Week in Review: 9/11 Vigil, Electric Bill Hike, State Rep. Campaign Marks Patch's 1st Week

Though nine months into the year, September is great time for new endeavors. As students return to schools, sports teams swing into action, and fall fashion kicks into high gear, Roxborough and Manayunk's freshest news website debuted Sept. 10. 

Of course, I'm talking about us—Roxborough-Manayunk Patch. Despite launching less than five days ago, we've running into lots of news in the community. Everyday, Patch will be bringing you updates on happenings throughout the area.

In case you've missed anything you can subscribe to our weekly e-mails (account options located in your Patch profile) or check in with our "Week in Review" column. This column will give you a rundown of significant and off-the-beaten path stories in Roxborough and Manayunk.

On top of introducing ourselves on Friday, we laid out stories of note. Start planning now, PECO will be raising electric bills—estimated at 10 percent or $8 monthly—starting Jan. 1, 2011. The energy utility attributes deregulation and increased operation costs for the hike. However, energy shoppers could save money by choosing alternate generators.

Additionally, we sat down with Pennsylvania State Representative candidates Hugh Giordano (Green) and Pam DiLissio for their platform stances in the upcoming November election. My profile on Giordano ran Friday, with future profiles pending for DiLissio and Republican Tim Downey.

On the arts front, singer-songwriter Ben Arnold came to Gorgas Park for a concert, where we interviewed him and shot his concert. Additionally, we chatted it up with COSACOSA members before their Philly Fringe Show, Friday in Manayunk.

Speaking of Gorgas, the Roxborough park was the site Saturday night for a solemn 9/11 candlelight vigil, organized by the 21st Ward Veterans. Religious leaders from the Church of St. Alban and the Church of the Living Saviour led prayers, local police and firefighters were honored, and Boy Scouts were on hand for the sundown remembrance ceremony.

Other items of note:

• Both the North Light Community Center in Manayunk and the Walnut Lane First Tee youth golf program offer valuable after-school activities for Roxborough and Manayunk young adults and are in need of volunteers.
• The Fifth District Police Department offered some tips for dealing with noisy neighbors.
• Local business members and residents helped cleanup the Manayunk Canal Sunday morning.
• Patch provided some flu shot information to help you weather the season switch.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me any time at 215-740-6915 or samfran@patch.com.