June 24, 2016
Project MEOW, a West Philly-based, all-volunteer run feline rescue organization, is seeking temporary foster homes for cats and kittens from West Philadelphia neighborhoods. See the flier below for more information or email: projectmeowfosters@gmail.com
The organization is also asking for donations:
“Spring and summer are peak season for kittens, and we’ve got ’em! Help us out by visiting the Donate page to send money via PayPal, snail mail, or just buy us something from our Amazon Wish List.”
Click to enlarge.
June 24, 2016
A viewing for Akyra Murray, the 18-year-old West Philadelphia woman killed in the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fl. on June 12, will take place Friday, June 24, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Monumental Baptist Church located at 50th and Locust Streets. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. at the church and burial will be at Mount Peace Cemetery.
Akyra is the youngest victim of the mass shooting, in which 49 people were shot and killed. She graduated from West Catholic Preparatory High School earlier this month and was visiting Florida with her family. She went to the club with her cousin, Tiara Parker, and friend Patience Carter, also from West Philadelphia. Both Parker and Carter survived the shooting.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Akyra’s family.
June 22, 2016
The University City Historical Society (UCHS) is waging a legal battle to stop the demolition of the buildings at 4046-48 Chestnut Street and the construction of an apartment building in its place. These properties, along with the rest of the block date to the 1870s and are currently nominated to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Due to their nomination, the validity of the demolition permits are in question.
“We currently have a stay on them,” writes Kelly Wiles, a UCHS Board member, and tomorrow (Thursday, June 23) at 11 a.m., a hearing is scheduled in Room 232 of City Hall to determine their fate. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
“We welcome community support and involvement by those who are interested in maintaining the character and preservation of West Philadelphia’s built environment as well as those who are concerned with the changing patterns of large-scale development, poorly-constructed and out of place building stock, zoning issues, the displacement of non-student residents,” writes Wiles. Continue Reading
June 22, 2016
Another great chance to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature is coming up this Friday (June 24) when The Woodlands kicks off its Nature Nights series with a Firefly Night.
Pack your picnic and flashlights and come to The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) from 6-9 p.m. for a chance to spend some after-dark time inside the gates, which usually close at dusk, and learn more about urban ecosystem and the creatures who call it home.
Tangle Movement Arts is performing a free firefly inspired show, and University City Arts League will be back again this year with fun crafts for families. Lil’ Pop Shop will also be back with their colorful truck and sweet treats.
The event is free and open to the public. More details are available on the The Woodlands’ website and Facebook.
Also, check out these Nature Nights scheduled for this summer:
Bat Night – Go on a bat walk after hours on Thursday, July 28, 6-9 p.m.
Moth Night – Look for moths after dark at The Woodlands on Thursday, Aug. 25, 7-10 p.m.
June 22, 2016
UPDATE (6/23/2016): Gangster Vegan Organics owner Vinny DePaul told Phillymag.com that he was planning to sign the lease for the storefront at 4305 Locust St. after it was fully renovated, but “started having issues with the landlord” and decided not to continue with his plans for the space. Instead, he’s eyeing a new location in the area.
Looks like Gangster Vegan Organics, a restaurant and juice bar, is not coming to Locust Street as previously reported, and the space is now back on the market.
An employee at the only current Gangster Vegan organic location (in Norristown), said that “things didn’t quite work out” with the building’s owner, but West Philly is not completely out of the picture.
Gangster Vegan Organics is now focusing on their expansion in Phoenixville instead.
“For Rent” signs have recently been posted on the windows at 4305 Locust St. (pictured). The ground floor space has been renovated after the fire in March 2015 that forced Cafe Renata, which was renting it at the time, to relocate to Baltimore Avenue.
– Rana Fayez
June 21, 2016
The annual trolley tunnel maintenance project, SEPTA Trolley Tunnel Blitz, is scheduled for next month and will take nine days to complete. The tunnel will close at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and will re-open for trolley service at 4 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2016.
During the blitz, trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 will not operate through the tunnel. Trolley service will begin and end at 40th and Market Streets; trolleys will use their alternate diversion service routing to connect to SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line at 40th and Market Streets.
This is the fourth year SEPTA has held the Trolley Tunnel Blitz. In 2015, the tunnel was closed for 16 days.
During this year’s blitz, more than 400 members of SEPTA’s in-house Engineering, Maintenance & Construction Division crews will work around-the-clock on key maintenance and construction tasks. Continue Reading
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