Top 5 stories to watch in NW Philly

Here’s a look at what’s to come:

1. In a little over a month, Germantown High School’s near-century old history will come to a close. Thousands of students have studied inside the school’s Haines Street building over the years, including some noteworthy Philadelphians. To kick-off a month-long series of related stories, we’ll post interviews with GHS alums Bill Cosby and Ralph Roberts, founder of the Comcast Corporation.

2. It’s no secret that the Philadelphia School District is in dire financial straits. But still facing a $304 million budget deficit, it’s unclear what programs and extracurricular activities the district will be able to afford next school year. Against that backdrop, parents from several Northwest Philadelphia schools will meet Monday night for a forum centered on the district’s upcoming budget.

3. The Manayunk-Roxborough Food Co-op will host the nascent organization’s first-ever farmers market in Manayunk on Saturday. Vendors will setup inside Pretzel Park. Grass-fed beef, produce and baked goods will be on sale. To celebrate the start of the weekly market, the co-op is hosting a launch party Wednesday night inside nearby Tiny Terra Ferma.

4. On Saturday, state Rep. Stephen Kinsey will host a Memorial Day celebration to honor area veterans. The morning ceremony will include workshops, including a PTSD forum and the screening of the movie, “Veterans of Color.” Kinsey and fellow state Rep. Rosita Youngblood will also honor Northwest Philadelphia area veterans.

5.  Mount Airy Home Companion, the brainchild of local humorist Jim Harris and his band Saint Mad, will be performed inside Chesnut Hill’s Conkey Center for the Performing Arts. The parody of the popular public radio program pokes fun at its namesake neighborhood.