Mayfair held a Farmers Market preview last fall in anticipation of its forthcoming Spring market. Photo/Jessia Lopez

Mayfair is creating its own niche in the Northeast by implementing ideas to try to keep the community fresh. From the third annual Easter Egg Hunt to the farmers market and its Third Thursday Arts Initiative, Mayfair wants to stand out from the rest.

Held at Headquarters, 7213 Frankford Ave., the Third Thursday event is a localized version of the popular Old City First Friday arts and restaurant event. continue reading »

Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, led last week’s panel on methadone clinics. Photo/Tiffany Goforth

Beverly Haberle, executive director of The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., opened the Frankford Civic Association meeting Thursday by addressing an issue that has residents of several Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods up in arms.

On Jan. 30, Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, held a hearing at the Mayfair Community Center discussing methadone clinics, their impact on neighborhoods and access to treatment. With zoning approval for two Holmesburg clinics pending, no one is quite done talking about the issue. continue reading »

Rep. Kevin Boyle first discussed regulations for narcotics treatment facilities in October 2011. Photo/Bill Achuff

Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, has reintroduced legislation to strengthen regulations for methadone clinics.

Boyle first announced attempts to regulate narcotics treatment facilities in October 2011. The most recent legislation addresses issues that came to light in July 2011 when The Healing Way Inc. received a permit to open a methadone clinic in Holmesburg without discussing the facility with neighbors. continue reading »

Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, leads a panel on methadone clinics. Photo/Tiffany Goforth

As Holmesburg, Mayfair and other neighborhoods along the Frankford Avenue business corridor work to keep methadone clinics from opening in their communities, Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, held a hearing Wednesday at the Mayfair Community Center to discuss the clinics’ impact on neighborhoods and access to treatment.

The hearing was prompted by the Healing Way Inc’s effort to open a clinic on the 7900-block of Frankford Avenue, and NorthEast Treatment Centers’ plan to set up a clinic at 7520 State Rd.

‍‍Boyle led the panel of speakers, which included community members and representatives of organizations who operate or support methadone treatment facilities. continue reading »

Rep. Kevin Boyle presents a boxes of more than 200 pounds of food that the office collected to Lillian Leeser of Feast of Justice food pantry. Photo/Office of Rep. Kevin Boyle

The end of 2012 brought many food, clothing and toy drives to help those in need around the Northeast.

The office of Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd, shared this photo from his food drive. continue reading »

The holidays are fast-approaching, but there’s still time to give to those less fortunate.

We’ll be keeping a running list of all the food, toy and clothing drives in the area (you can send details to us via our contact page). The Archbishop Ryan pet food drive is over, but many others are still going. continue reading »

The Pennypack Creek Bridge that’s part of what is now Frankford Avenue received a state historical marker Saturday. Photo/Jessica Lopez

More than 200 years ago, soldiers of the Continental Army marched across the Pennypack Creek Bridge toward a monumental victory in Yorktown during the Revolutionary War. Saturday, neighbors marched across that very bridge to celebrate its historical marker, an honor that Fred Moore and the community of Holmesburg have worked so hard to achieve.

A celebration was held to commemorate the bridge, built in 1697. A section of Frankford Avenue between Ashburner Street and Solly Avenue was closed for the residents to walk across the bridge led by Scottish bagpiper Don Phillips and the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard.

Moore, the chairman of the Bridge Celebration Committee and the former president of the Holmesburg Civic Association, unveiled the marker. continue reading »

The Wesolowski family of Mayfair enjoys a meal at the newly renovated Burholme Golf and Family Entertainment Center. Photo/G. E. Reutter

The humidity was high, temperature scorching and sun blistering on this July afternoon but it couldn’t keep the crowd away from the grand opening of the Burholme Golf and Family Entertainment Center at 401 Cottman Ave.

“This is good for the neighborhood and generates funds for the park system,” Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis said at the opening. continue reading »

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

If any assumption was ever made about the Northeast, by any Philadelphian, it would be its position as a younger brother to Center City Philadelphia, not unlike Philadelphia in comparison with New York. However, Mayfair Civic Association President Joe DeFelice said that was an image his neighborhood aimed to defy.

One year ago, after and extreme fundraising effort, DeFelice met with NEast Philly to discuss the renovation and reopening of the Mayfair Memorial Playground. At the time, Mayfair was struggling with the recent political changes caused by the indictment of Pennsylvania House 172nd District’s Rep. John Perzel. The indictment, coupled with a downturned economy, forced the district into a difficult era.

State grants, which were freely given in previous years, dried up. Pennsylvania voted in a Republican governor and a Republican majority who created serious budgetary constraints. In the 172nd District freshman Rep. Kevin Boyle was elected in 2010. continue reading »

Jack O'Hara is the current vice president and president-elect of the Greater Bustleton Civic League. Photo/Erin Dungee

This is the first in a two-part report on leadership changes within the Greater Bustleton Civic League.

The Greater Bustleton Civic League voted May 23 to replace many governing board positions. Accusations of poor leadership caused tension within the civic association and played a heavy role in the election, which led to the installment of a new president, vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary and treasurer.

Some Bustleton residents described the league as disorganized and have alleged past members of misleading the group about zoning, miscounting votes and failing to effectively communicate with members and each other.

“What’s great about the league is we do have a lot of very passionate people,” said Myles Gordon, former GBCL vice president a current 15-year member. “The problem is some discussions can get a bit contentious.” continue reading »