Aria Health-Torresdale celebrated a groundbreaking Monday for an extension to its emergency facility.

Pa. Sens. Mike Stack, D-5th; and Tommy Tomlinson, R-6th,  were there to help mark the occasion, which was approved last summer for $3 million under the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The whole project will cost $37 million. continue reading »

The Stella site plan. See full documents at the end of this article. Image/Columbus Property Management

Documents related to this story are embedded at the bottom of the article. The Holme Circle Civic Association stuck fliers in about 1,200 doors advertising Wednesday night’s meeting as part of a renewed effort to grow the membership.

It worked. The line to sign into the meeting was out the door as HCCA board members scurried to add more chairs to the St. Jerome School hall to accommodate the roughly 200 people who attended the meeting.

They were there to talk about The Stella, the affordable housing units planned for the old convent on the Nazareth Hospital property at 2723 Holme Ave. When the HCCA last met in November, Columbus Property Management shared plans to turn convent into 44 affordable housing units for veterans. continue reading »

A July 2011 rally against a Holmesburg methadone clinic was the first of many efforts by the neighborhood to keep the business off Frankford Avenue. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Holmesburg Civic Association President Rich Frizell attended Wednesday’s hearing The Healing Way’s appeal to operate a methadone clinic at 7900 Frankford Ave.

During the city hearing, the state took action, as well. Sen. Mike Stack announced Wednesday a new law to “raise the bar” on methadone treatment. The law calls for a review of overdose deaths related to methadone use. continue reading »

Pa. Sen. Mike Stack (left) and Rep. Brendan Boyle at the Benjamin Rush State Park improvement project groundbreaking. Photo/Office of Sen. Mike Stack and Rep. Brendan Boyle

Pa. Sen. Mike Stack and Rep. Brendan Boyle joined the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Monday to break ground on the much-anticipated improvement project at Benjamin Rush State Park, the city’s only state park.

Renovation plans include a new entrance drive and sign on Southampton Road; new parking spaces for the gardens, the model airplane field, and walkers and bikers; a bicycle and pedestrian trail; hose ribs for the gardeners; a water and sewer system; and a comfort station.  continue reading »

Frances Nell (center) celebrated her 90th birthday in Somerton with daughter Judy Johnson and a citation from Sen. Mike Stack. Photo/Office of Sen. Mike Stack

Frances Nell celebrated 90 years and one month of life Monday with a token of admiration from Pa. Sen. Mike Stack.

Nell, who worked as a key punch operator for Acme and spent 22 years as a Democratic committeewoman, was presented with a citation from the senator during her meeting with the St. Christopher’s Seniors Club in Somerton. She celebrated with her daught, Judy Johnson.

Holy Family University has the green light to develop the now-leveled Liddonfield property in Upper Holmesburg. Image/Google Maps

State Sen. Mike Stack, state Rep. Mike McGeehan and City Councilman Bobby Henon applauded PHA’s decision today to select Holy Family University’s development plan Upper Holmesburg‘s Liddonfield property, according to an announcement today from the trio.

Holy Family’s application was one of several proposals for the Philadelphia Housing Authority property, and had the backing of the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association and local lawmakers. continue reading »

Students were the winners at the 2012 Northeast High School Talent Show. Photo/Christopher Wink

Organized it wasn’t, but that mattered little to the crowd that packed the Northeast High School auditorium Thursday night to see students, teachers and Tony Danza perform in a talent show.

Danza spent the 2009-10 school year teaching an English class at the school for his A&E reality series “Teach.” It was then that he helped the students put on an “ExtravaDanza” talent show, which he came back this year to repeat.

Students and teachers took turns performing while Danza teamed up with senior Nakiya Robley to emcee and keep the crowd entertained as the crew worked backstage to get the next performers ready with their mics. continue reading »

Former Northeast High School teacher Tony Danza cheers on the NEHS Vikings against the Washington Eagles at an October 2009 football game. Photo/Bill Achuff

Actor Tony Danza is back in the Northeast. Long after wrapping up his teaching gig at Northeast High School, Danza will perform there tonight in the “ExtravaDanza” student/teacher talent show.

But first, he’ll join Pa. Sen. Mike Stack and education advocates to discuss budget cuts at public schools. continue reading »

Sen. Mike Stack (podium) talks about the need for long-term transportation infrastructure funding. He was joined Wednesday by (left to right) Rep. Mike McGeehan; Dr. Dick Voith, the senior vice president and principal of Econsult Corp; and Craig Hoogstraten of Anderson Construction. Photo/Office of Sen. Mike Stack

“Our transportation system is falling apart right under our tires,” Pa. Sen. Mike Stack said yesterday.

He joined Pa. Rep. Mike McGeehan and transportation officials at Holmesburg Junction Station to call for  funding for Pennsylvania’s distressed transit system.

By their count, more than 1 million people used SEPTA to get around last year.  continue reading »

Holmesburg Junction Station in December 2011. Photo/Shannon McDonald

For many who take the train every day, Holmesburg Junction is their first (and sometimes only) glimpse at the neighborhood.

The aging train station has been a focus of a joint effort by the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association and Philadelphia City Planning Commission as the pair work on neighborhood improvements under the Phila2035 plan.

But while those efforts concentrate on greening, waterway access and an overall more desirable-looking neighborhood anchor, legislators Wednesday will focus on the station’s need for funding to better serve the community. continue reading »