Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Alana Mauger, Commuiications Manager for the American Red Cross discussed ways to stay safe this summer, from pool safety to gas grills; she also reminds us that the American Red Cross offers swimming and lifeguard training, first aid and babysitting classes, as well as CPR and AED training.   She also implored us to consider donating blood, suplies are at historic lows.  

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Kathleen A. Foster, the Robert L. McNeil Jr. Senior Curator of American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Matthew Skic, Curator of Exhibitions, at the Museum of the American Revolution, discussed the various collections and how they add to the total understanding of the Revolutionary era in Philadelphia, who lived here and how, and the importance of Philadelphia artists and artisans in this period.  Ms Foster described how the PMA is now readdressing their depictions of the enslaved, the native Americans and the lives of the common people through interpretations of the makers of held artifacts and additions to their collection of works by non-European artists.  Pieces are identified by their makers to give perspective on who and how they were living in the city, and rare portraits of free Black residents are on display.  Mr Skik discussed their new exhibit of rare state flags with documents pertaining to the state’s admission to the Union.  We also discussed a limited time offer of a $35 admission to both museums.

For more detials visits Philamusemm.org and AmRevMuseum.org

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Dr. John Matsinger, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Virtua Health in New Jersey, discussed the healthcare system of hospitals and over 200 practices in the region, and their response to the Pandemic.  Praising their staff, he noted that they had administered over 420,000 doses of vaccine and that’s still not enough. We discussed the misinformation and hesitancy of getting vaccinated and he spoke on the efficacy and safeguards of the vaccines available.  Dr Matsinger reminds us that it’s not over yet, variants are surfacing  and vaccinations is our best defense.  He talked, too, about the pandemic’s effect on healthcare and patient-outcomes and how Virtua is protecting patients coming in for everything from birth to cancer treatments.  

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Dr. Ian Krantz, pediatrician and geneticist  at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and former NFL Superbowl winning Coach Dick Vermeil discussed their charity, Cool Cars for Kids and the 4th annual fundraiser the Concours d’Elegance and  at the Simeone Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday July 17th.  The event raises funds to help children born with rare genetic diagnoses and supports research that will identify the best possible treatments.   Dr pointed out that rare diseases aren’t that rare – there are 7,000 rare diagnoses so far,  combined they affect 1 in 11 of us, 25-30 million people in the United States and over 400 babies are born each day in the U.S. with a congenital anomaly.   As over 80% of ‘rare’ disease are genetic, research into identification, causes and possible treatments are vital.   Cool carsa for Kids also seeks to drive awareness of rare diseases, Coach Vermeil dsicussed his interest in the cause, his granddaughter Amy was diagnosed with a genetic defect shortly after her birth 28 years ago.  He attributes her gains and quality of life to early diagnosis, something many families struggle to receive.    We discussed the event itself, a day of family fun and activities, centered around the world-class rare show cars participating in the Concours,  the ‘Cool Car Corral’ for beloed local classics and the Simeon collection of rare racecars.  Admission gets you into the museum and the activities, including Coach Vermiel smapling and signing bottles from his vineyards.    Coach Vermeil will host an exclusive remote wine-tasting of his wines the evening before with food baskets and wine delivered to particpants homes.  At the top patron level membership in his wine club is included.

For more information visit coolcarsforkids.org

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A panel discussion on domestic abuse and the services availbale post-COVID with Katie Young-Wildes of Women Against Abuse, Katie of Laurel House and Toby Fraser of the Lutheran Settlement House.  They spoke about defining the types of abuse, how to approach the topic, planning for leaving and the resources available to victims and their families.  We talked about timing, not everyone is ready or willing to leave an abusive relationship and  they spoke of counseling programs – including programs geared toward the abusors –  shelters and legal services available throughout the process, and they gave advice for those witnessing a problem relationship, how to offer support.  Toby discussed the ‘agressive male’ in popular culture as a potential problem for future relationships and Katie discussed teen partner abuse, both boys and girls can bully then abuse.  They also discussed what to do in an emegerncy and suggested that not all families feel safe with police involvement through a 911 call, in a non-life threatening situation they suggested leaving the house to de-escalate, code-words for children to tell them to leave, and to keep a ‘go-bag’ of cash, a mobile phone and important documents ready.  For more information about programs discussed go to

womenagainstabuse.org   laurel-house.org and lutheransettlement.org

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Part 2 of a discussion withTodd Leiss, Traffic Incident Management Coordinator at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Philadelphia Fire Department Deputy Chief Girt Allerton, Trooper Jessica Tobin, Pennsylvania State Police, Troop K – Media and John Dewese, tow truck operator and responder safety advocate, on how emergency and first responders clear and investigate accidents.   

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Part 1 of a discussion withTodd Leiss, Traffic Incident Management Coordinator at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Philadelphia Fire Department Deputy Chief Girt Allerton, Trooper Jessica Tobin, Pennsylvania State Police, Troop K – Media and John Dewese, tow truck operator and responder safety advocate, on how emergency and first responders clear and investigate accidents.   

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Product Safety Investigator Maryanne McGerty-Sieber returns for her seasonal update on safety with information from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.  After a review of recalls and the mission of the agency, overseeing the consumer products sold  in the US, we discussed pool safety - remember, barriers, the more the better, gas grills and sports equipment.  She also discussed summer rentals and how to access them for children's safety.  We also discussed bad weather, while it is hurricane season she reminds us that any bad storm can take out power for weeks at a time,  she offered survival kit recommendations and grill and portable generator safety infprmation.  Finally, we discussed the resources offered by CPSC, brochures and pamphlets - in multiple languages - for keeping your family and neighbors safe, information for church and civic groups to use to protect children and the elderly in the community.

For more information on product recalls, reporting an issue, saftey tips and community resource materials visit CPSC.gov

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'Art meets style meets culture'

Elissa Bloom, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator,  discussed the area's initiatives to promote the fashion industry, once a thriving source of jobs for the region.   We talked about fashion as a mood lifter and a personal statement and our belief that fashion and dressing well will return as we venture out of the pandemic. 

We discussed Philadelphia's place in the industry's history, fabric and hosiery mills, hat and shirt manufacturers and the economic benefits of  fashion - Ms Bloom reminds us that for every designer there is a sewer, pattern cutter, stylist, make-up artist, photographer and event planner who benefits!    She explained the offerings of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator, where 'emerging designers learn to become more than designers, but well-rounded, successful creators,'  She described the intense mentoring, marketing and business planning help that the resident designers receive in the dedicated workrooms at Macy's and learned about this year's resident class, six designers working with statement, investment pieces that fill niche markets.  She spoke about the program's designers - usually older, more established, and often on a second career path; designers already in business and ready to go to the next level.   Ms Bloom shared one of the few benefits of a virtual' year, more designers, marketers and retailers were able to participate, and the virtual platform allowed other area fashion professionals the opportunity to join in.  The new Fashpreneurs program connects area designers weekly for networking, lectures and workshops to help them develop their businesses.

Finally, a look at the upcoming Art to Wear, 10th anniversary exhibition, retrospect and retail celebration August 2 through September 10 at InLiquid.

For more information go to philadelphiafashionincubator.com or Fashpreneur.com   Follow on Facebook @philadelphiafashionincubator and other social media at @Philaincubator

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Deborah P. Brown, the Chief Mission Officer for the American Lung Association discussed the newly released State of the Air Report, an annual report issued by the ALA each year, tracking air quality for the region and the country.  The study looks ozone and small particle polution - some natural, pollen and soot from wildfires, and man-made, exhaust and other emissions. She discussed the ramifications on lung health and its impact on urban dwellers and low income families, as well as the impact of climate change on creating polution nad poor air quality.  We discussed the American Lung Association's advocacy for COVID 19 vaccination, their smoking cessation work and the negative impact of COVID on these programs, and local reasearch grants awarded by the ALA.   Finally, how we can get involved with th eprgramming, advocacy and fundraising, including the Fight for Air Climb and the Lung Force Walk.  For more information go to LUNG.org.

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