June 2010
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter Summertime: Stroll the Avenue, Spend a Buck, Catch Some Jazz By Monica Allison, President, Cedar Park Neighbors appy summer, everyone! What a H wonderful time to live, work, and play in our community! Cedar Park Jazz Fridays have begun. We’ve had three great acts so far, and we are looking forward to upcoming shows. The season was almost a no-go. The economy hit us like a brick wall, and Jazz was up in the air, but the Cedar Park Jazz committee got the ball rolling. When you are in the park enjoying the music, the people, and your surroundings, remember to donate to keep this series going. Afterwards, if you haven't had enough of the artist, walk across the street to Elena's Soul. Jazz performers will be on again from 9 p.m. to midnight, and you can have a good meal, drinks, and more fun. University City District has kicked off the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll on Thursday evenings. Participating merchants along Baltimore Avenue from 43rd to 50th Streets have items that can be purchased for just one dollar. If you ever wanted a small taste of something new, this is the time to sample. It’s not just food; you can get an album, a yoga lesson, or even a play ticket. As most of you know, we hosted a series of conversations about the three blocks of Baltimore Avenue between 49th and 52nd Streets. The well-attended conversations took place in February and March. The
Community Design Collaborative will present its final report this fall. As soon as we have a date, we will get it out to you. Please consider attending and being part of this important community conversation. For more information, see the article on the back page. There is a lot going on in the neighborhood this summer. The Tire Round-Up program is coming to the city again in August. Keep your eyes out for tires in public places that can be collected. It helps us keep the neighborhood clean and helps Cedar Park raise funds. We will send out an e-mail when we get a firm date from the city. Until then, you can report tire locations by calling or e-mailing CPN. Did you know there is a Second Saturday Craft fair that happens every month at 50th and Baltimore? In addition, several blocks are doing porch sales. Gardening workshops will be held in the park again this summer along with Family Play Dates in the playground, opportunities to garden in Cedar Park, and much more. See the Cedar Park Summer Season calendar on page 3.
Come to the Second Sunday Craft Fair on July 10th, August 14th, September 11th.
Get your walking shoes on and your play clothes out. Stroll along the Avenue, patronize local businesses, and enjoy the jazz series.
Remember, there is always something good happening in Cedar Park!
What Renaissance? West Philadelphia High School Needs Our Help! ave you read the newspaper within H the last week? Several articles have been written about the process West Philadelphia High has been going through and the problems that have come up. The community that surrounds the school, as well as staff, parents and students, have been working on an educational strategy. Unfortunately, the process has been tabled until the 2010-2011 school year.
Out of 14 schools that were announced to become Renaissance schools, West Philadelphia High was the ONLY school not matched with a partner. This is our neighborhood school! The community is outraged that we have worked long and hard to improve this school over the course of six years with no progress, and then to have the process tabled for another year is painful. The school needs our help!
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There is Still Time To Support Scholarships! By Laura McHugh Scholarship Committee Chair ung Nguyen, a current scholarship D recipient, just finished her first year at Temple University. In her 2010-2011 renewal application, she thanked the Cedar Park community “for supporting me and allowing me the opportunity to pursue higher education through the selfless donations which have made the funds for my CPN Scholarship possible.” Dung, like many others, depends each year on the CPN Scholarship Program to help pay for college costs not traditionally covered by other forms of financial aid. Moreover, the growth of our scholarship program over the last few years, coupled with a struggling economy, has resulted in an increase of new scholarship applications this year. This year’s deadline for submitting applicationss has officially passed, and we are now reviewing the many quality applications we received.
2010-2011
C P N
We are still actively fundraising for 2010-11 with the hope of funding as many of these applications as possible. We are deeply appreciative to everyone who attended our Dock Street fundraiser in March and to those who already donated through this year's annual appeal. If you have not yet donated to the Scholarship Fund this year, it is not too late! We hope many of you will consider donating to this year’s program to help support a record number of applicants who have turned to Cedar Park Neighbors for assistance in realizing their college aspirations. Please stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s scholarship award winners in early August. For more information about supporting the CPN Scholarship Program, please contact Laura McHugh at 267-235-2046 or lauratatemchugh@gmail.com. The form below can be used for your donations.
S C H O L A R S H I P
Even if you have not yet donated to the Scholarship Fund this year, it is not too late!
D O N AT I O N
response to this annual scholarship fund appeal, to assist youth in our neighborhood Incommitted to post-secondary education, please enter my contribution as follows: Giving Suggestions ____
$ 25
Neighbor
____
$150
Mentor (a quarter scholarship)
____
$ 50
Friend
____
$300
Patron (a half scholarship)
____
$100
Educator
____
$600
Benefactor (a full scholarship)
____
Other Amount $_____________________
Total amount of contribution: $_____________________ Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Email
Make your check payable to “CPN Scholarships” and mail to Cedar Park Neighbors, c/o Calvary Community Center, 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143 Cedar Park Neighbors is a 501[c]3 not-for-profit organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
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CPN Newsletter
Summer Is Swinging in Cedar Park ummer is shaping up well in Cedar SFridays Park. Our popular Cedar Park Jazz are drawing crowds on Friday evenings. The CPN Park Committee continues to meet and address a variety of issues in our community park. A loyal cadre of gardeners maintains the garden beds in the Park and at the traffic triangle. The Park Committee has organized a variety of activities for the 2010 summer season that build on the success of last year’s programming. These include seasonal Play Dates for families with young children at the playground and another interesting series of Garden Workshops to address gardening issues relevant to our area. Volunteers are welcome for any of our scheduled workdays. If you are interested
in joining the Park Committee please consider coming to one of our regularly scheduled meetings noted below. Have a great summer. See you in the Park!
Love Your Park! Our loyal cadre of gardeners certainly love to maintain the gardens.
2010 Summer Season June
25 27 30
Friday Sunday Last Wednesday
6 – 8 pm Cedar Park Jazz Fridays 10 am – noon Baltimore In Bloom workday at 49th & Baltimore 7 pm CPN Park Committee Meeting
2 9 10 16 19 28
Friday Friday 2nd Saturday Friday Monday Last Wednesday
6 – 8 pm 6 – 8 pm 9 – 11 am 6 – 8 pm 6:30 – 8 pm 7 pm
1st Saturday 2nd Saturday Thursday
10 am – noon Summer Family Play Date 9-11 am Garden Workday 6:30 – 8 pm Workshop – Fabulous Fall Containers
2nd Tuesday 2nd Saturday Sunday Saturday Last Wednesday
7 pm 9 -11 am 10 am – noon noon – 5 pm 7 pm
CPN Park Committee Meeting Garden Workday Baltimore In Bloom workday at 49th & Baltimore CEDAR PARK FAIR CPN Park Committee Meeting
1st Saturday 2nd Saturday Thursday Last Wednesday
10 am – noon 9-11 am 6 – 7 pm 7 pm
Fall Family Play Date Garden Workday Workshop – Putting the Garden to Bed CPN Park Committee Meeting
July
Cedar Park Jazz Fridays Cedar Park Jazz Fridays Garden Workday Cedar Park Jazz Fridays Workshop – Pruning Basics with UC Green Pruning Club CPN Park Committee Meeting
August
7 14 19 September
8 11 12 25 29 October
2 9 7 27 Note
All activities take place in Cedar Park, between 49th and 50th Streets on Baltimore Avenue. CPN Park Committee meetings are held in the CPN office, Calvary Center, 48th and Baltimore, 2nd Floor, enter on Baltimore side June 2010
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Cedar Park Jazz Fridays Live On By Algernong Allen music permeates the spirit, Stheweet invites the soul to dance, and elevates perception of our humble experience. The sun is brighter. Our smiles are more anxious to show their beauty. The pulse of the neighborhood seeks to harmonize with the melodies of the instruments. People dance and enjoy themselves according their unique rhythms. For those moments, we are subconsciously aware that we are all interconnected — fish swimming in one pond as the rhythms flow over each of us with equal generosity. I imagine that this harmony, this sense of tranquility, this idea of uniting the richly diverse community of Cedar Park under the melodic individuality of jazz instrumentation is what inspired Denise King to create Jazz Fridays on Baltimore Avenue about 10 years ago. Each instrument, individual in both character and expression, collaborates to make something beautiful. Cedar Park Neighbors, many other generous sponsors, and wonderful musicians have contributed to present this gift to the community each summer over the past decade. When Ms. King, a well-known jazz vocalist, announced that last summer would be her last time producing the event, there was concern and doubt about the future of the series. With funds low and no one to organize the event, Cedar
Park Neighbors stepped in to provide funds, and direction and to keep the series going. Currently, University City District the Philadelphia Credit Union, Central City Toyota and Spruce Hill Community Association have contributed additional funds. However, more financial support is needed to continue the series through the summer. Donations can be forwarded to Cedar Park Neighbors: Jazz Series c/o Calvary Community Center, 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143. The Cedar Park Jazz Series has been something to look forward to each summer for many community members who faithfully bring lawn chairs or sit on the grass and take in the sounds of a warm summer evening. The motley members of our community fuse and blend like the distinct characters of the musicians' instruments to become something much greater, far more interesting, and delightful — JAZZ. It is the desire for the benefits of this magical jazz that led Cedar Park Neighbors and members of the business community to continue the tradition in Ms. King's absence. The musicians, who grace us with their talents weekly, are undercompensated relative to their gifts and bless us with their charity. Please take advantage of and give generously to this wonderful community experience.
Cedar Park Jazz Fridays Line-up June 25 Tony “Stickman” Wyatt Crew July 2 The Budesa Brothers & Lucky Thompson
The first Jazz concert of the season. Come on down and make a contribution so we can extend the concert schedule.
These gentlemen are consummate professional musicians. Their high-energy style and showmanship is known throughout the region. Their sound is rooted in the tradition of the great Philadelphia jazz organ/guitar combos.
July 9 The Jazz Doctors To fix what ails you!
The band will offer its blend of tasty “old school” jazz and blues, spiced with Cuban and Brazilian styles that often get listeners out of their chairs. The Jazz Docs will be joined by guests Richard Orr (multi-reeds/flute) and Stan Slotter (trumpet/flute) — two of Philly’s hottest frontline horn players. July 16
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CPN Newsletter
Affordable and Adoptable: Pet Care and Pets at New PAWS’ Clinic By Sara Schoenleber, PAWS’ Development & Administrative Manager et owners who have had trouble finding P affordable veterinary care now have a new place to turn. The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) opened its Spay/ Neuter and Wellness Clinic in March 2010, and it has already made a difference to thousands of dog and cat owners. Located at 2900 Grays Ferry Avenue, the clinic provides basic veterinary care such as spay/ neuter surgery, vaccinations, wellness visits, and treatments for common conditions such as upper respiratory infections, parasites, fleas, and others. To ensure a safe and healthy summer for pets around the city, the clinic also offers low-cost flea, tick, and heartworm prevention and treatment. “Our goal is to give pet owners an affordable way to care for and keep their pets as cherished family members,” says Dana Spain, PAWS founder and president. “In doing so, we expect this facility to significantly reduce Philadelphia’s homeless animal population, which now consists of more than 30,000 dogs and cats each year, and move Philadelphia closer to being a no-kill city, in which every healthy and treatable pet is guaranteed a home.” In addition to spay/neuter and veterinary services offered every day by appointment, PAWS conducts a walk-in vaccination clinic every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $20-25 per animal. The clinic also welcomes other rescue organizations
to utilize its services and sets aside some days specifically to spay/neuter feral cats. Those conducting trap/neuter/release campaigns to manage feral cat overpopulation are encouraged to call for availability. In conjunction with PAWS’ adoption and foster care programs, the clinic will have both an immediate and a long-term effect on the number of stray and unwanted animals born and surrendered to shelters. It is PAWS’ second facility, complementing its adoption center in Old City, where dogs and cats are available for adoption seven days a week.
One of the many animals who has received treatment at PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic.
The Clinic is open to anyone in need of low-cost veterinary care. Appointments can be made by calling 215-298-9680 or emailing clinic@phillypaws.org. PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless, abandoned, and unwanted animals. PAWS is Philadelphia’s largest rescue organization and only no-kill shelter, and is working to make Philadelphia a city in which every healthy and treatable pet is guaranteed a home. Through its adoption locations, special events, and foster care network, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals each year. For more information, please visit www.phillypaws.org.
What Renaissance? West Philadelphia High School Needs Our Help! …continued from page 1
West Philadelphia High School is the school that has birthed many greats that have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, columnists, politicians, sports stars, and the like. It can again see the splendor that it once had, but it needs our help! Over the summer, we need to keep the momentum going with ways to help our school! Talk to parents, talk to neighbors, talk to teachers, write letters to our local politicians and Dr. Ackerman and the School Reform Commission. Let’s be ready to pick up this fight in September.
West Philadelphia High School deserves our attention; it is part of our community. It is the school where youth who cannot afford other educational means for high school are sent. It is the school where already underserved youth go before they are thrust into “real life.” These children, staff and community deserve more! We cannot go through another year of process with no progress! If you are interested in doing more on this issue, we want to hear from you. Contact CPN President Monica Allison to learn more about what you can do. June 2010
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CPN Newsletter
Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal ● New Member
Name
Name
Address
Address
● Renewal ● Multi-year (max. 3 years)
# of years_____ ● $10 Individual
City, State, Zip
● $15 Household (2 persons or more) ● $ 7 Senior/Student/Unemployed
Phone
Phone
● $30 Business ● $40 Sponsor (one free CPN t-shirt!)
Additional contribution: (Write $ amount)
Email ● Yes, I would like to receive an email notice with
_____ Holiday baskets _____ Scholarships _____ Jazz Series _____ Other, specify _________________________
a link to the current newsletter on the CPN website (and do not deliver a paper copy to my home). Email Website Phone
contact@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-531-4147
CPN t-shirt: (Write $ amount if not Sponsor and circle size)
_____ Short Sleeve Adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL,4XL, 5XL, 6XL ($15) _____ Short Sleeve Kids S, M, L, XL ($15) _____ Long Sleeve Adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL ($20)
Return form with check to: Cedar Park Neighbors Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19143
_________TOTAL ENCLOSED Check your areas of interest for potential participation: ● Block Organizing: Maintain list of Block Leaders, organize forums etc. ● Block Improvement Grants Committee: Review applications, help awardees implement projects etc. ● Board of Directors: CPN leadership and decision-making body. ● Cedar Park Fair: Publicity, children’s activities, venders, entertainment, etc. ● Cedar Park Garden Tenders: Plant and maintain gardens at Cedar Park. ● Clean-up Committee: Promote participation in block clean-up days and Tire Round-up. ● Education Committee: Interaction with local schools and parents on issues. ● Fundraising: Special events, grant writing. ● Holiday Baskets: Coordinate and assist distribution to needy Cedar Park families. ● Hospitality: Provide refreshments for community meetings and special events. ● Membership Committee: Promote membership to residents and businesses. ● Newsletter: Writing, publishing, photography, distribution. ● Property/Housing Task Force: Strategize/respond to issues of deteriorated property. ● Scholarship Committee: Raise funds, promote program, and select awardees. ● Website: Technical support, maintenance, updating info/pictures etc. ● Zoning Committee: Monitor & communicate issues to residents;
appear before Zoning Board of Adjustment, coordinate meetings. Cedar Park Neighbors is a 501[c]3 not-for-profit organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
June 2010
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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. 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
Talk About Revitalizing Baltimore Avenue! n the months of February through Ia Baltimore April, Cedar Park Neighbors initiated Avenue Conversation that brought residents, businesses, and organizations together to discuss their vision for the Avenue, with a focus on 49th Street to 52nd Street. We were fortunate to have the expertise of volunteer architects and planners from the Community Design Collaborative (CDC) to facilitate this conversation. The CDC design team worked with input gained from three community workshops, as well as survey responses, to develop a design study for this portion of our commercial corridor and the immediate vicinity. Preliminary concepts were presented to community members at the April workshops. Since that time, the CDC has incorporated feedback and is in the process of preparing their final report. Although our Conversation timeline projected a presentation of the final report in early summer, it will not be ready until late summer.
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CPN Newsletter
Given the difficulty of scheduling a community meeting in the midst of vacation schedules, we will now plan for a presentation of the final report in early fall. Approximately 150 residents and businesses participated in some portion of the Conversation. We want to thank all of those who attended the workshops or completed a survey for sharing your time and ideas. We are grateful and appreciative to the volunteers from the Community Design Collaborative for their hard work and willingness to share their expertise with us. We are especially thankful to our hosts from People’s Baptist Church for our warm welcome, support, and participation in this important conversation for our community. Stay tuned for notice of the date of the final report presentation. If you want to know more about the Baltimore Avenue Conversation, please contact Cedar Park Neighbors by phone at 267-531-4147 or e-mail contact@cedarparkneighbors.com.
CPN Board President Monica Allison 1st Vice-President Naomi Fiordimondo 2nd Vice-President Sean Dorn Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind Treasurer Karen Allen Directors
Algernong Allen Michael Clapper Danielle Denk Laurie Friedman Michael Froehlich Lisa Johanningsmeier Fred Kauffman Theresa McCole Manzi Jessica Naugle McAtamny Bruce McCullough Ray Murphy Sheri McFarland Sara Nissley Beverly Rouse Neil Toensmeier Richard Warner