Mill Creek Farm has been providing affordable produce to Mill Creek residents for the past ten years. Now, it faces a budgets shortfall that it hopes to fill in the next few weeks.

A web post by the farm explained that the shortfall had been created in part by a continued effort to employ local residents in key roles at the farm.

“We are challenging oppressive power dynamics and designing ones that put those most affected in leadership positions,” the statement reads. “Planning these changes created a short-fall in our finances and we need your help finish[ing] out the rest of the season.”

The farm hopes to raise $5,000, and an anonymous donor has promised to match funds up to that amount, meaning the farm could raise $10,000 in total.

Mill Creek Farm was created after the organization was granted 1.5 acres of vacant land along the former Mill Creek. The farm now grows vegetables, fruits, and herbs and then sells them to the public twice a week, including at the 52nd & Haverford farmers market. In addition, it educates the surrounding community about environmental and civic issues.

You can donate on the campaign’s web site.

– Eduard Saakashvili

myDoc Urgent Care provides both urgent care and primary care services for patients ranging from toddlers (18 months) to adults. The clinic opened its doors to visitors less than a year ago at 3717 Chestnut St. With onsite xRay, lab testing, and prescription medication, the clinic treats all routine illness and injuries.

What Is Urgent Care?

Before you find yourself sitting for hours in a hospital emergency room and end up with expensive medical bills, here are some things you should know when you or a family member need immediate medical care. You should first contact your primary care physician (PCP), who is your gateway to finding the most appropriate type of care. If your doctor is not available, or if you can’t meet with your doctor when you need medical care, you may choose to visit an urgent care center.  Continue Reading

We visit two families in Chinatown in these short films about elders and legacy.

Frank Wong makes amazingly detailed miniature rooms to relive memories of 1940s Chinatown in Forever Chinatown (2016), directed by James. Q. Chan. In A Family Day (2015), filmmaker Jeff Mann takes a day to visit his Granny, gaining insight into his past, present, and future. Dr. Chi-Ming Yang, Associate Professor, English and Asian American Studies at Penn,  leads a post-film discussion. The Asian American Studies Department and Cinema Studies at Penn, and the Philadelphia Asian-American Film Fest are program sponsors. Time travel is this year’s theme for the annual Second Sunday Film Series, offered October through February (no December films) and held in collaboration with the Wolf Humanities Center’s 2017–2018 Forum on Afterlives. Free with Museum admission.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A community walk will take place in West Philadelphia to bring attention to the issue and provide resources to community members who need help. The Walk for Domestic Violence Awareness is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will start at New Birthing Worship Center, 5949 Spruce St., and end at Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine streets. State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown will co-host and participate in the walk.

“Far too often do we see on the news about victims being attacked by their spouse and even killed,” Brown said in a statement. “Enough is enough, and I’m calling on the community to join me in rising above these hateful acts of violence.”  Continue Reading

We’ve previously reported on energy companies that go door-to-door in West Philly to market PECO alternatives that allegedly save you money. Now, a Philadelphia law firm wants to take some of them to court, arguing that they deceive their customers by charging low rates in the first few months and then raising fees.

In August, the firm Kohn, Swift & Graf announced they are looking for customers to join a class action lawsuit. The firm specializes in class action, and they have already sued some of the companies involved in other states, like Just Energy in New York and Direct Energy in Illinois. In the latter case, KS&G argues that the Direct Energy is “luring consumers into switching energy suppliers with false promises.” The firm has previously reached a settlement with Pennsylvania Gas & Electric in a similar case.  Continue Reading

The University City District (UCD) has announced that they will bring back several popular events this summer, including Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, University City Dining Days, and the 40th Street Summer Series. Here’s the UCD sponsored event schedule for Summer 2017 with some more details.

The Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, presented in association with the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (BABA), will be held twice this year – on Thursday, June 15 and Thursday, Sept. 7, both from 5:30-8:30 p.m. As always, neighborhood businesses will present $1 bargains and samples, now between 43rd and 52nd Streets. Stay tuned for more information about each upcoming Dollar Stroll.

University City Dining Days will be held from July 13 through July 23. Now in its 13th year, Dining Days is the “3 courses, 3 prices” promotion at many of the area’s most popular dining destinations. Over 30 restaurants will participate in the event this year, including first-timers CO-OP, Dim Sum House, and Clarkville. A kick-off party for the event will take place at The Porch at 30th on Thursday, July 13. Visit the Dining Days website for updates on restaurants, events, and surprises.  Continue Reading