UPDATE (11/11/2020): University City District (UCD) is offering bagged leaf collection this Saturday, Nov. 14. University City residents must place bagged leaves in brown, biodegradable paper bags on their street corners for pickup after 1 p.m. Sign up your block by either email (cleanandsafe@universitycity.org), or by calling UCD at 215-243-0555.

The Streets Department’s annual Fall Leaf Recycling Program will kick off Monday, Nov. 9 and run through Saturday, Dec. 19. Residents are encouraged to participate in bagged leaf drop-off at specially designated locations or mechanical leaf collection (or both).  Continue Reading

UPDATE (8/12/2020): Joyce Miller has been found and reunited with her family, according to neighbor reports. We’re still waiting for confirmation from police.

Joyce Miller, 70, has been missing from her West Philadelphia residence since Sunday, Aug. 9, according to police. She lives on the 3600 block of Hamilton Street in the Powelton Village neighborhood and was last seen early Sunday morning. She is 5 feet tall, weighs 150 pounds and is physically very fit, but she suffers from dementia and easily gets lost, according to police.

If you have any information about this person please call Detective George Williams, PPD, at 215-686-3160.

The popular local coffee shop located on S. 45th Street between Pine and Osage has changed its name a few times in its history – from Sam’s Place to Earth Cup to Coffee Market, then back to Earth Cup a couple of years ago. Now it has a new owner and new name: Knockbox Cafe.

The new owner, Heather DeGrands, lives just two blocks away from the shop and is very excited about this new endeavor. She closed the deal to buy the café on June 1.

“I have been living in West Philly for over 12 years so I am familiar with many of the neighbors and customer base,” DeGrands wrote in an email.  Continue Reading

Visit UCD’s new Digital Dining Days website

To help support local restaurants in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, University City District has launched the Digital Dining Days website, an in-progress online guide to restaurants offering takeout, delivery, gift cards, and staff fundraisers in West Philadelphia. The website will be continually updated as conditions at restaurants change. If you don’t see a local favorite on the list, please email UCD at marketing@ucd.org and let them know! As of April 1st, the website includes information on around 80 local restaurants, cafes and eateries.  Continue Reading

The School District of Philadelphia has sent out a message to parents and guardians about the coronavirus.

So far, there are no confirmed coronavirus disease cases in Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia residents are at low risk of becoming infected, according to the message. The School District is working closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and taking into consideration the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The School District of Philadelphia holds the well-being, health, and safety of students and staff as a top priority,” reads the message.  Continue Reading

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The Sanctuary Jam: A Philadelphia First: At St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Hamilton Village (3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104) is open to both Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania students and musicians as well as West Philly residents.

Visit with us and hear the best of the universities instructors in jazz, and if you play an instrument you’re invited to sit in. Come support Jazz in all its Glory…FREE PIZZA – GREAT MUSIC – NO CHARGE.

A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon:  ALL ARE WELCOME!

(This post is sponsored by The Jazz Sanctuary).