SOSNA Newsletter

Upcoming 2nd District Debate Friends and Neighbors,  Next week our friends at CCRA are hosting a debate for the two Democratic candidates running for the Second Councilmanic District: incumbent Kenyatta Johnson and challenger Ori Feibush. The event will be moderated by Philadelphia Magazine journalist and WHYY NewsWorks contributor Holly Otterbein. It's going down Thursday, March 5th at 7pm at Greenfield Elementary School.  Tax season is upon us! If you would like some help completing your taxes this year visit one of the many organizations offering FREE tax preparation services! Or, stop into the SOSNA office and pick up a list of all of the locations as well as a list of what to bring along. Lastly, a reminder of the committee meetings at SOSNA next week: March 2: Stanton Community Partners at 6:30pm. March 3: The Friends of Julian Abele Park at 7pm. March 4: The SOSNA Zoning Workgroup at 6:30pm.  March 5: The SOSNA Community Impact Committee at 6:30pm. Please join us if you would like to get involved with SOSNA! Events Friends of Julian Abele Park Meeting Friends of Julian Abele Park meeting. We meet the first Tuesday of each month at the SOSNA office at 7pm.    Join us to get involved with the park. Everyone welcome!  News Free Tax Prep! Do you need some help getting your taxes done this year? The City of Philadelphia Department of Revenue has partnered with the Campaign for Working Families, in collaboration with The Mayor's Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity to increase the availability of FREE tax preparation services in Philadelphia. For a list of locations offering free tax prep, please click here. Remember to bring your supporting documents! Events 2nd District Council Debate Come hear the Democratic candidates for the Second Councilmanic District, incumbent Kenyatta Johnson and challenger Ori Feibush in what promises to be an enlightening (and probably entertaining) debate that will be moderated by Philadelphia Magazine journalist and WHYY NewsWorks contributor Holly Otterbein.   Events Philly Free School Alternative Education Forum The Philadelphia Free School is hosting the 5th Annual Alternative Education Forum on Thursday, March 12th. From 6-8pm, a panel of speakers from the Philadelphia Free School, Waldorf School of Philadelphia, and First State Montessori will answer questions about their different models of education. Come learn about how these different alternative models work, and the differences and similarities between them.  News Call to Artists: Urban Youth Academy Addition to the Marian Anderson Rec Center The City of Philadelphia’s Percent for Art Program through the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE), in collaboration with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation have announced a competition to commission a site-specific artwork at the forthcoming Urban Youth Academy at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center. The commission is part of a $1.1 million facility expansion of the recreation center.

CCRA Newsletter

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 20, 2015

WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Persistence and Coalition Building Pays Off Effort to Obtain Universal Pre-K in Phila. CCRA NEWS AND EVENTS Wanted: Board Member Nominations Johnson/Feibush Debate 2015 Community Garden Plot Lotttery CCRA Merchant Member Discount Program NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS: Friends of Greenfield Happy Hour "Opulence" Art Exhibition The Wister Quartet Concert Tenn Reading Lounge at the PCI Crime Report            OUR SPONSORS        If you would like to donate to CCRA, click below. WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD PERSISTENCE AND COALITION BUILDING PAYS OFF:  CLARKE REORGANIZATION PLAN DELAYED As reported here on Jan. 16, CCRA has been working actively with the Crosstown Coalition to slow down Bill 140721 and Resolution 140732, which would place a Charter change on the May ballot to drastically reorganize the agencies and commissions that control land use, economic development, and building safety (including Licenses and Inspections) by, among other things, placing them within a Dept. of Planning and Development, headed by a cabinet-level Director of Planning and Development. We raised concerns about a conflict of interest between L&I safety functions and the economic development focus of the proposed new department.  We also pointed out that this legislation was introduced the same day that a cross-disciplinary panel of experts had issued a 100-page report dealing with the Salvation Army building collapse calling for the creation of a Dept. of Buildings charged with public safety in permitting, construction, maintenance, and demolition that would be separate from agencies dealing with licensing/development/planning.  Obviously, the legislation could not have considered this detailed report or a subsequent 90-page report prepared by administration employees who deal with building safety issues, titled "2015 Plan for a Safer City," and we proposed the creation of an advisory commission to digest the competing proposals, collect the views of the various stakeholders, and make recommendations as to best practices. To make a long story short, CCRA and the Crosstown Coalition put together a group that added family members of victims of the Salvation Army building collapse, the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, the Committee of Seventy and, perhaps most notably, The Development Workshop (an advocacy group for real estate developers which often takes positions contrary to those of civic associations), culminating last week in lobbying  each of the six Councilpersons sitting on the Committee on Law and Government (to which the legislation had been assigned) and, on Wednesday, a 9:30 press conference at City Hall, followed by live testimony before the Committee.  CCRA Pres. Jeff Braff was among the last to speak.  His testimony can best be summarized by his repeated question to the Committee: "This is important stuff.  What's the rush?!"  That question was never answered.  However, actions speak loader than words:  the Committee voted to amend the legislation by, among other things, removing L&I from the reorganization and pushing the proposed ballot referendum from May to November.  We are hopeful that the additional six months will enable an intelligent discussion of these important issues and result in better legislation. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN UNIVERSAL PRE-K IN PHILA OR POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING PCCY (Public Citizens For Children and Youth) is trying to generate 10,000 signatures on a petition asking City Council to let the voters decide to move forward to establish universal, high quality Pre-K for all 3- and 4-year olds in Philadelphia. The vote is scheduled for February 26th.  The petition asks City Council to pass Bill #150017 (unanimously voted out of Committee on Wed.) which would put on the primary ballot in May "an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation, appointment, powers and duties of a Commission on Universal Pre-Kindergarten."  This independent Commission will prepare a report on how Philadelphia can accomplish what New York City did last year, giving every child the opportunity to start kindergarten ready to learn. Many will say that this Bill is a misguided approach, that it already is well-established that universal Pre-K is well worth the cost (benefits include reduced need for special ed. services, reduced grade repetition, better performance, and fewer behavioral problems), and that the Pre-K issue must be addressed at the state level, especially since the Phila. School District cannot even fund its existing programs.  This line of thinking would add that creating a Philadelphia bureaucracy on this issue does not merit a Charter change, and it is a waste of both time and money, time and money that would be better spent on other educational issues, or supporting the statewide effort to procure universal Pre-K being led by Pre-K for PA, a coalition whose local prominent members include the Economy League of Greater Phila. and the United Way of Greater Phila. CCRA NEWS  AND EVENTS WANTED:  BOARD MEMBER NOMINATIONS The Center City Residents' Association Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for Board seats which open July 1, 2015.  New Board members generally serve a term of 3 years. The Board is a working Board.  We are seeking energetic individuals who have a passion for living in our residential district; are interested in issues of quality of life and community service; and are committed to active participation on the Board, including actively serving on at least one committee (e.g., Membership, Events,  Fund Raising, Newsletter, Zoning, Finance, Streets, Historic Preservation, Family/Education).  Consistent with the foregoing, all candidates must pledge to devote a minimum of four (4) hours per month on CCRA activities, not including time spent attending, and preparing for, monthly Board meetings. While CCRA membership is open to any individual, corporation, or organization, CCRA By-Laws require that Board Members reside in the area between JFK Boulevard south to South Street, and Broad Street west to Schuylkill River.  Members are encouraged to forward a resume or summary of qualifications before March 6 of possible nominees (which could be yourself), to Committee Chair: Dilek Karabucak c/o Center City Residents' Association, 1600 Market St, Ste 2500, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or by email: centercity@centercityresidents.org, with "Board Candidate" in the subject line. JOHNSON/FEIBUSH DEBATE, THURS., MAR. 5, 7 TO 8:30 PM, GREENFIELD SCHOOL, 22ND & SANSOM ST ENTRANCE Come hear the Democratic candidates for the Second Councilmanic District, incumbent Kenyatta Johnson and challenger Ori Feibush in what promises to be an enlightening (and probably entertaining) debate that will be moderated by Philadelphia Magazine journalist and WHYY NewsWorks contributor Holly Otterbein.  The candidates have been given a Questionnaire and asked to reply by Feb. 26.  Their responses will be posted on our website. Click here to view poster. 2015 COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOT LOTTERY Each year, five garden plots (four 10x10 and one 10x15) in the Schuylkill River Park Community Garden at 25th and Spruce Streets are awarded to non-members of the Center City Residents' Association (CCRA) for a one-season term. Winners pay a one-time fee of $65 for a 10x10 or $85 for a 10x15 plot. To enter the lottery, please submit your request by postcard, letter or email to the following address: Center City Residents' Association 1600 Market Street, suite 2500 Philadelphia, PA 19103 centercity@centercityresidents.org Include your name, residential address,  phone number and email address. Requests must reach us by March 2, 2015. The drawing will take place in early March and winners will be contacted by phone or email.  One entry per household only. CCRA MERCHANT MEMBERS DISCOUNT PROGRAM Support our local merchants and save money too. These local merchants will provide a discount (described here) to any member who shows a current CCRA membership card (Di Bruno Bros. has its own CCRA card) and personal identification. Rittenhouse Pet Supply, 135 S. 20th St (215-569-2555) Computer Troubleshooters ,108 S. 20th St. (215-825-2101) Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St. and the Market at the Comcast Center (215-665-9220)  Dom's Shoe Repair, 203 S. 20th St (215-972-0098) Eye Candy Vision, 218 S. 20th St (215-568-3937) Koresh Dance Company, 2002 Rittenhouse Sq St. (267-687-1769) PhotoLounge 1909 Chestnut Street (267-322-6651) Twenty-Two Gallery, 236 S. 22nd St, (215-772-1911) Rim's Dry Cleaners & Tailors,2203 South St. (215-546-1889) Rittenhouse Hardware, 2001 Pine St. (215-735-6311) Uber - Limo service Uber provides $20 off a first ride, Good for new users only. Members use code CCRA14.   Philly Foodworks - Use the code "CCRA" when signing up for home delivery and receive a $20 discount on delivery charges. NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS AND EVENTS FRIENDS OF GREENFIELD HAPPY HOUR, MON, 2/23, 5:30-7:30PM, FOUNDING FATHERS BAR & GRILL, 1612 SOUTH ST Meet your neighbors and support Greenfield! 10% of the bar proceeds will be donated to Greenfield Elementary School. Click here to view the flyer. "OPULENCE" ART EXHIBITION BY LINDA SOSANGELIS, THRU SUN, 3/8, TWENTY-TWO GALLERY, 236 S. 22ND ST. "The Red Kimono"; oil on canvas; 36 x 48 in For more information, visit the Twenty-Two Gallery website. THE WISTER QUARTET CONCERT AT ACAD OF VOCAL ARTS, MON, 3/9, 7:30PM, 1920 SPRUCE ST Hear the Wister Quartet with Allen Krantz on guitar.  Tickets are $17 per person. For more information, call 215-438-4027 or 215-978-0969 Teen Reading Lounge at the Phila City Institute Library, TUESDAYS BEG. 3/10, 3:30-5:30 PM 1905 Locust St Attention teens in grades 7-12! Do you like to read and talk about sci-fi and fantasy books? If so, you are invited to participate in a series of interesting discussions, creative activities, and awesome projects through the Teen Reading Lounge (TRL) program this spring. TRL will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday: March 10, 17, 24 and 31, April 14, 21 and 28, and May 12 and 19. To sign up, please stop by the Adult Reference Desk at the libraryor call 215-685-6621 before March 3. For more information, visit PCI's Facebook page. Teen Reading Lounge is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and by federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered by the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries. CRIME REPORT  1/5 - 2/1  Robbery with Gun  ♦  1509 Walnut - UBIQ (1/14-1:18pm) (Shoes/USC) WED Employee states, the offender tried on shoes then produced a Black Handgun and demanded money from the register.  The offender fled on foot with shoes & $532 usc.  B/M, 5'-6" to 5'-7", Medium build, Blue jeans, Gray puffy coat w dark hood, Blue jeans  ♦117 S.  16th - Dunkin Donuts (1/21-5:22pm) ($133usc) WED Employee states, the offender entered the store with a unknown weapon wrapped in a newspaper, he took money and fled the store on foot.  B/M, Light skin, Freckles, 5'-9", 210lbs, Tan & White hooded coat, Jeans  ♦2121 Market - Trader Joe's (1/10-7:18pm) (Nothing Taken) SAT Employee states, an unknown male produced a note that read, "I have 2 guns, this is a robbery, put the money in a bag".  The compl stated okay, the offender then fled the store.  B/M, 5'-6", Gray hat, Black coat, Unshaven  Robbery without gun  ♦  1900 Chestnut - Highway (1/12-2:30am) (Strong Arm) MON ARREST Compl W/M 38yrs states, he was looking down at his phone when he was slammed to the ground an unknown male took his phone and ran, witnesses flagged down police who stopped the males after they ran down a dead end street.  The phone was recovered.  ♦1522 Latimer - Highway (1/13-4:23am) (Strong Arm) TUE ARREST Compl W/F 33yrs states, she was knocked to the ground by a male who took her phone, the offender was stopped at 1300 Walnut St. and identified by the complainant.  ♦1601 Walnut - Republic Bank (1/20-6:15pm) (Bomb) TUE Teller states, the offender entered the bank and produced a demand note stating that he had a bomb.  He then produced a small silver box with wires sticking out of it, the teller gave him $5,250 in small bills. The offender then fled on foot.  B/M, 5'-10" to 6'-01", Medium build, White hooded shirt, Blue jeans, Black boots, Glasses  ♦235 S. 15th - Cosi (1/23-11:08am) (Strong Arm) FRI ARREST Employee states, the offender took $5 after accusing the store of giving the wrong change, the male then became combative after being confronted and attempted to stab the manager with a pen.  ♦15xx Locust - Apt Building (1/24-2:40am) (Strong Arm) SAT Compl W/F 20yrs states, her boyfriend was drunk when she went to his apartment building, they got into an argument in the lobby that continued to the apartment.  He hit her head against the wall and took her phone.  He then pushed her on a bed and chocked her.  At some point she was able to get her phone back, the male fled.  ♦1500 Spruce - Highway (1/25-1am) (Unknown) SUN Compl W/M 29yrs states, he was out drinking and after being dropped off by a cab he was knocked unconscious.  When he woke up in the hospital with a broken orbital bone he was missing his phone, coat and $60usc.  Compl thinks he was robbed.  ♦1628 Chestnut - Rite Aid (1/29-1:20am) (Key/Sanitizer) THURS ARREST Employee states, he observed the offender attempt to leave with items.  When confronted the offender struck him with an elbow, stabbed him with a key and attempted to throw sanitizer in his face.The offender was held until police arrived.  ♦1 S.  22nd - Highway (1/4-6am) (Knife) SUN Compl W/M 67yrs states, while walking from the A-plus store back to the Sidney Hillman apartments he was approached by the offenders who produced knifes and took his rent money.  H/M, 16yrs, Blue jeans, Black hooded coat B/M, 16yrs, Black jeans, Blue hooded coat  ♦2040 Market - Wine & Spirits (1/9-6pm) (Fist) FRI ARREST Employee states, the offender attempted to leave the store without paying for a bottle of whiskey.  When confronted the offender punched the employee knocking him to the ground.  ♦1500 Market - Highway (1/27-9am) (Strong Arm) TUE Compl B/F 21yrs states, she got into an argument with her boyfriend, he punched her in the face and took her phone & Ipad.  He fled on foot through the concourse.  Aggravated Assault without Gun  ♦  2040 Locust - Highway (1/9-11:08am) (Knife) FRI ARREST Compl W/M 45yrs states, while doing work at the location he was confronted by a male with a knife who attempted to stab him, the compl hit him with a shovel and called police.  ♦1528 Sansom - Ladder 15 (1/31-11:39pm) (Bottle) SAT ARREST Compl W/M 35yrs states, the offender struck him in the side of the head bottle.  ♦1500 Market - Septa Train (1/7-11am) (Mace) WED ARREST Compl B/F 32yrs states, she was maced by the offender during an altercation.  Septa police made the ARREST.  Residential Burglary  ♦  18xx Spruce - House (12/18 & 1/7) (Jewelry) UNK Compl states an unknown person kicked in the front door and removed items from the property.  ♦22xx Walnut - Apt (12/24-12:15pm) (Packages) WED Compl states an unknown male pried open the front door to the apartment building then opened several packages that were inside the mail room.  The incident was recorded on video.  B/M, 50yrs, Black coat, Tan pants, Tan boots  ♦1xx S.  21st - Apt (1/5-8am & 5pm) (Attempt) UNK  Reported 1/13 Compl states an unknown person attempted to pry open his front door.  ♦2xx S.  19th - Apt (1/15-1pm & 3pm) (Watch) THURS Compl states an unknown person entered the apartment in an unknown manner and took a watch.  ♦20xx Walnut - Apt (1/23-9am & 12:30pm) (Electronics/Jewelry) FRI Compl states an unknown person entered the apartment in an unknown manner and took items.  ♦3xx S.  16th - Apt (1/23-9:30am & 8pm) (Electronics/Jewelry) SAT Compl states an unknown person pried open the front door and removed items from the property.  ♦18xx Pine - House/Garage (1/27-5:40pm) (Tools/Suitcase) TUE Compl states he left his garage open, an unknown person entered and removed items from the truck of his car.

Debate between Kenyatta Johnson and Ori Feibush

Unique Bouquet Cafe

Wow! This is practically right next door to me, and I didn't even know about it until seeing this article in Naked Philly. (It's been too cold to walk around outside.) Unique Bouquet Cafe opened this past Tuesday at 2004 South Street. Read about it here.


(Photo courtesy of Naked Philly)

SOSNA Newsletter

Call for SOSNA Volunteers! Friends & Neighbors, The SOSNA Safety Committee is seeking volunteers to participate in a new initiative focused on the implementation of our neighborhood's Walkability Plan! If you would like to get involved with a committee whose goals are to foster a safer and more pleasant pedestrian environment, to educate citizens about healthy streetscape design, and to create city-wide awareness of innovative traffic calming that includes pedestrian and bicycle safety measures, join us on Thursday, February 19th at 7:00pm at the SOSNA Office. This is a great time to get involved with the planning of our safety initiatives for 2015. All are welcome! Remember, the SOSNA Zoning Committee will be meeting this Wednesday, February 18th at 7pm at the SOSNA office. There is one project on the agenda: a six story building, containing 10 residential units and 8 off-street parking spaces. No vote will be taken at this time. This presentation is for informational purposes only. All neighborhood residents are invited to ask questions and give their feedback. Please join us and share your views! The SOSNA Clean & Green committee is striving to make our neighborhood a beautiful and litter-free place to live, work and play. The committee is in need of more dedicated volunteers to help encourage and educate our neighborhood residents on how to be, well, cleaner and greener! At tonight's meeting we will discuss our anti-litter strategy as well as give an update on the status of Carpenter Green, South of South's next park! Join Clean & Green tonight at 7:00pm at the SOSNA office and be part of the solution to litter in our neighborhood! News SOSNA Extending the Warm & Cozy Winter Drive SOSNA has extended the Warm & Cozy Winter Drive! We have a few more months of winter, and we want to make sure neighborhood kids have all of the clothes they need to stay warm until spring! Drop off new hats, gloves, scarves and coats at the SOSNA Office (1901 Christian Street) for kindergarten through 8th grade students at the Arthur and Stanton Elementary Schools.  Events Zoning Committee Meeting The January SOSNA Zoning Committee meeting will take place at Shiloh Baptist Church, 2040 Christian Street, at 7PM. The SOSNA Zoning Committee always meets the third Wednesday of every month starting at 7 PM.     AGENDA : 746-748 S 16th Street: Application for a six story building, containing 10 residential units and 8 off-street parking spaces. No vote will be taken at this time. This presentation is for informational purposes only.  All neighborhood residents are invited to ask questions and give their feedback. News Bins Are In At The SOSNA Office! As of 2/11/15 SOSNA has recycling bins in stock! Come and pick one up, learn more about recycling in Philly, and sign up for recycling rewards today!    News Call for Volunteers - Safety Committee Launches Walkability Plan Implementation Initiative The SOSNA Safety Committee is launching a new initiative focused on the implementation of our neighborhood's Walkability Plan. The Committee seeks interested volunteers to participate in this initiative. Please join us for our next meeting on Thursday, February 19th at 7:00pm at the SOSNA Office (1901 Christian St) to start a neighborhood discussion about implementing concepts from our Walkability Plan.   The goals of this initiative are to foster a safer and more pleasant pedestrian environment, to educate citizens about healthy streetscape design, and to create city-wide awareness of innovative traffic calming that inlcudes pedestrian and bicycle safety measures. The Walkability Plan recognizes the value of walking and proposes ways to improve conditions for neighbors and pedestrians that bring vitality to the South of South neighborhood.      Events Safety Meeting - NEW DATE *NOTE NEW DATE:Call for Volunteers - Join us for the Thursday, February 19th meeting which will focus on the Safety Committee's launch of the Walkability Plan Implementation Initiative. The SOSNA Safety Committee meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM at the SOSNA Office, 1901 Christian Street. Come join us as we plan the group's activities to improve safety throughout our community. On-going projects include: Walkability Plan Implementation Online Bicycle Registration & Neighborhood Registration Events Collaboration with 17th Police District & Police Service Area (PSA) - 1 Community Meetings South of South Townwatch Partnership

South Street West Civic Association Newsletter

Neighbors

Annual Meeting ,February 18^th  7 PM, Trinity Church French Room

We need to have an annual meeting to elect officers for South Street West Civic Association. Please feel free to bring any neighbors with you – we welcome all adult residents, businesses and institutions in the area. Our boundaries are from 19^th Street west to the Schuylkill and from Pine to Fitzwater east of Grays Ferry and Pine to Christian west of Grays Ferry.

During the past year, we have addressed some of the major zoning issues with CHOP’s new building at the site of the old JFK Vocational School. At our suggestion, CHOP agreed to set up a neighborhood advisory group, which includes our organization as well as near neighbor representatives and other nearby neighborhood groups. Peg Kendrick and John Fischer have been attending these meetings. We remain concerned that traffic plans for the site are not adequate to support a 4 phase build out on the site. Peg & John have done a great job helping communicate the day to day concerns as well.

We have also held and attended meetings regarding zoning at 23^rd and South, and 22^nd and Lombard. Per our bylaws, we remain committed to advocating for those most affected by a development – generally within 2 blocks. We have used a larger radius for CHOP as the impact on traffic alone will be much greater, but made sure that the nearest neighbors have had a seat at the table to communicate concerns.

We have set up a meeting for Wednesday, February 18^th at Trinity Church, located at 22^nd and Spruce. There is a large group using the main chapel. We are in the French Room. Please use the gate a bit west of the main door on Spruce Street to enter. The meeting is scheduled from 7-8 PM.  We are meeting here as The Philadelphia School no longer provides free meeting rooms and has a Shakespeare festival next week. This room is affordable – we’d appreciate a contribution of $1 -2 per person if you are able to contribute towards the room rental fee of $50. We can discuss alternative meeting spaces at the meeting if anyone has good ideas.

We welcome volunteers as board members or as those willing to take on specific tasks. We also would like any feedback about things we should address or change.  You can volunteer via e-mail if you can not attend.

Please plan to attend. We don’t expect to take more than one hour.

Security Note

There has been an increase in thefts from homes and autos. Home thefts are often from the rear, and the items being stolen are TVs, phones, laptops & electronics like gaming and computer equipment, bicycles, tools, kitchen appliances, guns, tire rims, etc. The police have “Operation Identification”. You can get stickers from the police and label items to deter theft and aid in item recovery. It also proves the property was stolen. Information is at www.phillypolice.com.  Our district address is the 17^th Police Precinct. The address is 1201 S. 20^th Street, 19146.

We hope to see you Wednesday

Barb, Peg, Keisha & Mayva

Presidents' Day Holiday

Presidents' Day is Monday, February 16. Trash collection will be pushed out one day.

Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.

Read more from History.com here.

SOSNA Newsletter

SOSNA February Zoning Agenda Friends & Neighbors,  Do you envision every street in South of South being clean, walkable, and lined with green trees? Help us make this a reality and join us on Tuesday, February 17th for our Clean & Green Committee meeting. The Clean & Green committee is striving to make our neighborhood a beautiful and litter-free place to live, work and play. The committee is in need of more dedicated volunteers to help encourage and educate our neighborhood residents on how to be, well, cleaner and greener! At next week's meeting we will discuss our anti-litter strategy as well as give an update on the status of Carpenter Green, South of South's next park! Join Clean & Green and be part of the solution to litter in our neighborhood!   Wednesday, February 18th is the next meeting of SOSNA's Zoning Committee. We have one item on the agenda. There will be an informational presentation (no vote will be taken) for a project at 746 S 16th Street. This initial meeting is an opportunity to collect input and initial feedback from the community. Please plan on attending to ask questions, comment on the project and have a say in our neighborhood's development.  Events Zoning Committee Meeting The January SOSNA Zoning Committee meeting will take place at Shiloh Baptist Church, 2040 Christian Street, at 7PM. The SOSNA Zoning Committee always meets the third Wednesday of every month starting at 7 PM.     AGENDA : 746-748 S 16th Street: Application for a six story building, containing 10 residential units and 8 off-street parking spaces. No vote will be taken at this time. This presentation is for informational purposes only.  All neighborhood residents are invited to ask questions and give their feedback. Events Clean & Green Meeting The Clean & Green meeting takes place the third Tuesday of every month at the SOSNA office, 1901 Christian Street, from 7-8pm.  Ongoing projects include: - Blue recycling bin deliveries - PMBC neighborhood clean up planning - MARC Cleaning   News Bins Are In At The SOSNA Office! As of 2/11/15 SOSNA has recycling bins in stock! Come and pick one up, learn more about recycling in Philly, and sign up for recycling rewards today!    News Call to Artists: Urban Youth Academy Addition to the Marian Anderson Rec Center The City of Philadelphia’s Percent for Art Program through the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE), in collaboration with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation have announced a competition to commission a site-specific artwork at the forthcoming Urban Youth Academy at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center. The commission is part of a $1.1 million facility expansion of the recreation center. News Stanton Community Partners Collecting Legos Our friends at Stanton Elementary School are starting a Lego club! The Lego Club is collecting new and gently used legos as well as donations for lego purchases. You can drop off legos or a donation to the lego fund at the SOSNA office at anytime. You can also order legos from Stanton's online Amazon wish list.