University City District (UCD) has announced the return of their signature summer events this summer, including Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll and 40th Street Summer Concert Series. UCD has released their 2018 “Summer in University City” event schedule, so check out what’s happening this spring, summer and early fall:

40th Street Summer Series

The 40th Street Summer Series, co-produced by University City District, the University of Pennsylvania, and The Rotunda, returns to the green area behind the Walnut Street Library at 40th Street with free monthly concerts and
performances. This year’s programming offers a wide array of musical styles and performers and will run on five Saturdays from May through September.  Continue Reading

The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is recruiting West Philadelphia residents for a new job training opportunity with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The program will prepare individuals to be Patient Sitters with the nationally renowned hospital.

Program graduates will have the opportunity to interview with CHOP, receive a performance-based stipend during the training, and learn the skills needed to successfully connect to employment and a fulfilling career path. Since its launch seven years ago, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative has served over 800 individuals, and last year, 93 percent of its participants connected to employment.  Continue Reading

Scribe Video Center, the local nonprofit with a 35-year history of educating youth and adults on how to use electronic media as a tool for social change, has recently moved to a new location. The organization moved from its temporary home at 41st and Walnut to 3908 Lancaster Ave., where all in-house events and workshops will now be held. Currently, the organization is accepting donations that will go toward furnishing their new headquarters, including tables, chairs, speakers and more. Any size donation is welcome; for more information and how to donate, please visit this page.

Speaking of workshops, a new workshop series, “How to Create Your Own Podcast,” kicks off at Scribe Video tonight, at 7 p.m., and some spots may still be available. Participants will learn the basics of podcasting and how to develop their podcast ideas into fully-formed audio productions. Information on this and other upcoming workshops is available here.  Continue Reading

Demolition of the 131-year-old Christ Memorial Reformed Episcopal Church at 43rd and Chestnut is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 1. (Photo West Philly Local)

Residents who live near 43rd and Chestnut have received notices from the City’s Department of Public Health to prepare for demolition of the 131-year-old former Christ Memorial Reformed Episcopal Church building at 43rd and Chestnut, scheduled to begin today (May 1).

The city issued a demolition permit for the building last month. The permit was issued to building owners Kalidave Limited Partners, which is run by local developer Guy Laren, who saved a Frank Furness church at 47th and Kingsessing from demolition three years ago.  Continue Reading

Jane’s Walk, the annual festival of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by the American-Canadian journalist, author and activist Jane Jacobs, returns to Philadelphia on May 4-6 with 27 walks around the city! Three walks will be held in West Philly and University City – all on Friday, May 4th and all new. Here are more details:

• 3 – 5 p.m.: The Gardens of West Philadelphia walk and conversation with Jeff Barg of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will begin and end at UCity Square PHS Pop-Up Garden (3601 Filbert St.). Join PHS on a walking tour of one of Philadelphia’s most garden-rich neighborhoods. This two-hour walking tour will explore the gardens of Powelton Village and West Powelton, some of which boast decades of history. Kids, dogs and bicycles are welcome. Event Facebook page.  Continue Reading

Photo from Taco Angeleno’s Facebook page.

Taco Angeleno, the popular Mexican food truck that operates in Cedar Park May through October, is not going to reopen this spring, according to an announcement on the business’s Facebook page.

“Dear taco buds, as Summer vibes draw near I want to sadly inform you that Taco Angeleno will be closed until further notice,” the Facebook post reads. “We’ve enjoyed getting to know all of you loyal and kind taco lovers but running a small business is full of unique challenges and they force us to change sometimes. We’re not sure what’s to come next but please stay tuned to discover how we will serve West Philly in the future.”  Continue Reading