The Greening of Cedar Park by Maureen Tate, CPN President

April 2003

Finally, after a long and icy winter, wecan glimpse the budding of trees and plantshoots in the gardens. Once again, CPNgreening volunteers and tree tenders wereout in force with a tree planting on 50thStreet, Springfield and St. Bernard Street.Greening activities are part of the regularCPN program repertoire and we are look-ing forward to other greening activities atCedar Park and on 49th Street this season.If you have a green thumb, or want todevelop one, make sure we know of yourinterest because we will be calling onvolunteers in the months ahead to makethe “Park” in our name a greater reality.

There is a different kind of greeningunderway as well this spring. In responseto the positive feedback we received onthe draft of our long range plan severalmeetings were held in the past few weeksto identify and consult with those interestedin moving the plan forward. Reports ofthose meetings are included on page 7 ofthis newsletter. The work is just beginningso if you see something you would like toplug into let the contact persons know.

Several strategies articulated in the longrange plan are in implementation stages.We have improved our e-mail communica-tion with members. Watch for a new adpromoting Cedar Park as one of Philadel-phia’s great neighborhoods! The CPNadvisory committee for the NeighborhoodMarketing Project, a collaboration withthe Philadelphia Central DevelopmentCorporation, has finished a revision of aCedar Park ad which will appear in apromotional campaign for six Philadelphianeighborhoods being launched in midApril. In the past few weeks we have alsoattended block meetings, met with interest-ed businesses for Baltimore Avenue andbroadened our membership.

On April 21 we will hold our annualmembership meeting and election ofOfficers and Board of Directors. Pleasetake the time to review the bios of yourneighbors who have agreed to serve onthe Board. We hope you will come to themeeting to give them your support andhear more about efforts underway andhow you can be involved.

Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter

Cedar Park Neighbors General Membership Meeting and Board Elections

Monday, April 21, 2003

Calvary United Methodist Church

48th Street and Baltimore Avenue

6:30 - 8 pm Election of CPN Board (continuous)

7 - 8 pm Meet Board Nominees

Update on CPN Issues and Activities

Note: Only members who are current as of April 1, 2003 are eligible to vote.

On a beautiful spring day, volunteers tookto the streets of Cedar Park to plant newtrees, meet their neighbors and bask in thewarmth of the sun on Saturday, March22. All told, 22 new trees were planted ina variety of sites: 47th Street, 50th Street,Springfield Ave. between 47th and 50thand a few more here and there. Thanks toCedar Park neighbors for budgeting fundsfor concrete removal along 50th Streetwhich made it possible for five home-owners to have new pits created. Removalof concrete is the most difficult part ofgetting our streets treed again: homeown-ers who would love a tree and can pay forone often get hung up on the expense andcomplications of removing old concrete.

Thanks also to Philadelphia Green whichpurchases large numbers of bare root treesand offers them for sale to its Tree Tendergroups at a reduced rate. And thanks to allour volunteers who made time in theirbusy day to pitch in on a community proj-ect: Larry Motyka and the Boy Scouts of

St. Francis de Sales, Peter Coyle, SaraScheckter, Ed Johanningsmeier, ChrisHibbert and Elliot Stern, Kevin Fisher, AlAirone, Skip and Jennifer Gaus, MaureenTate, Russell Phillips, Rebecca Weber,who helped organize the 900 block of50th Street, Linford Martin, who collabo-rated with the African Market at 50th andSpringfield as his own tree tenderproject, Jon and MarianneFerrin, Lydia Fisher, Adam Jonesand Evelyn Collier and Phil andDebbie Zuchman. We’d also liketo thank John Fenton of theUniversity City District whohelped put good compost in thenew tree pits in the pouring rainon Thursday.

With a little organizationand planning, the proper tools,affordable trees and the enthusi-asm of volunteers we can makea difference in the streetscape ofCedar Park.

Page 2 CPN Newsletter

Trees, Trees and More Trees! By Angie Coghlan, Cross Baltimore Tree Tenders

It’s Time For a Block Clean-up By Lisa Johanningsmeier, Clean-up Committee Chair

There are lots of resources to help blockswith cleaning projects. The PhiladelphiaMore Beautiful Committee (PMBC) 2003schedule for block clean-ups is now avail-able. Many blocks in Cedar Park takeadvantage of these opportunities to spruceup as well as bring neighbors together.The PMBC dates are organized by policedistricts. The dates for both the 12th and18th Police Districts are as follows:

April 26 June 21 August 23

Blocks are expected to register with thePMBC to receive a delivery of signs andbags and to arrange for trash pick up onthe day of the clean-up. Cleaning usuallytakes place in the morning with pick-up oftrash, placed at corners, in the afternoonby city sanitation workers. To registercontact:

12th District: Denise Ladson (215)685-7681

18th District: Cassandra Whiters (215)685-3975

All blocks are encouraged to participate.If you are not a block captain and don’tknow if your block is participating, callthe PMBC contacts above and they willtell you who your block captain is or helpyou identify a block captain for the future.

Block clean-ups can also be organized atother times in coordination with CPN andthe University City District (UCD). TheUCD clean-up dates can complement thePMBC schedule. To register your block fortrash pick-up and support from the UCDplease call (215)243-0555 at least oneweek in advance. UCD clean-up scheduleis as follows:

April 19 June 21 October 18 December 16

If you would like help in organizing aclean-up you can also call Cedar ParkNeighbors Clean-up Chair, Lisa Johann-ingsmeier at (215)724-1454. We havesample flyers that you can reproduce fordistribution to neighbors.

Maureen Tate, President

4800 block of Florence Avenue

I have lived in Cedar Park for 26 yearsnow with my husband and four children.I am presently working as a national pro-gram consultant for a women’s non-profit.In the neighborhood I have been involvedas block captain and coordinator forFlorence Garden. I have served on theCPN board for four years, working withthe Membership Committee andNewsletter. This past year I have had thepleasure of serving as President andworked with Board members in a processto articulate a long range plan for theorganization. I look forward to continuingthis work, with the Board and our mem-bership, of implementing the plan’s objec-tives as well as advocating for the CedarPark community.

Sean Joe, Vice-President

4800 block of Hazel Avenue

I have lived in Cedar Park since 1999 withmy wife, Emanique and now two youngsons. I am a Research Assistant Professorat the University of Pennsylvania’s Schoolof Social Work. As a member of the CedarPark Neighbors board since 2000, I haveserved as the 2nd vice President and chairof two committees (Neighborhood MarketPlan, Website). My professional career ischaracterized by the continual expansionof professional roles as a researcher,activist/organizer, practitioner, and educa-tor. Through these various roles I engagein research-based social change organizingto enhance the quality of life for youth inour society. I have an extensive 16-yearhistory of organizing and activism focusedon building indigenous youth leadershipand capacity in economically poor com-munities of color. My activist experienceranges from working with local communi-ty based agencies in Brooklyn, New Yorkto national groups such as the Children’sDefense Fund. Currently, I serve as amember of the Board of Directors ofCedar Park Neighbors and the LocalInitiative Support Training EducationNetwork (LISTEN) Inc, a Washington,D.C. based youth intermediary.

Carol Walker, Vice-President

5000 block of Hazel Avenue

As Vice President of Cedar ParkNeighbors, I have been involved closelywith zoning and block improvement issuesthat directly impacts our quality of life inthe University City area. I have been acommunity activist in the Cedar Park areafor the last 15 years. Married with twodaughters, I also run the Hazel AvenueCommunity Garden at the corner of 51stand Hazel and am committed to greening,tree planting and beautification efforts inWest Philadelphia.

Karen Allen, Treasurer

4800 block of Warrington Avenue

In addition to my duties as CPN Treasurerduring the past year, I haveworked withCPN board members on the EducationalCommittee, and attended a seminar onZoning training. I worked with theUniversity City Community Council inupdating its Bylaws, and I also hope tocontribute to CPN’s planned Bylaws revi-sions. I believe that the upcoming term onthe CPN Board will be an exciting time tobe involved in the community. The organi-zation is taking positive steps forwardwith its long range planning process,including its proposals for the EducationalCommittee and the Crossroads Project,and I look forward to contributing to thateffort.

Jim Masen, Secretary

4800 block of Cedar Avenue

I have lived on Cedar Avenue for over 4years. Recently, I was an e-commerce proj-ect manager at AT&T where I worked for12 years. I would like to help support theongoing efforts to revitalize the BaltimoreAvenue business corridor, support historicpreservation efforts and to address specificfamily retention efforts such as the devel-opment of a neighborhood K-12 charterschool. As a Board member this past year Iworked on efforts to develop a long-rangeplan for the CPN and would like to con-tinue with the further development andimplementation of this plan.

April 2003 Page 3

Meet the Candidates for Cedar Park Neighbors Board of Directors

Monday, April 21

Dorothy Berlind

500 block of S. 48th Street

I bought my home on the 500 South blockof 48th Street in 1976 when I was work-ing at University City New School andbringing up my wonderful kid. He hasgrown up; so have I. A lot has happenedin Cedar Park during the years that I havelived here, and recently a lot of that hasbeen good. I have served on the Board ofDirectors of Cedar Park Neighbors for thepast two years, and CPN made me theirrepresentative to University City District.When CPN is at its best we concern our-selves with the gifts that neighbors giveone another, the connections between us,the empowerment that we create together.I have been glad to be part of this, andwould like to continue to serve for anotherterm. I especially look forward to workingto implement CPN’s Long Term Plan.

Miriam Churchwell

5000 Block of Baltimore Avenue

Ms. Churchwell is a Realtor and owner ofthe Churchwell Realty business located inthe 5000 block of Baltimore Avenue. Sheis interested in neighborhood improvementprojects and community developmentinitiatives in particular.

John Ellingsworth

4800 block of Beaumont Avenue

I am a native Philadelphian, born andraised in the Eastwick/Southwest partof Philadelphia. I have resided in WestPhiladelphia for the past ten years, andin Cedar Park for the past six. I work as acomputer programmer for the Universityof Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine. Mywife, Christy, and I have a three-year olddaughter, Madison, and are expecting oursecond child in October. As former man-ager of the Video Library on Locust, I amwell acquainted with many UC residents.Two years ago I ran a website (www.westphila.net) dedicated to UniversityCity. At present, my most active concernsare to address quality of life issues, such aspetty crime, prostitution, and drug abuse,and to encourage other residents to take amore active approach towards communityissues. I am also interested in seeingcontinued renewal within Cedar Park,particularly with regard to presently emptyresidential or commercial real estate and anew mural along Baltimore Avenue.

Eric Grau

600 block of S. 48th Street

My wife and I have lived on 48th Streetsince July of 2000. My wife is a professorat Penn, and I, having just received mydoctorate, am working at home (telecom-muting) for a company in North Carolina.We have enjoyed our short time in thisneighborhood; in particular, we like thediversity, the beautiful old homes, and thecloseness of some services. Most of all weenjoy being involved in block activitiesand getting to know our neighbors. I haveserved on the Cedar Park Neighbors boardfor the past two years. My service in thattime has included involvement in the com-munity development committee, whichincludes advising the neighborhood mar-keting effort that is currently underway.I have also been involved in the tree plant-ing activities. I would like to continue tobe involved in these areas, and to increasemy involvement with zoning issues.

James R. Kurtz

800 Block of S. 48th Street

I have served on the Cedar Park NeighborsBoard for one term (two years). The CedarPark Neighborhood is a very dynamic anddiverse neighborhood represented by agreat community organization—CPN!Presently I am active on the MembershipCommittee of CPN and coordinate thedistribution of the CPN Newsletter. I ammarried to Viet-Huong Tran. We have twosons, Jacob (7) and Micah (1). I work as astaff nurse at the University of Pennsyl-vania-PresbyterianMedical Center. Wehave lived in Cedar Park for three years.

James D. Lander

4900 block of Catharine Street

My wife, Lynn Lander, and I lived on the4800 block of Hazel Avenue for 10 years.During that period of time, I volunteeredin a number of capacities to help effectand promote a positive environment inwhich to live. I also served as the pont ofcontact between our block and the variouscity agencies which service our community.I am employed by Peco Energy Co. andhave worked for them, in a number ofpositions, for over twenty-five years. Wenow reside on Catharine Street. I’m look-ing forward to the opportunity to furtherserve our wonderful community. Thankyou for your consideration.

Page 4 CPN Newsletter

Meet the Candidates

The Summer Camps/Programs& Activities Directory forChildren & Youth 2003, whichis compiled each year by theDept. of Human Services, hasbeen placed on both the City’sInternet and Intranet sites.

The directory has 115 pages ofovernight & day camps; specialfocus camps (arts, theater, his-tory, computers, sports, etc....);special needs day & overnightcamps, information about thecity’s new summer employmentprogram for youth, and otherinteresting programs & events.

It is featured on the front pagesof both sites for now,www.phila.gov/ citynet.phila.gov/ A link also appears on the Resi-dents section under Communityand Family Resources: www.phila.gov/residents/com-munity/index.html and on Philly Kids at:www.phila.gov/phillykids/

If you would like a hard copy(none are available at thepresent), please call 215-683-4DHS and give themyour complete name & address.

Books Through Bars sendsbooks to prisoners in responseto their requests. This service isfree to all people in prison.Commonly requested booksinclude:

Dictionaries (English, Spanish-English, and Law)ThesaurusesAfrican and African Americanhistory, politics, cultureBooks in Spanish, Mexican andPuerto Rican history, politics,cultureGED or Basic EducationMaterialsESL booksYoga and MeditationMartial ArtsHow-to art, carpentry, landscap-ing booksHealth—particularly HIV/AIDS,Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis

DO NOT donate hardcover fic-tion, outdated reference books,outdated textbooks, collegecatalogues or travel guides.

You can donate books at thefollowing locations:

A-Space4722 Baltimore AvenuePhiladelphia PA 19143215-727-8170Tuesdays 7:30-10:30 pm1st & 3rd Saturdays 11-3

Wooden Shoe Books 508 S 5th Street (betweenSouth and Lombard) 215-413-0999

Daily, 12 noon-10 pm

If you would like a receipt orconfirmation of book donationfor tax purposes, please indi-cate this as well as informingus of the estimated value ofthe books.

On-Line: Summer Camp Directory Now Available

Books Through Bars: Donations Needed

PRIMER Roundtable ScheduledInternational Cultural Festival

Page 6 CPN Newsletter

We’re trying something newfor the PRIMER series (Preser-vation, Repair/Restoration,Improvements, Maintenanceand Educational Resources).Several past PRIMER workshopparticipants suggested thatwe get together to share ideas,frustrations, resources etc.,so we’ll have roundtablediscussions featuring acombination of homeownersand contractor/experts: Saturday April 12 (and onSaturday May 3) 9:30 - 11 amat the Green Line Cafe (43rdand Baltimore)

If you have a question or issueyou would like to discuss,please contact me by April 4.Many of you have gained valu-able experience by DOING or byworking closely with a contrac-tor. If so, you’ll be one of ourresources. (For example, we’llhave homeowners share the insand outs of determining what

size furnace to buy and howto maintain/coat a flat roof).Others might want to sharenames of contractors orsources of materials. If you arewilling to share your successes(and frustrations and warn-ings), please contact me byApril 4. We need YOU to makethis work! It will be informaland — I’ll buy you a cup of cof-fee — so please let me know ifyou plan to participate. Don’tforget that the past workshopnotes are on our website. We’llalso be updating the contractordatabase based on the infor-mation gathered at theseroundtables!

Diane-Louise (D-L) WormleyDirector, Neighborhood InitiativesUniversity City District3940 Chestnut StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104215-243-0555 ext 229215-243-0557 FAXwww.ucityphila.org

The University of Pennsylvaniainvites all of our neighbors tocelebrate the arrival of springat the International CulturalFestival. Enjoy music, dance,arts and crafts, and food onSaturday, April 5 on 40th Streetbetween Walnut and SpruceStreets from 11 am to 5 pm.Local restaurants will be onsite selling delicious food andfeaturing international cuisine.

40th Street from Walnut Streetto Locust Street will be closedto traffic from 10 am to 6 pm.

For more information, contactEsaul Sanchez 215-746-7752.

Performance Schedule:

11 am Iqram (Guitar Soloist)

12 pm Tamika Brooks (Rhythm & Blues)

12:30 pm African a capella

1 pm The Flat Possum Boys(Bluegrass)

1:30 pm Damakha (Indian)

2 pm Batukis (Brazilian Percussion)

2:45 pm Onda Latina & Aziza Zakhidova(Latin & Uzbeki Dance)

3 pm Pan-Asian Dance Troupe

3:30 pm West Philly Swingers (Lindy Hop)

4 pm Lebanese Fusion Jazz

From 5-9 pm, visit The Rotundaat 4012 Walnut Street for morefree performances, or view themovies featured in theInternational Film Festival atThe Bridge: cinema deluxe andThe International House at3701 Chestnut Street.

April 2003 Page 7

Community Promotion and Development

Since our General Membership Meetingwhen we began to discuss CommunityPromotion and Development, a group often people met on March 10 to begin tofollow up on that conversation. Addition-ally there has been more discussion at theBoard level, emails, and phone conversa-tions. Below is a very broad summary ofsome of the ideas that have developed.

Most of our discussion has concerned the“Crossroads” area of Cedar Park, whichwe have defined as being four specificblocks, the four “spokes” that emanatefrom 49th and Baltimore. These are (a) 4800 block of Baltimore, (b) 49th Street south from Baltimore toWarrington, (c) 49th Street north fromBaltimore to Cedar, and (d) 4900 block ofBaltimore Avenue including Cedar Park.

This Crossroads is the heart of our neigh-borhood. There are signs of neglect anddecline; we have heart trouble. We want toconsider a series of steps in our planning,as follows:

1. Taking a physical inventory of the areathat might include, for each property, thename of owner, an assessment of the phys-ical condition of the property, any out-standing housing violations and photo-graph. For the most part, this informationis part of the public record, but we mightput it together specifically for this project.

2. Developing Talking Points about theproject for consistent communication anddiscussion.

3. Identifying stakeholders and meetingwith them to determine what they see asmajor concerns, and what solutions theyenvision.

4. Making a log of reports of problems inthe Crossroads area, for example, of policeactivity and dumping.

5. Research regarding financial assistanceand other resources available to homeown-ers who want to make necessary improve-ments to their property.

6. Studying what can be done to improveproblem properties, researching bothincentives and disincentives provided bycity agencies.

7. Working with the Corridor Managerto promote business development onBaltimore Avenue.

We ask you to review these points andgive us your feedback. Thank you inadvance for your support of CommunityDevelopment in Cedar Park. If you areinterested in this work please contactMaureen Tate at tatemch@aol.com or(215)726-8664.

Block Organizing

Community members interested in blockorganizing efforts recently met to discussour objectives and develop a timeline forour goals. Participants will be updatingCedar Park’s block captain/contact list.The group plans to meet again in Mayafter this outreach has been completed todiscuss plans for holding a block captains’conference in October, 2003. The purposeof the conference is to distribute informa-tion and for neighbors to share how theyhave addressed common concerns. Wehave developed a preliminary list of itemsthat would be included in a block organiz-ing kit that will be distributed at this con-ference. The kit will include informationsuch as a listing of neighborhood resourcesand how to address zoning concerns.

The group plans to hold a follow-upconference in February, 2004 after blockshave been able to schedule individualmeetings. In the meantime CPN Boardmembers are available to attend blockmeetings to share information and addressresidents’ concerns. If you are interested inthis work please contact April Marinell(215)662-1978.

Education and Youth Development

Next Meeting: Thursday, April 10, 7 pmCalvary Church, 48th & Baltimore

This group formed at the CPN meetingin February with a goal to address theeducational concerns of neighborhoodresidents. The next meeting is to discussboth short-term action and long-termstrategy. Whether or not you were ableto attend before, your participation iswelcomed and encouraged. Be preparedwith ideas, information, resources, andexpertise. For information contact PiaMartin at (215)474-9592.

The Plan for Cedar Park: Reports from the follow up meetings

Page 8 CPN Newsletter

CPN Mission Statement:Cedar Park Neighbors is anassociation of diverse house-holds and businesses based inthe Cedar Park neighborhoodof West Philadelphia, Penn-sylvania. The purpose of theassociation shall be to fostercollaboration among all per-sons living and working in theCedar Park neighborhood, topromote community develop-ment, to provide a forum forcommunication and communi-ty education, to respond toneighborhood concerns and toadvocate for and promote thegeneral welfare of the CedarPark community.

Send Newsletter items to: 4820 Florence AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19143tatemch@aol.com

Board of Directors

PresidentMaureen Tate726-8664tatemch@aol.com

Vice-PresidentsCarol Walker474-8505

Sean Joe474-4411

SecretaryApril Marinel662-1978

TreasurerKaren Allen727-8349Dorothy Welch BerlindEric Grau Roger Harman Lisa Johanningsmeier Jim KurtzMelani Lamond James LanderReggie Morgan Wayne MarquardtPia MartinJim MasenEmma OliverRose Russell

Membership Coupon

YES, I want to make Cedar Park a better place inwhich to live. My annual CPN membership duesare enclosed.

___$7 Individual

___$10 Household (2 persons or more)

___$20 Business

___$5 Senior/Student/Unemployed

___$30 Sponsor

My additional contribution of $___________is enclosed.

Name

Address

Phone

Email____ I would like a free CPN T-shirt with my renewalof $30 or more. Adult Size: ___M ___L ___XL

CPN Needs You!

CPN welcomes your participation.Please check what you are interested in andreturn the form to the address below.

CPN Projects:

_____ Greening and Environmental Activities

_____ Scholarship Fund

_____ Recycling Project

_____ Block Network

_____ Cedar Park Fair

_____ Holiday Baskets for Cedar Park families

_____ Neighborhood Clean-ups

_____ Zoning and Housing Issues

_____ Community Development

_____ Security Concerns

_____ Fundraising

_____ Newsletter (delivery, writing, publishing)

_____ Membership

Cedar Park Neighbors Calvary Community Center4740 Baltimore AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19143

Return Membership form to: CPN, Calvary Community Center, 4740 Baltimore Ave, Phila, PA 19143