PhilaStories

A Love Letter For You

A Love Letter For You is a project by Steve Powers with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and is sponsored by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative. It is a public art project consisting of a series of 50 rooftop murals from 45th to 63rd streets along the Market Street corridor. This video was produced by Lindsay Tabas.

Malcolm X Park Weight Club

The Malcolm X Park Weight Club is an informal group of guys who meet most weekday mornings in Malcolm X Park to lift weights and socialize. Featured are Vernon, who founded the group, and his friends Black, New Boo, and Jake.

This video was produced by Andrew Schwalm a resident of 51st Street and member of the Friends of Malcolm X Park.

Google Maps: 52nd & Pine Streets

Passing On

I now realize that the stories I'm collecting from my father's former colleagues have meaning for me and my family. I made this video as part of the Digital Storytelling Workshop held in Philadelphia, September 26 - 28, 2008.

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Ike Johnstone Portrait

An interview of Ike Johnstone, formerly a Temple University police officer, who now runs an equestrian summer program for disadvantaged youth at Belmont Stables in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

Editing and interview by Christopher Wink, and filmed by Eugene Martin, on May 1, 2007.

Google Maps: Belmont Stables

Alan Keith Green - Seasonal Maintenance Attendant for Malcolm X Park

There's one person who spends more time in Malcolm X Park than anyone: Alan Keith Green. Al is the Parks and Rec Department's Seasonal Maintenance Attendant for Malcolm X Park, and he's been doing the job for seven years. In addition to cleaning up the considerable daily accumulation of litter, he runs an informal lost-and-found, helps out the occasional homeless residents, looks out for the children playing on the equipment, and generally keeps the park in great shape. Frankly, he deserves a medal.

This video was produced by Andrew Schwalm a resident of 51st Street and member of the Friends of Malcolm X Park.

Click To Play

Google Maps: 52nd & Larchwood Avenue

Walter Lindsay & Lloyd Ama - Crossing The South Street Bridge Riding or Running

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Ama at Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They tell us about the street games they played in the '30's growing up in West and South Philadelphia respectively, and some of the places they visited in the city.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Google Maps: Ruby Street, 15th & Wharton Street