e newsletter committee wishes hon the our readers a happy ...€¦ · david roberts council liaison...

This is an updated versionof the presentation made

at the November 2016Annual Budget Meeting.Needless to say, the budgetis a most important factorin evaluating our corporationespecially since owners are

observing with mixed emotions the work in pro -gress in Stonorov’s lobby.It is reasonable to ask whatthis will cost and when thebill will be presented.

Let us consider whathas been accomplished in maintaining a state-of-the-art historical building,and what remains to be accomplished.

e installation of thenew fire-alarm system with improved safety technology:$150,000

Message from CouncilPaul Coyne

If you are wondering whatis going on in the lobby,

and when it will ever end,read Council’s Message.e resident services deskand management office arebeing updated, especially themailroom, with a dedicatedpackage room that will accommodate the myriadpackages of all sizes thatare delivered every day.

Please consider the recommendations inthe Manager’s Message.

Concha Alborg interviewedHopkinson House residentGiema Tsakugisowsa. Hermother, Anisa, a centenarianwho lived with her untilquite recently, was born inMongolia before the RussianRevolution and moved toPhiladelphia after WorldWar II. Giema’s andher mother’s historicalbackgrounds are worthyof a book.

Read Lynn Miller’s reporton the oldest jewelry districtin the nation on the blockof Sansom Street between7th and 8th Streets thatis now being targeted by developers for demolitionand new construction: a 29-story condominium towerwith 109 apartments.

David Roberts recountshis recent experience with“medical miscommunication”and admonishes, “next timeyou are in a hospital, bealert and don’t be afraidto question anything

that doesn’t seem right.It may not be.”

In another article,David Roberts alerts us tophony sweepstakes andto telephone warnings fromsupposed representativesof debt collection agenciesor of the IRS who, for afee, offer to resolve yourproblem. ese scammers,he says, learn from experi-ence; they have more success with the elderly.

What do I do with thoseplastic bags? You can recyclethem, says Mindy Bartsherer.

Chef Luigi suggests forJanuary a calorie-free soupto get rid of the Holiday’sextra pounds!

The Newsletter of Hopkinson House • Winter 2017

What’s InsideNelly Childress

on theHOUSE

A Winter Scene in Washington Square

continued on Page 2

e Newsletter Committee wishesour readers a Happy, Healthy,

and Prosperous New Year.

An Occasional Photo by David Roberts

Five hundred light bulbs replaced with LED bulbswith significant future costsaving: $7,000

Replacing the condensatetanks in the lower boilerroom: $44,000

Replacing the twin fresh-water boilers due to leaks.One of the boilers havingbeen condemned made replacement imperative.$200,000

Renovation of apartment1009, owned by HopkinsonHouse, resulting in higherrental income: $15,000

Maintenance/repair/replac-ment of some swimmingpool tables and chairs:$3,000

Lobby renovation involvedpreliminary planning withdesigners and engineers, negotiating with the varioustrades involved, and obtain-ing approval from the city.While the existing deskand offices were being “deconstructed” the

Resident Services Desk andthe Management Office hadto be relocated. A makeshiftdesk was constructed andequipped with the electronicequipment necessary to theirfunctions. Unnecessary fileswere weeded out.

e Mailroom is open,well designed and efficient; offices are bright and profes-sional-looking with newcarpets. e marble top tothe Resident Services Deskwas installed on December12th. e terrazzo floor ofthe entrance, lobbies, eastand west halls has been repaired and polished. ebronze figures of the FourSeasons around the elevatorswere refreshed and look asthey did when installed.

Regarding the mailroom,it is interesting that eachmailbox has ten identicalkeys. Each will be checkedby inserting it into the lockto prove that it is working,Two keys will then be givento the owner in an envelope,

two will be kept at the desk,and the remaining keys willbe stored in the safe.

e Resident ServiceDesk was completed beforeChristmas. e work onthe east and west lobbiesis close to completion. enorth lobby is scheduled tobe finished after the holidays.

Some of the remaining orders will be receivedin late December or earlyJanuary delaying the completion of the project.$1,100,000

e failure of one of thetwo power sources to ourswitchgear forced us to hirean emergency power service.We became dependent ona single line that we sharewith a number of buildings.We were at risk of beingwithout electricity. Withinfive hours of our call forhelp we had, on site, a truckwith coils of wire, a crane,a flatbed truck with anemergency generator, a fueltruck for the generator and

2 · WINTER 2017 · ON THE HOUSE

Editorial CommitteeConcha AlborgMindy BartschererJanet BurnhamNelly ChildressLouis DelSoldoTerry KowalskiLynn MillerDavid Roberts

Council LiaisonPaul Coyne

Graphic DesignParallel-Design.com

AdvertisingTerry Kowalski [email protected]

PhotographyDavid Roberts

Issue ContributorsConcha AlborgMindy BartschererJanet BurnhamNelly ChildressPaul CoyneTerry KowalskiLynn MillerDavid RobertsDavid Smith

Hopkinson House [email protected]

WebsiteFind past issues of on the Houseat www.thehopkinsonhouse.com

Message from Council continued from Page 1

Removal of mailboxes.

New mailboxes installed.

Pictures by Paul Coyne

continued on Page 5

ON THE HOUSE · WINTER 2017 · 3

Message from ManagementDavid Smith

On Wednesday, March15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

a meeting is scheduled todiscuss the HVAC project.e project is in its earlyplanning stage. Nothinghas been approved or willbe approved any timesoon by Council.

e Hopkinson HouseAnnual Meeting andElection is scheduled forursday, April 20, 2017in the Solarium at 7:00 p.m.If you would like to run fora Council seat, please fillout a Candidate Data Sheetwhich will be mailed to youin March, and place yourname on the ballot. Councilterms are for two years andCouncil members must be

available to attend onemeeting per month. Allnominees must be in goodstanding with theAssociation.

We expect to reopen the bicycle room sometimein March. Bicycle ownerswill receive notificationfrom the ManagementOffice.

InsurancePlease be sure to haveyour insurance carriersend a copy of your updated 2017 informationcertificate to theManagement Office. ecertificate can be mailed [email protected] faxed to 213-829-1510.

Emergency FormsA 2017 Emergency Formwill be distributed to allowners and residents to becompleted and returned tothe Management Office. Besure to give your telephonenumber and email addressif you have one.

Trash Disposale proper dispositionof garbage is to bag it andtie the bag before throwingit in the trash chute. esame procedure applies tosanitary napkins/diapers.ese unsanitary items affect the employeeswho empty the trash.

Entry PermitsAll residents are to com-plete entry permits for theirguests, contractors, andanyone they wish to haveaccess to their apartment. Itis suggested/recommendedthat residents stop at theResident Services Desk todo so rather than rely on e-mail or through messaging.

Work OrdersWork orders must beprocessed through theResident Services Deskthat is manned 24 hoursa day, 7 days a week. eManagement Office andthe Maintenance Officedo not accept work orders.

RenovationsIf planning renovationsin your apartment, pleasepick up a RenovationRequire ment Packet atthe Resident Services Desk.Owners and contractorsmust complete the formsin the package and the contractor must provide aninsurance certificate witha minimum of $2,000,000liability coverage. Workmay not begin in the apart-ment until the renovationpackage has been approvedby Tony Kelly, BuildingChief Engineer. Tony canbe reached through theResident Services Desk at215-923-1776, Ext. 110.

PackagesWhen placing an order forpackage delivery, make surethat you give the correct address to the vendor.

When you are notified thatyou received package(s),please retrieve them fromthe Resident Services Deskin a timely fashion. n

Contractor work, deliveries and moves are not permitted on Sundays or legal and religious holidays throughout the year. We are posting these 2017 holiday dates for your convenience.

No exceptions can be made.

New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2018

2017 Holiday Dates: No Move-Ins, Move-Outs, Contractors or Deliveries

M.L. King, Jr. Day Monday, January 16

Presidents’ Day Monday, February 20

Passover Tuesday, April 11

Good Friday Friday, April 14

Memorial Day Monday, May 29

Independence Day Tuesday, July 4

Labor Day Monday, September 4

Rosh Hashanah Wednesday, September 21

Yom Kippur Saturday, September 30

Thanksgiving Thursday, November 23

Hanukkah Wednesday, December 13

Christmas Day Monday, December 25


replacement switchgearon site. We are in the finalstages of a settlement withour insurance company.$500,000

PECO recommended thatwe push up the date to re-place the entire switchgearas soon as possible. Insteadof scheduling replacing theswitchgear as anticipatedin February, we ordered thebuilding of new switchgearand are beginning the basicsteps for the installation inwhat we used to call thebike room. $1,000,000

e marble of the bridge tothe courtyard was damagedand has been replaced alongwith adding handrails to increase safety: $53,000

It was necessary to replacethe garage ramp because itwas badly leaking and thedrainage system needed replacement. e ramp wasleaking into the former bikeroom (soon to become theswitchgear room.) As youknow 13.2KV and wateraren’t compatible.

e two sides of the rampwere separately closed, controlled by a traffic lightand a flagman. e projectwas completed three weeksahead of schedule. $350,000

Each of these projects willsignificantly increase thevalue of your investment,and most importantlythere were no assessments.

Council’s long-term budgetplan for the HVAC projectis to build a capital reservefund.

On either Wednesday,December 21 or ursday,December 22, a “completionwalk-through” will be performed. is will determine the completedor nearly completed projectsin order to resume thedaily routine of operations/functions.

e paneling in the mailroom and service area,the new lighting, furnitureand carpets [for the northlobby only] will be installedin January or February inthe lobbies. n

Message from Council continued from Page 2

Trusted.Experienced.Local.Call me today and we'll go over your Medicare options together.HARVEY L KATURAN [email protected] hkaturancic.comIndependent licensed agentappointed by Independence Blue Cross.

IndependenceIndependence Blue Cross offers Medicare Advantage planswith a Medicare contract. Enrollment in IndependenceMedicare Advantage plans depends on contract renewal.Independence Blue Cross offers products through its sub-sidiaries Independence Hospital Indemnity Plan, KeystoneHealth Plan East and QCC Insurance Company, and withHighmark Blue Shield — independent licensees of theBlue Cross and Blue Shield Association.Y004l_H M_l5_30666 Accepted 6/20/2015 44931015AD


Picture by Giema Tsakuginow

Getting to Know Our NeighborsGiema Tsakuginow: Taking Care of Her Centenarian MotherConcha Alborg

When I spoke on thephone with Giema

Tsakuginow about inter-viewing her mother, AnisaTsakuginow, for on theHouse, Giema quickly sentme lots of information.After all, her mother, wasborn before the RussianRevolution, moved toPhiladelphia after WorldWar II and had met theDalai Lama and the Presi -dent of Mongolia, amongmany other dignitaries.

What caught my attention,however, was that in allof the pictures of Anisa inthe limelight, there wasn’ta single picture of Giema.“I was in the background,translating,” she said. If youlook carefully in the picturebelow of Anisa with Gover -nor Wolf, Mayor Kenney,and President TsakhiagiinElbegdorj, you can see theback of Giema’s head onthe right. “Actually, I neversaw my mother shake thePresident’s hand,” Giematold me. at’s when I

decided that this profilewould be about Giema,the daughter of the centenarian, who, like manyothers, has put her life onhold to care for a lovedfamily member.

Granted that the illustriouscentenarian is the one witha Facebook page—whichthe daughter maintains—and speaks six languages:Russian, Mongolian,Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrain -ian, and some Polish, butno English, thus the needfor a translator. Indeed,Anisa has had a hard, longlife. She was the 17th child,but the only one to survivethe crossing of the BlackSea from Russia to Istanbul,Turkey. Her family immi-grated first to Sofia, Bulgaria,where two younger siblingswere born and Anisa grewup. She married Saran, whohad been a Cossack in theImperial White Army ofthe Russian Czar and foughtagainst the CommunistRed Army during the

Russian Revolution. AfterWorld War II, they livedin displaced persons campsin Germany and eventuallysettled in Philadelphiain 1959, where they livedin what is now known asNorthern Liberties.

Anisa is a devout Buddhist,and credits her religion forher long life. She prays dailyat her altar with shrine objects that have survivedfrom her family exodus.Anisa didn’t have a formaleducation and had to cleanoffices at night to take careof her youngest childGiema while her husbandworked in a factory duringthe day. One of her sonshas passed away and another lives in Germany.For a time she lived inCalifornia with anotherdaughter who is now inher eighties and has retired.Giema is much younger,she is “the American daughter,” a late-life child.

After she graduated fromcollege, Giema was a photoeditor for over twenty yearsin New York City. Sheworked for prestigious pub lications such as CondéNast, and Newsweek, and thepublisher Random House.But with the changes in thepublication industry andher own unwillingness towork in a big corporation,she settled in rural Virginiaand continued working as afreelance artist. She movedto Philadelphia and settledin the Hopkinson Housein 2010 to work for thePhiladelphia Museum ofArt, where she was thePermissions Officer.

ree and a half years ago,Giema brought her “Edje”(which means revered,elder mother in Mongolian)to live with her. (See thepicture above of motherand daughter in the airplanefrom California). Takingcare of a centenarian provedto be a big commitment,and soon Giema’s full-timejob was jeopardized. Shelost her job after she exhausted all of her FamilyMedical Leave Act benefits.Now she considers herself“a curator of a pricelesshuman being.” She hasno regrets whatsoever andvalues having time to takecare of her mother; sheis grateful to have hermother’s company anddoesn’t take it for granted.

Anisa has been in a wheelchair since she brokeher hip, but is mentallyalert and full of life. Giemakeeps her mother engaged;they both watch the newstogether, grow tomatoesin the sunny balcony andlove the WashingtonSquare neighborhood.Giema tells me proudlythat Philadel phia has over500 centenarians; morethan 200 will turn 100 thiscoming year and that herAnisa Tsakuginow meeting the President of Mongolia in

Philadelphia.

Giema and her mother Anisa

continued on Page 11


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Last August came thestartling announcement

that another residentialtower may soon rise in ourneighborhood, this timewhere we might least ex-pect it: across WashingtonSquare in the heart ofJewelers Row. at blockof Sansom Street between7th and 8th Streets hasbeen home since about1850 to the nation’s oldestjewelry district. After NewYork’s, it’s the largest in thenation. I feel a little jolt ofenergy every time I walkinto its red-brick street andcatch a glimpse of the chaoticmix of business being donethere. In a neighborhoodthat’s rapidly transforminginto a posh high-rise resi-dential quarter, JewelersRow is a rare and distinc-tive hold-out from the area’sbustling commercial past.

e history of JewelersRow is the history ofPhiladelphia. In 1791,Robert Morris, who hadlargely financed the Revo -lutionary War, owned theentire block from 7th to8th and Walnut to ChestnutStreets. ere he beganbuilding the grandest mansion in the city, one -designed by Pierre L’Enfant,who would soon design thenation’s capital. But Morrislost his fortune and landedin debtors’ prison. eblock was sold in 1797to William Sansom, whoimmediately demolishedthe unfinished house andcommissioned the buildingof row homes along thesouthern portion of the lot.Sansom’s resulting row wasthe first speculative housingdevelopment in the nation.

In that same decade, whilewhat today we know asIndependence Hall servedas the seat of the Federalgovernment, skilled metalworkers settled nearby tocreate the engraving platesessential to the nation’sbusiness. When the capitalmoved to Washington,D.C., in 1800, many ofthese workers evolved intojewelry making. Over thenext decades, publishing,which also needed en-gravers, moved in as well.Henry C. Lea’s medicalpublishing company at706-8 Sansom Street wasthe publisher of Gray’sAnatomy for buyers world-wide. By the end of the19th century, publishinghouses had grouped aroundWashington Square, leaving Sansom Streetto the jewelry industry.

Today, this is still an industry creating high-value products in a city thathas largely lost its indus-trial base. Jewelers Row

now houses some threehundred businesses, manytucked away on upperfloors, where gem-cutters,silversmiths, and other artisans work, serving thecommercial jewelers below.Some live in apartmentsnext to their workplaces.eir proximity to theircustomers, many of themargue, is what allows themto succeed. Yet, they are theworkers most likely to bedisplaced by the Toll Brothersproject, which will demolishfive buildings near the 7thStreet intersection on thesouth side of the block ifthe project goes through.

Toll Brothers at first an-nounced a 16-story tower,but in December nearlydoubled its planned heightto 29 stories with 109condo apartments. Fromthe first announcement,alarm bells rang in thepreservation community.Even though Jewelers Rowis listed in the NationalRegister of Historic Places,

it missed being placed inthe Philadelphia Register,and it is the City ofPhiladelphia that makesand enforces municipalcodes. In fact, some 97 percent of the city’s build-ings are unprotected byany historic designation, according to Paul Steinke,executive director of thePreservation Alliance ofGreater Philadelphia(PAGP), which has beenfighting the Toll plan.“Jewelers Row is symbolicof a new reality,” saysSteinke, “which is that occupied, functioning, taxpaying buildings withbusinesses and residencesalready in them for a century or more are nowbeing targeted by developersfor demolition and newconstruction.” Since theAugust announcement,the PAGP has sponsoreda petition drive which hasgathered several thousandsignatures of citizens


Jewelers Row May Take a TollLynn Miller

Picture by David Roberts

The targeted buildings are Numbers 702 (second from left) through 710 (the building on theright with rows of three arched windows).

continued on Page 11


opposed to the Toll plan,and appealed to the ZoningBoard to reject the demoli-tion permit. Yet, the boardhad already given the proj-ect the go-ahead becausethe area had long beenzoned to permit the tallest,most dense construction.Toll’s permit was “by-right,”since it conformed to codeand required no variances.In October, the ZoningBoard rejected the appealfrom the PreservationAlliance, and MayorKenney, in a news confer-ence, expressed his frustra-tion with the fact that thecity could do nothing toturn back the Toll project.

e PAGP also nominatedtwo of the targeted build-ings, 704 and 706-08, forlisting on Philadelphia’sRegister of Historic Places.But on November 10, theCity’s Historic Commission

refused to accept the recom-mendation of its own panelto list the properties, delay-ing that decision for ninetydays on grounds that Tollhad filed the demolitionpermit before the commis-sion began considering theHistoric Places listing.“Voting today,” said thechairman, “would confusethe public and muddy thewaters.” Toll Brothers nowhas the authority to demol-ish the buildings within sixmonths from a start datein November.

As long as demolition holdsoff, opponents of the projectconsider their options.Because of the building’sproposed size, Toll’s planwill automatically triggerthe Civic Design Reviewprocess, giving city plannerssome say. Although no architect’s drawing has yetbeen made public, Toll

spokesmen have said thatthey intend to build fifteenfeet back from the existingfaçade of buildings, and toplan for commercial spacesalong the street—presum-ably to lure back those dis-placed by the demolition.eir promise to “maintainthe existing cornice line” isa puzzle, since nearly everybuilding has a cornice at adifferent height from thoseof its neighbors, which,some would argue, is partof what gives the blockits eclectic charm.

e PAGP is consideringits legal options to stave offdemolition. A recent prece-dent from West Philade l -phia seemed encouraging.When Common PleasCourt had to decide ona similar effort to stop demolition of 4046-4048Chestnut Street, it reversedearlier interpretations of

City code and concludedthat demolition should bestayed for buildings nomi-nated for Philadelphia’sHistoric Register untilthe Historic Commissionactually voted on them.However, that stay waslifted by a judge in mid-November, evidently closinga door that might have beenopen for two of the SansomStreet properties. Somehold out the hope that Tollcan be persuaded to buildtheir tower on one of thevacant lots nearby.

If we get through nextFebruary without the sightand sound of wrecking ballsacross the square, there maybe a chance that this block,adored by residents andrevered by tourists, will survive. Stay tuned. Go to www.preservationalliance.comto support the effort to savethose buildings. n

Jewlers Row continued from Page 9

Giema Tsakuginow continued from Page 7

mother is the oldest memberof the Mongolian Budd histcommunity in the city.

Anisa never went backto her country of origin,but Giema, who grew upspeaking Mongolian athome, always wanted tovisit. She went in 2013 andfulfilled one of her life-long

dreams; next she wants togo eagle hunting on a horsein Mo n golia. In 2017 thePhiladel phia Orchestra isgoing to perform in Ulaan -baatar to commemorate 30years of democracy in thatcountry. Perhaps Giemawill be able to accompanythem. I know she wouldbe the best translator! n

Author’s Note: Sadly, Anisa Tsakuginowpassed away on December10, 2016, after I had finished writing this profile. Mayshe find peace in eternal life,and may Giema find some consolation knowing that shewas a wonderful, dedicateddaughter to the very end ofher mother’s life.

Finding Home Again, This Time on Washington Square

www.philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/residential/20161204_Finding_home_again__this_time_on_Washington_Square.html

Sally Friedman published an article

in the Philadelphia Inquirer’sResidential Real Estate

section about howHopkinson House residents Sam and KunaYenkel discovered this

fine location with parkand city views, and wereable to make changes intheir apartment that

allowed for interesting art-filled spaces. Youcan read the article by accessing:


Pictures by David Roberts and Bari Shor

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The Hazards of Medical MiscommunicationDavid Roberts

In the summer 2016 issueof on the House my article

on medical English quotedwork at Johns HopkinsUniversity Medical Schoolshowing that there is a highmortality rate due to medi -cal errors. Many of the deathsresult from communicationfailures when patients aretransferred from one hospi-tal department to another. Iwarned, “If you are the sub-ject of such a transfer, makesure the second departmentknows exactly what it is ex-pected to do for you.” I hadno idea that, a few monthslater, I would encounterthat situation myself.

In September a surgeon replaced my right hip jointwith an artificial one. A fewdays later I was transferredto a rehabilitation center

for recuperation and forphysical and occupationaltherapy. Before I was con-sidered fit to go home I hadto show the occupationaltherapists that I could washand dry a load of laundryand fry an egg. FortunatelyI didn’t have to show themthat I could eat the egg.(It was stale and it spreadall over the pan.)

In the rehab center I wasinitially puzzled by twoprocedures. ey weighedme every day, and, at about4 o’clock every morning, atechnician bled me for blood-sugar assay. After a fewdays the staff noticed thatmy blood sugar was alwaysnormal, and so they decidedto review with me the med-ical record that they had received from the hospital.

e record said that I hadheart failure—hence thedaily weighing—and thatI had diabetes. Both state-ments were completely untrue. e record alsosaid that I had a wound inthe groin that would need attention and that I was allergic to fish and coffee,all completely untrue.

e rehab staff wonderedhow these errors had entered my record. ey concluded that part of therecord of another patienthad somehow found its wayinto mine. e record was,however, correct in statingthat I had had a hip jointreplaced and needed appro-priate therapy. Perhaps thehospital had sent the wholerecord of another patientwho had had a hip joint

replaced; it is a commonoperation.

ese were major errorsbut they caused nothingworse than inconvenienceand unpleasantness, espe-cially being woken for un-necessary bleeding at 4 a.m.every morning. One canreadily imagine other errorsthat could result in deathor permanent disability suchas the erroneous prescrip-tion of a powerful drugwith serious side effects, oran order for a high-risk sur-gical procedure that is notneeded, such as the removalof a healthy limb or organ.

Next time you are in a hospital, be alert, and don’tbe afraid to question any-thing that doesn’t seemright. It may not be. n

PA. H.I.C. Reg. #PA061648


In last winter’s edition ofon the House I warned of

two forms of scam that werebeing inflicted on the elderly.In one, the perpetrator posedas a representative of thePublishers Clearing Houseand notified his victims, bymail or telephone, that theyhad won, or were eligiblefor, a huge win in thePublishers Clearing HouseSweepstakes, but theyneeded to send a check for amodest amount to cover thecost of delivering the prize.

Several things identifiedthis as a scam:

1. e victims probablydidn’t ever fill out and submit the necessaryentry form;

2. Publishers never askspeople to send money; and

3. e address for sendingthe check was not in NewYork but in some unlikelytown such as Kansas City.

In the second scam that Idescribed, a notice suddenlyappeared on your computerscreen warning that yourcomputer had become in-fected with a virus. e notice included a telephonenumber to call to get thevirus removed. On calling,you were asked to pay a feefor the cost of removal. In

reality, of course, the onlynotification that a computerhas acquired a virus wouldcome from your antivirussystem. e kind of peoplewho send viruses wouldnever notify you becausethey don’t want you to know.

Current scamsPhony sweepstakes are stilla common vehicle for scamartists. Sometimes the namesare obviously bogus. For ex-ample, the leading source ofreal sweepstakes is the Pub -lishers Clearing House, whoseprimary business is sellingmagazine subscriptions. Inone scam, the phony organi-zation is called the Sweep -stakes Clearing House, whichobviously makes no sensebut could mislead somepeople into thinking thatthey are dealing with thePublishers Clearing House.

My research has found thatthere are many genuine or-ganizations conducting realsweepstakes. Unfortunatelythis makes it easier for thescammers. However, theseorganizations all have severalcharacteristics that usefullyidentify them as genuine.Like Publishers, they all require you to complete anapplication form to be eligi-ble for a prize. Also, likePublishers, they will never

ask you to send moneyto make you eligible for aprize or to cover the costof sending you a prize. If animpressive document comesin the mail, announcing thatyou are eligible for a largesweepstakes prize but ask-ing for a check for, say, $20,in order to collect it, youwill know that it is phonyand that all your check willpay for is the scammer’slunch or gasoline for his car.ere is no sweepstakes andhe has no money for prizes.Once you send a check toone of these scammers, youhave identified yourself asan easy victim. You can thenexpect to hear from a num-ber of phony sweepstakes,all asking you to send moneyso you can be a winner. Allthese requests are probablyfrom the same fraudulentindividual or group. ereis no limit to the numberof different sweepstakes oneperson or group can invent.e notices that come in themail are always printed onforms that look very officialand impressive although,if you examine them closely,you will see that they oftenlook like photocopies.Why do these people usually choose us old folkfor their schemes? Does senility make us gullible?

Perhaps, but there’s anotherlikely factor. If, like myself,you have been retired formany years on a fixed in-come you will be aware thatyour money is losing value.A dollar will not buy whatit would have bought at thetime you retired. You mayhave no way of supplement-ing your devalued incomeand would welcome a checkfor, say, $75,000. If you were desperate for more moneyyou might suppress yoursuspicions and go alongwith the scam. Whatever theexplanation, the fact is thatthe scammers learn from experience; they have moresuccess with the elderly.New scamsRecent scams have come bytelephone, sometimes as amessage left in the answeringsystem, with a telephonenumber to dial for help. ecaller advises that he or sherepresents a debt-collectingagency or the IRS and, fora fee, offers to resolve yoursupposed problem, whichoften includes the threatof an appearance before agrand jury. As soon as youhear something like that,hang up the phone or cancelthe recorded message. Itis bogus. After a few failedattempts the perpetratorwill stop calling you. n


More Scams to Recoginze and AvoidDavid Roberts


Recently a fellow residentasked if we can recycle

the myriad thin plastic bagsthat we get from the grocerystore, drugstore... basicallyeverywhere. e long andthe short of it is, yes!Plastic bags are recycledinto many different prod-ucts, such as compositelumber, resin that is thenused to make new bags,packing pillows and bubblewraps, containers, cratesand pipes. ose plasticbags are referred to as plastic films, stretch filmsor thin polyethylene plastic.If plastic films stretch whenyou pull them with yourfingers, they are fit for recy-cling. Most clean and dryplastic films are 100% recy-clable at participating retailand local drop-off locations.

Any plastic bag or wrapwith the “How2Recycle”label can be deposited intothe recyclable bins. Coloredmaterial is not a problemfor recycling, but labels, tapeand other adhesive stripsshould be removed. e integrity of the bag is notimportant—the recyclerjust wants “clean” plastic.

e plastics listed belowcan be recycled in additionto plastic shopping bags:

• bread bags• case overwrap• dry cleaning bags• newspaper sleeves• ice bags• produce bags• cereal bags• ziplock and other

reclosable bags, butnot zippered ones.

e following plasticsare not fit for recycling:• tears like paper• crinkles loudly when it’s

mashed in the hand, likecandy wrappers, flowerbouquet wrap or chip bags

• thick, stiff plastic like petfood bags or bedding bags

• silvery or metallic, likesome snack or printerink cartridge packaging

• dirty, has crumbs,or is wet

• anything that says thatit is degradable or com-postable and recyclable.Currently, these bags donot belong in the drop-offbins. Recyclers reprocess-ing bags do not want theproducts they are makingto degrade over time.

Unfortunately, at present,plastic film bags shouldnot be mixed with other recycling. ey need to betaken to drop-off locations.

Some of the nearby drop-off locations areWhole Foods Markets,Acme, Target, and Lowes.

One more hint: Recyclerswant your plastic bottlecaps and container lids.Just squish the bottlesand twist the bottle capsback on before tossingthem in the bins. n

For more information consultthe following websites:

www.plasticfilmrecycling.orgwww.plasticsmakeitpossible.comwww.iwanttoberecycled.orgwww.recyclenation.comwww.recyclenowphila.org

What Do I Do With Those Plastic Bags?Mindy Bartscherer

Advertise in

2017 Newsletter Advertising Ratesad size price per issue

Full Page $250

Half Page (Back) $375

Half Page (Interior) $175

Quarter Page $100

One-Eighth Page $ 75

New 2017 Publishing ScheduleFirst week of the month in March, June, September, and December

On the House normally comes out four times per year. This year,there will be five issues because the date of publication will bemoved forward by one month. The remaining 2017 issues willbe published in March, June, September and December.

To reserve space, send an email to Terry Kowalski [email protected]. Indicate the ad size and the numberof issues. Note that reserving space in multiple issues will giveyou a discount. For more information, or if you have questions,please contact Terry Kowalski directly at 484-557-0945.


If you’re waitingfor a sign, this is it!

Experience confidence,

reliability, andelite care for yourReal Estate needs.Contact your localReal Estate Agent

MYRA BOUVIER-HERVYREALTOR®

(305) 951-3405 CELL(215) 546-2700 [email protected] Walnut Street, 8th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19102

coldwellbankerhomes.comPREFERRED

Operated by a subsidiary of NAT LLC.

continued on page 22

[email protected]

215-546-0550 x 5678

Whether you’re selling or buyinga home in amazing Center City,

Bari Shor cares and delivers for you.

I am your neighbor, let me be your Realtor,® too!

SMARTRESPONSIVEEXPERIENCEDBari Shor

Real Estate MatchMaker

You are invited to join

Washington SquareCitizens League

Washington Square Citizens League is a nonprofit organization that has more than 140 members.

The vast majority of the members live in Hopkinson House.

Activities include: Monday Afternoon Discussion Group

Monthly Evening ProgramsBook Club

Reel DiscussionTheater Discussion Group

Socials, Including Dinners at La Buca

Membership Fee: $10 per year.If you are not a member and would like to join,

contact Enny Cramer at 215-925-9809or [email protected]


Washington Square Civic Leaguemembers and friends enjoyed dinner at La Buca on November 14.

Washington Square Civic League Dinner at La Buca Pictures by Bari Shor


Years ago when I was onWeight Watchers, they

offered a pointless vegetablesoup that I used to make.In the years since then, I

took to making MarcellaHazan’s, Minestrone, whichwas much tastier but alsohad many more calories.Recently, I combined both

recipes to make a soupthat is low in calories, butis high in flavor comparedto the Weight Watcherspointless original. n

January Diet: A Practically Calorie-Free Soup

Chef Luigi’sCorner

Minestrone SoupA note on the ingredients: e recipe I offer is only a suggestion. Ingredients can be increased or decreased, depending on taste or availability. Spices or any additional vegetables can be added.

IngredientsOlive oil spray½ ounce porcini or other dried mushrooms, soaked in warm water until they soften

2 medium onions, sliced thin1 cup diced carrots1 cup diced celery½ pound white mushrooms2 small zucchini½ pound string beans1 cup canned Italian tomatoes, preferable San Marzano½ head savoy cabbage, hand- or food-processor grated4 cups chicken broth (more if needed or just add water)1 rind of a piece of parmigiano reggianosalt and pepper to taste

Additional ingredients if you’renot worried about calories:2 small potatoes, peeled and diced1 can Cannellini beans, rinsed, or ½ cup dried beans soaked overnightand cooked with bay leaf and garlicfor about ½ hour to 45 minutes

½ cup frozen peas 3 tablespoons of butter½ pound white mushroomsgrated parmesan cheese

Spray soup pot with oliveoil spray. Add onions andcook until soft. Add carrotsand cook for 2 or 3 min-utes. Add celery and cookfor 2 or 3 minutes. If the ingredients get dry, rather

than add more oil, add abit of the chicken brothto keep moist. Add thesoftened mushrooms

and cook a few minutesmore. Add the zucchiniand then the green beans,cooking each a few minutes.Again, if ingredients dryout, add a little morechicken broth. Removeporcini from liquid. Strainporcini liquid through a coffee filter or paper towel,and add to soup. Cook fora minute more, and thenadd the canned tomatoes.Add the remaining chickenbroth and the rind fromthe parmigiano reggiano. When the broth haswarmed up, add the shredded savoy cabbage.Cook for six minutes.Cover pot and cook at asimmer for at least onehour, or more if you havethe time.

If not using the soup inone sitting, cool it and refrigerate. It will lastfor at least four days.


Now Available For Sale

Light-filled one bedroom, onebathroom with hardwood floorsin the living area, fully renovatedkitchen and bath, and a sun-soaked master with a balconyboasting panoramic views ofthe Delaware River, Center Cityskyline, and unobstructed see-forever views to the south. 778 sf | $309,900

Beautifully updated deluxe one bedroom, one bathroomon a high floor with a large storage area that could beconverted to a den/office, spacious living area withhardwood floors, fully renovated open kitchen, andpanoramic views of Washington Square and theCenter City skyline. 1,063 sf | Offered for $375,000

Renovated south-facing deluxeone bedroom, one bathroomwith a light-filled living and diningarea with hardwood floors, galleykitchen, generously sized bed-room and a private balconyboasting panoramic river, skyline,and see-forever southern views.1,003 sf | $377,900

604 S. WAShingTOn SqUARe

Allan Domb Real Estate has been sellinghomes at Hopkinson House for over36 years, and in that time, has soldmore homes in Hopkinson House

than any other REALTOR®.

If I can help you with the sale, rentalor purchase of your Hopkinson House

condominium, please call me directly at 215-545-1500 or email

me at [email protected] you,

Allan Domb Real EstatePHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS®1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected]

SALE

PEND

ING


Some of our most recent sales at Hopkinson House107 | 113 | 114 | 511 | 516 | 517 | 612 | 910

915 | 1006 | 1604 | 1910 | 2702 | 2803 Thinking about buying or selling a Hopkinson House

condominium? Call us. We get the job done.

Selling Hopkinson House for 36 years!

Allan Domb Real EstatePHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS®1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected]

@AllanDombRealestate @AllanDomb @AllanDomb

e newsletter committee wishes hon the our readers a happy ...€¦ · david roberts council liaison...

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