There are some great new recreation and sports programs in the area, for kids and adults alike:

Philadelphia Athletics Youth Sports Association (48th & Woodland Playground). Opening Ceremony this Saturday

The Philadelphia Athletics Youth Sports Association (PAYSA) is a new baseball league in West Philadelphia (founded in the fall of 2013). It provides basic to advanced level instruction and works on building character through teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and decision-making in a competitive sports environment. The league currently has four tee-ball teams, five rookie league teams, two softball teams and four travel teams. Over 170 kids are currently enrolled in the league. The first PAYSA practice was on Wednesday.

The Opening Day Ceremony will take place tomorrow (Saturday, April 5) at 48th & Woodland and all families, friends and neighbors are invited. Please assemble in the outfield of the Small Field around 9 a.m. for a short ceremony followed by the initial Tee Ball League Games at 10 a.m. For more information on PAYSA visit: www.phillyathletics.org

uGO Community Fitness Challenge (36th & Aspen)

Neighbors are invited to join the uGO Challenge, a free eight-week fitness and nutrition program currently underway in the Mantua neighborhood. uGOers enjoy walking and running groups as well as group fitness – Zumba, Line Dancing, African Dance, walks through the community and more.

All programs are led by local fitness instructors. On the first and last days of the Challenge, doctors and nurses from Drexel University will offer health screenings to track body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and blood sugar as well as share professional medical advice with uGOers. Health Chats are led by trained Ambassadors who live within the community and local facilitators from the hospitals.

The sessions take place every Saturday between March 29 and May 17 starting at 10 a.m. at Miles Mack Playground, 36^th and Aspen Streets. Despite the rain last Saturday over 20 participants showed up at Miles Mack Playground’s indoor facility, according to the organizers. Stop by this Saturday (April 5) to participate in the Line Dancing class and learn about healthy food choices.

uGO partners include People’s Emergency Center, We Are Mantua, LISC, and SCI West. See the flyer below for more information.

For more information, visit: ugocommunity.com

Healthy Kids Running Series (4328 Haverford Ave)

Healthy Kids Running Series is a five-week program, kicking off on Saturday, April 5. Kids ages 3-14 are invited to compete in racing events at the Lee Cultural Center Field on Haverford Avenue (4328 Haverford Ave) on Saturdays from 10 – 11 a.m. Registration for the series is only $5 and includes medals, gift bags, and snacks. This is a great opportunity to introduce your child to running. For more details and to register, go here.

West Philly Tool Library (1314 S 47th St) is hosting a Spring Tool Sale and Drive this Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.. Check out the flyer below for details.

This Saturday is the official Spring Cleanup Day in Philadelphia, when hundreds of volunteers will lend their hand in cleaning and beautifying streets, parks and lots all around the city. A lot of trash, leaves and dirt built up everywhere over the long winter, so this is a good chance to remove them in a good company of your friends and neighbors.

We have reported about the Spring cleanup being organized by Cedar Park Neighbors on Saturday. Here are some other opportunities.

University City Community Cleanup:

University City District will be organizing a few focused efforts throughout the neighborhood and will be happy to assist anyone interested in participating by providing trash bags, brooms, work gloves, and trash pickup. To sign up please contact UCD at cleanandsafe@universitycity.org or 215-243-0555.

Spring Cleanup in Powelton:

Other cleanup projects:

Philadelphia Streets Department’s website has a map of registered cleanup projects throughout the city. You can select a project near your home and sign up to volunteer.

Join Rebuilding Together Philadelphia

Hundreds of volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia will be out this Saturday in Mantua repairing homes for low-income residents, including two veterans of the US Armed Forces. The house rehabilitation project, which began last weekend, also includes enhancing home facades, beautifying streets, and improvement of stormwater management.

Photo courtesy of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia.

Do you need a new recycling bin? Stop by Clark Park “A” on Saturday, April 5 to get one and also to drop off your old or unwanted electronics. The recycling bin giveaway event will be hosted by neighborhood Girl Scout troops: the 34th Woodland Ranger Otter Scouts (B-PSA) and Daisy Troop 91569 (GS-USA) in support of the 7th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup.

Electronics recycling is organized by eForce Compliance (big thanks to them for doing it again in the hood!). Please note that the following items will NOT be accepted: light bulbs, batteries, smoke detectors, TVs, or monitors.

The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. Clark Park “A” is located on Baltimore Ave between 43rd and 44th streets.

If you have questions or want to help out, contact Amy Kwasnicki at: kwaszilla@gmail.com

Two West Philly schools are holding community forums this week and your participation and input are important.

– Greening Lea, a project of West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools (WPCNS), is at the center of discussion on Wednesday, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Henry C. Lea School Auditorium (4700 Locust, enter through the small playground on Locust). Participants will be asked about their vision for Lea’s new playground being designed by SALT Design Studio. The studio seeks input from parents, students, teachers, and the community on the project.

Greening Lea began the process in early 2012 with a master plan and vision to revitalize the Lea schoolyards. Your help is needed as they are moving forward with the first stage of the project. Please answer the following questions and email your responses to: jscott1225@verizon.net or bring them to tonight’s meeting:

• What is ONE thing you love about your neighborhood?
• What is ONE thing you don’t like about your neighborhood?
• If you could make a change, what is the ONE thing you would change in your neighborhood?

More information on Greening Lea and tonight’s meeting can be found on the WPCNS website.

– On Thursday, April 3, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Paul Robeson High School for Human Services (4125 Ludlow St) will conduct its first Neighborhood Summit. The purpose of the summit is to determine the best way Paul Robeson High School can join with parents and community partners to improve the culture of the school and its community. All are invited! The format will be “chat and chew,” with informal discussions led by students and faculty.

Two big community events are happening in the Cedar Park neighborhood this weekend (April 5-6).

A Spring Clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to wake up the gardens at Cedar Park (49th-50th & Baltimore). Lots of volunteers are needed to help with rose bushes and grasses and clean out the garden beds for future mulching and planting. Tools and gloves will be provided. If you have clippers to bring that would be helpful. If you want to join your neighbors this Saturday please RSVP at: https://www.facebook.com/events/686153788112115/

The annual Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarship Fundraiser on will again bring together local residents and businesses in an effort to help neighborhood youth who want to continue their education after graduation from high school. The CPN Scholarship Fundraiser is a great opportunity to mingle with your neighbors, friends and business people and enjoy music by local musicians and food prepared by neighborhood restaurants. Here are more details (from the CPN website):

What: Live music for all ages with West Philly based singer-songwriter Gretchen Elise, beer by Dock Street Brewing Company, wine, and food from Aksum, Fu Wah, The Gold Standard Café, and Dock Street. We’ll also have a Silent Auction to include handmade crafts, jewelry, museum tickets, gift certificates to local restaurants, and much more! Children will enjoy kids’ music and activities from 4-5 p.m.
When: Sunday, April 6 from 4-6 p.m.
Where: The Cedar Works, 4919 Pentridge Street (South of Baltimore, between 48th & 49th 49th & 50th)
Cost: Tickets are $40 and available online or at the door. Kids under 12 are free. To purchase tickets or make a donation, complete the form on this page.