Welcome to West Central Germantown, a neighborhood situated within one of the oldest settlements in Pennsylvania and located in the northwest section of Philadelphia.
West Central Germantown Neighbors (WCGN) is an all-volunteer association dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in a diverse neighborhood. WCGN works to limit expansion of institutional uses and supports historic preservation. Members initiate and encourage group projects to maintain a safe and beautiful place to live, including a garden on the grounds of the Tulpehocken Train Station. We are proud of the creativity and inclusiveness of the neighborhood culture, and sponsor social events to strengthen community bonds.
Help Needed! WCGN Newsletter, Website, Facebook
We need you to help us keep our communication systems fresh and relevant! Please step up and ask Fairleigh Barnes, our Communications Committee Chair, how you can help.
Bring Anou Home-Update
Update on Anou Vongbandith by Ann Marie Doley:
As you may know our neighbor and Das Good Head Chef was detained by I.C.E. in July. In September he was granted a temporary “stay”. This will “buy him some time” from imminent deportation to Laos which he left as a young child with his parents. After months without his heart medication, our PA State Senator Art Haywood was able to insure that he will now receive it as prescribed.
For more info see WHYY story here.
Here are ways you can continue to help Anou:
1) Send Character Letters via email to Anou by October 13th! See example letter from WCGN Committee here.
2) Contact PA Senators John Fetterman & Dave McCormick and Congress Persons Dwight Evans and Mary Gay Scanlon to demand that Anou Vonbandith be released from prison.
3) Patronize Das Good Cafe at 322 W. Chelten.
4) Support the GoFundMe for Anou’s family and help cover mounting legal fees.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Community
Wyck House & Garden
Historic Chocolate Making
Saturday, October 11, 11am-12:30pm
Led by Germantown chocolatier, Ebo Nunoo of XoXoa Chocolates, watch, make, and taste what you create.
Visit Wyck’s website for many other events.
Community Bazaar and Flea Market
Saturday, October 18, 9am-3pm
Vernon Park
If you have things to donate for the Park to sell, please contact us and we will pick them up!
Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion: “Spirits of Historic Germantown”
Saturday, October 25th, evening various times
Don’t let a fear of ghosts prevent you from experiencing otherworldly phenomenon.
Get your tickets now!
Check out other EMM events here.
Halloween Parade, Fall Potluck, and Community Meeting at Wyck!
Saturday, Oct. 25, 12pm-4pm
WYCK 6026 Germantown Ave
This year our Fall Potluck Picnic will be combined with a short Community Meeting (Board Elections) and a Halloween Parade for the little ones. It will be held at WYCK 6026 Germantown Ave. on the 25th from 12-4. Let us know how you can help. Treats for those (kids & adults) who come in costume!
Otherwise please bring food to share. We will supply drinks, paper cups & plates as well as utensils. Donations are welcome.
WCGN Board Election
At our Halloween Parade, Potluck, Community Meeting (see above), we wil be voting to elect the following slate of officers:
*President: Suzanne Ponsen
*1st VP & Zoning Committee Chair: Julie Stapleton Carroll
*2nd VP & History & Heritage Committee Chair: Mike Ramos
*Secretary: Lora Lewis
*Green Space Committee Chair: Phil Kane
And the appointments of:
*Don Meadche, as treasurer
*Fairleigh Barnes, as chair of the Communications Committee
Halloween in the Neighborhood
Friday, October 31st
Spooky plans are underway for our trick or treaters this year. Would you serve as a safe crossing guard at a strategic spot? If you don’t have Trick or Treating responsibilities, or if you just love Halloween and you can help, please let us know by clicking here.
Zoning
Rezoning Around Germantown East Septa Station
Tuesday, October 7th, 5:30-6:45pm
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, 68 W. Chelten Ave.
226 Harvey Street Variance Voted Down
Nov 19, 9:30
The Community meeting held on September 3 focused on a zoning variance to convert a single-family home into 6-units. Over 35 neighbors expressed concerns about parking, building capacity, work done without permits, and general lack of trust in owner/contractor given past experiences. The 29 votes cast were unanimously opposed. This was based on voting by 20 near neighbors and 9 “not near” neighbors.
The ZBA is scheduled to hear the case on 11/19 at 9:30. As that date approaches, we will instruct all neighbors on how to attend the hearing and/or where to write letters concerning the case.
5900 Pulaski Street ZBA Hearing Continued Again…
ZBA Chairman William Bergman once again continued the hearing at the request of the property owner’s attorney for 5900 Pulaski – this time until January 14, 2025 at 9:30AM.
WCGN’s letter of opposition has been filed with the ZBA.
As they continue to operate illegally, you may file an online 311 report here.
History & Heritage
Tulpehocken Station Historic District Events House & Garden Tour
To celebrate the anticipated naming of the Historic District to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, plans are underway for an Historic House & Garden Tour this coming spring.
If you would like to volunteer your House &/or Garden for the tour please let us know.
If you would like to volunteer as a guide or in any other way to help us make this a success, please contact us now.
Other events are being considered as well so watch for details in the coming months.
Green Space
Free Yard Trees Register by 10/15
Saturday, October 18th, 2025, 10am-3pm
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 15th, 2025
Maplewood Mall: 2-20 Maplewood Ave
Partners: Maplewood Collective
If you register, Phil Kane, WCGN’s Green Space Committee Chair, will pick up and deliver to you! Just let him know here.
Beautification Partnership With Personal Care Residents
Saturday, October 25, 9am-11am
Renee Payton, ED of Women Walking In Victory, and McCallum Street neighbor, Maggie Chapman, are teaming up with WCGN’s Green Space Committee to beautify the frontage along 62-64 Harvey and create green therapy opportunities for the residents. Email us to help with this project.
Grab Your Gardening Gloves
Sunday, Nov. 2nd, 1:30pm
Tulpehocken Station Orchard
If you can’t make, but you like to get your hands in the soil, let us add you to our Green Space list of gardeners by letting us know here.
PAST NEWSLETTERS
Below are our latest “News” posts—click on title for full post and active links.
