A Burholme resident and the retired supervisor of the Ryerss Museum and Library, Mary Louise Campbell died Jan. 10.

The 83-year-old began volunteering at Ryers in the ’60s, joined the staff in 1973 and retired 20 years later. Campbell is survived by her husband, three sons and five grandchildren. Her husband and son both have ties to the Philadelphia Inquirer, where you can read Campbell’s full obituary. continue reading »

We often don’t notice the difference when an ambulance passes us on Oxford or Central Avenue, yet there is a difference.

Since 1933, the Burholme Emergency Medical Services has served the communities of Northeast Philadelphia. Founded by “Doc” Beaumont to service Burholme Park and the farmland of Northeast Philadelphia as the first EMS service in Philadelphia, it has grown as the Northeast has grown. continue reading »

From left, Northeast GOP candidates for city council-at-large: Al Taubenberger, Denny O'Brien, Joe McColgan. Photo by Pamela Seaton.

With the fall election season underway seven City Council At-Large candidates came together recently at the WHYY studio for a political debate that, considering the stakes of the upcoming election, was a testament to measured, thoughtful politics. With seven participants in attendance – five Republicans and two Democrats – the debate covered everything from Occupy Philadelphia to the transparency of government to specific questionable activities of each candidate.

Three of the candidates – Dennis O’Brien, Al Taubenberger and Joe McColgan – have certain characteristics in common: they’re all Republicans and they all come from the Northeast. They all have a specific plan that stems from their experience in their home districts, whether it be education reforms or plans for rejuvenating local businesses. continue reading »

One person is dead following two car accidents Saturday night during Hurricane Irene.

The first occurred in Rhawnhurst around 7 p.m. when a tree fell onto a car as its driver was waiting to make a turn. Hugh Rawlins escaped through the back window of his truck when it fell on the vehicle as he waited to make a turn at Solly and Castor avenues. continue reading »

Thrift shops on Bleigh Avenue, Oxford Avenue and Pine Road provide plenty of options for Burholme and Fox Chase shoppers.

The great recession continues as many still struggle with unemployment and disposable income reduces. As prices in retail stores continue to increase where does one turn for basic needs?

In Fox Chase, there are three options for those looking for a deal on clothing, household needs and art. The two main stays are The Jeanes Hospital Thrift Shop located at 7963 Oxford Ave. and The Medical Mission Sisters Thrift Shop located in the old boat house on the campus at 8400 Pine Rd.  The third, Ivy’s Vintage Shop, recently opened at 1105 Bleigh Ave. in Burholme  All of the shops accept donated items. continue reading »

At the pinnacle of the hill sits  Ryerss Museum and Library keeping a look out over Burholme Park.  The park, once home to the Ryerss summer home and the surrounding farm fields and live stock, is now an active home for residents of the Northeast.

Located on the southern edge of Fox Chase at 7370 Central Ave., the museum/library and the surrounding parkland are managed by Fairmount Park with assistance from The Friends of Ryerss.  The museum and lending library are open weekends between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Tours are provided for free.

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable of the history of the Museum.  Community events are held throughout the year to include Easter egg hunts, craft shows, watercolor classes, Petapaloosa, crafts for kids, The Burholme Stamp Club and various literary events of interest to the community. continue reading »

Not too long ago, John “Jack” Slivinski Jr. made headlines for posing in front of a Center City fountain for a firefighters calendar. Saturday, the Philadelphia firefighter was found dead in his home near the Burholme/Fox Chase border.

Slivinski was discovered in his home on the 7800-block of Lawndale Avenue; authorities have ruled his death a suicide. continue reading »

Pennsylvania legislative district 172, as it stands today. Click to visit Redistricting the Nation.

This is part of ongoing coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoods funded by J-Lab.

Shaping legislative districts is by no means illegal. It’s a part of the democratic process.

After each U.S. Census informs leaders about population and demographic shifts throughout the country, each state, county and municipality is meant to see subtle movement in its boundaries to better reflect the realities there, from balancing population totals and community divides. For example, in the post-1990-census redistricting, Philadelphia lost two House seats to its western suburbs due to population growth there.

Where redistricting has earned the more negatively connoted term of ‘gerrymandering’ — coined in 1812 after a partisan Massachusetts governor — has been when political, not population, shifts seem to motivate legislative rewiring.

Now again, Pennsylvania is revisiting its boundaries, like the rest of the country, following the 2010 census. In April, a former Superior Court president was named the independent chair of the state’s Legislative Reapportionment Commission, which by October is due to send to the state Supreme Court its reapportionment draft of state legislative districts.

One district that will be watched by some insiders is the Pennsylvania 172nd State House Legislative district, formerly the precinct of John Perzel.

continue reading »

Police have identified the man who died Wednesday night in West Philadelphia as a 40-year-old Burholme resident. Joseph Pinkney of the 7400-block of Rockwell Avenue was shot in the chest around 8 p.m. Wednesday on the 5100-block of Race Street, and was pronounced dead a short time later at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Hugh Campbell, a 45-year-resident of Burholme, thanked Matt Taubenberger for sweeping up trash Saturday.

Campbell said he can’t shop at the stores on Castor Avenue because there is too much trash.

“It’s good to see a couple of young fellas cleaning up,” Campbell said. “I’m a product of New York City and left because it was so filthy.”

Taubenberger and a group of college students took part in Philadelphia’s spring cleanup by packing mulch into the street trees and sweeping the sidewalks on Burholme’s end of Rising Sun Avenue. Councilwoman Marian Tasco joined volunteers on the Lawncrest end of the street.

“One of the things that I really hate and see all the time is people throwing their trash right on the ground,” said Taubenberger, who plays an active role in the neighborhood as part of the Business Association. “I think when people walk by and see us cleaning up they realize how hard it is to keep the street clean and they try not to litter.” continue reading »