Sparks fly at tense
Northwood meeting

The Northwood Civic Association held a brief but heated meeting last week.
The main topic of discussion was a property on the 4700 block of Roosevelt Blvd. that is advertised in the phone directory as Botanica Corazon De Jesus, translated in English as "Botanica Heart of Jesus."
The shop sells, among other things, magic charms, herbs and candles.
Neighbors had a number of problems, including the fact that the structure is located in a deed-restricted area that allows only single-family homes.
They also complained that transactions are taking place in the middle of the night, customers block driveways and loud music is played. The police have been called.
"It’s a nuisance property," said Joe Menkevich, president of the civic association.
Menkevich drew the ire of several people in attendance by referring to the business as a "hoodoo/voodoo shop."
Barry Howell, a member of the civic board of directors who frequently clashes with Menkevich, called the group president a "big dope."
Menkevich described Howell as "all talk and no action." He indicated that the group would try to find out more about the business before deciding whether to contact city officials.
In other news from the May 15 meeting, the civic group will investigate a report by neighbors that a house on the 1300 block of Arrott St. is holding a flea market every day.
Also, the group will write either a letter of support or a letter of non-opposition for the Twins at Powder Mill, a group of 50 twin houses on six-and-a-half acres near Castor Avenue and Wingohocking Street.
The City Planning Commission must give final approval of the deal before OKKS Development can begin construction. The company would like to get started in the fall.
The ground would feature an acre and a half of green space. That section will be fenced off and include a chipping range to complement the nearby Juniata Golf Club. The meeting ended shortly before 8 p.m. so Menkevich could walk downstairs to vote before the polling place closed at St. James Lutheran Church. The civic leader vowed to move out of the city if Chaka Fattah was elected mayor.
Fattah lost the election, and Menkevich will continue to lead the neighborhood association.
He will preside over the next meeting on Tuesday, June 19, at 7 p.m., at St. James, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. ••