I’ve made a long-overdue update to our schedule of events here in Malcolm X Park, including all of the Summer Heritage Jazz Series events. I’ll be updating with additional public events not sponsored by the Friends of Malcolm X Park as I hear about them:
Note that this calendar is always available on the Schedule of Events page in the right hand column of the website!
Nice little piece on one of the 52nd Street scene’s rising stars:
Though Crispy Sweetie at 52nd and Addison across from Malcolm X Park is still bagging and tagging their signature kettle corn, they’re also rolling out some exciting new–and totally homemade!–offerings that promise to vault it from humble (if slightly exotic) snack shop to legitimate breakfast and lunch destination!
I stopped in the other day for a very rewarding bowl of homemade broccoli and cheese soup ($3.50) with a side of cornbread (.50 with soup purchase). Word on the street is that the clam chowder and bean are hard to beat as well, though I haven’t yet had the pleasure. I have, however, sampled a slice of delightful pecan pie ($2.00):
Also delicious is an apple brownie ($1.25) reportedly popular with the teachers at Huey School, so you’ve gotta get there early to get one before they sell out. As it happens, I can also vouch for the carrot cake (price forgotten but worth every penny).
With new hours from 7:00am to 6:00pm, you can now stop in on your way to work or school and stock up on provisions. You won’t regret it.
Crispy Sweetie
434 S. 52nd St. (52nd and Addison)
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215.472.6065
www.crispysweetie.com
Walking home from the El last night, I happened past the site formerly occupied by the Cookie Jar, at 52nd and Chestnut. In its heyday, it must have been a grand place for generations of children, showing traces, even in its shabby condition, of a fully operational soda fountain, freezer cases for dozens of flavors of ice cream, and display shelves for an improbable volume of baked goods. Even until it finally closed its doors, the Cookie Jar offered delicious-looking throwbacks like candied apples and a small variety of cookies. Well, okay, all they had was the candied apples and the cookies, but they were good cookies.
Walking by last night, workers were putting the final touches on a total gut job–the charming tile floor, the chrome displays, the soft-serve machine, the period signage. All were gone. I’ll keep you posted on what turns up next in the shell of the Cookie Jar. Of course, for all your confection needs, I can heartily recommend Crispy Sweetie at 52nd and Addison as a worthy successor. (Their new hours are 7am-6pm on weekdays so you can stop in for breakfast!)
If you have any memories of the Cookie Jar, share them in the comments!
Shortly after the announcement that Senator Barack Obama had clinched victory in the election, neighbors took to the streets with pots and pans, signs, and cameras, marching and chanting up and down 52nd Street. Here they gathered at 52nd and Spruce outside of Big George’s Stop ‘n’ Dine:
Okay, I promise this is not a joke about referees:
The Eagles Eye Mobile stopped in at Huey Elementary at 52nd and Pine last week:
The Eye Mobile is a project of the Eagles Youth Partnership that provides vision care for uninsured and underinsured children who fail their state-mandated vision-screening. Check out this nice video showing the mobile in action:
The Stanford Social Innovation Review has an interesting article on the history of the Eye Mobile and the challenge of providing health care services to underprivileged children. It’s a quick read.
Back in August, signs sprung up on a couple of store fronts on 52nd Street, and at least one of them is now open for business! Meet Salaam’s Florals at 212 S. 52nd St:
As of now, they have a small selection of cut flowers and a variety of vases for sale. It looks like the store is still getting fully equipped, so the variety and volume of the stock may change in the near future. Check it out on your way to pick up a giant catfish fillet at Mr. Hook.
I blinked, and another play came and went at the Bushfire Theatre (check the new website!) at 52nd and Locust. Last year I enjoyed August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean at the Bushfire, but the audience was a little sparse. As the backdrop to Barack Obama’s 52nd Street rally this weekend, maybe it’ll get a little boost in attendance. Here’s what’s in store at the Bushfire in 2008-2009:
Our Season opens with Kathleen McGhee-Anderson’s 5 Mojo Secrets on September 30 – October 12, 2008.This dramatic theatrical experiment is an attempt to delve deeply into the inner-world of two characters and sustain dramatic tension with the use of uninterrupted introspection, monologues or soliloquies. It works to lay bear the emotional travails of an African American couple. It invites audiences to listen to the characters tell their side of the story and reveal their version of what happened to their crumbling marriage.
Our second play, Hoodoo Love by Katori Hall opens November 15 – November 30, 2008. It is a dramatic play that realistically looks at a facet of African American life in Memphis during the 1930’s. Seen through the eyes of Toulou, the main female character, who was confronted by abuse and betrayal to later leave this life to pursue her dreams.
Our third play Long Time Since Yesterday by P. J. Gibson opens on March 10 – March 22, 2009. Six women probe their friendships from childhood to the present in this sensitive drama. Set in the home of the deceased Janeen Earl-Taylor, tempers flare between two of the women who share the secret behind her death. Watch the mystery unravel to a shocking conclusion in this humorous yet thought provoking play.
Our season finale will be a play by August Wilson. May 12 – May 24, 2009.
Lot of great Obama rally videos out there, but since he gives Malcolm X Park a cameo, let’s go to HowardFair for 52nd Street coverage:
This one’s not great for quality, but it’s pretty good for visceral excitement:
It’s Our City had coverage from Obama’s other stops during the day as well.
