From left: City Council members Maria Quinones-Sanchez, Mark Squilla, Kenyatta Johnson, Marian Tasco, Darrell Clarke and Bill Greenlee. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Can a City Council budget hearing be called such if only six members attend? Last night was Northeast Philadelphia’s turn in a series of meetings Council is holding to take public testimony about the Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

President Darrell Clarke led the hearing and was joined by a mostly silent but present 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla, 2nd District Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, 9th District Councilwoman Marian Tasco and Councilman-at-large Bill Greenlee. continue reading »

Friends of Pennypack Park volunteers targeted Holmehust Avenue in Winchester Park as one of the hotspots for the Earth Day clean-up. File photo/Shannon McDonald

If you didn’t get out with us on April 28, then you didn’t get a snazzy Earth Day button with this year’s bird, the Osprey, faithfully drawn by Friends of Pennypack Park member Roland Williams.

You also missed hanging out with your fantastic 45 friends and neighbors (123.5 hours) and CLIP. The volunteers picked up 44 bags of trash and CLIP got 56 bags of curb-hugging trash (the stuff organic and non-organic that seems to settle in the street against curbs).

Working together on Lexington Avenue from Solly to Rhawn including curbs, street, and dirt path; on Lexington Avenue from Rhawn to Ryan, that dirt path and into Little City; the entrances to the park from Holmehurst; and the upper and lower parking lots at Little City, Pennypack Park now looks a lot better than before our Earth Day crew came out and did battle with that most devastating of insects – the litter bug. continue reading »

With lyme disease rates on the rise in this part of the country, Northeast Philadelphia residents share their tips for spending time in their neighborhood parks. Photo/Matthew Flowers

The growing amount of cases for Lyme disease has raised concern from people living near parks in Northeast Philadelphia.

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.  Lyme Disease,which is bacterial, can cause serious physical problems, and if left untreated, can cause long-term health issues.

Holmesburg resident Bob Beaderman frequently walks his dog in Pennypack Park, and caught Lyme Disease a few years ago. Luckily, Beaderman received testing from his doctor before becoming ill.

“I’ve read up many times of ticks and Lyme Disease for years because I like to go to the park and I found a tick on me one day, went to the doctor, and sure enough, was tested positive for Lyme Disease. I was put on antibiotics before the red bull’s eye mark appeared on my skin,” Beaderman said. continue reading »

A rendering of the building proposed for the Sisters of the Hole Family of Nazareth, as presented at Wednesday's Holme Circle Civic Association meeting. Photo/Elsie Stevens

As part of its annual Rite of Spring, the Holme Circle Civic Association invited candidates seeking office in the April 24 primary election to its “Candidates’ Night” Wednesday. Joining them were presentations from the Friends of Pennypack Park and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Presenting their platforms were four candidates all seeking election for the position as their district’s state representative. continue reading »

Fox Chase Homeowners Association President Matt Braden

The focus of last night’s Fox Chase Homeowners Association/Town Watch meeting was Go Ape!, and adventure course looking to take root in Pennypack Park.

The UK-based Go Ape! first introduced itself to the Northeast at last month’s Friends of Pennypack Park meeting, where members hotly contested the idea of using the park as an adventure destination. continue reading »

RecycleBank's Carla Castillo encourages Holme Circle residents to sign up for the citywide program and earn rewards for reducing waste.

The hour-long meeting last night of the Holme Circle Civic Association drew about 20 people. And while most came out for an update on the Stokes property, many took interest in the city’s Recycling Rewards Program. continue reading »

Three community groups are looking for volunteers – some on specific dates, and others with more flexible time commitments.

Friends of Pennypack Park will hold its monthly cleanup  tomorrow, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are asked to go to the Delaware recreation area on State Road, just below Rhawn Street along the river. If you’re going, wear long pants and closed shoes. The group will supply gloves, grabbers, bags and refreshments. You can call 215-934-PARK for information, or to see if the cleanup is canceled.

The Tacony Civic Association is looking for volunteers for various activities throughout the year. Particularly, high school and college students in need of community service hours are welcome. You can contact the group at taconycivic@gmail.com.

St. Cecilia’s Home & School Association is seeking demonstrators from companies like Avon, Southern Living, Princess House and others to participate in a Demonstration Day on Oct. 4. Those interested can contact Joann at 215-342-6969,

By Shannon McDonald

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

A police officer is being investigated after being seen assaulting a woman on a store surveillance camera. Officer Alberto Lopez Sr. is pictured  approaching and provoking a physical confrontation with Agnes Lawless around 3 a.m. last August. Lawless and her friends had just been in a fender bender with Lopez’s son. The incident took place at a Lukoil store at Comly Road and Roosevelt Boulevard, not far from the scene of the car accident near Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The situation is a complicated one, which Internal Affairs is investigating. Lopez has since been removed from active duty while incident is further evaluated.

Keep reading for a special gift for some campers, a cleanup in Frankford and more. continue reading »