The Northwest Soapbox

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 route. For more information about this program and G-Town Radio, visit www.gtownradio.com (photo courtesy of Jill Saull)

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 expect. The Re-Imagine Maplewood Mall In The Fall takes place on Maplewood Mall (between Germantown Avenue and Greene Street) on October 19 from 1 to 5pm. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 Sherry Thomas step up to the Soapbox to talk about the LCD and the onsite legal services to low-income patients that are available through their offices at the Abbottsford Falls Family Practice and Counseling Health Center in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 founder, Renny Molenaar about the crisis and the future of iMPeRFeCT Gallery. For more information on how to support iMPeRFeCT Gallery: iMPeRFeCT has a nonprofit fiscal sponsor, so gifts are tax deductible. Checks can be written to: Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC) with a notation “iMPeRFeCT Gallery.” Mail or drop off your check at the gallery: 5601 Greene St. Phila, PA 19144. You can also donate with debit or credit card by clicking the secure PayPal link below. (Because this is a fundraiser, you do not need a Pay Pal account to use this service.) Support iMPeRFeCT Gallery 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 Workman about Aces Museum and the services the museum provides.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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 eighty-eight gun murders in Philadelphia last year. The Northwest Soapbox spoke to the organizers of the installation, a volunteer and the mother of one of those memorialized. The installation in Germantown will be up for two weeks. To learn more about the installation and the organization that created it visit Heedinggodscall.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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 Soapbox about why the bill is an important workers rights and public health issue. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 and how you can get involved can be found at the BuildaBridge website. http://www.buildabridge.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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 artists and arts patrons. This week, we hear from various attendees at the event talking about the networking party and the energy the artist community is bringing to 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 think so. Hansberry Garden member Dennis Barnebey steps on the soapbox this week to talk about their project to green Kelly School. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 http://friendsofvernonpark.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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 District is being created to clean, maintain and beautify the grounds within it's boundaries. Denis Murphy from the city's Commerce Department and Marcus von Heppinstall of the SSD's Steering Committee step on the Soapbox to explain what is happening. To learn more about the SSD's work and track their progress visit them online here: http://germantownssd.wix.com/germantownssd Take the survey they created by clicking here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MW5XQ2N 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 Wise about the program. Ed also plays a little bass for us. For over 100 years the Settlement Music School has offered community arts programs for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to explore music in a their own personal way. Anyone can sign up from lessons from absolute beginners to accomplished musicians. For more information about the Adult Rock School and othe classes visit this page. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 few would send their own children there today. They feared closing the school would create many problems from inflated class sizes to neighborhood-based violence. Our final interview was with a senior at Germantown High. Do you have thoughts on what should happen to Germantown High? What should be done to prevent it's closure and turn it around? If it does close what do you think should be done with the property? We'd love to get your opinion. You can reach us at soapbox@gtownradio.com. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 Mall's future. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.  

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 us about the Mall/Avenue's golden age, tough times and what has kept the family business in the same location for almost 50 years. To see several images comparing Maplewood Avenue (then) to Maplewood Mall (now) visit this page: http://www.gtownradio.com/content/view/3189/141/. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 our website: http://www.gtownradio.com/donate. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 cold. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 Anderson, Interim Executive Director of the PAC, stepped on this week's soapbox to talk about the role of the PAC as an independent investigative body. They even have a role in the recent viral videos of police assaulting civilians (http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/01/us/pennsylvania-officer-incident-video/index.html). To contact the Police Advisory Commission you can call them at 215-685-0891 or visit them online here: http://phila.gov/pac. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 comments section below and it could be the next "man on the street" question. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 unlitterusgermantown@yahoo.com. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 gtartistrt@gmail.com. -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 gtartistrt@gmail.com. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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: soapbox@gtownradio.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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 transitioned to fashion after launching Strangefruit, a t-shirt line devoted to history and culture. As she experimented and deconstructed some of the men's t-shirts, she discovered her talent for designing real clothes. She is currently in the process of opening a boutique manufacturing operation catering to small runs and sample production that will also be a job training and workforce development facility.

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 Germantown, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill. MAAG is a nonprofit organization founded and driven by a dynamic group of professional artists. They function as a resource center of creativity and a community gathering place for artists, art lovers, and all those who seek to bring an eco-friendly and artistic sensibility to their lives. MAAG is located at 11 W. Mt. Airy Ave. in the heart of the Mt. Airy business district. They are home to working artist studios, the Solomon Levy Gallery, artist- driven workshops and events, fine art and handcraft markets, and more. The goal is to provide communal space for creativity, collaboration, self-actualization, and celebration. For more information about the Mt.Airy Art Garage, you can visit their website at http://mtairyartgarage.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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 years. Chris gives his opinion on why this park is important and how exactly we benefit from it. See more pictures of Saylors Grove on the G-town Radio site (http://www.gtownradio.com/content/view/2933/141/). 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 surroundings in a different light by capturing them in pictures. The event is planned for Saturday, June 30, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and starts with a meeting on the Greene Street side of Vernon Park. Participants will fan out across the neighborhood to capture images of Germantown. Everyone from professional photographers to kids and teens sporting cell-phone cameras are welcome. Photos will then be uploaded and shared on the web at:  www.flickr.com/groups/gtartistrt/ Gary Reed is an award winning photographer whose work as been published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, The City Paper, PRINT Magazine as well as featured on WHYY and The History Channel. For more information about Gary's work, check out his website Gary Reed Photo Media as well as his personal flickr stream  http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyreed. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 online tools anyone can use to track crime in their neighborhood and some of the ways it is being used. Kelvyn Anderson is a Deputy 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. Here are the sites mentioned by Kelvyn in this podcast: CrimeReports.com (https://www.crimereports.com/) SpotCrime.com (http://spotcrime.com/) EveryBlock.com (http://www.everyblock.com/) City of Philadelphia Crime Map (http://citymaps.phila.gov/CrimeMap/map.aspx) UPenn's CrimeBase (http://cml.upenn.edu/crimebase/) 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 and shares a story about a 911 call where police did 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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 their website at: http://clinicforuninsured.org/ Sheila Davis, D.O. is St. Catherine's Executive Medical Director. Dr. Davis is an alumnus of St. Joseph’s University where she graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Theology. She is a 1987 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Family Practice Board certified. She brings 20 years of experience to her patients – the last twelve devoted to those with no other access to health care. Michele Palos-Samsi, PA-C, is St. Catherine's Executive Director and a midlevel practitioner. Mrs. Palos-Samsi is a Board Certified Physician Assistant and holds a B.S. in psychology. She headed a homeless outreach program while a PA student at Hahnemann, and has dedicated her medical career to the marginalized and indigent. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.

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. We took the opportunity to ask Ken Weinstein for his take on these comments. Thanks for visiting the Northwest Soapbox. New episodes can be heard every Monday on our podcast page and throughout the week on G-town Radio. Next week the soapbox airs our first profile on St. Catherine Laboure's clinic for the uninsured. Subscribe to our podcast via iTunes and please tell your friends about this project.

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 actions needed to foster economic and cultural development. In this piece Ken shares some of his favorite places to shop Germantown. Listeners are encouraged to include the local businesses they support instead of visiting national chains or spending outside the community in the comments below. Ken Weinstein owns the Trolley Car Diner (Mt. Airy) and Trolley Car Cafe (East Falls). He is also an active real estate developer in the Philadelphia area which includes several properties in Germantown. Ken lives with his family in Mt. Airy.

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 Committee and the informal advisor on zoning/land use questions. 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: soapbox@gtownradio.com.