Photo by Laura Reehling

Small local businesses are still feeling the impact of COVID-19, so here’s a great chance to support them as the popular West Philly restaurant promotion event returns with new dates and new deals. The 2021 University City Dining Days kicks off this Wednesday, Oct. 20 with more than 20 restaurants participating in the event. In addition to returning participants like Dock Street West, 48th Street Grille, and Renata’s Kitchen, new participants include Chengdu Famous Food, Kusina Philly, Woosa Bubble Tea, El Taco, Lulu Cafe and more. Continue Reading

Residents of the University City Townhomes, which are surrounded by high-priced properties near 40th and Market, have been told they have to leave the affordable housing complex so it can be sold to developers.

Residents of the University City Townhomes at 40th and Market, an island of affordable housing amid the frenzied development surrounding the University of Pennsylvania, have been told by the property’s owners that they will have to move to make way for more development. But City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and other elected officials stood with residents during a press conference to say they will fight for residents to stay.

“We are here to sound the alarm,” Gauthier said at a press conference at the complex on Thursday. “Considering the history of this site and the scarcity of affordable housing, it’s hard to fully capture in words what an injustice this is.” Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia’s superintendent, William Hite, will transition from his role at the end of the 2021-2022 school year after 10 years of service. The District will officially begin the search, both locally and nationwide, for the next superintendent in the next two months.

Hite, 60, announced his decision to step down in September.

The Philadelphia School Board of Education began hosting a series of 17 listening sessions – in-person and virtual –  this week to collect input on hiring the next superintendent.

Two in-person listening sessions will take place in West Philadelphia at People’s Emergence Center (325 N. 39th St) this week. This is a great opportunity for West Philly families and all interested individuals to make their voices heard by providing input on the skills, talent and foresight the next Superintendent needs to bring to the District. Continue Reading

SEPTA is planning to build a better bus network in Philadelphia. The project, called “Bus Revolution,” was first announced last month and includes a series of pop-up and virtual events to inform the public and gather feedback.

As part of this project, residents are invited to fill out an online survey, which focuses on “trade-offs.” People are asked to what degree they are willing to walk slightly farther for faster, more frequent bus service.

To access the survey, click here. SEPTA hopes to receive at least 1,000 responses to the survey by the end of this month.

The Bus Revolution project will take approximately three years to complete. The first two years will be dedicated to planning and analysis. Implementation is expected to take place in 2023.

For more details, visit: www.septabusrevolution.com.

A small locally-owned grocery/general store, Spruce Hill Provisions, has recently opened at 4529 Baltimore Ave and already participated in last month’s Baltimore Avenue Stroll.

At the shop, you can buy fresh, locally-sourced foods – produce, meat and poultry, baked goods, coffee, snacks, and other necessities. You can also buy flowers, plants, pottery, soaps and gifts made by local artisans. By the way, there’s a nice selection of frozen goods at the store, in case you have a sudden craving for a sweet treat.

“We are selling local products wherever possible,” says owner Elizabeth Planet who lives just a few blocks away from the shop.

The list of products has been continuously growing since the shop opened at the end of last month. The owners are open to community input on what other items they should add. Continue Reading

A new state-of-the-art U.S. Squash Center has officially opened over the weekend in the historic Pennsylvania State Armory Building on Drexel University’s campus. The center is named after the late Senator Arlen Specter who was a great fan of the sport.

The Specter Center will serve as US Squash headquarters and is currently hosting the 2021 U.S. Open Squash Championships. It will serve as the permanent home of the tournament, which brings the top players from around the world competing for the title. Continue Reading