September 2008
Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter President’s Message By Monica Allison, CPN President sually summer means that you are U able to sit back, relax and enjoy the world around you. Not so in Cedar Park. This neighborhood is ever-changing and developing, and as Carol would say, “There’s always something good happening in Cedar Park.” As with the blooming of flowers, this neighborhood is blossoming. Several new businesses are either open or in the development stage. As many of you know, The Philadelphia Federal Credit Union is preparing a temporary location at 51st and Baltimore Avenue so that they can better serve their customers in a larger facility. There is a new beauty supply store in the 4900 block of Baltimore Avenue. The condos on 48th and Florence are almost complete and ready for tenants, and playground renovations are in the works. We enjoyed a wonderful Jazz series with Denise King and friends, and we awarded 11 scholarships. The morning of September 27th, join us in the Municipal parking lot in the 4700 block of Baltimore Ave for the dedication of the “Heart of Baltimore” community mural. Immediately following this event we will march to Cedar Park for the opening of the Cedar Park Fair, being held from noon to 5pm. Please purchase
Congratulations, Karen! aren Allen, CPN Treasurer, was K presented with a Cedar Park Neighbors Community Service Award by the CPN Board at its meeting on June 16, 2008. The award reads as follows: “In grateful appreciation for your many years of dedicated service, outstanding stewardship as Treasurer and for your many contributions to the work of the association on behalf of residents and businesses in the Cedar Park Community.”
your raffle tickets — we have some great prizes as always this year. On a more serious note, I would like to impress upon our community that the Saturday recycling at the firehouse continues. Many have said that we should discontinue this effort since we now have curbside recycling. I want to tell you why this initiative is so important. We cannot give out as many scholarships to deserving children without recycling, we cannot fully fund the Cedar Park Fair, Cedar Park gardens, the block grants and other community based initiatives as completely without this recycling effort. I know that it’s easier to recycle at your curb, but please consider all that firehouse recycling has and could mean for this area. Help us, help you, by recycling at the firehouse the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. We’ll continue this effort until further notice. Fall is around the corner, and the leaves will be turning wonderful colors soon. So stop by the park, enjoy the transformation, support our businesses on the corridor, support the recycling effort, and come enjoy the entertainment, vendors and food at the Cedar Park Fair on Saturday September 27th. I look forward to seeing you all there.
There is always something good happening in Cedar Park!
T W O E V E N T S • S AT U R D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 7 , 2 0 0 8
“Heart of Baltimore Avenue” Mural Dedication Saturday, September 27, 11am hiladelphia Mural Arts program, P University City District and Cedar Park Neighbors, along with city officials, will dedicate the “Heart of Baltimore Avenue” mural located at 4714 Baltimore Avenue. The event will include a brief speaking program and light refreshments. Invited guests are Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, State Representative James Roebuck and our Mayor Michael Nutter. If you have not seen the mural, please join us. It truly represents the “Heart of Baltimore Avenue” with our icons such as Amari, Benny the barber, and Vernon the carrot cake man prominently featured in the design. The mural itself was created by David Guinn with considerable input
from nearby residents and businesses. The tiles that surround the mural were done by students in the Mural Arts afterschool program. At the conclusion of the dedication ceremony, participants may stay and chat at the mural, possibly enjoy some additional musical entertainment or they can follow a procession down to Cedar Park for the kick-off of the Cedar Park Fair. What a wonderful start to an exciting day. See you there!
Join us for the dedication of the “Heart of Baltimore Avenue” mural at 4714 Baltimore Avenue
CPN Annual Fall Fair Saturday, September 27, Noon - 5pm edar Park will be filled with newly fallC en leaves, people with information and entertainment along with fun and games. Wondering what’s going on? It’s the annual Cedar Park Neighbors Community Fair. The Cedar Park Fair will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from noon to 5pm, in Cedar Park, located between 49th Street and 50th Street on Baltimore Avenue, the very heart of our Cedar Park neighborhood. There will be something for everyone! There will be food, vendors, kids’ activities, health screening, public service tables, and more. And then there is music and other entertainment all day. The line-up includes: Adimu Kuumba, a Drill Team, and The Rays of Hope plus our favorite local DJ “Jamar.” Attached you will find some raffle tickets. When you buy Raffle Tickets, not only do you have a great chance to win one of many famous Raffle Prizes, but you can also feel good knowing that the raffle helps fund the cost of the Fair enabling us to continue this time honored tradition as well as support other CPN efforts. The Grand Prize this year is “$500 in Fine Dining,” with gift certificates from TEN of our favorite local restaurants! Page 2
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PLUS there will be more than 50 other prizes! Bring your filled-out tickets and money with you to the Fair, or you can drop them off at Abbraccio Restaurant (47th and Warrington) in advance. We still would like anyone interested in sponsoring, performing, vending, or volunteering for the fair to e-mail us at contact@cedarparkneighbors.org or call 267-531-4147. So far our sponsors for this year are: Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, University City District, O’Donnell Real Estate Inc., Urban Bye Realty and our own State Representative James Roebuck. Thank you for your continued support! Cedar Park Neighbors is looking forward to seeing the community out and about. We hope that you will visit our membership table, at which you may renew or become a member of CPN, buy one of our fabulous newly designed t-shirts, meet members of your community association, chat and talk with neighbors you haven’t seen, and buy raffle tickets to win a plethora of prizes. Mark your calendar! Come to the dedication of the “Heart of Baltimore Avenue” mural at 4714 Baltimore Ave at 11am, then follow the crowd to Cedar Park. We look forward to seeing you there.
Eagle Unveiled and Memorial Rededicated in Cedar Park By Maureen Tate, Park Improvement Committee in Cedar Park is framed this SFlagummer year by two important events. On Day, Saturday, June 14, Cedar Park Neighbors, along with local veterans and political officials, commemorated a rededication of the World War Memorial located at the 49th Street end of the Park. The event celebrated the unveiling of a newly created eagle adornment for the top of
a description of the design process in creating the eagle by Dustin Dowd, a rap for peace by local rap group Rays of Hope, and a closing with The Star Spangled Banner sung by Christian Walker, one of our CPN Scholarship recipients. All were rewarded for enduring the extreme heat with cooling red, white and blue Patriot Pops, distributed by our friends at the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union. Be sure to stop by and admire the new Eagle.
the memorial that was created to replace one stolen sometime in the 1980’s. The sculpture was specifically commissioned by CPN as part of our Park Improvement Project, an effort begun in 2003 that has since resulted in a complete renovation including landscaping, lighting, new benches and new entrances. The Eagle Project was funded by CPN and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The Cedar Park Eagle was designed, created and installed by local sculpture artist, Dustin Dowd, who is both a CPN member and 49th street homeowner. We are very grateful to Dustin for working with us on this project in the midst of other national commissions. All those who attended were very pleased with the design. The program included a welcome by CPN President, Monica Allison, the Pledge of Allegiance led by local flag bearers from Cub Scout Troup 352, remarks on the historical context of the memorial by State Representative James Roebuck, information about the Memorial and Park Project by Park Committee co-chair Maureen Tate,
Although summer is coming to a close, there is more to come for Cedar Park. Shortly after Labor Day, the much-awaited construction of a new playground for the Park will get underway. This final phase of the improvement plan will include new play equipment suitable for ages 2-12, a new safety surface and fencing, as well as new planting beds and installation of water service to help gardeners maintain plantings. These improvements are possible thanks to funding secured by Councilwoman Blackwell. Later in the fall, just in time for the holidays, we will be planting a large evergreen tree thanks to funds from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. September 2008
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Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Prepares for Temporary Relocation pproximately forty residents attended A a community meeting on August 7, to learn about forthcoming plans for the temporary relocation of the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union in anticipation of construction of a new building at 50th and Baltimore Avenue. Representatives of the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union spoke about their plan to relocate to the vacant lot at 51st and Baltimore for the duration of the construction using a trailer or “Bank in a Box” concept. They have worked with Councilwoman Blackwell’s office in identifying and confirming the site. In response to questions, they assured residents that the temporary location would have all of the same security features as the regular bank in addition to on-site security personnel and additional lighting.
PFCU expressed their commitment to remain at the 50th and Baltimore location although the current building is no longer sufficient to meet their needs. Having secured the adjacent building vacant for many years, they will demolish both buildings and build new. The new building is intended to be one story, although with elevated ceilings and façade and will be built as a “green” building, integrating environmentally sustainable technologies. Residents expressed appreciation for the PFCU’s commitment to remain and reinvest in the community. Although architectural renderings of the building are not yet available, the PFCU staff will work with CPN to share them with the community once they become available.
Leroy’s Showcase Lounge Changes Ownership By Bruce Hansen, CPN Board Member eroy’s Showcase Lounge, long a fixture L on the 4900 block of Baltimore Avenue, was recently purchased by local businessman Algernong Allen. Upon taking ownership, Mr. Allen has quickly worked to breathe life back into this bar, which decades ago was a popular music venue that once hosted such acts as the Temptations and Patti LaBelle. When one initially enters the bar, it looks much the same as it has for years. Once you nestle up to the bar, however, a couple of major changes are readily apparent. These include flat screen TVs with cable, a fully stocked bar, and a kitchen menu that looks enticing — and that’s not all. Shortly after he took over, Mr. Allen invited the Jazz groups who play in Cedar Park every Friday evening in the summer to keep playing well into the night at the bar. This has been a huge hit, and patronage at the bar on Fridays has increased significantly. In addition to Friday night Jazz, there is now Karaoke on Wednesday nights and there are plans to broadcast football games during the upcoming season. Sitting down to talk with Mr. Allen, one is immediately struck by his ambition and his warm and energetic personality. Originally from Southwest Philadelphia and currently residing in Fairmount, Mr. Allen earned a B.S. in Finance from Hampton University, and is currently enrolled at New York Page 4
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University for a Masters Degree in Real Estate. Leroy’s is his first venture into the restaurant business, but he has an event marketing background, and owns and manages several properties in the city. He feels that his contractor management Leroy’s looks much the background has greatly helped him figure same as it has for years, out how to run a bar, which he admits but Friday night Jazz, and has been a slightly daunting task. He Wednesday night Karaoke had not been planning specifically to buy are huge new hits. a bar,just a commercial property. That being said, he concedes that subconsciously he was probably looking to buy a bar. When asked if he was nervous about competition from neighboring Dock Street Brewery, Mr. Allen calmly replied, “It’s a conglomeration. We’re not competing; we’re working together. We need more entertainment and social outlets in this community.” It is his hope that this stretch of Baltimore Avenue will become a destination spot for both local neighbors and others from throughout the city. Given the effort that he has already put into the Showcase Lounge, one can be certain that Mr. Allen will be a major force behind the improvement of this part of the Avenue. All grand plans aside, Mr. Allen offers a quick explanation of his vision for the bar. “I want our place to reflect Cedar Park, and in the long term, I just want it to be a cool place to visit.” After just one visit to the Showcase Lounge, you’ll probably think that he has already achieved his goal.
Block Improvement on 4700 Hazel ongratulations to residents of the C 4700 Block of Hazel Avenue upon the completion of a block improvement project funded by the CPN Block Improvement Grant program. Planting improvements were made to the front gardens of nine households. Care was taken to choose hardy plants with a greater chance of survival, particularly for rental properties which do not have people able to care for plants regularly. Some households received plants to fill in an already existing landscape while others required many plants to establish planting beds, resulting in a major improvement to the façade and overall streetscape. If you are interested in a Block Improvement Grant for your block please contact CPN at contact@cedarparkneighbors.org
Tire Round Up Team Collects More Than 200 Tires a dirty job, but someone has to do it! Ithet’sCPN was out in force once again for annual City of Philadelphia Tire Round Up. Seven volunteers and three trucks hit the streets on August 9 between 9am and noon and collected more than 200 tires! Although not for the faint of heart, our volunteers acknowledge that they actually enjoy this annual challenge.
For hard-core recyclers and anti-litter advocates, it doesn’t get any better than this! CPN earns 50 cents for each tire ollected. It’s great to have extra income, but the real satisfaction is in seeing results. Thank you to this year’s Tire Round Up Team: Al Airone, Lisa Johanningsmeier, Bruce Hansen, Jim Kurtz, Peg Nowak and friend Michael, and Maureen Tate. September 2008
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Welcoming Center West Celebrates Grand Opening our turn to extend a warm welcome to Iandt’sCedar Park’s newest community partner resource — Welcoming Center West, a program of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. Welcoming Center West celebrated its new satellite location at 246 S. 52nd Street with an Open House held on August 5, which was attended by CPN Board members Dorothy Berlind, Maureen Tate and Shirley Rheinhart. Developed as a result of community-driven meetings and stated need, Welcoming Center West works with both immigrant and native-born populations to strengthen the community and the economy. The Welcoming Center has two stated priorities: Small Business Support and Community Integration. The Center seeks to promote economic development in an increasingly diverse community and has services that address a range of business needs — from the entrepreneur with limited English proficiency to the native-born merchant. Services include information and referrals on business resources, small business seminars, English language instruction, and customer service training, as well as technical assistance to business associations with diverse membership. The Center also seeks to break down the barriers that keep immigrant and native born communities separate and use these new connections to unify and foster a safer, stronger, more economically dynamic community. To this end the Welcoming Center sponsors crosscultural events, provides conflict resolution training for leaders and residents interested in community mediation work as well as mediation and diversity training session for immigrant and native-born communities experiencing tension. The Coordinator of Welcoming Center West is Fatimah Muhammed, who is herself native born and grew up in New Jersey. Ms. Muhammed was drawn to the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians through her work with and commitment to human rights issues while working as an organizer in Europe with Humanity and Action, a program fostering dialogue and action on the impact of immigration. She guided the establishment of the new Center while working from a desk in the 52nd St. Business Association office with the support of local community activist Shirley Randleman. Fatimah believes in Page 6
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the importance of working collectively and embracing the challenging conversations that are critical to figuring out how diverse groups of people can work together. In a recent conversation, when asked what she finds most challenging and gratifying about her work in West Philadelphia, she replied that, “West Philadelphia has such a rich history. It is an honor to learn and be part of a team that is growing every day. There are long-standing tensions, and it can be herculean to begin a conversation, to break down the walls and tensions that have just sat in the communities.
Fatimah Muhammed, Coordinator of Welcoming Center West, and CPN Board member Shirley Randleman at the August Open House
To look at what we can do about it is constantly challenging. There are always new insights. We don’t look the same, but we care about a better world and want to do it together.” She would like residents to know that Welcoming Center West is not only for immigrants — the door is open to everyone. Welcoming Center has both short-term and long-term goals. In the immediate future there is an emphasis on expansion of identified services and more direct services. They will expand upon the “Holidays Around The World” events, begun in 2007, utilizing the program to encourage merchants to bring their cultural food, art, clothing and holiday traditions to eight public events beginning with the end of Ramadan during the first week of continued on page 9
CPN Board Members Dorothy Berlind and Shirley Rheinhart step into the new center
All Together Now – Baltimore Business Association is Renewing Itself By Algernong Allen, Owner of Leroy’s Showcase Lounge freshly wrapped 34 trolley hums down A Baltimore Avenue sporting a form-fitting, colorful montage of cardboard, glass, plastic and paper, the words “All Together Now,” splashed across the side of the car. It’s Mayor Michael Nutter’s slogan for the city’s new single-stream recycling program, but it could very well be the slogan for the renewal of Baltimore Avenue. The colorful corridor of cultural diversity, artistic expression and neighborhood pride is recycling and renewing itself. Neighborhood residents, community organizations and businesses owners are in it together, working hand in hand towards responsible growth and development. That is what the Baltimore Business Association is all about. Local businesses provide vital resources to neighborhoods and create a more vibrant community. Recently, a group of businesses decided to take steps to resurrect the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA), in order to reconnect the variety of establishments dotted along the strip. In early 2008, Gebremanuel Manny, proprietor of the Ethiopian restaurant and bar Queen of Sheba (4511 Baltimore), Stephen Fisher of Studio 34 yoga (4522 Baltimore), and Pamala Williams of Café Pier One (4505 Baltimore) saw the need to have businesses work together in an effort to reinvigorate the corridor. The BABA’s mission is to promote and advance the interest of Baltimore Avenue businesses (from 40th to 52nd street, including one block to the north and to the south of Baltimore Avenue) and
to foster a better relationship between member businesses and our community, according to BABA member Vincent Whitaccre of Abbraccio Restaurant (820 S. 47th Street), which serves Italian cuisine. The organization was rekindled after a former BABA languished. Over the past few years changes have occurred rapidly to Baltimore Avenue. In a University City District survey of the community the following items were listed in high demand in 2001: sit down restaurant, book store, grocery store, music store, upscale restaurant and live entertainment. Since that time, many of these needs have been met. However, many more must be served. Through communication BABA can cultivate conversation among the diverse businesses situated along each block. The similarities and differences can be highlighted and common goals can be coordinated to create an even more vibrant destination for local residents and visitors alike. BABA will be the common thread woven between the tapestry of diversity represented in our local Global Village. Establishments represent the cultures of the world: flavors from Asia, Africa, Vietnam, Korea, Italy, Cambodia, and the United States, to name a few. The Baltimore Avenue Business Association is in its beginning steps toward creating the Rosetta Stone, encouraging the dialogue between our commercial and community interests. By working together, Baltimore Avenue can once again become growing lifeline to this burgeoning community.
Welcoming Center Celebrates Grand Opening continued from page 8
October. Plans are underway for a postThanksgiving-Day parade to take place the Friday after Thanksgiving, with other events continuing through to the Saturday before Christmas. Thinking more longterm, Welcoming Center West seeks to put to the fore the symbolic importance of coming together to achieve healing and believes that its vision and program is unique and can serve as a national model. Cedar Park looks forward to
future collaborations with the Welcoming Center. You are encouraged to stop in to see what it is all about. Participate in upcoming events and become part of the ever-expanding team of businesses and residents building cross-cultural collaboration. For more information: Welcoming Center West 246 S. 52nd Street 215-2208795 www.welcomingcenter.org September 2008
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Local Scholars Jazz Up Cedar Park in July By Paula Harvey, Scholarship Committee edar Park Neighbors Association’s C Scholarship Committee presented the 20th annual scholarship awards to deserving students of the Cedar Park Community on July 25 during the Jazz Series. These students have made a commitment to furthering their education. They were recognized for their academic success and their service to the community. Scholarships are given directly to the students,who choose where to allocate the money. Over the past 20 years, almost $56,000 has been raised through personal donations and income generated through our recycling program to support students in Cedar Park. Under the leadership of interim chairperson Laurie Friedman, the committee undertook two new fundraising initiatives. General donations, a beer-tasting at Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant, a wine tasting at Abbraccio, combined with
silent auctions at both events raised $6,161. This does not include funds donated by Abbraccio Restaurant through their Sunday brunch support. Thanks to owners Roger and Vince of Abbraccio Restaurant for their ongoing support of the scholarship fundraising effort. This year’s results are a joint effort of the scholarship committee and the CPN board. This year’s scholarship committee members are: chairperson Laurie Friedman, Darryl Bundrige, Tom Robinson, Gary Bronson, Katherine Hopkins, Heather Stepnovic, Eric Nordgren, Melissa St. Pierre, Lola Rooney, Paula Harvey, Eric Werfel, and Jessica Naugle. This year’s awardees include one senior, three juniors, four sophomores, and two college freshmen, one receiving the first annual 2008 Eric Werfel Scholarship. We are pleased to announce this year’s CPN Scholarship Awards (see next page).
Spotlight on Our Children: The Youth at Greater Enon Baptist Church n September 1, 2008 while the neighO borhood was gathered for Senator Williams’ Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood Street Festival, children and parents of Greater Enon Baptist Church were gathered at the Ronald McDonald House in University City to prepare a scrumptious dinner for the Family Meal program. The volunteers prepared spaghetti with salad and all the fixings, and dinner as well as dessert was presented at the table. The youth had an opportunity not only to prepare dinner for the families staying there, but also took the time to sit and talk with the families about their children and how as a family they were working toward the health and welfare of these children. Prior to leaving, the volunteers offered words of
encouragement and a means for the families to receive spiritual comfort as well. The youth at Greater Enon Baptist Church are very involved in their community, seeking out volunteer activities that will help them grow into productive, responsible, civic-minded adults. We often hear the negative about our youth in the city, but here is a group striving to be positive role models. Keep up the good work! Greater Enon Baptist Church is located at 4633 Cedar Ave, where Kristopher S Reese is Senior Pastor. Please contact our website at: www.cedarparkneighbors.org and let us know what our community children are up to, so we can spotlight them as well.
Thanks to O’Donnell Real Estate for sponsoring this issue of the Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter
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This Year’s CPN Scholarship Awardees Emanuel Ghebremariam is a senior at Villanova University, where he studies psychology with a focus on health care ethics. Emanuel graduated from West Catholic High School He is involved in the Multicultural Students League and the University City Hospitality Coalition. Emanuel volunteers extensively with grade school students, in soup kitchens, and at Children’s Hospital. The first junior, Kitakiya Dennis, a John W. Hallahan Catholic High School graduate, attends the University of the Arts. She plans to pursue a degree in multi-media. At school, Kitakiya organized social events, helped orient college freshman and high school students and held her first gallery event this spring. We look forward to seeing her work in neighborhood restaurants and other local venues. Emebeit Beyene is starting her third year at NYU. A graduate of the Creative and Performing Arts High School, Emebeit has a double major in Theater and Africana Studies. She is a Tish School freshman mentor, a tutor and an intern this summer for the Hip Hop Theater Festival. Christian Walker is also a graduate of the Creative and Performing Arts High School Christian is a junior at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. A business major, she traveled to Spain and to Seoul, Korea, this season to sing. Our first sophomore is Timothy Baldwin. Tim goes to Shippensburg University where he is studying Exercise Science. A Roman Catholic High School graduate, he has immersed himself in his studies by working at the Mercy Wellness and Fitness Center. At college, Tim is a member of the multi-ethnic student association and serves at the feeding program group for his local church. Cynthia Bird attends the University of Miami. A West Philadelphia High School graduate, she will major in liberal arts. She joined the tennis club and the United Black Students group. Cynthia worked for at a law firm this summer.
Donte Stanton is a West Philly High School graduate attending Temple University. We are proud of his accomplishments. Martice Sutton, a John W. Hallahan Catholic High School graduate, now attends Spelman College. Martice hopes to major in economics and minor in business management. She is very involved at Spelman in the National Council for Negro Women, Alpha Lamda Delta Honor Society, and the economics club to name a few of her commitments. Two freshmen are our newest scholarship recipients. Sara Ghebremariam will be a freshman this fall at the University of Pennsylvania She graduated from West Catholic High School, where she was active with the orchestra, newspaper, and other groups while providing community service hours to several worthwhile projects. This year a neighbor came forward to donate a special scholarship of $1,000. The Eric Werfel Scholarship goes to a person who embodies outstanding academic scholarship, amazing potential, and need. Eric could not be present, but asked the scholarship committee to make the presentation on his behalf. The first annual Eric Werfel Scholarship recipient is Lawrence Jones Mahoney, who received a check for $1,000. Lawrence graduated from West Philadelphia High School and will be attending Drexel University this fall. Lawrence is a leader inside and out, with Student Government, National Honor Society and Philadelphia Student Union among his accomplishments. He was active on the School District of Philadelphia’s search for a new CEO and the Sustainability Circle for West Philadelphia High School Congratulations to all and best wishes for a successful school year. The scholarship process will begin again in the spring of 2009. Visit the Cedar Park Web site at www.cedarparkneighbors.org or call the Cedar Park Neighbors office at (267) 531-4147 if you know of a student needing a scholarship or would like to join the committee. Your generosity opens tomorrows for our involved area scholars.
September 2008
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Crossroads Music: Concerts in West Philly, Music from All Over the World rossroads Music is pleased to C announce our Fall/Winter 2008-2009 schedule. While West African music is especially strongly represented this fall, there are also some wonderful Eastern European, English, Latin American, and North American artists coming up. Concerts take place at 7:30 pm in the chapel of West Philadelphia’s Calvary United Methodist Church, a beautiful room with excellent acoustics. Crossroads Music is Philadelphia’s only organization dedicated to organizing public performances by accomplished musicians with roots in cultures from around the world. Our concerts, workshops, master classes, lectures, and other activities educate the public by providing a Thursday, September 18 Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies Topical folk music from England’s post-industrial northeast Friday, September 26 Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko Africa to Appalachia Saturday, October 4 Bernard Woma Master of the Gyil (Ghanaian xylophone) with Alokli West African Dance and Gina Ferrera’s Gyil Fusion
welcoming and affordable environment for music-lovers of all ages and backgrounds to explore seldom-heard sounds and engage in intercultural dialogue. Crossroads is a community-based notfor-profit organization where musicians retain the freedom to stay close to their roots and also explore new avenues of expression. Most tickets are priced between $10 and $20 and are available both at the concerts and in advance from Brown Paper tickets (via our website or at 1-800-838-3006) and at House of Our Own Books, 3920 Spruce Street. Information on the season, including artist bios, sound clips, press photos, and more, is available at www.crossroadsconcerts.org or 215-729-1028.
Tuesday, October 7
Saturday, December 6
Etran Finatawa
April Verch Band
Nomad Blues from Niger’s Tuareg and Wodaabe peoples
Ottawa Valley fiddle & stepdance
Saturday, November 8 Venissa Santi Cuban jazz standards and Afro-Cuban folkloric song Sonic Liberation Front Afro-Cuban Yoruba roots meet free jazz and electronica Saturday, November 22 Metrofolk Band Traditional Music from Hungary and Romania
New CPN T-Shirts!
Saturday, January 17 Peter Ostroushko Heartland Americana (with a Ukranian twist) with Svitanya Eastern European Women’s Vocal Ensemble Wednesday, January 21 International Guitar Night, Pierre Bensusan (France) Benjamin Verdery (New York) Cecilia Zabala (Argentina) Brian Gore (San Francisco)
Yes! Send Me a CPN T-Shirt! Children’s Short Sleeve
ake your fall neighborhood fashion statement by picking up one of the new Cedar Park Neighbors t-shirts.
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Emblazoned with the CPN logo, the shirts were designed by neighbor, CPN logo and newsletter designer, Judy Lamirand. Beautiful “stonewashed green” 100% cotton shirts are available in both long and short sleeve, adult and children’s sizes. You can be any size and wear your shirt in any season! Send check and size request to CPN address or drop a check and size requests to the mail drop at the home of Jim Kurtz, 820 S. 48th Street. Call 215-724-0399 or email jimhuong@yahoo.com. Page 10 CPN Newsletter
___ S
___ M
___ L
___ XL
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Adult Short Sleeve ___ S
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___ 2XL ___ 3XL ___ 4XL ___ 5XL ___ 6XL Total number short sleeve shirts __________ x $15 = ___________ Adult Long Sleeve ___ S ___ M ___ L
___ XL___ 2XL ___ 3XL
Total number long sleeve shirts __________ x $20 = ___________ Name Address Phone
Cedar Park Cedar Park Neighbors NeighborsMembership Application/Renewal Membership Application/Renewal $10 Individual $15 Household (two persons or more) $ 7 Senior/Student/Unemployed $30 Business $40 Sponsor (one free CPN t-shirt!)
New Member Renewal Multi-year(max. 3 years)..# of years_____ Additional contribution: (Write $ amount) _____Holiday baskets _____Scholarships _____Jazz Series _____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 ($15.00) ____Short Sleeve Kids S, M, L, XL ($15.00) ____Long Sleeve Adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL (20.00)
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. Firehouse Recycling Project: Two Saturdays/year. 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.
__________________________
Phone:
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Address: _________________________
Email:
__________________________
Name:
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).
TOTAL ENCLOSED _________ Return form with check to:
Cedar Park Neighbors Calvary Community Center 4740 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19143
Email: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org Website: www.cedarparkneighbors.org Phone: 267 531 4147
June 2008
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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
Homeowner Workshops Set For September re you planning to purchase and A restore an older home? Are you in the midst of home renovation looking for great how-to information? The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia is pleased to a series of FREE September workshops in West Philadelphia for owners and aspiring owners of older and historic homes. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the best practices for restoration and maintenance of older and historic homes. These popular programs are free and open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. The workshops are presented in collaboration with the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust, Cedar Park Neighbors and the University City Historical Society.
Page 12 CPN Newsletter
“Hands On� Demonstration Workshops in West Philadelphia Masonry and Pointing
Tuesday, September 9 7pm Maintaining Historic Porches
Tuesday, September 16 7pm Interior Plaster
Tuesday, September 23 7pm Workshop Location
Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 801 S. 48th Street To reserve a space, or for more information, please contact Patrick Hauck, Director of Neighborhood Preservation Programs, at 215-546-1146 x4 or patrick@preservationalliance.com.
CPN Board President Monica Allison Vice-President Carol Walker Secretary Dorothy Welch Berlind Treasurer Karen Allen Directors Michael Clapper Deborah Clarke Sean Dorn Shani Adia Evans Naomi Fiordimondo Bruce Hansen Fred Kauffman Theresa McCole Peg Nowak Joanne Pham Kristopher Reese Shirley Rheinhart Maureen Tate Rosa Thomas Richard Warner Renee Warnick