Update (9:30 am): Woodland Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets is still closed. Shuttle buses are operating from 49th and Woodland to 40th Street.

Oct. 7, 11:03 am: Philadelphia Water Department crews are out fixing a water main break at 43rd and Woodland this morning. Due to the break, the eastbound lane of Woodland Avenue is closed and the Route 36 and 11 trolleys are diverting onto Chester Avenue from 40th – 49th Streets. Some buildings in the area temporarily lost water service but it was restored by 9:10 a.m. Stay tuned for updates.

Here’s a list of places where you can watch tonight’s debate between the Republican challenger Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.

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Four more cheers: Debate Watch Party with Chili

5011 Larchwood Avenue
8:00 – 10:00 pm
Complimentary Vegi Chili will be served. Feel free to bring some toppings.
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Democratic Party Debate Watch Party

Mill Creek, 4200 Chester Avenue
8:00 – 11:00 pm
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Red, White & Blue Coffee & Cocktails Debate

Cafe Rue 52, 503 S. 52nd Street (52nd & Larchwood)
8:30 – 10:30 pm
Complimentary coffee & cocktails.
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Garden Court Watch Party

Garden Court Plaza, 4701 Pine Street
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
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Debate Watch Party and Phone Bank

Reed’s Coffee & Tea House, 3802 Lancaster Avenue
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
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The Debate Watch Party and Phone Bank

THIS AND THAT, 3856 Lancaster Avenue
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Refreshments will be provided.
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Drexel University Debate Watch Party

Nesbitt Hall, Stein Auditorium, 3215 Market Street
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Pizza will be served.
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UPenn Graduate Students Debate Watch Party

Penn Law School, Gittis 213, 3501 Sansom Street
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
For Penn grad students only.

Update (1:40 pm): The rusty water problem should now be resolved, according to a message posted on PWD’s Facebook page. PWD is advising their customers to flush cold water taps, starting with the lowest floors, until the water runs clear.

10:54 am: The Philadelphia Water Department has issued a rusty water advisory for the area:

“While Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) crews were performing maintenance on the water distribution system in University City, rusty water resulted in some properties in the area. PWD crews are in the area and are in the process of establishing the extent of the impact.  Crews are also taking water samples and flushing hydrants to correct the issue.”

PWD has not specified where exactly in the area this issue has been found.

The advisory states that rusty water is not a health concern, but it is not pleasant to drink and shouldn’t be used to wash laundry. Residents with health concerns, however, are advised to contact their health care provider before drinking or using the water. If you have questions, please call PWD’s emergency hotline at 215-685-6300. You can also find more information and updates on PWD’s Facebook page.

If you have been affected by this problem, please let us know in the comments where you are.

More parklets are popping out around the University City area. Just recently, the University City District installed one on 44th Street between Spruce and Locust. A third parklet, although a little smaller (with just three tables), has emerged right next to recently opened Ramen Bar (4040 Locust Street).

Here’s a great campaign that helps improve our neighborhoods. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s tree planting initiate, TreePhilly, engages property owners, business and community residents to improve their communities by planting and maintaining trees. The fall campaign is underway now and residents can sign up until October 19 to receive their free trees.

This fall, residents are eligible to receive up to two free trees per address. Last spring, West Philly residents ordered hundreds of trees, per information provided by Parks & Rec.

To register for your free tree, please go to www.treephilly.org, or contact Erica Smith,
Tree Philly manager, at 215-683-0217 or email: erica.smith@phila.gov with your request.

Note: You have to be a property owner in order to be eligible and plant the trees in the ground in your private yard space, not in the sidewalk outside of your property.

It’s always great news to hear that a local business is doing well, especially when it’s expanding into other locations. One of the anchor businesses in the area, the Green Line Cafe, has posted an announcement that on October 1 it’s opening a shop in Center City, at 15th and Moravian – a couple blocks away from City Hall. Green Line will take over the Cafe Loftus currently operating in that location. This will be Green Line’s fourth shop, with other locations at 45th and Locust, 43rd and Baltimore and 37th and Lancaster. They also operate a kiosk inside the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania.

This news comes as Green Line, a family-owned business, begins celebrating their 10th anniversary. The first Green Line Cafe opened in January 2003 at 43rd and Baltimore.