Greater Philadelphia Northeast Chamber of Commerce President Al Taubenberger tours a SEPTA hybrid bus. Photo courtesy of GNPCC.

The following is an advertisement for the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Northeast PhiladelphiaChamber of Commerce Annual “Business is Blooming” Expo will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Holy Family University, Frankford and Grant avenues in the Campus Center gymnasium. The Expo is open to the public, and admission is free. This revives a GNPCC tradition that opens the Expo to the community, rather than just businesses.

The event is expected to bring together nearly 100 businesses and nonprofits who will display their goods and services from a wide variety of industries. Exhibitor tables are available at $350 for members, $599 for non-members. Mayor Michael A. Nutter will officially kick-off the Expo at 2 p.m.

“This is the best opportunity you will have to maximize your market share,” said GNPCC President Al Taubenberger. “We are working very hard to create the optimum event for all businesses to showcase their products and services. And with the public invited for the first time in many years, we think it’s going to be a very busy day for our exhibitors.” continue reading »

Friday — Two women in their early 20s died Friday morning in a single-car crash in Somerton. Melissa Lees, 22, of the 800-block of Barlow Street; and Caitlin Hennessey, 23, died when their vehicle lost control at Byberry and Worthington Roads around 2 a.m. The 20-year-old driver of the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries and faces DUI charges. continue reading »

Friday – Police raided Lawndale Coin and Collectibles Friday morning, as it’s an apparent front for stolen jewelry and metals. Authorities believe owner Robert Snyder has been receiving stolen goods there, including items from 55 burglaries for which the perpetrator  was arrested in October. Snyder insists the Rising Sun Avenue store conducts legitimate business. continue reading »

For 30 days, willing students at Holy Family University are giving up Facebook. A small percentage of the student body is taking up the “Facebook Challenge” as a way to determine just how — and how often — they’re using the social networking site. continue reading »

Sam Katz. Photo by Hillary Shemin.

As part of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network‘s event last night at Holy Family University, former mayoral candidate Sam Katz was on hand with a preview of his documentary, Philadelphia: The Great Experiment.

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It’s back! NEast Philly’s holiday song, the 12 Days of NEastmas, is back for a second year. In honor of the holiday season, we’re reviving the song — a spin on the classic 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy the song, sing along and suggest any changes or additions you think we should make. Happy holidays! continue reading »

Photo by Christopher Wink.

For the second year in a row, Northeast residents came together to reflect on history, celebrate progress and embrace the future.

The second annual Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame honored five new members yesterday at an induction ceremony at Holy Family University.

“It’s always a pleasure to reflect on individuals or groups — living or dead — who ebody the spirit of Northeast Philadelphia,” said Sr. Francesca Onley, president of Holy Family. continue reading »

Thanks to our weekly sponsors, the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame, and Father Judge High School!

The second-annual Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame will be held Sunday, Oct. 17 at Holy Family University, with five inductees joining the distinguished class: Benjamin Rush, Robert Purvis, Butch Ballard, Sr. Mary Scullion and SPIN. continue reading »

Image courtesy of BookDaddy.

Matthew Smalaraz has an impressive educational background: degrees from La Salle University, an adjunct faculty position at Holy Family and a doctoral dissertation in the works at the University of Rochester — the latter struck our attention recently.

Smalarz’s dissertation, titled, The ‘Suburban’ Paradise in the City: Race, Class, and Culture in the Making of Northeast Philadelphia, focuses on the development of our fair region. We’ll follow along with the study, which is expected to extend over the next two to three years, bringing you chapter updates and thoughts from Smalarz on the research. Find his first update below:

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

The Bustleton Podiatry Association was Mayor Nutter’s location to visit in his efforts to collect overdue taxes. Nutter stood outside the building and demanded that the owner pay an estimated $114,000 in back taxes and penalties. A tax-amnesty program that ended in June allowed for the city collected $40 million and an additional $20 million that went to the Philadelphia School District. Nutter now plans to go after all remaining businesses that still owe taxes. According to the Mayor’s office, the Bustleton Podiatry Association has not paid taxes since 1996. Nutter plans to use overdue taxes to support various city services, such as hiring new firefighter or police recruits, or paying the salaries of sanitation workers or library assistants.

Keep reading for news on an ex-Flyers goalie at the Torresdale-Frankford Country Club, a removal of IRS workers from the Northeast, and more. continue reading »