April 1st: Goodbye Toviah Thrift Store

Today I witnessed the passing of an era On the way to pats I stopped by the Toviah Thrift Store. It was a part of Covenant Community Churc It's next to the Indian store at 42nd and Chestnut called Rice and Spice International Grocery. This little mom-and-pop church bookstore  had been around for a long time. Pat recalled seeing it when he was attending Penn back in the mid 80s. It was actually established in 1978. I l learned that Rev Falcon's ministry was for children. Here is a write up about it.

Toviah is an interesting non-profit. It is ran by Reverend Larry Falcon and serves as safe haven for kids in the community while also helping offset some of the financial needs that come along with running a small ministry, Covenant Community Church (which is also located in the shop). The ministry is solely dedicated to children. Another fascinating aspect of Toviah is the elementary school that was birthed out the back of the store.
The Jubilee School provides children from the West and Southwest Philadelphia community the opportunity to receive a private school education without the hefty price tag that come attached to most private schools.

  It was now closed. I found out that the Rev. Larry Falcon  had retired and sold the property to the folks who own the Dana Mandi Indian store next to the Kabobeesh, Yesterday April 1st, 

clearing things out of the old thrift shop and walked in. I saw a vast open space in the very back there was a ton of old books, CDs, and cassettes.It was quite a sight. The Dana Mandi Indian store is moving into the old bookstore and replacing the Dana Mandy may be a Chinese

store. I was also told that the rent in that Dana Mandi property is $3600/mo. The folks of Dana Mandi bought the bookstore property. For  $3000 a month mortgage. They will now own that her store instead of renting. I will keep y'all posted on these developments as they come. I have a fond memory of shopping Dana Mandi last September. Its funny how memories can be made.

Piles of Books

March 25: So Begins the Last Week in March

Juice to Fight a Cold

Good day to all. We have a day where it feels like early February but its really one WEEK till April! I again slept in. I am working on getting rid of this virus that just hangs on and on. Meanwhile outside my bubble, there are calls to ban gifts to Harrisburg politicians. This after 4 yes FOUR Philly legislators were

The EL Arriving at 9:19am

caught with the hands in the cookie jar. I love Bernie Sanders! He calls out leaders who support tax breaks for the rich while cutting program for the elderly and poor. Go Bernie Go! Meanwhile in the Ukraine

Brunch at Work

, some woman want to impose sanctions on Russian men but NOT having sex! This in reaction to the Russian takeover of the Crimea.  Well, enough of that, I am running late for work. I like creating links. I can't do that

Organizing My End of Month List

on the blogger app.

Well, it is 5:38 PM I just left work since the big boss wasn't around. Right now we have snow flurries can you believe it??  It is March 25 and we got snow I'm going on. I think we're supposed to get maybe an inch. I'm

Vegetarian Mediterranean  Pasta Created by Pat

going to go to the store to get peta bread and then go over to pats for dinner. Well, the Indian market called Dana Mandi Rice and Spice didn't have pita bread but it did not matter.  Well Pat made up this delicious vegetarian Mediterranean pasta. I even

40th and Market. Can't see the Snow

featured this meal on Facebook and it got good reviews. Well the flurries are still flurrying but it barely

Practicing on Guitar

covers the windshields it's a nonevent. We were going to be recording music but I fell asleep for 2 hrs instead. I

Came home and chilled out  and talked on  the phone for another day. My friend is going to Savannah Ga this weekend. She will have a nice time with family and get some REAL nice weather down South. As for the rest of the week, it will remain cold till the weekend