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As part of Philadelphia2035, a comprehensive development plan that will help create a more livable, healthy and economically viable city in the future, West Philadelphia residents are invited to the first public meeting for the West District Plan. The meeting will take place this Thursday, June 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at West Philadelphia High School (4901 Chestnut St.).

This is an opportunity for West Philadelphia residents to discuss what projects, policies and changes can be made today in the area. Philadelphia2035 makes recommendations for actions that the Mayor, City Council, government agencies and community partners can take to invest in neighborhoods and make the city more economically competitive.

The first component of the plan, the Citywide Vision, was introduced in 2011. There are also geographically specific recommendations, District Plans, that are being prepared for every section of Philadelphia. Some West Philly Local readers may remember a series of articles on the University Southwest District Plan meetings that took place in 2013. The majority of the District Plans have already been completed (see map), and now it’s turn for the West District Plan to be drawn with participation of community members.  Continue Reading

We have compiled a few important announcements released by SEPTA in the past week:

SEPTA Fares to Increase July 1, 2017

The SEPTA Board approved fare changes for Fiscal Year 2018, including modest increases across all modes of travel and methods of payment. SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2018 begins July 1, 2017, and here is a summary of changes to some of the most widely used fare payment methods (full details can be found here):

• Cash Fare/Quick Trip: Increase from $2.25 to $2.50
• Discounted single ride with SEPTA Key Travel Wallet/Token: From $1.80 to $2
• Disabled Fare: From $1 to $1.25
• Paratransit/Shared Ride: $4 to $4.25
• Weekly TransPass: From $24 to $25.50 (up to 56 trips for one customer)  Continue Reading

A great summer tradition is still alive in Cedar Park! Summer live jazz series is returning on Friday, June 2, according to Cedar Park Neighbors. Bobby Zankel and the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound Six will kick off the series this Friday. West Philly musician Gretchen Elise will perform next Friday, June 9.

2017 Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park will be held every Friday at 49th and Baltimore, 6 – 8 p.m., weather permitting, through July 28th (see the flier for the full lineup). Don’t forget to bring your kids and your neighbors, as well as chairs or a blanket.

Stay tuned for more announcements about live jazz in West Philly – at Malcolm X Park and the annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival. Continue Reading

Our Muslim neighbors are observing Ramadan until June 25, and this is a reminder that some local businesses will be closed or will have special hours.

Saad’s Halal restaurant (45th and Walnut) closed on Saturday and will reopen on Monday, June 26.

Manakeesh Cafe & Bakery (4420 Walnut St.) is closed during the day and open for dining from 8 – 10:30 p.m. Calls for pickup can be made after 6 p.m., and Iftar orders can be picked up after 7 p.m. The Dining Room opens at 7:30 p.m. Visit the restaurant’s Facebook page for more information.

University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is recruiting West Philadelphia residents for its new job training program in partnership with Nobel Learning Communities and Drexel University. The program will prepare individuals to be Preschool Lead Teachers and Preschool Assistant Teachers at Chesterbrook Academy Preschool of Drexel University.

In the summer of 2017, Nobel Learning Communities Inc., a network of more than 180 private schools that offers preschool through 12th grade education, will be opening a new location, Chesterbrook Academy Preschool of Drexel University, in West Philadelphia. In this new partnership, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative will be supporting NLCI in hiring a full complement of Preschool Lead Teachers and Preschool Assistant Teachers.  Continue Reading

A male terrier mix was found this morning in Clark Park.

“It was cold, wet and shivering. It seemed to have been out in the rain all last night,” the person who found him, Jeff, wrote in an email.

The dog has a blue collar but no tags. For more information, please call Darcy at 303-579-4162 or Jeff at 215-687-6710.