Five community organizations are hosting an information session on Monday, Feb. 26 about the transition of governance of the School District of Philadelphia from the state back to the city.

Otis Hackney of the Mayor’s Office of Education will be a featured speaker.

The School Reform Commission voted in November to abolish itself, beginning the end of 17 years of state control of the district. The Mayor’s Office is now tasked with assembling a Board of Education, a multi-step process that will be explained in more detail at Monday’s meeting.

The event is hosted by Cedar Park Neighbors, Cobbs Creek Neighbors, Garden Court Community Association, Spruce Hill Community Association and Walnut Hill Community Association.

The information session will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore). The regular monthly Cedar park Neighbors board meeting will follow from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The tax season is underway, and we recently reported on free community-based tax preparation and filing sites helping working families and individuals in the area. There will also be a free tax workshop for homeowners next week at the Blackwell Library (52nd and Sansom). The workshop will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will cover property tax programs, EITC, and other topics. The workshop is presented by the Enterprise Center.

On Saturday, Feb. 24, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., State Rep. James Roebuck will host an event to inform constituents about the updated tax laws. A local tax firm will be on hand to review the new tax laws, how they apply to constituents, and what they may be able to do now and in the future concerning their taxes. This event will take place at the Calvary Center (801 S. 48th St).

One of the most common kind of questions on West Philadelphia-local mailing lists, forums and Facebook communities has to do with what to do about lost, stray or injured animals. Here are some official resources that can help if you find one of those animals and want to help:

If you find a lost or stray dog, cat, or other household pet, ACCT (Animal Care and Control Team) Philadelphia are the most likely to be able to take a found animal. You can visit http://www.acctphilly.org/foundpet/ for more information. Make sure to fill out the ACCT Found Pet Report: http://www.acctphilly.org/foundpet/foundreport/. If you can’t keep the animal until its family can be located, ACCT will accept it at their central location. They are not a no-kill shelter.  Continue Reading

Fair Districts PA, a nonpartisan group of Pennsylvania residents that strives to end gerrymandering, is holding a special West Philadelphia meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at USciences (Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd St). Gerrymandering is the practice of legislators creating voting districts to give themselves an unfair advantage, and Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country.

Newcomers are especially welcome at this meeting. You will learn how you can get involved right here in West Philly. Light refreshments will be provided, and there will also be Gerrymandering bingo with prizes.

More information is also available on Fair Districts PA’s Facebook page.

Photo from Kol Tzedek Facebook page.

Community members have a chance this Friday to show their support for our Muslim neighbors outside of a local mosque, the site of last week’s anti-Muslim protest. The event, titled “Stand with Muslims”, is organized by Kol Tzedek synagogue and the West Philly Coalition Against Islamophobia. It will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at 43rd and Walnut where Masjid al-Jamia mosque is located.

“Last week there was a small but very disturbing Islamophobic protest outside Masjid Al-Jamia, the mosque at 43rd and Walnut, during Friday prayers,” reads a Facebook post by Kol Tzedek dedicated to the event. “Please join Kol Tzedek and the West Philly Coalition Against Islamophobia to show our support for our Muslim neighbors and stand in solidarity with them.”  Continue Reading

The tax filing season has begun, and this is a reminder that qualifying individuals and families can take advantage of free tax preparation and filing sites throughout the city, including in West and Southwest Philadelphia. The sites are run by the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) and serve families and individuals earning less than $54,000 per year.

CWF’s community based tax sites are offering such services as e-file, direct deposit, public benefits applications, and more. Their services allow families to maximize federal and state tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Most sites serve customers on a first come, first served basis, but some require an appointment.  Continue Reading