Our Delaware Valley Podcast

From the Pennsylvania State Police, Trooper Jessica Tobin, Community Affairs Officer with the Office of Community Engagement, and Trooper Kathleen Guadalupe, recruiter with the Recruitment Office, discussing women recruits, how the Police have addressed the use of force and de-escalation training, career paths and public events.  We began with a discussion on women and careers with the force, both tell us that people are often still surprised that they are troopers.  Trooper Guadalupe tells us that beyond other diversity issues, the recruitment of women is vital, with Trooper Tobin giving us some of the accommodations the police offer women, including maternity leave and lactation facilities.  They spoke of the importance of Governor Shapiro’s dropping the 60 semester college credit hours needed to become a trooper, it puts us on recruiting par with neighboring states and ends the ‘wealth barrier’ for many otherwise qualified candidates. We discussed the requirements for enlistment, attaining the age of 21 when entering the academy, state residency by graduation, with a high school or GED certificate. They discussed a state police career, after graduation from the academy with training in law, emergency response, gun use and safety, and more, there are three years as a response officer, and then the opportunity to enter one of the 150 job paths including horse or canine patrol, forensics or white-collar crime investigation.   We discussed the effect headlines on police and the use excessive have on recruitment, and they spoke of the ongoing training offered in de-escalation and mental health.  Trooper Tobin also reminded us that families can alert the police of any special needs such as medical or mental health issues within their household, through their local barracks.   
Finally, we discussed programs for the public, including Troop K’s annual Sunny Day Camp for families with special needs, their annual day-long Women’s Expo at the academy, their ride-alongs and crime prevention programs.    
For more information about recruitment go to PATrooper.com.  For more information about programs and the State Police go to PSP.PA.GOV

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Tom Kamber, Executive Director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) and Senior Planet from AARP, shared the recent results of a new AARP tech survey among older adults, a majority of them have not taken steps to ensure they receive information during a disaster and are more likely to be unprepared if a disaster strikes. We discussed myths about older adults and technology; they can and will embrace it if it meets their needs for entertainment and information.

For more information about AARP and disaster planning go to
AARP.org/DisasterPrep

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Dennis Carradin, Founder and CEO of The Trauma Survivor Foundation returned to offer an update on their work, giving survivors of traumatic events access to a network of trained trauma therapists. We talked about his experiences that led to TSF, a chance encounter with a donut shop clerk who revealed her PTSD and lack of funds for help, and his work with the families and survivors of a school shooting. He realized that many lacked ‘follow up,’ they were left to navigate mental health resources on their own.

Since the beginning of the Foundation over 30,000 survivors of various traumatic events: mass shootings, natural disasters, line of duty deaths, motor vehicle collisions, sexual abuse or assault, physical abuse or assault, accidents, illnesses, witness to violence and others were helped through crisis intervention by over 2,500 trained trauma therapists and crisis interventionists participating.

We talked about trauma, what it is and what it isn’t when the term is sometimes overused.  He asks us to consider magnitude, is it an inconvenience or annoyance or is it affecting your daily life.

We discussed the ongoing Hospital Heroes Food Drive, so far providing over 30,000 meals delivered to nurses, doctors, EMS and first responders. They have partnered with hundreds of restaurants to deliver the meals across the region, and are looking for individual and business support to keep the program running.

Finally, we talked about an easy, fun way to support their work, the 2023 Delaware Beer Fest! It’s October 14 in the Figure 8 Barn on the grounds of magnificent Bellevue State Park. You’ll enjoy over a hundred Beer selections from over 70 Breweries.  There will also be food trucks, games and activities and more beer. Tickets are now on sale at delawarebeerfest.com

Learn more at TraumaSurvivorsFoundation.org and HospitalHeroesFoodDrive.org

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The Global Philadelphia Association President Zabeth Teelucksingh returned to discuss the latest events and programs offered by Global Philadelphia , a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Philadelphia as an influential World Heritage City and as a vital, diverse center for global affairs.

She described their mission, to help those who think globally create -- economic and cultural -opportunities for the Greater Philadelphia region.    She spoke of how they promote the development of an international consciousness within the Region to enhance our global profile.  We talked about their four pillars of the World Heritage City Project that continues to guide their vision for Greater Philadelphia:

• Preserve and Celebrate Philadelphia’s Historical and Cultural Assets
• Build World Heritage City Awareness and Ownership
• Educate Global Kids with Roots
• Extend Philadelphia’s Global Reach

As a World Heritage City Zabeth spoke of their commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals; they are focusing on poverty and hunger, with organizations who are addressing these issues. 

She notes they are focused on positioning Philadelphia as an international center and opinion leader, drawing new visitors and providing opportunities for Philadelphians to build global connections for economic benefit.  We also discussed the many vibrant immigrant communities found here.  Global Philadelphia is a membership organization, open to individuals, businesses and groups who support their mission.  For more information go to  GLOBALPHILADELPHIA.ORG

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From the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of Greater Philadelphia Board Chair, Sonya Bohmann discussed their work in Funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide.   We discussed the impact COVID had on our mental health, numbers that are still coming in.  While overall deaths by suicide are decreasing within some groups, they are seeing more younger people being affected.  Just past the first anniversary of the national roll-out of the 988 free emergency hot line, she described how it’s working and what to expect when you call it.  She reminds us that anyone can call, whether you are in crisis, or you’re concerned about a friend, a relative or a co-worker.
We talked about their newest campaign, Talk Away the Darkness, sparking real conversations about mental health; she assures us that you can do no harm by asking.  We also talked about  the programming they offer to groups and schools for all ages.  Finally, we discussed the upcoming Out of The Darkness Walk on Sunday October 1st at the Philadelphia Art Museum. The sign-up link is open and you can walk in person or virtually.  You can also volunteer or help by just supporting a team or registered individual.  To learn mora about their work, go to afsp.org/chapter/greater-philadelphia

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Maura McCarthy, CEO of Fairmount Park Conservancy and Allison Schapker, Chief Projects Officer discussed the non-profit Conservancy’s work with the City of Philadelphia to restore and improve thousands of acres of public lands, activates parks, and engages the public with the parks.  They work with the City and its communities to steward our parks, nurture our shared environment, cultivate cultural resources, and improve public health with high-quality and equitable parks for everyone.  They discussed the ecological, economic, historic, social, cultural and public health value to the community.  Through partnerships with the local communities and neighborhoods they work to provide intentional and equitable park investments to welcome people to public spaces where they historically have not been welcome.  They note diversity, equity and inclusion are the foundations of a healthy park system.

Fairmount Park Conservancy fosters community connections and leads engagement that continues to build the resources necessary as we lead the transformation of key geographies within our park system. 

The Conservancy’s placemaking projects are currently focused in East and West Fairmount Park, Cobbs Creek Park, and FDR Park but our focus on community, convening, and engagement work is city-wide.   They discussed upcoming projects including completion of the FDR Park Anna C. Verna Playground and Welcome Center, the Trolley Trail opening and the Boathouse Row Relighting in early winter.   They also host bike rides, tours of the historic homes on their properties, yoga and organized walking tours.  

To learn more go to MyPhillyPark.org

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Larry Needle, Executive Director of PHL SPORTS, part of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, discussed his office’s work in bringing sports convention and travel business to Philadelphia.  Formed as the Philadelphia Sports Congress, PHL Sports pitches this city for professional, amateur and collegiate sports.  Citing the incredible infrastructure Philadelphia boasts, including hotels, restaurants, a subway and public transit and of course, the sports complex, he described the draw of Philadelphia.  Sports travelers need food and entertainment beyond their events and Philadelphia has museums, parks and children’s attractions nearby.

He talked about the impact sports has on our economy, beyond their initial spending, they are more likely to return to the city for vacations or other events.  Beyond the professional sports franchises, heritage collegiate relays and local running events, Philadelphia looks forward to hosting a number of the world’s biggest sporting events over the next five years, including six NCAA Championships, WrestleMania 40 in 2024 and an epic summer of 2026 which will include the PGA Championship, Major League Baseball All-Star Game and FIFA World Cup 2026.  The storied Army-Navy Game will return in 2027.

To learn more and to join their insider group for sports news go to phlsports.com.

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Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Executive Vice President, Chief Population Health Officer, Nemours Children’s Health, discussed the health system’s commitment to community health, the social determinants of health as well as food insecurity in the region.  She spoke on the surprising three areas most Delawareans reported as impacting their health and security most – stable housing, food and internet access.  Not only do these issues affect health, they impact education, employment and mental health.  She discussed their unique National Office, their voice in DC, the only children’s hospital to maintain an office to inform and lobby on behalf of health. Nemours is working to establish youth behavioral health care in emergency rooms, offer primary preventative care, create school-based Wellness Centers that address social services and health, and support the SNAP program for continuing food access for families.  For more information go to Nemours.org

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Stephenie Bailey, Continuing Education Manager at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, and Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Way, guest curator for the Ann Lowe exhibit and Associate Curator at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology discussed their upcoming exhibition, Ann Lowe: American Couturier.

 Lowe is recognized as first African American to become a noted fashion designer; from the 1920s through the mid ‘60s she was “Society’s Best-Kept Secret” designing gowns for bold names including the Rockefeller, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Olivia de Havilland.  She created Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy’s iconic 1953 wedding dress.

The exhibition was inspired by the research of the late Winterthur curator Margaret Powell and Ms Way will bring more than 40 examples of Lowe’s work from both private and institutional collections. Some of these gowns have never before been on public view.  Winterthur, the premier museum of American decorative arts, put its world-renowned textile conservation team to work with the University of Delaware to recreate Kennedy’s fragile wedding gown and they pioneered a 3D printing technique to create customized mannequins for the exhibition.  The recreated dress will then go to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for use in their programming.    The exhibition will also live on in its catalog, Ann Lowe, American Couturier (Rizzoli) will be the first scholarly representation of Lowe’s contributions to 20th-century couture in the US.

For more information go to Winterthur.org.  For information about FIT programming visit FITNYC.edu

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Larry Magid has used music as a vehicle to heal, to help, to cure, and to bring about change.

Larry Magid, Co-founder of Electric Factory Concerts, and Derek Gillman RETURNS, Distinguished Teaching Professor for Art History and Museum Leadership at Drexel University, and the Executive Director, University Collections and Exhibitions which will mount ELECTRIFIED: 50 Years of Electric Factory, an exhibition celebrating and exploring the impact that Electric Factory and Electric Factory Concerts had on American culture September 21 through December 31. We discussed Philadelphia’s music scene and the rise of Electric Factory Concerts which has now put on almost 17,000 concerts, including major international events like The Atlantic City Pop Festival, Live Aid and Live 8. Larry reminisces about staging these spectacles and talks about Philadelphia’s unique ability to present these live performances. He remarks on its many venues and local artists and his founding of the Philadelphia Music Alliance to honor them. We discussed Drexel’s programming for the music business, one of the reasons Larry is supporting this retrospective. Derek discussed the thrill we’ll get in viewing these cultural touch stones; iconic images and objects from events that shaped generations of music tastes and created today’s concert experience. We talked about the exhibition that will include a reproduction of The Electric Factory’s psychedelic limo, the Buckminster Fuller stage design that revolutionized sets, original posters, photographs, archival graphics, and concert apparel from superstar artists.   Instruments on display include Bruce Springsteen’s Fender Telecaster, played in Philadelphia more than any other celebrated guitar; the 6-string electric bass Jack Bruce used to record Fresh Cream and the Gibson Les Paul played by Mick Taylor at the Spectrum in 1972, seen on the cover of the Stone’s album Get Your Ya Ya’s Out.  The free exhibition can be at Peck Center Gallery and Bossone Research Center at Drexel with the public opening on September 22.

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