🚆 Regional Rail Line to temporarily run shuttles

The Political Practice Stifling Efforts To Fix This Philly Library

Philly has a lot of unwritten rules, and one may give certain councilmembers a little too much power. “Councilmanic prerogative” gives district councilmembers the right to approve new developments or bring projects to a halt. And right now in North Philly, tensions are high between community members and Councilmember Jeffrey “Jay” Young, Jr. over how this practice is impacting efforts to reconstruct Cecil B. Moore Library. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Questions Remain After Man Dies While in Police Custody

An unnamed man is dead following his arrest by Philadelphia Police on Sunday. Police arrived to a home in Mayfair after the man allegedly fired his gun outside following an argument at a party. According to police, he became unresponsive after being placed inside the police vehicle and was declared dead at a nearby hospital. No cause of death has been determined yet. [🔒 The Inquirer]

Service Disruptions on the Regional Rail? Just Another Average Day

Just when we thought the Regional Rail was getting back to normal, shuttle buses will operate in place of midday service along the Fox Chase Line for three months while SEPTA replaces old tracks. [KYW]

Another Philly Street Caves in Due to Sinkhole

A hole that formed after a water main break has now grown into a large sinkhole in Philly’s West Oak Lane section. Meanwhile, good news that you may have missed over the holidays: The sinkhole along the Schuylkill River Trail is fixed. [NBC10, Schuylkill Banks]

• Related: We dug into why sinkholes continue to be a major problem in this city. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Sharswood, a neighborhood in North Philadelphia, is roughly bordered by Cecil B. Moore Avenue to the north, 19th Street to the east, 25th Street to the west, and College Avenue to the south.

Neighborhood History

Sharswood's name originates from former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice George Sharswood. He lived in an estate in what is today’s Sharswood.

With the arrival of the Ridge Avenue Passenger Railroad in 1859, the landscape began to change. German Lutherans primarily lived in the area at this time, soon followed by a migration of African Americans in the 20th century. Sharswood became a hub of entertainment, with jazz venues peppered along the Ridge Avenue corridor.

The neighborhood was not just an epicenter of art, but also the fight for civil rights. Sharswood saw tensions culminate in the race riots along Columbia Avenue in 1964 and community members were victorious in desegregating Girard College in 1968.

Today, the Philadelphia Housing Authority has a significant presence in the neighborhood and has been pushing revitalization efforts. But residents and neighbor-led organizations such as the Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition and Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association keep community interests and the neighborhood’s collective memories at the forefront.

What to Eat

If you’d like to grab a bite, stop by Saidi’s Spot. This halal cafe is located at the border of Brewerytown and Sharswood. Open Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., this is the perfect place to meet up with friends over coffee at any hour of the day. You can grab a Dubai chocolate bowl, a berry bowl, or a fresh fruit smoothie.

On a hotter day, visit Jordana’s Water Ice on Ridge Avenue for the quintessential Philly sweet treat.