The Parent Infant Center invites families with young children to celebrate the joy of reading at the annual PIC Family Book Fest on Saturday, Nov. 22. There will be plenty of read-aloud stories and crafts, Bollywood dancing, music, storytelling, and an appearance by WXPN’s Kathy O’Connell, host of Kids Corner. You can also bring a slightly used children’s book for the book swap table and take home something new to you.

The event will be held at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut), from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Screen shot from the video below that was produced by the Philo Project.

Need a rake? A wrench? Some pliers? Maybe a gas-powered lawn care tool to call your very own? You’re in luck because this Saturday (Nov. 22) is the West Philly Tool Library‘s semi-annual Fall Tool Sale and Drive.

The sale is a chance to get in on some great tool buys as they thin out the inventory a little and raises some much need cash. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tool Library, 1314 S. 47th.

Tax deductible donations are also encouraged and coffee and refreshments will be provided.

By the way, if you are unfamiliar with the West Philly Tool Library and want to join, here’s a little video you should watch:

The city will unveil the locations of the most requested bike share stations tomorrow at 30th Street Station. Swing by during the day from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the west side of the main waiting area.

As it has already been reported in city-wide and local media, the city’s first bike share program is expected to launch in the Spring 2015, bringing public bikes available for pick-up and drop-off at around 60 locations in Center City and parts of South, North and West Philadelphia. Recently, the City completed a five-week long survey where the public was asked to provide input on suggested bike share stations across the city. Around 10,000 public comments on 100 potential bike share locations were submitted through an online map, via in-person surveys and text messages and now there is an opportunity to learn more about the results of the survey in West Philly.

The first Bike Share Results Open House took place Tuesday in Center City:

Come learn about Philly #bikeshare for Spring 2015, Today at the Gallery 9th and Market Sts. until 6 PM. pic.twitter.com/acukZh05UB

— PhillyBikeShare (@phillybikeshare) November 18, 2014

Some 16 bike share stations have been proposed in West Philadelphia, most of them on and around the Penn and Drexel campuses. The westernmost location is on Walnut Street between 43rd and 44th. One location is on Baltimore Avenue (at 43rd St), three on or near Lancaster Ave (at 38th, 39th and 40th), four on Market Street (near 30th Street Station, 33rd, 37th, and 41st Streets), four on or near Walnut Street (near 34th, 36th, 40th, and 44th Streets).

These and other stations were considered based on a number of factors, including population density, bike lanes, available space, employment, shopping, cultural and recreational destinations and suggestions from stakeholders and the public.

Corey Harris (publicity photo).

After the summer break and some uncertainty regarding the Fall 2014 season, Crossroads Music is resuming its program. So far the company has announced performances by two musicians, which will take place at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut) while the Calvary Church building, its usual performance space, is undergoing maintenance.

This Sunday (Nov. 16), Corey Harris, a blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and band leader, will give two performances. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. (tickets are $10-$30 and can be purchased here) and there will also be a free program for children and their caregivers starting at 6 p.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 23, Honduran musician Aurelio will bring Garifuna music sounds to The Rotunda. This performance also begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available here.

More performances will be announced soon, according to the Crossroads Music website, so check it regularly for updates.

Saturday park cleanup map.

It’s that time of year again when you get to love on your local park a little. Calls for volunteers have gone out for the “Love Your Park Fall Service Day” on Saturday, Nov. 15, when neighbors get together in their favorite green space and help each other spruce it up. Tools are usually provided, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring a rake and some gloves if you have them.

At Cedar Park (49th and Cedar) they need help planting trees, bulbs and ground cover. They are also raking leaves and doing general cleanup to get the park ready for winter. Work will go on at the park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and volunteers are asked to email tatemch (at) aol.com to let an organizer know you’re coming.

Lifelong park volunteer Doris Gwaltney, who died in January 2014, will be honored in a celebration at Carroll Park (58th St. and Girard Ave). Doris started the Carroll Park Neighbors Advisory Council, one of the first groups to partner with nonprofit organizations and city government to build community through revitalization of urban parks. Several speakers will get start at noon and the cleanup efforts at Carroll Park start at 11 a.m.  Continue Reading

Friday is finally here and despite chilly temperatures hitting our area a lot of cool and energizing stuff will be happening tonight on Lancaster Avenue, between 35th and 43rd Streets, as part of the monthly 2nd Fridays on Lancaster Avenue. Tonight’s program will include an art show opening, film screenings, live music and open mic, an orchestral disco party, coffee tasting, shopping, and more! Check out the flier below and also visit our Events Calendar for more information about tonight’s events. There is also a Facebook page for Lancaster Avenue – West Philadelphia, with tons of useful info.