A quick scan of the vote totals at precincts in West Philly make it clear that this decidedly not Trump country. Another indication is a few things dropped off this week at Manakeesh, the Lebanese restaurant and bakery at 45th and Walnut.

Manakeesh posted pictures on its Facebook page yesterday of flowers and notes dropped off since Tuesday’s election. In response to the pictures of swastikas and hateful graffiti being passed around, we think it’s appropriate to show expressions of love and solidarity.  Continue Reading

Runners and walkers who regularly visit the historic Woodlands cemetery and mansion grounds will be happy to know that a new water fountain near the running path will be installed in the next few weeks. This became possible thanks to the success of last year’s Gobble Wobble 5K Run. This year’s Gobble Wobble, which has become an annual fundraising event for The Woodlands, will be held this Saturday (Nov. 12), and all proceeds will continue to go toward improving amenities on the grounds.

                            Click to enlarge

Registration for this event is still open (go here to register, $40 per person or team), and participants will receive a custom Gobble Wobble pint glass, a year long membership to The Woodlands, and the chance to win a Thanksgiving turkey or “tofurkey” from Mariposa Food Co-op. Clarkville is also sponsoring the race with beer at the finish line for all the runners.

The race starts at 10 a.m., and on-site registration opens at 9:00 a.m. If you’re not planning to run, you can also consider donating. For more information, go here.

And here’s some more exciting news from The Woodlands: Regular visitors may have noticed some construction work happening on the grounds and also near the Hamilton Mansion.  Continue Reading

This year’s LOVE Your Park Fall Service Day, an event organized by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Hundreds of volunteers will step out to clean up their neighborhood parks and help prepare them for winter. We’re happy to let you know that West Philly’s Malcolm X Park, located at 52nd and Pine, will be this year’s signature “LOVE Your Park” site.

Mayor Kenney and other dignitaries will be present at the park on Saturday to show support to the volunteers, including Gregorio Cojulun Jr., the President of the Malcolm X Park Friends group.

Gregorio has been a member of the Malcolm X Park Friends since 1996, and has been its president since 1997. He is credited with helping to rid the park of crime and bring it back to life through his ability to motivate neighbors to get involved in the programming and stewardship of the park.  Continue Reading

The Great Migration: A City Transformed (1916-1930), a series of audio and video works that celebrate the historic journeys of African Americans to the North, are taking place this fall at libraries, rec centers and schools throughout the the city, including in West Philadelphia. The works range from profiles of local figures and institutions to experimental short films. Each screening offers a mix of local history and great film.

The films, produced by multi-media artists Julie Dash, Kevin Jerome Everson, and Tina Morton, look at the stories of Black migrants and the institutions that shaped their journey and settlement.

The screenings are presented by West Philly-based Scribe Video Center and community partners and will also feature works from Scribe’s Precious Places Community History Project, a citywide initiative to document the public spaces and landmarks that define our communities. These include short documentaries about the Belmont Plateau, the John Coltrane House, St. Paul’s Baptist Church, the Christian Street YMCA, and more.  Continue Reading

Polls were busy this morning in West Philly/University City. This photo was taken at 8:30 a.m. at the Garden Court polling station:

@WestPhillyLocal have you seen the lines at 47th and Pine to vote -taken at 8:30am pic.twitter.com/y8hqwBvZZU

— arezze1 (@arezze1) November 8, 2016

Here are some more tweets from West Philly voters:

An hour and twenty minute to vote in University City/West Philly. But a cheerful wait with a lot of smiling folks ready to have their say.

— Spencer Short (@Spencer_Short) November 8, 2016

Reports in Philadelphia of people blocking poll doors, handing out flyers – if you see it, please relay these kind of reports to #866OURVOTE

— NAACP (@NAACP) November 8, 2016

@phillyrecord voted in west philly in 34th ward pic.twitter.com/8TWIydLuoL

— arezze1 (@arezze1) November 8, 2016

Friend Adam driving voters to the polls in West Philly today. In a brand new Bentley. Srsly — it has dedicated umbrella holders. pic.twitter.com/gRR0LyqYz9

— csean00 (@csean00) November 8, 2016

Polls will close at 8 p.m. Here’s some important information for those who are planning to vote later today.

Community members are invited to attend the big annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association on Nov. 15 at the Penn Alexander School (43rd and Locust).

Penn Alexander’s new principal, Michael Farrell, will address the meeting, which will be held in the school’s cafeteria. Farrel took over from founding principal Sheila Sydnor this fall. Read more about him here.

SHCA board members will also present the association’s activities over the year during the meeting and hold elections for a new board. Eric Santoro, SHCA’s current president, is running unopposed for a second one-year term. Election will also be held for four other officer positions and 10 board posts. Biographical information for those running will be available at the meeting.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served beginning at 7 p.m., and the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.

Membership in SHCA is open to everyone. Dues are $20 per year.