[Article with Photos is available at tangentmedia.blogspot]

By Brion Shreffler
With a contribution by Charles Tribe

Somewhat reminiscent of a line from one of Radiohead’s more dour song’s, Periko tells of how he said he wanted his music played when he’s not around prior to leaving his native Peru. Having found considerable success in the pop duo, SONDO2, along with a top thirty finish in Latin American idol, the Lima born singer reached this goal with the release of his first single, the self-produced ,Dame el Calor, which quickly overtook the airwaves back home shortly after his arrival in Philadelphia in 2006.

Though the lyrics seem to present someone steeped in the misery of a revenant light cast by a past love- the second line states, “es tan dificil retroceder el tiempo”([it] is so difficult to turn back time), and the chorus begins, dame el Calor, dame la brisa, dame el aire que respiras”(give me the heat, give me the breeze, give me the air that you breathe)- you wouldn’t deduce that by the ebullient joy that springs from Periko’s guitar and a voice embodying a forceful river, while it calmly trills away. The bonus track, Cuentame, bears a similar sentiment. Though pensive, his voice gently parries an accompanying guitar riff, which opens the song and reoccurs ¾ of the way through, evocative of all the pain he is moving past with his music; though he says, “cuentame como estan las olas del mar,”(tell me how are the waves) despairingly to his former love by the sea, he is able to declare, “porque jamás olvidaré, ese tiempo en que me enseñaste amar”( because I never forget that time that taught me to love), while concluding “no tuve la fuerza que esperabas, porque no estoy preparado para el amor. Y el que perdio fui yo”(I did not force you as expected, because I’m not ready for love…and I was lost), the energy imbued in the melody bespeaking his redoubled spirits. He’s capable of this introspection while dealing with such a topic because, just as in conversation, Periko exudes the greatest optimism in his music, his songs hopeful musings on all aspects of life.

This outlook is reflective of his strident efforts towards popularity stateside. Having come here to record an album- “there are no major record labels in Peru like there are here,” he says, indicating his dream of signing a deal to a major label after finishing his album- he spent nearly a year focused solely on working in order to build his savings. Now, he splits his time between his day-job in construction and working on his music. “It’s not easy,” he concedes, recalling his first show in Philly in October 2007, which was accompanied by one-off stops in California and New Jersey. For a couple hours, he says, all the eyes were on him: people were enjoying his music, and were lining up for his autograph. Despite the heavy distinction before him upon waking for work at 6am the next day, he quickly pointed out how the power of the experience filtered through and continues to do so, “the people loving the music he so loves” inspiring him in the same manner as the “magic moments” from which his music springs. His mind always turned to music, his spirits are raised by it even when away from his guitar (the melody and lyrics for Dame el Calor came to him while playing the soccer video game, Winning Eleven with a friend. He lost the game). While he proudly speaks of how hard he works at his demanding construction job, he quickly points out that it this confluence of music that always keeps him brimming with positive energy. It is his yearning to share not only his music, but also something of himself with others that invigorates him; “I meet someone and I tell them my history…my stories in 3 minutes with a song rather than telling them something for a few hours. They understand me the same way.”

*
On crossing the Boulevard on the way to the venue at St. Vincent and Bustleton Ave I notice a slight change that’s more of a continuance of a trend than anything dramatic: more shops and restaurants have sprung up to add to the cultural diversity along Bustleton avenue west of the Boulevard since the last time I visited. The diverse array of businesses here reflect the various communities that are taking root in this formerly uniform section of the Northeast; the strip boasts a Brazilian Market, a Mexican restaurant and bodega, Chinese restaurants, and a KC Pastries, which can also be found in Chinatown.

Back in 1998 during the World Cup, the excitement keyed up inside us watching the games would lead to hours spent on the pitch where we tried to burn off some of that mad energy. There at the field at Solis Cohen playground- across from the venue which, for years was an Italian restaurant named Vincent’s- we played the world’s game with players representing Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, Costa Rica, Angola, and Guatemala to name a few, making friends with people we were shocked to find only lived a few blocks away from our local hub, a near frat-house occupied by three of my friends. We were shocked since at that time, you just didn’t notice that such a community existed right around the corner, despite the burgeoning diversity along Bustleton Ave.

Indeed, when Periko told me he was living in my native Northeast Philadelphia, I thought with certainty this was the neighborhood he called home. In actuality, he’s living further into the Northeast, pretty much where I grew up, much closer to the local Russian community than any Latino transplants.
*
The venue, Bella Noche, is a bit of a rarity in an area generally known for cheesy cover bands. Besides the cache of putting on live original music, there’s also the fact that they’re dedicated to their roots- Latino music. The owners- 2 women from Columbia and 1 from Peru- have been serving South American Cuisine for nearly a year (they celebrated their first anniversary in August) and have been putting on shows around the bar in their main dining room for the last four months, including monthly Colombian parties, and the recently added, Rock en Espanol. Andres Reyes, who helps manage the entertainment, stated their goal rather simply; “we wish to create an atmosphere where everyone can come and enjoy the music. A great time with great music- that’s all we want.” Having consulted club managers in the city, he’s eager for Bella Noche’s after hours appeal to continue to take off.

*
At 10:35 a sizeable crowd waits around the bar and the adjacent tables. It’s a warm Saturday night at the end of June. Owing to the late start at his previous show at Bella Noche, most people come late, with the crowd swelling a few songs in. With time to kill, I sip a Mojito- one of the smoothest I’ve ever had- and eye the crowd. The people at the bar sip colorful cocktails between sampling a variety of dishes: fried plantains, empanadas, camarones alla plancha…I begin to rethink my heat inspired reluctance to eat. Casually, I note I’m the only one in the venue with limited skills de Espanol; I soon lose this status.

The set starts well past 11 with Dame el Calor and Cuentame. More than half the crowd sings along. The tempo picks up with some of his newer songs and before long the dance floor is full, set to stay that way most of the night, the participants raucously dancing Merengue and Salsa to the music. He rounded out the evening by covering Carlos Vives a few times- I only knew this thanks to my Colombian friend- as well as doing a rendition of La Bamba that transitioned into Twist and Shot, his lone English offering of the night.

At the show here on May 31st, there were more English only speakers drawn by word of mouth support emanating from new friends and co-workers from the Northeast curious to find out about Periko. While he hopes to continue to build towards a large Latin fan-base, cross-over fame is one of the main reasons why he came to the U.S. in the first place. Indeed, it is bringing his music to all people that he has in mind the most for these two shows; “I want to establish a history in Philadelphia. I don’t want to be somewhere else and have them say, ‘that guy from Peru.’ No, I want them to say Philadelphia when they mention me here. This is where I want to do something big for the first time, to have exposure in America,” he says, fervency in his eyes. And while he’s aware of the current limits of his audience, he hope’s to build momentum that will quickly expand his fan base. After the first show, a pair of German tourists, drawn by to the venue out of an appreciation for Latin music, enthusiastically thanked him for his performance. Amidst the show of hands given in response to the question of audience composition- Argentina? Peruano! Mexicano!- a couple hands went up when up for Estados Unitos/ U.S.A, one of those belonging of course to his girlfriend from Delaware county, whom he met in Manayunk, and who he graciously says has helped him with his English, though he hardly seems to be at a loss for words. When he speaks of any misunderstandings they have it’s hard not to conflate that to his earnest efforts of transcending cultural barriers.
*

Since the June 28th show at Bella Noche, construction began that will expand Solis Cohen Elementary and effectively eliminate the soccer field that has stood for years. Perhaps Periko’s music will bring people together in the Northeast in the same manner of the beautiful game. The local Latino community could have no better ambassador.
Pedro Almeida gave a performance at the Fiestas Patrias Peru on July 26th; hosted by the Philadelphia Peruvian community- while the 2000 census lists a number of 471, Periko says the current number is around 1,000- in celebration of their independence. It was a proud moment in which he was able to celebrate his home country in the city where he wishes to write a new chapter in his life.
In the final days of July he went to Miami for ten days of recording time. He recorded the first three songs for his debut album. His goal is to record three tracks at a time until finished. He’s looking to add some of the Miami sound to the project, while taking his time to get it right; asking if there’s not the temptation, given the expense, to quickly record the whole thing at once, he says, “I’d rather do it right, make sure it’s perfect…if it takes a year I’m happy with that.”
Hopefully, in the meantime Philadelphia will embrace him, because regardless of one’s bilingual abilities, one can’t help but be affected by the stories Periko tells.

www.myspace.com/perikolatin

Its that time of year again!!!! Why not do something EXTRA special for the father you love most this Fathers Day!!! And you can let Ovations Salon and Spa Help!

This year for Fathers Day, we are offering a special that Dad will ABSOLUTELY love!!!!!

Why not try our Famous 007 Hot Towel Facial

~A deep pore and enzyme cleansing to aid in the reduction of ingrown hairs and shaving irritation, a facial massage to stimulate circulation,and a nourishing,calming mask to complete the mission. Follow up with a perfect Martini,shaken not stirred of course!!!

Normally $80.00 For Fathers Day-$70.00

OR

A Gentlemen's Escape

~An Hour and a Half of pure Bliss!!!
1/2 Hour Back Massage
1/2 Hour Facial
1/2 Hour Scalp Massage
All to eliminate the everyday stress of the workforce, admit it you deserve it Dad!!!

Normally-$100.00 For Fathers Day-$80.00

The Fathers Day Specials will run from 6/5 until 6/16 Gift Certificates are Available and will be Accepted for 1 year from the inital Purchase Date!

Ovations Salon and Spa
539 N Orianna St
Philadelphia PA
19123
215-923-4747

Have a Great Fathers Day!

We have a new site talking about Philly Sports.
It's hard to find a good site where people can read the latest sports news and actually comment back, easily.
We hope everyone will come and chat. Even you New York, New Jersey and even Cowboy fans!
Lets have some fun and feel free to bust on whom ever you like.
Like the Eagles blowing another draft!! LOL

http://www.phillyareasports.com

Please come and join our community, blog away!

Thanks and hope to talk more at http://www.phillyareasports.com

www.leaguelineup.com/taconyeagles
Tacony Eagles Semi Pro Football Registration
February 13, 2008 - 07:00 PM -- The Tacony Eagles Semi Pro Football Squad will have their first of Four Registrations starting on Feb 13th 2008. The following Registrations will take place every two weeks until March 26th 2008. Registration will be conducted in the club house at American Legion Field at Torresdale Ave. and Deveraeux St. At 7pm till 8 30pm. The Tacony Eagles are a 1st Year Expansion Team to the 20yr old Philadelphia Area Based Delaware Vally Independence Football League (DVIFL). The Team Will Be Managed By Co Owners Thomas "Shark Boy" Peta & Daniel "Rudy" Hall. We would like to Announce That Offensive Genius Mike Amobos and Coach John Will Join The coaching Staff. We would like to invite Players From The Former Philadelphia Patriots, Northeast Titans, High School & College Grads and any one else who has football experience and can play. There is a 43 man Roster limit and we would like to fill it. Team Dues are due by March 26th 2008 at the Final Registration. Team Dues Are $300.00 per player no exceptions. Any Information needed please contact Tom @215 437 9148 or Rudy 267 622 8899 or email thomaspeta@yahoo.com Thank You

We like to announce that Mike Baxter will join the Tacony Eagles as Middle Linebacker and Defensive Consultant. Thanks Mike for Joining The Team

You can check out a Team Schedule for the Tacony Eagles Preseason by clicking
Calender then selecting Feb from the down arrow and selecting Feb 13th
A break down of Feb 13 through Sept 6th

Team dues include the following:
League Fees
Field Usage including Games and Practices
Authentic Jerseys both Home and Away
Pants
Ref Fees
Field Insurance
Player Insurance
Field Equipment
Face Masks
Helmet Decals

All Team Fees are due by April 30th 2008.
Preseason camp will start on May 4th 2008.
If your team fees are not paid in full by April 30th 2008, you will not practice on May 4th 2008 or any other practices until you are fully paid.
If a player makes a deposit and is not fully paid by May 31st, they will get their deposit back and will be released by the team. A player may join the team at any time until July 31st 2008 with full team dues, when roster and league dues are to be turned into the League.
Once again if you do not pay in full you do not practice or play.
(If you do not pay and/or complete your payments and you show up to practice and walk on the playing field you will be asked to goto the sideline, and practice will not start until the unpaid players leave the field).

Just to Add
Payment Arrangements can be made if you can not pay $300 Up Front.
Depending on the time of your registration, we can make payments of $30 a week for ten weeks, $50 a week for 6 weeks, $60 a week for 5 weeks, $75 a week for 4 weeks, $100 a week for three weeks, $150 a week for two weeks or $300 in full payment. If you agree to a payment plan and you come to practice without your payment you will not practice. If you miss two payments you will be released from the team and you will get your deposit back.

We are looking to fill in the positions as follows:
21 Offensive Players,
21 Defensive Players,
1 Place Kicker/Punter

Offensive Side:
2 QB's (1 Starter - 1 Backup. Backup QB will be used at his secondary Position)
8 Offensive Linemen (1 Center, 2 tackles, 2 Guards, 3 Rotation Backups)
2 Tight Ends (1 Starter, 1Backup/#2Tight End)
5 Wide Receivers (2 Starters, 3rd and forth Receiver 1 Kick/Punt Returner/Secret Weapon
4 Running backs (2Half Backs, 1Fullback, 1 Small Fullback/Large Halfback

Defensive Side
7 Defensive Linemen (2 Defensive Ends, 2 Defensive Tackles, 3 Rotating Backups)
7 Defensive Backs (2 Cornerbacks, 2 Safeties, 3 Rotating Backups
6 Linebackers (3 starters, 3 Rotating Backups)

If you are a Philadelphia resident who is unemployed, employed part-time, or under-employed, JEVS/Orleans Technical Institute has a FREE Job Placement Program available throughout January to May.

Applicants must be Philadelphia residents 18 years of age or older who are seeking full-time employment. The program will do a complete assessment of skills and work history to help determine a job that will be a good match. Participants must also meet the low-income government guidelines but not receiving cash assistance from welfare.

All participants will attend an intensive two-day job readiness program where they will learn to set up an email account for jobs and practice interviewing skills. The staff will prepare an effective resume and cover letter. They will also learn how to do a thorough Internet job search to help assist in their employment goals. Successful participants who find employment will be eligible to receive a gift card for $50.00 after their first month of employment.

The program is located at 1330 Rhawn Street in Northeast Philadelphia, accessible to public transportation from anywhere within the city. If you would like to join this excellent source of job searching support, please call Stephanie Scotton at at 215-728-4709 for more information.###

THERE WILL BE A CASTING CALL FOR AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL ON AUGUST 13, FROM 10AM-1PM. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO TRY OUT TO BE ON THE SHOW LOG ONTO WWW.CWPHILLY.COM.

CASTING CALL WILL BE HELD AT FASHION BUG, IN THE FAIRLESS HILLS SHOPPING CENTER.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL IS HAVING A CASTING CALL ON AUGUST 13TH FROM 10AM-1PM NEAR PHILLY. LOG ONTO WWW.CWPHILLY.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO TRY OUT TO BE ON THE SHOW!!!!!!!!

John Longacre was at the Northwood Civic Association along with the other candidates.

Longacre, a Mayfair native who lives in Fairmount, is dismayed by the city’s reputation as "Killadelphia."
"How’s that for the business environment?" he asked, adding that he thinks the state should allow Philadelphia to make its own gun laws.
Active in civic associations and community development corporations, he favors lowering the wage tax and eliminating the business privilege tax to create jobs.
As he knocks on doors in Northwood, he senses a disconnect between the neighborhood and Clarke’s office. He said many neighbors tell him they call the office of Councilman Dan Savage (D-7th dist.) for service.
"I will engage Northwood," Longacre said.
In his office, he would implement a "rapid response" technique to build a good constituent-service operation.
"Your phone call will be returned in one hour," he promised.

http://www.longacre07.com

Has America really overcome its ugly past of racism and discrimination? You decide, as you read Mark Rosenkranz's interviews with eight different people, including Brian Swann (brother of the former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann who was also the 2006 gubernatorial candidate for the state of Pennsylvania.) Is it racism, or simply white male privilege? Either way, it is an issue that remains to be grappled with.

News Item:
On the Boulevard,
cameras result in a dramatic change

You may call it Big Brother, and the ACLU may raise privacy concerns [as they have done in New York], but the cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard have decreased the number of drivers running red lights by a whopping 96%. That number comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Before the cameras were installed, estimates were that 250 out of 10,000 drivers ran a light on the boulevard. The most recent data shows that figure has dropped to about 1 in 10,000. City of Philadelphia official figures show less of a decline, between 75% and 80%, which is still pretty impressive. Between the years 2000 and 2005, there were 14,000 accidents on Roosevelt Boulevard, so it will be interesting to see just how much the accident rate itself has decreased in that area.

Link: Philly.com

Cartoon from Sid in the City

New Loss Mitigation Office Helps Homeowners

Joel Lhamon today announced he's joined U.S. Loss Mitigation, a
business that helps homeowners going through foreclosures deal
with lenders and keep their homes. There are several requirements that must be met before Lhamon can help a homeowner.

Millions of Americans face foreclosures and are
intimidated by banks and mortgage companies and they fear losing their home and destroying their credit.

Qualifications to work with Lhamon:

* Missed at least two payments

* Must have temporary hardship i.e. job loss, divorce, death,
illness,

* Hardship must be past them

"Homeowners are often victims of investors who only want to strip them of their equity and not really help them, especially if a client has fallen on tough times. There's a very good chance that we can help them with a resolution that both borrowers and lenders can live with and since lenders typically lose $20k when someone foreclosures because of rehabbing, attorneys fees, listings, etc.," says Lhamon

Lhamon is able to help homeowners all over the country and
typically only charges fees equal to one mortgage payment.

For more information visit www.saveandkeepyourhome.com

Cory, at Metroblogging, has a neat idea in the first of a series titled Things To Do In Northeast Philly That's Not Franklin Mills or Neshaminy Mall:

... But, if you’d like to go and check out a bunch of cool and exotic bugs, then you should check out the Insectarium. There’s a model kitchen complete with cockroaches crawling about, watch bugs eat other bugs, and even crawl through a spider web! I’m pretty sure your squeamish girlfriend will go crazy over all this. Then again, so will your little brother.

Click here to read the rest of Cory's review, or click here to visit the Insectarium website.

Old Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the Scarlet Letter. Is Mikalena Nau Philly's Scarlet Letter Missing Woman?

I noticed that someone wrote about the missing woman in the news here - but no one has said "boo" about it, or put it up on "Missing Monday". I sincerely hope that is not because folks are sitting in judgement of this woman's reported activities like prostitution.

Michelle "Mikalena" Nau is STILL a missing woman. If she isn't dead, she's in a mess of trouble. Funny how the media chooses to exploit poor life choices. In my humble opinion, this is still a person. A person who deserves to be found.

Here's what irked me today:

Darker side emerges in Phila. woman's disappearance
Michelle Nau claimed to be a real estate agent. But she told police she worked as a prostitute.
By Christine Schiavo, Barbara Boyer and Joseph A. Slobodzian
Inquirer Staff Writers

Michelle "Mikalena" Nau told people she worked in real estate and that might indeed have been her career goal.

But court records show that for years, even as Nau worked legitimately as a cosmetologist, a major source of her income was prostitution.

"I'm a prostitute," Nau told a Bensalem Township police detective on April 24, 1995, in an interview after she and an ex-boyfriend were arrested with cocaine at a Bensalem motel. Nau, then 26, also said she had been arrested for prostitution five years earlier in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia police confirmed yesterday that Nau, 37, had recently been working for a Queen Village escort service and that they were investigating whether her duties had anything to do with her disappearance. ... (full text)

We don't know this woman, but figure she's definitely worthy of a missing Monday....although, wouldn't it be nice if she were found alive and well before then?

From www.philly.com :

No sign of missing woman after a month
By DAVID GAMBACORTA gambacd@phillynews.com 215-854-5994

Excerpt:

"It's been a month since Mickalena Nau was last seen alive, withdrawing cash from a neighborhood ATM in Oxford Circle.

Her family initially thought the attractive and single 37-year-old had gone off for an impromptu vacation and had forgotten to let anyone know.

Then, the days turned into weeks, and police recovered Nau's Mercedes Benz and some of her personal belongings four miles away from her home.

Fretting over a lack of leads and the passage of time, investigators appealed to the public for help yesterday."

Full Text: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/breaking_news/14005949.htm

From www.NBC10.com :

Excerpt:
"The car of Mickalena Nau, 37, was discovered several days after she disappeared, a few miles from where she lived. Nau is also known as Rachel. Nau is a self-employed real estate agent.

Northeast Detectives told NBC 10 News that the last time anyone can account for Nau's whereabouts was on Feb. 4, when she was seen on ATM surveillance video withdrawing $100.

Nau had been rehabbing a home on Elbridge Street. At the home that once belonged to her aunt and uncle, the mailbox was overflowing. Neighbors added that they hadn’t seen her working on the house in a while.

Detectives said the missing woman was believed to be an independent real estate agent; they said they were in the process of confirming this. Police also said they were examining her purse, which was found near her Mercedes car."

Full story: http://www.nbc10.com/news/7625545/detail.html