“The Gables” (Photo by West Philly Local).

The University City Historical Society has applied to the city’s Historical Commission for protection of a cluster of 41 Victorian homes near Clark Park on Chester Avenue and Regent Streets.

Well-known 19th century architect Willis G. Hale designed the homes, which include the mansion known as “The Gables” (now a bed and breakfast) and nearby twins on the 4500 block of Chester Avenue and twins and row homes on both sides of the 4500 block of Regent Street. Collectively, the properties would form the “Chester-Regent Historic District.”  Continue Reading

Registration for public school kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year is open now through May 31, 2019. On Tuesday, March 5, parents and caregivers of children who will be 5 on or before September 1st are invited to visit their neighborhood schools and get their questions answered during the Kindergarten Open House day.

Here is a list of Kindergarten Open Houses at public schools located in West Philadelphia (for more information, visit the School District of Philadelphia website).  Continue Reading

A new juice bar, Blu Diamond Juicery, is holding a grand opening today at 5144 Walnut Street. The doors will open at 10 a.m..

Blu Diamond offers fresh cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and vegan wraps and salads, and specialty popcorn.

The hours of operation are currently 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, but will be extended starting this spring, according to owner Fred Williams.

Their website is expected to go live in a few days. In the meantime, check out their Instagram page:  Continue Reading

Two hundred library Friends and staff rallied for Full Library Funding at City Hall in December (Photo courtesy of Friends of Walnut St. West Library).

“Robbing Peter to pay Paul” has become the norm as Free Library branches loan staff to each other so they can keep their doors open. Philadelphia’s public libraries are now operating with skeleton crews, short 150 staff positions system-wide, due to unremedied attrition.

Last weekend, Walnut St. West Librarian Bruce Siebers worked Saturday at the Cecil B. Moore branch, along with three others borrowed from other branches. According to Siebers, Cecil B. Moore Library only has four full-time employees.

Libraries are required to have at least four staff present to open, including a guard. If four are scheduled and one calls in sick… you get the picture. It happened 375 times last year. When neighborhood libraries open late, or not at all, people stop using them.  Continue Reading

SEPTA has announced a trolley track replacement project at 40th and Spruce, which will affect traffic in the area for eight days at the beginning of next month. From Saturday, March 2 to Sunday, March 10, Spruce Street will be closed between 38th and 41st Streets, and 40th Street will be closed between Locust and Spruce Streets for the duration of this work, with the exception of emergency vehicles, deliveries, and trash pick-up.

Local traffic will be permitted up to the construction site, and walking access will not be restricted during the project. Penn Dental Medicine and Ryan Veterinary Hospital will be accessible during this closure.  Continue Reading

The Juneteenth parade and music festival is coming to 52nd Street, and community members are invited to a public meeting this Wednesday, Feb. 27 to learn more about this event, how it will affect the street and how you can get involved.

Wednesday’s community meeting, which is organized by the Enterprise Center, is also an opportunity to learn more about neighborhood beatification projects. Participants will be able to sign up for free planters and trees!

The meeting will take place at the Urban Art Gallery (262 S. 52nd St.), from 6 to 7 p.m. (see the flyer below).  Continue Reading