June 2015
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter President’s Message: Annual Meeting Addresses Many Issues By David Hincher his is my first inaugural message as T the newly elected president of Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN). Michael Froehlich amiably served in this capacity for the past three years and will remain engaged as a board member seeking further opportunities for community engagement and outreach.
CPN’s annual membership meeting and board election were held on April 20th at the Calvary Center. The meeting was packed with guest speakers representing development issues, greening your home, Cedar Park community events, local business community, cleanup at Squirrel Hill, bicycle share program, and oil tanker safety. We also welcome three new at-large board members elected at the annual meeting: Alon Abramson, Robert Arters and Reverend Eric Goode (People’s Baptist Church). My fellow board officers are 1st Vice President Suzanne Banning Anderson,
2nd Vice President Renee McBride Williams, Treasurer Amara Rocker, and Secretary Far McKon. Returning at-large board members are Sean Dorn, Ivana Dussell, Meg Ferrigno, Michael Froehlich, Michelle Lewis, JJ Tiziou, and Pat Warner. More information on the candidates is available at: cedarparkneighbors.org/ news/meet-the-candidates/
Michael Froehlich, CPN President emeritus, with David HIncher, CPN President-elect
I look forward to serving the community in my new capacity as president and furthering the mission of Cedar Park Neighbors, 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 continued on page 2
Photos by JJ Tiziou
Shawn Markovich, Zoning Committee Chair
Brett Feldman, local zoning lawyer
Vince Whittacre, Judy Lamirand and Gay Carducci, Baltimore Avenue Business Association
Maggie Dunn, Water RainCheck Program
Algernong Allen, Jazz Committee Chair
Matt Goldfine, Friends of Squirrel Hill Park
Jon Potter, University City District
Azephra Hamilton, Bicycle Coalition
Mike Roles, Clean Water Action
Warm Nights, Cool Jazz in Cedar Park By Monica Allison
Here’s the lineup!
arm nights are upon us and you W know what that means: The start of Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park! This year
June 19 Brent White Group
Cedar Park Neighbors Jazz Committee is pleased to bring back some favorites and introduce you to several new bands. We hope you will enjoy another great summer of Jazz. The season began on June 5th and the final show will be July 31, 2015. We’ll have new and returning sponsors from local businesses as well as the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation. We look forward to seeing you every Friday at 6 p.m. Bring your chair, children and neighbors to enjoy a night with local musicians while patronizing local businesses along the Avenue. The Live Jazz in Cedar Park sponsors thus far are: Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, Holly Mack-Ward and Co. Real Estate, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia Parks Conservancy, St. Mary’s Nursery School, Wayne’s Garage, Dock Street Brewery, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, VIX Emporium, UCReview, and Baltimore Avenue Business Association.
Jazz
June 26 Glenn Bryant and Friends July 3 Clef Club Youth Ensemble July 10 Gretchen Elise and Friends July 17 Dahi Divine and Friends July 24 Broke and Blue Band July 31 Side by Soul
in Cedar Park 49th & Baltimore Fridays 6-8 p.m.
President’s Message continued from page 1
promote the general welfare of the Cedar Park community.” This is the stated mission of our organization, but I highlight what (I believe) are our core purposes. CPN is now in its 55th year as a community organization, which began in 1960 as a diverse group of concerned citizens addressing salient quality of life issues: safety, cleanliness, housing, shifting populations and access to resources/services. To the best of our abilities, CPN listens to and represents both the aspirations and concerns of our community. I began my involvement with Cedar Park Neighbors as the lead volunteer for the Baltimore Avenue Conversation during 2009-2010 in which we hosted several community listening workshops in the basement of People’s Baptist Church. These were grassroots discussions aimed at understanding community concerns but also envisioning a brighter future for Baltimore Avenue west of 50th Street. Much has improved in our neighborhood Page 2
CPN Newsletter
since 2010, but some goals for Baltimore Avenue remain unfinished. The neighborhood is flourishing with new local businesses and residents, but still segments of the community remain underutilized and underserved. Like our 1960’s elders, we will continue to collectively and collaboratively address our issues, support one another and aspire for a better tomorrow for every community member.
Attendees mingled after the annual meeting. Pictured above is newly elected board member Michellel Lewis.
Cedar Park…Small is Beautiful By Maureen Tate, CPN Park Committee edar Park may be one of the smallest C parks within the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation system, but it is well used
and well loved. It has also benefited from lots of TLC this past spring, and neighbors are enjoying the results. The season opened with some much needed weeding, pruning and mulching thanks to a project with Power Corps PHL. Power Corps PHL is an AmeriCorps Power Corps PHL team program designed to support Mayor Nutter’s environmental stewardship initiatives as well as Philadelphia’s youth violence prevention and workforce development priorities. The program involves 18-26 year olds in a six-month training experience that provides an opportunity to develop the skills to become environmental stewards, secure meaningful work and become civically engaged. The team that worked in Cedar Park braved one of the last cold, damp days of winter and did a fantastic job, completing many tasks that would have taken an army of volunteers to accomplish.
A crowd of neighbors came out to celebrate at the end of the week on Friday night, May 15th, with our third annual Picnic in Cedar Park. It was a beautiful spring evening, the park looked great and we all know that everything tastes better when eaten on a blanket! Some picnickers did a BYO picnic while others purchased a treat from one of our participating local businesses who offered picnic specials: Dock Street, Taco Angelino, The Gold Standard, Mariposa, The Fresh Deli, Penn Pizza, Hibiscus and Little Baby’s. Thanks to all who participated. Don’t forget that Live Jazz Fridays have begun every Friday night, from 6 to 8 p.m., and will last throughout June and July. Growing Up Green Families will want to be sure to come out on Friday night, June 26th. “Growing Friday, June 26th Up Green” will be in Cedar Park with Fun activities for fun activities for children during Jazz. Keeping Cedar Park clean and green is a work of love. If you would like to join the CPN Park Committee or would like to receive notices about gardening opportunities in the park, please contact: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org or tatemch@aol.com.
children during Live Jazz.
Our April spring Wake Up the Garden day was productive even with only a few volunteers. We thank Michael Froehlich and his daughter Zora, who did a great job planting bushes and ground cover, as well as Jerry McHugh, Holman Massey and Elliot Stern for weeding and bulb planting. May always begins with “Love Your Park” week throughout the city, and CPN hosted two successful events in Cedar Park. The week traditionally launches with a clean up and planting day. Fourteen volunteers participated in this year’s workday on May 9th to accomplish tree planting, mulching tree pits and planting perennial and annual plants. Many thanks to our neighbors who came out to show their love for Cedar Park: David Hincher, Clay Lloyd, Louisa Pyle, Melissa Christie, Deborah Clarke, Elliot Stern, Maureen Tate, Monica Allison, Aaron Krolikonski, Renee Williams, Trina Dow, Veronica Suber, Jerry McHugh and Marta Bruce.
Veronica Suber
Amara Rockar and family
The Banning-Anderson Family
Nate Johnson and .Jessica Baumert
June 2015
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Zoning Committee Update By Shawn Markovich CPN Zoning Committee been a busy past few months for Iwithtthehasfivezoning committee. We have dealt new cases and look forward to having a break in August.
4630 Chester Avenue
Owner seeks to increase the number of rental units in the building from three to four by adding a basement apartment. 4815 Baltimore Avenue
Same owner as 4630 Chester Avenue seeks to increase the number of rental units in the building from six to seven by adding a basement apartment. Also seeks variance for no parking, one spot is required. Community meeting for both properties will be held on June 17th. 5030 Cedar Avenue
Owner seeks to build a new building with two units, one parking space and a reduced side yard. Lot is currently zoned RSA-3; a single family attached home. Current zoning does not allow for two units. Zoning committee reached out to the owner to
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CPN Newsletter
introduce ourselves and to work with them to set up a community meeting. 727 S 50th Street
Owner seeks to build a new building with four units and no parking. Zoning committee held two community meetings and also had a meeting on site with the owner and concerned neighbors. Owner has agreed to bring building in line with neighbors and reduced density from four units to two units. ZBA hearing is scheduled for June 17th. Zoning committee will write a letter of support. 609 S 52nd Street
Owner seeks permit for a reduction in use to single family and to add a family daycare. Building zoned as a CM-S, which is commercial use that previously had a construction office and a plumber’s office in it. Owner never met with zoning committee or the community to inform them about the project. After three continued hearings, CPN wrote a letter of objection, since the owner did not meet with the Zoning Committee, meet with the community, or appear at any of the hearings.
Scholarship Fund Renamed in Honor of Gary Bronson By Pat Warner ince 1988 CPN has supported a Sresidents scholarship fund for Cedar Park to help pay for college expenses.
Since its inception the scholarship program has awarded 149 scholarships to 71 of our young neighbors. Our program is unique in that it is available multiple years and includes support, encouragement and mentorship throughout the school year. This year we were pleased to name the fund in honor of Gary Bronson, a visionary neighbor, friend and founder of the Scholarship Committee. On April 12th, the 8th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser to benefit the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fund was held at St. Francis de Sales School Auditorium. Nearly 75
Scholarship recipients Andrew Kulasegram-Wilson, Mable Bakali, Ainye Clark, Briana Lane and Khaila Stevenson.
friends and neighbors gathered for a festive afternoon of good music, food, drink, and conversation. We raised close to $12,000 to help young people in our community. Cedar Park singer-songwriter Gretchen Elise and her band played a few wonderful sets, filled with kids’ music, superhero themes, and rocking rhythms. Cedar Park artist Mara Hincher created fun and entertaining drawing and other superhero activities for the kids. Most importantly, five of the eight current scholarship recipients (pictured below) testified to the value of the scholarship for their education and growth as individuals. Support the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fund by visiting our website, www.cedarparkneighbors.org
Winners for the raffle prizes were drawn by small superheroes and announced by Pat Warner, Scholarship Committee Chair.
Thank you, sponsors and supporters. Without you, this event would not have been possible! Major Sponsors Fleming Family Fund Gregg and Rachel Mohrmann Phila Federal Credit Union Fred Wolfe, Jr. Generous Prize Donors Aksum Mediterranean Kitchen Curio Theatre Company Marabelle Hincher Talking Headz Hair Salon Maureen Tate JJ Tiziou VIX Emporium West Philly Tool Library Food & Drink Donors Aksum Mediterranean Kitchen Fresh Grocer FuWah Mini-Market and Deli Alexander Gillett Gold Standard Café Simon Haileab Khaila Stevenson Trader Joe’s Philadelphia Center City Varallo Brothers Pasticceria Yards Brewing Company Photos by Robert Siddall
Greening Lea: Have your Name Engraved on a Paver By Jen Martel, Co-chair, West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools he West Philadelphia Coalition T for Neighborhood Schools is hugely grateful for Cedar Park Neighbors’ recent
contribution to the Greening Lea project. Greening Lea is a project to transform the asphalt schoolyard at 47th & Spruce Streets into a vibrant, active, sustainable, educational, and green open space for Lea students and the community. CPN’s $1,000 purchase of an engraved paver cluster will not only help to support this summer’s construction at the Lea School, it will also create a permanent statement of your support for the Lea School for the whole neighborhood to see.
This summer, the first phase of the transformation at the Lea School will begin. Contractors will install 3,000 square feet
of rain gardens with stepping stone paths, 5,500 square feet of permeable brick pavers, 16 shade trees in a tree bosque, a new basketball court, and a new entrance gate at the corner of 47th & Spruce. Additional items that will require donor support include new seating, a large gateway sign, and a handsome enclosure for the trash receptacles. For more information about the project or how to contribute to the naming campaign, please visit our website, www.westphillyschools.org. Individuals can purchase a 4 x 8 inch permeable brick paver engraved with text for $100. There are opportunities for small businesses and large businesses to contribute as well.
Architects’ rendering of the planned transformation at Lea School.
Questions about the project can be directed to Greening Lea co-chair Julie Scott at jscott1225@verizon.net. June 2015
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Westward Ho! Greensgrow is Growing By Ryan Kuck hange is coming to the 5100 block of C Baltimore Avenue. Greensgrow Farms, Philadelphia’s non-profit farm and garden
center, is expanding its investment in West Philadelphia with the opening of a larger and more permanent location on the former “bamboo lots” at 5123-29 Baltimore Avenue. Building on the success of its first satellite location, opened in 2014 at 4912 Baltimore, the new Greensgrow West will feature an expanded selection of plants and soils, extended hours, a seasonal farmer’s market, and space for on-site workshops, community events, and demonstration gardens. Project Director Ryan Kuck says, “We hope this new site will allow us to replicate some of the successes of our farm in Kensington, while providing an opportunity to explore what a community garden center serving a different neighborhood would look like. We are particularly excited to serve as a connection between the vibrant commercial corridors on Baltimore Avenue and 52nd Street.” To achieve this vision, Greensgrow worked with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell to secure a four-year lease for the vacant city-owned parcels, and has enlisted design help from Drexel
Architecture School and students at the West Philly-based Workshop School to prepare a site plan and design schematics. The Water Department is also exploring the possibility of installing a large stormwater management project on the site if a longer-term lease becomes possible. Greensgrow intends to have all site development completed by this winter for a grand opening in the spring of 2016. Both sites may be open simultaneously for that first year in order to provide a “soft” transition to the new site two blocks west. Meanswhile, CSA has started and there is still time to sign up. CSA pick-ups are on Saturday mornings. There is also a small Farm Stand on Saturday mornings, and July will see the return of SNAPbox CSA programs and the mobile Farmer’s Market. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for the Garden Club Frequent buyers program. For every $100 you spend, you will get a free perennial priced at $11 or under. Shopping in July, August and September will have additional specials, and is a great way to make sure you always have something in bloom in your garden all summer long. For more information, contact Ryan Kuck at ryan@greensgrow.org.
Watch the former “bamboo lots” at 5123-29 Baltimore Avenue as they are transformed into Greensgrow’s expansion.
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CPN Newsletter
Free in June: Curio Theatre Calendar Friday, June 19th at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 20th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. “Bang Bang You’re Dead”
An incredible show by area teenagers, the Curiositeens. Free to the public, but call for reservations due to limited seating. Main stage. Monday, June 22nd at 7:30 p.m. “Antagonyms”
Curio Theatre Company presents a public reading of company member Rachel Gluck’s new play Antagonyms. Free to the public. Corner Stage. July 6th - 17th and July 20th - 31st Registration Open for Summer Camp!
Curio Theatre Company continues its 10th anniversary season of providing theatre education in West Philadelphia! Qualified theatre professionals engage students in acting, improvisation, movement/dance, theatrical design, and writing plays. Additional details can be found at www.curiotheatre.org.
Welcome, Spirited Tattooing Coalition PN and BABA welcome one of our C newest businesses, Spirited Tattooing Coalition, to Baltimore Avenue. Jasmine
T. Morrell opened the shop in April and is joined by another full-time artist Eric Guntor. Spirited Tattooing has generated a lot of positive press as the first queer-owned tattoo shop in Philadelphia. Below is their mission, eloquently stated by Jasmine: “Spirited Tattooing Coalition set out to adopt a creative and respectful space that makes all of its patrons feel positive, supported and free — a safe space for people to express themselves. We want to make change in the industry and help people grow and feel accomplished in their bodies in ways that make them feel connected and at home with themself. To build a space for artists from the immediate community of West Philadelphia and all over the world to be a part of the shop and have the tools and platform they need to express themselves, where they otherwise might not have one. We want marginalized voices, artists and identities to have sanctuary while making those connections and baring down to their deepest layer.”
Spirited Tattooing artist Jasmine T. Morrell
June 2015
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CPN Newsletter
Green City, Clean Waters Tree Trenches Coming to Malcolm X Park By Victoria Bourret hilly has a major pollution problem, P due to infrastructure issues. In areas of the city that have a combined wastewater and stormwater sewer system, pipes overflow when there is a rain storm and release untreated sewage into the waterways.
To fix the issue Philadelphia has initiated an effort called Green City, Clean Waters. This effort is Philadelphia’s 25-year plan to protect and enhance watersheds by managing stormwater with innovative green infrastructure.
but under the sidewalk, there is a system in place to manage the runoff. The construction of the tree trenches in the park will take from four to eight weeks. The Water Department does not predict a major community impact during the construction. The street does not have to be closed down completely for this type of project and the park will be accessible while the construction is happening.
Malcolm X Park is one of many small projects in West Philadelphia that are part of the Green City, Clean Waters initiative. The Philadelphia Water Department will build tree trenches around the park this fall in order to reduce the amount of stormwater going into the sewers, and thus allow the water to be treated. Tree trenches are systems of trees that are connected by an underground infiltration structure. Tree trenches look just like a series of street tree pits on the surface,
Stormwater flows from the roadway through an inlet and then through a filter that catches litter and sediment. A perforated pipe distributes the water to the trench filled with broken stone underneath the trees. The tree roots take up the water from the trench.
Diagram of tree trenches.
June 2015
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Page 10 CPN Newsletter
Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal ● New Member
Name
● 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)
_____ Holiday baskets _____ Scholarships _____ Jazz Series _____ Park _____ Other, specify _________________________ 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)
Address
Phone Email ● Yes, I would like to receive an email notice with
a link to the current newsletter on the CPN website (and do not deliver a paper copy to my home). Email Website Phone
membership@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-BALT-AVE or 267-225-8283
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, ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Review block grant applications and help awardees implement projects etc. Board of Directors: CPN leadership and decision-making body. Cedar Park Garden Tenders: Plant and maintain gardens at Cedar Park. 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. Membership/Newsletter Committee: Promote membership to residents and businesses, Writing, publishing, photography and distribution of newsletter. Development Impact Task Force: Monitor, evaluate, and influence commercial and residential development. Scholarship Committee: Raise funds, promote program, and select awardees. Website: Technical support, maintenance, updating info/pictures etc. Zoning Committee: Monitor & communicate issues to residents; represent Cedar Park before Zoning Board of Adjustment. Cedar Park Neighbors is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.
June 2015
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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 Emily Kovach & Judy Lamirand Newsletter Design Judy Lamirand, Parallel Design To Contact Cedar Park Neighbors or submit Newsletter items: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org www.cedarparkneighbors.org 267-BALT-AVE (267-225-8283)
CPN Board
Dollar Stroll Alert! Create Neighborhood Jobs by Shopping Locally!
T
he Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, presented in association with the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA), returns on Thursday, June 25th and Thursday, September 24th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. During this unique event, University City’s Baltimore Avenue between 43rd and 51st Street showcases its charm and businesses with $1 bargains from neighborhood favorites, ranging from samples from signature restaurants to pet supplies to theater tickets. The event also showcases new businesses along the constantly growing commercial corridor. The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll has become a signature event for the neighborhood, routinely attracting crowds into the thousands. To go along with the dollar deals are live music, family entertainment, and more. A complete list of participants and details about offerings and performers can be found at universitycity.org/baltimoreave-dollar-stroll. Page 12 CPN Newsletter
President David Hincher 1st Vice-President Suzanne Banning Anderson 2nd Vice-President
Renee McBride Williams Treasurer Amara Rockar Secretary
Far McKon Directors
Curio Theatre will be offering $1 preview tickets. That’s a $20 ticket!! $19 savings! Best value on the Avenue. Greensgrow will have plants for sale for $1. Milk & Honey Bassett Ice Cream Sandwiches for $1.
Alon Abramson Robert Arters Sean Dorn Ivana Dussell Margaret Ferrigno Michael Froehlich Reverend Eric Goode Lisa Johanningsmeier Michelle Lewis Shawn Markovich Ryan Spak Mavil Spence Saba Tedla JJ Tiziou Pat Warner Michael Williams