Top 5 stories of the week in Northwest Philly

Here are the stories you may have missed in Northwest Philadelphia this week. 

Philly salutes Taney Dragons with parade, cheers, gratitude

The city welcomed home the Taney Dragons in style on Wednesday with a parade down Broad Street in the Little League team’s honor. Check out our recap of the event and look back at the team’s historic season. Three plays on the team attend Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Chestnut Hill, including the team’s star pitcher, Mo’Ne Davis. Read more here. 

Historic Germantown welcomes Liberia native Trapeta Mayson as its new executive director

Earlier this month, Trapeta Mayson stepped in as the new executive director of Historic Germantown — an organization that links together 16 historic sites in Northwest Philadelphia. She says her goals at the organization include improving collaboration and communication among the sites and increasing fundraising. Read more here.

Manayunk Timber owner reclaims wood to breathe new life into Philadelphia’s old buildings 

Ever wonder why reclaimed wood was so expensive? Or what exactly goes into refurbishing old pieces of wood to make furniture? Emily Brooks headed to Manayunk Timber on Umbria Street in Roxborough to learn more about the process from owner Steve Ebner. Read more here. 

Out on the police beat with Northwest Task Force officers

Find out what a night on the Northwest Task Force is like. The group of officers have been charged with addressing spikes in crime throughout the Northwest. The unit draws officers from the four districts within the Northwest and recently have been tasked with an uptick in incidences in “The Grid” — an area of East Germantown and West Oak Lane that stradles the 14th and 35th districts. Find out more here.

A sneak peek at PhilaU’s soon-to-open Arlen Specter Center for Public Service

On Sept. 11, Philadelphia University in East Falls will host the official dedication of the Arlen Specter Center for Public Service at its newly renovated home, the historic Roxboro House on School House Lane near Henry Avenue. Read more for a preview of what the center has planned.