One of the busiest commercial corridors in West Philadelphia is finally getting much-needed traffic calming and other improvements. The 52nd Street Commercial Corridor Improvement Project, which will be conducted on the portion of the street between Arch and Pine, aims to make the corridor “safer, cleaner and greener” for all.

Traffic calming measures may include the construction of curb extensions, medians, and raised crosswalks. The project also includes improved curbside parking and loading to prevent illegal and double parking.

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On Sunday, Aug. 3, the Black Bottom community will host a day of remembrance, celebration, and neighborhood activation to mark the 60th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic 1965 visit to the neighborhood. Themed “Honoring Rev. Dr. King’s Legacy in the Black Bottom—60 Years Later,” the event will center on community engagement, cultural storytelling, and the preservation of neighborhood history.

Planned in partnership with community leaders, institutions, area businesses, and grassroots organizations, this commemorative event will take place at 40th and Haverford and surrounding areas in the Black Bottom. A rich lineup of programming between 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. will include live performances, spoken word, storytelling, wellness services, free classes, food trucks, and a historical guide along Dr. King’s 1965 route through the neighborhood.

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The historic Calvary Church building at 48th and Baltimore and organizations hosted under its roof need help from the community. On Saturday, June 28, from 5-9 p.m., the church is hosting a benefit concert, Rock This Roof, with the goal of raising funds for some critical roof repairs.

The 118-year-old building is home to the Calvary United Methodist Church and the Calvary Center for Culture and Community, which houses a diverse range of community organizations, such as Curio Theatre Company, Cedar Park Neighbors, Camp Sojourner, Ju-jitsu Shotokan Karate Association, phlAIR Gallery, and more.

The concert is more like a mini music festival. It will feature a variety of local artists, including Aidan Selmer, Lanie Altmiller, Ross Mann, Norris Person, Taupe, and vocal group Sing Slavic.

Suggested donation is $20, but if you can donate beyond this amount it will be much appreciated. You can purchase tickets or make a donation online or at the door (cash/Venmo). Light refreshments will also be available for purchase.

The concert will take place in the building’s chapel – please use the 48th Street entrance.

The City Council recently voted to add the Summer Winter Community Garden in Powelton Village to the Neighborhood Gardens Trust in an effort to save it from development pressure.

The volunteer-run garden, located at 33rd and Race (near Summer and Winter Streets), has been a fixture in the neighborhood for decades. Increased development has surrounded the garden, much of it tied to Drexel University.

The City Council passed legislation authored by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier that moves the one-acre plot to the NGT, which will provide liability insurance and some maintenance support. Most importantly it keeps the valuable plot a community garden.

The Summer Winter Garden joins other West Philly community gardens protected by the NGT, including the Chester Avenue Community Garden, Five Loaves Two Fish, the Pentridge Children’s Garden, Saint Bernard Community Garden, and the Warrington Community Garden.

Here’s a roundup of some events scheduled to take place in West and Southwest Philadelphia as part of the annual Juneteenth celebration. The annual Juneteenth Parade, which starts in West Fairmount Park and concludes at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine), will take place on Sunday, June 22. Here are more details about this and other events where you can celebrate and commemorate this historic holiday.

Juneteenth Celebration at West Philadelphia YMCA (5120 Chestnut St)

Thursday, June 19, 5-7 p.m.

The celebration at the West Philadelphia YMCA will feature a presentation on the history of Juneteenth, arts & crafts, a family Zumba & African Dance class, spoken word performance and more. The event is free and open to the community. No registration/membership is required. Go here for more details.

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