Live interactive music shows for all ages are coming to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th and Baltimore. Starting May 11, University City District (UCD) is partnering with West Philadelphia-based jazz vocalist Gretchen Elise to present inclusive musical performances featuring local talent on Thursday evenings from 5 – 7 p.m.

“Our goal with Trolley Portal Gardens is to bring programming for the neighbors, parents, and commuters who use the space every day,” said Margaret Starke, UCD’s Senior Manager of Events and Community Partnerships. “Gretchen has deep connections with the neighborhood and other local musicians and made a great fit as both a presenter and a curator.” Continue Reading

University of Pennsylvania students are moving out of the dorms this week, which means a portion of Spruce Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic to accommodate the process.

Spruce Street will be closed between 34th and 40th Streets on Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Delays should be expected in the area during these times. SEPTA buses will be on detour.

Access to the PennVet Ryan Animal Hospital will be via 38th Street.

Kate and Yasser Aiq in 2020 (Photo by West Philly Local).

All are invited to Renata’s Kitchen‘s 10th anniversary party! The popular local Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant and brunch spot, managed by the husband and wife duo Yasser and Kate Aiq, will hold a free celebratory community party and open house on Wednesday, May 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event will take place on Renata’s expansive outdoor patio at 40th and Baltimore. Guests will be treated to lite bites, butlered hors d’oeuvres, carving stations and complimentary welcome cocktails courtesy of Revivalist Spirits.

“We wanted to have this party to say ‘thank you’ to the community for supporting us over the past decade,” said chef Yasser Aiq. “We would not have survived without the continued support of friends, neighbors and our incredibly loyal customers who stood by us through some tough times.” Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of VIX Emporium/Chrissie’s Tea Cup.

VIX Emporium, the West Philly business specializing in unique handmade gifts and local crafts, will feature three local, Black-owned businesses at three pop-up shops on the first three Saturdays in May.

First up, on May 6, it will be Chrissie’s Tea Cup. Inspired by her late mother’s love of a good cup of tea, maker Wydia Becton combines organic herbs and traditional tea leaves to create her signature blends. Stop by the shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to try popular Zodiac teas as well as tea brewing and serving accessories.

Then Tote Jawn will appear at VIX on May 13. This local business offers an alternative to single-use plastic bags with their stylish canvas tote bags, all Philadelphia themed! They have different bags featuring each Philly neighborhood. Continue Reading

Here are a couple of important announcements for Philadelphia motorists, as parking restriction enforcement begins today to accommodate street sweeping and the safe use of bike lanes for bicyclists.

The Streets Department reminds motorists that enforcement in all 14 areas of the City’s Mechanical Cleaning Program begins on Monday, May 1. Phase III of the program began on April 3 and to facilitate a more detailed cleaning, there will be restricted street parking on streets wide enough to accommodate relocation of vehicles. Motorists that do not adhere to posted “No Parking” signs will be subject to fines.

“No Parking” signage during specified times will be enforced beginning today in all 14 areas, including the following West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia areas:

• West Philly: Parkside Ave. to Spring Garden St. from 52nd St. to 40th St.
• Southwest: Woodland Ave. to Kingsessing Ave. from 49th St. to Cemetery Ave. Continue Reading

The University City District‘s annual report released this week shows that an upward trend in construction that began in 2021 will icrease dramatically in 2023, with more square footage of commercial and residential development under construction than in any year since the report began in 2002.

The “State of University City,” a yearly snapshot of development trends in the area roughly bounded by the Schuylkill River to the east, 50th Street to the west, Market Street/Powelton Avenue/Spring Garden Street to the north and Woodland Avenue/University Avenue to the south, also shows a slight increase in public transit use compared to last year. But ridership is still roughly half that of pre-Pandemic levels on trolleys and the Market-Frankford Line. Continue Reading