State Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, and State Reps. Vanessa Lowery Brown and Morgan Cephas, both D-Phila., are hosting a joint town hall meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6-8 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to address “the unique issues facing residents of West Philadelphia.” McClinton, Brown and Cephas will also inform residents of legislative developments in Harrisburg that impact their respective districts.

The meeting will take place at Sayre High School, 5800 Walnut St. and is open to the community.

Constituents with questions should contact McClinton’s office at 215-748-6712, Brown’s office at 215-879-6615, and Cephas’ office at 215-879-6625.

For the second year in a row, Greensgrow Farms is offering community beautification mini-grants to residents representing a specific neighborhood or organization in Kensington, the Riverwards, and West Philadelphia. The grants are provided by Mary’s Community Fund, a legacy project that continues the work of Mary Seton Corboy (1957-2016), the founder of Greensgrow and a visionary in supporting a greener Philadelphia.

Grants up to $1,000 are available for the following types of projects:

• Improvement of neighborhood public spaces;
• Community beautification;
• Nurturing a shared sense of neighborhood identity and community pride  Continue Reading

If you’re not sure of what rights you have as a property renter, you can learn more at this week’s Tenant Rights Workshop in West Philly. The workshop will take place at Blackwell Regional Library (52nd and Sansom) on Wednesday, Jan.24, beginning at 6 p.m. and will cover various issues related to landlords or rental properties, including:

• Threats of eviction
• Concerns about getting priced out of your rental unit
• Discrimination in finding housing
• Questions about your rights as a renter

The workshop is presented by the Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN) and The Enterprise Center (TEC). Their work in the area is supported with funding from the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Housing and Community Development.

For more information, check out the event Facebook page.

The Post Bros. have placed their zoning application for a 243-unit addition to Garden Court Plaza at 4701 Pine St. on hold following a public meeting last week, according to the Garden Court Community Association.

A large majority of the approximately 70 people in attendance opposed the plan, which requires special zoning approval from the city. Public comment is factored into that decision. Much of the opposition focused on the availability of affordable housing and parking.

“The Post Brothers have heard our voices loud and clear and want to work with the community to address the issues raised at the meeting,” reads a statement on the Garden Court Community Association website. “They do not intend to proceed with the project without community support. As a result, their zoning application has been put on hold. GCCA Zoning Committee will be working with the Post Brothers to meaningfully address our community’s concerns, especially with regards to housing affordability.”  Continue Reading

Second Fridays on Lancaster Avenue returns this week, and in addition to live music, art shows, film screenings, and community events will now also include a market! Join your friends and neighbors on Friday, Jan. 12, from 4-8 p.m. at The Bank (3750 Lancaster Ave) for the West Side Market featuring a dozen of local food, beverage and craft vendors, music, and Friday night fun. The market will return to The Bank every second Friday.

For more information and updates, check out the Lancaster Avenue Philly website and Facebook page.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on Monday, Jan. 15. Here’s a list of events and Day of Service opportunities for local residents. Visit mlkdayofservice.org/volunteer for more volunteer opportunities in Philadelphia.

• MLK Events at Penn

Penn’s MLK Day of Service activities begin with a breakfast for volunteers, and includes a college fair, sprucing up various locations around West Philadelphia, recording audio books to promote literacy and more. It concludes with a candlelight vigil. More details can be found here.

The Day of Service kicks off Penn’s Annual MLK Symposium for Social Change, two weeks worth of events and activities (from panel discussions to film screenings to performances and lectures) that are centered around social justice. For more information, go here.  Continue Reading