Velma Lewis led a crew of Lift Every Voice Philly parents to call for increased focus on students’ emotional needs. (Photo by Tony West)

Schooling was the top issue on the minds of community members at Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s presentation of the proposed 2024-25 City budget at West Philadelphia High School on Apr. 29.

About 125 people turned out for this novel effort to bring City Council budget debates to the attention of neighborhoods. Gauthier hosted as councilmember for the 3rd District, which takes in much of West Philly. But she was joined by Council President Kenyatta Johnson of the adjoining 2nd District as well as at-large members Nina Ahmad, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Jim Harrity, Rue Landau and Nicholas O’Rourke. Such public outreach over the budget by the Council is without precedent.

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UPDATE (4/30/2024): The sign-up form for the 1st Annual West Philly Community Yard Sale Event has been closed. “After an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response,” the event will include 150 yard/porch/garage sales around the neighborhood, according to organizer Max Lovitz-Wolfson.

To see the map of sale locations and other details, click here. And here is the full list of sales in a spreadsheet. You can search the list using keywords for things you’re interested in, like “kids”,  “video games”,  “free”, etc. Most sales kick off at 10 a.m.

4/24/2024: Here’s some great news for folks who want to get rid of unwanted items or are looking to buy something at a bargain price. The first ever West Philly Community-Wide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, May 4 (rain date is May 5), and more than 120 participants have already signed up! The event is organized by a West Philly resident, Max Lovitz-Wolfson, the founder of the West Philly VIRTUAL Yard Sale Facebook group. He says that he has been amazed at how big the event is getting – he expects it to be close to 150 or so sales by the end of the sign-up period.

If you would like to sign up, please fill out this form. It is absolutely free to sign up. There is no firm deadline for sign-up, but it would be great if you can do it by Monday, April 29.

We asked Max how he came up with this great idea. Here’s what he wrote us in an email:

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In recognition of International Jazz Day, celebrated on April 30th, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier has introduced a resolution honoring and recognizing legendary Philadelphian jazz musician Edward “Lee” Morgan (1938-1972).

The Library of Congress recently announced that it was adding Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder to the National Recording Registry (read more details here). On Tuesday, April 30, Lee Morgan will also be memorialized with a historical marker outside of the former Aqua Lounge at 52nd and Chancellor, the jazz club where he last performed in Philadelphia in 1971 before his tragic death at age 33 (see more details about this event below).

Morgan was born on July 10, 1938, grew up in the Tioga neighborhood, and began playing the trumpet at the age of 14. His musical development was nurtured by the Philadelphia jazz community, and his early interaction with professional musicians at the Heritage House Jazz Workshop and Music City Swing Club.

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The University City District (UCD) has released its annual State of University City report, which highlights different areas of development in the area in the past year, including real estate, employment, demographics, education, healthcare, transportation and more. During the presentation of the report on Thursday, UCD shared the stories of three innovative neighborhood businesses: Renata’s Kitchen, Two Locals Brewing, and Grant BLVD (check out this video).

Here are some most interesting stats from the 2024 State of University City report:

• University City has 55,953 residents, whose median age is 27.6;

• 84 percent of neighborhood residents work in University City, and 72 percent of jobs pay over $40,000 per year;

• 63 percent of residents ages 25+ have a bachelor’s degree or higher;

• The median single family home sale price is $537,000;

• 4,210 units of multi-family housing (apartments) are expected to be developed in the next three years;

• 929 new units of multi-family housing were developed in the past year;

• The number of new construction permits has decreased from 50 to a little over 10 since 2018.

• 57 percent of neighborhood residents do not use cars to commute;

• 24 percent of households’ primary language is not English.

To download the new report, click here. Read about some previous reports in our archives here.

West Philly residents have a chance to weigh in on the proposed city budget in an upcoming City Council Budget Townhall meeting hosted by Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. The meeting will take place on Monday, April 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at West Philadelphia High School (49th and Chestnut).

The series of Neighborhood Budget Townhalls kicked off last week in South Philadelphia with a goal to give residents and community leaders a chance to review and provide feedback on the City’s $6.29 Billion Fiscal Year 2025 (FY ’25) Operating Budget, proposed by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on March 14.

The City Council’s last budget townhall series was held in 2016, so this is a great opportunity for residents to advocate for their budget priorities.

For more information about the proposed budget, visit: https://phlcouncil.com/budget2025.

All are welcome to one of West Philadelphia’s oldest community traditions – the Spruce Hill May Fair in Clark Park. It will take place on Saturday, May 11, 12-6 p.m. at 43rd and Chester.

As always, this free, family-friendly frolic features live entertainment, food trucks, children’s games (including the wildly popular petting zoo) and scores of vendors and community service information tables.

The event is organized by the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), which is inviting community groups and vendors to take part in the fair. Space is limited and priority will be given to local community organizations and artisans. SHCA will provide a 6-foot table, table covering and chair in a 10-foot space. Vendor fees are set affordably low: $40 or less for the day. No second-hand goods, commercial products or food table sales, please. If you have a truck/cart, please contact Evan Johnstone (evanjay@gmail.com). Prospective vendors should request a table online by Sunday, May 7. Follow this link.

The organizers will work around any threatening showers if at all possible and hold the event as planned. However, in the event of significant rain, SHCA may have to cancel the event on that morning. If you have questions, please email Monica Calkins, Spruce Hill Community Association, mcalkins@upenn.edu.

– Tony West