Businesses along 52nd Street have had a challenging couple of years, and a new initiative launched on Tuesday to help rejuvenate this vital commercial corridor just in time for the holiday season. The Enterprise Center is teaming up with Wells Fargo on their “Hope, USA” initiative to make improvements for small businesses along 52nd Street and enhance the streetscape.

Improvement projects include painting buildings, power washing sidewalks, installing holiday lighting displays, refreshing signage, and more. On Tuesday, at least 50 volunteers and tradespeople – all minority contractors – worked together on the South 200 block of 52nd Street (see photos). They engaged in activities such as electrical work, painting, carpentry, general cleanup and power washing, construction of decorative planters, and other construction work. Continue Reading

The Philadelphia Streets Department’s 2021 Philly Leaf Recycling Program has officially kicked off today, Nov. 8 and will run through Saturday, Dec. 18. The program helps reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream.

There are several opportunities for residents to participate in the program:

Bagged leaf drop-off: During the six-week program, bagged leaf drop-off will be offered city-wide on the following Saturdays at 13 specially designated locations from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

November 20
December 4
December 11
December 18 Continue Reading

Photo from www.schuylkillbanks.org

Work has finished on the newest segment of the Schuylkill Banks Trail, which runs from 56th Street to the vicinity of 61st Street in Southwest Philadelphia. The new trail segment extends Schuylkill Banks an additional 1,800 feet south and includes 1.6 acres of greenway, a large riverfront platform for fishing and community events, awesome views of the river and the Philadelphia skyline, lighting for nighttime use, benches, lawn areas, and newly planted trees and flowers.

This project is the first phase of a larger, eight-mile riverfront trail extension project that will eventually extend to Passyunk Avenue. Schuylkill Banks is a project of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), a non-profit organization, and the City of Philadelphia. SRDC is working to revitalize the Schuylkill River corridor from the Fairmount Dam to the Delaware River. Continue Reading

Many local restaurants have been experiencing staffing shortages as a result of the pandemic. To help local businesses fill open positions, University City District (UCD) is hosting a West Philly Restaurant Job Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participating restaurants are currently sending open positions they are looking to fill and folks interested in applying for restaurant positions—both for front and back of house—are invited to submit a single application that will be accepted by all participating restaurants. Jobseekers will then get a chance to interview with restaurants on Nov. 17.

UCD is also funding $100 signing bonuses for people who are hired that day and who work five shifts with their new restaurant. Continue Reading

Today is Election Day and polls are open until 8 p.m. Click here to find your polling place and click here to check your registration status.

Four local ballot measures include a question that would “call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor to decriminalize the use of non-medical marijuana.” Another asks if you would like the City to set aside a small portion of the budget each year (0.5 percent or about $25 million this year) to fund affordable housing programs.

Two local offices are on today’s ballot: district attorney and city controller. Incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, is expected to cruise to victory. Incumbent Rebecca Rhynhart is a shoe-in for city controller – she is running unopposed.

Several judicial seats are also on the ballot. A rundown of the Pa. Supreme Court election and other state and local courts is here.

Two local non-profit organizations are seeking volunteers to work with Philadelphia children on their reading and writing skills or to help with other tasks.

• Mighty Writers, which has been focusing on providing food and literacy during the pandemic, is looking for volunteers who love writing and want to share that love with young people. Volunteers at Mighty Writers (over 400 every year!) are writers, playwrights, filmmakers, artists and business professionals. Volunteers all have three things in common: compassion, patience and a willingness to learn from the students.

Currently there are two ways to volunteer with Mighty Writers – by offering 1:1 writing attention to a child, or supporting the organization’s food and diaper distribution efforts. Continue Reading