Neighbors are invited to join a walk against gun violence and vigil for gun murder victims tonight, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Cedar Park section of West Philly. There will be two walk starting points – at gun homicide sites at 1100 S. Ruby Street and at the intersection of S. 52nd and Warrington Streets. The two walks will join together at Cedar Park (50th and Baltimore) in the vigil where luminaries for all gun murders to this date in Philadelphia will be lighted. There have been over 250 murders in the city this year.

The event is organized by Heeding God’s Call, a faith-based movement to prevent gun violence, and by Neighborhood Partners to End Gun Violence as part of Peace Day Philly. For more information email: info@heedinggodscall.org or call 856-371-3038.

Police and local clergy members started going door to door talking to residents in an effort to tackle crime in the area. Last night they were particularly targeting the 19th Police District, ABC6 reports. The goal of this new initiative is to let residents in high crime areas know about what’s happening in their neighborhood, to hear from them about trouble spots and to see what police can do to help. “We want to know from residents if they’re having any problems; poor lighting, abandoned vehicles, vacant property,” Inspector Dennis Wilson told ABC.

Police are also talking to neighbors-property owners about what they should do to protect their property more effectively and encouraging businesses to install surveillance cameras and to register them with the city.

Next week the police are supposed to knock on doors of the 18th District‘s residents.

Update: The event has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8 due to rain.

Chester Avenue Community Garden (4715 Chester Ave) is hosting a plant/seed swap, bake sale, and an overwintering workshop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Community members are invited to participate. This is a fundraising event for a new front gate and kiwi tree supports. Here’s what you can bring to trade at the plant swap:

-Winter hardy vegetable starts
-Fast-growing cold season seeds
-Heirloom garlic
-Berry bushes
-Perennials including flowers and bulbs

You can also purchase plants available for sale at the garden. Suggested entry donation for this event is $5. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Community members will join hands tomorrow morning along Woodland Avenue, from 52nd to 70th Streets in an effort to promote peace in Southwest Philadelphia. The Hands For Peace Across Southwest event will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. and the sign-up will begin at 7:30 a.m. at NUAD office at 5214 Woodland Avenue. This is an opportunity to show your support for change, peace and quality of life in Southwest Philly.

Hands For Peace Across Southwest is an initiative by Paul (Earthquake) Moore, who has been a community activist in Southwest Philadelphia for more than 25 years. His passion has always been to create strategies to help save the community.

Lorraine Ballad Morrill from Power 99FM will cover the event. Everyone is invited to come out and be a part of this history making event.

The West Philly Tool Library is celebrating a new grant with a barbecue and you are invited.

The cook-out will be Saturday from 12-2 p.m. at the West Philly Tool Library at 1314 S. 47th St. (near 47th and Woodland). The cook-out is a way of thanking everyone who voted in the State Farm “Cause an Effect” grant program. West Philly Tool Library and Neighborhood Bike Works were both awarded $25,000.

Several West Philly community organizations are joining forces to throw a block party and street film festival this Saturday at the Haddington Memorial Garden at 54th and Wyalusing.

The Neighborhood Foods Block Party will feature a flea market, vendors, live music, spoken word performances, food and film screenings. The event runs from 4-9 p.m.

Community leaders from Haddington, The Enterprise Center and the Urban Tree Connection started the youth-driven Neighborhood Foods project to bring attention to urban farming operations and food justice issues. The organization uses urban farming to address problematic issues in the neighborhood, including crime and poverty.

A few highlights of Saturday’s event include:

• Performances by Ursula Rucker and Tim Motzer.
• Scribe Video Center outdoor screenings of short films.
• Dyana Williams will emcee.

For more information, check out the event Facebook page here.