[UC] Trolleys on diversion all weekend
http://www.westphillylocal.com/2016/04/21/overhead-wire-repairs-in-tunnel-force-trolley-diversion/ Statue of Liberty -- "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Emma Lazarus
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] fwd:Re: Possible scam/fraud in neighborhood - Lew Blum Towing - Beware!
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/02/04/3-on-your-side-your-towing-right s-in-philadelphia/ On 12/9/14, 10:36 AM, Linda Lee lml3...@gmail.com wrote: Awful! Definitely fight this! A friend of mine lives at 46th Walnut and says a tow truck guy hangs out at that intersection all day, just waiting for someone to park 'illegally,' then hauls their vehicle away. I suspect this happens all over the city... -L From: Veronika Lambert ahojv...@gmail.com Date: December 9, 2014 9:47:06 AM EST To: Clark Park Tot Lot clarkparktot...@googlegroups.com Subject: Possible scam/fraud in neighborhood - Lew Blum Towing - Beware! Dear neighbors, One of our renters who lives on 45th Pine recently moved here from Washington State for a research position at Penn and had a very unpleasant experience with Lew Blum Towing. She hasn't been able to change her license and plates to PA yet, so isn't eligible for a permit and parks where legally possible. I know it might seem long to read, but please take a moment. I never heard of this happening before, but wanted to share with everyone so you are aware; especially during the holidays with out-of-town guests. It may be that the towing company is only targeting non-PA plates, but it's not certain. Posts online suggest they are not the most upstanding/reputable company, which is sad considering their signs are posted all around the neighborhood. Perhaps we should keep an eye on them and reconsider giving them business. The following was written by Lisa and sent to the President of Spruce Hill. I also suggested she send it to UCD. If anyone has any other suggestions how to possibly get her money refunded and more importantly to stop something like this from happening again, please let us know. (Lisa is cc'd on this email). On Tuesday, my boyfriend parked my car on Osage, near 46th St, where it is legal to park without a permit. I do not drive the car to work, so it wasn't until Saturday that I realized the car was missing. I called the police to tell them it was stolen. They came to my house, and within a few minutes had gotten word that the car had been towed. They told me they couldn't tell me why it had been towed, just gave me the address of where to get it: Lew Blum Towing. When I went to get it, I paid nearly $300 ($175 for the tow, $100 for 4 days of storage, and $20 for a nondescript charge). In cash because they refused my credit card. When I received the 'paperwork' from them, it said my car had been towed from an address in Old City. I've never even been to Old City! When I told them there must be a mistake and asked for photos, they produced printed photographs of my car at a location I do not recognize. In the photo, there are HUGE signs saying it is a tow zone. Not wanting to argue because the place is really scary, I left with my car. There is no sign my car had been stolen and left at that location-- the car is completely fine-- no sign of break-in, dashboard, radio, ignition all fine, full tank of gas in the car, money still in the glove box for tolls, everything intact just as I had left it. What I am saying is they towed my car from a legal spot, took photos of it somewhere illegal, and required me to pay to get it back. I'm not a lawyer, but basically, that's at least stolen vehicle, fraud, and extortion. I called the police when I came home. A very sympathetic policeman took my story down and said he would personally make sure a detective got the information. He could not promise I would hear from the detective, I'm not even entirely sure it got written up as an actual report. He mentioned that tow trucks in the city are 'out of control' and that the police have been told if they see tow trucks towing from the city streets to stop them and ask them to produce paperwork. Right now, there is no law saying there needs to be a ticket from an officer for the them to tow. They can just take it. He also said I may have been targeted because I currently still have out-of-state plates. I suggested that Lisa contact the owner of Lew Blum towing, but she's a bit shaken-up by the whole experience and rather not at this time. She plans to write to James Keeney, a council member who seems to care about this issue, and the state attorney general. It's really a shame that things like this happen; especially to someone who is new to the neighborhood. Thank you for reading and for any suggestions how to help stop this from happening again. Kind regards, Veronika All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. - Gandalf
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] fwd:Re: Possible scam/fraud in neighborhood - Lew Blum Towing - Beware!
Iwonder if there is any connection with this. http://www.westphillylocal.com/2014/09/19/a-rogue-tow-truck-a-neighbors-tale -of-her-missing-car/#more-30710 On 12/9/14, 6:31 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@katynan.net wrote: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/02/04/3-on-your-side-your-towing-rights- in-philadelphia/ On 12/9/14, 10:36 AM, Linda Lee lml3...@gmail.com wrote: Awful! Definitely fight this! A friend of mine lives at 46th Walnut and says a tow truck guy hangs out at that intersection all day, just waiting for someone to park 'illegally,' then hauls their vehicle away. I suspect this happens all over the city... -L From: Veronika Lambert ahojv...@gmail.com Date: December 9, 2014 9:47:06 AM EST To: Clark Park Tot Lot clarkparktot...@googlegroups.com Subject: Possible scam/fraud in neighborhood - Lew Blum Towing - Beware! Dear neighbors, One of our renters who lives on 45th Pine recently moved here from Washington State for a research position at Penn and had a very unpleasant experience with Lew Blum Towing. She hasn't been able to change her license and plates to PA yet, so isn't eligible for a permit and parks where legally possible. I know it might seem long to read, but please take a moment. I never heard of this happening before, but wanted to share with everyone so you are aware; especially during the holidays with out-of-town guests. It may be that the towing company is only targeting non-PA plates, but it's not certain. Posts online suggest they are not the most upstanding/reputable company, which is sad considering their signs are posted all around the neighborhood. Perhaps we should keep an eye on them and reconsider giving them business. The following was written by Lisa and sent to the President of Spruce Hill. I also suggested she send it to UCD. If anyone has any other suggestions how to possibly get her money refunded and more importantly to stop something like this from happening again, please let us know. (Lisa is cc'd on this email). On Tuesday, my boyfriend parked my car on Osage, near 46th St, where it is legal to park without a permit. I do not drive the car to work, so it wasn't until Saturday that I realized the car was missing. I called the police to tell them it was stolen. They came to my house, and within a few minutes had gotten word that the car had been towed. They told me they couldn't tell me why it had been towed, just gave me the address of where to get it: Lew Blum Towing. When I went to get it, I paid nearly $300 ($175 for the tow, $100 for 4 days of storage, and $20 for a nondescript charge). In cash because they refused my credit card. When I received the 'paperwork' from them, it said my car had been towed from an address in Old City. I've never even been to Old City! When I told them there must be a mistake and asked for photos, they produced printed photographs of my car at a location I do not recognize. In the photo, there are HUGE signs saying it is a tow zone. Not wanting to argue because the place is really scary, I left with my car. There is no sign my car had been stolen and left at that location-- the car is completely fine-- no sign of break-in, dashboard, radio, ignition all fine, full tank of gas in the car, money still in the glove box for tolls, everything intact just as I had left it. What I am saying is they towed my car from a legal spot, took photos of it somewhere illegal, and required me to pay to get it back. I'm not a lawyer, but basically, that's at least stolen vehicle, fraud, and extortion. I called the police when I came home. A very sympathetic policeman took my story down and said he would personally make sure a detective got the information. He could not promise I would hear from the detective, I'm not even entirely sure it got written up as an actual report. He mentioned that tow trucks in the city are 'out of control' and that the police have been told if they see tow trucks towing from the city streets to stop them and ask them to produce paperwork. Right now, there is no law saying there needs to be a ticket from an officer for the them to tow. They can just take it. He also said I may have been targeted because I currently still have out-of-state plates. I suggested that Lisa contact the owner of Lew Blum towing, but she's a bit shaken-up by the whole experience and rather not at this time. She plans to write to James Keeney, a council member who seems to care about this issue, and the state attorney general. It's really a shame that things like this happen; especially to someone who is new to the neighborhood. Thank you for reading and for any suggestions how to help stop this from happening again. Kind regards, Veronika All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. - Gandalf All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. - Gandalf
Re: [UC] False flag, agent provocateur
Taney St. in Phila. was absurdly named for him the very next year after the Dred Scott decision. That is so upsetting. On 8/22/14, 11:19 PM, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net wrote: Correctomundo Cindy! SCOTUS Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, who succeeded the way better SCOTUS Chief Justice John Marshall, wrote the Dred Scott majority opinion, and also heard Prigg v. Pennsylvania http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prigg_v._Pennsylvania which decided that states were barred from interfering with enforcement of federal fugitive slave laws He generally was a bastard who gave slavery / white supremacy / and people as property (without any hope for any rights), the highest levels of priority (though he did vote to let the ³Amistad² Africans who John Quincy Adams defended, go home). He, and several others on the Supreme Court were active slave owners. Taney St. in Phila. was absurdly named for him the very next year after the Dred Scott decision. ³ threaten existence, expect resistance² ! Rick Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net On Aug 22, 2014, at 9:17 PM, Cindy Miller c...@earthlink.net wrote: and if i'm not mistaken, the decision was rendered by Chief Justice Taney, who then got streets and stuff and a BASEBALL TEAM named after him...sheesh -Cindy ³ threaten existence, expect resistance On Aug 22, 2014, at 3:35 PM, Richard Conrad wrote: Right! ³Sundown towns² Thank you Jo Ann Fishburn! and meanwhile as Amy Goodman reported: ³Just miles away from the scene of the protests in Ferguson lies the grave of Dred Scott at the Calvary Cemetery on West Florissant Avenue. Born a slave in Virginia, Dred Scott sued in a St. Louis court for his freedom. The case went to the Supreme Court, resulting in a landmark 1857 decision that African Americans were not citizens of the United States and therefore had no rights to sue in federal courts. The court described blacks as beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations, and so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect. The Dred Scott Decision is considered by many to be the worst decision in the Supreme Court¹s history. http://www.democracynow.org/2014/8/18/ferguson_protests_erupt_near_grave_of Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net On Aug 22, 2014, at 2:46 PM, Jo Ann Fishburn fishbur...@yahoo.com wrote: They were called Sundown Towns, many were in the north. Loewen has written a book about it by that name. I believe Ocean City, NJ, followed that model, although I don't know if there were laws on the books. Jo Ann Jo Ann Fishburn Reading Specialist fishbur...@yahoo.com never2late2read.org http://never2late2read.org/ On Friday, August 22, 2014 1:48 AM, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net wrote: According to an MSNBC story, towns like Ferguson were called something like Daylight towns¹ because after dark any blacks the police came upon could be arrested just for being out of doors. Curfew laws I¹ve been told, even into the 50¹s and early 60¹s, in MANY locations / jurisdictions - specified criteria for BOTH different age-groups and also RACIAL categories. The story of MASSIVE numbers of Illegal detentions for fictional offenses¹ to create labor forces like that of Birmingham Steel was described on PBS, as in MANY WAYS worse than Slavery in its effects. And in our GLORIOUS Modern Times: - OMG - The Cops to SUCH a large degree, seem to have become BLOODY ADDICTED to corrupting the essential judicial processes and they are in BIG-TIME denial about it!!! Bullying, segregating, denying due processes, and executing repressive, BIASED, and illegal detentions oh..., and murders - THESE ALL MUST BE STOPPED! Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net On Aug 21, 2014, at 6:43 PM, Glenn moyer glen...@earthlink.net wrote: No, i didn't read that book, but I know some of that earlier history. Someone said at the 52nd St. rally that the word officer was derived from overseer. As the mission of the police state evolved during the twentieth century, their role extended to protect elite power and property, while squashing dissent. We see this all over the world. The East German Stasi seems to be the closest historic model for our homeland security complex, while the system retains all of the historical racist missions of the post-reconstruction fraternity. Institutional racism is carefully perpetuated in our society as tool of oppression, and to keep poor and working class peoples of all ethnic groups from uniting! My message to working class whites is to understand that we must join in solidarity with immigrants and our minority brothers and sisters. We share the same oppressors and have much more in common with each other, than with the morally bankrupt upper classes
Re: [UC] False flag, agent provocateur
OTOH, what an awesome rebuke that such an awesome, successful, multiracial group of young people have gained stardom and success in spite of him. On 8/22/14, 11:36 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@katynan.net wrote: Taney St. in Phila. was absurdly named for him the very next year after the Dred Scott decision. That is so upsetting. On 8/22/14, 11:19 PM, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net wrote: Correctomundo Cindy! SCOTUS Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, who succeeded the way better SCOTUS Chief Justice John Marshall, wrote the Dred Scott majority opinion, and also heard Prigg v. Pennsylvania http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prigg_v._Pennsylvania which decided that states were barred from interfering with enforcement of federal fugitive slave laws He generally was a bastard who gave slavery / white supremacy / and people as property (without any hope for any rights), the highest levels of priority (though he did vote to let the ³Amistad² Africans who John Quincy Adams defended, go home). He, and several others on the Supreme Court were active slave owners. Taney St. in Phila. was absurdly named for him the very next year after the Dred Scott decision. ³ threaten existence, expect resistance² ! Rick Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net On Aug 22, 2014, at 9:17 PM, Cindy Miller c...@earthlink.net wrote: and if i'm not mistaken, the decision was rendered by Chief Justice Taney, who then got streets and stuff and a BASEBALL TEAM named after him...sheesh -Cindy ³ threaten existence, expect resistance On Aug 22, 2014, at 3:35 PM, Richard Conrad wrote: Right! ³Sundown towns² Thank you Jo Ann Fishburn! and meanwhile as Amy Goodman reported: ³Just miles away from the scene of the protests in Ferguson lies the grave of Dred Scott at the Calvary Cemetery on West Florissant Avenue. Born a slave in Virginia, Dred Scott sued in a St. Louis court for his freedom. The case went to the Supreme Court, resulting in a landmark 1857 decision that African Americans were not citizens of the United States and therefore had no rights to sue in federal courts. The court described blacks as beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the white race, either in social or political relations, and so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect. The Dred Scott Decision is considered by many to be the worst decision in the Supreme Court¹s history. http://www.democracynow.org/2014/8/18/ferguson_protests_erupt_near_grave_of Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net On Aug 22, 2014, at 2:46 PM, Jo Ann Fishburn fishbur...@yahoo.com wrote: They were called Sundown Towns, many were in the north. Loewen has written a book about it by that name. I believe Ocean City, NJ, followed that model, although I don't know if there were laws on the books. Jo Ann Jo Ann Fishburn Reading Specialist fishbur...@yahoo.com never2late2read.org http://never2late2read.org/ On Friday, August 22, 2014 1:48 AM, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net wrote: According to an MSNBC story, towns like Ferguson were called something like Daylight towns¹ because after dark any blacks the police came upon could be arrested just for being out of doors. Curfew laws I¹ve been told, even into the 50¹s and early 60¹s, in MANY locations / jurisdictions - specified criteria for BOTH different age-groups and also RACIAL categories. The story of MASSIVE numbers of Illegal detentions for fictional offenses¹ to create labor forces like that of Birmingham Steel was described on PBS, as in MANY WAYS worse than Slavery in its effects. And in our GLORIOUS Modern Times: - OMG - The Cops to SUCH a large degree, seem to have become BLOODY ADDICTED to corrupting the essential judicial processes and they are in BIG-TIME denial about it!!! Bullying, segregating, denying due processes, and executing repressive, BIASED, and illegal detentions oh..., and murders - THESE ALL MUST BE STOPPED! Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net On Aug 21, 2014, at 6:43 PM, Glenn moyer glen...@earthlink.net wrote: No, i didn't read that book, but I know some of that earlier history. Someone said at the 52nd St. rally that the word officer was derived from overseer. As the mission of the police state evolved during the twentieth century, their role extended to protect elite power and property, while squashing dissent. We see this all over the world. The East German Stasi seems to be the closest historic model for our homeland security complex, while the system retains all of the historical racist missions of the post-reconstruction fraternity. Institutional racism is carefully perpetuated in our society as tool of oppression, and to keep poor and working class peoples of all ethnic groups from uniting! My message to working class whites
[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Fwd: Alert: Update from Det. Murray at 1:35 today - Disturbing attempted robbery at 45/Larchwood, ending in arrest
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/dncrime/Cops-Man-nabbed-in-string-of-viol ent-W-Philly-robberies.html On 7/30/14, 3:12 PM, Patty Bulack pbul...@gmail.com wrote: Hello All, I don't normally send crime update messages to the general uc listservs, but thought this one was important enough. I will forward any other information I find out, as I think this particular crime is upsetting enough for us to try and keep grounded by the information as much as possible. Yours, Patty -- Forwarded message -- From: Patty Bulack pbul...@gmail.com Date: Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 3:04 PM Subject: Alert: Update from Det. Murray at 1:35 today - Disturbing attempted robbery at 45/Larchwood, ending in arrest To: 48th-street-neighb...@googlegroups.com 48th-street-neighb...@googlegroups.com, Gerry Davis gerardpda...@gmail.com, 49th-and-trin...@googlegroups.com 49th-and-trin...@googlegroups.com Hello All, On a more serious note, I just read this tweet from Det. Murray. This is upsetting, to say the least. I am glad that he has been caught, and will be interested to know more as we can. Det. Murray just let me know that the police saw it while it was happening. SOO grateful for them being out on the street watching out for us! Not sure it if was undercover detail that caught him, but wouldn't be surprised. Praying for the recovery of the woman, and hoping we can lend our support in the courtroom and in any other way to her. If anyone knows her, please extend our support, sympathy, and prayers to her for us and let her know we will do our best to be in the courtroom with her. With an arrest, there is likely to be several sessions, especially if he has any other associated charges from other incidents. As always, please be alert at all times - even in this beautiful weather. Fortunately this particular person is now off the streets, but still, please be careful out there! Don't be distracted with your phone, texting or headphones, just to lessen the likelihood of being a target. NO victim-blaming, just another opportunity to say the same things again Yours, Patty at 1:35 today: @PPDJoeMurray: UCD cops just caught a guy robbing a woman at 45/Larchwood. He put a rope around her neck tried to rob her before the cops grabbed him. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. - Gandalf
[UC] FW: Farm share opportunity for low-income families starting this week
http://www.westphillylocal.com/2014/07/08/farm-share-opportunity-for-low-inc ome-families-starting-this-week/ The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences. - Winston Churchill
[UC] FW: Pennsylvanians cautioned to be on the lookout for high-pressure door-to-door and telephone schemes
The PA Public Utility Commission issued this press release today. Kimm Press Release Pennsylvanians cautioned to be on the lookout for high-pressure door-to-door and telephone schemes March 20, 2013 HARRISBURG Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Robert F. Powelson, Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane and the Office of Consumer Advocate today cautioned Pennsylvania residents to be diligent when weighing offers for electricity from door-to-door and telephone solicitors. In recent days, there has been a rash of overly aggressive and dishonest sales pitches in several Pennsylvania communities. ³We encourage customers to continue to shop for their electric generation, just as 2 million of their friends and neighbors already have. Just like when entering into any other contract, customers should make sure that the written contract with their new supplier is consistent with the terms and conditions discussed with the salesperson,² Chairman Powelson said. ³Consumers should educate themselves through resources such as www.PAPowerSwitch.com, the Attorney General¹s Office, and the Office of Consumer Advocate. Any time a consumer is uncomfortable with a sales pitch, they should contact us. We want every consumer to have a positive experience.² Kane said, ³In some recent incidents, sales people have been pushing consumers into choosing high-cost electric generation services. We encourage consumers to make sure they have carefully weighed the offer, and that they are dealing with legitimate energy suppliers before sharing account information and agreeing to switch providers.² Consumers are asked to file a complaint with the Attorney General¹s Office or the PUC if they encounter this type of solicitation. If consumers feel their safety is threatened, they should immediately call their local police. Kane says there is every reason to shop and choose wisely when you¹re looking for the best energy rate. If you do it right and deal with legitimate vendors, you can save some money. The Attorney General¹s Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Office of Consumer Advocate, and the PUC offered the following tips to help consumers protect themselves from these types of scams and protect themselves if deciding to switch energy providers: Door-to-door Utilities do not normally come to your door, unless you have called them. Ask for identification. Call the utility company to verify if they have a salesman in the area especially if the person claims to be a utility representative needing to get inside your home. Supplier representatives are required to prominently display a photo ID showing their name and the name of the supplier for whom they are working. Suppliers will only need your account information when you are ready to make the switch. Telemarketing Ask for the name of the supplier. Ask for the price and other terms and conditions. Know and understand how it compares to your utility price. Only share account information over the phone if you are ready to make a switch. Do not feel pressured to make any decisions over the phone or immediately. Since 1997 consumers have been able to select the company that provides their electric generation. Local electric distribution companies will still operate the lines that provide electric to homes, but consumers are able to select the company that sells the electric power or generation that is delivered over those distribution lines. Consumers who are interested in learning more about changing energy providers can go to http://www.oca.state.pa.us/Industry/Electric/elecomp/ElectricGuides.htm or www.PAPowerSwitch.com to get more information before making a decision to switch. Anyone who believes that they have been provided with misleading information about prices, terms and conditions by an energy supplier, broker or marketer is encouraged to file an informal complaint with the PUC¹s Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380. Consumers can also file complaints with the Attorney General¹s Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 1-800-441-2555 or by submitting an electronic complaint at www.attorneygeneral.gov. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, video and audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. # # # Contact: Jennifer Kocher Press Secretary 717-787-5722 jekoc...@pa.gov
Re: [UC] Exterminator
For mice, there is only one exterminator to call Mantua Vector Control. (215) 222-7378. Don¹t waste your time on anyone else. Beth the Mouse Lady is my hero. They aren¹t cheap, but they are worth every penny. And then some. Kimm On 9/25/12 9:42 PM, Maryte Papadopoulos mar10...@aol.com wrote: Hi, Can someone recommend an exterminator. I just saw a mouse. Thanks, Maryte Sent from my iPhone 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] New to Neighborhood - Hello!
Hi Jake and welcome to the neighborhood. Yes, I¹m afraid it does happen with some frequency whether that is in fact what happened in your instance I cannot say. In my experience it is commonly someone claiming to be the block captain, carrying a clipboard and taking up a collection of some type, usually conspicuously waving to someone a few doors down that you cannot see from inside your house. I must confess to being suckered, despite many years in West Philly, for $20 by an alleged baby college student who claimed to live across the street and locked his wallet in his car or some such gave me a key as collateral to guarantee he would pay me back haha. Then there are the parents of infants who need formula in the middle of the night. Be very cautious as to whom you open your door to. Kimm 49th St. On 8/15/12 10:58 AM, Jake Landis jakewlan...@gmail.com wrote: Hi all -- my wife and I just moved into the 48th street block and look forward to meeting everyone. We were sorry to miss the recent porch event, but if you see us out and about, please don't hesitate to say hello. Also, since we're new to west philly, we wanted to run this by the list to see if we're over-reacting. My wife and I used a moving company to move in -- the experience was fine; the three gentlemen who helped us move were pleasant. Unfortunately, last evening one of the three movers (who goes by the name Rob) rang our doorbell after 9pm. We recognized him from the move, so we opened the door slightly to ask what he wanted. Rob asked us for money to fix a flat on his bike, but seemed very odd and nervous throughout the encounter. While his visit, in the light of the morning, may have been an honest request for help, it unnerved us to have him contact us more than a month after the move to ask for money. We are of course taking the necessary precautions of locking up tight and setting the alarm. Has any experienced panhandlers coming to their doorstep?
Re: [UC] Vote to supply Lea Elementary! (25 votes = $25 Target gift card)
Wow now to be a person I have to join the Borg. That is twisted. On 7/29/12 8:22 AM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: 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 that¹s unfortunate. Apparently only Facebook members can vote. On 7/28/12 6:45 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com http://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
Re: [UC] Vote to supply Lea Elementary! (25 votes = $25 Target gift card)
Well that¹s 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
[UC] no subject
Depressing article regarding the bigger political picture re public school funding nationally. It provides a useful context, I think, for evaluating what¹s happening here in Philadelphia and PA regarding public school funding. Unfortunately it¹s not a hopeful picture. I never heard of Remapping before this week, but this is the second article I¹ve stumbled across in the last few days. They do some good work. http://www.remappingdebate.org/article/states-residents-localities-forget-pr omises-restore-funding?page=0,0 Kimm
[UC] FW: Free Dental June 23
-- Forwarded Message Subject: Free Dental June 23 Free Dental - Councilman Blackwell is hosting a free dental care day for adults on June 23, 2012. The dental care will be provided at UPenn's dental school and is open to all Philadelphia residents. They plan to treat up to 600 people on that day, but only have 40 people scheduled so far. Obviously, it would be unfortunate if this service is under utilized so I am asking your help to spread this message. They want people to schedule an appointment through the Councilwoman's office. Those who are interested should contact Anjali at 215-686-2031 to schedule treatment. -- End of Forwarded Message
Re: [UC] Why Isn't Closing 40 Philadelphia Schools National News?'
Here you go! http://www.powerphiladelphia.org/news/mother-bethel-ame-hosts-public-meeting -on-citys-school-reorganization-plan On 4/26/12 7:18 AM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net wrote: Why Isn't Closing 40 Philadelphia Public Schools National News? Where Is the Black Political Class? By Bruce A. Dixon Created 04/25/2012 - 13:50 By BAR managing editor Bruce A. Dixon If some racist made an inappropriate remark about the First Lady or her children our national civil rights leaders Obama fans all of them, would be all over that. But standing up for ordinary black children is something our leaders just don't do much any more. When was the last time you heard Sharpton, Jealous or any of that tribe inveigh against school closings and the creeping privatization of our schools? Why Isn't Closing 40 Philadelphia Public Schools National News? Where Is the Black Political Class? By BAR managing editor Bruce A. Dixon In what should be the biggest story of the week, the city of Philadelphia's school system announced Tuesday that it expects to close 40 public schools next year and 64 by 2017. The school district expects to lose 40% of current enrollment to charter schools, the streets or wherever, and put thousands of experienced, well qualified teachers, often grounded in the communities where they teach [4], on the street. Ominously, the shredding of Philadelphia's public schools isn't even news outside Philly. This correspondent would never have known about it save for a friend's Facebook posting early this week [5]. Corporate media in other cities don't mention massive school closings, whether in Chicago, Atlanta, NYC, or in this case Philadelphia, perhaps so people won't have given the issue much deep thought before the same crisis is manufactured in their town. Even inside Philadelphia the voices of actual parents, communities, students and teachers are shut out of most newspaper and broadcast accounts. The black political class is utterly silent and deeply complicit. Even local pols and notables who lament the injustice of local austerity avoid mentioning the ongoing wars and bailouts which make these things ³necessary.² A string of black mayors have overseen the decimation of Philly schools. Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous and other traditional ³civil rights leaders² can always be counted on to rise up indignant when some racist clown makes an inappropriate remark about the pretty black First Lady and her children. But they won't grab the mic for ordinary black children. They won't start and won't engage the public in a conversation about saving public education. It's not because they don't care. It's because they care very much about their funding, which comes from Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation, from Wal-mart and the Walton Family Foundation, from the corporations that run charter charter schools and produce standardized tests. To name just one payment to one figure, Rev. Al Sharpton took a half million dollar ³loan² from charter school advocates [6] in New York City, after which he went on tour with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Newt Gingrich [7] extolling the virtues of standardized testing, charter schools and educational privatization. Bill Gates delivered the keynote speech [8] at the latest gathering of the National Urban League. And the nation's two big teachers' unions, NEA and AFT have already endorsed Barack Obama's re-election, and will funnel him gobs of union dues as campaign contributions, despite his corporate-inspired ³Race To The Top [9]² program which awards federal education funds in proportion to how many teachers are fired and replaced by inexperienced temps, how many schools are shut down, and how many charter schools exempt from meaningful public oversight are established and granted public funds. The fix has been in for a long time, and not just in Philadelphia. Philly's school problems are anything but unique. The city has a lot of poor and black children. Our ruling classes don't want to invest in educating these young people, preferring instead to track into lifetimes of insecure, low-wage labor and/or prison. Our elites don't need a populace educated in critical thinking. So low-cost holding tanks that deliver standardized lessons and tests, via computer if possible, operated by profit-making ³educational entrepreneurs² are the way to go. The business class can pocket the money which used to pay for teachers' and custodians' retirement and health benefits, for music and literature and gym classes, for sports and science labs and theater and all that other stuff that used to be wasted on public school children. The national vision of ruling Democrats and Republicans and the elites who fund them is to starve, discredit, denounce and strangle public education. Philly and its children, parents, communities and teachers are only the latest victims of business-class school reform. And
Re: [UC] Why Isn't Closing 40 Philadelphia Schools National News?'
This is an absolute must-read article for anyone concerned about what is happening to our public school system in Philadelphia. And just reinforces what I said below re the importance of alternative media. Dan Denvir is starting to look like Philadelphia¹s Matt Taibbi. Enjoy (h/t Amara Rockar/WPCNS). Kimm http://www.citypaper.net/news/2012-05-03-whos-killing-philly-public-schools. html On 4/27/12 1:10 AM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: Wilma, So the carving up of Philadelphia public schools IS a national story. It's just one that corporate media won't tell. Not in Philly, not in LA, not in Kansas City or anywhere, for fear that ordinary people might try to write themselves into a leading role. Polls show that the American people don't want their schools privatized, and don't believe education should be run by business people like a business. People want to take the money we spend on wars and bailouts and use it on education. Telling the story might give people the notion that the ultimate power is in their hands, not of mayors and chambers of commerce or the so-called ³CEOs² of school system. It's time that story was told, and more of us heard it. Reflecting on the Roebuck/Muhammad race, this paragraph really resonated. One of the things that struck me about this election is the powerful role that the internet and alternative media played in Muhammad¹s and her funders¹/handlers - defeat. The neighborhood listservs, especially UC Neighbors, galvanized grassroots opposition to Muhammad very early on by facilitating people¹s ability to talk to each other. Alternative media, the City Paper and West Philly Local and yes, even Tony West, did the early investigative digging that raised the early questions about where her money was coming from and the agenda behind her candidacy. From there, citizens started asking questions and googling madly, searching and finding new online resources to investigate candidates campaign finance reports, Google street view of ³Women for Change²¹s headquarters . . . . and people shared what they learned online. And then even better, outstanding, investigative reporting on this tiny local race with huge ramifications appeared on Alternet. And out of all of that communication and information people formed their opinions and made their decisions. Educated, informed, thoughtful decisions, in my opinion. One night, close to Election Day, I searched philly.com for articles on Fatimah Muhammad. I found a bit of stuff, but I was astonished at how little there was. Many people reading this are probably saying, ³Well, duh . . .² I get that many people gave up on mainstream media the day the Internet was invented, but not all of us are geeks. I loathe Twitter and I am a Facebook refusnik on principal. My undergrad degree was in journalism, at one time I thought I was going to be the next Bob Woodward. And, corporate or not, there was a day, before their staffs were decimated, in part by hedge-fund guys, when the Inky and Daily News were outstanding newspapers doing outstanding investigative reporting. Capitalist, profit-driven principles fail the media as much as they do the schools.They still are, in spite of everything, hence the most recent Pulitzer, and they are worthy of saving, IMO. But I couldn¹t help feeling wow, they have become so irrelevant. Bob Baer had a column about how boring this election was. Yes, I understand how local this fight was, and so how intensely we all felt about it, but the issues were citywide, statewide, national issues the role of unlimited private funding in politics, and the privatization of public schools. I haven¹t been this emotionally invested in an election in 27 years, since I was a naïve 17-year-old working on her first and last - electoral campaign. But reading philly.com headlines dominated by the results of the irrelevant GOP primary nonrace, rather than real local news that real people cared about, and that had broader political meaning . . . . I cut my political teeth on the antiapartheid movement, back in the late 1980s, and that was amazingly empowering what we did here ended apartheid half a world away. That experience inspired me to become a community organizer, to teach others so they could have the same experience of empowerment that I did. But after 10 years of trying to influence my own country, I quit in defeat, burnt out, not empowered (although I think some folks I worked with felt empowered.) I don¹t know that that is my failing, I think it may just be that it is much, much harder today for those of us outside of the 1% to feel like we can affect anything. In the wake of Citizens United, that is probably far more true. I had given up, more than I realized, on my faith in the power of grassroots folks to make a difference. But I just witnessed it happening. And I have hope again, for the first time
Re: [UC] Re: Fatimah Muhammad
Here¹s 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.pd f 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 Friday¹s City Paper: http://www.citypaper.net/blogs/nakedcity/Democrat-backed-by-anti-abortion-ri ch-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 can¹t 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. Muhammad¹s very expensive flyers in my door (FOUR today!) I started noticing who is sponsoring them. This week, several have been from ³Friends of,² but I noticed a number were sponsored by ³Women for Change,² 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 can¹t articulate moreso than others. The link took me to, what appears to me to be, a report from the City Controller¹s 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 ³funded 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,² 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 ³Women for Change.² 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. Muhammad¹s 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. She¹s 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 Muhammad¹s campaign in it¹s own name at least then we know who they are and what their agenda is. But to channel their money to astroturfed shell entities pretending to some other agenda it¹s sickening. I am also really, deeply disappointed to see that the Liberty City Democrats endorsed this woman. Kimm
[UC] Re: Fatimah Muhammad
From Friday¹s City Paper: http://www.citypaper.net/blogs/nakedcity/Democrat-backed-by-anti-abortion-ri ch-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 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 can¹t 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. Muhammad¹s very expensive flyers in my door (FOUR today!) I started noticing who is sponsoring them. This week, several have been from ³Friends of,² but I noticed a number were sponsored by ³Women for Change,² 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 can¹t articulate moreso than others. The link took me to, what appears to me to be, a report from the City Controller¹s 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 ³funded 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,² 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 ³Women for Change.² 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. Muhammad¹s 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. She¹s 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 Muhammad¹s campaign in it¹s own name at least then we know who they are and what their agenda is. But to channel their money to astroturfed shell entities pretending to some other agenda it¹s sickening. I am also really, deeply disappointed to see that the Liberty City Democrats endorsed this woman. Kimm
Re: [UC] [Friends of Clark Park]: Hot Nabe Park-Related Link: Zoraplays.Com
Very cool, Mike. Kimm On 3/23/12 2:12 PM, Jim Cummings alaricvisig...@gmail.com wrote: You are awesome! Jim On Fri, Mar 23, 2012 at 11:59 AM, admin f...@friendsofclarkpark.org wrote: Friends of Clark Park has posted a new item, 'Hot Nabe Park-Related Link: Zoraplays.Com' Here's a wonderful site recently brought to our attention: a travelogue and survey of the playgrounds of West Philadelphia, http://zoraplays.com. In January 2012, my daughter Zora and I visited 31 playgrounds for the 31 days of the month as part of the 8th Annual Fun A Day Project. Zora I biked to all the playgrounds. [...] You may view the latest post at http://www.friendsofclarkpark.org/?p=1243 and feel free to comment as well. If you no longer wish to subscribe to our emails, you can request removal on the right-hand column of our website, http://www.friendsofclarkpark.org. 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] Re: [UCNeighbors] I Want My TheFuzz9143! (Online Petition)
Yes, thanks for doing this Amara. Kimm On 3/6/12 9:39 PM, stephanie zeck stephaniez...@gmail.com wrote: nicely done, amara. i, too, have emailed commissioner ramsay, and have received no response. signing now! On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 9:32 PM, Amara Rockar aroc...@gmail.com wrote: As you may know, SW Detective Joseph Murray (TheFuzz9143 https://twitter.com/#%21/TheFuzz9143 on 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
[UC] FW: DRBC MEETING CANCELLED! YOU WIN! WE WIN! (For Now) Stay tuned for next steps...Another announcement in the morning.
This is so unbelievably amazing! I can¹t believe it! I may have to reconsider my cynicism! -- Forwarded Message From: Gasland the Movie ad...@gaslandthemovie.com Reply-To: Gasland the Movie ad...@gaslandthemovie.com Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:46:54 -0500 (EST) To: Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net Subject: DRBC MEETING CANCELLED! YOU WIN! WE WIN! (For Now) Stay tuned for next steps...Another announcement in the morning. DRBC CANCELS NOVEMBER 21ST VOTE YOU DID IT. YOU WON. All of your calls. All of your emails. Your pledges to swarm the DRBC in Trenton on November 21st. All of your pressure and all of your strength. You stopped fracking in the Delaware River Basin for now. You won this round. It is not a complete victory but it is a huge victory. You brought us back from the brink of total devastation. What cancellation means: The DRBC doesn¹t hold a meeting to vote down their regulations. I¹ve only ever seen them vote to approve things. Which means they would cancel the meeting if they no longer had 3 out of 5 commissioners voting in favor of fracking. Which is exactly what they have done. They don't cancel meetings often, let alone votes. Your voice made a tremendous difference. I am humbled proud and beyond thankful. Of course, in my wildest dreams, I would have hoped that the DRBC would outlaw fracking in the River Basin permanently and forever and we could all have an icy Thanksgiving canoeing party down the Delaware next week. This is not a complete victory by any means. We still do not know when the DRBC will reschedule their meeting. Could be ten days, could be a month, could be a year. So stay tuned and stay ready. We will let you know. We will have many more battles before we stop fracking completely in the Delaware River Basin and throughout the nation and the world. But this will still be the best thanksgiving I¹ve had in my house for years, and I am incredibly thankful for all of you. You did this. It was you and the threat of you showing up in massive numbers that did this. You saved the Delaware, for now. The Governor of Delaware has said he will vote no on fracking the Delaware. Read the story here. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2c=G0SAA00%2BdgDHQ9%2Fp367 C%2FKZmXeMEdi31 But that couldn't have done it all. Something MUST have happened in New Jersey or with the Obama Administration. It could have been all of your calls and emails to Joe Biden. We'll find out more in the coming days. This was a concerted effort by so many groups, in so many places. From the local organizations Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, Delaware Riverkeeper, Catskill Mountainkeeper, NYH2O, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, Protecting our Waters and others to the Big Greens, EWG, Earth Justice, NRDC, FOod and Water Watch, Sierra Club, to the brilliant and passionate groups working for Climate Justice 350.org http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2c=NNYokcnoCd7hn1nGGkdBTT1 JMPfqOP2f , Peaceful Uprising and of course, Tar Sands Action. We will continue to fight for the Delaware River. We will continue to make our voices heard to the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and to President Obama and Vice President Biden. We will have another email in a few hours or tomorrow morning with details and next steps. We will still hold trainings Nov 20th. We may refocus the rally on the 21st to keep up the momentum of our campaign. We must turn our attention now to the rest of Pennsylvania, and the rest of the nation where fracking is still running rampant and we must make sure we keep up our vigilance and focus. Please pledge along with me that you will continue to fight, that you will continue to show up to events and that you will continue to follow the next steps of this amazing coalition that has assembled to fight fracking. We will still be holding our 1st Amendment peaceful action trainings on November 20th. I am encouraging you to attend. I will be attending the New York training myself. We need this training and we will re-focus on a new place, perhaps even on November 21. Please stay tuned. But for now, enjoy this. And this Thanksgiving, be just a bit more thankful for yourself and all the others who have worked so hard in this phase of our campaign to save the Delaware. All my love and respect. Josh Fox and the whole GASLAND team http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2c=XgeFjYw5ANdNq3g6b9RJqqZ mXeMEdi31 You are receiving this email as part of the gaslandthemovie.com mailing list. Click here to unsubscribe http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2c=%2BMK69xi9Uq0aZ3EDFwzUL KZmXeMEdi31 -- End of Forwarded Message
[UC] FW: MAYOR NUTTER ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE IRENE
From: ReadyNotifyPA [mailto:alert19...@phila.alertpa.org] Sent: Fri 8/26/2011 3:07 PM To: Recipient Subject: MAYOR NUTTER ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE IRENE *Hurricane Warning: No SEPTA service Sun. Prepare now. Call 311 for info. Get local news updates* Philadelphia, August 26, 2011 The City of Philadelphia continues to prepare for Hurricane Irene and its potential impact on Philadelphia. The Emergency Operations Center will open on Saturday, August 27 at 6 p.m. to monitor the storm and coordinate the City s response and recovery activities. The City will not issue an evacuation order; however, citizens should evacuate if they are in a potentially dangerous situation and proceed to a City shelter or other safe location. The City s 311 Call Center is currently open 24-hours through Monday, August 29. SEPTA will suspend all transit services beginning at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. All City park and recreation centers will close at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. This is a dangerous storm, and I want to urge our residents to exercise extreme caution, said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. Residents and businesses in low lying areas should prepare immediately. If you need to evacuate, please leave as quickly as possible for your own safety. The National Weather Service is forecasting that Irene will be a Category One hurricane when it arrives along the coast of New Jersey. As a result, Philadelphia can expect: - Rainfall amounts between six and nine inches. - Sustained winds 50 - 60 mph with gusts reaching 70 mph. - Rain could start as early as tonight ahead of the hurricane. - Heavy rains could affect Philadelphia through Sunday. - Heavy winds could affect the city Saturday night into Sunday. High winds may continue after the storm passes. The highest winds will be felt Sunday afternoon. - Flooding of creeks and streams will likely begin on Saturday night. - Significant localized flooding on roadways, flooding of streams, and flooding along the Schuylkill River. Philadelphia has many flood prone areas, including but not limited to: - Cobbs Creek and the marsh lands in the southwest sector of the City; - Other City creeks streams including Pennypack, Poquessing, Tacony, Frankford, and Wissahickon Creeks; - Main Street Manayunk; - Portions of the Philadelphia Naval Base; - Delaware River which is usually first observed along Delaware Ave Ben Franklin Bridge; - In the Northeast where Linden Avenue meets the Delaware; and - Kelly and Lincoln Drives. If you live in an area with a history of flooding, plan now to stay with family or friends whose homes are not prone to flooding for the length of this storm and until the flooding threat subsides. The City will open shelter operations on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the following locations: - Bartram High School, 2401 S. 67th Street - Lincoln High School, 3201 Ryan Avenue - Roxborough High School, 6498 Ridge Avenue Sustained tropical storm force winds could cause downed trees, downed power lines, as well as the disruption of phone and cable service. If a Power Outage Occurs: - Keep a battery-operated radio tuned to local news for updates. - Disconnect or turn off all appliances that would otherwise go on automatically when the power comes back on. If several appliances start up at once, they could overload the circuits. - To prevent food spoilage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. - Never touch or go near downed power lines. Prior to the storm, Liam O Keefe, Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management, encourages residents to check on loved ones and neighbors, especially seniors and those with special needs, who may need special assistance or care during the storm. Also make sure you have the necessary supplies for a Shelter-in-Place Kit or an evacuation Go Bag. A Few Items to include: - Non-perishable food like granola bars and energy bars - If you use canned foods, make sure you have a manual can opener. - Have a supply of bottled water for everyone in your home. - A battery-powered radio with extra batteries - Flashlights with extra batteries - First-aid kit - If you take medication, make sure you have an adequate supply for the next several days. A complete list of emergency supplies can be found on the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management s website, www.phila.gov/ready. Remember to stock supplies for everyone in your household including your pets. Do not travel, unless it is absolutely necessary or an evacuation order is called. - Do not attempt to walk across flood water more than knee deep. - Never drive through flooded roadways. Just two feet of moving water can sweep a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) off the road. While Philadelphia s 311 call center will be operational 24 hours a day through Monday, August 29, there are several ways to stay updated on the latest storm and
[UC] FW: You know you live in West Philly if . . .
In case you missed it elsewhere . . . . http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2011/07/12/live-west-philly/
Re: [UC] Announcing... Lea Summer Book Drive!
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
Re: [UC] Roundup - you read it here first!
Tony, I also noted Roundup's continuous availability to private customers, at a neighborhood supply store for your next-door neighbors' yards. You haven't yet written about how concerned you are about this bigger, ongoing use of Roundup in your neighborhood. Is it really Roundup you're concerned about, or something else? Are you arguing your private-sector neighbors should be free to use this chemical whenever they want, but the City of Philadelphia never should even once? You seem to have one rule for the public sector, another for the private. Why is it necessary to look for hidden agendas and conspiracies? Why isn¹t the obvious answer enough? Why the insistence on complicating this issue so? Why the hostility to what seems to me a very reasonable, valid concern for Park users? My four-year-old does not dig in the dirt in my next-door neighbors¹ yards. He DOES dig in the dirt of Clark Park at least once a week. Along with hundreds of other children. I kid you not, one of my son¹s absolute favorite past-times is digging in the dirt. So, what¹s in that dirt is of great concern to me. Tony, if you want to soak your backyard in gallons of Roundup, knock yourself out. My kid is not playing in your yard. Nor are most members of the public. But a public park is by definition a public space where many people, especially children, play. Do I have one rule for the public sector and one for the private? Hell, yeah! Damn right I do. If what you are doing in your backyard does not affect me or anyone else, then it¹s none of my business. But it seems glaringly obvious to me that the caretakers of a PUBLIC PARK should not be using chemicals on the grounds of said park that are known or suspected health hazards. Since becoming a mom I tend to view most issues first and foremost from that perspective, but pet owners and park users who are simply concerned about their own personal health may well have equally valid concerns, without necessarily needing to launch a wholesale effort to ban Roundup globally. To this extent Glenn is right this is a straw man tactic. When I was an activist in the antiapartheid movement in college, opponents screamed - ³Why aren¹t you opposing the oppression in the Soviet Union/China/Cuba???!!!² When I organized for affordable housing, people screamed, ³Why aren¹t you doing anything about those lazy deadbeat tenants/homeowners who don¹t take care of their properties?² (Interestingly, no one ever blamed the lazy deadbeat landlords, but that is another discussion.) It¹s an effective tactic anyone who advocates on any issue is a hypocrite unless they advocate on every issue. It works to maintain the status quo be quiet, stop trying to change things or be subject to attack as a hypocrite for not trying to change everything. Then there is the fact that my next-door neighbors have not, to my knowledge, trumpeted their desire to have the ³Greenest² yard on the block, as opposed to the Nutter administration, which claims it wants a public initiative to make Philadelphia a model Green city. That includes urging private individuals and corporations to do things like install green roofs and water gardens, bike to work, etc. The green roofs on the bus stops are definitely very cool, but I think a better place to start would be stop unnecessarily dumping toxic chemicals on public play spaces. But maybe that¹s just me. But if my next-door neighbors were promoting themselves as models of Greenness, and then I learned they were using Roundup well, I would have a chat with them about it. Then there is the question of who is paying for the Roundup. Both Glenn and Wilma have made the point that this morass of Rec Department-UCD-FOCP responsibility has made it very difficult for the casual observer to figure out whom to hold accountable. And I don¹t believe that that is completely accidental. As a community organizer I trained the folks I worked with to follow the money if they wanted to understand where the power lies (I also, BTW, trained them to distinguish between public and private issues). Mostly due to laziness I¹m a bit confused about who paid for the Roundup. For the sake of discussion I¹ll approach it both ways. I think, from what I¹ve read, FOCP raised the money for the Park A renovations. In which case, that money paid for the Roundup. So, it seems to me that that is an issue of public relevance if community members/park users contributed donations for the renovations, and those contributors don¹t approve of spending their contributions on Roundup, then that is a proper public issue. It sounds to me that maybe even FOCP isn¹t thrilled by the news. If my next-door neighbor takes his/her own money and spends it on Roundup to dump in his/her yard it¹s less a public concern. If the City paid for the Roundup, then it is absolutely the business of any taxpayer. And even if Tony West paid for the Roundup, unless Glenn is right and the parks were
Re: [UC] Oriental Rug cleaning
I¹ve used Zakian and have been happy with them. Kimm On 6/28/11 2:02 PM, William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org wrote: On Jun 28, 2011, at 8:31 AM, Cindy Miller wrote: Is there any place nearby here to send out Oriental rugs to be cleaned? Thanks! (Feel free just to post to the list, That way the answer'll get archived) The closest (and maybe the only one left in Phila) is Zakian Bros. They are located out across from the Mann Miusic Center on Parkside Ave. They have both pick-up and carry-in service. I have used them for my 10x12s since the folks at 42nd and Chestnut Street (where I got my orientals) retired a number of years ago. http://www.zakianrugs.com/ William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] Roundup in Clark Park - latest research
Actually, in my experience in community organizing, this is absolutely false. Public institutions respond to the people who are pressuring them, and ignore those who are not. It may or may not be just or fair, but it is. If we want the rec department to stop applying toxic chemicals to Clark Park, we can get that to happen. It would not be that hard. Kimm On 6/16/11 9:24 PM, Margie Politzer m.polit...@verizon.net wrote: Tony said below: There will never be a situation in which Parks Rec employs one herbicide in a project in Park X and another in Park Y, based on local input. Tony, how do you know this? Margie On Jun 16, 2011, at 7:08 PM, Anthony West wrote: Mary, I appreciate your research on this topic! But you seem still to step around two key facts in Frank Chance's report on Roundup. First,most of the malign findings in human beings occur with agribusinessapplications, which can be up to 20 times more concentrated thandilute commercial solutions. Second, while the half-life ofglyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, varies widely in thesoil, it does usually break down swiftly. That's why most harmfuleffects are associated with its handlers, not with food consumers orbypassers in a treated field months later. There was a reason, inother words, why this construction site was fenced off from thepublic for 75 days after this soil treatment, which was appliedearly, before the new sod was laid down. You are certainly right that further consideration should be paid to research into potential risks of glyphosate and other pesticides,and society should not rely on research paid for by manufacturersalone. You are also right that neither Friends of Clark Park nor UC-listhas any scientific authority to judge these issues or make decisionson application. This is a consideration that rests on thecontracting agencies -- in this case, the Dept. of Parks Recreation, and perhaps Capital Projects as well. It is a citywideissue which has nothing in particular to do with Clark Park. Therewill never be a situation in which Parks Rec employs oneherbicide in a project in Park X and another in Park Y, based onlocal input. So readers with a (commendable, in my eye) concern about thissubject should direct the fruits of their research toward people whowrite contracts for the City of Philadelphia. In the end, it is theCity that must decide which construction practices are safe andwhich construction practices are affordable. --Tony West On 6/16/2011 1:55 AM, mcget...@aol.com wrote: Frank Chase's reassurances that the pesticide Roundup is safe to humans and animals, are, I am sure, well-intentioned. But the very latest research, done by independent, university-based scientists, makes a strong argument that the dangers of this product have been grossly underestimated . Numerous studies have now demonstrated the toxicity of Roundup (not just its main ingredient glyphosate) to amphibians, mammals and humans. In Ontario, a dramatic increase in miscarriages and premature births occurred in farm families where the farmer fathers were using Roundup. In Argentina, a region newly-planted in RoundupReady soy and frequently sprayed with Roundup saw a significant increase in certain birth defects. Researchers in France and Argentina, alarmed at this association between Roundup use and harm to humans, undertook research aimed at testing whether there was a cause and effect relationship at work. They concluded that Roundup, at concentrations well below those commonly employed in agriculture, produced birth defects in amphibians, reduced fertility in rodents, and was lethal to human fetal, embryonic and placental cells. Other researchers have observed an association between exposure to Roundup and increases in lymphoma in humans. Apparently, the position that Roundup is harmless is based largely on research that 1)
Re: [UC] Roundup
Here¹s more. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=weed-whacking-herbicide-pp age=3 http://www.naturescountrystore.com/roundup/page4.html http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/05/monsantos-roundup-herbicide-comes-un der-fire-epa-reviews-for-safety.php On 6/10/11 2:42 PM, Robin Gresham-Chin r...@verizon.net wrote: This is an interesting article: http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/269751/roundup _weedkiller.html 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] Roundup in Clark Park
Thank you Brian and Frank. Kimm On 6/10/11 11:59 AM, Brian Siano briansi...@gmail.com wrote: Frank Chance replied to a list member, and since he approves this being reposted to the mailing list, I'm reposting. On 6/10/11, Frank L. Chance chanc...@sas.upenn.edu wrote: First off, let me apologize for not posting to the email list. I am not a member of that list, but if you wish to forward this to the list please feel free to do so. Roundup is a chemical herbicide which is not harmful to mammals, including humans. It is used by many gardeners and landscapers as a means of removing undesirable plant material. If used responsibly, it is not harmful to existing plants, and if used in appropriate quantities and concentrations it does not result in chemical runoff or environmental damage. Generally speaking, landscape maintenance crews in Clark Park do not use Roundup on a regular basis. During the recent revitalization, it was used in the closed-off section of the park, in limited quantities, to prepare the soil for new plantings of such beneficial plants as grass, shrubs, and flowers. The alternative would be very expensive-- your city does not have the resources to pay workers to hand-weed the whole of Clark Park. There was no opportunity for (legal) contact between the general public and the herbicide, and it was a 2% concentration, the kind available over the counter of your local hardware store. (This is important because much of the web chatter about Roundup misuse is actually about the agribusiness use of concentrations as high as 40%.) Moreover, Mr. Moyer greatly exaggerates in his posts in many ways. He is wrong about the quantity of Roundup used on this occasion--it was not gallons pr barrels of the chemical, butt a reasonable and proper amount. Secondly, when organic fertilizers have been applied to Clark Park in the past he has claimed that they were Roundup or other herbicides--a claim which is simply false. So despite his claims there is no decades-long history of Roundup application to the park, and certainly no history of dumping of this or any other chemical in Clark Park. Third, Roundup is not even classed as a toxic chemical--it is a herbicide that is toxic only to broad-leaved plants, not to human beings or our mammalian pets. Fourth, the Friends of Clark Park have never applied any chemicals to the park--they have been applied by contractors hired by the owners of the Park (the City of Philadelphia) or by the University City District through their agreements with the City of Philadelphia. In general, Mr. Moyer has an eccentric view of the importance of the Friends of Clark Park in the maintenance of Clark Park. The park is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia under the auspices of the Parks Recreation Commission. All construction projects in the park, even the planting of a single tree, need specific permission of Parks Rec. Any acquisition or de-acquisition of land for Clark Park (or any city park) requires legislation by City Council. All large events in the Park must get permits from Parks Rec, a process in which FoCP has some advisory input, through which we attempt to communicate the will of the community to the City officials. As you can imagine, however, the will of the community is rarely clear--some people want more concerts, some want fewer; some neighbors hate flea markets, some love flea markets; some of us enjoy wide expanses of well-groomed grass, others want to play in meadows of wildflowers or dance in the shade of trees. In the end, FoCP spends more time reporting issues to the city--a fallen limb, a dead tree, a broken swing in the playground--than it does advocating for or against any given event proposed for Clark Park. Mr. Moyer has chosen not to be a participant in FoCP, so of course he is not very well informed on the actual activities of the group. While I do not claim to be a horticulturalist, a biochemist, or even an expert in this field, I hope this information is useful to you. Please feel free to contact me at chanc...@gmail.com if you would like more information. Better yet, please visit our web site and become a member of the Friends at www.friendsofclarkpark.org. Please join us in the celebration of the re-opening of the northen section of Clark Park this coming Thursday, June 16, from approximately 4 PM at the new Central Plaza. Frank L. Chance, Past President Friends of Clark Park Po Box 31908, Philadelphia PA 19104 http://www.friendsofclarkpark.org chanc...@gmail.com 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] News about Clark Park herbicide
Me five, Tony. Kimm On 6/9/11 2:56 PM, Gerardo Razumney razum...@verizon.net wrote: Good idea Gerardo Razumney
[UC] Lost white rat terrier - Pixie
Vicinity of 49th Warrington within the last half hour. If spotted please contact Gail at (215)756-3880. Kimm
Re: [UC] Lost white rat terrier - Pixie
Pixie is home. Kimm On 5/30/11 3:39 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: Vicinity of 49th Warrington within the last half hour. If spotted please contact Gail at (215)756-3880. Kimm
[UC] FW: In catchment or not, Penn Alexander will be forced to turn new students away
http://www.westphillylocal.com/2011/05/11/in-catchment-or-not-penn-alexander -will-be-forced-to-turn-new-students-away/ http://phillyschoolsearch.com/2011/05/11/penn-alexander-institutes-controver sial-new-enrollment-policy/
[UC] Re: Lost dog - terrier? 49th St.
Never mind. He¹s been claimed. Kimm On 4/7/11 10:41 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: So, this dog keeps showing up in the backyard of 905 S. 49th St. I¹m not sure what it is terrier? Tiny thing, brownish-gold, has a collar, very yappy. First happened a couple of weeks ago. I spent a lot of time jockeying between the back and front yards to get a pic to send to the lists. In the process it got out of the yard, ran around for awhile, then went back into the yard. I couldn¹t get near it. When it went back in the yard of 905, I closed the gate to keep it safe while I tried to send an email, since it had been running in the street. As I was coming back in the house, I saw a young white guy running from 4900 Warrington. When I next looked out back, it was gone. I assumed the guy came and found it. Yesterday morning, it showed up again, and I got this pic, but I was in a rush to get to work and never did anything about it. Now he¹s back. Anyone know where he belongs or have any ideas about how to get him/her home? I¹ll close the gate again if anyone can offer an immediate solution, but I hate to prevent him from finding his way home if that might happen too. Kimm By outlawing Solidarity, a free trade organization to which an overwhelming majority of Polish workers and farmers belong, they have made it clear that they never had any intention of restoring one of the most elemental human rights - the right to belong to a free trade union. - Ronald Reagan, October 19, 1982
[UC] Zoning questions
So, we just learned that the ³investor² who bought the house next to us intends to chop it up into apartments. It is zoned R5, which if I understand correctly does not permit a multifamily use (anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong). Can anyone tell me how I might monitor whether an application for a variance has been or might be submitted in the future? Or how to ensure that he doesn¹t just do it without getting the required variance? IOW, how do we ensure that we get an opportunity to oppose this change? Thanks. Kimm
Re: [UC] Zoning questions
Thanks Al. Kimm On 12/30/10 2:36 PM, krf...@aol.com krf...@aol.com wrote: In a message dated 12/30/2010 2:31:02 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, kimm.ty...@verizon.net writes: So, we just learned that the ³investor² who bought the house next to us intends to chop it up into apartments. It is zoned R5, which if I understand correctly does not permit a multifamily use (anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong). Can anyone tell me how I might monitor whether an application for a variance has been or might be submitted in the future? Or how to ensure that he doesn¹t just do it without getting the required variance? IOW, how do we ensure that we get an opportunity to oppose this change? You can call the city Zoning Board of Adjustments and get on a notification list. Most of the community Associations stay on top of these things -- and have zoning committee meetings at which the people requesting variances make their pitches... then the Committee votes whether to oppose, not oppose, or support. Spruce Hill Community Assn is especially active in this area. If the property is in Spruce Hill, call them and ask when their committee is meeting with the applicants. If it's not in Spruce Hill, call whoever is the president of the applicable assn and ask the same thing. By the way, variances are hard to get. Those that increase population density are especially hard. - 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] and now for something completely different
Only 15? On 12/28/10 3:29 PM, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN laserb...@speedymail.org wrote: a 15-year-old narrative finds new stomping grounds: http://www.phillymag.com/articles/feature_is_west_philly_the_next_center_city/ page1 .. UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN 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] FW: Corbett taps Glenn Moyer to be banking secretary
Corbett taps Glenn Moyer to be banking secretary The Associated Press HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Berks County banker is being tapped by Gov.-elect Tom Corbett to be the next secretary of the Pennsylvania Banking Department. Corbett said Tuesday he plans to nominate Glenn Moyer, the former president and chief executive officer of National Penn Bancshares Inc. The Republican governor-elect says the 59-year-old Moyer has a wealth of experience in the banking industry. The nearly 200-person department protects the public from financial abuse and ensures the safety and soundness of Pennsylvania banks. Moyer's nomination will require Senate review and confirmation. Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20101221_ap_corbetttapsglennmoyertobeb ankingsecretary.html#ixzz18mZtMJrj Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else Sorry. I couldn¹t resist. It was just too good not to pass along. Happy Solstice! Kimm
[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Urgent: Porch Contractor Needed
He did a lot of research into sustainably-harvested woods. Then it became a challenge to find a way to buy a relatively small quantity; the sellers seem to mostly only deal in large-scale sales. Greg finally figured out a solution, I don¹t recall what it was. Kimm On 9/4/10 12:31 PM, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net wrote: WHAT WERE THE enormous lengths? LI might help you some, I'm not going to promise that, also there is mediation done by the court system. Meanwhile how about Louis Tannen? On Sep 4, 2010, at 1:39 AM, Joe Clarke wrote: Kimm, I don't know anything about your encounter with Greg, I only know of his craftsmanship, which can be seen at several houses of people I know. I know that that isn't the issue with him, as you have said. You deserve your money back at least and some resolution of the contract. It would be great if we had some mediation in these types of matters, especially when the vendor is a community member themself. It would be less expensive all around and perhaps be an effective means, with out resorting to the lawyers, of maintaining some cohesive Good faith with others in the community. Joe Clarke On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 1:21 AM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I urgently need a good recommendation for a porch contractor. Please do not recommend Greg Schopp. We signed a contract with Greg Schopp approximately a year ago. He was supposed to start in February. Then the snow happened, which I could understand, and he said May. Then he said ³When I finish the job down the street.² We haven¹t seen any progress on the job down the street for months. I¹m going to go have a chat with them this weekend. We paid this asshole a big upfront fee, he bought some materials. I¹m sick to my stomach, we refi¹d to pay this guy, our porch has deteriorated for a year. We are probably going to have to sue him and may pursue criminal charges. Seth Williams is an old friend of ours. If you are a homeowner, do not do business with this man. He came to us highly recommended through the lists and others in the neighborhood. We hired him because he said he was going to do a historically-accurate replacement with high-quality materials (wood instead of fiberglass). From what we have heard he is a master craftsman. When we took exception to using mahogany and insisted on sustainably-forested woods, he went to enormous lengths to work with us on that. But he took our money and has largely disappeared, and our porch is getting more dangerous by the day after all this time. And I don¹t feel like I can cancel the contract and sue his ass until I have someone else waiting in the wings to step in. Please recommend someone good who will step in and take over this job quickly. I will impose on my husband to take unhistorical fiberglass and features (we won¹t take eco-unfriendly woods.) We tried to get this job done well. That didn¹t work. Now we need to get it done quickly. Please help. Kimm ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
[UC] Re: Urgent: Porch Contractor Needed
All, I am writing to thank everyone for the enormous outpouring of support and help we have received from this community (not these communities). You will never know this reading the publicly-available posts, but I am so deeply moved by the outpouring of really good help and advice and support that I¹ve received over the last two days . . . . I have contractor recommendations. I have eco-friendly material recommendations. And I have lots of other very useful information and advice and wisdom. And I have Mr. Schopp¹s attention. Our situation is far from resolved, and I welcome any ongoing input or information or advice, but in the meantime I really feel like I need to say thank you to the lists, and to recognize what an amazing resource this community is. Kimm On 9/4/10 1:21 AM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I urgently need a good recommendation for a porch contractor. Please do not recommend Greg Schopp. We signed a contract with Greg Schopp approximately a year ago. He was supposed to start in February. Then the snow happened, which I could understand, and he said May. Then he said ³When I finish the job down the street.² We haven¹t seen any progress on the job down the street for months. I¹m going to go have a chat with them this weekend. We paid this asshole a big upfront fee, he bought some materials. I¹m sick to my stomach, we refi¹d to pay this guy, our porch has deteriorated for a year. We are probably going to have to sue him and may pursue criminal charges. Seth Williams is an old friend of ours. If you are a homeowner, do not do business with this man. He came to us highly recommended through the lists and others in the neighborhood. We hired him because he said he was going to do a historically-accurate replacement with high-quality materials (wood instead of fiberglass). From what we have heard he is a master craftsman. When we took exception to using mahogany and insisted on sustainably-forested woods, he went to enormous lengths to work with us on that. But he took our money and has largely disappeared, and our porch is getting more dangerous by the day after all this time. And I don¹t feel like I can cancel the contract and sue his ass until I have someone else waiting in the wings to step in. Please recommend someone good who will step in and take over this job quickly. I will impose on my husband to take unhistorical fiberglass and features (we won¹t take eco-unfriendly woods.) We tried to get this job done well. That didn¹t work. Now we need to get it done quickly. Please help. Kimm
Re: [UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Urgent: Porch Contractor Needed
Joe, I¹m a lawyer, and no one appreciates how horrible legal proceedings are better than a lawyer the sensible ones among us avoid them like the plague. It¹s often our clients who are enamored of lawsuits, but we get blamed for being litigious. I¹ve let this go this long because I appreciate that I do not want to resort to that. You are right, it would be better to have a less expensive option. Unfortunately, those options (arbitration, for example) inevitably end up being stacked in favor of the moneyed business interests and against the consumer. Nevertheless, I appreciate your idea of some sort of community accountability. Which is why I finally broke down and posted my post to these lists. I¹ve been considering it for a long time, and I finally chose this as a last resort to suing. I¹ve raised my grievance with our community. I¹m a lawyer, Joe. I fully appreciate that the threats I¹ve made here will be passed on to Mr. Schopp. I am hoping that there are people on this list who have relationships with Greg Schopp who will kick him in the ass and say ³Pay attention!² The last thing in the world we want to do is sue Greg Schopp, but unfortunately, under the circumstances, I¹m not sure we have much alternative. At least to get hi to take us seriously, or to be properly compensated for this delay. Kimm On 9/4/10 1:39 AM, Joe Clarke philly.jo...@gmail.com wrote: Kimm, I don't know anything about your encounter with Greg, I only know of his craftsmanship, which can be seen at several houses of people I know. I know that that isn't the issue with him, as you have said. You deserve your money back at least and some resolution of the contract. It would be great if we had some mediation in these types of matters, especially when the vendor is a community member themself. It would be less expensive all around and perhaps be an effective means, with out resorting to the lawyers, of maintaining some cohesive Good faith with others in the community. Joe Clarke On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 1:21 AM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I urgently need a good recommendation for a porch contractor. Please do not recommend Greg Schopp. We signed a contract with Greg Schopp approximately a year ago. He was supposed to start in February. Then the snow happened, which I could understand, and he said May. Then he said ³When I finish the job down the street.² We haven¹t seen any progress on the job down the street for months. I¹m going to go have a chat with them this weekend. We paid this asshole a big upfront fee, he bought some materials. I¹m sick to my stomach, we refi¹d to pay this guy, our porch has deteriorated for a year. We are probably going to have to sue him and may pursue criminal charges. Seth Williams is an old friend of ours. If you are a homeowner, do not do business with this man. He came to us highly recommended through the lists and others in the neighborhood. We hired him because he said he was going to do a historically-accurate replacement with high-quality materials (wood instead of fiberglass). From what we have heard he is a master craftsman. When we took exception to using mahogany and insisted on sustainably-forested woods, he went to enormous lengths to work with us on that. But he took our money and has largely disappeared, and our porch is getting more dangerous by the day after all this time. And I don¹t feel like I can cancel the contract and sue his ass until I have someone else waiting in the wings to step in. Please recommend someone good who will step in and take over this job quickly. I will impose on my husband to take unhistorical fiberglass and features (we won¹t take eco-unfriendly woods.) We tried to get this job done well. That didn¹t work. Now we need to get it done quickly. Please help. Kimm ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
[UC] Urgent: Porch Contractor Needed
I urgently need a good recommendation for a porch contractor. Please do not recommend Greg Schopp. We signed a contract with Greg Schopp approximately a year ago. He was supposed to start in February. Then the snow happened, which I could understand, and he said May. Then he said ³When I finish the job down the street.² We haven¹t seen any progress on the job down the street for months. I¹m going to go have a chat with them this weekend. We paid this asshole a big upfront fee, he bought some materials. I¹m sick to my stomach, we refi¹d to pay this guy, our porch has deteriorated for a year. We are probably going to have to sue him and may pursue criminal charges. Seth Williams is an old friend of ours. If you are a homeowner, do not do business with this man. He came to us highly recommended through the lists and others in the neighborhood. We hired him because he said he was going to do a historically-accurate replacement with high-quality materials (wood instead of fiberglass). From what we have heard he is a master craftsman. When we took exception to using mahogany and insisted on sustainably-forested woods, he went to enormous lengths to work with us on that. But he took our money and has largely disappeared, and our porch is getting more dangerous by the day after all this time. And I don¹t feel like I can cancel the contract and sue his ass until I have someone else waiting in the wings to step in. Please recommend someone good who will step in and take over this job quickly. I will impose on my husband to take unhistorical fiberglass and features (we won¹t take eco-unfriendly woods.) We tried to get this job done well. That didn¹t work. Now we need to get it done quickly. Please help. Kimm
Re: [UC] Sherrod, and straw man technique
The irony is he ended up proving that one false word from a White man with dubious credibility had the power to unjustly affect the livelihood of an African-American woman without due process, or no questions asked. Amen, Wilma. The NAACP thing is bizarre and sad because, institutionally, it had first-hand knowledge of what was actually said she was talking to them! But I am far more disappointed in the Obama administration. As her employer, as the federal government, it had far more of a duty to take a measured, rational approach. The fact that they just freaked out like a massive jellyfish at the prospect of the story appearing on Glenn Beck and acted with no independent investigation, no due process, is deeply, deeply disturbing. As soon as I first started hearing the first peeps about this story (I¹ve been very out-of-touch with the outside world the last few days), I thought, ³Wow this sounds very ACORN-like.² Then my husband informed me yesterday it was the same source. Huh. How bout that. But, hey, what do I know I¹m just a crazy commie lefty. Kimm On 7/22/10 11:59 AM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@comcast.net wrote: The Sherrod incident is troublesome on many fronts. Andrew Breitbart stated on NBC News that he deliberately posted that mis-edited video as, retribution for The Tea Party because of the NAACP's comment that The Tea Party should check and distance itself from the racist elements in the movement. He wanted to prove the NAACP is racist. Just because he felt like it, I guess. The irony is he ended up proving that one false word from a White man with dubious credibility had the power to unjustly affect the livelihood of an African-American woman without due process, or no questions asked. It's a textbook case on racism. My biggest disappointment was with Ben Jealous and the NAACP rushing to condemn Ms. Sherrod, knowing her history so quickly and playing into the white persons as victims of blacks card, that is the cornerstone of the extreme right-wing movement. Breitbart also showed since one false accusation by a White person against an African-American and the subsequent reaction by the NAACP and The White House Administration demonstrates clearly, that African-Americans have no control over our lives; even if one of us is The President. Racism is prejudice with power to act on said targets of prejudice and affect the quality of their lives. On 7/22/10 9:40 AM, Glenn moyer glen...@earthlink.net wrote: Members of our listserv have had a great deal of experience, in past years, watching the straw man technique used against Ms. Sherrod of the USDA. (Cutting and pasting words out of context is used to completely change the intended meaning of the speaker.) Then, a barking cheese gang (Fox News) is ready to run amok with the created straw woman to make the initial lie into the big lie (see Goebbels description of the big lie). As in the Sherrod case, the creation of the straw man is usually done because the victims real meaning can not be defeated through logic and rational arguments! The power of the deceiving gang and repitition of the lie is designed to overpower the individual victim, who has limited resources to fight back. It is also a condescending technique against all citizens, designed to manipulate everyone, who might accept the lie. (All of America was the target of the Sherrod lie, not merely Ms. Sherrod) When this deception technique is exposed and shown to be deliberate, citizens must completely reject those who originate and knowingly support the straw creation. Otherwise, like here in the district, some community leaders will employ the technique over and over. This type of deception used against ACORN and Ms. Sherrod must not be ignored or swept under the rug, as was so often demanded in this district! Logic, rhetoric, and philosophy need to be brought back to the curriculum in American education! Otherwise, this technique will continue to be used against all of us! Glenn 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] Help me fight for Elizabeth Warren
Dear Friend, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is trying to block President Obama from appointing one of the best consumer watchdogs in the nation to lead the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created by Congress to rein in Wall Street. As chair of the bailout oversight panel, Elizabeth Warren held Wall Street executives' feet to the fire and proved time and time again that she was not afraid to speak out. It's a good sign that the bankers are afraid of Elizabeth Warren. But we can't let them sabotage her appointment. I just joined the campaign to tell President Obama that we want Elizabeth Warren to police Wall Street. I hope you will click on the link below to learn more and take action. http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/pick_warren/?r_by=10075-1842469 -LUPuu2xrc=mailto2 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] hey all you gentrified people: MOW YER STINKING LAWN
Holy s***. I think the last time I got one it was $25. Well, certainly increases the incentive to go fight it. Good luck. Kimm On 5/18/10 11:55 AM, Lewis Mellman lewismell...@mac.com wrote: I just received my $75. tall grass tax today. Rest assured that I will be contesting this in a big way. When will City Council pass a low tree branch tax? It's totally unfair to abnormally heighted people like myself to have to stoop under all these low hanging branches or risk putting an eye out. Where's my pruning saw? -Lew 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] Question for Comcast Cable Subscribers
From my husband, who programs cable boxes - ³Not a chance in hell it is purposeful. Comcast is terrified of people getting porn who don¹t want porn.² He says it is their worst nightmare, and keeping porn from people who don¹t want porn is an obsession of their technical people. ³If Comcast thought anybody believed that was happening, they might come out to your house and ask how can we help you? They quake in fear at this happening.² You may want to bring it to their attention might scare them. Kimm On 4/25/10 8:20 AM, Susan Jacobson sus...@temple.edu wrote: Hi there, I am having a weird problem with my remote control or cable box, and I wanted to see if others were having the same problem. Frequently, particularly in the evening, if I am scrolling through the Comcast Cable Guide by pressing the Guide button and using the up and down arrows on the Comcast remote, the Guide will jump from the 1-100 numbered channels that I am scrolling through into the 500-level porn channels. This happens all of the time. I have never ordered porn from Comcast, nor am I interested in ordering porn from Comcast. But I have to assume that this happens because Comcast is trying to get me to buy porn from them, as sellilng porn is a huge part of their business. Has anyone else seen this? I am sure it's all kind of illegal. sj
[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Re: [Route 55] The World of the University of Pennsylvania
Wow That¹s amazing! Thanks for sharing that Mark. Kimm On 4/15/10 12:26 PM, mkrullrt55 mkrullr...@gmail.com wrote: On 4/14/10, mkrull mkrullr...@gmail.com wrote: Here is the front page of today's Daily Pennsylvanian I was going to work and picked up the student newspaper of this fine Ivy League University. U. adds transgender insurance http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/article/u-adds-transgender-insurance²%20_b lank= In the next academic year the Penn Student Insurance Plan will begin offering a new benefit for transgender students it will cover the cost of the gender confirmation process.In the next academic year, the Penn Student Insurance Plan will begin offering a new benefit for transgender students it will cover the cost of the gender confirmation process, also known as gender reassignment or transition. The benefit covers triadic treatment, the term used for the three-step process of gender confirmation. Triadic treatment consists of psychotherapy, estrogen or testosterone hormone treatment and sex reassignment surgery, which involves the changing of genitals. The benefit covers the costs of surgery for up to $50,000. According to a research report by the organization Transgender At Work, the cost of male-to-female surgery can average around $20,000. The initiative was introduced by the previous Lambda Alliance board, chaired by College senior and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist Dennie Zastrow. Penn preserves tough pot policy http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/article/u-maintains-tough-pot-policy²%20_b lank= Philadelphia¹s District Attorney recently proposed a new policy that would decrease the criminal grading for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Philadelphia¹s District Attorney recently proposed a new policy that would decrease the criminal grading for possession of small amounts of marijuana. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TbFKMJmT5Cg/S8ZxB2YJYFI/HCE/TNQKKqaL0NQ/s1 600/Pot+Laws.bmp The DA¹s proposal would downgrade possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana from a misdemeanor to a summary offense. This lower grading would mean a possible fine for possession, but the offense would not be included in a criminal record. The University¹s policy on marijuana use, however, will remain unchanged, according to Director of Alcohol and Other Drug Program Initiatives Julie Lyzinski. The University Alcohol and Drug Policy states that first-time violators can face jail time or fines for ³possession or distribution of a small amount of marijuana or hashish.² -- Posted By mkrull to Route 55 http://mkrull.blogspot.com/2010/04/world-of-university-of-pennsylvania.html at 4/14/2010 09:34:00 PM
[UC] Penn Alexander 100% low-income?
Did anyone else notice that in the Inquirer¹s Report Card on the Schools, Penn Alexander is identified as having 100% low-income students? Does anyone else find this extremely hard to believe? I thought maybe it was an error on the Inky¹s part, but I looked at the raw data on the state¹s website, and it has Penn Alexander reporting pretty close to 100% ³economically disadvantaged² students grades 3-8. This seems unbelievable to me. But maybe there is a reasonable explanation? I¹m considering writing the Inquirer reporters or editors who put the report together to look into it, but thought maybe folks more knowledgeable than I might have some insight into this. Before I get accused of hating on the neighborhood or trying to tear things down or sour grapes or something, it is a significant matter to me. As the parent of a three-year-old who is trying to research and compare future schools, I want to compare apples with apples, and I believe that schools with high percentages of low-income students have a much bigger challenge than schools with lower-percentages, and so test scores need to be considered in light of those factors. This is not only my belief the quintile scoring system compares ³similar schools² based on percentage of low-income students. So, not only would an error in this regard make my job harder, but it would, it seems to me, skew the ³similar schools² comparison. I¹m interested to hear what folks think about this. Kimm
Re: [UC] Fwd: Garden Center in UC
Awesome! I used to have a fantasy of turning the lot where Abbraccio is into a garden center. Glad someone is filling the need! On 4/5/10 9:26 PM, Linda Lee l...@verizon.net wrote: fyi... Begin forwarded message: From: cpini christine_r...@yahoo.com Date: April 5, 2010 8:44:04 PM EDT Reply-To: christine_r...@yahoo.com Hello everyone, I sent this message out on another Google group and would like to share with this group. My husband and I are long time residents of University City and have been in the process of opening a garden center in UC. We would like to reach out to the community and find out exactly what you are looking for. What kind of products, hours, location... any opinions and thoughts are welcome!! Our goal is to directly serve the needs of our community, tell your friends that may not be a part of this group but may be interested to drop us a message too! We would also like to share with you that as we search for the best location for our store we will be open for business at the Uhuru Flea Markets monthly. We will be carrying a variety of annuals, perennials, veggie seedlings, hanging flower baskets, soil and fertilizer. This would be the perfect opportunity to meet everyone and talk to you in person. Please stop by and share your thoughts and vision for your community garden center! Or send us a message at the email address below! Please don't reply to the group so as not to clog up the emails of those who may not be interested. Instead please send Christine and Mike an email directly at: sproutgardencen...@yahoo.com Looking forward to hearing from everyone!! Christine Mike Pini
Re: [UC] Fwd: Garden Center in UC
Oops. Where Abbraccio was. The construction of Abbraccio terminated my fantasy, so I guess that was a little Freudian slip or something. Nothing against Abbraccio. It was just a fantasy. Kimm On 4/5/10 9:54 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: Awesome! I used to have a fantasy of turning the lot where Abbraccio is into a garden center. Glad someone is filling the need! On 4/5/10 9:26 PM, Linda Lee l...@verizon.net wrote: fyi... Begin forwarded message: From: cpini christine_r...@yahoo.com Date: April 5, 2010 8:44:04 PM EDT Reply-To: christine_r...@yahoo.com Hello everyone, I sent this message out on another Google group and would like to share with this group. My husband and I are long time residents of University City and have been in the process of opening a garden center in UC. We would like to reach out to the community and find out exactly what you are looking for. What kind of products, hours, location... any opinions and thoughts are welcome!! Our goal is to directly serve the needs of our community, tell your friends that may not be a part of this group but may be interested to drop us a message too! We would also like to share with you that as we search for the best location for our store we will be open for business at the Uhuru Flea Markets monthly. We will be carrying a variety of annuals, perennials, veggie seedlings, hanging flower baskets, soil and fertilizer. This would be the perfect opportunity to meet everyone and talk to you in person. Please stop by and share your thoughts and vision for your community garden center! Or send us a message at the email address below! Please don't reply to the group so as not to clog up the emails of those who may not be interested. Instead please send Christine and Mike an email directly at: sproutgardencen...@yahoo.com Looking forward to hearing from everyone!! Christine Mike Pini
Re: [UC] Sad News For a Neighbor
Oh, Tony I am so sorry! Kimm On 4/2/10 3:21 PM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@verizon.net wrote: Folks, The missing chihuahua Linda Le posted about earlier was Tony West's dog Mole, who sadly was struck by a car and killed. Regardless of differences of opinion those of us may have with Tony, he IS our neighbor and I wish to say publicly how sorry I was to learn about this and expresses my sympathies to him and his family. Anyone who has lost a cherished pet understands how terrible it is; especially so suddenly and unexpectedly. Tony West deserves our support during this difficult time. Sincerely, Wilma 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] Civility (Was: Re: Drug pushers in the NYTimes)
Tony, Wow you think what I said was nasty? Snide, maybe, but in that case I¹d better stay over here. Given the turmoil he put this community through, I think it was pretty mild. There¹s a difference between ³conflict and confrontation² and ³nastiness and incivility.² But those distinctions get lost on a lot of people. And just for the record: (1) I said nothing about Tom Lussenhop, only about his hotel, and (2) I went to a fair amount of trouble to actually give him an answer to his question. One private commenter thought I was too generous. Kimm On 4/1/10 4:26 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: Wilma, Since a lot of people, like myself, subscribe to both lists (actually I'm on four neighborhood lists), there's no they vs. we. There are just two different products out there, for any of us to patronize as we choose. Some people don't want to subscribe to multiple listserves for the same community. (They'd rather not see their inbox flooded by the same post in three different emails, for instance.) In that case, the listserve with the greater traffic -- particularly traffic about the neighborhood -- is surely the more useful. Almost by definition, it represents the neighborhood better. One might still keep a membership on the less-popular listserve, if it gives information not available on the more-popular listserve -- particularly if it facilitates a specific kind of neighborhood communication that is hard to get on the more-popular one. In this case, having read both Kyle Cassidy's UC list and Villanova's UC list for a few years now, my take is the purple list reliably fosters personal attack, intentional misinformation and extremist hysteria on neighborhood issues. It's more about the process than the people. The same people, writing on the same issues on UCNeighbors, write with more gentleness, more receptivity and more nuance than they do on Purple. I include myself in this criticism. Listserves generally die with a whimper, not a bang, and that's how Purple seems to be dying. I still see, from time to time, useful threads about household services that don't appear on UCNeighbors. But I see more useful threads about household services overall on UCNeighbors now than I do on Purple. The only threads that flourish on Purple rather than UCNeighbors are those that favor querulous complaints about how bad A is or B is. Thus, in this recent statistic-boosting spate, I note that I made a nasty comment about Glenn (en passant) and that Kimm made a nasty comment about Tom (in yo face) and that Wilma induces a global nasty comment by me about all Purple readers (not there at all) ... par for the course. Anyone who prefers to relate to their neighbors in this manner will find Purple more congenial than UCNeighbors. Anyone who does not prefer to relate to their neighbors in this manner will find UCNeighbors more congenial than Purple, in my estimation. So I do think this product is broken and I have no idea how to fix it, unless it's willing to bite the bullet and appoint a moderator of its own. But I'll continue to read it and post on it, if I think I can make a comment that is helpful. I always appreciate your posts, Wilma. -- Tony West On 3/31/2010 9:54 PM, Wilma de Soto wrote: Re: [UC] Drug pushers in the NYTimes Wow! THAT¹S a slap in the face. Thank you kindly for showing us who the better people are who have higher-quality neighborhood input. Since I have been a member of this listserv since its inception, apparently I can rest assured that I would not be considered as such; especially since I am not a member of the UCNeighbors listserv. Mogadishu, indeed! Perhaps it was not your intent to appear hurtful, elitist and disrespectful amongst other things, especially in light of the subject of civility raised earlier, but I do perceive it this way because there is not much room for benefit of the doubt anymore. Snide remarks about the persons who belong to this listserv, since the formation of UCNeighbors has gone a bit too far in my opinion. You have UCNeighbors...fine! Isn¹t that enough without denigrating this listserv or are we all just supposed to not post, drop dead or leave the neighborhood? What IS it they want from us? Come front street with it once and for all.
Re: [UC] How to Unsubscribe from this List (Was Drug pushers in the NYTimes)
Yeah, I kinda felt like that about your hotel. I think you go here http://www.purple.com/list.html . In the middle of the page there is a link ³click here to subscribe or unsubscribe to lists on list.purple.com .² If you click on that link it supposedly tells you how to unsubscribe. I think you just need to enter your email address and check the box of the list you want to unsubscribe from. If that fails, I suggest you ask on the other list how to do it, given that folks over there may have had more practical success in unsubscribing than I. Happy trails! Kimm Tynan On 3/30/10 9:21 PM, lussen...@dca.net lussen...@dca.net wrote: For God's sake how do I unsubscribe from this listI try to follow the instructions but it leads to a cul-de-sac. Please help. Tom Lussenhop -Original Message- From: Glenn moyer glen...@earthlink.net Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:08:48 -0400 (GMT-04:00) To: univcity@list.purple.com Subject: [UC] Drug pushers in the NYTimes Citizens, Every year big pharma pays millions in criminal and civil fines imposed for marketing drugs outside of the primary approved treatments. Corporate drug marketing is drug pushing, and it should be illegal. Pharma continues the practice unabated because the profits make the penalties a minor cost of doing business. Now, the FDA is going to help increase corporate profits with the green light. It takes decades for all of the side effects and drug interactions to be uncovered. (Acetamenophine and alcohol is a classic example.) This is just one more example of how a for profit health system hurts public health. Those of you who can still afford to see a doctor; don't get sucked into this pill popping! With the government¹s blessing, a drug giant is about to expand the market for its blockbuster cholesterol medication Crestor to a new category of customers: as a preventive measure for millions of people who do not have cholesterol problems. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/business/31statins.html?hpex=ei=partner= 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] Re: [Ucneighbors] possible gatherings of juveniles 40th and Mkt this afternoon
I dunno, Jim, looks like they¹re doing a pretty good job of that all by themselves. Kimm On 3/24/10 6:06 PM, Jim Cummings alaricvisig...@gmail.com wrote: Lets make teenagers the enemy. On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 4:01 PM, Elaine Jenson elaine_jen...@yahoo.com wrote: from Penn Public Safety website http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/NewsDetails.asp?ID=55 ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
Re: [UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] possible gatherings of juveniles 40th and Mkt this afternoon
Then again, I guess the grownups are just as scary. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/24/AR2010032402 122.html?hpid=topnews On 3/24/10 9:37 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I dunno, Jim, looks like they¹re doing a pretty good job of that all by themselves. Kimm On 3/24/10 6:06 PM, Jim Cummings alaricvisig...@gmail.com wrote: Lets make teenagers the enemy. On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 4:01 PM, Elaine Jenson elaine_jen...@yahoo.com wrote: from Penn Public Safety website http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/NewsDetails.asp?ID=55 ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
Re: [UC] This isn't good news. (From this morning's DP)
Whether they knew each other or not it is really astonishing that anyone would pull something like this in the middle of what I imagine must have been a packed-to-the-gills park in the middle of the afternoon. On 3/22/10 3:27 PM, Kathleen Turner khturne...@gmail.com wrote: I think it would be pretty safe to assume that the attackers knew the victim -- your average criminal may not be especially bright, but the middle of a park where 2- or 300 people are hanging out probably isn't a likely spot for a random mugging. Unfortunately, I think it's also pretty likely that at least some of the other people hanging out at the basketball court could identify the attackers. Kathleen On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 9:18 AM, lom...@aol.com wrote: It is indeed disturbing, but are we sure that the gang and the victim did not know each other previously and there was some grudge involved? It seems like odd behavior for a mugging or a robbery. no mention of belongings taken or dragging the victim around to use his ATM card. more like a vengeful beat up and a knee shooting. Just my ten cents
Re: [UC] Firewood??
If you¹re ordering a whole cord, I recommend Rainbow Landscaping. For years I got it elsewhere it was always green, and I was lucky if the place deemed to return my calls. Rainbow was responsive, prompt and the wood was well-seasoned. If you just want ³a few logs,² I¹d get some fake logs at the supermarket. Kimm On 1/30/10 4:25 PM, Richard Moreau ric...@mac.com wrote: Does anyone know of a place in the neighborhood where I could buy a few logs of firewood? And what if I wanted a whole cord delivered? Who would you recommend? We just had our flues relined and the cold and snow are making me hanker for a fire in the fireplace. Thanks, Ricky 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] looking for recommendations for plastering and brick pointing
I¹m also looking for a plastering recommendation. Kimm On 1/29/10 12:13 PM, Freda Egnal fredaegn...@yahoo.com wrote: Thank you.
[UC] Howard Zinn dead at 87
R.I.P. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/27/AR2010012704 219.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Re: [UC] RE: univcity-digest V1 #1537
Looks like you uncheck the box next to the list you want to unsubscribe from. On 1/25/10 10:50 AM, Mike Lazenka laze...@isc.upenn.edu wrote: Hi everyone, I've asked for instructions for unsubscribing to this list. A URL has appeared on recent posts that says . To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. When visiting that link the first message to appear is the always re-assuring:list.purple.com uses an invalid security certificate Allowing the exception brings me to an admin menu with no clear instructions on how to unsubscribe. I can browse to see which lists I'm subscribed to, but upon reaching that search result, there are again no instructions or clear indication of how to unsubscribe. Any help would be greatly appreciated. ML Michael C Lazenka laze...@upenn.edu Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. Benjamin Franklin -Original Message- From: owner-univc...@list.purple.com [mailto:owner-univc...@list.purple.com] Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 4:15 AM To: univcity-dig...@news.villanova.edu Subject: univcity-digest V1 #1537 univcity-digest Saturday, January 23 2010 Volume 01 : Number 1537 In this issue: [UC] The supreme court attacks the people Re: [UC] The supreme court attacks the people [UC] Dog groomer [UC] Penn incompetence Re: [UC] The supreme court attacks the people -- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:33:17 -0500 (EST) From: Glenn moyer glen...@earthlink.net Subject: [UC] The supreme court attacks the people Well it's official now, corporatocracy. Those who study totalitarian shifts point out that once the point of no return is crossed, things move rapidly. Being an optimist by nature, I had been holding on to hope. Those who only get information through corporate media probably didn't know that this was coming to the corporate court. This was the big one! http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20100122_Justices_shift_campaign-finan ce_rules.html http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/americandebate/Nary_a_peep_of_protest.html - 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. -- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:19:14 -0500 From: Richard Moreau ric...@mac.com Subject: Re: [UC] The supreme court attacks the people I've always found it interesting that the tallest building in a community speaks to who holds the power. In colonial (U.S.) days church steeples were the tallest, so people could find them over (New England) hill and dale. Then City Hall, at least in Philadelphia, was the tallest by 'gentlemen's' agreement, speaking to the unifying power of a government of the people, for the people and by the people. The Empire State Building arguably spoke to the power of television. The Sears (now Willis?) Tower spoke to the power of retail and consumption. (Willis is a law firm? Hmm.) In Philadelphia, Liberty Place was eventually built, its main tenant being an insurance company, Cigna, speaking to the economic needs of the community to promote business through real estate development in a city that hadn't previously been very competitive in the national marketplace. (And shouldn't an insurance company's money be going to cover people in times of need, not building fancy buildings?) The World Trade Center and nearly 3000 of its occupants were obliterated by an organization that uses violence and fear to get what it wants. Not to mention the damage done to the headquarters of arguably the most powerful military in the world. Now we have Comcast ( soon NBC-Universal) with the tallest building in town, speaking to the rise (and consolidation) of the media, the internet, and communication more generally. We're seeing internet giant Google take on China in a way that few countries have dared, and risk-taking big banks and mortgage companies threaten national and international economies, costing people their homes, jobs, and health care. HUP continues to build highly specialized and expensive facilities on land that had housed a Civic Center and a hospital for the poor. (While the Convention - not Civic - - Center expansion, and the now nearly empty Gallery and, before that, the Chinese Wall strangles Chinatown. Penn Center office buildings symbolically and literally send rail travel under ground. Penn builds a park (for now) and mixed use buildings on land that was used by an organization that delivers snail mail by hand, door to door - something that may soon seem like the Pony Express does to us now. Home Depot controls the world lumber market. A McDonald's hamburger is said to cost an acre of rain forest (so the cattle can graze.) A
Re: [UC] Gelenn his whores
Could I suggest that the two of you take this private? No one else is participating in this pissing match, and I can¹t imagine that anyone is interested in following it. Kimm On 1/24/10 8:09 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: So you continue not to oppose commercial sex in Clark Park, Glenn. Everything you have ever written is recorded in the archives of UC-list. You are the sole pro-whore contributor to this list. You worked hard for many years to earn this distinction. Let me repeat: I'm not against you as a person. I'm not against commercial sex as a person. But if you are still totally for commercial sex in our neighborhood park, I am still totally against it. If you have changed your mind, and will no longer publicly defend prostitution in the park, then I will no longer criticize you for defending it. -- Tony West Neighbors, I've talked with several of you about the various forms of intimidation that you've experienced at the hands of the civic association leaders over the years. Rumors, intimidation at your job, and vandalism are very serious. Both Ad hominem and straw man tactics attack individuals directly instead of supporting one's position. Why do some of these leaders go so pathalogically low? Tony is a special jackass, but the stories and my own experience show me that others go deep into the slime too! Do they believe they are invincible liars? I believe the motivation is a frightening craving for the illusion of power, that pushed Tony with his serious lies. He could get into trouble for such potentially damaging lies. These tactics do not win arguments. Nor are they normal reactions to just having losing arguments or unfair desires for middle class privilege! Would you ever think of telling lies like Tony did about me to win an argument??? Can you imagine the type of harm that Mr. West's lies (straw man technique)could do? People on the list know that West is a jackass, at this point. But read again what West wrote and think of all the possible harm such pathalogical lying could do. (e.g. One of the FOCP board members and a friend of mine has known my girlfriend for years in a professional setting. And people around the world can access our public listserv unlike UC Neighbors.) 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] Glenn's List vs. Kyle's List: a measure of popularity
You always remember your first. ;-) On 11/9/09 6:33 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: From 6pm Sunday to 6pm Monday, 5 comments about the impact of the SEPTA strike on our neighborhood -- a hot neighborhood topic -- were posted on Glenn's List (UnivCity@list.purple.com). During the same timeframe, 18 comments about the same subject were posted on Kyle's List (ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu). I maintain a presence on Glenn's List because I want to be open to, and keep in touch with, all my neighbors. But Kyle's List is where the hottest discussion of University City issues takes place these days. The thing I like most about Kyle, compared to his business rival, is he isn't constantly heaping personal abuse on his neighbors in West Philadelphia. He never does this, in fact. It's quite refreshing compared to the listserve that Glenn rules. -- Tony West 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. 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] FW: [Ucneighbors] PLEASE PUT UP SOME LOST PET POSTS! STAT!
Hehehehe. Oh well. :-) -- Forwarded Message From: Suzanne B. Anderson suzanneander...@yahoo.com Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:44:49 -0800 (PST) To: UC Neighbors ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu Subject: [Ucneighbors] PLEASE PUT UP SOME LOST PET POSTS! STAT! Shazam. This is not better than lost pet posts. Linda Lee, where are you when we need you? Suzanne B. Anderson --- On Mon, 11/9/09, Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net wrote: From: Richard Conrad rdcon...@verizon.net Subject: Re: [Ucneighbors] Apology To: Ross Bender ross.ben...@gmail.com Cc: ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu Date: Monday, November 9, 2009, 9:27 PM Hmmm. I must have misunderstood the phrase full of baloney then, because I thought you were pointing out the disingenuous way that Melanie seemed to have been pleading the cases of the poor people to propagate the notion that the Transport Workers Union (rather than say, the exploitive powerful nature of SEPTA's long corrupt pocket picking history) was the villainous guilty party. Rick Conrad On Nov 9, 2009, at 7:11 PM, Ross Bender wrote: In the heat of the moment this afternoon I implied that Melanie was full of baloney. She is in fact not full of baloney. I misspoke myself and hereby apologize. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu /mc/compose?to=ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors -Inline Attachment Follows- ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu /mc/compose?to=ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors -- End of Forwarded Message
Re: [UC] They're B-a-a-c-k [Was] Penn and the community
I had a feeling that wasn¹t really over. Kimm On 10/9/09 1:42 PM, KAREN ALLEN kallena...@msn.com wrote: Well, Al, looks like they're gettin' the band back together, and today's Daily Pennsylvanian report about the Campus Inn puts yesterday's post into context. It's the same old bullshit: West Philadelphia is a hellhole that we need Penn/UCD/Tom Lussenhop to rescue us from; unannounced closed-door astroturf presentations in front of a handful of handpicked so-called community leaders ready to regurgitate Penn's lies and to rubberstamp whatever Penn shoves in front of them. I guess next the propaganda machine will kick into gear again to explain to us igoramuses why it's so important that Penn should be able to do whatever they want. Regarding certain panelists, this just proves that there are some people who are incapable of embarassment or shame...Even Professor Marvel gave up the smoke and mirrors once his Wizard of Oz persona (Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!) was exposed as a sham. See ya at the Zoning Board hearings, folks... luckily I saved my No Hotel In the Hood posters! From: krf...@aol.com Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 08:55:59 -0400 Subject: [UC] Penn and the community -- take, er, I lost count when it hit six digits To: UnivCity@list.purple.com From today's DP. Emphasis (color) and snide remarks (parentheses) added You read it here, first, on the ever-popular Popu-List Courtesy of Al Krigman University seeks to build more bridges with community partnerships Maanvi Singh While Penn's relationship with the West Philadelphia community has been tumultuous in the past, last night a group of community leaders and educators discussed Penn's recent focus on interacting positively with its neighbor. (Recent focus? Maybe they mean dumping Lewis Wendell.) The audience of community members, who filled a little over half the chairs (nobody I know was aware of this... so -- little wonder that only half the chairs were filled and I can only imagine who from the community was there) set up in the Arthur Ross Gallery, listened as the panel recounted Penn's historical interactions with West Philadelphia, as well as the University's current programs for community involvement. Ira Harkavy, associate vice president of Penn's Netter Center for Community Partnerships, moderated the discussion on what he said was the single most important issue that the University is focusing on - helping to develop neighboring West Philadelphia. (This is the single most important issue that the University is focusing on ??? I would have thought that a world class research university would be focusing on less important things like education, research, bringing their endowment back up to the point where they don't have to fire people or raise fees to give it's president a big raise and otherwise stay afloat, etc.) West Philadelphia has come a long way since the 1990s, when crime was on a major upspring, said panelist and member of the Spruce Hill Community Trust Board of Directors Barry Grossbach. (See. Someone still thinks Barry is a community leader. Maybe they don't know about the sad fall from grace and standing of the Spruce Hill Community Association.) Penn faculty and students, as well as West Philadelphia community members, have many more opportunities today to help ameliorate their neighborhoods, he added, citing the recent success of tutoring endeavors in the community and the Penn Alexander Elementary School. (Well, we can give them that one, anyway -- ignoring the real reason for Penn's involvement with the school.) According to Grossbach, these outreach programs have been so successful that outside organizations have started to follow Penn's footsteps. For instance, the Teacher's College of Columbia University wants to create a program similar to that of Alexander Elementary School. (Do you think they hired Omar Blaik as a consultant?) I've seen the change, Leslie Rogers, a Penn doctoral candidate, said. As a Penn undergraduate and graduate student, she said, she felt that West Philadelphia community members were very skeptical of her intentions when she went to volunteer and later teach there. Now, Penn faculty and students are more warmly welcomed, she said. Rogers said Penn undergraduates getting involved in West Philadelphia is a key to community-building. Thanks to an array of recently established programs, these students now get to actually problem-solve in the community, she said. (These students are like the bright-eyed busy-tailed types that get hired at UCD. They are enthusiastic and well meaning -- but naive as newborn lambs and haven't a clue about the problems faced by people from a side of the tracks other than where they, themselves, were born and raised.) Still, attendee Glenwood Charles, a Penn graduate who now oversees the Netter Center's tutoring program and reading initiative,
Re: [UC] They're B-a-a-c-k [Was] Penn and the community
P.S. Thanks to you and Al for putting 2+2 together for us. Kimm On 10/9/09 10:10 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I had a feeling that wasn¹t really over. Kimm On 10/9/09 1:42 PM, KAREN ALLEN kallena...@msn.com wrote: Well, Al, looks like they're gettin' the band back together, and today's Daily Pennsylvanian report about the Campus Inn puts yesterday's post into context. It's the same old bullshit: West Philadelphia is a hellhole that we need Penn/UCD/Tom Lussenhop to rescue us from; unannounced closed-door astroturf presentations in front of a handful of handpicked so-called community leaders ready to regurgitate Penn's lies and to rubberstamp whatever Penn shoves in front of them. I guess next the propaganda machine will kick into gear again to explain to us igoramuses why it's so important that Penn should be able to do whatever they want. Regarding certain panelists, this just proves that there are some people who are incapable of embarassment or shame...Even Professor Marvel gave up the smoke and mirrors once his Wizard of Oz persona (Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!) was exposed as a sham. See ya at the Zoning Board hearings, folks... luckily I saved my No Hotel In the Hood posters! From: krf...@aol.com Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 08:55:59 -0400 Subject: [UC] Penn and the community -- take, er, I lost count when it hit six digits To: UnivCity@list.purple.com From today's DP. Emphasis (color) and snide remarks (parentheses) added You read it here, first, on the ever-popular Popu-List Courtesy of Al Krigman University seeks to build more bridges with community partnerships Maanvi Singh While Penn's relationship with the West Philadelphia community has been tumultuous in the past, last night a group of community leaders and educators discussed Penn's recent focus on interacting positively with its neighbor. (Recent focus? Maybe they mean dumping Lewis Wendell.) The audience of community members, who filled a little over half the chairs (nobody I know was aware of this... so -- little wonder that only half the chairs were filled and I can only imagine who from the community was there) set up in the Arthur Ross Gallery, listened as the panel recounted Penn's historical interactions with West Philadelphia, as well as the University's current programs for community involvement. Ira Harkavy, associate vice president of Penn's Netter Center for Community Partnerships, moderated the discussion on what he said was the single most important issue that the University is focusing on - helping to develop neighboring West Philadelphia. (This is the single most important issue that the University is focusing on ??? I would have thought that a world class research university would be focusing on less important things like education, research, bringing their endowment back up to the point where they don't have to fire people or raise fees to give it's president a big raise and otherwise stay afloat, etc.) West Philadelphia has come a long way since the 1990s, when crime was on a major upspring, said panelist and member of the Spruce Hill Community Trust Board of Directors Barry Grossbach. (See. Someone still thinks Barry is a community leader. Maybe they don't know about the sad fall from grace and standing of the Spruce Hill Community Association.) Penn faculty and students, as well as West Philadelphia community members, have many more opportunities today to help ameliorate their neighborhoods, he added, citing the recent success of tutoring endeavors in the community and the Penn Alexander Elementary School. (Well, we can give them that one, anyway -- ignoring the real reason for Penn's involvement with the school.) According to Grossbach, these outreach programs have been so successful that outside organizations have started to follow Penn's footsteps. For instance, the Teacher's College of Columbia University wants to create a program similar to that of Alexander Elementary School. (Do you think they hired Omar Blaik as a consultant?) I've seen the change, Leslie Rogers, a Penn doctoral candidate, said. As a Penn undergraduate and graduate student, she said, she felt that West Philadelphia community members were very skeptical of her intentions when she went to volunteer and later teach there. Now, Penn faculty and students are more warmly welcomed, she said. Rogers said Penn undergraduates getting involved in West Philadelphia is a key to community-building. Thanks to an array of recently established programs, these students now get to actually problem-solve in the community, she said. (These students are like the bright-eyed busy-tailed types that get hired at UCD. They are enthusiastic and well meaning -- but naive as newborn lambs and haven't a clue about the problems faced by people from a side of the tracks other than where they, themselves, were born
Re: [UC] Strawman tactic intimidates the public
Ah. Thanks for the correction. On 10/2/09 9:18 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: Brian was appointed to fill the Vice Presidency about a month ago; the website hasn't been updated yet. It's an interim appointment to fill the remainder of Pete Malandra's term. Pete did wonderful things for the community until he left for grad school at UVA in May. (Other neighbors may remember him for his work on the bicycle business recycling brigade.) New officers will be elected Oct. 21. -- Tony West Kimm, Brian isn't listed as a board member on the FOCP website. 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. 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] Poison alert, Clark Park Who payed for this?
Wow. That's great news. Thanks for looking into that Tony. Kimm On 9/30/09 4:43 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: Kimm, I talked with UCD Executive Director Matt Bergheiser, who in turn checked with his Director of Operations Dexter Bryant. Bryant told him what Moon Site Mgmt. laid down on the park is a granular organic fertilizer that contains no herbicides or pesticides. We have always been very clear with Moon that we don't want anything like that used in the park, said Bergheiser. Why the signs, then? We suspect it's a kind of historical accident, Bergheiser said. They may be part of the Moon grounds crew's standard toolkit. In general, having laid down material like this, groundskeepers want it to rest undisturbed for a while and encourage the public not to trample across it. After even a light rain like this morning's, it should have settled enough, though. Bergheiser said no one should be concerned about safety issues in contacting the material now, or in disturbing its efficacy now. The job is done. We apologize if these signs were misleading or scary, said Bergheiser, and we will work with the contractor to avoid this sort of mistake in the future. -- Tony West Kimm Tynan wrote: I don't think it's nonsense, Tony. In this day and age, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are pretty widely viewed as pretty backwards. Given Mayor Nutter's emphasis on being green, I think the issue of what chemicals are being pumped into Clark and other parks is an entirely valid one for public discussion - not just for safety of kids and pets but for broader ecological reasons. And there's no need to be defensive - I don't think anyone is accusing Moon Site Management of being evil people. That doesn't mean folks can't raise issues with specific things they do that people might want changed. I think Glenn has a point. Does anyone care if there are dandelions in Clark Park? We all want grass in our park, but is fertilizer really necessary? If so could we find a greener alternative? Let's call Mike McGrath (from the radio, not the neighborhood)! 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. 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] Poison alert, Clark Park Who payed for this?
I don't think it's nonsense, Tony. In this day and age, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are pretty widely viewed as pretty backwards. Given Mayor Nutter's emphasis on being green, I think the issue of what chemicals are being pumped into Clark and other parks is an entirely valid one for public discussion - not just for safety of kids and pets but for broader ecological reasons. And there's no need to be defensive - I don't think anyone is accusing Moon Site Management of being evil people. That doesn't mean folks can't raise issues with specific things they do that people might want changed. I think Glenn has a point. Does anyone care if there are dandelions in Clark Park? We all want grass in our park, but is fertilizer really necessary? If so could we find a greener alternative? Let's call Mike McGrath (from the radio, not the neighborhood)! I imagine there would be a lot of popular support in the neighborhood for trying to make Clark Park a model of green, ecofriendly maintenance. I would imagine that that is the sort of thing Mike Diberardinis would leap to support. Given that green is hot, and that FOCP's job is theoretically to advocate for the desires and interests of park users and the surrounding community, this seems like an ideal campaign to take up. I would guess there a lot of funding sources for this type of thing right now. I mean, if the city can embark on this project: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/62007227.html Why can't we eliminate chemicals from our parks? If FOCP were to take up this battle, I might even be lured to get involved. Really, I can't see why you're so dismissive of the issue. Kimm On 9/29/09 6:42 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: It's all very well known, KC. It's been going on for 10 years now. Clark Park is a part of the City of Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation and and this is what the City welcomes to have done in this park. It spares the City the cost of doing the job itself, which is appreciated when there is a budget crisis, as there is now. The guys who were hired are Moon Site Management. They are the reason the trash is removed twice a week rather than once a week during the peak season. They are the reason the grass in the park is mown more than once every 2 months in the peak season. And they are the sole reason the grass gets any maintenance at all; your tax dollars purchase ZERO lawn care ever, for our neighborhood's most cherished and most heavily used and abused lawn. It isn't enough. But it's better than nothing. Neighbors who care about Clark Park pitch in every spring to the 'Party for the Park' fundraiser that supports this neighborhood green initiative. Maybe you'll join us next year! I can't tell you tonight precisely which ground-care treatment was applied today. At this time of year, it's more likely to have been a fertilizer than an herbicide. Some fertilizers are toxic to animals, though, and require a certain amount of settling in before creatures should walk across treated areas. That's why warning signs are placed by Rec. When the risk has passed, the signs are removed. For people who want the facts on this particular chemical, we'll round that up and report back to you tomorrow. In the meantime, please don't panic about this poison nonsense. People who've lived in the neighborhood for a while have heard all Glenn's stuff before. It is more of a personal problem than a public problem. -- Tony West KC Hibbard wrote: Does anyone know who actually contracted the ground poisoning? Seems that that party should be targeted. The most immediate at risk part of the population from herbicide and pesticide use is children and pets. They have a faster metabolism. Think of the kids kicking around in the dust at the fair this past week. Breathing poison dirt. The long range risks involve destroying our watershed. This practice is irresponsible and must be stopped. It's funny that Penn is touting it's committment to environmental causes, creating more green space all the while dumping herbicides all summer and wacking the grass with weed wackers so it dies at the edges of the lawns so they repeat the grass- seed -poison cycle. Is it UCD, FOCP or Fairmount Park? Who hired these guys? 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. 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. 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] Poison alert, Clark Park Who payed for this?
P.S. Tony, I need to add - while I understand that Glenn's rants are suspect, and I don't know what chemicals are being unloaded in the Park, as the mother of an almost 3-year-old, that is a very real concern to me. You don't seem to know what is being spewed either, but unless you have hard cold facts to suggest otherwise, I really don't think dismissing concerns out-of-hand is the most constructive approach. Kimm On 9/29/09 9:35 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I don't think it's nonsense, Tony. In this day and age, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are pretty widely viewed as pretty backwards. Given Mayor Nutter's emphasis on being green, I think the issue of what chemicals are being pumped into Clark and other parks is an entirely valid one for public discussion - not just for safety of kids and pets but for broader ecological reasons. And there's no need to be defensive - I don't think anyone is accusing Moon Site Management of being evil people. That doesn't mean folks can't raise issues with specific things they do that people might want changed. I think Glenn has a point. Does anyone care if there are dandelions in Clark Park? We all want grass in our park, but is fertilizer really necessary? If so could we find a greener alternative? Let's call Mike McGrath (from the radio, not the neighborhood)! I imagine there would be a lot of popular support in the neighborhood for trying to make Clark Park a model of green, ecofriendly maintenance. I would imagine that that is the sort of thing Mike Diberardinis would leap to support. Given that green is hot, and that FOCP's job is theoretically to advocate for the desires and interests of park users and the surrounding community, this seems like an ideal campaign to take up. I would guess there a lot of funding sources for this type of thing right now. I mean, if the city can embark on this project: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/62007227.html Why can't we eliminate chemicals from our parks? If FOCP were to take up this battle, I might even be lured to get involved. Really, I can't see why you're so dismissive of the issue. Kimm On 9/29/09 6:42 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: It's all very well known, KC. It's been going on for 10 years now. Clark Park is a part of the City of Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation and and this is what the City welcomes to have done in this park. It spares the City the cost of doing the job itself, which is appreciated when there is a budget crisis, as there is now. The guys who were hired are Moon Site Management. They are the reason the trash is removed twice a week rather than once a week during the peak season. They are the reason the grass in the park is mown more than once every 2 months in the peak season. And they are the sole reason the grass gets any maintenance at all; your tax dollars purchase ZERO lawn care ever, for our neighborhood's most cherished and most heavily used and abused lawn. It isn't enough. But it's better than nothing. Neighbors who care about Clark Park pitch in every spring to the 'Party for the Park' fundraiser that supports this neighborhood green initiative. Maybe you'll join us next year! I can't tell you tonight precisely which ground-care treatment was applied today. At this time of year, it's more likely to have been a fertilizer than an herbicide. Some fertilizers are toxic to animals, though, and require a certain amount of settling in before creatures should walk across treated areas. That's why warning signs are placed by Rec. When the risk has passed, the signs are removed. For people who want the facts on this particular chemical, we'll round that up and report back to you tomorrow. In the meantime, please don't panic about this poison nonsense. People who've lived in the neighborhood for a while have heard all Glenn's stuff before. It is more of a personal problem than a public problem. -- Tony West KC Hibbard wrote: Does anyone know who actually contracted the ground poisoning? Seems that that party should be targeted. The most immediate at risk part of the population from herbicide and pesticide use is children and pets. They have a faster metabolism. Think of the kids kicking around in the dust at the fair this past week. Breathing poison dirt. The long range risks involve destroying our watershed. This practice is irresponsible and must be stopped. It's funny that Penn is touting it's committment to environmental causes, creating more green space all the while dumping herbicides all summer and wacking the grass with weed wackers so it dies at the edges of the lawns so they repeat the grass- seed -poison cycle. Is it UCD, FOCP or Fairmount Park? Who hired these guys? You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http
Re: [UC] Poison alert, Clark Park Who payed for this?
Just thinking out loud - maybe we need a rain garden in the bowl! (I know, probably not practical, but these are the kinds of things we could think about). On 9/29/09 9:35 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I don't think it's nonsense, Tony. In this day and age, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are pretty widely viewed as pretty backwards. Given Mayor Nutter's emphasis on being green, I think the issue of what chemicals are being pumped into Clark and other parks is an entirely valid one for public discussion - not just for safety of kids and pets but for broader ecological reasons. And there's no need to be defensive - I don't think anyone is accusing Moon Site Management of being evil people. That doesn't mean folks can't raise issues with specific things they do that people might want changed. I think Glenn has a point. Does anyone care if there are dandelions in Clark Park? We all want grass in our park, but is fertilizer really necessary? If so could we find a greener alternative? Let's call Mike McGrath (from the radio, not the neighborhood)! I imagine there would be a lot of popular support in the neighborhood for trying to make Clark Park a model of green, ecofriendly maintenance. I would imagine that that is the sort of thing Mike Diberardinis would leap to support. Given that green is hot, and that FOCP's job is theoretically to advocate for the desires and interests of park users and the surrounding community, this seems like an ideal campaign to take up. I would guess there a lot of funding sources for this type of thing right now. I mean, if the city can embark on this project: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/62007227.html Why can't we eliminate chemicals from our parks? If FOCP were to take up this battle, I might even be lured to get involved. Really, I can't see why you're so dismissive of the issue. Kimm On 9/29/09 6:42 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: It's all very well known, KC. It's been going on for 10 years now. Clark Park is a part of the City of Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation and and this is what the City welcomes to have done in this park. It spares the City the cost of doing the job itself, which is appreciated when there is a budget crisis, as there is now. The guys who were hired are Moon Site Management. They are the reason the trash is removed twice a week rather than once a week during the peak season. They are the reason the grass in the park is mown more than once every 2 months in the peak season. And they are the sole reason the grass gets any maintenance at all; your tax dollars purchase ZERO lawn care ever, for our neighborhood's most cherished and most heavily used and abused lawn. It isn't enough. But it's better than nothing. Neighbors who care about Clark Park pitch in every spring to the 'Party for the Park' fundraiser that supports this neighborhood green initiative. Maybe you'll join us next year! I can't tell you tonight precisely which ground-care treatment was applied today. At this time of year, it's more likely to have been a fertilizer than an herbicide. Some fertilizers are toxic to animals, though, and require a certain amount of settling in before creatures should walk across treated areas. That's why warning signs are placed by Rec. When the risk has passed, the signs are removed. For people who want the facts on this particular chemical, we'll round that up and report back to you tomorrow. In the meantime, please don't panic about this poison nonsense. People who've lived in the neighborhood for a while have heard all Glenn's stuff before. It is more of a personal problem than a public problem. -- Tony West KC Hibbard wrote: Does anyone know who actually contracted the ground poisoning? Seems that that party should be targeted. The most immediate at risk part of the population from herbicide and pesticide use is children and pets. They have a faster metabolism. Think of the kids kicking around in the dust at the fair this past week. Breathing poison dirt. The long range risks involve destroying our watershed. This practice is irresponsible and must be stopped. It's funny that Penn is touting it's committment to environmental causes, creating more green space all the while dumping herbicides all summer and wacking the grass with weed wackers so it dies at the edges of the lawns so they repeat the grass- seed -poison cycle. Is it UCD, FOCP or Fairmount Park? Who hired these guys? 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. 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. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list
Re: [UC] Poison alert, Clark Park Who payed for this?
http://www.restorewisconsin.com/media/Municipalbrochure.pdf On 9/29/09 9:35 PM, Kimm Tynan kimm.ty...@verizon.net wrote: I don't think it's nonsense, Tony. In this day and age, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are pretty widely viewed as pretty backwards. Given Mayor Nutter's emphasis on being green, I think the issue of what chemicals are being pumped into Clark and other parks is an entirely valid one for public discussion - not just for safety of kids and pets but for broader ecological reasons. And there's no need to be defensive - I don't think anyone is accusing Moon Site Management of being evil people. That doesn't mean folks can't raise issues with specific things they do that people might want changed. I think Glenn has a point. Does anyone care if there are dandelions in Clark Park? We all want grass in our park, but is fertilizer really necessary? If so could we find a greener alternative? Let's call Mike McGrath (from the radio, not the neighborhood)! I imagine there would be a lot of popular support in the neighborhood for trying to make Clark Park a model of green, ecofriendly maintenance. I would imagine that that is the sort of thing Mike Diberardinis would leap to support. Given that green is hot, and that FOCP's job is theoretically to advocate for the desires and interests of park users and the surrounding community, this seems like an ideal campaign to take up. I would guess there a lot of funding sources for this type of thing right now. I mean, if the city can embark on this project: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/62007227.html Why can't we eliminate chemicals from our parks? If FOCP were to take up this battle, I might even be lured to get involved. Really, I can't see why you're so dismissive of the issue. Kimm On 9/29/09 6:42 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: It's all very well known, KC. It's been going on for 10 years now. Clark Park is a part of the City of Philadelphia Dept. of Recreation and and this is what the City welcomes to have done in this park. It spares the City the cost of doing the job itself, which is appreciated when there is a budget crisis, as there is now. The guys who were hired are Moon Site Management. They are the reason the trash is removed twice a week rather than once a week during the peak season. They are the reason the grass in the park is mown more than once every 2 months in the peak season. And they are the sole reason the grass gets any maintenance at all; your tax dollars purchase ZERO lawn care ever, for our neighborhood's most cherished and most heavily used and abused lawn. It isn't enough. But it's better than nothing. Neighbors who care about Clark Park pitch in every spring to the 'Party for the Park' fundraiser that supports this neighborhood green initiative. Maybe you'll join us next year! I can't tell you tonight precisely which ground-care treatment was applied today. At this time of year, it's more likely to have been a fertilizer than an herbicide. Some fertilizers are toxic to animals, though, and require a certain amount of settling in before creatures should walk across treated areas. That's why warning signs are placed by Rec. When the risk has passed, the signs are removed. For people who want the facts on this particular chemical, we'll round that up and report back to you tomorrow. In the meantime, please don't panic about this poison nonsense. People who've lived in the neighborhood for a while have heard all Glenn's stuff before. It is more of a personal problem than a public problem. -- Tony West KC Hibbard wrote: Does anyone know who actually contracted the ground poisoning? Seems that that party should be targeted. The most immediate at risk part of the population from herbicide and pesticide use is children and pets. They have a faster metabolism. Think of the kids kicking around in the dust at the fair this past week. Breathing poison dirt. The long range risks involve destroying our watershed. This practice is irresponsible and must be stopped. It's funny that Penn is touting it's committment to environmental causes, creating more green space all the while dumping herbicides all summer and wacking the grass with weed wackers so it dies at the edges of the lawns so they repeat the grass- seed -poison cycle. Is it UCD, FOCP or Fairmount Park? Who hired these guys? 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. 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. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com
Re: [UC] University City Pediatricians
Not in the neighborhood, but we¹re happy with Society Hill Pediatrics. On 8/26/09 8:35 AM, Kathleen Turner khturne...@gmail.com wrote: We have used University City Family Medicine for 20 years. I will say that I've never been particularly enchanted with one of their doctors, but have always been very happy with all of their other practitioners. We've found that it is a real plus for us to have a primary care provider who treats the whole family, and now that my children are older the transition from pediatric to adolescent care has been much easier. We've never had problems getting appointments when needed, and rarely have a long wait. Kathleen On Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 4:17 PM, Manuel McDonnell-Smith manuelsm...@gmail.com wrote: So fed up with the cattle queue at the Children's Hospital Primary Care Office at St Leonard's Court. A terrible experience every time that only gets worse. Can anyone recommend a reputable pediatrician or family doctor in the neighborhood? Sent from Manuel McDonnell-Smith manuelsm...@gmail.com
[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] experience with boarding dogs in the area?
We¹ve boarded our dogs at O¹Neal for . . . 17 years? Obviously, we¹re very happy with them. On 8/20/09 1:09 PM, Elaine Jenson elaine_jen...@yahoo.com wrote: Do you have any experience (good or bad) with boarding dogs in the area? Anyone ever used O'Neal's? ___ ucneighbors mailing list ucneighb...@lists.asc.upenn.edu http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
[UC] Porch contractor?
Hi all. We need to replace our porch and I¹d appreciate any contractor recommendations. I checked the archive thought sure I had seen some posts on this not too long ago, but did not find much. Thanks in advance for any help. Kimm
[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] [Fwd: 48th and Baltimore: A Trial Balloon Attack?]
Thanks for sharing that, Joe. Kimm On 6/6/09 6:57 PM, Joe Clarke philly.jo...@gmail.com wrote: I received this from Ray Murphy this morning and wanted to share it with the list. My post, Vigilante Vandalism, refers to it, partly because I thought that it was already posted on the list. So with no more delay. Joe Clarke Duane Ball would laugh if he knew thatby defaulthe has been accused of being a gentrifier. But Duane died two years ago, so he¹s not around to defend himself from an attack on a new neighborhood restaurant that opened in his honor. *On Wednesday, balloons filled with paint were thrown at the front of the new Gold Standard at 48th and Baltimore and the word ³gentrifier² was scrawled across its front.* To call Duane or his partners--who now run the new restaurant and have lived together on South 48th Street for almost thirty-years--gentrifiers is more than unfair. Duane bought his house with Roger Harman in 1976 when the block was still red-lined by most mortgage companies. They then proceeded to open a restaurant-the original Gold Standard--on a block of 47th Street that would not be called gentrified today, let alone then. That restaurant only lasted a few years. After a twenty year stop on Penn's campus, Roger, Duane and third partner Vincent Whittacre built Abbraccio at 47th and Warrington on an abandoned lot just a block from their home. The guys took a huge risk in opening Abbraccio. Although the Dahlak and Gojo and Vientiane paved the way, they did not know if there was enough business here in West Philly to support another restaurant. But before Abbraccio you would have been hard pressed to find somewhere nice to eat a sit-down meal for an anniversary, birthday, funeral or graduation not just in Cedar Park, but in the whole of West and Southwest Philadelphia. That¹s why Abbraccio's tables were so often occupied by many different kinds of people--pretty much the opposite of the crowd you might find in a gentrified spot. *On June 19, 2007 Duane died at home. *I was therealong with a lot of the other neighbors Duane and come to love as family in his 30 years in the neighborhood. Duane's interaction and devotion to this neighborhood taught me a lot about what community means. Duane had a family of origin for sure, but it was his West Philadelphia family of choice that sustained him. Duane¹s loss made it almost impossible for Abbraccio to keep going. But his memory also compelled Roger and Vincent to stay in the business. The new Gold Standard exists in part as a monument to Duane's love of this neighborhood. It was here, I think, that he found his idea of a paradise on earth. Duane really loved his house and this neighborhood. Although we have a history of neighbors seeking utopia (Google ³Movement for a New Society,² a group which started the land trust that still owns a few group houses, the co-op and the A-Space today), we certainly have our share of problems too. *There are inequities here.* Many of the folks who were my age when they moved to West Philly in the 1970s now live in houses worth 20 times more than they paid for them. Increased home values means that there has started to be some displacement of the renters--including people of color, LGBT folks, immigrants and others--who have always guaranteed the neighborhood's diversity. . While queer people feel pretty safe here, I have been a called a fag at least three times in the past year alone on the block where I live. Crime is also an issue: And it seems to only increase as the gap in income grows. And there has always been a town and gown relationship with Penn--especially when it comes to race So what was Wednesday¹s petty act of vandalism about? *Was the attack a trial balloon? An attempt to define the sense of conflict that seems to be brewing in our neighborhood about all of the changes going on?* If so, I think the agitators may have their hearts in the right place, but are attacking the wrong people. Traditionally the idea of gentrification is that higher income earners purchase land and property to displace lower income people. It has almost never been the case in Cedar Park that gentrification has occurred. And it is certainly not the case when it comes to the new restaurant. This neighborhood is far from perfect. But there has been literally decades worth of time invested by blacks, whites, Asians, Latinos, the young, the old, queers, straights, Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, Anarchists, Atheists and so many more to be intentional about this community. To keep it a place where all are welcome, all can afford to stay, and all are valued. *Throwing balloons filled with paint onto a community space-especially one few of us ever expected to see come alive as it has-is not the act of someone who really cares enough to be a part of this community, or who even really
Re: [UC] Gold Standard Vandalized
Definitely not. I was saddened to see it this morning. Sorry guys. Kimm On 6/3/09 7:04 PM, Wilma de Soto wil.p...@verizon.net wrote: That's really awful what happened there. Roger and Vincent did not deserve that. It's odd because they were in a tweet I received today from Zagat Buzz: http://www.zagat.com/Blog/EntryList.aspx?SNP=NPHSCID=38CATID=1009zagatbuz zid=june09week1 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. 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] City Council Parks Bill Pulled - a Victory for Now
Mike Diberardinis is back at the city? Wow. Missed that. Well, unless Mike has changed radically over the last several years (which is possible), Mike is one of the good guys, and that¹s good news. I worked with Mike when we were both community organizing in Kensington back in the 90s. The Mike I know is very progressive and was a fabulous advocate for neighborhoods as rec commissioner. Lived in Fishtown long before Fishtown was cool. As far as I can tell he was a huge advocate for preservation of open space as Secretary of the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Mike I know would never have supported this plan. People change, it¹s been a long time. But, I would absolutely give him the benefit of the doubt. Mike IS a ³master of tact.² And, apparently his appointment is very recent, so maybe this snuck up on him. And yes, thanks to Karen for bringing this to our attention. Kimm On 5/20/09 10:31 AM, mcget...@aol.com mcget...@aol.com wrote: I totally agree with Glenn. Krajewski has unwittingly revealed how eager some quarters are to exploit the new arrangement for supervising our parks. In this case, however, she shot herself in the foot with a preposterously broad proposal to open up all of Fairmount Park to developers. Her claim that this legislation was only intended to address some problems at Glen Foerd lacks credibility. For instance, why would specific issues regarding the catering operation at Glen Foerd require new legislation to include permission to build single-family residences in the park? You don't need to be a conspiracy theorist to suspect what's behind that proposal. Particularly troubling was the tepid response of the new man in charge of parks and recreation, Michael DiBerardinis. Saying (in the Inquirer, 5/19) that he was concerned about the broad nature of the proposed legislation, he promised to attempt to rein it in! Is it unreasonable to expect the commissioner charged with protecting our parks to clearly and firmly oppose such a threatening bill? Either he is a master of tact, allowing Krajewski to save face while opposing her legislation behind the scenes, or he is just another pol. Only time will tell. Thanks to Karen for bringing this issue to the attention of the list. The vigilance of organizations such as SCRUBS and the Philadelphia Parks Alliance stands in sad contrast to the poor performance of our own neighborhood organizations with regard to the 40th and Pine hotel project and the destruction of the historic building at 43rd and Baltimore. Mary Recession-proof vacation ideas. Find free things to do in the U.S. http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/national-tourism-week?ncid=emlcnt ustrav0002
Re: [UC] FW: Parks Threatened by Proposed Council Bill
Oh my god. On 5/13/09 11:04 AM, KAREN ALLEN kallena...@msn.com wrote: FYI Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 10:03:03 -0400 From: sc...@urbanblight.org To: kallena...@msn.com Subject: Parks Threatened by Proposed Council Bill Dear Members and Friends, A seriously mind-boggling piece of legislation (see full text below) was introduced last Thursday, May 7, 2009 in City Council proposing the following new uses on parcels of public land zoned recreational: * Catering Facilities, including accessory live entertainment and dancing; * Conference centers; * Detached single-family dwellings; * Meeting facilities; * Museums; or * Public or private parking lots. We are all aware of the City's serious budget deficit and the understandable preoccupation of the Mayor and City Council to find additional revenue sources. However, once any of the proposed uses are built on public land, our park land will be gone forever. Fairmount Park is the nation's largest urban park. It is a source of pride among citizens of Philadelphia and it should be protected and preserved for all future Philadelphians. PLEASE FORWARD TO FIVE OF YOUR FRIENDS AND INVITE THEM TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM SCRUB, THE PUBLIC VOICE FOR PUBLIC SPACE! http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1101419655930a=1102578823074ea =kallena...@msn.com Thanks, Mary Tracy Executive Director Full Text of Bill 090380 Below: BILL NO. 090380 Introduced May 7, 2009 Councilmember Krajewski Referred to the Committee on Rules AN ORDINANCE Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Zoning and Planning, by amending Chapter 14-700, entitled Recreational Districts, by amending the uses permitted in the District, and by adding provisions with regard to signs. THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows: TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING. * * * CHAPTER 14-700. RECREATIONAL DISTRICTS. §14-701. Classes. (1) Recreational Districts shall be designated as: Recreational (REC), Passive Recreation (REC-P), and Active Recreation (REC-A). §14-702. Designation. (1) Parcels of public land under the jurisdiction of the City of Philadelphia Department of Recreation, FairmountPark Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the National Park Service of the United States Government which are devoted to park and/orrecreational purposes and permitted related uses may be designated on the zoning maps as Recreational (REC), Passive Recreation (REC-P), and Active Recreation (REC-A). §14-703. Recreational District (REC). (1) Use Regulations. The specific uses permitted in this district shall be the erection, construction, alteration, or use of buildings and/or land for: (a) [a]Any type of recreational use or activity, including recreational activities related to the use of creeks and rivers; [provided, that any private operation for private profit located within this district at a distance of 500 feet or less from any district boundary shall be permitted only if a certificate from the Zoning Board of Adjustment is obtained.] (b) Catering facilities, including accessory live entertainment and dancing; (c) Conference centers; (d) Detached single-family dwellings; (e) Meeting facilities; (f) Museums; (g) Public or private parking lot, accessory to any use permitted in the district; (h) Public or private parking area, accessory to any use permitted in the district, limited in use to special events or special occasions. Such parking areas shall be unpaved, due to the occasional use of such parking areas; (i) Accessory uses, customarily incidental to any of the above permitted uses; (j) All limitations on multiple buildings on a lot, whether stated or implied, shall not apply in this district. (2) Area and Height Regulations. Where a Recreational District is in the same block with any other district, said Recreational District shall comply with the area and height regulations of the most restrictive district which abuts upon said Recreational District. (3) Signs. Accessory signs shall be permitted upon approval by the Art Commission. * * * SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately. Donate to SCRUB Please contribute to SCRUB at www.publicvoiceforpublicspace.org http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102578823074s=56e=00129fkJZYhzWq61AjPbuedLUW2QNL LJUidJFYhxf3cMyl262oChXIkB6laqS487iA_DvWwp9nEuYU8ddFBz6t2vO9_OzKny-XUXcCs4h_r sAe-ui6JNnu67fEbl2LYQzglcOFEEwNKwL4= or by sending a check payable to SCRUB at 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1605, Philadelphia, PA 19107. SCRUB, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is Philadelphia's public voice for public space. SCRUB's mission is to promote healthy, vibrant, beautiful public spaces throughout Philadelphia by using
[UC] More Bogus Ticketing
So, we just received a Code Violation Notice for a trash violation. The cover letter is dated May 6, 2009. The accompanying copy of a ticket is dated December 23, 2008, supposedly for ³full open rubbish bins² put out at 9 am on a Tuesday. We NEVER put our trash out early, though our neighbors might. We¹re lucky if it goes out at all. Point is, it¹s impossible to defend against this sort of thing when the ticket arrives six months after the alleged violation. I know, I¹m preaching to the choir. Just venting for now. When I have more time and less anger, I will direct my complaints to the proper authorities. Kimm
Re: [UC] Vet recommendation?
I've never had a problem finding parking on 45th St. Kimm On 4/24/09 9:58 AM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: Margie, Yep. We've shlepped pets to O'Neal for decades, always by car. -- Tony West Parking is never a problem at O'Neal Animal Hospital (4400 block of Market). You can either park in their driveway, or there is always parking on the north side of Market (where the El tracks rise out of the ground so there is nothing there). Margie 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. 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] Vet recommendation?
Me too. Been going to Littlejohn for probably 15 years. Kimm On 4/23/09 1:12 PM, frby...@aol.com frby...@aol.com wrote: I am also very happy with Dr. Littlejohn. Fran In a message dated 4/23/2009 12:55:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, m.polit...@verizon.net writes: Mark, I've been happy with Dr. Littlejohn at: O'Neal Animal Hospital 4424 Market Street 386-3293 Margie Hello UC list: Can anyone recommend a good vet for a routine checkup? Next month it will have been a year since I adopted my dog. She's been very healthy, so I haven't had a need to visit the vet until now. Obviously, I'd prefer to go to one in University City, but Center City is fine too. VHUP is out because I've heard they're very expensive (but correct me if I'm wrong). Thanks a lot, Mark 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. 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. Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the web. Get the Radio Toolbar http://toolbar.aol.com/aolradio/download.html?ncid=emlcntusdown0003 !
[UC] Baltimore Avenue closing?
Anyone know why Baltimore Avenue is going to be closed at 43rd St. on April 20? Kimm
Re: [UC] Rep Roebuck is now also on record as opposing the Campus Inn
Wow. This is fabulous! On 2/18/09 11:10 AM, krf...@aol.com krf...@aol.com wrote: The first of the open letters from two West Philadelphia Political Leaders to ZBA chair Susan Jaffe opposing the Campus Inn zoning variance was written by Representative Jim Roebuck (somehow, his name was omitted from the print edition). The second letter in opposition was, as I mentioned in an earlier posting, from Councilwoman Blackwell. Also, I did not mean to imply, as one follow-up posting noted, that the comments in my posting about unwillingness to compromise by proponents of proposals that have been relegated to the scrap heap in this neighborhood were those of the Councilwoman. They were my own takes on ideas that had underlying merit but serious flaws in the means being advocated for implementation. Flaws that might have been overcome had the initiators been receptive to inputs from the people who would have been affected by them, and been genuinely interested in alternatives that would have been more broadly acceptable. I don't mean to imply that anyone's personal business is subject to democratic approval. In fact, my position is quite to the contrary. People have individual rights. But they should realize that when these rights have serious impact on others, these rights should be exercised in a responsible way that does not cause damage to those others. The three examples I used -- the Historic District nomination, the NID, and the Campus Inn -- are all in this category. They damage others so the others have a right to become involved. In this instance, maybe an extended stay to accommodate visitors to hospital patients is a great idea. And, maybe it has to have some minimum number of rooms to be economically viable (after all, neither Campus Apts, Tom Lussenhop, or Hersha Hospitality is or should be required to act as a great philanthropic trust). But, if this is the case, then they should be looking for a suitable place to build it, and not try to make it a square peg in a round hole situation -- just because they can get a land lease at 40th Pine on the cheap from those wonderful folks in the Penn real Estate Dept. Remember, you first read it here on the popu-list Alan Krigman Need a job? Find an employment agency near you http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agenciesncid=emlcntusyelp 0003 .
Re: [UC] History of neighborhood groups
Tony, It's not a very interesting and informative summary. It's a painful, gut-wrenching story. Please don't give Karen's story such short shrift. I am considering honoring what Karen just did by telling the story of the Friends of Calvary, which is remarkably similar. But it is hard and painful. What Karen just did is amazing. But you haven't heard a word that she said, and she obviously spent an enormous amount of time and emotional energy saying it. You just moved on to the practicality of the WPFHPI. Which is why this neighborhood can't get past this stuff - because the folks who need to listen refuse to. And frankly, if that is your reaction, then, aside from solidarity with Karen and Wilma, I see little reason to invest the time and energy to educate you further. Kimm On 2/12/09 6:55 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: A very interesting and informative summary, Karen. It certainly raises a new question for every one it answers. One is the practicality of the WPFHPI idea in the first place. I wasn't close to the Cedar Park business world in 1988, but what one saw of Baltimore Ave. then was, left to its own devices, the market would have turned the old firehouse into something like a garage or a storefront church, that probably would have catered more to the west of 49th Street community. So that move to set up a farmers' market instead -- was that popular both east and west? Does anybody else recall? -- Tony West KAREN ALLEN wrote: Wilma is correct. I was not on the Firehouse Board, but I was on the CPN board in 1988-1990 when this all took place. I don't have as intricate knowledge as Wilma does of the Firehouse Board (known officially as the West Philadelphia Firehouse Project, Inc or WPFHPI), but I know a lot of the CPN part of it. I distinctly remember that the late Annie Canty, who was then President of CPN, got the City, through Councilman Lucien Blackwell's office, to deed the abandoned firehouse to CPN for one dollar after the engine company moved to a new firehouse at 52nd and Willows. The plan was to make fresh fruits and vegs available to the neighborhood becasue of the lack of grocery stores or markets in the surrounding community. It was supposed to be a farmers market, hence the name Firehouse Farmers Market. The market got a grant from the state because of the farmers market aspect of the project. There was a requirement that the market structure be a public/private partnership, with CPN being the steward of the public interest. But what ended up happining was that the private partner was friends with a number of people in the neighborhood, and those people became members of the CPN and Firehouse boards and they tried to manipulate those boards into giving the private partner free reign. Two factions emerged which broke down as those who wanted to preserve the vision of the market as being for the community, and those who wanted to give the private owner free reign. The community faction for the most part lived west of 49th Street [racial code] and was black, while the private owner faction lived east of 49th Street [more racial code] and was pretty much white, so the stage was set for a lot of hostility and tension. There were constant accusations of undisclosed conflicts of interest and that the Firehouse Board was not providing oversight, but was simply rubberstamping whatever the owner wanted to do. The accusation was also that the private partner's supporters used the black community to get the building and create the market, but once created, did something completely different and wanted to push that community out. The situation on the CPN Board came to a head with the election for President for the 1989-90 Board term. One candidate was a black female supported by the community faction and the other was a white male supported by the private owner faction. There was an active election campaign, unusual by community association election standards: There were editorial letters, fliers, community newspapers etc, covering the issue as one of who would control the destiny of the Firehouse Market: would it benefit the community or private interests? The election came and something like 300 people showed up, a record never seen before or since. The private owner candidate won, but then came allegations of election fraud because someone among the other Board candidates on the ballot helped count the votes with the current Board President, who was a private owner supporter. While that contorversy raged, then came a bombshell. Just before the election, I aked my then-next door neighbor, who was white, if she was going to come vote in the CPN election, and she made an offhand reference that she already knew because she had gotten the flier at her door from someone in the neighborhood. I thought it was odd, because I didn't know anything about a flier and because my
Re: [UC] Demolition alert: 4224 Baltimore Ave - Guy Laren's comparison to Campus Inn project
Melani, Guy, you ask a good question here, but I don't see why you attribute it to Karen. Her disparaging email to me, cc'd to the list, didn't comment on precedent; it was personal. It seemed pretty apparent to me that Karen was making the point that the supporters of the hotel opened the door to the precedent that could lead to another high rise on Campanella¹s property, which precedent is the reason many of us oppose the hotel. If a small, vocal group of our UC neighbors continues to reject the restrictions which a local HD would impose, then, because of the increasing popularity of our neighborhood, we are probably beginning an era of tear-downs and requests for changes in height. This is a false dichotomy and red herring. There¹s absolutely no reason that a historic district is the only way to maintain height restrictions. It¹s not an either or choice. Kimm On 2/11/09 11:57 AM, mlam...@aol.com mlam...@aol.com wrote: In a message dated 2/11/09 4:30:50 AM, lom...@aol.com writes: Melani You make a good point about not personalizing issues. I have known you to be passionate about many UC issues, but always with well-reasoned and well-intended purposes. In addition, your passion has always been backed up with action. I agree that I doubt that you will benefit personally in any financial manner from your support of the 10 story hotel. It is always a shame when community members, who share interests in supporting their neighbors and their community, get so passionate about individual causes that they end up angry at each other. However, outside of the issue of keeping Spruce Hill residents united, is the issue that Karen aptly raises: that if the hotel is allowed to obliterate the zoning standards of three story. 35 feet high side yards rear yards adequate parking then how will the neighbors and Spruce Hill justify fighting the same request from other developers all over Spruce Hill? Certainly it's going to be an enormous issue at the 4224 Baltimore Ave site. There's going to be some kind of battle at that site in the near future. The owner, Mr Campanella, is a large developer who does lots of drug store boxes. He's also done luxury high rise condos and other large-scale projects. I believe that he's also been indicted twice for assorted crimes, but I can only find the one on Google (his recent conviction for bribing a public official). I can assure you that Mr Campanella is not taking the 4224 Baltimore bldg down because he wants to put two or three historically sensitive single family homes up. I guess what I'm asking you is: do you acknowledge Karen's point that the precedent set by the Hotel will make a dangerously strong argument for future developments in the UC area? Guy, you ask a good question here, but I don't see why you attribute it to Karen. Her disparaging email to me, cc'd to the list, didn't comment on precedent; it was personal. My response was that I am saddened by her resort to personal attacks, when her views could better be substantiated with reasoned argument - as you've made here. It is a pleasant change to read a message on this listserv about the proposed Campus Inn from someone who states his thoughts reasonably, without malice or exaggerated accusations. Thank you for setting a positive tone. In answer to your question, first I'll repeat that I would like to see the Italianate building on Pine Street saved and restored. That's my motivation; it is not exactly that I can't wait to see a 10-story building next door - but I don't oppose it, either, because the new building is the trade-off which will provide funds for the old building's restoration. I see this as a pragmatic solution. I believe that the precedent for taller buildings in residential areas was set years ago, when the 6-story Garden Court apartments (1922; now condos, no parking) and the 13-story Garden Court Plaza (1926-1930, with parking) were built adjacent to single homes; and when the 10-story Fairfax Apartments building (1926; no parking) was built right up against the backs of the row houses on St. Mark's Square, without setbacks from the St. Mark's rear yards. In each of these cases, the taller buildings seem not to have had a negative impact on their residential settings; for these locations are about the most desirable and expensive for University City homeowners today! Drive north on 43rd or 46th St. at this time of year, when there are no leaves on the trees - these tall buildings will pop out at you above the house rooftops, if you are looking for them - but if you're walking by and not purposely looking, they blend into the landscape we are familiar with in our neighborhood. I think that a taller building at 40th Pine won't be any more intrusive, will soon be just as familiar. Alas, the proposed inn's location at 40th Pine is not in a local historic district! If it
Re: [UC] History of neighborhood groups (Was: Re: Penn-gemony receives its next Mayor)
Tony, I want to make the record clear for UC-list's sake, that, after reflection, nobody on UC-list can recall a single instance in which a Friends of... group was spun off from a community association in University City, powerful or otherwise, to achieve any aim, nefarious or otherwise. That's not true. The Friends of Calvary is/was a spinoff or subgroup of the UCHS. I believe, but could be wrong, that the Friends of the Woodlands is/was as well. I don't believe Calvary . . . ever had a Friends of group attached to them. See above. Kimm On 2/11/09 10:32 PM, Anthony West anthony_w...@earthlink.net wrote: I'm sure you're right, Wilma. People can be unkind and unfair and cruel to each other in any volunteer association. Social slights like these are always saddening. One always hopes one's group can engage in it as little as possible, but human nature comes with limits. I want to make the record clear for UC-list's sake, that, after reflection, nobody on UC-list can recall a single instance in which a Friends of... group was spun off from a community association in University City, powerful or otherwise, to achieve any aim, nefarious or otherwise. Most Friends of... groups are created to provide single-interest community backing to public facilities that could benefit from additional input and assistance. Thus we have, in UC alone, Friends of Malcolm X Park and Friends of the Walnut Street West Library. They are, of course, widespread elsewhere and most public institutions welcome and foster them. I don't believe Calvary, the Firehouse Market or University City District ever had a Friends of group attached to them. They are really different community institutions, for several different reasons, and often aren't similar to each other either. Community associations are in a separate class of their own, with special features. Friends of 40th St. is kind of platypus, with features taken from many other classes. It too is not without precedents elsewhere, though. -- Tony West Still, there are community members who have joined the established UC community organizations over the years, who have pledged many hours/years and personal funds, and even slightly neglected their own families and relationships to support neighborhood issues their very credible community leaders charged them to do. The point is now many of those who have served faithfully are now without the powerful UC Community organizations backed Friends to advocate for them. The hurting thing is the opposing community members to this hotel project are desperately trying to uphold the original vision of the established UC leaders and community organizations they represent. Now they find themselves at cross purposes. Any human, even if they do not agree, should understand their sense of betrayal. - W. 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. 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] Neighborhood Kids need advice and direction
Liz, I second Paul¹s advice. Send her to CLS. They have outstanding attorneys in the Employment Unit who deal with this type of stuff all the time, and if people qualify under their income guidelines, they could potentially represent other employees there. They are very good at what they do, and aren¹t concerned that only a relatively small amount of money is at issue. And they¹re not afraid of the mob. I think they would enjoy going after scumbags like this. Kimm On 2/2/09 2:47 PM, Paul Uyehara pmuyeh...@aol.com wrote: Send the kid to Community Legal Services, 1424 Chestnut St, 9 - noon, to get legal advice about filing a claim for unpaid wages. They have people with expertise in employment law and may be able to collect complaints from others in the same workplace. They don't charge and can advise her assuming she has no or low income now. I would not suggest she go to ICE unless she's in a really good position to determine co-worker's legal status. Otherwise, the suspicious looking workers will be put through the wringer for nothing, perhaps worse. Even if the kid had good info, I'd think twice about calling for a raid. LCB should be the agency to deal w underage drinking. -Original Message- From: campio...@juno.com campio...@juno.com To: pf...@ccat.sas.upenn.edu; UnivCity@list.purple.com Sent: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 2:01 pm Subject: [UC] Neighborhood Kids need advice and direction A local young adult waited tables at a Center City Restaurant through the Autumn. All parties knew the job would end in December because the Waiter had January commitments.. There were 3 days (18 hours) of training to be paid at minimum wage ($7.15 / hour) for a total of $135.00 This young person did not keep perfect records, but can reasonably=2 0document about 300 hours of wait-time at $2.83 / hour for another $849.00 so this kid is owed at least $984.00. The managers and owners were asked weekly for the paychecks. The waiter was told be patient, don't make waves or we'll fire you, trust us, look at it this way, when you finally get your check, it will be a big lump sum². In January it became clear that payment was not forthcoming. When the waiter threatened to take action, the manager said that the waiter had reported zero on the tips line of the time sheets and was thus guilty of tax fraud. The waiter felt extorted to be complicit in fraud. The waiter claims. no one in the restaurant ever explained what the line was for and the manager instructed all waiters to put Zero in that blank. Since there were at least 8 weeks in which no one from management questioned the zero placed on that line, it strikes me that management was doing nothing to prevent fraud, but was instead encouraging it and later using this 'evidence' as a threat to extort money from the staff. Since it is my nature to attempt to see the entire picture, I asked pointed questions and got answers which lead me to believe that: Illegal immigrants work in the kitchen and as busboys. Under age employees were allowed to drink at the bar. Employees were pe rmitted to drink while working. High turnover may have been the result of less patient waiters quitting for nonpayment. Management placed cash charges against some waiters (stiffing them for the money). Employees took bribes to let non-employees move through the kitchen (from the back Alley to Broad St). The owner drinks, at the bar, all day most days. The drunken owner slapped waitresses on the ass, usually with billing folder When there were staff shortages, waiters were told to come in, on scheduled off-days, (or be fired). I have personally spoken with the manager and let her know the contempt I feel for someone who would steal from a kid. I also confirmed that at least one of the owners is a co-conspirator and not a co-victim of a thieving manager. The manager says, she believes the kid is owed something but has no authority to write a check. The owner said, be patient, a little longer. Note being paid in 2009 may mean higher tax deduction as the kid had almost no income in 2008, but expects to have a real job for most of 2009. Obviously this kid is ready to take money owed and move-on. All I have is the hearsay complaint, of a believable kid. I am not sure how involved I should get. How do I help this kid get paid? There does not seem to be enough money at stake to recommend paying an attorney, but maybe there could be punitive damages, or a class action. What should I do to the manager and the owner? I have told the kid to document tips and report them to the IRS, before April 15. My instinct is to encourage the kid to file complaints with: IRS, and city and state taxing Authorities INS Do list members agree? Know how to file (where to send the info)? Have other suggestions? For example: Could the kid file criminal charges for
Re: [UC] Neighborhood Kids need advice and direction - ICE
People who have spent several months at an establishment have a reasonable idea of who belongs. No, Craig, they don¹t. Do you understand the difference between a temporary H1B or H2B visa, a permanent resident alien, or a student visa? Do you think this kid does? Do you think folks with legitimate if non-citizen status don¹t get a little antsy to have ICE poking around? It ain¹t as simple as you paint it. Immigration law is very complex. I don¹t expect a kid to be able to make any judgments on the issue, and I think anyone who would has extremely poor judgment. Kimm On 2/2/09 3:04 PM, craigso...@aol.com craigso...@aol.com wrote: In a message dated 2/2/2009 2:48:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, pmuyeh...@aol.com writes: I would not suggest she go to ICE unless she's in a really good position to determine co-worker's legal status. Otherwise, the suspicious looking workers will be put through the wringer for nothing, perhaps worse. Even if the kid had good info, I'd think twice about calling for a raid. Anonymous tips are accepted, though they may not be acted upon. People who have spent several months at an establishment have a reasonable idea of who belongs. During the past several years local blacks have been pushed out of the restaurants by mostly CA illegals working off the books. You call that social justice, Counselor? I thought you were an officer of the court? This city is full of illegals in the restaurant and building maintenance fields, eehhh some of you UC operators. Do the right thing put Americans and green cards to work first. And, what about all the prisoners needing re-entry opportunities, who are denied them because of the illegals in the menial jobs. We are supposed to be a Nation of laws, though the current DC admin doesn't seem to mind tax cheat friends. Happy New Year, Shark! Craig Stay up to date on the latest news - from sports scores to stocks and so much more http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom0022 .
[UC] A washingtonpost.com article from: kimm.ty...@verizon.net
Title: Business Brisk at Area Libraries - washingtonpost.com This page was sent to you by: kimm.ty...@verizon.netMessage from sender: Anyone have the mayor's email address?Business Brisk at Area LibrariesBy Annie GowenNearly every study table is full with patrons sipping lattes and surfing the Web. Teens are curled up in easy chairs. In a worried knot by the doorway, job seekers gather around a sign-up station for the Internet, waiting for their turn.Do you love D.C.? Get the insider's guide to where to stay, what to do and where to eat. Go to www.washingtonpost.com/gog for your guide to D.C. now. 2009 The Washington Post Company | Privacy Policy You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see .
Re: [UC] RE: calling city hall
That would be the Department of Licenses and Inspections. You can find its number on the city¹s website. Kimm On 1/9/09 4:13 PM, McKenzie, Wendell wmcken...@state.pa.us wrote: Does anyone know what department of the city of Philadelphia you need to call if the city tore down a building that you owned. Please post the name of the department and phone number and any experience you may have had. wendy 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] FW: Petition to Keep the Libraries Open
--- On Thu, 12/18/08, Stanley Shapiro sha...@comcast.net wrote: From: Stanley Shapiro sha...@comcast.net Subject: Petition to Keep the Libraries Open To: Stanley Shapiro sha...@comcast.net Date: Thursday, December 18, 2008, 4:29 PM To all my progressive friends: I don't need to tell any of you how outrageous it is for the Mayor to be closing branch libraries. So this is to ask you to do something simple to help keep them open. Neighborhood Networks is circulating the only petition that calls for keeping the libraries open even if that means rolling back a tiny portion of the wage tax cuts that have taken place in each of the last 12 years. There are many other ways of raising the small amount needed to keep these libraries open, but we need to let the Mayor know that if push came to shove, we'd be willing to take even a wage tax increase. And it would indeed be a tiny one. Independent analysis indicates that the actual cost of keeping these libraries open is about $4 million (rather than the $8 million that the Mayor talks about.) Raising the wage tax enough to bring in $4 million would mean an increase of 16 one thousandths of a percent. For a person earning $50,000 a year, that would be a wage tax increase of .03 per day or about $9 per year. Let the Mayor know that it is unconscionable to insist that keeping the libraries open means sacrificing some other service. It doesn't. It means that we increase the wage tax an amount that no one would even notice. Actually it wouldn't actually mean a raise, since there's yet another wage tax cut supposed to go into effect on January 1. If that tax reduction were peeled back only by a third, it would be enough to keep the libraries open. So if you agree that you could take a wage tax increase -- or reduction of your impending wage tax cut -- of around $9 per year to help the kids of this city, go here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NN_savethebranches/signatures.html Sign the petition. Then send the link to five people you know, and ask them to send it to five others, and so on. And then on Christmas Eve, we can tell the Mayor what we think of the lump of coal he's planning to deliver to us all next year. May all our holidays coming up still be happy ones. Stan Shapiro -- End of Forwarded Message
[UC] John Fenton Rocks
I¹d like to take a minute to publicly thank John Fenton and Councilwoman Blackwell for their assistance in getting LI to take down the big, dead, dangerous tree in the 900 block of 49th St. It¹s been a long ordeal, but we neighbors will be sleeping easier tonight. Thanks John! Kimm Tynan
[UC] WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! and heads up to neighbors around 49th Warrington
WOOHOO Ok, having gotten that out of the way . . . . I think someone may be casing cars around 49th Warrington. Last night, when I was taking out the recycling, there was a tall, very slim, seemingly young (20 somethingish, maybe older teen) African American male in a hoody with the hood pulled up who was suspiciously standing in the bicycle lane next to a parked car in front of 905 S. 49th. Something got my radar up (maybe the standing in the street for no apparent reason thing.) There is a 64 stop at the corner, but he seemed to be a bit far away to be waiting for the bus. I kept an eye on him, because my wrongness radar was going off bigtime, and he vanished. I ignored it then, because, I don¹t know maybe it was his car? Maybe he was waiting for a friend? But, tonight, around about the same time, I went out on the front porch for a smoke, and, lo and behold, there was a a tall, very slim, seemingly young (20 somethingish, maybe older teen) African American male in a hoody with the hood pulled up who was suspiciously standing in the bicycle lane next to a parked car in front of 905 S. 49th. Once again, I thought, ok, maybe he¹s waiting for the bus. But, the bus came, and he didn¹t get on. A few minutes later, he wandered down 49th, maybe because I was spending too much time on my porch? No friend met him. I¹m not going to bother the police now, they have other issues on their minds. I¹ll try to remember to report it tomorrow. But my gut tells me neighbors might want to be alert. FWIW. Kimm
Re: [UC] Citizens boycott FOCP last night!
What¹s Project Runway? On 10/16/08 1:15 PM, Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Maybe next time they won't schedule their meeting during a playoff game, a presidential debate AND the Project Runway finale! Where are their priorities??? Frank On Oct 16, 2008, at 11:47 AM, Glenn moyer wrote: Well done West Philadelphia! Last night, the FOCP presented one of their infamous dog and pony shows. They held illegitimate elections which were not announced, refused to allow new business, and silenced good faith assistance as usual. (At three consecutive shows over the past couple years, Glenn Moyer was silenced in less than 15 seconds during the 5 minutes left for the public to praise FOCP) The gang¹s President, Mr. Frank Chance, continued to blame the UC Review for failing to publish their announcements as ordered by the FOCP association members several years ago. In his typical hot headed manner, Mr. Lew Melmon, silenced a long term park volunteer calling election processes and public announcements, ³your bugaboo.² (You may remember that at last years ³election² an angry group challenged Mr. Melmon for flipping out at the Best Fest and violently tossing a Frisbee at the property of performers. Many citizens gave the gang twenty dollars expecting an honest fair election to topple Mr. Melmon's power. Fair and honest FOCP elections-hahaha. Mr. Melmon's election as vice president was, of course, never in doubt) But West Philadelphia citizens did not show up last night for the typical gangland shenanigans! They did not give these clowns twenty dollars to treat them with contempt! Well done West Philly I did not pay the twenty dollar poll tax required to have a voice in the policies for our formerly public park. But as an optimist, I attended in order to thank the FOCP for standing up to Penn Real Estate/UCD, and in order to pledge my assistance to work constructively for reform of the association. Mr melmon silenced me immediately after my thanks and Mr Chance followed-up with the on- going ridiculous accusation against the UC Review. Neighbors, they couldn¹t find residents willing to join their board! So they anointed one of the propagandists pushing the dog park even though she was not present for the election. You will soon hear the FOCP whine that ³nobody puts their money where their mouth is² and nobody shows up when ordered for their work days. These pathetic clowns believe that they can treat their members and the community like shit, and then order people to show up, give them twenty dollars, and follow their work orders. As we have experienced time and again, neighbors only give the FOCP/ SHCA/UCHS twenty dollars out of terror when they feel compelled to stop whatever the FOCP/SHCA/UCHS and UCD have secretly plotted. (Of course, middle class families pay them about 50 bucks so that their children may play soccer at the fee required upscale park) Neighbors, when the FOCP whines and demands money from you; do not give them one penny! If you wish to serve this community, contact the IRS and ask for the 501 c 3 status of FOCP to be stripped for the continuous violation of bylaws such as their continuous refusal to properly announce meetings and elections. Contact any funding agencies and explain that FOCP is a mean-spirited gang working against the interests of the community and democratic processes in order to recreate our much loved public park into a privatized upscale recreation center. Well done West Philly! The pathetic FOCP is collapsing because of its decades of outrageous contempt for this community! Sincerely, Glenn Moyer, citizen journalist cc Matt Grubbel (Sorry Matt, the truth must be told to the community. I really wanted to help you bring some credibility to the gang!) 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. 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] Clark Park is for sale
On 10/16/08 1:54 PM, Glenn moyer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It was revealed last night that FOCP will start selling advertising rights in Clark Park. So far, a bench in the shape of one of the car share companies is planned. OK someone please say it ain¹t so? Kimm
Re: [UC] Clark Park is for sale
Ok. So, just to be clear, FOCP is not selling advertising rights in Clark Park? I don¹t have to worry about billboards for payday lenders in the Park? Kimm On 10/16/08 11:00 PM, Anthony West [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It isn't so, Kimm. Glenn is talking about a street-art installation left over from a citywide project, which cut up a car into two pieces, that can be used as a bench. These were originally set up in Center City on-street parking spaces, to demonstrate the potential of car-free urban public spaces. It'll be installed in the new, somewhat empty and featureless plaza at the southern tip of Clark Park, at Woodland Ave. -- Tony West On 10/16/08 1:54 PM, Glenn moyer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It was revealed last night that FOCP will start selling advertising rights in Clark Park. So far, a bench in the shape of one of the car share companies is planned. OK someone please say it ain¹t so? Kimm 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] This American Life - The Harlem Children's Zone
Hi all. I just finished listening to a story on this week¹s This American Life that I think is absolutely must-listening for anyone who cares about kids and child development, about education, about poverty and inequality . . . . It¹s very, very interesting and hopeful and encouraging and inspiring something I think we could all use a bit of these days. It¹s the first story, so you don¹t have to listen to the whole episode. http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=364 Kimm
Re: [UC] Proposition 8 in California threatens gay marriage - help needed
Melani, Thanks for passing that along. Kimm On 9/13/08 10:52 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm forwarding the information below, sent to me by a UC friend. I wasn't aware of this huge threat to the recently granted and hard-won rights of the LGBT community, and I think that other UC friends and neighbors may also have missed it. I just went to the website and made a donation, and I hope that you all will, too. It takes about 60 seconds to fill out the form and send a donation. - Melani Lamond On 8/27, at age 87, Del Martin died in a hospice in San Francisco, with her partner of 55 years Phyllis Lyon (age 84) by her side. Just in June, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon became the first same-sex couple to legally marry in California...for all of us in the GLBTQ community, we owe a huge debt of thanks to the pioneering work of these two women on our behalf. In memory of Del Martin I'm asking you.to make a donation to stop Proposition 8 in California. Proposition 8, a ballot initiative on the November 4 ballot, would enact a state constitutional amendment to overturn the California Supreme Court decision which legalized same-sex marriage in California. It's not just a California issue. We can't see it that way and you bet the supporters of Prop 8 don't see it that way. For instance, the Knights of Columbus donated $1 million to the Yes on 8 Campaign. Over $10 million has already been raised by people from California and from around the country who are working to eliminate the right for same sex couples to marry. It is critical that we match that fundraising. Prop 8 is being opposed by a very broad coalition. Go the website, http://noonprop8.com/home, click on links, read about this critical issue, and then donate. Melani Lamond, Associate Broker Urban Bye, Realtor 3529 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104 cell phone 215-356-7266 - office phone 215-222-4800 #113 personal fax 215-386-1345 ** Pt...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty000514)
Re: [UC] FW: One reaction to Palin's speech
I liked Jon Stewart¹s analysis. http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086title=sarah-pal in-gender-card On 9/4/08 10:28 AM, KAREN ALLEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From my friend in Crockett, California From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Fw: from my friend Frank: One reaction to Palin's speech Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 06:33:44 -0700 Not sure who the author is (name at bottom) What an embarrassment. This year, we witnessed history. A woman ran for president and received 18 million votes from a citizenry that made clear it is indeed ready to consider serious women candidates seriously. And you, Governor Palin, are making a mockery of that message. As has been noted by many -- from activists to members of Congress -- you, Governor Palin, are no Hillary Clinton. But, worse than that, you are a disgrace to the culmination of 200 years of women's struggle that Hillary Clinton represents. You did not work at the Children's Defense Fund, fighting to secure rights for children. Instead, you used your line-item veto to strike funding for programs that assist teenage mothers. You did not revamp the education system of an entire state -- though you are governor of a state in which the illiteracy rate is astronomically high. Instead, your claim to reformer fame is your activities at the PTA. You have not traveled overseas to speak in dozens of countries about the rights of women. You did not stand on a stage among half a dozen men and make the case to the America people for why you are qualified to lead this nation. You did not receive 18 million votes of confidence. In fact, you were nearly recalled as mayor of your tiny Alaskan town. You have not stood up for reproductive freedom or even reproductive education. Instead, you have championed ignorance. And the proof of your failure lives under your very own roof. You have agreed to accept a nomination for which you are wholly, indisputably unqualified. And in so doing, you have allowed yourself to become the punchline to a very bad joke. Except that this isn't a joke, Governor Palin. This is our country's future. And while we have certainly found amusement in the disaster that appears to have been your vetting process, it's really not funny. The American people continue to learn new and alarming facts about you, but you already knew these facts when you accepted this position: You already knew that you were under investigation for ethical violations. You already knew that you turned your town's budget surplus into a deficit before you moved on. You already knew of your close involvement with indicted Senator Ted Stevens. You already knew the carwash business of which you and your husband were part owners was shut down by the government for failure to comply with regulations. You already knew that your husband was a member of a radical political party that advocates secession from the United States. You already knew that your teenage daughter was pregnant. And you damn well know, Governor Palin, that as governor, you have not made any decisions whatsoever regarding the overseas deployment and activities of the Alaska National Guard. And you damn well know, Governor Palin, that despite your geographical proximity to Russia, you have never been involved in foreign relations with Russia. You know that, Governor Palin. And you damn well know that despite your cynical attempt to link your name to the success of Hillary Clinton, you also said that you would not vote for her. The fight for women's equality is a long and continuous struggle. And you, Governor Palin, are clearly on the wrong side of history. While we fight to prove that we deserve to be taken seriously, your willingness to be on this presidential ticket at this time makes a mockery of that struggle. And now, although you chastised Hillary Clinton for whining about unfair and sexist treatment by the media, because Senator McCain's campaign -- your campaign -- cannot answer the myriad legitimate questions surrounding your vetting process and qualifications, it has instead accused the media, the Democrats, and Obama's campaign of sexism. And you damn well know, Governor Palin, that just isn't true. Your own party adamantly opposes affirmative action, and yet, tonight you will stand on a stage and accept the nomination for vice president of your party, a nomination for which you are unprepared and unqualified and which you did not earn and do not deserve. This is not why Hillary Clinton ran for president, and it is certainly not why 18 million of us voted for her. We were not drawn to her because she won a beauty pageant; we were drawn to her because we believed that decades of work and service and education gave her the wisdom and experience to be able to lead our country out of its current darkness. That,
Re: [UC] Re: LI Sucks (Was Ohara's and Hong Kong Café)
I wish they¹d get on a mission to take down the dead tree in my neighbor¹s yard. If it falls on one of the neighboring houses (including mine) someone could be killed, and my neighbor ain¹t going to do anything about it. I reported it to LI in January. After hounding them for months and appealing to John Fenton and Jannie Blackwell, an inspector finally reported the complaint unsubstantiated in April. Notice, I don¹t say an inspector came out, because there¹s no way anyone could look at this tree and not see it is very very dead and very very dangerous. Sort of like the DHS social workers who report complaints unsubstantiated just to get the file off their desks. After more hounding and hell raising I got another inspector to actually come out while I was home to appease the crazy lady and he took one look at it and said ³Oh, yeah, that¹s ID (imminently dangerous.)² He assured me it would be down within a week, maybe a little more. It¹s now been over a month, and the tree still looms. I started calling LI again this past week. The main number constantly goes to hold, and after awhile you get cut off. I tried the district office but no one answers the phone. I called the secret supervisors¹ number I got from the deputy commissioner¹s office. They gave me the number for the inspector who said the tree was ID. I called his number for half an hour and got a busy signal (the other inspector¹s number constantly went to a voicemail box that was full and couldn¹t take anymore messages.) So, I¹m thrilled to hear LI has resources to storm businesses in the wee hours of the morning for missing exit signs. The difference, of course, is that commercial code violations are revenue generators, while dead tree abatement is an expense. When this tree falls and kills someone, you all can say you heard it here first. Kimm On 8/3/08 8:31 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That bar on Spruce was called Kelliann's, used to be Murphy's. I heard that it was recently sold by the owner, who made a nice profit. Also, LI shut down a Caribbean Restaraunt (where I work weekends) on 52nd and Walnut for not having an exit sign up by the stairway that leads from the second floor to the first. The weird part was that they stormed in at 1:30 AM with 15-20 uniformed officers, two guys from LI and someone from the LCB. All they found was the absence of the exit sign and made all patrons and employees leave (causing refunds in some cases). It seemed really odd to me that it was conducted like a raid. LI must be on a mission of some sort throughout the city. -Original Message- From: Wilma de Soto [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Glenn moyer [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Roger Harman [EMAIL PROTECTED]; UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: UnivCity listserv Univcity@list.purple.com Sent: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 5:33 pm Subject: Re: [UC] Re: Ohara's and Hong Kong cafe I noticed the Irish bar at the corner of 44th Spruce Sts., (I can't remember the name), is also closed. On 8/3/08 3:33 PM, Glenn moyer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Roger, Here is what I know. Hong Kong was closed first. I don't know any details but I was told it too was closed down. The mortgage office Ray mentioned was new news. I got the report about Oharas from a long time employee. It was closedd in the middle of the afternoon. There were more inspectors (health and LI) than usual. When presented with the list, the manager/owner(?) told employees it would be forever closed. I understand that some customers didn't get their lunch. I think there is another cycle of this pattern locally. One owner told me he spent a lot of money taking LI to court for harrassment. I understand the court sided with him. I know another owner who was having problems but he sold. This type of trouble was reported about Baltimore Ave in a few publications back in 2003. The lack of accountability in city government is widespread! Glenn -Original Message- From: Roger Harman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Aug 3, 2008 12:13 PM To: UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: univcity Univcity@list.purple.com Subject: [UC] Re: Ohara's and Hong Kong cafe Did I miss something? Were Ohara's and Hong Kong closed for violations? Roger besides ohara's and the hong kong cafe, the gmac mortgage office at chestnut hall (39th chestnut) is also closed, with 'available' signs in the windows. this leaves penn's treatment research center and the upenn federal credit union the remaining ground floor venues at that building. will LI soon close them for violations as well? 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. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
