It’s a known fact that if you don’t keep yourself busy and properly socialized around this time of year, we might lose you forever and you will be weird and depressed permanently. Allow us to help you with that this week. On Tuesday, ye olde Philebrity Salon returns with some real deal record nerdery; and on Wednesday, Philebrity Showcase, our new music/comedy night at Fergie’s, makes its bubbly debut with Ladies Auxiliary and Tommy Pope. Both events are free to attend, and both events feature alcohol, available for purchase and on-the-spot consumption. What’s not to love? Stay positive, Philadelphia!
Here’s footage of that fence being torn down. We were on the front lines of last night’s 100-person Occupy protest, which started roughly around 9PM. Chants of “We stand with Oakland!” and “Fuck the police!” turned violent when Occupiers began to push against the Dilworth Plaza fence, escalating to a mosh-style takedown of the symbolic “barrier” against the use of public space for communal living, or freedom, or something. Dancing on the remains of the damaged property can be seen in the video above. “A fence is just an object,” yelled someone who would only be identified as Amanda, the apparent leader of the group (she denied this role). “That’s boundary bullshit. Don’t be afraid of objects.”
In the ensuing chaos, two OP members were hand-cuffed and hauled off into paddy wagons, at least six of which lined 15th street. “We just witnessed police brutality,” screamed one protester. Occupiers alleged that police, armed with batons in a unified line of defense, grabbed a female medic and “unlawfully” arrested the two members, including a young white man referred to as Caleb. After the arrests, insults of “Psychopath” and “Motherfucker” could be heard. On the other hand, “They’re just doing their job, man.” Calls to move to Love Park followed: “If you stay here, we won’t be here to see you get arrested,” warned a female protestor. Eventually, the crowd dispersed, only to re-form later in the night and march as a free-form battalion winding its way through the streets of Center City.
Middle school parent Adrienne Beyer said she thinks the ban is extreme.
“I understand there may be a handful of kids that shove cell phones down their boots, but why does the handful have to ruin it for the other 600 students? But, I said to my daughter, ‘It’s a rule and we’re going to follow it,’” Beyer said.
This coming Sunday, when millions of people are crowded around the TV to watch commericals (and take bathroom and beer breaks while football is on), they will see a Philadelphia first. During the game, a Century 21 real estate ad will air, created by Red Tettemer + Partners, the first ever Philadelphia ad agency to create a Super Bowl ad.
There are already some teasers online (above) that will air during pregame coverage. The full ad will be 30 seconds long and features Donald Trump, Apollo Ohno, and Deion Sanders, and will air during the game’s 3rd quarter.
Point Breeze, which has been fighting off the g-word for a few years, is finally staring gentrification right in its face. In an effort to keep Point Breeze for the Point Breezians, flyers are currently circulating the area in protest of a 13 condo complex slated to go up at the corner of Point Breeze Avenue and Titan Street.
As one of the flyers going around points out, “The proposed 13 Condos at Point Breeze and Titian will be built by Ori Feibush, a developer, investor, owner of OCF Realty and website nakedphilly.com.” The flyer continues (with spelling and grammar errors intact):
Feibush stated publicly that he only wants to build market rate houses in Point Breeze i.e. $300,000 or higher. He has purchased over 150 properties in Point Breeze and wants more. Majority of his buyers are newcomers that support luxury homes or condos. As a result to the high end development, the other side of Washington Avenue has lost the black community, many churches, for example, Greater Saint Matthews, Metropolitan AME, Schools have closed i.e. Pierce, Durham, and Stanton(Schedule to close in Jun 2012), small minority business and service organizations.
His Blog NakedPhilly.com is where they talk about black people who stand up for their community with petty name calling. The blog also advertises properties in Point Breeze to encourage his cult following to buy into Point Breeze. His targeting of Point Breeze has been nonstop.
It is clear that these developers and new residents are not looking to work or live with existing residents, but to take over our community like the other side of Washington Avenue. As Spike Lee says, “It is time to wake up”. Take this attack very serious and stop sitting on the sideline otherwise there will be no more Point Breeze. The other side didn’t have any warning, but you do. First step, come to Zoning meeting Monday night and fight against this million dollar developments and Vote NO. Mt. Zion Pentecostal, 1232 Point Breeze Ave., Time 6:00p.m. Monday, Jan 30, 2012.”
Feibush posted on Naked Philly about last week’s zoning meeting (that ended up getting postponed to this week) regarding his properties. Feibush claims multiple attendees were shouting and disrupting the meeting until it could no longer continue. He expects a similar situation tonight, which may be the first ever fight against gentrification that becomes an actual fight.
Just a year after its launch in Philly, there are signs that the Onion‘s presence in Philly may be in jeopardy. Sources tell us that, at the very least, the Onion’s AV Club section — straight A&E coverage, not fake news — is at this point a shell; most of what’s currently posted on the Philly home page is written by AV Club writers in other cities, and more notably, AV Club Philly editor Emily Guendelsberger, as of today, has assumed the Arts editor and copy chief post at City Paper. This could merely be a transition phase, but it also kinda looks like final days.
Meanwhile, a representative from Philadelphia Media Network, who print and distribute the Philly edition of The Onion newspaper, tells us that PMN plans to continue to do so — but tellingly, when we first called the number listed as the Philly/PMN contact for The Onion, it was immediately clear that there was some confusion as to whose job that even was. Should the Onion at some point leave Philadelphia in total, lovers of fake news should not fret: There’s always Fox29′s Good Day Philadelphia.
If you are a Philly native reading this, there is a good chance that, like us, you are a member of what will likely be the last generations of kids who grew up during the great “Go play in traffic” era of Philly parenting. There is pride attached to this, but, of course, there is also some damage. And when you gaze upon the new Piazzadelphia of today, with all of these well-meaning Midwesterners with Etsy accounts and BabyBjörns on their way to some farmer’s market somewhere — “it’s like an entire part of the city has been rededicated just to BRUNCH,” as one friend remarked on Facebook yesterday — you almost can’t help but shed a tear: All of these junior (unwilling) Modest Mouse fans may never really know what joy it really was to actually go out and play in traffic.
It seems the world’s billionaires are no longer interested in swooping in and saving newspapers. It is being reported that the Philadelphia Media Network is up for auction. Alden Global Capital, who were one of the 32 investors that bought PMN for $139 million in October 2010, is trying to unload its 30% share, and according to the New York Post, “the owners of the Philadelphia Media Network are now in the middle of an auction to sell [the company] for roughly $100 million, and [Alden Global owner Randy] Smith so far is on the sellers’ side of the table.”
According to an Inquirer story on the matter, “PMN spokesman Mark Block said: ‘It would not be appropriate for Philadelphia Media Network to comment on a decision that Alden Global is making about their business.’” So let’s scrounge up some pocket change and make them an offer. Who’s going to start passing the hat around?
In solidarity (which is a word we had hoped we were done typing for a while) with the Occupy Oakland protests, hundreds of Occupy Philly protesters seemingly tried to “retake” Dilworth Plaza last night. According to The Daily News, the OP people gathered at Love Park around 7PM and marched to 15th and Market, “forcing police to close 15th [street] briefly.”
The rally resulted in two arrests for the publicly dormant group. So what does this mean? Is this just a one-off thing? Is phase 2 of the occupation right around the corner? Can we stand to write about this anymore? We know the answer to one of those questions.
>>> The Aporkalypse, Pig Iron Theatre’s glammy benefit, will kick off at the Troc with end-of-the-worldly musical performances with guests Amy Pickard and Johnny Showcase. Plus a six-person choir and hot Temple U step rhythm dancers. If you do one Theater Nerd thing this year, make it this one. >>> Spanish artists Patricia Gómez and María Jesús González debut their large-scale prints using “strappo” method from the walls of Holemsburg Prison in Doing Time | Depth of Surface at Moore College of Design. >>> Join us (we’ll definitely be there) for tender minimalists Market East‘s self-titled album release party (download for free here) and live jamming/dancing at Kung Fu Necktie. With KC Jones, The Mendles, and Like Wild. >>> LP Stiles pays tribute to the late, great J Dilla, who passed at the age of 32, at World Cafe tonight.
SATURDAY: >>> Say good-bye to Sugar Townin their last ever girl punk showcase at Tritone, featuring Go-Gos tribute band LUST2LOVE, Butterscotch Grimm, Jurassic Shark, et al at the soon-to-be closing venue. >>> Here’s a weird one: SCIENCE FACE (Dave from Nightlands and The War on Drugs) will be DJing a no-cover aftershow following Ape Schoolat Kung Fu Necktie. >>> Founding Allman Brother/drummer Jaimoe brings his ass-kicking jazz outfit, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, to the TLA. Who ever said rock can’t reinvent itself? Probably no one.
SUNDAY:
>>> It’s Lulu and Shannon’s birthday at the Trestle Inn. Like you even need that much of an excuse. >>> Poetry still matters. Stop by alt-space Robin’s Bookstore for the launch of Turtleneck Press‘s first two chapbooks, with readings from James Tressel (“Furnace”) and founder Brian Warfield. >>> And try out an Eraserhood fave: Bring Your Own Vinyl to quasi North Philly’s Prohibition Taproom for 20% off yer tab. ‘Cause what the hell.
RECOMMENDED: Written and directed by Gerardo Naranjo, Miss Bala tells the story of an aspiring beauty queen in present day Mexico who — whoops! — ends up as a drug mule. With accolades at Cannes and a near-brush with an Oscar nom for Best Foreign Language pic this year, it’s part of a growing canon of modern Mexican films (from Y Tu Mama Tambien to Biutiful to I’m Gonna Explode) that make you wonder just how it is that Mexican indie film of this quality is being made in a country that is also presently so very very fucked. Meanwhile, here in America, we’re still making mumblecore movies.
ALSO NEW IN THEATERS THIS WEEK:Pina, Wim Wenders‘ tribute to choreographer Pina Bausch; A Separation, an award-winning Iranian drama reminding us that, despite what we see on the news, Iranians aren’t nuts — they’re just regular people even more desperate to cast off the shackles of their government and culture than we are; One for the Money, a dogshit Katherine Heigl vehicle that’s kind of like My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Dog: The Bounty Hunter; Man on a Ledge, also known as “Untitled Sam Worthington Project My Father Will Be Watching Alone On Cable While Smoking A Whole Pack Of Marlboros In Nine Months”; The Grey, of which YouTube commenter “ck8823″ says, “If the phrase ‘Come at me bro’ was ever made into film, this would be it – Come At Me Bro: The Movie.”
When the FCC approved Comcast’s acquisition of NBC/Universal, it made it contingent on the company offering low-cost Internet access. The FCC went so far as to include the $9.95 a month plan in its official order allowing the deal to go ahead. The agreement also required Comcast to subsidize the price of Internet-ready laptops.
You can guess the rest: Comcast did in fact make these services available, but buried them through a series of restrictions and zero PR to the point that when activists from Action United went door to door in the fall in low income neighborhoods, literally no one they encountered knew the first thing about the program or how they could enroll. So Action United have been protesting — on Wednesday, they showed up at Kabletown HQ and handed out “baloney” sandwiches — and now Comcast is like, “NO NO NO NO NO, let’s talk, let’s be friends!” while at the same time telling the press they think Action United’s claims are bullshit. Classy, no? It just goes to show: In Kabletown, email reads YOU!
Local weirdos Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim (who met while studying film at Temple University) have released their first full-length feature, Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, to On Demand services today. It’s also available for rental on YouTube, so what are you waiting for? Check it out.
The film will have a theatrical release in March, and the pair will be at the Ritz Bourse on Valentine’s Day hosting a special screening.
In an effort to curb Philadelphia’s ever-worrisome murder rate (and put a dent in the city’s declining clearance rate) Mayor Nutter announced a program yesterday that offers rewards for information that leads to murder convictions.
According to The Daily News, Nutter told a crowd at Strawberry Mansion High School, “To every criminal out there, I just put a $20,000 bounty on your head … We are coming for you. We will find you. People will give up that information.”
Here’s how the program works: $20,000 will be awarded for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of a murder suspect, and $500 will be awarded for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those who carry or sell illegal guns. Nutter hopes the $20,000 offering will encourage those who would not typically talk to police come forward with information they know. Shortly after $20,000 was offered in the Kevin Kress case, three suspects were arrested in connection with the beating.
On top of the rewards, Nutter promised more police, a program that would, “enable residents to text anonymous tips and crime photos to police,” and boosting the PPD’s overtime budget.
Look, we’re not really “car people” but we couldn’t pass up a chance to have a sneak peek at this year’s Philadelphia Auto Show. Here are a few things we learned:
>>>Everything is shiny, and that’s because (at least today) everything was being meticulously polished. We got out of there just when we started to get a headache from the fumes, but if anything, going to the auto show will make you feel bad about how infrequently you wash your own car. >>>Remember when you were younger, and you imaged a super technologically advanced future? We’re living in it. It may not seem like it (no flying cars or meals in pill form) but just walking around the auto show we witnessed incredible technology we didn’t know existed. Example: on one of the new Cadillac models, the driver is alerted of approaching cars and cyclists on either side of their car by seat vibrations on the side where the vehicle is being approached. Also, touch screens that can sense you before you touch them. >>>We don’t care what you say, the coolest looking cars there are the classics. Never mind the new (semi-impressive) Dodge Dart when you can stare at an old Aston Martin.
So there you have it. We figured unless you’re a car freak, you probably go to the auto show for the same reason we would go: to look at cool cars. It’s that simple. So, while we were compelled to take some pictures, we didn’t want to ruin the surprise of some of the surreal looking vehicles there (plus everyone is taking pictures of the cool stuff), so we went the other way with it. After the jump, check out some of the auto show’s most boring vehicles. We don’t even understand why most of these were there, and yes, they’re mostly vans. (more…)
Only a week after Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon debated the mascot’s gender, the real-deal Phillie Phanatic popped up on last night’s cameo heavy (Emma Stone, Andy Samberg, Mick Foley, Steve Earle) 30 Rock, which caused our green-furred friend to trend worldwide on Twitter. The Phanatic’s gender was settled, after he declared (through subtitles) that he is, in fact, an undersea king who must stop his daughter from marrying the Squid Lord. Sounds about right.
Oh hey, we’re going to try doing a Daily Poll each morning now, wherein we ask you, the people of Philadelphia, random things about your life here, and on Earth. Got a question you want to see the people answer? Suggest it at: tips[at]philebrity[dot]com.
Point Breeze, which has been 
If you are a Philly native reading this, there is a good chance that, like us, you are a member of what will likely be the last generations of kids who grew up during the great “Go play in traffic” era of Philly parenting. There is pride attached to this, but, of course, there is also some damage. And when you gaze upon the new Piazzadelphia of today, with all of these well-meaning Midwesterners with Etsy accounts and BabyBjörns on their way to some farmer’s market somewhere — “it’s like an entire part of the city has been rededicated just to BRUNCH,” as one friend remarked on Facebook yesterday — you almost can’t help but shed a tear: All of these junior (unwilling) Modest Mouse fans may never really know what joy it really was to actually go out and play in traffic.
Dearest Kabletown Komrades, we couldn’t let the week go by without pointing your attention in the direction of 
In an effort to curb Philadelphia’s ever-worrisome murder rate (and put a dent in the city’s 
