NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Is spring here or not? The vast fluctuations in our winter weather remind us that climate has already changed. Fortunately, you are already part of the solution by choosing Friends Center! Our geothermal heating and cooling system, clean energy choices, and other green building features are reducing our carbon footprint. Thank you for being mindful to turn off lights, computers, and other equipment when not needed. And do open the windows on a nice day!
In other news, please check out the Uprooted exhibit, which ends March 9. More info is below. Photos of life in Japanese American farm labor camps remind us of our history and serve as a reminder never to repeat that history with any other group today.
– Chris Mohr, Executive Director
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
Masonry Work
REMINDER: Friends Center has hired a masonry contractor to rebuild the front wall and repoint portions of the Meetinghouse and 1520 Race Street buildings. Stay tuned for the latest information from our staff.
Traffic Pattern Changes on Cherry St.
REMINDER: The contractor rebuilding the Love Park Garage has requested temporary changes in traffic patterns for our block of Cherry Street during the morning rush hour through March. The plans keep evolving, but if you have any questions, please contact the office.
Catering Discount: The Living Room Café
During the month of March, one of our approved caterers, The Living Room Café, is offering a special discount on all catering orders. Any orders placed in March are subject a 10% discount. If you mention Morris Animal Shelter, you will receive a 5% discount on your order, and the animal shelter will receive the other 5%.
Founded in 1874 by Elizabeth Morris, the Morris Animal Refuge is America’s first animal shelter. Located at 1242 Lombard Street, they are committed to adoption, education and high-quality care. As an open-admission shelter, they have never turned away an animal in need. In 2016 the Refuge cared for 1,300 animals of all sizes and species and helped over 1,000 community pets get spayed or neutered to reduce pet overpopulation in Philadelphia.
The Mobile CPR Project: RESCHEDULED
The Mobile CPR Project is conducting a free, 30-minute, non-certification class on March 22nd at 12:30pm in the Martin Luther King Room. Space is limited, if you are interested in attending this or a future class, please contact Courtney.
Uprooted Exhibit
The Uprooted Exhibit, brought to us by the Japanese American Citizens League, is on display through March 9th in the Cherry Street Room. If you have not seen the exhibit, which focuses on the Japanese American Farm Labor Camps during WWII, we encourage you to do so before it closes. For more information, or to schedule a guided tour, please contact Teresa Maebori.
“I watched an older Japanese woman get out of a taxi, in front of Friends Center. She stood fully erect, staring at the building, before taking a deep sigh and proceeding into Friends Center. It suddenly hit me; the monumental impact of this event, on the people who survived it, and their descendants who grew up in its shadow.”
– Joe Kalil, Friends Center staff
NEWS OF OUR PARTNERS AND TENANTS
American Friends Service Committee
AFSC celebrates its centennial this year and invites you to participate with them.
Waging Peace Summit, April 20-23:
Registration is free for day guests:
https://www.afsc.org/summit
Waging Peace Exhibition, through April 23
at the African American Museum of Philadelphia
http://exhibit.afsc.org/
Art-Reach
Executive Director John Orr is the 2017 Designing Leadership Alumni Award recipient for Art + Business Council’s 32nd annual Art + Business Council Awards. Read more here.
Graham Cracker Cabaret a first for the disability community. WHYY/NewsWorks story here: http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/101684-martha-graham-cracker
Michelle Angela Ortiz, Stockon Rush Bartol Foundation
Featured in WHYY Commonspace podcast: http://whyy.org/cms/acommonspace/immigrants-home-brave/