Northwood Civic Association (L to R) President Joe Krause, member Gina Panchella, Vice President Frank Bennett, member Renee Hudson and member Lou Kubik consider forming a town watch. Photo/Christopher Wink

At the Northwood Civic Association meeting on Tuesday April 17th, Vice President Frank Bennett proposed that the civic look into establishing a Town Watch group for the neighborhood.

Member Paul Sager who had formerly headed up a Town Watch group in Northwood, volunteered to co chair the group with Bennett.  A proposal to fund the initial study with $300 in Association funds had to be tabled until next month’s meeting because a quorum of members was not in attendance to approve the motion.

Read the rest of the story on Tuesday’s Northwood Civic Association at the Frankford Gazette.

Upper Holmesburg Civic Association President Stan Cywinski breaks the news to members that the Philadelphia Housing Authority has not settled on development plans for Liddonfield. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Upper Holmesburg residents holding their breath to find out what will occupy the site of the former Liddonfield Homes are in danger of turning blue.

When members left last month’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting, they expected to learn at the April meeting what proposal the Philadelphia Housing Authority would approve for redevelopment of the property on the 8800-block of Torresdale Avenue. No such luck. continue reading »

A rendering of the building proposed for the Sisters of the Hole Family of Nazareth, as presented at Wednesday's Holme Circle Civic Association meeting. Photo/Elsie Stevens

As part of its annual Rite of Spring, the Holme Circle Civic Association invited candidates seeking office in the April 24 primary election to its “Candidates’ Night” Wednesday. Joining them were presentations from the Friends of Pennypack Park and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Presenting their platforms were four candidates all seeking election for the position as their district’s state representative. continue reading »

St. Hubert's graduate and Advisory Board member Kathy Ott Lovell (center) at a Jan. 13 rally outside the school. Photo/Michelle Alton

Just because St. Hubert’s High School has been spared closure doesn’t mean the efforts to keep it open are through.

Advisory Board members Kathy Ott Lovell and Tom Forkin were at last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association meeting to thank residents for their support during the closure appeal and let them know what’s in store for the future.

“We flew into action,” Ott Lovell said about the board’s reaction to the Jan. 6 announcement that the school was among four Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools to close at the end of this school year. Looking ahead, she said, “We will not take the school for granted. We will not take this community for granted.” continue reading »

Northeast Philadelphia's 8th Police District

Capt. Leonard Ditchkofsky has two goals for the 8th Police District – help people feel safe and bring property values back up.

The plans were met with a round of applause from Holme Circle Civic Association members Wednesday night. Ditchkofsky, the new captain, stopped by the meeting following a district PSA 1 meeting.

“I’m very happy to be here,” Ditchkofsky said after being introduced by Community Relations Officer Rudy Muller. continue reading »

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Philadelphia is based in the Northwest, but Executive Director Rachel Falkove hopes it can soon better meet the needs of the growing number of Northeast Philadelphians seeking its services.

Falkove was at Tuesday’s Lawncrest Community Association to explain the network. She was invited by Rev. Ben Krey of Lawncrest’s Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

“We are not a shelter,” Falkove said. “We are a program.” But shelter is one of the services the network provides to its members. In short, congregations join together to provide a mobile network of shelter, meals and other social services to families in need. The families spend short periods of time in each congregation as they work toward getting back on their feet. continue reading »

The Stokes House at 2876-80 Welsh Rd. in Holme Circle. Photo/Shannon McDonald

There are major developments happening in Holme Circle. Or at least there will be.

The Stokes property at 2876-80 Welsh Rd. has a new owner, though he insists whatever is to come for the property isn’t happening any time soon.

John Parsons of BSI Constructors was at the Holme Circle Civic Association meeting Wednesday night to deliver the news of no news. BSI has purchased the home from Samuel “Buzz” Stokes to, as Parsons put it, “help a family friend.”

Stokes was unable to care for the rambling property and instead decided to attend to his legal fees accrued in the corruption trial for former Pa. Rep. John Perzel, in which Stokes pleaded guilty to helping divert state money to Perzel’s political funding. BSI has hired Perzel, Stokes’ brother-in-law, as a consultant. You might recognize Parsons for his work at Island Green Golf course, numerous charter schools and the Holy Family University proposal for Liddonfield.

“Termites have taken over that property completely,” Parsons said. The spacious lot once compromised many of the surrounding neighborhood before the Stokes family sold off portions of it for development in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Now it’s limited to a single home facing Pollock School and Winchester Swim Club with property that backs up to the 2800-block of Walnut Hill Street. And it’s decaying. continue reading »

Mayfair Town Watch President Milt Martelack addresses the group about recent acts of vehicle vandalism.

What was supposed to be a small, short meeting about the Shamrock Shuttle turned into a larger, longer meeting that drew Philadelphia’s TV news channels.

Mayfair Town Watch President Milt Martelack reorganized the meeting schedule to address recent acts of “isolated” vandalism in the neighborhood. Over the last few weeks, residents have woken up to find their cars vandalized – graffitied on, or tires slashed or missing.

“This shows that there’s still people in Mayfair that care,” Martelack said of meeting turnout. Despite concerns from some in attendance that more people should have been there, Martelack reminded the approximately 30 or so people there that the meeting had been called just a few days before.

“We’re taking baby steps but these baby steps are turning into big steps.” continue reading »

ICEdot has arrived in Philadelphia

It’s as simple as a sticker on your car or the window of your house. The yellow sticker and accompanying brochure hold your family members’ names, emergency contact information and other personal details to assist first responders in an emergency.

The In Case of Emergency system is a free service now offered in Philadelphia that residents can register with online. continue reading »

The Northeast is no stranger to the city’s Office of Emergency Management. OEM’s Ed Vassallo has been seen at many a civic association meeting bringing emergency preparedness tips with him.

Last night, Vassallo was in Parkwood to speak to residents there about the office’s shelter-in-place, go bag and family plan tips – recommendations the office has compiled for personal and larger-scale emergencies and disasters. continue reading »