Here’s some great news for Malcolm X Park and neighborhood residents. The Philadelphia Water Department is working on bringing green improvements to the park, which will include specially designed tree systems that will help manage local stormwater while adding new green features to the park’s square located at 52nd and Pine.

Residents are invited to learn more about this initiative at tonight’s community meeting organized by the Water Department and the Friends of Malcolm X Park. The meeting will be held at the park, beginning at 6 p.m. weather permitting, but will move to Lois’ Learning Tree (430 S. 52nd St.) in the event of rain.

The planned improvements are a part of the city’s Green City, Clean Waters program, which uses landscaped green tools to improve neighborhoods and protect local waterways from stormwater pollution.

West Philly residents have an opportunity to learn more about solar power for their homes at an upcoming Cedar Park Neighbors meeting at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore). The meeting will be held on Monday, July 17 from 7 – 8 p.m.

In an effort to make solar power more affordable for all Philadelphians and to provide solar installation training at the School District, a special city-run program, Solarize Philly, has been recently created as part of the Philadelphia Energy Authority. Representatives from Solarize Philly will be at the meeting to explain how the program works and to answer questions.

The program has already been picking up steam in the city, including in West Philadelphia.  Continue Reading

Baltimore Ave fire site Wednesday afternoon (Photo West Philly Local).

Emergency responders have a fire at 52nd and Baltimore under control. The fire was reported at a donut shop and Million Dollars store near 52nd and Baltimore shortly after 8 a.m. The 34 trolley was operating with shuttle buses.

Donut store and Million Dollars at 52nd and Baltimore on fire. Hope no one hurt. pic.twitter.com/3Q0xpS062x

— Amara Rockar (@arockar) July 12, 2017

Rte 34: Service is operating with shuttle buses on Baltimore Avenue due to a fire on 52nd Street. Delays are expected.

— SEPTA (@SEPTA_TRL_34) July 12, 2017

Chef Jezabel Careaga, a native of Argentina whose Jezabel’s Café at 26th and Pine has been named one of Philly’s best “under-the-radar breakfast places,” is bringing her empanadas, alfajores, specially made mate tea and coffee to an intimate storefront near 45th and Walnut.

Jezabel Careaga, chef-owner of Jezabel’s.

Jezabel’s Studio will open tomorrow, July 12, at 208 S. 45th St. At only 400 square feet, Jezabel’s Studio will definitely not be a place to park with your laptop. But Careaga is making the most of the space, which includes a small indoor sitting area (there are a couple of seats on the sidewalk too).

Offerings will include a variety of her signature empanadas (yes, they have a vegan option) as well as alfajores, Argentine shortbread cookies that are filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut shavings.  Continue Reading

University City Dining Days, the annual event where you can try food prepared at some of the best area restaurants at a discount, kicks off this Thursday (July 13). As always, dozens of University City-based restaurants will offer three-course dinner menus at three fixed prices – $15, $25 and $35.

Over 30 restaurants will participate in this popular event this year – from those run by famous chefs to ethnic cuisines to cozy BYOBs.

Some of the area’s well-known restaurants and bars are offering $15 three-course dinners, including Dahlak, New Delhi, Vietnam Cafe, Dock Street Brewery, Kabobeesh and more.  Continue Reading

Several people were attacked by a group of paintball shooters in West and Southwest Philadelphia on Thursday, according to police. The first attack took place near 42nd St. and Baltimore Ave. shortly after 4 p.m. when a man and a woman walking down the street were shot at by people who were inside a dark-colored Hyundai Azera, according to reports. The couple then saw two more people being hit by the same attackers nearby. After that they drove away.

The third incident happened at around 4:15 p.m. near 50th and Woodland. In this attack, which involved the same vehicle, four people sitting on a porch were attacked in a drive-by paintball shooting. Three people were struck in this attack. All four victims in this attack were transgender, according to reports. It’s not clear whether they were specifically targeted.

Police believe there were four people in the car. No descriptions of the attackers are available at this time. The investigation continues.