On Saturday, Sept. 30, community members are invited to visit the beautiful homes of the Garden Court neighborhood and dine on gourmet meals prepared by talented neighborhood chefs, while supporting the Cheryl Roebuck Scholarship Fund and community projects at the annual Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) Progressive Dinner.

The event will begin at 5:30 with registration followed by appetizers. Then, at 7 p.m., guests are invited to visit several pre-selected homes for dinner. Guests can choose from the following cuisines: classic Mexican, Belgian, Irish, Italian, Ethiopian, and more! It’s a really tasty way to get to know your neighbors. Dessert will be served at 8:30 p.m.  Continue Reading

Two local schools, Penn Alexander School and Independence Charter School West, are holding drives this week to help those in need after the recent devastating hurricanes, “Harvey,” “Irma,” and “Maria.”

Independence Charter School West, located at 5600 Chester Ave., is collecting first-aid items for the areas affected by the hurricanes. The following donations are being accepted through Friday, Sept. 29: bandages, anti-bacterial ointment, flash lights, batteries, soap, antiseptic and alcohol wipes; or any other item you believe will be of use for those affected by the recent natural disasters.

Donations can also be dropped off at Independence Charter School in Center City (1600 Lombard St.).  Continue Reading

This is a great example of neighbors helping neighbors. Senior residents of the Renaissance Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center located at 4712 Chester Avenue recently raised money to help one of the largest emergency family shelters in the area, Families Forward Philadelphia, get school supplies for their clients.

Renaissance residents and staff created a donation box crafted as a box of “Renaissance” Crayons. Staff, visitors, and family members dropped off items in the lobby, and a traveling store was made available for all residents interested in using bingo winnings to make donations.  Continue Reading

In response to the recent protest and tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, Philadelphia religious organizations will be holding the following events this week:

On Wednesday, Aug. 16, a march and rally under the banner of “Unmasking White Supremacy in Philadelphia” will take place beginning at 7 p.m. The following agenda has been scheduled, according to the event organizer “POWER”, an interfaith organization:

7:00 p.m. – Gather outside Congregation Rodeph Shalom Synagogue (615 N. Broad Street)
7:15 p.m. – March down Broad Street as “we unmask white supremacy in Philadelphia institutions”
8:00 p.m. – Rally and action inside Arch Street United Methodist Church (55 N. Broad Street)  Continue Reading

Community members are invited to celebrate the 52nd Street corridor’s historic legacy and to support Black owned and operated businesses at the Marketplace “Seeds of Sovereignty” Festival. The festival will be held on Sunday, June 25, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (the event has been rescheduled due to rain in the forecast for Saturday), between Walnut and Spruce Streets and will feature vendors, a children’s village, performances, food, fashion shows, and workshops.

One of the goals of the festival, organized in collaboration with the African Cultural Art Forum (ACAF), Philadelphia Assembled Collaborative, Philadelphia Association of CDC’s and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is to set the stage for collaborations that will promote a sovereign society and to engage sustainable economic development opportunities in West Philadelphia and around the world.  Continue Reading

The 2017 “Love Your Park” week kicks off on Saturday, May 13 with a Spring Service Day, and many residents have already registered to help clean up and beautify parks across the city. A lot more volunteers are needed. Here are some volunteer opportunities available in West Philadelphia:

Cedar Park
When: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: S. 49th & Catharine Sts
What: Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Help is needed planting annuals and perennials as well as pruning garden bushes. (On May 19 from 6-8 p.m., join Cedar Park Neighbors for a Bring Your Own Picnic in the park)
Register to volunteer.  Continue Reading