Heritage roses, historic boxwoods, vegetable and herb starts, native perennials, shrubs, trees and more will be available for sale at this year’s plant sale at Bartram’s Garden. The popular annual event will be held on Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. It is also a great opportunity to visit the 1731 Bartram House which will be open all day.

Throughout the day, horticulturalists will be on hand to answer questions and share garden-planning advice.

Bartram’s Garden members are invited to check out this year’s fabulous selection of plants during a Member Preview Party on Friday, April 20, plus enjoy discounts on plant and Welcome Center purchases.  Continue Reading

Here’s a chance to meet and hear from some candidates up for election in next month’s primaries. The 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee is hosting a candidates forum on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall on the University of the Sciences campus (west side of the 600 block of S. 43rd St. – across from Clark Park).

The forum will feature candidates for the seat from the newly redrawn 3rd Congressional district. Incumbent Dwight Evans, a Democrat and former state representative from North Philly running for his second term, will join Democratic challenger Kevin Johnson, a pastor at the Dare to Imagine Church in East Mount Airy, at the event.

Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional district, which was unveiled earlier this year after the state Supreme Court ordered that it be redrawn, includes West and Northwest Philadelphia and Center City.  Continue Reading

Community members are invited this Thursday (April 12) to a Candidates’ Night for the Democratic candidates running for the 188th district seat. The event is hosted by the 27th Democratic Ward and will feature candidates Jeff Curry, Dianne Settles and the incumbent Jim Roebuck. As the primary election day is approaching fast (it will be held on May 15), this is a great opportunity to discuss current issues in Pennsylvania and ask the candidates what they would do in Harrisburg to bring about the policies you support.

The event will take place at the University of the Sciences, Rosenberger Hall (600 S. 43rd St.) beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Also a reminder that the last day for voter registration before the primary is Monday, April 16. For more information, visit the Committee of Seventy website.

West Philadelphia residents are invited this and next month to University of the Sciences to participate in a series of career development workshops. This free four-week series will help improve your resume, networking skills, job search strategies, and interviews.

Workshops will be held at USciences Alumni Hall (Room 100) from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on April 18, April 25, May 2, and May 9.

Space is limited, so RSVP is required with address and phone number. Please email: e.lohbau@usciences.edu or call 215.596.8970.

                       Photo by Rana Fayez

Do you have a porch? Do you love live music? Would you like to have live music on your porch? Then there’s some good news! The third annual West Philly Porchfest is happening June 2nd, 2018 and you can be part of it.

An outdoor music festival where the stages are neighborhood porches, Porchfest started in Ithaca, NY back in 2007. The concept spread across the country, and made it here to West Philly in 2016. The festival is volunteer-run and completely free, and you can sign up as a band, as a porch or just as a general volunteer.  Continue Reading

One of the most popular local shopping events of the year is returning this summer. University City District (UCD) has announced that Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, where guests can enjoy $1 specials from dozens of neighborhood businesses – from food and drinks to merchandise and theatre tickets – will be held twice this year: on June 7th and September 13th. The event draws thousands of visitors each year and also includes live music and entertainment.

This year, the organizers want to make sure that all food vendors participating in this event are in compliance with Philadelphia Health Department codes and public safety regulations. Currently, UCD is accepting applications from temporary community food vendors to participate in this event as official participants. Selected vendors will be included on maps and marketing materials for the event.  Continue Reading