November/December 2011


MESSAGE FROM ELM STREET MANAGER

West Reading Elm Street is busiest during the summer months when our activities are most visible. But that doesn’t mean we are hibernating during the colder months. Winter is when we do our planning, determine our priorities, reexamine our programs, and write grants to fund future programs and projects.

In 2011 we had a good year. Our first ever “Let’s Paint the Town” event in the first block of South 6th Avenue where seventy volunteers helped to paint the facades of eleven homes in one day. In 2012, we will come out with two new programs aimed at rehabilitating and modernizing the older housing stock in both our target neighborhoods.

The new H.E.L.P. program is for homeowners and homebuyers with moderate incomes. It is a combination of grants and deferred payment loans with no monthly payments to modernize your home (like a central heating system); address safety issues (like sidewalk replacement); cover deferred maintenance problems (like a new roof); and address code violations (like plumbing and electrical.) Our new P.A.R.R. program will help improve the housing stock and increase homeownership. With P.A.R.R. Elm Street will buy homes, fix them up, and resell them at affordable prices.

Thanks, in part, to a grant from the PA Department of Community & Economic Development the streetscape improvements in the 200 block of South 3rd Avenue and southeast corner of Franklin Street and Fourth Avenue were made possible and should be completed before year end. We are already thinking about where we want to target streetscape improvements in 2012.

Finally, just a reminder, Elm Street has only one staff member. How much we are able to accomplish is directly related to the time and commitment of our volunteers. I want to personally thank every one who has worked to make West Reading Elm Street among the most productive community development organizations in the state. If you aren’t among those currently active, I hope you’ll consider getting involved in the New Year.


MURALS & MOSAICS

West Reading Elm Street thinks public art is important to a community. Beauty and design are among the ways we make our neighborhood distinct. At the November NAC meeting, students from Wyomissing High School’s Public Art Workshop presented the mosaic they will be installing at the new parking lot retaining wall in the 300 block of Chestnut. Mosaics are very labor intensive because they are made from cut pieces of glass, tile, and mirrors. The theme for the five panels is “You are here.”  The panels begin with a scene on Chestnut Street and progress to a view of the whole planet.


CODES TO TARGET CURBS & SIDEWALKS

Over ten years ago West Reading Borough Council put a moratorium on having the Code Enforcement Department cite property owners for curb and sidewalk violations. Last month Borough Council decided to give property owners two years to take care of their curbs and sidewalks before totally rescinding the moratorium in 2013. There are county programs being planned to assist lower-income property owners but ultimately, curbs and sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner and not the borough.


LIVE NATIVITY & CHRISTMAS PARTY

Everyone is welcome to attend an evening full of FREE Christmas fun! Bethany Lutheran Church (336 Franklin Street) brings the Christmas story to life featuring "A Night in Bethlehem" from 4PM to 6PM. Experience a nativity with live animals, explore Bethlehem's village marketplace and follow the shepherds to the manger for a chance to speak with Mary and Joseph! Then, West Reading Elm Street will host its 5th Annual Christmas party from 6PM to 8PM featuring FREE magic show, puppet show, food, games, prizes and Santa too!

PEOPLE POWER

Diane Sawyer has reported if every American spent just $64 more than normal on USA made items this year, it would create almost 200,000 new jobs so look on the bottom of every product and buy American. Better yet give gift certificates this Holiday Season to local hair salons and restaurants and you’ll help stimulate our regional economy.


UPCOMING EVENTS
 

DECEMBER
 
Now-24th Holiday Glow Celebration (Penn Avenue)
Now-31st Christmas on Sunset (309 Sunset Road)
1st & 2nd Carriage Rides (6PM-10PM - 544 Penn Avenue)
2nd 81st Annual Tree Lighting and Music Celebration (6PM - West Reading Traffic Circle)
3rd Run Santa Run! (7:30AM - A Running Start)
8th Ladies Night (5PM-8PM - Penn Avenue)
9th Carriage Rides (6PM-10PM - 544 Penn Avenue)
15th Men's Night (5PM-8PM - Penn Avenue)
16th Carriage Rides (6PM-10PM - 544 Penn Avenue)
17th Kiddie Christmas Party (2PM-4PM - West Reading Fire Department)
17th "A Night in Bethlehem" (4PM-6PM - Bethany Lutheran Church - 336 Franklin Street)
17th 5th Annual Elm Street Christmas Party (6PM-8PM - Bethany Lutheran Church - 336 Franklin Street)
23rd Carriage Rides (6PM-10PM - 544 Penn Avenue)

JANUARY
 
20th Yappy Hours on Penn (5PM-8PM - Penn Avenue) - Proceeds benefit The Animal Rescue League of Berks County


UPCOMING MEETINGS
 

DECEMBER
 
5th West Reading Elm Street Application for state funds public meeting
(6PM - Borough Hall)
5th Joint West Reading Main Street Authority and Foundation Board of Directors Meeting (7PM - Borough Hall)
15th Neighborhood Advisory Committee - CANCELED
20th West Reading Borough Council Meeting (7PM - Borough Hall)

JANUARY
 
9th West Reading Main Street Authority Board of Directors Meeting (7PM - Borough Hall)
17th West Reading Borough Council Meeting (7PM - Borough Hall)
19th Neighborhood Advisory Committee (7PM- Borough Hall)


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ELM STREET HAPPENINGS ARCHIVE

 
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JULY/AUGUST 2011
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If you would like to receive West Reading Elm Street's monthly newsletter by email please send an email to elmstreet@westreadingmainstreet.org or call 610.685.8854.  For more information about the West Reading Elm Street program click here

 West Reading Elm Street
500 Chestnut Street
West Reading, PA 19611
610.685.8854
Fax 610.685.9061
elmstreet@westreadingmainstreet.org

 

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