The Northwest Soapbox

The Northwest Soapbox

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The Northwest Soapbox episodes

  • Episode 20: Lisa Hopkins On The Rising Crime Near The Shuttered Queen Lane Apartments

    This week, community organizer for The Northwest Neighbors of Germantown, Lisa Hopkins, expresses here concerns over the rising crime near the shuttered Queen Lane Apartments in Germantown. She talked to Northwest Soapbox about what actions are being taken and how the community can work together to rid the crime and litter.
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    7 min
  • Episode 19: Cliveden and The Revolutionary Germantown Festival

    On Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, the Revolutionary Germantown Festival "Battle of Germantown" event takes place. This week, The Northwest Soapbox talks with David Young,  executive director at Cliveden, a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Germantown about Historic Germantown, Cliveden and the upcoming weekend festival.

    Details about all the activities going on during Revolutionary Germantown Festival can be found at Revolutionary Germantown.

    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].

    8 min
  • Episode 18: PARK(ing) Day in Germantown

    On September 21st, several parking place were converted to temporary parks for arts and community installations.  This was part of an international event known as PARK(ing) Day. 

    The Northwest Soapbox spoke to organizers, participants and the public about how public space and events like PARK(ing) Day generate awareness and action.

    Thanks to Sarah Endriss, Tieshka Smith, Terri and Osiris Wildfire for being part of this "man on the street" edition of the Northwest Soapbox.

    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].

    7 min
  • Episode 17: Awbury Arboretum

    For almost 100 years Awbury Arboretum has existed as a free resource to the people of NW Philadlephia. The 55 acre parcel was donated to be a learning center as well as a nature refuge for area residents. Meeting the requirements to serve and educate have become especially difficult as traditional funding sources have receded. General Manager Chris Van de Velde steps on the soapbox this week to tell us more about the Arboretum and the challenges of trying to re-invent the site to serve people today while staying true to their original mission.
    You can learn more about Awbury Arboretum by visiting their website (http://www.awbury.org/) and liking them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Awbury-Arboretum/119358071258?ref=ts).
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    8 min
  • Episode 16: Un-Litter US Penn-Knox

    Is littering an acceptable social ill? It may be in Germantown but a new community group is preparing to combat this perception. Un-Litter US Penn-Knox will be rolling out a multi-faceted program this fall to reduce the amount of litter in Germantown. In a recent survey the group conducted 70% of respondents felt Germantown is a dirty or very dirty environment. The business corridor along Chelten avenue was noted as especially bad. Committee Chair Sharrieff Ali stepped on the soapbox to talk about the initiative and the challenges ahead.
    The group's residents forum on litter happens on Tuesday, October 9 at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church (35 W. Chelten Ave).
    To learn more about Un-Litter US Penn-Knox and their upcoming events you can visit the Penn-Knox Neighbors website (http://www.pennknoxneighbors.org/) or the Penn-Knox Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/PennKnoxNeighbors?ref=ts). Anyone can reach them by email at [email protected].
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    8 min
  • Episode 15: The Germantown Artists Roundtable

    Formed less than a year ago the Germantown Artists Roundtable is working to unite and serve the artists of Germantown. From public arts events to creating resources that aid the artistic community the Roundtable is taking a holistic approach to creating a vibrant arts environment. Paula Paul, one of the organizers of the Artists Roundtable, steps on the Soapbox to talk about what they have done so far and their big plans for the future of the arts and artists in this community.
    More about the Germantown Artists Roundtable:
    -They are seeking a volunteer web developer to create a new website for the group. Wordpress is a preferred platform. If interested please contact [email protected].
    -You can follow the goings on with the GAR and it's members on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/gtartistroundtable.
    -Any inquiries should be sent to [email protected].
    Coming Up:
    Sept. 8: 2nd Germantown Photo Walk. 9-11 AM. Meet at Happy Hollow Playground at 4800 Germantown Ave.
    Sept. 15: Celebrate Germantown - Slideshow of images from both photo walks, music, food trucks and you. 4800 Germantown Ave from 6-9 PM.
    Sept. 20: General Meeting of the GAR. Meetings are every third Thursday from 7-9 PM at the First Presbyterian Church on Chelten Ave (between Germantown Ave and Green St).
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    8 min
  • Episode 14: What Do You Like Best About The Northwest?

    On August 16th, Mt. Airy USA (MAUSA) and Food Trust brought the celebrated Night Market food festival back to Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy. The large crowd was a perfect chance for the Northwest Soapbox to ask people attending what they like best about Northwest Philadelphia.
    Listeners to this podcast are encouraged to add what they like best about Northwest Philadelphia in to comment section below.
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    5 min
  • Episode 13: The Blight Next Door

    On this week's Soapbox we speak to Germantown resident Julie Baranauskus about the blighted property adjoining her home. She and her neighbors in the Penn-Knox neighborhood have fought for years to get this rapidly deteriorating property restored or out of the hands of it's owner, Anthony Byrne. Julie explains how the property has impacted her home and community and why this fight has dragged on so long.
    The property at 5357 Knox street currently has $6,672.56 in outstanding taxes and liens. A blight law passed in 2011 made each broken or sealed window and door subject to fines of $300 per day. This house currently has 24 such windows and doors. At $300 each that adds up to $7200 a day in fines. If this law was enforced the total fines in July, 2012 would be $223,200.
    Read more about the city's blight law here: http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-27/news/30328056_1_property-values-vacant-properties-land-bank
    Want to know what constitutes blight? Visit this page for city laws on it:
    http://www.philadelinquency.com/?page_id=582
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    7 min
  • Episode 12: Maura McCarthy, Executive Director of Friends of Wissahickon

    The 1,800 acres of Wissahickon Valley Park are part of Philadelphia's 10,500-acre park system, one of the largest urban park systems in the world. The mission of the Friends of the Wissahickon is to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley and stimulate public interest therein. This week Friends of the Wissahickon Executive Director, Maura McCarthy talks about the Park's resources.
    For more information about Friends of Wissahickon, you can visit their website at http://www.fow.org/
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    7 min
  • Episode 11: Kelvyn Anderson on PhillyRapSheet.com

    Are you interested in tracking crime in your neighborhood or simply tracking one crime through the court system? The website PhillyRapSheet.com now allows you to take a deeper dive into crime reporting beyond the alerts given on sites like EveryBlock.com. This week Kelvyn Anderson steps back on the soapbox to share some of the ways this site can be used.
    Kelvyn Anderson is interim Director of the Police Advisory Commission, a Town Watch member and board member of G-town Radio. Kelvyn's background gives him an interesting insight into how crime is reported in Philadelphia. Look for future installments with Kelvyn as he discusses various aspects on crime reporting and how the city and it's residents respond.
    The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: [email protected].
    6 min

About The Northwest Soapbox

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Welcome to the Northwest Soapbox. This podcast is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to…