This Monday, we’ll be celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We have compiled a list of many of the MLK Day of Service projects and events (including events for the whole family) happening in West Philadelphia. We have also included information about MLK Day celebration at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

Check www.mlkdayofservice.org to find more projects in your area. If you know of more MLK Day events or projects, please post them in the comments below.

MLK Commemorative Symposium for Social Change at University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania and the surrounding communities come together to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This commemoration includes a day of service and special programming and events through Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 (click here for more events):

Friday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. – God’s Great Expectations of Men of Color, Christian Association, 118 S 37th St – A panel discussion on men of color’s shared understanding of God or a higher power’s relationship to them and their mission in everyday work.

Monday, Jan. 18:

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. – MLK Day of Service Breakfast, Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce St. – Day of Service Breakfast with include performers and guest speakers, including Jasmine Senior, Affinity Group Director, NeXT Philadelphia, and Urban League Youth Outreach. Free and open to the public.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Community Beautification Projects at Comegys Benjamin B School, 5100 Greenway Ave., Community Education Center (CEC), 3500 Lancaster Ave., Martha Washington School, 766 N. 44th St. Volunteers will clean, paint, and organize. Refreshments will be served. Come dressed for painting and doing light cleaning. Meet at Houston Hall for transportation to sites at 9:45 a.m. Free and open to the public. Contact: Robert Carter to register at 215.898.0104.  Continue Reading

Protestors took to the streets in the days following the devastating 2011 fire at Windermere Court Apartments. Photos by West Philly Local).

Five years after a catastrophic fire destroyed the Windermere Court Apartments at 48th and Walnut, building tenants who participated in a class-action lawsuit have received their share of a $4.75 million settlement.

The fire that broke out on Jan. 10, 2011 destroyed the 90-unit building and left its residents scrambling for housing. Many spent days protesting the building owner’s decision not to let them return to retrieve their belongings and pets that may have survived the blaze.

The cause of the fire is disputed. An expert determined on behalf of the tenants during a 2013 civil trial that the fire resulted from faulty smoke alarms and sprinklers. The building owners – David, Sam and Aron Ginsberg – settled the suit a few days into the 2014 trial for $4.75 million and the settlement was certified last January.

The tenants’ class-action attorney, Tom Marrone, said that the payouts were completed this week. Each tenant who signed onto the suit received an average of $25,000 after legal and other fees.

Local Girl Scout troops are getting ready to set up their tables for the annual cookie sale, which begins on Thursday, Jan. 14. Starting tomorrow and until March 13, you can buy delicious cookies with great eight flavors around the neighborhood, including at some grocery stores (check out the Fresh Grocer at 40th and Walnut).

Girl Scout troops Junior 91143, Brownie 93273, and Daisy 91569 will be selling cookies from Jan. 14 to Jan. 24. Check out their table locations and schedule below. All the classics are $4 a box, plus gluten-free Trios (peanut butter, oatmeal, and chocolate) will be offered for $5.

Orders of 12 boxes or more can also be delivered (please contact Amy at kwaszilla@gmail.com; cash only).

Eastern Mountain Sports
3401 Chestnut Street

Jan. 14 – 4:00-6:00pm
Jan. 15 – 4:00-6:00pm
Jan. 21 – 4:00-6:00pm
Jan. 22 – 4:00-6:00pm  Continue Reading

Neighbors have reported gunshots on the 5100 block of Webster St. at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday. Police responded to the report of gunshots and found nine shell casings and one projectile in the street in the middle of the block. No shooting victims were located at the scene or at area hospitals. Neighbors stated that they had heard gunshots but did not see anything. Police also checked the block for cameras, but none were found.

An emergency community meeting concerning last week’s shooting of the police officer near 60th and Spruce Streets by a man who allegedly supports ISIS will be held on Thursday, Jan. 14, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bryant School, 6001 Cedar Ave.

The meeting, hosted by state Sen. Anthony H. Williams in partnership with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and State Rep. Joanna McClinton, will focus on neighborhood safety and mental health issues. Updates concerning neighborhood security will also be provided by law enforcement.

Muslim and Christian faith leaders will also participate in the meeting.

Neighbors are invited to a fun and free community event this Friday (Jan. 15) in Cedar Park. Free Community Dinner/ Potluck Cabaret is hosted by Cedar Park Neighbors and will take place from 6-8 p.m. at People’s Baptist Church (5039 Baltimore Ave.).

Here’s some more information from the CPN website:

“You’re invited to share a meal with your neighbors!

Please join Cedar Park Neighbors for our first Community Dinner of 2016! Basic healthy food will be provided. You are welcome to bring something to share!

We’ll have a brief moment of community announcements, as well as some boards for resource sharing, but the main purpose of this event is simply to create a neighborly space to share a meal with friends old and new who live in Cedar Park.”

If you would like to attend this event, please RSVP by email (contact@cedarparkneighbors.org), calling or texting CPN at 267-BALT-AVE or through the Facebook event page.

If you’d like to help with setup or cleanup, please email JJ Tizou, CPN Board Member & Dinner Organizer, at jj@jjtiziou.net or leave him a voicemail at 267-702-5464.