The Philadelphia Inquirer has penned an important editorial about Council control of development that pretty much everyone should read. Whenever I read about councilmanic prerogative, I usually hear the chorus to Bobby Brown’s classic 80′s jam “My Prerogative” in my head and I think you should too.
Sure, lots of neighborhood communications have moved online, but here in Germantown we know there is still a place for the paper flyer. We’re looking for a designer, architect or builder to help us create a neighborhood bulletin board. See photos of outdoor bulletin boards at parks and gardens around Philadelphia for inspiration.
We’re on the hunt for a new Junior Block Captain on the unit block of W Rockland Street for 2014. Being a block captain is more than just organizing block parties, it’s a real (volunteer) job worthy of a serious job description. Some of the responsibilities below were suggested by children at our first block meeting of the season.
Nuisance businesses and commercial blight can be a real problem in cities. Here, we look at one example of a business operating unchecked, with no regard for the rules and regulations put into place to protect the community. Learn how to tackle problems like this yourself.
The W Rockland St Project has launched a crowdsourced fundraising campaign to remove a sick tree from the vacant lot turned community garden that’s threatening the 2014 growing season and neighborhood gathering space.
Sidewalk gardens and planters are a motivating tool against blight, help to establish neighborhood identity and set a beautiful curbside example. W Rockland St has over 15 planters lining the sidewalk. Learn how to make it happen on your block.
Picking up trash can actually be fun. Armed with a list of commonly littered items from cigarette butts to fast food packaging, kids collect and learn about the trash tossed aside in our community. Download our checklist and plan your own litter scavenger hunt.
We had a great time talking about neighborhood revitalization and citizen engagement projects at Germantown United CDC‘s annual forum. Our favorite presenter was Zach Bird, who’s got a fresh take on graffiti.
