Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Portico Row Still Looking for Vendors

We are still looking for vendors who would like to have a table at the Portico Row Spring Fair, May 9th. Please contact Jinous before May 2nd to participate in this fun event! 215-868-0077 or jinkaz@comcast.net

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Portico Row Association Second Annual Spring Fair
Saturday, May 9th 2009
11A.M. to 4P.M.
On 10th Street (between Locust & Spruce)

Featuring food, Entertainment, Live Music, Raffle and Sidewalk Sales!

Portico Row will be having it's second annual Spring Fair on May 9th (start time to be announced via website/email). There will be food provided by local vendors, live music, entertainment and sidewalk sale and a good time shall he had by all. Last year was a rousing success so everyone is encouraged to attend! Our intent is to raise money and awareness of the Historic Portico Row for future cleaning and beautification projects.

Reserve your table to sell your goods or advertise for your business,$30 to Portico Row Association 922 Spruce St. 19107

Deadline for participation is May 2nd.

We are looking for Sponsors, You would be appreciated and mentioned on our website.
Donate a gift certificate for our gift baskets to be raffled, Please let us know if you know any performers, singers and entertainers for kids
Thank You,

Jinous
215-868-0077 or jinkaz@comcast.net
Portico Row Association
http://www.porticorow.com

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 04/27/09

McCall School Seeks Alumni
McCall is having a "Big Birthday"--100 years! In celebration of this great event a Centennial party is planned for Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the National Liberty Museum.

They are in the process of reaching out to McCall Alum or those who may know former McCall students. Those interested in the event may contact them at 100years@meetingmccall.com



Big Changes for Joe's Coffee House
Joe the coffee house at 1100 Walnut is closing, but happily for us they are moving in another direction. At the Head House Farmers' Market, 2nd Street between Pine & Lombard on Sundays, beginning May 3rd, they'll be selling their 100% organic, fair trade roasted coffee beans. Their internet store will still operate at www.joecoffeebar.com. Plus local coffee bars all around town will be serving their coffee. WSWCA wishes Joe the best of luck in his new endeavers, and thanks him for the service that he has provided to the neighborhood these seven years. Tentative final date: Wednesday, May 27, 2009.



Portico Row Spring Fair
Portico Row will be holding it's annual Spring Fair on May 9th on 10th Street between Spruce and Locust.



Date Confirmation: Seger Park Spring Festival
The Second Annual Spring Festival is scheduled for SUNDAY, May 17th from 11am-3pm at Seger Park Playground, located on Lombard Street between 10th and 11th Streets in Center City Philadelphia. The rain date will be May 24th, same time same place. For more info email segerparkplayground@gmail.com



Water Dept. Message
The PWD has sent us a letter with some clarification and some answers to a few questions they have received regarding Wash West flooding. We have copied most of the letter below.

There is "nothing new to report" as we are still in the process of setting up meetings with the civic and businesses associated with the Washington Avenue neighborhood. However, I did want to answer a few questions.

1. Is any of the flooding in Wash West taking place outside the context of properties with sinks, toilets, drains, etc. in basements or other subterranean rooms? If so, how many and what is your best guess as to why they flood,given that this neighborhood does not have a history of flooding in buildings without plumbing fixtures (toilets, etc.) below ground?

As we've shared during our presentations, the properties that experience sewage backups during intense rain storms ( rain that falls at a rate of 1 inch of rain in 15 minutes, 2 inches within an hour) generally share some common characteristics:

* their property/block is draining into a system that cannot convey the volume of stormwater in the sewer, and therefore is backing up into the property
* the elevation of their basement floor is similar/slightly above the elevation of the sewer in the street
* their basement or below grade floor has plumbing fixtures, e.g., floor drains, utility sinks, toilets, that provide an outlet for the backup in their sewer lateral

We have received approximately 5,000 complaints from properties in Northern Liberties, Washington Square West and neighborhoods in South Philadelphia. These properties, as most in the city, have one or many plumbing fixtures in their basement level (think washers, dryers, floor drains).

2. Debra McCarty, Deputy Commissioner of the Phila. Water Dept., has said that anyone in this neighborhood who wanted to put a toilet in their basement would have to install an upflush toilet to meet the city code requirement that the toilet drain properly. If so, when, if ever, did the City become responsible for fixing the plumbing problems of properties that violate the city code?

The properties that have experienced sewage backups are not properties that are pumping into the sewer. The property's lateral cannot drain into the sewer in the street when the sewer is full to capacity during these intense rain storms. Therefore, sewage backs up the lateral through a plumbing fixture in the basement which is at the lowest elevation in relation to the floor (floor drain before utility sink). These plumbing fixtures have been properly installed and meet the City's Plumbing Code.

3. How does the PWD respond to the letter it received from John Gallery, Executive Director of the Preservation Alliance, pointing out that it would take years to collect the clearances to permit such a project to take place in an area with so much legal protection due to the historic character of the buildings and the neighborhood as a whole?

The Water Department, under general ordinance, has the authority to install water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure in public streets to provide the services required to protect public health and safety. With this authority comes an obligation to evaluate the impact of our proposed construction on streets, sidewalks, other utilities and properties. Permits are not required for this work. However, we perform this obligation with a due diligence to lessen the impacts of needed construction to the best of our ability.

I hope this is helpful.
Joanne, PWD



Wash West Crime Report
The below incidents in the Wash. Sq. West area were recently reported to the 6th District:

(REPORT) On Saturday, 04/18/09, 1:30 AM, complainant was in the 1200 block Locust St., someone bumped into him and seconds later he discovered his wallet missing, no description of offender(s).

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Governmental Affairs & Zoning Committee

Washington Square West Civic Association
Zoning &Governmental Affairs Committee

Agenda
04.28.09 Meeting of the Committee
Dorrance Hamilton Building Room 208 @ 7:00pm

Attending:

1) 1305-11 Walnut Street- Holiday Inn; represented by Adam Laver Esq. and Joshua
Grimes, Esq.; application for signage
2) 906 Spruce Street-For the erection of a (2) two story addition atop the existing (1)
one story portion of an existing structure, Max height of 43’-6” to an existing (9)
nine family dwelling; represented by Steve Pollock
3) 1112 Locust Street- Gibbs Connors- application for erection of 3-story structure; addition
to existing historic home; next to Sartain Garden

Monday, April 20, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 04/20/09

6th District Town Hall Meeting
Share your ideas & visions with the 6th Police District. All are welcome to a Town Hall Meeting:
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: The 6th District, 235 n. 11th st.


Seger Park Second Annual Spring Festival
The Second Annual Spring Festival is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th from 11am-3pm at Seger Park Playground, located on Lombard Street between 10th and 11th Streets in Center City Philadelphia. There will be a petting zoo, two moon bounces (one for tots and the other for "big kids"), musicians, song circles, crafts, games and lots of food and drinks. There will also be free tennis lessons to introduce kids to the game. All proceeds will benefit Friends of Seger Park Playground, which is a non-profit organization created and made up of community members interested in revitalizing the playground to make it safer, "greener" and bring the community together. The rain date will be May 24th, same time same place.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 04/15/09

Second Annual Spring Festival at Seger Park
The Second Annual Spring Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th from 11am-3pm at Seger Park Playground, located on Lombard Street between 10th and 11th Streets. There will be a petting zoo, two moon bounces, musicians, song circles, crafts, games and lots of food and drinks. There will also be free tennis lessons to introduce kids to the game.

All proceeds will benefit Friends of Seger Park Playground, which is a non-profit organization created and made up of community members interested in revitalizing the playground to make it safer, "greener" and bring the community together. The rain date will be May 24th, same time, same place.




ALERT from the 3rd District Police
Between the following dates and times -- Saturday 4/11/09 approximately 9:00pm and Sunday 4/12/09 1:30am -- incidents were reported to police regarding several black males assaulting and robbing individuals in the following areas: 400 Queen Street, 700 Catherine Street, 900 Fitzwater Street, 7th & Passyunk Avenue, and 700 Spruce Street. Two of the complainants were knocked off their bicycles then punched and kicked. The other complainants were approached while on foot punched in the face and/or kicked and items taken from them. The following is a description of the offenders: 2-5 Black males, early 20's, #1 - 5'10-5'11, 170-175 lbs, #2 - 5'8-5'9, 190-200 lbs, no further descrtion on the other males. All the males where wearing black or dark color clothing.

IF YOU SHOULD HAVE ANY INFORMATION OR HAVE SEEN ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS AROUND THE TIME, DATE AND AREA OF THIS INCIDENT PLEASE CALL 3rd District Police to report.




Blue Recycling Bins Available
The Civic has blue plastic recycling bins available. If you're interested in obtaining one, just email info@washwestcivic.org".




Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission, with the assistance of the Toole Design Group, is preparing a Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan for the City of Philadelphia. The study area for the plan encompasses Center City, North Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, and South Philadelphia. Please joins us at a community meeting to share your ideas!

Fels Comm. Center Auditorium
2407 S. Broad St., Phila., PA
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Municipal Svcs Bldg.- 16th Flr
Rms X,Y,Z 1401 JFK Blvd, Phila., PA
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm

For more information, or to participate in an online questionnaire on the subject, visit philaplanning.org.




Too Many Circulars?
Every so often we're asked where one can find a "no circulars" sticker for the front door...so here you go! http://webapps.phila.gov/li/UpdDocs/No_handbills.pdf.




Wash West Crime Report
The below incidents in the Wash. Sq. West area were recently reported to the 6th District:

The below incidents in the Wash. Sq. West area were recently reported to the 6th District:

(ARREST) On, Thursday, 04/02/09, 9:15 PM, a male was arrested in the 200 block S. 12th St. by the City Wide Vice Unit for Prostitution.

(ARREST) On, Thursday, 04/02/09, 9:55 PM, a male was arrested in the 12th & Locust Sts. by the City Wide Vice Unit for Prostitution.

(ARREST) On, Thursday, 04/02/09, 10:15 PM, a male was arrested in the 1200 block Spruce St. by the City Wide Vice Unit for Prostitution.

(REPORT) On Thursday, 04/02/09, 2 AM, in the paid parking lot, 1300 block Locust St. a witness saw a male break the window of out-of-town complainant's 2006 Toyota and take change and CD's. The offender was described as a black male, 5'8", thin build, scruffy beard, dark complexion, wearing a grey jacket, tan boots and blue jeans. 6th District Officer Savino attempted to lift latent finger prints.

(REPORT) On Friday, 04/03/09, between 9:30 AM and 5:40 PM, complainant's apartment in the 1200 block Walnut St. was entered without force and taken was a laptop. 6th District Officer Minnis attempted to lift latent finger prints from the scene.

(REPORT) On Monday, 04/06/09, 2:20 AM, out-of-town complainant was unloading his 2006 Acura, 200 S. 12th St. when a male entered the open door and took a Blackberry and walked away. The offender was described as a black male, 25-30 years old, unshaven, short hair, dark complexion, wearing dark clothing.

(REPORT) On Monday, 04/06/09, between 6 AM and 8 AM, complainant's 2001 Nissan, parked 400 S. 13th St. after involved in an accident and trunk unable to be secured, had house wares taken by unknown person(s).

(ARREST) On Wednesday, 04/08/09, 12 PM, police were called to a disturbance in the 800 block Walnut St., 6th District Officer Winckler investigated a male involved in the disturbance and found that he was wanted on a scofflaw warrant. A search of the prisoner turned up a bag containing a large crack cocaine rock. The 26 year old offender with a North Phila. address was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine.

(ARREST) On Wednesday, 04/08/09, 9:30 PM, a male was arrested in the 200 block S. Juniper St. by the City Wide Vice Unit for Prostitution.

(REPORT) On Wednesday, 04/08/09, between 9 AM and 9:30 AM, employee left 2 ladders and a pipe threader unattended in the rear of a building in the 1300 block of Spruce St. and they were taken without permission.

(REPORT) On Thursday, 04/09/09, between 2:55 PM and 5:40 PM, complainant's 2001 Nissan, parked in the 800 block Pine St. had a window smashed and a laptop was taken. The scene was contaminated and no latent finger prints were lifted.

(ARREST) On Thursday, 04/09/09, 6th District Sergeant LaRose set up a surveillance for illegal narcotic activity in the Wash. Sq. West area when at 10:35 PM, officers observed in 1200 block Spruce St,. a male on a bicycle sell narcotics to another male Officers were able to pursue and apprehended the seller on the bicycle and recovered from his pocket 24 packets of crack cocaine and a bag of marijuana. The 42 year old male with a West Oak Lane address was charged with Illegal Narcotic Sales.