EMAN E-Newsletter, May 18th, 2012

As previously announced, EMAN’s Annual Meeting/Elections will take place at Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church (Germantown & Mt. Pleasant), on Tuesday, June 5^th at 7 PM.

I am very excited to announce that our guest speaker this year will be Dale Mezzacappa, who was a highly-regarded writer for the Inquirer for over 20 years, and who now is a contributing editor at Philadelphia Public School Notebook. Dale has earned much praise (and both local and national awards) for her accurate and insightful coverage of public education in Philly.
Whether your kids have been educated in public schools or not, the current situation is of deep concern to all residents of the City, and we are happy to present this forum for the community. As a Mt. Airy resident, Dale understands how this crisis can impact our particular neighborhood.
The meeting will also include the election of new and returning Board members, and the presentation of the Edgar A. Baker Award for outstanding service to the community.
This is a good way to meet other EMAN members, to meet EMAN officers and Board members --- and to join if you’re not already a member! This meeting, like our regular meetings, is open to all, EMAN member or not (although only members may vote). Your paid membership allows us to continue to bring you programs like this one, (as well as our regular activities), and we hope you’ll join!

Weavers Way Co-op will hold its annual General Membership Meeting and Board Election this Sunday, May 20^th, at the 7165 Lounge (7165 Germantown Ave.) The meeting starts at 6:30.
At 4:30 there will be a presentation about the planned renovations at the Carpenter Lane store, which will close for part of the Summer. Plans are in place to make this period easier for members/shoppers/staff.
Renovations will not affect Pet-A-Palooza, which will take place at the Carpenter Lane store on June 2^nd, from noon till 4. This popular event features information about pet wellness and nutrition, training, pet-sitters and dog-walkers, local rescue groups, samples of pet products and other related resources. Of course, your friendly furry companion is welcome, and might even want to participate in the Pet Parade or show off Silly Pet Tricks!

Mt. Airy USA’s “Metropolitan Minds” speaker series continues on May 23^rd with guest Lisa Nutter, President of Philadelphia Academies Inc., a nonprofit youth development program in Philadelphia high schools that helps young people successfully transition to adulthood.
The event will be at Little Jimmie’s Bakery Café patio (6669 Germantown Ave.; rain location St. Michael’s Lutheran Church), from 6:30 till 8:00. Tickets are $40. For details, go to www.mtairyusa.org or call 215-844-6021.

Final-ly Friday’s back on our business/dining corridor on May 25^th, presented by the Business Association of Mt. Airy (BAM). Stores and restaurants stay open past their regular hours for your dining and shopping enjoyment.
This month’s theme is “Summer Start-up”, and will feature offerings from local businesses, guest vendors and entertainers. There’ll be lots of special summery foods and beverages at special prices.
For up-to-date info about BAM happenings and events in the neighborhood, you can always check out www.gomtairy.com for the latest.

June 2^nd is National Trails Day, a national event sponsored by the American Hiking Society. Locally, Friends of the Wissahickon will be joined by REI for the 10^th year, and will be doing trail work at the Andorra Natural Area, from 9:30 – 12:30. To register or to get more info, e-mail mercer@fow.org

Allens Lane Art Center’s current exhibit, featuring the work of Martina Johnson-Allen, is on display in the Carolyn Fiedler-Alber Gallery through June 8th. A special fundraiser/cocktail reception will take place on June 2^nd; the cost is $25/person. To make a reservation, go to www.allenslane.org These receptions help support not only the Gallery, but all of ALAC’s many offerings.

There’s almost always something happening at Walk A Crooked Mile Books, East Mt. Airy’s own independent bookstore, at 7423 Devon Street--- concerts (tonight, for example, Joe Baglia is performing), readings, other cultural events. To keep up with goings-on there, go to www.WalkaCrookedMileBooks.com

EMAN’s annual fundraiser will take place on June 23^rd, from 7:30 till 11:30, at The Gathering Place, 6755 Germantown Avenue. “Swing Into Summer” will feature dinner, desserts (from Little Jimmie’s!) and dancing.
There’ll be a jazz trio providing dinner music, an open bar throughout the evening and a DJ to keep us moving in the main space. The Gathering Place also has several smaller rooms with comfy seating for those who’d rather chat than dance, and (weather permitting) an outdoor space.
Ticket prices are $75, $65 for paid EMAN members, and $60 for ages 65 and better.You can make reservations online at our website  using PayPal. Or send a check with your contact info (name, address, phone number/e-mail address) to our office: EMAN / 7301 Germantown Ave. / Phila. PA 19119. We’ll confirm receipt either way.

OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS:

Mt. Airy’s graffiti problem seems to be escalating. The 14^th Police District, SEPTA and community and business organizations continue to try to stay on top of it, but it’s difficult to catch vandals in the act. East Mt. Airy resident Kelly O’Day has been documenting the problem and keeping us up to date.
If you see this (or any other crime) happening, call 911. To report new graffiti, call 311. This vandalism doesn’t just impact the property owners, but the whole neighborhood.

EMAN, the Lutheran Seminary and the larger community lost a friend recently. Rev. Andrew “Jack” White , LTSP professor and dedicated community activist, died on May 6^th. Jack served on the EMAN Board of Directors, as well as the Boards of EMAN Group Homes and the Mt. Airy Village Development Corporation. Jack focused on urban theology, and truly practiced what he preached. (His family is directing memorial donations to the Seminary: LTSP, 7301 Germantown Ave., Phila. 19119.)

Special thanks to John Siemiarowski and Electrical Wizardry, for donating a fax machine to EMAN. (Our elderly machine gave up after many years of service.) John is one of the business people in the community who has always been generous to community nonprofits, and we all appreciate that.

The whole neighborhood is in bloom --- get out and enjoy the sunshine and gorgeous flowers if you’re able!
Elayne Bender