Philadelphia or somewhere else?? (live, licenses, market)

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

There are very few mega mansions on Golf Course communities with Bentley's and Lambos in the driveway. Because thats just gawdy. The humility makes SEPA pretty awesome and classy. But then again? Isn't that the Quaker way? lol

One of the things I've come to learn in the three decades plus that I've lived here is that this city's - and this region's - strengths and weaknesses often come from the same source.

Having moved here from Boston, I found Digby Baltzell's Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia quite illuminating on a number of fronts, and I would still recommend anyone who moved here from there to read it.

The same Quaker modesty that makes our moneyed class so much easier to swallow (and our streetscapes so harmonious) also makes that same class reluctant to step up to lead the city, even when such leadership would be beneficial. Anyone else note that our best mayors were all (or almost all; I'm not sure about Joe Clark) transplants?

BTW, because of this, I'm all for Tom Scannapieco continuing to build condo towers that appeal to the very wealthy around here. I quoted his rationale in our current "100 Most Influential People" issue: "It's important that our wealthy people become involved in the city and its affairs."

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

One of the things I've come to learn in the three decades plus that I've lived here is that this city's - and this region's - strengths and weaknesses often come from the same source.

Having moved here from Boston, I found Digby Baltzell's Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia quite illuminating on a number of fronts, and I would still recommend anyone who moved here from there to read it.

The same Quaker modesty that makes our moneyed class so much easier to swallow (and our streetscapes so harmonious) also makes that same class reluctant to step up to lead the city, even when such leadership would be beneficial. Anyone else note that our best mayors were all (or almost all; I'm not sure about Joe Clark) transplants?

BTW, because of this, I'm all for Tom Scannapieco continuing to build condo towers that appeal to the very wealthy around here. I quoted his rationale in our current "100 Most Influential People" issue: "It's important that our wealthy people become involved in the city and its affairs."

Agreed. And I hope for wealthy people coming from other major cities (NYC, DC, Boston) it adds a fresh perspective to the political and social landscape.

[rowhomecity]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

One of the things I've come to learn in the three decades plus that I've lived here is that this city's - and this region's - strengths and weaknesses often come from the same source.

Having moved here from Boston, I found Digby Baltzell's Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia quite illuminating on a number of fronts, and I would still recommend anyone who moved here from there to read it.

The same Quaker modesty that makes our moneyed class so much easier to swallow (and our streetscapes so harmonious) also makes that same class reluctant to step up to lead the city, even when such leadership would be beneficial. Anyone else note that our best mayors were all (or almost all; I'm not sure about Joe Clark) transplants?"

I think the moneyed class has contributed in many ways and have lead us socially and culturally, The William Penn Foundation is one example (the most civic minded), but the the Arts in Philadelphia, would 100% not be as renowned and plentiful (we have the most theaters/art venues in the USA outside Manhattan) if it was not for their contributions. The PMA, Kimmel, Ballet, Orchestra.

There most definitely is going to be a political shift within the city over the next 20 years as wealth begins to make its way back in the city. Investing in place changes the dynamics, you first invest indirectly via, amenities, but social and civic. And once you reach a certain level, then you begin to invest more in place, by living there. And then once you live there. That is when you lead politically.

All the wealth being in the western suburbs for the last 50 years, has drawn little political resources. But as it begins to trickle back in, you better believe that some serious changes will be happening slowly over time.

Allan Domb gaining a council seat is just one small example.

I have said, when the new Comcast tower is complete. We begin Philadelphia 3.0. Which is a whole new era of growth, that the city has not seen in over a century. It is a good time to live in SEPA

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

I think the moneyed class has contributed in many ways and have lead us socially and culturally, The William Penn Foundation is one example (the most civic minded), but the the Arts in Philadelphia, would 100% not be as renowned and plentiful (we have the most theaters/art venues in the USA outside Manhattan) if it was not for their contributions. The PMA, Kimmel, Ballet, Orchestra.

There most definitely is going to be a political shift within the city over the next 20 years as wealth begins to make its way back in the city. Investing in place changes the dynamics, you first invest indirectly via, amenities, but social and civic. And once you reach a certain level, then you begin to invest more in place, by living there. And then once you live there. That is when you lead politically.

All the wealth being in the western suburbs for the last 50 years, has drawn little political resources. But as it begins to trickle back in, you better believe that some serious changes will be happening slowly over time.

Allan Domb gaining a council seat is just one small example.

I have said, when the new Comcast tower is complete. We begin Philadelphia 3.0. Which is a whole new era of growth, that the city has not seen in over a century. It is a good time to live in SEPA

When the Annenberg Foundation left the area for LA that was likely a local arts support "hole" that I hope others have stepped up to fill.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by kyb01

When the Annenberg Foundation left the area for LA that was likely a local arts support "hole" that I hope others have stepped up to fill.

One of the hole-fillers is the Wyncote Foundation, which was founded by F. Otto Haas' son a few years back.

Dad established the William Penn Foundation.

Note something interesting about their naming practices?

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by rowhomecity

I think the moneyed class has contributed in many ways and have lead us socially and culturally, The William Penn Foundation is one example (the most civic minded), but the the Arts in Philadelphia, would 100% not be as renowned and plentiful (we have the most theaters/art venues in the USA outside Manhattan) if it was not for their contributions. The PMA, Kimmel, Ballet, Orchestra.

The arts are an area where the old money came through, all right, but many of our cultural institutions strike me as underpowered for a city this big, especially compared to peer institutions in other cities.

Our public broadcasting outlet, for instance. The radio station is a powerhouse, but the TV station punches way below its weight, and several people I've talked to on the 'HYY staff agree with my assessment.

The PMA made great strides in raising its profile and improving the way it engaged with the public under Anne d'Harnoncourt. But prior to her?

We do have a lively and vibrant theater community comprised of about two score theater companies in sizes from extra large (the Walnut Street) to very small. But which of them enjoy the reputation of, say, Chicago's Steppenwolf or Minneapolis' Tyrone Guthrie Theater? (I think only the Wilma rises to that level locally.)

And I can speak from direct personal experience in a more niche category: LGBT choruses. The Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus numbers more than 120 voices now, about 40 more than when I joined it in 2005 - the year after it nearly doubled its ranks. But PGMC dates to 1981, the year before the Boston Gay Men's Chorus was founded. I was a charter member of that chorus, which had about 80 voices when it made its debut and has some 200 now. The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC, is also larger, and the New York City chorus grew so large it split itself in two. Then there's Dallas' Turtle Creek Chorale, generally acknowledged to be the largest and finest gay men's chorus in the country. (I don't sing in PGMC now, as the Pen & Pencil Club's event schedule would make me miss too many rehearsals.)

I'm not sure whether this represents a falure among the moneyed. But it's there nonetheless.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

One of the hole-fillers is the Wyncote Foundation, which was founded by F. Otto Haas' son a few years back.

Dad established the William Penn Foundation.

Note something interesting about their naming practices?

Any idea what the Hamilton family is doing, if anything, since the Dorrance Hamilton died?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

The arts are an area where the old money came through, all right, but many of our cultural institutions strike me as underpowered for a city this big, especially compared to peer institutions in other cities.

Our public broadcasting outlet, for instance. The radio station is a powerhouse, but the TV station punches way below its weight, and several people I've talked to on the 'HYY staff agree with my assessment.

The PMA made great strides in raising its profile and improving the way it engaged with the public under Anne d'Harnoncourt. But prior to her?

We do have a lively and vibrant theater community comprised of about two score theater companies in sizes from extra large (the Walnut Street) to very small. But which of them enjoy the reputation of, say, Chicago's Steppenwolf or Minneapolis' Tyrone Guthrie Theater? (I think only the Wilma rises to that level locally.)

Speaking of theaters. Are you aware that the PAFA is building a performing arts theater in the basement of the Hamilton
Bldg?

Except for Terry Gross why didn't public broadcasting create a bigger foot print here? It's a puzzlement.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Speaking of theaters. Are you aware that the PAFA is building a performing arts theater in the basement of the Hamilton
Bldg?

Except for Terry Gross why didn't public broadcasting create a bigger foot print here? It's a puzzlement.

I know that WHYY was producing shows that were being carried nationally. They seem to have dropped out of that, but the actual production work might still be there. I'll have to pay more attention to credits. The reality is that they're licensed to Wilmington, with a waiver to have the main offices & studios in Philadelphia. Channel 35 is the PBS channel assigned to Philadelphia.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

I know that WHYY was producing shows that were being carried nationally.

When? And what shows?

In the 30-odd years I've lived here, I can think of only two programs, and only one of those a series, where WHYY was the presenting station. Most of their original productions are local in nature and focus, from what I can tell.

They seem to have dropped out of that, but the actual production work might still be there. I'll have to pay more attention to credits. The reality is that they're licensed to Wilmington, with a waiver to have the main offices & studios in Philadelphia. Channel 35 is the PBS channel assigned to Philadelphia.

WYBE just sold the frequency for a pile of cash.

It would have mattered back when they were handing out the VHF licenses, because most TV sets had poor UHF reception. Were Channel 12 not licensed to Wilmington, Delaware would have had no VHF TV station. Given that, I wonder why the FCC granted the waiver? WHYY went on the air on that channel in 1955, IIRC.