The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is seeking residents’ feedback on the draft West District Plan. The draft plan was released in December 2017 after a series of public meetings and presentations and includes recommendations on economic development, land use & zoning, housing, urban design, parks & rec, open space, and other important aspects of urban planning and development in West Philadelphia. The West District plan is one of the 18 district plans created as part of Philadelphia2035, a comprehensive guide for physical development of the city for the next 25 years and beyond.  Continue Reading

Do you want to support early childhood education and have a great night out? Would you bid on a Cape May vacation or some original artwork? How about a birthday party package to University Family Fun Center or a new bike? These are some of over 100 items featured at the 14th annual Saint Mary’s Nursery School (SMNS) annual fundraiser:

Spring For Our School Silent Auction & Party

Saturday, April 21 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Harnwell College House Rooftop Lounge
3820 Locust Walk
Tickets: $45 (adults only) at www.stmarysnursery.org/sfos

Who is Saint Mary’s Nursery School? SMNS is a diverse, non-denominational school with a 54-year history in West Philadelphia, home to 150 children between 18 mo – 10 yrs and involve many active family members in our co-op program.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is hiring dozens of lifeguards for this summer. This is a great opportunity for local youth seeking summer employment. People as young as 15 years old can apply for this job and attend training, but must be 16 years or older to work as a lifeguard for the City of Philadelphia.

The starting salary for this job is $13.65 an hour. All applicants must pass the lifeguard screening and complete 21.5 hours of lifeguard training, First Aid and CPR.

The screening is free, and appointments are not necessary.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (March 22, 2018): The Snow Emergency declared in the city on Wednesday morning was lifted at 6 a.m. on Thursday, so it’s now safe to park vehicles along snow emergency routes.

Due to Wednesday’s snowstorm, all School District of Philadelphia schools will open on a two-hour delay on Thursday, the District has announced. All buses will operate on a delayed schedule pushing morning pick up times back by two hours. All District-operated early childhood programs will also open on a two-hour delay. After-school activities including athletic programs and professional development sessions set for Thursday will continue as scheduled.

District administrative offices will open on time as regularly scheduled.

Dominique Oglesby (Photo via LinkedIn)

A candlelight vigil for Dominique Oglesby will take place this Friday at 6 p.m. at 52nd and Market Streets. Police are still looking for the male suspect who shot and killed Dominique, a 23-year-old West Philly resident and Penn State senior on Sunday afternoon outside of Galaxy West Bar & Grill at 52nd and Market.

The unidentified shooter and another female were reportedly involved in an altercation with Dominique inside the bar and started shooting while running away when her father and grandfather showed up after the altercation escalated. Her father and grandfather were also shot, but will recover from their injuries.

Dominique was shot once in the back and transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 4:42 p.m. on Sunday. Her father was shot in a foot and her grandfather was shot in an arm, according to police.  Continue Reading

The city of Philadelphia is preparing for heavy snow through tomorrow evening. The Philadelphia School District has announced that all public schools will be closed Wednesday. All parochial elementary and high schools will also be closed.

The City has declared a Snow Emergency beginning at 9 a.m on Wednesday, which means all vehicles parked along snow emergency routes must be moved to another location to allow plowing. Snow Emergency information and a map of Snow Emergency routes can be found here. Cars left on Snow Emergency routes will be moved to other parking spots. If your car is moved, call 215-686-SNOW to find it. Please do not call 911.  Continue Reading