Spruce Hill: Penn Alexander Extracurriculars Survive ‘Doomsday Budget’
Penn Alexander School saw nearly a 17 percent increase in its extra curricular funding by the School District between the 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 school years. With the help of $45 million in state education funds released to the School District in October, the school was able to maintain its music program. Administrators have some flexibility […]
Spruce Hill: Lottery Brings New Era for Penn Alexander
Penn Alexander School’s kindergarten waitlist ended this year, changing to a contested lottery. Traditionally, parents had waited in line for days to register. School District Superintendent William Hite made the change within days of becoming aware of the situation, said Fernando Gallard, chief of communications for the School District. “It was a change that was […]
Spruce Hill: African Immigrants Struggle to Navigate City’s Healthcare System
An immigration boom in 2000 helped turn the Baltimore Avenue corridor into a hub for African businesses. Spruce Hill has dozens of restaurants while Woodland and Chester avenues are peppered with African and Caribbean grocery stores. While no exact census data exists, in Philadelphia, the four largest communities are in order Nigerian, Liberian, Ghanaian and […]
Spruce Hill: New Chinese Church Hosts SHCA
Spruce Hill Community Association held its annual meeting earlier this month at the newly opened University City Chinese Christian Church (UCCCC), located at Walnut and 45th streets. Neighborhood residents had the chance to visit the new church as SHCA elected its board members. Monica Calkins, the former Chair of the Education Committee was elected president of SHCA, […]
Spruce Hill: “Dreaming Double” Debuts at Green Line Cafe
[vimeo 79845925] Green Line Café recently hosted the opening of “Dreaming Double” by photographer Katie Reynolds. The series of double exposure photographs was captured around Philadelphia. Friends came out in support to the 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue location last Friday evening to see the collection on display. “I’d go around to places that fascinated me […]
Spruce Hill: Hip City Veg Opens New Branch in West Philly
Fast food doesn’t have to be bad food. Hip City Veg opened its second restaurant, located on 40th Street across from Hamilton Village, on Oct. 11. The vegan restaurant serves plant-based dishes in the form of familiar foods, such as wraps, cheesesteaks, burgers and fries. HipCityVeg opened its flagship Rittenhouse store in April 2012. “I realized […]
Spruce Hill: Wilson School Closes, Students and Principal Move to Lea School
The Alexander Wilson grade school on Woodland Avenue closed earlier this year along with 23 other Philadelphia public schools. Students were absorbed into the Henry C. Lea School on 47th Street, along with Principal Sonya Harrison, who took over the corresponding position at the Lea School. The question remains what will happen to the three-story, 40,200 […]
Spruce Hill: South 46th Street Celebrates 100 Years
[vimeo 76922863] On Sept. 7, 100 years of residency passed for the 500 block of South 46th Street. Neighbors marked the anniversary with their biggest block party to date. “This year was the first year we had a block party for the entire block,” said Paul Weidner, Financial Training Department director at the University of Pennsylvania. […]
Spruce Hill: Locust Moon Comics Fest Expands for Second Year
[vimeo 76491483] Locust Moon Comics held its second annual Comics Fest at the Rotunda Saturday, Oct.5. Comics ranged from the traditional Marvel characters to literary figures, military figures, animals and retro-inspired illustrations. Panelists also held discussions at the 40th Street store. Maria Hoey, one half of the brother-sister duo Coin-Op, returned to Comics Fest. “It’s very […]
Spruce Hill: Veterans Shelter Combats Homelessness
[vimeo 75730192] For struggling veterans in the city, the Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House is a welcome place to find assistance and temporary housing. The twin home on Baltimore Avenue started in 1994 as a place for cancer patients to recuperate during the working week. Eventually, it adapted to tackle the widespread plight of homelessness among veterans. […]