Did you miss this spring’s yard tree giveaway from the TreePhilly folks? No worries, there are two more events coming up and both are this weekend in the area.

On Friday, April 25, our old friends TreePhilly and the Fairmount Park Conservancy are partnering with Yards Brewing Company to host #ArbrewDay, a celebration of local craft beer and the City of Arborly Love. Folks from TreePhilly, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Yards Brewing, and the Masterminds Ad Agency will be at five bars across the city, including City Tap House at 3925 Walnut St., offering beer specials, a limited number of free yard trees (no registration necessary; while supplies last), and free t-shirts and raffles for folks who take home a tree. As always, only Philadelphia property owners with a yard space are eligible for free yard trees, but even those who don’t have a yard are welcome. Folks can also join the convo at #ArbrewDay and by following @TreePhilly, @YardsBrew, and @MyPhillyPark.

On Sunday, April 27, the People’s Emergency Center, 325 N 39th Street, is inviting community members to the Importance of Trees workshop from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. At this free workshop, you can learn why trees are good for us and also get a free tree and learn how to take care of it. After the workshop everyone is welcome to participate in the Q&A session. The event is co-hosted by the wonderful West Philly based non-profit organization UC Green (you can also find out how to get involved with tree planting and care through UC Green). See the flier below for more information.

The Cedar Park Neighbors community organization will hold its annual meeting tonight, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore). All neighbors are welcome. The annual meeting is a great introduction to the organization, its work and accomplishments over the last year and plans for the coming year. You can also meet candidates for the CPN Board of Directors (more information about the candidates is available here). Voting for CPN Board Members will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting will also include a conversation with the two local candidates for the state representative – James Roebuck (the incumbent) and Algernong Allen. The talk will be moderated by Cedar Park resident Bill Hangley Jr., a journalist with The Philadelphia Public School Notebook.

An informal meet and greet will follow the meeting.

Note: The meeting will take place at Calvary Center Sanctuary (please enter through the doors on the second floor).

In an effort to address hunger in the region, Repair the World: Philadelphia, a regional nonprofit mobilizing Jewish youth to help improve communities, will launch its Food for Thought Awareness Weekend on Friday, April 11.

The West Philly branch of Repair the World will host three events during its awareness weekend, which ends Sunday, April 13: a community-wide food drive on Friday, the annual Walk+Run Against Hunger 5K event in conjunction with the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger on Saturday, and a West Philly lot beautification with Cedar Park’s Jewish Farm School on Sunday. You can find details for each event below.

Repair the World: Philadelphia, which launched its fellowship program in October, is also preparing to move into their brand new office space at 4029 Market Street, according to Leah A. Silver, RTW: Philly’s fellow and social media coordinator. Silver told West Philly Local that the nearly 2,000 square foot office will likely be used for community meetings, trainings, and social events, as well as serve as the regular hub for Philadelphia’s Repair the World Fellows. There is no confirmed date for the move, but Silver said it’s mostly after May 15th.  Continue Reading

This Saturday is the official Spring Cleanup Day in Philadelphia, when hundreds of volunteers will lend their hand in cleaning and beautifying streets, parks and lots all around the city. A lot of trash, leaves and dirt built up everywhere over the long winter, so this is a good chance to remove them in a good company of your friends and neighbors.

We have reported about the Spring cleanup being organized by Cedar Park Neighbors on Saturday. Here are some other opportunities.

University City Community Cleanup:

University City District will be organizing a few focused efforts throughout the neighborhood and will be happy to assist anyone interested in participating by providing trash bags, brooms, work gloves, and trash pickup. To sign up please contact UCD at cleanandsafe@universitycity.org or 215-243-0555.

Spring Cleanup in Powelton:

Other cleanup projects:

Philadelphia Streets Department’s website has a map of registered cleanup projects throughout the city. You can select a project near your home and sign up to volunteer.

Join Rebuilding Together Philadelphia

Hundreds of volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia will be out this Saturday in Mantua repairing homes for low-income residents, including two veterans of the US Armed Forces. The house rehabilitation project, which began last weekend, also includes enhancing home facades, beautifying streets, and improvement of stormwater management.

Photo courtesy of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia.

Do you need a new recycling bin? Stop by Clark Park “A” on Saturday, April 5 to get one and also to drop off your old or unwanted electronics. The recycling bin giveaway event will be hosted by neighborhood Girl Scout troops: the 34th Woodland Ranger Otter Scouts (B-PSA) and Daisy Troop 91569 (GS-USA) in support of the 7th Annual Philly Spring Cleanup.

Electronics recycling is organized by eForce Compliance (big thanks to them for doing it again in the hood!). Please note that the following items will NOT be accepted: light bulbs, batteries, smoke detectors, TVs, or monitors.

The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. Clark Park “A” is located on Baltimore Ave between 43rd and 44th streets.

If you have questions or want to help out, contact Amy Kwasnicki at: kwaszilla@gmail.com

Two big community events are happening in the Cedar Park neighborhood this weekend (April 5-6).

A Spring Clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to wake up the gardens at Cedar Park (49th-50th & Baltimore). Lots of volunteers are needed to help with rose bushes and grasses and clean out the garden beds for future mulching and planting. Tools and gloves will be provided. If you have clippers to bring that would be helpful. If you want to join your neighbors this Saturday please RSVP at: https://www.facebook.com/events/686153788112115/

The annual Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarship Fundraiser on will again bring together local residents and businesses in an effort to help neighborhood youth who want to continue their education after graduation from high school. The CPN Scholarship Fundraiser is a great opportunity to mingle with your neighbors, friends and business people and enjoy music by local musicians and food prepared by neighborhood restaurants. Here are more details (from the CPN website):

What: Live music for all ages with West Philly based singer-songwriter Gretchen Elise, beer by Dock Street Brewing Company, wine, and food from Aksum, Fu Wah, The Gold Standard Café, and Dock Street. We’ll also have a Silent Auction to include handmade crafts, jewelry, museum tickets, gift certificates to local restaurants, and much more! Children will enjoy kids’ music and activities from 4-5 p.m.
When: Sunday, April 6 from 4-6 p.m.
Where: The Cedar Works, 4919 Pentridge Street (South of Baltimore, between 48th & 49th 49th & 50th)
Cost: Tickets are $40 and available online or at the door. Kids under 12 are free. To purchase tickets or make a donation, complete the form on this page.