Top 7 stories of the week in Northwest Philly

 Off in the distance, the Queen Lane Apartments tower stands in the waning moments of its existence. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)

Off in the distance, the Queen Lane Apartments tower stands in the waning moments of its existence. (Brad Larrison/for NewsWorks)

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

1. Queen Lane Apartments tower reduced to rubble after Saturday morning implosion

At 7:15 a.m. Saturday, the Queen Lane Apartments tower became a pile of rubble courtesy of a long-awaited implosion at the Germantown site. A teams of NewsWorks writers and photographers were on hand to capture the historic moment at, and around, the Philadelphia Housing Authority site. It was a site, and scene, to behold.

2. Hundreds dance and mingle on the Falls Bridge at emerging neighborhood tradition

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Despite threatening weather earlier in the day, the East Falls Development Corp.’s fourth annual Dance on the Falls Bridge drew hundreds of revelers to boogie and mingle above the Schuylkill River last Saturday night. The event is viewed as an emerging neighborhood tradition.

3. Chestnut Hill toy store owner turns to a new business after 17 years

O’Doodles, the charming toy store in Chestnut Hill, is closing after 17 years. When the inventory sells out, in roughly a month, no more honky-tonk music will play at 8532 Germantown Ave. It permanently marks the turn from a hands-on, personable shopping experience to a more internet-based or big box market for toys.

4. ACLU tackles marriage equality questions at Mt. Airy Art Garage

Even though Pennsylvania has recognized same-sex marriage since May 20, for many same-sex couples like Melissa Hamilton and Michelle Satchell from Mt. Airy, the law is anything but clear.

A special ACLU of Pennsylvania information panel at Mt. Airy Art Garage delved into the new rights and responsibilities of Pennsylvania’s shift to marriage equality.

5. After 60 years, a barber’s scissors go silent in Mt. Airy

For 60 years, Don Murphy cut hair at 7149 Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy, but a fatal car accident recently silenced the barber’s scissors.

On the morning of Sept. 2, Don Murphy left for work from his home in Roxborough. His car struck a tree on Park Line Drive and he suffered fatal injuries.

6. Tony Auth: An appreciation

Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and NewsWorks artist-in-residence Tony Auth died Sunday at the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania after a two-year struggle with cancer. He was 72. Among many to share their recollections of Auth was Chris Satullo, who will miss the joy that buoyed Auth throughout his life.

7. Germantown now has its own page on the Visit Philly tourism site

When Germantown residents noticed their neighborhood’s historical landmarks incorrectly listed as being in Mt. Airy on city-endorsed VisitPhilly.com tourism website in June, they responded with ire in the form of an online petition. They are angry no more.

Last month, VisitPhilly launched a webpage highlighting Germantown’s strong historical background.

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