In this two–part series, we examine the effects absentee landlords have on neighborhoods, and what residents are doing to fight them. In the first part, we hear from Mayfair residents.

During their patrols as Mayfair Town Watch President and Vice President, John Vearling and Len Roberts heard the same complaints from residents over and over again.

The owner of this property did not shovel his sidewalk when it snowed. This owner failed to maintain the lawn. The renters in this household would not put their trash outside at the proper time on the proper night. The sound of barking dogs and blasting music that came from this apartment never ceased, day or night.

Roberts said the gripes escalated as time passed. Some neighbors told him that certain properties on Cottman Avenue were known drug houses. Vearling heard from others that residents would move out in the middle of the night. continue reading »

The Sanctuary Salon's models applaud the work of their hairstylist, Tiffany Bryant.

Hairstylists Tiffany Bryant, Lisa Woodley and Chanta Barrett put the finishing touches on their models’ makeup and hair behind a big curtain last Saturday night right before their models took the stage. Soon thereafter, the youthful participants strutted down the aisles and onto the runway at the second annual Hair Fashion Show.

The event, which was held at 2154 Bridge St. in Frankford, featured three local salons that hoped to demonstrate their professional work and creativity.

Lisa Woodley, a third-generation hairstylist and owner of North Philadelphia’s LSW Hair Designs, enjoyed participating in this year’s show. Woodley expected the event to have a positive impact on business.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come out and see a salon showcase their work,” Woodley said. “This will help us get more clients.” continue reading »

Friday — Three people have been accused of vandalizing Mayfair’s John Perzel Community Center. Timothy Jensen and Anthony Morrison, 26, and 23-year-old Brianna Gebelein have been charged with criminal trespassing, criminal mischief and criminal conspiracy after a witness caught them spray painting the building. continue reading »

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

New Jersey State Police detectives arrested 39-year-old Joseph Baer after he was spotted at an Atlantic City casino Tuesday morning. Baer is the man who robbed the PNC Bank on the 6800 block of Frankford Avenue on April 13.

Baer, also a suspect in the April 16 robbery of a TruMark Bank in Center City and the robbery of a Citizens Bank on Monday, is considered a serial robber and was previously convicted of bank robberies in 2004.

Keep reading for news on a Frankford High School teacher in a film, a quick string of 7-Eleven robberies and more. continue reading »

The staff at Mayfair's On Time Staffing employment agency

Employment Agencies in the Northeast have been going through a dry spell lately as the economy tries to rebound.

In fact, the latest unemployment rate for the tri-state area is standing strong at 8.7 percent according to the Department of Labor‘s report in December 2009. The (not seasonally adjusted) data covers Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington.

These factors have made it difficult for job seekers to find any work these days, let alone jobs at their own experience levels. continue reading »

Firefighters recovered the body this morning of a 21-year-old woman after extinguishing a blaze in her home.

A fire broke out in the home on the 2800-block of Lardner Street around 4 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find the second floor up in flames, and discovered the woman’s body after extinguishing the fire. Two other women managed to escape the house.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, but investigators said the one smoke detector in the home did not have a battery in it.

From the Philadelphia Protestant Home:

Boris (A.K.A. Mary Ellen Keller) with help from Kitty Iwanycky (left) and Thomasine Mapp (center) of the Crypt Kicker Five did “The Monster Mash” at The Philadelphia Protestant Home’s Volunteer Awards luncheon and musical review on April 15.

PPh said thanks to its 300 volunteers at a luncheon and comedy show performed by staff from the president to those in dining services.  Last year, dedicated volunteers gave more than 38,500 hours of services to PPh – saving the Home approximately $650,000.
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No doubt you hear those words and you just cringe.  The sudden impact, metal crunching, glass breaking and the endless headaches involved in dealing with insurance and auto body shops.

Odds are that most of us have probably been in at least one fender bender at some point or another; if you haven’t count yourself as one of the rare lucky few.  Even though it is just a fender bender and not a full-out accident or tragedy, women usually find it hard to focus because the ordeal can be very upsetting, no matter whose fault it is.  continue reading »

A three-vehicle accident near Modena Tuesday night left one person dead.

Reports say two friends were driving in two separate vehicles on the northbound lanes of the 9800-block of Academy Road around 10:45 p.m. The friends, who were driving next to each other, suddenly collided with a vehicle in the southbound lanes. continue reading »

New Frankford Development President Felicia Richardson addresses the Northwood Civic Association at its monthly meeting Tuesday, April 20, 2010.

It seems the Northwood Civic Association has made nice with the for-profit company poised take operational control over the storied Frankford Y.

“This has the prospects of being a well established part of the community,” civic President Barry Howell told nearly 40 residents inside the St. James’ church basement at Castor Avenue and Bridge Street Tuesday night.

It was Howell, of course, who said in December that he “sensed a rat” around the proposal. But Howell now says lots has changed since then.

continue reading »