August 18, 2017
Former Provident Mutual Life Insurance building at 4601 Market St (archived photo).
Three West Philly neighborhood organizations have written to Mayor Jim Kenney to express their disappointment with the decision to pull the plan to move police headquarters to the old Provident Mutual Life Insurance Building at 4601 Market St, calling the decision “stunning.”
In May, the city canceled plans devised during the Nutter administration to relocate the police headquarters. Instead, it will reportedly move to the former Philadelphia Inquirer building at 400 N. Broad St. The city has spent about $50 million to purchase and renovate the 90-year-old Provident building.
The community associations of Garden Court, Spruce Hill and Walnut Hill neighborhoods also asked that the city continue to renovate the building and include the community in decisions about its future use. Continue Reading
August 17, 2017
The School District of Philadelphia is inviting families and community members to the School of the Future (4021 Parkside Ave.) for an annual Back to School Education Day on Friday, Aug. 18.
The event, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature on-site student registration, dental screenings, free book bags and supplies while materials last, important educational information sessions to help prepare families for next school year, and live entertainment.
Highlights of the event include a Family Engagement Pavilion and a Kids Zone with fun and educational games for students.
For more information, please visit http://www.philasd.org/face/backtoschool
August 15, 2017
In response to the recent protest and tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, Philadelphia religious organizations will be holding the following events this week:
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, a march and rally under the banner of “Unmasking White Supremacy in Philadelphia” will take place beginning at 7 p.m. The following agenda has been scheduled, according to the event organizer “POWER”, an interfaith organization:
7:00 p.m. – Gather outside Congregation Rodeph Shalom Synagogue (615 N. Broad Street)
7:15 p.m. – March down Broad Street as “we unmask white supremacy in Philadelphia institutions”
8:00 p.m. – Rally and action inside Arch Street United Methodist Church (55 N. Broad Street) Continue Reading
August 9, 2017
Illegally dumped tires near 50th and Warrington (Archived photo).
Philadelphia has a serious problem of illegally discarded tires, including in West Philly (see photo). This month, there’s a chance for local block captains and community groups to dispose of illegally dumped tires and also earn some money for their future projects by participating in the Streets Department’s 2017 Tire Round-Up program.
The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 26 in West Philadelphia, and registered participants may drop off their illegally discarded tires at the following temporary tire drop off locations:
• 51st Street & Woodland Avenue
• 49th Street & Parkside Avenue Continue Reading
July 25, 2017
Councilwoman Helen Gym will host a community gathering “to protect healthcare and education” tonight at Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine) from 6-8 p.m.
The gathering is one of three she will host over the next few weeks as part of “Resistance Summer.” The gathering comes as the U.S. Senate decides whether to go ahead with a debate on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.
Feel free to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on for the event.
Gym will also be in Vernon Park in Northwest Philly on Aug. 7 and Columbus Square in South Philly on Aug. 9.
July 19, 2017
A group of local non-profits and Reading Terminal Market are teaming up to bring more fresh and healthy food to Parkside residents this summer. The first-ever Parkside Fresh Food Fest kicked off on Viola Street between 41st St and Belmont Ave on July 6 and will be held on select Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. throughout this summer. The festival brings fresh food to residents (via a food share program) and also includes cooking demonstrations from Reading Terminal, live entertainment and activities for families.
The next event in the series will take place this Thursday, July 20, and the remaining four events are scheduled on the following dates: Aug. 10, 24 and Sept. 14, 21.
The food share program was created after gauging residents’ interest in a potential subsidized Community Supported Agriculture service for East Parkside. Each food share includes fresh fruit, vegetables, locally-sourced eggs and/or dairy, and an assortment of other grocery items from Reading Terminal. Participation in the food share program requires a subscription (four-event subscription is $35), and some limited single shares ($10) will be available at each event. Information on each item in the food share package will be included along with a recipe card.
The series seeks to use food as the foundation to build community and utilize common public space. Attendees can also participate in organized art activities, bicycle safety workshops from the Indego Bike Share, and a Philadelphia Free Library Book Nook for children. Activities will vary each week and may include live music performances and a movie night.
The program is supported by the Knight Foundation.
More information about the fest can be found here. To subscribe to Parkside Market Food Share, click here and type the password “viola”.
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