A rendering of Village Square at 36th and Haverford.

Redevelopment of a long-vacant site in the Mantua neighborhood, near 36th and Haverford, has received a green light from the city.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m., community members are invited to a celebration kicking off the redevelopment of the site. Mayor Jim Kenney, along with representatives from Lomax Real Estate, Mantua Civic Association, and Mt. Vernon Manor CDC, are also expected to recognize Councilwoman Blackwell’s service at the event, which will take place at West Philadelphia Community Center, 3535 Haverford Ave.

City Council passed legislation at its year-end meeting last week clearing the way for the project that put the finishing touches on the sale of the city land for a reported $1 million to a consortium of developers headed by Philadelphian Charles Lomax. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2020. Continue Reading

West Philly-based arts and culture organization Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture has moved to a new location – 3645 Lancaster Avenue. This Friday, Dec. 6, the public is invited to visit their new location during an open house from 5 – 9 p.m. Guests can meet Al-Bustan’s team and enjoy an evening of art, music, food, and mingling.

An art exhibit by West Philly artist Tremain Smith will also be on display at the new Al-Bustan’s location, and guests will have a chance to meet the artist.

“Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is excited to have an administrative and programming hub on Lancaster Ave.,” reads a message on the organization’s Facebook page. “We look forward to building relationships with neighboring residents, businesses, and organizations as we co-create a welcoming cultural hub for all.”  Continue Reading

Community members are invited to a Big Winter Book Sale at Walnut Street West Library, happening this weekend. Come to the library, located on the Southeast corner of 40th and Walnut Streets, on Friday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. or Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and shop for pre-owned quality books, culled from the best donations to the Friends of Walnut St. West Library this year.

Books are priced from $0.50 to $5, but most are $1 and $2, featuring fiction and nonfiction, lots of history and classics, coffee-table and art books, cookbooks, children’s books, how-to and much more.  Continue Reading

Christmas trees are back for sale in the neighborhood (check the locations here). And if you’re looking for a nice handmade holiday wreath, Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.) is holding its annual sale this Saturday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.. The sale will include a great selection of decorated and undecorated wreaths, centerpieces, and fresh evergreens.

There will also be a holiday marketplace with a variety of local vendors, free “make + take” workshops, music, children’s activities, a baking competition, and more!  Continue Reading

The Jazz Sanctuary presents a very special event: SANCTUARY JAM, a Jazz Event for students and the community of West Philly!

This is a FIRST for PHILLY – a partnership between Penn Music (University of Pennsylvania) and Drexel University (Westphal College of Media Arts & Design), St. Mary’s – Hamilton Village, and The Jazz Sanctuary: bringing to West Philly a Jazz event for the entire community.

The house band features two instructors from Penn and two instructors from Drexel. Listen to an hour of the best jazz found anywhere and then a Jazz Jam. Bring your instrument and jam with the house band! Pizza will be available to all who attend.  Continue Reading

A group of committee people and block captains from the Kingsessing neighborhood will host a community discussion about gentrification on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Kingsessing Library (1201 S. 51st St.).

The discussion will feature a panel that includes community activist and political candidate Gregory Benjamin, local parent and activist Christina Jackson (who is also a sociology professor at Stockton University) and Drick Boyd, a community educator (and professor emeritus at Eastern University).

The goal of the discussion is to learn from and listen to fellow community members.

The event is co-sponsored by K5DCN – the Kingsessing 5th Division Community of Neighbors.