NEast Links: Tacony shooting, arts center and more

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

An unnamed 17-year-old female was shot inTacony at about 10:15 Wednesday evening. The shooting took place at the 4200 block of Stirling Street.

Keep reading for an update on a lifeguard rescue, red dye in the Tacony-Frankford Creek, a potential art foundation and more.The Northeast will potentially be the home of its own art center. Mayfair resident Jennifer Scott, along with Gloria Rautman and Theresa Pfarr, founded the Northeast Foundation for Fine Arts in order to tie in both older and newer populations in Tacony, Mayfair and Holmesburg. A fundraiser- A Taste of Northeast Philadelphia – will be held in the fall to move the project forward.

On Aug. 3, 18-year-old Archbishop Ryan grad Sara Kuhn and 16-year-old Joe O’Brien of Father Judge resuscitated a senior woman who had collapsed while swimming, fallen unconscious and stopped breathing. The rescue took place at Baker’s Bay Condominiums pool on State Road in Torresdale.

As reported last week in NEast Links, Tex, the 24-year-old bluefront Amazon parrot owned by Northeast Philadelphia residents Barry and Jackie Miller, is still missing. Since then, the PSPCA has posted fliers with Tex’s picture and description with its Animal Care and Control Team. Sympathizers also have posted Tex’s picture and description on the Web. The family still urges anyone with information to call them at 267-253-7742.

Tacony-Frankford Creek has been turned red recently due to the U.S. Geological Survey and Philadelphia Water Department’s water quality test on a portion of the creek between the Roosevelt Boulevard and Castor Avenue. The test, which involves the dye and propane, will pose no threat to humans or wildlife.

On Wednesday, the School Reform Commission approved actor Tony Danza to film his new reality show, Teach, at Northeast High School. After the 3-1 vote, it was decided that Danza will co-teach a class with a certified teacher. Students will attend his class on a volunteer basis. Mayor Nutter endorsed the show, saying it will bring the city and the district positive attention. Danza holds a bachelor’s degree in history education from the University of Dubuque. The show will air on A & E.

PennDOT began a new construction job last week that will replace 388 Americans With Disabilities Act pedestrian curb ramps along state roads throughout the Northeast. Construction began on Monday along a stretch of Cottman Avenue in the area of Oxford Avenue. Work will proceed in stages eastbound to State Road. This will cause traffic throughout the city, especially in the area of Cottman Avenue, because of additional construction on Interstate 95’s Cottman-Princeton Interchange. Work is expected to continue through late October.

CBS 3 has a Lost and Found Pets section of its Web site currently up. Recently, Motty, a large (12 lbs) black, tan and white Chihuahua, went missing at Father Judge High School. He has been seen around the Mayfair and Holmesburg areas. If you have information, contact Morgan Kimmel at lorken4@aol.com.

Also recently lost is Sunshine, a large, orange male tabby cat. He was last seen by the driveway of the 700-block of Kerper Street and Unruh Avenue in Lawndale. Contact Karen, Andrew and Sara at 267-515-4712 or 215-342-4689 if you have information.

One of the contestants on America’s Next Top Model is from the Northeast. Jennifer An of Fox Chase will make her television debut when the show’s 13th season premieres Sept. 13 on CW Philly.

What was your favorite story of the week? What do you think about these other stories? Are you currently missing a pet? Are you in favor of an art foundation? Will the new pedestrian ramps cause your daily commute to be more of a hassle?

Every Friday morning, we make sure you didn’t miss any Northeast Philadelphia news with NEast Links.