One of the most common kind of questions on West Philadelphia-local mailing lists, forums and Facebook communities has to do with what to do about lost, stray or injured animals. Here are some official resources that can help if you find one of those animals and want to help:

If you find a lost or stray dog, cat, or other household pet, ACCT (Animal Care and Control Team) Philadelphia are the most likely to be able to take a found animal. You can visit http://www.acctphilly.org/foundpet/ for more information. Make sure to fill out the ACCT Found Pet Report: http://www.acctphilly.org/foundpet/foundreport/. If you can’t keep the animal until its family can be located, ACCT will accept it at their central location. They are not a no-kill shelter.  Continue Reading

Fair Districts PA, a nonpartisan group of Pennsylvania residents that strives to end gerrymandering, is holding a special West Philadelphia meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at USciences (Rosenberger Hall, 600 S. 43rd St). Gerrymandering is the practice of legislators creating voting districts to give themselves an unfair advantage, and Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country.

Newcomers are especially welcome at this meeting. You will learn how you can get involved right here in West Philly. Light refreshments will be provided, and there will also be Gerrymandering bingo with prizes.

More information is also available on Fair Districts PA’s Facebook page.

Photo from Kol Tzedek Facebook page.

Community members have a chance this Friday to show their support for our Muslim neighbors outside of a local mosque, the site of last week’s anti-Muslim protest. The event, titled “Stand with Muslims”, is organized by Kol Tzedek synagogue and the West Philly Coalition Against Islamophobia. It will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at 43rd and Walnut where Masjid al-Jamia mosque is located.

“Last week there was a small but very disturbing Islamophobic protest outside Masjid Al-Jamia, the mosque at 43rd and Walnut, during Friday prayers,” reads a Facebook post by Kol Tzedek dedicated to the event. “Please join Kol Tzedek and the West Philly Coalition Against Islamophobia to show our support for our Muslim neighbors and stand in solidarity with them.”  Continue Reading

The tax filing season has begun, and this is a reminder that qualifying individuals and families can take advantage of free tax preparation and filing sites throughout the city, including in West and Southwest Philadelphia. The sites are run by the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) and serve families and individuals earning less than $54,000 per year.

CWF’s community based tax sites are offering such services as e-file, direct deposit, public benefits applications, and more. Their services allow families to maximize federal and state tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Most sites serve customers on a first come, first served basis, but some require an appointment.  Continue Reading

State Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, and State Reps. Vanessa Lowery Brown and Morgan Cephas, both D-Phila., are hosting a joint town hall meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6-8 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to address “the unique issues facing residents of West Philadelphia.” McClinton, Brown and Cephas will also inform residents of legislative developments in Harrisburg that impact their respective districts.

The meeting will take place at Sayre High School, 5800 Walnut St. and is open to the community.

Constituents with questions should contact McClinton’s office at 215-748-6712, Brown’s office at 215-879-6615, and Cephas’ office at 215-879-6625.

For the second year in a row, Greensgrow Farms is offering community beautification mini-grants to residents representing a specific neighborhood or organization in Kensington, the Riverwards, and West Philadelphia. The grants are provided by Mary’s Community Fund, a legacy project that continues the work of Mary Seton Corboy (1957-2016), the founder of Greensgrow and a visionary in supporting a greener Philadelphia.

Grants up to $1,000 are available for the following types of projects:

• Improvement of neighborhood public spaces;
• Community beautification;
• Nurturing a shared sense of neighborhood identity and community pride  Continue Reading