myDoc Urgent Care provides both urgent care and primary care services for patients ranging from toddlers (18 months) to adults. The clinic opened its doors to visitors less than a year ago at 3717 Chestnut St. With onsite xRay, lab testing, and prescription medication, the clinic treats all routine illness and injuries.

What Is Urgent Care?

Before you find yourself sitting for hours in a hospital emergency room and end up with expensive medical bills, here are some things you should know when you or a family member need immediate medical care. You should first contact your primary care physician (PCP), who is your gateway to finding the most appropriate type of care. If your doctor is not available, or if you can’t meet with your doctor when you need medical care, you may choose to visit an urgent care center.  Continue Reading

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:

Turkey Tuesday here at The Woodlands. 🦃 @WestPhillyLocal @WPhillyTurkey #turkeytakesatour pic.twitter.com/21UCqi6tx4

— The Woodlands (@woodlandsphila) March 21, 2017

PennFuture and The Clean Air Council are bringing representatives from different city agencies to University City this Tuesday (Aug. 23) to discuss transportation pollution and are hoping to form a more streamlined policy that reduces traffic and pollution. A roundtable discussion will take place at International House Philadelphia (Asia Room, 3701 Chestnut St) from 6 – 8 p.m.

The latest American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report shows that Philadelphia has very poor air quality, which creates a critical public health issue.

“By bringing key stakeholders together, we’ll determine concrete policy and programmatic actions that each sector can implement to reduce transportation-related pollution in the Philadelphia region,” said Joseph Otis Minott, Clean Air Council Executive Director.  Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of International Guitar Night.

There’s a chance to see some guitar virtuosos from all over the world this Sunday (Feb. 8) when the International Guitar Night will return to Crossroads Music. The International Guitar Night tour founder and guitarist Brian Gore will be joined on stage by classical innovator and fellow Californian Andrew York, Brazilian jazz master Diego Figueiredo, and contemporary Iranian-Canadian steel string prodigy Maneli Jamal. This will be an evening of contemporary guitar music.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets ($10-$30; $5 for children under 12) are still available. To purchase your ticket online, click here.

More information about the tour and its participants, visit the International Guitar Night website.

Crossroads Music is located at the Calvary Center at 801 South 48th St.

According to latest statistics, 210,000 Philadelphians are without health insurance. This is where the recently introduced Affordable Care Act, or “ObamaCare,” comes in. If you’re considering this health care coverage but don’t know how to sign up or are confused about something along the process, here’s some help. The Free Library of Philadelphia is offering individuals and their families free appointments with Certified Application Counselors who will answer your questions and help you sign up for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Open enrollment for 2014 coverage ends on March 31, so if you need assistance in the application process please call ahead to one of these Free Library branches in West Philadelphia and schedule an appointment with a Certified Counselor:

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
125 S. 52nd St. | 215-685-7429

Charles L. Durham Branch
3320 Haverford Ave. | 215-685-7436

Walnut Street West Library (starting Monday, Feb. 3; make an appointment with Certified Application Counselor Tiffany Nardella)
201 S. 40th St. | 215-685-7671

Wynnefield Library
5325 Overbrook Ave. | 215-685-0298

In addition, the Tech Lab at the Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, will offer regular open hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., during which you can drop in for Affordable Care Act assistance without an appointment. Certified Application Counselors will be available on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, visit this page.

This is a reminder that there is still time left to support various local causes and take advantage of 2013 tax savings. There are many charitable causes in the area you can support, whether it’s education, art, helping homeless neighbors or those in need, animal rescues and shelters, and others. So, if you want to make a difference in somebody’s life or show your love for your favorite project or organization, this is a good time to do it.

It would be tough for us to mention all the worth organizations in West Philly. Below are a few. Others are on our Civic Life page. Please add others in the comments.

ACHIEVEability families still need help. The organization continues to provide stability to 310 children and their parents. Your support will help ACHIEVEability deliver on their promise to help these families build better lives. If you have not already offered your support, please consider taking a few minutes to make a contribution here.

There’s a chance to double the impact of your year-end gift to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation if you make a donation by the end of the year. A group of donors to the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation are matching all donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000. Every dollar you donate will be matched, to a total of $50,000 as long as you make a donation by December 31st at midnight. Your donation will help provide more books for children, tech classes for seniors, tutoring for students, and other programs. To make a donation, click here. And you can select your neighborhood library to direct your gift to.

The Woodlands Trust for Historic Preservation needs your help “putting The Woodlands back on the map.” They’re still a few thousands dollars away from meeting their appeal goal, and every dollar counts. Here are some examples of how your donation can be used: $10 will help The Woodlands to provide free educational materials to 100 visitors. $25 will help clear fallen branches from the path used by runners, walkers and dog-walkers. $100 provides the materials and labor to repair one headstone. Help is also needed with supporting grounds maintenance and ensuring the long-term health and grandeur of State Champion trees. To make a donation, click here.

Consider donating to Curio Theatre‘s General Operating Fund, to help the theatre keep “the lights on and the door open.” You can also help Curio’s Scholarship Fund, so that they can continue to offer theatre classes to all members of our community. For more information and to make a donation, click here.