Top 6 stories to look for in Northwest Philly

Here’s a look at stories NewsWorks will cover next week in Northwest Philadelphia.

1. On Sept. 11, Philadelphia University will host the official dedication of its new Arlen Specter Center for Public Service and its newly renovated home, the historic Roxborough House. NewsWorks recently took a tour of the School House Lane center which features droves of memorabilia. Check back next week to learn what we saw.

2. The 6300 Germantown Business Alliance and Historic Concord School House hosted a fifth annual back-to-school giveaway. School supplies were available for 300 students accompanied by parents/guardians. We’ll have more from the Saturday morning event next week.

3. In Northwest Philadelphia, a small cadre of police officers is assigned to a unit charged with addressing spikes in crime. The Northwest Task Force patrols high-crime areas in response to shootings and to prevent retaliatory acts of violence. NewsWorks recently spent some time with the team and will have a full report next week.

4. Historic Germantown recently named Trapeta B. Mayson as its new executive director. The Germantown resident “brings her experience as a leader in program development and administration, as well as a strong background in the arts to Historic Germantown,” according to the group. We’ll talk to her about her vision for the future of the neighborhood’s past.

5. Suffice it to say, last season was a memorable one for the Martin Luther King High Cougars football team, what with it winning the first Public League title in school history as documentary cameras recorded their every move. Things will be different this year with new players, fewer cameras, stiffer competition and a winning tradition to try and establish. NewsWorks checked in with coaches and players for a preview before the season kicks off Aug. 29.

6. With increasing demand, Greene Street Friends School will, for the first time, have two sixth-grade classes this upcoming school year. They will host those students (and parents) for an orientation session (which includes the distribution of iPads for all sixth graders) this upcoming week. Check back for quotes from the scene.