The Woodlands is one of the most popular running spots in West Philadelphia and they’re hosting a fun run on Saturday, Nov. 14 to help raise money to maintain trails and add amenities to the site, such as water fountains, and eventually bathrooms! Here’s more information from The Woodlands:

“We love our runners at The Woodlands; they use the grounds more than anyone else. We’re hoping this group of users will help support the future of the site. The Gobble Wobble, our first ever 5K at The Woodlands, is a fun way for everyone to run together to support our mission. All race registrants will receive a 1-year membership to the Woodlands, which will get you invited to several Runner Happy Hours at The Woodlands that are being planned throughout the year. More info on runner level membership benefits can be found here: woodlandsphila.org/becomeamember/runner-membership

About the Run

This individual or team 5K Wobble takes you through the historic grounds of William Hamilton’s 18th century estate, 19th century cemetery and modern day urban oasis. Outrun the West Philly Turkey and support the neighborhood’s best running spot. Compete to win the first prize, a Thanksgiving turkey or tofurkey from Mariposa Food Co-Op!

Not sure you’re in good enough shape to run a full 5K? That’s okay! We have an option for you. Join a Team Relay! Register in teams of three, and make sure to designate your team name when registering. Each team member will run one third of the 5K.

The first 100 people to register will receive a limited edition Gobble Wobble pint glass to fill with a post race beer courtesy of Clarkville. Registration also includes a 1-year membership to The Woodlands.

Register for the race here: www.runtheday.com/registration/race_info/woodlands-gobble-wobble.”

Editor’s Note: The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on November 14. On-site registration opens at 9 a.m. Registration fee (individual or team) is $35.

West Philly Runners stretching after a run at The Woodlands. Photo by Kyle Cassidy.

Garden Court Plaza.

Development is on the agenda of the upcoming annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA), which will include a presentation by the new owners of the Garden Court Plaza.

Matthew A. Pestronk, president of Post Brothers, which recently bought the 13-story Garden Court Plaza at 4701 Pine St. (pictured) and plans to invest more than $250 million in housing development in the area, will speak at the meeting, slated for Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Griffith Hall on the USciences campus.

Pestronk will open the meeting at 6:30 p.m. His topic is “Investing in Philadelphia’s Neighborhoods, 2015 – The Challenges and Opportunities.”

After Pestronk’s talk, there will be reports on SHCA activities in the last year and election of officers.

“Come out to mingle, vote and learn about and discuss development in the neighborhood,” said Monica Calkins, SHCA president.

Eric Santoro is running for president and heads up an unopposed slate that includes Calkins for executive vice president.

The entrance to Griffith Hall is on 43rd St. between Regent Sq. and Woodland Ave.

Philadelphia red-light cameras map (Source: Photoenforced.com)

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) activated their latest addition to the Red-Light Camera Program at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. The new cameras at the intersection of Belmont and Parkside Avenues in West Philadelphia mark the 29th location for the program, which now has 126 cameras installed total.

The activation began a 45-day warning period at the intersection. Drivers found in violation during this grace period will receive warnings in the mail, which ends at midnight on December 20. After the period ends, violators will face a $100 fine for each offense.

“This is a heavily traveled intersection that is used by local residents and visitors to several of our city’s cultural institutions,” said Vince Fenerty, PPA’s Executive Director. “These new cameras will make it safer for everyone because drivers will think twice before going through a red light.”  Continue Reading

An artist’s rendering of what the Provident building will look like after its conversion into the Public Safety Services Campus. Two small buildings near the southwest corner of the complex will be demolished.

We are starting to get an idea of what the hulking, long-vacant Provident Mutual Life Insurance Building at North 46th and Market Streets will look like a few years from now. The building is being converted into a public services complex that will house the headquarters for the Philadelphia Police Department and the Department of Public Health, including the city’s coroner’s office and morgue.

Designers unveiled some drawings this week of a spiffed up Provident Building, complete with lots of greenery and a couple of out buildings removed. PlanPhilly reports that on November 17 artists who responded to a competitive call for a public installation that will be the centerpiece of a public plaza at 46th and Market are scheduled to present their ideas to designers. The city will draw $675,000 from its Percent for Art program to pay for the installation.

Two buildings on the west side of the site, a powerhouse (with a large smokestack near the El tracks and an auditorium) will be demolished. Ballinger Architects is designing the complex.

The complex is scheduled to be completed by 2018.

Here are some detailed site plans and photographs.

Vinny Vegan aka Gangster Vegan.

In the early spring, a neighborhood café, Café Renata caught fire and was forced to relocate from the corner of 43rd and Locust. The space remained vacant for some months, but Vincent DePaul (Vinny Vegan aka Gangster Vegan, or Vinny Blanco to his childhood friends) of Gangster Vegan Organics has plans on changing that.

“I didn’t choose the location, it chose me. God sent me over there,” he said.

He named the business Gangster Vegan Organics because those were all terms that defined him. “Growing up, I was obsessed with that lifestyle. I wanted to redefine gangster, helping people reverse diseases like diabetes. That’s gangster. For me, gangster used to be going out to the club every night, spending money. But that’s not gangster.”

Photo from Gangster Vegan Organics Facebook page.

Currently DePaul has one Gangster Vegan Organics location in Norristown, which offers gluten-free, vegan and organic grab ‘n go food options. After considering plans to expand and scouting some potential locations for another store in Phoenixville and West Chester, he decided to go back to a familiar block in West Philadelphia. “I burst into tears when I first came around the building, you know exactly when it’s meant to be… I lived in West Philly when I was 19; I worked at Koch’s Deli for a year.”

He recounted his life events that led up to opening his first location in Norristown, right before he moved back from Los Angeles after becoming 12 years removed from his hometown. When the economy hit, his nine year old t-shirt business went bankrupt and he became homeless. He recalled a moment when he was hungry and had “hit rock bottom” and was given a cup of fresh pressed organic juice, which inspired him to go vegan and lead a healthier lifestyle.

According to DePaul, the new Gangster Vegan Organics will be opening in March. DePaul is interested in hiring a full staff (10-25 employees) for the location, preferably local to the neighborhood and with an interest or knowledge about the organic vegan lifestyle. The West Philly location will be a full-service restaurant with cooked and raw organic gluten-free offerings, seating up to 100 people.

– Rana Fayez

Check out this video of Vinny making watermelon juice:

Sterling Duns (right) and Caselli Jordan. Photo courtesy of City Love.

West Philly-based duo City Love, comprised of Mantua and Belmont resident musicians Sterling Duns and Caselli Jordan, writes songs to spread the love, make people move, laugh, and foster dialogue about social issues. Their music is a meeting point between the city and the suburbs; between black and white; heavy and light. They say they are here to bring people together and get everyone shining their lights.

So, City Love wanted you to know that they have just released their new album, Come True. The guys had a release concert at Gojjo on October 15th with over 100 people of all ages and walks of life crammed inside. They have also just been selected as one of five finalists in the City Council’s PHL Live competition for Pop music on November 10th at Underground Arts! Here is a link to a video of the title track from their new album filmed in front of Caselli’s new house on Mantua Ave. (He says he still has a LOT of work to do before it becomes livable!)  Continue Reading