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July/August 2008 The Newsletter of The Society Hill SOCIETY HILL Civic Association Reporterwww.societyhillcivic.org SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE: FACTS, FIGURES AND EVENTS No Summer Lull for Casino Re-siting Activists BY BERNICE T. HAMEL & ROSANNE LOESCH s we enter the summer season, rest assured Cappy has denied the allegation and called it A that members of SHCA’s Casino Committee “preposterous!” If the allegation is proved in remain active and vigilant in their mission to court, it could explain why the string of nine shepherd our community out of the dark valley Pennsylvania Supreme Court decisions has of having two casinos — Foxwoods and Sugar- upheld every aspect of the slots’ law — even House — located on the waterfront. Heartening usurping Philadelphia’s zoning authority and legislative, legal, political and administrative the city’s right to place a referendum on its news keeps hope alive that our densely populated, May 2007 ballot allowing citizens to vote on historic neighborhood will be saved from mega- the appropriate re-siting of casinos. We will size slots parlors with their accompanying traffic follow this litigation and keep you in the loop. jams and jumbo-sized garages. On the legislative front, our two State Represen- Since our previous update in the May/June issue tatives, Mike O’Brien and Bill Keller, as well as of The Reporter, we have learned of a historic State Senator Vince Fumo, announced — on See page 9 to lawsuit filed in federal court by the League of April 30th — that they planned to introduce learn about the Women Voters — the respected and nonpartisan companion bills in both the House and Senate , organization — against former Pennsylvania that would relocate these two casinos. The legis- Shambles Soiree lation would establish a “collaborative, inclusive a Head House Supreme Court Justice Ralph J. Cappy, alleging that he upheld Pennsylvania’s slots/gambling process aimed at finding new locations for the Fund-raiser set law (Act 71) in exchange for the legislature’s city’s gambling casinos.” This would involve state for Wednesday, approval of a pay raise for judges. Chief Justice continued on page 11 September 10 Wondering About All of the Street Work? BY MARTHA LEVINE, SAFE AND SOUND COMMITTEE arly in May, the No Parking signs went up The Center City SE Quadrant Improvement MARK YOUR E on streets like Pine and Spruce, and within Project, which was initiated in 1995, has plans to CALENDAR 24 hours, if your car wasn’t moved, it was towed make improvements within the area from Walnut to South Street, and from Front to Broad Street. Wednesday, to a spot several blocks away. Neighbors were confused, with no clue as to what was happening. You may have noticed South Street getting a total July 16 Asking on-site contractors just led to a variety of makeover: new sidewalks, street lights, re- 7 p.m. different and conflicting answers. Clouds of dust surfacing of streets, new trees, new traffic signals. Board of Directors rivaling a sandstorm in the Sahara were flying Society Hill Towers Society Hill will get the following: Community Room everywhere. No one seemed to know what the New traffic signals: All intersections will get Wednesday, purpose of this street work was. The only good new traffic signals, which will be interconnected thing about it was that workers moved pretty September 17 by a fiber-optic cable system. The system quickly from one block to the next. involves a computer encased in a control box, 6 p.m. Board of Directors Since SHCA had never been notified about any one at each intersection. These brown boxes 7 p.m. impending street work, we decided to check it are 48" H x 30" D x 30" L, and will be affixed Meet & Greet out. A telephone call to the Streets Department to the ground. The purpose is to monitor and 7:30 p.m. led us to Ernie Cotilus, the department’s project control the flow of traffic by adjusting signals General Membership manager, who invited a few of us to a meeting to relieve congestion. It is supposedly safer Pennsylvania Hospital of key people. At that time, we finally found out and more user-friendly for repairs. If there is a 800 Spruce Street the nitty-gritty. continued on page 13 PAGE 2 SOCIETY HILL Reporter Society Hill Civic Association 2008-2009 Board Officers and Directors (Updated 5/15/08) Officers President 2009 Richard de Wyngaert [email protected] Vice Presidents URBAN GARDEN DESIGNER 2009 Paul Boni [email protected] 2009 Carol Colabelli [email protected] Philadelphia 2009 Sissie Lipton [email protected] 2009 Rebecca Stoloff [email protected] Gardens.com 2009 Jim Moss [email protected] 215 951 9193 Treasurer 2009 Kevin Miller [email protected] Toni Ann Flanigan Recording Secretary 2009 Bonnie Halda [email protected] Administrator Matt DeJulio [email protected] Directors Northeast Quadrant 2011 George Kelley [email protected] 2009 Gordon Baltuch [email protected] 2009 Matt White [email protected] Northwest Quadrant 2011 Steve Weixler [email protected] 2009 Rosanne Loesch [email protected] 2010 Baldo Carnecchia [email protected] Southwest Quadrant 2011 Martha Levine [email protected] 2010 Marilyn Appel [email protected] 2009 Anine Burlingame [email protected] Southeast Quadrant • graphic 2011 Bernice Hamel [email protected] design 2010 Jane Ahn [email protected] Parallel • 2009 Sandy Rothman [email protected] Design Condominium Representatives Hopkinson House Lisa Schwab [email protected] Judy Lamirand Independence Place 215-476-4040 Gerry Yablin [email protected] Society Hill Towers Ellen Ravin [email protected] Penn’s Landing Condos Michael Rochester [email protected] St. James Court* Logos Posters Stacey Ackerman [email protected] Stationery Banners The St. James* Brochures Calendars Norm Lieberman [email protected] Newsletters Books *non-voting Board directors Invitations Menus Annual Reports The ! Society Hill Civic Association tel: 215-629-1288 Reporter P.O. Box 63503 fax: 215-629-9914 Philadelphia, PA 19147 www.societyhillcivic.org JULY / AUGUST 2008 PAGE 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE RICHARD DE WYNGAERT The opposite is beneficial; from things that differ comes the fairest attunement; all things are born through strife —Heraclitus his has been a very full year. We have, This past year’s manifest divisions surrounding T in numerous ways and on many fronts, development issues was difficult for me personal- explored myriad facets of Society Hill life. ly and, I believe, others in the community. We have exchanged opinions about how, going It is time to take a break and appreciate that forward, we might best position our neighbor- Society Hill is peopled by a vocal citizenry of hood to prosper while still providing the standard diverse opinions. We do not all believe the of community that brought us to Society Hill in same things. This is good. the first place. It is clear that most of us want to ensure a healthy future without sacrificing We live in a wonderful community! Let’s embrace the other qualities which we value and to the broad spectrum of opinions that provides which we are accustomed. Society Hill dimension. When I became president of the Civic We will continue to work on issues that shape Association last May, I was aware of significant Society Hill: beautification, development, crime, issues facing Society Hill. I knew that there were property taxes, and the casinos continue to Richard de Wyngaert, a number of different positions regarding these require a close watch. Over the summer, think President issues. However, I did not fully anticipate the about ways that you would like to see Society degree of debate that has characterized the past Hill improve, and how you might participate: year. I think we have all grown because of our effect the change you desire. impassioned exchanges. A broad base is our greatest asset. Summer comes at a good time. To varying Have a great summer. degrees, many of us modify our schedules for the summer. We engage in activities that replenish our spirits. We try to spend time with friends and family. What was urgent may now be considered merely critical. If possible, we take a healthy and much-needed break from our “real life” routine. I particularly like the summer, because I slow down and take a closer look at the solidity of my opinions. I try to distance myself from what I believe. What are my beliefs and opinions, and why do they exist? For me, this time of year is an opportunity for deeper reflection. In this Issue… Page 9 Page 31 Get Ready to Party: Ready for Summer? Soiree at the Shambles Home Maintenance Hints Page 20 Pages 33 Beyond The Bell: Other Summer Calendar: Local Museums to Visit Events of Interest Page 25 - 29 Page 38 Quiz: Where Have You Seen Noteworthy Neighbor: These Historical Markers? Bridget Foy PAGE 4 SOCIETY HILL Reporter CREATE YOUR URBAN OASIS NOW OPEN THE SOURCE FOR PLANT AND GARDEN CONTAINERS IN PHILADELPHIA 814 North 4th Street Philadelphia, PA 19123 215.627.6169 www.cityplanter.com M e n t i o n t h i s A d F o r 1 0 % o f f y o u r p u r c h a s e ! JULY / AUGUST 2008 PAGE 5 SHCA MAJOR DONORS Members Continue to Increase Support HCA is proud to report that 252 of its more than 1,000 members rose to the occasion in their Smembership dues for 2008 — donating a total of $37,951 at the Federal Friends level ($100 or higher). Their additional donations are up 11% from the total of $33,349 in 2007, and almost 50% higher than the total of $25,350 in 2006.