This Monday, three important community meetings are scheduled in West Philadelphia, and residents are encouraged to participate.

Cedar Park Neighbors Annual Meeting – 7 p.m – Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore). Read more about the meeting’s agenda here.

UPDATE: POSTPONED UNTIL MON, APR 25: Friends of Clark Park General Membership Meeting – 7 p.m. – University of the Sciences, Griffith Hall (Lecture Hall A), 43rd and Woodland (see map here). Bring your questions and concerns, and find out what’s happening in the park.

Powelton Village Civic Association Monthly Meeting – 7:30 p.m. – 3500 Baring Street. On the agenda are two Dornsife / Drexel lawyers talking about deed restrictions and ways to sell one’s house to a single family.

The Cedar Park Neighbors Community Association is inviting community members to hear reports on their activities over the past year at their annual meeting on Monday, Apr. 18. Representatives from CPN’s committees on Zoning, Jazz, Scholarships, Holiday Baskets, and the Park will be available to talk about CPN’s work in these areas.

In addition, attendees will get lightning round updates on lots of cool things happening in and around the neighborhood. There will be five-minute presentations from:

• Ryan Kuck, Greensgrow West, talking about this summer’s expansion plans

• Akeem Dixon, 52nd Street Commercial Corridor Manager, discussing recent developments on the street

• Jeff Wicklund, The Enterprise Center, providing an update on the Common Table and the Culinary Center at 48th and Spruce

• Kittson O’Neill, Shakespeare in Clark Park, previewing this summer’s presentation of The Two Gentlemen of Verona
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A few community meetings will be held this week – in the Spruce Hill and Walnut Hill neighborhoods – where residents can learn more and ask questions about public safety, development projects, and other important issues.

Two meetings are scheduled at Spruce Hill Community Association’s office at 257 S. 45th St this week:

• SHCA Board Meeting will take place tonight (Tuesday, Apr. 12) at 7:30 p.m., and the guest speaker is Jess Hinchey, a volunteer coordinator at Refugee Corps.

• SHCA Zoning meeting is on Wednesday, Apr. 13, and has the following agenda:  Continue Reading

The community association for one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods is looking for new members and leadership. Cedar Park Neighbors will hold its annual meeting on April 18, and all are invited to the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 48th and Baltimore to hear a report of what CPN has done over the year. There will also be a special event at the meeting that will be announced soon.

The meeting will also include elections for next year’s officers and board members. But only CPN members as of April 1, 2016 can vote. Annual memberships run from January to December each year, and if you would like to join or renew your membership you can do it on the MemberPlanet website. CPN memberships start at just $7/year (for seniors, students, and the unemployed.)

If you have questions, please email: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org or call 267-225-8283.

Former Alexander Wilson School building at 46th and Woodland.

It’s been a while since local community members received any updates on the University of the Sciences’ (USciences) plans regarding the re-development of the former Alexander Wilson School building at 46th and Woodland. This Wednesday (March 30), residents are invited to get the latest scoop about this project at a community meeting on the university’s campus.

The meeting will feature an update on the Campus Master Plan, including the Alexander Wilson School site, remarks from University leadership, an open forum for questions, and a chance to interact with University representatives and partners. Light refreshments will be served.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m., and here’s the agenda:

7:00-7:45 p.m. – Introductions and Remarks
7:45-8:00 p.m. – Open Forum for Community Questions
8:00-8:30 p.m. – Refreshments and Meet & Greet  Continue Reading

A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday that could go a long way to determining the future of the upstart youth baseball league that has operated for the past two years at the 48th and Woodland Playground.

Local politicians and PAYSA organizers on last year’s opening day for the league (Photo from PAYSA Facebook page).

The Department of Parks and Recreation called the meeting following a request by the league, called the Philadelphia Athletics Youth Sports Association (PAYSA), to improve field conditions and begin work on a long-term master plan for the playground. The request reportedly triggered questions about whether the baseball league is “primarily run by and for members of the community served by the 48th & Woodland Playground,” PAYSA president and co-founder Steve Walicki wrote in a letter to league parents and supporters.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the 48th and Woodland Playground. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell is scheduled to be on hand, and community members who live in the area are invited. The organizers are requesting that those attending bring proof of residence, like a driver’s license with your local address on it.

Founded in 2013, PAYSA’s first opening day was in April 2014.

– Mike Lyons