When community members came last spring to hear the University of the Sciences’ proposal to tear down the Alexander Wilson School and build a 6-floor student dorm complex, they had lots of questions and one big request: Could USciences host an event that would provide Wilson alumni, parents and employees a last chance to share their memories of the school, which has stood at the corner of 46th and Woodland for 100 years.

A mural at the Alexander Wilson School.

A celebration of Wilson’s history is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the school’s courtyard (see the schedule below).

The event will include the opening of a Wilson school time capsule from 1958 and a recording booth for alumni and teachers to share their memories about the school.

Wilson was shuttered during a controversial round of school closings in 2013 and then sold. The school is scheduled to be demolished within a couple of months.

USciences paid a reported $2 million for the 1.03-acre parcel that borders its campus and includes the three story school building. The purchase, which was approved at a School Reform Commission meeting last fall, followed a long bid process that included interest from West Philly based developers Orens Brothers.

The proposed new dorm complex, which will house about 400 students and replace residence facilities elsewhere on the campus, will be U-shaped with the open end of the U along Woodland. The university hopes to break ground for the building early next year and open it to new students in the fall of 2018.

Here’s the schedule for Sunday’s event:

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Music by the Brook Street Band and DJ Lonnie Love BBQ Lunch

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm PROGRAM REMARKS
Paul Katz, MD, President, University of the Sciences
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, City of Philadelphia, District 3
PA State Senator Anthony H. Williams, 8th District
Joan Myers Brown, Founder, Executive Artistic Director, PHILADANCO, Former Wilson student
Reverend Martin Wright, 46th Street Baptist Church
Jane Golden, Founder & Executive Director, City of Philadelphia, Mural Arts Program
Dianne Settles, Former Wilson student
Richard Liuzzi, Former Director, Wilson Community School
Dr. Kathleen Cosby-Tabb, Former Wilson student

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM UNVEILING OF SCHOOL TIME CAPSULE

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Music by the Brook Street Band and DJ Lonnie Love Water Ice

ALL DAY Story Collection Booth – Collect video and audio stories and scan in photos.

The Penn Alexander School (4209 Spruce St.) today was named a National Blue Ribbon School, an award the U.S. Department of Education gives to about 350 schools around the country each year deemed “high performing” or “achievement gap closing.” Both public and private schools are eligible.

Penn Alexander was recognized as an “exemplary achievement gap closing school,” an award that recognizes schools that have consistently improved academic achievement against other schools around the state.

School officials received the award during a ceremony in the school this afternoon.

In its application, Penn Alexander officials wrote that, “Penn Alexander faculty spends a great deal of time developing programming and extracurricular activities to engage and support our diverse community. We believe the growth and achievement outside of the classroom has a direct impact on bridging the gap of student achievement inside the classroom.”

Two other schools in Philadelphia were also awarded the National Blue Ribbon. St. Mary Interparochial School at 5th and Locusts Streets was named an “exemplary high performing school,” as was the Folk Arts-Culture Charter School at 1023 Callowhill St.

             Image courtesy of Kol Tzedek.

West Philly’s reconstructionist synagogue, Kol Tzedek, invites community members to celebrate the High Holidays at their home at Calvary Center on 48th and Baltimore.

The schedule for Rosh Hashanah (October 2-4) and Yom Kippur (October 11-12) includes traditional services, great children’s programming, meditation and yoga, social justice teachings, and a break-fast at Calvary Center, and Tashlich at Bartram’s Gardens.

At Kol Tzedek, expect to celebrate the High Holidays with creativity, introspection, prayer, song, learning, and community. Their theme this year is Vulnerability.

You can find more information and register at: http://www.kol-tzedek.org/high-holidays.html.

Kol Tzedek always welcomes practicing Jews, non-practicing Jews, and non-Jews who are interested in learning more, and particularly extends a hand to interfaith families, Jews of color, and LGBTQ visitors. Non-members are also welcome to join Kol Tzedek for High Holidays and any other events and services.

Just recently, Kol Tzedek welcomed a new rabbi, Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari. Read more about it here.

Photo by Ryan Collerd, courtesy University City District.

It’s hard to believe it but The Porch at 30th Street Station is celebrating its 5th anniversary this week. It opened in the fall of 2011 and transformed a parking lot and a dangerous walkway outside of the nation’s second busiest train stations into a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly public space complete with tables and chairs, umbrellas, swings and greenery.

The Porch’s 5th Anniversary Party will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (weather permitting) and will feature food, drinks, giveaways, and music. University City District (UCD), who operates and programs The Porch, is partnering with 33rd Street Hospitality and Jet Wine Bar to bring $5 food and drink specials in honor of the five years since The Porch debuted.

Since its introduction in 2011, The Porch at 30th Street Station has been offering seasonal horticulture, special events, and lunch service from local food trucks. The Porch was Philadelphia’s first “lighter quicker cheaper” public space, and originally involved simple, cost-effective, and fully removable elements.

Five years later, The Porch has evolved into a more permanent mainstay, with elements contributed by Groundswell Design Group, Gehl Studio, and Visit Philly. The Porch has also cemented itself as a popular gathering space for commuters, local workers, and visitors to Philadelphia looking for a space to lounge and linger.  Continue Reading

Good news for SEPTA customers: A few months after introducing the SEPTA Key Early Adopters program, which allows customers to purchase cards that work as monthly or weekly TransPasses, SEPTA has announced the roll-out of “Quick Trip” – single trip tickets for Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines.

A Quick Trip is a disposable magnetic strip ticket that customers can swipe at new Key turnstiles. A Quick Trip is valid for one-way travel from the station where it is purchased, and must be used on the day it is purchased. Station and date-of-purchase details are printed on the ticket.

The addition of the Quick Trip feature gives riders the option to purchase their fare in the station without worrying about having a token or exact change beforehand.

There is no discount for a Quick Trip – the regular one-way transit cash fare of $2.25 applies. Also, a Quick Trip cannot be used in combination with a transfer. However, SEPTA customers can use their debit and credit cards for single-trip purchases at station kiosks, and riders who use cash will receive change if they don’t have exact fare.  Continue Reading

Metro has put together a list of places around the city that will host tonight’s Presidential debate watch parties as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face off for the first time. The list doesn’t include any West Philly locations, so we have compiled this information (with the help of our readers!). If you know of more debate watching events in the area please add them in the comments below. The debate begins at 9 p.m. and you can also watch it on CNN and other major networks.

Region 39A Debate Watch Party

6:15-11:30 p.m. Hillary Clinton SW Philly Office (533 S. 52nd St).

Drexel Dems Presidential Debate Watch Party w/Special Guest Elizabeth Banks

6  – 11 p.m. Wahoo’s (3180 Chestnut St). More details.  Continue Reading