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April 12, 2021

HEADLINES

 
CPN News

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR MEMBERSHIP ON CPN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OPPORTUNITIES TO LOVE CEDAR PARK THIS SPRING
Join the Park Committee for a workday April 10 and more activities in May!


Coronavirus News

A LOT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:

In a move that felt almost like back-to-back homers in a Phillies game, Philadelphia opened up Phase 1c completely as of April 12th, and then announced that, as of April 19th, every Philadelphia citizen age 16 or older is eligible to sign up for vaccination. Increased availability of vaccine, concern over stubbornly rising levels of new infections, and a plea from the White House to speed up vaccination all contributed to this broad advance.

There will be problems: increased supply of vaccine doesn't instantly translate into an increased rate of injections, and there are concerns that a flood of device-savvy younger folk will crowd out the large number of older people who still need to get vaccinated. To counter this, the city has opened three one-day-a-week walk-in clinics for Philadelphians 65 and older at three Health Centers in West Philly,  North Philly and on Cottmann Avenue, and with FEMA's help is opening a second FEMA mass vaccination site at 5th and Hunting ParkAnd the city is in continuing talks with FEMA to extend the operation of the FEMA vaccination site at the Convention Center, now due to close April 26th.

Not counting the limited walk-in opportunities, the way to sign up for vaccination is still to use the city's on-line "vaccination interest" sign-up form.


OTHER COVID-19 NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA OPENS UP ANOTHER ROUND OF EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE
"Phase 4" of this program is now accepting applications from tenants.

BAN ON RENTER EVICTIONS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS EXTENDED  [www.inquirer.com]
CDC-originated ban extended to June 30

CITY POSTPONES TAX DUE DATE FOR INCOME TAXES TO MAY 17
Follow the link and scroll to File Philadelphia BIRT, NPT, Earnings, and School Income Tax by May 17

PHILLY VACCINE MAP SHOWS SOME PROGRESS IN REDUCING ECONOMIC GAP
 [billypenn.com]

PFIZER/BIONTECH: VACCINE REMAINS 91% EFFECTIVE AFTER SIX MONTHS    [www.inquirer.com]

COVID-19 VACCINES FOUND TO BE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN REAL-WORLD CDC STUDY    [www.inquirer.com]


FOR BUSINESSES:

TODAY (MONDAY APR 12) IS THE LAST DAY TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH "CHIRP" (PA.'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY RECOVERY PROGRAM)

RELIEF FOR "SHUTTERED VENUE" OPERATORS: NEW GRANT PROGRAM FROM SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

 
Cedar Park Neighbors maintains on its website a comprehensive, constantly updated tally of COVID-19  information. Covered topics include restrictions on commercial and social activity,  free food support, vaccination, testing, SEPTA, schools, financial assistance for renters and businesses, and links to other sources of information, all geared toward citizens of West Philadelphia in particular.

Click this link to reach the COVID-19 page on CPN's website.
RECENT COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS FOR PHILADELPHIA
Week of 04/02 - 04/09   (8 days due to city holiday on April 2):

 
New confirmed cases this week:   4027  (average of 503 cases/day over an 8-day period)

Previous three weeks (earliest to most recent):  2210, 2749, 2736

Deaths this week: 51
Previous three weeks (earliest to most recent):  55, 23, 38


Vaccinations so far:

First Dose:
226,354  as of 4/9/21 1:20 p.m.
Second Dose: 363,189  as of 4/9/21 1:20 p.m.
Data are from Mon.-Fri. press briefings by the City and Department of Health, such as this one covering 04/02/21-04/05/21. These figures do not include "presumptive" new cases, a much smaller number of cases which are reported each day by the City. Vaccination data available here.
 
You know the mantra:
  • stay within your "bubble" as much as possible.
  • wear a mask when outside (it's mandatory) and practice social distancing
  • wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.
MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE CITY'S "VACCINATION INTEREST" FORM. IT'S HOW YOU CAN REGISTER TO BE CONTACTED TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR VACCINATION
Click here for more info

YOU CAN ALSO CALL  (215) 685-5488 OR EMAIL covid@phila.gov.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CPN'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 

Are you interested in serving your community as a board member for Cedar Park Neighbors? We’re looking for new members to serve two-year terms that begin on June 1, 2021. Please email your nomination (name, email address, home or work street address, and why you wish to run for the board) to David Hincher, 1st Vice President.

Are you a long-time resident or have you recently moved to the neighborhood? Are you a renter, homeowner, or business owner? If you live or work in Cedar Park and want to help your community, consider running for your neighborhood board!

View the CPN map to check if you live or work in our boundaries (map link).

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CEDAR PARK NEIGHBORS BOARD MEMBERS

Cedar Park Neighbors is the registered community organization (RCO) for the Cedar Park area. As representatives of the community and the organization, CPN Board Members behave in a responsible, accountable organization, promoting the general welfare of the community.  The basic responsibilities of a CPN Board Member are:

  • Participation in monthly two-hour CPN Board Meetings, which are typically held the 3rd Monday of each month from 7:00-9:00pm. All meetings are virtual until further notice.

  • Join a Committee (Scholarship, Zoning, Holiday Food Basket, Jazz, Communications, Transit, or start one that you feel is needed!)

  • Encourage neighbors and friends to join CPN and participate in our activities

  • Maintain your annual membership during your term

Please note that in order to stand for election as a CPN board member or to vote in the elections, you need to be a current CPN member.  Click here to join (or renew membership) with CPN!

OPPORTUNITIES TO LOVE CEDAR PARK THIS SPRING

The CPN Park Committee has already launched its season of Park activities.  On March 13, we had 15 volunteers come out to wake up the gardens and to take on some Park maintenance chores.  Many thanks to Helene, Holman, Bernadine, Eleanor, Jeff, JJ, Jax, Alex, Chris, Wayne, Abby, Scott, Elliot, Pearl and Maureen! 
 
We have more opportunities for others who love Cedar Park, enjoy working outdoors, and want to keep Cedar Park clean and green.  There are signs of spring throughout the park.  Take a walk and observe the trees and spring bulbs budding.  
 
Future work days:

Remember to set your calendar to join us!
 
May 8                    10:00 am – 1:00 pm        LOVE YOUR PARK WEEK
June 12                 10:00 am – noon
July 10                  10:00 am – noon  

We follow all safety health protocols.  Volunteers must wear masks and will work on safely distanced tasks.  All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary.  It’s fun, good exercise, and you get to meet great neighbors.
 
Interested in joining the Park Committee or have further questions?  Contact us at:  parks@cedarparkneighbors.org 
 
 

CPN DESIGNATES FOUR AWARDEES FOR $1000 GRANTS THROUGH UNIVERSITY CITY DISTRICT
 
CPN recently participated in a grant program run by the University City District in which a total of $20,000 was allocated among five community organizations to be distributed as small grants ($1000 each) to local businesses. CPN was authorized to give out four grants. CPN is happy to have had this opportunity to drive some help to local businesses. Here are the names of the awardees:
 
Amari’s Restaurant 
Indie-Life Media 
Spinning Chairs Barber Shop 
The Green Tambourine Music Studio 

 
STATEMENT BY CEDAR PARK NEIGHBORS ON RACIAL JUSTICE
 

George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor - the list of racially motivated murders demands action. Black Lives Matter. The forces of change have motivated movements across the world, in our nation, and within our communities to fight for racial justice. This past Friday, June 19 was Juneteenth, commemorating June 19, 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to ensure that all enslaved people were freed. Freedom, though, does not guarantee racial equality. Cedar Park Neighbors supports the human rights initiatives and protections embedded in the Black Lives Matter movement. We stand with our black and brown neighbors!

- June 22 2020

2021-2022 GARY BRONSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

CPN is working towards another successful campaign to fund more scholarships for local students.

Watch for announcements of the opening of application season.

The names of last year's ten winners of Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarships can be found on the CPN website.  

For more information about the scholarship program, see our committee website. You can contribute to fundraising efforts for 2021 awards by donating to the scholarship fund online.
Donate
The Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship was renamed in 2015 in honor of our visionary neighbor and friend, who founded this scholarship 30 years ago.
Philadelphia + Beyond
 
The event will be held at HUP – Cedar Avenue, located at 54th Street and Cedar Avenue, Philadelphia, PA in the Atrium. (This is the former Mercy Hospital site).

Due to COVID requirements, you must pre-register (follow the Community Job Fair link above).

Also follow the link for a listing of the types of jobs for which interviews are offered.

 
YOUTH OUTREACH
OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN  DWIGHT EVANS
Congressman Dwight Evans's office announced several upcoming programs to which young people of the 3rd Congressional District are invited to apply:
  • The office is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 PA03 Congressional Youth Cabinet. The application, and a required nomination by an adult, are available at  https://evans.house.gov/youth-cabinet-application and  https://evans.house.gov/congressional-youth-cabinet-nomination-form.
  • The 2021 Congressional Art Competition. The submission deadline is May 7th. Follow the link for details.
  • The Congressional App Competition, for students interested in coding and app building. This will begin in the summer - stay in touch with the Congressman's office (215-276-0340) for further details.
  • Service Academy Nominations and the National Service Opportunity Fair are further opportunities. Details are available from the Congressman's office (215-276-0340).

PRIMARY DAY IS MAY 18
Municipal Primary: May 18th. Elections will be held for a variety of judgeships, for Philadelphia District Attorney, for City Controller, and for Judge of Elections and Inspector of Elections in many wards.

Last day to register to vote: May 3rd

Last day to request a mail-in ballot: May 11th (realistically, you should request it well before then)

Mail-in ballots and civilian absentee ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by May 18th.
Military and overseas absentee ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by May 25th.

Want to know more? The place to start is at the City Commissioners website, www.philadelphiavotes.com.

 

This May 15 event is this year's West Philadelphia event.

COVID-19 has made this chore a little less convenient, but still do-able:
  • You have to pick a designated 15-minute slot during which to arrive with your disposable hazardous waste.
  • To do this, you have to first create an account and pre-register with the Streets Department at this website (it's pretty quick, and if you already have an account you can skip this step.)
  • Log in and pick a time slot - the website will reflect the info back to you for confirmation.
  • Confirm the appointment - Streets will send you an email as written confirmation.
NOTE: you can no longer bring old computers, printers, TVs, or other e-waste to these hazardous waste events - bring them instead directly to a Sanitation Convenience Center. There are two nearby in West Philly (5100 Grays Ave) and Southwest Philly (3033 S 63 St). You may need to show proof of residency in Philadelphia (e.g., Driver's License). Hours of operation are not listed on the website but there are phone numbers listed for each site.
Written and directed by Rich Bradford ​
March 19—April 18
Pay-What-You-Can

Joseph Bologne - later titled Chevalier de Saint-Georges -  was born to an enslaved mother and a wealthy plantation-owning father in the middle of the 18th century. He grew up to be a composer, virtuoso violinist...and a champion fencer! Follow his story, which has modern echoes, in this latest offering from Curio.

"Saint-Georges" is a "multi-disciplinary, ambulatory installation piece designed to encourage social distancing in this time of pandemic." Yes, you walk through the performance as it happens. For reasons of pandemic safety, you must reserve a time slot to experience this work of dramatic art. Visit Curio Theatre's website for details and to reserve a slot.


 

COVID-19, lockdown, loss of income, loss of social interaction - it's a lot to cope with. Cedar Park Neighbors maintains here and on its website a list of resources that may help. We recommend those in our list because they are accepting of sliding-scale fees, especially for "self-pay" beneficiaries (those with minimal or no health care plan).

 

You may also be interested by Boost Your Mood, a series of pamphlets available from DBHIDS* and HealthyMindsPhilly. It covers a number of areas: Wellness Tips; Numbers to Know; Coping with COVID-19; Children, Youth, and Families; Community Support; and Addressing Trauma and Violence. You can read them on-line or print them as a single document.

     * Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, City of Philadelphia
VIRTUAL EVENTS
May 8 2021: 13th Annual Oral Cancer Walk & 5K: sponsored by Penn Dental Medicine. Not so much "virtual" as "remote". Register here and click here for the event flyer.

Free Library of Philadelphia: The Free Library of Philadelphia now maintains a calendar of virtual events and programming!

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge:  leads live nature programs on its Facebook page every Tuesday and Thursday until further notice.

Ahimsa House: Ahimsa House is holding some virtual classes, including a poetry reading and a silent meditation. Click to their website for details.

CPN Board Meeting 2021 Schedule


NOTE: public meetings including public sessions of the Board Meetings are cancelled until further notice due to the ongoing health emergency. The CPN Board will continue to meet in virtual fashion each month. The schedule below is informational only. 

Apr 19
May 17
Jun 21
Jul 19
Aug 16
 

Sep 20
Oct 18
Nov 15
Dec 20
Join & Donate
Have a topic, concern, project, or initiative you would like to submit to Cedar Park Neighbors for a potential board meeting presentation? Contact us!
Memberships to Cedar Park Neighbors start at $7. Join Today!
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Calvary Community Center
4740 Baltimore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143
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