Noted in the Northwest

A brief look at news in Chestnut Hill and surrounding neighborhoods

Two shot dead in East Mt. Airy

Two young men were gunned down in East Mt. Airy last week. Both met particularly violent deaths in separate incidents, police said. The victims were shot multiple times in the head. Police believe at least one case is drug-related.

On May 23, police found Joseph El on the second floor of a house in the 100 block of East Meehan Street. The 22-year-old man from Fern Rock had been shot several times in the head and upper body shortly before 1 a.m., police said. A second man, Eric Richardson, 26, was found blocks away at Germantown Avenue and Montana Street with multiple gunshot wounds to his right leg. He was treated and released. Police said the shooting was drug-related. Investigators had no one in custody last week. No further details were available at press time.

On May 29, one week later, 14th District police responded to a report of a shooting in 6400 block of Musgrave Street about 4:45 a.m., said Sgt. Coan, of the Homicide Unit. Officers found Bruce Poles Jr., 28, lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds to the head, hand and thigh, Coan said. He died about a half-hour later. Detectives had no motive or suspects on Wednesday.

—Michael J. Mishak

Senior center to screen ‘Wings’

On Tuesday, June 7 at 1 p.m., the Chestnut Hill Senior Center will screen Wings (1927, 139 minutes), the first film ever to win an Academy Award for best picture. The film stars Buddy Rogers and the legendary Clara Bow, with a cameo appearance by Gary Cooper.

The senior center’s writer’s workshop group will hold a special “First Friday at One” this Friday, June 3 at 1 p.m., with the introduction of “Square Table,” a collection of stories, poetry and reminiscences. The writers will be available to read selections and discuss their work with the audience. There is no charge to attend the program.

The Chestnut Hill Community Association sponsors the senior center, located at 7999 Crittenden Street. For more information, call 215-248-0180.

—James Sturdivant