Penn is bringing an array of local eateries to its new Food Hall at 34th and Walnut. In June 2017, the University announced that the former Moravian Food Court at 3401 Walnut Street would close to make way for a modern food hall populated by high-quality, small-format food and beverage operators.

The new food options will satisfy meat eaters and vegans, organic juice lovers and ice-cream fans alike. Five out of seven popular local eateries signed on for the new Penn Food Hall: Goldie, Kensington Quarters, Pitruco Pizza, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, and the Juice Merchant.  Continue Reading

“Love Your Park” Fall Service Day has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 with thousands of volunteers stepping outside to help clean and prep city parks for winter. There are many beautiful parks in West Philly that need volunteer help as well this Saturday.

Cedar Park Neighbors’ Park Committee is looking for a few volunteers for Love Your Park Service Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: “Come out to meet your neighbors, enjoy the cool fall weather, and help beautify Cedar Park! No gardening experience is necessary. Gloves, tools, and refreshments will be provided.” Walk-ins are welcome, but advance registration is helpful. RSVP by e-mailing contact@cedarparkneighbors.org

Fall cleanups will also take place in Clark Park (43rd and Chester), Barkan Park (50th and Spruce), Saunders Park (39th and Powelton), Malcolm X Park (51st and Pine), and other local parks. Check out the map of parks here and register to volunteer here. Registration closes Friday, Nov. 3 at noon.

We have compiled some exciting news and updates from local restaurants and coffee shops.

Renata’s Kitchen Now Offers Catering

Renata’s Kitchen

Renata’s Kitchen has been serving brunch and dinner at 46th and Baltimore since Fall 2015, and this fall, the popular restaurant has released a new, “organized” catering menu. The restaurant has done some catering in the past, but the new menu serves the purpose of bringing this additional service to the front, especially around the holiday time.

“… our catering menu is just the start, we’re happy to accommodate special requests, or themed parties,” writes Renata’s co-owner Katie Aiq. “We did an order recently for a client specializing in Chilean food – possibly my favorite day at work ever. Don’t be shy, even if you’ve never seen us do anything like it before, we can probably work something out.”  Continue Reading

The next Spruce Hill Community Association Zoning Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 30. Residents are invited to learn more about two proposed constructions in the area – at 4125 Chestnut and 4000 Market Streets.

Rendering of one version of the proposed building at 4125 Chestnut Street.

A 130-unit, six-story residential building, which is a “by right” development, will replace the “Wash N Lube” car wash at 4125 Chestnut St. The project was presented to the Spruce Hill community last month at the previous zoning committee meeting. “By right” means that the project is not required to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). However, it will go before the Committee on Design Review (CDR) at the Philadelphia Planning Commission. The CDR requires that the applicant meet with the designated convening RCO for the site – Spruce Hill Community Association.   Continue Reading

Mill Creek Farm has been providing affordable produce to Mill Creek residents for the past ten years. Now, it faces a budgets shortfall that it hopes to fill in the next few weeks.

A web post by the farm explained that the shortfall had been created in part by a continued effort to employ local residents in key roles at the farm.

“We are challenging oppressive power dynamics and designing ones that put those most affected in leadership positions,” the statement reads. “Planning these changes created a short-fall in our finances and we need your help finish[ing] out the rest of the season.”

The farm hopes to raise $5,000, and an anonymous donor has promised to match funds up to that amount, meaning the farm could raise $10,000 in total.

Mill Creek Farm was created after the organization was granted 1.5 acres of vacant land along the former Mill Creek. The farm now grows vegetables, fruits, and herbs and then sells them to the public twice a week, including at the 52nd & Haverford farmers market. In addition, it educates the surrounding community about environmental and civic issues.

You can donate on the campaign’s web site.

– Eduard Saakashvili

Photo by Andrew Ford

Every Monday night in the Suzuki Piano Studio on South 47th Street, David Ford tries to create a hivemind.

As his “Sonic Sandbox” begins, a circle of half a dozen or so people start to make whatever noise comes to mind; gradually, a haphazard ensemble of instruments comes in, and some structure appears. People copy each other. By the end of it, it’s hard to tell who’s copying who, and that’s exactly the point.

“It’s like being a kid again, I guess,” said Ford, who founded Sonic Sandbox.  Continue Reading