We are happy to pass along the news that Neighborhood Bike Works – a non-profit well known across the city for connecting education, kids and bikes – is having a grand opening celebration this Saturday, Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their new Community Shop and Bike Education Hub at 3939 Lancaster Ave.

You can have a look at the new space and get some info on upcoming youth and adult programs while enjoying some refreshments and activities. There will also be a commemorative t-shirt screen printing so bring a t-shirt along.  Continue Reading

Halloween is less than a month away and the Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion (40th and Woodland) is once again presenting a series of fun and spooky events for kids and adults alike. More information is below. Also, Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave.) is accepting donations of children’s books for All Hallow’s Read: a spooky book swap that will be held at the Woodlands on Sunday, Oct. 25, from Noon to 4.

HollyWoodlands Movie Night featuring Ghostbusters
Saturday, Oct. 17
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m.
Requested donation: $10 for adults, $2 for children under 12yrs
Household Level Members and up: Free entry

The Woodlands will provide the firepits, you bring the s’mores, blankets and chairs. PB & Jams and Happy Hippy will be onsite to provide all your snacking needs.  Continue Reading

Grandparents and other relatives who are raising children are invited to the 3rd biennial Helping Hands Kinship Care Conference this Saturday (Oct. 3). The conference, which will take place at the West Philadelphia High School, is organized by Sen. Anthony H. Williams in partnership with the Philadelphia Kinship Care Committee.

The conference will feature a presentation on the new Community Umbrella Agency system (CUA) and workshops on issues that may be relevant to your family, such as Custody and the Law, Family Dynamics of Kinship Care, and Behavioral Health Resources.

This is a free event, but registration is required for lunch: Please call and leave a message for Adele Struble at Turning Points for Children at 215-528-3499 or Grand Central at 215-557-1554. Please provide the following for registration: Name, Address, Phone, Email, Kinship Caregiver relationship to child.

Date: October 3, 2015
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: West Philadelphia High School, 4901 Chestnut St.

Visit beautiful Garden Court homes and dine on gourmet meals on Saturday, Oct. 3.

This is a great chance to visit and learn more about one of the most beautiful West Philly neighborhoods and meet many of its wonderful residents. On Saturday, Oct. 3, everyone is invited to the annual Garden Court Community Association’s Progressive Dinner. Recently, three Garden Court blocks made it to the top 25 of the most beautiful streets in Philadelphia, and you can visit some of these homes during this event and dine on gourmet international meals. In addition, you can dance the night away at Take The Lead Dance Studio.

The event supports community projects (here‘s just one of the programs GCCA volunteers do in the area). You don’t have to be a GCCA member to attend; however members receive a perk of a discounted ticket price.  Continue Reading

Philly Thriller dancers perform in front of The Rotunda near 40th and Walnut. (Facebook photo)

Halloween is approaching fast, and the super popular local dance group Philly Thriller is seeking performers for the 7th annual Thriller-inspired flash mob-style dance routine on Halloween night. Rehearsals will begin on Friday, Oct. 16. If you’re interested to join the group, check out this announcement from the Magic Bowl Dance Company:

Always wanted to do the Thriller dance? Saw us last year and want to join in on the fun this year? Be there for a night of performing a short Thriller-inspired dance routine in the streets of West Philly!

Rehearsals pre-registration is required as space is limited!
In full costume and zombie make-up! Four Rehearsals [will be held at University City Arts League]. Must be 18 or older.  Continue Reading

West Philly artists have an opportunity to exhibit their work at an upcoming Transformation exhibition presented by Flying Kite magazine. The exhibition, which will be on display from Oct. 2 through Oct. 30 at A Poet Art Gallery in the Parkside section of West Philadelphia, is being presented as part of Flying Kite’s On the Ground neighborhood engagement program. The program creates a temporary media hub in a vacant or under-utilized storefront or building and takes a deep dive on neighborhood transformation through coverage, events and social media. After 90 days it’s on to the next neighborhood.

Proposals are being excepted from artists who live or work in West Philadelphia. Works can be in any medium, but should be responsive to the theme of Transformation. The organizers hope to bring together artists in Parkside and West Philadelphia to celebrate the creativity and innovation that can serve as a catalyst for business and cultural development along the Girard Ave. corridor in Parkside. All artists will be highlighted in a preview article published in Flying Kite.  Continue Reading