Dangerous winds are blowing in the area this morning. A fairly large tree branch snapped and fell near 43rd and Osage, blocking the road, according to neighbor reports. There have been other reports of toppled trees around the city and in the region.

The high wind warning is in effect until noon. (Photos by Eva Jacobs and Abby Thaker).

Community members and all interested individuals are invited to learn more about a collaborative community community project, The Mantua Greenway. The effort to transform Mantua Avenue between 34th and 40th Streets was initiated by residents in 2012. The Mantua Greenway Design Month kicks off on Tuesday, April 5 with an open house, and there will also be opportunities to participate and discuss the project design and help out in its creation.

The following community events will be held this month as part of the Mantua Greenway Design Month:

• Design Month Kick-off & Open House, Tuesday, April 5, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Mantua Haverford Community Center (631 N 39th St): Community members can drop by to vote on design concepts for the Mantua Greenway and learn about the history and efforts of the Greenway Resident Advisory Committee.  Continue Reading

The annual Spruce Hill May Fair will be held on Saturday, May 7 in Clark Park. In addition to live music, food, book and plant sales, a raffle, and activities for kids, local artisans and craftspeople will showcase their creations and offer the public an opportunity to purchase their unique handcrafted wares. There will also be booths set up with information about local groups and causes seeking public support.

The Spruce Hill Community Association is hosting the event and is offering vending spots for interested individuals or organizations. Especially welcome are artists and crafters from West Philadelphia who would like to offer their works for sale, as well as any group or organization wanting to promote itself or a cause, event, or activity.  Continue Reading

          “Bamboo Lot” at 5123 Baltimore Ave.

As was reported last spring, Greensgrow West, which is currently renting the former Elena’s Soul space at 4912 Baltimore Avenue, had secured a new, bigger location on the 5100 block of Baltimore, on the so-called “Bamboo Lot.”

We’re happy to report that Greensgrow is preparing to welcome customers at the new location by mid to late summer. The new location will have an expanded garden and education center, including a plant nursery, a farmers’ market, a greenhouse, an outdoor classroom, and gathering space. Here’s what Greensgrow West Assistant Manager Lee Baldwin writes about the relocation:

“We will be operating our retail sales out of our familiar 4912 Baltimore Avenue location through mid to late summer. Our current plan is to use the hot months of July and August to transfer the bulk of our operations to the new 5123 Baltimore Avenue location. We are usually at our slowest during late July and early August, and so there will be less impact on our customers if we move during that time.”  Continue Reading

Summer is rapidly approaching, which means block party season is just around the corner. The Block Party permit application process has recently been made easier, and traveling to the Municipal Services Building and waiting in line is no longer necessary. Residents can now pay and submit their application online and receive the permit by e-mail.

Block Party permits allow residents to close their street to traffic for a party on a weekend or a summer holiday, such as Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day. NOTE: Applications for weekday block parties or Street Festival Permits are not offered online at this time.  Continue Reading

Architect Nick Mansperger describes the new residence hall planned for site of the Alexander Wilson School to neighbors at a public meeting on the University of the Sciences campus.

Residents got their first glimpse last night at the University of the Sciences’ plan for the former Alexander Wilson School property at 46th and Woodland – a glassy 4- to 5-story dormitory over ground-floor retail and a open courtyard along Woodland Avenue.

The proposed new dorm, which will house about 400 students and replace residence facilities elsewhere on the campus, will be U-shaped with the open end of the U along Woodland. The university hopes to break ground for the building in December or January and open it to new students in the fall of 2018.

Along with concerns about parking and the choice of retail, residents on 46th Street were worried that the building would block sunlight for much of the day.  Continue Reading