PAC resumes meetings
After a five-month hiatus, the city’s Police Advisory Commission will resume its public meetings later this month.
Internal operational changes that have occurred since the July departure of PAC executive director William M. Johnson are expected to be discussed at the meeting.
“We’ll be introducing our interim executive director, Kelvyn Johnson, and releasing our strategic plans for the future,” said Ronda B. Goldfein, the PAC’s chair. “We’re enthusiastic about the PAC’s new direction, and our enhanced plans to serve all Philadelphians.”
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at 990 Spring Garden St., seventh floor.
Members of the general public are invited to attend, Goldfein added.
The PAC is a civilian-oversight agency that investigates citizens’ complaints of misconduct within the Philadelphia Police Department and makes recommendations for corrective action to the mayor, managing director and police commissioner.
Its highest-profile LGBT case involves Nizah Morris, a transgender woman discovered with a fatal head wound in 2003, shortly after she received a courtesy ride from Philadelphia police.
The PAC is expected to issue a report on the matter within the next few months.
Bucks County AIDS Walk
The 13th annual AIDS Walk sponsored by Fighting AIDS Continuously Together will kick off Sept. 23 in New Hope.
The 7-mile walk begins at the New Hope-Solebury High School, winds through the towns of Lambertville and Stockton in New Jersey, then returns to New Hope.
Proceeds will help people with HIV/AIDS in Bucks, Mercer and Hunterdon counties cover emergency expenses, including food, clothing and utility costs, said Cora R. Berke, a FACT board member.
“This fundraiser will help fulfill the emergency needs of so many people,” Berke said. “We’re setting a goal of raising $100,000.”
Registration will take place immediately prior to the walk, Berke said, and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
FACT is a nonprofit AIDS organization based in New Hope.
To donate or obtain an AIDS Walk pledge form, visit www.factbuckscounty.org.
— Tim Cwiek
Night out for DVLF
The LGBT happy hour Our Night Out will this month host LGBT grantmaking agency Delaware Valley Legacy Fund.
The social will be held 6-8 p.m. Sept. 18 at The Prime Rib, 1701 Locust St.
DVLF staffers and supporters will be on hand to share information about the agency, and guests can purchase tickets to the agency’s Dec. 1 TOY fundraiser.
Priest trial rescheduled
The sex-abuse trial of an Archdiocesan priest and lay teacher was rescheduled until next month.
The Rev. Charles Engelhardt and Bernard Shero will face trial Oct. 22, after their Sept. 4 trial was postponed following a death in the family of one of the defense attorneys.
Engelhardt and Shero are accused of abusing the same boy at St. Jerome’s in the Northeast in the 1990s.
Prosecutors said at a hearing last week that they are considering calling former priest Edward Avery, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to sex abuse of the same victim in the Engelhardt/Shero case, to testify in their trial as a witness. Avery is serving a prison sentence of up to five years.
At last week’s hearing, Common Pleas Court Judge Teresa Sarmina stepped down from the case because of upcoming homicide trials. Sarmina presided over this year’s landmark trial of Monsignor William Lynn and the Rev. James Brennan, in which Lynn became the first Archdiocesan official in the nation to be convicted for covering up sexual abuse.
The Engelhardt/Shero case will now be handled by Judge Ellen Ceisler.
Appeal in antigay attack
The man convicted of attacking his gay neighbor this spring has appealed the ruling.
Michael Marko last month was convicted of simple assault and making terroristic threats, and was sentenced to six months’ reporting probation. He has since filed an appeal and will face a hearing Sept. 17.
The charges stemmed from an April incident in which Marko pushed Fishtown neighbor Ed Unay and attempted to strike Unay with a griddle pan while using antigay language.
Marko was found not guilty of possession of an instrument of crime and reckless endangerment.
Answers for HIV+ seniors
The LGBT Elder Initiative will host a free forum on aging with HIV from 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 18 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
“HIV + Aging: What’s New” will explore tools that positive individuals can utilize to maximize their physical and emotional health as they age, including fitness, nutrition and cosmetic remedies.
Presenters include John Del Rossi, director of Rossi Wellness who has experience in cosmetic treatment for HIV-related appearance issues; Catherine Holdsworth, program director at Albert Einstein Medical Center’s Immunodeficiency Center; and Jo-Ellen Marks, certified physical fitness trainer at Optimal Sport Health Clubs.
Refreshments will be provided.
To register, call 267-546-3448 or email [email protected].
Adoption ins and outs
The National Adoption Center will share information for LGBT parents considering adoption at an LGBT Adoption Café from 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 20 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
The free event will include discussions with adoption professionals and current LGBT adoptive parents.
For more information or to RSVP, visit www.adopt.org.
— Jen Colletta