Year in Review

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Residents not only proved they could survive in 2009, they thrived.

No matter what came their way, South Philadelphians rolled with the punches, from fighting for City services, including libraries, engine companies, pools and parades, that were being eyed for cutbacks and closures to saying goodbye to people and places that were woven into the fabric of the community.

The Big Economic Meltdown of 2008 bled into 2009, but each and every turn was handled with a single-minded approach: We will make it through this and we will make it better.

Even the loss of the World Series crown, no matter how heartbreaking, was tinged with a “we’ll get ’em next time” attitude — something the City hasn’t seen in ages.

Here is the a recap of South Philly’s big bounce back from 2009’s throes of woe: :

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January

In the face of last-minute budget cuts that plagued the City, the Mummers’ Parade managed to march on the coldest New Year’s Day in 11 years. Donations for the Save the Mummers movement came from Geno’s Steaks, Verizon, the Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund, Forman Mills and everyday fans who visited savethemummers.com.

President Barack Obama took office and became the nation’s first African-American president. George W. Childs Elementary student Nina Wilson traveled to D.C. for the inauguration, as did Annunciation B.V.M. student Saadiq Jones. Other students in the city watched the historic event on television during class.

Three locals competed in the 2009 Wing Bowl after proving their might over the airwaves during a local radio morning show. Daniel “The Big Bambino” Carpino, from the 2500 block of Sartain Street, scarfed down 24 large raviolis, while Steven “The Gavone” Mangini, from Sixth and Reed streets, tore through a pound of ravioli in three minutes. John “Stormin’ Norman” Tiska, from the 2400 block of South Front Street, inhaled a 16-inch pizza in seven. 

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February

After months of controversy, Judge Idee Fox dismissed the City’s request to close 11 libraries. Another hearing took place in June, where the judge ruled in the libraries’ favor once again.

Scenes for “Law Abiding Citizen,” a film that premiered in October, were shot on the west side of the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge. Jamie Foxx, Richard Portnow and Gerard Butler starred in the film.

The Neumann-Goretti Saints took the Catholic League crown in an 86-53 victory over Roman Catholic. This was the fifth time this decade the basketball team fought the Cahillites for the title, and the third time they won.

The third public budget forum drew about 500 residents, who voiced their ideas to counter the City’s money woes, to host-site St. Monica’s Catholic School, 16th and Porter streets. Some were concerned about City-paid cars, while others wanted to know about pensions.

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March

More than 400 protesters from the United Steelworkers Union marched from City Hall to Sunoco’s corporate headquarters at 1735 Market St., demanding the company keep jobs at the refineries at 3144 W. Passyunk Ave. and Marcus Hook it had planned to cut. The two parties eventually came to an agreement that avoided all proposed layoffs.

The federal corruption trial against Vincent Fumo ended after five months. The former state senator was found guilty on 137 corruption charges, including 45 counts of defrauding a nonprofit and almost 100 counts of obstruction of justice, tax evasion, conspiracy and mail or wire fraud.

Mayor Michael Nutter proposed his 2010 budget for the City outside Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 740 S. 17th St., that took input from several Town Hall meetings and community forums, including ones at South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., and St. Monica’s. The plan promised to keep all police officers and firefighters by raising the sales tax.

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April

Talk of a new hiking/walking/biking trail along Columbus Boulevard and the Delaware River got under way with PennPraxis hired by the Central Delaware Advisory Group to revamp the waterfront into a scenic, seven-mile path stretching from North Philadelphia’s Allegheny Avenue to Oregon Avenue.

Citizens’ Alliance for Better Neighborhoods, based at 1137 Wharton St., planned to hit the brakes on its street and sidewalk sweeping, graffiti removal, bulk trash pickup, vacant lot abatement and the like in the wake of the Vince Fumo guilty verdict. Former Citizens’ Alliance head Ruth Arnao was tried with the former state senator and found guilty of 45 counts of defrauding the nonprofit.

The 70th anniversary of contralto Marian Anderson’s historic Easter show at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was celebrated inside the Tindley Temple United Methodist Church, 762 S. Broad St., with a concert that featured five Marian Anderson scholars.

More than 1,000 people came to the Bra Buddha Ransi Temple at Sixth and Ritner streets to start off the Cambodian New Year. Participants danced and grilled food, while children fired off Silly String to celebrate the Year of the Ox.

The alleged killers of Harvey Lewis and Dominique Smith were arrested using Harvey’s Philadelphia Police Explorer Cadet Program handcuffs. The 15-year-old from the 1100 block of South 20th Street, who took a bullet to the back of the head along with his 17-year-old friend from the 1400 block of South 32nd Street, was enrolled in the program that works with teens interested in a career in law enforcement.

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May

Fifteen Edward Bok Tech students continued to spend their after-school hours making over a home at 907 Cantrell St. into a suitable living space. The teens painted over graffiti, added plumbing and installed lighting fixtures in the one-time drug house that was confiscated by the City.

Members of the Coalition to Save the Libraries, including representatives from the Fumo and Queen Memorial branches, testified before City Council in the last public session before a vote on the budget. Although the mayor withdrew his appeal to close 11 libraries, the budget crunch imposed 111 system-wide layoffs forcing some locations to unexpectedly close early or open late.

A few residents in Universal Companies homes on the 2300 block of Cross Street said their two-year-old abodes were in need of repairs, while others battled to be rid of back taxes on their newly acquired properties they said were not of their making. A representative of the community revitalization company based at 800 S. 15th St. said the nonprofit was working with homeowners to address the issues.

Many, including The American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave., were worried about cuts to the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission’s History and Museum Grant Program as lawmakers were hashing out the state budget and grant applications were put on hold.

The Philadelphia Job Corps Life Science Institute, which offers job-related training and high school diploma or GED courses, belatedly celebrated its grand opening at 2800 S. 20th St. after a move the previous year from its West Philadelphia home of 20 years.

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June

The area’s second farmers market opened up shop on Broad and South streets and the fresh strawberries were a hit with the urban crowd.

Packer Park residents lashed out during a meeting with American C&D Logistics LLC representatives over a possible construction and demolition waste transfer facility that was eyeing 26th Street and Penrose Avenue.

Angry parents rallied outside A.S. Jenks Elementary School, 2501 S. 13th St., after rumors of numerous employee transfers circulated. The protest started a dialogue with the district about changes at the school.

Empty pools as schools prepared to close and summer heated up prompted protests at Chew Playground, 19th Street and Washington Avenue, and Stinger Square, 3200 Reed St., which were both victims of budget cuts. Other pools expected to stay dry were Barry Playground, 18th and Bigler streets; O’Connor Pool, 26th and South streets; and Sacks Playground, Fourth Street and Washington.

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July

Those with ties to the area, including St. Maria Goretti alum and DJ Angel Donato and CAPA grads Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men, recalled, with a mix of admiration and shock, the life and unexpected death of Michael Jackson.

Just as quickly as proposed cuts that would change the hours of Medic 11, Engine 49, 13th and Shunk streets, and Medic 35, Ladder 5, Broad and Fitzwater streets, circulated, City officials reversed their decision after calls from residents, firefighters and paramedics poured in expressing concern.

Vince Fumo was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison and Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter ordered the ex-senator to pay more than $2 million in restitution to local organizations.

Kids flocked to Uncle David’s Universal Playground at 15th and Catharine streets. The $750,000 park, a collaboration of Universal Companies Chairman Kenny Gamble and philanthropist David Pincus, is an environmentally friendly area with a jungle gym, swing set, merry-go-round, gazebo and hippopotamus water fountain.

Philadelphia Peaceful Surrender at True Gospel Tabernacle, 1606 Mifflin St., allowed those with outstanding arrest warrants to clear their cases and get their lives back on track.

Comcast-Spectacor revealed its blueprints for Philly Live! to the city’s Planning Commission. The complex will house restaurants and retail stores.

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August

The mayor urged the passing of the state budget — as well as the approval of a 1 percent sales tax hike — in order to avoid the activation of Plan C, aka the Doomsday Budget, which threatened the loss of 3,000 workers and the closure of various departments throughout the city.

The nonprofit Mighty Writers opened up at 1501 Christian St. with the goal of helping kids age 7 to 18 tame the written word through free workshops such as “Girl Power Poetry” and “Write Change.”

The post office at 1713 S. Broad St. was under the microscope as the U.S. Postal Service tried to close a potential $700 million budget gap. It was one of 677 being looked at by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

The economic downturn affected back-to-school shopping and local shoppers scouted deals at Target, 1 Mifflin St., Wal-Mart, 1675 S. Columbus Blvd., and Ikea, 2206 S. Columbus, relying heavily on store brands and sales.

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September

Animal activists brandished signs that read “Vick is sick” and “Vick gets $1.5 million, dogs get death” outside Lincoln Financial Field, but fans cheered Michael Vick, who served 19 months in federal prison for dogfighting, as he made his debut as an Eagle.

Passyunk Avenue is not new, but new groups of consumers have discovered its eclectic shops and diverse eateries.

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The Nightman Cometh Live” sold out its two show at the Tower Theatre fast, but it wasn’t the only stop for the FX comedy’s creator, Rob McElhenney, formerly of Dickinson Street and Moyamensing Avenue, and his cast. The hit went to New York, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles all while launching its fifth season.

The Passyunk Square Civic Association wrapped up a pilot program to remove trash from Sixth to Broad streets, as well from Washington Avenue to Tasker Street, with hopes of reigniting the effort at a later date. 

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October

The Columbus Day Parade was called off, though the Marconi Plaza festival went on. Parade organizers raised almost $20,000 for the 53-year-old tradition along Broad Street, but fell short of the required $52,000.

The library system launched new hours to counter staff shortages brought on by a hiring freeze. To reach the largest number of citizens, a five-day week and paired branches, including all those in South Philly, were put into motion so people could use alternative locations when their closest branch was closed. All branches remained closed on Sundays.

Fresh For All came to Front and Tasker streets to give away donated fruits and vegetables to residents in need. Headed by hunger relief organization Philabundance, 3616 S. Galloway St., the latter wanted to make sure healthy eating wasn’t cut out because of money woes.

Every building at the sports complex was filled to capacity with the Phillies facing the Yankees in the World Series at Citizens Bank Park, Pearl Jam wrapping up four nights at the Wachovia Spectrum, which was also the venue’s final show, the Eagles hosting the New York Giants, and Sixers and Flyers games at the Wachovia Center.

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November

Local fans kept their hopes high during the World Series, but in the end, the Phillies lost the best-of-seven match-up to the Yankees. Passionate and ready to defend their respective teams to the death, the Series was relatively quiet with fans happy to be able to hit games so close to their home stadiums.

Holiday giving was alive and well with a 24-hour canned food-a-thon at the McDonald’s at 2851 Grays Ferry Ave. and Philabundance hosting its Annual Turkey Round-up.

Horace Furness High School, 1900 S. Third St., Southern Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., and Edwin H. Vare Middle School, 2100 S. 24th St., were labeled Persistently Dangerous Schools by the state. All 25 schools on the list were in Philadelphia.

Dorothy and her companions from “The Wizard of Oz” were splashed on an 8-by-12-foot canvas outside of the Charles Santore Library Branch, 932 S. Seventh St. The artist — Charles Santore — is the son of the library’s namesake and a fundraiser was held following the unveiling at the Saloon, 750 S. Seventh, which his younger brother Richie Santore owns.

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December

Movie star Kevin Bacon and his Emmy-winning composer brother Michael — musically known as The Bacon Brothers — performed a benefit concert for the Mummers. The two-man band, the local strutters and Philadelphia songwriter/producer Walter “Bunny” Sigler also recorded a fresh version of the brothers’ “New Year’s Day.”

Police and security were stepped up at South Philadelphia High after student fights ended in 10 suspensions and a boycott of classes by some Asian-Americans, who said they felt unsafe at the school.

The students did return to class after an eight-day walkout, but not before countless meeting with school officials, parents and community leaders.

In these tough economic times, the Mummers came up with cost-saving strategies for their shows to go on. By picking themes that called for less expensive props and costumes, using material from years past for floats and props and trimming costs wherever they could, such as eliminating phone and cable bills at club houses, many groups were able to reduce their overall budgets.

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