40th Street AIR Gallery at 4007 Chestnut St.

Local artists who need a kickstart to their career are invited to apply for the 2019-2020 40th Street Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program. The program provides free studio space to new or emerging visual artists who reside or are strongly affiliated with neighborhoods west of the Schuylkill River and assists them in their career growth.

If accepted, artists will be given a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut Street or 4013 Chestnut Street beginning September 1, 2019 and ending August 15, 2020. Artists-in-Residence will be encouraged to use that time to develop their own creative work and asked to share their talents with the community through outreach service over the course of the residency.

Applications are accepted through Monday, June 17. For more details about this program and to apply, click here.

It’s been more than a week since the large, nearly street-wide sinkhole opened up at the intersection of 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue as the result of a sewer line break. The sinkhole was not very visible on the surface but underneath the pavement it was around 400 square feet. Since last Tuesday, Water Department crews have been working to repair the street, but it may take another two to three weeks, according to PlanPhilly.com.

In the meantime, Baltimore Avenue between 42nd and 44th Streets remains closed to traffic. Buses continue to replace the Route 34 trolley on Baltimore Avenue, between 61st Street and 40th Street portal. Stay tuned for more updates.

The new Panera Bread has opened at 40th and Walnut, in the former Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar space:

The new @panerabread at 40th and Walnut is now open. pic.twitter.com/zM7XE2ydiK

— University City (@ucdphl) June 12, 2019

This is the third and largest Panera location in Philadelphia. The two-story restaurant features several conference rooms, community tables, and even a private room for meetings and studying, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian. There’s also an outdoor patio with approximately 40 seats.

Dear West Philly Local editors,

Last week, in a City Council member’s office, I was told they got more calls from West Philadelphia about funding libraries than from any other part of the city! Probably because of you running my library story earlier this year – thank you!

Here’s another announcement:

Join Free Library ‘Friends’ and Staff, before City Council’s Budget Vote Thursday, June 13th. We will gather INSIDE of City Hall on the 4th floor, at 9:30 AM. Please bring your ID to get into the building. All are welcome!
Continue Reading

If you have points saved in the Streets Department and Recyclebank’s program Philacycle, make sure to use of them by the end of the month. The popular recycling rewards program will be discontinued on June 30, according to an announcement by Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams. The Streets Department can no longer afford the rewards program in the current market due to increased recycling costs.

Effective June 30, 2019, Philadelphia residents that participated in the rewards program will no longer be able to earn reward points and access the Philacycle website. Points are redeemable at Philacycle.com. Residents are strongly encouraged to redeem those points as soon as possible as there is a limit on availability of some items.  Continue Reading

Over 90 porches are participating in this year’s West Philly Porchfest. Check out the full map on westphillyporchfest.com.

West Philly Porchfest is returning Saturday, June 8, with free music performances taking place around the area from 12 – 6 p.m. This year, 95 porches are hosting shows featuring musicians and groups representing a variety of musical genres.

Just like last year, all performances are divided into three groups. From 12 to 2 p.m., shows will be held on porches on and south of Baltimore Ave. between 43rd and 52nd Streets. From 2 to 4 p.m., performances will be held between Baltimore Ave. and Walnut St. from 41st to 50th. And finally, from 4 to 6 p.m., check out performances between Baltimore Ave. and Market St. from 46th to 59th streets.  Continue Reading