A new coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site has opened in West Philadelphia. Residents experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches or difficulty breathing) or have been exposed to a person who tested positive, can now get tested at a drive-through and walk-through site located at Sayre Health Center (5800 Walnut St., Rear). Testing is by appointment only (please call 215-474-4444).

Hours of operation:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Thursday: 12-3 p.m.

For more information, visit: www.sayrehealth.org.

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Here’s a great new initiative from a group of local organizers to show public support for the city’s essential workers during theses challenging times. Italy had songs on balconies, New York City banged on pots and pans, and Philly folks are invited to dance at their doorway. A daily, Philadelphia Doorway Dance Party for Essential Workers kicks off Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. and here’s how it works:

The group asks all Philadelphians to gather in their doorway or door area at 6:30 p.m. to dance to the sound of the “Rocky” theme and then “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” the upbeat tune from the Sound of Philadelphia’s “McFadden & Whitehead” (see video below). The group has reached out to local radio stations to play these tunes. So far, two stations, Radio One & iHeart Radio, have agreed to participate in the initiative.  Continue Reading

Construction work on the Chestnut Street Bridge and Schuylkill Expressway/I-76 viaducts will resume on Monday, May 4, according to an announcement by PennDOT. Motorists should watch out for reduced lanes and closed shoulders and ramps in the work area. Expect significant backups and delays near the work area.

PennDOT is resuming the project in accordance with Governor Tom Wolf’s plan for a phased-in reopening of public and private construction. The project was paused on March 17 in response to mitigation efforts. Work on the project will be in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and state Department of Health guidance as well as a project-specific COVID-19 safety plan, which includes protocols for social distancing, use of face coverings, personal and job-site cleaning protocols, and other safety measures.  Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of cinéSPEAK

Local cinephiles will have to wait until at least the Fall for the launch of cinéSPEAK’s brick-and-mortar microcinema in West Philly. The new 75-seat theater was originally planned to open at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 48th and Baltimore in June, but the COVID-19 pandemic made these plans impossible.

In the meantime, the organization, which has been holding mobile film screenings for almost seven years, has launched a virtual cinema featuring independent titles from around the world previously only available in-theater. Each week, cinéSPEAK premieres entertaining and provocative domestic and international cinematic works.  Continue Reading

West Philly Local readers came across two mysterious “installations” in the northern section of Clark Park (Clark Park “A”) near 43rd and Baltimore. The first one appeared in the last couple of days and is apparently growing with new items being added. It looks like someone was moving and decided to bring their unwanted stuff to the park, but it’s kinda organized to resemble a room or a part of a house. Check it out:

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The city’s ban of single-use plastic bags, which was expected to go into effect on July 2nd, has been postponed until January 2021. The July start date for the new regulation was reconsidered by the City because of the disruption of work of many businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A July start date was not realistic in light of the pandemic, Mayor Jim Kenney said last week.

The ban is now expected to go into effect on January 1, 2021, and enforcement is expected to begin next April.

The ban will affect businesses like supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, take-out restaurants, farmer’s markets and even food trucks. They will have to either switch to paper bags or offer their customers an option to buy a reusable bag.