Community members have a chance to learn more about recent gunpoint robberies in the neighborhoods of Garden Court, Cedar Park and other parts of the University City area (see more info here) and receive safety tips at an emergency follow-up meeting with the 18th Police District. The meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m.

The first meeting was held last Friday, but many people were not able to participate due to limited capacity. Monday’s meeting will not have a capacity limit, according to Shamssadeen Baukman, a community relations officer for the 18th District.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia residents can now pre-register for the coronavirus vaccine through a new website run by the city.

Through the website, the Philadelphia Department of Health will gather information, such as contact and some personal information, from those who are interested in receiving the vaccine. Then those who had pre-registered will be contacted about scheduling an appointment when the vaccine becomes available to them. It may take weeks or even months before this happens, depending on the vaccine supply in the city and the person’s age/occupation/health condition.

To access the website, click here: https://covid-vaccine-interest.phila.gov/.  Continue Reading

Good news for West Philly green thumbs! After being closed to customers since last spring due to the COVID pandemic, Greensgrow Farms is set to reopen its West Philly hub, Greensgrow West this winter.

Greensgrow West, located at 5123 Baltimore Ave., is scheduled to reopen on February 27th with the following hours: Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Like many other businesses, Greensgrow has been hit hard by the pandemic and after reopening Greensgrow West will first carry limited selection of items.  Continue Reading

As most healthcare workers and nursing home residents in the city have received their COVID-19 shots, Philadelphia is ready to move to vaccinating people in the next priority group (Phase 1B) as early as this week, according to today’s announcement by Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley.

The priority in this group will be given to people considered at the highest risk, such as people over the age of 75 and those with high-risk health conditions – cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and patients who have had an organ transplant – according to the announcement. This group will expand later to include more health conditions.

People in the high-risk group will receive invitations from hospitals and federally qualified health centers to begin their vaccinations.  Continue Reading

Lori Waselchuk will be giving away #SweetTProject T-shirts and raising money for local human rights organizations this Wednesday in Clark Park.

A project that began four years ago, on the day after the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, will conclude tomorrow with a pop-up exhibition and fundraiser. West Philly photographer and activist Lori Waselchuk will be in Clark Park this Wednesday, Jan. 20 to present 700 T-shirts she has worn as part of this four-year project/performance titled #SweetTProject.

Waselchuk has worn a unique T-shirt – borrowed or handmade – each day of Trump’s presidency to “amplify the importance of resistance, activism, creativity, open society, human rights, and community” and posted images of her wearing these T-shirts on her Instagram page nearly every day. The project will conclude on the day of the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. By January 20, 2021, Waselchuk will have worn more than 1,420 shirts over the four years!  Continue Reading

A 2015 rally at the Martin Luther King Memorial at 40th and Lancaster Avenue (Photo courtesy of PEC)

The life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. is being celebrated this Monday, Jan. 18. While a lot of MLK Day events and activities will not be held this year because of Covid restrictions, folks are invited to participate in virtual events and outdoor socially-distanced events:

Monday, January 18, 12:30 p.m. at The Bank, 3750 Lancaster Avenue (corner of 38th and Lancaster Ave):

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) will be giving away food and other resources at the site of Rev. King’s Freedom Now tour speech on August 3, 1965 – at the intersection of 40th Street, Haverford Avenue, and Lancaster Avenue. The event will begin at Noon and last until the food has been distributed. The location is also a site on PEC’s Martin Luther King Scavenger Hunt, with a prize of a $100 gift card (go here for more information).  Continue Reading