The Holme Circle Civic Association meeting has been canceled due to snow. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23.

UPDATED: The Greater Bustleton Civic League meeting has been rescheduled for Feb. 2.

Photo courtesy of Elsie Stevens.

Scores of Holme Circle residents participated in two protests on Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. and Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the Engine 18 firehouse at Pennypack Circle to voice their concern of the Fire Department’s new “brown out” policy. continue reading »

Photo submitted by Elsie Stevens.

I’m seeing red these days as I learn more about the Fire Department’s brown outs.  Did you know that three firehouses in northeast Philadelphia are among those on the citywide list:  Engine 18 Pennypack Circle, Engine 71 Cottman and Loretto, and Engine 64 Rising Sun and Magee?

With past cuts in fire personnel and equipment and now rotating closures of neighborhood firehouses, how can the Mayor and Fire Department’s administrative personnel justify that they have our public safety in their best interest?  Is it not the core responsibility of our city government to provide adequate fire protection to its citizens?   continue reading »

RecycleBank's Carla Castillo encourages Holme Circle residents to sign up for the citywide program and earn rewards for reducing waste.

The hour-long meeting last night of the Holme Circle Civic Association drew about 20 people. And while most came out for an update on the Stokes property, many took interest in the city’s Recycling Rewards Program. continue reading »

Mock-ups for the proposed duplexes at 2976-80 Welsh Rd.

“I will carry that message back,” is the answer most Holme Circle residents heard Wednesday night as they voiced concerns over the future of the Stokes house.

The house — a notable farmhouse among a sea of twins at 2976-80 Welsh Rd. — faces a questionable future as the owners, the Stokes family, prepare to move on.

Though the house dates back to the 19th Century, the Stokes family has owned the house for the last 70 years. But with the family spreading out and the cost of upkeep increasing, Samuel “Buzz” Stokes has plans to sell. And Holme Circle residents have plans to protect their neighborhood. continue reading »

Last night’s Holme Circle Civic Association meeting began with an announcement that came as no surprise to most of those in attendance.

President Sean McAleer announced his resignation from the group, which coincides with his out-of-town move. McAleer’s faced a long commute to work everyday, and will be moving closer to the workplace with his family — a decision he said happened in just a few short weeks.

It’s unclear who will take the lead now that McAleer has stepped down,  though such a position usually falls to an existing board member should no one else express interest. continue reading »

Joan Przyblowicz of the city's Office of Emergency Management discusses how to best prepare for an emergency as part of a presentation to members of the Holme Circle Civic Association.

Last night’s meeting of the Holme Circle Civic Association — the first since October — saw an uptick in attendance with nearly 20 people coming out to hear Joan Przyblowicz from the city’s Office of Emergency Management discuss how to best prepare for an emergency.

Along with her presentation, Przyblowicz brought handouts for residents, including a map of the Northeast’s emergency routes and a brochures detailing specific types of plans. Her purpose, she said, was to give an overall explanation of the Office of Emergency Management and her role as deputy director of external affairs. continue reading »

Eric Foster, a nurse epidemiologist with the Deptartment of Health explains the difference between swine and seasonal flues.

Myths, misconceptions and general concerns about swine flu brought Holme Circle residents together last night to get the facts from the Philadelphia Department of Health.

Eric Foster, a nurse epidemiologist for the agency talked with the roughly 10 Holme Circle Civic Association meeting attendees about how to prevent, recognize and treat season flu and swine flu, also referred to as H1N1.

Foster presented a slideshow to an interested audience, which included statistics and other factual information about both flues. continue reading »

Upper Holmesburg Civic Association President Stan Cywinski discusses zoning issues. Photo by Christopher Wink.

Presidents from two other Northeast civic associations addressed the Upper Holmesburg civic about what they say is becoming a big problem in the area: neglect from the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Lou Iatarola of the Tacony Civic Association and Sean McAleer from the Holme Circle Civic Association, shared their neighborhoods’ experiences with the zoning board, as requested by Upper Holmesburg President Stan Cywinski, who said the zoning board needs a change. continue reading »

Edward Geigher of the Philadelphia Housing Authority addresses attendees at last night's Holme Circle Civic Association meeting.

Active residents are the surest way to help keep Philadelphia Housing Authority-subsidized properties responsible members of neighborhoods, said Holme Circle Civic Association president Sean McAleer last night.

“The PHA is doing some great things”, McAleer said at the civic meeting.  “But as a civic we have to look out for ourselves.”

continue reading »