Dear Readers;
Sometime after starting this neighborhood newspaper nearly 20 years ago, I asked my readers to help me survive a difficult period by sending us a donation.

The community responded generously by mailing or dropping off $5 or more. Some people even stopped me in the street.

Unfortunately, 2008 has become hardtimes for most newspapers, including this little one. Since September, our cas flow - the killer of many small businesses - has slowed to a dribble. The economic downturn that our president says isn't happening is making it difficult for people to pay their bills.

The Westside Weekly needs your help - and I'm not exaggerating - to survive. If you would like to make a donation, no matter how small, you can mail it to our P.O. Box 19437, Philadelphia, Pa. 19143 or make a donation through your credit card.

If you can't afford a donation, then we request that you say a little prayer for us. That works too.