Photo courtesy of The Woodlands.

There is some exciting news at the Woodlands. The historic century cemetery and mansion has been working on some improvements at and near the Carriage Yard located on the west side of the grounds. Once this work is completed the Carriage Yard will be used as an outdoor event space for public and private events, according to Emma Max, Program and Operations Manager.

The work went underway last month and temporarily caused closing/detour of a portion of the running path adjacent to the construction site (see photo above). So far the drainage in the area has been improved. Continue Reading

The next Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Committee meeting will take place Thursday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. (see more details below). The meeting will focus on several development projects proposed along Chestnut Street – from 40th to 46th Street:

4519-45 Chestnut Street: Six-story residential development with 327 units is being proposed on an existing parking lot at West Catholic High School.

4145 Chestnut Street: A residential building with 136 units and ground floor commercial/retail;

4301-29 and 4331-37 Chestnut Street: A seven-story mixed use complex with 275 residential units. Continue Reading

Philadelphia officials have announced a new indoor mask mandate to fight the latest surge in COVID-19 cases in the city. The new requirements will come into effect Thursday at 12 a.m. on and will only effect businesses and institutions that do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for their staff and customers, according to today’s announcement by Mayor Jim Kenney.

Some Philadelphia area restaurants have been asking their customers to show proof of vaccination to be served at their business since the delta variant began spreading last month. Those restaurants that do not have such rules will have to ask their staff and customers to wear masks inside unless they’re actively eating or drinking. Continue Reading

William “Will” Lindsay was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident last summer while riding his bike in Philadelphia. This summer, to commemorate the anniversary of Will’s tragic death, Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW), the West Philadelphia based non-profit organization, has installed a permanent bike repair stand outside of their shop at 3939 Lancaster Ave.

Will’s loved ones started a Go Fund Me campaign to honor him and raise awareness of cycling safety. They raised over $65,000 and split the funds between the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Neighborhood Bike Works. This generous funding will help NBW in their efforts to provide cycling opportunities to as many Philadelphians as possible. Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia is sending its Back-To-School buses to 31 city neighborhoods starting Monday, Aug. 9. This new program will provide important information and services to students and families, including free state-required childhood immunizations at four event sites, as they are preparing for the return to in-person learning on August 31st.

Students and families will also have an opportunity to communicate with the School District’s Street Team Ambassadors to receive back-to-school information, register for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12, sign up for the Parent Portal and receive a free backpack and school supplies. Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia has announced updates to their Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Learning on August 31st. All students, staff and visitors, regardless of their COVID vaccination status, will be required to wear masks indoors, according to the revised plan, which follows newly revised guidelines from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) on Philadelphia Schools.

The School District will also have the following safety measures in place when the new academic year kicks off on Aug. 31: Continue Reading