Annual Meeting TONIGHT @ 7PM!

Election for Open Board Seats

WSWCA members in good standing will have the privilege of voting to elect six people to the board of directors. Five board seats are up for a three year term, and an additional open seat that expires in 2023 will be filled in this election. The top six candidates will fill the open seats – the five candidates with the most votes will fill the 3 year term seats, and the remaining elected candidate will fill the vacant seat.

The candidate bios can be found here. Listen to the candidates themselves during the meeting tonight.

WSW Tree Planting on Saturday

Did you know that your neighbors volunteer to plant trees in our community twice a year? This weekend, on one of the coldest Saturdays of the season, we will be planting 3 trees at 13th & Chancellor.

We hope to have more applications for the Spring planting. Deadline for those applications is later this month. Help build our tree canopy – Click here to read more and apply for your street tree!

Annual Fall Clean Up – Dec 3

Mark your calendar for the annual WSWCA-hosted clean up day – in partnership with Philadelphia Streets Department.

Saturday December 3 from 9AM – 2PM.

Supplies available for pick up at Seger Park.

Parking and Bike Lanes will be impacted.

Cyclists & On Street Parking – Traffic Impacts on Dec 3

This is an important notification to the cycling community who utilize the bike lanes on Spruce, Pine and 10th Streets: The annual Fall Clean Up event is being held on Dec. 3 from 8 am – 2 pm. Parking is affected during these hours. Parking signs are posted to notify residents. Spruce and Pine are affected. 10th Street will not be affected. It is important for cyclists to be alert on this day. There will be City equipment on the streets cleaning and individuals are not always diligent about adhering to our parking directions as posted on signs, fliers and social media.

On behalf of our Wash West Board and neighbors, we thank you for your cooperation and patience as we hold this annual event. Clean streets benefit all who live and pass through our neighborhood.

Cultural Preservation Town Hall – 11/17

The city is full of stories and history. The Philadelphia Register of Historic Places only captures some of them. To understand what is missing, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will host a town hall event on Thursday, November 17 at 11:30 AM. You’re invited – Register here!

This event is part of the Cultural Resources Survey Plan and Pilot Project. They want to hear from you. What is Philadelphia’s culture? Who makes it? How can we protect the institutions, traditions, or courageous acts that represent cultural heritage?

Electronics Recycling – Saturday

Just outside of the neighborhood (in Queen Village), you can join QVNA, Councilmember Mark Squilla and State Rep Mary Isaacson for a free electronics recycling event.

On Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us at Carpenter’s Walk in the QVNA Parking Lot (Front and Carpenter Streets. Click here for more info.

Sharpen your blades

Ice skating season is back! Whether you’re a hockey pro or new to the ice, Philadelphia’s five public ice rinks are fun for everyone. Parks & Rec is offering free skating lessons, hockey camps, public skate times, and more.

Admission for public skating is FREE at all five ice rinks – closest to WSW is Rizzo Rink. You are encouraged to bring your own skates. You can rent ice skates for $3-4 (price varies by rink). Read more here. (Link works this time!)

Reminiscing About the Neighborhood

Long live the automat, the Philly-made marvel that turned dining into an assembly line

The first one opened at 8th & Chestnut street, eventually spawning 150 coin-operated diners across the U.S. — and a short-lived children’s show. See some of the pictures and news articles here.

Big changes coming to SEPTA

Do you use SEPTA regularly? If so, make sure you look at their new plan: SEPTA’s Bus Revolution (link in red)

SEPTA is looking for public input and feedback to their new plan.

Philly Tree Plan

A resilient urban forest helps residents thrive. Trees are a vital part of city infrastructure and provide environmental, social, economic, and health benefits.

Our Philly tree canopy is declining. Climate change will increase the heat island effect, where Philadelphia neighborhoods with the lowest number of trees are already on average 22 degrees hotter than others.

Register: PPR webinar on Thurs 11/10 @ 7PM

Beautiful, Informative & Wanting Your Feedback

After years of learning, listening, and crafting, the Growing From the Root team is excited to share a draft of Philadelphia’s first Urban Agriculture Strategic Plan. Public feedback on the draft recommendations will be collected from November 3 – Nov 28. View the draft plan and a video recording of the meeting here.

Let your holiday adventures begin in the neighborhood…

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral is hosting it’s holiday event on December 10th. Find out more and sign up here.

Independence Library

Our neighborhood library is typically open Monday through Friday from 1-5PM. To get your holds on material pickup days, please call the library when you are outside, and have your library card or photo ID ready.

Can’t make it by 5pm? Call to schedule holds pickup between 5-6pm as needed. Current schedule is also listed on their website.