Q: I am making settlement on my new house in Morrell Park at the end of the month. What do I have to do to change my driver’s license address and get all my utilities turned on?

A: Congratulations on your new home! Being prepared is important, but so is timing. Settlement dates and circumstances can change; there will be some things you will want to do after you make settlement and some you will want to do the day of settlement. 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 »

A problem at a PECO substation in Holmesburg has left 20,000 people in the Northeast without power.

Smoke at the station near Rhawn Street and Torresdale Avenue is preventing crews from getting in to fix what could be a breaker failure.

The outage began before five this morning, and is affecting large portions of Mayfair, Holmesburg and Tacony as far west as Roosevelt Boulevard.

Q: I finally sold my house and I’m moving Harrisburg to get married and start a new job. It took a while to get there, but we’ll be making settlement at the end of the month. What do I have to do to tie up lose ends here? Can I do it all online?

A:  Congratulations on the sale of your home, your engagement and your new job! Three of your most stressful life events are taking place at once. Preparation will help you through it. continue reading »

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 »

The Holmesburg Civic Association Board hosts the October meeting.

The winter months are coming, and with it will come rate increases from PECO.

As an answer to the increase, PECO is promoting its energy saving tips and assistance programs to help keep costs low. Jen Tepel of PECO’s Energy Education Team was at last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association meeting to discuss the increase and ways to combat high energy bills.

continue reading »

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

Northeast Detectives is asking for help in discovering the identity of a man who has been robbing 7-Eleven stores in the 15th Police District since December. The man has robbed eight store locations, with the latest being at the 7-Eleven at 6927 Torresdale Ave. in Tacony Monday.

The suspect has been described as a white male in his 20s, under 6 feet tall, with a thin to medium build. He can usually be seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants and a black mask over his mouth and nose. He has been carrying a black handgun. All information on the suspect can be given to Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153.

Keep reading for an update on the trial of Mustafa Ali, a lawsuit concerning the rape of a woman by a former Tacony/Wissinoming resident, and more. continue reading »

By Shannon McDonald

A fire broke out at Bell’s Corner’s Dollar 99¢ Expo store on Bustleton Avenue around noon yesterday.

It began with an explosion in the basement, which quickly spread to the store’s first floor and burned for two hours. No injuries were reported, and the strip mall, which includes Bell’s Market, was evacuated. A Peco spokeswoman said faulty wires were to blame for the fire, and nearby gas service was temporarily shut down as a precaution.