Yesterday’s high winds battered many of the large trees around the area. Here’s what happened on the 4500 block of Regent Street across from Clark Park, according to reader Frank Innes:

“Around 7:15 last night a horse chestnut tree, on the south sidewalk in the middle of the 4500 block of Regent Street, came down and damaged several cars and snapped a wood light pole in half. The street, which is just west of the shed building in Clark Park, was completely blocked (see photo below).

Around 9:15 this morning a Philadelphia Parks and Recreation tree removal crew arrived with a heavy-duty chipper and a flat bed truck, among other vehicles, to remove the tree. This task was accomplished in about an hour by the expert crew.”

West Catholic Preparatory High School (45th and Chestnut) recently received a $5 million gift, according to reports.

The benefactor is Leonard Mazur, a 1963 alumnus of West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys, which merged with West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School in 1989 to form West Philadelphia Catholic High School.

The money, which Mazur donated with his wife, Helen, will support the school’s strategic plan which focuses on academics and students.

A native of Southwest Philadelphia, Mazur is the CEO of Citius Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Maynard, Mass., according to a report by Philly.com. He’s also a member of the School’s board.

The 100-year-old school was in danger of closing in 2012 due to lack of funding, but was saved in 2013 with a $1 million donation. It also changed its name to West Catholic Preparatory High School. Since then, the school has been trying to remain financially self-sufficient, increase enrollment numbers and improve the quality of education. The school has also seen several changes in leadership over the past few years.

Last month, the school’s Board of Trustees in partnership with the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, officially began the search for the new president. Current President, Brother Richard Kestler, has announced his resignation effective June 30, 2016.

Friday, Feb. 26 is National CSA Day celebrating community-supported agriculture. This is the day when many farms start offering sign-ups for their summer CSA programs.

One of local CSA programs, Greensgrow Summer CSA, is also launching their online application this Friday and inviting West Philly residents to Dock Street for a happy hour from 4-6 p.m. There you can meet Katie Jacoby, a West Philly neighbor and CSA manager, who will answer your questions about what’s in store this season.

There will also be a guest appearance and sampling by Fikira Bakery, which will be joining CSA this year by providing a Greensgrow West bakery share.

Friday’s event is also an opportunity to sign up for a discounted share and a further discount for returning members. Monica McCollin, the manager for the SNAP box program and a West Philly resident, will be at Dock Street to answer any questions about the monthly affordable access share.

The Greensgrow Summer CSA runs from mid-May through early November, and shares can be picked up at their West Philly location at 4912 Baltimore Avenue.

If you can’t make it to Friday’s event and would like to sign up, you can do it online starting Feb. 26. A $15 discount will be applied if you sign up by March 11, 2016, just use the code WPLOCALS16 at online signup at http://greensgrow.csasignup.com/members.

We’ll let you know about other 2016 Summer CSA programs soon. In the meantime, check out our previous posts here.

We’re in the middle of the tax season, and this year income-eligible individuals and families can get free tax preparation services at more locations.

Just like in the previous years, United Way and Campaign for Working Families (CWF) are hosting free community tax sites around the city, including West Philadelphia. The sites are offering free tax preparation and e-filing services to families who earned less than $54,000 in 2015 and to individuals with an income under $20,000.

The following CWF sites will be open through April 18, 2016 and will serve qualified individuals on a first-come first-served basis:

ACHIEVEability
59 N 60th St.
Tues. & Thurs. – 9am-7pm
Sat. – 9am-1pm

Drexel University Dornsife Center
3509 Spring Garden St.
Mon., Weds. & Fri. – 9:30am-3:30pm
Sat. – 9:30am-1:30pm

WPEZ Tax Site (Parkwest Town Ctr – old Anna’s Linens)
1575 N 52nd St. #701
Tues. & Thurs. – 10am-7pm
Sat. – 9am-3pm

Mount Pisgah A.M.E. Church
428 N 41st St.
Mon. – 2pm-7:30pm
Fri. – 10am-2pm
Sat. – 9am-3pm  Continue Reading

Locust Moon Comics, a local publishing business that until recently also had a shop near 40th and Chestnut, has revealed plans to move into the former church complex at 47th and Kingsessing. The plans will be discussed during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m.

The complex, which is undergoing extensive renovation, began welcoming its first tenants this winter. One of the first commercial tenants to move onto the grounds, Children’s Community School, is holding an open house at the new space on Friday, Feb. 26, from 9 – 10 a.m., with more open houses scheduled for March 10, April 1 and April 28.

Along with two childcare centers, Children’s Community School and Little Learners, The Soapbox Community Print Shop & Zine Library was also announced as a likely tenant for the complex. The organization was raising funds late last year to help cover space renovation and moving expenses.

Locust Moon Press and The Soapbox will present their plans during Tuesday’s zoning meeting of the Southwest District Services at Kingsessing Recreation Center (50th and Kingsessing). Here’s more information from Locust Moon’s Facebook page:

“There’s a community meeting to assess our viability for the neighborhood. The Soapbox Publishing Center and Zine Library will also be presenting their exciting plans for the basement of the church. This meeting is a crucial step in getting into this wonderful new space. Please come out and show your support for independent comic publishing in West Philly!”

The firm of renowned architect Frank Furness designed the 115-year-old church building, which was saved from demolition last year and converted into commercial space.

A 31-year-old man was shot multiple times and killed Wednesday night near 52nd and Pine, according to police. The shooting happened at around 11 p.m. after the victim parked his car at 52nd and Pine. Just as he got out of the car he was approached by an unknown male who opened fire at close range.

The victim was shot at least six times in his back and legs, according to police. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he died shortly after.

Police said that the victim appeared to be the intended target of the shooter.

UPDATE: Police have identified the victim as 31-year-old Maurice Adside. He lived less than a block away from where he was shot. Police also detained a suspect, a 23-year-old man, who was seen fleeing the scene on foot.