REMINDER: Next Meeting!

Just a reminder, our next meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, December 15 from 6:30-7:30pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets). Hope to see you there!

P.L.A.A.Y. Seeking South Philadelphia Youth‏

Drs. Howard Stevenson and Duane Thomas, two professors at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education have teamed up with the Urban Youth Association to create Preventing Long-term Anger and Aggression in Youth (P.L.A.A.Y.)Peacemakers, a two-year project funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development that helps adolescents manage personal conflicts through interactive basketball games and parent involvement.

Parents and other caretakers are taught to become supportive life coaches for youth in seventh and eighth grades -- before, during and after conflicts (on and off the court) that may have serious developmental and life consequences.

Peacemakers incorporates “Cultural Pride Reinforcement,” small group discussions on topics relevant to adolescents’ lives, such as street-life survival and relationship issues. C.P.R. also teaches youth to solve gender, racial and academic conflicts without turning to violence.

Peacemakers integrates a creative combination of intervention and research strategies to bring positive changes in the lives of young people, including maintaining better family relationships, attaining conflict resolution skills and improving school attendance and academic achievement.

Orientation and registration for PLAAY Peacemakers is taking place every Saturday at 12:30pm at the historic Marian Anderson Recreation Center, located at 17th and Catherine Streets in South Philadelphia. Incentives for participation will be provided to youth and their parents. Peacemakers is open to boys and girls 12 to 14.

For more information, click here or email urbanyouthassociation@gmail.com.

Interested participants can also contact Dr. Duane Thomas at 215-573-2978.

YMCA Offers Free Membership to 7th Graders‏

Starting January 1st, the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity will offer a free one year membership to every 7th grade student in the region

As youth begin to face the varied challenges of adolescence, they are more likely to begin disassociating from formal organizations, to distance themselves from family and its support structures, and to experiment with unhealthy and illegal behaviors.

The 7th Grade Membership Initiative aims to promote the well-being of youth at a time that is most crucial to their development of choices about healthy lifestyles. It will also provide 7th graders with a safe place to go where they can participate in worthwhile activities that will enable them to grow in spirit, mind and body.

Seventh grade students may register at any of the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity branch locations by bringing a school roster, school ID or report card, a parent or guardian and a 7th Grade Membership Initiative ticket, available at all branch locations and online here.

Next Meeting!

Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 15 from 6:30-7:30pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets).

Inquirer Features New Article on Lucky Old Souls

Lucky Old Souls is still set to open at 1713 McKean Street by jazz promoter Matthew Feldman, who hosts a show on the Internet station G-town Radio. Read the full article here.

New Meeting Dates!

At the last meeting, it was decided to switch meeting days to the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The time will remain 6:30pm and will be held at Cafe con Chocolate. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 6:30pm at Café con Chocolate.

Next Meeting!

WPPNA's next meeting is Saturday, October 3 at 4:00pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets). Please note this is a new day and time!!

Census Bureau is Hiring

For 2010, the Census Bureau is hiring hundreds of thousands of temporary workers to fill a variety of census positions across the country. Area residents can apply to earn good weekly pay, enjoy flexible hours and be part of a historic opportunity to serve their communities. Go to http://www.census.gov/hrd/www/ for more information.

URBAN NETWORKING 101: A Social Stimulus

The Coalition, Inc. in collaboration with Professional Networking Associates is offering a FREE interactive training for area organizations, agencies and individuals to develop their skills and strategies for improving and expanding their circle of influence. The workshop will provide skills for facilitating new business/social relationships. Urban Networking 101 basic and advanced will be offered Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm at the School District building, 440 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia.

According to Gary R. Adams, president of The Coalition, “This is a social stimulus directed at those individuals, organizations and businesses that did not get bailout. These workshops will stimulate self improvement and capacity building.”

Topics will cover:
· Asset Identification
· Inner Game
· Approach Strategies
· Developing Contacts (Follow up)
· Networking Tools (Business cards, internet, Cyber Networking)

When:
Urban Networking 101 – Basic – July 27, 2009, 6-8:30 pm
Urban Networking 101 – Advanced – July 28, 2009, 6-8:30 pm

Who should attend:
The workshop is open to anyone who seeking to develop new and better relationships with new contacts, associates, and colleagues.
· Leaders of business and community organizations
· Individuals moving up or changing careers
· Individuals seeking to expand their social circlesHow to sign up? Space is limited, so register today

Register online: www.theconnectornetwork.com/networking101
For more information or to register by phone: The Coalition, Gary Adams, 215-387.2734, Professional Networking Associates, Michael Rice 267-303-0653.

Lucky Old Souls Opening Soon!

This just in from kitchenplay blog:

kitchenplay is proud to announce Lucky Old Souls, a bar/restaurant/music venue coming to the Newbold neighborhood of South Philadelphia. Proprietor Matthew Feldman is a local jazz promoter and host of the Lucky Old Souls radio show on Gtown Radio. He’s also a friend of mine from college so I’m particularly excited to be sharing the news about his new spot for quality local music and local food.A chef is yet to be hired so the menu is far from finalized, but the food philosophy at Lucky Old Souls will be based around local, sustainably-produced ingredients. Feldman plans on consulting with Fair Food Philly in establishing relationships with local food vendors and farmers. Ben Merkel, currently a server and manager at Rx, will manage at Lucky Old Souls.Lucky Old Souls will start out with a seasonal menu consisting of small plates, sandwiches and entrées, all served in the evening. Possible future plans include adding weekday lunch and/or weekend brunch. As with the food menu, the emphasis at the bar will be on local products, with six draft beers on tap from nearby breweries. Bottled beers, wine and soft drinks will round out the selection.The building, on the 1700 block of McKean Street, has been vacant for over 25 years and will be completely rehabbed. Cicada Architecture/Planning, the firm behind West Philly's Lovers & Madmen Coffee Lounge, is in charge of the venture. Look forward to a two-story space with balcony-type seating on the second floor overlooking the bandstand. I don’t know about you, but it makes me think of the set-up at Johnny Brenda’s.And of course, there will be the music. Feldman’s main interest is jazz but he plans on programming a wide variety of musical styles, including blues, “world” music and classical chamber music.Feldman knows two things very well: good music and good food. You can trust that both will be in abundance at Lucky Old Souls. He’s hoping for an opening in early 2010. Expect updates at kitchenplay as Lucky Old Souls becomes a reality.

Next Meeting!

WPPNA's next meeting is Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets).

April Spring Clean-Up a Success!

THANK YOU to all of our friends and volunteers who came out to help clean-up our neighborhood on Saturday, April 18!! We cleaned between 20th & 23rd on Snyder, a fire alley behind 18th Street and the 2000 block of Norwood Street! We could not have asked for a better day on Saturday with bright sun and 75 degrees - let's hope our next neighborhood clean-up is just as great!

Special thanks to the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee for providing the brooms, bags and gloves for the event!! We could not have done it without you!

Neighborhood Spring Clean-up: Saturday, April 18!

Please join us! We are having a neighborhood cleanup next Saturday, April 18th, from Noon to 4:00 pm. This cleanup is sponsored by the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee and supplies will be provided. We will be meeting at Cafe con Chocolate (2100 S. Norwood) at noon to distribute supplies and spread ourselves out.

Next Meeting!

WPPNA's next meeting is Wednesday, April 8 at 6:30pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets).

Free Rain Barrel Workshop-April 30

Thursday, April 30, 2009, 6:00-7:30pm
Guerin Recreation Center (1600 Jackson Street)
The first 50 residents that have pre-registered for and attend the workshop will receive a FREE RAIN BARREL!
Register at: www.phillywatersheds.org/rainbarrel or call 215-685-4945
This is a rain or shine event. Register early as space is limited.

A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from a rooftop. By temporarily holding back rainwater during a storm, you can help reduce the pollution of our creeks and rivers; our drinking water source. Also, the collected rain water can be reused to water lawns, gardens, window boxes or street trees.

2nd Annual Philly Spring Cleanup - April 4th!

Help to give Philadelphia a good spring cleaning! On April 4th from 9am-2pm, join Mayor Nutter and thousands of volunteers in neighborhoods across Philadelphia for the 2nd Annual Philly Spring Cleanup. Sign-up now to beautify your neighborhood!

Plant a Tree on Your Block!

TreeVitalize, a partnership to restore tree cover in Pennsylvania, invites you to join in the effort by planting a tree on your property. If you would like to participate, pick up an application at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets) and drop it back off there too. WPPNA will submit your application for you. Deadline: April 1, 2009.

Next Meeting!

WPPNA's next meeting is Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets).

White-Williams Scholars: High School Stipend Program

Stipend Program

White-Williams Scholars' mission is to help public high school students maintain good grades, stay in school and concentrate on their studies. Students are given stipends to help them pay for supplies, books, food and other school-related expenses. Monthly stipends range from $50 to $75 in return for maintaining A's and B's in their classes.

Visit their website for guidelines and eligibility requirements: www.wwscholars.org/programs/stipend.php

Ellis Trust: Grants for Philadelphia High School Girls

About the Ellis Trust The Ellis Trust is establishing a strong reputation for making a difference in the lives of high school girls in Philadelphia. Eligibility and Guidelines The mission of the Ellis Trust is to provide grants to girls from single parent families in need of aid to complete their high school education. Application Forms Application forms and instructions for tuition-based schools, Philadelphia charter high schools, Philadelphia public high schools, public and charter graduating 8th graders. *2009-2010 Tuition Application Now Available!*

Next Meeting!

West Passyunk Point Neighborhood Association's next meeting is Wednesday, February 11 at 6:30pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets).

New Recycling Rules for Philadelphia

As of January 5, 2009, all of Philadelphia can recycle weekly. Just all of your recycling out in your blue recycling bin or a reusable plastic container labeled 'Recycling' on the same night as trash. All cardboard, paper, metal, glass and plastics labeled go all together in your recycling bin (also called single-stream).

Here are the details:
Metal: Tin and aluminum cans, empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans

Glass: Jars and bottles

Mixed Paper: Newspaper, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books, food boxes (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers, wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), soda and beer cartons (no food-soiled paper, please!)

Plastic Containers: Recycle #1 and #2 plastics ONLY (mostly beverage and detergent containers). These containers have narrow necks and wider bottoms. Check the underside of each container for the number 1 or 2. All container lids are recyclable and best if removed from containers.

Cardboard: Empty and flattened

If you don't have a blue recycling bin, contact the City at csstreets@phila.gov or 215-685-RECYCLE (7329) and order one!

Recycle every week, and encourage your neighbors to do the same!

Next Meeting!

West Passyunk Point Neighborhood Association's next meeting is Wednesday, January 14 at 6:30pm at Cafe con Chocolate (on Snyder between 21st and 22nd Streets).