Holmesburg Prison, as seen from Torresdale Avenue. Photo/Christopher Wink

Like in any prison, the walls of Holmesburg Prison tell its story. Two Spanish artists are bringing those tales to life with their Doing Time | Depth of Surface  exhibit at The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design.

María Jesús González and Patricia Gómez will display large-scale prints, photographs and related videos from their time working in the prison. They use a technique to preserve surfaces by detaching the paint with glues and fabric and transferring the paint to a new canvas. They detail that process in an interview with Philagrafika. continue reading »

Calvary Christian Academy in Somerton. Image/Google Maps

Graceann Rumer has only been driving for two weeks, but compared with everyone else she rode the bus with Tuesday, she’s an old pro.

Rumer, who attends Calvary Christian Academy in Somerton, took the school bus Tuesday instead of practicing her new skills behind the wheel. But she got to drive anyway when the driver had an emergency.

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Klein JCC's Lisa Sandler accepts a citation from Seth Kaplan, chief of staff for Rep. Kevin Boyle. Photo/Klein JCC

Brothers Brendan, D-170th, and Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, have had a busy week in the Pennsylvania House. Amid the daily goings-on, they separately recognized a deceased Navy SEAL and a local meal delivery program.

Monday, Brendan Boyle authored a resolution that was passed by the House to honor fallen Navy SEAL Michael Strange. Strange, a Northeast resident, died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in August.

“[Strange] was a dedicated and valiant soldier who remains one of the City of Philadelphia’s hometown heroes,” Boyle said.  continue reading »

Tacony resident and former City Council candidate Sandy Stewart. NEast Philly file photo/Saleem Ahmed

Philadelphia City Council is considering keeping bars open one hour longer to help raise money for the struggling School District of Philadelphia.

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown has proposed letting bars stay open until 3 a.m. The ordinance would raise an estimated $5 million annually through the per-drink tax that’s allocated to the district.

But Tacony resident Sandy Stewart, who ran as a Republican in the 2011 6th District Council race, has asked that Council consider restricting the extra hours to entertainment districts. continue reading »

Meet Grady (A15094459)! This lovely 1- to 2-year-old gray boy has the neatest subtle tabby shading and the most alluring amber eyes!

Poor Grady ended up here at the shelter because his paw was injured and his owners were unable to take him to a private vet. Grady’s wounds were cleaned up and he’s sporting quite the bandage. Unfortunately, Grady’s passed over because of his injured leg. continue reading »

Hello ladies and gents! My name is Flora (A14945644) and I’m a sweet sassy girl biding my time at ACCT, just waitin’ around for my fur-ever home!

I am 1 to 2 years old, and I while I was found as a stray, I have obviously been a beloved pet at some point or another. I am a terrier/pit mix. As you can see, I have very striking black and white markings, and I would make a beautiful addition to any family.

When I was brought to the shelter, my toenails were painted red! Now, I would like to say that I’m smart and coordinated enough to paint my own toenails, and while I am very smart, I don’t have opposable thumbs, so it’s unlikely I painted them myself. Somebody used to love me and I need to find someone else to love me again!

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With repairs to the Holme Avenue Bridge complete, the Holme Circle Civic Association has turned its attention to the rest of the avenue, specifically, the Circle.

Serving three major roads and connecting the pockets of Winchester Park and Ashton, the Circle has seen better days. By PennDOT’s estimate, 40,000 vehicles pass through it everyday, prompting the HCCA to want a better impression form the neighborhood.

Talks of a beautification project began late last year when the bridge reopened, but HCCA members Joe Razler, Elsie Stevens and Mike Gould are now weighing their options for first steps.

“We haven’t set a fixed dollar amount yet to raise,” Gould told members. continue reading »

Dave Kralle at the November 2011 Parkwood Civic Association meeting. Photo/Shannon McDonald

If you go to your neighborhood civic association meeting, chances are you know Dave Kralle. Holme Circle, Bustleton, Parkwood – the residents there know the aide to Councilman Denny O’Brien by name. Before O’Brien’s election to Council, Kralle worked for him at the state level when O’Brien served the 169th Legislative District.

The rest of the city got to meet Kralle earlier this year during O’Brien’s campaign for Council-at-large. Average height, on the thin side and always in a suit and tie, Kralle is as recognizable to district constituents as O’Brien is. That’s likely to work to his advantage if Kralle enters a bid for the now-vacant 169th District seat.

“Denny wants me to run for his old seat in the House of Representatives,” Kralle announced at last night’s Holme Circle Civic Association. continue reading »

Flickr Photo/selasasore

If you’ve spent the last year working to preserve a history property, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia is offering a chance to celebrate your handiwork.

Submissions for the annual Preservation Achievement Awards are due Friday, as judging will take place in February. continue reading »

Q: The year started off with an offer on my home in West Mayfair after 295 days on the market. I was very excited to finally feel like things were going to start rolling, but the buyer is having a problem with the mortgage. The mortgage company said is will need to postpone settlement until May because of an issue with the buyer’s pay raise – it wants to see a full year of pay stubs at his current wages. Ugh! Do you think I should wait it out or put it back on the market? I thought I’d be out of here by now.

A: If you decide to put your home back up for sale, your dilemma is finding another buyer. There is no guarantee that, even if you do put it right back on the market, you’ll find another buyer soon and that buyer will want to settle before May. continue reading »