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Burglaries have recently been a hot topic for residents in the Northeast. But what exactly constitutes a burglary? Many confuse the term with theft or robbery.

Burglaries fall under an entirely different category. The term is defined as the act of entering a building with the intent to commit a crime without a weapon.

Last year, there were 2,432 burglaries that took place in the Northeast. The 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th Police Districts have been making appearances at local civic group meetings to address residents’ concerns.

Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey was present at the Lawncrest Community Association’s meeting last week, where burglaries was just one of many topics he discussed with residents.

“We’re [the City of Philadelphia] up in burglaries.” he said “A lot of it is residential. There’s some commercial burglaries, so some areas are seeing an upward trend in that. Burglary across the country is not an easy crime to solve. Usually there are no witnesses. Usually there is very little, if any forensic evidence that you can gather at the scene.”

The Philadelphia Police Department’s new interactive Crime Mapping application was created as part of its Incident Transmittal System and gives the public free access to criminal data that is recorded in their neighborhoods. continue reading »

Residents packed Max Myers rec center for a Monday night Take Back Your Neighborhood meeting. Photo by Danny Donnelly.

Last evening, 30 Northeast residents crowded into a classroom in the Max Myers Rec Center with one mission: to get their neighborhood back.

“Take Back Your Neighborhood” is a grassroots organization started by Jared Solomon, a former resident of the Northeast.  The main goal of the organization is to get back the neighborhood local residents once loved.

“I’ve realized this isn’t our grandma’s Northeast anymore. We’re developing, we’re diverse,“ Solomon said. “When I made the transition and moved into Center City, my mom was going to be by herself.  She’s a single mom and I wanted to really provide a network that could band neighbors together and make the Northeast work again.”

The organization not only works to bring neighbors together, but also to tackle issues including illicit drug activity, trash on the sidewalks, noise violations, landlord and rent issues and vacant properties. These issues, which were printed on the organization’s bright green flyers and posted throughout Northeast nearby neighborhoods, caught the eye of Noelle Monk. continue reading »

A historic building in the Northeast is now continuing its purpose centuries later.

The Lower Dublin Academy began as a one-room log cabin schoolhouse in 1723. The building developed from the will of Philadelphia’s own Thomas Holme who died in 1695. Holme was Pennsylvania’s first Surveyor General, working directly under William Penn. Before he died, he left specific instructions for his family.

“Holme gave four pounds towards the education of a child in the community,” said Fred Moore, president of the Friend of Lower Dublin Academy (Moore is also president of the Holmesburg Civic Association and is an active member of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network). “The will was not finalized until 1723 when his grandchildren decided they needed to take care of their grandfather’s wishes.” continue reading »

Maggie's Waterfront Cafe owner Kevin Goodchild addresses the East Torresdale Civic Association. Photo by Danny Donnelly.

Since 1935, 9242 N. Delaware Ave. has housed several bars and restaurants. For the past three years; however, this address has been housing several concerns for the neighbors of  East Torresdale’s Pleasant Hill pocket.

Individuals present at Monday’s East Torresdale Civic Association meeting placed Maggie’s Waterfront Café, at the top of their list of issues facing the neighborhood.

John Swiker lives five blocks away from Maggie’s and says the dispute has been going on since he began attending the civic association’s meetings last year.

“It’s a quality of life thing. People don’t mind the bar, in actuality. I go to this bar. It’s the events that are going on,” he said. “The music is going too loud too long. If they kept it inside it wouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Current owner Kevin Goodchild purchased the building where Maggie’s now stands in 2008. Goodchild said he initially envisioned his business to be a small indoor restaurant and bar for local residents. continue reading »

Roger Price of the Bustleton Bengals

The Bustleton Bengals Club is one of many sports organizations for boys and girls in the Northeast. The club continues to live out its mission that began in 1956. Past President and parent Vince Tarducci has been volunteering his time with the Bengals since 1997.

“It’s always been about the children from ages 4 to 18,“ Tarducci said. “We try to get them ready for high school years. We try to get them ready to be better citizens within the city of Philadelphia and whatever they do.”

The Bengals interact with several athletic organizations in the Northeast, but  one thing that sets this organization apart is something it’s lacking: a gymnasium.

“When [other clubs] play us, we have to use neighboring schools Anne Frank and Baldi,” Tarducci said. “We’re fortunate to have them, but we don’t have any control over the use of those places.” continue reading »

Mike "Scoats" Scotese, owner of the Grey Lodge Pub and Hop Angel Brauhaus, kicks off Philly Beer Week with the Hammer of Glory.

The Hammer of Glory, what many Philadelphians refer to as the “HOG,” left Fox Chase’s Hop Angel Brauhaus early Friday morning to kick off Philly Beer Week 2011.

Philly Beer Week is a 10-day celebration of what is arguably considered “America’s Best Beer Drinking City.”  Mike “Scoats” Scotese is one of the masterminds behind this celebration.  Scoats helped start Beer Week four years ago and calls himself one of the “founding fathers” of the Hammer of Glory tour.

Now in its third year, the giant hammer made its way to 21 establishments throughout Philadelphia in what Scoats described as the “most unconventional ways possible.” At the end of its journey, the hammer was used to tap the first keg, signaling the official start of Philly Beer Week 2011. continue reading »

Jim and Brooke Higgins of Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse

Brooke and Jim Higgins have traveled the world, working as personal chefs and caterers for high-end clientele. Northeast native Brooke even had the experience of working under celebrity chef Todd English at his Boston restaurant, Olives.

In 2003, the couple found itself a new calling in Holmesburg, in the form of a lunch truck. With experienced culinary backgrounds and a little inspiration from their 110-pound Newfoundland, Sweet Lucy, the couple took the catering business to a whole new level.

“Brooke’s father has a business here,” said Jim, “First, we thought we were just going to park it in his parking lot and you know, end up taking it around the city. Then, one day, we decided to open up the window and see if people would come and we had such a good response, we decided to put the restaurant right here.” continue reading »

The EF0 tornado did significant damage to both the front of the building and its roof. Photo by Danny Donnelly.

Imagine $15,000 worth of damage in less than 10 seconds.  It’s possible.

Last week’s twister that shook up a small section of the Northeast is leaving a couple of small businesses in recovery mode. Keith Walsh is the manager of Ace High Auto, located off Northeast Avenue in. Just before 2 p.m., Walsh and his staff were sitting inside their office enjoying a peaceful lunch break when the twister rattled their bones.

“It got real dark and I heard all kinds of glass breaking behind us. It sounded like a jet engine coming by. It was crazy. I turned around and saw the funnel coming right up the driveway,” Walsh said. continue reading »