The Philadelphia Water Department recently announced its proposal to seek rate changes, beginning October 1, 2012.

Five public hearings have been scheduled to provide customers with an overview of PWD’s programs and services and an opportunity to comment and ask questions. These are open to all members of the public. The Water Department will give a brief presentation about the rate increase process and will be available to answer questions. Food and refreshemets will also be avialable! Here’s the schedule:

When:   Monday, July 9, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Where: Philadelphia Senior Center, 509 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
*Spanish Language and Sign interpreter will be present
*meeting will be streaming live at www.phillycam.org/pwdrates

When:    Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where:   Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Wolcoff Auditorium, 5800 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128

When:   Thursday, July 12, 2012, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where:  Holy Family University, Campus Center Conference Room 115, 9801 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114

When:    Monday, July 16, 2012, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:   YMCA North Philadelphia, 1400 N. Broad Street (Broad and Master Sts), Philadelphia, PA 19121
*Spanish language interpreter will be present

When:     Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where:    White Rock Baptist Church, 5240 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139

PECO News Release

PHILADELPHIA (June 28, 2012) – PECO is urging customers to be aware of a scam that has made its way across the United States and now into the Philadelphia area. The scam, which has been reportedly taking place through social media, text message, telephone, and U.S. Mail, claims that United States President Barack Obama is providing funding to help customers pay their utility bills.

As part of the scam, customers are being asked to provide their social security numbers and other personal identification information. The scam alleges that a payment will be made, from a Federal Reserve bank account directly to their electric or natural gas account.

“We want to make our customers aware of this scam and any potential issues so they can protect themselves from becoming victims of identity theft and other fraudulent activities,” said Mark Alden, PECO vice president of Customer Operations.

PECO offers these tips to help customers avoid falling for the scam:

• Never provide your social security number, or banking or credit card information over the phone, unless you have initiated the call.
• If you receive a call allegedly from PECO and are pressured for immediate payment or for personal information, hang up and call PECO directly at 1-800-494-4000.
• Never provide anyone access to your home who claims to be from PECO, or a contractor working for PECO, unless the visit has been scheduled and the person has proper identification. Customers can always contact the company at 1-800-494-4000 to confirm an official visit.

PECO customers who have been contacted regarding this scam are asked to call PECO immediately at 1-800-494-4000 to report the incident. PECO’s Security Group will work with local authorities to investigate the incident.

Event registration closes Friday, August 3 at midnight.

Saturday, October 13

Show the city, region, and country what the creative community in Passyunk Square is doing.  On Saturday October 13th, the five day 2012 DesignPhiladelphia festival will focus entirely on South Philly and East Passyunk and they’re looking for individuals and organizations from every design discipline to represent our vibrant area.  Be a part of DP 2012 by registering a unique event.  Create a hands-on workshop, an extraordinary exhibition, stimulating lecture or panel discussion, fashion show, design tour, or a street happening.

Whatever your event is…
THINK BIG. THINK BOLD. THINK DESIGN!

Since 2005, DesignPhiladelphia has developed a nationally recognized, open participation festival program that offers a view into Philadelphia’s creative industries at work.  Through its programming, DP demonstrates, supports, and promotes the ability that design has to influence the perception and economics of the region. This year’s festival will run October 10-14, 2012.

For more information or to register an event email Jackie Starker (jackie@designphiladelphia.org) and visit www.designphiladelphia.org/register

A mix of stormwater trenches, sidewalk planters and rain gardens will be installed on various blocks in Passyunk Square, after a collaboration with the Philadelphia Water Department identified community members that were eager to see greening projects on their block.  The projects will help green and beautify the blocks, but will also help manage stormwater which can cause flooding and degrade our waterways.

The projects will be located on:
PASSYUNK AVE from REED ST to DICKINSON ST
10TH ST from REED ST to DICKINSON ST
12TH ST from DICKINSON ST to TASKER ST
12TH ST from REED ST to WHARTON ST
REED ST from 12TH ST to 13TH ST S
WASHINGTON AVE from 18TH ST to 19TH ST
19TH ST from WASHINGTON AVE to ELLSWORTH ST
ELLSWORTH ST from 18TH ST to 19TH ST
18TH ST from WASHINGTON AVE to ELLSWORTH ST
LINN ST from TASKER ST to 12TH ST S

PSCA is also participating in PWD’s RainCheck program, which will allow residents to split costs with PWD for green infrastructure improvements to their property that will help manage stormwater.

If you have ideas for other areas where a green stormwater management project could be conducted, fill out the Community Input form here www.phillywatersheds.org/CIF and also let us know by emailing contact@passyunk.org

News From the City of Philadelphia

On June 1, 2012, Mayor Nutter and the City of Philadelphia launched the Philadelphia Homestead Exemption for all homeowners in Philadelphia. A Homestead Exemption means that if you own your home, you can qualify for a reduction of your home’s tax assessment, and therefore reduce your tax bill.

Although legislation is still pending for the approval of the program, you are encouraged to apply, as it will help reduce the taxable assessed value used for calculation of your tax bill. The program’s only requirement is that the property is your primary residence. There are NO requirements related to age, income or length of homeownership. To be eligible, you must own your own home and live in it, and complete the Homestead Exemption application by JULY 31, 2012.

The application is simple and takes only minutes to complete.  Applications and additional information about the Homestead will be mailed out to all Philadelphia homeowners by late June and is available online now at www.phila.gov. Applications are due July 31, 2012. You can reach the application directly at http://www.phila.gov/pdfs/homestead-applicationv2.pdf.

After an application has been approved, you do not need to reapply each year unless the deed to the home changes. Applications received after the deadline for this year will be considered for tax year 2014.

In addition to qualifying for the Homestead Exemption on your property, you may also qualify for additional programs that can help reduce your real estate taxes, including programs for those who meet income qualifications, are over age 65, or have a disability. More details about these programs can be found online at www.phila.gov or by calling 311.

Additional Links:

http://cityofphiladelphia.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/tax-relief-is-knocking/

http://www.phila.gov/pdfs/homestead_MayorLetter.pdf

http://www.phila.gov/pdfs/homestead_Brochure.pdf

What do Geno’s Steaks, “Rocky” films and the Philadelphia Phillies have in common? Besides combining them for one awesome Saturday night, they were winners in last year’s South Philly Review Readers’ Choice Awards.

The 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards are quickly approaching. It’s your chance to share with others your favorite South Philadelphia establishments, people, traditions and more.

Categories include Cuisine, Night on the town, Sweet tooth, People, Sports and more.

Submit your ballot online at southphillyreview.com/contests (or fill out an official ballot located in the Review and mail it or drop it off) and receive the chance to win a grand prize of a $100 gift certificate ($75 for second, $50 for third) from a Review advertiser of your choice in our March 15 Spring Guide.

Voting ends at 10 a.m. on March 1.

Join members of the Combined South Philadelphia Civic Association Alliance in the auditorium of Saints John Neumann – Maria Goretti High School tonight at 6:30PM for a meeting and Q&A session with SEPTA senior management.

SEPTA Constituent Relations Coordinator Wendy Green-Harvey and Assistant Director of Transportation Michael Lyles will address issues relevant to schedules and ALL South Philadelphia routes. Mr. Lyles, along with many of his staff members, will field questions especially regarding pilot projects such as the 47 bus lines limited pick-ups.

At PSCA General Membership meeting on January 3, Board President Christine Knapp reminded attendees that they can still take advantage of a program run by EnergyWorks to make low-cost home energy assessments and reduced cost home energy efficiency improvements available to members of the Passsyunk Square Civic Association.
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(Editor’s Note: We also like to pass on information about events happening outside of our 6th to Broad, Washington to Tasker borders in  this feature called “From Our Neighbors.” If you know of a cool event happening anywhere in South Philadelphia – 19145, 19146, 19147 or 19148 – send us an email at contact@passyunk.org.)

In conjunction with the Amitayus Kadampa Buddhist Center, the Friends of the Whitman Library present:

Meditation for a Peaceful New Year

Anyone interested in an evening of guided meditation and an introduction to simple yet profound meditation techniques to help make your life more peaceful, enjoyable and happy is encouraged to attend. This event will be held at Whitman Branch (Free Library of Philadelphia) on January 12, 2012 at 6:30 PM.

Free and open to the public. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome. Whitman Library, 200 Snyder Avenue. 215-685-1754.