The Parent Infant Center (4205 Spruce Street) is organizing its first Annual Toy Swap this Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

How does it work? You can exchange your new or gently used toys for tickets to “buy” other toys of similar value, OR you can buy tickets at the door on the day of the event.

What kinds of toys? All toys and games for children, including sporting equipment, are accepted. No books, please.

What are the expected conditions of the toys? Only new or gently used items are accepted. All toy sets and games are expected to be complete and in appropriate containers (original boxes or see-through containers). Only the following “singles” from a set are accepted: vehicles, dolls, balls, wooden train tracks and Legos or Duplos.

When and where can I drop off my toys? Toys will be accepted on Friday, Dec. 9 between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at PIC’s small gym.

If you have questions or if you’d like to volunteer at the event, please contact Clara Flores at: clara.flores.studio34 [at] gmail.com

 
Developers unveiled plans to community members last night to transform the squatters’ paradise at 49th and Locust, the Croydon Building, into a 127-unit apartment building.

The Croydon has been an eyesore rising to the west of the West Philadelphia High School football field for years and was the site of 2007 murder. Extensive renovation work on the building, budgeted at about $10 million, could begin as early as late winter. The developers, the West Philly based Orens Brothers, still must get zoning approval, which is expected in January. Orens Brothers bought the building in July.

About a dozen community members perused plans last night during a public meeting at the Community College of Philadelphia’s West Regional Center at 48th and Chestnut. The renovation will include street lighting around the building, which will help light up the section of Locust Street on the building’s north side. Orens Brothers is interested in renovating the small blighted playground adjacent to the Croydon at the corner of 49th and Spruce, possibly turning it into a community garden. The School District of Philadelphia currently owns that piece of land.

“If we’re going to make the Croydon look like this,” said Scott Orens, pointing to an artistic rendering of the renovated building. “We don’t want something next to it looking like that.”

The renovated building will include one-, two- and three bedroom apartments and the market-rate rents will range from about $600 for a small one-bedroom to $1,300 for a three-bedroom. Amenities will include a 24-hour door person.

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell has supported the Orens Brothers’ efforts to acquire the building, which should help facilitate the zoning process.

“I really don’t think we could have asked for a better organization to do this,” she said.

One resident, who lives on St. Bernard Street, voiced some concern about Orens Brothers’ plans to acquire the city-owned parking lot on the south side of Spruce Street to use for Croydon parking. She is worried that the cars parked in the lot during services at nearby churches will be forced to park on St. Bernard, which she says won’t be able to handle the additional traffic.

Orens Brothers sought to acquire the lot after community members during a meeting over the summer said they were concerned about the possible influx of cars that might accompany the renovation of the Croydon.

The Croydon has a checkered history. Known by squatters as “Paradise City,” the building’s rooftop was the site of a murder in 2007 after a squabble between two squatters. The school district was also briefly interested in acquiring the building as a site for the new West Philadelphia High School, but instead built on a nearby site at 49th and Chestnut.

Registration is now open for free “Family and Friends” CPR classes that will be held January 14, 2 – 4 p.m. at the New Africa Center (4243 Lancaster Ave.). This free training is being offered in hope of serving the surrounding community better and has a message that if more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved. The event is co-sponsored by Islamic Cultural Preservation and Information Council.

To register please call 215-222-0520 or 888-739-2234.

Reader Jeff says that he found a small tabico kitten (pictured) this afternoon on 46th St between Osage and Baltimore. He believes that it’s a girl.

“She looks to be around 3 months old, mostly grey tabby markings with some brown markings on her back. Some people nearby said it had been wandering around most of today (but not before then) and the state of its ears and teeth makes me think she hasn’t been outside for long. I’m guessing her family are somewhere around here…”

If you know whose kitten this may be, please contact Jeff by email: dougherty.jeffrey [at] gmail.com

The story about neighborhood cat Clark Kent, the nearly dead feline rescued by our reader James last week, has touched a lot of people in West Philly and beyond. City Kitties and the staff at The Cat Doctor, which fought for the cat’s life, received donations from 40 U.S. states and countries like Australia, Germany, Ireland, France, Spain, Israel, England, Netherlands, Singapore, Canada, and Russia.

We also were informed that designer Jen Roder created a special “Clark Kent” button (pictured) which you can buy for only $5. All proceeds from the button sale are going to support other cats and kittens in need.

Reader Max expresses his concern about some young men riding motorcycles/dirt bikes too dangerously on the neighborhood streets. Here’s what he writes:

“I am a resident of West Philly and am writing to bring an issue in the open since I feel like I am not the only person concerned about this. There are groups of young men riding dirt bikes all around the neighborhoods (Baltimore to Market, 48th to 56th and beyond).

These people are riding very dangerously, they often run red lights, they run on one wheel, they are disturbingly loud, they ride with no helmet (so when they get injured who is paying for their hospital bills?). I see them often, too often, missing accidents by a hair, being this close to injuring by-passers. What worries me is that I have seen them riding past police cars and NOTHING was done by the police.

Is this more than what it seems? Is this an organized group or some kind of gang practice? I don’t know. I’ve tried to call 911 but they pass by quickly, so any 911 call is ineffective. What can be done about it? Are other residents concerned as well? Is it reasonable to expect a more prompt response from law enforcement?”