In a moving tribute to local history and grassroots activism, community members, family, and local leaders gathered yesterday along Market Street to celebrate the ceremonial renaming of its 3600 block as “Walt Palmer-Black Bottom Way.”

Organized to honor the life, activism, and enduring legacy of Dr. Walter Palmer, the street renaming recognizes both an individual who spent decades fighting for civil rights and the historic Black Bottom neighborhood that was largely erased by 20th-century urban development.

During the ceremony, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier presented Dr. Palmer with an official City Council resolution formally recognizing “Black Bottom” as the original and historical name for this section of West Philadelphia.

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Steeply rising consumer gas bills were the focus of a recent analysis by the Philadelphia Building Decarbonization Coalition, and their report contains some surprises. In Philadelphia and across the state, major gas utilities are inflating our bills to cover accelerated programs of pipe replacement. For PA’s six largest utilities, such investments amounted to $11 billion over 2013-2025. Today about two-thirds of a standard residential gas bill in PA goes for infrastructure-related delivery charges, while gas itself accounts for only one-third. If this trend continues, even families that try to conserve energy will end up paying more.

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Spruce Hill’s favorite fall celebration is back! The annual Parktoberfest brings the neighborhood together for an afternoon of local brews, music, and community connection at Clark Park. Organized by the Friends of Clark Park, the event serves as a vital fundraiser to support ongoing care, beautification, and programming for one of West Philly’s most cherished green spaces. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, transforming the park into a vibrant autumnal gathering space for neighbors of all ages.

All proceeds from beverage sales and donations directly benefit the Friends of Clark Park to fund year-round maintenance, tree planting, and public programming.

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UPDATE (10/6/26): More rescheduled sales are coming up on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 17, according to West Philadelphia Community Yard Sales organizers. The Yard Sale Map published in September received over 62,000 hits and there is interest in organizing another West Philadelphia Community Yard Sale this Spring.

Due to inclement weather, many of the 60+ West Philadelphia Community Yard Sales originally scheduled for Sept. 26 were rescheduled. Rain dates were updated on the Yard Sale Map.

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HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy will host its 5th Annual Community Day on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its campus located at 4400 Baltimore Avenue. The annual event brings together students, families, staff, alumni, and neighbors to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy Day, mark HMS’s 144th anniversary, and honor the students who drive the school’s mission forward.

This year’s Community Day carries special significance as HMS unveils its Vision for Impact—the centerpiece of a new six-year strategic plan. The roadmap focuses on strengthening the school’s core programs, expanding services, deepening community connections, and creating new possibilities for students and their families.

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State and city leaders gathered this morning to officially open the doors to the new home of PA CareerLink® West Philadelphia. Formerly located at 3901 Market Street, the full-service career center has relocated to 5548 Chestnut Street, Suite 101, placing comprehensive employment and workforce development resources directly accessible to neighborhood residents.

The relocation marks a significant step forward in expanding access to career opportunities across the city. By bringing free workforce services into the heart of West Philadelphia, local officials and workforce leaders aim to bridge the gap between job seekers and local employers, making career growth more accessible where community members live and commute.

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