It looks like we are going to get hit pretty hard by the fast-approaching Hurricane Irene. Weather folks are saying it could be the worst to hit the East Coast in 50 years.

We are not trying to scare anyone, but high winds, power outages and flooding are very possible, so it’s never a bad idea to be prepared for the storm, which is due to reach the Philly area on Sunday morning. The following information, including the hurricane preparedness list, was originally posted on the UCNeighbors listserv by neighbor Robin who kindly allowed us to re-publish it here. Thanks Robin!

“I grew up in Tidewater Va. Damage is unpredictable. We won’t have storm surge (which washes away homes on the coast) but I believe we will have some flooding as predicted. If your basement gets wet, or was wet in the last 5″-6” of rain I would buy a pump now and have it on hand.

The winds predicted will bring down trees and we have large ones and wet ground. So we will have electricity out somewhere. Some people will have damage to their roofs. I think it is smart to bring in trash cans, lawn furniture, potted plants etc., they will blow around. With our old roofs you might want the trash can in the house to catch water if you spring a leak.

I think it is also smart to make sure the weep holes in your storm windows are clear. The wind drives rain in at odd angles and water might come in places where you might not expect. Hurricanes can spark tornadoes, you should listen to a battery operated radio.

My prep list:

1. Batteries for a radio and flashlights.

2. Bring in backyard items

3. Non-perishable food. I am also cooking a dish or two and freezing them. If the power goes out I will let them thaw and heat them in a chaffing dish. I am going to buy a bag of ice before the storm to put in the freezer to extend the cooling time.

4. Some bottled water, you most likely won’t need it. Sometimes water treatment can
get overwhelmed and you need potable water. Sometimes flooding breaks water mains.

5. Charge your cell phones. Your laptops. Toothbrush:) etc.

6. Put gas in your car for emergencies.

7. Buy a sheet of plastic to protect the floor if there are leaks. Try to prevent
leaks before they happen.

8. Bring in pets.

Also, Robin adds, make sure you have enough medications in case you need them.

Update 2: Tonya Dixon, the mother accused of abducting her 2-day-old baby from HUP yesterday, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child recklessly endangering another person.

Update: Police found the child and his mother at about 5 p.m. on the 6000 block of Kingsessing Avenue. The mother is currently in police custody. No charges have been filed yet. The baby will be returned to HUP.

Police are searching for a 39-year-old woman who abducted her 2-day-old boy at about noon today from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The child is a black male who, police say, needs medical attention and had been in the custody of the Department of Human Services.

The child was wearing a diaper and a one-piece outfit and an alarm censor was attached to the child’s umbilical cord. Police say the child was taken by 39-year-old Tonya Dixon, who is described as a black female last seen wearing cream-colored pants, a yellow shirt, black jacket and a long black wig. Police say Dixon left with the child in a silver Dodge four-door sedan that was driven by an unidentified person. A police source said the mother is “extremely unfit” to care for the child but did not elaborate.

Anyone with information about the abduction is urged to call 911.

Kids ages 5-11 are invited to register for the Fall season of Clark Park Youth Soccer League (CPYSL). The registration is open until Tuesday, September 6, and all the necessary forms can be downloaded here. If you want your forms to be mailed to you e-mail: clarkparksoccer [at] yahoo.com or call: 215-552-8186.

The Fall season begins Saturday, September 24, and ends Saturday, November 19.

CPYSL needs volunteers to help with the pre-registration data entry work and coaching (no experience is required). For more information visit: www.friendsofclarkpark.org.

The league is also looking for sponsors, local people and businesses alike, to support their program. In exchange your logo will be appear on T-shirts, website and newsletter. The cost is $160/year (two seasons of soccer).

Market Street Promenade? Cliff Lee Commons?

We’re trying to think of a name for the new, soon-to-be opened public space outside of 30th Street Station that is the reason behind all of that construction over the last couple of months. The University City District needs your help in naming it. What’s in it for you? Bragging rights and a $500 Amtrak gift card.

The space will includes lots of seating and trees and plants, turning what has been one of the least pedestrian-friendly parts of the city into a gathering spot complete with activities like musical performances. The space should be complete by Labor Day weekend.

OK, back to the name thing. You can submit as many names as you like, but they must be submitted separately. If a name is chosen that has duplicate entries, one will be randomly selected. The entry deadline is midnight on Sept. 30 and a 10-person jury will choose the name from among the entries and announce it in mid October.

To enter, send an e-mail to newpublicspace [at] universitycity.org that includes:

• Suggested Name for Public Space
• Reasons for the suggested name (no more than 150 words)
• Your Name
• Phone Number
• Email

More information is available at the University City District Facebook page here.
 

Mariposa Food Co-op is throwing open its doors a few times over the next month so that West Philly residents can keep tabs on the renovation of its new space ahead of the official opening in the fall.

The first of the three open houses is Sunday, August 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Others will be on September 13 (5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and October 2 (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). All three will take place at the soon-to-be Mariposa location at 4824 Baltimore Ave (see picture).

You can drop by the open house at any time and kids are welcome. Mariposa is encouraging people to RSVP here.

While sitting at the kitchen just before 2 p.m. today we heard a glass start to move. We figured since it was garbage day on our block that the truck was coming through. Or our dog fell off the couch. Maybe someone moving in next door. Nope, it was an earthquake.

Folks in West Philly were among millions to feel the effect of an earthquake that rolled up the East Coast just before 2 p.m. today. Buildings in Center City were evacuated.

SEPTA sent out a warning that trains and subways would be up to 15 minutes behind schedule. Fire and police crews scoured the city for structural damage and gas leaks. Police asked that people only call 911 for an emergency.

The quake was reportedly felt as far north as Rhode Island.