Top six stories of the week in NW Philly

Here’s what you may have missed in Northwest Philadelphia this week:

1. Manayunk’s Winnie Clowry trains for charity race up the Wall

The long-time restaurant owner will tackle the infamous “Manayunk Wall” and the rest of the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship course this Sunday during an amateur biking event. Check out Aaron Moselle’s story to learn how Clowry trained for the three-lap effort and how she’s feeling about pedaling up Lyceum Avenue.

2. Lucky Star, VFW bingo hall, Pinki Nail Salon and cigar shop slated to reopen in December

More than seven months after an early morning fire raged through a section of a Roxborough shopping center, the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment this week approved permits for four affected businesses to be rebuilt. Check out Amy Z. Quinn’s story for details on the ruling and the relief it brought to one former employee in attendance.

3. Halting Germantown clean-up efforts would make gruesome discovery ‘that much more tragic’

The fruits of a weekend community cleanup effort were quickly spoiled Monday night when a passerby discovered a dead woman wrapped in a bed sheet. Check out Meg Frankowski and Brian Hickey’s story to learn more about the incident and how participating residents reacted in the aftermath.

4. Dreams of a rehabbed Vernon Park baseball diamond won’t soon become reality

Budgetary woes, confusion over permits and time of the year are just some of the snags that have held up the Germantown Life and Enrichment Center’s efforts to offer baseball at the well-known park. Check out Lane Blackmer’s story to learn more about the struggle and where city officials stand on the possibility.

5. Amy Northwest middle school prepares to move to Roxborough

In March, the city’s School Reform Commission voted to shutter William Levering Elementary and seven other schools as part of the District’s Facilities Master Plan. As a result, AMY Northwest will move into the school’s Ridge Avenue building. Check out Aaron Moselle story to learn more about the packing process and how some staff members are feeling about the change.

6. How one Philadelphia neighborhood is battling graffiti

Graffiti artists have recently been hitting the neighborhood in force, much to the chagrin of residents and community groups. It’s gotten to the point where a graffiti task force is in the works in order to address the issue head on. Check out Jana Shea’s story to learn more about this brewing effort and its nascent goals.