The University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia city and School District officials announced today that Penn will make a $100 million contribution to the School District of Philadelphia. The contribution – $10 million annually for 10 years – will be used to eliminate environmental hazards, including asbestos and lead, in the School District’s facilities.

“We are proud to be able to partner with our City and School District to significantly improve the learning environment for Philadelphia’s schoolchildren in a way that will have a long-lasting impact on the health, safety, and wellbeing of our entire City,” said University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia officials have announced new restrictions in response to increasing COVID-19 cases in the city. The restrictions, which will be effective from Friday, Nov. 20 through January 1, 2021, will affect businesses, events and gatherings and other activities.

Starting this Friday, the following businesses and activities are not allowed:  Continue Reading

The Philadelphia City Council has unanimously passed a resolution to establish the MOVE bombing day, May 13, as an annual day of “observation, reflection and recommitment.” The resolution formally apologizes on behalf of the City Council for the 1985 city-sanctioned bombing of the MOVE home at 6221 Osage Ave. that killed 11 people, including five children, and burned dozens of neighborhood homes.

The resolution was introduced by City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) in connection to last month’s police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. in the Cobb’s Creek neighborhood.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia officials announced today that there were 1,158 new COVID-19 cases in the city, bringing the total reported cases to 52,043 since the pandemic began. Due to a continuous increase in the number of new cases over the past few weeks and to help stop the spread of the virus, city officials have devised new COVID-19 restrictions. The announcement is expected to be made on Monday, Nov. 16, according to Mayor Jim Kenney:

We must do everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Philadelphia. Specific details are still being finalized, but we plan to announce changes to restrictions on Monday, November 16. https://t.co/fgAPsfbU3P

— Jim #MaskUpPHL Kenney (@PhillyMayor) November 13, 2020

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There’s a new group of local West Philly artists that meets every Saturday at 10 a.m. by the Turtle in Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore). The group, Clark Park Artists, was recently formed with a goal to support other artists, get better at drawing, and meet other likeminded artists.

More artists are welcome to join the group. Interested? Please bring yourself and your drawing supplies to the next meeting on November 14th to practice drawing with other artists. Typically, the meeting starts with a drawing exercise, then moves onto a longer drawing session. At the end, everyone will share what they have done.

For Winter 2020, Clark Park Artists’ meetings will be on Zoom.

For more details, go to: clarkparkartists.com. You can also email them at clarkparkartists@gmail.com.

The number of new COVID-19 cases has been increasing in the Philadelphia region in recent weeks, with daily numbers topping 800 cases, which is higher than in the spring. As of Wednesday, 50,536 total cases were reported in the city and 1,904 total deaths.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health reminds residents to keep wearing masks, practice social distancing, stay home as much as possible, and wash hands with soap and water. It is also very important to keep an eye out for symptoms and get tested if you experience COVID-19 symptoms (persistent cough, fever, shortness of breath, or loss of the sense of smell or taste) or have been exposed to someone with the infection.  Continue Reading