Community members have a chance to learn more about recent gunpoint robberies in the neighborhoods of Garden Court, Cedar Park and other parts of the University City area (see more info here) and receive safety tips at an emergency follow-up meeting with the 18th Police District. The meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m.

The first meeting was held last Friday, but many people were not able to participate due to limited capacity. Monday’s meeting will not have a capacity limit, according to Shamssadeen Baukman, a community relations officer for the 18th District.  Continue Reading

Philadelphia residents can now pre-register for the coronavirus vaccine through a new website run by the city.

Through the website, the Philadelphia Department of Health will gather information, such as contact and some personal information, from those who are interested in receiving the vaccine. Then those who had pre-registered will be contacted about scheduling an appointment when the vaccine becomes available to them. It may take weeks or even months before this happens, depending on the vaccine supply in the city and the person’s age/occupation/health condition.

To access the website, click here: https://covid-vaccine-interest.phila.gov/.  Continue Reading

Good news for West Philly green thumbs! After being closed to customers since last spring due to the COVID pandemic, Greensgrow Farms is set to reopen its West Philly hub, Greensgrow West this winter.

Greensgrow West, located at 5123 Baltimore Ave., is scheduled to reopen on February 27th with the following hours: Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Like many other businesses, Greensgrow has been hit hard by the pandemic and after reopening Greensgrow West will first carry limited selection of items.  Continue Reading

As most healthcare workers and nursing home residents in the city have received their COVID-19 shots, Philadelphia is ready to move to vaccinating people in the next priority group (Phase 1B) as early as this week, according to today’s announcement by Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley.

The priority in this group will be given to people considered at the highest risk, such as people over the age of 75 and those with high-risk health conditions – cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and patients who have had an organ transplant – according to the announcement. This group will expand later to include more health conditions.

People in the high-risk group will receive invitations from hospitals and federally qualified health centers to begin their vaccinations.  Continue Reading

The city is lifting some more coronavirus restrictions imposed on businesses on Nov. 20 due to a spike in new cases. Starting this Saturday, Jan. 16, limited indoor dining at restaurants is allowed to resume. Restaurants can reopen at 25 percent capacity and are allowed to seat only up to four people from the same household at one table. Indoor catering events and entertainment are still not allowed.

“Everyone must wear a mask at all times, especially when they are sitting and eating,” Philadelphia Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said on Tuesday when announcing loosening of indoor dining restrictions. Here’s what this means:  Continue Reading

As of January 11th, 50,532 people in Philadelphia have received the first dose of the COVID vaccine and over 9,000 people have received the second, final dose. While the city is still prioritizing health care workers and residents and staff at nursing homes, who were outlined in the Phase 1A for vaccine distribution, the Department of Public Health has announced the next group who will begin receiving vaccinations soon.

Phase 1B includes people ages 75 and older and those with certain high-risk medical conditions; first responders; correctional officers and other workers in congregate care settings not included in Phase 1A; food and critical goods handlers and manufacturers; grocery store workers; childcare and education providers; public transit workers.  Continue Reading