz.

                                                       

God, Faith & Identity from the Ashes: Reflections of Children and Grandchildren of Holocaust Survivors

Tuesday, May 17 at 7 pm

$8/Free for Members

These stories will inspire and challenge people of all faiths and backgrounds. Speakers include: 

Stephanie Butnick, Deputy Editor, Tablet Magazine; Menachem Z. Rosensaft, General Counsel, World Jewish Congress and editor of God, Faith & Identity from the Ashes; and Mark L. Tykocinski, MD, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Thomas Jefferson University and Dean, Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

The National Museum of American Jewish History, located on historic Independence Mall in Philadelphia, brings to life the 360-year history of Jews in America.  Tracing the stories of how Jewish immigrants became Jewish Americans, the Museum invites visitors of all backgrounds to share their own stories and reflect on how their histories and identities shape and are shaped by the American experience. An open door for all, NMAJH honors the past and contributes to a better future by sharing the power of imagination and ideas, culture and community, leadership and service, in ways that turn inspiration into action.

The National Museum of American Jewish History is located at 101 South Independence Mall East at the corner of Fifth and Market Streets in Philadelphia. Museum hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm. NMAJH is closed most Mondays, including federal holidays and some Jewish holidays. Museum admission is $12.00 for adults, $11.00 for senior citizens and youth, free for children 12 and under, Museum Members, and active military with ID. For more information, visit NMAJH.org or call 215.923.3811.

Dramatic Show A Prelude To Olympic Games!

Get ready to witness some of the best riders in the world as they prepare for the Olympic Games! 

The FÉDÉRATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONALE (FEI), the international governing body of equestrian sport, has sanctioned the 120^th annual Devon Horse Show, thus allowing riders to earn valuable points towards the Longines World Ranking list. To be recognized as a FEI CSI 4* (four-star) rated show, the Devon Horse Show invested more than $1 million in physical improvements to the show grounds and substantially increased its prize money. 

The new, prestigious rating will elevate the level of equestrian competition by attracting international superstars. In turn, audiences will be entertained with even more thrilling performances.

"Earning the four-star rating is very difficult and reflects our dedication to providing a world-class experience for our audiences and competitors," said Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Chairman Wayne Grafton. "We cannot wait to welcome everyone to our 120^th show "Where Champions Meet," and our most exciting year ever!"

The Devon Horse Show, which opens May 26^th through June 5^th, will host three FEI CSI 4* rated classes: the $50,000 Devon Welcome Stake on May 31, the $40,000 Devon International Speed Stake on June 1, and the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix on June 2. 

Notably, the prize money for the Sapphire Grand Prix alone was increased $125,000 from its previous level of $100,000. With successful results in any of these events, athletes can improve their standing on the Longines World Ranking list, which is the ticket to qualifying for top events internationally.

The public is encouraged to buy tickets in advance online from the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair website; Priority Packages and General Admission tickets go on sale April 4^th. Attendees can purchase a Three-Night World Ranking Competition Grand Prix Package, which includes Reserved Grandstand seating for the three evening FEI events. The package price is $155.

Visit the website for all ticket information as well as for the daily Horse Show schedule and details on the many Country Fair booths for food, fun games, and fabulous shopping!

Oh, Is THIS How We Resolve It? Huh?

THIS University WILL Act Responsibly! Bravo!

A very special message to alumni and friends of Villanova University: Congratulations to Villanova Men’s Basketball on advancing to the Final Four! This is an exciting moment for the University, and we are grateful for the support of our alumni and friends across the Delaware Valley. In honor of our team’s march to the Final Four, the Ben Franklin Bridge, One and Two Liberty Place, the Wells Fargo Center, and the PECO Building will be awash in Villanova colors, and the Cira Centre will feature our blue “V.” Philadelphia Airport will run good luck Villanova ads on hundreds of LED screens, and Comcast SportsNet digital boards throughout Philadelphia will show support for Villanova and will be updated with live scores. The Eagles and Phillies also have several celebratory communications planned for this weekend. This is a time of celebration, but we ask that all Villanovans do so responsibly. On and around campus, Villanova University Public Safety, Radnor and Lower Merion townships are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of our community this weekend. Please be advised that vehicular access to the University along Lancaster and Ithan avenues may be detoured during and after the NCAA Tournament games, which may prevent or delay access to campus. In addition, visitors to campus should expect to see an increased presence of both police officers and public safety officers during that time. For these reasons, we ask and recommend that alumni attend game watch events hosted across the region. A full list of game watches can be found here. Game watches in the region include: Philadelphia: Field House, 1150 Filbert St King of Prussia: Tilted Kilt, 826 W. Dekalb Pk. (RSVP)  Princeton: Brickhouse Tavern and Tap, 3569 U.S. Hwy. 1 Allentown: Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar, 327 Star Rd. Morristown: Sona 13, 13 South St. Wilmington: Cafe Riviera Pizzeria Restaurant, 4737 Concord Pk. #340 (RSVP) Enjoy the weekend--Go 'Cats!

A Grand Spectacle Along A Famous Avenue!

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) announced that Fifth Avenue will once again turn blue and white on Sunday, June 5^th, 2016, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., as more than 30 floats with musical performers, 15 world-class marching bands and 40,000 marchers entertain hundreds of thousands of spectators for the largest celebration of Israel in the world, the annual Celebrate Israel Parade.

This year marks the 52^nd anniversary of what has become one of the largest parades in New York City, growing exponentially each year in attendance and excitement since its founding in 1965.  The Parade is the marquee event of the JCRC-NY’s Celebrate Israel Initiative – a project in cooperation with UJA-Federation of New York and the Consulate General of Israel in New York – that celebrates the positive impact the Jewish and democratic state of Israel has on the lives of people in New York and around the world.

Masses of people who support Israel from around the country will converge on Fifth Avenue for the Parade, including several top Israeli music artists and special Israeli guests who will draw even larger crowds to this year’s Parade.

New this year, cast members from the Broadway production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will ride a specially designed float up Fifth Avenue, singing some of the most recognizable songs from the musical and performing live for the TV audience from the Grand Stand area.

More than 250 organizations are scheduled to march along Fifth Avenue, from 57th Street to 74th Street, including groups of rollerbladers, motorcyclists, dance groups, and juggling clowns.

The 2016 creative theme for marching groups and floats is “Israel: Sight, Sound and Spirit!”  Each group works with Parade staff to develop a presentation of colorful banners, costumes and props related to the theme in some way.

For the sixth year in a row, the Parade will be televised live by FOX affiliate, WWOR-TV My9 from 12–2 p.m., and streamed online from 12-3 p.m., so Israelis and Israel supporters throughout the world can watch.

“For more than 50 years, supporters of Israel have gathered from the metropolitan region and beyond in New York City in celebration of the State of Israel,” said JCRC-NY Executive Vice President and CEO Michael Miller. “Year after year, the parade never ceases to be a thrilling experience, bringing the unflagging spirit of Israel to the streets of New York.”

“It’s a joy to see throngs of supporters of Israel from across the metropolitan area and beyond come together to celebrate at the annual parade,” said Jennifer Falk and Judy Kaufthal, co-chairs of the Celebrate Israel parade. “We are so excited for our newest additions which we hope will draw an even larger crowd as we all stand to support Israel.”

This year’s Parade also opens up new sponsorship opportunities for those wishing to be part of one of the largest parades in the world. Please contact Gianna Bergman, Director of Sponsorships at gianna@celebrateisraelny.org to find out how your organization can be a sponsor. And for information on participating in the Parade as a group, please visit http://celebrateisraelny.org/parade/registration/.

For the latest information on the Celebrate Israel Parade, please visit the Parade website at celebrateisraelny.org or follow us on Twitter @celebrateisrael or visit our Facebook page: Celebrate Israel Parade.

It's A Philly Thing, Hon. Understand?

Great Carry Out Meal Deals; Parties Of 3 - 10

Upcoming Author Events: Philly Free Library

Unless otherwise noted programs are held in the auditorium at the main library on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Edna O'Brien | The Little Red Chairs  Natalie Cohn Memorial Lecture   Monday, April 4, 2016 at 7:30PM; buy tickets online>>  With "an outsize life to match her outsize talent" (New York Times), Edna O'Brien is the author of a score of novels, short story collections, biographies, and poetry collections. Due to frank female voices and daring sexual scenes, her first book, The Country Girls, and six of her subsequent works were banned in her native Ireland. The recipient of the James Joyce Ulysses Medal, the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award, and the National Medal for Fiction, O'Brien is an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In The Little Red Chairs, a woman's world is crushed when she discovers that the Eastern European man she loves is a wanted war criminal.  In conversation with Laura Kovacs    James McBride | Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for the Real James Brown  Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 7:30PM; FREE  No tickets or reservations required. For more info: 215-567-4341  James McBride is the author of the National Book Award winner The Good Lord Bird, in which a young boy born into slavery joins abolitionist John Brown's crusade, concealing his identity and gender to survive. His other books include the New York Times bestselling memoir and 2004 One Book, One Philadelphia selection The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, in which "race and religion are transcended by family love" (New York Times Book Review). His other novels include Miracle at St. Anna, which he adapted for Spike Lee's film, and Song Yet Sung. McBride is also an award-winning composer, screenwriter, and saxophonist. His new book traces the roots of James Brown and includes interviews with sources who have never before spoken on the record.  Buzz Aldrin | No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon  Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 7:30PM; buy tickets online>>  AUDITORIUM SOLD OUT. IN-HOUSE SIMULCAST SEATS AVAILABLE. Best known for the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, retired Air Force Colonel Buzz Aldrin holds a doctorate in astronautics; developed the orbital rendezvous technique critical to America's lunar landings; and founded the ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to opening the doors of space tourism for all people. In Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon, Aldrin told the tale of the historic moon landing, as well as the story of his later struggle with and triumph over depression and alcoholism. He is also the author of three other nonfiction books, two scientifically accurate novels, and two children's books. In No Dream Is Too High, Aldrin illustrates the finely honed principles and lessons taught by his extraordinary life. Signing Guidelines: Mr. Adrin will only sign (but not personalize) his new book No Dream is Too High and his children's books. No memorabilia, photos, or other books will be signed. No posed photos.  Of Interest Penn History Series: The Invention of Global Time    Monday, April 4, 2016 at 7:00PM; FREE; Register online   How did societies around the world come to follow the same system of hour-wide time zones? Between the 1870s and 1950s, German and French government officials, British social reformers, colonial administrators, Indian nationalists, Arab reformers, Muslim scholars, and League of Nations bureaucrats engaged in a prolonged, contested, and only partially successful quest to adopt a universally standardized clock time and "World Calendar." Vanessa Ogle is the Julie and Martin Franklin Assistant Professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of The Global Transformation of Time: 1870 - 1950.   Also of Interest Geek Parenting: Raising Kids on Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Comics    Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 7:00PM; FREE  Parkway Central Library, Room 108 Celebrating the release of their new book Geek Parenting: What Joffrey, Jor-El, Maleficent and the McFlys Teach Us About Raising a Family, coauthors Stephen H. Segal (formerly of Philly Weekly) and Valya Dudycz Lupescu ask parents and kids: Who's your favorite fictional family? Come join the authors at their launch party and geek out over which fantastical clans mean the most to you-whether it's the Potters or the Possibles, the Bagginses or the Baratheons, the Siskos or the Skywalkers. You'll leave with a whole new list of family reading ideas!   Free Library Author Events Andy Kahan, Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Director, Author Events Laura Kovacs, Associate Director Jason Freeman, Program Associate phone: 215-567-4341  email: authorevents@freelibrary.org