SEPTA is planning to rename a popular West Philadelphia bus route. Beginning February 2025, the “G” bus will become Bus 63. The other lettered buses (H, J, L, R, and XH) will also change into numbers. Riders will get a chance to get used to the new name as SEPTA is planning to use both new numbers and old letters for a period of time.

SEPTA is planning these changes because it wants to use letters only for its Metro network – trains and some trolley routes: “L” for Market-Frankford Line, “B” for the Broadstreet Line, and “G” for Trolley Route 15. As for the other trolley routes, they are now numbered from 1 to 5 with “T” in front: T1 (Route 10), T2 (Route 34), T3 (Route 13), T4 (Route 11), and T5 (Route 36). These changes were introduced last year as part of SEPTA’s efforts to simplify its naming system, which is a part of the SEPTA Forward plan.

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Ceramic Concept, a locally-owned shop located at 5015 Baltimore Avenue, is closing its doors at this location after four years of operation, according to an announcement by owner and curator Stefani Threet.

The shop may reopen at a new location in the fall. This Saturday, Jan. 18, everyone is invited to celebrate the store’s 4th anniversary and shop at this location for the last time. Everything in the store, which offers handmade pottery/ceramics and jewelry made by artists of color and women artists, will be 20 percent off. Plus, there will be food and wine and other items available for sale, like candles, local honey, and more.

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This Monday, Jan. 20, we are celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Day. To honor his legacy, special events and volunteer opportunities have been scheduled in West Philadelphia by local groups and organizations.

A street renaming and awards ceremony in honor of Dr. King will take place on Monday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 40th and Lancaster, the exact place where he delivered a historic speech on August 3, 1965. More than 10,000 people came to listen to Dr. King speak on that day. To commemorate this event, a historical marker and a mural were unveiled at the intersection of 40th Street and Lancaster and Haverford Avenues in 2010, but this Monday, community members are invited to celebrate the renaming of the triangle to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Triangle. The ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. and feature the following speakers:

• Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District)
• Jim Brown, community leader who led the effort to rename the street
• Joe Walker, community leader who has been leading the effort to memorialize this site since 2009
• Community leaders, faith leaders, neighbors

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Walnut Street bike lane near 44th St. (November, 2024). (Photo: West Philly Local)

There are some dangerously dirty bike lanes in West Philly. Philly Bike Action, a local organization that advocates for safe, protected bike lanes in the city, is hosting a Walnut Street bike lane clean up this Saturday, Jan. 18. Volunteer help is needed with trash pick-up and clearing weeds and debris. Materials will be provided, but you can bring your own if you wish. See the flyer below for more details.

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The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is planning green stormwater projects in the Cobbs Creek area of West Philadelphia and inviting community members to learn more about this plan and provide input at a public meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14 (see more info below).

The proposed projects in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood, called “West Philly Heat Relief,” are part of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters plan, which is reducing combined sewer overflow pollution in local waterways through the installation of neighborhood-based green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). Many of the GSI projects planned for Cobbs Creek will also increase the neighborhood’s tree cover, which will help residents stay cool in the summer months.

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West Philly pet owners have a chance to have their pets vaccinated at a free pet vaccination and wellness clinic, which will be held on Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital, located at 3900 Spruce St. The clinic is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the university.

Veterinarians will provide vaccinations and will also offer a low-cost, permanent microchip for pets. Vaccines for approximately 200 dogs and cats will be administered.

This year, Penn Medicine and CHOP will also provide free health screenings and influenza vaccines for pet owners during their pets’ appointments.

To schedule an appointment, call 215-898-4680 between 8 and 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments will be accepted until full, and there is a limit of 2 pets per household.