Dozens of parents, students, and community volunteers will go door-to-door, throughout the Queen Village Neighborhood of Philadelphia, on Saturday April 28th from 9am-1pm seeking support for Nebinger and Meredith Elementary Schools. Both school principals, Dr. Ralph Burnley and Mrs. Cindy Farlino, will also take part in the neighborhood canvass. The “It Takes Queen Village” campaigners will be asking neighbors to make financial contributions so the schools can purchase books and supplies, and asking for volunteers to donate time reading to kids or helping out at lunchtime. Queen Village residents will also be asked to sign a petition in support of public education.  The grassroots education outreach and engagement campaign is sponsored by the new Schools and Youth Activities Committee of the Queen Village Neighbors Association (QVNA). Jeff Hornstein, president of QVNA, started the new committee recognizing that public education is the foundation for any successful community. “Every civic leader in the city knows that neighborhoods prosper, in part, when they have a quality neighborhood school as a community anchor,” says Hornstein. “With Harrisburg’s failure to adequately fund public education, and with the city’s coffers running dry, “It Takes Queen Village” is a model for community engagement.” Leslie Patterson-Tyler is chairperson of the QVNA Schools & Youth Activities Committee. She has two kids at Meredith Elementary, and the church her husband pastors, Mother Bethel AME, has adopted Nebinger Elementary. “The quality of our children’s education is suffering because of deep cuts to the school budget,” says Patterson-Tyler. “As parents, we can only do so much in terms of fundraising. It truly does take all of Queen Village, and even people living outside of Queen Village, to help our children and schools get the resources they need.”

New day-long jazz fest features 17 bands at four venues in the heart of the city

The first-ever Center City Jazz Festival brings the Philly jazz sound to Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Fergie’s Pub, MilkBoy Philadelphia, and Time Restaurant for a full day of performances on April 28. Across five blocks over ten hours, more than 50 musicians will perform for jazz fans and new audiences alike, renewing Philadelphia’s reputation as a destination for great jazz music. Launched by visionary trombonist Ernest Stuart and fueled by a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Center City Jazz Festival fills the void left by the recently disbanded West Oak Lane Jazz Festival and the closing of Ortlieb’s Jazz Haus.

"It's Your Lucky Night" Annual Auction, Philadanco Dance Performance, & 'Burger Brawl' use established network in the school community to bring in extra funding

The Philadelphia elementary school that made headlines by raising $15,000 in less than 24 hours, weeks before Christmas, is now set to present three major fundraisers that offer social and cultural outlets for the community. On Friday April 13th, the Meredith School Auction: “It’s Your Lucky Night” will take place from 7pm-11pm at the IATSE Ballroom located at 2401 Swanson Street. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. The ticket price includes a free dinner, drinks, and opportunity to bid on fantastic prizes that were all donated or handmade by the students, teachers, and parents. “This is the one time of year when everyone gets a chance to participate,” says Tani Bertolino, one of the event chairperson’s and Corresponding Secretary of the Meredith Home and School Association. “You can have an adult night out, have fun, meet new people – and the items up for auction are truly amazing.”  This is the 7th year for the Meredith Auction and has become one of the hottest events in South Philadelphia. Last year the auction raised more than $25,000 for the students.  Meredith School is also accepting donations for the Auction, which is a great way for local businesses to get advertising and new customers.  “Everyone loves to support the businesses that support our kids and our local public schools,” says Christina Pascucci, Meredith mom and co-chair of the auction. Some of the items that have been donated are gift certificates to local spas and sporting events, summer camp tuition coupons, and Spanish lessons. Each classroom also donates a basket with a theme such as family movie night, wine, and coffee. The students also work with parent volunteers to create a custom work of art that is also up for auction. “This event is run 100% on volunteer power – the parents, guardians and staff of the Meredith School put it together, and all of that caring shines through at the event.” 

Also in April, the Meredith Miracles continue as Philadelphia’s premiere dance company, “Philadanco,”will present a benefit performance at Meredith on Saturday April 21 at 7pm. Tickets are only $10 and all proceeds will go towards the Meredith School Arts Program. Philadanco director Joan Myers Brown’s grandson attends Meredith and she’s lending her dance company’s expertise to save Meredith’s dance program which had to be eliminated due to recent budget cuts.

Then on Sunday May 6 from 3pm-6pm, the Philadelphia Burger Brawl, also benefitting Meredith Elementary, will take place at Fleisher Art Memorial located at 719 Catherine Street. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.phillyburgerbrawl.com. The ticket price includes burger samples, drinks, and your chance to vote as twenty burger chefs from Philadelphia restaurants will battle it out, before celebrity judges, to see who has the best hamburger in the city. The Philadelphia Burger Brawl is sponsored by Rogue restaurant owner Rob Wasserman whose son attends Meredith Elementary School. The proceeds will go toward building the school’s computer lab. “We are fortunate to have resourceful families at Meredith who are capable of coming up with innovative and fun fundraising ideas,” says Cindy Farlino, Meredith’s Principal. “These creative fundraisers ease some of the pressure we have trying to do more with less in these tight economic times.”

For more information on any of these fundraisers, contact the school at (215) 351-7360. You can also log onto the Meredith Home & School Website at http://meredithmatters.org. All media inquiries should be directed to Leslie Patterson Tyler at Leslie@TylerMadePR.com or (609) 247-2632.

On Saturday March 10, Organizing for America Pennsylvania (OFA PA) held a rally and voter registration drive at their Northwest Philadelphia OFA PA field office at 7171 Ogontz Avenue. Supporters gathered at 11am, then hit the streets with voter registration cards and information to register friends and neighbors to vote. Local State Representatives and City Council members were on hand to welcome the crowd of volunteers.