Challenging the parent’s authority over today’s teensBy T Martin (as Escritor X) Hear a kid no taller than a student desk curse out her teacher; or read about a disruptive student pulling the door off the hinges of his 4th-grade classroom. Get a phone call about your angelic child’s truancy rap after you faithfully dropping her off at school on time every morning; or witness a bloodbath at the local elementary school playground as tow or more kids gang…
Guitar photos boost forum hitsBy T Martin For the record, I’m not a big guitar fan. I’m a mellower sort who enjoys piano, jazz, gospel and some R&B. I have friends, cousins, even a brother who play guitar, perhaps contributing to my need for diversion, but I’m not big on guitars. Even so, when my best friend asked me to photograph his guitars for some quick photos to post on eBay.com last May, I grabbed my Minolta DiMage 7…
Scrubs get better photosBy T Martin Last November, I was invited to chaperone neighborhood youths on a field trip to Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Though I suspect the invitation was a direct message to me, the purpose of the trip was for the children to get a tour of the college and some lunch afterwards. And though I wasn’t particularly interested in the tour, I found a number of interesting photos at the college, as well as in…
Dear Readers, Spring is here! Is Spring here? Maybe I’m a bit premature in saying so, but it feels as if Spring has already sprung. At NorFilly™ we celebrate the coming of Spring with exciting changes to our young online magazine. We have ongoing conversations with three prospective associate editors on teen issues, current events and technology. We’ve already been featuring sports and entertainment articles, but there is promise of even more! Until then, we have a great magazine…
Liga del Barrio presents trophies to playersBy T Martin Ending its 4th Season, Philadelphia’s barrio basketball league honored program participants with trophies and MVP awards at its closing ceremony on Saturday, February 14th, at Edison High School in North Philadelphia. La Liga is one of few programs of its kind, designed to give students a positive incentive to stay in school and off the streets, even on Saturdays! One team in the League receives their trophies before announcement of…
Promise of memorable evening fulfilledBy T Martin During the VIP Reception prior to ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania’s 12th Annual Benefit Gala, Executive Director Alfredo Calderón promised those in attendance a “memorable evening” as a way to thank all for their support and contributions during the last year. Orquesta Del Barrio members warm up before playing a few dance numbers at the start of the Aspira general gala.. Celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year, ASPIRA delivered nothing less than the…
Or dateless in North PhillyBy T Martin As the title should tell you, it’s pathetic enough I wasn’t dating anyone for Valentine’s Day this year. To further patheticize (did I make up a new one?) the situation, I even had things scheduled for the day – all work-related, at that. A professional workaholic performed this feat, so read on, but whether you’re with someone or not next February 14th, don’t try this at home! The Friday before our Saturday…
Youth leadership evident in 12th annual eventBy T Martin From her opening remarks to her conversation with friends and associates at the VIP Reception, Lydia Hernández-Vélez made no secret about her love for ASPIRA and its students that helped put together the 35-year-old organization’s 12th Annual Benefit Gala held Saturday, February 7th. Aspirantes Ezequiel López and Lynette Corsini talk about their work and love for ASPIRA during the VIP reception.Lydia, ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania’s Board of Directors Chairperson, stood…
Teens and tots join up for after-school mentoringBy T Martin Normal: The quiet humming and mumbling as Potter-Thomas Elementary School students settle into their after-school mentoring program with teens from West Kensington Boys and Girls Club. Abnormal: The hyperactive chants and constant bobbing of heads in the direction of the back of the room. Both scenarios are taking place in Room 103 every weekday from 3 to 6 PM at the North Philadelphia school located at 6th and Indiana…
Learning the difference to advance your careerBy T Martin In our last edition, our article on watching your money when starting your modeling career drew a number of stories from locals who have experienced problems like the ones described in the article. It also fueled this article about knowing the difference… between schools and agencies, between what so-called scouts say and what they really mean, and between scams and rip-offs. Several people wrote me to tell me that their modeling…