Monday, October 12, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 10/12/09

Board Elections TOMORROW
This year we are honored to have a remarkably talented pool of people who are interested in joining the Wash West Board. Please read their statements on our website and ATTEND the upcoming election. Each membership is entitled to one vote (Household memberships, for example, will receive one ballot).

The meeting will be held in Room 505 of Dorrance Hamilton Hall at 7pm, Tuesday, October 13th, with special guest Councilman DiCicco at 7:45. Please arrive promptly at 7 o'clock to meet our candidates for the Board and to cast your vote.



St. Peter's School Hosts Harvest Festival
Festival. This annual fundraising event guarantees great fun for attendees of all ages. There will be carnival rides, a haunted house, games and crafts for the kids, used books for sale, and a mouth-watering array of delicious food. Plus more! Music, contests, dancing, and a pumpkin patch will make this fall event a great way to spend the day. Rain date is Sunday, October 25. For more information, visit the School's website www.st-peters-school.org or call 215-925-3963. St. Peter's School is a multidenominational school educating boys and girls from preschool to 8th grade.



E-mail Hoax
The 6th District Police has forwarded an FBI warning regarding three new fraudulent e-mails that are currently in circulation. One claims to contain "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267;" another purports to be from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI Counterterrorism Division; and the third claims to contain an FBI intelligence bulletin from the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. Do not click on any links contained in these or similar e-mails; they are hoaxes and may contain viruses or malicious software.



Hazardous Waste Drop-Off
The next Streets Department Hazardous Waste drop off is coming up on Sat. October 24th. Here is an opportunity to get rid of hazardous waste materials (including computer monitors) safely. It's also an opportunity to spread the word amongst neighbors on your block and organize a "designated driver" to take the materials down the South Philadelphia site. All info is below. All events are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Computer electronics are accepted at all HHW Events. Citizens may also bring their computer electronics to the Northeast and Northwest Sanitation Convenience sites located at State Road & Ashburner Street and Domino Lane & Umbria from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

October 24th
Saturday Streets Department Facility
3033 South 63rd Street, Northwest of Passyunk.

November 7th
Saturday Streets Department Northeast Facility
Delaware Avenue between Castor Avenue and Lewis Street in the Bridesburg section of the City (near Allegheny Exit of I-95)

For more information, visit www.phila.gov/streets/hazardous_waste.html



Veteren's Day at Independence Branch Library
A concert program entitled, "To Honor Our Soldiers", will take place at the Independence Library to commemorate Veteran's Day. It is presented by folklorist Saul Broudy and sponsored by the Friends of the Independence Branch Library. The library's address is 18 South 7th Street.

The program will be at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, November 10th. It is designed for adults, children and families and is free to all.



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

(REPORT) Between 12:45 PM, Monday, 09/28/09 and 10 AM, Tuesday, 09/29/09, complainant's bicycle, chained in the 1300 block Lombard St. was taken without permission.

(ARREST) On Tuesday, 09/29/09, 10 PM, a male was arrested at 200 S. 13th St. for Prostitution by the City Wide Vice Unit.

(REPORT) Between 6 PM, Sunday 09/20/09 and 11 AM, Wednesday, 09/30/09, complainant's 1997 Acura, parked in the 1300 block Pine St. was taken without permission.

(REPORT) On Thursday, 09/24/09, between 9 PM and 11 PM, complainant's bicycle was taken without permission from the lobby of the apartment building in the 300 block S. Camac St. (Incident reported 10/01/09)

(REPORT) On Friday, 10/02/09, between 12 AM and 11 AM, complainant's bicycle was taken without permission from the yard of her residence in the 300 block S. Fawn St.

(REPORT) On Sunday, 10/04/09, 3:25 PM, a female took complainant's briefcase from behind the counter inside the antique store, 1022 Pine St. The offender was described as a black female, late 30s, 5'8", thin build with dreads, wearing a burgundy plaid shirt.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 10/06/09

Board Elections
This year we are honored to have a remarkably talented pool of people who are interested in joining the Wash West Board. Please read their statements on our website and ATTEND the upcoming election. Each membership is entitled to one vote (Household memberships, for example, will receive one ballot).

The meeting will be held in Room 505 of Dorrance Hamilton Hall at 7pm, Tuesday, October 13th, with special guest Councilman DiCicco at 7:45. Please arrive promptly at 7 o'clock to meet our candidates for the Board and to cast your vote.



Disturbing Incidents
A member sent along a cautionary account of a young man who was robbed and beaten last week on South Street at 7th Street, at 9:30 PM. He was walking alone when a group of 8 (18-20 year olds) grabbed his phone and began to beat him up...they did not bother taking his wallet, seemed to be more interested in simply hurting him. He is mildly injured, but essentially fine. While in the ER, there was another young man who was apparently attacked by the same group, at South and 10th. His injuries were more serious.

This neighbor wants to make sure the word is out to protect other kids. We thank them for speaking out.



Seger Park Events
Mark your calendars for Friends of Seger Park Playground's next COMMUNITY MEETING on Wednesday October 21, 7:30, at the Seger Rec building (1020 Lombard Street)! Have you been wanting to get more involved with our efforts and serve your community? We'll discuss the specific board vacancies we're looking to fill, each position's job description, and how to apply -- so for anyone potentially interested, this is a must-attend event.


The Free SEGER HALLOWEEN PARTY will take place on Saturday October 31, 3-5 pm! (Rain date Sunday Nov 1!) Made possible once again by a generous Department of Recreation grant, our Halloween party in the park will feature free pizza, free treats, free Halloween baubles and tons of costumed fun for the whole family. Don't forget, if you can spare an hour or two to volunteer, please contact Joyce Killian at joycekillian@hotmail.com.


SEGER FLEA MARKET On Saturday, Oct 10 be sure to check out the flea market beginning at 9 am. Vendors will set up their wares on the sidewalks around the park, and a portion of their table fees benefit the Seger Advisory Council.


SEGER PARK DOG OWNERS ASSOCIATION COCKTAIL PARTY Join SPDOA for its annual fundraiser of food, drink and silent auction on Sunday Oct 25, 6-9 pm, at the Chapterhouse Café (620 S. 9th). Tickets are $30 at the door, or $25 in advance, purchased from dog park officers or at Ethnics Furniture (925 Pine). Humans only at this event, please.



Parks and Recreation Meetings
Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation Commissioner has extended an invitation for you to join a conversation on the merger of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park System and Department of Recreation. The vision entails becoming a leader in out of school time activities, as well as expanding outdoor recreational opportunities for adults and youth. Identifying more space for parks and trails, along with ensuring that the City excels at maintaining its park land will be core to this mission.

The commissioner will be hosting eight community meetings across the city to listen to citizens' thoughts on plans for the future of Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation Department. A list of locations, dates and times below.

Should you have any questions, please forward them to merger.feedback@phila.gov.

10/7, 7:00 PM: Horticultural Center, N. Horticultural Drive & Montgomery Drive, 19131
10/13, 7:00 PM: Christy Recreation Center 56th and Christian Street, 19143
10/14, 7:00 PM: Columbus Square, 12th and Wharton, 19147
10/22, 7:00 PM: Simons Recreation Center, 7200 Woolston Ave, 19138
10/28, 7:00 PM: Northeast Older Adult Center, 8100 Bustleton Avenue, 19152
10/29, 5:00 PM: One Parkway Building 18th Floor, 1515 Arch Street, 19102
11/4, 7:00 PM: Mander Playground, 33rd and Diamond, 19121
11/5, 7:00 PM: Cohocksink Recreation Center, Cedar and Cambria, 19134

Thursday, October 1, 2009

WSWCA E-post: 10/01/09

Board Elections and Candidates Statements
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13 in Room 505 of Dorrance Hamilton Hall at 7pm, with special guest Councilman DiCicco at 7:45. Please arrive at 7 o'clock to meet our candidates for the Board and to cast your vote.


This year we are honored to have a remarkably talented pool of people who are interested in joining the Wash West Board. Please read their statements, below, and ATTEND the upcoming election. Each membership is entitled to one vote (Household memberships, for example, will receive one ballot).

The meeting will be held in Room 505 of Dorrance Hamilton Hall at 7pm, with special guest Councilman DiCicco at 7:45. Please arrive promptly at 7 o'clock to meet our candidates for the Board and to cast your vote.

Ezra D. Church
I grew up in the Philadelphia area and spent much time in the City as a child, benefiting from many of the great arts and cultural institutions we have here. I left the East Coast in 1998 for college at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduate school, my wife and I lived in New Orleans for two years where we experienced Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. We returned to Philadelphia in 2007 and purchased a home in the Washington West neighborhood at 12th and Spruce. I practice law at a firm located in Center City. My wife and I have two children, aged 2 years and 8 months, who can regularly be seen frolicking at Washington Square or Seger Playground. We love the neighborhood and intend to stay for a very long time.

There is no particular agenda leading me to run for the Board of WSWCA. I simply want to contribute to and be more involved in the neighborhood in which I live. I became a member of WSWCA when I first moved to the neighborhood and have attended several meetings of the Board and the Governmental Affairs Committee over the past year. I have been impressed with and believe in the work of the organization. I hope to contribute my energy and unique experiences to the organization and to the Washington Square West neighborhood.

Ali Fazio
Please consider this letter notification of my intent to run for a position on the WSWCA Board in the upcoming October 13th election.

As you know, I have been serving on the Board since 2006. During that time I have also sat on, and then co-chaired the Zoning and Governmental Affairs Committee. The majority of my work for the Board has been through administration of the Zoning Committee applicants. I process intake forms, flyers and agendas; I compose letters to the Zoning Board of Adjustments, Councilman DiCicco, the Planning Commission and others. I do my best to walk both residents and business owners through the zoning process, and to keep diligent records of the application that are presented to us.

In the coming month, I will be attending a 3-day training to become a Tree Tender. I hope to be able to take on this role in our community as a way to participate and contribute outside of zoning matters. I feel strongly about the cleaning and greening of our neighborhood and would, with this new term, try to focus more attention and effort on those matters.

Annette C. Earling
My name is Annette Earling, and I've been a member of the Wash West community since 1991. I became a member of the Civic Association a few years after moving here, and I was honored to be asked to join the board around 2000. I've been very active with the board, heading the Membership and Awareness committee, designing the newsletter, The Post, sending out our electronic newsletter, the E-Post, and working on our website. I've also organized our membership drives and have helped with other efforts, such as cleanup and fundraising.

I own a small graphic design business here in Wash West, where I live with my husband and our 6 year old boy, not to mention our 2 year old lab mix. I'd like to continue to work on the Board of our Civic Association, and respectfully submit this request to be included on the slate in the upcoming election.

Diana Lind
I'm currently the executive and editorial director of Next American City (americancity.org), a Philadelphia-based national non-profit dedicated to improving American cities. My interest in my work has often carried over to our neighborhood, and as Annette will attest, I have hoped to bring some ideas learned on the job to the WSWCA.

I would like to serve on the WSWCA board as a way of getting more involved in the neighborhood, helping strengthen current activities such as the neighborhood watch and clean-ups, and helping launch some new initiatives. My interests range from getting my hands dirty (I literally just applied for a plot in the Waverly Garden) to using the Web to better engage our neighborhood. I also would be happy to use the connections made on the job for fundraising opportunities or to support neighborhood improvement activities. In general, I'd like to represent the concerns of my neighbors (aged 24 to 80) and be a helpful resource for the community.

Thank you for considering my application. My resume is attached. I hope to answer any of your questions on September 30th, but if you have any questions in the meantime, please let me know. I currently do not sit on any boards, but when I owned an apartment in Brooklyn, I sat on the building's co-op board for one year.

Susan Weiss
Please accept my candidacy for a position on the Wash West Civic Association Board. I am a Philadelphia native, have lived in Wash West for 11 years, and would love to have a more formal role in helping to improve our neighborhood. I have over 15 years of experience in development and nonprofit management and, as an eight-year staffer at the region's leading arts advocacy and umbrella marketing organization, a deep interest in public policy and community development.

Susan Weiss is Vice President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the region's leading policy and umbrella marketing organization for arts and culture. Previously, Weiss worked at the University of Pennsylvania, where she served as staff writer in the marketing and development departments at the Institute of Contemporary Art and Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. She also worked at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art and Dance Umbrella, and has taught “Writing for the Arts” as an adjunct lecturer in Drexel University's Graduate Arts Administration Program. She is a member of the 2010 core class of Leadership Philadelphia and sits on the Board of Simpatico Theatre Project. Weiss has a JD from Boston University and a BA in American Studies from Wellesley College.

David Fante
I would like to be considered for election to the Washington West Civic Association Board. As a resident of the 1300 block of Rodman Street, I have attended a few meetings in the past, specifically to present some of the ideas for the Broad and South Streets Community Garden, and more recently (about 2 years ago) to seek advice on how to deal with issues that our block has had with a few troublesome UArts students. In addition to providing useful advice and identifying channels to pursue, you and Wash West facilitated and participated in a meeting with me and another representative from my block and the UArts dean of students at Councilman DiCicco's office.

The result of the advice we received and the conversation we had at that meeting has made our block a much better place to live, and it is the primary reason I'm interested in becoming an active member of the civic association. Wash West is an effective organization which makes a positive impact on our community. As a resident of our neighborhood, I have a vested interest in our community and in maintaining the quality of life we enjoy while working to make it a better and safer place.

As an architect, I believe I could contribute to Wash West in matters of reviewing and commenting on building projects brought before the board for review.

I'm originally from Yonkers, NY. I graduated from Syracuse University in 1998 and have lived and worked in the area since the summer of 2000. I am a Project Architect with EwingCole, where I am currently working on a renovation to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. My wife (a structural engineer at another firm in town) and I have lived on Rodman Street since January of 2005 and are members of the Broad and South Streets Community Garden. In our free time, we enjoy maintaining our house, cooking, and sampling restaurants in our neighborhood.

Michael Sweeney
I would like to run for re-election for the next term.

I seek this position to attampt to finish a few projects, which include the 501(c)(3), the street lighting of 12th Street, and to work with Rick on the derelict landlords project.

I'm a resident for about 7 1/2 years with my partner, Stephen Betts.

I work only about 5 blocks away, and have been a civil trial lawyer at Lyman & Ash for 6 years.

I've served on the boards of a few non-profits in Philadelphia: formerly Sapphire Fund, presently also Mazzoni Center.

Ned Van Dyke
I would like to bercome a member of the Board because I have have been actrive in civic affairs in my previous Center City West neighbord for twenty years (Democratic Party committeeperson and before that founding Vice President of the Center City South Neighborhood Association, and, concurrent with that, a block captain at 21st & Fitzwater St. I would now liked to transfer the site of my civic activity to Wash West, my post-divorce neighborhood.

I pledge active participation and attendance with more than a dash of brainstorming and Wash West teamwork.

I look forward to fulfilling my pledge of working towards increasing Wash West's volunteerism as well.

I was a principal of the Alternatives for the Middle Years (AMY) Schools, than Director of Education at Berean Institute.

I am the father of two Center City children and participated actively at Durham, Greenfield and Masterman years ago.

I have been happy in Center City. It has served my family and me well, and I would relish the opportunity of repaying that with my continued service.

Sonia Nofziger Dasgupta
I am interested in joining the Washington Square West Board of Directors to increase my involvement in the community my husband and I joined when we moved to our current home in March of 2008. Having been brought up by parents committed to historic preservation and documentation, I have long been interested in the history of Philadelphia. Since moving to WSW, we have begun to research the history of our home and look for ways to connect with our neighbors. The area is evolving, but there remains opportunity for the community to continue to develop its own identity in this city of neighborhoods. I would like to be part of the evolution as we plan to be part of the area for years to come.

I believe that my background in marketing, communications and fundraising will be assets in assisting WSWCA in growing and developing.




Prostitution Problems on Your Street?
Of course the first thing to do is to call 911 each and every time you see this occuring. We need a record of complaints.

However a member recently contacted the police, where it was also recommended that they send letters to Community Court, where prostitutes are tried. If we write letters, the Court may enforce stricter penalties. To write the Court about the effect of prostitution on your street, mail to Philadelphia Community Court, 1401 Arch Street, 2nd Floor. Its website is www.centercityphila.org/about/Community.php





Center City District's Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey
As more economists are noting signs of the beginning of recovery, or at least a significant slowing of nationally recessionary trends, the CCD welcomes your opinion on those things that we can do locally to improve the competitiveness and quality of life of Center City Philadelphia.

Please take a moment by October 16th, to tell us how effective our initiatives have been, what improvements we should make, and what new programs you would like us to undertake. To begin the survey, visit http://www.centercityphila.org/css

You will also be entered for a chance to win $100 in Center City restaurant gift certificates, two passes to the Lantern Theater Company and four passes to the National Constitution Center. One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

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The Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission
The Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission invites you to a PUBLIC HEARING about Updating the Philadelphia Zoning Code

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers, 4th floor
City Hall, Philadelphia

Please bring picture identification to access City Hall from the Northeast Corner. For more information: www.zoningmatters.org





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

(REPORT) On Saturday, 09/19/09, 12:30 AM, complainant was at Camac & St. James Sts. when he was hit on the head with an unknown object by unknown person(s). Taken was his wallet. Complainant reported the incident on 09/21/09, no description of offender(s) given.

(REPORT) On Tue 09/22/09, between 6:15 AM and 6 PM, complainant's apartment, in the 300 block S. 12th St. had the door pried and taken from inside was a laptop. 6th District officer Greco attempted to lift latent finger prints from the scene.

(REPORT) On Tuesday, 09/15/09, 2:15 PM, complainant returned home to her residence in the 1100 block Manning St. and placed a suitcase in the foyer and left for a short time. When she returned the door had been forced open and the suitcase was gone. (Incident wasn't reported until 09/23/09-no scene to process)