Greensgrow opened their West Philly hub in 2016 (archived photo).

Greensgrow West, the West Philly branch of Greensgrow Farms located at 51st and Baltimore, ceased its operations on Friday, July 22 after the nonprofit urban farm announced a financial crisis earlier this month. The flagship location in Kensington closed in early July.

“This past month, Greensgrow was the victim of a counterfeit check scheme that leaves us struggling to keep our doors open through July,” reads their Instagram post dated July 15. “Although, we typically close in the start of August, this season we are working with bankers and law enforcement to try to recoup $33,000 in lost revenue.”

To help ease the dire financial situation, which made it difficult for the management to meet the next payroll for their workers, Greensgrow has launched a fundraising campaign. Continue Reading

On Friday, July 22, a group of local youth enrolled in higher education institutions, received Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN) Gary Bronson Memorial scholarships. The awards were presented during intermission at the Jazz in Cedar Park concert. Darryl Bundrige introduced the scholars.

Scholarships are provided by the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is named in honor of the visionary Cedar Park resident who founded the CPN Scholarship Committee in 1988. The awards have been given for 33 years to young adults living in Cedar Park who are committed to pursuing higher education. This was the first in-person award ceremony since 2019.

Here’s a video of the ceremony taken by Patrick DiGiacomo:

Artwork by Allison Rich

Shakespeare in Clark Park is set to return this week with The Taming!, a “raucous comedy” presented in two “very different” acts. The new production pairs Shakespeare’s problematic masterpiece, The Taming of the Shrew, with a community-created adaptation of John Fletcher’s Elizabethan revenge play, The Tamer Tamed.

The Taming of the Shrew is directed by Kathryn MacMillan while The Tamer Tamed has been adapted by Charlotte Northeast and is directed by Ang Bey.

The creative team of The Taming! is exploring themes of love, patriarchy, and domestic violence, and will contextualize Shakespeare’s original text from a modern viewpoint and from multiple perspectives. The community members who make up the Active Conscious Chorus in the adaptation of The Tamer Tamed will respond to the text. Continue Reading

This year’s first Heat Health Emergency has been declared in Philadelphia due to forecast heat index values. The heat emergency is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 and end at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 21. It may be extended if the forecast worsens.

A declaration of a Heat Health Emergency activates the City’s heat emergency programs, which include the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s (PCA) Heatline, cooling centers, home visits by special field teams, enhanced daytime outreach for people experiencing homelessness, and the City’s reminder to the public to safely check on older friends, relatives, and neighbors from a distance. Continue Reading

One of University City’s most popular restaurants, Distrito, has closed its doors while chef Jose Garces, who owns the establishment, is “re-evaluating the business,” according to reports.

The upscale-casual Mexican restaurant, which opened in 2008 at 40th and Chestnut, was struggling financially due to the lack of customers during the summer months and closed abruptly on July 9th, according to a report by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

There is hope though that Garces will reopen the restaurant in late August when students return to campus after the summer break. By that time he hopes to have a “solid business plan going forward.” Garces did not give a definitive answer and said he would make the decision based on the economic situation (rising food costs, etc.) at that time.

The Distrito staff who lost their jobs as a result of the closure will be offered jobs at other restaurants owned by the famous chef, according to the report.

The popular local restaurant promotion, University City Dining Days, is returning this week. Beginning Thursday, July 21 and through the end of the month, West Philly residents and guests are invited to enjoy the diverse West Philly restaurant scene with a little less stress on their wallet.

This year’s deals begin at $20 for a three-course lunch or dinner at some participating locations, including such popular restaurants and eateries as Dahlak, Loco Pez, El Taco, New Deck Tavern, Jezabel’s and more. You can also explore more expensive options – for $30 or $40 – from such great establishments as Renata’s Kitchen, Booker’s, Aksum, City Tap House, Dim Sum House, White Dog Cafe and more. Continue Reading