Now through March 1st, members of the public are invited to choose a winner of the contest to redesign the ‘I Voted’ sticker that voters will receive at the polls on election days. The contest is organized by Philadelphia City Commissioners, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia.

Nine finalists were chosen from over a 150 entries. The judging team selected three adult finalists, as well as two from each of the college, high school and K-8 categories. Finalists range from professional graphic designers to elementary school students. The team of judges who selected the finalists were from a diverse background of art, education, and government, and each brought a unique insight to the process.  Continue Reading

Three siblings hope to open an Ethiopian coffee shop on the southwest corner of 42nd and Baltimore.

The trio, whose family is from Ethiopia, presented their plan to the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee on Monday. The proposal requires a special exception to put a coffee shop in the vacant storefront at 500 S. 42nd Street.

“Our goal is to really showcase our heritage,” said Tigist Hailu, who will open the shop along with her brothers. “One thing we feel is really missing in the neighborhood is the Ethiopian coffee ceremony.”

The proposal will go to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in April and, if approved, interior innovations will begin shortly after.

Rendering of proposed repurposing of church at 41st and Ludlow into a climbing gym, including the addition of a glass tower.

A plan to convert a 19th century church at 41st and Ludlow into a climbing and fitness facility drew praise from the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee during its meeting on Monday, but may meet some resistance at the Philadelphia Historical Commission because of three-story glass tower that will be added to the building.

The owners of Reach Climbing and Fitness recently bought the building (see photo below), which until late last fall was occupied by St. James Pentecostal Church. The bright red church tucked off of Market Street in a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood was built in 1845. It housed the Monumental Baptist Church, the second oldest African American Baptist Church in the city and the first in West Philadelphia.  Continue Reading

Neighbors and all interested individuals are invited to a monthly Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Committee meeting, which will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the Spruce Hill Center (257 S. 45th St).

A few zoning applications will be discussed, including two new business operations in the neighborhood:

• A new coffee shop is being proposed near 42nd and Baltimore, at 500 S. 42nd Street. This business operation requires a special exception for the proposed use as a “prepared food shop”.

• A Reach Climbing + Fitness operation is being proposed in a church building at 41st and Ludlow (see photo). The building is on the local historic register and the applicant will discuss how they are seeking to adapt the current structure to the intended use.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting and ask questions and offer comments.

Editor’s Note: This letter to the editor piece was submitted by Patrick Brown, a resident of Farragut Terrace, following Vice President Mike Pence’s visit of St. Francis de Sales School on Wednesday.

Neighbors rallying outside of St. Francis de Sales School on Wednesday (Photo by West Philly Local).

I was chatting with a neighbor a couple of months after moving to my house on Farragut Terrace. OK, to be honest, I was griping about the inconveniences of living so close to a school. She, in response, agreed, lamenting that at times she also felt like St. Francis de Sales School treats our block like its own personal back alley. That was six years ago, and though the regular frustrations have yet to dwindle entirely, I do accept that I chose to live next door to a school. But on Wednesday, the grievances once again came to the fore. As the current administration’s campaign bus idled for two hours just a few yards from my front door, I began feeling worthless.

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The Campaign for Working Families is once again offering free tax preparation and filing services for qualifying families and individuals throughout the city. If you earned less than $55,000 in 2019 you can get help preparing your taxes. Check out free tax preparation sites in West and Southwest Philadelphia below. No appointment is necessary at most sites (see listings for details). Customers are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Here you can find information on what documents you should bring with you. And just a reminder that the filing deadline for 2019 taxes is April 15, 2020.

Free CWF Tax Preparation Sites in West Philadelphia:

ACHIEVEability
59 N 60th St, Phila, PA 19139
Tue & Thu 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-1pm
By appointment only: Please call 215.557.8484  Continue Reading