Iris Marie Bloom, a well-known West Philly activist and director of the environmental group Protecting Our Waters, is one of the organizers of an anti-fracking protest which will take place tomorrow, Sept. 7, from noon to 2 p.m. in Center City. The protest will include a rally in front of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and march which will follow until 3 p.m.

Another West Philly resident, Beth Nixon of Spiral Q Puppet Theater Ramshackle Enterprises, will also join the action as one of the performers at the rally.

One of the speakers at the tomorrow’s rally is Josh Fox, director of Oscar-nominated documentary Gasland.

For more information on the protest visit this page.

Here’s something else to do tomorrow after the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll. The West Philly Tool Library is throwing an open house party at 7:30 p.m. for folks in the neighborhood. If you haven’t seen their new location yet this is a good chance to do it and also to enjoy the company of your West Philly neighbors.

Food and drinks will be served and West Philly’s own Sour Mash will perform starting at 8 p.m.

If you have some tools lying around your house that you are not planning to use bring them with you and receive a prize (and a receipt for your tax-deductible donation).

And just a reminder: the new warehouse is located at 1314 S. 47^th Street.

How do we know that the summer’s almost over? The final 2011 Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will take place this Thursday, Sept. 1. Yes, the fourth and the final one this year. So, don’t miss the chance to enjoy $1 deals again and say goodbye to this event until the next summer.

We hear that nearly 20 businesses, vendors and food trucks will participate in the final Dollar Stroll, so look out for new participants.

The stroll will start as usual at 5:30 p.m. (it’s not a bad idea to come early) and will go on until 8:30 p.m. Apart from the vendors, there will be live music and street performances as well. And, as always, there will be copies of the free West Philly Mix Tape download card available for pick-up. If you haven’t got one, stop by the University City District table in front of Calvary Church (48^th and Baltimore).

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Hurricane Irene has caused some service and event cancellations and closings in the city. Here’s what we have so far as concerns our area. Drop a comment if you have anything to add.

Services:

• SEPTA is canceling service from 12:30 a.m. until noon on Sunday.

Events:

• 40th Street Summer Music Series concert by Viex Farka Toure & Kyo Daiko canceled (originally scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday).
• Mantua Community Improvement Committee’s 7th annual Family Day Festival canceled (originally scheduled for Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.). The event will be rescheduled.
• Street Movies! outdoor short film screening at Milk Creek Playground (4700 Brown St.) canceled (originally scheduled for Saturday, 7:30 p.m.). The event is rescheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 31.
• Rockin it Clean Live show at The Rotunda canceled (originally scheduled for Saturday, 6:30 p.m.). The show is rescheduled for Oct. 8.

Closings:

• Penn Museum is closed both Saturday and Sunday.
• World Cafe Live is closed Sunday and tomorrow’s shows are postponed.

It is Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant’s 4th anniversary today and in honor of their birthday specially prepared Flemish Sour will be on tap. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. For more information go here.

Neighbors are welcome to share their concerns about crime and other neighborhood issues at a community meeting with Lt. Brian McBride and Sgt. Ron Washington of the University City section of the 18th Police District. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow, August 18, at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore Ave.).

Meetings with McBride are held on the third Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the large classroom on the lower level.