December 2005
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter President’s Message By Carol Walker, CPN President All of us during this Holiday Season have a lot to be thankful for including Cedar Park. As you look around our community you will notice subtle changes, and you find yourself Saying “isn’t that different, or wasn’t that there? Well, you would be right, improvements are happening, ones that you can see right off, and ones that you would have to investigate. Have you noticed Cedar Park, all shining with new curb trees? Have you checked out the new entrance? What about the facades of some of our business on Baltimore Avenue?
Reminder to all CPN Members:
PLEASE KEEP YOUR CPN MEMBERSHIP CURRENT! On the address label of your newsletter is the expiration date of your CPN membership. We are not anxious to take anyone off our rolls! Please send us a renewal coupon if you are late or soon to be late. See page 5 for details!
Then earlier this month on Saturday, November 5, 2005, Cedar Park sponsored a successful Block Conference at the African Cultural Center, 50th & Springfield Avenue. Mr. Chima Oji, (CPN member) opened his center to Cedar Park Neighbors, and many block captains, co-captains and interested neighbors came together to tackle challenges that all blocks have in common and how to better support and address those challenges. The Block Conference (catered by James Grill at the Firehouse much to the delight of everyone), was a success and will be held again in 2007. We will however be meeting quarterly to keep up our momentum and to make a difference in and on our respective blocks. So during this Holiday Season, when you are making your list, put down Cedar Park and plan in 2006 to join us, as we help you. Cedar Park is on the move, a lot is happening, come to our meetings, join a committee be apart and remember! Have a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season!
THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOOD GOING ON IN CEDAR PARK.
CEDAR PARK NEIGHBORS COMMUNITY MEETING: FIRE PREVENTION
Wednesday, December 7, 2005 // 7–9pm CALVARY COMMUNITY CENTER 48th & Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 Speaking will be Representatives from The Philadelphia Fire Department & American Red Cross, Southeastern PA Sadly, there have been many fires recently in our community, and we are concerned. Come out and learn more about fire prevention and how we as a community can respond to fires when they happen!
ALL ARE WELCOME!!! Let’s come out to make a difference and get informed!
CPN Block Leaders Conference By Maureen Tate, Block Organizing Committee On Saturday, November 5, some forty block leaders gathered at the African Cultural Center for the bi-annual CPN Block Leaders Conference. Carol Walker, CPN President and fellow Block Captain of the 5100 block of Hazel greeted participants and described CPN’s efforts to reach out to block leaders to share problems and work together for solutions that benefit the whole community. Our feature speaker was experienced Block Captain, Rosa Thomas, of the 5000 block of Walton Avenue. Rosa gave an inspiring testimony to the rewards and challenges of being a Block Captain and encouraged many with her hopeful spirit and enduring commitment to community building. There were speakers to inform participants of recent CPN efforts to address issues of concern to block leaders. Josh Schneider spoke about the CPN Property/ Housing Task Force and its work toward addressing the problem of abandoned and deteriorated properties. Lydia Fisher described the Block Improvement Grant Program which is available to CPN blocks to build community involvement through greening projects at the block level. Patty Bulack spoke about her efforts to revive the Crime and Safety Committee within CPN and successful strategies around crime awareness and prevention that she has employed in the area of 48th and Springfield.
A good part of the day was spent in discussion and work groups around how to organize blocks, abandoned property, crime and safety, greening projects and setting standards among residents on blocks. Cassandra Whiters, of The Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, gave the final presentation on the process to become a registered Block Captain with the City, organizing block clean-ups and other resources available through the City. The conference concluded with a delicious lunch catered by James Grill. We also wish to thank Chima Orji, owner of the African Cultural Center for his gracious hospitality and to Citizens Bank for funding this year’s conference as part of its Block Organizing Grant to CPN. We are looking forward to picking up on the momentum of the gathering with future quarterly meetings on issues of concern to block leaders.
If you would like further information on the CPN Block Organizing effort or would like to request a Block Organizers Kit, please contact Maureen Tate, 215.726.8664; tatemch@aol.com. Above, workshops at the conference. Top right: conference speaker Rosa Thomas
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CPN Newsletter
Exciting Volunteer Job Available: Coordinator of CPN sponsored recycling program at the Firehouse Get to know your Neighbors! Contribute to making our city a “greener place”! Help raise money for CPN! Job Description: Individual or group of individuals responsible to coordinate plastic and paper/cardboard recycling program of Cedar Park Neighbors in coordination with city special recycling program. ■
Coordinate space issues with Firehouse Owner
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Coordinate truck pick-up times with city recycling program
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Create a schedule of volunteers to help on recycling Saturdays
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Assure traffic flow at site
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Communicate with public regarding any changes in recycling policies, times etc.
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Written report to CPN board (yearly), based on data provide by city recycling program
Date Available: June 2006 Time Requirement: Two Saturdays/month from 8am to 1pm (presence at site not required for entire 5 hour period) Note: no one person has to come for all recycling hours or Saturdays but coordinators will organize a schedule of volunteers to share the load e.g. 2 hrs/month, 1 Saturday every other month. Attend one-two meetings/year with city wide recycling group. Time Commitment: preferable at least a two year commitment Who: Individuals, Family/extended family, Household, Group of friends, Committee Questions? Contact Jim Kurtz, (215)724-0399; jimhuong@yahoo.com
Watch for Recycle NOW Philadelphia Campaign By Al Airone, Recycling Chair
The RecycleBank pilot project–in which Philadelphians in two neighborhoods have been directly reimbursed for their recyclables with coupons redeemable at local stores–has been deemed a success. Now Maurice Sampson, head of Niche Waste Recycling, Inc. and the City’s first recycling coordinator, is heading a campaign–”Recycle NOW Philadelphia”–to extend this program to the entire City. The campaign is asking for help to achieve 2 major goals: (1) create a groundswell of public support for WEEKLY CURBSIDE RECYCLING SIMILAR TO THE RecycleBank PILOT, and (2) secure public from each candidate in the next elections, for Mayor, City Council member, and every other elected City official, a commitment to implement the program within one year of election. More details will follow. Cedar Park and other Partnership Recycling organizations are being asked to act as “hosts” for events promoting this campaign and for activity aimed at garnering support. Dec 2005
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Leaf Collection
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA 2005 LEAF COLLECTION AND RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR UNIVERSITY CITY The Leaf Collection and Recycling Program is one of several services provided by the Streets Department to honor the City’s on-going commitment to recycling. This recycling program helps to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream and saves landfill space. The 2005 Leaf Collection and Recycling Program will begin Monday, November 14, and will end Friday, December 23. Bagged leaf collection services are offered each week, city-wide, along rubbish collection routes. Supplemental mechanical collection will be offered on a designated weekly schedule in some areas with a heavy concentration of leaves. A designated fleet of sanitation compactors will collect bagged leaves. These crews will be assigned to collect ONLY bagged leaves for the duration of the program, moving along rubbish collection routes in compactors, and will collect the bagged leaves in the same manner as rubbish collection crews normally operate. Follow these tips for bagged leaf collection: ■
Never mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves. This contaminates leaves and makes them unfit for recycling purposes.
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Set out leaf bags on your regularly scheduled trash collection day. Crews make every effort to collect bags within 2 days of set out.
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Put leaves in large brown paper trash bags. By using these biodegradable bags, you will help crews work more efficiently and more easily identify your bags as leaves. Leaves set out in other bags or containers may be collected as rubbish.
Next Community Clean Up Saturday, December 10, 2005 Let’s make it a clean sweep! University City District (UCD) and Litter Co., the Anti-Litter Coalition, are partnering with local community groups to organize block clean-ups within their respective boundaries. UCD and Litter Co. will help out by providing bags and work gloves, as well as by picking up the rubbish collected including using a LeafVac from the Managing Director’s Office. Last fall, the community cleaned up 60 blocks and removed over 5000 bags of trash contributing to UCD’s yearly removal of 1 million pounds of litter. We urge Block Captains and Community Leaders to encourage participation. To register your block or for more information, please contact 215-243-0555 or email John Fenton at john@ucityphila.org. Page 4
CPN Newsletter
Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal YES, I want to make Cedar Park a better place. My annual Cedar Park Neighbors membership dues are enclosed. ❒ New Member ❒ Renewal ❒ $7 Individual ❒ $10Household (2 persons or more) ❒ $20Business ❒ $5 Senior/Student/Unemployed ❒ $30Sponsor Enclosed is my additional contribution of $________________________
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 ❒ Cedar Park Fair ❒ Community Development ❒ Education ❒ Fundraising ❒ Greening Activities ❒ Holiday Baskets ❒ Membership Committee
❒ Neighborhood Clean-up Committee ❒ Neighborhood Safety ❒ Newsletter (writing, publishing, delivery) ❒ Recycling Project ❒ Scholarship Fund Committee ❒ Website ❒ Zoning Committee
Name
Address
Phone
❒ YES! I would like a free CPN T-shirt with my renewal of $30 or more. Adult Size: ❒ M ❒ L ❒ XL
Dec 2005
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A New Entrance for Cedar Park By the Cedar Park Improvement Committee
Please support local businesses who support Cedar Park Neighbors! James’ Grill Firehouse Produce Africom Wayne’s Garage Inc. White Seal Cleaners Inc Urban & Bye Realtors St. Francis de Sales Dahlak Restaurant KC Exhaust Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Cedar Park has a new look! Take an invigorating winter stroll down Baltimore Avenue and admire the newly completed art project at the 50th Street. The project was a collaboration of CPN with the Mural Arts Program and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Parks Revitalization Program. Artists Michael Smash and John Bus have just put the finishing touches on a design that incorporated ideas from the Park Improvement Committee which includes local residents, businesses and agencies in and around Cedar Park. In the spring we will install planters on top of the two central pillars leading into Cedar Park softening the plaza and added some natural beauty. Enjoy!
Kulture UC PETS Abbraccio Restaurant I. Stewart Hayward Agency Westside Community Day Care Joe’s Market Alan Klein Properties Philadelphia Folklore Project Fresh Deli Chilalo Construction Dr. Alice Moyer, Chiropractor St. Francis de Sales Peaks Little Angels, Inc. Signature Investment Realty, Inc Sugar Hill Bakery Sims Giles and Associates Mia Lou
Thanks to Newsletter Sponsor: U.C. Pets, 4916 Baltimore Avenue
Michelle Robinson Architects A-1 Floor Refinishing Martnet Communications
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CPN Newsletter
PhillyCarShare hosting Anniversary Party and New Pod Opening at Cedar Park By Elena Anguelova, Marketing Manager, PhillyCarShare
On Thursday, November 17 PhillyCarShare, the locally based non-profit, celebrated its third anniversary and new pod opening party. PhillyCarShare, dedicated to reducing automobile dependence in Philadelphia through community-based car sharing, moved its office location to Cedar Park Neighborhood in May. The anniversary celebration started at 5 PM with a ribboncutting to inaugurate the new “pod” (PhillyCarShare parking location) in front of the Firehouse Farmer’s Market, also PhillyCarShare’s home. The festivities continued in PhillyCarShare’s newly renovated office on the third floor of the Firehouse Farmer’s Market at 50th Street and Baltimore Avenue, with over 150 members, supporters, and government and city officials. Speakers such as State Rep. James Roebuck, State Rep. Babette Josephs, Cathy Weiss from the Claneil Foundation, Lewis Wendell from University City District, Linda Miller from the Philadelphia Parking Authority,
Guests at the third anniversary and new pod opening party.
John McGee from SEPTA, and Patrick Starr from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council attended the party to show support to the young local non-profit already making a difference on the streets of Philadelphia. Sponsors of the event included White Dog Café, Abbraccio, Whole Foods Market, and Trader Joe’s. World Café Live and IKEA sponsored the raffle by giving away performance tickets and furniture. This new location, together with the existing one on 47th Street and Baltimore Avenue, confirms PhillyCarShare’s determination to expand its West Philadelphia coverage. The new cars provide the opportunity, already available to thousands in Center City, South Philadelphia, and most of the city neighborhoods, to West Philadelphia residents. PhillyCarShare is determined that car-sharing will work in this neighborhood as well. Much like in the other neighborhoods, most residents here use public transportation to get around the city. For more distant trips where public transportation does not go, or for trips that require a pick-up truck, they will now have the option to rent the PhillyCarShare cars and pick-up tracks by the hour, available when they need them, instead of owning and maintaining a car. Research shows that car-sharing members save up to $4000 a year from not owning, maintaining, and insuring a car, as well as no gas and parking expenses. PhillyCarShare covers all these expenses and its members only pay for their actual usage of the car. The organization hopes that current car owners will realize the benefits of car-sharing and will join the fast growing membership to enjoy the freedom of having a car when they need it and only pay for that.
For more information on this program visit www.phillycarshare.org or call 215-730-0988.
Dec 2005
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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.
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CPN Newsletter
Newsletter Editors Maureen Tate & Judy Lamirand
CPN Board of Directors
Newsletter Design Leigh Maida Graphic Design
President Carol Walker
To Contact Cedar Park Neighbors or submit Newsletter items: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-531-4147
Vice Presidents Maureen Tate Josh Schneider Treasurer Karen Allen Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind
Directors Monica Allison Patty Bulack Jim Kurtz Wayne Marquardt Chima Orji Emma Paden Joanne Pham Renee Warnick Andy Diller Sean Dorn Bruce Hansen Victoria Iannotta Sarah Mack Shirley Randleman Robert Schnoll Richard Warner