Collaborative process to address violence
The roundtable discussion about gun violence held on Oct. 15 at City Hall including, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Philadelphia Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer is a good emphasis on putting an end to this cycle of murderous crime.
The violence-prevention initiatives and the funding is what the city needs to improve lowering the crime rates for an even lower percentage.
Way more resources to help reduce gun violence is also what is needed to stop this violence madness. In addition to having mental health options for counseling trauma caused from gun violence from youth to adults.
A collaborative process is needed in the city of Philadelphia entirely and the district police departments with community members can get much more work done if everyone is working together and not against each other.
Alim Howell
American Made Month
Since November 2014, we have been asking our supporters to promote the entire month of November as “American Made Month.” It’s another opportunity for us to support the private-sector businesses that manufacture and assemble products that display the Made in the USA label. As you shop at your local stores and on the internet, go out of your way to look for and ask for products with the Made in America label. Businesses interested in expanding their product lines in the United States would help create jobs for American workers, but they need to know the American people will support what they make here in the United States of America.
As we begin November as “American Made Month,” you are asked to promote our brief schedule of efforts that will help America’s businesses and American workers:
• We have been promoting the first weekend of every month as National Small Business Weekend. Go out of your way to support your local businesses.
• Nov. 11, Veterans Day, is a time to honor veterans and promote jobs for America’s veterans and all American workers.
• During the weekend of Nov. 15-17, promote American-made items by shopping at the places where they are sold with a focus on the items that will make great gifts for the holidays.
• Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day, a time to give thanks and encourage family and friends to support the Buy American Made Campaign and jobs for American workers.
• Friday, Nov. 29, Black Friday, is a time to focus on American-made everything so American-made businesses benefit from your purchases.
• Nov. 30 is Small Business Saturday, a national event to support America’s small businesses and another opportunity to seek out American-made products.
• Nov. 29-30 are the last days or American Made Month and an opportunity to consider what else can be done to make the balance of the holiday shopping season a success for the businesses manufacturing, assembling, promoting, distributing and selling American-made products.
Thanks for your participation. For more information, visit AmericanMadeMonth.com. Email your suggestions to Michael@AmericanWorkersRadio.com.
Michael Blichasz
A nice way to honor deceased loved ones
It was so much pleasure to read Mark Zimmaro’s detailed report on Mexican events for November (“Mexican celebrations coming to South Philly,” Oct 30.).
Those of us who are Catholic are well aware of the series of autumn holy days starting with Nov. 1, the feast of All Saints or All Hallows. (Hence the night before known as Halloween.) It is a holy day of obligation to attend Mass.
Well, on Nov. 2, we move on to the Feast of All Souls, a celebration of our beloved deceased relatives and friends. Mexican people call it the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos.
So Zimmaro’s report describes the elaborate celebration held in places like the Fleisher Art Memorial in Bella Vista and open to the public.
The report goes on to describe all the activities that were held in South Philly’s largest park, FDR Park. This lasted a couple of days at the Boathouse, 1500 Pattison Ave.
It is just so refreshing to learn how the Mexican culture includes sweet celebrations like this to honor the memories of deceased loved ones. Reminds me of some of the customs my own immigrant Italian family had on similar feast days. What better way to honor their passing?
Thanks to Mark Zimmaro for giving us a lovely account of this memorable event.
Gloria C. Endres
