NEast Links: bringing you additional Northeast news

The Tacony CDC and Tacony Civic Association are inviting volunteers to participate in their Philly Spring Cleanup event April 14. Participants will meet at the Tacony Library to clean up Torresdale Avenue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers should call (215)501-7799 or e-mail at alex AT taconycdc.org [Tacony CDC].

A Parkwood woman who faked cancer to avoid going to prison has been found out, and will go to jail. Leah Moock will spend five years in federal prison for the scam, during which time she started a relationship, had a child and got cosmetic surgery [Daily News]. continue reading »

Shamrock Shuttle 2010 outside McNoodle's. Photo/Mayfair resident and Civic Association board member Donny Smith

It’s that time of year again. The buses, the drinking, the public urination. The revenue for Frankford Avenue’s many bars and restaurants.

“The elephant in the room,” as Mayfair Civic Association President Joe DeFelice called it at last night’s meeting. It’s all coming back in March when the trio of annual bar-hopping events returns to Mayfair.

The Mayfair, Tacony and Holmesburg civic associations have already met to discuss finding a happier medium for the bars that participate in Shamrock Shuttle and the neighbors that deal with the aftermath. continue reading »

Upper Holmesburg residents study Holy Family University's early plans for the redevelopment of Liddonfield. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Of the 20 proposals awaiting consideration from the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the one from Holy Family University for the redevelopment of Liddonfield has the support of the Upper Holmesburg community.

If it wasn’t the speeches from Sr. Francesca Onley of HFU, 6th District Councilman Bobby Henon, developer John Parsons, Upper Holmesburg Civic Association President Stan Cywinski or UHCA board member Paul DeFinis, it was the applause and cheers from the 50-plus residents in attendance that proved the neighborhood is ready for a change.

Planning for Liddonfield’s future began early last year when the UHCA started working with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to revitalize the neighborhood according to Philadelphia2035 goals.

“We were very practiced in our process, and that just may be our saving grace,” DeFinis said of his hopes that the effort Upper Holmesburg has made will be enough for the PHA.

With the help of politicians at the city, state and federal levels; a petition 4,000 signatures long; and support from the Holmesburg, Holme Circle, East Torresdale, Tacony and Morrell Park civic associations; the UHCA now waits to hear if the PHA will enter an agreement with Holy Family.

If that’s the case, John Parsons of BSI Construction (Island Green Country Club), outlined what he stressed are conceptual plans his development company has for the Liddonfield property at Torresdale Avenue and Megargee Street. continue reading »

From the Tacony CDC:

More than 50 Tacony residents, businesses, property owners and friends attended the kick-off meeting for the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project Oct. 17, held in the basement meeting room of at the Tacony Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library.

Addressing a standing room only crowd, Pete Naccarato, board president of the Tacony Community Development Corporation, welcomed everyone and shared the history of the Tacony CDC. He highlighted many of the important projects the CDC had completed during the past 10 years. Naccarato urged the audience to become an active part of the commercial corridor revitalization project to begin shortly for Torresdale and Longshore avenues.

He stated, “The Historic Tacony Revitalization Project is a very important priority for the Tacony Community Development Corporation.” continue reading »

From the Tacony CDC:

The Tacony Community Development Corporation announced Thursday it will hold a kick-off meeting for its new effort to revitalize the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor Oct. 17.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss why the Tacony CDC is launching the Historic Tacony Revitalization Project now and what they hope to achieve in the next few years. Peter Naccarato, the Board President of the Tacony CDC will also discuss the role of the Retail Market Analysis study being conducted now, and the process the organization will undertake to hire a full time employee this fall to manage the commercial district revitalization work. continue reading »

Tacony Civic Association board member Lou Iatarola reviews zoning matters at the September 2011 meeting.

Lou Iataroloa had less than an hour to zip through a dozen active zoning issues in Tacony at Tuesday’s civic association meeting.

Before 15th District Capt. Frank Bachmayer took the floor at 8 p.m. for his town hall meeting, the association board had an hour to review old business, new business and upcoming meetings.

The zoning issues involved a variety of issues, including illegal duplexes and auto body shops. The rundown Iatarola, a TCA board member, is below. For pending permits and variances, neighbors living within 500 feet of the properties in question will receive a notice prior to the TCA’s meeting and the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing. continue reading »

Tacony’s 20th annual History Day Parade is Saturday, continuing the yearly tradition of uniting the neighborhood with fun festivals, games and tables full of historic information and displays.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. and will lead guests to Disston Rec Center for the kids’ games and rides, live music and refreshments. Inside, you’ll find the history memorabilia. continue reading »

A message from the Tacony Civic Association:

“Once again, due to the weather, the Tommy Conwell concert will postponed to Thursday, Sept. 15, and will be held at the Disston Recreation Center.  The time is 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The TCA apologizes for any inconveniences this may cause, but safety is the number one consideration in making these decisions.”

The concert was to take place two weeks ago, but was pushed back to tonight due to rain. The date is now set for next Thursday.

UPDATE — At the Sept. 13 Holmesburg Civic Association meeting, the vote for the new bylaws, which included the expansion of the boundaries, was approved by the voting membership.  The vote was unanimous.

Following a meeting between the Holmesburg and Mayfair civic association boards, the two groups have decided the HCA will expand its coverage to include the area east of Frankford Avenue to the Delaware River between Sheffield Street and Cottman Avenue.

This area was previously not covered by any community organization. The HCA’s executive board has been revising its bylaws to incorporate the extra blocks, and those bylaws will be voted on by members in September. continue reading »

Greater Bustleton Civic League: Tonight’s meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Ami. The meeting was originally scheduled after a Jan. 26 postponement due to snow.

8th District meetings: Tonight’s 8th District PDAC and Captain’s Town Hall meetings have been canceled.

Tacony zoning meeting: Tonight’s zoning meeting of the Tacony Civic Association is still on for 7 p.m. at the Sons of Italy, 4741 Friendship St.