Pennsylvania capitol building. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy received an endorsement Thursday for his state attorney general campaign from someone with a local tie.

Murphy, a Northeast native who attended Archbishop Ryan High School, now has the support of Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, whose 13th Congressional District includes parts of the Northeast.

“I’ve worked with Patrick, and together we’ve fought for our constituents and for all Pennsylvanians,” Schwartz said in a release. continue reading »

I am not what one would consider a bar aficionado. Nor would anybody even dare to call me a bar frequenter. Furthermore, I highly doubt anybody would ever confuse me with even an alcoholic’s second cousin.

That being said, occasional imbibing happens – mostly, I find – whenever I come back to the Northeast to visit. I’m not necessarily always keen on spending too much money to drink; however, if I have to accept a friend’s plan that involves throwing down some money for alcohol, I prefer the location to be either a dive bar or a place that is relatively low-key. continue reading »

Jodie Rizzo,(right), of Holme Circle at Occupy Philly

Occupy Philadelphia is preparing to enter its second week and Tuesday’s noon-time crowd numbered a little more than 100 people.

Plain clothes police, reporters and the homeless mixed with activists on the plaza at City Hall. A number of Northeast Philadelphia residents joined the protest, all with different reasons.

Earl Refsnider of Lawndale is protesting the harsh treatment of the homeless by the government. “I am protesting the government screwing over people,” he said. It is getting harder and harder, as there are continued cuts in funding.” continue reading »

Michael Susten, far right, and dancers from Xhale Dance Company warmed up before practice.

The annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe brings thousands of performing artists from around the world to the city to showcase their acts and talents. For some, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and for others, it is a yearly affair. Many of the artists are from Philadelphia and two, in particular, are from the Northeast.

Michael Susten, a director and dance instructor at Xhale Dance Company, is from Rhawnhurst. His middle-class upbringing meant he did not have the means to participate in other activities.

“I went to a local dance studio…and dance was our whole life,” Susten said. continue reading »

The area between Rhawn Street, Krewstown Road, Grant Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard has seen a spike in burglaries.

The following is a message from 7th District Capt. Joe Zaffino:

7th District residents, please be advised that there has been a spike in burglaries within the boundaries of Grant Avenue to Rhawn Street and Roosevelt Boulevard to Krewstown Road. continue reading »

Q: My mother is selling her house in Rhawnhurst and her real estate agent told her that she didn’t need to do any repairs and could sell it “as-is.” She signed a contract with a buyer who agreed not to request any repairs. But now the buyer’s mortgage company says she needs to do repairs. It’s just a couple minor things, but that wasn’t the deal she agreed to! Can she get out of this contract?

A: If the home buyer’s mortgage lender is asking for repairs it’s more than likely because they are getting an FHA mortgage. FHA loans are low interest rate loans necessary for buyers who have less than 5 percent to put down on a house. If this home buyer is getting an FHA mortgage then there is a place in the Agreement of Sale that will indicate so. You will also see language that says the mortgage lender may require repairs, so unless that language was crossed out, your mother probably did agree to this deal. continue reading »

Photo by Flickr user Brian Adams

Unless you’re into comics or geeky collectibles, it’s likely you’ve never been to the Garden of Earthly Delights in Rhawnhurst.

Geekadelphia, Philly’s geek culture blog, made a trip there recently to see what the shop is all about: continue reading »

One person is dead following two car accidents Saturday night during Hurricane Irene.

The first occurred in Rhawnhurst around 7 p.m. when a tree fell onto a car as its driver was waiting to make a turn. Hugh Rawlins escaped through the back window of his truck when it fell on the vehicle as he waited to make a turn at Solly and Castor avenues. continue reading »

Q: Last year I had an agent come out to list my house in Rhawnhurst and tell me my house was worth $189,000 even though it appraised the year before at $200,000.  I figured I could wait. This year I decided to sell and that same agent told me my house was worth only $179,000. How could that be true?

A: The truth is your real estate agent is not really telling you what he thinks your home is worth. Your agent can only tell you how much he believes your home can sell for and/or how much to list your home. continue reading »

Friday — Two the causes of two Thursday fires are under investigation.

Around 10:30 a.m., a woman was rescued from a fire on the 8900-block of Frankford Avenue. She reportedly suffered severe burns over 60 percent of her body. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 15 minutes.

A ruptured gas line sparked a blaze that night on the 1400-block of Creston Street. PECO, PGW and fire officials were able to stablize the scene and put the fire out. continue reading »