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Do You Know What’s In Your Water?

The second Healthy Homes workshop was held on January 9, 2010 at The Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia. Jackie Bivins, Public Relations Specialist for the Philadelphia Water Department educated parents on water issues specific to Philadelphia, like the importance of storm water drainage and proper disposal of household items.

Alix Howard, Program Manager for the Partnership CDC introduced the benefits of White and Green Roofs and presented the new Green Professional Training and Green Roofing Program to parents, available this spring. Instructors from Spiral Q Puppet Theater led the children’s workshop where they created collages on the importance of water in their lives. Families received Free Brita Water Filters, dog waste trash bags and home water analysis services.

The third installment in this workshop series will feature Integrated Pest Management on February 6, 2010.

City honored for mortgage-aid program

By MARI SAITO, Philadelphia Daily News

The U.S. Conference of Mayors honored Mayor Nutter and Common Pleas Judge Annette Rizzo yesterday for a city program that helps homeowners who are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure.

“The Mortgage Foreclosure Protection Program was chosen because helping residents maintain home ownership is a priority for the nation’s mayors,” said Jocelyn Bogen, director of the conference’s City Livability Awards Program.

The program was picked for this year’s Outstanding Achievement Award by former mayors of large cities out of a list of programs in 200 cities.

Bogen said the program offers “tangible solutions,” and cited how more than 1,800 homes have been saved since the program’s inception in June 2008. Another 3,500 cases are still being processed through the program.

Nutter called the award a great honor and noted that the program’s success was about more than numbers.

“This is about real people, real families, real neighbors and people that we know,” said Nutter.

Under the program, outreach groups visit neighborhoods where houses are slated for foreclosure, then residents in trouble can visit Courtroom 676 in City Hall to consult with volunteer lawyers and housing advocates to negotiate their mortgages with their lender.

Nutter and other officials said they hope to see more programs similar to the Philadelphia model in other American cities.

Healthy Homes Workshop – Our Neighborhood Conditions Matter!

Locally Grown Produce

Families took home free groceries

On Saturday, December 4, 2009 the Partnership CDC (Community Development Corporation) held the first workshop of the 5-part Healthy Homes Program.

Hosted at the Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation on 45th and Market in West Philadelphia, excited parents entered the room, eyes alert and somewhat curious about the day’s events.

Outreach Specialist, Mayla Henderson from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health presented detailed health statistics specific to residents in West Philadelphia. Families learned some of the key reason for the devastating health issues affecting them, their families, neighbors and friends.

The workshop also included an impressive arrangement of fruits and vegetables for families to take home. Bob Pierson from Farm to City educated on the importance of buying fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The next workshop is January 9 highlighting water quality with a presentation from the Philadelphia Water  Department and the Partnership CDC’s Green Professional Training Program.  Program Participants will receive free Brita water purifier and water analysis kits.

As the program is tailored specifically to families of Henry C. Lea, Charles R.Drew, and Alian Locke Elementary schools, parents with children in grades K-5th, are strongly encouraged to attend.

If interested, please contact Melony Burnom at 215-662-1612.

Comcast Buys NBC! Read Mayor Nutters Comments

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Thursday, December 3, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR NUTTER ON COMCAST/NBCU

Philadelphia, December 3 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter has issued the following the statement on today’s announcement from Comcast and General Electric:

This is great news for Philadelphia and Comcast, one of our leading hometown corporate citizens, said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. On behalf of all Philadelphians let me congratulate the Comcast family on this very exciting development for the corporation and for the entire city. Any announcement that shines a positive national spotlight on Philadelphia can only be good news for this city and for all Philadelphians.

Mayor Nutter went on to congratulate the leadership team at Comcast.

I would like to recognize Mr. Ralph J. Roberts, Mr. Brian L. Roberts, and Mr. David L. Cohen as great business and philanthropic leaders in Philadelphia. Their commitment to this city is demonstrated in a very visual way by the Comcast Center, the nation’s tallest green building. Today’s news is yet another reminder that Philadelphia is a home to innovation, growth, and sound corporate leadership.

Read more at http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091203-711795.html

SEPTA Refund/Exchange Policy

The following is from SEPTA’s Refund/Exchange Policy on SEPTA’s official website.

For unused passeds during the November 2009 Service Interruption

SEPTA is offering credits for unused/un-punched November 2009 Monthly TransPasses and weekly TransPasses valid during the week of November 2, 2009.

November 2, 2009 Weekly TransPass: Partially used Weekly TransPasses, as indicated by the absence of a punch mark on the face of the pass, are eligible for an even exchange for another weekly pass.  This provision will remain in effect through the remainder of this calendar year.  Pass must be surrendered to receive credit.

November 2009 Monthly TransPass: Partially used Monthly TransPasses, as indicated by the absence of a punch mark on the face of the pass, are eligible for a credit of $20.00 towards next purchase.  This provision will remain in effect through February 10, 2010. Pass must be surrendered to receive credit.

Customers can receive the credit at any sales location, preferably from the location where the pass was originally purchased.

Customers receiving passes through Employer Programs or through Pre-Tax mechanisms must submit their pass by mail to the following address to receive credit.

SEPTA SIP REFUNDS
P.O. BOX 58609
PHILADELPHIA PA 19102-8849

TrailPasses are primarily used on Regional Rail services, which have remained in full service during the Transit Service Interruption and are therefore not eligible for credit.  If you feel your situation warrants special consideration, submit the pass along with a letter of explanation fully explaining the circumstances to the above address.

All refund requests will be processed within 6 weeks.

IRS HELP FOR TAXPAYERS IN TOUGH TIMES!!!

The IRS will offer a new outreach event called Solution Saturday at five Taxpayer Assistance Centers on Saturday, Nov. 7, to help taxpayers in tough times. While helping taxpayers on Solution Saturday, cross-functional teams of IRS employees will take ownership of taxpayers’ experiences and identify process barriers that prevent early, swift and appropriate resolution of issues for all taxpayers.

The IRS has been looking for proactive ways to help taxpayers having difficulty meeting federal tax obligations because of the economy. Solution Saturday will provide the assistance these taxpayers need and in addition, positively affect all taxpayers in accordance with the IRS strategic plan. The goal of the event is to identify process barriers and fix processes by sharing barriers with respective business units.

600 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA

Call 215 861-1902 to set an appointment! Walk-ins accepted

Operating hours are Saturdays, starting November 7, 2009 at 9am-2pm.

PROVIDED SERVICES:

• BALANCE-DUE ACCOUNTS
• PAYMENT AGREEMENTS
• TAX RETURN PREPARATION
• AVAILABLE TAX CREDITS AND OPPORTUNITIES
• TAX LAW QUESTIONS AND MUCH MORE!
  

PEOPLEHOOD PARADE AND PAGEANT

Spiral Q Puppet Theater invites you to make art in the park for the 10th Annual Peoplehood Parade and Pageant!

As summer draws to an end, Peoplehood season begins. Spiral Q invites everyone in Philadelphia to join hands in creation and celebration of the 10th annual Peoplehood Parade and Pageant! Peoplehood is a ten-year long tradition of transforming Philadelphia’s hopes and concerns into art, giant puppets, and pageantry through neighborhood collaboration and creativity. People of all ages work with each other and with Spiral Q’s artists to produce a colorful spectacle of dance, giant puppets, music, and theatrics that will parade through West Philadelphia and culminate in a performance at Clark Park on October 17th, 2009!

In preparation for the Peoplehood Parade, Spiral Q is hosting FREE community art making at five different sites: the Paul Robeson House, Malcolm X Park, Clark Park, Village of Arts & Humanities, and Spiral Q Puppet Theater. Everyone is encouraged to stop by, share ideas, make puppets for the parade and performance, and play with Spiral Q in the parks. Families, friends, community organizations, students, teachers, artists of all kinds… Come make Art in the Park with Spiral Q! Then parade and perform with us on October 17th at 1pm!

SAVE THE DATE! Blues Fest on 9/19/09!

Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Blues Fest Block Party ~ 12-6pm at the intersection of 40th and Market Streets!

Highlights from last year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TPCDC in the news

We’ve received some great publicity recently!

Check out these links:

The Philadelphia Daily News reports on green collar job training and TPCDC’s new green roof:

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/51681497.html

Fox Business News quotes Executive Director Steven Williams while reporting on solar power in Philadelphia neighborhoods:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/innovative-philadelphia-neighborhood-program-makes-solar-power-affordable-low/#