Manayunk: Q&A With A Local Legend Who Turned His Life Around
After a traumatic accident, doctors told Dave Scarpello he would never walk again. The Manayunk native who has lived in the area for 32 years, proved them wrong. He ran in the Broad Street Run this year, spent his days on disability participating in running clubs, started the Roxborough Manayunk News Facebook page and became a […]
Northwest: The Craft Beer Industry Is Booming. Here’s Why.
Twenty years ago, when Philly entrepreneur Harry Renner and restaurateur Michael Rose decided to open up a brewpub in a former cotton mill factory on Main Street, they didn’t know what to expect. They were one of the first new craft breweries to open in the city. “It was Harry Renner’s vision,” Rose said. “He had […]
Wissahickon: Nation’s Third-Oldest Canoe Club Treads On
The Wissahickon area features a little known gem that has remained afloat for more than a century. Philadelphia Canoe Club, open since 1905, is the third oldest paddling club in the United States. The club makes use of a repurposed 18th century mill, juxtaposed between the Wissahickon Creek and Schuylkill River. “We have classes year-round,” said George […]
Manayunk: Seven Niche Shops Bringing The Community Together
Customers and shop owners along Main Street say the area embodies the “Cheers” mentality – it’s a place where “everybody knows your name.” The street is packed with small specialty businesses run by people who are not only passionate about their companies but about the Manayunk community. Main Street Music, 4444 Main St. A fixture […]
Chestnut Hill: Safety, Community Enhancement are Top Priorities for Business District Executive Director
Martha Sharkey is the executive director for the Chestnut Hill Business Association and is one of the primary people leading the way in bringing new businesses, programs and community safety projects to the local community. Sharkey, who has held her current position for three years, believes that helping bring new people to the neighborhood will ultimately […]
Manayunk: Thanks4Giving Clothing Drive Provides Local and City-Wide Benefits
North Light Community Center has been serving families in Manayunk and nearby Roxborough for 80 years, and the Thanks4Giving Clothing Drive, which runs until December 31st, is one of the ways North Light is able to continue its success. The drive was created by Joe DeCandido, CEO of ADVENT, and it’s a partnership with Impact […]
Roxborough: Cleaning Up the Drug Problem in Honor of Tim Strain
Tim Strain was 18-years-old when he burned his hand on the muffler of his lawn mower. He then went to the hospital, where he was prescribed Percocet. After a few days staying home, Strain went to his girlfriend’s house. When his pain came back and he did not have his medicine on him, his girlfriend’s […]
Roxborough: Combating the Issue of Overdevelopment
Right now, at the corner of Henry Avenue and Maris Street, there sits an empty lot. But because of the by-right development, a new apartment building is in the works. Thanks to by-right, and much to the dismay of the neighbors, the ROCK Construction and Development corporation was able buy the piece of land at […]
Roxborough: Donna Persico Preserves Local History in Review Archives
In 2012, Donna Persico was writing a book about a 1959 Roxborough murder that involved the last case of execution by electric chair in the state of Pennsylvania. For some of her research, she used the archives for the Roxborough Review. She came across a gold mine that she says not many people knew about, […]
Manayunk: Along With Healthy Foods, Pretzel Park Farmers Market Offers A Sense Of Community
The Pretzel Park Farmers Market, now in its fourth year of operation, provides fresh and organic fruits and vegetables to the people of Manayunk, a community known to be lacking in accessible healthy food retailers. The market takes place every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from mid-May through November. It’s run by Friends of […]