Captain Marty LeBree, whose Engine 53 later carried Captain Michael Goodwin’s casket to his funeral service and burial. Photo/Michelle Alton

Friends of fallen Philadelphia Firefighter Michael Goodwin gathered on motorcycles Tuesday to honor the man who died fighting a building fire in South Philadelphia. Goodwin, a Parkwood resident, was laid to rest Thursday.

He died when the roof of a building along Fabric Row collapsed.

See the complete slideshow below for more photos by Michelle Alton from the ride and outside the funeral home. continue reading »

These men are wanted in connection with bank robberies in Fox Chase and Rhawnhurst. Images/Philadelphia Police

Police in the 7th and 2nd districts are looking for the suspects in two separate robberies.

The first took place March 13 at the Trumark Financial credit union located at 7306 Castor Ave. around 7:30 p.m. A suspect fled with an undetermined amount of cash after handing the teller a demand note. continue reading »

The following is a seasonal poem submitted by Fox Chase resident G. E. Reutter. continue reading »

What does the market look like so far this year in my neighborhood? I live in 19111, Fox Chase. I am thinking of downsizing from my fair-sized single to a twin in the same neighborhood so I can still live here, but eliminate my mortgage payment. I want to buy a cheap twin and sell my single for the most money possible. Can you give me the low-down?

Fox Chase is a neighborhood with a variety of housing options. There are singles, twins, duplexes, and apartments. I can report there are 47 houses currently for sale in Fox Chase – all singles and twins – ranging from $75,000 to $300,000, with the average sale price of $199,895. continue reading »

At Weavers Way Co-op in Mt. Airy, chicken owners can buy food and get advice on their coop. Photo/Philadelphia Neighborhoods

This story is the first of two about backyard chickens in Philadelphia and the effort to legalize them. It’s done in partnership with Philadelphia Neighborhoods and NewsWorks. Read part one here.

Members of the Philadelphia Backyard Chickens group met last weekend at the Weavers Way Co-op Community Building at 559 Carpenter Lane in Mt. Airy to discuss ways to get their voices heard and have the law amended so that chickens will be removed from the city’s definition of farm animals.

Resident and agricultural teacher Diane Dunning said she thinks that education about the issue is imperative to making any progress in making it legal for residents to keep chickens in their backyards.. She said she feels that there are positives that could come out of legalizing chickens. continue reading »

In 2012, Maureen Breen’s chickens were confiscated from her backyard after a neighbor complained. Photo/Raymond Boyd

This story is the first of two about backyard chickens in Philadelphia and the effort to legalize them. It’s done in partnership with Philadelphia Neighborhoods and NewsWorks. Read part two here.

In 2004, City Council met to discuss a bill proposed by Councilman Brian O’Neill, R-10th.

The bill — written with help from the Health Department and the Law Department — amended Title 10 of the Philadelphia Code, which addresses ownership of poultry and livestock within city limits. The bill sought to make it illegal to own farm animals  – “any chicken, goose, duck, turkey, goat, sheep, pig or cow” – on fewer than three acres of land. continue reading »

Ryerss Museum and Library. Photo/G. E. Reutter

The Ryerss Museum & Library on the Burholme/Fox Chase border is a site to behold, inside and out.

So the staff there is extending an offer to middle school students: visit the museum and write an essay about it for the chance to win a savings bond. continue reading »

Pennypack Creek in Fox Chase. Photo/G.E. Reutter

For starters, the thing I love most about Northeast Philly has to be Pennypack Park. I remember growing up as a child and having barbecues at the Pine Road section of the park.

I still enjoy riding my bicycle in the park. It’s like a home away from home. I always enjoy going to the park to take photographs of the beautiful trees, ducks, flowers, and any other wild life I may come across. continue reading »

The owner of a Fox Chase duplex needs a zoning variance to legalize the property’s multi-family dwelling classification. Image/Google Maps

There are three identical sets of twin duplexes on the 8100-block of Ryers Avenue in Fox Chase, and 8124 is part of them. They’ve always been duplexes, and city documents recognize them as such.

But city documents also list 8124 – as well as many other properties throughout the city – as having a different zoning classification. As Fox Chase Homeowners Association President Matt Braden explained at Wednesday night’s meeting, records for the property state both that the home is zoned for single-family occupancy and that it’s used as a multi-family dwelling. continue reading »

Jill Sybesma rides her bike through Pennypack Park in Fox Chase. Photo/Emma Fried-Cassorla

Cresting this one particular hill on a bike can be challenging for some but the reward at the top is worth it- a great view of the creek and far enough from any road so you feel like you’re not even in Philly.

Because a lot of people walk part of the hill or rest at the top, this spot brings out the trail talk in people, no polite head nod as someone runs by, no “on your left” to the biker ahead but real talk amongst strangers. I’ve heard encouragement: “come on, you’ve got this” “hey, nice job you made it” “Tough hill huh!?” “Try shifting lower, you should make it then.” Thoughtful conversation: “I saw your tee, what did you think of that race?” “Be safe, don’t stay in the park past dusk young lady” “I’ll make that hill someday, I’ve just started biking. Any Advice?” and love: from a couple sitting at the top – “Oh we love this view, we bike here just to sit and read on this bench.” continue reading »