Photo courtesy of cinéSPEAK

Local cinephiles will have to wait until at least the Fall for the launch of cinéSPEAK’s brick-and-mortar microcinema in West Philly. The new 75-seat theater was originally planned to open at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 48th and Baltimore in June, but the COVID-19 pandemic made these plans impossible.

In the meantime, the organization, which has been holding mobile film screenings for almost seven years, has launched a virtual cinema featuring independent titles from around the world previously only available in-theater. Each week, cinéSPEAK premieres entertaining and provocative domestic and international cinematic works.  Continue Reading

West Philly Local readers came across two mysterious “installations” in the northern section of Clark Park (Clark Park “A”) near 43rd and Baltimore. The first one appeared in the last couple of days and is apparently growing with new items being added. It looks like someone was moving and decided to bring their unwanted stuff to the park, but it’s kinda organized to resemble a room or a part of a house. Check it out:

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The city’s ban of single-use plastic bags, which was expected to go into effect on July 2nd, has been postponed until January 2021. The July start date for the new regulation was reconsidered by the City because of the disruption of work of many businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A July start date was not realistic in light of the pandemic, Mayor Jim Kenney said last week.

The ban is now expected to go into effect on January 1, 2021, and enforcement is expected to begin next April.

The ban will affect businesses like supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, take-out restaurants, farmer’s markets and even food trucks. They will have to either switch to paper bags or offer their customers an option to buy a reusable bag.

Worf (responds to Worfie) is an indoor/outdoor cat that’s been missing from his home at 50th and Hazel since April 15th. He got stuck hanging in between two fence panels by one rear leg and when his owner freed him he ran away.

The cat was last seen running into a yard on Larchwood Ave.

He’s an older cat, all black with some grey, a tipped ear, larger fangs, boxy looking, and is pretty friendly. He most likely has some kind of injury on a rear leg, according to the owner.

If you see this cat, please email Matt at: mcurran@gmail.com or call 267.973.3491.

Pennsylvania liquor stores have been closed since March 18th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But starting this Monday (April 27), the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has expanded the list of Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores that accept orders for curbside pickup. Now three West Philly stores – 43rd and Chestnut, 49th and Baltimore and at 51st and Lancaster – are included in the list.  Continue Reading

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This year, Ramadan is being observed by Muslims all over the world from April 23rd to May 23rd. This is a reminder that some halal restaurants in the area close or have special hours during this month.

Saad’s Halal at 45th and Walnut will be closed for the month of Ramadan. The popular Spruce Hill restaurant, which has been offering takeout in the last few weeks due to the COVID-19 health crisis, will reopen on May 24th. For more information, visit their website.

Manakeesh Cafe across the street from Saad’s will remain open for takeout and delivery, but will have special hours – from 7:00-9:30 p.m. During Ramadan, Manakeesh offers special packages and platters that can be pre-ordered for free delivery. Check out the flyer for more info. To order online, go here.