Some great news was announced over the weekend: Two city blocks west of the Schuylkill and their captains were selected as the winners of the 2014 Clean Block Contest organized by the Streets Department’s Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PBMC). The 700 block of Markoe Street (Block Captain Ms. Audrey Darien) and the 6000 block of Trinity Street (Block Captain Ms. Marsha Wall) each won 1st place in the competition and will receive $1,000.

Some 22 blocks participated in this year’s contest and were judged for efforts of block residents, their cleanliness, beautification efforts, and property improvements.

The winners were announced on Saturday evening at the Annual Clean Block Awards Banquet. The top four winners will be awarded $300 for 4th place, $500 for 3rd place, $700 for 2nd place, with the top prize being $1,000. The remaining blocks each receive $150. The prize money is to be used for future block cleaning and beatification projects.