A Book a Day, a local initiative that donates newly published children’s books to public schools in West Philadelphia, has been holding writing contests for children since the beginning of the pandemic.

Their third contest is currently underway and is dedicated to food and cooking. This contest will be broken into four phases based on the four seasons. The first season is called “Warmth of Winter”.

“Our goal now and for future rounds of these contests is to be as inclusive as possible and reach as many communities as we can,” writes So Young, A Book A Day’s senior assistant manager. “This is not only educational for our children but it is also an exciting task to look forward to as they will win free books, cooking materials and also get their recipes published!” Continue Reading

The Office of City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive for youth in the Third District, which encompasses West and Southwest Philadelphia. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are accepted through Friday, Dec. 17 at City Hall, Room 586 (1400 JFK Blvd.). Check out the flier below with more information.

Donations of toys and other items are also welcome at various West Philly-based non-profit organizations working with families and youth, such as Achievability, People’s Emergency Center, and Families Forward.

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Two local non-profit organizations are seeking volunteers to work with Philadelphia children on their reading and writing skills or to help with other tasks.

• Mighty Writers, which has been focusing on providing food and literacy during the pandemic, is looking for volunteers who love writing and want to share that love with young people. Volunteers at Mighty Writers (over 400 every year!) are writers, playwrights, filmmakers, artists and business professionals. Volunteers all have three things in common: compassion, patience and a willingness to learn from the students.

Currently there are two ways to volunteer with Mighty Writers – by offering 1:1 writing attention to a child, or supporting the organization’s food and diaper distribution efforts. Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association is inviting families to kick off their trick-or-treating festivities at Clark Park, where the annual Halloween Tot Parade will be held this year. The decision to move the parade, which traditionally kicks off at 45th and Baltimore and proceeds down 45th St. to Osage Ave., was made because of COVID safety precautions.

The 2021 parade will take place around Clark Park and will not culminate in the traditional Osage Ave. block party, according to the organizers. Gathering begins at 4 p.m. at 43rd and Baltimore and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. The Penn Drum Line will participate in the event, and there will be treats and other fun activities.

The organizers are asking attendees to wear masks – the scary kind and the COVID-safe kind – and to follow social distancing guidelines.

If you have been waiting for news about the Spruce Hill Halloween “Tot” Parade, here is a short update for now: the popular annual event that draws hundreds of participants will not return this year in its usual form, according to the organizers, the Spruce Hill Community Association. However, a smaller event is being planned in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more information.

Families are also invited to celebrate Halloween at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) during Halloween Family Fun Day. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 24 from Noon to 3 p.m. and will feature a digital Halloween themed self-guided tour, and performances by Tangle Movement Arts and Karen Smith’s “Spiritual Atmospheric Cleansing.” Also after a hiatus, All Hallow’s Read, a spooky book event, will return this year as part of the Family Fun Day. Please bring a spooky or seasonal book to swap. Readers of all ages and spooky costumes of all kinds are welcome. Go here for more info. Continue Reading

Summer Rock at The Green Tambourine.

The Green Tambourine is reopening soon for in-person learning!

Programs:

Beginning September 7th, the 9-year-old music studio located at 711 S. 50th St., will be offering in-person individual lessons for all ages, as well as group beginner instrumental classes for 2-4 kids and ensembles (vocal groups & rock bands). Go here for more info and to register.

Teachers:

• Julia is a vocalist and pianist with focus on classical and musical theater.

• Justin is a guitar player and classroom music educator who also plays bass, piano and ukulele. He loves funk, jazz and pop music.

• Evelyn is a pianist focusing on classical music. Continue Reading