If you are still confused about the new Actual Value Initiative (AVI) legislation that comes into effect next year and want to know how it will impact your property taxes, come to the Victory Christian Center Church located at 5220 Whitby Avenue this Thursday (May 2) to a meeting hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. The meeting is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

At Thursday’s meeting, homeowners can receive updates on proposed relief measures and learn how to apply for programs that can help reduce property taxes.

Recently, an ordinance was introduced in City Council that would extend the deadline for property owners to apply for the Homestead Exemption, which could help save hundreds of dollars in savings per household after the AVI is implemented in Tax Year 2014 – from July 31, 2013, to Sept. 30, 2013. This exemption is one of the reliefs that owner-occupants are eligible for. According to the Council’s analysis, properties that qualify for the Homestead Exemption are in areas with high concentrations of low-income, elderly, and non-English speaking residents.

Update (April 17, 11:36 a.m.): We have received information that the other dog, which was taken to ACCT Philly, was euthanized due to injuries suffered in the shooting.

Update (8:13 p.m.): Police responded to a report of vicious dogs. One was shot and killed on the scene, police said. The other has been taken to the animal shelter on West Hunting Park Ave.

8:00 p.m.: Police reportedly shot two dogs on 48th Street between Pine and Osage. A reader who lives across the street reported hearing two loud pops just before 7 p.m. and then saw two dogs lying on the street surrounded by several police officers.

“I heard two pops and saw the direction of where people were looking. I went to the window and saw two dogs down. One not moving and the other wounded and moving only the head area. Six cop cars were already there so it is safe to assume that they may have shot the dogs. Cops have streets blocked off. The other dog’s movements have almost stopped. Dogs have no leashes nor do I see a visible owner or owners of the dogs.”

By the time we got to the scene (around 8 p.m.) the police were gone and the street was cleared.

A turkey has been trotting around the neighborhood south of Baltimore from 45th to 49th streets the last few mornings. Several folks have spotted the bird. A neighbor, Claire, snapped the photos below this morning at about 7:30 a.m.

Be careful out there, little buddy!

Photos by Claire King.

This photo of a turkey strolling down 50th street near Springfield is courtesy of @Kayasinfo on Twitter.

Renaissance Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center’s renovation plan includes demolition of these two attached houses on Chester Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets.

Residents living near the 4700 block of Chester Avenue can expect to see a face-lift to the area this year as Renaissance Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center undergoes renovations.

Renaissance (formerly Park Pleasant Nursing Home) will revamp its grounds encompassing Chester and Kingsessing Avenues under the guidance of its new owner, Nationwide Healthcare Services, which purchased the 123-bed long-term and short-term care facility January 1. It is part of Renaissance’s larger effort to become “a focal point of [the] community,” said Nursing Home Administrator Carmella Kane.

“One of our goals is… to have a long-term care facility to serve the community,” she said. “Aesthetically, we want to be the best thing around.”

The overhaul will include garden beautification, interior remodeling to residential living space, and demolition of two attached, vacant residences adjacent to the Chester Avenue Dog Park on the corner of 48^th and Chester (Renaissance owns both the homes and the park, which will remain intact.) Signage reflecting the facility’s new name is already posted on the property.

According to Kane, Renaissance hasn’t scheduled a start date for demolition of the two houses, which are currently being gutted, as permits have not been obtained. The administrator denied rumors that the site will turn into a parking lot; instead, she noted what it will become is “unknown.” There are no plans for construction on the area, however.

“We will not do anything to hinder the community but they’re dilapidated buildings,” Kane said, “and nobody has lived in there for years, so it’s not like they’re tearing down existing living space…We’re going to be very conscious of the community.”

She said Renaissance will keep the community notified of renovation updates and other related news. By the way, this Friday, Apr. 12, one of Renaissance residents is celebrating her 100th birthday and community members are invited to the party that begins at 2 p.m.

“Nursing homes have such a stigma anyways,” Kane said. “We want to be a positive part of the community because we’ve been here for so long.”

– Annamarya Scaccia

A woman and a child were hit by a U-Haul van at 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue this morning at about 11:45 a.m. Both were taken to the hospital, according to reports from witnesses. Many neighbors witnessed the accident, which happened while many people were shopping at Clark Park’s Farmers’ Market and hanging out at the Green Line Cafe.

Witnesses said that a young woman was driving the van and she remained at the scene to talk to police. The victims’ condition is unknown at this time, but some witnesses said that both the woman and the child were conscious after the accident.

We are very sad to report that Miki Takamori, the woman who was injured in the house fire on the 4600 block of Larchwood Avenue on Jan. 23, has passed away. Miki sustained serious injuries in the fire, including burns on 20-25 percent of her body, and a broken back and ribs from jumping out of the second floor window trying to escape the blaze, but was doing better in the last several weeks. She had made tremendous progress since the accident and was getting close to the time when she could be transferred to a rehabilitation center from the hospital, when on Monday, Apr. 3, she suddenly went into cardiac arrest, according to her friends.

Miki’s funeral will take place on Saturday, Apr 13 at the Unitarian Society of Germantown:

April 13 (Saturday) at 2:00 p.m.
Unitarian Society of Germantown
6511 Lincoln Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19119