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The West Philly Tool Library has been loaning tools to community members for over a decade. A few months ago, the non-profit organization started offering low-cost workshops for those who want to learn home care or improvement skills, or who want more knowledge before working with contractors.

Classes are open to members of the Tool Library and non-members, and are filling up quickly. Some of the upcoming classes, like Plumbing 102 and Home Electric 101, have already been sold out for this and next month, but more classes are on the way (check out the flyer). If you want your bike ready for Spring, check out the bike maintenance and repair class, which will be held on Saturday, April 6.  Continue Reading

Applications are now open for community vendors who would like to be a part of this year’s Baltimore Avenue Dollar Strolls, which will be held on June 6th and September 12th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For the first time this year, not only community food vendors but also merchandise vendors are invited to officially participate along with dozens of Baltimore Avenue businesses.

Organized by University City District (UCD) and Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA), the strolls draw thousands of visitors, who enjoy $1 specials along Baltimore Avenue, from 43rd to 52nd streets. The purpose of selecting official vendors is to “ensure all vendors are in compliance with Philadelphia permitting codes, whether Philadelphia Health Department codes for food vending, or the Department of Licenses and Inspections for merchandise vendors,” according to a statement by UCD.  Continue Reading

Here are two opportunities for community members to meet candidates in the May 21 primary election.

The 27th Ward democrats are inviting friends and neighbors for a Spring Shindig at Clarkville (43rd and Baltimore), which will take place Monday, March 18, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet and mingle with local Democratic candidates running for office, including Congressman Dwight Evans, who will be a special guest at the event.

This is also a fundraising event supporting the 27th Ward democrats. Tickets are $20 in advance, or sliding scale at the door (no one will be turned away).  Continue Reading

UPDATE (3/11/2019): Here is a recap of Sunday’s meeting from The Philadelphia Tribune.

A “community debrief and discussion” will be held on Sunday, March 10, from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Ethiopian Community Center (4400 Chestnut St.) to discuss the police shooting of Kaleb Belay, a 25-year-old Temple University graduate student, on March 6th on the 4900 block of Hazel Avenue.

Residents may also be interested in attending the monthly 18th Police District’s “Captain’s townhall meeting,” which will be held March 19th at the 18th District headquarters at 5510 Pine St. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.  Continue Reading

Vision Driven Consulting (VDC), an organization supporting artists through consulting and training, has been running free professional development workshop series at The Rotunda for three years. Recently, they presented a Tax for Artists workshop and have more free workshops coming up at the historic venue at 40th and Walnut.

Intermediate Grant Writing & Funder Panel, which will feature funders from the Knight Foundation, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and Leeway Foundation, will take place on Monday, March 11, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. More information is available on the Facebook event page.  Continue Reading

The Juneteenth parade and music festival is coming to 52nd Street, and community members are invited to a public meeting this Wednesday, Feb. 27 to learn more about this event, how it will affect the street and how you can get involved.

Wednesday’s community meeting, which is organized by the Enterprise Center, is also an opportunity to learn more about neighborhood beatification projects. Participants will be able to sign up for free planters and trees!

The meeting will take place at the Urban Art Gallery (262 S. 52nd St.), from 6 to 7 p.m. (see the flyer below).  Continue Reading