University City District has announced the return of its popular summer events, most of which were not held during the past two years due to the pandemic.

From the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll to Movies in Clark Park, here’s what’s happening in the district this summer. Also, check out events and activities at The Porch at 30th Street Station and Trolley Portal Gardens (40th and Woodland).

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will return on Thursday, June 16 and Thursday, Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. During this unique event, neighborhood businesses and community vendors will present $1, $3, and $5 bargains – everything from bites from signature restaurants to pet supplies to theater tickets and much more. Plus enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and more fun! Read more about the 25+ participating vendors for the June 16th Dollar Stroll here. Details for the September Dollar Stroll will be available later this summer. Continue Reading

All that’s left of the strip mall on the north side of the 4300 block of Chestnut Street.

A seven-story 275-unit apartment complex is coming to the 4300 block of Chestnut Street – the site of the former strip mall and parking lot. Construction has already begun – the strip mall buildings have been recently demolished to make room for the complex.

The complex will include retail space on the ground floor and an underground garage with 75 parking spaces. The plans for this development were announced last summer and renderings were revealed last fall. Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia students and staff will again be required to wear masks during the school and work day starting Monday, May 23 and until further notice.

The decision to return to mask wearing at District schools was made due to a growing number of COVID-19 cases in the city and after consultation with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). Masks will also be required while riding transportation coordinated by the District.

The School District will continue to work with PDPH to closely monitor COVID case counts.

As of May 16, Philadelphia averaged 364 new COVID-19 cases per day. 142 people were hospitalized with the infection as of May 18.

The Free Library of Philadelphia is teaming up with an award-winning docuseries, Philly D.A., to present a series of civic dialogue events. The docuseries is an eight-part “epic, inside look at the tumultuous first term of Philadelphia’s unapologetic District Attorney, Larry Krasner,” according to the film’s website. The civic dialogue series, titled Let’s Talk: Philly D.A, will share the experiences, questions, and concerns of Philadelphians via eight screenings and discussions at Free Library locations citywide.

Each screening is presented in partnership with community leaders seeking solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing Philadelphia.
Continue Reading

Last year’s “Everyday Places” program participant Karen Smith-Sistah’s Laying On Hands (photo courtesy of Barnes West).

The Barnes Foundation and People’s Emergency Center (PEC) have announced seven West Philadelphia-based social-impact artists who have been selected to participate in the second annual Everyday Places Artist Partnerships initiative: Nikki Brake-Sillá, Shanina Dionna, Gigi McGraw, Anssumane Silla, Jaime Wiesner (Instagram page) & Joanna Booth, and Yidan Zeng.

This year’s cohort of artists will partner with “everyday” locations in the neighborhood—public parks, civic centers, businesses and community organizations—to build interactive, participatory projects that engage with the business or site and residents. The 2022 Places are:

• University Square Complex
• Malcolm X Park
• Urban Art Gallery
• ​​New Africa Freedom Center/Square
• Clark Park
• Mantua Civic Association
• Drexel University Dornsife Center Continue Reading

Just a reminder that today is primary election day. We wanted to pass along a few things to keep in mind as you head to the polls, which are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You are allowed to vote as long as you are in line by 8 p.m.

Pennsylvania conducts closed primaries, so you can only vote for candidates from the party for which you are registered. If you are registered Independent, sorry no primary candidates for you, but you can still vote on the four city ballot measures.

Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate, state house and senate are on the ballot.

Here are the basics: Continue Reading