CPN newsletter July 2011

August 2011

Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter Celebration of the Century! Saturday, August 6th

By Monica Allison, CPN President t’s here: The celebration of the 100th IAnniversary Anniversary of Cedar Park and 50th of Cedar Park Neighbors.

In preparation for this celebration, the committee has worked tirelessly to make this day fun and memorable. I would like to thank everyone who was involved with the behind-the-scenes activities that went into making this day special. As you know from prior newsletters, there is an anniversary souvenir book, and wait until you see it! I want to thank the businesses and residents who took out ads or contributed to the book with memories and/or photos.

The celebration will be held on Saturday, August 6th, from noon to 8 p.m. There is still time to showcase your talents as a vendor or entertainment at the fair.

Contact the committee at 267-531-4147 or contact@cedarparkneighbors.org.

University City District has had two very successful Dollar Strolls along Baltimore Avenue. The last two will be held on Thursday, August 4th and September 1st.

These strolls are a wonderful, inexpensive

opportunity to sample local cuisine, listen to talented musicians from right here in our area, and converse with other neighbors.

The strolls are from 5:50 to 8:30 p.m.

Jazz in Cedar Park has had an awesome turnout! Through the contributions of the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, the Gold Standard Café, University City District and our faithful listening audience, we have secured funds to complete our schedule this year.

Thank you all for your contributions and dedication to this worthwhile community event. We are looking forward to our 2012 line up.

As we enter the last few weeks of summer, come out and enjoy the neighborhood and all its festivities.

I will be looking forward to seeing you.

Support our local businesses, come out to the fair on August 6th from noon to 8 p.m., enjoy the Dollar Strolls, and remember,

Michael Andrews performed with the Jazz Doctors on July 15. Friday Night Jazz in Cedar Park is enjoyed by many.

There is always something good happening in Cedar Park!

Howdy, Pardner! It’s Tire Roundup Time elp make Philadelphia More Beautiful. This year, our Tire Roundup will be held on Saturday, August 13th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Cedar Park Neighbors earns 50 ¢ents for each tire collected.

H

WANTED! TREAD or ALIGNED

Volunteers are needed as well as trucks. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. Are you in? Please contact Cedar Park Neighbors at 267-531-4147 or contact@cedarparkneighbors.org to volunteer or to rat out a tire hideout.

Illegally Discarded

TIRES!

Hail, O Studious Ones! Meet the 2011 CPN Scholarship Recipients

By Laura McHugh, CPN Scholarship Committee hank you to everyone in Cedar Park T who has generously contributed to our 2011 Scholarship Program thus far. Please join us on Saturday, August 6th, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Cedar Park Fair as we award another eight scholarships to deserving students in our Cedar Park community.

Together as a community we will publicly recognize our awardees for their hard work and success in high school, their service to the community, and their continued commitment to furthering their education at the college level.

Since the committee’s inception, 136 scholarships valued at a total of $74,000 have been awarded to approximately 61 deserving neighborhood scholars.

The Scholarship Committee is incredibly grateful to our community members who continue to donate funds to make these scholarships possible every year. Check out our talented 2011 Cedar Park scholarship recipients below!

Multiple-Year CPN Scholarship Recipients Sara Ghebremariam is a graduate of West Catholic HS and is going into her senior year at the University of Pennsylvania where she is majoring in Psychology.

Sara has worked as a research assistant for a number of labs at the university and is involved in various activities including an executive board position with the Kite and Key Society, the oldest and largest community service organization at UPenn.

Dung Nguyen graduated from West Catholic HS and is headed into her junior year at Temple University where she majors in Biology and Pre-Pharmacy. At Temple she is actively in the Asian Student Association and Pre-Pharmacy Association.

Hanh Nguyen graduated from West Catholic HS and is going into her sophomore year at Temple University where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Nursing degree.

Hanh is a member of the Asian Student Association at Temple and recently completed her first “field work” experience at People to People Daycare Center.

Miranda Siddall graduated from Central HS and is going into her sophomore year at Page 2

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Bryn Mawr College, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree. Miranda has been an active volunteer for both Cedar Park Neighbors and St. Francis De Sales Parish for many years. At Bryn Mawr, Miranda is involved in the College Democrats, is an organizer for the college’s “Food Week” and holds a work study job.

Zachary Spence graduated from George Washington Carver HS for Engineering & Science and is heading into his sophomore year at the Howard University School of Engineering where he majors in Computer Engineering. In high school, Zachary was a member of the National Honors Society and the National Society for Black Engineers.

First-Time CPN Scholarship Recipients Teila Allmond recently graduated from Science Leadership Academy and will be attending New York Institute of Technology where she will be pursuing an Engineering degree. In high school, Teila was active in soccer, basketball, and the tech squad all while maintaining a 3.5 GPA. She is also an active member of the CPN community, including participation in regular block cleanups and St. Francis De Sales Church.

Briana Lane recently graduated from West Philadelphia HS and will be attending Widener University in the fall. Briana was Valedictorian of her class at West Philadelphia, where she received first honors and was an active member of her school community, serving as captain of the cheerleading team and participating in the Community Service Corps and the Ambassadors Club.

Kamilla Philson recently graduated from Robert E. Lamberton High School and will be attending Lincoln University in the Fall. At Lamberton she was an honor roll student and a member of the National Honors Society in addition to her participation in track & field and cross country extra-curricular activities.

Recipient’s Report: Scholarly Pursuits, both Scary and Exciting Dear Cedar Park Neighbor Community, am one of the many neighborhood students who has benefitted from your Icontinuous generosity and commitment to helping give the young adults in our community the chance to get ahead.

Thus far my college experience has been everything I hoped for and more. Starting at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall I had no clue what was in store for me, but I am so happy that I threw myself into it completely. After getting a taste of engineering and finding out it was not for me very quickly freshmen year, I found my place in the arts and sciences school, more specifically in psychology. I quickly made friends that I cannot be out of contact with for more than a day over the summer and found a home away from home. Even though classes at Penn challenge me they also excite me and for that reason summer has gone from something I wish for during the year to something I nearly dread in May. While I have grown in the obvious academic ways, I have also taken the time to grow outside the library. Community service has always been a large part of my life and dominated my extracurricular activities. Since starting at Penn I made it a point to make sure that that did not change about me. I did this by joining the oldest and largest community service organization at Penn, the Kite and Key Society. I eventually gained a seat on the executive board of the Kite and Key Society in my sophomore year of college. This was a great opportunity to gain leaderships

skills, not only with the running of the Overnight Hosting program but also within the society in contributing to that semesters fundraising project, a Mario Kart Tournament to raise money for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

Since the start of my junior year, I have been looking into planning the last year of my college career and afterwards. In the upcoming year, I will be taking part in two independent research projects in the field of abnormal psychology with the help of research advisors at the University of Pennsylvania all while taking part of the Psychology Department’s Honors Program. Sara Ghebremariam The broad topics I will be covering are substance abuse, depression, and anxiety.

The prospect of doing my own independent empirical research is both scary and exciting but either way it is something that I will have to get used to if I’m to fulfill my ultimate goal of going to graduate school and getting a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Trust me when I say it is scary to think that this crazy ride is nearly over and I will be considered a full-fledged adult by the world in only a year’s time, but the support I have received from Cedar Park Neighbors and the community as a whole has helped relieve some of that anxiety. Though my impending graduation means this will be my last year as a Cedar Park Neighbor scholar I know that I will have their support, and yours, wherever life takes me.

All the best, Sara Ghebremariam

New Year’s Resolution: CPN Membership Switches to Calendar Year

By Laurie Friedman, Membership Committee Chair

expire until 12/31/12. Please let us know if you have any questions about this.

t our last CPN Board meeting, A a resolution was passed changing the terms of CPN membership. Effective

Also, if you are interested in joining one of CPN’s committees or have a question about the status of your membership, please email membership@cedarparkneighbors.org so we can connect you to the committee chairperson. The membership committee is also looking for new members and ideas; any and all are welcome!

Remember, to join or renew your membership online, please go to http://tiny.cc/CPN-membership-form.

Thanks so much for all of your support!

immediately, all CPN memberships will run on a calendar year: January 1st through December 31st. We are hoping this will make it easier for everyone to maintain their status as active. The CPN Membership Committee will conduct an annual membership drive in November and December to remind everyone. Anyone whose membership has been renewed this year will not have their membership

August 2011

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West Philadelphia Tool Library Expands at New Location

By Jake Blanch arly this Spring, the West Philly Tool Library decided to jump at the chance E to expand into a larger space at 1314 South 47th Street, mere yards from its original location. With the support of a handful of members and volunteers, the Tool Library was shuttled by truck, wheelbarrow, and foot around the corner into a warehouse that promises a wealth of new possibilities and greater accessibility for a larger geographic area by way of the popular thruway that is 47th Street.

The steering committee spent late nights organizing the tools and building custom fixtures out of reclaimed shipping crates donated by local members, and although the new location remains a work in progress, it promises to provide new opportunities for growth: more classes,

Check out the new space and shelves (and some tools) at the West Philadelphia Tool Library.

more tools, and with luck, more members.

For more information regarding membership, volunteering, and donations, please contact info@westphillytools.org or stop in to check out the new space! With new ideas and opportunities at a steady stream, this is an exciting time for WPTL and its members, and we look forward to continued growth for and with our neighbors.

Across the Digital Divide: Young People’s Computer Center is an Extraordinary Space n a collaborative effort, The Media Idelphia Mobilizing Project (MMP) and PhilaStudent Union (PSU) decided to create an extraordinary computer center for young people hosted at the PSU office.

Like MMP’s five other computer centers, PSU’s Young People’s Computer Center is the result of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) which is part of President Obama’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. BTOP is responsible for funding many new and existing computer centers across the nation in order close the digital divide between the wealthy and the poor and working class.

Unlike other BTOP funded centers in Philadelphia, The Young People’s Computer Center is unique in the fact that it caters specifically to young people.

The center will feature workshops geared specifically to young people’s needs (e.g., college access, summer jobs, resumes and cover letters). It’s a place where young people can come, be amongst their peers and access the Internet in a safe and youth-friendly environment.

Our center is not only open to members of the Philadelphia Student Union but this amazing resource is open and available for all young people in Philadelphia and it’s FREE! Page 4

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Break out the Shovels! Delicious Groundbreaking for Mariposa Food Co-op

by Peter Sachs Collopy, Convener, Mariposa Food Co-op Board of Delegates n Monday afternoon, accompanied by O Mayor Michael Nutter and over 160 co-op members and supporters, Mariposa Food Co-op broke “ground” at our new store site! It was a delicious event.

Thanks to all those who made it out to share in this memorable day. Thank you

again for all of the support you’ve given to this project over the past two years.

We have come this far because of you.

Our progress is very exciting: renovations on our new building start in two weeks.

This summer, we hope to welcome many new co-op members excited about Mariposa Food Co-op’s expansion. In fact, you can join online today: www.mariposa.coop/join.

Mayor Nutter, investors, members and supporters “broke ground” at Mariposa Food Co-op’s new site. You can find more pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/mariposacoop/sets/72157627065462162/

Help Us Identify the Ten Most Endangered Buildings University City Historical Society Focuses on Historical Properties at Risk

by Roy Harker

Selection Criteria

his summer, the University City T Historical Society is compiling an Endangered Properties List to raise

1) What is the building’s architectural and historical significance?

awareness and support for saving significant historic structures in West Philadelphia threatened by demolition, misuse, or neglect.

We are soliciting building nominations as a first step to doing this. We ask for your help in pointing out properties and telling us what you know about the problems associated with them. We’ll then research the nominated buildings further and ask you again to help us prioritize the properties so we can get to a list of the Ten Most Endangered Buildings.

2) What is the building’s level of distress?

3) Does the building have visibility and importance to the fabric of University City, and does its state compromise the Architectural Integrity of the blocks where these properties are located?

Please submit properties for nomination by Monday, August 8th.

Thanks for your help!

The Survey Link: http://tiny.cc/UCHS-building-nomination

University City Historical Society P.O. Box 31927 Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-387-3019 info@uchs.net www.uchs.net August 2011

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Volunteer Librarians Needed: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools Steps Up in Support of Local Schools

By Amara Rockar Chair, WPCNS Steering Committee ith the Philadelphia School District W budget shortfall come painful cuts to neighborhood schools, but community groups like the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools (WPCNS) have stepped in to soften the blow.

For instance, Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust, WPCNS’s current focus, lost its fulltime staff librarian. WPCNS reached out to the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC), a non-profit whose “Open Books Open Minds” program provides volunteer librarians and library materials to public elementary schools. As the recent recipient of a $100,000 “Impact 100 Philadelphia” grant, WePAC was looking to expand into more West Philadelphia schools and agreed to bring its program to Lea Elementary in the fall.

WPCNS is assisting with the recruitment of local volunteers who will undergo librarian training and volunteer a minimum of two hours every other week. WePAC volunteers will provide library services to Lea students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade and assist students with checking out and returning books, story time and research help for older students. WePAC is also looking to start an afterschool newspaper club. CPN members interested in volunteering should contact Beth Menasion at bmenasion@gmail.com —no library experience required!

In addition to the school library project, WPCNS is running a book drive to supplement the classroom libraries in all grades at Lea. Book donations appropriate for kindergarten through 8th grade can be dropped off at the Lea bin at Bindlestiff

Books, 4530 Baltimore Avenue, or on the porch of 4317 Larchwood Avenue.

The Lea Kindergarten teachers have also requested donations of bean bag chairs and small bookshelves for classroom “reading nooks.” Those interested in donating classroom furniture can contact Amara Rockar at arockar@gmail.com Lastly, WCPNS looks forward to publicizing and donating to upcoming Lea projects on DonorsChoose.org, a website where teachers can request funding for classroom projects.

Over the last year, WPCNS members have donated through DonorsChoose.org to help purchase the “U.S. History Alive” texts for 8th grade Social Studies, copies of The Hunger Games novel for 7th and 8th graders and The Red Kayak mystery novel for 5th and 6th graders at Lea. In addition to lessening the impact of the budget cuts, WPCNS hopes that these programs and projects will help nurture a life-long love of reading for students at Lea. West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools Website: sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/

Upcoming Playdates/Meetings (Rotates alphabetically by park): 7/23: Cedar Park, Baltimore between 49th and 50th, tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS 7/30: Clark Park, 43rd-44th below Chester Avenue, meet at the Tot Lot by the dinosaur

CPN Newsletter

In the last issue of the CPN Newsletter the WPCNS article was written by Amara Rockar. It was incorrectly attributed to Danielle Denk.

We extend apologies for this error.

8/13: Barkan Park, Hansen (1/2 block west of 49th) & Spruce, tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS

Want to feature your business or organization in our quarterly newsletters?

Now’s your chance! For info, email membership@cedarparkneighbors.org.

April, June, Sept issues, 1 Year (4 issues), reserved in 400 copies each: advance (includes 10% discount): Half Page: $95 Half Page: $425 Quarter Page: $50 Quarter Page: $225

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Correction

8/6: Malcolm X Park, Pine-Larchwood, 51st-52nd, meet on the little kids’ side by space ships

Advertise in the CPN Newsletter!

November blanket distribution issue, 2,500 copies: Half Page: $190 Quarter Page: $100

Volunteer librarians are needed for Lea School.

No experience required – training will be provided!

Full Newsletter Sponsorship: $200 Includes a single page 8-1/2" x 11" insert (supplied by advertiser) and a sponsorship call out and a post on the blog.

This Issue Sponsored By Thanks to Fusion for sponsoring this issue of Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter.

Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal ● New Member

Name

Name

Address

Address

● Renewal ● Multi-year (max. 3 years) ● ● ● ● ●

# of years_____ $10 Individual $15 Household (2 persons or more) $ 7 Senior/Student/Unemployed $30 Business $40 Sponsor (one free CPN t-shirt!)

Additional contribution: (Write $ amount)

City, State, Zip Phone

Phone

Email

Email

_____ Holiday baskets _____ Scholarships _____ Jazz Series _____ Park Gardens, Activities and Maintenance _____ Other, specify _________________________

● Yes, I would like to receive an email notice with

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) _________TOTAL ENCLOSED

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

Return form with check to: Cedar Park Neighbors Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19143

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.

August 2011

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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

Come to Cedar Park To Celebrate Our Centennial on August 6th! edar Park’s Centennial is here! The day of celebration is upon us. What an opportunity to come out and mingle with neighbors and friends. Here are some highlights to look forward to:

C

• TWO moonbounces from Pearsons Entertainment!

• Face painting, potato sack races, and badminton.

• To enhance our neighborhood story, a videographer will capture fairgoers’ memories of Cedar Park.

• DJ Jamar spinning the turntable.

• Park gardeners will present a terrarium make it and take it workshop.

• At 1:00 p.m., Cedar Park Neighbors will present our scholarship recipients with their awards.

• Final, season-closing Jazz concert, 6-8 pm • All current and new CPN members receive a free Commemorative Centennial book

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Vendors and local entertainment are invited. And remember to stop by the Cedar Park Neighbors membership table, sign up or renew your membership, and check out our Cedar Park history display.

Keep on buying those raffle tickets, as prizes will be won all day. Come out and celebrate with us from noon to 5 p.m. for the fair, and then enjoy the final jazz concert for the season from 6-8 p.m.

I’ll be there, will you?

—Monica

CPN Board President Monica Allison 1st Vice-President

Michael Froehlich 2nd Vice-President Naomi Fiordimondo Treasurer Karen Allen Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind Directors

Algernong Allen Danielle Denk Sean Dorn Meg Ferrigno Laurie Friedman Lisa Johanningsmeier Theresa McCole Manzi Jessica Naugle McAtamny Sheri McFarland Ray Murphy Sara Nissley Laura Raymond Beverly Rouse Neil Toensmeier Courtney Walton