New Mural at Cafe con Chocolate - Need Donations!

Exciting new activity and development in the West Passyunk Neighbors Association. This week work will be completed on a large mural located at 2100 S. Norwood St. The mural designed and executed by three supporting artists: Mary Hochendoner, Zoe Spiliotis and Adrian Aguirre and a cadre of AmeriCorps ACTS members from The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium depicts the struggle and triumph of work in the Philadelphia area in combating HIV/AIDS. This project is being funded wholly by financial contributions and in-kind work. The three accomplished artists have donated all of their time and work. Mary has a painting currently shown at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and both Zoe and Adrian are international muralists, whose most recent murals are in Venezuela. Even the painting materials have been donated by the artists and from Intercultural Family Services, a local nonprofit community-based organization in our neighborhood. The Café con Chocolate has generously provided as an in-kind contribution its entire exterior walls fronting on Norwood and Snyder. However, they are still in need of donations ($10, $15, $25 or whatever you can afford) to offset the costs of their cherry picker rental which will be used to complete the work this coming week. All donations can be made through The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium’s website www.tpaconline.org using PayPal (all contributions are tax deductible). The Café has also offered to receive and forward any donations to the Consortium. The cost of the cherry picker is $900. So far the full value of the in-kind design, painting, work and materials as well as the space itself is over $4,000. Your contribution will allow them to finish the job and add to the cultural and artistic richness of West Passyunk’s neighborhood. For any additional information, please contact Charlene Arcila at 215-988-9970 x323.

Yellow Book Opt Out

Are you tired of receiving unwanted Telephone Books? You can opt out from receiving them now. Click on the link, put in your zip code and then click the Yellow Book link. http://www.ypassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Environmental1&Template=/CustomSource/ZipSearch.cfm

October Police Captain's Meeting

The monthly Police Captain's Meeting is Tuesday, October 19 at 6:30pm at the 1st District Police Station at 24th & Wolf. Come hear about the events that have taken place in the last month in our area and let them know any concerns you may have.

We will also be taking part in a tour of the station and a brief survey right after the meeting to help out the Captain. Hope you can join us!

Police Captain's Meeting

The monthly Police Captain's Meeting is Tuesday, September 21 at 6:30pm at the 1st District Police Station at 24th & Wolf. Come hear about the events that have taken place in the last month in our area and let them know any concerns you may have.

Newsstand has been Removed!

Great news! The newsstand that collected trash at 20th & Snyder has been removed. One less eyesore on that corner!

September Meeting Notice

Join us for our next meeting! Our next meeting is Tuesday, September 14 from 6:30-7:30pm at the 1st District Police Station at 24th & Wolf Streets. Take action to clean up our streets and make our neighborhood safe! Hope to see you there!

Summer Clean & Green a SUCCESS!

Thanks so much for everyone who came out and made our Summer Clean & Green a HUGE success! We cleaned the streets, people signed up for Recycle Rewards and had donations given to PAWS!

THANK YOU!!!!

Summer Clean & Green - Saturday, August 14

Come Join Us for Our Summer Clean & Green Community Event:

What: Community Building & Cleaning Event

When: Saturday, August 14 from 10:00am-2:00pm

Where: Corner of 19th St & Snyder Ave at Prudential Savings Bank

Who: West Passyunk Neighbors Association (WPNA)
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – Apply for a Free Tree!
• PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) – Meet Available Dogs!
• RecycleBank Rewards Program – Sign Up & Get Rewarded!
• Recycling Stickers
• Block Cleaning on 1800–2000 Blocks of Snyder Avenue
• Public Safety Information
• Café con Chocolate – Discounts for WPNA volunteers that day
• The Pizza Pub – Discounts for WPNA volunteers that day

Rain Date: Sunday, August 15 from 10:00am-2:00pm

If you would like to volunteer for the event, contact us at westpassyunkpoint@hotmail.com.

New Exciting Recycling Changes!

As of August 1, the City is now accepting all plastic containers!
You’ve been recycling plastic containers marked:
#1: Soda, water bottles
#2: Milk jugs, detergents, shampoo bottles

Now you can add:
#3: Rigid plastic containers and juice bottles
#4: Plastic tubs and lids from butter, margarine or similar products
#5: Yogurt containers and deli trays
#6: Plastic cups, plates and to-go containers
#7: Many mixed plastic containers and plastic products

These are just some examples of what you can recycle, so look for the number to make sure. For more information on what can and cannot be recycled, go to the city website at http://philadelphiastreets.com/recycling.aspx.

2nd Annual Casa Monarca Latin American Art & Craft Fair

When: Sunday, August, 15 from 10am - 4pm

Where: 1448 S. 17th Street(17th & Dickinson St)

What: Join Casa Monarca for a cool refreshments and enjoy summer shopping with something different and unique this year. Crafts will include Talavera ceramics, pictures, wood crafts, Spanish and English books for kids, silver jewelry, regional dresses and much more! www.casamonarca.org

New Farmers' Market at Broad & Ritner

Every Tuesday, from 2-7 PM, stop by Broad & Ritner for fresh, seasonal fruits & vegetables (including organic produce), free-range chicken, grass-fed beef & lamb, baked goods and other products from local farmers! This new farmers' market accepts ACCESS cards (Pennsylvania’s electronic SNAP/food stamp swipe cards), WIC vouchers, and the Senior Citizens Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers to ensure that everyone has access to affordable & healthy food options.

The market has been made possible with support from the Fels Community Center/Caring People Alliance, several local community organizations, and The Food Trust, which is committed to expanding access to nutritious, local foods through Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

Call 215-218-0800 for more information.

July Meeting Notice

Join us for our next meeting! Our next meeting is Tuesday, July 13 from 6:30-7:30pm at the 1st District Police Station at 24th & Wolf Streets. Take action to clean up our streets and make our neighborhood safe! Hope to see you there!

Tree Planting Applications - Now Available!

WPNA is now accepting applications for trees in our area. Applications must be submited to WPNA no later than Monday, August 9 in order to make the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's deadline. Here is a link for more information: http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/phlgreen/current-trees.html

Please email westpassyunkpoint@hotmail.com for an application!

Monday Night Clean-Up - June 28

We are planning a clean-up on the 2000 and 2100 blocks of Snyder Avenue on Monday, June 28 at 6:30pm and we need your help! This clean-up will also include the vacant lot at 20th & Snyder that is always in need of a good cleaning. This is not a designated clean-up day by the city so there will not be any supplies provided. Please bring your own broom and bags. We can provide gloves if needed.

We will meet at 20th & Snyder at 6:30pm. Please come and support the cleaning efforts!! Thanks!

New Name/New Blog Name!

WPPNA has dropped a 'P' from its name to be West Passyunk Neighbors Association or WPNA. We also changed our blog name to westpassyunk.blogspot.com. We feel the name is more focused on our mission and easier to read, say and understand. Check out our new logo above designed by Andrew Pinkham!

Free Grants to Remove Lead Paint

The Philadelphia Health Department will explain the dangers associated with lead paint and how you may qualify to get a grant up to $8,000 to remove chipped lead-based paint from your home.

When: Tuesday, May 11, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Dixon House, 1920 S. 20th Street, 215-336-3511
Who Should Attend:Parents with children ages 6 years old and under whether you rent or own your home; Landlords who rent to families with a child or children 6 years of age or under.

This is a great chance to make your home safer for you and your family!

If you have any questions, please call: Diversified Community Services at 215-336-5505

Next Meeting/New Location!

Join us for our next meeting! Our next meeting is Tuesday, May 11 from 6:30-7:30pm at our new location - the 1st District Police Station at 24th & Wolf Streets. Take action to clean up our streets and make our neighborhood safe! Hope to see you there!

Tree Planting!

Our trusty volunteers planted 10 trees on our area on Saturday, April 24! What a difference it has made in our neighborhood. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the TreeVitalize Program. And a BIG thanks for all of the volunteers who made it happen!

Philly Spring Cleanup - A Success!

Thanks to everyone and supported the citywide Philly Spring Cleanup last Saturday! We cleaned Snyder Avenue from 18th to 20th Streets and focused on the vacant lot at 20th & Snyder which badly needed some attention. Keep it up!!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Tree Planting on Saturday, April 24

We need volunteers to help us plant 9 trees in the West Passyunk Point area on Saturday, April 24 from 9:00am - 2:00pm. Please join us or donate tools for the day. Any help is truly appreciated.

Tools Needed:
Shovels
Picks
Rakes
Mallets for driving stakes
Pruning Shears
Buckets
Pick-up truck

Tree Meeting Place
DiSilvestro Recreation Center
15th & Morris Streets
8:30-9:15am

If you would like to volunteer or donate tools, please email us at westpassyunkpoint@hotmail.com. Thanks and I hope that you help us in making our neighborhood better place to live!

Philly Spring Cleanup - THIS SATURDAY!!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

When: Saturday, April 10, 9:00am-2:00pm

Where: 18th to 20th Street on Snyder Ave. (1800 & 1900 Blocks)
Sign in & supply pickup is at 2101 S. Garnet Street, Philadelphia, PA at 9:00am

How: Go to phillycleanup.com and register
Choose “Snyder Street Cleanup Crew” from the project list. Fill out Name, Zip & Phone & that’s it. You’ll get a confirmation email with all of the details for the event.

Questions? Go to phillycleanup.com or call 215-988-6535

UnLitter Us Campaign unveiled at Block Captain Rally

Though the UnLitter Us Campaign "isn’t your mother’s anti-litter initiative," explained Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson over a phone interview. Launched on March 27th, at this year’s 65th annual Block Captains’ Rally, the UnLitter US initiative is the first sustained public service campaign to rid our City of litter once and for all, explained Tolson.

For more details on both the UnLitter Us and Philadelphia Recycling Rewards initiatives, visit: www.philadelphiastreets.com.

New York Times Article on Passyunk!

Okay, so it is not our side of Passyunk Avenue that is getting so much attention lately, but we are getting really, really close! Check out this New York Times article that calls East Passyunk shopping 'impressive': http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/travel/28surfacing-1.html

2010 Census is Here!

Be sure to fill out and send your 2010 Census form as soon as you receive it in the mail!

Census information affects the numbers of seats our state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives. And people from many walks of life use census data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.

NO MEETING TOMORROW!

At our February meeting, the group decided to change our monthly meetings to quarterly meetings. A new meeting schedule will be announced and posted very soon. Stay Tuned!

Next Meeting!

Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 16 from 6:30-7:30pm at our new location - the Dixon House at 1920 S. 20th Street between McKean & Mifflin Streets. Hope to see you there!

Phila. Launches PhillyWorks Jobs Program

From the Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter launched a new program on Monday aimed at putting people back to work in the city, which suffers from a near 11 percent unemployment rate.

The program called PhillyWorks: Growing Neighborhood Jobs will provide career advancement classes, such as adult literacy and career coaching services, to seasonal part-time workers to help them secure full-time permanent jobs.

Read full article here.

RecycleBank - Earn Rewards for Recycling!

Going green? Get rewarded! RecycleBank partners with cities and haulers to reward households for recycling. Households earn RecycleBank Points that can be used to shop at over 1,500 local and national businesses.

Next Meeting/New Location!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30-7:30pm at our new location - the Dixon House at 1920 S. 20th Street between McKean & Mifflin Streets. Hope to see you there!