Neighborhood Preservation Toolkit 2018

This toolkit is a resource for individuals and organizations throughout Philadelphia. It recognizes the importance of sustaining the city’s older buildings and sites — with a broad definition of what makes something “historic.” From grassroots to the government, community members have the power to preserve and revitalize the older places that matter in the city of neighborhoods.

This toolkit is based on the knowledge and input of community members from across Philadelphia, inspired by conversations about how current public policies affect or harm the character of their neighborhood.

This toolkit can be used by anyone in your community: homeowners, renters, business owners, developers, and neighbors of all ages and education levels.

Neighborhood Preservation Toolkit_DRAFT for distribution

Sep 13, 2018

2018 Events

The SHCA board meets at 7:30 pm, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in 257 S. 45th St. The meetings are open to the public. Our 2018 Event calendar follows. Any changes will be announced on our Email list. ([email protected])

Tue January 9: Officer David Dager, Penn Police Community Response Officer

Tue February 13: Rebecca Womack, Fair Districts PA

Tue March 13: Glenn Bryan, Assistant VP Community Relations, University of Pennsylvania
Ed Datz, Executive Director of Real Estate
Maureen Rush, Vice President for Public Safety and Superintendent of Penn Police

Tue April 10: May Fair Organization Meeting
Guest Speaker: Dan Schupsky, Philadelphia Water Department
Soak It Up Adoption Program

Tue May 8: May Fair Organization Meeting

Sat May 12: May Fair

Tue June 12: Alan Garry
—Director of Public Safety and Community Services
—University City District

Tue Sep 11: Speaker & Topic TBA

Tue October 9: Jamie Vonn, Topic: Halloween Parade.

Wed October 31: Halloween Tot Parade: Assembly on 45th street between Baltimore and Larchwood will be from 4 to 4:30, the parade will start at 4:30, and proceed on the usual route to the finale on the 4200 block of ‘Little Osage’

Tue November 13: Annual Board Meeting, Location, Speakers, & Topic TBA

May 25, 2018

May Fair Lost Keys

For keys lost at the May Fair contact [email protected]

May 14, 2018

May Fair this Saturday, May 12, Noon – 6 pm

A neighborhood tradition for 60 years – the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) 60th Annual May Fair is this Saturday, May 12 from noon to 6 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, May 13.

Spend the day in Clark Park (43rd St & Chester Ave), featuring an exciting musical line-up with well-known composer Dan Blacksberg and the Haimishers and special guests HardWork Movement. More than 50 local artisans will offer a wide range of arts and crafts and other unique products, including many gift ideas for Mother’s Day. Others will have information about local groups and causes seeking public support.

The University City Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale, and there will be food for every taste provided by some of the top food vendors working in University City.

For the kids, there’ll be a petting zoo brought by a Pennsylvania farm, a bounce tent and 40-foot-long inflatable obstacle course, and professional face-painting.

The popular $1 raffle will feature baskets of terrific prizes donated by local merchants. Tickets may be purchased in advance of the fair online by visiting
Raffle Tickets or stop by the Spruce Hill booth at the Fair.

The May Fair is SHCA’s annual community event and fundraiser – proceeds allow SHCA to support local schools/organizations and sponsor popular neighborhood activities, furthering the SHCA mission to strengthen our community and enhance the quality of neighborhood life for all residents.

May 8, 2018

Raffle Tickets

Welcome to the 60th Annual May Fair online raffle ticket sale! The May Fair is SHCA’s only fundraiser – your participation helps us support neighborhood organizations and events.

Online tickets are sold in bundles of 6 for $5. New this year, choose a basket of exciting prizes (up to $500 value) generously donated by local businesses and organizations:

– Family Fun
– Neighborhood Eats and Treats
– House and Home
– Take Care of Yourself
– Surprise Me! (Includes both baskets and individual items)

Click here to see the growing list of items in each basket – check back regularly as we are continuing to add new items as we receive them!

Winners need not be present to win, but we hope to see you at the Fair, Saturday May 12th, noon-6pm (rain date Sun May 13th), Clark Park, 43rd & Chester.

Apr 30, 2018

SHCA Save the Date: 60th Annual May Fair, Saturday May 12th, 12-6pm

Dear Neighbors,

Please save the date for the Spruce Hill Community Association 60th Annual May Fair in Clark Park, Saturday May 12th – 12-6pm. Note the new afternoon time!

For the first time this year, we are excited to welcome a beer garden hosted by Clarkville happening alongside our usual family friendly activities – live music, great food, bounce tent and obstacle course, and a raffle with baskets of amazing prizes donated by local merchants. The University City Garden Club will be holding its annual plant sale and vendors will offer a wide range of arts and crafts. Keep an eye out for updates in the coming weeks, including the launch of our online raffle ticket sales – coming soon!

In the meantime, we are hoping for your help in reaching out to vendors, local artisans, community groups and organizations seeking to do outreach and promotion at the Fair. We unfortunately do not have contact information for some of the vendors who previously participated. If you are a past vendor, or know a great vendor you would like to see join or return to the Fair, please pass this along! Space is limited and priority will be given to local community organizations and artisans. New this year, vendors are invited to request a table online – visit the SHCA website www.sprucehillca.org or follow this link: May Fair Table Order

We have received some questions about book donations – thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our neighborhood, the magnitude of the book sale has outgrown our capacity to transport the books and host the sale at the Fair. Yet, we know this is a favorite activity for many of our community members, so we will continue to gather books over the summer to host a Fall Book Sale and Open House at the Spruce Hill Center.

The May Fair is SHCA’s annual community event and fundraiser—your support of the Fair helps us support local schools/organizations including Penn Alexander School, Lea School, Parent Infant Center, St. Mary’s Nursery School, University City Arts League, Curio Theater, Crossroads Music, and others. We also sponsor popular neighborhood activities like the SHCA Halloween Tot Parade, Shakespeare in Clark Park, and more. We fund block grants to green streets in the neighborhood and to develop the Spruce Hill Bird Sanctuary.

Thank you for your ongoing support and hope to see you at the Fair!

Best,
Monica

SHCA President, on behalf of the SHCA May Fair Committee and Board

Visit: http://www.sprucehillca.org/participate/

Apr 17, 2018

Annual Meeting: Tue Nov 14, 7: 00 pm Mayor Kenney to Speak About 4601 Market St

Agenda

Spruce Hill Community Association Annual Meeting
Penn Alexander School Cafeteria
November 14, 2017, 7:00pm 1. President’s Welcome – Eric Santoro (7:00)
2. Approve October minutes
3. SHCA Overview – Eric Santoro (7:05 – 7:20)
4. Election of Board Members/ Officers – Jamie Vann, Nominating Committee (7:20-7:30)
5.Featured Speaker (7:30-8:00)

Hon. Jim Kenney, Mayor, City of Philadelphia

6. Featured Speaker (8:00-8:30)

Dr. Lucy Kerman, Sr. Vice Provost for University Community Partnerships, Drexel University

7. Members Open Discussion
8. Closing remarks -Monica Calkins
9. Adjournment – call 215-898-WALK (9255) for UCD walking escorts

Next scheduled board meeting: Tuesday January 9, 2018, 7:30 PM, at the Spruce Hill Center, 257 S 45th street. Board meetings are always open to the community. www.sprucehillca.org

Nov 10, 2017

Halloween Parade is Next Tuesday!!

One of our favorite family traditions, the annual SHCA Halloween Tot Parade is coming up on Tuesday Oct 31st! Families will gather at the corner of Baltimore Avenue and 45th Street after 4pm, outside Milk & Honey. The Parade will start at 4:30 sharp, and will weave along a few short blocks, ending on the 4200 block of Osage Ave, where cider and baked goods will be served by Lil Osage Neighbors.

Please see Halloween flyer and share with your neighbors, especially newcomers to the neighborhood who might not know about this special event.

Later on, be sure your trick-or-treating route includes the Spruce Hill Center, 257 S 45th St, where long time neighbor and SHCA board member Jackie Waiters will continue the enduring tradition of delighting trick-or-treaters with hand assembled goody bags.

Hope to see you and your spooky families on Halloween!

Oct 26, 2017

West Philly Businesses Needed to Host Spring Interns.

Hello Neighbors.
The Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania needs your help. We are seeking West Philadelphia businesses to host high school interns (March-May of 2018) from West Philadelphia and William L. Sayre High Schools on a journey to employment and higher education. The success of the program is dependent on the support of fantastic West Philadelphia residents like you. Below are answers to some questions you might have.

What curricula is presented to the high school students?
Interview skills (dress, questions, and professionalism) resume skills, self-advocacy and conflict resolution.

How many hours per week the high school students were on the job?
Student interned for 2-4 hours a week for 6-8 weeks.

What businesses participated?
What services did the students provide?

West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
● Provided marketing assistance and help planning and carrying out events.
● Answered phone calls and worked with computers.
● Assisted with the maintenance and preservation of the Paul Robeson House.

Gwendolyn Bye Dance Studio Intern
● Sorted and organized costumes to be labeled or thrown away.
● Chronologically organized pictures, videos and files.
● Assisted with children’s program and two Sunday performances.

Lea Elementary School Intern
● Assisted lead-facilitator during after-school programming
● Helped answering phones, door and filling out sign-out sheets.
● Assisted with student sign-in, snack set up/clean up and greenway Grille.
● Sorted and hauled recycling bins.

Inn at Penn Intern
● Assisted with the cleaning and maintenance of hotel rooms.
● Worked alongside housekeeping staff to preserve the presentation of the hotel.
● Reported to supervisors and promptly respond to the housekeeping needs.

Interested businesses can sign up at:
https://uacsinternship.typeform.com/to/LCmswl

Contact Rebecca Ackerman
Netter Center for Community Partnerships
Community Internship Coordinator
[email protected]

Oct 8, 2017