Top 5 stories of the week in NW Philly

Here’s a look at what you may have missed on NewsWorks this week:

1. Are spiteful ‘haters’ to blame for an unsolved parrot-napping in Nicetown?

Cheron Ross is still upset by the loss of her beloved parrot, Josie, who mysteriously disappeared one recent Friday evening. She considered the colorful bird family and can’t imagine why someone would have taken her away. Check out Matthew Grady’s story to learn more about the incident and the world of bird robberies.

2. ZBA approves plans for supermarket at Chew and Washington

A proposed Bottom Dollar Food store is now one big step closer to opening within a 54,000 square-foot site on the border of Mt. Airy and Germantown. The project, which has been largely supported by the community, needed a variance because some of the space’s lots were only zoned for residential use. Check out Amy Z. Quinn’s story for more details.

3. Eagle Eye Mobile visit ‘a blessing’ for Germantown’s Wister Elementary School 

The Philadelphia Eagles-supported initative stopped off at the East Bringhurst Street school on Tuesday with linebacker Akeem Jordan in tow. Students received free eye exams and those who needed them got glasses. Check out Brian Hickey’s story for more details.

4. 5 questions for Dana J. Okeson, Germantown Friends’ next Head of School.

At the end of the academic year, the Overbrook native will take over a post that hasn’t been held by a woman in more than 140 years. She’s leaving a well-regarded school in Brooklyn to join the GFS family of which she’s wanted to be a part of for many years. NewsWorks editor Brian Hickey caught up with Okeson this week to discuss the transition and her goals for the private school.

5. Philadelphia’s Second Alarmers return from Hurricane Sandy relief mission in New Jersey

Sandy’s winds and driving rain whipped through Philadelphia, but the city emerged from the storm largely unscathed. The same couldn’t be said for many communities in New Jersey. To lend a helping hand, the East Falls-based volunteer group traveled to the Garden State. It was the first time members were assigned to an out-of-state mission. Check out Matthew Grady’s story to learn more.