{"id":4425,"date":"2021-03-21T15:36:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-21T19:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.epcrossing.org\/?p=4425"},"modified":"2021-03-21T15:36:03","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T19:36:03","slug":"march-2021-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.epcrossing.org\/?p=4425","title":{"rendered":"March 2021 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spring is on the way, so there will be a number of upcoming opportunities to improve our neighborhood and connect with our community. Here is what the EPX board has been working on, and events you can look forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EPX Beautification:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once again EPX will be participating the the city-wide\u00c2\u00a0Spring Street Clean Up<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0Saturday\u00c2\u00a0April 10th, 2021. Those who are interested in volunteering will meet at 9:30am in the East Passyunk Crossing Community Garden (1016 Watkins Street.) Tools and safety gear provided and please wear a mask. We will be cleaning up 7th Street from Tasker to Snyder. If you plan to attend, RSVP to beautification@epcrossing.org. RSVPs preferred (so we can estimate tools) but not required.\u00c2\u00a0 We will be complying with COVID protocols including limiting the number of volunteers to 20, masking, and social distancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For those with a back yard, EPX will be assisting with a FREE Yard Tree<\/strong> giveaway Saturday May 15th at FDR park, at the American Swedish Historical Museum 1900 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19145 from 9:30am \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 3:00pm you can sign up here<\/a> to arrange a pickup time. Supplies are limited, so sign up now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications are open for our\u00c2\u00a0fall street tree\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>planting – you can apply for a street tree at\u00c2\u00a0tinyurl.com\/epxtree<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dellavalentina Garden Memorial:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When board member Stephanie Dellavalentina passed away September 13th, 2020, she left a hole in our community. A vivacious member of the neighborhood, Stephanie’s legacy will be one of her passions and generosity. In the autumn, EPX Community Garden members Daren and Bill transplanted her beloved rhododendron into the community garden, where it is taking root and sheltering spring’s first daffodils. In memory of Stephanie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s love and involvement with our Community Garden, EPX is continuing to raise funds for a memorial, possibly if goals can be reached, to fund an entrance gate. If you would like to contribute, please contact us or\u00c2\u00a0make a tax-deductible donation here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updates on EPX Public Art Projects:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thank you to everyone who participated in our mural survey! EPX will be applying for\u00c2\u00a0a Mural Arts Grant to bring a\u00c2\u00a0new mural\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>to our streets. If our application is selected by mural arts, they will have say in the location, artist, and theme of the mural, with community input.\u00c2\u00a0 Here were some of the suggestions from survey responses.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Of our current EPX public art there are two which are in need upkeep and repair. One is the “River to River” mosaic in front of Trumark Financial at Passyunk and Broad, and the other is the 4 part mural “Passyunk Passageways” at 13th & Mifflin. We are communicating with Mural Arts regarding materials and funding, and are looking for volunteers to help us keep our art in good repair. Let us know your interest by emailing muralideas@epcrossing.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EPCC News:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The East Passyunk\u00c2\u00a0Community Recreation Center will host a a socially-distanced Bunny Hop for neighborhood families, Saturday April 3rd, from 10am until noon.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Public Notifications:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Councilmember Mark Squilla has tabled proposed legislation to\u00c2\u00a0regulate short term rentals\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>such as Airbnb properties\u00c2\u00a0to give residents more time to comment You can\u00c2\u00a0download the bill on our website,<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0and let us know what you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday March 31 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m will be a virtual\u00c2\u00a0discussion on the public involvement program for the\u00c2\u00a0Legacy Environmental Cleanup of the former Philadelphia Refinery.<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0For information about environmental cleanup at the former Philadelphia Refinery, please visit\u00c2\u00a0www.phillyrefinerycleanup.info.<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0There will be limited presentation during the planned session in order to allow maximum time for discussion. The public is encouraged to review the website for information prior to the session.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

March General Membership Meeting Recap:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our March 2021 General Membership Meeting\u00c2\u00a0featured guest speaker Bryan Fenstermaker, Executive Director of Passyunk Avenue Redevelopment Corporation, who updated us on the results of the singing fountain survey and presented a redesign for the area. We also hosted breakout rooms discussing street trees, the spring cleanup, and the community garden.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can view the recorded meeting on our Facebook<\/a>.<\/a> To sign in as having “attended” the meeting  please complete this form tinyurl.com\/epxmar21<\/a>. <\/strong>Attendance at three (3) <\/strong>EPX General Membership Meetings in a previous 12-month period is required to be eligible to participate in our annual EPX Board nominations and election processes, as well as for potential items up for vote to the membership at general membership meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next EPX General Meeting will be Monday, April 5th at 7PM <\/strong>held via zoom. Speakers will include SEPTA<\/strong> presenting the accessibility project for the Tasker St Station and Sanitation Streets Department<\/strong> Q&A. Please reach out to contact@epcrossing.org<\/a> if you have anything you would like us to address at this meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Upcoming Virtual Meeting & Distanced Events:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n