Vol. 1, No. 5
September 2018
eastfallsnow.com • FREE
Blue ribbon committee aims for master traffic plan by John T. Gillespie
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vale Avs. and one on Kelly Drive. DeLissio agreed to convene the gathering following a meeting with EFCC and Town Watch leaders. “While epidemic might be too strong, the frequency of these occurrences has reached a point that requires more than promises or piecemeal responses,” EFCC wrote to DeLissio, Deputy Streets Commissioner Richard Montanez, Streets Engineer David Dlugosz, City Councilman Curtis Jones and PennDOT District 6 Director Bruce Masi. “East Falls wants a comprehensive traffic plan that slows traffic throughout the neighborhood with physical restraints and warnings, such as raised crosswalks, choke points, easily installed rubberized speed cushions, elec-
tronic speed signs, skid resistant surfacing and other steps,“ the EFCC letter said. As a start, the letter said, planners could address:
post-Labor Day meeting is being scheduled for political, civic, transportation, and city Vision • The 3900 block of Henry Zero officials to enlist support Av. The curvature and blind for the concept of a master nature of this section makes it traffic plan for East Falls. especially vulnerable to crashThe meeting will be cones. Drivers, especially speedvened by state Rep. Pam ers, have very little margin DeLissio (D-194) at the for error. request of the East Falls Community Council. If par• Midvale Av. from Ridge to ticipants agree to move ahead Henry. This heavily congestwith such a plan, the pubic ed stretch needs to be examwill be asked to comment as ined for speed, and restraints the plan evolves. installed. The fashioning of a plan will be left to experts in the • The Ridge Av. corridor. Philadelphia Streets DepartIn place of the current crosswalks, often ignored, the Jamie Woods gets fire-fighting tips from Lt. Kenneth Legions of Engine 35 in ment and the Pennsylvania EFCC is suggesting raised East Falls at the EF Town Watch’s annual National Night Out celebration, August 7. Department of Transportation, with input from EFCC’s More photos on page 7. (Continued on page 4) traffic committee and representatives of Vision Zero, the city’s ongoing plan to adapt its streets to all users: cars, pedestrians, commercial vehicles and bikers. (Note change of date and location) Proposals for the meeting 7 p.m. Wed. Sept 12 grew out of requests by the Zoning Committee members he East Falls Community Downs Hall Auditorium, Jefferson U. East Falls Community CounCouncil’s Zoning Commit- and other attendees voiced con- cil following the latest rash of Agenda to include election of officers. cern about a proposed wall tee held an Aug. 15th More information: eastfallscommunity.org accidents in the 3900 block of fronting on Kelly Dr. to shield meeting to focus on two major Henry Av., at Henry and Middevelopments, each at opposite parking and utilities. It would ends of the community. run west from a height of eight feet at Calumet St. and Kelly One project is developer David Grasso’s five-story apart- Dr. to a height of 16 feet at the end of the property. The conment house on the former sensus of Zoning Committee Rivage Ballroom site lined by efinitely mark your calendar for the East Falls featuring the neighborhood’s leadmembers and others at the Ridge Av., Calumet St. and biggest day-long event ever in East ing restaurants – In Riva, Le Bus East Falls, Kelly Dr. – a proposed 142-unit meeting in the DEC Center on Falls. Slices Pizzeria, Golden Crust Pizza, Foghorn, building that will include the Jefferson University camFallser Fest 2018 is set for Saturday, Sept. MILO, Trolley Car Café, East Falls Beer Garpus was that the design and 10,000 feet of retail space. 29 in the parking lot under the Twin Bridges. den, Murphy’s Irish Saloon, Wissahickon height of the wall appeared Grasso’s original plans for Sponsored by the East Falls Community Brewing Co. and more being added at press unnecessarily large and the long-vacant site were Council and the East Falls Development time. unfriendly to the community. approved by the EFCC nearly Corp., the day will unfold in two parts: Tickets for the evening festivities – includGrasso’s architects pledged to three years ago, when he pro• First, a free family party from 11 am to 2 ing dancing to the Worldtown Soundsystem, posed a six-story building with consider other design and pm, with games for the kids, music, a fire DJ Kevin Kong and Fallser Karaoke by Sean green alternatives. 200 units. His scaled-down engine to climb on and the vendors of the East MaGuire, -- are $20 in advance at Concerns about increased plans call for 118 parking Falls Famers Market. Come even earlier as www.fallserfest.com, and $25 at the event. spaces and wood frame contraffic, too, were voiced, as the the Farmers Market gets underway at 10 am. For vending and sponsorship opportunities, struction compared to the steel area typically is jammed at • Then, from 7 to 11 pm the adults take call 215-848-8084. he envisioned in his original (Continued on page 4) plan. over. Enjoy dancing, karaoke, and a Taste of
Zoning gets updates on Grasso, Scotts Ln. projects
EFCC General Membership Meeting
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Sept. 29: Fallser Fest 2018
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Clothing designer opens on Ridge Av. by John T. Gillespie
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n the fickle world of fashion, building an enduring brand is a goal few aspirants reach. Chanel popularized the woman’s suit, Halston the pill box hat, Kate Spade the everyday handbag, and Liz Claiborne the affordable outfit
for the working woman. They lasted because each filled a niche or a need, real or perceived, that brought them dominance in an ever--changing market. Some, like Chanel, also anticipated the shifting culture in women’s clothing. Before Chanel, (Continued on page 8)
Mary Alice Duff with items from her collection at 4056 Ridge Av.
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