November 2004
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter President’s Message: Join a CPN Committee and Get In The Zone! he leaves are falling, the kids are in T school, and the agenda is full for the next three months. Who knows how you will get though the holidays? Well, I have a suggestion. Get involved in Cedar Park! Many CPN committees need a helping hand. The Crime and Safety Committee is dedicated to keeping your neighbors safe, and informed on crime. The Park Improvement Committee and Greening efforts help beautify the ’hood. If green is not your scene, then how about clean? Join the Focus on Committees The heart and soul of Cedar Park Neighbors lies in the hard work of the CPN committees. Committees are groups of CPN members, organized by interest, who focus on single issues related to our association’s mandate. The committees function at
Clean-up Committee and help wipe out grime! If crime and grime is not your forte, what about education? The Education committee needs PhDs, MDs, MOMs, DADs and GRADs to guide our youth to a better future. If that is too highbrow, why not get into the zone? The Zoning Committee needs volunteers to make sure homes and businesses are up to code! If you think your life is hectic now, just try turning it over to a committee! Join a CPN committee and get help figuring it all out.
various levels of energy and activity depending on the level of commitment and time each and every member can give. This fall the CPN board has made a commitment to revitalizing our committees. In the coming weeks you may be asked to get involved (or re-involved) in
one of them. On page 2 is a list of the committees that will be meeting in the coming weeks. Please consider joining one or more committees. We need you—and you may be surprised by what you learn and what you will want to contribute! Jim Kurtz, Membership Chair
Lisa Johanningsmeier CPN President
Save the Date:
General Membership Meeting Wednesday, December 1, 7pm Calvary Chapel 48th & Baltimore
Cedar Park Fair Tim Tanzania was one of many fine musicians who entertained the hundreds of neighbors and friends who came to the annual Cedar Park Fair on Saturday, September 25. Were you there? Look inside for your photo on pages 4-5!
photo by Judy Lamirand
Calendar of Committee Meetings All committee meetings, unless stated otherwise, will be held at 7:30 pm at Calvary Community Center, 48th and Baltimore Avenue, in the CPN office on the second floor. Enter through small side door on Baltimore Avenue.
Thursday, October 28 Park Improvement Committee
Wednesday, November 10 Block Organizing Committee
Thursday, November 11 Scholarship Fund Committee
Thursday, November 4 Holiday Baskets Committee
Wednesday, November 10 Cedar Park Fair Committee 7 pm, Abbraccio Restaurant 47th & Warrington Avenue
Wednesday, November 17 Crime and Safety Committee
Saturday, November 6, Greening in Cedar Park Bulb planting in Memorial Garden, 49th and Baltimore, 10:00 am-noon
Thursday, November 11 Membership Committee noon, location TBA
Thursday, November 18 Property/Housing Task Force Monday, November 22 Zoning Committee
Directory of CPN Committees and Contact People Block Organizing Maureen Tate 215-726-8664 tatemch@aol.com Structures communication with Block leaders/captains in order to share information, address common concerns, and support local problem solving and community building. Block Improvement Grants Lydia Fisher 215-726-6965 lydiaf@sas.upenn.edu Works with interested blocks to identify block improvement greening projects and helps block leaders to apply for CPN Block Grants and successfully implement projects. Cedar Park Fair Wayne Marquardt 215-476-1258 waynerx@aol.com Prepares and executes annual Fall Fair in Cedar Park. Fall meeting will focus on evaluation of recently successfully completed CPN Fair and planning for next year.
Crime and Safety Karen Allen kallenatty@msn.com Patty Bulack 215-724-2863 Monitors and responds to crime and safety concerns within Cedar Park through community education and effective communication with law enforcement and community safety agencies. Greening Jim Kurtz 215-724-0399 jimhuong@yahoo.com Encourages and provides practical support for physical improvement of blocks in Cedar Park with priority given to planting and maintenance of street trees and beds, front yards and sidewalk landscapes. Members interested in greening are encouraged to support new greening efforts at Cedar Park (see Park Improvement) and participate in tree planting in collaboration with UC Green and Cross-Baltimore Tree Tenders.
Clean-up Committee Lisa Johanningsmeier 215-724-1454 lisaj@enter.net
Holiday Baskets Nancy Chapin-Freeman 215-724-1824
Encourages community residents and businesses to keep the Cedar Park community clean.
Distributes food baskets and greetings to families in need in the Cedar Park community during the Holiday season.
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Membership Jim Kurtz 215-724-0399 jimhuong@yahoo.com Maintains membership records, encourages membership in CPN among households and businesses and works coordinates effective involvement of members in the association. Scholarship Fund Maureen Tate 215-726-8664 tatemch@aol.com Raises funds, solicits applications and grants scholarship assistance to college-bound students who live within the Cedar Park boundary. Zoning Lisa Johanningsmeier 215-724-1454 lisaj@enter.net Carol Walker 215-474-8505 53carol3@verizon.net Addresses zoning matters in Cedar Park by monitoring zoning notices, providing community education and information, intervening in zoning disputes and representing CPN and residents to city officials.
Crossroads Project Park Improvement Maureen Tate 215-726-8664 tatemch@aol.com Planning a full renovation of Cedar Park for the mutual enjoyment of all residents as one component of the CPN Crossroads Project. Greening in Cedar Park Holman Massey 215-474-4782 masseyfam@dca.net As part of Park Improvement Project, coordinates greening activities within “Cedar Park� at 49th and Baltimore. Fall bulb planting at Cedar Park Memorial Garden and Traffic Triangle. Property/Housing Task Force Maureen Tate 215-726-8664 tatemch@aol.com A work group established to study and strategize how to address issues of vacant land and property within the Crossroads zone (49th and Baltimore Ave.) and to explore ways to support property owners in maintaining and improving deteriorating property.
Scholarship Update: Successful Program Seeks New Leadership and Funds By Maureen Tate n last month’s CPN newsletter we Ischolarship published brief bios of this year’s seven recipients. It is a privilege to recognize their accomplishment and support their ambition. They give us hope for the future, and we wish them well. A recent report presented to the CPN Board by Scholarship Chair Gary Bronson indicated solid support for the scholarship program, evidenced by a steady increase in member contributions. In 2004 alone members contributed an impressive $2,195, close behind an annual record of $2,685 set in 1998. An expanded outreach effort resulted in a record number of applications received this year. CPN Scholarships were begun with and supported by funds generated from CPN’s bimonthly plastic recycling program. An annual Scholarship Fund Solicitation of CPN members is the other primary source of funds for the program. Income from plastic recycling enabled CPN to maintain a Scholarship Reserve Fund to augment income from recycling and members solicitation to fund the annual awards. Due to the significantly reduced market value of recycled plastics in recent years, the Recycling Program no longer receives income from plastic recycling. Paper recycling, however, continues to generate income that supports other CPN programs such as greening activities, park improvements and cleaning, etc. Despite increases in member contributions, the loss of plastic recycling income has depleted the Scholarship Reserve Fund to an all-time low. The reserve is no longer sufficient to maintain CPN scholarships in the number or amount that have been granted annually. The CPN Board recognizes the importance of the Scholarship Program and has taken up the challenge to secure adequate funding to continue the awards program and to support the development of the Scholarship Committee. Current chair, Gary Bronson, has provided exemplary leadership throughout most years of the Program, begun in 1989 by former CPN President Fred Wolf. In its 16 years, 34 students have received 71 awards totalling $36,350. It is a wonderful tribute to Gary and his committee
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as well as CPN members for their generosity. Gary has recently announced to the Board his desire to step down as Chair of the Scholarship Committee in order to encourage new leadership for the future. In his report Gary identified three priorities for the Board’s consideration: identify a new Chair; explore additional sources of funds either within current CPN sources of income or new sources; and reach out to identify worthy applicants at West Philadelphia High School, who have not taken advantage of the program in the past. We now extend the challenge to CPN members to help us to continue this great effort. We are looking for one more individuals to co-chair the Scholarship Committee. The new co-chair will have a-one year orientation to the committee under Gary’s tutelage. We also want to secure funding for future scholarships. We ask all members to consider the following: • Would you like to establish an annual scholarship as a tribute to a loved one who has passed away? This year scholarships were awarded in the amount of $600. • Are you a business that can sponsor one scholarship annually? • Are you retired, with some savings, and would you consider becoming a benefactor and personal support to one of our college bound residents? • Would you like to make a contribution by supporting the work of the committee? The work consists of clearly delineated tasks such as: notifying schools and other outlets about the program in the Fall, mailing member solicitations in the Spring, responding to inquiries from students for applications, reviewing applications and deciding upon awards, reminding present recipients to reapply annually if they have maintained grades specified within scholarship guidelines. • Do you have a fundraising idea to generate additional funds? For further information or to speak with someone about your interest in the Scholarship Program, please contact Maureen Tate 215-726-8664 or tatemch@aol.com
November 2004
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Cedar Park Fair: Neighbors Fill Park for Music, Food, Fun, and Prizes By Wayne Marquardt, Cedar Park Fair Co-Chair aturday, September 25 was a beautiful S and sunny day, perfect for the annual Cedar Park Fair. Hundreds of neighbors and friends of Cedar Park turned out to sample food from the Fire House Market and Sugar Hill Bakery. More than a dozen vendors sold products ranging from children’s books, health and food products to antiques, jewelry and clothing. Many people took time to stop by tables offering information on banking, housing, city services, real estate, and community efforts. There was a palm reader and voter registration information. But the day’s highlights were the children’s activities and the entertainment. Youngsters played volleyball, got their faces painted, created works of art at the crafts tables and worked off excess energy in the Moonbounce. Entertainment included country, jazz and folk music, African dancing, an African instruments demonstration, dancers from Gwendolyn Bye Dance School, and a teen rap performance by the homegrown Catharine Street Thoroughbreds. Between events raffle tickets were drawn. See page 5 for the list of prizes, donated by local establishments, and lucky winners.
The fair received major corporate sponsorship from Commerce Bank and Central City Toyota as well as support from local sponsors, Urban and Bye Realtors, Peggy Stamos, Realtor with Common Ground Realtors, O’Donnell Real Estate, Goffredo Plumbing and Heating, Louis Starkman Company, Firehouse Market and the University City Review. Many thanks to the planning committee members who made the fair a reality: Roger Harman and Wayne Marquardt, co-chairs; Nancy Chapin and Monica Allison, children’s activity organizers; Jim Kurtz, volunteer coordinator; Peggy Stamos, corporate support solicitor; Marianne Valentino, vendor table organizer; and Maureen Tate, entertainment coordinator.
Gwendolyn Bye Dancers
We thank the volunteers from St. Francis de Sales Youth Group and Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity for helping with children’s activities. Thanks also to all the neighbors on Catharine Street for sharing electricity, moving cars, and allowing us to close off the street for the children’s activities. Special thanks to the young people from the block who help us set up tables! All monies raised at the fair will help support the programs and projects sponsored by Cedar Park Neighbors.
Neighborhood children enjoyed crafts and activities organized by Nancy Chapin (center photo) and Monica Allison (right photo). Page 4
CPN Newsletter
Thank You, Raffle Prize Donors and Congratulations, Winners! University of Pennsylvania (“Penn Presents”… Marsha Graham Dancers) Kovich Family University of Pennsylvania (“Penn Presents”… Les Grandes Ballet) Nancy Chapin-Freeman University of Pennsylvania Athletic Department (4 tickets each Penn F-ball/B-ball) Alice Moyer Nicole’s Gifts-Jewelry-Cards (jewelry box) Shatzer & Sheridan Law Office Marigold Kitchen (certificate) Mrs. Marshall Holroyd and Donnon Electrical Contracting (certificate for work) Clinton Mumford
Officer Stacey Livingston
Catharine Street Thoroughbreds
Wayne’s Garage (certificate for oil change) Joyce Ford Saturn Club (haircut/manicure) Karen Gaines Bennie’s Barbershop (haircut) Tina Davis Fu Wah Market (certificate for goods) Florine Mumford
Thanks to fair sponsors Chris O’Donnell (left) and Commerce Bank!
Mad Mex Restaurant (certificate) Will McFarlane Cavanaugh’s Restaurant (certificate) Marianela Kramer White Dog Café/Black Cat (one certificate each) David Lai
Fair co-chairs Wayne Marquardt (left) and Roger Harman (right)
Allegro Pizza (certificate) Hoa Tran
Alice Moyer Chiropractic (adjustment for cat/dog) Romeo Smith Zocalo Restaurant (certificate) Wayne’s Garage Dahlak Restaurant (certificate) Tina Davis Sugar Hill Bakery (pound cake) Daffney Clark Metropolitan Bakery (certificate) Laura McHugh Bubble House (certificate) Universal Real Estate New Deck Tavern (certificate) Ben King Abbraccio (certificate) Cernansky Family African Culture Center (T-shirt) Dot Crowder African Culture Center (wooden Unity Mask) Universal Real Estate African Culture Center (Art Museum Reception) Cernansky Family Vientiane Café (certificate) Joan Wells Mexican Post Restaurant (certificate) David Lai Mexican Post Restaurant (certificate) Devon Gooden …and thanks to other friends who donated raffled items too numerous to list here! November 2003
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In Memory of Mrs. Annie Canty rs. Annie Canty departed this life M on Friday, September 24, 2004. She was born on January 4, 1925, in North Carolina. She attended the Pender County Training School and Fayetteville State Teachers College. Annie moved to Philadelphia in the 1940s and married James Canty. They had two children, the late Rickey Canty and Roxanne DeVane. Annie joined the White Rock Baptist Church where she was very active in youth development and community outreach programs. In the early 1970s, Annie, along with many other dedicated people, helped to create the Crisis Intervention Network, a youth violence prevention and control program. She was a supervisor there until she retired in 1991. Annie’s many organizational affiliations reflect her dedication to community involvement and her passion to help others. They included but are not limited to: Philadelphia Urban League, Philadelphia NAACP, Cedar Park Neighbors, West Philadelphia High School Student Government Parent Council, and the Community Outreach Crisis Prevention Program. Annie was active in Cedar Park Neighbors and served as its President from 1986 to 1988. During her tenure Annie worked to transform the formerly abandoned Firehouse into the Firehouse Market, a great community resource. Annie taught and nourished many. She excelled at everything she did. She was a woman of great knowledge, wisdom, honesty and integrity. Annie was truly a person to admire and emulate, and she will be missed by many. Cedar Park is a better community because of what she shared with us as neighbor, block captain, community leader and woman of great faith. From Carol Walker Mrs. Annie Canty lived on our block for many, many, years. She raised her children on Hazel Avenue and was my predecessor as block captain. She labored tirelessly, taking the children on trips, tutoring them, beautifying the block and making sure that neighbors got out to vote. If she were here today, she would be knocking on doors telling people that voting is a privilege,
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and that we cannot take that privilege for granted. I can hear her now, she was the “Fannie Lou Hamer” of West Philadelphia: “Black people died so that we can vote today—and SHAME ON YOU IF YOU DO NOT VOTE!” Mrs. Canty was a committed civil rights worker who participated in the struggle for equal rights and justice for Black people since she was a child. She was one of the founders of the Farmer’s Market at 5000 and Baltimore Avenue. She, along with a few neighbors thought a Farmers Market would be good for the neighborhood. Her idea was brilliant! The Farmer’s Market is alive and well today because of her vision. She loved her neighbors and always was willing to lend a helping hand or a kind word. She was a “stateswoman” who would gladly give words of wisdom and inspiration to any one who was in need of encouragement. The 5000 block of Hazel Avenue will miss Annie Canty’s wisdom and her ability to tell us of our past, so our future would be easier. Mrs. Canty and her generation bore a heavy burden so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today. From Beth Showell Annie was a go getter who would not take “NO” for an answer. She worked for the city of Philadelphia and had a lot of ‘inroads’ and ‘connections’ that she used, however sparingly! From Jo-Ann Verrier I was a young, naive, new member of the community when I had the privilege of working on the CPN Board under Annie Canty. My beliefs that people can work together through just about any challenge were supported by Annie Canty—and challenged by her as well. She, too, thought we could do great things together, but she was careful to point out that we might not do them with the same style or in the same language. I learned a lot in the years I had the opportunity to work with Annie, and they were some of the most important lessons of my life. And, under her leadership, we did work through challenges; her work has had a lasting and positive imprint on our neighborhood.
Annie Canty 1925-2004
Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal ___ New Member ___ Renewal
Cedar Park Neighbors welcomes your participation. Please check your areas of interest and return the form to CPN, Calvary Community Center, 4740 Baltimore Ave, Phila, PA 19143 _____ Block Organizing _____ Neighborhood Clean-up Committee
___ $7 Individual
_____ Cedar Park Fair
___ $10 Household (2 persons or more)
_____ Community Development _____ Newsletter (writing, publishing, delivery)
___ $20 Business
_____ Education
_____ Recycling Project
___ $5 Senior/Student/Unemployed
_____ Fundraising
_____ Scholarship Fund Committee
___ $30 Sponsor
_____ Greening Activities
_____ Website
Enclosed is my additional contribution
_____ Holiday Baskets
_____ Zoning Committee
of $________________________
_____ Membership Committee
YES, I want to make Cedar Park a better place. My annual Cedar Park Neighbors membership dues are enclosed.
_____ Neighborhood Safety
Name Address Phone Email ____ I would like a free CPN T-shirt with my renewal of $30 or more. Adult Size: ___M ___L ___XL
Greetings from a Good Neighbor: Sean Joe and Family on the Move By Sean Joe, former CPN Vice-President oing from the elegant and diverse G Victorian character of wonderful Cedar Park to suburban life in the Ann
In July, the Cedar Park Neighbors Board was disappointed to learn that we would lose Vice-President Sean Joe, due to a career move from the University of Pennsylvania to the University of Michigan. Sean sends greetings to Cedar Park and reflects on his time living and working here. We miss him. Board member Maureen Tate is filling his vacated Vice-President position.
Arbor area has been a sad, yet welcoming transition for me, my wife, Emanique, and our two boys. As many of you know, I have accepted a tenure-track assistant professor position at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, ranked the number one School of Social Work ten years running, with a joint appointment in the department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine. I am fortunate to join many of the leading scholars for the past thirty years, who have produced important research on African Americans. There is much I miss about Philadelphia, such as my colleagues at the University and dearest neighbors. Life in Cedar Park, and as a member of the board, was a rewarding experience. I credit living in Cedar Park and my involvement in the board for helping me to understand what it means to be a “good neighbor.”
On a more personal note, I ask you to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Emanique was diagnosed with breast cancer in July and is now doing well in her treatment. Our hopes are high and full remission is the prognosis. Emanique will continue to work on her PhD from Temple and hopes to complete her degree in 2006. Though the year ahead is mired by uncertainty, we are looking forward to contributing to the quality of neighborhood life and to raising our two boys. We look beyond the bitterness of current politics and remain certain that good leadership is out there—leadership that may not create national policies but will inspire local pride and maintain small green spaces. Leadership like that on Cedar Park’s board. I look forward to hearing about the continued development of Cedar Park, the Crossroads Project, and opportunities to support the positive development for young people in our neighborhood. You are exemplars of service and the power of organized people! November 2003
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Trolley Day Previews Proposed Trolley Loop through University City Eli Massar, Baltimore Avenue Corridor Manager, UCD
alternate to total dependency on the automobile and fossil fuels to:
n Saturday, October 16th, 1100 resiO dents, visitors, returning Penn alumni, and trolley enthusiasts rode three newly
Get home or to work; pick up the groceries; mail a letter; visit the doctor or dentist; take the pet to the vet; rent a room; get to church; buy some bread; get to the bank; pick up the kids; get to school or day care; have brunch; get to a Philly Car Share; buy a house; hear a talk; buy a book; take out a pizza; get the best haircut in the city; eat burritos, gyros, injera, pad thai, fettucine alfredo, chicken tandouri and anything Kamul cooks; visit a friend; get to a meeting; take in a museum; buy plants and flowers; stock up on cat litter; pick up dinner-to-go, go into town, in short, to access and enjoy the myriad of amenities along the extensive still existing streetcar track system that promises a 21st-century solution to meeting the urban transportation needs of University City’s diverse, but often separated, communities. It could also serve as the life blood for economic redevelopment of UC’s major commercial corridors,
renovated 1930’s era PCC trolleys on a loop connecting fifteen stops along 40th St., Baltimore Avenue, and throughout the neighborhood. Along the route, which ran every twenty minutes, people enjoyed local restaurants, bakeries, historic tours, art shows, museum exhibits, book sales, and tree planting events. Long advocated by the University City Historical Society, Cedar Park Neighbors, and University City District, among many others, with limited additional track construction, a permanent trolley loop could link Powelton, Lancaster Avenue, Penn’s University Square, 40th Street, Baltimore Avenue, and surrounding neighborhoods. For more details, please see www.uchs.net. While we will work to see that this year’s UC Trolley Day becomes a regular seasonal event, it can preview the construction of a permanent University City Streetcar Trolley Loop. Operating night and day, seven days a week, it could provide, for both residents and visitors alike, an
If you support these objectives, please let us know by dropping a line or an email to UCHS, P.O. Box 31927, 19104 or info@uchs.net.
The November Issue of Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter is generously supported by the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union.
Chris O’Donnell & family disembark from the 1930s PCC Trolley at 49th & Baltimore Avenue.
November 2004
c/o Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143
CPN Mission Statement: Cedar Park Neighbors is an association of diverse households and businesses based in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the association shall be to foster collaboration among all persons living and working in the Cedar Park neighborhood, to promote community development, to provide a forum for communication and community education, to respond to neighborhood concerns and to advocate for and promote the general welfare of the Cedar Park community. Newsletter Editors: Maureen Tate & Judy Lamirand Newsletter Design: Judy Lamirand, Parallel Design To Contact Cedar Park Neighbors or submit Newsletter items: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-531-4147
University City District Appeal
Crossroads Music Series in November
hat a year! Have you noticed greener W landscapes, fun, new restaurants, great new businesses, and more people on
Saturday, November 6 7:30 p.m. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer “Cathy and Marcy are at home in a dozen musical styles. They swing you, jazz you, and old timey you till you just give up and bliss out.” — Tom Paxton
the streets? University City District (UCD) is proud to have played a role in each of these neighborhood improvements, but we need your support so we can continue to maintain open spaces, provide Bike Patrol Ambassadors, clean sidewalks, support local businesses, encourage community collaborations and promote arts, dining and culture in University City.
Saturday, November 13 7:30 p.m. Po’ Girl Vagabond lullabies, hobo-poetry, inner-city blues.
Unlike other special services districts, UCD levies NO mandatory real-estatetax-based contributions. We are 100% dependent on volunteer contributions from the businesses, institutions, and residents like you, who enjoy and choose to support our services. Therefore we need your assistance in broadening our funding base and making UCD a sustainable organization.
Saturday, November 20 7:30 pm DJ Victrola Early 20th century records played on original mechanical gramophone Artist TBA (Old-school hip-hop) DJ Robot Rake (Electronic digital music)
Send your donation to University City District, 3940-42 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104; call 215-243-0555; or visit www.ucityphila.org.
Crossroads concerts are held at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 48th & Baltimore Avenue. For more info call215-729-1028 or visit www.crossroads.calvary-center.org.
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CPN Board President Lisa Johanningsmeier Vice-President James R. Kurtz Maureen Tate Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind Treasurer Karen Allen Directors Monica Allison Bilal Bell Patty Bulack Eric Grau Judy Lamirand James D. Lander Rickey Lee Wayne Marquardt Reggie Morgan Chima Murphy Orji Emma Paden Joanne Pham Jerlee Rhodes Josh Sevin David Timoney