The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll is returning this week. The popular West Philly event, which is now held only once a year, will take place on Thursday (Sept. 8), 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. As always, this is a great chance for local businesses to showcase their signature products and for locals to enjoy $1 samples and deals. Well-known businesses, as well as newcomers will participate in the event (about 40 businesses overall).

Here’s what you should look for: $1 samples of everything from samosas to slices of pizza, cheesesteaks, ice cream and small pours of beer, but also highlights businesses offering pet supplies, children’s clothes and toys, handmade items, plants, and more. Vendors line the sidewalks and people are encouraged to walk up and down the avenue between 43rd and 52nd Streets sampling all sorts of food and drinks.

The Dollar Stroll will also feature street performers and live music.

The goal of the Dollar Stroll is to celebrate established businesses on Baltimore Avenue while introducing visitors to new stores and restaurants, such as Black Hound Clay Studio, Amari’s restaurant, Vital Step Physical Therapy & Fitness, and more.

For the list of participating businesses and their $1 bargains, visit the event’s Facebook page.

The event is organized by the University City District (UCD) and Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA).

Photo courtesy of University City District.

UCD’s annual outdoor movie program, Movies in Clark Park, will kick off Friday, Aug. 26 with a Disney Pixar classic, Finding Nemo. The screening will begin at 8 p.m. in the Clark Park “Bowl” near 43rd and Chester.

The program, which is in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and Friends of Clark Park, will bring three weeks of free outdoor movies to the park as well as vendors offering food and dessert (come earlier to get them!). And don’t forget to bring your blanket or chairs.

Next Friday, Sept. 2, Creed will be screened. The program will conclude on Friday, Sept. 9 with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

As demand for housing and commercial development in parts of the city increases, historic buildings have come under threat of demolition. The University City Historical Society is holding an important public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 24 to provide residents and community organizations with tools and information that will help them rally to preserve historic buildings.

The meeting, titled “The State of Preservation in West Philadelphia,” will include Martine Decamp of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission; Penn Professor Aaron Wunsch; Paul Steinke of the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia; and Greg Pastore, a former member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Organizers hope the meeting will help people understand:  Continue Reading

PennFuture and The Clean Air Council are bringing representatives from different city agencies to University City this Tuesday (Aug. 23) to discuss transportation pollution and are hoping to form a more streamlined policy that reduces traffic and pollution. A roundtable discussion will take place at International House Philadelphia (Asia Room, 3701 Chestnut St) from 6 – 8 p.m.

The latest American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report shows that Philadelphia has very poor air quality, which creates a critical public health issue.

“By bringing key stakeholders together, we’ll determine concrete policy and programmatic actions that each sector can implement to reduce transportation-related pollution in the Philadelphia region,” said Joseph Otis Minott, Clean Air Council Executive Director.  Continue Reading

The Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change (Facebook page) brought a lot of joy to the field near 40th and Walnut last night as part of the 40th Street Summer Series. Group members Fatu Gayflor, Marie Nyenabo, Tokay Tomah, and Zaye Tete performed traditional songs and called for unity in the Philadelphia community. Some audience members joined them in singing and dancing. (Photos by West Philly Local).

The Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change! (Image from the Philadelphia Folklore Project).

The Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change is performing Saturday in the green space near the Walnut West Library at 40th and Walnut in one of the summer’s most anticipated neighborhood events.

Part of the University City District’s 40th Street Summer Series, the free performance begins at 6 p.m. and also includes Modero Dance Company, which were founded to combine traditional and modern Indonesian dance disciplines.

The Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change combines traditional song with a social message to promote strong and safe communities. Made up of accomplished singers, dancers and musicians, the chorus’s focus is awareness and dialogue about domestic violence and other concerns of Philadelphia-area Liberian immigrants.  Continue Reading