Pasqually’s, the pizza and beer spot on 43rd Street near Walnut, was burglarized early Sunday morning.

Police responded to a burglary alarm at the restaurant at 4:20 a.m. and found signs of forced entry and a crow bar on the counter. Cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets were taken, according to police.

Police say their was no surveillance video at the rear of the building where the break-in occurred and that inside cameras were turned off.

West Philly Runners, who frequently end their neighborhood runs at Pasqually’s, are holding a fundraiser to help recoup some of the money lost in the burglary. They are hosting what they are calling the “pizza mile” after their weekly Wednesday run. Eat a slice, run around the block and repeat. The pizza run starts at 7 p.m. at Pasqually’s.

“The pizza mile is a fun attraction, but the main goal is to get people from the community out to support by being there to buy beer and food,” said Alon Abramson of West Philly Runners.

More info is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Here’s a chance to visit a few beautiful homes of Garden Court, get to know your neighbors, and dine on gourmet meals prepared by talented neighborhood chefs. The Progressive Dinner, the annual fundraising event for Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) will be held on Saturday (Sept. 24) and will supporting the Cheryl Roebuck Scholarship fund, neighborhood projects, and a summer camp

The Progressive Dinner starts at a home near 46th and Cedar for check-in and appetizers, then moves on to another for the main course, and ends with dessert and dancing at Take The Lead Studios at 47th and Pine.

After purchasing a ticket ($45/$40 for GCCA members) choose one style of cuisine from a selection that includes:

• Italian
• Mexican
• Tunisian
• Caribbean
• Fish/ Vegetarian
• Belgian

Note: Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to attend this event.  Continue Reading

Neighborhood Bike Works, the West Philly youth bike education program, is turning 20 years old and will hold a birthday party and a bike drive on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The celebration will be held from 3 – 7 p.m. at NBW’s location at 3939 Lancaster Ave. As for birthday gifts, the organization is in need of more used bikes, parts, and accessories and will be ready to take bike donations at the party to benefit their youth bike education programming.

The party will include cool free raffles (extra tickets for donating a bike!); cake, Weckerly’s ice cream sandwiches and snacks from Trader Joe’s; and Goldsprints (head-to-head stationary bike racing) provided by the Philly Bike Messenger Association.

Check out the event’s Facebook page for more info. (Photos courtesy of Neighborhood Bike Works)

Bartram’s Garden will be hosting the annual Philadelphia Honey Festival this Sunday (Sept. 11). The festival will feature a bunch of fun and educational events and activities for the whole family, include honey tastings and sales from local beekeepers. Festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and daytime events are free and open to the public. Check out the Bartram’s Garden website for more details.

One of the special events planned as part of the festival is the “Buzzed” Ice Cream Social fundraiser, featuring Little Baby’s ice cream, Art in the Age cocktails, and boozy ice cream floats!

Guests are invited to sample the exclusive new Bartram’s Garden flavor from Little Baby’s Ice Cream and enjoy Philly-themed favorites from Art in the Age, which is crafting a number of specialty concoctions specifically for the event including a Bartram-inspired cocktail.

Photos courtesy of Bartram’s Garden

Tickets are $15 ($12 for Bartram’s Garden members) and include your first drink and first ice cream or float. All guests will need to provide photo ID before being served alcohol. Click here to buy your ticket online.

The event will be held from 3 – 5 p.m. and all ages are welcome.

Bartram’s Garden is located at 5400 Lindbergh Blvd. and you can get there by public transportation (Trolley Route 36) or by bike. Parking is also available.

For more information, visit: bartramsgarden.org.

More than 20 West Philly-based barbers will be at the West Philadelphia branch of YMCA this Sunday (Sept. 4) to provide free haircuts for youths as they prepare for the upcoming school year. This is the 2nd annual “Back 2 School” free hair-cutting event organized by the local group “Barbers Who Care.”

The event will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and will also include child friendly activities, music, and special guests. West Philly YMCA is located at 5120 Chestnut Street.

Dozens received free haircuts at last year’s event.

Just a week before Philadelphia public schools reopen for the 2016-2017 school year, a number of local businesses and organizations are holding school supply drives.

• PB & Jams PHL and Sofistifunk are hosting The Back to School Jawn on Wednesday, Aug 31, from 6 – 9 p.m. The event will take place in Cedar Park at the Taco Angeleno location (5019 Baltimore Ave.). Please bring some new school supplies for neighborhood kids heading back to school, and enjoy tacos and nachos from Taco Angeleno, sweet treats and shakes prepared by PB&Jams, and music by Sofistifunk. This is a low-cost event, and there’s no cover charge. For more details, check out the event’s Facebook page.

• Philadelphia Forman Mills stores, including the 48th and Market location, will be collecting school supplies for the 6ABC “Stuff a Backpack” Drive through Wednesday, Aug. 31. There will be a collection bin at each participating Forman Mills location. Suggested donation items include: number 2 pencils, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, glue and glue sticks, markers (thin and thick), pen/pencil pouches, folders, child scissors. Items must be new and unused. Please don’t bring lunch boxes, food, or money. The store hours are: Mon-Sat 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 7 p.m..  Continue Reading