Free Neighborhood Will & Estate Planning Workshop

What will happen to your home when you die?

If you own your home, do you know what will happen to it after you die?  If you get sick and can't speak for yourself, do your doctors know what your wishes are?  Do you need a power of attorney to have someone pay your bills and make financial decisions for you?

Cedar Park Neighbors and the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law are teaming up to hold a neighborhood workshop at Calvary Center at 48th & Baltimore on Thursday, October 4th, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.  The workshop is free, but everyone is encouraged to join Cedar Park Neighbors if you are not already a member.   (Membership starts at $7/year for seniors, and you can become a member at the workshop.)

At the workshop, neighbors will learn about simple wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. Everyone can then sign up for a free one-on-one follow-up meeting at Drexel University to write their actual documents.

Any questions?  Please call Cedar Park Neighbors at 267-BALT-AVE (267-225-8283) or email us at contact@cedarparkneighbors.org.

Download a flyer to share with neighbors here!

September Community Zoning Meeting

806 S. 47th Street

Cedar Park Neighbors invites you to a Community Zoning Meeting on Tuesday, September 18th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Calvary Community Center at 48th and Baltimore (entrance is on Baltimore Avenue, small side door).
 
We will be reviewing three (3) separate projects:

• 7:00 PM 5038 Cedar Avenue The application is for the erection of a semi-detached structure for use as a single family residence on a currently vacant lot in a block of primarily 3-story twins.  The owner is requesting a variance on the side yard dimension and on the parking requirement.  Required by code is an 8’-0” side yard; proposed is 3’-0”.  Required by code is one accessory parking space; proposed is none.  Existing zoning is RSA-3, Residential Single-family Attached.
• 7:30 PM 806 South 47th Street The first floor tenant space requests approval for a special exception.   Proposed in this space (formerly used by a local plumber) is a self-service pet washing space.  The existing zoning is CMX-2, Neighborhood Commercial Mixed Use, which allows for commercial use on the first floor; however, this is considered “animal service” and so a special exception is required.  The residential use above will remain untouched.
• 8:00 PM 919 South 51st Street The application is for the provision of two parking spaces at the rear of an existing two-family residence.  Accessory on-site parking is prohibited in this zone unless it can be accessed from a shared driveway, alley, or rear street. Existing zoning is RM-1 Residential Multi-Family. 

Please come out to see the proposed plans for all of these projects, and to voice your opinions on these proposals.  If you cannot attend this meeting and wish to comment on any of these, please contact CPN at zoning@cedarparkneighbors.org or 267-BALT-AVE (267-225-8283).

The History Of Cedar Park Now On Display!

Earlier this year, we asked neighbors to weigh in on photos for a window display on neighborhood history. On the 107th anniversary of the naming of our neighborhood park, the display is now up at 4926 Baltimore Avenue. 

The space has graciously been provided by our friends at the RHD Cedar Park Women's Shelter, and the University City District generously provided design help and funding for the project. Beyond showcasing the neighborhood's history and diversity, the display also includes dynamic elements that will allow us to bring Cedar Park Neighbors' event and initiative information right to neighbors as they pass by. 

Community Zoning Meeting for 928 S. St. Bernard

Please join us on Wednesday, July 25th at 7pm at Calvary Community Center. Calvary is located at the corner of 48th and Baltimore Avenue, use the small side entrance on Baltimore Avenue. The developer will present their plans for the lot and answer questions.

The proposed project is a new construction 2 family building with 0 parking spaces. The proposed 2 family building is prohibited in RSA-3 (which only allows single family) and the required number of parking spaces is 2.

Update: 2018 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser!

Thank you to the more than 60 neighbors who came out to Dock Street on a sunny beautiful afternoon for our 11th Annual Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser on April 22!

We are additionally grateful to Kayla Lewis, one of 2017’s NINE scholarship award recipients, who was able to join us and share the genuine impact these funds and community support have had on her and her studies.

These scholarship funds exemplify the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors! To date, this year’s median donation is $100, and over 75% percent of our donors live in Cedar Park with almost the entire remainder coming from other West Philadelphia neighborhoods. We have raised approximately 92% of the funds necessary to match last year’s award numbers and amounts, and keep scholars motivated with care packages and academic break get-togethers.

To help us reach our goal, donate online or write a check to “Cedar Park Neighbors” memo line “Scholarships Committee” and mail to 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143. Donations of any amount are appreciated! Sponsor level donations with opportunities for recognition remain available.

The 2018 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship applications are now available here. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2018 5:00 p.m. EST.

Special thanks to our in-kind contributors, West Philadelphia Foot Tappers for their live music, Dock Street Brewery for helping defray fundraiser food costs, and Aksum for covering the scholar’s Winter Social.

Finally, please mark your calendar for Friday, July 13th for the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship award ceremony in Cedar Park at 49th and Baltimore. The ceremony will take place during the 7:00 p.m. set break for the evening’s Cedar Park Jazz concert. In addition to presenting the scholarship awards to recipients, we will also be recognizing our sponsor level donors.

Sustaining Neighbor $1,000-$2,499

Fleming Family Fund

Jeanne Pinkham

Philadelphia Federal Credit Union

Benefactor Neighbor $500-$999

Anonymous

Fred Wolfe, Jr.

VIX Emporium

Patron Neighbor $250-$499

Alexander Gillett & Carol Stein

Amara Rockar & Mustapha Berkshan

Duwayne Terry & Julia Katz Terry

Lisa Mitchell

Mark McGuire & Jo-Ann M. Verrier

Melani Lamond, BHHS Fox & Roach, Realtor

Bandit Sign Round-up for CPN!

Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN) is participating in the city's first ever "Illegal Signs Initiative." The city will pay CPN 50 cents for every bandit sign that we gather before Saturday, June 16th. CPN will then use the money to host our Friday night jazz series, administer our scholarship program for neighborhood youth, organize zoning meetings, distribute holiday baskets, and more. 

What is a bandit sign?

Bandit signs are signs that are illegally posted on public property, such as the ubiquitous "We Buy Houses" signs. However, for this project, CPN is ONLY interested in predatory commercial real estate signs. CPN has NO interest in collecting signs about yard sales, house parties, lost pets, etc.

What should I do when I have collected bandit signs?

Please drop your bandit signs off on the porch of one of the following CPN board members: 1008 South 47th Street (Al), 506 South 48th Street (Mike); 5117 Catharine Street (Catherine); or 934 South Saint Bernard Street (Joe).

What's the problem with these signs?
The "We Buy Houses" signs are particularly nefarious as they often prey on long-time homeowners who are in desperate situations into giving up their family homes for pennies on the dollar. It destroys the inter-generational transfer of wealth and worsens the racial wealth gap.

A typical situation unfolds like this: A family faces financial hardship - mom loses job, cousin is locked up and needs bail, dad needs to hire immigration lawyer, etc. The house is worth $100,000 with a $50,000 mortgage. They contact one of these We Buy Homes outfits. The buyer comes to the house and says, "Your house is worth $75,000, but it looks like your mortgage is almost $60,000. Let's see what we can work out." Buyer then offers homeowner $15,000 (i.e., $75,000-$60,000), but then says, "There's a 10% fee for the buyer, and it's going to cost an additional $3,000 for the taxes plus an additional $500 to record the new deed." Homeowner accepts a net of $10,000 because that's what the buyer says they are due. Meanwhile, if homeowner had gone to a legitimate realtor, they may have netted $45,000.

Many people also think these signs are ugly.

Are these bandit signs illegal?
Yes. Philadelphia Code 10-1200 prohibits the posting or advertising upon any sign on a utility pole, streetlight, traffic or parking sign or device, including any post to which such sign or device is attached; historical marker; or city-owned tree or tree in the public right-of-way.

Can I collect only bandit signs in Cedar Park?
Please gather signs from anywhere in Philadelphia.

Have another question?

Please email michaelrfroehlich@gmail.com.

2018 Cedar Park Jazz Series Lineup

Cedar Park Jazz

Every Friday, 6 to 8 PM, June + July

Get ready! 

The 18th annual Cedar Park Jazz series returns this summer! Join Cedar Park Neighbors every Friday night in from 6 to 8PM in Cedar Park through June and July for music, dancing, and community. Celebrate West Philly's incredible musical talent with an amazing lineup: 

June 1: ALFIE POLLITT TRIO - Facebook Event
June 8: RED ROSE COMBO - Facebook Event 
June 15: FIGURATIONS QUARTET - Facebook Event
June 22: BOBBY ZANKEL & THE WONDERFUL SOUND SIX - Facebook Event 
June 29: JAMAL JONES & THE BUREAU OF SONIC WONDERLAND - Facebook Event
July 6: NAZIR EBO & FRIENDS - Facebook Event
July 13: CLEF CLUB ENSEMBLE - Facebook Event 
July 20: FIRESTORM - Facebook Event
July 27: GRETCHEN ELISE & FRIENDS - Facebook Event

Bring your lawn chair, cooler, and dancing shoes!
Family-friendly event. 
FREE and OPEN to ALL

Presented by Cedar Park Neighbors' Jazz Committee.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors: 

GOLD

Holly Mack-Ward & Co, Coldwell Banker Preferred
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
University City Review

SILVER 

Aksum
Bookers Restaurant and Bar
The Green Tambourine 
Mariposa Food Co-op 
Spak Group 

BRONZE 

Dock Street Brewery
VIX Emporium 

FRIEND 

Spirited Tattoo Coalition 

2018-2019 Gary Bronson Memorial College Scholarship Application Open