International House Philadelphia kicks off the nationally touring film series, ‘L.A. Rebellion: Creating a New Black Cinema’ this Saturday. The series comprises 12 programs of feature and short films that will be shown at IHP’s Ibrahim Theater (3701 Chestnut St) from Jan. 5-26.

The term “L.A. Rebellion” refers to a group of African and African-American student artists at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television who from the late 1960s to the late 1980s  created a unique cinematic landscape, as part of an ‘Ethno-Communications’ initiative. Over the course of two decades students arrived, mentored one another, and passed the torch to the next group.

It is a carefully curated film exhibition that “offers a true window on the legacies of Black communities.”

The film showing at IHP is co-sponsored by Scribe Video Center. For information on film listings and screening schedules, visit: www.ihousephilly.org/events.

We often get asked about the status of many of the criminal cases we have reported. The following post is an update of some notable crime stories that have appeared in West Philly Local. There are likely some we have overlooked. If there is one that you are particularly concerned about, leave a comment and we will follow up. All of the courtrooms mentioned are in the Criminal Justice Center, 13th and Filbert.

• Jerome Brooks

Brooks has been charged with murder and related offenses after he allegedly ran down 52-year-old Deanna Teal in early December on Chester Avenue near 49th Street. Teal was pronounced dead at the scene. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22 in courtroom 306.

• Armen “Gooch” Terzian

Terzian, co-owner of Cafe Clave on the 4300 block of Locust Street, faces charges of ethnic intimidation, possession of an instrument of crime, terroristic threats and simple assault following an incident outside the cafe in November. The most serious charge, aggravated assault, has been withdrawn. His trial is scheduled to begin today, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. in room 706.

• Torin Myer

Myer was arrested last May and charged with robbing Green Line Cafe locations on Locust Street and Lancaster Avenue (twice) and the Chipotle Restaurant on the 3900 block of Walnut Street. Myer, 23, pleaded guilty to several charges and on December 20 was sentenced to two-and-a-half to five years in prison and mandatory drug and alcohol treatment.

• Wesley Crawford and Raphael Zappala

Crawford and Zappala were arrested last January and accused of taking part in running a large LSD ring out of a home on the 4800 block of Florence St.

Crawford faced 15 charges related to the operation. In September he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to manufacture and deliver narcotics, a count of conspiracy to manufacture and a count of criminal use of a communication facility. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29 in courtroom 705.

Zappala, who faced 12 charges, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and was sentenced on Sept. 25 to one year probation.

• James Lippert and David Eisenstadt

Lippert and Eisenstadt, both 50, were arrested in late June in connection with an alleged marijuana growing operation run out of a home at 1123 S. 48th Street in June. Witnesses at the time said they saw police remove several garbage bags and planting pots from the home.

Lippert was charged with possession with intent to manufacture and deliver, possession of marijuana and two related charges. His next court appearance is a pre-trial conference scheduled for Jan. 17 in courtroom 705.

Eisenstadt faced a similar list of charges. The case against him was dismissed in November for lack of evidence.

• Amin Gibbs

Gibbs was arrested on Dec. 4 and charged with the Nov. 17 murder of 22-year-old student Zykia Sanders. Sanders was shot outside of the West Park Apartments near 45th and Market. Gibbs is scheduled to appear Feb. 19 in courtroom 306 at 9 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

• Hakim Benson

Benson was arrested Oct. 5 and charged with a dozen gunpoint robberies in West and Southwest Philadelphia, including the Sept. 28 armed robbery of the CVS at 4849 Market St. Benson, 20, pleaded guilty on Dec. 19 to robbery and gun charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22 at 8 a.m. in courtroom 705.

– Mike Lyons

A car fire stopped traffic near 40th and Walnut streets this afternoon. A reader, James, took these photos shortly before 3 p.m. after the fire had been put out. James said that several streets were closed due to the incident. We’re trying to get more information on what happened and if anyone was injured.

Photos by James Buckley.

The District Attorney’s Office today withdrew attempted murder and related charges against 16-year-old Eric Early, who was arrested with his brother Matthew in connection with the Dec. 12 shooting at the 46th Street El, which was caught on surveillance video.

Eric Early, who turned 17 a few days after the shooting, was charged as an adult. The shooting made national headlines. Surveillance video from the train and at the station shows both brothers in an argument with an older man in a Chicago Bulls hat. The argument was reportedly over the Bulls-76ers game earlier that night at the Wells Fargo Center. Police say surveillance video shows that, after exiting the train, Matthew Early turned and fired one shot from a handgun, striking the man in the stomach and another man in the leg.

Matthew Early is charged with attempted murder and gun-related charges. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 1006. He is currently being held in lieu of $2.5 million bail. Matthew turned 18 two days before the shooting.

– Mike Lyons

As the Philadelphia City Planning Commission continues working on a new District Plan for West Philly neighborhoods as part of the Philadelphia 2035 plan, area community associations are asking residents to provide input on how they envision their neighborhood in the future. This Saturday (Jan. 5), Garden Court Community Association is holding a meeting for Garden Court residents (45th St. to 52nd St., Locust St. to Cedar Ave) where the University City Southwest 2035 plan will be reviewed. The meeting will be held from 12-2 p.m. at 4725 Chestnut (Community College of Philadelphia) and lunch will be served.

Here’s the GCCA announcement:

GCCA will be asking for residents’ input on the following two topics:

1. Five Redevelopment Areas for University City Southwest

The Philadelphia Planning Commission has identified five areas to target for redevelopment in University City Southwest:

40th Street Station Area
46th and Market Streets
Baltimore Avenue (west of 50th)
Woodland Avenue
Lower Schuylkill Development Site

2. Garden Court Neighborhood

As surrounding areas develop, what do residents hope will stay the same about Garden Court? Let GCCA know what features give the neighborhood its character and what you would like to preserve and what you would like to improve.

Please RSVP to GCCA Zoning Chair Mariya Khandros at: mariya.khandros@gmail.com.

FYI, the 2nd public meeting on the University Southwest District Plan will take place Wednesday, Jan. 23 at Kingsessing Recreation Center. More information is coming soon.

Happy New Year, everyone! Now many of you will start thinking about what to do with your Christmas tree. Of course, you can just take it outside on your trash pick-up day and it will be collected by the city. But, if you want to get rid of your tree in a more eco-friendly way, here are some options.

– Christmas Tree and Electronics Recycling Day – Saturday, Jan. 5

Bring your tree to Clark Park (43rd & Chester) on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and it will be turned into wood chips instead of landfill. The mulch produced from the recycled trees will be used in neighborhood parks and gardens. Suggested donation is $10 per tree which will go to support UC Green and its neighborhood greening efforts. For more information, please contact Sue MacQueen at 215-573-4684 or suemacqueen@ucgreen.org.

You can also drop off your used household electronics, including computers and anything else with a plug! This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of any potentially harmful materials. For more information, contact Seth Budick at 215-243-0555 or seth@universitycity.org. 

– If you want to keep your tree a little longer please keep in mind that the Streets Department starts accepting trees for composting and mulching beginning Monday, Jan. 7. You can drop off your tree at one of sanitation convenience centers through Saturday, Jan. 19. The Southwest Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Center is located at 3033 S. 63rd St., near Passyunk Ave. For more information call 215-685-4290 or visit this page.