Lawncrest just says no
to expansion plan

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The Lawncrest Community Association unanimously voted last week to oppose a local restaurant’s plan to expand.
El Balconcito Restaurant, at 656-58 E. Godfrey Ave., wants to expand its restaurant and storage area.
Last year, neighbors opposed granting the business a variance to expand, citing a raucous party held on the premises. Their opposition remains.
The restaurant was scheduled to appear in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Tuesday, May 27, after the Times went to press.
In another matter, a massage parlor has closed at 6437 Rising Sun Ave. in the former home of Oskar Huber Furniture.
Also, neighbors seemed skeptical about a preliminary idea by Rendezvous Restaurant, at 6328 Rising Sun Ave., to offer outdoor table seating. Rendezvous recently replaced the Seaport Inn.
In other news from the May 20 meeting:
• Members observed a moment of silence for slain police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski.
The memory of Liczbinski and fellow slain officers Gary Skerski and Chuck Cassidy will be honored on June 21 at Cannstatter’s. The event was originally planned to benefit the Skerski family, but his widow Anne requested that proceeds go to the family of Liczbinski, who was killed on May 3.
The event will feature beer, food, a dunk tank, a silent auction, string bands, live bands and a disc jockey.
Tickets cost $25. They are available by calling 2nd Police District community relations officer Mark Mroz at 215-686-3020.
In related news, another slain officer who lived in Lawndale was scheduled to be memorialized with a plaque on Wednesday, May 28.
Officer Joseph V. Kelly, a married father of five girls from East Godfrey Ave., was shot to death in 1971 in Roxborough as he investigated a stolen car.
His killer, Joseph Bowen, later stabbed to death Holmesburg Prison wardens Patrick Curran and Robert Fromhold.
Meanwhile, the LCA is looking for survivors of police officer Gottlob Klemmer, who died in 1927, more than eight years after being shot twice in the chest by a member of a robbery gang terrorizing the area near the Five Points intersection of Cottman, Rising Sun and Oxford avenues.
The group would like to see Klemmer memorialized with a plaque.
• The 2nd Police District Advisory Council will hold its community day on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Roosevelt Mall.
The day will begin with a 10-mile bike ride to encourage an end to school violence. There will also be a variety of activities, including karate demonstrations. City agencies will also be distributing literature.
• The Lawncrest 4th of July Committee will meet on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m., at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, at 6500 Tabor Road.
The theme is 2 Neighborhoods = 1 Community (Crescentville + Lawndale = Lawncrest).
As for the fourth of July celebration, the action gets started at 8:30 a.m. with a parade featuring string bands, armed service groups, antique cars, community associations, churches, floats and local sports team mascots.
Lawncrest Town Watch will award prizes for the best-decorated bikes.
The rest of the day includes a classic car show, children’s rides, a food court, a flea market, musical entertainment, bingo and a baby parade, all at the Lawncrest Recreation Center at Rising Sun Avenue and Comly Street. At sunset, there will be a fireworks show.
The rain date is Saturday, July 5.
To volunteer for the 93rd annual celebration, call Steve Cartledge at 215-651-8470.
Donations can be sent to Lawncrest 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 24656, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
• St. William parish will hold its second annual reunion for school alumni and friends on Saturday, July 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. on the beach in Wildwood, N.J., at Schellenger Avenue. Tickets cost $30. Call 215-745-1389.
• Everett Gillison, the deputy mayor for public safety, will be the guest on Thursday, May 29, at the monthly meeting of the Friends of Tacony Creek Park. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will take place at the Salvation Army Citadel, at Rising Sun Avenue and Van Kirk Street.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Tuesday, June 17, at 7 p.m., at St. William parish hall, at Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com