Support from the home front

Tech. Sgt. Frank Dragon (left) and Staff Sgt. Richard Scavola, both St. John Neumann alums from South Philadelphia, recently crossed paths in the Middle East, where both are serving in the Air Force. Dragon, 45, and Scavola, 26, are at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Dragon, who grew up on Second Street near Mifflin, is a Philadelphia police officer who was activated with the Air Force Reserves. Scavola, originally of Ninth and Wharton streets, has served with the Active Duty Air Force since 1996.

Students to spruce up FDR Park

Nearly 100 dedicated local youths will join forces with members of City Year Greater Philadelphia on Saturday to beautify FDR Park, Broad Street and Pattison Avenue.

These civic activists will work to improve the park area by clearing away invasive plants that cause significant ecological problems by inhibiting the growth of the natural vegetation. In their place, they will plant new flowers to preserve and enhance the park’s ecosystem.

Organizers hope the event will stir community interest and involvement in Young Heroes, a local program of City Year that serves sixth- through eighth-graders. The program aims to develop leadership skills and educate youths about key social issues that affect their communities.

Can you spare a tire?

The Streets Department’s 2002 Tire Round-Up Program will be in the South Philadelphia area for three Saturdays in August and two more Saturdays in September.

The tire drop-off locations, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., will be 25th Street and Washington Avenue, and Fourth Street and Washington Avenue (on Washington Avenue, south side).

Only registered block captains, organized community/civic organizations, townwatch organizations and Partnership Recycling Groups who are registered for the Tire Round-Up Program and have received an ID number are eligible for participation.

Registered participants are offered a "tire bounty" of 50 cents for each illegally discarded tire they collect and drop at one of the city’s designated sites. The tire drop-off limit will be 1,000 tires per group. Tires from auto-repair shops, mechanic shops, car dealers and private storage lots are required to be disposed of by the merchant for a fee, and will not be accepted at the drop-off sites.

The program will take place locally Aug. 10, 17 and 24, and Sept. 14 and 21.

Program for Furness freshmen

Furness High School, Third and Mifflin streets, has scheduled a special program for its freshman class on Aug. 21 at 10 a.m.

Students and parents are invited to a free one-hour presentation of "Making High School Count." The nationally acclaimed high-school student success program will offer key ideas to ninth-graders in helping them to understand that anyone can be successful if they choose to be.