May 26, 2018

Update: 2018 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser!

May 26, 2018

Thank you to the more than 60 neighbors who came out to Dock Street on a sunny beautiful afternoon for our 11th Annual Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser on April 22!

We are additionally grateful to Kayla Lewis, one of 2017’s NINE scholarship award recipients, who was able to join us and share the genuine impact these funds and community support have had on her and her studies.

These scholarship funds exemplify the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors! To date, this year’s median donation is $100, and over 75% percent of our donors live in Cedar Park with almost the entire remainder coming from other West Philadelphia neighborhoods. We have raised approximately 92% of the funds necessary to match last year’s award numbers and amounts, and keep scholars motivated with care packages and academic break get-togethers.

To help us reach our goal, donate online or write a check to “Cedar Park Neighbors” memo line “Scholarships Committee” and mail to 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143. Donations of any amount are appreciated! Sponsor level donations with opportunities for recognition remain available.

The 2018 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship applications are now available here. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2018 5:00 p.m. EST.

Special thanks to our in-kind contributors, West Philadelphia Foot Tappers for their live music, Dock Street Brewery for helping defray fundraiser food costs, and Aksum for covering the scholar’s Winter Social.

Finally, please mark your calendar for Friday, July 13th for the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship award ceremony in Cedar Park at 49th and Baltimore. The ceremony will take place during the 7:00 p.m. set break for the evening’s Cedar Park Jazz concert. In addition to presenting the scholarship awards to recipients, we will also be recognizing our sponsor level donors.

Sustaining Neighbor $1,000-$2,499

Fleming Family Fund

Jeanne Pinkham

Philadelphia Federal Credit Union

Benefactor Neighbor $500-$999

Anonymous

Fred Wolfe, Jr.

VIX Emporium

Patron Neighbor $250-$499

Alexander Gillett & Carol Stein

Amara Rockar & Mustapha Berkshan

Duwayne Terry & Julia Katz Terry

Lisa Mitchell

Mark McGuire & Jo-Ann M. Verrier

Melani Lamond, BHHS Fox & Roach, Realtor

Cedar Park Neighbors

May 26, 2018

Bandit Sign Round-up for CPN!

Cedar Park Neighbors

May 26, 2018

Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN) is participating in the city's first ever "Illegal Signs Initiative." The city will pay CPN 50 cents for every bandit sign that we gather before Saturday, June 16th. CPN will then use the money to host our Friday night jazz series, administer our scholarship program for neighborhood youth, organize zoning meetings, distribute holiday baskets, and more.

What is a bandit sign?

Bandit signs are signs that are illegally posted on public property, such as the ubiquitous "We Buy Houses" signs. However, for this project, CPN is ONLY interested in predatory commercial real estate signs. CPN has NO interest in collecting signs about yard sales, house parties, lost pets, etc.

What should I do when I have collected bandit signs?

Please drop your bandit signs off on the porch of one of the following CPN board members: 1008 South 47th Street (Al), 506 South 48th Street (Mike); 5117 Catharine Street (Catherine); or 934 South Saint Bernard Street (Joe).

What's the problem with these signs?
The "We Buy Houses" signs are particularly nefarious as they often prey on long-time homeowners who are in desperate situations into giving up their family homes for pennies on the dollar. It destroys the inter-generational transfer of wealth and worsens the racial wealth gap.

A typical situation unfolds like this: A family faces financial hardship - mom loses job, cousin is locked up and needs bail, dad needs to hire immigration lawyer, etc. The house is worth $100,000 with a $50,000 mortgage. They contact one of these We Buy Homes outfits. The buyer comes to the house and says, "Your house is worth $75,000, but it looks like your mortgage is almost $60,000. Let's see what we can work out." Buyer then offers homeowner $15,000 (i.e., $75,000-$60,000), but then says, "There's a 10% fee for the buyer, and it's going to cost an additional $3,000 for the taxes plus an additional $500 to record the new deed." Homeowner accepts a net of $10,000 because that's what the buyer says they are due. Meanwhile, if homeowner had gone to a legitimate realtor, they may have netted $45,000.

Many people also think these signs are ugly.

Are these bandit signs illegal?
Yes. Philadelphia Code 10-1200 prohibits the posting or advertising upon any sign on a utility pole, streetlight, traffic or parking sign or device, including any post to which such sign or device is attached; historical marker; or city-owned tree or tree in the public right-of-way.

Can I collect only bandit signs in Cedar Park?
Please gather signs from anywhere in Philadelphia.

Have another question?

Please email michaelrfroehlich@gmail.com.

Catherine Hofmann

May 22, 2018

2018 Cedar Park Jazz Series Lineup

Catherine Hofmann

May 22, 2018

Cedar Park Jazz

Every Friday, 6 to 8 PM, June + July

Get ready!

The 18th annual Cedar Park Jazz series returns this summer! Join Cedar Park Neighbors every Friday night in from 6 to 8PM in Cedar Park through June and July for music, dancing, and community. Celebrate West Philly's incredible musical talent with an amazing lineup:

June 1: ALFIE POLLITT TRIO - Facebook Event
June 8: RED ROSE COMBO - Facebook Event
June 15: FIGURATIONS QUARTET - Facebook Event
June 22: BOBBY ZANKEL & THE WONDERFUL SOUND SIX - Facebook Event
June 29: JAMAL JONES & THE BUREAU OF SONIC WONDERLAND - Facebook Event
July 6: NAZIR EBO & FRIENDS - Facebook Event
July 13: CLEF CLUB ENSEMBLE - Facebook Event
July 20: FIRESTORM - Facebook Event
July 27: GRETCHEN ELISE & FRIENDS - Facebook Event

Bring your lawn chair, cooler, and dancing shoes!
Family-friendly event.
FREE and OPEN to ALL

Presented by Cedar Park Neighbors' Jazz Committee.