Photo courtesy of UCD

UPDATE: The deadline for submissions to the Baltimore Avenue banner competition has been extended until Friday, March 27. Just a reminder that the winning designer will receive $500 in restaurant gift cards + see their artwork fly above Baltimore Avenue. 

It’s time to update Baltimore Avenue banners! Installed by University City District (UCD) in 2008, current banners (you can see them hung from lampposts along several blocks of Baltimore Avenue) have been in place since the 2012 design competition. UCD and the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA) have announced a new competition for local artists and illustrators to submit designs for new banners.

The winning designs will be incorporated in new banners hung in advance of the June Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2020.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (3/20/2020): The City has opened a drive-through testing site in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park in South Philly. The site is open daily from 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and individuals don’t need a doctor’s referral to receive a test. However, only healthcare workers and people over the age of 50 who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are eligible for testing at this site (at least for now). Please read more information here.

(3/18/2020): Penn has opened a COVID-19 drive-through testing site for people whose primary-care physician is within the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine). The exact location of the site hasn’t been revealed. You need a referral from your doctor, who will provide the address of the site. The site offers free testing  – no co-pays or deductibles will be charged.

Here are other free drive-through testing sites around the city, also by referral through their systems:  Continue Reading

All SEPTA City Transit service – buses, trolleys, Market Frankford, Broad Street, and Norristown High Speed Lines – will be operating on a Saturday schedule, starting next week (Sunday, March 22). This timetable will be in effect seven days a week until further notice.

SEPTA is reducing its service in the city due to a decline in ridership since many people are staying home amid the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier this week, SEPTA reduced Regional Rail service.

For more information and updates, visit: septa.org.

As the number of the coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the Philly area has been rapidly growing, and cases of community spread are confirmed, it is important to practice social distancing (among other precautions), whether it’s cancelling meetings, social gatherings and hangouts, or keeping a safe distance from others on the street or while shopping (some grocery stores, like Mariposa Food Co-op, have begun limiting the number of shoppers inside the store at one time).

Here’s what’s happening elsewhere in the neighborhood, according to one West Philly Local reader:  Continue Reading

As the number of people infected with the coronavirus in the Philly area is growing, many local businesses are considering measures to help slow the spread of the disease. In West Philly, some restaurants, like Renata’s Kitchen, have temporarily suspended dine-in service. No doubt, many places will suffer from reduced business or will have to face temporary closures due to the virus outbreak.

During these trying times, it is important to support local restaurants, eateries and other businesses and help them stay in business. Please consider ordering take-out or delivery or purchasing gift certificates or cards from your favorite spots.  Continue Reading

UPDATE: West Philadelphia High School and 62 other public schools will be closed tomorrow (Friday, March 13) due to staffing shortage after Governor Wolf’s announcement earlier today regarding measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Montgomery County. Eleven percent of Philadelphia School District employees live in Montgomery County.

On Thursday, the School District of Philadelphia announced a plan that should help keep its students and staff safer as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health matter evolves. Beginning Friday, March 13, activities where large groups are gathered will be limited, including athletic contests, plays, concerts, as well as work-related travel for staff and school-sponsored trips through spring break.

Athletic practices will be permitted, but games will be postponed until further notice. All school-sponsored trips and work-related travel is postponed at this time unless approved by the superintendent.  Continue Reading