The Northwest Soapbox

Episodes

1. 40

   The Last Long Bus Ride

   On November 24th, G-Town Radio Producer Jill Saull, Tom Casetta, along with Brian Hickey of Philly Voice took the SEPTA Bus Route 23 for one last long ride. The line was split into two lines on November 29th and we asked riders to share their stories of what is like to ride SEPTA's busiest bus...

   Nov 30, 2015

   14m
2. 39

   Episode 39: Re-Imagine Maplewood Mall In The Fall

   On Saturday, October 19, the Maplewood Mall becomes an outdoor cafe/block party for the entire family. This free event will offer live music, craftspeople, artists, food to purchase and entertainment for children. Amelia Carter steps on to the Northwest Soapbox to talk about the event and what to...

   Oct 14, 2013

   6m
3. 38

   Episode 38: Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD)

   The Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD) provides free high-quality legal services to low-income people with physical disabilities and to the deaf and hard of hearing in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania. This week LCD staff Attorneys, Ben Beck-Coon and...

   Sep 24, 2013

   8m
4. 37

   Episode 37: Help Save iMPeRFeCT Gallery

   iMPeRFeCT Gallery is facing a crisis. Summer rents have not materialized, September's rent is due and fundraising has been in the doldrums. This could result in the loss of their space and the extraordinary progress they have made in the first year. The Northwest Soapbox spoke with Gallery…

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   Sep 2, 2013

   10m
5. 36

   Episode 36: Aces Museum

   At 5801 Germantown Avenue is the restored Parker Hall, a functional USO for black soldiers and their families in the 1940’s. In currently houses Aces Museum, which not only serves as a museum, but also as a veterans service organization. The Northwest Soapbox spoke with Jeanette Walker and Renee...

   May 21, 2013

   4m
6. 35

   Episode 035: Gun Violence Memorial in Vernon Park

   On Saturday, March 23 the congregants of several local churches erected a memorial to all those murdered by guns in 2012. The installation in Vernon Park along Germantown avenue features a t-shirt for each victim emblazoned with their name, age and date of death. There were two hundred…

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   Mar 25, 2013

   6m
7. 34

   Episode 34: Earned Sick Days Bill

   The Earned Sick Days Bill recently passed City Council with a 11-6 vote for the measure, but a two-thirds majority, or 12 votes, will be needed to override another expected veto from Mayor Nutter. Janet Filante, Executive Director of Cooperative Development, Inc. (CCDI) speaks with The Northwest...

   Mar 18, 2013

   8m
8. 33

   Episode 33: Anna Bohl-Fabian, Programs Administrator for BuildaBridge

   This week, Anna Bohl-Fabian, Programs Administrator for BuildaBridge talks to Northwest Soapbox about how the BuildaBridge Community provides arts-integrated intervention and education to children and families in underserved communities. Information about BuildaBridge and it's efforts, programs…

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   Mar 11, 2013

   6m
9. 32

   Episode 32: The Germantown Artists Roundtable Networking Party

   On February 10th, the Germantown Artists Roundtable held it's first networking party at the temporary offices of Flying Kite Magazine. It was a chance for visual, literary, or performing artists, business and organizations connected to the arts to gather, share ideas and celebrate with area…

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   Feb 18, 2013

   5m
10. 31

    Episode 31: Greening Kelly School

    What should an elementary school yard look like? Can it be a place for play and positive experiences? Should there be gardens to grow vegetables while being environmentally conscious enough to prevent storm run-off? The members of Hansberry Garden and Nature Center along with John B. Kelly School...

    Feb 4, 2013

    6m
11. 30

    Episode 30: Friends of Vernon Park

    This week, the Northwest Soapbox talks with Angela Miles and YahNé Baker from Friends of Vernon Park about the organizations efforts in promoting, maintaining and bringing the community back into the park. To find out more about Friends of Vernon Park, Visit their website at...

    Jan 28, 2013

    8m
12. 29

    Episode 29: The New Germantown SSD

    UPDATE: The Germantown Special Services District Steering Committee has moved its 2nd Public Meeting from 2/4 to Thursday 2/21, 6:30 at the Flying Horse, 5534-46 Pulaski Ave Germantown's main commercial corridors are going to look a lot cleaner starting this summer. A new Special Services…

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    Jan 21, 2013

    6m
13. 28

    Episode 28: Adult Rock Band

    Settlement Music School is offering it's first ever Adult Rock Band class at it's South Philadelphia (416 Queen Street) and Germantown (6128 Germantown Avenue) Branches. The ten week program kicks off the week of January 14. We spoke to Germantown branch director Eric Anderson and instructor Ed...

    Jan 7, 2013

    5m
14. 27

    Episode 27: Conflicted Thoughts on Germantown HS Closing

    The Philadelphia School District released a list last week of schools they plan to close. Germantown High School was on this list. The NW Soapbox visited some of the businesses surrounding the high school to get reactions to the news. While most felt the nearly 100 year old school should be saved...

    Dec 17, 2012

    8m
15. 26

    Episode 26: Renny Molenaar of iMPeRFeCT Gallery Talks About The Future of The Maplewood Mall

    The iMPeRFeCT Gallery is a not-for-profit alternative art space dedicated to the voice of the artist. We are an international, community based exhibition space on The Maplewood Mall in Germantown, Philadelphia. Gallery founder, Renny Molenaar talks about his space and a vision for the Maplewood...

    Dec 10, 2012

    7m
16. 25

    Episode 25: 50 Years On Maplewood Mall

    Al Ciment, second generation owner of Maplewood Nutrition, is this week's guest on the soapbox. Opened in 1963 by Al's parents Maplewood Nutrition has seen dramatic changes on what was originally Maplewood Avenue. This through street was transformed into Maplewood Mall a decade later. Al spoke to...

    Dec 3, 2012

    7m
17. 24

    Episode 24: Jim Bear of G-Town Radio

    G-town Radio kicks off its 2nd Annual Fund Drive this week. Founder and Station Manager, Jim Bear steps onto the soapbox to explain how the community radio station plays a role in Germantown and the surrounding Northwest neighborhoods. To make a donation to G-town Radio visit the 'Donate' page of...

    Nov 26, 2012

    6m
18. 23

    Episode 23: Covenant House PA

    For over 10 years Covenant House PA (http://covenanthousepa.org/) has been serving runaways and youth in crisis from their location in Germantown. Executive Director Cordella Hill steps onto the soapbox to explain their mission, creating a safe environment and getting CEO's to sleep out in the...

    Nov 12, 2012

    7m
19. 22

    Episode 22: Kelvyn Anderson of the Police Advisory Commission

    Where can you turn when you don't feel comfortable filing a complaint with police? What if your property was damaged by law enforcement issuing a warrant? Did you know there is a citizen run organization called the Police Advisory Commission (PAC) that can handle these questions and more? Kelvyn...

    Oct 22, 2012

    5m
20. 21

    Episode 21: If You Could Vote Anyone Living For President, Who Would It Be?

    This week, another "man on the street" segment of the Northwest Soapbox. We ask people the question: If you could vote anyone living for President, who would it be? Do you have a question you would like posed to the people of Northwest Philadelphia? If so, we encourage you to let us know via the...

    Oct 15, 2012

    3m
21. 20

    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…

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    Oct 8, 2012

    6m
22. 19

    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...

    Oct 1, 2012

    7m
23. 18

    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)...

    Sep 24, 2012

    6m
24. 17

    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…

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    Sep 17, 2012

    7m
25. 16

    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...

    Sep 10, 2012

    7m
26. 15

    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...

    Aug 27, 2012

    7m
27. 14

    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...

    Aug 20, 2012

    4m
28. 13

    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....

    Aug 13, 2012

    6m
29. 12

    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...

    Aug 6, 2012

    6m
30. 11

    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…

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    Jul 30, 2012

    5m
31. 10

    Episode 10: Kristin Haskins-Simms on Fashion and Manufacturing in Germantown

    Welcome to the Northwest Soapbox's 10th episode. This week Kristin Haskins Simms talks about her plans to launch a clothing manufacturing business in Germantown that hires and trains people in the community to work there. Designer and business owner Kristin Haskins Simms is a graphic designer who...

    Jul 23, 2012

    6m
32. 9

    Episode 09: Mt. Airy Art Garage President and Cofounder Linda Slodki

    The weeks's guest on the Northwest Soapbox is Linda Slodki. Linda is the President and Cofounder of the Mt. Airy Art Garage. Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) is an incubator for professional and emerging artists spreading the spirit of community, creative partnerships, and sustainable living in...

    Jul 16, 2012

    6m
33. 8

    Episode 8: Chris Mendel on the Saylor Grove Wetland

    Landscape Architect and Germantown resident Chris Mendel steps up on the Soapbox this week. At the intersection of Lincoln Drive, Wissahickon Avenue and Rittenhouse Street is a small triangular park known as Saylor Grove. This misunderstood piece of land was converted to a wetland in recent…

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    Jul 9, 2012

    6m
34. 7

    Episode 7: Photographer Gary Reed Talks About the Germantown PhotoWalk

    On Saturday June 30th, Germantown's first-ever PhotoWalk is taking place. Organizer and Germantown based photographer Gary Reed discusses the photo walk and how it will help spotlight Germantown's many beauties by looking at the neighborhood blocks and architecture, historic buildings and...

    Jun 25, 2012

    5m
35. 6

    Episode 6: Kelvyn Anderson on Crime Reporting Websites

    In last week's Soapbox Jim Foster discussed his paper's focus on crime stats for Northwest Philadelphia (http://nwsoapbox.podomatic.com/entry/2012-06-10T23_01_32-07_00). He also shared the story of an assault in which a 911 call received no response. This week we spoke to Kelvyn Anderson about...

    Jun 18, 2012

    6m
36. 5

    Episode 5: Publisher Jim Foster on Crime Reporting

    This week Jim Foster steps up on the Soapbox. As publisher of the Germantown Chronicle and Mt. Airy Independent Foster has been focusing on crime in the Northwest, police response times and prosecution by the DA's office. In today's segment he updates us on the work the papers have done so far…

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    Jun 11, 2012

    5m
37. 4

    Episode 4: Profile of St. Catherine Laboure's Clinic

    This week the NW Soapbox debuts our first profile. The subject is St. Catherine Laboure's clinic for the uninsured. We spoke to co-founders Sheila Davis and Michele Palos-Samsi about the clinic, who they serve and how they make it work. For more information on St. Catherine Laboure you can visit...

    Jun 4, 2012

    7m
38. 3

    Episode 3: Ken Weinstein Responds to Resident Questions

    Happy Memorial Day everyone. At Mt. Airy Day in early May the Northwest Soapbox team asked some attendees what was the biggest challenge to their neighborhood and how their neighborhood could be developed. Some of the respondees were from Germantown and had comments regarding local development.…

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    May 28, 2012

    6m
39. 2

    Episode 2: Developer and Restauranteur Ken Weinstein

    Our next guest on the Northwest Soapbox is Ken Weinstein. Ken shares his thoughts on what you can be doing right now to spur revitalization in Germantown. A little later this week we'll post a segment in which Ken responds to comments made by Germantown residents on existing challenges and…

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    May 21, 2012

    6m
40. 1

    Episode 1: Yvonne Haskins of Germantown United CDC

    In our first installment of G-town Radio's new podcast series, The Northwest Soapbox, attorney Yvonne Haskins of Germantown United CDC speaks about Germantown's prominent past, recent struggles and community reemergence. Yvonne Haskins is the co-chair of the Germantown United CDC Program…

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    May 14, 2012

    6m