Friday, September 25, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 09/25/09

McCall School to celebrate 100 years
On October 26, 2009, McCall School, the neighborhood school for Wash West, celebrates 100 years of providing high quality education for the children of our neighborhood. The school will be commemorating its centennial throughout the year with a series of celebrations and historical activities for the current McCall students.

Over the years, McCall School has been recognized as an excellent primary school as well as stellar "continuation" school and, at times, even a vocational school. One of the most distinctive characteristics about the school, however, has always been its strong multicultural tradition. In addition to serving the neighborhoods of Wash West, Society Hill, Old City and parts of the Loft District, McCall is the neighborhood school for Philadelphia's Chinatown. As such, students of all backgrounds at McCall School are given daily instruction in Mandarin Chinese.

The multicultural nature of the McCall student body is nothing new. The school has always hosted a diverse immigrant population and a student body with a varied socioeconomic and ethnic multicultural makeup. In 1918, 95% of the students enrolled in McCall School were born outside of the United States. Beginning in the early 1950s, immigrant children were assigned to McCall School as part of the first program in the United States that taught English as a Second Language. By 1953, the McCall School had as many as 200 students from more than 20 countries who were studying English as a Second Language. The multicultural blend of students at that time included children from Ukraine, France, Japan, China, Greece, Puerto Rico, Germany, Brazil, Hungary, Cuba, Korea and several African nations. McCall School had quickly become a center for foreign-born children to assimilate, learn American customs, and to learn to read, write and socialize in the greater community. Welcome sig! ns at the entrance to the McCall School could be read in 14 different languages and the school was, at times, referenced as a miniature United Nations.

A Centennial Gala will culminate the yearlong celebration of McCall's centential. It will be an opportunity for current and past members of the McCall family, members of the local community, and local leaders to commemorate the school's historic past and contribute to its future success. The gala is to be held at the National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street on November 12, 2009 from 5:30-8:30 PM. All proceeds from the gala will go directly toward strengthening McCall's science education program. For tickets or more information about the gala, please email 100years@meeetingmccall.com or visit the website www.meetingmccall.com.




Seger Park Events
This fall FOSPP and the Seger Tennis Club are offering an affordable after-school tennis program for children ages 6-8 (give or take a year) every Monday and Wednesday, 4-5 pm, from Sept 28-Oct 28. Taught by Coach Bryan Hughes, the program costs $50 for 5 classes, and $90 for all 10. (The cost, payable to "Seger Park Advisory Council," covers the tennis instruction, insurance, and an end-of-session pizza party.) To register or ask questions please contact Coach Hughes at JediTennis@hotmail.com, or (215) 528-0196.

Also, be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday Oct 31, 3-5 pm, when they hold the big free SEGER HALLOWEEN PARTY! Made possible once again by a generous grant by the Department of Recreation, the Halloween party in the park will feature free pizza, free treats, free Halloween baubles and tons of costumed fun for the whole family. And it's never too early to sign up as a volunteer, so if you can spare an hour or two please contact Joyce Killian at joycekillian@hotmail.com.




Outfest 2009/Joe's Coffee
Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 11. From noon-6 pm, joecoffee will be at Giovanni's Room on OUTFEST SUNDAY. They'll be selling coffee upstairs at America's oldest glbt bookstore, to help raise awareness of not just fair trade, but help to contribute to the restoration of the front wall of Giovanni's: 40% of all sales go to the rebuilding.




Board Member Elections Coming in October
Please consider running for the Board of the Washington Square West Civic Association! Send a short biography and a statement as to why you want to become a member of the board of directors to judith.applebaum@gmail.com

Deadline is September 30.

WSWCA E-post: 9/23/09

ATTENTION: ARMED ROBBERS WANTED
Please be aware of the below incident and if the described vehicle is observed, contact 9-1-1 immediately and provide location, description of vehicle and occupants and the direction of travel. Also inform the 9-1-1 operator that the vehicle was used in an armed robbery on 09/23/09 at 300 S. 11th St.

On Wednesday, 09/23/09, 12:40 AM, complainant's were walking in the area of 300 S. 11th St. when approached by four (4) males. One of the males produced a silver handgun and demanded the purse of the female complainant, during this time the male complainant was punched twice by one of the other males. All of the offenders entered a dark green SUV, possibly a Jeep, with a partial Pa. tag # of DYX_ _ 89 and drove off, going east on Clinton St.

The offenders were described as: #1-Hispanic male with an olive complexion, 20 years old, 5'10", 180 lbs, thin build, thin mustache, short straight hair parted in the middle, wearing a dark gray hoodie. #2-Black male, 20 years old, 5'7", very thin build, light beard and mustache, wearing a red sweatshirt with white letters on the chest, dark blue jeans. #3-Hispanic male, 18 years old, 5'4", 150 lbs, thin build, wearing a light gray hoodie, blue jeans. #4-Black male, no further description

There was another male operating the vehicle, described as a black male, 20 years, dark complexion, beard and mustache, back plastic framed glasses.

Anyone who may have information concerning this robbery should contact Detective Goldstein at Central Detective Division- 215-686-3093 or 215-686-3094.

Anyone seeing any of the above described vehicle or offenders should call 9-1-1 immediately, do not take any actions, these males should be considered armed.




Board Member Elections Coming in October
Please consider running for the Board of the Washington Square West Civic Association! Send a short biography and a statement as to why you want to become a member of the board of directors to judith.applebaum@gmail.com

Deadline is September 30.




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

(REPORT) On Monday, 09/14/09, between 9:30 AM and 1 PM, complainant's apartment in the 200 block S. 13th St. was entered without force and 2 laptops were taken. 6th District Officer Kelly attempted to lift latent finger prints at the scene.

(REPORT) On Monday, 09/14/09, between 8 AM and 7 PM, complainant's The below incidents in the Wash. Sq. West area were recently reported to the 6th District:

(REPORT) On Monday, 09/14/09, between 9:30 AM and 1 PM, complainant's apartment in the 200 block S. 13th St. was entered without force and 2 laptops were taken. 6th District Officer Kelly attempted to lift latent finger prints at the scene.

(REPORT) On Monday, 09/14/09, between 8 AM and 7 PM, complainant's bicycle was taken without permission from the 1000 block Spruce St.

(REPORT) On Monday, 09/14/09, between 5 AM and 9 PM, complainant's bicycle was taken without permission from the 1100 block Spruce St.

(ARRESTS) On Monday, 09/14/09, 11 PM, complainant was confronted in the 1200 Spruce St. by 4 trans. males, one of which threatened and chased the complainant with a knife. The complainant notified 911, provided a description of the offender. 6th District bicycle was taken without permission from the 1000 block Spruce St.

(REPORT) On Monday, 09/14/09, between 5 AM and 9 PM, complainant's bicycle was taken without permission from the 1100 block Spruce St.

(ARRESTS) On Monday, 09/14/09, 11 PM, complainant was confronted in the 1200 Spruce St. by 4 trans. males, one of which threatened and chased the complainant with a knife. The complainant notified 911, provided a description of the offender. 6th District Officer Hartzell responded, observed the offender at Camac & Locust Sts., the offender fled, discarding a knife along the way, the officer pursued on foot to Broad & Chestnut Sts. where the apprehension was made. A second offender from the group of 4 picked up the discarded knife and attempted to leave the area with it. The 1st offender, age 18 with a South Phila. address was charged with Aggravated Assault and related offenses, the second offender, age 18 with a Camden, N.J. address was charged with Conspiracy and Tampering with Evidence.

(ARRESTS) On Tuesday, 09/15/09, 6:15 PM, based on information from 6th District officers and concerned citizens, the Narcotic Field Unit set up a surveillance of a resident of the Parker /Spruce Hotel, 261 S. 13th St. The resident was observed leaving the area in a taxi and was stopped a distance away and found to be in possession of powdered cocaine. A Search & Seizure warrant was obtained for his room inside the hotel where a quantity of bulk crack cocaine as well as packaged crack, packaged marijuana, a scale, money and 2 loaded handguns were found and seized. A second resident of the room was also taken into custody. The 25 and 19 year old offenders with addresses at the Parker/Spruce Hotel were charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver Illegal Narcotics, Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act and related offenses.

(REPORT) Between 4 PM, Thursday, 08/25/09 and 6:50 PM, Thursday, 09/17/09, complainant's 2007 Jeep, parked in the 1100 block of Spruce St. had the plastic windshield unzipped and CDs taken. This report was received by the DPR Unit via phone, police were not dispatched, therefore no latent prints were lifted.

(REPORT) On Friday, 09/18/09, 5 AM, out-of-town complainant parked her 2008 Pontiac in the 1200 block Spruce St. with the keys in the ignition. When she returned 20 minutes later the car had been taken without permission.

(REPORT) Between 10 PM, Friday, 09/18/09 and 7 PM, Saturday 09/19/09, complainant's apartment in the 1300 block Pine St. had a T.V. missing, there was no forced entry into the property. 6th District Officer Maiorano lifted latent finger prints from the scene.

(REPORT) On Sunday, 09/20/09, 5:09 AM, police responded to an alarm at the hair salon, 234 S. 11th St. and found the front door open, no apparent force. The cash register was on the floor, owner and police walked through the property, nobody found inside, there was nothing taken.




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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Zoning &Governmental Affairs Committee

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

Attending:
1) 322 S. Iseminger Street – erection of a one-story rear addition (10’-3” X 7’-6”)
Erection of a second story deck, above addition, with stair to grade.

2) Joe Conti (C.E.O. PALCB)- brief presentation on the Wine Boutique concept at
11th&Locust (with Jose Garces)

3) Marc Vertri w/ Pearl properties – liquor license application for 400 block S.
13th Street

4) Oddfellows building- second meeting; refusal for open area

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

E-post: 09/15/09

Poll Staff Needed
Poll staff needed for the upcoming General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Staffers will assist voters at the polling place. This is a great way to be involved in the voting process in your division.

You will attend a brief training and be paid for your work on Election day.

Please contact Gregory Walker, Democratic Executive Committerperson, 5th Ward 9th Division: gregorytwalker@gmail.com or 267.334.4897




PA Liquor Control to Attend Meeting
Joe Conti (the CEO on the PALCB) will be attending the next WSWCA Governmental Affairs and Zoning meeting to give a brief presentation on the Wine Boutique concept which will be going in at 11th and Locust. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The meeting will be held at 7 pm in Room 208, Dorrance Hamilton Hall, September 22.




Board Member Elections Coming in October
Please consider running for the Board of the Washington Square West Civic Association! Send a short biography and a statement as to why you want to become a member of the board of directors to judith.applebaum@gmail.com

Deadline is September 30.




Renovation of Dilworth Plaza
The City of Philadelphia in partnership with the Center City District & SEPTA is hosting an Open House for the public to hear a presentation by the design team and review plans for the Renovation of Dilworth Plaza

Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 6:00-7:30 PM
AIA Design Center
1218 Arch Street
Formal presentation begins at 6:30 PM

The reconstruction of Dilworth Plaza at City Hall is among the most significant opportunities Philadelphia now has to transform an inhospitable plaza into an extraordinary centerpiece of the city's physical and civic fabric. The public will have an opportunity to view and comment on plans proposed for the renovation of Dilworth Plaza and talk directly with the project design team.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 09/11/09

Board Member Elections Coming in October
Please consider running for the Board of the Washington Square West Civic Association! Send a short biography and a statement as to why you want to become a member of the board of directors to judith.applebaum@gmail.com

Deadline is September 30.

Seger Flea Market
More than 75 vendors will surround the perimeter of Seger Playground along 10th, 11th, Lombard & South Streets, Saturday, Oct. 10th from 9am til 5pm, rain date will be Sun, Oct. 11th. Vendors featuring Antiques, Collectibles, Vintage Furniture, Glassware, Pottery, Jewelry, Records and Much More!

For more info log onto www.PhilaFleaMarkets.org




Emergency Preparedness Workshops
Learn how to prepare yourself for any emergency. The American Red Cross and the Office of Emergency Management, along with the Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health, will be holding a workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7 pm at the 6th Police District at 235 N. 11th Street. Rain date: Oct. 20th.

For more information visit www.phila.gov/ready.




Renovation of Dilworth Plaza
The City of Philadelphia in partnership with the Center City District & SEPTA is hosting an Open House for the public to hear a presentation by the design team and review plans for the renovation of Dilworth Plaza.

Tuesday, September 22, 6:00-7:30 PM
AIA Design Center, 1218 Arch Street

Formal presentation begins at 6:30 PM

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 09/08/09

Alert
Below please find a composite poster of a male wanted for an indecent assault near 22nd & Locust Sts., on 08/30/09. If you have or receive any information concerning the identity or whereabouts of this male, please contact Special Victims Unit ant the number provided. If this male is seen on the street, please call 911 and give the call taker a good description and mention the incident that he is wanted for.





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

(ARREST) On Sunday, 08/30/09, 2:02 AM, 6th District police responded to a call of a burglary alarm at the Ben Towne Deli, 111 S. 9th St. Upon arrival, the officer found that the front door glass was broken and the cash register inside was open. The window of Benjamin Cleaners at 115 S. 9th St. was also discovered smashed and an open cash register was observed inside. 6th District plainclothes Officers Crichton and Graner stopped a male walking away from the area. The male had a shopping bag with blood on it, the bag contained cigarettes and some cash, an additional sum of cash was recovered from his pocket. The officers noticed that the offender fit the description from other recent burglaries in the area that were captured on video and brought this to the attention. The 37 year old homeless offender was also charged with burglaries at Pearl Cleaners, 107 N. 9th St. on 08/27/09 and VIP Tailor/Cleaners, 1326 Spruce St. on 08/29/09.