PhilaStories

Alex Da Corte, Artist

Drawing on found objects (and people), kitsch and the banal, Philadelphia-based artist Alex Da Corte makes multimedia work that belies its material origins. This video visits his studio/apartment and his recent gallery show at Fleischer-Ollman Gallery to gain some insight into his ideas and technique. We also interview Fleischer-Ollman's director William Pym to get his take on the young artist.

This video was shot and edited by Seth Brau, produced by Ami Kealoha.

Google Maps: Fleisher-Ollman Gallery

The Devil's Pool

A secret 30 foot waterfall jump hidden in the backwoods of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. Geronimoooooo. "Devil's Pool" was produced and directed by Josh Camerote and hosted by Brian James Dwyer.

Google Maps: Devil's Pool

SW Philly Love

Everyone loves their hometown... no matter how rough a neighborhood it is. This video was produced and directed by Josh Camerote.

Google Maps: Southwest Philadelphia

Elliot Ruiz - From Philly to Iraq to Movie Star

Elliot Ruiz, 23, graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in 2002, joined the Marines, was nearly killed during the Iraq invasion, and is now starring in a controversial new movie called "Battle For Haditha," a fictionalized account of an alleged Marine massacre of 24 Iraqi men, women and children. He recently returned to speak to students at Edison. He and his parents later discussed the movie in interviews. His father, George Burgos, also explained how he got a tattoo that says, "Like Father, Like Son."

This video was produced by Bob Moran, staff writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Google Maps: Thomas Edison High School
 

Alfred Ward - Joins the Philadelphia Fire Department on a Whim in 1950

Alfred Ward was born in 1928 and was raised in South Philadelphia. I spoke with Alfred at his home in Mount Airy. Alfred joined the Philadelphia Fire Department on a whim in 1950 and retired 28 years later. He talks about how he went about learning to be a fireman at a time when training began the first day on the job.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Alfred is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click To Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Ike Johnstone Portrait

An interview of Ike Johnstone, formerly a Temple University police officer, who now runs an equestrian summer program for disadvantaged youth at Belmont Stables in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

Editing and interview by Christopher Wink, and filmed by Eugene Martin, on May 1, 2007.

Google Maps: Belmont Stables

Cornbread, the Godfather of Graffiti

As a kid, Darryl McCray started writing "Cornbread loves Cynthia" all over his Philadelphia school to get the attention of a girl he liked. He then expanded all over the city with his tag, simply, "Cornbread," with a crown over the B. He is now acknowledged as the creator of modern graffiti, which served as the backdrop to the rise of Hip Hop.

This video was produced by Bob Moran

Google Maps: 1516 Parrish Street

Lisa Nelson-Haynes - Choices

Lisa Nelson-Haynes is the Associate Director of the Painted Bride Art Center, a multi-disciplinary presenting arts organization in Philadelphia, PA. Lisa created this digital story at a Center for Digital Storytelling open workshop in Washington, D.C, in January 2007. Lisa describes choices her husband and she made when they decided to purchase a new home.

Click To Play

Google Maps: Germantown

Ramesh "Ram" Naropanth - Cedar Supermarket in West Philadelphia

Occupying the former MAB paint building at 52nd and Cedar is a new grocery store: Cedar Supermarket. Owner/Operator Ram Naropanth spoke with me about how he got into the grocery business and about the pleasure he gets out of serving the 52nd Street community. Video music performed by the West Philadelphia Orchestra

This video was produced by Andrew Schwalm a resident of 51st Street and member of the Friends of Malcolm X Park.

Click To Play

Google Maps: 52nd & Cedar Avenue

Alan Keith Green - Seasonal Maintenance Attendant for Malcolm X Park

There's one person who spends more time in Malcolm X Park than anyone: Alan Keith Green. Al is the Parks and Rec Department's Seasonal Maintenance Attendant for Malcolm X Park, and he's been doing the job for seven years. In addition to cleaning up the considerable daily accumulation of litter, he runs an informal lost-and-found, helps out the occasional homeless residents, looks out for the children playing on the equipment, and generally keeps the park in great shape. Frankly, he deserves a medal.

This video was produced by Andrew Schwalm a resident of 51st Street and member of the Friends of Malcolm X Park.

Click To Play

Google Maps: 52nd & Larchwood Avenue

Clarence Brogden - Desegregation in the Philadelphia Fire Department

Clarence Brogden, 86 years old, was born and raised at 21st & Montgomery Sts. in North Philadelphia. His mother was born on an Indian reservation in South Carolina. She came to Philadelphia as a child. His father was born and raised in South Philadelphia.

I spoke with Clarence at the Club Valiants meeting hall in Mount Airy. Shortly after serving in the armed forces during WWII Clarence joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946. He was assigned to Engine 11. In this story he tells us that Engine 11 fireman were starting to be transferred to formerly all white firehouses.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Clarence is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click To Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Clarence Brogden: Joins The Philadelphia Fire Department, Engine 11

Clarence Brogden, 86 years old, was born and raised at 21st & Montgomery Sts. in North Philadelphia. His mother was born on an Indian reservation in South Carolina. She came to Philadelphia as a child. His father was born and raised in South Philadelphia.

I spoke with Clarence at the Club Valiants meeting hall in Mount Airy. Shortly after serving in the armed forces during WWII Clarence joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1946. He was assigned to Engine 11. In this story he talks about his early days in the fire department.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Clarence is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click To Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Walter Lindsay & Lloyd Alma - Crossing The South Street Bridge Riding or Running

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma At Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They tell us about the street games they played in the '30's growing up in West and South Philadelphia respectively, and some of the places they visited in the city.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Click To Play

Google Maps: Ruby Street, 15th & Wharton Street

Walter Lindsay & Lloyd Alma - Captain Davis Was All Fireman

I spoke with Walter Lindsay and Lloyd Alma At Walter's home in South Jersey. Walter and Lloyd are retired fireman from the Philadelphia Fire Department. They talk about Captain James G. Davis who instilled pride and camaraderie among the men at Engine 11 through discipline.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter and Lloyd are two of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11
 

Walter Lindsay - This Was the First Time We Had Whites in the Ranks

I spoke with Walter Lidsay at his home in South Jersey. Walter Lindsay worked in the Philadelphia Fire Department from 1950 until 1977 when he retired as Battalion Chief. Walter talks about the start of desegregation at Engine 11 in 1952.

Engine 11 was an African American unit only, from 1919 - 1952. Walter is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Click To Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Lloyd Alma - A Lot Of Them Oldtimers Didn't Know How To Drive

I spoke with Lloyd Alma, 90 years old, at his home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd talks about his days as a fireman in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He worked at Engine 11 for 8 years. Lloyd became the driver of the fire engine by default.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Lloyd is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Lloyd Alma - Salary $1900 a Year, Hours Unlimited

I spoke with Lloyd Alma, 90 years old, at his home in West Philadelphia. Lloyd talks about his days as a fireman in the Philadelphia Fire Department. He worked at Engine 11 for 8 years. From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only.

Lloyd is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Walter Gentry - Being Detailed From Engine 11

I spoke with Walter at his home in West Philadelphia. In his second story Walter talks about being detailed from Engine 11 to Engine 5 when it was located at 37th & Ludlow Street.

From 1919 - 1952 Engine 11 and Fireboat 1 were manned by African-American fireman only. Walter is one of five surviving retirees who worked at Engine 11 before the Philadelphia Fire Department was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here are a few more Engine 11 photos.

Google Maps: Engine 11

Walter Gentry - Do You Want To See Where The Colored Fireman Work?

I spoke with Walter in his home in West Philadelphia. In his first story Walter talks about visiting Engine 11 as a child and beginning training as a fireman in Philadelphia on December 1, 1950.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was segregated from 1919 - 1952. African-American firemen were assigned to Engine 11 on South Street. Walter is one of five surviving firefighters who worked at Engine 11 before it was desegregated in 1952.

Click to Play

Here a few more Engine 11 photos

Google Maps: Engine 11

Butterball - Dreaming of Becoming the Next James Brown

I spoke with Marvin Dunbar, aka Butterball, at my home. Marvin talks about how he got his nickname and growing up in North Philadelphia. He goes on to describe how he obtained the funds to start his first musical group that was modeled after James Brown.

Click to Play

Google Maps: 12th & Poplar Sts.