Residents of the neighborhoods surrounding West Fairmount Park have a chance to help shape the future of the park and the Centennial District. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation is currently working with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, The Mann Center, Philadelphia Zoo, and the Please Touch Museum on a new planning initiative which includes improvements of the park experience for visitors and residents.

A “community-led framework for how to be more inclusive and fair in future park investments”  used in the planning process.

As the plan affects communities it needs to be developed with communities. Therefore, The Centennial Subdistrict Design Plan team is looking for paid Community Ambassadors to be a part of the process.

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From November 16 – 19, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and over 90 of its PHS Tree Tenders groups, community organizations, and neighborhood volunteers will come together to plant 1,770 trees throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, including in West Philly neighborhoods.

Through this semi-annual initiative, PHS creates and enhances tree canopy in neighborhoods across the Philadelphia region to promote healthier, greener communities. These trees will help develop vital tree canopy in the region, where tree canopy averages only 20 percent, with some neighborhoods having as little as 2.5 percent tree canopy coverage.

Volunteers are still needed to help plant trees in their neighborhoods, and no prior experience is necessary to participate in a planting event. All interested participants can sign up to get involved with a planting event near them at https://phsonline.org/programs/tree-programs/get-involved.

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Lil Pop Shop owner Jeanne Chang photographed at her newly opened shop in 2012 (Archive photo/West Philly Local).

After more than 11 years of operation, Lil Pop Shop, the popular local business offering small-batch seasonally-inspired ice pops and pies, is closing their original location at 265 S. 44th Street, according to an announcement posted on social media by owner Jeanne Chang.

This location was the last remaining brick-and-mortar location for Lil Pop Shop after the business closed its Rittenhouse shop three years ago. After closing the West Philly shop, Lil Pop Shop will focus on catering at local events (you have probably seen the Lil Pop Shop truck at West Craft Fest, Nature Nights at The Woodlands and other events).

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Tomorrow is Election Day and here is some practical info to help you vote for Mayor, City Council, sheriff and judges – including the hotly contested race for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

A lot of information about the candidates for each office is out there. A good place to start is the Committee of 70’s voter guide, which allows you to look at a sample ballot and get info on all of the offices and candidates on your ballot. What you will find is candidates for Mayor, nine candidates for At-Large City Council seats (you choose up to five), candidates for your City Council District, Sheriff, Register of Wills, City Controller, three candidates for City Commissioner (you choose up to two) and a number of judicial candidates.

Each office in the guide has bipartisan information on each candidate and this year’s single ballot measure:

Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to create an Office for People with Disabilities to coordinate the City’s compliance with requirements to provide access for people with disabilities to City services and programs and to otherwise provide for incorporation of the Office into the City government?

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Beginning Monday, Nov. 6, SEPTA will conduct a trolley track renewal project on a portion of Filbert Street, and the construction work will affect local traffic. The project will involve excavation and renewal of existing corroded and broken rail on Filbert Street between 38th and 40th Streets. Intersections within this area will be closed to through traffic during the work period from November 6 through December 9, 2023.

The project will be broken into three phases, each with parking lane restrictions and accommodations. Traffic detours will be posted and maintained around the work area in progress. Access to medical facilities, businesses or private property will not be hampered.

Normal construction hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but on some weekdays crews may work past 3:30 p.m. Occasional weekend work may also be needed to maintain or advance the project’s timeline.

For more detailed information about each phase of the project, visit the SEPTA website.

The Streets Department’s 2023 Leaf Recycling Program begins on Monday, Nov. 6 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 16. The program is one of several services provided by the Streets Department that helps reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream.

During the six-week program, bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide at various locations. West Philadelphia residents can drop off bagged leaves at 54th & Woodbine Avenue or 43rd & Powelton Avenue on the following Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

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