West Philly residents will soon have a new place where you can take trash and recyclables, including large household items, e-waste and Christmas trees. A new, more conveniently located Sanitation Convenience Center is opening at 5100 Grays Avenue on Wednesday, April 22, when the Earth Day is celebrated worldwide. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the center and Earth Day celebration will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and local residents are encouraged to come out and celebrate.

The facility was specifically designed for the needs of West Philadelphia residents.

In conjunction with the celebration of Earth Day, the Philadelphia Streets Department will offer information on maintaining litter free communities, recycling education and the Recycling Rewards Program. Representatives from the Streets Department’s Sanitation Division will be on hand to distribute educational materials and answer questions. Recycling bins and other giveaways will also be available.  Continue Reading

Cedar Park Neighbors is holding its annual meeting tonight, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore, entrance on 48th). The meeting will be preceded by voting for the CPN Board Members, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The list of the candidates for the CPN Board is available here (only CPN members can take part in the voting).

Tonight’s meeting will include brief presentations on various neighborhood zoning and development issues, improvements to the neighborhood and upcoming park events. Philadelphia Water Department will also present its “Rain Check” program. Following these brief presentations, there will be an indoor fair with tables for various committees, businesses, community groups and individual programs to learn more, sign up for programs and become more involved in the community.

The annual meeting is a great introduction to the organization and the work that it does throughout the year. An informal meet and greet will follow the meeting.

For more information, visit: cedarparkneighbors.org.

How do we know that spring is here? Yes, beautiful flowers and blossoms are all around, but also so many cool events now happen every weekend – parties, community fairs, markets, concerts, exhibitions and more! This weekend’s round up is below. For more events, please visit our Events Calendar.

Friday, April 17

• ‘The Imaginary App’ Book Launch with DJ Spooky

The Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut Street

Global software company ThoughtWorks is sponsoring the launch of ‘The Imaginary App’, a new book about digital apps and the way they have changed our world, featuring essays and articles by writers, artists, and theoreticians. Co-editor DJ Spooky (pictured right), who is also a composer, performer, professor, and activist, will spin music and discuss the cultural and technical shifts that have accompanied the emergence of mobile app technology. 6:30 p.m. Free. More info.  Continue Reading

St. Francis de Sales Church (4625 Springfield Ave.) is holding its annual Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, April 18.

The drive runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school auditorium. Feel free to swing by on Saturday to donate or you can set up an appointment by calling the church rectory at 215-222-5819.
 

Two events raising awareness to violence within the community are planned this weekend in Mantua. Neighborhood and church groups are organizing an anti-violence rally and march on Friday, April 17, and everyone is invited to join them and other community members, city officials, clergy, and other organizations as they rally and pray for peace.

“Violent crime in Black neighborhoods has reach(ed) epidemic proportions and requires everyone to commit to finding ways to solve the problem,” reads a press release by Transfiguration Baptist Church, signed by Reverend Dr. Charles L. McNeil. “In our effort to raise awareness to this problem, churches and organizations in the Mantua section of Philadelphia sponsor an anti-violence rally and march against black on black crime.”

The rally will begin at 6 p.m. with a prayer and introductions at Transfiguration Baptist Church at 3732 Fairmount Avenue, then will proceed to designated churches throughout Mantua, ending at Second Antioch Baptist Church at 912 North 41st Street for refreshments and conversation.  Continue Reading

Artist and West Philly resident Samantha Mayo and her partner Kevin Buttery have an interesting, West Philly-centered idea for the empty space at the corner of 45th and Baltimore, right across the street from Milk and Honey Market. They are planning to open “The Arty Bunker,” part art shop for local artists to sell their work to the community and part classroom for kids to take art classes during the day and for B.Y.O.B. painting classes for adults in the evening.

Samantha and Kevin have everything in place to start their business as soon as possible except for the funding, and are currently raising money that would help cover start-up costs and overhead of the shop and classroom. This past Saturday the pair went to Clark Park to spread the word (some of you probably saw The Arty Bunker flyers around the park), and next Saturday they are planning to set up a facepaint table in the park and talk to more people about their idea.

The fundraising goal is $12,000, and the money is being raised through Kickstarter. “No one would get charged until we reach our goal and we have until May 7 until our Kickstarter expires,” writes Samantha. “This is really West Philly community oriented so any support from the community helps!”

Samantha and Kevin say that they understand the risks associated with starting a business:

“We have the motivation and inspiration to overcome the challenges of starting a company. We are two, well-educated and passionate people who are determined to make The Arty Bunker a reality in West Philadelphia.”

If you like Samantha and Kevin’s idea and would like to support it, please go to their Kickstarter page for more information and to make a donation: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/239485913/bring-the-arty-bunker-to-west-philadelphia.

Also, check out the video the guys posted on Kickstarter: