Seriously? No, seriously?

What? Spring Fair, Flea Market & Family Fun Day!
When? May 10th, 10 AM to 3 PM, Rain or Shine
Where? Neumann-Goretti High School (Enter off of 11th Street, south of Moore Street)

FLEA MARKET

Interested in joining our Flea Market? Please read the following information. Your signature on the registration form indicates that you read this information and agree to abide by all guidelines. Thank you.

SPACES

Each space measures 8×13 (a standard-sized parking space).
Spaces are assigned on a first-come first-served basis as registration forms are received.
Bring your own blanket and/or tables and chairs; we provide the space only.

SET-UP

You may set-up your space between 9 AM and 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 10th. You will not be able to enter the site earlier. Set-up should be completed before we open the doors to the public at 10:00 AM. Remeber to bring your own blanket and/or tables and chairs. To provide shade you may wish to bring an umbrella or small tent.

VEHICLES

Vehicles are allowed in the market area during set-up ONLY. No parking is provided. Vehicles must be removed from the market area by 10:00 AM. You are responsible for parking your vehicle OFF-SITE from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

COST

$10 per space for individuals/family
$40 per space for businesses

IMPORTANT NOTES

The event will happen RAIN or SHINE; we’ll move into the school’s gymnasium if it’s raining out.
Sorry, no refunds due to uncooperative weather or any other suboptimal condition.
Do not bring and/or sell these items:

Weapons or weapon accessories
Pornography
Live animals
Fireworks, explosives or other hazardous materials
Stolen products
Prescriptions or illegal drugs
These items are not welcome at the EPXtravaganza, for sale or otherwise. Please use your judgement and do not bring illegal items or anything that requires a license to sell. We’re a community organization and kids will be in attendance, please respect this.

SIGN-Up

To reserve a space (or spaces), please mail the Flea Market Registration form with a check or money order payable to “East Passyunk Crossing Civic Association and Town Watch” to:

EPX Flea Market
1117 Emily Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148

Deadline Extension: Registration forms must be received by 6pm, Thursday, May 8th at 1117 Emily Street

Email questions tol contact@epcrossing.org

Thanks for supporting EPX and the EPXtravaganza!

While Obama overwhelmingly won the support of Philadelphians (65% to Clinton’s 35%), Clinton proved that she is the clear choice for Pennsylvanians state-wide. Being a huge supporter of Senator Clinton, I listened intently to her victory speech last night. She said one thing that really stuck in my mind (not verbatim), “…I’ve seen parent’s with their daughters saying – See? You can be anything you want to be.”

On an even more local level, Larry Farnese won the 1st District Senate Seat – proudly representing South Philadelphia. While I voted for Anne Dicker, I was very satisfied that union boss John Dougherty did not clinch the victory. Dougherty also “killed” more trees then Farnese and Dicker – and if anyone knows, I am all about greening South Philadelphia.

I came across numerous faux ads (mostly on Craigslist) offering highly desirable pooch breeds for a nominal fee. The ad goes up - not stating a thing about where the dog is located. The picture is cute - so you write to this anonymous person. A day or so goes by and you receive a reply. Let me tell you - these scammers are getting awfully creative all the while their English is getting worse. One person said they are in the Peace Corps and they aren’t home enough to take care of their dog. Another said they travel a lot for business. I never knew so many worldly deceivers congregated in this tiny coutry in West Africa.

I went back on Craigslist - like so many upset pet lovers do - and posted a warning. That lasted all of one hour. These creeps patrol the site - flagging any post that brings light to their scam.

No matter how many warnings are posted on the internet, people keep falling for the same tricks - losing money and hope that they will ever find the right pet for them. The Cameroon puppy scammers are continuing to operate their “businesses” and cheat people out of their money.

Five young people were charged in the attack. I am confident that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They are disgusting human beings with no respect whatsoever.

Every day, it’s another story about someone being murdered, robbed, raped and disrespected. I am tired and sick of it. I am sick and tired of parents that do not get involved in their children’s lives, of teachers who cannot teach because a lack of positive role models in their students home lives, of our government that thinks a large sum of money will make problems disappear.

I don’t know what it is about this city - but it’s as if it breeds this kind of behavior. There is a breakdown in communication and positive influence. Be it parents, the govenment, guardians or schools - we need bring about a powerful change - and soon.

Promoters, attendees and djs claim that many people do not understand the rave culture. What’s there to understand? Most people that attend these parties are under the age of 21, high on something all the while their parents/guardians/etc. are sitting at home (or out, I won’t speculate all attendees even have a stable home environment) without a clue as to what their offspring are doing. P.L.U.R.? Really? For those who don’t know raver speak, P.L.U.R. stands for, “Peace, Love, Unity and Respect.” I suppose that when you are under the influence of illegal substances, there is a fabricated sense of peace and possibly of love – and if everyone’s on drugs, well, that’s unity, right? But respect? My friends, there is NO respect in this culture (if you want to call it that).

Those involved in the culture claim that rave parties do not promote drug use. These parties go until 6am. What does it take to continue on dancing and promoting P.L.U.R. until 6am? Drugs. Not just good beats, man. Recently, NBC 10 ran a story regarding raves that took place after hours, on weekends in a charter school basement in West Philadelphia. Promoter Mickey Fronick or Tru Skool Productions claims his heart is in the right place. All the while, he also does not deny the use of illicit substances by underage minors and of age attendees. Question: why is this man not in jail? I applaud NBC 10 in their investigation. However, I am doubtful that much – if anything – will change.

What’s particularly troublesome to city residents and frequent Septa riders is that the homicide occurred in the middle of the afternoon in a relatively busy and seemingly well-patrolled area.

16 year-old Kinta Stanton has been charged as an adult with Sean Conroy’s death. His accomplices: Ameer Best, 17; Arthur Alston, 16; Rasheen Bell, 16; and Nashir Fisher, 16, will hopefully be charged with murder as well.

As a writer who tends to get a message across with as few words as possible, I am deeply saddened by such cruel and hateful actions by city youth. My heart goes out to Sean’s fiancée, family and neighbors.

I also wonder: what can be done to prevent such attacks in the future? What can we do to teach city youth that violence is not the answer?