A new “parklet” was installed this week on Pine Street between 47th and 48th.

Two new “parklets”- temporary outdoor seating platforms where you can enjoy a meal, a drink or simply relax – have been installed by University City District crews. In addition to the returning locations at 4040 Locust St. (hosted by Ramen Bar), 261 S. 44th St. (hosted by Honest Tom’s Tacos and Lil’ Pop Shop), 4239 Baltimore Ave. (hosted by Green Line Cafe) and 4903 Catharine St (hosted by Little Baby’s Ice Cream), check out the following new “parklets”:

• 3601 Market (between Market and Filbert, hosted by Schmear It, Jimmy John’s, and M.A.T.T.’s Sliders)
• 4725 Pine Street (hosted by the Garden Court Community Association)

“Parklets” usually stay through mid- to late November, as long as the weather is warm enough for outdoor seating. Just a reminder that you don’t need to patronize a particular business to sit in the parklet.

Senator Kamala Harris of California will join Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey in West Philly this Friday (July 13) to talk about this November’s mid-term election.

Harris, the former district attorney of San Francisco and California Attorney General, is poised to be a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.

Harris is campaigning on behalf of Casey, who faces Republican Lou Barletta of Hazelton this fall, and other Democrats in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.

Harris and Casey will be at the First District Plaza at 3801 Market St. from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. You can RSVP here.

Photo courtesy of Neighborhood Time Exchange.

Neighborhood Time Exchange, an ongoing collaboration between the People’s Emergency Center Community Development Corporation (PECCDC) and Mural Arts that provides West Philadelphia artists with five-month residencies, is inviting community members to celebrate the culmination of the first Neighborhood Time Exchange artist residency of 2018. The public is invited to attend an upcoming Second Friday event with resident artist Ellen Tiberino on Friday, July 13, from 7–9 p.m. at the Neighborhood Time Exchange storefront in West Philadelphia at 4017 Lancaster Avenue.  Continue Reading

Honest Tom’s new logo.

Neighborhood foodies may have noticed that popular local spot Honest Tom’s Taco Shop (on 44th between Spruce and Locust) was closed most of last week following a power outage on July 3rd, caused by a falling tree. While the power outage did cause them to close a bit early, Honest Tom’s had planned to close for a few days around the 4th of July holiday anyway, in order to change their menu over to a completely plant-based (aka vegan) menu. That’s right: it’s vegan-only tacos, burritos and bowls from here on in. Many of the new menu’s items were available on the old menu, or run as occasional specials, so they won’t be completely unknown to Honest Tom’s regulars. Others are brand new.  Continue Reading

University City Dining Days, the popular annual event organized by University City District, is returning this Thursday, July 12. This is a great opportunity to visit some of the best local restaurants and enjoy a three-course dinner at a fixed price – $15, $25 or $35.

More than 35 restaurants, from craft beer bars to celebrity chef restaurants to cozy BYOBs, are participating in this year’s Dining Days (the biggest one yet!). University City’s international dining scene features dishes from India, Ethiopia, China, Vietnam, and more! Some recently opened restaurants are also on this year’s list of participants.  Continue Reading

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced charges against the person allegedly responsible for the hit and run accident that killed 5-year old Xavier Moy in the Walnut Hill neighborhood two weeks ago. The accident happened on Friday, June 22 at approximately 4:07 p.m. on the 5000 block of Irving Street. Twenty-five-year-old Anissa Thompson surrendered to authorities on Thursday morning and was charged later that day. The charges include homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and fleeing the scene of an accident, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Xavier was struck by the car while playing in the street. He was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition and died about an hour later.

The bail  has been set at $500,000.