Photo courtesy of the City of Philadelphia

Rec Centers in Tacony, Lawncrest and Fox Chase will stay open later on weekends through the summer as part of Mayor Michael Nutter’s response to the acts of youth violence in and around Center City.

Nutter announced his plan to quell the violence yesterday, which also includes increased police patrols, an earlier curfew in some parts of the city and harsher penalties for teens and their parents caught violating the new regulations. continue reading »

Two Lawncrest RNWN features in one week. Clearly the folks in front of the TV cameras haven’t been reading.

Just like there wasn’t a shooting last Thursday in Lawncrest, no one there died from the heat Tuesday. Early reports of a death on the 900-block of Carver Street indicate heat may have been a factor. continue reading »

Lawncrest celebrated its 96th annual Fourth of July event with a parade, fireworks, car show, boxing event and more. You can check out some of the photos below in our slideshow. We’ll be adding more. continue reading »

Maybe it’s because Lawncrest is really two separate neighborhoods. Or maybe it’s because our local TV news reporters have never actually been to Lawncrest (except when there were some dog fighting arrests).

Whatever the case, the Lawncrest, Summerdale and Oxford Circle neighborhoods seem to present a real problem for Philadelphia’s mainstream media — geography-wise, that is. continue reading »

With recent tornado-related disasters in the South and Midwest, and still memorable tragedies in Haiti and along the Gulf Coast, Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management continues to take steps toward readying the city for widespread emergencies.

Deputy Director for External Affairs Joan Przybylowicz was at Tuesday night’s Lawncrest Community Association to highlight some of the services the office has, and review safety measures business and homeowners are encouraged to take. continue reading »

From left: Heavy Hitta's coach Rick Terrell, Kieran "Hitman" Hooks, LCA President Bill Dolbow, Heavy Hitta's coach Lonnie Haile

Weighed down by trophies and nursing a gym class injury, Kieran “Hitman” Hooks was all smiles at Tuesday night’s Lawncrest Community Association meeting.

He and Heavy Hitta’s Boxing Club coaches Lonnie Haile and Rick Terrell had recently returned from two tournaments where Hooks came out on top. continue reading »

Mark Mroz

When Town Watch isn’t cutting it, Mark Mroz recommends Block Watch. The 2nd District Community Relations Officer promoted the idea at last night’s Lawncrest Community Association, with support from a handful of residents who said recent crimes around their house had been perpetrated by neighbors. continue reading »

Q: I am planning on knocking down part of my back wall and adding a $20,000 half bath addition to my Lawncrest home. If I have one-and-a-half bathrooms currently, how much can I expect to gain in value from adding this extra bathroom?

A: A “half bath” in Philadelphia area real estate terms is a bathroom with a sink and toilet but no shower or tub. And since selling real estate is all about location, priceand condition then it is to be expected that an additional bathroom would contribute to the condition and desirability of the home. But would it, in fact, even bring you the value you’re spending at sale? continue reading »

This is the first in a two-part look at zoning in the Northeast. Read the second part here.

There are 10 day cares on the three city blocks of Rising Sun Avenue between Robbins and Fanshawe streets. My Little Doves by Hellerman Street is the newest addition.

Lawncrest residents are concerned about the number of daycares on Rising Sun Avenue. Photo by Ian Romano.

Many residents said they are angry about their zoning board’s approval over the site.

“Someone needs to decide when enough’s enough. We’re going overboard now,”  said Lawncrest resident Cherylann Wharton.

Residents said they were left out of the decision. Their concerns about the day care were made clear at the April 19 Lawncrest Community Association meeting: they don’t want any more traffic. continue reading »

All is quiet on the 400-block of East Cheltenham Avenue just days after a dogfighting ring was broken up.

Sheryle Nash said she never knew her family lived near a basement stained with dog blood.

“The neighborhood is already messed up,” Nash said. “I didn’t know people ever [held dogfights] around here.”

Police and Pennsylvania SPCA officers arrested two people Wednesday evening from a house on the 400-block of East Cheltenham Avenue. Animal protection officers seized eight dogs and equipment they said were used for fighting and training, including a treadmill. continue reading »