Mike Bobby, John Duffy and Steve Phillips keep watch on Fox Chase

They are the eyes and ears of the Fox Chase community. Since 1995 The Fox Chase Town Watch has patrolled the streets of Fox Chase, alerting police to incidents and making note of ongoing problems that need police attention. Steve Phillips, current president of the Watch, has been a member since 1995. Membership is open to residents 18 years and older.

Members receive training, but rule No. 1 is to remember as a member you are not a law enforcement officer. Phillips became involved after the death of Eddie Polec, “Witnessing the death of Ed Polec has been my motivation for the last 17  years. I said to myself, this will not happen again, and that is why I do this.” continue reading »

A scenic view of the Pennypack Creek

The Pennypack Environmental Center sits on the palisades of the Pennypack Creek just off Verree Road on the northern edge of Fox Chase. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Guides offer a historical overview of the center and the gallery contains numerous examples of wildlife that populate this section of Pennypack Park. Adjacent to the center are the Verree House and servants quarters that are the only remnants of Verreeville, a small mill town that once dominated the area. continue reading »

The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry is one of six trees available as part of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Tree in Every Yard program.

More trees are blooming in Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods this spring, thanks to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s new Tree in Every Yard program.

The program, which allows homeowners living in the zip codes 19114 and 19115 to apply for up to two free trees for their yards, is part of the larger Plant One Million project- a public/private initiative to increase the tree canopy cover in the Greater Philadelphia region by planting one million trees. continue reading »

Fox Chase Town Watch reports police are investigating gun shots Sunday night at Ferndale Street and Borbeck Avenue.

“It appears the root cause may have been a fight between Rockledge teens and Fox Chase teens which occurred earlier at the St. Patrick’s day parade downtown.  Later that evening ( approximately 6pm) several Rockledge teens drove by the lower fields and fired several shots. While I know no one was hit I am not sure if there was an intended target.” continue reading »

Jim Sanders, a representative for 311, explains the number's purpose to attendees at the January GBCL meeting.

“[The Northeast] is the envy of the city.” That’s what 311 employee Jim Sanders told attendees at last night’s Greater Bustleton Civic League meeting as he began his presentation on the city’s answer to the abundance of 911 calls.

Sanders, the Citizen/City Council Engagement Coordinator for 311, explained to Bustleton residents the background story around 311, and its purpose in Philadelphia. continue reading »

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

Steven Smink, 47, owner of Pike Lanes Family Fun Center in Deerfield Township, N.J., was arrested at his home on the 9100-block of Veree Road for burning down competing bowling alley Loyle Lanes Bowling Center. Smink, along with Felix Antonio Manzano Jr., 21, and a 17-year-old, both of the 8000-block of Frankford Avenue, was charged with arson for hire, aggravated arson and conspiracy to commit arson. If convicted, they face up 20 years in state prison, according to officials.

Continue reading for a discovered fugitive, possible FiOS in Frankford and more. continue reading »

Gary Weyhmuller, center, chief operating officer of Fox Chase Cancer Center, accepts the 2009 Crystal Vision Award on behalf of the hospital from the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber Commerce at their 87th Annual Accolades Ball Dinner Dance Gala Nov. 13, 2009 at Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia. Ball chairperson Sally B. Danciu (l) and GNPCC President Al Taubenberger (r) present the award.

More than 175 Northeast residents gathered Friday to honor two regional staples.

The Accolades Ball, hosted by the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and held at the historic Knowlton Mansion at Rhawn Street and Verree Road, is an annual event, which marks the GNPCC’s anniversary while celebrating community members for “outstanding success and continuing commitment to the advancement of the organization and region.”

For its 87th anniversary, the Chamber honored Fox Chase Cancer Center and William St. Clair of St. Clair CPA Solutions. continue reading »

Democratic District Attorney candidate Seth Williams was one of three candidate to address GBCL members last night.

“It’s going to be a brief meeting for tonight’s important game,” Greater Bustleton Civic League President Bernice Hill told antsy residents at last night’s monthly meeting. Though the room was full, the sense of urgency to wrap up the meeting in time for game one of the World Series was palpable.

Not wasting time, GBCL  board members got right down to business following some announcements, and introduced their three guests for the evening: incumbent Democratic candidate for City Controller Alan Butkovitz, Republican candidate for City Controller Al Schmidt and Democratic candidate for District Attorney Seth Williams.

Next Tuesday, Nov. 3 is election day. See where you vote here. continue reading »

Jack and Betty Vogler are amused by the graffiti on their lawn. Photo courtesy of KYW.

Fox Chase residents Jack and Betty Vogler awoke yesterday to find graffiti on their lawn -and they have no intentions of cleaning it up. continue reading »

An elderly woman was hit by a car Wednesday night at Red Lion and Verree roads. The 81-year-old lived just across the street from the accident seen, witnesses said.

The woman, whose identity has not been released yet, was pronounced dead at Aria Health – Torresdale. The driver remained at the scene. No charges have been filed, and it is still unclear how the accident occurred.