All Philadelphia public schools will remain closed on Friday, Jan. 5, due to heavy snowstorm that hit the area on Thursday. All after-school activities, including all athletic programs and professional development sessions scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are also canceled. All District early childhood centers will also be closed.

School District headquarters will open on a two-hour delay.

All Archdiocesan high schools and parochial elementary schools will also be closed on Friday due to today’s storm.

Snow emergency for Philadelphia will end at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

The City of Philadelphia has issued a snow emergency effective at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday. That means that vehicles should be moved from certain streets in the city, including the entire length of Chestnut and Walnut Streets and Woodland Avenue in West Philly.

The region is under a winter storm warning with three to six inches of snow expected.

Vehicles remaining on the emergency routes will be ticketed and towed. More info on snow emergency routes can be found here. If your car is moved, call 215-686-SNOW to find it. Do not call 911.  Continue Reading

The Woodlands third annual Gobble Wobble 5K Fun Run is back!

This individual or team relay 5K wobble takes you through the historic grounds of William Hamilton’s 18th century estate, 19th century cemetery and modern day urban oasis. Outrun the West Philly Turkey and support the neighborhood’s best running spot. Compete to win the first prize, a Thanksgiving turkey or tofurkey from Mariposa Food Co-Op! The 5K takes place on the paved road within The Woodlands Cemetery, with the start and finish line near the Hamilton Mansion.

Team Relay Entries: Each team member registers individually. Make sure to put down your team name. Each team member will run 1/3 of the 5K, so get your relay baton ready!

Register early, because the first 150 people signed up will receive a limited edition Gobble Wobble pint glass that you can fill with beer at the finish line, generously donated by Clarkville. All proceeds will go towards improving runner amenities at The Woodlands.  Continue Reading

University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is currently recruiting local residents for a job training program with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The program will prepare individuals to be Patient Sitters with the nationally renowned hospital.

The Skills Initiative is seeking applicants who possess a high school diploma or GED, are currently unemployed, and live in the West Philadelphia zip codes of 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, or 19151.

Applicants should have professional experience working with children. Program graduates will have the opportunity to interview with CHOP, receive a performance-based stipend during the training, and learn the skills needed to successfully connect to employment and a fulfilling career path.  Continue Reading

Everyone is invited to a free, 7-hour long community festival, Soul Farm, this Saturday (Oct. 14) to celebrate “the rich arts, culture, and community along Lancaster Avenue and throughout West Philadelphia.” The festival is a closing celebration of LoLa 38, a creative placemaking collaboration that has been encouraging civic conversation through art installations and community gatherings throughout the year.

Thanks to LoLa 38, two Lower Lancaster Avenue properties undergoing transformation – the former United Bank building and the site of the former University City High School building – were adorned with art pieces created by local artists from May to September.

The festival will take place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 225 N. 38th St. (LAZ Parking Lot) and will feature local food, art, and music and dance performances.  Continue Reading

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A community walk will take place in West Philadelphia to bring attention to the issue and provide resources to community members who need help. The Walk for Domestic Violence Awareness is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will start at New Birthing Worship Center, 5949 Spruce St., and end at Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine streets. State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown will co-host and participate in the walk.

“Far too often do we see on the news about victims being attacked by their spouse and even killed,” Brown said in a statement. “Enough is enough, and I’m calling on the community to join me in rising above these hateful acts of violence.”  Continue Reading