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- The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of November 4th
The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of November 4th
Your weekly update from EFNC, connecting Eastwick residents with local news, resources, and opportunities to take part in community life.
Welcome to this week’s Eastwick Bulletin.
This edition includes a timely City leaf-recycling resource, an actionable airport-neighbor concern, public programs at Eastwick Library and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and a busy November 7 and 8 weekend. You will also find current EFNC Team materials for the Nature in Focus exhibition, the Nature-Based Solutions Open House, the DrinkPAK career program, the TreePhilly giveaway, and a Virtual Sound Bath series.
Join EFNC’s Community Clean-Up this Saturday, explore City services for nuisance vehicles and bulky household items, and find free virtual career workshops and Eastwick Library’s Any Book Club below.
🌟 Community Input: Turning Fall Leaves Into Free Compost
Philadelphia’s 2026 Philly Leaf Recycling Program began November 2 and continues through December 19. Leaves collected through the program are composted rather than sent to landfill, and small quantities of the resulting compost and mulch are available free to Philadelphia residents.
For the November 9 through 13 West Philadelphia collection window, the City asks residents to use its address-based map to confirm whether their block is included in mechanical collection. If it is, rake leaves into the street by 7:00 AM on the scheduled day, do not bag or pile them, and move vehicles off-street when possible. If an address is outside a mechanical-collection area, use a City bagged-leaf drop-off instead.
The next bagged-leaf drop-off is Saturday, November 7, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, including at S. 52nd Street and Pine Street, Malcolm X Park. Leaves must be in large brown biodegradable paper bags. Yard waste, trash, and recyclables are not accepted.
⚠️Community Concern: Airport Neighbors Need a Clear Way to Report Noise
Eastwick is close to Philadelphia International Airport, and the City identifies proximity to the airport among the environmental challenges facing the neighborhood. Aircraft noise is a quality-of-life concern for communities near PHL, and conditions such as wind and weather can change flight patterns from day to day.
The City’s PHL Noise Office tracks aircraft operations and accepts reports from neighbors. When filing a complaint, residents can share the location, time, and any details that may help staff review the flight data. The office says it investigates complaints using radar and flight information, and its online form and hotline help make sure concerns are documented.
To report an aircraft-noise concern, use the PHL online noise-complaint form, call the Airport Noise Hotline at 215-937-6750, or email [email protected]. Residents can also use the PHL Flight Tracker to see current operations.
Join EFNC’s Community Clean-Up This Saturday
Let’s come together to clean up, beautify, and create a safer neighborhood. EFNC’s Eastwick Community Clean-Up takes place on Saturday, November 7, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, along the 84th Street Service Road, on the west side of 84th Street, from Lindbergh Boulevard to Crane Street.
Neighbors will help remove litter and weeds from grassy medians, around trees, and along curb lines. Residents between 84th and 86th Streets are especially encouraged to participate. Bring your community spirit and help us take pride in Eastwick together. For questions, email [email protected].
Last Call: DrinkPAK Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program
The Philadelphia Skills Initiative is recruiting Philadelphia residents across all ZIP codes for the DrinkPAK Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program, which prepares participants for full-time roles at DrinkPAK’s planned Bellwether District facility. Public program materials describe starting pay of $25 per hour plus benefits.
Applications close Thursday, November 5, at 5:00 PM. The training program is scheduled for January 11 through April 12, 2027. Apply before the deadline.
Nature in Focus 2026: Final Days to Visit the Exhibition
The Nature in Focus 2026 Photo Exhibition remains on display at the Heinz Refuge Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard, through Sunday, November 8. Visitors can view the photography and cast one vote for the People’s Choice Award.
The public is invited on Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 AM to noon for the reception and awards program. The reception runs from 11:00 to 11:30 AM, followed by the awards ceremony. This public program is separate from the Friends of Heinz Refuge annual membership meeting earlier that morning.
Learn more through Friends of Heinz Refuge and check current Refuge visitor information before traveling.
Community Conversation: Nature-Based Solutions Open House
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum invites residents to a Nature-Based Solutions Open House on Saturday, November 7, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard. Participants can learn results from the Flood Resilience Feasibility Study, move through information stations at their own pace, hear about next steps, and participate in a Community Voice interview. Snacks will be available.
The open house focuses on nature-based solutions that could help Eastwick and Delaware County communities become more flood resilient. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. For questions or to RSVP, contact [email protected].
Plan Ahead: Southwest Citywide Yard Tree Giveaway
TreePhilly will distribute free yard trees on Sunday, November 8, from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM at Bartram’s Garden’s 56th Street entrance, 3000 S. 56th Street. This is a citywide giveaway with no neighborhood restriction, but trees are for Philadelphia residents who will plant them in the ground on private property in the city.
Tree requests are due Wednesday, November 4. Register for a free yard tree or sign up to volunteer.
Virtual Sound Bath Experience: November Sessions
Your Healthy Mojo is offering 30-minute Virtual Sound Bath Experience sessions on Sunday, November 8, Sunday, November 22, and Sunday, November 29, each from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST. The supplied program information describes crystal singing bowls and a virtual Zoom format, with the meeting link provided after registration. The cost is $10 per session.
For current registration details or questions, email [email protected].
Nuisance Vehicles: Request Neighborhood Parking Enforcement
Illegally parked trucks, tractor-trailers, and nuisance vehicles can clutter neighborhood streets and make curbs harder to access. The Philadelphia Parking Authority’s Neighborhood Enforcement Unit reviews reports and takes enforcement action when warranted. A report does not automatically result in a tow.
Submit a nuisance-vehicle report or visit the PPA enforcement page for reporting options, including tractor-trailer enforcement. For parking-enforcement requests, the current PPA communications number is 215-683-9773.
City Service: Schedule Collection for Bulky Household Items
Have an old appliance, flat-screen TV, large toy, or rimless passenger-car tires to dispose of? Philadelphia’s Residential Bulk Collection Program offers appointment-only pickup for eligible households that receive City trash collection. Single-family homes and residential properties with up to six units can participate; larger apartment buildings, condominiums, and commercial properties must use a private hauler.
Appointments cover up to four bulk items, with one appointment per household per week. Four rimless passenger-car tires count as one bulk item. Metal-frame furniture must remain intact, and refrigerator doors must be removed. Mattresses, household trash, hazardous materials, auto parts, and construction or demolition debris are not accepted through this program.
Schedule a bulk-collection appointment and review the City’s eligibility and accepted-item guidance. Mark each item with the four-letter pickup code provided after booking. During fall and winter, set items out no earlier than 5:00 PM the evening before pickup, and have them curbside by 7:00 AM on collection day. For assistance, call 311.
Free Virtual Career Workshops
The Free Library of Philadelphia and Full Circle offer free workshops on Zoom to help job seekers build skills and plan their next step. Registration is required, and Zoom meeting information will be emailed afterward. Three November sessions are coming up:
Leveraging AI for Job Search Success: Thursday, November 5, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Learn to use AI tools for tailored resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Register for the AI job-search workshop.
Returning to the Workforce: Tuesday, November 17, noon to 1:30 PM. Explore strategies for returning to work after time away, including caregiving, illness, incarceration, or retirement. Register for Returning to the Workforce.
LinkedIn Learning: Thursday, November 19, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Discover free online learning through the Free Library to strengthen career and job-search skills. Register for the LinkedIn Learning workshop.
Eastwick Library: Read What You Love at Any Book Club
Bring your latest read and join neighbors at Any Book Club on Saturday, November 14, at 2:00 PM, at Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Avenue. Each month has a theme, but there is no pressure to read a particular title. Share what you are reading and discover something new through the conversation.
The program is for adults, and no registration is needed. View the Any Book Club event details or call 215-685-4170 for questions.
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
Date and time | Event | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Wed, Nov. 4 | Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Learn about cover crops, overwintering greens, and preparing a garden for winter. [11] | |
Thu, Nov. 5 | Zoom | Free Library and Full Circle career workshop. Register to receive the meeting link. [28] | |
Thu, Nov. 5 | Bartram’s Garden Welcome Center, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Purchase fresh, chemical-free local produce. EBT, cash, WIC Farmers Market vouchers, and Senior vouchers are accepted. [11] | |
Thu, Nov. 5 | Online | Final day to apply for the Philadelphia Skills Initiative career-training opportunity. [4] | |
Sat, Nov. 7 | EFNC Eastwick Community Clean-Up | 84th Street Service Road, west side of 84th St., Lindbergh Blvd. to Crane St. | Help remove litter and weeds from medians, around trees, and along curb lines. Residents between 84th and 86th Streets are especially invited. Questions: [email protected]. [25] |
Sat, Nov. 7 | John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge | Children ages 3 to 5 and an adult can enjoy stories, crafts, and a hike with a Refuge Ranger. Free, with advance registration through [email protected]. [12] | |
Sat, Nov. 7 | Heinz Refuge Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd. | Public reception, People’s Choice voting, and awards for the 2026 photography exhibition. [6] | |
Sat, Nov. 7 | Heinz Refuge Visitor Center, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd. | Explore Flood Resilience Feasibility Study results, information stations, and next steps. RSVPs are encouraged, not required. [8] | |
Sun, Nov. 8 | Bartram’s Garden, 56th St. entrance, 3000 S. 56th St. | Free yard trees for eligible Philadelphia residents. Tree-request deadline is November 4. [9] | |
Sun, Nov. 8 | Virtual Sound Bath Experience | Online via Zoom | A $10 session from Your Healthy Mojo. For current registration details, email [email protected]. [10] |
Wed, Nov. 11 | Eastwick Library closed for Veterans Day | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | The branch will be closed for the holiday. [13] |
Sat, Nov. 14 | Meet by the Visitor Center, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge | Free, relaxed-paced bird walk on flat surfaces. No registration is required. [14] | |
Sat, Nov. 14 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Adults and seniors are invited to share what they are reading. No assigned book is required. [15] | |
Tue, Nov. 17 | Zoom | Free career workshop about re-entering employment after time away. Register to receive the meeting link. [29] | |
Tue, Nov. 17 | Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave. | Young adults can gather for art, games, comics, and more. [16] | |
Wed, Nov. 18 | Bartram’s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. | Exploration, a garden walk, and stories for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2 to 4, with an adult chaperone. [11] | |
Thu, Nov. 19 | Zoom | Free Library workshop on accessing online learning to build career skills. Register to receive the meeting link. [30] |
Check organizer links before traveling for weather, capacity, registration, and last-minute updates.
💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Fall leaf recycling
Find drop-off locations, collection guidance, and the address-based mechanical-collection map through the City’s Philly Leaf Recycling Program.
Flood readiness and resident resources
For Eastwick flood maps, the Flood Ready Home guide, flood-insurance information, alerts, and the live monitoring map, visit the City’s Eastwick resident resources.
Breathe Philly
For City information about air quality, heat, and environmental health, visit Breathe Philly. You can also review Breathe Philly’s environmental-health resources when planning for poor-air-quality and extreme-heat days.
Report and track neighborhood concerns
Use Philly 311 to report potholes, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, graffiti, streetlight outages, and other non-emergency concerns.
Eastwick Library
The Eastwick Library at 2851 Island Avenue provides free programs, computers, printing, Wi-Fi, and family resources. Browse the Eastwick Library calendar or call 215-685-4170 before attending.
Open opportunity for qualified professionals
The Philadelphia City Fund and the City’s Office of Clean and Green Initiatives are seeking qualified firms, consultants, or multidisciplinary teams to develop an implementation-oriented Food and Organic Waste Diversion Strategy. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM Philadelphia time on November 22, 2026. Read the official opportunity and submission instructions, including the final RFP.
📸 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS
We love seeing Eastwick through your eyes. Send photos of neighborhood gatherings, local nature, community projects, gardens, and everyday moments that show what makes Eastwick special. Selected images may be featured in future Bulletins and EFNC social media. Please email your photo, a short caption, and photographer credit to [email protected].
🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
What would you like to see covered in a future Eastwick Bulletin? Please send local concerns, event notices, positive neighborhood news, and resource suggestions to [email protected]. Your input helps EFNC keep this newsletter relevant, practical, and community-centered.
Help keep Eastwick informed and connected. Share this Bulletin with a neighbor, invite others to subscribe, and encourage them to add their voices to the conversations shaping our community’s future.
🤝 ABOUT EFNC AND JOIN OUR BOARD
Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition Inc. is a resident-led nonprofit advancing education, advocacy, and environmental preservation to improve quality of life, protect public health, and build long-term community resilience.
We are seeking community-minded Board members with experience or interest in social media, event planning, computer skills, grant writing, communications, and community outreach. To learn more about EFNC or express interest in serving, visit eastwickfnc.org.
Until next time,
The EFNC Team