[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Good news: From Det. Murray: 50th Street Robber Arrested!!
This article has the list of robberies in which he is a suspect: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/localid=9324410 Amara On Fri, Nov 15, 2013 at 3:53 PM, Clara Flores claraflore...@gmail.comwrote: Is this the person suspected of the handful of armed robberies in the area? I've been avoiding the evening dog walk and I wish to get back into that. Clara Please note my change of email address On Fri, Nov 15, 2013 at 2:50 PM, Adam . adamam...@gmail.com wrote: Good work by the 18th! On Fri, Nov 15, 2013 at 10:12 AM, Patty Bulack pbul...@gmail.com wrote: Hello All, Needless to say we are all relieved and grateful. I am praising God, personally, for this answer to prayer. Those of you who are of the mind, please continue to pray with me for the victims, and for this person to have a completely new mind and heart at the end of the story (hopefully sooner than later). We would like the victims to know that we stand ready to assist in recovering, in getting to court, and in being there with them. Here is Det. Murray's message at 9:00 am this morning: Caught the 50th St robber. I'll give details when I can. Right now we are super busy with paperwork and evidence. Yours, Patty -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups UCNeighbors group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups UCNeighbors group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups UCNeighbors group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] In Conclusion: Security System Calls are marketing scam, not precursor to burglary
It does on the link Tina Horowitz posted. My point was it's a common telemarketing tactic and also a door-to-door scam if you've seen the kids with clipboard and blue shirts claiming to be from GE or whatever. It's good that the 18th is following up to be thorough but super unlikely to be related to any break ins. If you've gotten one of these calls, I wouldn't be any more concerned about break-ins than if you haven't. Amara On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 10:38 AM, Adam . adamam...@gmail.com wrote: This number 480-214-5362 with caller id Tanesha Bailey (that Lt. McBride mentioned, does not show up anywhere on these sites. On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 10:17 AM, Patty Bulack pbul...@gmail.com wrote: Hello All, Lots of you let me know that you had received a call like this. No one said there was a subsequent burglary. Also, the ever-resourceful Amara Rocker sent me the link to a website where phone numbers of scamming marketers and other callers are reported. She sent me a page that discusses calls exactly like these. Here is the link: http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-613-662-1570 . Thanks for being part of answering this question. I think all of us can breathe a little easier as a result, but we still have the alarming problem of the number of burglaries in the area. We still need to work on keeping our houses and our neighbor's houses secure. That's for another discussion, but first step is to know your neighbors, and what their usual comings and goings are so that you can note someone who doesn't belong and be more aware of suspicious behavior as a result. Its possible to be proactive by creating block lists, having a meeting/block party, being more conscious of introducing yourself to someone new, etc With a little more day-to-day effort we can all make a real difference and actually have more fun living here because of who we know! Its a great excuse to have parties on a regular basis! Yours, Patty -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups UCNeighbors group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups UCNeighbors group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[UC] Response to Announcement of Proposed School Closures
The board of the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools (WPCNS) is saddened by the announced proposalhttp://www.philasd.org/announcements/FMP_summary_of_recommendations.docxfor closure of eight neighborhood schools in our area. We are particularly concerned by the inclusion of five neighborhood elementary schools: Alexander Wilson Elementary in Spruce Hill, Morton McMichael Elementary in Mantua, Josephy Leidy Elementary in Parkside, Samuel Gompers Elementary in Overbook and Overbrook Elementary. We believe that every child should be able to walk to school and that a neighborhood can be strengthened by its elementary school and an elementary school by its neighborhood. Given that these closures are to impact the 2013-2014 school year, the board of WPCNS is also concerned by the late timing of this announcement and that the School Reform Commission (SRC) has suspended the section of the Philadelphia school code requiring it to hold individual school hearings at least three months before a final decision is made. We understand that Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. plans to hold a series of community meetings regarding the closures and that the SRC plans to hold still school hearings though not within the three month timeframe. We intend to hold them to these commitments. Transparency, community inclusion and the opportunity for school communities to make their cases in opposition to closure are of the utmost importance. WPCNS will continue to support the efforts of parents, teachers, students and neighbors to work to make every school a great school. - The WPCNS Board Amara Rockar, President Erin McLeary, Vice President Elizabeth Menasion, Secretary Amy D’Antonio, Treasurer Molly McGlone, At-Large Board Member -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
[UC] Year-End Giving Opportunities (West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools)
Please consider making a tax-deductible year-end donation and/or matching pledge to the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools. Please see below for more information on how to donate and our current projects. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttp://westphillyschools.org/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com Date: Sun, Dec 9, 2012 at 10:49 PM Subject: WPCNS Year-End Giving Opportunities To: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com Dear WPCNS members, We have a number of ongoing projects that we hope you will consider contributing to as part of your end-of-year tax-deductible, and employer-match giving or simply to pledge for future donations. We can provide receipts for tax purposes for all donations once they have been given and you can use Paypal, a credit card, or send a check to 5038 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143 to help support neighborhood schools. If your employer matches employee donations or has its own year-end giving goals, please alert them to these donation opportunities. Please see the projects and details below. *To Contribute using PayPal or a Credit Card follow this link:* http://westphillyschools.org/?page_id=64 *To Contribute through the United Way Donor's Choice program the WPCNS code is 50330.* * * *After School and School Day Music at Lea* The after school music program for the lower grades, 2nd-4th, is currently supported and run by a dedicated group of undergraduates and graduate students from the University of Pennsylvania. While our volunteers from Penn have done a great job this semester, Lea's after school music program needs the leadership and vision of a professional. In order to have a fully functional program, Lea's after school music program would need $10,000 per year at minimum to pay a teacher to work with our students 5 days a week. For the upcoming Spring semester, we believe we could hire someone for $4,700. If you would be willing to donate towards this cause, please consider doing so as part of your tax-deductible year-end giving by donating directly to WPCNS through the methods listed above. Instruments are still being accepted by the Penn Band and at Lea Elementary as well. The school day teacher, Ms. Schregel, has provided us with a wish list of instruments and supplies that she would like, which we have attached here. Donations of these item would be appreciated. We have plenty of instruments for the after school program now but as we are able to hire a teacher and build capacity, we will be able to utilize additional instruments that you might want to clear out of your closet now. Any instruments that we do not foresee using in the next year or so will go to Musicopia who will redistribute them to other music programs in need around the Delaware Valley. *Greening Lea * The Greening Lea team will have a community meeting in January to present the master plan created by the Community Design Collaborative volunteers. We will be looking for feedback on the next phases of greening the school yard. As part of our next efforts, we have an ambitious goal of raising $48,000 to cover design fees for a playground expansion project that will incorporate stormwater management and additional planting beds and seating. We will do this by applying for by applying to a number of grants and foundations. If you wish to give to the greening projects, there are two ways to do so: First, you can donate directly on the WPCNS website and, if you donate by Dec 31, 2012, then you can use this donation for a 2012 tax deduction and 2012 employer matching programs. Second, you can give a pledge to support ongoing greening projects, a requirement of a special PECO grant we are pursuing. PECO's Green Region grant will provide us with up to $10,000 if we have pledges to match. If you wish to pledge for this future project, we will not request the money until the grant is secured in 2013. If you wish to specifically pledge for the PECO matching grant, please email WPCNS * contactwp...@gmail.com* directly with the amount you wish to pledge and your contact information (please include your address, a phone number where you can be reached, and the amount you wish to pledge). While the Green Region grant will not be eligible for your 2012 tax return, it is a great way to show your support for Lea and our greening initiatives now to attract this important regional donor. Cheers, WPCNS Board -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880 -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
[UC] Re: Meeting on reuse of old West Philly High building (Saturday 11/10 at 10 a.m.)
Maurice Jones, president of the Lea Home and School Association, passed along these notes from the meeting this morning: Information on the proposed plan is as follows: - Mixed Use Residential and Retail (Retail lower level) - 15,000 sq/ft Retail - 280 - 310 Apartments (no condos) - Avg of 700 sq/ft loft style (400 sq/ft - 1600 sq/ft spaces) - Estimated starting rents of $800 not including utilities - Each unit with have self contained systems for heat and air-conditioning - One of the theaters is planed to be retained for apt community and area community use - Gymnasium will be retained for resident and community use - Planned occupancy date of 2016 - Walnut Street pavement area to be developed into a green space including parking - Mr. Bank estimates 30% of residents will utilize parking based on his experience with Watermark Residential Apartment Tower in Cambridge, Mass (near MIT and one of their projects), but this may change based on survey results for this area - There is space for enough parking which will be a revenue source to him (this comment was in response to a question about expected parking issues in the area - No determination on what type of retail space yet. - Hudson City Capital is the funding company (minority owned) Projects he listed they have done include: 1. Watermark Residential Apartment Towers / Cambridge, Mass 2. Cooper Square Urban Renewal Area / New York, NY Manhattan 3. Davenport Landing / Stamford, CT WPL also has a write up: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2012/11/10/old-west-philly-high-likely-to-become-high-end-lofts-aimed-at-students-faculty Amara On Fri, Nov 9, 2012 at 5:10 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: The School District of Philadelphia is holding a community meeting Saturday November 10th at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the future sale of the Old West Philadelphia High School Building. The meeting will take place at the new West Philadelphia High School at 4901 Chestnut Street. It is expected that the building will sale for near its asking price of $6.5 million and will be mixed-use on the first floor with residential above. More information here: http://thenotebook.org/blog/125308/district-nearing-sale-west-philly-high Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttp://westphillyschools.org/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880 -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Deadbeat Landlord Map
I was quoting the Philadelinquency website, which is not my creation. You would need to contact Philadelinquency. Amara On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 1:20 PM, Jim Cummings alaricvisig...@gmail.comwrote: Great work. Is there anyway you can mash in landlords that have LI complaints against them. As a renter, I would care less about tax delinquency than other illegal exploitation of tenants. -- Jim Cummings the life of a single human being is worth a million times more than all the property of the richest man on earth On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 1:07 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: http://www.philadelinquency.com/?p=1448 A dataset that I have worked hard to provide is now ready and available for your consumption: The Delinquent Landlord Maphttp://www.philadelinquency.com/?page_id=1406. Roughly *70,000 LI active rental licenses* have been matched up with their corresponding property records at the Office of Property Assessment. Some of the items that we’ve uncovered now that we can see the data clearly: - West Philadelphia by far has the highest concentration of landlords who are delinquent - 4,531 properties have a delinquent balance over $100 - 1,178 rental properties have an active license and *owe more than enough tax to be brought to Sheriff’s Sale* - The total amount of delinquency that we discovered is $13,366,003.43, an increase of roughly $700K since the last time this dataset was generated. -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880 -- -- Jim Cummings the life of a single human being is worth a million times more than all the property of the richest man on earth -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
[UC] Re: Unlicensed landlords and real estate tax delinquencies
Thanks but again, it's not my work. And I think Philadelinquency's idea in creating this map is at the very least the city has no excuse not to go after fruit as low-hanging as this, which is not to say there aren't other things the city should absolutely also be doing in addition. Amara On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 1:32 PM, krf...@aol.com wrote: ** In a message dated 10/17/2012 1:09:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, aroc...@gmail.com writes: http://www.philadelinquency.com/?p=1448 A dataset that I have worked hard to provide is now ready and available for your consumption: The Delinquent Landlord Maphttp://www.philadelinquency.com/?page_id=1406. Roughly *70,000 LI active rental licenses* have been matched up with their corresponding property records at the Office of Property Assessment. Interesting... good work. Note: - although there are lots of landlord delinquencies in West Philadelphia, there are almost none in University City, - The 70,000 active rental licenses represent slightly less than half of the rental properties in the city -- a factor I found in preparing a presentation for City Council this past spring by comparing LI's number with the most recent census data. Those of us who consider ourselves responsible rental housing providers (formerly known somewhat derogatorily as landlords) have made a strong case, which city officials have -- of course -- ignored, that the people operating without licenses tend to have the most housing code violations and to be otherwise the most irresponsible. This probably applies to tax delinquencies as well. The city is losing a lot of money by not making a serious effort to identify unlicensed rental properties, while also disregarding the health and safety problems my colleagues and I assert are rampant in this segment of the market. *- * Alan Krigman KRF Management, ICON/Information Concepts Inc 211 S 45th St, Philadelphia PA 19104-2918 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6502 krf...@aol.com or al.krig...@krf.icodat.com -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
[UC] Fwd: Volunteering opportunity at Lea Elementary on October 26+27
Please see below about two great upcoming volunteering opportunities to support a neighborhood elementary school. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttp://westphillyschools.org/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Kate Mills katewmi...@gmail.com Date: Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 3:57 PM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Volunteering opportunity at Lea Elementary on October 26+27 To: westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com Cc: Stephanie Fahringer stephanie.c.fahrin...@gmail.com The Lea Visual Arts Program, with the help of Renewal Church, is planning another Paint Day on Friday, Oct. 26th and Saturday, Oct. 27th. They have made a lot of progress beautifying the interior of the school during previous work days, and have a lot planned for next weekend. Here's what they'll be doing: *Friday, October 26th from 5-7pm - painting preparation *(taping, laying drop cloth, cleaning, etc) *Saturday, October 27th - everything else* (in three shifts):* 9am - 12pm 12:30pm - 3:30pm 3:30pm - 5:30pm *On Saturday, we will be doing the following: 1. Finishing painting the back of the stairs white 2. Applying a second coat of paint to areas that need it 3. Taking down a mural 4. Working on Bulletin Boards 5. Organizing the Textbook Room If you'd like to come help, you can sign up on the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsQc_DNd0ouddEthSS0wWnN5aEYyNkhkVnlXYmJwS2c Email or call Stephanie Fahringer at stephanie.c.fahrin...@gmail.com or 732-500-4953 with any questions. -- WPCNS Website!: http://westphillyschools.org/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
Re: [UC] Facilities Master Plan Meeting- Saturday, West Philly High
Friendly reminder for the meeting tomorrow morning at WPHS! Here's WPL's article on the event and some of the issues to be discussed: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2012/09/27/your-input-is-needed-on-school-closures-the-abolition-of-middle-schools-and-school-assignments-during-meeting-saturday/ Amara On Wed, Sep 26, 2012 at 10:35 AM, Elizabeth Menasion emenas...@gmail.comwrote: I hope to see neighbors at the meeting at West Philly High on Saturday, 10am to noon. Here is some information about how the first of these meetings played out yesterday... http://thenotebook.org/blog/125167/district-closings-could-mean-end-neighborhood-assignment-middle-schools On Tuesday, September 25, 2012, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Powel Elementary has received a $215,000 grant from the Philadelphia School Partnership (PSP) to study adding a 5th grade and creating a new middle school, potentially in the old Drew Elementary building or campus, in partnership with the Drexel University, Science Leadership Academy and the Franklin Institute. This is the first grant of PSP to a district school. The study intends to put a plan together to add 5th grade to Powel next year and the middle school opening in 2014. Articles with more information: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2012/09/25/grant-to-help-powelton-students-stay-in-their-neighborhood/ http://thenotebook.org/blog/125165/psp-gives-grant-expansion-powel-school http://articles.philly.com/2012-09-24/news/34063089_1_powel-elementary-middle-school-sla And while I have your attention, I'd like to remind everyone of the upcoming meeting to discuss priorities and preferences in regards to the district's plan to propose up to 40 schools for closure next month. Facilities Master Plan Community Meeting: Saturday, September 29th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at West Philadelphia High School at 4901 Chestnut Street. I can understand there may be suspicion about this event and won't pretend this isn't going to be a painful process but the best we can do as a community is come out and express our preferences and share our experience. Three of our neighborhood elementary schools (Locke, Powel and Lea) have already been impacted by the closure of one school (Drew), one of our underenrolled schools has been made more vulnerable by district grade alignment from K-6 to K-5 (Wilson), and another has unresolved capacity issues (PAS). It is important to attend this meeting and speak up. Amara Rockar West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Red -- WPCNS Website!: http://westphillyschools.org/ -- Beth Menasion Cell - (215)704-1647 Home - (215)382-4049 -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
[UC] Powel Receives Grant to Study Expansion
Powel Elementary has received a $215,000 grant from the Philadelphia School Partnership http://www.philaschoolpartnership.org/ (PSP) to study adding a 5th grade and creating a new middle school, potentially in the old Drew Elementary building or campus, in partnership with the Drexel University, Science Leadership Academy http://www.scienceleadership.org/ and the Franklin Institute. This is the first grant of PSP to a district school. The study intends to put a plan together to add 5th grade to Powel next year and the middle school opening in 2014. Articles with more information: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2012/09/25/grant-to-help-powelton-students-stay-in-their-neighborhood/ http://thenotebook.org/blog/125165/psp-gives-grant-expansion-powel-school http://articles.philly.com/2012-09-24/news/34063089_1_powel-elementary-middle-school-sla And while I have your attention, I'd like to remind everyone of the upcoming meeting to discuss priorities and preferences in regards to the district's plan to propose up to 40 schools for closure next month. *Facilities Master Plan Community Meeting:* Saturday, September 29th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at West Philadelphia High School at 4901 Chestnut Street. I can understand there may be suspicion about this event and won't pretend this isn't going to be a painful process but the best we can do as a community is come out and express our preferences and share our experience. Three of our neighborhood elementary schools (Locke, Powel and Lea) have already been impacted by the closure of one school (Drew), one of our underenrolled schools has been made more vulnerable by district grade alignment from K-6 to K-5 (Wilson), and another has unresolved capacity issues (PAS). It is important to attend this meeting and speak up. Amara Rockar West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttp://westphillyschools.org/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
Re: [UC] Kindergarten 1st grade classes added to Lea Elementary!
I see that my announcement did not provide sufficient context. This decision was the decision of the Lea principal, Dr. Lisa Bell-Chiles, not someone downtown at the district. The existing kindergarten and 1st grade classes (2 per grade level) were already close to or at the maximum sizes. Rather than close the school to additional students at those grade levels and turn away students, she decided to add one additional class per grade level using the additional classroom space that Lea has available. It is true that Lea's enrollment has increased this year in part due to the closure of Drew Elementary. Many of the former Drew students are taking part in Lea's strong English Language Learner program. However, Lea has space to accommodate these new students with a bit of room to grow still more. It is not overcrowded. The increased enrollment has brought additional funding. For the first time in many years, Lea offers both art and music instruction to its students (In addition to an afterschool music program that is seeking instrument donationshttp://westphillyschools.org/?page_id=193 ). Certainly, the upcoming proposal to close additional schools is a cause for concern. Fortunately, this is something the community has an upcoming opportunity to speak out about. Please see below and plan to attend if you can. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttp://westphillyschools.org/ *Facilities Master Plan Community Meeting:* Saturday, September 29th from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at West Philadelphia High School at 4901 Chestnut Street. In October, the district will be proposing up to 40 schools for closure. Prior to that proposal, the SRC will host a series of community forums this fall to discuss the priorities that should guide decision making for the Facilities Master Plan. At the forums, members of the community will have an opportunity to dialogue with the SRC and other key stakeholders about the priorities that should guide planning and decision making for our school buildings. The district officials in charge of the Facilities Master Plan have said they will take into account the community's wishes when making the closure/consolidation proposal recommendations for an area, including, for example, a preference for keeping neighborhood schools open especially at the elementary and middle school level. On Fri, Sep 14, 2012 at 7:12 PM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net wrote: Wow! Fancy that! Apparently Lea School has been getting a lot of Public Charter School cast-offs or other non-eligible admits like English Language Learners and Special Needs Students; besides what Penn Alexander gets to pick and choose. MY school is SO overcrowded for the same reason. Closing more schools and further budget cuts will exacerbate the situation. Hopefully, more Penn parents who live in the Lea School Catchment Area will save our neighborhood public school. On Sep 14, 2012, at 2:25 PM, Amara Rockar wrote: Due to increased enrollment and demand, Lea Elementary will be adding Kindergarten and 1st grade classes for the 2012-2013 school year. Registration and enrollment will begin on Wednesday, September 19th at 8:30 a.m. If students and parents arrive early enough in the day, the students will be able to begin attending classes the same day. For information on what documentation to bring, please visit the School District of Philadelphia’s website on Student Registrationhttp://www.philasd.org/parents/registration.html. More information about Lea Elementary can be found herehttp://westphillyschools.org/?cat=9 . Thanks! Amara Rockar West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttp://westphillyschools.org/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880 -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
[UC] West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools Announces 501(c)3 Status
Exciting news! We are thrilled to announced that the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools http://westphillyschools.org/ is now a federally-recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization. This means we can now apply for a range of grants only available to registered non-profits AND accept tax-deductible donationshttp://westphillyschools.org/?page_id=64 . Donations help our organization ensure that our neighborhood schools have the supplies they need, a full range of arts and music instruction, more afterschool enrichment programs, and play areas that encourage activity while being environmentally friendly. We can now also submit grant applications to foundations in support of these initiatives. We would like to deeply thank everyone whose generous donations allowed us to submit the filing fees for non-profit status. Thank you so much for your support of neighborhood schools! (If you contributed to our May fundraiser for the 501(c)3 application fees by check, you will be receiving a donation receipt letter in the coming days.) Please stay tuned for news of our priorities for the upcoming school year! - The WPCNS http://westphillyschools.org/ Board Amara Rockar, President Erin McLeary, Vice President Elizabeth Menasion, Secretary Amy D’Antonio, Treasurer Molly McGlone, At-Large Board Member -- I foster with City Kitties: Roccohttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4811880
Re: [UC] Vote to supply Lea Elementary! (25 votes = $25 Target gift card)
Yes, since they're essentially giving away a $1 per vote I guess they want to make sure it's people voting and not bots. It looks like the only information they are collecting from Facebook is your name and email address. I looked at the terms and the voting is weekly, not daily. The confusion was due to that they're using Saturday as the end of week marker so those that voted yesterday can come back and vote today. Those that vote today through Saturday won't be able to vote again until next Sunday. Sorry for the confusion! Thanks to votes from the community Lea already has its first $25 gift card for school supplies! Keep voting and spread the word! Amara On Sat, Jul 28, 2012 at 7:16 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: Well that’s unfortunate. Apparently only Facebook members can vote. On 7/28/12 6:45 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: For every 25 votes, Lea will receive a $25 Target gift card to use for supplies. You can vote once per day until Sept. 8th and Lea can receive up to $10,000 in gift cards! To vote for Lea, enter Lea and Philadelphia, PA (with the comma) in the search box. https://givewith.target.com/ Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Vote to supply Lea Elementary! (25 votes = $25 Target gift card)
For every 25 votes, Lea will receive a $25 Target gift card to use for supplies. You can vote once per day until Sept. 8th and Lea can receive up to $10,000 in gift cards! To vote for Lea, enter Lea and Philadelphia, PA (with the comma) in the search box. https://givewith.target.com/ Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Volunteers Needed for School Library: Wednesday 7/25
The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC), which provides volunteer library services to several elementary schools in West Philly including Lea Elementary, needs volunteers for a special project this Wednesday. Please see link and below for more information. For those looking for volunteer in the libraries during the school year, I will be forwarding that info shortly. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/7THmf8Kh6X74/ Move furniture for school kids: Wednesday! Posted on: *July 23, 2012* Posted by: West Philadelphia Alliance for Children--WePAChttp://www.idealist.org/view/org/33M7mB7KXdTBD/ MORE / LESS http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/7THmf8Kh6X74/#DESCRIPTION Are you a strong person who enjoys lifting heavy things for social justice? The date is confirmed -- WePAC wants your help *this Wednesday*! *A seminary library on the Main Line is donating a set of library furniture; however, we need to move the furniture to the school library. *Help us load the moving truck and bring the dismantled furniture to its new home. WHEN: *Wednesday, July 25th from 9:15 AM to about 1:00/ 3:00 PM* YOU DO NOT NEED A VEHICLE. We can provide transportation from the WePAC office to and from the library sites. Please contact us. CONTACT: *m...@wepac.org or 215-779-8359*. WHAT TO BRING: closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothes (optional: gloves) *Go Team! Big thanks in advance!* WePAC is the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children. Our library initiative renovates and re-opens closed elementary school libraries with volunteer teams who read with classes and check out books together. This year, we will operate 12 West Phillyelementary school libraries with volunteer power!
[UC] Volunteers Needed! Paint Day at Lea Elementary 7/20 9-5
As you may know, Lea recently received a $3,800 grant from Lowe’s to redesign the interior of the school, brighten up the hallways and make Lea a more welcoming place for students. As a part of this effort Lea Elementary is continuing to team with the Renewal Church and will hold a Paint Day on Friday, July 20th from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. We are looking for adult volunteers who are not scared to get a little painty. To sign up, simply add your name to the Google Doc attached below. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsQc_DNd0ouddHJPbExaNlM5V0drU3gwaEJNMlZYVkE Donations of refreshments for volunteers are also appreciated. Questions? Please contact Paint Day organizers Stephanie at stephanie.c.fahrin...@gmail.com or Yvette at yarec...@gmail.com Thanks, Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] SRC announces two superintendent finalists
Come out and meet the two finalists for superintendent! There will be two community engagement forums this week at 440 North Broad Street at 6:30 p.m. Monday: Candidate Pedro Martinez Tuesday: Candidate William Hite Background information on the candidates: http://thenotebook.org/blog/124961/src-announces-two-superintendent-finalists-only-identifies-one Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttp://thenotebook.org/blog/124961/src-announces-two-superintendent-finalists-only-identifies-one -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Re: USP Security Car Flashing Lights
Thanks to everyone that called! In response to calls last week, the USP director of security reports that they've adjusted how they use the visibility lights. Turning them on later in the evening and not using that stupid white light so much. Amara On Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 10:10 PM, DDT tim...@gmail.com wrote: While you're at it, can someone talk to the Drexel cops about the danger of brilliant white strobes on the fronts of their bikes? On Tuesday, June 5, 2012 10:00:13 PM UTC-4, Amara Rockar wrote: If you also find the constantly flashing lights on the USP security car annoying and unnecessary, please call 215.596.8800 tomorrow during business hours and ask to speak with the director of security. Apparently these are non-emergency lights that are always on to provide visibility. I haven't found them reassuring at all and the white light in particular is blinding as a pedestrian. Thanks. Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] USP Security Car Flashing Lights
If you also find the constantly flashing lights on the USP security car annoying and unnecessary, please call 215.596.8800 tomorrow during business hours and ask to speak with the director of security. Apparently these are non-emergency lights that are always on to provide visibility. I haven't found them reassuring at all and the white light in particular is blinding as a pedestrian. Thanks. Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Volunteers Needed for a Paint Day at Lea on Saturday 5/19
Please see below for sign-up information regarding a volunteer opportunity at Lea Elementary. Thanks! Amara -- Forwarded message -- From: David Fox fox...@gmail.com Date: Sat, May 5, 2012 at 6:30 PM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Volunteers Needed for a Paint Day at Lea on Saturday 5/19 To: westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com Dear Lea Community, We recently received a $3,800 grant from Lowe’s to redesign the interior of our school, brighten up the hallways and make Lea a more welcoming place for our students. As a part of this effort Lea School is teaming up with the Renewal Church to hold a Paint Day on Saturday, May 19 from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. We are looking for adult volunteers who are not scared to get a little painty. There will be two shifts, one from 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 and another from 12:00 PM to 2:00. You are welcome to sign up for either or both. To sign up, simply add your name to one of the teams on the Google Doc attached below. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsQc_DNd0ouddDdLV09iNXh0cHpGcVJmQUp3V3otZ1E If you have any questions, please e-mail David Fox at de...@philasd.org. We hope to see many of you there. Thanks so much, David P.S. A second paint day is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 2nd pending school district approval and we are always looking for more volunteers on Friday afternoons. We have had some great helpers and made some wonderful progress. -- WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4 p.m. (rotating in alphabetical order) All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 3/10: Barkan Park, 50th Spruce Street. 4/14: Cedar Park, 50th Baltimore Avenue. 5/12: Clark Park, 43rd Chester Avenue (By dinosaur). 6/9: Malcolm X Park, 51st Osage Avenue (By space ships). -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Brunch to support WPCNS on Sat, May 5
Reminder for the brunch tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing everyone! Amara On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 11:54 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Please see below. Thanks! - Amara West Philadelphia Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Michael Froehlich michaelrfroehl...@gmail.com Date: Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 3:22 PM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Brunch to support WPCNS on Sat, May 5 To: westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com *Join us for brunch!* The West Philadelphia Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ is filing for its very own non-profit tax exempt status. To raise money for the filing fees, Michael Froehlich and Susanna Gilbertson are hosting a brunch on Saturday, May 5 at 10am. Amara will give an update about what's going on with Lea and what we know about how the School District's recent news may affect our neighborhood. Your children are welcome to come with you, but if you'd prefer, childcare will be provided around the corner at the home of Erin McLeary at 4918 Osage Ave. (NOTE: Erin has cats.) Of course, you don't have to have children to come to brunch. *WHERE: The home of Michael Froehlich, Susanna Gilbertson, Zora, 506 South 48th Street (at the corner of 48th Larchwood)* *WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 10am to 1pm* *SUGGESTED DONATION: $10 per person* We'll provide all the food and drink. You provide the donations (and good company, naturally). So come enjoy a lovely brunch, meet your neighbors, and support quality public education in West Philadelphia. Please RSVP at michaelrfroehl...@gmail.com. Please let us know whether your children will stay at Erin's house or come with you when you RSVP. Thanks for your support see you soon. Michael, Susanna, Zora -- WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4 p.m. (rotating in alphabetical order) All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 3/10: Barkan Park, 50th Spruce Street. 4/14: Cedar Park, 50th Baltimore Avenue. 5/12: Clark Park, 43rd Chester Avenue (By dinosaur). 6/9: Malcolm X Park, 51st Osage Avenue (By space ships). -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UC] Citywide Summit: Our Schools Our Solutions (4/28 2-5 p.m.)
As a follow-up to Saturday's event, there is a petition for a policy on educator-led school transformation in Philadelphia as improving schools means *more than just closure or a change in management*. There is a great source of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed in our schools and communities. Please sign here: http://signon.org/sign/educator-led-turnaround A follow-up organizing meeting and conversation has also been scheduled. *OneVoice for Educator-Led Turnaround:* Tuesday, May 8th 6:00 p.m. at 4233 Chestnut Street (Media Mobilizing Project building). Philadelphia's public schools need a policy that provides for, enables and encourages qualified and effective teachers and principals to lead the transformation of our schools, working with parents, students, and community partners. Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Thu, Apr 19, 2012 at 8:54 PM, wil.p...@comcast.net wrote: That's the school Debbie Wei started in Chinatown about ten years ago. She's a brilliant person, a good friend and a fellow college classmate. Debbie and Helen Gym were instrumental in forming Asian Americans United as well as another fellow college mate Paul Uyehara and his wife Mary. This summit should be a night to remember. Considering what the corporations are doing to Jim Roebuck, it is imperative people attend this meeting. Sent from Xfinity Mobile App - Original Message - From: aroc...@gmail.com To: westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com, UnivCity@list.purple.com,ucneighb...@googlegroups.com Sent:Thu Apr 19 03:40:39 UTC 2012 Subject: [UC] Citywide Summit: Our Schools Our Solutions (4/28 2-5 p.m.) Please see below for information on an exciting and important upcoming event. Please forward to any and all that might be interested. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ Dear stakeholder in our public school system, In an era of doing more with less, parents, teachers, and students and community members are coming together to empower ourselves to improve our neighborhood schools. We've known for a long time that we are the ones we have been waiting for when it comes to understanding what our schools * really* need to improve, the vast abilities of our young people, the amazing things the majority of our great educators can do, and the strong community base of support among our parents, clergy, and community leaders when it comes to our youth and our neighborhood schools. Across the city we've seen amazing efforts like Supporters of Stanton, the Teacher Action Group, the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, Parent Power, and the Philadelphia Student Union in building the leadership of parents, teachers and students, bringing these groups together, and uplifting the true possibilities of our schools when directly effected stakeholders turn our vision into reality. There is *greatness on the ground* in our schools and communities. We believe that parents and communities deserve the choice to join with educators they respect and trust to control the transformation of our schools. It is urgent that we improve our schools through as many avenues as possible and our educators and communities are a source of untapped potential in Philadelphia. *Please join us on Saturday April 28th for a Citywide Summit: Our Schools Our Solutions http://www.tagphilly.org/ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: Folk Arts and Cultural Treasures School** 1023 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123***2:15pm — Opening Panel — Transformation from Below: Changing OUR Schools Speakers will address how they were able to make significant changes at their schools. *3:00 – 4:30pm — Breakout Sessions * Hear from students, teachers, and parents who are working to address the problems in our schools. Create your own strategy for improving your school community. ** *4:40 – 5:00pm — **Building OUR Power for School Change in OUR City* End the day with hundreds of educators, students, parents and community members, as we issue a call to action to expand our options for educational changed *led by us* in the city of Philadelphia. -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Fwd: Brunch to support WPCNS on Sat, May 5
Please see below. Thanks! - Amara West Philadelphia Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Michael Froehlich michaelrfroehl...@gmail.com Date: Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 3:22 PM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Brunch to support WPCNS on Sat, May 5 To: westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com *Join us for brunch!* The West Philadelphia Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ is filing for its very own non-profit tax exempt status. To raise money for the filing fees, Michael Froehlich and Susanna Gilbertson are hosting a brunch on Saturday, May 5 at 10am. Amara will give an update about what's going on with Lea and what we know about how the School District's recent news may affect our neighborhood. Your children are welcome to come with you, but if you'd prefer, childcare will be provided around the corner at the home of Erin McLeary at 4918 Osage Ave. (NOTE: Erin has cats.) Of course, you don't have to have children to come to brunch. *WHERE: The home of Michael Froehlich, Susanna Gilbertson, Zora, 506 South 48th Street (at the corner of 48th Larchwood)* *WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 10am to 1pm* *SUGGESTED DONATION: $10 per person* We'll provide all the food and drink. You provide the donations (and good company, naturally). So come enjoy a lovely brunch, meet your neighbors, and support quality public education in West Philadelphia. Please RSVP at michaelrfroehl...@gmail.com. Please let us know whether your children will stay at Erin's house or come with you when you RSVP. Thanks for your support see you soon. Michael, Susanna, Zora -- WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4 p.m. (rotating in alphabetical order) All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 3/10: Barkan Park, 50th Spruce Street. 4/14: Cedar Park, 50th Baltimore Avenue. 5/12: Clark Park, 43rd Chester Avenue (By dinosaur). 6/9: Malcolm X Park, 51st Osage Avenue (By space ships). -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UC] Re: Fatimah Muhammad
Live stream here: http://www.thenotebook.org/blog/124746/radical-district-reorganization-64-school-closings-planned On Tue, Apr 24, 2012 at 7:17 AM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net wrote: Wait until you see what happens today. Forty schools to be closed in Philadelphia, hundreds of personnel to be handed over to private agencies, or fired…should be fun. From: Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net Reply-To: Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net Date: Monday, April 23, 2012 11:02 PM To: UnivCity listserv UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] Re: Fatimah Muhammad Here’s another excellent article. http://www.alternet.org/story/155076/right-wing_campaign_to_privatize_public_ed_takes_hold_in_pennsylvania/?page=entire On 4/23/12 12:55 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Found Muhammad's campaign report: http://www.philadelphiacontroller.org/2012Cycle2/Reports/20120114-2012-2-83.pdf This article does a good job of breaking down the sources of the funding in context: http://www.talk2action.org/story/2012/4/23/21157/2721 On Sat, Apr 21, 2012 at 12:57 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Muhammad and most of these PACs have not filed their campaign finance reports as required by last Friday. https://www.campaignfinanceonline.state.pa.us/pages/CFReportSearch.aspx It is looking like the constituents of the 188th won't have the full details of who exactly is funding what until after the primary. On Sat, Apr 21, 2012 at 1:15 AM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: From Friday’s City Paper: http://www.citypaper.net/blogs/nakedcity/Democrat-backed-by-anti-abortion-rich-people-sends-pro-choice-mailer-decrying-GOP-war-on-women.html?text=xlgc=y On 4/20/12 1:47 AM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net http://kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I have been trying to post this to the other list, where a discussion is ongoing, but I am transitioning between email addresses and can’t seem to post to the other list at the moment. But I need to post this. Feel free to forward to the other list. This is fascinating to me. Disturbing, but fascinating in a kind-of accident-gawker kind-of way. So, after being bombarded all week with Ms. Muhammad’s very expensive flyers in my door (FOUR today!) I started noticing who is sponsoring them. This week, several have been from “Friends of,” but I noticed a number were sponsored by “Women for Change,” a lame name if ever this lifelong lefty activist has seen one. So I wondered . . . . I just googled the group, with an Elkins Park address, and came up with surprisingly little, other than campaign contribution reports. One attracted my interest for reasons I can’t articulate moreso than others. The link took me to, what appears to me to be, a report from the City Controller’s office on campaign contributions. It took me a little while to figure it out but it looks to me like it is a report on contributions made by Students First, the provoucher PAC “funded by Pennsylvania hedge-fund managers and American Federation for Children, a Washington, D.C., pro-voucher group headed by Amway heiress and major right-wing donor Betsy DeVos . . . . backed by conservative Bala Cynwyd hedge-fund managers Jeffrey Yass, Arthur Dantchik and Joel Greenberg,” according to the City Paper article Jim cited. I am attaching the pdf of the report, and it can also be found at * http://www.philadelphiacontroller.org/2012Cycle2/Reports/2010165-2012-2-70.pdf * . If you can open the pdf, search the document for “Women for Change.” I am completely open to being corrected on this, but it looks to me to be a report on contributions by Students First to candidates for Philadelphia office. There are two contributions of 10K each from Students First to Women for Change on March 21, one at page 6, one at page 12. About when Ms. Muhammad’s promotional materials started appearing. I had to do a triple take on that – why make two 10K contributions on the same day, rather than one $20K, if not simply to make it harder to track? I am sickened on multiple levels. First, just that wealthy individuals who have no relationship to this city or state are pouring phenomenal amounts of money into the state – even just the city, but this is where the strongest opposition to vouchers lives – in this election. Which is why she can pay for all of these expensive flyers. She’s not a grassroots homeless up-by-her-bootstraps lesbian African-American. Well, she may be a formerly homeless lesbian African-American. But that does not necessarily say anything about whose interests she is representing now. She sold her soul to the suburban hedge-fund managers and Amway heiresses who want to eliminate public schools. And I am sickened by the dishonesty. It would be one thing if Students First was giving $20K to Muhammad’s campaign in it’s own name – at least then we know who they are and what their agenda is. But to channel
[UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings
I'm hearing that the ZBA approved the Apple Lofts project. Does anyone have more info? Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: I didn't get to 52nd Economic Development Plan on Wednesday. Did anyone? The Apple Storage proposal is called Apple Lofts and (obviously) needs zoning to go from Industrial to Residential. 112 loft-style apartments: 25 studios, 41 1 beds and 46 2 beds with prices ranging from $700-1,400. They seem to think the 52nd and Baltimore transit corridor will make the project especially attractive. All market-rate, no subsidized (the company Ironstone, has other affordable rental buildings in the area, the Madison at 50th and Spruce and the Commodore at 48th and Locust, recently acquired). Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and exposed brick walls. 92 parking spaces in back included plus bike storage and Philly Car Share spots (they meant ZipCar, I guess). On the ground floor they want to put in 2,000 square feet of C2 commercial space for which they don't have a tenant (someone suggested a co-working space with possibility for community group usage). The building will look pretty much the same except with a lot more windows. They will be redoing the 52nd Street sidewalk. Sewage connection actually runs up 52nd Street and then under the building so they won't need to tear up 52nd Street for that. Ironstone are not general contractors, they will have to hire a general contractor, want to use local contractors, mixed shop, mostly open, some union. Long-term maintenance etc. positions in the building will likely be local. Business is looking to grow. They would be applying for a 10-year tax abatement. Redevelopment of the building should not impact real estate taxes on the two-story homes surrounding it (taxes are based on like buildings). Zoning hearing is on January 4, 2012. They want to break ground in April with the project finished in a year but begin renting within 9 months and have the property fully-rented one year after completion. Community concerns: parking because of the funeral home and church nearby, property taxes going up anyway, it not being affordable and/or senior housing, construction disrupting 52nd Street traffic, the project attracting rowdy students, the project attracting the kinds of people who ride bikes(?), the additional tenants making it harder to catch a trolley in the morning and developers not willing to commit to making improvements to the 52nd and Baltimore intersection because that's neither in their budget nor their property. I imagine if you want to support this project or voice your concerns, you should be emailing marty.ca...@phila.gov and sandy.ha...@phila.gov at Councilwoman Blackwell's office (be sure to provide your name and address) and/or testifying at the zoning hearing. Amara On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 1:48 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: There are two meetings this week related to development along the 52nd Street corridor that may be of interest to neighbors. The following is all the info I have. Thanks! 52nd st economic development plan community meeting, Wednesday December 14th 6p.m. White rock baptist church, 5240 chestnut st, Philadelphia, PA and Cedar Park Neighbors is hosting a community meeting on a proposed new use for the long empty Apply Storage building located at 780-782 S. 52nd Street. The property owner, Apple Iron Stone, intends loft apartments with a retail use on the first floor with resident parking located in the rear. Cedar Park Neighbors invites you to a Community Meeting Regarding: 780-782 S. 52nd Street (Apple Storage Building) Thursday, December 15th, 2011 7:00 pm Wayland Memorial Baptist Church 5126 Baltimore Avenue Many who participated in the Baltimore Conversation last year expressed interest in seeing vacant buildings renovated and occupied once again. We hope you will come to learn more about this proposed project for our community. Questions? Contact CPN at: 267-531-4147; cont...@cedarparkneighbors.org -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Citywide Summit: Our Schools Our Solutions (4/28 2-5 p.m.)
Please see below for information on an exciting and important upcoming event. Please forward to any and all that might be interested. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ Dear stakeholder in our public school system, In an era of doing more with less, parents, teachers, and students and community members are coming together to empower ourselves to improve our neighborhood schools. We've known for a long time that we are the ones we have been waiting for when it comes to understanding what our schools * really* need to improve, the vast abilities of our young people, the amazing things the majority of our great educators can do, and the strong community base of support among our parents, clergy, and community leaders when it comes to our youth and our neighborhood schools. Across the city we've seen amazing efforts like Supporters of Stanton, the Teacher Action Group, the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, Parent Power, and the Philadelphia Student Union in building the leadership of parents, teachers and students, bringing these groups together, and uplifting the true possibilities of our schools when directly effected stakeholders turn our vision into reality. There is *greatness on the ground* in our schools and communities. We believe that parents and communities deserve the choice to join with educators they respect and trust to control the transformation of our schools. It is urgent that we improve our schools through as many avenues as possible and our educators and communities are a source of untapped potential in Philadelphia. *Please join us on Saturday April 28th for a Citywide Summit: Our Schools Our Solutions http://www.tagphilly.org/ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: Folk Arts and Cultural Treasures School** 1023 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123***2:15pm — Opening Panel — Transformation from Below: Changing OUR Schools Speakers will address how they were able to make significant changes at their schools. *3:00 – 4:30pm — Breakout Sessions * Hear from students, teachers, and parents who are working to address the problems in our schools. Create your own strategy for improving your school community. ** *4:40 – 5:00pm — **Building OUR Power for School Change in OUR City* End the day with hundreds of educators, students, parents and community members, as we issue a call to action to expand our options for educational changed *led by us* in the city of Philadelphia. -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Donors Choose: Lea School
Mrs. Mykytiuch, one of the kindergarten teachers at Lea, has TWO great projects up on Donors Choose: http://www.donorschoose.org/project/once-upon-a-time-creating-reading-fluen/783729/ http://www.donorschoose.org/project/making-the-chalk-dust-settle-permanentl/783698/ On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: P.S. Here's the West Philly High School project, also reading focused, which still needs $133: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=720028verify=-2075046597 The students will be learning about the Holocaust through the Maus books and other texts in addition to a Holocaust survivor guest speaker. On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 4:34 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Mr. Fox's project has been fully-funded. Thanks to everyone that donated! Amara On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 1:32 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Thanks Val! Mr. Fox's project at Lea has gone from needing $203 to $143 just this morning! I wanted to piggyback on this message of encouraging reading at Lea and inquire if anyone has any Diary of a Wimpy Kid books that their reader at home has outgrown and would be willing to donate. I've been volunteering at Lea's library on Tuesdays with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) and the Wimpy Kid books are all the rage with the 2nd and 3rd graders but there's only a few copies to go around. If you're interested in donating, email me directly and I will happily pick up. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 11:22 PM, vce vcer...@gmail.com wrote: For those interested in supporting Lea School, note that a sixth-eighth grade teacher is in need of books for his students. There are also requests from West Philadelphia High and Boys Latin (all in West Phil). http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?max=50state=PAcommunity=15009%3A3keywords=lea+school+philadelphia Val -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UC] Citypaper article: school vouchers the campaign against Jim Roebuck
I wrote something on this earlier on UC Neighbors last month. I agree with Matt that test scores are not an accurate barometer of student and school performance but I don't think waitlists are necessarily indicative either. For instance, I heard West Philadelphia High School, now that it has a new building, has a waitlist. There are charter schools that maintain waitlists while also capping their classrooms much lower than the PSD maximum (ironically similar to PAS's original set up) AND pay recruiters to find high performing students for them. Parents at Lea have been contacted by a recruiter though I think the person's official title with the charter school was community organizer or some such.There are many people across the city working to help district schools market themselves better, and I assure you the list of good district schools is much longer than the few most people will name, but I don't think district schools will ever have the capability to pay headhunters. Nor should they. I testified before City Council's Education Committee on Tuesday with concerns about the Great Schools Compact. One of which is that over 16% of Lea Elementary's students are English Language Learners. By the Great Schools Compact’s own admission, charter schools serve English Language Learners at a rate of 3.3% which is less than half of the school district’s average of 8.1% and less than a fourth of Lea’s rate. Private schools, being private, have no obligation to serve these students at all. The same goes for students with Special Education needs, students with behavior problems, students behind grade level, economically disadvantaged students etc. Although voucher programs are often under the banner of helping the most vulnerable students, what has been proposed is set up to provide an escape hatch to nowhere for them. School choice, as we have it now, is far too often about schools selecting parents and students instead of the other way around. There are many charter schools that use a number of tricks to ensure they get to pick students and parents. The one aspect of the Great Schools Compact that I like, the requirement of a single universal charter school application, is the very one many charters are fighting tooth and nail against. They want to be able to screen their students. The sad thing is even with all this many still perform no better and sometimes worse than their district counterparts. The voucher programs I have seen seem more of the same. Amara (Personal opinions above, not representing any organization) On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 2:32 PM, krf...@aol.com wrote: ** In a message dated 4/12/2012 1:39:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, alaricvisig...@gmail.com writes: My concern is that there is outside money trying to influence how we run our lives. Politics is a dirty business. Nothing new here. What I've either missed or is missing is more in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of what should be the core issue. School vouchers. (Not where the money to run campaigns comes from). Will taking money away from the School District pf Philadelphia and putting it into vouchers: - hurt the public schools by decreasing their budgets or improve them by forcing the administrators and teachers to sharpen up? - hurt individual children by making less resources generally available or help them by allowing them to opt out of schools with poor learning environments? *- * Alan Krigman KRF Management, ICON/Information Concepts Inc 211 S 45th St, Philadelphia PA 19104-2918 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6502 krf...@aol.com or al.krig...@krf.icodat.com -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UC] Citypaper article: school vouchers the campaign against Jim Roebuck
I don't oppose charters, especially ones that are community and/or teacher-led (as they were originally intended). I have issues with the way some charter schools are run for the reasons I thought I outlined rather clearly. I volunteer at Lea Elementary on a weekly basis and I assure you the children there are not the lowest common denominator as you have implied. That language says more about you than it does about them and frankly I think you owe them an apology. Amara On Thu, Apr 12, 2012 at 3:18 PM, krf...@aol.com wrote: ** In a message dated 4/12/2012 2:52:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, aroc...@gmail.com writes: I testified before City Council's Education Committee on Tuesday with concerns about the Great Schools Compact. One of which is that over 16% of Lea Elementary's students are English Language Learners. By the Great Schools Compact’s own admission, charter schools serve English Language Learners at a rate of 3.3% which is less than half of the school district’s average of 8.1% and less than a fourth of Lea’s rate. Private schools, being private, have no obligation to serve these students at all. The same goes for students with Special Education needs, students with behavior problems, students behind grade level, economically disadvantaged students etc. Although voucher programs are often under the banner of helping the most vulnerable students, what has been proposed is set up to provide an escape hatch to nowhere for them. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but want to understand your reasoning behind opposition to vouchers and apparently charter schools (both of which I, candidly, favor at the moment). Are you saying that, rather than do everything you can to get a good education for your kid, you shouldn't send him or her to a private or charter school but keep going with a public school out of fairness to those with learning disabilities, or no English, or no at-home discipline and role-model, etc -- given that factors like these may have a deleterious impact on the quality of the education? This seems like a lowest common denominator approach. It also seems like one of the things that drove lots of sophisticated people out of the city and helped create the weak education system with which we find ourselves. Your response also seems begs the question of why you think so many young families have paid so dearly to live in what they thought was a neighborhood that would let them send their kids to the Alexander School. *- * Alan Krigman KRF Management, ICON/Information Concepts Inc 211 S 45th St, Philadelphia PA 19104-2918 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6502 krf...@aol.com or al.krig...@krf.icodat.com -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: I Want My TheFuzz9143! (Online Petition)
HE'S BACK!!! On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 1:34 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Update: I heard, though not from Detective Murray directly, that the training will be going on next week. Here's to hoping TheFuzz9143 can return to Twitter shortly after and be just as awesome as before. The petition is approaching 200 signatures, which is pretty neat. Amara On Wed, Mar 7, 2012 at 11:11 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: See below message from the PPD about this. I'm going to leave the petition up in case the near future takes too long. Thanks everyone for signing and forwarding! Amara *Karima Zedan/Police/Phila* 03/07/2012 10:51 AM To kyle cassidy k...@kylecassidy.com, aroc...@googlegroups.com cc Police Public_Affairs/Police/Phila@Phila Subject Phillypolice questions Dear Kyle and Amara, My name is Karima Zedan, I'm the Director of Communications for the Philadelphia Police Department and work in Commissioner Ramsey's Office. I have read through your past emails about Detective Joseph Murray, and I'd like to shed some light on this situation and also give you a preview of things to come. The PPD has been actively participating in the social media conversation for the past two years, and every month we learn something valuable about how to connect with people and communities across the city. We have a very active website, www.phillypolice.com, YouTube, www.youtube.com/philadelphiapolice and Twitter, @Phillypolice, presence. It's taken a lot of practice for the Department to become acquainted with how and why we need to use social media in the first place, and we're still evolving every day! Along the way, we've had to develop a very specific social media policy to guide the Department and ensure that all of our members use these resources appropriately. Detective Murray will be back online in the near future, as will a number of other people that I'm going to train in how to use all of our social media resources, in a pilot that will encompass select personnel across all of the police divisions. We are doing this in a unified way so that we can provide a good example to each other and to the city. As you know, this is a very large Department, the fourth largest in the nation, with over 7500 people total. We need as many people as possible to be on the same page. Detective Murray's intentions were and are very good. We asked him to temporarily stop so that we could engage in our social media efforts in a consistent manner across the whole Department. I'm sure he will provide an excellent model for others to follow. I ask that you have patience with us as we are a very large and complex organization, and Department-wide efforts take time. We are doing the very best we can, and there are many pieces of the puzzle, many of which involve much larger issues around technology, infrastructure, and policy that must be developed and considered along the way. The Police Commissioner and the executive team are supportive of our efforts here, and we're excited to move this initiative forward. Thanks again for your patience, and in the meantime, look out for some exciting changes on our website, which will include a new and improved blog, where we'd like community members to contribute, and the launch of a mobile phillypolice.com site for smartphones...all of this will be coming in April. Perhaps we can partner with your group in University City to discuss the positive work that your community is doing with the Police Department. As you rightly pointed out, we need to generate this buzz ourselves, because all too often the media will not cover the good work that is happening at the neighborhood level. Very truly yours, Karima -- Karima Zedan Director of Communications Philadelphia Police Department www.phillypolice.com twitter.com/phillypolice facebook.com/phillypolice (w) 215.686.3138 On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 9:32 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: As you may know, SW Detective Joseph Murray (TheFuzz9143https://twitter.com/#!/TheFuzz9143on Twitter) has been awaiting approval for Social Media use under his official title since January 11, 2012. I emailed Police Commissioner Ramsey on January 15th requesting expedited approval citing the invaluable nature of Detective Murray's tweets, listing my full name and address, and never received a response. Since it's been almost two months and the request seems to be still pending, I've started an online petition so perhaps the matter will get the commissioner's attention. If you want to sign, here's the link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/i_want_my_thefuzz9143/ If you want to email the commissioner his address is police.commissio...@phila.gov but please also sign the petition as I think some public calling out is needed. Thanks! Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid
[UC] Re: PPD: Recovered Bicycles on Display Wed. March 28th 11am-7pm
The PPD put out a YouTube video: http://youtu.be/oIA_pBazie4 On Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 3:56 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: PPD: Recovered Bicycles on Display Wed. March 28th 11am-7pm at the Major Crimes Unit at Macalester Street and Whitaker Avenue http://www.phillypolice.com/news/philadelphia-police-department-recovers-stolen-bicycles 22nd and Lehigh, where the bicycles were found, is not exactly close to here but you never know! Also found: a dog fighting ring and 11 dogs [?] Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 340.png
[UC] Re: Sat. 3/31 7 pm: Lea Elementary Music Fundraiser
Reminder for the event tonight! On 3/25/12, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Please forward widely! Flyer here: http://tinypic.com/r/of0r41/5 University of Pennsylvania Band presents: 2012 Band Extravaganza(!) Saturday March 31st at 7 p.m. St. Mary's Church at 3916 Locust $5 General Admission Featured performers: Penn Jazz the 2012 High School Honor Band All proceeds to benefit instrumental music instruction at Lea Elementary. Event in collaboration with the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, the Netter Center for Community Partnerships and Lea Elementary School. - Amara Rockar West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- Sent from my mobile device I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] PPD: Recovered Bicycles on Display Wed. March 28th 11am-7pm
PPD: Recovered Bicycles on Display Wed. March 28th 11am-7pm at the Major Crimes Unit at Macalester Street and Whitaker Avenue http://www.phillypolice.com/news/philadelphia-police-department-recovers-stolen-bicycles 22nd and Lehigh, where the bicycles were found, is not exactly close to here but you never know! Also found: a dog fighting ring and 11 dogs [?] Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 340.png
[UC] Sat. 3/31 7 pm: Lea Elementary Music Fundraiser
Please forward widely! Flyer here: http://tinypic.com/r/of0r41/5 University of Pennsylvania Band presents: 2012 Band Extravaganza(!) Saturday March 31st at 7 p.m. St. Mary's Church at 3916 Locust $5 General Admission Featured performers: Penn Jazz the 2012 High School Honor Band All proceeds to benefit instrumental music instruction at Lea Elementary. Event in collaboration with the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, the Netter Center for Community Partnerships and Lea Elementary School. - Amara Rockar West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Re: Mon. 3/19 at 7:30 pm Candidates’ Night for PA State Races
It's not my place to say but Carol Jenkins, the Ward Leader hosting the event, may address it tonight. Amara On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 12:11 AM, DDT tim...@gmail.com wrote: Wait, what? I met her in the park and was curious to hear her speak. On Sunday, March 18, 2012 8:33:27 AM UTC-4, Amara Rockar wrote: Fatimah Muhammad, Jim Roebuck's challenger in the primary, has backed out of this event and will not be attending. On 3/16/12, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: The 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee Candidates’ Night for PA State Races, Monday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd Street. Representative Jim Roebuck and his primary challenger, Fatimah Muhammad, will be appearing. Other candidates who may be appearing: PA Attorney General Candidates: Kathleen Kane and Patrick Murphy Incumbent PA State Treasurer Rob McCord Harold James (Democratic candidate for special election) PA Senator Vince Hughes -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/**adopt/adoption-listings/?page=** petid=4152313PHPSESSID=**c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a**21http://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- Sent from my mobile device I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/**adopt/adoption-listings/?page=** petid=4152313PHPSESSID=**c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a**21http://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Re: Mon. 3/19 at 7:30 pm Candidates’ Night for PA State Races
FWIW, Patrick Murphy of the race for AG has apparently confirmed. On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 9:56 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: It's not my place to say but Carol Jenkins, the Ward Leader hosting the event, may address it tonight. Amara On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 12:11 AM, DDT tim...@gmail.com wrote: Wait, what? I met her in the park and was curious to hear her speak. On Sunday, March 18, 2012 8:33:27 AM UTC-4, Amara Rockar wrote: Fatimah Muhammad, Jim Roebuck's challenger in the primary, has backed out of this event and will not be attending. On 3/16/12, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: The 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee Candidates’ Night for PA State Races, Monday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd Street. Representative Jim Roebuck and his primary challenger, Fatimah Muhammad, will be appearing. Other candidates who may be appearing: PA Attorney General Candidates: Kathleen Kane and Patrick Murphy Incumbent PA State Treasurer Rob McCord Harold James (Democratic candidate for special election) PA Senator Vince Hughes -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/**adopt/adoption-listings/?page=** petid=4152313PHPSESSID=**c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a**21http://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- Sent from my mobile device I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/**adopt/adoption-listings/?page=** petid=4152313PHPSESSID=**c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a**21http://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UCNeighbors] Fwd: [UC] found the letter about tonight, full text
Yes, I meant 10 minutes. I don't know what's normal for you but that was more yelling and what I would classify as screaming than I've ever heard at a ward meeting. I have no idea how you came to the conclusion the reporter was trying to be fair in any way. I am not going to bring up some of his later remarks I frankly don't care to get into it. Thelma said what she said directly to me. She is a trip to sit next to if anyone wants fun company at a contentious political meeting. Amara On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 11:15 PM, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.netwrote: Whoah... I agree that it's a he said / she said but NOT that as much time was spent... as she would have had (unless Amara means 10 minutes). There was not much yelling... and Carol telling the staff worker to stop speaking was about as loud and dismissive as it ever got. On the other hand the staff worker had kept saying that Fatima Muhammad was not invited, when clearly according to the letter, she was invited, but claims that Carol had said 'for 10 min. for her to speak vs. 30 min. for Jim Roebuck'. No screaming at all, I swear it! Clearly you misunderstood the reporter / Carol thing... It was a conciliatory third person who interpreted the reporter as wanting to help and not harm Carol's need to get her reply to the letter across in the U. C. Review. The reporter then agreed with their interpretation and listened very attentively to Carol. I talked with him later, and thought he was motivated towards fairness... first time I ever met him... I didn't hear Thelma say that though she certainly may have... NAACP event tomorrow me too... I thought they said something like at Diamond?? but still have not found it on Google. On Mar 19, 2012, at 10:32 PM, Amara Rockar wrote: Well, that was a bizarre meeting, even for Philadelphia. Carol Jenkins said that she invited Fatimah and spoke to Fatimah's campaign staff. Fatimah's campaign staff was there and said that she did not, interrupting at times to yell this at Carol. Right now it's a she-said-she-said. About as much time was spent discussing the flyer as Fatimah would have had to speak, if not more. Carol said she offered Fatimah equal time and Jim Roebuck himself said he would not have agreed to an event where each candidate was not treated equally. There were campaigners for Fatimah handing out copies of the letters in front of the building beforehand. There was a large contingent of Fatimah supporters who made themselves very obvious by going in and out of the meeting when other candidates were speaking only to return to yell at Carol about the letter. A reporter from the UC Review embarrassed himself screaming biased questions at Carol and taking offense when she said she was going to write an Op Ed about the UC Review (apparently he felt he should be getting the exclusive interview). It got to the point where people couldn't believe he was representing himself as journalist. I got his card so it's true (at least that he's employed with the UC Review - who knows if he was actually on assignment). I was sitting next to Thelma Peakes who said she challenged Jim in the primary back in 1996 and even she couldn't believe how Fatimah's supporters were being rude and she never would have pulled anything like that. There were a number of other UC Neighbors in attendance so if my characterization doesn't match your own impression of the meeting, please pipe up. Jim said both he and Fatimah are scheduled to be an NAACP event tomorrow though I'm having trouble finding the details online if anyone knows. Amara On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 7:47 PM, stephanie zeck stephaniez...@gmail.comwrote: am i reading all of this as a ward leader independently sets up to host an event, rather than two candidates ( or their campaigns ) deciding to speak with community members? was it originally set-up as a debate? what does jim roebuck have to say about all this brouhaha? he seems like a progressive guy - if he were asked, would he participate in a fair and equitable position meeting with equal time for statements and QA? On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 7:12 PM, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.netwrote: Here is the letter (below the other comments) Glenn said was sent by Fatimah Loren Muhammad re: tonights debate, to which I am headed now. - Rick Conrad Begin forwarded message: *From: *Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net *Date: *March 19, 2012 6:28:02 PM EDT *To: *Glenn moyer glen...@earthlink.net, UnivCity listserv UnivCity@list.purple.com *Subject: **Re: [UC] found the letter about tonight, full text* *Reply-To: *Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net Indeed she should have the opportunity to engage Rep. Roebuck in a debate on the issues as soon as possible. Neighborhood organizations can certainly arrange this before the Primary and neighborhood residents would be more than happy to submit questions for the debate before, (so
[UC] Re: Mon. 3/19 at 7:30 pm Candidates’ Night for PA State Races
Fatimah Muhammad, Jim Roebuck's challenger in the primary, has backed out of this event and will not be attending. On 3/16/12, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: The 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee Candidates’ Night for PA State Races, Monday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd Street. Representative Jim Roebuck and his primary challenger, Fatimah Muhammad, will be appearing. Other candidates who may be appearing: PA Attorney General Candidates: Kathleen Kane and Patrick Murphy Incumbent PA State Treasurer Rob McCord Harold James (Democratic candidate for special election) PA Senator Vince Hughes -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- Sent from my mobile device I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] TONIGHT: SRC Testimony on the Great Schools Compact
Glenn, Sheppard and Stanton are being proposed for closure through a different initiative - the Facilities Master Plan where test scores aren't taken into account. As far as I can tell, Sheppard (a K-4 in an old building) is actually pretty cheap for the district to run. What happened is the district foolishly spent money on new buildings for nearby lower-performing K-8s thinking the shiny new buildings would attract parents. Needless to say, that has not happened and parents have made clear they would not be looking to enroll their children in those K-8s should Sheppard close. Additionally, a charter school is petitioning to expand and the new building would be very close to Sheppard. A similar but somewhat different situation with Stanton which is a K-8 but still small and in a very desirable real estate area. The SRC is going to vote on the Sheppard, Stanton and Drew closures as part of the Facilities Master Plan on March 29th. Amara On Thu, Mar 15, 2012 at 9:04 PM, Glenn glen...@earthlink.net wrote: ** Amara, That was good. Unfortunately, I was out of the room for the 1st minute of your testimony and I can't open the data. I'm looking forward to seeing the data so I can understand what you found about those numbers. I think your approach of going to the data was the right one. From looking at the testimony from other schools too, it's clear that something is going on with these planned closings and turnarounds! It looks just like what has happened in Chicago. The testimony about Shepard was compelling, as were others. These seem to be arbitrary plans at best. They don't know which schools have neighborhood support and stable productive staffs. First, they claim to use the severely flawed testing data, but they don't seem to be using that in a systematic way to guide their closing plans. The only thing the Shepard community got specifically was that they didn't like the age of their building. So what is really determining these turnaround plans? The video I posted a few weeks ago about the occupation of a Chicago elementary school revealed the same arbitrary nature of closings there. It seemed like closings and turnarounds were based on neighborhoods, and had nothing to do with performance or turnaround at the school. The occupied school had suffered several years of yearly staff and curriculum changes. But the latest principle had great community support and the school was making important progress in all areas, when they got the news about being closed. When pressed, their appointed school board knew nothing about the school. It seemed like the hand picked board had assumed the years of disruption sabotaged the school, so they didn't bother to check! The hiring points for a new superintendent, provided by the retired teacher working with the Occupy Philly education group, were vastly better than the ones from that civic engagement process. I noticed that the ones from the Penn Praxis meetings were obvious general principles which didn't really produce guidelines. By doing that, they were giving the green light to hiring any hedge fund manager as superintendent willing to spit back some platitudes. I hope people demand the addition of those hiring principles, and I hope I can find the list somewhere. It's also clear that the allocation of resources, and the lack of a responsive administration to specific needs continues to be arbitrary across the city. Good luck, Glenn On 3/15/2012 4:51 PM, Amara Rockar wrote: I will be testifying before the School Reform Commission tonight (March 15th) on the Great Schools Compact and its goal of replacing 50,000 low-performing seats with 50,000 high-performing seats. The following are links to my testimony and the data backing it (Google documents): https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/5-to-great-schools-testimony https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/5-to-great-schools-data The School Reform Commission meetings are broadcast live on PSTV Channel 52 and Verizon FiOS Channel 20 and streamed live online at http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/stream/ On Twitter, the hashtag to follow is #phillyeducation The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. with the public testimony starting usually after 1-1.5 hours of district presentations. Please consider tuning in tonight. Thanks! Amara 215-760-7757 West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.927 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/4272 - Release Date: 03/15/12 03:34:00 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Mon. 3/19 at 7:30 pm Candidates’ Night for PA State Races
The 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee Candidates’ Night for PA State Races, Monday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd Street. Representative Jim Roebuck and his primary challenger, Fatimah Muhammad, will be appearing. Other candidates who may be appearing: PA Attorney General Candidates: Kathleen Kane and Patrick Murphy Incumbent PA State Treasurer Rob McCord Harold James (Democratic candidate for special election) PA Senator Vince Hughes -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: Donate your Recyclebank Points
Reminder: last day to donate Recyclebank points to Philly schools is March 15th! Except for Lea and Henry, all the schools below could still use your points! All funds raised will be matched by Recyclebank 100%. Thanks! Amara On Sat, Jan 21, 2012 at 6:26 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Lea Elementary is the first Recyclebank Green School in the country to reach it's funding goal! The $550 raised will be matched by Recyclebank. Thanks to all that donated! If you would like to support more schools with Recyclebank point donations, here are the other schools in the Philadelphia School District with projects listed: John Story Jenks Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/ , Anna Howard Shaw Middle Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/10/ , C. W. Henry Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/28/ , James Rhoads Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/30/ , John Bartram High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/26/ , South Philadelphia High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/27/ and WB Saul High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/2/ The point donation period goes until March 15th. Thanks again everyone! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Sat, Jan 21, 2012 at 11:31 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: 114 Recyclebank users have donated $488.55 to Lea Elementary to build raised garden beds - the most money raised of any of Green Schools projects in the country. We have just $61.45 to go and Recyclebank will match all funds raised. Keep donating! http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Earn more points to donate here: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/ Thanks for your support! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:54 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: The 500 point maximum error has been fixed and Recyclebank point donations to Green Schools projects are now *unlimited*! You can now donate as many points as you want to Lea's garden project here: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Almost $95 worth of points have already been donated to Lea with about $450 to go! The contest goes until March 15th so please consider continuing to donate as you accumulate more points. Thanks for supporting a neighborhood school in West Philly! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Vivianne T. Nachmias v...@mail.med.upenn.edu wrote: do you know how often you can give the 500, that is, until they fix this error. thanks, vtn On Dec 14, 2011, at 11:10 AM, Amara Rockar wrote: I received word from Recyclebank that the 500 point maximum per project is a mistake that they are in the process of fixing (though points donated to other Philly district schools are certainly not wasted!). The contest goes until March 15th so plenty of time to save up more points and donate again! You can earn more points through the Recyclebank website too with things like this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/ and this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/learnandearn/q-tips-learn-and-earn-4647/ Amara On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.comwrote: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Henry C. Lea Elementary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Land Beautification and Cultivation Budget: $550 http://www.philasd.org/schools/lea Henry C. Lea is a pre-K through 8th grade elementary school in West Philadelphia with 400 students, ages 4 to 14. Lea students often enter the school with little experience in the natural world due to the dense urban environment in which they live. Our Green Plan: We will build six raised beds made of wood from local suppliers. Beds will have gravel at the bottom and the rich Fairmont Park soil on top. Rain barrels will be installed free from the Philadelphia Water Department to ease watering. The existing garden will also receive several tomato plants and cages for cultivation. To adopt a garden plot, students with their teacher, parents or caretakers will be required to help build the raised beds, be current members of the Lea Home, School and Community Association (a.k.a. PTA) and willing to help during periodic work days for the entire garden. Before and after photographs will be taken and throughout the seasons to show the garden’s progress Lea students will write short descriptions of what they have done and learned about plants for display inside on the school’s bulletin boards. Want to earn more points to donate? With the Green Your Seasons Challengehttp://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin
[UC] SRC Meeting: Great Schools Compact Community Discussion at 3/12 6 p.m.
Those interested in public education in our city please attend the School Reform Commission meeting TONIGHT at 6 p.m. at 440 North Broad Street. These Monday meetings are set up community discussion style and your voices need to be heard. The topic of the discussionhttp://www.thenotebook.org/blog/124587/chorus-concern-over-great-schools-compactis the Great Schools Compact, which the district is undergoing to compete for additional money from Bill Gates. The announcement of the Compact came with a commitment to increase the number of seats in high-performing schools whether they be district, charter or parochial schools. HOWEVER, the committeehttp://www.thenotebook.org/blog/124438/shorr-chair-great-schools-compact-committeeto oversee the development of the compact has not a single parent, teacher or district principal on it (they have added an advisory parent role but the person does not have voting powers). It does have CEOs of charter schools, district administration with charter school backgrounds or who work with charters, an SRC member and a representative of the mayor. I attended a Young Involved Philadelphians event earlier this year, there were several Penn Alexander parents in attendance as well representatives from other neighborhood schools, and raised the issue to SRC members Wendell Pritchett and Feather Houstoun of the lack of representation from the district from neighborhood schools and also the groundswell of support many district neighborhood schools are receiving from their communities and how the district should capitalize on that rather than ignore it. *Instead, SRC member Wendell Pritchett, our neighbor, said that the Compact's focus is the district's relationship with the charter operators and that neighborhood district schools will come into play only when they are turned over to charters when they fail, not expanded when they succeed.* I felt this was a bit of a bait-and-switch given the Compact's initial announced purpose. And now, the SRC has released the topics to be discussed at tonight's meeting: “The Great Schools Compact set a goal of turning 50,000 low performing seats in District and Charter schools into high performing seats. There a number of potential strategies that may be employed to accomplish this goal, including 1) Creation of in District turn-arounds (Promise Academies); 2) Renaissance Charters; 3) Replication/expansion of high performing District schools and programs; 4) Improving existing District and Charter schools through principal and teacher development 5) Expansion of high performing Charter schools; 6) Granting new Charters; 7) Closure of low performing District and/or Charter schools. No one of these strategies can accomplish the goal. Some are more costly than others. How do you think we should prioritize among them? What conditions determine which strategy should be applied to a given school? Are there other approaches that should be employed? What are your recommendations?” I don't quite know what to make of it but given that there are district schools and charters under investigation for cheating on PSSAs ( http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-11/news/31145463_1_city-charter-schools-vanguard-schools-education-secretary-ronald-tomalis), it kind of calls into question how we have determined what a failing school is, doesn't it? Some of these schools also have suspiciously high School Performance Index scores (based partly on PSSAs and other manipulable factors), which may have prevented the schools from being Renaissanced. Note that Stanton and Sheppardhttp://www.thenotebook.org/blog/124570/src-hears-recommendations-school-closings, two schools that have years of good test scores and are listed for closure through the Facilities Master Plan, are NOT under investigation. What does it mean when the PSD wants to close down seemingly TRULY high-performing schools? Anyway, this is my rather long-winded summary of why people should come out tonight. Hope to see you there! Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Fwd: Lea Chess Club 1st-3rd Grade
Please see below for information about Lea's new ASAP Chess Club! Interested volunteers, please reach out to Robyn. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Robyn Alezanders robynalezand...@yahoo.com Date: Thu, Mar 8, 2012 at 8:26 PM Subject: Lea Chess Club 1st-3rd Grade To: Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com Hi Amara, A while back there was talk of maybe a chess club at LeaWell, I attended an orientation training at ASAP (phillyasap.org), about starting a club, and would like to get it up and running next Thursday March 15th if possible. It would be Thursdays 3:30-4:30, grades 1st-3rd, no experience necessary, meeting in the library Can you please post the attached flier? Parents/interested volunteers can email me at robynalezand...@yahoo.com Thanx! Hoping to see this take off. Robyn -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: I Want My TheFuzz9143! (Online Petition)
See below message from the PPD about this. I'm going to leave the petition up in case the near future takes too long. Thanks everyone for signing and forwarding! Amara *Karima Zedan/Police/Phila* 03/07/2012 10:51 AM To kyle cassidy k...@kylecassidy.com, aroc...@googlegroups.com cc Police Public_Affairs/Police/Phila@Phila Subject Phillypolice questions Dear Kyle and Amara, My name is Karima Zedan, I'm the Director of Communications for the Philadelphia Police Department and work in Commissioner Ramsey's Office. I have read through your past emails about Detective Joseph Murray, and I'd like to shed some light on this situation and also give you a preview of things to come. The PPD has been actively participating in the social media conversation for the past two years, and every month we learn something valuable about how to connect with people and communities across the city. We have a very active website, www.phillypolice.com, YouTube, www.youtube.com/philadelphiapolice and Twitter, @Phillypolice, presence. It's taken a lot of practice for the Department to become acquainted with how and why we need to use social media in the first place, and we're still evolving every day! Along the way, we've had to develop a very specific social media policy to guide the Department and ensure that all of our members use these resources appropriately. Detective Murray will be back online in the near future, as will a number of other people that I'm going to train in how to use all of our social media resources, in a pilot that will encompass select personnel across all of the police divisions. We are doing this in a unified way so that we can provide a good example to each other and to the city. As you know, this is a very large Department, the fourth largest in the nation, with over 7500 people total. We need as many people as possible to be on the same page. Detective Murray's intentions were and are very good. We asked him to temporarily stop so that we could engage in our social media efforts in a consistent manner across the whole Department. I'm sure he will provide an excellent model for others to follow. I ask that you have patience with us as we are a very large and complex organization, and Department-wide efforts take time. We are doing the very best we can, and there are many pieces of the puzzle, many of which involve much larger issues around technology, infrastructure, and policy that must be developed and considered along the way. The Police Commissioner and the executive team are supportive of our efforts here, and we're excited to move this initiative forward. Thanks again for your patience, and in the meantime, look out for some exciting changes on our website, which will include a new and improved blog, where we'd like community members to contribute, and the launch of a mobile phillypolice.com site for smartphones...all of this will be coming in April. Perhaps we can partner with your group in University City to discuss the positive work that your community is doing with the Police Department. As you rightly pointed out, we need to generate this buzz ourselves, because all too often the media will not cover the good work that is happening at the neighborhood level. Very truly yours, Karima -- Karima Zedan Director of Communications Philadelphia Police Department www.phillypolice.com twitter.com/phillypolice facebook.com/phillypolice (w) 215.686.3138 On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 9:32 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: As you may know, SW Detective Joseph Murray (TheFuzz9143https://twitter.com/#!/TheFuzz9143on Twitter) has been awaiting approval for Social Media use under his official title since January 11, 2012. I emailed Police Commissioner Ramsey on January 15th requesting expedited approval citing the invaluable nature of Detective Murray's tweets, listing my full name and address, and never received a response. Since it's been almost two months and the request seems to be still pending, I've started an online petition so perhaps the matter will get the commissioner's attention. If you want to sign, here's the link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/i_want_my_thefuzz9143/ If you want to email the commissioner his address is police.commissio...@phila.gov but please also sign the petition as I think some public calling out is needed. Thanks! Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] I Want My TheFuzz9143! (Online Petition)
As you may know, SW Detective Joseph Murray (TheFuzz9143https://twitter.com/#!/TheFuzz9143on Twitter) has been awaiting approval for Social Media use under his official title since January 11, 2012. I emailed Police Commissioner Ramsey on January 15th requesting expedited approval citing the invaluable nature of Detective Murray's tweets, listing my full name and address, and never received a response. Since it's been almost two months and the request seems to be still pending, I've started an online petition so perhaps the matter will get the commissioner's attention. If you want to sign, here's the link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/i_want_my_thefuzz9143/ If you want to email the commissioner his address is police.commissio...@phila.gov but please also sign the petition as I think some public calling out is needed. Thanks! Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] March Kindergarten Open House List
West Philly March Kindergarten Open Houses A. D. Harrington School 5300-34 Baltimore Ave 19143 (215) 471 - 2914 www.philasd.org/schools/harrington Open House: CONFIRMED, 3/6, 9:09-9:45 a.m., in Annex Building Kindergarten teacher: Ms. Davis, Room A1 B. B. Comegys School 5100 Greenway Ave. 19143 (215) 727 - 2162 Open House: NOT CONFIRMED Alexander Wilson School 1300 S. 46th St. 19143 (215) 823 - 8206 www.philasd.org/schools/alexanderwilson Open House: CONFIRMED, 3/6, Begins 9:00 a.m. Samuel B. Huey School 5200 Pine St. 19143 (215) 471 - 2901 Open House: NOT CONFIRMED Henry C. Lea School 4700 Locust St. 19139 (215) 471 - 2915 Open House: CONFIRMED, 3/6, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Kindergarten teachers: Ms. Mykytiuch and Ms. McCloskey Penn Alexander School 4209 Spruce St. 19104 (215) 823 - 5465 www.philasd.org/schools/pennalexander Open House: CONFIRMED, 3/6, Begins 9:30 a.m. Alain Locke School 4550 Haverford Ave. 19139 (215) 823 - 8202 Open House: CONFIRMED, 3/6, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Martha Washington Academics 766 N. 44th St. 19104 (215) 823 - 8203 www.philasd.org/schools/marthawashington Open House: TO BE SCHEDULED LATER IN MARCH Samuel Powel School 301 N. 36th St. 19104 (215) 823 - 8201 www.philasd.org/schools/powel Open House: CONFIRMED, 3/6, Begins 8:30 a.m. Charles Drew School 3724 Warren St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Phone: (215) 823 - 8204 www.philasd.org/schools/drew Open House: NOT CONFIRMED Information compiled by the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings
Reminder for the meeting tonight at 7 p.m.! There were flyers distributed yesterday but apparently some close neighbors didn't get them. I hope everyone interested comes out! Amara On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 2:29 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: http://ucreview.com/community-response-to-apple-storage-make-over-lofts-and-mixuse-building-p3218-1.htm There is going to be another community meeting on this project at Arnett A.M.E. Church, 815 S 53rd St. next Wednesday,February 15th at 7 p.m. From the article: Highlights of the community’s concerns- voiced both at both the January 25th meeting as well as through a survey-- run the gamut from taxes to affordability to employment. The surrounding community is not only concerned with the fact that the apartment building could raise property taxes for surrounding homeowners—many of whom live on fixed incomes—but also because Iron Stone Management will receive a ten year tax abatement if the building’s constructed. According to Kelly, many of the surrounding neighbors have wondered why new homeowners-- either those who build or purchase a home—cannot receive similar tax abatements. Many residents also wonder if the developer plans to offer any affordable or Section 8 apartments. And when it came to concerns over employment, many neighbors were concerned about whether or not the developers would offer local or out of town jobs for the building’s construction. In addition, many questioned whether or not changing the building’s use from industrial to residential was the best idea when it came to job creation. More jobs might be made available if the building maintained its original industrial use through another type of development, Kelly added. From my attendance at the previous CPN community meeting: 1) Your property taxes might go up if you also own a giant building in the area. Property taxes are based on valuations of like-buildings. Giant former warehouse does not impact nearby single family home. 2) How is the city's tax-abatement program the developer's fault? 3) These are market rate apartments. The project is privately financed and therefore is not required to offer below market rate housing. 4) The developer has already stated publicly they wish to hire local contractors and local employees. 5) The warehouse has been vacant for several years without an industrial company seeking it out. This objection also ignores the financial impact having several hundred new residents in the area would have on local businesses. Amara On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 10:12 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Update on the Apple Loft project from CPN's FB: The ZBA hearing Apple Lofts was held on Jan. 4. CPN and the Baltimore Ave. Business Association among others, entered letters of support. The Community Achievement Association, a local group who cleans and tends the garden lots at 51st and Baltimore and do other clean -up projects in the area, requested a delay on the vote so a second meeting could be held to inform more neighbors. That meeting was held on Jan. 25 on 53rd St. The ZBA is holding the vote for 30 days which brings us to this week. In the interim, CPN encouraged those who support this project to write directly to the ZBA. Many have done so. To make your voice known on this project address letters to: Apple Lofts Project; 780 S 52ND ST; Calendar #: 16556 Address letter to: Lynette Brown-Sow, Chair Zoning Board of Adjustment 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor Philadelphia, Pa. 19102 Fax: 215-686-2565 Include location address and calendar # on top of your letter and on envelope. Please cc: to: Jannie L. Blackwell, Room 410, City Hall, Phila., Pa. 19107 fax 215-686-1933 and to: CPN, 4740 Baltimore Ave., Phil., PA 19143 Someone mentioned that the Community Achieve Association has apparently been collecting signatures for a petition against the project. If you didn't get a chance to send in your support/opposition last month, you have more time to do so now. Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 2:37 PM, Karen Allen kallena...@msn.com wrote: Hi, Amara, Thanks for the update! The contact information for Cedar Park Neighbors is cont...@cedarparkneighbors.org . The email address is monitored by CPN Secretary Dorothy Berlind, who forwards the emails to the appropriate committee. To comment on the Apple Lofts proposal, please use Apple Lofts in the subject line, and Dot will forward it to the Zoning Committee. -- Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:09:43 -0500 Subject: [UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings From: aroc...@gmail.com To: ucneighb...@googlegroups.com; UnivCity@list.purple.com; pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu Cedar Park Neighbors would apparently want to be cc'd on your emails of support/concern for this project but to what email, I don't know. Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: I
[UC] Old WPHS building RFQ ($6.5 million sale price)
http://www.thenotebook.org/blog/124530/district-lists-old-west-philly-high-building-sale-65m It's the priciest of those listed for sale. If all the buildings sell at their asking prices, the total earned by the district will be $15.51 million. Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] PHLash: A Mob Story at Boys' Latin Charter this week
*7pm. Feb. 9-11. $5-$12. Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, 5501 Cedar Ave*. http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/stage/138878034.html Amara -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings
http://ucreview.com/community-response-to-apple-storage-make-over-lofts-and-mixuse-building-p3218-1.htm There is going to be another community meeting on this project at Arnett A.M.E. Church, 815 S 53rd St. next Wednesday,February 15th at 7 p.m. From the article: Highlights of the community’s concerns- voiced both at both the January 25th meeting as well as through a survey-- run the gamut from taxes to affordability to employment. The surrounding community is not only concerned with the fact that the apartment building could raise property taxes for surrounding homeowners—many of whom live on fixed incomes—but also because Iron Stone Management will receive a ten year tax abatement if the building’s constructed. According to Kelly, many of the surrounding neighbors have wondered why new homeowners-- either those who build or purchase a home—cannot receive similar tax abatements. Many residents also wonder if the developer plans to offer any affordable or Section 8 apartments. And when it came to concerns over employment, many neighbors were concerned about whether or not the developers would offer local or out of town jobs for the building’s construction. In addition, many questioned whether or not changing the building’s use from industrial to residential was the best idea when it came to job creation. More jobs might be made available if the building maintained its original industrial use through another type of development, Kelly added. From my attendance at the previous CPN community meeting: 1) Your property taxes might go up if you also own a giant building in the area. Property taxes are based on valuations of like-buildings. Giant former warehouse does not impact nearby single family home. 2) How is the city's tax-abatement program the developer's fault? 3) These are market rate apartments. The project is privately financed and therefore is not required to offer below market rate housing. 4) The developer has already stated publicly they wish to hire local contractors and local employees. 5) The warehouse has been vacant for several years without an industrial company seeking it out. This objection also ignores the financial impact having several hundred new residents in the area would have on local businesses. Amara On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 10:12 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Update on the Apple Loft project from CPN's FB: The ZBA hearing Apple Lofts was held on Jan. 4. CPN and the Baltimore Ave. Business Association among others, entered letters of support. The Community Achievement Association, a local group who cleans and tends the garden lots at 51st and Baltimore and do other clean -up projects in the area, requested a delay on the vote so a second meeting could be held to inform more neighbors. That meeting was held on Jan. 25 on 53rd St. The ZBA is holding the vote for 30 days which brings us to this week. In the interim, CPN encouraged those who support this project to write directly to the ZBA. Many have done so. To make your voice known on this project address letters to: Apple Lofts Project; 780 S 52ND ST; Calendar #: 16556 Address letter to: Lynette Brown-Sow, Chair Zoning Board of Adjustment 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor Philadelphia, Pa. 19102 Fax: 215-686-2565 Include location address and calendar # on top of your letter and on envelope. Please cc: to: Jannie L. Blackwell, Room 410, City Hall, Phila., Pa. 19107 fax 215-686-1933 and to: CPN, 4740 Baltimore Ave., Phil., PA 19143 Someone mentioned that the Community Achieve Association has apparently been collecting signatures for a petition against the project. If you didn't get a chance to send in your support/opposition last month, you have more time to do so now. Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 2:37 PM, Karen Allen kallena...@msn.com wrote: Hi, Amara, Thanks for the update! The contact information for Cedar Park Neighbors is cont...@cedarparkneighbors.org . The email address is monitored by CPN Secretary Dorothy Berlind, who forwards the emails to the appropriate committee. To comment on the Apple Lofts proposal, please use Apple Lofts in the subject line, and Dot will forward it to the Zoning Committee. -- Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:09:43 -0500 Subject: [UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings From: aroc...@gmail.com To: ucneighb...@googlegroups.com; UnivCity@list.purple.com; pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu Cedar Park Neighbors would apparently want to be cc'd on your emails of support/concern for this project but to what email, I don't know. Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: I didn't get to 52nd Economic Development Plan on Wednesday. Did anyone? The Apple Storage proposal is called Apple Lofts and (obviously) needs zoning to go from Industrial to Residential. 112 loft-style apartments: 25 studios, 41 1 beds and 46 2 beds with prices ranging from $700-1,400
[UC] Fwd: Parent workshops
FYI, upcoming workshops for parents with students with disabilities. I've copied the info from the flyer below since attachments aren't allowed on some lists. If you'd like a copy of the flyer to distribute, email me at aroc...@gmail.com and I will forward. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ Feb 9: Fairness in Disability Diagnosis Feb 16: Understanding Your Child’s Evaluation Feb 27: Protection for Students with IEPs Having Disciplinary Problems The Enterprise Center 4548 Market St. 5:30-7pm Refreshments Provided Worried About Your Child’s Progress in School? Join us for a THREE part Workshop Series! For questions or to RSVP, contact Aleea Slappy 215-895-4010 Confused By Your Child’s Evaluation? Are Discipline Problems Holding Your Child Back? -- Forwarded message -- From: asla...@theenterprisecentercdc.org Date: Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 9:07 AM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Parent workshops To: westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com Hi Coalition! I am very excited about all of the work that this group is doing. Speaking before the SRC, regular home and school meetings, donating to classrooms etc are all AMAZING achievements that everyone should be proud of. While my role has changed quite a bit at The Enterprise Center, I am still personally and professionally interested in offering resources to parents. * *** ** ** To that end, we were able to partner with the U Penn Law school to offer a three-part series for parents on their rights regarding special education services (flyer attached). The three workshop dates and topics are listed below. Each session will run from 5:30-7pm and an attorney will be on hand to answer specific questions from parents. We hope to see you there! ** ** **·***Feb 9 (Thursday): Fairness in Disability Diagnosis* **·***Feb 16 (Thursday): Understanding Your Child’s Evaluation* **·***Feb 27 (Monday): Protection for Students with IEPs Having Disciplinary Problems* ** ** Aleea ** ** *Aleea S. Slappy *Education Programs Manager Phone: 215-895-4010 Fax: 215-895-4001 *I'm voting for Kids!* The Enterprise Center CDC 4548 Market Street Phila., PA 19139 ** ** * *** ** ** -- WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4 p.m. All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 2/11: University City Arts League (UCAL) at 4226 Spruce Street. -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] TONIGHT: Superintendent Search Community Forum 6:30 pm at WPHS 4901 Chestnut
*Superintendent Search Process Community Forum:* Monday, February 6, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the new West Philadelphia High School at 4901 Chestnut Street. The School District of Philadelphia recently announced its superintendent search process. United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Penn Project for Civic Engagement, wants your input on leadership characteristics the School Reform Commission (SRC) has identified to guide the selection of the next leader of the school district. No RSVPs required. Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
Re: [UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings
Update on the Apple Loft project from CPN's FB: The ZBA hearing Apple Lofts was held on Jan. 4. CPN and the Baltimore Ave. Business Association among others, entered letters of support. The Community Achievement Association, a local group who cleans and tends the garden lots at 51st and Baltimore and do other clean -up projects in the area, requested a delay on the vote so a second meeting could be held to inform more neighbors. That meeting was held on Jan. 25 on 53rd St. The ZBA is holding the vote for 30 days which brings us to this week. In the interim, CPN encouraged those who support this project to write directly to the ZBA. Many have done so. To make your voice known on this project address letters to: Apple Lofts Project; 780 S 52ND ST; Calendar #: 16556 Address letter to: Lynette Brown-Sow, Chair Zoning Board of Adjustment 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor Philadelphia, Pa. 19102 Fax: 215-686-2565 Include location address and calendar # on top of your letter and on envelope. Please cc: to: Jannie L. Blackwell, Room 410, City Hall, Phila., Pa. 19107 fax 215-686-1933 and to: CPN, 4740 Baltimore Ave., Phil., PA 19143 Someone mentioned that the Community Achieve Association has apparently been collecting signatures for a petition against the project. If you didn't get a chance to send in your support/opposition last month, you have more time to do so now. Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 2:37 PM, Karen Allen kallena...@msn.com wrote: Hi, Amara, Thanks for the update! The contact information for Cedar Park Neighbors is cont...@cedarparkneighbors.org . The email address is monitored by CPN Secretary Dorothy Berlind, who forwards the emails to the appropriate committee. To comment on the Apple Lofts proposal, please use Apple Lofts in the subject line, and Dot will forward it to the Zoning Committee. -- Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:09:43 -0500 Subject: [UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings From: aroc...@gmail.com To: ucneighb...@googlegroups.com; UnivCity@list.purple.com; pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu Cedar Park Neighbors would apparently want to be cc'd on your emails of support/concern for this project but to what email, I don't know. Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: I didn't get to 52nd Economic Development Plan on Wednesday. Did anyone? The Apple Storage proposal is called Apple Lofts and (obviously) needs zoning to go from Industrial to Residential. 112 loft-style apartments: 25 studios, 41 1 beds and 46 2 beds with prices ranging from $700-1,400. They seem to think the 52nd and Baltimore transit corridor will make the project especially attractive. All market-rate, no subsidized (the company Ironstone, has other affordable rental buildings in the area, the Madison at 50th and Spruce and the Commodore at 48th and Locust, recently acquired). Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and exposed brick walls. 92 parking spaces in back included plus bike storage and Philly Car Share spots (they meant ZipCar, I guess). On the ground floor they want to put in 2,000 square feet of C2 commercial space for which they don't have a tenant (someone suggested a co-working space with possibility for community group usage). The building will look pretty much the same except with a lot more windows. They will be redoing the 52nd Street sidewalk. Sewage connection actually runs up 52nd Street and then under the building so they won't need to tear up 52nd Street for that. Ironstone are not general contractors, they will have to hire a general contractor, want to use local contractors, mixed shop, mostly open, some union. Long-term maintenance etc. positions in the building will likely be local. Business is looking to grow. They would be applying for a 10-year tax abatement. Redevelopment of the building should not impact real estate taxes on the two-story homes surrounding it (taxes are based on like buildings). Zoning hearing is on January 4, 2012. They want to break ground in April with the project finished in a year but begin renting within 9 months and have the property fully-rented one year after completion. Community concerns: parking because of the funeral home and church nearby, property taxes going up anyway, it not being affordable and/or senior housing, construction disrupting 52nd Street traffic, the project attracting rowdy students, the project attracting the kinds of people who ride bikes(?), the additional tenants making it harder to catch a trolley in the morning and developers not willing to commit to making improvements to the 52nd and Baltimore intersection because that's neither in their budget nor their property. I imagine if you want to support this project or voice your concerns, you should be emailing marty.ca...@phila.gov and sandy.ha...@phila.gov at Councilwoman Blackwell's office (be sure to provide your name and address
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Donors Choose: Lea School
Thanks Val! Mr. Fox's project at Lea has gone from needing $203 to $143 just this morning! I wanted to piggyback on this message of encouraging reading at Lea and inquire if anyone has any Diary of a Wimpy Kid books that their reader at home has outgrown and would be willing to donate. I've been volunteering at Lea's library on Tuesdays with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) and the Wimpy Kid books are all the rage with the 2nd and 3rd graders but there's only a few copies to go around. If you're interested in donating, email me directly and I will happily pick up. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 11:22 PM, vce vcer...@gmail.com wrote: For those interested in supporting Lea School, note that a sixth-eighth grade teacher is in need of books for his students. There are also requests from West Philadelphia High and Boys Latin (all in West Phil). http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?max=50state=PAcommunity=15009%3A3keywords=lea+school+philadelphia Val -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Donors Choose: Lea School
Mr. Fox's project has been fully-funded. Thanks to everyone that donated! Amara On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 1:32 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Thanks Val! Mr. Fox's project at Lea has gone from needing $203 to $143 just this morning! I wanted to piggyback on this message of encouraging reading at Lea and inquire if anyone has any Diary of a Wimpy Kid books that their reader at home has outgrown and would be willing to donate. I've been volunteering at Lea's library on Tuesdays with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) and the Wimpy Kid books are all the rage with the 2nd and 3rd graders but there's only a few copies to go around. If you're interested in donating, email me directly and I will happily pick up. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 11:22 PM, vce vcer...@gmail.com wrote: For those interested in supporting Lea School, note that a sixth-eighth grade teacher is in need of books for his students. There are also requests from West Philadelphia High and Boys Latin (all in West Phil). http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?max=50state=PAcommunity=15009%3A3keywords=lea+school+philadelphia Val -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Donors Choose: Lea School
P.S. Here's the West Philly High School project, also reading focused, which still needs $133: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=720028verify=-2075046597 The students will be learning about the Holocaust through the Maus books and other texts in addition to a Holocaust survivor guest speaker. On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 4:34 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Mr. Fox's project has been fully-funded. Thanks to everyone that donated! Amara On Fri, Feb 3, 2012 at 1:32 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Thanks Val! Mr. Fox's project at Lea has gone from needing $203 to $143 just this morning! I wanted to piggyback on this message of encouraging reading at Lea and inquire if anyone has any Diary of a Wimpy Kid books that their reader at home has outgrown and would be willing to donate. I've been volunteering at Lea's library on Tuesdays with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) and the Wimpy Kid books are all the rage with the 2nd and 3rd graders but there's only a few copies to go around. If you're interested in donating, email me directly and I will happily pick up. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 11:22 PM, vce vcer...@gmail.com wrote: For those interested in supporting Lea School, note that a sixth-eighth grade teacher is in need of books for his students. There are also requests from West Philadelphia High and Boys Latin (all in West Phil). http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?max=50state=PAcommunity=15009%3A3keywords=lea+school+philadelphia Val -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313PHPSESSID=c74b70a505f65d618c559709dff12a21
[UC] Re: Donate your Recyclebank Points to Lea Elementary!
114 Recyclebank users have donated $488.55 to Lea Elementary to build raised garden beds - the most money raised of any of Green Schools projects in the country. We have just $61.45 to go and Recyclebank will match all funds raised. Keep donating! http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Earn more points to donate here: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/ Thanks for your support! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:54 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: The 500 point maximum error has been fixed and Recyclebank point donations to Green Schools projects are now *unlimited*! You can now donate as many points as you want to Lea's garden project here: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Almost $95 worth of points have already been donated to Lea with about $450 to go! The contest goes until March 15th so please consider continuing to donate as you accumulate more points. Thanks for supporting a neighborhood school in West Philly! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Vivianne T. Nachmias v...@mail.med.upenn.edu wrote: do you know how often you can give the 500, that is, until they fix this error. thanks, vtn On Dec 14, 2011, at 11:10 AM, Amara Rockar wrote: I received word from Recyclebank that the 500 point maximum per project is a mistake that they are in the process of fixing (though points donated to other Philly district schools are certainly not wasted!). The contest goes until March 15th so plenty of time to save up more points and donate again! You can earn more points through the Recyclebank website too with things like this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/ and this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/learnandearn/q-tips-learn-and-earn-4647/ Amara On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Henry C. Lea Elementary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Land Beautification and Cultivation Budget: $550 http://www.philasd.org/schools/lea Henry C. Lea is a pre-K through 8th grade elementary school in West Philadelphia with 400 students, ages 4 to 14. Lea students often enter the school with little experience in the natural world due to the dense urban environment in which they live. Our Green Plan: We will build six raised beds made of wood from local suppliers. Beds will have gravel at the bottom and the rich Fairmont Park soil on top. Rain barrels will be installed free from the Philadelphia Water Department to ease watering. The existing garden will also receive several tomato plants and cages for cultivation. To adopt a garden plot, students with their teacher, parents or caretakers will be required to help build the raised beds, be current members of the Lea Home, School and Community Association (a.k.a. PTA) and willing to help during periodic work days for the entire garden. Before and after photographs will be taken and throughout the seasons to show the garden’s progress Lea students will write short descriptions of what they have done and learned about plants for display inside on the school’s bulletin boards. Want to earn more points to donate? With the Green Your Seasons Challengehttp://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/, you can earn up to 300 additional points. Other point gaining opportunities are available throughout the Recyclebank website (often connected with advertisers, fyi). Don't have Recyclebank? Email me directly and I will bring you a sticker and sign up sheet. The donation period goes until March 15th, enough time to get set up and accrue points. The maximum points that can be donated to any one project is 500. Other Philadelphia School District Recyclebank projects include: John Story Jenks Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/, Anna Howard Shaw Middle Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/10/, C. W. Henry Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/28/, James Rhoads Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/30/, John Bartram High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/26/, South Philadelphia High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/27/ and WB Saul High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/2/ , Please consider donating your points to Lea and other district schools in our city. Recyclebank will match whatever funds generated, making it easier for schools to reach their funding goals and also allowing for the possibility of schools receiving twice as much funds as requested, money direly needed in this season of mid-year budget cuts. Amara West Philly Coalition
[UC] Re: Donate your Recyclebank Points to Lea Elementary!
Lea Elementary is the first Recyclebank Green School in the country to reach it's funding goal! The $550 raised will be matched by Recyclebank. Thanks to all that donated! If you would like to support more schools with Recyclebank point donations, here are the other schools in the Philadelphia School District with projects listed: John Story Jenks Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/ , Anna Howard Shaw Middle Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/10/ , C. W. Henry Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/28/ , James Rhoads Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/30/ , John Bartram High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/26/ , South Philadelphia High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/27/ and WB Saul High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/2/ The point donation period goes until March 15th. Thanks again everyone! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Sat, Jan 21, 2012 at 11:31 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: 114 Recyclebank users have donated $488.55 to Lea Elementary to build raised garden beds - the most money raised of any of Green Schools projects in the country. We have just $61.45 to go and Recyclebank will match all funds raised. Keep donating! http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Earn more points to donate here: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/ Thanks for your support! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:54 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: The 500 point maximum error has been fixed and Recyclebank point donations to Green Schools projects are now *unlimited*! You can now donate as many points as you want to Lea's garden project here: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Almost $95 worth of points have already been donated to Lea with about $450 to go! The contest goes until March 15th so please consider continuing to donate as you accumulate more points. Thanks for supporting a neighborhood school in West Philly! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Vivianne T. Nachmias v...@mail.med.upenn.edu wrote: do you know how often you can give the 500, that is, until they fix this error. thanks, vtn On Dec 14, 2011, at 11:10 AM, Amara Rockar wrote: I received word from Recyclebank that the 500 point maximum per project is a mistake that they are in the process of fixing (though points donated to other Philly district schools are certainly not wasted!). The contest goes until March 15th so plenty of time to save up more points and donate again! You can earn more points through the Recyclebank website too with things like this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/ and this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/learnandearn/q-tips-learn-and-earn-4647/ Amara On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.comwrote: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Henry C. Lea Elementary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Land Beautification and Cultivation Budget: $550 http://www.philasd.org/schools/lea Henry C. Lea is a pre-K through 8th grade elementary school in West Philadelphia with 400 students, ages 4 to 14. Lea students often enter the school with little experience in the natural world due to the dense urban environment in which they live. Our Green Plan: We will build six raised beds made of wood from local suppliers. Beds will have gravel at the bottom and the rich Fairmont Park soil on top. Rain barrels will be installed free from the Philadelphia Water Department to ease watering. The existing garden will also receive several tomato plants and cages for cultivation. To adopt a garden plot, students with their teacher, parents or caretakers will be required to help build the raised beds, be current members of the Lea Home, School and Community Association (a.k.a. PTA) and willing to help during periodic work days for the entire garden. Before and after photographs will be taken and throughout the seasons to show the garden’s progress Lea students will write short descriptions of what they have done and learned about plants for display inside on the school’s bulletin boards. Want to earn more points to donate? With the Green Your Seasons Challengehttp://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/, you can earn up to 300 additional points. Other point gaining opportunities are available throughout the Recyclebank website (often connected with advertisers, fyi). Don't have Recyclebank? Email me directly and I will bring you a sticker and sign up sheet. The donation period goes until March
[UC] West Catholic High School on the Archdiocese closing list
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20120106_Archdiocese_school_closings_mergers.html?c=n PHILADELPHIA NORTH *Pope John Paul II Regional*, Bridesburg, merges with *St. Timothy* at the Levick Street site. *St. George*, Port Richmond, merges with *Our Lady of Port Richmond* at the Thompson Street site. *Holy Cross*, Mt. Airy, merges with *Our Mother of Consolation*, Chestnut Hill, at the E. Chestnut Hill Ave. site. *St. Bridget*, East Falls, merges with *Holy Child*, Manayunk, at the Hermitage Street site. *Incarnation of our Lord*, Olney, merges with *St. Helena *at the N. Fifth Street site. *Our Lady of Consolation*, Tacony, merges with *St. Matthew *at the Cottman Avenue site. *Our Lady of Ransom* merges with *Resurrection of our Lord *at the Shelmire Avenue site. *St. William* merges with *St. Cecilia* at the Rhawn Street site. *St. Martin of Tours* becomes a mission school, with no change to the current school configuration. *St. Hubert High* closes outright. PHILADELPHIA SOUTH *Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament* merges with *St. Donato* at the 65th Street site. *St. Laurentius* merges with *St. Peter the Apostle* at the 5th Street site. *Annunciation* merges with *St. Nicholas of Tolentine* at the Pierce Street site. *St. Gabriel* merges with *St. Thomas Aquinas* at the Morris Street site. *St. Malachy* merges with *Visitation BVM* at the Lehigh Avenue site. *Epiphany of our Lord*, *Holy Spirit*, *St. Richard*, *Our Lady of Mt. Carmel* and* Sacred Heart* merge at the former Stella Maris site. *Our Lady of Lourdes* closed, students asked to select from Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Ignatius, St. Rose of Lima, Mary, Mother of Peace *West Catholic High* closes outright. -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313
[UC] Donate to local public schools on Donors Choose!
Since many are doing their year end giving now, I'd thought you all might like to know about public schools in our neighborhood whose teachers have posted projects on Donors Choose. Henry C. Lea Elementary (one project, literature, $201 needed): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90711 Avery D. Harrington Elementary (several projects, science and literature): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90708 Samuel B. Huey Elementary (several projects, science and literature): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90710 West Philadelphia High School (one project, literature for science, $262 needed): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90728 Anna H. Shaw Middle School (one project, science, $420 needed): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90723 Please consider donating to support our neighborhood schools and have a safe and happy New Year. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313
[UC] Re: Donate to local public schools on Donors Choose!
Sorry to post again but I missed this really neat one! William L. Sayre High School (one project, technology for disabled teens, $530 needed) http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90722 I probably missed others as well so here's the full list for the Philadelphia School District: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2 Amara On Fri, Dec 30, 2011 at 2:23 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Since many are doing their year end giving now, I'd thought you all might like to know about public schools in our neighborhood whose teachers have posted projects on Donors Choose. Henry C. Lea Elementary (one project, literature, $201 needed): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90711 Avery D. Harrington Elementary (several projects, science and literature): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90708 Samuel B. Huey Elementary (several projects, science and literature): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90710 West Philadelphia High School (one project, literature for science, $262 needed): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90728 Anna H. Shaw Middle School (one project, science, $420 needed): http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=PAcommunity=12358:2school=90723 Please consider donating to support our neighborhood schools and have a safe and happy New Year. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313 -- I foster with City Kitties: Rocco and Redhttp://citykitties.org/adopt/adoption-listings/?page=petid=4152313
[UC] RE: Donate your Recyclebank Points to Lea Elementary!
The 500 point maximum error has been fixed and Recyclebank point donations to Green Schools projects are now *unlimited*! You can now donate as many points as you want to Lea's garden project here: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Almost $95 worth of points have already been donated to Lea with about $450 to go! The contest goes until March 15th so please consider continuing to donate as you accumulate more points. Thanks for supporting a neighborhood school in West Philly! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 12:22 PM, Vivianne T. Nachmias v...@mail.med.upenn.edu wrote: do you know how often you can give the 500, that is, until they fix this error. thanks, vtn On Dec 14, 2011, at 11:10 AM, Amara Rockar wrote: I received word from Recyclebank that the 500 point maximum per project is a mistake that they are in the process of fixing (though points donated to other Philly district schools are certainly not wasted!). The contest goes until March 15th so plenty of time to save up more points and donate again! You can earn more points through the Recyclebank website too with things like this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/ and this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/learnandearn/q-tips-learn-and-earn-4647/ Amara On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Henry C. Lea Elementary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Land Beautification and Cultivation Budget: $550 http://www.philasd.org/schools/lea Henry C. Lea is a pre-K through 8th grade elementary school in West Philadelphia with 400 students, ages 4 to 14. Lea students often enter the school with little experience in the natural world due to the dense urban environment in which they live. Our Green Plan: We will build six raised beds made of wood from local suppliers. Beds will have gravel at the bottom and the rich Fairmont Park soil on top. Rain barrels will be installed free from the Philadelphia Water Department to ease watering. The existing garden will also receive several tomato plants and cages for cultivation. To adopt a garden plot, students with their teacher, parents or caretakers will be required to help build the raised beds, be current members of the Lea Home, School and Community Association (a.k.a. PTA) and willing to help during periodic work days for the entire garden. Before and after photographs will be taken and throughout the seasons to show the garden’s progress Lea students will write short descriptions of what they have done and learned about plants for display inside on the school’s bulletin boards. Want to earn more points to donate? With the Green Your Seasons Challengehttp://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/, you can earn up to 300 additional points. Other point gaining opportunities are available throughout the Recyclebank website (often connected with advertisers, fyi). Don't have Recyclebank? Email me directly and I will bring you a sticker and sign up sheet. The donation period goes until March 15th, enough time to get set up and accrue points. The maximum points that can be donated to any one project is 500. Other Philadelphia School District Recyclebank projects include: John Story Jenks Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/, Anna Howard Shaw Middle Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/10/, C. W. Henry Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/28/, James Rhoads Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/30/, John Bartram High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/26/, South Philadelphia High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/27/ and WB Saul High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/2/ , Please consider donating your points to Lea and other district schools in our city. Recyclebank will match whatever funds generated, making it easier for schools to reach their funding goals and also allowing for the possibility of schools receiving twice as much funds as requested, money direly needed in this season of mid-year budget cuts. Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools -- Donate your Recyclebank points to fund raised garden beds at Lea! http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4 p.m. All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 12/10: University City Arts League (UCAL) at 4226 Spruce Street. -- Donate your Recyclebank points to fund raised garden beds at Lea! http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4
[UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings
I didn't get to 52nd Economic Development Plan on Wednesday. Did anyone? The Apple Storage proposal is called Apple Lofts and (obviously) needs zoning to go from Industrial to Residential. 112 loft-style apartments: 25 studios, 41 1 beds and 46 2 beds with prices ranging from $700-1,400. They seem to think the 52nd and Baltimore transit corridor will make the project especially attractive. All market-rate, no subsidized (the company Ironstone, has other affordable rental buildings in the area, the Madison at 50th and Spruce and the Commodore at 48th and Locust, recently acquired). Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and exposed brick walls. 92 parking spaces in back included plus bike storage and Philly Car Share spots (they meant ZipCar, I guess). On the ground floor they want to put in 2,000 square feet of C2 commercial space for which they don't have a tenant (someone suggested a co-working space with possibility for community group usage). The building will look pretty much the same except with a lot more windows. They will be redoing the 52nd Street sidewalk. Sewage connection actually runs up 52nd Street and then under the building so they won't need to tear up 52nd Street for that. Ironstone are not general contractors, they will have to hire a general contractor, want to use local contractors, mixed shop, mostly open, some union. Long-term maintenance etc. positions in the building will likely be local. Business is looking to grow. They would be applying for a 10-year tax abatement. Redevelopment of the building should not impact real estate taxes on the two-story homes surrounding it (taxes are based on like buildings). Zoning hearing is on January 4, 2012. They want to break ground in April with the project finished in a year but begin renting within 9 months and have the property fully-rented one year after completion. Community concerns: parking because of the funeral home and church nearby, property taxes going up anyway, it not being affordable and/or senior housing, construction disrupting 52nd Street traffic, the project attracting rowdy students, the project attracting the kinds of people who ride bikes(?), the additional tenants making it harder to catch a trolley in the morning and developers not willing to commit to making improvements to the 52nd and Baltimore intersection because that's neither in their budget nor their property. I imagine if you want to support this project or voice your concerns, you should be emailing marty.ca...@phila.gov and sandy.ha...@phila.gov at Councilwoman Blackwell's office (be sure to provide your name and address) and/or testifying at the zoning hearing. Amara On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 1:48 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: There are two meetings this week related to development along the 52nd Street corridor that may be of interest to neighbors. The following is all the info I have. Thanks! 52nd st economic development plan community meeting, Wednesday December 14th 6p.m. White rock baptist church, 5240 chestnut st, Philadelphia, PA and Cedar Park Neighbors is hosting a community meeting on a proposed new use for the long empty Apply Storage building located at 780-782 S. 52nd Street. The property owner, Apple Iron Stone, intends loft apartments with a retail use on the first floor with resident parking located in the rear. Cedar Park Neighbors invites you to a Community Meeting Regarding: 780-782 S. 52nd Street (Apple Storage Building) Thursday, December 15th, 2011 7:00 pm Wayland Memorial Baptist Church 5126 Baltimore Avenue Many who participated in the Baltimore Conversation last year expressed interest in seeing vacant buildings renovated and occupied once again. We hope you will come to learn more about this proposed project for our community. Questions? Contact CPN at: 267-531-4147; cont...@cedarparkneighbors.org
[UC] Re: 52nd Street Area Development Meetings
Cedar Park Neighbors would apparently want to be cc'd on your emails of support/concern for this project but to what email, I don't know. Amara On Fri, Dec 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: I didn't get to 52nd Economic Development Plan on Wednesday. Did anyone? The Apple Storage proposal is called Apple Lofts and (obviously) needs zoning to go from Industrial to Residential. 112 loft-style apartments: 25 studios, 41 1 beds and 46 2 beds with prices ranging from $700-1,400. They seem to think the 52nd and Baltimore transit corridor will make the project especially attractive. All market-rate, no subsidized (the company Ironstone, has other affordable rental buildings in the area, the Madison at 50th and Spruce and the Commodore at 48th and Locust, recently acquired). Hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and exposed brick walls. 92 parking spaces in back included plus bike storage and Philly Car Share spots (they meant ZipCar, I guess). On the ground floor they want to put in 2,000 square feet of C2 commercial space for which they don't have a tenant (someone suggested a co-working space with possibility for community group usage). The building will look pretty much the same except with a lot more windows. They will be redoing the 52nd Street sidewalk. Sewage connection actually runs up 52nd Street and then under the building so they won't need to tear up 52nd Street for that. Ironstone are not general contractors, they will have to hire a general contractor, want to use local contractors, mixed shop, mostly open, some union. Long-term maintenance etc. positions in the building will likely be local. Business is looking to grow. They would be applying for a 10-year tax abatement. Redevelopment of the building should not impact real estate taxes on the two-story homes surrounding it (taxes are based on like buildings). Zoning hearing is on January 4, 2012. They want to break ground in April with the project finished in a year but begin renting within 9 months and have the property fully-rented one year after completion. Community concerns: parking because of the funeral home and church nearby, property taxes going up anyway, it not being affordable and/or senior housing, construction disrupting 52nd Street traffic, the project attracting rowdy students, the project attracting the kinds of people who ride bikes(?), the additional tenants making it harder to catch a trolley in the morning and developers not willing to commit to making improvements to the 52nd and Baltimore intersection because that's neither in their budget nor their property. I imagine if you want to support this project or voice your concerns, you should be emailing marty.ca...@phila.gov and sandy.ha...@phila.gov at Councilwoman Blackwell's office (be sure to provide your name and address) and/or testifying at the zoning hearing. Amara On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 1:48 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: There are two meetings this week related to development along the 52nd Street corridor that may be of interest to neighbors. The following is all the info I have. Thanks! 52nd st economic development plan community meeting, Wednesday December 14th 6p.m. White rock baptist church, 5240 chestnut st, Philadelphia, PA and Cedar Park Neighbors is hosting a community meeting on a proposed new use for the long empty Apply Storage building located at 780-782 S. 52nd Street. The property owner, Apple Iron Stone, intends loft apartments with a retail use on the first floor with resident parking located in the rear. Cedar Park Neighbors invites you to a Community Meeting Regarding: 780-782 S. 52nd Street (Apple Storage Building) Thursday, December 15th, 2011 7:00 pm Wayland Memorial Baptist Church 5126 Baltimore Avenue Many who participated in the Baltimore Conversation last year expressed interest in seeing vacant buildings renovated and occupied once again. We hope you will come to learn more about this proposed project for our community. Questions? Contact CPN at: 267-531-4147; cont...@cedarparkneighbors.org
[UC] Re: Donate your Recyclebank Points to Lea Elementary!
I received word from Recyclebank that the 500 point maximum per project is a mistake that they are in the process of fixing (though points donated to other Philly district schools are certainly not wasted!). The contest goes until March 15th so plenty of time to save up more points and donate again! You can earn more points through the Recyclebank website too with things like this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/ and this: http://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/learnandearn/q-tips-learn-and-earn-4647/ Amara On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Henry C. Lea Elementary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Land Beautification and Cultivation Budget: $550 http://www.philasd.org/schools/lea Henry C. Lea is a pre-K through 8th grade elementary school in West Philadelphia with 400 students, ages 4 to 14. Lea students often enter the school with little experience in the natural world due to the dense urban environment in which they live. Our Green Plan: We will build six raised beds made of wood from local suppliers. Beds will have gravel at the bottom and the rich Fairmont Park soil on top. Rain barrels will be installed free from the Philadelphia Water Department to ease watering. The existing garden will also receive several tomato plants and cages for cultivation. To adopt a garden plot, students with their teacher, parents or caretakers will be required to help build the raised beds, be current members of the Lea Home, School and Community Association (a.k.a. PTA) and willing to help during periodic work days for the entire garden. Before and after photographs will be taken and throughout the seasons to show the garden’s progress Lea students will write short descriptions of what they have done and learned about plants for display inside on the school’s bulletin boards. Want to earn more points to donate? With the Green Your Seasons Challengehttp://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/, you can earn up to 300 additional points. Other point gaining opportunities are available throughout the Recyclebank website (often connected with advertisers, fyi). Don't have Recyclebank? Email me directly and I will bring you a sticker and sign up sheet. The donation period goes until March 15th, enough time to get set up and accrue points. The maximum points that can be donated to any one project is 500. Other Philadelphia School District Recyclebank projects include: John Story Jenks Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/, Anna Howard Shaw Middle Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/10/, C. W. Henry Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/28/, James Rhoads Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/30/, John Bartram High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/26/, South Philadelphia High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/27/ and WB Saul High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/2/ , Please consider donating your points to Lea and other district schools in our city. Recyclebank will match whatever funds generated, making it easier for schools to reach their funding goals and also allowing for the possibility of schools receiving twice as much funds as requested, money direly needed in this season of mid-year budget cuts. Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools
[UC] 52nd Street Area Development Meetings
There are two meetings this week related to development along the 52nd Street corridor that may be of interest to neighbors. The following is all the info I have. Thanks! 52nd st economic development plan community meeting, Wednesday December 14th 6p.m. White rock baptist church, 5240 chestnut st, Philadelphia, PA and Cedar Park Neighbors is hosting a community meeting on a proposed new use for the long empty Apply Storage building located at 780-782 S. 52nd Street. The property owner, Apple Iron Stone, intends loft apartments with a retail use on the first floor with resident parking located in the rear. Cedar Park Neighbors invites you to a Community Meeting Regarding: 780-782 S. 52nd Street (Apple Storage Building) Thursday, December 15th, 2011 7:00 pm Wayland Memorial Baptist Church 5126 Baltimore Avenue Many who participated in the Baltimore Conversation last year expressed interest in seeing vacant buildings renovated and occupied once again. We hope you will come to learn more about this proposed project for our community. Questions? Contact CPN at: 267-531-4147; cont...@cedarparkneighbors.org
[UC] Donate your Recyclebank Points to Lea Elementary!
http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Henry C. Lea Elementary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Land Beautification and Cultivation Budget: $550 http://www.philasd.org/schools/lea Henry C. Lea is a pre-K through 8th grade elementary school in West Philadelphia with 400 students, ages 4 to 14. Lea students often enter the school with little experience in the natural world due to the dense urban environment in which they live. Our Green Plan: We will build six raised beds made of wood from local suppliers. Beds will have gravel at the bottom and the rich Fairmont Park soil on top. Rain barrels will be installed free from the Philadelphia Water Department to ease watering. The existing garden will also receive several tomato plants and cages for cultivation. To adopt a garden plot, students with their teacher, parents or caretakers will be required to help build the raised beds, be current members of the Lea Home, School and Community Association (a.k.a. PTA) and willing to help during periodic work days for the entire garden. Before and after photographs will be taken and throughout the seasons to show the garden’s progress Lea students will write short descriptions of what they have done and learned about plants for display inside on the school’s bulletin boards. Want to earn more points to donate? With the Green Your Seasons Challengehttp://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/, you can earn up to 300 additional points. Other point gaining opportunities are available throughout the Recyclebank website (often connected with advertisers, fyi). Don't have Recyclebank? Email me directly and I will bring you a sticker and sign up sheet. The donation period goes until March 15th, enough time to get set up and accrue points. The maximum points that can be donated to any one project is 500. Other Philadelphia School District Recyclebank projects include: John Story Jenks Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/, Anna Howard Shaw Middle Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/10/, C. W. Henry Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/28/, James Rhoads Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/30/, John Bartram High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/26/, South Philadelphia High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/27/ and WB Saul High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/2/ , Please consider donating your points to Lea and other district schools in our city. Recyclebank will match whatever funds generated, making it easier for schools to reach their funding goals and also allowing for the possibility of schools receiving twice as much funds as requested, money direly needed in this season of mid-year budget cuts. Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Donate your Recyclebank Points to Lea Elementary!
Right but Recyclebank will match that for a total of $4. After being posted for only a few hours, Lea's $550 project is already 4% funded (before any matching funds). Until Green Schools started up, I would try to get the most for my Recyclebank points and got three gift certificates, only one of which I've managed to redeem in the last three years. Incentive or just something you already do, recycle and donate to Green Schools and your points will be put to good use! Amara On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 2:42 PM, Jim Cummings alaricvisig...@gmail.comwrote: Donating the max 500 points (I had 3100) gives a big $2 to this project. Looking at the gift card options (2500 points for a $10 gift card) Recyclebank points are worth a 1/4 of a cent. I am racking them up at about 25 points or 6 cents per week. What an incentive! Jim On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: http://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/15/ Henry C. Lea Elementary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Land Beautification and Cultivation Budget: $550 http://www.philasd.org/schools/lea Henry C. Lea is a pre-K through 8th grade elementary school in West Philadelphia with 400 students, ages 4 to 14. Lea students often enter the school with little experience in the natural world due to the dense urban environment in which they live. Our Green Plan: We will build six raised beds made of wood from local suppliers. Beds will have gravel at the bottom and the rich Fairmont Park soil on top. Rain barrels will be installed free from the Philadelphia Water Department to ease watering. The existing garden will also receive several tomato plants and cages for cultivation. To adopt a garden plot, students with their teacher, parents or caretakers will be required to help build the raised beds, be current members of the Lea Home, School and Community Association (a.k.a. PTA) and willing to help during periodic work days for the entire garden. Before and after photographs will be taken and throughout the seasons to show the garden’s progress Lea students will write short descriptions of what they have done and learned about plants for display inside on the school’s bulletin boards. Want to earn more points to donate? With the Green Your Seasons Challengehttp://www.recyclebank.com/how-to-earn/pointsplugin/the-green-your-seasons-contest-4944/, you can earn up to 300 additional points. Other point gaining opportunities are available throughout the Recyclebank website (often connected with advertisers, fyi). Don't have Recyclebank? Email me directly and I will bring you a sticker and sign up sheet. The donation period goes until March 15th, enough time to get set up and accrue points. The maximum points that can be donated to any one project is 500. Other Philadelphia School District Recyclebank projects include: John Story Jenks Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/7/, Anna Howard Shaw Middle Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/10/, C. W. Henry Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/28/, James Rhoads Elementaryhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/30/, John Bartram High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/26/, South Philadelphia High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/27/ and WB Saul High Schoolhttp://www.recyclebank.com/contest/index/school/id/2/ , Please consider donating your points to Lea and other district schools in our city. Recyclebank will match whatever funds generated, making it easier for schools to reach their funding goals and also allowing for the possibility of schools receiving twice as much funds as requested, money direly needed in this season of mid-year budget cuts. Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the UCNeighbors group. To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org To unsubscribe from this group, send email to ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en -- Jim Cummings
[UC] Re: PSD Facilities Master Plan Meeting on 12/7 6-8 p.m. at new West Philly High
Link to the Facilities Master Plan Summary West: http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/75120178?access_key=key-1u4tpjjev9ynqjdjmy6u Has a lot of interesting info on where students attend and where they live. Lea Elementary WILL BE a receiving school for Drew students who reside within the Drew neighborhood boundary. Martha Washington was dropped in favor of Lea. It was mentioned that it would be easier for some students to go up/down the Walnut/Chestnut corridors than travel across to Martha Washington. I am not sure if Lea would be absorbing some of Drew's catchment as Locke's would need be cut in order for the catchment to be contiguous. That makes it seem unlikely to me but I will try to get this confirmed. District officials talked about doing work over the spring/summer to make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible for both former Drew students and the students at the receiving schools. It was also mentioned that the receiving schools will have an Open House for Drew parents to attend which I wonder if we could get opened up in Lea's case to the entire community. The old West Philadelphia High building is proposed for sale and they would be collecting proposals for all types of reuse for the building and then having a meeting to ask for the community's input on the different proposals. Some they have already received included senior housing, condos, mixed-use retail etc. They are trying to balance getting the most money for the building with the wishes of the community. The ball field is not for sale but they were reminded that the Croydon developers are interested in the corner field house property. For other school catchments, it sounded like schools not impacted by closures/consolidations would have their catchments reviewed in the 2012-2013 year with community meetings to go over the proposed changes. Unfortunately, the QA was split between the schools impacted by Drew's closure and the other schools in the area so Wilson, Comegys and Harrington were discussed in the other room. If anyone was in there and could share what was talked about, please do. As for the $343 per square foot versus the $228 for the PAS building, I asked about it again and the district person said she thought the $228 might not include some soft costs like design etc. Acting Superintendent Nunery also said he felt construction costs in Philadelphia increased significantly since PAS was built (by half?) and $343 was a reasonable estimate. Amara On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 10:12 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: School Facilities Master Plan http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/fmp/#welcomeMeeting Wednesday 12/7 6 pm at the new West Philly High at 4901 Chestnut. Drew Elementary is being proposed for closure with its students reassigned to Martha Washington, Powel, Locke and MYA. Wilson, Comegys and Harrington, all currently underutilized according to the district, are proposed to lose their 6th grade classes to the district's grade configuration standardization plan with their 6th graders sent to Shaw Middle School. What does that mean for the future of these schools? How many students will they need to add in the new grade configuration not to be considered underutilized? ALL school catchments http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=262a34ys=5 are on the table for being redrawn. Are there catchments that need to change? Are there catchments that should be left alone? How difficult and frustrating is it to try to give meaningful input without any idea of what changes might be under serious consideration! The old West Philly High building is proposed for sale. What kind of reuse would the community like to see? Optionshttp://www.phila.k12.pa.us/fmp/doc/Proposed_Adaptive_Reuse_Policy_clean_version.pdf are: education, community/non-profit or private with the PSD asking for more/less money depending on the type of use. The old SRC/Superintendent decided the district would get to decide the type of use AND ONLY THEN the community could give input. Will this still be the procedure? The ball field at 48th and Spruce is NOT proposed for sale. Who is currently using the space? It sounds like the new WPHS campus does not include athletic fields. Considering the Croydon's recent sale, should this property be left undeveloped? At the Croydon meeting last night, the developers mentioned they would very much like to buy the field house property owned by the district (small building/yard on the northeast corner of 49th and Spruce) for one of several possibly beneficial to the community uses (1st floor retail, community garden, community meeting space, parking). Money from the sale of school buildings will be used for capital improvements on the remaining schools. The PSD is quoting an estimated cost of $343 per square foot to replace elementary schools. The per square foot cost of the PAS building (built by the PSD NOT Penn) was $228. Why the huge discrepancy? (Seriously, if PAS was built
[UC] PSD Facilities Master Plan Meeting on 12/7 6-8 p.m. at new West Philly High
School Facilities Master Plan http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/fmp/#welcomeMeeting Wednesday 12/7 6 pm at the new West Philly High at 4901 Chestnut. Drew Elementary is being proposed for closure with its students reassigned to Martha Washington, Powel, Locke and MYA. Wilson, Comegys and Harrington, all currently underutilized according to the district, are proposed to lose their 6th grade classes to the district's grade configuration standardization plan with their 6th graders sent to Shaw Middle School. What does that mean for the future of these schools? How many students will they need to add in the new grade configuration not to be considered underutilized? ALL school catchments http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=262a34ys=5 are on the table for being redrawn. Are there catchments that need to change? Are there catchments that should be left alone? How difficult and frustrating is it to try to give meaningful input without any idea of what changes might be under serious consideration! The old West Philly High building is proposed for sale. What kind of reuse would the community like to see? Optionshttp://www.phila.k12.pa.us/fmp/doc/Proposed_Adaptive_Reuse_Policy_clean_version.pdf are: education, community/non-profit or private with the PSD asking for more/less money depending on the type of use. The old SRC/Superintendent decided the district would get to decide the type of use AND ONLY THEN the community could give input. Will this still be the procedure? The ball field at 48th and Spruce is NOT proposed for sale. Who is currently using the space? It sounds like the new WPHS campus does not include athletic fields. Considering the Croydon's recent sale, should this property be left undeveloped? At the Croydon meeting last night, the developers mentioned they would very much like to buy the field house property owned by the district (small building/yard on the northeast corner of 49th and Spruce) for one of several possibly beneficial to the community uses (1st floor retail, community garden, community meeting space, parking). Money from the sale of school buildings will be used for capital improvements on the remaining schools. The PSD is quoting an estimated cost of $343 per square foot to replace elementary schools. The per square foot cost of the PAS building (built by the PSD NOT Penn) was $228. Why the huge discrepancy? (Seriously, if PAS was built at $343 it would've cost $28 million instead of $19). Many reasons to come out if you're interested in the future of the community, not only if you currently have kids in the PSD! Amara Steering Committee Chair West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schoolshttps://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ P.S. Lea Elementary, the current focus of WPCNS, is in the news a lot today Great article by a local parent who recently chose Lea: http://phillyschoolsearch.com/2011/12/05/why-i-chose-henry-lea-elementary-2011-10-27-school-selection-report/ and Thoughtful post on considering Lea from a WPCNS member (pictured with adorable family)!: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/raising_philadelphia/anotherview.html and Today's Curtis Institute profile of Stanford Thompson and Play On, Philly!, the instrumental afterschool music program at St. Francis De Sales, mentions the program coming to Lea in January: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/135076318.html?cmpid=131298059
[UC] Fwd: SCHOOL FOOD 101: A Community Discussion
Reminder for the event tomorrow (Tuesday)! Should be a really informative discussion of an important topic. Thanks! Amara -- Forwarded message -- From: Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com Date: Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 9:31 AM Subject: SCHOOL FOOD 101: A Community Discussion To: UCNeighbors ucneighb...@googlegroups.com, UnivCity listserv UnivCity@list.purple.com, pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu SCHOOL FOOD 101 A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION Tuesday, November 15TH 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Henry C. Lea School at 4700 Locust Street (Light refreshments to be provided) Join us and take part in a discussion around issues relating to school food. Topics include where school food comes from, how it is prepared, and efforts to bring farm-fresh food to your neighborhood school. Learn about new efforts to improve the quality of school food and become part of the conversation. Parents, students, educators, and interested community members are welcome! Presenters include: Lisa Jones School District of Philadelphia Manager of Food Services Operations Amy Virus School District of Philadelphia Administrative and Support Services Manager Deb Bentzel Fair Food Farm to Institution Program Manager Kathy Fisher Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth Family Economic Security Associate Sponsors include the PSD, PUFFA, the Food Trust, PCCY, Fair Food, Common Market and the Enterprise Center CDC. For more information about the event please contact: Bryan Fenstermaker at 215.895.4020 or by email bfensterma...@theenterprisecentercdc.org
[UC] SCHOOL FOOD 101: A Community Discussion
SCHOOL FOOD 101 A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION Tuesday, November 15TH 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Henry C. Lea School at 4700 Locust Street (Light refreshments to be provided) Join us and take part in a discussion around issues relating to school food. Topics include where school food comes from, how it is prepared, and efforts to bring farm-fresh food to your neighborhood school. Learn about new efforts to improve the quality of school food and become part of the conversation. Parents, students, educators, and interested community members are welcome! Presenters include: Lisa Jones School District of Philadelphia Manager of Food Services Operations Amy Virus School District of Philadelphia Administrative and Support Services Manager Deb Bentzel Fair Food Farm to Institution Program Manager Kathy Fisher Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth Family Economic Security Associate Sponsors include the PSD, PUFFA, the Food Trust, PCCY, Fair Food, Common Market and the Enterprise Center CDC. For more information about the event please contact: Bryan Fenstermaker at 215.895.4020 or by email bfensterma...@theenterprisecentercdc.org
[UC] Op Ed on Lea Elementary in today's Daily Pennsylvanian
http://thedp.com/index.php/article/2011/11/amara_rockar_bring_technology_to_west_philly_students
[UC] Reminder Lea Volunteer Day Tomorrow (Saturday) 10:00-2:00
In addition to the 50-75 volunteers directly from Philadelphia Cares Day, at Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust on October 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. there will be a couple dozen volunteers from the community including members of the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, Renewal Church, City Church and Vineyard Community Church. The day will be a Paint Day for the Lea Visual Arts programhttp://www.westphillylocal.com/2011/04/25/a-rabbit-moves-in-over-spring-break-the-lea-schools-burgeoning-mural-arts-program/as well as a clean up day around the school. The weather seems to be holding out for some cleaning up in the schoolyard, too. People in-charge/to look for are Ms. Baretta Massey, upper school science teacher, and Mr. Anthony Brown, the parent ombudsman. Mr. David Fox's (upper school Social Studies teacher) room in 313 will be a childcare/movie room with materials for art projects etc. Additional help with the room (perhaps parents switching off) appreciated. Please BYO toys. The Gold Standard Cafe is generously donating refreshments for volunteers and the University City District is also bringing clean up supplies. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! It is sure to be a very productive day. Amara https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/
[UC] Fwd: Philadelphia Notebook Article on PAS/Lea/Wilson
fyi -- Forwarded message -- From: Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com Date: Wed, Oct 19, 2011 at 9:29 PM Subject: Philadelphia Notebook Article on PAS/Lea/Wilson To: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com A good and thoroughly researched article on Penn Alexander, Lea and Wilson with a section on WPCNS: http://www.thenotebook.org/blog/114175/possible-changes-facilities-plan-university-city Anxiously yours (I was kidding in that quote!...mostly), Amara
[UC] Re: Lea Volunteer Day on October 22, 2011
Reminder for volunteer opportunity this Saturday at Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust as part of Greater Philadelphia Cares Day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Philadelphia Cares Day representatives have visited Lea Elementary and are excited to have additional volunteers from the community. The volunteer day will include a paint day as part of the Lea Visual Arts programhttp://www.westphillylocal.com/2011/10/17/west-philly-arts-orgs-get-state-cash/and additional clean up around the school. The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools is recruiting community volunteers and also organizing a childcare room. If you would like to volunteer at Lea as a community member, please complete this private Doodle poll: http://www.doodle.com/4pgbb9hhxrcxxe9t and it is especially helpful to list your email address in the Your Name section. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 3:29 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Henry C. Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust will be participating in Greater Philadelphia Cares Day on Saturday October 22, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lea will be receiving approximately 75 volunteers from PCD but would like to have additional volunteers from the community. If you would like to volunteer at Lea as a community member, please complete this private Doodle poll: http://www.doodle.com/4pgbb9hhxrcxxe9t and list your email address in the Your Name section. If you or your organization would like to donate the use of clean up/painting materials or provide volunteer refreshments, please email me directly. Thanks! Amara Steering Committee Chair West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ P.S. If you're wondering why community members aren't advised to sign up with Philadelphia Cares Day, it is because Philadelphia Cares does not guarantee volunteer placement at a specific site.
[UC] Congrats to PCA grant awardees in the neighborhood!
In addition the the Lea Visual Arts Program at Lea Elementary, I noticed there are several other local groups receiving grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts: *http://www.philaculture.org/programs/grantmaking/projectstream#Philadelphia * * * *Yvette Almaguer | $1,999* The Lea Visual Arts Program is a collaborative effort to improve school climate through innovative interior design and visual art interventions throughout hallways and stairwells of the Henry C. Lea School. Contact: Yvette Almaguer yarec...@gmail.com *Crossroads Music | $1,999* Crossroads Music, the region's only organization dedicated to presenting traditional and ethnic music from around the world, will present approximately 20 concerts, along with workshops and children's events. Contact: Daniel Flaumenhaft i...@crossroadsconcerts.org *Intercultural Journeys | $1,666* Intercultural Journeys is developing a series for the West Philadelphia communities called Sunday Evenings-Music for Contemplation. The musical performances represent a broad variety of musical and faith traditions. Contact: Kristen Golia golia.kris...@gmail.com *Shakespeare in Clark Park | $2,969* Shakespeare in Clark Park will present a professional outdoor theater production of a Shakespearean play at a free summertime cultural event that is accessible to the Clark Park neighborhood and the Greater Philadelphia area. Contact: Marla Burkholder ma...@shakespeareinclarkpark.org Big thanks to WPCNS member Justin McDaniel for assisting with the Lea Visual Arts grant! Congrats everyone! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/
[UC] Lea Kindergarten Open House Wednesday Oct. 19th 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust will be having a Kindergarten Open House on Wednesday October 19th from 9:00-10:00 a.m. The event will begin in the library with a meet and greet with the principal, Dr. Lisa Bell-Chiles, followed by visits to Ms. Mykytiuch's and Ms. McCloskey's Kindergarten classrooms and a school tour. The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools will be providing refreshments. Here is a link for the flyer: http://tinypic.com/r/e5gwvk/7. Please forward and distribute widely! Always appreciative of anyone wanting to assist flyering around the neighborhood. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/
[UC] Lea Volunteer Day on October 22, 2011
Henry C. Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust will be participating in Greater Philadelphia Cares Day on Saturday October 22, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lea will be receiving approximately 75 volunteers from PCD but would like to have additional volunteers from the community. If you would like to volunteer at Lea as a community member, please complete this private Doodle poll: http://www.doodle.com/4pgbb9hhxrcxxe9t and list your email address in the Your Name section. If you or your organization would like to donate the use of clean up/painting materials or provide volunteer refreshments, please email me directly. Thanks! Amara Steering Committee Chair West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ P.S. If you're wondering why community members aren't advised to sign up with Philadelphia Cares Day, it is because Philadelphia Cares does not guarantee volunteer placement at a specific site.
[UC] Re: [W. Philly schools] Lea Volunteer Day on October 22, 2011
The Lea Volunteer Day is painting and clean up. We might be able to add the Lea garden if enough people sign up: http://www.doodle.com/4pgbb9hhxrcxxe9t Amara On Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 8:32 PM, Vivianne T. Nachmias v...@mail.med.upenn.edu wrote: what are they proposing to do? easier to get people to come and help if they have some idea... is it more paintiing for example? could we work on the School Garden that day?? I had planned to try for the Nov. 21 Greening and Tree Planting day. but Oct could be ok also. Vivianne On Sep 28, 2011, at 3:29 PM, Amara Rockar wrote: Henry C. Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust will be participating in Greater Philadelphia Cares Day on Saturday October 22, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lea will be receiving approximately 75 volunteers from PCD but would like to have additional volunteers from the community. If you would like to volunteer at Lea as a community member, please complete this private Doodle poll: http://www.doodle.com/4pgbb9hhxrcxxe9t and list your email address in the Your Name section. If you or your organization would like to donate the use of clean up/painting materials or provide volunteer refreshments, please email me directly. Thanks! Amara Steering Committee Chair West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ P.S. If you're wondering why community members aren't advised to sign up with Philadelphia Cares Day, it is because Philadelphia Cares does not guarantee volunteer placement at a specific site. -- Vote to fund a Lea Elementary project on Limeades for Learning every day! http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/projects/view/626764/teacher WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4 p.m. All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 10/1: Barkan Park, S. St. Bernard (1/2 block west of 49th) Spruce -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS 11/5: Cedar Park, Baltimore between 49th and 50th -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS -- Vote to fund a Lea Elementary project on Limeades for Learning every day! http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/projects/view/626764/teacher WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ WPCNS playdates Saturday @ 4 p.m. All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 10/1: Barkan Park, S. St. Bernard (1/2 block west of 49th) Spruce -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS 11/5: Cedar Park, Baltimore between 49th and 50th -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS
[UC] VOTE: To Help Fund a Lea Elementary Project!
Hello everyone, As you may already know, David Fox, a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Henry C. Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust has posted a DonorsChoose.org project on Sonic's Limeades for Learning contest: http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/projects/view/626764/teacher Each week this month, Sonic donates $100,000 towards to top-ranked projects. Thanks to daily votes from many of you, the Lea project has been voted for nearly 850 times making it the most popular from Philadelphia and in the top three statewide. However, the Limeades for Learning contest is being utilized at much higher rates this year as a result of the terrible education budget cuts felt nationwide. Last year, Mr. Fox was able to fund a project with only about 500 votes. This year, to receive funding his project will likely need votes in the thousands. Please continue to vote daily with all of your email addresses until September 30th. Vote 10 times and receive a code for two extra votes. More importantly, please forward the link to any friends, co-workers, family members, students and listserves that care about our neighborhood and urban education. Please like the project on Facebook, tweet it on Twitter and list the link as your status on Gchat/IM. Some have mentioned that this is a lot of effort for about $200 in highlighters to help Mr. Fox's students organize their essays and literally see their main ideas, supporting details and connections on the page and perhaps it is. But it is also true that being able to write coherently and persuasively is an important and valuable skill in today's world. Please keep voting to support this fundamental work by a fantastic teacher and encourage others to do so as well. Thank you. - Amara Rockar Steering Committee Chair West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools
[UC] Fwd: Scienteers at Lea Needed! (iPraxis - Science Volunteers)
Please see below for a volunteer opportunity in the neighborhood at Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust. iPraxis is also looking for Scienteers for Cook-Wissahickon, Locke, Northwood Academy Charter School, Martha Washington, Blankenburg, and Belmont Charter schools. Thanks! Amara Rockar WPCNS Steering Committee Chair https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com Date: Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 4:51 PM Subject: Scienteers at Lea Needed! (iPraxis - Science Volunteers) To: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com iPraxis looking for volunteers to serve as ‘Scienteers’ at Lea Elementary. Scienteers act as mentors to a small group of students by sharing personal experiences, career opportunities in STEM fields, and by helping grow curiosity and interest in science and technology. Volunteers also help guide students as they work to complete a thorough science fair project. The time requirement for Scienteers is about 1-1.5 hours per week for an 8 week period. Times to meet with students vary but usually take place during or right after the school day, depending on the teacher's needs. Upon completion, students present their projects to guest judges at a school Science Fair. Select students then go on to compete in the city-wide G.W. Carver Science Fair (Lea students mentored by Scienteers won awards last year). Winners and mentors are also recognized at a celebratory event we hold each spring called iFunction. iPraxis also facilitates Career Days and special science presentation at its partner schools. Background checks are required but reimbursed for the Scienteers during Orientation. Orientation is scheduled as Scienteers sign up, dependent on their schedules. During the orientation, iPraxis goes over Science Fair project components and helpful insights to working with students. iPraxis is a non-profit located in the University City Science Center. Its mission is to create and foster opportunities that engage Philadelphia's underrepresented communities in science and technology through education, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. To become a Scienteer, please contact Meagan Hopkins-Doerr at iPraxis mea...@ipraxis.org. Please also forward this opportunity to anyone you know that may be interested. Thanks! Amara
[UC] Fwd: Vote for a Lea Elementary project on Limeades for Learning!
Thanks to your votes, Lea Elementary has the most voted for project in Philadelphia! Keep voting EVERY DAY with all your different email addresses to make it one of the top in the state and get it funded! Right now Lea is trailing projects from Plymouth Meeting, York and Lititz. Be sure to sign up for daily email reminders on Limeades! http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/projects/view/626764/teacher Also, the Donor's Choose project for the afterschool soccer program has been fully funded! Lea students will be putting the new goals and pinafores to good use soon! Thanks to everyone who donated! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com Date: Fri, Sep 2, 2011 at 9:56 AM Subject: Vote for a Lea Elementary project on Limeades for Learning! To: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com, UCNeighbors ucneighb...@googlegroups.com, UnivCity listserv UnivCity@list.purple.com, pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu David Fox, a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust, has posted a project to Sonic's Limeades for Learning. To help fund it, all one needs to do is vote online. You can sign up for daily email reminders to vote and can get bonus votes for Sonic purchases or frequent voting. Here's the message from David: Hello Everyone, Sonic has a program called Limeades for Learning where people can vote on the projects that they would like to see funded. Every person can vote once a day (per e-mail address). This requires nothing more than a vote. The projects with the most votes each week get funded by Sonic. The votes are cumulative, so even if a project does not have the most votes one week, those votes will be added for the next week and it will be closer to being one of the top projects. Last year, many of you voted and Sonic funded $600 of a very large project! This year, I would like to see if we can get 2 projects funded through your electoral power. All you have to do is click on this link... http://www.limeadesforlearning.com/projects/view/626764/teacher vote for the project once, then verify your e-mail address. Many of you have already verified your e-mail from last year, so this shouldn't be a problem. Please vote every day and spread the word. Thank you so much! David Please vote to help a neighborhood school in West Philly and forward widely! Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/
Re: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing
University City Micro Center lives on at 42nd Street near Chestnut and same for the West Philly Locksmith. UCMC is still pretty good and not expensive if say, your hobbyist relative destroys your CPU while tinkering with it... Also, the pastor who protested the McDonald's is now getting two 20 story Campus Apartment towers a block away from him: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20110901_PhillyDeals__Reigniting_N_Y_-Phila__college_b-ball_rivalry.html Amara On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 8:54 PM, missthin misst...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Wilma, that would be Rev. Larry Falcom and this is why: http://www.mcspotlight.org/media/press/mcds/ainfosnewsservi200801.html I have to say, I miss a couple of the businesses that used to be where the CVS, et. al. are. The really good (at the time) computer shop in that little row of businesses was great. I had a computer built for me that would have cost a lot more if I'd been able to find the same specs. When the diner first opened there it was very good and not the small ridiculously priced (it's a diner!) and not good food place it turned into. Wendy On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 7:15 PM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.netwrote: Wow! Too bad they were not successful in trying to move the McDonald's to Market Street when they tore down the Modern Laundry Company. There was a Minister who set up a coalition against McPenntrification whose name escapes me. So close, yet so far from The Promised Land. From: krf...@aol.com krf...@aol.com Reply-To: krf...@aol.com krf...@aol.com Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 08:52:35 -0400 (EDT) To: UnivCity listserv UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing Click here: The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standinghttp://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/index.php/article/2011/02/last_store_standing_the_past_and_present_of_mcdonalds_at_40th_and_walnut To paraphrase Edmund Burke (although the prototype quote is usually attributed to Georgio Santayana): Those who distort history are: - doomed to wallow in it - no historians - poor researchers - dishonest researchers - extraordinarily gullible - mendacious - well-heeled enough to consider Bobby Flay's burgers a bargain - members or aspiring members of Alpha Epsilon Alpha (Anointed Elite of America) naive name-brand college undergraduates from privileged backgrounds - well... you get the picture - all of the above * - *** Alan Krigman KRF Management, ICON/Information Concepts Inc 211 S 45th St, Philadelphia PA 19104-2918 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6502 krf...@aol.com or al.krig...@krf.icodat.com
Re: [UC] ZBA Manufacture of ETOH Beverages Wholesale Distribution
No, it's farther west since Dock Street is on 50th. Pentridge in between 51st and 52nd is car lots, houses and warehouses all abandoned. It's not exactly a bad place for it. I had heard someone mention a distillery was coming to the area but not of any presentations. Amara On Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 7:11 AM, Cindy Miller c...@earthlink.net wrote: yeah-I saw it last week (week before?) --on West Phiily Local, I think. Looks like the spot is an old warehouse-type building behind Dock Street. -cm `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸º On Aug 30, 2011, at 6:58 AM, craigso...@aol.com wrote: Does anybody know anything about this? Was there a presentation to the community? The zoning hearing is Wednesday, August 31, 2011 2:00 PM. Thanks, Craig *Usevar Attorney Name:* *Number of Permits:* *Appl.No.: *293001 *Zon. Class.: *C-2 COM PERMIT FOR A MANUFACTURE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND WHOLESALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SAME, WITH ACCESSORY OFFICE AND PROPOSED ONE (1) ACCESSORY INTERIOR PARKING SPACE AND PROPOSED ONE (1) APT ON THE REAR IN SPACE 5104 IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE WITH ALL OTHER USES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED. 5102 PENTRIDGE ST (SPACE #5104) KAIA LOKEN FATTY TUNA LLC 1 USEVAR *Case No.: *18A Wednesday, August 31, 2011 2:00 PM *ZBA Appeal Date: *08/30/10 *Continued* *Cal No.: *13058 *Applicant:* *Owner:*
[UC] Fwd: Upcoming WePAC Volunteer Librarian Trainings
Neighbors, As you may know, Lea Elementary at 47th and Locust will be receiving volunteer library services through the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) Open Books Open Mind program this year. Lea lost its staff librarian in the budget cuts. Currently, WePAC has enough volunteers for library services two mornings a week serving Kindergarten through 3rd grade. *With a few more volunteers, they can expand their services at Lea to 4th grade. *Please consider singing up and attending one of the two upcoming trainings. The minimum time commitment is two hours ever other week. Thanks! Amara WPCNS Steering Committee Chair https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com Date: Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 1:39 PM Subject: Upcoming WePAC Volunteer Librarian Trainings To: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com From Idealist.org: http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/34G3N5bnHMncp/ Lea Elementary Readers Library Volunteers Posted on: *August 9, 2011* Posted by: West Philadelphia Alliance for Children--WePAChttp://www.idealist.org/view/org/33M7mB7KXdTBD/ MORE / LESS http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/34G3N5bnHMncp/# DESCRIPTION Volunteers are needed to help staff the Lea Elementary Library! The school is located at 4700 Locust Street, between Market Street and Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia. WePAC-- the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children-- renovates school library spaces, collects and donates books, and provides trained volunteers to staff and run the libraries. Our volunteers support students in selecting and checking out books, conducting literacy-related activities, guiding research, and reading to elementary students. WePAC encourages curiosity and seeks to foster a life-long love of reading and academic achievement. If you are interested or experienced in teaching, reading assistance, supporting library operations, facilitating groups, providing social services, speaking in public, or if you just want to make a difference for students in West Philadelphia, please consider joining us! Opportunities are also available at other elementary schools. Upcoming Volunteer Trainings: - Wednesday, August 10 @ 10:00 a.m. - Tuesday, August 23 @ 10:00 a.m. - Tuesday, August 30 @ 1:00 p.m. - Thursday, September 8 @ 10:00 a.m. Orientations will be held in the WePAC office at 3603 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. If you're unable to attend, we may be able to schedule an additional orientation at your convenience. Please email i...@wepac.org to register for orientation or for more information. MORE / LESS http://www.idealist.org/view/volop/34G3N5bnHMncp/#HOW TO APPLY What is required for you to volunteer: - Complete child abuse and criminal background checks, as required by the Philadelphia School District - Participate in our orientation and kick-off events - Commit to volunteering a minimum of two hours every other week - Be able and willing to work as part of a team
[UC] Lea Elementary School Supplies Drive
For the next three weeks, the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools will be collecting school supplies for the classrooms and students at Lea School at 47th and Locust. We hope to collect enough to bring a box of supplies to each teacher on Sept. 1st so their classrooms will be well-stocked for the first day of classes. To donate, there are bins at University Dollar Plus (supplies available for sale) at 4734 Spruce Street or at St. Mary's Nursery at 3916 Locust Walk. Items needed include pencils, pens, pencil cases, erasers, pencil sharpeners, crayons, markers, composition books, spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper, two-pocket folders, folders with fasteners, loose leaf note books, book bags, protractors, compasses, scissors, dry erase markers, index cards, post-it notes, glue sticks and tissues. Anyone interested in assisting with the drive, please contact Kelly Chancey at kchancey [at] hotmail [dot] com Thanks! Amara WPCNS Steering Committee Chair https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/
[UC] FW: Collaborative Volunteer Opportunities Summer '11
Please see the below for volunteer opportunities for professionals to assist with developing a plan for much needed greening of the school yard at Lea Elementary (47th and Locust). Interested volunteers should contact Heidi Levy at he...@cdesignc.org Thanks! Amara Steering Committee Chair West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: David Hincher david.hinc...@gmail.com Date: Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 11:47 AM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Fwd: FW: Collaborative Volunteer Opportunities Summer '11 To: westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com Everyone, If you know any of the following professionals - landscape architects, civil engineer, stormwater management consultant, and cost estimator - please let them know that the Coalition and the Community Design Collaborative are looking for design volunteers to assist us in greening the play yards at Lea Elementary School (see full email below). We are excited about this opportunity at Lea, but it can only happen if the Collaborative has volunteers for the project. Volunteers should contact Heidi Levy at he...@cdesignc.org Thanks, David Hincher (aka Lucy's Dad) *From:* Community Design Collaborative [mailto: community_design_collaborat...@mail.vresp.com] *Sent:* Friday, August 05, 2011 11:11 AM *To:* David Hincher *Subject:* Collaborative Volunteer Opportunities Summer '11 ** ** [image: CDC_HEADER 20th Anniv Eblast 2] *Announcing the Community Design Collaborative's * *Volunteer Opportunities: Summer 2011* *Applications Being **Considered** for Service Grants They have not yet been awarded*** The Community Design Collaborativehttp://cts.vresp.com/c/?CommunityDesignColla/17417a9cbd/5fc42fa34a/0387ff7f9eis currently reviewing applications from the following nonprofits who have applied to receive preliminary design services in our third round of service grants for 2011. All candidates will be notified of their selection by * 8/31/2011* and all selected projects are scheduled to begin in *September, October or November.* *Quick! Tell Us Your Volunteer Interests* Please review the list below and respond via email if you're interested in working with us on any of these potential projects. You may consider listing several options in case your first choice does not get selected during this round. *Don't wait- we have limited volunteer slots available and project teams fill up very quickly!* *New to the Collaborative? Submit a Volunteer Application* If you are interested in being matched with a project team in the future, be sure to submit a Collaborative Volunteer Application form online. We cannot place you on a volunteer team without this information! You can use this same form to keep us updated if your contact information has changed- email address, work/home address, new professional registration, etc. PROJECT REVIEW MEETINGS *Please join us for our bi-monthly Project Review meetings* You'll hear informal presentations by current volunteer teams on their in-progress work and have the opportunity to provide valuable design feedback. Mark your calendar and bring a brown-bag lunch. *Upcoming Project Review meetings:* Tuesday, August 16 September 6 20 from 12-1:30pm Center for Architecture, 1216 Arch Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107 *All new volunteers are required to attend one Project Review meeting as an initial orientation and prerequisite to being placed on a project team.* SERVICE GRANT CANDIDATES *TYPICAL SERVICE GRANT PROJECTS * *Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia*, South Philadelphia Safe Corridors for Healthy Neighborhoods: Conceptual design for creating safer, innovative bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Philadelphia neighborhoods *Volunteers needed: planners, landscape architect, traffic engineer* *Congregation Beth'El, *Lower North Philadelphia (Fairmount) - 1431-33 Brown Street Conceptual design for affordable senior housing *Volunteers needed: architects/intern architects, cost estimator** Friends of Coxe Park/Evolve Foundation Inc.*, Center City - 2134 Cherry Street Conceptual master plan for park renovation *Volunteers needed: landscape architects, playground consultant, civil engineer/stormwater management consultant, cost estimator* *Friends of the Blue Bell*, Darby, PA (Delaware County) - 1000 Main Street Conceptual design for the renovation of an historic building for community use *Volunteers needed: architects/intern architects, structural engineer, MEP engineer, roofing consultant, historic preservationist, cost estimator* *Hansberry Garden and Nature Center/Kelly Elementary School, *NW Philadelphia (Germantown) – 5116 Pulaski Avenue Conceptual master plan for creating a sustainable site for John B. Kelly Elementary School *Volunteers needed: landscape architects, architect, structural engineer, civil engineer/stormwater
Re: [UC] Announcing... Lea Summer Book Drive!
Kimm, Lea does but lost its staff librarian to the layoffs. To offset this and supplement the library, the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC)'s Open Books, Open Minds program will be coming to Lea in the fall 2011. WePAC will provide books and materials for enhancing the library space as needed and a trained volunteer librarian several times a week to facilitate children checking books in and out as well as a storytime for visiting classrooms. For older children, assistance may be provided with doing research for projects. Scheduled library periods will not be considered prep periods for teachers, who will accompany children in their visits to the library. WePAC will offer an afterschool (or in school) writing or school newspaper club to be held in the library. WePAC is looking for volunteer librarians for Lea and is especially interested in volunteers from the local community. The minimum time commitment requested by WePAC for its volunteers is two hours every other week. Those interested in volunteering at Lea through WePAC should contact Beth Menasion at emenas...@gmail.com or Amy D'Antonio at amy.danto...@gmail.com Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 12:51 AM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: Does Lea have a library? Kimm On 7/6/11 9:20 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: Please see below for details on how to donate books for the classroom libraries at Lea Elementary at 4700 Locust. As a K-8 school, Lea has a need for books at every level. Thanks! - Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/ https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ westphillyschools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: *Beth (Miles and Jack's mom)* emenas...@gmail.com Date: Wed, Jul 6, 2011 at 9:06 PM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Announcing... Lea Summer Book Drive! To: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com Hi All, I'm pleased to announce the details of our summer book drive for Lea classroom libraries... Give your old books a new home! Help us to build classroom libraries at Henry C. Lea K-8 School 2 Convenient Drop Off Locations: -Bindlestiff Books, 4530 Baltimore Ave. (in the designated bin) -4317 Larchwood Ave. (on the porch) We are hoping to have a few leveling parties over the summer so that when we deliver these books to Lea in September, they are organized by DRA level and ready to go.Thanks to Cheryl, Abby and Noga who have agreed to help with the leveling. Please let me know if anyone else can assist with this task. Many thanks also to Alexis and the Bindlestiff folks for supporting this effort! Beth -- WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ Standing playdate! Every Saturday @ 4 p.m. All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 7/2: Clark Park -- meet at the Tot Lot by the dinosaur 7/9: Malcolm X Park, Pine-Larchwood, 51st-52nd -- meet on the little kids' side by the space ships 7/16: Barkan Park, Hansen (1/2 block west of 49th) Spruce -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS 7/23: Cedar Park, Baltimore between 49th and 50th -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS
[UC] Announcing... Lea Summer Book Drive!
Please see below for details on how to donate books for the classroom libraries at Lea Elementary at 4700 Locust. As a K-8 school, Lea has a need for books at every level. Thanks! - Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools https://sites.google.com/site/https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ westphillyschools https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ -- Forwarded message -- From: Beth (Miles and Jack's mom) emenas...@gmail.com Date: Wed, Jul 6, 2011 at 9:06 PM Subject: [W. Philly schools] Announcing... Lea Summer Book Drive! To: West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodscho...@googlegroups.com Hi All, I'm pleased to announce the details of our summer book drive for Lea classroom libraries... Give your old books a new home! Help us to build classroom libraries at Henry C. Lea K-8 School 2 Convenient Drop Off Locations: -Bindlestiff Books, 4530 Baltimore Ave. (in the designated bin) -4317 Larchwood Ave. (on the porch) We are hoping to have a few leveling parties over the summer so that when we deliver these books to Lea in September, they are organized by DRA level and ready to go.Thanks to Cheryl, Abby and Noga who have agreed to help with the leveling. Please let me know if anyone else can assist with this task. Many thanks also to Alexis and the Bindlestiff folks for supporting this effort! Beth -- WPCNS Website!: https://sites.google.com/site/westphillyschools/ Standing playdate! Every Saturday @ 4 p.m. All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 7/2: Clark Park -- meet at the Tot Lot by the dinosaur 7/9: Malcolm X Park, Pine-Larchwood, 51st-52nd -- meet on the little kids' side by the space ships 7/16: Barkan Park, Hansen (1/2 block west of 49th) Spruce -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS 7/23: Cedar Park, Baltimore between 49th and 50th -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS
[UC] Lea Community Fun Day Saturday 6/18 (Volunteer opportunity, too!)
On Saturday 6/18, Lea Elementary will be having a Community Fun Day outside in the school yard with a moon bounce, face painting, a DJ and vendors to raise money for the Home and School Association. It will go from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m in the school yard at 4700 Locust and is open to the ENTIRE community. On the inside of Lea on the same day, volunteers are needed to help paint the first floor hallways with the Visual Arts Team led by Yvette Almaguer. If you plan to volunteer, please complete this Doodle poll so I can let Yvette know how many people to expect. The poll is set to private - you aren't making a public commitment and it's no big deal if you end up not being able to make it. The painting will have an earlier start at 8:00 a.m. and it's okay if you are only able to come for part of the day. http://doodle.com/vpk6zxunavt4nd8t Plus, for families, there's the opportunity for one parent to attend the fun day with the kids while the other volunteers inside. Should be a great day! Amara Co-Leader, West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools WPCNS is on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_128138487261714 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_128138487261714 Standing playdate! Every Saturday @ 4 p.m. All, regardless of parental status, are welcome: 6/11: Malcolm X Park, Pine-Larchwood, 51st-52nd -- meet on the little kids' side by the space ships 6/18: Barkan Park, Hansen (1/2 block west of 49th) Spruce -- tiny enough that you can just ask other people if they are there for WPCNS
[UC] LEAmonade Sale for Lea Elementary Saturday 5/28 near 45th Chester
LEAmonade Sale Saturday 5/28 Near the southwest corner of 45th Chester Starts 9:00 a.m. Refresh yourself with some LEAmonade tomorrow near Clark Park and help kindergarteners stay cool! Proceeds will go towards air conditioners for the Lea Elementary kindergartens. The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools and the Lea Home and School Association are developing greening plans for the school that will include passive cooling. In the meantime, the beautiful south-facing kindergartens need air conditioners to make class this June and September comfortable for their superstar learners! Please stop by and enjoy some LEAmonade! Amara P.S. If you have a high btu window unit air conditioner that you would like to donate, please reach out to me. Several are needed because the kindergartens are so large. WPCNS is on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_128138487261714 And Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/WPCNS
[UC] Lea Kindergarten Open House Schedule
Planning to attend the Lea Kindergarten Open House? Here's the schedule: Lea Kindergarten Open House Monday, May 23rd 4700 Locust Street 8:20 – 8:40 a.m Meet and Greet with Dr. B-C in the library 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. Kindergarten Open House, Rooms 101 and 102 9:35 – 10:00 a.m. Lea School Tour lead by Maurice Jones and Mr. Brown 10:05 – 10:20 a.m. Ms. Mykytiuch will be free to talk to parents, Room 101 10:25 – 10:45 a.m. Meeting with Lea HSA President Maurice Jones plus others back in the library 10:50 – 11:05 a.m. Ms. McCloskey will be free to talk to parents, Room 102 Understanding that the early start may be difficult for parents with young children, we have added meeting times with the kindergarten teachers and the HSA president after the tour with late arriving parents in mind. We’re trying to get a basic headcount so if you plan on coming, please respond to this poll: http://doodle.com/tnrxdas8mfi4784z The poll is private so you’re not making your commitment to attend public - no pressure in case you can’t make it for some reason. This will help me and the teachers guesstimate how many handouts to make. Thanks! Amara West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodschools http://tiny.cc/wpc4ns Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_128138487261714 Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/WPCNS
[UC] Lea Kindergarten Open House, May 23rd, 8:45-9:30 a.m.
Lea Kindergarten Open House Monday, May 23rd 4700 Locust Street Meet and greet with the principal, Dr. Bell-Chiles, at 8:20 a.m. in the library Kindergarten Open House, 8:45 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. in Rooms 101 and 102 School tour and meeting with Home and School Association President Maurice Jones to follow. An exciting opportunity for community members to familiarize themselves with the Lea kindergarten, kindergarten-age children not required and living in the Lea catchment not required! The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools plans to provide support and refreshments. Come learn more about Lea! The list of other kindergarten open houses in the neighborhood is below. Thanks! Amara West Philly Kindergarten Open Houses Week of May 23rd A. D. Harrington School 5300-34 Baltimore Ave 19143 (215) 471 - 2914 www.philasd.org/schools/harrington Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/24, 9:00-10:00 Kindergarten teacher: Ms. Davis B. B. Comegys School 5100 Greenway Ave. 19143 (215) 727 - 2162 Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/24, 1:00-3:00 Alexander Wilson School 1300 S. 46th St. 19143 (215) 823 - 8206 www.philasd.org/schools/alexanderwilson Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/24, 9:00 Samuel B Huey School 5200 Pine St. 19143 (215) 471 - 2901 Open House: NO OPEN HOUSE, Contact school to visit kindergarten individually Henry C. Lea School 4700 Locust St. 19139 (215) 471 - 2915 Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/23, 8:45-9:30 (Meet and greet with principal before at 8:20 and school tour and reception/meeting with HSA president afterwards) Kindergarten teachers: Ms. Mykytiuch and Ms. McCloskey Penn Alexander School 4209 Spruce St. 19104 (215) 823 - 5465 www.philasd.org/schools/pennalexander Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/24, 9:30 SHARP Alain Locke School 4550 Haverford Ave. 19139 (215) 823 - 8202 Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/24, 9-11:00 Martha Washington Academics 766 N. 44th St. 19104 (215) 823 - 8203 www.philasd.org/schools/marthawashington Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/26 11:30-12:30 Samuel Powel School 301 N. 36th St. 19104 (215) 823 - 8201 www.philasd.org/schools/powel Open House: NOT CONFIRMED Charles Drew School 3724 Warren St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Phone: (215) 823 - 8204 www.philasd.org/schools/drew Open House: CONFIRMED, 5/26, 10:00-11:00 Kindergarten teacher: Ms. Gunderstorf Information compiled by the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/westphillycoalitionforneighborhoodschools http://tiny.cc/wpc4ns Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_128138487261714 Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/WPCNS;
Re: [UC] Ed. propaganda campaign, INQ
The voucher flyers going around the neighborhood don't mention that the private schools are under no obligation to accept students with vouchers (being private and all). Students without good test scores or with behavior problems or disabilities or special ed or ELL needs may find themselves with vouchers and rejected from all the private schools. I think the direction this is going if it passes is that new private voucher schools will pop up run by some of the politicians/people whose charters performed so poorly they were taken away (i.e. Anthony Williams own whose school has gone to Mastery). This will be a bonanza for them since they can run the private schools without any kind of accountability unlike with the charters which require testing etc. And if you think $7,500 or less per student isn't much to skim off of while maintaining the semblance of a school, just look to Germantown Settlement Charter. Amara On Sun, May 8, 2011 at 5:27 PM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net wrote: The Voucher initiative began during the Reagan Years as a libertarian/conservative rally to get a hold of the untapped multi-billion education market, that was considered the final frontier for the 80's greed market forces. It was called The School Choice Movement then, remember? http://www.freetochoose.net/store/product_info.php?products_id=36 If you look at the Free to Choose Board of Directors, you will see NONE of them have a background in education. Not ONE. http://www.freetochoose.net/board_of_directors.php That didn't quite go as planned, but the Charter School thing did and now that the Trojan Horse has gotten in, vouchers etc. are making a return and the true mission of destroying public education and controlling it for wealth can finally be acknowledged without fear. They are secure now. *Educational Vouchers: A Review of the Research* *October 1999* http://nepc.colorado.edu/files/educationalvouchers.html *School Vouchers*: A Critical View.https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffaculty.smu.edu%2Fmillimet%2Fclasses%2Feco4361%2Freadings%2Fquality%2520II%2Fladd%252002.pdf faculty.smu.edu/millimet/classes/eco4361/readings/.../ladd%2002.pdf NONE of this this has to do with improving education for poor inner-city children or improving public education at all. Since teachers, who DO have an education background and experience working with students, stand against many of these business models we are excluded, maligned and scapegoated because we actually represent the social and educational mores of a social and educational institution as opposed to corporate and business mores in an educational institution. This is a more than 30 year-old well-laid plan now coming into its final stages and the public is finally catching on, but too late unless there is a HUGE outcry. People have stood by for a long time and applauded while teachers' concerns have been ignored or disparaged, their rights and autonomy eroded. Now that the entire system and students' and parents' rights are being eroded as well, perhaps we'll get somewhere. From: Paul Uyehara pmuyeh...@aol.com Reply-To: Paul Uyehara pmuyeh...@aol.com Date: Sun, 08 May 2011 14:37:23 -0400 To: UnivCity listserv UnivCity@list.purple.com Subject: Re: [UC] Ed. propaganda campaign, INQ Wilma, I read that vouchers are a big policy push now as well. How do they relate to charters and are the same forces behind them? Paul -Original Message- From: Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net To: Glenn moyer glen...@earthlink.net; UnivCity listserv univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Sun, May 8, 2011 2:18 pm Subject: Re: [UC] Ed. propaganda campaign, INQ StudentsFirsst.org is an organization formed by right-wing billionaires and hedge-fund managers and figure-headed by former D.C. Chancellor of Schools Michelle Rhee. It's objective is to raise more more to dismantle public education in primarily poor US inner-city school districts, disabling teachers' unions, teachers' bargaining rights, educational autonomy and replacing experienced teachers with scantily-prepared teachers trained in six weeks by Teach for America; Rhee's alma mater. Their goal is to blame teachers and their unions for everything wrong in public education and replace public education with corporate education or as was quoted by either Charles or David Koch, I admit I am not certain which, the right-wing's answer to Brown v. Board of Education 1954. More experienced teachers are more expensive and therefore detrimental to the bottom line. This is an insidious, pernicious initiative. It appeals to the most base instincts of people who may have had an ax to grind with a teacher or parents who think their child can do no wrong and it must be the school's fault. They will attack and besmear anyone who stands in their way in order to wrest control of the education Market; even public school supporters who are elected
[UC] Neighborhood Schools Event Thursday May 5th 5:45 p.m. at 4700 Locust
Neighborhood Schools Event Thursday May 5th 5:45 p.m. at 4700 Locust in the Lea Elementary Auditorium. This will be an evening of positive, productive discussions on how the community can support its neighborhood schools. Jacqueline Edelberg, author of How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood School Renaissance, is the featured speaker and will discuss how she and the principal of the Nettlehorst School in Chicago changed the trajectory of an underperforming school utilizing community volunteers, parents and neighborhood partnerships. Her co-author (the principal), Susan Kurland, will also be in attendance. There will be a panel discussion featuring Stanford Thomspon, the director of Tune Up Philly, Sterling Baltimore, the director of the Lea Community School (afterschool program), Maurice D. Jones Sr., Lea Elementary Home and School Association President and Dr. Daniel Lazar, Greenfield Elementary Principal. A reception/networking session will follow for prospective parents and interested community members to connect with Home and School Representatives, current district parents and community groups and learn about current neighborhood school projects. There will also be a performance by the Lea Elementary gLea club. How to Walk to School books will be available for sale through Bindlestiff Books. Hosted by the Enterprise Center CDC and the Parents In Action Council. Sponsored by the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools.
Re: [UC] Penn's rather overpriced view of apartments... did someone here say Wharton ?
Just gonna wonk out here a little. Don't mind me. The Inky seems to have printed the high end of the one bedroom range at Domus for effect and ended up distorting everything. (Quick! Someone hit the staff writer with a rolled-up Inky! Bad reporter! Bad!) Anyway, a one bedroom in the luxurious Domus starts at $1,800 and a two bedroom there starts at $2,800. I remember a one bedroom at The Hub being something like $1,080 when it first opened. They may have raised their prices since then but a one bedroom probably hasn't rocketed up to $2,600. Penn/Wharton students may not know the meaning of a penny saved but they don't seem to be THAT far gone. Yet. On 7/28/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 7/28/2007 2:00:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: On today's front page of the Inq., there is one of thos stories of a Penn real estate love in. You've read this crap many times, so I won't bore you with details. It was a newsmercial about Penn and campus apartment with 50 million dollar kisses, etc, etc. The part about a local realtor saying that the residents have never been so high (given that Sister Judith got rid of all the Clark Park drug pushers) wasn't what I found interesting about the pap that supposedly passed for news in the Inky. She says that isn't what she really said, anyway, and it probably wasn't. It was the questionable economics. 1) The Radian would have 150 units and cost $50MM. That's $314,465 per unit. Yet, the Wall Street Journal stated this past week,Median prices for rental-apartment units based on deals valued at more than $5 million in the first quarter were $109,269 in Philadelphia compared with $381,254 in Manhattan and $316,251 in Washington, D.C., according to Real Capital Analytics, a New York-based real-estate research firm. So the average at the Radian would be almost triple the median for existing units in the area for as-built (as opposed to converted) multi-family dwellings. (OK, I know that average and median arne't the same, but even so...) Surely, this is not fiscally sound.. 2) The Inky's article stated, The two other ritzy student apartment complexes near Penn are the Hub and Domus, where one-bedroom apartments can cost about $2,600 a month. There may be a few students at Penn who can afford $2,600 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. But not many. And the scions of genuinely wealthy families who go to Penn are probably going to want apartments that cost even more, but offer things like freedom from a bunch of noisy, immature undergraduettes and from the semi-structured student government environment typical of dormitories. comcierge service, room service, spa, pool, a doormam who does things for tenants who tip big other that check their IDs, etc. These points raise some serious issues as to whether the Penn administration and trustees are in touch with reality. Now, from a business standpoint, I'm certainly happy to see them going in this direction because they're not going to be competition form my rentals. Let's see, should we rent a two-bedroom apt on 45th St from the greedy slumlord KRF for $850, or should we go for the 1-bedroom at Doofus with a dishwasher, disposal, and washer amd dryer in every apartmemt as well as a game room/pizza Hut downstairs, and something that apparently passes for public art commemorating the now defunct Stetson Hat Company of Philadelphia out in front for $2,600? Gimme a minute to call Daddy and ask him if we can still afford the extra money, or if the variable rate mortgage on our MacMansion in Scarsdale and the home equity loan on the Beach House in our gated enclave in East Hampton have gone up above 8% so he'll have to declare bankruptcy and send Mummy back to work selling orthopedic ladies' shoes at Wal-Mart. Still on the list because talking to ones' self can be even more tedious than deleting 's posts without reading them. Al Krigman Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. -- (215) 586-4728 You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Recycling Containers at Grays Ave?
Has anyone had any luck picking up recycling containers from the sanitation yard at 51st and Grays Avenue? The website (http://recyclingpays.phila.gov/res_getbin.shtml) claims you can get them from there between 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. We wanted to pick up some for our building but... As soon as my husband drove up to the pick area he was met by a sanitation worker screaming, WE'RE CLOSED!!! Called to find out what the deal was but of course they don't answer the phone... Argh. The web site does list other sanitation yards but we don't want to drive all the way out to find another mysteriously closed location... You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] Tom Fenton on ABC News
both students mentioned are engineering CIT grad students so i imagine the cow was in DRL... On 5/23/07, Ross Bender [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 5/23/07, Elliot M. Stern [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At Outline of the Charter of the Student Disciplinary System, (http://www.upenn.edu/osc/outline.htm ), click on H. Imposing Sanctions on a Student (http://www.upenn.edu/osc/Charter.htm#label1o ), then scroll down to 2. Or just read 2 my cut and paste below. Elliot H. Imposing Sanctions on a Student * http://www.upenn.edu/osc/outline.htm#II Well, Section I.B.5 says The Student Disciplinary System does not handle alleged violations of the University's parking regulations. So presumably that wasn't the offense. Wonder if the guy actually did infiltrate a live cow into the Library, per Tony's suggestion. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
[UC] Schemers on the Schuylkill
The mailing sticker rises again to be rehashed in the pages of CP http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2007/05/17/schemers-on-the-schuylkill Also in this issue is a (more interesting and) heartbreaking story on the major Oxycontin lawsuit by Jeff Deeney. His work on Phawker.com just amazing. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
