Free tax preparation sites have opened around the city helping individuals and families earning less than $55,000 per year to file their 2018 taxes. The sites are run by the Campaign for Working Families. This year, there are a couple of new tax preparation sites in West Philadelphia. Most sites serve customers on a first come, first served basis, but some require an appointment.

The following tax preparation sites are open in West and Southwest Philadelphia:  Continue Reading

Philadelphia public libraries will hold an array of special events throughout February in honor of Black History Month. This Saturday, Feb. 2., Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library (52nd and Sansom), in collaboration with the African American Museum, is hosting a Cultural Institution Resource and Information Fair.

The public is invited to learn more about local African-American historical and cultural institutions and get informed about their programs, activities and volunteer opportunities. Representatives from the following organizations will be on hand to provide information and answer questions:  Continue Reading

On August 3rd 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at 40th and Lancaster during a Freedom Now Rally in front of a crowd of 10,000 people. The Peace March ended there in 2018 with speeches from community leaders. (Photo courtesy of People’s Emergency Center).

Beginning this weekend, local universities and other non-profit organizations will be hosting many events, for adults and children alike, and volunteer projects in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Most of the events are happening on the Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 21.

Here are some of these events; more events in the area from now through Monday can be found at this link. Continue Reading

The girl scout cookie season is here! Starting Thursday, Jan. 17, local girl scout troops (Junior 91143, Brownie 93273, and Daisy 91569) will be selling cookies Monday through Friday, 4-6 p.m. for a couple of weeks (or until they run out) at the following locations:

• 34th & Walnut
• Locust Street between 43rd and 42nd (between Penn Alexander School and the Parent Infant Center)

Boxes are $4 each, except $5 for gluten-free cookies. Large amounts can be delivered. Please email: ucalgirlscouts@gmail.com if you have questions and to place your order.

Cedar Park residents are welcome to stop by VIX Emporium (50th and Baltimore), which will also be selling girl scouts cookies beginning this Thursday. Check out the store hours here.

In the past few years, girl scout cookies were also available for sale at The Fresh Grocer at 40th and Walnut. We’ll keep you posted about more locations.

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) monthly board meeting will be held this Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Spruce Hill Center (257 S. 45th Street). All community members are invited and welcome to attend.

The guest speaker at this month’s meeting is Nicole Ozdemir from the City Planning Commission. She will join SHCA members to talk about the city’s efforts regarding affordable housing. This will be an informational discussion to educate and update the board on the city’s mixed-income affordable housing bill and related initiatives. Regular committee reports will follow.

Affordable housing is becoming a big problem for Philadelphia, especially in gentrifying neighborhoods like Spruce Hill.

It was reported last month that Mission First Housing Group, one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the city, decided to move ahead with their plans to sell the Arvilla apartment building on the 4500 block of Osage Avenue and elicited protests from neighbors.

Photo courtesy of UCD.

If you’re looking for environmentally friendly ways to dispose of your Christmas tree, there are a few options available in the area.

Philadelphia Streets Department’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program

As part of this annual program, now through January 12th, residents may drop off their trees at any of the following Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers (Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.):  Continue Reading