Carol Jenkins (left) gardening at Clark Park with Lisa McDonald Hanes and Susie Pierce, gardener volunteers. (Photos courtesy of Friends of Clark Park)

Editor’s Note: This post has been submitted by Anna Selfridge, Vice President of Friends of Clark Park.

If you’ve strolled through Clark Park this past summer, you might have noticed the rejuvenation of the gardens along the park’s sidewalks and borders. This welcome change was the result of the new Gardening Program at Friends of Clark Park. The program is headed by Carol Jenkins, who has lived on the border of the park for 30 years.

“Since I spend so much time in Clark Park, I felt I needed to do something when I saw wild trees growing up through flowering shrubs, and weeds taking over flower gardens,” she said.

Carol joined the Friends following her retirement from teaching at Temple University specifically to put her green thumb to work.  Continue Reading

During this #GivingTuesday, the nationwide campaign encouraging charitable donations, we want to remind our readers about local not-for-profit organizations. Throughout the day, we’ll be posting messages from West Philly-based non-profits, encouraging folks to support them (see below). Please also check our “Civic Life” page for the list of local non-profits, including neighborhood community associations, arts and cultural organizations, libraries and educational organizations, animal rescues, historical venues, parks and public spaces, and more.  Continue Reading

The annual Holiday Basket Drive organized by Cedar Park Neighbors is back. This year, CPN will be partnering again with local nonprofits and various places of worship to provide food baskets to neighbors in need during this holiday season.

Last year, the organization was able to reach over 150 local families – a great testament to the community’s willingness to help others.

Just like last year, a suggested donation for this year’s drive is $36. Support at this level will provide baskets to two families. Donations can be made on this page. For other ways to donate (including bulk items), please email Michelle Lewis (mlewis1071@gmail.com).  Continue Reading

This Saturday, you can enjoy delicious baklava and support a local initiative that delivers books to two public school libraries.

Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave.) will hold a special fundraising event, Baklava Benefit Sale, on Oct. 27 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.. The event is organized by A Book A Day, an initiative co-funded by Penn Libraries, which donates newly published children’s books to two K-8 schools in West Philadelphia – Penn Alexander and Henry C. Lea.

Since the launch of the program in 2014 over 300 books have been donated to the school libraries. Eight new, quality hardcover books are delivered to each of the school libraries every month, giving kids access to intriguing books on music, art history, poetry, and street art.  Continue Reading

Want to see giant colorful puppets “marching” along West Philly streets? Come to the annual Peoplehood Parade this Saturday, Oct. 20, organized by West Philly’s Spiral Q puppet theater. The event will kick off outside the Paul Robeson House (4951 Walnut St) at 1 p.m. Nearly 500 people of all ages will be marching, dancing, and carrying puppets, flags, and drums to Clark Park (45th and Chester), where the parade will be followed by a small giant puppet pageant with participatory performances around 2:15 p.m.

Peoplehood is a parade that celebrates and energizes PEOPLE, particularly those living in and/or working at the forefront of anti-discrimination and anti-oppression work.  Continue Reading

One more public school in Philadelphia will have their library reopened soon thanks to the great work of the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC). WePAC is opening its 14th library in the city – at West Philly’s Harrington Elementary School located at 53rd and Baltimore.

Parents, community members, and partners are invited to celebrate the reopening of the Harrington Elementary library on Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 8:45-10:45 a.m. at the school. Light refreshments will be provided (see the flier for more info).

WePAC is also looking for community volunteers for its new library program at Harrington. If interested, please contact volunteer@wepac.org for more information.  Continue Reading