In light of last week’s presidential election that left many people in Philadelphia frustrated and upset, Greensgrow West (5123 Baltimore Ave) is organizing a community potluck dinner this Friday (Nov. 18) to provide a space for people to be together. All are invited and are welcome to bring a dish to share and/or nonperishable food to donate to PEC’s Rowan House, transitional housing for women and children.

If you want to bring a donation, PEC is currently collecting sides for Thanksgiving dinner, like corn and cranberries, and canned protein, like tuna.

Greensgrow will also have space to write cards to local minority-owned businesses and a small fire pit in which to write down feelings and throw them in.

The dinner will take place from 6 – 8 p.m, and you can RSVP on the event’s Facebook page.

“Love Your Park” Fall Service Day 2016 at Malcolm X Park. (Photo by Albert Yee)

An historic turnout was reported at this year’s “Love Your Park” Fall Service Day.

This past weekend the highest number of volunteers registered for “LOVE Your Park” to date, according to Philadelphia Parks & Rec, the event organizers. 2,129 volunteers showed up at 90 parks throughout the city to plant trees, rake leaves, pick up trash and prepare these green spaces for winter.

This year, West Philly’s Malcolm X Park was chosen as a signature”Love Your Park” site. Mayor Jim Kenney and other city officials were at the park supporting the volunteers.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the Farm at Bartram’s Garden will be celebrating its fifth growing season with a benefit dinner at Distrito (3945 Chestnut St), Jose Garces’ award-winning restaurant. This will be an evening filled with joy, friends, and incredible food, and will feature music, cooking and growing demonstrations, and a silent auction.

All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the youth programs and food justice outreach that the Farm promotes throughout Southwest Philadelphia. And here’s a special offer: the code FARM16 takes $15 off each $60 ticket, which includes unlimited small plates and two cocktails. The event will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. For more information and tickets, click here.

Since 2011, the Farm at Bartram’s Garden has been a hub for fresh, organic produce; food sovereignty; and community building in Southwest Philly. Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River, the Farm brings new life to the agricultural heritage of Bartram’s Garden.  Continue Reading

A quick scan of the vote totals at precincts in West Philly make it clear that this decidedly not Trump country. Another indication is a few things dropped off this week at Manakeesh, the Lebanese restaurant and bakery at 45th and Walnut.

Manakeesh posted pictures on its Facebook page yesterday of flowers and notes dropped off since Tuesday’s election. In response to the pictures of swastikas and hateful graffiti being passed around, we think it’s appropriate to show expressions of love and solidarity.  Continue Reading

Runners and walkers who regularly visit the historic Woodlands cemetery and mansion grounds will be happy to know that a new water fountain near the running path will be installed in the next few weeks. This became possible thanks to the success of last year’s Gobble Wobble 5K Run. This year’s Gobble Wobble, which has become an annual fundraising event for The Woodlands, will be held this Saturday (Nov. 12), and all proceeds will continue to go toward improving amenities on the grounds.

                            Click to enlarge

Registration for this event is still open (go here to register, $40 per person or team), and participants will receive a custom Gobble Wobble pint glass, a year long membership to The Woodlands, and the chance to win a Thanksgiving turkey or “tofurkey” from Mariposa Food Co-op. Clarkville is also sponsoring the race with beer at the finish line for all the runners.

The race starts at 10 a.m., and on-site registration opens at 9:00 a.m. If you’re not planning to run, you can also consider donating. For more information, go here.

And here’s some more exciting news from The Woodlands: Regular visitors may have noticed some construction work happening on the grounds and also near the Hamilton Mansion.  Continue Reading

This year’s LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day, an event organized by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Hundreds of volunteers will step out to clean up their neighborhood parks and help prepare them for winter. We’re happy to let you know that West Philly’s Malcolm X Park, located at 52nd and Pine, will be this year’s signature “LOVE Your Park” site.

Mayor Kenney and other dignitaries will be present at the park on Saturday to show support to the volunteers, including Gregorio Cojulun Jr., the President of the Malcolm X Park Friends group.

Gregorio has been a member of the Malcolm X Park Friends since 1996, and has been its president since 1997. He is credited with helping to rid the park of crime and bring it back to life through his ability to motivate neighbors to get involved in the programming and stewardship of the park.  Continue Reading