November 2006
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter President’s Message By Carol Walker, CPN President
The Fall of the year is always an exciting time. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing and it’s a time for planting and renewal. Have you seen our park lately? (PARK DEDICATION IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2006 FROM 12-1P.M.) The new renovation is inviting and serene. In addition, you will want to bring your children and friends to play, sit and have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, play a little chess, or just take moment to enjoy the view. With the new lighting coming any day, you will be able to appreciate the Park from dusk to dawn. I would like to thank all of our Cedar Park Neighbors for coming out to our Fall Community Meeting on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, held at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community. We will have another in Winter and Spring. It was very well attended and everyone got a chance to hear the latest updates from businesses and organizations working to beautify and revitalize our Baltimore Avenue corridor. And …a separate thank you from the CEDAR PARK NEIGHBORS BOARD to our members. Whenever a need arises, we can count on you to work with us and together continue to make this area a great place to live and raise our families. There is a lot that CPN is doing. The renovations in the Park are something that we all can see. But quite often what you don’t see is Cedar Park behind the scenes bringing about positive change for our neighborhood. Our Zoning Committee and Property/Housing Task Force meets monthly but members are on the phones daily, calling various agencies to report and to resolve issues of concern. We work very closely with our Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s office and her two dedicated staffers - Marty Cabry and Anjali Chainani. Resolution of concerns about The Wine and Spirit Shoppe is another positive example of our efforts, as well as attracting new businesses such as the new Yoga Studio coming to the old UC Pets location. Now that we have succeeded in bringing needed improvements to Cedar Park we are looking down the Avenue and continue to have great concern about conditions on the 5000 Block of Baltimore Avenue. CPN would like to contribute to needed improvements on this block by encouraging stable businesses, as well as supporting good residential rehab up to and including 52nd and Baltimore. An outreach to the faith based community has already been extended to our churches. We continue to welcome further conversation with the Baltimore Avenue Redevelopment Corporation (BARC) that has proposed some plans for this block and hope to facilitate input from our neighbors regarding improving and revitalizing this corridor. Dialog is needed with Councilwoman Blackwell, Pastor Hart and Hickman Temple, People’s Baptist Church, Wayland Memorial SATURD Baptist, residents, businesses, and Cedar Park Neighbors to see AY, NOV how we can move forward, and move forward together to bring E Noon– MBER 18 about revitalization that we all can be proud of.
WE’RE CELEBR ATING!! Cedar
Park Op ening
Let us hear from you—The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Laborers are few. We need your help on this and other issues regarding Cedar Park. Perhaps you have always wanted to volunteer, but just did not know how to go about it. You can do it with Cedar Park Neighbors. ...And remember THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING
GOOD GOING ON IN CEDAR PARK!
1pm Come a n our new d help us re ope ly Park!! Rrenovated Ce n da e Speake freshments! r rs! Para de!
Have You Seen Cedar Park’s Transformation? By MonicaRenee Allison, CPN Vice-President
Have you been past 50th and Baltimore Ave to see the transformation of our beloved park? If you haven’t, let me tell you what you’re missing: ■
New concrete and brick pathways
■
New concrete padding for 14 new benches
■
The removal of the unsafe wooden play structure
■
2 new concrete sitting walls
■
Level and seeded ground
■
Conduit for 6 new pedestrian lights
■
The relocation of the two salvageable concrete tables
■
The extension of the garden at 49th street both in front of and behind the memorial and finally, several new portions of concrete on the sidewalks on both the Catharine Street Side and the Baltimore Ave side.
WE’RE CELEBRAT ING!! Cedar P
SATURDA Y, NOVEM B Noon–1pm ER 18 Come and our newly help us reopen ren Park!! Re ovated Cedar fre Speakers shments! ! Parade!
If you come by the park within the next couple of weeks, you will still notice the fencing is still surrounding the park. That is to protect the newly seeded green space. Look for more activities in the park coming this Spring as well as the addition of the Jazz Series this summer. We are working now on plans for a new playground area, to be installed sometime early 2008. In the meantime, please join us on Saturday November 18th at Noon, when we will hold our park dedication. It will continue to be an exciting time along the Avenue.
MAKE AND TAKE WORKSHOP with ERIC JOSELYN: “WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY?” Co-sponsored by Bread and Roses Community Fund
November 4th (Sat): 10 AM - 12 PM @ Philadelphia Folklore Project 735 S. 50th St., Phila., PA 19143 rsvp: 215.726.1106 or roko@folkloreproject.org Don’t miss this hands-on opportunity to create your own arts for social change with artist/activist Eric Joselyn who has been creating powerful protest tools for social justice movements in Philadelphia for 20 years! Open to artists, activists, organizations and anyone who wants to make a statement about what is going on in the world. View inspiring examples of Eric Joselyn’s “What You Got To Say?” exhibition currently on display in our PFP gallery space -- banners, t-shirts, buttons, posters, placards and props -- countless examples of how ordinary folks got their message out. Join us to have fun and to make art and artifacts that will make a difference. FREE with all materials provided. LIMITED SPACE so please reserve your place: 215.726.1106 or roko@folkloreproject.org
For more information: www.folkloreproject.org/programs/exhibits/joselyn.cfm
Page 2
CPN Newsletter
ark Openi ng
A Special Thanks Our 2006 CPN Fair Sponsors!! Sponsors: Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Central City Toyota Urban & Bye Real Estate Abbraccio-Dahlak-Vientiane Cafe Liz Campion A-1 Flooring Partnership CDC Denise King Raffle Ticket Donors Abbraccio Bennie’s Barbershop Bubble House Car Share Crystal Creations Curio Theatre Dahlak Restaurant Davis Pharmacy Firehouse Bicycle Shop Green Line Café Mad Mex Restaurant Marigold Kitchen Marsha’s Handbags Mexican Post Restaurant New Deck Tavern Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia Phillies RX Restaurant Satellite Café Vientiane Café White Dog Café
Yoga on Baltimore! by Bruce Hanson, CPN Board Member
Yoga is coming to Baltimore Ave. Wake Up Yoga, a Vinyasa (flow-style) and Yin (passive) yoga studio is moving into the commercial space formally occupied by UC Pets on the 5000 block of Baltimore Ave. CPN recently spoke with Corina Benner, the Director of Wake Up Yoga, who launched the original Wake Up Yoga facility in 2002, which is located in Fairmount. According to Ms. Benner, November 6th has been set as the target opening date for the Baltimore Avenue location. She has been looking for space in west Philly for a while, but the space on Baltimore was the best fit, that needed the least amount of work. The space is perfect for her needs and is set on a small commercial corridor surround by a residential neighborhood. The studio will operate on a modified schedule during November and December. A more standard schedule will be cultivated after that based on the needs and wants of the community. A typical schedule will most likely include daily 7am and 9am weekday classes, with 6pm classes offered each weeknight. There will be Saturday and Sunday classes as well. There are also intentions to offer more classes as needed or requested by the community. Like the Fairmount location, the Baltimore Avenue Wake Up Yoga location will offer a warm and nurturing environment that is not competitive, but comforting. And also like the Fairmount location, all classes will be taught by highly qualified instructors During her conversation with CPN, Ms. Benner emphasized that so many things that are good for you are expensive, but there are certain things that should be accessible to everyone. She felt passionately that Yoga is one of those things. It is something that is appropriate for everyone and should be accessible to everyone. Wake Up Yoga is a place that will welcome anyone, beginner or advanced, old our young. “We don’t want to push anyone away. If you want to come” said Ms. Benner, “You should come”.
For more information about Wake Up Yoga, visit www.wakeupyoga.com
UC Green TreeVitalize Community Tree Planting
Volunteers are needed! Saturday, November 4, 10am–1pm
Meet in Clark Park at 45th & Woodland Ave (accessible via SEPTA green line trolleys #11, 13, 34, 36)
Volunteers will plant 70 trees with community and University of the Sciences student support. West Shore and Spruce Hill Community Associations greening efforts support these plantings. Volunteers are needed! Rain or shine. November 2006 Page 3
Community Meeting Focuses on Baltimore Ave By Victoria Iannotta, CPN Board Member
Some 50 neighbors came together on October 11 to hear updates on several of the many exciting projects happening on Baltimore Ave. Our neighborhood will soon see the opening of new restaurants and businesses that will make the Avenue even more vibrant. Combined with ongoing initiatives to improve safety and aesthetics, there’s a lot going on in Cedar Park. Two proposed restaurants presented plans. The Lai family, current owners of Fu-Wah, plan to open a Vietnamese restaurant at 47th and Baltimore. David Lai informed those present that he anticipates that ‘Vietnam’ will be open in approximately one year. Jeff Ware, most recently the owner of Pizza Rustica on the Penn campus, gave an update on hopes to open a restaurant/microbrewery called Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant in the first floor of the Firehouse this spring. However, he noted difficulties with limitations imposed by the Zoning Board that were needing further reconsideration before the project could move forward. In addition to two new places to eat, CPN is happy to announce that a new Wine and Spirit Shop is planning to open early next year at the site of the former John’s Discount and Sugar Hill Bakery. The store’s inventory and hours of operation will be expanded and its opening is projected for early 2007. Also, looking ahead, there was mention of a new Yoga studio coming to the 4900 block of Baltimore at the former UC Pets and a Rita’s Water Ice is looking at a location in the 4600 Block. Two new members of the community introduced themselves at the meeting. Michael McCullin, owner of 4th River Sign Works, located at 4903 Catherine Street, will be opening his doors in November. Michael makes custom signage for commercial properties as well as residential address markers and plans to live and work in our community. Pastor Christopher Reese, new Pastor of Greater Enon Baptist Church at 47th and Cedar Avenue also addressed the group. Pastor Reese said that he is looking forward to being part of the neighborhood and supporting our efforts to build a strong and safe community. A few projects geared toward improving the safety and aesthetics of Baltimore Ave were presented at the meeting.
Kathy Harris of the Mural Arts Program made an exciting announcement about plans for a new mural on the 4700 block of Baltimore Ave. She informed the group that there will be a meeting on November 7 to discuss possible themes for the mural and encouraged members of the community to come and participate in the dialogue. In addition, UCD presented several projects that are in progress. Among them is the installation of pedestrian lighting on Baltimore Ave. This project calls for lights to be installed between 45th and 50th Streets. UCD will seek community input during the upcoming design phase and hopes to install the lights next summer. Also discussed was the improvement planned for the traffic triangles at 46th and 47th. They will both be increased in size and landscaped to increase safety and improve the general aesthetic of the avenue. Completion is expected Spring 2007. Finally, UCD reported that the blue walls at the entrance to the Municipal Parking Lot will be replaced with iron gates. The gates will be more decorative, discourage loitering and eliminate safety concerns about the possibility of anyone hiding behind the walls. MonicaRenee Allison, one of the champions of the restoration of Cedar Park currently underway, talked about the progress of the renovations in the park. Major work will include improvements to lighting, pathways, seating and landscape. The issue of safety was raised and Maureen Tate suggested that the most important thing that we, as the community, can do to improve safety is to use the park. She encouraged each person to spend some time in the park once a week. If we each change the way we regard it and use it, then we will be contributing to its transformation into a safe and respected place for the community. The dedication of the park has now been scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 18, noon–1pm. Come out and celebrate! The group was updated by Rick Kirk on the status of another large restoration effort in the neighborhood. Calvary Center has nearly completed its exterior masonry work. This is the third phase in a multi-year project. After its completion, the next phase will focus on restoring the Sanctuary. Finally, Angeli Chainani and Marty Cabry, representatives from Councilwoman Blackwell’s Office, spoke to the group. They offered support for community issues on behalf of the Councilwoman and her Office and encouraged everyone present to get involved and participate in zoning hearings.
Mural Arts Program New Murals Coming Soon!! Come discuss your ideas for new murals in your neighborhood. Proposed new murals will be located at 4714 & 4722 Baltimore Avenue. Meeting will take place: November 7th at 6:30 pm Calvary Center for Culture and Community 48th and Baltimore Avenue Any question? Please call Cathy Harris, Director of Community Murals, at 215-685-0755 or via email at cathy.c.harris@phila.gov
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
November 2006 Page 5
Recovering From A Fire: A CPN Information and Resource Guide by Josh Schneider, CPN Board and Property Housing Task Force
Fires are all too common in our neighborhood. For one thing, our turn-of-the-20th-century houses with knob-andtube wiring are susceptible to electrical fires. Reliance on extension cords to power more appliances than old electrical services can carry also increases fire risk. Winter and the holidays can be especially bad, due to extra hazards such as ornamental lights and space heaters. Cooking mishaps and unattended cigarettes, candles, or incense also cause a significant number of fires. We strongly encourage you contact the Philadelphia Fire Department for information on fire safety: Go to www.phila.gov/fire, call the Department’s Fire Prevention Division at 215-686-1382, or visit our local station at 801 S. 52nd Street. Experiencing a fire is traumatic enough, but information about what to do after a fire is scattered or unavailable, making a difficult situation even harder. With help from the Philadelphia Fire Department, The American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, Cedar Park Neighbors’ Property/Housing Taskforce committee has put together a document called Recovering From A Fire. This document covers both immediate and long-term steps to take when you or someone you know has a property fire. It explains the roles of the first responders, city agencies, and social services that you might deal with, and outlines services available to fire victims, as well as the responsibilities of owners of fire-damaged properties. The document includes a range of contact information to help fire victims get the resources they’ll need after a fire, from shelter, clothing, food, and counseling to contractor and insurance advice.
You can find a copy of “Recovering From A Fire” at www.cedarparkneighbors.org, or request one from us at 267-531-4147 or contact@cedarparkneighbors.org.
Page 6
CPN Newsletter
Fire Safety and Prevention Tips ■
Make sure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire. Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Make a drawing for each floor. Dimensions do not need to be correct. Make sure the plan shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes.
■
Test windows and doors—do they open easy enough? Are they wide enough. Or tall enough?
■
Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
■
Practice alerting other members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom.
■
Conduct a family meeting and discuss the following topics: Always sleep with the bedroom doors closed. This will keep deadly heat and smoke out of bedrooms, giving you additional time to escape.
■
Find a way for everyone to sound a family alarm. Yelling, pounding on walls, whistles, etc. Practice yelling "FIRE!"
■
In a fire, time is critical. Don't waste time getting dressed, don't search for pets or valuables. Just get out!
■
Roll out of bed. Stay low. One breath of smoke or gases may be enough to kill.
■
Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire most likely will make it difficult to see.
■
Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
■
Feel all doors before opening them. If a door is hot, get out another way.
■
Learn to stop, drop to the ground, roll if clothes catch fire.
Cedar Park Neighbors 2005 Holiday Basket Project October 18, 2006 Dear Friends and Neighbors of Cedar Park, Once again, Cedar Park Neighbors, in cooperation with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will prepare and distribute food baskets for the needy during the holiday season.
Baskets will be assembled on: Saturday, December 16, 2006 // 9am–11am at St. Francis de Sales School Hall (47th above Springfield Avenue) In order to make this year’s distribution a success, we need your financial help and support. Each year, thanks to you generosity, we have reached approximately 95 families. Please consider a donation again this year. Any amount is appreciated, but a suggested donation is $25.00.
Please send your donations to: Cedar Park Neighbors, Holiday Baskets Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143 If you know of any deserving families in the Cedar Park area (46th to 52nd, Larchwood to Kingsessing), please give their names, addresses and the number of people in each family to one of the following local churches. Names of families should be received by December 8th, 2006. Note: Please DO NOT send your donation to the churches directly. Calvary United Methodist 48th & Baltimore Avenue (215)724-1702
Hickman Temple AME Church 50th & Baltimore Avenue (215)747-0881
St. Francis de Sales 47th & Springfield Avenue (215)222-5819
Southwest Community Enrichment Ctr. 1342 S. 46th Street (215)386-4157
Phila. Beauty Showcase Museum 510 S. 52nd Street (215)474-7533
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Joanne at 215-386-8102 and/or Victoria 215-729-5472. Very truly yours, JOANNE PHAM
AND
VICTORIA IANNOTTA
Holiday Basket Committee Please complete and return this section with your donation CPN HOLIDAY BASKET PROJECT NAME __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DONATION AMOUNT __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ARE YOU INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS PROJECT? ❒ YES ❒ NO
Thank you! November 2006 Page 7
c/o Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143
CPN Board of Directors President Carol Walker Vice-President Maureen Tate Monicarenee Allison Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind Treasurer Karen Allen 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.
Page 8
CPN Newsletter
Directors-at-Large Emily Missner Devaney Andrew Diller Sean Dorn Merryl Gladstone Bruce Hansen Victoria Ianotta Jim Kurtz Sarah Mack Wayne Marquardt Joanne Pham Shirley Randleman Shirley Rheinhart Josh Schneider Robert Schnoll Richard Warner Renee Warnick 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