It seems readers that our desperate hope for a peaceful city, unfortunately, is still only a dream. You may be asking why?  The reason is quite simple, we live in a city where people are fearful of each other and once you think about it they have the right to be. For if I was on my way to the store and suddenly by mistake bumped into someone who might have had a bad day, it is almost likely that they would pull a gun out on me. It becomes so difficult to understand how anyone can pull the trigger of a gun ending a person’s life.

When did everything begin to fall apart? Did the violence begin to escalate more when former mayor John F. Street was in office and Sylvester Johnson was commission or further back? In 2006, 179 people aged 7-24 were killed in Philadelphia. Of those who were killed, 94% were killed with firearms. I don’t mean to ask such a cliché question, but isn’t this supposed to be the city of brotherly love?

“Keep kids alive” is their motto and it seems to be a very strong one at that. Last fall Mrs. Lynne Honickman, wearing a magnificent hat and shirt bearing her new organization name took stage at Love Park, “I created Mom Against Guns as a force for change,” said Mrs. Honickman, “And a form for other women to express their fury, its about voices, thousands of voices telling Pennsylvania lawmakers over and over again that illegal guns must be controlled.”

The audience applauded Mrs. Honickman and why not? Obviously things have gotten out a little out of the control and if the people we elect are not going to listen to us as they promised then its time to start making them. “I know its going to take awhile and I don’t think that this one group is going to put an end to gun violence,” says Mrs. Honickman “but I think if we can get voices that haven’t been heard before and then add those voices to the other hard working voices out there then maybe we’ll become the biggest and strongest group in town.”

The idea of Moms Against Guns had came to Mrs. Honickman when building of the, Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs, was in progress.  At the time, she was helping to plan a trip to the Institute of Contemporary Art for some of the community’s kids who attended the after school program now being moved to the learning center. At this time she had also noticed some of them walking past a drug house. When several of the kids couldn’t make it to the trip that had been planed because of a recent drive by shooting, that’s when Mrs. Honickman thought that there was just too many guns in this city.

“Over the next two or three years when the learning center was completed, the violence had just gotten worse and worse and I thought to myself that if I don’t stand up and do something about this then I can’t live with myself.”  Mrs. Honickman wants her organization to do two things, one is to give the good citizens of Philadelphia a sense of having stood up and counted for something that she knows is hurting them inside. “There isn’t a mom around who doesn’t worry about their child walking down the street.” She adds. The second is that she hopes that it makes such a strong loud noise that our legislators have to listen and that the power that one gets from doing a good thing sticks around.

Moms Against Guns plan to expand into the whole state and they’re beginning now, “we are asking people that if you know anyone outside of our city within the state of Pennsylvania to tell us and we’ll email them and as the emails start to come in the message will spread and spread, that’s what a viral campaign is.”

Mrs. Honickman thought of making Moms Against Guns a viral campaign because it’s really “word of mouth.” In making the organization’s website she tried to make it very simple and very clear so that all you have to do is just go on and click the button and a letter from you will go straight to your legislator.

Another hope that Mrs. Honickman has is that we properly learn how to rehabilitate a person, helping them to get a meaningful, find housing, and get a good education. She believes that all of these things keep you from walking the wrong path. “The ultimate solution to major gun violence is to add as many voices as we can mount to campaign and get this to stop.

I urge you, the readers, to sign up and click the button at www.momagaisnstguns.org and get those letters to your legislators fast. The mounting gun violence that is plaguing Philadelphia must come to an end and people like you can help, one voice at a time.

Man, watching Barack Obama’s acceptance speech yesterday in Denver was marvelous. I don’t know if anyone knows but I am not a huge fan of politics though ever since doing the mayoral guide with the childrens commission which revolved around Michael Nutter and the running candidates I’ve been attempting to stay up with the world.

It actually hit me that, wow an actual African American is running for president of the United States, I don’t think that has ever happened before. I’ve never paid much attention to Barackexcept for when I had to use his speech that he made at the Constitution center for a homework assignment.

Through the speech I just felt so motivated and inspired to do my own thing, one being this website. Years ago, the thought of having an African American in the white house wasn’t even thought of or heard of.

Barack Obama is truly an inspiration to everyone with a dream, a goal, a longing for change. What else can be said.  I’m sure there were thousands of people around the world watching this speech standing up and saying to whatever challenge coming there way, Yes I can.

We all have to admit at times, if not all the time now, that there is nothing to watch on television. Watching television used to be a person’s favorite thing to do after school, still might be. All anyone could be found doing was the not-so-productive activity of watching television, eating, and growing fat. Eventually when realizing that there were other opportunities to take advantage of instead of watching television such as, hopping on the internet to check a myspace page, attending a job interview, or just watching the depressing news.

It’s the year 2008 and as leaders of our communities, we need to gain more knowledge and more information about what’s happening in our world today. We need more opportunities to do these things, whether by joining an after school program, writing for a community newspaper, or appearing on television.

Last fall, “Gen.Is.Us Revitalized Teen Talk,” hosted by Fatima Thomas, alongside newcomers Jasmine Martin, and Tymier Butler debuted on Comcast cable channel 80. Gen.Is.Us is completely operated by teenagers who are in charge of coming up with topics to be discussed, interviewing individuals, editing material (which can sometime be very long,) and then delivering the tape to Comcast where it is put on television for out viewing pleasure. The process is very complicated, believe me.

So far, Gen.Is.Us. has discussed topics ranging from whether music provides just pure entertainment or serves more of a social purpose, homosexuality in the black community, and teen sex and the role of parents. Some may be afraid to tackle these tough topics or talk about them in public, but these are the topics that will make you think and question what’s really going on around you.

Presently Gen.Is.Us has wrapped up two tapings, one highlighting more of what it takes to bring the show to the big screen with a look of the host and hostesses. The other, the last premier to wrap up season one will revolve around teen violence. The show will also include poetry from students who develop their writing skills through Philadelphia’s Arts & Spirituality Center.

Preparations for season two is already underway and Gen.Is.Us is starting it off by looking for new teen hosts, middle school through college age students. Viewers have a lot to look forward to in season two of Gen.Is.Us, new faces and new topics that will make us wonder about the world around us.

Viewer feedback on Gen.Is.Us is welcomed by email at GenisusTv@gmail.com or visit their myspace page at, www.myspace.com/genisustv

I just recently made this new and updated teen flyer, mimicking a bit from the original made by Steve Bozzone. Its not perfect and I go back to fooling around with it every once and a while to add things and such, but  I think its pretty good. Trying to reawaken my old Photoshop skills Mr. Dan.

Registration is starting soon teens. BTW, I’ll be working on the NPM’s blogging site soon, trying to think of some ideas to revamp it up a bit so some of what I am posting might be there also.

Cokie Roberts is an American Emmy award winning journalist and a best selling author. Her books include We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters, From This Day Forward, Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, and her latest, Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation. 

As written in the North Philly Metropolis’s  blog, when being in the same room with a famous journalist such as, Mrs. Cokie Roberts, it’s not only mind blowing, but you have to ask yourself how are you able to be so lucky. Cokie Roberts is a true inspiration to the up and coming journalists/authors of the NPM. Tanisha Clanton, William Harris, and Peak Johnson were among the lucky few to be able to interview Cokie. They asked what many people considered to be excellent questions. As the trio entered the WHYY building where the event was taking place, they were brought into what appeared to be a conference room where they made sure that they had all of their questions memorized and their digital cameras charged. Some were a little nervous, though Peak Johnson replied, “This is just like the old days. Most of us are busy with school and work and are unable to really go out on interviews as much.”

Sister Mary Scullion led the trio up to the second floor where they were able to have lunch before the big interview and actually had the early chance of meeting Cokie Roberts herself. Harold Honickman and Lynne Honickman were also in attendance, passing around a copy of the North Philly Metropolis to Cokie who believed it to be a great thing that teens of North Philadelphia are doing. After eating, it was time for everyone to take their seats and as Bill Marazzo, CEO of WHYY introduced Cokie, William, Peak, and Tanisha went over their questions one final time. Though before Peak Johnson knew it, he was already asking his question:

PJ: What life experiences do you think prepared you to be a great journalist?

CR: I was blessed with a very fine education; the Religious of Society of the Sacred Heart educated me. In the 1950’s when I was growing up a lot of people didn’t think girls should be taken seriously, but I was lucky enough that my teachers did. I also grew up in a political family, both my father and my mother served in congress. So I knew what a tremendous effect journalist had on politicians and that they could be very hurtful. You had to be very careful to know that what you were saying was accurate and fair. So I think that that life experience was terribly important in terms of my journalism today.

After reading a passage from her book, Ladies of Liberty, it was Tanisha Clanton’s turn to ask her question:

TC: What is your view on the election between Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton?

CR: It’s a fascinating election. It’s great that Pennsylvania has gotten paid attention to. I think that it’s a very exciting election for the country and I think that the fact that people are signing up to vote is terrific. Even though I don’t like the amount of money that is in politics, the fact that people are sending it as a way of participating shows that they are interested. 

Tanisha was asked by Mr. Bill, what were her friends saying about the election? Tanisha replied, “My friends really don’t know who to choose because you’re having a woman and African-American male both running for president. It’s tough.” Cokie Roberts replied, “They’re good choices.” The mike was soon passed onto William Harris, who quietly asked Cokie:

WH: How long did it take you to write Ladies of Liberty?

CR: Founding Mothers came out in 2004 and this one [Ladies of Liberty] came out in 2008, so in someway it took around 4 years. Though not 4 years of non-stop writing because I have day jobs [she laughs] and I have a life.

William went on to ask, what was the most interesting aspect of life for the women of that time.

CR: Well there were lots of different views; you have to remember that these women had no political rights or any legal rights. A married woman could not own property and a quarter of the country was in bondage. So you had all kinds of legal issues for these women and life was just very difficult. They were pregnant all the time and were losing babies all the time, traveling was very difficult. Just think how hard it was just to get through a day. But with all of that what I found so interesting was how deeply committed they were to this country, how very political they were, how very politically influential they were, and how powerful men of their acquaintance recognized the power of the women and gave them credit.

Cokie was asked another question by a member of the audience whether she thought the woman of today have it just as hard the women during the time our country was being founded. Cokie replied that she didn’t think so, but what do you, the reader think?

In some parts of the world, a café can actually be licensed to sell alcohol, one place being France. Shocking, I know. Could you actually imagine walking into a quiet peaceful place and see bottles of Tequila, Beer, and even more liquor surrounding coffee and baked goods? By being able to write this article about Project H.O.M.E.’s newest edition, I was able to learn a little more about café’s in general. Take this for examples, in the United Kingdom, café’s are known by another name, Greasy Spoon. Though they don’t sell coffee or baked goods. By the name you can probably guess that a Greasy Spoon sells burgers, sausages, fried eggs, friend bacon. Mostly fried or grill food. Not very healthy, but it makes my mouth water nonetheless and if you’re hungry yours too.

While the actual term for café is defined as being is “an informal restaurant offering a range of hot meals and made to order sandwiches.” Café’s are different from coffee houses, which usually only focuses on coffee alone. A café’s is regarded by some to be the central gathering point to gather for conversations, meetings, studying, etc. Which I’m sure anyone can imagine. If you have never been to a café’ (Like me, though I’ve only been to one once and know I work at one) picture this, big comfy chairs, the aroma of coffee and cookies, and you and your friends talking about the days events.

When walking past a café, the smell of coffee often reminds me of baked goods. The specific would only be cookies, I like cookies.  The taste of coffee, unless it has plenty of cream and sugar, has never really been, for a better choice of words, my cup of tea. I never really considered myself a café person. It must be admitted in this article that within my mind the actual knowledge that café’s existed had been absent. Where have I been must be the question that you are asking. The only time that a café was mentioned to me had been when reading up on Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and others. Surprisingly enough, café’s are the ideal spot for writers. For the Free Library Of Philadelphia patrons who have been coming to the main branch for years can now be seen when leaving with not only a good book in hand  but either a cup of coffee or a treat from the H.O.M.E. Page Cafe’..

It was on April 16, 2008 that Project H.O.M.E. together with the Free Library of Philadelphia and Metropolitan Bakery held the grand opening for the newest addition to the Project H.O.M.E. family, the H.O.M.E. Page Café. So far, since the opening of the café it has been a huge success. Whether it be rain or shine you can always find a faithful visitor of the library arriving at the café for his/her cup of coffee or cookie. Myself on the other hand can often be found buying Alex’s Lemonade, a peanut butter bar, or actually working there as either cashier or server. There are times when even I can be found in the corner taking advantage of the library’s free wireless internet. Forgot to mention that people go to café’s to work too.

“Our mission stems from the “O” in Project H.O.M.E.-Opportunities for employment,” says Lisa Kavanagh, Manager of Businesses at Project H.O.M.E.  “In the case of formerly homeless people, some have little or no work experience. In our supported employment environment, our hosts receive the building blocks to become a great employee. It also builds work experience for their resume, and builds self worth to know you are a part of something great.”

Ms. Lisa Kavanagh, receiving her college degree from the Art Institute of New York in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, had worked in great and expensive restaurants in New York City. “I left that life because making expensive food for someone with too much money was not fulfilling.” She adds.  As the manager of Businesses for Project H.O.M.E., Ms. Lisa gets to utilize her culinary background while overseeing business.

Starbucks has contributed financially to the café by loaning them coffee equipment and providing a trainer before the café actually opened. Bank of America also gave generously by giving the café financial resources to get up and running, “These are benefits that other businesses don’t have.” The Back H.O.M.E. Café has an extraordinary relationship with Metropolitan Bakery; Metropolitan has helped train the hosts of the café sells their baked goods to H.O.M.E. Page which they do not do for anyone else in the city. “Seeing customers recognize their products and name has helped business tremendously.” Added Ms. Lisa.  

“The idea of the Café came from Ms. Linda Johnson in 2006,” says Sister Mary Scullion, Co director of Project H.O.M.E. “We saw that it was an opportunity both for the Project H.O.M.E. residents as well as the Harold A. Honickman Young Entrepreneurs.”

During grand opening day, the café was filled to capacity. Beginning first with speeches from project organizers and café employees followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Michael Nutter. “The benefit of opening in an existing building is that we have an instant audience!” says Ms. Lisa, “Library patrons and staff are pleased with out presence and business is thriving, something not always common for new businesses.”

The concept for the café was built upon both the Back H.O.M.E. Café’ and Catering which is operated out of Project H.O.M.E.’s main offices at 1515 Fairmount Avenue and Project H.O.M.E.’s Marketplace operated at RittenHouse Square by teen members of the Harold A. Honickman Young Entrepreneur program. The café; has employed 10 formerly homeless Philadelphians and five teens from the young entrepreneur program. Employees earn $8.75 an hour.

Ask what she hopes the café will accomplish and Sister Mary replies, “My fondest hope for the Café is that it is a fun place to go to get quality food and drink and it is a successful launching pad for our young entrepreneurs and for formerly homeless adults getting back into the workplace.”

“Working with teens is incredible,” says Ms. Lisa, “So much changes for them over a short time that it’s hard to keep up.” Readers, let me just say that working at H.O.M.E. Page isn’t as hard as one may think. Though making coffee is a breeze, lattes and cappuccinos are a little hard for me to master, though I’ve been getting better at it. Seeing the customers bright smiles after each transition always makes my and the other hosts/hostesses day. 

“For the café I want to help many residents and teens gain great work experience in a public setting,” added Ms. Lisa, “My fondest hope for our hosts is that they go on to other jobs when the are ready to have the confidence that they can succeed in anything, and on occasion use something that they learned here in the future, whether it be for work or home life.”

“How does the appearance of Rage affect your retirement as Commissioner?” asked journalist, Stephanie Miller.

“It doesn’t affect me at all, I believe myself to have done some good in Philadelphia without the help of Rage.” Answered Police Commissioner Bale.

“Sources say that you have been coaching on Lieutenant Catherine Pressley to run for your position as the next Commissioner of Philadelphia’s police force.”

“I have been in conversation with the lieutenant; she has done a fine job in her current position and will do so as the next commissioner. When first hearing that she showed interest in becoming the next Commissioner I was thrilled, but I never ‘coached’ her on as you say.”

 “I have a question about Rage.” Asked journalist, Larry Sox.

Police commissioner Bale stood at the podium in Love Park, an officer on either side of him. He was feeling up with anger, glaring at the reporter who had just asked that question. It had been over a month since the costumed figure known as Rage arrived in Philadelphia, cleaning up its crime ridden streets. The first sighting being made of this…vigilante in Fairmount Park.

There were now rumors circulating throughout the city that the sudden arrival of Rage meant that Philadelphia police had suddenly unleashed some kind of secret weapon upon criminals because they themselves could not stop the overwhelming crime. The secondary rumor was that in someway Rage was connected with the sudden arrival of the mass murderer, Crow.

The Philadelphia police had not been able to bring the criminal to justice where as Rage had been able to stop a number of his crimes, generating more heat on Commissioner Bale. Answering questions about Rage was the last thing he wanted to do right now.

“Why not form an alliance with Rage?” Larry continued.

“As I’ve said previously,” Bale began “The Philadelphia Police do not form alliances with individuals who take the law into their own hands. We do not have any connections with the sudden appearance of Rage or any knowledge of his whereabouts.”

“You say that you do not form alliances with individuals who take the law into their own hands Commissioner,” added journalist, Tony Harris. “Yet statistics state that over the past few weeks’ crime has slowly declined because of Rage.”

“Just because Philadelphia has some…vigilante now jumping from building to building does not mean that it will be safe. This Rage character has done nothing but bring about more crime in the city.”

“So are you saying that you believe that in someway both Crow and Rage are connected?” Tony continued.

“I am not saying that at all…” Commissioner Bale took a moment to squint at the journalist’s name, “Tony. I am merely stating that two wrongs do not make a right. Having someone taking the law into their own hands and manipulating it as they see fit will only encourage others to do the same.”

“Well if it will stop people from killing each other, I’m glad Rage is here.” Cried a citizen.

“You shouldn’t be sir because the kind of inspiration that I am talking about will only influence the wrong kinds of people. You think Philadelphia has it bad now with criminals running around and killing innocent individuals, just wait until they start imitating Rage. All of you are cheering now, but Philadelphia will only get worst when at last you will wish you have had listened to me.”

“So you believe that the appearance of Rage will influence some…supervillians to try and rival him?” commented Lary, holding back a small laugh.

“I only believe that things will become even harder.”

“It seems that the citizens of Philadelphia have two huge options then Commissioner,” added Tony, “seek the help that Rage is given or watch as things fall apart even more and become harder.”

The commissioner said nothing and started to back away from the podium when no more questions were flying at him.

“Before you go Commissioner, do you and your officers have a plan to stop Crow, he has already killed 10 people within the last 2 weeks and it seems that he slips right through your fingers.”

“My men and I are trying our best to apprehend Crow; you must remember that 2 of those men were police officers…”

Silver Bailey turned off his television.

Not really sure if you would consider this a spoiler or not, don’t think I’m really going to get into the needy greedy. Then again I may. This entry is so late because I got deeply involved with the newspaper and am proud to say that it is coming along nicely. Also, for those who have voted on teenink for me, thanks, planning on submitting part 2 before I turn 19.

Anywho, the Dark Knight is the best hero movie this summer. There’s nothing else to really say.  It comes in at first place within my books, beating my viewing of Prince Caspian and the Spiderwick Chronicles. When me and my friends arrived at the theater last Tuesday (it was 6.00 discount) we weren’t expecting the line for tickets to stretch out the theater though we did expect the consession stan to be a mess. I nearly fell down while trying to find four seats…

Yeah, as in some movie theaters there were talkers but once Batman started playing and you got entangled in all of the twists and turns you quickly became silent. Commissioner Gordon made a triumphant return, Two-Face made an unexpected appearance, and the Joker was just a pure nut case…which was excellent.

There wasn’t a lot of fighting, but the Dark Knight didn’t need it, why? The movie made you think. How far can you go before you start or the people you are trying to protect see you as a villian? How far will you go to apprehend the Joker when he has killed so many in the past few hours, days, or just recently your daughter? (the killing joke) If there are two boats floating in the river with one being filled with good natured outstanding citizens and the other with ruthless criminals and you can save yourself by blowing the other ship up, would you do it?

There are so many things I like about this movie that it is worth the hype going to see it this summer, way better than Hellboy which I also saw. Hellboy was just good, a bit boring, a bit funny, and a bit predictable.

Batman:The Kiling Joke is an alright comic, I liked it and next to The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller its one of the best Batman comics I’ve read. If you were to read this comic right after seeing the Dark Knight it would fit perfectly. The Joker pulls off his most dangerous off all jokes, he cripples Barbara Gordon and humiliates her father. The ending, however, is a joke.

 I was talking to a co-worker of mine this past Saturday about it, he believes and I do also that Philadelphia is the real Gotham City. Give you any ideas about what my next story is going to be about after I finish the book series? Funny enough this one is already at the library of Congress, have to check on it.

I remember the day, when I was in my 10th grade Biology class that The Girl Who Could Fly was written. I’ve only have an imaginative feeling like that every so often, this past weekend after watching Avatar I had began the writing process for a being or commonly known as a Book-Keeper, this is what Shanika is.  Soon after writing Shanika’s first story and after a little bit of dragging on my end I wrote the continuations of her stories which now presently are the middle for my book, though this may change. Now all I have to do it get working on the begining and the end.

So far Zachary, Samantha, Byron, and Shanika have only made appearances within the pages of the North Philly Metropolis and a brief appearance in The Cap Literacy Magazine from the Community College of Philadelphia. WIth their story ending, at least their NPM chapters, I thought it would be appropriate to try and get them known, myself also, in other publications.

 A few months ago I had submitted The Girl Who Could Fly to Teen Ink, actually this is my second time submitting. Anyhow, today was the day that I received an email saying thet my recent submission had been read by the editors and was chosen for publication on teeninkraw. How exciting! I’ve been reading and re-reading the letter, but here’s a segment from the letter that I want you all to pay attention to”

Teen Ink RAW is our new website for unedited, unfiltered teen-generated poetry, fiction, articles, reviews, opinions, artwork, etc., that allows you and others to rate your work and provide feedback. Highest rated stories in each section will be prominently displayed on the site. Your work could be among them, so vote often and send the link to all your friends and family and ask them to vote too. (Up to one vote per article per day)

So if you all don’t mind, please vote for me. I really would appreciate it. This is one step closer for me and my writing to become known, not to mention I might be able to add this to my resume’. The link to my story will respectively be in ‘the book series’ section of the site, please visit there and remember to vote.

I hope that when letters about the NPM go out that people become as excited as I am now and for those of you who are wondering about my ‘Dark Knight’ entry, its coming. I went yesterday with a couple of friends, it was very good so go see it.

And for those of you who are wondering when I’m putting the NPM chapters together into one big volume, don’t worry I’m working on it. It shall be called, The Bundle Thus Far. Well off to finishing the paper I go

Peace 

Editor’s Note:Yeah I know. I was in the bookstore not too long ago and noticed a book entitled The Girl Who Could Fly. Clearly when writing the story in the 10th grade I had no knowledge that the title aready existed or was in the works. Oh well, at least my entire series isn’t titled the Girl Who Could Fly like it was going to be at one point.