April 2006
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter President’s Message By Carol Walker, CPN President Well...it is that time again. OUR ELECTIONS AND THE CPN BOARD IS EXCITED!!! Every April we elect/re-elect Board Members to the Cedar Park Board, for one or two year terms. This year we have some exciting candidates ready and eager to roll up their sleeves and begin to serve. Board candidate bios are in this Newsletter. It is always an exciting night, this year we will meet on Monday, April 24th @ Calvary Cultural Center Church. First up, our Elections from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm. We’ll begin our General Membership Meeting at 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity for our membership to come together discuss, and ask questions of our Board, and to hear and ask questions from a speaker dealing with important issues revolving around Cedar Park. This year, we will have Joan Hicken, the new City of Philadelphia Recycling Coordinator discussing the future directions of the City’s Recycling Program. So come out and be informed! And let’s not forget Al Airone, who for nine faithful and dedicated years, oversaw the Recycling at Cedar Park. Al will be stepping down later this year. Cedar Park is looking to restructure the Recycling Program to involve several volunteers and a new coordinator. It would involve 2+4+1, two hours, on four Saturdays, over one year. Remember 2+4+1. If you would like to assist us, we’d be glad to have you and remember THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOOD GOING ON IN CEDAR PARK!
CPN Fall Fair – Save the Date By Wayne Marquardt, Fair Committee The Cedar Park Fair will be held on Saturday, September 30th from 12 noon to PM in Cedar Park. The planning committee is looking for vendors, food concessions, entertainment, and volunteers to help with events on the day of the fair. If interested please contact Wayne Marquardt (co-chair) at 215-476-1258 or WayneRX@aol.com.
Reminder to all CPN Members:
CPN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND ELECTION 6:30pm–7:45pm Voting // 7pm–8pm Membership Meeting 8pm–8:30pm Election results announced followed by refreshments Remember!! Only members who have their dues paid on or before April 1, 2006 are eligible to vote. Check your address label to see if you membership is current. Please come out and show your support for our neighbors who have stepped forward to serve our community through CPN!
From the Crime and Safety Committee By Patty Bulack, Crime and Safety Chair
Preparations are underway for an upcoming meeting with Captain Clark of the 18th District, and a representative from the 12th District to address community concerns. Highlighted will be the area around 49th and Baltimore, which is on the border between districts, and how the community and both districts can work together to improve the quality of life there. Other concerns will be welcome also. Captain Clark is especially interested in working with neighborhoods to reduce crime. The meeting will be held at Calvary Church, date to be announced. Those especially interested in notice about this meeting should contact Patty Bulack at 215-724-2863.
CPN Scholarship Committee Seeking Qualified Students The CPN Scholarship Committee is once again busy addressing the financial needs of our college bound students. Information and applications have been sent to college counselors, churches and neighborhood organizations. We will soon begin the fundraising drive and we are grateful that once again we can count on Sunday brunches at Abbraccio to assist with fundraising beginning in May
NOW WE NEED YOU—OUR MEMBERS— TO PUT THE APPLICATION IN THE HANDS OF STUDENTS WHERE YOU LIVE CPN members are always very generous in their support of this program and in the 16 years of scholarships we have assisted approximately 40 students. Our biggest challenge every year is getting the information about the scholarship out to the students who need to know. Please go to the website and download the application and give it to a high school student on your block or direct local students to the website: www.cedarparkneighbors.org Applicants must live within the boundary of Cedar Park, demonstrate financial need and indicate service experience. Consider all your high school neighbors eligible and spread the news! We welcome you to join this worthwhile committee chaired by Darryl Bundrige and Paula Harvey. There are some small, very defined tasks e.g. mailing the fundraising letter, reviewing applications, etc. that can use some additional help. If you can lend a hand contact Darryl at (215)730-0453; dbstate93@aol.com
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Firehouse Recycling is Re-organizing with Strong Volunteer Base By Maureen Tate, CPN Vice President Some folks are irreplaceable but those of us who are committed recyclers at the Firehouse know that it especially applies to Recycling Coordinator Al Airone who will be stepping down from this position this summer after single handedly organizing the program for 10 years or more with a few volunteers along the way. Al was considerate enough to give the CPN Board a year’s notice to find a replacement. Well… a year later… it was impossible to find one person to fill Al’s shoes so instead we have found at least 25 who are willing to give it a try! The Firehouse Recycling program has been instrumental, not only in providing a responsible way to recycle paper and plastic, but also because income from recycling has enabled Cedar Park Neighbors to earn thousands of dollars each year to fund college scholarships for high school students and other neighborhood improvement projects. It has been an important program for our neighborhood and we are determined to see it continue. The program will be organized on the 2 + 4 + 1 Plan. Individual and household volunteers are being recruited to assist with recycling on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays by committing to help 2 hours on 4 Saturdays over the course of 1 year. Sound doable? We thought so! Are you in? At a preliminary organizing meeting at Abbraccio Restaurant on Monday, April 3, some 25 residents gathered to make such a commitment. Another 8 or so who could not attend have also committed to the plan. Our next step is to construct a schedule of the volunteers and dig in. We want to keep the program sustainable, simple, fun and profitable for Cedar Park and the environment. No fuss, no muss. If you or your household are willing to sign on to the Plan please contact Maureen Tate: 215-726-8664;tatemch@aol.com
Intergalactic Coffee at the Firehouse: Satellite Coffee Shop Welcomes the Neighborhood
By
Deborah Good, CPN Newsletter reporter
Last winter, Linford Martin, owner of the historic brick Firehouse at 50th and Baltimore Avenue, was looking for someone to run the coffee stand in the first-floor Farmers Market. That’s when he heard about Wendy and Alexi GravesPapadopoulos. Wendy and Alexi have both lived in Philadelphia for more than ten years. Until five years ago, they ran a coffee shop in Powelton Village at 41st and Walnut known as the Comet, a name inspired by their daughter, Hailey. Wendy and Alexi had plans to re-open the Comet but the process was taking longer than they’d hoped. The stand at the Firehouse, says Wendy, sort of fell into their laps. In February 2005, Wendy and Alexi opened their coffee stand in the Farmers Market, and inkeeping with the outerspace theme, named it Satellite. Then, when the market closed just before Thanksgiving, Satellite moved into a larger space adjoining the market (but still in the Firehouse) and expanded its menu. The transition has been good for business. Today, when you approach the Firehouse, you will notice the large first floor space that housed the market is still vacant, but behind the outdoor staircase is the door to a coffee shop, open for business. A colorfully painted sign above the entrance reads “Satellite.” Inside, what was once the market butcher’s kitchen now has warm, red walls, music playing, and smells of coffee (which, by the way, is fair-trade). They also offer a list of more than 30 loose leaf teas, baked goods, and a variety of vegetarian breakfast and lunch options. I can attest that their masala chai is the best I have found in the city.
“I am very pleased with what they’ve done with the space,” said Linford Martin. Wendy agrees that the space is a considerable improvement, with better lighting, more seating, space to hang art, and the opportunity to host music shows and events. What drew Wendy and Alexi to the work of running coffee shops? “I don’t know,” said Wendy, laughing. “Maybe because I want to be able to have my friends over for tea all day long.” Really, she says, they want to provide gathering place for the neighborhood, which has been happening with very little effort on their part. Neighborhood groups have asked to use the space for their Spanish club (Tuesdays) and handicraft night (Wednesdays). Wendy and Alexi invite artists to inquire about displaying their art or performing their music. Meanwhile, Wendy and Alexi continue to make progress in their efforts to reopen the Comet, this time at 36th and Race. Keep your eyes open for it in the future. For events and other fun information, check out their site and calendar at http://myspace.com/SatelliteCoffee.
What THRIVES in University City besides TREES? TALENT!! By Patty Bulack, UCTALENT organizer Those of us who have raised our children here know that they have benefited from the enriched environment that University City provides. Almost inevitably, some of those children who are now young adults are making their mark in the arts world. In celebration of that fact, the 1st Annual UCTALENT Show will be presented on April 22, 2006 from 5 – 7 pm, at Calvary United Methodist Church, to showcase some of those talented young people. Among those featured will be: Jonathan Bulack, 2005 Barrymore winner, performing hip hop dance to his own choreography and music; Rafferty Boston, recent CAPA graduate, performing classical piano; Stephan Kietzman, PAFA graduate, displaying paintings; Mike Taylor, recording rap artist, performing; Becca Stern, Crefield School graduate and glassblower, displaying jewelry; Paige Chinn, student at Studio Incamminati, displaying paintings; and more, including salsa, musical theatre, Shakespeare, and gospel and a cappella singing. Some of these artists will have their mentors along for us to meet. Come join us to enjoy and get to know these exceptional young people as they share their talents and their dreams with us. Come see another reason why University City is a great place to live and grow! And thank you to Calvary for donating the performance space to us. Apr 2006
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James Grill: New Location – Same Great Food By Rebecca Steffy, CPN Newsletter reporter “Breakfast is ready ladies,” James called to us from behind the counter. My friend, Lizzie, got up from our table where I was treating my hot cup of black coffee with plenty of sugar. She returned with two steaming plates, hers piled with hotcakes and hashbrowns and mine smothered in a kitchen sink omelet. Breakfast was indeed served. It was Saturday morning at James Grill. When we entered the restaurant, a woman was already at the fish counter, inspecting the bounty behind the glass. Croaker, mullet, ling and porgy were piled up whole on chipped ice. I tried to observe the differences in their shape and color: some where thin and flat, while another kind was more round; some were iridescently dark, while others were almost blushing with filaments of pink streaking their scales. There was flounder, catfish, shrimp and salmon besides. For most neighbors, James Grill should sound familiar. Open since 1989, the business was formerly housed at the Firehouse Farmers Market at 50th and Baltimore. As a relative newcomer to West Philly, I had never visited the grill at its previous location, but I learned quickly that it was a favorite for business-day lunches and had garnered quite a following. One person remembered proprietor James Kpou’s cool poise on Jazz Fridays, with a thick crowd of customers waiting in front of him. He would take orders by memory, and calmly serve fish platters over the counter. Now open at its new location at 5143 Baltimore Ave., just before the intersection with 52nd Street, James Grill occupies its own space. After his lease ran out at the Firehouse at the end of last November, Kpou lost no time in preparing his new building. In just a little over a month, he was ready for his grand re-opening on January 9 of this year. The front seating
area includes two tables, and a wall-mounted bar with several red-topped stools to accommodate those eating and waiting alike. The fish counter and the grill form an “L” with the cash register at the corner. Derived from experience, Kpou’s renovation plans designed his grill to suit his number one priority: interacting with the customer. He stood behind the counter, at work on other orders, while I leaned on the ledge next to a collection of condiments asking him questions. Of his new space he said simply, “It’s coming along,” with the smile of a businessman who always has his eye on making things better. Throughout the entirety of our meal, customers were coming and going, many of them picking up take-out orders. Warm morning light washed through the large storefront windows. A young man chatted with us while waiting for his food, a teenager talked on her cell phone, and another man read the paper while leaning against the bar. It’s clear that many of those who enjoyed James Grill at the Firehouse have kept on coming back for more. And it’s no wonder: Kpou told me the most important thing for which he and his employees pride themselves is being eager to please. “It will almost drive you crazy sometimes,” he laughed, “because you can’t please everyone. But we sure try.” It hasn’t just been customers that have taken notice of James Kpou’s attitude of service either. Two framed certificates hang proudly on the wall honoring his commitment and dedication to the community and his entrepreneurial spirit. One contains a blessing, fit for all of our neighborhood businesses, that “your business continue to thrive, and your dreams continue to grow.” The Grill is open Mon–Thurs, 8am to 8pm, Fri–Sat, 8am to 9pm, and Sun, 8am to 4pm. Call 215-467-2221 to order ahead, or have it delivered for a $10 minimum.
Meeting Addresses Fire Safety and Community Response By Maureen Tate, CPN Vice-President On December 7, approxi.mately 40 residents gathered out of concern for the growing number of house fires in Cedar Park. Josh Schneider, CPN Vice President and member of the CPN Property/Housing Task Force opened the meeting with a brief summary of the issue. Several recent fires had resulted in dislocation of residents and in one case the death of a beloved community leader. He explained that the CPN Property/Housing Task Force had identified this as an important community issue on two levels. On the one hand there was compassion and concern for residents who were victims in these fires and CPN wanted to develop an appropriate response plan for such situations. From another perspective, the increasing number of houses that remain boarded up or abandoned following serious fires, has become a serious problem for local residents who have to deal with, not only the eyesore of such properties, but also vandalism, property deterioration and crime that often surround them. In addition, there seemed to be a need for fire prevention education since many old houses in our community are more vulnerable to fires due to faulty wiring. Panel members included: Fire Chief Daniel Williams of the Philadelphia Fire Department, Rebecca Chestnut from the American Red Cross Emergency Management Program and Robert Taylor for the Department of Licenses and Inspection. The speakers were very informative and specifically addressed questions that had been sent to them prior to the meeting by the Task Force. The presentation included a helpful overview of fire prevention, information about the roles of the various agencies in responding to fires and discussion about ways community groups like Cedar Park Neighbors might help promote fire safety and work with city agencies to address property concerns. The CPN Property/Housing Task Force will continue work on this issue with a goal toward developing an effective plan to support residents in resolving property issues after a serious fire that will include contacts and procedures for working with city agencies on fire property issues and an information packet on what to do in the event of a fire for circulation to residents and particularly block leaders. We hope members will share our concern about this issue and get involved. Please contact Josh Schneider 215-726-6965 of the Property/Housing Task Force if you would like to know more about this project. 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
Apr 2006
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Curio Theatre Spring Classes for Children Curio Theatre Company’s spring semester of classes began Saturday March 25th but it’s not too late to sign up ! Curio Theatre School is at 815 South 48th Street in University City, offering classes in acting, singing, creative writing and scene study for ages 6 - 18. Classes take place every Saturday for 8 weeks between 10am and 2.30pm and culminate in a showcase performance in the last week. Check the website for details: http://www.curiotheatre.org/school.htm Or call 215-525-1350 for more information and enrollment.
Summer Performing Arts Camp It’s not too early to plan for summer camp. One of the great camps in the neighborhood is the Gwendolyn Bye Performing Arts camp at 3611 Lancaster Ave. It features dance (all levels) and dramatic arts for boys and girls ages 7-17. Ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, mime, singing, acting. There is flexiblity as to full or half day and dates. Some partial scholarships are available. There is always a delightful performance at the end. Call 215-222-7633 for more info, visit http://www.gbyedance.com
April events at the Philadelphia Folklore Project April 23 Artist Salon: Fatu Gayflor 3pm FREE! Fatu Gayflor started to sing and dance in her home village of Kakata, in northwestern Liberia. A member of the Loma ethnic group, she joined the Sande Society, which is a rite of passage for girls in parts of West Africa. While in the Sande Society, she was instructed in ritual and songs, and in playing the sasa (sekere). In 1978, a woman from the Liberian National Cultural Troupe who was touring the country to find new talent, recruited the 12-year-old Fatu to come to Kendeja, the national arts village and home of the Cultural Troupe. Once there, Fatu studied traditional singing of ethnic groups from across Liberia. She became a lead singer in the National Cultural Troupe. She recorded her first two albums in Liberia, singing traditional songs with both local and imported instruments to appeal to younger Liberians. Her third recording was made in the Ivory Coast, where she lived for a while in a refugee camp following the eruption of the civil war in Liberia. In that recording, guitars and synthesizers are used as well because the producers in the Ivory Coast wanted to give the traditional melodies a world beat sound. In Liberia, Fatu was known as “Princess Fatu Gayflor, the golden voice of Liberia.” Having lived in the Ivory Coast and in Guinea (also as a refugee), she sings traditional songs of many places. Now a resident of the U.S., she performs for Liberian ceremonies and celebrations in North America. She has performed in Philly Dance Africa and taught through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts/Arts in Education program. Join us to listen and then be part of a conversation with her about her music and experiences
April 28th Opening: Community Fabric Textile exhibition 5:30–8pm
Thanks to Urban and Bye for sponsoring our April 2006 newsletter!
An exhibition of hand-made textiles in many traditions, exploring how heritage and culture are used today in Philadelphia. Who claims a connection to (what) culture? How is tradition and heritage visible in craft, and significant to community? What threads of tradition do artists claim and reject? Help to support our work to sustain grassroots folk and traditional arts in Philadelphia. For more information about the Folklore Project, visit www.folkloreproject.org. We can use your help on many of the above projects and more: come volunteer with us!
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Garden Tenders Basic Training – Vacant Lots into Gardens
Shelter Survey Results Announced By Karen Allen, CPN Treasurer
You are invited to participate in the Spring 2006 Philadelphia Green Garden Tenders Basic Training course. This self-help course is designed for people who want to improve their neighborhoods by turning vacant lots into community gardens. Garden Tenders participants learn how to get gardens started, and how to keep them going once the garden is in the ground. The responsibility for building a garden belongs to each group. The basic training course consists of five classes, Thursdays, April 27th, May 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th, plus a tour of community gardens on Saturday, April 29th. Classes are held at the Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th St. (20th & Arch) on the 5th floor. For more information and an application, contact Sally McCabe, 215-988-8846; email: smccabe@pennhort.org You can also register online at: http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/gardentenders.html
Celebrate spring with Bartram’s Garden! BARTRAM BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA Wednesday, April 19, 5:30 - 7:30pm Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia ($25 for John Bartram Association members; $35 for non-members) RSVP By Monday, April 17th 215-729-5281 ext. 103 Continuing our popular series of presentations of Bartram holdings at area institutions, we visit the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Presentation includes a catered reception.
The results of this past fall’s Homeless Shelter Survey were announced at the March 2 meeting of the University City Community Council. The results indicated overwhelming community opposition to Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s proposal to create a homeless shelter in the former nursing home located at 4508 Chestnut St. Councilwoman Blackwell stated that she would abide by the community’s final decision. In addition to CPN, seven other groups participated in the survey: Walnut Hill, Garden Court, Powelton Village, Spruce Hill, Sansom Street Coalition, residents of the Unit Block of South Farragut Street, and residents within a three block radius of the site. In total, 2960 surveys were distributed with 197 returned; CPN distributed 450 surveys with 26 returned. The results were: Do you favor the proposed legislation to use 4508 Chestnut Street as a minimum 340 bed homeless shelter? CPN Yes 6 (23%) No 20 (77%) Total Yes 17 ( 9%) No 177 (90%)
SOFT SITES ART INSTALLATION Friday, April 21 through July 30 In partnership with Institute for Contemporary Art
Do you favor limit of 200 beds for women and children only? CPN Yes 5 (19%) No 20 (77%) Total Yes 40 (20%) No 153 (78%)
CURATOR’S TOUR AT BARTRAM’S GARDEN* Saturday, April 22,1pm Bartram’s Garden, 54th St. & Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia ICA Galleries, 118 S. 36th St., Philadelphia (FREE at Bartram’s Garden)
Do you favor the property for any type of homeless shelter? CPN Yes 8 (30%) No 15 (58%) Total Yes 40 (20%) No 147 (75%)
This two-part exhibit features works indoors at the ICA and outdoors at Bartram’s Garden. Artists Jane Benson, Jimbo Blachly, Lytle Shaw, Katie Holten, McKendree Key, and Sebastián Romo have created new artworks that respond directly to the aesthetics and history of America’s oldest living botanical garden. For further information call Bartram’s Garden at 215-729-5281 ext.103
What would you like to see done with the building? (In order of preference) Senior Citizen Uses Nursing Home Housing Homeless Shelter University of Pennsylvana Uses Thanks to all for your participation.
Partime Summer Employment with UC Green UC Green, University City’s grassroots community greening organization is launching a parttime summer tree maintenance employment program targeting local youth or adults interested in working outdoors and learning more about how to care for the trees of our urban forest. Do you know someone who likes to work hard and would like to be part of the UC Green Corps? To print out an overview and application go to: www.ucgreen.org Questions? Contact Winnie Harris at wharris@ucgreen.org or 215-573-4684
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c/o Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143
CPN Board of Directors President Carol Walker Vice Presidents Maureen Tate Josh Schneider Treasurer Karen Allen Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind CPN Mission Statement: Cedar Park Neighbors is an association of diverse households and businesses based in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia, PA. 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.
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 Newsletter Editors Maureen Tate & Judy Lamirand Newsletter Design Leigh Maida Graphic Design To Contact Cedar Park Neighbors or submit Newsletter items: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-531-4147
Spring into Your Park City-wide park clean-up and plantings Earth Day - Saturday, April 22, 10am - 1pm Cedar Park, 49th to 50th between Catharine St and Baltimore Ave Cedar Park and other participating neighborhood parks with volunteers from throughout the city will plant, paint, and primp for spring. Free T-shirts for volunteers, while they last. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society initiated its Parks Revitalization Project in 1993 with the belief that clean, green, safe and well-used parks are fundamental to the health and vitality of urban life.This 7th annual Spring Into Your Park is a collaborative event organized by Philadelphia Green?s Parks Revitalization Project, the Philadelphia Department of Recreation and neighborhood park friends groups, and made possible by support from the William Penn Foundation and the City of Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Transformation Initiative. More information is available at http://www.phila.gov/recreation/parks/spring.html
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CPN Newsletter