On Wednesday, May 22, 2013 it was “Ace” day at ChristopherColumbusCharterSchool in South Philadelphia to honor Philadelphia Police Officer Juan “Ace” Delgado # 6318, the long time 3^rd District Community Relations Officer. This was a surprise presentation that was months in the making, the cafeteria was decorated with drawing hanging on the walls & ceiling, most with the theme from a deck of cards with the “Ace” of hearts, spades, clubs & diamonds to show how much the kids from the school appreciate Ace for his years of service. Miss Dougherty the Campus Principle told of how the school opened in 1999 and they where new to the neighborhood and didn’t know anyone, then decided to call the 3^rd District and ask if an officer can stop by due to a disturbance with a parent, Ace made his way to the school to take care of the assignment and when he was done he gave his cell phone number that he answers every time his services are needed. A dozen students performed dances, a choir of 70 children serenaded Ace with songs “We are grateful”, “Honor a Vet”, “I am grateful to be Free”. A lunch was served to the visitors which included Aces wife, mother & children, Christopher Columbus Charter School Board Chairman Mr. R. Pescatore and Commanding Officer of the 3^rd District Captain Michael Ryan. Ace stated he was very surprised and appreciated being recognized for doing something that he loves which is working with children in reference to danger / stranger programs and making our schools & community safer.

Report prpared by: Police Officer Michael Duffy, Badge #7441

Reviewed by: Captain Michael Ryan, Badge #20

Passyunk Post (www.passyunkpost.com) now has a monthly guest column looking at education issues in South Philly and their first guest writer is our own Christine Knapp! Check out her column by clicking here.

On Tuesday, May 14th at 7PM at Saint John’s Baptist Church at 1232 Tasker St (Tasker St entrance), the Zoning Committee of the Passyunk Square Civic Association is scheduled to hear the following case:

642 Washington Avenue: 

Application is for the retail sale of consumer goods on the first and second floors in the same building with an existing single family dwelling on the third floor.  The proposed use, retail sale of consumer goods, is prohibited in this zoning district.

***UPDATE: The following two cases have been moved to the next monthly meeting on June 11th***

617 Dickinson Street: 

Application is for three (3) family dwelling in an existing structure.  The proposed use is prohibited in this zoning district.

1430 South 7^th Street: 

Application for a two (2) family dwelling in an existing structure.  The proposed use is prohibited in this zoning district.

***

The PSCA Zoning Committee meetings are opportunities for neighbors to hear the details of zoning applications within our civic association boundaries. The Zoning Committee does not make final decisions on the applications, but it does send letters to the Philadelphia Zoning Board Administration.

Check facebook.com/passyunksquare or twitter.com/passyunksquare for any last minute changes

Please email zoning@passyunk.org with any zoning-related questions.

Minutes from May 7, 2013 PSCA General Meeting @ St. John the Baptist Church

Meeting began at 6:38 pm, ended at 8:04 pm. Attendance: Approximately 26.

Board Members Present: Zenzola, Morris, DiCapua, Geary, Knapp, Wilder, Knox.

Absent (excused): D’Ippolito, Anton, Emma, Fioretti.

Welcome and Introductions: Pam Zenzola welcomed guests and reported that the unrepresented civic association gap in our neighborhood was being discussed at another meeting at the same time as our Board meeting, thus why some Board members were absent. The gap in civic representation is Tasker to Snyder, 8th to 6^th; Mifflin to Snyder, 6th to 4^th; and Snyder to Oregon, 8th to 6^th. EPX is expanding from Tasker to Snyder 8th to 6^th; Pennsport will cover Mifflin to Snyder, 6th to 4^th; and LoMo and Dickinson Square West were still in discussion regarding the other gaps. PSCA supports these expansions.

Committee Reports:

Trash and Recycling: Pam Zenzola announced that PSCA will host another e-waste (electronics, anything with a plug) recycling event on May 11 from 10am-2pm in the Acme parking lot. PSCA held a very successful neighborhood cleanup on April 13.

Neighborhood Ambassador Program (NAP): Pam Zenzola announced that the next NAP meeting will be May 8 at 7pm at 1326 S. 9^th Street. BJ Phillips, our new Police Advisory Council liaison, spoke about planning for this year’s National Night Out on August 6. She is looking for ideas for entertainment and contacts for elder services and medical screenings. She is also working with the police to do a map of crime hot spots in our neighborhood, to then do targeted flashlight parades and leafleting in those areas. She also encouraged residents who have home security cameras to register them with the police.

Education: Christine Knapp reported that PSCA donated breakfast at Kirkbride and plants to Jackson School for Teacher Appreciation Day (today, May 7). Knapp encouraged residents to donate to our schools’ projects through www.donorschoose.org (one project at Eliza Kirkbride School, school code 90773), specifically through May 10, as your gift will be matched/doubled. 

Jackson has a new school website at www.philasd.org/schools/jackson. Jackson will hold a Community Unity Day and Flea Market on May 18. Kirkbride had a library installed two years ago but has no books or librarian, so they are looking for books. Knapp is asking the school what types of books they need and how to get books approved for donation. The Passyunk Post blog is looking for writers to contribute pieces about education. Open Enrollment/Tours of local schools are May 13-16. The Education Committee is encouraging residents to contact City Council to urge them to make up for the budget shortfall for the public schools.

Parks: Chris DiCapua reported that all three parks will participate in Love Your Park Day on May 11 and are looking for volunteers to help with cleanup/park projects on that day. Columbus Square will host a flea market on June 1. Columbus Square is working with the Community Design Collaborative on an overall plan for the park, and 60 residents have offered input so far by emailing columbussquarepark@gmail.com. The next meeting for the park plan is June 17.

Columbus Square Advisory Council meets the 3^rd Thursday of every month, while Capitolo Advisory Council meets the 1^st Wednesday of every month.

Planning: Karin Morris reported that PSCA is interested in nominating properties to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, and is looking for volunteers to assist in the process, along with ideas on what buildings you would like to see nominated. Send ideas and volunteer inquiries to planning@passyunk.org. Listing in the register protects the property from significant alteration and/or demolition. Possible candidates include schools, churches, cemeteries, or sites with social significance, as the building itself does not need to be architecturally significant if something important occurred there.

Zoning: Tina Geary reported that the Zoning Committee will hear three cases on May 14 at 7pm (at St. John The Baptist Church at 1234 Tasker Street): 617 Dickinson Street is an application is for three (3) family dwelling in an existing structure (use prohibited); 1430 South 7^th Street is an application for a two (2) family dwelling in an existing structure (use prohibited); 642 Washington Avenue is an application is for the retail sale of consumer goods on the first and second floors in the same building with an existing single family dwelling on the third floor (retail is prohibited use). The Zoning Committee is also looking for a few new volunteers for their important committee work, and you do not need to be a lawyer or architect to be on the committee.

Fundraising and Events: Ilene Wilder noted the plant sale was a great success, the busiest one yet at Urban Jungle. The Fall House Tour will be October 12, and Ilene is looking for volunteers.

Beautification: Pam Zenzola announced that Passyunk Gardens is now open and hours are Sundays 4-6, Wednesday 9-11:30, and 4:30-7:00.  Also, a palette gardening workshop will take place June 1 at South Philly HS.

Presentations:

South Philly High School Principal Otis Hackney spoke about their work with the LoMo Civic Association and local firm Roofmeadow to create a rooftop farm at the school. They need to raise $27,000 to complete a planning study and cost estimates, and are raising funds at https://projexity.com/projects/view/South-Philly-High-Schools-Greening-Plan/3. They hope to make this very large space into a community space open to all, as well as a resource for teaching environmental science, agriculture, and green technology to the students. Anyone can email him with ideas for the space at ohackney@philasd.org.

SEAMAAC’s Director of Health and Social Services Amy Jones spoke about the nonprofit’s work with local immigrants and refugees, particularly Asian immigrants. SEAMAAC (Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition) is located at Broad and Castle, and was established in 1984, and has two broad program areas—health and social services and education. They provide numerous programs to elders such as weekly breakfast meetings, healthy living workshops, workshops on voting and access to language resources, case management, and an elders council. In addition, not just for elders, they offer an Asian women’s health program, citizenship-focused English classes, healthcare navigation, a continuum of care program for refugees six months to five years post-resettlement, and a safe families program to teach about domestic violence. They also work with Southwest Philly schools on truancy, and have a Hip Hop Heritage work-ready summer program that teaches kids dance, dj-ing, graffiti arts, etc. A large part of what they do is also to bridge their work with other organizations, so PSCA will be seeking their assistance and leads on how to translate our communications into multiple Asian languages. More information about their services can be found at www.seamaac.org.

–Submitted by Karin Morris, PSCA Secretary, May 8, 2013.

Information Bulletin from the 3rd POLICE DISTRICT

STRONG ARM ROBBERIES

LOCATION: 1500 S. 8^th Street             DC#13-03-024805                                 SDD#13-2774

On Tuesday, 04-30-13 at approximately 8:06PM, the 23/H/F complainant was walking S/B on 8^th Street, when she observed a B/M running N/B on 8^th Street. The male charged at the complainant and grabbed her cell phone. The male fled N/B on 8^th Street towards Dickinson. No injuries to the complainant.

Offender Description: Thin, Dark skinned B/M, in his teens, short hair, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt.                              

LOCATION: 1200 S. 8^th Street              DC#13-03-025057                                SDD#13-2784

On Tuesday, 04-30-13 at approximately 8:40PM, the 47/A/F complainant was waiting for the bus on the 1200 block of 8^th Street when the offenders ripped her purse from her shoulder. The offenders fled S/B on 8^th Street then E/B on Reed. No injuries to the complainant.

Offenders Description: #1 Thin, Dark skinned B/M, in his teens, 5’7, short hair, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. #2 15/B/F, 5’2, thin build, black hair in a short pony-tail, wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt.

Please forward any Intelligence to South Detective Division, S.I.U. (215) 686-7640

Minutes from April 2, 2013 PSCA General Meeting @ St. John the Baptist Church

Meeting began at 6:40 pm, ended at 8:00 pm. Attendance: Approximately 28.

Board Members Present: Zenzola, D’Ippolito, DiCapua, Anton, Emma, Fioretti, Geary, Knapp, Wilder, Knox. Absent (excused): Morris

Welcome and Introductions: Pam Zenzola spoke about the EPABID Shopping survey placed on each seat, which is also available online at EPABID’s Facebook page. One lucky person won two tickets to Flavors of the Avenue. Sarah Anton encouraged folks to attend Theatre Exile’s Fergie Fest on April 4, and their upcoming play North of the Boulevard.

Committee Reports:

Trash and Recycling: Carmela Fioretti announced that the Spring Clean Up is April 13 from 9am-2pm, focusing on 9^th street from Reed to Ellsworth Streets. Volunteers should sign up at  www.philadelphiastreets.com/Project_Register.aspx?code=20Q8D15N52.  After-party will take place at Underdogs. Gold Star Park will also be hosting a cleanup on Sat. April 13. PSCA will host another e-waste (electronics, anything with a plug) recycling event on May 11 from 10am-2pm in the Acme parking lot. The Trash and Recycling Committee is engaging the Jackson School in creating an Eco Club to foster environmental awareness.

Education: Christine Knapp reported that Open Enrollment/Tours of local schools are May 13-16.  The Education Committee (20 people) met on April 1 and discussed the following: crafting an engagement strategy for Kirkbride School; Jackson School Musical Spring Show is  April 19 5:30 to 7:30pm; Jackson School Career Day is May 3, and  Community Unity Day and Flea Market is May 18. Teacher appreciation day is May 7. Capitolo Park will host a Bilingual Playdate on April 13 from 3-5pm.

Beautification: Andrew Emma and Sarah Anton announced that the Spring tree planting is April 20 at 9am at Capitolo. Volunteers are needed to plant 40 trees and can sign up by emailing beautification@passyunk.org. Form submission deadline for the Fall planting is April 5.   There will be a yard tree giveaway on April 13 from 10am-noon at Capitolo through the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, where anyone with yard space can pick up a container tree (which are 5-6 feet tall). Passyunk Gardens will open April 21 and is always looking for volunteers to assist with the garden. PSCA continues to work on bringing more public art to the neighborhood, and ideas for locations can be sent to beautification@passyunk.org.

Parks: Chris DiCapua reported that Gold Star Park has new co-chairs: Regan Cooper, Kath Howarth and Tina. Columbus Square will host their flea market on April 27, and spaces are still available. Columbus has received a grant from the Community Design Collaborative to work on an overall plan for the park, and residents are encouraged to offer input on what you would like to see in the park by emailing columbussquarepark@gmail.com. Columbus Square Advisory Council meets the 3^rd Thursday of every month, while Capitolo Advisory Council meets the 1^st Wednesday of every month.

Neighborhood Ambassador Program (NAP): Angel D’Ippolito welcomed BJ Phillips as our new Police Advisory Council liaison. The next NAP meeting will be announced next week. NAP hopes to incorporate Town Watch into their program, and is looking for more volunteers. Angel reminded residents to use the city’s 311 service to report graffiti and other nuisances.

Actual Value Initiative: Angel D’Ippolito reported that the AVI public meeting on March 26 with Councilman Squilla, OPA, BRT and the City Finance department was very well-attended. The Councilman is looking into ‘smoothing’ options to make it less burdensome for residents. Homestead exemption is still up for debate, and may be $30,000 or $15,000. First level appeals were due April 1, 2013, but you can still appeal to the BRT by October.

Zoning: Tina Geary reported that the Zoning Committee will hear one case on April 9^th at 7pm (at St. John The Baptist Church at 1234 Tasker Street), which is 735 Reed Street. It is an application for contractor’s storage (equipment and materials storage building) on the first floor and for a two (2) family dwelling on the second floor of an existing two (2) story attached structure.  Both uses are prohibited in the RSA-5 zoning district.

Fundraising and Events: Ilene Wilder noted the silent art auction on March 22 was a great success. The annual plant sale is May 4 from 10am-2pm at Urban Jungle.

Presentations:

Police Officer Ace Delgado reported that there were 3 people shot last week—one male shot by police at 10^th and Mifflin as he was seen stabbing someone, and two people were shot at 7^th and McKean. There was also a break-in through a rear window at a residence on the 1400 block of S. 6^th Street, where the homeowner shot one of the intruders. Residents should report neighbor situations to Officer Delgado and to the Human Relations Commission. Residents should try to stay involved with cases through prosecution by the DA’s Office, as criminals are being released too easily. National Night Out will be the first Tuesday in August, and Peace Day will be celebrated on Sept. 23.

Tanya Morris from EnergyWorks spoke about a program sponsored by the Department of Energy and the local Energy Coordinating Agency to offer discounted home energy assessments to PSCA homeowners. Normally such a building assessment would cost $400, but with group purchasing we would get a discount to $150 per assessment. EnergyWorks also offers low-cost financing to do the improvements and referrals to licensed contractors, though one is under no obligation to get any work done after the assessment. Low cost financing (0.99%) is available, with the first six months free right now. For more information, see www.EnergyWorksNow.com or call 215-609-1052.

Curtis Alexander from Urban Jungle (PSCA Sponsor) announced they are coming up on their 4^th year in business! He spoke about new hires and new products, such as a sedum mat that can be hung on a wall or used as decoration (table runner), which can also be rented for events, as well as a “plant pie” that can create an instant window box mix of plants. Urban Jungle is overhauling the garden at Le Virtu and hopes to make it the best outdoor eating space in the city.

–Submitted by Karin Morris, PSCA Secretary, April 9, 2013.

On Tuesday, April 9th at 7PM at Saint John The Baptist Church at 1234 Tasker St (Tasker St entrance), the Zoning Committee of the Passyunk Square Civic Association is scheduled to hear the following case:

735 Reed Street 

Application for a contractor’s storage (equipment and materials storage building) on the first floor and for a two (2) family dwelling on the second floor of an existing two (2) story attached structure.  Both uses are prohibited in the RSA-5 zoning district.

***

The PSCA Zoning Committee meetings are opportunities for neighbors to hear the details of zoning applications within our civic association boundaries. The Zoning Committee does not make final decisions on the applications, but it does send letters to the Philadelphia Zoning Board Administration.

Check facebook.com/passyunksquare or twitter.com/passyunksquare for any last minute changes

Please email zoning@passyunk.org with any zoning-related questions.

Empty your closets, basements, and storage spaces of all your old and broken electronic devices and bring them over to the ACME parking lot at 10th and Reed Streets on Saturday, May 11 from 10am-2pm.  We have partnered with eForce Compliance, Philadelphia’s only R2 certified e-waste recycler, to give you another opportunity to responsibly recycle obsolete electronics.  All you have to do is drop off your e-waste items and eForce Compliance will do the rest!

Residents are encouraged to bring “anything with a plug.” All household electronics including computers, printers, microwaves, air-conditioners, metals and small appliances will be accepted.  Please visit www.eforcecompliance.com for more information on accepted items. (NO SMOKE DETECTORS OR LARGE APPLIANCES will be accepted)

This is a super convenient way to dispose of your old and broken electronics that can no longer be left out on the curb for trash pickup. Thats right, the Covered Device Recycling Act now makes it illegal to dispose many electronic devices in state landfills. This includes desktop and laptop computers, monitors, peripherals such as printers, keyboards and mouses, tablets like iPads and Kindles, and televisions with viewable screens larger than four inches.

If you miss our event, eWaste must be taken to a city sanitation center and cannot be left at the curb. For locations visit http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/san-convenience-centers.aspx

By attending our event, not only are you clearing the clutter out of your storage spaces, you are taking part in an effort to spread awareness and help protect our environment.  Please contact trash@passyunk.org with any questions.

It’s springtime, that means time to plant! The PSCA will be holding our annual plant sale at Urban Jungle, 1526-30 E Passyunk Ave, on Saturday May 4th from 10-2pm. A portion of the sales will benefit the work of the Passyunk Square Civic Association. Urban Jungle, a sponsor of PSCA, offers beautiful plants and knowledgeable expertise to help you create your urban gardens. Mark your calendar and plan on doing your spring plant shopping with us on May 4th.