The City Council recently voted to add the Summer Winter Community Garden in Powelton Village to the Neighborhood Gardens Trust in an effort to save it from development pressure.

The volunteer-run garden, located at 33rd and Race (near Summer and Winter Streets), has been a fixture in the neighborhood for decades. Increased development has surrounded the garden, much of it tied to Drexel University.

The City Council passed legislation authored by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier that moves the one-acre plot to the NGT, which will provide liability insurance and some maintenance support. Most importantly it keeps the valuable plot a community garden.

The Summer Winter Garden joins other West Philly community gardens protected by the NGT, including the Chester Avenue Community Garden, Five Loaves Two Fish, the Pentridge Children’s Garden, Saint Bernard Community Garden, and the Warrington Community Garden.

Here’s a roundup of some events scheduled to take place in West and Southwest Philadelphia as part of the annual Juneteenth celebration. The annual Juneteenth Parade, which starts in West Fairmount Park and concludes at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine), will take place on Sunday, June 22. Here are more details about this and other events where you can celebrate and commemorate this historic holiday.

Juneteenth Celebration at West Philadelphia YMCA (5120 Chestnut St)

Thursday, June 19, 5-7 p.m.

The celebration at the West Philadelphia YMCA will feature a presentation on the history of Juneteenth, arts & crafts, a family Zumba & African Dance class, spoken word performance and more. The event is free and open to the community. No registration/membership is required. Go here for more details.

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UPDATE (6/11/25): The fire at the former Admiral Court Apartments has been ruled an arson and the case is currently under investigation, according to reports. The blaze was caused by an unknown incendiary device, according to the results of an earlier investigation by the Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office. No arrests have been made as of Wednesday afternoon.

The structure was heavily damaged in the fire and is considered in an imminent danger of collapse, according to the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Several fire trucks were back on the scene near 48th and Locust on Monday:

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A beloved summer neighborhood tradition lives on! Cedar Park Friday Night Jazz, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, is returning this week. The free shows run at 49th and Baltimore every Friday, from 6-8 p.m., in June and July (in fair weather only) and feature Philadelphia’s finest jazz musicians and bands.

The popular jazz series kicks off this Friday with a performance by a well-known West Philly musician, Gretchen Elise.

Please see the attached flyer for the full 2025 schedule.

Guests are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and picnics.

The event is organized by Cedar Park Neighbors with the help from neighborhood businesses. This year’s sponsors are PFCU, Mariposa, VIX, Hellcat Studio, Carbon Copy, and Cleo’s Bagels. If you’d like to support Cedar Park Jazz, please go here.

For updates, visit CPN’s Facebook page.

The June 2025 Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll map featuring the participating businesses, activities and specials.

The first 2025 Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll is set to return on Thursday, June 5. As usual, you can stroll up and down Baltimore Avenue (between 40th and 51st Streets) and enjoy $1, $3, and $5 deals from dozens of local businesses and neighborhood vendors. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.

In addition to the deals, there will be live music and entertainment all along Baltimore Ave. Check out a jazz performance by Gretchen Elise at Trolley Portal Gardens (40th and Baltimore), an activity zone at the HMS School parking lot (44th and Baltimore), the All Love Block Party at 48th Street near Calvary Church featuring DJs, interactive activities, and food and merchandise from community vendors, plus Double Dutch at 50th and Baltimore.

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