A group of committee people and block captains from the Kingsessing neighborhood will host a community discussion about gentrification on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Kingsessing Library (1201 S. 51st St.).

The discussion will feature a panel that includes community activist and political candidate Gregory Benjamin, local parent and activist Christina Jackson (who is also a sociology professor at Stockton University) and Drick Boyd, a community educator (and professor emeritus at Eastern University).

The goal of the discussion is to learn from and listen to fellow community members.

The event is co-sponsored by K5DCN – the Kingsessing 5th Division Community of Neighbors.

Newly elected Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier will be a guest speaker at the Garden Court Community Association’s fall membership meeting on Thursday, Nov. 14, which will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Apostles and the Mediator (260 S. 51st St.).

The proposed luxury apartment development near 51st and Spruce will likely be among the topics she will address. This meeting is an opportunity for residents to hear the newly elected Councilwoman’s thoughts on the neighborhood’s future and ask questions.  Continue Reading

                             Jamie Gauthier

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Penn Alexander School auditorium (enter through cafeteria/blacktop entrance on 43rd street between Locust and Spruce).

Officers and board members get elected at this meeting and special guests talk about important community issues. The event is free and all community members are invited to attend to learn more about the organization and get involved (check out the Spruce Hill boundaries map below).  Continue Reading

                             Li Sumpter

The Barnes Foundation continues its community programming in West Philadelphia and will host a special Barnes Presents! event this Thursday, Nov. 7 at The Bank (3750 Lancaster Ave). The event will introduce the Barnes’ current major exhibition, 30 Americans, and will include a conversation about race and equity in the arts. Li Sumpter, a scholar of art, myth, and humanities, and artist Sherman Fleming will participate in the discussion, moderated by the Barnes education team’s Jihan Thomas.  Continue Reading

Neighbors have a chance to get updates on all things Clark Park at a Fall public meeting organized by Friends of Clark Park. The meeting is Monday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall (Room 102) on the University of the Sciences campus (600 S 43rd St).

The annual meeting is always a great time to discuss ongoing issues with the park and learn about some of the latest events and upcoming changes.

Friends of Clark Park will also be holding the annual election for the board of directors. If you would like to get involved in the Friends of Clark Park work or are just curious about the latest happenings in the park you are welcome to attend the meeting.

For more information about Friends of Clark Park and their work, visit: www.friendsofclarkpark.org.

The 20th annual Peoplehood, a West Philly-based parade and community gathering, will take place Saturday, Oct. 19. The event once again will feature giant puppets, created by Spiral Q puppet makers with the help of community members.

The parade starts at the Paul Robeson House (4951 Walnut) at 1 p.m. and marches along West Philly streets to Clark Park (45th & Chester) for a participatory giant puppet performance around 2:15 p.m.  Continue Reading