Walnut Hill: Sassy Club Swings

Step back, step front, switch the hip, side step and feet together. This is one dancing sequence taught at the Teen Ballroom class at Take the Lead Dancing Studios located on 4701 Pine Street.

Shuffling their feet across the floor, these 7th grade students have been dancing since 5th grade in the Dancing Classroom Philly Saturday Scholarship.

Dance instructor, Kate Rast, has been teaching ballroom dance for about five years. Yet, Rast has been dancing ballet and modern dance since she was three years old.

She enjoys watching the student’s progress with their dancing and comfort levels increase with one another. Their giggles and shyness is expected at the beginning, but the young dancers are gaining confidence in their moves.

“It’s tough for Fee-Fee being the only gentleman. Ladies have it easier,” Rast said.

Despite their initial fears, the young dancers are active in class and asking for help when needed. At times, they got tined up learning the waltz.

“Waltz is like your floating. You don’t want to make it sharp,” Rast said.

The last class for the spring semester is Saturday, May 8th. The students will show the simple two-step, graceful waltz and sassy club swings to their parents.

Trenae McDuffie, Walnut Hill

Walnut Hill: Reality of Rough Times

Making a critical decision to get a hair cut or pay a bill leaves many under close watch of how their money is spent. Current economic conditions are getting worse. Money has become tight for many people of Walnut Hill, but others have managed to find ways to modify budgets and create other economic opportunities.

Adam Mack works full time for the Johnson Security Co. The average age of a security guard at his company is 30 years old with a family to support. As contracts float away, downsizing within the company is evident.

“[Employees] are trying to make it. It’s a struggle for everybody. We don’t know [if] we are coming out this recession,” Mack said.

Mack acknowledged recuperation from this continually declining economy is not easy. He predicted recovery will take awhile.

“What are they going to do, sell cookies,” Mack said.

Baltimore Pet Shop owner, Courtney Tripp, has found a sweet solution within the tremendous economic gloom of the neighborhood. According to Tripp, since the store’s opening in November 2009, the shore has had great business.

“People thought I was crazy [to start a new business], but people love their pets,” Tripp said.

Nevertheless, Walnut Hill residents hope for relief.

Trenae McDuffie, Walnut Hill

Walnut Hill: Keeps Classics Fresh

Dizzy Gillespie, Steppenwolf, John Coltrane and Led Zeppelin records are pilled high at the Beautiful World Syndicate (BWS). This neighborhood records shop—located on 48th and Pine Streets—sells, buys and trades classic jazz, hip-hop, rhythm and blues and rock music. Prices range from $7 up to $19.99, but there is a selection of CDs that only cost $2.

In her collection of Salt-n-Pepa, Red Hot Chile Peppers, Rod Stewart and KISS, Mirra Watkins loves her bargains.

“They have reasonable prices. I would never [pay] regular price,” Watkins said.

John Yates, shop manager, wants to keep a flea market feel to the store.

“It’s easier to sell cheap stuff and make happy customers,” Yates said.

BWS has been opened for two and a half years. There is a sister shop in South Philadelphia located at 1619 East Passyunk Aveue—which has existed for almost a half a decade. Even though this location has been opened longer, Yates has more fun with the friendly customers of Walnut Hill.

Earth, Wind and Fire, Curtis Mayfield’s SuperFly and Santana posters cover the lime green walls. The shop organizes music as New Arrivals, Hip Hop Under tables, Jazz, R&B, Rock and Dance genres.

If you’re into Billy Preston, Doors and Elvis Costello shop by the shop Wednesdays to Sundays to grab some timeless tunes.

“This store is for college kids…and old ladies who are looking for jazz.”

Walnut Hill Gets a Sweet Visit

The rainbow sprinkles painted on the exterior of the white truck reminded me of an ice cream truck, but I did not hear the corny carnival songs.

The Buttercream Cupcake Company made a stop on Baltimore and Springfield Avenue.

The owner, Kate Carrera, known as the Cupcake Lady, used to be an attorney. She gathered up friends, bought an old mail truck and began to bake out of kitchens in Northern Liberties and in Manayunk.

One of her friends from San Francisco, Jamie Maser, has known Carrera for 12 years and his wife and daughter help with the baking.

"We enjoy bringing the cupcakes to the neighborhoods and my daughter is learning to take the money and break the change," Maser said.

Menu items include the Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Yellow Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Buttercream and the famous Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

So what attracted the Cupcake Truck to Walnut Hill?

Maser told me about a month ago, there were young sword fighters who played in Clark Park located on 43rd and Baltimore Avenue. These energetic warriors told Maser to bring the truck down on Saturdays for the weekly produce markets.

If people miss the truck in Walnut Hill, the truck makes stops all around Philadelphia. On Mondays the truck stops at Drexel University, Tuesdays at Jefferson Hospital, Wednesdays at University of Pennsylvania, Thursdays at Temple University and spends Fridays in Center City Philadelphia.

Do not worry about high prices either because all cupcakes cost $2. What a great deal for a fancy treat!

Trenae McDuffie, Group 35, Walnut Hill