Residents in the Powelton/Mantua/Belmont neighborhoods had a chance last week to try the City’s new voting machines during a neighborhood advisory committee election (see photo). This and next week, residents in Cedar Park, Cobbs Creek, Spruce Hill and adjacent areas are invited to new voting machine demonstration events.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, State Sen. Anthony H. Williams and the 60th Ward Executive Committee will hold a new voting system demo event at Global Leadership Academy at 52nd and Pine. This is a non-partisan event and is handicap accessible. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the school auditorium.  Continue Reading

The election of the new Neighborhood Advisory Sub-Committee for People’s Emergency Center (PEC) took place on Monday, Sept. 30. The NAS functions as a liaison between the community and the larger PECCDC (Community Development Corporation) board. NAS members are elected to the committee by their neighbors, colleagues and friends –  that live, work or worship within the service area (West Powelton, Powelton, Saunders Park, Belmont, Mantua and Mill Creek).

There were 16 candidates, 14 of whom were elected onto the NAS. Voters got a chance to use the City’s new touch screen voting machines (that will be used in the November election citywide) for the NAS election:  Continue Reading

“Meet the NAS” night at Community Education Center (3500 Lancaster Ave.) was held Tuesday, Sept. 17. Special invited speaker was Raymond Jones, Director of External Relations for State Senator Vincent Hughes. Participants enjoyed a light reception and presentations from each candidate (Photo courtesy PEC). 

Residents of some West Philly neighborhoods have a chance to help determine future members of the Neighborhood Advisory Sub-Committee at PECCDC (People’s Emergency Center’s Community Development Corporation). These members help support community program activities provided by PEC and the City’s Division of Housing and Community Development. The NAS is a sub-committee of the PEC Board of Directors and its function is in an advisory role, acting as community level liaison. Elections are held every two years.

The next election will take place this upcoming Monday (Sept. 30), from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations:  Continue Reading

West Philly community members will have a chance to see legendary female rap and hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa perform at the annual Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood (N2N) Festival. This year’s festival celebrates women in hip-hop and will take place at 50th and Baltimore next Saturday, Sept. 7.

Salt-N-Pepa, who have broken barriers and opened doors that were once closed to women in hip-hop, are set to headline the 2019 N2N Festival, performing their hit songs. MC Lyte, one of hip-hop’s pioneer feminists, and Angie Stone who rose to fame as member of the hip hop trio The Sequence before starting her solo career are also performing. There will also be live performances by local Philadelphia artists.

The free festival will be hosted by legendary radio host Lady B from Classix 107.9 FM, and comedian, Skeet. More than 5,000 people from across the region will enjoy the free festival throughout the day.  Continue Reading

Many neighbors are organizing to fight a proposed luxury development near 51st and Spruce.

Developer Callahan Ward is planning to build a three-story, 30-unit mixed-use building at 303 S. 51st Street on the site of a former auto repair shop, which is surrounded by the backyards of residential homes. A zoning permit for the building, which also includes three commercial tenant spaces and 21 bicycle parking spaces, was issued on April 26, according to the Licenses and Inspections website. The 16,655 square-foot-lot was purchased in 2018, according to Realtor.com. The lot is zoned CMX2, which allows construction of 33 units by right, and no public hearings were required for the developer to proceed with their plans.  Continue Reading

Some of the recipients of the 2019 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship during Friday’s presentation. (Photo by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local).

Cedar Park Neighbors’ Scholarship Committee has announced 13 young people who will receive the 2019 Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship. The presentation took place on Friday, July 12, during Cedar Park Jazz intermission at 50th and Baltimore.

The scholarship provides both mentorship and financial support to students. This year, Cedar Park Neighbors is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the awards. The scholarship was established in 1989 and renamed as the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship in 2015 in honor of neighborhood visionary and scholarship founder. The funds for the scholarship are raised by neighbors and neighborhood businesses at an annual scholarship fundraising event and through additional donations. Continue Reading