CPN March 2012 newsletter

C E L E B R A T E S P R I N G – T R E E P H I L L Y S T Y L E

March 2012

Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter

President’s Message: What is Community?

By Monica Allison, CPN President

What is the definition of a community?It is a group of people who live in

proximity to and interact with one another.Our community begins in our homes,extends to our block and surroundingneighborhood and then expands to ourcity, state, nation and the world. How dowe represent our community personally?Some of us keep our blocks clean, planttrees, watch out for the safety of ourneighbors, pick up trash, help the unem-ployed find jobs, and fight for quality education. All are noble causes, because,without each of us, we cannot be a community. I love our community! I lovethe diversity of people and the diversityof talents and input. I love the mix of busi-nesses and I am enthralled with the sensethat we all find our place to plant seeds.

As some of you may know, I receivedthe Penn 2012 Martin Luther KingCommunity Involvement RecognitionAward in January. Those of you who knowme personally know I am not the recogni-tion type of gal. But with February beingBlack History Month, it started me think-ing about the meaning of that recognitionand the person for which it was named.Dr. King said so much in his brief time onearth that we can all take to heart. He wasprofound in so many ways, and as timehas moved forward his words becomemore relevant. One of my favorite quotes

of Dr. King is this: “People fail to get alongbecause they fear each other; they fear eachother because they don’t know each other;they don’t know each other because theyhave not communicated with each other.”Here we are, right back to community!

Dr. King is definitely one of my heroes, ifthere is such a thing. He instilled in thoseof us who lived during that time the knowl-edge of ourselves and who we are inside,because that is who will emerge publicly.In relation to our community, one of theother quotes I try to live by is this: “Oneof the great liabilities of history is thatall too many people fail to remain awakethrough great periods of social change.Every society has its protectors of statusquo and its fraternities of the indifferentwho are notorious for sleeping throughrevolutions. Today, our very survivaldepends on our ability to stay awake, toadjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant andto face the challenge of change.” May wenot protect the status quo or become indif-ferent, but embrace the challenge of change.

In our last newsletter, I was happily recall-ing the Centennial Celebration of Cedar Park, how much fun was had by all andthe wonderful music played by our annualDJ, DJ Jamar. In January, we were all saddened by the death of DJ Jamar Ferrell.Jamar was a mentor, a husband, a neigh-bor and a friend. He is and will be missed.continued on page 2

TreePhilly is a new tree-plantinginitiative led by Philadel phiaParks & Recreation that helpsproperty owners, businessesand neighborhood residentsto im prove their communitiesby planting and maintainingtrees. TreePhilly continuesParks & Recreation’s ongoingcommitment to greeningPhiladelphia and supports both

the City’s Greenworks Phila -delphia plan and the regionalPlant One Million campaign.

Through TreePhilly’s Yard TreeProgram, Philadelphia residentscan receive a FREE tree!Residents can request one treeper address, to be planted ontheir private land. Pickup dayswill occur during the week ofApril 22nd to 28th throughout

the City. You will be contactedin March with more informationabout dates and locations.This program is for private yardtrees only (front, back, and sideyards). If you are interested ina street tree or want to learnmore about the Yard TreeProgram, including tree speciesand size information, pleasevisit www.treephilly.org.

SAVE THE DATE! Monday, April

23rdThe Cedar ParkNeighbors annualmeeting and Boardof Directions electionwill take place onMonday, April 23, 2012at 7pm at the CalvaryCommunity Center.All members whosememberships are current may votein the election. More information onnominees and meetingagenda will be sentin a special communi-cation before themeeting. Stay tuned!

Page 2 CPN Newsletter

We also lost one of our Committee peopleand neighbors, Ms. Jeanette Norman. Ms.Jeanette served on the CPN Board, 2004-2005 and was always out working for thecommunity. She too is and will be missed.

Cedar Park’s annual holiday basket distribution occurred on Saturday,December 17th at Renewal PresbyterianChurch and provided food for more than600 people. On Sunday, March 25th, theScholarship Fundraiser is being held atDock Street for the 5th year. Come outand support this worthy cause! Throughyour donations and gifts, we awarded over$6,000 in scholarships last year. Let’s tryto raise more so that we can give more.The pizza and beer are awesome. Thankyou, Rosemary, for inviting us back.

We have a new business in the neighbor-hood, Thrive Fitness and Wellness, whichis located in Calvary Church, at 48thStreet and Baltimore Avenue. OwnerMichael Munson lives in the neighborhoodand has extended to our members a freetrail of his Fitness Camps. They meet

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at6:30 a.m. Go check it out!

Finally, as a community, we want toextend our donations and time to helpThe Woodlands. On February 5th, 2012,the cemetery was vandalized and the damage is approximately $15,000. Thisis one of the most beautiful places to gowalking in West Philadelphia. You seedeer, geese, hawks and a host of otherwildlife. More information can be found on page 12 of the newsletter.

Don’t forget, we have switched to anannual membership renewal date. If youhaven’t renewed your membership, youcan do so on our website. Your member-ship must be paid in order to vote in theApril elections. We have had great dialogueon our facebook page. Come and join us.The conversations have been lively andinformative. When posting, keep themeaning of community and the wordsof Dr. King in mind, and remember:

President’s Message continued from page 1

There is always something good happening in Cedar Park!

Parallel Design

Judy Lamirand

www.parallel-design.com

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4912 Baltimore Avenue

Cedar Park Neighbors was thrilled tolearn in early January the good news

that our esteemed President, MonicaAllison, was chosen as a recipient of theUniversity of Pennsylvania 2012 MartinLuther King, Jr. Community InvolvementRecognition Award.

The award is presented annually to severalcommunity members for their involvementand contributions to building communityin one or more of the following ways:

• Promoting nonviolence

• Combining religious beliefs with positive social action

• Working toward racial equality and harmony

• Advocating for/working with disenfranchised people

The award was presented at aspecial Interfaith Program and AwardsCommemoration on January 19th, 2012in Houston Hall at the University ofPennsylvania. The program also includedpoetry and musical performances fromthe Penn community and an inspirationaladdress from guest speaker Eboo Patel,Founder and President of Interfaith YouthCore. The following introduction was readabout Monica at the awards presentation:

Peacemaker, advocate for the voiceless, logical, achiever, socially conscious, tolerant, tactful, unselfish, and adeptare a few adjectives that describe MonicaAllison. These are the qualities that havemade it possible for Monica to changespaces, places, and lives in the WestPhiladelphia area. Currently she serves

as Presidentof Cedar ParkNeighbors (CPN),a community association thatserves the WestPhiladelphia neighborhoodof Cedar Park.As a memberof CPN’s ParkImprovementCommittee,Monica has helpedto transform CedarPark into a warmand welcomingspace that is currently home to the annualCedar Park Jazz Series. Monica has beenpivotal in making this series the much-anticipated event it is known for today.She has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to youth, anti-violence andaddressing the needs of those returningto the community from the penal system.As a mother of a high school student anda college student herself, Monica takesgreat interest in the education of ouryouth. She runs her own tutoring andmentoring program for middle and highschool students who are participating incyber charter schools and is constantlyinvolved in the ongoing work aroundthe West Philadelphia High School.

Those of us who have worked withMonica can attest to the above qualitiesand accomplishments and many more.We are so proud of Monica and gratefulfor her leadership and service in CedarPark. Congratulations, Monica!

Monica Allison Recognized for Changing Spaces, Places and Lives

March 2012 Page 3

BDC INC

Boston Design & Construction Co. Inc.

Carpentry & General ContractingSpecializing in home renovations

Free [email protected]

For samples of our work:www.bostondesignconstruction.com

CPN PresidentMonica Allisonreceived a MartinLuther King, Jr.CommunityInvolvementRecognition Award


As of mid-February, Mariposa Food Co-op had raised $2.5 million. Just as

impressive is the fact that $750,000 wasraised from individuals — mostly members— and the incredible rate of member partici pation: 10% (over 100) of co-opmembers made a loan, 60% increasedtheir member equity and 450 new membersjoined Mariposa in the past year alone.Countless member hours were committedto supporting the capital campaign.

“The amount of time and work that hasgone into our capital campaign is astonish-ing,” says Chakka Reeves, Marketing andOutreach Coordinator. “We are luckyto have Leah Pillsbury, our talented anddedicated Capital Campaign Coordinator,as well as our expansion committee, manydedicated members, funders such as CedarPark Neighbors and Philadelphia FederalCredit Union, lenders and many others,who believe in the importance of havingnatural and healthy food access in WestPhiladelphia.”

Though $2.5 million will allow Mariposato open their new store, there are still ways

that they need support. “The RevolvingEquity Fund is an ongoing effort to makesure that anyone who wants to be a memberof Mariposa can join, regardless of theireconomic situation.” says Reeves. “Thefund is a pool of equity that will be donatedto members for whom a $200 investmentwould pose a financial hardship.”

Mariposa Food Co-op also encouragesanyone who wants to be a member to contact the Mariposa main office at 215-729-2121 or go towww.mariposa.coop/join.

Mariposa Food Co-op New Location Opens SATURDAY, MARCH 17 at 10a.m.!

Mariposa’s restorationof the Belmont TrustCompany Building wasselected to receive a2012 Grand Jury Prizefrom the Preser vationAlliance of GreaterPhiladelphia.

Laura McHugh, Scholarship Committee Member

Another year is upon us, and CPN continues its great work on behalf

of the young people in our community.Zachary Spence, a sophomore at HowardUniversity, and one of our current CPNscholarship recipients, reflects on whatthe CPN scholarship has meant tohim for the past two years:

“Growing up, I knew college was not anoption, but a responsibility as a represen-tative of my family and community. I amaware that as an African-American male,an average of 28% of us are enrolled incolleges and universities across the county.Therefore, this was a big deal. BeforeI set foot on Howard University’s campus,I had mixed feelings of excitement andfear. I was unsure of what to expect,because this was the next major step inmy life that determined what life I wouldlead in the future. And in my future I sawsuccess. I am proud to say that I notonly survived my first year of collegebut I completed it with a 3.0 GPA.I was offered a paid internship andmade lifetime friends.

“I was faced with many trials and tribulations that turned into lifelearned lessons once I overcamethem. it took a lot of self-discipline.I had to wake up on my own toattend classes, knowing that notattending classes had little or no repercussions, learn how to teachthe majority of the material tomyself and make an effort to builda relationship with my professors.The second semester was still achallenge, but I was better prepared.

“I am blessed to have had theopportunity attend college andbeing able to accomplish so muchwithin such little time. I look forward to the years ahead andthe feeling of success when I walkacross the stage and receive mywell-deserved degree.”

Help support this year’s scholarship program and ensurethat other young people in ourcommunity — like Zach — getthe opportunity they deserve topursue their higher education!

There are many ways to support ouryoung scholars:

This year’s 5th annual scholarship fund -raiser will be held on Sunday, March 25thfrom 4 to 7 p.m. at Dock Street Brewery.Tickets to the event will cost $40 per person, which includes all you can eatand drink with live music and access tothe silent auction from 4 to 6 p.m. anda cash bar from 6 to 7 p.m.

Make a general donation to the Scholar ship Fund or Dock StreetFundraiser through our annual appeal (letters were mailed to all neighbors).

Help spread the word! Applications forthe 2012-2013 school year will be postedon the CPN website soon and are dueJune 1, 2012.

More information about theScholarship Program can be found at www.cedarparkneighbors.org. Questions?Please call CPN at 267-531-4147 or email [email protected].

The Scoop on CPN Scholarships!

Sunday, March 25th5th Annual CedarPark NeighborsScholarshipFundraiser

Accepting

Applications

for

our April 14t

h

Spring Fest!

Please email: [email protected] if you want to apply,including links to your work! We have many amazing vendors and

a great lineup of performers already, so apply soon...

March 2012 Page 5

By Victoria Iannotta, Holiday Basket Co-Chair

On December 20th, 2011, volunteersfrom the Cedar Park community

met at the Renewal Presbyterian Churchon 47th and Cedar Avenue to assembleholiday food baskets for distribution tothe needy of our community. This was theculmination of an effort that has becomean annual tradition in Cedar Park.

Each year Cedar Park Neighbors workswith organizations in our communityto identify those for whom the gift of aholiday meal would be welcome. Thanksto donations from so many local residentsand businesses, we were able to providefood baskets to 144 families; a total of660 people. This is the largest numberof people we have ever fed.

We’d like to thank all of the Cedar Park residents who contributed to the project andparticularly acknowledge several organizationswho supported us this year. The RenewalPresbyterian Church very graciously openedthe church to us. They immediately welcomedus, and members of their congregation evenhelped us pack the baskets. For the sixthyear, Brown’s ShopRite on Oregon Avenuedonated a $100 gift certificate that was usedto help purchase the turkeys for the baskets.Fresh Grocer and Trader Joe’s supplied uswith all of the bags that we needed to packthe food. The Philadelphia Federal CreditUnion, Open Heart Church and Wake UpYoga also contributed generously in supportof the program. We would like to expressour appreciation to each of these organiza-tions and to each individual whose gift oftime or treasure made the outreach possible.


Holiday Basket Outreach 2011

Advertising Rates Visit www.cedarparkneighbors and find out how to reserve ad space for the next issue.

April, June, Sept issues, 400 copies each:Half Page: $95Quarter Page: $50

November blanket issue,3,500 copies:Half Page: $190Quarter Page: $100

1 Year (4 issues), includes 10% discount:Half Page: $425Quarter Page: $225

Full Newsletter Sponsorship: $200Includes single page 8.5" x 11" insert(supplied by advertiser) a sponsorshipcall out and a post on the blog.

the

Café

Maureen Tate, CPN Zoning Committee

The CPN Zoning Committee continuesto respond to a variety of zoning issues

in Cedar Park. Some are local issues affectingone or two commercial or residential blocks.Other issues may have a greater impact ona larger portion of the community.

Most recently residents have become awareof an application before the Zoning Boardof Adjustment (ZBA) regarding a proposedchange in zoning from industrial to residentialuse for the long-vacant Apple Storage building at 780 S. 52nd Street. Such a changewould allow for the owner, Iron Stone, LLC,to convert the building into 112 loft apart-ments, with 92 parking spaces in a dedicatedrear lot and 2,000 square feet of commercialspace on the first floor.

When CPN became aware of this application,we invited the owner to make a presentationto both the CPN Zoning Committee andthe CPN Board of Directors. We then hosteda community meeting for residents in thevicinity of Apple Storage to learn more aboutthe project, distributing 200 flyers to nearbyresidences, businesses and institutions.

The meeting was held on December 15that Wayland Memorial Baptist Church at52nd and Baltimore. Approximately 40 residents heard a presentation by the developer,Andrew Eisenstein, and had the opportunityto ask questions and submit written comments.After a review of the project and commentsfrom the community meeting, the CPNBoard decided to take a position in supportof the project, recognizing its potential toreduce property vacancy and blight; supportthe revitalization of our two commercial corridors along Baltimore Avenue and 52ndStreet; improve safety in an isolated segmentof the community by bringing more eyes,ears and foot traffic to 52nd Street; andenable productive reuse of an outdatedbut historic industrial building.

A ZBA hearing was held on January 4th,2012, at which CPN and the BaltimoreAvenue Business Association entered lettersof support. Another community group, theCommunity Achievement Association, enteredsignatures requesting a delay of the vote toaccommodate another community meetingto inform more neighbors. The ZBA agreedto delay the vote, and subsequently two morecommunity meetings were held at the ArnettA.M.E. Church on 53rd Street, organizedby the Community Achievement Association.

While residents at all meetings have raisedconcerns about the project’s impact on property taxes, a large number of residentswelcome this investment of private dollarsin our community to enable the reuse of abuilding that has a big footprint in the neighborhood but has outlived its industrialuse. CPN participated in vigorous and sometimes heated debate about the meritsof this project before launching its own petition campaign in support, believingthat the voices of those supporting the projectwere not being heard. As this newsletter isbeing prepared the ZBA vote on the issueis pending and we will continue to keep members apprised of the status of AppleLofts through our eblast and Facebook communications.

Other issues recently considered by theCPN Zoning Committee include:

5201 Baltimore Avenue CPN joined with local neighbors andCouncilwoman Blackwell to oppose the legalization of an outdoor barbecue pit as an accessory to a trailer, for preparationand serving of food for take-out, with outdoor seating for under 30 people.

800 S. St. Bernard StreetZoning Committee members are facilitatingconversations with neighbors and a newowner regarding his application to convertfrom single to three units with rear and sideadditions.

4726 Baltimore AvenueUpon notification of neighbors and hearingsupport and no objection, CPN supportedthe application of the owners of 4728Baltimore Avenue to expand the VientianeRestaurant to the first floor of the formerMariposa Food Coop space and allow formore table seating.

4610 Cedar AvenueCPN is monitoring preliminary discussionsbetween neighbors and a local Philadelphiabusiness about possible use of the space foran ice cream parlor.

4618 Cedar AvenueCPN supported local neighbors in objectingto new, enlarged, back-lit signage erected without appropriate review and permits.

The CPN Zoning Committee generally meetsthe 3rd Tuesday of the month. Members interested in serving on the committeeshould contact the committee at:[email protected].

March 2012 Page 7

From Apple Storage to Apple Lofts: Zoning Committee Report


Support Cedar Park Neighbors Business Members!A-1 Floor Refinishing African Cultural Center of PAAksum Curio Theatre Company Dock Street Beer East Smithfield Healthcare Elena’s Soul Showcase LoungeFresh Deli The Gables B&B The Gold Standard CafeMariposa Food CoopO'Donnell Real Estate Parallel Design

Phila Federal Credit Union Prudential Fox & Roach Safdan Partners LLC Salt and Pepper Deli St. Francis de Sales Satellite Cafe Sims Giles and Associates Talking Heads Urban & Bye Realtors VIX EmporiumWake Up Yoga WestWestside Community Day Care Wine and Spirit Store

By Laurie Friedman

As you are aware, CPN has takenon the initiative of updating our

membership database during the past sixmonths. We appreciate everyone’s patiencewith this transition and your ongoing support. While we have told you about allthe work CPN does, you may be wonder-ing where your membership dues actuallygo. CPN is a non-profit organization, and,to maintain that status, there are certaininfrastructures that need to be in placethrough which our work is funneled.Money that is not specified to go towardsone of our committees goes into the generalfund and is used to pay for the followingitems: rent at Calvary, insurance, phonebills, copying, bank fees and more.

We thank everyone who has renewed theirmembership and contributed to CPN thepast couple of months. We just have afew reminders for you.

Membership dues are now on a calendaryear for everyone (January 1st - December31st). Memberships paid before June 1stof a year will expire December 31st of thatyear. Memberships paid after June 1st willexpire December 31 of the following year.

If your membership is not up to date byMarch 1st of 2012, we will regrettablyremove your name from the membershiplist. Letters were sent to those who arenot currently up-to-date. We hope tohear from you soon.

If you want to save trees and cut costs, byreceiving an email copy instead of a hardcopy of the newsletter, please email us at [email protected].

If you know a new homeowner or renteron your block, please send us their namesand addresses, as they are entitled toa free CPN membership for one year.This information can be sent to [email protected]

One last note: CPN board elections arescheduled for this spring. In order to vote,your membership must be up to date.Please email or call us if you are unsureof your status.

As always, please remember that by joiningCPN, you are becoming an active participantin helping to shape your community. It’sa great way to keep abreast of what’sgoing on in our neighborhood and meetnew friends. Membership dues, along withother fundraising activities, are criticalto support the valuable work beingdone by CPN.If you have any questions, contact us [email protected].

Membership Committee Update Where Does All That Money Go?

March 2012 Page 9

A Welcome Submission fromDorothy Crowder, CPN member

When we three girls asked our fatherfor anything extra, he said,

“Money don’t grow on trees.” We wentto the movies for 15¢ after all chores weredone (Saturday all day!) and saw funnies,scenes of the war, and two movies. Wealso traded comic books that cost 10¢new. Sunday school and church collectionwas 25¢ combined. I was always intodrawing, writing and needlework.Therefore, I needed a dime more.

My father worked in the Chester, Penn -sylvania Sunship Yard as a burner/welder.He also worked on the docks unloadingfruits and vegetables, etc., to make extramoney for the household and family members. We had an apple tree inthe backyard. I learned very quicklythat money don’t grow on trees!

Fondly, Dorothy M. Crowder

Note: We invite members, at any time, to submitneighborhood news, reflections, or memories.

Memories and Wisdom: Money Don’t Grow on Trees

Where the Money GoesAwarding and supporting our scholarship recipientsDelivering holiday food baskets to neighborsConvening community meetings for zoning ordinances & letting legislatorsknow what the community supports

Maintaining the park for our enjoymentDelivering news through our website, Facebook, email blasts and newsletterDelivering information to residents about local day-care centers and schoolsSupporting schools in our areaConvening Meet and Greet events for neighborsOrganizing the annual Cedar Park FairSummer Jazz SeriesSupporting small businesses through projects such as the Baltimore AvenueConversation

Representing you at community meetings


March 2012 Page 11

Blasting Away at Crime: Let’s Be Safe

The University City District (UCD) hasbegun a regular monthly email blast

detailing crime patterns in University City,and steps you can take to be safe. The following news was provided in theFebruary 14th notice.

As was noted in January, there were anumber of aggravated assaults reportedin University City since the beginning of2012. As always, UCD, the Philadelphiapolice department, the Penn and Drexelpolice departments and other institutionalpublic safety divisions responded with astrategic and coordinated effort to addressthose and other crimes in the neighbor-hood. We’re pleased to report that arrestswere made in 6 out of the 11 robberieswith weapons that were reported sinceJanuary 1st. Of course, this partnershipof public safety departments will continueto rigorously review crime patterns anddetermine deployment strategies in aproactive effort to assure that UniversityCity remains an incredibly safe placeto live, work and play.

From January 13th to February 12th,2012, the following eighteen seriouscrimes were committed within theUniversity City District boundaries:Aggravated assault, with weapon;Robbery, with weapon; and Robbery,no weapon. [Editor’s note: The e-mail contains charts, not printed here, that provide more detailed analysis.] What standsout are the dramatic across the boarddrops in crime over the last 30 days. Weare encouraged by these drops which webelieve are a result, in part, of the steppedup public safety efforts of the last month.

Despite the drop in these types of crimes,we ask you to continue to be vigilant andconsider the following:

• Please take precautions when walkingat night. Keep your head up and scanyour surroundings. Choose wide, well-litstreets and more populated walkways.

• Do not leave valuables in your auto -mobile. If you must leave valuable itemsin your automobile while out and about,place items out of sight before reachingyour destination or move them to aninconspicuous location.

• Remember that anyone in UniversityCity in need of a Walking Escort —someone to accompany them to trans-portation, a meeting, home, class, etc. —can call 215-898-9255 or 215-387-3942between 10 a.m. and 3 a.m. and aUCD Ambassador will be dispatched.Encourage everyone you know to pro-gram the number in their mobile phone.

• Join us on the third Thursday of everymonth for a community meeting led bythe Philadelphia Police Department atCalvary Church, 48th and BaltimoreAvenue, at 6 p.m. to discuss ongoingsafety concerns in the neighborhood.This forum provides a chance for neighbors to interact and share concernswith both Philadelphia Police and UCDpublic safety personnel.

• If you are interested in participating in aneighborhood town watch, please emailPatty Bulack at [email protected].

We hope you find this information useful, and we welcome your feedbackand questions. And, as always, we inviteyou to reach out to us with your concernsand feedback or if you want to receive themonthly e-mail. Don’t hesitate to contactUCD Director of Com mu ni ty and BusinessServices Steve Walsh at 215-243-0555x239 or [email protected]

Philadelphia has added another groupof items to curbside recycling. Cartonsfor juice, milk, soup and other liquidscan now be recycled curbside. The new“carton” category includes the waxy-looking (actually plastic over paper) refrigerated containers for milk and juice,and the unrefrigerated cartons that containsoup, broth, soy milk, wine, and other

liquids. Since the cartonsare lightweight, they are notexpected to greatly budge thecurrent residential recyclingrate of nearly 20 percent.But adding them to the streamwill make recycling easier andinclusive of containers from commonly purchased items.

New Recycling by the Carton – Milk Cartons!

CPN Board

PresidentMonica Allison

1st Vice-PresidentMichael Froehlich2nd Vice-PresidentNaomi Fiordimondo

TreasurerKaren Allen

SecretaryDorothy Welch Berlind

DirectorsAlgernong AllenSean DornMeg FerrignoLaurie FriedmanLisa JohanningsmeierTheresa McCole ManziJessica Naugle McAtamnySheri McFarlandRay MurphySara NissleyLaura RaymondBeverly RouseCourtney Walton


By Jessica Baumert, Executive Director of Woodlands Cemetery

Woodlands Cemetery was thevictim of vandalism on the evening

of February 5th. Approximately 25 vandal-ized headstones, mostly dating from thelate 19th to early 20th-century were discovered by one of their dedicatedvolunteers on the afternoon ofFebruary 6th. Headstones weretoppled, many of them brokenin the process. The total cost ofdamage is approximately $15,000.Anyone interested in donatingtowards the repair of these headstones can do so throughthe Woodlands website:www.woodlandsphila.org, or bymailing a check to the Woodlandsat 4000 Woodland Avenue,Philadelphia, PA 19104. If you areinterested in learning more aboutother ways you can help, please e-mail [email protected].

The Woodlands is WilliamHamilton’s former Schuylkill RiverEstate, transformed in 1840 intoa “rural” cemetery that is still an

active cemetery today. It is the finalresting place of many of the city andregion’s accomplished individuals including artist Thomas Eakins, abolitionistMary Grew, financier Francis MartinDrexel and surgeon Samuel Gross. The 54-acre grounds are open dawn to duskfor the enjoyment of the public.

Woodlands Cemetery: Victim of Vandalism

Ms. Jeanette Norman,committee personand neighbor, diedon December 12th,2011. Ms. Jeanettewas a committedleader not only to herblock of 5100 WaltonAvenue, but alsoadvocated in the

political arena of Philadelphia. She tookgreat pride in rallying for various politicalleaders and issues, especially when it relat-ed to the city and Councilwoman JannieBlackwell. She worked to help preventyouth violence, and participated in manyconferences. Ms. Jeanette called HickmanTemple AME her “church home.” Shereceived honors in 2002, as an UnsungHero, served as vice president and secre-tary of the Usher Board. She was a wife,mother, grandmother, great grandmother,sister, aunt, cousin, friend and neighbor.Ms Jeanette Norman leaves a legacy oflove and caring, and she will be missed.

Mr. Jamar K. Ferrell,aka DJ Jamar, husband, friend,neighbor, businessman,mentor and awesometurntable technician,died Sunday, January8th, 2012. Jamar wasthe regular DJ for theCedar Park Fair and

also at Elena’s Soul Showcase and Lounge.Jamar was not just a local DJ but a mentorto children and adults alike. He was alwayspositive, and one of his strengths was thathis positive attitude was contagious. DanRaaf, aka Danophonic Dan, recalled thathe met Jamar through the Cedar Park Fairseveral years ago. It rained that day, andhe had a wedding to DJ for but allowedJamar to use his porch for cover so theFair could continue. Dan and Jamar conversed over digital DJing and beganto partner at Elena’s Soul and for theCedar Park Fair. Cedar Park will notbe the same without Jamar.

I N M E M O R I A M

Help repair headstones.

Cedar Park Neighbors Membership Application/Renewal

● New Member● Renewal● Multi-year (max. 3 years)

# of years_____

● $10 Individual

● $15 Household (2 persons or more)

● $ 7 Senior/Student/Unemployed

● $30 Business

● $40 Sponsor (one free CPN t-shirt!)

Additional contribution: (Write $ amount)

_____ Holiday baskets

_____ Scholarships

_____ Jazz Series

_____ Park Gardens, Activities and Maintenance

_____ Other, specify _________________________

CPN t-shirt: (Write $ amount if not Sponsor and circle size)

_____ Short Sleeve Adult S, M, L, XL,

2XL, 3XL,4XL, 5XL, 6XL ($15)

_____ Short Sleeve Kids S, M, L, XL ($15)

_____ Long Sleeve Adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL ($20)

_________TOTAL ENCLOSED

Name

Address

Phone

Email

● Yes, I would like to receive an email notice witha link to the current newsletter on the CPN website(and do not deliver a paper copy to my home).

Email [email protected] www.cedarparkneighbors.orgPhone 267-531-4147

Return form with check to:Cedar Park NeighborsCalvary Community Center4740 Baltimore Ave.Philadelphia, PA 19143

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Phone

Email

Check your areas of interest for potential participation:

● Block Organizing: Maintain list of Block Leaders, organize forums etc.

● Block Improvement Grants Committee: Review applications, help awardees implement projects etc.

● Board of Directors: CPN leadership and decision-making body.

● Cedar Park Fair: Publicity, children’s activities, venders, entertainment, etc.

● Cedar Park Garden Tenders: Plant and maintain gardens at Cedar Park.

● Clean-up Committee: Promote participation in block clean-up days and Tire Round-up.

● Education Committee: Interaction with local schools and parents on issues.

● Fundraising: Special events, grant writing.

● Holiday Baskets: Coordinate and assist distribution to needy Cedar Park families.

● Hospitality: Provide refreshments for community meetings and special events.

● Membership Committee: Promote membership to residents and businesses.

● Newsletter: Writing, publishing, photography, distribution.

● Property/Housing Task Force: Strategize/respond to issues of deteriorated property.

● Scholarship Committee: Raise funds, promote program, and select awardees.

● Website: Technical support, maintenance, updating info/pictures etc.

● Zoning Committee: Monitor & communicate issues to residents;

appear before Zoning Board of Adjustment, coordinate meetings.Cedar Park Neighbors is a 501[c]3 not-for-profit organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes.

March 2012 Page 13

T H I S I S S U E S P O N S O R E D B YThanks to Belynda Stewart and Coldwell Banker Preferred for sponsoring this issue of Cedar Park Neighbors Newsletter.

Page 14 CPN Newsletter March 2012 Page 14

CPN Mission Statement:Cedar Park Neighbors is an association of diverse house-holds and businesses based inthe Cedar Park neighborhood ofWest Philadelphia, Penn sylvania.The purpose of the associationshall be to foster collaborationamong all persons living andworking in the Cedar Park neigh-borhood, to promote communitydevelopment, to provide a forumfor communication and commu-nity education, to respond toneighborhood concerns and toadvocate for and promote thegeneral welfare of the CedarPark community.

Newsletter EditorsMaureen Tate & Judy Lamirand

Newsletter DesignJudy Lamirand, Parallel Design

To Contact Cedar Park Neighborsor submit Newsletter items:contact@cedarparkneighbors.orgwww.cedarparkneighbors.org267-531-4147

c/o Calvary Community Center4740 Baltimore AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19143

Documents

CPN March 2012 newsletter