The Woodlands historic grounds is hosting the Spring edition of Go West! Craft Fest this Saturday (April 28), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The popular West Philly festival and craft market will feature handmade items from about 100 local makers, plus live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and acrobatic performances.

This is a great opportunity to spend a nice spring day outdoors and also shop for unique Mother’s Day gifts. There will be a lot to choose from, including artisan jewelry, ceramics, home wares, clothing, cards, candles, soaps, scents, sweets, toys, tinctures, treasures, and works of art! You can check the vendor list before heading out to the Fest here.

Also check out the entertainment schedule:  Continue Reading

Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas

West Philly’s Curio Theatre Company is closing out the season with another production that looks back in time to shed light on our current sociopolitical moment. Curio staged Marie Antoinette, a work that highlights political and personal excess, earlier this year. This week Catch-22, an adaptation of Joseph Heller’s classic novel, opens on the Curio’s stage in the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 4740 Baltimore Ave.

Set during World War II but aimed as a critique of the Cold War and McCarthyism, Catch-22 follows the travails of American bombardier John Yossarian and other soldiers who are walking the fine line between carrying out their duty while trying to remain sane amid the absurdity and hypocrisy of a stultifying bureaucracy.  Continue Reading

Heritage roses, historic boxwoods, vegetable and herb starts, native perennials, shrubs, trees and more will be available for sale at this year’s plant sale at Bartram’s Garden. The popular annual event will be held on Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. It is also a great opportunity to visit the 1731 Bartram House which will be open all day.

Throughout the day, horticulturalists will be on hand to answer questions and share garden-planning advice.

Bartram’s Garden members are invited to check out this year’s fabulous selection of plants during a Member Preview Party on Friday, April 20, plus enjoy discounts on plant and Welcome Center purchases.  Continue Reading

Here’s a chance to meet and hear from some candidates up for election in next month’s primaries. The 27th Ward Democratic Executive Committee is hosting a candidates forum on Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Rosenberger Hall on the University of the Sciences campus (west side of the 600 block of S. 43rd St. – across from Clark Park).

The forum will feature candidates for the seat from the newly redrawn 3rd Congressional district. Incumbent Dwight Evans, a Democrat and former state representative from North Philly running for his second term, will join Democratic challenger Kevin Johnson, a pastor at the Dare to Imagine Church in East Mount Airy, at the event.

Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional district, which was unveiled earlier this year after the state Supreme Court ordered that it be redrawn, includes West and Northwest Philadelphia and Center City.  Continue Reading

Community members are invited this Thursday (April 12) to a Candidates’ Night for the Democratic candidates running for the 188th district seat. The event is hosted by the 27th Democratic Ward and will feature candidates Jeff Curry, Dianne Settles and the incumbent Jim Roebuck. As the primary election day is approaching fast (it will be held on May 15), this is a great opportunity to discuss current issues in Pennsylvania and ask the candidates what they would do in Harrisburg to bring about the policies you support.

The event will take place at the University of the Sciences, Rosenberger Hall (600 S. 43rd St.) beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Also a reminder that the last day for voter registration before the primary is Monday, April 16. For more information, visit the Committee of Seventy website.

West Philadelphia residents are invited this and next month to University of the Sciences to participate in a series of career development workshops. This free four-week series will help improve your resume, networking skills, job search strategies, and interviews.

Workshops will be held at USciences Alumni Hall (Room 100) from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on April 18, April 25, May 2, and May 9.

Space is limited, so RSVP is required with address and phone number. Please email: e.lohbau@usciences.edu or call 215.596.8970.