Brief Inaugural Note

Like a lot of people I watched the inaugural at work, on a big screen tv. The group gathered around the tv was quiet, listening to Obama's speech. I thought it was a good speech, with a lot of impressive policy statements woven in.

Obama's Remarks at Philadelphia Train Station

From the inbox:

Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama - As prepared for delivery
Inaugural Whistle Stop Tour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 17, 2009

We are here to mark the beginning of our journey to Washington. This is fitting because it was here, in this city, that our American journey began. It was here that a group of farmers and lawyers, merchants and soldiers, gathered to declare their independence and lay claim to a destiny that they were being denied.

It was a risky thing, meeting as they did in that summer of 1776. There was no guarantee that their fragile experiment would find success. More than once in those early years did the odds seem insurmountable. More than once did the fishermen, laborers, and craftsmen who called themselves an army face the prospect of defeat.

And yet, they were willing to put all they were and all they had on the line - their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor - for a set of ideals that continue to light the world. That we are equal. That our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness come not from our laws, but from our maker. And that a government of, by, and for the people can endure. It was these ideals that led us to declare independence, and craft our constitution, producing documents that were imperfect but had within them, like our nation itself, the capacity to be made more perfect.

We are here today not simply to pay tribute to our first patriots but to take up the work that they began. The trials we face are very different now, but severe in their own right. Only a handful of times in our history has a generation been confronted with challenges so vast. An economy that is faltering. Two wars, one that needs to be ended responsibly, one that needs to be waged wisely. A planet that is warming from our unsustainable dependence on oil.

And yet while our problems may be new, what is required to overcome them is not. What is required is the same perseverance and idealism that our founders displayed. What is required is a new declaration of independence, not just in our nation, but in our own lives - from ideology and small thinking, prejudice and bigotry - an appeal not to our easy instincts but to our better angels.

That is the reason I launched my campaign for the presidency nearly two years ago. I did so in the belief that the most fundamental American ideal, that a better life is in store for all those willing to work for it, was slipping out of reach. That Washington was serving the interests of the few, not the many. And that our politics had grown too small for the scale of the challenges we faced.

But I also believed something else. I believed that our future is our choice, and that if we could just recognize ourselves in one another and bring everyone together - Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, north, south, east and west, black, white, Latino, Asian, and Native American, gay and straight, disabled and not - then not only would we restore hope and opportunity in places that yearned for both, but maybe, just maybe, we might perfect our union in the process.

This is what I believed, but you made this belief real. You proved once more that people who love this country can change it. And as I prepare to leave for Washington on a trip that you made possible, know that I will not be traveling alone. I will be taking with me some of the men and women I met along the way, Americans from every corner of this country, whose hopes and heartaches were the core of our cause; whose dreams and struggles have become my own.

Theirs are the voices I will carry with me every day in the White House. Theirs are the stories I will be thinking of when we deliver the changes you elected me to make. When Americans are returning to work and sleeping easier at night knowing their jobs are secure, I will be thinking of people like Mark Dowell, who's worried his job at Ford will be the next one cut, a devastating prospect with the teenage daughters he has back home.

When affordable health care is no longer something we hope for, but something we can count on, I will be thinking of working moms like Shandra Jackson, who was diagnosed with an illness, and is now burdened with higher medical bills on top of child care for her eleven year-old son.

When we are welcoming back our loved ones from a war in Iraq that we've brought to an end, I will be thinking of our brave servicemen and women sacrificing around the world, of veterans like Tony Fischer, who served two tours in Iraq, and all those returning home, unable to find a job.

These are the stories that will drive me in the days ahead. They are different stories, told by men and women whose journeys may seem separate. And yet, what you showed me time and again is that no matter who we are or what we look like, no matter where we come from or what faith we practice, we are a people of common hopes and common dreams, who ask only for what was promised us as Americans - that we might make of our lives what we will and see our children climb higher than we did.

We recognize that such enormous challenges will not be solved quickly. There will be false starts and setbacks, frustrations and disappointments. And we will be called to show patience even as we act with fierce urgency.

But we should never forget that we are the heirs of that first band of patriots, ordinary men and women who refused to give up when it all seemed so improbable; and who somehow believed that they had the power to make the world anew. That is the spirit that we must reclaim today.

For the American Revolution did not end when British guns fell silent. It was never something to be won only on a battlefield or fulfilled only in our founding documents. It was not simply a struggle to break free from empire and declare independence. The American Revolution was - and remains - an ongoing struggle "in the minds and hearts of the people" to live up to our founding creed.

Starting now, let's take up in our own lives the work of perfecting our union.

Let's build a government that is responsible to the people, and accept our own responsibilities as citizens to hold our government accountable.

Let's all of us do our part to rebuild this country.

Let's make sure this election is not the end of what we do to change America, but the beginning.

Join me in this effort. Join one another in this effort. And together, mindful of our proud history, hopeful for the future, let's seek a better world in our time. Thank you.

More on Photovoltaic Industry

Those intrigued by yesterday's post on the Photovoltaic America conference might wish to read an article in the Dec / Jan issue of Fast Company. See "The Solar Industry Gains Ground," by Chris Turner.

Solar Industry Conference in Philly This June

The blog is still on hiatus. This is just an item from the inbox:

The city of Philadelphia will host PV AMERICA, the nation’s premier conference for the solar photovoltaic industry, June 8-10, 2009, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

"Solar photovoltaics will play a vital role in securing America’s energy independence, and PV America will showcase the fast-growing PV sector in the city of American independence," said Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). "The conference will bring together leaders from the technology, research, finance and business development communities to share the latest trends for photovoltaics, complementing the annual Solar Power conference that we co-host in October."

Organizers of the PV America 2009 program include SEIA, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Mid-Atlantic chapter of SEIA (MSEIA). IEEE will present its Photovoltaic Specialists Conference June 7 - 11, 2009, to coincide with PV America at the same location.

"We’re building a clean energy economy here in Pennsylvania," said Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. "We’re opening new markets for solar energy and other renewable sources, we’re making strategic investments to attract some of the world’s leading solar developers and create jobs in this rapidly growing field, and we’re pushing to generate even more development in this industry. Hosting PV America 2009 is a great opportunity for us to showcase our accomplishments while also helping to shape the future of this industry and create an energy independent America."

Many industry observers feel Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland will rival California as the prime U.S. market for solar energy for the coming decade. With strong state policies and incentives in place, the region’s leaders have established a climate to attract PV companies, installations and jobs.

House Passes SCHIP Bill

Walk on from stage left.

A variety of press releases today on the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, which passed the House today.

Allyson Schwartz

“Today is a good day for American families.

“Today, we vote to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for the nearly 7 million children it covers and to expand coverage to an additional 4 million uninsured children.

“My commitment to ensuring health coverage for every child in our great nation is just as strong today as it was in 1992 when I successfully worked for the early creation of CHIP in Pennsylvania.

“Yet, today, 9 million children are still uninsured – more than 138,000 in Pennsylvania alone. And the number grows daily.

“As the economy continues to suffer and unemployment grows, more and more American families are losing their insurance coverage. Parents without coverage worry that their children will get sick or need to visit the doctor; and they simply do not have the money to pay.

“As we work to reverse the economic downturn, we can and should ensure that our children’s health will be protected, now and in the future.

“Strengthening CHIP for 11 million children is the right thing to do – and in just six days, we will have a President who – unlike the outgoing President – will sign this bill and achieve this goal for America’s children.

“Change is here. Today is a good day.”

Patrick Murphy

“As our economy declines and joblessness goes up, programs like S-CHIP become more important and are used more and more. Families are hurting and this is one way to improve the health of children and our nation’s overall public health,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “This is a critical program that helps hard working families keep their children healthy. I was proud to vote to re-authorize children’s health insurance again and am glad that the incoming president will sign this bipartisan bill.”

“This program has wide bipartisan support from Democrats, Republicans and Independents across the country – including governors and members of Congress. I am proud to fight for the thousands of parents in our district who play by the rules and just want to keep their kids healthy,” Murphy added.

Paul Kanjorski:

“This is a very promising day for American children,” said Congressman Kanjorski. “We are in tough times as people throughout the country are struggling from financial hardships. But, during such times it is especially important to ensure the safety and well being of our children, including guaranteeing that they have health insurance. This bill will improve health care for 11 million American children, enabling the future of our country to receive needed care at lower costs.

“While President Bush refused to extend the children’s health insurance program twice in the last Congress, I have great faith that after the Senate hopefully passes the bill, that President-elect Obama will do the right thing and sign it into law.”

Schwartz Workshops on Energy Conservation

Just passing through again.

From the inbox:

With all of us concerned about the economy, the threat of a cold winter has many Pennsylvanians looking for tips and strategies on how to save money this winter on energy needs, especially home heating costs.

To help her constituents take more control over their energy expenses by making smart, efficient household changes, Congresswoman Schwartz will host two energy conservation workshops in Montgomery County next week. At these free workshops, experts from Montgomery County Weatherization Works will offer tips and strategies on how people can lower their overall energy use and save money on heating costs this winter.

Montgomery County Energy Conservation Workshops

Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 7 p.m.
Lansdale Library
301 Vine Street
Lansdale, PA 19446

Friday, January 16, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
Abington Township Public Library
1030 Old York Road
Abington, PA 19001

For more details and registration information see the press release on her congressional website.

Quick Patrick Murphy Update

I'm just passing through.

Congressman Patrick Murphy, just elected to his second term, is starting to blend into the woodwork a little. He's no longer the only Iraq War veteran in Congress. Incoming Florida Rep. Tom Rooney shares that distinction. Others may as well; I haven't done a thorough check. Murphy is now an old man of 35, not the congressional kid anymore. Incoming Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock is only 27. Rooney is 38; newly elected Ohio Rep. John Boccieri is 39. There are enough under-40's to form a caucus. (See Politics Magazine's "Frosh to Watch" for the source of some of this data.)

Taking a Break

All machines with movable parts need maintenance now and then. It is the same with the human body, live long enough and something needs a little work. In my case one of my joints is out of whack and the doc has called for a round of physical therapy; if that doesn't work there's a Plan B that I am preferring not to think about. Right now the household schedule is crammed full; there's nothing left to shuffle. Since this isn't Nebraska I can't drop the kids off at a local hospital [joke!!] so something else has to give. The blog is a hobby, unrelated to my job and providing no real benefit to the household, though I enjoy it a lot and have had the opportunity to email with some really wonderful people. So I'm taking a break.

Many thanks to all those who have stopped in over the past four years. It is very gratifying to know there are so many people out there interested in state government and civic affairs.

From time to time I may post press releases or other quick notes but by and large the blog is now on hiatus.

Satullo Leaves Inky

Another Inky shocker -- Chris Satullo is leaving the paper to work at WHYY ("WHYY hired Satullo as news executive," by Jonathan Storm, Inquirer, 11/20):

WHYY yesterday hired former Inquirer editorial page editor Chris Satullo for a new position overseeing the public broadcaster's radio, TV and Internet news operations. He will begin work Dec. 15.

I have corresponded with Chris via email on the Big Canvas program and other matters. He has always responded promptly to questions and comments, in a friendly manner and with humor. You can't ask for more than that. I wish him well in his new job.

State of the Blog -- Year 4

Each November I write a “state of the blog” post to reflect on the previous year’s blogging; this year it is a day or so early. Today, Nov. 19th the blog is four years old. That is a long time for a hobby.

The presidential election overshadowed things this year, since Pennsylvania played a more significant role than anyone really expected. None of the suburban congressional races were really competitive and the election results there brought few surprises. There were some interesting candidates and campaigns in the regional state senate and house races. Over the past few years there has been a marked trend away from communicating directly with candidates and campaigns and toward being contacted by pr firms, organizations, and parties. Another blogger has theorized that this represents a shift in the view of blogs as media outlets as opposed to some form of campaign volunteer. Someone smarter than me will have to figure it all out.

Over the year I kept up standard features such as the list of articles on Pennsylvania published in the Wall Street Journal, rough notes from live and televised events and interviews. I have stopped writing the synopses of House and Senate Journals, primarily because it is tedious and the House Journals run six months behind so it is hardly relevant by the time they appear. The quarterly FEC roundups of congressional campaign finance became a standard feature.

Once again, I paid to attend all fundraising events. From time to time people will write and offer me a free copy of a book or other product. All these offers have been declined. The Inquirer did invite me to blog about some of their Big Canvas events and there was a monetary payment for that. One firm approached me about placing ad on my blog; it made a positive statement so I ran it in exchange for a small online gift card. The ad only brought in a handful of clickthroughs. Unrelated to the ad agreement I posted a note about the event, with an acknowledgment of the ad, and there were more clickthroughs from the blog post. So, for blogs of this size, sponsored blog posts might be more effective than an ad. It was a one time experiment for me and no other paid ads and no sponsored blog posts have run.

In keeping with previous years, let me provide some information on usage. There are three ways to track blog usage. A number of users either come directly to the blog or find it via search engines, looking for information on candidates, bills, and related topics, as well as those who come across it while searching for something entirely different, and are probably disappointed when they get here. Then there are those who are referred here from other sites, aggregators like Phillyfuture.org, or other blogs like Capitol Ideas. I appreciate those people including this blog on their blogroll or in their blog roundups.

These users are represented in the chart below from sitemeter. Along the year I had thought usage was down but looking at the numbers overall sitemeter visits were up. Last year only two months usage (visits and page views) were over 8,000; this year usage for four months topped that number. The most popular posts this year were the post written in April 2007 on the Foodstamp Challenge, referenced by Rebecca’s Pocket and other bloggers, and a post this year commenting on a list of household rules that appeared on CNN.com. It is interesting that neither post had anything to do with politics. The most popular political post was the interview with Betsy Meyers of Obama for America.





Again this year I received about $100 from Newstex which markets a number of blogs to commercial databases like Lexis / Nexis. The number of hits increased around the primaries but as the reports run 60 or more days behind I don’t have a good sense of how the fall election season affected usage.

Feedburner, another free tracking service, monitors rss subscriptions and also hits, views, and clickthroughs. The number of subscribers varies from day to day. It started in Nov. 2007 in the 130’s, only dipped below 100 once over the year, and bounced around, with a top number of around 180 and at the end of October 2008 was 157. The number of hits bounced around also but tended to be over 1000 daily after April. The top number was around 7,500 but I think that was one of the times someone came along and basically downloaded the entire blog for their own purposes. I can find no pattern to the views and clickthroughs numbers. It varies from 5 to over 600 per day.

The coverage of state and regional politics by the traditional media is shifting as well, and not in a good way. The Inquirer continues to lose good reporters with years and sometimes decades of experience. Few reporters means less coverage. That is a loss for us all. Hobbyist bloggers might complement traditional coverage, especially in the smaller races that might escape the larger media outlets, but cannot replace a robust press.

Next year there are some district attorney races and the 2010 senate and house races might start to rumble. For those who stopped in to read and comment this year, thank you for doing so. I have enjoyed the conversations, both public and private.

Whither the New Years Eve Phone Call?

Did anyone else get whiplash reading the Inquirer this morning? I was browsing the Local News Section, specifically "Pa Dems seeking top spot in House,"* by Amy Worden when I read this:

[State Rep Keith] McCall said he was lobbying Republicans for support as well, in an effort to prevent a repeat of January 2007, when Rep. Dennis O'Brien, a Philadelphia Republican, was elected in a surprise move orchestrated by Rep. Bill DeWeese (D., Greene), who was minority leader at the time.

Say what? Orchestrated by whom? Of all the versions of the fateful events of January 2007 and the famed New Year's Eve phone call (and I compared a number of printed versions of this story, including some in the Inky, in Sept 07), none attributed it solely or even primarily to the work of DeWeese.

Is Josh Shapiro being written out of the historical record? What about Rendell schmoozing O'Brien's young son with cookies, basketball, and dogs? This is a good story, people, and one we shouldn't lose. "orchestrated by Bill DeWeese"? I don't think so.

* The headline in the print edition and in the online edition differ. I read it at home so used the print version.

Movin' On Up

Josh Drobnyk (the only one of the three bloggers at Pennsylvania Avenue who seems to have any familiarity with a comb -- look at the photos) reports that two of our suburban Philadelphia congressional representatives are moving up, or hope to.

Patrick Murphy (D-08) has expressed interest in being a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Allyson Schwartz (D-13) is now a vice chair of the centrist New Democratic coalition, made up of 71 House members. According to Schwartz's press release:

NewDems are expected to play a pivotal role in healthcare reform in the coming Congress. As a co-chair of the NewDems Healthcare Task Force, Schwartz has already played a lead role for the NewDems on healthcare, and is expected to continue this role.

“Healthcare, healthcare, healthcare – it is the common denominator of all the economic and social issues facing our nation. I am a firm believer that the NewDems will champion the necessary reform of our healthcare system in the coming Congress, and I look forward to leading that effort. Families, businesses and government can no longer sustain out-of-control costs. A first step will be to pass a comprehensive children’s health plan to ensure working families can afford healthcare for their children. We must then work with the new Administration to provide all Americans with market-based quality, affordable healthcare,” said Schwartz.

Members of the Coalition voted unanimously to approve the new slate. Elections took place at the Coalition’s organizational retreat on Tuesday in the Capitol, during which the NewDems also inducted 15 newly elected Members. The new Members bring the group’s total to 71 Members.

The New Democrat Coalition, always leaders on the economy and innovation, is committed to enacting policies that maintain U.S. competitiveness, meet the challenges posed by globalization in the 21st Century and strengthen our national security.

The Coalition currently operates three task forces dealing with Financial Services, Healthcare and Energy issues. The NewDems are dedicated to providing the leadership necessary to implement policies that will ensure that America rebuilds its prosperity and global leadership.

Product Design Flaw

Every now and then you see a product on the market and wonder how it managed to get out of the design stage. This is one of them:

Light up your front yard, porch, patio, driveway, business, organization or church this holiday season with a stunning Christmas cross.

This beautiful Christmas Cross is 5.5 feet tall, with 210 individual ultra bright lights.

Yes, that's right, you can have a faux burning cross on your lawn that is taller than I am. For those lacking imagination, there is a photo on the American Family Association's website.

As this was being discussed didn't someone somewhere suggest that it might call up some unpleasant memories for a few people?

[Found on twitter, h/t BE]

Tom Ferrick on Philadelphia's Libraries

Tom Ferrick, formerly of the Inky and now writing for WHYY has a great blog post on It's Our City. Read "Waging Class Warfare Over Public Libraries." Here's how it starts:

To begin with, libraries are not libraries. They are sanctuaries.

This is especially true in big cities, where life can be hard and the streets mean. They are places for latchkey children to go after school. They are destinations for the elderly to ease the loneliness that sometimes comes with old age. They are warm in the winter, cool in the summer, usually genial and safe havens.
So, anyone who sees libraries simply as a dispenser of books misses the point.

He looks at the economic status of the areas where libraries are slated for closure.

Arianna Huffington's First US Visit

From "The Oracle" by Lauren Collins, New Yorker 10/13/08 (p. 128), a profile of Arianna Huffington:

The first time Huffington came to America, she found herself in York, Pennsylvania. She was fifteen, and a summer exchange student.

who knew?

A Few State House Thoughts

Even those who claim to have little interest in what happens politically at the state level need to pay some attention to it.

The Thicket, a blog from the National Council of State Legislators, has an interesting post pointing out that half of the U.S. Congress once served in state legislatures.

Knowing the future of our Congress is incubating in Harrisburg is not always a comforting thought. Reading that Bill DeWeese has decided not to seek re-election as House Majority Leader kicks the confidence factor up a few notches (see "DeWeese to surrender post as House leader," by Mario Cattabiani and Angela Couloumbis, Inky 11/15).

Now if only we could get the House Journal published with less of a time lag -- it currently takes 6 months (yes, half a year), for the House Journal to show up on the state legislative website. And there's no index so if you want to know what your legislator said on the House floor or what was said on a particular subject you have to read it page by page day by day. With a 6 month delay.

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.

PA Politicians

Philadelphia Major Michael Nutter does the honors this week. He went to Washington, as outlined in “Cash-strapped big cities seek TARP funds to stimulate local economies,” by Kris Maher and Paulo Prada 11/15

PA Businesses

Two mentions of Toll Brothers. The firm gets a passing mention in ”U.S. steps up help for homeowners,” by Damian Poletta, Jessica Holzer, and Ruth Simon, 11/12. It is the focus of “Toll Brothers sales sink to new low,” by Michael Corkery 11/12

Brookville Equipment Corp of Brookville, PA is mentioned in “Mass-transit projects fared surprisingly well as voters preferred new taxes to higher gas prices,” by Christopher Conkey and Paul Glader 11/12. The company expects sales to double this year.

S&T Bankcorp of Indiana, PA and Susquehanna Bancshares of Lititz are mentioned in “Banks wage rate war for deposits,” by David Enrich 11/14

Other PA

Dr. Charles Brooks of Allentown is mentioned in “Another ‘safe’ bet leaves many burned,” by Eleanor Laise 11/11

University of Pennsylvania research (no names or details attached) is mentioned in “Taking the gross out of grocery cart,” by Anne Marie Chaker 11/11

Two of the executives mentioned in “Inflated credentials surface in executive suite,” by Keith J. Winstein 11/13, have claimed degrees from Pennsylvania colleges that they did not actually earn.

Stephen Hoch of the Wharton School is quoted in “How it felt to be kicked by a running shoe,” by Neal Templin 11/13

Other Interesting Tidbits

Just of note: “Small firms get local loans,” by Anjali Cordeiro 11/11, on community banks.

Another interesting note: 8.2 cents of every retail dollar (other than cars) spent in the US last year was at a Wal-Mart of Sam’s Club last year; see “Wal-Mart flourishes as economy turns sour,” by Miguel Bustillo and Ann Zimmerman 11/14

Community Bank Stock Update

Last spring I wrote a long post on community banks in Pennsylvania. Reading about the banking crisis made me wonder how our local banks are doing. The Pennsylvania Association of Community Banks has a list of member banks. I pulled the names of all the banks in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, and then checked to see how many were traded on a stock exchange. There were nine that fit the criteria. Then I looked at those ticker symbols in The Motley Fool. Two banks on my list were not in MF so that left 7. Below you will find those seven banks, their ticker, the 52 week high and low (the high and low prices for the past year), and the current price as of close of trading today.

Abington Bank ABBC / $8.44 - $12.40 / $10.35

Harleysville National Bank & Trust Co. HNBC / $10.24 - $20.60 / $14.18

Bryn Mawr Trust Co BMTC / $16.13 - $28.21 / $19.01

Alliance Bank ALLB / $6.53 - $9.75 / $8.01

Beneficial Savings Bank BNCL / $8.73 - $14.64 / $11.85

Prudential Savings Bank PBIP / $8.32 - $13.00 / $10.00

Republic First Bank FRBK / $4.20 - $10.73 / $9.00

None of these banks are trading at their lowest price for the year and some are trading near the 52 week high. While the rest of the financial world is going someplace warm in a handbasket, local community banks seem to be holding their own. [Full Disclosure: My household owns a small amount of stock in one of these banks, which is one reason why I'm interested in the topic.]

Catherine Baker Knoll Dies

Capitol Ideas is reporting that Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll as died.

Knoll died Wednesday at approximately 6 p.m. at National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she was recovering from treatment for neuroendocrine cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, Knoll will be replaced as Lieutenant Governor by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Joseph B. Scarnati III (R-Jefferson).

Big Canvas Finale!!

From the inbox:

Love the arts?
Care about culture?
Worried about the economy?
Then join civic and elected leaders, along with citizens from all over the region, to craft an action plan to improve arts and culture throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The event is free and open to everyone.

Free parking and refreshments.
Register at www.GreatExpectationsNow.com.

Saturday
December 6
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Radisson Valley Forge
Hotel & Convention Center

Don’t have a car?
Don’t like to drive near the mall?
Sign up for the “Philly Van Go” trolley.
It will take you to the event and \ back, free of charge.
Multiple stops around Philadelphia.
For background on The Big Canvas project see the Web site.

See also Chris Satullo's column, "Help enliven the arts."