A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday that could go a long way to determining the future of the upstart youth baseball league that has operated for the past two years at the 48th and Woodland Playground.

Local politicians and PAYSA organizers on last year’s opening day for the league (Photo from PAYSA Facebook page).

The Department of Parks and Recreation called the meeting following a request by the league, called the Philadelphia Athletics Youth Sports Association (PAYSA), to improve field conditions and begin work on a long-term master plan for the playground. The request reportedly triggered questions about whether the baseball league is “primarily run by and for members of the community served by the 48th & Woodland Playground,” PAYSA president and co-founder Steve Walicki wrote in a letter to league parents and supporters.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the 48th and Woodland Playground. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell is scheduled to be on hand, and community members who live in the area are invited. The organizers are requesting that those attending bring proof of residence, like a driver’s license with your local address on it.

Founded in 2013, PAYSA’s first opening day was in April 2014.

– Mike Lyons

And so it begins… This dangerous sinkhole was spotted on Monday on the 4200 block of Sansom St. To report a sinkhole or a pothole in your area, go to: http://potholes.phila.gov/csstreets.

City Council is hosting a series of community town halls throughout Philadelphia starting this week to identify the priorities of struggling schools.

The first one will be held tonight (Monday, March 7) in West Philadelphia, at Sayre High School (5800 Walnut St.), beginning at 5:30 p.m. Parents, educators, and other concerned community members are invited to join Councilwomen Helen Gym and Jannie Blackwell to weigh in on what students need.

Years of budget cuts have left most public schools without basic, essential services. The number of teacher vacancies has grown and there is also serious shortage of core staff, including nurses and counselors, which is leaving students without critical support. About 95 percent of Philadelphia’s 149 elementary schools lack a functioning library.

These meetings are meant to highlight the community priorities for spending and needs in their schools. A report will be published after the town halls to demand how the District needs to prioritize spending in District schools.  Continue Reading

Two Spruce Hill zoning meetings focusing on a couple of interesting development projects in the area are scheduled for this month. As always, community participation is encouraged.

Former Transition to Independent Living Center building at 46th and Spruce (archived photo).

The first meeting will take place on Monday, March 7 at the Spruce Hill Center (257 S. 45th St.) to discuss the development of the 4534-36 Spruce Street site (formerly the Transition to Independent Living). All interested parties are invited to attend the meeting to hear the proposed plans for development of the site, and to ask questions and offer comments. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

The new owner for the site was revealed at the previous zoning meeting in August, 2015. Developer Ricky Liss told the attendees of the August meeting that he wanted to build a four-story mixed-use retail, commercial and residential housing project on the site.

The second meeting, scheduled for March 15, will address the zoning application for the Trolley Portal project at 40th and Baltimore/Woodland. Everyone is invited to participate in the discussion on the landscaping design for the trolley portal and on the design for the adjacent trolley diner, as part of the University City District’s plan to transform the Portal into a vibrant and social space.

Th 40th Street Trolley Portal was created more than 60 years ago as a transit hub, and the property has always had a Residential zoning. In order to proceed with the Portal redesign process, UCD is seeking a zoning variance for mixed-use from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).

The March 15 meeting will also be held at the Spruce Hill Center and will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Opening reception for Julianna Foster’s photography exhibit, Latent Ground, Feb. 21, 2016.

Contemporary and collectively-run neighborhood art galleries seem to come and go often. Danger! Danger! Gallery and Gush Gallery were two solid ones in West Philadelphia, but closed in recent years. The most recent arrival to the area is Black Oak House, a contemporary fine art gallery which is based out of a house near 51st and Osage. This one might stick around for a while because the house owners live there too.

Catherine Pancake and her partner, Miriam Stewart, moved to the area from Chicago and decided to purchase a home in West Philadelphia and run the gallery together. While in Chicago, Pancake completed her MFA and was exposed to many types of art galleries, but was mainly drawn to those that were based out of homes. “There are a few spaces that are domestic and small but have very potent artwork,” said Pancake.

Works by photographer Julianna Foster are currently on display at Black Oak House.

Through her past and current work as a member of Vox Populi Gallery in Callowhill, Pancake built a large networking of contemporary artists in West Philadelphia and is optimistic about curating quality solo shows three to four times a year. “I have a lot of experience curating festivals and art events that are women and LGBTQ focused; we would like to do more studio visits with artists who are not usually represented.”

Pancake sees an in-home gallery as less intimidating than a public gallery or a First Friday opening and she’s especially intrigued by the idea of living with contemporary art. “It helps people see how contemporary art can be hung or installed in a house, versus a gallery environment,” she said.

Currently on display at Black Oak House is a show named Latent Ground, which showcases the work of photographer Julianna Foster. The next opening, which will present the works of Sharon Koelblinger, is in April.

Those interested in getting involved with the gallery are welcome to visit their website or by simply showing up to gallery openings and speaking with Pancake or Stewart.

– Rana Fayez (photos courtesy of Black Oak House)

This week’s featured adoptable cat is Anabel, an adult female medium-sized “tuxedo” cat.

Anabel is a professional cuddler – she can be found on or near you at all times. She doesn’t have many demands, just needs you to cuddle her immediately upon getting home. She will also require the use of your lap, the space by your pillow, and your back or stomach when you lie down.

You must regularly scratch the spot between her front legs but not down any further! Also, she must purr in your ear at least ten minutes daily. If you are sad or feeling ill, she’ll find a place near you and stay there until you feel better. Finally, your undivided attention is required, so please don’t bring any other cats around. She plans on returning the favor, as she’ll be following you to any room and sleeping with you every night. But that is all. See? Anabel is not a diva!

Anabel prefers to be in a one-cat home.

She is spayed, FeLV and FIV negative, current with shots, treated for fleas and worms, and is litter box trained.

To adopt this cat please complete and return a PAWS adoption application to ProjectMEOWAdoptions@gmail.com or mail it to: PO Box 32078, Philadelphia, PA 19146. The adoption application is available at the Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave), or online. Please use number A28564499 when applying to adopt this cat.

This cat is being fostered through the partnership of Project MEOW and PAWS. For additional information, contact projectmeowadoptions@gmail.com