While many were out and about this evening enjoying the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, a blown transformer caused a fire near 46th and Hazel, according to various reports. The fire was reported shortly before 8 p.m.:

Seems to be a fire on an electrical pole on 46th & hazel @WestPhillyLocal @WestPhillyNews pic.twitter.com/4KfkyBvjj3

— Beth Patel (@bethannpatel) September 17, 2015

One witness said that the fire engulfed a car parked nearby. We’re trying to get more details.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Committee on Historic Designation of the city’s Historical Commission will review some West Philadelphia buildings for nominations – at 4300-02 Osage Ave/4304-06 Osage Ave and 3600-3630 Lancaster Avenue. Historic designation will help prevent demolition of the buildings and new development on the sites. The Advisory Committee meeting will be held in Room 578 in City Hall, starting at 9:30 a.m., and public support of the nominations is encouraged. Here’s more information on the buildings:

Satterlee Heights – 4300-02/4304-06 Osage Avenue

The three-story five-bedroom Victorian home at 4300-02 was purchased by Osage Realty Investment for $725,000 in May, 2015. The property has a large yard sloping down toward 43rd St. and that preservation advocates fear will become a building site if it is not saved by the city. The Committee on Historic Designation will consider for nomination this house and the adjoining twin at 4304-06 Osage Ave.

Lancaster Mews – 3600-30 Lancaster Avenue

Demolition of Lancaster Mews, a group of historic red-brick apartment buildings on the 3600 block of Lancaster Avenue, has already been proposed. As was reported in May, the owner, AP Construction, was preparing to sell the block-long row of buildings and was interviewing demolition contractors. A community meeting hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell was also held in May to discuss the future of the block. Residents and business owners who gathered at the meeting vowed to save the historic block from demolition (read more about the meeting here). The buildings at 3600-30 Lancaster Ave date back to 1870’s and also host neighborhood businesses.

Starting this week, The Food Trust‘s healthy food incentive program, Philly Food Bucks, will be available at a West Philly location of The Fresh Grocer (56th and Chestnut). Philly Food Bucks offers free-food coupons to SNAP participants who use their ACCESS card at area farmers’ markets (if you spend $5 in food stamps, you get $2 extra to spend on more fruits and vegetables at the market). With funding from the USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant program, The Food Trust now has the opportunity to expand this model in other retail settings in Philadelphia and across the state.

“We’ve seen firsthand the impact Philly Food Bucks has at our regional network of farmers’ markets, allowing customers to make healthier decisions while sticking to their budget,” says Yael Lehmann, Executive Director of The Food Trust. “This grant allows us to offer the same opportunity in additional retail settings, like corner stores and supermarkets, to help more people bring home fresh, affordable food for their families.”

In addition to increasing the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, this expanded Food Bucks program will benefit local farmers as well as local grocery businesses.

The promotion will run Sept. 13-Oct. 17 and will be available only at The Fresh Grocer at 56th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia. During this period, Price Plus® club card members who use their ACCESS card will receive a $2 digital coupon for every $5 they spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Construction of a new apartment building at 46th and Walnut has begun. The three-story 40-unit apartment building at 4525 Walnut Street, which is aimed at students, will also include a fitness room, office and cellar, according to the city’s Department of Licences and Inspections database records. As was reported earlier, University Realty, which owns many other properties in the Drexel, Penn and Temple university areas, purchased the lot last year. Here you can see what other University Realty’s student housing projects are currently underway.  Continue Reading

After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP) has released its 2015-2016 directory of Philadelphia after-school programs, which includes printed and online directories. The directory connects parents, youth and caregivers with extended-day programs and after-school resources throughout the city. This year’s printed ASAP Directory will be included in all editions of The Philadelphia Daily News on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Additional copies will be made available at libraries and transit hubs. The searchable online version of the directory is already available and is continuously updated.

Parents and caregivers can search the online directory by activity, such as arts and crafts, sports, writing, computer training, music, drama, and many more. An online map will help find programs in your area. Users can also browse directory listings by name. After-school care providers can submit information about their programs to be included in the directory.

As an example, we searched for programs offering arts and crafts, and here’s what the screenshot with the results looks like.

Annie Baum-Stein behind the counter at Milk and Honey Market (Photo West Philly Local).

Milk and Honey Market is celebrating its 6th anniversary this month with a “much needed spruce-up.” The popular corner store and cafe at 45th and Baltimore is currently closed for some “exciting improvements” and is expected to reopen with a “whole new look” on Thursday, Sept. 10.

“After 6 years (September 4th) we have learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t with our original line and want to help our staff be more efficient and our customers more comfortable,” Milk & Honey co-owner Annie Baum-Stein wrote us in an email. “Look forward to shorter lines and waiting and double the seating!”

Milk & Honey owners have been tweeting about the progress with remodeling the space, so check out their Twitter account for updates.

We are kicking up the dust again today & tomorrow but the results will be worth it! See you Thursday… https://t.co/bEPrnmU8OT

— Milk & Honey Market (@milkandhoneymkt) September 8, 2015