Nicetown: Activists Continue To Fight Against SEPTA’s Gas Plant
For the past three years, environmental groups from across the city have actively opposed the construction of a new SEPTA gas plant (pictured above) planned for North Philadelphia. They have protested outside the Mayor Jim Kenney’s office and outside Councilwoman Cindy Bass’ office, gathered signatures for a petition sent to the mayor and taken legal […]
Manyunk/Roxborough: A Photo Collection Of Then and Now
This photo series is a comparison of images of the neighborhood originally published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin and images taken this year. The old photos were recovered from the urban archives located in Samuel L. Paley Library on Temple University Main Campus here in Philadelphia. The George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Collection in […]
Manayunk-Roxborough: Residents Confront Perennial Problems With Parking And Traffic
On any given morning in Manayunk, traffic snakes up Green Lane, sometimes reaching 10 or more blocks from Main Street up to Manayunk Avenue and beyond. Commuters may spend a half-hour or more waiting to get out of the neighborhood onto City Line Avenue or I-76 to head to work. “People often cite that the […]
Germantown: One Refugee Family’s Experience Avoiding Deportation
This past August, Oneita and Clive Thompson (pictured above) received a phone call telling them something they never could have imagined: they were being deported. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer left Clive Thompson a voicemail instructing him to call back as soon as possible. “They called us on the 24th and said we […]
Germantown: Church Welcomes First Generation Haitian-American Youth Ministries Director
The First United Methodist Church of Germantown (FUMCOG) has sat on the corner of East High Street and Germantown Avenue since 1796. In September, the congregation welcomed 33-year-old Jeanna Murat (pictured above). Murat is first generation Haitian-American who has dedicated her life to empowering youth and pushing them to explore their faith. “My role whenever […]
East Falls: Playspace In The Works For McMichael Park
Outside of Fairmount Park, one might be surprised to hear there is a six-acre plot of land in East Falls that remains completely natural and undeveloped. But within the neighborhood, there is a great deal of disagreement over whether or not it should stay that way. McMichael Park, bracketed by Henry and Midvale avenues on […]
Mt. Airy: Zoning Issue Puts Spotlight On Development In Community
Cresheim Road resident Ginny Barnwell had no idea she needed to be concerned after a local construction company bought two homes a few doors from her in February. Barnwell, who’s lived on the 7000 block of Cresheim for more than 20 years, was out walking her dog in May when she saw a sign on […]
East Falls: Friends of Mifflin, Principal Work Together To Drive Community Involvement
Wind howled and rain pelted down on East Falls, but inside the warm gymnasium at Thomas Mifflin Elementary School, smiling children ran around in colorful costumes to the sound of popular tunes put on by DJ Mighty Flip Side at the Mifflin Fall Festival and Carnival on Saturday, Oct. 27. Principal Leslie Mason (pictured above) bravely […]
Fairmount: Bicycle Shop Identifies With Its Riders On The Road
When the rest of the city is asleep on Saturday mornings, the Fairmount-based WTF road riders are already biking through the city. WTF isn’t just a trendy acronym; it’s a 20-30 mile road bike ride catering exclusively for folks who identify as women (W), transgender (T), femme (F) or non-binary. Fairmount Bicycles, which focuses on […]
East Falls: EFCC Zoning Committee Tests Out New Meeting Spot And Timmons House Spared
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, community members gathered at Billy Murphy’s Irish Saloon for an East Falls Community Council’s (EFCC) zoning meeting. Presenters at the meeting included representatives from William Penn Charter School and the Kelly House. Murphy’s remained open for business while welcoming attendees of the zoning meeting. A projector screen was set up for […]