The Holme Circle Civic Association last week held its annual holiday social, this time at Big Al’s Italiano, 8202 Roosevelt Blvd. Owner Brad Leventhal treated civic members to dinner in exchange for them making a donation to a charity of their choice. The civic will be contributing to the St. Jerome Parish food bank.
Meanwhile, Take Back Your Neighborhood on Monday night held a meeting, with members bringing plenty of food to share with one another as part of a pre-holiday feast.
TBYN had some business to attend to between bites of pizza, chicken nuggets and shepherd’s pie. Members are not happy about a plan to change Castor Avenue, from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue, from two driving lanes in each direction to one lane each way. At each cross street with a traffic light would be a left turn lane. Residents complain that traffic will slow due to the SEPTA Route 59 bus. They think PennDOT should fix potholes instead.
Capt. Marc Metellus and community relations officer Mark Mroz, of the 2nd Police District, paid a visit. The 2nd has recently participated in Shop with a Cop, the Fox Chase Champions holiday party and the Santa Ride through Fox Chase.
The police officials warned residents about porch pirates stealing Christmas gifts, encouraging people to take in packages for their neighbors. There were 19 thefts from autos in the district from Dec. 4-17. Items stolen included guns, purses, cash, laptops and credit and debit cards.
Local business owners are invited to discuss outdoor eateries with state Rep. Jared Solomon and deputy streets department commissioner Rich Montanez on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 5 p.m. at the Hub, 6434 Castor Ave.
TBYN will meet again on Monday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Max Myers Recreation Center, 1601 Hellerman St. ••
