Photo by West Philly Local

Newly elected City Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier says one of her top priorities when she takes office in January is addressing the development “frenzy” in West Philadelphia by pressing for more affordable housing.

“I think we should look at zoning with an eye toward equitability and affordability,” she told the Spruce Hill Community Association during its annual meeting at the Penn Alexander School on Tuesday.

Gauthier, who grew up in Kingsessing, will represent a district that has some of the most expensive real estate and the deepest poverty in Philadelphia. Development and issues related to zoning have become flashpoints in recent years.  Continue Reading

The City once again is offering residents an opportunity to recycle fall leaves. The 2019 Leaf Recycling Program begins Tuesday, Nov. 12 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 21. During this time, residents have a few options to participate in the program.

Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide on Saturdays (except for November 16th and 30th) at 13 designated locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the duration of the program. The locations in West Philadelphia are:  Continue Reading

                             Jamie Gauthier

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Penn Alexander School auditorium (enter through cafeteria/blacktop entrance on 43rd street between Locust and Spruce).

Officers and board members get elected at this meeting and special guests talk about important community issues. The event is free and all community members are invited to attend to learn more about the organization and get involved (check out the Spruce Hill boundaries map below).  Continue Reading

                             Li Sumpter

The Barnes Foundation continues its community programming in West Philadelphia and will host a special Barnes Presents! event this Thursday, Nov. 7 at The Bank (3750 Lancaster Ave). The event will introduce the Barnes’ current major exhibition, 30 Americans, and will include a conversation about race and equity in the arts. Li Sumpter, a scholar of art, myth, and humanities, and artist Sherman Fleming will participate in the discussion, moderated by the Barnes education team’s Jihan Thomas.  Continue Reading

Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to vote for Mayor (a formality), At-Large City Council seats (not a formality this year) and a controversial ballot measure focused on crime victims’ rights.

The drama for City Council District 3 ended in May with the victory of upstart Jamie Gauthier over longtime incumbent Jannie Blackwell. Gauthier has no opponent in tomorrow’s vote. But several third party candidates are keeping the At-Large races interesting.

Seven At-Large candidates will be elected during Tuesday’s general election (polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). History shows that the five Democratic At-Large candidates – incumbents Allan Domb, Derek Green, Helen Gym, as well as Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Isaiah Thomas – will all likely win easily. Democrats outnumber Republicans seven to one in the city.  Continue Reading

It’s fitting that Curio Theatre Company is staging The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful a couple of days after Halloween. By the way, Irma Vep is an anagram. You should figure it out before you proceed.

American playwright Charles Ludlam wrote The Mystery of Irma Vep as a campy celebration of the horror genre. Characters in this three-act play include a werewolf, mummy, vampire and Egyptian princess. Only two actors play all of the characters, so the performance includes more than 30 super-quick costume changes.  Continue Reading