The summer break for Philadelphia schoolchildren is coming to an end, as the 2018-2019 school year for public schools is set to begin on August 27. This Thursday (Aug. 16), the School District of Philadelphia is hosting its annual Back-to-School event at the High School of the Future (4021 Parkside Ave), from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The first 8,000 students will receive free book bags filled with school supplies. The event will also feature an on-site free Cuts and Curls salon, student enrollment services, children’s eye testing, on-location dental services, information tables, educational workshops, free giveaways and a fun Kids Zone.

For more information, please call the Office of Family and Community Engagement at (215) 400-4180 (option 5) or visit the School District website.

The community theater group Theatre in the X will be back in Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine) over the next three Sundays to reimagine The Wiz. 

Theatre in the X’s staging of the African American classic will be an homage to Hip Hop and Black cinema of the 1980s and 90s.

“Our iconic characters will journey through Oz remixed with all the nuance and cultural swag of the Black experience in America,” according to their Facebook post for the event.  Continue Reading

Baltimore Avenue offers several different kinds of cold desserts during this hot, sticky summer, from vegan ice cream at Little Baby’s to enormous shaved ice concoctions from the Ice Cave. Now we can add another to the list — Swirl Cafe at 46th and Baltimore.

This small family-owned shop features old-fashioned soft-serve with new-fashioned swirled-in “Flavor Burst!” flavorings, as well as bubble tea and milk tea in various fruity and creamy flavors. Seating is limited to a pair of small tables and a five-seat counter, so it might be wise to get your desserts to go. Right now food is limited to a small handful of prepackaged snacks, though there are plans to expand the menu further.

Swirl is open from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m., seven days a week. For more info and updates, check out their Facebook page.  Continue Reading

The Streets Department has scheduled maintenance work on Cobbs Creek Parkway, which will result in its temporary closure from Wednesday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 9.

Cobbs Creek Parkway, between 67th Street and Springfield Avenue/60th Street, will be closed to all traffic from 9 p.m. on Wednesday until 5 a.m. on Thursday. The following temporary restrictions are scheduled to be in effect:

Northbound traffic will be stopped at 67th Street. Vehicles can continue north using 67th Street to Chester Avenue, then 63rd Street to Woodland Avenue. Traffic that wishes to return to Cobbs Creek Parkway can do so at 58th Street. Southbound traffic will be stopped at Springfield Avenue. Vehicles can continue south using 60th Street and then turning right onto Woodland Avenue.

This closure is part of a larger project that will include multiple overnight closures over the course of August and early September. Advance notification will be provided for each separate closure.

Movies in Clark Park will return Friday, Aug. 10 for its fifth season. University City District is partnering with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Friends of Clark Park, and local organizations and food trucks to present four Fridays of free outdoor film screenings and other fun activities! Films will be projected on a giant screen at the park at 43rd and Chester Ave for the entire family to enjoy.

The event begins at 7 p.m., and movies will start shortly after 8 p.m. right after the sunset.  Continue Reading

The Streets Department has changed the block party approval process to include police pre-approval.

Street event applications, handled by the Right of Way Unit, will now require pre-screening approval from local police districts in advance of being processed. This change applies to applications submitted for approval on or after August 1, 2018. Applicants seeking approval to close their street to host a block party or another street event must submit a Block Party Authorization Approval Form to their local Police District before applying for a permit with the Streets Department.  Continue Reading