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COMMUNITY CALENDAR:

Carolyn Fiedler-Alber Gallery

Martina Johnson-Allen Interiors May 4 - June 8, 2012 Gallery Cocktail/Fundraiser Reception:..

 

 

Food for Profit Class

Penn State Extension to Offer Food for Profit Class – June 12 Have you ever been tol..

 

 

Memorial Day Celebration in Historic Germantown

Memorial Day Celebration in Historic Germantown – May 28 Join Historic Germantown, Fr..

 

 

Meeting with Police

Meeting with Police - May 31 This is just a friendly reminder that the monthly PSA3 meeting wi..

 

 

Mt. Airy Village Farmers Market

MT. AIRY VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET Come join the fun and get some great food at the Grand..

 

 

Folk Arts and Social Change Awards

Folk Arts and Social Change Awards – June 2 Philadelphia Folklore Project announces the ..

 

 

Gallery Cocktail Reception -Allens Lane Art Center

Gallery Cocktail Reception – June 2 Enjoy signature cocktails – try the Monets ..

 

 

National Trails Day

National Trails Day - June 2, 2012 Join REI, Friends of the Wissahickon and American Hikin..

 

 

Pet-A-Palooza !

Second Annual Pet-A-Palooza - June 2 Pet-A-Palooza returns to Weavers Way’s pet supp..

 

 

Philadelphia Dance Theatre -The Emperor & The Kite

Philadelphia Dance Theatre – June 2 Philadelphia Dance Theatre will be presenting The..

 

 

West Mt. Airy Neighbors is the community association for the West Mt. Airy neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mission of West Mt. Airy Neighbors is to serve as a community-based volunteer organization committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in its richly diverse urban neighborhood.

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WMAN Annual Meeting - June 12


Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for West Mt. Airy Neighbors' Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 7:00pm. It will be an opportunity to vote for Board members and Officers, hear about our efforts on your behalf this past year, and plan our major initiatives for the coming year.
The meeting will be held at Allens Lane Art Center, 601 West Allens Lane (Allens Lane & McCallum St.).


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You Will NOT be able to Vote on November 6......Unless you have a Valid Photo ID


Whether you agree with it or not, the new Act 18 of 2012 requires that all residents voting in Pennsylvania must have valid photo identification in order for their vote to be counted. The ID must include your name, your picture, and expiration date, and must not be expired.
Please review the Voter Identification Education Guide , which was prepared by the Philadelphia delegation of the PA House of Representatives, for a full explanation of the new law and its requirements. For more information, you can also call the Committee of Seventy at 1-866-OR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) or go to www.seventy.org/voterID.


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It was a Great Day in the Neighborhood!


The 42nd annual Mt. Airy Day on Saturday, May 5th was a huge success.  While the cloudy weather may have kept some away, the thousands who attended were treated to a full day of food, fun, entertainment and fellowship in true Mt. Airy style. Co-hosted each year by East Mt. Airy Neighbors and West Mt. Airy Neighbors, the free community event brings together people of all ages and backgrounds in a festival atmosphere with vendors selling all types of wares and delicious food; information booths to keep everyone informed and healthy; entertainment by professional groups, up and coming talent, and youth-in-training; and a wide range of activities including a rock-climbing wall, pony rides and crafts.  Our 8th District Councilwoman, Cindy Bass, was there to respond to neighbors' questions; the 14th District Police Department and Para-medics kept everyone safe; and our dedicated committee of volunteers under the leadership of chairperson Janet Amato made sure that it was an enjoyable day for everyone. Special thanks to the sponsors, without whom this event could not happen!  Please remember to support those who help us keep Mt. Airy such a great neighborhood.

 

      

 

      

      

And

Cliveden of the National Trust

 

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PennDOT Requests Our Input – In Advance This Time


PennDOT is starting the initial phase of a new transportation project to rehabilitate the Walnut Lane Bridge over Wissahickon Creek. The goal of this project is to repair the bridge to bring it out of its structurally deteriorated state while staying sensitive to the features and characteristics which make this historic bridge unique. In a significant change reflecting lessons learned from the Allens Lane water main replacement project, PennDOT has reached out to West Mt. Airy Neighbors to get our input during this preliminary engineering phase. They specifically want to gain a better understanding of the surrounding communities’ needs.

Click here for plans detailing the proposed work to repair the Walnut Lane Bridge. The detour will be in place for approximately 9 months starting in the summer of 2013. The proposed work includes the following; replacement of the asphalt pavement, the sidewalks and railings, repair of the balustrades and repair/replacement of the plaques.


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Eat Your Heart Out! was a wonderful success!

 

Saturday, April 21st was West Mt. Airy Neighbors’ culinary adventure and signature fundraiser.  After we all gathered together for cocktails and friendship, the attendees branched out across the neighborhood to 16 different homes where talented local chefs  prepared sumptuous dinners reflecting the cuisine of 16 different parts of the world.

Some of the delicacies they cooked up were a Maui-inspired Pu Pu tasting bar; Ruby-Red Soup with Almond-stuffed Dates from Catalonia; Saffron Yogurt Mousse from Mumbai; Tart au Chocolate with Chambord Crème Fraiche from France; Potato and Chorizo Tortilla from Andalusia; and Citrus, Cinnamon and Sesame delicacies from Casablanca.

 

Sponsored by

 

                       

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City & State Officials Respond to WMAN's Call for Action about Allens Lane Water Main Replacement Project


For Latest Updates on Allens Lane Construction, click here: http://www.phillywatersheds.org/alerts


At the Community Meeting called by West Mt. Airy Neighbors on February 1st, officials from 10 different city and state departments listened intently as approximately 50 frustrated residents voiced their concerns and outrage over the current traffic and construction nightmare caused by the replacement of the 120 year old water pipes. Marilyn Cohen, Executive Director of WMAN, did a valiant job of making sure all the neighbors' questions and concerns were addressed and extracting commitments from PWD, PennDot, Streets Department and the contractor.  Although noting that we as a neighborhood appreciate that the pipes have to be replaced and that we want it done right so we don't have water flooding the streets from burst pipes, Ms. Cohen  stressed that we expected a better resolution to 4 issues: inadequate communication between PWD and the residents;  lack of coordinated traffic planning and its resultant safety hazards; lack of detour signage; and damage to trees and property. By the meeting's end, remedial action was already underway including the creation of a website that will be launched on 2/6/2012 to provide project updates.
Click here for more: 

UPDATE:

  • The work at McCallum and Allens Lane, including restoration of paving, will be completed by February 29, 2012.
  • Following restoration of the Allens/McCallum intersection, construction operations will transfer to the area of Allens Lane and Wissahickon Ave, roughly between Wayne Ave and Mt Airy Ave. Access will be maintained to all local residents throughout the course of this work.
  • It will be necessary to detour thru traffic from the Allens/Wissahickon intersection via alternate local roadways.
  • Proper detour signage was installed by the contractor and traffic controls have been upgraded including the installation of an all way stop along with changed signal timings at two critical intersections.
  • Contractor work flow is being reorganized to minimize traffic impacts.
  • An arborist will be hired to inspect and assess any tree damage.
  • Work in front of the Henry Houston School (100 block of Allens Lane) will be scheduled for the end of the school year. The Public Affairs Division of the Water Department will contact the school when work is scheduled to be performed in the blocks adjacent to the school.

    • Streetscapes Committee Plants More Trees in 2012



    The WMAN Streetscapes Committee, which has already planted 300 trees in our neighborhood,  will be participating in two tree planting programs sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS).  Residents are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. Please read the FAQ sheet here, and download the application here. For more information contact Doris Kessler at doriskessler@me.com or 215.242.0651
     
      Fall 2012 Bare Root Tree Planting Program: These street trees, planted along the street side of your property, are free of charge and are planted by trained volunteers.  The application deadline is Friday, March 23rd.

    Please read the FAQ sheet here, and download the application here.

       A Tree in Every Yard: Part of the Plant One Million project, these trees are for private property plantings only.  There will be a charge per tree and recipients will be required to receive some training in tree planting and care.  Households will be expected to participate in the planting and will receive assistance from Streetscape volunteers.  Trees will be received May 2012. The number of trees available is limited.  Application deadline is Friday, March 16th.

    Please read the FAQ sheet here, and download the application here.



     

    West Mt. Airy Neighbors needs your support.

    To join or renew your membership online, click here and add some leaves to our tree!


    *current membership


    Mt Airy: Yesterday and Today

     Click here for the latest article from our new column on Mt. Airy history.

    West Mt. Airy Neighbors News

     Click here for the latest WMAN eNewsletter.

    Community News

     

    Check out what's happening in the community. Click here to see a complete list of news items.

    Allens Lane Water Main Project


     More...

    Gateway Project Update

    The Mt. Airy Gateway project, which seeks to restore the 1901 Stotesbury Pergola at Lincoln Drive and Johnson Streets, is gearing up for a busy fall. The project which began in 2009 has completed the intial phase of clearing the invasive plants and trees from the site, and followed up in 2010 with a second phase of site clearing and an initial planting of native perennials on the west side of Lincoln Drive.  All this work is being done in anticipation of restoring the wooden pergola structures on top of the remaining stone piers on either side of Lincoln Drive.  The project is an initiative of the Germantown Historical Society in partnership with the WMAN Streetscapes committee.
     
    This past spring, with the help of a group of volunteers from Tufts University and St. Gabriel’s Hall supervised by Parks and Recreation Volunteer Coordinator Dave Bower, the Gateway Committee sponsored a workday in May. Invasive plants and trash were removed, the newly planted bed of meadow species was weeded, and compost and mulch were spread throughout. To add a dash of additional color, flowering annuals were added in front of the east wall.   Parks and Recreation staff eradicated poison ivy in midsummer, making the area safer for susceptible volunteers.  An informal group of Committee members tends the site.
     
    A less visible, but critical development was Parks and Recreation Department’s approval of pergola rebuilding plans, which were developed by local architect Peter DiCarlo of  Levy DiCarlo Partners, LLC.  Landscape plans have also been approved so the project can now move ‘full steam ahead.’
    Pergola installation is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2012, but this timeline is dependent on the PENN-DOT schedule for improvements at the intersection.  The improvements, which are part of a much larger program for Lincoln Drive, include relocation of the traffic light on the west side of Lincoln Drive.  It must be moved from its current location because it is within the overhang of the new pergola. More...


    Recycle All Plastic Containers

    Food & Beverage Cartons Now Recyclable Curbside  More...