Fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies are just a couple of months away! Local summer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs will resume in May and already started accepting applications. CSAs usually work as a seasonal subscription programs where subscribers purchase a share of the produce grown on a local farm.

Urban and rural farms, food entrepreneurs and restaurants are participating in this summer’s CSA programs by supplying locally grown or prepared items, including produce, dairy, meat, honey, baked goods, coffee, beer, and more! Here’s a list of assorted CSA programs, which offer share pick-up location in West Philadelphia. Please note that Greensgrow Farms is currently offering early bird CSA sign-up discounts.  Continue Reading

A large building project has just been completed in West Powelton. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Wednesday for Bigham Leatherberry Wise Place, a new affordable housing project, which includes eleven units. A vacant lot and an existing structure at 4226-32 Powelton Avenue were transformed into the homes, seven of which are for formerly homeless women with special needs and their children. The housing includes six two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units, two of them will be fully accessible to people with disabilities and one will be accessible to individuals with sensory impairments. Bigham Leatherberry Wise Place also features a courtyard containing a rain garden and a large rear yard.  Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of Clark Park Youth Soccer League.

It’s hard to believe it, but youth soccer in Clark Park resumes in less than three weeks. The Clark Park Youth Soccer League‘s (CPYSL) spring season begins on Saturday, March 28, and registration is now open for children ages 5-11.

Since this is a low-cost program designed for local families of all socio-economic backgrounds, volunteer help is essential for its success. Just like in the previous seasons, CPYSL is seeking volunteer coaches for this spring. Here’s more information from the CPYSL’s online page:

“Clark Park Youth Soccer is a completely volunteer-run program. Parents and other adults are invited to join CPYSL as a coach or assistant, or to help with the administrative work of running the program. If you’re interested in coaching or volunteering in any fashion, email clarkparksoccer@yahoo.com.”

More information about the program and volunteer opportunities, can be found at: www.friendsofclarkpark.org/activities/youth-soccer

UPDATE (12:05 p.m.): The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Aubrey Whelan is reporting that two viewings will be held for Officer Wilson. The first will be held at the Francis Funeral Home at 5201 Whitby Avenue from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. Another viewing is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Palestra on Penn’s campus (235 S. 33rd St.) followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m.

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and Neighbors of Cobbs Creek will host a candlelight vigil for slain Philadelphia Police Officer Robert Wilson III, who was raised and lived in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The vigil will take place on Thursday, March 12 at the basketball court on 61st Street and Baltimore Avenue, beginning at 7 p.m.

Wilson served in the 22nd Police District in North Philadelphia and was murdered last Thursday while making a security check at a Lehigh Avenue business.

The Philadelphia Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 have established a GoFundMe page for Wilson’s family. Click here if you would like to contribute.

As was announced last month, Radio Shack is closing as many as 24,000 stores nationwide due to bankruptcy, and Sprint stores will replace most of them. Both West Philly ‘Shack stores, at 212 S. 40th St and 309 S. 48th St, are on the closing list, too. Both stores are currently trying to empty their shelves by holding huge sales. This is bad news for Radio Shack but potentially good news for you.

The 40th St ‘Shack has already been reportedly “picked clean.” We guess, due to its proximity to Penn’s campus.

The 48th St ‘Shack is currently holding a 50-70 percent off sale, according to an employee we talked to. The person we spoke to was not sure though about when the store is closing.

Maybe you could get yourself one of these:

The bankruptcy sale at Radio Shack is out of control, I just bought this for $50. pic.twitter.com/DEicjxFRFv

— Bobby Digital (@a_butler) March 8, 2015

The 48th St Radio Shack is open Mon – Fri 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sat 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sun 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

A tribute to Robert Wilson III painted by a fellow officer of the 18th Police District.

Most of you have probably heard the tragic news about the murder of Philadelphia police officer Robert Wilson III during an attempted robbery last week. Wilson, a 30-year-old father of two boys aged 9 and 1, who served in the 22nd Police District in North Philadelphia, was a long-time West Philadelphia resident, and his sister and grandmother also live here, according to various media reports.

Wilson lived in a rowhouse near 55th and Locust. A West Philadelphia High School graduate, he walked his dog in the neighborhood and neighbors often saw him tinkering with his motorcycle, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Neighbors also admired how he raised his boys, who stayed with him on weekends and holidays.

Wilson died in a shoot-out with two gunmen inside a GameStop in North Philly. Police arrested and charged two brothers, 30-year-old Carlton Hipps and 26-year-old Ramone Williams, in connection with the shooting and Wilson’s murder.

Here is a video of Wilson’s grandmother Constance Wilson and sister Shakira Wilson-Burroughs speaking to NBC10’s Monique Braxton inside their West Philly home about their grandson and brother’s life and legacy:

 
Our deepest condolences to Officer Wilson’s family, friends and colleagues.