The Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association is planning its annual Northeast Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will take place at Max Myers Playground, 1601 Hellerman St. in Castor Gardens. The day will include food, door prizes, educational activities, backpack and school supplies giveaways, visits by the Philadelphia Zoo and museums, a magician, clowns, face painting, spin art, caricature artists, flu shots, diabetes screenings and blood pressure monitoring.
In other news from the civic group’s recent meeting, City Councilman Bobby Henon and Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez have secured $300,000 for renovations to Max Myers.
Abby Gilbert, head of the Rhawnhurst Naturally Occurring Community (NORC), invited people to a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northeast Older Adult Center, Bustleton and Solly avenues.
SEPTA officials will be on hand to discuss the new photo identification system. Lunch will be served.
The civic group continues to appeal a Zoning Board of Adjustment decision on the property at 6600 Bustleton Ave. (at Magee Avenue). Members oppose granting a special exception to the building that is the former home of the David G. Neuman Senior Center and a couple of schools.
Owner Jeff Fuchs wants to open a residential home for 25 to 35 women who have already gone through drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The average length of stay would be 90 days.
No medical treatment or drug dispensing would take place. Visiting hours would be limited to Sundays from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
There would be 24-hour staffing, and the women would have a 10:30 p.m. curfew.
Neighbors would prefer a community center. ••
