News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday January 11th 2026
“White Bronze” Monument claimed to “Bridge” centuries
One look at Mary Cook”'s 128 year old marker here shows that many of the manufacturer”'s claims”“doesn”'t crumble, repels moss, remains legible”“turned out to be true. The zinc has oxidized and has turned the marker a beautiful shade of pale blue. “White Brass” or zinc”'s distinctive blue color and the sharp detail made possible by casting rather than carving, make the markers beautiful.
by Sue Hunter Weir-83rd in a Series
When Sylvester Cook needed to buy a headstone for his wife, Mary, he wanted one that was beautiful and that would last. He took the somewhat unusual step of ordering a marker for her from the Monumental Brass Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Despite the company”'s name, the marker he bought isn”'t made of brass; it is made of zinc, a much less expensive metal that Monumental Brass, for marketing purposes, advertised as “White Bronze.”
Between 1874 and 1914, Monumental Brass was the only company in the United States that manufactured cast zinc markers. They offered their customers hundreds of styles to choose from, and customized the markers with zinc plates that attached to one of their standard marker styles. Customers ordered the markers from local sales representatives or from catalogs at prices ranging from $2.00 for a small marker to $5,000 for a large monument.… Read the rest ““White Bronze” Monument claimed to “Bridge” centuries”
CCC: “Snack Attack” a Cuisine Commentary by Courtney “Bridging” Sparse Budget and Appetite by “drizzle” and “slather” of inexpensive foods
By Courteny Algeo
Normally I write a monthly column for The Alley about great places to eat in the Phillips Neighborhood. While many of the restaurants are affordable, there are times that going out to eat just isn”'t in the budget, as is the case for me this month. So, instead of going out to get a delicious prepared snack, I thought I might write a little bit about some ways to treat yourself during the leaner times in life.
When my grandfather was still just a father, he and my grandmother (still just a mother) would skimp on their meals all week just so that every Friday they could have steak for dinner. Eating good foods is something that we all deserve, and should do every now and then to let ourselves know how proud we are of how hard we work. While I”'m not promoting eating a cake every day or something because you “deserve it,” treating yourself to a delicious snack can be one of the best ways to make a hard day worthwhile. But, how do you do this when there isn”'t a lot of money to go around frivolously buying succulent snacks and tasty treats all willy-nilly?… Read the rest “CCC: “Snack Attack” a Cuisine Commentary by Courtney “Bridging” Sparse Budget and Appetite by “drizzle” and “slather” of inexpensive foods”
Old Arizona: “Bridging” Community, Café, and Classroom
by Brittany Gilbertson, Lake Street Council Intern
“When we bought our building in the 1980”'s, this was the fourth leading corner for drug traffic and prostitution,” says Elizabeth Trumble, co-founder of 29th and Nicollet”'s Old Arizona, and Executive Director of the Arizona Bridge Project. “Each year, we saw the prostitutes getting younger and younger and our concerns for the girls in this neighborhood and others like it grew stronger.”
For the past 16 years, Old Arizona has been doing something about it. They have served over 1,800 inner city girls by providing free, after-school and summer arts programming, with an ever-evolving selection of classes and employment opportunities in a positive, supportive setting.
“Our concern for girls also arose from the lack of understanding in the juvenile system, a system that can be of concern in general but especially troublesome for girls. Girls have social needs not met by the justice system and their strong desire to belong to a group leads some girls to gangs and other unhealthy decisions,” says Trumble.
Throughout the years, youth programs at Old Arizona have offered a safe place for girls to belong and have provided a social setting where they are encouraged to follow their dreams and their voices are heard.… Read the rest “Old Arizona: “Bridging” Community, Café, and Classroom”
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