April Scott-Street, of the Register of Wills public engagement unit, spoke at last week’s meeting of the Northwood Civic Association.
Scott-Street spoke of the importance of having a will and living will (a medical directive) and establishing power of attorney. The original will, she said, must be preserved, adding that the individual should put it in a safe place and tell two people where it is.
In addition, she said the office can help residents probate an estate, enabling heirs to build generational wealth.
The office can also help people on issues such as marriage licenses, inheritance tax and guardianship.
Call 215-MU6-6250 or visit phila.gov/wills.
For birth and death certificates, people should contact the office of their state senator or representative.
In other news from the Sept. 17 meeting:
• The civic association is looking into a return of armed private security in the neighborhood due to a lack of police manpower.
• Members heard an update on the proposed district health center at the 99-acre Friends Hospital from vice president Terry Heiser. The city plans to build health centers at Friends and Frankford Avenue and Pratt Street – just 1.4 miles apart – because of the long wait for appointments at the center at 2230 Cottman Ave. Northwood Civic does not dispute the need for another center or two, but has a number of issues with the Friends site, which would see an estimated 31,000 people per year.
The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted to demolish the 175-year-old Lawnside building, a former superintendent’s residence that, along with Friends, is a designated national historic landmark.
Lawnside is not within the footprint of the proposed center.
After an appeal, the city Board of Licenses and Inspections Review voted to affirm the historical commission’s vote to demolish Lawnside. The matter will be heard in Common Pleas Court.
City Council – led by Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada – voted to change the zoning at Friends from single-family residential to civic, educational and medical, allowing construction of a new health center. Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the bill.
Opponents of the Friends site believe a health center will disrupt the calm and tranquility of the campus and chase away the wildlife. They also note the challenge of patients crossing 12 lanes of speeding traffic on Roosevelt Boulevard to get to the site.
In addition, Native American artifacts have been found on the Friends site, and there is a call for an archaeology survey and excavation.
The center at Frankford and Pratt, across from the Frankford Transportation Center, is supposed to handle 5,000 people per year.
Opponents of the Friends site believe the Frankford and Pratt site can be expanded. Moreover, they say, clients would easily be able to get to Frankford and Pratt via public transportation.
Despite the fact Parker signed the bill, Northwood Civic might appeal directly to the mayor.
• The nonprofit Resolve Philly offers a free Equal Info Text Line, with fact-checked information on the election. Weekly updates go directly to your phone. Text the word “election” to 215-769-9982.
• St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street, will host a blessing of animals ceremony on Sept. 29, at 10 a.m., in honor of the upcoming feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. The church will also have a flea market on Oct. 19 at 9 a.m.; a trip to Sight & Sound, a theater in Lancaster County, on Oct. 23 for the 11 a.m. show of Daniel; Trunk or Treat on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.; English Tea on Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.; and an Italian feast dinner on Nov. 16.
Call 215-743-1828 or email stjameschurch@gmail.com.
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold four upcoming senior expos, all from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The schedule is Friday, Sept. 27, at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St.; Thursday, Oct. 10, at Bridesburg Recreation Center, 4601 Richmond St.; Friday, Oct. 18, at Juniata Boys and Girls Club, 1225 E. Cayuga St.; and Friday, Oct. 25, at Kensington CAPA High School, 1901 N. Front St.
• The 15th Police District Advisory Council will meet on Monday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. at the Mayfair Community Center.
• The Frankford Community Development Corporation will present the movie IF on Thursday, Oct. 31, Halloween, at 7 p.m. at Frankford Pause Park, 4673 Paul St.
• Among those in attendance were aides to Sen. Tina Tartaglione, state Reps. Jason Dawkins and Joe Hohenstein and City Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada. ••
