Community members are invited this Thursday (April 12) to a Candidates’ Night for the Democratic candidates running for the 188th district seat. The event is hosted by the 27th Democratic Ward and will feature candidates Jeff Curry, Dianne Settles and the incumbent Jim Roebuck. As the primary election day is approaching fast (it will be held on May 15), this is a great opportunity to discuss current issues in Pennsylvania and ask the candidates what they would do in Harrisburg to bring about the policies you support.

The event will take place at the University of the Sciences, Rosenberger Hall (600 S. 43rd St.) beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Also a reminder that the last day for voter registration before the primary is Monday, April 16. For more information, visit the Committee of Seventy website.

UPDATE (April 5, 2018): Due to snow in the forecast for Saturday, April 7, the 11th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup has been postponed until next Saturday, April 14.

The 11th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 14, and residents are encouraged to join local community efforts at cleaning and beautifying neighborhood parks, streets and empty lots. There are numerous cleanup sites in West Philly; please visit www.phillyspringcleanup.com to find a site near you and register.

Also check out these cleanup projects hosted by local organizations:

• From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., join Cedar Park Neighbors in a spring cleanup at Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore). It’s time to get back outdoors and wake up the gardens! CPN will be doing general clean out and prep of gardens for planting. No experience is necessary, and tools will be provided. All are welcome, and it’s kid friendly! As a bonus, Dock Street Brewery is offering volunteers a special deal. For more info and to RSVP, go here: www.facebook.com/events/416760625418190/ Continue Reading

West Philadelphia residents are invited this and next month to University of the Sciences to participate in a series of career development workshops. This free four-week series will help improve your resume, networking skills, job search strategies, and interviews.

Workshops will be held at USciences Alumni Hall (Room 100) from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on April 18, April 25, May 2, and May 9.

Space is limited, so RSVP is required with address and phone number. Please email: e.lohbau@usciences.edu or call 215.596.8970.

                       Photo by Rana Fayez

Do you have a porch? Do you love live music? Would you like to have live music on your porch? Then there’s some good news! The third annual West Philly Porchfest is happening June 2nd, 2018 and you can be part of it.

An outdoor music festival where the stages are neighborhood porches, Porchfest started in Ithaca, NY back in 2007. The concept spread across the country, and made it here to West Philly in 2016. The festival is volunteer-run and completely free, and you can sign up as a band, as a porch or just as a general volunteer.  Continue Reading

West Philly and Southwest Philly have two new registered community organizations (RCOs), West Philly Pride and Kingsessing Spirit, and there is an opportunity this week to learn more about their work and to talk about some important issues. Both organizations hold quarterly RCO meetings focused on zoning and land use issues.

Kingsessing Spirit will hold their Spring 2018 community meeting this Wednesday (March 28), at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (801 S. 48th St), and all concerned citizens of Southwest Philly are invited. The meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature reports from the RCO’s involvement with the Post Brothers’ proposed expansion of Garden Court Plaza at 4701 Pine Street.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia schools, from elementary schools to universities, are participating in the National School Walkout to protest gun violence after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.. The walkout is scheduled for 10 a.m. and will last 17 minutes, commemorating the 17 victims who died in the shooting.

Some local schools and parents shared information about their participation in the walkout on social media. Other schools sent out instructions to their students advising them on how to make the event safer.  Continue Reading