Photo by Andrew Gormley

West Philly singer-songwriter Gretchen Elise is sharing her story of rebuilding, recuperation, and gratitude. A car crashed into her home on S. 47th Street on Christmas Eve, which spawned a GoFundMe campaign to recoup losses and record a song called “Grateful Love.”

The Fox 29 clip of the hit and run went national. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

“The driver took out a tree, 4 cars, backed into our house, and fled,” Gretchen said. “We have not had any follow up from the police on our case and unfortunately with the time consuming process of repair, we haven’t had time to pursue it.”

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Kenny and Nina outside of their restaurant (Facebook photo).

Longtime owners of Pasqually’s, a popular Spruce Hill pizza and beer shop, are saying good-bye after more than 23 years. Kenny and his wife Nina have shared their news of leaving the restaurant in a long and emotional Facebook post.

“Pasqually’s has been more than just a restaurant to us,” reads the post. “It’s been our second home, and in many ways, it’s been where life happened. We came in every day to cook and serve, but what we really found was a community that embraced us, supported us, and grew alongside us here in the West Philly neighborhood.”

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The Spruce Hill community lost a champion of civic engagement recently with the death of Barry Grossbach, a longtime resident and community advocate, who passed away December 18 at the age of 86.

Barry lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years and was actively involved in the community for decades. He participated in and supported several local organizations, including the Spruce Hill Community Association, where he was a board member and served as the zoning committee chair for many years. He was also a founding board member of the University City District (UCD) and co-founder of the Friends of Clark Park.

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Evans (center) visiting South 52nd Street in 2021. (Archived photo)

Congressman Dwight Evans, who represents the 3rd Congressional District which includes West Philadelphia, has announced that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026, concluding a remarkable career in public service spanning over four decades. He will serve full term ending Jan. 3, 2027.

“After some discussions this weekend and thoughtful reflection, I have decided that the time is right to announce that I will not be seeking re-election in 2026,” Evans said in a statement.

“Serving the people of Philadelphia has been the honor of my life… I am deeply proud of what I have been able to accomplish over my 45 years in elected office — from revitalizing neighborhoods block by block to fighting for justice, economic opportunity, investments in infrastructure and education. I cannot express the gratitude that I have for the trust that voters put in me as their voice in both state and federal office. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to serve as their advocate in government.”

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Just in time for spring, the long-awaited grand opening of popular Black-owned plant shop Plant and People at its new location, 3952 Lancaster Ave., is tomorrow, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The new location of the mother-daughter-owned shop carries the familiar selection of houseplants and supplies, but now also includes a café.

Co-owners Cherron Perry-Thomas and her daughter Amma described their decision to combine two things they love at the new location on their website.

“Why combine a plant shop with a café? To us, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Both plants and café culture invite a similar energy: they encourage you to pause, to slow down, to connect – with nature, with others, or simply with yourself.”

Tomorrow’s grand opening will feature a repotting workshop, DJ set, food samples from the new café and wine tasting with Mitchell and Mitchell Wines.

Also, check out their annual Big A** Plant Sale (B.A.P.S.) next Sunday, April 27, now at the new location.

Jim Roebuck speaking at a local event in 2012 (Photo West Philly Local)

UPDATE (5/31/24): Services for former State Representative Jim Roebuck, who passed away earlier this month, will be held Friday, June 7 at Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 801 S. 48th Street. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Alpha Phi Alpha will perform an Omega Service at 10:30 a.m., and the funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Jim Roebuck will be interred next to his beloved wife Cheryl at Laurel Hill West Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, PA (Westlawn Lot).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Garden Court Community Association’s Cheryl Roebuck Memorial Music Scholarship (P.O. Box 16654, Philadelphia, PA 19139, membership@gardencourtca.org) or to the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus’s James R. Roebuck Scholarship Fund (327 K. Leroy Irvis Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120).

5/16/24: We are sad to report that James R. “Jim” Roebuck, the former state representative from West Philadelphia, has passed away. He was 79.

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