Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) and the American Dental Association are hosting “Give Kids a Smile Day” on Wednesday, June 20, when dentists across the city will be providing free dental care to Philadelphia children. PCCY has recruited two dozen dental sites that have created space for hundreds of children to receive essential oral health care services. The participating dental clinics in West Philly are Kids Smiles (two locations), Gentle Dental, and University Square Dental.

Participating dentists will provide free screenings, cleanings and sealants and some will also fill cavities.  Appointments are required.

To make an appointment for your child at the office closest to you, call PCCY at 215.563.5848 extension 32 (please do not call the dental offices directly). You will need to provide the following information: your name, your child’s name and age, a phone number where you can be reached between 9 and 5, and your zip code.

The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral on the corner of 38th and Chestnut Streets is offering free lunches for children up to 18 years of age (21 years if disabled) in its air-conditioned main church this summer. Lunch will be served from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays from Monday, June 18 to Thursday, August 9.

The lunches will offer children 1/3 of their nutritional requirements for the day, according to the Cathedral. There will also be simple art activities and games for kids.

The Cathedral is also looking for volunteers to assist with this program. You can work one day a week, one week, or come for several days. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Stacey Middleton at karolmel_2000@yahoo.com or Meredith Wiggins at dancingturnips@yahoo.com or 626-487-5929.

Contact the Cathedral at 215-386-0234 with any questions.

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) is appealing to the City Council to delay the implementation of the controversial property tax assessment overhaul, the Actual Value Initiative (AVI), which could help bail out the city beleaguered school district by increasing taxes on long under-valued properties. Residents in neighborhoods where property values have far outpaced the city’s valuation could see their property tax bills double, triple or even quadruple.

City Council is expected to consider AVI legislation at Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting. The City Council has until July 1st to submit a new budget and tax rate. But the property assessments needed to implement the AVI have not been completed. That’s one of the reasons the SHCA is pressing for a delay.

In a letter sent to members today, SHCA President Ed Halligan urged the City Council to take more time to let residents prepare for what could be substantial changes to their tax bills. The extra time would also allow city assessors to do a thorough inventory and assessment of the city’s housing stock.

Several versions of the AVI have been floating around City Hall and it is unclear what the final version might look like. What does look certain is that a basic formula will hold: If your home has been assessed too low, your taxes will likely increase.

While homeowners would be hardest hit, many renters will probably not be immune from dramatic tax increases as property owners will likely look to pass on the added costs.

There are lots of resources available on the AVI and we will collect them when and if it’s passed. Meanwhile, here is a good primer on the AVI that Plan Philly put together a few weeks ago.

Below is a copy of the SHCA letter to Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.
SHCA letter to Jannie Blackwell

If you love movies and hate overpriced theater tickets, Schuylkill Banks has the solution. Taking advantage of the summer warmth, they are offering free movie nights under the Walnut Street Bridge (S. 25^th and Walnut Streets on the East side of the river) every other Thursday this summer, beginning this week with the 2011 hit The Muppets starring Jason Segal and Amy Adams. The screenings are completely free for anyone, and if you get there early, free snacks will be available. There is also a free raffle with prizes from Philadelphia Runner before the film starts. The movies will begin at dusk (some time between 7:45 and 8:30 depending on the day), so make sure to get there before the sun goes down, especially if you’re interested in the snacks or the raffle.

The films being offered this summer include this Thursday’s The Muppets, the original 1933 King Kong (6/28), and last year’s Oscar nominee Moneyball (8/23), among others shown later this summer. Check out the official site for a full list of films, and the approximate start time for each. In the event of rain make sure to check the calendar on the Schuylkill Banks homepage to see if there’s a cancellation. Rain dates are July 19 and August 30. Take advantage of this opportunity and grab your picnic blanket on Thursday and head down to the river to catch a great flick for free!

– Kelly Lawler

Found a very friendly young male cat near Locust Walk at 40th and Walnut on Friday, June 8. If you are missing a cat please email foundcat40@hotmail.com with a detailed description or photo if you have one.

Neighbor Emily emailed us with this information:

“Found this cute little bugger wandering the streets and crying on 6/11/2012 around 52nd and Hazel. Sorry for the blurry pic, he is such a cuddlemonster he won’t stay still! Male, not neutered, probably under a year old but may just be skinny. He is a sweetie-pie and not aggressive towards other cats. I would like to find someone willing to foster him or give him a forever home. I’ll probably only be able to hold onto him for maybe a day or two before I have to take him to the SPCA (I rent and am not allowed to keep him). Please email e.j.mattes@gmail.com for more info.”