Here’s a great opportunity to have your garden soil tested for contaminants. The University City Garden Club is teaming up with the University of Pennsylvania for a free soil testing event on Sunday, May 10. You can bring a sample of your yard or garden soil between 3 and 5 p.m. on that day to the event location at 519 Woodland Terrace (near 40th and Woodland) and it will be tested on the spot by participating Penn researchers. You can also drop your samples off in advance.

Soil will be tested for lead, a dangerous contaminant which can cause serious health problems.

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Photo from girlsleadershipcamp.org

The upcoming Sojourner Truth Walk in West Philadelphia is more than just a 5K; it’s a celebration of community resilience and girls’ and women’s leadership and activism. Scheduled for Saturday, May 2, the 13th annual event organized by Camp Sojourner will center on the theme “We The People… Build Sanctuary.”

This year, the walk honors Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for her dedicated advocacy. Gauthier is being recognized for her efforts to bolster environmental protections and immigrant rights, reinforcing Philadelphia’s commitment as a Sanctuary City.

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Dr. Ala Stanford, a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District Democratic nomination, speaking at the West Philly forum on April 20, 2026. (Photo by Tony West)

Three candidates for the 3rd Congressional District were at the Penn Alexander School (43rd and Locust) on Monday evening to court West Philly voters. State Rep. Chris Rabb, Dr. Ala Stanford and State Sen. Sharif Street are running in the May 19 primary for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans. They appeared in a forum sponsored by the 24th and 27th Wards.

Stanford, a physician and a political newcomer whom Evans has endorsed, was a federal Health & Human Services leader. She also led a vital city medical response during the COVID pandemic. Street, the son of  former Mayor John Street, was the Democratic state party chair before this race. He is backed by the Democratic City Committee. Rabb is a progressive firebrand who has long defied Democratic City Committee. He was endorsed by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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The West Craft Fest returns to the historic grounds of The Woodlands on Sunday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the event has been rescheduled due to rain in the forecast for Saturday). A signature event for West Philadelphia, the spring festival will host over 100 local makers, artists, and performers for a day of outdoor shopping and community celebration.

Visitors can browse a curated selection of handmade wares, including:

Art & Decor: Paintings, prints, and ceramics.

Style: Jewelry, handmade clothing, textiles, and accessories.

Home & Body: Candles, stationery, bath and body care, and unique home goods.

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Mayor Cherelle Parker has proposed a $6.97 billion “One Philly, One Future” budget for Fiscal Year 2027, focusing on public safety, clean and green initiatives, and economic opportunity. The plan includes $25 million for anti-violence grants, $10 million for affordable housing, and investments in education.

To fund the proposals, the budget includes new revenue measures, including:

• A 2 percent increase in the hotel tax.
• A 20-cent-per-ride fee increase (initially) on rideshares, later pushed to $1 per ride.
• A new 25-cents-per-order delivery fee.

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The 2026 Pennsylvania primary election is approaching on May 19. To help voters make an informed decision, two local political organizations are joining forces to host a Congressional Candidates Forum on Monday, April 20 at the Penn Alexander School.

The forum will feature three democratic candidates vying for the seat now held by Rep. Dwight Evans, who announced his retirement last summer. The candidates include:

• State Senator Sharif Street: Currently representing Pennsylvania’s 3rd Senatorial District, Street has been a vocal advocate for housing rights, criminal justice reform, and economic development in Philadelphia.

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An artist’s rendering of the reimagined Welsh Fountain Gardens in West Fairmount Park (see more renderings below).

The Fairmount Park Conservancy joined State Senator Vincent J. Hughes and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation today to announce a major $2.3 million state grant for the Welsh Fountain Gardens, which is located between Avenue of the Republic and Parkside Avenue across from the Please Touch Museum. Funded through the Commonwealth’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, the project aims to turn a long-dormant historic site into a safe, vibrant space for the community.

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There’s a chance for community members to have a say in improvement and redesign projects in two West Philly neighborhoods – Spruce Hill and Cedar Park.

As you may have heard, the Friends of Clark Park are planning to rebuild the children’s playground near 43rd and Regent, as part of the multi-phase Clark Park Plan. Neighbors, families, and park-goers of all ages are invited to a Play Jam at the park this Saturday, April 11 (rain date: April 12), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to review design inspiration and make their voices heard. This event is the first opportunity for the broader public to engage with early design concepts and help shape Clark Park’s new playground.

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Starting this month, you can enjoy free music shows at some West Philly restaurants as part of Weeknights Live, a new program by the city’s Department of Commerce that aims to support local artists and neighborhood businesses.

Local artists will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the following Baltimore Avenue restaurants:

• Booker’s Restaurant & Bar (5021 Baltimore Ave)
• Carbon Copy (701 S. 50th St)
• Dahlak (4708 Baltimore Ave)
• Renata’s Kitchen (3940 Baltimore Ave)

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Spring is here and time to shop for plants for your garden, porch or patio. If you’re planning to shop locally, check out these opportunities, which include events for green thumbs.

• The annual University City Garden Club (UCGC) Spring Plant Sale is now live online through April 15. As always, the sale features a great selection of herbs, veggies, flowers, annuals, and perennials. The pick-up is scheduled for May 2nd in the neighborhood. To shop for plants online, click here. If you want to shop in person, UCGC will hold a plant sale at the Spruce Hill May Fair in Clark Park (43rd and Chester) on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. In addition, UCGC will host a Mother’s Day Pop-up Plant Sale on Sunday, May 10, from 1 – 5 p.m., at 519 Woodland Terrace near 40th and Woodland. For more information and other events, visit: https://ucgcshop.square.site/.

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One of West Philly’s biggest annual community events, Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll is returning in June.  Two Strolls will be held this summer – on Thursday, June 4 and Thursday, Sept. 3.

The event draws thousands of visitors each year to enjoy deals from participating local businesses and community vendors.

The Dollar Stroll is a great opportunity for local businesses and community vendors to sell food, beverages, and merchandise for some valuable exposure. The price levels vendors can offer are $1, $3, or $5.

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Photo by Andrew Gormley

West Philly singer-songwriter Gretchen Elise is sharing her story of rebuilding, recuperation, and gratitude. A car crashed into her home on S. 47th Street on Christmas Eve, which spawned a GoFundMe campaign to recoup losses and record a song called “Grateful Love.”

The Fox 29 clip of the hit and run went national. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

“The driver took out a tree, 4 cars, backed into our house, and fled,” Gretchen said. “We have not had any follow up from the police on our case and unfortunately with the time consuming process of repair, we haven’t had time to pursue it.”

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Kenny and Nina outside of their restaurant (Facebook photo).

Longtime owners of Pasqually’s, a popular Spruce Hill pizza and beer shop, are saying good-bye after more than 23 years. Kenny and his wife Nina have shared their news of leaving the restaurant in a long and emotional Facebook post.

“Pasqually’s has been more than just a restaurant to us,” reads the post. “It’s been our second home, and in many ways, it’s been where life happened. We came in every day to cook and serve, but what we really found was a community that embraced us, supported us, and grew alongside us here in the West Philly neighborhood.”

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One of the city’s oldest recreation centers has reopened after a two-and-a-half-year long renovation. On Friday, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, city and state officials, representatives of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Kingsessing community members celebrated the reopening of Kingsessing Recreation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Through its Rebuild Philadelphia program, the City has invested $27 million to modernize the facility, which originally opened in 1916, while preserving its historic character. Upgrades include renovated interior spaces, a new artificial turf field, an accessible playground, and improved community gathering areas.

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