The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . In addition to the podcast page you can hear new installments of the Soapbox here on G-town Radio at these times: Mondays at 10 AM and 5 PM; Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 5 PM.

The Earned Sick Days Bill recently passed City Council with a 11-6 vote for the measure, but a two-thirds majority, or 12 votes, will be needed to override another expected veto from Mayor Nutter.

Janet Filante, Executive Director of Cooperative Development, Inc. (CCDI) speaks with The Northwest Soapbox about why the bill is an important workers rights and public health issue.

The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . In addition to the podcast page you can hear new installments of the Soapbox here on G-town Radio at these times: Mondays at 10 AM and 5 PM; Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 5 PM.

This week, Anna Bohl-Fabian, Programs Administrator for BuildaBridge talks to Northwest Soapbox about how the BuildaBridge Community provides arts-integrated intervention and education to children and families in underserved communities.

Information about BuildaBridge and it's efforts, programs and how you can get involved can be found at the BuildaBridge website.
http://www.buildabridge.org

The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . In addition to the podcast page you can hear new installments of the Soapbox here on G-town Radio at these times: Mondays at 10 AM and 5 PM; Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 5 PM.

What should an elementary school yard look like? Can it be a place for play and positive experiences? Should there be gardens to grow vegetables while being environmentally conscious enough to prevent storm run-off? The members of Hansberry Garden and Nature Center along with John B. Kelly School think so. Hansberry Garden member Dennis Barnebey steps on the soapbox this week to talk about their project to green Kelly School.

To find out more about the Kelly Green project visit the Hansberry Garden website, http://hansberrygarden.com/.

This week, the Northwest Soapbox talks with Angela Miles and YahNé Baker from Friends of Vernon Park about the organizations efforts in promoting, maintaining and bringing the community back into the park.

To find out more about Friends of Vernon Park, Visit their website at http://friendsofvernonpark.org/

The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . In addition to the podcast page you can hear new installments of the Soapbox here on G-town Radio at these times: Mondays at 10 AM and 5 PM; Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 5 PM.

UPDATE: The Germantown Special Services District Steering Committee has moved its 2nd Public Meeting from 2/4 to Thursday 2/21, 6:30 at the Flying Horse, 5534-46 Pulaski Ave

Germantown's main commercial corridors are going to look a lot cleaner starting this summer. A new Special Services District is being created to clean, maintain and beautify the grounds within it's boundaries. Denis Murphy from the city's Commerce Department and Marcus von Heppinstall of the SSD's Steering Committee step on the Soapbox to explain what is happening.

To learn more about the SSD's work and track their progress visit them online here: http://germantownssd.wix.com/germantownssd

Take the survey they created by clicking here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MW5XQ2N

The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . In addition to the podcast page you can hear new installments of the Soapbox here on G-town Radio at these times: Mondays at 10 AM and 5 PM; Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 5 PM.  

Settlement Music School is offering it's first ever Adult Rock Band class at it's Queen Lane and Germantown Branches. The ten week program kicks off the week of January 14. We spoke to Germantown branch director Eric Anderson and instructor Ed Wise about the program. Ed also plays a little bass for us.

For over 100 years the Settlement Music School has offered community arts programs for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to explore music in a their own personal way. Anyone can sign up from lessons from absolute beginners to accomplished musicians. For more information about the Adult Rock School and othe classes visit this page.

The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . In addition to the podcast page you can hear new installments of the Soapbox here on G-town Radio at these times: Mondays at 10 AM and 5 PM; Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 5 PM. 

The Philadelphia School District released a list last week of schools they plan to close. Germantown High School was on this list. The NW Soapbox visited some of the businesses surrounding the high school to get reactions to the news. While most felt the nearly 100 year old school should be saved few would send their own children there today. They feared closing the school would create many problems from inflated class sizes to neighborhood-based violence. Our final interview was with a senior at Germantown High.

Do you have thoughts on what should happen to Germantown High? What should be done to prevent it's closure and turn it around? If it does close what do you think should be done with the property? We'd love to get your opinion. You can reach us at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . In addition to the podcast page you can hear new installments of the Soapbox here on G-town Radio at these times: Mondays at 10 AM and 5 PM; Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 5 PM.