Delaila Aryee (left) and Lindsay Brown with former Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter (Facebook photo).

We are sad to report that Vital Step Physical Therapy & Fitness, the West Philly minority-run business, has closed down after more than five years in operation. Co-owned by two young female entrepreneurs, Delaila Aryee and Lyndsay Brown, Vital Step closed its physical location at 5008 Baltimore Ave. in January of this year, but continued to operate virtually for a few months.

“This option was no longer financially viable for us to remain open. So we will be officially dissolving the business on [December 31],” Lyndsay wrote in an e-mail. “We definitely enjoyed our time on Baltimore avenue for the past 5 years and being able to treat the local community!” Continue Reading

Historic Calvary United Methodist Church at 48th Street and Baltimore Avenue has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places.

The church building, which was erected in 1906, now provides space for several community, cultural and religious groups and organizations, including Cedar Park Neighbors community association, Curio Theatre Company, Crossroads Music, Kol Tzedek Synagogue, West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship, and more.

Calvary Church will receive a matching grant of up to $250,000 to support an ambitious capital campaign to be launched in early 2022 by the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (CCCC), a nonprofit organization established by the church 20 years ago to manage the building. Backed by an additional $500,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) matching grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, awarded to the Calvary Center last year, funds raised will enable major repairs and renovations of the building. Continue Reading

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the city, public health officials remind Philadelphians to get vaccinated against the virus or get a booster shot if you were vaccinated at least six months ago. Besides CVS and Rite Aid stores, West Philly residents can get vaccinated against COVID at a number of city-run pop-up clinics:

By appointment:

COVID-19 vaccine is available by appointment only at Health Center 4 located at 4400 Haverford Ave. Appointments can be scheduled for Monday or Tuesday only, between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.. To make an appointment, please call 215.685.2933. Continue Reading

Philadelphia City Council passed new legislation today that aims to create more affordable housing in parts of the city, including West Philadelphia, which are seeing rapid housing development.

The new Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay Bill, proposed by Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) and María Quiñones Sánchez (7th District), is the first-ever mandatory inclusionary zoning legislation that requires affordable housing be part of new large development projects in select tracts of the 3rd and 7th Districts.

The 3rd District includes West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods, which have seen rapid growth of housing development in the past couple of decades and displacement of many lower income residents. Continue Reading

As COVID-19 continues its yet another surge in the city, all Philadelphia-area restaurants, eateries and bars will begin requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for eating and/or drinking in their indoor establishments starting next month, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole announced today. All restaurant workers also must be vaccinated.

The plan’s rollout will begin on Monday, Jan. 3 and will initially also allow a recent negative COVID-19 test from patrons (made within the last 24 hours), to be able to be served at a restaurant or bar. However, starting Jan. 17, the negative test will no longer be accepted by restaurants for most patrons. The exception includes children younger than 5 and people with valid medical or religious exemptions. Continue Reading

       One of SEPTA’s 2021 holiday buses.

Decorated SEPTA buses and “jolly trolleys” are coming to spread holiday cheer!

Folks are invited this Saturday, Dec. 11, to check out and tour the holiday buses at various West Philly locations. Here’s where and when you can find them:

40th St. Trolley Portal (40th and Baltimore Ave.)
10am – 4pm

Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore)
10am – 4pm

West Winter Craft Fest (37th and Market)
10am – 4pm Continue Reading