SEPTA Key Cards are now available for purchase at a number of retail locations, in addition to transit station and Bus Loop Fare Kiosks and SEPTA Sales Offices.

The initial launch of the “SEPTA Key External Retail Network” earlier this week included more than 100 locations where customers can purchase a Key Card and load/reload fares such as Weekly and Monthly TransPasses, Convenience Passes, and Travel Wallet value. The retail network will eventually grow to approximately 1,500 locations, including grocery stores, pharmacies and local convenience stores, among others, according to SEPTA.  Continue Reading

Heritage roses, historic boxwoods, vegetable and herb starts, native perennials, shrubs, trees and more will be available for sale at this year’s plant sale at Bartram’s Garden. The popular annual event will be held on Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. It is also a great opportunity to visit the 1731 Bartram House which will be open all day.

Throughout the day, horticulturalists will be on hand to answer questions and share garden-planning advice.

Bartram’s Garden members are invited to check out this year’s fabulous selection of plants during a Member Preview Party on Friday, April 20, plus enjoy discounts on plant and Welcome Center purchases.  Continue Reading

Editor’s Note: After a break, we’re resuming our posts about rescued cats and kittens available for adoption and other posts provided by Project MEOW, a volunteer-run organization that helps control West Philly’s stray and feral cat population through their TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program and also has a rescued cat foster program. This story showcases that there is a special home for every cat.

Once upon a time a kitten named Newt was rescued in West Philly. Very typical orange boy lover… and also NOT! You see, Newt is one of those cats who must go outside to keep his behavior more moderate or else the demons take hold.

Diagnosed with Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome he became unpredictable, and even with medication he was biting and clawing the humans. Several adoptions failed because of his behavior. Fast forward to today, where Newt enjoys both the indoor life and outdoor life with his new human who understands his quirks.

He is fully vetted, microchipped and a neighborhood escort, walking folks to the bus stop when the mood strikes. Over time he might moderate his behavior and enjoy being indoors more and more. But for now, Newt is well, a neighborhood fixture, ambassador of good will and all around happy guy.  Continue Reading

Here’s a chance to meet and hear from some candidates up for election in next month’s primaries. The 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee is hosting a candidates forum on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall on the University of the Sciences campus (west side of the 600 block of S. 43rd St. – across from Clark Park).

The forum will feature candidates for the seat from the newly redrawn 3rd Congressional district. Incumbent Dwight Evans, a Democrat and former state representative from North Philly running for his second term, will join Democratic challenger Kevin Johnson, a pastor at the Dare to Imagine Church in East Mount Airy, at the event.

Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional district, which was unveiled earlier this year after the state Supreme Court ordered that it be redrawn, includes West and Northwest Philadelphia and Center City.  Continue Reading

It’s been more than five years since the devastating Christmas Eve fire destroyed the popular Cedar Park bar & restaurant Elena’s Soul and damaged the adjacent diner and hair salon. After the fire and demolition, the empty lot at 4912 Baltimore was temporarily used by Greensgrow West (in 2014-2016), and now we noticed a new building coming up. We reached out to the property owner, local businessman Algernong Allen, for more information.  Continue Reading

A bill introduced last week at the Philadelphia City Council would levy a 1 percent tax on construction and relax some zoning codes to fund programs aimed at providing more affordable housing in the city.

The bills are a series of compromises arising from battles between progressive city council members and real estate and construction lobbying groups. Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez had been pushing for a bill that would mandate the inclusion of affordable housing units in any new development, but her proposal was almost unanimously opposed by the powerful building and real estate lobbies, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The compromise, which replaced a mandate with incentives, but which would also allow developers to pay a penalty fee in lieu of including affordable housing in their developments, has the backing of some of the previously opposed lobbying groups, like the Building Industry Association.

Current estimates are that the tax will raise $25 million a year. There is no word yet on when these proposals will be put to a vote.

– Mike VanHelder