| COUNCIL NEEDS TO FUND BUDGET | | | VOLUME IV,
ISSUE X | | 
| | View of the newly constructed Dupont Crescent | | | | | | | | | | | | | Why hire experts if you aren't going to take their advice? Disregarding the opinion of the economic consulting firm they hired to make budget recommendations, City Council recently passed a budget for the 2011 fiscal year, that left the city with a 40 percent smaller operating cushion than what was recommended for fiscal security. Council may believe that their job is done, but an underfunded budget like the one they approved could leave the City broke by this time next year. The budget contains many important budgetary priorities, but without sufficient revenue the Mayor is preparing to cut $20 million and hundreds of jobs to plug the budget hole. On the chopping block would be $2.5 million in funding for the Department of Parks and Recreation, which was to be used for maintenance, tree planting, and safety and security measures. This cut would jeopardize the City's Greenworks tree planting and park access goals, and could lead to additional decay in our public spaces that make them a hazard rather than an amenity for communities. Our communities cannot afford additional cuts to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Now more than ever we need vibrant, safe and public spaces. Tell Council that for the good of our citizens today and next year, it's time to get back to work and finish the job of funding the budget they approved. | | | | | | SCHUYLKILL RIVER WALK | | | Feeling conflicted about fitting in time for a workout and learning more about the progress of a greenway along the Schuylkill? Multitask by taking a guided walk from Bartram's Garden to Dupont Crescent with members of the Complete the Schuylkill River Trail Coalition on Saturday, June 19. Enjoy the exercise while exploring locations of future trail segments within south and southwest Philadelphia. The walk is approximately two miles long and will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Bartram's Garden parking lot, and will proceed through Bartram's property to 51st Street, over to Gray's Ferry Ave and across the river to the recently constructed Dupont Crescent site. The tour will conclude with light refreshments and transportation back to Bartram's Garden courtesy of the Philadelphia Trolley Works. Please RSVP for the event online. | | | | | | PLAN FOR THE CENTRAL DELAWARE | | | We have a vision for the future of the Central Delaware waterfront, but what about implementation? The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is in the process of creating a master plan for theCentral Delaware, to take the Civic Vision to the next stage by offering detailed guidelines, policies, and investment strategies for the open space and development called for in the vision. Join DRWC on Monday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Festival Pier for the first of three public meetings on the plan. Please RSVP to the event by emailing the organizers at RSVP@delwareriverwaterfrontcorp.com. | | | | | | VOTE TO PLANT MORE TREES IN PENNSYLVANIA | | | Help plant more trees in our state parks by voting for Pennsylvania in Odwalla's Plant a Tree competition. Plant a Tree allows citizens from all 50 states to vote for where they want to see new trees planted. By voting for Pennsylvania on the Odwalla website, you can send tree planting money into the state. Pennsylvania is currently the second-rated state in the competition with over 1,998 trees scheduled to be planted. Help to get Pennsylvania in the lead and attain the most dollars for trees in state parks by casting your vote at www.odwalla.com/plantatree. While you're online you can also view the Pennsylvania State Park campaign video featuring Barry White Oak at www.visitPAparks.com. | | | | | | URBAN ATTRACTION | | | After years of flight to the suburbs, a recent article in Harvard Business Review indicates that businesses are beginning to return to America's cities. The emerging trend follows a cultural and demographic shift, with today's young, educated workforce prioritizing location in their job search and opting for dense, mixed-use, transit-oriented centers over sprawling suburban areas. The Harvard article suggests that a move into more urban centers will not only help companies snag talented workers today, but also prepares businesses for the future. As more people come to understand the negative side effects of suburban living - like the connection between auto-dependency and rising obesity rates - the desirability of urban life will only increase, and companies who fail to make the move into cities may ultimately suffer. | | | | | | MAKE POLLUTERS PAY: LOBBY DAY 2010 | | | Tell your legislator that natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania needs to be done responsibly. Join PennFuture on a trip to the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg for a Lobby Day on Tuesday, June 15. This is your chance to stand up for a natural gas impact fee so tax payers aren't stuck footing the bill for the public costs associated with natural gas extraction. PennFuture will also be urging the State Senate to support the Save our Forests legislation (HB 2235) which places a three year moratorium on new gas leases in our state forests. Scheduling meetings with your legislators, talking points and other helpful materials, and transportation can all be arranged through PennFuture. Protect the health of our communities and forests by registering today! | | | | NEWS | | | | | EVENTS | | - Tuesday, June 1, - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Philadelphia 2035: Comprehensive Plan Meeting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 North Broad St.
- Wednesday, June 2, 1:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, June 3, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - PennFuture's 2010 Annual Clean Energy Conference at Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass Camp Hill, PA.
- Wednesday, June 2 - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Green Drinks Philadelphia at Standard Tap in Northern Liberties.
- Friday, June 4 - 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Green Building Legislative Breakfast at Tozour Energy Systems, 3606 Horizon Drive, King of Prussia
- Monday, June 7 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Philadelphia 2035: The Comprehensive Plan Meeting at Esperanza College, 4261 North 5th St.
- Monday, June 7 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Master Plan Civic Engagement Meeting at Festival Pier, Columbus Blvd & Spring Garden St.
- Tuesday, June 8 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Philadelphia 2035: The Comprehensive Plan Meeting at the Knowlton Mansion, 8001 Verree Rd.
- Wednesday, June 9 - 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Sustainable Skylines Roundtable: Purchasing? It's Easy to Buy Green at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
at 6th and Race Street on the 8th floor. - Thursday, June 10 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Guided tour of the tidal Schuylkill River area
of Art In The Open Philadelphia meeting at the Amtrak information desk within the 30th Street Station. - Thursday, June 10 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Junto: Creating an Age-friendly Environment at 1168 E. Passyunk Ave.
- Friday, June 11 through Sunday, June 13 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Sacred Earth: Spirituality and Sustainability at Chestnut Hill College at 9601 Germantown Ave.
- Monday, June 14 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Green2015 Community Meeting at Germantown Friends School at 31 W. Coulter St.
| After years of flight to the suburbs, a recent article in Harvard Business Review indicates that businesses are beginning to return to America's cities. The emerging trend follows a cultural and demographic shift, with today's young, educated workforce prioritizing location in their job search and opting for dense, mixed-use, transit-oriented centers over sprawling suburban areas.
The Harvard article suggests that a move into more urban centers will not only help companies snag talented workers today, but also prepares businesses for the future. As more people come to understand the negative side effects of suburban living - like the connection between auto-dependency and rising obesity rates - the desirability of urban life will only increase, and companies who fail to make the move into cities may ultimately suffer.
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