UPDATE (April 5, 2018): Due to snow in the forecast for Saturday, April 7, the 11th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup has been postponed until next Saturday, April 14.

The 11th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 14, and residents are encouraged to join local community efforts at cleaning and beautifying neighborhood parks, streets and empty lots. There are numerous cleanup sites in West Philly; please visit www.phillyspringcleanup.com to find a site near you and register.

Also check out these cleanup projects hosted by local organizations:

• From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., join Cedar Park Neighbors in a spring cleanup at Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore). It’s time to get back outdoors and wake up the gardens! CPN will be doing general clean out and prep of gardens for planting. No experience is necessary, and tools will be provided. All are welcome, and it’s kid friendly! As a bonus, Dock Street Brewery is offering volunteers a special deal. For more info and to RSVP, go here: www.facebook.com/events/416760625418190/ Continue Reading

West Philadelphia residents are invited this and next month to University of the Sciences to participate in a series of career development workshops. This free four-week series will help improve your resume, networking skills, job search strategies, and interviews.

Workshops will be held at USciences Alumni Hall (Room 100) from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on April 18, April 25, May 2, and May 9.

Space is limited, so RSVP is required with address and phone number. Please email: e.lohbau@usciences.edu or call 215.596.8970.

If you still buy tokens for your traveling this is a good time to switch to the SEPTA Key card. SEPTA will end token sales at all Authority-operated locations on April 30. SEPTA will continue to accept purchased tokens for the foreseeable future, but customers are reminded that tokens can be loaded onto SEPTA Key cards with the full value added to the Travel Wallet.

Tokens will continue to be sold in bulk to social service agencies beyond April 30, and third-party retailers will also continue to sell tokens to the general public for now.

SEPTA has been gradually phasing out sales of tokens since January, but will continue to accept purchased tokens for the foreseeable future.

For more information on SEPTA Key Card, go here.

One of the most popular local shopping events of the year is returning this summer. University City District (UCD) has announced that Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, where guests can enjoy $1 specials from dozens of neighborhood businesses – from food and drinks to merchandise and theatre tickets – will be held twice this year: on June 7th and September 13th. The event draws thousands of visitors each year and also includes live music and entertainment.

This year, the organizers want to make sure that all food vendors participating in this event are in compliance with Philadelphia Health Department codes and public safety regulations. Currently, UCD is accepting applications from temporary community food vendors to participate in this event as official participants. Selected vendors will be included on maps and marketing materials for the event.  Continue Reading

Cedar Park Neighbors is holding a pubic zoning meeting this Thursday (March 29) that will focus on two development proposals on Baltimore Avenue:

• The event space Petite Féte has requested a use certificate for a banquet hall for up to 49 people on the first floor at 5042 Baltimore Ave. This site is currently zoned CMX-2 (Commercial use) and also has two residential units above (on the second and third floor). The proposed use, “Assembly and Entertainment,” requires a special exception approval in this zoning district.  Continue Reading

West Philly and Southwest Philly have two new registered community organizations (RCOs), West Philly Pride and Kingsessing Spirit, and there is an opportunity this week to learn more about their work and to talk about some important issues. Both organizations hold quarterly RCO meetings focused on zoning and land use issues.

Kingsessing Spirit will hold their Spring 2018 community meeting this Wednesday (March 28), at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (801 S. 48th St), and all concerned citizens of Southwest Philly are invited. The meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature reports from the RCO’s involvement with the Post Brothers’ proposed expansion of Garden Court Plaza at 4701 Pine Street.  Continue Reading