Narberth Rice, a U.S. Army veteran born and raised in West Philadelphia, a former City of Philadelphia employee and great-great-great grandfather of more than 60, was surprised by a 102-car procession on his 102nd birthday on Saturday.

The birthday celebration was organized by Mr. Rice’s family in partnership with Oak Street Health caretakers and included an outdoor dance party in the parking lot at 4820 Wyalusing Avenue. Due to social distancing protocol, all participants were wearing masks and gloves.

More photos are below.  Continue Reading

Your favorite food trucks may be coming back soon as the city has started lifting some restrictions on business operations imposed at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf announced on Friday that Philadelphia will move to the “yellow” re-opening phase on June 5 when many businesses can reopen (under state safety guidelines), including retail stores, childcare centers, and day camps.

While dine-in service at restaurants will still be prohibited, the City of Philadelphia has lifted restrictions on walk-up service in the yellow re-opening phase. Walk-up customers will be required to wear facial coverings and practice social distancing. Lines may not exceed 10 customers.  Continue Reading

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolfe announced on Friday that Philadelphia will move from the “red” to the “yellow” coronavirus re-opening phase on June 5. The yellow phase is the first re-opening phase and most businesses can reopen under state safety guidelines. This includes:

• Childcare centers and day camps
• In-person retail (curbside pickup and delivery are encouraged)
• Pet groomers
• Manufacturers

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released data that shows that nursing home facilities accounted for more than two thirds of the state’s death toll of just over 4,620 so far. That percentage is lower in Philadelphia, which accounts for the largest percentage of the cases in the state. The long-awaited numbers show that at least 40 people died in West Philly nursing homes.

The following nursing and rehabilitation centers have reported COVID-19 cases and deaths among their residents:  Continue Reading

Restaurant owners and operators are no doubt planning ahead while we wait for CDC guidelines and city and state guidance on re-opening. In the meantime, the University City District (UCD) wants to help restaurants prepare to re-open once they’re permitted to do so, and to hear from owners about their needs during the recovery.

UCD has been working with the Commerce Department and business improvement districts throughout the city to think through options for local restaurants. They’ve put together a survey to help get a better sense of the needs of restaurants so they can help them get operational as soon as possible. UCD is asking for restaurant operators to take a few moments to complete a short survey. The information provided will help UCD target efforts to aid the University City restaurant community.

They have already heard from some restaurants, but are encouraging many more to participate in the survey.

Too access the survey, click here. It only takes a few minutes to complete.

POP volunteer laying the groundwork for the new orchard. (Photo courtesy of The Woodlands)

The Woodlands has recently announced a very exciting project in partnership with the Philadelphia Orchard Project – the POP Learning Orchard! (You may have noticed new trees planted in the fenced in area along Woodland Avenue.)

The POP Learning Orchard space is designed to provide West Philadelphia residents with educational, nutritional and recreational opportunities. It will also help transform The Woodlands, which has a rich horticultural history, closer to how it would have functioned in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  Continue Reading