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Archive | March, 2017

Two sought in murder of West Philly community organizer Winnie Harris

March 24, 2017

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two “persons of interest” wanted for questioning in connection with last month’s murder of longtime Powelton resident, community activist and green space advocate Winnie Harris, 65. Police have also released a video that shows the two people walking near Harris’ house (one of them appears to be holding a gun):

Harris, Executive Director of UC Green, was found shot to death inside her house on the 300 block of North Holly Street in West Powelton on February 3. According to a more recent police report, she had multiple gunshot wounds (initially it was reported that she was shot once in the abdomen). Harris was found in a second-floor bedroom. She lived alone in her house.

No arrests have been made.  Continue Reading

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From West Philly to West Africa: Dance workshop with choreographer Anssumane Sillá this Saturday

March 24, 2017

Dancer and choreographer Anssumane Sillá was born and raised in Guinea Bissau and moved to Philadelphia in 2008.

A distinguished African-born dancer, drummer and choreographer, Anssumane Sillá, will offer a West African dance workshop this Saturday (March 25) at The Children’s Community School (1212 S. 47th St).

Sillá, a Guinea Bissau native, began performing at the age of 11 and danced professionally with the National Ballet of Guinea Bissau for almost 20 years. He moved to Philadelphia in 2008 and since then has toured the U.S. with the Voices of Africa Drum Ensemble, choreographed for the Kùlú Mèlé African Dance Ensemble, and taught numerous workshops and classes on both traditional West African and contemporary dance styles.  Continue Reading

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Support Saint Mary’s Nursery School at Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, April 22 (Sponsored)

March 22, 2017

Do you want to support early childhood education and have a fun evening while you’re at it? Would you vie for a luxurious dinner & night at a Society Hill hotel? How about a party package to University Family Fun Center or action packed sessions for you or your kids at HFS Parkour? These are just a few of the exciting auction items featured at the 13th annual Saint Mary’s Nursery School (SMNS) annual fundraiser:

Spring For Our School Silent Auction & Party
Saturday, April 22 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Harnwell College House Rooftop Lounge
3820 Locust Walk
Tickets $45 (adults only) at: www.stmarysnursery.org

Special Attractions

Shakespeare in Clark Park’s Kittson O’Neill will host the event. DJ Duiji 13 will not only provide ambience, but a dance party after the auction. Philly Homebrew West will offer beer tasting with a backdrop of breathtaking panoramic views from this rooftop lounge. Chef’s Table catering will leave you satisfied.  Continue Reading

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A family-friendly, pop-up beer garden on a decrepit West Philly block?

March 22, 2017

Longtime West Philly resident Jeff Lutzner pitches “Pentridge Station,” a playground/park/beer garden proposed for a vacant lot on the 5100 block of Pentridge Street (Photo by West Philly Local).

A longtime West Philly resident is gambling that people will want to travel down a troubled street that is lined with abandoned cars, empty buildings and a quasi-legal automotive shop that sometimes hosts raucous outdoor parties during which shots have been fired to visit his kid-friendly, pop-up beer garden.

It sounds risky, but several people who attended last night’s Cedar Park Neighbors zoning committee meeting to discuss the proposed seasonal beer garden in an abandoned lot on the 5100 block of Pentridge Street said they will support it. Jeff Lutzner, a longtime resident and block captain on the 4900 block of Cedar Avenue, owns the lot and hopes that the beer garden/playground might bring some much-needed attention to the block.

“We really want it to be a place where families could convene,” Lutzner told the 30 or so people gathered at the meeting.  Continue Reading

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Artists sought for public projects in Powelton; presentation next Thursday

March 21, 2017

Lola38, a creative placemaking project in West Philadelphia, is seeking artists to design and create art installations at the former United Bank building and the fence around the site of the demolished University City High School in an effort to beautify neighborhoods surrounding Lower Lancaster Avenue.

On March 30, these artists will pitch their ideas to neighbors, some of which are fellow artists and curators themselves. The five-minute-presentations, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the former bank (3750 Lancaster Ave) will be done in the style of PechaKucha, a Japanese method in which 20 slides are displayed for 20 seconds each. In addition to arguing why their work should be chosen, artists are also encouraged to respond to one of the following three questions: “How does progress feel?“, “Which walls are invisible?“, and “Is there a good rate of change?”  Continue Reading

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Spring gobbler shows up at The Woodlands

March 21, 2017

It’s not that unusual to see wild turkeys in our area, with several sightings over the last few years. Most of them hang out at Bartram’s Garden, but some venture out into West Philly neighborhoods from time to time. One was spotted today at The Woodlands Cemetery at 40th and Woodland. Check out their video in the tweet below:

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