The recent removal of foliage from around electrical lines near a popular athletic field sent a strong shock through members of the Somerton Youth Organization because of a dangerous condition that removal created.
Work by a tree-cutting company to eliminate plant growth interfering with those power lines at the Somerton Youth Organization facility exposed once shrouded working railroad tracks near one of the the facility’s baseball fields.
Even worse, from the organization’s perspective, the foliage removal exposed the steep slope dropping down to those tracks just yards from where young players congregate while using the baseball field.
This removal… Read the full story »

Paul Corbin was looking for a new way to get in shape and add some excitement to his workout routine. Becoming bored with the same routine of lifting weights and running, this Frankford resident was introduced to aerial yoga.
Aerial yoga is performed using various yoga movements, suspended a few inches in the air. This unique form of yoga revolves around counteracting gravity. Being suspended a few inches in the air releases tension on the bones and muscle, increasing flexibility.
“One of my friends is a fitness expert and took me out in her backyard one afternoon and she had… Read the full story »

Committed to making city government more accessible, 6th District Councilman Bobby Henon introduced yesterday the long-awaited cityhall application for smartphone users.
The app is designed to provide residents, business owners and visitors of Philadelphia access to many of the services offered at City Hall right from the phone in their pocket.
Henon announced the new City Hall app is now available for the first time through iTunes to download to iPhones everywhere. The first version of the app will allow users to report problems they see in their neighborhoods, like graffiti, pot holes or more newsworthy problems the city is… Read the full story »

Marita McNichol was awarded with the American flag in honor of her father who died after serving in World War II.
Francis P. McNichol, who served in the Navy during World War II, passed away 33 years ago and was overlooked for receiving an American flag at his funeral.  During a military funeral, members who died while in service, or veterans of any branch of the military, is to have the American flag draped over the casket as a symbol of remembrance. The flag is then presented to the next of kin by an honor guard representing one of the… Read the full story »

On Jan. 26, Councilman Curtis Jones, D-4th, formally introduced a bill, No. 120017, that would legalize the bandit signs that have been littering the streets and creating blight in the neighborhoods. The bill was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, D-3rd.
“I can’t figure it out,” said Councilman Brian O’Neill, R-10th. “We’re trying to do everything we can to get these signs down rather than trying to legalize them. They are blight, they lower the quality of light and they lower neighborhood values.”
The term “bandit signs” refers to signs posted on telephone and utility poles offering to buy houses, cars… Read the full story »

The growing number of Lyme disease cases is causing concern among people living near the many parks in Northeast Philadelphia.
Lyme disease is the most common insect-born disease in the United States. The disease,which is bacterial, can cause serious physical problems. Further, if left untreated, the disease, contradicted from tick bites, can cause long-term health issues.
Friends of Pennypack Park member Alan Kaminsky said he believes the warm winter of 2011-2012 will result in increased cases of the disease.
“Spring through the fall months are the most active time for ticks. Usually there is a time where they die down,… Read the full story »

Xtreme Caged Combat will be bringing some of the best fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) to the National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia on April 21.
XCC consistently promotes the biggest MMA events in the tri-state area and has groomed some of the top competitors in the sport today.  One fighter on the rise is Philadelphia’s own, Cody Young.
In one of the featured fights on the card, Young will be competing for the 155-pound title against fellow Philadelphia fighter Ben Tichy.
Explaining how he is getting ready for his opponent, Young said he will be more prepared for… Read the full story »

James Goins, otherwise known as “Cory Kastle” to wrestling fans across the United States, was getting ready for one of his biggest shows ever when his life took a sudden turn for the worse.
On the same day Goins was to take part in a wrestling card at the Reading Phillies game last August, the Lawncrest native had a seizure in the shower, fell and hit his head on the bathroom sink.
“Usually what I do is, turn the music up really loud and lock the door. I’m home alone normally,” Goins said.
Luckily, he did not have his music… Read the full story »

Champ Nutrition has been the mecca of bodybuilding supplements and equipment since opening its doors in 1997. Located at 3338 Grant Ave., the fitness shop provides customers with everything they need to stay healthy, and get to their ideal body weight.
In today’s corporate world of giant chain store companies and the digital world of online shopping for products, Champ’s business has not shown any sign of slowing down.
A longtime resident of Northeast Philadelphia, Eric Caskey tries to ensure his store is the opposite of a pushy, indifferent chain store.
“Most of those places just have cashiers working whose sole… Read the full story »

This is a two-part look at revitalization efforts in Frankford in cooperation with our partner, neastphilly.com

For the residents of Frankford, neighborhood revitalization efforts are nothing new.
The once-thriving historic community has fallen on hard times and has succumbed to blight in the past few decades, evidenced by the empty storefronts, the graffiti and trash that decorate the street, and the lack of pedestrians going out and buying wares from the local shops.
Business is not booming, that much is clear. But the bigger problem is no matter how many programs have come through the area, not much has changed… Read the full story »