Many of you have heard about Neighborhood Bike Works, the West Philly non-profit that offers bike education programs to local youth. The organization recently partnered with theVillage’s foster care program to present 20 new bikes to local foster children (the bikes were donated by AmerisourceBergen).

NBW youth leaders also conducted a workshop with the group of children, ages 6 – 12 years, to teach them about bike safety, personal safety and basic rules of the road through a “Safety Rodeo” obstacle course. Each child left the workshop with a bicycle, helmet, bike lock, and the necessary safety skills to experience the joys of cycling– something they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience as they transition through the foster care system on their path to find their “forever home.”  Continue Reading

Eating healthy on a budget can be a challenge, especially for lower income individuals and families. In an effort to increase the community’s accessibility to affordable healthy, local and sustainable foods, Mariposa, the cooperative grocery store located at 49th and Baltimore, has expanded Co+op Basics, an everyday low-price program.

“The Baltimore Avenue corridor has changed significantly over the past decade due to new development and construction, however, the area remains home to lower income communities with little access to fresh produce and nutritious foods,” reads a recent statement from Mariposa. “As a staple of West Philadelphia for over 45 years, our mission to provide our community with access to healthy and sustainable foods relies on the affordability of our store.”

The Co+op Basics program was first introduced in December 2015. Since then new products appeared on Mariposa’s shelves, and the store, which was always known for quality products, but wasn’t always affordable, has lowered prices on grocery staples necessary for a balanced diet. Now, shoppers can find everyday low prices on popular grocery and household items, including fresh produce, dairy, meat, bulk, grocery, and wellness products.  Continue Reading

Peter Danelski as Billy (“the cripple”). Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas

The Curio Theatre Company will wrap up its 11th season with the dark comedy The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh.

A Hollywood film crew invades the tiny island of Inishmaan off the west coast of Ireland to shoot a documentary about the place and its people. We soon learn about the dark side of living on a blustery island with just a few hundred people can be like, especially for the gentle Billy (“the cripple”) who vies for a part in the documentary.

A production of The Cripple of Inishmaan on Broadway garnered a bunch of accolades in 2014 with Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe playing Billy.  Continue Reading

The University City District has announced the return of their signature and super popular summer events – the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, University City Dining Days, 40th Street Summer Concert Series, and Movies in Clark Park.

Only one Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll has been scheduled for this summer – Thursday, Sept. 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. As always, local businesses will present $1 bargains from 43rd to 52nd Street. And there will be some new businesses participating in the event this summer. Stay tuned for more information.

                              Photo courtesy UCD

University City Dining Days will run from Thursday, July 14 to Sunday, July 24. Now in its 12th year, Dining Days is a 3 courses, 3 prices promotion at some of University City’s most popular dining destinations, from exceptional craft beer bars to celebrity chef restaurants to cozy BYOBs. This event is also a great opportunity to explore the diverse international cuisine in the area, including Indian, Ethiopian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, and more. For more information, check out: www.ucdiningdays.com.  Continue Reading

Jamal Morris, 27. Photo from Facebook.

A 27-year-old man who was struck by a motorist in a hit and run collision near 45th and Market early Saturday morning has died, according to police.

Jamal Morris, a 2011 Drexel graduate who lived near 53rd and Market, was pronounced dead at about 10 a.m. Monday morning. Police found him unresponsive along the street at about 3:45 a.m. on Saturday and he was taken to Presbyterian Hospital, where he remained in extremely critical condition through the weekend.

Police say that the damage to his bike suggests he had been struck by a vehicle. Police have made no arrests and, so far, have no suspects.

Morris was originally from Warwick, New York and graduated from Drexel with a degree in mechanical engineering, according to his social media profiles. He worked for the international engineering firm Amec Foster Wheeler.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call 215-685-3180 or 911.

Photo courtesy UC Green.

Each spring and fall, UC Green volunteers plant hundreds of street trees in West Philadelphia neighborhoods. This Saturday (Apr. 23), volunteers are needed to help UC Green beautify Powelton by planting 85 trees in the area. Work starts at 9 a.m. at the Dornsife Center (3509 Spring Garden St.) and will continue until approximately 1 p.m. All the tools will be provided. But that’s not all – you’ll also get a free lunch!

If you’re interested in helping out, please RSVP to reserve your spot on a Tree Planting Team by emailing wharris@ucgreen.org or call for more information 215 476 0124.

For more information on all the wonderful work UC Green does in the area, visit their website: www.ucgreen.org.