Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the board of TCA

Winter Fest 2014 Agenda

From the DRCC- A letter to our neighbors

Masonic Hall- Snow Ball

Blood Drive

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=0e913b6356&view=att&th=149838113abd3fd2&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

There will a community Thanksgiving dinner to be held at Our Lady of Consulation on 11/22/14 at 3:00 pm.  All are welcome.  

Winter Fest 2014

Winterfest 2014 will be on December 6th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm- At the Tacony Library

We will have all kinds of activities for the whole family.  There will be a DJ.  Arts & Crafts.  Santa Clause and all kinds of fun.
The Kraze Shark Kart will be in front of the library to purchase food and beverages.

November 2014 Newsletter

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bxl_yGO_ZGP73naUZbMW-T1Xua_a8Yo7BGPG1PCP4es/edit

Verizon Fios will be at Tacony Flea Market

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k038jlYoVWZNTaGAh7fcgootlZLjBY2XMVM4eL2vTMU/edit

Absentee Ballot Registration

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3JBzd0omKLpbjF1TnQ2QlBPTUVvb1p3U0N1QkxVYXhCcnJv/vie?usp=sharing

With the November 4 general election right around the corner, I wanted to let you know about a new toll-free hotline hosted by our organization.  The Committee of Seventy’s 1-855-SEVENTY hotline for elections and voting is an initiative that aims to provide eligible voters in the city with the information they need to get registered and cast a ballot. Although online information on elections and voting is available, we’ve found that assistance from a real person can help ensure a smooth voting experience. Further, it’s critical that, for eligible voters in the city without access to online resources, a service is available to help answer questions.

Because this is a brand new number, we’re working hard to contact neighborhood organizations across the city ahead of the October 6 voter registration deadline. It would be terrific if you could help us promote the number to voters in Mayfair. 

The Committee of Seventy is a strictly non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates. Helping build fair elections and a more informed electorate has been a goal of the organization since its founding in 1904. 

Tacony Flea Market

Tacony Civic Flea Markets
Disston Park - 6900 Keystone Street between Longshore & Disston
Streets
8:00 am - 2:00 pm (set-up begins at 6:30 am)
Saturday, 10/25/14 $5.00 per space
No rain dates
Snacks, beverages and restroom facilities will be available onsite.
Pre-registration for vendors is not necessary. Cash will be collected upon arrival.
For more information please contact
215-338-2575 or taconycivic@yahoo.com.

Library News

Library News:

Change in hours as of 9/15/14
Monday 12 to 8
Tuesday 10 to 6
Wednesday 12 to 8
Thursday 10 to 6
Fridays Closed
Saturdays 10 to 5
Sundays 1 to 5 (beginning October 5th)

Coming soon- open 7 days

We now have books in Spanish (adults & children) and Chinese (adults)

New Childrens Librarian - Alberto Pagan-Ramirez
Monthly bilingual English/spanish family story time
Monthly Reading Club for boys (age 9 to 12)

LEAP - free homework help Monday to Thursday 3:00 to 5:30 K to 12

Check out the Free Library website for classes, movies, books etc. wwww.freelibrary.org

Next General Meeting

Join us for our next general meeting on Wed November 12th 7 pm Holy Innocents St Paul's Church

Joe Cawley Memorial

Joe Cawley is a former Tacony Civic Association board member- he did alot for the community. He passed away in the spring of 2012- Joe's name, will be unveiled at the Christa Lewis Memorial Arboretum ceremony scheduled for 1:00 on Saturday October 11th- if you knew Joe or just want to support someone that did alot for our community come on out. Also we are looking for donations to cover the cost.

With the November 4 general election right around the corner, I wanted to let you know about a new toll-free hotline hosted by our organization.  The Committee of Seventy’s 1-855-SEVENTY hotline for elections and voting is an initiative that aims to provide eligible voters in the city with the information they need to get registered and cast a ballot. Although online information on elections and voting is available, we’ve found that assistance from a real person can help ensure a smooth voting experience. Further, it’s critical that, for eligible voters in the city without access to online resources, a service is available to help answer questions.

Because this is a brand new number, we’re working hard to contact neighborhood organizations across the city ahead of the October 6 voter registration deadline. It would be terrific if you could help us promote the number to voters in Mayfair. 

The Committee of Seventy is a strictly non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates. Helping build fair elections and a more informed electorate has been a goal of the organization since its founding in 1904. 

July 10th Concert Featuring Charlie Gracie/Ramona Jane

Official Summer Concerts Webpage

The official Webpage for our 2014 Summer Concert Series at Disston Rec has been posted.

We have some great shows lined up, we hope to see you there!

All shows are free.

2014 Tacony Summer Free Concert Series

Come out and have a great time at our free summer concert series at Disston Rec Center, Disston and Glenloch Streets.

- food vendors
- restrooms available
- please bring a lawn chair or blanket


2014 Schedule

Thursday 06/26 7 pm-  Herb Oakley * The Hooligans

Thursday 07/10 7 pm-  Ramona Jane * Charlie Gracie Band

Thursday 7/24/14 7 pm-  Nick Zaborowski * So Easy Blues Band

Thursday 08/07 7 pm-  To be announced

Thursday 8/21 7 pm-  To be announced

Summer Concert Series

Come out for the first in the free concert series at Disston Rec:

June 26th- 6:30 pm
Opener- Herb Oakley
Headliner- The Hooligans

Summer Events @ The Tacony Library

 

Annual Friends of Tacony Library Flea Market

Saturday, June 7

9:00am-3:00pm

$10 per space; please provide your own table

Raindate: Saturday, June 14

 

Preschool Storytimes for children ages 3-5

Thursdays, June 19 and June 26 at 10:30am

Please call the library to register

 

Adult Summer Reading Raffles

Enter each week to win a $5 Dunkin Donuts gift card

Other gift cards available as well

Visit the library, and receive one entry for each item you borrow

Beginning Monday, June 16

 

Adult Summer Reading Board Games

Escape the heat and come into the library where we’ll have chess, checkers, backgammon and Scrabble  set up every afternoon from 1:00-4:00pm

Beginning Monday, June 16

 

Coupon Clip-n-Swap

Mondays at 1:00

Beginning June 16

 

Lego Club for Teens

Tuesdays 1:00-3:00pm

Beginning June 17

 

Teen Summertime Crafts

Decorate for own canvas backpack

Thursday, June 26 at 2:00pm

Please call the library to register

 

Magic Show for Kids and Families

Monday, June 16 at 4:00pm

 

Safari Party with live animals

For Kids and Families

Wednesday, June 18 at 4:00pm

 

Learn about Greyhounds

A program for kids and families with live greyhounds

Wednesday, June 11 at 4:00pm

 

Tacony History

http://hiddencityphila.org/2014/05/frank-shuman-finding-the-future-in-tacony-a-century-ago/

Happenings In and Around Tacony 5/7/14

Tacony Civic Flea Markets
Disston Park - 6900 Keystone Street between Longshore & Disston
Streets
 8:00 am - 2:00 pm (set-up begins at 6:30 am)
Saturday, 6/21/14 $10.00 per 10'x15' space
Saturday, 9/20/14 $10.00 per space...
Saturday, 10/25/14 $5.00 per space

No rain dates
Snacks, beverages and restroom facilities will be available onsite.
Pre-registration for vendors is not necessary. Cash will be collected upon arrival.

For more information please contact
215-338-2575 or taconycivic@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

FLEA MARKET - Wissinoming Presbyterian Church Howell & Torresdale Ave this Saturday May 10 9 to 2 Vendors inside hall and outside.

 

 

 

 

As part of the "Love Your Park" week -The DRCC is holding a planting and clean up at Lardners Point this Saturday from 10 to 2. Snacks and Tools provided

 

 

 

Disston Rec Summer Day Camp
 (3) Two Week Sessions $ 25.00 Registration Plus $ 175.00 per Session
 Includes: Trips- Lunch- Snack-Games-Sports-Swimming-Crafts & More
 1st Session July 7th to 18th
 2nd Session July 21st to Aug 1st
 3rd Session Aug 4th to Aug 15th
 Call 215-685-8750 to register

 

 

 

The dates for the summer concert series have been announced, they are as follows-
Thursday 6/26/14 6:30 pm
Thursday 7/10/14 6:30 pm.

Thursday 7/24/14 6:30 pm
Thursday 8/07/14 6:30 pm
Thursday 8/21/14 6:30 pm
Entertainment and locations to be announced

Joe McCloskey Scholarship for Tacony Residents

Tacony Residents- The Joseph C. McCloskey Charitable Fund will be offering (2) college scholarships in 2014. The recipients will receive $2000.00 paid directly the their college or university towards tuition.
Requirements:
1. You must be a resident of Tacony
2. You must be enrolled in a college or university
See the website for additional info: www.jcmcccftacony.org

Upcoming Community Happenings

Holy Innocents St. Paul @ Tyson & Torresdale are holding their Annual Strawberry Festival on 6/7/14 from 8:00 to 3:00.  Vendor spaces 6x10  $ 15.00   For reservations call 267-581-3981

The Masonic Temple @ 4400 Magee is hosting a blood drive 5/24/14  10:00 to 3:00 call Chuck Lankert 215-659-1274 or Paul Knapp 215-223-7279.  Donate blood/Save a Life

The Tacony Library is having their annual Flea Market on 6/7/14 from 9:00 to 3:00.  Space $ 10.00- bring your own table.  For more info call  215-685-8755

Bobby Henon is hosting a special senior event featuring a free lunch and screening of Saving Mr. Banks.   5/16/14  11:00 to 2:00  Canstatter's- 9130 Academy Rd - No reservations necessary.

    Join one of our Organizations and get involved in what's happening in the community

                                                        Tacony Civic Association
                                                        Tacony Historical Society
                                                        Tacony CDC
                                                        Tacony Town Watch
                                                        NE Quality of Life

Undated Meetings & Events April/May

The next general meeting is on May 14th- 7:00 pm at Holy Innocents St. Paul Church (Tyson & Torresdale).  On the agenda-
Anderson Construction - regarding the construction being done on the corners around Tacony
Dr. Claudia Lyles from Planet Abacus
Tome Brannigan & Alexia Sotirchos from The Delaware River City Corp - regarding the riverfront
Hope to see you there.


We are holding a bake sale fundraiser on April 19th from 12:00 to 3:00 at the Tacony Library (Knorr & Torresdale).  We need baked good donations and come out and purchase a dessert for Easter.


The Tacony Civic Assoc. is hosting a clean up at Keystone park on May 3rd.- Lets work together to clean up our park.  Meet time 9:00 am at Longshore & Keystone.  Tools provided.


The dates for the summer concert series have been announced, they are as follows-
Thursday   6/26/14   6:30 pm
Thursday   7/10/14   6:30 pm
Thursday   7/24/14   6:30 pm
Thursday   8/07/14   6:30 pm
Thursday   8/21/14   6:30 pm
Entertainment and locations to be announced.

Polish Police Association of Philadelphia

The Polish Police Association of Philadelphia is holding a Chinese Auction at Disston Rec (4500 Disston Street) on April 12th from 1:00 to 2:00 for buyers and 2:00 to 4:00 for the auction.  All new of almost new items-  over 100 jewelry items, great hand bags, collectible beer steins, 15" monitor screen, Michael Jordon watch and much more.  There will also be Cheer baskets, Easter baskets and door prizes.  Come out for a good time for a good cause.

They are also looking for donations for the Chinese Auction.  The Polish Police Assn. is a non-profit group.  All proceeds go to the continuation of distributing food baskets to the needy, scholarship awards for college, banquet dinners to help raise funds.  Your donation will be listed in their  Souvenir Program book distributed at their Annual dinner.  For donations call Barbara @
215-331-3888. 

Also Their 39th Annual Founders Day Banquet is being held Saturday May 10th, 2014 from 6 pm to 12:00 midnight @ Kings Caterers II- 4010 New Falls Road Bristol PA.
Featuring:
  Continuous Music
  Cocktail hour with hot and cold hors d'oeuvres
  Surf and Turf Sit down dinner (Lobster & Filet)
  6 hours Open bar
  Grand Prize drawing  $ 1000
  2nd prize drawing      $   500
  3rd prize drawing      $   300
PRICE   $ 65.00 per person call Ed McCloskey 215-425-4783 for tickets

Tacony Upcoming Meeting & Events

Tacony Civic Association is holding their General Meeting tonight 3/12/14- 7:00 pm at Holy Innocents St Paul Church- Tyson & Torresdale

Tacony Town Watch is holding their General Meeting tomorrow night- 7:00 pm at Tacony Baptist Church-  Disston & Hegerman

Tacony Masonic Temple is holding a blood drive Saturday March 22 -  9:00 to 3:00  - 4400 Magee Ave

 

Wissinoming Presbyterian Church will be holding their 5th Annual Penny Party on Saturday March 29th from 12:00 to 3:00-  5817 Torresdale Ave

The Tacony Library will be holding a bake sale on Saturday April 19th from 12:00 to 3:00

                                                                     

Tacony Library

The Tacony Library is holding a spontaneous performance today. The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra will be at the library at 3:30 today. Come on out and enjoy the music.

Holmesburg Methadone Clinic

Whats happening in Tacony

NEWS

There will be a blood drive on Saturday 1/18/14 at the Masonic Lodge - 4400 Magee Street  from 10:00 to 3:00  go to REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG and go to donor signup.  We need the support and its for a good cause.

NE Quality of Life Coalitions next general meeting is 1/23/14 at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Consolation school hall - Edmund Street entrance.  They will be reviewing to zoning issues on Torresdale Ave.

Disston Advisory Council and Dorsey Advisory Council are sponsoring a National Day of Service Community Clean up on 1/20/14 - 10:00 am at Dorsey- 6501 Hegerman and Disston- 4510 Disston.
Call to register 215-685-8750 or 215-685-8734.  Lets work together to keep our neighborhood looking good.

There is a new coffee shop opening soon @ Princeton & Hegerman-  Cafe' Express.  When we have an opening date we will inform you.

The Tacony Civic will be holding Nominations for President, Treasurer and Secretary at the next general meeting in March, elections will be held in May.

The War Monument located in Keystone park has been undergoing renovations.  The NEQOL Coalition has had it cleaned, painted and the bricks replaced.  They are currently working with the Oxely Post on replacing the plaque naming the 18 soldiers from Tacony that gave their lives fighting in World War I.  A rededication ceremony is planned tentatively for April 19.  It would be a tribute to those boys, our neighborhood and the people who worked on bringing this monument back to have a good turnout, so mark your calendars.

The Tacony Civic Association, is looking for volunteers to help out on their different committees.



EVENTS

St. Leos is having FREE BINGO on Wednesday 1/22/14 in the convent.  Come out and have some fun.  All are welcome

Line Dance Party Ta­cony/May­fair Sons of Italy, 4741 Friend­ship St. Johnny Tocco line dance party presen­ted by Miss Susan’s En­ter­tain­ment and Dance. Fri­days. $5. 7 to 11 p.m. 215-335-3232.

Bingo St. Jos­aphat, Dis­ston and Dit­man streets. Modays and Fri­days. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Games be­gin at 7 p.m. Kit­chen on premises. 215-338-1125.

St Mary Magdalen Community Service-  Holy Innocents Church  7001 Tulip Street  214-624-1144 2nd & 4th Sundays 10:30 am

Holy Innocents Church- Concert of Dedication  Sunday  1/19/14  4:00 pm  7001 Torresdale Ave  215-624-1144

Holy Innocents Church-  Mid Winter Cabaret-  FREE (Donations Welcome)  Sunday 2/16/14 
4:00 pm    7001 Torresdale Ave  215-624-1144

Theo­logy on Tap Grey Lodge Pub, 6235 Frank­ford Ave. Join Pas­tor Dana for dis­cus­sion in­clud­ing the Bible, Beer, and what’s on your mind. Mondays. 7 p.m.


CLASSES & ORGANIZATIONS

Arts and Crafts Class for Chil­dren Vo­gt Re­cre­ation Cen­ter, 6700 Cot­tage St. Sat­urdays. First month and re­gis­tra­tion is $25, then $20 per month. 11 a.m. to noon. 215-685-8753

Brownies Dorsey Play­ground, 6501 He­ger­man St. Suit­able for girls in first and second grades. Sat­urdays. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 215-685-8734.

Gym­nastics Dorsey Play­ground, 6501 He­ger­man St. Suit­able for ages 5 to 8. Sat­urdays. $5. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. 215-685-8734.

Melvina’s Dance Class Dorsey Play­ground, 6501 He­ger­man St. Sat­urdays. Ages 10 to 16 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; adults and seni­ors from 3 to 4 p.m. 215-685-8734

Be­gin­ner Bridge Game/Tu­tori­al St. Leo Church rect­ory, Key­stone Street and Un­ruh Av­en­ue. Free. Mondays. 7 p.m. 215-333-0340

Adult Mar­tial Arts Classes Max My­ers Re­cre­ation Cen­ter, 1601 Heller­man St. Classes held Tues­day and Fri­day even­ings and Sat­urday af­ter­noons. $45 per month. Call for time and inf.: 215-685-1242

Ceram­ic Classes Dis­ston Re­cre­ation Cen­ter, 4423 Long­shore Ave. Tues­days and Thursdays. 7 to 9 p.m. 215-335-1163

Zumba Max My­ers Re­cre­ation Cen­ter, 1601 Heller­man St. Taught by a li­censed Zumba in­struct­or. Tues­days and Wed­nes­days. 7:30 p.m. Re­gister. 215-685-1242. Also at: Jun­od Play­ground, 3301 Mech­an­ic­sville Road. $5. Tues­days and Thursdays. 7 p.m. 215-685-9396.

YOGA- Holy Innocents Church  7001 Torresdale Ave  Mondays & Thursdays 7:30 & Saturday 8:00 am   $ 7 per class   215-624-1144

Reiki Healing  FREE  Wed Jan, 22 7:30 to 9:00-  Normally held the 4th Wed of each month


TACONYS ORGANIZATIONS Need new members and Donations to keep up the work we are doing in our community. 
Tacony Civic Association- taconycivic.org
Tacony Historical Society- historictacony.org
Tacony Town Watch-  tactw.org
Tacony CDC-  historictaconyrevitalization.com
NE Quality of Life Coalition- neastphilly.com

You can also follow the above organizations on Facebook

Proposed Renovations of Tacony Library

 

 

A massive renovation of the Tacony Library is in the works, and there are some serious issues that need to be addressed before it runs ahead of everyone and the community finds itself with a library     that it had no hand in envisioning.  Below you will find the proposed floor plan of the renovation, a list of concerns with the plans as they currently exist, along with a study that was conducted about how much shelving space will be lost as a result of the project.

 

The Tacony library is currently the second busiest library in Philadelphia.  The extent of these renovations mean the library closing down for an undetermined amount of time. The plans proposed also leave no where for the Book Sales currently held in the basement.

 

No one opposes renovating the building per se.  As a matter of fact, the building could use more computers and updated infrastructure, improved sightlines, and an overall facelift.  The issues we share are contained in the attachments.  If it would please you, please express your concerns to the appropriate authorities, because it is our hope that the renovations will not be scuttled but rather amended to better reflect the true needs and desires of the library’s real owners, the residents of the Tacony community.  You can contact Siobhan Reardon she is the President of the Free Library of Philadelphia.  215-686-5322   Free Library of Philadelphia  1901 Vine Street  Philadelphia PA  19103. 

 

Floor Plans:

Concerns Regarding Proposed Tacony Library Renovations

The following are concerns that the staff at Tacony Library shares concerning the proposed branch renovations:

1. The organizations consulted in the planning stages do not adequately represent the actual residents of the Tacony community.  The Tacony Community Development Corporation was barely involved.  The Tacony Civic Association, the Tacony Business Association, the Tacony Historical Society, and the Friends of Tacony Library were not consulted.  The only meeting for the general public was poorly advertised and very poorly attended.  Therefore, the plans as they currently stand, most likely do not represent the needs or desires of the community.
2. The staff of the Tacony Library was not consulted at all.  Therefore, the plans do not include any input from people who actually have worked in and with the building as it exists today.  Therefore, known strengths of the building most likely have not been considered, nor have known deficiencies in functionality and workflow.  Furthermore, the new configuration was not designed by experienced library workers; it was designed as a theoretical construct.
3. There are both safety and functionality concerns with moving the staff workroom into a far corner of the basement.  Functionality: if the branch becomes very busy and extra staff support is needed on the main public floor, staff will have to be paged and then the public will have to wait for someone to come up from downstairs.  Safety: distance is also an issue here as staff cannot readily come to anyone’s assistance when they are working away from the public in the basement.
4. The proposed renovations call for a drastic reduction in shelving space for both adult and children’s materials.  Tacony is one of the busiest libraries in the City, with high circulation of materials and a collection of approximately 34,000 items.  The reconfigured library will have room for 57% fewer items for the community to borrow.  This does not enhance family literacy, encourage curiosity, engage the public, or provide necessary information for all citizens of the community.  This detracts from it.
5. The new shelving for the library does not seem to be user friendly.  It is established that library users prefer to access books from shelves that are between thigh and shoulder height, because this does not require excessive bending or reaching.  Much of the new shelving appears to be low, which will have books near the floor and require considerable bending to reach.
6. The target group for the reimagined Tacony Library is the entrepreneur or small business owner.  While this is a segment of the Tacony community, it is not a large enough segment to be regarded as the library’s target group.  Tacony Library also serves, and must continue to serve, the needs of preschoolers, school-age, New Americans, job seekers, senior adults, adult learners, and teens.  Some of these demographic groups, like New Americans, are a growing population and need to be factored into the future constituencies of the library.

 

Loss of Shelving Space in Tacony Library’s Proposed Renovations

Genre/Format	Current Shelving	Proposed Shelving	Change
Adult Non-fiction	205	52	-153
Adult Large Print Adult Hardback Fiction	16 106	18 40	+2 -66
Adult Paperback Fiction	114	68	-46
Adult Magazines	23	12	-11
Adult DVDs	31	12	-19
Adult Audiobooks	15	15	0
Adult Music CDs	23	0	-23
Teen Hardback Fiction &           Non-fiction	28	32	+4
Teen Paperback Fiction	21	16	-5
Children Non-fiction	68	24	-44
Children Paperback Fiction	74	15	-59
Children Hardback Fiction Children Picture Books Children Audiobooks Children DVDs Children Magazines Children Music CDs	48 30 1 22 3 4	30     8     3     6     6     0	-18 -22 +2 -16 +3 -4
Total	832	357	-475

Adult Non-fiction includes: Self-help, Religion, Personal Finance, Law, Languages, Science, Math, Health, Gardening, Pet Care, Home Improvement, True Crime, Career Guides, Test Prep, Computers, Cooking, Crafts, Art, Sports, Literature, Poetry, History, Local History, Biographies,

 

There will be a Zoning Board hearing on 2/4/14 to convert a single family residence to a duplex.  There will be a public meeting with concerned neighbors on 1/23/14 with the NE Quality of Life Coalition- Our Lady Of Consolation School Edmund Street Entrance 7:00 pm


 

Here is a list of upcoming meetings:
Tacony Civic Association General Meeting 1/15/14 7:00 @ The Tacony Firehouse on Keystone & Magee
Town Watch 1/9/14 7:00 @ The Tacony Baptist Church 
NE Quality of Life Coalition 1/23/14 7:00- location to be determined

Everyone come out and get involved in our community. If we all work together we can do great things with our neighborhood!

Also if you want information on the Historical Revitalization Project go to taconycdc.org or call 215-501-7799