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  • Washington Square West
    Civic Association
  • Established in 1935
    Philadelphia's First Civic Association
  • Enhancing Quality of Life
    from Broad Street to 7th Street
  • GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
    Mobilizing Capabilities
    from Chestnut Street to South Street

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KICK OFF PRIDE MONTH WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMON KICK OFF PRIDE MONTH WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR PERMANENT RAINBOW CROSSWALKS IN THE GAYBORHOOD
Saturday, June 3, 2023 @ 10:00AM
13th and Locust Streets

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 31, 2023 – Philadelphia Councilmember Mark Squilla will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday June 3rd to recognize the Permanent Rainbow Crosswalks at the intersection of 13th and Locust Streets. The ceremony begins at 10am. 

The City of Philadelphia along with the Streets Department, Councilmember Mark Squilla and Tami Sortman have finally completed a labor of love with the installation of permanent RAINBOW CROSSWALKS in Washington Square West (“Gayborhood”).

These crosswalks were installed by the Streets Department on May 20th. They are a continuation of the permanent Rainbow Streets Signs first installed in 2004 that are throughout the Gayborhood welcoming and directing LGBTQ+ travelers in the Gayborhood.  The crosswalks symbolize the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. They are permanently embedded into the streets with a process called thermoplastic. 

Tami Sortman, President of the Wash West Civic Association, explains that the Rainbow Crosswalks are truly an exciting initiative that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity in our community during a time of hatred and violence against our community.
For over two years, this effort to replace existing “painted” rainbow crosswalks with the new permanent crosswalks was championed by Councilmember Squilla’s office, Celena Morrison Executive Director, Office of LGBT Affairs and Tami Sortman with support from the City of Philadelphia, and Washington Square Civic Association. 

Speakers:
Councilmember Mark Squilla
City Representative Sheila Hess
Celena Morrison, Executive Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs
Angela Val, President & CEO of Visit Philadelphia
Sheila Alexander-Reid, Executive Director of PHL Diversity
Franny DiCicco, Community Activist for over 40 years
Marirose Roach, Co-Chair Police LGBTQ+ Liaison Committee
Tami Sortman, President of the Wash West Civic Association
Keeya Branson Davis, Manager of Corporate Contributions at PECO, an Exelon Company

Photo: Mark Henninger/Imagic Digital
WSWCA invites you to a Public Meeting regarding th WSWCA invites you to a Public Meeting regarding the proposed 76ers Arena site at 11th and Market Street. Hear from 76 Place representatives, Comcast Spectacor (owners of the Wells Fargo Center) and Councilman Mark Squilla. Members of the community will have an opportunity to ask all involved participants questions once presentations have concluded. 

** We apologize for the short notice of this meeting. We were waiting on confirmation from one of the presenters who had a family emergency. In the event that you are unable to attend, the meeting will be recorded. **

Please join the meeting on Wednesday, June 7th using the link found on our calendar at link in bio. 

About the participants
76 Place: 76 Place is proposed as the new home of the Philadelphia 76ers, where we will build a new arena that is privately funded and developed. The arena would be located in the part of the mall from 10th-11th Streets on Market Street.

Comcast Spectacor: Comcast Spectacor is an American sports and entertainment company based in Philadelphia, PA.The company owns and manages the Wells Fargo Center and formerly managed the Spectrum in South Philadelphia, plus several community skating rinks in the Philadelphia region.

Councilman Mark Squilla: Councilman Squilla represents the 1st District, where 76 Place would be located. As the district Council member, Squilla is involved in the decision making process for the arena.
This week’s WSWCA retail business sponsor is Lea This week’s WSWCA retail business sponsor is Lead Testing Services LLC

Congress passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 to protect families from exposure to lead from paint, dust, and soil. Most houses built before 1978 used lead-based paint.

The Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require the disclosure of any known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978.  Most houses in Philadelphia (and Washington Square West) were built before 1978 and The City of Philadelphia now requires all rental properties (built before 1978) to be “lead certified”. 

Additionally, for those homeowners who are concerned about the presence of lead in their property, Lead Testing Services LLC will perform lead testing to give you peace of mind.
Woofstock begins June 6, 5:30-7:30 and every Tuesd Woofstock begins June 6, 5:30-7:30 and every Tuesday until August 29 weather permitting. And it isn’t just for dog owners! Anyone can bring blankets and food/drink to enjoy the music while spreading out on the lawn area of the park. The Event is sponsored by the Seger Dog Park and is free to everyone in the community.
A note from the 6th District Police: A note from the 6th District Police:
Once the weather finally cooperated, the 2nd Annua Once the weather finally cooperated, the 2nd Annual WSWCA Neighborhood "Yard" Sale happened today!  Thanks to all who participated and who shopped! Tell us about all the goodies you got in the comments.
😕😩😭 What is this weather!? Re-do! Yard Sa 😕😩😭 What is this weather!? Re-do! Yard Sale round 2 on SUNDAY, May 21st, 9-2.
Some people still haven't heard about Saturday's W Some people still haven't heard about Saturday's WSWCA Neighborhood Yard Sale! Crazy but true. Don't miss out on getting some new-to-you items from these 10 sellers. 
And... There's still time to sign up! Find links for the map and to sign up on our calendar at link in bio.
ICYMI, here's what we talked about at our May Boar ICYMI, here's what we talked about at our May Board Meeting!  We hope to see you online at our next meeting, on June 13th.
SPOTLIGHT ON WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST Fairfield Inn SPOTLIGHT ON WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST

Fairfield Inn & Suites, Center City Philadelphia

This week’s business: Fairfield Inn & Suites, Center City Philadelphia

There’s no better way to experience the best Philadelphia has to offer than when staying at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. 

Washington Square West’s own boutique hotel by Marriott provides the best luxury hotel experience at the epicenter of art and culture in the city. Whether it is the theater district, the Avenue of the Arts, or historic Old City, the Fairfield sits at the crossroads of them all.

A plethora of entertainment venues and restaurants are walking distance to the hotel including Libertine located on the premises and serving nouveau American fares. 

The Fairfield Inn & Suites is the ultimate urban chic experience. 

Recommend to your visitors to stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, located at 261 South 13th Street.

Fairfield Inn & Suites, Center City Philadelphia Website
This Mother's Day, the Washington Square West comm This Mother's Day, the Washington Square West community mourns the senseless loss of a mother of 3 girls, all who attended McCall Elementary School.  Kharleema Tilghman died of injuries sustained as she tried to protect her children from a hit and run driver who was going the wrong way of JFK Blvd on Wednesday night.  The family was just on a walk to get some snacks.  The girls were also injured, but will recover.  Please consider donating to the Go-Fund-Me to help this family and these girls work through this tragedy.  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-mccall-family-injured-in-a-hitandrun
Washington Square West voted #1 neighborhood in Ph Washington Square West voted #1 neighborhood in Philadelphia!

A detailed look at 15 Philly neighborhoods by Embrace Someplace described Wash West as trendy, youthful, and green. Read the breakdown and see statistics at: https://embracesomeplace.com/best-neighborhoods-philadelphia/ 

To learn more about what Washington Square West Civic Association does to help the neighborhood, go to: https://washwestcivic.org/initiatives/
Get on the map when you sign up and pay to partici Get on the map when you sign up and pay to participate in the 2nd Annual WSWCA Community "Yard" Sale!  You can click on any of the purple star markers to see the address, or pull down the legend from the left corner of the map to see who is participating! Links to sign up or see the map can be found on our calendar at link in bio!
Have you signed up to participate in the 2nd Annua Have you signed up to participate in the 2nd Annual WSWCA Neighborhoo "Yard" sale!  Clean out those closets and drawers, and send your stuff to a new home!  Take a turn around the neighborhood and find the perfect item to complete your collection! 
Sign ups are open!  For a small fee ($5 or $10) get your location listed on our Sale Map and included in promotions for the sale. This fee helps us produce more events like this!  Residents who live above businesses or otherwise don't have a stoop or place outside their home for a sale can sign up to sell their items at Seger Park.  Sign up by finding the link on our calendar for May 20th- get there at link in bio.
Tonight! Jeanette Brugger of the Bicycle Coalition Tonight!
Jeanette Brugger of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia will give us an update on the 13th street repaving\ bike lane project.
Find the Zoom link on our calendar at link in bio.
See you on Tuesday, May 9th at 7pm via Zoom! All See you on Tuesday, May 9th at 7pm via Zoom!

All links for Zoom meetings can be found on our calendar at Link in Bio.
Our WSWCA Neighborhood "Yard" sale map is live! C Our WSWCA Neighborhood "Yard" sale map is live!  Check in to see who is selling, and where! 
Right now, we have very few sellers signed up 🫤 Please join us to make this event a neighborhood-wide success! 

Map: https://bit.ly/4129ops
Sign up: https://bit.ly/3LwoBJG

These two links are available on our calendar at link in bio or www.washwestcivic.org/hello
SPOTLIGHT ON WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST Paulie Gee’s SPOTLIGHT ON WASHINGTON SQUARE WEST
Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop
This week’s business: Paulie Gee’s Soul City Slice Shop
Stepping into Paulie Gee’s feels like someone dropped you off in the 1980s. Originally from Brooklyn, the Philly offshoot serves up excellent pizza, and may give you flashbacks!  Prior to the pizza business, Paulie Gee had a career in Information Technology, working for various telecommunications corporations and later as a consultant. Disillusioned with his career, he built a pizza oven in his backyard and developed a following in the online pizza community.  His son Derek runs the
Philly operation with grace and style. Stop by for a slice, some Atari or billiards and listen to your favorite vinyl records. Located at 13th & Waverly Streets.
https://pauliegee.com/soul-city/
We are doing it again! Get ready for the 2nd Annu We are doing it again!  Get ready for the 2nd Annual WSWCA Neighborhoo "Yard" sale!  Clean out those closets and drawers, and send your stuff to a new home!  Take a turn around the neighborhood and find the perfect item to complete your collection! 
Sign ups are open!  For a small fee ($5 or $10) get your location listed on our Sale Map and included in promotions for the sale. This fee helps us produce more events like this!  Residents who live above businesses or otherwise don't have a stoop or place outside their home for a sale can sign up to sell their items at Seger Park.  Sign up here:  https://forms.gle/84jiBRhdBed91Eb37
South Street Community Gardeners have something to South Street Community Gardeners have something to celebrate!  They've won a prize for an Honorable Mention in the 2023 Wiota Winter Garden Contest! 

Did you know that the WSWCA manages all 3 of our neighborhood community gardens?  Become a member of the WSWCA today!  www.washwestcivic.org/membership
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