ACTION
Are you registered to vote? Have you recently moved or are new to Philly? Make sure you Register to Vote right now! In order to participate in the upcoming primary election on May 21st, you MUST register to vote (and select a party affiliation) by April 22nd! -- You can register online!
Not sure about your registration status or party affiliation? You can check it online also.
Take Pennsylvania's Online Transportation Survey and add your voice in calling on the State Transportation Commission to prioritize walking, bicycling, and transit for our Commonwealth. It's a short 5-minute exercise that can have a great impact on PA's transportation priorities going forward!
Another short survey also just came out from the City's Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (oTIS) who are looking to test a Dockless Bike Share Pilot Program in one neighborhood of Philadelphia and are seeking community input.
EVENTS
Tonight, April 18, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Green Week Opening Reception
Help kick off the inaugural Green Week with a volunteer and engagement fair. Join Green Philly to enjoy an evening of networking, learning about local organizations and celebrating local sustainability they kick off the start of the first ever Green Week.
Tonight, April 18, 6 - 9 pm
Urban Geek Drinks - City Council Candidate Night!
Urban Geek Drinks is back at Frankford Hall for a special edition of their usual monthly happy hour, featuring candidates running for City Council.
Saturday, April 20, 7:30 am - 12 pm
The Clean Air Council presents the Run for Clean Air
The Run for Clean Air is one of the region’s longest-running charity races and its largest Earth Day event. Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, the Run is a celebration of sustainable and healthy neighborhoods, clean air, and improvements in the region’s overall environmental health.
Tuesday, April 23, 6 - 8 pm
Event in Support of Eryn Santamoor
Come to Rosewood Bar and Lounge in Center City to support our endorsed candidate for City Council At-Large, Eryn Santamoor. Also present will be Former Governor Edward G. Rendell & Representative Donna Bullock.
Wednesday, April 24, 6 - 8:30 pm
Environmental Forum: Phila City Council At-Large Candidates
Co-sponsored by PennFuture and Clean Air Council and moderated by WHYY/StateImpact Pennsylvania, this event features members running for Philadelphia City Council At-Large in the May 21 primary election. Find out where each candidate stands on major environmental issues that involve climate justice, flood control, air quality and more.
Saturday, April 27, 10 am - 12 pm
** Kingsessing Library - Play & Community Party **
As part of 5th Square's Action Tank series supported by the Emerging Cities Program in partnership with 8 80 Cities and Knight Foundation, will be celebrating community and play in front of Kingsessing Library Branch. Coffee, donuts & snacks!
Saturday, April 27, 11 am - 3 pm
Team Vidas Canvass Launch: 25 Days, 2500 Doors
Please join Team Lauren Vidas (a 5th Square endorsed candidate for City Council's 2nd District) for their 25 Days to Election Day canvass. In honor of 25 days to go, they will hit 2,500 doors in a single day and need your help!
Tuesday, April 30, 9 am - 5 pm
Vision Zero Lobby Day in Harrisburg
Help the Bicycle Coalition and Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia advocate for four pieces of legislation in Harrisburg: Allow Parking Protected Plazas and Bike Lanes, Radar for Municipal Police, Protect Vulnerable Highway Users, Ban hand held cell phones while driving.
LITTER NEWS
5th Square has been in the news this week, sounding the alarm about the City's Street Sweeping Pilot announcement which will use gas-powered leaf blowers instead of implementing traditional street sweeping methods to clean city streets. Read our official statement, and an accompanying video demonstrating the ineffectiveness and hazards associated with widespread leaf blower use. Our volunteers were interviewed by local television and by Billy Penn.
STREET NEWS
Citing our petition to prevent Midwood Investment's proposed driveway from ruining the pedestrian landscape of the Italian Market. Urban Anthropologist and 5th Square Member Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman argued in the Inquirer that "It’s time to pedestrianize the Italian Market."
Other cities around the world, from Oslo to Bogotá, are pedestrianizing entire downtowns, creating weekly open streets events, and enacting congestion pricing to reduce driving in city centers. Philadelphia has the potential to follow suit, and it must if we are to meet the needs of the future. We are all pedestrians at some point in our day. Where better to start than the Italian Market, a place where people already rule the street?
We need volunteers to contact Councilmember Mark Squilla at [email protected] and (nicely!) ask him to do whatever he can to get the curb cut moved to Washington Avenue.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS
Researchers in Australia found that physical barriers, not just lines painted on the road, do the best job of keeping cyclists safe. The researchers recommended more investment in infrastructure that uses a physical barrier to separate bike riders from drivers.
The Northeast Times reports on a state Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on pedestrian safety held at Holy Family University in Philly
The Pew Charitable Trusts came out with a report on the State of Commuters in Philadelphia. They found that nearly a quarter of all commutes to work involve public transportation, one of the highest percentages in the nation.
Dockless e-bike share is coming to Philly in 2019. Albeit in limited form, "the pilot will focus on one neighborhood where the company will be required to maintain a steady supply of bikes. It will probably last a year."
GRANT & PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
Mira Fellowship is seeking Mira Fellows. "If you’re a proven doer and believe you know where the world should aim next you’re a Mira Fellow. We’re looking for mid-career applicants with a proven track record, an undying need to sink their teeth deep into a specific problem, and the openness to reframe their assumptions to find a new solution." Due 6/1.
OTIS has two contract opportunities to support #SafeRoutesPHL: Graphic design & event management (opportunity #21190328145922), Curriculum & evaluation design (opportunity #21190328152509) Due 4/30.
The Global Philanthropy Partnership (GPP) and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) are pleased to offer seven summer 2019 fellowship opportunities with local governments, including the City of Philadelphia. (rolling basis throughout April)
Walk and Bike to School Day wants to encourage walking and biking by celebrating students that walk, bike, and roll to school. This City initiative is looking for schools to participate. Due 4/29.
OTIS is seeking graphic design & event management support for SafeRoutesPHL. Look for opportunity #21190328145922 on eContracts Philly: https://secure.phila.gov/econtract/ (Due 5/1)
The Knight Foundation is seeking applicants for the Emerging City Champions 2019 Fellowship from young civic innovators. Due 5/12.
In Philadelphia every summer, there are over 500 streets designated as “Play Streets”, which are streets closed off to traffic where neighborhood children can receive a meal and play together. In order to make those Play Streets more playful, Fab Youth Philly (www.fabyouthphilly.com) created the Play Captain Initiative (www.playcaptains.com), which is a summer job for teens. Those teens will create and lead play activities on a number of Play Streets throughout Philadelphia. Due 6/17.
RCO OPPORTUNITES
Logan Square Neighborhood Association is seeking Board Members. Due 4/21.
Northern Liberties Neighbors Association will be holding Board Nominations at their next General Membership Meeting on 4/25.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Communications & Marketing Manager
The Common Market Mid-Atlantic, a nonprofit mission-driven distributor of local foods to the Mid-Atlantic region, seeks an Executive Director.
PIDC is seeking an experienced self-starter with sound judgment and attention to detail to manage the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects at the Navy Yard.
Make The World Better Foundation is seeking a Project Manager and an Office Manager. Make The World Better (MTWB) is a 501c3 organization striving to connect people and inspire stewardship through public space revitalization projects.
DVRPC is seeking a GIS Application Developer and Transportation Planner
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s (“UWGPSNJ”) is seeking a Managing Director of Talent, Culture and Organizational Effectiveness
The 2020 Census is hiring for a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff.
Center City District is seeking the following: Manager of GIS Mapping & Technology, Manager of Retail Attractions, Part-time Staff, Urban Planner/Designer.
Benefits Data Trust (BDT) seeks a Director of Partnerships
Scout is leading the redevelopment of the Bok building and is looking for a Administrative Coordinator
P'unk Avenue is hiring an Agile Project Manager
5th Square is Philadelphia's urbanist political action committee. We're an all-volunteer grassroots organization advocating for safe and affordable transportation, abundant housing, and more and better public spaces. You’re receiving this email if you signed up via our website, attended one of our events, or supported one of our advocacy campaigns. Support our advocacy with a recurring monthly contribution of $5.