After months of rumors, we can confirm that Acme will run the grocery store at 40th and Walnut Streets currently operated by Fresh Grocer. In their Monday’s joint press release, the University of Pennsylvania and Acme Markets have announced the signing of a lease to develop a new supermarket at 40th and Walnut that will include a wine and beer shop and a Starbucks.

According to the press release, the new store will “offer an expansive variety of the freshest produce, top quality meats and seafood, and a large selection of natural, gluten‐free, organic, and local products” and will include indoor and outdoor seating. The University City ACME will also “feature a sushi and noodle bar, a guacamole station, a Starbucks, and a beer and wine shop.”  Continue Reading

Holy Week services and events at St. Francis de Sales Parish (4625 Springfield Ave.) kick off on Tuesday, April 11 with Tenebrae – a prayer in shadows.

The Latin word for “shadows” or “darkness,” tenebrae is the name given to the Church’s celebration of the Hours of Matins and Lauds for Holy Week. Nowadays, it’s often used as a “choral preparation” or meditation on the themes of the Passion. Psalms and hymns of lament are read and sung, and a great number of composers have written some beautiful meditative pieces for this rite.

All are welcome to join the Choir of St. Francis de Sales for this solemn and ancient choral meditation with the music of Palestrina, Garau, Byrd, and other composers in preparation for the Good Friday.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and no collection will be taken or donations asked. For more information, go here. For information on other Holy Week events and services at St. Francis de Sales Church and some other local churches, visit our Events page.

On Saturday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m., the MOVE organization will host a film screening and discussion at A-Space Anarchist Community Center at 4722 Baltimore Avenue. Howard Zinn narrates the documentary, “MOVE!,” about the 1985 bombing of the organization’s headquarters at 6221 Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia. Eleven people died and 61 rowhomes were destroyed.

MOVE’s Ramona Africa will lead a talk and Q&A after the film screening. The tragedy, which took place over 30 years ago, sheds light on state violence against marginalized communities, especially those dedicated to social change and liberation. Visit their Facebook event page to RSVP.  Continue Reading

The 10th annual Philly Spring Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and volunteer help is essential for the success of this event. 130 project sites have been registered in West Philadelphia on the Philadelphia Streets Department website. Residents can view the projects in their neighborhood and register to volunteer here.

The organizers of the following cleanup projects also would like to let community members know about their sites:

Philly Spring Cleanup at Kingsessing Recreation Center (50th and Kingsessing), 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cleanup supplies will be provided, plus free coffee, water and snacks for participants. Sign up at http://PhillySpringCleanup.com. For more information, visit the Friends of Kingsessing Rec Facebook page.  Continue Reading

Rents in the city continue to grow, and University City is one of Philadelphia’s most expensive areas to rent in, according to recent reports. In its last month’s report based on the data from real estate company Zumper, Philly.com writes that the average one-bedroom rental is $1,800 per month in the area, making it the second most expensive neighborhood in the city (Logan Circle is first). This is a 14 percent increase from February 2016.

However, it’s important to clarify that the report defines University City as the area between 40th Street west to the Schuylkill River east, which includes the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University campuses where some of the city’s most expensive high-rise apartment buildings were built over the last few years.  Continue Reading

Two important community events are scheduled for this month at the University of the Sciences, one to meet District Attorney candidates and the other to learn more about gerrymandering in Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, April 13, the 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee will host a DA Candidates’ Night at USciences, and this is a great chance to meet the Democratic candidates running for the District Attorney office before the May 16 primary election: Judge Teresa Carr Deni, Tariq El-Shabazz (former Deputy District Attorney), Joe Khan (former ADA, former Federal Prosecutor), Lawrence Krasner (Civil Rights Attorney), Rich Negrin (former managing director), Michael Untermeyer (former Assistant District Attorney), and Jack O’Neill (former Assistant District Attorney). Residents are welcome to ask questions and bring their concerns. The meeting will be held at Rosenberger Hall, located in Clark Park near 43rd and Woodland, beginning at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, April 27, residents can learn more about gerrymandering and how Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation. Fair Districts PA will present “How to Make Your Vote Count: Ending Gerrymandering in PA.” The event, which is being organized especially for West Philadelphians, will feature an FDPA speaker who will explain how partisan gerrymandering in Pennsylvania shapes election outcomes before the first vote is even cast, and what voters can do to ensure that state legislative and congressional district maps are drawn fairly.

This event will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. at Griffith Hall C, 600 S. 43rd St. (see map here).