Top 8 stories of the week in Northwest Philly

Here’s a look at the top stories you may have missed in Northwest Philadelphia this week.

1. Armond James avoids mudslinging in uphill battle for Fattah seat

Armond James, who hails from Elkins Park, thinks that one-on-one connections, especially in “ignored” corners of the city, will help make securing victory against U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah more akin to climbing Lemon Hill than Mount Everest.

2. Venice Island’s $46m makeover debuts in Manayunk

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Venice Island now boasts a $46 million state-of-the-art performing-arts and recreation facility, basketball court, outdoor amphitheater, rain gardens and, among other facets, an underground storage basin.

3. Historic 365 Green Lane property one step closer to preservation

Applause broke out at the Central Roxborough Civic Association when attendees learned that the historic Benjamin Kenworthy House, located at 365 Green Lane, has been accepted for consideration as a historic designation under the Philadelphia Historic Commission.

4. After 8 years, NW Philly nurse relishes newly-obtained US citizenship

Aurora Hermoso started working for Germantown Home, an assisted living facility in Mt. Airy, just two months after arriving in America. New Courtland Elder Services, which runs Germantown Home, helped her get her permanent visa as they have for several Filipino nurses in recent years as baby boomers in their ranks prepared for retirement.

5. City Council honors Hill Freedman, Norwood-Fontbonne for ‘blue ribbon’ achievement

At last week’s City Council meeting, Eighth District City Councilwoman Cindy Bass introduced a resolution “honoring Hill Freedman World Academy Middle School and Norwood-Fontbonne Academy for Winning the National Blue Ribbon School Award.” What did the schools think of the honor?

6. Thomas Mifflin School receives $6K donation from East Falls neighbor

On Monday morning, the East Falls K-8 school received a donation of $6,000 in supplies from EJ Long, the Long Financial Group president who happens to be a neighbor of the Conrad Street institution.

7. Revolutionary Germantown Festival returns to Northwest Philly

While last weekend’s Battle of Germantown re-enactment is the centerpiece of the Revolutionary Germantown Festival, many of the 16 historic sites in the neighborhood developed programming especially for this annual celebration of the region’s colonial history.

8. It was (kinda) bring your police-officer dad to school day at Northwest Philly pre-K

About 30 pre-K students gathered at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech’s location along Chew Avenue on Tuesday morning to hear from special guest Matt McCuen, a classmate’s father who happens to be a Philadelphia police officer.

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