University City District (UCD) President Matt Bergheiser captured the mood of the moment during the annual The State of University City Report release event last night. There has been a 24 percent increase in food and beverage establishments in University City since 2009, according to the report.

“And to get through the next four years, we might need as many [beverage establishments] as we can get,” Bergheiser said.

Officially released today, the glossy The State of University Report highlights the flurry of ongoing and soon-to-begin commercial and residential building projects, particularly along the Schuylkill River that we have reported on over the past year – like Schuylkill Yards, uCity Square as well as a heap of new academic buildings popping up.  Continue Reading

“Love Your Park” Fall Service Day 2016 at Malcolm X Park. (Photo by Albert Yee)

An historic turnout was reported at this year’s “Love Your Park” Fall Service Day.

This past weekend the highest number of volunteers registered for “LOVE Your Park” to date, according to Philadelphia Parks & Rec, the event organizers. 2,129 volunteers showed up at 90 parks throughout the city to plant trees, rake leaves, pick up trash and prepare these green spaces for winter.

This year, West Philly’s Malcolm X Park was chosen as a signature”Love Your Park” site. Mayor Jim Kenney and other city officials were at the park supporting the volunteers.

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the Art Star Craft Bazaar happening on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20, 10-5 p.m. at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum (6825 Norwitch Drive). Northern Liberties-based purveyors of handmade goods, Art Star, has once again selected a line-up of top art/craft vendors who will be set up among one of the world’s greatest collections of vintage race cars. The Simeone Foundation Automotive museum is a true hidden gem located in Southwest Philadelphia, and the bazaar is a great opportunity to check it out with the entire family at a discounted price!

Find something truly unique and made by hand for everyone on your holiday list.

Each vendor will be setting up shop in a 10-foot-by-10-foot space within the museum. Shoppers can expect a selection of unique, quality goods handmade from a variety of materials by some of the most talented makers from the region and beyond. Jewelry, Pottery, Furniture, Photography, Holiday Ornaments, Cards, Home Goods, Clothing, Lighting, Fine Art Prints, Original Art/Sculpture, Baby Gifts, Stationary, Tee Shirts, Bags, Macrame, Hand Knits, and More! Avoid the mall and support small business this holiday season.

The vendors will be bringing loads of great gift items that will not break the bank!

Go here for the full vendor line-up.

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The rebuilt 41st Street Bridge, connecting Mantua Avenue and Poplar Street over train tracks, has reopened to traffic today.

The old, deteriorating bridge, which closed in 1994, was completely removed and replaced with a new, two-span structure with architectural concrete parapets and fencing. The project began in May 2015. The new bridge opened one month ahead of its December 2016 projection completion date.

The new roadway includes two travel lanes with wide shoulders and sidewalks, new street lighting, signing, line striping, ADA curb ramps, and enhanced safety features, such as the realignment of the Mantua Avenue and 41st Street intersection.

Construction cost $10.8 million and was financed with 80% federal and 20% state/Act 26 funds.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the Farm at Bartram’s Garden will be celebrating its fifth growing season with a benefit dinner at Distrito (3945 Chestnut St), Jose Garces’ award-winning restaurant. This will be an evening filled with joy, friends, and incredible food, and will feature music, cooking and growing demonstrations, and a silent auction.

All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the youth programs and food justice outreach that the Farm promotes throughout Southwest Philadelphia. And here’s a special offer: the code FARM16 takes $15 off each $60 ticket, which includes unlimited small plates and two cocktails. The event will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. For more information and tickets, click here.

Since 2011, the Farm at Bartram’s Garden has been a hub for fresh, organic produce; food sovereignty; and community building in Southwest Philly. Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River, the Farm brings new life to the agricultural heritage of Bartram’s Garden.  Continue Reading

The “Philly Schools Town Hall” series is coming back to West Philadelphia on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Class size, climate and safety and the quality of school facilities will be on the agenda of the West Philadelphia Education Town Hall at Paul Robeson High School at 4125 Ludlow from 5:30-7 p.m. City Council members Helen Gym, Jannie Blackwell, Allan Domb and Derek Green along with folks from Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild (POWER) will be on hand.

The views and input from citizens at a series of education town halls last spring helped get nurses and counselors back into public schools, among other important measures.

Everyone in the community is invited to attend and to speak. Folks are asked to RSVP here or to call Steve Paul at 215-686-5380.