Vinny Vegan aka Gangster Vegan.

In the early spring, a neighborhood café, Café Renata caught fire and was forced to relocate from the corner of 43rd and Locust. The space remained vacant for some months, but Vincent DePaul (Vinny Vegan aka Gangster Vegan, or Vinny Blanco to his childhood friends) of Gangster Vegan Organics has plans on changing that.

“I didn’t choose the location, it chose me. God sent me over there,” he said.

He named the business Gangster Vegan Organics because those were all terms that defined him. “Growing up, I was obsessed with that lifestyle. I wanted to redefine gangster, helping people reverse diseases like diabetes. That’s gangster. For me, gangster used to be going out to the club every night, spending money. But that’s not gangster.”

Photo from Gangster Vegan Organics Facebook page.

Currently DePaul has one Gangster Vegan Organics location in Norristown, which offers gluten-free, vegan and organic grab ‘n go food options. After considering plans to expand and scouting some potential locations for another store in Phoenixville and West Chester, he decided to go back to a familiar block in West Philadelphia. “I burst into tears when I first came around the building, you know exactly when it’s meant to be… I lived in West Philly when I was 19; I worked at Koch’s Deli for a year.”

He recounted his life events that led up to opening his first location in Norristown, right before he moved back from Los Angeles after becoming 12 years removed from his hometown. When the economy hit, his nine year old t-shirt business went bankrupt and he became homeless. He recalled a moment when he was hungry and had “hit rock bottom” and was given a cup of fresh pressed organic juice, which inspired him to go vegan and lead a healthier lifestyle.

According to DePaul, the new Gangster Vegan Organics will be opening in March. DePaul is interested in hiring a full staff (10-25 employees) for the location, preferably local to the neighborhood and with an interest or knowledge about the organic vegan lifestyle. The West Philly location will be a full-service restaurant with cooked and raw organic gluten-free offerings, seating up to 100 people.

– Rana Fayez

Check out this video of Vinny making watermelon juice:

Sterling Duns (right) and Caselli Jordan. Photo courtesy of City Love.

West Philly-based duo City Love, comprised of Mantua and Belmont resident musicians Sterling Duns and Caselli Jordan, writes songs to spread the love, make people move, laugh, and foster dialogue about social issues. Their music is a meeting point between the city and the suburbs; between black and white; heavy and light. They say they are here to bring people together and get everyone shining their lights.

So, City Love wanted you to know that they have just released their new album, Come True. The guys had a release concert at Gojjo on October 15th with over 100 people of all ages and walks of life crammed inside. They have also just been selected as one of five finalists in the City Council’s PHL Live competition for Pop music on November 10th at Underground Arts! Here is a link to a video of the title track from their new album filmed in front of Caselli’s new house on Mantua Ave. (He says he still has a LOT of work to do before it becomes livable!)  Continue Reading

Police are looking for an unidentified man who they say slashed another man in the head on SEPTA Market-Frankford line Night Owl bus near 46th and Market.

The incident happened around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday and was a result of a fight between the men that broke out on the bus, according to police. The victim sustained a cut to his forehead and was treated at the scene by medics and then released. The suspect fled the scene.

A very special reunion was held at Lynda Thomas Solomon’s home on Sunday, November 1. This was a reunion of seven successful and happy women who grew up on South 54th St during the 1950’s. Here’s a story and photos by one of them, Cynthia Brown:

“This was a reunion of  seven ladies who grew up on South 54th St during the 1950’s from childhood through high school during a time when neighbors knew each other. We were in and out each other homes and were loved and disciplined by our friend’s parents. We ate together, played together and vacationed together. We played all day safely, boys and girls together. At night we sat on the front steps and talked as we got older.  Continue Reading

1:35 p.m.: Surveillance video from the station showed that a man, who is believed to have been in his 40’s or 50’s, died after jumping in front of the train as it pulled into the station, according to SEPTA.

12:35 p.m.: We’re very sad to report that the person who was struck by an El train at 56th Street Station has died. Emergency crews are still working to remove the body from the tracks. It is not clear yet whether the person fell or jumped onto the tracks.

12:20 p.m.: A person is trapped beneath an El train at 56th and Market, according to reports. Medics are on the scene. The person was struck by the train around noon, according to SEPTA. There is no word yet on their condition.

#CBS3BREAKING: Person Trapped Beneath El Train In West Philadelphia: https://t.co/lD9dVpIqYF pic.twitter.com/3YFoV8K0LQ

— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) November 3, 2015

Shuttle buses are operating between 52nd Street Station and 69th Street Terminal. Delays are expected.

West Philly Local readers who live near 49th and Larchwood reported problems with their water last night, including low pressure, cloudiness and odor. As of this morning, the water seemed less cloudy, but there was still a mineral smell to it, according to residents. We contacted the Philadelphia Water Department, and it turned they are doing some water main work in the area, which “could cause some cloudiness.” They said that tap water in the area is safe to use and drink, but the taste/odor complaints should be called in, if possible. The PWD customer info line is: 215-685-6300.

PWD provided these tips for residents on what to do after street repairs have been made: