West Oak Lane: Flowers Bring Family Closer
It all started in Virginia. The 15-year-old Paul Beale would rush to the flower shop after school and on weekends to be able to work with flowers. “I’ve always wanted to work with flowers,” Beale said. “It makes me feel closer to nature. You get to have so many different options to work with.” Shortly […]
Mount Airy: Redevelopment Projects Look to Eliminate Blight, Improve Livelihood of Historic Neighborhood
Dating back to the 1680s, when it was a just small part of Germantown, the neighborhood of Mount Airy has a rich history that has shaped the diverse and tight-knit community that it is today. In 1750, William Allen, a chief justice for the province of Pennsylvania, built an estate at the corner of modern-day […]
Hunting Park: Chess Instructor Inspires Kids To Reach Their Full Potential
Young children played and screamed happily at the Lenfest Center on N. 10th St in Hunting Park as Gil Motley arrived for his chess club. His infectious smile and personality captivated the space as he walked through the door to Classroom A, where his club will soon commence. As Motley entered the room, he reached […]
West Oak Lane: Five Restaurants That Are Contributing To The Neighborhood’s Revitalization
As you travel north on Broad Street, you’ll come across several flourishing communities such as West Oak Lane, East Oak Lane, Olney and Fern Rock. These communities consist of thriving, independent restaurants, community service organizations, and spacious homes surrounded by lush green lawns that give the neighborhood a trendy yet suburban ambiance. During the 1960s, […]
West Oak Lane: Volunteers Want to Keep Up with the Sweep Up for Philly Spring Cleanup
Each spring, brooms, rakes and buckets of paint come alive as the neighborhoods across the city participate in citywide cleanup days. But what about the rest of the year? Vernon Smith and Carlton Williams, legislative assistants and community outreach liaisons to state Rep. Dwight Evans, who serves the West Oak Lane area, helped orchestrate the April […]
West Oak Lane: Expressions Of You Store Owner Offers More Than Just Cards, Gifts to Community
At the corner of Ogontz Avenue and Walnut Lane, a bright orange awning offered shade to a colorful storefront. Inside, owner Diane Caffie was bundling black and white balloon bouquets for one of her regular customers. Expressions of You: Cards and Gifts Shop is a West Oak Lane hub where customers have come to find a variety of cards, decorations […]
West Oak Lane: Simons Recreation Center Director Offers “Safe Haven for the Kids”
For Amenah Claiborne, her role as center director at Simons Recreation Center doesn’t feel like work. Instead, her job reminds her of a family, one that is helping to provide a safe haven for kids living in the West Oak Lane community. Claiborne has worked within Philadelphia Parks and Recreation for 18 years. After graduating […]
West Oak Lane: Five Things That Bring The Community Together
West Oak Lane is home to many community centers, churches and offices that serve as gathering places for its residents. The West Oak Lane area is focused on building “community” by bringing residents together through different opportunities in the neighborhood. These efforts help make the area close-knit and allow people in the community to contribute in a way that helps the […]
Olney/West Oak Lane: Town Watch Promotes ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’
Town Watch programs are used in cities in many different states. The main tenet of all Town Watch programs is, “Observe, Document and Report.” This is the simplest form of guidelines for people who are involved in this program. Eric Brice is the communications coordinator for the 35th District Town Watch. The 35th District is […]
Logan/Olney/West Oak Lane: Five Places Helping to Better the Community
Among the various neighborhoods that make up Philadelphia, North Philadelphia harbors many small businesses and institutions that you probably didn’t give much thought to. The following five places serve to better the community and provide services to the people of Logan, Olney and West Oak Lane. The historic Olney Charter High School (above), home of the […]