Top 6 stories to watch for in Northwest Philly

Here is a look at what is coming up this week in Northwest Philadelphia. 

 

1. Venice Island ribbon cutting 

After several years of construction and work, Manayunk’s Venice Island will be holding an official ribbon cutting on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The project, located between the Manayunk Canaland the Schuylkill River, between the Lock and Cotton Street bridges, contains tree trenches, a pump house with a green roof and a subsurface basin — all meant to improve the health and flow of the Schuylkill River. Venice Island will also be home to a recreation and performing arts facility, new athletic fields, a children’s play area and a spray park.

2. Community members will be convening at the Germantown Mennonite Church at 21 W. Washington Lane on Saturday Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon to discuss what’s in store for the future of the long-vacant Germantown Town Hall on Germantown Avenue. The meeting is being facilitated by the Design for Social Impact at the University for the Arts. Check back for a full recap of the meeting.

3. Check back this week for full coverage of a weekend full of fall events including Revolutionary Germantown, Chestnut Hill’s Fall for the Arts Festival and Roxborough’s Roxtoberfest. 

4. The “Benjamin Kenworthy House” at 365 Green Lane in Roxborough has been in the spotlight since late last year when developer Todd Joseph purchased the property with the intent of turning it into eight condo units despite the property not being zone for such construction. In late Sept. the city Department of Licenses and Inspections issues a “stop work order” on the property after a Joseph began demolition on the property without a permit. Now, community member Celeste Hardester has gotten the house named by the Philadelphia Historical Commission as a historical property. Check back this week to see what this means for the future of the property. 

5. Scarecrows are coming to Morris Arboretum as part of the annual fall Scarecrow Walk. This year’s theme is “Heroes & Villans” so check back this week for a look at the over 30 scarecrows that are on display. Click here for a preview.

6. The Chestnut Hill Black & White Gala to benefit the Chestnut Hill Community Association and the Chestnut Hill Community Fund will be on Wednesday night. Check back for a look at the night full of fun at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. On hand will be the Scott Romig Band.