Summer is rapidly approaching, which means block party season is just around the corner. The Block Party permit application process has recently been made easier, and traveling to the Municipal Services Building and waiting in line is no longer necessary. Residents can now pay and submit their application online and receive the permit by e-mail.

Block Party permits allow residents to close their street to traffic for a party on a weekend or a summer holiday, such as Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day. NOTE: Applications for weekday block parties or Street Festival Permits are not offered online at this time.  Continue Reading

The community association for one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods is looking for new members and leadership. Cedar Park Neighbors will hold its annual meeting on April 18, and all are invited to the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 48th and Baltimore to hear a report of what CPN has done over the year. There will also be a special event at the meeting that will be announced soon.

The meeting will also include elections for next year’s officers and board members. But only CPN members as of April 1, 2016 can vote. Annual memberships run from January to December each year, and if you would like to join or renew your membership you can do it on the MemberPlanet website. CPN memberships start at just $7/year (for seniors, students, and the unemployed.)

If you have questions, please email: contact@cedarparkneighbors.org or call 267-225-8283.

Former Alexander Wilson School building at 46th and Woodland.

It’s been a while since local community members received any updates on the University of the Sciences’ (USciences) plans regarding the re-development of the former Alexander Wilson School building at 46th and Woodland. This Wednesday (March 30), residents are invited to get the latest scoop about this project at a community meeting on the university’s campus.

The meeting will feature an update on the Campus Master Plan, including the Alexander Wilson School site, remarks from University leadership, an open forum for questions, and a chance to interact with University representatives and partners. Light refreshments will be served.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m., and here’s the agenda:

7:00-7:45 p.m. – Introductions and Remarks
7:45-8:00 p.m. – Open Forum for Community Questions
8:00-8:30 p.m. – Refreshments and Meet & Greet  Continue Reading

You can get more information on the proposed SEPTA bus route 49, which would connect Brewerytown and Fairmount with Grays Ferry via West Philly’s University City section, at an open house this Monday (March 28) at SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street.

The Open House is scheduled for 5-6:30 p.m. and will introduce SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Service Plan, which includes proposals for some new transit services and changes aimed at improving existing services. SEPTA riders, stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to provide feedback regarding the proposals.

The Open House will be held in the Board Room, Mezzanine Level.

For more information on the proposals, or to submit comments, click here.  Continue Reading

Here’s some information on Easter egg hunts happening in the area this weekend. If you know of more egg hunts, please post information about them in the comments below.

Saturday, March 26

Easter Egg Hunt at Clark Park (43rd and Chester)

Easter Egg Hunt at Clark Park will take place from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kids up to age 8 are invited. Along with the hunt, there will be some crafts and raffle prizes at the end. This year’s raffle prizes include: gift cards to Renata’s Kitchen, The Nesting House, Clarkville, VIX Emporium, and West Philly Foods. Be sure to get to the park (by the toddler playground) to register for the egg hunt. Registration will begin at 10:45 a.m. and will close promptly at 11:15 a.m. This annual event is organized by Renewal Presbyterian Church.

Spring Egg Hunt at Walnut Street West Library (40th and Walnut)

There will be two egg hunts: 10:30-11:30 a.m. for ages up to 6 and 12-1:30 p.m. for ages 7-12. Join the Friends of Walnut St West Library for snacks, stories, games and books to take home!  Continue Reading

The annual TreePhilly yard tree giveaway is currently underway. Property owners who want to receive a free tree for their yard or lawn this spring are encouraged to register. To do that, go to the registration page on the TreePhilly website (see below), select up to two trees (various species are available, including fruit trees!) and pre-register for one of the tree pick-up events scheduled to take place in April and May at various locations throughout the city.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge will host a yard tree giveaway on May 21 in Southwest Philadelphia – at James Finnegan Playground (6801 Grovers Ave.). To pre-register for this event, click here.

Registration ends on April 1, 2016. For more information about available tree species and other giveaways, visit: http://treephilly.org/spring16freetrees.