Over the past few weeks Cedar Park residents have been donating money for holiday food baskets for their neighbors in need. Now it’s time to give away those baskets put together by volunteers at Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN). The annual CPN Holiday basket packing and distributing event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Renewal Presbyterian Church (47th and Cedar), from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and more volunteer help is needed to make this event a success.

Also, volunteers who are comfortable lifting heavy items are sought to help with unloading poultry at 8:00 a.m. (meet at the church). If you have some free time this Saturday and would like to help out at the event please contact Michelle Smith-Lewis at: mlewis1071[at]gmail.com

UPDATE (12/16/2014): Here’s the agenda for tonight’s meeting:

• Enrollment
• Support of K-12 education
• Ongoing Engagement activities
• Campus Master Planning
• Call for university – community collaboration ideas

(12/15/2014): University of the Sciences (USciences) is reaching out to the local community by hosting a regular public meeting every three months. In a message circulated via email, USciences president Dr. Helen Giles-Gee writes that “as a member of our community, University of the Sciences recognizes that it’s important that we communicate with each other and share information.”

At the quarterly meetings, university leadership will provide updates on new and ongoing projects and “will seek your feedback on ways in which we may work together for the betterment of our community.”

The first community meeting will take place this Tuesday (Dec. 16) at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the McNeil Science and Technology Center (43rd and Woodland, see map here). Light refreshments will also be served.

It’s not clear whether the meeting will include information and discussion of the university’s recent purchase of the former Wilson Elementary School building at 46th and Woodland, which it plans to convert into student housing (read more here).

Dozens of former residents of the Windermere Court apartments at 48th and Walnut, which burned down in early 2011, have scored a tentative multi-million-dollar victory in a class action lawsuit against the building’s owners.

The suit was filed soon after the devastating January 2011 fire and claimed that the building’s owners and management company failed to maintain smoke detectors, fire alarms and the four-story building’s sprinkler system. The suit was filed against owners David, Sam and Aron Ginsberg, all from New Jersey, and the management company that oversaw maintenance of the building.

The residents’ attorney, Thomas More Marrone, said in a statement that residents were in tears in the court hallways when they heard the news of the proposed $4.75 million settlement, which was reached three days after the civil trial began.

Most of the residents fled the four-story building with very few possessions and were barred from re-entering their apartments, prompting weeks of protests following the fire. The building was demolished in April 2011.

Before the demolition, residents were told they could request belongings from their apartments, but they had to fit into two garbage bags.

The fire prompted an outpouring of support from West Philly residents, businesses and non-profits, many of whom organized fundraisers and collected clothing for the more than 100 displaced Windermere residents. Animal relief organizations also worked around the clock to help save many of the pets that didn’t make it out of the building.

Here is an interview days after the fire with one of the plaintiffs named in the case, J.B. Farley, on the quick demolition of the building.

Here is video of the fire:

– Mike Lyons

Representatives of about a dozen proposed West Philly charter schools will present their applications to the  School District of Philadelphia on Thursday beginning at 10:10 a.m.

This is the first time the District has considered adding new charter schools since 2007. The District received a total of 40 applications and the hearings on them began Monday. Protesters have also showed up at the hearings. Most are calling for more support of the District’s neighborhood schools.

The public is welcome to comment on the applications from 3 p.m. (after they are all complete) to 6 p.m. at the District headquarters at 440 N. Broad St. Speakers are asked to register at 215-400-4010 and should arrive before 6 p.m. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes.

Some 62,000 students currently attend one of the city’s 86 charter schools, which account for about a third of the District’s budget – roughly $730 million. The District has until late February to vote on the applications.  Continue Reading

Garden Court residents and others interested in helping out in the neighborhood have a great chance this week to learn more about local happenings and events, meet other community members, business owners and stakeholders, and find out how to get involved. The Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) is presenting a membership fair on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at the Renewal Presbyterian Church (4633 Cedar Avenue) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The following topics will be discussed at the event:

• Bringing support to Lea Elementary School
• Improving the business corridors in your community
• Improving public safety
• Planning events to bring neighbors together
• Supporting community greening efforts

Neighborhood businesses, organizations, and programs will also take part in the GCCA Membership Fair, including University City District, 48th Street Grille, Take the Lead Dance Studio, PGW’s EnergySense Program, The Partnership CDC Neighborhood Advisory Committee, and more. Each of the working committees will have displays and information on the work that they are doing to make Garden Court a great place to live. Tasty treats will also be provided!

Garden Court’s boundaries are 45th Street to 52nd Street and Cedar Avenue to Locust Street. GCCA Membership is open to all persons living, working, or interested in this community. For more information about GCCA and upcoming neighborhood events, visit the GCCA website at: www.gardencourtca.org.

Visit SEPTA’s Facebook page and vote for your favorite “gift-wrapped” vehicle. This photo was taken last year.

Forget Black Friday and the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall. In West Philly, the holiday season doesn’t really get underway until a trolley gets jolly.

Keep an eye out on routes 10, 11, 13, 15, 34 and 36 for four trolleys that will be decked out in their holiday finest – lights, tinsel, garland etc.

A handful of SEPTA trolley drivers decided to dress up their rigs to add a little cheer to that chilly commute. There will be two on the 11, 13, 34 or 36 routes and one on the 10 and 15 lines. The drivers responsible include Gary Mason, Fred Garmon, Dave Musgrave, and Deina McLaughlin and Denita Birton (Deina’s sister). So if you feel the need to bring glad tidings on the trolley with you, those are the folks to thank.