Facebook photo/Jeanes Hospital

Construction will last approximately two more years in Fox Chase as Jeanes Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center merge their services.

Work is already underway at the Cancer Center on 24,000 square feet of research space. A request for proposal was issued Wednesday afternoon for work to be done inside the Jeanes Hospital founders building. That project is expected to last this fall and last 18 to 20 months. continue reading »

Face painting is always a treat, no matter the weather. The Rotary Club sponsored this table at the Fox Chase Art in the Park event Saturday. Photo/G. E. Reutter

Overcast skies and an occasional drizzle on Saturday didn’t damper those attending the annual Fox Chase Arts in the Park held in Lions Park.

The park was full of artists, photographers, crafters, jewelry, toys, even sausage sandwiches and chocolate. The Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Family Association was on hand to talk about “Brown Outs” imposed by Maypr Michael Nutter, and Vist Financial was on hand to offer financial advice to those passing through the park. continue reading »

Face painting is always a treat, no matter the weather. The Rotary Club sponsored this table at the Fox Chase Art in the Park event Saturday. Photo/G. E. Reutter

Overcast skies and an occasional drizzle on Saturday didn’t damper those attending the annual Fox Chase Arts in the Park held in Lions Park.

The park was full of artists, photographers, crafters, jewelry, toys, even sausage sandwiches and chocolate. The Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics Family Association was on hand to talk about “Brown Outs” imposed by Maypr Michael Nutter, and Vist Financial was on hand to offer financial advice to those passing through the park. continue reading »

From left: FOPP President Linde Lauf presents Holme Circle resident Joe Little with a certificate of appreciate for his clean-ups. Neighbor Elsie Stevens helps present the honor. Photo/Elsie Stevens

Holme Circle resident Joe Little, of Mower Street, was presented a certificate of appreciation during the Friends of Pennypack Park monthly meeting Thursday at the Lafayette-Redeemer Home on 8580 Verree Rd.

The certificate was awarded mutually by the neighbors of Holme Circle and the Friends of Pennypack Park for Little’s continual efforts in independently removing trash and litter from the park’s Holme Circle area these past several months.  continue reading »

Bandit signs at Oxford and Rockwell avenues in Fox Chase before Town Watch member Mike Bobby removes them. Photo/Maryline Dossou

On January 26, Councilman Curtis Jones, D-4th, formally introduced a bill that would legalize the bandit signs that residents say litter the streets and create blight in their neighborhoods. The bill was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, D-3rd.

“I can’t figure it out,” Councilman Brian O’Neill, R-10th, said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to get these signs down rather than trying to legalize them. They are blight, they lower the quality of light and they lower neighborhood values.”

The term “bandit signs” refers to signs posted on telephone and utility poles offering to buy house and cars, and provide various services. According to Philadelphia City Code 10-200, these signs are illegal and owners face fines from $75 up to $300 for each sign posted.

It has become increasingly difficult for the city to keep track of who is posting the signs, making it a challenge to enforce the fines.

After years of seeing the signs around, residents have taken it upon themselves to fight the issue. continue reading »

Marita McNichol accepts an American flag on behalf of her father, a Fox Chase native and Navy vet, at a ceremony with Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle (right) Thursday. Photo/Matthew Flowers

Marita McNichol was awarded with the American flag Thursday in honor of her father who died after serving in World War II.

Francis P. McNichol of Fox Chase, who served in the Navy during World War II, passed away 33 years ago and was overlooked for receiving an American flag at his funeral. During military funerasl for members who died while in service or veterans of any branch of the military, it’s customary to have the American flag draped over the casket as a symbol of remembrance. The flag is then presented to the next of kin, by an honor guard representing on of the five branches of the military.

“I’ve been waiting years to get a flag for my dad’s coffin and I didn’t feel right for him not to receive one for the years he gave to the military,” McNichol said. Francis McNichol did not have to go to war, due to being the last of the bloodline in his family, but decided to volunteer and serve the country during a time of need for soldiers. “He thought it was the duty to his country,” McNichol said. “He loved being in the Navy, and when he died and wasn’t recognized, it just hurt my heart. This man who worked so hard for his country, who had eight children, dropped dead at 60 and didn’t get a thing for it.” continue reading »

Nora McClosky and Claire McCafferty of The Blooming Artist Studio, new to Oxford Avenue. Photo/G. E. Reutter

April is bringing two new businesses to the Oxford Avenue business district in Fox Chase. Thanks to The Blooming Artist Studio and Little Bits Of Everything Antiques shop, there is now a no vacancy sign along the avenue, bucking trends in other areas.

Local artist and owner of The Blooming Artist Studio, Nora McClosky is moving her studio from Rockledge to Fox Chase at 7971 Oxford Ave. McClosky is scheduled to open for business on April 9 following a renovation of the studio space.

“We are delighted by the move to Fox Chase, as it gives us an opportunity to expand our program offerings to the community with the increased space,” McClosky said. continue reading »

St. Cecilia's School Gym. Photo/Matthew Flowers

Family and friends of Mark Keeley, a 19-year-old who was tragically killed in an explosion last January, are currently planning fundraising events to renovate the gymnasium at St. Cecilia’s School in Fox Chase.

“St. Cecilia’s Gym is being renovated due to the extreme generosity of the Mark Keeley Foundation in memory of Mark, who was very involved with our basketball Catholic Youth Organization,” CYO Preist Moderator Skipp Miller said. “We are dedicating a plaque that the lights and floor have been donated in his memory.”

According to the Facebook page dedicated to these efforts, Keeley grew up attending St. Cecilia where he both played and coached basketball. His two biggest passions were basketball and giving back. He was also a member of St. Cecilia’s CYO, an organization that encourages the youth to engage in positive activities that “help them to grow as young Catholic members of our parish while providing service to those in need.” continue reading »

OK, so the school is called Tacony Academy Charter. But it’s in Fox Chase.

Do we let Philly.com slide on this error? Nope.

A news brief about a school closure on March 1 doesn’t mention the school’s address, but the headline indicates a Tacony-based charter school is the subject of the story. continue reading »

Fox Chase Clock in Lions Park. Photo/G. E. Reutter

Time has stopped in Fox Chase. The village clock located in Lions Park went dark and stopped working in November. A local landmark, it is a source of pride in Fox Chase.

The clock was installed in April 2008 by manufacturers The Verdin Company, and cost $20,000. So why is the clock not working?

It seems there is a mechanical problem that caused the light to go out and the hands on the four faces of the clock to stop. Verdin did send out a repairman, yet the clock still doesn’t work.

“We are looking into having a fundraiser to come up with the funds to repair the clock,” said former Lions Club President Tom Dunleavy. He estimates repairs will cost $6,00. The Lions could also apply for a Department of Community and Economic Development grant, but with state funding for community projects hard to come by during the tough economy, that application could be a long shot. continue reading »