The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is at it again: the organization that has helped hundreds of unemployed West Philadelphians is now recruiting people for their two upcoming job training programs. Both programs described below are open for unemployed individuals residing in the zip codes 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, and 19151.

Recruitment is now open for candidates interested in training and job opportunities as carpentry technicians.

Participants of this program will:

• Learn the carpentry trade from master craftsmen
• Earn a generous performance-based wage stipend
• Build cutting-edge job connection strategies that will help you connect to a career you will love.

Successful applicants should:

• Have experience and/or education in the carpentry/construction field.
• Have a high school diploma or GED by June 27th, 2016

The application deadline for this program is June 3rd, 2016.  Continue Reading

Lea Principal Jennifer Duffy helps a student cut the ribbon that officially opens the new Henry Lea Elementary School playground at 47th and Spruce (Photo by West Philly Local).

A handful of Henry C. Lea Elementary students cut the ribbon this morning on a project that has transformed the school’s playground at 47th and Spruce from a barren swathe of asphalt into an inviting space complete with trees and dedicated bricks.

The “Greening Lea” project has moved through several stages that culminated with today’s ribbon cutting for a playground that now includes several garden areas, several newly planted trees and a renovated basketball court.  Continue Reading

Police are searching for a driver of a white or silver vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident near 52nd and Spruce that left a bicyclist critically injured. Police say that the crash happened at around 2:20 a.m. on Tuesday. The victim, a 46-year-old man, was thrown off his bike after the impact with the vehicle and sustained head and body injuries. He was listed in critical but stable condition at the hospital where he was rushed after the incident. The vehicle that struck the man never stopped, according to police.

Police say there were no witnesses to this crash. They’re currently reviewing surveillance videos from the area.

This is the second hit-and-run accident involving bicyclists in West Philadelphia in the past month. Last month, a 27-year-old man died from his injuries after a hit-and-run crash near 45th and Market. The driver who struck him still hasn’t been found.

On Wednesday, May 18, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is organizing a Ride of Silence to commemorate Philadelphia-area cyclists killed in collisions with motor vehicles.

As we mentioned earlier, this year’s Fringe Festival is expanding into West Philadelphia neighborhoods and is currently seeking venues and artists who would like to be part of this great shebang planned for Sept. 9 – 24.

Tonight, there is a chance for interested artists and venue managers to meet each other in an informal atmosphere during a West Philly Venue and Artist Mixer. The event will be held from 5 -7 p.m. at Dock Street Brewery (50th and Baltimore).

Here’s some more information from the event’s Facebook page:

“Are you a VENUE? Do you have an awesome space in West Philadelphia? Are you interested in hosting some rad performances in this year’s Fringe Festival?

Or are you an ARTIST looking for a location to perform your work in this year’s Fringe Festival?  Continue Reading

After a year-long hiatus, a popular local Mexican eatery, Guacamole Mex-Grill, has reopened its Woodland Avenue location. The restaurant, owned by the De Luna family, shut its doors last may for the summer with an intention to re-open in late August or September, but had to postpone its opening due to its manager Rony De Luna’s moving out of town. During this time, Guacamole opened a spot at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Despite being closed to customers, the kitchen at 4612 Woodland has been operational. The business also has a food truck, El Guaco Loco, that services Temple University and goes to events.

The restaurant is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and is currently closed on weekends (until mid-August).

For more information, go to: www.guacamolemexgrill.net

The owners of an orange tabby cat, Francis, is making a plea with the community to help them find their pet after he escaped the deadly fire on the 4700 block of Hazel Avenue on May 7. The cat was reportedly spotted outside of the building after the fire, but is now lost. If you find the cat please call Rechelle at 620.719.0816 or Sean at 316.993.0695. Here’s a flier with more information: